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
and beautified Anno 1609. In the South Isle there hung a very fair Picture of King James with the Figures of Peace and Plenty on either side of him Peace with her Olive Branch and Plenty with her Sheaf of Wheat in her hands being the Gift of Robert Plonker then Church-Warden LXII The Parish-Church of St. Mary Sommerset at the South-end of St. Mary Mounthaw-lane over against Broken-Wharf is also in Queen-Hith-Ward and a proper Church it was repaired and beautified Anno 1624. LXIII The Parish-Church of St. Mary called Stayning because it standeth at the North-end of Stayning-lane in Aldersgate-Ward was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1630. LXIV Near Stocks-Market in Walbrook-Ward is the Parish-Church called St. Mary Wooll-Church so called of a Beam placed in the Church-yard which was thereof called Wooll-Church Haw of the weighing of Wooll there used for amongst the Customs of London written in French in the Reign of Edward II. there is to be found a Chapter intituled Les Customes de Wooll-Church Haw Wherein is set down what was there to be paid for every parcel of Wooll weighed This weighing of Wooll was there continued till the 6th of Richard II. till John Churchman built the Custome-House upon Wooll-Key to serve for the said purpose This was and is now a fair and large Church LXV The Parish-Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Langborn-Ward was a proper handsom Church with some few Monuments in it LXVI In Ironmonger-lane in Cheap-Ward is the Parish-Church of St. Martin formerly called Pomary possibly of Apples growing where now Houses are built It was repaired and beautified at the Parish-charge Anno 1629. LXVII The Parish-Church of St. Martin by Ludgate in Farringdon-Ward-within was a proper Church to which Anno 1437. viz. 15th of H. 6. Sir John Michael Lord Mayor and the Commonalty granted a parcel of Ground containing 28 Foot in length and 24 in breadth to build their Steeple upon LXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Martin Orgar in Candlewick-street-ward is a small Church Sir William Crowmer Lord Mayor built a handsom Chapel on the South-side thereof and was buried there in an ancient Tomb Anno 1533. it was repaired 1630. at the cost of 122 l. 6 s. 6 d. There was a rich and very beautiful Monument in the Chancel of Sir Allen Cotton Knight and Alderman of London and sometimes Lord Mayor who dyed the 24th of December Anno 1628. with a large Inscription concluding with these Verses When he left Earth Rich Bounty Dy'd Mild Courtesie gave place to Pride Soft Mercy to bright Justice said Oh Sister we are both Betray'd While Innocence lay on the Ground By Truth and wept at eithers Wound The Sons of Levi did lament Their Lamps went out their Oyl was spent Heaven hath his Soul and only we Spin out our Lives in misery So Death thou missest of thy End And kill'st him not but kill'st his Friend There was also a delicate Monument of our famous Queen Elizabeth LXIX The Parish-Church of St. Martin Outwich is on the South-part of Threadneedle-street in Broad-street-ward it is so called of Martin de Oteswitch Nicholas de Oteswich William Oteswich and John Oteswich Founders thereof and all buried there as appeared by their ancient Monument There was Interred Richard Staper Elected Alderman of London Anno 1594. the greatest Merchant in his time and the chiefest Actor in the discovery of the Trades of Turkey and the East-India He was prosperous wealthy bountiful and a good man he died Anno 1608. Sir Henry Row gave 5 l. yearly for Ever to the Poor of this Parish to be bestowed in Bread and Coals And Mrs. Sotherton yearly for Ever in Bread 50 s. LXX The Fair Parish-Church called St. Martin Vintrey in Vintrey-Ward was sometimes called St. Martin de Beremand Church It was new built Anno 1399. by the Executors of Matthew Columbars a Stranger born and a French Merchant LXXI The Parish-Church of St. Matthew Friday-street Farringdon-ward-within had divers Monuments in it It was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1633. AS TO LXXII The Parish-Church of St. Michael called St. Michael at Basing-hall in Basing-hall-ward LXXIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael Cornhil in Cornhil-ward LXXIV St Michaels Crooked-lane in Candleweek-street-ward LXXV St. Mich. Queenhith in Queenhith-ward The are handsom Churches affording no Remarkables but what will fall under other Heads LXXVI St. Michael ad Bladum or at the Corne corruptly called St. Michael Querne is in Farringdon-ward-within and was a fair Church with divers Monuments in it amongst the rest one for John Leland the famous Antiquary and others as John Banks Esq Mercer who by his last Will written with his own hand gave to pious and charitable Uses 6000 l. which his Executor Robert Tichburn carefully discharged LXXVII St. Michael Royal in Vintrey-ward is a fair Parish-Church It was new built and made a Colledge by Sir Richard Whittington Mercer and four times Lord Mayor for a Master four Fellows Masters of Art Clerks Conducts Chorists c. There was also an Alms-house for thirteen poor men The College was suppressed in the time of Edward the Sixth the Alms-houses with the poor men do remain and are paid by the Mercers This Church was beautified at the proper cost of the Parish Anno 1630. at the charge of 130 l. 9 s. LXXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael in Wood-street in Cripplegate-ward was a proper Church in which were divers Monuments Here was Interred the Head of James the Fourth King of Scots of that name slain at Flodden-field Here was also a Monument of Queen Elizabeth LXXIX The Parish-Church called St. Mildred Bread-street in Bread-street-ward had divers Monuments amongst the rest one for Sir John Chadworth or Shadworth Kt. some time Mercer and Lord Mayor of London who gave a Vestry to this Church an House for the Pastor to dwell in and a Church-yard to the Parishioners wherein to bury their dead He deceased the 7th of May An. 1401. In Memorial of whom there was a fair Inscription on the Wall in these words Here lies a Man that Faith and Works did even Like Fiery Chariots mount him up to Heaven He did adorn this Church When words were weak And men forget the living stones will speak He left us Land This little Earth him keeps These black words Mourners and the Marble weeps At the upper end of the Chancel was a fair Window full of cost and beauty which being divided into five parts carried in the first of them a very artful and curious Representation of the Spaniards great Armado and the Battel in 1588. In the 2d the Monument of Queen Elizabeth In the 3d of the Gun-powder Plot. In the 4th of the lamentable time of Infection 1625. In the 5th the view and lively portraicture of that worthy Gentleman Captain Nicholas Crisp at whose sole cost among other this beautiful piece of Work was erected as also the Figures of his virtuous Wife
the Queens Chamber was consumed but after that repaired In the year 1397 King Richard II. caused the Walls Windows and Roof to be taken down and new made with a stately Porch and divers Lodgings of a marvelous Work and with great Costs which being finished Anno 1399. He kept a most Royal Christmas there with daily Justings and Runnings at Tilt whereunto resorted such a number of People that there was every day spent 28 or 26 Oxen 300 Sheep and Fowl without number He caused a Gown to be made for himself of Gold garnished with Pearl and precious Stones to the value of 3000 Marks There daily fed there 10000 People as appeareth by the Messes told out from the Kitchin to 300 Servitors A great part of this Palace was burnt Anno 1512 the 4th of Henry VIII since which time it hath not been Re-edified Only the Great Hall with the Offices near adjoining are kept in good Reparations and serveth as afore for Feasts at Coronations Arraignments of Great Persons charged with Treason and keeping of the Courts of Justice For whereas formerly the Courts and Benches followed the King wheresoever he went before and since the Conquest but being found to be troublesom chargeable and inconvenient to the People it was Anno 1224 9 H. 3. agreed that theâ—e should be a standing place appointed where Matters should be heard and judged which was in the Great Hall at Westminster I. The Court of COMMON-PLEAS Where he appointed Three Judgment-Seats viz. at the Entry on the Right-hand the Court