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.

Sports and Pastimes of old time used in this Citie.

LEt us now (saith Fitzste∣phen) come to the Sports and Pastimes,* 1.1 seeing it is fit that a Citie should not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be commodious and serious,* 1.2 but also merry and sportfull. Whereupon, in the seales of the Popes, untill the time of Pope Leo, on the one side was Saint Peter fishing, with a key over him, reached as it were by the hand of God out of Heaven, and about it this verse:

Tu pro me navē liquisti, suscipe clavem.

And on the other side was a Citie, and this inscription on it, Aurea Roma. Like∣wise to the praise of Augustus Caesar and the Citie, in respect of the shewes and sports, was written,

Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectaculs mane, &c. All night it raines, and shewes at morrow-tide returne againe; And Caesar with almighty Iove hath matcht an equall reigne.

But London for the shewes upon The∣aters, * 1.3 and Comicall pastimes, hath holy playes, representations of miracles, which holy Confessors have wrought; or represen∣tations of torments, wherein the constancle of Martyrs appeared.

Every yeere also on Shrove-Tuesday, (that we may beginne with childrens sports, seeing wee all have beene children:) the Schoole-boyes doe bring Cockes of the game to their Master, and all the fore-noone they delight themselves in Cock-fighting.* 1.4 After dinner, all the youths goe into the fields to play at the Ball.* 1.5

The scholars of every Schoole have their Ball, or bastion in their hands: the ancient and wealthy men of the Citie come forth

on horsebacke, to see the sport of the Young∣men, and to take part of the pleasure, in be∣holding their agility.

Every Friday in Lent,* 1.6 a fresh companie of young-men comes into the field on horse∣backe, and the best horse-men conduct the rest. Then march forth the Citizens sonnes, and other young-men with disarmed Lances and Shields, and there they practise feats of Warre.

Many Courtiers likewise, when the King lyeth neere, and attendants on Noble-men, doe repaire to these exercises, and while the hope of victory doth inflame their mindes, they shew by good proofe how serviceable they would be in Martiall affaires.

In Easter Holydayes,* 1.7 they fight battels on the water, a Shield is hanged upon a pole, fixed in the midst of the streame; a Boat is prepared without Oares, to be carried by violence of the water, and in the fore-part thereof standeth a young-man, ready to give charge upon the Shield with his Launce. If so be he breake his Launce against the Shield and doth not fall, he is thought to have per∣formed a worthy deede. If so bee without breaking his Launce, he runneth strongly a∣gainst the Shield, downe he falleth into the water; for the Boat is violently forced with the Tide; but on each side of the Shield ride two Boats, furnished with yong-men, which recover him that falleth, as soone as they may. Vpon the Bridge, Wharfes and houses by the Rivers side, stand great numbers to see, and laugh thereat.

In the Holydaies all the Summer, the youths are exercised in leaping, dancing, shooting, wrastling, casting the stone, and practising their Shields: the Maidens trip with their Timbrels,* 1.8 and dance as long as they can well see. In Winter, every Holiday before dinner, the Bores prepared for brawne are set to fight, or else Buls or Beares are baited.

When the great Fenne or Moore, which watereth the wals of the Citie on the North side is frozen, many yong men play upon the Ice; some striding as wide as they may, doe slide swiftly: others make themselves seats of Ice, as great as Milstones. One sits downe, many (hand in hand) doe draw him, and one slipping on a sudden, all fall toge∣ther. Some tye bones to their feet, and un∣der their heeles, and shoving themselues by a little piked staffe, doe slide as swiftly as a bird flyeth in the ayre, or an arrow out of a Crosse-bow, Sometime two runne together with poles, and hitting one the other, either one or both doe fall, not without hurt: some breake their armes, some their legs: but youth (desirous of glory in this sort) exerci∣seth it selfe against the time of warre.* 1.9 Many of the Citizens doe delight themselves in Hawkes and Hounds, for they have liberty of hunting in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, all Chiltron, and in Kent to the water of Cray. Thus far Fitzstephen of sports.

These or the like exercises have been continued til our time, namely in Stage∣playes, whereof ye may read, in Anno 1391. a Play by the Parish Clerkes of London at the Skinners Well besides Smithfield;* 1.10 which continued three dayes together, the King, Queene, and Nobles being present. And of another in the yeere 1409. which lasted eight dayes, and was of matter from the Creation of the World, whereat was present most part of the Nobility, and Gentry of England.

