Tribulations and perplexities wherein we have exceeding much bin encumbred by comforting us and by applying and in powring remedies upon us beyond all hope and expectation There was also adjoyning hereto a Palace the ancient Habitation of the Kings of England from the time of King Edward the Confessor which in the Raign of King Henry the eighth was burnt by casual fire to the ground A very large stately and sumptuous Palace this was and in that age for building incomparable with a Vawmure and Bulwarks for defence The remains whereof are the Chamber wherein the King the Nobles with the Councellors and Officers of State do assemble at the High Court of Parliament and the next unto it wherein anciently they were wont to begin the Parliaments known by the name of St. Edwards painted Chamber because the Tradition holdeth that the said King Edward therein dyed Adjoyning unto this is the White-Hall wherein at this day the Court of Requests is kept beneath this is that Hall which of all other is the greatest and the very Praetorium or Hall of Justice for all England In this are the Judicial Courts namely The Kings Bench The Common Pleas and the Chancery and in places near thereabout the Star-Chamber the Exchequer Court of Wards and Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. In which at certain set times we call them Termes yearly Causes are heard and tryed whereas before King Henry the third his dayes the Court of Common Law and principal Justice was unsetled and alwayes followed the Kings Court But he in the Magna Charta made a Law in these words Let not the Common Pleas follow our Court but be holden in some certain place which notwithstanding some expound thus That the Common Pleas from thenceforch be handled in a Court of her own by it self a part and not in the Kings Bench as before This Judgement-Hall which we now have King Richard the second built out of the ground as appeareth by his Arms engraven in the Stone-work and many Arched Beams when he had plucked down the former old Hall that King William Rufus in the same place had built before and made it his own Habitation For Kings in those dayes sate in Judgement place in their own persons And they are indeed the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Judges whose mouth as the Royal Writer saith shall not erre in judgement But the foresaid Palace after it was burnt down in the year of our Lord 1512. lay desolate and King Henry the eighth translated shortly after the Kings Seat from thence to an House not far off which belonged but a while before to Cardinal Woolsey and is called White Hall This House is a Princely thing enclosed on the one side with a Park that reacheth also to another House of the Kings named Saint James where anciently was a Spittle for Mayden Lepers demolished by King Henry the eighth as is spoken else-where Hard by near unto the Mues so called for that it served to keep Hawkes and now is become a most fair Stable for the Court Horses there remaineth a Monument in memorial of that most pious and kind Queen Eleanor erected by King Edward the first her most dearly beloved Husband and certainly the memory of her conjugal love shall remain worthy to be consecrated to eternity For she the Daughter of Ferdinand the third King of Castile being given in Mariage to Edward the first King of England accompanied him into the Holy Land where when as he was secretly fore-laid and by a certain Moor wounded with an envenomed Sword and by all the remedies that Physitians could devise was not so much eased as afflicted she took her to a strange cure I must needs say and never heard of before howbeit full of love care and affection For her Husbands wounds infected with the poyson and which by reason of the malignity thereof could not be closed and healed she day by day licked with her Tongue and sucked out the venomous humor which to her was a most sweet Liquor by the vigour and strength whereof or to say more truly by vertue of a Wives sâ—ingular fidelity she so drew unto her all the substance of the poyson that the wounds being closed and cicatrized he becam perfectly healed and she caught no harm at all what then can be heard more raâ—e what admirable then this Womans faithful more love That a Wives Tongue thus annoynted as I may so say with faith and love to her Husband should from her well beloved draw those poysons which by an approved Physitian could not be drawn and that which many and those right exquisite Medicines effected not the love only and piety of a Wiâ—e performed These are the words of the aâ—cient Record But we must not passe by the Mewse so sleightly that place was called so of the Kings Faulcons there kept which in former times was an Office of high esteem But Henry the eighth having his Stablings at Lomesberry now called Blomesberry which was then a Mâ—nnor in Holborn it fortuned that the same was consumed by â—ire with Hay and Horses whereupon the Mewse was enlarged and made fit for the Kings Stables which hath continued ever since receiving divers additions from time to time But now we are according to the method of our Discourse summoned to appear at Westminster-Hall But I had almost pretermitted one signal thing which belongs to the great Dome or Temple of Westminster Abbey which is the great priviledge of Sanctuary it had within the Precincts thereof viz. the Church the Church-yard and the Close whereof there are two the little and the great Sanctuary vulgarly now called Centry from whence it was not lawful for the Soveraign Prince himself much lesse any other Magistrate to fetch out any that had fled thither for any offence which Prerogative was granted near upon a thousand years since by King Sebert then seconded by King Edgar and afterwards confirmed by Edward the Confessor whose Charter I thought worthy the inserting here the Tenor whereof runs thus in the modern English Edward by the Grace of God King of Englishmen I make it to be known to all Generations in the VVorld after me that by special Commandment of our holy Father Pope Leo I have renewed and honoured the holy Church of the blessed Apostle St. Peter of Westminster and I order and establish for ever that what Person of what estate or condition soever he be and from whence soever he come or for what offence or cause it be either for his refuge into the said holy place he be assured of his life liberty and Limbs And over I forbid under pain of everlasting damnation that no Minister of mine or any of my Successors intermeddle themselves with any the Goods Lands or possessions of the said persons taking the said Sanctuary For I have taken their Goods and Livelihoods into my special protection And therefore I grant to every each of them in as much as my Terrestrial
the first general cause Peace is the Mother of Plenty which is the 2d general cause and Plenty the Nurse of Suits In particulars by the dissolution of Monasteries Chanteries c. and dispersing of them c. upon the Statutes made concerning the same there being such a confluence of Ecclesiastical possessions there aroâ—e many questions and doubts whereupon Suits were greatly increased 2. Informers and Relators raised many Suits by Informations Writs c. in the Kings Courts at Westminster upon penai Statutes many whereof were obsolete inconvenient and not fit for those daies and yet remained as snares upon the Subject so as the Subject might justly say with Tacitus Priùs vitiis laboravimus nunc legibus 3. Concealers Helluones that endeavoured to swallow up Cathedral Churches and the Ecclesiastical possessions of Church-men and the Livings of many others of the Kings Subjects Lastly the multitude of Atturneys more than is limited by Law is a great cause of encrease of Suits Touching the jurisdiction of this Court which was used to be called the King Bench it is of a larger extent of power and more incontroulable than any other Tribunal for the Law presums that the King is there still in Person He being the Lord Chief Justice of England himself as King James gave a check to one who call'd Lord Coke Lord Chief Justice of England saying that he was but Chief Justice of his Bench and that it was his own Office to be Chief Justice of England Yet it is observable that though the King be Chief Justice of England and that he personally sit upon the Bench yet he can passe no sentence of judgment but by the mouths and mediation of his Judges who did use to