remarkable John Day a famous Printer dwelt in this Gate and built many Houses upon the City wall toward St. Anns Church You may read more of the new building this Gate in Aldersgate Ward In the sixth year of Edw. 6. Three was a Postern Gate made through the City VVall on the Northside of the late dissolved Cloister of Friars Minors commonly called Gray Friars Now Christ Church and Hospital this was done to make a Passage from Christ Church Hospital to St. Bartholomews Hospital in Smithfield and License was given to Sir Richard Dobbs Lord Mayor to do it by Virtue of an Act of Common Council Aug. 1. in the 6 of Edw. 6. The next Gate is on the Northwest and is called NEWGATE and is the fifth Principal Gate though built later than the rest being erected about the Reign of Hen. 1. or K. Stephen upon this occasion The Cathedral of St. Pauls being burnt down in the Reign of William the Conquerour 1086. Mauritius then Bishop of London did not repair the Old Church as some have thought but laid the Foundation of a new one which it was judged would hardly ever have been finished it was so wonderful for length bredth and height and likewise because it was raised upon Vaults or Arches after the Norman fashion and never known in England before After Mauritius Richard Beumore did very much advance the building of this Church purchasing the large Streets and Lanes round about which ground he incompassed with a strong Stone VVall and Gates By reason of this inclosure for so large a Church-yard the High-street from Aldgate in the East to Ludgate in the West was made so streight and narrow that the Carriage through the City was by Paternoster-Row down Ave-Mary Lane and so through Bouger Row now called Ludgatestreet to Ludgate or else by Cheapside through Watlingstreet and so through Carter-lane and up Creed-lane to Ludgate which Passage by reason of the often turning was very Inconvenient VVhereupon a New Gate was made to pass through Cheapside North of St. Pauls St. Nicholas Shambles and Newgate-street to Newgate and from thence westward to Holbourn Bridge or Turning without the Gate to Smithfield and Islington or Iseldon or to any place North or VVest This Gate hath for many years been a Prison for Felons Murderers Highwaymen and other Trespassers as appeareth by the Records of King John and others and among the rest in the 3. of Hen. 3. 1218. That King writ to the Sheriffs of London commanding them to repair the Goal of Newgate for the safe keeping of his Prisoners promising that the Charges thereof should be allowed them upon their Account in the Exchequer In the year 1241. The Jews of Norwich were hanged being accused for Circumcising a Christian Child their House called the Thor was pulled down and destroyed Aaron the Son of Abraham a Jew and other Jews in London were constrained to pay twenty thousand Marks at two Terms in the year or else to be kept perpetual Prisoners in Newgate at London and in other Prisons In 1255 King Henry 3. lodged in the Tower and upon some displeasure against the City of London for the escape of John Offrem a Clerk Convict Prisoner in Newgate for killing a Prior who was Cousin to the Queen He sent for the Lord Mayor who laid the fault on the Sheriffs to whose Custody the Prisoners are committed the Mayor was discharged but the Sheriffs were imprisoned above a month though they alledged the fault was in the Bishops Officers who though he was imprisoned in Newgate yet they were to see that he was kept safe But however the King required three thousand Marks of the City for a Fine In the third year of Edw. 3. 1326. Robert Baldock the Kings Chancellor was put into Newgate In 1237 Sir John Pouitney gave four Marks a year for releif of the Prisoners in Newgate In 1358 William Walworth gave likewise toward their relief and so have many others since In 1414 the Jaylors in Ludgate and Newgate died and 64 Prisoners In 1418 the Parson of Wertham in Kent was Imprisoned in Newgate In the first of Henry 6 1412. The Executors of Richard Whittington repaired Newgate And Thomas Knowles Grocer sometimes L. Mayor brought the wast water from the Cestern near St. Nicholas Chappel by St. Bartholomews Hospital to Newgate and Ludgate for the Accommodation of the Prisoners In 1431 all the Prisoners in Ludgate were conveyed to Newgate by the Sheriffs of London And soon after they fetcht from thence 18 Persons Freemen of the City who were led pinioned to the Counters like Felons by the false suggestion of the Jaylor of Newgate But Ludgate was a while after again appointed for Freemen who were Debtors and they were all carried back again thither In 1427. There was a great Skirmish in the North Countrey between Sir Thomas Percie Lord Egremond and the Earl of Salisburies Sons whereby many were wounded and slain but the Lord Egremond being taken was found to give the occasion and was thereupon condemned by the Kings Council to pay a considerable Sum of Money to the Earl of Salisbury and in the mean time was committed to Newgate and a while after both he and his Brother Sir Richard Percie brake out by night and went to the King The other Prisoners got upon the Leads over the Gate and defended it against the Sheriffs and all their Officers a great while till they were forced to call more Citizens to their Aid who at last subdued them and laid them in Irons Thus much of Newgate LUDGATE is the next in the VVest and the Sixth Principal Gate of this City and Historians say was built by King Lud near 66 years before our Saviours Nativity which shews its great Antiquity This being built for the VVest as Aldgate for the East In the year 1215. aforementioned being the 17th of King John when the Barons who were in Arms against the King entred this City and pull'd down the Jews Houses repairing the VValls and Gates of the City with the Stones thereof It appeareth that they then repaired or rather new built this Gate For in 1586 when this Gate was pulled down in order to its being repaired there was a stone found within the wall which seems to have been taken from one of the Jews Houses there being several Hebrew Characters ingraven thereon which being interpreted are thus in English This is the Station or Ward of Rabbi Moses the Son of the Honourable Rabbi Isaac This it is thought had been fixed upon one of the Jews Houses as a sign he lived there In 1260 Ludgate was repaired and beautified with the Images of Lud and other Kings but in the Reign of Edw. 6. these Images of the Kings had their Heads smitten off and were defaced by such as judged every Image to be an Idol In the Reign of Q. Mary they were repaired and new heads set upon their old Bodies which remained so till the 28 of Q. Elizabeth 1586.
haughty mind would no be so pacified for he demanded his Sword also 〈◊〉 which Sir John Newton answered It is the Kings Sword and thou art not worthy to have it neither durst thou 〈◊〉 it of me if there were no more here but thou and I. 〈◊〉 my Faith said Wat Tyler I will never eat till I haâ— thy Head and would thereupon have fallen upoâ— him But at that very Instant William Walworth Loâ—â— Mayor of London a stout Couragious Person accoâ—â— panied with divers Knights and Esquires came 〈◊〉 assist the King to whom he said My Leige it were great shame and such as had never before been heard 〈◊〉 if in such a presence they should permit a Noble Knight 〈◊〉 be shamefully Murdered and that before the face of thâ—â— Severaign therefore he ought to be rescued and Tyler tâ— Rebel to be Arrested The Lord Mayor had no sooner spoke thus but thâ— King though he were very young yet began to takâ— Courage and commanded him to lay hands upon him Walworth being a man of an incomparable Spirit anâ— Courage immediately arrested Tyler with his Mac upon his Head and that in such a manner as he seâ— down at the feet of his Horse and those who attended the King presently encompassed him round thâ— his Companions could not see him and John Caveâ— dish an Esquire of the Kings alighting from his Horse rust his Sword into Tylers Belly Although some â—ite that the Lord Mayor did it with his Dagger many â—hers followed and wounded him in divers places to â—ath and then they drew his body from among the â—ople into St. Bartholomews Hospital The Commons perceiving their Captain to be slain â—yed out Their Captain was Traiterously murdered â—d incouraged one another to fight and revenge his â—eath and bent their Bows Upon which the King 〈◊〉 to them and said What work is this my Men what 〈◊〉 you mean to do Will you shoot at your King Be not â—â—tinous nor concerned for the death of a Traytor and Riâ—ld I am your King I will be your Captain and Leaâ—r follow me into the Field and there you shall have â—hatsoever you desire This the King said for fear in â—eir fury they should fire the Houses in Smithfield â—here there Captain was slain They thereupon followed him intothe open Feild though the Souldiers â—â—at were with him were uncertain whether they â—ould kill the King or whether they would be â—iet and depart peaceably home with the Kings â—harter In the mean time William Walworth the ever reâ—owned Lord Mayor to prosecute his first worthy â—ct which had succeeded so happily went only with â—â—e man with all speed into the City and there beâ—â—n to cry out You good Citizens come to help your â—ing who is in danger to be murdered and succour me â—ur Mayor who am in the same danger or if you will not â—â—lp me yet leave not the King destitute The Citizens who had a great Esteem and Affection or the King no sooner heard this but with a Noble â—nd Loyal forwardness they immediately raised a thouâ—nd Men who being compleatly armed stayed in â—â—e streets for some Commander who with the Lord â—ayor might lead them to the Assistance of the King 〈◊〉 this his great distress when by good chance Sir Robert Knowls a Freeman of the City came at that instant whom they all desired to be their Leader which he willingly accepted and so with the Lord Mayor and some other Knights they were led to the King who with all his Company rejoyced very