Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

116 ANCIENT AND
proach to York from Scarbro', Malton, &c. It is said
formerly to have been used as a prison for freemen of
York; and there are two stories of vaulted chambers in
the tower, which probably were used for that purpose.
The archway is round, and the roof of it is beautifully
groined; the foundation of the bar being like the others,
of grit. On the exterior of the bar, beneath a gothic ca
nopy, are the arms of old France, quartered with those
of England, placed there when France was a tributary
province of England; and on each side the city arms.
From the top of the bar a splendid view of the Cathedral
and the surrounding scenery, is obtained. The old port
cullis is yet in existence, and can be examined from the
first chamber within the bar.
dfuihtrgate 33ar.
This bar was blocked up from the reign of Henry VII.
until the year 1827, when, inconsequence of the forma
tion of new and capacious cattle market, on the ground
without the residents of Walmgate and the adjoining
districts, petitioned the corporation for its re-opening. On
the centre of the bar, is an ancient stone with the city
arms and an illegeble inscription beneath.
ZFtctorta 33 ar.
This bar, leading from Bishophill to Clementhorpe, was
erected, by voluntary subscriptions, in 1838, in the first
mayoralty of George Hudson, Esq. It is a plain and neat
structure ; and forms a decided improvement to the pro
perty within and outside the walls, in that quarter. On
opening the wall, a small gateway was found to have
been anciently in the same place.
dftehevgate postern.
This is the only one of the old posterns now standing,
and is well worthy of preservation. It is a solid building
in the form of a square, and adjoins the walls, the restor
ation of which we have already mentioned.