THe next is Biſhopſgate Warde,Biſhopſgate ward. whereof a part is without the gate, and of the ſuburbes from the barres, by S. Mary Spittle, to Biſhopſgate, and a part of Hounds ditch, almoſt halfe thereof, alſo without the wall is of the ſame Warde. Then within the gate is Biſhopſgate ſtréete, ſo called 127 Limeſtreet Ward. called of the gate, to a Pumpe where ſometime was a fayre well with two buckets by the Eaſt end of the pariſh church of Saint Martine Otoſwich, and then winding by the Weſt corUnderinking; context obvious.ner of Leaden Hall, downe Graſſe ſtreete to the corner ouer againſt Graſſe Church, and this is the boundes of that ward.

Monumentes there moſt to bee noted, are theſe: the pariſh Church of S. Buttolph without BiſhopſgatePariſh church of S. Buttolph without Biſhopſgate. in a faire Churchyarde, adioyning to the Towne ditch vpon the very banke thereof, but of old time incloſed with a comely wall of bricke, lately repayred by Sir William Allen Mayor, in the yeare 1571. becauſe he was borne in that pariſh, where alſo he was buried.

Now without this Churchyard wall is a cauſeway leading to a quadrant, called Petie Fraunce, Petie France neere to the towne ditch. of Frenchmen dwelling there, and to other dwelling houſes, lately builded on the banke of the ſaide ditch by ſome citizens of London, that more regarded their owne priuate gaine, then the common good of the Citie: for by meanes of this cauſeway raiſed on the banke, and ſoylage of houſes, with other filthines caſt into the ditch, the ſame is nowe forced to a narrow channell, and almoſt filled vp with vnſauorie things, to the daunger of impoyſoning the whole citie.

Next vnto the pariſh church of S. Buttolph, is a fayre Inne for receipt of trauellers: then an HoſpitallHoſpitall of Bethelem. of S. Mary of Bechelem, founded by Simon Fitz Mary one of the Sheriffes of London, in the yeare 1246. he founded it to haue beene a Priorſe of Cannons with brethren and ſiſters, and king Edward the thirde granted a protection, which I haue ſeene for the brethren, Miliciæ beatæ Mariæ de Bethlem, within the citie of London, the 14. yeare of his raigne. It was an Hoſpitall for diſtracted people: the Mayor and communaltie purchaſed the patronage thereof with al the lands and tenements thereuuto belonging, in the yeare 1546 the ſame yeare King Henry the eight gaue the Hoſpitall thereof vnto the citie: the Church and chappell whereof were taken downe in the raigne of Quéene Elizabeth, and houſes builded there, by the Gouernors of Chriſtes Hoſpitall in London. In this place people that be diſtraight in wits, are by the ſuite of their friendes receyued and kept as afore it was vſed, but not without charges to their bringers in. In the yere 1569. Sir Thomas Roe Merchant 128 Biſhopſgate Warde. Merchant Taylor Mayor, cauſed to bee incloſed with a wall of bricke, about one acre of ground, being part of the ſaid Hoſpitall of Bethelem, to wit, on the weſt, on the bancke of déepe ditch, ſo called, parting the ſaid hoſpitall of Bethlem from the More field: this be did for burial,Buriall for the dead prepared Deepe ditch by Bethelem. in eaſe of ſuch pariſhes in London as wanted ground, conuenient within their pariſhes. The Ladie his wife was there buried (by whoſe perſuaſion he incloſed it) but himſelfe borne in London was buried in the pariſh church of Hackney.

From this Hoſpitall Northward vpon the ſtréetes ſide many houſes haue beene builded with alleyes backeward, of late time too much peſtered with people (a great cauſe of infection) vp to the barres.

