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By T. H. Baker. 231 
in’ carrying great stones for the engines into the castle this year in autumn 68. 
In mending the roof of the hall with 12 coping or ridge stones bought for the 
same 21d. In mending the water bucket this year with seeking the same twice 
in the well 17d. In 1 new iron chain with iron bought for the same to lengthen 
the cord of the said well 2s. In 3llbs of wax bought for the chapel 14d. In 
livery to 1 constable by the year 60s. 8d. In the salary of the same by the 
year 13s. 4d. In livery to 1 warder and 1 watchman by the year £4 lls. In 
salary to the same by the year 13s. 4d. In livery tol chaplain celebrating mass 
for the soul of Queen Schenchie by the year 50s. Sum £19:9: O4, and the 
total of all expenses £68 9s. 03d.” 
In the year in which this account was taken some trouble was 
expected, the barons, headed by Bohun and Bigod, having refused 
to serve the King in any war beyond sea unless under the command 
of the King in person; consequently the arms and engines for 
casting missiles were put in repair. There is no record in existence 
stating how the castle was destroyed, probably it gradually fell to 
decay. Aubrey writes that “Mr. Francis Potter, Rector, sayes 
here was anciently a castle.” Aubrey wrote in 1660, so that it 
must have disappeared long before that time. 
Mere seems to have increased in importance about this time, for 
we find that in 1304-5 Johannes Tony and Henricus de Horsington 
were returned as Members of Parliament for Mere, but to the writ 
issued in 1307 no return was made. Whether any writs were 
subsequently issued is not recorded ; it is stated, however, that the 
town was eventually excused from sending Members to Parliament 
on the plea of poverty. 
Woodlands House and Zeals House have traces of fourteenth 
century work, and probably the manorial residences (demolished 
within the memory of the present generation, and of which no 
drawings or records exist by which to identify their age,) of Mere 
Park, Chadenwyche, and Burton were of about the same period. 
Mere was at this time a great staple for wool. 
The manor of Mere at the time we are treating of (the beginning 
of the fourteenth century and the latter part of the thirteenth) was 
kept in demesne by the Harl himself, who resided at Berkhampsted, 
in Herts, to which place a man and horse were sent with a buck 
- from Mere Park. It was obliged to be salted to prevent putrescence 
_ during the journey. 
