The city of York was taken by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century, where he later retaliated to the uprising against Norman invaders in Northumbria, bringing the city to its knees. In the Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085 the population of York is said to have gone from 8,000 to 2,000 (Ross). The city was rebuilt, and prospered under the Normans.
The city included narrow streets and homes crowded together. There were yards with animals, and gardens and orchards within the city while farmland was not far away (Life in Medieval York). There is evidence of leisure and play within the city as archaeologists have found dice, and board games (Life in Medieval York).
The city did resemble what is now commonly thought of medieval cities in the fact that it was dirty and smelly. Cess pits and garbage dumps were often in the back yards of, or near homes, and water was incredibly unsafe to drink unless it had been heated. Diets were also very poor, causing bone and joint diseases and more. However, near the end of the medieval period, there were no less than 31 hospitals in the city of York (Life in Medieval York).
Buying and selling happened during market days in the city where various foods and goods were sold. Craftsmen often sold their products from their workshops at these market days. Sunday markets were banned due to a church campaign in 1322 (Life in Medieval York).
Through its trials of being conquered and then being devastated, the city overcame such history and became a thriving community with many things to offer. While it was just a city in the Middle Ages, it is now a picture of the past, and a way to understand life in that time period.
Through its trials of being conquered and then being devastated, the city overcame such history and became a thriving community with many things to offer. While it was just a city in the Middle Ages, it is now a picture of the past, and a way to understand life in that time period.
I wonder if Newman would disagree with your York website.
ReplyDeleteAs I am from England I was very interested in reading this blog post. I am really interested in the markets and why they were banned by the church. I think think this is a very good post as it is informative and well explained with facts.
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