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
rebuilt In this Ward were five Halls Skinners Dyers Tallow-Chandlers Innholders and Joyners and likewise Merchanr-Taylors School It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 5 Common Council Men 8 Constables 5 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 14. Vintrey VVard stretcheth from the Vintrey North to Tower Royal in which were Stodies-lane Cranes lane Church-lane and divers others This Ward was consumed by the Fire and four Churches St. Michael-Royal St. Thomas-Apostles St. Martins Vintrey and St. James Garlick-Hithe the first only is rebuilt This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy and 6 Common-Council Men 9 Constables 4 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle In which were 5 Halls Vintners Cutlers Fruiterers Plummers and Parish-Clerks 15. Cordwayners VVard wherein there were Budge-Row Turnbase-lane part of VVingmen-lane Cordwayner-street Bow-lane Basing-lane and St. Syths lane the South end of Needlers-lane the South end of Soperlane part of Bow-lane and VVatling-street This Ward was burnt down and three Churches St. Antholines Aldermary Church and St Mary le Bow all rebuilt with magnificent Steeples This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy 8 Common Council Men 8 Constables 8 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 16. Cheapside VVard wherein is the Poultrey and the Counter Cony-hoop lane part of the Old-Jury Bucklers-bury Neelders-lane part of Soper-lane now called Queenstreet Ironmonger-lane and Cateaten-street This Ward was consumed by the Fire and 7 Churches St. Mildred-Poultrey St. Mary Cole-Church St. Bennet-Sherehog St. Pancras Soper-lane St. Martins Ironmongers-lane St. Laurence-Jury and Guild-hall-Chappel some are since finely rebuilt as well as the Hall and the rest of the Ward It hath an Alderman Deputy and 11 Common Couâ—cil Men 11 Constables 9 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 12 a Beadle and Grocers and Mercers Hall 17. Coleman-street VVard wherein is part of the Old-Jury Lothbury Coleman-street and the Alleys thereabout it was in part consumed by the Fire with three Churches St. Margaret's Lothbury St. Stephens Coleman-street and St. Olaves Jury all rebuilt with the rest of the Ward It hath two Halls Armourers and Founders an Alderman his Deputy 5 Common Council Men 4 Constables 4 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 13 and a Beadle 18. Bassishaw or Basing-hall VVard wherein are Basing hall street part of London VVall and several other Alleys most of it was burnt down 1666 and therein Basing-hall and St. Michael Bassishaw Church with Coopers Masons VVeavers and Girdlers Hall There are an Alderman his Deputy and 4 Common Council Men 2 Constables 2 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 17 and a Beadle 19 Cripplegate VVard hath these Streets Aldermanbary Milk-street Gayspur lane part of VVestcheap Love-lane Lad-lane VVood-street Addle-street Philip-lane Huggen-lane Maiden-lane the East end of Guthorn-lane Staining lane Silver-street the North end of Mugwel-street all within the walls without are More-lane with all the Alleys little Morefields more than half Grub-street VVhite Cross street to â—eech-lane Red Cross-street part of Golden-lane and Barbican more than half toward Aldersgate Sim Colledge in which is a stately Library and Alms-Houses for 24 People founded by Dr. Thomas VVhite Part of this Ward was consumed by the Fire and among the rest Aldermanbury Church St. Maudlin Milk-street St. Albans VVood-street St. Michael VVood-street but St. Alphage and Cripplegate escaped In this VVard were Bowyers and Scriveners Hall It is of â— great extent divided into Cripplegate within and without within it hath an Alderman his Deputy and 8 Common Council Men 9 Constables 12 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 15 and a Beadle without the Gate a Deputy and three Common Council Men 4 Constables 4 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 17 and a Beadle 20. Aldersgate VVard contains Lillipot-lane the west side of Guthorns-lane Cary-lane St. Martins Aldersgate-street without the Gate and Little-Brittain some part of this VVard was burnt and the Churches of St. John Zachary St. Olave Silver street St. Ann Aldersgate and St. Mary Staining but St. Buttolphs without the Gate escaped There are in this VVard Peter-house noâ— the Seat of the Lord Bishop of London Thanet-House and Goldsmiths Hall It hath an Alderman his Deputy 4 Common Council Men without the Gate and 4 within 8. Constables 9 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 21. Farringdon VVard within contains