Arcade Of Former Archbishops Palace And Attached Railings And Gates

The arcade of the former Archbishops' Palace, now serving as a war memorial to the Second Division, is located in Dean's Park, York. This structure dates back to the late 12th century and was restored in 1987. It features walls, railings, gates, and gate piers that were constructed in 1839 and repositioned in 1863. The arcade is made of magnesian limestone, while the railings, gates, and gate piers are crafted from cast iron and limestone.

The arcade consists of seven round arches arranged in three orders. The inner two arches have coupled shafts with moulded bases and carved capitals, although these are now defaced. Each arch originally contained two trefoil-headed lights with a central shaft, which are now lost. Some shafts with elaborately carved capitals have been replaced. Currently, each arch is closed by a low plinth that carries a commemorative plate and is topped with iron railings. The central arch is filled with a bronze cast laurel wreath.

The boundary walls vary in height from approximately 0.25 to 0.75 meters and are topped with square-section railings that have tapering tips and turned standards with urn finials. The gates near the Minster Library and the Purey-Cust Chambers feature similar railings, reinforced with arch or diagonal braces. The gate piers are tapered cylinders set on high pedestals, also topped with urn finials.