of Common-Pleas So called because there are debated the usual Pleas between Subject and Subject as about Tenures of Lands and Civil Actions None but Sergeants at Law may plead in this Court and so many of them as the King shall appoint are bound by Oath to assist all that have any Cause depending in that Court Pleas are distinguished into Pleas of the Crown as Treason and Felony with Misprision of Felony which belong to the Kings-Bench and Common or Civil Pleas whereof this Court takes Cognizance This Court may grant Prohibitions as the Kings-Bench doth The Chief Judge is called the Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas or de Communi Banco the Common Bench who holds his place by Letters Patents Durante Beneplacito and so do the other inferior Judges of this Court whereof there are commonly Three Here all Civil Causes Real and Personal are usually Tryed according to the strict Rule of the Law Real Actions are pleadable in no other Court nor Fines levied or Recoveries suffered but only in this Court The King allows to the Lord Chief Justice of this Court a Fee Reward Robes and two Tun of Wine Also to the other Judges of this Court and to four Sergeants is allow'd Fees Reward and Robes to each one The Officers are many Custos Brevium three Protonatories Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Kings Silver four Exigenters fourteen Filazers Clerk of the Juries Clerk of the Essoignes Clerk of the Outlawries which belongeth to the Attorney General who exercises it by Deputy c. For which at large see the Present State of England Pag. 102. Edit 1679. II. KINGS-BENCH At the upper End of the Hall on the Right-hand or South-east Corner the Court of Kings-Bench was appointed which is of a larger Extent of Power and more Uncontroulable than any other Tribunal For the Law presumes that the King is there still in Person He being Lord Chief Justice of England Himself yet it is observable that though He should personally sit upon the Bench He can pass no Sentence of Judgment but by the Mouths of His Judges who did use to sit there at His Feet when He was present After the House of Lords in Parliament this is the Highest Court in England and the Judicature in the Absence of the King belongs to His Judges In this Court are handled the Pleas of the Crown all things that concern loss of Life or Member of any Subject for then the King is concern'd because the Life and Limb of the Subject in the sense of the Law belong only to the King so that the Pleas here are between the King and the Subject Here are handled all Treasons Felonies Breach of Peace Oppression Misgovernment c. This Court hath power to Examine and Correct all Errors in Facto and in Jure of all the Judges and Justices of England in their Judgments and Proceedings and this not only in Pleas of the Crown but in all Pleas Real Personal and Mixt except only in the Exchequer In this High Court sit commonly four Grave Reverend Judges whereof the first is stiled The Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench and is Created not by Patent but by a short Writ yet of large Extent in point of Authority thus Rex c. Mathaeo Hale Militi salutem Sciatis quod constituimus vos Justiciarium nostrum Capitalem ad placita coram nobis tenenda Durante beneplacito nostro teste Me Ipso apud Westm c. That is in English The King c. To Sir Matthew Hale Kt. Greeting Know ye That we have Constituted you our Capital or Chief Justice in Pleas held before Vs during Our Pleasure Witness My Self at Westminster c. The rest of the Judges of the Kings-Bench hold their Pleas by Letters Patents in these words Rex omniblis ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis quod Constituimus Dilectum Fidelem nostrum A. B. Militem unum Justiciariorum ad placita coram nobis tenenda Durante beneplacito nostro Teste c. These Judges and all the Officers belonging to this Court have all Salaries from the King and the chief of them have Robes and Liveries out of the great Wardrobe In this Court all young Lawyers that have been called to the Bar are allowed to plead and practise This Court may grant Prohibitions to keep other Courts both Ecclesiastical and Temporal within their due Bounds and Jurisdiction The Jurisdiction of this Court is general extending to all England as before None can be a Judge in this Court unless he be a Sergeant of the Degree of the Coif that is a Sergeant at Law and yet in the Writ or Patent to them made they are not called Sergeants who upon taking this high Degree is obliged to wear a Lawn Coif under his Cap for ever after For the Officers of this Court see the Present State of England of the same Edition Pag. 98. III. CHANCERY On the Left-hand or South-west Corner sitteth the Lord Chancellor accompanied with the Master of the Rolls and eleven other Men learned in the Civil Law and called Masters of Chancery which have the King's Fee This Court is placed next the Kings-Bench to mitigate the Rigor of it It is Curia Cancellariae because as some think the Judge of this Court sate anciently intra Cancellos or Lattices as the East-end of Churches are separated per Cancellos from the Body of the Church as
peculiarly belonging to the Priest and were thence called Chancels This Court is Officina Justitiae the Fountain of all our Fundamental Laws and Proceedings in Law and the Original of all other Courts It is as antient as the Civility of the Nation though perhaps by another Name This Court proceeds either ordinarily according to the Laws Statutes and Customs of the Nation and in Latin granting out Writs Mandatory and Remedial Writs of Grace or else according to Equity and Conscience and by English Bill so that the Chancery hath two Courts in one The Equitable part is by Bills Answers and Decrees to Examin Frauds Combinations Trusts Secret Vses c. To moderate the Rigour of the Laws and Rescue Men out of the hands of their Oppressors To Relieve a Man especially in three things viz. against Cheats unfortunate Accidents and Breaches of Trust Out of this Court Issue out Writs or Summons for Parliaments Edicts Proclamations Charters Protections safe Conducts Writs of Moderata Misericordia when any Person hath been Amerced too high are for a reasonable part of Goods for Widows and Orphans Patents for Sheriffs Writs of Certiorari to remove Records and false Judgments in inferior Courts Writs of Audita Querela and Scire Facias here are Sealed and Inrolled Letters Patents Treaties and Leagues with Foreign Princes Deeds between Party and Party touching Lands Estates or Purchasers taking Recognizances and making Extents upon Statutes and Recognizances for Payment of Money or securing of Contracts Writs Remedial or Magisterial Commissions of Appeal Oyer and Terminer c. The Court of Common Pleas which are between Subject and Subject hath its Original and Commission from the Chancery and cannot hold Pleas without it For the Latin part of this Court are the 24 Cursitors and for the English part are the Six Clerks The Court of Equity that proceeds not according to Law is no Court of Record and therefore binds only the Person not his Lands or Goods The Judge of this Court is the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England He is here the Sole Judge whereas in other Courts there are three or four Judges But he may and doth often in Cases of greater Weight and Difficulty in Cases of Law call some of the other Judges to his assistance and therefore it is said this Office may be discharged by one that is no professed Lawyer as it has been frequently to their great Praise It is the highest Dignity in England that a Lay-Man is capable of it is Summum ambientis animi quasi solstitium and the Chancellor is Magistratum omnium Antistes Antiently the Lord Chancellor had somtimes his Vice-Chancellor commonly called Keeper of the Great Seal but of latter times they differ only in Name The Chancellor is said to be Keeper of the King's Conscience to Judge secundum aequum bonum according to Equity and Conscience he is to moderate the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the exact Rigor and Letter of the Law whereunto other Judges are exactly tyed For the Princes of this Realm in imitation of the KING of Kings governing the Woâ—ld by Justice and Mercy have Erected two Supreâ—m Tribunals together at the upper end of Westminster-Hall one of Justice wherein nothing but the strict Letter of the Law is observed and the other of