‘Dead bodies left by roadside’ in Blossom Street, York

THE history of a key city centre street is being highlighted in York.

Clements Hall Local History Group has been finding out more about the history of Blossom Street for its latest book – and want York Press readers to share their memories.

Blossom Street has been the entrance to York for most of our monarchs (including Elizabeth II and Charles III).

But in 1541 Henry VIII took umbrage and decided not to enter York through Micklegate Bar, lavishly decorated by the city for his visit. Offended by the behaviour of his nephew, James V, King of Scotland following the Pilgrimage of Grace, he came through Walmgate Bar instead.

Princess Victoria, later Queen, came to York in 1835, staying with the Archbishop at his Palace, for four days. Each day they came into the city along Blossom Street via Micklegate Bar, as did Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1900, for the Royal Agricultural Show.

Blossom St in 1971 members of the Household Cavalry rehearse in Blossom Street for the visit of the Queen to York for the 1900th birthday celebrations. Photo – YEP

During the English Civil War, Blossom Street and the Bar were protected by the ‘Great Sconce’. This four-gun emplacement was 200 yards square, with a surrounding ditch, at the highest part of the Mount, near the junction with what is now Dalton Terrace.

The street has seen dramatic scenes however.

On July 2, 1644, after the Battle of Marston Moor, it was thronged with Royalist soldiers, many wounded, clamouring for admission through the Bar.

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They were pursued by parliamentarians, who cut soldiers down, leaving their dead bodies by the roadside. It was said that “the wounded and lame made a pitiful cry”.

Blossom Street was a centre for Catholicism, with the Bar Convent established in 1686. It’s now the oldest living convent in the UK and oldest surviving place of Catholic worship after the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in the 16th century.

The Group has identified a number of well-known people living in the street over the centuries (the 1901 Rowntree Poverty map of York noted it as a district of the servant-keeping classes).

Famous residents included Martin Lister, celebrated physician, antiquary and naturalist, Joseph Rowntree, founder of the famous firm, Charles Watson and James Pigott Pritchett, architects, and William Bell, chief architect of the North Eastern Railway.

Corner of Blossom Sreet and Nunnery Lane with E Knowles chemist in 1895 – Photo from YAYAS

The newspaper proprietor and historian of York, William Hargrove, was living here in the 1840s, and it was his son William Wallace Hargrove who founded the Yorkshire Evening Press, still published today as the York Press. There were many more.

The group has also been tracing the history of all the traders in the street through time, with some very familiar names, such as Forsselius, Shearsmith’s, and Edwin Story near the Bar.

Local people have memories of the English Martyrs School and the Odeon cinema – can you add to these and tell the group your stories about any of the old traders?

Please send them your memories and any old photos, either by email at clemhallhistory@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086.