The other ſide of this high ſtreet from Biſhopſgate, & Hounds ditch: the firſt building is a large Inne for receipt of trauellers, then a faire houſe of late builded by the Lord Iohn Powlet. Fiſhers Folly. Next to that a farre more large and beautifull houſe with gardens of pleaſure, bowling alleyes, and ſuch like, builded by Iaſper Fiſher free of the Goldſmithes, late one of the ſixe Clearkes of the Chauncery, and a Iuſtice of peace. It hath ſince for a time beene the Earle of Oxfords place. The Quéenes Maieſtie Elizabeth hath lodged there. It now belongeth to M. Cornewallos. This houſe being ſo largely and ſumptuouſly builded by a man of no greater calling or poſſeſſions, was mockingly called Fiſhers Folly, and a Rithme was made of it, and other the like in this manner; Kirkebies Caſtle, and Fiſhers Folly, Spinilas Pleaſure, and Megſes glorie, and ſo of other ſuch like buildinges about the Citie. From Fiſhers Folly vp to the Weſt end of Hogge Lane, which commeth from the barres without Aldegate, as is afore ſhewed, is a continuall building of tenements, with alleyes of cottages, peſtered, &c. Then is there a large cloſe, called Taſell cloſe,Taſell cloſe. ſometime for that there were Taſſels planted for the vſe of Clothworkers: ſince letten to the Croſſebow makers, wherein they vſed to ſhoote for games at the Popingey: now the ſame being incloſed with a bricke wall, ſerueth to be an Artillerie yarde,Artillarie yard wherevnto the Gunners of the Tower doe weekely repaire, namely euery thurſeday, and there leuelling certaine Braſſe peeces of great Artillerie againſt a butte of earth, made for that purpoſe, they diſcharge them 129 Biſhopſgate Warde them for their exerciſe.

Then haue ye the late diſſolued Priorie and hoſpital of our bleſſed Ladie commonly called S. Mary Spittle, S. Mary Spittle founded for Canons regular, by a citizen of London named VValter Brune, & Roſya his wife, in the yere 1235. This Hoſpital was at the ſuppreſſion valued ſo diſpend 478. pound, &c. Where beſides the ornamentes of the Church, and goods pertayning to the Hoſpitall, there was found ſtanding one hundreth and foureſcore beddes, well furniſhed for receipt of the poore of charitie: for it was an Hoſpitall of greate reliefe. There lycth buried Sir Henry Pleſington Knight, 1452.

