to the roof of Timber well and surely covered with Lead But after an hundred and threescore years King Henry the third subverted this Fabrick of King Edwards and built from the very foundation a new Church of very rare Workmanship supported with sundry rowes of Marble Pillars and the roofe covered over with sheets of Lead a piece of work that cost fifty years labour in building which Church the Abbots enlarged very much toward the West end and King Henry the seventh for the burial of himself and his Children adjoyned thereto in the East end a Chappel of admirable artificial elegancy The Wonder of the Worlde as Leland calleth it for a man would say that all the curious and exquisite work that can be devised is there compacted wherein is to be seen his own most stately magnificial Monument all of solid and massâ—e Copper This Church when the Monks were driven thence from time to time was altered to and fro with sundry changes First of all it had a Dean and Prebâ—ndaries soon after one Bishop and no more namely T. Thurlbey who having wasted the Church Patrimony surrendred it to the spoil of Courtiers and shortly after were the Monks with their Abbot â—et in possession again by Queen Mary and when they also within a while after were by authority of Parliament cast out Queen Elizabeth converted it into a Collegiate Church or rather into a Seminary and Nurse-Garden of the Church appointing twelve Prebendaries there and as many old Souldiers past service for Alms-men fourty Schollars who in their due time are preferred to the Universities and from thence sent forth into the Church and Common-weale c. Over these they placed D. Bâ—ll Dean whose Successor was Gabriel Goodman a right good man indeed and of singular integrity and an especial Patron of Literature Within this Church are intombed that I may note them according to their dignity and time wherein they died Sebert the first of that name and first Christian King of the East-Saxons Harold the bastard Son of Canutus the Dane King of England Edward King and Confessour with his Wife Edâ—th Maud Wife to King Henry the first the Daughter of Malcolme King of Scots King Henry the third and his Son King Edward the first with Eleanor his Wife Daughter to Ferdinando the first King of Castile and of Leon King Edward the third and Philippa of Henault his Wife King Richard the second and his Wife Anne Sister to VVencelaus the Emperour King Henry the fifth with Katherine his Wife Daughter to Charles the sixth King of France Anne Wife to King Richard the third Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick King Henry the seaventh with his Wife Elizabeth Daughter to Kiâ—g Edward the fourth and his Mother Margaret Countesse of Richmond King Edward the sixth Anne of Cleave the fourth Wife of King Henry the eighth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Prince Henry eldest Son of King Iames the sixth of Scotland and first of England who lies there also interred with Queen Anne his Wife and lastly the first male born of Charles the first dying an Infant Of Dukes and Earls Degree there lie here buried Edmund Earl of Lancaster second Son of King Henry the third and his Wife Aveline de Fortibus Countesse of Albemarle William and Audomar of Valence of the Family of Lusignian Earls of Pembrooke Alphonsus Iohn and other Children of King Edward the first Iohn of Eltham Earl of Cornwall Son to King Edward the second Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester the youngest Son of King Edward the third with other of his Children Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and of Essex Wife to Thomas of VVoodstock the young Daughter of Edward the fourth and King Henry the seventh Henry a Child two Months old Son oâ— King Henry the eighth Sophia the Daughter of King Iames who died as it were in the very first day-dawning of her age Phillâ—ppa Mohun Dutches of Yorke Robert of Hexault in right of his Wife Lord Bourchier Anne the young Daughter and Heir of Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolk promised in marriage unto Richard Duke of York younger Son to K. Edward the 4th Sir Giles Daubeny Lord Chamberlain to King Henry the 7th and his Wife of the house of the Arundels in Cornwal I. Viscount VVells Farnces Brandon Dutchess of Suffolk Marry her Daughter Margaret Douglasse Countesse of Lennox Grandmother to Iames King of great Britain with Charles her Sonne VVinifred Bruges Marchionesse of Vâ—inchestèr Anne Stanhope Dutchess of Sommerset and Iane her Daughter Anne Cecill Countesse of Oxford Daughter to the Lord Burleigh Lord High Treasure of England with Mildred Burghley her Mother Elizabeth Berkeley Countesse of Ormond â—Frances Sidney Countess of Sussex Iames Butler Vicount Thurles Son and Heir to the Earl of Ormond Besides these Humphrey Lord Bourchier of Cromwall Sir Humphrey Bourchier Son and Heir to the Lord Bourchier of Beruers both slain at Bernet field Sir Nicholas Carew Baronesse Powisse T. Lord Wentworth Thomas Lord Wharton John Lord Russel Sir T. Bromley Lord Chancellour of England Douglas Howard Daughter and Heir general of H. Vicount Howard of Bindon Wife to Sir Arthur Gorges Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Edward Earl of Rutland Wife to William Cecill Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Howard Countesse of Hertford Henry and George Cary the Father and Son Barons of Hundsdon both Lords Chamberlains to Queen Elizabeth the Heart of Anne Sophia the tender Daughter of Christopher Harley Count Beaumont Embassador for the King of France in England bestowed within a small gilt Urne over a Pyramid Sir Charles Blunt Earl of Devonshire Lord Livetenant General of Ireland And whom in no wise we must forget the Prince of English Poets Geoffrey Chaucer as also he that for pregnant wit and an excellent gift in Poetry of all English Poets came nearest unto him Edmund Spencer William Cambden Clarencieux King of Arms Causabon the greaâ— French Writer Michael Drayton Then there is George Villers Duke Marquiss and Earl of Buckingham favorite to King James and Charles the first The late Earl of Essex with divers other during the Reign of the long Parliament There was also another Colledge or Free-Chappel hard by consisting of a Dean and twelve Chanons Dedicated to St. Stephen which King Edward the third in his princely Magnificence repaired with curious Workmanship and endowed with fair possessions so as he may seem to have built it new the time as he had with his Victories over-run and subdued all France recalling to mind as we read the Charter of the Foundation and pondering in a due weighty devout consideration the exceeding benefits of Christ whereby of his own sweet mercy and pitty he preventeth us in all occasions delivering us although without desert from sundry pâ—ills and defending us gloriously with his powerful right Hand against the violent assaults of our adversaries with victorious successes and in other
that it may seem sufficient to receive any multitudes of people whatsoever Because therefore Bishop Maurice carried a mind beyond all measure in this project he transmitted the cost and charge of so laborious a piece of work unto those that came after In the end when B. Richard his Successor had made over all the Revenues belonging unto the Bâ—shoprick to the building of this Cathedrall Church sustaining himself and his family otherwise in the mean while he seemed in a manner to have done just nothing notwithstanding that he spent his whole substance thereabout and yet small effects came thereof The West part as also the Cross Isle are very spacious high built and goodly to be seen by reason of such huge Columns and are marvellously beautified with an arch'd rooâ— of stone Where these four parts crosse one another meet in one there ariseth up a mighty large lofty Tower upon which stood a spire Steeple cover'd with lead mounting up to a wonderful altitude for it was no less than five hundred and five and thirty foot high from the ground which in the year 1087 was set on fire by lightning and burnt with a great part of the City but being rebuilt was afterwards fi'rd again with lightening about an hundred and fifty years ago and was not perfectly repair'd ever since The measure and proportion of this stately structure shall be here set down out of an old authentick Writer who saith that Saint Pauls Church containeth in length 690 foot the breadth thereof is 130 foot the height of the West arch'd roof from the ground carrieth 102 foot and the new fabrique from the ground is 88 foot high c. The ground belonging to this great Temple in nature of a Coemitery or Church yard was of vast expansion for it reach'd North as far as St. Nicholas market place West almost as far as Ludgate and South near to Baynards Castle Now as they say that Rome was not built in a day no more was this great and glorious Sanctuary but a long tract of time and some Ages pass'd before it came to be entirely compleated and made a perfect Crosse which is the exact shape of it Nor did there want many advantages according to the Genius of those times to advance the work for persons of good rank besides pecuniary Contributions did labour themselves therein in their own persons thinking to do God Almighty good service to have a hand in rearing up his Temple Besides It was an ordinary thing for the ghostly Father to lay penances upon some penitentiaries as Masons Carpenters Bricklayers Playsterers and others to work so many daies gratis in the building before they could get an absolution Insomuch that it may be said that as Pauls Church was partly â—ailt by the sinnes of the people so it is now destroyed by the sins of the people That there stood in old time a Fane or Pagan Temple to Diana in this place as before was hinted some have more than only conjectur'd for there are Arguments to make this conjecture good Certain old houses adjoyning are in the ancient Records of the Church call'd Diana's Chamber and in the Church-yard while Edward the first raign'd an incredible number of Ox-heads were found as we find in our Annals which the common sort at that time wondred at as the sacrifices of the Gentiles and the learned know that Taurapolia were celebrated to the honour of Diana But ever since this Temple was erected it hath been the See of the Bishops of London and the first Bishop it had under the English some hundred years after Theon the Brâ—tâ—sh Bishop was Melitus a Roman consecrated by Austin Archbishop of Canterbury in honour of which Austin though flat against the Decree of Pope Gregory the great the Ensigns of the Archbishoprick and the Metropolitan See were translated from London to Canterbury Within this grand Cathedral there lieth Saint Erkenwald as also Sebba King of the East Saxons who gave over his Kingdom to serve Christ King Etheldred who was an oppresser rather than a Ruler of this Kingdom cruel in the beginning wretched in the middle and shameful in his end so outragious he was in connivency to parricides so infamous in his flight and effeminacy and so disastrrous in his death Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Sir Simon de Burlie a right noble Knight of the Garter executed by encroch'd authority without the Kings assent Sir Iohn de Beauchamp Lord VVarden of the Cinque-ports Iohn Lord Latimer Sir Iohn Mason Knight William Harbert Earl of Pembrook Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England a man of a deep reach and exquisite judgement Sir Philip Sidâ—ey Sir Francis Walsingham two famous Knights Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancellor of England and a great many Worthies more lodge there until the Resurrection Besides this Church there is not any other work of the English Saxons extant in London for why they continued not