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History Toponymy The name 'York' ultimately derives from the Latin name for the city, variously rendered as Eboracum, Eburacum or Eburaci. The first known recorded mention of York by this name is dated circa 95-104 AD and is an address on a wooden stylus tablet from the Roman fortress of Vindolanda in Northumbria.
The toponymy of Eboracum is uncertain as the language of the indigenous population of the area was never recorded. Based on the generally accepted view of British history , the inhabitants of Britain probably spoke a celtic language, related to modern Welsh. The most widely accepted theory is therefore that Eboracum is derived from the Proto-Brythonic word Eborakon meaning either 'place of the yew trees' (cf.
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History Toponymy The name 'York' ultimately derives from the Latin name for the city, variously rendered as Eboracum, Eburacum or Eburaci. The first known recorded mention of York by this name is dated circa 95-104 AD and is an address on a wooden stylus tablet from the Roman fortress of Vindolanda in Northumbria.
The toponymy of Eboracum is uncertain as the language of the indigenous population of the area was never recorded. Based on the generally accepted view of British history , the inhabitants of Britain probably spoke a celtic language, related to modern Welsh. The most widely accepted theory is therefore that Eboracum is derived from the Proto-Brythonic word Eborakon meaning either 'place of the yew trees' (cf. yew = efrog in Welsh, eabhrac in Irish Gaelic and iorc in Scottish Gaelic) or perhaps 'field of Eboras'. The name is then thought to have been Latinised by replacing -akon with -acum, in common with many other place names in Roman Britain (e.g. Verlamion.
The name 'Eboracum' became 'Eoforwic' to the Anglo-saxon rulers of the 7th century. This was probably by conflation of 'ebor' with a Germanic root *eburaz (boar); by the 7th century the Old English for boar had become 'eofor', and Eboracum 'Eoforwic'. The 'wic' simply signified 'place'. When conquered by a Danish army in 866, the name Eoforwic would have been incomprehensible to the invaders, and soon became rendered as 'Jórvík'. It has been suggested that this translates as 'horse-bay'; however, regardless of the exact meaning, it is probable it simply represented 'Eoforwic' in sounds familiar to the Danes.
Jorvik was reduced to York in the centuries after the Norman Conquest, moving from the Middle English Yerk to Yourke in the 14th century through to Yourke in the 16th and then Yarke in the 17th century. The form York is first found in the 13th century.
An alternative theory is that the language of the indigenous population was germanic in the first place, and so Eboracum is directly derived from *eburaz. An older and no longer current theory held that, since York was built by the IX Legio Hispania, Eboracum might be named for the Roman city Ebora (in the Iberian peninsula).
Early historyThere is archaeological evidence that Mesolithic people settled in the region where York now is from 8000/7000 BC, although it is not known if these were permanent or temporary settlements. By the time of the Roman conquest of Britain, the area was occupied by tribes known to the Romans as the Brigantes. The Brigantes initially became a Roman client state but later became more hostile to Rome. As a result the Roman Ninth Legion was sent north of the Humber.
The city itself was founded in AD 71, when the Ninth Legion conquered the Brigantes and constructed a military fortress on flat ground above the River Ouse near its junction with the River Foss. The fortess was later rebuilt in stone, covered an area of 50 acres, and was inhabited by 6,000 soldiers. Much of the Roman fortress now lies under the foundations of York Minster, and excavations in the Minster's undercroft have revealed some of the original walls.
The Emperors Hadrian, Septimius Severus and Constantius I all held court in York during their various campaigns. During his stay, the Emperor Severus proclaimed York capital of the province of Britannia Inferior, and it is likely that it was he who granted York the privileges of a colonia or city. Constantius I died during his stay in York, and his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor by the troops based in the fortress.
In the 7th century York became the chief city of the Angle King Edwin of Northumbria. The first Minster church was built at this time, for the baptism of Edwin in 627. Edwin ordered that this small wooden church should be rebuilt in stone, but he was killed in 633 and the task of completing the stone Minster fell to his successor Oswald.
In 866, Northumbria was in the midst of civil war when the Vikings raided and captured York. Under Viking rule the city became a major river port, part of the extensive Viking trading routes throughout northern Europe. The last ruler of an independent Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe, was driven from the city in the year 954 by King Edred, completing the unification of England.
Post conquestIn 1069, York was ravaged by William the Conqueror as part of the harrying of the North. The old ancient Minster was badly damaged by fire at this time, and the Normans took the decision to build a new Minster on a fresh site. Around the year 1080 Archbishop Thomas started building a cathedral that in time became the current Minster. York started to prosper again, becoming a profitable port and centre of trade, particularly in wool. King Henry I granted the city's first charter, confirming trading rights in England and Europe.
