67 



according to his status or abUity as reasonably as may be, so that 

 none have consideration. And to you and each of you we command 

 that you set about the work with all dUigence. We give orders 

 also to all and singular the men of the city, by tenor of these 

 presents, that they appear and attend to assist us or our deputy 

 in making and executing the said work, as by you or others for 

 us on our part shall be required.* 



The way in which cities were taxed in early times is of interest; 

 but unfortunately no special plan was ordered or granted by tliis 

 patent, and the plan adopted is therefore unknown. Patents for 

 murage, pavage and pontage are found for several other cities, 

 but not one for Bath. Sometimes such aid was got by taxing aU 

 articles brought tlirough the gates ; thus a cart paid sixpence ; 

 skins, Id. ; skins of lamb, hare, &c., ^d. ; salmon, congers and 

 eels, id. One city, 6 Eichard II., was granted the privilege of 

 not 'sending a burgess to Parliament for five years, the cost saved 

 to go towards building the walls.t The payment to a burgess 

 ranged apparently from two shillings to four shUlings per day; 

 the sheriffs getting eight shillings.+ 



In 1377, 1 Richard 11., the Commons again prayed, as a 

 necessary preparation for war, that cities having walls should 

 repair and make them defensible; all who had property in them, 

 Religious houses as well as others, and merchants for their 

 merchandize, to be reasonably taxed, following the usual custom, 

 " come y ad estee usee devant cest heure." This was ordered 

 accordingly, and a writ issued to the Mayor and Bailiff of Bath 

 to survey and repair; but coming so soon after the more 

 imperatiAe order of 1369, it must have been unnecessary, except 

 perhaps as reviving dormant energy. 



A patent issued in 1417 raised hopes that some good account 

 of the city would be found. It was for repairs of walls, ditches, 



• Pat. 43 Ed. III., Pt. ii., m. 39. t Colchester, Pat. Pt. ii., m. 26. 

 X Rolls of Parliament. 



