might have raised the siege of the Turkes It is an old and a true saying Covetousnesse is the mother of ruine and mischief This strange thing hapned in the second time that he was elected Lord Maior and that was upon the twenty seventh of Aprill being Tuesday in Easter-week William Foxley Pot-maker for the Mint in the Tower of London fell asleep and so continued sleeping and snoring and could not be wakened with oricking cramping or otherwise burning whatsoever till the first day of the Terme which was full 14. daies and 15. nights The cause of this his sleeping could not be known though the same were diligently searched for by the Kings command of his Physitians and other learned men yea the King himself examined the said William Foxley who was in all points found at his waking to be as if he had slept but one night and yet lived 41 years after But in length of time he did call to minde how he did wish to God that he might sleep a Fortnight together if it was not so and so concerning a bargain between a neighbour of his and himself On thursday in Whisun week following the Duke of Somerset with Anthony Rivers and four other kept Justs and Turnaments before the King and Queen and other of the Nobility in the Tower of London against three Esquires of the Queens Bed-chamber which were performed before some of the French Nobility that then were prisoners to the King which he took in France to the great admiration of those strangers who never saw the like action before being so earnestly performed There was also Sir Richard Whittington and the two Sheriffes and that night the King and Queen did suppe with the Lord Maior Those strangers which beheld the Justs were prisoners in the Tower at that time namely the Duke of Orleance and Burbon brother to the Duke of Brittain the Earls of Vandosme of Ewe and Richmond and the High Marshall of France and many other Knights and Esquires to the number of seven hundred all all which were at one time prisoners to the King but nobly used and attended every one according to their rank and quality who when they were ransomed made it known to their King how honourably they were attended in England and what reâ—pect the King and our English Nation shewed them being prisoners who might have taken their lives away as well as their persons prisoners The second thing that was remarkable in Sir Richard Whittingtons yeare was that the King kept his Christmas at Lambeth and at the feast of Purification seven Dolphins of the Sea came up to the River of Thames and played there up and down while four of them were kill'd On Saturday the Eve of Saint Michael the Arch-angell the yeare following in the morning before day betwixt the hour of one and two of the clock began a terrible Earthquake with Lightning and Thunder which continued the space of six hours and that universally through the whole World so that menhad thought the world as then should have ended The unreasonable beasts roared and drew to the Tow n with ahideous noise also the Fowles of the Air cryed out such was the work of God at that time to call his people to repentance The four and twentieth day of January following a battail or combate was fought in Smithfield within the lists before the King between two men of Feversham in Kent Iohn Upton Notary Appellant and Iohn Downe Gentleman Defendant John Upton accused John Downe that hee and his Compiers should imagine the Kings death on the day of his Coronation following When they had fought some what long and had received each of them some wounds and still persisting in their violent action and no hopes to finde out the truth the King took up the matter and forgave both parties On Candlemas Eve following in divers places of England was great weathering of wind hail snow rain with thunder and lightning whereby the Church of Baldock in Hertfordshire and the Church and part of the Town of Walden in Essex with other neigbouring Villages were sore shaken and the Steeple of Saint Pauls in London about two of the clock in the afternoon was set on fire in the midst of the shaft first on the West side and then on the South and divers people espying the fire came to quench it in the steeple which they did with Vinegar so far as they could find so that when the Lord Maior with much people came to Pauls to have holpen if need had been returned again every man to his own home trusting to God all had been well But anon after between eight and nine of the clock the fire burst out again atresh out of the steeple by reason of the wind more hot and fervent than before and did much hurt to the Lead and Timber thereof Then the Lord Maior and many people came thither again and with vinegar quenched the fire which was so violent so that no man received any hurt Moreover in Sir Richard Whittingtons time lived one Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln in the year 1430 Who founded Lincoln Colledge in Oxford which was afterwards in Richard the thirds time in the year of