City history
Explore the rich history of York, from its Roman roots as Eboracum to its vital role as a medieval center and modern railway hub.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Place of the yews"
Eboracum was established by the Romans as a military fortress. The name is believed to be derived from the Celtic word for yew tree, reflecting the local flora during the period of Roman occupation.
Place of the yews
Roman military foundation and administrative center.
Boar town
The Anglo-Saxon name for the settlement.
Norse-influenced
The name used during the Viking Age occupation.
Evolution of previous names
The modern English name evolved through Norman influence.
Chapter two
Standardized time across the United Kingdom officially became Greenwich Mean Time.
The Summer Time Act introduced seasonal time shifts to conserve fuel during the First World War.
Chapter three
The Romans establish Eboracum as a major military fortress and provincial capital.
The Great Heathen Army captures the city, establishing the prosperous kingdom of Jorvik.
Construction begins on the current Gothic York Minster, one of Europe's great cathedrals.
The arrival of the railway transforms York into a critical transportation hub for the North.