much at this unexpected Assistance from these brave armed Citizens who all on a sudden incompassed the whole Body of the Commons And here in an instant was a very strange and Remarkable Alteration for the Commons presently threw down their Arms and falling on their knees begg'd Pardon and they who just before boasted that they had the Kings Life in their power were now glad to hide themselves in Caves Ditches and Corn-fields The Knights being desirous of revenge intreated the King that they might be permitted to take off the heads of an hundred or two of them but the King would not grant it but commanded the Charter which they demanded written and sealed to be delivered to them at that time for preventing further mischief as doubting if they were not satisfied the Commons of Essex and Kent might rise again Having got their Charter they departed home The Commons being thus dispersed and gone the King called for the worthy Lord Mayor and with great Honour deservedly Knighted him in the Field and gave him a hundred pound a year in Fee he also Knighted five Aldermen his Brethren girding them about the waste with the Girdle of Knighthood as the manner was in those days but Stow saith it was thus To cause the Person to put a Basenet on his Head and then the King with a Sword in both his Hands to strike him strongly on the Neck And for an Eternal Remembrance of this happy day the King for the Honour of the City granted that a Dagger should be added to the Arms of the City in the right Quarter of the Shield they before this time bearing only a Cross without the Dagger After this the King marched into the City with great Joy and went to His Mother who lodged in the Tower Royal called then the Queens Wardrobe where she had continued two days and nights in great fear and trouble But when she saw the King she was extreamly comforted saying Ah fair Son what great sorrow have I suffered for you this day To whom the King answered Certainly Madam I know it well but now rejoyce and thank God for I have this day recovered mine Inheritance and the Realm of England which I had almost lost Then the Arch-Bishops Head was taken off London Bridge and Wat Tylers set up in the Place Now since some Writers have reported that the Rebel so Valiantly struck down by Sir William Walworth was named Jack Straw and not Wat Tyler it may be necessary to give an Account of the Principal Leaders and Captains of the Commons of whom Wat Tyler was the Cheif as being the first man who judged himself offended there were likewise Jack Straw John Kirkby Allen Thredder Thomas Scot and Ralph Rugg these and divers others were Commanders of the Kentish and Essex men And at the same time there were gathered together to the number of fifty thousand in Suffolk by the incitement of John Wraw a lewd Priest who made one Robert Westbrome take upon him the name of King these fell to destroying Houses but especially those of Lawyers and seizing Sir John Cavendish Lord Cheif Justice of England they beheaded him and set his Head upon the Pillory in St. Edmundsbury The like Commotion of the Commons was at the same time also in Cambridgshire the Isle of Ely and Norfolk conducted by John Litester a Dyer and to countenance their proceedings the more they designed to have brought William Ufford Earl
give it him but that not sufficing he pulled out an handfull of Angels and gave him a good many a Knight that was in his Company telling him that he was glad to see him have so many Angels Yes answered he I love to carry my Friends always about me Not long after the Lady Jane was beheaded there and upon the Scaffold she made a most ingenious Speech 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 refusing one when it was offered her In King James his time there was no Blood spilt in the Tower or upon Towerhill only Sir Gervase Elways was hanged there when he was Lieutenant about the Murder of Sir Thomas Overbury and one remarkable passage there was in his Speech upon the Ladder That being in the Low-Countreys and much addicted to Gaming he made a serious wish that if ever he played more above such a sum he might be hanged but he Violated the Oath and so the just Judgment of Heaven fell upon him according to his words The Earl of Castle haven in the year 1631 was brought from the Tower to be Executed for Horrid Crimes and divers others since have been Executed there as the Earl of Strafford Arch-Bishop Laud and many more This stately Tower serves not only for a Goal to detain Prisoners but for many other uses it is a strong Fort or Citadel which secures both City and River It is the Treasury of the Jewels and Ornaments of the Crown It conserves all the Old Records of the Courts of Justice at Westminster it is the place for the Royal Mint and the Coynage of Gold and Silver it is the chief Magazine and Armory of the whole Land for Martial Engines and Provision and there only is the Brahe or Rack usually called the Duke of Exeters Daughter because he was the first Inventor of it and Lastly it is a great Ornament by the situation of it both to the River and City This City hath had divers other Towns besides one at the North End of London-Bridge which is now utterly demolished and the other at the South End which hath suffered many Accidents of Fireing and otherwise and was still repaired at the charge of the City Upon this Gate the Heads of Traytors are commonly placed and some there are thereon at this day Historians mention two Castles that were built in the West part of the City one called the Castle of Montfiquet built by a Lord of that name which is now demolished and the Black Fryers rose up instead of it the other called Baynards Castle from one Baynard whose Family long enjoyed it and after that Robert Fitz-Walter who was called Banner Bearer of the City of London and had great Priviledges This Castle fell afterwards to the Earl of March who was Crowned there by the Title of Edward the Fourth to whom this City always stuck very close but in the Seventh Year of his Reign many of the greatest men in London were accused of High Treason and divers Aldermen whereof they were acquitted yet did they forfeit their Goods to the value of Forty Thousand Marks and among them Sr. Thomas Cook formerly Lord Mayor without Hawkins were committed to the Tower neither could be discharged without paying Eight Thousand Marks to the King Henry the Seventh repaired Baynards Castle and rid through the City in State with all the Knights of the Garter from the Tower to St. Paul's Church where they heard Mass and Lodged that Night at Baynards Castle Queen Mary was likewise proclaimed at Baynards Castle though the Lady Jane had been proclaimed a little before There was also another Tower or Castle near Baynards Castle but there is now no sign of it remaining And another in the place where Bridewell now stands which being demolished yet there was a Royal Palace left where the Kings of England kept their Courts and King John summoned a Parliament there and afterwards Henry the Eight repaired it and made it much more stately for the entertainment of his Nephew Charles the Fift Emperour and King of Spain who in the year 1522 was Magnificently Treated there There was another Tower called the Tower Royal where King Stephen kept his Court Barbican was likewise another Tower There was another called Sernes Tower in Bucklersbury where we read Edward the III. kept his Court and gave it afterward to his free Chappel of St. Stephens in Westminster now called Henry the sevenths Chappel who spent fourteen thousand pound in building of it and about the same time he built a Great Ship which cost just so much Thus much for the Towers and Castles of London CHAP. IV. The Rivers Wells Conduits Ditches and Bridges c. in and about this City IN former times before William the Conquerour and long after the City was watered besides the famous River of Thames in the South with the River of Wells as it was then called and in the West with a water called Walbrook running through the midst of the City into the River of Thames There was also another Water which ran within the City through Langbourn Ward watering that part in the East There were three Principal Fountains or Wells in the other Suburbs that is Holywell Clements Well and Clarkes Well and near to the last were divers other Wells as Skinners Well Fogs Well Todewell and Radwell all which flowing into the River afore-mentioned much increased the stream and gave it the name of Wells It is recorded that in West-Smithfield there was a Pool called Horse-pool and another in the Parish of St. Giles Besides which they had in divers streets and Lanes of the City fair Wells and fresh Springs by which the City was served with sweet Water and many Conduits were built in divers Streets which continued till the dreadful Fire in 1666. Since which time for the Conveniency and enlargement of the Streets and likewise by reason of the new River Water contrived by Sir Hugh Middleton most of these Conduits are taken down and removed For Queen Elizabeth having before granted to the Citizens of London by Act of Parliament Liberty for cutting and conveying a River from any part of Middlesex or Hertfordshire to the City of London with a limitation of Ten years time her life ended before any would undertake it whereupon the like Act was passed by King James but without Date of time and when all others refused it Sir Hugh Middleton undertook to bring a River from Chadwell and Amwell to the Northside of London near Islington where he built a large Cistern to receive it This work was begun Feb. 20. 1608 and in the five years space was fully accomplished though with great difficulty by reason of the difference and unevenness of the Ground the depth of the River in some places being Thirty Foot and in other places the water is carryed
