Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 113
Beside these, fortified walls run round the close of St.
Mary's abbey; said to have been rendered necessary by the
collisions which occasionly took place between the citizens
and the monks. They joined the city wall at Bootham
Bar, went for a conside: able distance down Bootham to
the tower at Marygate corner, and then, forming an angle,
continued the whole length of Marygate to the river Ouse,
where they joined St. Mary's tower. The principal en
trance to the abbey, was in Marygate, through a beautiful
gateway, which still exists in a state of excellent preser
vation. The second entranee was near Bootham bar, the
gateway of which still remains. The tower by the river's
edge is in ruins ;—the walls of the abbey are generally
in good repair; but are built against, in Bootham and Mary
gate. Recently a road has been made through the walls
between the archway in Marygate and St. Mary's tower,
rendered necessary to preserve the footpath from Lendal
ferry to Marygate, in consequence of the extension of the
gardens on the manor shore, below the archway. Having
said so much generally descriptive of the walls, it will be
necessary to advert more particularly to the Baes, and
other remarkable structures connected with the ancient
fortifications.
Plttfeltgate 33 ax.
This bar forms the principal approach to the city, from
the old London road ; and comprises a square tower, with
a circular arch and embattled turrets at the angles ; each
with a stone figure on the top, the lower parts being
built of a grey coarse grit, and the upper portion of a
fine white lime-stone. As we have already stated, it
has been thought to be a Roman structure : whether this
be so or not, it certainly stands on or near the old Roman
fortifications. In 1736, Drake described Micklegate Bar
in the following terms : " It is strengthened by an outer
gate, which had a massy iron chain went across it ; then
a portcullis; and, lastly, a mighty strong double wooden
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