Seven Gates to The City of London

The four original gates were on the North, South, East, and West. They were Aldersgate to the north, Ludgate to the west, Aldgate to the east, and the Bridge Gate to the south, over London Bridge at Southwark end. At the start of the 14th century, there were many gates which had been added over the years. Some, like the one next to the Tower, had long since disappeared, leaving only crumbling stone and foundations. There were seven main gates, with Newgate being the last addition. The others being Bishopsgate, Moorgate, and Cripplegate. For some reason, the Bridgegate, the eighth, is not counted among them. They were, and still are referred to collectively as the “Seven gates to the City” Unfortunately none of these have survived.

Originally Aeldersgate, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that this was named after the elders of the city. I was mistaken. The name apparently comes from an abundance of Eldame trees that grew there. The gate was the only one to have a house built on top. The accommodation was two stories high and belonged to a wealthy printer and stationer, John Day.

Originally Ealdgate, The name was probably derived from the word Ealth, (an owner or builder). Some historians believe that it is a deviation of ‘Old gate’. It comprised of two sets of double gates, and two portcullis'. After rebuilding in the 13th century, it was described as being strongly arched, with bulwarks of stone from Caen in Normandy. It also contained small brick called Flanders tiles.

Presumed to have been built by a Bishop of London, I can find no mention of his name. It's purpose was to allow travelers a route to Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge. Stow tells of the inconvenience before the gate was built. Until then, you would leave the city by Aldgate, travel east to Mile's End (Mile End) and turn left to Bethen Hall Green (Bethnal Green) via Cambridge Heath. Failing this, you could always use Aldersgate, off Aldersgate Street into Goswell Street. This took you on to Isledon (Islington) to the stone cross at the end of Golden Lane, left into Alder Street (Old Street?) to Sewers Ditch (Shoreditch) church. Then on to Tottenham, and End Field (Enfield).

This gate was said to have taken it’s name from the cripples who went there to beg. It was also thought to possess miraculous powers due to the fact that some cripples who passed through it, were made whole again. You may think me cynical, but if true, I would assume that this was purely because they had earned enough money that day by acting crippled, and were now on their way to the tavern. This still goes on today, with fit young men with a dog in tow for the sympathy vote. They leave their pitch at the end of the day to drive home in a new car. This makes it bad for the genuine cases. Try giving food, instead of cash, but be prepared for a volley of abuse in return! I digress, back to the gate. The name is more likely to have come from the Old English word Crepel, which means sunken, or narrow gate.

This gate is often thought to have a connection to King Lud. Another possibility was thought to have been a deviation of the word Fludgate. However, it is now believed that Ludgate is simply an old word meaning a postern. It is one of the oldest of the seven principle gates, and in the 14th century was made a free prison for debtors, trespassers, and showing contempt. For treason, felonies, and other criminal offenses, it was the infamous Newgate gaol you would be sent to.

Another entrance to the city was made in 1415 near Coleman Street. The Postern at Moregate. This was to allow the people access to the field, or moor, for recreational purposes. Due to the bad drainage of the area, bridges and dikes were built. The level of the ground was gradually filled over the years to try to improve the drainage, and was eventually as high as the city wall. Demolished in 1761. There is now a mobile phone shop on the site.

Newgate was the last gate to be built, and, last to be demolished, in 1771. There was a prison for hundreds of years at Newgate. Many were hanged there. The gate itself became a necessity due to so much land around Paul’s cathedral being bought up by the church, and the graveyard being extended so far, it caused a bottleneck for people trying to use the other gates. Yes, gridlock in ancient London! The new gate provided traders easier access to Smithfield, and Oldbourne (now Holborn) bridge.

Legislation was passed in 1760 allowing the remaining gates of the City to be demolished. By the year 1771 they had all gone. Most had been in ruins long before this. If you can find out where they were situated you will see the blue plaques on the wall where the gate once stood. The sites of the ‘bars’, the limits of the City boundaries outside (without) the walls where travelers paid their tolls, are still marked today with statues of Griffins.

There were many other minor gates added over the years, mainly from the River. These were mainly for the use of traders. Billingsgate was one of these. Some distance from the gates were what are known as the bars. A renovation of the famous Temple Bar can be seen today at Paternoster Square. These bars were where travelers and traders stopped to pay any taxes or duty due before reaching the gates. I presume that this was to avoid congestion at the actual gate. The bars, or boundaries were marked by statues of griffins or dragons, and can still be seen in the City today.