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HER Number:	MSH2240
Type of Record:	Building
Name:	Town Defences - The Bargate (Bar Gate) and Guildhall
Grid Reference:	SU 4199 1163
Map:	Show location on Streetmap

Summary

The Bargate was begun in the late 12th century (probably between 1180 and 1200) as a simple, free-standing, two-storey, stone gate tower. The original round arch of this building survives inside the main gateway. The Bargate marked the main, north entrance into the medieval town and was a toll gate. At some stage in the following decades it was incorporated into the town defences, initially an earthen bank and ditch system.

A major rebuilding of the Bargate took place in the late 13th century (probably between 1260 and 1291), perhaps when the northern town wall was built. Two drum towers were added and a large hall was created on the first floor. The drum towers were designed for defence using bows and arrows; long, thin arrow loops survive in the towers.

Further changes took place in the early 15th century, when artillery defence facilities were added to the town defences. The Bargate was extended to the north between the drum towers; the extension included machicolations. A roof top gun platform was created.

Many alterations and restorations were carried out in the post-medieval period. Postern gates were inserted through each of the drum towers in the late 18th century. The four windows on the south wall of the first floor hall are Victorian restorations of the originals after many alterations. Restoration work has taken place on the building in the 20th century, including blocking the 18th century postern arches on the north side, which occurred in the 1930s associated with the laying out (at different times) of East Bargate and West Bargate.

The first floor hall was the town’s Guildhall from before 1441 until 1888. The hall may also have been used as a courtroom in the medieval period. Part of the ground floor was used as a prison and was also probably a meeting place for merchants.

Protected Status

Scheduled Monument 1001930
Listed Building (I) 1092087: BAR GATE AND GUILDHALL
Conservation Area: Old Town North

Other References/Statuses

HER backup file (new series): MSH2240 And elsewhere
Old Southampton SMR No/Backup file: SU 4111 NE 46 also 4211 NW 54

Monument Type(s):

GATE TOWER (Built, Medieval - 1180 AD to 1200 AD)
TOWN GATE (Built, Medieval - 1180 AD to 1200 AD)
TOWN GATE (Extant, Medieval to Modern - 1180 AD? to 2050 AD)
COURT HOUSE (In use, Medieval - 1260 AD to 1539 AD)
GATE TOWER (Extended, Medieval - 1260 AD to 1291 AD)
GUILDHALL (Built, Medieval - 1260 AD to 1291 AD)
GUILDHALL (in use, Medieval to Post Medieval - 1260 AD? to 1888 AD)
TOWN GATE (Extended, Medieval - 1260 AD to 1291 AD)
ARTILLERY TOWER (Altered, Medieval - 1380 AD to 1425 AD)
GATE TOWER (Altered, Medieval - 1380 AD to 1425 AD)
TOWN GATE (altered c1400, Medieval - 1380 AD to 1425 AD)
SUNDIAL (added, Post Medieval - 1705 AD to 1705 AD)
TOWN GATE (Altered, Post Medieval - 1764 AD to 1764 AD)
TOWN GATE (Altered, Post Medieval - 1774 AD to 1774 AD)
ART GALLERY (In use, 21st Century - 2005 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

Records for the town walls are currently being enhanced and it is intended that further details will be added to this description at a later date. The summary incorporates new information not yet included in this description. (SCC HER 11/12/09)
---------------------------------------
[9]: Listed Building Description. BARGATE STREET - Bar Gate and Guildhall (formerly listed under High Street) (Grade I).
- Dates from circa 1180 with addition and alterations of circa 1290, C18 and restored in 1864-5. It was built as a town gateway with Guildhall at first floor level. Breaches were cut in the adjoining Town Walls in the 1930s. Two storeys built of stone and flint. Ground floor has a central round-headed archway of circa 1180-1200 the arch and responds round-chamfered with small square abaci. Two other arches added in 1764 and 1774. Large drum towers were added on the north side circa 1280-90. These retain arrow slit windows. Embattled north front added circa 1400. South side 2 storey portion added probably in late C13 with 4 windows lighting the upper storey room (restored 1864-5). Between the centre 2 windows is a trefoiled niche containing a statue of George III in Roman costume. This replaced a wooden statue of Queen Anne, now in the Bargate Museum. Bell of 1605 attached on the left hand side. This was the curfew and alarm bell. Sundial of 1705. Five panels containing painted shields of C18 date. The interior of the Guildhall contains late C13 stone fireplaces with cinquefoil arch. This is one of the finest town gateways in England. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument.
[Derived from English Heritage LBS download dated 19/08/2005. Crown Copyright. Reproduced under the terms of the Open Government Licence.]

