This mansion acquired the above name from having been the town residence of the Archbishops of York, it had been anciently the Bishop of Norwich's Inn; but was exchanged in for the Abbey of St. Bennet Hohm, in Norfolk. The next possessor, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, had it in exchange for his house, called Palace. In the reign of Queen Mary it was purchased by Dr. Heath, Archbishop of York, and called York House. Archbishop Matthew, in the reign of James the , exchanged it with the Crown, and had several manors in lieu of it. It was next the residence of Lord Chancellors Egerton and Bacon; after which it was granted to George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who rebuilt it most magnificently. In the Parliament bestowed it on General Fairfax, whose daughter and heir marrying George Villiers the Duke of Buckingham, the house reverted to its true owner, who resided here for several years subsequent to the Restoration. It was disposed of by him, and several streets laid out on the site, which go under his names and titles,

George Street

,

Villiers Street

,

Duke Street

, of Alley, and

Buckingham Street

.

Some idea of the magnificence of York House may be formed from the accompanying plate. It appears to have been of very considerable extent, and most probably contained numerous splendid apartments. The celebrated stairs, which still remain at the bottom of , have been long deservedly admired, and form unquestionably the most perfect piece of building that does honour to his name of Inigo Jones; who, it is not unlikely, was the architect of York House itself.