Georgian York
The Georgian period was one of social and cultural growth
in York, though the city's importance as a trading and administrative
centre declined.
Public and private building booms ensued, and the townhouses
of well-to-do northerners jostled for space with new public buildings,
such as the Assembly Rooms and Assize Courts. The most popular areas
for townhouses were Blossom Street, Bootham, and Micklegate.
The Assembly Rooms, near York Minster, were built in
1730 for the 3rd Earl of Burlington, the leading patron of Palladian
neo-classical architecture. The sumptuous level of decoration and
elegant interiors made the Assembly Rooms the place to see
and be seen by the leading lights of York society.
The interior of Clifford's
Tower was filled with new public buildings, including the Debtor's
Prison ((1701-05), the Assize Courts (1773-77), and the Female Prison
(1780).
It was in one of these cells that Britain's most notorious
highwayman, Dick Turpin awaited execution in 1739. Turpin had fled
southern England after a spree of robbery and murder, before settling
in nearby Brough.
He was captured for an ill-tempered threat to kill a
labourer, and while in captivity, his identity was discovered. Turpin
was hung at Knavesmire on April 7, 1739. An effigy of the famous villain
can be seen in the original cell at York Castle which was his final
home.
Following London's lead, new coffeehouses sprouted up
and became popular social centres. One of the most common activities
at coffeehouses was discussing local news and events publicised by
York's first newspaper, The York Mercury, which was published from
1719.
To visit:
Assembly Rooms, Blake Street
- now a restaurant and tea room.
Assize Courts & Debtor's
Prison - both are now part of the York Castle Museum
at Clifford's Tower
York Castle Museum, near
Clifford's Tower - Dick Turpin's Cell
Fairfax
House, Castlegate - a preserved Georgian townhouse.
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War York
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