The Shambles

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 market or butcher’s stalls; the association with meat is historical rather than etymological. In 1885, thirty-one butchers' shops were located along the street but none remain today.