sit there at his Feet when he was present Of the Court of Chancery or Equity and Conscience IT is taken pro confesso by all Antiquaries that both the Brittish and Saxon Kings had their Chancellors and Court of Chancery the only Court out of which original and remedial Writs do issue as taking some few examples before the Conquest Edward the Confessor had Reinbald his Chancelor this Edward granted many Mannors Lands c. and Franchises to the Abbot of Westminster and endeth his Charter thus Adultâ—mum cartam istam sigillari jussi ipse manu meâ propriâ signum Crucis impressi idonâ—os testes annotari praecepi And amongst those Witnesse this you shall find Swardus Notarius ad vicem Reinbaldi regiae dignitatis Chancellarii hanc cartam scripsi c. subscripsi He had also Lefrick to his Chancelor King Etheldred also had a worthy name and a worthy man to his Chancelor Rex Etheldredus statuit atque concessit quatenus Ecclesiam de Elye ex tunc semper in regis curia Cancellariae ageret dignitatem c. This King began his Reign Anno Domini 978 which albeit it was void in Law to grant the Chancelorship of England in succession yet it proveth then there was a Court of Chancery King Edgar had Adulph King Edred had Thurkettle King Edmond the same King Athelstane Wolsine their Chancelors c. In the Chancery are two Courts one ordinary Coram Domino Rege in Cancellaria wherein the Lord Chancelor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal proceeds according to the right line of the Laws and Statutes of the Realm Secundum legem consuetudinem Angliae Another extraordinary according to the Rule of equity secundum aquum bonum And first of the former Court He hath power to hold Plea of Scire fac ' for repeal of the Kings Letters Patents of Petitions Monstrans de droite Traverses of office Partitions in Chancery of Scire fac ' upon recognizances in this Court Writs of Audita querela and Scire fac ' in the nature of an Audita querela to avoid Executions in this Court Dowments in Chancery the Writ De dote assignanda upon Offices found Executions upon the Statute Staple or Recognizance in nature of a Stature Staple upon the Act of 23. H. 8. but the Execution upon a Statute Merchant is retornable either into the Kings Bench or into the Common place and all personall actions by or against any Officer or Minister of this Court in respect of their service or attendance there In these if the parties descend to issue this Court cannot try it by Jury but the Lord Chancelor or the Lord Keeper delivereth the Record by his proper hands into the Kings Bench to be tried there because for that purpose both Courts are accounted but one and after trial had to be remanded into the Chancery and there Judgment to be given But if there be a Demurrer in Law it shall be argued and adjuged in this Court Nota the legal proceedings of this Court be not inrolled in Rolls but remain in Filaciis being filed up in the Office of the Peâ—y-bag upon a judgement given in this Court a Writ of Error doth lye retornable into the Kings Bench. The style of the Court of the Kings Bench is Coram Rege as hath been said and the style of this Court of Chancery is Coram domino Rege in Cancellaria and Additio probat minoritatem And in this Court the Lord Chancelor or the Lord Keeper is the sole Judge and in the Kings Bench there are four Judges at the least This Court is Officina Justiciae out of which all original Writs and all Commissions which passe under the Great Seal go forth which Great Seal is Clavis regni and for those ends this Court is ever open And this Court is the rather alwaies open for that if a man be wrongfully imprisoned in the Vacation the Lord Chancellor may grant a Habeas Corpus and do him Justice according to Law where neither the Kings Bench nor Common Pleas can grant that Writ but in the term time but this Court may grant it either in Term time or Vacation so likewise this Court may grant Prohibitions at any time either in Term or Vacation which Writs of Prohibition are not retornable but if they be not obeyed then may this Court grant an Attachment upon the Prohibition retornable either in the Kings Bench or Common Place The Officers and Ministers of this Court of Common Law do principally attend and do their service to the Great Seal as the twelve Masters of the Chanceâ—y whereof the Master of the Rolls is the chief who by their original institution as it is proved before should be expert in the Common Law to see the forming and framing of original Writs according to Law which are not of course whereupon such are called in our ancient Authors Brevia Magistralia Then you have the Clerk of the Crown the Clerk of the Hamper the Sealer the Chafe wax the Controuler of the Chancery twenty four Cursitors for making Writs of course or form'd Writs according to the Register of the Chancery The Clerk of the presentations the Clerk of the Faculties the Clerk Examiner of the Patents
the Clerks of the Petty-bag and the six Attorneys Having spoken somewhat of this Court 's ordinary Jurisdiction something shall be said of the extraordinary proceedings thereof according to the Rule of Equity secundum aquum et bonum or according to the dictates of Conscience for the Lord Chancelor or Keeper of the Great Seal of England may be said to be Keeper of the Kings Conscience for mitigation of the rigour of the Common Law Yet this Court of Equity proceeding by English Bill is no Court of Record therefore it can bind but the Person only and neither the State of the Defendants Lands nor property of his Goods and Chattles therefore if the Lord Chancelor impose any fine it is void in Law he having no power but on the Person only Yet the Lord Chancelor or Keeper is sole Judge both in this Court of Equity and in the Court concerning the Common Law but in cases of weight or difficulty he doth assist himself with some of the Judges and no greater exception can be taken hereunto than in case of the Lord Steward of England being sole Judge in tryal of the Nobility who also is assisted with some of the Judges Touching this Court of Equity the ancient Rule is that three things are to be considered in a Court of Conscience Covin Accident and Breach of confidence All Covins collusions frauds and deceits for which ther 's no remedy by the ordinary course of Law Accident as when the servant of an Obligor or Morgageor is sent to pay the money on the day and he is robb'd c. then remedy is to be had in this Court against the forâ—eiture The third is breach of tru't and confidence whereof there are plentiful examples The ancient Custome was when one was made Lord Chancellor for the King to hang the Great Seal about his Neck Cardinal Woolsey had the Chancelorship by Letters Patâ—ents during life but it was held void because an ancien Office must be granted as it was accustomed Henry the 〈◊〉 had two great Seals one of Gold which he delivered the Bishop of Durham and another oft Silver which he delivered the Bishop of London The Chancellors Oath consists of six parts 1. That well and trâ—ly he shall serve the King our Soveraign Lord and his People in the Office of Chancellor or Lord Keeper 2. That â—e shall do right to all manner of people poor and rich after the Laws and usages of the Realm 3. That he shall truly Counsel the King and his Counsel he shall layne or conceal and keep 4. That he shall not know nor suffer the hurt or disheriting of the King or that the Rights of the Crown be decreased by any means as far as he may let it 5. And in case he cannot let it he shall make it clearly and expresly to be known to the King with his true advice and counsel 6. He shall do and purchase the Kings profit in all that he reasonably may There be in this Court many Officers whereof mention is made before the principal whereof is the Master of the Rolls which is an ancient Office and grantable either for life or at will according to the Prince his pleasure Edward the third by Letters Patents annex'd the House of the converted Iews in Chancery Lane to this Office for keeping of the Records of the Chancery viz. Charters Letters Patents Commissions Deeds Recognizances which before the Reign of Henry the seventh were used to be transmitted to the Tower of London The Master of the Rolls used to have Iure Officii the gift of the Offices of the six Clerks in the Chancery and in the absence of the Lord Chancellor he heareth Causes and giveth Orders OF THE COVRT