spiritual head of the Church in the North of England.  Further, there were established in the city branches of the civil government.  Business of the state, both civil and military, and of the Church was regularly conducted at York from early times.  This political importance lasted long and is intimately connected with many events in the city’s history.  The fort and military defences were renewed from time to time, and staff-work and general administration, whether Roman or Edwardian, were conducted from York.  The king, from whom York was rented by the citizens, had his official representatives with their offices permanently established here.  The siege of 1644 after the royalist defeat at Marston Moor, was due mainly to the political importance of the city.  In Danish times there were kings of York.  The Archbishops, besides owning large areas of land in and around the city, had their palace in the city.  Monasteries grew up and flourished till the Dissolution; churches and other religious buildings were everywhere.  Further, from century to century, York was the home of important nobles of the realm.

This political importance has persisted through the centuries.  York still claims its traditional rank of second city in the kingdom.

CHAPTER III

APPEARANCE

A. GENERAL APPEARANCE

A general view of fifteenth-century York ("Everwyk” in Anglo-French and “Eboracum” in Latin) would give the impression of a very compact city within fortifications.  Almost immediately it would be noticed how the three great elements of national society were very clearly reflected in the general appearance.  First, the Church, the tremendous and ubiquitous power of which is emphasised by the strikingly beautiful and wonderfully constructed massive Minster, but so recently completed, standing, with its more than five hundred feet of length, its central tower two hundred feet high, most of its roofs a hundred feet or more above the ground, dwarfing the petty, storied dwellings.  This is but one great church.  In brilliant contrast in another quarter, adjoining the city, is the great abbey church of St. Mary, crowned by a lofty and magnificent spire rising above the equally fine conventual buildings.  All over the city are seen the churches and buildings of other monastic and religious houses.  The background of dwellings and shops, built in a similar style, is cut by a few winding streets, and studded with the towers, spires, and roofs of the multitude of parish churches.  The intense and far-reaching influence of the Church in all phases of life is indelibly marked on this city.