Then had ye wooden Churches nay wooden Chalices but Golden Priests but now you have Golden Chalices and Wooden Priests And to conclude this Argument King Edgar in his Charter to the Abby of Malmsbury dated the year of Christ 974 writes to this Effect All the Monasteries in my Realm to the outward sight are nothing but wormeaten and rotten Timber and Boards and which is worse within they are almost empty and void of Divine Worship Thus much as to Walls in General now to return to London This City was destroyed and burnt by the Danes and other Pagan Enemies about the year of our Lord 839 and was nobly rebuilt and repaired in the year 886 by Alfred King of the West Saxons so that it lay waste and uninhabited for almost fifty years Alfred committed the custody of this new built City to his Son in Law Etheldred Earl of Mercia to whom he had before married his Daughter Ethelsted And that this City was then strongly Walled may appear by divers Accidents William of Malmsbury writes that about the year 994 the Londoners shut up their Gates and defended their King Etheldred within their Walls against the Danes In the year 1016 Canutus the Dane made War against Edmond Ironside King of the West-Saxons and brought his Navy to the West part of the Bridge casting a Trench about the City of London and attempted to have won it by assault but the Citizens repulsed him and drove him from their Walls Likewise in the year 1052 Earl Godwin with his Navy Sailed up by the South end of the Bridge and assailed the Walls of this City William Fitz Stephen in the Reign of Henry 2. writes thus The Wall of London is High and Great well Towered on the North side with due distance between the Towers On the South side also the City was Walled and Towered but the Fishful River of Thames by his ebbing and flowing hath long since subverted them Where by the Northside he means from the River in the East to the River of Thames in the West for so the Wall stretched in his time and the City being far longer from East to West than in breadth from South to North and also narrower at both ends than in the midst is therefore compassed with the Wall on the Landside in the form of a Bow except where it is indented in betwixt Cripplegate and Aldersgate But the Wall on the Southside along the River of Thames was streight as the string of a Bow and fortified with Towers or Bulwarks as we now term them in due distance from each other as our Author says and we our selves may observe at this day this demonstrates that the Walls of this City are of great Antiquity Now for repairing and maintaining this Wall we find That in the year 1215 and the 6th of King John The Barons entring the City by Aldgate first took Assurance of the City and then broke into the Jews houses and seizing their Money and Goods for their own uses they with great diligence repaired the Walls and Gates of this City with Stones taken from the Jews broken Houses In the year 1257 Henry 3. ordered the Walls of this City which were much decayed and without Towers to be handsomely repaired and beautified at the common Charge of the City In the 17th of Edward 4. Ralph Joceline Mayor caused part of the Wall of the City of London to be repaired between Aldgate and Aldersgate He also caused Morefields to be searched for Clay to make brick for that purpose The Skinners made that part of the Wall between Aldgate and Buvies Marks commonly call'd Bevis Marks toward Bishopsgate as may appear by their Arms fixed in three places there The Lord Mayor and his Company of Drapers made all that part between Bishopsgate and Alhallows Church in the Wall and from Alhallows toward the Postern called Moregate A great part of the same Wall was repaired by the Executors of Sir John Crosby Alderman his Arms being in 2 places and other Companies repaired the rest of the Wall to Cripplegate the Goldsmiths repaired from Cripplegate to Aldersgate and there the work ceased The Circuit of the VVall of London on the Lands side that is from the Tower of London in the East to Aldgate is 82 Perches From Aldgate to Bishopsgate 86 Perchees From Bishopsgate to Cripplegate 162 Perches From Cripplegate to Aldersgate 75 Perches From Aldersgate to Newgate 66 Perches From Newgate to Ludgate 42 Perches in all 513 Perches of Assize From Ludgate to Fleet Ditch 60 Perches From Fleetbridge to the River of Thames about 70 Perches So that the total of these Perches amounteth to 643 and every Perch being 5 Yards and an half makes 3536 Yards and an half containing 10608 Foot which is two English Miles and 608 Foot more In former time there were but four Gates in the VVall of this City that is Aldgate for the East Aldersgate for the North Ludgate for the VVest and Bridgate over London Bridge for the South but of late days for the Conveniency of Passengers divers other Gates and Posterns have been made Fitz Stephen saith that in the Reign of Henry 2 there were seven Double Gates in the VVall of this City but names them not we may therefore suppose them to be 1. The Gate next the Tower of London called the Postern 2. Aldgate 3. Bishopsgate 4. Aldersgate 5. Newgate 6. Ludgate 7. Bridge-gate Since which there hath been built Moregate now a Famous Gate and several other smaller Posterns as one between Bishopsgate and Moregate and two between Moregate and Cripplegate besides other in other Places As to the first called the Postern near the Tower which was destroyed by the dreadful Fire in 1666 of which you have a particular Account in this Treatise and never since rebuilt or like to be by that which remained of it before it seemed to have been a fair strong Arched Gate built of hard Stone In the year 1190 and the 2. of Richard 1. William Longshamp Bishop of Ely Chancellor caused part of the City VVall from that Gate to the White Tower to be broken down for inlarging the Tower round which he made a VVall imbattelled which is now the outermost VVall He likewise made a broad deep Ditch without the VVall to let in the Tyde from the Thames But the Southside of this Gate was by undermining the Foundation much weakned and about two Hundred years after that is 1440 the 18 Hen. 6. it fell down and was never since rebuilt The next in the East is ALDGATE or Oldgate of the Antiquity thereof having been one of the four Principal Gates and also one of the seven Double Gates aforementioned It had two pair of Gates and Portcullises though now but one yet the hooks of the other Gate and the place of letting down the other Portcullice are yet to be seen This Gate appeareth to be very Ancient being named in a Charter in King Edgars time and likewise in K. Edward
1. And in the Civil VVars between K. John and his Barons 1215. the Londoners were on the Barons part who then besieged Northampton and after came to Bedford Castle where they were well received by William Beauchamp Captain thereof and having then secret Notice that if they pleased they might enter the City they removed their Camp to Ware and from thence coming to London in the Night they entred by Aldgate and placing Guards at the Gates they disposed of all things at their pleasure They spoiled the Fryers Houses and searcht their Coffers after which Robert Fitzwater Jeffery Magnaville the Earl of Essex and the Earl of Glocester cheif Commander in the Army applied themselves to repair the Gates and VValls of the City with stones taken from the Jews Houses as aforesaid and Aldgate being most ruinous and having given them an easie entrance they repaired or rather new built it after the manner of the Normans with strong Arches and Bulwarks of Stone small brick and Flanders Tile In the 11 of Edw. 4. 1471 Thomas Bastard Fauconbridge having Assembled a Riotous Company of Seamen and others in Essex and Kent came with a great Navy of Ships up to the Tower of London whereupon the L. Mayor and Aldermen with consent of the Common Council fortified the Thames sides with Armed Men Guns and other warlike weapons from Baynards Castle to the Tower to prevent their Landing But the Rebels being denied passage that way they fell upon Aldgate Bishopsgate Cripplegate Aldersgate London Bridge and along the Bankside shooting Arrows and Guns into the City and burning above threescore houses in the Suburbs And upon Sunday May 11 1471. Five thousand of them assaulting Aldgate won the Bulwarks and entred the City but the Portcullice being let down those that were in were slain And Robert Basset Alderman of that Ward commanded them in the name of God to draw up the Portcullice which being done the Londoners issued out of the Gate and couragiously beat back their Enemies to St. Buttolphs Church by which time the Earl Rivers and the Lieutenant of the Tower coming with fresh Forces joined them and then they soon routed the Rebels and made them fly Alderman Basset and other Citizens chasing them to Miland and from thence pursued some of them to Poplar and others to Stratford killing many and taking divers Prisoners In the mean time Fauconbridge their Commander having in vain assaulted other Places on the Waterside fled to his Ships Thus much of Aldgate as it was of old we shall speak of the rebuilding when we come to Aldgate Ward The third Gate toward the North is BISHOPSGATE supposed to be built by some Bishop of London though now unknown But the occasion thereof was for the ease of Passengers especially to Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgshire c. who before were forced to go much about yet it is somewhat Ancient for we read that in the year 1210 some Land was sold to the Procurators or Wardens of London Bridge situate in the Parish of St. Buttolph without Bishopsgate And in a Charter dated 1235. It is writt That Walter Brume and Rosia his Wife having founded the Priory or New Hospital of our Blessed Lady since called St. Mary Spittle without Bishopsgate have confirmed the same to the Honour of God and our Blessed Lady for Canons Regular Also in 1247 Simeon Fitz Mary Sheriff of London the 29 Hen. 3. founded the Hospital of St. Mary called Bethlem without Bishopsgate And for repairing this Gate Hen. 3. confirmed certain Liberties to the Merchants of the Haunce to keep it in repair which they did for many years But in the year 1551 having prepared Stone and a new Gate to be set up at the Complaint of the English Merchants their Charter was taken from them so that the Old Gate remained Next to this upon the Northside of the City is MOREGATE of which we read that in the 3d of Hen. 5. 