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THE WALL
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END OF THE XIIIth C – THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WALL The construction of the surrounding walls, envisaged since 1266, was not undertaken until 1272 and by 1285 remained only half built. Following a command order from the king to the Marshall of Beaucaire 1289 it is known that the works were continuing slowly, probably due to financial constraints. All these constructions had proved costly to the Royal Treasury. The magnificence of the Aigues-Mortes’ port, making a major centre of exportation for dyed cloth, and receiving spices, silks and luxury products from the Orient. As one of the principal trade routes from the Republic of Genoa, it’s wealth was called upon to help build up the necessary resources to complete the works. This financial contribution consisted of a tax, (one dernier in each pound of the total value of merchandise passing through the port of Aigues-Mortes.) The completion of the construction of the surrounding wall took place sometime during the last twenty years of the XIIe or beginning of the XIVth Centuries. A major player in the daily defence of the kingdom, the area was consistently maintained. The town built up between 1246 and 1272, 26years before the completion of the surrounding wall, and therefore there is a pre-existing link between the town and the construction design of the wall itself. The positioning of the gates was determined by the existing road layout, and it is for this reason that the gates are irregularly spaced. The network of roads therefore gave the town a clear urbain development which constrained the royal engineers and builders to the irregularity of fate.
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