Chamberlain of His Maiesties Houshold or by the Clerk of the Check In this Tower is kept the Office of His Majesties Ordnance the standing and grand Magazine of the principal Preparatives Habiliments Utensils and Instruments of War by Sea and Land It is under the Government in chief of the Master of the Ordnance by whom it is committed to principal Officers as a Lieutenant who in the absence of the Master of the Ordnance imparts all Orders and Warrants directed to the Office and is to see them duely executed and to give Order for the discharging great Ordnance when required at Triumphs Festivals c. As also to see the Train of Artillery and all its Equipage fitted for motion upon any occasion The Surveyor is to survey all the Stores and Ordnance to allow Bills of Debt and see that all Provision be good c. The Clerk of the Ordnance Records all Orders and Instructions for the Government of the Office and Patents Grants Names of Officers c. Draw Estimates of Provision and supplys Letters Contracts c. Make all Bills of Imprest and Debentures Keep Journals and Liegers of Receipts and Returns of Stores The Store-keeper takes into his charge the Munitions and Stores and is to look that the Store-houses be kept in due Repair The Clerk of the Deliveries is to draw all Proportions for Deliveries of any Stores or Provisions and to be present at the Delivery There are other Patent Officers as the Master-Gunner of England the Keeper of the small Guns a principal Engineer with divers inferior Attendants and Artificers which for brevity we omit In the Tower is also the Office of Warden of the Mint where is Coined all the Bullion that is minted in England The chief Officer is the Warder of the Mint who receives all the Silver and Gold brought in by Merchants Goldsmiths or others and pays them for it Then the Master-Worker who causes the Bullion to be melted delivers it to the Moneyers and when minted receives it again from them The Comptroller who is to see that all the Money be made according to the just Assize c. The Assay-Master weighs the Bullion and is to see that it be according to the Standard The Auditor passes all Accompts The Surveyor of the Melting is to see the Bullion cast out and not to be altered after it is delivered to the Melter There are several other inferior Officers c. As for the Money c. See the Present State of England p. 10. The first Gold that was Coined in the Tower was in the Reign of Edward III. and the Pieces were called Florences of the value of 6 s. 8 d. All great Sums before were used to be paid by the Weight as so many Pounds or Marks of Silver or Gold but not stampt Lesser Payments in Starlings probably because there was a Star stamped upon them and were called Pence nor can we read of them before the Reign of Henry II. In this Tower only is the Brake or Rack usually called The Duke of Exeter ' s Daughter because he was the first Inventer of it So much of the Tower of London Besides the Towers on the Bridge which have suffered by the Accidents of Fire Antiquaries speak of two Castles that were on the West-part of London one the Castle of Monfiquet built by a Baron of that Name that came over with the Conqueror but since demolished and the Black-Fryars risen out of the Ruines of it The second is Baynard's Castle by Paul's Wharf built by one Baynard who came hither likewise with the Conqueror who being Ennobled the Honour succeeded from Father to Son a long time till it came to Robert Fitz-water a brave and valiant Knight who falling into the displeasure of King John was banished and the Castle ruined but recovering his favor by a notable Combat he perform'd in France against an English Knight Fitz-water being on the French side he was re-invested in his Possessions and so repaired the Castle again He was made chief Bannerer or Banner-bearer of London what his Office was and the Solemnity about it is to be seen in Stowes Survey of London in the Chapter of Towers and Castles When thiâ— Honour fell from the Fitz-Waters or Baynard Castle is uncertain Henry VII repaired this Castle and Queen Mary was proclaimed there We reaâ— of a Tower that stood where Bridewell now stands and a Royal Palace where our Kings kept theâ— Courts and summon'd Parliaments A great parâ— of this on the West-side was given to the Bishop 〈◊〉 Salisbury and thence is derived the Name of Salisbury-Court The Eastern-part was waste till Hen. 〈◊〉 built a stately Palace there and call'd it Bridewelâ— where the Emperor Charles V. was most magnificently entertained Anno 1522. There was a Tower call'd the Royal Tower iâ— the Parish of St. Michael de Pater Noster wherâ— King Stephen kept his Court afterwards call'd Thâ— Queens Wardrobe There was another at Bucklerâ—bury called Serns Tower where King Edward II kept his Court and his Exchange of Money Barbican was likewise another Tower where thâ— City Centinels were wont to Watch but demolisheâ— by King Henry III. Anno 1227. after he was râ—â—conciled to the Barons Sect. 2. Of its Churches and Monuments THE Number of Parish-Churches besides Chapels within the Weekly Bills of Mortality is 132 twice more than any City in Christendom can shew The Cathedral of which is dedicated to the Apostle St. PAVL and the onely Cathedral of that Name in Europe It was founded by Aethelbert King of Kent Anno 610. under whom Segbert a Saxon Reigned in this Tract of Ground in a place where stood a Temple of Diana and afterwards did endow it with Lands and Privileges so did afterwards Athelstan Edgar and Eward the Confessor It was much enlarged by Erkenwald the Fourth Saxon Bishop thereof And being almost destroyed by Fire Anno 1078. Mauritius another of its Bishops began the Foundation of this magnificent Pile and went on about 20 years but the Quire and Tower were not finished till Anno 1221. As to other Casualties we refer you to the Chapter that treats of Fires As to its Dimensions the length of it according to Stow was 240 Taylors Yards or 720 Foot the Breadth 130 Foot the Heighth of the Steeple 520 Foot whereof the Stone Work was 260 and the Spire 260 Foot The Length of it according to others was 690 Foot that is 20 Foot more than St. Peters at Rome It stood upon so much Ground as contained above three Acres and an half Upon the Spire of Timber was a Bowl of Copper Gilt 9 Foot and 1 Inch in compass whereon stood the Cross 15 Foot and an half high and very near 6 Foot across made of Oak covered with Lead and another Cover of Copper over the Lead Above all stood the Eagle or Cock of Copper Gilt 4 Foot long and the Breadth of the Wings 3 Foot and an half It was built in Form of a Cross
Mr. Sutton to affect that House as the only Place whereon to build the Foundation of his Religious Purpose For among other his Christian Determinations he had formerly intended to build an House at Hallingbury-Bouchers in Essex to be an Hospital for such Poor Men and Children as he himself in his life time or future Governors for the same to be Deputed should think fit to be Lodged and Relived there Also for a School-Master and Vsher to Teach Children to Read and Write and instruct them in the Latin and Greek Grammar with a Learned Divine likewise to Preach the Word of God to them all And a Master beside to Govern all those People belonging to that House But finding this Goodly Mansion of the Charter-House to be much more convenient for the purpose he became an earnest Suitor to the Earl of Suffolk to purchase that House of him acquainting his Honour with the alteration of his mind concerning Hallingbury and his earnest Desire to make the Charter-House the Hospital The Earl being Honorably inclin'd to so Godly a motion the Price being concluded on the Bargain and Sale was assured The Sum disburs'd for this purpose amounted to 13000 l. which was Paid down in hand before the unsealing of the Conveyance Then he became Suitor again to his Majesty to perform all that at the Chartor-House which he had formerly intended at Hallingbury Whereto the King readily yielded being Graciously affected to so Charitable a Work and Granted His Letters Patents to the same effect This Gentleman lived always a Batchelor and by sundry Employments and Parsimony grew to great Wealth which he well Employed to his immortal honnour He endowed 〈◊〉 Hospital with above 3000 l. a Year in Land viz. All and singular the Mannors Lordships Messuages Lands Tonements Reversions Services Meadows Pastures Woods Advowsons