Mercy where in the Rigor of the Law is tempered with the sweetness of Equity which is nothing else but Mercy qualifying the sharpness of Justice This Court being a Court of Conscience the less it is perplexed with the Quirks of Lawyers the more it is guided by Conscience and Equity The manner of proceeding in this Court is thus the Action is by Bill or Plaint the Witnesses Examined in private the Decrees in English or Latin not in French No Jury of Twelve Men but all Sentences are given by the Judge of the Court. The place of Master of the Rolls is of great Dignity in the Gift of the King for life or during pleasure This Officer hath Jure Officii the Gift of those considerable Officers of the Six Clerks in Chancery hath the keeping of the Rolls and in the absence of the Chancellor hears Causes and makes Orders by Vertue of a Commission with two Masters and that Jure Officii by right of Office This Court is always open whereas all the others are shut but only in Term time so that if a Man be wrongfully Imprisoned in the Vacation time out of Term the Lord Chancellor may Grant his Writ of Habeas Corpus and do him Justice according to Law so likewise may this Gourt Grant Prohibitions in time of Vacation as well as in Term time The Defendant is to Answer Bills and Interrogatories upon Oath though to the accusing of himself in divers matters Dammageable and Penal the Witnesses are to Depose upon Interrogatories and in perpetuam rei Memoriam by the Term and use of Final Decree agreeable with the Civil Law In the Master of the Rolls Office are kept all the Rolls since the beginning of King Henry the VII the rest are kept in the Tower of London In this Gift are besides the Six Clerks Office the Offices of the Examiners and three of the Clerks of the Petty-Bag-Office The Office of Clerk of the Crown is of High importance he is either by himself or Deputy continually to attend the Lord Chancellor for special matters of State and hath place in the Higher House of Parliament He makes all Writs for Election of Members of Parliament Sitting in Parliament upon Warrant directed to him upon the Death or Removal of any Member and also Commissions of Oyer and Terminer Goal-Delivery Commissions of Peace and many other Commissions distributing Justice to His Majesties Subjects The Office of the Protonotary of this Court is chiefly to expedite Commissions for Embassies The Office of the Clerk of the Hanaper or Hamper is to receive all the Money due to the King for the Seals of Charters Patents Commissions and Writs and to attend the Keeper of the Seal daily in Term time and at all times of Sealing with Leather Bags now but antiently probably with Hampers wherein are put all the Sealed Charters Patents c. And then those Bags delivered to the Comptroller of the Hamper The Office of Warden of the Fleet or Keeper of the Fleet-Prison is very Considerable He is to take care of the Prisoners there who are commonly such as are sent thither from this Court for contempt of the King or His Laws on such as will not pay their Debts c. The Sergeant at Arms Office is to bear a Gilt Mace before the Lord Chancellor or Keeper for the time being The Six Clerks are Officers of great account next in Degree to the Twelve Masters in Chancery whose Office is to Inroll Commissions Pardons Patents Warrants c. that are passed the Great Seal They are Attorneys for Plaintiffs and Defendants in Causes depending in this Court Their Offices are at a place
called Six-Clerks-Office in Chancery-Lane they keep Commons together in Term time The Three Clerks of the Petty-Bag are under the Master of the Rolls they make all Patents for Customers Comptrollers all Congeâ—d ' Estires first Summons of Nobility Clergy Knights Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament From the Subpoena-Office are Issued Writs to Summon Persons to appear in Chancery There are two Examiners who are to examin Witnesses upon upon their Oaths in any suit on both sides The Curssiters Office is to make out Original Writs they were antiently called Clerici de Cursu They are in Number 24 whereof each one hath certain Counties and Cities allotted to him They are a Corporation of themselves c. IV. EXCHEQVER Within the Port or Entry into the Hall on either side are ascendings up into large Chambers without the Hall adjoyning thereunto wherein certain Courts be kept namely on the Right hand is the Court of Exchequer which is so called as some think from a Chequer-wrought-Carpet covering the great Table in that Court or else from the French word Exchequer a Chess Board because the Accomptants in that Office were wont to use such Boards in their Calculation Here are Tried all Causes that belong to the King's Treasury or Revenue as touching Accounts Disbursements Customs and all Fines imposed upon any Man In this Court do Sit the Lord Treasurer the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Lord Chief Baron and Four other Learned Judges called Barons of the Exchequâ—r and one other Cursitor-Baron but the two first â—â—â—dom Sit and the five last seldom fail The first of these five is the Principal Judge of this Court which is a place of High Honour and Profit he iâ— stiled Lord Chief Baron is created by Letters Paâ—tents to hold this Dignity quam diu bene se gesseriâ— wherein he hath a more fixed Estate than the Chiâ— Justices of either Bench for the Law intends this aâ— Estate for Life In the absence of the Lord Chieâ— Baron the other three Barons supply his place acâ—cording to their Seniority but the 5 th is said to bâ— Cursitor of the Court and Administers the Oaths tâ— the Sheriffs under-Sheriffs Bayliffs Searchers Surveyors c. of the Custom-House In the Exchequer are held two Courts one oâ— Law another of Equity all Judicial proceedings according to Law are Coram Baronibus before the Barons but the Court of Equity held in the Exchequer-Chamber is Coram Thesaurario Cancellario Baronibus before the Treasurer Chancellor and Barons The Authority of this Court is of Original Jurisdiction without any Commission All the Twelve Judges belonging to these High Tribunals sit in Robes and Square Caps like Doctors of Divinity because as some say they were in old times most commonly Clergy Men. There are divers Officers belonging to the upper Exchequer as the King's Remembrancer in whose Office are Eight Sworn Clerks All Accounts pass there that concern the King's Revenue for Customs Excise Hearth-Money Subsidies and all aids granted to the King in Parliament and all other Accounts of what nature soever concerning the King's Revenue either Certain or Casual all Securities whether by Bond or Recognizances to the King for any of His Debts are taken here All proceedings upon any Statute by information for Custom Excises or any other Penal Law All proceedings upon the said Bonds or Recognizances or any other Bonds taken in the King's Name by Officers appointed thereunto under the Great Seal of England and transmitted into this Office for Recovery thereof From whence Issue forth Process to cause all Accountants to come in and Account c. This Office is in the King's Gift The Office of the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer is to make Process against all Sheriffs Receivers Bayliffs c. for their Accounts and many other things of Moment as Estreal Rules all Charters and Letters Patents whereupon any Rents are reserved to the King This also is in the KING's Gift The Clerk of the Pipe hath all the Accounts and Debts due to the King drawn down out of the Remembrancers Office and chargeth them down out of the Remembrancers Office and chargeth them down in the Great Roll or Pipe and therefore probably called the Pipe-Office he hath under him Eight Sworn Clerks Here Accountants have their quietus est and here are made Leafes of extended Lands The Comptroller of the Pipe writes out all Summons twice every Year to the High Sheriffs to Levy the Farms and Debts of the Pipe He keeps a Roll of the Pipe-Office Accounts whereby to discover any thing that shall be amiss In the Office of the Clerk of the Pleas all the Officers of the Exchequer and other priviledged Persons as Debtors to the King c. are to have their Priviledge to Plead and be Impleaded as to all matters at the Common Law And the Proceedings are accordingly by Declarations Pleas and Trials as at the Common Law because they should not be drawn out of their own Court where their attendance is Required