Now touching the Citie of Weſtminſter, I will beginne at Temple Barre, on the right hand or Northſide, and ſo paſſe vp weſt, through a Backe lane or ſtreete, wherein do ſtand three Innes of Chancery the firſt is called Clementes Inne,Clements Inne of Chancery. becauſe it ſtandeth neare to S. Clementes church, but nearer to the fayre fountaine called Clementes well,Clements well. the ſecond is New InneNew Inne of Chancery. ſo called, as Lateliar made an Inne of Chancery for ſtudents, then another, to witte, aboute the beginning of the raigne of Henry the ſeauenth, and not ſo late as ſome haue ſuppoſed, to witte at the pulling down of Strand Inne in the raign of King Edward the ſixt: for I reade that Sir Thomas Moore ſometime Lord Chancellor was a ſtudent in this New Inne, and went from thence to Lincolnes Inne &c. The thirde is Lions Inne,Lyons Inne of Chancery. an Inne of Chancerie alſo. This ſtreete ſtretcheth vp vnto Drury lane,Druery lane. ſo called, for that there is a houſe belonging to the Family of the Druries. This lane turneth North towarde S. Giles in the field, from the ſouth end of this lane in the high ſtreet are diuers fayre buildinges, Hoſteries, and houſes for Gentlemen, and men of honor, amongſt the which Cecile houſeCecill houſe. is one, which ſometime belonged to the Parſon of S. Martins in the fielde, and by compoſition came to Sir Thomas Palmer knight in the raign of Edwarde the ſixt, who began to builde the fame of Bricke, and Timber, very large and ſpatious, but of later time it hath beene farre more bewtifully encreaſed by the late Sir William Cecile Baron of Burghley, Lord Treaſurer, and greate Councellor of the eſtate of England.

From thence is now a continuall new building of diuers fayre houſes euen vp to the Earle of Bedfordes houſe,Bedford houſe which is a goodly houſe, lately builded nigh to Iuy Bridge, ouer againſt the olde Bedforde houſe, namely, called Ruſſell houſe and Dacres houſe, now 371 The Citie of Weſtminſter.now the houſe of Sir Thomas Cecile Lorde Burghley, and ſo on the North ſide to a lane that turneth to the Pariſh Church of S. Martin in the fielde,Pariſh church of S. Martin in the fielde. and ſtretcheth to S. Giles in the fielde. Then had ye the Chappell of our LadyChappell of our Lady in the Pew an houſe belonging to Bethlē. called the Pew, with an houſe wherein ſometime were diſtraight and Lunatike people.

Amongſt other thinges of this Chappel I haue read that on the 17. of Februarie in the yeare of Chriſt 1452. by negligence of a ſcholler appointed by his Scholemaiſter, to put forth the lights of this Chappell, the Image of our LadyChappell of our Lady the Pew brent. richly decked with Iewels, pretious ſtones, pearles, and ringes (more then any Ieweller could iudge the price) (for ſo ſayeth mine Author) was with all this apparrell, ornamentes and Chapple it ſelfe brent.Iohn Piggot.

Then is the MewſeThe Meuſe by Charing Croſſe. ſo called of the kinges Faulchons there kept by the kinges Faulconer, which of olde time was an office of great account, as appeareth by a Recorde of Richarde the ſecond, in the firſt of his raigne, for Sir Symon Burley knight, was made Conſtable for the Caſtles of Windſor, Wigmore and Guilforde, and of the Manor of Kenington, and alſo Maiſter of the kinges Faulcons, at his Mewſe neare vnto Charing Croſſe by Weſt. Of later time king Henry the eight hauing fayre ſtabling there for horſes in the yeare 1534. and the 28. of his raigneStow’s two methods of dating this event do not match. The 28th year of the reign of Henry VIII was 1536-1537. The mismatch may also be due to a compositorial error., it was burned with many great houſes and much hay therein:The Meuſe burned. but it was againe reedified in the raignes of king. Edwarde the ſixt, and Queene Marie, and this is the fartheſt building weſtwarde, on the northſide of that high ſtreete.

On the ſouthſide of the which ſtreet, in the Liberties of Weſtminſter (beginning at Iuie bridge) firſt is Durham houſe, builded by Thomas Hatfielde Biſhop of Durham,The Biſhop of Durhams houſe. who was made Biſhop of that See in the yeare 1345. and ſat Biſhop there 36. yeares.

Amongſt matters memorable concerning this houſe, this is one, In the yeare of Chriſt 1540. the 32. of Henry the eight, on May day a great and triumphant IuſtingIuſting feaſt at Durham houſe. was holden at Weſtminſter, which had been formarly proclamed in France, Flanders, Scotland, and Spaine, for all commers that woulde vndertake the challengers of England, which were Sir Iohn Dudley, Sir Thomas Seymar Sir Thomas Ponings, and Sir George Ca rewBb2 372 The Citie of Weſtminſter.rew knightes, and Anthony Kingſton, and Richarde Crumwell Eſquiers, at which came into the Liſts that dayrichly apparelled and their horſes trapped all in white Ueluet, there came againſt them the ſaide day 46. Defendantes or Undertakers vzthe Earle of Surrey formoſt, Lord VVilliam Howarde, Lord. Clinton, and Lord Cromwell, ſon and heire to Thomas Cromwell Earle of Eſſex, and Chamberlaine of England with other, and that day after the Iuſtes performed the Challengers rode vnto this Durham houſe where they kept open houſeholde, and feaſted the king and Queene with her Ladyes and all the Court, the ſecond day Anthonie Kingſton, and Richarde Cromwell were made knightes there, the thirde day of May the ſaide chalengers did Turney on horſebacke with ſwordes, and againſt them came 49. Defendantes: Sir Iohn Dudley, and the Earle of Surrey running firſt, which at the firſt courſe loſt their Gauntletes: and that day Sir Richarde Cromwell ouerthrew maiſter Palmer and his horſe in the fielde to the great honor of the chalengers, the fiOverinking.ft of May the Chalengers fought on foote at the Baryars, and againſt them came 50. Defendantes, which fought valiantly: but Sir Richarde Cromwell ouerthrew that day at the Barryars maiſter Culpepper in the fielde, and the ſixt day the chalengers brake vp their houſeholde.

In this time of their houſekeeping they had not onely feaſted the king,Pencioners. Queene, Ladyes and all the court, as is afore ſhewed, but alſo they cheared all the knightes and Burgeſſes of the common houſe in the Parliament, and entertayned the Maior of London with the Aldermen and their wiues at a Dinner &c. The king gaue to euery of the ſaide challengers, and their heires for euer, in rewarde of their valiant actiuitie one hundred markes and a houſe to dwell in of yearely reuenewe out of the landes pertayning to the Hoſpitall ofS. Iohn of Ieruſalem.

Next beyond this Durham houſe is one other great houſe ſomtime belonging to the Biſhop of Norwitch,The Biſhop of Norwitch his houſe. and was his London lodging, which now pertayneth to the Archbiſhop of Yorke by this occaſion. In the yeare 1529. when Cardinall VVolſey Archbiſhop of Yorke was indighted in the Premunirey, whereby king 373 The Citie of Weſtminſter. king Henry the eight was intituled to his goodes and poſſeſſions: hée alſo ſeazed into his hands, the ſaide Archbiſhoppes houſe, commonly called Yorke place, and changed the name thereof into White hall whereby the Archbiſhops of Yorke being diſpoſſeſſed and hauing no houſe of repayre about London, Quéene Marie gaue vnto Nicholas Heth then Archbiſhoppe of Yorke and to his ſucceſſors, Suffolke houſe in Southwarke, lately builded by Charles Bramdon Duke of Suffolke, as I haue ſhewed.

