The street roughly follows the line of a Roman road from Eboracum to Derventio. Its starting point was the Porta Principalis Sinistra of the Roman walls, now Monk Bar on the current York city walls. The name "Monkgate" was first recorded in about 1075, named for monks attached to York Minster.[1][2] A Hospital of St Loy may have existed on the street, near Monk Bridge, but there was definitely a leper hospital there by 1380, and in 1396 a Maison Dieu was built, which survived until about 1610.[3]
In the 12th-century, St Maurice's Church was constructed on the street. The city's Jewish cemetery was also on the street. The area became built up, but was devastated by the Siege of York in 1644, and all the current buildings are from after this date.[1] The Thomas Agar Hospital almshouse, built in 1631, appears to have survived the siege, but was demolished in 1879.[3]
The York County Hospital was established on the street in 1740, and moved into a large building set back from the road in 1851. In 1754, the Grey Coat School for girls was built, while from 1803 until 1840, Manchester College was based on the street, its buildings then becoming St John's College.[3] In the 18th- and 19th-centuries, the street was a prosperous residential area, with most buildings on the street dating from these centuries. However, the area around it became increasingly industrial, and its prosperity declined. St Maurice's Church was demolished in 1878, and a replaced demolished in 1967, although its cemetery survives. The trees which once lined the street have largely been removed. Despite this, the City of York Council claims that Monkgate has "retained its charm" and is "not as congested or noisy as some other city approaches". Near Monk Bar, it has independent shops and other commercial uses, including a health centre and jobcentre, while it is more residential further out.[1][2]
