Writs and Precepts under the teste of the Lord Mayor to the Sheriffs of Kent and Essex for the returning of Juries before him to enquire of Offences done in the River The same right of the City appeares also by Commissions whereof divers have bin directed to the Lord Mayor to put in execution the Acts of Parliament made for the Conservancie of the Thames and Medway and to enquire of all offences made or done in the said waters and to punish the Delinquents accordingly Lastly He makes good the Right and Title of the City by the continual claim she made thereunto as appears in those various contests she had with the Lord Admiral of England wherein after divers debates and bandings she kept still above water and made her Title good which moved King James Anno the 3d of his Raign to put a final determination to the business by the Letters Patents he passed unto the City wherein he saith that ad omnem controversiam in hac parte temporibus tam presentibus quà m futuris tollendam omne dubium amovendum that to cut off all controversies as well of the present times as of future and to remove all doubts he did confirm and ratifie the said right unto the City of London Thus was the Title Prerogative and right of the City of London stoutly and strongly asserted by eleven pregnant and convincing proofs to the conservation of her dearly beloved Minion the River of Thames both by prescription by allowance in Eire by ancient Charters by Acts of Parliament by Inquisitions by Decrees coram ipso Rege By Letters Patents by Proclamations by Report of the learned Councel by a quo Warranto And lastly by ancient usage custom and continual claim Mr. Stow in his survey of the City of London hath more about this business then here is inserted which made the last King Charles the first to command Sir John Coke his Secretary to write to Sir Henry Martin Judge of the Admiralty to this effect That His Majesty understanding that a second Edition of Stowes Survey of the City of London was put new to sale wherein there are some passages prejudicial to His Majesties Right in his Admiralty and derogatory to the just power belonging thereunto his Majesty did therefore require him his Iudge in that high Court to examine the said Boâ—k and to cause the said passages inserted in prejudice of the Admirals Iurisdiction and in support of any other pretence against the same to be left out or else to prohibite the publishing and sale of the said Book c. Sir Henry Martin having received this Letter after the Book was printed and publiquely sold all that he could do was to have Sir John Cokes Letter inserted in the last Folio of Stow to stand there for a Cautionary Reserve and Record for the future Now there be many things that concern the incumbency of the Conservator of so Noble a River it being an Office of no small extent His first duty is to preserve the currency of the stream and the banks on both sides Secondly He must preserve the Fish and Fry within the same He must prevent all Encroachments upon the River and the banks thereof as also he must enquire of all Flud-gates Mill-dams and such like annoyances and whether any do hurl in any soyl dust or rubbish or other filth whatsoever to choak her But for the strength and safety of the River against the invasion of an enemy by Block-houses Forts Bastions or Castles and the securing of the Merchant and Navigation to and fro that charge belongs to the Soveraign Prince and not to the City But indeed touching the former charge circumspection and care of the River of Thames it is most proper for the City of London who lies perpetually by her Beds side and therefore in a fit posture to be watchful of her for which vigilance the Thames rewards her abundantly by bringing her in the Spices of the South the Jewels of the East and Treasure of the West Insomuch that it may be well said this Office of Conservatorship or superintendency of so Noble and useful a River is as a fair flower or rich Jewel in the Cap of maintenance This famous River taking all her advantages together surpassing all other whatsoever that pay tribute to the Ocean if you regard the streightness of her course the stilness of her stream for her proportionable latitude as also her length for she comes sporting along from her first source above ninescore miles before she embosomes her self in the Arms of Neptune Add hereunto the great store and variety of Fish she abounds withall the most delectable and fertile soiles on both sides And lastly the conveniency of her scituation being towards the Center of England And then in her entrance to the Sea she opens upon France and Flanders having them both in her eye Besides she hath another advantagious property that to the knowing Native the entrance into the River is safe and easie but difficult and hazardous to strangers either to come in or go out Insomuch that the Thames may be said to be Londons best friend which puts me in minde of a passage of drollery that happened in the time of King James who being displeased with the