and cleanse the said noble River Westward of seventy nine stops or hatches consisting of sundry great stakes and piles purposely erected by Fishermen for their private lucre and standing illfavouredly for passengers near unto the Fair deep but none of them remain now but such as stand out of the passable high stream and can be no prejudice to passers by yet some are permitted to be planted at the waters bottome and so they serve as a great succour to the young brood of fish being placed so remote on the River Nor is this provident care for security of passengers and conservation of the young fry or fish a new thing for it appears that the like course was kept in the Reign of Henry the fourth and after in Henry the eighth as Records and Chronicles do shew Moreover there is a watchful eye that no carren or dead carkasses be thrown into the River to pollute or infect the stream To all these intents and purposes the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen his Brethren with the under Officers do use to meet eight times yearly in the four Counties of Middlesex Surrey Kent and Essex and have a judicial sitting for maintenance of the Rivers Rights and Priviledges where they have power to empanel Juries to make Inquisition after all offences committed upon the River within their extent And as the Verdict given up by the Jury make it appear so they proceed to the punishment of the transgressors according to the quality of the offence and it is worthy the observation to know the manner of their so solemn proceedings whereof this instance shall be produced extracted out of authentick Records Sir Iohn Iolles Knight and Lord Mayor of the City of London and Conservator of the River of Thames and waters of Medway assisted and accompanyed by the Aldermen and two Sheriffs then contemporary and attended by the Recorder and the Sub-conservator or Water-bayly with fifty Officers and servants took their Barges at Belmsgate the third of Iuly 1616 and within few hours arriv'd at Gravesend in Kent where a Session for the conservancy of the said River was kept before the said Lord Mayor and his forenamed Assistants At which time and place a Jury of the Freeholders of the said County being sworn to enquire of all offences committed in any part of the River whatsoever within the said County the Common Sergeant of the City the Recorder being then absent upon extraordinary occasions deliver'd them a charge to this effect That forasmuch as there had not been any Session of Conservancy in many years passed kept by any Lord Mayor of London in that place it was probable and evident they could not be well informed neither of the Lord Mayors jurisdiction and power to reform annoyances and offences there and to inflict due punishments upon the Offendors nor of the nature of the service to be by them performed in the course of their enquiry therefore he thought it convenient to make it known unto them both the one and the other Hereupon he shew'd them The Jurisdiction of the Court of London in the River of Thames from Stanes-bridge Westward unto the points of the River next the Sea Eastward appear'd to belong to the City in manner and form following First In point of right by Praescription as it appeareth by an ancient Book call'd Dunthorne that Civitatis fundationis aedificationis constructionis causa erat Thamesis Fluvius quorum vero Civitatis Fluminis gubernationem tam Duces Majores Custodes Vicecomites Aldr. magnates Civitatis memoratae hucusque obtinuerunt habuerunt Whence he inferr'd that the government of the River hath belong'd to the City time out of mind In 21. Hen. 3. Iorden Coventry one of the Sheriffs of the City was sent by the Mayor and Aldermen to remove certain Kiddles that annoy'd the Rivers of Thames and Medway who ultra Yenland versus Mare did take divers persons that were Offendors and imprison'd them Whereupon complaint being made to the King he took the matter ill at the first and sent for the Lord Mayor and Citizens to Kennington where upon hearing of the matter before the said King the Cityes Jurisdiction over the said River was set forth and allow'd and the Complainants convinc'd and every one of them amerc'd at 10 l. and the amercements adjudged to the City And afterward their Nets were burnt by judgement given by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in the Hustings Moreover 1. Richardi secundi Writs were directed to the Sheriffs of Essex and Kent reciting the Cities Title with command not to suffer the Citizens of London to be molested contrary to the Liberties formerly granted and allowed unto them Secondly in point of right by allowance in Eire the conservation of the Thames belongs to the City for it was produc'd that 1. Rich. ◠before Hugh Bigot being Justice Itinerant the Sheriffs and Citizens of London were call'd in question for their Jurisdiction exercised on the Thames before whom it was found by a Jury in Southwark Quod nullus habeat aliquid juris in Thamisia usque ad novum gurgitem nisi Cives Londonens In the 14. of Ed. 2. the Constable of the Tower was indited by divers Wards of London before the Justices in Eire at the Tower De muneris et recep cove pro kidellis in Thamisiis et Constabularius ad Kidellas respondet quód Iustic non habent jurisdictionem extra London plitum inde cognoscere cum predict kidelli sunt in aliis comitatibus et Justic. dixerunt Aqua Thamisiae pertinet ad Civitatem London usque mart si velit respondeat who then pleaded Not guilty 3. He went further that this Jurisdiction belonged to the City by ancient Charters 8. R. 1. Dominus Ricardus Rex filius Regis Henrici secundi concessit firmiter praecepit ut omnes Kidelli qui sunt in Thamisia amoveantur ubicunque fuerint in Thamisia 1. Ioh. Rex concessit firmiter praecepit ut omnes kidelli qui sunt in Thamisia vel in Medway amoveantur ne caeteri kidelli alicubi ponantur in Thamisia vel in Medway super sort X. li. sterlingorum Then he urg'd the famous Charter of King Henry the third which ran thus Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine and Earl of Anjou unto all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Ministers and to all Bayliffs and to all his true Men Greeting Woreth well that We for the health of our soul and the health of the soul of King John our Fader and the souls of all our Ancestors and also for common profit of our City of London and of all our Realms have granted and steadfastly commanded That all the Weares that be in Thames or in Medway be done away And that from henceforth no Weares be set in Thames or Medway upon the forfeiture of 10. l. Also we claim quit to our Citizens of London
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
by force of the Kings Writ Ex debito justitiae and none of them ought to be omitted and these represent all the Commons of the whole Realm and trusted for them and were used to be in number near upon 500. Now the King and these three Estates were the great Corporation or Body politick of the Kingdom but they were to sit in two Houses viz. the King and Lords in one House called the Lords House and the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in another House called the House of Commons The Commons are in Legal understanding taken for the Franck Tenants or Freeholders of the Counties And whosoever is not a Lord of Parliament and of the Lords House is of the House of the Commons either in person or by representation partly coaugmentative and partly representative Of this Court of Parliament the Soveraign Prince by the Law is Caput principium finis the head beginning and ending And as in the natural body when all the sinews being joyned in the head do unite their forces together for the strengthening of the body there is ultimum potentiae so in the poliâ—ique Body when the King and the Lords spiritual and temporal Knights Citizens and Burgesses are all by the Kings Command assembled and joyned together under the Head in consultation for the common good of the whole Realm there is ultimum sapientiae The third year of Henry the sixth it appears in a Parliament Roll that the Parliament being called as hath bin said Commune Consilium every member of the House being a Counsellor should have the three properties of the Elephant which are First That he hath no Gall. Secondly That he be inflexible and cannot bow Thirdly That he is of a most ripe and perfect memory which properties as there it is said ought to be in every Member of the great Councel of Parliament First to be without Gall that is without malice rancor heat and envie In the Elephant Melancholia transit in nutrimentum corporis every gallish inclination if any were should tend to the good of the whole body the Common-wealth Secondly That he be constant inflexible and not to be bowed or turned from the right either for fear reward or favour nor in judgement reâ—pect any person Thirdly of a ripe memory that they remembring perils past might prevent dangers to come as in that Roll of Parliament it appeareth The Prince de advisamento consilii for so be the words of the Writ of Parliament resolving to have a Parliament doth out of the Court of Chancery send out Writs of Summons at the least forty dayes before the Parliament begins every Lord of Parliament either spiritual as Arch bishops and Bishops or temporal as Dukes Marquisses Earls Viscounts and Barons Peers of the Realm and Lords of Parliament were used to have several Writs of Summons And all the Judges of the the Realm Barons of the Exchequer of the Coif the Kings learned Cousnel and the Civilians Masters of the Chancery are called to give their assistance and attendance in the upper House of Parliament but they have no Voices in Parliament being only ministerial and their Writs differ from the Writs to the Judges for their Writs be Quòd intersitis Nobiscum cum caeteris de Concilio Nostro sometimes Nobiscum only super praemissis tractaturi vestrumque consilium impensuri But the Writ to the Barons is Quòd intersitis cum praelatis Magnatibus proceribus super dictis negotiis tractaturi vestrumque Consilium impensuri Moreover in every Writ to Summons to the Bishops there is a clause requiring them to summon these persons to appear personally at the Parliament which is in these words premonientes Decanum Capitulum Ecclesiae Vestrae Norwicensis ac Archidiâ—conos totumque clerum vestrae Dioces quod iidem Decani Archi diaconi in proprâ—is persmiss suis ac dictum capitulum per unum idemque clerus per duos proeuratores idoneos plenam sufficientem potestatem ab ipsis capitulo clero divisim habentes predict ' die loco personaliter intersint ad consentiâ—ndum hiis quae tunc ibidem de Communi concilio dicti regni Nostri divina favente clementia contigerit ordinari and the Bishop under his Seal makes Certificate accordingly And these are called Procuratores cleri and many times have appeared in Parliament as spiritual Assistants to consider consult and consent ut supra but had never voyces there because they were no Lords of Parliament And this Assembly was called the Convocation-House which the last King continuing after the dissolution of the Parliament and the Bishops comming amongst them to consult and make Canons the next Parliament protested against their proceedings as irregular and prejudicial to the priviledges of Parliament Observable it is what difference there was in the Writ whereby the spiritual Lords were summoned and that whereby the temporal Lords were called The Ecclesiastical Barons were required by the Kings Writ to be present In fide dilectione quibus nobis tenemini In the faith and Love you are bound to us But the secular Lords were summoned to appear In fide homagio quibus nobis tenemini In the faith and homage you are bound unto us Now touching the Commons their Writ or Summons to the Sheriff runs thus The King to the Vicount or Sheriff Greeting WHereas by the advice and assent of our Councel for certain Arduous and urgent Affaires concerning Us the State and defence of our Kingdom of England and the Anglican Church we have ordained a certain Parliament of ours to be held at our City of the day of next ensuing and there to have Conference and to treat with the Prelates Great men and Peers of our said Kingdom We command and strictly enjoyn you that making Proclamation at our next County Court after the receipt of this our Writ to be holden the day and place aforesaid you cause two Knights girt with Swords the most fit and discreet of the County aforesaid and of every City of that County two Citizens of every Borough two Burgesses of the discreetest and most sufficient to be freely and indifferently chosen by them who shall be present at such Proclamation according to the tenure of the Statutes in that case made and provided And the names of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses so chosen to be inserted in certain Indentures to be then made between you and those that shall be present at such Election whether the parties so elected be present or absent and shall make them to come at the said day and place so that the said Knights for themselves and the County aforesaid and the Citizens and the Burgesses for themselves and the Commonalty of the said Cities and Beroughs may have severally from them full and sufficient power to do and to consent to those things which then by the favour of God shall happen to be ordained by the Common Councel of our said Kingdom concerning the
