York: Europe's Most Haunted City?

York is one of England's oldest cities and with thatblade of miscreants are said to still reside in York in
comes a lot of history and even more stories.one form or another.
The northern city is thought of as one of the mostMany tour guides are willing to take you round the city
haunted in Europe with gruesome goings on leavingto show you the most haunted hotspots, but many
disgruntled souls from 71AD when the Romansdemand payment upfront for fear that visitors will slip
established a city named Eboracum in the Yorkshireoff mid-tour back to the safety of their rooms.
moors.One of the most famous apparitions to be seen in the
With the departure of the Romans came a new namecity is a legion of Roman soldiers that lead to the
and Eboracum became Eoforwic in 625 and the citydiscovery of an undiscovered Roman road. While a
established itself as the capital of Northumberland. Inplumber was fixing the pipes in the cellar of the city
866 the city was invaded by the Vikings, and takingtreasurer's house, he heard what sounded like a horn
power from the Saxons again renamed the city - thisfollowed by a Roman in a chariot. Behind him was a
time as Jorvik.group of soldiers, there in all their glory - from
Exactly 200 years later, King Harold defeated thefeathered helmets all the way to their knees, and then
Vikings in 1066's battle of Stamford Bridge and againno more. Further investigation found an old road 15
the city changed hands.inches underneath the cellar floor, which had apparently
As well as all these power struggles, some of history'sbeen hiding the shins and feet of the soldiers.
most infamous characters were executed in York.This story is by no means one of a kind. Many houses
Highwayman Dirk Turpin saw out his last days in Yorkand public buildings – especially the pubs and York
and Guy Fawkes was hanged, drawn and quarteredhotels that date back through the centuries – often
in York.have their own story. The more haunted of the lot
Both had their heads placed on spikes to warn othermay even offer a free night's stay to anyone who
would-be treasonous individuals or groups against thecan last the night, so if you feel you have the stomach
crime and it's said that both now haunt the city. Notfor it, it might be worth looking for haunted
just them, of course, but hundreds of peopleaccommodation to stay the night in.
throughout the city's history who died battles or at the