The present state of London: or, Memorials comprehending a full and succinct account of the ancient and modern state thereof. By Tho. De-Laune, Gent

Of the Military Government of London.

HAving Treated of the Ecclesiastical and Tem∣poral Government of this Great City, we will give some brief touches of its Military Government, Ancient and Modern.

In the 23 of H. VIII. 1532. At a General Mu∣ster in London, were first taken the Names of all Men within this City and Liberties only (which reach not far from the Walls) from the Age of 16 to 60. Also the Number of all Harnesses, and all sorts of Weapons for War; than they drew out of these, only such able Men as had White Harness, and them all to appear in White Coats, with Bree∣ches, and white Caps and Feathers, and because Notice was given, that the King himself would see them Muster, they all prepared to appear as splendidly as they could; and to that end, the Lord Mayor, Alder∣men,

Recorder, and Sheriffs, and all who had been Sheriffs, had all white Harness, and over that Coats of black Velvet, with the Arms of the City Em∣broidered thereon, each one a great Gold Chain, and Mounted on a goodly Horse, with rich Trap∣pings, on their Heads Velvet Caps, in their Hands Battle-Axes gilt; Each Alderman and the Recorder had four Halberdiers in white Silk, or else Buff-Coats, waiting on them with gilt Halberds; and the Lord Mayor and sixteen tall men, apparrelled in white Sattin Doublets, Caps and Feathers, Chains of Gold, and other Gorgeous Attire, with long gilt Halberds following his Lordship at a distance: But next to him he had four Footmen in white Sattin, then two Pages cloathed in Crimson-Velvet, and Cloath of Gold, riding on Gallant Horses richly furnisht, one of them carrying the Lord Mayors Helmet, and the other his Pole-Ax, both richly gilt and adorn'd.

Most of the Citizens of any Quality or Office, were in white Sattin, or white Silk Coats, with Chains of Gold, and some with rich Jewels; what the Number of Men in Arms was, is not recorded, but it may be guessed at by what follows: They Mustered in Mile-end-Fields, and before Nine of the Clock in the Morning began to March, entring at Aldgate in excellent order down to Westminster, where the King and Court stood to view them, pas∣sing by; thence they Marched about St. James's-Park, so through Holborn up to Leaden-Hall, and there Disbanded immediately, and yet this was not done till five of the Clock in the Evening, which was Eight hours continual March.

At His Majesties Return to his Government, there were in London and the Liberties, six Regi∣ments of Trained-Bands, and six Regiments of Auxiliaries, and one Regiment of Horse; these thirteen Regiments, about six Weeks before his Majesties arrival, Mustered in Hyde-Park, being

then drawn out for promoting and securing his Ma∣jesties Return. These twelve Regiments of Foot were 18000 Men compleat. Eight of these Regi∣ments had seven Companies in each, and the other four had six Companies in each, in all Eighty Com∣panies. The Regiment of Horse of six Troops, and 100 in each Troop, this considerable Army drawn together before the 20th of May, was Judged to be highly useful for facilitating that great Work. Some Months after the King sent to the City a Commis∣sion of Lieutenancy, appointing several persons as his Lieutenants in London, giving them the same pow∣er that the Lords Lieutenants have in their respe∣ctive Counties, and in pursuance of that Commis∣sion, the Regiments were new settled. There were six Regiments of Train-Bands, commanded by six Citizens, Knights, and their Lieutenant-Colonels were all Knights, and there were six Regiments of Auxiliaries. In all these twelve Regiments were 20000 Men; then were listed two Regiments of Horse, each consisting of five Troops, in all 800 Horse; these were all Drawn into Hide-Park, where His Majesty was pleas'd to take a view of them. But in case of need, it is certain that in London, and within the Liberty, there may in few days be raised 400000 Men; Besides Southwark one Regiment of Train'd-Bands, 1500 Men; The Hamlets of the Tower, two Regiments, in all 3000 Men; then Hol∣born Regiment, and Westminster Regiment, 2000 each, and in case of necessity they can raise 20000 more; that is in all 66500 Men; and in case of absolute need, they can double that Number, and yet leave enough to manage Trade, &c.

To demonstrate this, we shall look back into former times, when London was far less populous, and of less dimensions then Now, and produce what we find Recorded of its Military power.