businessse aforesaid so that the business may not by any means remain undone for want of such power or by reason of the unprovident Election of the foresaid Knights Burgesses and Citizens But we will not in any case that you or any other Sheriff of our said Kingdom shall be elected And at the day and place aforesaid the said Election being made in a full County Court you shall certifie without delay unto us in our Chancery under your Seal and the Seals of them who shall be present at the Election sending back unto us the other part of the Indenture aforesaid affil'd to these presents ogether with the Writ Witness our Self at Westminster This Commission or Writ is the foundation whereon the whole fabrick of the power and duty of both Houses of Parliament is grounded The first House is to parley or have conference and to treat and consult with the King the other House is to do and consent only unto what the other shall ordain This was the Law and usage in former times but what is the power of the Commons in these dayes now that the Government is altred and cast into another mould the House of Peers being dissolved it is not the intent of this Discourse to determine At the return of the Writs aforesaid the Parliament could not begin but by the Royal presence of the King either in Perâ—on or by Representation By Representation two wayes either by a Gardian of England by Letters Patenrs under the Great Seal when the King was in remotis out of the Realm or by Commission under the Great Seal to certain Lords of Parliament representing the Person of the King he being within the Realm but absent in respect of some infirmity On the first day of the Parliament the King himself or most commonly the Lord Chancellor or Keeper in the presence of the Lords and Commons did shew the causes of the calling of High Court of Parliament but the King might have appointed any other to be his Prolocutor in this case Then the Commons are to choose their Speaker but in regard that after their choyce the King might refuse him for avoiding of time and contestation the use was as in the Congè deslire of a Bishop that the King doth recommend a discreet and learned man whom the Commons elect but without their Election no Speaker can be appointed for them because he is their mouth and intrusted by them and so necessary that the House of Commons cannot sit without him therefore a grievous sickness is a good cause to remove him as in Henry the 4th Raign Iohn Chervy Speaker was for sickness discharged and Sir Iohn Dorewoold chosen in his place but sickness is no cause to remove any Knight Citizen or Burgesse The Speaker being voted in the House was presented to the King where being allowed he made a supplication consisting of three parts First That the Commons in Parliament might have free speech Secondly That in any thing he should deliver in the name of the Commons if he should commit any error no fault should be imputed to the Commons Thirdly That as often as necessity for his Majesties service and the good of the Common-wealth shall require he may by the directions of the House have access to his Royal Person Any of the Peeâ—s by the Kings leave may absent himself and make a proxy to another Lord but a Knight Citizen or Burgess cannot make a Proxy because he is elected and intrusted by multitudes of people And it is to be observed though one be chosen for one particular County or City yet when he is returned and sits in Parliament he serveth for the whole Common-wealth There belongs to Parliament a Prorogation or adjournment which differ in this A Prorogation presupposeth a Session and then such Bills as passed in either House or by both Houses and had no Royal assent unto them must at the next Assembly begin again for every Session in Parliament is in Law a several Parliament but if it be but adjourned then there is no Session When a Parliament is called and doth sit and is dissolved without any Act passed or judgement given it is no Session of Parliament but a Convention Touching the Power and Jurisdiction of Parliament for making of Lawes in proceeding by Bill it is so transcendent and absolute as it cannot be confined within any bounds No Alien is capable to be chosen a Parliament-man nor can any of the Judges of the Kings Bench or Common Pleas or Barons of the Exchequer that have Judicial places or any Church-man that hath care of souls be chosen a member of the House of Parliament For others the King cannot grant a Charter of Exemption to any man to be freed from Election of Knight or Burgesse of the Parliament because the Elections of them ought to be free for the publique service OF THE COVRT OF THE KINGS-BENCH THE Royallest Court in the Land Now called The Upper Bench. THe Lawes of England presuppose the King to be the Fountain and Oracle of Justice and to have special inspirations from Heaven to that purpose therefore all the Tribunals of Judicature were used to be ambulatory with his Court and He was wont to sit in Person in the Upper Bench which is the Supreme Tribunal of the Land The Justices in this Court are the soveraign Justices of Oyer and Terminer Goal-delivery Conservation of the Peace c. in the Realm In this Court the Kings of this Realm have sat as being the highest Bench and the Judges of that Court on the lower Bench at his Feet but Judicature only belongeth to the Judges of that Court and in his presence they answer all Motions c. The Justices of this Court are the soveraign Coroners of the Land and therefore where the Sheriffs and Coroners may receive appeals by Bill à fortiori the Justices of this Court may do it so High is the authority of this Court that when it comes and sits in any County the Justices of Eire of Oier and Terminer Coal-delivery they which have conusance c. do cease without any writing to them But if any Indictment of Treason or Felony in a Forain County be removed before certain Commissioners of Oier and Terminer in the County where this Court sits yet they may proceed because this Court for that this Indictment was not removed before them cannot proceed for that offence But if any Indictment be taken in Midd in the vacation and after this Court sit in the next Term in the same County if this Court be adjourned then may special Commissioners of Oier and Terminer c. in the interim proceed upon that Indictment but the more usual way is by special Commission And this was resolved by all the Judges of England at Winchester Anno 1 ' Iacobi Regis in the Case of Sir Everard Digby and others and so had it been resolved Mich. 25 and 26 Eliz. in the Case of Arden and Somervile for
only in English Moreover there is in and about the City of London a whole University as it were of Students Practisers or Pleaders and Judges of the Lawes of England not living of common Salaries as is used in other Academies but of their private maintenance as being supported by their own means or practise or exhibition from their friends In so much that most of them are Sons younger Brothers to wealthy Parents where besides the knowledge of the Laws they learn all other civilities and exercises besides Of these Nurseries or Societies there are fourteen whereof nine do stand within the Liberties of the City and five without Those that stand within the Liberties are Sargeants Inne in Fleet-street Sargeants Inne in Chancery Lane the two Temples which are called Inns of Court The other are Cliffords Inne Thavies Inne in Holborn Furnevals Inne Barnards Inne and Staples Inne which are termd Inns of Chancery Without the Liberties there is Grayes Inne in Holburn Lincolns Inne which are Inns of Court Clements Inne New Inne and Lions Inne which are houses of Chancery In former time there was in Scroops Court in Holborn an Inne of Sargeants also There was likewise where Somerset House now stands Chesters Inne or Strand Inne in the liberty of the Dutchy of Lancaster which was pull'd down with many other Buildings to make room for Somerset House who had also his materials from St. John of Ierusalem which some held to be no better than Sacrâ—â—edge and therefore that fatal death to be beheaded befell the Duke of Somerset who with his Councel were it seems so infatuated that they forgot to call for his Clergy whereby by the Lawes of England he might have bin saved Justice Fortescue makes mention also of a tenth house of Chancery but he names not the place The choisest gentliest most ingenious wiâ—s of the Land are founds among these Students of the Inns of Court having coÌ„monly bin graduates before in one of the Universities But the Inns of Chancery being as it were Provinces subjected severally to the Inns of Court be chiefly made up of Attorneys Sollicitors and Clerks that follow the Courts of Westminster Hall yet many of them remove to one of the great Inns of Court where continuing seven years and frequenting Readings Mootings Boltings and other learned Exercises they improve themselves in the knowledge of the Lawes they are then by the consent of the Benchers who are most commonly of the grave and learned sort selected call'd to the degree of Utter Barristers and so enabled to be Practitioners in the Law both in their Chamber and at the Barre in open Court Of these after they be call'd to a further step of preferment 2. were used to be chosen every year to be Readers who make two Readings every year out of some choise hard points in the Law one in Lent the other in August Out of these Benchers and Readers Sergeants at Law are made and of them the Judges unlesse it be that some by special favour of the Prince are chosen otherwise But being made Sergeants they leave the Inns of Court and remove to one of the Sergeants Inns where they only and the reverend Judges are admitted Touching the two Temples they are discoursed of here in another place But concerning Grayes Inne and Lincolns Inne they took their denominations from two noble Lords who had formerly Palaces in those places where those two Innes now stand The one is singular for a curious Chappel it hath the other for choise delicate Walks high and low with a large delightful prospect that carrieth the optiques very far where the choisest beauties both of City and Suburbs use to resort in the Summer to solace themselves and breath fresh aire Thus have we rambled through the City of London and waded hitherto through universals wherein there is not alwaies plain-dealing we will now hunt dry foot after particulars and find out the Primitive mode method of Government which London had with the Titles of her chief Magistrates We will then Muster her twelve prime Companies with all the rest of her Corporations Then a Perambulation shall be made through all her Precincts Aldermanries and Wards as far as the point of the Lord Mayors Sword doth reach Then shall there be a Parallel 'twixt London and other the greatest Cities in the world wherein it will appear to the impartial discerning Reader that if consideration be had to the Prerogatives and power of her chiefest Magistrates to their plenty magnificence and hospitality to the security of Passengers up and down her streets at midnight as well as at noon daies The City of London admits no Parallel Of the Political Government and Civil Sway of the City of London IT is no incongruous allusion that some Polititians make when they compare a City to a great Ship whereof Government is the Healm and Rudder which regulate and guide her course Good Lawes and Constitutions are the Cables and Ligaments The Main-Mast is Religion and the Standard of the Crosse the Foremast is Honour and Renown the Miseâ— Mast is Trade and Wealth Iudgement and Prudence is the Ballast Authority and strength the Artillery This Comparison may quadrat with London as much as with any other City on the surface of the Earth The Lord Maior is as the Pilot and Master the Aldermen his Mates the Recorder and Sheriffs the chief Gunners the Scavengers the Swabbers other inferior Officers are the Mariners to weigh Anchors to hoise and furle the Sails c. Touching the primitive Government of London in the time of the Britains Antiquity scarce affords us any light whereby to discern what it was Caesar gives us most when he writes that Mandrubacius was King of the Londoners or the Trinobants which last word extends also to some of the Counties adjacent But it may be wondred that Iulius Caesar should know so much in regard that He never took firm footing in Great Britain but by way of exploration did only d'scover Her Augustus and Tiberius may be said to conceal Her Caligula intending an Invasion was diverted by his Warres with the Germans Claudiâ—s Caesar from whom Glocester takes her name being no other then Castrum Claudâ—â— the Castle of Claudius was the first that fixt here and he sent over Publius Agriola for his Lieutenant who took great pains to civilize the Nation and as he was about the work he sent notice to Rome that he preferred the British wits before the Gallic Then was London made a Praefectura and the Magistrate in chief was called Praefect as he of Rome is called to this day this Title continued all the time that the Romans had dominion here which was above 300 years Afterwards the Romans having so many great Irons in the fire by Warres they had against divers Nations who had revolted from them they drain'd this Iland not only of great numbers of the British Youth to serve them in their Warres abroad but drew
