http://kipper.york.ac.uk/oldfacts.html - size 115K - 3 Mar 97

This is the list of facts generated so far by the server. These facts have been assembled by Geoff Short (geoff@kipper.york.ac.uk), and all facts sent in by others are acknowledged.

The Army Barracks at Fulford, near the University, date from the 18th century. The first to be built was the Cavalry Barracks, opened in 1795 and extended in the 19th century to include a hospital, church and prison. A further 35 acres of land were added to hold the Infantry Barracks, built from 1876, where the 2nd West York Light Infantry moved in 1880. By 1905, York was the headquarters of the Northern Command.

Source: `York in the Great War', AJ Peacock

St Oswald's Hall, Fulford. On this ancient site, traces have been found of Roman, pagan and Christian Anglo Saxon occupation, including the foundations of a late Saxon church. The surviving 12th century Norman chapel belonged to St Mary's Abbey in York throughout the middle ages. Victims of the Black Death were buried here in 1349. In 1866 the church was replaced by the larger St Oswalds Parish Church in Fulford; in 1973, the chapel was declared redundant, but was restored as a private residence in 1981.

Source: Plaque on wall next to lych gate.
(From: robert@aurora.york.ac.uk)

King Harold was fighting just outside York before the Norman invasion of 1066. He was battling against his brother Tostig and the Norse King Hardrada, at Stamford Bridge. Harold won the battle, killing both his enemies, but then had to march his army south to fight William of Normandy at Hastings, and lost. Before this battle there was the battle of Gate Fulford. The English right was at Fulford and it's left on marshy ground towards Heslington (not the lake to the best of my knowledge!). It was this flank that was massacred by Hardrada's forces who then marched into York to accept the city's surrender.

Source: The Shell Guide to England
(From: ods101@york.ac.uk)

The first trams in York came into service in 1880, running between Fulford and Castle Mills Bridge. The lines were extended in 1822 to run along Clifford Street to a terminus at the corner of Dalton Terrace on The Mount. The trams were horse-drawn until 1909, when the Corporation bought out the owners, the York Tramways Company, and introduced electric trams. The tram service was later replaced by buses, and all had gone by 1935. The Fulford terminus of the line was opposite the barracks. The tram sheds remained as part of a garage (still with some track in situ) until recently, when they were demolished to build Aldi and Iceland.

Source: York... the Continuing City, P Nuttgens

The late-15th century Fulford Cross still stands on the pavement opposite the barracks. The cross is built of stone, with an octagonal shaft on a three-stepped pedestal.

Source: The Buildings of England: York and the East Riding

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