Rose Drew“For those of us who have lived here all our lives, or for a long time, York’s not a city really, but a village.” Ann Deller, the Sheriff of York’s Lady, Jan 5 2012.
There’s a birthday this year, and it’s a big one: 800 years ago, in 1212, York was incorporated as a city.
The incorporation of York occurred during the rule of King John, a king so notoriously awful, the name has never again been used by any other English ruler. King John relentlessly squeezed rich landowners, or barons, to fund his expenses, and the barons began to rebel. Between 1204 to 1215 King John travelled north ten times in order to quell unrest among the powerful barons, and also, whilst in town, to buy large quantities of wine; perhaps some things never change (York supported a number of vintners). By 1212, three years before the barons forced John to sign the Magna Carta, spelling out the rights, responsibilities, obligations and benefits for all, York was granted its own charter, and given the right to collect taxes for the crown on its own behalf, thus eliminating middlemen and earning York some autonomy.
Yesterday afternoon, lifelong York resident and current Sheriff of York’s Lady, Ann Deller, shared intriguing tidbits about the City’s past. We learned that, during the early years as a city, whatever wealthy man was serving as Mayor of York would remain in his own large house during his term in office, and the city archives would travel from building to building. Over the years, all sorts of valuable or problematic paperwork vanished; so by the 14th century, a permanent archive of civic documents was established, and remains intact to this day, available for examination by people interested in researching York’s past.
Throughout 2012, the City will mark York’s 800 years of autonomy with a range of events, including enhanced river festivals, poetry readings and musical offerings. To further include York citizens in the celebration, the blog YORK 800: 800 Years of the City of York will shortly be launched, allowing visitors to “experience what the city’s innovative people, businesses and organisations have brought…and how they have impacted on our lives” . The York Stories blog will be part of the York Grand Tour website, which allows visitors to participate in a virtual tour of the City’s science and cultural offerings.
So, keep an eye out for all the upcoming exciting events. Get out your party hats, and prepare to bake a very large cake, one big enough to handle 800 candles: It’s a very special birthday this year, and York wants to celebrate.
Many thanks to Ann Deller, who has been a member of the Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York since 1970, and currently guides visitors on tours of the Mansion House.