OF COMMON-PLEAS IN WESTMINSTER-Hall IN times pass'd the Courts and Benches or Banks of Justices as was touched before followed the Kings Person wheresoever he went as well since the Conquest as before which thing being found chargeable and cumbersome The ninth of Henry the third it was resolved that there should be a standing place appointed where matters should be heard and determined And the Court of the Common Pleas was the first that was fix'd wherein tenures of Lands and civil Actions used to be pleaded And it is one of the Statutes of Magna Charta Quod Communia placita non sequantur Curiam nostram sed teneantur loco certo That the Common Pleas follow not our Court but be kept in a certain place Now Pleas are distinguished into Pleas of the Crown as Treason and Felony with misprision of Treason and Felony which belong to the Upper Bench and to Common or Civil Pleas whereof this Court takes Cognizance This Court therefore is call'd the Lock and Key of the Common Law of England and the Judges there sitting had need to be more knowing and learned than any other for here all Reall Actions whereupon Fiâ—es and recoveries the common assurances of the Land do passe and all other reall Actions by original Writs are to be determined as also of all Common 〈◊〉 mixt or personal in divers of which the Kings Bench this Court have a concurrent authority But regularly this Court cannot hold Common 〈◊〉 in any Action real mix'd or personal but by Writ out of the Chancery and returnable to this Court yet this Court in some cases may hold Plea by Bill without any Writ in the Chancery as for or against any Officer 〈◊〉 or priviledged Person of this Court. This Court also without any Writ may upon a suggestion grant Prohibitions to keep Temporal as well as Ecclesiastical Courts within their bounds and jurisdictions without any Original or Plea depending for the Common Law which in those cases is a Prohibition of it self stands instead of an Original The Chief Justice of this Court is created by Letters Patents during the pleasure of the Prince and so are the rest of his Associats but none is capable to be constituted a Judge here unlesse he be a Sargeant at Law of the degree of the Coif The jurisdiction of this Court is general extendeth throughout England The Officers of this Court are many viz. Custos Brevium three Protonotaries Clerk of the Warrants Clerk of the Kings Silver four Exigenters fourteen Filazers Clerk of the Juries Clerk of the Essoins Clerk of the Outlaries which belongeth to the Attorney General who doth exercise it by Deputy In former times great abuses have been by Attorneys of this Court by suing out a Judicial Processe with any Original which when detected have been severely punished OF THE COVRT OF THE EXCHEQUER THe Authority of this Court is of Original Jurisdiction without any Commission In the chief place of account for the Revenues of the Crown The Hearers of the accounts have Auditors under them and they who are the chief for the accounts of the Prince are called Barons of the Exchequer whereof one is called Lord Chief Baron The greatest Officer of all is the Lord Treasurer In
Judges acknowledged that of Contracts pleas and quereles made upon the Sea or any part thereof which is not within any County from whence no tryal can be had by twelve men the Admiral hath and ought to have jurisdiction And no president can be shewed that any Prohibition hath bin granted for any plea contract or querele concerning any Marine cause made or done upon the Sea taking that only to be the Sea wherein the Admiral hath his jurisdiction which is before described by Law to be out of any County 2. The second Objection was that when actions are brought to the Admiralty upon Bargains and Contracts made beyond the Seas wherein the common Law cannot administer justice yet in these cases prohibitions are awarded in prejudice of the Court of Admiralty The Judges answer that Bargains and Contracts made beyond the Sea wherein the common Law cannot administer justice do belong to the Constable and Marshal For the jurisdiction of the Admiralty is wholly confined to the Sea which is out of any County but if any Indenture Bond or other specialty or any Contract be made beyond the Seas for doing of any act or payment of any money within this Realm or otherwise wherein the common Law can administer justice and give ordinary redress In these cases neither the Constable nor Marshal nor the Court of Admiralty hath any jurisdiction therefore when that Court hath proceeding in derogation of the common Law prohibitions have bin issued out as by the Law they ought 3. The third Objection was that whereas time out of minde the Court of Admiralty hath taken stipulations for appearance and performance of the acts and judgements of the same Court It is now affirmed by the Judges of the common Law that the Admirals Court is no Court of Record and therefore not able to take such stipulations hereupon prohibitions are granted to the utter overthrow of that jurisdiction The Judges answered that the Court of the Admiralty proceeding by the course of the Civil Law is no Court of Record and therefore cannot take any such a recognizance as a Court of Record may And for taking Recognizanses against the Law of the Realm we finde that prohibitions have bin granted And if an erroneous sentence be given in that Court no Writ of Error but an appeal before certain Delegates do lye which proves 't is no Court of Record 4. The fourth Objection was that Charter parties made only to be performed upon the Seas are daily withdrawn from that Court by prohibitions The Judges answered That if the Charter party be made within any City Port-Town or County of this Realm although it be to be performed either upon the Seas or beyond the Seas yet it is to be tryed and determined by the ordinary course of the Common Law and not in the Court of the Admiralty And therefore when that Court hath encroached upon the common Law in that case the Iudge of the Admiralty and party there suing have bin prohibited and oftentimes the party condemned in great and grievous dammages by the Lawes of the Realm 5. The fifth Objection was that notwithstanding the clause of Non obstante statuto which hath foundation in his Majesties Prerogative and is current in all other grants yet in the Lord Admirals Patent 't is said to be of no force to warrant the determination of the Causes committed to him in his Lordships Patent and so rejected by the Iudges of the common Law The common Lawyers answer that without all question the sundry Statutes which declare the jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty and wherein all the Subjects of the Realm have interest cannot be dispensed with by any non obstante statuto and therefore not worthy of any answer but by colour thereof the Court of Admiralty hath contrary to those Acts of Parliament encroached upon the jurisdiction of the common Law to the intolerable grievance of Subjects which hath oftentimes urged them to complain in his Majesties ordinary Courts of justice in Westminster-Hall for their relief in that behalf 6. The sixth Objection was that to the end that the Admirals jurisdiction might receive all manner of empeachment and interruption the Rivers beneath the first Bridges where it ebbeth and floweth and all the Creeks and Ports are by the Iudges of the common Law affirmed to be no part of the Sea nor within the Admirals jurisdiction and thereupon prohibitions are ordinarily awarded upon actions depending in that Court for Contracts and other things done in those places notwithstanding that by use and practise time out of minde the Admirals Court hath had jurisdiction within such Ports Creeks and Rivers The Judges answer was like to their first And 't was further added that for the death of a man or mayhm in those two cases only done in great Ships being and hovering in the main stream only beneath the point of some Rivers nigh unto the Sea and no other place of the same Rivers nor in other causes but only in those two the Admiral hath cognizance But for all Contracts Pleas and Quereles made or done upon a River Haven or Creek within any County of this Realm the Admiral without question hath no jurisdiction for then he should hold plea of things done within the Body of the County which are tryable by verdict of twelve men and meerly determinable by the common Law and not within the