Stow in his Survey, p. 85. saith, that Anno, 1539▪ 31. H. VIII. a great Muster was made of the Citi∣zens on the 8th of May, at Mile-end, all in bright Harness, with Coats of white Silk or Cloath, and Chains of Gold, in three great Battels to the Num∣ber of 15000, which passed through London to Westminster, and round St. James's Park, and so home through Holborn. This was for the Midsum∣mer Watch, which custom was discontinued till 1548. 2 E. 6. and then revived with an Addition of above 300 Demi-La••ces and light Horsemen, prepared by the City, for Scotland, for the Relief of the Town of Haddington, kept by the English.

The like Marching Watch hath not been used since, though some attempts have been made in order to its continuation, as Anno, 1585. A Book was written by a grave Citizen, Mr. John M••ntgo∣mery, Dedicated to Sir Thomas Pullison, then Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen; containing the Manner and Order of a Marching-Watch on the accustom∣ed way, wherein he used this Motive; That Artifi∣cers of sundry sorts were thereupon set to Work, none but rich men charged, poor men helped, old Souldiers, Trumpets Drummers, Fifes, and Ensign-be••rers, with such like men meet for the Princes Service kept in ure, wherein the•• safety and defence of every Common-Wealth consisteth. Armor and Weapons being yearly used thereby, the Citizens had of their own ready prepared for any need; where∣as by intermission hereof, Armourers are out of Work. Souldiers out of ure, Weapons over-grown withfoul∣ness. few or none good being provided, &c.

Mr. Howel in his Londinopolis, Printed 1657. Writes thus p. 398. For strength Defensive and Of∣fensive, for Arms of all sorts, for Artillery, Amu∣nition, for Arsenals and Docks on both sides the River, for Castles and Block-houses, &c. London is not inferiour to any; she hath 12000 Trained-Band

Citizens perpetually in a Readiness excellent∣ly Armed, &c. The City of London hath sent out strong Fleets in former times, to scoure and secure the Four Seas from Depredations and Pyracy. Anno 1293 She was able to set forth a Fleet of 95 Ships— Another Record shews, that in King Stephens Reign, the City raised 60000 Foot, and 20000 Horse, for Land Service, which is about 500 years ago.—No place is better furnished with Magazines of Corn and Arms against a Famine; for besides that at Leade••-Hall, and the Bridge-House, How many Halls have Store-Houses of this kind!

By the Computation of humane Souls in this great City, may be guessed what Military force may be raised, of which the said Author says thus.

In the year 1636. King Charles the First sending to the Lord Mayor, to make a Scrutiny what Num∣ber of Papists and Strangers were in the City, the Lord Mayor, Sir Edward Bromfield, took occasion thereby to make a cense (or computation) of all the people, and there were of Men, Women, and Chil∣dren, above 700000 that lived within the Bars of his Jurisdiction alone; and this being so long ago, viz. 45 years, 'tis judged by all probable compu∣tation, that London hath more by a third part now than at that time. Then the City of Westminster, and all the Suburbs without the Lord Mayor's Jurisdiction, and the contiguous Buildings that joyn with it, as an Intire piece on all sides, contain by all likely conjecture at least as many more; so that taking all together, the Number of humane Souls may amount to above one Million and an half; this computation was thus delivered by Mr. Howel, 24 years ago, and it is certain that the Number is vast∣ly encresed since, as may appear by the great Ad∣dition of Buildings even within these few years. At that time Mr. Howel Judged the Circumference of the City, &c. to be above twelve Miles, but it is

certain whate'er it was then, it is much more now: so that upon the whole, if the Number of Inhabitants be no more then as above, and allowing but the tenth part able to bear Arms, the City and Suburbs may raise 150000 Fighting-men, of which a third part is enough for a Brave Army, viz. 50000 Men, according to the Modern manner of War.

Besides these Train'd-Bands and Auxilliary-men, before-mentioned, there is the Artillery Company, which is a Nursery of Souldiers, and hath been so threescore and odd years. The present King listed himself there, when he was Prince of Wales, and so did the Duke of York, who commanded that Com∣pany; But lately His Majesty was pleased to honour that Company himself so highly, as to tell them, when they were last February about a New Electi∣on, that he would Himself be their Leader, which was resented with the Universal Joy of the Compa∣ny, it being indeed an extraordinary honour, to be under the Immediate Commands of so Royal a Leader.

