The Lord Mayor Court Of Aldermen THE PRESENT STATE OF London OR Memorials COMPREHENDING A Full and Succinct Account Of the Ancient and Modern State thereof By THO. DE-LAVNE Gent. Civitates ab initio Vtilitatis causa constitutae sunt Aristot 1. Polit. LONDON Printed by George Larkin for Enoch Prosser and John How at the Rose and Crown and Seven Stars in Sweethings-Alley near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1681. To the Right Honourable Sir Patience Ward Knight LORD MAYOR OF THE City of LONDON My Lord THese Memorials respecting the Ancient and Modern State of this great and Renowned City of which under His Majesty Your Lordship enjoys the Supreme Magistracy cannot find a more Proper or more Honourable Patron than Your Lordship considering the High Place You hold in that Meridian for which This Discourse is Calculated The General Grief expressed by all Loyal English Protestants for Your Lordships late Indisposition and the General Rejoycing amongst them for Your Happy Recovery as a Mercy to this City of both which the Presenter of this Address was in part a Witness and Partaker are Evidences both of Your Lordships Good Administration in so Eminent a Dignity aud the Universal Satisfaction of this Famous Metropolis in Your Government Your Prudent Zealous and Couragious Conduct in these Perillous and Menacing Times suitable to those Never-to-be-forgotten Speeches delivered by Your Lordship and Your Eminent and Worthy Predecessor Sir Robert Clayton at the Time of Your Election to this August Magistracy has engaged all True Patriots and Abhorrers of Foreign and Domestick Vassalage a thing attempted to be Introduced by those Execrable Mediums of Assassinating the Sacred Person of His Royal Majesty and Everting His Government to give Your Lordship an Eminent Place in their Esteem and Justly Obliges this Great City to Honour Your Lordship in a Degree suitable to so High a Merit My Lord I hope You will vouchsafe me Your Pardon for my Presumption in Publishing this small Product of my Recess and Solitude under the Patronage of Your Honourable Name for which and the Famous City You Govern I have so High a Veneration that it Obliges me to be Your Lordships most humble Servant Thomas De-Laune London June 24. 1681. To the Reader THis Abstract is partly collected from the best Authors I could meet with as the Chronicles and Statutes of England Antiquaries Modern Writers c. I have endeavoured to avoid Prolixity and to omit no Remarkables as far as my designed Brevity would admit intending rather a Compendium than a Voluminous History What lay scatered in divers Volumes are reduced in a method wholly new under their proper Heads briefly yet I hope not obscurely I have intermixt many new things which fell within my own observation or my Friends respecting the Present State of this City never to my knowledge I am sure never in this Method Published It is said That Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile Dulci If that be not done here yet it is an Essay of that kind being a mixture wherein with great variety things highly useful are interwoven with delightsom And if there be any mistakes or imperfections which all men are liable to upon any Information which shall be thankfully resented it may be capable of Rectifying hereafter I do not pretend to give a full account of all things worthy to be known in this great City or of its famous Citizens for that would make an huge Volume but onely of the most Eminent which have occurr'd to my Reading or Observation As to the Method and particulars treated of you are referred to the Synopsis or Table of Contents following by which you may easily find out any thing in the Book If the City thinks this worth entertainment it will engage me to proceed in perfecting other Materials I have by me and offer it in another work which I trust will be useful to all I have an high Honor for this Illustrious City and the worthy Inhabitants thereof as an Instance of which this Essay is offered to the perusal of the Candid Reader by Thomas Dâ—-lauâ—â— To his Friend Mr. Thomas De-Laune An Acrostick on The Present State of LONDON This is that City which the Papal Crew Have by their Damn'd Devices overthrew Erected on her old Foundations New Pourtrayed once by Stow and now again Rebuilt and Re-reviv'd by thee De-laune Extracted Phoenix-like whose splendor shows She triumphs o're the Ruine of her Foes Excellent Architect that in few Sheets New builds a City of Five hundred Streets Temples Courts Churches Monuments and Halls Shores Towers Gates Inns Citadels and Walls The Grandeur of this fam'd Metropolis Arts Laws and Customs thou hast shewn in this This Little Volume comprehends the Great European-Empory the Royal Seat Of English Monarchs whose Succession runs From Royal Fathers Lineally to Sons London the Author fully lets Thee see Orders and Customs of Antiquity Names Honours Titles Companies drawn forth Display'd in Banners Badges of thy Worth Of all the Cities on the Continent No better Governours nor Government R. S. To his Friend the Author UPON THE Present State of LONDON REader Survey DE-LAVNE and his Survey Who LONDON's Glories lively doth display In Her immediate State whose Stately Pile Exceeds all Structures on the British Isle Look through this Little Book as through a Glass You may behold what now She Is and Was. View between Sixty Six and Eighty One Can you not see Great Alteration In Sky-Invading-Flames three days She burns Which all her Glories into Ashes turns But stop not there Look nearer yet by Ten Doth She not mount to greater Glory then Before Look nigher yet by Five for this Her Present State a Pleasant Prospect is This Glass Brave City he presents to Thee That Thou Thy Self Thy Self may'st better see This Thy Remote and Distant Friends will move To Admiration and Vniting Love When they peruse those Gallant Laws whereby Thou' rt Rul'd and Rulest by Just Policy Thy Piety Thy Splendid Trade by which Thou art become so Great so Good so Rich. Those worthy Characters which he hath writ Exalts Thy Greatness Justifies his Wit 'T is not my Task Thy Splendor to Commend It is Exalted by DE-LAVNE Thy Friend My Muse would fain Attempt his Commendation But is constrain'd to rest in Admiration D. E. Philopolis The CONTENTS CHap. 1 Of the Antiquity Original and Name of London Page 1. Chap. 2. Of the Situation of London P. 3. Chap. 3. Of its Increase Magnitude Publick Structures and number of Inhabitants p. 5 292. Sect. 1. Of its Walls Towers Gates c. p. 9. Of the Tower and Ancient Castles p. 13 17. Sect. 2. Of its Churches and Monuments p. 19 Of Pauls Church and Westminster-Abby p. 20 The Ancient State of all the Churches in London Alphabetically with their monuments c. p 27. The Monument of Mr. Fox Martyrologist p. 69. Of Mr. Speed the Famous Historian p. 73. Sect. 3. Of Hospitals viz. Christs Hospital and
tres plus compleverat annis Nam tribus octensis Regia Sceptra tulit Quindecies Domini centenus fluxerat annus Currebat nonus cum venit atra Dies Septima termensis lux tunc fulgebat Aprilis Cum Clausit summam tanta Corona Diem Nulla Dedere prius tantum tibi saecula Regem Anglia vix similem posteriora Dabunt This Church is famous for the Monuments and Tombs of our Kings Queens Nobility and other eminent Men as Sebert the first Christian King of the Eastâ— Saxons Harold the Bastard Son of Canutus the Dane King of England King Edward the Confessor and his Queen Edith Maud Wife to King Henry the First the Daughter of Malcolm King of Scots Henry the 3. and his Son King Edward the 1. with Eleanor his Wife daughter to Ferdinando the first King of Castile and Leon. King Edward the 3. and Philippa of Henault his Wife King Henry the 5. with Katherine his Wife Daughter to King Charles the 6. of France Anne Wife to King Richard 3. Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick King Henry the 7. with his Wife Elizabeth Daughter to King Edward the 4. and his Mother Margaret Countess of Richmond King Edward the sixth that most Religious and truly Vertuous Prince who lyeth under the Brass richly Gilded Altar most curiously wrought with Excellent Workmanship Anne of Cleave the 4 th Wife of King Henry the Eight Queen Mary and the Renowned Queen Elizabeth upon the Remove of whose Body from Richmond where She Dyed to White-Hall by Water these Lines were Written which may for their Elegancy and in Remembrance of that most Illustrious Protestant Queen be inserted The Queen was brought by Water to White-Hall At every stroake the Oars their tears let fall More clung about the Barge Fish under water Wept out their Eyes of Pearl swam blindly after I think the Barge-men might with easier Thighs Have row'd her thither in her Peoples Eyes For howsoe'er thus much my thoughts have scann'd Sh 'ad come by Water had she come by Land Prince Henry eldest Son of King James the First Monarch of Great Britain King James Himself and Queen Ann his Wife and the first Male born of King Charles the First dying an Infant Of Dukes and Earls and Lords Degree Edmund Earl of Lancaster second Son of King Henry the Third and his Lady Aveline de fortibus Countess of Albemarle William and Andomar of Valente of the Family of Lusignian Earls of Pembrooke Alphonsus John and other Children of King Edward the first