Historic%20Yorkshire

THE STORY OF YORK CASTLE. 89
armytogetherat York,and defeated theScotch at NeviU's
Cross. Richard II. held a Parliament at York, and it
held to him in his adversity, and consequently suffered
from the vengeance of Henry IV. Again, in the disastrous
conflicts between the rival Roses of York and
Lancaster, York was the scene of frequent battles,and as
either party was victorious did the heads of the other
garnishin ghostlyarray the gates of the castle.
Henry VII. visited York twice to suppress northern
insurrections. In the reign of his successors York was
seized at the dissolution of the religious houses by the
" Pilgrims of Grace," but this rebellion was put down.
In 1537 Henry VIII. had established a Council and
President for the government of the North, and this continueduntil
1641.
During the disputes and contests between the Royalists
and the Parliamentarians York was in the hands of both
in turn, and Cromwell was twice within the wallsofthe
Castle. In 1745, after the quellingofthe rebellion, those
triedand found guilty at York, were there executed, and
the gates and Castle wereagain set with their remainsin
a manner worthy of an age and country sunk in the
grossest and most barbarous depravity.
From a veryearly period York Castle,after the manner
of all such buildings, has been used as a place of detention
for those persons who either broke the laws or fell
under the displeasure of the dominantpowers. We read
of it, from 1216 to 1272, that is,during the reign of Henry
III.,beingused as a prison aswell for debtorsas traitors,
and for felons as well as the victims of political change.
The executive power appears to have been somewhat
divided. At first the king,in the person of the governor
of the Castle, wouldhave the almost absolute disposal of
the prisoners. Next we find the priests lending their
share towards the general barbarity of the times. The
Abbot of St. Mary's had the charge of a gallowsfor the
execution of culprits, and no doubt certain fees or perquisites
in connection; but in 1370, on account of some