City Walls

I took this photo just before my friend and I went on a walking tour of York. I suppose this is one of the most interesting things about York, the spectacular and ancient walls that surround the old part of the city, part of which dates back to Roman times. As we were heading toward one of the medieval bars (a gate in York) the tour guide pointed out two small Romanesque statues situated on top of the gate. They were apparently not so old as they had been placed there in Victorian times in favor of a more grim original feature. They had been placed over two spikes that would have been used to secure the heads of any poor souls that had broken the law (or angered the wrong person). The heads were there as a reminder of what would happen to any person who was thinking of taking a rebellious turn. It appeared that the Victorians were a bit squeamish about this element of York's past and I suppose they wanted to present York in a less barbaric light. I thought it was an interesting story but also made me think that although these walls look pleasant enough they have probably witnessed a fair few incidents that would make anyone's blood run cold. Now the place is full of tourists oblivious to all the carnage that came before...unless you go on a walking tour that is and then all the dirty little secrets are revealed!
It was a lovely day spent exploring York, window shopping, eating yummy pastries and lounging around in the park in 28 degree sunshiny weather, just what I needed!