This houſe the ſaide Archbiſhops ſolde, and bought the aforeſaide houſe of olde time belonging to the Biſhoppes of Norwich, which of this laſt purchaſe is now called Yorke houſe, the Lord Chancellors, or Lorde Keepers of the great Seale of England, haue beene lately there lodged.

Then was there an Hoſpitall of S. Marie Rounceual Hoſpitall of S. Marie Rounciuall. by Charing Croſſe (a Cell to the Priorie & Couent of Rounceual in Nauar in Pampelion Dioceſſe) where a Fraternitie was founded in the 15. of Edwarde the fourth, but now the ſame is ſuppreſſed and turned into Tenementes.

Neare vnto this Hoſpitall was an Hermitage, with a Chappell of S. Katherine Hermitage with a Chappell of S. Katherine. ouer againſt Charing Croſſe,Charing croſſe which Croſſe builded of ſtone, was of old time a fayre péece of worke there made by commandement of Edwarde the firſt, in the one and twentith yeare of his raigne, in memorie of Helenor his deceaſed Quéene as is before declared.

Weſt from this Croſſe ſtoode ſometime an Hoſpital of Saint Iames,Hoſpitall of S. Iames. conſiſting of two hydes of Land with the appurtenances in the pariſh of Saint Margaret in Weſtminſter, and founded by the Citizens of London, before the time of any mans memorie, for foureteene ſiſters maidens that were leprouſe, lyuing chaſtly, and honeſtly in diuine ſeruice.

Afterwardes diuers Citizens of London, gaue ſix and fifty pound rent thereunto, and then were adioyned eight Brethren to miniſter diuine ſeruice there. After this alſo ſundrie deuout men of London gaue to this Hoſpitall foure hydes of land in the fielde at Weſtminſter, and in Hendon, Calcote, and Hampſted, eighty acres of Lande andInk bleedthrough. Woode &c. king Edwarde the firſt, confirmedBb3 374 The Citie of Weſtminſter.firmed thoſe giftes and granted a Fayre to be kept on the Eue of S Iames, the S. Iames Fayre for 7. dayes. day, the morrow, and foure dayes following, in the eighteenth of his raigne.

This Hoſpitall was ſurrendred to Henry the eight the thrée and twentith of his raigne, and the Siſters being compounded with all were allowed Penſions for terme of their liues, and the king builded there a goodly Mannor, annexing thereunto a Parke,S. Iames Parke cloſed about with a wall, of bricke now called S. Iames Parke ſeruing indifferently to the ſaide Mannor, and to the Mannor or Pallace of White hall.

South from Charing Croſſe on the right hand, are diuers fayre houſes lately builded before the Parke, then a large Tyltyarde for Noble men,Tylt yarde at Weſtminſter. and other to exerciſe themſelues in Iuſting, Turning, and Feighting at the Barryars.

On the left hand from Charing Croſſe, be alſo diuers fayre, Tenementes lately builded till yee come to a large plot of ground incloſed with bricke, and is called Scotland,Scotland a plot of gioundI.e. ground ſo called. where great building hath beene for receipt of the kinges of Scotland, and other eſtates of that Countrie: for Margaret Quéene of Scots and Syſtar to king Henry the eight had her abiding there, when ſhee came into England after the death of her husband, as the king of Scotland, had in former times, when they came to the Parliament of England.

Then is the ſaide White halWhite hall. ſometime belonging to Hubart de Brugh Earle of Kent, and Iuſticiar of England, who gaue it to the Blacke Fryars in Oldborne as I haue before noted. King Henry the eight ordayned it to bée called an honor, and builded there a ſumptuous Gallery and a bewtifull Gate houſe, thwart the high ſtreete to S. Iames Parke, &c.

In this Gallorie the Princes with their Nobility, vſe to ſtand or ſit, and at Windowes to beholde all triumphant Iuſtinges, & other militarie exerciſes.

Beyond this Gallerie on the left hand is the garden or orchyard belonging to the ſaide White hall. On the right hand bée diuers fayre Tennis courtes, bowling Allies, and a Cocke pit,Tennis courts Bowling Allies and Cocke pit all built by king Henry the eight, and then one other arched gate with a way 375 The Citie of Weſtminſter. way ouer it thwarting the ſtreete from the kinges gardens to the ſaide Parke.

From this gate vp kinges ſtreete, to a Bridge ouer Long ditchLong pitchI.e. ditch. (ſo called for that the ſame almoſt inſulateth the Citie of Weſtminſter) neare which Bridge is a way leading to Chanon Row, ſo called for that the ſame belonged to the Deane and Chanons of S. Stephens Chappell,S. Stephens Allie. who were there lodged as now diuers Noblemen, and Gentlemen be.

From this way vp to the Wooleſtable and to the high Tower, or gate which entreth the Pallace Court, all is repleniſhed with buildinges, and inhabitantes.

Touching this Wooleſtable,T. Glifforde. I reade that in the raign of Edwarde the firſt, the Staple being at Weſtminſter the parriſhioners of S. Margaret, and Marchantes of the Staple builded of new the ſaide Church, the great Chancell excepted, which was lately before new builded, by the Abbote of Weſtminſter.

Moreouer that in the 27. of Edwarde the thirde the Staple of Woole, before kept at Bruges in Flanders, was ordayned by Parliament to bee kept in diuers places of England, Wales, & Ireland, as at Newcaſtle, Yorke, Lincolne, Canterbury, Norwitch, Weſtminſter, Chicheſter, Wincheſter, Exceſter, Briſtow, and Carmarden, &c. to the greate benefit of the king, and loſſe vnto ſtrangers, and marchantes. For there grew vnto the king by this meanes (as it was ſaide) the ſumme of one thouſand a hundred and two pounds by the yere more then any his prediceſſors before had receiued, the Staple at Weſtminſter at that time began on the next morrow after the feaſt of S. Peter Ad vinculaCelebrated on 29 June.. The next yeare there was granted to the king by Parliament towardes the recouery of his title in France, fifty ſhillinges of euery ſacke of Wooll tranſported ouer ſeas, for the ſpace of ſix yeares next enſuing,Robert de A. neſbery. by meanes whereof the king might diſpend dayly during thoſe yeares, more then a thouſande markes ſtarling. For by the common opinion there were more then 100000. ſackes of Wool yearely tranſported into forrain landes, ſo that during ſix yeares the ſaide grant extended to fiftéene hundred thouſand pound ſtarling.

In the 37. of Edwarde the thirde it was granted vnto him for twoBb4 376 The Citie of Weſtminſter. two yeares to take ſix and twenty ſhillinges eight pence, vppon euery ſacke of Woolle tranſported and the ſame yeare the Staple of Woole (notwithſtanding the kings oth and other great eſtates) was ordayned to bée kept at Callis and ſix and twenty marchants the beſt and welthieſt of all England, to be Farmers there, both of the Towne and Staple for three yeares, euery marchant to haue ſix men of Armes, and foure Archers at the kinges coſt. Hée ordayned there alſo two Maiors, one for the towne, and one for the Staple, and hée tooke for mala capta commonlie called Maltorth (I thinke Cuſtome) twentie ſhillinges, and of the ſaid marchantes Gardians of the Towne forty pence, vppon euery ſacke of Woolle.