John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall Son to King Edward the Second Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester the youngest Son of Edward the Third with other of his Children Eleanor Daughter and Heir of Humphry Bâ—hun Earl of Hereford and of Essex Wife to Thomas of Woodstock The young Daughter of Edward the Fourth And King Henry the Seventh Henry a Child of two months old Son of King Henry the Eighth Sâ—phia the Daughter of King James who died as it were in the first Day-dawning of her Age. Philippa Mohun Dutchess of York Robert of Henault in right of his Wife Lord Bourchier Ann the young Daughter and Heir of John Mowbraâ— Duke of Norfolk promised in Marriage unto Richard Duke of York younger Son to King Edward the Fourth Sir Giles Dawbny Lord Chamberlain to King Henry the Seventh and his Wife of the House of the Arundels in Cornwall John Viscount Wells Frances Brandon Dutchess of Suffolk Mary her Daughter Margaret Douglas Countess of Lenex Grandmother to James King of Great Britain with Charles her Son Winefrid Bruges Marchioness of Winchester Ann Stanhope Dutchess of Somerset and Jane her Daughter Ann Cecil Countess of Oxford Daughter to the Lord Burleigh Lord High-Treasurer of England with Mildred Burghley her Mother Elizabeth Berkly Countess of Ormond Frances Sidney Countess of Sussex James Butler Viscount Thurles Son and Heir to the Earl of Ormond Besides these Humphry Lord Bourchier of Cornwall Sir Humphry Bourchier Son and Heir to the Lord Bourchier of Berners both slain at Barnetfield Sir Nicholas Carew Baron Powis Thomas Lord Wentworth Thomas Lord Wharton John Lord Russel Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellor of England Douglas Howard Daughter and Heir General of Henry Viscount Howard of Bindon Wife to Sir Arthur Gorges Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Edward Earl of Rutland Wife to William Cecil Sir John Puckering Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal of England Frances Howard Countess of Hartford Henry and George Cary the Father and Son Barons of Hunsdon both Lords Chamberlains to Queen Elizabeth The Heart of Ann Sophia the Daughter of Christopher Harley Count Beaumont Ambassador for the King of France in England bestowed within a small Gilt Urn over a Pyramid Sir Charles Blunt Earl of Devonshire Lord-Lieutenant-General of Ireland Geoffrey Chaucer the Prince of English Poets in his time Edmund Spencer an eminent Poet. William Cambden Clarencieux King of Arms. Causabon the Famous French Writer Michael Drayton c. Then there is George Villiers Duke Marquiss and Earl of Buckingham Favourite to King James and King Charles the First Also the Earl of Essex and several others Interr'd there during His present Majesties Absence from His Government There is also Interr'd George Duke of Albemarle Father to his Grace the present Duke whose Funerals were Solemnly performed the Thirtieth of April 1670. The Dutchess of Albemarle was also Interr'd in King Henry the Sevenths Chappel the twenty eighth of February 1669. in Westminster Church There is likewise Interr'd that Celebrated Poet Mr. Abraham Cowley under a Monument of Exquisite Curiosity at the Charges of his Grace the Noble Duke of Buckingham Having done with Westminster-Abby we shall give a Brief account of the other Churches Alphabetically as they were before the Fire And of such as are Re-built which are now far more Durable and Stately than before the Reader may expect an Account hereafter I. St. Albans Church in Woodstreet is of great Antiquity being Dedicated to St. Albans the first Martyr of England Another mark of Antiquity was to be seen in the manner of the turning the Arches in the Windows and heads of the Pillars There were also Roman Bricks found inlay'd here and there among the Stones of the Building it was Anno 1632. being wonderfully decay'd pull'd down in order to be Re-built In it were diverse Monuments which for brevity sake are omitted II. On the North side of the East end of Tower-street is the Parish-Church called All-hallows Barkin a very fair Church standing in a large Church-Yard on the North side whereof was built a fair Chappel by King Richard the first whose heart 't is said was buryed there under the high Altar This Chappel was Augmented by King Edward the first And a fraternity setled there by King Edward the fourth King Richard the third new Built it and founded therein a Colledge of Priests which was suppressed in the Year 1548. in the Second of Edward the sixth and the Ground made
and beautified Anno 1609. In the South Isle there hung a very fair Picture of King James with the Figures of Peace and Plenty on either side of him Peace with her Olive Branch and Plenty with her Sheaf of Wheat in her hands being the Gift of Robert Plonker then Church-Warden LXII The Parish-Church of St. Mary Sommerset at the South-end of St. Mary Mounthaw-lane over against Broken-Wharf is also in Queen-Hith-Ward and a proper Church it was repaired and beautified Anno 1624. LXIII The Parish-Church of St. Mary called Stayning because it standeth at the North-end of Stayning-lane in Aldersgate-Ward was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1630. LXIV Near Stocks-Market in Walbrook-Ward is the Parish-Church called St. Mary Wooll-Church so called of a Beam placed in the Church-yard which was thereof called Wooll-Church Haw of the weighing of Wooll there used for amongst the Customs of London written in French in the Reign of Edward II. there is to be found a Chapter intituled Les Customes de Wooll-Church Haw Wherein is set down what was there to be paid for every parcel of Wooll weighed This weighing of Wooll was there continued till the 6th of Richard II. till John Churchman built the Custome-House upon Wooll-Key to serve for the said purpose This was and is now a fair and large Church LXV The Parish-Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Langborn-Ward was a proper handsom Church with some few Monuments in it LXVI In Ironmonger-lane in Cheap-Ward is the Parish-Church of St. Martin formerly called Pomary possibly of Apples growing where now Houses are built It was repaired and beautified at the Parish-charge Anno 1629. LXVII The Parish-Church of St. Martin by Ludgate in Farringdon-Ward-within was a proper Church to which Anno 1437. viz. 15th of H. 6. Sir John Michael Lord Mayor and the Commonalty granted a parcel of Ground containing 28 Foot in length and 24 in breadth to build their Steeple upon LXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Martin Orgar in Candlewick-street-ward is a small Church Sir William Crowmer Lord Mayor built a handsom Chapel on the South-side thereof and was buried there in an ancient Tomb Anno 1533. it was repaired 1630. at the cost of 122 l. 6 s. 6 d. There was a rich and very beautiful Monument in the Chancel of Sir Allen Cotton Knight and Alderman of London and sometimes Lord Mayor who dyed the 24th of December Anno 1628. with a large Inscription concluding with these Verses When he left Earth Rich Bounty Dy'd Mild Courtesie gave place to Pride Soft Mercy to bright Justice said Oh Sister we are both Betray'd While Innocence lay on the Ground By Truth and wept at eithers Wound The Sons of Levi did lament Their Lamps went out their Oyl was spent Heaven hath his Soul and only we Spin out our Lives in misery So Death thou missest of thy End And kill'st him not but kill'st his Friend There was also a delicate Monument of our famous Queen Elizabeth LXIX The Parish-Church of St. Martin Outwich is on the South-part of Threadneedle-street in Broad-street-ward it is so called of Martin de Oteswitch Nicholas de Oteswich William Oteswich and John Oteswich Founders thereof and all buried there as appeared by their ancient Monument There was Interred Richard Staper Elected Alderman of London Anno 1594. the greatest Merchant in his time and the chiefest Actor in the discovery of the Trades of Turkey and the East-India He was prosperous wealthy bountiful and a good man he died Anno 1608. Sir Henry Row gave 5 l. yearly for Ever to the Poor of this Parish to be bestowed in Bread and Coals And Mrs. Sotherton yearly for Ever in Bread 50 s. LXX The Fair Parish-Church called St. Martin Vintrey in Vintrey-Ward was sometimes called St. Martin de Beremand Church It was new built Anno 1399. by the Executors of Matthew Columbars a Stranger born and a French Merchant LXXI The Parish-Church of St. Matthew Friday-street Farringdon-ward-within had divers Monuments in it It was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1633. AS TO LXXII The Parish-Church of St. Michael called St. Michael at Basing-hall in Basing-hall-ward LXXIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael Cornhil in Cornhil-ward LXXIV St Michaels Crooked-lane in Candleweek-street-ward LXXV St. Mich. Queenhith in Queenhith-ward The are handsom Churches affording no Remarkables but what will fall under other Heads LXXVI St. Michael ad Bladum or at the Corne corruptly called St. Michael Querne is in Farringdon-ward-within and was a fair Church with divers Monuments in it amongst the rest one for John Leland the famous Antiquary and others as John Banks Esq Mercer who by his last Will written with his own hand gave to pious and charitable Uses 6000 l. which his Executor Robert Tichburn carefully