This is still the only way into the North Side of old York. Before it was torn down, a barbican would have protected the far side of the entrance with a four sided building suitable for dumping burning oil or whatever on attackers.
Like the three other major York gates, Monk Bar first served as a defense but later turned into a toll booth. The bishop was entitled to some revenue from these tolls, perhaps from this gate (giving it its name?)
Lost? If so, click here for a good map of the York Walls (in PDF format)
For more narrative on York, see our description web page by clicking here.
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