NExt adioining is Chepe warde,Cheape ward. which alſo beginneth in the Eaſt, on the courſe of Walbrooke, in Buckles bury, and runneth vp on both the ſides to the great Conduit in Cheape. Alſo on the ſouth ſyde of Buckles berie a lane turning vp by S. Sithes Church, & by S. Pancrates church, through Needlers lane, on the north ſide thereof, and then through a péece of Sopars lane, on both ſydes vp to Chepe, be all of Chepe warde. Then to be begin againe in the eaſt vpon the ſaid courſe of Walbrooke, is S. Mildreds church in the Poultrie, on the north ſide, and ouer againſt the ſaid church gate, on the ſouth to paſſe vp al that high ſtréet called the Poultrie, to the great conduit in Chepe, and then Chepe it ſelfe, which beginneth by the eaſt end of the ſaid Conduit, and ſtretcheth vp to the North Eaſt corner of Bow lane, on the ſouth ſide, and to the ſtandard on the North ſide, and thus far to the weſt is of Cheape ward. On the ſouth ſide of this high ſtréet is no lane turning ſouth out of this ward, more thē ſome ſmall portion of Sopars lane, whereof I haue before written. But on the North ſide of this high ſtréete is Conyhope lane, about one quarter of Olde Iurie lane, on the weſt ſide and on the Eaſt ſide almoſt as much to the ſigne of the Angell. Then is Iremongers lane, all wholly on both ſides, and from the North end thereof through Catton ſtréete, Weſt to the North ende of S. Laurence lane, and ſome 4. houſes weſt beyond the ſame on that ſide, and ouer againſt Ironmongers lane end on the North ſide of Catton ſtréete vp by the Guildhal, and S. Laurence church in the Iurie is altogether of Chepe ward. Then againe in Chepe more toward the weſt is S. Laurence lane before named, which is all wholly of this warde, and laſt of all is Hony lane, and ſo vp to the ſtandard on that North ſide of Chepe: and ſo ſtand the boundes of Chepe ward.

Now for antiquities there, firſt is Buckles berie, ſo called of a mannor, and tenementes pertayning to one Buckle, Buckles bury of one Buckle. who there dwelled, and kept his courts. This Mannor is ſuppoſed to be the great ſtone building, yet in parte remaining on the ſouth ſide the ſtréete, which of late time hath beene called the old Barge, of ſuch a ſigne hanged out neare the gate thereof. This Mannor or great houſe hath of long time béene diuided and letten out into many tenements: and it hath béene a common ſpeech that when the WalbrookeBarges towed vp Walbrook vnto Buckles berie. did lie open, barges were rowed out of the Thames, or towed vp ſo far, and therefore the place hath euer ſince béene called yͤ Old barge, Alſo on the north ſide of this ſtréet directly ouer againſt the ſaid Buckles berie was one ancient and ſtrong tower of ſtone the which king Edwarde the thirde in the 32. of his raigne, did grant to his Colledge or free Chappell of S. Stephen at Weſtminſter, by the name of his Tower called Serueſſe Tower atSeruice Tower by Walbrook Buckles bery: this Tower of late yeares was taken downe, by one Buckle a Grocer, meaning in place thereof to haue ſet vppe and builded a goodly frame of Timber, but the ſaide Buckle greedily labouring to pull downe the olde Tower, a peece thereof fell vpon him which ſo bruſed him that his life was thereby ſhortened, and an other that married his widdow, ſet vp the newly prepared frame of tymber, and finiſhed the worke.

This whole ſtreete called Buckles bury on both the ſides throughout, is poſſeſſed of Grocers and Apothecaries toward the weſt ende thereof, on the ſouth ſide, breaketh out one other ſhort lane called in recordes Peneritch ſtreete,Penerich ſtreete. it reacheth but to Saint Sythes lane, and S. Sythes Pariſh church of S. Syth or Bennit ſhrog. Church is the fartheſt part thereof, for by the weſt ende of the ſaide Church beginneth Needelars lane,Needelars lane which reacheth to Sopars lane as is aforeſaide, this ſmall pariſh Church of S. Sith hath alſo an addition of Bennet ſhorne (or Shrog, or Shorehogge) for by al theſe names haue I read it, but the auncienteſt is Shorne, wherefore it ſeemeth to take that name of one Benedict Shorne, ſometime a Cittizen, and Stockefiſhmonger of London, a new builder, repayrer or Benefactor therof, in the raigne of E. the ſecond, ſo that Shorne is but corruptlie called Shrog, and more corruptly Shorehog.

