[293] Associated Archæological Societies, VI., ix.
[294] Report by Mr D. H. Montgomerie.
[295] Ipse Willielmus tenet Wasingetune. Guerd Comes tenuit T. R. E. Tunc se defendebat pro 59 hidis. Modo non dat geldum. In una ex his hidis sedet castellum Brembre. D. B., i., 28a, 1.
[296] We often find that the architecture of the nearest church throws light on the date of the castle. A Norman seldom built or restored his castle without doing something for the church at the same time.
[297] See Ordericus, ii., 178.
[298] The Chronica de Fundatoribus of Tewkesbury Abbey seems to be the origin of the tradition that Earl Robert was the builder of Bristol Castle. There can be no doubt that his work was in stone, as the same authority states that he gave every tenth stone to the Chapel of Our Lady in St James’ Priory. M. A., ii., 120. According to Leland, the keep was built of Caen stone. Itin., vii., 90. Robert of Gloucester calls it the flower of all the towers in England.
[299] We have no historical account of the Norman conquest of Bristol, and the city is only mentioned in the most cursory manner in D. B.
[300] Seyer (Memoirs of Bristol, i.) was convinced that the plan published by Barrett, and attributed to the monk Rowlie, was a forgery; his own plan, as he candidly admits, was largely drawn from imagination.
[301] Castellum plurimo aggere exaltatum. Gesta Stephani, 37.
[302] Seyer, i., 391, and ii., 82.