York is often thought of as being the capital city of northern England. With a rich past, the walled city of York has a vibrant story to tell that certainly equals that of London.
Originally a Celtic settlement, York was given the name of Eboracum, meaning place of the yew trees, by the invading Roman Empire. During the roman rule York became an important part of Britannia, with three emperors all visiting the city. Once the Romans abandoned York, the Anglo-Saxons settled in the city until it was invaded by Vikings in 866. York thrived under Viking rule until England was successfully unified by the Normans.
Today York is a popular tourist spot, due to its vast array of architecture, ruins, parks, churches, cathedrals and medieval buildings like those in The Shambles, a crooked street filled with timber framed shops from eras gone by. The street was originally populated by butchers and blood, offal and guts would flow through the streets – coining the phrase "It's a shambles."