our Lord 1479. by Tho. Rotheram Bishop of the same Sea much augmented and enlarged with great revenews Likewise Magdalen College in Oxford was built and also a great part of Eaton Colledge in Oxford was built and also a great part of Eaton Colledge by William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester who was a loving and a constant friend to Sir Richard Whittington and did much good in many parts of this Kingdom and the said Sir Richard did largely contribute to these and the like pious uses by the intreaty of this Bishop The four and twentieth day of February following being Saint Matthews day her Coronation was solemnized in Saint Peters Church in Westminster which being ended she was ateerwards royally conveyed in the great Hall and there under a rich Canopy of State sate to Dinner upon whose right hand sate at the end of the same Table the Lord Archbishops Grace of of Canterbury and Henry called the rich Cardinall Bishop of Winchester upon the left hand of the Queen sate the King of Scots in a chair of estate and was served with covered Dishes as the Bishops were But after them and upon the same side next to the boords end were seated the Dutchesse of York and Countesse of Huntington the Earl of March holding a Scepter in his hand kneeled upon the right side the Earl Marshal in the like manner kneeled upon the left hand of the Queen The Countesse of Kent sate under the Table at the right foot and the Countesse Marshall at the left foot of her Majesty Humphrey Duke of Glocester was that day Dverseer and stood before the Queen baresheaded Sir Richard Newell was Carver and the Earles brother of Suffolk Cup-bearer Sir Iohn Steward Sewer the Lord Clifford instead of the Earle of Warwick Pantler
in three severall Kngs reigns Now to cut off all circumstances and come close to the matter we may easily find what this man was by the pious and religious acts done in his life to the Cities present grace use and benefit and to his own blessed memory for ever In the Vintry Ward he built a Church and dedicated it to Saint Michael calling it Pater noster in the Royal and added to it a Colledge founded to Saint Mary and placed herein a Prestdent and four Fellows which ought to he Masters of Arts besides other yearly allowance to Clerks and young Shollers neare which he everted an Hospitall which he called Gods House for thirteene poor men and these according to the devout superstition of those daies were to pray for the soules of his Father in law Hugh Fitzwarren and Dame Molde his wife for whom he erected a fair Tombe in the Church he before built leaving also a place for himself and Dame Alice his Lady when it should please God to call them In which place they were afterwards both of them according to their degree very honourably interred great mourning and much lamentation being made for him by the commons of the City in regard he was a man so remarkable for his charity And on the west side of the City he built that famous gate and prison to this day call'd Newgate and thereupon caused the Merchants arms to be graven in stone He added to St. Bartholmews Hospitall in Smithfield and was at the charge of repairing thereof Further at the Gray-Fryars in London he erected a Library as a testimony of the great love he had to learning which he began in the year of our Lord 1421. and finished it in the year following Moreover that place which is call'd the Stocks to this day betwixt Cheapside and Cornhill a gooly house of stone which serveth for a flesh-market and a fiâ—h-market greatly beneficiall to the City Besides he enlarged Guildhall and glazed most or all of the windows at his own cost and charges paving the Hall and contributing largely to the Library adding to the se Basses Conduit which yeeldeth store of sweet and wholsom water to the generall good and benefi of the City In the year 1397. when Sir Richard Whittington was first elected Lord Maior that Rebell Sir John Oldcastle was taken in the Territories of the Lord Powesse not without danger and hurt of some that took him At which time all the States of the Realm were assembled in Parliament at London therein to provide the King of a Subsidy and other aid of money and munition who took great pains beyond the Seas in France these Lords and others when they heard that the publick enemy was taken they agreed all not to dissolve the Parliament untill he were examined and heard to answer in the same whereupon the Lord Powesse was sent for to fetch him up with power and great aid who brought him to London in a Litter wounded very much having received seventeen wounds and also a Clerk which he called his Secretary with him tha t was of of his counsell in all his secrets As soon as the aforesain Sir John Oldcastle was brought into the Parliament before the Earl of Bedford who then was left Regent and governour of the Realm in the time of the Kings absence being in France and other Lords and States His Inditement was read before him of