Patronages of Churches and Hereditaments of the said Thomas Sutton whatsoever Situate lying and being within the County of Essex Lincoln Wilts Cambridg and Middlesex or in any of them with all and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances whatsoever Except all his Mannors and Lordships of Littlebury and Haddestock with their Appurtenaâ—ces in the County of Essex In this Hospital he placed Fourscore Poor Men with convenient Lodging Dyet and Allowance of Money for Apparel also Forty Poor Children with the like Provision and a Grammar School with a Master and an Vsher to Teach them over all whom he ordained a Learned Man to be Master of the Houshold to be chosen by the Governors whom he appointed for the present by the Authority of the Kings Letters Patents to be George Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Lord Elsemore Lord Chancellor Robert Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer John Bishop of London Lancelot Bishop of Ely Sir Edward Cook Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Thomas Foster a Judg of the Common-Pleas Sir Henry Hubbard the Kings Attorney-General Doctor Overal Dean of Pauls Doctor Mountain Dean of Westminster Henry Thursby Esq Master of the Chancery Richard Sutton Esq Auditor of the Impress Geoffery Nightingale Esquire John Low Gentleman Thomas Brown Gentleman and Master of the Houshold for the time being to be always one and as any of those Sixteen Governors should die the Survivors to make present Additions of others Towards the building of this Hospital Chappel and School-House he gave 5000 l. but he lived not to see it performed but what Death bereft him of he left to the performance of his Faithful Executors Mr. Richard Sutton and Mr. John Low Men of Religious and upright Souls who carefully accomplished the Work so that the Monday after Michâ—â—â—mas day being the 3 d of October Anno Dom. 1614. The Captains Gentlemen and Officers entered into their Famous prepared Hospital to the Glory of God Honour of the King's Majesty Credit of the Governors and Joy of Honest minds and the Eternal Fame of the Noble Founder who is laid in a goodly Tomb in the Chappel of his own Hospital With this Inscription Sacred to the Glory of God in Grateful Memory of Thomas Sutton Esquire Here lieth buried the Body of Thomas Sutton late of Castel Camps in the County of Cambridge Esq at whose only Costs and Charges this Hospital was Founded and Endued with large Possessions for the Relief of Poor Men and Children He was a Gentleman born at Knayth in the County of Lincoln of Worthy and Honest Parentage He lived to the Age of 79 Years and Deceased the 12th Day of December Anno Domini 1611. Though we Design to avoid all Prolixity yet 't is hoped it will be Pardoned if we Transcribe an Epitaph made upon this Worthy Man by a Friend to Piety and Goodness for he being a Rare Example challenges as his due Merit a more than ordinary mention When bad Men die the Memory Remains Of their Corruptions and ungodly ways As Merit to their mis-applyed pains Out of ill actions forming as ill praise For Vertue wounded by their deep disgrace Leaves Fame to their posterity and Race When Good Men die the Memory remains Of their true Vertue and most Christian ways As a due Guerdon to their Godly gains Out of good Actions forming as good praise For Vertue cherish'd by their Deeds of Grace Leaves Fame to their Posterity and Race Among these Good if Goodness may be said To be among the seed of Mortal Men In upright Ballance of true Merit weigh'd Needs must we reckon Famous SUTTON then In whom as in a Mirror doth appear That Faith with Works in him did shine most clear And let us not as is a common use Measure him by a many other more In Death to cover their bad lifes abuse To lanch out then some bounty of their store No SUTTON was none such his Hospital And much more else beside speaks him to all For as God blest him with abundant Wealth Like to a careful Steward he emplo'd it And order'd all things in his best of health As glad to leave it as when he enjoy'd it And being prepared every hour to die Disposed all his Gifts most Christianâ—y In Abrahams bosome sleeps he with the blest His Works they follow him his worth survives Good Angels guide him to eternal rest Where is no Date of time for Years or Lives You that are Rich do you as he hath done And so assure the Crown that he hath woâ—â— To conclude in a word this Famous Hospital with the value of the Lands laid into it the Purchase of the House Stock laid in which he hath given into the Treasury or Store of the said Hospital to begin with and to defend the Rights of the House being 1000 l. and Allowance towards the Building also the Remainder of his Goods unbequeathed his large Gifts and Legacies to divers Honorable and Worthy Friends besides great store of far more inferior account which would puzle me to number and the residue of 20000 l. left to the discretion of his Executors may truly and deservedly be said to be
of the Stole to supply his place They wait on the King when he eats in private for then the Cup-Bearers Carvers and Sewers do not wait The yearly Fee to each is 1000 l. There is a Vice-Chamberlain a Keeper of the Privy-Purse a Treasurer of the Chamber who pays Riding and Lodging Wages as the Lord Chamberlain shall direct a Surveyor General of His Majesties Works The Master of the Robes belonging to His Majesties Person whose Office it is to order them at Coronations St. George's Feast and Parliament-Time He has also the ordering of all His Majesties Wearing Apparel of His Collar of Esses Georges and Garter beset with Diamonds and Pearls The Grooms of the Bed-Chamber are Twelve besides some Supernumeraries They are to be under the degree of Knights and to attend in the King's Bed-Chamber to dress and undress him in private The yearly Fee to each is 500 l. Then there are Six Pages of the Bed-Chamber Four Gentlemen-Vshers of the Privy Chamber who wait one at a time in the Privy Lodgings There are Forty eight Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary who are all Knights or Esquires of Note of which Twelve every Quarter wait on the King's Person within doors and without so long as His Majesty is on Foot and when the King is in the Privy Chamber they wait at the Table and bring in his Meat They wait also at the Reception of Ambassadors and every Night two of them lie in the King 's Privy Chamber A Gentleman of the Privy Chamber by the King's Commandment onely without any written Commission may Arrest any Peer of England as Cardinal Wolsey acknowledged There are Six Grooms of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary all Gentlemen of Quality These wait as all Grooms without Sword Cloak or Hat whereas the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber wear always Cloak and Sword There is also a Library Keeper In the Presence Chamber Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters in Ordinary are four whereof the first hath that considerable Office of the Black Rod and in time of Parliament is to attend every day in the Lords House and is also Vsher of the most Honourable Order of the Garter Second Gentleman Vsher daily Waiter c. their Office is to wait in the Presence Chamber and to attend next the King's Person and after the Lord Chamberlain and Vice-Chamberlain to order all Affairs and all Under-Officers above-stairs are to obey these There are Eight Gentlemen-Vshers Quarter-Waiters in Ordinary who wait also in the Presence Chamber and are to give Directions in the absence of the Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters to the Grooms and Pages and other Under-Officers who are to attend in all Offices next below the Gentlemen-Vshers Quarter-Waiters The Grooms of the great Chamber are Fourteen Six Gentlemen-Waiters Four Cup-Bearers Four Carvers Four Sewers Four Esquires of the Body whose Office is to guard the King's Person by Night to set the Watch and to give the Word and to keep good Order in the whole House by Night as the Lord Chamberlain and his other Officers are to do by day The Sewers of the Chamber are Eight The Groom-Porter's Office is to see the King's Lodgings furnished with Tables Chairs Stools Firing to furnish Cards Dice c. to decide Disputes arising at Cards Dice Bowling c. There are Sixteen Sergeants at Arms all Gentlemen or Knights attending upon His Majesty There are also Four other Sergeants at Arms whereof one