The survey of London containing the original, increase, modern estate and government of that city, methodically set down : with a memorial of those famouser acts of charity, which for publick and pious vses have been bestowed by many worshipfull citizens and benefactors : as also all the ancient and modern monuments erected in the churches, not only of those two famous cities, London and Westminster, but (now newly added) four miles compass / begun first by the pains and industry of John Stow, in the year 1598 ; afterwards inlarged by the care and diligence of A.M. in the year 1618 ; and now compleatly finished by the study & labour of A.M., H.D. and others, this present year 1633 ; whereunto, besides many additions (as appears by the contents) are annexed divers alphabetical tables, especially two, the first, an index of things, the second, a concordance of names.

Wall about the Citie of LONDON.

IN few yeeres after, as Si∣meon of Durham, an anci∣ent Writer, reporteth, Helen, the Mother of Constatine the great, was the first that in∣walled this Citie, about the yeere of Christ, 306. But howsoever those wals of stone might be builded by Helen, yet the Britaines (I know) had no skill of building with stone, as it may appeare by that which followeth, about the yeere of Christ, 399. when Arcadius and Honorius, the sonnes of Theodosius Magnus, governed the Empire, the one in the East, the other in the West. For Honorius having received Britaine, the Citie of Rome was invaded and de∣stroyed by the Gothes; after which time the Romanes left to rule in Britaine, as be∣ing imployed in defence of their Ter∣ritories neerer home. Whereupon the Britaines, not able to defend themselves against the invasions of their enemies, were many yeeres together under the oppression of two cruell Nations, the Scots and Picts, and at length were for∣ced to send their Ambassadours, with Letters and lamentable supplications to Rome, requiring aide and succour from thence, upon promise of their continuall fealtie, so that the Romanes would rescue them out of the hands of their enemies. Hereupon, the Romanes sent unto them a Legion of armed Souldiers, which comming into this Iland, and encoun∣tring with the enemies, overthrew a great number of them, and drave the rest out of the frontiers of the Country. And so setting the Britaines at liberty, counselled them to make a Wall, ex∣tending all along between the two seas, which might be of force to keepe out their evill neighbours, and then retur∣ned home with great triumph. The Britaines wanting Masons, builded that wall, not of stone (as they were advised) but made it of turfe, and that so slender, that it served little or nothing at all for their defence. And the enemy percei∣ving that the Romane Legion was retur∣ned home, forthwith arrived out of their Boats, invaded their borders, over∣came the Countrey, and (as it were) bare downe all that was before them.

Whereupon, Ambassadours were eftsoones dispatched to Rome, lamenta∣bly beseeching, that they would not suf∣fer their miserable Countrey to bee ut∣terly destroyed. Then againe, another Legion was sent, which comming on a sudden, made a great slaughter of the enemy, and chased him home, even to his owne Countrey. These Romanes at their departure told the Britaines plain∣ly, that it was not for their ease or lea∣sure, to take upon them (any more) such long and laborious journies for their de∣fence, and therefore bade them practise the use of Armour and Weapons, and learn to withstand their enemies, whom nothing else did make so strong, as their faint heart and cowardise. And for so much as they thought, that it would be no small helpe and encouragement unto their tributarie friends, whom they were now forced to forsake: they buil∣ded for them a wall of hard stone, from the West Sea to the East Sea, right be∣tweene those two Cities, which were there made to keepe out the enemies, in the selfe-same place where Severus be∣fore had cast his Trench: the Britaines also putting to their helping hands as labourers.

This Wall they builded eight foot thicke in bredth, and twelve foot in height, right as it were by a line from East to West; as the ruines thereof, (remaining in many places till this day) doe make to appeare. Which worke thus perfected, they gave the people straight charge to looke well to them∣selves, they teach them to handle their weapons, and instruct them in warlike feats. And lest by the Sea side South∣wards, where their Ships lay at harbor, the enemie should come on Land; they made up sundry bulwarkes, each some∣what distant from other, & so bid them farewell, as minding no more to return. This hapned in the dayes of Theodosius the yonger, almost 500. yeeres after the first arrivall of the Romanes here, about the yeere after Christs Incarnation, 434.

