The Thorn Gates.
Here are constant Watches set in convenient places in all parts of the country, and Thorn Gates: but in time of danger, besides the ordinary Watches in all towns, they are in all places and at every cross road, exceedingly thick: so that it is not possible for any to pass unobserved.
These Thorn Gates which I here mention, and have done before, are made of a sort of thorn bush or thorn tree; each stick or branch whereof thrusts out on all sides round about, sharp prickles like iron nails, of three or four inches long. One of these very thorns, I have lately seen in the Repository at Gresham College. These sticks or branches being as big as a good cane, are plaited one very close to another, and so being fastened or tied to three or four upright spars, are made in the fashion of a door.
This is hung upon a door case some ten or twelve feet high (so that they may, and do ride through upon elephants) made of three pieces of timber like a gallows, after this manner |¯|: the thorn door hanging upon the transverse piece like a shop window. So they lift it up or clap it down; as there is occasion: and tie it with rope to a cross bar.
But especially in all roads and passes from the city [Digligy] where the King now inhabits, are very strict Watches set: which will suffer none to pass, not having a passport; which is the print of a seal in clay.
It is given at the Court to them that have license to go through the Watches. The seals are different, according to the profession of the party. As to a soldier, the print of a man with a pike on his shoulder; or, to a labourer, of a man with two bags hanging at each end of a pole upon his shoulder; which is the manner they commonly carry their loads: and to a white man, the passport is the print of a man with a sword by his side and his hat on his head. And as many men as there are in the company; so many prints there must be in the clay.
There is not half the examination for those that come into the city, as for those that go out; whom they usually search to see what they carry with them.
