On 17th February 2026 we shared draft revisions to our Open Brief for New Public Spaces in the Castle & Eye of York. We gathered feedback via the website, facebook and email. The quotes within this blog reflect comments from individuals in response to the proposed revisions.
The feedback affirms the draft revisions and no further changes were made following the feedback as the proposals were broadly supported. However the thoughtful and considered comments also add greater depth and nuance. This is especially so in terms of how to make the 1190 memorial site distinctive and connected to Jewish traditions of mourning and in terms of how to conceptualise the connection between 1190, the wider histories of the site and hopes for human rights and peace. We hope to explore this more in the coming months as part of the interpretation work for Castle & Eye of York.
The updated Open Brief for the New Public Space can be read here.
The significance of 1190 must be recognised
With thanks to Lilian Coulson from York Liberal Jewish Community for facilitating this, we had submissions from Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Leads, The Movement for Progressive Judaism.
The letters can be read in full here:
- Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
- Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Leads, The Movement for Progressive Judaism.
Both letters emphasised the significance of 1190 for Jewish people today, both in UK and internationally.
The deeply tragic history of Clifford’s Tower is of enormous consequence to the British Jewish community and is similarly well-known to Jews right around the world. Indeed, what transpired by way of zealous violence by a non-Jewish mob against Jews taking refuge in the Tower in 1190 is highly emblematic of centuries of Jewish vulnerability and persecution at the hands of tyrannical rulers. This is why this episode in our history is permanently seared into the collective Jewish psyche. (Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis)
Clifford’s Tower marks the site of one of the most devastating acts of anti-Jewish violence in medieval England. The Jewish community of York, who had lived, worked, and contributed to the economic and civic life of the city, were driven to seek refuge and lost their lives when the perpetrators sought to wipe out York’s Jewish community. This atrocity was not only a tragedy for the Jewish people, but a loss for York itself. The responsibility to now openly remember it with honesty and dignity belongs to the whole city and speaks directly to the values York upholds today. (Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy)
There was support for a 1190 memorial space and for this to be distinct, specific and visibly Jewish
[1190] is both a particular Jewish tragedy, and deserves to be commemorated as such, while also providing crucial lessons to all of society, of the dangers of unchecked hatred and violence. This is why a fitting, and clearly delineated space will serve such an important educative and reflective purpose, for residents and visitors to York. It will undoubtedly command considerable national and global attention, owing to the iconic and infamous nature of this place. (Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis)
We welcome the reinstated intention to create a separate and distinct 1190 Memorial / Peace Garden close to the foot of Clifford’s Tower, with sufficient space and clarity of purpose to allow for meaningful reflection, gathering, and education. It is essential that this space is recognisably and unapologetically rooted in its Jewish significance, including enabling Jewish acts of remembrance and prayer. (Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy)
York Civic Trust very much welcomes the more clearly defined focus now proposed for the 1190 Memorial Space. Strengthening it as a distinct, usable gathering space — with appropriate seating, accessibility and the ability to accommodate groups — is an important step forward. It gives the memorial area the clarity and dignity it requires, while ensuring it can function meaningfully for Jewish commemoration, school groups and wider civic reflection, including all faiths. (York Civic Trust)
As part of this – reflecting earlier conversation with York Liberal Jewish Community and the original New Public Spaces Open Brief – there was also an expressed need to show how the Jewish community in York is thriving today.
