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| HER Number: | MSH2285 |
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| Type of Record: | Monument |
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| Name: | Town Defences - the former Biddles Gate |
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| Grid Reference: | SU 4183 1136 |
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| Map: | Show location on Streetmap |
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Summary
There was a gate at the west end of Simnel Street before 1360, known as the gate at Pilgrims’ Pit or Pilgrims’ gate until at least 1468. At that time there was a tower over the gate. By 1544 the gate was known as Biddlesgate (and variations thereof). The form of this gate is uncertain. In 1801/5 Englefield described it as “merely an arch in the wall” and an illustration dating to about 1800 shows this, however the gate was demolished not long after. Most of the area around Biddlesgate has not been archaeologically excavated although a small area adjacent to the Arcades was excavated in 1987/1989 (SOU 301). During this work, the remains of part of the gate were found, and the solid foundations of a tower (perhaps half-round) which blocked or defended the gateway. The tower (MSH920) was probably built following a 1360 order to block Pilgrims’ gate, and appears to have been demolished when the Arcades were built in about 1380. There is some documentary evidence for the construction at this time of a larger gateway to the north-west, facing south along the Arcades; however the evidence for this is insubstantial at present. Any remains of such a gate would either have been removed or incorporated into a public house (the Cross Guns) by the late 18th century, or clearly away in 1898/9 when Western Esplanade was created (see MSH503 - record for town wall to west).
Protected Status: None recorded
Other Statuses/Codes: None Recorded
Monument Type(s):
- TOWN GATE (Built, Medieval - 1250 AD to 1360 AD)
- TOWN GATE (Altered, Medieval - 1377 AD to 1399 AD)
- TOWN GATE (Demolished, Post Medieval - 1805 AD to 1846 AD)
Full description
Records for the town defences are currently being enhanced and it is intended that further details will be added to this description at a later date. (SCC HER 8/12/09)
Sources / Further Reading
| --- | SSH3085 - Unpublished document: Ancient Monument File AM33 - West Walls (Town Walls). |
| --- | SSH3086 - Unpublished document: Ancient Monument File AM34 - Western Arcades (Town Walls). |
Associated Finds: None recorded
Associated Events: None recorded
Related records
| MSH14 | Child of: Town Defences - town wall, towers and gates |
Associated Links: None recorded
Images
 West end of Simnel Street - site of Biddles Gate, Western Esplanade, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |  Remains of tower south of former Biddles Gate, and the Arcades, Western Esplanade, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |
 Remains of ?tower immediately south of site of Biddles Gate, Simnel Street, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |  Remains of ?tower immediately south of site of Biddles Gate, and The Arcades, Western Esplanade, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |
 Remains of ?tower immediately south of site of Biddles Gate, and The Arcades, Western Esplanade, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |  ?Remains of tower at site of former Biddles Gate, Simnel Street, 21.6.09, © I Peckham |
 ?Remains of tower at site of former Biddles Gate, Simnel Street, 21.6.09, © I Peckham | |
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