 View north-west along Low Petergate, with York Minster in the background | |
 Location within York | |
| Location | York, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°57′41″N1°04′57″W / 53.9614°N 1.0824°W |
| North west end | Bootham |
| Major junctions | |
| South east end | King's Square |
Petergate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. It is divided into High Petergate and Low Petergate. The well-known view of the Minster from Low Petergate is described by the City of York Council as "excellent". [1]
Petergate generally follows the course of the via principalis of Roman Eboracum, which ran from the Porta Principalis Dextra, now Bootham Bar, to the Porta Principalis Sinistra, in what is now King's Square. The main deviation from the Roman route is around its junction with Grape Lane, and this has been associated with destruction occurring when the Great Heathen Army entered York in 866. [2] Based on archaeological records, the York Civic Trust argues that the street fell out of use immediately after the Roman period, but was re-established while the Roman walls still survived. This may have been as early as 627, when the first York Minster was built. In its early years, the minster had a large cemetery, which extended as far as Petergate, around its junction with Stonegate. [3]
The current property boundaries largely date from the 10th century, and the street has always been a desirable area, with its junction with Stonegate a particularly high-status location. [3] In the Mediaeval period, the street lay immediately outside the precinct of the minster. As the minster is dedicated to Saint Peter, this led to the name "Petergate", which was first recorded in about 1190. In 1283, a wall was constructed around the precinct, with gateways opposite Duncombe Place and Stonegate. Buildings on the north-east side of the street were built up against the wall. Almost the whole street lay within the parish of St Michael-le-Belfrey, the church, on the street and next to the Minster, having been first recorded in 1294. [2]
The street remained important over the following centuries, and in the 17th century, the Talbot Inn was established, one of the main inns in the city. [4] In the 18th- and 19th-centuries, parts of the street were rebuilt, and buildings around the front of York Minster were demolished, to open up access to it. Despite this, numerous Mediaeval buildings survive, all in commercial use. [2] [3]
High Petergate starts at Bootham Bar on the York city walls, where Bootham terminates, and it runs south-east. Immediately beside the walls is the grade-II listed building at 2–2A High Petergate, built around 1840 and today occupied by The Fat Badger inn. [5] The Hole-in-the-Wall snickelway (also known as Little Peculiar Lane), [6] the shortest official snickelway in the city, leads off its north-east side. At the front of York Minster, it opens up to form a major junction with Duncombe Place, Precentor's Court and Minster Yard, with access also to Dean's Park. The next junction is with Stonegate and Minster Gates, past which the street continues as Low Petergate. Grape Lane leads off the south-west side, as does the snickelway Lund's Court, while another snickelway, Hornpot Lane, leads off the north-east side. The street ends at King's Square, where it meets Church Street and Goodramgate. Until the creation of King's Square, in the 18th century, it was considered to continue slightly further, to a junction with St Andrewgate, Colliergate and King's Court. [2] [7]
On High Petergate, notable buildings on the north-east side include 4 High Petergate, built in 1782 and possibly designed by Peter Atkinson; 8 High Petergate, with a 14th-century roof truss; the Hole in the Wall pub, mostly 18th-century but with some earlier timber framing; 12–18 High Petergate, an early-20th century range built in imitation of an earlier building which stood on the site; 24–36 High Petergate, facing the Minster, built in 1838 but incorporating parts of a Georgian building; and St Michael-le-Belfrey church. On the south-west side lie 3 High Petergate, mostly early 18th-century but with some earlier timber framing; 5 High Petergate, with 16th-century origins; the 16th-century 7 High Petergate; the 17th-century Eagle & Child pub; the large 18th-century Petergate House; and the 17th-century 17–19 High Petergate. Beyond Duncombe Place are the grade I listed 23 High Petergate; 25–29 High Petergate, built in the 1700s; 31 High Petergate, with 15th-century origins; and the timber-framed 33–35 High Petergate. [2]
The street numbering continues in Low Petergate, and on the north-east side lie 48–50 Low Petergate, with some Mediaeval stonework in the basement; the 18th-century Adams House; 56–60 Low Petergate, built by John Stockdale in about 1500; the former York College for Girls; 64 and 66 Low Petergate, incorporating part of the former Talbot Inn, and with 15th-century origins; the 15th-century 76 Low Petergate; and 17th-century 78 Low Petergate. On the south-west side are 41 and 43 Low Petergate, built in the 14th century; 49 and 51 Low Petergate, with Mediaeval origins; 55 and 57 Low Petergate, both 17th-century; the 14th-century 67 Low Petergate; and then a timber-framed row, seven of which have their gable ends facing the street: 17th-century 71 Low Petergate, 16th-century 73, 75 and 77 Low Petergate, 14th-century 79 Low Petergate, 15th-century 81 Low Petergate, and 83 Low Petergate, built about 1600. 87 Low Petergate has 14th-century origins; 89 Low Petergate is 17th-century; and 91–93 Low Petergate has some 17th-century material. [2]
Bootham is a street in the city of York, in England, leading north out of the city centre. It is also the name of the small district surrounding the street.
St Michael le Belfrey is an Anglican church in York, England. It is situated at the junction of High Petergate and Minster Yard, directly opposite York Minster, in the centre of the city.
York had around 45 parish churches in 1300. Twenty survive, in whole or in part, a number surpassed in England only by Norwich, and 12 are used for worship. This article consists of a list of medieval churches which still exist in whole or in part, and a list of medieval churches which are known to have existed in the past but have been completely demolished.
Stonegate is a street in the city centre of York, in England, one of the streets most visited by tourists. Most of the buildings along the street are listed, meaning they are of national importance due to their architecture or history.
Coney Street is a major shopping street in the city centre of York, in England. The street runs north-west from the junction of Spurriergate and Market Street, to St Helen's Square. New Street leads off the north-east side of the street, as does a snickelway leading to the Judges Court hotel, while several snickelways lead from the south-west side down to the River Ouse, including Blanshard's Lane, and paths leading to City Screen.
Blake Street is a road in the city centre of York, in England.
Walmgate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. During the Medieval period, the street was the site of a seafish and cattle market. Walmgate Bar was involved in the Siege of York in 1644, during the First English Civil War. During the 20th century, many of the older buildings were cleared away and newer structures put up.
Duncombe Place is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
Goodramgate is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
St Leonard's Place is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
Ousegate is a street in the city centre of York, in England. It is divided into High Ousegate and Low Ousegate.
Marygate is a street in York, England, running just north of the city centre. Built in the Middle Ages, it gets its name from St Mary's Abbey and the Viking word "gata," meaning street. The area where the street lies was outside the walls of the Roman city of Eboracum, and represented the northern limit of the settlement; to the north, the land was used only for burials. The street runs south-west, from Bootham, down to the River Ouse.
Grape Lane is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
Swinegate is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
Minster Yard is a street in the city centre of York, England. It runs along the southern, eastern and northeastern sides of York Minster, for which it is named.
Precentor's Court is an historic street in the English city of York. Although certainly in existence by 1313, the street does not appear on a map until 1610, and it is not given a name until 1722. It was given its current name exactly a century later.
Minster Gates is a north–south running street in the city centre of York, England, connecting Minster Yard and High Petergate. All of its buildings are listed, many dating to the 18th century, although the street is significantly older.
54, 56, and 58 Stonegate is a grade II* listed mediaeval terrace in the city centre of York, in England.
33–35 High Petergate is a Mediaeval building in the city centre of York, in England.
2–2A High Petergate is an historic building in York, England. A Grade II listed building, it stands adjacent to Bootham Bar at the opposite end of High Petergate from York Minster. It was built around 1840; a shopfront was added the following century.