York Castle is a fortified complex in the city of York, England.
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17 Facts About York Castle
2.
York Castle formed an important royal fortification in the north of England.
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3.
York Castle fell into disrepair by the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming used increasingly as a jail for both local felons and political prisoners.
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4.
The outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 saw York Castle being repaired and refortified, playing a part in the Royalist defence of York in 1644 against Parliamentary forces.
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5.
York Castle continued to be garrisoned until 1684, when an explosion destroyed the interior of Clifford's Tower.
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6.
York Castle was a Viking capital in the 10th century, and continued as an important northern city in the 11th century.
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7.
York Castle built another castle in York, on what is Baile Hill on the west bank of the Ouse opposite the first castle, in an effort to improve his control over the city.
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8.
The bailey at York Castle was enlarged slightly in the process; buildings believed to have been inside the bailey at this time include "halls, kitchens, a chapel, barracks, stores, stables, forges [and] workshops".
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9.
York Castle mills were built close by to support the garrison, and the military order of the Knights Templar was granted ownership of the mills in the mid-12th century.
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10.
In 1190, York Castle was the location of one of the worst pogroms in England during the medieval period.
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11.
In York Castle, tensions broke out into violence the following year.
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12.
The castle eventually acquired its own mint in 1344, when Edward III decided to create a permanent mint in York Castle to produce gold and silver coins to serve the needs of the north of England.
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13.
Repairs to York Castle grew infrequent from 1400 onwards, and it fell into increasing disrepair.
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14.
York Castle continued to be used as a jail, increasingly for local felons, and a location for political executions.
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15.
York Castle effectively became the "northern capital" for the Royalist cause.
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16.
Prison Act, 1877, reformed the English prison system, and York Castle gaol was passed into the control of central government the following year.
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17.
York Castle is classed as a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled monument.
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