East Gates
The East Gate was thought to have been first erected in the latter 13th century, featuring wooden towers and a drawbridge. It became dilapidated by 1500, and repairs were made in 1541. The drawbridge removed and the bridge extended with a second span.
The inner arch was quite low and wouldn’t allow loads of hay and materials. to pass under it.
In in 1779 when the Houghton picture collection was sold to Catherine the Great of Russia and was sent to Lynn for export, the precious paintings had to be unloaded from the wagon before passing through the gate. Soon afterwards in 1800 the gate was demolished, although it's stone was bought by the Ffolkes family, and rebuilt at Hillington Hall.
The plaque above the east gate is now above the entrance to King's Lynn Count Court.
You can see the original stone bridge, and the second widening before the present one, because of this the bridge is a grade 2 listed building.