amongst the highest Nobles of the Kingdom which serve on that Day in other Offices He presents the King with Wine in a Golden Cup having a Cover of which the King Drinks and the Lord Mayor receives the said Cup for his Fee The first Lord Mayor that went by Water to Westminster was Sir John Norman Draper Anno 1453. the 32. of H. 6. that is 228 years ago The two Sheriffs of this City are also Sheriffs of the County of Middlesex and are annually Chosen by the Citizens from among themselves in the Guild-Hall upon Midsummer-day a high Priviledge among many others anciently granted to this City by several Kings and Queens of this Kingdom but they are not Sworn till Michaelmas-Eve and then are also presented at the Exchequer to be allowed by the Barons and Sworn after which they enter upon their Office If the Persons so chosen refuse to hold they incur a Penalty unless they will take a Solemn Oath that they are not worth 10000 l. In the Year 1199. that is 482 years ago King John granted the Sheriff-Wick of London and Middlesex to the City as King Henry the First before had done for the sum of 300 l. a year which is paid into the Exchequer to this Day He gave them also Authority to Chuse and Deprive their Sheriffs at pleasure In the 1. of R. 1. the Citizens obtained to be Governed by two Bayliffs which Bayliffs are in Divers antient Deeds called Sheriffs according to the Speech of the Law which called the Shire Ballâ—va c. which King also as formerly said gave the City liberty to be governed by a Mayor as their Principal Governour and their Bayliffs were changed into Sheriffs The Sheriffs of London In the Year 1471. were appointed each of them to have Sixteen Sergeants every Sergeant to have his Yeoman and Six Clerks viz. A Secondary a Clerk of the Papers and Four other Clerks besides the Under-Sheriffs Clerks their Stewards Bâ—tlers Porters and other in Houshold many There are Twenty-six Aldermen that preside over the Twenty-six Wards of the City of which more when we speak of Wards when any of these die the Lord Mayor and Aldermen chuse another out of the most substantial men of the City If any so chosen refuse to hold he is usually Fined 500 l. All the Aldermen that have been Lord Mayors and the Three eldest Aldermen that have not yet arrived to that Honourable Estate are by their Charter Justices of the Peace of this City In the Year 1555. Seven Aldermen Died in less than Ten Months The Recorder of London is usually a Grave and Learned Lawyer that is skilful in the Customs of the City who is to be an Assistant to the Lord Mayor He taketh his place in Councels and in Courts before any man that hath not been Mayor and Learnedly Delivers the sentences of the whole Court The Present Recorder is Sir George Treby an eminent Gentleman and a Worthy Member of our last Parliaments The Chamberlain of London is at present Sir Thomas Player a Gentleman that has deserved very well of this City and the Protestant Interest in General both in that Station and as a Member for this Honourable City in the last Parliaments The Chamberlain is Elected by the Commons upon Midsummer-day so are the Two Bridge-Masters The Auditors of the City and Bridge-House Accounts the Surveyors for BEER and ALE. There is also a Town-Clark or Common-Clerk and a Remembrancer who are Esquires The Chamberlain of London is an Officer very considerable in point of power for without him can no man set up Shop or Occupy his Trade without being Sworn before him no man can set over an Apprentice to another but by his Licence he may Imprison any that disobeys his Summons or any Apprentice that misdemeans himself or punish him otherwise On Munday and Tuesday in Eâ—ster-week all the Aldermen and Sheriffs come unto the Lord Mayor's House before Eight of the Clock in the Morning to Break-fast wearing their Scarlet Gowns Furr'd and their Cloaks as also their Horses attending When Break-fast is ended they mount their Horses and ride to the Spittle which is an ancient Custom not changed but once in 300 years and that upon extraordinary occasion till this year when they went to S. Sepulchres the Sword and Mace being born before the Lord Mayor There they hear a Sermon and then return to Dinner and some of the Aldermen Dine with the Sheriffs and some with the Lord Mayor On Wednesday in Easter-week they go thither in the same manner only the Lord Mayor and Aldermen wear their Violet Gownes and sutable Cloaks But the Ladies on the former Days wearing Scarlet on this Day are attired in Black On Whitsunday all the Aldermen use to meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the New-Church-yard by Moorfields wearing their Scarlet Gowns lined without Cloaks there they hear a Sermon appointed for that Day and so return to Dinner When they chuse Parliament-men all the Aldermen meet the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at the Guild-Hall by nine of the Clock in the Morning wearing their Velvet Gowns and their Cloaks either furred or lined according as the time of the year requireth when they are to be chosen and they sit in the Hastings-Court untill the Commons do make Choice of them The last Honourable Members that served for this Renowned City were Sir Robert Clayton Knight that was Lord Mayor the last year Thomas Pilkinton Alderman Sir Thomas Player Knight and William 〈◊〉 Esq of whose real worth courage fidelity and wisdom in the management of that great Trust the City is very sensible as appears by the publick demonstrations deservedly given of it and no less sensible was the last Parliament but one of the Cities Loyalty Fidelity and great care to preserve his Majesties Royal person and the Protestant Religion that the thanks of the House was order'd to be given them which was accordingly done by the Worthy Members aforesaid What the Office of the Constables in the City of London is you may gather from their Oath which is thus Ye shall Swear that ye keep the Peace of our Soveraign Lord the King well and lawfully after your power And ye shall Arrest all them that make Contest Riot Debate or Affray in breaking of the said Peace and lead them to the House or Compter of one of the Sheriffs And if ye be withstood by strength of Misdoers ye shall rear on them an Out-cry and pursue them from Street to Street and from Ward to Ward till they be Arrested And ye shall search at all times when ye be required by the Seavengers or Beadles the Common Noysance of your Ward And the Beadle and Raker ye shall help to Rear and gather their Sallary and Quarterage if ye be thereunto by them required And if any thing be done within your Ward against the Ordinance of this City such defaults as ye shall find there done ye shall them present to the Mayor and