In place of this Hoſpital, and neere adioyning, are now many faire houſes builded, for receipt and lodging of worſhipfull and honorable perſons. Apart of the large churchyard pertaining to this Hoſpitall, and ſeuered from the reſt with a bricke wall,Pulpit Crosſſe at the Spittle. yet remayneth, (as of old time) with a pulpet croſſe therein, ſomewhat like to that in Paules churchyard: and againſt the ſaid pulpit on the ſouth ſide, before the chernell and chappell of S. Edmonde the Biſhop: and Mary Magdalen remaineth alſo one fayre builded houſe of two ſtories in height for the Mayor and other honorable perſons, with the Aldermen and Sheriffes to ſit in, there to heare the Sermons preached vpon Eaſter holy dayes. In the loft ouer them, the Ladies and Aldermens wiues doe ſtand at a fayre window or ſit at their pleaſure. And here it is to be noted, that time out of minde, it hath bin a laudable cuſtome that on good friday in the after noone ſome eſpecial learned man by appoyntmēt of yͤ prelats doth preach a ſermon at Paules croſſe, treating of Chriſts paſſion. And vpon the three next Eaſter holidayes, Monday, Tueſday, and Wedneſday, the like learned men by the like appointment doe vſe to preach on the fore noon at the ſaid Spittle, to perſwad the articles of Chriſts reſurrection, and then on low Sōday before noon one other learned man at Paules croſſe is to make reherſall of thoſe fowre former ſermons, either commending or reprouing them, as to him by iudgment of the lerned diuines is thought conuenient: And that done he is to make a ſermon of himſelfe, which in all were fiue Sermons in one. At theſe Sermons ſo ſeuerally preached, the Maior with his Brethren, the Aldermen 130 Biſhopſgate warde. Aldermen are accuſtomed to be preſent in their Uiolets at Paules, on Good Friday, and in their Scarlets, both they and their wiues, at the Spittle in the Holy daies (except Wedneſday in Uiolet) and the Maior with his Brethren, on Low Sunday in Scarlet, at Paules Croſſe. Touching the antiquitie of this cuſtome, I finde none other, then that in the yeare, 1398. the 22. of Richard the ſecond: that the king hauing procured from Rome, confirmation of ſuch ſtatutes, and ordinances, as were made in the Parliament, (begunne at Weſtminſter, and ended at Shreuſbery, he cauſed the ſame confirmation to be read and pronounced at Pauls Croſſe, and at S. Marie Spittle in the Sermons before all the people: Philip Malpas one of the Sheriffes in the yere 1439. the 18. of Henry the ſixt, gaue twentie ſhillinges by yeare to the three Preachers at the Spittle. Stephen ForſUnclear.ar Maior, in the yeare 1454. gaue fortie pound to the Preachers at Paules Croſſe and Spittle.Houſe in S. Marie Spittle churchyarde builded for the Maior and Aldermen. Pulpit Croſſe in Spittle church yarde new builded. A houſe in Spittle church yarde builded for the gouerners and children of chriſts Hoſpital. Loleſworth fieldeLolesworth now called Spitalfield. Buriall of the Romaines in Spittle fielde. Olde monumentes of the Romaines found, I finde alſo that the aforeſaide houſe, wherein the Maior and Aldermen do ſit at the Spittle, was builded for that purpoſe, of the goodes, and by the Executors of Richard Rawſon Alderman and Iſabell his wife, in the yere 1488. In the yere 1594. this Pulpit being old, was taken downe, and a new ſet vp: and the Preachers face turned towardes the ſouth, which was before towardes the weſt, alſo a large houſe on the eaſt ſide of the ſaide Pulpit, was then builded for the gouernors and children of Chriſtes Hoſpitall to ſit in: and this was done of the goodes of William Elkens Alderman, late deceaſed, but within the firſt yere, the ſame houſe decaying, and like to haue fallen, was againe with great coſt repayred at the Cities charge. On the eaſt ſide of this Churchyarde lieth a large fielde of old time called Loleſworth, now Spittle fielde: which aboute the yeare 1576. was broken vp for clay to make bricke, in the digging whereof many earthen pottes called Vrnæ, were found full of aſhes, and of brent bones of men, to wit of the Romaines that inhabited here: for it was the cuſtome of the Romaines to bren their dead, to put their aſhes in an vrna, and then to bury the ſame, with certaine ceremonies in ſome field appointed for that purpoſe, neare vnto their Citie: euery of theſe pots had in them with the aſhes of the dead, one peece of Copper money, with the inſcription of the Emperour, then 131 Biſhopſgate warde. then raigning: ſome of them were of Claudius, ſome of Veſpaſian, ſome of Nero, of Anthonius Pius, of Troianus: and others beſides thoſe vrnas, many other pots were there founde, made of a white earth with long nockes, and handles, like to our ſtone Iugges: theſe were emptie, but ſeemed to bee buried full of ſome liquid matter long ſince conſumed and ſoaked through: for there were found diuers vials and other faſhioned glaſſes, ſome moſt cunningly wrought, ſuch as I haue not ſeene the like, and ſome of Chriſtall, all which had water in them, nothing differing in clearenes, taſt, or ſauour from common ſpring water: ſome of theſe glaſſes had oyle in them very thicke, and earthie in ſauour, ſome were ſuppoſed to haue balm in them, but had loſt the vertue: many of thoſe pots and glaſſes were broken in cutting of the clay: ſo that few were taken vp whole: there were alſo found diuers diſhes and cups of a fine red colored earth, which ſhewed outwardly ſuch a ſhining ſmothneſſe, as if they had beene of curral, thoſe had in the bottomes Romaine letters printed, there were alſo lampes of white earth artificially wrought with diuers antiques aboute them, ſome three or foure Images, made of white earth, aboute a ſpan long, each of them: one I remember was of Pallas, the reſt I haue forgotten, I my ſelfe haue reſerued amongſt diuers of thoſe antiquities there found, one pot of white earth very ſmall, not exceeding the quantitie of a quarter of a wine pint, made in ſhape of a Hare, ſquatted vpon her legs, and betweene her eares is the mouth of the pot: there hath alſo beene found in the ſame fieldeTroughes of ſtone found in the Spittle fielde. diuers coffins of ſtone, contayning the bones of men: theſe I ſuppoſe to be the burials of ſome eſpeciall perſons, in time of the Britons, or Saxons, after that the Romaines had left to gouern here: moreouer there were alſo found the ſculs and bones of men without coffins, or rather whoſe coffines (being of great timber) were conſumed: diuers great nailes of iron were there found, ſuch as are vſed in the wheeles of ſhod cartes, being each of them as bigge as a mans finger, and a quarter of a yeard long, the heades two inches ouer, thoſe naylesGreat nailes of iron found in the field & fond opinions of men. were more wondred at then the reſt of thinges there found, and many opinions of men were vttered of them, namely that the men there buried were murdered by driuing thoſe nayles into their heads, a thing vnlikelie, for a ſmaler naile 132 Biſhopſgate warde. naile would more aptly ſerue to ſo bad a purpoſe, and a more ſecrete place would lightly be imployed for their buriall. But to ſet downe what I haue obſerued, concerning this matter, I there behelde the bones of a man lying as I noted, the heade North, the feete South, and round about him, as thwart his head along both his ſides, & thwart his feete, ſuch nayles were found, wherefore I coniectured them to bee the nayles of his Coffin, which had béene a trough cut out of ſome great tree, and the ſame couered with a planke, of a greate thickneſſe, faſtened with ſuch nayles: and therefore I cauſed ſome of the nayles to be reached vp to me, and found vnder the broade heads of them, the old wood, ſkant turned into duſt or earth, but ſtill retayning both the grane, and the proper colour, of theſe nayles with the wood vnder the head thereof, I reſerued one as alſo the nether iaw bone of the man, the teeth being very greate, ſound and faſt fixed, which (amongſt other many monumentes there found) I haue yet to ſhew: but the nayle lying drie is now by ſkaling greatly waſted. And thus much for this part of Biſhopſgate warde without the gate: for I haue in another place ſpoken of the gate, & therefore I am now to ſpeake of that other part of this warde, which lyeth within the gate.