away at last their own Legions whereupon the Iland being thus grown weak much depopulated and to a long deâ—uetude of Arms the Saxons who are now the English yet keep still their first denomination of Saxons both in the British and Irish Tongues to this day came over with a considerable strength and having in a Parly on Salsbury Plains musiered most of the British Nobility by a stratagem and taken Vortiger the King Prisoner He for his ransom was forc'd to give not only London but most part of the Iland to the Saxons And the chief Magistrate of London they call'd Portreve which is a Gardian or Governour of a Port and that name is yet used in England in some places The Saxons then changed their names into Englishmen yet they continued Pagans a long time after but at last the Britains converted them to Christianity and then the City of London flourished exceedingly for many Ages till there came over a swarm of Danes who proved more fatal to London then any other Nation for by fire and sword they had almost utterly destroyed Her had not the Londoners at last rowz'd up their spirits who making vertue of necessity did fall upon King Swein the insulting Enemy with such a resolution that by a mighty slaughter and extraordinary prowesse they utterly repel'd him The City having recovered her former lustre though 't was a good while first she continued under the English Government and the Magistracy of a Portreve till the Norman rush'd in yet the Title was not alter'd a good while after when at last he came to be call'd Bayliffe and sometimes Provost Richard the first for supporting the Croy sada and his Warres in the Holy Land got great Contributions of monies from the Londoners in lieu whereof he gave them leave to choose two Bayliffs annually King Iohn after him chang'd their Bayliffs into a Maior and two Sheriffs To these Henry the third adds some Aldermen who though yeerly Elegible at first grew afterwards Perpetual Now this Word Alderman is consonant to Senator being both derived from old Age and Gravity The first Alderman we read of in England was in the time of King Edgar about 800 years agoe whose name was Ailwine and was descended of the blood Royal as appeares by his Epitaph in that goodly Monastery in the I le of Ely whereof he was founder himself which Epitaph runs thus Hic requiescit Dom. Ailwinus inclyti Regis Edgari Cognatus totius Angliae Aldermannus hujus Sacri coenobii miraculosus Fundator Here resteth the Lord Ailwine Cousin to Noble King Edgar Alderman of all England which some interpret chief Justice miraculous Founder of this holy Abbey Hence it may be infer'd that the appellation of Alderman is not only venerable but ancient honourable And from this Lord Ailwine it seemes the first Maior of London descended who was Henry Fitz-Alwin Anno 1191. who continued many years in the Office lies buried in St. Mary Bothaw near London-stone and the next Maior to him was Roger Fitz-Alwin after whom he Office grew annual The City being thus in tract of time come to a fixed and setled Government she began to flourish exceedingly And as she increased in Men Manufactures and Merchandizing so the Kings did enlarge their royal favours unto Her Anno 1226. Henry the third confirmed unto the Citizens of London free Warren or liberty to hunt about the City and in the Warren of Stanes Moreover that the Citizens of London should passe Toll-free throughout all England and that the Keddles and Weres in the Rivers of Thames and Medway should be plucked up and destroyed for ever because Navigation to London might be more free Roger Renger was Maior when these Patents were granted A few years after the liberties and franchises of London were ratified by the same King who granted that either Sheriff should have two Clarks and two Sargeants and that the Citizens should have a Common Seal A little after the same King granted that the Maior Elect should be presented to the Barons of the Exchequer and they should admit him Moreover he gave way that the City should be fortified with Posâ—s and Iron Chains drawn athwart over the streets Anno 1326. Edward the third much increased the Immunities of the City and the Authority of the Maior for he granted that the Maior should be Iustice for the Gaol delivery at Newgate and have power to reprieve Prisoners That the Citizens of London should not be constrained to go out of the City of London to any Warre He granted also that the liberties and franchises of the City should not after that time be taken into the Kings hands as it had bin often before when a Custos was put in Moreover He granted by Letters Patents that there should be no other Eschetor in the City but the Maior Anno 1338. He granted that the Sargeants attending the Maior and the Sheriffs should bear Maces silver and gilt with the Royal Arms engraven Anno 1356. The same King ordained that whereas the Aldermen were used to be chang'd yeerly they should not be removed without special cause for the future Then for the higher honour and Authority of the Office the Sword was added with the Cap of Maintenance Thus in proceâ—s of time the Government of London grew to be more and more established Anno 1415. Sir Henry Barton being Maior ordained Lanthorns and Lights to be hang'd out on the Winter Evenings betwixt Alhollontide and Candlemas Sir Iohn Norman being Maior was the first who went upon the River to Westminster having made a stately Barge to that purpose Anno 1453. And the rest of the Companies followed that laudable Example with their Barges also Anno 1473. Sir Iohn Tate being Maior the Sheriffs of London were appointed each of them to have sixteen Serjeants and every Serjeant to have his Yeoman Moreover they were to have six Clerks a Secondary a Clark of the Papers with fower other Clarks besides the Under Sheriffs Clark Anno 1484. It happened that there was successively one after the other three Mayors and three Sheriffs of London in the compasse of one year by reason of the sweating sickness which rag'd so extreamly Anno 1501. Sir John Sha being Maior added some state to the Office for it was ordered that the Aldermen his Brethren should attend him on Horseback from Guild-hall to the Rivers side when he took Barge for Westminster Besides he was the first who kept Court in his own House for redressing of such matters that came before him Sir William Capel being Maior of London caus'd Cages to be set up in every Ward for the punishments of Vagabends and Rogues Anno 1556. Sir Thomas Ossley being Mayor the Night Bel-man was first ordained Queen Elizabeth did much favour the City of London and for the better Government thereof gave way for a Provost Marshal to be appointed Thus have we observed that the Governours in chief of the City of
London have had from time to time differing appellations Under the Britains they were call'd Kings The Romans stiled them Praefects The Saxons Portreves The Norman Kings at their first comming Bayliffs and sometimes Provosts Then came the Office to be established in the Title of Maior which hath continued any time these 467. years though it was interrupted sometimes by a Custos which some of the Kings as Henry the third and Edward the first upon a displeasure against the City were used to appoint This great Urban Magistrate the Maior of London useth to be chosen upon the feast of St. Michael the Archangel every year out of the six and twenty Aldermen who are his Brethren but he takes not his place until the 28. of October next following Touching the State and Authority of the Lord Maior of London there is no Oppidan Magistrate in Christendom all things well considered lives in a greater Let us examine the particulars and first go to his domestical attendance and the Officers thereunto belonging which are 1. A Sword-bearer 2. Common Hunt 3. Common Cryer And 4. Water Bayliffs all Esquires by their places Then is there the Coroner of London three Sergeant Carvers 3. Sargeants of the Chamber Sargeant of the Channel 4 Yeomen of the Water side The Under Water-Bayliffe two Yeomen of the Chamber three Meal-weighets two Yeomen of the Wood-Wharfs and most of these have their Servants allowed them but the common Huntsman and Water-Bayliffe have two a peece some of them have Liveries from the Lord Maior and the rest from the Chamber of London There be divers other great publick Officers belong to the Government of the City of London as the two Sherifâ—s which like the Lord Maior are but annual The Recorder the Chamberlain the Common Sergeant the Town-Clark or common Clark the Remembrancer all Esquires The Sheriffs are chosen upon Midsummer day they formerly were used to be elected out of the Commonalty and sometimes they came to be Aldermen as many Aldermen were made Maiors though not having bin Sheriffs But of latter years the Sheriffs have bin Aldermen before or presently after their Election And 't is remarkable that Nicolas Faringdon was 4 times Maior of London and yet never Sheriff Now touching the Election of these Officers we shall give a brief account the prime Magistrate the Lord Maior and the Aldermen met at Guild-hall at 8. in the morning in their Scarlet Gowns and their Cloaks fur'd riding on Horseback and having bin a while in the Councel Chamber they come forth into the Orphans Court whence they go in their Cloaks to the Chappel to hear Service and Sermon where the Lord Maior with some of the Aldermen take the Communion which being ended and Offrings delivered they return to the Councel Chamber and thence to the Hustings the highest Court where the Recorder makes a Speech touching the business in hand then they go back to the Lord Maiors Court where they remain the doors shut until the Election be brought unto them Then the common Sargeant having the Sheriffs on either side and the Sheriffs other Officers about them makes another Speech touching the Custom of the City in this kind whereupon they choose two whose names are brought up to the Lord Maior and the Aldermen who by scrutiny elect one of those two whom the Commons had nominated before Then the Lord Maior returns to the Hustings and he who is chosen goeth upon his left hand and sitteth next him Then the Recorder speaks again to the Commons nominating the person whom the Lord Maior and the Aldermen had admitted and demands whether it be their free choyce the commons affirming it the Sword-bearer goes to the Lord Maior Elect and taketh off his Tipper which he takes for his fee and puts on his Chain whereupon he making a short Speech of gratitude the Lord Maior and the new Elect go to the Eldest Sheriffs House to dinner After dinner the Lord Elect taking the Common Hunt and other Officers to attend him besides a Company of Aldermen goeth to the Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England where five or six Aldermen present him wearing their Violet Gowns The morrow after Michaelmas day the Lord Maior and the Aldermen go with the two new Sheriffs to the Exchequer-chamber in Westminster where they are presented and sworn and the old Sheriffs are sworn also to their account On Simon and Iudes day the Aldermen and Sheriffs attend the old Lord Maior at his House whence they come in their formalities to the Hustings where being sate the common Cryer commands silence then the Town-Clark exhibites an Oath to the Lord Maior Elect which being done the former Lord Maior giveth place to the New which being done the Chamberlain delivers him the Scepter next the Keyes of the Common Seal and lastly the Seal of the Majoralty Then the Sword-bearer delivers him the Sword On the morrow after all the Aldermen and Sheriffs solemnly meet at the new Lord Maiors House by 8. in the morning whence they go to the Guild-Hall and thence to the Vine-Tree where they take Barge and are rowed in state to Westminster-Hall the rest of the chief Companies attending in their several Barges with their Arms Colours and Streamers in a very gay manner Being come to the Hall they go round about and salute all the Tribunals of justice then they ascend to the Exchequer Chamber to the Barons where after the Recorder hath made a Speech the Oath is administer'd Then they come down to the Hall and go first to the Kings Bench then to the Common Pleas and so to Westminster Abbey where having walk'd about the Kings Tombs they return to their Barge and so to London again where being landed they go to the Guild-hall where a most plentifull dinner is prepared which lasts many hours being called the Lord Mayors feast The Lords of the privy Councel the Judges with other Lords and Ladies of the best quality are thither invited After dinner the Lord Mayor with all the Companies attending ride solemnly to Saint Pauls to do their devotions and so the Ceremony of that great day is concluded Touching the Election of the Sheriffs the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen meet at 8 in the morning at Guild-hall in their violet-colour'd Gowns and their Cloaks of Scarlet lin'd but without horses where from the Counsel-Chamber they go to the Orphans Court so to the Hustings where the Recorder having made a speech touching the present meeting the Mayor Aldermen go to the Mayors Court the dores shut upon them then the Commons fall to the Election of Sheriffs as also a Chamberlain two Bridg-masters the Auditors of the City and Bridg-house Accounts and the Surveyors for Beer and Ale which being done the Sheriffs with the other Officers the Common Cryer going before them with his Mace go up to the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen to cary up the report of what is done at the Hustings whither the Lord
Mayor and the Aldermen descend again and confirm the Elections Then the Recorder making them a Speech of thanks the meeting ends Now touching the Hustings which we have mentioned so often it is the ancient'st and highest Court of the City of London Touching the Etymology of it it is a pure Saxon word and is derived of House and dhing or thing which among the Saxons signified a Cause or Plea in so much that Hustings is no other then the House of Causes or Pleading and Thingere was the ancient word for a Lawyer or Pleader This Court preserves the Laws Rights Franchises Customs and Dignities of the City There be handled also there the intricat'st accounts and Pleas of the Crowns and of the whole Kingdom which Court hath for many Ages conserv'd inviolably its own Prerogatives and Customs This Court was anciently held every Munday but it was chang'd of late years into Tuesday because of the Sheriffs intending the Market which being kept upon Munday would hinder their sitting in the Hustings Edward the Confessors Lawes refer much to this Hustings Court Moreover the Cities oâ— York Winchester Lincoln the Isle of Shepey and other places have had their Hustings There is also another Court peculiar to London which discovers as much of Charity as of Policy It is call'd the Court of Requests or the Court of Conscience It was first erected by an act of Common-Councel Anno 9. Henry 8. viz. That the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for the time being should monthly assign two Aldermen and four discreet Commoners to sit twice a week to hear and determine all matters brought before them betwixt Free-men where the due debt or dammage did not exceed 40S Afterwards the said number of Commissioners was encreased to the number of twelve which continued till the end of Q. Elizabeths Reign But primo Iacobi it was confirm'd by Act of Parliament That the said Commissioners should have power to exhibit an Oath and to commit to prison such as did not obey their Summons or perform the Orders they made betwixt Plaintiff and Defendant Debitor or Creditor touching any debt not amounting to forty shillings but such hath been the unconscionablenesse and malice of some men of late times that they have endeavour'd