Clifford’s Tower in York, England - Encircle Photos

8 Clifford’s Tower in York, England

Two years after William the Conqueror became the first Norman king of England in 1066, he commissioned a wooden, motte-and-bailey castle be built in York. Within a year it was destroyed by the Vikings. Not to be deterred, William I had it rebuilt with greater fortifications including a moat. When King Henry III reconstructed it again during his reign from 1216 through 1272, this limestone keep was added. Master Mason Henry de Rayns gave it a unique design with four semi-circles called quatrefoil. It was originally called King’s Tower. It was renamed as a tribute to Henry Clifford, 5th Earl of Cumberland. His Royalist forces defeated the Parliamentarians here in 1643 while defending the throne of King Charles I. This medieval landmark atop a motte in center city is one of the few structures remaining of York Castle.

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Clifford’s Tower in York, England

3 Tower St, York YO1 9RZ, UK

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