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.

OF PORTSOKEN VVARD: The first Ward in the East part.

SEeing that of every of these Wards I have to say somewhat,* 1.1 I will be∣gin with Portsoken ward without Ealdgate.

This Portsoken, which soundeth the Franchise at the gate, was sometime a Guild,* 1.2 and had beginning in the dayes of King Edgar, more than six hundred yeeres since. Therewere then 13. Knights or Souldiers, well belo∣ved to the King and Realme, for servi∣ces by them done, who requested to have a certaine portion of Land on the East part of the Citie, being left deso∣late and forsaken by the Inhabitants, by reason of too much servitude. They be∣sought the King to have this Land, with the liberty of a Guild forever. The King granted to their request, with conditi∣ons following; to wit, That each of them should victoriously accomplish three Combates; one above the ground, one under ground, and the third in the water.

And after this, at a certaine day in East Smithfield, they should runne with Speares against all commers; all which was gloriously performed; and the same day the King named it Knighten Guild,* 1.3 and so bounded it, from Ealdgate, to the place where the barres now are toward the East, on both the sides of the street, and extended it towards Bishopsgate in the North, unto the house then of Willi∣am Presbyter, afterward of Geffrey Tan∣ner, and then of the heires of Clover; after that, of Iohn Easeby: but since of the Lord Bourchier, &c. And againe, to∣wards the South, unto the River of Thames, and so farre into the water, as a Horseman entring the same, might ride at a low water, and throw his Speare. So that all East Smithfield, with the right part of the street that goeth to Dodding Pond, into the Thames, and al∣so the Hospitall of Saint Katharine, with the Mils, that were founded in King Stephens dayes, and the outward stone wall, and the new ditch of the Tower, were of the said Fee and Liberty: for the said wall and ditch of the Tower, were made in the time of King Richard the first, when he was in the holy Land, by William Longshampe, Bishop of Ely, as before I have noted unto you.

These Knights had as then none o∣ther Charter, by all the dayes of Edgar, Ethelred, and Cnutus, untill the time of Edward the Confessor, whom the heires of those Knights humbly besought to confirme their liberties: whereunto he graciously granting, gave them a Deed thereof,* 1.4 as appeareth in the Booke of the late house of the holy Trinity. The said Charter was faire written, in the Saxon letter and Tongue.

After this, King William, the sonne of William the Conquerour, made a confir∣mation of the same Liberties, unto the heires of those Knights, in these words:

William, King of England, to Mau∣rice, Bishop, and Godfrey de Magum, and Richard de Parre, and to his faith∣full people of London, greeting: Know yee me to have granted to the men of Knighten Guild, the Guild that belonged to them, and the Land that belonged thereunto, with all Customes, as they had the same in the time of King Edward, and my Fa∣ther.

Witnesse Hugh de Buche; at Re∣thing.

After him, King Henry the first con∣firmed the same by his Charter, to the like effect,* 1.5 the recitall whereof I preter∣mit for brevity. After which time, the Church of the holy Trinity within Eald∣gate of London, being founded by Queen Matilde, wife to the said Henry, the mul∣titude of brethren praising God there∣in, in short time so increased, that all the Citie was delighted in beholding of them: insomuch that in the yeere 1115. certaine Burgesses of London, of the progeny of those Noble English Knights; to wit, Radulphus Fitzalgod, Wilmarde le Devereshe, Orgare le Prude, Edward Hupcornehill, Blackstanus, and Alwine his kinsman, and Robert his bro∣ther, the sonnes of Leofstanus the Gold∣smith, Wiso his sonne, Hugh Fitzvulgar, Algare Secusme, comming together into the Chapter house of the said Church of the holy Trinity,* 1.6 gave to the same Church and Canons serving God ther∣in, all the Lands and Soke called in English, Knighten Guild, which lyeth to the wall of the Citie without the same gate, and stretcheth to the River of Thames: they gave it, I say, (taking up∣on them the brotherhood and partici∣pation of the benefits of that house) by the hands of Prior Norman.

And the better to confirme this their Grant, they offered upon the Altar there, the Charter of Edward, together with the other Charters which they had thereof; and afterward they did put the foresaid Prior in seisin thereof, by the Church of Saint Buttolphs, which is builded thereon, and is the head of that Land. These things were thus done, be∣fore Bernard Prior of Dunstable, Iohn Prior of Derland, Geffrey Clinton Cham∣berlaine, and many other Clerkes and Laymen, French and English: Orgare le Prude (one of their company) was sent to King Henry, beseeching him to con∣firme their gift, which the King gladly granted by his deed.

