During the Middle Ages, access to the walled-in city of York was through one of four main gatehouses and two small ones. These are called a bar. Nearest York Minster is the Bootham Bar. Some of its construction dates back to the 11th century although most of what is seen today is from renovations in the 14th and 19th century. As you walk past the gate, picture this gruesome moment in history. During the English Civil Wars, Charles I was executed by the English Parliament in 1649. It wasn’t until 1660 that his son, Charles II, was recognized as the King of England, Scotland and Ireland. During the follow years known as the Restoration, the new king forgave all political treason except those involved in his father’s beheading. In retaliation, three heads of rebels were displayed on the third level of Bootham Bar in 1663.
