Ludgate

Ludgate was the westernmost gate in London’s Roman wall. It stood where Ludgate Hill meets Fleet Street, guarding the western approach to the City. The gate was rebuilt several times over centuries before it was finally taken down in the 18th century. Its name lives on in Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Square nearby. Materials from the demolished gate were sold, raising £148. The gate’s story is woven into London’s past. Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed it was named after King Lud, a legendary British ruler. During the First Barons’ War, anti-royalists rebuilt it using stones from Jewish houses. Later, Sir Stephen Foster, a former prisoner there, became Lord Mayor and improved conditions inside. Agnes Foster, his widow, ended the practice of charging debtors for food and lodging. In 1554, the gate was the scene of Wyatt’s rebellion, when rebels were turned away by local forces. Visitors today can still trace Ludgate’s footprint. The hill rises gently from Fleet Street, marking the gate’s old position. Nearby, St Dunstan-in-the-West holds the preserved statues of Queen Elizabeth I and King Lud that once stood on the gate. The church’s porch and vestry door display these figures, returned after a long journey. Ludgate Hill offers a quiet spot to stand where London’s medieval and Roman history meet. The names on street signs keep the memory of the gate alive.