discharged LXXVII St. Michael Royal in Vintrey-ward is a fair Parish-Church It was new built and made a Colledge by Sir Richard Whittington Mercer and four times Lord Mayor for a Master four Fellows Masters of Art Clerks Conducts Chorists c. There was also an Alms-house for thirteen poor men The College was suppressed in the time of Edward the Sixth the Alms-houses with the poor men do remain and are paid by the Mercers This Church was beautified at the proper cost of the Parish Anno 1630. at the charge of 130 l. 9 s. LXXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael in Wood-street in Cripplegate-ward was a proper Church in which were divers Monuments Here was Interred the Head of James the Fourth King of Scots of that name slain at Flodden-field Here was also a Monument of Queen Elizabeth LXXIX The Parish-Church called St. Mildred Bread-street in Bread-street-ward had divers Monuments amongst the rest one for Sir John Chadworth or Shadworth Kt. some time Mercer and Lord Mayor of London who gave a Vestry to this Church an House for the Pastor to dwell in and a Church-yard to the Parishioners wherein to bury their dead He deceased the 7th of May An. 1401. In Memorial of whom there was a fair Inscription on the Wall in these words Here lies a Man that Faith and Works did even Like Fiery Chariots mount him up to Heaven He did adorn this Church When words were weak And men forget the living stones will speak He left us Land This little Earth him keeps These black words Mourners and the Marble weeps At the upper end of the Chancel was a fair Window full of cost and beauty which being divided into five parts carried in the first of them a very artful and curious Representation of the Spaniards great Armado and the Battel in 1588. In the 2d the Monument of Queen Elizabeth In the 3d of the Gun-powder Plot. In the 4th of the lamentable time of Infection 1625. In the 5th the view and lively portraicture of that worthy Gentleman Captain Nicholas Crisp at whose sole cost among other this beautiful piece of Work was erected as also the Figures of his virtuous Wife
Foreigner an English Man can Attaint a Man of Treason when he is Dead and when he is no more a Man c. A Parliament is Summoned in manner following About fourty Days before the Parliament doth Assemble the King Issues out His Writ out of the Chancery cum advisamento Consilii sui with the advice of His Council and the Warrant is per ipsum Regem Consilium by the King Himself and His Council The King's Writ which is a short Letter or Epistle is directed and sent to every particular Person of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal commanding the Lords Spiritual in Fide Dilectione in Faith and Love and the Lords Temporal per fidem allegantiam by their Faith and Allegiance to appear at a certain time and place to Treat and give their Advice in some certain Important Affairs concerning the Church and State c. Other Writs are sent to the High Sheriff of each County to Summon the People to Elect two Knights for each County two Citizens for each City and one or two Burgesses for each Burrough according to Statute Charter or Custom In these Elections antiently all the People had their Votes and most Votes carried it but for avoiding of Tumults and Trouble it was Enacted by Henry the VI. that none should have any suffrage in the Election of Knights of the Shire but such as were Free-holders did Reside in the County and had of Yearly Revenue 40 s. which till the discovery of Gold and Silver in America was as much as 30 or 40 l. now The Persons Elected for each County are to be Milites Notabiles or at least Esqs or Gentlemen fit to be made Knights as it is in the Statutes of Henry the VI. they ought to be de discretionibus Militibus ad laborandum potentioribus of the discreetest Knights and most able to endure Labour of age viz. 21 Years at least and Experience without Rancor Malice Heat and Envy to be constant so as not to be swerved from Right by Fear Reward or Favour and in Judgment no respecters of Persons of a ripe and good Memory that remembring Perils past they may prevent Dangers to come They are to be Vigorous Active and Temperate and content to give their Attendance for Publick Good with which they are Intrusted Men of Noble Spirits and good Estates to prevent their being Mercenary or Bribed to betray their great Trust Men well verst in National and Political Affairs and of Capacious Understandings that so they might not be imposed upon ' by the Subtilty of such as would over-reach them They ought also to be well acquainted with the Laws of the Land and the Transactions of former Parliaments in order to the Repeal of Old Laws which though fit for the times they were made may not be so for the present times the Circumstances of things being varyed much from what they were by divers Revolutions and to Enact New Laws for general Good And indeed we have had of late Parliaments of this Character Men of such brave Spirits such Sagacity Prudence and Integrity to promote the General Welfare of that Great Body Politick whose Worthy Representatives they were as have exceeded their Predecessors and will hardly be out-done in succeeding times They ought to be Native English Men or at least such as have been Naturalized by Act of Parliament No Alien or Denizen none of the twelve Judges no Sheriff of a County no Ecclesiastical Person that hath curam animarum the cure or care of Souls may be chosen to Serve for any County City or Burrough This Grand and Illustrious Senate Consists of the three great Estates of the Kingdom the King 's most Excellent Majesty being the head viz. The Prelates and the Peers of the Realm and the Commons in which is such a Co-ordination of Power such a Wholsom mixture betwixt Prince and Commonalty during the time of Consultation that they make but one Body Politique their Results when they concur being as so many Harmonious Diapasons arising from the Touch of different Strings This Great Council is the great Bulwark of the English Liberty Property and Religion and the great Bank that keeps them from Slavery and the Inundations of Tyrannical Incroachments and unbounded Will-Government The People are lyable to no Laws but what they themselves make and are subject to no Contribution Tax Assessment or Pecuniary Leveys whatsoever but what they themselves Vote and Voluntarily yield to For there all Degrees of People be Represented the Yeoman Merchant Tradesman Mechanick c. have their inclusive Votes as well as the Gentry and Free-holders their Burgesses and Knights The House of Lords consists of Eleven Dukes whereof two are of the Royal Family viz. the Duke of York and Prince Rupert then the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Privy Seal takes Place before all Dukes not of the Royal Blood There are two Marquesses the Lord High Chamberlain of England the Lord Steward of the King's Houshold and the Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshould in respect of their Offices takes place of all Earls who at present are in Number viz. such as may Sit in the House of Lords 64. Then there are 7 Viscounts and 60 Barons according to the Printed List of the last Parliament that met at Oxford March 21. this present Year 1681. Then there are two Archbishops and twenty four Bishops so that the whole Number may be about 176 some of which Lords are under Age some Employed abroad by the King some Sick or Infirm so that the ordinary Number that Sits besides the Peers in the Tower and such as are Excluded by Act of Parliament for Recusancy c. may be about one hundred The House of Commons consists of two Knights for each of the 40 Shires in England being 80. One for each County in Wales being 12 Knights Two for each of the 25 Cities in England and four for London in all 52. Sixteen Barons for the Cinque-Ports Two Burgesses for each of the two Vniversities About 330 Burgesses for 168 Burroughs in England of which some few send but one Burgess a piece Lastly of twelve Burgesses viz. one for one Burrough in each County of Wales so that the Total according to the aforesaid List is 513. Of which many are absent somtimes by permission of the House upon business or because of Sickness c. The Number of the Parliament Men that each County sends are as followeth 1. Bedfordshire 4 2. Berkshire 9 3. Buckinghamshire 14 4. Cambridgeshire 6 5. Cheshire 4 6. Cornwall 44 7. Cumberland 6 8. Derbyshire 4 9. Devonshire 26 10. Dorsershire 20 11. Durham 4 12. Essex 8 13. Glocestershire 8 14. Herefordshire 8 15. Hartfordshire 6 16. Huntingtonshire 4 17. Kent 10 18. Lancashire 14 19. Leicestershire 4 20. Lincolnshire 12 21. Middlesex 8 22. Monmouthshire 3. 23. Norfolk 12 24. Northamptonshire 9 25. Northumberland 8 26. Nottinghamshire 8 27. Oxfordshire