1415 Thomas Faulconer Mayor caused the VVall of the City to be broken through near Coleman-street and there builded a Postern now called Moregate of a Moory ground hard by which is now drained and made fair and firm and turned into several Feilds and delightful VValks with Trees set in curious Order for the Accommodation of the Citizens This Gate since the dreadful Fire of London in 1666 has been new built and is made very Noble with a great Arch and two Posterns so that it now equals if not excels any other Gate of the City Between this Gate and Cripplegate there have been lately made two Posterns through the VVall for the better ease of Passengers and several new Houses built near them CRIPPLEGATE is next which is of great Antiquity being so called before the Conquest for we read that in 1010 the Danes spoiling the Kingdom of the East-Angles Alwyn Bishop of Helinham caused the body of King Edmund the Martyr to be brought from Bredisworth now called St. Edmunds Bury through the Kingdom of the East-Saxons and so to London in at Cripplegate Some say it was so named from Cripples begging there and that when the body of St. Edmund passed through it many Miracles were wrought thereby as that some of the Lame were cured praising God c. This Body continued three years in St. Gregories Church near St. Pauls And further William the Conquerour in his Charter for Confirming the Foundation of the Colledge in London called St. Martins le Grand saith thus I do give and grant to the same Church and Canons serving God therein all the Lands and the Moor without the Postern which is called Cripplegate on either part of the Postern VVe read likewise That Alfune builded the Parish Church of St. Giles nigh a Gate of the City called Porta Contractorum or Cripples-gate about the year 1090. This Gate was formerly a Prison for Citizens for Debt or otherwise like one of the Counters It was new built in 1244 by the Brewers of London and Edmund Shaw Goldsmith in 1483. gave by his VVill 400 Marks and the stuff of the the old Gate called Cripplegate to build the same again which was accordingly done in 1491. ALDERSGATE or Aeldersgate is next not so called from Aldwich or of Elders or Ancient men building the same nor of Elder Trees growing more plentifully there than in other places as some have fancied but only from the Antiquity thereof it being one of the four first Gates of this City serving for the Northern as Aldgate doth for the Eastern Parts and being both Old Gates for distinction one is called Aldersgate and the other Aldgate This Gate hath had several Additional buildings to it as on the Southside where several large Rooms and Lodgings of Timber have been made And on the Eastside a Great Timber building with one large Room paved with Stone or Tile there is likewise a well curbed with Stone and of a great depth which rises into that Room though two Stories high from the Ground which is very
VVhen this Gate was quite taken down and nobly Rebuilt with the Images of K. Lud and others on the East-side and Q. Elizabeth on the VVest which was done at the City Charge being above 1500 pounds In 1463. Stephen Foster Fishmonger and Dame Agnes his VVife added several large Rooms to Ludgate and gave other releif to the Prisoners who are only such Citizens as are Debtors All Persons for Treasons Felonies and other Criminal Offences being committed to Newgate In one of these rooms there was a Copper Plate hanging with the following Rhimes ingraven thereon Devout Souls that pass this way For Stephen Forster late Mayor heartily pray And Dame Agnes his Spouse to God Consecrate That of pity this House made of London in Ludgate So that for lodging and water Prisoners here nought pay As their keepers shall all answer at dreadful Doomsday This Gate as well as Newgate in the late dismal Fire in 1666 was burnt down but since they are both repaired and very curiously Beautified having a new Postern for Foot Passengers added thereto with several other Conveniencies Thus much for Ludgate Next to this before the late Fire there was only a breach in the VVall of the City and a Bridge of Timber over Fleet Ditch directly against Bridewell Hospital but since it is all laid open and a handsome Bridge of Stone built in that Place the Ditch being very much enlarged and a VVharf made of Stone and cleared from all Houses on each side up to Holborn Bridge The Bridge likewise at the lower end of Ludgate Hill being nobly rebuilt or rather new built and made much broader and another Gallant Bridge is built upon the same Ditch almost over against the Fleet Prison All this has been done since the dismal Fire to the very great Charge of the City And so much for the Gates in the Wall Now for the VVatergates on the Banks of the River Thames which formerly have been many though most or all of them have been ruined by the late Fire however take a breif Account of what they were Black Fryers Stairs is a free landing place now gallantly rebuilt with a useful Bridge by Sir Tho. Fitch who has built a very curious house upon the VVharf and cleared it so that now the Lord Mayor when he comes from Westminster to be sworn Lands there instead of Pauls Wharf as being much more convenient Then there is Puddle Wharf Pauls Wharf Broken Wharf besides divers others all along the River which are made by the Citizens for their Private use Next is Ripa Regina the Queens Bank or Queen Hyth which was accounted the Cheif and Principal VVatergate of this City far exceeding Billings-Gate as it appears in Queen-hithe VVard Wat Tyler kild by the Lord Mayor K Richard 2. Resigns his Crown King Richard 2. Murdered The next was called Wolfes Gate in the Ropary afterward called Wolfes lane but now out of use The next was called Ebgate of old time as appeareth by Ancient Records and stood near St. Lawrence Pountneys Church it is now a narrow Lane and called Ebgate lane but usually the Old Swan There was another Gate at the Bridgfoot called Oyster Gate of Oysters that were there sold that being the Market-place for them and other small Fish But now there standeth an Engine to carry up the water into the City in the place thereof Then there is the BRIDG-GATE so called of London Bridge whereon it standeth This long before the Conquest was one of the four first or Principal Gates of the City where there was only a Bridge of Timber and is the seventh and last Principal Gate mentioned by Fitz Stephen when the Bridge was new built of Stone this Gate was rebuilt again In the year 1436 this Gate with the Tower upon it fell down and two of the furthest Arches of the Bridg Southward fell therewith yet none were killed or hurt thereby to the repairing whereof several Citizens gave very Liberally When the Bastard Fauconbridg aforenamed came with the Kentish Mariners into this City they burnt this Gate and thirteen Houses besides on the Bridge and likewise the Brewhouses at St. Katherines and many others in the Suburbs Next hereunto was a Gate commonly called Buttolphs Gate of the Parish Church adjoyning This was given or confirmed by William the Conquerour to the Monks of Westminster Then there is Billingsgate which is much used by small Ships Barges so that Queen Hyth is almost forsaken It is somewhat uncertain why this Gate was so named only Jeffry of Monmouth writes that Belin a King of the Brittains about 400 years before Christs Nativity built this Gate and called it after his own name that when he was dead his Body was burned and the Ashes were put into a vessel of Brass and set over that Gate upon an High Pinacle of Stone yet it doth not seem to be so Ancient but rather to have taken the name from some late Owner called it may be Beling or Billing as Somers Key Smarts Key Fresh Warf and others have done Then there was a Watergate on the South-end of Water-lane by the Custom-house Key but of all these more hereafter One other Watergate there was more by the Bulwark of the Tower and this is the last and farthest Gate Eastward on the River of Thames as far as the City of London extends within the Walls Besides these Common Water Gates there were formerly divers private Wharfs and Keys all along from the East to the West of this City on the Thames side where Merchants of all Nations landed their Goods and had Warehouses Cellars and Stowage form them And in the 42 of Hen. 3. 1258. it was appointed that the Ports of England should be strongly Guarded and the Gates of London should be newly repaired and diligently kept in the night for fear of French deceits CHAP. III. Of the Tower of London and other Ancient Towers and Castles of this City with several Remarkable Accidents happening therein THe City of London saith Fitz Stephen hath in the East a very Great and most Strong Palatine Tower whose Turrets and Walls do rise from a deep Foundation the Mortar thereof being tempered with the Bloud of Beasts It is the Common Opinion that Julius Caesar the first Conquerour or indeed Discoverer of Brittain was the Original Founder thereof and of many other Towers Castles and Great Houses But there is little Reason for it in regard of his short stay here having other things to think on designing only to dispatch his Conquest over this Barbarous Countrey and then to perform greater Enterprizes Neither do the Roman Historians mention any such Buildings erected by him here The more probable Opinion therefore is That William the Conquerour built the Great white and square Tower there about the year of our Lord 1078 as appears by Ancient Records and that made Gundulph Bishop of Rochester Principal Surveyor of the work The Wall of the City of London as it is aforementioned