to overthrow the the said Court by cavilling at some doubtful words therein wresting them to a perverâ—e sense the rich might have power thereby to oppresse the poorer sort by bringing them to Westminster Hall to a further expence of time and trouble There is then the Court of the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen which is a Court of Record the Recorder and the two Sheriffs being Aldermen not else are members of this Court whose office it is to redresse and correct the errors defaults and misprisions which happen in the Government of the City This Court is kept Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year Then are the two Courts of the Sheriffs one for every Counter whereof there are two Lawyers as Judges well read in the Customs of the City as well as the common Laws but if an erroneous judgment be given before the Sheriffs the party griev'd may sue a Writ of error and remove it to the Hustings Then is the Court of Orphans For the Mayor and Aldermen by Custome have the custody of the Orphans within the City and if they commit the Custody of the Orphans to another man he shall have a ravishment of ward if the Orphan be taken away it being enacted that the Mayor and Chamberlain of London for the time being shall have the keeping of all the Lands and Goods of such Orphans as happen within the City saving to the King and other Lords their Rights of such as hold of them out of the same Liberty Now the Chamberlain is a sole Corporation to himself and his Successors for Orphans and a Recognizance made to him and his Successors touching Orphans shall by custome go to his Successor Moreover the Government of Orphans is so invested in the Mayor that it any Orphans sue in the Ecclesiastical Court or else-where for a Legacy or duty due to them by the Custome a Prohibition doth lye Then is there the Court of Common Councel which hath some resemblance of the high Court of Parliament for it consists of two Houses viz. the one of the Mayor and Aldermen and the other of the Commoners of the City Here they make Constitutions and Laws for advancement of Trade and regulation of other things which bind the whole City There is then the Court of the Chamberlain for Apprentices Now one may be free of London three manner of wayes first by Service secondly by Birth-right being sonne of a Freeman And thirdly by Redemption by Order of the Court of Aldermen The Chamberlain of London is an Officer very considerable in point of power for without him no man can set up shop or occupy his Trade without being sworn before him No man can set-over an Apprentice to another but by his Licence He may imprison any that disobeys his Summons or any Apprenrice that mildemeans himself or punish him otherwise There are the Courts of the Coroner and the Escheator which both belong to the Lord Mayor he being Coroner and Escheator by vertue of his authority and Office Then is there a Court for the conservation of the water River of Thames which belongs to the Lord Mayor from Stanes-bridge unto the water of Yendal and Medway as is amply spoken of before Then is there the Court of the Tower of London and this Court is held within the Verge of the City before the Steward by prescription of debt trespasse and other actions now part of the Tower is within the City and part in Middlesex viz. the East part but the West in London whereof there was a notable example in the person of Sir Thomas Overbury who being poyson'd in a Chamber on the West part the principal murtherers were tryed before Commissioners of Oyer and Terminâ—r in London and so was Sir Gervase Elwayes the Liveâ—enant of the Tower at that time There is also a peculiar Court call'd the Court of Policies and of Assurances in London to Marchants that venture and traffique on the Seas where ships and goods are insur'd at so much in the hundred where there is an Officer of good quality who Registers these Assurances Then is the Court of Halmote or Hall Court for every Company of London having a particular Hall They use to meet there to deliberate of matters belonging to the Company Then is the Court of the Wardmote or of the Wardmote Inquest For the whole City being divided to 26 Wards every Ward hath such an Inquest consisting of twelve or more who inquire after abuses and disorders and present them to be redressed There is also a kind of Court call'd the Colledge of the President Censors and Commonalty or Physicians who have peculiar Lawes of their own and among other one is remarkable that if one who is not
of the Bath in the yeer 1432 purchased the Patronage of this Church from John Duke of Bedford Unkle to Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth in the second of his Reign gave it to Sir Richard Lee then Mayor who ileth there hansomely entomb'd having bin twice Lord Maior with divers others Lower down from this Parish Church be â—ivers fair houses namely one wherein of late Sir Richard Baker a Knight of Kent was lodged and wherein also dwelled Mr. Thomas Gore a Merchant famous for Hospitality On the West side of this VValbrook street over against the Stocks Market is a part of the High street called the Poultry On the South side West till over against Saint Mildreds Church and the Scalding wike is of this Ward Then down again Wallbrook street some small distance in Buckles Bury a street so called of Buckle that sometime was owner thereof part of which street on both sides three or four Houses to the course of the Brook is of this Ward and so down VValbrook street to the South corner from whence West down Budge row some small distance to an Alley and thorow that Alâ—ey South by the West end of St. Johns Church upon VValbrook by the South side and East end of the same again to VValbrook corner This Parish Church is called St John upon VValbrook because the West end thereof is on the very bank of Walbrook by Horshooe Bridge in Horshooe-Bridge street This Church was also lately new builded for about the year 1412 Licence was granted by the Mayor and Communalty to the Parson and Parish for the inlarging thereof with a piece of ground on the North part of the Quire one and twenty foot in length seventeen foot in breadth and three inches and on the South side of the Quite one foot of the common soyle On the South side of Walbrook Ward from Candle-wick street in the mid-way between London-stone and Walbrook corner is a little Lane with a Turn-Pike in the middest thereof and in the same a hansome Parish Church called S. Mary Bothaw or Boat-Haw by the Erbar This Church being near unto Downgate on the River of Thames hath the addition of Bothaw or Boat-haw of near adjoyning to an Haw or Yard wherein of old time Boats were made and landed from Downgate to be mended as may be supposed for other reason I find none why it should be so called This Church hath one remarkable thing in it viz. The Monument of the first Lord May or of London Sir Henry Fitz Alwin His dwelling House remains yet in the Parish but divided to divers Tenements Mr. Stow relates that he was buried in the holy Trinity within Algate but it is far more probable that he was buried here because his Armsâ— are both upon the Gravestone and the Windows Of the Thirteenth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Dowgate Ward WE will now following the thred of our Discourse descend to Downgate Ward which beginneth at the South end of Wallbrook Ward over against the East corner of St. Iohns Church upon Walbrook and descendeth on both the sides to Downgate or Dowgate on the Thames and is so called of that down going or descending thereunto and of this Downgate the Ward taketh name This Ward turneth into Thames street Westward some ten Houâ—es on a side to the course of Walbrooke but East in Thames street on both sides to Ebgate Lane or Old Swan the Land-side whereof hath many Lanes turning up as shall be shewed when we come to them But first to begin with the High street called Dowgate at the upper end thereof is a fair Conduit of Thames Water castellated and made in the year 1568 at the charges of the Citizens and is called the Conduit upon Dowgate The descent of this streâ—t is such that in the year 1574 on the fourth of September in the afternoon there fell a storm of rain where-through the Channels suddenly aroâ—e and ran with such a swift course towards the Common-shores that a Lad of eighteen years old minding to have leapt over the Channel near unto the said Conduit was taken with the stream and carried from thence towards the Thames with such a violence that no man with staves or otherwise could stay him till he came against a Cart-wheele that stood in the said Water-gate before which time he was drowned and stark dead On the West side of this street is Tallow-Chandlers Hall a hansome house which Company was incorporated in the second year of Edward the fourth Somewhat lower standeth the Skinners Hall a fair house which was sometimes called Copped Hall by Downgate in the Parish of St. John upon Wallbrook In the nineteenth year of Edward the second Ralph Cobham possessed it with five shops c. This Company of Skinners in London was incorporate by Edward the third in the first of his Reign they had two Brotherhoods of Corpus Christi viz. one at St. Mary Spittle the other at St. Mary Bethlem without Bishopsgate Richard the second in the eighteenth of his Reign granted them to make their two Brotherhoods one by the name of the Fraternity of Corpus Christi of Skinners divers Royal persons were named to be Founders and Brethren of this Fraternity to wit Kings six Dukes nine Earls two Lords one Kâ—ngs Edward the third Richard the second Henry the fifth Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth This Fraternity had also once every year on Corpus Christi day afternoon a a proâ—ession which passed through the principal streets of the City wherein was borne more than one hundred Torches of Wax costly garnished burning light and above two hundred Clerks and Priests in Surplesses and Coaps singing After the which were the Sheriffs servants the Clarks of the Compters Chaplains for the Sheriffs the Mayors Sergeants the Councel of the City the Mayor and Aldermen in Scarlet and then the Skinners in their best Liveries Then lower was a Colledge of Priests called Jesus Commons a House well furnished with Brasse Pewter Napery Plate c. besides a fair Library well stored with Books all which of old time were given to a number of Priests that should keep Commons there and as one left his pâ—ace by death or otherwise another should be admitted into his room but this Order within these 70. years being discontinued the said House was dissolved and turned into Tenements Down lower have ye Elbowe Lane and at the corner thereof was one great Stone-house called Old-hall it is now taken down and divers fair Houses of Timber placed there This was sometimes pertaining to William de pont le Arch and by him given the Priory of St. Mary Overy in Southwark in the Reign oâ— Henry the first In this Elbow-lane is the Inholders Hall and other fair Houses this Lane runneth West and suddenly turneth South into Thames-street and therefore of that bending is called Elbow-lane on the East side of this Downgate-street is the great old House before spoken of
remaining on the South side of the street which of late time hath been called the Old Barge of such a signe hanged out near the Garte thereof This Mannor or great House hath of long time bin divided and letten out into mâ—ny Tenements and it hath bin a common Speech that when Wallbrook did lie open Barges were rowed out of the Thames or towed up so far and therefore the place hath ever since bin called the Old Barge Also on the North side of this street directly over against the said Bucklesbury was one ancient and strong Tower of Stone the which Tower King Edward the third in the eighteenth of his Reign called by the name of the Kings house and Cornet Stoure in London and â—id appoint his Exchange of money there to be kept In the nine and twentieth he granted it to Frâ—idus Guynysane and Landus Bardaile Marchants of Luke for twenty pound the year And in the three and twentieth he gave the same Tower to his Colledge or Free Chappel of St. Stephen at VVestmister by the name of Cornet Stoure at Bucklesbury in London This whole street called Buckles bury on both the sides throughout is possessed of Grocers and Apothecaries toward the West end thereof on the South side breaketh out one other short lane called in Records Peneritch-street it reacheth but to St. Sythes lane and St. Sythes Church is the farthest part thereof for by the West end of the said Church beginneth Needles Lane which reacheth to Sopers Lane as is aforesaid This small Parish Church of St. Syth hath also an addition of Bennet Shorne or Shrog or Shorehog for by all these names it hath bin called but the ancient is Shorne wherefore it seemeth to take that name of one Benedict Shorne sometime a Citizen and Stock-fishmonger of London a new Builder repairer or Benefactor thereof in the year of Edward the second so that Shorne is but corruptly called Shrog and more corruptly Shorehog Here are divers Monuments and among other the Tomb of Sir Raph Vâ—arren Knight Alderman twice Lord Maior of London and Marchant of the Staple at Callis with his two Wives Anno 1553. Then in Needlers Lane have ye the Parish Church of St. Pancrase a proper small Church but divers rich Parishioners therein and hath had of old time many liberal Benefactors But of late such as not regarding the Order taken by Queen Elizabeth the least Bell in their Church being broken have rather sold the same for half the value then put the Parish to charge with new casting late experience hath proved this to be true besides the spoil of Monuments there This little Church hath also some handsome Monuments Then is a part of Sopers-lane turning up to Cheap By the assent of Stephen Abunden Maior the Pepperers in Sopers lane were admitted sell all such Spices and other Wares as Grocers now use to sell retaining the old name of Pepperers in Sopers lane till at length in the Reign of Henry the sixth the same Sopers lane was inhabited by Cordwayners and Curriers after that the Pepperers or Grocers had