On top of the mound is the remains of Clifford's Tower. It was built when York Castle was rebuilt in stone between 1245 and 1265. Clifford's Tower, the bailey walls, towers, gates, bridges, two halls, a chapel, a kitchen and a prison were all built at this time.

The name Clifford's Tower was first recorded in 1596. Before then it was called the great tower.

Between 1245 and 1445, the castle needed major repairs - the keep had cracked from top to bottom. By 1535 it was in ruins. It was repaired and soldiers stationed there during the Civil War in 1644.

The prison

After the war, the castle became a prison. The buildings that now fill the medieval bailey site are all prison buildings.

The Debtors Prison was built in 1701-5, the Assize Courts in 1773-7 and the Female Prison in 1780. From 1802 the castle was the main place of execution in York.

Before then people had been executed in public on the Knavesmire. Executions continued behind prison doors until 1896.

These buildings all survive today. The two prison buildings are now York Castle Museum, while people are still tried in the Assize Court building. Before they go in front of the court, prisoners are locked up in the original 1773 cells!