Review of York in the Time of James 1 Plague, Politics and Frost

                                                             By Tony Morgan 

The work of York based author Tony Morgan has already been featured in this blog. Pleased to see that he has now devoted  a whole work to York during the  reign of James VI/ I ( ruling England from 1603-1625) . Certainly this reader learnt a great deal from this quite short book. For example,  Medieval aspects of city life had not completely vanished. Trade guilds were of particular importance. Ecclesiastical courts functioned. The traditional 'Tanton' feast held every three years, where a piglet had been especially reared and fattened  to be slaughtered for a feast organised by the 'Brothers of Saint Anthony', continued until 1625. The Roman Catholic faith had not be completely banished. 

York's economic life fluctuated for previous decades, but the city retained is significance as an administrative centre with the Council of the North, originally established by Edward IV, being based in the city during this time. And York sent two MPs to Westminster. 

 One challenge in the post-Reformation society was Poor Relief, A role that various religious establishments had once taken over. A chapter covers this subject, and it is quite fascinating how York set up  'houses of correction' to shame and to encourage the Poor who would appeared to be workshy.The whole social fabric would be severely tested by the ghastly plague of 1604. York has been plague free for a generation or two. The downside was that the citizens had so little resistance once the disease re-emerged. As well as having some three thousand dead, there were so many sick. Trade broke down as the city became isolated . It was interesting to read how the city tackled this potential catastrophe. 

Particularly fascinated by the chapter on early 17th climate change, and its impact on York, with a series of severe Winters on 1607, 1608, and particularly 1615. Massive snow falls  eventually thaw leading to rising river levels and floods, with a threat to the Ouse bridge, so vital for the economic functioning of York was threatened in 1615. 

There is helpful coverage of how the policies of King James, the legislation from  the Parliaments that sat during his reign squared with the needs and hopes of the city of York that had already functioned as corporation for year. 

 King James's slow progress from Scotland to London in 1603 saw him spend a few days in the City. York had not seen a royal visit since Henry VIII appeared there in 1541. A few months later, James's wife Anna of Denmark, along with Prince Henry and Princess Elizabeth visited on their way to London. James visited York again in 1617.

And not surprisingly the book covers the connection between York and Guy Fawkes, the Wright brothers John and Christopher to the Gunpowder Treason of 1605. Also the mother of the Gunpowder Plotters Thomas and Robert Wintour -Jane Ingleby-had family connection to York, even though her sons were born and raised in Worcestershire. All true but then the picture gets complicated because we can't assume that each of these Gunpowder Plotters were 'cradle Catholic' and remained in the Faith until their execution. 

Finally would add that Christopher Brooke, one of York's two MPs, gets mentioned for writing  the poem The Ghost of Richard III ( first printed in 1614). 

Overall a great read, and recommended. 

More posts about the work of Tony Morgan 

Interview with Tony Morgan     From 2020

Review of Margaret Clitherow 'Elizabethan Saint' by Tony Morgan. 

Other blogs by Michael Bully

World War 2 Poetry   As it says on the tin 

Bleak Chesney Wold   19th century 'dark' history 

Michael Bully, 

7th February 2026