Foster-lane Mugwelwell-street Pentecost-lane Butcherhall-lane the west side of Fryday-street the Old-Change the north Church-yard of St. Paul's St. Paul's-School Pater-Noster-Row the west side of Avemary-lane Greed-lane Black-Fryers Pannier-Alley Ivy lane Blow Bladder-street Newgate Market and Newgate-street most of it was burnt in 1666. and the Churches of St. Peters Cheap at VVood-street Corner St. Fosters in Foster-lane Christ Church and Hospital St. Mathews Friday-street St. Austins in VVatling-street St. Martins Ludgate St. Ann Black-Fryers St. Faiths under St. Pauls and St. Pauls Church it self St. Pauls is the only Cathedral of that Name in Christendom seated on the-highest part of all the City and was more perspicuous perhaps than any Cathedral in the VVorld It was a structure for length height and antiquity surpassing all other Churches the length thereof was 670 Foot therein exceeding by 20 Foot St. Peters Church in Rome which for Beauty Proportion and divers other things excells all other Temples It was in height 102 Foot and in breadth 130. This Church was built as other Cathedrals in a perfect Cross and in the midst of the Cross upon mighty high Arches was a Tower or Steeple of Stone 360 foot high and on that a Spire of Timber covered with Lead in height 260 foot more in all from the ground 520 foot above which was a Bole of Copper gilt of 9 foot in compass whereon stood the Cross 15 foot and an half high and almost 6 foot a-cross made of Oak covered with Lead and another cover of Copper over the Lead above all stood the Eagle or Cock of Copper gilt 4 foot long and the breadth over the wings 3 foot and an half In 1561 part of this magnificent Pile was much wasted and the rest endangered by Fire in that stately Spire by the Negligence of a Plummer who left his Pan of Fire there while he went to Dinner as he confest on his Death-bed This was repaired in 5 years Arch-Bishop Laud much repaired it with Portland Stone in 1640. It was again ruined by the dreadful Fire 1666 but the Quire is now rebuit with great part of the rest of the Cathedral in a noble and sumptuous manner In this Ward of Farringdon were the Halls of several Companies as Embroiderers Sadlers Barber Chirurgeons Butchers Stationers and likewise the Colledge of Physicians in Warwick-lane It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 14 Common Council Men 17 Constables 18 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 18 and a Beadle 22. Breadstreet Ward wherein are Breadstreet the East part of Friedaystreet Watlingstreet part of Knight Riderstreet and Distafflane This Ward was wholly laid wast by the Fire and therein the Churches of Alhallows Breadstreet St. Mildred Breadstreet St. John Evangelist and St. Margaret Moses also Cordwainers
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
from Henry de Ferraris Master of the Horse to W. Conqueror 55. 〈◊〉 They have kept friendship together many ye 56. Lovimers They have a Hall in Colemanstreet Ward upon London Wall 57 Brown Babers They are or long stand 〈…〉 Incor 10 K.J. â— 58. â—â—â—â—â—ongers Incor 3 K. J. 1. have lost their Charter 59. Vâ—hâ—lsterers Formerly much esteemed but we do not find when Incorporat 60. Turners They were made a Comp. 2 K. J. 1. 61. Glasiers Of ancient Friendship but their Incor unkn 62 Clerks called Parish â—lerks were Incorporated 17 Henry 3. 63. Watermen They are a Brotherhood regulated by the 64. â—â—othâ—â— wies Divided from the Grocers In or 15 K. J. 1. 65. Silk Throwers They were Incor 1. April in the 5 K. Char. Out of the 12 first of these Companies is the Lord Mayor chosen or at least he is made Free of one of them after he is Elected The Livery men of all these Companies meet together at Cuildhaâ—l for chusing Lord Mayor Sheriffs Parliament Men whereof there are four for this City and their Officers which is called a Common Hall They are Elected by the Majority of Voices CHAP. VII The Wards and Precincts of the City of London THE General Division of the Wards of this City since their purchasing the Liberties of Southwark in the County of Surrey consists of twenty six parts which have twenty six Aldermen to govern them the names of which are as follow 1. Towerstreet Ward so called from the Tower of London it contains Sydon or Seething lane part of Mark-lane Mincing lane and Beer lane in which is Bakers-Hal two Lanes called Church-lanes and next to them Fowl lane the Church of St. Dunstans in the East the Custom-house where are paid all the Impositions laid on Merchand ses imported or exported which is so considerable that all the Customs of England being divided into three parts the Port of London pays two Thirds that is above 