trading continued throughout the medieval period evidenced by the importance of torksey, which was then a flourishing town, now only a small village. however, the fossdyke needed much maintenance to keep it clear of silt. henry i had overseen the scouring of its channel, and there were inquiries in 1335, 1365 and 1518 to consider the state of the fossdyke and to compel the inhabitants of the region to maintain it. lincoln was a centre for the collection of business taxes, but this came at the cost of maintaining the waterways, and having finally decided it was too large a cost, james i presented the fossdyke to the city of lincoln.