Of late time,* 1.11 in stead of those Stage∣playes, have beene vsed Comedies, Tra∣gedies, Enterludes, and Histories, both true and sained: for the acting whereof, certaine publike places have beene ere∣cted. Also Cockes of the game are yet cherished by divers men for their plea∣sures, much money being laid on their heads, when they fight in pits, whereof some be costly, made for that purpose.

The Ball is used by Noblemen and Gentlemen in Tennis-courts,* 1.12 and by people of meaner sort in the open fields and streets.

The marching forth of Citizens sons and other yong men on horse-backe, with disarmed Launces and Shields, there to practise feats of warre, man a∣gainst man, hath long since beene left off, but in their Citie they have used on horse-backe, to runne at a dead marke, called a Quinten.

[illustration]

For note whereof,* 1.13 I read, that in the yeere of Christ 1253. the 38 of Hen. 3. the youthfull Citizens, for an exer∣cise of their activity, set foorth a game to runne at the Quinten, and whosoever did best, should have a Peacocke, which they had prepard as a prize.

Certaine of the Kings servants, be∣cause the Court lay then at Westminster, came,* 1.14 as it were, in despight of the Ci∣tizens, to that game, and giving re∣prochfull names to the Londoners, which for the dignity of the Citie, and the an∣cient priviledge which they ought to have enjoyed, were called Barons: the said Londoners being wrongfully abused, fell upon the Kings servants, and beat them shrewdly, so that upon complaint made to the King, he fined the Citie to pay a thousand Markes. This exercise of running at the Quinten, was practised by the youthfull Citizens, aswel in sum∣mer as in winter; namely, in the feast of Christmas. I have seene a Quinten set upon Cornhill,* 1.15 by the Leaden Hall, where the attendants of the Lords of merry di∣sports have runne, and made great pa∣stime: for he that hit not the broad end of the Quinten, was of all men laughed to scorne; and he that hit it full, if hee rode nor the faster, had a sound blow in his necke with a bag full of sand, han∣ged on the other end.

I have also in the Summer season, seene some upon the River of Thames,* 1.16 rowed in Whirries, with staves in their hands, flat at the fore-end, running one against another, and for the most part, one or both overthrowne, and well dowked.

On the Holy-dayes in Summer,* 1.17 the Youths of this Citie have in the Field exercised themselves, in leaping, dan∣cing, shooting, wrestling, casting of the stone or ball, &c.

And for defence and use of the Wea∣pon, there is a speciall profession of men that teach it.* 1.18 I reade that in the yeere 1222. and the 6. of King Henry the 3. on Saint Iames day, the Citizens of London kept games of defence and wrestling, neere to the Hospitall of Matilda, at S. Giles in the field, where they got the ma∣stery of the men of the Suburbs.

The Bailiffe of Westminster devising to be revenged,* 1.19 proclaimed a game to be at Westminster upon Lammas day: whereunto the Citizens willingly re∣paired.

When they had played a while, the Bailiffe, with the men of the Suburbs, harnessed themselves treacherously, and fell to such fighting, that the Citizens (being sore wounded) were forced to runne into the Citie, where they rung the common Bell, and assembled the Citizens in great number. When the matter was declared, every man wished to revenge the fact:* 1.20 but the Lord Mai∣or of the Citie, being a wise and quiet man, willed them first to move the Ab∣bot of Westminster in the matter, and if he would promise to see amends made, it was sufficient.* 1.21 But a certaine Citizen, named Constantine Fitz Arnulit, willed, that all the houses of the Abbot and Bai∣liffe should be pulled downe. Which desperate words were no sooner spoken, but the common people (as unadvised∣ly) issued forth of the Citie without a∣ny order, and fought a cruell battell, Constantine pulling downe divers hou∣ses; and the people (as praising Constan∣tine) cryed; The joy of the Mountaine, the joy of the Mountaine; God help, and the Lord Lodowike.

A few dayes after this tumult, the Abbot of Westminster came to London,* 1.22 to Philip Dawbeney, one of the kings Coun∣cell, to complaine of the injuries done to him: the Londoners perceiving it, be∣set the house about, and tooke by vio∣lence twelve of the Abbots horses a∣way, cruelly beating his men, &c.