In 1190, York was the site of an infamous pogrom of its Jewish inhabitants. The Jews sought sanctuary in Clifford's Tower, one of the city's fortifications. The mob besieged the trapped Jews for some days while preparations were made to storm the castle. Eventually a fire was started, whether by the Jews or their persecutors is uncertain, and 150 Jews lost their lives.
The city underwent a period of decline during Tudor times. Under Henry VIII, the dissolution of the monasteries saw the end of the monastic houses of York, most Northerners were Catholics and were upset with this, leading to the Pilgrimage of Grace in York. Henry VIII eventually reinstated the Council of the North in York, and this increased in importance under Elizabeth I, leading to a revival in the city's influence.
In 1644, during the Civil War, the Parliamentarians besieged York, but with the arrival of Prince Rupert, with an army of 15,000 men, the siege was lifted. The Parliamentarians retreated some six miles (10 km) from York with Rupert in pursuit, before turning on his army and devastatingly defeating it at the Battle of Marston Moor. Of Rupert's 15,000 troops, no fewer than 4,000 were killed and 1,500 captured. The siege was renewed, but the city could not hold out for long, and on July 15 the city surrendered to Sir Thomas Fairfax.
Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, and the removal of the garrison from York in 1688, the city was gradually dominated by the local aristocracy and gentry. Competition from the nearby cities of Leeds and Hull resulted in York losing its preeminent position as a trading centre, but the city's role as the social and cultural centre for wealthy northerners was on the rise. York's many elegant townhouses date from this period, as do the Assembly Rooms, the Theatre Royal, and the Racecourse.
Modern historyGeorge Hudson was responsible for bringing the railway to York in 1839. Although Hudson's career as a railway entrepreneur eventually ended in disgrace, by this time York was a major railway centre. By the turn of the century the railway accommodated the headquarters and works of the North Eastern Railway, which employed over 5,500 people in York. The railway was also instrumental in the expansion of Rowntree's Cocoa Works and Terry's Confectionery Works, who were major employers in the city.
With the emergence of tourism as a major industry, the historic core of York became one of the city's major asset, and in 1968 it was designated a conservation area. The existing tourist attractions were supplemented by the establishment of the National Railway Museum in York in 1975. The opening of the University of York in 1963 added to the prosperity of the city. The fast and frequent railway service, which brings York within two hours journey time of London, has resulted in a number of companies opening offices in the city.
GovernanceLocal governmentYork is the traditional county town of Yorkshire, to which it lends its name. Because of this, it did not form part of any of the three historic ridings, or divisions, of Yorkshire.
York is an ancient borough, and was one of the boroughs reformed by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 to form a municipal borough. It gained the status of a county borough in 1889, under the Local Government Act 1888, and existed so until 1974, when, under the Local Government Act 1972, it became a non-metropolitan district in the county of North Yorkshire.
In the 1990s UK local government reform, York became one of the many boroughs to regain unitary status, but was the only one to see a substantial alteration in its borders, taking in parts of Selby and Harrogate districts, and about half the population of Ryedale district. Unsurprisingly, this caused tension with its neighbours. Ironically, the new boundary had not been promoted by the council, which had proposed the area contained within the A64/A1237 ring road. The current boundary was imposed after central Government had rejected the council's proposal.
The City of York Council has 47 councillors. As a result of the 2007 local elections (and a By-election in September 2007), no party has an absolute majority, resulting in no overall control. The Liberal Democrats have 20 councillors and in May 2007 they formed a minority administration, and an executive of 9 councillors, to lead the Council for the next 12 months. The Labour Party formed the Opposition with 18 councillors. The Conservative Party has 7 councillors and the Greens have 2.
In 2007, Councillor Irene Waudby was appointed York’s Lord Mayor and Councillor Keith Hyman York’s Sheriff with both appointments lasting a year. Although York’s Sheriff office is the oldest in England it is now a purely ceremonial post. The Lord Mayor also carries out civic and ceremonial duties in addition to chairing full meetings of the council.
National governmentMost of York is covered by the City of York constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, though the outer parts of the city and local authority area presently fall within the Selby, Vale of York and Ryedale constituencies.
The whole of the city and local authority area lies within the Yorkshire and the Humber constituency of the European Parliament.
Law courtsThe city has its own Magistrates' Court, and more unusually also a Crown Court and County Court. It is served by the North Yorkshire Police Force.
