The old town of Dover was at one time defended by a wall, but historians and authorities differ as to exactly when this was built. In about the year 700 it is said that Widred King of Kent caused " a wall to be erected on the side towards the sea," so that the people (according to the historian Darell) " might live in greater security, and be able to defend themselves against their enemies."This wall, erected along the shore, as it then existed, but is was not until the fourteenth century that the walls proper were first built, and there is no authority for the statement that they were erected by the Romans. Possibly this arose from the fact that two of the gates Severus and Adrian had Roman names but in earlier records they were called Boldware Gate and Upwell Gate.

Butchery Gate

This gate which was also called Standfast Tower, stood in Townwall Street, the river passing under it to the sea. The gate was taken down in 1819, the tower having been used as a night prison until that time.

Severus Gate

This was at New Bridge being demolished in 1762, and official termed the Customer of the Port used to receive the King's dues in apartments over the gate and here too was a place of exchange where the merchants met at 11 o'clock in the morning to transact business. When the Customer of the Port moved, his rooms were converted into a prison, after the gate had been taken down the site was converted into a battery.

Old Snar Gate

This consisted of a tower in Wellington Passage, and was superseded in 1370.

Snar Gate (Snargate)

Snargate Street, probably takes its name from a sort of grating-a snare-gate-across the Dour to catch the rubbish brought down by the stream. Later a gate in the wall near the same spot was called the Snargate as is was commemorated by a tablet next door to a printing office on the northern side, the gate was taken down in 1683.

Adrian Gate

This was situated just above Snar Gate and led to the common or heights by way of Upwell thence the wall continued to

Cow Gate

This gate stood at the upper end of Queen Street and was removed in 1776

St. Martin's or Monk's Gate

Said to have been built for the private use of the monks it was situated on the western side of St. Martin-le-Grand.

Biggin Gate

The site of this was at the lower end of Biggin Street at the north-western corner of St. Mary's Churchyard. It was taken down in 1752. It is recorded that at one time a watch-man was stationed in rooms at the gate, his duty being to sound the alarm or give signals in time of danger.

Dolphin Lane Gate

The foundations of the gate were found about a century a,go. Dolphin Lane was at one time a thoroughfare of importance, the gate forming an entrance to the town.

Fisher's Gate

This was situated in Townwall Street and its foundations were found under two of the houses there proceeding to Woolcomber Street.

St. Helen's Gate

Also known as the Cross Gate and led to the sea, not far from old St. James's Church was East Brook Gate this was the chief approach to the old harbour.