The story
Welcome to the shadow of the most formidable gateway in York’s medieval walls. As you stand before Monk Bar, take a moment to look all the way up. You are standing in front of a four-story fortress of magnesian limestone that has guarded the northeastern entrance to the city for over seven hundred years.
Standing nearly sixty-three feet high, this is the tallest and most ornate of York’s four main bars, and it was designed to be much more than just a gate—it was a self-contained castle. Notice the sheer verticality of the structure. While other gates in the city were built primarily for defense or toll collection, Monk Bar was intended to make a statement of power.
If you look closely at the turrets, you might spot the small stone figures known as the Little Red Devils, appearing as if they are about to hurl boulders down upon any unwelcome guests. As you pass through the archway, look up into the ceiling. You’ll see the "murder holes," gaps designed for defenders to pour boiling water or hot sand onto attackers.
But the real star of the defense is the portcullis. If you look into the grooves of the stone, you can see the massive, iron-shod wooden grate. Unlike almost every other portcullis in the country, this one is still in full working order.
Until fairly recently, it was lowered every night to secure the city, and its internal winding mechanism remains a masterpiece of medieval engineering. The top floor of this gatehouse tells a darker story. That upper chamber was added in the 1480s, commissioned by none other than King Richard III, whose connection to York remains legendary.
For centuries, this high room served as a prison. It wasn’t a place for common thieves, but rather for those who fell foul of the state or the church. During the religious turmoil of the 16th century, many "recusants"—those who refused to attend the services of the Church of England—were held captive here in the cold, windswept heights.
The name "Monk Bar" doesn't actually refer to a monastery. It was renamed in the 17th century to honor General George Monck, the man who helped restore the monarchy and bring King Charles II back to the throne. Before that, it was known as Goodramgate Bar.
As you continue your journey along the walls or through the gate into the city, imagine the heavy rattle of the portcullis chains and the footsteps of the guards pacing the battlements above you. You aren’t just walking through a doorway; you are passing through a survivor of wars, rebellions, and the long, storied history of the North.