In the 44. of Edwarde the thirde, Quamborough Kingſton vpon Hull, and Boſton, were made Staples of Wooll, which matter ſo much offended ſome, that in the 50. of his raigne in a Parliament at London, it was complayned that the Staple of Woole, was ſo remoued from Callis to diuers townes in England contrary to the ſtatute, appointing that Citizens and marchantes ſhould kéepe it there, and that the king might haue the profites and cuſtomes with the exchange of golde and ſiluer that was there made, by all the Marchantes in Chriſtendome (eſtemed to amount to 8000 ￡. by yeare) the Exchange onely: and the Citizens and marchantes ſo ordred the matter that the king ſpent nothing vpon ſouldiers neither vpon defence of the town againſt the ennemies, whereas now hee ſpent eight thouſande pound by yeare.

In the yeare 1388. the twelfth of Richarde the ſecond,Manu ſcript. French. in a Parliament at Cambridge, it was ordayned that the ſtaple of WoolesWooll Staple at Middle. brough. ſhould be brought from Middlebrough in Holland to Callis.

In the fouretéenth of his raigne there was granted 40. s̃. vpon euery ſacke of Woole, and in the one and twentith was granted 50. s̃. vpon euery ſacke tranſported by engliſh men, and thrée pound of by ſtrangers &c. It ſéemeth that the marchantes of this ſtaple be the moſt ancient marchantes of this Realm, and that all commodities of the Realme or Staple,Staple Marchantes the moſt ancientſt of this realme. marchandizes by law & Charter, as Wooles, Leather, Wool fels, Lead, Tyn, cloth &c.

King 377 The Citie of Weſtminſter. King Henrie the ſixt had ſixe Wooll houſes within the Staple at Weſtminſter . thoſe he graunted to the Deane and Cannons of S. Stephen at Weſtminſter, and confirmed it the 21. of his raigne. Thus much for the Staple haue I ſhortly noted:

And now to paſſe to the famous Monaſterie of Weſtminſter: At the very entrance of the Cloſe thereof is a lane that leadeth toward the Weſt, called Théeuing lane,Theeuing lane. for that theeues were led that way to the Gate houſe, while the Sanctuarie continued in force.

This Monaſterie was founded and builded by Sebert king of the Eaſt Saxons, vpon the perſwaſion of Ethelbert king of Kent, who hauing imbraced chriſtianitie, and being baptized by Melitus Biſhop of London: immediatly (to ſhew himſelfe a chriſtian indéede) built a church to the honor of God and Saint Peter, on the Weſt ſide of the cittie of London, in a place (which becauſe it was ouergrowen with thornes, and enuironed with water) the Saxons called Thorney, and now of the Monaſtery and Weſt ſituation thereof is called Weſtminſter. Foundation of Weſtminſter by Sebert a Chriſtian king not only in word but in deed.

In this place (ſaith Fulcardus Fulcardus.) long before was a Temple of Apollo, which being ouerthrowne, King Lucius built therein a Church of Chriſtianitie.

Sebert was buried in this church, with his wife Athelgoda, whoſe bodies many yeares after, to wit in the raigne of Richard the ſecond (ſaith Walſingham Walſingham.) were tranſlated from the old church to the new, and there interred.

Edgare King of the Weſt Saxons repaired this Monaſterie about the yeare of Chriſt 958. Edward the Confeſſor builded it of new, wherevpon T. Clifford writeth thus.

Without the walles of London (ſaith he) vppon the Riuer of Thames there was in times paſſed a little Monaſterie,T. Clifford. builded to the honor of God, and Saint Peter, with a few Benedict Monkes in it, vnder an Abbotte ſeruing Chriſt: very poore they were, and little was giuen them for their reliefe, here the king intended (for that it was néere to the famous citie of London and the Riuer of Thames, that brought in all kind of Marchandizes from all partes of the worlde) to make his Sepulcher, he 378 The Citie of Weſtminſter. he commanded therefore that of the tenthes of all his rentes, the worke ſhould be begunne in ſuch ſort as ſhould become the Prince of the Apoſtles.

At this his commandement the work is nobly begun, euen from the foundation and happely procéedeth till the ſame was finiſhed: the charges beſtowed, or to be beſtowed are not regarded. He graunted to this church great priuiledges, aboue all the churches in this land as partly appeare by this his Charter.

Ꜫꝺꝩeaꞃꝺ Cynȝ ȝꞃæꞇ ꝩillm biſeope Ꞁ leoꝼſꞇane Ꞁ Alꝼfie Poꞃꞇ ȝeꞃeꝼen. Ꞁ ealle minꞃe buꞃhþeȝn on Lúꝺen ꝼꞃeonꝺlice: Anꝺ ic cyþe eoꝩ ꝥ ic hæbbe ſeo ȝiꝼꞇa ȝyꝼen Ꞁ vnnam Chꞃiſꞇ Ꞁ S. Peꞇeꞃ þam haliȝan Apoſꞇel inꞇo ꝩeſtminſteꞃ: ꝼulꞃa ꞃeoꝺome oꝼeꞃ ealle þa land þe lonȝaþ inꞇo þæꞃe haliȝan ſꞇoꝩ. &c.

Edwarde King greet William Biſhop and Leofſtane and Aelffie Portreeues, and all my Burgeſſes of London friendly, and I tell you that I haue this giuen and granted to Chriſt & S. Peter the holy Apoſtle at Weſtminſter full freedome ouer all the land, that belongeth to that holy place. &c.

He alſo cauſed yͤ pariſh Church of S. Margaret Pariſh church of S. Margaret to be newly builded, without the Abbie church of Weſtminſter for the eaſe & commoditie of the Monks, becauſe before that time the pariſh Church ſtoode within the old Abbey church in the South Iſle, ſome what to their annoyance. This church of S. Margaret (which that king Edward builded) continued till the daies of King Edwarde the firſt, at what time the ſtaple of woolles was at Weſtminſter, and then the pariſhioners and Merchantes of the Staple builded it all of new (the great chancell excepted, which was done by the Abbots of Weſtminſter as is afore ſhewed.

King Henry the third in the yeare of Chriſt 1220. began the new worke of our Ladies Chappell, and in the yeare 1245. the walles and ſtéeple of the olde Church (builded by king Edwarde) were 379 The Citie of Weſtminſter. were taken downe, and inlarging the ſame Church, cauſed them to be made more comely, for the furtherance whereof in the yeare 1246. the ſame king (deuiſing how to extort money from the citizens of London towardes the charges) appointed a Mart to be kept at Weſtminſter, A Mart at Weſtminſter. the ſame to laſt fiftéene dayes, and in the meane ſpace all trade of Merchandiſe to ceaſe in the Cittie, which thing the citizens were faine to redéeme with two thouſand pound of ſiluer.

The worke of this Church with the houſes of Office, was finiſhed to the end of the Quire in the yeare 1285. the 14. of Edward the firſt. All which labour of 66. yeares, was in the yeare 1299. defaced by a fire kindled in the leſſer Hall of the Kinges Pallace at Weſtminſter, Weſtminſter with the pallace burned. the ſame with many other houſes adioyning, and with the Quéenes chamber were all conſumed, the flame thereof alſo (being driuen with the wind) fired the Monaſterie, which was alſo with the pallace conſumed.

Then was this Monaſtery againe repaired by the Abbotes of that Church, king Edward the firſt and his ſucceſſors putting to their helping handes.

Edward the ſecond apropriated vnto this Church the patronages of the Churches of Kelueden and Sabritſworth in Eſſex in the Dioceſſe of London.

Simon Langham Abbot (hauing béene a great builder there in the yeare 1362.) gaue 400.£. to the building of the bodie of the church: but (amongſt others) Abbot Iſlip was in his time a great builder there, as may appeare in the ſtone worke, and glaſſe windowes of the Church.

