The street runs along a ridge of slightly higher ground east of the
River Ouse. It follows the line of
Dere Street, the main Roman road from
Eboracum to
Cataractonium. Many Roman remains have been found in the area, which were principally used for burials. The street's name probably derives from the Norse for "the place of the booths", referring to the poor huts in the area. From the Roman period, an alternative route from the bridge over the Ouse ran a short distance west of Bootham, and in the Saxon and Viking
Jorvik periods, that was the main road to the north-west. However, after
St Mary's Abbey was constructed in this area, that road was blocked, and Bootham became the principal route. In 1260, the abbey was given permission to construct a wall, part of which runs immediately west of the southern part of Bootham. Disputes between the abbey and the city led to conflict in 1262, with several houses on the street being burned down. Shortly after 1326 the
Bootham Hoard of silver coins was deposited at the site which would become Bootham School. The first documentary evidence of buildings on Bootham is from the 12th century, and by 1282, there were 19 properties on the street, most opposite the abbey wall, with some further out. The city received complaints that, by the end of the century, the road's paving was broken up, there was a stench of pigsties in the area, and that the street was often blocked by loose pigs. In 1308, the abbey was given permission to hold a market and fair on the street, and although this was later revoked, there is evidence of a market being held until at least 1448. In 1354, the abbey finally agreed that Bootham should fall within the city's jurisdiction. In 1497, St Margaret's Arch was built through part of the wall at the southern end of Bootham, providing access to what is now
King's Manor. By 1610, most of the street was built up, other than the area in front of the abbey walls, but the area was devastated in the 1644
Siege of York. Almost all the buildings now date from after the siege, many from the Georgian period, and the redevelopment included new buildings in front of the abbey wall. A
cock pit was established near where the road currently has its junction with St Mary's, with an attached bowling green. In 1846,
Bootham School moved to the street, and it has gradually expanded into several buildings.
York City Council describes the street as "the finest of approaches to the city bars", and mentions the trees and cobbled margins along the street, which replaced former grass verges, used for grazing animals. The street is now lined with expensive houses, hotels, and prestigious offices. ==Layout and architecture==