The Survey of London (part 4 of 4)

The Survey of London (part 4 of 4)

1382. The 6th, Adam Bamme, John Sely; mayor, John Northampton, draper, or skinner, as I find in record.

1383. The 7th, Simon Winchcombe, John More; mayor, Sir Nicholas Brembar, grocer.

John Northampton, late mayor of London, was committed to perpetual prison, and his goods confiscated.

1384. The 8th, Nicholas Exton, John French; mayor, Sir Nicholas Brembar, grocer, knighted with William Walworth.

1385. The 9th, John Organ, John Churchman; mayor, Sir Nicholas Brembar, grocer.

The foresaid John Churchman new-built the custom-house, near to the Tower of London, and did many other works for the commodity of this city.

1386. The 10th, W. Standone, W. More; mayor, Nicholas Exton, fishmonger.

This year the citizens of London, fearing the French, pulled down houses near about their city, repaired their walls, and cleansed their ditches, etc.

1387. The 11th, William Venor, Hugh Forstalfe; mayor, Nicholas Exton, fishmonger.

Sir Nicholas Brembar, late mayor of London, was this year beheaded.

1388. The 12th, Thomas Austin, Adam Carlhul; mayor, Nicholas Tuiford, goldsmith, knighted with W. Walworth.

1389. The 13th, John Walcot, John Lovenay; mayor, William Venor, grocer.

1390. The 14th, John Francis, Thomas Vivent; mayor, Adam Bamme, goldsmith.

This Adam Bamme provided from beyond the seas corn in great abundance, so that the city was able to serve the country.

1391. The 15th, John Shadworth, Henry Vamer; mayor, John Hend, draper.

This mayor was for displeasure taken, sent to Windsor castle, and the king made wardens of the city, etc.

1392. The 16th, Gilbert Maghfield, Thomas Newington; mayor, William Stondon, grocer.

1393. The 17th, Drew Barintin, Richard Whitington; mayor, John Hadley, grocer.

Faringdon ward was by parliament appointed to be divided into two wards, to wit, infra and extra.

1394. The 18th, William Branston, Thomas Knoles; mayor, John Froshe, mercer.

1395. The 19th, Roger Elles, William Sevenoke; mayor, William More, vintner.

1396. The 20th, Thomas Wilford, William Parker; mayor, Adam Bamme, goldsmith.

1397. The 21st, John Wodcoke, William Askam; mayor, Richard Whitington, mercer.

1398. The 22nd, John Wade, John Warnar; mayor, Drew Barentin, goldsmith.

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Henry IV. began his reign the 29th of September, the year 1399.

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1399. The 1st sheriffs, William Waldern, William Hende; mayor, Thomas Knoles, grocer.

1400. The 2nd, John Wakel, William Ebot; mayor, John Francis, goldsmith.

1401. The 3rd, William Venor, John Fremingham; mayor, John Shadworth, mercer.

The conduit upon Cornhill was this year made of an old prison house called the Tun.

1402. The 4th, Richard Marlow, Robert Chicheley; mayor, I. Walcote, draper.

1403. The 5th, Thomas Falconer, Thomas Poole; mayor, W. Ascham, fishmonger.

1404. The 6th, William Bouth, Stephen Spilman; mayor, John Hend, draper.

This John Hend was a new builder of the parish church of St. Swithen, by London stone.

1405. The 7th, Henry Barton, William Grome; mayor, John Wodcocke, mercer.

This mayor caused all the weirs in the river of Thames, from Stanes to the river of Medway, to be destroyed, and the trinkes to be burned, etc.

1406. The 8th, Nicholas Wooton, Gefferey Brooke; mayor, Richard Whitington, mercer.

This year a great pestilence in London took away more than thirty thousand people.

1407. The 9th, Henry Pontfrackt, Henry Halton, mercer; mayor, William Sandon, grocer.

1408. The 10th, Thomas Ducke, William Norton; mayor, Drew Barentine, goldsmith.

This Drew Barentine built a part of the Goldsmiths’ hall, and gave them lands.

1409. The 11th, John Law, William Chichley; mayor, Richard Marlow, ironmonger.

A great play at Skinners’ well, which lasted eight days, and was of matter from the Creation of the world; the most part of all the great estates of England were there to behold it.

1410. The 12th, John Penne, Thomas Pike; mayor, Thomas Knoles, grocer.

This Thomas Knoles began anew to build the Guildhall in London, etc.

1411. The 13th, John Rainwel, William Cotton; mayor, Robert Chichley, grocer.

1412. The 14th, Raph Lovinhinde, William Sevenocke; mayor, William Waldren, mercer.

* * * * *

Henry V. began his reign, the 20th of March, the year 1412.

* * * * *

1413. The 1st sheriffs, John Sutton, John Michell; mayor, William Cromar, draper.

Sir John Oldcastle assembled a great power in Fickets field, by London, which power was overcome and taken by the king and his power.

1414. The 2nd, John Michell, Thomas Allen; mayor, Th. Falconer, mercer.

This mayor caused the postern called Moregate to be built, and he lent to the king ten thousand marks upon jewels, etc.

1415. The 3rd, William Cambridge, Alen Everard; mayor, Nicholas Wotton, draper.

1416. The 4th, Robert Whittington, John Coventrie; mayor, Henry Barton, skinner.

This Henry Barton ordained lanthorns with lights to be hanged out on the winter evening betwixt Hallontide[305] and Candlemasse.

1417. The 5th, H. Read, John Gidney; mayor, Richard Marlow, ironmonger.

1418. The 6th, John Brian, Raph Barton, John Parnesse; mayor, William Sevenoke.

This William Sevenoke, son to William Rumsched of Sevenoke in Kent, was by his father bound an apprentice with Hugh de Bois, citizen and ferrer of London, for a term of years, which being expired in the year 1394, the 18th of Richard II., John Hadley being mayor of London, and Stephen Spilman, chamberlain of the Guildhall, he alleged that his master had used the trade or mystery of a grocer, and not of a ferrer, and therefore required to be made free of the grocers’ company, which was granted. This William Sevenoke founded in the town of Sevenoke a free school, and alms houses for the poor.

1419. The 7th, Robert Whittington, John Butler; mayor, Richard Whittington, mercer.

This mayor founded Whittington college.

1420. The 8th, John Butler, John Wels; mayor, William Cambridge, grocer.

1421. The 9th, Richard Gosseline, William Weston; mayor, Robert Chichley, grocer.

This mayor gave one plot of ground, thereupon to build the parish church of St. Stephen upon Walbrooke.

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Henry VI. began his reign the 31st of August, the year 1422.

* * * * *

1422. The 1st sheriffs, William Eastfield, Robert Tatarsal; mayor, William Waldern, mercer.

This year the west gate of London was begun to be built by the executors of Richard Whitington.

1423. The 2nd, Nicholas James, Thomas Windford; mayor, William Cromer, draper.

1424. The 3rd, Simon Seman, John Bywater; mayor, John Michel, fishmonger.

1425. The 4th, William Melreth, John Brokell; mayor, John Coventrie, mercer.

1426. The 5th, John Arnold, John Higham; mayor, John Reinwell, fishmonger.

This mayor gave tenements to the city for the discharge of three wards in London for fifteens, etc.

1427. The 6th, Henry Frowicke, Robert Oteley; mayor, John Gidney, draper.

1428. The 7th, Thomas Duffehouse, John Abbot; mayor, Henry Barton, skinner.

1429. The 8th, William Russe, Raph Holland; mayor, William Eastfield, mercer.

Raph Holland gave to impotent poor, one hundred and twenty pounds, to prisoners eighty pounds, to hospitals forty pounds, etc.

1430. The 9th, Walter Chartesey, Robert Large; mayor, Nicholas Wootton, draper.

Walter Chartesey, draper, gave to the poor one hundred pounds, besides twenty pounds to the hospitals, etc.

1431. The 10th, John Aderley, Stephen Browne; mayor, John Wels, grocer.

This John Wels, a great benefactor to the new building of the chapel by the Guildhall, and of his goods the standard in West Cheape was made.

1432. The 11th, John Olney, John Paddesley; mayor, John Patneis, fishmonger.

1433. The 12th, Thomas Chalton, John Ling; mayor, John Brokle, draper.

1434. The 13th, Thomas Barnewell, Simon Eyre; mayor, Roger Oteley, grocer.

1435. The 14th, Thomas Catworth, Robert Clopton; mayor, Henry Frowicke, mercer.

1436. The 15th, Thomas Morsted, William Gregorie; mayor, John Michel, fishmonger.

1437. The 16th, William Hales, William Chapman; mayor, Sir William Eastfield, mercer.

This Sir William Eastfield, knight of the Bath, a great benefactor to the water-conduits.

1438. The 17th, Hugh Diker, Nicholas Yoo; mayor, Stephen Brown, grocer.

Wheat sold for three shillings the bushel; but this man sent into Prussia, and caused to be brought from thence certain ships laden with rye, which did great relief.

1439. The 18th, Philip Malpas, Robert Marshal; mayor, Robert Large, mercer.

Philip Malpas at his decease gave one hundred and twenty pounds to poor prisoners, and every year for five years four hundred and three shirts and smocks, forty pairs of sheets, and one hundred and fifty gowns of frieze to the poor, to poor maids’ marriages one hundred marks, to highways one hundred marks, and to five hundred poor people in London every one six shillings and eight pence, etc.

1440. The 19th, John Sutton, William Wetinhall; mayor, John Paddesley, goldsmith, master of the works of money in the Tower of London.

1441. The 20th, William Combis, Richard Rich; mayor, Robert Clopton, draper.

1442. The 21st, Thomas Beamont, Richard Morden; mayor, John Hatherley, ironmonger.

1443. The 22nd, Nicholas Wilforde, John Norman; mayor, Thomas Catworth, grocer.

1444. The 23rd, Stephen Forstar, Hugh Witch; mayor, Henry Frowicke, mercer.

This year Paul’s steeple was fired with lightning, and hardly quenched.

1445. 24th, John Darby, Godfrey Fielding; mayor, Simon Eyre, draper.

This Simon Eyre built the Leaden hall in London, to be a common garner for the city, etc.

1446. The 25th, Robert Horne, Godfrey Bolaine; mayor, John Olney, mercer.

1447. The 26th, William Abraham, Thomas Scot; mayor, John Sidney, draper.

1448. The 27th, William Catlow, William Marrow; mayor, Stephen Browne, grocer.

1449. The 28th, William Hulin, Thomas Caninges; mayor, Thomas Chalton, mercer.

This year Jack Cade, a rebel of Kent, came to London, entered the city, etc.

1450. The 29th, I. Middleton, William Deere; mayor, Nicholas Wilforde, grocer.

Soldiers made a fray against the mayor the same day he took his charge at Westminster.

1451. The 30th, Matthew Philip, Christopher Warton; mayor, William Gregory, skinner.

1452. The 31st, Richard Lee, Richard Alley; mayor, Godfrey Fielding, mercer, of council to Henry VI. and Edward IV.

This year was a great fray at the wrestling.

1453. The 32nd, John Waldron, Thomas Cooke; mayor, John Norman, draper.

This John Norman was the first mayor that was rowed to Westminster by water, for before that time they rode on horseback.

1454. The 33rd, John Field, W. Taylor; mayor, Stephen Forstar, fishmonger.

This Stephen Forstar enlarged Ludgate, for the ease of prisoners there, etc.

1455. The 34th, John Yong, Thomas Olgrave; mayor, William Marrow, grocer.

The mercers’ servants made a riot upon the Lombards and other strangers.

1456. The 35th, John Steward, Raph Verney; mayor, Thomas Caning, grocer.

1457. The 36th, William Edwards, Thomas Reiner; mayor, Godfrey Boloine, mercer.

This Godfrey Boloine gave one thousand pounds to poor householders in London, etc.

1458. The 37th, Ralph Joceline, Richard Medham; mayor, Thomas Scot, draper.

1459. The 38th, John Plommar, John Stockar; mayor, William Hulin, fishmonger.

1460. 39th, Richard Fleming, John Lambard; mayor, Richard Lee, grocer.

* * * * *

Edward IV. began his reign the 4th of March, in the year 1460, after the account of the Church of England.

* * * * *

1461. The 1st sheriffs, George Ireland, John Locke; mayor, Hugh Witch, mercer.

1462. The 2nd, William Hampton, Bartholomew James; mayor, Thomas Cooke, draper, made knight of the Bath in the 5th of Edward IV. and had great troubles after.

1463. The 3rd, Robert Baslet, Thomas Muschampe; mayor, Matthew Philip, goldsmith, made knight of the Bath the 5th of Edward IV., and after in the field, the 10th of Edward IV.

1464. The 4th, John Tate, John Stone; mayor, Raph Joceline, draper, knight of the Bath, and also in the field.

1465. The 5th, Henry Waver, William Constantine; mayor, Raph Verney, mercer. Henry Waver, one of the sheriffs, made knight of the Bath.

1466. The 6th, John Browne, Henry Brice; mayor, John Yong, grocer, made knight in the field.

This year began the troubles of Sir Thomas Cooke, and other aldermen, as ye may read in my Summary.

1467. The 7th, Thomas Stalbroke, Humfrey Heyford; mayor, Thomas Oldgrave, skinner.

1468. The 8th, Symon Smith, William Hariot; mayor, William Taylor, grocer.

This mayor gave tenements to discharge Cordwainer street ward of fifteens.

1469. The 9th, Richard Gardener, Robert Drope; mayor, Richard Lee, grocer.

This year the Tower of London being delivered to the mayor and his brethren, they delivered King Henry from thence.

1470. The 10th, Sir John Crosbie, John Ward; mayor, Sir John Stockton, mercer.

Thomas the Bastard Fauconbridge, with a riotous company, set upon this city at Aldgate, Bishopsgate, the Bridge, etc., and twelve aldermen, with the recorder, were knighted in the field by Edward IV., to wit, John Stockton, mayor, Raph Verney, late mayor, John Yong, later mayor, William Tayler, late mayor, Richard Lee, late mayor, Matthew Philips, late mayor, George Ireland, William Stoker, William Hampton, since mayor, Thomas Stolbroke, John Crosbie, and Bartlemew James, since mayor, with Thomas Urswike, recorder.

1471. The 11th, John Allin, John Shelley; mayor, William Edward, grocer.

The water-conduit at Aldermanburie, and the standard in Fleet street were finished.

1472. The 12th, John Browne, Thomas Bedlow; mayor, Sir William Hampton, fishmonger.

This Sir William Hampton punished strumpets, and caused stocks to be set in every ward to punish vagabonds.

1473. The 13th, Sir William Sokar, Robert Belisdon; mayor, John Tate, mercer.

This year the sheriffs of London were appointed each of them to have sixteen serjeants, every serjeant to have his yeoman, and six clerks, to wit, a secondary, a clerk of the papers, and four other clerks, besides the under-sheriff’s clerks.

1474. The 14th, Edmond Shaw, Thomas Hill; mayor, Robert Drope, draper.

This Robert Drope increased the water-conduit upon Cornhill, etc.

1475. The 15th, Hugh Brice, Robert Colwich; mayor, Robert Basset, salter.

This Robert Basset corrected the bakers and other victuallers of this city.

1476. The 16th, Richard Rawson, William Horne; mayor, Sir Raph Joceline, draper, knight of the Bath.

By the diligence of this mayor the walls of the city were repaired.

1477. The 17th, Henry Collet, John Stoker; mayor, Humphrey Hayford, goldsmith.

1478. The 18th, Robert Harding, Robert Bifield; mayor, Richard Gardener, mercer.

Robert Bifield, sheriff, was fined by the mayor, and paid fifty pounds toward the water-conduits.

1479. The 19th, Thomas Ilam, John Warde; mayor, Sir Bartholomew James, draper, made knight in the field by Edward IV.

Thomas Ilam newly built the great conduit in West Cheape.

1480. The 20th, Thomas Daniel, William Bacon; mayor, John Browne, mercer.

1481. The 21st, Robert Tate, William Wiking; mayor, William Hariot, draper.

1482. The 22nd, William Whit, John Mathew; mayor, Edmond Sha, goldsmith.

This Edmond Sha caused the postern called Cripplesgate to be newly built, etc.

* * * * *

Edward V. began his reign the 9th of April, in the year 1483.

* * * * *

Richard III. began his reign the 22nd of June, in the year 1483.

* * * * *

1483. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Norland, William Martin; mayor, Robert Bilisden, haberdasher.