Court of the Admiralty according to the Civil Law for that were to change and alter the Lawes of the Realm in like cases and make those Contracts Pleas and Quereles tryable by the common Law of the Realm to be drawn off ad aliud Examen and to be sentenced by the Iudges of the Admiralty according to the Civil Law 7. The seventh Objection was that the Agreement made Anno 1575. between the Judges of the Kings Bench and the Court of the Admiralty for the more quiet and certain Execution of Admiral Iurisdiction is not observed as it ought to be The Iudges answered that the supposed Agreement mentioned in the Article hath not as yet bin delivered them but having heard the same read before his Majesty they answer'd that for so much thereof as differeth from these answers it is against the Lawes and Statutes of this Realm therefore the Iudges of the Kings Bench never assented thereunto as was pretended 8. The eighth Objection was That many other grievances there were which in discussing of these former would easily appear worthy of Reformation To this the Judges answered that this Article was so general as no particular answer can be made thereunto only it appeareth by that which hath bin said that the Lord Admiral his Officers and Ministers principally by colour of that Non obstante and for want of learned advice have injustly encroached upon the common Lawes of this Realm for which the marvel is the lesse because that the Lord Admiral his Lieutenants Officers and Ministers have without all colour intruded upon the
called the Erbar neere to the Church of St. Mary Bothaw Geffery Scroop held it by the gift of Edward the third in the fourteenth of his Reign It belonged since to Iohn Nevel Lord of Raby then to Richard Nevel Earl of Warwick Nevel Earl of Salisbury was lodged there 1457. Then it came to George Duke of Clarence and his Heires Males by the gift of Edward the fourth in the fourteenth yeaâ— of his Reign It was lately builded by Sir Thomas Pullâ—son Maior and was afterward Inhabited by Sir Francis Drake that famous Navigator Next to this great House is Lane turning to Bush-lane of old time called Carter-lane of Carts and Carmen having Stables there and now called Chequer-lane or Chequer-Alley of an Inne called the Chequer In Thamesstreet on the Thames side West from Downgate is Greenwitch lane of old time so called and now Fryer lane of such a signe there set up In this Lane is the Ioyners Hall and other fair Houses Then is Granthams Lane so called of Iohn Grantham sometime Maior and owner thereof whose house was very large and strong builded of stone as appeareth by Gates Arched yet remaining Ralph Dodmer first a Brewer then a Mercer Maior 1529. dwelled there and kept his Majoralty in that house it is now a Brew-house as it was before Then is Down-gate whereof is spoken in another place East from this Downegate is Cosin lane named of one VVilliam Cosin that dwelled there in the fourth of Richard the second as divers his Predecessors Father Granfather c. had done before him VVilliam Cosin was one of the Sheriffs in the year 1306. That House standeth at the South end of the Lane having an old and Artificial conveyance of Thames water into it And is now a Dye-house called Lambards Messâ—age Adjoyning to that House there was lately erected an Engine to convey â— hames water unto Downgate Conduit aforesaid Next to this Lane on the East is the Steel-yard as they terme it a place for Marchants of Almain that used to bring hither as well Wheat Rie and other Grain as Cables Ropes Masts Pitch Tarre Flax Hemp Linnen Cloth Wainscots Wax Steel and other profitable Marchandizes unto these Marchan sin the year 1259. Henry the third at the Request of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall King of Almain granted that all and singular the Marchants having a House in the City of London commonly called Guilda Aula Theâ—â—onicorum should be maintained and upholden through the whole Realm by aâ—l such freedoms and free usages or Liberties as by the King and his Noble Progenitors time they had and enjoyed c. Edward the first renewed and confirmed that Charter of Liberties granted by his Father And in the tenth year of the same Edward Henry Wâ—llis being Mayor a great Controversie did arise between the said Mayor and the Marchants of the Haunce of Almaine about the reparations of Bishops-gate then likely to fall for that the said Marchants enjoyed divers priviledges in respect of maintaining the said Gate which they now denyed to repair for the appeasing of which controversie the King sent his Writ to the Treasurer and Baron of his Exchequer commanding that they should make Inquisition thereof Before whom the Marchants being called when they were not able to discharge themselves sâ—â—h they enjoyed the Liberties to them granted for the same a precept was sent to the Maior and Sheriffs to distrain the said Marchants to make reparations namely Gerard Marhod Alderman of the Haunce Ralph de Cussarde a Citizen of Colen Ludero de Denauar a Burgesse of Trivar Iohn of Aras a Burgesse of Trivon Bartram of Hamburgh Godestalk of Hundoudale a Burgesse of Trivon Iohn de Deal a Burgesse of Munster then remaining in the said City of London for themselves and all other Marchants of the Haunce and so they granted 210 Marks sterling to the Maior and Citizens and undertook that they and their Successors should from time to time repair the said Gate and bear the third part of the Charges in money and men to defend it when need were And for this Agreement the said Maior and Citizens granted to the said Marchants their liberties which till of late they have enjoyed as namely amongst other that they might lay up their Grain which they brought into this Realm in Inns and sell it in their Garners by the space of forty dayes after they had laid it up except by the Mayor and Citizens they were expresly forbidden because of Dearth or other reasonable occasions Also they might have their Aldermen as they had bin accustomed provided alwayes that he were of the City and presented to the Maior and Aldermen of the City so oft as any should be chosen and should take an Oath before them to maintain Justice in their Courts and to behave themselves in their Office according to Law and as it stood with the Customs of the City Thus much for their priviledges whereby it appeareth that they were great Marchants of Corne brought out of the East parts hither insomuch that the Occupiers of Husbandry in this Land were enâ—orced to complain of them for bringing in such abundance when the Corn of this Realm was at an easie price whereupon it was ordained by Parliament That no person should bring into any part of this Realm by way of Marchandize Wheat Rie or Barley growing out of the said Realm when the Quarter of Wheat exceeded not the price of six shilling eight pence Rie four shillings the Quarter and Barley three shillings the Quarter upon forfeiture one half to the King the other half to the seisor thereof These Marchants of the Hawnce had their Guild-Hall in Thames-street in the place aforesaid by the said Cosin-lane Their Hall is large builded of Stone with three Arched Gates towards the street the middlemost whereof is far bigger than the other and is seldom opened the other two be mured up the same is now called the Old Hall In the 6th of Richard the 2d they hired one House next adjoyning to their Old Hall which sometime belonged to Richard Lions a famous Lapidary one of the Sheriffs of London in the 49 of Edward the 3d and in the 4th of Richard the 2d by the Rebels of Kent drawn out of that House and beheaded in West-Cheape This also was a great House with a large Wharf on the Thames and the way thereunto was called Windgoose or Wildgoose-lane which is now called Windgoose-Alley for that the same Alley is for the most part builded on by the Styliard Marchants The Abbat of St. Albans had a Messuage here with a key given to him 34. of Henry the 6th Then is one other great House which sometime pertained to Iohn Rainwel Stock-Fishmonger Maior and it was by him given to the Maior and Commonalty to the end that the profits thereof should be disposed in deeds of piety which House in the 15th of Edward the 4th was câ—â—firmed unto the said Marchants in manner following viz. It
