Jez of YorkBaillie Hill Tower, also known as Tower 1 of the city walls, sits at the foot of the motte of one of York’s two earth and timber Norman castles, the other just across the river where now sits Clifford’s Tower. <br>
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Built to control the local population, both date from soon after the Norman Conquest: work started on this castle, the second in the city, while William I was in York in 1068/69. On this mound would have stood a wooden tower, or keep, offering views along the river and the city. <br>
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Both of York’s castles were destroyed in an attack by a Danish fleet in September 1069. After the city was burned, either by the garrison on the Danes, William returned and with his army pushed the Danish forces back along the Humber. Both castles were rebuilt the same year.<br>
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Excavations in 1979 revealed the remains of 12th-century timber buildings and a fence at the top of the mound, and a staircase up one side. The tower fell out of use in the 12th century, after which the Archbishop of York became responsible for this section of the city’s defences until the land was granted to the Mayor and people of York in 1466, by which time the area was being used for grazing animals.<br>
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The same excavations also revealed at the foot of the hill a Roman pit containing pottery and a coin of Theodora from AD 337-41: evidence of the colonia, civilian settlement, of Eboracum south of the River Ouse.<br>
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The tower at the foot of the walls seen today dates from only 1878 - the medieval city walls extended further on down towards the river, but this short section was lost in the 19th century. It does, however, provide a rather evocative start to a walk on the walls.<br>
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