In the Middle Ages, to enjoy the distinction of being a city it was indispensable to have walls. “Las Partidas” (the official records) say “The king must do honour to his lands, and in particular by ordering the enclosing of his cities ... within strong walls and strong towers, for this makes them more noble, more honourable and more stately”. Quite apart from the splendour the walls gave to the cities, they were greatly esteemed because they offered, according to the records, “great security and great protection to everyone at all times”. The medieval obsession with security also took the form of intimidating or dissuading the enemy; in this there is no doubt that the lofty sections and abundant towers of the walls of Ávila were always effective: there is no record of this city ever having been besieged by any army.