the field one of the fairest rising street in the World From Newgate on the left hand lyeth the Old Bayley and so down by Sea-cole and Fleet-lane we passe then over the common Sewer up to Shooe-lane and so to Fewter-lane now vulgarly called Fetter-lane but betwixt these two Lanes there is another new street butted out by the Company of Goldsmiths called Newstreet where there is a knot of very handsome Buildings Above the Barres there was a House of the Templers but they removed thence to Fleetstreet There was also adjoyning thereunto the Bishop of Lincolns House which was very ancient for the Records say 't was built Anno 1147. But of late years it hath belonged to the Noble Earls of Southhampton And lately it hath bin quite taken down and turned to several private Tenements as Durham House is in the Strand Insomuch that if one should ask what God Almighty doth now in London he might as the pulse of the 〈◊〉 beats give the same answer that was given by the Pagan Philosopher who being demanded what Iupiter did in Heaven he said Magnas ollas rumpâ—t ex frustis earum parvas componit Jupiter breaks great Vessels and makes small ones of their peeces Side long of this ancient House of the Bishop of Lincoln is Newstreet for so it was called at first but now 't is called Chancery-lane where Edward the third annexed the House of converted Jews to the Office of Custos Rotulorum Here the Cursitors Office was built by Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal Here also is the six Clarks Office which is a fair convenient peece of stone and Brick Building newly erected the old being consumed by a casual fire of late years The Bishop of Chicester Ralph Nevil had much ground given him thereabouts by Henry the third which now is become all Tenements thick built and quite alienated Then is Lincolns Inne very much encreased in building it appertained sometimes to the said Ralph Nevil Bishop of Chicester Lord Chancellor of England having bin before the House of the Black-Fryers and after the decease of the said Bishop Nevil Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln Constable of Chester and Custos of England added much building to this place and Sir Thomas Lovel did also add much thereunto in Henry the eighth's time but now it is one of the foure Inns of Court for the Students in the Law Behind Lincolns Inne Westward is a spacious field where many fair Houses or rather Palaces are taken up by the Gentry Then is there towards Drewry Lane a new Market called Clare Market then is there a street and Palace of the same name built by the Earl of Clare who lives there in a princely manner having a House a street and a Market both for flesh and fish all bearing his name There was something omitted which should have bin spoken of the Church of St. Giles of the Field which is that being a very ancient Church and so decayed that it could not be repaired a new one was erected partly out of the ruines of the old which work was begun and finished in two years and a while after the fair Brick Wall that encompasseth it There were divers well disposed persons who contributed to so pious a work but specially the Lady Alice Duddeley according to that which is engraven upon the North door in pure and ponderous Latine which I thought therefore worthy to be here inserted Quod faelix faustumque sit posteris Hoc Templum loco Veteris ex Annosa vetustate Collapsi mole et splendore auctum multa Paraecorum Charitas Restauravit In quibus pientissimae Heroinae Dom. Aliciae Duddeley Munificentia gratum marmoris hujus meretur eloquium Huc etiam accessit aliorum pletas Quibus provisae sunt grates In Coelo Heus viator an effaetum est bonâ—s Operibus Hoc Saeculum From the North end of Chancery Lane is High Holborn which extends up to St. Giles in the Field where the famous devout Queen Matilda did found an Hospital as she did Eastward St. Katherines beyond the Tower At this Hospital the Prisoners conveyed from London to Tyborn were used to be presented with a Bowl of Ale for their last refreshment in this life and it was commonly called St. Giles's Bowl Then is there a spacious fair street called Long Acre and then Pickadilly full of fair Houses round about Thus have we as succinctly as we could avoiding superfluities and unnecessary trivial things spoken of the Skirts of London and the places thereunto annexed without the Gates and now Navigeâ— hinc alâ—â— jam mihi linter aqua I mean let us steer now to the City of VVestminster Of the Savoy the Dutchy and City of Westminster with the Antiquities the Tribunals of Iustice and Liberties thereunto belonging HAving taken so fair a Prospect and finished the perlustration of London It were a high Incivility and a soloecism in good manners or rather a Piacle not to give VVestminster also a visit being so near and contiguous a Neighborr It is true that they were once above a mile asunder but by insenâ—â—bâ—e coalition and recruit of people they came at last to be united and incorporated into one continued peece in point of posture though not of Government And the Union with Scotland did not a little conduce to make this Union â—twixt London and VVestminster For the Scots multiplying here mightily neasâ—ed themseâ—ves about the Court so that the Strand from mud Walls and thatched Houses came to that perfection of Buildings as now we see Moreover the City of VVestminster hath divers Magnalia's which may deserve as exact a view as any within London for if London of old had her Temple of Diana VVestmâ—nster had one to a greater Deity which was Apollo And since in those very places is St. Paul hath his Church in London St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles hath his in VVestminster which was used to keep the Regalia's and the Crown Add hereunto that if London hath her Guild-hall and the Hustings VVestminster hath the great Praetorian or common Hall where the chief Courts and general Tribunals of Justice do make their Sessions though to her high prayâ—e be it spoken London hath a far more expedite way of doing Justice and determination of cauâ—es then Westminster hath besides in point of safety and strength if London hath her Artillery Garden Westminster hath her Military And in point of Extent and Government if London hath her six and twenty Wards and so many Aldermen Westminster also hath her Twelve Burgesses and so many distinct Wards but for the quality of Inhabitants London muâ—t vayl to her most of the Nobility and Gentry residing in or about her Precincts Moreover in one particular Westminster may claim a great advantage of London in regard as the Royal Court once was so the residence of the Soveraign Magistrate is still there Insomuch that Westminster may well glory of three things That she hath the chiefest
Discourse by way of parallel betwixt the City of London and other the most populous great Marts of the World Of the Foundation and first Rise of the City of LONDON IT is as difficult a task to finde out the Original of some Nations and Citties as it is to finde out the Spring of the mysterious River of Nile which tumbling down with a horrid noise of Cataracts through so many huge Rocks above two thousand miles comes punctually every Summer solstice to visit the gran Cairo and then takes her leave of Her as punctually the Autumnal Equinox next following having first impregnated the hot womb of Egypt with a wonderful prolificall vertue for the generation of so many species of Animalls and Vegetalls But to finde out the Original of the City of London 't is not so hard a matter yet there are variety of Opinions hereof which we will briefly examine Ptolomy Tacitus and Antonine call her sometimes Londinium and sometimes Longidinium Ammianus Marsellinus calls her Lundinum and sometimes Augusta which is the stately and magnificent City There are some who call Her Troia nova or Troynovant which appellation Edward the first in that famous long Letter he writ to Pope Boniface about the Scots Nation seemes to assert Others call her Caer Lud other Dinas Belin But that Opinion which quadrats most with truth is that her first Founders and Godfathers were the ancient Britains whom we now call Welsh who by confession of all Antiquaries both domestick and sorraign were the Aborigenes and first Inhabitants of this Countrey being contemporary and as it were concreated with the Iland her self There are three denominations which are derived from the Britans viz. Llhogdin Llhwndian and Llhandian which we shall endeavour to explane Touching the first the Britans call a ship Llhong