A Castle of Doomsday

A journey through the history of England from the reign of Edward the Confessor through to King Edward II who was the son of Longshanks, the Hammer of the Scots! This is also the story of the castles which were built within the city walls of York by William the Conqueror. The castles he built in York were at Baley Hill and also the York Castle near the city walls. After he had these built to secure his rear, William subjugated the north of England using a "Black Earth" policy and hanged many women, men and children in order to try to make the English people obey his will. However, there were many rebellions. Some of these were led by Hereward the Wake. He and his followers attacked and burned down both of the castles that William had built in York and he then began systematic robbing of Norman tax collectors. It is the exploits of Hereard the Wake that are now presented as the "Adventures of Robin Hood", who never existed. But Hereward the Wake did! Also, we examine the tensions within the Royal Anglo-Norman Family. That is, William the Conqueror, his wife Matilda, his four sons and five daughters. We see the succession crisis bought about by the sinking of the "White Ship"and why the barons rose in revolt against King Edward II. After successful action against the rebels led by Lancaster and de Clifford the rebels were hanged in chains from the battlements of the Keep of York Castle. It has since become known as Clifford's Tower. It was also the site of the Massacre of the Jews in 1190.