Portpool Way
In Medieval times
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f1fGSRi7bWIG_NDk_-qgBSlGKVI4xnrC1zCLgaxHBB9_oMxARM_X7oghilWi1GSmFDw4Yw3WC1tPbboS1kvfTbJsxEaJE4tJmCm8ENmTl8G6_BqXR_fErS1pIztthnxMXBeB/s1600/Portpool+Way+Medieval+1.jpg)
the Northgate from the city
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcivX9xLy3r74pFnGVMqe-11fW8KibQWFzEcGlibftlgTuy8mVZfQd2MccrAtKK8uOHClGIlgqEQZuN_xdqUB7di8wqcET6PKbzLVEbQv1q3roDJxHPvoTA2tBitLB8ZEvvPm/s1600/Portpool+Way1a.jpg)
was a larger affair - with towers, a debtor's prison and dungeons underground
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1wriybqwdoWOzjCFWHPcyTbQXzzbBXmMcmfn8oR9HmSudBVwmD1gMjAN1eyKeyazStjZ3npD3PGatB7eZ_gia2NqvHmDY8dBaaBS19yD08XNkTmw9mj6-JD9JMlvgyuuDecx/s1600/orthgate.jpg)
from where convicted men (and women) were led over a bridge to the chapel over the ditch (then stinking with fishy entrails and meaty offal, and sighed
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp13qAVzgdwJsTwRw44WbGrwlE_EMtHe_8clI4pnUhedAx81Vkyb-l2l_OU5fNchCqIYvO86jXzvLSa8s9bHMI9zJv6UTIGsi5qG44A1epfSZ7BYMfX_HUNmdpaCGV7z4t7Wtx/s1600/Bridge+of+sighs.jpg)
before being carted to the gibbet to the east.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj9jNqeS56ZnelT9G03NtbbNnFN5o9kRY2LvlYOPEhugxd8IYvvHuGjuJUUNZp2Ulf0v2HVJGhvG9zujKpeOkxu-Em2D30-1s14keBnIUD1Z3oMvr2KBms4euLfMe-SnaQK2N/s1600/Bluecoat+4.jpg)
The chapel of St John's was then a hospital
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWG1osq8hniqzWDAXo8xK4L34wSkfWxBSowFrkiz8U10QVBhTAcnYhcQ4BTvJ6vYJuqcl_DTqWN9n2HdUw96Wh4pT1A-8gPC7dwRKJc_O9r4WX4ufDgBSQEjmuzQ5ESxBaiMc/s1600/Bluecoat+1.jpg)
for the 'Sillie' people - or perhaps the most wise -
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomtNP97ZLCZePUJ-KfSyf9k55qO-CpV8lYw3Lr-semR5uagn8g0IlK0WN-F10PjAeQlagZlnnWwKs4XFPvkRKTv4MMKd-pTlYhTwnQi04ePbkbAYPH_hsUREOPjTpVMAxrXMs/s1600/Bluecoat+5.jpg)
with 13 beds reserved for the poor
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJUN_TQOd44EzMNP85tlg7rRvUrdFSOaG125s298t0706uQSnIYOgd0FVpzs8uOAs2_UtvzN8Xhzxw0PP07tQA628gY2ZDAtQaL8P-t5b3HMqjAB-8SM2Yimy3XKlo7yA2Ng_/s1600/Bluecoat2.jpg)
and then a school for blue-coated boys (but never girls).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhwp5G_Hfi0YXWbo8e8Gi4uDD5rrXOyo604FRHbLu_uWGyVUFTwKX4z6W_BYeK_2wAW_wvvGIX1PRyfWVvEfKQ0UnOD71vxA4W-EOXW4TnJjrURdPVEoJb-usjHTEu577cqI2/s1600/Bluecoat+3.jpg)
Out of the city then, into the suburb, the abbott's parish