330000 Pound yearly This House being destroyed by the Fire 1666 is now rebuilt in a more magnificen Uniform and commodius Manner by the King and cost 10000 l. the building In this Ward are the Tower of London two Halls of Companies the Clothworkers and the Bakers It hath an Alderman a Deputy 11 Common Council Men and 3 Parish Churches Alhallows Barking St. Olave Hartstreet and St. Dunstans in the East the last of which with great part of the Ward was burnt down by the Fire but is lately rebuilt and an Organ placed therein It hath 13 Constables 12 Scavengers 13 of the Wardmote Inquest and a Beadle 2. Portsoaken Ward contains the East part of the Tower the Hospital of St. Katharines East-Smithfield and Tower-hill where there is a Store-house for Provisions for the Navy Royal called the Slaughter House the Merchant Taylors have in this Ward Alms-houses for 14 Women next is the Minories then Hog-lane near Goodmans Fields and ends at Petticoat-lane This Ward hath an Aldermen and his Deputy six Common Council Men two Parish Churches Trinity Minories and St. Buttolphs Aldgate 4 Constables 4 Scavengers 18 of the Wardmote Inquest and a Beadle 3. Aldgate Ward so named from the Gate the chief Street begins between the Gate and Limestreet and goes again to Billeter-Lane and Fenchurch-Street to Culver Alley from thence to Crutched Friers Woodroof-Lane Hart-Street and the North end of Mark-Lane where the Ward endeth Wherein there are 3 Parish Churches St. Katharine-Cree-Church St. Andrew Vndershaft and St. Katharine Coleman and there were 3 Halls of Companies that is Bricklayers Fletchers and Ironmongers Hall It hath an Alderman Deputy and six Common Council Men 6 Constables 9 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 18 and a Beadle 4. Lime-Street Ward bath no Parish Church in it nor any one whole Parish but small Portions only of two Parshes it hath an Alderman his Deputy and four Common Council Men 4 Constables 2 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest Men 16 and a Berdle 5. Bishopsgate Ward part of which is without the Gate from St. Mary Spittle to Bishopsgate and almost half Hounsditch Old Bethlem East of the New Postern to Morefields in this Ward is Fishers Folly now called Devonshire House and lately made into a square with stately Buildings the Old Artillery Ground Spittle Fields now built into Streets and the Church of St. Buttolphs Pishopsgate-gate within the Gate it contains Bishopsgate Street to the East end of St. Martins Outwich Church and then winding by Leadenhall down Leaden Hall Street Great St. Hellens and Little St. Hellens In this Ward there was Bethlem now removed to Morefields St. Mauy Spittle where Sermons were formerly preached Monday Tuesday and Wednesday in Easter week yearly Also the Church of St. Buttelphs Bshopsgate the small Church of St. Ethelborough and the fair Church of St. Helen near this Church a Child was found buried in the Sea-coal Ashes by his unnatural Mother with his Face upward yet found alive without any ragg about it but all bloody because the Navel string was untied and the body crusted over with Sea-coal Durst yet being made clean it was found to be a handsome Manchild without any harm but only by sucking in the Ashes he was Christned and named Job Cinere Extractus Job taken out of the Ashes he lived three days and lies buried in that Church-yard This Ward hath an Alderman and two Deputies one within and another without the Gate eight Common Council Men within and three without the Gate seven Constables seven Scavengers 13 Wardmote Inquest Men and a Beadle 6. Broadstreet Ward so called from the Street wherein is Throgmorton-Street Threadneedle-Street half Finch-Lane and an Alley and to the East end of St. Margaret Lothbury and to a Pump formerly against St. Bennet Fink's Church In this Ward is part of Gresham Colledge and eight Alms-houses the Church of St. Peters Poor in Broadstreet Augustine Friers now the Dutch Church the Church of St. Martins Outwich St. Bennet Fink St. Bartholomew Exchange and St. Christophers Parish also Carpenters Hall Drapers Hall and Merchant Taylors Hall Then there was St. Anthonies Colledge or Hospital which is now a Church for French Calvinists Scalding Ally is the farthest part of this Ward wherin there is an Alderman his Deputy and nine Common Council Men ten Constables eight Scavengers of the Ward note Inquest thirteen and a Beadle 7. Cornhil Ward so called from a Corn-Market anciently kept there It 's chief Ornament is the Royal Exchange formerly called the Burse which was erected in 1566 and burnt down 100 years after in 1666. It was built by Sir Thomas Gresham a noble Merchant and by Command of Q. Eliz. proclaimed and named the Royal-Exchange The Merchants before met in Lumbarddreet after the Fire it was rebuilt most part with Stone with such curious Architecture especially the Front Turret and Arch-work that it surpasseth all other Burses It is Quadrangular with a large Court wherein the Merchants may assemble and the greatest part in case of Rain or Sunshine