and beautified Anno 1609. In the South Isle there hung a very fair Picture of King James with the Figures of Peace and Plenty on either side of him Peace with her Olive Branch and Plenty with her Sheaf of Wheat in her hands being the Gift of Robert Plonker then Church-Warden LXII The Parish-Church of St. Mary Sommerset at the South-end of St. Mary Mounthaw-lane over against Broken-Wharf is also in Queen-Hith-Ward and a proper Church it was repaired and beautified Anno 1624. LXIII The Parish-Church of St. Mary called Stayning because it standeth at the North-end of Stayning-lane in Aldersgate-Ward was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1630. LXIV Near Stocks-Market in Walbrook-Ward is the Parish-Church called St. Mary Wooll-Church so called of a Beam placed in the Church-yard which was thereof called Wooll-Church Haw of the weighing of Wooll there used for amongst the Customs of London written in French in the Reign of Edward II. there is to be found a Chapter intituled Les Customes de Wooll-Church Haw Wherein is set down what was there to be paid for every parcel of Wooll weighed This weighing of Wooll was there continued till the 6th of Richard II. till John Churchman built the Custome-House upon Wooll-Key to serve for the said purpose This was and is now a fair and large Church LXV The Parish-Church of St. Mary Wolnoth in Langborn-Ward was a proper handsom Church with some few Monuments in it LXVI In Ironmonger-lane in Cheap-Ward is the Parish-Church of St. Martin formerly called Pomary possibly of Apples growing where now Houses are built It was repaired and beautified at the Parish-charge Anno 1629. LXVII The Parish-Church of St. Martin by Ludgate in Farringdon-Ward-within was a proper Church to which Anno 1437. viz. 15th of H. 6. Sir John Michael Lord Mayor and the Commonalty granted a parcel of Ground containing 28 Foot in length and 24 in breadth to build their Steeple upon LXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Martin Orgar in Candlewick-street-ward is a small Church Sir William Crowmer Lord Mayor built a handsom Chapel on the South-side thereof and was buried there in an ancient Tomb Anno 1533. it was repaired 1630. at the cost of 122 l. 6 s. 6 d. There was a rich and very beautiful Monument in the Chancel of Sir Allen Cotton Knight and Alderman of London and sometimes Lord Mayor who dyed the 24th of December Anno 1628. with a large Inscription concluding with these Verses When he left Earth Rich Bounty Dy'd Mild Courtesie gave place to Pride Soft Mercy to bright Justice said Oh Sister we are both Betray'd While Innocence lay on the Ground By Truth and wept at eithers Wound The Sons of Levi did lament Their Lamps went out their Oyl was spent Heaven hath his Soul and only we Spin out our Lives in misery So Death thou missest of thy End And kill'st him not but kill'st his Friend There was also a delicate Monument of our famous Queen Elizabeth LXIX The Parish-Church of St. Martin Outwich is on the South-part of Threadneedle-street in Broad-street-ward it is so called of Martin de Oteswitch Nicholas de Oteswich William Oteswich and John Oteswich Founders thereof and all buried there as appeared by their ancient Monument There was Interred Richard Staper Elected Alderman of London Anno 1594. the greatest Merchant in his time and the chiefest Actor in the discovery of the Trades of Turkey and the East-India He was prosperous wealthy bountiful and a good man he died Anno 1608. Sir Henry Row gave 5 l. yearly for Ever to the Poor of this Parish to be bestowed in Bread and Coals And Mrs. Sotherton yearly for Ever in Bread 50 s. LXX The Fair Parish-Church called St. Martin Vintrey in Vintrey-Ward was sometimes called St. Martin de Beremand Church It was new built Anno 1399. by the Executors of Matthew Columbars a Stranger born and a French Merchant LXXI The Parish-Church of St. Matthew Friday-street Farringdon-ward-within had divers Monuments in it It was repaired and beautified at the cost of the Parish Anno 1633. AS TO LXXII The Parish-Church of St. Michael called St. Michael at Basing-hall in Basing-hall-ward LXXIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael Cornhil in Cornhil-ward LXXIV St Michaels Crooked-lane in Candleweek-street-ward LXXV St. Mich. Queenhith in Queenhith-ward The are handsom Churches affording no Remarkables but what will fall under other Heads LXXVI St. Michael ad Bladum or at the Corne corruptly called St. Michael Querne is in Farringdon-ward-within and was a fair Church with divers Monuments in it amongst the rest one for John Leland the famous Antiquary and others as John Banks Esq Mercer who by his last Will written with his own hand gave to pious and charitable Uses 6000 l. which his Executor Robert Tichburn carefully discharged LXXVII St. Michael Royal in Vintrey-ward is a fair Parish-Church It was new built and made a Colledge by Sir Richard Whittington Mercer and four times Lord Mayor for a Master four Fellows Masters of Art Clerks Conducts Chorists c. There was also an Alms-house for thirteen poor men The College was suppressed in the time of Edward the Sixth the Alms-houses with the poor men do remain and are paid by the Mercers This Church was beautified at the proper cost of the Parish Anno 1630. at the charge of 130 l. 9 s. LXXVIII The Parish-Church of St. Michael in Wood-street in Cripplegate-ward was a proper Church in which were divers Monuments Here was Interred the Head of James the Fourth King of Scots of that name slain at Flodden-field Here was also a Monument of Queen Elizabeth LXXIX The Parish-Church called St. Mildred Bread-street in Bread-street-ward had divers Monuments amongst the rest one for Sir John Chadworth or Shadworth Kt. some time Mercer and Lord Mayor of London who gave a Vestry to this Church an House for the Pastor to dwell in and a Church-yard to the Parishioners wherein to bury their dead He deceased the 7th of May An. 1401. In Memorial of whom there was a fair Inscription on the Wall in these words Here lies a Man that Faith and Works did even Like Fiery Chariots mount him up to Heaven He did adorn this Church When words were weak And men forget the living stones will speak He left us Land This little Earth him keeps These black words Mourners and the Marble weeps At the upper end of the Chancel was a fair Window full of cost and beauty which being divided into five parts carried in the first of them a very artful and curious Representation of the Spaniards great Armado and the Battel in 1588. In the 2d the Monument of Queen Elizabeth In the 3d of the Gun-powder Plot. In the 4th of the lamentable time of Infection 1625. In the 5th the view and lively portraicture of that worthy Gentleman Captain Nicholas Crisp at whose sole cost among other this beautiful piece of Work was erected as also the Figures of his virtuous Wife
the 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
Captain on occasion and at the same time also two Brigadiers having also Ebony-staves headed with Ivory and Engraven as the others There is added a Troop of Grenadiers to each Troop of Guards one Division of which mounts with a Division of the Troop to which they belong they never go out on small Parties from the Guard only perform Centry-Duty on Foot and attend the KING also on Foot when he walks abroad but always March with great Detachments The KING's Troop consists of a Captain two Lieutenants three Sergeants three Corporals two Drums two Hautbois and eighty private Souldiers Mounted The Queens Troop of a Captain two Lieutenants two Serjeants two Corporals two Hautbois and Sixty private Souldiers Mounted The Dukes Troop consists of the like Number with the Queens The Captains of His MAJESTIES Guards always Command as Eldest Colonels of Horse the Lieutenants as Eldest Lieutenant-Colonels of Horse the Cornets and Guidons as Eldest Majors of Horse the Quartermasters as Youngest Captains of Horse the Brigadiers as Eldest Lieutenants of Horse and amongst themselves every Officer according to the Date of his Commission takes precedency when on Detachments but not when the Three Troops march with their Colours for then the Officer of the Eldest Troop commands those of equal Rank with him in the others though their Commission be of Elder Date Next immediatly after the Three Troops of Guards His MAJESTIES Regiment of Horse Commanded by the Earl of Oxford takes place