Notwithstanding the necessity of the act, the fortifications were not at this period begun, probably from the great expence that would be incurred in the execution of the plan, as well as a determined opposition offered to it by the party animosities and private feuds of the inhabitants, which, unhap pily, for a time, formed a sufficient check to the operation of the charter. It was not until the 13th of Edward I. that the walls were commenced. They began with the north-east tower, afterwards called King Henry's tower, at the corner of St. Nicholas's church yard, which they barely enclosed; the work was pursued with alacrity, which, however, did not long continue, probably through the great pressure of the times, and other causes not at this remote period to be accounted for, although the inhabitants were empowered, for support of the work, to collect within their jurisdiction, a certain tax or murage, assessed upon the inhabitants, in lieu of the personal service anciently performed by the common people in repairing works of the like nature, termed, in old deeds, murorum operatio. Many private collections were made, and much assistance given, by the neighbouring people, who took considerable interest in its execution. An effectual interruption was given to their proceedings by the dreadful plague of 1349, which raging with the utmost violence within the walls, carried off upwards of seven thousand persons, and almost depopulated the town; their commerce was, consequently, much retarded, and their murage brought very low. The dreadful effects of this visitation were felt very long after

wards, and reduced them to the necessity of abandoning, for a time, the fortifications. Their labours were at length resumed, for in the 11th year of Edward III., they had extended the walls to the Black Friars, in the south end, and afterwards to the north-west tower, where they finished the building. A moat was then thrown out, encompassing the whole, which they were extremely careful to preserve and deepen, as we observe from the many fines upon record levied upon sundry persons for throwing in stones and rubbish, tending to choak up the ditch. So deep was this moat, that boats could pass to any part of the walls with their lading, and bridges were erected over it at each of the gates.

A castle was also built, but at what time does not exactly appear, most likely about 1330. Its site was near St. George's Chapel. In 1563, it underwent some repairs, but the whole was destroyed within sixty years afterwards.

The compass of the town wall measured 2238 yards, having ten gates and sixteen towers; of the former, the north and south were the most remarkable. The north gate was flanked on either side by square towers, of curious workmanship, and tradition says, was erected at the expence of persons employed in the revolting though necessary office of interring the dead during the plague, by which they amassed considerable sums of money. This gate was taken down in 1807, to improve the entrance into the town, before which it was narrow, and, perhaps, a little inconvenient. Its venerable ap

pearance was rather imposing than otherwise; and, it is, perhaps, to be regretted, that this interesting vestige of military architecture was removed, after standing, unimpaired by time, during the lapse of so many ages. The south gate, differing in architecture, presented two round towers, of great substance, embattled, and slightly ornamented, flanking a square curtain, beneath which was the arch. This gate followed the fate of the former, for similar reasons, in 1812. The most perfect tower now standing is the south-east, which like that at the north-west corner, is semicircular, having its diameter next the wall, and projecting outwards beyond the rampart. It was used probably for an exploratory tower, and is quite entire, chequered with black and grey flints alternately: the ground floor has been rendered habitable, and the apartments above are used as a warehouse.

V

Yarmouth continued thus fortified for a series of years, until the introduction of cannon made it necessary to improve the works, which was particularly called for in the 36th year of Henry VIII., when war was declared against France and Scotland, and an invasion hourly apprehended. A special commission was accordingly directed to the Duke of Norfolk, to examine the fortifications, and report the state of the same, The Duke came to Yarmouth, and personally inspected the defences. Deeming them insecure, he ordered the gardens outside to be laid open, and the walls rampired with earth, which he accomplished in a few weeks, and pronounced the town sufficiently secure against

D

descent or bombardment by the enemy. "Additional works were added by the townsmen, in the reign of Queen Mary; who, dividing themselves into parties, laboured three days in every week, until their completion, which took place only a short time previous to the intended Spanish invasion, in 1588.

In this threatened year, to prevent the enemy's vessels from sailing up the Yare, a moveable barSup rier was constructed across the stream, opposite the south end of the town, and strictly commanded to be shut as the tides fell, and entirely, closed during the night; thus. forming an effectual impediment to the entrance of ships and boats into the upper haven, without the knowledge of the townsmen: the whole cost of this apparatus, was £107. 15s. mio F A walk was made upon the ramparts, and a mount afterwards thrown u above the wall, on the west side of the south gate, and several pieces of cannon placed thereon, to scour the roads, and repel any attack by sea. Another mount was subsequently raised, and called the new mount, near St. George's chapel, both of which are at present Femaining, but the former has been considerably levelled the expense of these works was very considerable! And, in order to assist the burgesses, the Court at Greenwich, sent a charge, 9th June 1588, directed to the Deputy Lieutenants of Norfolk and Suffolk, empowering them to levy a subsidy within their counties and the city of Norwich, and to apply the money raised thereby in defraying the expenses of the fortifications at Yarmouth; but recommending the deputies to collect the same,

rather by way of contribution, than the forcible, imposition of a direct tax. These instructions were complied with, the subsidy was levied, and produ ced upwards of £1300, which proved a very sea-, sonable relief. Finally, every precaution was taken to secure the town, and neither pains nor expense. spared by the burgesses, who, as well as the common people, were particularly active at this momentous period.

ཝོ

kubla oleh ai In addition to the fortifications on land, a warlike ship was fitted out, solely at, their own expense, to annoy the enemy at sea, and the command of her given to an experienced captain. The vessel was named the "Grace of God"; and an agreement was entered into with her commander, that all prizes taken by him should be divided into three equal parts, one to be given to the town, and another to the ship, and the third to the crew: it does not however appear that any prizes, worth mentioning, were ever taken by her.

Yarmouth, upon all occasions, assisted the government with ships and men, from the earliest periods, and ever appeared foremost, in cases of emergency, to second the views of the monarch, and particularly to defend his coasts from any attack by sea. This extraordinary loyalty seems at first a little surprizing, but is easily to be accounted for. King John, having incorporated and granted it several valuable privileges, became extremely popular, not only with the burgh, bút with the maritime towns similarly situated throughout England; and they, in conséquence, attached