Since whoſe deceaſe that worke hath ſtaide as hee left it, vnperfected, the Church and ſtéeple being all of one height.

King Henry the ſeuenth about the yeare of Chriſt 1502. cauſed the Chappell of our Ladie,New Chappel at Weſtminſter. builded by Henry the third, with a Tauerne alſo called the White Roſe neare adioyning to be taken downe: In which plot of ground, on the 24. of Ianuary, the firſt ſtone of the new chappell was laid by the handes of Abbot Iſlip, Sir Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter, Doctor Barnes, maiſter of the Rolles, Doctor Wall, Chaplen to the King, Maiſter Hugh Aldham, Chaplen to the Counteſſe of Darbie, and Rich mond 380 The Citie of Weſtminſter.mond (the kinges mother) Sir Edward Stanhop knight, and diuers other: vpon the which ſtone was ingrauen the ſame day and yeare, &c.

The charges in building this Chappell amounted to the ſumme of 14000. pound: the ſtone for this worke (as I haue béene informed) was brought from Huddleſtone quarrie in Yorke ſhire: The Altar and ſepulture of the ſame King Henry the ſeuenth, wherein his bodie reſteth in this his new chappell, was made and finiſhed in the yeare 1519. by one Peter a Painter of Florence: for the which hee receyued 1000. pounde ſtarling for the whole ſtuffe and workemanſhip, at the handes of the kinges executors, Richard Biſhop of Wincheſter, Richard Biſhoppe of London, Thomas Biſhop of Durham, Iohn Biſhoppe of Rocheſter, T. Duke of Norfolke, Treaſurer of Englande, Edward Earle of Worceſter the kinges Chamberlaine, Iohn Fineaux knight, Chiefe Iuſtice of the Common place, &c.

This Monaſterie being valued to diſpend by the yeare 3470. pound &c. was ſurrendered to Henry, the eight, in the yeare 1539. And Benſon then Abbot was made the firſt Deane and not long after it was aduaunced to a Biſhoppes Sea,Weſtminſter a Biſhops ſea. in the yeare 1541. Thomas Thurley being both the firſt and laſt Biſhop there, who when he had impoueriſhed the church was tranſlated to Norwich in the yeare 1550. the fourth of Edward the ſixt, and from thence to Elie, in the yeare 1554. the ſecond of Quéene Mary, Richard Cox Doctor in Diuinitie (late ſchoolmaiſter to king Edward 6.) was made Deane of Weſtminſter whom Quéen Mary put out, & made Doctor Weſton Deane, vntill the yere 1556. and then he being remoued from thence on the 21. of Nouember, Iohn Fekenham (late Deane of Paules) was made Abbot of Weſtminſter, and tooke poſſeſſion of the ſame, being inſtalled, and fourtéene Monkes more receyued the habbot with him that day of the order of Saint Benedict: but the ſaide Iohn Feckenham with his Monkes enioyed not that place fully thrée yeares for in the yeare 1559. in the moneth of Iuly they were all put out, and Quéene Elizabeth made the ſaide Monaſterie a Colledge,Weſtminſter made a colledge. inſtituting there a Deane, twelue Prehendes, twelve poore Almesmen,Ink bleedthrough. and fortie 381 The Citie of Weſtminſter. fLetter missing; catchword from preceeding page is fortie.ortie ſchollers, calling them the Queenes ſchollers: and ſo was it named the Colledge at Weſtminſter, founded by Q. Elizabeth. D. Bill one of her Maieſties Chaplens was made the firſt Dean: after whom ſuccéeded M. D. Gabriel Goodman, now Reſident.

Of the Kinges and Quéenes crownedKings and Queenes crowned at Weſtminſter. in this Church William ſurnamed Conqueror, & Matilde his wife were the firſt: & ſince them all other Kings and Quéenes of this realme, haue béene here crowned.

The kinges and Quéenes buriedKinges and Queenes buried at Weſtminſter. in this Church are theſe: Sebert king of the Eaſt Saxons, with his wife Athelgode, Harold ſurnamed Herefote, king of the Weſt Saxons: Edward the ſimple, ſurnamed Confeſſor, ſometime richly ſhrined in a Tombe of ſiluer and Gold, curiouſly wrought by commandement of William the Conqueror, Egitha his wife was there buried alſo, King Henry the third, whoſe Sepulture was richly garniſhed with precious ſtones of Iaſper, which his ſonne Edward S. Edwardes ſhrine at Weſtminſter.the firſt brought out of Fraunce for that purpoſe: Eleanor wife to Henry the thirde, Edwarde the firſt who offred to the ſhrine of Edward the Confeſſor the chaire of marble, wherein the Kinges of Scotlande were crowned, with the ſcepter and Crowne alſo to the ſame king belonging. Hee gaue alſo to that church landes to the value of 100. pounde by the yeare, twenty pound thereof yearely to be diſtributed to the poore for euer: then there lyeth Eleanor his wife, daughter, to Ferdinando king of Caſtile, Edward the third by Quéene Phillip of Henault his wife. Richard the ſecond and Anne his wife, with their images vpon them, with coſt more then foure hundred markes for the guilding: Henry the fift with a royall image of ſiluer and guilt, which Katherine his wife cauſed to be laid vpon him, but the head of this image being of maſſie ſiluer is broken off, and conuayed away with the plates of ſiluer and guilt that couered his bodie: Katherine his wife was buried in the old Lady chappel, but her corps being taken vp in the raigne of Henry the ſeuenth (when a newe foundation was to bee laide) ſhe was neuer ſince buried, but remayueth aboue grounde in a coffin of bordes behinde the Eaſt ende of the Preſbyterie: Henrie the ſeuenth in a ſumptuous ſepulture 382 The Citie of Weſtminſter.ſepulture, and chappell before ſpecified, and Elizabeth his wife, Edwarde the ſixt in the ſame Chappell without any monument, Quéene Mary without any Monument in the ſame chappell: Matilde daughter to Malcolne king of Scottes, wife to Henry the firſt, lyeth in the Reueſtrie: Anne wife to Richard the third, Margaret Counteſſe of Richmond and Darbie, mother to Henry the ſeuenth, Anne of Cleue, wife to Henry the eight: Edmond ſecond ſonne to Henry the third, firſt Earle of Lancaſter, Darby, and Leyceſter, and Aueline his wife, daughter and heire toWilliam de Fortibus Earle of Albemarle. In S. Thomas chappel lie the bones of the children of Henry the third, and of Edward the firſt, in number nine. In the Chapter houſe, Alianor counteſſe of Barre, daughter to Edward the firſt, William of Windſore, and Blaunch his ſiſter, children to Edward the thirde: Iohn of Eltham Earle of Cornewell, ſonne to Edward the ſecond, Elianor wife to Thomas of Woodſtock Duke of Glouceſter: Thomas of Woodſtocke by king Edward the third his father: Margaret daughter to Edward the fourth, Elizabeth daughter to Henry the ſeuenth, William de Valence Earle of Pembrooke, Aimer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke, Margaret and Iohn ſonne and daughter to William de Valence, Iohn Waltham Biſhop of Sarum Treaſurer of England, Thomas Ruthall Biſhop of Durham 1522. Gyles Lord Dawbeny Earle of Bridgewater, Chamberlaine to king Henry the ſeuenth 1508. and his wife of the family of the Arundelles in Cornewell, Iohn Vicount Welles, 1498. The Ladie Katherine daughter to the Dutcheſſe of Norfolke, Sir. T. Hungerford knight, father to Sir Iohn Hungerford of Downampney knight, a ſon & daughter to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Eſſex, and Elizabeth his wife, Philip Dutcheſſe of Yorke, daughter to the Lorde Mohun, thrice maried, to the Lord Fitzwalter, Sir Iohn Golofer, and to the Duke of Yorke: William Dudley Biſhop of Durham, Nicholas Baron Carew, Walter Hungerford ſonne to EdmondBiographical sources indicate that Walter Hungerford is the son of Sir Thomas Hungerford., Sir Iohn Burley Knight, and Anne his wife, Sir Iohn Golofer Knight, Humfrey Bourchere, Lorde Cromwell, Henry Bourchere ſonne and heire to the Lord Barons, and both ſlain at Barnet 383 The Citie of Weſtminſter. Barnet, Sir William Truſſell knight, Sir Thomas Vaughan knight, Francis Brandon Dutcheſſe of Suffolke, Mary her daughter, Sir Iohn Hampden Knight, Sir Lewes Vicount Robſart Knight, Lord Bourchere of Henalt, and his wife daughter and heyre to the Lord Bourchere: Robert Browne and William Browne Eſquires: The Ladie Iohane Tokyne daughter of Dabridge court: George Mortimer baſtarde, Iohn Felby Eſquire, Anne wife to Iohn Watkins, William Southwike Eſquire, William Southcot Eſquire, Raph Conſtantine gentleman, Arthur Troffote Eſquire, Robert Hall Knight, ſlaine in that church, Sir Richard Rouſe Knight, Sir Geffrey Maundeuil Earle of Eſſex, and Athelard his wife, Sir Foulk of Newcaſtle, Sir Iames Barons Knight, Sir Iohn Saliſberie knight, Margaret Dowglaſſe Counteſſe of Lineaux, with Charles her ſonne, Earle of Lineaux: Henry Scogan a learned Poet, in the cloyſter. Geffrey Chaucer the moſt famous Poet of England, Geffrey Chaucer the famous poet of England. alſo in the Cloyſter, 1400. but ſince Nicholas Brigham Gentleman, rayſed a Monument for him in the South croſſe Ile of the Church: his workes were partly plubliſhed in print by William Caxton in the raigne of Henry the ſixt: Increaſed by William Thinne Eſquire, in the raigne of Henry the eight: Corrected and twice increaſed through mine owne painefull labours, in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth, to wit, in the yeare 1561. and again beautified with noates, by me collected out of diuers Recordes and Monumentes, which I deliuered to my louing friende Thomas Speight, & he hauing drawne the ſame into a good forme and methode, as alſo explaned the old and obſcure wordes &c. hath publiſhed them in Anno 1597.