amongst the highest Nobles of the Kingdom which serve on that Day in other Offices He presents the King with Wine in a Golden Cup having a Cover of which the King Drinks and the Lord Mayor receives the said Cup for his Fee The first Lord Mayor that went by Water to Westminster was Sir John Norman Draper Anno 1453. the 32. of H. 6. that is 228 years ago The two Sheriffs of this City are also Sheriffs of the County of Middlesex and are annually Chosen by the Citizens from among themselves in the Guild-Hall upon Midsummer-day a high Priviledge among many others anciently granted to this City by several Kings and Queens of this Kingdom but they are not Sworn till Michaelmas-Eve and then are also presented at the Exchequer to be allowed by the Barons and Sworn after which they enter upon their Office If the Persons so chosen refuse to hold they incur a Penalty unless they will take a Solemn Oath that they are not worth 10000 l. In the Year 1199. that is 482 years ago King John granted the Sheriff-Wick of London and Middlesex to the City as King Henry the First before had done for the sum of 300 l. a year which is paid into the Exchequer to this Day He gave them also Authority to Chuse and Deprive their Sheriffs at pleasure In the 1. of R. 1. the Citizens obtained to be Governed by two Bayliffs which Bayliffs are in Divers antient Deeds called Sheriffs according to the Speech of the Law which called the Shire Ballâ—va c. which King also as formerly said gave the City liberty to be governed by a Mayor as their Principal Governour and their Bayliffs were changed into Sheriffs The Sheriffs of London In the Year 1471. were appointed each of them to have Sixteen Sergeants every Sergeant to have his Yeoman and Six Clerks viz. A Secondary a Clerk of the Papers and Four other Clerks besides the Under-Sheriffs Clerks their Stewards Bâ—tlers Porters and other in Houshold many There are Twenty-six Aldermen that preside over the Twenty-six Wards of the City of which more when we speak of Wards when any of these die the Lord Mayor and Aldermen chuse another out of the most substantial men of the City If any so chosen refuse to hold he is usually Fined 500 l. All the Aldermen that have been Lord Mayors and the Three eldest Aldermen that have not yet arrived to that Honourable Estate are by their Charter Justices of the Peace of this City In the Year 1555. Seven Aldermen Died in less than Ten Months The Recorder of London is usually a Grave and Learned Lawyer that is skilful in the Customs of the City who is to be an Assistant to the Lord Mayor He taketh his place in Councels and in Courts before any man that hath not been Mayor and Learnedly Delivers the sentences of the whole Court The Present Recorder is Sir George Treby an eminent Gentleman and a Worthy Member of our last Parliaments The Chamberlain of London is at present Sir Thomas Player a Gentleman that has deserved very well of this City and the Protestant Interest in General both in that Station and as a Member for this Honourable City in the last Parliaments The Chamberlain is Elected by the Commons upon Midsummer-day so are the Two Bridge-Masters The Auditors of the City and Bridge-House Accounts the Surveyors for BEER and ALE. There is also a Town-Clark or Common-Clerk and a Remembrancer who are Esquires The Chamberlain of London is an Officer very considerable in point of power for without him can no man set up Shop or Occupy his Trade without being Sworn before him no man can set over an Apprentice to another but by his Licence he may Imprison any that disobeys his Summons or any Apprentice that misdemeans himself or punish him otherwise On Munday and Tuesday in Eâ—ster-week all the Aldermen and Sheriffs come unto the Lord Mayor's House before Eight of the Clock in the Morning to Break-fast wearing their Scarlet Gowns Furr'd and their Cloaks as also their Horses attending When Break-fast is ended they mount their Horses and ride to the Spittle which is an ancient Custom not changed but once in 300 years and that upon extraordinary occasion till this year when they went to S. Sepulchres the Sword and Mace being born before the Lord Mayor There they hear a Sermon and then return to Dinner and some of the Aldermen Dine with the Sheriffs and some with the Lord Mayor On Wednesday in Easter-week they go thither in the same manner only the Lord Mayor and Aldermen wear their Violet Gownes and sutable Cloaks But the Ladies on the former Days wearing Scarlet on this Day are attired in Black On Whitsunday all the Aldermen use to meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the New-Church-yard by Moorfields wearing their Scarlet Gowns lined without Cloaks there they hear a Sermon appointed for that Day and so return to Dinner When they chuse Parliament-men all the Aldermen meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the Guild-Hall by nine of the Clock in the Morning wearing their Velvet Gowns and their Cloaks either furred or lined according as the time of the year requireth when they are to be chosen and they sit in the Hastings-Court untill the Commons do make Choice of them The last Honourable Members that served for this Renowned City were Sir Robert Clayton Knight that was Lord Mayor the last year Thomas Pilkinton Alderman Sir Thomas Player Knight and William 〈◊〉 Esq of whose real worth courage fidelity and wisdom in the management of that great Trust the City is very sensible as appears by the publick demonstrations deservedly given of it and no less sensible was the last Parliament but one of the Cities Loyalty Fidelity and great care to preserve his Majesties Royal person and the Protestant Religion that the thanks of the House was order'd to be given them which was accordingly done by the Worthy Members aforesaid What the Office of the Constables in the City of London is you may gather from their Oath which is thus Ye shall Swear that ye keep the Peace of our Soveraign Lord the King well and lawfully after your power And ye shall Arrest all them that make Contest Riot Debate or Affray in breaking of the said Peace and lead them to the House or Compter of one of the Sheriffs And if ye be withstood by strength of Misdoers ye shall rear on them an Out-cry and pursue them from Street to Street and from Ward to Ward till they be Arrested And ye shall search at all times when ye be required by the Seavengers or Beadles the Common Noysance of your Ward And the Beadle and Raker ye shall help to Rear and gather their Sallary and Quarterage if ye be thereunto by them required And if any thing be done within your Ward against the Ordinance of this City such defaults as ye shall find there done ye shall them present to the Mayor and
Stones that immur'd up the Door they were heard to cry seven days after and then perished From the Savoy they went to the Temple where they burnt the Lawyers Lodgings with their Books and Writings and all they could lay hands on They broke up the Fleet Prison and let the Prisoners go where they would The like they did at Newgate and made a most dreadful havock up and down The house of St. Johns by Smithfield they set on fire so that it burnt seven days together After this they came to the Tower where the King was then lodged And though he had at that time 600 armed Men and 600 Archers about him yet he durst not but suffer them to enter where they abused the King's Mother in a rude manner offering to kiss her c. that she fell into a Swoon And finding in the place Simon Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor and Sir Robert Hale Prior of St. John and Lord Treasurer and one Richard a Carmelite Monk the King's Confessor these they led to Tower-hill and there most cruelly cut off their heads as they served divers others Indeed Polidore Virgil writes That the Rebels were not at all in the Tower but that the King sent these three men to appease them hoping that they would not offer to abuse such eminent Clergy-men For saith he Si vulgus it a concitatus turrem expugnasset non eos utique tres duntaxat uti credere par est sed Regem relquos ommes quos imprimis ad supplicium petebat interfecisset that is If the enraged Common People had taken the Tower by force they would in all probability destroy not only those three but the King also and all the rest whom first of all they demanded to be deliver'd to them â—or punishment They drew Thirteen Flemings out of Austin-Fryers and Beheaded them in the Streets Seventeen more out of another Church And Thirty two out of the Vintry and several out of their own or others whom they Beheaded yet after all these barbarous and bloody Outrages the King proclaimed Pardon to all such as would lay down Arms and go quietly home which the Essex men did but the Kentish men continued still with their Captain Wat-Tyler of Maidstone a crafty Fellow of an acute wit but very graceless Polidore Virgil says He was Manibus promptus ac Consiliis praeceps of a ready hand and hasty or precipitate in counsel To this Ringleader of Mischief the King sent Sir John Newton to understand what his meaning was Wat Tyler was offended because he came on Horse-back telling him It became him to alight from his Horse in his presence and therewith drew out his Dagger to strike him The King perceiving this Noble Knight to be in danger to qualifie the severity of Wat for a time commanded Sir John to alight which did not pacifie but made Wat the more insolent and would have the King's Sword which Sir John carried offering again to assault him But the Lord Mayor of London William Walworth with other Persons of Quality being just come affirm'd it to be an unheard-of Indignity and a most intolerable Disgrace if the King should suffer so Noble a Knight to be basely murdered in his presence Upon which the King commanded the Lord Mayor to arrest him who did it to purpose for being a