was furnished formerly with Towers and Bulwarks in due distance from each other and the River of Thames with its Ebbing and Flowing had overthrown the Walls and Towers on the Banks thereof whereupon William the Conquerour for the defence of the City which lay open to the Enemy having taken down the second Bulwark in the East part of the Wall toward the Thames built the Great White Tower which hath been since enlarged at several times with buildings adjoining thereto This Tower in the 4th of William Rufus 1092. was much shaken and defaced by a great Tempest of Wind but was again repaired by William Rufus and Henry the first who likewise built a Castle on the South-side thereof toward the Thames intrenching the same round about Historians say of this William Rufus That he challenged the Investiture of Prelates He pilled and shared the People with Tribute especially to spend about the Tower of London and the Great Hall at Westminster The four first Constables or Keepers of the Tower were Othowerus Acolinillus Otto and Jeffry Magnaville Earl of Essex who was also Sheriff of London Middlesex Essex and Hertfordshire He fortified the Tower of London against K. Stephen but the King seizing him at his Court at St. Albans would not discharge him till he had delivered it up together with the Castles of Walden and Plashey in Essex In 1153 the Tower of London and Castle of Windsor were delivered by the King to Richard de Lucie to be safely kept In 1155 Thomas Becket Chancellor to Hen. 2. caused the Flemings to be banished out of England their Castles lately built to be demolished and the Tower of London to be repaired In the 2. of Rich. first 1190. William Longshamp Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellor by reason of some difference between him and Earl John the Kings Brother who was in Rebellion inclosed the Tower and Castle of London with an outward Wall of Stone embatailed and likewise caused a deep ditch to be made about the same designing as is aforementioned to have invironed it with the River of Thames This inclosure and Ditch took away some ground from Trinity Church in London which King Edward recompenced And a great quantity of Ground likewise was taken from the City upon this Account yet the Citizens had no recompence nor were offended thereat since it was done with their liking as being for the defence of the City But another Historian saith that in 1239 Hen. 3. Fortified the Tower of London to another Purpose and the Citizens fearing it was intended to their detriment complained to the King who answered That he had not done it to their hurt but saith he I will do from henceforth as my Brother doth in building and fortifying Castles who beareth the name of being wiser than I. But the next year all these Noble Buildings of the Stone Gate and Bulwark were shaken as with an Earthquake and fell down which the King commanded to be again built better than before And in the year 1241. Though the King had bestowed above 12000 Marks in the work yet the Wall and Bulwarks irrecoverably fell down at which the Citizens were very well pleased for they were threatned that when this Wall and Bulwarks were built if any of them should contend for the Liberties of the City they should be Imprisoned therein Yet were they again rebuilt and finished by Edward the 1. and the Bulwark at the West-gate now called the Lyon Tower added the Original of which name and of Lyons in England we read was thus Henry the 1. built the Mannor of Woodflock and walled the Park about with stone seven Miles in compass destroying to that purpose divers Villages Churches and Chappels and this was the first Park in England and as the Record saith He appointed therein besides great store of Deer divers strange beasts to be kept and nourished such as were brought to him from far Countreys as Lyons Leopards Linxes Porpentines and such other for such was his Estimation among Outlandish Princes that few would willingly offend him In the year 1235 we read that Frederick the Emperour sent Henry 3. three Leopards in token of his Regal sheild of Arms wherein they were pictured since which time the Lyons and other Creatures have been kept in a part of this Bulwark now called the Lyons Tower In the 16 of Edward 3. One Lyon One Lyonefs One Leopard and two Cattes Lyons were committed to the custody of Robert Boure Edw. 4. Fortified the Tower of London and inclosed a peice of Ground West from the Lyon Tower upon Tower-bill with brick now called the Bulwark And in the 6th year of his Reign he ordered a Scaffold and Gallows to be set upon the Hill for the Execution of Offenders upon which the L. Mayor and Aldermen complained to the King but were answered That it was not done in Derogation of the Cities Liberties and caused Proclamation to be made thereof accordingly Richard the 3. and Henry the 8. repaired this Tower but in the 2. of Edward 6 1548. Nov. 22. A Frenchman lodging in the round Bulwark between the Westgate and the Postern by setting fire to a Barrel of Gunpowder in the night blew up that Bulwark yet burnt none but himself this Bulwark was soon rebuilt again This west Gate of the Tower is the Principal Gate for receiving and delivering all manner of Carriages and without it there are divers Bulwarks and Gates turning to the North within this Gate to the South is a strong Postern for Passengers by the VVard-house over a Drawbridge which is let down and pull'd up at pleasure Next to this on the South side East-ward is a large VVater-gate commonly called Traytors Gate because some have been carried in that way this Gate is partly under a strong Stone Bridge from the River of Thames Beyond which was a small Postern with a Drawbridge seldom let down but for receiving in some Great Persons Prisoners Further to the East was a Great and strong Gate called the Iron Gate but not usually opened And so much for the Foundation building and repairing of the Tower with the Gates and Posterns There are many Fair Houses within the walls of the Tower wherein the Officers belonging thereto and other Inhabitants live there is also a Chappel In the year 1196 William Fitz Ozbet a Citizen seditiously moving the People to stand up for their Liberties and not to be subject to the Rich and Mighty was taken and brought before the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Tower where he was condemned by the Judges and being drawn thence by the Heels to the Elms in East-Smithfield he was there hanged In 1214. King John writ to Jeffery Magnaville to deliver the Tower of London with the Prisoners Armour and all other things found therein belonging to the King to William Archdeacon of Huntington In the first of Henry 3. 1216. the Tower was delivered to Lewes of Franse and the Barons of England In 1206 Pleas of the
removed to the Bridge-house and it 's recorded that all the Revenues belonging to to London-Bridge in King Henry VII time amounted to 8 15 l. 17 s. 2d a year by which we may partly guess at the Incomes of this Bridge and what vast increase is made of it by this time But this noble Bridge like other earthly things hath suffered many disasters since for some years after the finishing thereof that is 1212. on the 10th of July at Night the Burrough of Southwark and St. Mary Overies Church being on fire and a multitude of People passing the Bridge either to quench or gaze upon it on a sudden the North part of it by the blowing of the South wind was set on fire and when the People would have returned they were stopped by the Fire and as they stayed in a consternation the South end of the Bridge sell on fire so that the People thronging between two raging Fires expected present death whereupon there came many Boats and Vessels to save them into which the multitude rushed so unadvisedly that the boats being thereby sunk they were all drowned above Three thousand Persons being destroyed by the Fire and Water part of whose Bodies were found half burned besides those burnt to Ashes which could not be found In 1282. after a great Frost and deep Snow five Arches of London-Bridge were carried away In 1289. the Bridge was so much decayed that People were afraid to go over it but by a subsidy granted it was repaired In 1595. on St. George's Day there was a great Justing on London-Bridge between David Earl of Crawford of Scotland and the Lord Wells of England which shews that the Bridge was then only coaped in but not built with Houses as it is now The next year Novem. 30. the young Queen Isabel Wife to Richard II. commonly called the little Queen for she was but 8 years old was brought from Kenington over the Bridge to the Tower of London such a muâ—â—itude of People went upon the Bridge to see her that nine Persons were crouded to death among the rest the Pâ—â—or of Tiptree in Essex and an ancient Matron in Cornhill In 1633 there happened a great Fire on London Bridge but was again repaired In the dreadful Fire 1666 a great part of the North Buildings of the Bridge were burnt down but are wholly rebuilt with much Advantage To conclude this Bridge for admirable Workmanship vastness of Foundation and Dimensions and for stately Houses and rich Shops built thereon surpasseth all others in Europe it hath nineteen Arches founded in a deep River made of square Stone sixty Foot in height and Thirty in breadth distant 20 foot one from another joined together with Vaults and Cellars and built as some say upon Ozy soft ground being Eight hundred Foot in length and 30 foot broad and a Draw-bridge almost in the middle Besides this noble Bridge there are others belong to the City as three stately Bridges of Stone built since 1666 over Fleet Ditch and also Holborn Bridge the Ditch being enlarged cleansed and fenced of each side with Stone and Rails and Store-Houses for Coals on each side it is likewise freed from Houses for twenty Foot on each side and made exceeding handsome to the great charge of this City there were likewise some small Bridges over the Town Ditch but now it is arched over with Brick and doth no where appear being paved even with the Street CHAP. V. The Government of the City of London THE Civil Government of this City is not as it is in Rome Paris Madrid Vienna and other Cities by a chief Magistrate or some noble Man set over it as it was here