should wear any Hood except striped with divers colours nor Furs but Garments turned the wrong side outward This King confirmed the Liberties of the City of London and ordained that the L. Mayor should sit in all places of Judgment within the Liberty of the same as chief Justice the Kings person only excepted and that every Alderman that had been Mayor should be Justice of Peace in all London and Middlesex and every Alderman that had not been Mayor should be Justice of Peace in his own Ward Also he granted to the Citizens of London that they should not be forced without their own consent to go out of the City to fight or defend the Land and likewise that after that day the Charter and Franchises of the City should not be seized into the Kings hands but onely for Treason and Rebellion done by the whole City Likewise that Southwark should be under the Government of the City and the Lord Mayor to chuse a Bailiff there as he pleased He also granted to the Citizens of London that the Officers of the Mayor and Sheriffs should from that day forward use Maces of silver parcel gilt In the twenty second year of his Reign a contagious Pestilence arose in the East and South parts of the World and coming at last into England it so wasted the people that scarce the tenth person of all sorts were left alive There died in London some say in Norwich between the first of January and the first of July 57374 persons This Plague lasted nine Years In the thirty fifth year of his Reign another Plague happened which was called the second Pestilence in which died many Lords and Bishops In this Kings time a Frost lasted from the midst of September to the Moneth of April In the fourth year of his Reign a solemn Just or Turnament was held in Cheapside London between the great Cross and the great Conduit In the eleventh year of his Reign was so great plenty that a Quarter of Wheat was sold at London for 2 s. a fat Ox for a noble a fat Goose for 2 d. a Pig for a penny and other things after that rate But in his 27 year there was a great scarcity by reason there fell little or no Rain from the end of March to the end of July and was therefore called the Dry Summer John Barns Mayor of London gave a chest with three Locks and a thousand Marks to be lent to young men upon security and for the Use of it if learned they were to say the Psalm De Profundis c. for the soul of John Barns if otherwise to say a Pater Noster but however the money is lent the cheft stood long after in the Chamber of London without money or security In the time of the Princes sickness the King calls a Parliament at Westminster and demands supplies upon which they demand redress of the Grievances of the Subjects and among the rest that John Duke of Law after and Alice Perice the Kings Concubine with others might be removed from the Court this Woman presuming so much upon the Kings favour that she grew very insolent and intermedled with Courts of Justice and other Offices where she her self would sit to countenance her Causes And this was so vehemently urged by the Speaker of the House of Commons that the King rather than want Supplies gave way to it and so they were all presently put from Court But the Prince dying soon after they were all recalled to Court again and restored to their former plâ—ces and Sir Peter de la More the Speaker was at the sâ—â—t of Alice Perice confined to perpetual Imprisonment though by making great Friends he got his Liborty in two years About this time John Wickliff bringeth in a new Doctrine inveighing against the abuses of Church-men Monks and other Religious Orders whom the Duke of Lancaster favoured Whereupon a great contention arose between him and the Bishop of London the Londoners take the Bishops part and set upon the Duke of Lancasters house at the Savoy upon which the Duke after the Tumult caused the Mayor and Aldermen to be displaced and others put in their rooms and Wickliff is banished to Bohemia where his Doctrine continues in great veneration to this day among that People King Edward died in the 64 year of his age and fiftieth of his Reign and his Grandchild Richard the second succeeded of whose unfortunate Reign and Deposition you have heard before we shall therefore onely add a few particulars more In his thirteenth year a Royal Just or Turnament was proclaimed to be holden in Smithfield London and at the day appointed about three of the clock in the Afternoon there issued out of the Tower threescore fine Horses apparelled for the Justs and upon every one an Esquire of Honour riding a soft pace after them came four and thirty Ladies of Honour mounted on Palfreys and every Lady led a Knight with a chain of gold These Knights being on the Kings side had their armour and apparel garnished with white Harts and Crowns of gold upon their heads and so they came riding through the streets of London to Smithfield This Just lasted twenty four days all which time the King and Queen lay at the Bishops Palace by S. Pauls Church and kept open house to all comers In the year 1â—89 whilest the King was at Sheen near London there swarmed in his Court such a multitude of Flies and Gnats skirmishing one with another that they were swept away with Brooms by heaps and Bushels were filled with them In the one and wentieth year of his Reign King Richard caused the great Hall at Westminster to be repaired both with Walls Windows and Roofs In his twelfth year in March there were terrible Winds and afterward a great Mortality and Dearth A Dolphin was likewise taken at London Bridge being ten foot long and very big Also in Parliament time an Image made by Necromancy in Wax as it is said at an hour appointed uttered these words The Head shall be cut off the Head shall be lifted up aloft the Feet shal be lift up above the head This hapned in that called the Marvellous Parliament not long before that called the Parliament that wrought wonders Henry IV. his Uncle succeeded K. Rich. against whom several Rebellions were raised especially one Henry Piercy called Hotspur and others who were overthrown King Henry himself killing thirty six with his own hands the Earl of Worcester among the rest was taken and beheaded with many others whose Heads were set on London Bridge In his time a Parliament was called at Westminster in which the Commons presented a Petition to the King and the House of Peers desiring that the King might have the Temporal Possessions of the Bishops and Clergy affirming that they would maintain 150 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires and 100 Hospitals for maimed Souldiers They desired likewise that Clerks Convict should not be delivered into the Bishops Prison