man of an invincible Courage and a brave Mind he regarded not the hazard that probably would follow his attacking that Darling and Leader of a Rude Numerous and Rebellious Rabble but prefer'd his Duty to his King and Countrey and the Generosity of rescuing an abused Gentleman even before life I insert this as a Remark due to this brave and memorable Action which deserves never to be forgotten The Mayor immediately rides up to Wat and Arrests him with such a salutation of his Mace on his head that he tumbles him down and then he was by some of the King's Servants some say by John Cavendish Esq run through in several places many persons encompassing him so as that he could not be seen by his Plebeian Army and then caus'd his dead Body to be drawn into St. Bartholomews Hospital But the Commons perceiving it they cry'd Their Captain was slain and animated each other to revenge Upon which the King though not above 15 years of age was so Couragious as to ride up to them telling them That now their Leader was dead he would be their Leader himself and if they would follow him into the Fields they should have whatsoever they desired In the mean time the Lord Mayor Walworth with one Servant Rides speedily into the City and raised One thousand armed Men where meeting Sir Robert Knolls a Citizen by accident got him to be their Leader who coming into the Field where the Rebels were so daunted them that throwing down their weapons they cry'd for mercy so that it was a wonderful thing to see how suddenly Fear overtook Presumption and how quickly terms of the most servile Submission succeeded their insolent Brags viz. That they had the King's life in their power c. and what else they would do On the other side 't was as strange to see how quickly Boldness surprized Fear in those about the King for a little before they trembled at the sight of the Rebels but now they are mad to be at them which the King would not suffer but commanded the Charter they had demanded to be scaled and delivered to them because these Commotions might have the speedier End for the Commons in other places were not yet quiet and the King thought it more prudent rather to pacifie than provoke them The Rabble being dispersed the King called for the Mayor and Knighted him in the Field as also five Aldermen his Brethren viz. Nicholas Brember John Philpot Robert Lawnd John Standish Nicholas Twyford and Adam Francis Some affirm that the Dagger was added to the City Arms for this Reason but Antiquaries make out that this Coat with the Sword of St. Paul not a Dagger belonged to the City long before this hapned The Mayor of London after this sate in Judgment upon Offenders where many were found Guilty and were Executed amongst others Jack Straw John Kirby Alane Tredder and John Sterling who gloried that he slew the Archbishop Sir Robert Tresilian the Chief Justice was appointed to sit in Judgment against the Offenders before whom above 1500 were found Guilty and in several places put to Death amongst whom was John Ball the Priest their Incendiary And thus ended that dangerous Rebellion About the Year 1450. 29 H. 6. there was another Insurrection in Kent headed by one Jack Cade who stiled himself John Mortimer Captain Mend-all He marches with a small but well-order'd Number to Black-Heath where he lay about a Month exercising his Men and in the mean time presents several Complaints to the King and Parliament of various Grievances and Oppressions but they were judged too insolent and therefore rejected
of Trade and Shop-keepers which are towards the Street whereas if they were as is usual in Italy and elsewhere built towards the great and principal streets no City in the whole World could go beyond it for beauty and magnificence Near the Bridge of London where this Dreadful Fire began is now erected as was ordered by Act of Parliament a Pillar in perpetual Memory of that great Incendium It is of the Dorick Order 175 Foot high from the Superficies of the Ground and 15 Foot Diameter all of solid Portland-stone with a fair Stair-case in the middle of black Marble and a large Iron Balcony at the top from whence a man may have a gallant prospect of all the City and Country this is commonly called the MONVMENT the Pedestal is likewise all of Portland-stone and is 21 Foot square and 40 Foot high Carved with most exquisite and significant resemblances or figures to the Street-side and on the other sides it bears these Inscriptions carv'd in large Letters Anno Christi MDCLXVI Die IV Nonas Septembris Hinc in orientem pedum CCII intervallo quae est hujusce Columnae Altitudo Erupit de media nocte incendium quod vento spirante hausit etiam longinqua partes per omnes populabundum ferebatur cum impetu fragore incredibili XXCIX Templa Portas Praetorium Aedes publicas Ptochotrophia Scholas Bibliothecas Insularum magnum Numerum Domuum CMâ— 00 00 00 CC vicos CD absumpsit De XXVI Regionibus XV funditus Delevit alias VIII laceras semiustas reliquit Vrbis Cadaver ad CDXXXVI jugerae hinc ab aree per Tamisis ripam ad Templariorum Fanum illinc ab Euro Aquilonali porta secundum Muros ad Fossae Fletanae Caput porrexit adversus opes Civium fortunas infestum erga vitas innocuum Vt per omnia referret supremam illam mundi exustionem Velox Clades fuit exiguum tempus eandem vidit Civitatem florentissimam nullam Tertio Die cum jam plane evicerat humana Consilia subsidia omnia Caelitus ut par est credere Jussus stetit fatalis ignis quaquaversum elanguit On another side CAROLO II C. Mart. F. Mag. Brit. Fran. Hib. Rex Fid. D. Princeps clementissimus miseratus luctuosam rerum faciem plurima fumantibus iam tum ruinis in solatium Civium Vrbis suae Ornamentum providit Tributum remisit preces ordinis popu li Londinensis retulit ad Regni Senatum qui continuo decrevit uti publica opera pecunia publica ex vectigali Carbonis fossilis oriunda in Meliorem formam restituerentur Vtique aedes sacrae D. Pauli Templum a fundamentis omni Magnificentia extruerentur Pontes Portae Carceres Novi fierent Emundarentur alvei Vici ad Regulam responderent Clivi Complanarentur Aperirentur Angiportus fora Macella in Areas sepositas eliminarentur Censuit etiam uti singulae Domus Muris integerinis concluderentur Vniversae in frontem pari altitudine consurgerent omnesque parietes saxo quadrato aut â—octo latere solidarentur Vtique Nemini liceret ulâ—ra septennium aedificando immorari Adhaec lites de terminis orituras lege lata praescidit adjecit quoque supplicationes annuas ad aeternam posterorum Memoriam H. C. P. C. Festinatur Vndique Resurgit Londinum Majori celeritate an splendore incertum Vnum triennium absolvit quod seculi opus credebatur Incepta Richardo Forde Equ Praetore Lond. A. D. MDCLXXI Perducta altius Geo. Waterman Eq. Prae. Roberto Hanson Eq. Prae Guliel Hooker Eq. Prae. Roberto Viner Eq. Prae. Josepho Sheldon Eq. Prae. Perfecta Thoma Davies Eq. Prae. Urb. Anno Dom. MDCLXXVII The substance of these Elegant Latine Inscriptions is a brief account of the Fire and the Devastation it made its swiftness and stop His Majesties gracious care for the rebuilding of it the Tribute laid upon Coals for the building of Churches and other publick structures c. the regularity uniformity and Model of the New Buildings And that all should build in seven years the Act for erecting a Judicature as before-mentioned concluding that it is a doubt whether the Resurrection of London be with greater â—elerity or splendor since three years compleated what was Judged to be the work of an Age. This was begun Sir Richard Ford being Lord Mayor 1671 raised higher Sir Geo. Waterman Knight Sir Robert Hansen Knight Sir Will. Hooker Knight Sir Robert Viner Knight Sir Joseph Sheldon Knight Lord Mayors finished Sir Thomas Davies Knight Lord Mayor in the Year of our Lord 1677. So much for Fires only amongst many that may be mentioned I cannot forget a lamentable accident that happen'd to a Family to which I was nearly related one Mr. De Laune that liv'd in Lothbury a Merchant who above twenty years ago with his Wife who was then ready to lie in the Daughter of Sir Thomas Allen of Finchly and all their Family were burnt in their House there and no account but conjectures can be given how the fire came In the first year of the Reign of K. H. 7. in Autumn towards the end of September that is about 196 years ago there began and reigned in the City and other parts of the Kingdom a Diease then new which of the accidents and manner thereof they called the Sweating-sickness This Disease had a swift Course both in the sick body and in the time and period of the lasting thereof For they that were taken with it upon twenty-four hours escaping were thought almost assured And as to the time of the Malice and Reign of the Disease ere it ceased It began about the 21 st of September and clear'd up before the end of October It was a Pestilent Feaver not seated in the Veins or Humours for there followed no Carbuncle no purple or livid spots or the like the Mass of Blood or of the Body being not tainted only a malignant Vapour flew to the Heart and seizsd the Vital Spirits which stirred Nature to send it forth by an Extream sweat And it appeared by experience that this Disease was rather a surprize of Nature then obstinate to Remedies if it were in time looked into For if the Patient were kept in an equal temper both for Clothes Fire and Drink moderately warm with temperate Cordials whereby Natures work were neither irritated by heat nor turned back by cold he commonly Recovered But infinite persons dyed suddenly of it before the manner of Cure and Attendance was known It was conceived to be not an Epedemick Disease but to proceed from a Malignity in the Constitution of the Air gathered by the predispositions of Seasons and the speedy cessation declared as much The Remedy of this Disease which hapned again in the 9 th of K. H. 8. Anno 1517. and of which vast numbers died remarkable by this Circumstance that Englishmen were taken with it in any Country but no others and therefore termed by Foreigners Sudor Anglicus that is the English-sweat is