his forcible insurrection against the King and State in Saint Gyles Fields and other treasons and outrages by him committed the question was asked how he would excuse himself and shew why he should not be judged to dye according to the Law But he seeking other talk began to talk discourse of the mercies of God that all mortall men that would be followers of God ought to preferre mercy above Judgement and that vengeance pertained only to the Lord and ought not to be practised by them that worship but to be left to God alone with many other words to detract the time untill the Lord chief Justice admonished the Regent not to suffer him to spend the time so vainly in molesting of the Nobles of the Realm whereupon the Duke of Bedford Regent commanded him to answer formally and punctually to the matter laid to his charge The said Sr. Iohn being thus urged at last after deliberation taken hee said it is the least ast thing that I account of to he iudged by you as of mans judgement and again he began to talk but nothing to the purpose untill the chiefe Justice commanded him again to answer finally and to answer them if he could why he should not suffer death according to his desert To which he stoutly answered that he had no Judge amongst them so long as his Leige Lord King Richard was alive and in his Realm of Scotland which answer when he had made because there needed no further witnesse hee he was there presently censured to be drawn and hanged upon a Gallows and there to be burnt hanging upon the same Which Judgement was executed upon him the thirteenth day of December in Saint Gyles fields where many honourable persons were present and the last words that he spake was to Sir Thomas Eupingham adjuring him that if hee saw him rise from death to life again the third day he would procure that his Sect which he had raised might be in peace and quiet Hee was hanged by the neck in a chain of Iron and after consumed by fire Moreover it is recorded that in time of this worthy Pretor Sir Richard Whittington the glorious City of Constantinople was taken by Mahomet the second Prince of the Turkes whose Souldiers sacked it with all extremity and omitted no manner of cruelty or violence either to virgins aged women nor sucking babes This Sir Richard Whittington had traffick from thence by his Factors which there abode and were then taken prisoners so that he lost neare upon fifteen thousand pounds which when he heard of never was so much as cast down or dismayed but said God will send more yea such was the incessant practice of the Turkish tyranny upon this imperiall City as it exceeded the damage rapes and spoyles of other Cities They also beheaded at the same time Constantine the Christian Emperour thereof and put his head upon the top of a Launce and with derision caused it to be carryed thorow the Turkish Campe In the space of a week after there hapned a horrible tempest of Thunder and Lightning which burned almost eight hundred houses and spoiled three thousand people at the sacking of the aforesaid City by the said Mahomet The Turkes found therein so much treasure that they wondred that the Citizens would not spend it upon souldiers for their owe defence but so dotingly to spare the true spending thereof to become an enticing prey for their unreconcileable enemies for indeed it was thought that if the State would have hired souldiers and given them good pay they
the Lord Wllowby instead of the Earle of Arundell chief Butler the Lord Gray Kater Naperer the Lord Audley in the stead of the Earle of Cambridge Almner the Earle of Worcester was Lord High Marshall who rode about the Hall on a great Courser with many tip-stave about him to make room in the Hall In the which Hall next after the Queen the Barons of the Cinque-ports began the Table upon the right hand towards Saint Stevens Chappell and beneath them at the tables are the Vouchers of the Chancery and upon the left hand next to the Cupboord sate Sir Richard Whittington now the third time Lord Maior and his brethren the Aldermen of London The rest of the Bishops began the table over against the Barons of the Cinqueports the Ladies and chief noble women the table against the Lord Maior and the Aldermen At which two tables of the Bishops the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Durham sate highest at the one and the Countesse of Stafford and the Countesse of March on the other And for ordering of the service divers chiefe Lords were appointed Officers as Steward Controwler Surveyer and the like which places were supplyed by the Earles of Northumberland Westmerland the Lord Fizhue the Lord Furnevall the Lord Gray of Wilton the Lord Feres of Groby the Lord Poynings the Lord Harington the Lord Darcy the Lord Daker the Lord Delaware c. I have shewed you only the ordering of this rich Feast but the cost and sumptuousnesse of the fare would ask too large and long a circumstance to discourse what I have hitherto done was onely to shew to the