may be sheltred in side Porti co's the whole Fabrick cost above 50000 Pound one half paid by the Chamber of London and the other by the Company of Mercers There are 160 Shops above let at 20 l. Rent each and 30 l. Fine and several Shops below on every side and large Vaults underneath which yield considerable Rents so that it is the richest piece of ground perhaps in the World the ground whereon this goodly Fabrick is erected being but 171 foot from North to South and 203 foot from East to West very little more than three quatters of an Acre and products 4000 Pound yearly Rent Cornhill Ward begins at the West end of Leadenhall and so down to Finch-lane on one side and Birchin lane on the other half of which are in this Ward and so to the Stocks-Market In this Ward is the Church of St. Peters Cornhill counted the oldest in London and the Church of St. Michael both which with the greatest part of this Ward were burnt down but are since nobly rebuilt as well as the rest of the Streets St. Michael's Church had ten Bells formerly and John Stow writes thus I have heard my Father say saith he that upon St. James's night certain Men ringing the Bells in the Loft a Tempest of Thunder and Lightning did arise and a thing of an ugly Shape was seen to come in at the South Window which lighted on the North for fear whereof all the Ringers sell down as dead for a time letting the Bells cease of their own accord when they came to themselves they found certain Stones of the North Window razed and scratcht as if they had been so much Butter printed with a Lions Claw the same Stones were fastened there again when it was repaired and remain so to this day He adds That one VVilliam Rus or Rous gave a Bell to this Church to be rung nightly at 8 a Clock and for Knels and Peals which was rung by one Man for 160 years together In this Ward there is an Alderman his Deputy and five Common Council Men four Constables four Scavengers Wardmote Inquest sixteen and a Beadle 8. Langbourn VVard so called of a long Bourn of Water running out of Fenchurch-street down to the end of St. Mary VVoolnoth Church in Lumbard street then dividing into small Streams it left the name of Sherebourn-lane In this Ward is Fenchurch street Lumbard-street half Lime-street half Birchin-lane St. Clements-Lane down to St. Clements-Church St. Nicholas-Lane beyond St. Nicholas-Church Abchurch-Lane and part of Bearbinder-Lane Formerly St. Gabriel's Church stood in the middle of Fenchurch-street but was taken away since the Fire likewise St. Dionis Backchurch Alhallows Lumbard-street St. Edmund Lumbard-street St. Nicholas Acons and St. Mary VVoolnoth Church In it are six Parish Churches and Pewterers Hall in Lime-street there is an Alderman his Deputy and nine Commoa Council Men 15 Constables 9 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 17 and a Beadle in this Ward The Post-Office is kept in Sir Robert Vyners House in this Ward most of which was burnt down and all the Churches but since rebuilt 9. Billingsgate VVard contains part of Thamestreet Rood land Puding lane Love lane Buttolph lane St. Margaret Fattons lane Billingsgate Somers Key Smarts Key Boss Alley St. Mary Hill-lane likewife five Charches St. Buttolph Billingsgate St. Mary Hill St. Margaret Pattons St. Andrew Hubbert and Saint George Buttolphs Lane This Ward was all burnt in 1666 but now rebuilt with most of the Churches There is an Alderman his Deputy and nine Common Council Men 11 Constables 6 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 10. Bridge-Ward within so called from London Bridge begins at the South end and comes over the Bridge up Fish-street hill to the North corner of Grace-Church In which were 4 Churches St. Magnus at the Bridge-Foot St. Margaret new Fish-street St. Leonard Eastcheap and St. Bennet Grace Church all these Churches and all the Ward except part of London-Bridge was burnt down two of which are rebuilt but upon the place where St. Margaret's Church stood there is erected by Act of Parliament a Pillar in perpetual Memory of the dreadful Fire in 1666 which first began in Pudding-Lane behind that Church This Monument is built after the Dorick Order 170 foot high all of solid Portland Stone with a Staircase in the middle of Stone coped with Iron with an Iron Balcony on the Top not unlike those two