In the early 1360s, during the Hundred Years War, there was an increased level of concern about potential French raids or invasion along the south of England.
Canterbury was particularly important for the defence of the south-east, as it formed a potential barrier to any invaders marching on London.
An enquiry was carried out in 1363 into the state of Canterbury's defences, which concluded that the city was in a parlous position, as "the walls of Canterbury are for the most part fallen because of age, and the stones thereof carried away, and the ditches under the walls are obstructed".

Canterbury's bailiffs were ordered to repair the walls, with similar instructions being issued to the authorities in vulnerable cities such as Colchester, Bath and Rochester.
The result was what historian Hilary Turner has described as a "well-planned operation", designed to build the walls rapidly, but which still took around 30 years to complete.
The city and the cathedral authorities worked closely together on the project, an unusual situation, given the local political tensions that existed between them.

Money was needed to pay for this work.
During the previous century, a method of taxation had been introduced to support the creation or maintenance of city walls, called murage, which was authorised by the king and applied to trade entering a city.
In total, Canterbury was assigned 31 years of murage grants for its walls, starting in 1378, when five years of murage was granted by Richard II, along with a writ allowing them to use stonemasons from across the county.
In 1379, a new 10-year murage grant was issued.
In 1385, £100 from the issues of Kent was given to Canterbury, and the murage tax extended for a further five years.
In the financial year of 1385–86, approximately £619 was spent on the walls.
Despite the walls, during the Peasants Revolt of 1381, Wat Tyler and his army were able to enter Canterbury unopposed.
1399 saw another five years of murage granted, followed in 1402 by a final grant of three years.

Despite this, progress was not fast enough to suit the royal authorities.
Richard II ordered the city to force workmen to repair the defences, and intervened in Canterbury's local elections in 1387 to ensure that two trusted bailiffs – Henry Lincoln and John Proude – were returned to office, in order for the King to have confidence in the walls being maintained.
In 1403, Henry IV sent messages to the city complaining that the defences were not being adequately maintained, and that the city was still insecure.
In the early 1360s, during the Hundred Years War, there was an increased level of concern about potential French raids or invasion along the south of England. Canterbury was particularly important for the defence of the south-east, as it formed a potential barrier to any invaders marching on London. An enquiry was carried out in 1363 into the state of Canterbury's defences, which concluded that the city was in a parlous position, as "the walls of Canterbury are for the most part fallen because of age, and the stones thereof carried away, and the ditches under the walls are obstructed".
Canterbury's bailiffs were ordered to repair the walls, with similar instructions being issued to the authorities in vulnerable cities such as Colchester, Bath and Rochester. The result was what historian Hilary Turner has described as a "well-planned operation", designed to build the walls rapidly, but which still took around 30 years to complete. The city and the cathedral authorities worked closely together on the project, an unusual situation, given the local political tensions that existed between them.
Money was needed to pay for this work. During the previous century, a method of taxation had been introduced to support the creation or maintenance of city walls, called murage, which was authorised by the king and applied to trade entering a city. In total, Canterbury was assigned 31 years of murage grants for its walls, starting in 1378, when five years of murage was granted by Richard II, along with a writ allowing them to use stonemasons from across the county. In 1379, a new 10-year murage grant was issued. In 1385, £100 from the issues of Kent was given to Canterbury, and the murage tax extended for a further five years. In the financial year of 1385–86, approximately £619 was spent on the walls. Despite the walls, during the Peasants Revolt of 1381, Wat Tyler and his army were able to enter Canterbury unopposed. 1399 saw another five years of murage granted, followed in 1402 by a final grant of three years.
Despite this, progress was not fast enough to suit the royal authorities. Richard II ordered the city to force workmen to repair the defences, and intervened in Canterbury's local elections in 1387 to ensure that two trusted bailiffs – Henry Lincoln and John Proude – were returned to office, in order for the King to have confidence in the walls being maintained. In 1403, Henry IV sent messages to the city complaining that the defences were not being adequately maintained, and that the city was still insecure.
Canterbury city walls