seated themselves in a more open street to wit in Buckles bury where they now remain Thus much for the South Wing of Cheap-Ward At the West end of this Poultry and also of Bucklers bury beginneth the large street of West Cheaping a Market place so called which street siretcheth West till ye come to the little Conduit by Pauls Gate but not all of Cheap Ward In the East part of this street standeth the Great Conduit of Sweet-water conveyed by Pipes of Lead under ground from Paddington for service of this City castellated with stone and Cisterned in Lead about the year 1285 and again new builded and enlarged by Thomas Ilam one of the Sheriffs 1479. About the middest of this street is the Standard in Cheape of what Antiquity the first foundation is I have not read But Henry the sixth by his Patent dated at Windsor the one and twentieth of his Reign which Patent was confirmed by Parliament 1442 granted Licence to Thomas Knolles Iohn Chichle and other Executers to Iohn Wells Grocer sometime Maior of London with his Goods to make new the high-way which leadeth from the City of London towards the place of Westminster before and nigh the Mannor of Savoy parcel of the Dutchey of Lancaster a way then very ruinous and the Pavement broken to the hurt and mischiâ—f of the Subjects which old Pavement then remaining in that way within the length of five hundred foot and all the breadth of the same before and nigh the fire of the Manner aforesaid they were to break up and with Stone Gravel and other stuffe make one other good and sufficient way for the Commodity of the Subjects And further that the Standard in Cheape where divers Executions of the Law before time had bin performed which Standard at that preâ—ent was very ruinous with age in which there was a Cond it should be taken down and another competent Standard of Stone together with a Conduit in the same of new strongly to be builded for the Commodity and honour of the City with the goods of their Testator without interruption c. Of Executions at the Standard in Cheape we read that in the year 1293. three men had their right hands smitten off there for rescuing of a Prisoner arrested by an Officer of the City In the year 1326 the Burgesses of London caused Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exceter Treasurer to Edward the second and others to be beheaded at the Standard in Cheap but this was by Pauls Gate In the year 1351 the six and twentieth of Edward the third two Fishmongers were beheaded at the Standard in Cheap 1381 wat Tylar beheaded Richard Lyons and others there In the year 1â—99 Henry the fourth caused the Blank Charters made by Richard the â—econd to be burnt there In the year 1450 Iack Cade Captain of the Kentish Rebels beheaded the Lord Say there In the year 1461 Iohn Davy had his hand stricken off there because he had stricken a man before the Judges at Westminster c. Then next is the great Crosse in VVest Cheap which Crosse was there erected in the year 1290 by Edward the first upon occasion thus Queen Elianor his Wise dyed at Hardeby a Town near unto the City of Lincoln her Body was brought from thence to VVestminster and the King in memory of her caused in every place where her Body rested by the way a stately Crosse of Stone to be erecteâ— with the Queens Image and Arms upon it as at Grantham VVoborn Northampton Stony-stratford Dunstable St. Albones VValtham VVest-Cheape and at Charing from whence she was conveyed to VVestminster and there buried This Crosse in VVest-Cheape being like to those other which remain to this day and being by length of time decayed Iohn Hatherley Mayor of London procured in the year 1441 Licence of King Henry the sixth to re-edifie the same in more beautiful manner for the
Reign gave the Office of being Porter or Keeper thereof unto John Stent for terme of his life by the name of his principal Pallace in the Old Jewry This was called the Old Wardrobe but of latter time the outward Strone-Wall hath bin by little and little taken down and divers fair Houses builded thereupon even round about Now or the North side of this Lothbury beginning again at the East end thereof upon the Water-Course of Wallbrook have ye a proper Parish Church called St. Margaret which was newly re-edified and builded about the year 1440. By the West end of this Parish-Church have ye a fair Warter-Conduit builded at the Charges of the City in the year 1546. Next is the Founders Hall a hansom House and so to the South-West corner of Basing-hall-street have ye fair and large Houses for Marchants namely the Corner-house at the end of Basings-Hall-street an old peece of work builded of Stone sometime belonging to a certain Jew named Mansere the Sonne of Aaron the Sonne of Coke the Jew the seventh of Edward the first since to Rahere Sopers-Lane then to Simon Francis Thomas Bradbury Mercer kept his Majoralty there deceased 1509. part of this House hath bin lately imployed as a Market-house for the sale of Woollen Bayes Watmoles Flanels and such like On this North side against the Old Iewry is Colemanstreet so called of Coleman the first builder and owner thereof is also of Cole-Church or Coleman-Church against the great Conduit in Cheape This is a fair and large street on both sides builded with divers fair Houses besides Allies with small Tenements in great number on the East side of this street almost at the North end thereof is the Armorers-Hall which Company of Armorers were made a Fraternity of Guild of St. George with a Chantry in the Chappel of St. Thomas in Pauls Church in the first of Henry the sixth also on the same side is Kings Allâ—y and Love-lane both containing many Tenements And on the West side towards the South end is the Parish Church of St. Stephen wherein the Monuments are defaced This Church was sometime a Synagogue of the Jews then a Parish Church then a Chappel to Saint Olaves in the Jewry until the seventh of Edward the fourth and was then incorporated a Parish Church Of the Eighteenth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Basings-Hall-Ward THe next adjoyning to Coleman-street-Ward on the West side thereof is Bassings-Hall-VVard a small thing and consisteth of one street called Basings-Hall-street of Basings-Hall the most principal House whereof the Ward taketh name it beginneth in the South by the late spoken Market House called the Bay Hall which is the last of Coleman-street-VVard This street runneth from thence North down to London-Wall and some distance both East and West against the said Hall And this is the bounds of Basings-Hall-VVard Amongst divers fair Houses for Marchants have ye three Halls of Companies namely the Masons Hall for the first but of what Antiquity that Company is I have not read The next is the Weavers Hall which Company hath bin of great Antiquity in this City as appeareth by a Charter of Henry the second in these words Rex omnibus ad Quos c. to be englished thus Henry King of England Duke of Normandy and of Guyan Earl of Anjou to the Bishop Justices Sheriffs Barons Ministers and all his true Lieges of London sendeth greeting Know ye that we have granted to the Weavers in London their Guild with all the Freedoms and Customs that they had in the time of King Henry my Grandfather so that they intermit none but within the City of their Craft but he be of their Guild neither in Southwark or other places pertaining to London otherwise than it was done in the time of King Henry my Grand-father wherefore I will and straightly command that over all lawfully they may treat and have all aforesaid as well in peace free worshipful and wholly as they had it ftreer better worshipfuller and whollier than in the time of King Henry my Grand-father so that they yield yearly to me two Marks of Gold at the feast of St. Michael And I forbid that any man to them do any Unright or Disease upon pain of ten pound c. Lower down is the Girdlers Hall and this is all touching the East side of this Ward On the West side almost at the South end thereof is Bakewell-Hall corruptly called Blackwell-Hall concerning the Original whereof I have heard divers Opinious which I over-passe as Fables without colour of truth for though the same seemed a Building of great Antiquity yet in mine Opinion the Foundation thereof was first laid since the Conquest of VVilliam Duke of Normandy for the same was builded upon Vaults of Stone which Stone was brought from Cane in Normandy The like of that in Pauls Church builded by Mauritius and his Successors Bishops of London but that this House hath bin a Temple or Jewish Synagogue as some have fantisied I allow not seeing that it had no such form of roundness or other likeness neither had it the form of a Church for the Assembly of Christians which are builded East and West but contrariwise the same was builded North and South and in the form of a Noblemans House and therefore the best Opinion in my judgement is that it was of old time belonging to the Family of the Bassings which was in this Realm a name of great Antiquity and Renown and that it beares also the name of that Family and was called therefore Basings-Haugh or Hall Now how Bakewell-hall took that name is another Question For which I read That Thomas Bakewel dwelled in this House in the 36. of Edward the 3d and that in the 20. of Richard the 2d the said King for the sum of 50. pounds which the Mayor and the Communalty had paid into the Hanapar granted Licence so much as was in him to Iohn Frosh William Parker and Stephen Spilman Citizens and Mercers that they the said Messuage called Bakewell-hall and one Garden with the appurtenances in the Parish of St. Michael of Bassings-Haugh and of St. Lawrence in the Jewry of London and one Messuage two Shops and one Garden in the said Parish of St. Michael which they held of the King in Burgage might give and assign to the Mayor and Communalty for ever This Bakewell-Hall thus established hath bin long since imployed as a weekly Market-place for all sorts of Woollen Clothes broad and narrow brought from all parts of this Realm there to be sold. In the 21. of Richard the second Richard Whittington Mayor and in the 22 Drew Barringtine being Mayor it was decreed that no Forraign or stranger should sell any Woollen-Cloth but in Bakewell-hall upon pain of forfeiture thereof This House of late years growing ruinous and in danger of falling Richard May Merchant-Taylor at his decease gave towards the new building of the outward part thereof 300l upon condition
Intra or within for a difference from another Ward of that name which lyeth without the Walls of the City and is therefore called Farringdon Extra These two Wards of old time were but one and had also but one Alderman The whole great Ward of Faringdon both Intra and Extra took name of W. Farrendon Goldsmith Alderman of that Ward and one of the Sheriffs of London in the year 1281 the ninth of Edward the first He purchased the Aldermanry of this Ward as by the Abstract of Deeds which are yet extant may appear At the South-West corner of Wood-street is the Parish Church of St Peter the Apostle by the said Crosse a proper Church John Sha Goldsmith Mayor deceased 1503 appointed by his Testament the said Church and Steeple to be new builded of his goods with a flat roof Notwithstanding Tho. Wood Goldsmith one of the Sheriffs 1491 is accounted a principal Benefactor because the roof of the middle Isle is supported by Images of Woodmen thought to be at his charge The long Shop or Shed encroaching on the High-street before this Church Wall was licenced to be made in the year 1401 yielding to the Chamber of London three shillings four pence yearly for the time Also the same Shop was letten by the Parish for three pounds at the most many years since Then is Guthuruns Lane so called of Guthurun sometime owner thereof the Inhabitants of this Lane of old time were Gold-beaters as doth appear by Records in the Exchequer For the Easterling money was appointed to be made of fine Silver such as men made into foyle and was commonly called Silver of Guâ—hrons Lane c. The Imbroyderers Hall is in this Lane Iohn Throwstone Imbroyderer then Goldsmith Sheriff deceasing 1519. gave forty pound towards the purchase of this Hall Hugon Lane on the East side and Key Lane called of one Kery on the West Then in the High street on the same North side is the Sadlers Hall and then Foster-Lane so called of Saint Fosters a fair Church lately new builded Henry Coote Goldsmith one of the Sheriffs deceased 1509 builded St. Dunstans Chappel there Iohn Throwstone one of the Sheriffs gave to the building thereof one hundred pounds by his Testament John Brown Sergeant-painter Alderman deceased 1532 was a great Benefactor and was there buried William Trist Selerar to the King 1425. John Standelf Goldsmiths lye buried there Richard Galder 1544 Agnes Wife to William Milbourne Chamberlain of London 1500. In this West side is the Barber Chirurgions Hall This Company was Incorporated by means of Thomas Morestead Esquire one of the Sheriffs of London a thousand four hundâ—ed thirty six Chirurgion to the Kings of England Henry the fourth fifth and sixth He deceased 1450. Then Jaques Fries Physitian to Edward the fourth and William Hobbs Physician and Chirurgion to the same Kings Body continuing the Suite the full terme of twenty years Edward the fourth in the second of his Reign and Richard Duke of Glocester became Founders of the same Corporation in the Parish of Saint Cosme and Damiane The first assembling of that Mystery was by Roger Strippe William Hobbs Thomas Goddard and Richard Kent since the which time they builded their Hall in that street c. At the North corner of this street on the same side was sometime an Hermitage or Chappel of Saint James called in the Wall near Creplegate it belonged to the Abbey and Covent of Garadon as appeareth by a Record the seven and twentieth of Edward the first and also the fiftieth of Edward the third William de Lions was Hermit there and the Abbot and Convent of Garadon found two Chaplains Cestercâ—an Monkes of their House in this Hermitage one of them for Aymor de Valence Earl of Pembrooke and Mary de Saint Paul his Countesse Of these Monks and of a Well pertaining to them the street took