The Form & Growth of the City

Writing in the mid 12th century, the author of The Deeds of Stephen described Exeter thus:

Exeter is a large town, with very ancient walls built by the Roman emperors, the fourth place, they say, in England, abundantly supplied with fish from the sea, and meat as well, and with a flourishing shipping trade. There is a castle in it raised on a very high mound surrounded by an impregnable wall and fortified with towers of hewn limestone constructed by the emperors.