Clifford’s Tower

• 1200: John, King of England regularly stayed at York Castle. The wooden tower was used as his personal chambers.
• 1228: King Henry III spent much time at York Castle. His royal chambers were located within the tower, and he also used this space for receiving the company of William the Lion of Scotland. Henry III spent great sums on repairs during this time. However, on Christmas 1228, a storm destroyed parts of the wooden tower.
• 1280s: King Edward I used York Castle as his headquarters. During this time, he began his aggression towards Scotland.
• 1308-1310: While awaiting trial at the York Minster cathedral, over two dozen Knights Templar were imprisoned at York Castle (they were later found innocent).
• Late 14th Century: York Castle was primarily utilised as a prison.
• 1536: Robert Aske led a revolt against King Henry VIII and was held prisoner at York Castle. He was ultimately executed.
• End of 16th Century: The Clifford family maintains that they are the rightful owners of the castle (due to the name). They soon become constables of York Castle.
• 1650: Oliver Cromwell, English statesman, visited Clifford’s Tower.
• 1665: George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers), was imprisoned within Clifford’s Tower for two days.
• 1739: John Palmer (Dick Turpin) was arrested on suspicion of theft and ultimately held in York Castle. After penning a letter to his relative, he was identified as Dick Turpin, a wanted man. He was found guilty and executed.

Clifford’s Tower Architecture

General Layout

Today, Clifford’s Tower is the largest remaining structure of York Castle, though there are various smaller ruinous buildings dotted throughout the site. The tower originally began as two wooden castles. Clifford’s Tower (formerly known as King’s Tower) was constructed between 1245 and 1270 at the order of King Henry III. Various renovations have taken place, and many buildings, including the tower, have been rebuilt over the centuries.

Original Layout

York Castle was originally two motte-and-bailey fortresses built with wood. They sat atop a mound measuring 60 metres (197 ft) at its widest. The structures were constructed between the River Ouse and the River Foss. The site of the castles is now the site of present-day Clifford’s Tower, and it is the largest structure that still remains on-site.

Danish invaders set fire to the original timber castles (with the support of the people of York), destroying them. William the Conqueror had the fortresses rebuilt, again using wood. Later, one of the castles was abandoned, leaving only the motte. The remaining castle was later rebuilt using stone.

Defences

As early as 1086, the castles on the site boasted water defences, including a moat and lake. Additional protections (added later) included a gatehouse to the Clifford’s Tower. It measured 6.4 metres (21 ft) wide and defended the southern lobe. Turrets were erected between the other tower lobes, and various firing points were dotted throughout. The tower also boasted a chapel (built over its entrance), which also acted as a portcullis chamber.

Bailey

After the Danish invasion and the townspeoples’ betrayal of William the Conqueror, he rebuilt the fortress and enhanced the bailey. During this time, timber buildings were erected inside the bailey, rendering it a “marketplace” of sorts. Buildings and facilities within the bailey included a chapel, barracks, halls, kitchens, and various workshops.

Tower

King Henry III ordered the rebuilding of the castle in the 13th century. Instead of using timber again for the tower, he proposed the use of limestone. He commissioned Henry de Rayns and Simon of Northampton to carry out the architectural project. New additions included a towered curtain wall, a massive towered gatehouse and two small gatehouses, a watergate, and a secured gateway into York.

Clifford’s Tower was constructed during this time, though it was originally named “King’s Tower.” It boasted a two-storey, ornamental four-lobed (quatrefoil) design, an outer bailey wall, and its own gatehouse. Large projections (corbels) jutted out of the stone walls and a central pillar supported the massive weight of the stone used to construct the tower.

Unfortunately, the tower and its surrounding buildings often suffered from flooding and required regular repairs.

In 1684, a massive explosion rocked Clifford’s Tower, collapsing the roof, floor, and central pillar. Only the thick stone walls were left intact. The heat from the explosion also resulted in discoloration of the limestone, giving it a light pink hue. This colour is still visible today.

Prison

Near the end of the 14th century, York Castle’s bailey was used as a detainment area for political prisoners and felons, with many being confined to the castle towers. However, as the late 1600s and early 1700s came to pass, the people of York began complaining about the physical state of the structure. As such, the old bailey was redeveloped with stone taken from the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey.

Three buildings were constructed in the neoclassical style around the tower, including a new detainment area to the south. The Assize Courts were built in the west, with the Sessions House and Common Hall erected to the east.

During the 19th century, prison reform became a hot topic and ultimately led to the rebuilding of the prison facilities. In 1825, it was redesigned in the Tudor Gothic style and boasted an 11 metre (35 ft) gatehouse and massive prison block secured by a stone wall. It had a dark grey exterior, which gave the prison an intimidating and foreboding air. Despite its menacing outer appearance, the interior was considered much improved from the former prison.

The wall surrounding the prison concealed a back area behind the Female Prison that was used for hangings from 1868 and beyond.

During the redesign of the prison, Clifford’s Tower played little to no significant role. The only changes made to the tower during this time was to the motte. It was reduced in size to accommodate the new prison space.

Modern

The prison was torn down in 1935 after it was no longer in use. This left only the ruinous Clifford’s Tower and other small surrounding buildings on the site. Later in the 20th century, these ruins became a popular tourist attraction.

Today, the site is a national monument and managed by English Heritage.

English Heritage has completed conservation work and renovations on Clifford’s Tower. The chapel roof was repaired and Charles I and Henry Clifford’s coats of arms at the entrance have been preserved. In 2022, a roof deck was completed and various new walkways were placed throughout the tower.