1484. The 2nd, Richard Chester, Thomas Brittaine, Raphe Austrie; mayor, Thomas Hill, grocer, Sir William Stoaker, draper, John Ward, grocer.

Three sheriffs and three mayors this year by means of the sweating sickness, etc. Thomas Hill appointed by his testament the water-conduit in Grasse street to be built.

* * * * *

Henry VII. began his reign the 22nd of August, in the year 1485.

* * * * *

1485. The 1st sheriffs, John Tate, John Swan; mayor, Hugh Brise, goldsmith.

This Hugh Brise was keeper of the king’s mints at London.

1486. The 2nd, John Percivall, Hugh Clopton; mayor, Henry Cellet, mercer.

The cross in Cheap was new built in beautiful manner.

1487. The 3rd, John Fenkell, William Remington; mayor, Sir William Horne, salter.

This William Horne made knight in the field by Henry VII., gave to the repairing of highways betwixt London and Cambridge five hundred marks, and to the preachers at Paul’s cross, etc.

1488. The 4th, W. Isaack, Raph Tilney; mayor, Robert Tate, mercer.

1489. The 5th, William Caple, John Brocke; mayor, W. White, draper.

1490. The 6th, Henry Cote, Robert Revell, Hugh Pemberton; mayor, John Mathew, mercer.

1491. The 7th, Thomas Wood, William Browne; mayor, Hugh Clopton, mercer.

Hugh Clopton built the great stone bridge at Stratford upon Haven in Warwickshire.

1492. The 8th, William Purchase, William Welbecke; mayor, William Martin, skinner.

A riot made upon the Esterlings by the mercers’ servants and other.

1493. The 9th, Robert Fabian, John Winger; mayor, Sir Raph Astrie, fishmonger, made knight by Henry VII.

Robert Fabian, alderman, made Fabian’s Chronicle, a painful labour, to the honour of the city, and the whole realm.

1494. The 10th, Nicholas Alwine, John Warner; mayor, Richard Chawry, salter.

1495. The 11th, Thomas Knesworth, Henry Somer; mayor, Henry Colet, mercer.

1496. The 12th, Sir John Sha, Sir Richard Haddon; mayor, Sir John Tate, the younger, mercer.

The king made this mayor, Robert Shefield, recorder, and both the sheriffs, knights, for their good service against the rebels at Black Hith field.

1497. The 13th, Bartlemew Read, Thomas Windout; mayor, W. Purchase, mercer.

All the gardens in the Morefield were destroyed, and made plain ground.

1498. Thomas Bradbury, Stephen Jeninges; mayor, Sir John Percevall, made knight in the field by King Henry VII.

1499. The 15th, James Wilford, Thomas Brond; mayor, Nicholas Alwin, mercer.

This Nicholas Alwin gave to three thousand poor people in London twelve pence the piece, and to three thousand in the town of Spalding, the like, etc.

1500. The 16th, John Hawes, William Steede; mayor, W. Remington, fishmonger.

1501. The 17th, Lawrence Ailmer, Henry Hede; mayor, Sir John Sha, goldsmith, made knight in the field by Henry VII.

This Sir John Sha caused his brethren the aldermen to ride from the Guildhall unto the water’s side, where he took his barge to Westminster; he was sworn by the king’s council: he commonly in the afternoons kept a court alone, called before him many matters, and redressed them.

1502. The 18th, Henry Kebel, Nicholas Nines; mayor, Bartlemew Reade, goldsmith.

1503. The 19th, Christopher Hawes, Robert Wats, Thomas Granger; mayor, Sir William Capell, draper, made knight by Henry VII.

This Sir William caused a cage in every ward to be set for punishing of vagabonds.

1504. The 20th, Roger Acheley, William Brown; mayor, John Winger, grocer.

1505. The 21st, Richard Shore, Roger Grove; mayor, Thomas Knesworth, fishmonger.

This Thomas Knesworth appointed the water-conduit at Bishopsgate to be built, etc.

1506. The 22nd, William Copenger, Thomas Johnson, William Fitzwilliams, merchant-tailor, after of council to Henry VIII.; mayor, Sir Richard Haddon, mercer.

1507. The 23rd, William Butler, John Kirkby; mayor, William Browne, mercer, for part, Lawrence Ailmer, draper.

1508. The 24th, Thomas Exmew, Richard Smith; mayor, Stephen Jeninges, merchant-tailor.

This Stephen Geninges built the greatest part of St. Andrewes church called Undershaft. He built a free-school at Ulfrunehampton in Staffordshire, etc.

* * * * *

Henry VIII. began his reign the 22nd of April, the year 1509.

* * * * *

1509. The 1st sheriffs, George Monoxe, John Doget; mayor, Thomas Bradbury, mercer, for part, Sir William Caple, draper.

1510. The 2nd, John Milborne, John Rest; mayor, Henry Keble, grocer.

This Henry Keble gave one thousand pounds toward the new building of his parish church of Aldermary.

1511. The 3rd, Nicholas Shelton, Thomas Mirfine; mayor, Roger Achiley, draper.

This Roger Achiley provided corn for service of this city in great plenty. He caused the same to be stowed up in the common garner called Leaden hall.

1512. The 4th, Robert Aldarnes, Robert Fenrother; mayor, Sir William Copinger, fishmonger, for part, Richard Haddon, mercer, for the rest.

Sir W. Copinger gave half his goods to his wife, and the other half to the poor that had most need.

1513. The 5th, John Dawes, John Bridges, Roger Bafford; mayor, W. Browne, mercer, and John Tate, mercer.

This John Tate new built the church of St. Anthonies hospital in London.

1514. The 6th, James Yarford, John Monday; mayor, George Monoux, draper.

1515. The 7th, Henry Warley, Richard Grey, W. Bayly; mayor, Sir William Butler, grocer.

1516. The 8th, Thomas Seimer, John Thurstone; mayor, John Rest, grocer.

1517. The 9th, Thomas Baldrie, Raph Simondes; mayor, Sir Thomas Exmew, goldsmith.

Sir Thomas Exmew made the water-conduit in London wall by Mooregate, etc.

1518. The 10th, John Allen, James Spencer; mayor, Thomas Mirfin, skinner.

1519. The 11th, John Wilkenson, Nicholas Partrich; mayor. Sir James Yarford, mercer.

From this time the mayors of London, for the most part, have been knighted by courtesy of the kings, and not otherwise.

1520. The 12th, Sir John Skevington, John Kyme; mayor, Sir John Bruge, draper.

1521. The 13th, John Breton, Thomas Pargetor; mayor, Sir John Milborne, draper.

This Sir John Milborne founded fourteen alms houses by the Crossed Fryers church, etc.

1522. The 14th, John Rudstone, John Champneis; mayor, Sir John Mundy, goldsmith.

1523. The 15th, Michael English, Nicholas Jenines; mayor, Sir T. Baldry, mercer.

1524. The 16th, Raph Dodmer, William Roch; mayor, Sir W. Bayly, draper.

1525. The 17th, John Caunton, Christopher Askew; mayor, Sir John Allen, mercer.

1526. The 18th, Stephen Peacocke, Nicholas Lambert; mayor, Sir Thomas Seamer, mercer.

1527. The 19th, John Hardy, William Holles; mayor, Sir James Spencer, vintner.

1528. The 20th, Raph Warren, John Long; mayor, Sir John Rudstone, draper.

1529. The 21st, Michael Dormer, Walter Champion; mayor, Sir Raph Dodmer, mercer.

This year it was decreed that no man should be mayor of London more than one year.

1530. The 22nd, William Dauntsey, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir T. Pargitor, salter.

1531. The 23rd, Richard Gresham, Edward Altham; mayor, Sir Nicholas Lambard, grocer.

1532. The 24th, Richard Reynoldes, Nicholas Pinchon, John Martin, John Prist; mayor, Sir Stephen Pecocke, haberdasher.

1533. The 25th, William Forman, Sir T. Kitson; mayor, Sir Christopher Askew, draper.

1534. The 26th, Nicholas Levison, W. Denham; mayor, Sir John Chamneis, skinner.

1535. The 27th, Humfrey Munmoth, John Cootes; mayor, Sir John Allen, mercer. By the king’s appointment he was of his council. A man of great wisdom, and also of great charity.

The forenamed sheriffs, Munmouth and Cootes, put away twelve serjeants and twelve yeomen, but were by a common council forced to take them again.

1536. The 28th, Robert Paget, William Boyer; mayor, Sir Raph Waren, mercer.

1537. The 29th, Sir John Gresham, Thomas Lewen; mayor, Sir Richard Gresham, mercer.

1538. The 30th, William Welkenson, Nicholas Gibson; mayor, William Forman, haberdasher.

1539. The 31st, John Feiry, Thomas Huntlow; mayor, Sir W. Holles, mercer.

1540. The 32nd, Sir William Laxton, Martin Bowes; mayor, Sir William Roch, draper.

1541. The 33rd, Rowland Hill, Henry Suckley; mayor, Sir Michael Dormer, mercer.

1542. The 34th, Henry Habberthorne, Henry Amcotes; mayor, John Cootes, salter.

1543. The 35th, John Toleus, Richard Dobbes; mayor, Sir W. Bowyer, draper, for part, Sir Raph Waren, mercer.

1544. The 36th, John Wilford, Andrew Jude; mayor, Sir W. Laxton, grocer.

1545. The 37th, George Barnes, Ralph Alley; mayor, Sir Martin Bowes, goldsmith.

1546. The 38th, Richard Jarveis, Thomas Curteis; mayor, Sir Henry Hubbathorne, merchant-tailor.

* * * * *

Edward VI. began his reign the 28th of January, in the year 1546.

* * * * *

1547. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas White, Robert Charsey; mayor, Sir John Gresham, mercer.

1548. The 2nd, William Locke, Sir John Ailife; mayor, Sir Henry Amcotes, fishmonger.

1549. The 3rd, Richard Turke, John Yorke; mayor, Rowland Hill, mercer.

1550. The 4th, Augustine Hind, John Lyon; mayor, Sir Andrew Jude, skinner.

1551. The 5th, John Lamberd, John Cowper; mayor, Sir Richard Dobbes, skinner.

1552. The 6th, William Gerard, John Maynard; mayor, Sir George Barnes, haberdasher.

* * * * *

Queen Mary began her reign, the 6th of July, the year 1553.

* * * * *

1553. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Ofley, William Huet; mayor, Sir Thomas White, merchant-tailor.

This Thomas White founded St. John’s college, in Oxford. He gave to the city of Bristow two thousand pounds.

1554. The 2nd, David Woodrofe, William Chester; mayor, Sir John Lion, grocer.

1555. The 3rd, Thomas Leigh, John Machil; mayor, Sir William Gerard, haberdasher.

1556. The 4th, William Harper, John White; mayor, Sir Thomas Ofley, merchant-tailor.

1557. The 5th, Richard Malorie, James Aitham; mayor, Sir Thomas Curteis, fishmonger.

1558. The 6th, John Halse, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir Thomas Legh, mercer.

* * * * *

Queen Elizabeth began her reign, the 17th of November, in the year of Christ 1558.

* * * * *

1559. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Lodge, Roger Martin; mayor, Sir William Huet, clothworker.

1560. The 2nd, Christopher Draper, Thomas Row; mayor, Sir William Chester, draper.

This year the merchant-tailors founded their notable free-school for poor men’s children, etc.

1561. The 3rd, Alexander Avenon, Humfrey Baskervile; mayor, Sir William Harper, merchant-tailor.

1562. The 4th, William Alin, Richard Chamberlaine; mayor, Sir Thomas Lodge, grocer.

1563. The 5th, Edward Bankes, Rowland Heyward; mayor, Sir John White, grocer.

1564. The 6th, Edward Jackeman, Lionel Ducket; mayor, Sir Richard Malorie, mercer.

1565. The 7th, John Rivers, James Hawes; mayor, Sir Richard Champion, draper.

1566. The 8th, Richard Lambert, Ambrose Nicholas, John Langley; mayor, Sir Christopher Draper, ironmonger.

1567. The 9th, Thomas Ramsey, William Bond; mayor, Sir Roger Martin, mercer.

1568. The 10th, John Oleph, Robert Harding, James Bacon; mayor, Sir Thomas Row, merchant-tailor.

1569. The 11th, Henry Becher, William Dane; mayor, Alexander Avenon, ironmonger.

1570. The 12th, Francis Bernam, William Box; mayor, Sir Rowland Heyward, clothworker.

1571. The 13th, Henry Miles, John Braunch; mayor, Sir William Allin, mercer.

1572. The 14th, Richard Pipe, Nicholas Woodrofe; mayor, Sir Lionel Ducket, mercer.

1573. The 15th, James Harvy, Thomas Pullison; mayor, Sir J. Rivers, grocer.

1574. The 16th, Thomas Blanke, Anthony Gamage; mayor, James Hawes, clothworker.

1575. The 17th, Edward Osborne, Wolstane Dixie; mayor, Ambrose Nicholas, salter.

1576. The 18th, William Kimpton, George Barne; mayor, Sir John Langley, goldsmith.

1577. The 19th, Nicholas Backhouse, Francis Bowyer; mayor, Sir Thomas Ramsey, grocer.

1578. The 20th, George Bond, Thomas Starkie; mayor, Sir Richard Pipe, draper.

1579. The 21st, Martin Calthrope, John Hart; mayor, Sir Nicholas Woodrofe, haberdasher.

1580. The 22nd, Ralph Woodcock, John Alate; mayor, Sir John Branch, draper.

1581. The 23rd, Richard Martin, William Webbe; mayor, Sir James Harvie, ironmonger.

1582. The 24th, William Roe, John Hayden, Cuthbert Buckle; mayor, Sir Thomas Blancke, haberdasher.

1583. The 25th, William Masham, John Spencer; mayor, Edward Osborne, clothworker.

1584. The 26th, Stephen Slany, Henry Billingsley; mayor, Sir Thomas Pullison, draper.

1585. The 27th, Anthony Radclife, Henry Pranell; mayor, Sir Wolstane Dixie, skinner.

1586. The 28th, Robert House, William Elkin; mayor, Sir George Barne, haberdasher.

1587. The 29th, Thomas Skinner, John Katcher; mayor, Sir George Bond, haberdasher.

1588. The 30th, Hugh Ofley, Richard Saltenstall; mayor, Sir Martin Calthorpe, draper, for part, and Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest of that year.

1589. The 31st, Richard Gurney, Stephen Some; mayor, Sir John Hart, grocer.

1590. The 32nd, Nicholas Mosley, Robert Broke; mayor, John Allot, fishmonger, for part, Sir Rowland Heyward, clothworker, for the rest.

1591. The 33rd, William Rider, Benet Barnham; mayor, Sir William Webb, salter.

1592. The 34th, John Garrard, Robert Taylor; mayor, Sir William Roe, ironmonger.

1593. The 35th, Paule Banning, Peter Hauton; mayor, Sir Cuthbert Buckle, vintner, for part, Sir Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest.

1594. The 36th, Robert Lee, Thomas Benet; mayor, Sir John Spencer, clothworker.

1595. The 37th, Thomas Low, Leonard Holiday; mayor, Sir Stephen Slany, skinner.

1596. The 38th, John Wattes, Richard Godard; mayor, Thomas Skinner, clothworker, for part, Sir Henry Billingsley, haberdasher.

1597. The 39th, Henry Roe, John More; mayor, Sir Richard Saltenstall, skinner.

1598. The 40th, Edward Holmeden, Robert Hampson; mayor, Sir Stephen Some, grocer.

1599. The 41st, Humfrey Welde, grocer, Roger Clarke, salter; mayor, Sir Nicholas Mosley, clothworker.

1600. The 42nd, Thomas Cambell, ironmonger, Thomas Smith, haberdasher, William Craven, merchant-tailor; mayor, Sir William Rider, haberdasher.

1601. The 43rd, Henry Anderson, girdler; William Glover, dyer; mayor, Sir John Garrard, haberdasher.

1602. The 44th, James Pemberton, goldsmith, John Swinerton, merchant-tailor; mayor, Robert Lee, merchant-tailor.

* * * * *

Thus much for the chief and principal governors of this famous city; of whose public government, with the assistance of inferior officers, their charges for keeping of the peace, service of the prince, and honour of this city, much might have been said, and I had thought to have touched more at large; but being informed that a learned gentleman (James Dalton, a citizen born), minded such a labour, and promised to perform it, I have forborne and left the same to his good leisure, but he being now lately deceased without finishing any such work (a common fault to promise more than to perform), and I hear not of any other that taketh it in hand, I have been divers times minded to add certain chapters to this book, but being (by the good pleasure of God) visited with sickness, such as my feet (which have borne me many a mile) have of late years refused, once in four or five months, to convey me from my bed to my study, and therefore could not do as I would.

