The Top of Monk's Bar

Visited 19 March 2006

Monk Bar is the only bar in York with its medieval portcullis still working.  A portcullis is a fortified grille that drops down in front of the enemy and is a last ditch (pun intended) defense (actually, you don't use it until the enemy gets by your last ditch.)  Some castle entrances would have two portculli and would let the attackers past the first and then drop both grilles -- effectively sandwiching the enemy between the portculli; the defenders would then pour oil from the top and shoot arrows through the grille openings. 

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