Henry, King of England, to R. Bishop of London, to the Sheriffes and Provost, and to all his Barons, and faithfull people, French and English, of London and Mid∣dlesex, greeting: Know ye me to have gran∣ted and confirmed to the Church and Ca∣nons of the holy Trinity of London, the Soke of the English Knighten Guild, and the Land which pertaineth thereunto, and the Church of S. Buttolph, as the men of the same Guild have given and granted un∣to them: And I will and straightly com∣mand, that they may hold the same well, and honourably and freely, with Sacke and Soke, Toll and Thea, infangthefe, and all customes belonging to it, as the men of the same Guild in best sort had the same in the time of King Edward, and as King William my Fa∣ther, and brother, did grant it to them by their Writs. Witnesse, A. the Queene, Geffrey Clinton the Chancellour, and William of Clinton: at Woodstocke.

All these prescribed witings (saith my Booke) which sometime belonged to the Priory of the holy Trinity, are registred in the end of the Booke of Re∣membrances, in the Guildhall of Lon∣don, marked with the letter C. folio 134. The King sent also his Sheriffes, to wit, A••bery de Vere, and Roger, Nephew to Hubert, which (upon his behalfe) should invest this Church with the possessions hereof, which the said Sheriffes accom∣plished by comming upon the ground, Andrew Buchevite, and the forenamed witnesses, and other standing by; not∣withstanding, Othowerus, Acolivillus, Otto,* 1.7 and Ieffrey, Earle of Essex, Con∣stables of the Tower by succession, with∣held by force a Portion of the said land, as I have before delivered.* 1.8 The Prior and Canons of the holy Trinity, being thus seised of the said land and soke of Knighten Guild, a part of the Suburbe without the wall, (but within the liber∣ties of the City) the same Prior was for him, and his successors, admitted as one of the Aldermen of London,* 1.9 to governe the same land and soke. According to the Customes of the City, hee did sit in Court, and rode with the Maior and his Brethren the Aldermen, as one of them in Scarlet, or other livery as they then used; untill the yeere 1531. at the which time, the said Priory (by the last Prior there) was surrendred to King Henry the eight in the 23. of his reigne, who gave this Priory to Sir Thomas Audley, Knight, Lord Chancelor of Eng∣land, and hee pulled downe the Church. Sithence the which dissolution of that house, the said Ward of Portsoken, hath

been governed by a temporall man, one of the Aldermen of London, and elected by the Citizens, as by the Aldermen of other Wards. Thus much for the out∣bounds of Knighten Guild, or Portsoken Ward, and for the antiquity and govern∣ment thereof.

Now for the parts therein, this is spe∣cially to be noted. First, the East part of the Tower standeth there, then an Hospitall of Saint Katharine, founded by Matilde the Queene, wife to King Stephen, by licence of the Prior and Co∣vent of the holy Trinity in London, on whose ground shee founded it.* 1.10 Elianor the Queene, wife to King Edward the first, a second Foundresse, appointed to be there, one Master, three Brethren Chaplaines, and three Sisters, ten poore women, and sixe poore Clerkes; shee gave to them the Manor of Clarton in Wiltshire, and Vpchurch in Kent, &c. Queene Philip, wife to King Edward the third, 1351. founded a Chauntry there, and gave to that Hospitall tenne pound land by yeere; it was of late time cal∣led a free Chappell, a Colledge, and an Hospitall for poore sisters. The Quire, which (of late yeeres) was not much in∣feriour to that of Pauls, was dissolved by Doctor Wilson, a late Master there, the brethren and sisters remaining. This house was valued at 315. l. 14. s. 2. d. being now of late yeeres inclosed about or pestered with small Tenements, and homely cottages, having inhabitants English and Strangers, more in number than in some City in England. There lye buried in this Church, the Coun∣tesse of Huntington, Countesse of the March, in her time 1429. Iohn Holland Duke of Excester, and Earle of Hunting∣ton, 1447. and his two wives, in a faire Tombe on the North side the Quire: Thomas Walsingham Esquire, and Thomas Ballard Esquire by him 1465. Thomas Flemming Knight, 1466. &c.

On the East and by North of the Tower,* 1.11 lieth Eastsmithfield and Tower hill, two plots of ground so called, with∣out the wall of the City, and East from them both was sometime a Monastery, called, New Abby, founded by King Edward the third, in the yeere 1359. upon occasion as followeth.

In the yeere 1348. the 23. of Edward the third,* 1.12 the first great pestilence in his time began, and increased so sore, that for want of roome in Church-yards to bury the dead of the City, & of the Sub∣urbes, one Iohn Corey Clerke, procured of Nicholas, Prior of the holy Trinity within Ealdgate, one toft of ground neere unto Eastsmithfield, for the buriall of them that dyed, with condition that it might be called the Church-yard of the holy Trinity, which ground he caused by the ayd of divers devout Citizens to be inclosed with a wall of stone. Robert Elsing, sonne of William Elsing, gave five pounds thereunto: and the same was dedicated by Ralfe Stratford, Bishop of London, where innumerable bodies of the dead were afterward buried, and a Chappell built in the same place, to the honour of God: to the which King Ed∣ward setting his eye (having before in a Tempest on the Sea, and perill of drow∣ning, made a vow to build a Monastery to the honour of God, and our Lady of grace, if God would grant him grace to come safe to land) builded there a* 1.13 Mo∣nastery, placing an Abbot, and Monkes of the Cistercian, or white order. The bounds of this plot of ground, together with a decree for tithes thereof, are ex∣pressed in the Charter, the effect wher∣of I have set down in another place, and have to shew.

