The Streets of the City of York

An historical directory compiled by RALPH TAYLOR

This is the first instalment of a series of articles which will give a list of the streets in existence in York in the time of Richard III. Streets are listed alphabetically, with their present names, positions and earliest recorded dates; any alternative names - with derivations - are also shown where possible, and following the entry for each street the author gives details of any buildings (other than churches) extant therefrom King Richard's time. The present house numbers are given, or a pub name, but some of the information may not be entirely up to date in that houses may have become shops or pubs ceased trading.

Most of the information comes from the Royal Commission report on York's historic buildings, carried out over a number of years, and also from M W Jones' book on the Snickelways of York. Occasional pencil drawings are by the author.

Part I - Aldwark to College Street

Aldwark

From Goodramgate to Peasholme Green, continuing the line of Ogleforth approximately parallel to the north-east defences of the city. The name first occurs c. 1180-90 and means 'old fortifications,' presumably referring to the Roman walls.

Barker Lane

From Micklegate to Toft Green, following the line of a Roman street and leading to the main gateway of the Dominican friary built on the site of the earlier King's House and chapel. The name is recorded in documents of the early 13th century.

It was formerly known as Gregory Lane, from the small parish church of St Gregory which stood on its east side until 1585.

Bedern

From Goodramgate to St Andrewgate, and until 1852 a cul-de-sac. The name is first recorded in c.1270 and means 'house of prayer.' The Bedern housed the vicars choral, who deputised for the canons in the Minster and constituted a college from 1252 to 1936. During the 15th century they owned two tile works outside the city walls: 144,000 tiles were made in 1427. The site of their close was given by Canon William of Laneham in 1248, and was said in 1275 to be 'of the common of the land of Ulphus.' The vicars lived in small houses within the Bedern and dined in the common hall until 1574.

The chapel and hall are still standing on the south-west side of the street. The gatehouse is now represented by no. 25 Goodramgate.

Bishophill

From Priory Street to Cromwell Road; it used to include three streets: Bishophill Junior, Bishophill Senior and Victor Street. The last of these was first recorded in the 12th century as 'Lounlithgate.' Bishophill Senior is recorded from the 13th to the 15th century as Besingate.

From 1344 the name Bishophill was that of a district known earlier as Bickhill. It was probably a possession of the pre-Conquest church of St Mary. In 1248 this area was not a populous part of the city, as 'husgable' tax was only paid on twelve tofts in Besingate. Later, Lounlith postern (on the site of the modern Victoria Bar) was blocked, making the whole area a backwater.

Blake Street

From St Helen's Square to Museum Street. The name means 'bleaching' or 'white street,' or it may be from the Scandinavian personal name Bleiki.

Blossom Street

From Micklegate towards Tadcaster (outside the city walls) and the main road into York from the south. The name is derived from Ploxswaingate, meaning 'street of the ploughmen,' which can be traced to the early 13th century, a time when the road was already built up. Horse and cattle markets were able to be held along it, due to its great width.

Carr's Lane

From Bishophill Senior to Skeldergate- A steep, narrow passage, recorded in the 13th century as Kirk Lane or Kirkgail.

Castlegate

From Coppergate to Clifford's Tower, and not mentioned until the 14th century; the name means 'the street leading to the castle.' It led into the castle bailey via the north-east gatehouse, past a boundary stone indicating the extent of the city liberty.

Chapter House Street

From Minster Yard to Ogleforth; this was the main Roman route to the north-east. It continued along the line of Groves Lane, until the building of Monk Bar c. 1330.

House - no. 1 - a long narrow mediaeval structure probably of the 15th century. Stone ground floor, timber-framed upper floor, the whole now encased in brick.

House - no. 3 - a small two-storey dwelling, comprising two ranges parallel to each other and to the street. The front range is of mediaeval origin, timber-framed, the lower storey incorporating a continuation of the stone wall which forms the front of no. 1.

Church lane

From Low Ousegate to Spurriergate. A mediaeval common lane-

Church Passage

Off Stonegate. A mediaeval common lane.

House - a 12th-century Norman stone house, two walls surviving.

Church Street

From St Sampson's Square to King's Square, and first recorded in 1285 as Glover Street; also known as Girdlergate.

Coffee Yard

From Stonegate to Grape Lane.

House - no. 2 - two 15th-century timber-framed ranges, built at right angles. Now rebuilt and known as Barley Hall.

[For a history and description of Barley Hall, see the article by Lynda Pidgeon in Blanc Sanglier vol. 34 no. 2, pp. 3-5 - Ed.]

College Street

From Goodramgate to Minster Lane, and formerly known as Vicar's Lane and Little Alice Lane. A footbridge was built in 1396 for the vicars from Bedern, over Goodramgate.

(to be continued)