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Davison: BONDGATE STREET Bondgate Street forms the entrance to the town from the south and the east It is a good street very wide and airy and within these few years has received several improvements But the old gate about the middle of it which belongs to his grace the Duke of Northumberland being considered an obstruction a few years ago a number of the principal inhabitants made application to the late Duke to have it removed but in consequence of its having been built by his noble ancestor Henry the second Earl of Northumberland son of the gallant Hotspur and the only remaining structure erected by that celebrated hero in this part of the country he was unwilling to comply with their request The reason urged by his grace is of considerable importance but at the same time it must be observed that if the gate were removed few provincial towns in the kingdom could boast of a better street But his grace the present Duke of Northumberland having caused an old house to be taken down and a spacious arched way to be made on the north side one of its principal inconveniences has been obviated and it is now rendered pleasant and commodious to foot passengers There are several ancient houses in this street One of these in particular from its having the De Vesey arms sculptured upon it must have stood from about the year 1290 It appears to have been formerly appropriated to religious uses.

Tate: Bondgate - the street of the bond-men in 1290 - is wide and extends northward from the south entrance of the town. In Bondgate Without, which is outside the old walls, is the Plough Inn with its bay or outshot window, and the following quaint inscription over its entrance - "That which your Father old hath purchased and Left you to possess do you dearly Hold to show his worthiness. — M.W., 1714." The initials appear to be those of Matthew Willoby, who was owner of tho house prior to 1766; but though the erection was not earlier than the date upon it, the inscription belongs to the family of Forster ; for in the heraldic visitation of 1585 it is said — ''These verses were sett about their armes :

Let us dearlie them hold

tu mynde their worthiness

That which our parents old

Heth left us to posess"

After passing through the tower, Bondgate Within widens, and a fine view of the town, and especially of the Market Place is obtained. On the north side is tho old "White Swan Inn, called Mrs. Grey's in 1729 ; a thatched one-storied house remains to tell what kind of residences the burgesses had in the fifteenth century; and an older house still has over it a stone panel sculptured with heraldry.

From the report after the Cholera epidemic: "cause during hot weather danger is to be apprehended Bondgate street Within Here matiy nuisances exist which at a very trifling expense I think might be removed On the north side of Bondgate Tower a collection of putridity may always be found but the parts most to be noticed are where the sewers open from private houses principally along the side of the hill to the street These appear much too small for the purpose they were intended for the consequence is that they become closed by collections of noxious matter and the stench is occasionally intolerable"