ancient white Pillars at Rome erected in honour of those two Excellent Emperors Trajan and Antoninus which though they were built above 1500 years ago are still standing entire the Pedestal of this Pillar is 43 foot square In the Bridge VVard are an Alderman his Deputy and 14 Common Council Men 15 Constables 6 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 16 and a Beadle 11. Candlewick VVard begins at the East end of Great Eastcheap passeth West thro little Eastcheap into Cannon-street so to the North end thereof thence to the West end of St. Laurence Pountneys Church-yard part of St. Clements-Lane most part of St. Nicholas-Lane almost all Abchurch-Lane and most part of St. Martins-Lane are in this Ward It was wholly burnt down in 1666 but handsomely rebuilt There were in this Ward 5 Churches that is St. Clements-Eastcheap St. Mary Abchurch St. Michael Crooked-Lane where was the Monument of Sir VVilliam VValworth Lord Mayor who killed VVat Tyler St. Martins Orgars and St. Laurence Poultney which were all burnt down the three sirst are rebuilt and St. Martins is now a French Church This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy and 7 Common Council Men 8 Constables 5 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 12 and a Beadle 12 VValbrook VVard begins at the West end of Canon-street by Budge-row where is St. Swithins lane VValbrook the Stocks-Market four or five Houses in Lumbard-street Bearbinder lane and part of Bucklersbury This Ward was wholly destroyed by the Fire and six Churches that is St. Swithins in Canon-street St. Mary VVoolchurch St. Stephens VVallbrook St. John Evangelist and St. Mary Bothaw St. Swithins and St. Stephens VValbrook are handsomely rebuilt but St. Mary VVoolchurch the Church-yard and Stocks-Market are pulled down and made a handsome Market place in the Front whereof toward the Street is a Conduit and a Statue of King Charles II on Horseback with a Turk or Enemy under his Feet erected by Sir Robert Vyner This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy and 7 Common Council Men 9. Constables six Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 15 and a Beadle In this Ward is Salters Hall 13. Dowgate VVard begins at the South end of VValbrook VVard over against the East corner of St. John Baptist's Church and goes on both sides the way to Dowgate wherein there were Elbow-lane Chequer-Alley Fryer-lane Grantham-lane the Stilyard Church-lane Alhollows-lane Cole-Harbour Ebgate-lane Bush-lane and Suffolk-lane This Ward was wholly consumed by the Fire and three Churches Alhallows the Great Alhollows the Less and St. Laurence-Poultney the first of which is again
of the Common Law â—ow kept at Wallingford-House The next thing considerable is the Collegiate Church called Westminster-Abby or St. Peters It was â—aised out of the ruins of a Temple formerly dedicated to Apollo wherein there is King Henry VII's Chappel a magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens of England and many other Persons of Honour and Renown are buried in this Church and here the Kings of England are commonly crowned Then there is Somerset-house a large and stately â—tructure belonging to the King Northumberland house York-house now turned into Streets and Buildings the new Exchange stored with variety of Shops and Goods the Statue of K. Charles I. lately erected at Charing cross Salisbury-house now a fine Street the Savoy Arundel-house Bedford-house and divers other Places worth observing The Limits of Westminster end at Temple-Bar and there the bounds of London begin Westminfter is so mightily enlarged by the building of St. James's Fields and the adjaceat Places into stately large Streets that it is thought to be as big again as formerly To conclude London is the Epitome of England the Seat of the Brittish Empire the Chamber of the King the chiefest Emporium or Town of Trade in the World and to describe all things in it worthy to be known would make a Volume The City of London with the Suburbs and parts adjacent is from Lime-house to the end of Tothill street in Westminster East and West above 7500 Geometrical Paces or 7 English Miles and an half and from the further end of Blackman-street in Southwark to the end of Shoreditch North and South 2500 Paces or two Miles and an half Historical Remarks OF LONDON and WESTMINSTER PART II. ENgland in the time of the Saxons was divided into an Heptarchy or seven Kingdoms in the year of Christ 527. One of these Kingdoms contained Essex and Middlesex and continued about 281 years during the Reign of 14 Kings The third of whom was Sebert who built the Cathedral of St. Paul which had formerly been the Temple of Diana The