to the roof of Timber well and surely covered with Lead But after an hundred and threescore years King Henry the third subverted this Fabrick of King Edwards and built from the very foundation a new Church of very rare Workmanship supported with sundry rowes of Marble Pillars and the roofe covered over with sheets of Lead a piece of work that cost fifty years labour in building which Church the Abbots enlarged very much toward the West end and King Henry the seventh for the burial of himself and his Children adjoyned thereto in the East end a Chappel of admirable artificial elegancy The Wonder of the Worlde as Leland calleth it for a man would say that all the curious and exquisite work that can be devised is there compacted wherein is to be seen his own most stately magnificial Monument all of solid and massâ—e Copper This Church when the Monks were driven thence from time to time was altered to and fro with sundry changes First of all it had a Dean and Prebâ—ndaries soon after one Bishop and no more namely T. Thurlbey who having wasted the Church Patrimony surrendred it to the spoil of Courtiers and shortly after were the Monks with their Abbot â—et in possession again by Queen Mary and when they also within a while after were by authority of Parliament cast out Queen Elizabeth converted it into a Collegiate Church or rather into a Seminary and Nurse-Garden of the Church appointing twelve Prebendaries there and as many old Souldiers past service for Alms-men fourty Schollars who in their due time are preferred to the Universities and from thence sent forth into the Church and Common-weale c. Over these they placed D. Bâ—ll Dean whose Successor was Gabriel Goodman a right good man indeed and of singular integrity and an especial Patron of Literature Within this Church are intombed that I may note them according to their dignity and time wherein they died Sebert the first of that name and first Christian King of the East-Saxons Harold the bastard Son of Canutus the Dane King of England Edward King and Confessour with his Wife Edâ—th Maud Wife to King Henry the first the Daughter of Malcolme King of Scots King Henry the third and his Son King Edward the first with Eleanor his Wife Daughter to Ferdinando the first King of Castile and of Leon King Edward the third and Philippa of Henault his Wife King Richard the second and his Wife Anne Sister to VVencelaus the Emperour King Henry the fifth with Katherine his Wife Daughter to Charles the sixth King of France Anne Wife to King Richard the third Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick King Henry the seaventh with his Wife Elizabeth Daughter to Kiâ—g Edward the fourth and his Mother Margaret Countesse of Richmond King Edward the sixth Anne of Cleave the fourth Wife of King Henry the eighth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Prince Henry eldest Son of King Iames the sixth of Scotland and first of England who lies there also interred with Queen Anne his Wife and lastly the first male born of Charles the first dying an Infant Of Dukes and Earls Degree there lie here buried Edmund Earl of Lancaster second Son of King Henry the third and his Wife Aveline de Fortibus Countesse of Albemarle William and Audomar of Valence of the Family of Lusignian Earls of Pembrooke Alphonsus Iohn and other Children of King Edward the first Iohn of Eltham Earl of Cornwall Son to King Edward the second Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester the youngest Son of King Edward the third with other of his Children Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and of Essex Wife to Thomas of VVoodstock the young Daughter of Edward the fourth and King Henry the seventh Henry a Child two Months old Son oâ— King Henry the eighth Sophia the Daughter of King Iames who died as it were in the very first day-dawning of her age Phillâ—ppa Mohun Dutches of Yorke Robert of Hexault in right of his Wife Lord Bourchier Anne the young Daughter and Heir of Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolk promised in marriage unto Richard Duke of York younger Son to K. Edward the 4th Sir Giles Daubeny Lord Chamberlain to King Henry the 7th and his Wife of the house of the Arundels in Cornwal I. Viscount VVells Farnces Brandon Dutchess of Suffolk Marry her Daughter Margaret Douglasse Countesse of Lennox Grandmother to Iames King of great Britain with Charles her Sonne VVinifred Bruges Marchionesse of Vâ—inchestèr Anne Stanhope Dutchess of Sommerset and Iane her Daughter Anne Cecill Countesse of Oxford Daughter to the Lord Burleigh Lord High Treasure of England with Mildred Burghley her Mother Elizabeth Berkeley Countesse of Ormond â—Frances Sidney Countess of Sussex Iames Butler Vicount Thurles Son and Heir to the Earl of Ormond Besides these Humphrey Lord Bourchier of Cromwall Sir Humphrey Bourchier Son and Heir to the Lord Bourchier of Beruers both slain at Bernet field Sir Nicholas Carew Baronesse Powisse T. Lord Wentworth Thomas Lord Wharton John Lord Russel Sir T. Bromley Lord Chancellour of England Douglas Howard Daughter and Heir general of H. Vicount Howard of Bindon Wife to Sir Arthur Gorges Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Edward Earl of Rutland Wife to William Cecill Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Howard Countesse of Hertford Henry and George Cary the Father and Son Barons of Hundsdon both Lords Chamberlains to Queen Elizabeth the Heart of Anne Sophia the tender Daughter of Christopher Harley Count Beaumont Embassador for the King of France in England bestowed within a small gilt Urne over a Pyramid Sir Charles Blunt Earl of Devonshire Lord Livetenant General of Ireland And whom in no wise we must forget the Prince of English Poets Geoffrey Chaucer as also he that for pregnant wit and an excellent gift in Poetry of all English Poets came nearest unto him Edmund Spencer William Cambden Clarencieux King of Arms Causabon the greaâ— French Writer Michael Drayton Then there is George Villers Duke Marquiss and Earl of Buckingham favorite to King James and Charles the first The late Earl of Essex with divers other during the Reign of the long Parliament There was also another Colledge or Free-Chappel hard by consisting of a Dean and twelve Chanons Dedicated to St. Stephen which King Edward the third in his princely Magnificence repaired with curious Workmanship and endowed with fair possessions so as he may seem to have built it new the time as he had with his Victories over-run and subdued all France recalling to mind as we read the Charter of the Foundation and pondering in a due weighty devout consideration the exceeding benefits of Christ whereby of his own sweet mercy and pitty he preventeth us in all occasions delivering us although without desert from sundry pâ—ills and defending us gloriously with his powerful right Hand against the violent assaults of our adversaries with victorious successes and in other
that it may seem sufficient to receive any multitudes of people whatsoever Because therefore Bishop Maurice carried a mind beyond all measure in this project he transmitted the cost and charge of so laborious a piece of work unto those that came after In the end when B. Richard his Successor had made over all the Revenues belonging unto the Bâ—shoprick to the building of this Cathedrall Church sustaining himself and his family otherwise in the mean while he seemed in a manner to have done just nothing notwithstanding that he spent his whole substance thereabout and yet small effects came thereof The West part as also the Cross Isle are very spacious high built and goodly to be seen by reason of such huge Columns and are marvellously beautified with an arch'd rooâ— of stone Where these four parts crosse one another meet in one there ariseth up a mighty large lofty Tower upon which stood a spire Steeple cover'd with lead mounting up to a wonderful altitude for it was no less than five hundred and five and thirty foot high from the ground which in the year 1087 was set on fire by lightning and burnt with a great part of the City but being rebuilt was afterwards fi'rd again with lightening about an hundred and fifty years ago and was not perfectly repair'd ever since The measure and proportion of this stately structure shall be here set down out of an old authentick Writer who saith that Saint Pauls Church containeth in length 690 foot the breadth thereof is 130 foot the height of the West arch'd roof from the ground carrieth 102 foot and the new fabrique from the ground is 88 foot high c. The ground belonging to this great Temple in nature of a Coemitery or Church yard was of vast expansion for it reach'd North as far as St. Nicholas market place West almost as far as Ludgate and South near to Baynards Castle Now as they say that Rome was not built in a day no more was this great and glorious Sanctuary but a long tract of time and some Ages pass'd before it came to be entirely compleated and made a perfect Crosse which is the exact shape of it Nor did there want many advantages according to the Genius of those times to advance the work for persons of good rank besides pecuniary Contributions did labour themselves therein in their own persons thinking to do God Almighty good service to have a hand in rearing up his Temple Besides It was an ordinary thing for the ghostly Father to lay penances upon some penitentiaries as Masons Carpenters Bricklayers Playsterers and others to work so many daies gratis in the building before they could get an absolution Insomuch that it may be said that as Pauls Church was partly â—ailt by the sinnes of the people so it is now destroyed by the sins of the people That there stood in old time a Fane or Pagan Temple to Diana in this place as before was hinted some have more than only conjectur'd for there are Arguments to make this conjecture good Certain old houses adjoyning are in the ancient Records of the Church call'd Diana's Chamber and in the Church-yard while Edward the first raign'd an incredible number of Ox-heads were found as we find in our Annals which the common sort at that time wondred at as the sacrifices of the Gentiles and the learned know that Taurapolia were celebrated to the honour of Diana But ever since this Temple was erected it hath been the See of the Bishops of London and the first Bishop it had under the English some hundred years after Theon the Brâ—tâ—sh Bishop was Melitus a Roman consecrated by Austin Archbishop of Canterbury in honour of which Austin though flat against the Decree of Pope Gregory the great the Ensigns of the Archbishoprick and the Metropolitan See were translated from London to Canterbury Within this grand Cathedral there lieth Saint Erkenwald as also Sebba King of the East Saxons who gave over his Kingdom to serve Christ King Etheldred who was an oppresser rather than a Ruler of this Kingdom cruel in the beginning wretched in the middle and shameful in his end so outragious he was in connivency to parricides so infamous in his flight and effeminacy and so disastrrous in his death Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Sir Simon de Burlie a right noble Knight of the Garter executed by encroch'd authority without the Kings assent Sir Iohn de Beauchamp Lord VVarden of the Cinque-ports Iohn Lord Latimer Sir Iohn Mason Knight William Harbert Earl of Pembrook Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England a man of a deep reach and exquisite judgement Sir Philip Sidâ—ey Sir Francis Walsingham two famous Knights Sir Christopher Hatton Lord Chancellor of England and a great many Worthies more lodge there until the Resurrection Besides this Church there is not any other work of the English Saxons extant in London for why they continued not long in perfect peace considering that the VVest Saxons subdued the East Saxons and London began to be tributary to the Mercians Scarcely were these civil Wars hush'd when a new tempest brake out of the North I mean the Danes who pitiously tore in pieces this whole Countrey and shook this City very sore for the Danes brought her under subjection but Alfred recover'd her out of their hands and after he had repair'd her he gave her unto Ethelred Earl of the Mercians who had married his daughter yet those wastful depopulators did what they could afterwards to win her by siege but Canutus who specially by digging a new Channel attempted to turn away the Thames from her though the labour was lost the Citizens did still manfully repel the force of the enemy yet were they alarm'd and terrified ever and anon by them until they lovingly receiv'd and admitted as their King VVilliam Duke of Normandy whom God design'd to be born for the good of England against those so many spoilers presently whereupon the winds were layed the clouds dispell'd and golden daies shone upon her since which time she never sustain'd any signal calamity but through the special favour and indulgence of Heaven and bounty of Princes obtain'd very large and great immunities for she began to be call'd the Kings Chamber and so flourished anew with fresh Trade and concourse of Marchants that William of Malmsbury who liv'd nere those times term'd it A noble and wealthy City replenish'd with rich Citizens and frequented with the Commerce of Occupiers and Factors coming from all parts Fitz-Stephen living also in those daies hath left in writing that London at that time counted 122 Parish Churches and thirteen Convents or Monasteries of Religious Orders Moreover he relates that when a Muster was made of able men to bear Arms they brought into the field under divers Colours 40000 Foot and 20000 Horsemen London about this time began to display hâ—r wings and spread her train very wide
prescribed its boundâ— which extended from Algate to the place where now the Barrs are Eastward on both sides of the street and Northward as far as Bishopsgate and Southward as far as the Thames and so far into the River that a horieman might ride at low water and throw his Spear These Knights continued their Châ—rter in the daies of Edgar Ethelred and Canutus which Edward the Confessor did not only ratifie but enlarge which deed remain'd a long time fairly written in the Saxon Letter Tongue in the Book of the late House of the holy Trinity after that VVilliam Rufus confirm'd the said Charter unto the Heirs of those Knights as followeth William King of England to Maurice Bishop and Godefroy de Magun and Richard de Parre and to his faithful people of London Greeting Know ye me to have granted to the men of Knighten Guild that belong'd to them and the Land that belong'd thereunto with all Customes as they were used to have the same in the time of my Predecessors c. Henry the first after him confirm'd the same But afterwards the Church of the Holy Trinity being founded by Queen Matilda within Aldgate such was the piety of those times that this Knighten Guild which was of such large extent that it reach'd unto the Thames was voluntarily given to the Canons of that Church And for better ratification of the Grant they offer'd upon the Altar Saint Edwards Charter with the rest which they had and put the Prior of the Holy Trinity in possession and saisin thereof by the Church of Saint Butolph which was built thereon being the head of the Land All which King Henry confirm'd by that famous Charter which runs thus Henry King of England to R. Bishop of London to the Sheriffs and Provost and all his Barons and faithful people French and English of London and Middlesex Greeting Know ye me to have granted and confirm'd to the Church Canons of the holy Church of the Trinity of London the Soke of the English Knighten Guild and the Land which pertaineth thereunto and to the Church of Saint Buttolph as the men of the same Guild have given and granted unto them And I will streightly command that they hold the same well and honourably and freely with Sack and Soke Toll and Thea Infangthefe and all Customs belonging to it as the men of the same Guild in the best sort had it in the time of King Edward and as King William my Father and Brother did grant it to them by their Writs Witnesse A. the Queen c. The Prior and Canons of the Holy Trinity beind thus seiz'd of the said Land and Soke of Knighten Guild being not only a part of the Suburbe without the Wall but also within the City the Prior was for him and his Successors admitted as one of the Aldermen of London And according to the Customs of the City he did sit in Court and rodeâ— with the Mayor and his brethren the Aldermen as one of them in Scarlet or other Livery as they then us'd until the year 1531 at which time the said Priory was surrendred to Henry the eighth by Act of Parliament who gave it to Sir Thomas Audley Lord Chancelour of England and he pull'd down the Church and dissolv'd the Priory since which dissolution the said Ward of Portsoken hath been govern'd by Temporal men one of the Aldermen of London Thus much for the out-bound Portsoken Ward or Knighten Guild touching the antiquity and Government thereof Now touching the Parts thereof it is to be observed that the East part of the Tower stands therein then an Hospital of Saint Katherine founded by the foresaid Queen Matilda wife to King Stephen by Licence of the Prior and Convent of the Holy Trinity in London on whose ground she built it Queen Elianor Wife to Edward the first was a second Foundresse there and appointed one Master three Brethren Chaplains and three Sisters ten poor women with six poor Clerks for the maintenance of whom she gave the Mannor of Clarton in VViltshiere and Upchurch in Kent c. Queen Philippa Wife to Edward the third founded a Chantry there and contributed to that Hospital ten pounds Land a year The Quiere there was not much inferior to that of Pauls which by one Doctor Wilson being Master there was afterwards dissolv'd On the East and by North of the Tower lieth East Smithfield and Tower hill two Plots of ground so call'd without the Walls of the City where sometimes flood a Monastery call'd New Abbey founded by Edward the 3d. upon the occasion following That having escaped a great danger in a tempest at Sea he made a vow to build a Monastery in sign of gratitude to heaven to the honor of God and our Lady of Grace which he perform'd accordingly But the said Monastery being afterwards pull'd down by Sir Arthur Darcy of late time in place thereof is built a large store-house for victual with convenient Ovens for baking of Bisket to serve the Navy Royal the rest of the ground is become into smal Tenements The Company of Marchant-Taylors have built thereabouts hard by Hog-street divers fair Alms-houses for 14 poor women and endow'd it with maintenance accordingly Westward hence from Tower hill towards Algate there was a Monastery of Nunns of the Order of Santa Clara call'd the Minories founded by Edmund Earl of Lancaster brother to Edward the first Anno 1293 which was demolished in Henry the eighths time Dame Elizabeth Savage being then Abbesse In the room of this Nunnery there are now store-houses for Armour and habillaments for war with divers Work-houses to that purpose and hard by there is is a small Church called Saint Trinity for the Inhabitants thereabouts We come now to the Church of Saint Bâ—ttolph which the Priors of the Holy Trinity did build being Patrons thereof In this Church among others there lies buried Thomas Lord Darcy of the North Knight of the Garter who was beheaded Anno 1537. And also Sir Nicholas Carew of Beddington in Surrey beheaded also Anno 1538. East from this Parish Church is Hog-lane that stretcheth towards St. Mary Spittle which within these sixty years had fair rows of Elm-trees all along which are turn'd now to Houses on both sides from Houndsditch to VVhite-Chappel Of the Third Ward or Aldermanry called Aldgate Ward WE will still look Eastward yet a good while and go to the third Ward within the Walls which is called Ealdgate Ward or Aldgate as taking name of the same gate The principal street of this Ward beginneth at Ealdgate stretching West to sometime a fair Well where now a Pump is placed From thence the way being divided into twain the first and principal street called Aldgate runneth on the South side to Lime-street corner and half that street down on the left hand is also of that Ward In the mid way on that South side betwixt Ealdgate and Lime-street is Hart-horn Alley a way that goeth
duties touching the execution of the Statute made for punishment of Rogues Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars c. They are to inquire if those to whom the execution of the Statute for the relief of the poor doth appertain be remisse in discharging their duties that way They are to inquire if any Executor or others keep in their hands any Legacy sum of money or other thing given to charitable uses They are to inquire if any that keep Horses in their Houses do lay their Stable dung or such kind of noysome filth in any streets or lanes of the City and do not cause the Dung-cart to be led to the Stable door The Ward-mote Inquest by vertue of their Office are bound to search into all these enormities and to meet once a moneth or oftner if need require to that purpose And whosoever doth judiciously observe these several heads will find there 's nothing wanting to preserve a City or the people thereof in the wayes of neatness safety and industry or for the advancement of Vertue and suppression of Vice By these particulars with what hath bin spoken of formerly in the Body of this Book the Reader may observe how exact the City of London is in her Urban Government 3. Now touching the magnificence gravity and state of the chief Magistrate neither the Pretor of Rome or the Prefect of Milan neither the Proctors of Saint Mark in Venice or their Podestas in other Cities neither the Provost of Paris the Markgrave of Antwerp can compare with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London If one go to the variety of their Robes sometimes Scarlet richly fur'd sometimes Purple sometimes Violet and Puke What a goodly Spectacle it is to behold the Lord Mayor and the Companies attending him in so many dainty Barges when he goes to be sworn in Westminster-Hall and what brave shews there are attending him by Land at his return what a plentiful sumptuous Dinner consisting of so many huge Tables is provided for him what a variety of domestick Officers wait upon him perpetually whereof with the Remembrancer there are five of them Esquires by their places as was hinted before what a comely sight it is to see the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen going in their Robes upon Festivals to the Cathedral Church of Saint Pauls though they who stand not so well affected to the present Government say that he goeth in now at the wrong end of the Church what a goodly sight it is when he goeth upon Easter Holidayes to the Spittle with the Sword and Cap of Maintenance going before him How his Robes are fitted for the season as from Michaelmas to Whitsontide he weares Violet fur'd from Whitsontide to Michaelmas Scarlet lined And for distinction among the Aldermen they who have bin Lord Mayors have their Cloaks lined with changeable Taffata but those that have not with green Taffata what great places of trust are committed to the Lord Mayor as the keeping of the great Bridge in repair which hath such large Revenues belonging unto it with a particular stately Seal which of old had the Effigies of Thomas of Becket a Londoner born upon it with this Inscription in the name of the City Me quae te peperi ne cesses Thoma tueri But the Seal was altered in Henry the eighths Raign what a great trust is it for the Lord Mayor to have the conservation of the Noble River of Thames from Stanes Bridge till She disgorgeth her self into the Sea How stately is he attended when he goes to take a view of the River or a Swan-hopping and lately what a Noble addition was it for the Lord Mayor to have a Park of Deer of his own so near the City to find him sport and furnish him with Venison what an Honour is it for the Lord Mayor to be accounted the first man of England upon the death of the Soveraign Prince As when King Iames was invited to come and take the Crown of England Robert Lee Lord Mayor of London was the first man who subscribed and then the Officers of the Crown with the chief Noblemen after him The Recorder of London also is primus Consiliarius Angliae and is priviledged to plead within the Barre The Lord Mayors of London have bin called sometime to sit at the Councel Table as Sir Iohn Allen was in Henry the eighths time with others which Allen gave that rich Collar of Gold which the Lord Mayors use to wear and the Aldermen his Brethren were used to be called Barons 4. We are come now to Regulation of Trade wherein London is not inferior to any City whatsoever witness among others what prudential Lawes Restraints and Cautions the Marchant Adventurers who trade in the Golden Fleece of England viz. in Woollen Manufactures have propos'd to themselves as likewise all other Corporations in like manner for the improvement of that particular Trade and preserving it from confusion 5. Touching variety of Artisans London yields to no other 't is true that mingling with Forreiners hath much advantag'd her in this kind but 't is observed and confessed by all Nations that though the Londoners be not so apt to invent yet when they have got the Invention they use alwayes to improve it and bring it to a greater perfection 6. Touching Corporations Halls Fraternities Guilds and Societies London hath not her Fellow witness the twelve Honourable Companies out of one of which the Lord Mayor is yearly chosen The several Societies of those who venter abroad in all parts of the habitable Earth as far as the Antipodes And threescore Companies of Citizens besides whereunto the new Company of Coachmen is lately added who have their Halls their regular Orders and Officers accordingly And touching all sorts of Artificers and variety of industrious wayes to improve all kind of Manufactures and thereby gain an honest Livelihood and so enrich the place London may be called a Hive of Bees as formerly was touched or a Hill of Ants which have bin alwayes made the Emblems of industry and providence 7. Touching plenty and abundance of all kinds of Provision as Flesh Fish Fowle Fruits Fuel variety of Drinks and Wines with any other Commodity that conduceth to pleasure and delight as well as necessity London may glory to be as well served as any City under Heaven A knowing Spaniard said that he thought Eastcheape Shambles alone vends more Flesh in the year then all the Court of Spain Gascon Wines drink better in London then in Bourdeaux and so do all other provided they be not sophisticated Nor doth London abound with all things so plentifully for the belly alone but also for the back either to keep it warm or make it gay what varieties of woollen Stuffs there are in every Shop with broad Cloth equal to the price of Silk being come to that heighth of perfection that some hath bin made of ten pounds a yard in price But the Hollanders and others have now got the art of