Salters and Gerrards Hall This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy and 11 Common Council Men 10 Constables 8 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 13 and a Beadle 23. Queen Hythe VVard comprehends Tainity lane Breadstreet hill Fyfoot lane Disbourn lane Little Trinity lane Old Fishstreet Lambeth hill Pye lane Townsend lane Queen Hythe Salt VVharf Stew lane Broof VVharf Broken wharf Trig lane and Bull wharf The whole Ward was consumed in 1666 with these Churches Trinity Church St. Nicholas Cole Abby St. Nicholas Olaves St. Maudlins Old Fishstreet Saint Mary Mounthaw St. Mary Somerset St. Michael Quean Hythe and St. Peters Pauls wharf It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 6 Common Council Men 9 Constables 8. Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 13 and a Beadle In it is Painter Stainers Hall 24. Castle Baynard Ward contains part of Creed lane the Last part of Avemary lane part of Pater noster Row the East side of Warwick lane Peters hill lane Pauls Wharf Addle hill Carter lane Dolittle lane Sermon lane St. Pauls Chain and part of the South Church-yard St. Peters Pauls Wharf and Baynards Castle It was wholly burnt down by the Fire and therein Baynards Castle St. Bennets Church near Pauls Wharf St. Andrew Wardrobe St. Mary Magdalen and St. Gregories by St. Pauls It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 6 Common Council Men 10 Constables 7 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 25. Farringdon Ward without is very large and contains Giltspur street Pye Corner Cock lane Holbourn Conduit St. Bartholomews Hospital Duck lane Saint Bartholomews Close part of Long lane part of Chick-lane Smithfield Cow lane Snow hill to the Bishop of Elies House Furnivals Inn Staples Inn Bernards Inn Fetter-lane Thavies Inn Shoe lane the Churches of St. Sepulchres and St. Andrews Holborn the Old Baity where the Sessions is kept for London and Middlesex Fleet Ditch Holborn Bridge the Streets on each side the Fleet Prison Fleet lane St. Dunstaus Church in the west Cliffords Inn the south end of Chancery lane Sergeants Inn even to the Rolls Liberty Jackanapes lane part of Sheer lane the two Temples White Fryers Water lane Salisbury Court St. Brides Church Bridewel lane and Bridewel There is now a new Street out of Chancery lane to Little Lincolns-Inn Some part of this VVard was burnt and also Newgate It hath an Alderman Deputy and 16 Common Council Men 14 Constables 15 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 44 and 3 Beadles 26. Bridge Ward without contains long Southwark St. Georges Church St. Olaves Church Barnaby street Kent street Blackman street St. Mary Overies formerly a Priory of Canon Regulars St. Thomas Church and Hospital for the Sick and Lame and the Lock a Lazer House in Kent street in which were five Prisons the Clink the Compter the Marshalsea the Kings Bench the White Lyon also Winchester house Battle bridge the Bridge house and Bermondsey Abby It hath an Alderman 3 Deputies a Bailiff no Common Council Men 16 Constables 6 Scavengers and VVardmote Inquest 20. Every VVard hath a peculiar Alderman as an Overseer or Guardian who hath greater Power than any ordinary Justice of Peace CHAP. VIII The Inns of Court and Chancery Colleges Schools and Hospitals in and about the City of London THE famous City of London may not unfitly be stiled an University for therein are taught all Liberal Arts and Sciences for not only Divinity Civil Law and Physick which are usual in Universities are read hear but also the Municipal or Common Law of the Nation is here taught and Degrees taken therein which can be said of no other City moreover all sorts of Sciences as Geography Hydrography the Arts of Navigation and Fortification Anatomy Chyrurgery Chymistry Calligraphy Brachygraphy or Short-hand the Arts of Riding Fencing Dancing Art Military Fireworks Limning Painting Enamelling Sculpture Architecture Heraldry all sorts of Musick Arithmetick Geometry Astronomy Grammar Rhetorick Poetry and any other Science that may contribute to the accomplishment of an Ingenuous Noble Man or Gentleman The Colleges of Municipal or Common Law for Professors and Students are Fourteen and are still called Inns the old English word for the Houses of Noble Men or Bishops There are 2 Inns of Sergeants 4 Inns of Court and 8 Inns of Chancery the Inns of Chancery were probably so named because there dwelt such Clerks as did chiefly study the forming of Writs their Names are Thavies Inn begun in the Reign of Edward III. Furnivals Inn Bernards Inn New Inn Clements Inn Cliffords Inn anciently the House of the Lord Clifford Staple Inn belonging to the Merchants of the Staple and Lyons-Inn anciently a common Inn with the sign of the Lyon These were preparatory Colleges for younger Students many being entred here before admitted into the Inns of Court now they are generally taken by Attorneys Sollicitors and Clerks who have Chambers apart and their Diet in an Hall together where they are obliged to appear in long Robes and black round knit Caps these Colleges belong all to some Inns of Court who send yearly some of their Barristers to read to these In each of these Inns of Chancery may be about threescore Persons The Inns of Court were so named as some think because the Students therein are to serve the Courts of Judicature of these there are 4. First the 〈◊〉 Temples heretofore the dwelling of the Knights Templars and purchased by some Professors of the Common Law above 300 years ago they are called the Inner middle Temple in elation to Essex house which was a part of the Knights Templars Lodgings call'd utter or outer Temple because it is seated without Temple-Bar the 2 other Inns of Court are Lincolns-Inn and Greys-Inn belonging to the Noble Family of the Greys In the Reign of K. Henry VI. there were in each of these above 200 Students These Societies are no Corporations nor have any Iudicial Power over their Members only certain Orders among themselves which have by consent the force of Laws for lighter Offences they are only excommoned or put out of Commons not to eat with the rest for greater they lose their Chambers There are no Lands or Revenues belong to these Societies nor have they any thing for defraying the Charges of the House but what is paid at Admittance and quit Rents for their Chambers the whole Company in each Society may be divided into 4 parts Benchers Vtter Barristers Inner Barristers and Students In the 4 Inns of Court there now are reckoned 800 Students There are 2 more Colleges called Sergeants Inn where the Common Law Student when he hath arrived to the highest Degree hath his Lodging and Diet and are as Doctors in the Civil Law out of these are chosen all the Judges of the Kings Bench and Common-Pleas There is likewise the College of Civilians called Doctors-Commons near St. Pauls for the Professors of the Civil Law where commonly the Judges of the Arches Admiralty and Prerogative Court reside whose Office is not far off They judgeth of Estates
