Notable Citizens of York

Saints and villains alike have passed through the ancient walls of York leaving their mark upon the city.....

Guy Fawkes

One of the most notorius men in English history and born just behind what is now the Guy Fawkes Inn in 1570. Infamous for his catholic resistance against the monarchy, Guy Fawkes was not even raised a catholic....At the age of 21 he joined the Spanish army later becoming a master of explosives, a trait that would be be his undoing....





Saint Margaret Clitherow

The reign of Elizabeth I saw the execution of many catholics for their belief, one such sufferer was Margaret Clitherow. Although raised under the Church of England and married to a protestant, Margaret later converted to the Catholic Church. sentenced to death by crushing for harbouring priests, where can her shrine be found in York? In what year was Maragaret Clitherow made a saint?



Eric Bloodaxe

A resident of ancient Yorvik and born Eric Haroldsson, he joined the Viking crusades aged just 12. Son of the king of Norway, and later married to the daughter of the King of Denmark, his love for his wife is a stark contrast to his supposedly blood thirsty, savage leadership, known as the most ferocious of all the Viking lords....





Dick Turpin

Probably the most famous prisoner to be held at York Castle, Dick Turpin was a horse thief, burglar and murderer and was hung at Tyburn for his crimes. Discover the path this most notorious highway man took to ruin....





George Hudson

Once an apprentice at a drapery on Goodramgate, George Hudson eventually moved into politics when he joined the Tory party which led to his election as Lord Mayor in 1837. That same year Hudson also became the Chairman of the York and North Midland Railway Company. His rise led to Hudson gaining the nickname 'Railway King'. Find out how Hudson gained such a nick name....





Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great was in York when he was anounced Emporer of Rome. Born in 272 AD, he was destined for power as the son of Constantius, who ruled as Augustus until his sudden death in Eboracum in 305 AD. Proclaimed the new Emporer in Eboracum's Basilica, Constatine ruled from 306 until 337 AD.... but how did he earn the title 'the Great' ?




 William Etty

York's most renowned and celebrated artist, his life size sculpture stands outside the gallery amidst an array of fountains. Etty was born in 1787 to a family of bakers, for whom he completed his first piece of artistic work, the panelling of their shop. Discover Etty's path to celebrity....