This house at the late generall sup∣pression was valued at 546. l. 10. d. yeerely, it was surrendred in the yeere 1539. the 30. of Henry the 8. Since the which time, the said Monastery being cleane pulled down, by Sir Arthur Dar∣cy, Knight, and other; of late time (in place thereof) is builded a large Store∣house for Victual,* 1.14 and convenient Ovens are builded there, for baking of Bisket to serve his Majesties Shippes. The grounds adjoyning and belonging to the said Abby, are imployed in building of small Tenements.

For Tower-hill,* 1.15 as the same is great∣ly diminished, by building of tenements and Garden plots, &c. So it is of late, to wit, in the yeere of Christ, 1593. on the North side thereof, and at the West end of Hogstreet,* 1.16 beautified by certaine faire Almes-houses, strongly builded of Bricke and Timber, and covered with Slate for the poore, by the Merchant-Taylors

of London, in place of some small Cottages, given to them by Ri∣chard Hils, sometime a Master of that Company, one hundred loads of Tim∣ber for that use, being also given by An∣thony Radcliffe, of the same Society, Al∣derman.

In these Almes-houses 14. charitable brethren of the said Merchant-Taylors then living, caused to be placed foure∣teene poore sole women, which receive each of them of their Founders sixteene pence, or better, weekely, beside 8. l. 15. s. yeerely, paid out of the common Treasury of the same Corporation for fewell.

From the West part of this Tower∣hill, towards Ealdgate, being a long con∣tinuall street, amongst other smaller buildings in that row, there was some∣times an Abby of Nunnes of the order of S. Clare,* 1.17 called the Minories, founded by Edmund, Earle of Lancaster, Leicester and Darby, brother to King Edward the first, in the yeere 1293. the length of which Abby contained 15. perches and seven foot, neere unto the Kings street, or high-way, &c. as appeareth by a deed dated 1303. A plague of pesti∣lence, being in this City, in the yeere 1515. there dyed in this house of Nuns professed, to the number of 27. besides other lay people, servants in the house. This house was valued to dispend 418. l. 8. s. 5. d. yeerely, and was surren∣dred by Dame Elizabeth Salvage, the last Abbesse there, unto King Henry the 8. in the thirty of his reigne, the yeere of Christ, 1539.

In place of this house of Nunnes,* 1.18 is now builded with divers faire and large Store-houses for Armour, and habili∣ments of warre, with divers workhouses serving to the same purpose:* 1.19 There is also a small Parish Church for inhabi∣tants of the Close, called, Saint Tri∣nity.

Neere adjoyning to this Abby,* 1.20 on the South side thereof, was sometime a Farme belonging to the said Nunrie, at the which Farme, I my selfe (in my youth) have fetched many a halfe-pen∣ny worth of milke, and never had lesse than three ale pintes for a halfe penny in the Summer, nor lesse than one ale quart for a halfe-penny in the Winter, alwaies hot from the Kine, as the same was milked and strained. One Trolop, and afterwards Goodman, were the Far∣mers there, and had thirty or forty Kine to the paile. Goodmans son, being heire to his fathers purchase, let out the ground, first for grazing of horses, and then for Garden plots, and lived like a Gentleman thereby. He lyeth buried in S. Buttolphs Church.

On the other side of that street,* 1.21 lyeth the Ditch without the walls of the City which of old time was used to lye open, alwaies (from time to time) cleansed from filth and mud, as need required, of great breadth, and so deepe, that divers watring horses, where they thought it shallowest, were drowned both horse and man. But now of later time, the same Ditch is inclosed, and the bankes thereof let out for Garden plots, Car∣penters yards, Bowling Allies, and di∣vers houses thereon builded, whereby the City wall is hidden, the Ditch fil∣led up, a small Channell left, and that very shallow.

From Ealdgate East, lyeth a large street, and high-way, sometime reple∣nished with few, but faire and comely buildings; on the North side whereof, first was and is, the Parish Church of Saint Buttolph, in a large Cemitery, or Church-yard.

This Church hath beene lately new builded,* 1.22 at the speciall charges of the Priors of the holy Trinity, Patrones thereof, as it appeareth by the Armes of that house engraven on the stone worke. The Parishioners of the Parish, being of late yeeres mightily increased, the Church is pestered with lofts and seats for them. Monuments of this Church are few, Henry Iorden founded a Chauntery there, Iohn Romany, Olarie and Agnes his wives were buried there, about Anno 1408. Richard Chester Al∣derman, one of the Sheriffes 1484. Tho∣mas Lord Darcy of the North, Knight of the Garter, beheaded, 1537. Sir Ni∣cholas Carew of Bedington in Surrey, Knight of the Garter, beheaded, 1538. Sir Arthur Darcy, yongest sonne to Tho∣mas Lord Darcy, deceased at the new Abby on the Tower-hill, and was buri∣ed there.