long in perfect peace considering that the VVest Saxons subdued the East Saxons and London began to be tributary to the Mercians Scarcely were these civil Wars hush'd when a new tempest brake out of the North I mean the Danes who pitiously tore in pieces this whole Countrey and shook this City very sore for the Danes brought her under subjection but Alfred recover'd her out of their hands and after he had repair'd her he gave her unto Ethelred Earl of the Mercians who had married his daughter yet those wastful depopulators did what they could afterwards to win her by siege but Canutus who specially by digging a new Channel attempted to turn away the Thames from her though the labour was lost the Citizens did still manfully repel the force of the enemy yet were they alarm'd and terrified ever and anon by them until they lovingly receiv'd and admitted as their King VVilliam Duke of Normandy whom God design'd to be born for the good of England against those so many spoilers presently whereupon the winds were layed the clouds dispell'd and golden daies shone upon her since which time she never sustain'd any signal calamity but through the special favour and indulgence of Heaven and bounty of Princes obtain'd very large and great immunities for she began to be call'd the Kings Chamber and so flourished anew with fresh Trade and concourse of Marchants that William of Malmsbury who liv'd nere those times term'd it A noble and wealthy City replenish'd with rich Citizens and frequented with the Commerce of Occupiers and Factors coming from all parts Fitz-Stephen living also in those daies hath left in writing that London at that time counted 122 Parish Churches and thirteen Convents or Monasteries of Religious Orders Moreover he relates that when a Muster was made of able men to bear Arms they brought into the field under divers Colours 40000 Foot and 20000 Horsemen London about this time began to display hâ—r wings and spread her train very wide
all that that our Constable of our Tower of London was wont to take of the said Weares Wherefore we will and steadfastly command that no Constable of the aforesaid Tower at any time from henceforth forward any thing ask nor any grievance do to any of the same City by enchesen of the same Weares It is to us known enough and by true men do us to understand that most privacy and most profit might fall into the same City and to the whole Realm by enchesen of the same weares which we make for ever firm and stable unto the same City as the Charter of our Lord King John our Fader which our Barons of London thereof have reasonably witnessed Witnesses Eustace of London Peter of Winchester c. At Westminster the 18. of February the year of our Reign eleven Besides these he produced divers others in this Kings Raign 4. This Jurisdiction belongs to the City of London by Acts of Parliament W. 2. ca. 47. An. 13. No Salmons to be taken from the Nativity of our Lady unto St. Martins day in all points Nor none to be taken in Mill-pools from the midst of April until Midsummer 1. Offence burning of Nets and Engines 2. Offence imprisonment for a quarter of a yeer 3. A whole year 13. R. 2. confirms the restraint of taking Salmons in many waters from the midst of April until Midsommer upon the same pain nor within that time to use any Nets call'd Stalkers nor any other Engine whereby the fry may be destroyed 1â— Eliz None shall with any manner of Net Wee le Butcaining Kepper limecreele rawfagnet trolnet trimnet scalboat weblister sturlamet or with any other device or Engine made of cheare woolbine or Canvas or shall by any heeling Nets or Trimbleboat or any other device Engines Cautâ—lles wayes or meanes soever heretofore made or devised or hereafter to be made or devised take or kill any young brood spawn or fry of Eeles Salmon Pike or Pickrel or of any other Fish or Flud-gate Pipe or tail of any Mill Weare or in any streights streams brooks Rivers salt or fresh 2. None shall take or kill any Salmon and Trouts not being in season being Kepper Salmons or Kepper Trouts or Shedder Salmons or Shedder Trouts c. The Mayor of London inter alia shall have full power and Authority by this Act to enquire of all offences committed contrary thereunto by the Othes of 12 men or more and to hear and determine all and every the same and inflict punishments and impose fines accordingly 5. Then he proceeds to assert the Cities Right to the conservation of the Thames and waters of Medway by way of Inquisition whereof there were two the one taken at Raynam in Essex the other at Gravesend in Kent 9. Hen. 5. before William Grocer then Lord Mayor of London where it was presented That whereas by the ancient Ordinances of London the Mesches of Nets should be two Inches in the forepart and one inch in the hinder part and it being found that the offences according to the said Inquisitions are contra libertates consuetudines Civitatis it was adjudged that the Nets should be burnt according to the ancient custom in that behalf provided 6. He goes on after to prove that this Right belongs to the City by Decrees In 8. Hen. 4. The Mayor and Aldermen did exhibit their humble Petition to the Kings Councel reciting That time out of minde they have had the conservation and correction of the River of Thames of all trinks nets and other Engines whatsoever in the River of Thames and Medway placed and have used to make a sub-Conservator under them and complaining that Alexander Bonner then sub-Conservator having discharg'd his duty in removing Kiddels he was ill entreated by the owners the same owners dwelling in Erith Putriferry Barking Woolwich and other places in the Counties of Kent and Essex and upon hearing of the matter in Camera stellata they were sound guilty and constrained to submit themselves to the Lord Mayor and ordered to bring alwayes their Nets unto him before they should use them And that the Kiddles then taken should be at the disposition of the Lord Mayor so the Offendors made their submission accordingly 7. He proceeds This right appertains to the City of London by Letters Patents which he proved by a grant made by Edward the 4th to the Earl of Pembroke for setting up a Weare in the River of Thames which grant was revok'd and annul'd at the instance of the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen upon shewing their right therefore alledg'd It was contrary to their ancient Customs At which time the Cities Title to the conservacy of the Thames and Medway was at large set forth and recited to have bin shewn to the Lord Chancellour and to the said Earl and his Councel which accordingly was allowed 8. He reinforceth the right of the City by Proclamations whereof one was made by Hen. 8. in 34. of his Raign wherein it is affirmed that the Lord Mayor and his Predecessors have had by divers grants of the Kings of England and by Acts of Parliament enjoyed alwayes the conservacy of the Thames without impediments or interruption By which Proclamation it was commanded that none should resist deny or impugne the Lord Mayor or his Deputy in doing or executing any thing that might conduce to the conservacy of the River and of the fish and fry within the same 9. He produceth Report for in a controversie 'twixt the Lord Admiral and the Lord Mayor for the measuring of Coles and other things upon the Thames it then fell into debate to whom the Conservacy of the River appertain'd which cause was referred by Queen Elizabeths Councel of State 1597. to the Atturney General and Solicitor who joyntly certified among other things that the Conservacy and care of the River did and ought to belong to the City of London 10. By quo Warranto 't was proved that the Conservacy of the Thames belongs to the City for 3. Jacobâ— a quo warranto was brought against the City in the Exchequer to know by what Title she claimed the Conservacy of the River of Thames the waters of Medway whereupon the City made her Title good thereunto by ancient prescription and otherwise so judgement was given in her favour 11. He goes on afterwards to confirm the right of the City by proof of usage in regard the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have time out of minde made Ordinances concerning the good Government of the River of Thames as well for the seasons and manner of fishing beneath London Bridge Eastward upon pain of penalties as it appears from time to time from the Raign of Hen. 3. and so downward the Lord Mayor hath removed Kiddels Weares Trinks and other unlawful Engines and hath reformed the disorders of such as have offended besides in the River of Thames and inflicted punishment upon Offendors accordingly The right of the City appeares also by the
Anno 1289 the Bridge was â—o sore decayed for want of reparations that people were afraiâ— to pass thereon and a subsidy was granted towards the amendment thereof Afterwards Sir Iohn Britain being then Custos of London Anno 1381 a great Collection was made by all the Clergy for the repair of London-Bridge In the year 1381 on St. Georges day was a great solemnity of Justs and Tournements upon London-Bridge between David Earl of Crawford of Scotland and the Lord Wells of England whereby one may infer that the houses were not there so thick at that time The Tower on London-bridge at the North end of the Draw-bridge which was then in a posture to be drawn up was built Anno 1426 in the Majoralty of Iohn Rainwell Anno 1471 a house call'd the Common siege on London-Bridge tumbled down into the Thames by death of diyers persons a little after But in the year sixteen hundred thirty three there happen'd a most raging dismal fire upon the North side of London-bridge which by computation consum'd above the third part of the Buildings thereof But by the commendable care of the City there are other goodly structures rais'd up in some of their rooms of a stronger and more stately way of building and pity it is that the work were not compleated there being no object after the Church of St. Pauls that can conduce more to the glory and Ornament of this renowned City Besides this Bridge that may be call'd the Bridge of the world there are other inferior Bridges which have still the names of Bridges that belong to the City of London the first is Fleet-bridge in the West fenc'd with iron Pikes on which towards the South there be certain Lanthorns of Stones for lights to be placed in Winter Evenings for commodity of passengers Under this Bridge runs a water sometimes call'd the River Wells but since Turn-hill brook and now Fleet Dike because it runs by the Fleet under ground to the River of Thames this Bridge hath been far greater in times pass'd but lessened as the water course hath been narrowed Over the sayd River of Wells northerly stands Oldenbridge now Holborn-bridge so call'd of a boorn that sometimes ran down Holborn hill into the River this Bridge like Fleet-bridge-serves for passage only Then comes Cow-bridge more Northerly over the same water near unto Cow-lane but this Bridge being decayed another of Timber is made more North towards Chicklane There are some other small Bridges over the Town-ditch viz. without Eald-gate without Bishopsgatâ— Mooregate the Postern of Cripplegate as also without Aldersgate the Postern of Christs Hospital Newgate and Ludgate which are now paved eaven with the streets only there remains one of Timber over the River of Wels or Fleet Dike There have 〈◊〉 informer ages divers Bridges in sundry places over the course of Wallbrook but 〈◊〉 they are made levell with the paâ—ements of the Streets so that the water-course can now be hardly discover'd being vaulted over with Brick Of the chief Fortresse or Tower of LONDON ANd now that we are come so near the famous and great Tower Palatine or Citâ—adel of London we will try whether