story to tell so that there were many thousands born which were not baptized and whereof the Bill speaks not Touching the form and shape of London it may be aptly compared to a Lawrel leaf which is far more long then broad and were London round as Paris and other Cities are she would appear more populous by a more often encounter of the passengers Concerning the length of London take all Buildings that are contiguous one to another from East to West from the utmost point of Westminster to the utmost point beyond the Tower she may be well thought to be near upon five Italian miles in longitude and about half so much in latitude and in Circuit above twelve miles 'T is true that the Suburbs of London are larger then the Body of the City which make some compare her to a Iesuites Hat whose brims are far larger then the Block which made Count Gondamar the Spanish Ambassador to say as the Queen of Spain was discoursing with him upon his return from England of the City of London Madam I believe there will be no City left shortly for all will run out at the Gates to the Suburbs and for the Men I think they are gone by this time into the Country for I left them all booted and spur'd when I came away But touching the amplitude and largeness of London whereas Charles the Emperor to put a Complement upon Paris said that she might be called a Province rather then a City this term may better befit London who is a County of her self 16. From proportions and quantity we will now go to the quality of the persons she hath produced from time to time whereof there have been great numbers of most gallant and generous most wealthy and worthy most eminent and munificent brave men who had souls as large as their substance I mean such that received either their first being or well being from Her Charles the Quint was used to glory that he was a Citizen of Ghent having bin born there Henry the Great in answer to a Letter of the King of Spains wherein he had enumerated above a score of Soveraign Titles stiled himself only Henry Roy de France Bourgeois de Paris Henry King of France and Burgesse of Paris But London hath greater cause to glory in this point for Constantine the first Christian Emperor a Britain born was her Child And a foul mistake it was in Him who writ the Book of Martyrs when in his Epistle Dedicatory he saith that Constantine was the Son of Helena an English Woman being pure British for the name of English was not then in the World nor did the Saxons whence the English are derived take footing in great Britain but a long time after Maud the Empress was also a Londoner born with divers other great Kings and Princes Thomas Becket a man very famous in all the Catholick Countries and held one of the highest Saints was born in London he was first one of the Sheriffs Clarks then he was Parson of St. Mary Hilâ— then he went to Bologna in Italy to study the Law and at his return he was made Chancellor of England and Arch Bishop of Canterbury Innumerable other great Clarks and eminent Bishops were born in London and of late times Bishop Lancelot Andrews who for his vast stock of learning might be called the Universal Bishop There are now living two great Luminaries of the Church Doctor Wren and Doctor Warner born both in London the one Bishop of Ely the other Bishop of Rochester a person of most acute Intellectuals and of rare excellent knowledge Fabian the famous Chronologer was Sheriff of London and born there what a number of most munificent Benefactors hath London had among her own Natives besides those whom she bred what a Noble useful Structure is Leaden-hall built at the sole charge of Sir Simon Eyre Draper and Lord Mayor of London what a worthy Foundation is St. Iohns Colledge in Oxford built by Sir Thomas White Lord Mayor of London who was Benefactor also to Bristoll Reading and above twenty Towns besides what a bountiful Benefactor was Mr. William Lambe free of the Company of Clothworkers what a world of charitable deeds did he do in Town and Countrey what a Noble soul had Sir Thomas Gresham Mercer and Marchant who built the Royal Exchange Gresham Colledge with another great Countrey Palace in Middlesex what a notable Benefactor was Mr. Thomas Howel bred in his youth in Spain and afterwards in London who was one of the greatest Benefactors of the Company of Drapers and besides many other large acts of charity he hath left such means to Drapers Hall that if any Mayden can derive her self from the right linage of Howel in Wales the said Hall is to give her 21 l. towards her portion and this to continue for ever what a free large Soul had Mr. William Iones Marchant and free of the Haberdashers who in Monmouth the Countrey where he was born did build a fair Free School with very large allowance to the Masters he was Benefactor also to Hamborough Stoad and divers other places at home and abroad To these two Britains we will add a third which is Sir Hugh Middleton Goldsmith what a hazardous expenceful mighty work did he perform in bringing Ware-River to run through the streets of London what an infinite universal benefit doth accrue thereby to the whole City and Suburbs how often did this great design take heat and cold what faintings and fears what oppositions did it break through before it was perfectly finished What a large noble Soul had Sir Baptist Hicks Lord Vicount Campden what a number of worthy things did he in his life and at his death both for the advancement of Religion and Iustice At Campden in the County of Glocester he repaired and adorned God Almighties House and reard another for the poor before he built any for himself He founded also there a very commodious Market-house and having done many things more for the publick good in that place he erected afterwards a stately Palace for his Posterity though the hard fate of the times and the fury of the Warre hath half destroyed it He was also a great Benefactor to the Churches and the poor of Hamsted and Kensinton to St. Bartholomewes and Christ-Church Hospitals in London to all the Prisons as also to St. Laurence Church in the old Iury He purchased divers Impropriations and bestowed them upon the Church in divers counties He was at the charge of erecting a convenient Session-house for the Justices of Middlesex to meet in the middest of St. Iohn's street which is called Hicks Hall and will so be called to all posterity All these great lights he carried before him and at his death he gave a World of Legacies and divers Pensions to pious Ministers and others and bequeathed a great sum to be distributed among all his Servants To speak of all those Noble Londoners who have done glorious
to true longaevity We may be rather called the Older Insomuch that a Child born to day as he is part of the Universe and the product of Time may be said to be more ancient then Adam which I conceive to be the meaning of that common saying among us The younger Brother is the ancienter Gentleman Moreover it is desired that the discerning Reader be advertized that Historians and Antiquaries may well be compared to Architects who in rearing up a Fabrick although the Idaea and design of the work with the site the contrivement of rooms the contignation of parts and Symmetry be wholly in themselves yet in point of Substance they fetch their Materials from else where so the Historian and Antiquary though the method the style and compilement be his yet he hath his matter from others either from Manuscripts or printed Records except these modern passages that are Synchronical with himself Furthermore an Historian may be compared to one walking in a Garden and making a posie of Flowers which he culs and plucks from divers beds and banks now though the Flowers be none of his yet the choyce of them and twisting them together to give the fuller fragnancy and not to thrust in any unsavory vegetal is solely his own work The Lord Bacon's Henry the seventh and my Lord Harbert's Henry the eighth though the composition and digesting be theirs whereby they denominate the Books yet under favour touching the main Ingredients they took them from others who had written the life of those Kings before So concerning this present Treatise although the trace and form of the Structure be mine own yet I am so much the Child of modesty as to acknowledge to have fetch'd most of my Materials from others who preceded me in the same Subject as from Mr. Stow and those industrious persons who have made Additionals unto him yet as I gave a hint before in my Epistle Dedicatory there be divers things inserted here which are not found there nor any where else besides those modern Occurrences which have happened since and are contemporary with myself THE CHIEFEST MATERIALS THAT Go to the Compilement of this new Peece 1. A Proeme 2. The Historical part of London touching her first Rise and Foundation with her degrees of growth 3. Of the Great and glorious Temple of St. Pauls with its dimensions and places annexed together with the rest of the Churches in City or Suburbs 4. Of the 26. several Wards Precincts or Aldermanries of London into which the whole City is divided 5. Of the Political and Civil Government of the City of London as also of the spiritual 6. Of the Walls Streets Gates and Towers of London with the Prisons and places of restraint 7. Of the Inns of Court and Chancery of the Doctors Commons Gresham and Sion Colledge with the publick Schools 8. Of the Twelve chief Companies whence the Lord Mayor is extracted with other Societies of Marchant Adventurers and the 61. Corporations 9. Of their several Halls or Guilds dispersed up and down in convenient places 10. Of the Great Tower of London the Royal Exchange of Guild-Leadenâ— and Bassings-Hall c. 11. Of the White and Black the Gray Cruchet and Austin Fryers with other Religious Houses as Nunneries and Hospitalls 12. Of the famous and great Navigable River of Thames from the first Source till she dischargeth her self into the Ocean 13. Of London-Bridge and her admired Structure which nevertheless would see better had she fewer Eyes and that her Nineteen Arches were reduc'd to Nine 14. Of the Prerogative and great trust the Lord Mayor and the City have for the over-sight and repair of the said Bridge with the Conservancy of the said River 15. Of the City of Westminster and the Abbey 16. Of the Strand the New Exchange the Savoy and all the Great Houses towards the Water-side 17. Of the Covent Garden Saint Giles Lincolns-Inne-Fields Saint Martins and Drury-Lane with all the late New Buildings 18. Of Westminster-Hall and all the Tribunals of Iustice there sedentary 19. Of the High Court of Parliament and the Admiralty c. 20. A Parallel 'twixt London and other Great Cities of the World whereof divers are spoken of in the Corollary LONDON London the glory â—f Great Britaines Ile Behold her Landsâ—â—ip here and tru pourfile 1 St. Paul 2 White Hall 3 Suffolke house 4 Yorke house 5 Savoy 6 Somerset house 7 Arundell house 8 St Clemens 9 S. Dunstane 10 The Temple 11 S. Brides 12 S. Andrew 13 Baynards Castle 14 Queene Hythe 15 S. Pulcheâ—s 16 Three Câ—â—nes 17 The Waterhouse 18 The Stillâ—â—â—â— 19 Bow Churche 20 Guild Hall 21 S. Michaels 22 S Lorentz Poultney 23 Fishmongers Hallâ— 24 The Old Swan 25 The Bridge 26 Gray Church 27 S Dunstan in the East 28 Belinsgate 29 Cristome house 30 The Tower 31 Tower wharfe 32 S. Catharins 33 S. Olaffe 34 S. Marie Gveris 35 Winchester house 36 The Globe 37 Bâ—â—r Garden 38 The Swan 39 Harâ—vwe on the Hill 40 Hamsted 41 Hygate 42 Hackney 43 Poâ—â—tney 44 â—ll Ships 45 Gally Fuste 46 Cool harbour THE PROEME OR FIRST ENTRANCE Into the City of LONDON MY purpose is to give as exact an account as my Enquiries can of the renowned City of London with her Suburbs annexed And to proceed herein the more regularly the foundation of my Discourse shall be layed with that of Hers beginning with her first Rise or Original Then it shall grow up with Her according to those Degrees of profection that she is now arrived unto From her Foundation we will bring you to her Walls and so lead you in at her Gates whence you shall walk along her streets and visit her Churches with other ancient Religious Houses and publique Edifices Then we shall bring you to refresh your self at her Conduits and Aquaeducts her brooks bourns and Wells Afterwards we shall gently lead you along over her Bridges and so bring you to solace your self upon the rare and renowned River of Thames which we shall derive from her very source and accompany her Stream all along till she comes to pay tribute to the Ocean Then we shall make a perambulation in her severall Precincts Divisions and Wards And because nothing displayes the prudence of a City more then her political way and method of Government we shall endeavour to satisfie you in that point and speak of her Magistracy her Priviledges her well-moulded Corporations and Companies whereby we shall take occasion to revive the memory of those famous Patriots and Worthies which she hath produc'd and bred with their Munificence their Merits and publique Monuments We shall go on then to give the neerest conjecture we can make of her dimensions in point of length and latitude and of the number of humane souls that usually dwell and lodge within Her Nor shall we conceal some Clowds that have hung over her and ill-favour'd clashings she hath had with her Soveraign Princes And lastly There will be a short
Paulinus but that after he had leavied a power of the Citizens to ayd him he would needes dislodge and remove from thence leaving the City naked to the Enemy who forthwith surprized and slew some few whom either weakness of Sex feeblenesse of age or sweetness of the place had detained there Neither had she sustained lesse losse and misery at the hands of the Gaules if she had not suddenly and beyond all expectation by Gods providence bin relieved For when C. Alectus had by a deceitful stratagem made away Caraâ—sius who taking advantage of our rough Seas and of Dioclesians dangerous Warres in the East and withall presuming of the Gauls now French and most venturous Marriners and Servitors at Sea withheld to himself the Revenues of Britain and Holland and born for the space of six years the Title of Emperour Augustus as his Coines here very oft do shew When M. Aurelius Asclepiedotus had in a Battail slain Alectus in the third year now of his Usurpation of the Imperial Purple and State those French who remained alive after the Battle hastening to London would have sack'd the City had not the Thames who never faiâ—'d to help the Londoners very opportunely brought in the Roman Legions who by reason of a Fog at Sea were severed from the Navy For they put the Barbarians to the Sword all the City over and thereby gave the Citizens not only safety by the slaughter of their Enemies but pleasure in beholding such a sight And then it was as our Chronicles record that Lucius Gallus was slain by a Brook side which ran almost through the middle of the City and of him was called by the British Nantgall in English Wallbrook which name remains yet in a Street under which there is a â—ewer within the ground to rid away the filth and ordures of the City Not far from London-stone which I take to be a Mile-mark or Milliary such as was in the Market places at Roms from which were taken dimensions of all journies every way considering it is neer the midst of the City as it lyeth in length Neither is it probable she was yet wall'd about But a little after our Stories report that Constantine the Great at the instance of his Mother Helena did first fence her about with a Wall made of rough stone and British Bricks which took up in compasse above three miles so that it inclosed the Model of the City almost four-square but not equal on every side considering that from East to VVest she is far longer then from South to North. That part of this Wall which stood on the Thames side is by the continual flowing and washings of the River fallen down and decayed yet there appear'd certain remains thereof in Henry the seconds time as Fitzstephen who then liv'd doth testifie The rest now standing is stronger towards the North which not many years since was reedified by the meanes of Ioceline Lord Mayor of London But towards East and VVest although the Barons in old time during their Warres repaired and renewed it with the ruynes of the Iewes houses then demolished yet it grew quickly all thorow out of decay For Londoners like to those old Lacedemonians laughed at strong walled Towns as Cot-houses for Women thinking their own Cities sufficiently fenc'd when they are fortified with bones and not with stones This Wall giveth entrance at seven principal double Gates for I willingly omit the smaller which as they have bin lately repaired so they have also new names given them On the West side there be two to wit Ludgate of King Lud a Britain or Flud-gate as Leland is of opinion of a little flud running beneath it like as the Gate Fluentana in Rome built again from the foundation This Gate was made a free Prison Anno 1378 Bremer being Major which was confirm'd 1382. by a Common Councel in the Guild-Hall where 't was ordained that all Freemen of London should for debts trespasses accounts and contempts be imprisoned in Ludgate where at first for lodging and water they did not pay any thing We go next to Newgate the fairest of all the Gates so call'd from the newness thereof whereas before it was call'd Chamberlane Gate which now is the publick Gaol or Prison for Criminalls and also for civil actions for the County of Middlesex And it hath bin so many Ages as appears by Records in King Iohns time as also in King Henry the third who as an old Authour testifieth sent a Command to the Sheriffs of London to repair the Gaol of Newgate On the North side are four Gates viz. Aldersgate or Oldersgate from the antiquity thereof or as others would have it from Aldrich a Saxon the second is Cripplegate of a Spitle of Cripples sometimes adjoyning thereunto The third is Mooregate call'd so of a Moory ground hard by which is now draind up and made fair and firm and turn'd into a field delightful walks Which Gate was first built by Falâ—oner Lord Mayor in the year of our Lord 1414. Then Bishopsgate of a Bishop the Benefactor which Gate the Dutch Marchants or Hans of the Styliard were bound by Covenant both to repair and defend at all times of danger and extremity On the East side there is Aldgate so named from the oldnesse or Elbegate as others terme it which hath bin oft re-edified It is thought that two Gates more stood besides the Bridge gate by the Thames side namely Belmsgate now a Wharfe or a Key for the Scots Trade and Donregate or the Watergate commonly call'd Dowgate There be some Posterns besides that may go for Gates as that of Christs Hospital which was made in the Reign of Edward the sixth Another was made out of the wall lately into Moorfields But the Postern by the Tower shews that it hath bin very ancient and an arch'd Gate of much trust for in times past there was alwaies a person of quality who was Custos of that Posterne Towards the Rivers side there are also many water gates for the better security of the City Where the wall endeth towards the River there were two strong Forts or Bastions of which the one Eastward remaineth yet usually called the Tower of London called in the old British Bringwin or Tourgwin which in English is the White Tower a most famous and goodly Cittadel encompassed about with thick and strong Walls full of lofty and stately Turrets fenc'd about with a broad and a deep ditch furnish'd also with an Armory or Magazine of Warlick munition with other buildings besides so that it resembleth a Town of it self and one may well suppose that those two Castles which Fitz-stephens recordeth to have bin on the East side of this City went both to the making of this one The other Fort was on the West side of this City where Fleet a little riveret ran whence Fleetstreet took its name and in time it was able to bear Vessels as appears in some Parliament Rolls which Riveret
dischargeth it self into the Thames Fitz Stephen calls this the Palatin Tower or Castle And they write that in the Reign of William the Conqueror it was consumed by fire out of the ruines whereof a great part of Saint Pauls Church was newly built And also on the very plot of ground where it stood Robert Kilwarby ArchBishop of Canterbury founded a Religious House for the Dominican Fryars whence we call the place Black-fryars whereby a man may easily guess of what bigness it was howbeit in that place stood in the dayes of Henry the second Gervase of Tilbury in his Book call'd Otia Imperialia is my Author two Forts or Ramparts the one whereof belong'd to Bainard the other to the Baron of Monfichet by right of succession but nothing remaineth of them to this day yet some think that Pembroke House was a piece of them which we term Bainards Castle of Bainard a noble man of Dunmow whose possession sometimes it was whose Successors the Fitz Waters were in right of inheritance who were Ensign-bearers of the City of London as shall be told hereafter and among them Robert Fitz water had licence of K. Edward the first to sell the Site of Bainards Castle to the forenamed ArchBishop Kilwarby Neither was this City at that time wall'd only but also when the Flamins or Pagan Priests were taken away and Christian Religion established under that good Emperour Constantine a Bishop was install'd in their room for it appeareth at the Councel of Arles which in the year of grace 314 was held under the said Constantine the great the Bishop of London was present for he subscribed as it is to be seen in the first Tome of the Councel in this manner Restitutus Bishop in the City of London out of the Province of great Britain Which Restitutus and his Successors had their Seat and residence as some affirm as Saint Peters in Cornhil From that time London flourished in such honour that she began to be call'd Augusta and by that name was famous under the Emperour Valentinian For Ammianus Marcellinus in his 27 Book writeth thus And going forward to London an ancient Town which posterity call'd Augusta and in the 28 Book He went from Augusta which men of old time call'd London Whence it came that after Constantine's time there was a Mint appointed therein For we read in those Pieces of Money which he caused to be stamp'd in honour of his Father Constantius and in others this was the Inscription P. Lon. S. that is Pecunia Londino signata Mony stamp'd in London He who had the charge and overseeing thereof under the Comes of Sacrarum largitionum is in the Book of Notice term'd Praepositus the saurorum Augustensium in Britannia that is Provost of the Treasury of Augusta or London in Britany For this name Augusta was a name full of Dignity and Majesty And both Founders and Repairers of Cities when they hoped or wish'd that such Cities would become flourishing and powerful gave them significant names of good fortune But among the most auspicious names that be none is more magnificent none more auspicate and glorious than Augusta For this of Augustus the most gracious mighty Emperour Octavianus took unto himself not without the judgment of the best learned Sirnamed he was saith Dio Augustus as one of great Majesty above the nature of man for what things be most honourable and sacred are called Augusta Neither had London this name for so high an honour without the Licence of the Roman Emperours In regard that names could not be impos'd upon Cities without authority as Virgil notes in that verse of his Urbem appellabant permisso nomine Acestam The City by permission Acesta they did name But as continuance of time has outworne this so honorable a name of Augusta to it hath confirm'd that other most ancient name Londinum Whiles it enjoy'd the foresaid name Augusta it scaped fair from destruction by a rebellious rout of Ransakers But Theodosius the father of Theodosius the Emperour did cut them in pieces whiles they were encombred with their spoils entred as Mareianus saith with exceeding great joy in triumphant manner into the City distressed before overwhelm'd with grievous calamities And marching with his Army from thence he by his valour and prowesse so freed Britain from those intolerable calamities and dangers wherewith she was beset that the Romans as witnesseth Symmachus honored him among other ancient Worthies and men of high renown with the Statue of a man of Arms. Not long after when the Romans Empire in Britain was come to an end in that publick destiny and fatal defection of the whole State it fell unto the English Saxons but in what sort it is not well agreed on among Authors It is most probable that Vortigern to redeem himself being taken prisoner delivered it for his ransome unto Hengist the Saxon considering that it did belong unto the East Saxons whose Countrey also as Writers do record Vortigern upon that condition made over unto Hengist At which time the state of the Church went also to wrack and endured sore affliction the Pastors were either slain or forc'd to fly their flocks worried and havock made of all as well Church goods as others Theon the last Bishop of London of the British blood was fain to hide the holy Relique of Saints for a memorial as my Author saith and not for any superstition But although those daies of the English Saxons were such that a man might truly say Mars then brandished and shook his weapons yet was London neverthelesse as Bede testifieth a Town of Trade and traffique frequented by many Nations resorting thither by Sea and Land But afterwards when a more gracious gale of peace breath'd favourably upon this wearied Island and the English Saxon began to professe Christianity it also began to flourish afresh for Ethelbert King of Kent under whom Sebert raign'd in this tract as it 〈◊〉 his Vassal and by courtesie founded here a Church and did consecrate it to Saint Paul which being soon reedified and repaired became at last most stately and magnificent it was endowed by degrees with fair revenues livings wherewith were maintain'd a Bishop a Dean a Chanter a Chancellour a Treasurer fire Archdeacons thirty Prebendaries and divers other Incumbents and Officers who might have a hansome subsistence thereby The East part of this Church seems to be the newer and more curiously wrought having under it a very fair large arch'd Vault which also is Saint Faiths Church It was built out of the ruines of that Castle Palatine spoken of before by Mauritius the Bishop about the year of our Lord 1086 whereas it had been formerly consum'd by a wofull accidental fire whereof William of Mamesbury writeth thus The beauty whereof is so magnificent that it deserves to be numbred in the rank of the most excellent Edifices so large as that arck'd Vault underneath and the Church above it of such capacity
