Multangular Tower

In York’s Museum Gardens is the remains of castle tower upon which are the usual arrow slits. Though ruinous, it speaks of the city’s violent past. Yet this tower is unusual, for its lower sections go right back to the time of imperial Rome. Called the Multangular Tower, it was once one of eight, but the invading Danes saw for fit to demolish its seven brethren when they conquered the city in 867.

Dating to either emperors Septimius Severus or Constantine the Great, it demonstrated the empire’s need to defend its territory many years after conquering it; Rome was not the only great power, and other peoples and nations were eyeing her territories. Greater than Babylon, Persia and Greece, Rome was the prophet Daniel’s ‘fourth empire’; though terrifyingly powerful, its days were numbered, the ancient world of which it was part would be superseded by the mediaeval age. This would be dirtier and browner, perhaps, but a fulfilment of the Bible’s claim that all worldly empires shrivel and die.

Another one is coming, however, which shall never end. Come, Lord Jesus!

A D