In this Office are four Sworn Attorneys To the Forâ—ign Opposers-Office all Sheriffs repair to be by him opposed of their Green-Wax and from thence is drawn down a Charge upon the Sheriffs to the Clerk of the Pipe This Office is kept in Grays-Inn The Office of the Clerk of the Estreats is to receive every Term the Estreats or Extracts out of the Office of the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer and to write them out to be Levied for the King Also to make Schedules for such Sums as are to be discharged The Auditors of the Imprest Audit the Great accounts of the King's Customs Wardrobe Mint First Fruits and Tenths Naval and Military Expences Moneys imprested c. The Auditors of the Revenue Audit all the accounts of the King 's other Revenue that arise by Aids granted in Parliament The Remembrancer of the first Fruits and Tenths takes all Compositions for first Fruits and Tenths and makes Process against such as pay not the same This Office is kept in Hatton-Garden c. As to the other part of the Exchequer where the King's Revenue is received and disbursed the Principal Officer is the Lord Treasurer whose place is somtimes and is at this present managed by Commissioners appointed by His Majesty The next is the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is an Officer of great Account and Authority He hath a Principal Power not only in the Exchequer-Court but also here in the managing and disposing of the King's Revenue he hath the Custody of the Exchequer-Seal He hath the Gift of the Comptroller or Clerk of the Pipe of the Clerk of the Pleas of the Clerk of the Nichils and of the Seal of the Court He is also under Treasurer and hath the Gift of the two Praisers of the Court. Then there are two Chamberlains of the Exchequer in whose Custody are many ancient Records Leagues and Treaties with Foreign Princes the Standards of Moneys Weights and Measures those antient Books called Dooms-Day and the Black
Protection he Governs the Navy Royal and decides all Civil and Criminal Causes in Sea Affairs whether done upon or beyond Sea in any part of the world on the Sea Coasts in all Ports or Havens and all Rivers beyond the First Bridg next towards the Sea Which Dignity is now executed by Commanders To the ADMIRALTY belong several Courts but this at Doctors Commons is the Principal or Supreme and it may not be improper in Treating of this Colledge to give a brief account of it for the rest the Reader is referred to the Present State of England In this Court called the COURT of ADMIRALTY he hath usually a Lieutenant called Judge of the Admiralty who is commonly some Learned Doctor of the Civil Law The proceedings in all Civil Matters are according to the Civil Law because the Sea is without the Limits of the Common Law and by Libel they proceed to the Action the Plaintiff giving Caution to prosecute the Suit and to pay what shall be Adjudged against him if he fail in the Suit the Defendant on the Contrary securing the Plaintiff by a sufficient Surety or Caution as the Judge shall think meet that he will appear in Judgment and pay what shall be Adjudged against him and that he will ratifie and allow all that his Proctor shall do in his Name whereby the Clients are well assured to obtain that which by Law shall be Adjudged to them let the Cause fall on which side soever They make use also of the Laws of Rhodes and Oleron whereof the former is an Island in the Mediâ—â—rranean Sea about 20 Miles distant from the Continent of Asia Minor and is now under the Turk the antient Inhabitants whereof by their mighty Trade and Power at Sea grew so expert in the Regulation of all Maritime Matters and Differences that their Determinations therein were esteemed so Just and Equitable that their Laws in such Affairs have ever since been observed for Oracles Those Laws were long ago incorporated into the Volumes of the Civil-Law and the Romans who gave Laws to other Nations for their Sea Affairs referred all Debates and Differences to the Judgment of these Rhodian Laws Oleron is an Island antiently belonging to the Crown of England seated in the Bay of Aquitaine not far from the Mouth of the Garonne where our Famous King Richard the first caused to be compiled such Excellent Laws for Sea-Matters that in the Ocean-Sea West ward they had almost as much repute as the Rhodian-Laws in the Mediterranean and these Laws were called La Rool d' Oleron What we have of the Rhodian-Law with the Comments thereon inserted by the old Juris-Consults in the Pandects and the Constitutions made by the Roman Emperors contained in the Code and in the Novelles still hold preheminence of all others Under this Court there is a Court of Equity for Determining Differences between Merchants Former Customs and Decrees are of Force also to decide Controversies The proceeding in Criminal Affairs as about Piracy is according to two Statutes made by H. VIII to be Tried by Witnesses and a Jury by special Commission of the KING to the Lord Admiral wherein some of the Judges of the Realm are ever Commissioners and the Trial according to the Laws of England directed by those Statutes All Causes that happen between the High and Low-Water-Mark are determinable at Common-Law because that place belongs then to the body of the Adjacent Country but when it is Full Sea the Admiral hath Jurisdiction there also so long as the Sea flows over matters done between Low-Water Mark and the Land as appears in Sir Henry Constables Case 5 Report Coke p. 107. For Regulating and Ordering His Majesties Navy Ships of War and Forces by Sea see those excellent Articles and Orders in Stat. 13. Car. 2. Cap. 9. The Writs and Decrees of this Court run in the Name of the Lord High Admiral and are Directed to all Vice Admirals Justices of Peace Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs Constables Marshals and other Officers and Ministers of our Soveraign Lord the King as well within Liberties â—s without To this Court belongs a Register a Marshall who carries a Silver Oar before the Judge whereon are the Arms of the King and the Lord High Admiral The Lord High Admiral hath here his Advocate and Proctor and all other Advocates and Proctors are presented by them and admitted by the Judge This Court is held on the same day with the Arches but in the afternoon in the same Common-Hall at Doctors Commons But the Admiralty Session is held at St. Margarets-Hill in Southwark where it was antiently kept for the Tryal of Malefactors and Crimes Committed at Sea The Places and Offices of this Court are in the gift of the Lord High Admiral At Doctors Commons is another Court belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury called the Prerogative Court which Judgeth all Estates fallen by Will or by Intestates It is so called because the Archbishop by vertue of his Prerogative hath this Power throughout the whole Province where the Party at the time of Death had 5 l. or above in several Diocesses All Citations and Decrees run in the Name of the Archbishop This Court is kept in the same Common-Hall in the Afternoon next day after the Arches and was heretofore held in the Consistory at Pauls The Judge is attended with a Register who sets down the Decrees and Acts of the Court and keeps the Records all Original Wills and Testaments of Parties Dying having Bona Notabilia c. The place is commonly called the Prerogative Office now kept in the Deans Court near St. Pauls Church-yard where for a Moderate Fee one may search for and have a Copy of any such Testament made since the Rebellion of Wat-Tyler and Jack-Straw which is above 300 years ago in the Reign of Richard the Second for by those Rebels many Records and Writings in London and other places were then burnt and destroyed The Places belonging to this Court are in the Gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Court of Delegates who upon every New Business have a New Commission and New Judges according to the Nature of the Affair is kept also in the same Common-Hall in the Afternoon the Day after the Prerogative But of this we have spoken something before the Citations and Decrees here run in the King's Name Of the College of Heralds Not far from the College of Doctors Commons stood the College of Heralds now Rebuilt It was an antient House Built by Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby who Married the Mother of King Henry the VII and was bestowed by Queen Mary on the King's Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms for ever to the end that they and their Successors might dwell together if they so pleased and Assemble Confer and Agree for the good Government of their Faculty and that their Records might there be safely preserved These are to be the Messengers of War and Peace they are skilful in Descents