Under His Majesty there is a Leader who exerci∣ses this Company every Tuesday fortnight, in the Artillery-Ground, (a spacious and delicate green Field, inclosed with a fair Brick-wall, near Moor∣fields, for that purpose.) And the other Tuesday the Exercise is performed by the several Members of the Company, who are there Trained up to Command.

Of this Society there are many of the Nobility, also the Lord Mayor, and most of the Aldermen, all the Commanders of the Train-Bands and Auxilia∣ries here Exercise Arms. This Company consists of about six hundred men. Their Officers are a Leader, two Lieutenants, two Ensigns, two Ser∣jeants, a Provost-Marshal, three Gentlemen of Arms, &c. They have also a Court-Marshal, con∣sisting of a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, and Twenty four Members of the Company.

On the second Tuesday in February, at a Gene∣ral Rendezvouz every year, the Officers are Elect∣ed.

So much of Government: which I shall shut with the Words of one of the great Magistrates of this famous City, viz. Slingsby Bethel Esq one of the Sheriffs, in a late Paper of his Just Vindication a∣gainst the malicious and lying Invectives of some base, ill-minded persons, that were so impudent to asperse him in his Honour and Reputation, upon occasion of the late Poll in Southwark, where he was one of the Candidates to serve for that Bur∣rough in Parliament; but the well known Worth of that wise and eminent Gentleman, is above the reach of such Detractors Tongues; for while they go a∣bout to sully his spotless Reputation, they render it (though against their minds,) so much the more il∣lustrious; all sober persons concluding that he must needs be a good man, because bad men hate him: for to be praised by such is ever esteem'd a kind of reproach; and so the Philosopher took it, when he exclaim'd (in some heat) for being praised by a scandalous person. Which is but by the by, as the impartial sense of one that has not the happiness of personally knowing that worthy person; Yet no stran∣ger to his due Character.

This City is indeed, (saith he, p. 7.) a great and opulent City, full of People and Trade; a City emi∣nent for the great Charters, Priviledges, and Im∣munities with which it is invested; Renowned for its many Courts, and Councels, Companies and So∣cieties; and for the good Laws therein Instituted and Ordained for the better Government of the several Ranks and Orders of men amongst them, whereby they are enabled to obtain, their own Ju∣stice, maintain their own Peace, and pursue all the good and advantagious ends of Trade, with the bet∣ter success, and greater security.

And as the happiness and good estate of this City doth depend upon the right use and improvement of these advantages, and upon a Due and Righteous Execution of those good Laws, so the honour and esteem which this great City most justly finds from all men, both at home and abroad, doth principally result and arise from hence.

I confess there is another thing that doth well be∣fit this great City, which we call State and Grandeur, which (though it is far below, and differs in the e∣steem of wise men, as much from that honour which I have before described, as my Lord Mayors Horse, accoutred with his richest furniture and trappings, doth from that Honourable Person that sits upon him cloathed with eminency of Power and Authority) is found nevertheless most necessary to attract that Reverence from the Vulgar and Common People to∣wards so August a Government; which they (giving Judgment of things more by outward appearance, then by intrinsick worth, and real value) would o∣therwise hardly give to the greatest Potentates.

To this end the City hath its several Ensigns of Authority and Power, sitted to all degrees of Magi∣stracy, and shewing the place they bear in the Go∣vernment with a becoming Greatness. They have their solemn Processions and Cavalcades, set forth with Habits, Equipages, Attendants, and other Orna∣ments, sutable to the several Degrees and Orders of Men, for the greater State.

They have also their Publick Shews and Triumphs upon set times and occasions, adorn'd with much splen∣dor, to Entertain and Divert the People with Gaze and Admiration.—And they have (besides these) their publick Feasts upon set times and solemn occa∣sions of assembling and rejoycing together for their refreshment. And I do agree, that as these being practised with that moderation, and within those limits which the Laws of the City upon great Rea∣son

have wisely Ordained, may be of good Ʋse to the ends aforesaid; so I have not been wanting in per∣forming my part therein, &c.