 In 1068, on William the Conqueror's first northern expedition after the Norman Conquest, he built a number of castles across the north-east of England, including one at York.This first castle at York was a basic wooden motte and bailey castle built between the rivers Ouse and Foss on the site of the present-day York Castle.It was built in haste; contemporary accounts imply it was constructed in only eight days, although this assertion has been challenged.