and the Colonel of it is to have precedency after the Captains of the Guards and before all other Colonels of Horse whatsoever change may be of the Colonel and all the Officers thereof in their proper Degree are to take place according to the Dates of their Commissions As to the Foot the King's Regiment Commanded by the Honorable Colonel John Russel takes place of all other Regiments and the Colonel thereof is always to precede as the first Colonel The Colestream Regiment Commanded by the Earl of Craven takes the next the Duke of Yorks Regiment next then His Majesties Holland Regiment Commanded by the Earl of Mulgrave and all other Colonels according to the Dates of their Commissions All other Regiments of Horse and Foot not of the Guards take place according to their Respective Seniority from the time they were first Raised and no Regiment loses its precedency by the Death of its Colonel At the KING's House there is a Guard for His Person both above and below stairs In the Presence Chamber the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners wait instituted by King Henry the VII and chosen out of the best and antientest Families in England to be a Guard to His Majesties Person and also to be a Nursery to breed up hopeful Gentlemen and fit them for Employments Civil and Military as well abroad as at home as Deputies of Ireland Embassadors in Foreign Parts Counsellors of State Captains of the Guard Governours of places Commanders in the Wars both by Sea and Land of all which there have been Examples They are to attend the King's Person to and from His Chappel only as far as the Privy Chamber also in all other Solemnity as Coronations publick Audience of Embassadors c. They are 40 in Number over whom there is a Captain usually some Peer of the Realm a Lieutenant a Standard-bearer and a Clerk of the Check They wait half at a time quarterly Those in quarter wait daily five at a time upon the King in the House and when He walks abroad Upon extraordinary occasions all of them are Summoned Their ordinary Arms are Gilt Pole-Axes Their Arms on Horse-back in time of War are Cuirassiers Arms with Sword and Pistol These are only under their own Officers and are always Sworn by the Clerk of the Check who is to take Notice of such as are absent when they should be upon their Duty Their Standard in time of War is a Cross Gules in a Field Argent also 4 bends In the first Room above stairs called the Guard-Chamber attend the Yeomen of the Guard of His Majesties Body whereof there were wont to be 250 Men of the best quality under Gentry and of larger Stature then ordinary for every one was to be Six Foot high there are at present 100 Yeomen in dayly waiting and 70 more not in waiting and as any of the 100 die his place is filled up out of the 70. These wear Scarlet Coats Down to the knee and Scarlet Breeches both richly Guarded with black Velvet and rich Badges upon their Coats both before and behind moreover black Velvet round broad Crown'd Caps with Ribbons of the King's Colour One half of them of late bear in their hands Harquebuzes and the other half Partizans with large Swords by their sides they have Wages and Diet allowed them Their Office is to wait upon the King in His standing Houses 40 by by Day and 20 to Watch by Night about the City to wait upon the King's Person abroad by Water or Land The KING's Palace Royal ratione Regiae dignitatis is exempted from all Jurisdiction of any Court Civil or Ecclesiastick but only to the Lord Steward and in his absence to the Treasurer and Comptroller of the King's Houshold with the Steward of the Marshalsea who by vertue of their Office without Commission may Hear and Determin all Treasons Fellonies Breaches of the Peace Committed within the KING's Court or Palace The Orders and Rules for the Demeanor of all Officers and Servants are hung upon Tables in several Rooms at the Court and Signed with the King 's own hand worthy to be Read of all Strangers The Court or House where the King resides is accounted a Place so Sacred that if any Man presume to strike another there and only draw blood his Right hand shall be cut off and he Committed to perpetual Imprisonment and Fined All occasions of striking are also there forbidden The Court of England for Magnificence Order Numberâ— and Quality of Officers rich Furniture Entertainment and Civility to Strangers and for plentiful Tables might compare with the best in Christendom and far Excels most Courts abroad It hath for a long time been a Pattern of Hospitality and Charity to the Nobility and Gentry of Eugland All Noblemen or Gentlemen Subjects or Strangers were freely Entertained at the plentiful Tables of His Majesties Officers Divers Dishes were provided every day extraordinary for the King's Honour Two hundred and fourty Gallons of Beer a day were allowed at the Buttery-Bar for the Poor besides all the broken Meat Bread c. gathered into Baskets and given to the Poor at the Court-Gates by Two Grooms and Two Yeomen of the Almonry who have Salaries of His Majesty for that Service The Lord Almoner hath the Priviledge to give the King's Dish to whatsoever Poor Man he pleases that is the first Dish at Dinner which is set upon the King's Table or in stead thereof four pence a day which anciently was equivalent to four shillings now
the Queens Chamber was consumed but after that repaired In the year 1397 King Richard II. caused the Walls Windows and Roof to be taken down and new made with a stately Porch and divers Lodgings of a marvelous Work and with great Costs which being finished Anno 1399. He kept a most Royal Christmas there with daily Justings and Runnings at Tilt whereunto resorted such a number of People that there was every day spent 28 or 26 Oxen 300 Sheep and Fowl without number He caused a Gown to be made for himself of Gold garnished with Pearl and precious Stones to the value of 3000 Marks There daily fed there 10000 People as appeareth by the Messes told out from the Kitchin to 300 Servitors A great part of this Palace was burnt Anno 1512 the 4th of Henry VIII since which time it hath not been Re-edified Only the Great Hall with the Offices near adjoining are kept in good Reparations and serveth as afore for Feasts at Coronations Arraignments of Great Persons charged with Treason and keeping of the Courts of Justice For whereas formerly the Courts and Benches followed the King wheresoever he went before and since the Conquest but being found to be troublesom chargeable and inconvenient to the People it was Anno 1224 9 H. 3. agreed that theâ—e should be a standing place appointed where Matters should be heard and judged which was in the Great Hall at Westminster I. The Court of COMMON-PLEAS Where he appointed Three Judgment-Seats viz. at the Entry on the Right-hand the Court of Common-Pleas So called because there are debated the usual Pleas between Subject and Subject as about Tenures of Lands and Civil Actions None but Sergeants at Law may plead in this Court and so many of them as the King shall appoint are bound by Oath to assist all that have any Cause depending in that Court Pleas are distinguished into Pleas of the Crown as Treason and Felony with Misprision of Felony which belong to the Kings-Bench and Common or Civil Pleas whereof this Court takes Cognizance This Court may grant Prohibitions as the Kings-Bench doth The Chief Judge is called the Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas or de Communi Banco the Common Bench who holds his place by Letters Patents Durante Beneplacito and so do the other