Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/470

 aOS THE LIXES FOKMED EOUND OXFORD set up at the end of the logs next towards the college, for common passage of carts and horses to bring provisions to the city, which gate was commonly kept shut at nights and chained up. There were three or four cart loads of stones also carried up to Magdalen College tower, to fling down upon the enemy at their entrance. Two posts were set up at South-gate, for a chain to run through them to block up that way against horsemen ; and a crooked trench, in form of a bow, made across the highway at the end of St. John's College ^Valks, next the Xew Park, to hinder the entrance of any forces that should come that way ; at which place, as also at East Bridge, was a very strict centinell kept every night." Wood then goes on to describe the raising of bodies of troops, and their di'iUing within the University, and ends by saying, that, " Aug-ust 29th. the court of guard was kept, and the watch solemnly appointed and kept that night by the scholars and certain troopers." This is the first mention of the University, as connected with the actual defence of the place, and from tliis time for three or four years during the rebellion, they appear to have lost sight of their natural position as members of a scholastic community, and to have given themselves up to the defence of the place, and then- ingenuity seems to have been some- what primitive, since there is a notice that on " Sept. 2, barbed arrows were provided for one hundred scholars, to shoot a2:ainst such soldiers that should come as^ainst them." Xor was this the only instance in which archery, so long laid aside, was once more proposed to be introduced ; for a plan was devised of raising a regiment of bo^inen, as appears from the following letter to the University from King Charles the First : — " Charles R. " Trustie and wellbeloved, wee greet you well. Whereas John Knightly, Esq. and Colonell, hath undertaken a very commendable and acceptable service for us, namely the ravsino; of a Re2;iraent of twelve hundred Bowmen volun- teers to be levied and furnished with suitable armes, for the furthering wheareof hee hath besought us to recommend his said undertaking to you ; to the end that you may permit liim to raise the said Reoiment out of this our Universitie