2-649-611 - Historic England/Heritage Images

Clifford's Tower, mid-14th century, (c1990-2010). Reconstruction drawing of Clifford's Tower, the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the centre of government for the north of England. The 11th-century timber tower on top of the earth mound was burned down in 1190, after York's Jewish community, some 150 strong, was besieged here by a mob and committed mass suicide. The present 13th-century stone tower was probably used as a treasury and later as a prison.