inferior Judges of this Court whereof there are commonly Three Here all Civil Causes Real and Personal are usually Tryed according to the strict Rule of the Law Real Actions are pleadable in no other Court nor Fines levied or Recoveries suffered but only in this Court The King allows to the Lord Chief Justice of this Court a Fee Reward Robes and two Tun of Wine Also to the other Judges of this Court and to four Sergeants is allow'd Fees Reward and Robes to each one The Officers are many Custos Brevium three Protonatories Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Kings Silver four Exigenters fourteen Filazers Clerk of the Juries Clerk of the Essoignes Clerk of the Outlawries which belongeth to the Attorney General who exercises it by Deputy c. For which at large see the Present State of England Pag. 102. Edit 1679. II. KINGS-BENCH At the upper End of the Hall on the Right-hand or South-east Corner the Court of Kings-Bench was appointed which is of a larger Extent of Power and more Uncontroulable than any other Tribunal For the Law presumes that the King is there still in Person He being Lord Chief Justice of England Himself yet it is observable that though He should personally sit upon the Bench He can pass no Sentence of Judgment but by the Mouths of His Judges who did use to sit there at His Feet when He was present After the House of Lords in Parliament this is the Highest Court in England and the Judicature in the Absence of the King belongs to His Judges In this Court are handled the Pleas of the Crown all things that concern loss of Life or Member of any Subject for then the King is concern'd because the Life and Limb of the Subject in the sense of the Law belong only to the King so that the Pleas here are between the King and the Subject Here are handled all Treasons Felonies Breach of Peace Oppression Misgovernment c. This Court hath power to Examine and Correct all Errors in Facto and in Jure of all the Judges and Justices of England in their Judgments and Proceedings and this not only in Pleas of the Crown but in all Pleas Real Personal and Mixt except only in the Exchequer In this High Court sit commonly four Grave Reverend Judges whereof the first is stiled The Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench and is Created not by Patent but by a short Writ yet of large Extent in point of Authority thus Rex c. Mathaeo Hale Militi salutem Sciatis quod constituimus vos Justiciarium nostrum Capitalem ad placita coram nobis tenenda Durante beneplacito nostro teste Me Ipso apud Westm c. That is in English The King c. To Sir Matthew Hale Kt. Greeting Know ye That we have Constituted you our Capital or Chief Justice in Pleas held before Vs during Our Pleasure Witness My Self at Westminster c. The rest of the Judges of the Kings-Bench hold their Pleas by Letters Patents in these words Rex omniblis ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis quod Constituimus Dilectum Fidelem nostrum A. B. Militem unum Justiciariorum ad placita coram nobis tenenda Durante beneplacito nostro Teste c. These Judges and all the Officers belonging to this Court have all Salaries from the King and the chief of them have Robes and Liveries out of the great Wardrobe In this Court all young Lawyers that have been called to the Bar are allowed to plead and practise This Court may grant Prohibitions to keep other Courts both Ecclesiastical and Temporal within their due Bounds and Jurisdiction The Jurisdiction of this Court is general extending to all England as before None can be a Judge in this Court unless he be a Sergeant of the Degree of the Coif that is a Sergeant at Law and yet in the Writ or Patent to them made they are not called Sergeants who upon taking this high Degree is obliged to wear a Lawn Coif under his Cap for ever after For the Officers of this Court see the Present State of England of the same Edition Pag. 98. III. CHANCERY On the Left-hand or South-west Corner sitteth the Lord Chancellor accompanied with the Master of the Rolls and eleven other Men learned in the Civil Law and called Masters of Chancery which have the King's Fee This Court is placed next the Kings-Bench to mitigate the Rigor of it It is Curia Cancellariae because as some think the Judge of this Court sate anciently intra Cancellos or Lattices as the East-end of Churches are separated per Cancellos from the Body of the Church as
Book of the Exchequer The former was six Years a making by William the Conqueror and is a Cense or compute of all England as it was then viz. all the Lands with the value and Owners and Account of all Cities Towns Villages Families Men Souldiers Husbandmen Bondmen Servants Cattle how much Money Rents Meadow Pasture Woods Tillage Common Marsh Heath every one possessed So that in Disputes about Taxes this determined it without further controversie as the Book of the Great day of Doom will then and therefore so called It is kept under three Locks and not to be lookt into under 6 s. 8 d. And for every Line Transcribed is to be paid 4. d. The Auditor of the Receipts is to File the Bills of The Tellers whereby they charge themselves with all Money Received and to draw all Orders to be Signed by the Lord High Treasurer for Issuing forth all Moneys by Vertue of the Privy Seals which are Recorded and Lodged in his Office He makes all Debentures to the several Persons who have Fees Annuities or Pensions by Letters Patents from the King out of the Exchequer and directs them for payment to the Tellers He receives every Week the state of the Account of each Teller and also Weekly certifies the whole to the Lord High Treasurer who presently presents the Estimate or Ballance to the King He takes the Tellers Account in Gross at Easter and Michaelmas By him are kept the several Registers appointed for paying all Persons in Course upon several Branches of the King's Revenue he is Scriptor Talliorum hath five Clerks to manage the whole Estate of Moneys received disbursed and remaining There are four Tellers who Receive all Moneys due to the King and thereupon throw down a Bill through a Pipe into the Tally-Court where it is received by the Auditors Clerk who there attends to write the words of the said Bill upon a Tally and then delivers the same to be Entred by the Clerk of the Pells or his under Clerk who Enters it in his Book Then the Tally is cloven by the two Deputy Chamberlains who have the Seals and while the Senior Deputy reads one part the Junior Examines the other part with the other two Clerks The Clerk of the Pels Enters every Tellers Bill into a Parchment of Skin in Latin Pellis whence this Office hath its Name all Receipts and Payments for the King for what cause or by whomsoever and is in Nature of a Comptroller hath four Clerks whereof one is for the Introitus and another for the Exitus Moreover he is to make Weekly and half Yearly Books both of the Receipts and Payments which are delivered to the Lord Treasurer He that Pays the King any Moneys receives for his Acquittance a Tally so called from the French Verb Tallier to cut that is one half of a Stick cloven with certain proportionable Notches thereon expressive of the Sum from the said Deputy Chamberlains who keep the other cloven part of the Stick called the Foyl and Delivers it to the Tally-Joyners on the other side of the Exchequer who are also Deputies to the Chamberlains an◠they joyn it with the Foyl which agreeing the◠give it their Test and send it by an Officer of the◠own to the Pipe where their quietus est is Ingrosse◠in Parchment In the Office of