Throughout history man has needed to protect himself and his property. This was often achieved by building a wall and to facilitate movement that meant gates.The story of London's Gates is an absorbing one. They played an important part in the daily lives of the citizens of the City. Their prime task was protection. But there was also a ceremonial element and they provided accommodation for various office holders, miscreants and even Geoffrey Chaucer.Eventually they outlived their purpose and became a nuisance, leading to their destruction. The pages within trace the various roles they played over many centuries, from Roman times to the eighteenth century. They are mostly long gone but were a special feature of old London and deserve to have their story told.
