Micklegate

Until 1754 visitors entering through one of the four main gates into York would have been greeted by the gruesome sight of severed heads skewered on top of the Gate. Many regarded as rebels or traitors were decapitated with their heads left as a warning to others and sometimes left for years. The last one was "illegally" removed in 1754 after eight years. The Micklegate lies on the City Walls which date in part from Roman times with the Micklegate having been built over 800 years ago and with later additions.