The Bayle Museum is a local museum located in Bridlington,

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. The building it occupies, Bayle Gate (akak The Bayle) was constructed in the 1100s and is a

scheduled monument In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change. The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage and d ...

, although not much is known about its origins. The museum contains historical artefacts "showcasing Bridlington's illustrious history through interactive exhibitions". The building is

Grade I listed In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

Etymology

The word ''bayle'' is derived from the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

word ''baille'', which means "enclosure" or "ward".

History

Archaeological surveys that were done in the area have concluded that the original stonework of the structure dates back to the 12th century, when the building, it is thought, served as a gatehouse to a wooden castle built by

William le Gros William le Gros, William le Gras, William d'Aumale, William Crassus (died 20 August 1179) was Earl of York and Lord of Holderness in the English peerage and the Count of Aumale in France. He was the eldest son of Stephen, Count of Aumale, and his ...

in 1143, although much remains unknown about the building's history before the early 14th century. In the 14th century the Bayle Gate was converted into a gatehouse to

Bridlington Priory Priory Church of St Mary, Bridlington, , commonly known as Bridlington Priory Church is a parish church in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in the Diocese of York. It is on the site of an Augustinian priory founded in 1113 which w ...

. The gatehouse housed a porter (who collected tolls for entrance to the priory markets) and an

almoner An almoner (} ' (alms), via the popular Latin '. History Christians have historically been encouraged to donate one-tenth of their income as a tithe to their church and additional offerings as needed for the poor. The first deacons, mentioned ...

(who distributed food and ale to the poor of Bridlington).

Historical usage

Since the dissolution of the monasteries by

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

, the Bayle Gate has seen many uses. These have included a prison, a court for the town, a schoolroom, a garrison for

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

ic soldiers and a

town hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...

Modern usage

Today, the Bayle Museum is used as a museum and a meeting room for the Lords Feoffees, who administer a local charity.

References

External links

Bayle Museum website
Museums with year of establishment missing Local museums in the East Riding of Yorkshire Scheduled monuments in the East Riding of Yorkshire Grade I listed buildings in the East Riding of Yorkshire Gates in England Bridlington {{UK-museum-stub