York is known for its two Norman-like castles, built under the reign of William the Conqueror. The Old Baile Hill Castle was West of the River Ouse, while York Castle was on the east. Nowadays, the only part remaining of the York Castle is Clifford's tower (nothing remains of Baile). The castles were both built and located in a strategic way in order to keep the Yorks at bay and bring the city under control (taking over the North was not as easy as the South had been).
Since York Castle is the most famous out of the two, I would like to focus on the Baile Hill Castle. It is important to note that the castle does not exist anymore and therefore, use your imagination!!
Construction of Baile Hill started in 1069 and was built in the style of motte and baile, hence the name of the castle. The motte is the mound or hill on which a defensive tower would usually sit, while the bailey is an enclosed courtyard, protected by a palisade and a ditch. Baile hill would have been a large example of this popular defence design.
The 40 feet tall hill mounted a timber tower with stairs to the top and a panoramic view of the city, countryside, and river Ouse. There also would have been the traditional palisade around the Bailey. Bailey Hill was used defensively for about 100 years and was thus destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. By 1200, the castle was out of use. In 1322, it was given to an Archbishop who decided to rebuild the defences, both in wood and stone. Later on, the bailey was used for grazing cattle and between 1807 to 1880 stood a prison.
The remains of the castle were later incorporated into the city's encircling walls. Today, the road named "Baile Hille" follows the old castle ditches.
York's city walls now envelop where Baile Hill Castle once stood
References
Ashworth, Ian, "The Old Baile Hill Castle." Jorvik Discovering York, 2012, http://www.jorvik.co.uk/baile-hill-castle/
Morris, Edd, "The Two Castles in York: Mysterious Baile Hill and Clover-shaped Clifford Tower."Exploring Castles, 2011-2015, http://www.exploring-castles.com/castles_in_york.html
Since York Castle is the most famous out of the two, I would like to focus on the Baile Hill Castle. It is important to note that the castle does not exist anymore and therefore, use your imagination!!
Construction of Baile Hill started in 1069 and was built in the style of motte and baile, hence the name of the castle. The motte is the mound or hill on which a defensive tower would usually sit, while the bailey is an enclosed courtyard, protected by a palisade and a ditch. Baile hill would have been a large example of this popular defence design.
The 40 feet tall hill mounted a timber tower with stairs to the top and a panoramic view of the city, countryside, and river Ouse. There also would have been the traditional palisade around the Bailey. Bailey Hill was used defensively for about 100 years and was thus destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. By 1200, the castle was out of use. In 1322, it was given to an Archbishop who decided to rebuild the defences, both in wood and stone. Later on, the bailey was used for grazing cattle and between 1807 to 1880 stood a prison.
The remains of the castle were later incorporated into the city's encircling walls. Today, the road named "Baile Hille" follows the old castle ditches.
York's city walls now envelop where Baile Hill Castle once stood
References
Ashworth, Ian, "The Old Baile Hill Castle." Jorvik Discovering York, 2012, http://www.jorvik.co.uk/baile-hill-castle/
Morris, Edd, "The Two Castles in York: Mysterious Baile Hill and Clover-shaped Clifford Tower."Exploring Castles, 2011-2015, http://www.exploring-castles.com/castles_in_york.html
