09 January 2012

App guides through York's Jewish history and heritage

Memorial plaque to the 1190 massacre.

A web app designed to allow the public to learn more about the massacre of York's medieval Jewish community has been launched to mark the anniversary of the tragic event on March 16 1190.

It is estimated around 150 Jews died in the massacre at Clifford’s Tower in the city after they had fled there for protection from a mob believed to be incited by the coronation of crusader King Richard I.

The web app includes detailed information about what happened in 1190, but most importantly, is designed to introduce the public to the longer story of Jewish settlement in the city from the 12th to the 21st century. It features a map that alerts visitors to nearby points of interest in the city and provide audio commentary, photographs and other information.

The app has been created by York Museums Trust working in partnership with Professor Helen Weinstein, Director of the Institute for the Public Understanding of the Past (IPUP) at the University of York.  

Helen Weinstein sees the app as an opportunity to educate residents and visitors to the fact that there is more to York's Jewish past than tragedy. 

 "I wanted to reclaim the city where Jews lived and worshipped and look at what trace is left of that community. It will allow people to engage with the archaeological and historical evidence of the Jewish community, and put the terrible events of 1190 in a much wider context“, says Weinstein.

At the moment the app is in its pilot stage and cannot be downloaded. Instead it can be found here. York Museums Trust welcomes any comments on how to improve it further. This is the first of many themed trails planned for the History of York mobile app, offering information and highlighting points of interest throughout the city. The web app will be available soon for download from  www.historyofyork.org.uk.

Source: University of York