that name and is called Monkes-Well street This Hermitage with the appurrenances was in the Reign of Edward the sixth purchased from the said King by W. Lambe one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Chappel Citizen and Cloth-worker of London He deceased in the year 1577 and then gave it to the Cloth-workers of London with other Tenements to the value of fifty pounds the year to the intent they shall hire a Minister to say Divine Service there Again to the High street of Cheap from Foster Lane end to St. Martins and by that Lane to the Shambles or Flesh-markâ—t on the North side whereof is Pentecost Lane containing divers Slaughter-houses for the Butchers Then was there of old time a hansome Parish Church of Saint Nicholas whereof the said Flesh-market took the name and was called Saint Nicholas Shambles This Church with the Tenements and Ornaments was by Henry the eighth given to the Mayor and Communalty of the City towards the maintenance of the New Parish Church then to be erected in the late dissolved Church of the Gray Fryers so was this Church dissolved and pulled down in place whereof and of the Church-yard many fair Houses are now builded in a Court with a Well in the middest whereof the Church stood Then is Stinking Lane formerly so called or Chick Lane at the East end of the Gray Fryers Church it is now kept clean and free from annoyance and called by the name of Butchers Hall Lane for there is the Butchers Hall In the third of Richard the second motion was made that no Butcher should kill any flesh within London but at Knightsbridge or such like distant place from the Walls of the City Then is there the late dissolved Church of Gray Fryars the Originall whereof was thus In the year 1224 being the 8th year of the Reign of King Henry the 3d there came out of Italy nine Fryers of the order of the Franciscans or Frior Minors five whereof were Priests and the other four Lay-men the Priests placed themselves at Canterbury in Kent but the other four came to London and were lodged for some short while among the preaching Fryers who lived then in Oldburn now Holborne Afterwards they obtained to be placed in Cornhil London man House belonging to one Iohn Travers who was then one of the Sheriffs of London in the same year 1224 in which House they made themselves Cells and inhabited there for a certain time till their number so encreased and the Citizens devotion grew to be so great that within few years after they were thence removed by the means of one Iohn Ewin Mercet who purchased a void plot of ground near to St. Nicholas Shambles where to erect an House for the said Fryers Divers Citizens seemed herein to joyn with the said Iohn Ewin and erected there very beautiful Buildings upon the same ground so formerly purchased by John Ewin and a great part builded at his own Charge which he appropriated to the Communalty of London and then entred into the same Order of Friers as a Lay-Brother himself This whole Church contained in length
was made one of the six and twenty Wards belonging to the City of London which was in this manner After the dissolution of the Monasteries Abbeys Priories and other Religious Houses in this Realm of England The Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of this City of London taking into their Considerations how commodious and convenient it would be unto the City to have the Burough of Southwark annexed thereunto and that the same Burough was in the Kings hands wholly they became humble suiters unto King Henry the eighth and unto the Lords of his Highness Privy Councel for the obtaining of the same Which suit not being granted unto them after the Decease of King Henry the eighth they renewed their Suit unto his Sonne and next Successour King Edward the sixth and to the Lords of his Privie Councel for the obtaining of the same Borough At the length after long suit and much labour it pleased King Edward the fixth by his Letters Parents sealed with the great Seal of England bearing date at VVestminster the three and twentieth day of April in the fourth year of his Reign as well in consideration of the sum of six hundred forty seven pounds two shillings and a penny of lawful money of England paid to his Highnesses use by the Mayor Communalty and Citizens of London as for divers other considerations him thereunto moving To give and grant unto the said Mayor and Communalty and Citizens of London divers Messuages Lands and Tenements lying near the Borough of Southwark in the said Letters Parents particularly expressed which were sometimes the Lands of Charles late Duke of Suffolk and of whom King Henry the eighth did buy and purchase the same But there was excepted out of the said grant and reserved unto the said King Edward the sixth his Heirs and Successors and all that his Capitall Messuage or Mansion Hoâ—se called Southwark place late of the said Duke of Suffolke and all Gardens and Land to the same adjoyning and all that his Park in Southwarke and all that his Messuage and all Edifices and ground called the Antelope there And the said King Edward the 6th did by his said Letters Patents give grant to the said Mayor Communalty and Citizens and their Successors all that his Lordship and Mannor of Southwarke with all and singular the Rights Members and Appurtenances thereof in the said County of Surrey then late belonging to the late Monastery of Bermondsey in the same County And also all that his Mannor and Borough of Southwarke with all and singular the Rights Members and Appurtenances thereof in the said County of Surrey then late parcel of the Possessions of the Arch-Bishop and Bishoprick of Canterbury together with divers yearly Rents issuing out of the divers Messuages or Tenements in the said Letters Patents particularly expressed But there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant to the said King Edward the sixth his Heirs and Successors all his Rights Jurisdictions Liberties and Franchises whatsoever within the Walk Circuit and Precinct of his Capital Messuage Gardens and Park in Southwarke and in all Gardens Curtilages and Lands to the said Mansion House Gardens and Park belonging Also there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant the House Messuage or lodging there called the Kings-Bench and the Gardens to the same belonging so long as it should be used as a Prison for prisoners as it was then used Also there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant the House Messuage or Lodging there called the Marshalsey and the Gardens to the same belonging so long as it should be used as a Prison for prisoners as it was then used Also it was provided that the said Letters Patents should not be prejudicial to the Offices of the great Master or Steward of the Kings Houshold within the Borough and Precincts aforesaid to be executed while the same Borough and Precincts should be within the Verge Nor to Iohn Gates Knight one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Privy Chamber concerning any Lands Tenements Offices Profits Franchises or Liberties to him granted during his life by the said King Edward the sixth or by his Father King Henry the eighth About the space of a Month after the said Borough of Southwark was so granted by King Edward the sixth to the Mayor Communalty and Citizens of London and that they by force of the said Letters Patents stood charged with the Ordering Survey and Government of the same Borough and of all the Kings Subjects inhabiting therein and repairing thither At a Court holden before Sir Rowland Hill Knight then Lord Mayor of London and the Aldermen of the same City in the Guild-Hall of London on Tuesday the eight and twentieth of May in the said fourth year of the Reign of King Edward the sixth the said Town or Borough was named and called the Ward or Bridge VVard without Not long after it was enacted that besides the then ancient accustomed number of five and twenty Aldermen there should be one Alderman more elected to have the Rule Charge and Governance of the said Borough and Town And that four discreet persons or more being Freemen of London and dwelling within the said City or the Borough of Southwarke or in other the Liberties of the said City should from thenceforth as often as the Case shall require be from time to time nominated appointed and chosen by the Inhabitants of the said Borough for the time being before the Lord Mayor of London for the time being And that the said Lord Mayor for the time being should at the next Court of Aldermen to be holden at the Guild-Hall of the said City next after such election present the Names and Sirnames of all such persons as to should be named before him and put in the said Election And that the said Lord Mayor and Aldermen for the time being should of those four persons or mo so presented Elect and Chuse one by way of Scrutinie to be an Alderman of the said City and to have the peculiar Ordering Rule and Governance of the said Borough and Town of Southwarke and of the Inhabitants thereof and of all other the Kings liege people repairing to the same This Borough being in the County of Surrey consisteth of divers streets waies and winding Lanes all full of Buildings inhabited And first to begin at the West part thereof over against the West Suburbe of the City on the Bank of the River Thames there is now a continual building of Tenements about half a mile in length to the Bridge Then South a continual street called Long Southwark builded on both sides with divers Lanes and Alleys up to St. Georges Church and beyond it through Blackman street towards New Town or Newington the Liberties of which Borough extend almost to the Parish Church of New Town aforesaid distant one mile from London Bridge and also South-west a continual building almost to Lambeth more than one mile from the said Bridge Then from
power may suffice all manner of freedom of joyous liberty and whosoever shall presume or doth contrary to this my grant I will he lose his name VVorship Dignity and Power and that with the great Traytor Judas that betrayed our Saviour he be in the everlasting fire of Hell And I will and ordain that this my Grant endure as long as there remaineth in England either love or dread of Christian name And this Record may be ranked among the most ancient of the Land About what time King Edward the Confessor did renew it he removed St. Margarets Church which before was within the Abbey to the place where now it stands Of Westminster-Hall and all the Tribunalls of Iustice which have their motion therein And first of the High Court of Parliament HAving visited God Almighties House we will now take a view of the chief Praetorium of Great Britain which is VVestminster-Hall and of the Courts of Judicature which are thereunto annexed And first of the Court Paramount the high national Court of Parliament vvhich great Councel vvas used to be the Bulwark of our liberties the boundary and bank vvhich kept us from slavery from the inundations of Tyrannical encroachments and unbounded VVill-Government And in this High Court there was used to be such a Co-ordination of power such a wholsome mixture 'twixt Monarchy Optimacy and Democracy I mean 'twixt Prince Peers and Commonalty during the time of consultation that of so many distinct parts by a rare co-operation and unanimity they made but one Body Politique like that sheaf of Arrowes in the Fable they made but one entire concentrical peece and the results of their deliberations but as so many harmonious Diapazons arising from the touch of different strings And what greater mark of freedom can there be to a people then to be lyable to no Lawes but what they make themselves to be subject to no Contribution Assement or pecuniary Levies whatsoever but what they vote and voluntarily yield unto themselves For in this great compacted Body politick there be all degrees of people represented The Yeoman Marchant Tradesman and mechanick have there their inclusive Votes as well as the Gentry and Freeholders in the persons of their Trustees viz. their Burgesses and Knights The Clergy also which make a considerable part of the Common-wealth were used to have their Representatives there not only in the persons of the Bishops which at the first constitution were the prime Parliament and continued so many Ages but in the Convocation which was an Assesmbly of Divines fairly chosen to that purpose Nor is this Soveraign super-intendent Councel and Epitome of this Iland only but it may be said to represent the whole Universe according to the primitive constitution The Soveraign Prince was as the Sun the Nobles the fixed Starres the Itinerant Iudges and other Officers that were wont to go with Messages 'twixt both Houses to the Planets The Clergy when there was a Convocation House as was said before to the Element of fire The Commons to the solid body of the Earth and the rest of the Elements He who hath bin conversant with the Chronicles of this Iland will finde it hath bin her fare to be four times conquered but the Scot never till now of late These so many Conquests must needs bring with them many tumblings and tossings many disturbances and changes in Government yet I have observed that notwithstanding these various tumblings England retained still the form of Monarchy and something there was alwayes that held an Analogy with the great Assembly of Parliament The first Conquest was made by Claudius Caesar at which time it may be said that the Standard of the Crosse came in together with the Roman Eagles 't is well known how the Roâ—an governed He had his Comitia which bore a resemblance with our Convention in Parliament the place of meeting was called praetorium and the Lawes which were enacted were called Plebiscita The Saxon Conquest succeeded next in which were the English and the Saxons governed by Parliament though it was under other names as Michel Gemote Michel Sinoth and VVitenage Mote There are Records near upon a thousand years of these Parliaments in the Raigns of King Ina Offa Ethelbert and others The third Conquest was by the Danes and they governed also by such generall Assemblies in the Raign of Canutus and others Then came the Norman whose Successors did