Category: Where Is This?

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 11 –

Along Bootham, opposite Bootham Row, a part of St Mary’s Abbey defensive wall and Tower D is visible, where properties were demolished in the early 20th century and now replaced by an area of grass, shrubs and trees. The defensive wall is approximately 150 metres long from Queen Margaret’s Arch and Postern Tower to St Mary’s Tower. Most of the wall is hidden behind buildings along Bootham except for this section, a section approaching St Mary’s Tower, and Tower E behind the White Horse. The Abbey protective walls were built in 1266 and heightened in 1318 when battlements and new towers were added. Many masons’ marks are cut into stones of this length of wall.

Picture Number 12 :-

A familiar tower – but where is it ?

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 10 –

This is a turret of tower twenty-eight – the only surviving tower along the entire walls section from Robin Hood’s Tower to Monk Bar. The tower is semicircular in plan measuring approx. four metres wide and projecting two metres from the wall face. Although the lower part of this tower appears to be original the upper part was rebuilt in 1889 with small turrets added on each side producing a structure Victorian in character. Internally the tower contains brick arches supported on concrete beams with some stone flagging to carry the platform.

The neighbouring tower twenty-nine was completely removed in the early nineteenth century. A depression in the outer rampart indicates where tower twenty-nine was probably sited.

Picture Number 11 :-

You can’t walk on me, only past me ?

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 9 –

Monk Bar, the largest and most ornate of the bars, dates from the early 14th century. 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 but this was demolished in 1825.

The rooms above the gateway have had various uses over the years. The Bar once contained Little Ease prison, which once housed Alice Bowman in what was a tiny prison cell, measuring just 1.6 metres across. Bowman was imprisoned for her Catholic beliefs during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

Picture Number 10 :-

I am just a number – but where am I ?

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

Time for – “Mystery Pictures 8 & 9”.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 8 –

The steps at Micklegate Bar lead up onto the wall walk going towards Baker Tower and Lendal Bridge. Micklegate Bar was the most important of York’s four main medieval gateways and the focus for grand events. The name comes from ‘Micklelith’, meaning great street. It was the main entrance to the city for anyone arriving from the South. Many reigning monarchs have passed through this gate and by tradition they stop here to ask the Lord Mayor’s permission to enter the city, as did Queen Elizabeth II on 5th April 2012.

The lower section of the bar dates from the 12th century, the top two storeys from the 14th. The building was inhabited from 1196. Like the other main gates, Micklegate Bar originally had a barbican built on the front, but this was demolished in 1826.

Picture Number 9 :-

16th century Alice Bowman didn’t like this place !

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.