The Situation thereof.

AMong the Noble Cities of the World, honoured by fame, the City of LONDON is one, the chiefe Seate of the Kingdome of England, whose renowne is spred abroad farre and neere, but transporteth her wares and commodities much further, and so advanceth her greatnesse. It is happy by reason of the Aires wholsomnesse, by Christian Religion, her munition also and strength, the nature of the situation, the honour of the Citizens, the chastity of grave Matrones. Very pleasant also with sports and pastimes, and replenished with Honourable Personages. All which I thinke meet severally to consider.

The temperatenesse of the Aire.

IN this place, the calmnesse of the Aire doth mollifie mens minds, not corrupting them with venereall lusts, but preserving them from savage and rude behaviour, and seasons their inclinations with a more ingenious temper.

Of Religion.

THere is in the Church of Saint Paula Bishops See: It was formerly Metropolitane, and as it is thought, shall recover the said dignity againe, if the Citizens shall returne backe into the Iland, except perhaps the Archepiscopall title of Saint Thomas the Martyr, and his bodily presence, doe perpetuate this honour to Canterbury, where now his Reliques are. But seeing Saint Thomas hath graced both these Cities, namely, London with his birth, and Canterbury with his death; one place may alleage much against the other for the beholding of that Saint, and further additions to their holinesse. Now, concerning the worship of God in the Christian faith: There are in London and in the Suburbs 13. Churches belonging to Covents, besides 126. lesser Parish Churches.

Of the strength of the City.

IT hath on the East part a Tower Palatine large and strong, whose Court and Walls are secured with a very deepe foundation, the morter is tempered with the blood of beasts. On the West side are two Castles well fenced. The Wall of the City is high and spacious, with seven gates, which are made double every way, and on the North side distinguished with Turrets. Likewise on the South side, London hath beene inclosed with Walls and Towers, but the large River of Thames being well stored with Fish, and in which the Tide ebbes and flowes, by continuance of time hath washed and worne away those walls. Further, above in the West part, the Kings Palace is eminently seated upon the same River, an incomparable building, having a Wall before it, and some Bullwarks; it is two miles from the City, and a continuall Subvrbs doth lye betweene.

Of the Gardens.

NEere to the houses of the Subvrbs, the Citizens have Gardens and Orchards planted with trees, large, beautifull, and one joyning to another.

Of Pasture and Tillage.

ON the North side are Fields for Pasture, and open Meadowes, very pleasant, into which the River-waters doe flow, and Mills are turned about with a delightfull noise. Next, lieth a great Forest, in which are wooddy places, and Beasts for game. In the Coverts whereof doe lurke the Stag, the Bucke, the wilde Bore, and the Bull. The arable Lands are no hungry pieces of gravell ground, but like the rich fields of Asia, which bring plentifull Corne, and fill the Barnes of the owners with a dainty crop of the fruits of Ceres.

Of their Wells.

THere are on the North part of London principall Fountaines of water, sweet, wholsome, and cleare, streaming forth among the glistering pebble stones: In this number Holy-well, Clerken-well, and Saint Clements well, are of most note and frequented above the rest, when Schollers and the youth of the City take the Aire abroad in the Summer evenings. Certainly the City is good, seeing it hath a good Lord.

Of the Citizens honour.

THe Honour of this City consists in proper Men, brave Armour, and multitude of Inhabitants. In the fatall warres under King Steven, there went out to a Master, men fit for warre, esteemed to the number of 20000. horsemen armed, and 60000. footmen. The Citizens of London are knowne in all places, and respected above all others, by their civill Demeanour, their good Apparell, their Table, and their Discourse.

Of their Matrones.

THe Matrones here may be paralleld with the Sabine women.

Of their Schooles.

IN London three famous Schooles are kept at three principall Churches, which they retaine by priviledge and ancient dignity. Notwithstanding by favour of some persons, or Teachers, who are knowne and well reputed for their Philosophie; there are other Schooles upon good will and sufferance. Vpon the Holydayes, assemblies flocke together about the Church, where the Master hath his abode. There the Schollers dispute; some use demonstrations, others topicall and probable arguments: Some practise Enthimems, others are better at perfect Syllogismes: Some for a shew dispute, and for exercising themselves, & strive like adversaries: Others for truth, which is the grace of perfection. The dissembling Sophisters turne Verba liſts, and are magnified when they overflow in speech; some also are intrapt with deceitfull arguments. Sometime certaine Oratours, with Rhotoricall Orations, speake handsomly to perswade, being carefull to observe the precepts of Art, who omit no matter contingent. The Boyes of divers Schooles wrangle together in versifying, and canvase the principles of Grammar, as the rules of the Preterperfect and Future Tenses. Someafter an old custome of prating, vse Rimes & Epigram: these can freely quip their fellowes, suppressing their names with a festinine and railing liberty: these cast out most abusive jests, and with Socraticall witnesses either they give a touch at the vices of Superiours, or fall upon them with a Satyricall bitternesse. The hearers prepare for laughter, and make themselves merry in the meane time.