But whilest the said Dawbeney labou∣red to pacific the vprore, the Abbot got out at the backe doore of the house, and so, by a Boat on the Thames, hardly esca∣ped, the Citizens throwing stones after him in great abundance.

These things being thus done,* 1.23 Hubert de Burge, chiefe Iustice of England, with a great Army of men, came to the Tow∣er of London, and sent for the Maior and Aldermen, of whom hee enquired for the principall Authors of this Faction. Constantine, being constant in the sedi∣tion, was more constant in the answer; affirming, that hee had done it, and that he had done much lesse than hee meant to have done.

The Justice tooke him, and two other with him, and that morning sent him to Faulcatius by water, with a great number of armed men, who brought Constantine to the Gallowes.

But when he saw the Rope about his necke,* 1.24 hee offered for his life fif∣teene thousand Markes, yet it would

not seeme to save him: so he was hang∣ed, with Constantine his Nephew, and Galfrid that proclaimed his proclamati∣on, on the 16. of August.

Also in the yeere 1453. of a tumult made against the Maior,* 1.25 at the wrest∣ling besides Clerks well, &c. Which is sufficient to prove, that (of old time) the exercising of wrestling, and such like, hath beene much more used than of lat∣ter yeeres.

The youths of this Citie also have u∣sed, on holidayes, after Evening Pray∣er, * 1.26 at their Masters doores, to exercise their Wasters and Bucklers: and the Maidens, one of them playing on a Timbrell,* 1.27 in sight of their Masters and Dames, to dance for Garlands, hanged thwart the streets, which open pastimes in my youth, being now suppressed, worser practices within doores are to be feared.

As for the baiting of Buls and Beares, they are till this day much frequented, namely in Beare-gardens on the Banke∣side, * 1.28 wherein be prepared scaffolds for beholders to stand upon.

Sliding on the Ice is now but childrens play: but in Hawking and Hunting many grave Citizens at this present have great delight, and doe rather want leasure than goodwill to follow it.

Of triumphant shews made by the Ci∣tizens of Lond.* 1.29 ye may read in the yeere 1236. the twentieth of Henry the third,* 1.30 Andrew Bockrell then being Maior, how Elianor, daughter to Reymond, Earle of Provence, riding thorow the Citie to∣ward Westminster, there to be crowned Queene of England, the Citie was ador∣ned with silkes, and in the night with Lamps, Cressets, and other lights, with∣out number, besides many Pageants, and strange devices there presented; the Citizens also rode to meet the King and Queene,* 1.31 clothed in long garments em∣broydered about with gold,* 1.32 and silkes of divers colours, their horses gallantly, trapped, to the number of 306. every manbearing a Cup of gold or silver in his hand, and the Kings Trumpetters before them: These Citizens did mi∣nister Wine, as Buttlers, which is their service at the Coronation.

More, in the yeere 1298. for victory obtained by Edward the first against the Scots, every Company, according to their severall Trade, made their severall shew:* 1.33 but specially the Fishmongers, which in a solemne Procession passed thorow the Citie, having amongst o∣ther Pageants and shewes, foure Sturge∣ons gi••t, carried on foure horses; then, foure Salmons of silver, on foure horses, and after them sixe and forty armed Knights, riding on horses, made like Lu∣ces of the Sea, and then one presenting Saint Magnes, because it was upon Saint Magnes day, with a thousand horsemen, &c.

One other shew in the yeere 1377. made by the Citizens for disport of the yong Prince Richard, sonne to the black Prince, in the Feast of Christmas, and in this manner:

On the Sunday before Candlemas,* 1.34 in the night, one hundred and thirty Citi∣zens, disgnised and well horsed, in a Mummery, with sound of Trumpets, Sackbuts, Cornets, Shalmes, and other Minstrels, and innumerable Torch∣lights of Wax, rode from Newgate tho∣row Cheap, over the Bridge, through Southwarke, and so to Kennington besides Lambeth, where the yong Prince remai∣ned with his Mother, and the Duke of Lancaster, his Vncle, the Earles of Cam∣bridge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with divers other Lords.

In the first ranke did ride 48. in the likenesse and habit of Esquires, two and two together, clothed in red coats, and gownes of Say or Sendall, with comely vizors one their faces.

After them came riding 48. Knights, in the same Livery of colour and stuffe.