The Britaines after this continuing a lingring and doubtfull warre with the Scots and Picts; made choice of Vortiger to be their King and Leader: which man (as saith Malmesbury) was neither valo∣rous of courage, nor wise of counsell, but wholly given over to the unlawfull lusts of his flesh. The people likewise (in short time) being growne to some quietnesse, gave themselves to gluttony and drun∣kennesse, pride, contention, envie, and such other vices, casting from them the yoke of Christ. In the meane season, a bitter Plague fell among them, consu∣ming in short time such a multitude, that the quicke were not sufficient to bu∣rie the dead: and yet the remnant re∣mained so hardned in sinne, that neither death of their friends, nor feare of their owne danger, could cure the mortality of their soules; wherupon a great stroke of vengeance ensued upon the whole sinfull Nation. For, being now againe infested with their old neighbours, the Scots and Picts, they consult with their King Vortiger, and send for the Saxons, who shortly after arrived here in Bri∣taine; where, saith Bede, they were re∣ceived as friends: but as it proved, they minded to destroy the Countrey as ene∣mies. For after they had driven out the Scots and Picts, they also drave the Bri∣taines, some over the Seas, some into the waste mountaines of Wales and Cornwall, and divided the Countrey into divers Kingdomes amongst themselves.

These Saxons were likewise ignorant of building with stone, untill the yeere 680. for then it is affirmed, that Bennet, Abbot of Wirrall, Master to the reve∣rend Bede, first brought Artificers of stone houses, and glasse windowes into this Iland, amongst the Saxons: Arts, before that time, unto them unknowne, and therefore used they but woodden buildings. And to this accordeth Poly∣chronicon, who saith, that then had yee woodden Churches; nay woodden Cha∣lices, and golden Priests; but since, gol∣den Chalices, and woodden Priests. And, to knit up this Argument, King Edgar, in his Charter to the Abbey of Malmesbury, dated the yeere of Christ 974. hath words to this effect: All the Monasteries in my Realme, to the outward sight, are nothing but worm-eaten and rotten Timber, and boords; and that worse is, within they are almost empty and void of di∣vine Service.

Thus much be said for walling, not onely in respect of this Citie, but gene∣rally also of the first within the Realme. Now to returne to our Trinobant, (as Caesar cals it;) the same is (since) by Tacitus, Ptolomaeus, and Antonius, called Londinium, Longidinium; of Ammianus, Lundinum, and Augusta, who calleth it also an ancient Citie. Of our Britaines, Lundaine; of the old Saxons, Lunden∣ceaster, Lundenbirig, Londennir. Of stran∣gers, Londra and Londres; of the inha∣bitants, London: whereof you may read a more large and learned Discourse, and how it tooke the name, in that Worke of my loving friend, Master Camden, now Clarenceaulx, which is called Bri∣tania.

Concerning M^r. Camden, in his more absolute relation of London, the Argu∣ment we have now in hand; I will be so bold as to borrow his owne words, as he hath set them downe in his Britania. Summing over the severall names then given and attributed thereto, as former∣ly hath beene declared: hee comes to his owne iudgement:

For mine owne part, (saith hee) seeing that Caesar and Strabo doe write, that the ancient Britaines called those Woods and Groves, by the name of Cities and Townes, which they had fenced with Trees, cast down and plashed, to stop up all passage: Seeing also I have understood, that such Woods or Groves are in the British Tongue named Llhwn: I incline a little to the opinion, that London thence tooke name, as one would say, by way of excellencie; The Citie, or A Citie thicke of Trees. But if herein I faile of the truth; let me (with good leave) give my conjecture. And here would I have no man to charge me with inconstancie, while I disport in conjecture; that whence it had the fame, thence also it took name, even from Ships, which the Britaines in their language call Lhong: so that Londinum may seeme to sound as much as a Ship-Road, or Citie of Ships. For the Britaines terme a Citie Dinas, whence the Latines have fetched their Dinum. And hence it is, that else∣where it is called Longidinium; and in the Funerall Song or Dumpe of a most anci∣ent British Bard, Lhong-porth, that is,

An Harbour or Haven of Ships. And by this very terme Bononia, or Bolen in France, which Ptolomee calleth Gessori∣acum Navale, in the British Glossarie is named Bolunglhong: as Naupactus, Naustathmos, Nauplia, Navalia Au∣gusti, &c.