There is a faire Vault under ground,

purposely made (as appeareth) for the whole Family. Over which Vault (be∣ing in the East end of the Chancell, but leaning somewhat to the North) is a faire ancient Tombe of Alabaster, inge∣niously wrought: having these lines fol∣lowing engraven thereon:

Here lyeth Thomas Lord Darcy of the North, and sometime of the Order of the Garter. Sir Nicholas Carew, Knight, sometime of the Garter. Lady Eliza∣beth Carew, Daughter to Sir Francis Brian, Knight: and Sir Arthur Darcy Knight, yonger sonne to the above-named Lord Darcy. And Lady Mary his deare wife, Daughter to Sir Nicholas Carew Knight; who had tenne Sonnes, and five Daughters. Here lye Charles, Willi∣am and Philip, Mary and Vrsula, Sons and Daughters to the said Sir Arthur, and Mary his Wife: whose soules God take to his infinite mercy. Amen.

On the North side of this Tombe, there is a small Monument, fixed in the wall, bearing this inscription:

Here lyeth Sir Edw. Darcy, Knight, third Son of Sir Arthur Darcy, Knight, of the Privy Chamber to the late Queene Eli∣zabeth. Hee married the Daughter of Thomas Asteley, Esquire, by whom he had fifteene Children. Sir Robert Dar∣cy, Knight, his eldest Sonne, caused him to bee buried in this Vault amongst his Ancestors, according to his desire. Hee dyed at his house called Dartford-Place in Kent, the 28. day of October. Anno Dom. 1612. He being 69. yeeres old.

Another smaller Monument is also fixed in the same wall, but somewhat more toward the South, having this in∣scription:

Here lyeth buried the corps of Robert Tay∣lor, of Silverdale, in the Parish of Warton in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman, the Father of Iohn Taylor, Citizen and Draper of London, and of this Parish Beere-brewer. He departed this life, about the age of 80. yeeres, the 15. day of February, An. Dom. 1577.

Vpon the ground, under the head of the Communion Table, lyeth an anci∣ent faire stone, and these lines engraven theron in brasse:

Hic jacet Ioannes, Episc. Bathon. & Wellensis, qui cum obiissit plures in∣sig. Legation. tandem obiit summum in Legatione Clevensis, in Ianuarii. M. C. XL. Cujus anima propitietur Deus.

Neere unto the place where the Mi∣nister readeth Divine Service, there is a small brasse plate fixed in the wall, a very unworthy Monument (in my mind) for a man of so great charity and boun∣ty, not having so much as a graven stone bestowed on him upon the ground. The Plate containeth these lines following.

Here before this Pew lyeth buried the body of Robert Dow, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, with Lettice his Wife, and Thomas his Son. Which Ro∣bert deceased the second day of May, in the yeere, 1612. His age was 89. yeeres. Who amongst other his charities done in this Citie, and elsewhere sundry wayes, as to severall Hospitals abroad and at home, Prisons, and to nineteene poore housholders, of the Merchant-Taylors Company in perpetuum, gave to this Parish of S. Buttolphs without Ald∣gate (whereof he was a member) the no∣mination of two Almes-women freely re∣lieved. And twenty pound yeerely to be distributed to threescore poore aged and impotent men and women, by Nobles a peece upon every S. Thomas Eve for e∣ver. Ad gloriam Dei.

Per Nepotem ac Haeredem Zachari Dow, Posthumum.

In the North Ile of the Chancell, ly∣eth a faire stone on the ground, with this inscription upon it, engraven in brasse:

Here lyeth the body of William Cowch, one of the ordinary Yeomen of her Maje∣sties Chamber, Citizen and In-holder of London. He deceased the 13. day of Iu∣ly, An. Dom. 1583. Who hath given (after the decease of Ioane his Wife) the house, called the Crowne, being at the East end of this Church, called S. But∣tolphs without Aldgate, unto Christs Hospitall for ever. Out of the which house after the decease of the said Ioane his Wife, is to be paid by the Governours of the said Hospitall, five pound yeerely

for ever, to the poore of Portsoken Ward, within the said Parish.

In the middle Ile of the Church, be∣fore the entrance into the Chancell, ly∣eth a faire Grave-stone on the ground, having this inscription engraven upon Brasle upon it:

Dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt, & ego sicut foenum aresco.

Here under this Stone lyeth buried the bo∣dy of Robert Cockes, late Citizen and Tallow-Chandler of London: Who by his last will and Testament, gave to this Ward of Portsoken (wherein he dwelt) the summe of one hundred pounds, to be employed for the use and benefit of the poore of the said Ward. He departed this mortall life the 20. day of September, An. Dom. 1609. and was here enter∣red the 3. day of October next following: Aetatis suae. LXVII.

Vixi dum volui, volui dum Christe volebas, Christe mihi spes es, vita, corona, salus.