At length, remembering I had long since gathered notes to have chaptered, am now forced to deliver them unperfected, and desire the readers to pardon me, that want not will to pleasure them.

FOOTNOTES:

[303] “Since called shiriffes, and judges of the King’s court, and have therefore under-shiriffes, men learned in the law, to sit in their courts. Domesmen, or judges of the King’s court.”--Stow.Return to passage

[304] The first edition has “mayor Hugh Fitz Thomas,” and does not make mention of “Fitz Ottonis.”Return to passage

[305] Hallontide,--or, as it was more generally designated, All Hallontide,--is the older designation of All Saints’ day, the 1st of November.Return to passage

ALDERMEN AND SHERIFFS OF LONDON

There be in this city, according to the number of wards, twenty-six aldermen; whereof yearly, on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, one of them is elected to be mayor for the year following, to begin on the 28th of October: the other aldermen, his brethren, are to him assistants in councils, courts, etc.

More, there is a recorder of London, a grave and learned lawyer, skilful in the customs of this city, also assistant to the lord mayor: he taketh place in councils and in courts before any man that hath not been mayor, and learnedly delivereth the sentences of the whole court.

The sheriffs of London, of old time chosen out of the commonalty, commoners, and oftentimes never came to be aldermen, as many aldermen were never sheriffs, and yet advanced to be mayor, but of late (by occasion) the sheriffs have been made aldermen before or presently after their election.

Nicholas Faringdon was never sheriff, yet four times mayor of this city, and so of other, which reproveth a bye word, such a one will be mayor, or he be sheriff, etc.

Then is there a chamberlain of London. A common clerk, or town clerk. A common sergeant.

OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE LORD MAYOR’S HOUSE

Sword-bearer, } Common hunt, } esquires, four. Common crier, } Water bailiff. } Coroner of London. Sergeant carvers, three. Sergeants of the chamber, three. Sergeant of the channel. Yeoman of the channel. Yeomen of the water side, four. Under water-bailiff. Yeomen of the chamber, two. Meal weighers, three. Yeomen of the wood wharfs, two. The sword-bearer’s man. } Common hunt’s men, two. } Common crier’s man. } gentlemen’s men, seven. Water-bailiffs’ men, two. } The carver’s man. }

Whereof nine of these have liveries of the lord mayor, viz., the sword-bearer, and his man, the three carvers, and the four yeomen of the water side; all the rest have their liveries from the chamber of London.

Thus far after my notes delivered by an officer of the lord mayor’s house, but unperfected; for I remember a crowner, an under-chamberlain, and four clerks of the mayor’s court, and others.

THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON; THEIR OFFICERS

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; to wit, a secondary, a clerk of the papers, and four other clerks, besides the under sheriffs’ clerks, their stewards, butlers, porters, and other in household many.

OF THE MAYOR’S AND SHERIFFS’ LIVERIES SOMEWHAT

To follow precedent of former time, the clerks of companies were to inquire for them of their companies that would have the mayor’s livery, their money as a benevolence given, which must be twenty shillings at the least put in a purse, with their names that gave it, and the wardens to deliver it to the mayor by the first of December; for the which every man had then sent him four yards of broad cloth, rowed or striped athwart, with a different colour to make him a gown, and these were called ray gowns, which was then the livery of the mayor, and also of the sheriffs, but each differing from others in the colours.

Of older times I read, that the officers of this city wore gowns of party colours, as the right side of one colour and the left side of another; as, for example, I read in books of accounts in the Guildhall, that in the 19th year of Henry VI. there was bought for an officer’s gown two yards of cloth, coloured mustard villars (a colour now out of use), and two yards of cloth, coloured blue, price two shillings the yard, in all eight shillings. More, paid to John Pope, draper, for two gown cloths, eight yards of two colours, eux ombo deux de rouge (or red), medle bune, and porre (or purple) colour, price the yard two shillings. These gowns were for Piers Rider and John Bukles, clerks of the chamber.

More, I read that in the year 1516, in the 7th of Henry VIII., it was agreed by a common council in the Guildhall that the sheriffs of London should (as they had been accustomed) give yearly rayed gowns to the recorder, chamberlain, common sergeant, and common clerk, the sword-bearer, common hunt, water-bailiff, common crier, like as to their own offices, etc.

1525. More, in the 16th of Henry VIII., Sir William Bayly, then being mayor, made a request, for that clothes of ray (as he alleged) were evil wrought, his officers might be permitted (contrary to custom) for that year to wear gowns of one colour; to the which, in a common council, one answered and said, “Yea, it might be permitted,” and no man said, “Nay,” and so it passed. Thus much for party coloured and ray gowns have I read: but for benevolence to the mayor, I find that of later time that each man giving forty shillings towards his charges, received four yards of broad cloth to make him a gown, for Thomas White performed it in the 1st of Queen Mary; but Sir Thomas Lodge gave instead of four yards of broad cloth, three yards of satin to make them doublets, and since that the three yards of satin is turned into a silver spoon, and so it holdeth.

The days of attendance that the fellowships do give to the mayor at his going to Paules were seven, as followeth:--

1. Alhallowen day. 2. Christmasse day. 3. St. Stephen’s day. 4. St. John’s day. 5. New Year’s day. 6. Twelfth day. 7. Candlemasse day.

The 23rd of Henry VIII., these companies had place at the mayor’s feast in the Guildhall, in order as followeth; I speak by precedent, for I was never feast-follower:--

1. Mercers, the wardens, and seventeen persons, five messes. 2. Grocers, the wardens, and sixteen persons, four messes. 3. Drapers, the wardens, and twelve persons, four messes. 4. Fishmongers, the wardens, and twelve persons, four messes. 5. Goldsmiths, the wardens, and ten persons, three messes. 6. Skinners, the wardens, and eight persons, three messes. 7. Merchant-tailors, the wardens, and nine persons, three messes. 8. Vintners, the wardens, and six persons, two messes. 9. Ironmongers, the wardens, and four persons, four messes and a half. 10. Merchant-haberdashers, the wardens, and fourteen persons, four messes and a half. 11. Salters, the wardens, and eight persons, two messes and a half. 12. Dyers, the wardens, and six persons, two messes. 13. Leathersellers, the wardens, and eight persons, three messes. 14. Pewterers, the wardens, and five persons, two messes. 15. Cutlers, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 16. Armourers, the wardens and three persons, one mess. 17. Waxchandlers, the wardens and six persons, two messes. 18. Tallow-chandlers, the wardens and three persons, two messes. 19. Shiremen, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 20. Fullers, the wardens and nine persons, two messes. 21. Sadlers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 22. Brewers, the wardens and twelve persons, four messes. 23. Scriveners, the wardens and six persons, two messes. 24. Butchers, the wardens and seven persons, three messes. 25. Bakers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 26. Poulterers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 27. Stationers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 28. Inholders, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 29. Girdlers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 30. Chirurgeons, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 31. Founders, the wardens and one person, one mess. 32. Barbers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. No Clothing. Upholders, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 34. Broiderers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 35. Bowyers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 36. Fletchers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Turners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 38. Cordwainers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 39. Painters-stainers, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 40. Masons, the wardens and one person, one mess. 41. Plumbers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 42. Carpenters, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 43. Pouch-makers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 44. Joiners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 45. Coopers, the wardens and one person, one mess. No Clothing. Glaziers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Linendrapers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Woodmongers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 49. Curriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Foystors, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Grey Tanners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 52. Tilers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 53. Weavers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 54. Blacksmiths, the wardens, and one mess. No Clothing. Lorimars, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 56. Spurriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 57. Wiresellers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Fruiterers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Farriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 60. Bladesmiths, the wardens and two persons, one mess.

These companies severally, at sundry times, purchased the king’s favour and license by his letters patents, to associate themselves in brotherhoods, with master and wardens for their government: many also have procured corporations, with privileges, etc.; but I read not of license by them procured for liveries to be worn, but at their governor’s discretion to appoint, as occasion asketh, some time in triumphant manner, some time more mourning like, and such liveries have they taken upon them, as well before, as since they were by license associated into brotherhoods, or corporations. For the first of these companies that I read of to be a guild, brotherhood, or fraternity, in this city, were the weavers, whose guild was confirmed by Henry II. The next fraternity, which was of St. John Baptist, time out of mind, called of tailors and linen-armourers of London; I find that King Edward I., in the 28th of his reign, confirmed that guild by the name of tailors and linen-armourers, and gave to the brethren there of authority yearly to choose unto them a governor, or master, with wardens, etc. The other companies have since purchased license of societies, brotherhoods, or corporations, in the reigns of Edward III., Richard II., Henry IV., Henry V., Henry VI., and Edward IV., etc.

SOMEWHAT OF LIVERIES WORN BY CITIZENS OF LONDON, IN TIME OF TRIUMPHS AND OTHERWAYS

1236. The 20th of Henry III., the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, and citizens of London, rode out to meet the king and his new wife, Queen Elianor, daughter to Reymond Beringarius of Aragon, earl of Provence and Narbone. The citizens were clothed in long garments, embroidered about with gold, and silk in divers colours, their horses finely trapped, to the number of three hundred and sixty, every man bearing a golden or silver cup in his hand, the king’s trumpets before them sounding, etc., as ye may read in my Annales.

1300. The 29th of Edward I., the said king took to wife Margaret, sister to Philip Le Beau, king of France; they were married at Canterbury. The queen was conveyed to London, against whom the citizens to the number of six hundred rode in one livery of red and white, with the cognizances of their mysteries embroidered upon their sleeves, they received her four miles out of London, and so conveyed her to Westminster.

1415. The 3rd of Henry V., the said king arriving at Dover, the mayor of London with the aldermen and crafts-men riding in red, with hoods red and white, met with the king on the Blacke hith, coming from Eltham with his prisoners out of France.

1432. The 10th of Henry VI., he being crowned in France, returning into England, came to Eltham towards London, and the mayor of London, John Welles, the aldermen, with the commonalty, rode against him on horseback, the mayor in crimson velvet, a great velvet hat furred, a girdle of gold about his middle, and a bawdrike of gold about his neck trilling down behind him, his three henxemen, on three great coursers following him, in one suit of red, all spangled in silver, then the aldermen in gowns of scarlet, with sanguine hoods, and all the commonality of the city clothed in white gowns, and scarlet hoods, with divers cognizances embroidered on their sleeves, etc.

1485. The 1st of Henry VII., the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, and commonality, all clothed in violet (as in a mourning colour), met the king at Shorditch, and conveyed him to Powles church, where he offered his banners.

Thus much for liveries of citizens in ancient times, both in triumphs and otherwise, may suffice, whereby may be observed, that the coverture of men’s heads was then hoods, for neither cap nor hat is spoken of, except that John Welles mayor of London to wear a hat in time of triumph, but differing from the hats lately taken in use, and now commonly worn for noblemen’s liveries. I read that Thomas earl of Lancaster in the reign of Edward II. gave at Christmas in liveries, to such as served him, a hundred and fifty-nine broad cloaths, allowing to every garment furs to fur their hoods: more near our time, there yet remaineth the counterfeits and pictures of aldermen, and others that lived in the reigns of Henry VI. and Edward IV., namely alderman Darby dwelling in Fenchurch street, over against the parish church of St. Diones, left his picture, as of an alderman, in a gown of scarlet on his back, a hood on his head, etc., as is in that house (and elsewhere) to be seen: for a further monument of those late times, men may behold the glass windows of the mayor’s court in the Guildhall above the stairs, the mayor is there pictured sitting in habit, party-coloured, and a hood on his head, his swordbearer before him with a hat or cap of maintenance: the common clerk, and other officers bare-headed, their hoods on their shoulders; and therefore I take it, that the use of square bonnets worn by noblemen, gentlemen, citizens, and others, took beginning in this realm by Henry VII. and in his time, and of further antiquity, I can see no counterfeit or other proof of use. Henry VIII. (towards his latter reign) wore a round flat cap of scarlet or of velvet, with a bruch or jewel, and a feather; divers gentlemen, courtiers, and others, did the like. The youthful citizens also took them to the new fashion of flat caps, knit of woollen yarn black, but so light, that they were obliged to tie them under their chins, for else the wind would be master over them. The use of these flat round caps so far increased (being of less price than the French bonnet) that in short time young aldermen took the wearing of them; Sir John White wore it in his mayoralty, and was the first that left example to his followers; but now the Spanish felt, or the like counterfeit, is most commonly of all men both spiritual and temporal taken to use, so that the French bonnet or square cap, and also the round or flat cap, have for the most part given place to the Spanish felt; but yet in London amongst the graver sort (I mean the liveries of companies), remaineth a memory of the hoods of old time worn by their predecessors: these hoods were worn, the roundlets upon their heads, the skirts to hang behind in their necks to keep them warm, the tippet to lie on their shoulder, or to wind about their necks, these hoods were of old time made in colours according to their gowns, which were of two colours, as red and blue, or red and purple, murrey, or as it pleased their masters and wardens to appoint to the companies; but now of late time, they have used their gowns to be all of one colour, and those of the saddest, but their hoods being made the one half of the same cloth their gowns be of, the other half remaineth red as of old time. And so I end, as wanting time to travel further in this work.

Now since that I have given you an outward view of this city, it shall not be impertinent to let you take an insight also of the same, such as a Londoner born discoursed about twenty years gone, for answer (as it seemeth) to some objections that then were made against the growing greatness thereof. The author gave it me, and therefore, howsoever I conceal his name (which itself pretendeth not), I think I may without his offence impart it to others, that they may take pleasure in the reading, as I doubt not but he did in the writing. Long may they (that list) envy, and long may we and our posterity enjoy the good estate of this city.

A DISCOURSE OF THE NAMES AND FIRST CAUSES OF THE INSTITUTION OF CITIES AND PEOPLED TOWNS AND OF THE COMMODITIES THAT DO GROW BY THE SAME; AND, NAMELY, OF THE CITY OF LONDON

WRITTEN BY WAY OF AN APOLOGY (OR DEFENCE) AGAINST THE OPINION OF SOME MEN, WHICH THINK THAT THE GREATNESS OF THAT CITY STANDETH NOT WITH THE PROFIT AND SECURITY OF THIS REALM

Cities and well-peopled places be called Oppida, in Latin; either ab ope danda, or ab opibus, or ab opponendo se hostibus. They be named also Civitates a cöeundo, and urbes, either of the word urbare, because the first inclosure of them was described with the draught of a plough, or else ab orbe, for the round compass that they at the first had.

In the Greek a city is termed πόλις, either of the word πολὺς, multus, or of πολεῖνω πολένεον,[306] id est, habitare, alere, gubernare.

In the Saxon (or old English) sometimes Tun, which we now call town, derived of the word Tynan, to inclose or tyne, as some yet speak. But forasmuch as that word was proper to every village and inclosed dwelling, therefore our ancestors called their walled towns Burh or Byrg, and we now Bury and Borough, of the Greek word πύργος (as I think), which signifieth a tower or a high building.

The walls of these towns had their name of vallum, because at the first they were but of that earth which was cast out of the trench, or ditch, wherewith they were environed. But afterward, being made of matter more fit for defence, they were named a muniendo mœnia. By the etymology of these names, it may appear that common weals, cities, and towns, were at the first invented, to the end that men might lead a civil life amongst themselves, and be saved harmless against their enemies; whereupon Plato saith, “Civitates ab initio utilitatis causa constitutæ sunt.” Aristotle, 1. Politicorum, 2. saith, “Civitas a natura profecta est: homo enim animal aptum est ad cœtus, et proinde civitatis origo ad viuendum, institutio ad bene viuendum refertur.” And Cicero, lib. primo de Inventione, in the beginning, saith, “Fuit quoddam tempus cum in agris homines passim bestiarum more vagabantur, etc. quo quidem tempore, quidam (magnus, viz. vir et sapiens) dispersos homines in agris, et tectis silvestribus abditos, ratione quadam compulit in unum locum, atque eos in unamquamq; rem induxit utilem et honestam. Urbibus vero constitutis fidem colere, et justitiam retinere discebant, et aliis parere sua voluntate consuescebant,” etc. The same man discourseth notably to the same effect in his Oration Pro Sestio, a little after the midst thereof, showing that in the life of men dispersed, vis, beareth all the sway; but in the civil life, ars is better maintained, etc. This thing well saw King William the Conqueror, who in his laws, fol. 125, saith, “Burgi et civitates fundata, et edificata sunt, ad tuitionem gentium et populorum Regni, et idcirco observari debent cum omni libertate, integritate et ratione.” And his predecessors, King Ethelstane and King Canutus, in their laws, fol. 62 and 106, had commanded thus: “Oppida instaurantur,” etc.

