_Ancient Fortifications: Hertstone, Pale, Brecost._--In the Clause Rolls,
16 John, M. 6. (_Public Records_, vol. i. p. 192.) is a warrant of King
John's, addressed to the bailiffs of Peter de Maulay of Doncaster, as
follows:
"Mandam' vob' q[=d] villa de Danecast[=r] claudi faciatis heritone et
palo sc[=d]m q[=d] fossatu f[=cm] exigit, et una leve bretasca fi
faciatis su[p=] ponte ad villa defendenda."
Which, in Miller's History of that town (p. 40.), is thus translated:
"We command ye, cause the town of Doncaster to be inclosed with
_hertstone_ and _pale_, according as the ditch that is made doth
require; and that ye make a light _brecost_ or barbican upon the
bridge, to defend the town."
I shall be obliged by being informed if _hertstone_ is the correct
translation of the word "heritone," and, if so, what species of
fortification it was. _Pale_ is probably a defence composed of high wooden
stakes. _Brecost_ is questionable, I imagine, and should most likely be
spelt _bretesk_ or _bretex_. I shall be glad, however, of explanations of
the words.