Magazine Gateway facts for kids
The Magazine Gateway is a very old and important building in Leicester, England. It is also known as The Magazine or Newarke Gateway. This building is a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very special historical site.
Today, the Magazine Gateway stands alone next to a busy road. But long ago, around 1400, it was the main entrance to a walled area. This area was called The Newarke. It was a religious place. The gateway had a large archway. Cars and carriages used to pass through it until 1905. Over the years, the rooms inside the gatehouse were used for many things. They were a porter's lodge, a place for guests, a prison, and a military building. It was even a museum for a while. Now, the Leicester Museum Service looks after it. You can usually visit it by arranging a special tour.
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What is the Magazine Gateway?
The Magazine Gateway is a historic gatehouse. It was built to be a grand entrance. It led into a special religious area called The Newarke. This area was just south of Leicester's old town walls.
Where is the Magazine Gateway located?
The Magazine Gateway is in Leicester. It stands where the old South Gates used to be. These gates were the entrance to Leicester's Roman and Medieval town. The Newarke area is now mostly part of De Montfort University. The gateway is at the east end of a walking area. This area is between university buildings. The Magazine Gateway is a clear landmark. It is where Leicester's inner ring road splits.
Why was the Magazine Gateway built?
The gateway was built to be an impressive entrance. It led into The Newarke. This was a special religious college area. In 1330, a hospital was built nearby. It was called the Trinity Hospital. Later, a new church was founded there. It was called the Church of the Annunciation of St. Mary. This church was said to have a thorn from Christ's Crown of thorns.
When was the gateway completed?
The Magazine Gateway was finished soon after 1400. At the same time, strong walls were built. These walls surrounded the college area. Some of these old walls were still standing in 1967. They were about 3 meters (10 feet) high. In 2006, more parts of the buried walls were found. They were about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high.
How was the gatehouse used originally?
The gatehouse has two archways. One was for people walking. The other was for carriages. These led from outside the town into the walled area. Inside the gatehouse, there are rooms on three floors. A porter, who was like a doorman, lived there. The first floor had rooms for guests visiting the college.
Sometimes, there were problems. In 1440 and 1525, official visits found issues. The porter was letting "unseemly people" into the area late at night. Selling food and drinks from the gatehouse was also banned. The college system ended in 1548. This was part of the English Church's reformation. The college was closed. The Church of the Annunciation was destroyed. But the walled area and the gatehouse remained. The Trinity Hospital also survived. The area became a special place to live. Many nice houses were built there. One example is Skeffington House. It is now part of the Newarke Houses Museum.
The Magazine Gateway and the Military
The gateway got its name "The Magazine" during the English Civil War. In 1642, it was used to store weapons and supplies. This was for the Parliamentarian side in Leicester.
What happened during the English Civil War?
The area saw fighting during the war. On May 30-31, 1645, Prince Rupert's Royalist army attacked Leicester. They took control of the Castle and The Newarke. They also took the rest of the town. Later, on June 18, 1645, the Parliamentarians took the town back. This happened after their victory at the Battle of Naseby.
How was it used in later wars?
By the 1800s, the Magazine was used by local soldiers. It was also sometimes used as a prison. You can still see graffiti scratched on the walls. This was left by prisoners and soldiers. Some dates include 1809 and the 1940s.
The 4th Battalion of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment was formed at the Magazine. This happened in 1908. The battalion was sent to the Western Front in August 1914. The Magazine was also the main office for the Leicestershire Yeomanry during the First World War.
Museum and Road Changes
In the 1960s, a new inner ring road was built. This left the Magazine Gateway surrounded by busy roads. You could only reach it through underground walkways. In 1969, the Royal Leicestershire Regiment used it as their museum. It stayed a museum until 1996. Repairs were needed, and it was hard to get to the three-story building. So, the museum moved. It reopened on the top floor of the Newarke Houses Museum.
How was the area improved?
The way the Magazine was treated was not ideal. It was a very old building below road level. Cars zoomed past on both sides. This was finally changed in 2007. The underground walkways were filled in. This made the street level on the west side the same as the Magazine. The road was also moved entirely to the east side of the gateway. The area to the west became a pedestrian zone. This reconnected the gateway with The Newarke. It also created a new open space for students at De Montfort University.