attends the Lord President of Wales another the Speaker of the House of Commons and another the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland There are Forty eight Chaplains in Ordinary usually Doctors in Divinity and for the most part Deans or Prebends and all principal Preachers who attend by Four every month to Preach before the King There are Four Physicians in Ordinary for the King's Person whereof one is assigned to attend the Queen There are also Physicians in Ordinary to the Houshold of which one is for the Tower of London There are besides these above Twelve able Physicians who are the King 's Sworn Servants but wait not nor have Fee There is a Master and Treasurer of the Jewel-house and three Under-Officers called Yeomen and Grooms whose Office is to take charge of all Vessels of Gold or Silver Gilt for the King and Queens Table of all Plate in the Tower of Chains and loose Jewels not fix'd to any Garment The Master of the Ceremonies has a Fee of 200 l. his Assistant 120 l. 13 s. 4 d. and one Marshal 100 l. per Annum This Office of Master of the Ceremonies was instituted by King James for the more Honourable Reception of Ambassadors and Strangers of Quality The Assistant Master of the Ceremonies is to execute the same Imployment in all Points whensoever the other is absent The Marshal of the Ceremonies is their Officer for the more easie performance of the said Services and being subordinate to them both is to act nothing but by the directions of one of them Amongst the King's Servants in Ordinary are three Kings of Arms six Heralds or Dukes of Arms and four Pursuivants at Arms. The Title of the first is Garter whose Office is to attend and direct at those Ceremonies and Solemnities that concern the most Noble Order of the Garter and to Marshal the Solemn Funerals of the Knights of that Order as also of the Peers of England and to direct all things else relating to Arms which appertain to the Peerage The Title of the Second is Clarencieux who regulates and directs the Proceedings at Solemn Funerals of all Degrees under Peers as shall be celebrated in his Province which is the Counties on the South of Trent and whatsoever else there relateth to Arms. The Title of the Third is Norroy who regulates and directs like the Second throughout his Province on the North of Frent The Offices of the Heralds and Pursuivants besides their Services at the aforesaid Solemnities are together with the Kings of Arms to attend at Publick Solemnities and some or all of them to proclaim War or Peace carry Defiances summon Fortified Places or Rebels in Arms proclaim Traytors and to do their best Service in whatsoever relateth to the Nobility and Gentry of England in point of Honour and Arms. Amongst the King's Servants in Ordinary are reckoned one Geographer one Historiographer one Hydrographer one Library-keeper one Cosmographer one Poet Laureat and one Publick Notary The King besides the Great Wardrobe hath divers standing Wardrobes at Whitehal Windsor Hampton-Court the Tower of London and Greenwich c. whereof there are divers Officers There is the Removing Wardrobe which always attends upon the Person of the King Queen and the Children as also upon Ambassadors Christenings Masks Plays c. at the Command of the Lord Chamberlain who hath the disposing of vacant places Here are fix Officers one Yeoman two Grooms and three Pages the Salary of the Yeoman is 200 l. of the Grooms 100 l. and of the Pages 100 Marks And to all
Captain on occasion and at the same time also two Brigadiers having also Ebony-staves headed with Ivory and Engraven as the others There is added a Troop of Grenadiers to each Troop of Guards one Division of which mounts with a Division of the Troop to which they belong they never go out on small Parties from the Guard only perform Centry-Duty on Foot and attend the KING also on Foot when he walks abroad but always March with great Detachments The KING's Troop consists of a Captain two Lieutenants three Sergeants three Corporals two Drums two Hautbois and eighty private Souldiers Mounted The Queens Troop of a Captain two Lieutenants two Serjeants two Corporals two Hautbois and Sixty private Souldiers Mounted The Dukes Troop consists of the like Number with the Queens The Captains of His MAJESTIES Guards always Command as Eldest Colonels of Horse the Lieutenants as Eldest Lieutenant-Colonels of Horse the Cornets and Guidons as Eldest Majors of Horse the Quartermasters as Youngest Captains of Horse the Brigadiers as Eldest Lieutenants of Horse and amongst themselves every Officer according to the Date of his Commission takes precedency when on Detachments but not when the Three Troops march with their Colours for then the Officer of the Eldest Troop commands those of equal Rank with him in the others though their Commission be of Elder Date Next immediatly after the Three Troops of Guards His MAJESTIES Regiment of Horse Commanded by the Earl of Oxford takes place and the Colonel of it is to have precedency after the Captains of the Guards and before all other Colonels of Horse whatsoever change may be of the Colonel and all the Officers thereof in their proper Degree are to take place according to the Dates of their Commissions As to the Foot the King's Regiment Commanded by the Honorable Colonel John Russel takes place of all other Regiments and the Colonel thereof is always to precede as the first Colonel The Colestream Regiment Commanded by the Earl of Craven takes the next the Duke of Yorks Regiment next then His Majesties Holland Regiment Commanded by the Earl of Mulgrave and all other Colonels according to the Dates of their Commissions All other Regiments of Horse and Foot not of the Guards take place according to their Respective Seniority from the time they were first Raised and no Regiment loses its precedency by the Death of its Colonel At the KING's House there is a Guard for His Person both above and below stairs In the Presence Chamber the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners wait instituted by King Henry the VII and chosen out of the best and antientest Families in England to be a Guard to His Majesties Person and also to be a Nursery to breed up hopeful Gentlemen and fit them for Employments Civil and Military as well abroad as at home as Deputies of Ireland Embassadors in Foreign Parts Counsellors of State Captains of the Guard Governours of places Commanders in the Wars both by Sea and Land of all which there have been Examples They are to attend the King's Person to and from His Chappel only as far as the Privy Chamber also in all other Solemnity as Coronations publick Audience of Embassadors c. They are 40 in Number over whom there is a Captain usually some Peer of the Realm a Lieutenant a Standard-bearer and a Clerk of the Check They wait half at a time quarterly Those in quarter wait daily five at a time upon the King in the House and when He walks abroad Upon extraordinary occasions all of them are Summoned Their ordinary Arms are Gilt Pole-Axes Their Arms on Horse-back in time of War are Cuirassiers Arms with Sword and Pistol These are only under their own Officers and are always Sworn by the Clerk of the Check who is to take Notice of such as are absent when they should be upon their Duty Their Standard in time of War is a Cross Gules in a Field Argent also 4 bends In the first Room above stairs called the Guard-Chamber attend the Yeomen of the Guard of His Majesties Body whereof there were wont to be 250 Men of the best quality under Gentry and of larger Stature then ordinary for every one was to be Six Foot high there are at present 100 Yeomen in dayly waiting and 70 more not in waiting and as any of the 100 die his place is filled up out of the 70. These wear Scarlet Coats Down to the knee and Scarlet Breeches both richly Guarded with black Velvet and rich Badges upon their Coats both before and behind moreover black Velvet round broad Crown'd Caps with Ribbons of the King's Colour One half of them of late bear in their hands Harquebuzes and the other half Partizans with large Swords by their sides they have Wages and Diet allowed them Their Office is to wait upon the King in His standing Houses 40 by by Day and 20 to Watch by Night about the City to wait upon the King's Person abroad by Water or Land The KING's Palace Royal ratione Regiae dignitatis is exempted from all Jurisdiction of any Court Civil or Ecclesiastick