Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Throughout the Medieval period, repairs to the gate were undoubtedly undertaken, but it was not until the late 15th century that plans were formulated for a total rebuild. These plans were finally acted upon in 1525.

Monument Types

• GATE (Medieval to Unknown - 1525 AD?)

Full description

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During work to the main drainage system in 1868 the city engineer, James Pilbrow, observed the remains of the the Medieval Burgate beneath Burgate Lane. Possible bridge abuttments were also seen.

Observations were made by Frank Jenkins in 1975 when a sewer trench was dug from Burgate Lane to the centre of Burgate Street. This cut through a foundation of flint and mortar c. 4m wide, the south edge of which was in line with that found in 1969. It was assumed to be a part of the same structure and the south turret of Burgate appeared to extend for an equal distance on both sides of the wall.

In November 1969 a small excavation was carried out by Frank Jenkins and Louise Millard on the site of the Burgate in advance of road widening.
The flint and mortar foundations of the southern half of the south turret of the Burgate of 1525 were exposed. They projected forward from the wall for c. 3.66m showing part of a hexagonal plan. The city wall adjacent to the turret had been completely destroyed, probably early in the last century.

In 1988 The Canterbury Archaeological Trust excavated on the site of the Burgate in advance of road works. The sitecode was BG88 and the work was funded by Kent County Council Highways Department.
The earliest levels uncovered were Roman and were a sequence of road metallings predating the construction of the city defences in c. AD 270-90. The metallings were covered by poured mortar derived from the building of the Roman gate and adjacent sections of the city wall which was probably still in existence in the 7th century, being the most important of three gates leading into the Inner Burgh of the Anglo-Saxon town. The longevity of the gate was attested by a rich sequence of soils and street metallings that formed the carriageway. Throughout the Medieval period, repairs to the gate were undoubtedly undertaken, but it was not until the late 15th century that plans were formulated for a total rebuild. These plans were finally acted upon in 1525.
The new Burgate, built in brick and stone had two semi-octagonal towers, the foundations of which were trench-built into the city ditch, which had been backfilled by that time. The lowest brick course for a possible stair survived in the excavated south tower. The massive flint footings for both towers were exposed during the course of the excavation, together with part of the back of the gate. A sugstantial portion of th southern tower foundation survived relatively intact, the northern tower had been badly mutilated by late cellarage.
In 1781 the middle part of the gate was taken down and in 1809 the south tower suffered the same fate. Finally, in 1822 the remaining north tower was demolished. A small section of the north tower may survived incorporated on an adjacent brick and stone cottage.

Pilbrow, J., 1871, Discoveries made during excavations at Canterbury in 1868 (Serial). SKE30226.

Frere, SS, Stow, S, and Bennett, P, 1982, Excavations on the Roman and Medieval Defences of Canterbury. (Monograph). SKE28530.

Andrews, G., 1985, An Assessment. Gazetteer of Excavations. Prehistoric, Belgic and Roman Excavations (Monograph). SKE30006.

Bennett, P. & Houliston, M., 1989, Burgate (Article in serial). SKE30722.

Sources and further reading