City because she would not lend him such a sum of money and the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen attending him one day being somewhat transported he said that he would remove his own Court with all the Records of the Tower and the Courts of Westminster-Hall to another place with further expressions of his indignation The Lord Mayor calmly heard all and at last answered Your Majesty hath power to do what you please and your City of London will obey accordingly but she humbly desires that when your Majesty shall remove your Courts you would please to leave the Thames behind you Of the great and admirable BRIDGE In the City of LONDON over the Thames HAving bin thus long upon water and accompanied the Thames to Thetis lap 't is time now to land and take a view of her greatest Bridge which if the stupendious Site and structure thereof be well considered may be said to be one of the Wonders of the World though as some think it hath too many Arches so that it may be said If London Bridge had fewer eyes it would see far better Now as we ferch'd the Thames from her Spring so we will fetch her Bridge from its first foundation At first there was but a Ferry kept in the place where now the Bridge is built at length the Ferriman and his Wife deceasing left the said Ferry to their only Daughter a Mayden who with other goods left her by her Parents together with the profits arising from the said Ferry did build a holy House for Nuns in place whereof the East part of St. Mary Overies stands now above the Quire where she was buried and unto that House of Nuns she bequeathed the over-sight and benefit
to true longaevity We may be rather called the Older Insomuch that a Child born to day as he is part of the Universe and the product of Time may be said to be more ancient then Adam which I conceive to be the meaning of that common saying among us The younger Brother is the ancienter Gentleman Moreover it is desired that the discerning Reader be advertized that Historians and Antiquaries may well be compared to Architects who in rearing up a Fabrick although the Idaea and design of the work with the site the contrivement of rooms the contignation of parts and Symmetry be wholly in themselves yet in point of Substance they fetch their Materials from else where so the Historian and Antiquary though the method the style and compilement be his yet he hath his matter from others either from Manuscripts or printed Records except these modern passages that are Synchronical with himself Furthermore an Historian may be compared to one walking in a Garden and making a posie of Flowers which he culs and plucks from divers beds and banks now though the Flowers be none of his yet the choyce of them and twisting them together to give the fuller fragnancy and not to thrust in any unsavory vegetal is solely his own work The Lord Bacon's Henry the seventh and my Lord Harbert's Henry the eighth though the composition and digesting be theirs whereby they denominate the Books yet under favour touching the main Ingredients they took them from others who had written the life of those Kings before So concerning this present Treatise although the trace and form of the Structure be mine own yet I am so much the Child of modesty as to acknowledge to have fetch'd most of my Materials from others who preceded me in the same Subject as from Mr. Stow and those industrious persons who have made Additionals unto him yet as I gave a hint before in my Epistle Dedicatory there be divers things inserted here which are not found there nor any where else besides those modern Occurrences which have happened since and are contemporary with myself THE CHIEFEST MATERIALS THAT Go to the Compilement of this new Peece 1. A Proeme 2. The Historical part of London touching her first Rise and Foundation with her degrees of growth 3. Of the Great and glorious Temple of St. Pauls with its dimensions and places annexed together with the rest of the Churches in City or Suburbs 4. Of the 26. several Wards Precincts or Aldermanries of London into which the whole City is divided 5. Of the Political and Civil Government of the City of London as also of the spiritual 6. Of the Walls Streets Gates and Towers of London with the Prisons and places of restraint 7. Of the Inns of Court and Chancery of the Doctors Commons Gresham and Sion Colledge with the publick Schools 8. Of the Twelve chief Companies whence the Lord Mayor is extracted with other Societies of Marchant Adventurers and the 61. Corporations 9. Of their several Halls or Guilds dispersed up and down in convenient places 10. Of the Great Tower of London the Royal Exchange of Guild-Leadenâ— and Bassings-Hall c. 11. Of the White and Black the Gray Cruchet and Austin Fryers with other Religious Houses as Nunneries and Hospitalls 12. Of the famous and great Navigable River of Thames from the first Source till she dischargeth her self into the Ocean 13. Of London-Bridge and her admired Structure which nevertheless would see better had she fewer