NExt adioining is Chepe warde, 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 Buck-
les

208
les 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, 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 te
nements: and it hath béene
Barges towed
vp Walbrook
vnto Buckles
berie
.
a common speech that when the Wal
brooke
did lie open, barges were rowed out of the Thames, or to
wed vp so far, and therefore the place hath euer since béene called The special character yͤ (LATIN SMALL LETTER Y WITH LATIN SMALL LETTER E ABOVE) does not display on all browsers and has been replaced by its simplified form.ye
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

209
the which king Edwarde the thirde in the 32. of his raigne, did
grant to his Colledge or free Chappell of S. Stephen at West
minster
, by the name of his Tower called Seruesse Tower at
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 gree
dily 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, it reacheth but to Saint
Sythes
lane
, and S. Sythes Church is the farthest part thereof, for
by the west ende of the saide Church beginneth 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 Stockefish
monger of London, a new builder, repayrer or Benefactor ther
of, 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 Felmon
ger, 1548. Iohn Fresh Mercer Maior 1394. Iohn Rochforde
and Robert Rochforde, Iohn Holde Alderman, Henry Fro
weke
, 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 S. pancrate

Iustices char
ged to punish
such assel bels
from their
churches Eli
zabeth
14
.
parish church of Saint
Pancrate
, 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
P
the

210
the monumentes there. In this Church there are buried Sir A
ker
, Iohn Aker, Iohn Barens Mercer, Maior, 1370. Iohn Be
ston
and his wife, Robert Rayland, Iohn Hamber, Iohn
Gage
, Iohn Rowley, Iohn Lambe, Iohn Hadley
Grocer, Ma
ior, 1379. Richarde Gardener Mercer, Maior, 1478. Iohn
Stockton
Mercer, Maior, 1470. Iohn Dane Mercer, Iohn
Parker
, Robert Marshall
Alderman, 1439. Robert Corche
forde
. Robert Hatfield, and Robert Hatfielde, Nicholas Wil
filde
, 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 Nouē
ber
as hee was going to morrow Masse, from his house in
Cheape, to S. Thomas of Acars in the yeare 1536. the murde
rer 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 Gro
cer. 1590. Ambrose Smith &c. Then is a part of Sopars lane
turning vp to Cheape, by the assent of Stephen Abunden, Ma
ior, 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, till at length in the raign
of Henry the sixt
the same Sopars lane was inhabited by Corde
wainers
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 of
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, 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

211
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 Mer
cers
vp to the north corner of Cordwainer streete, corruptlie cal
led 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 church
of S. Mildrede
, which was new builded vpon Walbrooke, in the
yeare 1457. Iohn Saxton then Parson gaue 32. poundes to
wards the building of the new Quire there which now standeth
vpon the course of Walbrook, Leuell Puery, and Richard Kes
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 Chi
rurgeon 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, to
warde the west, 45. foote, and in bredth, from the Church to
wardes the north 35. foote, being within the gate of Skalding
house
, or Skalding Wike in the said parish, to make a Church
yarde 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 Gar
land
1476. Robert Bois, 1485: and Symon Lee, Poulters,
1487. Thomas Lee of Essex, Gentleman, VVilliam Haclin
gridge
, Christopher Feliocke, 1494. Robert Dreyton Skin
ner. 1484. Iohn Christopherson, Doctor of Phisicke, 1524.
VVilliam Turner Skinner, 1536. Blase White Grocer,
1558. Thomas Hobson Haberdasher. 1559, William Hob
son
Haberdasher, 1581. and Thomas Tusser Gentleman, 1580
P2
with

