The Tower is all that remains of York Castle and it is thought its name comes from Sir Roger Clifford who was hung here in 1322. The tower also has a place in one of the darkest episodes in the city’s history – the massacre of the Jews in 1190. The massacre was a culmination against riots which had taken place against York’s Jews and resulted in them taking refuge in the tower. After being under siege for days the Jewish menfolk killed their wives and children before killing themselves rather than renounce their religion.