Twin citiesYork is twinned with:
Dijon, France
Fanteakwa, Ghana
Münster, Germany
Geography
Location York lies within the Vale of York, a flat area of arable land bordered by the Pennines, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss on a terminal moraine left by the last Ice Age.
During Roman times, the land surrounding the rivers Ouse and Foss was very marshy, making it easier to defend. The city is prone to flooding from the River Ouse, and has an extensive (and mostly effective) network of flood defences. These include walls along the Ouse, and a liftable barrier across the River Foss where it joins the Ouse. In October and November 2000 York experienced the worst flooding in 375 years with over 300 homes being flooded. Much land in and around the city has always been too flood-prone for development.
City districts and surrounding villages - Acaster Malbis, Acomb, Askham Bryan, Askham Richard
- Bishopthorpe, Bootham
- Cawood, Clifton, Copmanthorpe, Crockey Hill
- Deighton
- Derwenthorpe (new village, planning permission granted)
- Dringhouses
- Dunnington
- Earswick, Elvington
- Escrick
- Fishergate, Fulford
- The Groves
- Haxby, Heslington, Hessay, Heworth, Holgate, Holtby, Huntington
- Kexby, Knapton
- Layerthorpe
- Middlethorpe, Moor End, Murton
- Naburn, Nether Poppleton, New Earswick
- Osbaldwick
- Rawcliffe, Rufforth
- Skelton, South Bank, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Strensall, Stamford Bridge
- Tang Hall, Towthorpe
- Upper Poppleton
- West Huntington, Wheldrake, Wigginton, Woodthorpe
The ings are flood meadows along the River Ouse, while the strays are scattered around the city in marshy, low-lying places.
ClimateYork has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As with the rest of the Vale of York the City's climate is dryer and warmer than the rest of the Yorkshire and Humberside region. As part of the Vale York is prone to frosts, fog, and cold winds during spring and early summer. In summer the average maximum temperate is 32°C (90°F) but nights are significantly colder averaging minimum of 15°C (60°F). The average daytime temperature in winter is 5°C (42°F) and -6°C (20°F) at night. Snow does fall in winter from December and can fall as late as March. The wettest months are November, December and January with an average of 17 days per month with rainfall more then 0.25mm (0.01 inches). From May to July York experiences the most sunshine with an average of six hours a day.
Demography At the time of the 2001 UK census the population of York was 181,094 and its ethnic composition was 97.84% White, compared with the English average of 90.92%. York's population has a slightly higher elderly population than the national average.
Economy York's economy is based on the service industry with 87.1% of employment in the city in 2006 being in this area. The service industries in York include public sector employment, health, education, finance, IT and tourism that accounts for 10.9% of employment. Unemployment in York is low at 1.9% in 2007 compared to the United Kingdom national average of 3%. The three biggest employers in York are the City of York Council with over 6,500 employees, Norwich Union Life and both with between 3000 and 5000 employees. Other major employers include Card Protection Plan, Nestlé, Shepherd Building Group and British Telecom as well are a number of different railway companies.
This is very different from the position of the economy as recently as the 1950s, when York's prosperity was based on chocolate manufacturing and the railways. This position continued until the early 1980s when 30% of the workforce were employed by just five employers and 75% of manufacturing jobs were in four companies. Most of the industry around the railway has gone, including the carriage works (known as ABB at the time of closure) which at its height in 1880s employed 5,500 people but closed in the mid 1990s. York is the headquarters of the confectionery manufacturer Nestlé York(formerly Nestlé Rowntrees)', and home to the KitKat, Smarties (though not for much longer) and eponymous Yorkie bar chocolate brands. Terry's chocolate factory, makers of the Chocolate Orange, was also located in the city; but it closed on 30 September 2005, when production was moved by its owners, Kraft Foods, to Poland. However, the historic factory building can still be seen, situated next to the Knavesmire racecourse.
It was announced on the 20 September, 2006 that Nestlé would be cutting 645 jobs at the Rowntree's chocolate factory in York. This came after a number of other job losses in the city at Norwich Union, British Sugar and Terry's chocolate factory. Despite this, the employment situation in York remains fairly buoyant, with at least one major employer (NU) still employing more people in the city than it did five years ago.. Since the closure the site has been developed into the headquarters for and two housing schemes, one of which was a Self-build project. York's economy has been developing in the areas of science, technology and the creative industries with the creation of a science park near University of York and the city becoming a founding National Science City. Between 1998 and 2008 York has gained 80 new technology companies and 2,800 new jobs in the sector.
