Lendal tower in York forms part of the defensive curtain of the city wall.
It protected both a crossing from the south side of the river by rope ferry and also controlled River access to the city from upstream. The tower dates from the 13th century and was built as a partner for the Barker tower, which stands on the south side of the river. At night an iron chain would be strung between the two towers to prevent boats entering the city during the hours of darkness. It was also used during times of unrest and war to prevent river access to the city.
Today they form the two ends of Lendal Bridge, which until recently has been one of the major access roads to the city centre and it would be easy to imagine that they were built to guard access via the bridge. However this is not an ancient bridge site and the earliest bridge here only dates from the middle 1800s.
Pete's Favourite Things 