Eyes and that her Nineteen Arches were reduc'd to Nine 14. Of the Prerogative and great trust the Lord Mayor and the City have for the over-sight and repair of the said Bridge with the Conservancy of the said River 15. Of the City of Westminster and the Abbey 16. Of the Strand the New Exchange the Savoy and all the Great Houses towards the Water-side 17. Of the Covent Garden Saint Giles Lincolns-Inne-Fields Saint Martins and Drury-Lane with all the late New Buildings 18. Of Westminster-Hall and all the Tribunals of Iustice there sedentary 19. Of the High Court of Parliament and the Admiralty c. 20. A Parallel 'twixt London and other Great Cities of the World whereof divers are spoken of in the Corollary LONDON London the glory â—f Great Britaines Ile Behold her Landsâ—â—ip here and tru pourfile 1 St. Paul 2 White Hall 3 Suffolke house 4 Yorke house 5 Savoy 6 Somerset house 7 Arundell house 8 St Clemens 9 S. Dunstane 10 The Temple 11 S. Brides 12 S. Andrew 13 Baynards Castle 14 Queene Hythe 15 S. Pulcheâ—s 16 Three Câ—â—nes 17 The Waterhouse 18 The Stillâ—â—â—â— 19 Bow Churche 20 Guild Hall 21 S. Michaels 22 S Lorentz Poultney 23 Fishmongers Hallâ— 24 The Old Swan 25 The Bridge 26 Gray Church 27 S Dunstan in the East 28 Belinsgate 29 Cristome house 30 The Tower 31 Tower wharfe 32 S. Catharins 33 S. Olaffe 34 S. Marie Gveris 35 Winchester house 36 The Globe 37 Bâ—â—r Garden 38 The Swan 39 Harâ—vwe on the Hill 40 Hamsted 41 Hygate 42 Hackney 43 Poâ—â—tney 44 â—ll Ships 45 Gally Fuste 46 Cool harbour THE PROEME OR FIRST ENTRANCE Into the City of LONDON MY purpose is to give as exact an account as my Enquiries can of the renowned City of London with her Suburbs annexed And to proceed herein the more regularly the foundation of my Discourse shall be layed with that of Hers beginning with her first Rise or Original Then it shall grow up with Her according to those Degrees of profection that she is now arrived unto From her Foundation we will bring you to her Walls and so lead you in at her Gates whence you shall walk along her streets and visit her Churches with other ancient Religious Houses and publique Edifices Then we shall bring you to refresh your self at her Conduits and Aquaeducts her brooks bourns and Wells Afterwards we shall gently lead you along over her Bridges and so bring you to solace your self upon the rare and renowned River of Thames which we shall derive from her very source and accompany her Stream all along till she comes to pay tribute to the Ocean Then we shall make a perambulation in her severall Precincts Divisions and Wards And because nothing displayes the prudence of a City more then her political way and method of Government we shall endeavour to satisfie you in that point and speak of her Magistracy her Priviledges her well-moulded Corporations and Companies whereby we shall take occasion to revive the memory of those famous Patriots and Worthies which she hath produc'd and bred with their Munificence their Merits and publique Monuments We shall go on then to give the neerest conjecture we can make of her dimensions in point of length and latitude and of the number of humane souls that usually dwell and lodge within Her Nor shall we conceal some Clowds that have hung over her and ill-favour'd clashings she hath had with her Soveraign Princes And lastly There will be a short
eighths time the Tower was eâ—er and anon full of prisoners among others Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England was clap'd there close Prisoner and at last they took away from him all his Books so he did shut up all his windows and liv'd afterwards in obscurity and being asked Why he answered 'T is time to shut up shop when the Ware is all gone At his first entrance to the Tower the Gentleman Porter ask'd for his fee which is the upper Garment whereupon Sir Thomas pull'd off his Cap to give him but that not suffâ—â—ing he pull'd out a handful of Angels end gave him a good many a Knight that was in his Company telling him that he was glad to see him so full of Angels yes answered he I love to carry my friends alwayes about me The young Lady Iane was beheaded there not long after and upon the Scaffold she made a most ingenious Speech and full of pity That she came thither to serve for an example to posterity that innocence cannot be any protection against greatness And that she was come thither not for aspiring to a Crown but for not refusing one when it was offered Her Queen Elizabeth was brought up many years in that School of affliction but afterwards she may be said to have gone from the Scaffold to the Throne For the truth is that the Scaffold had made an end of her had not King Philip her Brother in Law strongly interceded for her In her dayes Robert Earl of Essex lost his head in the Tower which he might have kept on many years longer had he not bin betrayed by the Lady Walsingham to whom after the sentence of condemnation he sent a Ring which the Queen had given him as a token that she would stick to him in any danger