in the time of the Romans when the chief Magistrate was called the Prefect of London or in the time of the Saxons when he was called the Portrieve Custos or Guardian and sometimes Provost of London but after the coming in of the Normans the cheif Magistrate was called Bailive from the French or Commissarie one that hath a Commission to govern and there were sometimes two Bailiffs of London till Rich. I. 1189. changed the name of Bailiff into Mayor which hath held ever since The Mayor is a Citizen chosen every year by the Citizens evcept when their Priviledges and Franchises have been taken from them as in the time of Henry III. Edward I. and King Charles II. The Mayor tho' always a Citizen or Tradesman hath been of such high repute that in writing and speaking to him the Title of Lord is prefixt as to Noble Men Bishops or Judges and of late to the Mayor of York or some of the highest Officers of the Realm he is likewise usually Knighted his Table and also the two Sheriffs is open to all that are of any Quality but so well furnished that it is always fit to receive the greatest Subject in England nay it is recorded that a Lord Mayor of London feasted four Kings at once at his Table His Officers are eight of them Esquires by their places that is the Sword-bearer the Common Hunt who keeps a Kennel of Hounds for the Lord Mayor's Recreation the Common Cryer and four Water-Bailiffs there is also the Coroner three Sergeants Carvers three Serjeants of the Chamber a Serjeant of the Channel four Yeomen of the Water-side one Under Bailiff two Yeomen of the Chamber three Meal Weighers two Yeomen of the Wood Wharfs most of which have their Servants allowed them and Liveries for themselves The State of the Lord Mayor appears when he goes abroad which is usually on Horseback with rich Caparisons himself always in long Robes either of Scarlet richly surred People or Puke with a Chain of Gold about his Neck many Officers walking before and on all sides of him but espâ—cially on the 29th of October when he goes 〈◊〉 Westminster in his Barge with the Aldermen attended by all his Officers and the Liverymen of the several Companies in their stately Barges with their Arms Colours and Streamers and having in the Exchequer Chamber before the Judges taken his Oath to be true to the King and Government he returns in like manner to Guild-hall that is the Great Hall of Guilds oâ— Incorporated Confraternities where is prepared a sumptuous Dinner the Kings Queens Noblemen and Persons of Honour have of late years been pleased to dine there with him with the Forreign Ambassadors and all the Judges This great Magistrate upon the Death of the King is said to be the Prime Person in England and therefore when King James was invited to come and take the Crown of England Robert Loe then Lord Mayor of London subscribed in the first place before the great Officers of the Crown and the Nobility he is usually chosen on Michaelmas day out of 26 Aldermen all Wealthy Men. His Authority reaches over all this great City part of the Suburbs and likewise to the River of Thames with power to punish all that annoy the Stream Banks or Fish only the safety
of the River against an Invasion and securing Merchandizing and Navigation by Block-Houses Forts or 〈…〉 There are divers Courts of Judicature belonging to the Lord Mayor and City of London the highest and most ancient Court is called the Hustings which preserves the Laws Rights Franchises and Customs of the City There is a Court of Requests or Conscience the Court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen where also the Recorder and Sheriffs sit two Courts of the Sheriffs one for each Counter the Court of the City Orphans whereof the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have the Care The Court of Common-Council consisting as the Parliament of England of two Houses one of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and the other of Commoners but they fit all together In which Court are made all B. -Laws which bind all the Citizens of London for every man either by himself or by his Representative gives his assent thereto wherein consists the happiness of the English above all other Subâ—â—cts in the world that neither in Laws By Laws Taxes nor Imposts no man is obliged to pay any thing but by his own consent There is another Court of the Chamberlain of the City to whom belong the Receipts of the Rents and Revenues thereof and likewise the Inrolling and making Free Apprentices over whom he hath great Authority Also the Courts of Coroner and Escheator and another Court for the conservation of the River of Thames lastly the Court of Goal Delivery at Newgate held usually eight times a â—ear at the Old Baily both for the City and Middlesex for the Trial of Criminals whereof the Lord May or is cheif Judge There are other Courts called Wardmote or the meeting of Wards whereof there are 26 in the whole City every Alderman having a several Ward In this Court Inquiry is made into all things that conduce to the Regulating and well Governing of the City Also the Court of Hallmote or Assembly of every Guild and Fraternity for Regulating what belongs to every company in particular There are two Sheriff belonging to this City which like the Lord Mayor are only for a year and are elected generally upon Midsummerday The name is thought to be Saxon from Shire or Country and Rive Governour His Office is to serve the King's Writs of Attachment to return indifferent Juries to see that the publick Peace be kept and that condemned Persons be executed c. Newgate Ludgate and the two Counters are put into the Custody of the Sheriffs For the Ecclesiastical Government there is a Bishop and the present is Dr. Henry Compton and to the Cathedral of St Paul's belongs a Dean a Chapter a Treasurer and 〈◊〉 Prehends A Rector or Vicar is placed in every Parish for the Cure of Sâ—uls and there is in most Parishes a Parsonage or Vicarage-House for the Minister and a Competent Allowance of Tithes CHAP. VI. The several Companies or Corporations of the City of London with the Arms of each Company and the time of their Incorporating THE Traders of the City of London are divided into Companies or Corporations and are so many Bodies Politick enjoying large Priviledges by the Charters of divers Kings granted to them and have Halls to meet in some like Pallaces with Arms belonging to each Company The Arms of this famous City of London are Argent Cross Gules with the Sword of St. Paul say some and not the Dagger of William Walworth for they say it is recorded this Coat did belong to the City long before Wat Tyler's Rebellion The ARMS of London The ARMS of the rest of the Companies follow Merchant Adventurers Incorporated by Ed. 4. consirmed by Q. Eliz. Turkey Merchants Incorporated by Q. E. their Charter inlarged by K. James 1. East-India Company They were first Incorporated by Q. E. 1600. 1. Mercers They were Incorporat 17 Rich. 2. 1393. 2. Grocers First called Pepperers Incorporated 28 E. 3. 3. Drapers They were Incorporâ—â—â— in the 17 H. 6. 4. Fishmongers The Stock and Salt Incorporated 28 H. 8. 5. Goldsmiths They were made a Company 16 R. 2. 6. Skinners Incorporated first by Edw. 3. confirmed 18 Rich 2. 7. Merchant Taylors They were compleatly Incorporated by Hen. 7. 1531. 8. Haberdashers Incorporat 17 Hen. 7. called St. Kath. Society 9. Salters Had their Arms 22 Hen. 8. Crest and Supporters by Q. Eliz. 10. Iroâ—mongers They were made a Company the 3d of Edward 4. 11. Vintners Incorpor by Edw. 3. and confirmed by Hen. 6. 12. Clothworkers Grew to be a Company the 22 of Henry 8. 13. Dyers Incorporated first by a Charter from Henry 6. 14. Brewers Incorporated by Hen. 6. confirmed by Q. Eliz. 15. Leathersellers First Incorporated in the 6th of Richard 2. 16. Prwterers They were made a Society by K. Edw. 4. 17. Barber-Chirurgeons First Incorporated by Edw. 4. and confirmed by every Prince since 18. Armorers Incorporated by Hen. 6. himself being of the Company 19. White Bakers They are Ancient being Incorporat 1 Edw. 2. 20. Wax Chandlers In great credit in the times of Popery Incorporat 2 Rich. 3. 1484. 21. Tallow Chandlers Incorporated 2 Edw. 4. and confirmed by King James 1. 22. Cutlers They were made a Company by Henry 5. and others since 23. Girdlees They were made a Company 27 Henry 6. 24 Butchers They were not Incorporated till 3 of King James 1. 25. Sadlers They are Ancient from Edw. 1. 300 years ago 26. Carpenters They were Incorporated 7 July 17 Edw. 4. 27. Cordwinders or Shoemakers were Incorporated 17 Hen. 6. and confirmed since 28. Painters or Painter Stainers were Incorgor 23 Q. E. 1580. 29. Curriers They are ancient but not Incorporated till 12 Jnne 3 of King James 30. Masons or Free Masons were made 〈◊〉 Company 12 Hen. 4. 31. Plumbers They were made a Corporation 9 K. James 1. 32. Inholders They were made a Company 6 Henry 8. 33. Founderes Incorporated the 18 Sept. 12 K. James 1. 34. Embroiderers They were Incorporated in the 4 of Q. Eliz. 35. Poulterers Incorporat by Henry 7. and confirmed 33 Q. E. 36. Cooks Indorpor 12 E. 4. confir by Q. E. K. J. 1. 37. Coopers They were made a Company the 18 H. 7. 38. Bricklayers or Tylers Incorporated by Q. E. confirm 2 K. J. 1. 39. Bowyers The of their Incorporated was 21 K. J. 1. 40. Fletchers They are also a Corporation but when made is uncertain 41. Blacksmiths Incorporated 20 Q. E. confirmed 2 K. Ja. 1. 42. Joyners Incorporated 13 Q. E. 43. Plaisterers They were Incorporain the Reign of King Henry the 7. 44. Weavers now Silk Weavers very ancient having 3 Societies 45. Fruiterers Incorporated 3 K. J. 1. 49. Scriveners Ancient yet not Incorporated till 14 K. J. 1. 50. Bottlemakers Horners are of great Antiquity but not Incor 51. Stationers Of great Antiquity before Printing Incorporated 3 Phil. and M. 52. Marblers Not Incorporat unless joined with the Masons 53. Wool-packers They flouâ—â—â—hed in the time of the Woâ—â—staple 54. Farriers They rise
