North
York
In the twelfth century
York, the Roman Eboracum and later the Viking Jorvik, is the chief city of the north and the seat of an archbishop. The Norman minster, rebuilt by Archbishop Thomas of Bayeux after 1070, is damaged in a great fire in 1137 along with much of the city. The rich Benedictine abbey of St Mary stands outside the walls. Two Norman castles guard the Ouse, the royal one crowned with a timber tower on its mound. York has a guild merchant by 1130, and Henry II's charter of 1154–8 confirms the citizens' liberties and trading rights in England and Normandy. Ships reach the city up the Ouse. In March 1190 a mob besieges the Jews of York in the castle tower, and they die by suicide or in the fire.
Landmark: The Norman minster of Thomas of Bayeux (repaired after 1137; the present Gothic minster was begun only in 1220).
Known for
- Wool
- Woollen cloth (weavers)
- Wine and other goods shipped up the Ouse
- Grain and northern produce
Caveats (confidence: high)
Do not draw the present Gothic minster or a stone Clifford's Tower: the minster was rebuilt from 1220, and the castle tower was timber until it was rebuilt in stone from 1244. The name 'Clifford's Tower' is later. The trade list is general: York's importance in wool and cloth is well attested, but details for this century are sparse. Death figures for 1190 vary between sources (often around 150), so no number is given.
Sources: british-history.ac.uk · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org
Playtest: in development, may be reset
In the playtest world now
What the test world shows at York, as of Year 12, winter, month 10, day 26. About the playtest
Last season's market
Autumn, year 12. Each good's price at the close of last season, against its usual price in this town: dear, usual or cheap.
- Usual
- Pick, Ox cart, Pit saw, Adze, Axe, Iron hammer, Awl, Drawknife