but only to the Lord Steward and in his absence to the Treasurer and Comptroller of the King's Houshold with the Steward of the Marshalsea who by vertue of their Office without Commission may Hear and Determin all Treasons Fellonies Breaches of the Peace Committed within the KING's Court or Palace The Orders and Rules for the Demeanor of all Officers and Servants are hung upon Tables in several Rooms at the Court and Signed with the King 's own hand worthy to be Read of all Strangers The Court or House where the King resides is accounted a Place so Sacred that if any Man presume to strike another there and only draw blood his Right hand shall be cut off and he Committed to perpetual Imprisonment and Fined All occasions of striking are also there forbidden The Court of England for Magnificence Order Numberâ— and Quality of Officers rich Furniture Entertainment and Civility to Strangers and for plentiful Tables might compare with the best in Christendom and far Excels most Courts abroad It hath for a long time been a Pattern of Hospitality and Charity to the Nobility and Gentry of Eugland All Noblemen or Gentlemen Subjects or Strangers were freely Entertained at the plentiful Tables of His Majesties Officers Divers Dishes were provided every day extraordinary for the King's Honour Two hundred and fourty Gallons of Beer a day were allowed at the Buttery-Bar for the Poor besides all the broken Meat Bread c. gathered into Baskets and given to the Poor at the Court-Gates by Two Grooms and Two Yeomen of the Almonry who have Salaries of His Majesty for that Service The Lord Almoner hath the Priviledge to give the King's Dish to whatsoever Poor Man he pleases that is the first Dish at Dinner which is set upon the King's Table or in stead thereof four pence a day which anciently was equivalent to four shillings now
next he distributes to 24 poor men named by the Parishioners of the Parish adjacent to the King's place of Residence to each of them four pence in money a Two-penny Loaf and a Gallon of Beer or in stead thereof three pence in money equally to be divided among them every morning at seven of the Clock at the Court-gate The Sub-Almoner is to scatter New-coined Two-pences in the Towns and Places where the King passes through in his Progresses to a certain Sum by the year Besides there are many poor Pensioners either because so old that they are unfit for service or the Widows of any of the King's Servants that dyed poor who have a Competency duly paid them Besides there are distributed among the Poor the large Offerings which the King gives in Collar days The magnificent and abundant plenty of the King's Tables hath caused amazement in Foreigners In the Reign of King Charles I. there were daily in his Court 86 Tables well furnished each Meal whereof the King's Tables had 28 Dishes the Queens 24 4 other Tables 16 Dishes each 3 other 10 Dishes 12 other 7 Dishes 17 other 5 Dishes 3 other 4 32 had 3 and 13 had each two in all about 500 Dishes each Meal with Bread Beer Wine and all other things necessary There was spent yearly in the King's House of gross meat 1500 Oxen 7000 Sheep 1200 Veals 300 Porkers 400 Sturks or young Beefs 6800 Lambs 300 Flitches of Bacon and 26 Boars Also 140 dozen of Geese 250 dozen of Capons 470 dozen of Hens 750 dozen of Pullets 1470 dozen of Chickens for Bread 36400 Bushels of Wheat and for Drink 600 Tun of Wine and 1700 Tun of Beer Moreover of Butter 46640 together with the Fish and Fowl Venison Fruit Spice proportionably This prodigious plenty in the King's Court caused Foreigners to put a higher value upon the King and was much for the Honor of the Kingdom The King's Servants being Men of Quality by His Majesties special Order went to Westminster-Hall in Term-time to invite Gentlemen to eat of the King 's Acates or Viands and in Parliament-time to invite the Parliament-men thereto On the Thursday before Easter called Maunday Thursday the King or his Lord Almoner was wont to wash the Feet of as many poor Men as His Majesty had Reigned years and then to wipe them with a Towel according to the Pattern of our Saviour and then to give every one of them two Yards and a half of Woollen Cloth to make a Suit of Cloaths also Linnen Cloth for two Shirts and a pair of Stockings and a pair of Shoes three Dishes of Fish in Wooden Platters one of Salt Salmon a second of Green Fish or Cod a third of Pickle-Herrings Red Herrings and Red Sprats a Gallon of Beer a Quart Pottle of Wine and four six-penny Loaves of Bread also a Red Leather-purse with as many single Pence as the King is years old and in such another Purse as many shillings as the King hath reigned years The Queen doth the like to divers poor Women The Form of Government is by the wisdom of many Ages so contrived and regulated that it is almost impossible to mend it The Account which is of so many Natures and is therefore very difficult must pass through many hands and is therefore very exact is so wisely contrived and methodized that without the Combination of every one of these following Officers viz. the Cofferer a Clerk of the Green Cloth a Clerk Comptroller a Clerk of the Kitchin of the Spicery or Avery or a particular Clerk together with the conjunction of a Purveyor and Waiter in the Office it is impossible to defraud the King of a Loaf of Bread of a Pint of Wine a Quart of Beer or Joint of Meat or Money or any thing else Having given this brief Abstract if any would be more curious to read it more at large or about the Courts of the Queen and Royal Family they are referred to the Present State of England II. West from Charing-Cross there stood sometimes an Hospital of St. James founded by the Citizens of London before the time of any Mans memory for 14 Sisters Maidens that were Leprous This Hospital was surrendred to King Henry VIII in the 23 of his Reign The Sisters being compounded with were allowed Pensions for term of their Lives and the King built there a goodly Mannor now the Duke of York's Palace annexing thereunto the beautiful Park called St. James's inclosed with a Wall of Brick serving indâ—â—â—erently for that Palace and the Court or Palace of Whitehall which in a word for extraordinary Commodiousness Conveniency and Situation being seated between a Noble Navigable River and a most Deiectable and Spacious Park full of great and rare Varieties as hath been hinted for the Great Chamber there called the Banquetting-House the like whereof for Spaciousness Beauty Peinture and exact Proportion no King in Europe can parallel deserves the View and Notice of all Strangers III. Although it might seem more proper to treat of Westminster-Hall under the Head or Chapter of Publick Halls or Courts yet being a Place so Eminent above any other in this Renowned City and formerly a Royal Palace we shall leave our Remarks upon it with the Reader in this place and give a brief Account 1 of its Foundation and Antiquity 2 of the Courts held there especially the High Court of Parliament which we hope will be acceptable 1. Many Eminent Authors do affirm That this Great Hall was built by William Rufus about the year of our Lord 1097. amongst whom Roger of Windover and Matthew Paris write that King William being returned out of Normandy into England kept his Feast of Whitsontide very Royally at Westminster in the New-Hall which he had lately built This Hall for all Dimensions is not to be equalled by any Hall in Christendom It is say some 270 Foot in length and 74 broad It is reported that the King should say to one that thought the Hall too big That it was not big enough by one half and was but a Bed-chamber in comparison of what he meant to make This Palace was Repaired Anno 1163. by Thomas Becket Chancellor of England with exceeding great celerity and speed being before ready to have fallen down It hath been the principal Seat and Palace of all the Kings of England since the Conquest where they kept Coronation and other Solemn Feasts till the time of King Henry VIII In this Palace by a marvelous Inundation or Overflowing of the River of Thames in the year 1236 which drowned many Cattle and Men Women and Children Men did Row with Wherries in the midst of the Hall The like or rather more dreadful Inundation hapned in the year 1242. the Thames overflowing the Banks about Lambeth In the year 1299 27 Edw. 1. this Palace was burnt by a vehement Fire kindled in the lesser Hall of the King's House by which the same with many other Houses adjoining together with
