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.

Baynards Castle.

IN the west part of this Citie (saith Fitzstephen) are two most strong Ca∣stles, * 1.1 &c. Also Gervasim Tilbury,* 1.2 in the Reigne of Henry the second,* 1.3 writing of these Castl•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to this effect: Two Castles (saith he) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 built with wals and rampires, whereof one is in right of possession Baynards: the other, the Barons of Mount∣fitchet. The first of these Castles, ban∣king on the River Thames, was called Baynards Castle, of Baynard, a Nobleman that came in with the Conquerour, and then builded it, and deceased in the reigne of William Rufus: after whose de∣cease Geffrey Baynard succeeded, and then William Baynard, in the yeere 1111 who by forfeiture for Felonie, lost his Baronry of little Dunmow, and king Hen∣ry gave it wholly to Robert, the sonne of Richard, the sonne of Gilbert of Clare, and to his heires, together with the ho∣nour of Baynards Castle. This Robert mar∣ried Maude de Sent Licio, Lady of Brad∣ham, and deceased 1134. was buried at Saint Needes by Gilbert of Glare his Fa∣ther: Walter his sonne succeeded him, he tooke to wife Matilde de Bocham; and after her decease, Matilde the daughter and coheyre of Richard de Lucy, on whom hee begate Robert, and other: hee deceased in the yeere 1198. and was buried at Dunmow: after whom succeeded Robert Fitzwater, a valiant knight.

About the yeere 1213. there arose a great discord betwixt king Iohn and his Barons,* 1.4 because of Matilda, surnamed the faire, daughter to the said Robert Fitzwater, whom the king unlawfully loved, but could not obtain her, nor her Father would consent thereunto: wher∣upon, and for other like causes, ensued warre through the whole Realme. The Barons were received into Lond. where they greatly endamaged the King, but in the end, the king did not onely (therefore) banish the said Fitzwater amongst other,* 1.5 out of the Realme, but also caused his Castell, called Baynard, and other his houses to bee spoiled.* 1.6 Which then being done, a Messenger being sent unto Matilda the faire,* 1.7 about the kings suit, whereunto shee would not consent, she was poysoned: Robert Fitzwater, and other being then passed into France and some into Scotland, &c.

It hapned in the yeere 1214. king Iohn being then in France with a great Army, that a truce was taken betwixt the two kings of England and France, for the tearme of five yeeres, and a River, or arme of the Sea 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then betwixt either host. There was a Knight in the English host, that cryed to them of the other side, willing some one of their Knights, to come and just a course or twaine with him: whereupon, without stay, Robert Fitzwater, being on the French part, made himselfe ready, fer∣ried over, and got on horsebacke, with∣out any man to helpe him, and shewed himselfe ready to the face of his chal∣lenger, whom at the first course, hee strooke so hard with his great Speare, that horse and man fell to the ground: and when his Speare was broken, hee went back againe to the king of France. Which when the king had seene, by Gods tooth,* 1.8 quoth hee (after his usuall oath) he were a king indeed, that had such a Knight. The friends of Robert hearing these words, kneeled downe and said:* 1.9 O king, he is your knight; it is Robert Fitzwater, and thereupon the next day hee was sent for, and restored to the kings favour: By which meanes, peace was concluded,* 1.10 and he received his livings, and had licence to repaire to his Castell of Baynard, and other Ca∣stles.

The yeere 1216. the first of Henry the third, the Castell of Hartford, being delivered to Lewes the French, and the Barons of England,* 1.11 Robert Fitzwater re∣quiring to have the same; because the keeping thereof did by ancient right and title pertaine to him, was answered by Lewes; That English men were not worthy to have such holds in keeping, because they did betray their own Lord, &c. This Robert deceased in the yeere 1234. and was buried at Dunmow, and Walter his sonne succeeded him, 1258. and his Barony of Baynard, was in the ward of King Henry in the nonage of Ro∣bert Fitzwater. This Robert tooke to his second wife, Aelianor, daughter and heire to the Earle of Ferrars, in the yeere 1289. and in the yeere 1303. on the 12. of March. Before Iohn Blondon, Maior of London, he acknowledged his service to the same Citie, and sware upon the Evangelists, that he would be true to the liberties thereof, and maintaine the same to his power, and the counsell of the same to keepe, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Baynards Castle.
• * 1.2

  Fitzstephen.
• * 1.3

  Gervas. Til∣bery.
• * 1.4

  Lib. Dun∣mow.
• * 1.5

  Robert Fitz∣water ba∣nished.
• * 1.6

  Baynards Castell de∣stroyed.
• * 1.7

  Virginity defended with the losse of worldly goods and life of the body, for life of the soule.
• * 1.8

  King Iohns oath.
• * 1.9

  Robert Fitz∣water re∣stored to the Kings favour.
• * 1.10

  Baynards Castell a∣gain buil∣ded.
• * 1.11

  The kee∣ping of Hertford Castell belonged to Robert Fitzwater.