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.

The Towne-ditch without the Wall of the CITIE.

THe Ditch, which partly now remaineth, and com∣passed the wall of the Ci∣tie, was begun to be made by the Londoners, in the yeere 1211. and finished 1213. the 15. of K. Iohn: this ditch being then made of 200. foot broad, caused no small hin∣drance to the Canons of the holy Trini∣tie, whose Church stood neere Ealdgate, for that the said ditch passed through their ground from the Tower unto Bi∣shopsgate. This Ditch being originally made for the defence of the Citie, was also long time together carefully clean∣sed and maintained, as need required: but now of late neglected, and forced eyther to a very narrow, and the same a filthy channell, or altogether stopped up, for Gardens planted, & houses buil∣ded thereon, even to the Wall, and in many places upon both Ditch & Wall, houses are builded, to what danger of the Citie, I leave to wiser consideration than mine owne: and can but wish that reformation might be had.

In the yeere of Christ 1354. 28. Ed. 3. the ditch of this Citie flowing over the banke into the Tower ditch, the King commanded the said ditch of the Citie to be cleansed and so ordered, that the o∣verflowing thereof, should not force any filth into the Tower ditch.

Ann. 1379. Iohn Philpot, Maior of Lon∣don, caused this ditch to be clensed, and every houshold to pay 5. d. which was for a dayes worke toward the charges therof. R. 2. in the 10. of his reigne, gran∣ted a Toll to be taken of wares sold by water or by land for 10. yeeres, towards repairing the wall, & clensing the ditch.

Thomas Fawconer Maior, 1414. caused the ditch to be clensed.

Ralph Ioseline Maior, 1477. caused the whole ditch to be cleansed, and so from time to time it was cleansed and other∣wise reformed: namely, in 1519. the 10 of Hen. 8. for clensing and scowring the

ditch, betweene Ealdgate and the Po∣sterne next the Tower ditch: the chiefe ditcher had by the day 7. pence, the se∣cond ditcher 6. pence, the other dit∣chers, 5. pence. And every vagabond (for so were they then termed) one pen∣ny the day, meat and drink, at the char∣ges of the Citie.

Sum. 95. l. 3. s. 4. d.

In my remembrance also the same was cleansed, namely the Moore ditch, when Sir William Hollies was Maior, in the yeere 1540. and not long before, from the Tower of London to Ealdgate.

It was againe cleansed in the yeere 1549. Henry Ameotes being Maior, at the charges of the Companies. And a∣gaine 1569. the 11. of Q. Eliz. for clean∣sing the same Ditch, betweene Ealdgate and the Posterne, and making a new Sewere, and Wharfe of Timber, from the head of the Posterne into the towne ditch, 814. l. 15. s. 8. d. Before the which time, the said ditch lay open, without wall or pall, having therein great store of very good fish, of divers sorts, as many men yet living, who have taken and tasted them, can well witnes: but now no such matter, the charge of cleansing is spared, and great profit made by letting out the bankes, with the spoile of the whole ditch.

I am not ignorant of two Fifteenes granted by a common Councell, in the yeere 1595. for the reformation of this ditch, and that a small portion thereof, to wit, betweene Bishopsgate and the Po∣sterne called Mooregate, was cleansed, and made somewhat broader than it was before: but filling againe very fast, by reason of over-raising the ground neere adjoyning, therefore never the better: and I will so leave it, for I can∣not helpe it.

Notes

• Lib. Dunsta∣ble.
• Ditch a∣bout Lon∣don 200. foot broad Lib. Trin.
• Ditch of the Citie overflow∣ed the banke, in∣to the Tower Ditch.
• Plenty of good fish in the Towne ditch.