Bootham Bar is one of York’s famous gateways through the city walls. It stands at the point originally occupied by the Roman entrance known as the Porta Principalis Dextra although the outer archway dates from the Norman period.
In 1501 a door knocker was added to the entrance as Scots were required to seek permission to enter the city of York. Indeed, local custom has it that there is still a law permitting a citizen of York to kill a Scotsman, using a bow and arrow, if he apprehends him within the city walls after sunset.