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXRBYVamTJdXMmDbvtFEXkkNVNs2qhUvqpHbTgHQDPGk9MpwJxgYpqSiVQ7a8O32k14-Q4UT_nOePoi_qe0RqCs4TckXvB36DSqzPfo5vfFE1SYmYIKNF2unFAAvGXsuOUx1R/s1600/View+up+Bag+Lane+to+Northgate+Street.jpg)
where the taverns and inns of Bag Lane (now Canal Street)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluDEONygk9rnqlCKkvx5PaHlHmbi5MHeIgW4w0KkAQTSc9NUYUdpGtHBtjPnIugOdeol2AkCmWFKjtxmVGDuYb6t0OzQY2XKTMmfcuyosygYGyaW-sU-kaOpvm6UAhOIY-ccI/s1600/View+down+bag+lane.jpg)
served smuggled fish, and easy-going girls
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT4qlYNmTQ_1IQ0jV-Bs4TgEzDCgDmLkC3EQblKGwJ2YMnJZBElRpH2fHy-6ais4qqwZLCfIUvbjtGl-ck8wMyEI0RfAk4aMGf0pf3m1ipPEvo-9nB3JjJvoEJZX7aD_bIyO-/s1600/Old+house+down+bag+lane.jpg)
and PortPool Way
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIATle88JiUvWaXXieP47I9GjSAFuyZFzh_Xrmza3JhgkYnoY0hgSkgI_ELfH9g-_hJ_5VAgD25V7EkJHv4380BSVQLvbtBYD8Dm3bOtkOReXm67DN20myPsfO4A0Zzq8ghqhH/s1600/iew+down+Garden+Lane.jpg)
(now Garden Lane) led
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUugJbE9FSydtrPybKkBdNdHROynIcAbBhpJAq4yrl4iR11B4bjWhZsd2Mv3kCG0zZ6Wz7o_58H03Hb6cn4zaxVs9HW6xrw_kguWskp5Nd1IzdCdi-4kdO2GfMjnBPHS7WxBs/s1600/Garden+Lane+Junction.jpg)
inexorably down
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Xb673uQ4JusFBzHhnRfoZVG-xbv94LQjZQGJg0MbfMwecUDhH2NcsQf9FugTe4aSGZkKRIt9XQJbeHcyyFnG2PdLXAR14ZwJmVnBE6wGw5_SpKkYzgjESGMvebFnhdQFbDc/s1600/Memorial+Garden+Lane.jpg)
past cottages
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mke3hsOjZEXwioqz6xLoC7r1alkTe4PFXmLLIu6JEWWCTHAWEqRLCVN87SGD__gtQri1kqC8yjhvj0RT6g6KfpeEbMJefn2YtIhtAhYSejEILZChClrAupOLQhvlPlKMCL1R/s1600/End+of+Garden+Lane.jpg)
now student digs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SQDZXhth8w5M7LhnbplApKd6Wgg5yIbOVL6NBxNryxSx9VrskoT-x9O0CXxKH8hZnXWDk0kkRmaHstBt7qxz9RRxFaxxOcieMmHG8llJ0fPT-SNfVN595ifeM0p1ZsrSBc34/s1600/Signs+of+the+times.jpg)
There is still a sense
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLg6PP2TbFg1gzdbuBEUQEvBn22eQEsumqeqrFjW0JZHnJZhzR0lpThPL4BzyoTujlbsVXi5nfxVzzGP_pvhRrjxKCng2CnKMVM8NfN3fgDYJMAQzETDLAOg4QQClSJbToxAv/s1600/Cheney+Road.jpg)
of the open air
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aAHYF1VqurnyvQGVO11yy8TNNA_CUKYbiH3g2v5CzW0waNS0VCjlUyJQiQollcwymY4k164fhLflPwiDx9mYjCgVWPKN_2hsR4jWirsI7HlDcqokI2rIGoAiYgW7rlv5I19c/s1600/left+off+Garden+Lane.jpg)
not just the canal
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01nY_URwgqAM6vRiBMUZa5qXsPE-ZTf-OzPV4a1r-3eIRmDJOmBnoLgxF65H_lrfoq1zJeq37BmoI0W8L8sDDoyEJL1xhIvoB4gh_81FHFTcIVVJcL0-0f-irl9ZjLeQOXVnv/s1600/Canal.jpg)
but the place where the river pooled and spread