[10]: 1968 Provisional List Description. No further details.

[1]: The Bargate was the first part of the Town Walls to be built, in about 1190 AD, with additions being made over the next 200 years. The guildhall was created during the late 1200's. This was also used as a court house.

SOU 1387 (excavation of trenches for new lighting in 2006):
[8]: In Trench 14, located under the Bargate main archway, some medieval masonry (context 19) was revealed. This was probably part of the foundations of the monument, normally obscured by paving slabs.

SOU 1871 (watching brief on installation of new LED uplighters in 2020):
[12]: Parts of the lower walls of the Bargate revealed. Otherwise no deposits earlier than the 20th century were found.
HER 8/9/2023: Source [12] contains some 'new' information about the Bargate, not yet on this record.

IP 26/2/09: Since 2005, the Bargate has been used as an occasional public art gallery, part of the ArtsVaults scheme (http://www.artvaults.org.uk/).

HER 4/12/13: See photo showing Bargate after removal of police station against west side, here:
S:\ConsPhotos&Archive\TOWN WALLS\Bargate\Bargate_historical items
--------------------------------
BARGATE LIONS
[11]: The wooden lions outside the Bargate were replaced with lead lions in 1743. (Details of casting, etc.) The stone plinths were replaced in 1892. The lead staffs held by the lions are original, with later iron flag finials. It is likely that the lions are the product of the studio of John Cheere (1709 – 1787). (Further details in this conservation brief.)
ESH2569: Accompanying email to [11] refers to a condition survey in 2014, and future work: 3D photo survey and updated condition survey.
--------------------------------