revive and ratifie the way of governing by Parliament witness Magna Charta which was used to be called the Foundation of the English liberty and it may be compared to divers outlandish graffs set upon one stock for the choysest of the British Roman Saxon Danish and Norman Lawes being cull'd and pick'd out and gathered as it were in one bundle out of them the foresaid grand Charter was extracted the establishment whereof was a work of a Parliament Now by an ancient Statute of Edward the third it was enacted That all Statutes are repealed which are against Magna Charta or Charta de foresta Nor are the Lawes of this Iland only and the immunities of the people conserved by Parliament but all the best policed Countries of Europe have the like The Germans have their Diets The Dane and Swedes their Rich-daghs The Spaniard las Cortes and the French the Assembly of the three Estates though it hath bin for many years discontinued And touching England the Parliament was uâ—ed to be the principal Fountain whence the Soveraign Prince derived his happiness and safety It was the great Conduit-Pipe which conveighed unto him the Peoples bounty and love It was the truest Looking-Glasse wherein he discerned their affections and allegiance In Parliament the Soveraign Prince used to appear like the Sun in the Meridian in the altitude of his glory in his highest Royal State as the Law tells us But we will go now more particularly to work and treat of this great National Conncel according to the first constitution and establishment thereof This Court consisteth of the Kings Majesty sitting there as in his Royal politick Capacity and of the three Estates of the Realm viz. of the Lords spiritual Arch Bishops and Bishops being in number twenty four who sit there by succession in respect of their Counties or Baronies parcel of their Bishopricks which they hold also in their politick Capacity And every one of these when any Parliament is to be holden ought Ex debito justitiae to have a writ of Summons The Lords Temporal Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons who sit there by reason of their Dignities which they hold by Descent or Creation and likewise every one of these being of full age ought to have a writ of Summons ex debito justitiae for they are called Parliamentary Barons The third Estate is the Commons of the Realm whereof there be Knights of shires or Counties Citizens of Cities and Burghesses of Burghes All which are respectively elected by the Shires or Counties Cities and Burghes
and hath enjoyed it without controlement or question And now before we bid a farewel to Westminster we will acquaint the Reader in brief with the modern Civil Government thereof Now as London is divided into 26. Wards so Westminster is partition'd to 12. for the which the Dean of the Collegiat Church was wont with the high Steward to elect 12. Burgesses and as many Assistants viz. one Burgesse and one Assistant for every Ward out of which twelve two are nominated yearly upon Thursday in Easter week for chief Burgesses to continue for one entire year who have Authority to hear examine determine and punish according to the Lawes of the Realm and Customs of the City matters of incontinency common Scolds Inmates with publique annoyances and likewise to commit such persons as shall offend against the peace giving notice thereof within 24. houres to some Justice of the Peace in the County of Middlesex And this mode of Government Westminster hath by vertue of an Act of Parliament in the twenty seventh of Queen Elizabeth A PARALLEL By way of COROLLARY Betwixt LONDON AND Other great Cities of the World HAving hitherto rambled up and down the streets of London and pryed into every corner thereof having endeavoured to fetch Her from her very Cradle which may not be improperly said for we found Her at first a Grove of Wood and so attended Her all along to that marvellous degree of perfection she is now arrived unto by insensible Coalitions of people improvement of Trade and encrease of Structures We will now for the better illustration of things and further enlightning of the Reader make a Comparison or Parallel 'twixt Her and other great Cities of the World which are accounted Cities of the first Magnitude for as the Starres in Heaven are distinguish'd by degrees of Magnitude so are Cities on the Earth Or to descend lower as there are Ships of the first second and third rate so there are Cities Now among those various wayes which tend to convey knowledge to the understanding rectifie ones judgement Examples Comparisons and Parallels conduce much thereunto and Plutarch was the first that prescrib'd this way who as t' was said of him by giving life to so many noble Greeks and Romans after their deaths gave himself the longest life so it may be said that by his Parallels he made himself parallel'd The Terrestial Globe which the Great God of Nature was pleased to entail upon man-kind for his mansion and to hold it for himself and his Heirs in Capite from Him I say this Masse of Earth is compared by some to a Camels back in regard of the bunchy unevenness of it by others to a Libbards skin in regard of the sundry 〈◊〉 parts and variety of Habitations By others to a great piece of Embrodery enchas'd up and down whereof the most bossie and richest compacted parts are Towns and Cities where People are linked in a nearer bond of love and lead a more civil course of life For Urbanity and Civility derived their names first from thence These Comparisons are lesse wide and more significant then that which Lucian makes when by way of drollery he makes the greatest Cities upon Earth to appear like so many Birds Neasts It is a Catholique truth wherein all Chronologers Antiquaries do unanimously concur that in the non-age of the World man-kind had no other Habitation then Woods Groves and bushy Queaches which they fenc'd about with Hardles made of twigs and loose Stone-walls to defend them from the invasions of wild and ravenous Beasts some lived in Caves and concavities of Rocks to shelter themselves from the inclemency and rigor of the Air Insomuch that all men were Troglodites at first as there are many Nations who are housed so to this day making themselves holes and hollowes in Rocks and sandy dry grounds as we find in this Iland some of those Troglodites both in Nottingham and Bridge-north Then by degrees they made themselves small Huts from Huts they came to build Houses and so to cohabit in Hamlets and thence sprung up Towns and Cities The first of any same was that stupend or City of Babylon founded by Nimrod the great Hunter and enlarged by that notable Virago Semiramis which was girded about with Walls 200. foot high and fifty broad whereof the Circuit was 300 Furlongs she had also 300. Turrets upon the Walls which were of such a latitude that Chariots might go upon them and if old Historians may oblige us to a belief there were three hundred thousand men that were employed in the building thereof she continueth still a vast and flourishing City called by the Turks Bagdat Asia being the most Orientall Countrey on this side the Hemisphere as it was first peopled for Adam was that Countreyman so Towns Cities Castles Altars and other Buildings first began to be erected there and indeed all other knowledge besides Architecture came first from those parts being next Neighbors to the rising Sun The Indian Brachmans or Gymnosophists were the first scientifical men and Students of Philosophy The Persian Magi were her next Students Then she cross'd the red Sea and came to Memphis among the Aegyptians whence she steered down the Nile and got over the Aegean Seas to Corinth and Athens among the Greeks whence she took wing to Rome and from thence she clammer'd ore the Alps to France Germany Great Britany and other North-west Climats Now as Asia had the first Cities so she glories to have to this day the greatest we will instance only in the City of Quinzay who arrogates to her self the name of the Celestial City whereof divers modern Authours do write portentous things and truly he must have a strong Faith who will believe them She is the chief City of the Empire of China lying under the same Climate as Venice doth with whom she hath a great resemblance being built upon the South side of a huge Laque she hath in length about forty miles in latitude thirty and one hundred and twenty miles in circumference she hath above a thousand Bridges some whereof are so high that Ships under saile may passe under them Her Houses are of Stone and Earth the lowest whereof is five stories high of marvellous beauty and strength She hath many magnificent Temples but one next the Royal Palace of a stupendious structure being of that altitude that the ascent is threescore and fower marble stairs There are an incredible number of fair Palaces in her among which after that of the Emperour those of the ten Governours are the stateliest and among them that of the Captain of the Tartars About the Center of the City stands the Imperial Court which is fenc'd about with seven Walls whereof every one is garded by ten thousand Souldiers the Palace is ten miles in Circuit and hath fourscore great Halls but that where the great Councel sits is four square and hath Windows and Gates looking towards the four parts of the Heaven
duties touching the execution of the Statute made for punishment of Rogues Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars c. They are to inquire if those to whom the execution of the Statute for the relief of the poor doth appertain be remisse in discharging their duties that way They are to inquire if any Executor or others keep in their hands any Legacy sum of money or other thing given to charitable uses They are to inquire if any that keep Horses in their Houses do lay their Stable dung or such kind of noysome filth in any streets or lanes of the City and do not cause the Dung-cart to be led to the Stable door The Ward-mote Inquest by vertue of their Office are bound to search into all these enormities and to meet once a moneth or oftner if need require to that purpose And whosoever doth judiciously observe these several heads will find there 's nothing wanting to preserve a City or the people thereof in the wayes of neatness safety and industry or for the advancement of Vertue and suppression of Vice By these particulars with what hath bin spoken of formerly in the Body of this Book the Reader may observe how exact the City of London is in her Urban Government 3. Now touching the magnificence gravity and state of the chief Magistrate neither the Pretor of Rome or the Prefect of Milan neither the Proctors of Saint Mark in Venice or their Podestas in other Cities neither the Provost of Paris the Markgrave of Antwerp can compare with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London If one go to the variety of their Robes sometimes Scarlet richly fur'd sometimes Purple sometimes Violet and Puke What a goodly Spectacle it is to behold the Lord Mayor and the Companies attending him in so many dainty Barges when he goes to be sworn in Westminster-Hall and what brave shews there are attending him by Land at his return what a plentiful sumptuous Dinner consisting of so many huge Tables is provided for him what a variety of domestick Officers wait upon him perpetually whereof with the Remembrancer there are five of them Esquires by their places as was hinted before what a comely sight it is to see the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen going in their Robes upon Festivals to the Cathedral Church of Saint Pauls though they who stand not so well affected to the present Government say that he goeth in now at the wrong end of the Church what a goodly sight it is when he goeth upon Easter Holidayes to the Spittle with the Sword and Cap of Maintenance going before him How his Robes are fitted for the season as from Michaelmas to Whitsontide he weares Violet fur'd from Whitsontide to Michaelmas Scarlet lined And for distinction among the Aldermen they who have bin Lord Mayors have their Cloaks lined with changeable Taffata but those that have not with green Taffata what great places of trust are committed to the Lord Mayor as the keeping of the great Bridge in repair which hath such large Revenues belonging unto it with a particular stately Seal which of old had the Effigies of Thomas of Becket a Londoner born upon it with this Inscription in the name of the City Me quae te peperi ne cesses Thoma tueri But the Seal was altered in Henry the eighths Raign what a great trust is it for the Lord Mayor to have the conservation of the Noble River of Thames from Stanes Bridge till She disgorgeth her self into the Sea How stately is he attended when he goes to take a view of the River or a Swan-hopping and lately what a Noble addition was it for the Lord Mayor to have a Park of Deer of his own so near the City to find him sport and furnish him with Venison what an Honour is it for the Lord Mayor to be accounted the first man of England upon the death of the Soveraign Prince As when King Iames was invited to come and take the Crown of England Robert Lee Lord Mayor of London was the first man who subscribed and then the Officers of the Crown with the chief Noblemen after him The Recorder of London also is primus Consiliarius Angliae and is priviledged to plead within the Barre The Lord Mayors of London have bin called sometime to sit at the Councel Table as Sir Iohn Allen was in Henry the eighths time with others which Allen gave that rich Collar of Gold which the Lord Mayors use to wear and the Aldermen his Brethren were used to be called Barons 4. We are come now to Regulation of Trade wherein London is not inferior to any City whatsoever witness among others what prudential Lawes Restraints and Cautions the Marchant Adventurers who trade in the Golden Fleece of England viz. in Woollen Manufactures have propos'd to themselves as likewise all other Corporations in like manner for the improvement of that particular Trade and preserving it from confusion 5. Touching variety of Artisans London yields to no other 't is true that mingling with Forreiners hath much advantag'd her in this kind but 't is observed and confessed by all Nations that though the Londoners be not so apt to invent yet when they have got the Invention they use alwayes to improve it and bring it to a greater perfection 6. Touching Corporations Halls Fraternities Guilds and Societies London hath not her Fellow witness the twelve Honourable Companies out of one of which the Lord Mayor is yearly chosen The several Societies of those who venter abroad in all parts of the habitable Earth as far as the Antipodes And threescore Companies of Citizens besides whereunto the new Company of Coachmen is lately added who have their Halls their regular Orders and Officers accordingly And touching all sorts of Artificers and variety of industrious wayes to improve all kind of Manufactures and thereby gain an honest Livelihood and so enrich the place London may be called a Hive of Bees as formerly was touched or a Hill of Ants which have bin alwayes made the Emblems of industry and providence 7. Touching plenty and abundance of all kinds of Provision as Flesh Fish Fowle Fruits Fuel variety of Drinks and Wines with any other Commodity that conduceth to pleasure and delight as well as necessity London may glory to be as well served as any City under Heaven A knowing Spaniard said that he thought Eastcheape Shambles alone vends more Flesh in the year then all the Court of Spain Gascon Wines drink better in London then in Bourdeaux and so do all other provided they be not sophisticated Nor doth London abound with all things so plentifully for the belly alone but also for the back either to keep it warm or make it gay what varieties of woollen Stuffs there are in every Shop with broad Cloth equal to the price of Silk being come to that heighth of perfection that some hath bin made of ten pounds a yard in price But the Hollanders and others have now got the art of