the Deputy-Chamberlains Westminster are preserved all the Counterfoyls 〈◊〉 these Tallies so exactly ranged by Months an◠Years that they are to be presently found out t◠be joined with their respective Stock or Tally when required which proving true they deliver it Attested for a Lawful Tally to the Clerk of the Pipe for to be allowed in the great Roll but in Case any Corruption hath been used the same is easily and soon discovered and the Offender severely punished by Fine and Imprisonment This Antient way of striking of Tallies hath been found by long experience to be absolutely the best way that ever was invented for it is Morally impossible so to Falsifie or Counterfeit a Tally but that upon rejoyning it with the Counterfoyl it will be obvious to every Eye either in the Notches or in the Cleaving in the Longitude Latitude Natural growth or shape of the Counterfoyl whereas Acquittances in Writing cannot be so done but that they may be Counterfeited by skilful Penmen and that so exactly as that he who wrote the Original shall not be able to know his own hand from the Counterfeit as hath been frequently seen in all the Courts of Westminster There are two Vshers whose Office it is to secure the Exchequer by Day and Night and all the Avenues leading to the same and to furnish all Necessaries as Books Paper c. There is a Tally-Cutter and four Messengers This Exchequer is the best ordered publick Revenue in the World Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster Before we come to treat of the High Court of Parliament we will give an Account of the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster kept at Westminster-Hall on the left hand above Stairs which takes Cognizance of all Causes that any way concern the Revenue of that Dutchy which hath been long since Annexed to the Crown The Chief Judge of this Court is the Chancellor of the Dutchy who is assisted by the Attorney of the Dutchy To this Court belong divers other Officers It is kept near the lower Exchequer and at the Office of Sir Gilbert Gerrard at Grays-Inn Of the High Court of PARLIAMENT Sir Richard Baker tell us in his Chronicle that King Henry the I. instituted the Form of the High Court of Parliament and that the first Council of this sort was held at Salisbury on the 19 th of April and the 16 th of his Reign which is 560 and odd Years ago Before the Conquest the great Council of the King consisting only of the Great Men of the Kingdom was called Magnatum Conventus the Convention or Meeting of the Grandees or Great Men or else Prelatorum Procerumque Concilium and by the Saxons in their own Tongue Michel Gemot the great Assembly After the Conquest it was called Parlementum a French word derived of Parler to talk together consisting still only of the great Men of the Nation till the aforesaid King's Reign None but the King hath Authority to Summon a Parliament In the King's absence out of the Realm the Custos Regni in the King's Name doth Summon a Parliament and During the King's Minority within the Realm the Protector Regni doth the same When the King of England is with His Parliament in time of peace He is then said to be in the height of His Royal Dignity as well as when He is at the head of His Army in time of War He can with the concurrence of his Lords and Commons then do any thing in point of Enacting or Repealing Laws Legitimate one that is born Illegitimate Bastardize one that is born Legitimate He can make an Infant of full Age make an Alien or
Protection he Governs the Navy Royal and decides all Civil and Criminal Causes in Sea Affairs whether done upon or beyond Sea in any part of the world on the Sea Coasts in all Ports or Havens and all Rivers beyond the First Bridg next towards the Sea Which Dignity is now executed by Commanders To the ADMIRALTY belong several Courts but this at Doctors Commons is the Principal or Supreme and it may not be improper in Treating of this Colledge to give a brief account of it for the rest the Reader is referred to the Present State of England In this Court called the COURT of ADMIRALTY he hath usually a Lieutenant called Judge of the Admiralty who is commonly some Learned Doctor of the Civil Law The proceedings in all Civil Matters are according to the Civil Law because the Sea is without the Limits of the Common Law and by Libel they proceed to the Action the Plaintiff giving Caution to prosecute the Suit and to pay what shall be Adjudged against him if he fail in the Suit the Defendant on the Contrary securing the Plaintiff by a sufficient Surety or Caution as the Judge shall think meet that he will appear in Judgment and pay what shall be Adjudged against him and that he will ratifie and allow all that his Proctor shall do in his Name whereby the Clients are well assured to obtain that which by Law shall be Adjudged to them let the Cause fall on which side soever They make use also of the Laws of Rhodes and Oleron whereof the former is an Island in the Mediâ—â—rranean Sea about 20 Miles distant from the Continent of Asia Minor and is now under the Turk the antient Inhabitants whereof by their mighty Trade and Power at Sea grew so expert in the Regulation of all Maritime Matters and Differences that their Determinations therein were esteemed so Just and Equitable that their Laws in such Affairs have ever since been observed for Oracles Those Laws were long ago incorporated into the Volumes of the Civil-Law and the Romans who gave Laws to other Nations for their Sea Affairs referred all Debates and Differences to the Judgment of these Rhodian Laws Oleron is an Island antiently belonging to the Crown of England seated in the Bay of Aquitaine not far from the Mouth of the Garonne where our Famous King Richard the first caused to be compiled such Excellent Laws for Sea-Matters that in the Ocean-Sea West ward they had almost as much repute as the Rhodian-Laws in the Mediterranean and these Laws were called La Rool d' Oleron What we have of the Rhodian-Law with the Comments thereon inserted by the old Juris-Consults in the Pandects and the Constitutions made by the Roman Emperors contained in the Code and in the Novelles still hold preheminence of all others Under this Court there is a Court of Equity for Determining Differences between Merchants Former Customs and Decrees are of Force also to decide Controversies The proceeding in Criminal Affairs as about Piracy is according to two Statutes made by H. VIII to be Tried by Witnesses and a Jury by special Commission of the KING to the Lord Admiral wherein some of the Judges of the Realm are ever Commissioners and the Trial according to the Laws of England directed by those Statutes All Causes that happen between the High and Low-Water-Mark are determinable at Common-Law because that place belongs then to the body of the Adjacent Country but when it is Full Sea the Admiral hath Jurisdiction there also so long as the Sea flows over matters done between Low-Water Mark and the Land as appears in Sir Henry Constables Case 5 Report Coke p. 107. For Regulating and Ordering His Majesties Navy Ships of War and Forces by Sea see those excellent Articles and Orders in Stat. 13. Car. 2. Cap. 9. The Writs and Decrees of this Court run in the Name of the Lord High Admiral and are Directed to all Vice Admirals Justices of Peace Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs Constables Marshals and other Officers and Ministers of our Soveraign Lord the King as well within Liberties â—s without To this Court belongs a Register a Marshall who carries a Silver Oar