Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 19
1082, notwithstanding the destruction of one of the seven
wards, when the castles were built, the devastation caused
by the various sieges and conflagrations, and the burning
of the suburbs by William, there were 1711, exclusive of
churches, the castles, the bishop's palace, and the resi
dences of the canons ; which fact proves, we apprehend
beyond question, that York must have been, before the
six months' siege of the conqueror, and the dreadful
ravages attendant upon it, an extensive city. If this be
so, Hume's argument against the political importance of
cities and boroughs at the time of the conquest, falls to
the ground, for his premises are faulty.
O'er the utmost borders of the northern land,
Old York renewed, exerts supreme command.
, The Roman eagle chose it for its seat ;
But barbarous foes its ruin to complete,
Fierce Picts, Scots, Danes, Normans, and Saxons here,
Discharged the loudest thunder of the war.
But these dispersed, and every storm o'erblown ;
Mild peace once more breathed on the happy town.
Let London still the just precedence claim,
York shall aspire to be the next in fame.*
On the 4th of June, 1137, in the reign of King Stephen,
a dreadful fire occurred in York, by which the Cathedral,
thirty-nine churches, and a great part of the city were
reduced to ashes. On the previous day, the Cathedral of
[Rochester had been burnt ; and on the 27th of the same
disasterous month, the city of Bath was nearly destroyed
by fire.
In the following August, David, king of Scotland,
crossed the border, and penetrated as far as York ; where
upon, Thurstan, archbishop of this province, put on his
military harness, summoned " the Barons bold" of York
shire, and advanced to meet the Scotch. The Scottish
king retired to Caton Moor, near Northallerton, where,
on the 22nd of August, was fought the memorable
" Battle of the Standard." The archbishop ordered a tall
mast to be formed; on the top of which were place a cross
* Translated by Gough, from the Latin of Johnson, of Aberdeen,