Buildings did much increase and the Suburbs strerch'd forth from the Gates a great way on every side but Westward especially which may be said to be best peopled and the civillest part For there all the twelve Inns of Court are situate for the Students of the Law whereof fower being very fait and large belong to the Iudicial Courts the rest to the Chancery Besides two Inns more for the Servientes ad legem or the Sargeants at Law â—ere such a number of young Gentlemen do so ply their Studies in all kind of Sciences and other civilities besides the Law that for a choyse way of Education and Gallantry Sir Iohn Fortescue in his Treatise of the Lawes of England doth affirm It is not inferior to any place of Christendom The said four principal Houses are the Inner Temple the middle Temple Graies Inne and Lincolns Iune The two former stand in the very same place where in times pass'd during the Raign of King Henry the second Heraclius Patriark of Ierusalem consecrated a Church for the Knight-Templers which they had newly built according to the form of the Temple neer unto the Sepulcher of our Saviour at Ierusalem for at their first Institution about the yeer of our Lord 1113. they dwelt in part of the Temple hard by the Holy Sepulcher whereof they were so named and vow'd to defend Christian Religion the Holy Land and Pilgrims going to visit the holy Sepulcher against all Mahumetans and Infidels professing to live in chastity and obedience whereupon all men voluntarily and with candid Christian hearts embrac'd and honor'd them so that through the royal munificence of Princes and other devout people having got very fair possessions and exceeding great wealth they flourish'd in a high reputation for piety and devotion yea out of an opinion of the holiness of the men and of the Place King Henry the third and many Noblemen desired much to be buried in their Church among them where some of their Statues are to be seen crosse-legd to this day for so they were used to be buried in that Age having taken upon them the Crosse to serve in the holy Warres and vow'd the same accordingly among whom was William Marshall the elder a powerful man in his time VVilliam and Gilbert his Sonnes Marshals of England and Earls of Pembroke Upon VVilliam the Elder there were in the upper part engraven these words Comes Pembrochiae and upon one side this Verse Miles eram Martis Mars multos vicerat armis But in process of time when with insatiable greediness they had hoarded up much wealth by withdrawing Tithes from many Churches and appropriating spiritual Livings unto themselves and by other meanes their riches turnâ—d to their ruine which may be one day the fortune of the Jesuites as I heard Count Gondamar once say For thereby their former innocence and piety began to be stifled they sell a clashing with other Religious Orders their professed obedience to the Patriark of Ierusalem was rejected they drâ—w daily more envy upon themselves and an ill repute insomuch-that in the yeer 1312. this Order was condemned of impiety other hainous crimes all this by the Popes Authority but specially by the instigation of the French King they were utteâ—ly abolished Nevertheless their possessions here were by Authority of Parliament assigned unto the Knights Hospitalers of St. Iohn of Ierusalem lest that such Lands given to Religious and good uses should be alienated against the pious Donors Wills Yet it appeares in ancient writings that this place after the expulsion of the Templers was the Seat and Habitation of Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Sir Hugh Spencer King Edward the seconds Minion afterwards of Sir Aimer de Valence Earl of Pembrook and in the end turned to two Colleges or Inns of Court for the study of the Lawes The other two great Inns were also the mansions of Noble men Grayes Inne of the Lord Grey of Wilton and the other of the Earls of Lincoln Neer unto this Henry the third erected between the two Temples a House for Converts as they call'd it for the maintenance of those that were conâ—erted from Iudaisme to Christianity which Edward the third afterwards made an Archive to keep Rolls and Records in and therefore 't is called to this day The Rolls In the yeer 1381. the Rebels of Essex and Kent among other places destroyed and pulled down the Lodgings and Houses of this Temple took out of the Church the Books and Records that were in hutches of the Apprentices of the Law carried them out into the street and burnt them The House they spoiled and burnt also out of an hatred they bore to Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of St. Iohn of Jerusalem which was a place of so high a Dignity that the Prior of St. John's was accounted the first Parliamentary Peer of England But the said House at sundry times was repaired again and touching the Gate-house of the middle Temple Sir Amias Paulet did build it up while he remained Prisoner having incur'd the indignation of Cardinal Wolsey for an old grudge The great Hall in the middle Temple was built about the yeer 1572. in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth The Temple-Church had of old a Master and four stipendary Priests with a Clerk for the ministration of divine service who had allowance given them out of the Revenues of St. John of Jerusalem and that Hospital but now by the revolution of time and Ecclesiastical alterations they have but one Minister to serve them Of fresh water Rivers Aqueducts Conduits and Fountains that belong to the City of LONDON AS the principal thing that conduceth to the health of humane bodies is the blood that runneth through their Veins so the chiefest thing that tends to the welfare of a City is to have Springs and Conduits of fresh water run within her therefore we will proceed now to give an account of those ancient and present Rivers Brooks Boorns Pools Wells Conduits and Aqueducts which serve to refresh the City of London In former Ages until the Conquerors time and long after the City of London was watred besides the River of Thames on the South part with the River of Wells as it was then call'd and on the West with water call'd Wallbrook running through the midst of the City to pay Tribute unto the Thames There was another water or boorn which run within the City through Langborn Ward watring the East part In the West Suburbs was also another great Water call'd Oldborn which had its fall into the River of Wells Then were there 3. principal Fountains or Wells in the other Suburbs to wit Holy Well Clements Well and Clarks Well Near unto this last named Fountain were divers other Wells viz. Fags well Skinners well Tode well Loders well and Rad well All which Wells having the fall of their over-flowings into the said River much encreased the stream and in that place gave it the name of Well In West-Smithfield
and cleanse the said noble River Westward of seventy nine stops or hatches consisting of sundry great stakes and piles purposely erected by Fishermen for their private lucre and standing illfavouredly for passengers near unto the Fair deep but none of them remain now but such as stand out of the passable high stream and can be no prejudice to passers by yet some are permitted to be planted at the waters bottome and so they serve as a great succour to the young brood of fish being placed so remote on the River Nor is this provident care for security of passengers and conservation of the young fry or fish a new thing for it appears that the like course was kept in the Reign of Henry the fourth and after in Henry the eighth as Records and Chronicles do shew Moreover there is a watchful eye that no carren or dead carkasses be thrown into the River to pollute or infect the stream To all these intents and purposes the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen his Brethren with the under Officers do use to meet eight times yearly in the four Counties of Middlesex Surrey Kent and Essex and have a judicial sitting for maintenance of the Rivers Rights and Priviledges where they have power to empanel Juries to make Inquisition after all offences committed upon the River within their extent And as the Verdict given up by the Jury make it appear so they proceed to the punishment of the transgressors according to the quality of the offence and it is worthy the observation to know the manner of their so solemn proceedings whereof this instance shall be produced extracted out of authentick Records Sir Iohn Iolles Knight and Lord Mayor of the City of London and Conservator of the River of Thames and waters of Medway assisted and accompanyed by the Aldermen and two Sheriffs then contemporary and attended by the Recorder and the Sub-conservator or Water-bayly with fifty Officers and servants took their Barges at Belmsgate the third of Iuly 1616 and within few hours arriv'd at Gravesend in Kent where a Session for the conservancy of the said River was kept before the said Lord Mayor and his forenamed Assistants At which time and place a Jury of the Freeholders of the said County being sworn to enquire of all offences committed in any part of the River whatsoever within the said County the Common Sergeant of the City the Recorder being then absent upon extraordinary occasions deliver'd them a charge to this effect That forasmuch as there had not been any Session of Conservancy in many years passed kept by any Lord Mayor of London in that place it was probable and evident they could not be well informed neither of the Lord Mayors 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 enquiry therefore he thought it convenient to make it known unto them both the one and the other Hereupon he shew'd them The Jurisdiction of the Court of London in the River of Thames from Stanes-bridge Westward unto the points of the River next the Sea Eastward appear'd to belong to the City in manner and form following First In point of right by Praescription as it appeareth by an ancient Book call'd Dunthorne that Civitatis fundationis aedificationis constructionis causa erat Thamesis Fluvius 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 belong'd to the City time out of mind In 21. Hen. 3. Iorden Coventry one of the Sheriffs of the City was sent by the Mayor and Aldermen to remove certain Kiddles that annoy'd the Rivers of Thames and Medway who ultra Yenland versus Mare did take divers persons that were Offendors and imprison'd 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 Cityes Jurisdiction over the said River was set forth and allow'd and the Complainants convinc'd and every one of them amerc'd at 10 l. and the amercements adjudged to the City And afterward their Nets were burnt by judgement given by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in the Hustings Moreover 1. Richardi secundi 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 Secondly in point of right by allowance in Eire the conservation of the Thames belongs to the City for it was produc'd that 1. Rich. ◠before Hugh Bigot being Justice Itinerant the Sheriffs and Citizens of London were call'd in question for their Jurisdiction exercised on the Thames before whom it was found by a Jury in Southwark Quod nullus habeat aliquid juris in Thamisia usque ad novum gurgitem nisi Cives Londonens In the 14. of Ed. 2. the Constable of the Tower was indited by divers Wards of London before the Justices in Eire at the Tower De muneris et recep cove pro kidellis in Thamisiis et Constabularius ad Kidellas respondet quód Iustic non habent jurisdictionem extra London plitum inde cognoscere cum predict kidelli sunt in aliis comitatibus et Justic. dixerunt Aqua Thamisiae pertinet ad Civitatem London usque mart si velit respondeat who then pleaded Not guilty 3. He went further that this Jurisdiction belonged to the City by ancient Charters 8. R. 1. Dominus Ricardus Rex filius Regis Henrici secundi concessit firmiter praecepit ut omnes Kidelli qui sunt in Thamisia amoveantur ubicunque fuerint in Thamisia 1. Ioh. 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 sort X. li. sterlingorum Then he urg'd the famous Charter of King Henry the third which ran thus Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine 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 Woreth well that We for the health of our soul and the health of the soul of King John our Fader and the souls of all our Ancestors and also for common profit of our City of London and of all our Realms have granted and steadfastly 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. l. Also we claim quit to our Citizens of London
Wall of stone embattail'd and also caused a deep ditch to be cast about the same and thought to have environ'd it with the River of Thames The Lion Tower was built by Edward the fourth Frederick the Emperor having sent for a present three Leopards they were first kept at Woodstock which was the first Park of England seven miles about to the destruction of some Churches and Chappels adjacent by Henry the third but afterwards all such wild Beasts as Lions which are call'd the Beasts of the Royall Prerogative together with Leopards Linxes and Propentines have been kept in that part of the Tower which is called Lions Tower And we read that Edward the 2d commanded the Sheriff of London to pay 6d per diem to the Keeper oâ— the Lions and Leopards for their sustenance and three half pence a day for the Keeper's diet out of the Fee-farm of the City In former times there were persons of high quality that kept these Beasts whereof the Earl of Oxford was one and they had a Pension from the Crown belonging to the Office Mr. Robert Gill a very worthy Gentleman hath the place now and hath had it many years Noâ— was the Tower ever better furnish'd with Lions than it is now there being six in all young and old Edward the fourth fortified the Tower of London and enclosed with Brick a certain enclosure of ground taken from Tower-hill Westward now call'd the Bullwark His Officers also set up upon the said Hill a Gallowes and a Scaffold for the execution of offendors whereupon the Lord Mayor complaining to the King all the answer he had was that it was not done to the derogation of the City In the year 1216 the Tower of London was delivered to Lewis of France by the Barons of England who banded against the King Anno 1222. the Citizens of London having made an uprore against the Abbot of Westminster Huberâ— de Burgh chief Justice of England came to the Tower of London and summoned before him the Mayor and Aldermen of whom he enquired and demanded the principal Authors of that Insurrection Among whom one Constantine Fitzaeluphe confess'd that he was the man saying undauntedly that he was the man and that he had done much lesse than he had thought to have done Whereupon the Justice passed him over to Fulke de Brent who with a band of arm'd men brought him to the Gallowes where he was executed Anno 1244. Griffeth the eldest Son to Luellin Prince of Wales being kept prisoner in the Tower devised means to escape and having made a Line of the Sheets and Hangings he put himself down from the top of the Tower but in the sliding the weight of his Body he being a corpulent man brake the rope with his neck together King Hen. the 3d. imprisoned the Sheriffs of London Anno 1253. for the escape of a prisoner out of Newgate The same Henry with his Queen to secure himself from rebelling Barons kept his Court at the Tower sent for the Lords to hold a Parliament and the next year his Queen passing through London-Bridge the Londoners did outrage her as she pass'd hurling stones and dirt at her in so much that she was forc'd to return hereupon the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs were sent to divers Prisons and a Custos was set over the City for the time ' viz. Othon Constable of the Tower until submission had bin made and other satisfaction given It is upon Record that Edw. 2. allowed a Knight 2d per diem and a Squire a peny for their Diet as long as they were prisoners in the Tower upon his Command Roger Mortimer being prisoner in the Tower gave his Watchmen a sleeping potion and so escaped but afterwards he was arraigned and condemned by his Peers without personal appearance and so executed at the Elmes where he hung two dayes The Londoners in the year 13â—6 seized upon the Tower wresting the keys out of the Constables hands they freed all the Prisoners and kept it in their hands for the use of Queen Isabel and her Son Edward both Tower and City The first gold that was coin'd in the Tower was in the raign of Edward the third and the peeces were call'd Florences of the value of 6s 8d Perceval de post being Master of the Mint at that time All great sums before were used to be payd by the weight as so many pounds or marks of silver or so many pounds or marks of gold but they bore no stamp the lesser payments were in Starlings which was the only coin then current and stamp'd which were pence so call'd And they had their antiquity no further then from the raign of King Henry the second Nevertheless the Saxon coines before the Conquest were pence of fine silver somewhat weightier and better then the latter starlings and the probablest Reason that is given why it was starling money was because in the ring or border of the peny there was a Starre stamped But to return to the Tower of London In the year 1360. Iohn the French King being Prisoner in the Tower King Edward the third being newly returned victoriously from France the first thing he did was to visit his Prisoner whose ransome was assessed afterwards at three millions of Florences or Nobles whereupon he was brought honourably to the Sea side Anno 1387. King Richard kept his Christmas in the Tower and the year after was clapt up Prisoner there In the year 1458. there were Justs and Tournements in the Tower wherein the chief Actor was the Duke of Somerset Anno 1465 Henry the sixth was brought Prisoner to the Tower where he remained many years of whom was given this Character that he was a good King but born in an ill time The Mayor of London Sir Richard Lee and the Aldermen freed the said King Henry once from his imprisonment but being sent thither again he was pittifully murthered Anno 1478. The Duke of Clarence was drowned in a But of Malmsey within the Tower and 5. years after young Edward the fifth with his Brother were by the practices of Richard the third stiâ—â—ed there betwixt two Fetherbeds as the current story goes Iohn Earl of Oxford Anno 1485. was made Constable of the Tower and he had also the keeping of the Lions and Leopards as the story makes mention Queen Elizabeth Wife to Henry the 7th died in the Tower Anno 1502. in Child-birth and the year before there was running at tilt and tourney there The Chappel in the high white Tower was burnt Anno 1512. Queen Anno Bullein was beheaded in the Tower 1541. and a little after the Lady Katherine Howard both Wifes to Henry the eighth Anno 1546. a strange accident happened in the Tower for one Foxley who was Pot-maker for the Mint being fallen asleep he could not be awakened by pinching cramping or burning for fourteen dayes at which time he awak'd as fresh as at the first day he began to sleep In Henry the
eighths time the Tower was eâ—er and anon full of prisoners among others Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England was clap'd there close Prisoner and at last they took away from him all his Books so he did shut up all his windows and liv'd afterwards in obscurity and being asked Why he answered 'T is time to shut up shop when the Ware is all gone At his first entrance to the Tower the Gentleman Porter ask'd for his fee which is the upper Garment whereupon Sir Thomas pull'd off his Cap to give him but that not suffâ—â—ing he pull'd out a handful of Angels end gave him a good many a Knight that was in his Company telling him that he was glad to see him so full of Angels yes answered he I love to carry my friends alwayes about me The young Lady Iane was beheaded there not long after and upon the Scaffold she made a most ingenious Speech and full of pity That she came thither to serve for an example to posterity that innocence cannot be any protection against greatness And that she was come thither not for aspiring to a Crown but for not refusing one when it was offered Her Queen Elizabeth was brought up many years in that School of affliction but afterwards she may be said to have gone from the Scaffold to the Throne For the truth is that the Scaffold had made an end of her had not King Philip her Brother in Law strongly interceded for her In her dayes Robert Earl of Essex lost his head in the Tower which he might have kept on many years longer had he not bin betrayed by the Lady Walsingham to whom after the sentence of condemnation he sent a Ring which the Queen had given him as a token that she would stick to him in any danger the Lady delivered not this Ring and being a little after upon her Death-bed she desired to speak with the Queen and having disburthened a great weight which lay upon her Conscience for that act the Queen flung away in a fury and never enjoyed her self perfectly after that time but she would break out often into passion and wring her hands crying O Essex-Essex And this Earl was the last who was executed within the walls of the Tower In King Iames's time for 22 years there was no blood spilt in the Tower or upon Tower-hill only Sir Gervase Elwayes was hanged there when he was Lieutenant and one remarkable passage there was in his Speech upon the Ladder that being in the low Countries and much addicted to gaming he made a vow that if ever he played more above such a value he might be hanged but he did violate the Oath and so the just Judgement of Heaven did fall upon him accordingly as he said The Earl of Castlehaven was brought from the Tower to be executed for horrid kinds of incontinencies in Charles the first time Afterwards in the raign of the long Parliament and ever since the Tower of London hath had more number of Prisoners then it had in the compasse of a hundred years before This stately Tower of London serves not only for a Gaol to detain prisoners but for many other uses It is a strong Fort or Cittadel which secures both City and River It serves not only to defend but to command either upon occasion It serves as a royal Randezvouz for Assemblies and Treaties It is the Treasury for the Jewels and Ornaments of the Crown The great Archive which conserves all the old Records of the Courts of Justice at Westminster It is the place for the Royal Mint and Coynage of Gold and Silver It is the chief Magazin and Armory or Arâ—enal of the whole Land for Martial Engines and Provision There only is the Brake or Rack usually call'd the Duke of Exceters Daughter because he was tâ—e first Inventer of it And lastly It is a great Ornament by the situation of it both to the River and City The City of London hath divers other inferior Towers as that on the North of the great Bridge At the South end over the Gate there is also another Tower over London-Bridge which hath suffered many accidents of firing and otherwise and was still made up by the care and charge of the City specially one time when it was under bastard Fawconbridge burnt by the Marriners and Saylers of Kent The Antiquaries speak of two Castles that were in the West part of London one call'd the Castle of Monfiquet which was built by a Baron of that name who came over with the Conqueror which was afterwards demolished and the Black Fryers risen up out of the ruines of it The second Castle is Baynards Castle by Pauls Wharf built also by one Baynard who came over with the Conqueror who being ennobled the honour of Baynards Castle succeeded from Father to Son a long time till it came to Sir Robert Fitzwater a valiant Cavalier who being fallen into the displeasure of King Iohn in the Barons Warres was banished and Baynards Castle destroyed But afterwards being restâ—red to the Kings favour by an exployt he did in France he was re-invested in all his Livings and so repair'd Baynards Castle again Moreover he was made chief Banner-bearer of the City of London whereof he had a Charter which ran to this sense That he said Robert Fitzwater and his Heirs ought to be and are chief Bannerers of London in fee for the Chastilary which he and his Ancestors had from Baynards Castle and the said City In time of War the said Robert and his Heires ought to serve the City as followeth The said Robert he being the twentieth man of Armes himself ought to come on Horseback covered with Cloth or Armor under the great West door of St. Paul with his Banner displayed before him and when he is come mounted to that door and apparreld as before is said The Maior with the Aldermen and Sheriffs in their Arms shall come out of the Church of St. Paul unto the said West door the Maior bearing a Banner in his hand all on foot which Banner shall be Gules the Image of St. Paul Gold the face hands feet and Sword Argent And as soon as the said Robert shall see the Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs come on foot out of the Church armed with such a Banner he shall alight off his Horse and salute the Maior and say to him Sir Maior I am come to do my service which I owe to the City whereunto the Maior and Aldermen shall answer We give to you as to our Bannerer of fee in this City the Banner of this City to beare and govern to the honour and profit of this City to your power And the said Robert and his Heires shall receive the said Banner in his hands and shall go on foot out of the Gate with the Banner in his hands and the Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs shall follow to the door and shall bring a Horse to the said Bannerer worth twenty pounds which Horse