the Lady delivered not this Ring and being a little after upon her Death-bed she desired to speak with the Queen and having disburthened a great weight which lay upon her Conscience for that act the Queen flung away in a fury and never enjoyed her self perfectly after that time but she would break out often into passion and wring her hands crying O Essex-Essex And this Earl was the last who was executed within the walls of the Tower In King Iames's time for 22 years there was no blood spilt in the Tower or upon Tower-hill only Sir Gervase Elwayes was hanged there when he was Lieutenant and one remarkable passage there was in his Speech upon the Ladder that being in the low Countries and much addicted to gaming he made a vow that if ever he played more above such a value he might be hanged but he did violate the Oath and so the just Judgement of Heaven did fall upon him accordingly as he said The Earl of Castlehaven was brought from the Tower to be executed for horrid kinds of incontinencies in Charles the first time Afterwards in the raign of the long Parliament and ever since the Tower of London hath had more number of Prisoners then it had in the compasse of a hundred years before This stately Tower of London serves not only for a Gaol to detain prisoners but for many other uses It is a strong Fort or Cittadel which secures both City and River It serves not only to defend but to command either upon occasion It serves as a royal Randezvouz for Assemblies and Treaties It is the Treasury for the Jewels and Ornaments of the Crown The great Archive which conserves all the old Records of the Courts of Justice at Westminster It is the place for the Royal Mint and Coynage of Gold and Silver It is the chief Magazin and Armory or Arâ—enal of the whole Land for Martial Engines and Provision There only is the Brake or Rack usually call'd the Duke of Exceters Daughter because he was tâ—e first Inventer of it And lastly It is a great Ornament by the situation of it both to the River and City The City of London hath divers other inferior Towers as that on the North of the great Bridge At the South end over the Gate there is also another Tower over London-Bridge which hath suffered many accidents of firing and otherwise and was still made up by the care and charge of the City specially one time when it was under bastard Fawconbridge burnt by the Marriners and Saylers of Kent The Antiquaries speak of two Castles that were in the West part of London one call'd the Castle of Monfiquet which was built by a Baron of that name who came over with the Conqueror which was afterwards demolished and the Black Fryers risen up out of the ruines of it The second Castle is Baynards Castle by Pauls Wharf built also by one Baynard who came over with the Conqueror who being ennobled the honour of Baynards Castle succeeded from Father to Son a long time till it came to Sir Robert Fitzwater a valiant Cavalier who being fallen into the displeasure of King Iohn in the Barons Warres was banished and Baynards Castle destroyed But afterwards being restâ—red to the Kings favour by an exployt he did in France he was re-invested in all his Livings and so repair'd Baynards Castle again Moreover he was made chief Banner-bearer of the City of London whereof he had a Charter which ran to this sense That he said Robert Fitzwater and his Heirs ought to be and are chief Bannerers of London in fee for the Chastilary which he and his Ancestors had from Baynards Castle and the said City In time of War the said Robert and his Heires ought to serve the City as followeth The said Robert he being the twentieth man of Armes himself ought to come on Horseback covered with Cloth or Armor under the great West door of St. Paul with his Banner displayed before him and when he is come mounted to that door and apparreld as before is said The Maior with the Aldermen and Sheriffs in their Arms shall come out of the Church of St. Paul unto the said West door the Maior bearing a Banner in his hand all on foot which Banner shall be Gules the Image of St. Paul Gold the face hands feet and Sword Argent And as soon as the said Robert shall see the Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs come on foot out of the Church armed with such a Banner he shall alight off his Horse and salute the Maior and say to him Sir Maior I am come to do my service which I owe to the City whereunto the Maior and Aldermen shall answer We give to you as to our Bannerer of fee in this City the Banner of this City to beare and govern to the honour and profit of this City to your power And the said Robert and his Heires shall receive the said Banner in his hands and shall go on foot out of the Gate with the Banner in his hands and the Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs shall follow to the door and shall bring a Horse to the said Bannerer worth twenty pounds which Horse
