the gaole* be referred to the Headburrows to be let as they shall think meete."

On the 29th of November, 19th James (1621)— "Mr. Martin had a new grant of the wall and ditche on the back side of his house in St. Margarett's parish."

On the same date it was ordered-"That the wall ditche shall be repaired by the treasurer according to the Headburrows direction."

On the 23rd November, 18th Charles I, (1642) it was ordered that-" Mr. Joh. Blomfield and Mr. Sam. Dunkin shall ride to Colchester and procure an ingeneere to comme over to advise about the fortifying of the towne."

This had reference to the walls, and those defences appear to have been repaired. On the 24th July, 19th Charles, it was agreed at the assembly that"Breastworks and fortifficacions shall be made about the towne, suche as shall be advised by Mr. Bayliffs, and the deputy lieutenants, and suche as they shall call to their assistance; and the treasurer shall prowid immediately 50 or 60 broadbarrowes, or handbarrowes and baskets."

On the 9th of October, 19th Charles, the assembly issued orders - "For closing up the passages over the town walls; and for watche, that the petty constables shall watche by night and the headburrowes shall watche by day."

A large number of entries of the same character are found in the great court books. By these the walls and ditch appear well kept until a comparatively

*The ancient West Gate, which stood across St. Matthew's street, was made a gaol in the time of Henry VI. This gate was standing in 1769. Grose gives a view from a drawing made in that

year. See Old Localities.

L

late period, when the town books become silent upon the subject. Daily obliterated by constant grants to the inhabitants of common soil for the erection of houses, the very traces of the ancient circumvallations have now become nearly extinct. The etching annexed, marks as far as can be followed, with strong proprobability of accuracy, the line taken by the old ditches and wall. Had not however these ancient defences of the town existed distinctly at the north side down to a modern period, the course taken by them would be much more conjectural than at present it is found to be.