of Suffolk into their Fellowship but he having notice of their intent suddenly rose from supper and got away Yet they compelled many other Lords and Knights to be sworn to them and to ride with them as the Lord Scales the Lord Morley Sir John Brewis Sir Stephen Hales and Sir Robert Salle the last of whom not enduring their Insolencies had his Brains dashed out by a Countrey-man that was his Bondman The rest terrified by his Example were glad to carry themselves submissively to their Commander John Littester who named himself King of the Commons and counted it a Preferment for any to serve him at his Table in taking Assay of his Meats and Drinks with kneeling humbly before him as he sate at Meat And now these Fellows upon Consultation send two Choice Men namely the Lord Morley and Sir John Brewis with three of their Chief Commons to the King for their Charter of Manumission and freedom from Bondage who being on their way they were met near Newmarket by Henry Spenser Bishop of Norwich who examining if there were any of the Rebels in their Company and finding three of the Chief present he instantly caused their Heads to be struck off and then pursued on toward Northwalsham in Norfolk where the Commons stayed for an Answer from the King and though he had at first but eight Lances and a small number of Archers in his Company yet they so increased as to become a compleat Army with which he set upon the Rebels and routed them taking John Littester and other Principal Ringleaders whom he caused all to be Executed and by this means the Countrey was quieted After this the Lord Mayor of London sate in Judgment upon Offenders where many were found guilty and lost their Heads among others Jack Straw John Kirkby Alane Tredder and John Sterling who gloried that he was the man who had slain the Archbishop Sir Robert Tresilian Chief Justice was likewise appointed to sit in Judgment against the Offenders beforâ— whom above fifteen hundred were found guilty anâ— in divers places put to death and among them John Ball their Priest and Incendiary of whom it is not impertinent to relate a Letter he wrote to his Fellow Rebels in Essex by which we may see how fit an Orator he was for such an Auditory and what strength of perswasion there was in Nonsense John Sheep St. Mary Priest of York and now of Colchester greeteth well John Nameless and John the Miller and John Carter and biddeth them that they beware of Guile in Burrough stand together in Gods name and biddeth Peirce Plowman go to his work and chastize well Hob the Robber and take with you John Trueman and all his Fellows and no moe John the Miller ye ground small small small The Kings Son of Heaven shall pay for all Beware or ye be woe know your Friend from your Foe Have enough and say Hoe and do well and better Elee Sin and seek Peace and hold you therein and so biddeth John Trueman and all his Fellows Neither may it be amiss to declare the Confession of Jack Straw at his Execution The Lord Mayor being present spake thus to him John Behold thy death is at hand without remedy and there is no way left for thy escape therefore for thy Souls health without making any lye tell us what your Intentions were and to what end you Assembled the Commons After some pause John seeming doubtful what to say the Lord Mayor added Surely John thou knowest that if thou perform what I require of thee it will redound to thy Souls Health Being hereupon incouraged he made his Confession to this purpose It is now to no purpose to lye neither is it lawful to utter any untruth especially knowing that my Soul must suffer more bitter Torments if I do so And because I hope for two advantage by speaking Truth First that what I shall say may profit the Common-wealth and Secondly That after my death I trust by your Suffrages to be helped and succoured according to your promises by your Prayers I will therefore speak Faithfully and without deceit At the same time when we were Assembled upon Black-Heath and had sent to the King to come to us our purpose was to have slain all such Knights Esquires and Gentlemen as attended him And for the King we would have kept him amongst us that the People might have more boldly repaired to us since they would have thought that whatever we did was by his Authority Finally when we had got strength enough so as not to fear any attempt made against us we would have slain all such Noblemen as should either have given Counsel or made Resistance against us but especially we would have slain all the Knights of the Rhodes or St. John of Jerusalem and lastly we would have killed the King himself and all men of Estates with Bishops Monks Canons and Parsons of Churches Only we would have saved Friers Mendicants for Ministring the Sacraments to us When we had been rid of all these we would have devised Laws according to which the Subjects of this Realm should have lived For we would have created Kings as Wat Tyler in Kent and others in other Countreys But because this our purpose was disappointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury who would not permit the King to come to us we sought by all means to dispatch him out of the way as at length we did And further the same Evening that Wat Tyler was killed we were resolved having the greatest part of the Commons of the City inclined to join with us to have set Fire in four corners of the City and so to have devided among our selves the Spoil of the chiefest Riches that could have been found And this said he was our purpose as God may help me now at my last end After this Confession he was beheaded and his head was set on London Bridge by Wat Tylers And thus by the happy and prosperous success at London this dangerous Rebellion was fully quieted In 1392. and the Fifteenth of Richard II. there happened some difference between that King and the Londoners One occasion was that the King would have borrowed of them a thousand pound but they feeling much and fearing more the Kings daily Exactions not only refused it but abused a certain Italian Merchant who would have laid down the Money Another occasion was That one of the Bishop of Salisburies Servants named Walter Roman taking an House Loaf out of a Bakers basket in the Streets ran with it into the Bishops House The Citizens demanded the delivery of the Offender but the Bishops men shut the Gates and would not suffer the Constable to enter upon which many people got together threatning to break open the Gates and Fire the House unless Roman were brought forth What said they are the Bishops men Priviledged or is his house a Sanctuary or will he protect those whom he ought to punish if we may be abused