Seeing, therefore, that as Cicero, 2. Officior. saith, “Proxime et secundum Deos, homines hominibus maxime utiles esse possunt;” and that men are congregated into cities and commonwealths for honesty and utility’s sake, these shortly be the commodities that do come by cities, commonalties, and corporations. First, men by this nearness of conversation are withdrawn from barbarous feritie and force to a certain mildness of manners, and to humanity and justice; whereby they are contented to give and take right, to and from their equals and inferiors, and to hear and obey their heads and superiors. Also the doctrine of God is more fitly delivered, and the discipline thereof more aptly to be executed, in peopled towns than abroad, by reason of the facility of common and often assembling; and consequently such inhabitants be better managed in order, and better instructed in wisdom: whereof it came to pass, that at the first, they that excelled others this way, were called astuti, of the Greek word ἄστυ, which signifieth a city, although the term be now declined to the worst part, and do betoken evil, even as tyrannus, sophista, and some such other originally good words are fallen; and hereof also good behaviour is yet called urbanitas, because it is rather found in cities than elsewhere. In some, by often hearing men be better persuaded in religion, and for that they live in the eyes of others, they be by example the more easily trained to justice, and by shamefastness restrained from injury.

And whereas commonwealths and kingdoms cannot have, next after God, any surer foundation than the love and goodwill of one man towards another, that also is closely bred and maintained in cities, where men by mutual society and companying together, do grow to alliances, commonalties, and corporations.

The liberal sciences and learnings of all sorts, which be lumina reipublicæ, do flourish only in peopled towns; without the which a realm is in no better case than a man that lacketh both his eyes.

Manual arts, or handicrafts, as they have for the most part been invented in towns and cities, so they cannot anywhere else be either maintained or amended. The like is to be said of merchandise, under which name I comprehend all manner of buying, selling, bartering, exchanging, communicating of things that men need to and fro. Wealth and riches, which are truly called subsidia belli, et ornamenta pacis, are increased chiefly in towns and cities both to the prince and people.

The necessity of the poor and needy is in such places both sooner to be espied, and hath means to be more charitably relieved.

The places themselves be surer refuges in all extremities of foreign invasion, and the inhabitants be a ready hand and strength of men, with munition to oppress intestine sedition.

Moreover, forasmuch as the force of the wars of our time consisteth chiefly in shot, all other soldiers being either horsemen or footmen, armed on land, or mariners at the sea, it seemeth to me that citizens and townsmen be as fit to be employed in any of these services, that on horseback only excepted, as the inhabitants that be drawn out of the country.

Furthermore, even as these societies and assemblies of men in cities and great towns are a continual bridle against tyranny, which was the cause that Tarquin, Nero, Dionysius, and such others, have always sought to weaken them: so, being well tempered, they are a strong fort and bulwark, not only in the aristocracy, but also in the lawful kingdom or just royalty.

At once the propagation of religion, the execution of good policy, the exercise of charity, and the defence of the country, is best performed by towns and cities; and this civil life approacheth nearest to the shape of that mystical body whereof Christ is the head, and men be the members; whereupon both at the first, that man of God Moses, in the commonwealth of the Israelites, and the governors of all countries, in all ages since, have continually maintained the same; and to change it were nothing else but to metamorphose the world, and to make wild beasts of reasonable men. To stand longer upon this it were, in re non dubia, uti oratione non necessaria; and therefore I will come to London.

FOOTNOTE:

[306] Sic in Stow; Strype corrects it into πολεύω.Return to passage

THE SINGULARITIES OF THE CITY OF LONDON

Whatsoever is said of cities generally, maketh also for London specially; howbeit, these things are particularly for our purpose to be considered in it. The situation; the former estimation that it hath had; the service that it hath done; the present estate and government of it, and such benefits as do grow to the realm by the maintenance thereof.

This realm hath only three principal rivers, whereon a royal city may well be situated: Trent, in the north, Severn in the south-west, and Thames in the south-east; of the which Thames, both for the straight course in length reacheth furthest into the belly of the land, and for the breadth and stillness of the water is most navigable up and down the stream; by reason whereof London, standing almost in the middle of that course, is more commodiously served with provision of necessaries than any town standing upon the other two rivers can be, and doth also more easily communicate to the rest of the realm the commodities of her own intercourse and traffic.

This river openeth indifferently upon France and Flanders, our mightiest neighbours, to whose doings we ought to have a bent eye and special regard; and this city standeth thereon in such convenient distance from the sea, as it is not only near enough for intelligence of the affairs of those princes, and for the resistance of their attempts, but also sufficiently removed from the fear of any sudden dangers that may be offered by them; whereas for the prince of this realm to dwell upon Trent were to turn his back or blind side to his most dangerous borderers; and for him to rest and dwell upon Severn were to be shut up in a cumbersome corner, which openeth but upon Ireland only, a place of much less importance.

Neither could London be pitched so commodiously upon any other part of the same river of Thames as where it now standeth; for if it were removed more to the west it should lose the benefit of the ebbing and flowing, and if it were seated more towards the east it should be nearer to danger of the enemy, and further both from the good air and from doing good to the inner parts of the realm; neither may I omit that none other place is so plentifully watered with springs as London is.

And whereas, amongst other things, corn and cattle, hay and fuel, be of great necessity; of the which cattle may be driven from afar, and corn may easily be transported. But hay and fuel, being of greater bulk and burthen, must be at hand: only London, by the benefit of this situation and river, may be sufficiently served therewith. In which respect an alderman of London reasonably (as me thought) affirmed, that although London received great nourishment by the residence of the prince, the repair of the parliament and courts of justice, yet it stood principally by the advantage of the situation upon the river; for when, as on a time, it was told him by a courtier that Queen Mary, in her displeasure against London, had appointed to remove with the parliament and term to Oxford, this plain man demanded whether she meant also to divert the river of Thames from London, or no? and when the gentleman had answered “No,” “Then,” quoth the alderman, “by God’s grace, we shall do well enough at London, whatsoever become of the term and parliament.” I myself being then a young scholar at Oxford, did see great preparation made towards that term and parliament, and do well remember that the common opinion and voice was, that they were not holden there, because provision of hay could not be made in all the country to serve for ten whole days together, and yet is that quarter plentifully stored with hay for the proportion of the shire itself.

For proof of the ancient estimation of London, I will not use the authority of the British history, nor of such as follow it (although some hold it credible enough that London was first Trinobantum civitas, or Troja nova, that famous city in our histories, and then Ludstoune, and by corruption London, as they report), because they be not of sufficient force to draw the gainsayers. Neither will I stand much upon that honourable testimony which Gervas. Tilburiens. giveth to London in his book, De Otiis Imperialibus, saying thus, concerning the blessing of God towards it:--“In Urbe London. exceptione habet divulgatum id per omnes æquè gentes Lucani proverbium:

Invida fatorum series summisque negatum Stare diu.

“Nam ea annis 354 ante Romam condita nunquam amisit principatum, nec bello consumpta est.”

But I will rather use the credit of one or two ancient foreign writers, and then descend to later histories. Cornel. Tacitus, lib. 4. Annal., saith, “Londinum copia negociatorum, et comeatu maxime celebris,” and Herodian, in the Life of Severus the emperor, saith, “Londinum urbs magna et opulenta.” Beda, lib. Ecclesiastic. 10. chap. 29, showeth that Pope Gregory appointed two archbishops’ sees in England, the one at London, the other at York. King Ethelstane, in his laws, appointing how many mint-masters should be in each city, allotteth eight to London, and not so many to any other city. The penner of those laws, that are said to be made by Edward the Confessor, and confirmed by William the Conqueror, saith, “London est caput Regni, et Legum.” King Henry I., in the third chapter of his Laws, commandeth that no citizen of London should be amerced above one hundred shillings for any pecuniary pain. The great charter of England, that Helena for which there was so long and so great war and contention, in the ninth chapter, saith, “Civitas London. habeat omnes suas Libertates antiquas,” etc. About the time of King John London was reputed “regni firmata Columna,” as Alexander Neckham writeth; and in the beginning of the reign of Richard II. it was called “Camera regis,” as Thomas Walsingham reporteth. I pass over the recital of the Saxon charter of King William the Conqueror, the Latin charter of Henry I. and II., of Richard I., of John, and of Edward I., all which gave unto the citizens of London great privileges, and of Edward III., who reciting all the grants of his predecessors, not only confirmed but also increased the same, and of the latter kings, who have likewise added many things thereunto. Only I wish to be noted by them, that during all this time, all those wise and politic princes have thought it fit, not only to maintain London in such plight as they found it, but also to adorn, increase, and amplify it with singular tokens of their liberal favour and good liking. And whether there be not now the same or greater causes to draw the like, or better estimation and cherishing, let any man be judge, that will take the pains to compare the present estate of London, yet still growing to better, with the former condition of the same.

It were too much to recite particularly the martial services that this city hath done from time to time; neither do I think that they be all committed to writing; only for a taste, as it were, I will note these few following.

Almost sixty years before the Conquest a huge army of the Danes (whereof King Sweyne was the leader) besieged King Etheldred in London (than the which, as the story saith, then he had none other refuge), but they were manfully repulsed, and a great number of them slain.

After the death of this Sweyne, his son Canutus (afterward king of England) besieged London, both by land and water; but after much labour, finding it impregnable, he departed; and in the same year repairing his forces, he girded it with a new siege, in the which the citizens so defended themselves, and offended him, that in the end he went away with shame.

In the dissension that arose between King Edward the Confessor and his father-in-law, Earl Goodwin (which was the mightiest subject within this land that ever I have read of), the earl with a great army came to London, and was for all that by the countenance of the citizens resisted, till such time as the nobility made reconciliation between them. About seventy years after the Conquest, Maude, the empress, made war upon King Stephen for the right of the crown, and had taken his person prisoner; but, by the strength and assistance of the Londoners and Kentishmen, Maude was put to flight at Winchester, and her brother Robert, then earl of Gloucester, was taken, in exchange for whom King Stephen was delivered: I dispute not whose right was better, but I avouch the service, seeing Stephen was in possession.

The history of William Walworth, the mayor of London, is well known; by whose manhood and policy the person of King Richard II. was rescued, the city saved, Wat Tiler killed, and all his straglers discomfited; in reward of which service, the mayor and other aldermen were knighted.

Jack Cade also having discomfited the king’s army that was sent against him, came to London, and was there manfully and with long fight resisted, until that by the good policy of the citizens his company was dispersed.

Finally, in the 10th year of the reign of King Edward IV., and not many days before the death of Henry VI., Thomas Nevill, commonly called the bastard of Fauconbridge, armed a great company against the king, and being denied passage through London, he assaulted it on divers parts; but he was repulsed by the citizens, and chased as far as Stratford, with the loss of a great many.

Thus much of certain their principal and personal services in war only, for it were infinite to repeat the particular aids of men and money which London hath ministered; and I had rather to leave it to be conjectured at, by comparison to be made between it and other cities, whereof I will give you this one note for an example. In the 12th year of the reign of King Edward II., it was ordered by parliament that every city of the realm should make out soldiers against the Scots; at which time London was appointed to send two hundred men, and Canterbury, being then one of our best cities, forty, and no more: and this proportion of five to one is now in our age increased, at the least five to one, both in soldiers and subsidy. As for the other services that London hath done in times of peace, they are to be measured by consideration of the commodities, whereof I will speak anon. In the mean season, let the estate and government of this city be considered, to the end that it may appear that it standeth well with the policy of the realm.

Cæsar, in his Commentaries, is witness, that in his time the cities of Britain had large territories annexed unto them, and were several estates of themselves, governed by particular kings, or potentates, as in Italy and Germany yet be; and that Mandubratius was king of the Trinobants, whose chief city London is taken to have been. And I find not that this government was altered either by Cæsar or his successors, notwithstanding that the country became tributary unto them: but that it continued until at length the Britons themselves reduced all their peoples into one monarchy; howbeit, that lasted not any long season, for upon Vortiger their king came the Saxons our ancestors, and they drave the Britons into Wales, Cornwall, and Bretagne in France, and in process of war divided the country amongst themselves into an heptarchy, or seven kingdoms; of the which one was called the kingdom of the East Saxons, which having in manner the same limits that the bishopric of London now enjoyeth, contained Essex, Middlesex, and a part of Hertfordshire, and so included London. Again, it appeareth, that in course of time, and about eight hundred years after Christ, Egbert (then king of the West Saxons), ut pisces sæpe minutos magnus comest, overcame the rest of the kings, and once more erected a monarchy; the which till the coming in of the Normans, and from thence even hitherto hath continued.

Now I doubt not (whatsoever London was in the time of Cæsar), but that under the heptarchy and monarchy it hath been a subject, and no free city, though happily endowed with some large privileges, for King William the Conqueror found a portreeve there, whose name was Godfrey (by which name he greeteth him in his Saxon Charter), and his office was none other than the charge of a bailiff or reeve, as by the self-same name continuing yet in Gravesend, and certain other places, may well appear: but the Frenchmen, using their own language, called him sometimes a provost and sometime a bailiff: whatsoever his name and office were, he was perpetuus magistratus, given by the prince, and not chosen by the citizens, as it seemeth; for what time King Richard I. needed money towards his expedition in the Holy Land, they first purchased of him the liberty to choose yearly from amongst themselves two bailiffs; and King John, his successor, at their like suit, changed their bailiffs into a mayor and two sheriffs. To these Henry III. added aldermen, at the first eligible yearly, but afterward by King Edward III. made perpetual magistrates and justices of the peace within their wards, in which plight of government it presently standeth. This, shortly as I could, is the historical and outward estate of London; now come I to the inward pith and substance.

The estate of this city is to be examined by the quantity and by the quality.

The quantity therefore consisteth in the number of the citizens which is very great, and far exceedeth the proportion of Hippodamus, which appointed ten thousand, and of others which have set down other numbers, as meet stintes in their opinions to be well governed; but yet seeing both reason and experience have freed us from the law of any definite number, so that other things be observed, let that be admitted: neither is London, I fear me, so great as populous; for well saith one, “Non idem est magna civitas et frequens, magna est enim quæ multos habet qui arma ferre possunt:” whatsoever the number be, it breedeth no fear of sedition; forasmuch as the same consisteth not in the extremes, but in a very mediocrity of wealth and riches, as it shall better appear anon.

And if the causes of English rebellions be searched out, they shall be found in effect to be these twain, ambition and covetousness; of which the first reigneth in the minds of high and noble personages, or of such others as seek to be gracious and popular, and have robbed the hearts of the multitude; whereas in London, if any where in the world, honos vere onus est, and every man rather shunneth than seeketh the mayoralty, which is the best mark amongst them; neither hath there been any strong faction, nor any man more popular than the rest, forasmuch as the government is by a pattern, as it were, and always the same, how often soever they change their magistrate. Covetousness, that other sire of sedition, possesseth the miserable and needy sort, and such as be naughty packs, unthrifts, which although it cannot be chosen, but that in a frequent city as London is, there shall be found many, yet bear they not any great sway, seeing the multitude and most part there is of a competent wealth, and earnestly bent to honest labour. I confess that London is a mighty arm and instrument to bring any great desire to effect, if it may be known to a man’s devotion; whereof also there want not examples in the English history. But forasmuch as the same is, by the like reason, serviceable and meet to impeach any disloyal attempt, let it rather be well governed than evil liked therefore; for it shall appear anon, that as London hath adhered to some rebellions, so hath it resisted many, and was never the author of any one. The quality of this city consisteth either in the law and government thereof, or in the degrees and condition of the citizens or in their strength and riches.

It is besides the purpose to dispute, whether the estate of the government here be a democracy or aristocracy; for whatever it be, being considered in itself, certain it is, that in respect of the whole realm, London is but a citizen and no city, a subject and no free estate, an obedienciary and no place endowed with any distinct or absolute power; for it is governed by the same law that the rest of the realm is, both in causes criminal and civil, a few customs only excepted, which also are to be adjudged or forejudged by the common law. And in the assembly of the estates of our realm (which we call parliament) they are but a member of the commonalty, and send two burgesses for their city, as every poor borough doth, and two knights for their county, as every other shire doth; and are as straitly bound by such laws as any part of the realm is, for if contribution in subsidy of money to the prince be decreed, the Londoners have none exemption; no, not so much as to assess themselves, for the prince doth appoint the commissioners.