Anne Stahanhope Dutches of Sommerſet & Iane her daughter, Anne Cecill Counteſſe of Oxford daughter to the Lorde Burghley, with Mildred Burghley her mother, Elizabeth Barkley Counteſſe of Ormond, Frauncis Sidney Counteſſe of Suſſex, Elizabeth Counteſſe of Hertford, Thomas Baron Wentworth, Thomas Baron Wharton: Iohn Lorde Ruſtell, Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Chauncellor, Sir Iohn Puckering Lord Kéeper. &c.

This 384 The Cittie of Weſtminſter. This Church hath had great priuiledge of SanctuarieSanctuary at Weſtminſter. within the precinct therof, to wit, the church, churchyard, and cloſe, &c. from whence it hath not béene lawfull for any Prince or other, to take any perſon that fledde thether for any cauſe: which priuiledge was firſt granted by Sebert king of the Eaſt Saxons, ſince increaſed by Edgare king of the Weſt Saxons, renewed and confirmed by king Edward the Confeſſor, as appeareth by this his charter following.

Edward by the grace of God, King of Engliſhmen: I make it to be knowne to all generations of the world after me, that by ſpeciall commandement of our holy Father Pope Leo, I haue renewed & honored the holy church of the bleſſed Apoſtle S. Peter of Weſtminſter, & I order and eſtabliſh for euer, that what perſon of what condition or eſtate ſoeuer he be, from whence ſoeuer hee come, or for what offence or cauſe it be, eyther for his refuge into the ſaid holy place, he be aſſured of his life, liberty and limmes: And ouer this I forbid vnder the paine of euerlaſting damnation, that no miniſter of mine, or of my ſucceſſors intermeddle them with any the goods, landes or poſſeſſions of the ſaid perſons taking the ſaid Sanctuary: for I haue taken their goodes and liuelod into my ſpeciall protection, and therefore I graunt to euery each of them in as much as my terreſtriall power may ſuffice, all manner freedome of ioyous libertie: And whoſoeuer preſumes or doth contrary to this my graunt, I will he loſe his name, worſhippe, dignitie, and power, and that with the great traytor Iudas that betrayed our Sauiour, he be in the euerlaſting fier of hell, and I will and ordaine that this my graunt endure as long as there remayneth in England, eyther loue or dread of chriſtian name.

More of this Sactuarie ye may read in our hiſtories, and alſo in the ſtatute of Henry the eight, the 32. yeare.

Next 386 The Citie of Weſtminſter. Next to this famous Monaſtery, is the Kings principall Pallace, of what antiquitie it is vncertaine: but Edward the Confeſſor held his Court there: as may appeare by the teſtimony of ſundrie, and namely of Ingulphus, as I haue before told you. The ſaid king had his Pallace, and for the moſt part remained there: where he alſo ended his life, and was buried in the Monaſtery which he had builded. It is not to be doubted, but that King William the firſt, as he was crowned there, ſo he builded much at this Pallace: for he found it farre inferiour to the building of princely pallaces in France. And it is manifeſt, by the teſtimony of many Authors, that William Rufus builded the great Hall there, about the yeare of Chriſt, 1097 amongſt others, Roger of Windouar, and Mathewe Parris, Great hall at Weſtminſter. Mathew Paris. doo write, that King William (being returned out of Normandie into England) kept his feaſt of Whitſontide very royally at Weſtminſter, in the new Hall which he had lately builded, the length whereof (ſay ſome) was 270. foote, and ſeuentie foure foote in breadth, and when he heard men ſay, that this Hall was too great, he anſwered,Liber Woodbridge. and ſaid: this Hall is not bigge inough, by the one halfe, and is but a Beade chamber in compariſon of that I meane to make: a diligent ſearcher (ſaith Paris) might finde out the foundation of the hall, which he had ſuppoſed to haue builded, ſtretching from the Riuer of Thames, euen to the common high way. This Pallace was repaired about the yeare,Pallace repaired. 1163. by Thomas Becket, W. Fitzſtephēs Chauncelor of England, with excéeding great celeritie and ſpéede: which before, was ready to haue fallen downe. This hath béene the principall ſeate and Pallace of all the Kings of England, ſince the Conqueſt: for héere haue they in the great Hall kept their feaſts of Coronation eſpecially, and other ſolemne feaſts, as at Chriſtmas, and ſuch like, moſt commonly: for proofe whereof, I finde Recorded, that in the yeare, 1236. and the twentieth of Henry the third>, on the 29. of December,Record Tower. William de Hauarhull the Kings Treaſurer, is commaunded, that vpon the day of Circumciſion of our Lord, hee cauſed 6000. poore people to be fed at Weſtminſter, for the ſtate of the King, the Quéene, and their children: the weake and aged to be placed in the great Hall:The vſe of great Halles was to feede the Poore. and in the leſſer, thoſe that were moſt ſtrong, and in reaſonable plight: in the Kings Chamber, the children in the Quéenes: and when the King knoweth the charge, he would allow itCc 387 The Citie of Weſtminſter. it in the accounts. The like commaundement, the ſaid King Henry gaue to Hugh Gifford and William Browne, that vpon Fryday next after the Epiphany, they ſhould cauſe to be fed in the great Hal of Windfor, at a good fire, all the poore and néedy children that could be found, and the kings children, being waighed and meaſured, their waight and meaſure to be diſtributed for their good eſtates.