of the River against an Invasion and securing Merchandizing and Navigation by Block-Houses Forts or 〈…〉 There are divers Courts of Judicature belonging to the Lord Mayor and City of London the highest and most ancient Court is called the Hustings which preserves the Laws Rights Franchises and Customs of the City There is a Court of Requests or Conscience the Court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen where also the Recorder and Sheriffs sit two Courts of the Sheriffs one for each Counter the Court of the City Orphans whereof the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have the Care The Court of Common-Council consisting as the Parliament of England of two Houses one of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and the other of Commoners but they fit all together In which Court are made all B. -Laws which bind all the Citizens of London for every man either by himself or by his Representative gives his assent thereto wherein consists the happiness of the English above all other Subâ—â—cts in the world that neither in Laws By Laws Taxes nor Imposts no man is obliged to pay any thing but by his own consent There is another Court of the Chamberlain of the City to whom belong the Receipts of the Rents and Revenues thereof and likewise the Inrolling and making Free Apprentices over whom he hath great Authority Also the Courts of Coroner and Escheator and another Court for the conservation of the River of Thames lastly the Court of Goal Delivery at Newgate held usually eight times a â—ear at the Old Baily both for the City and Middlesex for the Trial of Criminals whereof the Lord May or is cheif Judge There are other Courts called Wardmote or the meeting of Wards whereof there are 26 in the whole City every Alderman having a several Ward In this Court Inquiry is made into all things that conduce to the Regulating and well Governing of the City Also the Court of Hallmote or Assembly of every Guild and Fraternity for Regulating what belongs to every company in particular There are two Sheriff belonging to this City which like the Lord Mayor are only for a year and are elected generally upon Midsummerday The name is thought to be Saxon from Shire or Country and Rive Governour His Office is to serve the King's Writs of Attachment to return indifferent Juries to see that the publick Peace be kept and that condemned Persons be executed c. Newgate Ludgate and the two Counters are put into the Custody of the Sheriffs For the Ecclesiastical Government there is a Bishop and the present is Dr. Henry Compton and to the Cathedral of St Paul's belongs a Dean a Chapter a Treasurer and 〈◊〉 Prehends A Rector or Vicar is placed in every Parish for the Cure of Sâ—uls and there is in most Parishes a Parsonage or vicarage-Vicarage-House for the Minister and a Competent Allowance of Tithes CHAP. VI. The several Companies or Corporations of the City of London with the Arms of each Company and the time of their Incorporating THE Traders of the City of London are divided into Companies or Corporations and are so many Bodies Politick enjoying large Priviledges by the Charters of divers Kings granted to them and have Halls to meet in some like Pallaces with Arms belonging to each Company The Arms of this famous City of London are Argent Cross Gules with the Sword of St. Paul say some and not the Dagger of William Walworth for they say it is recorded this Coat did belong to the City long before Wat Tyler's Rebellion The ARMS of London The ARMS of the rest of the Companies follow Merchant Adventurers Incorporated by Ed. 4. consirmed by Q. Eliz. Turkey Merchants Incorporated by Q. E. their Charter inlarged by K. James 1. East-India Company They were first Incorporated by Q. E. 1600. 1. Mercers They were Incorporat 17 Rich. 2. 1393. 2. Grocers First called Pepperers Incorporated 28 E. 3. 3. Drapers They were Incorporâ—â—â— in the 17 H. 6. 4. Fishmongers The Stock and Salt Incorporated 28 H. 8. 5. Goldsmiths They were made a Company 16 R. 2. 6. Skinners Incorporated first by Edw. 3. confirmed 18 Rich 2. 7. Merchant Taylors They were compleatly Incorporated by Hen. 7. 1531. 8. Haberdashers Incorporat 17 Hen. 7. called St. Kath. Society 9. Salters Had their Arms 22 Hen. 8. Crest and Supporters by Q. Eliz. 10. Iroâ—mongers They were made a Company the 3d of Edward 4. 11. Vintners Incorpor by Edw. 3. and confirmed by Hen. 6. 12. Clothworkers Grew to be a Company the 22 of Henry 8. 13. Dyers Incorporated first by a Charter from Henry 6. 14. Brewers Incorporated by Hen. 6. confirmed by Q. Eliz. 15. Leathersellers First Incorporated in the 6th of Richard 2. 16. Prwterers They were made a Society by K. Edw. 4. 17. Barber-Chirurgeons First Incorporated by Edw. 4. and confirmed by every Prince since 18. Armorers Incorporated by Hen. 6. himself being of the Company 19. White Bakers They are Ancient being Incorporat 1 Edw. 2. 20. Wax Chandlers In great credit in the times of Popery Incorporat 2 Rich. 3. 1484. 21. Tallow Chandlers Incorporated 2 Edw. 4. and confirmed by King James 1. 22. Cutlers They were made a Company by Henry 5. and others since 23. Girdlees They were made a Company 27 Henry 6. 24 Butchers They were not Incorporated till 3 of King James 1. 25. Sadlers They are Ancient from Edw. 1. 300 years ago 26. Carpenters They were Incorporated 7 July 17 Edw. 4. 27. Cordwinders or Shoemakers were Incorporated 17 Hen. 6. and confirmed since 28. Painters or Painter Stainers were Incorgor 23 Q. E. 1580. 29. Curriers They are ancient but not Incorporated till 12 Jnne 3 of King James 30. Masons or Free Masons were made 〈◊〉 Company 12 Hen. 4. 31. Plumbers They were made a Corporation 9 K. James 1. 32. Inholders They were made a Company 6 Henry 8. 33. Founderes Incorporated the 18 Sept. 12 K. James 1. 34. Embroiderers They were Incorporated in the 4 of Q. Eliz. 35. Poulterers Incorporat by Henry 7. and confirmed 33 Q. E. 36. Cooks Indorpor 12 E. 4. confir by Q. E. K. J. 1. 37. Coopers They were made a Company the 18 H. 7. 38. Bricklayers or Tylers Incorporated by Q. E. confirm 2 K. J. 1. 39. Bowyers The of their Incorporated was 21 K. J. 1. 40. Fletchers They are also a Corporation but when made is uncertain 41. Blacksmiths Incorporated 20 Q. E. confirmed 2 K. Ja. 1. 42. Joyners Incorporated 13 Q. E. 43. Plaisterers They were Incorporain the Reign of King Henry the 7. 44. Weavers now Silk Weavers very ancient having 3 Societies 45. Fruiterers Incorporated 3 K. J. 1. 49. Scriveners Ancient yet not Incorporated till 14 K. J. 1. 50. Bottlemakers Horners are of great Antiquity but not Incor 51. Stationers Of great Antiquity before Printing Incorporated 3 Phil. and M. 52. Marblers Not Incorporat unless joined with the Masons 53. Wool-packers They flouâ—â—â—hed in the time of the Woâ—â—staple 54. Farriers They rise