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqCoFsFOJ1jnH5O2-rzUfGlwdqw8V9k1WkMQRwgUt1vaOuC78eq-II8oRtjz0TozVlYXkMhrh2pNYvPMPh7ttZlEgpk5K86A-djrsrMxMVEwmnYSeoqS6S8SLgP0t0LdlbBZP/s1600/Portpool+Way2.Jpg)
and ships from Gascony, Spain and Germany
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFiwt2V00EqKHI2cezEOo8SChJKpZ_iJLmQQYtdu7Tcal21YjGNQgR7eW-hR1khSkqwR00lC_M3jTIEEy4RcPbPH7ybKPkYbq4elyOI0mqfuk8PyekQQxhtPpAvb_JpjMtfjQ/s1600/Allotments.jpg)
dispelled their wine, flax and iron
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMZOTzXXrD_uMxzMNmyuAqblov3MOWWXa8_kuK3XwcldBkQhm2e81Qkn44GniIuUAd6xV8E_FW_yKSS_Drze1WylrumA5jtnWSq7bK-B6gtG_lp03KONJ-gJ973n5e9q0ypy-/s1600/Allotments2.jpg)
in exchange for salt and skins
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJahdPRWisnZzjiqSHY-WAsDA8scVtdpRHQO9Snk7TXJPj3Y5zgUrXzNzdW_M9JrqDgIqRciuJQMTe8xbYqFUws5ZQmbRAgdbZj27kAifwQjyFgK3uQ_rzVgIYEyC4_YT0t1wX/s1600/crops.jpg)
where today there are sheds, onions, cabbages
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_IVDiPhNFSMmyd_2xEmYRCXB7SsiAGZPbt6XEwl8H2nnO9ILAb7cf2gti9BQ0tCP7MWg_HzPMGt88I8OOXz0rD4QAvXpTXiwOEo5M_cKjwgt29V7xuYx0jO8UySWgyJgjRKD/s1600/sheds.jpg)
and a different sort of haven.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f1fGSRi7bWIG_NDk_-qgBSlGKVI4xnrC1zCLgaxHBB9_oMxARM_X7oghilWi1GSmFDw4Yw3WC1tPbboS1kvfTbJsxEaJE4tJmCm8ENmTl8G6_BqXR_fErS1pIztthnxMXBeB/s1600/Portpool+Way+Medieval+1.jpg)
the Northgate from the city
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcivX9xLy3r74pFnGVMqe-11fW8KibQWFzEcGlibftlgTuy8mVZfQd2MccrAtKK8uOHClGIlgqEQZuN_xdqUB7di8wqcET6PKbzLVEbQv1q3roDJxHPvoTA2tBitLB8ZEvvPm/s1600/Portpool+Way1a.jpg)
was a larger affair - with towers, a debtor's prison and dungeons underground
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1wriybqwdoWOzjCFWHPcyTbQXzzbBXmMcmfn8oR9HmSudBVwmD1gMjAN1eyKeyazStjZ3npD3PGatB7eZ_gia2NqvHmDY8dBaaBS19yD08XNkTmw9mj6-JD9JMlvgyuuDecx/s1600/orthgate.jpg)
from where convicted men (and women) were led over a bridge to the chapel over the ditch (then stinking with fishy entrails and meaty offal, and sighed
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp13qAVzgdwJsTwRw44WbGrwlE_EMtHe_8clI4pnUhedAx81Vkyb-l2l_OU5fNchCqIYvO86jXzvLSa8s9bHMI9zJv6UTIGsi5qG44A1epfSZ7BYMfX_HUNmdpaCGV7z4t7Wtx/s1600/Bridge+of+sighs.jpg)
before being carted to the gibbet to the east.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj9jNqeS56ZnelT9G03NtbbNnFN5o9kRY2LvlYOPEhugxd8IYvvHuGjuJUUNZp2Ulf0v2HVJGhvG9zujKpeOkxu-Em2D30-1s14keBnIUD1Z3oMvr2KBms4euLfMe-SnaQK2N/s1600/Bluecoat+4.jpg)
The chapel of St John's was then a hospital