In the same Ile, but a little lower, ly∣eth another faire grave-stone, having (in a whiter kind of stone) a coat of Armes on it, and a description in well formed letters, speaking thus:

Here underneath this stone, lyeth the body of Daniel Balgay, sometime an Inhabi∣tant of this Parish; of good account and credit: being a Citizen of this honoura∣ble City of London, and free of the wor∣shipfull Company of the Mercers: Who parted this mortall life the 20. day of DDDecember, in the yeere of our Lord, 1608 being the day of the Nativity of our Lord Iesus Christ.

Christus mihi vita.

In the Church-yard Southward, and toward the street, standeth a handsome Ttombe, well defenced over from wea∣ther, and a faire Grave-stone upon it. Beneath, on the outside of the Tombe, are engraven the Armes belonging to the Vintners, and the Barber Chirurgi∣ons: upon the Grave-stone is a faire plate of Brasse, with all these following lines engraven on it:

Here under this Stone lyeth the body of George Clarke, Citizen and Vintner of London, who by his last Will and Testa∣ment, gave for divers good and chari∣table uses, these Legacies hereafter fol∣lowing.

First, for a publike Schoole in the Vniversity of Oxenford, the summe of two hundred pounds.

To the use of the poore of the foure Precincts of the Ward of Portsoken, be∣ing in the Parish of St. Buttolps with∣out Aldgate, the summe of 293. pounds 6. shillings, 8. pence.

To the Parish of White Chappell, for the reliefe of the poore there, the sum of 230. pound.

To the Parish of S. Leonards in Shor∣ditch, to the use of the poore there, the summe of 106. pound, 15. shillings, 4. pence.

To the Company of the Vintners, he gave the summe of ten pounds.

And to the poore of Christs Hospi∣tall he gave the summe of 5. pounds.

He deceased the 19. day of April, Anno Dom. 1606. And was here buried the 24. day of the same next following: Ae∣tatis suae 63.

East from this Parish Church, there are certaine faire Innes, for receipt of Travellers repairing to the City, up to∣wards Hog-lane end, somewhat within the Barres, and a marke there shewing, how farre the liberties of the City doe extend.

This Hog-lane stretcheth North to∣ward S. Mary Spittle,* 1.23 without Bishops∣gate, and within these 40. yeeres, had (on both sides) faire hedge-rowes of Elme Trees, with Bridges and easie Stiles to passe over into the pleasant fields, very commodious for Citizens therein to walke, shoote, and otherwise to recreate and refresh their dulled spi∣rits, in the sweet and wholsome ayre, which is now (within few yeeres) made a continuall building throughout, of Garden houses, and small Cottages: and the fields on either side bee turned into Garden plots, Tenter-yards, Bow∣ling Allies, and such like; from Hounds∣ditch in the West, so farre as White Chap∣pell, and further towards the East.

On the South side of the High-way from Aldgate, were some few tenements thinly scattered here and there, with many voyd spaces betweene them up to

the Barres. But now that street is not onely replenished with buildings out∣ward, and also pestred with divers Al∣leys, on either side to the Barres; but to White Chappell and beyond.

Amongst the which late buildings,* 1.24 one, memorable for the commodity of that East part of this Citie, is a faire wa∣ter-Conduit, hard without the gate, the building whereof, in the yeere 1535. Sir Bohn Allen being Maior, two fif∣teenes were granted by the Citizens, for the making, and laying of pipes to con∣very water from Hackney to that place, and so that worke was then finished.

Here I may not omit to tell you, that although this Water-Conduit was very beneficiall to the people inhabiting there round about: yet in regard of the situation, being then upon the streets South side, and immediately descen∣ding downe many steps or stayres of stone, it was troublesome to the poore people fetching water there, in com∣ming up laden with their Tubs, Pailes, anand Tankards. Beside, vntill the turne of each party came by order and due course, their Tankards, Tubs, and Pailes did greatly pester the passage about and thorow the Gate, endangering divers personall harmes, and other great incon∣veniences. Which since then, at the taking downe of the old Gate, that a new might bee builded in the same place, is exceeding commendably a∣mended, to the Cities honour, their credit that had care for the disposing of the worke, and great case of the poore. Water-bearers, and all passengers. For now there is a faire spacious Court, wherein all the Tankards and other ves∣sels orderly stand, (without any annoy∣ance to the Street:) and the descent to the Conduit is made very convenient, free from offending one another in their labour, the passage to and fro is so aptly ordered, and the roome so large for their attendance.

The old ruinous Gate being taken downe, and order provided for a new foundation: divers very ancient peeces of Romane coyne,* 1.25 were found among the stones and rubbish; which as Mr. Martin Bond (a Worshipfull Citizen, and one of the Surveyors of the worke) told me, two of them (according to their true forme and figure) he caused to bee carved in stone, and fixed on eyther side of the Gates Arch without, East∣ward.

The rest of these stamped Romane peeces, were sent for by the Lord Maior an his brethren to the Guild-hall, where as yet they remaine to be seene. Moreover, under his owne hand-wri∣ting, he delivered me this briefe note, which (for mine owne discharge) I have here set downe.