rebuilt In this Ward were five Halls Skinners Dyers Tallow-Chandlers Innholders and Joyners and likewise Merchanr-Taylors School It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 5 Common Council Men 8 Constables 5 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 14. Vintrey VVard stretcheth from the Vintrey North to Tower Royal in which were Stodies-lane Cranes lane Church-lane and divers others This Ward was consumed by the Fire and four Churches St. Michael-Royal St. Thomas-Apostles St. Martins Vintrey and St. James Garlick-Hithe the first only is rebuilt This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy and 6 Common-Council Men 9 Constables 4 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle In which were 5 Halls Vintners Cutlers Fruiterers Plummers and Parish-Clerks 15. Cordwayners VVard wherein there were Budge-Row Turnbase-lane part of VVingmen-lane Cordwayner-street Bow-lane Basing-lane and St. Syths lane the South end of Needlers-lane the South end of Soperlane part of Bow-lane and VVatling-street This Ward was burnt down and three Churches St. Antholines Aldermary Church and St Mary le Bow all rebuilt with magnificent Steeples This Ward hath an Alderman his Deputy 8 Common Council Men 8 Constables 8 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 16. Cheapside VVard wherein is the Poultrey and the Counter Cony-hoop lane part of the Old-Jury Bucklers-bury Neelders-lane part of Soper-lane now called Queenstreet Ironmonger-lane and Cateaten-street This Ward was consumed by the Fire and 7 Churches St. Mildred-Poultrey St. Mary Cole-Church St. Bennet-Sherehog St. Pancras Soper-lane St. Martins Ironmongers-lane St. Laurence-Jury and Guild-hall-Chappel some are since finely rebuilt as well as the Hall and the rest of the Ward It hath an Alderman Deputy and 11 Common Couâ—cil Men 11 Constables 9 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 12 a Beadle and Grocers and Mercers Hall 17. Coleman-street VVard wherein is part of the Old-Jury Lothbury Coleman-street and the Alleys thereabout it was in part consumed by the Fire with three Churches St. Margaret's Lothbury St. Stephens Coleman-street and St. Olaves Jury all rebuilt with the rest of the Ward It hath two Halls Armourers and Founders an Alderman his Deputy 5 Common Council Men 4 Constables 4 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 13 and a Beadle 18. Bassishaw or Basing-hall VVard wherein are Basing hall street part of London VVall and several other Alleys most of it was burnt down 1666 and therein Basing-hall and St. Michael Bassishaw Church with Coopers Masons VVeavers and Girdlers Hall There are an Alderman his Deputy and 4 Common Council Men 2 Constables 2 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 17 and a Beadle 19 Cripplegate VVard hath these Streets Aldermanbary Milk-street Gayspur lane part of VVestcheap Love-lane Lad-lane VVood-street Addle-street Philip-lane Huggen-lane Maiden-lane the East end of Guthorn-lane Staining lane Silver-street the North end of Mugwel-street all within the walls without are More-lane with all the Alleys little Morefields more than half Grub-street VVhite Cross street to â—eech-lane Red Cross-street part of Golden-lane and Barbican more than half toward Aldersgate Sim Colledge in which is a stately Library and Alms-Houses for 24 People founded by Dr. Thomas VVhite Part of this Ward was consumed by the Fire and among the rest Aldermanbury Church St. Maudlin Milk-street St. Albans VVood-street St. Michael VVood-street but St. Alphage and Cripplegate escaped In this VVard were Bowyers and Scriveners Hall It is of â— great extent divided into Cripplegate within and without within it hath an Alderman his Deputy and 8 Common Council Men 9 Constables 12 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 15 and a Beadle without the Gate a Deputy and three Common Council Men 4 Constables 4 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 17 and a Beadle 20. Aldersgate VVard contains Lillipot-lane the west side of Guthorns-lane Cary-lane St. Martins Aldersgate-street without the Gate and Little-Brittain some part of this VVard was burnt and the Churches of St. John Zachary St. Olave Silver street St. Ann Aldersgate and St. Mary Staining but St. Buttolphs without the Gate escaped There are in this VVard Peter-house noâ— the Seat of the Lord Bishop of London thanet-Thanet-House and Goldsmiths Hall It hath an Alderman his Deputy 4 Common Council Men without the Gate and 4 within 8. Constables 9 Scavengers VVardmote Inquest 14 and a Beadle 21. Farringdon VVard within contains Foster-lane Mugwelwell-street Pentecost-lane Butcherhall-lane the west side of Fryday-street the Old-Change the north Church-yard of St. Paul's St. Paul's-School Pater-Noster-Row the west side of Avemary-lane Greed-lane Black-Fryers Pannier-Alley Ivy lane Blow Bladder-street Newgate Market and Newgate-street most of it was burnt in 1666. and the Churches of St. Peters Cheap at VVood-street Corner St. Fosters in Foster-lane Christ Church and Hospital St. Mathews Friday-street St. Austins in VVatling-street St. Martins Ludgate St. Ann Black-Fryers St. Faiths under St. Pauls and St. Pauls Church it self St. Pauls is the only Cathedral of that Name in Christendom seated on the-highest part of all the City and was more perspicuous perhaps than any Cathedral in the VVorld It was a structure for length height and antiquity surpassing all other Churches the length thereof was 670 Foot therein exceeding by 20 Foot St. Peters Church in Rome which for Beauty Proportion and divers other things excells all other Temples It was in height 102 Foot and in breadth 130. This Church was built as other Cathedrals in a perfect Cross and in the midst of the Cross upon mighty high Arches was a Tower or Steeple of Stone 360 foot high and on that a Spire of Timber covered with Lead in height 260 foot more in all from the ground 520 foot above which was a Bole of Copper gilt of 9 foot in compass whereon stood the Cross 15 foot and an half high and almost 6 foot a-cross made of Oak covered with Lead and another cover of Copper over the Lead above all stood the Eagle or Cock of Copper gilt 4 foot long and the breadth over the wings 3 foot and an half In 1561 part of this magnificent Pile was much wasted and the rest endangered by Fire in that stately Spire by the Negligence of a Plummer who left his Pan of Fire there while he went to Dinner as he confest on his Death-bed This was repaired in 5 years Arch-Bishop Laud much repaired it with Portland Stone in 1640. It was again ruined by the dreadful Fire 1666 but the Quire is now rebuit with great part of the rest of the Cathedral in a noble and sumptuous manner In this Ward of Farringdon were the Halls of several Companies as Embroiderers Sadlers Barber Chirurgeons Butchers Stationers and likewise the Colledge of Physicians in Warwick-lane It hath an Alderman his Deputy and 14 Common Council Men 17 Constables 18 Scavengers Wardmote Inquest 18 and a Beadle 22. Breadstreet Ward wherein are Breadstreet the East part of Friedaystreet Watlingstreet part of Knight Riderstreet and Distafflane This Ward was wholly laid wast by the Fire and therein the Churches of Alhallows Breadstreet St. Mildred Breadstreet St. John Evangelist and St. Margaret Moses also Cordwainers
