Monument record 1160/3/12 - The South Gate

The south gate of the medieval town defences was located at the bottom of Bridge Street [by the current Plough Inn] and was apparently wide enough for two carts to pass.

{1} South gate was situated at bottom of Bridge Street where St Thomas's Hospital stands immediately outside;

{3} John Bridges' perambulation of the town in the early 18th century included a description of the south gate: 'At ye lower end of Bridge Street fronting St Thomas Hospital a piece of town wall remains over the town ditch. The South Gate stood between ye wall and the hospital which was of stone and so spacious to admitt two wagons to pass. This gate was pulled down with the rest of ye gates were viz by order of the king and Council 1660…The town Dike goes under the Hospital…'

<1> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<2> Welsh T.C., 2000-01, Documentary Sources for The Course of The Medieval Town Wall, Northampton, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103958.

<3> Foard G.R., 1994, The Civil War Defences of Northampton, p. 44 (Article). SNN826.

Record last edited

Jul 22 2025 12:23PM