And firſt to begin on the left hand of Biſhopſgate ſtreete, from the gate yee haue certaine Tenementes of olde time pertayning to a Brotherhood of S. Nicholas, granted to the pariſh Clarkes of London, for two Chaplens to be kept in the Chapple of S. Mary Magdalen neare vnto the Guilde hall of London, in the 27. of Henry the ſixt, the firſt of theſe houſes towardes the North & againſt the wall of the Citie, was ſometime a large Inne or court called the Wraſtlers (of ſuch a ſigne) and the laſt in the high ſtréet towardes the South, was ſometime alſo a fayre Inne called the Angell of ſuch a ſigne: amongſt theſe ſaide Tenementes was on the ſame ſtreete ſide a fayre Entry or Court to the common hall of the ſaide pariſh Clarkes,Clarkes hall and their Almes houſes in, Biſhopſgate ſtreete. with proper Almeſhouſes ſeauen in number, adioyning for poore pariſh Clarkes, and their wiues, their widdowes, ſuch as were in greate yeares not able to labour. One of theſe by the ſaide Brotherhoode of pariſh Clarkes was allowed ſixeteene pence the weeke, the other ſix had each of them nine pence the weeke, according to the pattent thereof graunted. This K3 133 Biſhopſgate warde. This Brotherhoode amongſt other being ſuppreſſed. In the raigne of Edward the ſixt, the ſaide Hall with the other buildinges there, was giuen to Sir Robert Cheſter a knight of Cambridge ſhier, againſt whome the pariſh Clarkes commencing ſuite, in the raigne of Queene Marie, and being like to haue preuailed, the ſaide Sir Robert Cheſter pulled downe the hall, ſold the Timber, ſtone, and lead, and thereupon the ſuite was ended. The Almeſhouſes remaine in the Queenes handes, and people are there placed, ſuch as can make beſt frendes: ſome of them taking the penſion appointed, haue let foorth their houſes for great rent, giuing occaſion to the Parſon of the pariſh to challenge tithes of the poore, &c. Next vnto this is the ſmall pariſh church of S. Etholburge virgin, Pariſh church of S. Etholburge. and from thence ſome ſmall diſtance is a large court called litle S. Hellens: becauſe it pertayned to the Nuns, of S. Hellens, priory of S. Hellens, and AlmeſehouſesMoEML is still seeking information regarding this entry. If you have information to contribute, please email the MoEML team. and was their houſe, there are ſeauen Almes roomes or houſes for the poore, belonging to the company of Letherſellers. Then ſomewhat more Weſt is an other Court with a winding lane, through which men come out againſt the weſt ende of S. Andrewes vnderſhaft Church. In this court ſtandeth the church of S. Hellens, ſometime a Priorie of blacke Nuns and in the ſame a pariſh church of S. Hellen, Pariſh church of S. Hellen. this Priorie long ſince was founded, before the raigne of Henry the thirde, as I haue found in Recordes. William Baſing Deane of Paules, was the firſt founder, and was there buried, and William Baſing one of the Sheriffes of London, in the ſecond yere of Edward the ſecond was holden alſo to be a founder, or rather an helper there: this priorie being valued at 314. pound two ſhillinges ſix pence was ſurrendred the 25. of Nouember, the thirtie of Henry the eight, the whole church (the partition betwixt the Nuns church, and pariſh church being taken downe) remaineth now to the pariſh: and is a fayre pariſh church, but wanteth ſuch a ſteeple as Sir Thomas Greſham promiſed to haue builded, in recompence of ground in their church filled vp, with his monument. The Nuns hall & other howſing thereunto appertayning, was ſince purchaſed by the Company of the Letherſellers,LeaUnderinking.therſellers hall. and is their common Hall: which Company was incorporate in the 21. yeare of Richarde the ſecond.

