Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/339

 CAERNARVON CASTLE. 239 king's subjects. Such accounts were then returned to the EngHsh Exchequer, and writs issued to the Chamberlain, from time to time, as occasion arose, for the discharge of incidental or regular expenses. The earliest mention of this fimctionarj in connexion with the building of Caernarvon Castle occurs on the Great Roll of the Pipe in the 14th year of Edward I. (1285-1286), when we find Richard de Abyndon as Chamberlain, account- ing for the cost of works at Caernarvon, Conway, Criccaeth, and Hardelagh, from the Feast of St. Hillary, in the lltli (October 1, 1283) to March 25th, the 12th (1284) of Edward's reign, in which year the king appointed him to this important office; Richard de Pulesdon, wdio was afterwards hung in Madoc's insurrection, being sheriff of the county. It appears from the entry on the Pipe Roll of this 14th year, that, Thomas de Maydenhacche being Constable of the Castle and Mayor of Caernarvon, the works were carried on during the above interval at considerable cost, and their nature shows them to be preparatory to others of greater magnitude. The Liberate Roll also proves that some part of the building was covered in in the preceding year, the Constable of Bristol Castle being allowed the value of 18 carrates of lead, sent to Crukith, and 14 to Caernarvon, for their respective roofs.^ The entry upon the Sheriff's Roll of the English Exche- quer, or, as it is more commonly called, the Great Roll of the Pipe, will sufficiently explain itself, and convey at this incipient stage of the inquiry the mode in which, when they appear fully, these accounts are usually written. " In wages of one carpenter making wheelbarrows [liottos) for the carriers of earth, dug out of the Castle to the Quay, 18s. Q>d. ; each taking, per day, Zd. For one vintenar, or waller, for the same carriers, 2>d. ; and for the carriers, 2d. " In wages to divers men digging and wheeling [fossatorcs ct hoftarii) in the fosse round the Castle of Kaernarvan, together with vintcnars attendant upon the same, taking 3d., 2d., and lid. per dav ; expended on tlie Quay and Castle, 31 9Z. 13s. 3hd. " For plumbers' Avork, carpenters, charcoal burners, with payments for a clerk, and carrying charcoal from various places to the Castle, 261. 2s. Sd. " In payments to one door-keeper and two watchmen in the Castle, each taking, per day, od., 13s. 9c?. " In iron and steel, charcoal, cord, bellows, wheelbarrows, cart-horses, and tools [falconibus), bought for the mortar in making the walls about the 5 Lihpvato Rnll, 14 K,hv. I.