Edward the black Prince sonne to Edward the third who was in his life time lodged there and 't was called the Prince of VVales his Court which was afterward for a long time a common Hostry having the sign of the Black Bell. Of the Eleventh Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Candle-wick Ward WE will now see what light Antiquity can give us of Candle-wick street or Candle-wright street Ward It beginneth at the East end of great East-cheap it passeth West through East-cheap to Candle-wright street and thorough the same down to the North end of Suffolk Lane on the South side and down that Lane by the West end of St. Lawrence Church-yard which is the farthest West part of that Ward the street of Great East-cheap is so called of the Market there kept in the East part of the City as VVest-cheap is a Market so called being in the West This East-Cheap is now a Flesh-market of Butchers there dwelling on both sides of the street it had sometime also Cooks mixed amongst the Bâ—tchers and such other as sold Victuals ready dressed of all sorts For of old time when friends did meet and were disposed to be merry they never went to dine and Sup in Taverns but to the Cooks where they called for meat what them liked 〈◊〉 they alwayes sound ready dressed and at a reasonable rate for Vintners 〈◊〉 â—old onâ—y Wine In the year 1410. the eleventh of Henry the fourth upon the Even of Saint Iohn Baptist the Kings Sonnes Thomas and Iohn being in East-Cheape at Supper or rather at break-fast for it was after the Watch was broken up betwixt two and three a Clock after mid-night a great debate happened between their men and other of the Court which lasted one houre till the Maior and Sheriffs with other Citizens appeaâ—â—d the same For the which afterwards the said Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs were called to answer before the King his Sons and divers Lords being highly moved against the City At which time William Gascoignâ— chief Justice required the Maior and Aldermen for the Citizens to put them in the Kings Grace whereunto they answered that they had not offended but according to the Law had done their best in stinting debate and maintaining of the peace upon which answer the King remitted all his Ire and dismissed them And to prove this East-Cheape to be a place replenished with Cooks it may appear by a Song called London lick-penny made by Lidgate a Monk of Bury in the Reign of Henry the fifth in the person of a Country-man comming to London and travelling thorough the same In West-Cheape saith the Song he was called on to buy fine Lawn Paris Thred Cotton Umble and other linnen Clothes and such like he speaketh of no silk In Corn-hill to buy old Apparel and Houshold-stuffe where he was forced to buy his own Hood which he had lost in Westminster-hall In Candlewright-street Drapers proâ—cred him Cheap Cloth In East-Cheape the Cooks cryed hot Ribs of Beef rosted Pies well baked and other Victuals There was clattering of Pewter-Pots Harp Pipe and Sawtry yea by cock nay by cock for greater Oaths were spared some sang of Ienkin and Julian c. All which Melody liked well the Passenger but he wanted money to abide by it and therefore gat him into Gravesend-Barge and home into Kent Candlewright so called in old Records of the Guild-hall of St. Mary Overies and other or Candlewick-street took that name as may be supposed either of Chaundlers or Makers of Candles both of Wax and Tallow for Candle-wright is a Maker of Candles and of Wick which is the Cotton or yarn thereof or otherwise which is the place where they used to work them as scalding wick by the Stocks-Market was called of the Poulterers dressing and scalding their Poultry there And in divers Countries Dairy-houses or Cottages wherein they make Butter and Cheese are usually called Wickes There dwelled also of old time divers Weavers of Woollen Clothes brought in by Edward the 3d for I read that in the four and twentieth of his Reign the Weavers brought out of Flanders were appointed their meetings to be in the Church-yard of St. Lawrence Poultney and the Weavers of Brabant in the Church-yard of St. Mary Sommerset There were then in this City Weavers of divers sorts to wit of Drapery or Tapery and Nappery these Weavers of Candlewicke street being in short time worn out their place is now possessed by rich Drapers Sellers of Woollen Cloth c. On the Northside of this Ward at the West end of East-Cheape have ye St. Clements Lane a part whereof on both sides is of Candlewicke street Ward to wit somewhat North beyond the Parish Church of St. Clement in East-cheape Though this Church be small yet there are some comely Monuments in it among others of William Chartney and William Overy who founded a Chantry there Next is St. Nicholas Lane for the most part on both sides of this Ward almost to St. Nicholas Church Then is Abchurch Lane which is on both sides almost wholly of this Ward the Parish Church there called of St. Mary Abchurch Apechurch or Upchurch as I have read it standeth somewhat near unto the South end thereof on a rising ground It is a fair Church Simon de Winchcombe sounded a Chauntery there the 19th of