and Dinan a Town Insomuch that Llongdin is no other then Shipton or a Town of Ships And I have read of many Cities who derive their names from Ships as Naupactum Nauplia Naualia Augusti Nauctathmos But none of these hath more right to assume the Title of Shipton or Llhongdin according to the British as the City of London hath in regard that she is situated upon the gentle ascent or flank of a Hill hard by a dainty Navigable River which swelling at certain set houres with the Ocean Tides she is able by her deep and safe Channel to entertain the greatest bottoms and Ships that can ride on Neptunes back which makes Her so famous a Mart those Ships bringing in all the rich Commodities that the VVorld can afford whereunto alludes old Robert of Glocester in the Rimes of those dayes which I thought worthy to insert here for the Antiquity of the Dialect In the Country of Canterbury most plenty of Fish is And most chase of Beasts about Salsbury I wis And London Ships most and Wine at Winchester At Hartford Sheep and Oxe and fruit at Worcester Soap about Coventry and Iron at Glocestor Metal Lead and Tin in the Country of Exceter Enorwick of fairest wood Lincoln of fairest men Cambridge and Huntingdon most plenty of deep venne Ely of fairest place of fairest sight Rochester Touching the second British appellation Llhwndian Caesar and Strabo do mention that the ancient Britans called those Woods or Groves which they had barrocadoed and fenc'd about with Trees cast down and plash'd to prevent all inrodes and assaults they call'd such a place I say Llhwn which is equivalent to a fenc'd Town or dwelling as the Poet sings of them Their Houses were the Thicks And bushy queaches hollow Caves and Hardles made of sticks And 't is more then probable that in that place where St. Pauls Church now stands there was a Wood or Grove at first in regard there was a Fane or Temple erected there to the honour of Diana for Historians observe that whereas Venus Mars and Vulcan were used to have their Temples in the Suburbs Iupiter and Apollo within the City the Goddess Diana was used to have her Temples set up in Woods which might make the Britains denominate that place Llhwndian which is as much as Diana's Grove or Town As this derivation carrieth a great semblance of truth with it so the third viz. Llhandian carrieth as much if not a greater verisimilitude and weighs most with me The Brittains to this day call a Church or Temple Llhan whereof there be a great number in Wales to this day as Llhangorse Llhansawel Llhandilo c. which signifieth the Churches of such places And whereas by the Current and consentient opinion of all Antiquaries there was a Pagan Temple or Fane erected to Diana in that place where now St. Paul's stands there being yet there a place called Camera Dianae where Oxe heads and bones are daily found which were used to be offered her as victims and sacrifices I say 't is more then probable that the Britains were induc'd thereby to call the place Nhandian which is the Temple of Diana and so in tract of time the word was contracted and came to be called London Now who was the first Founder of London is no where precisely found But whosoever first founded her they shewed much prudence in the choyce of scituation For the happy and fortunate Estate of the City hath given good proof that built she was in a good houre when some propitious Starre was then the ascendent and marked for long life and continuance and that she is for antiquity very honourable Ammianus Marcellinus giveth us to understand that she was called an ancient City in his time which is above twelve hundred years agoe Cornelius Tacitus doth seem to do the like three hundred years before who gives her this Character Londinum copiâ Negotiatorum commeatu valdè celebre for multitude of Merchants and commerce London is very renowned This only was wanting to the glory thereof that she had not the name of Free City nor of Colony Neither indeed had it stood with the Roman interest if any City flourishing with Trade should have enjoyed the right of a Free City And therefore it was as may be well supposed that they ordain'd her to be a Prefecture for so they term'd Towns where Marts were kept and Justice administred yet so that they had no Magistrates of their own but rulers were sent every year to govern them and for to execute Law in publick matters namely of Tax Tribute Tolls Customs Warfare c. from the Senate of Rome Hence it commeth that Tacitus the Panegyrist and Marcellinus aforesaid call her only a Town But although she was not lostier in name yet in Wealth Riches and Prosperity she flourished as much as any other yea and continued alwayes the same under the Dominions of Romans Saxons and Normans seldom or never afflicted with any great calamities In the raign of Nero when the Britains had conspired to recover and resume their liberty under the Conduct of Baodicia the Londoncrs could not with all their vveepings hold Suetonius
Edward the black Prince sonne to Edward the third who was in his life time lodged there and 't was called the Prince of VVales his Court which was afterward for a long time a common Hostry having the sign of the Black Bell. Of the Eleventh Ward or Aldermanry of the City of London called Candle-wick Ward WE will now see what light Antiquity can give us of Candle-wick street or Candle-wright street Ward It beginneth at the East end of great East-cheap it passeth West through East-cheap to Candle-wright street and thorough the same down to the North end of Suffolk Lane on the South side and down that Lane by the West end of St. Lawrence Church-yard which is the farthest West part of that Ward the street of Great East-cheap is so called of the Market there kept in the East part of the City as VVest-cheap is a Market so called being in the West This East-Cheap is now a Flesh-market of Butchers there dwelling on both sides of the street it had sometime also Cooks mixed amongst the Bâ—tchers and such other as sold Victuals ready dressed of all sorts For of old time when friends did meet and were disposed to be merry they never went to dine and Sup in Taverns but to the Cooks where they called for meat what them liked 〈◊〉 they alwayes sound ready dressed and at a reasonable rate for Vintners 〈◊〉 â—old onâ—y Wine In the year 1410. the eleventh of Henry the fourth upon the Even of Saint Iohn Baptist the Kings Sonnes Thomas and Iohn being in East-Cheape at Supper or rather at break-fast for it was after the Watch was broken up betwixt two and three a Clock after mid-night a great debate happened between their men and other of the Court which lasted one houre till the Maior and Sheriffs with other Citizens appeaâ—â—d the same For the which afterwards the said Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs were called to answer before the King his Sons and divers Lords being highly moved against the City At which time William Gascoignâ— chief Justice required the Maior and Aldermen for the Citizens to put them in the Kings Grace whereunto they answered that they had not offended but according to the Law had done their best in stinting debate and maintaining of the peace upon which answer the King remitted all his Ire and dismissed them And to prove this East-Cheape to be a place replenished with Cooks it may appear by a Song called London lick-penny made by Lidgate a Monk of Bury in the Reign of Henry the fifth in the person of a Country-man comming to London and travelling thorough the same In West-Cheape saith the Song he was called on to buy fine Lawn Paris Thred Cotton Umble and other linnen Clothes and such like he speaketh of no silk In Corn-hill to buy old Apparel and Houshold-stuffe where he was forced to buy his own Hood which he had lost in Westminster-hall In Candlewright-street Drapers proâ—cred him Cheap Cloth In East-Cheape the Cooks cryed hot Ribs of Beef rosted Pies well baked and other Victuals There was clattering of Pewter-Pots Harp Pipe and Sawtry yea by cock nay by cock for greater Oaths were spared some sang of Ienkin and Julian c. All which Melody liked well the Passenger but he wanted money to abide by it and therefore gat him into Gravesend-Barge and home into Kent Candlewright so called in old Records of the Guild-hall of St. Mary Overies and other or Candlewick-street took that name as may be supposed either of Chaundlers or Makers of Candles both of Wax and Tallow for