we can get in thither without paying fees and take a view thereof as briefly as we can it being an ill-favoured and tedious thing to stay there long I know it is the current vulgar opinion that Julius Caesar the first Conquerour or rather indeed Discoverer of Britain was the Original Founder thereof but there is â—ery litle probability of truth in that for two Reasons The first is the little stay he made here during which he had other things to think on The second is that he himself who is so exact in his relations specially if they conduce to his honour nor any other Roman Author makes any mention of of such a work or Fabrique Therefore that opinion which approacheth truth the neerest is that William of Normandy the Conqueror was the first tracer and erector of the Tower of London as Edmond de Hadenham an old English Antiquary affirms The first part that was built was the great square and White Tower though black to some which was about the year 1078 whereof Gundulph Bishop of Rochester was principal Superviser and Surveyer who was log'd then in the house of Edmere a Burgesse of London as it stands upon Latine Record in the forenamed Author Now it is to be considered that at first the wall of the City was in many places furnish'd with sundry Bastions and Turrets in due distance one from the other and divers stood on the waters side where some of the said Wall extended at first but the Thames with her ebbings and flowings did as it were corrode and subverâ— those Buildings on the South side Wherefore the Conqueror for then the Art of fortification was come to a greater perfection for defence of the City and River pitch'd upon that place as most convenient to erect a Buâ—wark in the East part of the Wall The White square Tower as was formerly said was first erected and finished in the Conquerors time but stood naked and single without other Buildings a good while and the story â—aith that in William Rufus time it was by the injury of the Heavens and violence of tempest sore shaken and some part tumbled down which was repair'd by the said Rufus and Henry the first who also caused a Castle to be built under the said White Tower on the South side towards the Thames and he surrounded that also with a strong Wall Now Henry of Huntindon relates that VVill. Rufus challeng'd the inveâ—â—iture of Prelates and pill'd the people pitifully to spend the treasure about the Tower of London and the great Hall at VVestminster whereof he was Founder The first Keeper of the Tower of London was call'd Constable Ostowerus Acolinillus Otho and Geoffrey Magnaville were the first four Constables of the Tower of London by succession all which held a portion of Land that appertain'd to the Priory of the Holy Trinity near Algate viz. East Smithfield as belonging to that Office making thereof a Vineyard and would would not part with it till the second year of King Stephen when by judgment of the Court it was restored to the Church The foresaid Geoffery Magnaville was at one time Constable of the Tower Sherif of London Middlesex Essex Hartfordshire as the Chronicles relate He also fortified the Tower of London against King Stephen but the King took him at last at St. Albanes and would not free him till he had surrendred the Tower of London with the Castles of VValden and Plashey in Essex Richard de Lucie was Anno 1155 Constable of the Tower of London and also of Casâ—le the of VVinsore About the beginning of the Raign of Richard the first William Longshank Bishop of Ely and Chancellour of England for some dissentions 'twixt him and John the Kings Brother who was in Rebellion enclos'd the Tower of London with an outward
the West side but not so far on the East Then the aforesaid street from this Finkes Lane now Finch Lane runneth down by the Royal Exchange to the Stocks and to a place commonly called the Scalding-house or Scalding wicke but now Scalding Alley by the West side whereof under the Parish Church of St. Mildred runneth the course of VVallbrooke and these be the bounds of this Ward Here stands the Parish Church of Alhallowes in the Wall so called of standing close to the Wall of the City near Moorfields and over against Winchester house which was so vast and spacious a Mansion that it has been many years since cut into divers habitations For the Glasse-house stood in part of it the Spanish Ambassadour had another part And now of late the Excise Office hath bin kept in another part On the other side of the street among many proper Houses possessed for the most part by Curriers is the Carpenters Hall which Company was Incorporated in the seventeenth year of Edward the fourth Then East from the Curriers row is a long and high Wall of stone in the foresaid Winchester house enclosing the North side of a large Garden adioyning to as large an house builded in the Reigns of King Henry the eighth and of Edward the sixth by Sir William Powlet Lord Treasurer of England thorow his Garden which of old time consisted of divers parts now united was sometimes a fair foot way leading by the West end of the Augustine Fryars Church straight North and opened somewhat West from Alhallowes Church against London Wall towards Mooregate which foot-way had Gates at either end locked up every night but now the same way being taken into those Gardens the Gates are closed up with Stone whereby the people are enforced to go about by Saint Peters Church and the East end of the said Fryers Church and all the said great place and Garden of Sir William Pawlet to London Wall and so to Moorgate This great House adjoyning to the Garden aforesaid stretcheth to the North corner of Broad-street and then turneth up Broad-street all that side to and beyond the East end of the said Friers Church It was builded by the said Lord Treasurer in place of Augustine Fryers House Cloyster and Gardens c. The Fryars Church he pulled not down but the West end thereof enclosed from the Steeple and Quire was in the year 1550 granted to the Dutch Nation in London to be their preaching place The other part namely the Steeple Quire and side Iles to the Quire adjoyning he reserved to houshold uses as for Stowage of Corn Coal and other thingâ— his Son and Heir Marquiss of VVinchester sold the Monuments of Noble men there buried in great number Paving stone and whatsoever which cost many thousand pounds for one hundred pounds and in place thereof made fair sâ—abling for horses He caused the Lead to be taken from the roofs and laid Tyle in place which exchange proved not so profitable as he looked for but rather to his disadvantage for there have been some remarkable judgements upon that Family since On the East side of this Broad street amongst other buildings on the back part of Gresham House which is in Bishopsgate street there are placed eight Alms-houses builded of Brick and Timber by Sir Thomas Gresham Knight for eight Almes-men which be now there placed rent-free and receive each of them by his gift six pound thirteen shillings four pence yearly for ever Next unto Pawlet House is the Parish Church of Saint Peter the poor so called for a difference from other of that name sometime peradventure a poor Parish but at this present there be many fair Houses possessed by rich Marchants and others In this little Church there be some fair Monuments one of Sir Thomas Lowe and another of Sir VVilliam Garaway with Iohn Lucas Esquire of Colchester Then next have ye the Augustine Fryers Church and Church-yard the entring thereunto by a South gate to the West Porch a large Church having a most fine spired Steeple small high and streight that there are few the like founded by Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex in the year one thousand two hundred fifty three Râ—egnald Cobham gave this Messuage in London to the enlarging thereof in the year one thousand three hundred fourty four Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex re-edified this Church in the year 1354 whose Body was there buried in the Quire The small spired Steeple of this Church was overthrown by tempest of wind in the year one thousand three hundred sixty two but was raised of new as still it might have stood had not private benefit the only devourer of Antiquity pull'd it down Both that goodly Steeple and all that East part of the Church hath lately been taken down and Houses for one mans commodity raised in the place whereby London hath lost so goodly an ornament and times hereafter may more talk of it This House was valued at fifty seven pounds and was surrendred the twelfth of November the 13 of Henry the 8. There were many great Monuments in this Fryers Church one of Edmond first son to Ioan mother to Richard the second Guy de Meryke Earl of Saint Paul Lucie Countesse of Kent Richard the great Earl of Arundel Surrey VVarren Sir Francis Atcourt Earl of Pembrooke Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford with Aubery de Vere his son the Lady of Bedford with Edward Duke of Buckingham and very many more persons of quality On the South side and at West end of this Church many fair houses are builded namely in Throgmorton street one very large and spacious builded in the place of old and small Tenements by Thomas Cromwel Master of the Kings Jewel-house after that Master of the Rolls then Lord Cromwell Knight Lord Privie Seal Vicar General Earl of Essex high Chamberlain of England c. This house being finished and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a Garden he caused the pales of the Gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and tweâ—ty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every mans ground a Line there to be drawn a Trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high Brick Wall to be builded and this was suddenly and no warning given nor other answer but when any spake to the Surveyers of that work they said their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to do so that no man durst go to argue the matter but each man lost his Land Thus the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves The Company of Drapers in London bought this House and now the same is their Common Hall This Company obtained of King Henry the sixth in the seventeenth of his Reign to be incorporate Iohn Gedney was chosen to be their first Master and the four Wardens were Iohn VVotton I. Darby Robert Breton and T. Cooke The Armes granted to the said
