fit/ T. H. Baker. 



231 



in carrying great stones for the engines into the castle this year in autumn 6*. 

 In mending the roof of the hall with 12 coping or ridge stones bought for the 

 same 21c?. In mending the water bucket this year with seeking the same twice 

 in the well 17c?. In 1 new iron chain with iron bought for the same to lengthen 

 the cord of the said well 2s. In 311bs of wax bought for the chapel 14c?. In 

 livery to 1 constable by the year 60s. 8d. In the salary of the same by the 

 year 13s. 4c?. In livery to 1 warder and 1 watchman by the year £4 lis. In 

 salary to the same by the year 13s. 4c?. In livery to 1 chaplain celebrating mass 

 for the soul of Queen Schenchie by the year 50s. Sum £19 : 9 : 0£, and the 

 total of all expenses £68 9s. 0±d." 



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, Eector, 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 Earl 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. 



