The Close Wall

THE CLOSE WALL

This medieval fortification wall encloses the Close on its south, east and north sides. The wall probably dates to 1331, when Edward III granted permission to use material from Old Sarum for its construction.

The wall varies significantly in condition and character across its length. On the south side, running from Harnham Gate behind numbers 72 and 73, extending west for approximately 208 feet before turning north to the entrance of No 71 (South Canonry), this section has been largely rebuilt. It stands about 6 feet high, constructed of flint rubble with brick bands and tiled coping.

From No 74 (Southgate House) to the rear of No 4 St Nicholas's Road, a stretch of approximately 322 feet features ashlar blocks to a height of about 10 feet, with a walkway but no crenellation. After a short 10-foot section rebuilt in stone, flint rubble and brick, the wall continues in one of its most complete original sections running to the corner of Exeter Street. This section, approximately 740 feet long with a short return section back into the Close, retains its crenellations and walkway. The ashlar blocks incorporate numerous small Norman panels salvaged from Old Sarum, carved with flowers, chevrons and other decorative motifs. Near the end of this section, level with Brickett's Hospital, a projecting platform is supported on five large stone brackets.

Along Exeter Street up to Bishop's Gate, the wall shows alterations and is lower in height with no crenellation, constructed of stone and flint panels with some brickwork. A section of about 30 feet has tiled coping. From Bishop's Gate to a point level with No 82 Exeter Street—approximately 416 feet—the wall stands about 6 feet high with tiled coping, built of stone with some Norman decorated panels from Old Sarum.

From this point to St Anne's Gate, approximately 208 feet, the wall returns to its original height with crenellations and walkway. Another similar intact crenellated section extends from St Anne's Gate along St John's Street to the north east corner of Close Lane, a distance of about 160 feet.

The north side of the wall is lower and has been partly rebuilt and patched at various dates, constructed of stone rubble with some flint panelling, brick bands and capping. Much of this section is concealed as it forms boundary walls between houses. On New Street it forms the south boundary of Alexander House, numbers 1 to 49 (odd), and the College of Art for approximately 730 feet. It continues as the south boundary of No 47 High Street for about 100 feet until reaching numbers 48-48A the Close and the North Gate, where a section of ditch remains. On the Close side, the wall forms the north boundary of numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32 and 48-48A. West of the North Gate on the Close side it runs behind No 33A (Mompesson House) and No 54 for 312 feet.

Another stretch with walkway, approximately 208 feet long, runs north of numbers 56A and 56B the Close, continuing as lower rebuilt walling with lean-to additions down to the river Avon. On the north side, the wall forms the north boundary of No 64 High Street and then on Crane Street the properties numbered 87, 89, 91, 95, 97, 99 and 101 (Church House and Audley House).

The buildings listed within the Close form an outstanding group.