of the said Doctors in a most Capacious and Beautiful manner where they keep their Courts and pleadings every Term which begins and ends almost at the same time with the Term at Westminster The Chief Court is that of the Arches so called from the Arched Church of St. Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside where this Court was wont to be held but now in the Common-Hall at Doctors Commons the Judge whereof is called the Dean of the Arches having Jurisdiction over a Deanry consisting of thirteen Parishes within London exempt from the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of London Hither are directed all Appeals in Ecclesiastical matters within the Province of Canterbury to this belong divers Advocates all Doctors of the Civil Law two Registers and ten Proctors The Dean or Judge of the Arches sitteth alone without any Assessors and Heareth and Determineth all Causes without any Jury of Twelve Men. The manner is briefly thus Fist goes out a Citation then a Bill and Answer then by Proofs Witnesses and Presumptions the matter is Argued pro and con and the Canon and Civil Laws quoted and then the Definitive Sentence of the Judge passeth and upon that Execution But by Statute 25 Henry the VIII it was provided that it shall be Lawful for any Subject of England in Case of Defect of Justice in the Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury to Appeal to the King's Majesty in His Court of Chancery and that upon such an Appeal a Commission under the Great Seal shall be directed to certain Persons particularly Designed for that business so that from the Highest Court of the Archbishop there lyes an Appeal to this Court and beyond it to none other It is called the Court of Delegates and in Civil Affairs is the Highest Court in England Ecclesiastical Criminal Causes are Tried by way of Accusation Denunciation or Inquisition The first When some one takes upon him to prove the Crime The second When the Church-Wardens Present and are not bound to prove because it is presumed they do it without Malice and that the Crime is Notorious Thirdly By Inquisition when by reason of Common Fame inquiry is made by the Bishop ex Officio suo by calling some of the Neighborhood or the Party Accused to their Oaths But this Oath ex Officio was taken away by Parliament in the time of King Charles the First If the Party Accused after Admonition submits not he is Excommunicated from the Church and is disenabled to be a Plaintiff in a Law Suit c. Which is called Excommunicatio Minor Excommunicatio Major excludes from the Church and from Society in Temporal Affairs and that for Heresie Schism Perjury Incest or such grievous Crimes then a Man cannot be Plantiff or Witness in any Civil or Ecclesiastical Court. And if he continues Excommunicated 40 Days the King 's Writ de Excommunicato capiendo is granted out of the Chancery against him whereupon he is cast into Prison without Bail there to lye till he hath submitted to the Bishop and satisfied for what he is charged with by which many tender Consciences have suffered deeply There is an Anathematismus inflicted upon an obstinate Person that is Judged an Heretick wherein he is Curs'd and Rejected to Damnation There is also an Interdict Prohibiting all Divine Offices to a Place or People if against a People it follows them any where if against a Place the People may go elsewhere to hear Somtimes a Person Adjudged a Delinquent is punished another way which is called Publick Pennance and is to stand in the Church-Porch upon Sunday bare Headed and bare Footed in a White sheet and a White Rod in his Hand then he is to go into the Church and his Crime being publickly repeated and he professing Repentance is Absolved but in some Cases the Party may come off for Money to the Poor or some Pious Use which is not always converted that way Christian Burial is denyed to Persons Excommunicate or Perjured to such as are Hang'd for Felony or Kill themselves to Apostates Hereticks and Extortioners Somtimes the Clergy Men are suspened ab Officio viz. from the Exercise of their Functions somtimes there is a Deprivatio a Beneficio when deprived of their Livings somtimes they are Degraded that is Deprived of their Orders which is commonly for some Heinous Crime So much Briefly of these Censures and Punishments The Office of Actuary attending the Court of Arches is to set down the Judges Decrees Register the Acts of the Court and send them in Books of the Registry The Office of the Register is to Attend the Court by himself or Deputy and receive all Libels or Bills Allegations and Exhibits of Witnesses Files all Sentences and keeps the Records of the Court. The Beadle attends the Court carryeth a Mace before the Judge and calls the Persons Cited to appear The Judge and all the Advocates who are all Doctors of the Civil Law wear Scarlet Robes with Hoods lined with Taffata if they be of Oxford or White Miniver Furr if of Cambridge and the Proctors ought to wear Hoods lined with Lamb skin if not Graduates but if Graduates Hoods according to their Degree The Proctors are Persons that Exhibit their Proxies for their Clients and make themselves Parties for them and draw and give in Pleas or Libels and Allegations in the behalf of their Clients produce the Witnesses prepare the Causes for Sentence and and attend the Advocates with the proceedings All Arguments made by Advocates and all Petitions made by Proctors are to be in Latin All process of this Court runs in the Name of the Judge and returnable before him heretofore in Bow-Church but now in the Common-Hall at Doctors Commons The Places and Offices of this Court are in the Gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury These Ecclesiastical Laws consist of Canons made by General Councels the Opinion of Fathers the Decrees of several Bishops of Rome formerly admitted and our own Constitutions made antiently in several Provincial Synods which by 25 Henry VIII are in Force so far as they are not Repugnant to the Laws and Customs of England or the King's Prerogative Then the Canons made in the Convocations of latter times as Primo Jacobi and confirmed by him some Statutes Enacted by Parliament and divers old Customs not written but yet in use and where these fail the Civil Law takes place Amongst the Great Officers of the Crown which are Nine viz. the Lord High Steward of England the Lord High Chancellor the Lord High Treasurer the Lord President of the KING's Council the Lord Privy Seal the Lord Great Chamberlain the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Admiral of England The last only appertains to this place his Trust and Honour is so great that it has been usually given to the KING 's Younger Sons near Kinsmen or some of the Highest and Chiefest of all the Nobility He has the management of all Maritime Affairs as well in respect of Jurisdiction as
Pedigrees and Coats of Arms. They were made a College or Corporation by Charter of King Richard the III. and by him had several Priviledges granted unto them as to be free from Subsidies Tolls and all troublesom Offices of the Kingdom Another Charter of Priviledges was granted unto the Society by King Edward the VI in the Third year of his Reign Of this Collegiate Society are three stiled Kings at Arms six called Heralds and four Pursuivants at Arms. The first and principal among the Kings at Arms is called Garter Instituted by King Henry the fifth whose Office as was said in the Section wherein the King's Court is treated of is to attend the Knights of the Garter at their Solemnities and to Marshal the Solemnities at the Funerals of the higher Nobility of England to advertise those that are chosen of their New Election to call on them to be Instalâ—ed at Windsor to cause their Arms to be hung up upon their Seats there to Carry the Garter to Kings and Princes beyond Seas for which purpose he was want to be joyn'd in Commission with some principal Peer of the Realm c. The next is Clarencieux so called from the Duke of Clarence to whom he first belonged For Lionel Third Son to Edward the Third Marrying the Daughter and Heir of the Earl of Vlster in Ireland had with her the honour of Clare in Thomond whereupon he was afterwards Created Duke of Clarence or the Territory about Clare which Dukedom Escheating to King Edward the Fourth by the Death of his Brother George Duke of Clarence he made