But of these, none hath better right to as∣sume unto it the name of a Ship-Roade, or Haven, than our London. For in regard of both Elements, most happy and blessed it is; as being situated in a rich and fertile soile, abounding with plentifull store of all things, and on the gentle ascent and rising of an Hill, hard by the Thames side, the most milde Merchant (as one would say) of all things that the world doth yeeld: which swelling at certaine houres with the Ocean Tides, by his safe and deepe Channell (able to entertaine the greatest Ships that be) dai∣ly bringeth in so great riches from all parts, that it striveth at this day with the Mart-Townes of Christendome for the second Prize, and affordeth a most sure and beau∣tifull Road for Shipping. A man would say that seeth the Shipping there, that it is (as it were) a very Wood of Trees, disbranched to make glades and let in light: So shaded it is with Masts and Sayles.

Who was the first Founder, is by length of time growne out of knowledge: and in∣truth, very few Cities there are, that know theier owne first Founders, considering they grew up to their greatnesse by little and lit∣tle. But as other Cities, so this of ours, fa∣thereth her originall upon the Trojans, as verily beleeving that Brute (the Nephew in the third descent of great Aeneas) was the builder thereof. But whosoever founded it; the happy and fortunate estate thereof hath given good proofe, that built it was in a good houre, and marked for life and long conti∣nuance. And that it is for Antiquity Ho∣nourable, Ammianus Marcellinus giveth us to understand; who called it in his time, (and that was 1200. yeeres agoe) An old Towne. And Cornelius Tacitus in like manner, who in Nero's dayes, 1540. yeeres since, reported it to have bin a place Very fa∣mous for fresh trade, concourse of Mer∣chants, & great store of victuals, and all things necessary. This onely at that time was wanting to the glory thereof, that it had the name neither of a free City, nor of a Co∣lony. Neither verily could it have stood with the Romanes profit, if a Citie flourishing with Merchandize, should haue enjoyed the right of a Colonie or Free Citie. And there∣fore it was (as I suppose) that they ordained it to be a Praefectura: for so they termed all Townes where Marts were kept, and Iu∣stice ministred: Yet so, as that they had no Magistrates of their owne: but Rulers were sent every yeere to governe in them, and for to minister Law, which in publike matters, namely of Taxe, Tributes, Tolles, Customes, Warfare, &c. they should have from the Se∣nate of Rome. Hence it commeth that Ta∣citus, the Panegyrist, and Marcellinus call it onely a Towne.

And although it was not in name loftier; yet in wealth, riches and prosperity, it flou∣rished as much as any other: yea and conti∣nued in manner alwaies the same, under the dominion of Romanes, English-Saxons, and Normans, seldome or never afflicted with any great calamities. In the reigne of Nero, when the Britaines had conspired to recover and resume their liberty under the leading of Boadicia; the Londoners could not with all their weeping teares, hold Sue∣tonius Paulinus, but that after he had le∣vied a power of the Citizens to aide him, he would needes dislodge and remove from thence, leaving the Citie naked to the enemy; who forthwith surprized and slew some few, whom either weaknesse of sexe, feeblenesse of age, or sweetnesse of the place had detained there.

This City of Londō having bin destroy∣ed & burnt by the Danes & other Pagan enemies, about the yeere of Christ 839; was, by Alfred, King of the West-Saxons, in the yeere 886. repaired, honourabley restored, and made againe habitable: Who also committed the custody there∣of unto his sonne in law, Ethelred, Earle of Mercia, unto whom before he had gi∣ven his daughter Ethelfled.

And that this Citie was then strong∣ly walled, may appeare by divers acci∣dents; whereof William of Malmesbury hath, that about the yeere of Christ, 994 the Londoners did shut up their gates, and defended their King, Ethelred, within their Wals against the Danes.

