Historic Hull Location To Be Commemorated This Weekend

A plaque marking a key location in Hull’s medieval history is being unveiled on Hull Marina on Saturday (8 September).

The blue plaque will mark the location of Hessle Gate – once the most fortified entrance to the city due to its proximity to the River Humber.

The plaque will be unveiled at 3.30pm on the side of Thieving Harry’s, on Humber Place, by the Lord Mayor as part of Saturday’s Heritage Open Days event.

There will also be information boards showing the importance of Hull’s medieval defences at the nearby Heritage Action Zone marquee.

The Hessle Gate plaque forms part of the Blue Plaque Trial – a walking tour that takes people around the city centre and the old town visiting some of Hull’s most historic sites.

The Blue Plaque Trail is one of eight trails that feature in the newly launched Hull Old Town Walking Trails booklet.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Pete Allen, said: “Hessle Gate is of great historical significance to Hull.

“During a time when we are right to be excited as we look towards the city’s bright future with City of Culture and large investments such as the Bonus Arena, it’s also important to recognise Hull’s rich heritage.”

The new blue plaque marks the location of Hessle Gate which once stood on the site of what is now Humber Dock Street.

The edge of the marina follows the line of Hull’s medieval defences which were first constructed in the 13th Century and Hessle Gate formed the southernmost entrance point along the western side of the perimeter wall.

Whilst Beverley Gate is renowned for its role in the events that led up to the English Civil War, it was here at Hessle Gate that the heaviest defence fortifications were built due to its proximity to the Humber.

In preparations to withstand the first Royalist siege, Sir John Hotham ordered a special ‘half moon’ of double ramparts to be installed in front of Hessle Gate and additional earth was piled up behind the town’s walls.

Although Hull’s defences were initially maintained after the conflict, as the town continued to grow, the medieval walls were gradually taken down.

By the end of the 18th Century, most of the walls and the large tower at Hessle Gate had disappeared.

A pdf copy of the Old Town Trails booklet can be accessed on the VHEY website –

www.visithullandeastyorkshire.com