[36] London received a charter from William at the instigation of the Norman Bishop of London; but it probably only confirmed the previous municipal constitution, since it says briefly, "I grant you all to be as law-worthy as ye were in the days of King Edward." The rapid increase, however, of the commercial prosperity and political importance of London after the Conquest, is attested in many chronicles, and becomes strikingly evident even on the surface of history.
[37] There seems good reason for believing that a keep did stand where the Tower stands, before the Conquest, and that William's edifice spared some of its remains. In the very interesting letter from John Bayford relating to the city of London (Lel. Collect. lviii.), the writer, a thorough master of his subject, states that "the Romans made a public military way, that of Watling Street, from the Tower to Ludgate, in a straight line, at the end of which they built stations or citadels, one of which was where the White Tower now stands." Bayford adds that "when the White Tower was fitted up for the reception of records, there remained many Saxon inscriptions."
[38] Rude-lane. Lad-lane.—BAYFORD.
[39] Fitzstephen.
[40] Camden.
[41] BAYFORD, Leland's Collectanea, p. lviii.
[42] Ludgate (Leod-gate).—VERSTEGAN.
[43] See Note (D), at the end of the volume.
[44] Massere, merchant, mercer.
[45] Fitzstephen.