 As the lack of locks and limited fish weirs (under Magna Carta) attest the river beside the palace was a broad but twisting creek, especially at low tide at times of lower rainfall.To have a grander arrival and alleviate flooding of the village, Cardinal Wolsey or Henry had the main channel locally dug out straighter, doing away with the ford from the grounds of Hampton Court on the north bank (in Middlesex).Before locks and weirs controlled the levels, Summer Road in Thames Ditton would flood at most high tides – its mud would not dry in the winter months, making it impassable, hence its name.