The 10. day of March, Anno 1607. I Martin Bond, laid the first founda∣tion stone of Ealdgate, Northward. The bottome of which foundation was sixteene foot deepe, and eight foot broad.

Now concerning the building of the Gate,* 1.26 what time it was in hand, and the care and paines taken about it: it would require a larger explanation, than here I am limited unto. But the Gate being very worthily and famously finished, it may be thus described to posterity.

Eastward, upon the height of the Gate, standeth a faire golden Spheare, with a goodly Vane on it. On the upper Battlements (as vigilant Sentinels, and kept waking by Fames golden Trum∣pet) are placed the shapes of two armed ancient Souldiers, each holding a great stone in his hand, as denying the en∣trance of any bold enemy, or such as are not friends to the City.

Beneath, in a faire large square, stan∣deth the imaginary figure of our Royall Soveraigne King Iames, in bright gilt Armour, at whose feet (on either side) lye the Lion and golden-chained Vni∣corne mildly couching, as expressing awe and humility in so great a pre∣sence.

So much for the out-side of the Gate, with the two Romane Coynes before re∣membred.

Westward, or within, highest of all, standeth Fortune, ingenuously carved and guilded, standing upon her Globe or Mound, with her Saile spreading over her head, and looking with a gracefull and auspicious countenance upon the Citie.

Beneath her, in a large square, are

placed the Kings Armes, richly wrought and engraven, bearing the Motto,

DIEV EST MON DROIT.

And a little lower,

VIVATE REX.

Somewhat lower, and to grace each side of the Gate, are set two feminine personages, the one Southward, appea∣ring to be Peace, with a silver Dove up∣on her one hand, and a guilded wreath or garland in the other. On the North side standeth Charity, with a child at her breast, and another led in her hand: Implying (as I conceive) that where Peace, and love or Charity do prosper, and are truly embraced, that Citie shall be for everblessed.

Over the Arch of the Gate is thus fairely ingraven:

Senatus Populus{que} Londinens. fecit, 1609.

And vnderneath:

HVMFREY WELD, Maior.

From Ealdgate Northwest to Bishops∣gate, * 1.27 lyeth the Ditch of the Citie, cal∣led Hounds-ditch, because that in old time, when the same lay open, much filth (conveyed forth of the Citie) espe∣cially dead dogs, were there laid or cast: wherfore (of later time) a mud wall was made, inclosing the Ditch, to keep out the laying of such filth as had beene accustomed.

Over against this mudde wall, on the other side of the street, was a faire field, sometime belonging to the Priory of the Trinity, and since, by Sir Tho. Awd∣ley, given to Magdalen Colledge in Cam∣bridge. This field (as all other about the Citie) was inclosed, reserving open passage thereinto, for such as were dis∣posed. Towards the street were some small Cottages, of two stories high, and little Garden-plots backward, for poore bedred people, (for in that street dwelt none other) builded by some Prior of the holy Trinity, to whom that ground belonged.

In my youth, I remember, devout people,* 1.28 as well men as women of this Citie, were accustomed oftentimes (e∣specially on Fridayes weekely to walke that way purposely) there to bestow their charitable Almes, every poore man or woman lying in their bed with∣in their window, which was towards the street, and open so low, that every man might see them; a cleane linnen cloth lying in their window, and a paire of Beads, to shew that there lay a bed∣red body, unable but to pray onely. This Street was first paved in the yeere 1503.

About the latter end of the reigne of King Hen. 8. three brethren that were Gun-founders,* 1.29 surnamed Owens, gate ground there to build upon, and to in∣cloze for casting of Brasse Ordnance. These occupied a good part of the street on the field side, and in short time di∣vers others also builded there, so that the poore bedred people were worne out, and in place of their homely Cot∣tages, such houses builded, as doe ra∣ther want roome than rent; which hou∣ses bee for the most part possessed by Brokers, sellers of old apparell, and such like. The residue of the field was for the most part made into a Garden, by a Gardiner named Cawsway, one that then served the Markets with herbs & roots: and in the last yeere of King Edw. the 6. the same was parcelled into Gardens, wherein are now many faire houses of pleasure builded.