Jewish life in York did not end in 1190. Despite expulsion, absence, and then return and integration across many centuries, Jewish presence has endured and renewed itself. Today, York Liberal Jewish Community represents a vibrant and growing part of the city’s life, contributing to its civic, cultural, and interfaith fabric. Their presence affirms both continuity and confidence in York as a place where Jewish life belongs
(Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy)
There was support for the links between 1190 and wider reflection
The York Human Rights City Network will want to be as supportive as possible in promoting ideas of peacemaking and human rights. (Stephen Pittam, Chair – York Human Rights City Network)
What inspires me is that, inspite of the cruel history of Clifford’s Tower, given an opportunity, communities can recover through resilience. So the commemoration would also be of hope for a kinder future for all (anonymous from web form)
I think this is vital and I’ve visited the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester which is beautifully done, providing a quiet space for reflection as well as a memorial site. I really hope something similar can be achieved next to Clifford’s Tower (anonymous from web form)
Memorialisation, when done with integrity, strengthens social cohesion. It affirms that difficult histories are neither forgotten nor marginalised, and that minority communities are recognised as part of the shared civic story. (Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy)
Current international geo-politics and increasing polarisation in the UK were evoked as contexts – with our present being described as ‘difficult times’ (Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy). The question of what responsibilities we all have – from our different perspectives and contexts – to express sympathy for those affected by what has been happening in the Middle East was also raised.
The question of how to spatially distribute the wider reflections on the area’s histories of authority, control and violence were also raised:
We also support the framing which foregrounds 1190 while allowing the wider Castle & Eye of York landscape to speak to themes of violence and peace. The concept that peace can ultimately triumph over violence feels particularly resonant on a site shaped over centuries by power, imprisonment and political assembly. (York Civic Trust).
Connections to long histories of peace activism in York were encouraged
I would like to see there be ways of incorporating the city’s and citizens’ history of participation in peace activism, which often has included gatherings at the Eye of York. That is important not just because of history, but as a signal to us all that resistance is possible and collective action can be transformative (Laura Potts, via My Castle Gateway website)
While we have covered the York Against the War’s 2003 protest as part of the My Castle Gateway process, Laura also suggest some others key moments:
I think there was a peace festival possibly in 1979/80/81….. I remember a play that was performed on the Eye and stalls. I’ll ask other folk who may remember, or even have photos. And when the Free Nelson Mandela march came through York we meet there to greet them. I still have a ragged t shirt from that day! (Laura Potts, via My Castle Gateway website)
But caution was also advised in being too glib about the connection of the area to peace
While highlighting the preferability of peace and harmony to war and violence is a noble aim, I’m not sure the history of the place actually supports that message very well – the castle was built as part of the violent conquest of England, which was ultimately successfully completed, and the massacre in 1190 was by no means the last example of the persecution of Jews in England. York is now of course a very peaceful place in general, but racism is not gone from our society. Perhaps it should stand instead as a cautionary tale of how violence can easily be whipped up by those with power against those seen as other for ulterior motives (a salient message for our current political times)? (anonymous from web form)
A possible implication of one comment related to whether a peace garden be more appropriate where in can be fully inter-faith, whereas the violent and antisemitic nature of the 1190 massacre requires a prioritisation of Jewish experience and mourning practices. (interaction on My Castle Gateway website)
Benches are crucial!
I would just like to stress the importance of sufficient seating arrangements for visitors. I run regular walking tours around the city, focusing on York’s Jewish history […] Clifford’s Tower is naturally central to this, and I visit it on every tour. It would be great to have a designated space to talk about the Clifford’s Tower story that also acts as a clear sign of York’s flourishing Jewish community today. Beyond that, our clientele are often older (65/70+ years old). Having a place for them to sit and rest would be ideal. We sometimes tour groups of as many as 20/25 and currently struggle to find seating for everyone just on the benches at the bottom of the Tower. (Avi Rubinstein, a Jewish student at the University of York, yorkjewishwalkingtours.com)
We need to gather outdoors to remember …but also need to consider the weather
I think the revisions are well worded. I do worry that the weather will limit the success of outdoor gatherings to commemorate the 1190 massacre (which took place on 16 March). The annual commemoration used to be held on the Eye of York under a temporary shelter, and the cold wet and windy weather often made it difficult and certainly reduced the attendance. For the last few years this event has been held in the atrium of the Castle Museum, which has an excellent view of the tower, but is not intended as an event space as such. Perhaps the commemoration space should include some shelter from the elements? (anonymous from web form)
Concerns about costs, council prioritises and parking
A number of concerns were expressed about whether this should be a council priority for spending and about car parking for those other than Blue Badge Holders (via facebook and My Castle Gateway website).