In the yeare 1238. the ſame King Henry kept his feaſt of Chriſtmas at Weſtminſter, Mathew Paris. in the great Hall: ſo did he in the yeare 1241. where he placed the Legate in the moſt honourable place of the Table, to wit, in the middeſt, which the Noble men tooke in euill part: the King ſate on the right hand, and the Archbiſhop on the left, and then all the Prelates and Nobles according to their eſtates: for the King himſelfe ſet the Gueſts. The yeare 1242. he likewiſe kept his Chriſtmas in the Hall, &c. Alſo in the yeare 1243. Richard Earle of Cornwell the Kings brother, married Cincia, daughter to Beatrice, Counteſſe of Prouince, and kept his marriage feaſt in the great Hall at Weſtminſter, with great royalty and company of Noble men: inſomuch, that there were tolde (triginta milia) 30000. diſhes of meates at that dinner.

In the yeare 1256. King Henry ſate in the ExchequerH. the 3. ſate in the Exchequer and merced the Sheriffes. of this Hall, and there ſette downe order for the appearance of Sheriffes, and bringing in of their accounts: there was fiue Markes ſet on euery Sheriffes head for a fine, becauſe they had not diſtrained euery perſon, that might diſpend fiftéene pound land by the yeare to receiue the order of Knighthoode, as the ſame Sheriffes were commanded.

In the yeares 1268 and 1269. the ſame king kept his Chriſtmas feaſts at Weſtminſter as before, and alſo in the ſame, 1269. he tranſlated with great ſolemnitie, the body of king E. the Confeſſor,Tranſlation of E. the Confeſſor. into a new Chapell, at the backe of the high Alter: which Chapell hee had prepaired of a meruailous workmanſhip, beſtowing a new Tombe or Shrine of Golde, and on the day of his tranſlation, hee kept a royall feaſt in the great Hall of the Pallace: thus much for the feaſt of olde time in this Hall.

We read alſo, that in the yeare 1236. the riuer of thames ouerflowing the Banques, cauſed the Marſhes about Woolwitch to bee all on a Sea,Marſhes about Woolwitch drowned. wherein Boates and other veſſelles were carried with 387 The Citie of Weſtminſter. with the ſtreame, ſo that beſides cattell, the greateſt number of men women, and children, inhabitants there, were drowned: and in the great Pallace of Weſtminſter, men did rowe with wheries,Wheries rowed in Weſtminſter Hall. in the middeſt of the hall, being forced to ride to their chambers.

Moreouer, in the yeare 1242. the Thames ouerflowing the banques about Lambhithe, drowned houſes and fields, by the ſpace of ſixe miles, ſo that in the great hall at Weſtminſter, men tooke their horſse, becauſe the water ran ouer all. This Pallace was (in the yeare, 1299. the twentie ſeuenth of Edward the firſt, brent by a vehement fire,T. Walſinghā. Pallace at Weſtminſter brent. kindled in the leſſer hall of the Kings houſe, the ſame with many other houſes adioyning, and with the Quéenes chamber, were conſumed, but after that repaired. In the yeare, 1313. the 31. of E. the firſt, the kings treaſury at Weſtminſter was robbed,The kings Treaſury at Weſtminſter robbed. for yͤ which, Walter Abbot of Weſtminſter, The Abbot & Monkes ſent to the Tower. with 49. of his brethren, and 32. other were throwne into the Tower of London, and indighted of the robberie, of an hundred thouſand pound: but they affirming themſelues to be cleare of the fact, and deſiring the King of ſpéedie iuſtice, a commiſſion, was directed for inquirie of the truth, & they were freed. In the yeare 1316 E. the 2. did ſolemnize his feaſt of Penticoſt, at Weſtminſter, in the great Hall,E. the 2. keeping his feaſts at Weſtm. hal. was preſented with a complaint, of not rewarding ſouldiers. where ſitting royally at the table, with his Peares about him, there entred a woman adorned like a Minſtrell, ſitting on a great horſe, trapped as Minſtrelles then vſed, who rode round about the tables, ſhewing paſtime, and at length, came vp to the kings table, and laide before him a letter, and forthwith turning her horſe, ſaluted euery one, and departed. The letters being opened, had theſe contents. Our Soueraigne Lord the King, hath nothing courteouſly reſpected his knights, that in his fathers time, and alſo in his owne, haue put forth their perſons to diuers perils, and haue vtterly loſt, or greatly diminiſhed their ſubſtance, for honor of the ſaid King, and he hath inriched aboundantly ſuch as haue not borne the waight as yet, of the buſineſſe, &c. This great Hall was begun to be repairedGreat Hall at Weſtminſter repaired. in the yeare, 1397. by Ri. the 2. who cauſed the walles, windowes, and roofe, to be taken downe, and newe made, with a ſtately portch, & diuers lodgings of a meruailous worke, & with great Coſts: all which, he leuied of ſtrangers baniſhed, or flying out of their countries, who obtained licenſe to remain in this land by the kings charters, which they had purchaſed with great ſummes of money.

ThisCc2 388 The Citie of Weſtminſter. This hall being finiſhed in the yeare, 1399. the ſame King kept a moſt royall Chriſtmas there, with dayly Iuſtings and runnings at Tylt, whereunto reſorted ſuch a number of people, that there was euery day ſpent, twentie eight, or twentie ſixe Oxen, and thrée hundreth Shéepe, beſides fowle, without number: hee cauſed a gowne for himſelfe to be made of Golde, garniſhed with Pearle and precious Stone, to the value of 3000. Markes: he was garded by Cheſhiere men, and had about him commonly thirtéene Biſhops, beſides Barons, Knights, Eſquires, and other more then néeded: inſomuch, that to the houſhold, came euery day to meate 10000. people, as appeared by the meſſes tolde out from the Kitchen to 300. Seruitors.

Thus was this great Hall for the honour of the Prince oftentimes furniſhed with gueſts,Ro. Iuelefe. not onely in this kings time (a prodigall Prince) but in the time or other alſo, both before & ſince, though not ſo vſually noted. For when it is ſaid, the King held his Feaſt of Chriſtmas, or ſuch a Feaſt at Weſtminſter, it may well bee ſuppoſed to bee kept in this great Hall, as moſt ſufficient to ſuch a purpoſe.

I finde noted by Robert Fabian, Ro. Fabian. the Chronickler (ſometime a Citizen and an Alderman of London) that king Henry the ſeuenth,in the ninth of his raigneKing Henry the 7. feaſted the Mayor of London, &c. (holding his royall feaſt of Chriſtmas, at Weſtminſter) on the twelfth day, feaſted Raphe Auſtry, then Mayor of London, and his brethren the Aldermen, with other Commoners in great number, and after dinner, dubbing the Mayor Knight, cauſed him with his brethren, to ſtay and behold the diſguizings and other diſports, in the night following, ſhewed in the great Hall, which was richly hanged with Arras, and Staged about on both ſides: which diſports being ended in the morning, the King, the Quéene, the Ambaſſadors, and other ſtates, being ſet at a table of ſtone, 60. knights, and Eſquires, ſerued 60. diſhes to the Kings Meſſe, and as many to the Quéenes (neither fleſh nor fiſh) and ſerued the Mayor with twentie foure diſhes to his Meſſe, of the ſame manner, with ſundrie wynes, in moſt plentious wiſe: and finally, the King and Quéene, beeing conueyed with great lights into the Pallace, the Mayor with his Company in Barges, returned and came to London, by breake of the next day. Thus much for building 389 The Citie of Weſtminſter.ding of this great hall, and feaſting therein. It moreouer appeareth, that many Parliaments haue beene kept there: Parliament kept in Westminſter Hall. Underinking; context obvious. for I finde noted, that in the yeare 1397. the great Hall at Weſtminſter, beeing out of reparations, and therefore (as it were newe builded by Richard the ſecond, (as is before ſhewed) the ſame Richard in the meane time hauing occaſion to holde a Parliament, cauſed for that purpoſe a large houſe to be builded in the middeſt of the Pallace Court, betwixt the clocke Tower, and the gate of the olde great Hall, this houſe was very large and long, made of timber, couered with Tyle, open on both the ſides, and at both the endes, that all men might ſee and heare what was both ſayde and done.