But as it is fatall to the Suburbs of e∣very great Citie,* 1.30 to be infected with some foule and unclean Birds, that there build their nests, although not with pro∣fessed and ignominious staine of lewd life; because (within the limits of Hounds-ditch) dwell many a good and honest Citizen, that will never endure such scandalous neighbourhood: yet there are crept in among them a base kinde of vermine, wel-deserving to bee ranked and numbred with them, whom our old Prophet and Countryman Gyl∣das, * 1.31 called Aetatis atramentum, the black discredit of the Age, and of place where they are suffered to live. Or rather (as S. Bernard thinkes it more convenient to terme them) Baptisatos Iudaeos; who take themselves to be Christians, when they are worse (indeed) than the Iewes ever were for usurie.* 1.32

These men, or rather monsters in the shape of men, professe to live by len∣ding, and yet will lend nothing but up∣on pawnes; neither to any, but unto

poore people onely, and for no lesse gaine, than after fifty or threescore l. in the hundred. The pawne of the poore borrower, must needs be more than dou∣ble worth the money lent upon it, and the time of limitation is no longer than a moneth; albeit they well know, that the money needs not be repayed backe, untill a twelvemoneths end. By which time, the interest growes to be so great, that the pawne, which (at the first) was better than twice worth the money bor∣rowed on it, doth not (in the end) prove to be valuable to the debt, which must be prayed, before the poore party can redeeme it. By which extorting meanes of proceeding,* 1.33 the poore borrower is quite cheated of his pawne, for lesse than the third part, which it was truly worth indeed.

It is a great errour (in my poore opi∣nion) that in so ancient and famous a Citie, abounding (otherwise) in most Christian Almes and workes of mercy, that among so many worthy liberalities bestowed on the poore in divers and di∣stinct Parishes,* 1.34 no order is taken for such a publicke stocke, for the truely-poore, that when in their urgent neces∣sitie, either by want of meanes, sicknesse and other hinderances, their pawnes may not goe to the cut-throat Vsurer; but remaine to their owne good (living or dying) or to theirs; without any o∣ther benefit, than that it may still serve for the like reliefe.

And let mee not here bee mistaken, that I condemne such as live by honest buying and selling, and make a good conscience of their dealing: no truely, I meane onely the Iudas Broker, that lives by the Bagge, and (except God be more mercifull to him) will follow him that did beare the Bagge.

On the ditch side of this street, the mudde wall which was, is also (by little and little) taken all downe, the Banke of the ditch being raised, made levell ground, and turned into Garden-plots, and Carpenters yards, and many large houses are there builded, for the uses before remembred; the filth of which houses, as also the earth cast out of their vaults, is turned into the ditch; by which meanes the ditch is filled up, and both the ditch and wall so hidden, that they cannot be seene of the passers by.

Here, according to my purpose in all other Wards and Parishes, I meane not to forget Gods blessings bestowed, by the hands and mercifull mindes of charitable Benefactors. In this Parish of Saint Buttolphs without Aldgate, these persons following doe justly deserve memory.

Benefactors to the Poore.

Master William Newton,* 1.35 Citizen and Sadler of London, gave divers Tene∣ments in the high street.

Mistris Mary Bristow, gave a Tene∣ment to the poore, the yeerely rent be∣ing, 3. l. 6. s. 8. d.

Mistris Ioyce Ripton, gave the summe of 40. l. that fewell may be given thrice yeerely for ever to the poore.

Master William Cowch (of whom wee have already spoken) gave 5. l. yeerely to the poore, and for a Sermon also ten shillings.

Mr. Anthony Duffield gave the summe of 20. l. to have 400. of good Faggots yeerely given to the poore.

Mistris Ioane Duffield gave 10. l', to have 200. of good Faggots given yeer∣ly to the poore.

Mr. Iohn Franke gave an annuity of 20. s. yeerely for ever to the poore.

Mistris Margaret Holigrave gave the like summe of 20. s. and for the like in∣tent yeerely to the poore.

Mr. Bernard Williamson gave yeerely a summe of mony, (which since is made up twenty pounds) that a load of Char∣coales, and a certaine summe of money, may yeerely for ever bee given to the poore.

Mr. Toby Wood, Esquire, gave a tene∣ment of 6. l. rent yeerly; the rent wher∣of is quarterly given to the poore, and for 4. Sermons.

Mistris Anne Clarke, widdow, of Houndsditch, gave 40. l. to have foure Sermons yeerely, and a certaine allow∣ance of bread given to the poore.

Mr. Henry Iorden, sometime Citi∣zen and Fishmonger of London, gave an annuity of twenty shillings yeerely for ever, to be given in fewell to the poore.

Mr. George Palin, Girdler, gave 10. l. for ever, to be imployed for the benefit of the poore.

Mr. Robert Rogers, late Citizen and Leatherseller, gave 20. l. to be laid out yeerely in Coales, that the poore may have them at a reasonable price in win∣ter.

Mr. Stephen Seudamour, late Citizen and Vintner, gave 20. s. yeerely for e∣ver, to be given in fewell to the poore.

Mr. Francis Tirrell, late Citizen and Grocer, gave 10. l. in money to the poore, and 5. Chauldrons of Coales yeerely for ever.

Mr. Robert Dow, a great Benefactor, both in his life time, and for ever after death: as also Mr. George Clarke, and Mr. Robert Coxe, wee have spoken of before.

Now,* 1.36 concerning the bounds and li∣mits, both of the Parish and Ward, and how far they extend themselves every way; there can be no better direction therein, than following the order of their own yeerly perambulation, which for avoiding of prolixity, thus I observe.