In 134 Biſhopſgate warde. In the Church of S. Hellen, haue yee theſe monumentes of the dead: Thomas Langton Chaplen buried in the Quire, 1350. Nicholas Marſhall, Ironmonger Alderman, 1474. Sir William Sanctlo, and Sir William Sanctlo father and ſonne, Sir William Pickering, and Sir VVilliam Pickering father and ſonne, Thomas VVilliams Gentleman, 1495. Iohn Langthorpe Eſquier, 1510. Ioan Coken wiſe to Iohn Coken Eſquier, 1509. Mary Orrell wife to Sir Lewys Orrell Knight. Henry Somer, Katheren his wife, Ioan daughter to Henry Somer, wife to Richarde, ſonne and heire to Robert Lord Poyinges, died a virgin 1420. VValter Huntington, Eſquier, Elizabeth Venner wife to William Venner Grocer, Alderman, one of the Sheriffes, 1401. Robert Rocheſter Eſquier Sargeant of the Pantrie, to Henry the eight. Iohn Swinflet, 1420. Iohn Gower Steward of S. Helens, 1512. Iohn Faukconbridge Eſquier, 1545. Hacket Gentleman of the kinges Chappell, Elienor daughter to Sir Thomas Butler, Lord Sudley,Sir Thomas Butler had no known children (Ashdown-Hill 65). The Elienor to which Stow refers here is likely Butler’s wife, Eleanor Butler (née Talbot). Iohn Suthworth, Adam Frances Maior Nicholas Harpſfielde, Eſquier, Thomas Saunderforde or Somerforde Alderman, Alexander Cheyney, Sir Iohn Croſbie Alderman, and Anne his wife, George Faſtolph, ſonne to Hugh Faſtolph, Robert Lynd, Sir Andrew Iud Maior, Sir Thomas Greſham Mercer &c.

Then haue yee one greate houſe called Croſbie place, becauſe the ſame was builded by Sir Iohn Croſbie Of Croſbies place and of Sir Iohn Croſbie. Grocer, and Wolman, in place of certaine Tenements, with their appurtenances letten to him by Alice Aſhfed Prioreſſe of S. Hellens, and the Couent for ninety nine yeares, from the yeare 1466. vnto the yere 1565. for the annuall rent of eleuen pound ſix ſhillings eight pence: this houſe he builded of ſtone and timber, very large and beutifull, and the higheſt at that time in London: he was one of the Sheriffes, and an Alderman in the yeare 1470. knighted by Edwarde the fourth, in the yeare 1471. and deceaſed in the yeare 1475. ſo ſhort a time enioyed hee that his large and ſumptuous building, hee was buried in S. Hellens, the pariſh church, a fayre monument of him and his Lady, is rayſed there: hee gaue towardes the reforming of that church fiue hundred markes 135 Biſhopſgate warde. markes, which was beſtowed with the better, as appeareth by his Armes, both in the ſtone worke, rooſe of Timber, and glaſing. I holde it a fable ſaide of him, to be named Croſby, of being found by a croſſe, for I haue read of other to haue that name of Croſby, before him, namely in the yeare 1406. the ſeuenth of Henry the fourth, the ſaide king gaue to his ſeruant Iohn Croſby the wardſhip of Ioan daughter, and ſole heire to Iohn Iordaine Fiſhmonger, &c. This Croſbie might be the Father or Grandfather to Sir Iohn Croſbie.