The Kings archers (in number, 4000. Cheſheire men) compaſſed the houſe about with their Bowes bent, and Arrowes nocked in their hands, alwayes ready to ſhoote: they had bouch of courtBouch of Court. (to wit, meat and drinke) and great wages, of ſixe pence by the day.

The olde great Hall being new builded, Parliaments were againe there kept as before: namely, one in the yeare 1399. for the depoſing of Richard the ſecond. A great part of this Pallace at Weſtminſter was once againe brent in the yeare 1512. the fourth of Henry the eight, ſince the which time, it hath not béene reedified: onely the great Hall, with the offices neare adioyning, are kept in good reparations, and ſerueth as afore it did, for feaſts at Coronations, Arraignments of great perſons charged with treaſons, kéeping of the courts of iuſtice, &c. But the Princes haue béene lodged in other places about the citie, as at Baynards Caſtle, at Bridewell, and White Hall, ſometime called Yorke Place, and ſometimes at S. Iames.

This great Hall hath béene the vſuall place of pleadings, and miniſtration of Iuſtice, whereof ſomewhat ſhortly I will note. In times paſt, the courts and benches followed the King, whereſoeuer he went, as well ſince the conqueſt, as before, which thing at length being thought comberſome, painfull, and chargeable to the people, it was in the yeare 1224. the 9. of H. the 3. agreed, that there ſhould be a ſtanding place appointed, where matters ſhould be heard and iudged, which was in the great Hall at Weſtminſter. Magna carta. Cōmon place in Weſtminſter Hall.

InCc3 387 The Citie of Weſtminſter. In this Hall, be ordained thrée iudgement ſeates, to wit, at the entry on the right hand, the common place, where ciuill matters are to be pleaded,T. Smith. ſpecially ſuch as touch lands, or contracts, at the vpper end of the Hall, on the right hand (or Southeaſt corner) the Kings bench where pleas of the Crowne haue their hearing: and on the left hand or Southweſt corner, ſitteth the Lord Chancelor, accompanied with the maſter of the Rowles, and with certain other of the 11. mē (learned for the moſt part in the Ciuill Lawe, and called maiſters of the Chauncery)Court of the Chauncery. which haue the Kings fée. The times of pleading in theſe courts are foure, in the yeare which are called Termes , the firſt is Hillary Terme , which beginneth the 23. of Ianuarie (if it be not Sunday) and endeth the 12. of Februarie. The ſecond, is Eaſter Terme , and beginneth 17. dayes after Eaſter day, and endeth 4. dayes after Aſſencion day . The third Terme beginneth 6. or ſeuen dayes after Trinitie Sunday , and endeth the Wedneſday fortnight after. The fourth is Michelmas Terme , which beginneth the 9. of October (if it be not Sunday) and endeth the 28. of Nouember.We have not marked up the dates in this paragraph because Stow is describing the calendar of the legal terms. See the Glossary for more information on the four legal terms.

And here is to be noted, that the Kings of this Realme, haue vſed ſometimes to ſit in perſon in the Kings Bench, namely, King Edward the fourth, in the yeare, 1462. in Michelmas Terme ſate in the Kings BenchKings of this Realme haue ſate on the Kings Bench, in Weſt. Hall. thrée dayes togither, in the open Court, to vnderſtand how his lawes were miniſtred and executed.

Within the Port, or entry into the Hall, on either ſide, are aſcendings vp into large chambers: without the Hall adioyning thereunto, wherein certaine Courts be kept, namely, on the right hand, is the court of the Exchequer,Court of the Exchequer. a place of account, for the reuenewes of the crowne: the hearers of the account, haue Auditors vnder them, but they which are the chéefe for the accounts of the prince, are called Barons of the Exchequer, wherof one is called the chéefe Baron. The greateſt officer of al, is called the high Treaſurer of England. In this court be heard, thoſe that are delators (or informers) in popular and penall actions, hauing thereby part of the profit by the law aſſigned vnto them.

In this Court,Informers. (if any queſtion bee) it is determined after the order of the common Law of England, by twelue men, and all ſubſidies, 391 The Citie of Weſtminſter.ſidies, Taxes, and Cuſtomes, by account, for in this office, the Sheriffes of the Shire do attend vpon the execution of the commaundements of the iudges, which the Earle ſhould do, if he were not attending vpon the Princes in the Warres, or otherwiſe about him: for the chéefe office of the Earle was, to ſée the Kings iuſtice to haue courſe, and to bee well executed in the Shire, and the Princes Reuenewes to bee well aunſwered and brought into the Treaſury.

If any fines or amerciaments bee extracted out of any of the ſaid courts vpon any man, or any arrerages of accounts, of ſuch things as is of cuſtomes, taxes and ſubſidies, or other ſuch like occaſions, the ſame the Sheriffe of the Shire doth gather, and is anſwerable therefore in the Exchequer, as for other ordinary rents, of patrimoniall lands, and moſt commonly of taxes, cuſtomes, and ſubſidies, there be particular receiuers and collectors, which do anſwer it into the Exchequer. This Court of the Exchequer, hath of olde time (and as I thinke, ſince the conqueſt) béene kept at Weſtminſter, notwithſtanding, ſometimes remooued thence by commaundement of the king, for a time, and after reſtored againe, as namely, in the yeare, 1209. King Iohn commaunded the Exchequer to be remooued from Weſtminſter, to Northampton, &c.

On the left hand aboue the ſtaire is the Duchie chamber, wherein is kept, the court for the Duchie of Lancaſter, by a Chauncelor of that Duchie, and other officers vnder him.Douch court. Then is there in an other chamber, the office of receitsoffice of receit of the Quéenes Reuenewes, for the Crowne: then is there alſo, the Starre chamber,Starre chāber. where in the Tearme time euery wéeke once at the leaſt, (which is commonly on Fridayes and Wedneſdayes, and on the next day after, the Terme endeth) the Lord Chauncelor and the Lords, and other of the priuie counſell, and the two chief Iuſtices of England, from 9. of the clock, till it be 11. do ſit. This place is called the Starre chamber, becauſe the roofe thereof is decked with the likeneſſe of Starres guilt, there be plaints heard, of ryots, rowtes, and other miſdemeanors, which if they be found by the Kings Councell, the partie the offender, ſhalbe cenſured by theſe perſons, which ſpeake one after another, and hee ſhalbe both fined and commaunded to the priſon.