Regional gross value figures added for York, at current basic prices in pounds sterling, are:
The Shambles is a narrow medieval street, lined with shops, boutiques and tea rooms. Most of these premises were once butchers' shops, and the hooks from which carcasses were hung and the shelves on which meat was laid out can still be seen outside some of them. The street also contains the Shrine of Margaret Clitherow, although it is not located in the house where she lived.
Another feature of central York is the Snickelways, narrow pedestrian routes, many of which led towards the former main market-place. The city has many museums, including the Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum & Gardens, JORVIK Viking Centre, the York Art Gallery, Richard III Museum and the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. The National Railway Museum is situated just beyond the station, and is home to a vast range of transport material and the largest collection of railway locomotives in the world. Included this collection are the world's fastest steam locomotive LNER 4468 Mallard and the world famous 4472 Flying Scotsman, which is being overhauled in the Museum.
York is also noted for its wealth of churches and pubs. Many of the remaining churches in York are from the medieval period. It is said that York contains one church for every week of the year and one pub for every day of the year, and that there is no point within the city walls where one can stand and not be able to see at least one pub and at least one church, but these claims are exaggerated.
CultureTheatre
York has a number of theatres, the Theatre Royal, the Grand Opera House and Joseph Rowntree Theatre. It also has many amateur companies, and is home to the Riding Lights Theatre Company.
MusicYork has a fine musical heritage and modern day York has a rich tapestry live music performances all year round. Among many music groups performing regularly in York are the Academy of St Olave's, a chamber orchestra who give concerts in the beautiful setting of St Olave's Church, Marygate.
A former church, St Margaret's, Walmgate, is now the National Centre for Early Music, host to concerts, broadcasts, competitions and events through the year, especially during the York Early Music Festival.
MediaThe York area is served by a local newspaper, The Press (known as the Evening Press until April 2006) and two local radio stations Minster FM and BBC Radio York. It is also served by York@54, a local free-to-air television station.
The University of York has its own television broadcasting channel York Student Television (YSTV) and two campus newspapers nouse and Vision, with Vision currently holding the title of Guardian Student Newspaper of the Year - a position that either one of the two newspapers have held for 4 out of the last 6 years. Its radio station URY is the longest running legal independent radio station in the UK, and was voted BBC Radio 1 Student Radio Station of the Year 2005.
SportsThe city's football team is York City, currently playing in the Football Conference. York have played as high as the old Second Division but are best known for their "giant killing" status in cup competitions, having reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1955 and beaten Manchester United 3-0 during the 1995 League Cup. Their matches are played at KitKat Crescent (formerly Bootham Crescent).
York also has a strong rugby league history. York F.C., later known as York Wasps were one of the oldest Rugby teams in the country but the effects of a move to the out of town Huntington Stadium, poor results and falling attendances led to their bankruptcy in 2002. The supporters formed a new club, York City Knights, who now play at the same stadium in National League Two. An open rowing club York City Rowing Club is located underneath Lendal Bridge.
York Racecourse was established in 1731 and from 1990 has been awarded Northern Racecourse of the Year for 17 years running. This major horseracing venue is located on the Knavesmire and sees thousands flocking to the city every year for the 15 race meetings. The Knavesmire Racecourse also hosted Royal Ascot in 2005. In August racing takes place over the three day Ebor Festival that includes the Ebor Handicap dating from 1843.
The most notable sportsmen to come from York in recent years are footballer Marco Gabbiadini and former England manager Steve McClaren, who both attended Nunthorpe Grammar School (now called Millthorpe School).
Motorbike speedway took place at York. The track in the Burnholme Estate was completed in 1930 and a demonstration event staged. In 1931 the track staged team and open events and the York team took part in the National Trophy.
York International 9s is a rugby league nines tournament which takes place in York each year.
Religion| Religion in York 2001 |
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| UK Census 2001 | York | Yorkshire | England |
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| Christian | 74.42% | 73.07 | 71.74% | | No religion | 16.57% | 14.09% | 14.59% | | Muslim | 0.58% | 3.81% | 3.1% | | Buddhist | 0.21% | 0.14% | 0.28% | | Hindu | 0.19% | 0.32% | 1.11% | | Jewish | 0.11% | 0.23% | 0.52% | | Sikh | 0.05% | 0.38% | 0.67% | | Other religions | 0.30% | 0.19% | 0.29% | | Religion not stated | 7.57% | 7.77% | 7.69% |
Christianity is the religion with the largest following in York with 74.4% residents reporting themselves as Christian in the 2001 census. These census figures show no other single religion returned affiliation, as a percentage of population, above the national average for England.
There are 32 active Anglican churches in York which is home to the Archbishop of York and the Mother Church, | |
