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This is England’s capital city when it comes to culture, it’s the city of York City, Part 2.

By Mark on March 27, 2010

This is a post about my favourite city in England it is the city of York, which is a walled city, which is joined up with the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is a very old city and has a very high and rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. Now York dates back to the Roman era and the city was created by the Romans back in 71AD. Back then they named the Eboracum, there is a suggestion that the  name may have a  derived from one used by the British tribes who inhabited the area. So the Romans decided to make this city their own capital and it became the capital of their Province of Britannia Inferior.

York Minster south transept

Photo by Lawrence OP

River Ouse

Photo by vgm8383

The city of Eboracum, ran from 71 AD to 415AD, that was when the romans started to collapse. This mean’t that the city was to be taken over by the Angles, who went on to rename the city, Eoforwic. This newly renamed city went on to become the capital of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria. Sadly it was then captured by the Viking’s in 866 AD, who then went on to rename it  Jórvík, this newly renamed city then went on to become the capital of a larger kingdom of the same name covering much of Northern England.  But yet again the city went under attack, this time it was the Norman’s and their conquest. The name “York”, which was first used in the 13th century, gradually evolved. And thanks to a major wool trade in the Middle Ages, the city of York grew and it became an ecclesiastical capital of the northern province of England. The Province of York has remained one of the two Church of England ecclesiastical provinces, along with that of Canterbury.

Topsy Turvy

Photo by Xerones

Now how many of you knew that this city is actually the half way mark between the major capitals of London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland, and because of this, you will understand why it has been a major city within the nation’s transport system. Thanks to the creator George Hudson and his influence in the 19th century, this city became a massive player in the rail network and  a manufacturing centre.

York at dusk

Photo by Dave2638

Sadly for the city of York it has now changed and from being a dominate city, it is now a very small city in the north-east of England and relies more on tourism, rather than politics, with it’s historic attractions, the mighty York Minster and various cultural activities. York is also very lucky to have it’s racecourse, for horses and Bootham Crescent, the home of York City F.C, and the River Ouse helps to give attraction wether sport or leisure. The railway network is still very important, but more for York, than for the rest of the country, and with recession still around manufacturing is not doing as well as it could be. But thankfully, the University of York and health services have become major employers. The term for the City of York, actually describes some areas of the county of Yorkshire, not just the old city, but moving beyond the walls to rural areas as well. The population taken of York back in 2001, was 137,505, while in 2007 the entire unitary authority had an estimated population of 193,300.
Finally as long as the train strike does not go ahead, just after easter Emma and myself will be going back up to York, Yipee, here is a Youtube video promoting York, enjoy.

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