Mayor and the Aldermen descend again and confirm the Elections Then the Recorder making them a Speech of thanks the meeting ends Now touching the Hustings which we have mentioned so often it is the ancient'st and highest Court of the City of London Touching the Etymology of it it is a pure Saxon word and is derived of House and dhing or thing which among the Saxons signified a Cause or Plea in so much that Hustings is no other then the House of Causes or Pleading and Thingere was the ancient word for a Lawyer or Pleader This Court preserves the Laws Rights Franchises Customs and Dignities of the City There be handled also there the intricat'st accounts and Pleas of the Crowns and of the whole Kingdom which Court hath for many Ages conserv'd inviolably its own Prerogatives and Customs This Court was anciently held every Munday but it was chang'd of late years into Tuesday because of the Sheriffs intending the Market which being kept upon Munday would hinder their sitting in the Hustings Edward the Confessors Lawes refer much to this Hustings Court Moreover the Cities oâ— York Winchester Lincoln the Isle of Shepey and other places have had their Hustings There is also another Court peculiar to London which discovers as much of Charity as of Policy It is call'd the Court of Requests or the Court of Conscience It was first erected by an act of Common-Councel Anno 9. Henry 8. viz. That the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for the time being should monthly assign two Aldermen and four discreet Commoners to sit twice a week to hear and determine all matters brought before them betwixt Free-men where the due debt or dammage did not exceed 40S Afterwards the said number of Commissioners was encreased to the number of twelve which continued till the end of Q. Elizabeths Reign But primo Iacobi it was confirm'd by Act of Parliament That the said Commissioners should have power to exhibit an Oath and to commit to prison such as did not obey their Summons or perform the Orders they made betwixt Plaintiff and Defendant Debitor or Creditor touching any debt not amounting to forty shillings but such hath been the unconscionablenesse and malice of some men of late times that they have endeavour'd to overthrow the the said Court by cavilling at some doubtful words therein wresting them to a perverâ—e sense the rich might have power thereby to oppresse the poorer sort by bringing them to Westminster Hall to a further expence of time and trouble There is then the Court of the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen which is a Court of Record the Recorder and the two Sheriffs being Aldermen not else are members of this Court whose office it is to redresse and correct the errors defaults and misprisions which happen in the Government of the City This Court is kept Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year Then are the two Courts of the Sheriffs one for every Counter whereof there are two Lawyers as Judges well read in the Customs of the City as well as the common Laws but if an erroneous judgment be given before the Sheriffs the party griev'd may sue a Writ of error and remove it to the Hustings Then is the Court of Orphans For the Mayor and Aldermen by Custome have the custody of the Orphans within the City and if they commit the Custody of the Orphans to another man he shall have a ravishment of ward if the Orphan be taken away it being enacted that the Mayor and Chamberlain of London for the time being shall have the keeping of all the Lands and Goods of such Orphans as happen within the City saving to the King and other Lords their Rights of such as hold of them out of the same Liberty Now the Chamberlain is a sole Corporation to himself and his Successors for Orphans and a Recognizance made to him and his Successors touching Orphans shall by custome go to his Successor Moreover the Government of Orphans is so invested in the Mayor that it any Orphans sue in the Ecclesiastical Court or else-where for a Legacy or duty due to them by the Custome a Prohibition doth lye Then is there the Court of Common Councel which hath some resemblance of the high Court of Parliament for it consists of two Houses viz. the one of the Mayor and Aldermen and the other of the Commoners of the City Here they make Constitutions and Laws for advancement of Trade and regulation of other things which bind the whole City There is then the Court of the Chamberlain for Apprentices Now one may be free of London three manner of wayes first by Service secondly by Birth-right being sonne of a Freeman And thirdly by Redemption by Order of the Court of Aldermen The Chamberlain of London is an Officer very considerable in point of power for without him no man can 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 Apprenrice that mildemeans himself or punish him otherwise There are the Courts of the Coroner and the Escheator which both belong to the Lord Mayor he being Coroner and Escheator by vertue of his authority and Office Then is there a Court for the conservation of the water River of Thames which belongs to the Lord Mayor from Stanes-bridge unto the water of Yendal and Medway as is amply spoken of before Then is there the Court of the Tower of London and this Court is held within the Verge of the City before the Steward by prescription of debt trespasse and other actions now part of the Tower is within the City and part in Middlesex viz. the East part but the West in London whereof there was a notable example in the person of Sir Thomas Overbury who being poyson'd in a Chamber on the West part the principal murtherers were tryed before Commissioners of Oyer and Terminâ—r in London and so was Sir Gervase Elwayes the Liveâ—enant of the Tower at that time There is also a peculiar Court call'd the Court of Policies and of Assurances in London to Marchants that venture and traffique on the Seas where ships and goods are insur'd at so much in the hundred where there is an Officer of good quality who Registers these Assurances Then is the Court of Halmote or Hall Court for every Company of London having a particular Hall They use to meet there to deliberate of matters belonging to the Company Then is the Court of the Wardmote or of the Wardmote Inquest For the whole City being divided to 26 Wards every Ward hath such an Inquest consisting of twelve or more who inquire after abuses and disorders and present them to be redressed There is also a kind of Court call'd the Colledge of the President Censors and Commonalty or Physicians who have peculiar Lawes of their own and among other one is remarkable that if one who is not
thorow into Fen-Church street over against Northumberland house Then have ye Bricklayers Hâ—ll and another Alley called Sprinkle Alley now named Suger-loaf-alley of the like Siâ—n Then is there a fair House with divers Tenements near adjoyning sometimes belonging to a late dissolâ—ed Priory but since possessed by Mr. Cornwallies widdow and her Heirs by the gift of King Henry the eighth in reward of fine puddings as it was commonly said by her made wherewith she had presented him such was the Princely liberality of those times Of later time Sir Nicholas Throgmorton Knight was log'd there Then somewhat more West is Belzetters Lane so called of the first Builder and owner thereof now corruptly called Bâ—lliter lane betwixt this Belzetters lane and Lime-street was of later time a frame of three fair Houses set up in the year 1590 in place where before was a large Garden-plot enclosed from the High-street with a Brick Wall which Wall being taken down and the ground digged deep for cellerage there was found right under the said Brick Wall another Wall of stone with a Gate arch'd of stone and Gates of Timber closed in the middest towards the street the Timber of the Gates was consumed but the Hinges of Iron still remained on and their Staples on both the sides Moreover in that Wall were square Windowes with Bars of Iron on either side the Gate this Wall was under ground above two fathoms deep as it was esteemed and seemed to be the ruines of some House burned in the Reign of King Steven when the fire began in the House of one Aleward neer London-stone and consumed East to Ealdgate whereby it appeareth how greatly the ground of this City hath been in that place raised On the North side this principall street stretcheth to the West corner of Saint Andrews Church and then the Ward turneth towards the North by S. Mary street on the East side to St. Augustines Church in the Wall and so by Burryes Markes again or about by the Wall to Ealdgate The second way from Ealdgate more towards the South from the Pump aforesaid is called Fen-Church-street and is of Ealdgate Ward till ye come to Cullver Alley on the West side of Ironmongers Hall where sometimes was a Lane which went out of Fâ—n-Church-street to the middest of Lime-street but this Lane was stopped up for suspicion of Thieves that lurked there by night Again to Aldgate out of the principal street even by the Gate and Wall of the City runneth a Lane South to Crossed or Crouched-Fryers and then Woodroof Lane to the Tower Hill and out of this Lane West a street called Hart-street which of that Ward stretcheth to Sydon-lane by St. Olaves Church one other Lane more West from Algate goeth by Northumberland-House towards the Crossed-Fryars then have you on the same side the North end of Mart-lane and Blanch-axelton or Chappleton where that Ward endeth Thus much for bounds Now for Monuments or places most anciâ—nt and notable I am first to begin with the late dissolved Priory of the holy Trinity call'd Christs-Church on the right hand within Aldgate This Priory was founded by Matilda Queen and Wife to Henry the first in the same place where Siredus somtime began to erect a Church in honour of that Crosse and of Saint Mary Magdalen of which the Dean and Chapter of Waltham were wont to receive thirty shillings the Queen was to acquit her Church thereof and in exchange gave unto them a Miâ—â— King Henry her husband confirmed her gift This Church was given to Norman the first Canon regular in all England The said Queen gave also unto the same Church and those that served God therein the plot of Aldgate and the Soke or Tenements thereunto belonging with all Customs so free as she had held the same and 25 l. Blanks which she had of the City of Exeter as appeareth by her Deed wherein she nameth the House of Christs-Church and reporteth Aldgate to be of her Demains which she granteth with two parts of the rent of the City of Excester Norman took on him to be Prior of Christs-Church in the year of Christ 1108 in the Parishes of St. Mary Magdalen St. Michael St. Katherine and the blessed Trinity and was in old time of the holy Crosse or holy Râ—â—d Parish The Priory was builded on a piece of ground in the Parish of St. Katherine towards Aldgate which lyeth in length betwixt the Kings-street by the which men go towards Algate near to the Chappel of St. Michael towards the North and containeth in â—ength eighty three ells half quarter and half quartern of the Kings Iron eln and lieth in breadth c. The Soke and Ward of Aldgate was then bounded as I have before shewn The Queen was a men also that the Land and English Knighten-Guâ—ld was given unto the Prior Norman and the honorable man Geffrey de Clinton was a great helper therein and obtained that the Canons might enclose the way betwixt their Church and the Wall of the City c. This Priory in processe of time became a very fair and large Church rich in Lands and Ornaments and passed all the Priories in the City of London or Shire of Middlesex The Prior whereof was an Alderman of London to wit of Portsoken Ward It is Recorded that Eustacius the eighth Prior about the year 1264 because he would not deal with temporal Matters instituted Theobald Fitz Ivonâ—s Alderman of the said Portsoken Ward under him and that VVilliam Rising Prior of Christs Church was sworne Alderman of the said Portsoken Ward in the first of Richard the second These Priors have sitten and ridden amongst the Aldermen of London in Livery like unto them faring that his habit was in shape of a spirituall person at which time the Prior kept a most bountiful house of meat and drink both for rich and poor as well within the House as at the Gates to all comers according to their estates and qualities But to take leave of this Priory King Henry the eighth minding to reward Sir Thomas Audley Speaker of the Parliament against Cardinal Woolsey as ye may read in the Chronicle sent for the Prior commending him for his Hospitality promised him preferment as a man worthy of a far greater dignity which promise surely he performed and compounded with him though in what sort I never heard so that the Priory with the appurtenances was surrendred to the King in the month of Iuly 1531 the 23 of the said Kings Reign the Canons were sent to other houses of the same Order and the Priory with the appurtenances King Henry gave to Sir Tho. Audley newly knighted and afterwards made Lord Chancelour Sir Thomas Audley offered the great Church of this Priory with a ring of nine Bells well tuned whereof four of the greatest were since sold to the Parish of Stebunbith and the five lesser to the Parish of St. Katherine Christs-Church in exchange for their small Parish Church minding to have
builded houses one that sometime belonged to the Prior of Monte Joves or Monastarie Cornute a Cell to Monte Joves beyond the Seas in Essex it was the Priors Inne when he repaired to this City Then a Lane that leadeth down by Northumberland House towards the Crossed Fryers as is afore shewed This Northumberland House in the Parish of St. Katherine Coleman belonging to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland in the 33. of Henrie the sixth but of late being left by the Earls the Gardens thereof were made into Bowling Alleys and other parts into Dicing-houses common to all commers for their money there to bowl recreate themselves But now of late so many Bowling Alleys and other houses for unlawful gaming have been raised in other parts of the City and Subburbs that this which was used to be the ancientest and only Rendezvouz of sport is left and forsaken of the Gamesters and therefore turned into a number of great Rents small Cottages for strangers and others At the East end of this Lane in the way from Aldgate toward the Crossed Friers of old time were certain Tenements called the Poor Jurie of Jewes dwelling there Next unto this Northumberland house is the Parish Church of St. Katherine called Coleman which addition of Coleman was taken of a great Haw-yard or Garden of old time called Coleman Haw in the Parish of the Trinity now called Christs Church And in the Parish of St. Katherine and All-saints called Coleman Church There are some handsome Tombs in this Church and particularly of Sir Henry Billingley Knight and Lord Mayor of London who was a Benefactor thereunto Then have ye Blanch Appleton whereof we read in the 13th of Edw. the first that a Lane behind the same Blanch Appleton was granted by the King to be inclosed and shut up This Blanch Appleton was a Mannor belonging to Sir Thomas Râ—â—os of Hamelake Knight the 7th of Rich the 2d standing at the North-East corner of Mart Lane so called of a priviledge sometime enjoyed to keep a Mart there long since discontinued and therefore forgotten so as nothing remaineth for memory but the name of Mart Lane and now corruptly termed Mark Lane Of the fourth Ward or Aldermanry of London called Limestreet Ward WE will now give a visit to Limestreet Ward which takes its denomination from the street and the street from making Lime there in times passed In Limestreet are divers fair Houses for Marchants and others there was sometime a Mansion house of the Kings called the Kings Artirce as it stands upon Record in the 14th of Edward the first but now grown out of knowledge We read also of another great House in the West side of Limestreet having a Chappel on the South and a Garden on the West belonging to the Lord Nevill which Garden is now called Green Yard of the Leaden Hall This House in the 9th of Rich. 2. pertained to Sir Simon Burley and Sir John Burley his Brother and of late the said House was taken down and the forefront thereof new builded of Timber by Hugh Offley Alderman At the North-west Corner of Limestreet was of old time one great Mesuage called Benbridges Inne Raph Holland Draper about the year 1452. gave it to John Gill Master and to the VVardens and Fraternity of Taylors and Linnen Armourers of St. John Baptist in London and to their successors for ever They did set up in places thereof a fair large frame of Timber containing in the high street one great house and before it to the corner of Limestreet three other Tenements the corner house being the largest and then down Limestreet divers handsome Tenements All which the Marchant-Taylors in the Raign of Edw. 6. sold to Stephen Kirton Marchant-Taylor and Alderman who gave with his Daughter Grisild to Nicholas Woodroffe the said great House with two Tenements before it in lieu of an hundred pounds and made it up in money three hundred sixty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence This worthy man and the Gentlewoman his Widow after him kept those houses down Limestreet in good reparations never put out but one Tenant took no fines nor raised rents for them which was ten shillings the piece yearly But whether that favour did over-live her Funeral the Tenants now can best declare the contrary The next is Leaden-Hall of which we read that in the year 1309. it belonged to Sir Hugh Nevil Knight and that the Lady Alice his Wife made a Feoffment thereof by the name of Leaden Hall with the Advousions of S. Peter on Cornhill and other Churches to Richard Earl of Arrundel and Surrey 1362. Moreover in the year 1380. Alice Nevil Widow to Sir Iohn Nevil Knight of Essex confirmed to Thomas Cogshall and others the said Mannor of Leaden-Hall and the advousions c. In the year 1384. Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford had the said Mannor And in the year 1408. Robert Rikeden of Essex and Margaret his Wife confirmed to Richard Whittington and other Citizens of London the said Mannor of Leaden Hall with the Appurtenances the Advousion of St. Peters Church S. Margaret Pattens c. And in the year 141â— the said Whitington and other confirmed the same to the Maior and Comminalty of London whereby it came to the possession of the City Then in the year 1443. the one and twenty of Henry the sixth Iohn Hatheyrley Maior purchased Licence of the said King to take up 200. fodder of Lead for the building of Water Conduits a common Granary and the Crosse in West Cheape more richly for the honour of the City In the year next following the Parson and Parish of St. Dunstane in the East of London seeing the Noble and mighty Man for the words be in the Grant Cùm Nobilis Potens vir Simon Eyre Citizen of London among other his works of piety effectually determined to erect build a certain Granary upon the soil of the same City at Leaden Hall of his own charges for the common utility of the said City to the amplifying and inlarging of the said Granary granted to Henry Frowick then Maior the Aldermen and Commonalty and their Successors for ever all their Tenements with the appurtenances sometime called the Horse Mill in Grasse-street for the annual Rent of four pounds c. Also certain evidences of an Alley and Tenements pertaining to the Horse Mill adjoyning to the said Leaden Hall in Grasse-street given by VVilliam Kingstone Fishmonger unto the Parish Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill do specifie the said Granary to be builded by the said Honourable and famous Marchant Simon Eyre sometime an Upholster and â—hen a Draper in the year 1419. He builded it of squared stone in form as now it sheweth with a fair and large Chappel in the East side of the Quadrant over the Porch of which he caused to be written Dextra Domini exaltavit me The Lords right hand exalted me Within the said Church on the North wall was written Honorandus
famosus Mercator Simon Eyre hujus operis c. In English thus The honourable and famous Marchant Simon Eyre founder of this work once Maior of this City Citizen and Draper of the same departed out of this life the 18th day of Septemb. the year from the Incarnation of Christ 1459. and the 38. year of the Raign of King Henry the sixth he was buried in the Parish Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Lumbard street he gave by his Testament to be distributed to all Prisons in London or within a mile of that City somewhat to relieve them More he gave 2000 Marks upon a condition which not performed was then to be distributed to Maids Marriages and other deeds of Charity he also gave 3000 Marks to the Drapers upon condition that they should within one year after his decease establish perpetually a Master or Warden five secular Priests six Clerks and two Queristers to sing daily Divine Service by note for ever in this Chappel of the Leaden-hall Also one Master with an Usher for Grammar one Master for Writing and the third for Song with Houses there newly builded for them for ever the Master to have for his salary ten pounds and every other Priest eight pounds every other Clarke five pounds six shillings eight pence and every other Chorister five Marks and if the Drapers refused this to do within one year after his decease then the three thousand Marks to remain to the Prior and Covent of Christs-Church in London with condition to establish things as aforesaid within two years after his decease And if they refused then the three thousand Marks to be disposed by his Executors as they best could devise in works of Charity Thus much for his Testament not performed by establishing of Divine Service in his Chappel or Free-School and Scholars neither was it known how the stock of three thousand Marks or rather five thousand Marks was employed by his Executors he left issue Thomas who had issue Thomas c. True it is that in the year 1464 the third of Edward the fourth it was agreed by the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of London that notwithstanding the Kings Letters Pattents lately before granted unto them touching the Trouage or weighing of Wares to be held at Leaden-hall yet Suite should be made to the King for new Letters Pattents to be granted to the Mayor of the Staple for the Trouage of Wools to be holden there and order to be taken by the discretion of Thomas Cooke then Mayor The Councel of the City Geffrey filding then Mayor of the Staple at Westminster and of the Kings Councel what should be paid to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City for the laying and housing of the Wools there that so they might be brought forth and weighed c. Touching the Chappel there we find that in the year 1466 by Licence obtained of King Edward the fourth in the sixth of his Reign a Fraternity of the Trinity of 60 Priests besides other brethren and sisters in the same Chappel was founded by Rouse Iohn Risby and Thomas Ashby Priests some of the which sixty Priests every Market-day in the fore-noon did celebrate Divine service there to such Market people as repaired to prayer and once every year they met altogether and had solemn Service with procession of all the Brethren and Sisters this foundation was in the year 1512 by a Common-Councel confirmed to the sixty Trinity Priests and to their Successors at the will of the Mayor and Commonalty In the year 1484 a great fire happened upon Leaden-hall by what casualty it was not known but much housing was there destroyed with all the Stocks for Guns and other provision belonging to the City which was a great losse and no lesse charge to be repaired by them In the year 1503. the eighteenth of Henry the seventh a request was made by the Commons of the City concerning the usage of the said Leaden-Hall in form as followeth Please it the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel to enact that all Frenchmen bringing Canvas Linnen cloth and other Wares to be sold and all Forreins bringing Woolsteads Sayes Stamins Kiverings Nayles Iron work or any other Wares and also all Forreins bringing Lead to the City to be sold shall bring all such their Wares aforesaid to the open Market of the Leaden-Hall and no where else to be shewed sold and uttered like as of old time it hath been used upon pain of forfeiture of all the said Wares shewed or sold in any other place than aforesaid And the shew of the said Wares to be made three daies in a week that is to lay Monday Tuesday and Wednesday It is also thought reasonable that the common Beam be kept from henceforth in the Leaden-hall the Farmer to pay therefore reasonable rent to the Chamber for better it is that the Chamber have advantage thereby than a Forreign person And also the said Leaden-hall which is more chargeable now by half than profitable shall better bear out the charges thereof Also the common Beam for Wool at Leaden-hall may pay yearly a rent to the Chamber of London toward the supportation and charges of the same place for reason it is that a common Office occupied upon a common ground bear a charge to the use of the Communalty Also that Forrains bringing Wools Felts or any other Marchandizes or Wares to Leaden-hall to be kept there for the sale and market may pay more largely for keeping of their goods than Freemen Thus much for the request of the Commons at that time Now to set down some proof that the said Hall hath been employed and used as a Granary for Corn and grain as the same was first appointed leaving all former examples this one may suffice Roger Achley Mayor of London in the year 1512 the third of Henry the eighth when the said Mayor entred the Majoralty there was not found one hundred quarters of Wheat in all the Garners of this City either within the Liberties or near adjoyning through the which scarcity when the Carts of Stratford came laden with Bread to the City as they had been accustomed there was such press about them that one man was ready to destroy another in striving to be served for their money but this scarcity lasted not long for the Mayor in short time made such provision for Wheat that the Bakers both of London and of Stratford were weary of taking it up and were forced to take much more than they would and for the rest the Mayor laid out the money and stored it up in Leaden-hall and other Garners of the City This Mayor also kept the Market so well that he would be at the Leaden-Hall by four a clock in the Summer mornings and from thence he went to other Markets to the great comfort of the Citizens We read also that in the year 1528 the twentieth of Henry the eighth Surveyers were appointed to view the Garners of the City namely the
