How do the friends come up at Reading lock? Describe the historical events associated with Reading.

The men are towed to the lock at Reading.

At Reading lock we came up with a steam launch, belonging to some friends of mine, and they towed us up to within about a mile of Streatley.

Historical events attributed to Reading were its status as a haven from the plague, the siege of the city by the Earl of Essex, the place of Henry I's burial, and the site of John of Gaunt's marriage to Lady Blanche, which took place at the abbey.