Historic%20Yorkshire

88
THE STORY OF YORK CASTLE.
threatened by David, King of Scotland, who appeared
before it with a large army. The great Battle of the
Standard in 1138, however, prevented any actual steps
beingtaken for the reduction of York. We next find the
Castle mentionedin connection with the tragic massacre
of the Jews whichmarked the commencement of Richard
the First's reign. The Jews had beenintroduced into the
country by William I., who had fully recognised the
advantage of having the protection of such a wealthprovidingpeople.
York,like many other places,was the
seat of a large and influential colony of them, and they
no doubt did much to encourage and create theconsiderable
trade of the city. Richardhad forbiddenthe Jews to
be present at his coronation, but many of them went to
London on that occasion to proffer valuable gifts, in the
hopes of havingtheir privileges and immunities,such as
they were, secured. Several who had attended the
coronation ceremony were detected, and were beaten and
expelled,some even being slain. At this the Londoners
rose and massacred a great number of the unhappy
people,an example which rapidly spread to other parts,
being followed at Lynn, Norwich, Stamford, and York.
At York the unhappy Jews all perished under the most
awful circumstances, which are elsewhere detailed.
In the last year of the reign of King John the barons
threatenedthe besiegementof York,but retired on receiving
from the citizens 1000 marks. For longages York
Castle echoed to the treadof armies, and the shouts of
revelling and merrymaking held in the city. All the
splendourof mediæval courts was invarious aspects presented
at onetime or anotherto the eyes of the citizens.
In 1230 HenryIII.kept his Christmas here;in 1252 he
bestowed here his daughter Margaret upon the Scottish
King. In 1298 a Parliament met here, and 1299 the
whole Englisharmy. In 1327 Edward III. had 50,000
menhere, and after his unsuccessful excursion to Scotland,
here he married Philippa of Hainhault. In
whilehe wasin France, Philippa,his queen,gatheredan