the foundation of the aforesaid Gate it was much loosned and weakned so that 200 and oddâ— years after viz. Anno 1440. 18 H. 6. It fell down and was never since re-edified There were several other Water-Gates which were purchased by private Men as at Black-frier-stairs a free landing place Puddle-Wharf Pauls-Wharf a free landing place Broken-wharf Queen-Hith a place called Woolf-Gate in the Parish of Aâ—lâ—allows after called Woolf-lane but the lower part being built on by the Earl of Shreâ—sâ—ury and the upper part by the Chamberlain of London it was grown out of use There was also a Gate called Ebgate now the Old Swan There was also a small Gate called Oyster-Gate because Oysters were sold there and other Shell Fish Bridg-gate so called of London-Bridg was reckoned by Fitz-Seephens one of the Principal Gates of the City Next Buttolph-gate so called of St. Buttolphs-Church adjoining Of Billingsgate we have spoke already There was a Water-gate by the Custom-House at the South end of Water-lanâ— and another Water-gate by the Tower Of the Tower of London THe Wall of the City was furnished round about with Towers and Bulworks at due and Regular distances Of which where the Wall ended towards the River on the East-side the most eminent was that which we call the Toâ—â—r of London Built by William the Conqueror about the Year 1078. Some say that Caesar built the White-Tower but that is not so nor does he mention it in his Commentary though an exact Recorder of his own Actions Gundulph Bishop of Rochester being Principal Surveyor and Overseer of the Work This was the great Square Tower now called the White-Tower which has been much inlarged by several Buildings since adjoyned at diverse times and incompassed with a Wall And Anno 1190 in the 2 R. 1. as was said the Bishop of Ely Chancellor of England inclâ—sed it with a thick and strong outward Wall of stone Embattailed and caused a Broad and Deep Ditch to be cast about the same thinking to have Invironed it with the River of Thames so that it is a most Famous Goodly Citadel resembling a big Town Edward the 4 th fortified this Tower inclosing a certain piece of Ground taken from Tower-Hill on the West which is now called the Bulwark Near West-gate opening to the South there is a strong Postern for passengers by the Ward-House over a Drawbridg let down for that purpose On the South side towards the East is a large Water-gate for the Receipt of small Vessels under a store Bridg from the River Thames beyond it 〈◊〉 a small Pâ—stern with a Draw-bridg seldom let down but to receive great Persons that are Prisoners The Lyon-Tower was built by Edward the 4 th This is not only a Fort or Citadel to Defend and Command both City and River but alâ—o a Royal Palace where our Kings with their Courts have Lodged some times 'T is furnished with an Armory and Royal Arsenaf of Arms and Ammunition for 60000 Men. Here are kept the Treâ—sury for the Jewels and Ornaments of the English Crown the only Mint now for Coining Silver and Gold in England And the most Antient Records of the King's Courts of Justice at Westminster This is the Chief Prison for the safe Custody of Great Persons that are Criminals It is out of any County or Parish yet a great part of it is within the liberty of the City For it was the Judges opinion that those that were to be Tried for the Murder of Sir Thomas Overbury must be Tried in the City the Fact being done there The Office of his Majesties Records is of venerable Antiquity And as the Chapel of the Rolls in Chancery-Lane and Petty Bag-Office doth fill with Records out of other Offices they are transmitted into the Tower after some years for preservation and security These Records contain the Foundations and Dissolutions of Abbeys Donation of Land c. These Records at the Rolls being joyned to those in the Tower will make a perfect continuance of all the Antient Rights of England as 1. The Leagues and Treaties of Foreign Princes 2. The Warlike Atchievments of the English in France and other Parts 3. The Original of all the Laws Enacted and Recorded till the Reign of Richard the 3. 4. The Homage and Dependancy of Scotland upon England The Establishment of Ireland in Laws and Dominions 5. The Dominion of the British Seas excluding both French and Dutch from Fishing there without the Kings License proved by Records before the Conquest 6. The Title of the Realm of France and how obtained 7. And all that the Kings or Princes of this Land have until that time done abroad on granted or confirmed unto their Subjects at home or abroad 8. Tenures of all Lands extents of Surveys of Mannors and Land Inquisitions post mortem 9. Libertys and Priviledges Granted to Citys Towns or private Men. 10. Several Writs Bleadings Proceedings c. in Courts of Chancery Common Law Exchequer c. 11. Inspeximus's and Inrollments of Charters and Deeds before the Conquest 12. Metes and Bounds of all Forrests with the respective Rights of the Inhabitants to common pasture besides many other things too tedious to be repeated and are in the Petition of the Commons of England in Parliament Anno 46. E. 3. Num. 43. Said to be the perpetual Evidence of every Mans Right and the Records of this Nation without which no Story of the Nation can be written or proved They are reposited in Wakefield-Tower adjoyning to the Blood-Tower near Traytors-gate It is to be kept open and constantly attended for all Resorters thereto from 7. to 11. of the Clock in the Morning and from 1. till 5. in the Afternoon every Day of the week but in December January and February from 8. in the Morning to 4. in the Afternoon except Holy-days c. The Governor is call'd the Lieutenant of the Tower who ought to be a Person of Worth and Fidelity and by Vertue of his Office is to be a Justice of Peace in Kent Surrey and Middlesex he is High Steward of a Court there held hath a Deputy may refuse an Habeas Corpus and may give Protection to all Debtors belonging to the Tower all England over He can take two Gallons and a Pint of all Wine-Ships that come His Sallary is 200 l. per annum His usual Fee for every Prisoner sent to the Tower who are commonly Men of Estates is 20 l. and 3. l. a week of an Esq 5. l. for a Knight for a Baron or above 5. l. at Entrance to whom the King weekly allows 10 l. whereof two parts to the Prisoner the third to the Lieutenant for Lodging and Dyet and 50 l. to the Lieutenant upon the Prisoners discharge The Gentleman Taylor is put in by the Lieutenant of the Tower and his Fee is 41 s. of a Gentleman and 5 l. of a Knight There are 40 Warders of the Tower accounted the King's Domestick Servants and sworn by the Lord
the Lord Steirard in the Compting-house is the Treasurer of the Houshold the Comptroller the Cofferer the Master of the Houshold the two Clerks of the Green Cloth the two Clerks Comptrollers one Sergeâ—nt two Yeomen the Cofferers Clerks or Clerks of the Assignments the Groom two Messengers The Compting-house is so called because the Accompts for all Expences of the King's Houshold are theâ—e daily taken by the Lord-Steward the Treasurer Comptroller the Cofferer the Master of the Houshold the two Clerks of the Green Cloth and the two Clerks Comptrollers who also there make Provisions for the Houshold according to the Law of the Land and make Payments and Orders for the Well-governing of the Servants of the Houshold In the Compting-house is the Green-Cloth which is a Court of Justice continually sitting in the King's House composed of the Persons last mentioned whereof the three first are usually of the King 's Privy Council To this Court being the first and most ancient Court of England is committed the charge and over-sight of the King's Court Royal for matters of Justice and Government with Authority for maintaining the Peace within 12 Miles distance wheresoever the Court shall be and within the King's House the power of correcting all the Servants therein that shall any way offend It is called the Green-Cloth of a Green-Cloth whereat they 〈◊〉 over whom are the Arms of the Compting-house bearing Vert a Key or and a Staff Argent Saultier signifying their power to Reward and Correct as Persons for their great Wisdom and Experience thought fit by His Majesty to exercise both these Functions in His Royal House The Treasurer of the King's House is always of the Privy Council and in absence of the Lord Steward hath power with the Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea to hear and determine Treasons Felonies and other Crimes committed within the King's Palace and that by