YORK, in Latin Eboracum, the capital of Yorkshire in England. This city is so ancient that the origin of it is uncertain. In the time of the Romans a legion was stationed here, it being then the capital of the Brigantes; and here died the emperor Severus, and Flavius Valerius Constantius Chlorus, father of Constantine the Great. There was then also a temple of Bellona here, and no less than three military ways went from hence. In the time of the Saxons it was erected into an archbishopric by pope Honorius, to which are now subject the bishoprics of Chester, Durham, Carlisle, and the Isle of Man; though anciently 12 bishoprics in England, and all Scotland, were. A horn is still kept in the minster, by which Ulphius, one of the Saxon princes, bestowed all his lands and revenues upon the church.
This city suffered very much during the ravages of the Danes; but, after the conquest, it began to flourish again. The cathedral, which cost a long time and a great deal of money in building, is a most stately Gothic pile. Its chapter-house is particularly admired for its painted glass, its fine marble stalls, its pil-
lars of alabaster, and curious contrivance. In it is the following line in gold letters:
Ut Rosa, flos forum, sic est Domus ista Domorum.
The choir is remarkable for its fine carvings, particularly the statues of all the English monarchs; and the windows are exquisitely painted with the history of the Bible. The lantern steeple is 70 feet square, and 188 high, and the windows are 45. At the south end is a circular light, called the marigold window from the colour of its glass; and at the north end is a very large one, whose painting represents embroidery. Here, in the reign of Richard I. was a barbarous massacre of the Jews; and Henry III. had, in this place, an interview with Alexander king of Scotland. Several parliaments were held here in the reigns of Edward I. and II. A tribunal, not unlike the parliaments of France, was established at York by Henry VIII. to decide all causes in these northern parts, according to the rules of equity.
This city, as hath been already observed, is a county of itself; and its jurisdiction extends over 36 villages and hamlets in the neighbourhood. It is generally reckoned the second city in England; but though it stands upon more ground, it is inferior in trade, wealth, and number of people, to Bristol. It is situated in a fine plain, in the middle of the shire, on both sides the Ouse, walled, and divided into four wards, containing 28 parishes. It enjoys large privileges and immunities, conferred upon it by a succession of kings from Henry II. and its chief magistrate has the title of lord-mayor, which is an honour peculiar to it and London. Richard II. made it a county of itself. The conservancy of most of the rivers of the county, within certain limits, belongs to the lord-mayor and aldermen. The middle arch of the bridge here over the Ouse, is thought to equal the Rialto at Venice, in architecture, height, and breadth, the diameter being 81 feet, and the height 51. Though this city is 60 miles distant from the sea, yet ships of 70 tons burden come up the river to it. The town-house, or Guildhall, stands upon the bridge, and is superior in all respects to that of London. In the Popish times there were nine abbeys here, and a vast number of churches; but of the latter there are only 17 now. The steeple of that of Allhallows, is reckoned the finest in England. The archbishop has a fine palace; and the assembly-room, designed by the earl of Burlington, is very noble. Here are plays, assemblies, concerts, and the like entertainments, at some house or other, almost every night in the week. In the old castle, built originally by William the Conqueror, and repaired in 1701, the assizes are kept. It serves also for the county goal, which is the neatest and pleasantest in England, with an area larger than that of the King's-bench, and has a handsome chapel in it, with a good allowance for a preacher. This city has long given the title of duke to some branch of the royal family, and lately to his royal highness Edward, next brother to his present majesty George III. who was carried off by a violent fever at Monaco in Italy, in the flower of his age, to the great grief of the nation and the royal family.
The plenty and cheapness of provisions induces many persons of small fortune, or that would live frugally,
Yorkshire, to take up their abode here; and the venerable remains of Roman antiquities, and those of a latter date, as abbeys, churches, and castles, procure this city a visit, from every curious traveller. Many Roman altars, urns, coins, inscriptions, &c. have been found; and Saxon coins are still extant that have been struck here. The members for this city have precedence of all others, except those of London, in the house of commons. An infirmary, after the manner of those of Bath, Bristol, &c. hath been erected in it; and a cotton manufacture established, and brought to great perfection. Besides four weekly markets, it has a great many fairs; one, in particular, every other Thursday, for cattle and sheep.