In 1163 the famous Thomas Becket, then Chancellor of England, "repaired the palace with exceeding great celerity and speed, for it was ready to have fallen down".
The monk Fitzstephen describes the palace in these words, "On the west side also, higher up on the bank of the river, the royal palace rears its head, an incomparable structure furnished with a breastwork and bastions, situated in a populous suburb, at a distance of two miles from the city."
He also gives a quaint description of the banks of the river as it passes within the confines of the city. First speaking of the manner in which various trades were wont to select particular localities, so that all of one trade should be together, he continues:
"There is also in London, on the bank of the river, amongst the wine shops which are kept in ships and cellars, a public eating house; there every day, according to the season, may be found viands of all kinds, roast, fried and boiled, fish large and small (among which Thames salmon doubtless preponderated), coarser meat for the poor and more delicate for the rich, such as venison, fowls and small birds.
If friends wearied with their journey, should unexpectedly come to a citizen's house, and being hungry, should not like to wait till fresh meat be bought and cooked - Darn' famuli manibus lympizas, &c.-they run to the riverside, and there everything that they could wish for is instantly procured.
However great the numbers of soldiers or strangers that enter or leave the city at any hour of the day or night (evidently there were no licensing laws), they may turn in there if they please and refresh themselves according to their inclination, so that the former have no occasion to fast too long, or the latter to leave the city without dining."
Next page: Fitzstephen's account of the river