Fishergate is a street and surrounding area of York, England.

History

Fishergate runs along a strip of slightly raised ground, east of the River Ouse. Archaeological investigations have found evidence of prehistoric occupation before the construction of Roman Eboracum. By the 1st century, a major Roman road extended south from the city, passing through what is now Fishergate Bar, following the path of Fawcett Street, and eventually aligning with the modern route of Fishergate. Cemeteries also existed in the area. In Anglian times, the area was the city's major manufacturing and trading centre. Archaeological finds in 1985–1986 included traces of 8th–9th century timber buildings, and metals, bone and leather representative of the industrial activity in the area. The area remained occupied in the Jorvik period, during which the old Roman road became known as "Fiscergate", the street of the fishers. St Helen's Church was constructed west of Fishergate, and All Saints’ Church to its east. In the 14th century, the York city walls were constructed immediately north of the northernmost part of the street, probably over an existing earth rampart, with Fishergate Bar rebuilt in stone.

In the 12th century, St Andrew's Priory was constructed to the west of Fishergate. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the land was probably used as an orchard, and the mediaeval settlement soon disappeared, possibly due to destruction during the Siege of York in 1644. In 1730, New Walk was constructed by the river, and Fishergate became a popular residential area, with some large houses constructed. In 1827, a cattle market was opened at the northern end of the street, and the modern line of the northern part of the street was established further west, with the old route becoming Fawcett Street and Escrick Terrace. To its west lay the Redfearn National Glass Factory and some open land. In the 1950s, factories were built on the open land, and the glassworks relocated to Tadcaster. These industrial buildings were cleared in the late 20th century. 29 Fishergate, a late 18th-century building which served for a time as the Nunnery of the Sisters of St Vincent; the early-19th century Ivy Cottage; and Fishergate Primary School, built in 1893 by W. H. Brierley. On the west side lie The Masons Arms, a pub built in 1935 to a design by James Knight; 16–40 Fishergate, a terrace built in 1830; Fishergate House, built in 1837 by J. B. and William Atkinson, formerly had an address on the street but is now said to lie on Blue Bridge Lane.

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File:Fishergate Primary School - geograph.org.uk - 1156975.jpg|Fishergate Primary School

File:The Lighthorseman Public House, Fulford Road, York - geograph.org.uk - 1751626.jpg|The Lighthorseman

File:The Edinburgh Arms - geograph.org.uk - 1156930.jpg|The Edinburgh Arms

File:The Masons Arms, Fishergate - geograph.org.uk - 677071.jpg|The Masons Arms

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References

  • Official Fishergate ward page