Doomsday-book and is kepâ— to this day in the Kings Exchequer at Westminster Yet he was kind to the Londoners suffering then to enjoy their Rights and Priviledges which the had in Edward the Confessors time by the procurement of William Bishop of London who waâ— buried in St. Pauls Church and this Epitaph pâ—â— upon his Grave-stone in Latine and English To William a man famous in wisdom and holiness of life who first with St. Edward the King and Confessor being familiar of late preferred to be Bishop of London and not long after for his prudence anâ— sincere fidelity admitted to be of Council with 〈◊〉 most victorious Prince William King of England of that name the first who obtained of the same greâ— and large Priviledges to this famous City The Senâ— and Citizens of London of him having well deserâ—ave made this He continued Bishop twenty Years â—nd died in the Year after Christs Nativity 1070. These Marble Monuments to thee Thy Citizens assign Rewards O Father far unfit To those deserts of thine Thee unto them a faithful Friend Thy London People found And to this Town of no small weight A stay both sure and sound Their Liberties restor'd to them By means of thee have been Their publick weal by means of thee Large Gifts have felt and found The Riches Stock and Beauty brave One hour hath them supprest Yet these thy Vertues and good deeds With us for ever rest The Lord Mayor of London and Aldermen upon the day of his coming into his Office used â—ll of late days to walk round the Grave-stone â—f this Bishop in remembrance of their former Priviledges obtained by him And there was â—n Inscription fastned to a Pillar near his Grave â—ntituled The Recital of a most worthy Prelates Reâ—embrance which was erected at the charge of Sir Edward Barkham Lord Mayor 1622. which speaks thus to the Walkers in S. Pauls Walkers whosoe're you be If it prove your chance to see Vpon a solemn Scarlet day The City Senate pass this way Their grateful memory to shew Which they the Reverend ashes owe Of Bishop Norman here inhum'd By which this City hath assum'd Large Priviledges those obtain'd By him when Conquerour William reign'd This being by Barkhams thank ful mind renew'd Call it The Monument of Gratitude King William brought with him from Roan in Normandy certain Jews whose posterity inhabiting in London and several other chief Cities they were accused that they used to steal Christian male children from their Neighbours which they would circumcise crown with thorns whip torture and crucifie in mockery despite and scorâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ William Rufus his Son appointed a Disputation to be held in London between the Christians and the Jews but before the day came the Jewâ— brought the King a present to the end they might be heard impartially The K. received their gift encouraging them to quit themselves like menâ— and swore by S. Lukes face his usual Oath Theâ— of they prevailed in Disputation he would himself turâ— Jew and be of their Religion A young Jew was as that time converted to the Christian Faith whose father being much troubled at it he presented thâ— King with threescore Marks intreating him tâ— perswade his son to return to his Judaisin where upon the King sent for his son and commandeâ— him without more ado to return to the Religioâ— of his Nation But the young man answered Hâ— wondred His Majesty would use such words for beinâ— a Christian he should rather perswade him to Christiâ—nity with which answer the King was so confourâ—ded that he commanded the young man out of hâ— presence But his father finding the King could do no good upon his son required his money aâ— gain Nay saith the King I have taken pains enough for it and yet that thou mayest see how kindly I will deal you shall have one half and you cannot in conscience deny me the other half and so dismist him And now we are Treating of the Jews it may not be amiss to add all at once what we read concerning them in this City In the year 1235. the 19 of H. 3. seven Jews were brought before the King at Westminster who had stolen a Boy and kept him private from the sight of any but their own Nation for a whole year and had circumcised him intending also to have crucified him at the solemnity of Easter as they themselves confest before the K. upon which they were convicted and their bodies and goods remained at the Kings pleasure In the 39 of this K. Nov. 22. 102 Jews were brought from Lincoln to Westminster and there accused for crucifying a child of 8 years old named Hugh These Jews were upon examination sent to the Tower of London the murther being discovered by the diligent search of the Mother of the child Upon which eighteen of them were hanged and the other remained long in Prison In the Reign of Henry 2. the number of the Jews throughout England was very great yet whereforever they dwelt they were commanded not to bury their dead any where but in London which being many times inconvenient to bring dead bodies from remote Places the K. gave them liberty to bury in the same place where they lived In 1189. at the Coronation of R. 1. Son of H. 2. at Westminster a great disaster befel the Jews for King Richard not favoring them as his Father had done had given a strict charge that no Jew should be spectator of the solemnity yet several Jews as though it had been the Crowning of King Herod would needs be pressing in and the Officers appointed refusing they should enter there arose a Quarrel which proceeded from words to blows whereby many Jews were hurt and some slain and thereupon a report was suddenly spread abroad that the King had commanded to have all the Jews destroyed upon which it is incredible what rifling there was in an instant of the Jews Houses and cutting their throats and though the King fignified by publick Declaration that he was highly displeased with what was done yet there was no quieting of the multitude till next day and many of the Mutineers were afterward punished by the Law In the Reign of King John 1202. Great sums of money were exacted and gathered from the Jews among whom there was one who would not pay the money charged upon him till the King caused one of his great Teeth to be pulled out every day for seven days together upon which he was at last compelled to give the King Ten Thousand Marks of silver that no more might be pulled out since he had but one left in his head K. Henry 3. being very profuse was brought so low for want of money that he was forced to borrow nay almost beg it of his Subjects but the Jews who were ever exposed to his will felt the weight of his necessities and one Abraham a Jew in London being found a Delinquent was constrained to redeem himself for
slain and with the execution of eight more though five hundred were found guilty this Insurrection is suppressed It was a custom that upon St. Bartholomews day the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London should go to the Wrestling-place near More-fields where at this time the Prior of St. Johns likewise was to see the sport and a Servant of his being ashamed to be foiled before his Master desired to Wrestle again contrary to custom which the Lord Mayor denied whereupon the Prior fetched Bowmen from Clerkenwel against the Mayor and some slaughter was made the Mayors Cap was shot through with an Arrow yet he would have the sport go on but no Wrestlers came whereupon he said He would stay a while to make Trial of the Citizens respect to him and presently after a great party of them came with Banners displaid and fetched him home in triumph Soon after another Quarrel happened in Holborn between the Gentlemen of the Inns of Chancery and some Citizens in appeasing whereof the Queens Attorney and three more were slain The year after the Apprentices of London upon a very slight occasion fall upon the Foreign Merchants rifling and robbing their houses but the Lord Mayor by his discretion appeased the Tumult punishing some of the Offenders with Death and others by Fine and all things are quieted and appeased The Kings Resloration 1660. The Regicides of Exec at Charingcross The Insurection of Venner c. 1660. As soon as this Parliament was dissolved the Duke sends for the Queen and some others to come out of Scotland But they had raised an Army there and the Duke of York met them with another and at Wakefield Green the Duke is flain with the loss of three thousand of his men and leing dead had his head crowned with a Paper Crown together with many other Circumstances of disgrace However his Son Edward Earl of March prosecutes the Quarrel and puts the Queens Forces to flight which she endeavoured to recruit but some of her Northern Army having robbed the People as they came along the Country saying It was their Bargain to have all the Spoil in every place The Londoners would not suffer any Provision to be sent to them the Commons rising about Cripplegate and stopping the Carts which the Lord Mayor was sending to the Army In the mean time the Earls of March and Warwick having got a considerable Army march to London and were joyfully received there And soon after the Earl of Warwick drawing all his Forces into St. Johns Field by Clerkenwel and having cast them in a Ring he read to them the Agreement of the last Parliament and then demanded Whether they would have King Henry to reign still Who all cryed out No No. Then he asked them Whether they would have the Earl of March Eldest Son of the Duke of York by that Parliament proclaimed King to reign over them Who with great shouting answered Yes Yes Then several Captains and others of the City went to the Earl of March at Baynards Castle to acquaint him what had passed who at first seemed to excuse himself as unable to execute so great a charge but encouraged by the Archbishop of York the Bishops of London and Exeter and the Earl of Warwick he at laft consented to take it upon him and soon after he was generally proclaimed King And here Writers end the Reign of King Henry the sixth though there were several changes For sometimes he was a King and sometimes none yet he was never well setled though he