the West side but not so far on the East Then the aforesaid street from this Finkes Lane now Finch Lane runneth down by the Royal Exchange to the Stocks and to a place commonly called the Scalding-house or Scalding wicke but now Scalding Alley by the West side whereof under the Parish Church of St. Mildred runneth the course of VVallbrooke and these be the bounds of this Ward Here stands the Parish Church of Alhallowes in the Wall so called of standing close to the Wall of the City near Moorfields and over against Winchester house which was so vast and spacious a Mansion that it has been many years since cut into divers habitations For the Glasse-house stood in part of it the Spanish Ambassadour had another part And now of late the Excise Office hath bin kept in another part On the other side of the street among many proper Houses possessed for the most part by Curriers is the Carpenters Hall which Company was Incorporated in the seventeenth year of Edward the fourth Then East from the Curriers row is a long and high Wall of stone in the foresaid Winchester house enclosing the North side of a large Garden adioyning to as large an house builded in the Reigns of King Henry the eighth and of Edward the sixth by Sir William Powlet Lord Treasurer of England thorow his Garden which of old time consisted of divers parts now united was sometimes a fair foot way leading by the West end of the Augustine Fryars Church straight North and opened somewhat West from Alhallowes Church against London Wall towards Mooregate which foot-way had Gates at either end locked up every night but now the same way being taken into those Gardens the Gates are closed up with Stone whereby the people are enforced to go about by Saint Peters Church and the East end of the said Fryers Church and all the said great place and Garden of Sir William Pawlet to London Wall and so to Moorgate This great House adjoyning to the Garden aforesaid stretcheth to the North corner of Broad-street and then turneth up Broad-street all that side to and beyond the East end of the said Friers Church It was builded by the said Lord Treasurer in place of Augustine Fryers House Cloyster and Gardens c. The Fryars Church he pulled not down but the West end thereof enclosed from the Steeple and Quire was in the year 1550 granted to the Dutch Nation in London to be their preaching place The other part namely the Steeple Quire and side Iles to the Quire adjoyning he reserved to houshold uses as for Stowage of Corn Coal and other thingâ— his Son and Heir Marquiss of VVinchester sold the Monuments of Noble men there buried in great number Paving stone and whatsoever which cost many thousand pounds for one hundred pounds and in place thereof made fair sâ—abling for horses He caused the Lead to be taken from the roofs and laid Tyle in place which exchange proved not so profitable as he looked for but rather to his disadvantage for there have been some remarkable judgements upon that Family since On the East side of this Broad street amongst other buildings on the back part of Gresham House which is in Bishopsgate street there are placed eight Alms-houses builded of Brick and Timber by Sir Thomas Gresham Knight for eight Almes-men which be now there placed rent-free and receive each of them by his gift six pound thirteen shillings four pence yearly for ever Next unto Pawlet House is the Parish Church of Saint Peter the poor so called for a difference from other of that name sometime peradventure a poor Parish but at this present there be many fair Houses possessed by rich Marchants and others In this little Church there be some fair Monuments one of Sir Thomas Lowe and another of Sir VVilliam Garaway with Iohn Lucas Esquire of Colchester Then next have ye the Augustine Fryers Church and Church-yard the entring thereunto by a South gate to the West Porch a large Church having a most fine spired Steeple small high and streight that there are few the like founded by Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex in the year one thousand two hundred fifty three Râ—egnald Cobham gave this Messuage in London to the enlarging thereof in the year one thousand three hundred fourty four Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex re-edified this Church in the year 1354 whose Body was there buried in the Quire The small spired Steeple of this Church was overthrown by tempest of wind in the year one thousand three hundred sixty two but was raised of new as still it might have stood had not private benefit the only devourer of Antiquity pull'd it down Both that goodly Steeple and all that East part of the Church hath lately been taken down and Houses for one mans commodity raised in the place whereby London hath lost so goodly an ornament and times hereafter may more talk of it This House was valued at fifty seven pounds and was surrendred the twelfth of November the 13 of Henry the 8. There were many great Monuments in this Fryers Church one of Edmond first son to Ioan mother to Richard the second Guy de Meryke Earl of Saint Paul Lucie Countesse of Kent Richard the great Earl of Arundel Surrey VVarren Sir Francis Atcourt Earl of Pembrooke Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford with Aubery de Vere his son the Lady of Bedford with Edward Duke of Buckingham and very many more persons of quality On the South side and at West end of this Church many fair houses are builded namely in Throgmorton street one very large and spacious builded in the place of old and small Tenements by Thomas Cromwel Master of the Kings Jewel-house after that Master of the Rolls then Lord Cromwell Knight Lord Privie Seal Vicar General Earl of Essex high Chamberlain of England c. This house being finished and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a Garden he caused the pales of the Gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and tweâ—ty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every mans ground a Line there to be drawn a Trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high Brick Wall to be builded and this was suddenly and no warning given nor other answer but when any spake to the Surveyers of that work they said their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to do so that no man durst go to argue the matter but each man lost his Land Thus the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves The Company of Drapers in London bought this House and now the same is their Common Hall This Company obtained of King Henry the sixth in the seventeenth of his Reign to be incorporate Iohn Gedney was chosen to be their first Master and the four Wardens were Iohn VVotton I. Darby Robert Breton and T. Cooke The Armes granted to the said
the North and Lumbard-street on the West in Lumbard-street is one fair Parish Church called Alhallowes Grasse-Church in Lumbard-street for so 't is read in Evidences of Record for that the Grasse-Market went down that way when that street was farre broader then now it is being straightned by incroachments now This Church was new builded John Warner Armorer and then Grocer Sheriff 1494. builded the South I le his Sonne Robert Warner Esquire finished it in the year 1516. The Pewterers were benefactors towards the North I le c. The Steeple or Bel-Tower thereof was finished in the year 1554. about the 36. of Henry the 8th The fair Stone-Porch of this Church was brought from the late dissolved Priory of St. John of Jerusalem by Smithfield so was the frame of their Bells but the Bells being bought were never brought thither by reason that one old VVarner Draper of that Parish deceasing his Sonne Mark VVarner would not perform what his Father had begun and appointed so that fair Steeple hath but one Bell as Fryers were wont to use c. Next is a common Ostery for Travellers called the George of such a signe This is said to have pertained to the Earl Ferrers and was his London Lodging in Lumbardstreet And that in the year 1175. a Brother of the said Earl being there privily slain in the night was there thrown down into the dirty street Next is the Parish Church of St. Edmond the King and Martyr in Lumbard-street by the South corner of Birchover Lane This Church is also called St. Edmond Grasse-Church because the said Grasse-Market came down so low Sir John Mâ—lburn and Sir VVilliam Chester both Lord Maiors with others have Monuments in this Church From this Church down Lombard-street by Birchovers Lane the one half of which Lane is of this Ward and so down be divers fair Houses namely one with a fair fore-front towards the street builded by Sir Martin Bowes Goldsmith since Maior of London And then one other sometime belonging to William de la pole Earl of Suffolk in the 24. of Richard the second and was his Marchants House and so down towards the Stocks Market lacking but some three houses thereof The South side of this Ward beginneth in the East at the Chain to be drawn thwart Mart-Lane up into Fenchurch-street and so West by the North end of Mincheon-Lane to St. Margaret Pattens street or Rood Lane and down that street to the mid-way towards St. Margarets Church then by Philpot-Lane so called of Sir John Philpot that dwelled there and was owner thereof and down that Lane some six or eight houses on each side is all of this Ward Then by Grasse-Church corner into Lumbard-street to St. Clements Lâ—ne and down the same to St. Clements Church then down St. Nicholas Lane and down the same to St. Nicholas Church and the same Church is of this Ward Then to Abchurch Lane and down some small portion thereof then down Sherborn-Lane a part thereof and a part of Bearbinder-Lane be of this Ward and then down Lumbard-street to the sign of the Angel almost to the corner over against the Stocks Market On the South side of this Ward somewhat within Mart-lane have ye the Parish Church of Alhallowes commonly called Stane-Church as may be supposed for a difference from other Churches of that name in this City which of old time were builded of Timber and since were builded of stone Sir John Test Knight of the holy Sepulcher hath here a Monument with others Then is the Parish Church of St. Nicholas Acon or Hacon for so it is read in the Records in Lombardstreet Sir John Bridges Draper Maior 1520. newly repaired this Church and imbattelled it and was there buried Then is there in the high street a comely Parish Church of St. Mary Wolnoth of the Nativity the reason of which name the Annals make no mention This Church is lately new builded Sir Hugh Price Goldsmith Mayor in the first year of Henry the 7th Keeper of the Kings Exchange at London and one of the Governours of the Kings Mint in the Tower of London under William Lord Hastings the fifth of Edward the fourth deceased 1496. He builded in this Church a Chappel called the Charnel as also part of the Body of the Church and of the Steeple and gave money toward the finishing thereof besides the stone that he had prepared he was buried in the Body of the Church and Guy Brice or Boys was also buried there with some other of note Simon Eyre 1459. He gave the Tavern called the Cardinals Hat in Lumbard-street with a Tenement annexed on the East part of the Tavern and a Mansion behind the East Tenement together with an Ally from Lumbard-street to Corn-hill with the appurrenances all which were by him new builded toward a Brother-hood of our Lady in St. Mary Wolnoths Church Among others Sir Martin Bowes hath a Monument there who Anno 1569. gave certain Lands for discharging Langborn Ward of all fifteens granted by Parliament Of the Ninth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Billingsgate Ward WE will now go South-East and take a Survey of Billingsgate-Ward which beginneth at the West end of Tower-street Ward in Thames-street about Smarts Key and runneth down along that street on the South side to St. Magnus Church at the Bridge foot and on the North side of the said Thames-street from over against Smarts Key till over against the North-West Corner of St. Magnus Church aforesaid On this North side of Thames-street is St. Mary Hill Lane up to St. Margarets Church and then part of St. Margarets Pattens street at the end of St. Mary Hills Lane next out of Thames-street is Lucas Lane and then Buttolph Lane and at the North end thereof Philpot Lane Then is there Rother Lane of old time so called and thwart the same Lane is little East-Cheape And these be the bounds of Billingsgate Ward Touching the principal Ornaments within this Ward on the South side of Thamesstreet beginning at the East end thereof there is first the said Smarts Key so called of one Smart sometime owner thereof The next is Billinsgate whereof the whole Ward taketh name the which leaving out of the Roman's faining it to be builded by King Belâ—nus a Britain â—ong before the Incarnation of Christ is at this present a large Water-gate Port or Harbor for Ships and Boats commonly arriving there with Fish both fresh and salt Shell-fishes Salt Oranges Onions and other Fruits and Rooâ—s Wheat Rie and Grain of divers sorts for service of the City and the parts of this Realm adjoyning This Gate is now more frequented then of old time when the Queens Hith was used as being appointed by the Kings of this Realm to be the special or only Port for taking up of all such kind of Matchandizes brought to this City by strangers and Forraigners because the Draw-Bridge of Timbeâ— at London Bridge was then to be raised and drawn
Ward Then higher in Grasse-street is the Parish Church of St. Bennet called Grass-Church of the Herbe Market there kept this Church also is of the Bridge Ward and the farthest North end thereof The Customes of Grasse-Church Market in the Reign of Edward the third as appears in a Book of Customes were these every forreign Cart laden with Corn or Malt coming thither to be sold was to pay one half penny every Forreign Cart bringing Cheeâ—e two pence every Cart of Corn and Cheeâ—e together if the Cheese be more worth than the Corn two pence and if the Corn be more worth than the Cheese it was to pay a half-penny of two Horses laden with Corn oâ— Malt the Bayliff had one farthing The Carts of the Franchiâ—e of the Temple and of Saint Mary Le Grand paid afarching the Carr of the Hospitall of St. Iohn of Ierusalem paid nothing of their proper goods and if the Corn were brought by Merchants to sell again the load paid a half penny c. On the West side of this Ward at the North end of London Bridge is a part of Thames street which is also of this Ward to wit so much as of old time was called Stock-Fishmonger Row of the Stock-Fish-mongers dwelling tâ—ere down West to a Waâ—er-gate of old time called Ebgate since Ebgate Lane and now the Old Swan which is a common stair on the Thames but the passage is very â—arrow by means of encroachments On the South side of Thames street about the Mid-way betwixt the Bridge foot and Ebgate Lane standeth the Fishmongers Hall and divers other fair Houses for Merchants These Fishmongers were sometimes of two several Companies to wit Stock-Fishmongers and Salt-Fishmongers Of whoâ—e antiquity we read that by the name of Fishmongers of London they were for fore-stalling c. contrary to the Laws and constitutions of the City fined to the King at 500 Marks the eighteenth of King Edward the first Moreover that the said Fishmongers hearing of the great victory obtained by the same King against the Scots in the six twentieth of his Reign made a Triumphant and solemn Shew through the City with divers Pageants and more than a thousand Horsemen c. These two Companies of Stock-Fishmongers and Salt-Fishmongers of old time had their severall Halls to wit in Thames street twain in New Fish-street twaiâ— in Old Fish-street twain in each place one for either Company in all six several Halls the Company was so great that it lies upon Records that these Fishmongers have been jolly Citizens and six Mayors have been of their Company in the space of four and twenty years to wit Walter Turk 1350 John Lofkin 1359 John Wreth 1361 John Pechie 1362 Simon Morden 1369 and William Wallworth 1374. It followed that in the year 1382 through the Counsel of John North hampton Draper then being Mayor VVilliam Essex John More Mercer and Richard Northbury the said Fishmongers were greatly troubled hindred of their Liberties and almost destroyed by combinations made against them so that in a Parliament at London the controversie depending between the Mayor and Aldermen of London and the Fishmongers Nic. Exton Speaker for the Fishmongers prayeth the King to receive him and his Company into his protection for fear of corporal hurt whereupon it was commanded either part to keep the peace upon pain of losing all they had Hereupon a Fishmonger starting up replyed that the complain brought against them by the movers c. was but matter of malice for that the Fishmongers in the Reign of Edward the 3d. being chief Officers of the City had for their misdemeanors then done committed the chief exhibitors of those Petitions to prison In this Parliament the Fishmongers by the Kings Charter Patents were restored to their Liberties Notwithstanding in the year next following 1383 John Cavendish Fishmongâ—r craveth the peace against the Chancellour of England which was granted and he put in Sureties the Earls of Stafford and Salisbury and challengeth the Chancellour for taking a bribe of ten pounds for favour of Cavendish Case which the Chancellour by Oath upon the Sacrament avoideth In further triall it was found that the Chancellours man without his Masters privity had taken it whereupon Cavendish was Judged to prison and to pay the Chancellour 1000 Marks for slandering him After this many of the Nobles assembled at Reading to supprese the seditious Sheirs of the said John Northampion or Combarton late Mayor that had attempted great and hainous enterprises of the which he was convict and when he stood mute nor would utter one word it was Decreed that he should be committed to perpetual prison his goods confiscate to the Kings use and that he should not come within a hundred miles of London during his life He was therefore sent to the Castle of Fintegall in the Confines of Cornwall and in the mean space the Kings Servants spoiled his goods John Moore Richard Northbury and others were likewise there Convict and condemned to perpetual prison and their goodâ— confiscate for certain Congregations by them made against the Fishmongers in the City of London as is aforesaid but theyâ— obtained and had the Kings pardon in the fourteenth of his Reign as appeareth upon Record and thus were all these troubles appealed Those Stock-Fishmongers and Salt-Fishmongers were united in the year 1536 the eight and twentieth of Henry the eighth their Hall to be but one in the House given unto them by Sir Iohn Cornwall Lord Fanhope and of Ampthull in the Parish of Saint Michael in Crooked Lane in the Reign of Henry the sixth Thus much was thought remarkable to be spoken of the Fishmongers men ignorant of their Antiquities and not able to shew a reason why or when they were in amity with the Goldsmiths do give part of their Arms c. Neither to say ought of Sir William Walworth the Glory of their Company more than that he slew Jack Straw which some do question for the said Straw was after the overthrow of the Rebels taken and by judgement of the Mayor beheaded whose confession at the Gallows is extant in Mr. Stows Annales where also is set down the most valiant and praise-worthy act of Sir William Walworth against the principal Rebel Wat Tyler On that South side of Thames street have ye Drink-water Wharf and Fish Wharf in the Parish of Saint Magnus On the North side of Thames street is Saint Martins Lane a part of which Lane is also of this Ward to wit on the one side to a Well of water and on the other side as far up as against the said Well Then is St. Michaels Lane part whereof is also of this Ward up to a Well there c. Then at the upper end of New Fish-street is a Lane turning towards St. Michaels Lane and is called Crooked-Lane of the crooked windings thereof Above this Lanes end upon Fish-street Hill is one great House for the most pâ—rt builded with stone which pertained sometime to
Edward the black Prince sonne to Edward the third who was in his life time lodged there and 't was called the Prince of VVales his Court which was afterward for a long time a common Hostry having the sign of the Black Bell. Of the Eleventh Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Candle-wick Ward WE will now see what light Antiquity can give us of Candle-wick street or Candle-wright street Ward It beginneth at the East end of great East-cheap it passeth West through East-cheap to Candle-wright street and thorough the same down to the North end of Suffolk Lane on the South side and down that Lane by the West end of St. Lawrence Church-yard which is the farthest West part of that Ward the street of Great East-cheap is so called of the Market there kept in the East part of the City as VVest-cheap is a Market so called being in the West This East-Cheap is now a Flesh-market of Butchers there dwelling on both sides of the street it had sometime also Cooks mixed amongst the Bâ—tchers and such other as sold Victuals ready dressed of all sorts For of old time when friends did meet and were disposed to be merry they never went to dine and Sup in Taverns but to the Cooks where they called for meat what them liked 〈◊〉 they alwayes sound ready dressed and at a reasonable rate for Vintners 〈◊〉 â—old onâ—y Wine In the year 1410. the eleventh of Henry the fourth upon the Even of Saint Iohn Baptist the Kings Sonnes Thomas and Iohn being in East-Cheape at Supper or rather at break-fast for it was after the Watch was broken up betwixt two and three a Clock after mid-night a great debate happened between their men and other of the Court which lasted one houre till the Maior and Sheriffs with other Citizens appeaâ—â—d the same For the which afterwards the said Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs were called to answer before the King his Sons and divers Lords being highly moved against the City At which time William Gascoignâ— chief Justice required the Maior and Aldermen for the Citizens to put them in the Kings Grace whereunto they answered that they had not offended but according to the Law had done their best in stinting debate and maintaining of the peace upon which answer the King remitted all his Ire and dismissed them And to prove this East-Cheape to be a place replenished with Cooks it may appear by a Song called London lick-penny made by Lidgate a Monk of Bury in the Reign of Henry the fifth in the person of a Country-man comming to London and travelling thorough the same In West-Cheape saith the Song he was called on to buy fine Lawn Paris Thred Cotton Umble and other linnen Clothes and such like he speaketh of no silk In Corn-hill to buy old Apparel and Houshold-stuffe where he was forced to buy his own Hood which he had lost in Westminster-hall In Candlewright-street Drapers proâ—cred him Cheap Cloth In East-Cheape the Cooks cryed hot Ribs of Beef rosted Pies well baked and other Victuals There was clattering of Pewter-Pots Harp Pipe and Sawtry yea by cock nay by cock for greater Oaths were spared some sang of Ienkin and Julian c. All which Melody liked well the Passenger but he wanted money to abide by it and therefore gat him into Gravesend-Barge and home into Kent Candlewright so called in old Records of the Guild-hall of St. Mary Overies and other or Candlewick-street took that name as may be supposed either of Chaundlers or Makers of Candles both of Wax and Tallow for Candle-wright is a Maker of Candles and of Wick which is the Cotton or yarn thereof or otherwise which is the place where they used to work them as scalding wick by the Stocks-Market was called of the Poulterers dressing and scalding their Poultry there And in divers Countries Dairy-houses or Cottages wherein they make Butter and Cheese are usually called Wickes There dwelled also of old time divers Weavers of Woollen Clothes brought in by Edward the 3d for I read that in the four and twentieth of his Reign the Weavers brought out of Flanders were appointed their meetings to be in the Church-yard of St. Lawrence Poultney and the Weavers of Brabant in the Church-yard of St. Mary Sommerset There were then in this City Weavers of divers sorts to wit of Drapery or Tapery and Nappery these Weavers of Candlewicke street being in short time worn out their place is now possessed by rich Drapers Sellers of Woollen Cloth c. On the Northside of this Ward at the West end of East-Cheape have ye St. Clements Lane a part whereof on both sides is of Candlewicke street Ward to wit somewhat North beyond the Parish Church of St. Clement in East-cheape Though this Church be small yet there are some comely Monuments in it among others of William Chartney and William Overy who founded a Chantry there Next is St. Nicholas Lane for the most part on both sides of this Ward almost to St. Nicholas Church Then is Abchurch Lane which is on both sides almost wholly of this Ward the Parish Church there called of St. Mary Abchurch Apechurch or Upchurch as I have read it standeth somewhat near unto the South end thereof on a rising ground It is a fair Church Simon de Winchcombe sounded a Chauntery there the 19th of Richard the Littletonâ—ounded â—ounded another and Thomas Hondon another Here are likewise some remarkable Monuments particularly of Sir Iames and Sir Iohn Branch both Lord Mayors of London about the year 1570. On the South side of this Ward beginning again at the East is St. Michaels lane which lane is almost wholly of this Ward on both sides down towards Thames street to a Well or Pump there on the East side of this Lane is Crooked Lane aforesaid by St. Michaels Church towards New Fishstreet One of the most ancient Houses in this Lane is called the Leaden Porch and belonged sometime to Sir John Merston Knight the first of Edward the 4th It is now called the Swan in Crooked Lane possessed of strangers and retailing of Rhenish Wine The Parish Church of this St. Michaels was sometime but a small and homely thing standing upon part of that ground wherein now standeth the Parsonage House and the ground thereabout was a filthy plot by reason of the Butchers in East-Cheape who made the same their Lay-stall VV. de Burgo gave two Messuages to that Church in Candlewick street 1317. John Loveken Stock-fish monger fout times Maior builded in the same ground this fair Church of St. Michael and was there buried in the Quire under a fair Tombe with the Images of him and his Wise in Alabaster the said Church hath bin since increased with a new Quire and side Chappels by Sir W. Walworth Stock-fishmonger Maior sometime Servant to the said John Loveken Also the Tombe of Loveken was removed and a flat stone of gray marble garnished with Plates of Copper laid on him as it