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-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
Jurisdiction and power to Reform Annoyances and Offences there and to inflict due punishments upon the Offendors nor of the Nature of the Service to be by them performed in the Course of their Inquiry therefore he thought it convenient to make both the one and the other known unto them Hereupon he shewed them that the Jurisdiction of the Court of London in the River of Thames from Stanes Bridge Westward unto the points of the River next unto the Sea Eastward appeared to belong to the City in manner and form following I. First in point of Right by prescription as appears by an ancient Book called Dunâ—horp That Civitatis fundationis aedificationis constructionis causa erat Thamesis Flâ—vâ—us quorum vero Civitatis fluminis gubernationem tam duces Majores Custodes Vicecomites Aldr. Magnates Civitatis Memoratae hucusque obtinuerunt habuerunt Whence he inferr'd that the Government of the River hath belonged to the City time out of mind In 21. H. 3. Jorden Coventry one of the Sheriffs of the City was sent by the Mayor and Aldermen to remove certain Kiddles that Annoyed the Rivers of Thames and Medway who ultra Yenland versus mare did take divers persons that were Offenders and imprisoned them Whereupon complaint being made to the King he took the matter ill at the first and sent for the Lord Mayor and Citizens to Kennington Where upon hearing of the Matter before the said King the Cities Jurisdiction over the said River was set forth and allowed and the Complainants convinced and every one of them Amerced at 10 l. and the Amercements adjudged to the City And afterward their Nets were burnt by Judgment given by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in the Hustings 1. R. 2. Writs were directed to the Sheriffs of Essex and Kent Reciting the Cities Title with Command not to suffer the Citizens of London to be molested contrary to the Liberties formerly granted and allowed unto them II. Secondly In point of Right by Allowance in Eire the Conservation of the Thames belongs to the City For it was produced that 1 R. 2. before Hugh Bigot Justice Iâ—enerant the Sheriffs and Citizens of London were called in Question for their Jurisdiction exercis'd on the Thames before whom it was found by a Jury in Southwark Quod nullus habet aliquid Juris in Thamisia usque ad Novum Gurgitem nisi Civis London In the 14 E. 2. The Constable of the Tower was Indicted by Divers Wards of London before the Justices in Eire at the Tower De muneris recep Cove pro Kedellis in Thamisiis Constabularius ad Kidellas respondet quod Justic non habent Jurisdictionem extra London prolitum inde cognoscere cum praedict Kidelli sunt in aliis Comitatibus Justic. dixerunt aqua Thamisiae pertinet ad Civitatem London usque Mare si velit respondeat Who then Pleaded Not Guilty III. He went further in point of Right that this Jurisdiction belonged to the City by antient Charters 8 R. 1. that is 480 and odd Years ago Dominus Richardus Rex Filius Regis Henrici secundi concessit firmiter praecepit ut omnes Kidelli qui sunt in Thamisia amoveantur ubicunque fuerint in Thamisia 1. Joh. Rex concessit firmiter praecepit ut omnes Kidelli qui sunt in Thamisia vel in Medway amoveantur ne caeteri Kidelli alicubi ponantur in Thamisia vel in Medway super forf 10 1. sterlingorum Then he urged the Famous Charter of King Henry the III. which ran thus Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain and Earl of Anjou unto all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Ministers and to all Bayliffs and to all his True Men Greeting wotteth well that we for the health of our Soul and the health of the Soul of King John our Fader and the Souls of our Ancestors and also for the Common profit of our City of London and of all our Realms have Granted and stedfastly Commanded That all the Weares that be in Thames or in Medway be done away and that from henceforth no Weares be set in Thames or Medway upon the forfeiture of 10 1. Also we claim quit to our Citizens of London all that that our Constable of our Tower of London was wont to take of the said Weares Wherefore we will and stedfastly Command that no Constable of the aforesaid Tower at any time from henceforth forward any thing ask nor any Grievance do to any of the same City by Eâ—cheson of the same Weares it is to us known enough and by our true Men do us to understand that most privacy and least profit might fall unto the same City and to the whole Realm by Enchesen of the same Weares which we make for ever firm and stable unto the same City as the Charter of our Lord King John our Fader which our Barons of London thereof have reasonably Witnessed Witnesses Eustace of London Peter of Westminster c. at Westminster the 18th of February in the Year of our Reign Eleven Besides these he produced divers others in this King ' s Reign to the purpose aforesaid and the 7th of E. III. IV. This Jurisdiction belongs to the City of London by Acts of Parliament W. 2. cap. 47. an 13. No Salmons to be taken from the Nativity of our Lady unto St. Martins Day in all points nor none to be taken in Mill-Pools from the midst of April until Midsummer under penalty for the first Offence of burning of Nets and Engines the second Offence Imprisonment for a Quarter of a Year the third Offence for a whole Year 13. R. II. confirms the restraint of taking Salmons in many Waters from the midst of April until Midsummer upon the same pain nor within that time to use any Nets called Stalkers nor any other Engine whereby the Fry may be destroyed He urged likewise 17 R. II. cap. 9. and the 11. H. VII cap. 15. 1 Eliz. cap. 17. Against Nets Wheeles and other Engines for destroying the Fish against killing of Salmon and Trouts out of season against killing Pike or Pickerel not ten Inches long or Salmon not 16 Inches long or Trout not 8 Inches long or Barbel 12 Inches and more nor to Fish with any Nets but such whereof every Meash or Mash shall be two Inches and a half broad Angling excepted This not to extend to Smelts Roches Minoes Bullhead Gudgeons or Eâ—les in place where the same have been used to be taken The Offender to lose for every Offence 20 â—s and the Fish also the unlawful Nets Engines and Instruments The Mayor of London Inter alia hath full Power and Authority by this Act to Inquire of all Offences Committed contrary thereunto by the Oaths of 12 Men or more and to Hear and Determine all and every the same and inflict Punishments and impose Fines accordingly V. He proceeds to assert the Cities
amongst the highest Nobles of the Kingdom which serve on that Day in other Offices He presents the King with Wine in a Golden Cup having a Cover of which the King Drinks and the Lord Mayor receives the said Cup for his Fee The first Lord Mayor that went by Water to Westminster was Sir John Norman Draper Anno 1453. the 32. of H. 6. that is 228 years ago The two Sheriffs of this City are also Sheriffs of the County of Middlesex and are annually Chosen by the Citizens from among themselves in the Guild-Hall upon Midsummer-day a high Priviledge among many others anciently granted to this City by several Kings and Queens of this Kingdom but they are not Sworn till Michaelmas-Eve and then are also presented at the Exchequer to be allowed by the Barons and Sworn after which they enter upon their Office If the Persons so chosen refuse to hold they incur a Penalty unless they will take a Solemn Oath that they are not worth 10000 l. In the Year 1199. that is 482 years ago King John granted the Sheriff-Wick of London and Middlesex to the City as King Henry the First before had done for the sum of 300 l. a year which is paid into the Exchequer to this Day He gave them also Authority to Chuse and Deprive their Sheriffs at pleasure In the 1. of R. 1. the Citizens obtained to be Governed by two Bayliffs which Bayliffs are in Divers antient Deeds called Sheriffs according to the Speech of the Law which called the Shire Ballâ—va c. which King also as formerly said gave the