In the yeere 1016. Edmund Ironside, reigning over the West-Saxons, Canutus the Dane, bringing his Navy unto the west part of the Bridge, did cast a trench about the Citie of London, and then at∣tempted to have won it by assault: but

the Citizens repulsed him, and drave them from their Wals.

Also in the yeere 1052. Earle Godwin, with his Navie sayled up by the South end of the Bridge, and so assailed the Walles of this Citie.

William Fitzstephen, in the reigne of Henry the second, writing of the Wals of this Citie, hath these words: the wall is high and great, well towred on the North side, with due distance betweene the Towres. On the South side also, the Citie was walled and towred: but the fishfull River of Thames, by his ebbing and flowing, hath long since subverted them.

By the North side, he meaneth from the River of Thames in the East, to the River of Thames in the West: for so stretched the Wall in his time, and the Citie being farre more in length from East to West, than in breadth from South to North; and also narrower at both ends, than in the middest, is there∣fore compassed with the Wall on the Land side, in forme of a bow, except denting in betwixt Cripplegate and Al∣dersgate. But the Wall on the South side, along by the River of Thames, was straight, as the string of a bow, and all furnished with Towres or Bulwarkes, (as we now terme them) in due distance every one from other, as witnesseth our Author, and our selves may behold for the Land side. This may suffice for proofe of a Wall, and forme thereof a∣bout this Citie, and the same to have beene of great Antiquity, as any other within this Realme.

And now touching the maintenance and repairing the said Wall, I read, that in the yeere 1215. the 6. of King Iohn, the Barons entring the City by Ealdgate, first took assurance of the Citizens, then brake into the Iews houses, searched their coffers, to fill their owne purses: and af∣ter, with great diligence repaired the wals and gates of the Citie, with stones taken from the Iewes broken houses. In the yeere 1257. Henry the third caused the wals of this Citie, which were sore decayed, and destitute of Towres and Towrets, to be repaired in more seeme∣ly wise than before, at the common char∣ges of the Citie. Also, in the yeere 1282 King Edward the first, having granted to Robert Kilwarby, Archbishop of Can∣terbury, licence for the enlarging of the Blacke Friers Church, to breake and take downe a part of the Wall of the Citie, from Ludgate to the River of Thames: He also granted to Henry Waleis, Maior, and the Citizens of London, the favour to take toward the making of the wall, and inclosure of the Citie, certaine customs, or toll, as appeareth by his Grant. This wall was then to be made from Ludgate west to Fleetbridge, along behinde the houses, and along by the water of the Fleet unto the River of Thames. More∣over, in the yeere 1310. Edward the se∣cond commanded the Citizens to make up the Wall already begunne, and the Tower at the end of the same Wall, within the water of Thames, neere unto the Blacke Friers, &c. 1322. the second of Edward the third, the Wals of this Citie were repaired. It was also granted by King Richard the second, in the tenth yeere of his reigne, that a toll should be taken of the wares, sold by Land or by Water, (for tenne yeeres) towards the repairing of the Wals, and cleansing of the Ditch about London. In the 17. of Edward the fourth, Ralph Ioseline Maior, caused part of the Wall about the Citie of London to be repaired; to wit, betwixt Ealdgate and Aldersgate. He also caused the Moore-field to be searched for clay, and bricke thereof to be made and burnt: he likewise caused chalke to be brought out of Kent, and to be burnt into lime in the same Moore-field, for more furthe∣rance of the worke. Then the Skinners, to beginne in the East, made that part of the Wall, betwixt Ealdgate and Buries markes, towards Bishopsgate; as may ap∣peare by their Armes in three places fixed there. The Maior, with his Com∣panie of Drapers, made all that part be∣twixt Bishopsgate and Alhallowes Church in the same Wall, and from Alhallowes towards the Posterne called Mooregate. A great part of the same Wall was re∣paired by the Executors of Sir Iohn Cros∣by, late Alderman, as may appeare by his Armes in two places there fixed: And other Companies repaired the rest of the VVall to the Posterne of Crip∣plegate.