Then followed one richly arrayed, like an Emperour; and after him some di∣stance, one stately tyred like a Pope, who was followed by 24. Cardinals: and after them eight or ten with blacke vizors, not amiable, as if they had been Legates from some forraigne Princes.

These Maskers, after they had entred the Mannor of Kennington, alighted from their horses: and entred the Hall on foot; which done, the Prince, his Mother, and the Lords came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the Mum∣mers did salute: shewing by a paire of Dice on the Table, their desire to play with the yong Prince: which they so

handled, that the Prince did alwaies winne when he cast at them.

Then the Mummers set to the Prince three Jewels,* 1.35 one after another; which were, a Boule of gold, a Cup of gold, and a Ring of gold, which the Prince wanne at three casts.

Then they set to the Princes Mother, the Duke, the Earles, and other Lords, to every one •• Ring of gold, which they did also winne. After which they were feasted, and the Musicke sounded, the Prince and Lords danced on the one part with the Mummers, who did also dance: which jollity being ended, they were againe made to drinke, and then departed in order as they came.

The like was to Henry the fourth, in the second of his reign, he then keeping his Christmas at Eltham, twelve Alder∣men of London, and their sonnes, rode in a mumming, and had great thanks.

Thus much for sportfull shewes in Triumphes may suffice.

Now for sports and pastimes yeerely used.

First, in the Feast of Christmas, there was in the Kings house, wheresoever he was lodged,* 1.36 a Lord of Misrule, or Ma∣ster of merry disports, and the like had ye in the house of every Nobleman of honour, or good worship, were he spi∣rituall or temporall. Among the which, The Maior of London, and either of the Sheriffes had their severall Lords of misrule, ever contending, without qua∣rell or offence, who should make the ra∣rest pastimes to delight the beholders. These Lords beginning their rule at Al∣hallon Eve, continued the same till the mocrow after the Feast of the Purifica∣tion, commonly called Candlemas day: In all which space, there were fine and subtill disguisings, Maskes and Mum∣meries, with playing at Cards for coun∣ters, nayles and points in every house, more for pastime than for gaine.

Against the Feast of Christmas, every mans house, as also their Parish Chur∣ches, were decked with Holme, Ivie, Bayes, and whatsoever the season of the yeere affoorded to be greene: The con∣duits and standards in the streets were likewise garnished. Among the which, I read, that in the yeere 1444. by tem∣pest of thunder and lightning, on the first of February at night,* 1.37 Pauls steeple was fired, but with great labour quen∣ched: and toward the morning of Can∣dlemas day, at the Leaden Hall in Corn∣hill, a Standard of tree being set up in the midst of the payement, fast in the ground, nayled full of Holme and Ivie, for disport of Christmas to the people; was torne up, and cast downe by the malignant Spirit (as was thought) and the stones of the payement all about, were cast in the streets, and into divers houses, so that the people were sore a∣gast at the great tempests.

In the weeke before Easter,* 1.38 had yee great shewes made, for the fetching in of a twisted Tree, or With, as they ter∣med it, out of the woods, into the kings house, and the like into every mans house of Honour or Worship.

In the Moneth of May,* 1.39 namely on May day in the morning, every man, except impediment, would walke into the sweet Meddowes and green woods, there to rejoyce their spirits with the beauty and savour of sweet Flowers, and with the harmonie of Birdes, praising God in their kinde. And for example hereof,* 1.40 Edward Hall hath noted, that King Henry the eighth, as in the third of his reigne, and divers other yeeres, so namely in the seventh of his reigne, on May day in the morning, with Queene Katharine his wife, accompanied with many Lords and Ladies, rode a Maying from Greenwich to the high ground of Shooters-hill: where as they passed by the way, they espyed a company of tall Yeomen, clothed all in greene, with greene hoods, and with bowes and ar∣rowes, to the number of 200. One, be∣ing their Chieftaine,* 1.41 was called Robin Hood, who required the King and all his company to stay and see his men shoot: whereunto the King granting, Robin Hood whistled, and all the 200. Archers shot off, loosing all at once; and when he whistled againe, they likewise shot a∣gaine: their Arrowes whistled by craft of the head, so that the noise was strange and loud, which greatly delighted the King, Queene, and their company.