of St. Swâ—then standeth at the South vvest corner of this Lane Licence vvas procured to new build and increase the said Church and Steeple in the year 1420. Sir Iohn Hend Draper and Maior was an especial Benefactor thereunto as appeareth by his Arms in the Glasse vvindows even in the tops of them which is in a Field Argent a Chief Azure a Lyon passant Argent a Cheueron Azure three Escalops Argent Ralph Ioceline Maior of London among others hath a Monument in this Church having bin a benefactor to it On the South side of this high street near unto the Channel is pitched upright a great stone called London stone fixed in the ground very deep fastned with Barres of Iron and otherwise so strongly set that if Carts do run against it through negligence the VVheels be broken and the Stone it self unshaken The cause vvhy this Stone was there set the time when or other memory thereof is none but that the same hath long continued there is manifest namely since or rather before the Conquest for in the end of a fair written Gospel Book given to Christs Church in Canterbury by Ethelstane King of the vvest Saxons mention is made of Lands and Rents in London belonging to the said Church whereof one parcel is described to lie near unto London Stone Of latter time we read that in the year of Christ 1135. the first of King Stephen a fire which began in the house of one Ailward near unto London stone consumed all East to Ealdgate in which fire the Priory of the Holy Trinity was burnt and vvest to St. Erkenwalds shrine in Pauls Church and these be the Eldest Notes that I read thereof Some have said this stone to be set there as a Mark in the middle of the City within the Wall but in truth it standeth far nearer to the River of Thames than to the Wall of the City Some others have said the same to be set for the tendering and making of payment by Debtors to their Creditors at their appointed dayes and times till of latter time payments were more usually made at the Font in Ponts Church and now most commonly at the Royal Exchange Some again have imagined the same to be set up by Iohn or Thomas London-stone dwelling there against it but more likely it is that such men have taken name of the Stone than the Stone of them as did John at Noke and Thomas at Stile William at Wall or at Well c. But the most probable opinion is that it was placed there by the Romans for a Milliare as was observed elswhere in this Discourse Down West from this Parish Church and from London-stone have ye Wallbroke corner from whence runneth up a street North to the Stocks called Walbrook because it standeth on the East side of the same Brook by the Bank thereof and the whole Ward taketh name of that street On the East side of this street and at the North corner thereof is the Stocks Market which had this beginning About the year of Christ 1282 Henry Wallis Mayor caused divers houses in this City to be builded towards the maintenance of London-Bridge namely in one void place neare unto the Parish Church called Wooll-Church On the North side thereof where sometime the way being very large and broad had stood a pair of Stocks for punishment of offenders This building took name of those Stooks and was appointed by him to be a Market-place for Fish Flesh in the midst of the City other Houses be builded in other places by Patent of Edward the first it doth appear dated the tenth of his Reign After this in the year 1322 the seventeenth of Edward the second a Decree was made by Hamond Chickwell Mayor that none should sell fish or flesh out of the Markets appointed to wit Bridge-street East-cheap Old Fish-street St. Nicholas Shambles and the said Stocks on pain to forfeit such fish or flesh as were there sold for the first time and the second time to lose their Freedom Which Act was made by commandment of the King under his Letters Patents dated at the Tower the 17th of his Reign then was this Stocks let to Farm for forty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence by year this Stocks Market was again begun to be builded in the year 1410 in the eleaventh of Henry the fourth and was finished in the year next following In the year 1507 the same was rented fifty six pounds nineteen shillings ten pence And in the year 1543 John Cotes being Mayor there was in this Stocks Market for Fishmongers five and twenty Boards or Stalls rented yearly to 34 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence There was for Butchers 18 Boards or stalls rented at 41 pounds 16 shillings 4 pence and there were also Chambers above sixteen rented at five pounds thirteen shillings four pence in all eighty two pounds three shillings Next unto this Stocks is the Parish Church of St. Mary VVool-Church so called of a Beam placed in the Church-yard which was thereof called Wool-Church Haw of the Tronage or weighing of Wooll there used and to verifie this we find amongst the Customs of London written in French in the Reign of Edward the second a Chapter intituled Les Customes de VVooll-Church Haw wherein is set down what was there to be paid for every parcel of Wooll weighed this Tronage or weighing of Wooll till the sixth of Richard the second was there continued John Church-man then builded the Custome-house upon VVooll Key to serve for the said Tonnage as is before shewed in Tower-street Ward This Church is reasonable fair and large and was afterwards new builded by Licence granted in the twentieth of Henry the sixth with condition to be builded fifteen foot from the Stocks Market for sparing of light to the said Stocks the Parson of this Parish is to have four Marks the year for Tyth of the said Stocks paid him by the Masters of the Bridge-house by a special Decree made the second of Henry the seventh In the year about 1500 John VVingar Lord Mayor gave two Basons of silver to this Church And Richard Shore Sheriff of London made the Porch at the West end they lye both there entombed From the Stocks Market and this Parish Church East up into Lombard-street some four or five houses on a side and also on the South side of VVooll-Church have ye Bear-Binder Lane a part whereof is of this VVallbrook Ward Then down sower in the street called Wallbrook is one other fair Church of St. Stephen builded new on the East side thereof for the old Church stood on the West side in place where now standeth the Parsonage House and therefore so much nearer to the Brook even on the Bank This Church was finished in the year 1439. The breadth thereof is sixty seven foot and length one hundred twenty five foot the Church-yard ninty foot in length and thirty seven in breadth and more Robert VVhittingham made Knight
of the Bath in the yeer 1432 purchased the Patronage of this Church from John Duke of Bedford Unkle to Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth in the second of his Reign gave it to Sir Richard Lee then Mayor who ileth there hansomely entomb'd having bin twice Lord Maior with divers others Lower down from this Parish Church be â—ivers fair houses namely one wherein of late Sir Richard Baker a Knight of Kent was lodged and wherein also dwelled Mr. Thomas Gore a Merchant famous for Hospitality On the West side of this VValbrook street over against the Stocks Market is a part of the High street called the Poultry On the South side West till over against Saint Mildreds Church and the Scalding wike is of this Ward Then down again Wallbrook street some small distance in Buckles Bury a street so called of Buckle that sometime was owner thereof part of which street on both sides three or four Houses to the course of the Brook is of this Ward and so down VValbrook street to the South corner from whence West down Budge row some small distance to an Alley and thorow that Alâ—ey South by the West end of St. Johns Church upon VValbrook by the South side and East end of the same again to VValbrook corner This Parish Church is called St John upon VValbrook because the West end thereof is on the very bank of Walbrook by Horshooe Bridge in Horshooe-Bridge street This Church was also lately new builded for about the year 1412 Licence was granted by the Mayor and Communalty to the Parson and Parish for the inlarging thereof with a piece of ground on the North part of the Quire one and twenty foot in length seventeen foot in breadth and three inches and on the South side of the Quite one foot of the common soyle On the South side of Walbrook Ward from Candle-wick street in the mid-way between London-stone and Walbrook corner is a little Lane with a Turn-Pike in the middest thereof and in the same a hansome Parish Church called S. Mary Bothaw or Boat-Haw by the Erbar This Church being near unto Downgate on the River of Thames hath the addition of Bothaw or Boat-haw of near adjoyning to an Haw or Yard wherein of old time Boats were made and landed from Downgate to be mended as may be supposed for other reason I find none why it should be so called This Church hath one remarkable thing in it viz. The Monument of the first Lord May or of London Sir Henry Fitz Alwin His dwelling House remains yet in the Parish but divided to divers Tenements Mr. Stow relates that he was buried in the holy Trinity within Algate but it is far more probable that he was buried here because his Armsâ— are both upon the Gravestone and the Windows Of the Thirteenth Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Dowgate Ward WE will now following the thred of our Discourse descend to Downgate Ward which beginneth at the South end of Wallbrook Ward over against the East corner of St. Iohns Church upon Walbrook and descendeth on both the sides to Downgate or Dowgate on the Thames and is so called of that down going or descending thereunto and of this Downgate the Ward taketh name This Ward turneth into Thames street Westward some ten Houâ—es on a side to the course of Walbrooke but East in Thames street on both sides to Ebgate Lane or Old Swan the Land-side whereof hath many Lanes turning up as shall be shewed when we come to them But first to begin with the High street called Dowgate at the upper end thereof is a fair Conduit of Thames Water castellated and made in the year 1568 at the charges of the Citizens and is called the Conduit upon Dowgate The descent of this streâ—t is such that in the year 1574 on the fourth of September in the afternoon there fell a storm of rain where-through the Channels suddenly aroâ—e and ran with such a swift course towards the Common-shores that a Lad of eighteen years old minding to have leapt over the Channel near unto the said Conduit was taken with the stream and carried from thence towards the Thames with such a violence that no man with staves or otherwise could stay him till he came against a Cart-wheele that stood in the said Water-gate before which time he was drowned and stark dead On the West side of this street is Tallow-Chandlers Hall a hansome house which Company was incorporated in the second year of Edward the fourth Somewhat lower standeth the Skinners Hall a fair house which was sometimes called Copped Hall by Downgate in the Parish of St. John upon Wallbrook In the nineteenth year of Edward the second Ralph Cobham possessed it with five shops c. This Company of Skinners in London was incorporate by Edward the third in the first of his Reign they had two Brotherhoods of Corpus Christi viz. one at St. Mary Spittle the other at St. Mary Bethlem without Bishopsgate Richard the second in the eighteenth of his Reign granted them to make their two Brotherhoods one by the name of the Fraternity of Corpus Christi of Skinners divers Royal persons were named to be Founders and Brethren of this Fraternity to wit Kings six Dukes nine Earls two Lords one Kâ—ngs Edward the third Richard the second Henry the fifth Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth This Fraternity had also once every year on Corpus Christi day afternoon a a proâ—ession which passed through the principal streets of the City wherein was borne more than one hundred Torches of Wax costly garnished burning light and above two hundred Clerks and Priests in Surplesses and Coaps singing After the which were the Sheriffs servants the Clarks of the Compters Chaplains for the Sheriffs the Mayors Sergeants the Councel of the City the Mayor and Aldermen in Scarlet and then the Skinners in their best Liveries Then lower was a Colledge of Priests called Jesus Commons a House well furnished with Brasse Pewter Napery Plate c. besides a fair Library well stored with Books all which of old time were given to a number of Priests that should keep Commons there and as one left his pâ—ace by death or otherwise another should be admitted into his room but this Order within these 70. years being discontinued the said House was dissolved and turned into Tenements Down lower have ye Elbowe Lane and at the corner thereof was one great Stone-house called Old-hall it is now taken down and divers fair Houses of Timber placed there This was sometimes pertaining to William de pont le Arch and by him given the Priory of St. Mary Overy in Southwark in the Reign oâ— Henry the first In this Elbow-lane is the Inholders Hall and other fair Houses this Lane runneth West and suddenly turneth South into Thames-street and therefore of that bending is called Elbow-lane on the East side of this Downgate-street is the great old House before spoken of
remaining on the South side of the street which of late time hath been called the Old Barge of such a signe hanged out near the Garte thereof This Mannor or great House hath of long time bin divided and letten out into mâ—ny Tenements and it hath bin a common Speech that when Wallbrook did lie open Barges were rowed out of the Thames or towed up so far and therefore the place hath ever since bin called the Old Barge Also on the North side of this street directly over against the said Bucklesbury was one ancient and strong Tower of Stone the which Tower King Edward the third in the eighteenth of his Reign called by the name of the Kings house and Cornet Stoure in London and â—id appoint his Exchange of money there to be kept In the nine and twentieth he granted it to Frâ—idus Guynysane and Landus Bardaile Marchants of Luke for twenty pound the year And in the three and twentieth he gave the same Tower to his Colledge or Free Chappel of St. Stephen at VVestmister by the name of Cornet Stoure at Bucklesbury in London This whole street called Buckles bury on both the sides throughout is possessed of Grocers and Apothecaries toward the West end thereof on the South side breaketh out one other short lane called in Records Peneritch-street it reacheth but to St. Sythes lane and St. Sythes Church is the farthest part thereof for by the West end of the said Church beginneth Needles Lane which reacheth to Sopers Lane as is aforesaid This small Parish Church of St. Syth hath also an addition of Bennet Shorne or Shrog or Shorehog for by all these names it hath bin called but the ancient is Shorne wherefore it seemeth to take that name of one Benedict Shorne sometime a Citizen and Stock-fishmonger of London a new Builder repairer or Benefactor thereof in the year of Edward the second so that Shorne is but corruptly called Shrog and more corruptly Shorehog Here are divers Monuments and among other the Tomb of Sir Raph Vâ—arren Knight Alderman twice Lord Maior of London and Marchant of the Staple at Callis with his two Wives Anno 1553. Then in Needlers Lane have ye the Parish Church of St. Pancrase a proper small Church but divers rich Parishioners therein and hath had of old time many liberal Benefactors But of late such as not regarding the Order taken by Queen Elizabeth the least Bell in their Church being broken have rather sold the same for half the value then put the Parish to charge with new casting late experience hath proved this to be true besides the spoil of Monuments there This little Church hath also some handsome Monuments Then is a part of Sopers-lane turning up to Cheap By the assent of Stephen Abunden Maior the Pepperers in Sopers lane were admitted sell all such Spices and other Wares as Grocers now use to sell retaining the old name of Pepperers in Sopers lane till at length in the Reign of Henry the sixth the same Sopers lane was inhabited by Cordwayners and Curriers after that the Pepperers or Grocers had seated themselves in a more open street to wit in Buckles bury where they now remain Thus much for the South Wing of Cheap-Ward At the West end of this Poultry and also of Bucklers bury beginneth the large street of West Cheaping a Market place so called which street siretcheth West till ye come to the little Conduit by Pauls Gate but not all of Cheap Ward In the East part of this street standeth the Great Conduit of Sweet-water conveyed by Pipes of Lead under ground from Paddington for service of this City castellated with stone and Cisterned in Lead about the year 1285 and again new builded and enlarged by Thomas Ilam one of the Sheriffs 1479. About the middest of this street is the Standard in Cheape of what Antiquity the first foundation is I have not read But Henry the sixth by his Patent dated at Windsor the one and twentieth of his Reign which Patent was confirmed by Parliament 1442 granted Licence to Thomas Knolles Iohn Chichle and other Executers to Iohn Wells Grocer sometime Maior of London with his Goods to make new the high-way which leadeth from the City of London towards the place of Westminster before and nigh the Mannor of Savoy parcel of the Dutchey of Lancaster a way then very ruinous and the Pavement broken to the hurt and mischiâ—f of the Subjects which old Pavement then remaining in that way within the length of five hundred foot and all the breadth of the same before and nigh the fire of the Manner aforesaid they were to break up and with Stone Gravel and other stuffe make one other good and sufficient way for the Commodity of the Subjects And further that the Standard in Cheape where divers Executions of the Law before time had bin performed which Standard at that preâ—ent was very ruinous with age in which there was a Cond it should be taken down and another competent Standard of Stone together with a Conduit in the same of new strongly to be builded for the Commodity and honour of the City with the goods of their Testator without interruption c. Of Executions at the Standard in Cheape we read that in the year 1293. three men had their right hands smitten off there for rescuing of a Prisoner arrested by an Officer of the City In the year 1326 the Burgesses of London caused Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exceter Treasurer to Edward the second and others to be beheaded at the Standard in Cheap but this was by Pauls Gate In the year 1351 the six and twentieth of Edward the third two Fishmongers were beheaded at the Standard in Cheap 1381 wat Tylar beheaded Richard Lyons and others there In the year 1â—99 Henry the fourth caused the Blank Charters made by Richard the â—econd to be burnt there In the year 1450 Iack Cade Captain of the Kentish Rebels beheaded the Lord Say there In the year 1461 Iohn Davy had his hand stricken off there because he had stricken a man before the Judges at Westminster c. Then next is the great Crosse in VVest Cheap which Crosse was there erected in the year 1290 by Edward the first upon occasion thus Queen Elianor his Wise dyed at Hardeby a Town near unto the City of Lincoln her Body was brought from thence to VVestminster and the King in memory of her caused in every place where her Body rested by the way a stately Crosse of Stone to be erecteâ— with the Queens Image and Arms upon it as at Grantham VVoborn Northampton Stony-stratford Dunstable St. Albones VValtham VVest-Cheape and at Charing from whence she was conveyed to VVestminster and there buried This Crosse in VVest-Cheape being like to those other which remain to this day and being by length of time decayed Iohn Hatherley Mayor of London procured in the year 1441 Licence of King Henry the sixth to re-edifie the same in more beautiful manner for the
three hundred foot of the feet of St. Paul in breadth eighty nine foot and in heighth from the ground to the roof sixty four foot and two inches c. It was consecrated 1325 and at the Generall suppression was valued at thirty two pound nineteen shillings and surrendred the twelfth of November 1538 the thirty of Henry the eighth the Ornaments and goods being taken to the Kings use the Church was shut up for a time and used as a Store-house of goods taken prizes from the French but in the year 1546 on the third of January it was again set open on the which day preached at Pauls Crosse the Bishop of Rochester where he declared the Kings gift thereof to the City for the relieving of the poor which gift was inroll'd by Patents St. Bartholmews Spittle in Smithfield lately valued at three hundred five pounds six shillings seven pence and surrendred to the King was of the said Church of the Gray Fryars and of two Parish Churches the one of St. Nicholas in the Shambles and the other of St. Ewins in Newgate-Market they were to be made one Parish Church in the said Fryers Church In Lands he gave for maintenance of the said Church with Divine Service reparations c. five hundred Marks by year for ever The thirteenth of January the thirty eighth of Henry the eighth an agreement was made betwixt the King and the Mayor and Communalty of London dated the twenty seven of December by which the said gift of the Gray Fryers Church with all the Edifices and ground the Fratrie the Library the Portar and Chapter House the great Cloistry and the lesser Tenements Gardens and vacant grounds Lead Stone Iron c. The Hospitall of St. Bartholmew in West Smithfield the Church of the same the Lead Bells and Ornaments of the same Hospitall with all the Messuages Tenements and appurtenances The Parishes of Saint Nicholas and of Saint Ewin and so much of Saint Sepulchres Parish as is within Newgate were made one Parish Church in the Grey Fryers Church and called Christs Church founded by King Henry the eighth In the year 1552 began the repairing of the Gray Fryars House for the poor fatherlesse Children and in the Month of November the children were taken into the same to the number of almost four hundred On Christmas day in the afternoon while the Lord Mayor and Aldermen rod to Pauls the Children of Christs Hospital stood from Saint Lawrence Lane end in Cheap towards Pauls all in one Livery of Russet Cotton three hundred and forty in Number and in the Easter next they were in Blue at the Spittle and so have continued ever since For these sorts of poor three several Houses were provided First for the innocent and fatherlesse which is the Beggars Child they provided the House that was the late Gray Fryers in London and called it by the name of Christs Hospitall where poor Children are trained up in the Knowledge of God and some vertuous exercises to the overthrow of beggary For the second degree was provided the Hospitals of Saint Thomas in Southwark and Saint Bartholmew in West Smithfield where are continually at least two hundred diseased persons which are not only there lodged and cured but also fed and nourished For the third degree they provided Bridewell where the Vagabond and idle Strumpet is chastised and compelled to labour to the overthrow of the vicious life of idlenesse They provided also for the honest decayed housholder that he should be relieved at home at his House and in the Parish where he dwelled by weekly relief and Pension And in like manner they provided for the Lazer to keep him out of the City from clapping of dishes and ringing of Bells to the great trouble of the Citizens also to the dangerous infection of many that they should be relieved at home at their Houses by several Pensions St. Bartholmewes Hospital is incorporated by the name of Mayor Communalty and Citizens of the City of London Governours of the Hospital for the poor called little St. Bartholmews near to West Smithfield of the Foundation of King Henry the eighth Christs Hospitall Bridewell and Saint Thomas the Apostle in Southwarke are incorporated by the names of the Mayor Communalty and Citizens of London Governours of the Possessions Revenues aâ—d Goods of the Hospitals of Edward King of England the sixth of Christ Bridewell and Saint Thomas the Apostle c. This Church was full of many great Monuments as of the Lady Margaret Daughter to Philip of France and Wife to Edward the first Of Queen Isabel Wife to Edward the second Of Joane Queen of the Scots Wife to David Bruce Of Isabel Daughter to Edward the third Of Eleanor Dutchesse of Britain Of the Lady Beatrix Dutchesse of Britain Daughter to Henry the third Of Roger Mortimer Earl of March Of John Hastings Earl of Pembrook Of John Duke of Bourton who had been taken Prisoner at Agencourt with divers other great Personages There is lately erected there in the South end of the Chancel and extraordinary hansome Monument to the Lady Venetia Stanley Wife to the noble Knight Sir Kenelme Digby Now for the South side of this Ward beginning again at the Crosse in Cheap from thence to Fryday-street and down that street on the West side till over against the North-west corner of Saint Matthewes Church And on the West side to the South corner of the said Church is wholly in the Ward of Faringdon From this Fryday-street West to the old Exchange a street so called of Kings Exchange there kept which was for the receipt of Bullion to be coyned For Henry the third in the sixth year of his Reign wrote to the Scahines and men of Ipreâ— that he and his Councel had given prohibition that no Englishmen or other should make change of Plate or other Masse of Silver but only in his Exchange at London or at Canterbury Andrew Bukerel then had to â—arm the Exchange of England was Maior of London in the Reign of Henry the third Iohn Somercote had the keeping of the Kings Exchange overall England In the eighth of Edward the first Gregory Rockâ—ley was Keeper of the said Exchange for the Kingâ— in the fiâ—th of Edward the second William Hausted was Keeper thereof And in the eighteenth Roger de Frowick c. These received the old stamps or Coyning-Irons from time to time as the same were worn and delivered new to all the Mints in England This street beginneth by VVest-Cheap in the North and runneth down South to Knight-rider-street that part thereof which is called Old Fish-street But the very Housing and Office of the Exchange and Coynage was about the midst thereof South from the East Gate that entreth Pauls Church-yard and on the West side in Baynards-Castle Ward On the East side of this Lane betwixt West-Cheap and the Church of St. Augustine Henry VValleis Mayor by Licence of Edward the first builded one row of Houses