Redcrosse-street and Beech-lane with Golding-lane full of small Tenements Then is there Barbican anciently called Houndsditch all these populous places are within the Precincts of St. Giles Parish Aldersgate Suburb is next where the Parish of St. Buttolph stands and little Britain street on the one side then it stretcheth all along North with very handsome Edifices and a large street as far as Barbican on the one side and Long-lane on the other This street resembleth an Italian street more then any other in London by reason of the spaciousness uniformity of Buildings and streightness thereof with the convenient distance of the Houses on both sides whereof there are divers very fair ones as Peter-House the Palace now and Mansion of the most Noble Marquis of Dorchester Then is there the Earl of Tenets House with the Moon and Sun-Tavern very fair structures Then is there from about the middle of Aldersgate-street a handsome new street butted out and fairly built by the Company of Goldsmiths which reacheth athwart as far as Redcrosse-street At the furthest point of this Suburb Northward there was a Winde-Mill in times past which being blown down by a Tempest Queen Katherine of Aragon first Wife to Henry the 8th erected there a Chappel and named it Mount Calvary which was afterwards suppressed and the place came to be called Mount-mill whereof the Long-Parliament made much use for their fortifications We are going now to Newgate where towards Smithfield I meet with Gilt-spur and Knight-riders-street Then is Smithfield it self which hath bin spoken of before in Faringdon Ward Without Smithfield Barres there is St. Johns street on the right hand whereof stood the Charter-house founded by Sir Walter Manuy Knight of the Garter to Edward the third Hard by is Pardon Church-yard whereas the Annales record above fifty thousand souls were buried in one year who had dyed of a raging great sweeping Pestilence in the Reign of the foresaid Edward the third The Chievalrou and most devoâ—t Knight first buiâ—t a Chappel there then a Monastery of Carthusian Fryers which are the â—evereâ—â— one most rigid of all claustral Societies this Monastâ—ery was called at first the Salutation In this Charter-House was the Monument of the said Sir Walter Mâ—nny and above twenty Knights more besides Ladies and other perâ—ons of high Rank and at the suppression of Abbeys this Monastery had 642 l. yearly Rent a mighty sum in those dayes This demolish'd Charter-House came a while after to the possession of Thomas Earl of Suffolk Lord Treasurer of England in King James his Raign and the place being sweetly scituated with accommodations of spacious Walks Orchards and Gardens with sundry dependencies of Tenements and Lands thereunto belonging gave occasion to that worthy and well disposed Gentleman Mr. Thomas Sutton of Castâ—e Camps in the County of Cambridge Esquire but born at Knayth in Lincolnshire to alter his Resolution of erecting an Hospital at Hallingbury in Essex where he had first pitched his design and to purchase this place of the Earl for 13000 l. first peny payd before the sâ—aling of the Conveyance which charitable great and noble enterprize was countenanced by King James and his privy Councel So having in few years raised up that goodly Fabrique though it pleased God to take him to himself before it was quite finish'd and endowed it with competent allowance by passing away many goodly Mannors he had in Lincoln Wiltshire Middlesex Cambridge and Essex with other goodly possessions the work was compleated and nominated the Hospital of King James which Hospital consisted of a Master a Governor a Preacher a Free School with a Master and Usher 80. poor people and 40. Schollers maintained all by the Revenues of the House Anno 1614. on Munday next after Michaelmas day the Captains Gentlemen and Officers entred into this new Hospital Now there were by Letters Pattents under the great Seal of England divers Governors appointed of this Hospital whereof the Arch Bishop of Canterbury was chief The Lord Chancelor and Treasurer The Bishops of London and Ely the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas the Attorney General the Dean of Pauls the Dean of Westminster and divers others But the late long Parliament inverting the order and will of the founder did nominate others in their rooms A little without the Barres of West Smithfield is Charter-house Lane but in the large yard before there are many handsome Palaces as Rutland House and one where the Venetian Embassadors were used to lodge which yard hath lately bin conveniently raised and made more neat and comely Then is there St. Johns street with Turnmill-street which stretcheth up West to Clarken-well and it is vulgarly called Turnball-street There is another Lane called St. Peters Lane which turns from St. Johns street to Cow-Crosse The dissolved Priory of St. John of Jerusalem stood on the left hand founded almost 600. years since by Jorden Briset a pious brave man who had founded alâ—o a Priory of Nuns at Clarken-Well The Rebels and Rabble of Kent did much mischief to this House 1381. setting it on fire and letting it burn seven dayes At the suppression of Abbeys this House among the rest felt the fury of fare yet it was not quite demolished but employed as a Store-house for the Kings toyles and tents as well for hunting as for the Warres But in Edward the sixth's time that goodly Church for the most part I mean the body and side Iles with the great Bell-Tower a most curious peece of fabrick being engraven gilt and enamel'd to the great Ornament of City and Suburb was barbarously undermined and blown up with Gunpowder the stones whereof were carried to finish the then Protectors House in the Strand viz. the Duke of Somerset but strange Judgements fell afterwards upon him as is before mentioned Cardinal Pool in Queen Maries Raign closed up again part of the Quire and side Walls on the West side and made Sir Thomas Tresham Prior thereof but thinking to bring the place to its first principles it was suppressed again by Queen Elizabeth A great number of Knights of that Order had Monuments in that Church North from the said House of St. John's was the Priory of Clarken-Well which also was very ancient being built Anno 1100. We must now go back to Giltspur-street where this Suburb first begins where hard by standeth a comely fair Church called St. Sepulcher in the Baylie Hard by is Turnagain-lane Hosier-lane and Cow-lane then you come down Soreâ—hill now vulgarly called Snow-hill to Oldborne now called Holborn-Bridge then you go up by Chick-lane and Lither-lane but before you come thither you passe by the Bishop of Elies great Palace and Hatton-House and Brook-House beyond the Barres there is Postpool-lane and Grayes Inne Lane Southward of this Lane there is a row of small Houses which is a mighty hindrance to Holborn in point of prospect which if they were taken down there would be from Holborn Conduit to St. Giles in
the field one of the fairest rising street in the World From Newgate on the left hand lyeth the Old Bayley and so down by Sea-cole and Fleet-lane we passe then over the common Sewer up to Shooe-lane and so to Fewter-lane now vulgarly called Fetter-lane but betwixt these two Lanes there is another new street butted out by the Company of Goldsmiths called Newstreet where there is a knot of very handsome Buildings Above the Barres there was a House of the Templers but they removed thence to Fleetstreet There was also adjoyning thereunto the Bishop of Lincolns House which was very ancient for the Records say 't was built Anno 1147. But of late years it hath belonged to the Noble Earls of Southhampton And lately it hath bin quite taken down and turned to several private Tenements as Durham House is in the Strand Insomuch that if one should ask what God Almighty doth now in London he might as the pulse of the 〈◊〉 beats give the same answer that was given by the Pagan Philosopher who being demanded what Iupiter did in Heaven he said Magnas ollas rumpâ—t ex frustis earum parvas componit Jupiter breaks great Vessels and makes small ones of their peeces Side long of this ancient House of the Bishop of Lincoln is Newstreet for so it was called at first but now 't is called Chancery-lane where Edward the third annexed the House of converted Jews to the Office of Custos Rotulorum Here the Cursitors Office was built by Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal Here also is the six Clarks Office which is a fair convenient peece of stone and Brick Building newly erected the old being consumed by a casual fire of late years The Bishop of Chicester Ralph Nevil had much ground given him thereabouts by Henry the third which now is become all Tenements thick built and quite alienated Then is Lincolns Inne very much encreased in building it appertained sometimes to the said Ralph Nevil Bishop of Chicester Lord Chancellor of England having bin before the House of the Black-Fryers and after the decease of the said Bishop Nevil Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Constable of Chester and Custos of England added much building to this place and Sir Thomas Lovel did also add much thereunto in Henry the eighth's time but now it is one of the foure Inns of Court for the Students in the Law Behind Lincolns Inne Westward is a spacious field where many fair Houses or rather Palaces are taken up by the Gentry Then is there towards Drewry Lane a new Market called Clare Market then is there a street and Palace of the same name built by the Earl of Clare who lives there in a princely manner having a House a street and a Market both for flesh and fish all bearing his name There was something omitted which should have bin spoken of the Church of St. Giles of the Field which is that being a very ancient Church and so decayed that it could not be repaired a new one was erected partly out of the ruines of the old which work was begun and finished in two years and a while after the fair Brick Wall that encompasseth it There were divers well disposed persons who contributed to so pious a work but specially the Lady Alice Duddeley according to that which is engraven upon the North door in pure and ponderous Latine which I thought therefore worthy to be here inserted Quod faelix faustumque sit posteris Hoc Templum loco Veteris ex Annosa vetustate Collapsi mole et splendore auctum multa Paraecorum Charitas Restauravit In quibus pientissimae Heroinae Dom. Aliciae Duddeley Munificentia gratum marmoris hujus meretur eloquium Huc etiam accessit aliorum pletas Quibus provisae sunt grates In Coelo Heus viator an effaetum est bonâ—s Operibus Hoc Saeculum From the North end of Chancery Lane is High Holborn which extends up to St. Giles in the Field where the famous devout Queen Matilda did found an Hospital as she did Eastward St. Katherines beyond the Tower At this Hospital the Prisoners conveyed from London to Tyborn were used to be presented with a Bowl of Ale for their last refreshment in this life and it was commonly called St. Giles's Bowl Then is there a spacious fair street called Long Acre and then Pickadilly full of fair Houses round about Thus have we as succinctly as we could avoiding superfluities and unnecessary trivial things spoken of the Skirts of London and the places thereunto annexed without the Gates and now Navigeâ— hinc alâ—â— jam mihi linter aqua I mean let us steer now to the City of VVestminster Of the Savoy the Dutchy and City of Westminster with the Antiquities the Tribunals of Iustice and Liberties thereunto belonging HAving taken so fair a Prospect and finished the perlustration of London It were a high Incivility and a soloecism in good manners or rather a Piacle not to give VVestminster also a visit being so near and contiguous a Neighborr It is true that they were once above a mile asunder but by insenâ—â—bâ—e coalition and recruit of people they came at last to be united and incorporated into one continued peece in point of posture though not of Government And the Union with Scotland did not a little conduce to make this Union â—twixt London and VVestminster For the Scots multiplying here mightily neasâ—ed themseâ—ves about the Court so that the Strand from mud Walls and thatched Houses came to that perfection of Buildings as now we see Moreover the City of VVestminster hath divers Magnalia's which may deserve as exact a view as any within London for if London of old had her Temple of Diana VVestmâ—nster had one to a greater Deity which was Apollo And since in those very places is St. Paul hath his Church in London St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles hath his in VVestminster which was used to keep the Regalia's and the Crown Add hereunto that if London hath her Guild-hall and the Hustings VVestminster hath the great Praetorian or common Hall where the chief Courts and general Tribunals of Justice do make their Sessions though to her high prayâ—e be it spoken London hath a far more expedite way of doing Justice and determination of cauâ—es then Westminster hath besides in point of safety and strength if London hath her Artillery Garden Westminster hath her Military And in point of Extent and Government if London hath her six and twenty Wards and so many Aldermen Westminster also hath her Twelve Burgesses and so many distinct Wards but for the quality of Inhabitants London muâ—t vayl to her most of the Nobility and Gentry residing in or about her Precincts Moreover in one particular Westminster may claim a great advantage of London in regard as the Royal Court once was so the residence of the Soveraign Magistrate is still there Insomuch that Westminster may well glory of three things That she hath the chiefest
