King George VI once remarked, "The history of York
is the history of England". He was not exaggerating.The
city has passed through the hands of Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and
Normans. It has been the scene of battles that helped determine the
fate of the entire nation, and its rich range of architectural and
cultural remains is unique in Britain.
In this section of the York Guide, we'll trace the historical
background of this fascinating city. Each section leads on to the
next, so you can follow a "circular tour" of York history
if you choose, or simply select a time period from the menu below.