212
with this Epitaph.
Here Thomas Tusser, clad in earth doth lie,
That sometime made the pointes of husbandrie,
By him then learne thou maist, here learne we must,
When all is done we sleepe and turne to dust,
And yet through Christ to heauen we hope to go,
Who reades his bookes shall finde his faith was so.
On the north side of the church yearde remaine two tombes
of marble, but not known of whome or otherwise then by tradi
tion, it is saide they were of Thomas Monshampe, and VVilli
am
, 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 She
riffes, 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, was sometime
a proper Chappell of Corpus Christi, and S. Marie, at Conie
hopelane
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 to
wardes the streete, with lodginges ouer them. Then is Con
ningshop 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, which Companie being of olde time
called Peperars, were first incorporated by the name of Grocers
in the yeare 1345, at which time they elected for Custos or Gar
dian of
Grocers hall
first purchased
and then buil
ded by the
Grocers.
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

213
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 hou
ses, for seauen aged poore Almes people. Thomas Knoles Gro
cer 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 sea
uen Almes people six pence the peece weekelie for euer, which pen
sion is now increased by the Maisters to some of them, two shil
linges 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,
so named of one Cole that builded it, this church is builded vp
pon a vault aboue ground, so that men are forced to ascend vp ther
unto 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, some
time an Hospitall 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. Nicholas and S. Stephen, this Hospitall was valued to dis
pend 277.£.3.SMALL LATIN LETTER S WITH TILDE ABOVE; ABBREVIATION FOR SHILLINGs.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 Gresham, and was againe set open
on the Eue of S. Michaell, 1541. the 33. of Henry the eight,
it is now called the Mercers Chappell, and therein is kept a free
P3
Gram

214
Grammar Schoole
A free Ichole
in the Hospi
tall of S. Tho
mas 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 de
faced: 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 Cauan
dish
, William Cauandish, Thomas Ganon called Pike, one
of the Sheriffes, 1410. Hungate of Yorkeshire, Ambrose Cre
sacre
, Iohn Trusbut Mercer, 1437. Thomas Norland She
riffe, 1483. Sir Edmond Sha Goldsmith Maior, 1482. Sir
Thomas Hill
knight, Henry Frowicke,1 Thomas Ilam She
riffe 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 Mer
cer 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 there
upon the 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 suc
cessors the Mercers. These Mercers were enabled to be a Com
pany 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 Com
panie, as came to decay by misfortune on the sea. Next beyond the
Mercers Chappell in Ironmonger 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 called Pomery vpon what occa
sion certainely I know not, but it is supposed to bee of Apples,
growing

215
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, 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 blossomes or
flowers. Then neare to the Standard in Cheape is Hony lane
so called not of sweetenesse thereof, being very narrow and some
what darke, but rather of often washing and sweeping, to keep it
cleane. In this is the small parish church called Alhallowes in
Hony lane
, there bee no monumentes in this church worth the
noting. Without this lane is the 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 purcha
sed licence of Henry the sixt, to conuey water, to make the Con
duite, now whether the Standarde in West Cheape so oft spoken
of in former times, be the same and stoode iust in this place, or els
where, 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 horse
backe were practised betwixt the great Crosse, and the great Con
duite 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 Stan
darde in Cheape
: In the yeare 1399. King Henry the fourth
caused the Blanch Charters made by Richarde the second, to bee
P4
burnt

216
burnt at the Standarde in West Cheape. In the yeare 1381.
Wat Tylar beheaded Richarde Lions and others in Cheape. In
the yeare 1461. Iohn Dauie had his hand striken off at the Stan
darde 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 streete (so
called in Recordes the 24. of Henry the sixt, now corruptlie
Catteten street, which beginneth at the north end of Ironmon
ger 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
hall
The Guilde
hall
and courts
kept.
Liber Flitwed
of this Citie, wherein the Courts for the Citie be kept, name
lie the 1. Court of common Counsaile 2. The courte of the Lorde
Maior, and his Brethren the Aldermen 3. The courte of Hust
inges 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 Alder
men, 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 there
of 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 fif
teene 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

