York Guides

The old entrance to York from the south was Micklegate Bar. It has suffered much mutilation, for formerly it had a forecourt or barbican, which was removed in spite of protests. Sir Walter Scott, it is said, declared he would gladly walk from Edin­burgh to York, if that would induce the Corporation to preserve the barbican.

Under the Bar arch most of the English sovereigns and many a noble pro­cession have passed. Formerly, the archbishops made their progresses barefooted through it from St. James' Chapel, the Mount, on their way to be installed in the Minster. The clergy and religious bodies led the way, followed by mitred bishops, abbots, the nobility, and civic authorities; whilst torch-, censer-, banner-, and cross-bearers preceded the prelate, over whose head was held a canopy.

The Bar was re­built during the reign of Edward III, the Norman arch being incorporated in the new structure. The side piers rise into circular turrets, and the whole is surmounted by an embattled parapet with a stone warrior over the centre of the Bar and over each turret The Bar is adorned with shields which bear the arms of the Queen/King and of the City of York.

Edward III, in the year 1338, claimed the crown of France and quartered the French lilies with the Plantagenet lions of England. The shield of York is covered with silver, and bears a red cross on which are displayed five golden lions alert and walk­ing. The city was Edward's base for conducting the war with Scotland. At this period the King and Queen were frequently in York, where from 1328-37 Parliament met seven times.

Whilst King Edward III and the Black Prince were engaged in the war with France, the Scots took advantage of their absence and invaded Eng­land. The martial Archbishop Zouche collected an army and marched northwards. He met and de­feated the Scots at Neville's Cross near Durham. The captured Scottish King was brought to York and passed through Micklegate Bar on   his way southwards.

York became a royal duchy in 1385 when Richard II created his uncle, Edmund Langley, Duke of York. Shortly afterwards Henry of Lancaster (Henry IV) seized the throne, deposed Richard II, and imprisoned him in Pontefract Castle, where Richard was after­wards murdered. Plots were hatched against Henry, for example in 1403 the Percies rebelled but were defeated at Shrewsbury. Hotspur was slain, and his head sent to York and placed on Micklegate Bar. The Earl of Northumberland was summoned to meet Henry IV at York, and as he came in sight of the Bar underwent the terrible ordeal of seeing his son's head which had been exposed thereon. The Earl was arrested but was subsequently par­doned. Hotspur's widow besought the king for the head and body of her husband. The king granted her request, and issued a writ as follows:-

"The King to the mayor and sheriffs of the City of York, greeting. Whereas, of our special grace, we have granted to our cousin Elizabeth, who was the wife of Henry de Percy, chevalier, the head and quarters of the same Henry to be buried, we com­mand you that the head aforesaid you deliver to the same Elizabeth to be buried according to our grant aforesaid. Witness the King at Cirencester the third day of November."

The bereaved lady collected the remains from Shrewsbury, London, Chester, Newcastle, and York and had them interred in York Minster.

Lord Scrope being detected with others in a plot against Henry V, was arrested and condemned. His head was placed on Micklegate Bar.

Richard, third Duke of York, was, through his mother, the representative of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III, whilst King Henry V was descended from the fourth son. In the next reign Richard, Duke of York, claimed the throne.

At the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, the citizens of York favoured the House of Lancaster. The Duke of York was slain at the battle of Wakefield in 1460. His head, which his enemies had in mockery covered with a paper crown, was brought to York and stuck on a pole over Micklegate Bar, his face looking towards the city. In the play of Henry VI, Queen Margaret exclaims:-

" Off with his head and set it on York gates;

 So York may overlook the town of York".

The Earl of Salisbury and other notable prisoners were put to death and their heads fixed on poles near that of their leader. Edward succeeded his father as fourth Duke of York, and the year following, after the second battle of St. Albans, was, through the instrumentality of the King-maker, proclaimed

King. On Palm Sunday as he was coming to York, he met at Towton the forces of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou, and defeated them. Next day, Edward IV set out for York and, nearing the city, he was confronted with the ghastly sight of his father's head on Micklegate Bar.

"And, after many scorns, many foul taunts,

 They took his head, and on the gates of York

 They set the same; and where it doth remain,

  The saddest spectacle that e'er I view'd."

In his indignation, the King ordered the Earls of Devon and Wiltshire and three other prisoners to immediate execution, in order that their heads might replace his father's.

" From off the gates of York fetch down the head,

  Your father's head, which Clifford placed there;

   Instead thereof, let this supply the room;

   Measure for measure must be answered."

During the great Civil War, the city was besieged by the Parliamentarian forces, and after a blockade of six weeks the Royalists attempted two sorties, both of which were failures. The besieged waited patiently for relief from the bold but erratic Prince Rupert, on whose approach the Parliamentarians re­tired towards Marston Moor. The Royalist troops passed through Micklegate Bar to meet their foes. In the ensuing battle the Royal forces were completely routed and retreated to York, followed by the Parliamentarians, who, however, were compelled to stay outside Micklegate Bar. The siege was re­newed. Subsequently, Sir Thomas Glenham, governor of York, having made good terms, surrendered the city to Lord Fairfax, and the Royalist garrison passed out through Micklegate Bar with colours flying.