The Shambles is a historic street in York, England, featuring preserved medieval buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. The street, which runs between Newgate in the north and Pavement in the south, is narrow, with many timber-framed buildings with jettied floors that overhang the street by several feet. It was once known as the "Great Flesh Shambles", a name reflecting its historical use as a butchers' street. The word shambles derives from Old English sċeamol ("bench, stall"), referring to vendors' or butchers' stalls. In 1885, thirty-one butchers' shops were located along the street, but none remain today.
Etymology
The area around the Shambles was known as Marketshire into the 14th century and included the streets of the Shambles and Pavement. The Shambles itself had several names: by 1240 it was referred to as Haymongergate, and it was called Nedlergate in 1394, both thought to be references to other trades and crafts which took place in the street. By 1426 it had become more commonly known as the "Great Flesh Shambles", a name reflecting its function as a butchers' street, which was eventually shortened to the current name.
History
thumb|281x281px|The Shambles on an 1852 map
Although not named in the Domesday Book of 1086, it has been identified through an entry which lists two butchers' stalls near the church of St Crux () being in the ownership of the Count of Mortain. Along with this, the picturesque qualities of the narrow street with its timber-framed jettied houses have meant that, since as early as the 19th century, it has been recognised as a major attraction of the city of York. Today, some of these restorations are seen as insensitive, since a great deal of historic fabric, including slaughterhouses and outbuildings at the rear of the properties, was demolished. The Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society's annual report of 1949 contains plans of The Shambles showing the buildings to be removed.
There are five "snickelways" that lead off the Shambles because they used to be small alleyways in the backs of the buildings, but since these back buildings were demolished in the 1950s, they now open out onto a big open space with market stalls known as Shambles Market. The market was previously known as Newgate Market, after the street on which it is located, but was renamed in 2015.
The Shambles is one of a number of locations, along with streets in Chepstow, Edinburgh, Exeter and London, for which claims have been made to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter franchise. However, the author, J. K. Rowling, has denied this, stating that she had never been to The Shambles. Since 2017, four wizard-themed shops have opened in the street.
Notable buildings
thumb|right|10–11 Shambles, a Grade II* listed building
Almost all the buildings on the street are listed. On the east side, 1 Shambles is timber-framed and probably 14th century; 2 Shambles is early 18th century; and 3–5 Shambles are all 19th century, one of them initially serving as the former Shoulder of Mutton pub. 6 Shambles is late 18th century, with a 20th-century renovation and shopfront. 7–8 Shambles are late and early 15th century respectively, and 9 Shambles is also 15th century. 10–11 Shambles originated as a single 15th-century house, and 12 Shambles has some parts probably dating from the 14th century. 13 Shambles is early 17th century, while 14 Shambles was originally timber-framed but is of unclear date. 19 Shambles was built in the early 16th century; 20 Shambles is mid-18th century; and 21 Shambles and 22–23 Shambles were each built in the early 18th century. At the end of the street is the parish room of St Crux. These are also listed. 37–38 Shambles are late 15th century, and 39 Shambles includes a 15th-century timber frame. 40 Shambles is early 18th century; 41–42 Shambles is 15th century; and 43 Shambles was built in 1775. 44 Shambles is 15th century; 45 Shambles is early 18th century; and 46–47 Shambles were built in about 1740.