Restoring Hull's Medieval Past
Simon Barclay accounts for the restoration of the Beverley gate in Hull
The City Council in Hull recently announced its plans for the remains of one of the city's medieval gates, uncovered last year after more than 200 years underground. Beverley Gate, dating from the fourteenth century and believed to be the first fortification in England to be constructed from brick, will be on permanent display to the public from early 1988 and surrounded by a purpose-built semi-circular viewing area leading down to the Gate, three metres below street level.
The decision to restore Beverley Gate was taken after archaeologists were called in to establish the extent of the remains. The council is undertaking a scheme to turn the centre of Hull into a pedestrian precinct and redevelop the old town and docks areas. The site of the Gate is part of the scheme and because it is unlikely that another opportunity to unearth the Gate will arise for some considerable time, it was decided to incorporate the Gate and part of the adjacent city walls into the pedestrian area. One section of the Gate will remain buried however, being too close to existing buildings. Instead, distinctive paving stones will mark the outline of the covered Gate.
The decision to restore Beverley Gate was taken after archaeologists were called in to establish the extent of the remains. The council is undertaking a scheme to turn the centre of Hull into a pedestrian precinct and redevelop the old town and docks areas. The site of the Gate is part of the scheme and because it is unlikely that another opportunity to unearth the Gate will arise for some considerable time, it was decided to incorporate the Gate and part of the adjacent city walls into the pedestrian area. One section of the Gate will remain buried however, being too close to existing buildings. Instead, distinctive paving stones will mark the outline of the covered Gate.
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