Richard the Littletonâ—ounded â—ounded another and Thomas Hondon another Here are likewise some remarkable Monuments particularly of Sir Iames and Sir Iohn Branch both Lord Mayors of London about the year 1570. On the South side of this Ward beginning again at the East is St. Michaels lane which lane is almost wholly of this Ward on both sides down towards Thames street to a Well or Pump there on the East side of this Lane is Crooked Lane aforesaid by St. Michaels Church towards New Fishstreet One of the most ancient Houses in this Lane is called the Leaden Porch and belonged sometime to Sir John Merston Knight the first of Edward the 4th It is now called the Swan in Crooked Lane possessed of strangers and retailing of Rhenish Wine The Parish Church of this St. Michaels was sometime but a small and homely thing standing upon part of that ground wherein now standeth the Parsonage House and the ground thereabout was a filthy plot by reason of the Butchers in East-Cheape who made the same their Lay-stall VV. de Burgo gave two Messuages to that Church in Candlewick street 1317. John Loveken Stock-fish monger fout times Maior builded in the same ground this fair Church of St. Michael and was there buried in the Quire under a fair Tombe with the Images of him and his Wise in Alabaster the said Church hath bin since increased with a new Quire and side Chappels by Sir W. Walworth Stock-fishmonger Maior sometime Servant to the said John Loveken Also the Tombe of Loveken was removed and a flat stone of gray marble garnished with Plates of Copper laid on him as it
Judges acknowledged that of Contracts pleas and quereles made upon the Sea or any part thereof which is not within any County from whence no tryal can be had by twelve men the Admiral hath and ought to have jurisdiction And no president can be shewed that any Prohibition hath bin granted for any plea contract or querele concerning any Marine cause made or done upon the Sea taking that only to be the Sea wherein the Admiral hath his jurisdiction which is before described by Law to be out of any County 2. The second Objection was that when actions are brought to the Admiralty upon Bargains and Contracts made beyond the Seas wherein the common Law cannot administer justice yet in these cases prohibitions are awarded in prejudice of the Court of Admiralty The Judges answer that Bargains and Contracts made beyond the Sea wherein the common Law cannot administer justice do belong to the Constable and Marshal For the jurisdiction of the Admiralty is wholly confined to the Sea which is out of any County but if any Indenture Bond or other specialty or any Contract be made beyond the Seas for doing of any act or payment of any money within this Realm or otherwise wherein the common Law can administer justice and give ordinary redress In these cases neither the Constable nor Marshal nor the Court of Admiralty hath any jurisdiction therefore when that Court hath proceeding in derogation of the common Law prohibitions have bin issued out as by the Law they ought 3. The third Objection was that whereas time out of minde the Court of Admiralty hath taken stipulations for appearance and performance of the acts and judgements of the same Court It is now affirmed by the Judges of the common Law that the Admirals Court is no Court of Record and therefore not able to take such stipulations hereupon prohibitions are granted to the utter overthrow of that jurisdiction The Judges answered that the Court of the Admiralty proceeding by the course of the Civil Law is no Court of Record and therefore cannot take any such a recognizance as a Court of Record may And for taking Recognizanses against the Law of the Realm we finde that prohibitions have bin granted And if an erroneous sentence be given in that Court no Writ of Error but an appeal before certain Delegates do lye which proves 't is no Court of Record 4. The fourth Objection was that Charter parties made only to be performed upon the Seas are daily withdrawn from that Court by prohibitions The Judges answered That if the Charter party be made within any City Port-Town or County of this Realm although it be to be performed either upon the Seas or beyond the Seas yet it is to be tryed and determined by the ordinary course of the Common Law and not in the Court of the Admiralty And therefore when that Court hath encroached upon the common Law in that case the Iudge of the Admiralty and party there suing have bin prohibited and oftentimes the party condemned in great and grievous dammages by the Lawes of the Realm 5. The fifth Objection was that notwithstanding the clause of Non obstante statuto which hath foundation in his Majesties Prerogative and is current in all other grants yet in the Lord Admirals Patent 't is said to be of no force to warrant the determination of the Causes committed to him in his Lordships Patent and so rejected by the Iudges of the common Law The common Lawyers answer that without all question the sundry Statutes which declare the jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty and wherein all the Subjects of the Realm have interest cannot be dispensed with by any non obstante statuto and therefore not worthy of any answer but by colour thereof the Court of Admiralty hath contrary to those Acts of Parliament encroached upon the jurisdiction of the common Law to the intolerable grievance of Subjects which hath oftentimes urged them to complain in his Majesties ordinary Courts of justice in Westminster-Hall for their relief in that behalf 6. The sixth Objection was that to the end that the Admirals jurisdiction might receive all manner of empeachment and interruption the Rivers beneath the first Bridges where it ebbeth and floweth and all the Creeks and Ports are by the Iudges of the common Law affirmed to be no part of the Sea nor within the Admirals jurisdiction and thereupon prohibitions are ordinarily awarded upon actions depending in that Court for Contracts and other things done in those places notwithstanding that by use and practise time out of minde the Admirals Court hath had jurisdiction within such Ports Creeks and Rivers The Judges answer was like to their first And 't was further added that for the death of a man or mayhm in those two cases only done in great Ships being and hovering in the main stream only beneath the point of some Rivers nigh unto the Sea and no other place of the same Rivers nor in other causes but only in those two the Admiral hath cognizance But for all Contracts Pleas and Quereles made or done upon a River Haven or Creek within any County of this Realm the Admiral without question hath no jurisdiction for then he should hold plea of things done within the Body of the County which are tryable by verdict of twelve men and meerly determinable by the common Law and not within the Court of the Admiralty according to the Civil Law for that were to change and alter the Lawes of the Realm in like cases and make those Contracts Pleas and Quereles tryable by the common Law of the Realm to be drawn off ad aliud Examen and to be sentenced by the Iudges of the Admiralty according to the Civil Law 7. The seventh Objection was that the Agreement made Anno 1575. between the Judges of the Kings Bench and the Court of the Admiralty for the more quiet and certain Execution of Admiral Iurisdiction is not observed as it ought to be The Iudges answered that the supposed Agreement mentioned in the Article hath not as yet bin delivered them but having heard the same read before his Majesty they answer'd that for so much thereof as differeth from these answers it is against the Lawes and Statutes of this Realm therefore the Iudges of the Kings Bench never assented thereunto as was pretended 8. The eighth Objection was That many other grievances there were which in discussing of these former would easily appear worthy of Reformation To this the Judges answered that this Article was so general as no particular answer can be made thereunto only it appeareth by that which hath bin said that the Lord Admiral his Officers and Ministers principally by colour of that Non obstante and for want of learned advice have injustly encroached upon the common Lawes of this Realm for which the marvel is the lesse because that the Lord Admiral his Lieutenants Officers and Ministers have without all colour intruded upon the
things both for Church and State in point of piety stately Structures of divers natures for the publick good and deeds of charity would make a large Volume of it self I will conclude for the present with a late worthy man one Mr. Iohn Walter who was Clark of Drapers Hall who having resolved with himself when he had attained a competent subsistence for himself and his Children to employ the rest every year for charitable uses which he did constantly for many years He built two Hospitals near London and it was a great while before the Founder of them was known He used to send a proportion of bread to be distributed among the poor to divers Churches and it was not known who sent it till he was dead and that he was missing It is thought by a computation that was made that he had employed above ten thousand pounds to charitable uses of all sorts private and publick and he was so free from vain-glory that his greatest care was to do them in such a manner that his left hand should not know what his right hand did And in his study after his death there was a bag of 800 l. in Gold with a label in paper upon it This is none of mine but the poor's Lastly for Prerogatives Enfranchisements Immunities Charters and Liberties for Hospitality and plentiful treatments as also for Antiquity the City of London comes not in the arrears to any Touching the last 't is true there are some Cities in the East that have the start of her in point of time yet London was built 354 years before Rome which is a fair Age. Touching the second some call London a lick-peny as Paris is called by some a pick-purse because of feastings with other occasions of expence and allurements which