this Herald who properly belonged to that Duke a King at Arms and named him Clarencieux in French and Clarentius in Latine His Office is to Marshal and dispose the Funerals of the Lower Nobility as Baronets Knights Esquires and Gentlemen on the South-side of Trent and therefore sometimes called Surroy or Southroy The Third King at Arms is Norroy or Northroy whose Office is to do the like on all the North-side of Trent These two are called Provincial Heralds England being divided by them into two Provinces These by Charter have power to visit Noblemens Families to set down their Pedigrees to distinguish their Arms to appoint men their Arms on Ensigns and with Garter to Direct the Heralds The Six Heralds antiently belonging properly to Dukes have been called Dukes at Arms and are thus called and Ranked 1. Windsor 2. Richmond 3. Chester 4. Somerset 5. York 6. Lancaster who now wait at Court attend Publick Solemnities Proclaim War and Peace c. Of these Heralds there are at present but Four who are named Rouge-Cross Rouge-Dragon Portcullice and Blew-mantle from such Badges heretofore worn by them as it is thought The Service of the whole College is used in Marshalling and ordering Coronations Marriages Christnings Funerals Interviews Feasts of Kings and Princes Cavalcades Shews Justs Tournaments Combats before the Constable and Marshal c. to take care of the Coats of Arms of the Genealogies of the Nobility and Gentry and whatsoever concerns Honour They all receive yearly Sallaries out of the Exchequer and are to be Gentlemen at least The Six Heralds are Expâ—esly made Esquires by the King when they are Created which is now done by the Earl-Marshal who hath a special Commission for every particular Creation which anciently was performed by the King himself For the Creating and Crowning Garter King at Arms there are provided a Sword and Book whereon to take a Solemn Oath then a Gilt Crown a Collar of SS's a Bowl of Wine which Bowl is the Fee of the New Created King also a Coat of Arms of Velvet richly Embroidered He is thus Created First he kneels down before the Earl-Marshal and laying his hand on the Book and Sword another King at Arms reads the Oath which being taken and the Book and Sword the Letters Patents of his Office are read during which the Earl-Marshal pours the Wine on his head giving him the Name of Garter then puts on him the Coat of Arms and Collar of SS's and the Crown on his head His Oath is To obey the Supream Head of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and then the Noble Knights of that Order in such things as appertain to his Office to inquire diligently what Notable or Noble Acts are performed by every Knight of the Order and certifie the same to the Register of the Order that he may Record it and to give Notice to the King and the Knights of the Order of the Death of any of that Society To have an exact knowledge of all the Nobility to instruct Heralds and Pursuivants in doubts concerning Arms and to eschew and avoid all persons of ill reputation to be more ready to excuse then to blame any Noble person unless called by Authority to Witness against them c. This Officer hath a Double Sallary that is twice as much as the other two Kings he hath Fees at Instalments yearly Wages given by the Knights of the Garter and their uppermost Garment when Installed c. The two Provincial Kings at Arms Clarencieux and Norroy are Created by Letters Patents a Book a Sword c. as Garter and with almost the same Ceremonies A Herald at Arms is Created with the like Ceremony but his Coat of Arms is to be Satin imbroidered richly with Gold he is brought in by two Heralds as a King at Arms is by two Kings at Arms. They take a Solemn Oath to be true to the King to be serviceable to Gentlemen to keep Secrets of Knights Esquires Ladies and Gentlewomen to assist distressed Gentlemen and Gentlewomen Widows and Virgins to avoid Taverns Dicing and Whore-Houses c. The Pursuivants at Arms are Created likewise by Letters Patents a Book a Bowl of Wine and a Coat of Arms of Damask and to be brought in as the Heralds before the Earl-Marshal or his Deputy to Swear Solemnly to be true to the King to be serviceable to all Christians to be Secret and Sober more ready to commend than to blame to be humble lowly c. This College felt the fury of the great Fire but is since very beautifully re-built by the Members and the bountiful contribution of Honourable Persons Here are always Officers waiting to satisfie Comers touching Descents Pedigrees Coats of Arms c. These Officers are the King 's Sworn Servants of which see the fourth Section of the third Chapter where we treated of the King 's Court. Inns of Courts The Colleges of Municipal or Common-Law-Professors and Students are Fourteen which may be not unfitly stiled an Vniversity where the Students of the Law and Practitioners thereof live not of common Stipends but by their Places or Practice or their own Proper Revenues or their Friend Exhibition for they are most commonly Gentlemen by Descent and it was the command of King James that none but such should be admitted because others may be prone to debase the honour of the Law and play tricks whereas the
sense of Honour in persons of Birth and Fortune engages them to preserve their Reputation These Colleges are called Inns which was the old English Word for the Houses of Noblemen or Bishops or men of great Note as the French word Hostel at Paris There are Two Inns of Sergeants Four Inns of Courts and Eight Inns of Chancery of which there are Nine within the Liberty of the City and five in the Suburbs Those within the City Liberties are Sergeants Inn Fleetstreet Sergeants Inn Chancery-lane For Judges and Sergeants only The Inner The Middle Temple in Fleet-street are Inns of Court Cliffords Inn Fleetstreet Thavies Inn Furnivals Inn Bernards Inn Staple Inn Holborn Are Inns of Chancery Without the Liberties are Grays Inn Holborn Lincolns Inn Chancery-lane Inns of Court Clements Inn New Inn Lyons Inn Inns of Chancery Of these we shall briefly speak in this Oâ—deras 1. The Sergeants Inns are so called because Divers Judges and Serjeants at Law keep their Commons and Lodge there in Term-time In these Inns or Colleges the Students of the Common-Law when they are arrived to the highest Degree have Lodging and Dyet They are called Servientes ad legem Sergeants at Law These are bred two or three years in the University and there chiefly versed in Logick and Rhetorick which are expedient for a Lawyer as also in the Theory of the Civil-Law and some knowledge in the French Tongue as well as Latine then the Student is admitted to be one of the Four Inns of Court where he is first called a Moot-man and after about seven years Study is chosen an Vtter Barrister and having then spent twelve years more and performed his Exercises of which more hereafter he is chosen a Bencher and sometime after a Reader During the Reading which heretofore was three Weeks and three Days as afore-mentioned the Reader keeps a Constant and sumptuous Feasting Inviting the Chief Nobles Judges Bishops Great Officers of the Kingdom and sometimes the King himself that it costs them sometimes 800 l. or 1000 l. Afterwards he wears a long Robe different from other Barristers and is then in a capacity to be made a Sergeant at Law when his Majesty shall be pleased to call him which is in this Manner When the Number of Sergeants is small the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas by the advice and consent of the other Judges makes choice of six or eight more or less of the most grave and learned of the Inns of Court and presents their Names to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper who sends by the Kings Writ to each of them to appear on such a Day before the King to receive the State and Degree of a Serjeant at Law at the appointed time they being habited in Robes of two Colours viz. Brown and Blew come accompanied with the Students of the Inns of Courts and attended by a Train of Servants and Retainers in peculiar Cloath-Liveries to Westminster-Hall and there in publick take a Solemn Oath and are Cloathed with certain Robes and Coifs without which they may be seen no more in publick After this they Feast the great Persons of the Nation in a very Magnificent and Princely manner give Gold Rings to the Princes of the Royal Family the Archbishops Chancellor and Treasurer to the value of 40 s. each Ring and