Right and Prerogative due to the Crown in that they have seized and converted to their own use Goods and Chattels of infinite value taken at Sea and other Goods and Chattels which in no sort appertain unto his Lordship by his Letters Patents wherein the said Non obstante is contained and for which he and his Officers remain accountable to his Majesty And they now wanting in this time of peace causes appertaining to their natural jurisdiction do now encroach upon the jurisdiction of the common Law lest they should sit idle and reap no profit They added further That touching their proceedings in granting of Prohibitions concerning any of the said Articles two things were to be considered of first the matter then the manner touching the matter nothing hath bin done therein by the Court of Westminster but by good Warrant of Law and former judicial Precedents And for the manner they granted none in the Vacation time nor in their Terme time in any of their Chambers nor in the Court in the Terme-time ex officio but upon motion made in open Court by learned Councel and after a day prefixed and warning given to the adverse party c. Hereupon they proceeded to prove and confirm their answers by three kind of Authorities in Law First By Authority of High Court of Parliament Secondly By Judgement and judicial Precedents Thirdly By Book-Cases Concerning the Acts of Parliament they urged the Statute of Richard the second viz. That the Admiralls and their Deputies shall not meddle from henceforth with any thing done within the Realm of England but only with things done upon the Sea according to that which hath been duly used in the time of the Noble King Edward Grandfather to Richard the second Concerning the second proof by Judgements and Iudicial Precedents and the third by Book-Cases they alledged divers Cases which are to be seen in that great light and laborious Champion of the Common Law of England the Lord Coke in the third part of his Institutes But the Result of all which the Iudges of the Common Law driv ' at was that the Court of Admiralty was to take no Cognizance nor had power to determine any thing that had happened and should give occasion of Plea upon any Waters either fresh or salt that were within the Precincts of any County but it was tryable by the Common Law of England and by the Empanelment and Verdict of twelve men which is not the way of Tryal of the Civil Law by which the Admiralty is directed By this notable clash and contestation 'twixt the Iudges of Westminster-Hall and the Lord Admiral the Reader may learn what the extent of the Authority of that Court is and that the jurisdiction of the Admiral is confined to the high Sea In times past there were distinct Admirals in point of power as we read in Richard the seconds Raign the Earl of Northumberland was Admiral of the North and the Earl of Devonshire Admiral of the West who were to receive the Subsidy of Poundage and Tonnage for the garding of the Seas Among other Prerogatives which belonged to the Lord Admiral of England one was to erect Beacons upon the Maritim Coasts which word is derived from the old Saxon or Dutch Becnam which signifieth to give a signe as we use the word to becken at to this day Before the Reign of Edward the 3d there were but stakes of Wood set upon high places which were fired upon the discovery of any enemies but in his time pitched Barrels were set up and by the Law of the Land whosoever fired a Beacon commits Felony unless there were Authority and just cause for it In other Countries they are called Phares which are no other then speculatory or maritime monitory fires which serve for two ends as well to direct Seafaring men as to fore-warn the approach of an Enemy which with such wonderful celerity give the whole Land an Alarum and so puts them in a posture of defence But there are three main matters whereof the Lord Admiral is to take Cognizance which are Flotsan Ietsan and Lagan whereof the first is when a Ship is sunk and perished and the Goods floating upon the waters The second is Ietsan when in stresse of weather or other occasions the Goods are thrown over-board The third is when Goods are tyed to a Cork or Cable and may be found again But the Court of Admiralty hath not to do with Wrecks for then the Goods are deposited in the custody of the Officers of the next Town where if the Proprietor come within a twelve moneth and a day he may claim them by Law Henry the sixth did constitute by Charter Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter and Henry his Son to be Admirallos Angliae But the Iudges of the Common Law held that Charter to be invalid and the Reason they alledged was that that Charter being of a Iudicial Office it could not be granted to two When the former contestation happened 'twixt the Court of Admiralty and Westminster-Hall they were choyse powerful men at that time who swayed as Grandees of the Common Law as Sir Edward Coke the Lord Bacon Iudge Doddridge and Hubbard which made them carry the Bucklers from the Civilians at that time But there were some learned Treatises published afterward to vindicate the Right of the Civil Law which without controversie hath more in it of natural equity and reaches of pure Reason then any other It is the Product of that mighty Monarchy of the Romans who though they conquered by the Lance yet they conâ—erâ—ed by their Lawes so many vast distant Territories and Nations which they had subdued leading so many people Captive by their policy as much as by their Prowesse And indeed the Civil Law is fitted for the general Affaires of mankind and for all Nations For though every particular state hath some few municipal Lawes peculiar to it self yet no where beyond the Seas is there any profession or Science of Law but of the Civil nor are there any other studied in Vniversities Only in England there are Inns of Court which are equivalent to an Academy where lex Terrae or the common municipal Law of the Land is studied and Graduates proceed and are made therein accordingly which is no where else But the Civil Law extends to all man-kind And if regard be had to the University of humane Reason it is no where â—o narrowly discussed and eventilated and the judgement rectified by clear notions Moreover there is nothing of what nature soever it be but the Civil Law hath ordained a means to bring it to a Tryal either by giving a speciall action in the case or a general one releeving by ordinary remedies or if those fail by such as are extraordinary helping the Clyent Iure actionis or Officio Iudicis Yet there was one notable Example of one business that not only caused a clash 'twixt the Civilian and Common Lawyer but puzzel'd them both so that
of the Ferry But afterwards that House of Nuns being converted into a House of Priests the Priests did build a Bridge of Timber and from time to time kept the same in good reparation till at length considering the great charges which were bestowed in the frequent repair of the woodden Bridge there was at last by the Contributions of the Citizens and others a Bridge built of Stone The Timber Bridge had stood some Ages before for the Story saith that when Sweyn King of Denmark had besieged the City of London both by Water and Land in the year 994. the Citizens manfully defended themselves under their King Ethelred so that a great number of the Enemies was slain in Battel and part of them were drown'd in the River of Thames because they could not recover the Bridge Add hereunto that in the year 1016. Canâ—tus the Dane with a great Navy came up to London and on the South of the Thames caus'd a Trench to be cast through the which his Ships were tow'd towards the West side of the Bridge and then with a deep Trench and streight siege he encompassed the City about Moreover 1052. the Earl Godwin with the like Navy taking his course up the River and finding no resistance on the Bridge he sail'd up the South side Further 1067. William the Conqueror in his Charter to the Church of St. Peter in Westminster confirmed to the Monks serving God there a Gate in London call'd Buttolphs Gate then with a Wharf which was at the head of London Bridge We read likewise that Anno 1114. in the raign of Henry 1. the River of Thames was so dryed up and the water grew so shallow that between the Tower of London and the Bridge not only with Horse but people might have passed over a foot In the year 1122 Thomas Arden gave to the Monks at Bermondsey the Church of St. George in Southwark and five shillings yearly rent out of the Land pertaining to London Bridge There is also a remarkable Charter of Hen. 1. upon Record to this tenor Henry King of England to Ralph Chichester and all the Ministers of Sussex sendeth greeting Know ye I command by my Kingly authority that the Manor call'd Alceston which my Father gave with other Lands to the Abbey of Battle be free and quiet from Shiers and Hundreds and all other Customes of earthly servitude as my Father held the same most freely and quietly and namely from the work of London-Bridge the work of the Castle at Pevensey And this I command upon my forfaiture Witnesse William de Pontdelarche at Berry The first year of King Stephen a fire began in the house of one Aâ—lwards neer unto London-stone which consum'd East unto Ludgate and West to St. Erkenswald's shrine in St. Pauls Church The Bridge of Timber upon the River of Thames was also burnt but afterwards repair'd Besides in the Reign of the said King Stephen and of Hen. 2. men stood in great numbers upon the Bridge to see pastimes that were upon the River In the year 1163 that Bridge was not only repair'd but built all of new Timber as before by Peter Colechurch Priest and Chaplain This serves to shew that there was a Timber Bridge a long tract of time over the Thames which was maintain'd partly by the proper Lands thereof partly by the Legacies and liberality of divers persons and partly by taxations in divers Sheirs at least 215 years before the Bridge of stone was erected Now about the year 1176 the stone-Bridge had its first foundation by the foresaid Peter of Cole-Church near unto the place of the Timber Bridge but somewhat more West for the Chronicle saith that Buttolphes WharF was at the end of London-Bridge The King not only countenanced but assisted the great work a Cardinal being then here Legate and Richard Archbishop of Canterbuty gave 1000 Marks towards the Foundation The course of the River for a time was turn'd another way about by a trench cast up for that purpose beginning East about Radriff and ending in the West about Patricksey now call'd Battersay This work to wit the Arches Chappel and the Stone Bridge over the Thames at London having been 33 years in building was in the year 1209 finished by the worthy Citizens of London viz. Serle Mercer William Almane and Benedict Botewrite being principal Masters of that Fabrique for Peter Colechurch was dead four years before and was as the principal Benefactor buried in the Chappel on the Bridge Certain void places were given by King Iohn to build upon about London the profits whereof were assign'd to maintain the Bridge A Mason being Master Workman of the Bridge builded from the foundation the large Chappel on