York was one of the few towns in England that had two castles.

The second castle - the Old Baille - also had a motte and bailey. It was smaller than York Castle and on the opposite bank of the River Ouse. It was built at the same time as York Castle.

All that survives today is the motte and part of the embankment now incorporated into the city walls.

This castle was given to the Archbishop of York around 1194.

It caused a dispute between the archbishop and the people of York. York's citizens said it was outside the city's ditches the archbishop argued that the defence of the Old Baille was the mayor and community of York's responsibility.

This argument was still going strong 100 years later. In 1423, the archbishop was sued forcing him to repair the part of the city walls called the Old Baille. In 1466 the dispute was settled. The archbishop gave the castle to the Mayor and people of York.