Verdict of the King's Houshold If any Servants within the Check-Roll be found Guilty of Felony they are to have no Benefit of Clergy allowed them The Comptrollers Office is to Controul the Accompts and Reckonings of the Green-Cloth His Fee is Annually 107 l. 12 s. 4 d. A Table of 16 Dishes each Meal He bears a White Staff c. The Cofferer is a principal Officer and hath especial Charge and Over-sight of other Officers of the House for their good Demeanor and Carriage in their Offices and is to pay the Wages of the King's Servants above and below Stairs And for Provisions by the Direction and Allowance of the Green-Cloth His Annual Fee is 100 l. and a Table of seven Dishes each day The Office of the Master of the Houshold is to survey the Accompts of the House His Fee is 100 Marks and seven Dishes daily All Bills of Comptrolment Parcels and Brievements are lotted and allowed by the Clerks Comptrollers and summed up by the Clerks of the Green-Cloth ☞ Note That though the King pays still the ancient Fees which at first were above ten times the value they are now yet the Perquisites in many Oâ—fices make sometimes a place of 10 l. Fee to be worth near 500 l. per Annum ☞ Note also That in each Office there is a Succession from one to another the inferior Degree still coming into the place of the next above if he dyes as one of the Children may come to be Groom then Yeoman then Gentleman then Sergeant c. as he happens to out-live them above him The Chief Clerk waits upon and appoints the Kings Queens and Houshold Dyets every third Month waits upon all Foreign Princes Strangers and Ambassadors when His Majesty gives them Entertainment He keeps all the Records Leger-Books and Papers relating to that Office makes up all Bills Parcels and Debentures for Board-Wages and Provisions and Necessaries issuing from the Offices of the Pantery Buttery and Cellar Keeps Accompt of and makes up the Remains with several other Duties which oblige him to constant Waiting He appoints Scowrers Turn-Brochers and Porters in his turn with the Master Cook in the several Kitchens and hath a Fee equal to an Officer of the Green-Cloth and Diet of seven Dishes each Meal The second and third Clerks wait upon the Diet as abovesaid each of them one month in three and attend the King and Queen in their Progresses when appointed by the Green-Cloth and have a Table of five Dishes There are three Master Cooks for the King Queen and Houshold who have each a Table of five Dishes There is a Knight Harbinger three Gentlemen Harbingers and seven Yeomen Harbingers The Office is given to the Knight-Harbinger by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England during Life When the King goes on Progress in England or Beyond the Seas he does by himself or his Deputy provide and appoint all Lodgings and Harbingage for all great Persons all Noblemen Bishops all His Majesties Servants and Attendants c. For all Ambassadors and Foreigners c. His Salary is 20 Marks per Annum and 10 s. a day out of the Exchequer besides Fees for Honours given by the King and Homage done to His Majesty and divers other Perquisites In the Court the Officers according to their several Degrees are called either Lords Knights Esquires Sergeants Gentlemen Clerks Yeomen Grooms Pages or Children There are two Lords viz. the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain Two Knights viz. the Knight Marshal and the Knight Harbinger Four Esquires of the Body c. The Knight Marshal called Mareschalus Hospitii Regis hath Jurisdiction and Cognizance of all Crimes within the Royal Palace whereunto one of the Parties is the King's Servant He is one of the Judges of the Court called the Marshalsea or Marshal-Seat of Judicature which is held in Southwark and hath there a Prison belonging to the same Upon Solemn Occasions he Rides before the King with a short Baston tipt at both ends with Gold and hath six Provost Marshals or Virgers in Scarlet Coats to wait on him and to take care of the Royal Palace that no Beggars Vagabonds Common Women that prostitute their Bodies Malefactors c. come within or near the Court. There are divers other Officers below Stairs under the Lord Steward as also the Officers belonging to the Queens Kitchin Cellar Pantery c. and to the Lords Kitchin together with Children Scowrers Turn-Broaches c. His Majesties Servants in Ordinary above-stairs are as followeth THE Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber whereof the first is called the Groom of the Stole as it were Servant of the Robe or Vestment he having the Office and Honour to Present and Put on His Majesties first Garment or Shirt every morning and to order the things of the Bed-Chamber The Gentlemen are usually of the prime Nobility of England Their Office is each one in his Turn to wait a Week in every quarter in the King's Bed-Chamber there to lie by the King in a Pallet-Bed all Night and in the absence of the Groom
of the Stole to supply his place They wait on the King when he eats in private for then the Cup-Bearers Carvers and Sewers do not wait The yearly Fee to each is 1000 l. There is a Vice-Chamberlain a Keeper of the Privy-Purse a Treasurer of the Chamber who pays Riding and Lodging Wages as the Lord Chamberlain shall direct a Surveyor General of His Majesties Works The Master of the Robes belonging to His Majesties Person whose Office it is to order them at Coronations St. George's Feast and Parliament-Time He has also the ordering of all His Majesties Wearing Apparel of His Collar of Esses Georges and Garter beset with Diamonds and Pearls The Grooms of the Bed-Chamber are Twelve besides some Supernumeraries They are to be under the degree of Knights and to attend in the King's Bed-Chamber to dress and undress him in private The yearly Fee to each is 500 l. Then there are Six Pages of the Bed-Chamber Four Gentlemen-Vshers of the Privy Chamber who wait one at a time in the Privy Lodgings There are Forty eight Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary who are all Knights or Esquires of Note of which Twelve every Quarter wait on the King's Person within doors and without so long as His Majesty is on Foot and when the King is in the Privy Chamber they wait at the Table and bring in his Meat They wait also at the Reception of Ambassadors and every Night two of them lie in the King 's Privy Chamber A Gentleman of the Privy Chamber by the King's Commandment onely without any written Commission may Arrest any Peer of England as Cardinal Wolsey acknowledged There are Six Grooms of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary all Gentlemen of Quality These wait as all Grooms without Sword Cloak or Hat whereas the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber wear always Cloak and Sword There is also a Library Keeper In the Presence Chamber Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters in Ordinary are four whereof the first hath that considerable Office of the Black Rod and in time of Parliament is to attend every day in the Lords House and is also Vsher of the most Honourable Order of the Garter Second Gentleman Vsher daily Waiter c. their Office is to wait in the Presence Chamber and to attend next the King's Person and after the Lord Chamberlain and Vice-Chamberlain to order all Affairs and all Under-Officers above-stairs are to obey these There are Eight Gentlemen-Vshers Quarter-Waiters in Ordinary who wait also in the Presence Chamber and are to give Directions in the absence of the Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters to the Grooms and Pages and other Under-Officers who are to attend in all Offices next below the Gentlemen-Vshers Quarter-Waiters The Grooms of the great Chamber are Fourteen Six Gentlemen-Waiters Four Cup-Bearers Four Carvers Four Sewers Four Esquires of the Body whose Office is to guard the King's Person by Night to set the Watch and to give the Word and to keep good Order in the whole House by Night as the Lord Chamberlain and his other Officers are to do by day The Sewers of the Chamber are Eight The Groom-Porter's Office is to see the King's Lodgings furnished with Tables Chairs Stools Firing to furnish Cards Dice c. to decide Disputes arising at Cards Dice Bowling c. There are Sixteen Sergeants at Arms all Gentlemen or Knights attending upon His Majesty There are also Four other Sergeants at Arms whereof one attends the Lord President of Wales another the Speaker of the House of Commons and another the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland There are Forty eight Chaplains in Ordinary usually Doctors in Divinity and for the most part Deans or Prebends and all principal Preachers who attend by Four every month to Preach before the King There are Four Physicians in Ordinary for the King's Person whereof one is assigned to attend the Queen There are also Physicians in Ordinary to the Houshold of which one is for the Tower of London There are besides these above Twelve able Physicians who are the King 's Sworn Servants but wait not nor have Fee There is a Master and Treasurer of the Jewel-house and three Under-Officers called Yeomen and Grooms whose Office is to take charge of all Vessels of Gold or Silver Gilt for the King and Queens Table of all Plate in the Tower of Chains and loose Jewels not fix'd to any