that Bridge upon his own charges which Chappel was then endow'd with two Priests and four Clerks c. besides Chanteries After the finishing of this Chappel which the first building upon those Arches sundry Mansion Houses in tract of time were erected whereunto many charitable men gave Lands Tenements and sums of money towards the maintenance thereof All which was sometimes registred and fairly written in a Table for posterity which was put up in the said Chappel till at last the said Chappel was turn'd to a dwelling House and then remov'd to the Bridge-house Now in Hen. 7. time it stands upon Record that all the payments and allowances belonging to London-Bridge amounted to above 815 l. by which account made then may be partly guessed the great Revenues and incomes of the said Bridge and to what improvement and encrease it may be come unto by this time But this noble Bridge as other earthly things hath suffer'd many disasters since for four years after the finishing thereof in the year 1212 on the 10th of Iuly at night the Burrough of Southwark on the South side of Thames as also the Church of our Lady of the Canons there being on fire and an exceeding great multitude of people passing the Bridge either to extinguish and quench it or to behold and gaze upon it suddenly the North part by blowing of the South wind was also set on fire and the people which were then passing the Bridge perceiâ—ing the same would have return'd but were stopp'd by the fury of the fire and it came to passe as they stayed all in a consternation and protracted the time the other South end of the Bridge was also set on fire so that the people thronging themselves betwixt two raging fires did nothing else but expect present death Whereupon there came to save them many ships and vessels into which the multitude so inadvisedly rush'd in that the ships being thereby â—unk they all perished And it was found that above three thousand souls perished by this disastrous accident at that time whose bodies were found half burnt besides those who were turn'd to ashes Furthermore in the year 1282 through a great frost and deep snow five Arches of London Bridge were born down and destroyed A little after
where the Abbot of Garendon had an house or Cell called Saint Iames in the wall by Cripple-gate and certain Monks of their house were Chaplains there wherefore the Well belonging to that Cell or Hermitage was called Monks-well and the street of the well Monks-well street The East side of this street down against London wall and the South side thereof to Cripple-gate be of Cripple-gate Ward as is afore-shewed In this street by the corner of Monks-well street is the Bowyers Hall On the East side of Monks-well street be convenient Alms-houses twelve in number founded by Sir Ambrose Nicholas Salter Maior 1575. wherein he placed twelve poor and aged people rent-free having each of them seven pence the week and once the yeer each of them five sacks of Charcoals and one quartem of one hundred of Faggots of his gift for ever On the North side of the way turning towards Cripple-gate and even upon or close to London wall as it were are certain new erected Almes-houses six in number of the cost and gift of Mr. Robert Rogers Leather-Seller and very good maintenance allowed for ever to such people as are appointed to dwell in them Then in little VVood-street be seven proper Chambers in an Alley on the West side founded for seven poor people therein to dwell rent-free by Henry Barton Skinner Maior 1516. Now without the Postern of Cripple-gate first is the Parish Church of Saint Giles a very fair and large Church lately repaired after that the same was burned in the yeer 1545 the thirty seventh of Henry the Eighth by which mischance the Monuments of the dead in this Church are very few In VVhite Crosse-street King Henry the Fifth builded a fair house and founded there a Brotherhood of S. Giles to be kept which house had sometime been an Hospitall of the French Order by the name of Saint Giles without Cripple-gate In the reign of Edward the First the King having the Jurisdiction and pointing a Custos thereof for the Precinct of the Parish of Saint Giles c. which Hospitall being suppressed the lands were given to the Brotherhood for relief of the poor One Alley of divers Tenements over against the North wall of Saint Giles Church-yard was appointed to be Alms-houses for the poor wherein they dwelled rent-free and otherwise were releeved but the said Brotherhood was suppressed by Henry the Eighth since which time Sir Iohn Gresham Maior purchased the lands and gave part thereof to the maintenance of a Free School which he had founded at Holt a Market-town in Norfolk In Red Crosse-street on the West side from S. Giles Church-yard up to the said Crosse be many fair houses builded outward with divers Alleys turning into a large plot of ground of old time called the Iews Garden as being the only place appointed them in England wherein to bury their dead till the year 1177 the twenty fourth of Henry the Second that it was permitted them after long suit to the King and Parliament at Oxford to have a speciall place assigned them in every quarter where they dwelled On the East side of this Red Crosse-street be also divers fair houses up to the Crosse and there is Beech-lane peradventure so called of Nicholas de la Beech Lievtenant of the Tower of London put out of that office in the thirteenth of Edward the Third This Lane stretcheth from Red Crosse-street to VVhite Crosse-street replenished not with Beech trees but with beautifull houses of Stone Brick and Timber Amongst the which was of old time a great house pertaining to the Abbot of Ramsey for his lodging when he repaired to the City it is now called Drewry House of Sir Drew Drewry who dwelt there On the North side of this Beech-lane towards VVhite Crosse street the Drapers of London have lately builded eight Alms-houses of Brick and Timber for eight poor widows of their own Company whom they placed there rent-free Then is Golding-lane Richard Gallard of Islington Esquire Citizen and Painter-Stainer of London founded thirteen Alms-houses for so many poor people placed in them rent-free He gave to the poor of the same Alms-houses two pence the peece weekly and a load of Charcoals among them yeerly for ever He left fair lands about Islington to maintain his Foundation T. Hayes sometime Chamberlain of London in the latter time of Henry the Eighth married Elizabeth his daughter and heir which Hayes and Elizabeth had a daughter named Elizabeth married to Iohn Ironmonger of London Mercer who had the ordering of the Alms-people On the West side of Red Crosse-street is a street called the Barbican because sometime there stood on the North side thereof a Burghkenning or VVatch-tower of the City called in some language a Barbican as a Bikening is called Beacon This Burgh-kenning by the name of the Mannour of Base Court was given by Edward the Third to Robert Ufford Earl of Suffolk and was afterward pertaining to Peregrine Barty Lord VVilloughby of Ersby Next adjoyning to this is one other great house called Garter Place sometime builded by Sir Thomas VVrithe or VVrithesly Knight alià s Garter principall King of Arms second son of Sir Iohn VVrithe Knight alià s Garter and was Uncle to the first Thomas Earl of Southampton Knight of the Garter and Chancellor of England He built this house and in the top thereof a Chappell which he dedicated by the name of S. Trinitatis in Alto. Of the Twentieth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of LONDON callâ—d Aldersgate Ward THe Next is Aldersgate Ward taking name of that North Gate of the City this Ward also consisteth oâ— divers Streets and Lanes lying as well within the Gate and Wall as without And first to speak of that part within the Gate thus it is the East part thereof joyneth unto the West part of Cripplegate Ward in Engain lane or Maiden lane It beginneth on the North side of that Lane at Staining lane End runneth up from the Haberdashers Hall to St. Mary Staining Church and by the Church East winding almost to Wood Street and West through Oate lane and then by the South side of Bacon house in Noble-Street back again by Lilipot lane which is also of that ward to Maiden lane and so on that North side West to Saint Iohn Zacharies Church and to Foster lane Now on the south side of Engain or Maiden lane is the West side of Gutherons lane to Kery lane and Kery lane it self which is of this ward and back again into Engain lane by the North side of the Goldsmiths Hall to Foster lane are almost wholly of this Ward which beginneth in the South toward Cheap on the East side by the North side of Saint Fosters Church and runneth down North West by the East end of Engain lane by Lilipot lane and Oate lane to Noble-Street and through that by Shelly house of old time so called as belonging to the Shellies Sir Thomas Shelley Knight was owner thereof in the first of Henry the fourth It
the profits rising of them to be imployed on London Bridge The Parish-Church of St. Augustine and one House next adjoyning in VVathing-street is of this Ward called Faringdon Then is the North Church-yard of Pauls in the which standeth the Cathedral Church first founded by Ethelbert King of Kent about the year of Christ 610. He gave Lands thereunto as appeareth Ethelbertus Rex Deo inspirante pro animae suae remedio dedit Episcopo Melito terram quae appellatur Tillingeham ad Monasteris sui solatium scilicet S. Pauli c. Ego Rex Ethelbertus ita firmiter concedo tibi praesuli Melito potestatem ejus habendi possidendi ut in perpetuum in Monasterii utilitate permaneas c. Athelstan Edgar Edward the Confessor and others also gave Lands thereunto William the Conqueror gave to the Church of St. Paul and to Mauricius then Bishop and his Successors the Castle of Stortford with the appurtenances c. He also confirmed the gifts of his Predecessors in these words ut habeant quiet as in perpetuum 24. Hidas quas Rex Athelbert dedit S. Paulo juxta Murum London c. The Charter of King William the Conqueror exemplified in the Tower englished thus William By the Grace of God King of Englishmen to all his well-beloved French and English People greeting Know ye that I do give unto God and the Church of St. Paul of London and to the Rectors and Serviâ—ors of the same in all other Lands which the Church hath or shall have within Borough and without Sack and Sock Thole and The Infangtheef and Grithbirche and all free Shâ—ps by Sea and by Land on Tide and off-Tide and all the Rights that unto them Christendom by rad and more speak and on Buright hamed and on Buright work afore all the Bishopricks in mine Land and on each other mans Land For I will that the Church in all things be as free as I would my soul to be in the day of Iudgement In the year 1087. this Church of St. Paul was burnt with fire and therewith the most part of the City which fire began at the entry of the West Gate and consumed the East Gate Mauricius then Bishop began therefore the Foundation of a new Church of St. Paul a work that men of that time judged would neâ—er have bin finished it was to them so wonderful for length and breadth and also the same was builded upon Arches or Vaults of stone for defence of fire which was a manner of work before that time unknown to the people of this Nation and then brought in by the French and the Stone was fetch'd from Cane in Normandy The Steeple of this Church was builded and finished in the year 1222. The Crosse on the said Steeple fell down and a new was set up in the year 1314. The new work of Pauls so called at the East end aboâ—e the Quite waâ— begun in the year 1251. Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Constable of Chester and Custos of England in his time was a great Benefactor to this work and was there buried in the year 1310. The first of February in the year 1444. about two of the Clock in the After-noon the Steeple of Pauls was fired by Lightning in the midst of the Shaft or Spire both on the West side and on the South but by labour of many well dispoâ—ed people the same was to appearance quenched with Vineger This Steeple was repaired in the year 1462. and the Weather-Cock again erected Robert Goodwin winding it up the Rope brake and he was destroyed on the Pinacles and the Cock was sore bruised but Bâ—rchwood the Kings Plummer set it up again since the which time needing reparation it was both taken down and set up in the year 1553. At which time it was found to be of Copper gilt over and the length from the Bill to the Tail being four foot and the breadth over the Wings three foot and a half it weighed forty pounds the Crosse from the Bole to the Eagle or Cock was fifteen foot and six inches of assize the length thereof overthwart was five foot and ten Inches and the Compass of the Bole was nine foot and one inch The inner Body of this Crosse was Oak the next Cover was lead and the outermost was of Copper red varnished The Bole and Eagle or Cock were of Copper and gilt also The height of the Steeple was 520 Foot whereof the Stone-work was 260 Foot and the Spire was likewise 260 Foot The length of the whole Church is 240 Taylors yards which make 720 Foot The breadth thereof is 130 Foot and the heighth of the Body of that Church is 150 Foot The Colledge of petty Cannons there was founded by King Richard the second in honour of Queen Anne his Wife and of her Progenitors in the seventeenth of his Reign Their Hall and Lands was then giâ—en unto them as appeareth by the Patent Robert Dokesworth then being Master thereof In the year 1408. the petty Canons then building their Colledge the Maior and Communalty granted them their Water-Courses and other Easements There was also one great Cloyster on the North side of this Church invironing a Plot of ground of old time called Pardon Church-yard whereof Thomas Moore Dean of Pauls was either the first builder or a most special Benefactor and was buried there About this Cloyster was artificially and richly painted the Dance of Mochabray or Dance of Death commonly called the Dance of Pauls the like whereof was painted about S. Innocents Cloyster at Paris in France the Meeters or Poesie of this Dance were translated out of French into English by Iohn Lidgate Monk of Berry the Picture of Death leading all estates In the midst of this Pardon Church-yard was also a fair Chappel first founded by Gilbert Becket Portgrave and principal Magistrate of this City in the Reign of King Stephen who was there buried There was also a Chappel at the North door of Pauls founded by Walter Sherington by Licence of Henry the sixth There was furthermore a fair Chappel of the Holy Ghost in Pauls Church on the North side â—ounded in the year 1400 by Roger Holmes Chancellor and Prebendary of Pauls Then under the Quire of Pauls is a large Chappel first dedicated to the name of Iesu founded or rather confirmed the 37. of Henry the sixth as appeareth by his Parent thereof dared at Crowdown to this effect Many Liege-Men and Christian People having begun a Fraternity and Guild to the honour of the most glorious name of Jesu Christ our Saviour in a place called the Crowds of the Cathedral Church of Pauls in London which hath continued long time peaceably till now of late whereupon they have made request and we have taken upon us the name and charge of the Foundation to the laud of Almighty God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and especially to the honour of Jesu in whose honour the Fraternity was begun c. At the
Towns-end Lane turning down to the Thames Then is Queen-hithe a large receptacle for Ships Lighters Barges and such other Vessels Touching the Antiquity and use of this Gate and Hithe first I find that the same belonged to one named Edred and was then called Edreds Hith which since falling into the hands of King Stephen it was by his Charter confirmed to William de Ypre the Farm thereof in Fee and in Heritage William de Ypre gave it unto the Prior and Covent of the Holy Trinity within Ealdgate This Edreds Hith after the foresaid Grant came again to the Kings hands by what means I have not read but it pertained unto the Queen and therefore was called Ripa Reginae the Queens Bank or Queens-Hith and great profit thereof was made to her use as may appear by this which followeth King Henry the third in the ninth of his Reign commanded the Constables of the Tower of London to arrest the Ships of the Cinque-Ports on the River of Thames and to compell them to bring their Corn to no other place but to the Queens Hith only In the eleaventh of his Reign he charged the said Constable to distrain all Fish offered to be sold in any place of this City but at the Queens Hith Moreover in the eight and twentieth of his Reign an Inquisition was made before William of Yorke and the Provost of Beverley Henry of Bath and Hierome of Caxton Justices Itinerantes sitting in the Tower of London touching the Customs of Queen-hith observed in the year last before the Wars between the King and his Father and the Barons of England and of old Customs of other times and what Customs had been changed at what time the Tax and Payment of all things coming thither and between VVoore-path and Anede Hith were found and seized according to the old Order as well Corne and Fish as of other things All which Customes were as well to be observed in the part of Down-gate as in Queen-Hith for the Kings use when also it was found that the Corn arriving between the Gate of Guild-Hall of the Merchants of Colleyne and the Soke of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for he had a House near unto the Black-Fryers was not to be measured by any other quarter than by that of the Queens Soke Next adjoyning to this Queen-hith on the West side thereof is Salt-Wharf named of Salt taken up measured and sold there The next is Stew Lane of a Stew or Hot-house there kept After that is Timber-Hith or Timber street so called of Timber or Boards there taken up and wharsed it is in the Parish of Saint Mary Sommers Hith as we read in the fifty six of Henry the third and in the ninth of Edward the second Then is Brookes Wharfe and Broken Wharfe a Water-gate or Key so called of being broken and fallen down into the Thames By this Broken-VVharfe remaineth one large old building of Stone with Arched Gates which Messuage as we finde in the Reign of Henry the third the forty three year pertained unto Hugh de Bigot and in the eleaventh of Edward the third to Thomas Brotherton the Kings Brother Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England in the eleventh of Henry the sixth to Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolk c. Within the Gate of this House now belonging to the City of London is lately to wit in the year 1594. and 1595 builded one large House of great height called an Engine made by Bevis Bulmar Gentleman for the conveying and forcing of Thames water to serve in the middle and West parts of the City the ancient great Hall of this Messuage is yet standing and pertaining to a great Brew-House for Beere West from this is Trigge Lane going down to the Thames Next is called Bosse-Lane of a Bosse of water like unto that of Belingsgate there placed by the Executors of Richard Whittington Then is one great Messuage sometime belonging to the Abbots of Chartsey in Surrey and was their Inne wherein they were lodged when they repaired to the City it is now called Sandie House by what reason we have not heard some think the Lord Sands hath been lodged there Of the Twentie fourth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Castle-Baynard Ward THen next is Castle Baynard Ward so named of an old Castle there This Ward beginneth in the East on the Thames side at an House called Huntington House and runneth West by Pauls Wharfe by Baynards Castle Puddle Wharfe and by the South side of Black-Fryers Then turning by the East Wall of the said Fryers to the South-West end of Creed Lane then on the North side of Thames street over against Huntington House by St. Peters Church and Lane called Peter Hill along till over against Puddle Wharfe and then North up by the great Wardrobe to the West end of Carter Lane Then up Creed Lane Ave Mary Lane and a piece of Pater noster Row to the Sign of the Golden Lion and back again up Warwick Lane all the East side thereof to the Sign of the Crown by Newgate-Market and this is the farthest North part of this Ward Then out of Thames street be Lanes ascending North to Knight-Riders street The first is Peters Hill Lane all of that Ward two Houses excepted adjoyning to St. Peters Church The next is Pauls Wharfe Hill which thwarting Knight-Riders street and Carter Lane goeth up to the South Chain of Pauls Church-yard Then is Adle-street over against the West part of Baynards Castle going up by the West end of Knight-Riders street and to Carter Lane Thus much for Lanes out of Thames street The one half of the West side of Lambert Hill Lane being of this Ward at the North-west end thereof on the South side and at the West end of St. Mary Magdalens Church on the North side beginneth Knight-Riders street to be of this Ward and runneth West on both sides to the Parish Church of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe Then at the said East end of St. Mary Magdalens Church goeth up the Old Exchange all the West side whereof upto the South-East gate of Pauls Church-yard and by St. Austins Church is of this Ward About the midst of this Old Exchange on the West side thereof is Carter Lane which runneth West to the East entry of the Black-Fryers and the South end of Creed-Lane out of the which Carter Lane descendeth a Lane called Dolittle Lane and commeth into Knight-Riders street by the Boar-head Tavern and more West is Sermon Lane by an Inne called the Powl-head Then out of Carter Lane on the North side thereof the South Chain of Pauls Church-yard and the Church-yard it self on that South side of Pauls Church and the Church of St. Gregory the Bishops Palace and the Deans Lodging be all of this Ward and such be the bounds thereof The Ornaments in this Ward be Parish Churches four of old time a Castle ' divers Noble-mens Houses Halls of Companies twain and such others as shall
