The trip was 25 years in the making. It was my return to England. And while there were many glorious events that I will soon not forget, the one story that needs to be told takes us to York.
Our group was strolling along when suddenly I saw this gassy hill filled with flowers and as my gaze rose up I saw it. What it was, other than a tower structure, at the time I did not know. But, almost immediately I felt the history of this place and somehow knew it was crucial.
Later I was to learn that the tower was Clifford's Tower and it was most certainly filled with history. Most of it tragically horrifying. There are two stories that need to be told about this structure and the first is how it got it's name.
HOW CLIFFORD'S TOWER GOT IT'S NAME....
In 1312 after years of loyal service as a soldier to Kind Edward I of England, along with the Earl of Lancaster Robert De Clifford n the movement against Edward II's favourite (intimate companion and possible lover) Piers Gaveston,besieging him at Scarborough Castle.
Wounded Robert was forced to surrender. Outraged Edward II ordered that Clifford be brought to the tower and chained until he decomposed and rotted. And that is exactly what he did. The tower was then named Clifford's Tower as a reminder to all as to what happens when you cross your King.
Wounded Robert was forced to surrender. Outraged Edward II ordered that Clifford be brought to the tower and chained until he decomposed and rotted. And that is exactly what he did. The tower was then named Clifford's Tower as a reminder to all as to what happens when you cross your King.
ONE TERRIBLE NIGHT....
The most famous event at Clifford's Tower was also the most horrific in the history of York. During King Richard's reign their were many uprising and incident's by the Jewish community. Richard's predecessor Henry II had always been careful to protect English's Jews. In various English towns violent outburst were taking place and in 119o the Jewish Community took refuge in Clifford's Tower after the keep had been burnt down.
Tempers rose quickly as the Jews denied admittance to the castle. Not even the constable of the castle was allowed to enter. The Jews were very afraid and the soldiers were very angry. The soldiers rammed at the door and demanded that either the Jews relinquish their religious beliefs or they would storm the castle and murder everyone inside. Tempers were boiling and things got out of control quickly. Now more angry then ever the soldiers vow to kill every Jew in town that would not denounce his faith. On March 16th rather than die at the hands of the Soldiers, the Priest and another man decided that they should take on the sin of Suicide. They lit the building on fire and then they oversaw everyone's death and then the Priest killed the man and then himself. Over half the Jewish population of York was said to have died that night.
When the soldiers took the castle the next day everyone lay dead. Some thought this was the end, but others knew that harboring a terrible burden like that wasn't so simple.
On the 100th anniversary of this event, the walls of Clifford's Tower turned red. Experts came, but none could come up with a reasonable reason why these bricks would turn red and not the ones across the street that were cut from the same batch. But the town knew. They knew of the terrible secret York had.
It was not until the Jews were later invited to return to York in peace that the walls stopped turning red.
Tempers rose quickly as the Jews denied admittance to the castle. Not even the constable of the castle was allowed to enter. The Jews were very afraid and the soldiers were very angry. The soldiers rammed at the door and demanded that either the Jews relinquish their religious beliefs or they would storm the castle and murder everyone inside. Tempers were boiling and things got out of control quickly. Now more angry then ever the soldiers vow to kill every Jew in town that would not denounce his faith. On March 16th rather than die at the hands of the Soldiers, the Priest and another man decided that they should take on the sin of Suicide. They lit the building on fire and then they oversaw everyone's death and then the Priest killed the man and then himself. Over half the Jewish population of York was said to have died that night.
When the soldiers took the castle the next day everyone lay dead. Some thought this was the end, but others knew that harboring a terrible burden like that wasn't so simple.
On the 100th anniversary of this event, the walls of Clifford's Tower turned red. Experts came, but none could come up with a reasonable reason why these bricks would turn red and not the ones across the street that were cut from the same batch. But the town knew. They knew of the terrible secret York had.
It was not until the Jews were later invited to return to York in peace that the walls stopped turning red.
How much later were the Jews invited back to York in peace? Were there any photos or paintings made of the red walls? How fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThese two stories were told to me on the Original Ghost Tour. There is another story that I will tell later, that involves reincarnation that is quite compelling.
ReplyDeleteI will try to find some good pictures of the red walls on the tower (which 1st occurred 100 years later 1290/1390/1490/1590)
As for the return on the Jewish Community to the town of York...
In the 17th century Oliver Crockwell invited the Jews back and the community thrives today. In 1978 the Jewish Community forgave York and since then the walls have not turned red again.
It's these kind of stories I like to hear and wish I could travel to every town to hear them.....