The house boasts a long, illustrious and diverse history dating all the way back to the 11th century. Following the battle of Hastings in 1066, York became a strategically important city for William the Conqueror. He realised that in order establish himself in the North he needed support, and therefore one of the actions he took was to appoint the first Norman Archbishop in York, Thomas of Bayeux (1070-1100).
EMAIL
ENQUIRIES@GRAYSCOURTYORK.COM
PHONE
+44 01904 612613
Address
GRAYS COURT HOTEL,
CHAPTER HOUSE STREET,
YORK, YO1 7JH
Built to
ENTERTAIN
The first Norman Archbishop of York Thomas of Bayeux (1070 - 1100) commissioned a grand residence for the new role of Treasurer, being built to entertain visitors on royal, state and church business. The first Treasurer, Ranulf, resided here between 1091 - 1108.
Following the reformation the house would go on to become home to many notable people in history, The Duke of Somerset, General Sir Thomas Fairfax and Archbishops Robert Holgate and Thomas Young.
Royalty such as King James Ist, James 2nd and the Duke of Cumberland stayed and moving on to the 18c the famous abolitionist William Wilberforce was a frequent visitor being a close friend of John Gray.
With such an extensive history Grays Court is thought to the oldest continuously occupied building in Britain. To read more facts about the history of the building download our fact sheet.
Located in the Long Gallery is one of only two surviving sundials created by Henry Gyles (1645-1709), a renowned glass painter from Micklegate. He belonged to a group named the York virtuosi, which was made up of artists and intellectuals who gathered to discuss varied topics. By the end of the 17th century he was the last glass painter left in York and was credited with "the revival of the art of pictorial glass painting”.
Address
GRAYS COURT HOTEL, CHAPTER HOUSE STREET, YORK YO1 7JH
PHONE
+44 01904 612613
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