Castlefacts³

Henley in Arden Town Gates

Has been described as a Questionable Urban Defence

There are no visible remains

Name	Henley in Arden Town Gates
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Warwickshire
Modern Authority	Warwickshire
1974 Authority	Warwickshire
Civil Parish	Henley in Arden

Defensive town gates, not associated with wall or bank, now vanished. (Bond)

In the Middle Ages there was a bargate at the south end of the street (P.R.O. Anct. D., A 13228), and probably at the north end, where in 1725, when the road was turnpiked, a Toll Gate House was built. This was pulled down in 1894, but the Weighing-Machine House is still standing. (VCH fn. 1)

Mentioned in a deed of 16 May, 23 Henry VII (1508) 'lytyll gardenplace withowte the bareyates of the towne of Henley' (Ancient Deeds)

Gatehouse Comments

Almost certainly toll bars associated with the collection of market taxes, rather than anything 'defensive'. Might be associated with the particular needs associated with the collection of pavage, which the borough was granted in 1336, 1344 and 1383 (VCH), although useful for the collection of all market tolls. The question here may be how common were such bar gates? Any town and many villages may have wanted such a way of preventing livestock wandering around.Given map reference for Henley parish church.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/web/corporate/pages.nsf/(DisplayLinks)/3A41982A4C60D6E38025755A0058BA9C

OS Map Grid Reference	SP151660
Latitude	52.292049407959
Longitude	-1.77996003627777
Eastings	415100
Northings	266000