Moreouer, this Robin Hood desired the King and Queene, with their retinue, to enter the greene Wood, where, in Arbours made with boughes, and deckt

with flowers, they were set and served plentifully with venison and wine, by Robin Hood and his meyny, to their great contentment, and had other Pa∣geants and Pastimes, as yee may read in my said Author.

I find also, that in the month of May, the Citizens of London (of all estates) lightly in every Parish, or sometime two or three Parishes joyning toge∣ther, had their severall Maynings, and did fetch in May-poles, with divers warlike shewes, with good Archers, Morice-dancers, and other devices for pastime all the day long; and towards the evening, they had stage-plaies, and Bonefires in the streets.

Of these Mayings, we read in the reign of Henry the sixth, that the Aldermen and Sheriffes of London, being on May day at the Bishop of Londons Wood in the Parish of Stebunheath,* 1.42 and having there a worshipfull dinner for them∣selves and other commers,* 1.43 Lydgate the the Poet, that was a Monk of Bury, sent to them by a Pursivant a joyfull com∣mendation of that seasen, containing sixteene staves in meeter Royall, begin∣ning thus:

Mighty Flora, Goddesse of fresh flowers, which clothed hath the soyle in lusty green,* 1.44 Made buds to spring, with her sweet showers, by influence of the Sunne shine, To doe pleasance of intent full cleane, unto the States which now sit here, Hath Ver downe sent her own daughter deare,

Making the vertue, that dared in the root, Called the vertue, the vertue vegetable, for to transcend, most wholesome & most soote, Into the top, this season so agreeable: the baw my liquor is so commendable, That it rejoyceth with his fresh moisture, man, beast, and fowle, and every creature, &c.

About the ninth yeere of the reigne of King Henry the eight, a great he art∣burning and malicious grudge grew a∣mongst the Englishmen of the City of Lon∣don, against strangers: and namely, the Artificers found themselves much a∣grieved; * 1.45 because such number of stran∣gers were permitted, to resort hither with their Wares, and to exercise Han∣dicrafts, to the great hinderance and impoverishing of the Kings Liege peo∣ple. Which malice grew to such a point that one Iohn Lincolne a Broker,* 1.46 busied himselfe so farre in the matter, that a∣bout Palme Sunday, or the fift of April, he came to one Doctor Henry Standish, with these words; Sir, I understand, that you shall preach at the Spittle on Munday in Easter-weeke, and so it is, that English men, both Merchants and o∣ther, are undone by stangers, who have more liberty in this Land than they, which is against reason, and also against the Common-weale of this Realme: I beseech you therefore,* 1.47 to declare this in your sermon, and in so doing, you shall deserve great thanks of my Lord Maior, and of all his Brethren. And herewith he offered unto the said Doctor a bill, containing the matter more at large. But Doctor Standish wisely considering, that there might more inconvenience arise thereof, than he would wish, if he should deale in such a sort: both refused the bill, and told Lincolne plainely, that he meant not to meddle with any such matter in his Sermon.

Whereupon, the said Lincolne went unto one Doctor Bell, a Canon of the foresaid Spittle,* 1.48 that was appointed like∣wise to preach upon Tuesday in Easter-weake at the same Spittle, whom hee perswaded to reade his said bill in the Pulpit: which bill contained (in effect) the griefes that many found with stran∣gers, for taking the livings away from Artificers, and the entercourse from Merchants, the redresse whereof must come from the commons knit in one; for as the hurt touched all men, so must al set to their helping hands. Which let∣ter he read,* 1.49 or the chiefest part thereof, comprehending much seditious matter. And then he began with this sentence: Coelum coeli Domino, terram autem dedit filiis hominum. And upon this Text he entreated, how this Land was given to Englishmen, and as Birds defend their nests, so ought Englishmen to cherish and maintaine themselves, and to hurt and grieve Aliens, for respect of their Common-wealth. And on this Text, Pugna pro Patria, he brought in, how (by Gods Law) it was was lawfull to fight for their Country:* 1.50 and thus he subtilly moved the people to rebell against strangers. By this Sermon, many a light-headed person tooke courage, and

openly spake against strangers: and by mishap, there had beene divers evill parts (of late) plaid by strangers, in and about the Citie of London, which kin∣dled the peoples rancor the more furi∣ously against them.