If soldiers must be mustered, Londoners have no law to keep themselves at home; if provision for the prince’s household be to be made, their goods are not privileged. In sum, therefore, the government of London differeth not in substance, but in ceremony, from the rest of the realm, as, namely, in the names and choice of their officers, and in their guilds and fraternities, established for the maintenance of handicrafts and labourers, and for equity and good order to be kept in buying and selling. And yet in these also are they to be controlled by the general law; for by the statutes, 28 Edward III. chap. 10, and 1 Henry IV. chap. 15, the points of their misgovernment are inquirable by the inhabitants of the foreign shires adjoining, and punishable by such justiciars as the prince shall thereunto depute: to conclude, therefore, the estate of London, for government, is so agreeable a symphony with the rest, that there is no fear of dangerous discord to ensue thereby.

The multitude (or whole body) of this populous city is two ways to be considered, generally and specially: generally, they be natural subjects, a part of the commons of this realm, and are by birth for the most part a mixture of all countries of the same; by blood gentlemen, yeomen, and of the basest sort, without distinction, and by profession busy bees, and travailers for their living in the hive of this commonwealth; but specially considered, they consist of these three parts,--merchants, handicraftsmen, and labourers.

Merchandise is also divided into these three sorts,--navigation, by the which merchandizes are brought, and carried in and out over the seas; invection, by the which commodities are gathered into the city, and dispersed from thence into the country by land and negotiation, which I may call the keeping of a retailing or standing shop. In common speech, they of the first sort be called merchants, and both the other retailers.

Handicraftsmen be those which do exercise such arts as require both labour and cunning, as goldsmiths, tailors, and haberdashers, skinners, etc.

Labourers and hirelings I call those quorum operæ non artes emuntur, as Tullie saith; of which sort be porters, carmen, watermen, etc.

Again, these three sorts may be considered, either in respect of their wealth or number: in wealth, merchants and some of the chief retailers have the first place; the most part of retailers and all artificers the second or mean place; and hirelings the lowest room: but in number they of the middle place be first, and do far exceed both the rest; hirelings be next, and merchants be the last. Now, out of this, that the estate of London, in the persons of the citizens, is so friendly interlaced, and knit in league with the rest of the realm, not only at their beginning by birth and blood, as I have showed, but also very commonly at their ending by life and conversation, for that merchants and rich men (being satisfied with gain) do for the most part marry their children into the country, and convey themselves, after Cicero’s counsel, “Veluti ex portu in agros et possessiones:” I do infer that there is not only no danger towards the common quiet thereby, but also great occasion and cause of good love and amity. Out of this, that they be generally bent to travel, and do fly poverty, “Per mare, per saxa, per ignes,” as the poet saith: I draw hope that they shall escape the note of many vices which idle people do fall into. And out of this, that they be a great multitude, and that yet the greatest part of them be neither too rich nor too poor, but do live in the mediocrity, I conclude with Aristotle, that the prince needeth not to fear sedition by them, for thus saith he: “Magnæ urbes magis sunt a seditione liberæ, quod in eis dominetur mediocritas; nam in parvis nihil medium est, sunt enim omnes vel pauperes vel opulenti.” I am now to come to the strength and power of this city, which consisteth partly in the number of the citizens themselves, whereof I have spoken before, partly in their riches, and in their warlike furniture; for as touching the strength of the place itself, that is apparent to the eye, and therefore is not to be treated of.

The wealth and warlike furniture of London is either public or private, and no doubt the common treasure cannot be much there, seeing that the revenue which they have hardly sufficeth to maintain their bridge and conduits, and to pay their officers and servants. Their toll doth not any more than pay their fee farm, that they pay to the prince. Their issues for default of appearances be never levied, and the profits of their courts of justice do go to particular men’s hands. Arguments hereof be these two: one, that they can do nothing of extraordinary charge without a general contribution; another, that they have suffered such as have borne the chief office amongst them, and were become bankrupt, to depart the city without relief, which I think they neither would nor could have done, if the common treasure had sufficed to cover their shame; hereof therefore we need not be afraid. The public armour and munition of this city remaineth in the halls of the companies, as it doth throughout the whole realm, for a great part in the parish churches; neither is that kept together, but only for obedience to the law, which commandeth it, and therefore if that threaten danger to the estate, it may by another law be taken from them, and committed to a more safe armoury.

The private riches of London resteth chiefly in the hands of the merchants and retailers, for artificers have not much to spare, and labourers have need that it were given unto them. Now how necessary and serviceable the estate of merchandise is to this realm, it may partly appear by the practice of that peaceable, politic, and rich prince, King Henry VII., of whom Polidore (writing his life) sayeth thus: “Mercatores ille sæpenumero pecunia multa data gratuite juvabat, ut mercatura ars una omnium cunctis æque mortalibus tum commoda, tum necessaria, in suo regno copiosior esset.” But chiefly by the inestimable commodities that grow thereby: for who knoweth not that we have extreme need of many things, whereof foreign countries have great store, and that we may spare many things whereof they have need: or who is ignorant of this, that we have no mines of silver or gold within our realm, so that the increase of our coin and bullion cometh from elsewhere; and yet nevertheless we be both fed, clad, and otherwise served with foreign commodities and delights, as plentiful as with our domestical; which thing cometh to pass by the mean of merchandise only, which importeth necessaries from other countries, and exporteth the superfluities of our own.

For seeing we have no way to increase our treasure by mines of gold or silver at home, and can have nothing without money or ware from other countries abroad, it followeth necessarily, that if we follow the counsel of that good old husband, Marcus Cato, saying, “Oportet patrem familias vendacem esse, non emacem,” and do carry more commodities in value over the seas than we bring hither from thence, that then the realm shall receive that overplus in money; but if we bring from beyond the seas merchandise of more value than that which we do send over may countervail, then the realm payeth for that overplus in ready money, and consequently is a loser by that ill husbandry; and therefore in this part great and heedful regard must be had that symmetry and due proportion be kept, lest otherwise either the realm be defrauded of her treasure, or the subjects corrupted in vanity, by excessive importation of superfluous and needless merchandise, or else that we feel penury, even in our greatest plenty and store, by immoderate exportation of our own needful commodities.

Other the benefits that merchandise bringeth shall hereafter appear in the general recital of the commodities that come by London; and therefore it resteth that I speak a word of retailers, and finally show that much good groweth by them both. The chief part of retailing is but a handmaid to merchandise, dispersing by piecemeal that which the merchant bringeth in gross; of which trade be mercers, vintners, haberdashers, ironmongers, milliners, and all such as sell wares growing or made beyond the seas; and therefore so long as merchandise itself shall be profitable, and such proportion kept as neither we lose our treasure thereby, nor be cloyed with unnecessary foreign wares, this kind of retailing is to be retained also.

Now that merchants and retailers of London be very rich and great, it is so far from any harm, that it is a thing both praiseworthy and profitable; for “Mercatura (saith Cicero), si tenuis est, sordida putanda est; sin magna est et copiosa, non est vituperanda.” And truly merchants and retailers do not altogether intus canere, and profit themselves only, for the prince and realm both are enriched by their riches: the realm winneth treasure, if their trade be so moderated by authority that it break not proportion, and they besides bear a good fleece, which the prince may shear when he seeth good.

But here, before I conclude this part, I have shortly to answer the accusation of those men, which charge London with the loss and decay of many (or most) of the ancient cities, corporate towns, and markets within this realm, by drawing from them to herself alone, say they, both all trade of traffic by sea, and the retailing of wares and exercise of manual arts also. Touching navigation, which I must confess is apparently decayed in many port towns, and flourisheth only or chiefly at London, I impute that partly to the fall of the Staple, the which being long since a great trade, and bestowed sometimes at one town and sometimes at another within the realm, did much enrich the place where it was, and being now not only diminished in force, but also translated over the seas, cannot but bring some decay with it, partly to the impairing of havens, which in many places have impoverished those towns, whose estate doth ebb and flow with them, and partly to the dissolution of religious houses, by whose wealth and haunt many of those places were chiefly fed and nourished. I mean not to rehearse particular examples of every sort, for the thing itself speaketh, and I haste to an end.

As for retailers, therefore, and handicraftsmen, it is no marvel if they abandon country towns, and resort to London; for not only the court, which is now-a-days much greater and more gallant than in former times, and which was wont to be contented to remain with a small company, sometimes at an abbey or priory, sometimes at a bishop’s house, and sometimes at some mean manor of the king’s own, is now for the most part either abiding at London, or else so near unto it, that the provision of things most fit for it may easily be fetched from thence; but also by occasion thereof, the gentlemen of all shires do fly and flock to this city; the younger sort of them to see and show vanity, and the elder to save the cost and charge of hospitality and house-keeping.

For hereby it cometh to pass, that the gentlemen being either for a good portion of the year out of the country, or playing the farmers, graziers, brewers, or such like, more than gentlemen were wont to do within the country, retailers and artificers, at the least of such things as pertain to the back or belly, do leave the country towns, where there is no vent, and do fly to London, where they be sure to find ready and quick market. And yet I wish, that even as many towns in the low countries of King Philip do stand, some by one handy art, and some by another; so also that it might be provided here that the making of some things might (by discreet dispensation) be allotted to some special towns, to the end, that although the daintiness of men cannot be restrained, which will needs seek those things at London, yet other places also might be relieved, at the least by the workmanship of them.

Thus much then of the estate of London, in the government thereof, in the condition of the citizens, and in their power and riches. Now follow the enumeration of such benefits as redound to the prince and this realm by this city: in which doing I profess not to rehearse all, but only to recite and run over the chief and principal of them.

Besides the commodities of the furtherance of religion and justice, the propagation of learning, the maintenance of arts, the increase of riches, and the defence of countries (all which are before showed to grow generally by cities, and be common to London with them), London bringeth singularly these good things following.

By advantage of the situation it disperseth foreign wares (as the stomach doth meat) to all the members most commodiously.

By the benefit of the river of Thames, and great trade of merchandise, it is the chief maker of mariners, and nurse of our navy; and ships (as men know) be the wooden walls for defence of our realm.

It maintaineth in flourishing estate the countries of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and Sussex, which as they lie in the face of our most puissant neighbour, so ought they above others to be conserved in the greatest strength and riches; and these, as it is well known, stand not so much by the benefit of their own soil, as by the neighbourhood and nearness which they have to London.

It relieveth plentifully, and with good policy, not only her own poor people, a thing which scarcely any other town or shire doth, but also the poor that from each quarter of the realm do flock unto it, and it imparteth liberally to the necessity of the universities besides. It is an ornament to the realm by the beauty thereof, and a terror to other countries, by reason of the great wealth and frequency. It spreadeth the honour of our country far abroad by her long navigations, and maketh our power feared, even of barbarous princes. It only is stored with rich merchants, which sort only is tolerable; for beggarly merchants do bite too near, and will do more harm than good to the realm.

It only of any place in this realm is able to furnish the sudden necessity with a strong army. It availeth the prince in tronage, poundage, and other her customs, much more than all the rest of the realm.

It yieldeth a greater subsidy than any one part of the realm; I mean not for the proportion of the value of the goods only, but also for the faithful service there used, in making the assess, for no where else be men taxed so near to their just value as in London; yea, many are found there, that for their countenance and credit sake, refuse not to be rated above their ability, which thing never happeneth abroad in the country. I omit that in ancient time the inhabitants of London and other cities were accustomably taxed after the tenth of their goods, when the country was assessed at the fifteenth, and rated at the eighth; when the country was set at the twelfth, for that were to awake a sleeping dog; and I should be thought “dicenda, tacenda, locutus,” as the poet said.

It only doth and is able to make the prince a ready present or loan of money.

It only is found fit and able to entertain strangers honourably, and to receive the prince of the realm worthily.

Almighty God (qui nisi custodiat civitatem, frustrà vigilat custos) grant that her majesty evermore rightly esteem and rule this city; and he give grace, that the citizens may answer duty, as well towards God and her majesty, as towards this whole realm and country. Amen.

AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING THE EXAMINATION OF SUCH CAUSES AS HAVE HERETOFORE MOVED THE PRINCES EITHER TO FINE AND RANSOM THE CITIZENS OF LONDON, OR TO SEIZE THE LIBERTIES OF THE CITY ITSELF.

These all may be reduced to these few heads; for either the citizens have adhered, in aid or arms, to such as have warred upon the prince, or they have made tumult, and broken the common peace at home; or they have misbehaved themselves in point of government and justice; or finally, and to speak the plain truth, the princes have taken hold of small matters, and coined good sums of money out of them.

To the first head I will refer whatsoever they have done, either in those wars that happened between King Stephen and Maude the empress, being competitors of the crown, or between King John and his nobles, assisting Lewis, the French king’s son, when he invaded the realm; for it is apparent by all histories that the Londoners were not the movers of these wars, but were only used as instruments to maintain them. The like is to be said of all the offences that King Henry III., whose whole reign was a continual warfare, conceived against this city, concerning the bearing of armour against him; for the first part of his reign was spent in the continuation of those wars that his father had begun with Lewis; and the rest of his life he bestowed in that contention, which was commonly called the Barons’ wars: in which tragedy London, as it could not be otherwise, had now and then a part, and had many a snub at the king’s hand for it: but in the end, when he had triumphed over Simon Montford at Evesham, London felt it most tragical; for then he both seized their liberties and sucked themselves dry; and yet Edictum Kenilworth, made shortly after, hath an honourable testimony for London, saying, “Te London laudamus,” etc. As for the other offences that he took against the Londoners, they pertain to the other parts of my division.

Next after this, against whom the Londoners did put on arms, followeth King Edward II., who in the end was deprived of his kingdom, not by their means, but by a general defection both of his own wife and son, and almost of the whole nobility and realm besides. In which trouble, that furious assault and slaughter committed by them upon the bishop of Excester, then treasurer of the realm, is to be imputed partly to the sway of the time wherewith they were carried, and partly to a private displeasure which they had to the bishop.

Finally cometh to hand King Richard II.; for these three only, in all the catalogue of our kings, have been heavy lords to London, who also had much contention with his nobility, and was in the end deposed. But whatsoever countenance and aid the city of London brought to the wars and uproars of that time, it is notoriously true that London never led the dance, but ever followed the pipe of the nobility. To close up this first part, therefore, I affirm, that in all the troublesome actions during the reign of these three kings, as also in all that heaving in and hurling out that afterward happened between King Henry VI. and King Edward IV., the city of London was many times a friend and fautor, but never the first motive or author of any intestine war or sedition.

In the second room I place a couple of tumultuous affrays that chanced in the days of King Richard I.; the one upon the day of his coronation against the Jews, which, contrary to the king’s own proclamation, would needs enter the church to see him sacred, and were therefore cruelly handled by the common people. The other was caused by William with the long beard, who after that he had inflamed the poor people against the richer sort, and was called to answer for his fault, took Bow church for sanctuary, and kept it, castle-like, till he was fired out.

Here is place also for the stoning to death of a gentleman, servant to the half-brother of King Henry III., which had before provoked the citizens to fury by wounding divers of them without any cause, 1257; for the riotous fray between the servants of the goldsmiths and the tailors, 1268; for the hurly burly and bloodshed between the Londoners and the men of Westminster, moved by the young men upon an occasion of a wrestling on St. James’ day, 1221; and made worse by one Constantine, an ancient citizen, for the brawl and business that arose about a baker’s loaf at Salisbury place, 1391; for the which, and some other misdemeanours, King Richard II. was so incensed by evil counsel against the Londoners, that he determined to destroy them and raze their city: and for the fight that was between the citizens and sanctuary men of St. Martin’s, 1454, under King Henry VI.: and finally, for the misrule on evil May-day 1519, and for such other like, if there have been any.

To the third head may be referred the seizure of their liberties, for a false judgment given against a poor widow, called Margaret Viel, 1246; the two several seizures in one year, 1258, for false packing in collections of money and other enormities; and finally the seizure made by King Edward I. for taking of bribes of the bakers, 1285. But all this security in seizing and resuming of the liberties, which was in old time the only ordinary punishment, was at length mitigated by King Edward III. and King Henry IV., in their statutes before remembered.