There lye buried in this Church Richard Lincolne Felmonger, 1548. Iohn Freſh Mercer Maior 1394. Iohn Rochforde and Robert Rochforde, Iohn Holde Alderman, Henry Froweke, Mercer Maior, a thouſand foure hundred thirty fiue Edward Warrington, Iohn Morrice, Iohn Huntley, Sir Ralph Waren Mercer Maior, 1553, Sir Iohn Lion Grocer Maior, 1554. theſe two laſt haue monumentes, the reſt are all defaced.

Then in Needelars lane haue yee the pariſh church of Saint Pancrate, Pariſh church of S. pancrate Iuſtices charged to puniſh ſuch aſſel bels from their churches Elizabeth 14. a proper ſmall church, but diuers rich Pariſhioners therein, and hath had of olde time many liberall benefactors, but of late ſuch as (not regarding the order taken by her Maieſtie) the leaſt bell in their church being broken, haue rather ſolde the ſame for half the value, then put the pariſh to charge with new caſting: late experience hath prooued this to bee true, beſides the ſpoile of the monumentes there. In this Church there are buried Sir Aker, Iohn Aker, Iohn Barens Mercer, Maior, 1370. Iohn Beſton and his wife, Robert Rayland, Iohn Hamber, Iohn Gage, Iohn Rowley, Iohn Lambe, Iohn Hadley Grocer, Maior, 1379. Richarde Gardener Mercer, Maior, 1478. Iohn Stockton Mercer, Maior, 1470. Iohn Dane Mercer, Iohn Parker, Robert Marſhall Alderman, 1439. Robert Corcheforde. Robert Hatfield, and Robert Hatfielde, Nicholas Wilfilde, and Thomas his ſonne, the monumentes of all which bee defaced and gone. There do remaine of Robert Burley 1360. Richarde VVilſon, 1525. Robert Packenton Mercer, ſlaine with a Gunne ſhot at him in a morning, the thirteenth of Nouēber as hee was going to morrow Maſſe, from his houſe in Cheape, to S. Thomas of Acars in the yeare 1536. the murderer was neuer diſcouered, but by his owne confeſſion made when he came to the Gallowes at Banbery to bee hanged for Fellonie. Thomas VVardbury Haberdaſher 1545. Iames Huiſh Grocer. 1590. Ambroſe Smith &c. Then is a part of Sopars lane turning vp to Cheape, by the aſſent of Stephen Abunden, Maior, the Peperars in Sopars lane were admitted to ſell all ſuch ſpices, and other wares, as Grocers now vſe to ſell, retayning the olde name of Peperars in Sopars lane,Pepperars in Sopars lane. till at length in the raign of Henry the ſixt the ſame Sopars lane was inhabited by Cordewainers and Curriars, after that the Peperars or Grocers had ſeated themſelues in a more open ſtreete, to wit in Buckles bury, where they yet remaine. Thus much for the ſouth wing of Cheapeward.

