According to legend, recorded by the Norman-Welsh cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth, Ludgate was named after the ancient British king Lud.

[3][4][5][7] Ludgate is believed to have been one of four original gates in the Roman London Wall, work on which started in 190 AD.

[8] Anti-royalist forces rebuilt the gate during the First Barons' War (1215–17) using materials recovered from the destroyed houses of Jews.

Her gift was commemorated by a brass wall plaque,[10] which read: Devout souls that pass this way, For Stephen Foster, late mayor, heartily pray; And Dame Agnes, his spouse, to God consecrate, That of pity this house made, for Londoners in Ludgate; So that for lodging and water prisoners here nought pay, As their keepers shall answer at dreadful doomsday!

The gate was defended by Lord William Howard with the local militia, who refused entry to the rebels, causing them to retreat and later surrender.