What is "micklegate"

Micklegate is a street in the City of York, England. The name means "Great Street", "gate" coming from the Old Norse gata, or street. Micklegate lies on the western side of the River Ouse, Yorkshire, and holds the southern entrance into the city, Micklegate Bar, through which many monarchs have entered. 114 Micklegate was the birthplace of the architect J. A. Hansom, who invented the hansom cab. It became famous for its pubs and clubs, being known as "The Micklegate Run" by many drinkers and club-goers in the late 20th century.

Following the Battle of Wakefield, a battle during the Wars of the Roses, the heads of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York (father of Edward IV and Richard III), Edmund, Earl of Rutland (another son of Richard) and Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury were displayed on Micklegate Bar.

Micklegate Bar once had a barbican or outer gateway in front of it, which became ruinous and was demolished in 1826. The two doorways to the top of the barbican can be seen in the photo above right.