fallen by Will or by Intestates and are under the Jurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury There is also the College of Physicians curiously rebuilt in Warwick lane and likewise a College of Heralds who are Messengers of War and Peace and skilful in Descents Pedigrees and Coats of Arms. Gresham College in Bishopsgate-street is another built by Sir Tho. Gresham and a Revenue left to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for maintaining four Persons to read within this College Divinity Geometry Astronomy and Musick with an allowance to each besides Lodging of 50 l. a year and other Rents are left to the Mercers Company to find three able Men more to read Civil Law Physick and Rhetorick with the same allowance these several Lectures should be read in Term time every day in the Week except Sundays beginning at nine in the Morning and at two Afternoon to give notice whereof the Bell in the Steeple of the Royal-Exchange is to ring at those times they are to read Forenoon in Latin and Afternoon in English The Musick Lecture to be read only in English There is also Sion College founded by Dr. White near Cripplegate for the use of the Clergy of London and of the Liberties thereof and some Alms-Houses for 24 poor People to perform all which he gave 3000 l. and for the maintenance of these poor People 120 l. a year for ever and 40 l. a year for a Sermon in Latin at the beginning of every Quarter and a plentiful Dinner for all the Clergy that shall then meet there In this College is a fine Library built by John Symson well furnished with Books for Divines This College felt the rage of the Fire but is since rebuilt A little without the Walls stands another College or Collegiate House called the Charter-house formerly a Convent of Carthusian Monks called also Suttons Hospital It consists of a Master or Governour a Chaplain with a Master and Usher to instruct 44 Scholars besides 80 decayed Gentlemen Soldiers or Merchants who have all a plentiful maintenance of Diet Lodging Cloaths Physick c. and live all together in a Collegiate manner and the 44 Scholars have all Necessaries whilst they are here taught and when fit for the University there is allowed to each out of the Revenues of this College 20 l. yearly for 3 years after they come to the University and to others sit for Trades a considerable sum to bind them Apprentices There are all sorts of Officers fit for such a Society as Minster Physician Apothecary Steward Cook Butler c. who have all competent Salaries This vast Revenue and Princely Foundation was the sole Gift of an ordinary Gentleman Mr. Thomas Sutton born in Lincolnshire and is of such account that by the Kings Letters Patents under the great Seal divers Persons of the highest Dignity and Quality in Church and State are always the Overseers and Regulators of this Society as the Arch bishop of Canterbury the L. Keeper or Chancellor L. Treasurer and 13 more There are likewise divers publick Schools endowed as St. Pauls a Free School founded by Dr. Collet Dean of St. Pauls for 153 Children to be taught gratis for which there was appointed a Master a Submaster or Usher and a Chaplain with large â—â—â—pends paid by the Mercers Company This famous School was also burnt down but is now reedified in a more magnificent and commodious Manner In 1553. after the crecting of Christs Hospital out of the Ruins of the Gray Fryers a great number of poor Children were taken in and a School appointed at the charge of the City There are in London divers other endowed or Free Schools as Merchant Taylors Mercers c. There are likewise several famous Hospitals in this City as Christs Hospital given by King Edward VI. from whence Children are put forth Apprentices every year some of them being instructed in Arithmetick and Navigation are placed with Commanders of Ships out of the Mathematical School founded by K. Charles H. Then there is St. Bartholomews Hospital for maimed Soldiers Seamen and other diseased Persons St. Thomas's Hospital in Southwark for sick and wounded Persons Also Pridewell Hospital for Vagrants and Indigent Persons The Hospital oâ— Bethlem for curing Lunaticks and mad Men hath been lately removed because of the inconveniency of the Place and a stately and magnificent Hospital built for them in Morefields which cost above 17000 Pound CHAP. IX The Strand Westminster and Part Adjacent IT would too much enlarge this small Volume to give an exact Account of the City of Westminster and other Parts we shall therefore only remark some Particulars Westminister was formerly called Dorney or Thorney and was an Island incompassed by the Thames overgrown with Fryers and Thorns but now graced with sltately Houses and Pallaces both publick and private The chief are the two Palaces of White hall but the former was lately burnt down by a sudden Fire and St. James's to which is adjoined a delightful Park in which is a Mall said to be the best in Europe it is now the Pallace of our Gracious Queen Anne Then there is Westminster-hall where the Courts of Justice are kept as the High Court of Parliament consisting of the King the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons The Court of Kings Bench wherein the King sometimes sate in Person in which are handled all the Pleas of the Crown all things that concern loss of Life or Member for them the K. or Qu. is concerned because the Life and Limbs of the Subject belong only to them so that the Pleas are here between the King and the Subject As all Treasons Felonies Breach of Peace Oppression Misgovernment c. In this Court sit four Judges Then there is the Court of Common-Pleas so called say some because there are debated the usual Pleas between one Subject and another in this Court there are likewise four Judges Next is the Court of Exchequer so called some think from a Checquer wrought Carpet covering the great Table in that Court wherein are tryed all Causes concerning the Kings Revenue There is another called the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster which takes Cognizance of all Causes that concern the Reveâ—ues of that Dutchy Also the high Court of Chanâ—ery which is placed next the King's Bench as mitigating the Rigor thereof this Court is the Womb â—f all our Fundamental Laws it is called Chancery as â—ome imagine because the Judge of this Court sate â—nciently inter Cancellos or within Lattices as the East end of our Churches being separated per Cancelâ—os from the Body of the Church as peculiarly belonging to the Priest were thence called Chancels this Court grants Writs according to Equity or Consciâ—nce Out of which issue Summons for Parliaments â—dicts Proclamations Letters Patents Treaties â—eagues with Forreign Princes c. There is likewise â—he Court of Admiralty wherein all matters concernâ—ng the Sea are determined by the Civil Law because â—he Sea is without the Limits