In the last place stand those offences, which I repute rather taken than given, and do fall within the measure of the adage, “Ut canem cædas, cito invenias baculum:” for King John, in the 10th of his reign, deposed the bailiffs of London, because they had bought up the wheat in the market, so that there was not to serve his purveyors. King Henry III., his son, compelled the Londoners to pay him five thousand pounds, because they had lent to Lewis, the French king, the like sum, of a good mind to dispatch him out of their city and the realm, at such time as the protector and the whole nobility fell to composition with him for his departure. And the same king fined them at three thousand marks for the escape of a prisoner out of Newgate, of whom they took no charge; for he was a clerk, prisoner to the bishop of London, under the custody of his own servants; and as for the place, it was only borrowed of the Londoners to serve that turn. Hitherto of these things to this end, that whatsoever misdemeanour shall be objected out of history against London, the same may herein appear, both in its true place and proper colour.

FITZSTEPHEN’S DESCRIPTION OF LONDON

OF THE SITUATION OF THE SAME

Amongst the noble and celebrated cities of the world, that of London, the capital of the kingdom of England, is one of the most renowned, possessing above all others abundant wealth, extensive commerce, great grandeur and magnificence. It is happy in the salubrity of its climate, in the profession of the Christian religion, in the strength of its fortresses, the nature of its situation, the honour of its citizens, and the chastity of its matrons; in its sports too it is most pleasant, and in the production of illustrious men most fortunate. All which things I wish separately to consider.

OF THE MILDNESS OF THE CLIMATE

There then

“Men’s minds are soft’ned by a temp’rate clime,”

not so however that they are addicted to licentiousness, but so that they are not savage and brutal, but rather kind and generous.

OF THE RELIGION

There is in St. Paul’s church an episcopal see: it was formerly metropolitan, and, it is thought, will be so again, should the citizens return to the island: unless perhaps the archiepiscopal title of St. Thomas, and his bodily presence there, should always retain that dignity at Canterbury, where it now is. But as St. Thomas has ennobled both these cities, London by his birth, and Canterbury by his death, each of them, with respect to the saint, has much to allege against the other, and with justice too. As regards divine worship, there are also in London and in the suburbs thirteen larger conventual churches, besides one hundred and thirty-six lesser parochial ones.

OF THE STRENGTH OF THE CITY

On the east stands the Palatine tower, a fortress of great size and strength, the court and walls of which are erected upon a very deep foundation, the mortar used in the building being tempered with the blood of beasts. On the west are two castles strongly fortified; the wall of the city is high and thick, with seven double gates, having on the north side towers placed at proper intervals. London formerly had walls and towers in like manner on the south, but that most excellent river the Thames, which abounds with fish, and in which the tide ebbs and flows, runs on that side, and has in a long space of time washed down, undermined, and subverted the walls in that part. On the west also, higher up on the bank of the river, the royal palace rears its head, an incomparable structure, furnished with a breastwork and bastions, situated in a populous suburb, at a distance of two miles from the city.

OF THE GARDENS

Adjoining to the houses on all sides lie the gardens of those citizens that dwell in the suburbs, which are well furnished with trees, spacious and beautiful.

OF THE PASTURE AND TILLAGE LANDS

On the north side too are fields for pasture, and a delightful plain of meadow land, interspersed with flowing streams, on which stand mills, whose clack is very pleasing to the ear. Close by lies an immense forest, in which are densely wooded thickets, the coverts of game, stags, fallow-deer, boars, and wild bulls. The tillage lands of the city are not barren gravelly soils, but like the fertile plains of Asia, which produce abundant crops, and fill the barns of their cultivators with

“Ceres’ plenteous sheaf.”

OF THE SPRINGS

There are also round London, on the northern side, in the suburbs, excellent springs; the water of which is sweet, clear, and salubrious,

“’Mid glistening pebbles gliding playfully:”

amongst which, Holywell, Clerkenwell, and St. Clement’s well, are of most note, and most frequently visited, as well by the scholars from the schools, as by the youth of the city when they go out to take the air in the summer evenings. The city is delightful indeed, when it has a good governor.

OF THE HONOUR OF THE CITIZENS

This city is ennobled by her men, graced by her arms, and peopled by a multitude of inhabitants; so that in the wars under King Stephen there went out to a muster, of armed horsemen, esteemed fit for war, twenty thousand, and of infantry sixty thousand. The citizens of London are respected and noted above all other citizens for the elegance of their manners, dress, table, and discourse.

OF THE MATRONS

The matrons of the city are perfect Sabines.

OF THE SCHOOLS

The three principal churches possess, by privilege and ancient dignity, celebrated schools; yet often, by the favour of some person of note, or of some learned men eminently distinguished for their philosophy, other schools are permitted upon sufferance. On festival days the masters assemble their pupils at those churches where the feast of the patron saint is solemnised; and there the scholars dispute, some in the demonstrative way, and others logically; some again recite enthymemes, while others use the more perfect syllogism. Some, to show their abilities, engage in such disputation as is practised among persons contending for victory alone; others dispute upon a truth, which is the grace of perfection. The sophisters, who argue upon feigned topics, are deemed clever according to their fluency of speech and command of language. Others endeavour to impose by false conclusions. Sometimes certain orators in their rhetorical harangues employ all the powers of persuasion, taking care to observe the precepts of the art, and to omit nothing apposite to the subject. The boys of the different schools wrangle with each other in verse, and contend about the principles of grammar or the rules of the perfect and future tenses. There are some who in epigrams, rhymes, and verses, use that trivial raillery so much practised amongst the ancients, freely attacking their companions with Fescennine licence, but suppressing the names, discharging their scoffs and sarcasms against them, touching with Socratic wit the failings of their schoolfellows, or perhaps of greater personages, or biting them more keenly with a Theonine tooth. The audience,

“well disposed to laugh, With curling nose double the quivering peals.”

OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE AFFAIRS OF THE CITY ARE DISPOSED

The artizans of the several crafts, the vendors of the various commodities, and the labourers of every kind, have each their separate station, which they take every morning. There is also in London, on the bank of the river, amongst the wine-shops which are kept in ships and cellars, a public eating-house: there every day, according to the season, may be found viands of all kinds, roast, fried, and boiled, fish large and small, coarser meat for the poor, and more delicate for the rich, such as venison, fowls, and small birds. If friends, wearied with their journey, should unexpectedly come to a citizen’s house, and, being hungry, should not like to wait till fresh meat be bought and cooked:

“The canisters with bread are heap’d on high; The attendants water for their hands supply:”--DRYDEN.

Meanwhile some run to the river side, and there every thing that they could wish for is instantly procured. However great the number of soldiers or strangers that enters or leaves the city at any hour of the day or night, they may turn in there if they please, and refresh themselves according to their inclination; so that the former have no occasion to fast too long, or the latter to leave the city without dining. Those who wish to indulge themselves would not desire a sturgeon, or the bird of Africa, or the godwit of Ionia, when the delicacies that are to be found there are set before them. This indeed is the public cookery, and is very convenient to the city, and a distinguishing mark of civilisation. Hence we read in Plato’s Gorgias, “Juxta medicinam esse coquorum officium, simulantium et adulationem quartæ particulæ civilitatis.” There is, without one of the gates, immediately in the suburb, a certain smooth field in name and in reality. There every Friday, unless it be one of the more solemn festivals, is a noted show of well-bred horses exposed for sale. The earls, barons, and knights, who are at the time resident in the city, as well as most of the citizens, flock thither either to look on or buy. It is pleasant to see the nags, with their sleek and shining coats, smoothly ambling along, raising and setting down alternately, as it were, their feet on either side: in one part are horses better adapted to esquires; these, whose pace is rougher but yet expeditious, lift up and set down, as it were, the two opposite fore and hind feet together; in another the young blood colts, not yet accustomed to the bridle,

“Which upright walk on pasterns firm and straight, Their motions easy, prancing in their gait.”--DRYDEN.

in a third are the horses for burden, strong and stout-limbed; and in a fourth, the more valuable chargers, of an elegant shape and noble height, with nimbly moving ears, erect necks, and plump haunches. In the movements of these the purchasers observe first their easy pace, and then their gallop, which is when the fore-feet are raised from the ground and set down together, and the hind ones in like manner, alternately. When a race is to be run by such horses as these, and perhaps by others, which in like manner, according to their breed, are strong for carriage, and vigorous for the course, the people raise a shout, and order the common horses to be withdrawn to another part of the field. The jockeys, who are boys expert in the management of horses, which they regulate by means of curb-bridles, sometimes by threes, and sometimes by twos, according as the match is made, prepare themselves for the contest. Their chief aim is to prevent a competitor getting before them. The horses, too, after their manner, are eager for the race; their limbs tremble, and, impatient of delay, they cannot stand still; upon the signal being given, they stretch out their limbs, hurry over the course, and are borne along with unremitting speed. The riders, inspired with the love of praise and the hope of victory, clap spurs to their flying horses, lashing them with their whips, and inciting them by their shouts. You would think with Heraclitus, that all things were in motion, and that Zeno’s opinion was altogether erroneous, when he said, that there was no such thing as motion, and that it was impossible to reach the goal. In another quarter, apart from the rest, stand the goods of the peasants, implements of husbandry, swine with their long sides, cows with distended udders,

“Oxen of bulk immense, and woolly flocks.”

There, too, stand the mares fitted for the plough, the dray, and the cart, of which some are big with foal, others have their frolicsome colts running close by their sides. To this city, from every nation under heaven, merchants bring their commodities by sea,

“Arabia’s gold, Sabæa’s spice and incense, Scythia’s keen weapons, and the oil of palms From Babylon’s rich soil, Nile’s precious gems, Norway’s warm peltries, Russia’s costly sables, Sera’s rich vestures, and the wines of Gaul, Hither are sent.”

According to the evidence of chroniclers London is more ancient than Rome: for, as both derive their origin from the same Trojan ancestors, this was founded by Brutus before that by Romulus and Remus. Hence it is that, even to this day, both cities use the same ancient laws and ordinances. This, like Rome, is divided into wards; it has annual sheriffs instead of consuls; it has an order of senators and inferior magistrates, and also sewers and aqueducts in its streets; each class of suits, whether of the deliberative, demonstrative, or judicial kind, has its appropriate place and proper court; on stated days it has its assemblies. I think that there is no city in which more approved customs are observed--in attending churches, honouring God’s ordinances, keeping festivals, giving alms, receiving strangers, confirming espousals, contracting marriages, celebrating weddings, preparing entertainments, welcoming guests, and also in the arrangement of the funeral ceremonies and the burial of the dead. The only inconveniences of London are, the immoderate drinking of foolish persons, and the frequent fires. Moreover, almost all the bishops, abbots, and great men of England, are, in a manner, citizens and freemen of London; as they have magnificent houses there, to which they resort, spending large sums of money, whenever they are summoned thither to councils and assemblies by the king or their metropolitan, or are compelled to go there by their own business.

OF THE SPORTS

Let us now proceed to the sports of the city; since it is expedient that a city be not only an object of utility and importance, but also a source of pleasure and diversion. Hence even in the seals of the chief pontiffs, up to the time of Pope Leo, there was engraved on one side of the Bull the figure of St. Peter as a fisherman, and above him a key stretched out to him, as it were, from heaven by the hand of God, and around him this verse--

“For me thou left’st thy ship, receive the key.”

On the obverse side was represented a city, with this inscription, GOLDEN ROME. It was also said in praise of Augustus Cæsar and the city of Rome,

“All night it rains, the shows return with day, Cæsar, thou bear’st with Jove alternate sway.”

London, instead of theatrical shows and scenic entertainments, has dramatic performances of a more sacred kind, either representations of the miracles which holy confessors have wrought, or of the passions and sufferings in which the constancy of martyrs was signally displayed. Moreover, to begin with the sports of the boys (for we have all been boys), annually on the day which is called Shrovetide, the boys of the respective schools bring each a fighting cock to their master, and the whole of that forenoon is spent by the boys in seeing their cocks fight in the school-room. After dinner, all the young men of the city go out into the fields to play at the well-known game of foot-ball. The scholars belonging to the several schools have each their ball; and the city tradesmen, according to their respective crafts, have theirs. The more aged men, the fathers of the players, and the wealthy citizens, come on horseback to see the contests of the young men, with whom, after their manner, they participate, their natural heat seeming to be aroused by the sight of so much agility, and by their participation in the amusements of unrestrained youth. Every Sunday in Lent, after dinner, a company of young men enter the fields, mounted on warlike horses--

“On coursers always foremost in the race;”

of which

“Each steed’s well-train’d to gallop in a ring.”

The lay-sons of the citizens rush out of the gates in crowds, equipped with lances and shields, the younger sort with pikes from which the iron head has been taken off, and there they get up sham fights, and exercise themselves in military combat. When the king happens to be near the city, most of the courtiers attend, and the young men who form the households of the earls and barons, and have not yet attained the honour of knighthood, resort thither for the purpose of trying their skill. The hope of victory animates every one. The spirited horses neigh, their limbs tremble, they champ their bits, and, impatient of delay, cannot endure standing still. When at length

“The charger’s hoof seizes upon the course,”

the young riders having been divided into companies, some pursue those that go before without being able to overtake them, whilst others throw their companions out of their course, and gallop beyond them. In the Easter holidays they play at a game resembling a naval engagement. A target is firmly fastened to the trunk of a tree which is fixed in the middle of the river, and in the prow of a boat driven along by oars and the current stands a young man who is to strike the target with his lance; if, in hitting it, he break his lance, and keep his position unmoved, he gains his point, and attains his desire: but if his lance be not shivered by the blow, he is tumbled into the river, and his boat passes by, driven along by its own motion. Two boats, however, are placed there, one on each side of the target, and in them a number of young men to take up the striker, when he first emerges from the stream, or when

“A second time he rises from the wave.”

On the bridge, and in balconies on the banks of the river, stand the spectators,

“well disposed to laugh.”

During the holydays in summer the young men exercise themselves in the sports of leaping, archery, wrestling, stone-throwing, slinging javelins beyond a mark, and also fighting with bucklers. Cytherea leads the dances of the maidens, who merrily trip along the ground beneath the uprisen moon. Almost on every holyday in winter, before dinner, foaming boars, and huge-tusked hogs, intended for bacon, fight for their lives, or fat bulls or immense boars are baited with dogs. When that great marsh which washes the walls of the city on the north side is frozen over, the young men go out in crowds to divert themselves upon the ice. Some, having increased their velocity by a run, placing their feet apart, and turning their bodies sideways, slide a great way: others make a seat of large pieces of ice like mill-stones, and a great number of them running before, and holding each other by the hand, draw one of their companions who is seated on the ice: if at any time they slip in moving so swiftly, all fall down headlong together. Others are more expert in their sports upon the ice; for fitting to, and binding under their feet the shinbones of some animal, and taking in their hands poles shod with iron, which at times they strike against the ice, they are carried along with as great rapidity as a bird flying or a bolt discharged from a cross-bow. Sometimes two of the skaters having placed themselves a great distance apart by mutual agreement, come together from opposite sides; they meet, raise their poles, and strike each other; either one or both of them fall, not without some bodily hurt: even after their fall they are carried along to a great distance from each other by the velocity of the motion; and whatever part of their heads comes in contact with the ice is laid bare to the very skull. Very frequently the leg or arm of the falling party, if he chance to light upon either of them, is broken. But youth is an age eager for glory and desirous of victory, and so young men engage in counterfeit battles, that they may conduct themselves more valiantly in real ones. Most of the citizens amuse themselves in sporting with merlins, hawks, and other birds of a like kind, and also with dogs that hunt in the woods. The citizens have the right of hunting in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, all the Chilterns, and Kent, as far as the river Cray. The Londoners, then called Trinovantes, repulsed Caius Julius Cæsar, a man who delighted to mark his path with blood. Whence Lucan says,

“Britain he sought, but turn’d his back dismay’d.”

The city of London has produced some men, who have subdued many kingdoms, and even the Roman empire; and very many others, whose virtue has exalted them to the skies, as was promised to Brutus by the oracle of Apollo:

“Brutus, there lies beyond the Gallic bounds An island which the western sea surrounds:

* * * * *

To reach this happy shore thy sails employ: There fate decrees to raise a second Troy, And found an empire in thy royal line Which time shall ne’er destroy, nor bounds confine.”