Now to beginne againe on the banke of the ſaide Walbrooke, at the eaſt ende of the high ſtreete, which is the maine body ofThe Poultrie. this warde: firſt ouer againſt the pariſh church of S. Mildred, on the ſouth ſide of the Poultrie, vp to the great Conduite, haue yee diuers fayre houſes, ſometimes inhabited by Poulters, now by Grocers, Haberdaſhers, and Upholders, at the weſt end of this Poultrie, on the ſouth ſide, haue ye the great Conduite,The great Conduite in Cheape. which is the beginning of weſt Cheape. This Conduite was the firſt ſweete water that was conueyed by pipes of lead vnder ground, to this place in the Citie, from Padington it was caſtellated with ſtone and ceſterned in lead which was begunne in the yeare 1285. Henry Wales being then Maior. This Conduite was againe new builded by Thomas Ilame one of the Sheriffes in the yeare, 1479. beyond this Conduite, on the ſouth ſide of Cheap be now faire and large houſes, for the moſt part poſſeſſed of Mercers vp to the north corner of Cordwainer ſtreete, corruptlie called Bow lane, which houſes in former time were but ſhedes (or ſhops) with ſolars ouer them, as of late one of them remained at Sopars lane end, wherein a woman ſold ſeedes, rootes, and herbs, but thoſe ſheddes or ſhops, by incrochmentes on the high ſtreete, are now largely builded on both ſides outward, and alſo vpwarde towarde heauen, ſome thrée, foure, or fiue ſtories on high. &c.

On the north ſide of the Poultrie, is the proper pariſh churchpariſh church of S. Mildred of S. Mildrede, which was new builded vpon Walbrooke, in the yeare 1457. Iohn Saxton then Parſon gaue 32. poundes towards the building of the new Quire there which now ſtandeth vpon the courſe of Walbrook, Leuell and Puery, and Richard Keſtō haue their Armes in the eaſt Windowes as Benefactors.

All the rooffing of that Church is garniſhed with the Armes of Thomas Aſchehul, one of the Churchwardens in the yere 1455. who was there buried, Thomas Morſted Eſquire and Chirurgeon to king Henry the 4. 5. and 6. one of the Sheriffes of London, in the yeare 1436. gaue vnto this Church a parcell of ground contayning in length from the courſe of Walbrooke, towarde the weſt, 45. foote, and in bredth, from the Church towardes the north 35. foote, being within the gate of Skalding houſe, or Skalding Wike in the ſaid pariſh, to make a Churchyarde wherein to bury their dead, Richarde Shore Draper, one of the Sheriffes 1505. gaue fifteene pound for making a portch, to this church. Buried here, as by his monumentes appeareth: Iohn Hildy Poulter, 1416, Iohn Kendall 1468, Iohn Garland 1476. Robert Bois, 1485: and Symon Lee, Poulters, 1487. Thomas Lee of Eſſex, Gentleman, VVilliam Haclingridge, Chriſtopher Feliocke, 1494. Robert Dreyton Skinner. 1484. Iohn Chriſtopherſon, Doctor of Phiſicke, 1524. VVilliam Turner Skinner, 1536. Blaſe White Grocer, 1558. Thomas Hobſon Haberdaſher. 1559, William Hobſon Haberdaſher, 1581. and Thomas Tuſſer Gentleman, 1580 with this Epitaph.

On the north ſide of the church yearde remaine two tombes of marble, but not known of whome or otherwiſe then by tradition, it is ſaide they were of Thomas Monſhampe, and VVilliam, Brothers aboute 1547. &c.

Of the name of this ſtreete, called the Poultrie, I haue before ſpoken as alſo of the lane called Skalding houſe, or Skalding wike &c. On this north ſide ſome foure houſes weſt from Saint Mildred church, is a priſon houſe pertayning to one of the Sheriffes, and is called the Compter in the Poultrie, and hath beene there kept time out of minde, for I haue not read of the originall thereof. Somewhat weſt from this Comptar,Compter in the poultrie. was ſometime a proper Chappell,Chappell of Corpus Chriſti. of Corpus Chriſti, and S. Marie, at Coniehopelane end in the pariſh of S. Mildrede, founded by one named Ionyrunnes, a Citizen of London, in the raigne of Edwarde the thirde, where was a Guilde or Fraternitie, that might diſpend in lands better then twentie pound by yeare, it was ſuppreſſed by Henry the eight, and purchaſed by one Hobſon, a Haberdaſher, who turned this Chappell into a fayre warehouſe, and ſhops towardes the ſtreete, with lodginges ouer them. Then is Conningſhop lane,Cony hope lane. of olde time ſo called of a ſigne of three Conies, hanging ouer a Poulters ſtall at the lane ende. Within this lane ſtandeth the Grocers hall,Grocers hall. which Companie being of olde time called Peperars, were firſt incorporated by the name of GrocersGrocers hall firſt purchaſed and then builded by the Grocers. in the yeare 1345, at which time they elected for Cuſtos or Gardian of their Fraternitie, Richarde Oſwine, and Lawrence Halliwel, and twentie Brethren were then taken in, to be of their ſcocietie.

