St Marys Gate

The Great Gate, or St. Mary's Gate, was the main entrance to the monastery's outer court. Although today it may appear to stand rather unobtrusively at the north west corner of College Green its former importance is more clearly appreciated from St. Mary's Square. This view presents an attractive composition, much of which would have been seen by the distinguished visitors who from the 13th century onwards have passed beneath the gateway's ribbed arch. The room above was used by the Cathedral's Chapter Clerk for his records and on one dreadful day in 1555 the Dean and Chapter made it their viewing place when Bishop John Hooper was burned. Today the visitor passes between gates of the 19th century German design erected in 1947.