Since the planting of the Christian religion there, London has given birth to the noble emperor Constantine, who gave the city of Rome and all the insignia of the empire to God and St. Peter, and Pope Sylvester, whose stirrup he held, and chose rather to be called defender of the holy Roman church, than emperor: and that the peace of our lord the Pope might not, by reason of his presence, be disturbed by the turmoils consequent on secular business, he withdrew from the city which he had bestowed upon our lord the Pope, and built for himself the city of Byzantium. London also in modern times has produced illustrious and august princes, the empress Matilda, King Henry the Third, and St. Thomas, the archbishop and glorious martyr of Christ, than whom no man was more guileless or more devoted to all good men throughout the whole Roman world.

INDEX

Abchurch lane, 196

Aeldgate, 29 ff.

Aetheling street. See Watheling street

Alcestone, Manor of, 22

Aldemarie church, 226

Alder street, 30

Aldersgate (Aeldresgate, Ealdersgate), 27, 33

Aldersgate street, 272

Aldersgate ward, 271

Aldgate (Aeldgate), 27

Aldgate ward, 125

Alfred, King, 10

Alhallowes, Bread Street, Church of, 309

Allen, Sir John, 103

Allhallowes, ad fœnum, 210

Allhallowes the Great, Grammar school at, 67, 175

Allhallowes the Less, Church of, 97, 210

Allhallowes the More, Church of, 210

Allhallows, Barking, Church of, 119

Allhallows, Church of (Stane church), 182

Allhallows Grasse church, 181

Allhallows, Honey lane, Church of, 243

Allhallows-in-the-Wall, Church of, 145, 158

Armourers’ hall, 254

Askew, Sir Christopher and Lady, 270

Audley, Thomas, 81, 117

Augustine Friars, Church of, 159, 160

Augustine Papey, Church of, St., 132. See Papey

Austrie, Sir Raph, 222

Ave Mary lane, 34, 280, 303

Axe, The, 74

Bacon house, 272

Bakers’ hall, 121

Bakewell hall (Blakewell hall), 256 ff.

Baldoke, Robert, 35

Bamme, Adam, 99

Barbers-Chirurgeons’ hall, 282

Barbican, Burhkenning, 64, 271

Barnard’s inn, 71

Barnes, John, 98

Basset family, The, 133

Basset, Robert, 30

Bassinges hall street, 248

Bassings family, The, 257, 258

Bassings hall ward, 255

Battailes inn, Abbot of, 371

Battle abbey, 22

Baynard’s castle, 56 ff., 325

Beamore, Richard, 34

Beare lane, 121

Bear gardens, on Bank side, 87

Becket, Thomas, 43, 83, 96

Bedrisworth (Bury St. Edmonds), 32

Belinsgate, 185

Belinsgate (Belins gate), 17, 39, 41, 123. See Billingsgate

Belzettar’s lane (Billitar lane), 126

Benbrige’s inn, 137

Benet, Abbot of Wirrall, 9

Benonye Mittun, 250

Bermondes high street, 359

Bethlehem hospital, 97

Bevis markes, 133. See also Buries markes

Billingsgate ward, 185. See Belinsgate

Birchin lane, 278. See Birchover lane

Birchover lane, 75, 178, 182

Bishopsgate, 27, 30, 31

Bishopsgate ward, 148 ff.

Bishops of London, List of, 424 ff.

Blacke-friers stairs, 38

Blacke Fryers, 63

Blackesmiths’ hall, 315

Blackfriars church, 11

Bladder street, 280

Blanch Apleton, Manor called, 135

Blethenhall (Bethnal-Bednal) green, 30

Blossoms inn, 243

Bollein, Godfrey, 101

Boniface, 336

Bordello, The, 360

Bosse alley, 187

Bourns serving the City, 12

Bow lane, 240

Bowyers’ row, 75

Boyers’ hall, 268

Bread street, 307

Bread street ward, 307

Brewers’ hall, 266

Bricklayers’ hall, 125

Bride lane, 351

Bridewell, 64, 351 ff.

Bridge gate, 40

Bridgegate, 27

Bridgehouse, The, 142

Bridge ward within, 189 ff.

Bridge ward without, 358 ff.

Bridges of the city, 21

Bridges over the town ditch, 26

Broad street ward, 157

Brode street, 15, 158

Brooks serving the City, 12

Browne, Stephen, 100

Brune, Walter, 97

Buckles bury (Bucklesberrie), 74, 205, 232

Budge row, 74, 224

Bulmer, Bevis, 323

Burhkennings, watch-towers, 65, 66

Buries markes, 124, 133. See Bevis markes

Bush lane (Carter lane), 207

Butchers’ alley, 279

Butchers’ hall, 283

Buttolfe wharf, 23

Buttolph’s gate, 22, 40, 186

Cade, Jack, 25, 121, 137, 237

Caire-Lud, or Lud’s town, 3

Cambridge heath, 30

Cambridge University, 66, 157, 347

Campeius, Cardinal, 304

Candlewick street, 74

Candlewick street ward, 194 ff.

Carpenter, Jenken, 35

Carpenter, John, 99

Carpenters’ hall, 158

Castle Baynard ward, 324 ff.

Cavendish, John, 192

Caxton, 421

Cernet’s Tower, 233

Champneis, Sir John, 121

Chancelar lane, 350

Charterhouse lane, 386

Chaucer, 130, 216, 334, 368

Cheape, The, 34, 240 ff.

Cheape ward, 231 ff.

Cheape, West, 74

Chequer alley, 208

Chester’s inn (Strand inn), 71

Chichley, Robert, 100

Chichley, William, 122

Christ’s hospital, 68, 286, 347

Churchman, John, 98

Clarkenwell (Clarkes’ well), 16, 95

Clarkenwell, Priory of, 388

Clarkes’ well, 12

Clement’s inn, 71

Clement’s well, 12, 16

Clifford’s inn, 71

Clinke, The, 362

Clopton, Hugh, 101

Clothworkers’ hall, 121

Coke, Edward, 147

Cold Harbrough, 211

Coleman street, 248

Coleman street ward, 248

Colet, John (Collet), 68, 102, 294, 295

Compter, The, 235, 265, 360

Conduits, 12, 18, 171, 190

Conyhope lane, 232

Cooke’s row, 73

Cooks’ hall, 276

Coopers’ hall, 259

Copped hall (Skinners’ hall), 206

Cordwainers’ hall, 314

Cordwainer street ward, 224

Cordwayner street, 74

Cornehill, 74, 86

Cornhill ward, 168

Cornewallies, Mistress, 126

Coursitors’ office, 390

Court of Arches, 227

Courtein (theatre), The, 377

Cowbridge, 26

Creed lane, 280

Cripplegate, 13, 32, 33

Cripplesgate ward, 260 ff.

Crockers lane, 353

Cromwell, Thomas, 82, 161

Crooked lane, 193

Crosby place, 155

Crosley, Sir John, 155

Culver alley, 126

Curriers’ hall, 266

Curriers’ row, 158

Customers’ key, 41, 123

Cutlers’ hall, 219

Danne, Margaret, 106

Day, John, 33

Distaffe lane. See Mayden lane

Ditch, The, without the wall of the city, 12, 19

Dixie, Sir Wolston, 105

Doctors’ Commons, 328

Dolphin, The, 148, 378

Dowgate, 206

Downe gate, 39

Downegate ward, 206 ff.

Drake, Sir Francis, 207

Drapers’ company, 11, 134 n.

Drapers’ hall, 158, 162

Drury lane, 399

Ducke lane, 335

Dyers’ hall, 212

Eastcheape, 74, 194, 195

Eastfield, Wm., 100

Eayre (Eyre), Simon, 69, 101, 139

Ebgate, 39

Ebgate lane, 40, 191

Edington, William, Bishop of Winchester, 51

Edredes hithe, 221. See Queen’s hithe

Edward, Earl of Derby, 81

Elbow lane, 207

Eldenese lane, 306

Elemosinary (Almonry, Ambry), Westminster, 421

Elie’s inn, Bishop of, 344, 345

Elms, The, Smithfield, 46

Elsing Spittle, 97

Elsing, William, 97

Embroiderers’ hall, 281

Erbar (Herber), The, 80, 205

Ethelred, Earl of Mercia, 10

Ethelwald, Bishop of Winchester, 82

Exchange, The, 50

Fabian, Robert, 101

Fags’ well, 12, 16

Falconar, Thomas, 99

Farringdon ward within, 277 ff.

Farringdon ward without, 331 ff.

Fauster’s lane, 142

Fenchurch street, 15, 133, 180 ff.

Fensburie field, 95

Fewter lane, 332, 348

Ficquetes Croft, 357

Filpot, John, 98

Finkes lane, 158, 164

Fish street hill, 190

Fisher, Jasper, 149

Fishmongers’ hall, 191

Fishmongers’ hall (six), 192

Fisher’s folly, 149, 150, 378

Fitz Alewine, Henry, 174

Fitzmary, Simon, 97

Fitzosbert, William, 46, 228

Fitzstephens, William (William Stephanides), 1

Fitzwalter, Robert, 58 ff.

Fleet dike, 14

Fleet (Fleete) bridge, 13, 26

Fleet (gaol), The, 97

Fleet street, 332, 349

Flower de Luce inn, 371

Foster, Agnes, 37, 106

Foster, Stephen, 37

Founders’ hall, 254

Foxley, William, 55

Friday street, 288, 308

Frosh wharf, 41

Fruiterers’ hall, 217

Fuller, John, 105

Furnival’s inn, 71, 346

Galley key, 121

Galley Row, 122

Garland, The, Little East Cheape, 189

Gates in the wall of the City, 27

Gayspurre lane, 260, 263

Gennings, Stephen, 102, 131

Gerrarde the Giant, 311

Gibson, Avice, 106, 376

Gilda Teutonicorum, 124

Giltspur street, 332

Girdlers’ hall, 256

Gisors hall, 222

Golding lane, 270

Goldsmiths’ company, 12

Goldsmiths’ hall, 273

Goldsmiths’ row, 265, 308

Goswel street, 30

Governors of the City of London, 422

Gower, John, 363

Grantham’s lane, 208, 214

Gra street, 15

Grasse church market, 191

Grasse church street, 93

Grasse street, 75, 142

Gray’s inn, 71

Gray’s inn lane, 389

Gresham house, 159

Gresham, Sir John, 103

Gresham, Sir Thomas, 69, 104

Grey Friars Church, 283

Grocers’ hall, 235

Guildhall, The, 60 ff., 99, 243, 244

Guildhalla Theutonicorum, 31, 208, 261

Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, 42

Gutheron’s (Guthurun’s, Guthurons) lane, 49, 142, 281

Haberdashers’ hall, 260, 267

Hall, Edward, 103

Hampstead heath, 14

Harper, William, 104

Haunce merchants, 31, 208, 209

Haydon, John, 104

Herber (Erbar), The, 80, 205

High Oldborne, 392

High Oldborne hill, 16

Hill, Sir Rowland, 103

Hill, Thomas, 101

Hils, Richard, 103

Hinde, John, 99

Hog (Hogge) lane, 116, 150

Holy Trinity, Church of, 67, 315

Holy well, 12

Holywell, 17

Horsedown, 359

Horsemill, The, 139

Horsepoole, Smithfield, 12, 17, 338

Horseshew bridge over Walbrooke, 26

Hosier lane, 74

Hospitals, List of, 438 ff.

Hound’s ditch, 65, 116

Houses of Students in the Common Law, 70 ff.

Hoxton, 378

Hubert of Burge, 47

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 61

Ilam, Thomas, 101, 237

Ingulphus, Abbot of Crowland, 67

Inner Temple, 71

Innholders’ hall, 207

Ipres inn, 221

Ipres, William of, 221

Ironmongers’ lane, 74, 232, 242

Ivie lane, 280, 306

Jesus’ Commons, 207

Jews’ Garden, 270

Joiners’ hall, The, 208

Jud, Sir Andrew, 103

Keble, Henry, 102, 226

King’s Bench prison, 366

King’s Bench, The, 361

King’s College, Cambridge, 326

Knesworth, Thomas, 156

Knighten Guild, or Portsoken ward, 110 ff.

Knightriders’ street, 74, 214, 220, 315

Knoles, Sir Robert, 98

Knoles, Thomas, 99

Lady Mary Magdalen, Chapel or college of, 244

Lambe, William, 18, 104

Lambert, William, 104

Langborne ward, and Fennie About, 279

Langborne water, 15

Large, Robert, 100, 249

Laxton, Sir William, 103, 227

Lazar houses, 440, 441

Leaden hall market, 168

Leaden hall, The, 69, 101, 138 ff.

Leaden porch, The, 138, 196

Leathersellers’ Company, 155

Legat’s inn, 62

Liberties of the Duchy of Lancaster, 393

Lichfield, William, 210

Lidgate (monk of Bury), 195, 334

Lime house (Lime host, Lime hurst, Lymehurst), 335, 375

Lime street ward, 136

Lincoln’s inn, 71

Lion Tower, The, 45

Lion’s inn, 71

Lions, Richard, 210

Lither lane, 332, 346

Little Bayly, 332

Little Britaine, 335

Little St. Helen, 154

Loder’s well, 12, 16

Lofken, John, 97

Loke, The, 359, 372

Lollesworth (Spittle field), 150, 152

Lombard street, 74, 180

Lomsbery, 400

London bridge, 74, 21 ff.

London stone, 22, 25, 201, 202

London, various names for, 9

London, Wall of, 7, 326

Long lane, 338

Long Southwark, 359

Longshampe, William, 28, 43

Lothbury (Lothberie or Loodberie) 75, 162, 248

Love lane (once Lucas lane), 188

Lovell, Sir Thos., 172

Lowlardes’ tower, 330

Lud, King, 3

Ludgate, 27, 28, 36

Ludgate gaol, 18, 36, 37

Lumbard street, 15

Magdalen College, Cambridge, 117

Malpas, Philip, 100, 137

Mampudding, Mother, 124

Marshalsey, The, 360, 366

Mart lane, 120, 135. See also Marke lane

Masons’ hall, 255

Mauricius (Mauritius), 34, 290, 291

May, Richard, 105

Mayden lane, or Distar lane, 273, 307, 308

Mayors of the City, 444 ff.

Mercers’ chapel, The, 241, 242

Merchant Taylors’ Grammar school, 68

Merchant Tailors’ hall, 163

Mewse, The, 399

Mewsgate, 17

Middle Temple, 71

Milborne, Sir John, 102, 134

Milk street, 260, 264

Mincheon lane, 120

Minories, Abbey called the, 114

Monkswell street, 261, 268, 283

Monox, George, 102

Moore ditch, The, 20

Moorfield, 11, 380

Moorgate, 27

Moregate, Postern of, 31, 32

Morris, Peter, 18, 169

Mountfiquit, Tower of, 63

Mountgodard street, 306

Needlers’ lane, 232, 233

Nevill, Richard, Earl of Warwick, 81

New inn, 71

New street (Chancery lane), 350, 390

New Temple, 354

Newgate, 33

Newgate gaol, 18, 34, 97

Nicholas, Ambrose, 104

Noble street, 271

Norman, first canon regular in England, 127

Northampton (or Combarton), John, 192, 193

Northumberland house, 135, 276

Offley, Sir Thomas, 104, 146

Offrem, John, 35

Old Bayly, 332

Old Change, 50

Old Exchange, 289

Old Fish street, 289. 309

Old Fish street hill, 317

Old Jurie, 74, 135, 236

Oldborne, 12

Oldborne conduit, 332

Oldbourne hill, 26

Oldborne bridge, 13, 26

Ormond place, 214, 221

Our Lady of Rouncivall, Priory of Charing Cross, 67

Our Lady of the Canons, Southwark, 24

Our Lady of the Pew, Chapel of, 419

Owens, gunfounders, 117

Oxford University, 13, 66, 157, 165, 347

Oyster gate, 40

Paddington, 17

Painted Tavern lane, 214

Painterstainers’ hall, 317

Panyar alley, 306

Papey, The, 132

Pardon churchyard, 293, 384, 385

Parish churches, List of, 434 ff.

Paternoster lane, 217

Pater noster row, 75, 302

Patricksey (Batersey), 23

Patten, Wm., 104

Pattens’ lane, 75

Paul’s chain, 325

Paul’s cross, 151, 296

Paul’s Head Tavern, 328

Penticost lane, 279

Percivall, Sir John, and the Lady Thomasine, 101

Perillous pond, 17

Peter, of Cole Church, 22

Petty France, 148

Petty Wales, 123

Pewterers’ hall, 180

Physicians, College of, 69, 330

Picard, Henry, 97

Pie corner, 332, 333

Plumbers’ hall, 217

Pools serving the City, 12

Pope’s head tavern, 279

Porta Contractorum (Criplesgate), 32

Porte pool, or Grayes inn lane, 389

Portsoken ward, 28, 110

Postern (gate), The, 27, 44

Postern out of Christ’s Hospital, 33

Poultney, Sir John, 35, 97

Poultry, 75, 167

Powle’s wharf, 39

Powlet, William, Marquis of Winchester, 81

Pudding lane (Rother lane), 189

Puddle wharf, 38, 325

Queene hithe ward, 314 ff.

