Oct 05, 2007 15:27
1. Between the 3rd and 4th century AD the Vatican used York as a Pope 'proving ground'. They would send the six prospective Popes into the city with naught but two papal staves and a slingshot. The first candidate to win the hearts of 40% of the citizens became Pope - the other five became demi-popes, or 'popettes'.
2. York was the first city in the world to have a street known as The Shambles. It's naming came about due it being 'a right bloody mess, and no mistake' (John Tuppington, Local Quartermaster, 1436)
3. The gates in the city walls, also called bars, are actually doors (arches).
4. There are over six buildings in York, some of them are not houses
5. Modern York is a thriving hub of industry and a grand city on the scale of Christchurch or Beeston. The local football team plays at least one game every half hour and they sometimes win at cricket. It has a population of 4,000 cats. Its main exports are grit and incredulity.