The Black Gate

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The Black Gate was added to the defences of the castle of Newcastle upon Tyne between 1247-1250. It had a drawbridge to both the front and to the rear. , The original height of the medieval building is not known; the upper floors were added in the early 17th century. The gate was later occupied by Patrick Black, a London merchant, from whom the gatehouse takes its name. By the early 19th century the Black Gate had become a residential slum at one time housing 60 people. It was extensively restored between 1883 and 1885 by the Society of Antiquaries who still use the building as meeting place and library.

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