before the Judge whereon are the Arms of the King and the Lord High Admiral The Lord High Admiral hath here his Advocate and Proctor and all other Advocates and Proctors are presented by them and admitted by the Judge This Court is held on the same day with the Arches but in the afternoon in the same Common-Hall at Doctors Commons But the Admiralty Session is held at St. Margarets-Hill in Southwark where it was antiently kept for the Tryal of Malefactors and Crimes Committed at Sea The Places and Offices of this Court are in the gift of the Lord High Admiral At Doctors Commons is another Court belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury called the Prerogative Court which Judgeth all Estates fallen by Will or by Intestates It is so called because the Archbishop by vertue of his Prerogative hath this Power throughout the whole Province where the Party at the time of Death had 5 l. or above in several Diocesses All Citations and Decrees run in the Name of the Archbishop This Court is kept in the same Common-Hall in the Afternoon next day after the Arches and was heretofore held in the Consistory at Pauls The Judge is attended with a Register who sets down the Decrees and Acts of the Court and keeps the Records all Original Wills and Testaments of Parties Dying having Bona Notabilia c. The place is commonly called the Prerogative Office now kept in the Deans Court near St. Pauls Church-yard where for a Moderate Fee one may search for and have a Copy of any such Testament made since the Rebellion of Wat-Tyler and Jack-Straw which is above 300 years ago in the Reign of Richard the Second for by those Rebels many Records and Writings in London and other places were then burnt and destroyed The Places belonging to this Court are in the Gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Court of Delegates who upon every New Business have a New Commission and New Judges according to the Nature of the Affair is kept also in the same Common-Hall in the Afternoon the Day after the Prerogative But of this we have spoken something before the Citations and Decrees here run in the King's Name Of the College of Heralds Not far from the College of Doctors Commons stood the College of Heralds now Rebuilt It was an antient House Built by Thomas Stanley Earl of Derby who Married the Mother of King Henry the VII and was bestowed by Queen Mary on the King's Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms for ever to the end that they and their Successors might dwell together if they so pleased and Assemble Confer and Agree for the good Government of their Faculty and that their Records might there be safely preserved These are to be the Messengers of War and Peace they are skilful in Descents
Ministers of this City And if ye be letted by any person or persons that ye may not dueâ—y do your Office ye shall certifie the Mayor and Councel of the City of the Name or Names of him or them that so let you Ye shall also Swear that During the time that ye shall stand in the Office and occupy the Room of a Constable ye shall once at the least every Month certifie and shew to one of the Clerks of the Mayors Court and in the same Court as well the Names as Surnames of all Free-men which ye shall know to be deceased in the Month in the Parish wherein ye be inhabited as also the Names and Sirnames of all Children of the said Freemen so deceased being Orphans of this City And thus ye shall not leave to Do as God you help c. The Scavengers Oath is thus Ye shall Swear that ye shall Diligently oversee that the Pavements within your Ward be well and sufficiently repaired and not made too high in Noysance of your Neighbours and that the Ways Streets and Lanes be cleansed of Dung and all manner of filth for Honesty of this Câ—ty And that all the Chimneys Furnaces and Recedoes be of Stone sufficiently made against Peril of Fire And if ye find any the Contrary ye shall shew it to the Alderman of the Ward so that the Alderman may Ordain for the amendment thereof And thus ye shall do as God you help c. Before we leave this Head it may not be amiss to give an Alphabetical List of the Officers and Rooms in the City of London in the Lord Mayors Gift Alvegars Searchers and Sealers of Woollen-Cloath Attorny-ship in the Sheriffs Court Baker of the Bridge-House Bayliff of the Hundred of Osalston Bayliwick of Southwark Beadle-ship of the Court of Request Bell-man Clerkship of the Lord Mayors Court Clerkship of the Papers Clerkship of the Chamber Clerkship of the Compters Clerkship of the Bridge-House Clerkship of the Works and Reparation-stuff Clerkship of the Court of Request Clerkship of the Commissioners for the Inlargment of Prisoners in Execution in the Compters Clerk of Bridewell Clerkship of Blackwell-Hall Clerkship of the Commissioners for Inlargment of Prisoners in the Kings-Bench Common Sergeant-ship Common Pleaders Common-Hunt Common Cryers Common Comptroller Comptroller of the Chamber Collector of Scavage Collectors of Wheeladge on London-Bridge Conduit at Dowgate Drawing Water Foreigntaker Gauger of Wines and Oyl Keeper of Blackwell-Hall Keeper of the Store-house in Blackwell-Hall Keeper of Worsted-Hall Keeper of Bay-Hall Keeper of the Conduit at Newgate Keeper of Ludgate Keepership of Newgate Keepership of the Compters Keeper of the Compters in Southwark Keeper of Bethlehem Keeper of the Sessions-House Keeper Clean of the Market and Market-House in Newgate-Market and Collector of Duties there Keeper of the New Burial-place Keepers of the Wood and Coals for the poor in several places Measurage of Silks Cloath and Linen Meal-Weighers Measurage of Cottons Measurage of Bays Packership Protonariship Portership of Blackwell-Hall Portership of the Bridge-House Remembrancer Rentership of the Bridge-House Rentership of Finsbury Sword-Bearer Secondariship Solicitorship Three Sergeant Carvers Three Sergeants of the Chamber Sergeants of the Chaunel Stewardship of Southwark Stewardship of Finsbury Town-Clerkship Under-Sheriff-wick Under Water-Bayliff Weigher of Raw-Silks Water-Bayliff Two Yeomen of the Chamber Four Yeomen of the Water-side Yeomen of the Channel Six Young Men. Au Abstract of the Charters of the Famous City of London THe ROYAL CHARTER granted by our Gracious Soveraign King Charles the Second the 24 th of June in the 15 th of his Reign in confirmation of all the Charters of this City granted by his Royal Predecessors recites them all verbatim of which that is the most memorable we can only give a brief Alphabetical Abstract the Reader that would read them at large being referred to larger Tracts By Charter of King H. 2. was granted Acquittal of Murder within the City and in Portsoken thereof confirmed by King John ch 1. By Hen. 3. ch 4. ch 9. By Charter of King John ch 3. there was granted an Acquittal of Duties in the Thames claimed at the Tower confirmed by King Hen. 3. ch 3. By Charter of King H. 1. an Acquittal of Toll Tollage Custage and Custome that is that all the men of London shall be quit and free and all their goods throughout England and the Ports of the Sea of all Toll and Passage and Lestage and all other Customs And by H. 2. that if any in all England shall take any Custom or Toll of or from the men of London after he shall fail of Right the Sheriff of London may take Goods thereof at London Confirm'd by King John ch 1. by King H. 3. ch 4. by the same ch 8. by E. 3. ch 1. King John ch 2. The City Accompts to the King to be past in the Exchequer See E. 3. ch by King John 2. Allowance of Sheriffs is to be in the Exchequer