The twenty eighth day of April,* 1.51 di∣vers yong-men of the Citie picked qua∣rels with certaine strangers, as they pas∣sed along the streets: some they smote and buffetted, and some they threw in the channell: for which, the Lord Mai∣or sent some of the Englishmen to pri∣son, as Stephen Studley, Skinner, Steven∣son, Bets, and other.

Then suddenly rose a secret rumour, and no man could tell how it began, that on May-day next following,* 1.52 the Citie would slay all the Aliens: insomuch that divers strangers fled out of the Ci∣tie.

This rumour came to the knowledge of the Kings Councell: whereupon the Lord Cardinall sent for the Maior, and other of the Councell of the Citie, gi∣ving them to understand what hee had heard.

The Lord Maior (as one ignorant of the matter) told the Cardinall, that he doubted not so to governe the Citie, but as peace should be observed.

The Cardinall willed him so to doe, and to take good heed, that if any rio∣tous attempt were intended, he should by good policy prevent it.

The Maior comming from the Car∣dinals house,* 1.53 about foure of the clocke in the afternoone on May Eve, sent for his Brethren to the Guild-hall, yet was it almost seven of the clocke before the Assembly was set. Vpon conference had of the matter, some thought it ne∣cessary, that a substantiall watch should be set of honest Citizens, which might withstand the evill doers, if they went about any misrule. Other were of con∣trary opinion, as rather thinking it best, that every man should be commanded to shut in his doores, and to keepe his servants within. Before 8. of the clock, Master Recorder was sent to the Cardi∣nall, with these opinions: who hearing the same,* 1.54 allowed the latter. And then the Recorder, and Sir Thomas More, late under-sheriffe of London, and now of the Kings Councell, came backe a∣gaine to the Guild-hall, halfe an houre before nine of the clock, and there shew∣ed the pleasure of the Kings Councell: whereupon every Alderman sent to his Ward, that no man (after nine of the clocke) should stir out of his house, but keepe his doores shut, and his ser∣vants within, untill nine of the clocke in the morning.

After this commandement was gi∣ven, * 1.55 in the Evening, as Sir Iohn Mundy Alderman, came from his Ward, hee found two young-men in Cheape, play∣ing at the Bucklers, and a great many of young-men looking on them, for the command seemed to bee scarcely pub∣lished; he commanded them to leave off; and because one of them asked him why, hee would have him sent to the Counter. But the Prentices resisted the Alderman, taking the young-man from him, and cryed Prentices, Prentices, Clubs, Clubs: then out at every doore came Clubs and other weapons, so that the Alderman was forced to flight. Then more people arose out of every quarter, and forth came Servingmen, Watermen, Courtiers, and other, so that by eleven of the clocke, there were in Cheape, 6. or 7. hundred, and out of Pauls Church-yard came about 300. From all places they gathered together, and breake up the Counter, took out the Prisoners, which had beene committed thither by the Lord Maior, for hurting the strangers: also they went to New∣gate, and tooke out Studley and Bets, committed thither for the like cause. The Maior and Sheriffes were present, and made Proclamation in the Kings name, but nothing was obeyed.

Being thus gathered into severall heaps,* 1.56 they ran thorow Saint Nicholas shambles, and at Saint Martins Gate, there met with them Sir Thomas More, and other, desiring them to goe to their lodgings.

As they were thus intreating, and had almost perswaded the people to depart, they within Saint Martins threw out stones and bats, so that they hurt di∣vers honest persons, which were with Sir Thomas More, perswading the rebel∣lious Rout to cease. Insomuch as at length, one Nicholas Dennis, a Serjeant at Armes, being there sore hurt, cryed

in a fury,* 1.57 Downe with them: and then all the unruly persons ran to the doores and windowes of the houses within St. Martins, and spoiled all that they found. After that they ran into Cornehill, and so on to a house East of Leadenhal, called the Green-gate, where dwelt one Mewtas a Piccard or Frenchman, within whose house dwelled divers French men,* 1.58 whom they likewise spoyled: and if they had found Mewtas, they would have stricken off his head.