Queenhithe (Queen’s hithe or Queen’s bank), 25, 39, 185, 320 ff.

Queen’s wardrobe, 65, 218

Radcliffe (Ratcliffe), 377

Radclyffe, Free school at, 106

Radwell, 12, 17

Rahere, 333

Rainwell, John, 100

Ramsey, Mary, 106

Randolph, Barnard, 104

Rawson, Richard, 101

Red Cross street, 64, 270

Redman, Richard, Bishop of Ely, 81

Rich, Richard, 101

Richard de Berie, Bishop of Durham 83

Richborough (Richborrow), 6

Ripa Regina, 39. See Queene hithe

Rivers serving the city, 12

Roe, Sir Thomas, 149

Roo, Sir Thomas, 104, 135

Roode lane (once St. Margaret Pattens), 187, 188

Royal Exchange, The, 70, 104, 173, 180. See Exchange

Rudstone, Sir John, 278

Rus, William, 176

Russell, or Bedford house, 397

Saddlers’ hall, 281

St. Alphage, Church of, 264

St. Andrew, Church of, 347

St. Andrew Hubbert, East Cheap, Church of, 188

St. Andrew in the Wardrobe, Church of, 327

St. Andrew, Oldborne, Grammar school, 67, 175

St. Andrew Undershaft (St. Andrew the Apostle), Church of, 130

St. Anne in the Willows, Church of, 274

St. Anthonie Budgerow, Church of, 225

St. Anthonie, Hospital of, 165

St. Anthony’s Grammar school, 67

St. Augustine Papey, Church of, 132, 146. See Papey

St. Bartholomew, Church of, 166

St. Bartholomew, Hospital of, 99, 285, 333

St. Bartholomew’s Priory, Smithfield, 67

St. Benet Hude (or Hithe), Church of, 327

St. Bennet (commonly called Fink), Church of, 164

St. Buttolph, Church of, 115, 148, 186

St. Christopher, Church of, 167

St. Clements Danes, 397

St. Dionys, Church of (Backe church), 180

St. Dunstan’s Grammar School, 67

St. Dunstan’s hill, 123

St. Dunstan’s in the West, Church of, 122, 349

St. Edmond, king and martyr, Church of, 181

St. Erkenwald’s shrine in Powle’s (Paul’s) Church, 22

St. Ethelburge Virgin, Church of, 154

St. Faith under Paul’s, Church of, 294

St. Fauster’s (St. Foster’s) church, 281

St. Gabriel Fen, Church of (Fan church), 180

St. George, Buttolph lane, Church of, 189

St. George, Southwark, Church of, 22

St. Giles’, Cripplesgate, 268

St. Giles’ Hospital, 97, 392

St. Helen, Church of, 154

St. James’s park, 94, 402

St. John Evangelist, Church of, 313

St. John of Jerusalem, Priory of, 67, 181, 386

St. John upon Walbrooke, 205

St. John Zacharies Church, 271

St. John’s College, Oxford, 103

St. Katherine, Church of, 129, 135

St. Katherine’s, Hospital of, 113

St. Laurence, Jury, Church of, 246

St. Laurence, Poultney, Church of, 97, 196, 200

St. Leonard (Milke), Church of, 190

St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Church of, 379

St. Magnus, Church of, 190

St. Margaret Moyses, Church of, 314

St. Margaret (on the hill), 359

St. Margaret’s, Westminster, 406, 411

St. Martin in the Vintry, Church of, 222

St. Martin (Pomary), Church of, 242

St. Martin Orgar, Church of, 200

St. Martin Orgar lane, 200

St. Martin Oteswich, 148

St. Martin’s le Grand, College of, 13, 32, 67, 275

St. Marie Abchurch, 196

St. Marie at the Axe, Church of, 145

St. Marie Magdalen, Church of, 264

St. Marie (on the hill), 187

St. Marie Pellipar, 74, 145. See also St. Marie at the Axe

St. Mary Aldermanbury, Church of,262

St. Mary of Bethlehem, Hospital of 97, 148, 377

St. Mary Bothaw, 205

St. Mary Bow, 227 ff.

St. Mary de Monte Alto, Church of, 318

St. Mary le Bow, Grammar school, 67

St. Mary Magdalen, Chapel of, 153, 372

St. Mary Overie, Southwark, Priory of, 67, 359, 362

St. Mary Sommerset, 196, 319

St. Mary Spittle, Hospital of, 31, 97 150

St. Mary Stayning, Church of, 273

St. Mary street, 132

St. Mary Wool Church, 203

St. Mary Woolnoth, Church of, 184, 279

St. Michael, Crooked Lane, Church of, 98, 196

St. Michael de Paternoster, Church of, 217

St. Michael, Wood street, 266

St. Michael th’ Archangel, Church of, 175 ff.

St. Michaell, Bassings hall, Church of, 259

St. Mildred the Virgin, Church of, 310

St. Nicholas Acon, Church of, 183

St. Nicholas, Church of, 283

St. Nicholas lane, 196

St. Nicolas Cole Abbey, 316

St. Olave, Church of, 120

St. Olave Upwell, Church of, 252

St. Pancrate, Church of, 232, 233

St. Paul’s, 34, 50, 62, 63, 89, 108, 291 ff.

St. Paul’s Churchyard, 75

St. Paul’s school, 67, 68, 102, 295

St. Peter, at Westminster, Church of, 22

St Peter, called parva, 319

St. Peter the Poor, Church of, 158, 159

St. Peter upon Cornhill, 174, 423

St. Peter’s upon Cornhill, Grammar school, 67, 175

St. Peter’s, Monastery at Westminster, 67

St. Saviour, Monastery of, Bermondsey, Southwark, 67

St. Sepulchers in the Bayly, Church of, 342

St. Sithes, Church of, 225, 233

St. Stephen upon Walbrooke, 15, 100, 203

St. Stephen, Westminster, Chapel of, 66, 418

St. Swithen, Church of, 201

St. Swithen’s lane, 200

St. Thomas Apostle, Church of, 98, 220

St. Thomas, Hospital of, 368, 369

St. Thomas of Acon hospital, 241

St. Thomas of Acons, Grammar school at, 67, 175

Salisburie court, 353

Salters’ hall, 310

Sanctuary, The, 94

Sarasen’s Head, 343

Sargeants’ inn, 354

Savoy, The, 395 ff.

Scalding alley (formerly Scalding house or Scalding wick), 158, 167

Schools, and other houses of learning, 66 ff.

Scrop’s inn, 71

Seacole lane, 332

Sergeants’ inn, 71

Serne’s Tower, 48, 66

Sevenoke, William, 99

Shaft alley, 130

Shaw, Edmond, 33

Shaw, Edward, 101

Sheremoniers’ lane (Sermon lane), 329

Shoe lane, 332, 347

Shoemakers’ hall, 314

Shoreditch (Sors ditch, Sewer’s-ditch), 30, 378, 379

Shorne, Benedict, 233

Sidon lane (Sything lane), 120

Single Woman’s churchyard, The, 362

Skinners’ hall, 206

Skinners’ well, 12, 16, 86, 340

Smart’s key, 41

Smithfield, East, 113

Snow hill (Snor hill), 332, 343

Somar’s (Sommer’s) key, 41, 186

Somerset, Edward, Duke of, 82

Somerset house, 173, 395

Soper’s lane, 74

Sporiar lane, 121

Sprinckle alley (Sugarloaf alley), 126

Spurrier row, 303

Standard in Cheape, The, 18, 237

Staple inn, 71, 348

Star chamber, 418

Stationers’ hall, 331

Stayning lane, 272

Steelyard, The, 208

Stepney (Stebunheath), 90

Stews, The, 360

Stikoneth, 105. See Stepney

Stinking lane, 279, 283

Stocke Fishmonger row, 191

Stocks, The, 202

Stocks market, The, 74, 97

Stodie, John, 97

Stokenewenton, Parish Church of, 104

Strand street, 397

Stratford at the Bow, 142

Straw, Jack, 193

Styleyard, The, 39

Suburbs without the walls, The, 374 ff.

Sweyn, 21

Tabard, The, 367

Tallow-chandlers’ hall, 206

Tasel close, 150

Tate, John, 102, 166

Temple bar, 71, 173

Temple Church, 357

Thames street, 74, 325 ff.

Thames, The, 13

Thavies inn, 71, 348

Theatre, The, 377

Theeves lane, 368

Thieving lane, 405

Thorne, Robert, 102

Three Cranes’ lane, 214

Three needle street, 158

Timber hithe, 323

Tode well (Todwell), 12, 16

Totehill, 421

Tower ditch, The, 20

Tower hill, 45, 114

Tower of London, 42 ff., 54

Tower Royall, 65, 214, 218, 219

Tower street ward, 118

Towers on London Bridge, 56

Trinity lane, 317

Trinobants, The, 4

Troynovants, The, 4

Tun, The, 97, 169, 170

Turnagaine lane, 332

Turnebase (Turnebasse) lane, 224

Turnmill or Tremill brook, 14

Tyborn, 76

Tyler (Tighlar), Wat, 24, 65, 193, 197, 223

Vintners’ hall, The, 97

Vintry ward, 213

Wakering, Sir John, 333

Walbrook ward, 200 ff.

Walbrooke, 12, 108

Walworth, William, 98, 193, 361

Wall about the City of London, 7

Wallice, Henry, 97

Walter de Suffilde, Bishop of Norwich, 83

Wards on the east side of Walbrooke, 109

Wards on the west side of Walbrooke, 109

Water-gates on the Thames, 38 ff.

Watheling (Atheling or Noble) street, 34, 224, 307, 309

Waxchandlers hall, 267

Weavers’ hall, 255

Wells, John, 100, 245

Wells river (Turnemill brook, Fleete dike), 12

Wells serving the City, 12

West Cheaping, 236

Westminster Abbey, 406 ff.

Westminster Hall, 412 ff.

West, Nicholas, Bishop of Ely, 81

Wey house, The, 418

White Chappell, 116

White Crosse street, 269

White Friars’ Church, 353

White hall, 391

White Lion Church, Southwarke, 360

White Lion, The, 366

White, Sir Thomas, 103

White Tower, The, 42

Whitechapel Church, 376

Whitington, Richard, 217

Whittington, William, 99

William de Haverhull, 83

Winchcombe, Oxfordshire, 13

Winchelsey, Robt., Archbishop of Canterbury, 83

Winchester’s house, Bishop of, 362

Windgoose lane, 210

Wolfes gate, 39

Wolsey, Thomas, Cardinal, 81, 128, 304

Wood street, 260, 265

Woodmongers’ hall, 328

Worcester house, 217

Wrestlers, The, 136

THE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH

* * * * *

Transcriber’s Note

Superscript text is indicated with caret symbols, e.g. L^{TD}.

Footnote 51 is referenced twice in the text.

Entries in the table of contents do not all match the headings in the text.

The following printing errors have been corrected:

p. x “to empty” changed to “to “empty”

p. xviii “S. Androwes” changed to “S. Androwes.”

p. 13 (note) “1st.” changed to “1st”

p. 17 “Glibert” changed to “Gilbert”

p. 46 “recepit” changed to “receipt”

p. 72 “default, of” changed to “default, of”

p. 76 (note) “Liber Constitutions. Liber Horme.” changed to “Liber

Constitutionis. Liber Horne.”

p. 91 “kept a” changed to “kept at”

p. 92 (note) “Decretat,” changed to “Decretal.”

p. 107 “First, Through” changed to “First, through”

p. 113 (note) “Rech Altherthümer” changed to “Rechtsalterthümer”

p. 136 (note) “10s.” changed to “10_s._”

p. 162 (note) “p. 141” changed to “p. 141.”

p. 173 “Enchange” changed to “Exchange”

p. 174 “expect the steeple” changed to “except the steeple”

p. 189 “s a principal” changed to “is a principal”

p. 231 (note) “16s.” changed to “16_s._”

p. 231 (note) “p. 207” changed to “p. 207.”

p. 243 “so called.” changed to “so called,”

p. 260 “Kery lan” changed to “Kery lane”

p. 264 “Rowlard” changed to “Rowland”

p. 266 “ncroachments” changed to “encroachments”

p. 269 “1546:” changed to “1546;”

p. 287 (note) “Hountjoy” changed to “Mountjoy”

p. 298 “buck,and” changed to “buck, and”

p. 299 “chantry there,” “chantry there;”

p. 331 “low sheds” changed to “low sheds,”

p. 355 “partiarch” changed to “patriarch”

p. 364 “he dieu” changed to “de dieu”

p. 376 “h ll” changed to “hill”

p. 382 “this our city.” changed to “this our city.””

p. 390 (note) “inn.” changed to “inn.””

p. 392 “fair buildings.” changed to “fair buildings.””

p. 407 “Richard, Bishop” changed to “Richard, bishop”

p. 407 “younds” changed to “pounds”

p. 411 “by thi” changed to “by this”

p. 442 “French and English” changed to “French and English.”

p. 448 “Richard Handle” changed to “Richard Hardle”

p. 454 “Sr John Pultney” changed to “Sir John Pultney”

p. 461 “Waltar Chartesey” changed to “Walter Chartesey”

p. 473 “mayor Sir William” changed to “mayor, Sir William”

p. 480 “aldermen Darby” changed to “alderman Darby”

p. 482 “mænia” changed to “mœnia”

p. 483 “cætus” changed to “cœtus”

p. 487 typography of the paragraph beginning “Nam ea annis” was regularised.

p. 493 “liberœ” changed to “liberæ”

p. 500 “proper colour” changed to “proper colour.”

p. 511 “Bassett, Robert” changed to “Basset, Robert”

p. 511 “Benbridge’s inn” changed to “Benbrige’s inn”

p. 511 “Bollein Godfrey” changed to “Bollein, Godfrey”

p. 512 “Chesters’ inn” changed to “Chester’s inn”

p. 512 “Crosley place, 155” changed to “Crosby place, 155”

p. 512 “Crosley, Sir John” changed to “Crosby, Sir John”

p. 513 “Elies’ inn” changed to “Elie’s inn”

p. 513 “Gutuhrons” changed to “Guthurons”

p. 513 “Stephanides,)” changed to “Stephanides),”

p. 513 “208 261” changed to “208, 261”

p. 513 “243, 244,” changed to “243, 244”

p. 514 “Horsepool” changed to “Horsepoole”

p. 514 “Lomsberry” changed to “Lomsbery”

p. 515 “Church of 130” changed to “Church of, 130”

p. 515 “Oldeborne bridge” changed to “Oldborne bridge”

p. 517 “Single- Woman’s” changed to “Single Woman’s”

p. 518 “Waxchandler’s hall” changed to “Waxchandlers hall”

p. 518 “Wolfesgate, 39” changed to “Wolfes gate, 39”

p. 518 “Noble) street 34,” changed to “Noble) street, 34,”

Many instances of inconsistent punctuation have not been changed.

The following possible printing errors have not been changed:

p. xi his memory,

p. 11 reparing

p. 62 where thither

p. 158 Three needle street

p. 196 John Merston. knight

p. 259 Ienet and Agnes

p. 356 mother’s-jewels

p. 462 and 463 respectively: Godfrey Bolaine and Godfrey Boloine

p. 466: Raphe Austrie and Raph Astrie

p. 488 straglers

p. 514 “See also Marke lane” refers to a non-existent entry

The book includes many inconsistent spellings, including:

32d and 32nd

Aeldresgate and Ældresgate

Arcubus and Arches

Bank’s side and Bankside

Bridwell and Bridewell

clothworker and cloth-worker

commonalty and commonality

Cordewainers, Cordwainer and Cordwayner

four-pence and four pence

Howe, Howes and Howse

Knight riders and Knightriders’

Meduvanus and Meduvius

Needlar’s. Needelars and Needler’s

Sherington and Sherrington

Surrey and Surry

Totehil and Totehill

Tunstal and Tunstall

Turnebase and Turnebasse

Walbrook and Walbrooke

West Cheape and Westcheape

Wokendon and Wokenden