City liberty to be governed by a Mayor as their Principal Governour and their Bayliffs were changed into Sheriffs The Sheriffs of London In the Year 1471. were appointed each of them to have Sixteen Sergeants every Sergeant to have his Yeoman and Six Clerks viz. A Secondary a Clerk of the Papers and Four other Clerks besides the Under-Sheriffs Clerks their Stewards Bâ—tlers Porters and other in Houshold many There are Twenty-six Aldermen that preside over the Twenty-six Wards of the City of which more when we speak of Wards when any of these die the Lord Mayor and Aldermen chuse another out of the most substantial men of the City If any so chosen refuse to hold he is usually Fined 500 l. All the Aldermen that have been Lord Mayors and the Three eldest Aldermen that have not yet arrived to that Honourable Estate are by their Charter Justices of the Peace of this City In the Year 1555. Seven Aldermen Died in less than Ten Months The Recorder of London is usually a Grave and Learned Lawyer that is skilful in the Customs of the City who is to be an Assistant to the Lord Mayor He taketh his place in Councels and in Courts before any man that hath not been Mayor and Learnedly Delivers the sentences of the whole Court The Present Recorder is Sir George Treby an eminent Gentleman and a Worthy Member of our last Parliaments The Chamberlain of London is at present Sir Thomas Player a Gentleman that has deserved very well of this City and the Protestant Interest in General both in that Station and as a Member for this Honourable City in the last Parliaments The Chamberlain is Elected by the Commons upon Midsummer-day so are the Two Bridge-Masters The Auditors of the City and Bridge-House Accounts the Surveyors for BEER and ALE. There is also a Town-Clark or Common-Clerk and a Remembrancer who are Esquires The Chamberlain of London is an Officer very considerable in point of power for without him can no man set up Shop or Occupy his Trade without being Sworn before him no man can set over an Apprentice to another but by his Licence he may Imprison any that disobeys his Summons or any Apprentice that misdemeans himself or punish him otherwise On Munday and Tuesday in Eâ—ster-week all the Aldermen and Sheriffs come unto the Lord Mayor's House before Eight of the Clock in the Morning to Break-fast wearing their Scarlet Gowns Furr'd and their Cloaks as also their Horses attending When Break-fast is ended they mount their Horses and ride to the Spittle which is an ancient Custom not changed but once in 300 years and that upon extraordinary occasion till this year when they went to S. Sepulchres the Sword and Mace being born before the Lord Mayor There they hear a Sermon and then return to Dinner and some of the Aldermen Dine with the Sheriffs and some with the Lord Mayor On Wednesday in Easter-week they go thither in the same manner only the Lord Mayor and Aldermen wear their Violet Gownes and sutable Cloaks But the Ladies on the former Days wearing Scarlet on this Day are attired in Black On Whitsunday all the Aldermen use to meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the New-Church-yard by Moorfields wearing their Scarlet Gowns lined without Cloaks there they hear a Sermon appointed for that Day and so return to Dinner When they chuse Parliament-men all the Aldermen meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the Guild-Hall by nine of the Clock in the Morning wearing their Velvet Gowns and their Cloaks either furred or lined according as the time of the year requireth when they are to be chosen and they sit in the Hastings-Court untill the Commons do make Choice of them The last Honourable Members that served for this Renowned City were Sir Robert Clayton Knight that was Lord Mayor the last year Thomas Pilkinton Alderman Sir Thomas Player Knight and William 〈◊〉 Esq of whose real worth courage fidelity and wisdom in the management of that great Trust the City is very sensible as appears by the publick demonstrations deservedly given of it and no less sensible was the last Parliament but one of the Cities Loyalty Fidelity and great care to preserve his Majesties Royal person and the Protestant Religion that the thanks of the House was order'd to be given them which was accordingly done by the Worthy Members aforesaid What the Office of the Constables in the City of London is you may gather from their Oath which is thus Ye shall Swear that ye keep the Peace of our Soveraign Lord the King well and lawfully after your power And ye shall Arrest all them that make Contest Riot Debate or Affray in breaking of the said Peace and lead them to the House or Compter of one of the Sheriffs And if ye be withstood by strength of Misdoers ye shall rear on them an Out-cry and pursue them from Street to Street and from Ward to Ward till they be Arrested And ye shall search at all times when ye be required by the Seavengers or Beadles the Common Noysance of your Ward And the Beadle and Raker ye shall help to Rear and gather their Sallary and Quarterage if ye be thereunto by them required And if any thing be done within your Ward against the Ordinance of this City such defaults as ye shall find there done ye shall them present to the Mayor and
And by Charter of Ed. 6. The Lord Mayor Recorder and Aldermen that are Justices of the Peace in London are to be Justices of the Peace in Southwark All Forfeited Recognizances about Ale-houses Inmates Bastard Children Appearance at Sessions of Goal-Delivery Fines and Issues of Jurors except Fines or Issues Royal c. Granted to the City by Charter of King Charles 1. Chart. 1. That no Aliens are to keep Houses in London nor be Brokers by Charter of E. 3 ch 5. That no Citizen shall wage Battel H. 1. H. 2. R. 1. ch 1. John ch 1. H. 3. ch 4. ch 9. No Stranger is to buy Goods before they be weighed by the King's Beam H. 3. ch 9. The Inhabitants of Black-Fryers to be exempted from Taxes and Fifteenths King James ch 2. By Letters Patents of King Henry the VIII Dated at Westminstor Jan. 13. In the 28 th Year of his Reign he did give and grant unto the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors the Keeping Ordering and Governing of the House and Hospital called Bethlehem situate without and near Bishops-gate and all Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever lying and being belonging or appertaining unto the said Hospital or House called Bethlem and Made and Constituted by the same his Letters Patents these the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors Masters Keepers and Governours of the said House and Hospital called Bethlem and of the said Mannors Lands Tenements and other premisses belonging to the same House or Hospital to have hold and enjoy the said Custody Order and Government of the said House or Hospital called Bethlem c. for ever c. London is by King James Char. 3. stiled his Royal Chamber who not only confirmed the Charters of his Predecessors but did give grant and confirm unto the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London and to their Successors the weighing of all Coals called Stone-Coals weighable Earth-Coals and all other Coals weighable of what kind soever in or at the said Port of London coming or brought up the said River of Thames in any Ship Boat or Barge or other Vessel whatsoever floating or being in any Port of the same Water of Thames and upon whatsoever Bank Shore or Wharf of the same Water of Thames from the Bridge of Stanes to London-Bridge and from thence to a place called Yendal or Yenland towards the Sea For which the Duties Payable to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens c. is Eight pence for every Tunn none is to unlade Coals till the Mayor has Notice and of the quantity because the Mayor c. should be capable at any time when required to inform His Majesty c. what quantity of Coals of what sort soever from time to time is brought into the City c. and how the City and Adjacent places are supplied No Markets of Coals to be in any Boats Lighters or other Vessel whatsoever except in the Ship that first brought in the Coals no Forestalling Ingrossing Regrating upon pain of incurring such Pains and Punishments as the Law provides for contemners and neglecters of Royal Mandates By Charter of Ed. IV. ch 4. In consideration of 7000 l. c. was granted to the Mayor c. the Offices or Occupations of Packing all manner of Woollen Cloaths Sheep-Skins Calves-Skins Goat-Skins