The Shambles
First mentioned in the Domesday book, The Shambles is thought to be York’s oldest street. It dates back almost 900 years it is probably the best preserved medieval street anywhere in Europe. With its iconic higgledy piggledy timber-framed buildings leaning precariously towards each other to form an arch over the well trammelled cobbles, it is a very special place to be.
Medieval Times
Originally a street of butchers’ shops and dwellings, The Shambles derives its name from the medieval word ‘shamel’ which referred to the stout window sills from which the meat products were sold.
In medieval times it was probably a rather gruesome and noisy place. Livestock would have been openly slaughtered on the street and the gutters would have regularly run with blood and offal while vendors and customers loudly haggled over the wares.
Modern Day
Nowadays The Shambles throngs with gift shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. You can join one of a whole host of historic tours or ghost walks which will give you a unique insight into the history of this wonderfully idiosyncratic old street and its former inhabitants.
Famous Inhabitants
One of The Shambles most famous former residents was Margaret Clitheroe, to whom there is now a shrine halfway up the street. As a practicing catholic at a time when catholicism had been outlawed by Henry VIII, she was repeatedly convicted of harbouring catholic priests and allowing mass to take place in her home.
She was finally sentenced to death by pressing in 1586 - a particularly horrible punishment where the victim is placed under a heavy door which is then loaded with boulders and other weights until it crushes them to death.
Margaret was canonised in 1970 by Pope Paul VI along with several other English martyrs.
Information
Address: The Shambles, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7LZ