June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018

This morning we joined a walking tour of York. It was both entertaining and a lesson on the long local history. After the Roman Empire crumbled and pulled out, Britain was invaded by Anglo-Saxons. Since it lay on a river, easily accessible to the North Sea, Viking raiders next established their major city of Jorvik here. Because of the Norse, streets here are named 'Gates', and gates are named 'Bars' (to 'bar' outsiders). And of course, bars in England are called 'Pubs' (i.e. public inns). All the streets are named after the commodity or profession they housed. The most famously medieval street is Fleshammelsgate, aka 'The Shambles', named for the butchers that once lined it.


After the Vikings were driven out, the Normans invaded and also made York their capital of the North. When the local Abbey resisted the Tudor King Henry VIII's split with the Pope, he had it torn down. Thankfully for us, York faded during the Victorian Era Industrial Age preserving its medieval heritage for us to enjoy.

After the tour, we stopped at a traditional pub for my favorite English lunch, Fish and Chips. It was delicious washed down with a sample pack of English bitter ales. I was surprised it came with a big bowl of bright green guacamole, until Aimee told me it was 'mushy peas'. I then followed Aimee around town while she window-shopped.