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWG1osq8hniqzWDAXo8xK4L34wSkfWxBSowFrkiz8U10QVBhTAcnYhcQ4BTvJ6vYJuqcl_DTqWN9n2HdUw96Wh4pT1A-8gPC7dwRKJc_O9r4WX4ufDgBSQEjmuzQ5ESxBaiMc/s1600/Bluecoat+1.jpg)
for the 'Sillie' people - or perhaps the most wise -
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomtNP97ZLCZePUJ-KfSyf9k55qO-CpV8lYw3Lr-semR5uagn8g0IlK0WN-F10PjAeQlagZlnnWwKs4XFPvkRKTv4MMKd-pTlYhTwnQi04ePbkbAYPH_hsUREOPjTpVMAxrXMs/s1600/Bluecoat+5.jpg)
with 13 beds reserved for the poor
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJUN_TQOd44EzMNP85tlg7rRvUrdFSOaG125s298t0706uQSnIYOgd0FVpzs8uOAs2_UtvzN8Xhzxw0PP07tQA628gY2ZDAtQaL8P-t5b3HMqjAB-8SM2Yimy3XKlo7yA2Ng_/s1600/Bluecoat2.jpg)
and then a school for blue-coated boys (but never girls).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhwp5G_Hfi0YXWbo8e8Gi4uDD5rrXOyo604FRHbLu_uWGyVUFTwKX4z6W_BYeK_2wAW_wvvGIX1PRyfWVvEfKQ0UnOD71vxA4W-EOXW4TnJjrURdPVEoJb-usjHTEu577cqI2/s1600/Bluecoat+3.jpg)
Out of the city then, into the suburb, the abbott's parish
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXRBYVamTJdXMmDbvtFEXkkNVNs2qhUvqpHbTgHQDPGk9MpwJxgYpqSiVQ7a8O32k14-Q4UT_nOePoi_qe0RqCs4TckXvB36DSqzPfo5vfFE1SYmYIKNF2unFAAvGXsuOUx1R/s1600/View+up+Bag+Lane+to+Northgate+Street.jpg)
where the taverns and inns of Bag Lane (now Canal Street)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluDEONygk9rnqlCKkvx5PaHlHmbi5MHeIgW4w0KkAQTSc9NUYUdpGtHBtjPnIugOdeol2AkCmWFKjtxmVGDuYb6t0OzQY2XKTMmfcuyosygYGyaW-sU-kaOpvm6UAhOIY-ccI/s1600/View+down+bag+lane.jpg)
served smuggled fish, and easy-going girls
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT4qlYNmTQ_1IQ0jV-Bs4TgEzDCgDmLkC3EQblKGwJ2YMnJZBElRpH2fHy-6ais4qqwZLCfIUvbjtGl-ck8wMyEI0RfAk4aMGf0pf3m1ipPEvo-9nB3JjJvoEJZX7aD_bIyO-/s1600/Old+house+down+bag+lane.jpg)
and PortPool Way
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIATle88JiUvWaXXieP47I9GjSAFuyZFzh_Xrmza3JhgkYnoY0hgSkgI_ELfH9g-_hJ_5VAgD25V7EkJHv4380BSVQLvbtBYD8Dm3bOtkOReXm67DN20myPsfO4A0Zzq8ghqhH/s1600/iew+down+Garden+Lane.jpg)
(now Garden Lane) led
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUugJbE9FSydtrPybKkBdNdHROynIcAbBhpJAq4yrl4iR11B4bjWhZsd2Mv3kCG0zZ6Wz7o_58H03Hb6cn4zaxVs9HW6xrw_kguWskp5Nd1IzdCdi-4kdO2GfMjnBPHS7WxBs/s1600/Garden+Lane+Junction.jpg)
inexorably down
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Xb673uQ4JusFBzHhnRfoZVG-xbv94LQjZQGJg0MbfMwecUDhH2NcsQf9FugTe4aSGZkKRIt9XQJbeHcyyFnG2PdLXAR14ZwJmVnBE6wGw5_SpKkYzgjESGMvebFnhdQFbDc/s1600/Memorial+Garden+Lane.jpg)
past cottages
