Red Tower (York)

The Red Tower is a medieval tower that formed part of the city defences of York, England. It is located on the city walls at Foss Islands Road, on the stretch of wall north of Walmgate Bar and is the only brick tower in the city.[1][2]

Red Tower
Part of York city walls
York, England
a square brick tower
The Red Tower in 2013
Red Tower is located in North Yorkshire
Red Tower
Red Tower
Coordinates53.958026°N 1.0714369°W / 53.958026; -1.0714369
TypeTower
Height16.5 feet (5.0 m)
Site information
OwnerCity of York Council
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
MaterialsBrick
Timber
Battles/warsSiege of York
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameRed Tower
Designated14 June 1954
Reference no.1259296

History

The tower was constructed in c. AD 1490 following a protracted series of improvements to the city walls in this area under Richard III and his successor Henry VII.[2] It is the only brick tower in the city walls and this lends its name, which was first referred to in 1511.[2] The tower marked the southern edge of the walls where they met the King's Fishpool, restarting at the tower at Jewbury.

The Tilers' Guild were employed by the City Corporation to build the tower in brick, as it was cheaper than stone. This led to a rift between the Tilers' and the Masons' Guilds with the former asking the city for protection following threats against them and damage to their tools by the Mason's.[1]

The tower was damaged by artillery fire during the 1644 Siege of York. Repairs to the tower started in February 1645 and continued until 1648.[2]

The red tower fell into disrepair by 1776, where it was shown in a drawing to have no roof and to be missing a wall. It was again repaired by 1800 and used as a stable. In the early 19th century it became known as 'Brimstone Tower' because of its use as a store for gunpowder.[2]

After the Fishpool was filled in 1854, Foss Islands Road was constructed near the tower. It was repaired by George Fowler Jones in 1857-1858 and it is this restoration which is mostly visible today.[2]

Modern use

The building was listed in 1954 alongside Fishergate Postern tower, Fishergate Bar, Walmgate Bar, and the city walls that join these structures together.[3]

In 2014 a Community Interest Company, Red Tower York, was set up in order to manage the site.[2][4] The site was converted into a community hub and cafe, for which it was awarded a York Design Award in 2018.[5]

Architecture

The tower is brick, built on a stone foundation - the stone foundations may have been under the water level of the King's Fishpool.[2] It is rectangular and stands to a height of 16.5 feet (5.0 m) excluding the roof. The original height is estimated to have been c.30 feet (9.1 m). The city walls join the tower on its south-west side, and modern walls of reused stone surround its southern and western sides. Externally there are arrowslits visible on the upper floor. The north side has a garderobe with a sloping stone roof, though the raised floor level makes its use impossible.[1]

References
  1. "The Walmgate Area". An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in City of York, Volume 2, the Defences. 1972. pp. 139–159.
  2. "Red Tower". York Civic Trust. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  3. Historic England. "CITY WALL FROM THE RED TOWER TO FISHERGATE POSTERN TOWER FISHERGATE BAR FISHERGATE POSTERN TOWER THE RED TOWER WALMGATE BAR (1259296)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  4. "RED TOWER YORK CIC". Companies House. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  5. "York Design Awards 2018". York Design Awards. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
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