Category: Latest News

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 17 –

The narrow spiral staircase is inside Fishergate Postern Tower – an impressive, grade I listed, rectangular stone building at the end Piccadilly, opposite the Wetherspoon’s “The Postern Gate”. The stone tower as we see it today, but without the tiled roof, was built between 1504 and 1507 in place of an earlier structure known as Talken Tower.

The spiral staircase is the only access to the upper floors. There are hidden defensive “trip steps” built into the stone treads – to catch out any unsuspecting attackers trying to rush up to the higher floors. The only “attackers” these days are the increasing number of people who come to see the interior of the tower during open days organized by the Friends of York Walls.

One of the biggest ongoing objectives of the Friends of York Walls is to re-open Fishergate Postern Tower for community use. They are also seeking to raise funds towards refurbishment of the tower by inviting the general public and local businesses to “Sponsor a Stone”. The tower is currently opened up by The Friends at significant York events and during the summer weekends. Watch the website at https://yorkwalls.org.uk/ for details.

Picture Number 18 :-

A tower probably better known for its outside appearance !

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 16 :–

Heraldry on Micklegate Bar includes the carved plaque commemorating the restoration of 1727, with shield of arms of Lord Mayor Sir John Lister Kaye; two shields of the Arms of the City of York: the Plantagenet Royal Arms beneath a crested helm. Some sources give the date as 1737.

Micklegate Bar is a 12th century Norman arched gate and rebuilt in the late-12th or early-13th century. In the early 14th century, the three-storied structure was added, which allowed for the inclusion of the portcullis. The outward façade seen today dates from the 14th-century renovations. It was at this stage that the Bar also received its barbican, a walled but roofless space in front of the Bar, with walkways on top of its walls. The barbican, although in disrepair for many years, remained in place until demolished in 1826. The last major restoration work took place in 1952 and the stone figures on top of the bar date from that restoration. In 1968, the west turret was dismantled and completely rebuilt.

Picture Number 17 :-

Our first inside mystery picture, but a place increasing numbers are visiting !

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.

The solution to last weeks Picture Number 15 –

Bootham Bar is on the site of one of the four main entrances to the Roman fortress. There has been a gateway here for nearly 2000 years. Although much of Bootham Bar was built in the 14th and 19th centuries, it also has some of the oldest surviving stonework, dating to the 11th century. It stands almost on the site of Porta Principalis Dextra – the northwestern gate of Eboracum.

Like the other city gates, Bootham has displayed the heads of traitors in its time: notably Thomas Mowbray in 1405; it easily survived an unsuccessfully attack by Lord Scrope on behalf of the Royal impostor, Lambert Simnell, in 1487; but was heavily damaged by the Earl of Manchester’s troops during the Siege of York (1644). It was restored seven years later and pedestrian archways added in the following century. Fortunately, plans to demolish the bar in 1831 were eventually scrapped.

Bootham Bar was the last of the gates to lose its barbican, demolished in 1835. The Victorian steps leading up to the tower and the wall walk are inappropriately placed against the outer face of the walls !

Picture Number 16 :-

Can you identify this, and where it is ?

The answer will be given here on our FaceBook page.