Vessels of Amber and all other Merchandizes whatsoever to be Packed Tunned Piped Barrelled or any wise to be included with the oversight of opening all manner of Customable Merchandizes arriving at the Port of Safety as well by Land as by Water within the Liberties and Franchises of the said City and Suburbs c. And alsâ— the Office of Carriage and Portage of all Woolâ— Sheep-Skins Tynn-Bails and other Merchandizes whatsoever which shall be carryed in London from the Water of Thames unto the Houses of Strangers and contrariwise from the said Houses to the same Water or of other Merchandizes which ought to be carryed being in any House for a time And also the Office c. of Garbling of all manner of Spices and other Merchandizes coming to the said City at any time which ought to be Garbled Also the Office of Gager Office of Wine-Drawers c. to be exercised by them or their Deputies The Office of Coroner to beat the Mayors c. disposal Severed them from the Office of Chief-Butler c. Witness the King at Westminster the 20 th of June Anno Regni 18. By Charter of E. III. ch 1. It is granted thus Whereas in the Great Charter of the Liberties of England it is contained that the City of London may have all their antient Liberties and Customs and the same Citizens at the time of the making of the Charter from the time of Saint Edward King and Confessor and William the Conqueror and of other our Progenitors had divers Liberties and Customes as well by the Charters of those our Progenitors as without Charter by Antient-Customs whereupon in divers the Circuits and other the Courts of our said Progenitors as well by Judgments as by Statutes were Invaded and some of them Adjudged We Will and Grant for us and our Heirs that they may have the Liberties according to the Form of the above-said Great Charter and that Impediments and Usurpations to them in that behalf made shall be revoked and Annulled c. That the Mayor be one of the Justices of Goal-Delivery of Newgate and to be Named in every Commission thereof to be made That the Citizens may have Infangtheft This is a Saxon word signifying a Liberty Granted to certain Lords of Mannors to Judge any Thief taken within their Fee And Outfang-theft that is a Liberty Granted to the Lord to try any Thief taken out of his Fee and Chattels of Felons of all those which shall be Adjudged before them within their Liberties c. Citizens may Devise Lands in London in Mortmain or otherwise Merchant Strangers to Sell Goods within Fourty Days and may not keep Houses but are to be with Hosts that is Lodgers The KING 's Marshall Steward or Clerk of the Market of the King's Houshold may not Sit within the City Liberties No Citizen is to be drawn to Plead without the Liberties of the City about any thing that happens within the Liberties thereof No Escheator may Exercise that Office in the City but the Mayor for the time being is to do it Citizens to be Taxed in Subsidies as other Commoners not as Citizens To be quit of all Tallages this word is derived from the French word Taille a piece cut out of the whole signifying the paying a part or share of a Mans substance by way of Tribute Tax or Toll and that the Liberty of the said City shall not be taken into the hands of us or our Heirs for any Personal Trespass or Judgment of any Minister of the said City Neither shall a keeper in the said
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
Old Swan Cole Harbor the 3 Cranes Queen-hith Broken Wharf Paul's Wharf Puddle Wharf the Wardrobe and to all other places not exceeding the Poultry Cheapside or Newgate-Market for 13 Hundred Weight not exceeding 18 Hundred Weight 1 10 And for Sea-Coals 14 pence the Load every Load to behalf a Chaldron and for one Hundred Fagots the like Rate 1 2 And from all other Wharfs and places between London-Bridge and Temple-Bar to the same and places of like distance for every Load of Coals 14 pence every Load to be half a Chaldron and 100 of Fagots the like Rate 1 2 And to all places Northwards of the Poultry Cheapside Newgate-Market Holborn-Bridge and Fleet-street for 14 Hundred Weight not exceeding 18 Hundred Weight 2 2 And from Tower-street Grace-Church-street Fan-Church-street Bishopsgate-street within Cornhill and other places of like distance for every Pack of 20 Cloths for 6 Bales of Cloths and Kerseys 6 Bales of Pepper 6 Barrels of Indico 5 Hogsheads of Cloves and for other Goods not herein mentioned of like Weight to the Water-side 1 4 And from Broad-street Lothbury Old Jury Bassishaw Coleman-street Ironmonger-Lane St. Lawrence-Lane Milk-street Aldermanbury Cheapside Wood-street Friday-street Bread-street and other places of like distance to the Water-side for the like Weight 1 8 And for places nearer or of less distance the parties hiring and to be hired are to make Agreement answerable or proportionable to the Rates before-mentioned Orders for Carr-men THe Carr-men for the foregoing Rates are to help load and unload their Carrs If a Carr-man exact more than these Rates upon due proof 〈…〉 Lord Mayor or any two Justices of the Peace he 〈◊〉 suffer Imprisonment for the space of 21 days without Bail or Mainprise If any Merchant or other person shall refuse to pay a Carr-man for his Hire after these Rates upon Complaint made by the Carr-man to the President of Christ-Hospital or any Justice of the Peace the President or Justice may oblige them to do it All Merchants or others may chuse what Carr they please except such as stand for Wharf-work Tackle-work Crane-work Shop and Merchants Houses which are to be taken in turn Every Carr-man standing with his empty Carr next to any Goods to be loaden shall upon the first demand load the same without bargaining for any other Wages than the Rates before-mentioned If a Merchant or other person shall cause a Carr-man to attend at his House Shop Ware-house or Cellar with his loaden Carr above half an hour before he unloads the Carr-man being willing to help unload the same he shall pay the Carr-man after the rate of Twelve pence for every hour after the first half hour for his Attendance Every Licensed Carr-man is to have a piece of Brass fixed upon his Carr upon which is to be set a certain Number which Number together with the Carr-man's Name is Registred in a Register kept in Christs Hospital so that if any Carr-man offends it is but taking notice of the Number of his Carr and scarch for that in the said Register and you will find his Name Every Carr-man that shall not conform to these Rules or Work without a Numbred Piece of Brass fixed on his Carr may be suspended from his Employment Complaints of the Abuses of Carr-men may be made every Tuesday at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon to the Court sitting in Christ-Hospital The Rates or FARES of WATERMEN As they were set forth by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen Sept. 7. 1671. Oars Skul s. d. s. d. FRom London to Limehouse New-Crane Shadwel-Dock Bell-wharf Ratcliff-cross 1 0 0 6 To Wapping-Dock Wapping-New and Wapping Old-Stairs the Hermitage Rotherhith Church-Stairs and Rotherhith-Stairs 0 6 0 3 From St. Olaves to Rotherhith-Church-Stairs and Rotherhith-Stairs 0 6 0 3 From Billingsgate and St. Olaves to St. Saviour's Mill 0 6 0 3 All the Stairs between London-Bridge and Westminster 0 6 0 3 From either side above London-Bridge to Lambeth and Fox-Hall 1 0 0 6 From White-hall to Lambeth and Fox-hall 0 6 0 3 From Temple Dorset Black-Fryars Stairs and Pauls-Wharf to Lambeth 0 8 0 4 Over the Water directly in the next Skuller between London-Bridge and Limehouse or London-Bridge and Fox-Hall 0 0 0 2 OARS Wh. Coâ— Fare pany s. d. s. d. FRom London to Gravesend 4 6 0 9 From London to Graise or Greenhive 4 0 0 8 From London to Purfleet or Eriff 3 0 0 6 From London to Woolwich 2 6 0 4 From London to Black-Wall 2 0 0 4 From London to Greenwich or Deptford 1 6 0 3 From London to Chelseâ— Baâ—â—erseâ— Wansor 1 6 0 3 From London to Putâ—y Fulham Barn-Elms 2 0 0 4 OARS Wh. Com Fare pany d. s. d. From London to Hammersmith Chiswick Mortlack 2 6 0 6 From London to Brainford Thistleworth Richmond 3 6 0 6 From London to Twickenham 4 0 0 6 From London to Kingston 5 0 0 9 From London to Hampton-Court 6 0 1 0 From London to Hampton-Town Sunbury and Walton 7 0 1 0 From London to Weybridge and Chertsey 10 0 1 0 From London to Stanes 12 0 1 0 From London to Windsor 14 0 2 0 Rates for carrying Goods in the Tilt-Boat between