In the yeare 1411. the Cuſtos or Gardian, and the Brethren of this Companie, purchaſed of the Lord Robert Fitzwaters, one plot of ground with the building thereupon in the ſaide Conyhope lane for 320. markes, and then laide the foundation of their new common hall.

About the yeare 1429. the Grocers had licence to purchaſe 500. markes land, ſince the which time neare adioyning vnto the Grocers hall, the ſaid Company hath builded ſeauen Almes houſes,Seauen MoEML is still seeking information regarding this entry. If you have information to contribute, please email the MoEML team.Almeſhouſes by the Grocers hall. for ſeauen aged poore Almes people. Thomas Knoles Grocer Maior, gaue his Tenement in S. Anthonines Churchyard, to the Grocers, towards the releef of the poore Brethren in that Companie, alſo Henry Keeble Grocer Maior, gaue to the ſeauen Almes people ſix pence the peece weekelie for euer, which penſion is now increaſed by the Maiſters to ſome of them, two ſhillinges the peece weekelie, and to ſome of them leſſe &c.

Weſt from this Conyhope lane is the olde Iury, whereof ſome portion is of Cheape warde, as afore is ſhewed. At the ſouth ende of this lane, is the Pariſh church of S, Mary Colechurch, Pariſh church of S. Mary Colechurch. ſo named of one Cole that builded it, this church is builded vppon a vault aboue ground, ſo that men are forced to aſcend vp therunto by certaine ſteps. I finde no monumentes of this church, more then that Henry the fourth graunted licence to VVilliam Marſhall and others to found a Brotherhoode of S. Katheren therein, becauſe Thomas Becker, & S. Edmond the Archbiſhop were baptized there. Next to that is Mercers Chappell, ſometime an HoſpitallHoſpitall of S. Thomas of Acars. intituled of S. Thomas of Acon, or Acars near to the great Conduite in Cheape, for a Maiſter and Brethren, militia hoſpitalis, &c. ſaieth the recorde of Edwarde the thirde, the 14. yeare, it was founded by Thomas Fitz the balde de heily, and Agnes his wife, ſiſter to Thomas Becket, in the raigne of Henry the ſecond, they gaue to the maiſter and brethren the lands with the appurtenances, that ſometime were Gilbert Beckets father of the ſaide Thomas, in the which he was borne, there to make a church: there was alſo a Charnell and a Chappell ouer it, of S. NicholasMoEML is still seeking information regarding this entry. If you have information to contribute, please email the MoEML team. and S. StephenMoEML is still seeking information regarding this entry. If you have information to contribute, please email the MoEML team., this Hoſpitall was valued to diſpend 277.£.3.s̃.4.ď. it was ſurrendred the 30. of Henry the 8. the 21. of October, and was ſince purchaſed by the Mercers, by meanes of Sir Richarde Greſhain, and was againe ſet open on the Eue of S. Michæll, 1541. the 33. of Henry the eight, it is now called the Mercers Chappell,Mercers Chappell and hall. and therein is kept a free Grammar SchooleA free ſchole in the Hoſpitall of S. Thomas Acon. as of olde time had beene accuſtomed, and had beene commanded by Parliament: there is alſo a preaching in the Italian tongue to the Italians and others on the Sondaies. Here be many monumentes remayning, but more haue beene defaced: Iames Butler Earle of Ormond, and Dame Iohan his Countiſe, the eight of Henry the ſixt, Iohn Norton Eſquier, Stephen Cauandiſh Draper, Maior, 1362. Thomas Cauandiſh, William Cauandiſh, Thomas Ganon called Pike, one of the Sheriffes, 1410. Hungate of Yorkeſhire, Ambroſe Creſacre, Iohn Truſbut Mercer, 1437. Thomas Norland Sheriffe, 1483. Sir Edmond Sha Goldſmith Maior, 1482. Sir Thomas Hill knight, Henry Frowicke, Thomas Ilam Sheriffe 1479. Launcelot Laken Eſquier, Ralph Tylney Sheriffe, 1488. Garth Eſquier, Iohn Ritch, Sir William Butler Grocer Mayor, 1515. William Browne Mercer Maior, 1513. Iohn Loke 1519. Sir Thomas Baldry, Mercer Maior, 1523. Sir William Locke, Mercer Sheriffe, 1548. Sir Iohn Allen Mercer Maior, 1525. deceaſed 1544. Sir Thomas Leigh Mercer, Mayor, 1558. Sir Richarde Malory Mercer Maior, 1564, Humphrey Baſkaruile Mercer Sheriffe 1561. Sir George Bonde Maior, 1587, &c.

