This impressive gateway was created as an act of mercy. Bishop Bekynton (1443-1465) had it built to give shelter to the beggars who clustered at the cathedral gate. There is a stone seat inside. Here they could plead for alms from those on their way to and from church and mindful of their Christian duty of charity. Bekynton was an enthusiastic builder. All four of the present gateways into to the cathedral close were part of his building programme.