Sorry about the quality of this and some of the other pictures - cheap scanner (scanner since replaced but not as yet the picture), plus the fact that some of the pictures are older and have faded a little. This picture was taken about twelve years ago outside "The Bishop's Finger" public house with my two favourite people in the foreground, my son and daughter.

The Westgate was constructed from Kentish ragstone around 1377. It is attributed to Henry Yevele but was commissioned by Archbishop Simon of Sudbury. Its twin drum towers are 60 feet high and was built to be as pleasing from the rear as from the front. It is also worthy to note that there was incredible foresite in its construction in that is just manages to allow for the passage of a South bound double-decker East Kent bus!

Unfortunately, this defensive structure stood for nothing when the Peasant's Revolt led by Wat Tyler broke out because the Gate was opened and the rebels let into the City. Subsequently, Wat and his buddies moved onto to London and Tower Hill where Archbishop Simon was being held in protective custody because of a very unpopular "poll tax" that he had introduced (beware present day politicians!). The Archbishop was dragged from the Tower by the rabble and was then beheaded. A disappointing end for an individual that added a great deal to Canterbury in the way of architecture as he was also responsible for improvements and additions to the Cathedral.

A hundred years after its construction the Westgate began to serve as a jail and did so until the 19th Century. In fact, the old Canterbury City police station adjoined it eventually, to the East in Pound Lane. During the time when such events occured, public hangings were carried out in front of the Westgate. Prior to hangings being held at the Westgate they took place at Oaten Hill but the Westgate is much prettier. When I was growing up the Hunt still used to meet in front of "The Falstaff Inn", an old coaching establishment. This became impossible as the traffic around Canterbury increased but believe me, whether you subscibed to blood sports or not, it was an extremely picturesque affair. The Westgate is open daily (other than Sundays and Holidays, I believe) and visitors that want to make the steep climb up the East Tower will be able to see an exhibit about the Gate and its use as a place of incarceration.

It is worth noting here that as part of the City Wall and defenses, there were originally seven gates into the City; Northgate, Queningate, Burgate, The Riding Gate, Worthgate, London Gate and Westgate. Later and in the place of an Anglo-Saxon gate between Burgate and the Riding Gate known as "Newingate", a "sister" gate called St. George's Gate was built at about the same time as the Westgate. There always seems to be differences of opinion as to the number of gates to the City and this usually varies between six and eight. As much as anything, I think it depends when one does the counting and what constitutes a gate.

The blocked-up entrance to Queningate (Roman) can still be seen, as can the gaping hole left by The Riding Gate near the South exit from the new bus station but only the Westgate remains intact. Many parts of the original City Wall can be seen and in some places it is very clear where in Medieval times, an additional four feet of stone was added to the original Roman structure. In 1859 a travelling Circus came to Canterbury and entrance through The Westgate was not large enough to allow for the carriages drawn by teams of elephants to get through. The owner of the Circus, one Mr. Wombwell, petitioned the Mayor and Council to tear down the Westgate so that the elephants and cars could enter the City. It was only through the casting vote of the Mayor that the Westgate was saved. My understanding is that part of the City Wall by the Gate was torn down instead to allow access.

'...things are not always as they seem!'
(Quote from the Beatles film, 'Help!')

back to the previous page
text index | visual index