During the conference the evenings have been left free of events.
We know that delegates like to socialise and use the evenings to network, discuss the days papers and enjoy the city. So whilst you're free to explore this wonderful city we thought you might like some pointers to the best pubs to meet in!
Fortunately we have had Don try every pub in York in advance and shortlisted the best for your benefit! The nearest good pub to the conference venue is the Tap and Spile in Monkgate, and we suggest that this is the best place to meet up with other delgates each evening before selecting which of our wonderful pubs you want to try.
The CBA recommendation for pubs in York is available by clicking here.
Founded in 71AD by the Roman Governor of Britannica, Quintus Petilius Cerealis, as the administrative centre for the north of the Roman province, the walled city of York has played a leading role in the history of Britain and the rest of the world.
The city sits at the junction of two rivers, the Ouse and the Foss. The city's role in education stems from at least as far as the 8th Century AD when it's library and school gave education to Charlemagne's teacher Alcuin, who went on to develop education throughout Charlemagne's empire as well as being head of Charlemagne's palace school at Aachen (the earliest University like institution in North-Western Europe!)
The city was the capital of the Roman Empire for two years under the Emperor Septimus Severus until his death in the city in 211AD and the first Christian Roman Emperor was hailed Emperor in York in 306BC. The city was the spiritual capital of the Anglian kingdom of Northumberland, becoming the seat of an Archbishop of York in 735. The Vikings Halfdan and Ivar the Boneless captured York in 866, making it the capital of a new Viking kingdom (Jorvik in Old Norse). York was brought firmly under the control of the English Crown, first by King Athelstan in 927, and was a centre of resistance to William the Conqueror until 1068. Cliffords Tower results from the Norman Conquest (which is now open for you to visit) and is one of two castles built in York to control the unruly locals!
York became the capital of England for a period under Edward I during his wars with the Scots, and sessions of parliament were held in the city. Guy Fawkes was born in the city in 1570 and educated at St. Peter's School along with two of his fellow plotters, surprising from a city that was strongly Royalist and remained so during the Civil War.
During the Georgian period the city became a centre of fashionable society, education, science and a thriving mercantile centre. By the 1800s, the city was amongst the earliest to adopt rail transport and York's station was one of the earliest in the world, leading to increased trade and industry. The railways industry, the racecourse at the Knavesmire and the chocolate factories of Rowntrees and Terrys were the foundation of York's 20th century prosperity.
So York, a city founded nearly 2000 years ago has been a seat and inspiration for Emperors and Kings, and a seat of government.
Today, while trade and industry are still important, it is the preservation of its long and varied history which has brought it world fame. For here, visitors can not only hear about England's history, they can actually see it and walk in it.
York is truly ageless - a city for all time and all people.
For more information on the history of York, visit the excellent "History of York" website (www.historyofyork.org.uk).
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The CBA Archaeology and Education Pages were initially created and are maintained by Andy Holland