Discovered beneath a pub in 1930, the remains of the Roman
bath and the museum is accessible underground through the Roman Bath Pub. The
museum contains Roman artifacts and replicated articles of everyday life in
Roman Eboracum. There are fascinating - and often humorous - facts and figures
about Roman life in York scattered
about the museum on placards, and visitors can view armor, weapons, and Roman
tiles up close.
York City
Walls
York has the largest amount of intact city walls in Europe,
some of which date back from Roman times, and a walk along them will take one
to many parts of the city’s history. The most notable Roman artifact is the Multiangular
Tower, which stands in the Museum
Gardens. The tower was built during
the reign of Emperor Severus, who resided in York
from 209-211 AD. It has 10 sides, and stands almost 30 ft. high. The Vikings
rebuilt and repaired the walls and left behind an Anglo-Saxon tower near what
is now the public library. The majority of the wall dates from the 12th
to 14th Centuries.
The main gateways into the old city stand at Bootham Bar,
Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. The term "bar" refers to
the simple bars which were leveled across the gates to restrict traffic in and
out of the city. The bars also acted as toll booths during medieval times.
The rectangular gatehouse of Micklegate Bar marks the main
entrance to the city. It is also the traditional entry point for kings and
queen's visiting York. In a ceremony that dates back to Richard II in 1389,
monarchs touch the state sword when entering Micklegate Bar. The gatehouse is
four stories high, and contains living quarters on its upper floors. A simple
gatehouse was constructed here in the 12th century, but elaborate defenses were
added in the 14th, with a heavy portcullis and barbican. There is a small
museum inside Micklegate Bar, which traces the history of the Bar and the city
itself. Micklegate Bar was also the place where traitor's heads were displayed
to deter rebellion. Some famous (and infamous) heads which decorated the Bar
include Henry "Hotspur" Percy in 1403, Lord Scrope in 1415, Richard,
Duke of York in 1461, and the Earl of Northumberland in 1572. Heads were often
left atop the Bar for years as warning for the wages of treason.
Monk Bar is the most elaborate of the city gates, consisting
of a four-story gatehouse which dates from the early 14th century. The
gatehouse was designed to stand as a self-contained fortress, with each floor
capable of being defended individually. Monk Bar is also home to the Richard
III Museum,
where visitors can attend a modern "trial" of Shakespeare's villain
and decide for themselves if Richard was the prototypical evil uncle from the
play, or a maligned and courageous king.