OF THE

Ancient City of York;

COMPRISING ALL THE

MOST INTERESTING INFORMATION,

Already Published in Drake's Eboracum;

ENRICHED

WITH MUCH ENTIRELY NEW MATTER,

FROM OTHER AUTHENTIC SOURCES,

AND

Illustrated with a Neat Plan of the City, and many Elegant Engravings.

PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY WM. ALEXANDER, CASTLEGATE;
SOLD ALSO BY

BALDWIN, CRADDOCK, AND CO., LONDON; ROBERTSON, EDINBURGH;
LARGROVE AND SON, HARROGATE; J. EDWARDS, HALIFAX;
AND THE BOOKSELLERS OF

LEEDS, HULL, DONCASTER, SHEFFIELD, &c.

1818.
EE, P

301552

PREFACE.

IN

N the earliest records of English History, EBOR, EBORACUM, or YORK, is represented as a place of great importance; and, in the zenith of meridian splendour, it was the residence of Imperial power, and the legislative seat of the Roman Empire. Hence we may readily suppose, especially when the ancient historic accounts of this city are contrasted with those of London, that York far exceeded in dignity and consequence, if not in population and extent, the present capital of the British Empire, at that period.

The removal of the Imperial court from York to Constantinople, and the decline of the Roman empire in Britain, operated powerfully against this city; and the subsequent devastations and ravages of war, frequently involved her noble fabrics in desolation.

Few are the instances of any place having so often, phoenix-like, risen again out of it's own ashes; or under such reiterated and complicated scenes of distress, having maintained, for so many ages, it's scale of importance. Still, EBORACUM was signalized as the northern metropolis, being frequently the residence of kings; and though at present much less populous than some other places, YORK continues to rank as the second city in England.

It is therefore a natural consequence, that EBORACUM has employed the pens of several writers, who at different times, have presented the public with histories of a city so eminently distinguished; not only by it's ancient superiority, but by the events which have transpired within it's precincts; or have been ultimately connected with it's history.

Amongst the various publications of this nature, Drake's Eboracum" has hitherto stood decidedly unrivalled; and as it can very rarely be obtained, the author may venture to appeal to the best informed on