In a Record which I have seene, and affirmed also by Iohn Rouse, and (after him) by Raphael Holinshed, I finde thus

written: In Anno 1477. by the diligence of Ralph Ioseline, Maior of London, the Wall about London was new made, be∣twixt Aldgate and Creplegate. He caused the Moore-fields to be searched for clay, and bricke to be made and burnt there. He caused chalke also to be brought out of Kent, and in the same Moore-fields to be burnt into lime, onely for the furthe∣rance of that worke. The Maior, with his company of Drapers, made all that part betwixt Bishopsgate and Alhallowes Church in the same wall. Bishopsgate it selfe was new built by the Merchants Almanes of the Stillyard. And from Al∣hallowes Church in the wall, towards Mooregate, a great part of the same was builded, of the goods, and by the Exe∣cutours of Sir Iohn Crosby, sometimes an Alderman, and Maior of London, as may appeare by his Armes thereon fi∣xed in two places. The Company of Skinners made that part of the wall be∣tweene Ealdgate and Buries markes, to∣wards Bishopsgate; as may appeare by their Armes in three places fixed. The other Companies of the Citie, made the other deale of the wall: which was a great worke to be done in one yeere.

The Goldsmiths repaired from Cre∣plegate towards Aldersgate, and there the worke ceased. The circuit of the wall of London on the lands side, to wit, from the Tower of London in the East, unto Ealdgate, is 82. Perches: from Ealdgate to Bishopsgate, 86. Perches: from Bi∣shopsgate in the North, to the Posterne of Creplegate, 162. Perches: from Creple∣gate to Aldersgate, 75. Perches: from Al∣dersgate to Newgate, 66. Perches: from Newgate in the West, to Ludgate, 42. Perches: in all, 513. Perches of assise. From Ludgate to the Fleet-Dike West about 60. Perches: from Fleet-bridge South to the River Thames, about 70. Perches: and so the Totall of these Per∣ches amounteth to 643. every Perch consisting of 5. yardes and an halfe; which doe yeeld 3536. yards and an halfe, containing 10608. foot, which make vp two English miles, and more by 608. foot.

Notes

• Simeon of Durham.
• The Ro∣manes left to govern in Britaine.
• The Scots and Picts invade this Land.
• Britaines unskilfull of buil∣ding with stone.
• Witchendus.
• Wall of stone buil∣ded by the Romanes, betwixt the Britains and Scots.
• Malmesb.
• Bede.
• The Bri∣tains given to glutto∣ny, drun∣kennesse, pride, and contenti∣on.
• The Brī∣taines Pla∣gued for their sinful life.
• Witchendus.
• Bede.
• The Saxons Sent for to defend the Britaines, but they drave thē into the Moun∣taines.
• Saxons un∣skilfull of building with stone.
• Bennet, a Monke, brought in Masons.
• Woodden churches, and goldē priests.
• Monaste∣ries of rot∣ten timber
• Camden in his Britan∣nia concer∣ning the name of London.
• Of British Townes and Cities
• London re∣ceived nama frō Ships and shipping.
• Dinas Brit.
• Dinum Lat.
• Po••••.
• How ma∣ny cities have deri∣ved their names frō Ships.
• The situ∣ation of London.
• The bene∣fit of the Thames eb¦bing and flowing, & also of the shipping.
• Concer∣ning the first foun∣der of London.
• Brute sup∣posed to bee the builder.
• Antiquity of London.
• London no free Citie, nor Colonie in the Romanes time.
• London a Praefectura, governed by Officers yeerely sent to it from Rome.
• London flourished equall with any other place.
• Suetonius Paulinus, Lieute∣nant for Rome.
• The Citie of London destroyed by the Danes and againe re∣paired.
• The Citie of London lay waste, & not in∣habited for the space of almost 50 yeeres.
• W. Malmes∣bury.
• Assur.
• Marianu••.
• Florentius.
• W. Fitzste∣phen.
• The Citie of London walled round a∣bout by the River of Thames.
• Wals of London re∣paired.
• Roger of Randover.
• Mat. Paris.
• Ranul.
• Co••shal.
• Mat. Paris.
• Patent.
• Bishopsgate new buil∣ded.
• Circuit of the Wall from the East to the West, and according∣ly to eve∣ry gate.