of the Common Law â—ow kept at Wallingford-House The next thing considerable is the Collegiate Church called Westminster-Abby or St. Peters It was â—aised out of the ruins of a Temple formerly dedicated to Apollo wherein there is King Henry VII's Chappel a magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens of England and many other Persons of Honour and Renown are buried in this Church and here the Kings of England are commonly crowned Then there is Somerset-house a large and stately â—tructure belonging to the King Northumberland house York-house now turned into Streets and Buildings the new Exchange stored with variety of Shops and Goods the Statue of K. Charles I. lately erected at Charing cross Salisbury-house now a fine Street the Savoy Arundel-house Bedford-house and divers other Places worth observing The Limits of Westminster end at Temple-Bar and there the bounds of London begin Westminfter is so mightily enlarged by the building of St. James's Fields and the adjaceat Places into stately large Streets that it is thought to be as big again as formerly To conclude London is the Epitome of England the Seat of the Brittish Empire the Chamber of the King the chiefest Emporium or Town of Trade in the World and to describe all things in it worthy to be known would make a Volume The City of London with the Suburbs and parts adjacent is from Lime-house to the end of Tothill street in Westminster East and West above 7500 Geometrical Paces or 7 English Miles and an half and from the further end of Blackman-street in Southwark to the end of Shoreditch North and South 2500 Paces or two Miles and an half Historical Remarks OF LONDON and WESTMINSTER PART II. ENgland in the time of the Saxons was divided into an Heptarchy or seven Kingdoms in the year of Christ 527. One of these Kingdoms contained Essex and Middlesex and continued about 281 years during the Reign of 14 Kings The third of whom was Sebert who built the Cathedral of St. Paul which had formerly been the Temple of Diana The ninth King was Sebba who after thirty years peaceable Reign relinquished the Crown and took upon him a Religions Habit in the Monastery of St. Paul where dying his Body was intombed in a Coffiâ— of Gray Marble and stood in the North Wall of the Chancel of the Church till the Fire in 1666. About 872. the Danes invaded this Kingdom and got into London making great spoil upon which King Elfred who then reigned compounded with them allowing them a great quantity of Land to secure the rest from Plunder and Ruine for we find these words in the end of the Laws published by this King Let the Bounds of our Dominion stretch from the River Thames and from thence to the Vale of Lea even unto the head of the same Water and so forth straight unto Bedford and finally going along by the River of Ouse let them end at Watling-street But the Danes ufurped daily upon other places so that King Elfred was many times forced to hide himself in the Fens and Marshes and with his small Company to live by Fishing Fowling and Hunting Wild Beasts for Food and being one time entertained alone in a Country man's house disguised in very mean attire as he was sitting by the Fire a Cake was baking on the Hearth before him but the King being intent in trimming his Bow and Arrows the Country woman coming in and seeing the Cake burn she furiously took the Bow from him and checking him as her Slave said Thou Fellow dost thou see the Bread burn before thy Face and wilt thou not turn it and yet mayest be glad to eat it before it be half baked Little suspecting him to be the man that used to be treated with more dainty Food This King more minding the Benefit of his Subjects than the Majesty of State disguised himself in the habit of a common Fidler and went in Person to the Danes Camp who lay wallowing in Wantonuess and Security and being a skilful Musician and a Poet he addded his Voice thereto singing Songs of the Valour of the Danes whereby he had admittance to the Company and Banquets of their chief Commanders and Princes and observing their carelesness and understanding their Designs he returns to his poor disconsolate Soldiers and tells them how easie it was to surprize their Enemies and thereby recover their ruined Country who immediately fell upon the Danes in their Camp and made a very great slaughter and pursuing their Victory they beat them in all Places and at last followed them to London from whence all the Danes fled The Inhabitants were very glad to see the Face of their King and he restored the City to its former Liberty and Splendor again the Danes making their escape by shipping into France In 982 the Danes again invade England and destroy all Places near the Shore Etheldred was then King whose elder Brother called the Martyr was treacherously murdered by his Mother-in-Law for the King being a hunting in the Isle of Purbeck went alone out of kindness to 〈◊〉 his Mother-in-Law and Brother who dwelt hard by where this cruel Woman out of ambition to bring her Son to the Crown caused one to run him into the back with a Knife as he was drinking a Glass of Wine on Horseback at his departing who feeling himself hurt set spurs to his Horse thinking to get to his Company but the Wound being mortal and he fainting through loss of Blood fell from his Horse and one Foot being entangled in the Stirrup he was dragged up and down through the Woods and afterward found dead and was buried at the Minster in Shaftsbury Etheldred was then crowned King by Dunstan Arch Bishop of Canterbury who at his Coronation denounced the wrath of God against him in these Words Because saith he thou hast aspired to the Crown by the death of thy Brother whom thy Mother hath murdered therefore hear the Word of the Lord The Sword shall not depart from thy House but shall furiously rage all the days of thy Life killing all thy Seed till such time as thy Kingdom shall be given to a People whose Customs and Language the Nation thou now governest know not Neither shall thy sin the sin of thy Mother nor the sins of those men who were Partakers of her Councils and Instruments of her wicked Designs be expiated and appeased but by long and most severe Vengeance Which Prediction was seconded by Prodigies for it is said that a Cloud of Blood and Fire appeared after his Coronation and miserable Calamities fell upon him and his House This King was neither forward nor fortunate in any of his undertakings so that he was called The Vuready he spent his Youth in debauchery his middle Age in carelesness and neglect of his Government maintaining Dissentions amongst his own Subjects and his latter end in resisting the blood thirsty Danes who made continual Destruction of his People