World that at those high Solemnities Inaugurations and Coronations the Lord Maior of the City of London and the Aldermen have place and their presence is still required the City being the Kings Chamber and in an Interregnum hee the first and prime Officer in the Kingdom But I fear I have dwelt too long upon the premises which I hope none will hold for an unnecessary deviation I come now to deliver unto you of Sir Richard Whittingtons invitation of the King and Queen into the City where he bounteoussy feasted them in his own house and at his own proper charge How great and magnificent the Londoners feasts be even amongst themselves especially at that high and pompuous festivall at Guild-Hall the day after Simon and Iude at the solemn Inaugutation of his Lordship who but knowes as also the ordinary Tables of the Lord Maior and the Sheriffes where there is free and generous entertainment for all men of fashion and quality the like both for plenty of dishes and order of service it is not else where to be seen or found through Europe If then their dayly provision be so curious and costly what may we think their variety and rarity was at the invitation and entertainment of two such great Majesties I must therefore leave it to the Readers imagination being so far transcending my expression Let it therefore give satisfaction to any one that shall doubt thereof that it was performed to the everlasting reputation of the Inviter the honour of the City and great content of these Royall Personages invited The bounty of his Table not to be question'd I come to the fire that hee made in the Presence-chamber where the King and Queen then Dined which was only of sweet and odoriterous Wood far exceeding the smell of Iuniper for it was mixed with Mace Cinamon and other rare and costly spices which did cast such a pleasant and delightfull labour through the room that it pleased his Maiesty to call him unto him and say my good Lord Maior though your fare be both choice costly and abundant yet above all things I have observed in your noble entertainment this Fire which you have provided for me gives me most content To whom Sir Richard Whittington making a low obeysance made answer it much rejoyceth me Dread Soveraign that any thing which remaineth in my power can give your Highnesse the least cause to be pleased but since you praise this fiire already made I purpose ere yonr sacred Majesty depart the house to entertain you with one I hope that shall content you much better the King not thing it could be possible desired him to make a proof thereof when he having before provided himself for the purpose brought a great bundle of Bonds Indentures and Covenants under his arm said said thus to the King Royall Soveraign to whom I owe both my fortunes and my life I have here a faggot of purpose left for this Fire which I hope will smell much more sweetly than the rest in your nostrills for saith he here is first your Highnesse security for tenne thousand Markes lent you for the maintenance of your Royall Warrs in France by the Right Worshipfull Company of the Mercers which I here cancel and cast into the Fire Fifteen hundred lent by the City to your Majesty I send after the former two thousand Markes borrowed of the Grocers Company three thousand of the Merchant taylers one thousand of the Drapers one thousand of the Skinners one thousand of the Skinners one thousand of the Ironmongers five thousand of the Merchant-Staplers of the Goldsmiths three thousand of the Haberdashers as much of the Vintners Brewers and Brownbakers three thousand Markes All these you see are cancell'd and burnt saith he with divers other Bonds for money lent by my father in law Alderman Fitzwarren for the payment of your Souldiers in France which coming unto me by Exetutorship I have taken in and diseharged Others there are likewise due to me of no small summes by divers of your Nobility here present all which with the former I have sacrificed to the love and honour of my Dread Soveraign amounting to the sum of threescore thousand pounds sterling and can your Majesty saith he desire to sit by a fire of a more sweet sent and sovour At this the King was much extasi'd and the rather because it came so unexpectedly and from so free a spirit and imbracing him in his Arms said unto him That he thought never King had such a subject and at his departure did him all the grace and honour that could descend from a King to a Subject promising him moreover that he should ever stand in the first rank of those whom he favoured And so the Lord Maior bearing the sword before their two most sacred Majesties as far as Temple-bar the King for his former service and his most kind and loving entertainment at that time and the Noble men for that extraordinary courtesie offered them all unitedly and unanimously commended his goodnesse applauded his bounty and wished that he might live to perpetuall memory and so bid both him and the City for that time adteu FINIS