Garment The Master of the Ceremonies has a Fee of 200 l. his Assistant 120 l. 13 s. 4 d. and one Marshal 100 l. per Annum This Office of Master of the Ceremonies was instituted by King James for the more Honourable Reception of Ambassadors and Strangers of Quality The Assistant Master of the Ceremonies is to execute the same Imployment in all Points whensoever the other is absent The Marshal of the Ceremonies is their Officer for the more easie performance of the said Services and being subordinate to them both is to act nothing but by the directions of one of them Amongst the King's Servants in Ordinary are three Kings of Arms six Heralds or Dukes of Arms and four Pursuivants at Arms. The Title of the first is Garter whose Office is to attend and direct at those Ceremonies and Solemnities that concern the most Noble Order of the Garter and to Marshal the Solemn Funerals of the Knights of that Order as also of the Peers of England and to direct all things else relating to Arms which appertain to the Peerage The Title of the Second is Clarencieux who regulates and directs the Proceedings at Solemn Funerals of all Degrees under Peers as shall be celebrated in his Province which is the Counties on the South of Trent and whatsoever else there relateth to Arms. The Title of the Third is Norroy who regulates and directs like the Second throughout his Province on the North of Frent The Offices of the Heralds and Pursuivants besides their Services at the aforesaid Solemnities are together with the Kings of Arms to attend at Publick Solemnities and some or all of them to proclaim War or Peace carry Defiances summon Fortified Places or Rebels in Arms proclaim Traytors and to do their best Service in whatsoever relateth to the Nobility and Gentry of England in point of Honour and Arms. Amongst the King's Servants in Ordinary are reckoned one Geographer one Historiographer one Hydrographer one Library-keeper one Cosmographer one Poet Laureat and one Publick Notary The King besides the Great Wardrobe hath divers standing Wardrobes at Whitehal Windsor Hampton-Court the Tower of London and Greenwich c. whereof there are divers Officers There is the Removing Wardrobe which always attends upon the Person of the King Queen and the Children as also upon Ambassadors Christenings Masks Plays c. at the Command of the Lord Chamberlain who hath the disposing of vacant places Here are fix Officers one Yeoman two Grooms and three Pages the Salary of the Yeoman is 200 l. of the Grooms 100 l. and of the Pages 100 Marks And to all
a fair Room over it appointed for a Treasury for the Books and Records of the City and another Room underneath for necessary use and Employment was begun Anno 1614. and finished Michaelmas 1615. at the charge of 1740 l. which was well well bestowed The Kitchins c. were built about Anno 1501. for accommodation of the Lord Mayors Feast by means of Sir John Shaa Goldsmith Lord Mayor who kept the first Lord Mayors Feast there which were wont to be kept before in Merchant-Taylors or Grocers-Hall c. The adjoyning Chappel or College of Mary Magdalen and All-Saints was called London-College built Anno 1299. which had a Custos seven Chaplains three Clerks and four Quiristers Adjoying to this Chappel was a fair and large Library pertaining to the Guild-Hall and College but the Books to the quantity of three-score Cart-loads * Howel p. 118. in Edw. 6. time were sent for by Edw. Duke of Somerset with promise to restore them but they were never return'd The Library was built by the Executors of Sir Richard Whittington aforesaid and by W. Bury This great Guild-Hall was destroyed by the great Fire 1666 but very Magnificently rebuilt In the great Hall on the East-end it is very Richly hung with the lively Effigies of His Majesty and the Duke of York and round about on all sides it is adorn'd with the costly and lively Pictures of the great Ministers of State and Judges of the Land There are many large and spacious Courts and Offices where the Respective Affairs of the City are managed as before in the Section of the Civil-Government of London Of Blackwell-Hall THis place was purchased by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty for 50 l. 20. R. 2. and employed as a Weekly Market-place for all sorts of Woollen-Cloaths broad and narrow brought from all parts of the Kingdom there to be sold 21 R. 2. It was Decreed that no Foreigner or Stranger should sell any Woollen-Cloath but in Blackwell-Hall upon pain of forfeiture thereof It was Rebuilt being decayed Anno 1558. at the charge of 2500 l. to which Richard May Merchant-Taylor gave 300 l. at his Decease It was destroyed by the great Fire 1666 but rebuilt in a very capacious manner and is the greatest Market and Store-house for all sorts of Woollen-Cloath c. Of Leaden-Hall ANno 1411. This Hall was confirm'd unto the City by Sir Richard Whittington and others who purchased it Anno 1443. 21 H. 6. Sir John Hatherly Lord Mayor purchased License of the King to take up 200 fodder of Lead for the building of Water-Conduits a Common Granary and the Cross in Cheap-side more beautifully for the honour of the City This Granary was built by the honourable and famous Merchant Simon Eyre the words of the Grant be Cum Nobilis potens vir c. Whereas the Noble and powerful man c. sometime an Vpholsterer and then a Draper Anno 1419. He built it of square Stone as it now sheweth having escaped the fury of the great Fire with a fair and large Chappel on the East-side of the Quadrant over the Porch he caused to be Written Dextra Domini exaltavit me The Lords Right hand exalted me Within the Chappel was written Honorandus famosus Mercator Simon Eyre hujus operis c. In English thus The honourable and famous Merchant Simon Eyre Founder of this Work once Mayor of this City Citizen and Draper of the same Departed out of this Life 18 Sept. 1459. 38 H. 6. He was buried in the Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Lumbard-street He gave very many large and bountiful Legacies to be read in Stow page 163. This Hall was Burnt Anno 1484. but Rebuilt again in a very stately and capacious manner There were kept the Artillery Guns and other Armour of the City The Store of Timber for the necessary reparations of the Tenements belonging to the Chamber of London It was a Free Market for Victuallers There were the Common Beams for weighing of Wools and other Wares the Scales to weigh Meal there were made the Pageants for the Midsummer-Watches In other parts Woolsacks were stowed Abovestairs the Painters workt upon the Pageants the Residue were let to Merchants c. Now there is kept the greatest Flesh-Market about the City And a great Magazine of Corn. In speaking of Halls it may not be impertinent to remember the Right honourable Baptist Lord Hicks Viscount Cambden who besides many noble and charitable acts of Piety in King James his time recorded by Stow p. 760 761. built the Sessions-House for the Justices of Middlesex in St. Johns-street at the charge of 600 l. called after his Name Hicks's-Hall which was a great convenience they sitting before in a common Inn called the Castle As for the particular Halls of Companies we have spoke of them Generally before which is all that appears at present necessary SECT 7. Of the Custom-House THe House where this great Office was kept a little below Billingsgate was destroyed by the great Fire but is Rebuilt in a much more magnificent uniform and commodious manner by the King which hath cost His Majesty 10000 l. Here is received and managed all the Impositions laid on Merchandize Imported or Exported from this City which are so considerable that of all the Customs of England which amount to about 600000 l. a year divided into three parts the Port of London pays two thirds that is about 400000 l. per annum A great Number of Officers are here Employ'd whereof divers are of considerable quality and ability There are at present Five Commissioners who have the charge and oversight of all His Majestics Customs in all Ports of England Viz. Sir Richard Temple Bar. Sir George Downing Kt. Charles Cheney Esq Francis Millington Esq John Vpton Esq The Sallaries to each of these is 1200 l. a Year they have many Deputies or Waiters in the Port of London and also in all the Out-Ports Then there are Customers Collectors Comptrollers Surveyors Searchers Waiters c. Sir John Shaw Collector Inwards and for the Act of Navigation Fee 966. l. 13. s. 4. d. Sir Nicholas Crisp Collector Outwards Sallary 276 l. Alderman Edward Backwell Comptroller Sallary 255 l. George Nicholas Esq Surveyor-General Sallary 500 l. The Searchers Office is managed by a Chief and five Under-Searchers Clerks c. Since the happy Restoration of His Majesty there has been in all Eleven Persons Under-Searchers in that Office viz. Six who have all except one disposed of their place by His Majesties grace and favours Mr. Daniel Colwall Rob. Forster Leonard Scot. Will. Dockwra Tho. Hampson John Seymour Esq The Five Undersearchers now in Possession are Mr. Tho. Burton John Evans Richard Goodlad Charles Beauvoir Richard Pierce The Chief Searcher has 120 l. per annum The Undersearchers have each 12 l. And sundry Fees settled upon them by Authority of Parliament which are paid them by Masters of Ships and Merchants c. Having always been Officers