Candle-wright is a Maker of Candles and of Wick which is the Cotton or yarn thereof or otherwise which is the place where they used to work them as scalding wick by the Stocks-Market was called of the Poulterers dressing and scalding their Poultry there And in divers Countries Dairy-houses or Cottages wherein they make Butter and Cheese are usually called Wickes There dwelled also of old time divers Weavers of Woollen Clothes brought in by Edward the 3d for I read that in the four and twentieth of his Reign the Weavers brought out of Flanders were appointed their meetings to be in the Church-yard of St. Lawrence Poultney and the Weavers of Brabant in the Church-yard of St. Mary Sommerset There were then in this City Weavers of divers sorts to wit of Drapery or Tapery and Nappery these Weavers of Candlewicke street being in short time worn out their place is now possessed by rich Drapers Sellers of Woollen Cloth c. On the Northside of this Ward at the West end of East-Cheape have ye St. Clements Lane a part whereof on both sides is of Candlewicke street Ward to wit somewhat North beyond the Parish Church of St. Clement in East-cheape Though this Church be small yet there are some comely Monuments in it among others of William Chartney and William Overy who founded a Chantry there Next is St. Nicholas Lane for the most part on both sides of this Ward almost to St. Nicholas Church Then is Abchurch Lane which is on both sides almost wholly of this Ward the Parish Church there called of St. Mary Abchurch Apechurch or Upchurch as I have read it standeth somewhat near unto the South end thereof on a rising ground It is a fair Church Simon de Winchcombe sounded a Chauntery there the 19th of Richard the Littletonâ—ounded â—ounded another and Thomas Hondon another Here are likewise some remarkable Monuments particularly of Sir Iames and Sir Iohn Branch both Lord Mayors of London about the year 1570. On the South side of this Ward beginning again at the East is St. Michaels lane which lane is almost wholly of this Ward on both sides down towards Thames street to a Well or Pump there on the East side of this Lane is Crooked Lane aforesaid by St. Michaels Church towards New Fishstreet One of the most ancient Houses in this Lane is called the Leaden Porch and belonged sometime to Sir John Merston Knight the first of Edward the 4th It is now called the Swan in Crooked Lane possessed of strangers and retailing of Rhenish Wine The Parish Church of this St. Michaels was sometime but a small and homely thing standing upon part of that ground wherein now standeth the Parsonage House and the ground thereabout was a filthy plot by reason of the Butchers in East-Cheape who made the same their Lay-stall VV. de Burgo gave two Messuages to that Church in Candlewick street 1317. John Loveken Stock-fish monger fout times Maior builded in the same ground this fair Church of St. Michael and was there buried in the Quire under a fair Tombe with the Images of him and his Wise in Alabaster the said Church hath bin since increased with a new Quire and side Chappels by Sir W. Walworth Stock-fishmonger Maior sometime Servant to the said John Loveken Also the Tombe of Loveken was removed and a flat stone of gray marble garnished with Plates of Copper laid on him as it
these new buildings is Cow-bridge street or Cow-lane which turneth toward Holdbourn in vvhich Lane the Prior of Semperingham had his Inne or London Lodging The rest of that West side of Smithfield hath divers fair Inns and other comely Buildings up to Hosier-lane which also turneth down to Houldbourn till it meet with Cowbridge-street from this Lane to Cock-lane over against Pie-Corner In the year 1362 the thirty sixth of Edward the third on the first five dayes of May in Smithfield were Justs holden the King and Queen being present with the most part of the Chivalry of England and of France and of other Nation to the which came Spaniards Cyprians and Armenians Knightly requesting aid of the King of England against the Pagans that invaded their Confines The 48. of Edward the third Dame Alice Perrers or Pierce the Kings Concubine as Lady of the Sun rode from the Tower of London through Cheape accompanied by many Lords and Ladies every Lady leading a Lord by his Horse Bridle till they came into West Smithfield and then began a great Just vvhich endured seven dayes after In the year 1393. the 17th of Richard the second certain Lords of Scotland came into England to get vvorship by force of Arms the Earl of Marre chalenged the Earl of Nottingham to Just vvith him and so they rode together certain Courses but not the full Challenge for the Earl of Marre was cast both Horse and Man and two of his Ribs broken vvith the fall so that he vvas conveighed out of Smithfield and so towards Scotland but dyed by the vvay at York Sir VVilliam Darel Knight the Kings Banner-bearer of Scotland challenged Sir Percey Courtney Knight the Kings Banner-bearer of England and vvhen they had run certain Courses gave over vvithout conclusion of Victory Then Cookborne Esquire of Scotland challenged Sir Nicholas Hawberke Knight and rode five Courses but Cookborne vvas born over Horse and Man Now to return through Gilt-spur-street by Newgate vvhere I first began there standeth the fair Parish Church called St. Sepulchers in the Bayly or by Chamberlain Gate in a fair Church-yard though not so large as of old time for the same is letten out for buildings and a Garden plot This Church vvas newly re-edified or builded about the Reign of Henry the sixth or of Edward the fourth one of the Popham's vvas a great builder there and 't is lately also vvashed over and furbish'd Next to this Church is a fair and large Inne for the receipt of Travellers and hath to signe the Sarasens Head vvhere Oxford men resort There lyeth a street from Newgate West to the end of Turn again-lane and winding North to Oldbourne Conduit but of late a new Conduit vvas there builded in place of the old namely in the year 1577. by VVilliam Lambe sometime a Gentleman of the Chappel to King Henry the eighth and afterward a Citizen and Clothworker of London From the West side of this Conduit is the high way there called Snow-hill stretching out by Oldbourne-bridge over the oft-named Water of Turn-mill-Brook and so up to Old-bourn-hill all replenished with fair Buildings Without Ould-bourn-bridge on the right hand is Gold-lane as is before shewed up higher on the Hill be certain Inns and other fair Buildings amongst the which of old time was a Messuage called Scroops Inne for so we finde the same recorded in the 37. of Henry the sixth This House was sometime letten out to Sergeants at the Law as appeareth and was found by Inquisition taken in the Guild-hall of London before William Purchase Mayor and Escheater for King Henry the 7th in the 14th of his Reign Then is the Bishop of Elies Inne so called of belonging and pertaining to the Bishops of Ely Will de Luda Bishop of Ely deceased 1297 and gave this House by the name of his Mannor with the Appurrenances in Holdbourne to his Successors with condition that his next Successor should pay a thousand Marks towards the finding of three Chaglains in the Chappel there The first in the year 1464. the fourth of Edward the fourth in Michaelmas Terme the Sergeants at Law held their Feast in this House to the which amongst other Estates Matthew Philip Mayor of London with the Aldermen Sheriffs and Commons of divers Crafts being invited did repair but when the Mayor looked to keep the state in the Hall as it had bin used in all places within the City and Liberties out of the Kings presence the Lord Gray of Ruthen then Lord Treasurer of England unwitting the Sergeants and against their wills as they said was first placed whereupon the Mayor Aldermen and Commons departed home and the Mayor made the Aldermen to dine with him howbeit he and all the Citizens were wonderfully displeased that he was so dealt with and the new Sergeants and others were right oâ—ry therefore and had rather then much good as they said it had not so happened Next beyond this Mannor of Ely-house is Lither-lane turning into the Fields Then is Furnivals Inne now an Inne of Chancery but sometime belonging to Sir William Furnival Knight and Thomasin his Wife who had in Holdbourne two Messuages and thirteen Shops as appeareth by Record of Richard the second in the sixth of his Reign Now again from