to Earls and Bishops Rings of 20 s. To other Great Officers to Barons c. Rings of less value Out of these are chosen all the Judges of the King's Bench and Common-Pleas Wherefore all those Judges do always wear the white Linnen Coif which is the principal Badge of a Sergeant and which he has had the priviledge to wear at all times even in the King's presence and whilst he spake to the King though antiently no Subject may be so much as capped in the King's presence When any of the Judges are wanting the King by advice of the Council makes choice of one of those Sergeants at Law to supply his place and by Letters Patents Sealed by the Lord Chancellor who Constitutes him sitting in the middle of the rest of the Judges by a set Speech Declaring to the Serjeant that upon this occasion he is called to do Justice with Expedition and Impartiality to His Majesties Subjects causing the Letters Patents to be read and then Departs after which the Lord Chief Justice places the said Sergeant on the Bench Junior to all the rest and having taken an Oath well and truly to Serve the King and his People in his Office to take no Bribâ— to do equal and speedy Justice to all c. He sets himself to the Execution of his Charge Being thus advanced he hath great honour and a considerable Salary besides perquisites for each one hath 1000 l. a year from the King His habit of a Sergeant is somewhat altered his long Robe and Cap his Hood and Coif are the same but there is besides a Cloak put over him and closed on his Right Shoulder and instead of a Caputium lined with Minever or de minuto vario divers small pieces of white rich Fur only the two Lord Chief-Justices and the Lord Chief-Baron have their Hoods Sleeves and Collars turned up with Ermine ☞ Note that the two Sergeants Inns belong to the twelve Judges and about twenty-six Sergeants The Fees in old times from a Client to a Sergeant at Law for advice in his Chamber or for pleading in any Court of Judicature was but 20 s. and the Fee of a Barrister 10 s. which is now more then is given in our Neighbour Nations but at present it is usual to give some some Sergeants 10 l. and some 20 l. and to a Barrister half as much at the pleading of any Considerable Cause so that some Lawyers gain 3000 or 4000 l. yearly in Fees and purchase great Estates in a few years and are sometimes advanced to be Peers of the Realm as late times especially have shewn When there was a call of Serjeants at Law it was almost incredible to hear of their preparations in old times they have often kept their Feasts in Ely House which was the Bishop of Ely's Palace in Holborn There was a call of Seven Sergeants in the year 1464. 4. E. 4. in Michaelmas Term who kept their Feast in this Palace to which Sir Matthew Philip Lord Mayor of London with the Aldermen Sheriffs and the most eminent Commoners were invited to which they came but the Lord Gray of Ruthen then Lord Treasurer of England was placed against the minds of the Serjeants as they said before the Lord Mayor who thereupon took such Distaste that he went away with the Aldermen Sheriffs and Commons without partaking of the Feast to the great trouble of the New Sergeants as well as the dissatisfaction of the City There was another Feast kept there for Five days by the Sergeants in the Year 1531. 23 Henry VIII where the King Queen and Foreign Ambassadors Dined as also the Lord Mayor the
Chief 37. MARBLERS The Company call'd the Marblers or Sculpters are in one Fraternity with the Masons yet they have a different Coat viz. a Chevron between two and a Mallet Argent 38. WOOL-PACKERS There was a Company of Wool-packers in the time of the Hans when the Staple of Wool flourished their Coat Azure a Wool-sack Argent 39. FARRIERS Had their rise from Henry de Ferraris a Norman who was Master of the Horse to the Conqueror who gave him the honour of Tutbury the first preferment of the Ferrars Their Arms three Horse-shoos Azure 40. PAVIOVRS This is an ancient Company their Coat Argent a Chevron between three Rummers Sable 41. LORINORS Their Arms are Gules on a Chevron Argent three Horse-Combs 'twixt three Roses Argent 42. BROWN-BAKERS Incorporated 19 Jacobi their Arms Gules a hand issuing out of the Clouds a chief Barry wavie Or and Azure on a Chevron Gules 43. WOOD-MONGERS Incorporated 3 Jacobi Their Coat Argent a Chevron 'twixt three Faggots Sable 44. VPHOLSTERS or VPHOLDERS Their Arms Sable three Tents Gules on a Chevron Or three Tents of the second 45. TVRNERS Incorporated 2 Jacobi Their Coat Azure a Katharine-wheel Argent 46. GLAZIERS Their Arms two Crosiers Salterways Sable four Sprigs on a Chief Gules a Lyon passant Gardant Or. 47. CLARKS The Company of Clarks called Parish-Clarks is ancient and stand Register'd in the Books of Guild-Hall They were incorporated 17 H. 3. Their Arms Azure a Flower-de-luce Or on a Chief Gules a Leopards head 'twixt two Books Or. 48. WATER-MEN Have for their Arms barry waive of six Azure and Argent a Lighter proper on a chief Gules a pair of Oars Salterways 'twixt two Cushions Or. 49. APOTHECARYES This Company having separated themselves from the ancient Society of the Grocers grew so much in favour with King James that he used to call them his Company and therefore gave them a Charter of Incorporation the 15 th of his Reign Amongst many worthy Members of this Company I may not forget Dr. Gideon De Laune Apothecary to King James a man noted for many singularities in his time a great Benefactor to to the Publick and particularly to the Foundation of the Apothecaries-Hall in Black-Fryars where his Statue in white Marble is to be seen to this day And to whom I have the honour to be nearly related which is not the Reason that I mention him but to perpetuate his Memory as well as others as his due desert he liv'd piously to the age of 97 years and worth notwithstanding his many acts of publick and private piety near as many thousand pounds as he was years having 37 Children by one Wife and about 60 Grand-children at his Funeral His famous Pill is in great request to this day notwithstanding the Swarms of pretenders to Universal Pill-making This little digression I hope will not be offensive 50. SILK-THROWERS This Company was made a Fellowship of this City 19 Jacobi and Incorporated by the name of the Master Wardens Assistants and Commonalty of the Trade or Mystery of Silk-throwers of the City of London 13 April 5 Car. 1. Besides these there are several other Societies of which more hereafter These Corporations or Bodies-Politick have all their stately spacious Halls as was said with Clerks and other Ministerial Officers to attend them when they meet to consult about the regulation of their respective Societies and for promoting publick Good and advancement of Trade and Wealth as also when they meet at their sumptuous and splendid Feasts And in this London surpasseth all other Cities The Arms of LONDON To conclude our Heraldry the Arms of this Illustrious City shall bring up the Rear as well as it has been placed in the Front It is Argent Cross Gules with the Sword of St. Paul not Sir William Wallworth's Dagger as some have conceited for this Coat did belong to the City before the said Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor slew the Rebel Wat Tyler as learned Antiquaries Affirm The Oath of a Freeman YE shall Swear that ye shall be good and true to our Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second and to the Heirs of our said Soveraign Lord the King Obeysant and Obedient ye shall be to the Mayor and Ministers of this City the Franchises and Customs thereof ye shall maintain and this City keep harmless in that which in you is Ye shall be contributary to all manner of charges within this City as Summons Watches Contributions Taxes Tallages Lot and Scot and to all charges bearing your part as a Freeman ought to do Ye shall colour no Forreigners Goods under or in your Name whereby the King or this City might or may lose their customs or advantages Ye shall know no Foreigner to buy or sell any Merchandize with any Foreigner within this City or Franchise thereof but ye shall warn the Chamberlain thereof or some Minister of the Chamber Ye shall implead or sue no Freeman out of this City whiles ye may have Right and Law within the same City Ye shall take none Apprentice but if he be Free-born that is to say no Bondmands Son nor the Son of any Alien and for no less term than for seven Years without fraud or deceit and within the first Year ye shall cause him to be inrolled or else pay such Fine as shall be reasonably imposed upon you for omitting the same And after his terms end within convenient time being required ye shall make him Free of this City if he have well and truly served you Ye shall also keep the King's Peace in your own person Ye shall know no Gatherings Conventicles or Conspiracies made against the Kings Peace but ye shall warn the Mayor thereof or let it to your power All these points and Articles ye shall well and truly keep according to the Laws and Customs of this City to your power so God you help c. Of the Guild-Hall PAge 160. The Reader was referred to what should be spoken about the great Guild-Hall to the Chapter of Government where an account has been given of the several Courts there therefore there is no need of further addition here as to that only we shall briefly remark its Antiquity Fabian says that this Hall was begun to be built New Anno 1411. 