Before this Chappell towardes the ſtreete, there was builded a fayre and beutifull Chappell, arched ouer with ſtone, and thereupon the Mercers hall,Mercers hall. a moſt curious peece of worke: Sir Iohn Allen before named being founder thereof was there buried: but ſince his Tombe is remoued into the great olde Chappell, and his Chappell is made into ſhops, and letten out for rent, by his ſucceſſors the Mercers. Theſe Mercers were enabled to be a Company the 20. of Richarde the ſecond, and king Henry the ſixt, in the thirde of his raigne, at the requeſt of Iohn Couentrie, Iohn Carpenter, and William Groue granted to the Mercers, to haue a Chaplaine and Brotherhoode for reeleefe of ſuch of their Companie, as came to decay by miſfortune on the ſea. Next beyond the Mercers Chappell in Ironmonger lane,Ironmongers lane. ſo called of Ironmongers dwelling there, in the 8. of Edwarde the firſt. In this lane is the ſmall pariſh church of S. Martin S. Martins Pomery in Ironmonger lane. called Pomery vpon what occaſion certainely I know not,S. Lawrence lane. but it is ſuppoſed to bee of Apples, growing there where now houſes are lately builded, for my ſelfe haue ſeene the large voide places there, monuments in this church be there none to account of.

Farther weſt is S. Lawrence lane, S. Lawrence lane. ſo called of S. Lawrence church, which ſtandeth directly ouer againſt the north end thereof, antiquities in this lane I finde none other, then that among many fayre houſes, there is one large Inne, for receipt of Trauellers, called Bloſſomes Inne, but corruptly Boſomes Inne, and hath to ſigne S. Lawrence the Deacon, in a Border of bloſſomesBloſſoms Inne or flowers. Then neare to the Standard in Cheape is Hony laneHony lane. ſo called not of ſweeteneſſe thereof, being very narrow and ſomewhat darke, but rather of often waſhing and ſweeping, to keep it cleane. In this is the ſmall pariſh church called Alhallowes in Hony lane,Pariſh church of Alhallowes Hony lane. there bee no monumentes in this church worth the noting. Without this lane is the Standarde in Cheape,Standarde in Cheape. which Iohn Wels Grocer Maior 1430. cauſed to be made with a ſmall Ceſterne for freſh water, hauing one Cocke continually running, when the ſame is not turned nor lockt, this was finiſhed by his Executors. Thomas Knoles, and Iohn Chichley they purchaſed licence of Henry the ſixt, to conuey water, to make the Conduite, now whether the Standarde in Weſt Cheape ſo oft ſpoken of in former times, be the ſame and ſtoode iuſt in this place, or elſwhere, or that the ſame were remoueable, may bee ſome queſtion: for it is manifeſt that in the raigne of Edwarde the thirde, and at other times when the great iuſtinges, and other running on horſebacke were practiſed betwixt the great Croſſe, and the great Conduite at Sopars lane end, there was no ſuch Standarde, or other Obſtacle betweene them, neither was that ſtreete paued with hard ſtone as now it is, we read that in the yeare 1293, three mē had their right hands ſtriken off at the Standard in Cheap,Men executed in weſt Cheap for reſcuing of a Priſoner, it is verie likelie therefore that the olde Croſſe in Cheape (which was then newlie builded) was alſo the Standarde.

