York Historic Environment Record

Two phase recording as part of the 20 year programme to restore York's City Walls. The first phase revealed evidence of the 14th century core of the wall ramparts, the second phase examined and recorded the wall between Fishergate BAr and Walmagate Bar. Beginning on 27th September 1996, York Archaeological Trust carried out two phases of recording on the stretch of City Walls adjacent to Paragon Street (chainage 2919 to 3247) (N.G.R. SE 6079 5127 to SE 6106 5140). The first phase of work consisted of archaeological excavation to facilitate the underpinning of a section of the wall between Chainage points 3209-5 and 3212. The second phase required the examination and recording of elevations of the city wall for a distance of 50m from Fishergate Bar towards Tower 37 and from Tower 37 for a distance of 82m towards Walmgate Bar. Although observation was difficult in the confined space of the trench it would seem that the city wall rests almost directly on the top of the rampart core with perhaps a slight scatter of limestone fragments between them, certainly no clear foundation was encountered. This record of the curtain wall outer face has demonstrated that the most obvious re-building and patching has occurred immediately east of Fishergate Bar, although the bar itself has also received some attention. The date of this work is uncertain but may be 19th century since it was visible mainly on the upper stonework. It is recorded (RCHME, 1972) that much work was carried out on a stretch of wall some 60 yards in length, adjacent to Fishergate Bar, in 1487 by William Todd, Lord Mayor and some of the repair may belong to that period.A definite change in the way the masonry was coursed was noted at Chainage 3219 and an abundance of smaller stones was noted around 3207, both of which suggested re-building work.