St Mary's Tower (York)

 tower, city wall, 14th century construction

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St Mary's Tower (York) was built circa 1324. It was damaged during the Civil War, then partially repaired. The damage and the repairs are still evident today.

St Mary's Tower was built in 1324 (or possibly 1325) and, aside from its defensive role, it was used to store records relating to the Monasteries in Yorkshire. In 'plan view', the tower is broadly circular on the outside (approximately 32 feet in diameter), but octangular on the inside.

The tower was severely damaged by a mine laid by the Parliamentary forces during the Civil War. It was partially repaired in 1664 using materials salvaged from the King's Manor (which had also been damaged during the seige of York in 1644). The three window frames on the upper storey and the fluted masonry beside the telephone box on Marygate are all believed to have originated from buildings in the King's Manor complex.