Minster Gates
 Minster Gates' northern end at Minster Yard | |
Location within York | |
| Former names | Bookland Lane Bookbinders' Alley |
|---|---|
| Maintained by | City of York |
| Location | York, England |
Postal code | YO |
| Coordinates | 53°57′42″N 1°04′56″W / 53.9616270°N 1.082215°W |
| North | Minster Yard |
| South | High Petergate |
Minster Gates is a north–south running street in the city centre of York, England, connecting Minster Yard and High Petergate. All of its buildings are listed, many dating to the 18th century, although the street is significantly older.
History
The street originated as the northernmost part of Stonegate, running through a gate providing access to the Minster Close, around York Minster. In the late 13th century, St Peter's Prison stood on the street until 1838.[1][2]
The road was pedestrianised by 1370, when posts blocked traffic through the gate. By 1470, the street was known as Bookland Lane, at which time it was the location of a public drinking fountain. The street later became known as Bookbinders' Alley. This referred to the printing industry which was based in the area, serving in particular the clergy of the Minster. The trade boomed after 1662, when Charles II made York one of only four English cities permitted to publish books.[3]
By the 1730s, the street was regarded as the main entrance to the Minster Close. The gateway was demolished in about 1800.[1][4]
Layout and architecture
The street runs north-east from the junction of Stonegate and Petergate to Minster Yard, opposite the south door of York Minster.
All the buildings on the street are listed. On the western side lie No. 1, with 15th-century origins;[5] and Nos. 3–9, a terrace of three-storey houses built in the early 18th century.[6] On the eastern side are Nos. 2–8, a terrace built in the 1840s;[7] No. 10, constructed around 1755 along with an earlier No. 8, which was demolished;[8] and 10 Minster Yard, completed in 1763.[3][9]
See also
References
- 1 2 A History of the County of York: the City of York. London: Victoria County History. 1961. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ↑ "Gaol for the Liberty of St Peter of York". prisonhistory.org. 19th Century Prison History. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- 1 2 An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in City of York, Volume 5, Central. London: HMSO. 1981. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ↑ "Minster Gates". yorkcivictrust.co.uk. York Civic Trust. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ↑ Historic England. "38, High Petergate, 1, Minster Gates (Grade II*) (1257244)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Historic England. "11, Minster Yard, 3–9, Minster Gates (Grade II) (1257246)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ Historic England. "40, Low Petergate, 2–8, Minster Gates (Grade II) (1257245)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Historic England. "10, Minster Gates (Grade II*) (1257247)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ Historic England. "Minster Song School (part) (Grade II) (1257261)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 August 2026.