Walking downe Hounds ditch North∣ward, so far as the dwelling house of one Edward Ansell, Carpenter, they there crosse the way Eastward into Still and Hand Alley, passing on along by a Gar∣den bricke wall, belonging to a faire goodly Place, termed sometime, Fishers Folly. Thence they proceed into Hogge∣lane, in the middle of which lane, is the partition betweene the two Parishes of White Chappell and S. Buttolphs. There they goe on to the Barres in the com∣mon street, and crossing the way South∣ward, goe thorow a now Tavern house, knowen by the name of the Castle, where turning backe againe, the bredth of two small Gardens, they then passe on right forward (west) to the Minories wall, untill they come to the Minories barres.

There (at the further end) they turne downe into an Alley, called Brownes Alley, to a Wall being by Goodmans Fields, and so along by that wall, so far as to Goodmans gate. Where, by reason of a controversie hapning betweene the Parish of White Chappell and Saint But∣tolphs, and a Barne and other buildings erected in the way, they are constrained to turne up into the street againe. Then they goe downe Red-Lion Alley, to the house of one Darby Morgan, passing on thence directly into Rosemary lane. Then downe on the South side, till they come to the East side of a new Church-yard, there builded at the Parishes cost, and for their helpe in times of sicknes. There they goe thorow an house, then thorow the Church-yard, and afterward tho∣row the house of one Iohn Batcheler. Thence they goe down Nightingale lane, on the West side, untill they come to the middle of a Foord, which sometime turned Wapping Mill; and there the fore∣said two Parishes are divided againe by that Foord. Then goe they on so far as M. Duppa, or Duppers house, and so round about Saint Katharines, till they come to the signe of the Maiden-head, and there they fix their marke.

And then passe over Tower-hill, to the house of one Iohn Atkinson, neere to the Posterne gate; and then goe directly Northward up the Minories street, till they come to the Portcullis under Ald∣gate, where the testimony of their marke concludeth all.

In these, or the most part of these lat∣ter directions, I have beene greatly fa∣voured by Master Iohn Brigges, the pain∣full and industrious Minister of S. But∣tolphs, who by the helpe of the Clerke and Sexton, most lovingly and gently befriended me.

This Portsoken Ward hath an Alder∣man and his Deputy; common Coun∣sellours, 6. Constables, 4. Scavengers, 4. for the Wardmore inquest, 18. and a Beadle. To the Fifteene it is seased at 4. l. 10. s.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Portsoken ward.
• * 1.2

  Lib. Trinit. Knighten Guild.
• * 1.3

  Bounds of Knighten Guild, or Portsoken ward.
• * 1.4

  Lib. Trinit.
• * 1.5

  Priory of the Trini∣ty within Ealdgate.
• * 1.6

  Knighten Guild givē the Canōs of the ho∣ly Trinity.
• * 1.7

  Cōstables of the Tower.
• * 1.8

  Part of Knighten Guild with-held by the Cōstables of the Tower.
• * 1.9

  Prior of the Trini∣ty an Al∣derman of London.
• * 1.10

  Hospitall of Saint Katharines. A second Foundres.
• * 1.11

  New Abby on East∣smithfield.
• * 1.12

  Buriall for the dead prepared in time of pestilence.
• * 1.13

  Causing it to bee named Eastmin∣ster.
• * 1.14

  The Kings Store∣house.
• * 1.15

  Towerhill.
• * 1.16

  Merchant-Taylors Almes∣houses at the Tower hill.
• * 1.17

  Abby of S. Clare Nuns called the Minories.
• * 1.18

  Store-house for Armour.
• * 1.19

  Parish Church of S. Trinity.
• * 1.20

  A farme by the Mi∣nories, wherein hath been sold three pints of milke for one halfe-penny, in memo∣ry of men living.
• * 1.21

  Ditch of the City lay open and was cleansed, but now filled up.
• * 1.22

  Parish Church of S. Buttolph.
• * 1.23

  Hog-lane.
• * 1.24

  Water-Conduit at Aldgate.
• * 1.25

  The two pieces of Coyne were of Traionus & Dioclesianus Emperors▪
• * 1.26

  Begun to be taken downe in An. 1606. and fini∣shed in An. 1609.
• * 1.27

  Hounds-ditch.
• * 1.28

  Bedred people in Hounds-ditch.
• * 1.29

  Brasse ord∣nance 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Hounds-ditch.
• * 1.30

  A matter greatly de∣serving reformati∣on in Hounds-ditch.
• * 1.31

  The un∣conscio∣nable broking Vsurers their li∣ving.
• * 1.32

  The Iewes were ne∣ver any such grip∣ple Extor∣tioners.
• * 1.33

  Such gaines are the gree∣dy Vsurers glory.
• * 1.34

  A publike stocke would doe well for the poore in every Parish.
• * 1.35

  For relief of the poore in the Parish of S. But∣tolphs with∣out Ald∣gate.
• * 1.36

  The li∣mits of Fortsoken VVard, and of the whole Pa∣rish, which extendeth a great way fur∣ther than the VVard doth.