Some ran to Blanchapleton, and there brake up the strangers houses,* 1.59 and spoi∣led them. Thus they continued till 3. a clocke in the morning, at which time, they began to withdraw: but by the way they were taken by the Maior and other, and sent to the Tower, Newgate and Counters, to the number of 300. The Cardinall was advertised by Sir Thomas Parre, whom in all haste he sent to Richmond,* 1.60 to informe the King: who immediately sent to understand the state of the City, and was truely infor∣med. Sir Roger Cholmeley Lievtenant of the Tower, during the time of this businesse, shot off certaine peeces of Ordnance against the City, but did no great hurt. About five of the clocke in the morning, the Earles of Shrewsbury and Surrey, Thomas Dockery, Lord Prior of Saint Iohns,* 1.61 George Nevill, Lord A∣burgaveny, and other, came to London with such powers as they could make, so did the Innes of Court; but before they came, the businesse was done, as ye have heard.

Then were the prisoners examined,* 1.62 and the Sermon of Doctor Bell called to remembrance, and hee sent to the Tower. A Commission of Oyer and Determiner was directed to the Duke of Norfolke, and other Lords, for pu∣nishment of this insurrection. The se∣cond of May, the Commissioners, with the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Iusti∣ces, went to the Guildhall, where many of the offenders were indicted, where∣upon they were arraigned, and pleaded not guilty, having day given them till the 4. of May.

On which day,* 1.63 the Lord Maior, the Duke of Norfolke, the Earle of Surrey and other, came to sit in the Guildhall. The Duke of Norfolke entred the City with one thousand three hundred men, and the prisoners were brought through the streets tyed in ropes, some men, some lads but of thirteen or foureteene yeeres old, to the number of 278. per∣sons. That day Iohn Lincolne and divers other were indicted, and the next day thirteen were adjudged to bee drawne, hanged, and quartered: for execution whereof,* 1.64 ten payre of Gallowes were set up in divers places of the City, as at Aldgate, Blanchapleton, Grasse-street, Lea∣den-hall, before either of the Counters; at Newgate, Saint Martins, at Aldersgate and Bishopsgate. And these Gallowes were set upon wheeles, to bee removed irom street to street, and from doore to doore whereas the prisoners were to be executed.

On the seventh of May, Iohn Lincoln, one Shirwin, and two brethren, named Betts,* 1.65 with divers other were adjudged to dye. They were on the Hurdles drawne to the Standard in Cheape, and first was Lincolne executed: and as the other had the ropes about their neckes, there came a commandement from the King, to respit the execution, and then were the prisoners sent againe to prison, and the armed men sent away out of the Citie.

On the thirteenth of May, the King came to Westminster-hall, and with him the Lord Cardinall, the Dukes of Nor∣folke, and ••uffolke, the Earles of Shrews∣bury, Essex, Wiltshire, and Surrey, with many Lords and other of the Kings Councell; the Lord Maior of London, Aldermen and other chiefe Citizens, were there in their best liveries, by nine of the clocke in the morning.* 1.66 Then came in the prisoners, bound in ropes in a ranke one after another, in their shirts, and every one had a Halter a∣bout his necke, being in number 400. men, and 11. women.

When they were thus come before the Kings presence, the Cardinall laid sore to the Maior and Aldermen their negligence, and to the prisoners he de∣clared how justly they had deserved to dye. Then all the prisoners together cryed to the King for mercy,* 1.67 and there∣with the Lords besought his grace of pardon: at whose request, the King pardoned them all. The generall pardon

being pronounced, all the Prisoners shouted at once, and cast their Halters towards the roofe of the Hall. The pri∣soners being dismissed, the Gallowes were taken downe, and the Citizens tooke more heed to their servants: kee∣ping (for ever after) as on that night, a strong watch in Armour, in remem∣brance of Evill May-day.* 1.68

These great Mayings and Maygames made by the Governours and Masters of this City, with the Triumphant set∣ting up of the great shaft (a principall May-pole in Cornehill, before the Parish of Saint Andrew) therefore called Vn∣dershaft, by meane of that insurrection of youths, against Aliens on May-day, 1517. the 6. of Henry the eight, have not been so freely used as before. And therefore I leave them, and will some∣what touch of Watches, as also of shewes in the night.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of sports and pas∣times in this Citie.
• * 1.2

  Every thing hath his time, a time to weepe, a time to laugh, a time to mourne, & a time to dance. Eccles. 3.
• * 1.3

  Stage∣playes.
• * 1.4

  Cocke-fighting.
• * 1.5

  Ball-play.
• * 1.6

  Exercises of warlike feats on horseback with disarmed Lances.
• * 1.7

  Battell on the water.
• * 1.8

  Fighting of Bores, baiting of Beares & Buls.
• * 1.9

  Hawking & hunting
• * 1.10

  A stage∣play that continued 3. dayes, A stage∣play that lasted 8. dayes.
• * 1.11

