The Roman Upper South Gate

The Roman Upper South Gate. . A 3rd-century traveller approaching the upper Roman city from the south could not fail to have been impressed. A monumental series of steps led straight up the steepest part of the hill. There was no other place in Roman Britain like it, though such stairways were known in cities in hilly parts of the Mediterranean. Wheeled vehicles had to take a detour along what are now Well Lane and Danesgate., At the top of the stairs was a magnificent gate, with a double carriageway and possibly also pedestrian arches to either side. The whole structure was about 12 metres (39 feet) wide. Some of the houses on Steep Hill contain sections of this gateway. Part of it still forms the outer wall between the shops on the west side, at the point where Steep Hill is narrowest. The gate was demolished in the 1700s., The Norman House , The Norman House was built about 1170-90. Along with the Jew's House further down, it was one of the earliest stone houses on Steep Hill. The first known inhabitant of the Norman House was one Joceus of York; we know little about him. Many early architectural features are preserved, including the Norman window and doorway., Boundary Stones , In the 18th century, boundary stones were erected at the city gates, to indicate the point where the town council's authority ended and that of the constable of the castle began. The constable controlled the entire Ball, the upper Roman city that became the first castle bailey. The boundary stones can still be found at Newport, Eastgate and here on Steep Hill. Only in 1835 did the city council gain authority over the Bail.