Monk Bar, York
Monk Bar is the principal gate way on the north side of York. It dates mainly from the 14th century, with the topmost part added in the 15th century and windows renewed in the 16th century. It lies about 100 metres south east of the site of the Roman porta decumana of the legionary fortress, also the site of the pre-14th century northern gate of the city. A drawing from this earlier gateway site was what I had in mind. Unfortunately the wall walk at that spot is too narrow, I would have been in the way of too many people passing by. I drew the main forms on site and added depth to the shadows, and a few extra stones later. When we took a large group of junior school children for a walk on the wall recently they were amazed when o pointed out the giants on the turret tops, about to hurl boulders on attackers, and the upside staircase we used to get back to street level.
Monk Bar, York
Monk Bar is the principal gate way on the north side of York. It dates mainly from the 14th century, with the topmost part added in the 15th century and windows renewed in the 16th century. It lies about 100 metres south east of the site of the Roman porta decumana of the legionary fortress, also the site of the pre-14th century northern gate of the city. A drawing from this earlier gateway site was what I had in mind. Unfortunately the wall walk at that spot is too narrow, I would have been in the way of too many people passing by. I drew the main forms on site and added depth to the shadows, and a few extra stones later. When we took a large group of junior school children for a walk on the wall recently they were amazed when o pointed out the giants on the turret tops, about to hurl boulders on attackers, and the upside staircase we used to get back to street level.