Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

108 ANCIENT AND
said city ; taking with you such of our faithful servants as
will be chosen for that purpose ; and to take such order
for its defence, that no danger can happen to the city by
neglect of such safeguards.
"And we, by these presents, give you full power and
authority to distrain and compel all and singular owners of
houses or rents in the said city, or merchants, or strangers,
inhabiting the same, by seizure of their bodies or goods,
to be aiding towards the security of the walls, bulwarks
or towers, as you in your own descretion shall think fit to
ordain for the making other useful and necessary works
about it ; punishing all those that are found to contradict
or rebel against this order, by imprisonment, or what
other methods you think fit.
"Study therefore to use such deligence in the execution
of the premises, that we may find it in the effect of your
works ; and that we may have no occasion from your negli
gence, should danger happen, to take severe notice of you.
Dated at Durham, July 15. a.d. 1327.
" BY THE KING."
Leland, who wrote A. D. 1520, gives the following
description of the walls of York in the reign of Henry
Vin. :—" The city of York is divided by the river Ouse ;
but that part which is on the east side, is thrice as large
as that on the west. The great tower at Lendal had a
chain of iron to cast over the river, then another tower,
and so to Bootham Bar ; from thence to Monk Bar ten
towers, and to Layerthorpe Postern four towers ; for some
distance the deep waters of the Foss defended this part of
the city without the walls ; and from thence to Walmgate
Bar three towers ; then Fishergate Bar, walled up in the
time of Henry VII., and the three towers, the last a
postern ; from which, by a bridge over the Foss, to the
castle, and the ruins of five towers, were all that remained
of it. On the west side of the river, was first a tower from
which the wall passed over the dungeon to the castle, or