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mke3hsOjZEXwioqz6xLoC7r1alkTe4PFXmLLIu6JEWWCTHAWEqRLCVN87SGD__gtQri1kqC8yjhvj0RT6g6KfpeEbMJefn2YtIhtAhYSejEILZChClrAupOLQhvlPlKMCL1R/s1600/End+of+Garden+Lane.jpg)
now student digs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SQDZXhth8w5M7LhnbplApKd6Wgg5yIbOVL6NBxNryxSx9VrskoT-x9O0CXxKH8hZnXWDk0kkRmaHstBt7qxz9RRxFaxxOcieMmHG8llJ0fPT-SNfVN595ifeM0p1ZsrSBc34/s1600/Signs+of+the+times.jpg)
There is still a sense
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLg6PP2TbFg1gzdbuBEUQEvBn22eQEsumqeqrFjW0JZHnJZhzR0lpThPL4BzyoTujlbsVXi5nfxVzzGP_pvhRrjxKCng2CnKMVM8NfN3fgDYJMAQzETDLAOg4QQClSJbToxAv/s1600/Cheney+Road.jpg)
of the open air
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aAHYF1VqurnyvQGVO11yy8TNNA_CUKYbiH3g2v5CzW0waNS0VCjlUyJQiQollcwymY4k164fhLflPwiDx9mYjCgVWPKN_2hsR4jWirsI7HlDcqokI2rIGoAiYgW7rlv5I19c/s1600/left+off+Garden+Lane.jpg)
not just the canal
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01nY_URwgqAM6vRiBMUZa5qXsPE-ZTf-OzPV4a1r-3eIRmDJOmBnoLgxF65H_lrfoq1zJeq37BmoI0W8L8sDDoyEJL1xhIvoB4gh_81FHFTcIVVJcL0-0f-irl9ZjLeQOXVnv/s1600/Canal.jpg)
and ships from Gascony, Spain and Germany
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFiwt2V00EqKHI2cezEOo8SChJKpZ_iJLmQQYtdu7Tcal21YjGNQgR7eW-hR1khSkqwR00lC_M3jTIEEy4RcPbPH7ybKPkYbq4elyOI0mqfuk8PyekQQxhtPpAvb_JpjMtfjQ/s1600/Allotments.jpg)
dispelled their wine, flax and iron
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMZOTzXXrD_uMxzMNmyuAqblov3MOWWXa8_kuK3XwcldBkQhm2e81Qkn44GniIuUAd6xV8E_FW_yKSS_Drze1WylrumA5jtnWSq7bK-B6gtG_lp03KONJ-gJ973n5e9q0ypy-/s1600/Allotments2.jpg)
in exchange for salt and skins
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJahdPRWisnZzjiqSHY-WAsDA8scVtdpRHQO9Snk7TXJPj3Y5zgUrXzNzdW_M9JrqDgIqRciuJQMTe8xbYqFUws5ZQmbRAgdbZj27kAifwQjyFgK3uQ_rzVgIYEyC4_YT0t1wX/s1600/crops.jpg)
where today there are sheds, onions, cabbages
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_IVDiPhNFSMmyd_2xEmYRCXB7SsiAGZPbt6XEwl8H2nnO9ILAb7cf2gti9BQ0tCP7MWg_HzPMGt88I8OOXz0rD4QAvXpTXiwOEo5M_cKjwgt29V7xuYx0jO8UySWgyJgjRKD/s1600/sheds.jpg)
and a different sort of haven.
2 Comments:
I love these walks you take us on Clare. If I'd had you as my teacher at school I'd have love history far more (and probably English too, although I did like that then). The juxtapositions you notice make my haiku heart swoon. And I love the anti-bird spikes on the blue boy's book!
Thanks Jem! I'm delighted you like them. And yes, those spikes are pretty unsual. I think there must be a big pigeon problem just there.
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