Sources / Further Reading

[1]	SSH3197 - Bibliographic reference: S Jones. 2000. Walk the Southampton Walls - A DIY Guide to the Old Town.
[1]	SSH914 - Bibliographic reference: S Pay. 1992. Walk the Southampton Walls.
[2]	SSH782 - Bibliographic reference: Englefield. 1805. A Walk Through Southampton (Second Edition). (Considerably augmented: To which is added, Some Account of the Roman Station, Clausentum.). pp8-13
[3]	SSH664 - Bibliographic reference: JS Davies. 1883. A History of Southampton. pp62-72
[4]	SSH563 - Article in monograph: PA Faulkner. 1975. The Surviving Medieval Buildings. P&CS: Excavs in Med Soton 1953-69, Vol 1, 56-124. pp56-62
[5]	SSH915 - Bibliographic reference: N Pevsner and D Lloyd. 1967. The Buildings of England - Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. pp 533-536
[6]	SSH916 - Scheduling record: Department of the Environment. List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historic Interest - City of Southampton, Hampshire. (The so-called "Greenback".).
[7]	SSH523 - Index: English Heritage. March 1996. County List of Scheduled Monuments - Hampshire.
[8]	SSH2488 - Archaeological Report: PR Cottrell. 2006. Archaeological excavation on lighting installations at The Bargate, Southampton.. SOU 1387.
[9]	SSH2888 - Digital archive: English Heritage. 2005. Listed Buildings System dataset for Southampton.
[10]	SSH2757 - Unpublished document: Ministry of Housing and Local Government. 1968. Revised Provisional List of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest for Consideration in Connection with the Provisions of Section 32 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1962:
[11]	SSH6129 - Unpublished document: Dr AD Russel (SCC Ancient Monuments Officer). 2019. Southampton Bargate Lions: Brief for Conservation work..
[12]	SSH6300 - Archaeological Report: AD Russel & T Riley. 2022. Watching Brief with option to excavate on installation of new uplighters at the Bargate, Southampton.. SOU 1871.
[100]	SSH1038 - Bibliographic reference: R Douch. 1968. Monuments and Memorials in Southampton. Southampton Papers Number Six.
[100]	SSH2837 - Bibliographic reference: Southampton City Museums. 1971. Historic Buildings of Southampton. extract
[100]	SSH3081 - Unpublished document: Ancient Monument File AM3 - Bargate.
[100]	SSH3136 - Unpublished document: Ancient Monument File AM81 - North Walls: Bargate to Polymond Tower.
[100]	SSH3506 - Bibliographic reference: Art Gallery and Museums Committee, (Southampton) County Borough Council. ?1957. Bargate Guildhall Museum, Southampton. all
[100]	SSH3580 - Bibliographic reference: P Ranger. 1996. The Georgian Playhouses of Hampshire 1730-1830. Hampshire Papers 10.
[100]	SSH4371 - Bibliographic reference: Art Gallery and Museums Committee of the City of Southampton. 1967. Bargate Guildhall Museum, Southampton. all
[100]	SSH4825 - Article in serial: EM Sandell. 1957. Less-known views of Southampton - The upward glance.. Southern Daily Echo, 27th June 1957, ?p.
[100]	SSH5448 - Unpublished document: Southampton Heritage Federation. 2008. Southampton Heritage Federation: Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 1st October 2008 at Solent Sky - Reports..
[100]	SSH5449 - Unpublished document: Southampton Heritage Federation. 2009. Southampton Heritage Federation Management Committee: Reports from the meeting at Solent Sky on Wednesday 7th January 2009..
[100]	SSH5450 - Unpublished document: Southampton Heritage Federation. 2011. Southampton Heritage Federation Management Committee: Reports from the meeting at Solent Sky on Wednesday 2nd March 2011..
[100]	SSH5451 - Unpublished document: Southampton Heritage Federation. 2011. Southampton Heritage Federation: Minutes of Half-Year General Meeting held at Solent Sky on Wednesday 6th April 2011..
[100]	SSH5453 - Unpublished document: Southampton Heritage Federation. 2012. Southampton Heritage Federation: Minutes of the Half-Year General Meeting at Solent Sky on Wednesday 18th April 2012..
[100]	SSH5616 - Web site: Southampton City Council. 2016. Restoration of Southampton's iconic Bargate to begin next month..

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

ESH1723 - Excavation of trenches for new lighting at the Bargate in 2006 (Ref: SOU 1387)
ESH2326 - Building recording during repair works at the Bargate in 2015 (Ref: SOU 1686)
ESH2569 - Condition survey of Bargate Lions in 2014 (and 2019 photographic survey) (Ref: //)
ESH2605 - Watching brief on Bargate Lights in 2020 (Ref: SOU 1871)
ESH2740 - Watching brief/recording on repair works at the Bargate in 2023 (Ref: SOU 1985)

Related records

MSH14	Child of: Town Defences - town wall, towers and gates
MSH2407	Parent of: The Bargate - site of Air Raid Shelter

Associated Links

Images

Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, east and north sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - arrow slit in north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - arrow slit in north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north-east drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north-west drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north-west drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - arrow slit in north-west drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - arrow slit in north-west drum tower, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - plaque, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north and west sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - west side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - west side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - west side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - west and south sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - west and south sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - north side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate - south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, south side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, south and east sides, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham	Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham
Bargate, east side, 31/8/09, © I Peckham

If you have any feedback or new information about this record, please email the Southampton HER (her@southampton.gov.uk).

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