Canon Gate, Chichester

Canon Gate, Chichester

Linking busy South Street, in the heart of historic Chichester, to the Chichester Cathedral precinct, is an attractive 16th-century gateway known as Canon Gate. The gateway is so named because it gives access to Canon Lane and the neighbouring Vicars' Close.

History

Canon Gate stands two storeys high and has a chamber over the arch. This chamber was once used for the Pye Poudre Court (aka Court of Pie Powder), a court run by the Bishop of Chichester to administer justice for petty crimes committed during local fairs.

The term 'Pie Powder' comes from the French 'pieds poudres', or dusty feet, referring to the poor men and women who generally appeared before the court. The chamber is now used as a holiday cottage.

Canon Gate from the cathedral precinct

The gateway building is built of flint, with stone dressings around the gateway arch and windows. On the south face of the gateway is a stone carved with the arms of Bishop William Wykeham, the founder of Winchester College. The Wykeham arms also appear on a shield held by a stone demi-angel carved onto one side of the main archway.

Opposite, on the other side of the arch, a stone demi-angel holds a crest with the arms of Archdeacon Moore, who may have built -- or rebuilt -- the gateway.

There are two arches piercing the gateway. The southernmost arch is for pedestrian access and is much lower and narrower than the main, northernmost arch. The pedestrian passage may be a later addition to the gateway.

Bishop Wykeham coat of arms

Tradition says that the gateway dates to the reign of Richard III (1483-1485), but a more likely date is sometime during the early years of the 16th century. Canon Gate fell into decay as the centuries passed and the passage between the pedestrian arches was used for stabling horses.

The gateway was restored in 1894 under the direction of Ewen Christian (1814-1895), official architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Christian is best known for his restoration work at Southwell Minster and Carlisle Cathedral. The cast-iron drainpipes bear the date 1894, suggesting they were installed during Christian's restoration.

Immediately inside the arch, off Canon Lane, is Vicars Close, built in 1475 to offer accommodation for 28 Vicars Choral of the Cathedral. The vicars' meals were taken in Vicars' Hall and there were hefty fines for anyone found offering private hospitality in their quarters.

Demi-angel bearing a shield

Vicars with rooms backing onto South Street could also be fined for allowing anyone to use their dwelling to access the Cathedral Close. Until 1825, access to the cathedral precinct could only legally be gained through Chain Gate.

Visiting

The gateway is accessible at all times, with access from South Street or from the cathedral precinct at the eastern end of Canon Lane.