lived twelve years after King Henry was then in the North and raise an Army to oppose Edward but is defeated by the Lord Falconbridge Upon which Henry and his Queen go to Scotland and raise more Forces but are again beaten And now King Edward sits three days together in the Kings Bench in Westminster Hall to hear Causes and regulate Disorders And the Earl of Warwick is sent into France to treat of a Marriage with that Kings daughterâ— but in the mean while the King marries the Lady Elizabeth Gray At which Warwick grows discontented and joins against King Edward and surprizing him takes him Prisoner but he soon made his escape King Henry was taken in disguise and sent to the Tower of London some years before And now Warwick going to France brought a great Army over and proclaimed Edward an Usurper who thereupon endeavoured to raise an Army but could not and therefore fled out of England into the Duke of Burgundies Country and King Henry is taken out of Prison where he had been nine years and again proclaimed King But King Edward by the assistance of the Duke of Burgundy lands an Army in Yorkshire and marches towards London where he was joyfully received And in the year 1471 and the 11 year of his Reign K. Edward made his entry into the City and had King Henry delivered into his hands The Earl of Warwick having notice thereof marcheth with his Army toward St. Albans and King Edward follows him carrying King Henry along with him where the Earl of Warwick and many others are slain and Henries Parry utterly routed And now was the time for King Henry to be delivered out of all his Troubles for the bloudy Duke of Glocester entering the Tower of London where he sound King Henry nothing at all troubled for all his Crosses struck him into the heart with his Dagger and there slew him And now within half a years space we find one Parliament proclaimed Edward an Usurper and Henry a lawful King and another proclaiming Edward a lawful King and Henry an Usurper that we may know there is nothing certain in humane Affairs but uncertainty In the fifth year of King Henry the sixth it rained almost continually from Easter to Michaelmas In his seventh year the Duke of Norfolk was like to have been drowned passing through London Bridge his Barge being set upon the Piles so overwhelmed that thirty persons were drowned and the Duke with others that escaped were fain to be drawn up with Ropes In his seventeenth year was so great a Dearth of Corn that people were glad to make Bread of Fearn roots Next year all the Lions in the Tower died In the thirty third year of his Reign there was a great Blazing Star and there happened a strange sight a monstrous Cock came out of the Sea and in the presence of a multitude of people made a hideous crowing three times beckening toward the North South and West There were also many prodigious Births and in some places it rained bloud About this time the Draw-bridge on London Bridge was made and Leaden Hall was built to be a Storehouse of Grain and Fewel for the poor of the City In the first year of this Kings Reign a Parliament was held at London where the Queen-Mother with the young King in her lap came and sate in the House of Lords In this Kings Reign Printing was first brought into England by William Caxton of
people went over the Thames and played thereon from London Bridge to Westminster On the third of January it begun to thaw and on the fifth no Ice was to be seen In the twentieth year of her Reign a Blazing Star was seen with a long stream About this time one Simon Pembroke of Southwark being suspected to be a Conjurer was ordered to appear in St. Mary Overies Church which he did and leaning his head against a Pew the Proctor lifted up his head and found him dead and ratling in the throat and being searched several Devilish Books of Conjuration were found about him In her thirty fifth year there was so great a drougth that not only the Fields but the Springs themselves were dried up and many Cattle died every where for want of water The River of Thames likewise failed so that a Horse-man might ride over at London Bridge In her thirty sixth year was a great Plague in London and the Suburbs whereof died 17890. besides the Lord Mayor and three Aldermen About this time Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington Gentlemen came into Cheapside and there in a Cart proclaimed as they said News from Heaven that one William Hacket represented Christ by partaking of his glorified Body and that they were the two Prophets one of Mercy the other of Judgment sent of God to help him in this great work These men were apprehended and Hacket was arraigned and found guilty of speaking divers false and traiterous words against the Queen and to have raced and defaced her Pictures thrusting an iron Instrument into the place of the heart and brest for which he was brought from Newgate to Cheapside and being moved to ask God and their Queen forgiveness he fell to cursing and railing against the Queen and made a blasphemous Prayer against the divine Majesty of God and was therefore hanged and quartered Coppinger starved himself wilfully in Bridewel and Arthington made a Recantation In the forty third year of her Reign Robert Devereux Earl of Essex assisted by divers Noblemen and Gentlemen entered the City of London in Warlike manner at Temple Bar crying For the Queen till they came to the Sheriffs House in Fanchurch-street who finding himself not Master of his own house escaped out at a Back-door and went to the Lord Mayor And Essex finding the Citizens in Arms against him endeavoured to fortifie his own House but hearing that some great Guns were sent for to beat it down he surrendred himself and was sent to the Tower where he was afterward beheaded but might have kept his head longer on had he not been betrayed by the Lady Walsingham to whom after his condemnation he sent a Ring which the Queen had given him in token that she would stand by him in any danger the Lady delivered not this Ring but being a little after upon her Death-bed she desired to speak with the Queen to whom having disburthened her conscience the Queen flung away in extream rage and fury and never enjoyed her self well after that time but would often break out into a passion and wring her hands crying O Essex Essex and died not long after After her death King James succeeded in the third year of whose Reign was contrived the Powder Treason Plot for which Sir Edward Digby Robert Winter Graunt and Bates were drawn hanged and quartered at the West end of St. Pauls and Winter Keys Rookwood and Fawks at the Parliament Yard at Westminster A while after the King attended with divers Lords dined with the Lord Mayor Sir John Watts who after dinner presented his Majesty with a Purse of Gold desiring he would please to be made Free of the Company of Clothworkers to which the King consented and calling to the Master of the Company he said Stone Give me thy hand I am now a Clothworker and in token of my special favour to this Fraternity I do here give to this Company a Brace of Bueks yearly for ever at the Election of Master and Wardens And a Moneth after the King and the Prince dined at Merchant Taylors Hall where the Prince was made Free of that Company and had likewise a Purse of Gold presented him by the Master In 1609. the New Exchange being newly finished was first opened and named by King James Brittains Burse In 1612. Edward Wightman was burnt for an Heretick and one Legat burnt in Smithfield for an Arian In 1615. Sir Thomas Overbury was poisoned in the Tower for which the the Earl of Somerset and his Lady were arraigned and condemned and Sir Gervase Elvis Lieutenant of the Tower Mistris Turner and divers others executed In 1618. the famous Sir Walter Rawleigh was beheaded in the New Pallace Yard Westminster Next year Queen Anne died at Hampton Court In 1623. a Popish Priest being at Mass in Black Fryars in an Upper Room it fell down and many were killed and hurt In 1625. King James died having reigned 22. years King Charles his Son succeeded him and was married to Henrietta Maria of France In his first year was a great Plague whereof there died in London 35417. In 1628. Doctor Lamb was murdered in the streets of London for which the City was fined six thousand pound the same year John Felton was hanged at Tyburn for murdering the Duke of Buckingham In 1633. the King and Queen were magnificently entertained at Guild-hall In 1640 the Long Parliament began and in 1642. Posts and Chains were ordered to be set up in the City But having already given a particular account of all Passages in this Kings Reign and till the Restoration of his present Majesty King Charles the second in a little Book called The Wars of England Scotland and Ireland I shall omit repeating any thing here but shall onely add That in the year 1659. General Monk marching from Scotland came to London and after having pulled down the Gates and Portcullises of the City by Order of the Remnant of the Long Parliament he afterwards grew dissatisfied at their proceedings and going into the City was received with Bonfires and soon after that Parliament was dissolved and his Majesty happily restored May 29. 1660. In October following several of the Regicides of the late King were executed at Charing Cross that is Harrison Carew Cook Scot Hugh Peters Clement Scroop Jones and Hacket and Axtel at Tyburn In January one Venner a Wine Cooper and some others of Enthusiastick Principles made an Insurrection in London their Leader persuading them that one should chase a thousand They first marched to St. Thomas Apostles and from thence to Bishopsgate Whitecross-street and from thence they went to Highgate and Canewood And three days after they came again into the City being not above thirty or forty in number but armed with Blunderbusses and Headpieces and the Trained-bands and some of the Kings Guards fell upon them and routed them about five or six of them were killed others fled and the rest were taken Prisoners Their Word it is said was THE