Richarde Duke of Gloceſter, and Lorde Protector, afterwarde king by the name of Richarde the thirde, was lodged in this houſe: ſince the which time among other, Anthonie Bonuice a rich marchant of Italy, dwelled there, after him Ierome Serall, then William Bond Alderman, increaſed this houſe with building of a Turret on the top thereof: he deceaſed in the yeare, 1567. and was buried in S. Helens church: diuers Ambaſſadors haue beene lodged there: namely in the yeare 1586. Henry Ramelius Chancelor of Germany, Ambaſſador vnto the Queens Maieſtie of Englande from Fredericke the ſecond of Denmark: an Ambaſſador of France, &c. Sir Iohn Spencer Alderman lately purchaſed this houſe, made great reparations, kept his Maioralty there, and ſince builded a moſt large ware-houſe neare thereunto.

From this Croſbie place vp to Leaden hall corner, and ſo downe Graſſeſtreete, amongſt other Tenementes, are diuers fayre and large builded houſes for Marchantes and ſuch like. Now for the other ſide of this warde, namely the right hand, hard by within the gate is onefayre water Conduite,Water conduite at Biſhopſgate. which Thomas Kneſworth Maior, in the yeare 1505. founded, hee gaue 60.l. the reſt was furniſhed at the common charges of the citie: this conduite hath ſince beene taken downe, and new builded. Dauid Wodrooffe Alderman gaue twenty poundes towardes the conuayance of more water thereunto. From this conduite haue ye amongſt many fayre Tenementes, diuers fayre Innes, large for receipt of trauellers and ſome houſes for men of worſhip, namely one moſt ſpatious of all other there aboute, builded of bricke and timber, by Sir Thomas Greſham, Sir Thomas Greſhams houſe builded. knight, who deceaſed in the yeare 1579. and was buried in S. Hellens church, vnder a fayre monument 136 Brodeſtreete warde. monument, by him, prepared in his life hée appointed by his Teſtament, this houſe to be made a Colledge, as before is ſaide of Readers.

Somewhat weſt from this houſe is one other very fayre houſe, wherein Sir William Hollies, kept his Maioralty, and was buried in the pariſh church of S. Helen: Sir Andrew Iud, S. Andrew Iud his almeſ houſes. alſo kept his Maioralty there, and was buried at S. Hellens: hee builded Almſehouſes for ſix poore Almeſpeople neare to the ſaide parriſh church, and gaue lands to the Skinners, out of the which they are to giue 4. ſhillinges euery weeke to the ſix poore Almeſpeople eight pence the peece, and fiue and twentie ſhillinges foure pence, the yeare in coales amongſt them for euer.

Then in the very weſt corner ouer againſt the Eaſt end of S. Martins Otſwitch, church (from whence the ſtreete windeth towardes the South) you had of olde time a fayre well with two buckets ſo faſtened, that the drawing vp of the one, let downe the other, but now of late that weil is turned into a Pumpe.

From this to the corner ouer againſt the Leaden hall, and ſo downe Graſſe ſtreete, are many fayre houſes for marchantes, and artificers, and many fayre Innes for Trauellers euen to the corner where that ward endeth, ouer againſt Graſſe church: and thus much for this Biſhopſgate warde ſhall ſuffice, which hath an Alderman, two Deputies, one without the gate another within, common Counſellors ſix, Conſtables ſeauen, Scauengers ſeauen, for Wardmote inqueſt thirteene, and a Beadle: it is taxed to the fifeteene at xxij.£.in London, and in the Exchequer xxi.£.x.s̃.