West Gate, Southampton, Southampton
The east face of the West Gate, with two women standing beneath the arch. The West Gate was one of the 5 main gateways in to the medieval city. It was the main access to the West Quay, along which most of the towns maritime activity took place. It was built as a defensive gateway in the mid 14th century. The two upper storeys had gunports added in the 16th century. It was through this gate that the army of Henry V marched to the ships for Agincourt in 1415 and the Pilgrim Fathers embarked from West Quay on "the Mayflower" on August 15th, 1620.
