[43] Matthew Paris. [44] Radul. Coggeshall. [45] W. Donthorn. [46] “Now called Bednal Green.”--_1st edition_, p. 26. [47] Liber Trinitat. [48] Liber Custom. London. [49] Abbo Floriacens, Burchardus. [50] Liber S. Bartilmew. [51] In a book, called _Beware of the Cat_.--_Stow._ [52] “About the raigne of Henry II. or Richard I.”--_1st edition_, p. 30. [53] Close roll. [54] Roger Wendover, Matthew Paris. [55] “By unadvised folkes”--_1st edition._ [56] Record, Guildhall. [57] Liber Horne. Liber S. Alban. [58] Liber Trinitat. Liber S. Alban. Record, E. 3. [59] “Weakly made.”--_1st edition_, p. 36. [60] W. Duntherne. [61] “The largest water-gate on the river of Thames, and therefore most frequented.”--_1st edition_, p. 36. [62] “Which is now of late most beautifully enlarged and built.”--_1st edition_, p. 37. [63] Matthew Paris. OF TOWERS AND CASTLES “The city of London (saith Fitzstephen) hath in the east a very great and a most strong palatine Tower, whose turrets and walls do rise from a deep foundation, the mortar thereof being tempered with the blood of beasts. In the west part are two most strong castles, etc.” To begin therefore with the most famous Tower of London, situate in the east, near unto the river of Thames: it hath been the common opinion, and some have written (but of none assured ground), that Julius Cæsar, the first conqueror of the Britons, was the original author and founder, as well thereof as also of many other towers, castles, and great buildings within this realm; but (as I have already before noted) Cæsar remained not here so long, nor had he in his head any such matter, but only to dispatch a conquest of this barbarous country, and to proceed to greater matters. Neither do the Roman writers make mention of any such buildings created by him here; and therefore leaving this, and proceeding to more grounded authority, I find in a fair register-book, containing the acts of the Bishops of Rochester, set down by Edmond de Hadenham, that William I., surnamed Conqueror, built the Tower of London; to wit, the great white and square tower there, about the year of Christ 1078, appointing Gundulph, then Bishop of Rochester, to be principal surveyor and overseer of that work, who was for that time lodged in the house of Edmere, a burgess of London; the very words of which mine author are these: “_Gundulphus Episcopus mandato Willielmi Regis magni præfuit operi magnæ Turris London. quo tempore hospitatus est apud quendam Edmerum Burgensem London. qui dedit unum_ were _Ecclesiæ Rofen._”