Day: January 7, 2009

In 1663 the Duke of York purchased the grant of Long Island and other islands on the New England coast made in 1635 to the Earl of Stirling. The following year, the Duke equipped an armed expedition, which took possession of New Amsterdam, which was thenceforth called Province of New York, after him.[1][2] This conquest was confirmed by the treaty of Breda, in July 1667. In July 1673, a Dutch fleet recaptured New York and held it until it was restored to the English by the treaty of Westminster in February, 1674.

But which Duke of York are we talking about? From this chronology, it appears to be James Stuart, who later became James II of England (and James VII of Scotland). While Duke of York, he was also Duke of Albany in Scotland.

The current Duke of York is Prince Andrew, the second son of the British monarch, Elizabeth II. Since he has no sons (horrors!), the most likely candidate for the position will be Prince Harry, assuming Charles ascends the throne someday.

As for York, England itself, it is located northeast of Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool:

The Shambles is oldest street in York, it mentioned “in the Doomsday Book under its Latin name – In Macello. The word Shambles derives from the Medieval word Shamel (various spellings), meaning bench or booth. Also referred to as Flesshammel, which means to do with flesh – it was the street of the butchers. In 1872 the number of butchers was recorded as 26. This figure dwindled over the years until the last butcher standing was Dewhurst at number 27 the Shambles.”

York Minster Gothic Cathedral in York

“Situated in the heart of the city, York Minster is the largest Gothic Cathedral in northern Europe. As is the way with many christian buildings, it was built in the shape of a cross, and faces East, towards Jerusalem. The name “Minster” is derived from the Latin Monastarium, which means ‘Place of Learning’.”

Here are some places in the United States named York; not a complete list:

York County, PA.

York County, SC.

York (city), PA.

East York, PA CDP. A CDP is a Census Designated Place, a location that is unincorporated but well-defined.

York County, ME.

York County, PA.

York County, VA.

West New York, NJ.

Which brings us to my home state of New York:

New York (State). There are 62 counties in New York State.

New York (City). Five of those counties comprise New York City. In NYC, there are also something called boroughs; these are coterminous with the county boundaries.

New York County, NY is a/k/a the borough of Manhattan. Kings County is the borough of Brooklyn, Richmond County is the borough Staten Island. Bronx and Queens each have the same name as a county as it does as a borough.