66 



Bath for four days, the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th January, and then went 

 onto Marlborough.* There seem to be no accounts existing relating 

 to these visits. 



Passing on to another reign, in 1369, 43 Edward III., there 

 was a prospect of a war with France, and the king was asked to 

 Bet his house in order. A petition presented to Parliament, 

 prayed that all fortresses, cities and towns should be hastily 

 surveyed and put in " sauve garde ; " and that a command should 

 be given to all Mayors and Bailiffs to have their walls, ditches 

 and gates duly furnished.t This was done accordingly, and a 

 letter was ordered, 4th June, to be sent to the Mayor of Bath 

 concerning enclosing the city. J Then came the letter or patent 

 on 8th July, directed to Nicholas de Berkeleye, chiv., and the 

 Mayor and Bailiff of Bath, and Henry de Forde. That whereas 

 the walls and towers of the city are in divers places destroyed 

 and broken, the walls being threatened with imminent ruin ; and 

 whereas the ditches around the walls are obstructed by trees and 

 herbs growing in them, and are used for dungheaps and ordure 

 (fimos et fanare), and other sordid filthy things thrown therein ; 

 unless a quick remedy be applied, as well by us as by the said city 

 and parts adjacent, heavy dangers and damages are likely to 

 happen immediately or at any moment. Being willing to remove 

 these damages and dangers, as has been requested, We assign you 

 to survey the walls and towers and ditches aforesaid, and to 

 repair and mend the defects existing in the same ; and to clear 

 the said ditches from the trees and herbs growing in the same ; 

 and to cut and clear out all sordid matter and filth. And, with 

 power to compel and distrain ; to cause all those who have land, 

 tenements and rents in the city or suburbs, or those who are resi- 

 dent, or carry on business therein and gain by reason of their stay, 

 to contribute to the said reparation and clearing, — viz., each one 



* Itinerary. t Rolls of Parliament, vol. ii., p. 300. 

 % Pat. 43 Ed. III., pt. 1, m. 23. 