12 H. 4. By Sir Thomas Knolles then Lord Mayor and his Brethren the Aldermen and made a large and great House 1 H. 6. The Executors of Sir Richard Whittington gave towards the paving of this great Hall 20 l. and next year 15 l. more to the said pavement with hard stone of Purbeck they also Glazed the Windows thereof and of the Lord Mayors Court on every of which the Arms of Sir Richard Whittington were placed The Foundation of the Mayors Court was laid 3. H. 6. and of the Porch on the South-side of the Court Then were built the Lord Mayors Chamber the Councel-Chamber and other Rooms above stairs The New Councel-Chamber a very good and honourable Deed with
a fair Room over it appointed for a Treasury for the Books and Records of the City and another Room underneath for necessary use and Employment was begun Anno 1614. and finished Michaelmas 1615. at the charge of 1740 l. which was well well bestowed The Kitchins c. were built about Anno 1501. for accommodation of the Lord Mayors Feast by means of Sir John Shaa Goldsmith Lord Mayor who kept the first Lord Mayors Feast there which were wont to be kept before in Merchant-Taylors or Grocers-Hall c. The adjoyning Chappel or College of Mary Magdalen and All-Saints was called London-College built Anno 1299. which had a Custos seven Chaplains three Clerks and four Quiristers Adjoying to this Chappel was a fair and large Library pertaining to the Guild-Hall and College but the Books to the quantity of three-score Cart-loads * Howel p. 118. in Edw. 6. time were sent for by Edw. Duke of Somerset with promise to restore them but they were never return'd The Library was built by the Executors of Sir Richard Whittington aforesaid and by W. Bury This great Guild-Hall was destroyed by the great Fire 1666 but very Magnificently rebuilt In the great Hall on the East-end it is very Richly hung with the lively Effigies of His Majesty and the Duke of York and round about on all sides it is adorn'd with the costly and lively Pictures of the great Ministers of State and Judges of the Land There are many large and spacious Courts and Offices where the Respective Affairs of the City are managed as before in the Section of the Civil-Government of London Of Blackwell-Hall THis place was purchased by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty for 50 l. 20. R. 2. and employed as a Weekly Market-place for all sorts of Woollen-Cloaths broad and narrow brought from all parts of the Kingdom there to be sold 21 R. 2. It was Decreed that no Foreigner or Stranger should sell any Woollen-Cloath but in Blackwell-Hall upon pain of forfeiture thereof It was Rebuilt being decayed Anno 1558. at the charge of 2500 l. to which Richard May Merchant-Taylor gave 300 l. at his Decease It was destroyed by the great Fire 1666 but rebuilt in a very capacious manner and is the greatest Market and Store-house for all sorts of Woollen-Cloath c. Of Leaden-Hall ANno 1411. This Hall was confirm'd unto the City by Sir Richard Whittington and others who purchased it Anno 1443. 21 H. 6. Sir John Hatherly Lord Mayor purchased License of the King to take up 200 fodder of Lead for the building of Water-Conduits a Common Granary and the Cross in Cheap-side more beautifully for the honour of the City This Granary was built by the honourable and famous Merchant Simon Eyre the words of the Grant be Cum Nobilis potens vir c. Whereas the Noble and powerful man c. sometime an Vpholsterer and then a Draper Anno 1419. He built it of square Stone as it now sheweth having escaped the fury of the great Fire with a fair and large Chappel on the East-side of the Quadrant over the Porch he caused to be Written Dextra Domini exaltavit me The Lords Right hand exalted me Within the Chappel was written Honorandus famosus Mercator Simon Eyre hujus operis c. In English thus The honourable and famous Merchant Simon Eyre Founder of this Work once Mayor of this City Citizen and Draper of the same Departed out of this Life 18 Sept. 1459. 38 H. 6. He was buried in the Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Lumbard-street He gave very many large and bountiful Legacies to be read in Stow page 163. This Hall was Burnt Anno 1484. but Rebuilt again in a very stately and capacious manner There were kept the Artillery Guns and other Armour of the City The Store of Timber for the necessary reparations of the Tenements belonging to the Chamber of London It was a Free Market for Victuallers There were the Common Beams for weighing of Wools and other Wares the Scales to weigh Meal there were made the Pageants for the Midsummer-Watches In other parts Woolsacks were stowed Abovestairs the Painters workt upon the Pageants the Residue were let to Merchants c. Now there is kept the greatest Flesh-Market about the City And a great Magazine of Corn. In speaking of Halls it may not be impertinent to remember the Right honourable Baptist Lord Hicks Viscount Cambden who besides many noble and charitable acts of Piety in King James his time recorded by Stow p. 760 761. built the Sessions-House for the Justices of Middlesex in St. Johns-street at the charge of 600 l. called after his Name Hicks's-Hall which was a great convenience they sitting before in a common Inn called the Castle As for the particular Halls of Companies we have spoke of them Generally before which is all that appears at present necessary SECT 7. Of the Custom-House THe House where this great Office was kept a little below Billingsgate was destroyed by the great Fire but is Rebuilt in a much more magnificent uniform and commodious manner by the King which hath cost His Majesty 10000 l. Here is received and managed all the Impositions laid on Merchandize Imported or Exported from this City which are so considerable that of all the Customs of England which amount to about 600000 l. a year divided into three parts the Port of London pays two thirds that is about 400000 l. per annum A great Number of Officers are here Employ'd whereof divers are of considerable quality and ability There are at present Five Commissioners who have the charge and oversight of all His Majestics Customs in all Ports of England Viz. Sir Richard Temple Bar. Sir George Downing Kt. Charles Cheney Esq Francis Millington Esq John Vpton Esq The Sallaries to each of these is 1200 l. a Year they have many Deputies or Waiters in the Port of London and also in all the Out-Ports Then there are Customers Collectors Comptrollers Surveyors Searchers Waiters c. Sir John Shaw Collector Inwards and for the Act of Navigation Fee 966. l. 13. s. 4. d. Sir Nicholas Crisp Collector Outwards Sallary 276 l. Alderman Edward Backwell Comptroller Sallary 255 l. George Nicholas Esq Surveyor-General Sallary 500 l. The Searchers Office is managed by a Chief and five Under-Searchers Clerks c. Since the happy Restoration of His Majesty there has been in all Eleven Persons Under-Searchers in that Office viz. Six who have all except one disposed of their place by His Majesties grace and favours Mr. Daniel Colwall Rob. Forster Leonard Scot. Will. Dockwra Tho. Hampson John Seymour Esq The Five Undersearchers now in Possession are Mr. Tho. Burton John Evans Richard Goodlad Charles Beauvoir Richard Pierce The Chief Searcher has 120 l. per annum The Undersearchers have each 12 l. And sundry Fees settled upon them by Authority of Parliament which are paid them by Masters of Ships and Merchants c. Having always been Officers