the Minister 100l per annum On the left hand of Charing-Crosse there are divers fair Houses built of late yeaâ—s specially the most stately Palace of Suffolk or Northampton House built by Henry of Northampton Son to the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Priâ—ie Seal to King Iames. Then is there a large plot of ground enclosed with Brick called Scotland yard where the Kings of Scotland were used to be lodg'd and Margaret Queen Dowager of Scotland eldest sister to Henry the 8th kept her Court there aâ—â—er the King her Husband had been kill'd in Flodden field And now we are come to White-Hall belonging of old to Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent and Iusticier of England who gave it to the Black-Fryers in Holborne but being fallen to Henry the 8. ordained it to be called an Honor and built there a huge long Gallery with two Gate-houses thwart the street to St. Iames Park From these Gates we passe in a direct Line to Kings street on one side whereof passing through St. Stephen Alley is Canon Row but now though very corruptly calld Channel Row to called because it belonged to the Dean and Canons of Saint Stephens Chappel who were lodg'd there but now they are all turn'd to be temporal habitations Then we come to Woolstaple now the common Market place of Westminster In the Reign of Edward the first we read that the Staple being at Westminster the Pâ—rishioners of Saint Margarets and Merchants of the Staple buiâ—ded the said Church of new Henry the sixth had six Wool-houses within the Staple at Westminster which he granted to the Dean and Canons of Saint Stephens Becâ—use we are not yet ready to speak of the Abbey we will passe by it to the Gatehouse of Westminster and so to Totehill and Petty France The Gate-house is called so of two Gates the one out of the Colledge Court towards the North on the Eastside whereof was the Bishop of Londons Prison for Clerks convict the other Gate-house is a Goal or Prison for Felons one Walter Warfield Cellerer to the Monastery of VVestminster was founder of both these Gates in Edward the third's Reign On the South side of these Gates Henry the the seventh founded an Alms-House for 13 poor men one of them to be a Priest and above 45 years old the rest to be aged 50 years without Wives Near to this place was of old the Chappel of St. Anne where the Lady Margaret Henry the sevenths Mother erected an Alms-House for poor women and it was called Eleemosynary and now Almory or Ambry because the Alms of the Abbey were there distributed to the poor And there Islp Abbot of VVestminster set up the first Press of Book-printing that ever was in England Anno 1471. And one Caxton Citizen of London was the first who brought over that Art Then is there Totehill street where there are of late years sundry fair Houses on the back of St. Iames Park The Lady Anne Dacre built there an Hosptall for twenty poor Women and so many Children to be brought up under them Then is there Petty France where upon a place called St. Hermits Hill Cornelius Van Dun a Brabanter born and Yeoman of the Guard to Henry the 8th Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth built twenty Houses for poor Women to dwell Rent-free And near hereunto there was of old a Chappel of St. Mary Magdalen which is now quite ruinated There is of late years a new large Chappel of Brick erected there at the entrance to Totehil fields Where Mr. Palmer a well diâ—posed and reverend Divine hath also erected lately another new Hospital with a competent allowance to the poor that shall be admitted thereinto And now we will return to the Abbey of VVestminster a place which was us'd to be of very high devotion It gives the denomination to the whole City and certainly that place cannot choose but be happy which hath Gods House for its Godfather as Munster a great and renowned City in Germany takes her name from the chief Church Of Westminster Abbey THis Church is famous especially by reason of the inauguration and sepulture of the Kings of England Sulcard writeth that there stood sometimes a Temple of Apollo in that place and that in the daies of Antoninus Pius Emperor of Rome it fell down with an Earthquake out of the remains whereof Sebert King of the East-Saxons erected another to St. Peter which being by the Danes overthrown Bishop Dunstane re-edified and granted it to some few Monks But afterwards King Edward surnamed the Confessour with the tenth penny of all his Revenues built it a new for to be his own Sepulture and a Monastery for Benedictine Monks endowing it with Livings and Lands lying dispersed in divers parts of England But listen what an Historian saith who then lived The devout King destined unto God that place both for that it was near unto the famous and wealthy City of London and also had a pleasant scituation amongst fruitful fields and green grounds lying round about it with the principal River running hard by bringing in from all parts of the World great variety of Wares and Merchandize of all sorts to the City adjoyning But chiefly for the love of the Chief Apostle whom he reverenced with a special and singular affection He made choice to have a place there for his own Sepulchre and thereupon commanded that of the Tenths of all his Rents the work of a noble Edifice should be taken in hand such as might beseem the Prince of the Apostles To the end as the Annales have it that he might procure the propitious favour of the Lord after he should finish the course of this transitory life both in regard of his devout Piety and also of his free Oblation of Lands and Ornaments wherewith he purposed to endow and enrich the same According therefore to the Kings commandement the work was nobly began and happily proceeded forward neither the charges already disbursed or to be disbursed were weighed and regarded so that it might be presented in the end unto God and Saint Peter and made worth their acceptation Thus the words of the old Record run Touching the Form of that ancient building we read in an old Manuscript Book that the principal plot or ground-work of the building was supported with most lofty Arches cast round with a four square work and semblable joynts But the compasse of the whole with a doâ—bâ—e Arch of Stone on both sides is enclosed with joyned-work firmly knit and united together every way Moreouer the Crosse of the Church which was to compasse the mid Quire of those that chaunted unto the Lord and with a twofold supportance that it had on either side to uphold and bear the lofty top of the Tower in the midst simply riseth at first with a low and strong Arch then mounteth it higher with many winding stairs artificially ascending with a number of steps But afterward with a single Wall it reacheth up
this kind of special Commission of Oier and Terminer and herewith agreeth Pl. Com. in the Earl of Leic ' Case Anno 1 Mar. Reginae And so supream is the Jurisdiction of this Court that if any Record be removed into this Court it cannot being as it were in his Center be remanded back unlesse it be by Act of Parliament And this appeareth by the Judgment of the Parliament in Anno 6. H. 8. but by the authority of that Act Indictments of Fellonies and Murders removed into the Kings Bench may by the Justices of that Court be remanded and this Court may send down aswell the Bodies of all Felons and Murderers as their Indictments into the Counties where the same Murders of Felonies were committed or done c. in such manner c. as if the Indictments had not been brought into the Kings Bench. Out of this Court are other Courts derived as from one Fountain several Springs and Rivers in repect of the multiplicity of Causes which have encreased Jurisdictio istius curiae est originalis seu ordinaria non delegata The Justices of this Court have no Commission Letters Patents or other means to hold Pleas c. but their power is original ordinary They were called ancienlty Iusticiae Justiciarii locum tenentes Domini Regis c. The chief Justice Justicia Angliae Justicia prima Iusticiarius Angliae Capitalis and Iusticiarius noster Capitalis adplacita coram nobis terminand ' To observe the Changes of these names and the reason and Changes thereof is worthy of observation Before the Reign of E. 1. the Chief Justice of this Court was created by Letters Patents and the form thereof taking one example for all was in these words Rex c. Archiepiscopis Episcopis Abbatibus Prioribus Comitibus Baronibus Vicecomitibus Forestariis c. omnibus aliis fidelibus regni Angliae salutem Cum pro conservatione nostra tranquillâ—tatis regni nostri ad justiciam universis singâ—lis de rengo nostro exhibendam constituerimus dilectum et fidelem nostrum Philippum Basset Iusticiarium Angliae quamdiu nobis placuerit capit alem vobis mandamus in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter insungentes quatenus in omnibus quae ad officium Justitiarii praedicti nec non ad conservationem pacis nostrae et regni nosâ—ri eidem dum in officio praedicto steterit pleniùs sitis intendentes Teste Rege c. The King c. to all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Vicounts Foresters c. and to all other faithful to the Kingdom of England greeting Whereas for our conservation and the tranquillity of our Kingdom c. for the exhibition of justice to all and every one of our Kingdom We haâ—e constituted our beloved and faithful Philip Basset chief Justice of England as long as we shall please We command you upon the faith you hold unto us and firmly enjoyn you to all things that belong unto the office of Chief Justice aforesaid for the conservation of our Peace and of our Kingdom and that you be very intentive as long as you stand in the said Office Witnesse the King c. This Philip Basset was the last of this kind of creation by any like Letters Patents and he died Chief Justice near to the end of the Reign of H. 3. King E. 1. being a wise and prudent Prince knowing that Cui plus licet quam par est plus vult quà m licet as most of these Summi Iusticiarii did made three alterations 1. By limitation of his authority 2. By changing Summus Iusticiarius to Capitalis Iustic 3. By a new kind of creation viz. By Writ lest if he had continued his former manner of creation he might have had a desire of his former Authority which three do expresly appear by the Writ yet in use c. Rex c. E. C. Militi salutem Sciatis quod constituimus vos Justiciarium nostrum capitalem ad placita coram nobis tenenda durante beneplacito nostro Teste c. The King c. to E. C. greeting Know ye that we have constituted you our Capital or Chief Justice in Pleas held before us during our pleasure Witnesse c. A short Writ but of large extent in point of Authority The rest of the Judges of the Kings Bench have their Offices by Letters Patents in these words Rex omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Sciatis quod constituimus dilectum et fidelem Johannem Doderidge Militem unum Justiciariorum ad placita coram nobis tenenda durante beneplacito nostro Teste c. These Justices of the Kings Bench are styled 1. Capitales 2. Generales 3. Perpetui 4. Majores à latere Regis residentes But the Chief Justice is only by the King Capitalis Justiciarius noster They are called first Capitales in respect of their supream Jurisdiction 2. Generales in respect of their general jurisdiction throughout all England c. 3. Perpetui for that they ought not to be removed without just cause 4. Majores à latere Regis residentes for their honor and safety that they should be protected by the King in administration of justice for that they be à latere Regis that is by the Kings fide And vvhereas 5. E. 4. it was holden by all the Justices in the Exchequer Chamber that a man cannot be Justice by Writ but by Patent or Commission it is to be understood of all the Judges saving the Chief Justice of this Court But both the Chief Justice and the rest of the Judges may be discharged by Writ under the Great Seal None can be a Judge of this Court unlesse he be a Serjeant of the degree of the Coif and yet in the Writ or Patent to them made they are not named Sergeants There have been for a long time and still there are great Complaints for multiplicity of Suits in Law and it were a wholsome and happy thing could it be prevented but because a Disease cannot be cured without knowledge of the Cause it is to be observed that there be six Causes of the increase of them whereof two be general the other four particular The general be Peace and Plenty The particular 1. The dissolution of so many Monasteries Chanâ—eries c. and the dispersing of them into so many several hands 2. The swarm of Informers 3. The number of Concealors 4. The multitude of Atturneys For the first general In the Reign of E. 3. R. 2. H. 4. H. 5. and part of the Reign of H. 6. in respect of the wars in France c. in the residue of the Reign of H. 6. in the Reign of E. 4. in respect of the bloody intestine Wars in almost continual Alarms within the bowls of this Kingdom between the Houses of Lancaster York there could not be so many Suits in Law as since this Kingdom hath enjoyed Peace which is