  Theater & Curten for Comedies and othe•• shewes,
• * 1.12

  The Ball at Tennis play.
• * 1.13

  Running at the Quinten, for prizes, Mat. Paris.
• * 1.14

  The kings servants deriding the Citi∣zens, were fore bea∣tē, but the Citizens were fined by the King.
• * 1.15

  Quinten upon Corn∣hill.
• * 1.16

  Running with staves on the Thames.
• * 1.17

  Leaping, dancing, shooting, wrestling.
• * 1.18

  Mat. Paris.
• * 1.19

  A game at VVestmin∣ster on Lam∣mas day.
• * 1.20

  The ad∣vice of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 L. Maior.
• * 1.21

  The bad counsel of Constantine Fitz Arnulit as bad fol∣lowed.
• * 1.22

  Cl••on. Don. The Ab∣bot of VVestminst. put to his shifts.
• * 1.23

  The Lord chiefe Iu∣stice en∣tred the Citie of London with an Army.
• * 1.24

  Constantine and other hanged.
• * 1.25

  Gamos of defence.
• * 1.26

  Playing at the Buck∣lers.
• * 1.27

  Dancing for Gar∣lands in the streets
• * 1.28

  Beare and Bull bai∣ting.
• * 1.29

  Mal. Paris.
• * 1.30

  Shewes for triumphs.
• * 1.31

  The Citi∣zens rode.
• * 1.32

  Imbroide∣red gar∣ments.
• * 1.33

  Fishmon∣gers Pro∣cession for triumph of victory, more than 1000. hors∣men.
• * 1.34

  A shew by Torch∣light, be∣ing a Mummery of more than 100: men on horseback
• * 1.35

  The Prince did win three Iewels of the Mas∣kers.
• * 1.36

  Lord of Misrule at Christmas
• * 1.37

  Tempests of light∣ning and thunder fi∣red Pauls steeple, o∣verthrew the stan∣dard at Leaden hall, and threw stones of the paye∣ment into mens houses.
• * 1.38

  Twisted trees ••et from the woods.
• * 1.39

  May games
• * 1.40

  Edward Hall.
• * 1.41

  Robin Hood and his men shot before the King.
• * 1.42

  Bishops Wood.
• * 1.43

  Bishops Hall by Ble••hen∣hall green.
• * 1.44

  The plea∣sāt month of May commen∣ded.
• * 1.45

  The num∣ber of strangers in London misliked.
• * 1.46

  Iohn Lincolne a Broker beginner of the in∣surrection
• * 1.47

  A bill of∣fered by Lincolne to Doctor Standish.
• * 1.48

  Doctor Be••••••der∣tooke to read Lin∣colns bill in the Pul∣pit.
• * 1.49

  The bill contained much sedi∣tious mat∣ter.
• * 1.50

  Pugna pro Patria.
• * 1.51

  Quarela urged to strangers as they were in the streets
• * 1.52

  Evil May-day.
• * 1.53

  A meeting of the L. Maior and his bre∣thren at Guildhall.
• * 1.54

  The Re∣corder & Sir Thomas More sent to the Cardinall.
• * 1.55

  An Alder∣man resi∣sted, and put to flight.
• * 1.56

  Sir Thomas More labo∣red to pa∣cifie the rude mul∣titude.
• * 1.57

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Den••••, a Serjeant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••mes sore hurt.
• * 1.58

  Mewtas a Piccard.
• * 1.59

  The stran∣gers hou∣ses broken up at Blanchapleton.
• * 1.60

  The King sendeth to know the state of the City.
• * 1.61

  The Lords came with power to London.
• * 1.62

  Doctor Bell sent to the Tower for his Ser∣mon.
• * 1.63

  The Duke of Norfolke entred London with 1300 men.
• * 1.64

  Ten paire of Gal∣lowes set up in di∣vers streets of London.
• * 1.65

  Iohn Lin∣colne the Broker executed, but the rest respi∣ted by the King.
• * 1.66

  The pri∣soners were brought before the King at Westminster Hall.
• * 1.67

  The King graciously pardoned all the pri∣soners.
• * 1.68

  Evill May-day.