The Black Gate
(before restoration)

The Black Gate was the last part of the defences of the castle of Newcastle upon Tyne, added 1247-1250, and formed an additional, projecting, gateway or barbican to the earlier north gate of the castle. The barbican consisted of a gatehouse flanked by two half-drum towers with a narrow high-walled passage to the rear, placed at an angle to the castle curtain walls thus making it vulnerable to fire from the defenders. There was a drawbridge to the front (west) and another to the rear, both now replaced by wooden footbridges. The gatehouse passage could be sealed by a portcullis, the grooves for which are still visible, and a double gate.

The height of the medieval building is unknown; the present upper floors, roof and false arch over the gateway were added in the early 17th century when the gatehouse was rebuilt by Alexander Stephenson, a court favourite of James I who was granted a lease of the whole castle. Later it was occupied by Patrick Black, a London merchant, and Barbara his wife. From whom the gatehouse acquired its present name.

In the 17th century houses were built along both sides of the defended passageway. A public house was opened in part of the Black Gate, run by John Pickells whose name and the date 1636, can still be seen high up on the south-west wall.

By the early 19th century the Black Gate had become a slum tenement, at one time housing 60 people. The Black Gate was leased to the Society of Antiquaries, who extensively restored it between 1883 and 1885, and have occupied the building as a meeting place and library until moving in 2009 to the new Great North Museum: Hancock.

Information needed

As the Collections Committee starts to get to grip with the mammoth task of moving the Society's belongings out of the Black Gate, the great age of the Society has become particularly noticeable. Furniture whch probably was offered to the Society as useful items, rather than antiquities, when members were clearing out their houses, have posed a dilemma. Because they were not donated to the collections as such, these items were not recorded in the Donations Book, so we have no idea if they were the gifts of antiquaries whose possessions would now be regarded as important relics. If any member has an knowledge of the history of any of the furnishings in the Black Gate they are urged to contact Lindsay Allason-Jones on L.Allason-Jones@ncl.ac.uk

For further information about the castle of which the Black Gate is a part, visit the home page of the Castle Keep of Newcastle upon Tyne.