ENGLAND'S OLDEST GATE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3718, 9 November 1926, Page 2

ENGLAND'S OLDEST GATE

An oak gate made in 1288, which for over 500 years hung in the front quad of Balliol College, Oxford, lias been found in an Essex .garden and repurchased by subscription among old Balliol men. The gate, which is probably the oldest in the country, was discovered by Mr .1, Rochello Thomas, of the Georgian Galleries, King street., tst. James's, covered with ivy. at the old home at Nehnes, Essex, of the late Dr Harding Newman, a Fellow of Magdalen Oxford Since (he death of Dr Newman tlt» gale had been lost sight of. Tho gate had hung at the portals of Balliol for 300 years when it witnessed tho martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley. It is recorded that the lire was made so near to ihi* gate that it was scorched. Mr Thomas told a ‘Daily Chronicle’ representative that, when he cleaned the gate there were about 100 coats of paint on it.

"ft is in a. remarkably good state of preservation." he said. "1( weighs two lons." The gate is of Gothic design. The iron bolt remains, although the lock has disappeared. .Numerous offers* from Americans and Canadians have been refused, and the gate is to be erected under coTer in Balliol.