Bootham is a continuation of Petergate outside the city walls. There has been a gateway here for nearly 2000 years and Bootham Bar stands on the site of the western entrance to the Roman fortress. The archway of the existing structure is Norman and the rest is 14th century. In 1501 a door knocker was installed as Scots were required to knock first and seek permission from the Lord Major to enter the city – the gates were normally locked from 9pm to 4am and the keys were kept by the Mayor.
Bootham Bar Folklore:
During the 1970s, during the day, a nun in a tatty brown habit was clearly observed walking towards Bootham Bar. She continued for a while and then disappeared.
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Andrew Cort
In November of 2016 at around 10.00am on a Saturday, whilst walking up High Petergate, i saw / encountered the Nun. She was on the pavement on the opposite side of yhe road staring at me and she dissapeared in front of my eyes. She looked around 60 years old, long grey hair, to the shoulder, weather beaten face, in a brown habit.