West end of this Iesus Chappel under the Quire of Pauls also was and is a Parish-Church of St. Faith commonly called St. Faith under Pauls which served as still it doth for the Stationers and others dwelling in Pauls Church-yard Pater Noster Rowe and the places near adjoyning The said Chappel of Jesus being suppressed in the Reign of Edward the sixth the Parishioners of St. Faiths Church were removed into the same as to a place more sufficient for largeness and lightsomness in the year 1551. and so it remaineth In the East part of this Church-yard standeth Pauls School lately new builded and endowed in the year 1512. by John Collet Doctor of Divinity and Dean of Pauls for a hundred fifty three poor mens Children to be taught free in the same School for which he appointed a Master a Sub-master or Usher and a Chaplain with large stipends for ever committing the over-sight thereof to the Masters Wardens and Assistants of the Mercers in London because he was Son to Henry Collet Mercer sometime Maior Near unto this School on the North side thereof was of old time a great and high Clochier or Bell-house foure square builded of stone and in the same a most strong frame of Timber with four Bells the greatest of England these were called Jesus Bells and belonging to Jesus Chappel The same had a great spire of Timber covered with Lead with the Image of St. Paul on the top but was pulled down by Sir Miles Partridge Knight in the Reign of Henry the eighth the common speech then was that he did set one hundred pounds upon a cast at Dice against it so won the said Clochier and Bells of the King then causing the Bells to be broken as they hung the rest was pulled down This man was afterward executed on the Tower-Hill for matters concerning the Duke of Summerset the fifth of Edward the sixth In the year 1561. the fourth of June betwixt the houres of three and four of the Clock in the Afternoon the great Spire of the Steeple of St. Pauls Church was fired by lightening which brake forth as it seemed two or three yards beneath the foot of the Crosse and from thence it burnt downward the spire to the Battlements Stone-work and Bells so furiously that within the space of four houres the same Steeple with all the roofs of the Church were consumed to the great sorrow and perpetual remembrance of the beholders After this mischance the Queen Elizabeth directed her Letters to the Maior willing him to take order for speedy repairing of the same And she of her gracious disposition for the furtherance thereof did presently give and deliver in gold one thousand Marks with a Warrant for a thousand Loads of Timber to be taken out of her Woods or else-where The Citizens also gave first a great Benevolence and after that three fifteens to be speedily paid The Clergy of England within the Province of Canterbury granted the fortieth part of the value of their Benefices charged with first fruits the thirtieth part of such as were not so charged but the Clergy of London Dioces granted the thirtieth part of all that payd first fruits and the twentieth part of such as had paid their fruits Six Citizens of London and two Petty Canons of Pauls Church had charge to further and oversee the work wherein such expedition was used that within one Moneth next following the burning thereof the Church was covered with boards and Lead in manner of a false roof against the Weather and before the end of the said year all the said Iles of the Church were framed out of new Timber covered with Lead and fully finished Pauls Church was full of great Monuments the ancientest are of King Sibba and King Ethelred two Saxon Kâ—ngs There are two ancient Bishops of London viz. Erkenvald and William Norman who being of the privy Councel to William the Conqueror not only preserved by his Mediation the old priâ—iledges of London but got them inlarged whereupon it was the Custom of the Lord Maior and Aldermen upon solemn dayes when they came to Pauls to walk to the Graves stone where this Bishop lay and Sir Edward Barkham caused a Table to be hung up there with Verses thereupon called the Monument of Gratitude Touching other remarkable peeces of Antiquity which belong to St. Pauls Church I leave them to such a Person of knowledge and industry who may haply make it his sole task to preserve the memory of so stately a Temple from the injury of time Without the North Gate of Pauls Church from the end of the old Exchange West up Pater Noster Rowe by the two Lanes out of Pauls Church the first out of the Crosse Isle of Pauls the other out of the body of the Church about the midst thereof and so West to the Golden Lyon be all of this Ward as is aforesaid The Houses in this street from the first North Gate of Pauls Church-yard unto the next Gate were first builded without the Wall of the Church-yard by Henry Walleis Mayor in the year 1282. the rest of those Houses go to the maintenance of London-Bridge This street is now called Pater Noster Rowe because of Stationers or Text-Writers that dwelled there who wrote and sold all sorts of Books then in use namely A. B. C. with the Pater Noster Ave Creed Graces c. There dwelled also Turners of Beads and they were called Pater Noster makers At the end of this Pater Noster Rowe is Ave-mary lane so called upon the like occasion of Text-writers and Bead-makers then dwelling there And at the end of that Lane is likewise Creed-lane lately so called but sometime Spurrier Rowe of Spurriers dwelling there And Amen-lane is added thereunto betwixt the South end of Warwick-lane and the North end of Ave Mary Lane At the North end of Ave Mary Lane is one great House builded of Stone and Timber of old time pertaining to Iohn Duke of Britain Earl of Richmond as appeareth by the Records of Edward the second since that it was called Pembrooks Inne near unto Ludgate as belonging to the Earls of Pembrooke in the times of Richard the second the eighteenth year and of Henry the sixth in the fourteenth year it was after called Aburgaveny House and belonged to Henry late Lord of Aburgaveny but the Company of Stationers have since purchased it and made it the Hall for the Meeting of their Society converting the Stone-work into a new fair Frame of Timber and applying it to such serviceable use as themselves have thought convenient Betwixt the South end of Ave Mary Lane and the North end of Creed-lane is the comming out of Pauls Church-yard on the East and the high street on the West towards Ludgate and this was called Bowyer Roue of Bowyers dwelling there in old time now worn out by Mercers and others In this street on the North side is the Parish Church of St. Martin wherein there
was made one of the six and twenty Wards belonging to the City of London which was in this manner After the dissolution of the Monasteries Abbeys Priories and other Religious Houses in this Realm of England The Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of this City of London taking into their Considerations how commodious and convenient it would be unto the City to have the Burough of Southwark annexed thereunto and that the same Burough was in the Kings hands wholly they became humble suiters unto King Henry the eighth and unto the Lords of his Highness Privy Councel for the obtaining of the same Which suit not being granted unto them after the Decease of King Henry the eighth they renewed their Suit unto his Sonne and next Successour King Edward the sixth and to the Lords of his Privie Councel for the obtaining of the same Borough At the length after long suit and much labour it pleased King Edward the fixth by his Letters Parents sealed with the great Seal of England bearing date at VVestminster the three and twentieth day of April in the fourth year of his Reign as well in consideration of the sum of six hundred forty seven pounds two shillings and a penny of lawful money of England paid to his Highnesses use by the Mayor Communalty and Citizens of London as for divers other considerations him thereunto moving To give and grant unto the said Mayor and Communalty and Citizens of London divers Messuages Lands and Tenements lying near the Borough of Southwark in the said Letters Parents particularly expressed which were sometimes the Lands of Charles late Duke of Suffolk and of whom King Henry the eighth did buy and purchase the same But there was excepted out of the said grant and reserved unto the said King Edward the sixth his Heirs and Successors and all that his Capitall Messuage or Mansion Hoâ—se called Southwark place late of the said Duke of Suffolke and all Gardens and Land to the same adjoyning and all that his Park in Southwarke and all that his Messuage and all Edifices and ground called the Antelope there And the said King Edward the 6th did by his said Letters Patents give grant to the said Mayor Communalty and Citizens and their Successors all that his Lordship and Mannor of Southwarke with all and singular the Rights Members and Appurtenances thereof in the said County of Surrey then late belonging to the late Monastery of Bermondsey in the same County And also all that his Mannor and Borough of Southwarke with all and singular the Rights Members and Appurtenances thereof in the said County of Surrey then late parcel of the Possessions of the Arch-Bishop and Bishoprick of Canterbury together with divers yearly Rents issuing out of the divers Messuages or Tenements in the said Letters Patents particularly expressed But there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant to the said King Edward the sixth his Heirs and Successors all his Rights Jurisdictions Liberties and Franchises whatsoever within the Walk Circuit and Precinct of his Capital Messuage Gardens and Park in Southwarke and in all Gardens Curtilages and Lands to the said Mansion House Gardens and Park belonging Also there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant the House Messuage or lodging there called the Kings-Bench and the Gardens to the same belonging so long as it should be used as a Prison for prisoners as it was then used Also there was excepted and reserved out of the said Grant the House Messuage or Lodging there called the Marshalsey and the Gardens to the same belonging so long as it should be used as a Prison for prisoners as it was then used Also it was provided that the said Letters Patents should not be prejudicial to the Offices of the great Master or Steward of the Kings Houshold within the Borough and Precincts aforesaid to be executed while the same Borough and Precincts should be within the Verge Nor to Iohn Gates Knight one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Privy Chamber concerning any Lands Tenements Offices Profits Franchises or Liberties to him granted during his life by the said King Edward the sixth or by his Father King Henry the eighth About the space of a Month after the said Borough of Southwark was so granted by King Edward the sixth to the Mayor Communalty and Citizens of London and that they by force of the said Letters Patents stood charged with the Ordering Survey and Government of the same Borough and of all the Kings Subjects inhabiting therein and repairing thither At a Court holden before Sir Rowland Hill Knight then Lord Mayor of London and the Aldermen of the same City in the Guild-Hall of London on Tuesday the eight and twentieth of May in the said fourth year of the Reign of King Edward the sixth the said Town or Borough was named and called the Ward or Bridge VVard without Not long after it was enacted that besides the then ancient accustomed number of five and twenty Aldermen there should be one Alderman more elected to have the Rule Charge and Governance of the said Borough and Town And that four discreet persons or more being Freemen of London and dwelling within the said City or the Borough of Southwarke or in other the Liberties of the said City should from thenceforth as often as the Case shall require be from time to time nominated appointed and chosen by the Inhabitants of the said Borough for the time being before the Lord Mayor of London for the time being And that the said Lord Mayor for the time being should at the next Court of Aldermen to be holden at the Guild-Hall of the said City next after such election present the Names and Sirnames of all such persons as to should be named before him and put in the said Election And that the said Lord Mayor and Aldermen for the time being should of those four persons or mo so presented Elect and Chuse one by way of Scrutinie to be an Alderman of the said City and to have the peculiar Ordering Rule and Governance of the said Borough and Town of Southwarke and of the Inhabitants thereof and of all other the Kings liege people repairing to the same This Borough being in the County of Surrey consisteth of divers streets waies and winding Lanes all full of Buildings inhabited And first to begin at the West part thereof over against the West Suburbe of the City on the Bank of the River Thames there is now a continual building of Tenements about half a mile in length to the Bridge Then South a continual street called Long Southwark builded on both sides with divers Lanes and Alleys up to St. Georges Church and beyond it through Blackman street towards New Town or Newington the Liberties of which Borough extend almost to the Parish Church of New Town aforesaid distant one mile from London Bridge and also South-west a continual building almost to Lambeth more than one mile from the said Bridge Then from
the Bridge along by the Thames East-ward is St. Olaves street having continual building on both the sides with Lanes and Alleys up to Battle-Bridge to Horse-down and towards Rother-Hith also some good half mile in length from London Bridge so that I account the whole continual buildings on the Bank of the said River from the West towards the East to be more than a large mile in length Then have ye from the entring towards the said Horse-down one other continual street called Barmonds eye street which stretcheth South likewise furnished with Buildings on both the sides almost half a mile in length up to the late dissolved Monastery of St. Saviours called Bermondsey And from thence is one Long Lane so called of the length turning West to St. Georges Church aforenamed out of the which Lane mentioned Long-lane breaketh one other street towards the South and by East and this is called Kentvsh-street for that it is the way leading into that County and so have ye the bounds of this Borough The Antiquities most notable in this Borough are these First for Ecclesiastical there was Bermondsey an Abbey of Black Monks St. Mary Overies a Priory of Canons Regular St. Thomas a Colledge or Hospâ—tal for the poor and the Loke a Lazar-house in Kent-street Parish Churches there have been six whereof five do remain viz. St. Mary Magdalen in the Priory of Saint Mary Overy Now the same St. Mary Overy is the Parish Church for the said Mary Magdalen and for Saint Margaret on the Hill and is called Saint Saviour Saint Margaret on the Hill being put down is now a Court for Justice St. Thomas in the Hospital serveth for a Parish Church as afore St George a Parish Church as before it did so doth St Olave and St. Mary Magdalen by the Abby of Bermondsey There be also these five Prisons or Goals the Clink on the Bank the Compter in the late Parish Church of St. Margaret the Marshalsey the Kings-Bench and the White-Lyon all in Long Southwarke Now to return to the West Bank there were two Bear-Gardens the old and new places wherein were kept Bears Bulls and other Beasts to be bated As also Mastives in seâ—eral Kenels nourished to baite them These Bears and other Beasts are there baired in plots of ground Scaffolded about for the beholders to stand safe but this kind of sport is now prohibited Next on this Bank was sometime the Bordâ—llo or Stewes a place so called of certain Stew-houses priviledged there for the repair of incontinent men to the like women of the which Priviledge we read thus In a Parliament holden at Westminster the eight of Henry the second it was ordained by the Commons and confirmed by the King and Lords That divers constitutions for ever should he kept in that Lordship or Franchise according to the old Customs that had been there used time out of mind Amongst the which these following were some viz. That no Stew-holder or his Wife should let or stay any single Woman to go and come freely at all times when they listed No Stew-holder to keep any Woman to board but she to board abroad at her pleasure To take no more for the Womans Chamber in the week than fourteen pence Not to keep open his doors upon the Holy-daies Not to keep any single Woman in his House on the Holy-dayes but the Bayliff to see them voided out of the Lordship No single Woman to be kept against her will that would leave her sin No Stew-holder to receive any Woman of Religion or any Mans Wife No single Woman to take mony to lye with any man except she lie with him all night till the morrow No man to be drawn or enticed into any Stew-house The Constables Bayliffe and others every week to search every Stew-house No Stew-holder to keep any Woman that hath the perilous Infirmity of burning nor to sell Bread Ale Flesh Fish Wood Coale or any Victuals c. These allowed Stew-houses had Signs on their Fronts towards the Thames not hanged out but painted on the Walls as a Boars head the Crosse-Keys the Gun the Castle the Craue the Cardinals Hat the Bell the Swan c. Ancient men of good credit do report that these single Women were forbidden the Rights of the Church so long as they continued that sinful life and were excluded from Christian burial if they were not reconciled before their death And therefore there was a plot of ground called the Single Womans Church-yard appointed for them far from the Parish Church In the year of Christ one thousand five hundred forty six the seven and thirtieth of Henry the eighth this Row of Stews in Southwarke was put down by the Kings commandement which was proclaimed by sound of Trumpet no more to be priviledg'd and used as a common Brothel Then next is the Clinke a Goale or Prison for the Trespassers in those parts namely in old time for such as should brabble fray or break the peace on the said Bank or in the Brothel Houses they were by the Inhabitants thereabout apprehended and committed to this Gaole where they were streightly imprisoned Next is the Bishop of Winchesters House or Lodging when he commeth to this City Adioyning to this on the South side thereof is the Bishop of Rochesters Inne or lodging by whom first erected it is not upon Record but 't is known well the same of long time hath not been frequented by any Bishop and lieth ruinous for lack of reparations The Abbot of Naverly had a House there East from the Bishop of Winchesters House directly over against it standeth a fair Church called St. Mary over the Rie or Overy that is over the water This Church or some other in place thereof was of old time long before the Conquest an House of Sisters founded by a Maiden named Mary unto the which House and Sisters they left as was left to her by her Parents the over-sight and profits of a Crosse-Ferry or Traverse-Ferry over the Thames there kept before that any Bridge was builded This House of Sisters was after by Swithin a Noble Lady converted unto a Colledge of Priests who in place of the Ferry builded a Bridge of Timber and from time to time kept the same in good reparations But lastly the same Bridge was builded of Stone and then in the year 1106 was this Church again founded for Canons Regular by VVilliam Pont del l' Arch and VVilliam Daunly Knights Normans This Peter de Rupibus or de la Roch founded a large Chappel of St. Mary Magdalen in the Church of St Mary Overy which Chappel was afterward appointed to be the Parish Church for the Inhabitants near adjoyning This Church was again new builded in the Reign of Richard the second and King Henry the fourth Iohn Gower Esquire a famous Poet was then an especial Benefactor to that work and was there buried on the North side of the said Church in the Chappel of St. Iohn where he
the field one of the fairest rising street in the World From Newgate on the left hand lyeth the Old Bayley and so down by Sea-cole and Fleet-lane we passe then over the common Sewer up to Shooe-lane and so to Fewter-lane now vulgarly called Fetter-lane but betwixt these two Lanes there is another new street butted out by the Company of Goldsmiths called Newstreet where there is a knot of very handsome Buildings Above the Barres there was a House of the Templers but they removed thence to Fleetstreet There was also adjoyning thereunto the Bishop of Lincolns House which was very ancient for the Records say 't was built Anno 1147. But of late years it hath belonged to the Noble Earls of Southhampton And lately it hath bin quite taken down and turned to several private Tenements as Durham House is in the Strand Insomuch that if one should ask what God Almighty doth now in London he might as the pulse of the 〈◊〉 beats give the same answer that was given by the Pagan Philosopher who being demanded what Iupiter did in Heaven he said Magnas ollas rumpâ—t ex frustis earum parvas componit Jupiter breaks great Vessels and makes small ones of their peeces Side long of this ancient House of the Bishop of Lincoln is Newstreet for so it was called at first but now 't is called Chancery-lane where Edward the third annexed the House of converted Jews to the Office of Custos Rotulorum Here the Cursitors Office was built by Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal Here also is the six Clarks Office which is a fair convenient peece of stone and Brick Building newly erected the old being consumed by a casual fire of late years The Bishop of Chicester Ralph Nevil had much ground given him thereabouts by Henry the third which now is become all Tenements thick built and quite alienated Then is Lincolns Inne very much encreased in building it appertained sometimes to the said Ralph Nevil Bishop of Chicester Lord Chancellor of England having bin before the House of the Black-Fryers and after the decease of the said Bishop Nevil Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Constable of Chester and Custos of England added much building to this place and Sir Thomas Lovel did also add much thereunto in Henry the eighth's time but now it is one of the foure Inns of Court for the Students in the Law Behind Lincolns Inne Westward is a spacious field where many fair Houses or rather Palaces are taken up by the Gentry Then is there towards Drewry Lane a new Market called Clare Market then is there a street and Palace of the same name built by the Earl of Clare who lives there in a princely manner having a House a street and a Market both for flesh and fish all bearing his name There was something omitted which should have bin spoken of the Church of St. Giles of the Field which is that being a very ancient Church and so decayed that it could not be repaired a new one was erected partly out of the ruines of the old which work was begun and finished in two years and a while after the fair Brick Wall that encompasseth it There were divers well disposed persons who contributed to so pious a work but specially the Lady Alice Duddeley according to that which is engraven upon the North door in pure and ponderous Latine which I thought therefore worthy to be here inserted Quod faelix faustumque sit posteris Hoc Templum loco Veteris ex Annosa vetustate Collapsi mole et splendore auctum multa Paraecorum Charitas Restauravit In quibus pientissimae Heroinae Dom. Aliciae Duddeley Munificentia gratum marmoris hujus meretur eloquium Huc etiam accessit aliorum pletas Quibus provisae sunt grates In Coelo Heus viator an effaetum est bonâ—s Operibus Hoc Saeculum From the North end of Chancery Lane is High Holborn which extends up to St. Giles in the Field where the famous devout Queen Matilda did found an Hospital as she did Eastward St. Katherines beyond the Tower At this Hospital the Prisoners conveyed from London to Tyborn were used to be presented with a Bowl of Ale for their last refreshment in this life and it was commonly called St. Giles's Bowl Then is there a spacious fair street called Long Acre and then Pickadilly full of fair Houses round about Thus have we as succinctly as we could avoiding superfluities and unnecessary trivial things spoken of the Skirts of London and the places thereunto annexed without the Gates and now Navigeâ— hinc alâ—â— jam mihi linter aqua I mean let us steer now to the City of VVestminster Of the Savoy the Dutchy and City of Westminster with the Antiquities the Tribunals of Iustice and Liberties thereunto belonging HAving taken so fair a Prospect and finished the perlustration of London It were a high Incivility and a soloecism in good manners or rather a Piacle not to give VVestminster also a visit being so near and contiguous a Neighborr It is true that they were once above a mile asunder but by insenâ—â—bâ—e coalition and recruit of people they came at last to be united and incorporated into one continued peece in point of posture though not of Government And the Union with Scotland did not a little conduce to make this Union â—twixt London and VVestminster For the Scots multiplying here mightily neasâ—ed themseâ—ves about the Court so that the Strand from mud Walls and thatched Houses came to that perfection of Buildings as now we see Moreover the City of VVestminster hath divers Magnalia's which may deserve as exact a view as any within London for if London of old had her Temple of Diana VVestmâ—nster had one to a greater Deity which was Apollo And since in those very places is St. Paul hath his Church in London St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles hath his in VVestminster which was used to keep the Regalia's and the Crown Add hereunto that if London hath her Guild-hall and the Hustings VVestminster hath the great Praetorian or common Hall where the chief Courts and general Tribunals of Justice do make their Sessions though to her high prayâ—e be it spoken London hath a far more expedite way of doing Justice and determination of cauâ—es then Westminster hath besides in point of safety and strength if London hath her Artillery Garden Westminster hath her Military And in point of Extent and Government if London hath her six and twenty Wards and so many Aldermen Westminster also hath her Twelve Burgesses and so many distinct Wards but for the quality of Inhabitants London muâ—t vayl to her most of the Nobility and Gentry residing in or about her Precincts Moreover in one particular Westminster may claim a great advantage of London in regard as the Royal Court once was so the residence of the Soveraign Magistrate is still there Insomuch that Westminster may well glory of three things That she hath the chiefest
