WITH reference to The Press item Walmgate Bar repairs (The Press, November 3), retaining our historical heritage while many towns and cities have lost theirs forever is a lifeline to our economy and of educational value, too.
The importance of keeping the peace and preventing felons and/or strangers entering the inner sanctum of the city was instigated in the time of King Edward I and in 1285 the statute of Westminster laid down rules that every walled city or town had to be patrolled by citizens appointed by the constable.
To keep watch from sun setting to sun rise while the gates were shut, courtesy of Richard III.
Those who were deemed a threat were arrested on suspicion of the crime Burch-Breche, changed to Burgaria, hence the offence of burglary in this day and age was born.
Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.
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