Approaching Walmgate Bar

Visited 19 March 2006

From the Red Tower, the walls proceed nearly directly south for about 300 yards until they meet the most unusual of the four major gates: the Walmgate Bar.  The white extension was originally a residence (until 1960); one resident, a 15th century mason, received free rent in exchange for maintaining the walls.  (Apparently the city learned its lesson since that unfortunate incident with the tiler at the Red Tower.)

While most of the York walls were surrounded by a ditch, only the Walmgate Bar area had its defenses enhanced with water.

Starting in the 15th century, York began to arm its walls with cannons, a gift from their former foe, Henry Tudor (Henry VII).  In addition, citizens were assigned to defend specific areas of the walls and required to buy their own armor in accord with their means.

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.