and confirm'd by H. 3. ch 7. Aids Citizens by Charter of Ed. 2. are not to War out of the City and the Aids then granted to the King are not by that Charter to be drawn into Example None are to be amerced but according to the Law of the City by Charter of Hen 2. confirmed by R. 3. ch 1. That the Sheriffs of London be as other Sheriffs by Charter of Ed. 1. and their amerciament is not to exceed 20. l. H. 3. ch 1. By Charter of Ed. 4. Char. 1. Aldermen for term of Lives shall have this Liberty that is to say that as long as they shall continue Aldermen there and shall bear the Charge of Aldermen proper and also those which before had been Aldermen and have also with their great Costs and Expences born the Offices of Mayoralty shall not be put in any Assizes Juries or Attaints Recognizances or Inquisitions out of the said Ciâ—y and that they nor any of them shall be Tryer or Tryers of the same although they touch us viz. the King or our Heirs or Succescessors or other whomsoever That Aldermen of London are not to be made Collectors or Taxers out of the City nor to suffer for Refusal of such Offices By the same Charter Aldermen past the Mayoralty are to be Justice of the Peace The Mayor Aldermen and Recorder to be Justices of Oyer and Terminer and the Mayor to be of the Quorum By Charter of Hen. 1. All Debtors which do owe Debts to the Citizens of London shall pay them in London or else discharge themselves in London that they owe none But if they will not pay the same neither come to clear themselves that they owe none the Citizens of London to whom the Debts shall be due may take their Goods in the City of London of the Burrough or Town or of the County wherein be Remains who shall owe the Debts By Charter of E. 4. ch 1. Attachments are to be made by the City Officers in Southwark
Chief 37. MARBLERS The Company call'd the Marblers or Sculpters are in one Fraternity with the Masons yet they have a different Coat viz. a Chevron between two and a Mallet Argent 38. WOOL-PACKERS There was a Company of Wool-packers in the time of the Hans when the Staple of Wool flourished their Coat Azure a Wool-sack Argent 39. FARRIERS Had their rise from Henry de Ferraris a Norman who was Master of the Horse to the Conqueror who gave him the honour of Tutbury the first preferment of the Ferrars Their Arms three Horse-shoos Azure 40. PAVIOVRS This is an ancient Company their Coat Argent a Chevron between three Rummers Sable 41. LORINORS Their Arms are Gules on a Chevron Argent three Horse-Combs 'twixt three Roses Argent 42. BROWN-BAKERS Incorporated 19 Jacobi their Arms Gules a hand issuing out of the Clouds a chief Barry wavie Or and Azure on a Chevron Gules 43. WOOD-MONGERS Incorporated 3 Jacobi Their Coat Argent a Chevron 'twixt three Faggots Sable 44. VPHOLSTERS or VPHOLDERS Their Arms Sable three Tents Gules on a Chevron Or three Tents of the second 45. TVRNERS Incorporated 2 Jacobi Their Coat Azure a Katharine-wheel Argent 46. GLAZIERS Their Arms two Crosiers Salterways Sable four Sprigs on a Chief Gules a Lyon passant Gardant Or. 47. CLARKS The Company of Clarks called Parish-Clarks is ancient and stand Register'd in the Books of Guild-Hall They were incorporated 17 H. 3. Their Arms Azure a Flower-de-luce Or on a Chief Gules a Leopards head 'twixt two Books Or. 48. WATER-MEN Have for their Arms barry waive of six Azure and Argent a Lighter proper on a chief Gules a pair of Oars Salterways 'twixt two Cushions Or. 49. APOTHECARYES This Company having separated themselves from the ancient Society of the Grocers grew so much in favour with King James that he used to call them his Company and therefore gave them a Charter of Incorporation the 15 th of his Reign Amongst many worthy Members of this Company I may not forget Dr. Gideon De Laune Apothecary to King James a man noted for many singularities in his time a great Benefactor to to the Publick and particularly to the Foundation of the Apothecaries-Hall in Black-Fryars where his Statue in white Marble is to be seen to this day And to whom I have the honour to be nearly related which is not the Reason that I mention him but to perpetuate his Memory as well as others as his due desert he liv'd piously to the age of 97 years and worth notwithstanding his many acts of publick and private piety near as many thousand pounds as he was years having 37 Children by one Wife and about 60 Grand-children at his Funeral His famous Pill is in great request to this day notwithstanding the Swarms of pretenders to Universal Pill-making This little digression I hope will not be offensive 50. SILK-THROWERS This Company was made a Fellowship of this City 19 Jacobi and Incorporated by the name of the Master Wardens Assistants and Commonalty of the Trade or Mystery of Silk-throwers of the City of London 13 April 5 Car. 1. Besides these there are several other Societies of which more hereafter These Corporations or Bodies-Politick have all their stately spacious Halls as was said with Clerks and other Ministerial Officers to attend them when they meet to consult about the regulation of their respective Societies and for promoting publick Good and advancement of Trade and Wealth as also when they meet at their sumptuous and splendid Feasts And in this London surpasseth all other Cities The Arms of LONDON To conclude our Heraldry the Arms of this Illustrious City shall bring up the Rear as well as it has been placed in the Front It is Argent Cross Gules with the Sword of St. Paul not Sir William Wallworth's Dagger as some have conceited for this Coat did belong to the City before the said Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor slew the Rebel Wat Tyler as learned Antiquaries Affirm The Oath of a Freeman YE shall Swear that ye shall be good and true to our Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second and to the Heirs of our said Soveraign Lord the King Obeysant and Obedient ye shall be to the Mayor and Ministers of this City the Franchises and Customs thereof ye shall maintain and this City keep harmless in that which in you is Ye shall be contributary to all manner of charges within this City as Summons Watches Contributions Taxes Tallages Lot and Scot and to all charges bearing your part as a Freeman ought to do Ye shall colour no Forreigners Goods under or in your Name whereby the King or this City might or may lose their customs or advantages Ye shall know no Foreigner to buy or sell any Merchandize with any Foreigner within this City or Franchise thereof but ye shall warn the Chamberlain thereof or some Minister of the Chamber Ye shall implead or sue no Freeman out of this City whiles ye may have Right and Law within the same City Ye shall take none Apprentice but if he be Free-born that is to say no Bondmands Son nor the Son of any Alien and for no less term than for seven Years without fraud or deceit and within the first Year ye shall cause him to be inrolled or else pay such Fine as shall be reasonably imposed upon you for omitting the same And after his terms end within convenient time being required ye shall make him Free of this City if he have well and truly served you Ye shall also keep the King's Peace in your own person Ye shall know no Gatherings Conventicles or Conspiracies made against the Kings Peace but ye shall warn the Mayor thereof or let it to your power All these points and Articles ye shall well and truly keep according to the Laws and Customs of this City to your power so God you help c. Of the Guild-Hall PAge 160. The Reader was referred to what should be spoken about the great Guild-Hall to the Chapter of Government where an account has been given of the several Courts there therefore there is no need of further addition here as to that only we shall briefly remark its Antiquity Fabian says that this Hall was begun to be built New Anno 1411. 12 H. 4. By Sir Thomas Knolles then Lord Mayor and his Brethren the Aldermen and made a large and great House 1 H. 6. The Executors of Sir Richard Whittington gave towards the paving of this great Hall 20 l. and next year 15 l. more to the said pavement with hard stone of Purbeck they also Glazed the Windows thereof and of the Lord Mayors Court on every of which the Arms of Sir Richard Whittington were placed The Foundation of the Mayors Court was laid 3. H. 6. and of the Porch on the South-side of the Court Then were built the Lord Mayors Chamber the Councel-Chamber and other Rooms above stairs The New Councel-Chamber a very good and honourable Deed with
