The execution of Margaret Clitherow

The Shambles today looks almost exactly as it did in the time of Guy Fawkes. Since medieval times this was the butchers street. Margaret Clitherow was married to a butcher and lived on this street. In her house she allowed secret masses to be said. In 1586 she was betrayed. Her tragedy gripped the city and quite possibly the 16 year old Guy Fawkes. The last priest to give communion in the Shambles was Francis Ingleby, who was a close relation of the Winter brothers, who were both very active in the gunpowder Plot. He was hung, drawn and quartered on York’s Knavesmire in 1586.