Monument record 12000/31 - Chester City Walls - Horse Gate

The Horse Gate or 'Capelgate' was the gate by which animals were taken down to the river for water during the medieval period. The animals were conducted to the special gate by way of Chapel Lane. The gate was situated at water level, a few yards to the east side of the Bridge Gate (CHER 12000/32). It is mentioned in an inquisition of 1320/1 (1). In 1349 or 1350, Robert de Raby held the custody of this 'porta Equorum' as well as the adjoining Bridge and Ship Gates (2). The gate is shown in three views of the south aspect of Chester - Braun's map 1581, Randle Holme's sketch (Harl Mss 2073) and Edward Wright's drawing 1690 (3). In appears to have only been a modest archway in the wall, the gate was still standing in 1708. In 1745 is was blocked, as part of the defensive measures taken against the Young Pretender (5).

<1> Bennett. J.H.E., 1921, The Grey Friars of Chester, Bennett J H E 1921 24/24 (Article in Journal). SCH5681.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/547 (Book). SCH1389.

<3> Morris, Rupert H (Rev.), 1894, Chester in the Plantagenet & Tudor Reigns, /229, 512, 528 (Book). SCH946.

<4> Donald Insall Associates, Chester City Walls Conservation Management Plan, R3251 (Client Report). SCH6603.

<5> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions, p224 (Book). SCH6522.