Was not this strange that a foole of thirty yeeres was borne of that ise which would not endure the fall of a brick-bat ?"! The fact that Robert Armin and William Shakespeare were fellow-actors at the Globe Theatre lends probability to Mr.Halliwell-Phillipps' elucidation.
Continuing our way beyond the Crown Hotel we see on our right, below the level of the street, a quaint row of gables with little shops below quite unchanged by the present conditions of trade.

Passing onward towards the bridge we shall see to the best advantage the full effect of this most picturesque of streets.
Alas! that modern enterprise and modern requirements should have demanded the removal of such a bridge as fifty years ago spanned the stream in eight irregular arches.

Here we have convenience, but will this condone for the charm of picturesqueness and long association?
We cannot but mourn over the loss.

From the bridge we look up the river to the weir, mill and water-meadows.

On the right, by the yard not far up the stream, stood, in the troublous reign of King Stephen a castle; and from this fortress William de Beauchamp sallied forth, forcibly entered the Abbey, and carried away the goods of the Church.