upon the Banks of the Thames were all Episcopal Palaces except the Savoy and Suffolk-house The first for greatness was Excester House now called Essex whereof the chiefest Founder was Edward Stapleton Bishop of that See who was beheaded by the Londoners in Cheap-side and his Body was then brought and buried in a heap of Sand or rubbish in his own House near Temple-barre in the Raign of Edward the second Bishop Edmond Lâ—ey built the great Hall in the Raign of Henry the sixth The same was since called Paget-House being enlarged by William Lord Paget Then was it called Leicester-House of Robert Dudley who was the great Favorite to Queen Elizabeth and then it came to be called Essex-house from Robert Earl of Essex who was also a Favorite of Queen Elizabeth and beheaded in the Tower Opposite to this House standeth the Parish-Church of Saint Clement Danes so called because Harold a Danish King with other of that Nation were buried there Then was the Bishop of Baths Inne or City-House builded by the Lord Thomas Seamer Admiral of England which House came afterwards to be possessed by the Earl of Arundel so it beares the name of Arundel-house neer there adjoyning there was once a Parish-Church called the Nativity of our Lady or the Innocents of the Strand with a fair Coemitery or Church-yard wherein there was a Brother-hood kept called Saint Vrsula of the Strand Near adjoyning to the said Church betwixt it and the Thames there was an Inne of Chancery called Chesters Inne because it belonged to the Bishop of Chester and sometimes 't was called Strand Inne Then was there a House belonging to the Bishop of Landaff which one of those Bishops purchased of the Duke of Lancaster Then was there the Bishop of Chesters Inne or Palace which was first built by Walter Langhton Treasurer of England in the Reign of Edward the first And not far from that was the Bishop of Worcesters Inne or Palace All which viz. The Parish Church called Saint Mary of the Strand Strand Inne with the Bishop of Chester and Bishop of Worcesters Houses with all the Tenements adjoyning were by commandement of Edward Duke of Somerset Uncle to Edward the sixth Lord Protector pull'd down and laid level to the ground Anno 1549. In place whereof he erected that large and goodly House call'd now Somerset House which rose out of the ruines of the Church Therefore the Roman Catholiques observed that an apparent judgement from Heaven fell upon him afterwards being beheaded a little after and he and his Counsel were so infatuated that he forgot to call for his Clergy which he might have claimed by the Law and so sav'd his life Then is there Bedford House which was sometimes the Bishop of Carliles Inne It stretched from the Savoy to Ivie Bridge where Sir Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury raysed a large and stately House of Brick and Timber Worcester House lies sideling of it and there being a great VValnut tree there growing which much hindred the prospect of Salisbury House Eastward the Earl bargained with one of the Lord Edward of VVorcesters servants that if he could get leave of his Lord to cut down that Tree he would give him 100 li the servanc told his Lord of it who bad him fell down the Tree and take the money but the old Earl there being no good correspondence 'twixt Salisbury and him caused presently a new Brick building to be there erected where the Tree stood We come now to Durham House built by Thomas Hatfield Bishop of that See a very capacious Edifice on the North side whereof stood a row of thatch'd Stables which the Earl of Salisbury purchased and pull'd down and erected in place thereof the New Exchange or Britains Burse which was built with wonderful celerity for the first Stone thereof was â—ayed on the tenth of Iune 1608 and it was fully finished the November next following The Earl did then invite King Iames with the Queen to see his new House where after a rich banquet the King named the place Britains Burse Next beyond Durham House and this new building is another great Palace belonging of old to the Bishop of Norwich but afterwards it came to the Archbishop of Yorke by this occasion When Cardinal Woolsey Arch Bishop of Yorke was Indicted in a premunire whereby the King was entitled to all his Goods and Possessions he among other things seazed upon the said Cardinals House where he then dwelled commonly called York Place and changed the name thereof to White-Hall The Arch-bishops of York having then no House in London or Westminster Queen Mary gave unto Nicholas Heath then Arch-bishop of Yorke Suffolke House in Southwark lately built by Charles Brandon which House the said Arch-bishop sold and in lieu thereof he purchased the Bishop of Norwich's House which ever since hath been called Yorke House though it came afterwards to the possession of the Duke of Buckingham George Villers who added much to the old Edifice and would have had it called Buckingham House which name is engraven upon the watergate in great Letters There was of old an Hospitall of St. Mary Rouncival an order which came from Navarre in Spain by Charing-Crosse where a Fraternity was founded in the fifteenth of Edward the fourth which was afterwards suppressed and turned to Tenements Near unto this Hospital was an Hermitage with a Chappel of St. Katherine over against Charing-Crosse which Crosse was erected by Edward the first to the honor of his Queen as is spoken else-where Eleanor and it was a goodly Monument which was utterly destroyed by the fury of the long Parlâ—ament West of this Crosse stood sometimes another Hospital called St. Iames consisting of two Hides of Land in the Parish of St. Margaret in VVestminster and 〈…〉 by the Citizens of London for 14 Sister-Maidens that were Lepâ—ous then were there added eight Brethren to minister Divine Service there Afterwards there was a great addition of Land made to this Hospital and Edward the first granted a Fair to be kept there every year This Hospital being surrendred to Henry 8. the Sisters were allowed Pensions during their 〈◊〉 and the King erected there a Mannor House with a Park annexed-encompassed about with a Brick Wall But before we advance further Northward towards Westminster we must make a slep backward to Saint Martins Church and Lane where on the West side there are many gentile fair Houses in a row built by the same Earl of Salisbury who built Britains Burse but somewhat before Then have we Bedford Berry commonly called the Coven â—arden because there was a large Convent or Monastery there in times pass'd where there are many good structures cloystered underneath some of them with a large Piazza or Market place and a Church that bears the name of Saint Paul which though within the Precincts of Saint Martins Parish yet by Act of Parliament it is now exempted The Founder who was the Earl of Bedford pâ—ying
the Minister 100l per annum On the left hand of Charing-Crosse there are divers fair Houses built of late yeaâ—s specially the most stately Palace of Suffolk or Northampton House built by Henry of Northampton Son to the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Priâ—ie Seal to King Iames. Then is there a large plot of ground enclosed with Brick called Scotland yard where the Kings of Scotland were used to be lodg'd and Margaret Queen Dowager of Scotland eldest sister to Henry the 8th kept her Court there aâ—â—er the King her Husband had been kill'd in Flodden field And now we are come to White-Hall belonging of old to Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent and Iusticier of England who gave it to the Black-Fryers in Holborne but being fallen to Henry the 8. ordained it to be called an Honor and built there a huge long Gallery with two Gate-houses thwart the street to St. Iames Park From these Gates we passe in a direct Line to Kings street on one side whereof passing through St. Stephen Alley is Canon Row but now though very corruptly calld Channel Row to called because it belonged to the Dean and Canons of Saint Stephens Chappel who were lodg'd there but now they are all turn'd to be temporal habitations Then we come to Woolstaple now the common Market place of Westminster In the Reign of Edward the first we read that the Staple being at Westminster the Pâ—rishioners of Saint Margarets and Merchants of the Staple buiâ—ded the said Church of new Henry the sixth had six Wool-houses within the Staple at Westminster which he granted to the Dean and Canons of Saint Stephens Becâ—use we are not yet ready to speak of the Abbey we will passe by it to the Gatehouse of Westminster and so to Totehill and Petty France The Gate-house is called so of two Gates the one out of the Colledge Court towards the North on the Eastside whereof was the Bishop of Londons Prison for Clerks convict the other Gate-house is a Goal or Prison for Felons one Walter Warfield Cellerer to the Monastery of VVestminster was founder of both these Gates in Edward the third's Reign On the South side of these Gates Henry the the seventh founded an Alms-House for 13 poor men one of them to be a Priest and above 45 years old the rest to be aged 50 years without Wives Near to this place was of old the Chappel of St. Anne where the Lady Margaret Henry the sevenths Mother erected an Alms-House for poor women and it was called Eleemosynary and now Almory or Ambry because the Alms of the Abbey were there distributed to the poor And there Islp Abbot of VVestminster set up the first Press of Book-printing that ever was in England Anno 1471. And one Caxton Citizen of London was the first who brought over that Art Then is there Totehill street where there are of late years sundry fair Houses on the back of St. Iames Park The Lady Anne Dacre built there an Hosptall for twenty poor Women and so many Children to be brought up under them Then is there Petty France where upon a place called St. Hermits Hill Cornelius Van Dun a Brabanter born and Yeoman of the Guard to Henry the 8th Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth built twenty Houses for poor Women to dwell Rent-free And near hereunto there was of old a Chappel of St. Mary Magdalen which is now quite ruinated There is of late years a new large Chappel of Brick erected there at the entrance to Totehil fields Where Mr. Palmer a well diâ—posed and reverend Divine hath also erected lately another new Hospital with a competent allowance to the poor that shall be admitted thereinto And now we will return to the Abbey of VVestminster a place which was us'd to be of very high devotion It gives the denomination to the whole City and certainly that place cannot choose but be happy which hath Gods House for its Godfather as Munster a great and renowned City in Germany takes her name from the chief Church Of Westminster Abbey THis Church is famous especially by reason of the inauguration and sepulture of the Kings of England Sulcard writeth that there stood sometimes a Temple of Apollo in that place and that in the daies of Antoninus Pius Emperor of Rome it fell down with an Earthquake out of the remains whereof Sebert King of the East-Saxons erected another to St. Peter which being by the Danes overthrown Bishop Dunstane re-edified and granted it to some few Monks But afterwards King Edward surnamed the Confessour with the tenth penny of all his Revenues built it a new for to be his own Sepulture and a Monastery for Benedictine Monks endowing it with Livings and Lands lying dispersed in divers parts of England But listen what an Historian saith who then lived The devout King destined unto God that place both for that it was near unto the famous and wealthy City of London and also had a pleasant scituation amongst fruitful fields and green grounds lying round about it with the principal River running hard by bringing in from all parts of the World great variety of Wares and Merchandize of all sorts to the City adjoyning But chiefly for the love of the Chief Apostle whom he reverenced with a special and singular affection He made choice to have a place there for his own Sepulchre and thereupon commanded that of the Tenths of all his Rents the work of a noble Edifice should be taken in hand such as might beseem the Prince of the Apostles To the end as the Annales have it that he might procure the propitious favour of the Lord after he should finish the course of this transitory life both in regard of his devout Piety and also of his free Oblation of Lands and Ornaments wherewith he purposed to endow and enrich the same According therefore to the Kings commandement the work was nobly began and happily proceeded forward neither the charges already disbursed or to be disbursed were weighed and regarded so that it might be presented in the end unto God and Saint Peter and made worth their acceptation Thus the words of the old Record run Touching the Form of that ancient building we read in an old Manuscript Book that the principal plot or ground-work of the building was supported with most lofty Arches cast round with a four square work and semblable joynts But the compasse of the whole with a doâ—bâ—e Arch of Stone on both sides is enclosed with joyned-work firmly knit and united together every way Moreouer the Crosse of the Church which was to compasse the mid Quire of those that chaunted unto the Lord and with a twofold supportance that it had on either side to uphold and bear the lofty top of the Tower in the midst simply riseth at first with a low and strong Arch then mounteth it higher with many winding stairs artificially ascending with a number of steps But afterward with a single Wall it reacheth up
the Clerks of the Petty-bag and the six Attorneys Having spoken somewhat of this Court 's ordinary Jurisdiction something shall be said of the extraordinary proceedings thereof according to the Rule of Equity secundum aquum et bonum or according to the dictates of Conscience for the Lord Chancelor or Keeper of the Great Seal of England may be said to be Keeper of the Kings Conscience for mitigation of the rigour of the Common Law Yet this Court of Equity proceeding by English Bill is no Court of Record therefore it can bind but the Person only and neither the State of the Defendants Lands nor property of his Goods and Chattles therefore if the Lord Chancelor impose any fine it is void in Law he having no power but on the Person only Yet the Lord Chancelor or Keeper is sole Judge both in this Court of Equity and in the Court concerning the Common Law but in cases of weight or difficulty he doth assist himself with some of the Judges and no greater exception can be taken hereunto than in case of the Lord Steward of England being sole Judge in tryal of the Nobility who also is assisted with some of the Judges Touching this Court of Equity the ancient Rule is that three things are to be considered in a Court of Conscience Covin Accident and Breach of confidence All Covins collusions frauds and deceits for which ther 's no remedy by the ordinary course of Law Accident as when the servant of an Obligor or Morgageor is sent to pay the money on the day and he is robb'd c. then remedy is to be had in this Court against the forâ—eiture The third is breach of tru't and confidence whereof there are plentiful examples The ancient Custome was when one was made Lord Chancellor for the King to hang the Great Seal about his Neck Cardinal Woolsey had the Chancelorship by Letters Patâ—ents during life but it was held void because an ancien Office must be granted as it was accustomed Henry the 〈◊〉 had two great Seals one of Gold which he delivered the Bishop of Durham and another oft Silver which he delivered the Bishop of London The Chancellors Oath consists of six parts 1. That well and trâ—ly he shall serve the King our Soveraign Lord and his People in the Office of Chancellor or Lord Keeper 2. That â—e shall do right to all manner of people poor and rich after the Laws and usages of the Realm 3. That he shall truly Counsel the King and his Counsel he shall layne or conceal and keep 4. That he shall not know nor suffer the hurt or disheriting of the King or that the Rights of the Crown be decreased by any means as far as he may let it 5. And in case he cannot let it he shall make it clearly and expresly to be known to the King with his true advice and counsel 6. He shall do and purchase the Kings profit in all that he reasonably may There be in this Court many Officers whereof mention is made before the principal whereof is the Master of the Rolls which is an ancient Office and grantable either for life or at will according to the Prince his pleasure Edward the third by Letters Patents annex'd the House of the converted Iews in Chancery Lane to this Office for keeping of the Records of the Chancery viz. Charters Letters Patents Commissions Deeds Recognizances which before the Reign of Henry the seventh were used to be transmitted to the Tower of London The Master of the Rolls used to have Iure Officii the gift of the Offices of the six Clerks in the Chancery and in the absence of the Lord Chancellor he heareth Causes and giveth Orders OF THE COVRT OF COMMON-PLEAS IN WESTMINSTER-Hall IN times pass'd the Courts and Benches or Banks of Justices as was touched before followed the Kings Person wheresoever he went as well since the Conquest as before which thing being found chargeable and cumbersome The ninth of Henry the third it was resolved that there should be a standing place appointed where matters should be heard and determined And the Court of the Common Pleas was the first that was fix'd wherein tenures of Lands and civil Actions used to be pleaded And it is one of the Statutes of Magna Charta Quod Communia placita non sequantur Curiam nostram sed teneantur loco certo That the Common Pleas follow not our Court but be kept in a certain place Now Pleas are distinguished into Pleas of the Crown as Treason and Felony with misprision of Treason and Felony which belong to the Upper Bench and to Common or Civil Pleas whereof this Court takes Cognizance This Court therefore is call'd the Lock and Key of the Common Law of England and the Judges there sitting had need to be more knowing and learned than any other for here all Reall Actions whereupon Fiâ—es and recoveries the common assurances of the Land do passe and all other reall Actions by original Writs are to be determined as also of all Common 〈◊〉 mixt or personal in divers of which the Kings Bench this Court have a concurrent authority But regularly this Court cannot hold Common 〈◊〉 in any Action real mix'd or personal but by Writ out of the Chancery and returnable to this Court yet this Court in some cases may hold Plea by Bill without any Writ in the Chancery as for or against any Officer 〈◊〉 or priviledged Person of this Court. This Court also without any Writ may upon a suggestion grant Prohibitions to keep Temporal as well as Ecclesiastical Courts within their bounds and jurisdictions without any Original or Plea depending for the Common Law which in those cases is a Prohibition of it self stands instead of an Original The Chief Justice of this Court is created by Letters Patents during the pleasure of the Prince and so are the rest of his Associats but none is capable to be constituted a Judge here unlesse he be a Sargeant at Law of the degree of the Coif The jurisdiction of this Court is general extendeth throughout England The Officers of this Court are many viz. Custos Brevium three Protonotaries Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Kings Silver four Exigenters fourteen Filazers Clerk of the Juries Clerk of the Essoins Clerk of the Outlaries which belongeth to the Attorney General who doth exercise it by Deputy In former times great abuses have been by Attorneys of this Court by suing out a Judicial Processe with any Original which when detected have been severely punished OF THE COVRT OF THE EXCHEQUER THe Authority of this Court is of Original Jurisdiction without any Commission In the chief place of account for the Revenues of the Crown The Hearers of the accounts have Auditors under them and they who are the chief for the accounts of the Prince are called Barons of the Exchequer whereof one is called Lord Chief Baron The greatest Officer of all is the Lord Treasurer In
neither could try it It was that one Peacock struck Lacy in alto Mari and the Ship landing at Scarborough Lacy dyed a little after of the stroke that was given at Sea there was a great contestation whether the Court of Admiralty or the common Lawyer should try Peacock but it was found that the cognisance hereof belonged to neither so the party escaped without condemnation But now we will resume the thred of our Survay of Westminster and add to that which hath bin already spoken of the Great Hall which as it hath bin and continueth still the usual place of pleadings and ministration of Justice so it was in former times the principal Seat and Palace of the Kings of England since the Conquest for here the Feasts of Coronation and other solemn Feasts as that of Christmas were kept It is recorded that at the day of Circumcision Henry the third commanded his Treasurer William de Haverhull to cause 6000. poor people to be fed at Westminster-Hall upon the Kings account Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother Anno 1243. being married to Cincia Daughter to the Countesse of Provence kept his Bridall Feast at Westminster-Hall where the story saith there were three thousand dishes of meat served in at dinner Rich. the second having repaired the Great Hall which had bin burnt by a pittiful fire kept his Christmas there in a most sumptuous manner with Justings and running at Tilt where there was such a huge confluence of People that for divers dayes there were spent 26. fat Oxen and 300 Sheep The King himself wore a Gown of Cloth of Gold garnished with precious stones which was valued at 3000 marks a mighty sum in those dayes Henry the 7th keeping his Christmas at Westminster-Hall invited Ralph Austry Lord Mayor of London with all the Aldermen to a Feast on Twelf-day The King the Queen and some Ambassadors sate at the Marble Table 60. Knights and Esquires served in the Kings meat which consisted of 60. dishes and the Queen as many The Mayor was served with 24. where after sundry sort of disports he supped also and it was break of day before He and the Aldermen returned by Barges to London Parliaments also were used to be kept frequently at Westminster-Hall and one was kept in Richard the seconds time which proved fatal unto him for he was deposed there notwithstanding that he had bin the greatest Repairer of that Hall when it had bin destroyed by fire For it hath bin the hard destiny of this Great Hall to suffer many times the fury of fire but the last that happened was in the beginning of Henry the eighths Raign Anno 1512. at which time a great part of the Palace was consumed which was never re-edified since so that the Kings Courts have bin from that time sometimes at Baynards Castle then at Bridewell and since at White-Hall called before York place as hath bin said before In this great Palace at Westminster there was St. Stephens Chappel which was built by King Stephen himself It was repaired and enlarged by Edward the third and 38. persons were appointed there to serve God viz. a Dean 12. secular Canons 13. Vicars 4. Clarks 6. Chorists a Verger and a Keeper of the Chappel who had endowments and Houses built them near the Thames there were also Lodgings assigned them 'twixt the Clock-house and the Wooll-Staple called the Weigh-house He also built for their use a strong Clochard in the little Sanctuary covered with Lead where there were three great Bells which usually rung at Coronations and Funeralls of Princes which gave such a huge sound that 't was commonly said they sowred all the drink in the Town but now there 's scarce any marks left of that Clochard This Chappel of St. Stephens at the suppression in Henry the eights time was valued to dispend one thousand eighty five pounds and in Edward the sixths time it was made to serve as a Parliament for the House of Commons who formerly were used to sit in the Chapter-house of the Abbot of Westminster Before the Great Hall there is a large Court called now the new Palace where there is a strong Tower of Stone containing a Clock which striketh on a great Bell every houre to give notice to the Judges how the time passeth when the wind is South South-West it may be heard into any part of London and commonly it presageth wet weather The Dean of St. Stephens was used to haâ—e the keeping of this Clock having six pence every day out of the Exchequer for keeping the Kings Clock or Great Tom of Westminster We must now make a step Southward before we leave Westminster and perform some further devotions to the old Abbey the prime Sanctuary of the Land whereunto belongs another very ancient priviledged place and Sanctuary of St. Martin le Grand hard by Aldersgate in London whereas formerly was said there was of old a fair and large Colledge of a Dean and secular Canons or Priests founded by Ingelricus 1056. and confirmed a little after by William the Conqueror as appeareth by that ample Charter he gave thereunto which in regard of the ancient Saxon Termes then used I thought worthy the inserting here and it runs thus Willimus Conquester per chartam suam corroborat confirmat Deo Ecclesiae Beati Martini intramuros London sitae quod sit quieta ab â—mni exactione inquietudine Episcoporum Archidiaconorum c. Et possessiones suas ab omni regali Iurisdictione liberari ab Exercitus expeditione Pontis restauratâ—one munitione Castelli auxilio quietas habent Secuam Toll Team Infangthese Blodwite Mundbrice Burghbrice Meskenning Seawing Alcesting Frithsorn Fleamina Finnithe Welgerthofe Vthleap forfeng fyhfeng Firdwite Firthwit Weardite Hengwite Hamsokne Forsteal si quas alias libertates consuetudines aliqua Ecclesiarum regni mei Anglie meliores habeat Si quis vero hoc in aliud quam concessimus transferre presumserit cum Iuda proditore Deiluat poenas Dat. Anno Dom. 1068. Annoque Regni mei secundo die Natalis Domini Et post modum in d'â— Pentecostes confirmo quando Matilda Conjux mea in Basilica Sancti Petri Westmonasterii in Reginam divino nutu est consecrata This priviledge of Sanctuary was confirmed and strictly enjoyned by divers succeeding Kings under the same Curse that the Infringers thereof should be eternally damned and suffer the like torments as Iudas the betrayer of God c. Touching the hard Saxons word of this Charter the Reader is referred to those worthy persons who made additionals to Mr. Stow where he shall find them explain'd For many Ages this Saint Martin le Grand continued by it self a place of as great priviledges as Westminster or Beverlay which were counted the chiefest in the whole Land But Henry the 7th annexed it at last to the Monastery of St. Peter of Westminster which claims Title ever since to the free Chappel the Priviledges and Sanctuary thereof