ThenCc4 392 The Citie of Weſtminſter. Then at the vpper ende of the great Hall, by the Kings Bench, is a going vp, to a great chamber, called the white Hall, wherein is now kept the Court of Wardes, and Liueries:The court of Wardes and Liueries. and adioyning thereunto, is the Court of Requeſts.Court of Requeſts. Then is Saint Stephens chappell,S. Stephens Chapell. of olde time founded by King Stephen, and againe ſince, of a farre more curious workemanſhip, newe builded by King Edward the third, in the yeare, 1347. for thirtie eight perſons, in that church to ſerue God, to wit, a Deane, twelue ſecular Cannons, thirtéene Uickars, foure Clarkes, ſixe Chorſles, two Seruitors, to wit, a Uerger, and a kéeper of the Chappell. Hee builded for thoſe, from the houſe of receit, along nigh to the Thames, within the ſame Pallace, there to inhabite, and ſince that, there was alſo builded for them, betwixt the the clocke houſe, and the wooll ſtaple, called the wey-houſe. Hee alſo builded to the vſe of this chapell, (though out of the Pallace court) ſome diſtance Weſt, in the little Sanctuarie,Litle Sanctuarie. a ſtrong Clotchard of ſtone and timber, couered with Leade, and placed therein, thrée belles, about the biggeſt of the which (as I haue béene informed) was written.

The ſaid King Edward, endowed this chapell with lands, to the yearely value of 500. pound. Doctor Iohn Chambers, the kings phiſitian (the laſt Deane of this Colledge) builded thereunto a cloyſterCloyſter of S. Stephens Chapel builded. of curious workemanſhip, to the charges of 11000. Markes. This chapel (or colledge) at the ſuppreſſion, was valued to diſpend in lands by the yeare 1085. pound 10. ſhillings 5. pence, and was ſurrendred to E. the 6. ſince the which time, the ſame chapell hath ſerued as a Parliament houſe.Parliament houſe. This Pallace (before the entry thereinto) hath a large court, and in the ſame, a tower of ſtone, containing a clocke,Clock houſe at Weſtminſter. which ſtriketh euery houre on a great bell, to be heard into the Hall, in ſitting time of the courts, or otherwiſe: for the ſame clock (in a calme) will be heard into the citie of London. King H. the ſixt, gaue the kéeping of this clock,Fountaine in the Pallace Court. with the Tower, called the clock houſe and the appurtenances, vnto W. Walſby, Deane of S. Stephens, with the wages of ſix pence by the day, out of the Exchequer. By this Tower 393 The Citie of Weſtminſter. Tower ſtandeth a Fountaine, which at the Coronations, and other great triumphes, is made to run with wine out of diuers ſpouts. On the Eaſt ſide of this court, is an arched gate to the riuer of Thames, with a faire bridge and landing place,Weſtminſter bridge or common landing place. for all men that haue occaſion. On the North ſide, is the South end of S. Stephens Alley, or Canon Rowe; and alſo, a way into the olde wooll ſtaple: and on the weſt ſide is a very faire gate begun by Ri. the 3. in the yeare 1484. and was by him builded a great heigth, and many faire lodgings in it, but left vnfiniſhed, and is called the high Tower at Weſtminſter. High tower at Weſtminſter. Thus much for the Monaſtery and Pallace, may ſuffiſe. And now will I ſpeake of the Gate-houſe,Gate houſe at Weſtminſter. and of Totehilſtréete, ſtretching from the Weſt part of the Cloſe. The Gate-houſe is ſo called of two Gates, the one out of the colledge court toward the North, on the Eaſt ſide wherof, was the Biſhop of Londons priſon, for clarkes conuict, and the other gate adioyning to the firſt, but towards the weſt, is a gaile, or priſon for offenders thither committed. Walter Warfield celerar to the Monaſtery, cauſed both theſe gates with the appurtenances to be builded in the raigne of E. the 3. On the South ſide of this gate, King H. the 7. founded an almeſhouſe,Almeſhouſe of Henry the 7. for 13. poore men: one of them to be a Prieſt, aged 45. yeares, a good Gramarian, the other 12 to be aged fiftie yeares without wiues, euey Satterday the Prieſt to receiue of the Abbot, or Pryor, 4. pence by the day, and each other 2 pence halfe penny by the day for euer, for their ſuſtenance, and euery year to each one a gowne and a hood ready made: and to 3. womē that dreſſed their meat, and kept them in their ſickneſſe, each to haue euery Satterday 16. pence, and euery yeare a gowne ready made. More to the 13. poore men yearely 80. quarters of cole, and 1000. of good faggots to their vſe: in the hall and kitchen of their manſion, a diſcréete Monk to be ouerſeer of them, and he to haue 40. ſhillings by the yeare, &c. and hereunto was euery Abbot and Pryor ſworne. Neareunto this houſe weſtward, was an olde chapell of S. Anne, Chapell of S. Anne. ouer againſt the which, the Lady Margaret, Almeſhouſe founded by Lady Margaret. mother to king H. the 7 erected an Almeſhouſe for poore women, which is now turned into lodgings for the ſinging men of the colledge: the place wherein this chapell and Almeſhouſe ſtandeth, was called the Elemoſinary or Almory,Almory at Weſtminſter. now corruptly the Ambry, for that the Almes of the Abbey were there diſtributed to the poore. And therein Iſlip Abbet of Weſtminſter 394 The Citie of Weſtminſter.minſter, firſt practized and erected the firſt Preſſe of booke Printing that euer was in England, Printing of bookes at Weſtm. the firſt in England. about the yeare of Chriſt, 1471. From the Weſt gate runneth along Totehill ſtréete,Totehil ſtreet. wherein is a houſe of the Lord Gray of Wilton, and on the other ſide at the entry into Totehill field, Stourton houſe, which Gyles, the laſt L. Dacre of the South,According to Kingsford, the last lord Dacre of the South was Gregory Fiennes (Kingsford 380) purchaſed and built new, whoſe Lady, and wife Anne, (ſiſter to Thomas the Lord Buckhurſt) left money to her Executors to build an Hoſpitall for 20. poore women, and ſo many children to be brought vp vnder thē, for whoſe maintenance ſhe aſſigned lands, to the valew of 100. pound by the yeare: which Hoſpitall,Hoſpitall founded by Lady Anne Dacre. her Executors haue new begun, in the field adioyning. From the entry into Totehil field, the ſtréete is called Petty Fraunce,Petty France. in which, and vpon S. Hermits hill, on the South ſide thereof, Cornelius van dun (a Brabander borne, Yeomen of the Guard, to King H. the 8. King E. the 6. Quéene Mary and Quéene Elizabeth) built 20. houſes for poore women to dwell rent frée:Almeſhouſes for poore wowomen. and neare hereunto was a chappell of Mary Magdalen, Chappel of Mary Magdalen. now wholly ruinated. The citie of Weſtminſter for ciuill gouernment is diuided in 12. ſeuerall Wardes, for the which, the Deane of the Collegiat church of Weſtm. or the high Steward, do elect 12. Burgeſſes, and as many aſſiſtants, that is, one Burgeſſe,Gouernment of Weſtminſter Citie. and one Aſſiſtant, for euery Warde, out of the which 12 Burgeſſes, 2. are nominated yearely, vpon Thurſday in Eaſter wéeke, for chief Burgeſſes to continue for one yeare next following, who haue authoritie giuen them by the Act of Parliament 27. Elizabeth, to heare, examine, determine, and puniſh according to yͤ lawes of the Realme, and lawfull cuſtomes of the citie of London, matters of incontinencie, common ſcoldes, inmates, and common annoyances, and likewiſe, to commit ſuch perſons as ſhall offend againſt the peace, and thereof to giue knowledge within 24. houres to ſome Iuſtice of peace, in the countie of Midleſex.