Newgate on the left hand or South side lyeth the Old Baylay which runneth down by the Wall upon the Ditch of the City called Houndsditch to Ludgate we have not read how this street took that name but it is like to have risen of some Court of old time there kept and we finde that in the year 1356. the thirty four of Edward the third the Tenement and ground upon Houndsditch between Ludgate on the South and Newgate on the North was appointed to Iohn Cambridge Fishmonger Chamberlain of London whereby it seemeth that the Chamberlains of London have there kept their Courts as now they do in the Guild-hall and till this day the Mayor and Justices of this City keep their Sessions in a part thereof now called the Sessions Hall both for the City of London and Shire of Middlesex over againâ— the which House on the right hand turneth down St. Georges Lane towards Fleet Lane In this St. Georges Lane on the North side thereof remaineth yet an old wall of stone inclosing a peece of ground up Sea-cole-Lane wherein by report sometime stood an Inne of Chancery which House being greatly decayed and standing remote from other Houses of that Profession the Company removed to a Common Hostery called of the signe out Lady Inne not far from Clements Inne which they procured from Sir Iohn Fineox Lord chief Justice of the Kings Bench and since have held it of the owners by the name of the New Inne paying therefore six pounds Rent by the year as Tenants at their own will for more as is said cannot be gotten of them and much lesse will they be put from it Beneath this Saint Georges Lane is the Lane called Fleet-lane winding
and hath enjoyed it without controlement or question And now before we bid a farewel to Westminster we will acquaint the Reader in brief with the modern Civil Government thereof Now as London is divided into 26. Wards so Westminster is partition'd to 12. for the which the Dean of the Collegiat Church was wont with the high Steward to elect 12. Burgesses and as many Assistants viz. one Burgesse and one Assistant for every Ward out of which twelve two are nominated yearly upon Thursday in Easter week for chief Burgesses to continue for one entire year who have Authority to hear examine determine and punish according to the Lawes of the Realm and Customs of the City matters of incontinency common Scolds Inmates with publique annoyances and likewise to commit such persons as shall offend against the peace giving notice thereof within 24. houres to some Justice of the Peace in the County of Middlesex And this mode of Government Westminster hath by vertue of an Act of Parliament in the twenty seventh of Queen Elizabeth A PARALLEL By way of COROLLARY Betwixt LONDON AND Other great Cities of the World HAving hitherto rambled up and down the streets of London and pryed into every corner thereof having endeavoured to fetch Her from her very Cradle which may not be improperly said for we found Her at first a Grove of Wood and so attended Her all along to that marvellous degree of perfection she is now arrived unto by insensible Coalitions of people improvement of Trade and encrease of Structures We will now for the better illustration of things and further enlightning of the Reader make a Comparison or Parallel 'twixt Her and other great Cities of the World which are accounted Cities of the first Magnitude for as the Starres in Heaven are distinguish'd by degrees of Magnitude so are Cities on the Earth Or to descend lower as there are Ships of the first second and third rate so there are Cities Now among those various wayes which tend to convey knowledge to the understanding rectifie ones judgement Examples Comparisons and Parallels conduce much thereunto and Plutarch was the first that prescrib'd this way who as t' was said of him by giving life to so many noble Greeks and Romans after their deaths gave himself the longest life so it may be said that by his Parallels he made himself parallel'd The Terrestial Globe which the Great God of Nature was pleased to entail upon man-kind for his mansion and to hold it for himself and his Heirs in Capite from Him I say this Masse of Earth is compared by some to a Camels back in regard of the bunchy unevenness of it by others to a Libbards skin in regard of the sundry 〈◊〉 parts and variety of Habitations By others to a great piece of Embrodery enchas'd up and down whereof the most bossie and richest compacted parts are Towns and Cities where People are linked in a nearer bond of love and lead a more civil course of life For Urbanity and Civility derived their names first from thence These Comparisons are lesse wide and more significant then that which Lucian makes when by way of drollery he makes the greatest Cities upon Earth to appear like so many Birds Neasts It is a Catholique truth wherein all Chronologers Antiquaries do unanimously concur that in the non-age of the World man-kind had no other Habitation then Woods Groves and bushy Queaches which they fenc'd about with Hardles made of twigs and loose Stone-walls to defend them from the invasions of wild and ravenous Beasts some lived in Caves and concavities of Rocks to shelter themselves from the inclemency and rigor of the Air Insomuch that all men were Troglodites at first as there are many Nations who are housed so to this day making themselves holes and hollowes in Rocks and sandy dry grounds as we find in this Iland some of those Troglodites both in Nottingham and Bridge-north Then by degrees they made themselves small Huts from Huts they came to build Houses and so to cohabit in Hamlets and thence sprung up Towns and Cities The first of any same was that stupend or City of Babylon founded by Nimrod the great Hunter and enlarged by that notable Virago Semiramis which was girded about with Walls 200. foot high and fifty broad whereof the Circuit was 300 Furlongs she had also 300. Turrets upon the Walls which were of such a latitude that Chariots might go upon them and if old Historians may oblige us to a belief there were three hundred thousand men that were employed in the building thereof she continueth still a vast and flourishing City called by the Turks Bagdat Asia being the most Orientall Countrey on this side the Hemisphere as it was first peopled for Adam was that Countreyman so Towns Cities Castles Altars and other Buildings first began to be erected there and indeed all other knowledge besides Architecture came first from those parts being next Neighbors to the rising Sun The Indian Brachmans or Gymnosophists were the first scientifical men and Students of Philosophy The Persian Magi were her next Students Then she cross'd the red Sea and came to Memphis among the Aegyptians whence she steered down the Nile and got over the Aegean Seas to Corinth and Athens among the Greeks whence she took wing to Rome and from thence she clammer'd ore the Alps to France Germany Great Britany and other North-west Climats Now as Asia had the first Cities so she glories to have to this day the greatest we will instance only in the City of Quinzay who arrogates to her self the name of the Celestial City whereof divers modern Authours do write portentous things and truly he must have a strong Faith who will believe them She is the chief City of the Empire of China lying under the same Climate as Venice doth with whom she hath a great resemblance being built upon the South side of a huge Laque she hath in length about forty miles in latitude thirty and one hundred and twenty miles in circumference she hath above a thousand Bridges some whereof are so high that Ships under saile may passe under them Her Houses are of Stone and Earth the lowest whereof is five stories high of marvellous beauty and strength She hath many magnificent Temples but one next the Royal Palace of a stupendious structure being of that altitude that the ascent is threescore and fower marble stairs There are an incredible number of fair Palaces in her among which after that of the Emperour those of the ten Governours are the stateliest and among them that of the Captain of the Tartars About the Center of the City stands the Imperial Court which is fenc'd about with seven Walls whereof every one is garded by ten thousand Souldiers the Palace is ten miles in Circuit and hath fourscore great Halls but that where the great Councel sits is four square and hath Windows and Gates looking towards the four parts of the Heaven