cause so many unthrifts among Countrey Gentlemen and others who flock into her in such excessive multitudes but this must be imputed not to the place but to the persons for one may live in London as frugally if he hath wit to make use of it as in any other City whatsoever T' is true that the prizes of all things use to be enhanc'd by confluences and swarms of people which a judicious Forreiner observing in London said that she bore no proportion with the Iland but might serve a Kingdom thrice as big and that England may be rather said to be in London then London in England which made some compare her to the spleen whose over-swelling make the rest of the body languish but it might be answered that London is rather like the stomack which digests the wealth of the Land and after a good concoction disperseth it again in wholsom nutriment to all parts Touching the third viz. freedom and immunities there 's no City hath more In the Raign of Richard the second it was enacted That the Citizens of London were to enjoy their priviledges and franchises licet usi non fuerint vel abusi fuerint whether they were not us'd or abus'd notwithstanding any Statute to the contrary as the Lord Coke hath it in his Institutes In the Lawes of the Land London is called sometimes Camera Regis Reipublicae Cor totius Regni Epitome the Kings Chamber the heart of the Common-wealth and compendium of the whole Kingdom sometimes she is called Caput Regum Legum The head of Kings and of Lawes nay some of the Roman Emperors in their Edicts called her Augusta which is a name alwayes of magnificence and State And now will I take leave of the Noble Augusta or City of London concluding with this hearty wish couch'd in these two Hexameters and relating to her proportion or shape which is a Laurel leaf as formerly was said Londinum Lauri folio non impare formâ Flore at Urbs sicut Laurus semperque virescat London is like a Laurel leaf may She Be verdant still and flourish like the Tree FINIS AN INDEX POINTING At the chief Passage throughout the whole Book A. fol. AUgusta a name given by the Roman Emperors to London 2. Appellations which forrain Authors give of London 2. Of Algate 5. Of Amwel River brought to London 11. The Lord Ailwine first Alderman in England Anno 851. 34. Of the Authority and State of the Lord Mayor of London 35. His Attendants and Officers with divers Prerogatives 35. Of the ancient Court of the Hustings 37. Austin the Monk the Englishmens Apostle 39. The Arms of all the Companies and Corporations of London blazon'd 41. The antiquity of all the Companies of London 41. Of Allhallowes Barking 48. Of Algate Ward 52. Of St. Andrew Undershaft 55. Of Augustine Fryers 72. St. Albanes a very ancient Church in London 301. Of Aldersgate Ward 306. Of the ancient great Monuments in Christs Church 311. The Antiquities of Southwark 137. An Alderman alotted to every Ward 340. The Abbey of Westminster ◠the greatest Sanctuary 346. Of the Court of Admiralty 373. A Contest 'twixt the Court of Admiralty and Westminster Hall 374. Of Amsterdam 339. Of Auspurg 389. B. fol. The Britains concreated with this Iland 2. The British Etymologies of London 2. The Britains were first Founders and God-fathers of London 3. Of Bainards Castle 5. Of the chief Banner-bearer of the City of London 27. The Black Fryers built of the ruines of the Tower of Monsiquet 29. Bishops have bin good Friends to London 40. Of Barking Church 48. The Bayliff of Rumford strangely executed 56. The common Burse at first in Lombard-street 63 Of Bishopsgate Ward 63 Of Bethlem now called Bedlam and the notable deed of gift that was made thereof 63 Of Broad-street Ward 71 Of Billingsgate Ward 84 Of Billingsgate some things remarkable 85 Of the Bridge-ward within 87 Of Backles-berry 113 Of Basings-Hall Ward 123 Of Backwell-Hall 123 The History of the Black-Fryers 316 Of Breadstreet Ward 318 Of Bridewell 332 Of St. Brides 333 Of the Bridge-House 339 A British Prophecy lately verified 348 Bishop of Chesters Inne 349 Of Bedford York Salisbury Worcester-House with others 349 Of Bedford Berry 350 Of Babylon 382 C. fol Cornelius Tacitus lived seven years in Britain the Epist. The Character which Tacitus gives of London 3 Constantine the Great first Builder of London Walls 4 Contests 'twixt the Lord Admiral and Lord Mayor about the Thames 14 The Conservancy of the Thames belongs de jure to the Lord Mayor 17 The Character of London Bridg in Latine and English verse 1 A City compared to a Ship 33 Of the several Courts belonging to the City of London 37 Ceremonies used in the Election of the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs 36 The Clashes 'twixt the City of London and divers Kings 40 No City without a Cathedral Church and a Bishops See 40 Of the several Companies and Corporations belonging to the City of London 41 Corporations prejudicial to Monarchy 46 The Custom-house Key called in former times Petty Wales 49 Of the Crouched Fryers 57 Of Cornhill-Ward 77 Of Candlewick-Ward 89 The Charter of the Styliard 98