ninth King was Sebba who after thirty years peaceable Reign relinquished the Crown and took upon him a Religions Habit in the Monastery of St. Paul where dying his Body was intombed in a Coffiâ— of Gray Marble and stood in the North Wall of the Chancel of the Church till the Fire in 1666. About 872. the Danes invaded this Kingdom and got into London making great spoil upon which King Elfred who then reigned compounded with them allowing them a great quantity of Land to secure the rest from Plunder and Ruine for we find these words in the end of the Laws published by this King Let the Bounds of our Dominion stretch from the River Thames and from thence to the Vale of Lea even unto the head of the same Water and so forth straight unto Bedford and finally going along by the River of Ouse let them end at Watling-street But the Danes ufurped daily upon other places so that King Elfred was many times forced to hide himself in the Fens and Marshes and with his small Company to live by Fishing Fowling and Hunting Wild Beasts for Food and being one time entertained alone in a Country man's house disguised in very mean attire as he was sitting by the Fire a Cake was baking on the Hearth before him but the King being intent in trimming his Bow and Arrows the Country woman coming in and seeing the Cake burn she furiously took the Bow from him and checking him as her Slave said Thou Fellow dost thou see the Bread burn before thy Face and wilt thou not turn it and yet mayest be glad to eat it before it be half baked Little suspecting him to be the man that used to be treated with more dainty Food This King more minding the Benefit of his Subjects than the Majesty of State disguised himself in the habit of a common Fidler and went in Person to the Danes Camp who lay wallowing in Wantonuess and Security and being a skilful Musician and a Poet he addded his Voice thereto singing Songs of the Valour of the Danes whereby he had admittance to the Company and Banquets of their chief Commanders and Princes and observing their carelesness and understanding their Designs he returns to his poor disconsolate Soldiers and tells them how easie it was to surprize their Enemies and thereby recover their ruined Country who immediately fell upon the Danes in their Camp and made a very great slaughter and pursuing their Victory they beat them in all Places and at last followed them to London from whence all the Danes fled The Inhabitants were very glad to see the Face of their King and he restored the City to its former Liberty and Splendor again the Danes making their escape by shipping into France In 982 the Danes again invade England and destroy all Places near the Shore Etheldred was then King whose elder Brother called the Martyr was treacherously murdered by his Mother-in-Law for the King being a hunting in the Isle of Purbeck went alone out of kindness to 〈◊〉 his Mother-in-Law and Brother who dwelt hard by where this cruel Woman out of ambition to bring her Son to the Crown caused one to run him into the back with a Knife as he was drinking a Glass of Wine on Horseback at his departing who feeling himself hurt set spurs to his Horse thinking to get to his Company but the Wound being mortal and he fainting through loss of Blood fell from his Horse and one Foot being entangled in the Stirrup he was dragged up and down through the Woods and afterward found dead and was buried at the Minster in Shaftsbury Etheldred was then crowned King by Dunstan Arch Bishop of Canterbury who at his Coronation denounced the wrath of God against him in these Words Because saith he thou hast aspired to the Crown by the death of thy Brother whom thy Mother hath murdered therefore hear the Word of the Lord The Sword shall not depart from thy House but shall furiously rage all the days of thy Life killing all thy Seed till such time as thy Kingdom shall be given to a People whose Customs and Language the Nation thou now governest know not Neither shall thy sin the sin of thy Mother nor the sins of those men who were Partakers of her Councils and Instruments of her wicked Designs be expiated and appeased but by long and most severe Vengeance Which Prediction was seconded by Prodigies for it is said that a Cloud of Blood and Fire appeared after his Coronation and miserable Calamities fell upon him and his House This King was neither forward nor fortunate in any of his undertakings so that he was called The Vuready he spent his Youth in debauchery his middle Age in carelesness and neglect of his Government maintaining Dissentions amongst his own Subjects and his latter end in resisting the blood thirsty Danes who made continual Destruction of his People