Bargate

Bargate
Location within Southampton
General information
Type	Gatehouse
Architectural style	Medieval
Location	Southampton City Centre
Coordinates	50°54′10″N 1°24′15″W / 50.9027°N 1.40415°W / 50.9027; -1.40415
Construction started	c. 1180
Completed	c. 1180
Owner	Southampton City Council
Technical details
Floor count	2

The Bargate is a Grade I listed medieval gatehouse in the city centre of Southampton, England. Constructed in Norman times as part of the Southampton town walls, it was the main gateway to the city. The building is a scheduled monument, which has served as a temporary exhibition and event space for Southampton Solent University since 2012.

The Bargate was built c. 1180, constructed of stone and flint. Alterations were made to the building around 1290, when large drum towers were added to the north side, with arrow slit windows.

A two-storey extension was made to the south side towards the end of the 13th century, with four windows lighting the upstairs room. Work was also carried out to the interior of the upper room during the 13th century, when the stone fireplaces were installed. The embattled north front was added to the building around 1400. A survey of the town's guns in 1468 reported that the Bargate held two breach loader guns and a brass muzzle loader. At some point in the 16th century the Court leet of southampton started to meet in the bargate. In 1605, the city's curfew and alarm bell was added to the southwest corner of the building. In the middle of the four windows is a statue of George III in Roman dress, which in 1809 replaced a wooden statue of Queen Anne.The statue was a gift to the town from John Petty, 2nd Marquess of Lansdowne.

The room above the gate itself has known several uses. It was originally used as the city's guildhall, until the 1770s. It was at this point that the city began to grow to the north of the gate. Also during the 18th century, five panels containing painted shields and the sundial were added to the building.

Additional archways were added in 1764 and 1774. In 1765, a passage was cut through the eastern side of the arch for pedestrians. A further passage through the western side was added later.

The bargate continued to be the site of meetings of southampton's court leet until 1856. Following the establishment of Southampton's police force in February 1836, the upper room was used as a prison but by 1899, the increase in road traffic and the introduction of trams led to proposals for its demolition. It was reprieved at a subsequent council meeting but the issue arose again in 1914 and 1923. The Bargate was however eventually separated from the adjoining town walls in the 1930s using a scheme previously suggested in 1900. Around this time Portland cement was used in works on the bargate. This was later to cause problems as it trapped water within the structure damaging the stones.The monument again served as the police headquarters for the city during the Second World War. In 1951 a museum of local history was opened in the Bargate as part of celebrations to mark the Festival of Britain. The museum later closed.