of them were hanged and the â—est to the number of 400 men and 11 women â—yed in Ropes one to another and in their shirts name to Westminster Hall with Halters about their necks and were pardoned In his twenty third â—ear Richard Price a Cook was boiled to death in Smithfield for poisoning divers persons in the Bishop of Winchesters House One Cartnel the Hangman of London and two others were hanged near Clerkenwel for robbing a Booth in Bartholomew Fair. About this time Queen Anne of Bullen was beheaded in the Tower with her Brother and divers other Gentlemen In his fifteenth year after great Rains and Winds there followed so sharp a Frost that many died for cold some lost their fingers some toes and many their nails In his twentieth year there was a great Sweating Sickness which infected all places in the Realm In his thirty sixth year a great Plague was in London so that Michaelmas Term was kept at St. Albans A Priest was set in the Pillory in Cheapside and burnt in both the cheeks with F and A for false Accusing In his thirty fourth year Margaret Dary a Maid-servant was boiled to death in Smithfield for poisoning three Housholds where she lived This year there were four Eclipses of the Sun and three of the Moon King Henry deceased when he had reigned thirty seven years and lived fifty six King Edward the sixth succeeded being but nine years old In his time the Reformation began which King Henry had made way for by renouncing the Popes Supremacy though himself died a Papist Edward was an excellent Religious Prince and ordered the pulling down of all Popish Images and Pictures and it was observed that the very same day that Images were pulled down at London the English obtained a great Victory over the Scots at Muscleborough This King upon a Sermon preached by Bishop Ridley concerning Charity gave three Houses in London to the relief of the Poor For the Fatherless and Beggars children he gave the Gray Fryars now called Christ Church to the lame and diseased persons St. Thomas Hospital in Southwark and St. Bartholomews in West-Smithfield and for vagrant idle persons he gave his house of Bridewell In the second 〈◊〉 of his Reign there was a great Plague in 〈◊〉 St. Anns Church within Aldersgate was 〈◊〉 In his third year Thomas Seymoâ—â— Lord 〈◊〉 and Brother to the Lord Protector 〈◊〉 beheaded on Tower-hill King Edward 〈◊〉 reigned seven years died being but sixte◠〈◊〉 of age And the Lady Jane Gray Daughter of the Duke of Suffolk was proclaimed Queen by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London as being made Heir to the Crown by the last Will of King Edward upon which the Lady Mary flies to Farmingham Castle in Suffolk and there upon her solemn promise and engagement not to alter the Religion established nor to bring in Popery the Gentlemen of that Country and Norfolk joined with her and soon after she obtained the Crown But Queen Mary quickly forgot her Obligation for as soon as she was setled in the Throne she presently removed all the Protestant Bishops and put others in their room and persecuted the Protestants with all manner of cruelty so that in her short Reign of five years and four moneths there suffered upon the account of Religion onely 277 persons of all sorts and ages for there perished by the cruel flames 5 Bishops 21 Divines 8 Gentlemen 84 Artificers 100 Husbandmen Servants and Labourers 26 Wives 20 Widows 9 Virgins 2 Boys and 2 Infants one sprung out of the Mothers Womb as she was burning at the Stake and most unmercifully flung into the fire at the very Birth 64 more in those furious times were persecuted in the Faith whereof 7 were whipt 16 perished in Prison 12 buried in Dunghills and many more lay in captivity condemned who were happily delivered by the glorious entrance of Q. Elizabeth though she her self hardly escaped being imprisoned in the Tower of London every day expecting the tidings of her death her Servants were kept from her and none but Rustical Souldiers about her Nay because a little Boy did but bring her Flowers sometimes in the Tower he was threatned to be whipt if he went any more her Goalers pretending the child brought Letters to her Yea bloudy Bishop Gardiner invented and contrived a Warrant under Queen Maries hand for her Execution which was sent to the Lieutenant of the Tower but the Queen hearing of it denied her having any knowledge of it and threatned Gardiner and some others for their inhumane usage of her Sister whereby she happily escaped In the first year of Queen Maries Reign one Sir Thomas Wiat of Kent put himself into Arms to prevent her marriage with Philip King of Spain as tending to bring England under the Yoak of Spain and to make the Country a Slave to Strangers And divers other Knights and Gentlemen joining with him he marcheth toward London and coming to Charing Cross he was encountered by the Lord Chamberlain and Sir John Gage whom he put to flight but coming to Ludgate he is denied entrance and thinking to retire he heard the Earl of Pembroke with his Forces was behind him at Chaâ—ing Cross upon which being amazed after a little musing he returned toward Temple-Bar and yielded himself to Sir Maurice Berkley and getting upon his Horse behind him went to the Court where expecting the Queens mercy but he was sent to the Tower and soon after beheaded at Tower-hill About this time the Lord Guilford Dudley the Husband of Queen Jane the Duke of Northumberland his Father and likewise Queen Jane and her Father the Duke of Suffolk were beheaded on Tower-hill In her fourth year hot burning Agues and other strange diseases took away many people so as between Octob. 20. and the last of December there died seven Aldermen of London In her fifth year on the last of September fell so great store of Rain that Westminster Hall was full of Water and Boats rowed over Westminster Bridge into Kings street About which time a Blazing Star was seen all times of the night from the sixth to the tenth of March. Queen Mary being dead Queen Elizabeth is proclaimed and brought from Hatfield in Hartfordshire to London where she was received with great Joy She restored and setled the Protestant Reformation though great offers were made her by the Pope if she would become Papist In her first year William Geoffry was whipt from the Marshalsey to Bedlam for publishing that one John More was Jesus Christ which More after he had been well whipt confessed himself to be a couzening knave A terrible tempest of Thunder and Lightning happened at London which fired the lofty Spire of St. Pauls Steeple beginning about the top thereof which was two hundred foot high from the top of the stone Battlements and burnt down to the roof of the Church consuming all the Bells Lead and Timber work In 1564. was a great Frost so that great numbers of