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
time 39 Of the Royal Exchange and the name given unto it by Queen Elizabeth with the Ceremonyes us'd 78 Of Robert Fabian the Chronicler 81 Of the Rolls and six Clerks Office 344 Of Rome 386 Rome eight times sack'd 386 Of the City of Roven 391 S. Of the publick Schools in London 31 Of the Sheriffs of London and their Election 37 The several Courts belonging to the City of London 38 Of the spiritual Government of London 39 Of Sydon lane vulgarly Sithinglane 48 Of the Shaft of St. Andrew 55 A strange accident happened in St. Michaels Church in Corn-hill 18 A strange Tomb found in St. Mary Hill Church 86 Of the Stock and Salt Fishmongers and their antiquity 89 Of the Stocks 84 Of the Steelyard or Guilda aula Teutonicorum 97 Of sweet Wines 102 Of the Standard in Cheap 115 A Shank-bone and Tooth of a marvellous bigness in St. Laurence Church 118 Of Sion Colledge 302 Of St. Martin le grand and the great priviledges it had 307 Of Smithfield 328 Of Southwark Ward 335 Of the Stew-houses allowed in times pass'd 337 Of the Suburbs of London 341 Of Suttons Hospital 343 The strange Iudgements fallen upon the Duke of Somerset for Sacriledge 343 Of the Savoy 347 Of the shape of London 406 T. Of the Tower of London 23 Of the Lyon Tower ibid. The Tower of London delivered to Lewis of France 24 The on the Britain first Bishop of London 39 Of Tower-street Ward 48 The Prerogatives of the Tower 48 Of the Tun a Prison in Cornhill in times passed now a Conduit 77 Of the Tower Royal. 103 The Tragical end of William Fitzosbert 109 Great Tryumph in Smithfield in times pass'd 329 The Templer Knight arraigned in London 333 Twenty particulars wherein the City of London may compare with any other City 385 V Of the Vintry Ward 101 The Vintners of old called Marchant-Vintners of Gascogne 103 The Lady Venetia Stanley hath a fair Monument in Christ-Church 311 Of the Upper Bench Court 363 Of Venice 386 Of Vienna 388 W. William the Conquerors Charter to the City of London 40 The Wardmore-Inquest a wholsome Constitution 39 Of the six and twenty several Wards of London 49 Westminster first called Thorney 80 Of Wat Tylar 81 Of Sir William Walworth and the manner of his knighting 91 Of Wallbrook Ward 83 Whittington four times Lord Mayor and thrice buried 103 The Weavers ancient Charter 123 Of Watling-street 318 Of Winchester-House 338 Of Wapping 341 Westminster and London compared 346 Of Westminster-Abbey with the History thereof 353 Of White-Hall 356 A witty Speech of Henry the 4th of France 391 A witty saying of Charles the Emperor in Epist. Of the Wardmote lâ—quest 394 A witty passage of Henry the Great of France 404 A witty saying of Count Gandamar of London 404 A Catalogue of Mr. Howels Works in several Volumes Printed by Mr. Humphrey Mosely 1. Mr. Howels History of Lewis the thirteenth King of France with the life of his Cardinal de Richelieu Fol. 2. Mr. Howels Epistolae Hoelianae familiar Letters Domestick and Forreign in six Sections partly Historical Political Philosaphical the first Volume with Additions Octavo 3. Mr. Howels New Volume of Familiar Letters partly Historical Political Philosophical the second Volume with many Additions Octavo 4. Mr. Howels third Volume of additional Letters of a fresher date never before published Octavo 5. Mr. Howels Dodona's Grove or the Vocall Forrest in Folio together with the second part in Folio never printed before 6. Mr. Howels Englands Teares for the present Warres 7. Mr. Howels pre-eminence and pedigree of Parliament in duodecimo in an answer to Mr. Pryn. 8. Mr. Howels Instructions and Directions for forrain Travels in Twelves with divers Additions for travelling into Turky and the Levant parts 9. Mr. Howels Votes or a Poem-Royal presented to his Majesty in Quarto 10. Mr. Howels Angliae Suspiria and Lachrymae in Twelves Tumulus Thalamus two Counter-Poems the first an Elegy upon Edward Earl of Dorset the second an Epithalamium to the Lord M. of Dorchester Parallels reflecting on the times A German Dyet or the Ballance of Europe wherein the power and weakness Glory and Reproach Vertues and Vices Plenty and Wants Advantages and Defects Antiquity and Modernness of all the Kingdoms and states of Christendom are impartially poiz'd by Iames Howel Esq Fol. Parthenopoeta or the History of the most Noble and Renowned Kingdom of Naples with the Lists of all their Kings the first part translated out of the Italian by Mr. Samson Lennard the second part continued to the present times 1654. by Iames Howel Esq More of Mr. Howels Works printed by other men THe great French Dictionary refined and augmented in a large Folio A Survey of the Signiory of Venice in Folio A Dialogue 'twixt the Soul and the Body The first part of the late Revolutions in Naples The second part of the said Revolutions The Warre of the Jews epitomiz'd Sir Robert Cottons works which he was desired to publish Saint Pauls Progresse upon Earth Some sober Inspections made into the Cariage and Consults of the late long Parliament A Venetian Looking-glasse A Winter Dream The Trance or Mercurius Acheronticus A Dialogue 'twixt Patricius and Peregrin An Inquisition after blood The Instruments of a King The late Kings Declaration in Latine French and English Bella Scoto Anglica or the Traversâ—s of Warr 'twixt England and Scotland Mercurius Hibernicus The Process and Pleadings in the Court of Spain for the Death of Mr. Ascham in Folio Londinopolis or a new Prospect of the City of London and Westminster Three of all which Books are Translations the rest his own Compositions * The prime Bridge in Venice
all that that our Constable of our Tower of London was wont to take of the said Weares Wherefore we will and steadfastly command that no Constable of the aforesaid Tower at any time from henceforth forward any thing ask nor any grievance do to any of the same City by enchesen of the same Weares It is to us known enough and by true men do us to understand that most privacy and most profit might fall into the same City and to the whole Realm by enchesen of the same weares which we make for ever firm and stable unto the same City as the Charter of our Lord King John our Fader which our Barons of London thereof have reasonably witnessed Witnesses Eustace of London Peter of Winchester c. At Westminster the 18. of February the year of our Reign eleven Besides these he produced divers others in this Kings Raign 4. This Jurisdiction belongs to the City of London by Acts of Parliament W. 2. ca. 47. An. 13. No Salmons to be taken from the Nativity of our Lady unto St. Martins day in all points Nor none to be taken in Mill-pools from the midst of April until Midsummer 1. Offence burning of Nets and Engines 2. Offence imprisonment for a quarter of a yeer 3. A whole year 13. R. 2. confirms the restraint of taking Salmons in many waters from the midst of April until Midsommer upon the same pain nor within that time to use any Nets call'd Stalkers nor any other Engine whereby the fry may be destroyed 1â— Eliz None shall with any manner of Net Wee le Butcaining Kepper limecreele rawfagnet trolnet trimnet scalboat weblister sturlamet or with any other device or Engine made of cheare woolbine or Canvas or shall by any heeling Nets or Trimbleboat or any other device Engines Cautâ—lles wayes or meanes soever heretofore made or devised or hereafter to be made or devised take or kill any young brood spawn or fry of Eeles Salmon Pike or Pickrel or of any other Fish or Flud-gate Pipe or tail of any Mill Weare or in any streights streams brooks Rivers salt or fresh 2. None shall take or kill any Salmon and Trouts not being in season being Kepper Salmons or Kepper Trouts or Shedder Salmons or Shedder Trouts c. The Mayor of London inter alia shall have full power and Authority by this Act to enquire of all offences committed contrary thereunto by the Othes of 12 men or more and to hear and determine all and every the same and inflict punishments and impose fines accordingly 5. Then he proceeds to assert the Cities Right to the conservation of the Thames and waters of Medway by way of Inquisition whereof there were two the one taken at Raynam in Essex the other at Gravesend in Kent 9. Hen. 5. before William Grocer then Lord Mayor of London where it was presented That whereas by the ancient Ordinances of London the Mesches of Nets should be two Inches in the forepart and one inch in the hinder part and it being found that the offences according to the said Inquisitions are contra libertates consuetudines Civitatis it was adjudged that the Nets should be burnt according to the ancient custom in that behalf provided 6. He goes on after to prove that this Right belongs to the City by Decrees In 8. Hen. 4. The Mayor and Aldermen did exhibit their humble Petition to the Kings Councel reciting That time out of minde they have had the conservation and correction of the River of Thames of all trinks nets and other Engines whatsoever in the River of Thames and Medway placed and have used to make a sub-Conservator under them and complaining that Alexander Bonner then sub-Conservator having discharg'd his duty in removing Kiddels he was ill entreated by the owners the same owners dwelling in Erith Putriferry Barking Woolwich and other places in the Counties of Kent and Essex and upon hearing of the matter in Camera stellata they were sound guilty and constrained to submit themselves to the Lord Mayor and ordered to bring alwayes their Nets unto him before they should use them And that the Kiddles then taken should be at the disposition of the Lord Mayor so the Offendors made their submission accordingly 7. He proceeds This right appertains to the City of London by Letters Patents which he proved by a grant made by Edward the 4th to the Earl of Pembroke for setting up a Weare in the River of Thames which grant was revok'd and annul'd at the instance of the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen upon shewing their right therefore alledg'd It was contrary to their ancient Customs At which time the Cities Title to the conservacy of the Thames and Medway was at large set forth and recited to have bin shewn to the Lord Chancellour and to the said Earl and his Councel which accordingly was allowed 8. He reinforceth the right of the City by Proclamations whereof one was made by Hen. 8. in 34. of his Raign wherein it is affirmed that the Lord Mayor and his Predecessors have had by divers grants of the Kings of England and by Acts of Parliament enjoyed alwayes the conservacy of the Thames without impediments or interruption By which Proclamation it was commanded that none should resist deny or impugne the Lord Mayor or his Deputy in doing or executing any thing that might conduce to the conservacy of the River and of the fish and fry within the same 9. He produceth Report for in a controversie 'twixt the Lord Admiral and the Lord Mayor for the measuring of Coles and other things upon the Thames it then fell into debate to whom the Conservacy of the River appertain'd which cause was referred by Queen Elizabeths Councel of State 1597. to the Atturney General and Solicitor who joyntly certified among other things that the Conservacy and care of the River did and ought to belong to the City of London 10. By quo Warranto 't was proved that the Conservacy of the Thames belongs to the City for 3. Jacobâ— a quo warranto was brought against the City in the Exchequer to know by what Title she claimed the Conservacy of the River of Thames the waters of Medway whereupon the City made her Title good thereunto by ancient prescription and otherwise so judgement was given in her favour 11. He goes on afterwards to confirm the right of the City by proof of usage in regard the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have time out of minde made Ordinances concerning the good Government of the River of Thames as well for the seasons and manner of fishing beneath London Bridge Eastward upon pain of penalties as it appears from time to time from the Raign of Hen. 3. and so downward the Lord Mayor hath removed Kiddels Weares Trinks and other unlawful Engines and hath reformed the disorders of such as have offended besides in the River of Thames and inflicted punishment upon Offendors accordingly The right of the City appeares also by the
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