Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/350

 350 CAERNARVON CASTLE. quote rather freely from the earhest record of this description, because it is not only a valuable statistical memorial of the period, but gives a very clear insight into the method of erecting these great military strongholds. In the 10th year of Edward II. (1316 — 1317) there is an Account Roll of payments, made for works at the Castle of Caernarvon, from Sunday the 10th day of October, 1316, to the 1st of May, 13177 It is written very fairly on thirty rotulets, each rotulet comprising the outlay of a week, and the various entries usually taking the same respective places on the document. From this it appears, that in the month of October, and, in fact, during the whole of these thirty weeks, there were about 1 masons kept at work ; Master Henry de Elreton standing at the head of the list, and being dignified with the title of " Magister," or master of the com- pany. He took for his week's labour a larger sum than the others, receiving 13s., whilst theirs varied from 2 If/, to 27d. for the same time. William de Shaldeford, as clerk, took 2^. 7^d. for his services. Eleven bricklayers had their wages varying from 14f/. to 2^. 4g?. each. Three smiths, a carpenter, at 1*. 6d. One vintenar, 10 carters (bayardi), 24 excavators (hottarii), and 13 quarrymen, being altogether 74 individuals. Seldom less, and as often more, were emplo^^ed weekly, at a cost during the first week of 51. 13s. 9^d., and during the whole period of 266/. 14.9. l^d.^ In this manner the Castle kept increasing in size and magnificence, and as we come to analyse the Roll of expen- diture, we shall glean fresh facts regarding its condition during this particular period. They will tend to dispel 7 This Record is preserved at the fid. ; for six locks, 3,9. 1 d. ; also repairinp; Chapter House. the furnace in the kitchen, and the wall 8 In the 9th & lOtli years, 35^. 16,s. 2ld. near the gate of the Jlall ; four courbts was expended in removing a //all, called for the furnace, 7d.; carriage, 4d.; a ear- Lewelin's Hall, in Conway, and carrying penter for three days taking, per day, 4rf. ; the same to Kariiarvan and re-erecting it two masons assisting the said work, three there. 1 1 was the work of Henry de Oxford, days, 2.s-. ; two serving men assisting the see p. 240. — Liberat. (> Edwai'd II. carpenter and masons for the same time, There are receipts for mason's work 14(/." at Harlech in several small sums, in the Amongst a bundle of receipts, 8th 1st of Edward II. ; and sevei'al accounts Edward III., there are those of — relating to Crukith (Criccaeth) in 7th " Tiic Forester of Snawdon, at Id. Edward II., 1313; amongst them the a-day ; Richard de Coghall, garritor of following : — Caernarvon Castle, 2d. a-day ; William, " Paid for making a well in the kitchen, Attiliator, at 3r/. a-day; John, Ingeniator, 7s. 9d. ; carpenters work for it, 4.s'. 9d. ; at Gil. a-day." nails, 2if. ; mending the door of the Hall The same officers also occur at Harlech, and kitchen, 1 7d. ; mending the furnace, Crukith, Beaumaris, and Conway.