ENGLISH FREE TOWNS.
A great many of your readers are doubtless aware that there are in France a number of towns commonly known by the name of Villes Anglaises, or the English towns, and also called Bastides. Many of these were certainly founded by Edward I., and important privileges were granted to these Free Towns from motives of sound policy. These towns are all built on a regular plan, the principal streets wide, open, and straight, and crossing each other at right angles, with a large market-place, usually in the centre of the town. I have seen several of these towns, which preserve their original ground plan to the present time. I could mention other peculiarities about them; but it is not necessary for my purpose, which is to inquire whether we have any towns in England corresponding with them, of the same regular plan and arrangement. The only one I have been able to hear of is the ruined town of Winchelsea, which corresponds closely with them, and was also founded by Edward I. If any of your readers can inform me of any other town in England of the same plan, I shall be greatly obligated to them.
J. H. PARKER.
Oxford.