City walls survey

[1] The outside of the gate from the north. The illustration was produced by H Ninham in 1864, based on a sketch of 1720 by John Kirkpatrick. [Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery 1954.138, Todd 5, Norwich, 112a]

Introduction

St Martin's Gate was at the north-west corner of the defences, on a ridge above the River Wensum.  The road from Aylsham, once through the Gate and inside the city, followed the river bank initially before crossing the river at Coslany Bridge.

The gate is first mentioned in 1275 (3 Edward I) when it was referred to as Porte de Coslayn. About 1461 (39 Henry VI) it was known as Coslany Gates and it was not until the 17th century that it was referred to as St Martin's Gate. It was rebuilt about 1340 under the auspices of one Richard Spynk, citizen of Norwich. [Extract from The Old Free Book, Hudson & Tingey, Vol. II, pages 216-22]

The gateway had 10 battlements in the 14th century, [1]according to the Customs book of 1351, and these are shown clearly on the sketch of the top of the gate in the early 18th century by John Kirkpatrick. [Norwich Castle Museum 1894.76.1686: F] From drawings made of the gateway in the 18th century it appears that it was relatively small with a narrow archway though it is not referred to as a postern so the opening was wide enough for the passage of carts

The gateway was demolished in 1808 though in 1861 Fitch noted that part of the side wall of the gate remained standing as part of a cottage. [Fitch, page 24]