In the yeare 1326. the Citizens tooke VValter Stapleton Biſhop of Exceſter and beheaded him with other at the Standarde in Cheape: In the yeare 1399. King Henry the fourth cauſed the Blanch Charters made by Richarde the ſecond, to bee burnt at the Standarde in Weſt Cheape. In the yeare 1381. Wat Tylar be headed Richarde Lions and others in Cheape. In the yeare 1461. Iohn Dauie had his hand ſtriken off at the Standarde in Cheape, alſo Iacke Cade the Rebell beheaded the Lorde Say at the Standarde in Cheape, &c. Thus much for the Body of Cheape warde may ſuffice. Then followeth Catte ſtreeteCatſtreete. (ſo called in Recordes the 24. ofHenry the ſixt, now corruptlie Catteten ſtreet, which beginneth at the north end of Ironmonger lane, and runneth to the weſt end of Saint Lawrence church as is afore ſhewed. On the north ſide of this ſtreete is the Guilde hallThe Guilde hall and courts kept. Liber Flit wed of this Citie, wherein the Courts for the Citie be kept, namelie the 1. Court of common Counſaile 2. The courte of the Lorde Maior, and his Brethren the Aldermen 3. The courte of Huſtinges 4. the court of Orphanes 5. the two courts of the Sheriffes 6. the courte of the Wardmote 7. the courte of Hallmote 8. the courte of requeſtes commonly called the courte of conſcience 9. the Chamberlaines court for Prentizes, and making them free. This Guilde hall ſayeth Robert Fabian, was begunne to bee builded new in the yeare 1411. the twelfth of Henry the fourth, by Thomas Knoles then Maior, and by his Brethren the Aldermen, and the ſame was made of a little Cottage, a large and great houſe, as now it ſtandeth: towardes the charges whereof the Companies gaue large beneuolences, alſo offences of men were pardoned for ſummes of money towardes this worke, and there was extraordinarie fees raiſed, Fines, Amercementes, and other thinges imployed during ſeauen yeares, and a continuation thereof three yeares more, all to bee imployed to this building.

The firſt yeare of Henry the ſixt Iohn Couentrie, and Iohn Carpentar Executors to Richarde Whitington, gaue towards the pauing of this great hall twentie pound, and the next yeare fifteene pound more to the ſaide pauement, with harde ſtone of Purbecke, they alſo glaſed ſome Windowes thereof and of the Maiors Court, on euery which window the Armes of Richard Whitington are placed. The foundation of the Maiors court was laide in the thirde yeare of the raigne of Henry the ſixt, and of the Portch on the South ſide of the Maiors court, in the fourth of the ſaide king. Then was builded the Maiors Chamber, and the counſell chamber, with other roomes aboue the ſtaires: laſt of all a ſtately porch entering the great hall was erected, the front thereof towards the ſouth, being beautified with images of ſtone, ſuch as is ſhewed by theſe verſes following, made about ſome 30. yeares ſince, by William Elderton, at that time an Atturney in the Sheriffes courtes there.