Gravesend and London A Half Firkin 1 d. a Whole Firkin 2 d. a Hogshead 2 s. A hundred weight of Cheese Iron or any heavy Goods 4 d. A Sâ—ck of Salt or Corn 6 d. An ordinary Chest or Trunk 6 d. An ordinary Hamper 6 d. The Hire of the whole Tilt-Boat 1 l. 2 s. 6 d. Every single Person in the ordinary passage 6 d. What Waterman takes and demands more then these Rates lies liable to pay Forty Shillings and suffer half a years Imprisonment And if he refuse to carry any Passenger or Goods at these Rates upon Complaint made to the Lord Mayor 〈◊〉 Court of Aldermen he shall be suspended from 〈◊〉 Employment for Twelve Months An Historical Account of the most Memorable Wars Tumults Fires Epidemical Diseases Rarities Accidents c. that have happened in the City of London Briefly abstracted from Ancient and Modern Writers BBcause it may be no less Profitable more Recreative and less Tedious to deliver what is to be treated of in this Chapter rather in a Miscellaneous Method then otherwise we shall not tie our selves to observe a strict Pedigree and Succession of Time respecting these things as they lie in order to each other but yet we shall omit no Account that we find recorded of the respective Seasons when they happened keeping exactly to the Sense of History and supplying the Shortness of one by the Fulness of another paring off Superfluities and fitting it with Language suitable to our Times not with respect to Elegancy but Plainness Under the term of Wars Tumults c. we include all Popular or Military Disorders in which the City was any way concern'd And in order to that I will note by way of Preface some few of the Martial Services perform'd by
much offended at the Uproar and immediately sent for the Lord chief-Chief-Justice by whose advice a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer was issued out and about a Fortnight after the Malefactors were Arraigned at the Guildhall of London and Ashhurst and Stamford being found guilty of Murder were Condemned and Executed at Tyburn Much more may be said of these Tumults but for necessary Reasons it is reserved to another place In the Relation of FIRES we shall only give a brief account of the most remarkable In the time of King H. 1. All the Buildings from Cheapside to Aldgate which was a large Tract was consumed by a dreadful Fire Some of the Fires on London-Bridge we have already mentioned In the Year 1212 on the 10 th of July at night there hapning a great Fire in Southwark a great Multitude of People going over the Bridge to see it or help to quench it on a sudden by blowing of the South Wind the North part of the Bridge was set on fire upon which the People on the Bridge would have returned but could not and it hapned that while they lingred too long the South end of the Bridge took sire also so that the People thronging between the two Fires expected nothing but present Death Then there came to aid them several Ships and Vesâ—els into which the Multitude so un advisedly rushed that the Vessels were thereby sunk or were overset 〈◊〉 that by Fire and Water there perished above 3000 persons In the Year 1633 about Midnight 〈◊〉 third part of the Houses on the Bridge were consumed by a great Fire to the Number of 42 Houses with a great part of the Wares Goods and rich Furniture in them before eight a Clock next Morning and the Fire remained glowing and burning for a Week after in their Vaults and Cellars Many Fires there were that damaged St. Pauls-Church In the Conquerors time Anno 1087 it was quite consumed together with the greatest part of the City This Fire is recorded to begin at the entry of the West-gate and consumed the East-gate June the 4 th 1561 between three and four in the afternoon the great Spire of the Steeple of St. Paul's was fired by Lightning which broke forth two or three yards beneath the foot of the Cross and from thence it burnt downward so that in four hours the Steeple with all the Roof of the Church was destroyed To repair which Queen Elizabeth immediately gave 1000 Marks and a Warrant for 1000 Loads of Timber to be taken out of her Woods or elsewhere c. In the 27 E. 1. The Palace at Westminster and the Monastery adjoyning were consumed with fire It would be endless to give a particular account of all the Fires by which this famous City suffered from time to time especially of late years which being so fresh in Memory and so fully set forth in Narratives I shall at present for bear to transcribe as the Fires at Waping Limehouse Shadwell the Temple the great Fire that lately hapned in Southwark Wednesday night the 8 th of this instant June the former great Fire that consumed several 100 Houses in the said Borough but are now very gallantly rebuilt c. And for an Instance of all we will give a brief and particular account of that Dreadful FIRE in Anno 1666 which laid the City in Ashes and did almost incredible mischief The City of LONDON within the Walls is seated upon abont 460 Acres of Ground whereon was bilt about 15000 Houses the Fire destroyed 373 Acres within the Walls of the City and 63 Acres 3 Roods without the Walls There were burnt 13200 Houses 87 Parish-Churches six Chappels most of the principal publick Edifices as the great Cathedral the great Guild-Hall the Royal-Exchange the Custom-House most of the stately Halls of Companies whereof the whole Damage is almost incredible It was observed as judicious Stationers computed that in that one Commodity of Books was lost 150000 l. and the loss in other cumbersome Goods as Wines Tobacco Sugars Plumbs c. was extra ordinary insomuch that one Person Sir Robert Jeffery Alderman now living lost of Tobacco to the value of 20000 l. It hath been computed by an Ingenious person that the 13200 Houses burnt valued one with another at no more than 25 l. yearly Rent and at the low rate of 12 years purchase will amount to 3900000 l. Sterlin The 87 Churches the spacious Cathedral of St. Pauls the 6 Chappels the Exchange Custom-House Guild-Hall the magnificent Halls of Companies the several principal City Gates with other publick Edifices and Colledges may be well valued above 2000000 l. The Wares Houshold-Goods Moneys lost and spoiled by the Fire or pilfered away by those wicked wretches that made their gain of the Common Calamity may modestly be computed above 2000000 l. The Money spent on a General removing of Goods during the Fire and bringing them back afterwards in the hire of Boats Carts and Porters may be reckoned at least 2000000 l. the Total whereof 9900000 l. Sterlin This Dreadful FIRE began upon the Second of September at two of the Clock in the Morning being the Lords-Day and lasted till Thursday following being the sixth of the same Month it brokâ—out in Pudding-lane near London-Bridge at one Fariner a Baker's House and spread it self besides breadth from almost Tower-hill to St. Dunstans-Church near Temple-Bar in Fleet-street The Consternation of all persons was extraordinary and no Wonder for that Raging and Masterless Element did more mischief in a matter of four days â—ime than three or four Armies unresisted could haâ—â— easily done in twice the time Some Men were forced to pay 5 l. 10 l. 20 l. 30 l. for a Cart to carry away into the Field some choice Goods and certainly they had little Conscience that exacted so much He that would more largely peruse every Days progress let him peruse Mr. Vincent's excellent Book Intituled Gods terrible Voice to the City Printed 1671 page 46. Who were the Authors Contrivers and Promoters of this prodigious Conflagration may be read at large in Capt. William Bedloes Narrative of it Printed Anno 1679. to which I am forced to refer my Reader only shall transcribe a few things which he particularly advertises the Citizens to take notice of First The Ways taken by Papists to begin and promote FIRES 1. BY Fire-Balls put in with Poles or otherwise through holes or open places into Houses as at Mr. Fariner's House which began the great Fire 2. By hard Fire-Balls thrown through Glass-Windows as at the Smiths in Black-Fryars 3. By flinging the said Balls or other Combustible matter fired into Cellars through the Bars on Grates where they are left without Shutters as aâ— the Oly-mans in Southwark 4. By firing their own Lodgings as the Frenchman did in Shoo-lane in the time of the great Fire and likewise the two Peters near Saffron-hill 5. By hiring Cellars in dangerous places â—illing them with Combustibles and then firing them