Site of Ludgate - Ludgate Hill, City of London, UK
N 51° 30.839 W 000° 06.126
30U E 701070 N 5710966
The blue plaque marking the site of Ludgate, which was demolished in 1760
Waymark Code: WMTD1G
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/04/2016
Views: 2
This blue plaque is affixed to a wall next to Ye Olde London Pub on Ludgate Hill.
The plaque reads as follows:
"Site of Ludgate, demolished 1760."
From Blueplaqueplaces.uk, some additional inforation:
"Ludgate was the westernmost gate in London Wall. The name survives in Ludgate Hill, an eastward continuation of Fleet Street, and Ludgate Circus."
A bit more from Wikipedia: (
visit link)
"Ludgate was the westernmost gate in London Wall. The name survives in Ludgate Hill, an eastward continuation of Fleet Street, Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Square.
. . .
History[edit]
The Romans built a road along the north bank of the River Thames westwards through the gate later called Lud Gate as part of the fortifications of London. Guarding the road from the west, it led to the Romans' main burial mound in what is now Fleet Street. The gate stood just above a crossing of the Fleet River (this now runs underground). It stood almost opposite what is now St Martin's Church on what is now called Ludgate Hill. The site of the gate is marked by a plaque on the north side of Ludgate Hill, halfway between Ludgate Circus and St Paul's Cathedral.
Rebuilt in 1215, the rooms above the gate were used as a prison for petty offenders. The gate was one of three separate sites that bore the name Ludgate Prison. In 1378 it was decided that Newgate Prison would be used for serious criminals, and Ludgate for Freemen of the City and clergy who were imprisoned for minor offences such as debt. By 1419 it became clear that prisoners were far too comfortable here, as they were more likely to want to stay than to pay their debts and leave. They were all transferred to Newgate prison for this reason, although that prison was so overcrowded and unhealthy that they soon returned. It had a flat lead roof for prisoners to exercise on, as well as a 'large walking place' at ground level. The gate was rebuilt about 1450 by a man called Foster who at one time was lodged in the Debtor's Prison over the gate. He eventually became Sir Stephen Forster, Lord Mayor of London. He rebuilt Lud Gate and the Debtor's Prison and — remembering his own sufferings — abolished the practice of making the debtors pay for their own food and lodging.
Rebuilt by the City in 1586, a statue of King Lud was placed on the east side, and one of Queen Elizabeth I on the west. These statues are now outside the church of St Dunstan-in-the-West, in Fleet Street. It was rebuilt again after being destroyed in the Great Fire. Like the other City gates it was demolished in 1760. The prisoners were moved to a section of the workhouse in Bishopsgate Street."