Diuers Aldermen glaſed the great hall, and other courts as appeareth by their Armes in each window. William Hariot Draper Mayor 1481. gaue 40. pound to the making of two louers in the ſaid Guildhal, and toward the glaſing therof. The KitchensKitchens by the Guildhall builded. and other houſes of office, adioyning to this Guildhall were builded of later time, to wit, about the yeare 1501. by procurement of Edmond Shaw Goldſmith Mayor: ſince which time the Mayors feaſts haue béene yearely kept there, which before time were kept in the Taylors hall, and the Grocers hall. Nicholas Alwin Grocer Mayor 1499. deceaſed 1505. gaue by his teſtament for a hanging of tapeſtrie, to ſerue for principal daies in the Guildhall, 73. pound. 6. s̃. 8.ď. Now for the Chappell or Colledge of our Ladie Mary Magdalen, and of All-ſaintes by the Guildhall,Chappell or Colledge at Guildhal. called London Colledge, I reade that the ſame was builded about the yeare 1299. And in a Recorde I find that Peter fanelore, Adam Frauncis, and Henry Frowike Citizens gaue one Meſſuage with the apurtenances in the pariſh of Saint Fawſtar to William Bramton Cuſtos of the Chauntrie, by them founde in the ſaid Chappell, with foure Chaplens, and one other houſe in the pariſh of S. Giles without Criplegate, in the 27. of Edward the third, which was about the yeere 1353. Moreouer I finde that Richard the 2. in the 20. of his raigne, graunted to Stephen Spilman, Mercer, licence to giue one meſſuage, 3. ſhops, and one garden, with the apurtenances, being in the pariſh of S. Andrew Hubbard, to the Cuſtos and chaplens of the ſaid chappell, and to their ſucceſſors for their better reliefe and maintenance for euer.

King Henry the 6. in the eight of his raigne gaue licence to Iohn Barnard Cuſtos, and the chaplens to builde of new the ſaide chappell or colledge of Guildhall, and the ſame Henry the 6. in the 27. of his raigne, graunted to the pariſh Clearkes in London & Guilde of S. Nicholas, for two Chaplens by them to bee kept in the ſaid ChappellChappell or Colledge at Guildhal new builded. of S. Mary Magdalene, neare vnto the Guildhall, and to keepe 7. almes people. Henry Barton Skinner Mayor. founded a Chaplen there, Roger Depham Mercer, and Sir VVilliam Langford knight, had alſo chaplens there. This chappell or colledge had a Cuſtos, 7. chaplens, 3. clearkes, and foure Queriſters.

Monumentes there haue béene ſundry, as appeareth by the tombes of marble yet remaining, ſeuen in number, but all defaced. The vppermoſt in the quire on the South ſide thereof aboue the Reueſtrie dore, was the tombe of Iohn Welles Iohn Wels a principall benefactor to Guildhall colledge. Grocer Mayor, 1431. The likenes of welles are grauen on the tombe, on the Reueſtrie dore, and other places on that ſide the Quire. Alſo in the Glaſſe window ouer this tombe, and in the Eaſt window is the likeneſſe of welles, with handes eleuated out of the ſame welles, holding ſcrowles, wherein is written Mercy, the writing in the Eaſt window being broken yet remayneth Welles. I founde his armes alſo in the South glaſſe windowe, all which do ſhewe that the Eaſt ende and South ſide the Quire of this chappell, and the Reueſtrie were by him both builded and glaſed: on the North ſide the Quire the tomb of Thomas Kneſeworth Fiſhmonger Mayor 1505. who deceaſed 1515. was defaced, and within theſe 44. yeares againe renewed by the Fiſhmongers: two other tombes lower there are, the one of a Draper, the other of a Haberdaſher, their names not knowne: Richard Stomine is written by in the window by the Habardaſher, vnder flat ſtones do lie diuers Cuſtos of the Chappell, chaplens & officers to the chamber. Amongſt others Iohn Clipſtone prieſt, ſometime Cuſtos of the librarie of the Guildhall 1457. An other of Edmond Aliſon prieſt, one of the Cuſtos of the librarie 1510. &c. Sir Iohn Langley Goldſmith, Mayor 1576. lyeth buried in the vault, vnder the tombe and monument of Iohn Welles before named. This chappell or colledge (valued to diſpence xij.l.viij. s̃.ix.ď.by the yeare) was ſurrendred amongſt other, the chappell remaineth to the Mayor and communaltie, wherein they haue ſeruice wéekely, as alſo at the election of the Mayor, and at the Mayors feaſt, &c.

