Beggars Gate

Posted by RRC on August 24, 2009 at 21:32

In Reply to: Beggars Gate posted by ESC on August 24, 2009 at 16:57:

: : I have heard the words 'Beggars Gate' mentioned in the past but can't think where I heard about it. I would be very interested to know how those words could be interpreted/what meanings they could have. Can you offer any help please?

: A search leads me to believe it is a Biblical phrase. Luke 16:20 (King James Version)-- And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

"his" in that verse refers to "a certain rich man" of verse 19, i.e. it's the rich man's gate.
I think back when castles and cities were surrounded by walls with several openings that there was sometimes a "gate" designated for the use of the underclasses and sometimes for the poor to gather at certain times to receive alms. I believe churches sometimes have them as well.