217
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.
Though most the images be pulled downe,
Verses made
on the images
ouer the Guild
hall
gate.
And none be thought remaine in towne,
I am sure there be in London yet
Seuen images such and in such a place,
As few or none I thinke will hit,
Yet euery day they shew their face,
And thousands see them euery yeare,
But few I thinke can tell me where,
Where Iesu Christ aloft doth stand,
Law and learning on either hand,
Names of i
mages.
Discipline in the Deuils necke,
And hard by her are three direct,
There Iustice, Fortitude & Temperance stand,
Where find ye the like in all this land.
Diuers Aldermen glased the great hall, and other courts as ap
peareth by their Armes in each window. William Hariot Dra
per Mayor 1481. gaue 40. pound to the making of two louers
in the said Guildhal, and toward the glasing therof. The Kitchens
and other houses of office, adioyning to this Guildhall were build
ed of later time, to wit, about the yeare 1501. by procurement
of Edmond Shaw Goldsmith Mayor: since which time the May
ors feasts haue béene yearely kept there, which before time were
kept in the Taylors hall, and the Grocers hall. Nicholas Al
win
Grocer Mayor 1499. deceased 1505. gaue by his testament
for a hanging of tapestrie, to serue for principal daies in the Guild
hall
, 73. pound. 6. SMALL LATIN LETTER S WITH TILDE ABOVE; ABBREVIATION FOR SHILLINGs. 8.ď. Now for the Chappell or Colledge of
our Ladie Mary Magdalen, and of All-saintes
by the Guildhall,
called London Colledge, I reade that the same was builded a
bout the yeare 1299. And in a Recorde I find that Peter fane
lore
, Adam Frauncis, and Henry Frowike Citizens gaue one
Messuage with the apurtenances in the parish of Saint Fawstar
to

218
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 a
Guilde of S. Nicholas, for two Chaplens by them to bee kept in
the said Chappell of S. Mary Magdalene, neare vnto the Guild
hall
, and to keepe 7. almes people. Henry Barton Skinner May
or. founded a Chaplen there, Roger Depham Mercer, and Sir
VVilliam Langford
knight, had also chaplens there. This chap
pell 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 Grocer Mayor,
1431.
Iohn Wels
a principall
benefactor
to Guildhall
colledge
.
The likenes of welles are grauen on the tombe, on the Re
uestrie 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 May
or 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

219
window by the Habardasher, vnder flat stones do lie diuers Cu
stos
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 Gold
smith, 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. SMALL LATIN LETTER S WITH TILDE ABOVE; ABBREVIATION FOR SHILLINGs. 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, furnished with bookes, pertaining to the Guild
hall 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 libra
rie was builded by the executors of R. Whittington, and by Wil
liam 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 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 inha
bited there about, vntill that in the yeare 1290. the 18. of Ed
ward
the first
they were wholly and for euer by the said king bani
shed
The Iewes ba
nished Eng
land
, the num
ber of them.
The tooth of
some mon
strous fish, as
I take it.
this realme, hauing of their owne goodes to beare their char
ges, 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)
A shank bone
of 25. inches
long, of a man
as is said, but
might be of
an Oliphant,
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. inches in length by the rule, remaineth yet fastened to
a post

220
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 han
ged 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 re
maining drie: but where or when this bone was first found or dis
couered 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 Agmonde
sham
, William Skywith, Iohn Norlong, Iohn Baker, Tho
mas Alleyne
, William Barton
Mercer, 1410. William Mel
rith
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.
Respice quod opus est præsentis temporis æuum,
Omne quod est, nihil est præter amare Deum.
This Richard was father to Iohn, buried in S. Thomas A
cars
, 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, gentle
man, 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 Bur
goine
gentleman Mercer 1517. a Countesse of Cornewall and
Chester, but her name and time is not there apparent, Sir Ri
chard 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.
Coleman-

Notes

  1. Earlier in the chapter, Stow says that Henry de Frowick was buried at St. Benet Sherehog. (KL)