Adioyning to this chappell on ſouth ſide was ſometime a fayre and large librarie,Librarie at Guildhal. furniſhed with bookes, pertaining to the Guildhall and colledge: Theſe bookes (as it is ſaid) were in the raigne of Edward the 6. ſent for by Edward Duke of Sommerſet, Lord Protector, with promiſe to be reſtored ſhortly: men laded from thence thrée Carriers with them, but neuer returned. This librarie was builded by the executors of R. Whittington, and by William Burie: the armes of Whittington are placed on the one ſide in the ſtone worke, and two letters, to wit, W. and B. for William Burie, on the other ſide: it is now lofted through, and made a ſtore houſe for clothes. Southweſt from this Guildhall, is the faire pariſh church of S. Laurence Pariſh church of S. Laurence in the Iury. called in the Iunie, becauſe of olde time ſince the raigne of William Conqueror (that firſt brought Iewes from Roan into this realme) many Iewes inhabited there about, vntill that in the yeare 1290. the 18. of Edward the firſt they were wholly and for euer by the ſaid king baniſhedThe Iewes baniſhed England, the number of them. The tooth of ſome monſtrous fiſh, as I take it. this realme, hauing of their owne goodes to beare their charges, till they were out of his dominions. The number of the Iewes at that time baniſhed were 15060. perſons whoſe houſes being ſold, the king made of them a mightie maſſe of money. This church is faire and large, and hath ſome monuments, as ſhall bee ſhewed. I my ſelfe more then 60. yeares ſince haue ſéene in this church the ſhanke bone of a man (as it is taken) and alſo a tooth of a very great bigneſſe hanged, vp for ſhewe in chaines of Iron vppon a pillar of ſtone, the tooth (being about the bigneſſe of a mans fiſt) is long ſince conueyed from thence+the thigh or ſhanke bone of 25. inchesA ſhank bone of 25. inches long, of a man as is ſaid, but might be of an Oliphant, in length by the rule, remaineth yet faſtened to a poſt of timber, & is not ſo much to be noted for the length, as for the thicknes, hardnes, and ſtrength thereof, for when it was hanged on the ſtone pillar, it fretted with mouing the ſaid pillar, and was not it ſelfe fretted, nor (as ſéemeth) is not yet lightned by remaining drie: but where or when this bone was firſt found or diſcouered I haue not heard, and therfore reiecting the fables of ſome late writers I ouerpaſſe them. There lie buried in this church Elizabeth wife to Iohn Forteſcue, Katherine Stoketon, Iohn Stratton, Phillip Albert, Iohn Fleming, Phillip Agmondeſham, William Skywith, Iohn Norlong, Iohn Baker, Thomas Alleyne, William Barton Mercer, 1410. William Melrith Mercer, one of the Sheriffes, 1425. Simon Bartlet Mercer 1428. Walter Chartſey Draper one of the Sheriffes, 1430. Richard Rich Eſquire of London the father, and Richard Rich his ſonne Mercer one of the Sheriffes, 1441. deceaſed 1469. with this Epitaph.

This Richard was father to Iohn, buried in S. Thomas Acars, which Iohn was father to Thomas, father to Richard L. Ritch, &c. Iohn Pickering, honorable for ſeruice of his Prince, and for the Engliſh Merchantes beyond the ſeas, who deceaſed 1448. Godfrey Bollen Mercer Mayor, 1437.Thomas Bollen his ſonne Eſquire of Norfolke 1471. Iohn Atkenſon, gentleman, Dame Mary S. Maure, Iohn Waltham, Roger Bonifant Iohn Chayhee, Iohn Abbot, Geffrey Filding Mayor 1452. and Angell his wife 1517. Simon Benington Draper, and Ioan his wife, Iohn Marſhall Mercer Mayor 1493. Thomas Burgoine gentleman Mercer 1517. a Counteſſe of Cornewall and Cheſter, but her name and time is not there apparent, Sir Richard Greſham Mayor 1537. Sir Michell Dormer Mayor 1541. Robert Charſey one of the Sheriffes 1548. Sir William Row Ironmonger Mayor 1593. Thus much for Cheape ward, which hath an Alderman, his Deputie, Common Counſellors xj. Counſtables xi. Scauengers ix. for the Wardemote inqueſt xij. and a Beadle. It is taxed to the fiftéene at 72. pounde, ſixtéene ſhillings, and in the Exehequer at 72. pound.