Clifford's Tower

York Castle is a fortified complex in York. It has comprised a sequence of castles, prisons, law courts and other buildings, which were built over the last nine...
Read more

York Castle is a fortified complex in York. It has comprised a sequence of castles, prisons, law courts and other buildings, which were built over the last nine centuries on the south side of the River Foss. The now-ruined keep of the medieval Norman castle is commonly referred to as Clifford's Tower. Built originally on the orders of William I to dominate the former Viking city of Jórvík, the castle suffered a tumultuous early history before developing into a major fortification with extensive water defenses. After a major explosion in 1684, York Castle continued to be used as a jail and prison until 1929.

Read less