NOTES ON A BOOK CALLED DOMESDAY. 45 



still more. Nay, near the foot of High East Street there was a 

 " toft " called Rakehay. But, as I said, while Domesday was being 

 filled with its chartse and testamenta, the burgesses bought and sold 

 to some purpose. Money was passing about in Dorchester not 

 much in quantity, but a shilling to the fabric of Salisbury 

 Cathedral was not bad value in those days. Two proofs of what I 

 say catch the eye on all sides as you near the old borough. That 

 little borough must have had well-to-do burgesses to rear the 

 graceful St. Peter's Tower and Church, begun when the Town 

 Clerk had got f. 1. of Domesday. There must have been wealth 

 here to build the noble Tower and glorious, but now perished, 

 chancel of Fordington St. George. Many a comely house, with 

 cuspy lighted oriel and vaned dormer, must have beautified the 

 altum vicum, the vicum australem, and harmonised with the 

 Churches, with the Chapel of St. Rowald, with the Franciscan 

 Friary. It is all gone, save St. Peter's Church and St. George's 

 Tower ; but it seems for a moment to come into sight as you read 

 of the burgages recorded between the heavy oak boards of 

 Domesday. 



