30625 July 306 · York

Constantine acclaimed emperor at York

Bronze statue of the emperor Constantine, seated on a throne beside York Minster — Photo: Gerd Eichmann. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When the emperor Constantius died at Eboracum, the legionary fortress that became York, his troops proclaimed his son Constantine emperor on the spot. Constantine fought his way to sole rule, legalised Christianity and founded Constantinople. Beneath York Minster, excavations exposed the fortress headquarters where the acclamation probably took place.

Political History
Religious & Pilgrimage
Archaeology
York, United Kingdom

Sites

Site 1: York Minster undercroftRemains of the Roman fortress headquarters beneath the cathedral.Map ↗
Site 2: Constantine statue, Minster YardBronze of the seated emperor beside the Minster.Map ↗
Site 3: Multangular Tower, Museum GardensCorner tower of the fortress wall, Roman masonry below medieval stone.Map ↗