 The
castle is set on a mound built by William the Conqueror.
The wooden fortress was destroyed by fire during anti-Jewish
riots in 1190.
In 1244 Henry III visited York
and commissioned the reconstruction this time in magnesian
limestone. The shape was quatrefoil and a fore-building
was placed between two of the curves. This contained
the entrance with portcullis and heavy doors. During
this period a stone wall was built around the large bailey
to the south east of the keep. There were about five
towers and two gateways.
During the reign of Edward I
York assumed great importance in the Scottish campaigns.
The royal courts and exchequer were accommodated in the castle
bailey.
After the death of Edward II
the exchequer moved back to Westminster and the castle was
abandoned. By 1360 the walls of the keep had cracked
from top to bottom.
During the Civil War the castle,
although in poor repair, was fortified and garrisoned for
the King. After bombardment the castle surrendered in
1644.
In 1660, following the Restoration,
the damaged fore-building was replaced and the royal arms
and those of the Clifford family were placed in panels above
the entrance. It was at this time that the tower received
its present name and commemorates Roger de Clifford, a Lancastrian
leader, who was hanged in chains from the top of the ramparts
in 1322.
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Cliffords
Tower
