YORK CITY WALLS TRAIL
The Civil War
In 1644 the defences of York faced the first (and only) serious siege in their long history during the English Civil War, when from 23 April to 16 July York, a Royalist city, was besieged by Parliamentarian forces.
The Defence of York
By 1644 the city was already on the defensive. The threat had begun as early as 1640, when Charles I’s policy led to the invasion of England by Scottish troops and a direct threat to the city.
Walmgate Bar
This gate was the subject of some of the fiercest attacks during the Siege of York in 1644. The Parliamentarians set up five guns on the nearby Lamel Hill and in St Lawrence’s churchyard. From here they were able to pound the bar and the Walmgate area.
The Jacobite Rebellion
There were no further major alarms until 1745, when the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart invaded England and there were fears that York would be attacked.