Bootham Bar - A Tour of Yorkshire Part 37

[Diana E. Backhouse]

Bootham Bar is the earliest of York’s gatehouses and stands on what was the main route between the North of England and Scotland. It sits on virtually the same footprint as the Porta Principalis Dextra, the north-western gate, of Eboracum - Roman York. This bar incorporates an early Norman outer archway and still contains fragments of the original Roman bastion, although much of it was built in the 14th century with additions in the 18th and 19th centuries.

From here we will climb the steps up to the top of the city walls where we can walk to our next destination. Turning the clock back to spring, we will be able to enjoy the masses of daffodils that cover the earthen banks. But, before we set off, you may wish to pop into the art gallery across the road in Exhibition Square, next to the King’s Manor (somewhere we will be visiting later) ; please don’t forget to look out for the picture that inspired ‘Sitting Pretty’, an earlier 6S of mine.

[Diana E. Backhouse]

If I had done that, Ravi, I wouldn't have lasted long on the busy roads. At the time of drawing these, I had one three-year-old in tow and was heavily pregnant with my second. I'm sorry to say that they were drawn from photographs while I had my feet up.

[Ravi Bedi]

Do you sit in front of these buildings and then sketch or what? If you're doing from the memory, I take my hat off, lady.

Either way, you're gifted, not only with your pencil, but with your words. Go get a publisher.

Cheers.

[Diana E. Backhouse]

Thank you, Beth and Stephen.

[Beth Overmyer]

****

Nice work, as always. <3

[Stephen Torelli]

What a terrific sketch and a superb historic lesson. And a first class tale of Jean Abercromby. What a beauty!