all Stores belonging to Shipping to examine and audit Treasurers Victuallers and Score-keepers Accounts his Sallary is 500 l. yearly Surveyor of the Navy whose Office is Generally to know the state of all Stores and see the Wants supplyed to sind the Hulls Masts and Yards and estimate the Value of Repairs by Indenture to charge all Boat-swains and Carpenters of His Majesties Navy with what Stores they Receive and at the end of each Voyage to state and audit their Accounts his Sallary is 490 l. Clarks of the Acts whose Office is to Record all Orders Contracts Bills Warrants and other business transacted by the Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy c. the Sallary of the Commissioners of the Navy is 500 l. yearly to each There are two Commissioners whose particular work is to be at Portsmouth and Chatham always in readiness to give Orders for the better Management of His Majesties Affairs in his Yards or Store-houses there Sallary to each is 350 l. Yearly Each of these Officers above-named have two Clarks and some of them more all paid by the Treasurer of the Navy all hold their places by Patent from the King and most of them during pleasure The King hath for his Navy Royal and Stores four great Yards or Store-houses viz. at Chatham Deptford Woolwich and Portsmouth where his Ships are Built Repaired and laid up after their Voyages In which yards are Employed Divers Officers whereof the six principal are Clerks of the Check Store-keeper Master Attendants two at Chatham Master-Shipwright Clark of the Control Clark of the Survey Note that the Charges of the Clarks and Instruments are included in the afore-mentioned Sallaries Besides these four Yards his Majesty hath divers Rope-Yards as at Chatham Woolwich and Portsmouth where are made all his Cables and Cordage for his Navy Also in time of Sea-War the King hath another Yard at Harwich where there is out of War time continued an Officer at the charge of 100 l. yearly The ordinary Charge of his Majesties Navy in times of Peace continuing in Harbour is so well regulated that it amounts to scarce 7000 l. Besides all Charges of Building of Ships c. or setting forth any Fleets which some years even in peaceable times amounts to 12 or 13000 l. more as may easily be conjectured by the Charges of Building and Rigging of Ships and of one Months expence at Sea Of the Post-Office THis Office is now kept in Lumbard-street formerly in Bishops-gate-street the Profits of it are by Act of Parliament settled on his Royal Highness the Duke of York But the King by Letters Patents under the great Seal of England constitutes the Post-Master-General From this General Office Letters and Packets are dispatched On Mondays To France Spain Italy Germany Flanders Sweedland Donmark Kent and the Downs On Tuesdays To Holland Germany Sweedland Denmark Ireland Scotland and all parts of England and Wales On Wednesdays To all parts of Kent and the Downs On Thursdays To France Spain Italy and all parts of England and Scotland On Frydays To Flanders Germany Italy Sweedland Denmark Holland Kent and the Downs On Saturdays All parts of England Wales Scotland and Ireland Letters are returned from all parts of England and Scotland certainly every Monday Wednesday and Friday from Wales every Monday and Fryday and from Kent and the Downs every day But from other parts more uncertainly in regard of the Sea A Letter containing a whole sheet of Paper is convey'd 80 Miles for 2 d. two sheets for 4 d. and an Ounce of Letters for 8 d. and so propoâ—tionably a Letter containing a sheet is conveyed above 80 Miles for 3 d. two sheets for 6 d. and every Ounce of Letters for 12 d. A sheet is conveyed to Dublin for 6 d. two for a shilling and an Ounce of Letters for 12 d. This Conveyance by Post is done in so short a time by night as well as by day that every 24 hours the Post goes 120 Miles and in five days an answer of a Letter may be had from a Place 300 Miles distant from the Writer Moreover if any Gentlemen desire to ride Post to any Principal Town of England Post-horses are always in readiness taking no Horse without the consent of his owner which in other Kings Reigns was not duly observed and only 3 d. is demanded for every English Mile and for every Stage to the Post-Boy 4 d. For conducting Besides this Excellent convenience of conveying Letters and Men on Horse-back there is of late such and admirable commodiousness both for Men and Women of better rank to travel from London and to almost all the Villages near this great City that the like hath not been known in the World and that is by Stage-Coaches wherein one may be transported to any place sheltred from foul Weather and foul ways free from endamaging ones Health or Body by hard jogging or over violent motion and this not only at a low price as about a shilling for every five Miles but with such velocity and speed as that the Posts in some Foreign Countries make not more Miles in a day for the Stage-Coaches called Flying-Coaches make forty or fifty Miles in a day as from London to Oxford or Cambridge and that in the space of twelve hours not counting the time for Dining setting forth not too early nor coming in too 〈◊〉 The several Rates that now are and have been taken for the Carriage of Letters Packquets and Parcels to or from any of His Majesties Dominions to or from any other parts or places beyond the Seas are as followeth that is to say s. d. MOrlaix St. Maloes Caen New-haven and places of like distance Carriage paid to Rouen Single 0 6 Double 1 0 Treble 1 6 Ounce 1 6 Hamburgh Colen Frankfort Carriage paid to Antwerp is Single 0 8 Double 1 4 Treble 2 0 Ounce 2 0 Venice Geneva Legorn Rome Naples Messina and all other parts of Italy by way of Venice Franct pro Mantua Single 0 9 Double 1 6 Treble 2 3 Ounce 2 8 Marseilles Smirna Constantinople Aleppo and all parts of Turky Carriage paid to Marselles Single 1 0 Double 2 0 3 4 Oun. 2 9 Ounce 2 8 And for Letters brought from the same places to England Single 0 8 Double 1 4 Treble 2 0 Ounce 2 0 The Carriage of Letters brought into England from Calice Diep Bulloign Abbeville Amiens St. Omers Montrel Single 0 4 Double 0 8 Treble 1 0 Ounce 1 0 Roven Single 0 6 Double 1 0 Treble 1 6 Ounce 1 6 Genoua Legorn Rome and other parts of Italy by way of Lyons Franct pro Lyons Single 1 0 Double 2 0 3 4 Ounce 2 9 Ounce 3 9 The Carriage of Letters Outwards To Bourdeaux Rochel Nants Orleans Bayon Tours and places of like distance Carriage paid to Paris Single 0 9 Double 1 6 Treble 2 3 Ounce 2 0 Letters brought from the same places into England Single 1 0 Double 2 0 3 4 Oun.