Monk Bar York
Monk Bar is the largest and most ornate of the bars. It was erected in about 1330 to replace a previous city entrance on the site of an original Roman Gate. The clergy appear to have complained about a main road crossing the Minster Close, so the replacement was built further to the south-east. It was a self-contained fortress, with each floor capable of being defended. On the front of the bar is an arch supporting a gallery, including 'murder-holes' through which missiles and boiling water could be rained down upon attackers.
Monk Bar has the city’s only working portcullis, in use until 1970. Like the other main gateways, Monk Bar originally had a barbican on the front. This was demolished in 1825.
The rooms above the gateway have had various uses over the years, including as a home and as a jail for rebellious Catholics in the 16th century.
Today the gate houses a small museum tracing the life of the popular Yorkist, King Richard III and run by the Richard III Society. There is particular emphasis on an examination of his supposed involvement in the murder of the 'Princes in the Tower'. You can also see the old portcullis in full working order and the turret room prison cells used for recusant Catholics and mutinous apprentices in the 16th century.
Monk Bar York
Monk Bar is the largest and most ornate of the bars. It was erected in about 1330 to replace a previous city entrance on the site of an original Roman Gate. The clergy appear to have complained about a main road crossing the Minster Close, so the replacement was built further to the south-east. It was a self-contained fortress, with each floor capable of being defended. On the front of the bar is an arch supporting a gallery, including 'murder-holes' through which missiles and boiling water could be rained down upon attackers.
Monk Bar has the city’s only working portcullis, in use until 1970. Like the other main gateways, Monk Bar originally had a barbican on the front. This was demolished in 1825.
The rooms above the gateway have had various uses over the years, including as a home and as a jail for rebellious Catholics in the 16th century.
Today the gate houses a small museum tracing the life of the popular Yorkist, King Richard III and run by the Richard III Society. There is particular emphasis on an examination of his supposed involvement in the murder of the 'Princes in the Tower'. You can also see the old portcullis in full working order and the turret room prison cells used for recusant Catholics and mutinous apprentices in the 16th century.