(In 1190 York's Jews were hounded into Clifford's Tower which was, at that time, a wooden structure.  They were burned alive. History is unsure whether they took their own lives or whether the mob did it for them.  Until quite recently Jews were ordered by their faith to turn their faces away from the city as they passed it - something York shared in common with more notorious locations such as Auschwitz and Babi Yar).

 

For nine hundred years we’ve turned our faces

From wretched York – the gesture marks its shame,

Revealing its greatest of disgraces.

 

The city no longer now embraces

Its son of York – Malebrisse was his name;

The citizens of York turn their faces.

 

He urged them baying with swords and maces,

A screaming mob intent to kill and maim

The brethren – the direst of disgraces.

 

Unique among other English places

Approached on foot, on horseback, or by train,

For nine hundred years we’ve turned our faces.

 

The tower stands where a small child races

And innocently plays their timeless game

Sheltered from this darkest of disgraces.

 

We cheated murder through Jove’s good graces

But chose to die on sword-tip and by flame;

For nine hundred years we’ve turned our faces

Away from York’s greatest of disgraces.