How the Affaires of the City are disposed.

SEverall Craftmen, and sellers of Wares, and Workemen for hire, all are distinguished every morning by themselves, both in their places and imploiments. Besides, there is in London upon the Rivers banke, a publike place of Cookery, betweene the Ships laden with Wine, and the Wines laid up in Cellers to bee sold: there ye may call for any dish of meat, rost, fried, or sodden, Fish both small and great, ordinary flesh for the poorer sort, and more dainty for the rich, as Venison and Fowle. If friends come upon a sudden, wearied with travell, to a Citizens house, and they be loth to wait for curious preparations, and dressings of fresh meat, the servants give them Water to wash, and Bread to stay their stomacke, and in the meane time goe to the water side, where all things are at hand answerable to their desire. Whatsoever multitude, either of Souldiers or other strangers, enter into the City at any houre, day or night, or elle are about to depart, they may turne in, bait there, and refresh themselves to their content, and so avoid long fasting, and not goe away without their dinner. If any desire to fit their dainty tooth, they need not to long for the Accipenser, or any other Bird; no not the rare Godwit of Iõnia. This publike victualing place is very convenient, and belongs to the City. Hereupon we reade in Platoes Gorgias, that the office of Cookes is neere to Physicke, and the flattery of dissemblers is the fourth part of civility. Without one of the gates is a certaine field, plaine both in name and situation. Every Fryday, except some Festivall come in the way there is a great market of horses: some come out of the City to buy or looke on, Earles, Barons, Knights, and many Citizens resort thither. It is a pleasant sight there to behold the Nags to jog on with an ambling pace, and their feet on either side up and downe together by turnes, or else trotting horses which are more convenient for men that beare armes; these although they set a little harder, goe away readily, and lite up and set downe together the contrary feet on either side. Here are also young Colts of a good breed, that have not beene well accustomed to the bridle; these fling about, and by mounting bravely, shew their mettle. Here are principall horses, strong and well-limmed. Here also are brest horses, fit to bee joyned by couples, very faire and handsome, and sleeke about the eares, carrying their necks aloft, being well flesht, and round about the buttocks.

The buyers at first looke at their soft and slow pace, and after cause them to put on with more speed, and behold them in their gallop. When these Coursers are ready to runne their race, and perhaps some others, which in their kinde are both good for carriage and strong for travaile: The people give a shout, and the common Hackneys are commanded to go aside The boyes that ride, make matches among themselves, two and two together, being expert in governing their horses, which they rule and curbe with a sharpe bridle, labouring by all meanes that one get not before the other. And the very beasts, after their fashion, doe not cease to strive, while their joynts tremble, and impatient of delay, endure not standing still in a place. When the token is given, they stretch out their bodies and runne speedily away, the Riders spurring them on for the love of praise, or hope of victory. You would thinke every thing were in motion with Heraclitus, and Zenoes opinion to bee false, saying that nothing moves from place to place. In another part stand the country people with Cattell, and commodities of the field, large Swine, and Kine with their Vdders strutting out, faire bodied Oxen and Sheepe. There are also Cart-horses fit for the Dray, or the Plough, and some Mares big with Foale, together with others that have their wanton Colts following them close at their side.

To this City Merchants bring in Wares frō every Nation under heaven: The Arabian sends his Gold; the Sabean his Frankincense & other Drugs; the Scythian his provision frō the plentifull wood of Date trees; Babylon bestowes the fruits of a fertile soile; and Nylus his precious stones; the Seres send Purple garments; they of Norway and Russia, Trowts, Furs, and Sables. According to the report of Chronicles, it is more ancient then the City of Rome: for both being descended from the same Trojan stocke, Brute builded this, before Remus and Romulus the other. Whereupon it comes to passe, that their ancient Lawes doe so agree: For this our City is distinguished by Wards and severall limits; it hath Sheriffes every yeere, answerable to their Consuls; it hath Aldermen, enjoying the dignity of Senators, besides inferiour Magistrates; it hath also Conduits and conveyances for water in the streets. Concerning causes in question; there are severall places and Courts for matters Deliberative, Demonstrative, and Judiciall: upon set dayes also they have their Common Councell and great Assemblies. I thinke there is no City that hath more approved Customes, for frequenting the Churches, for honouring Gods Ordinances observing of Holy-dayes, giving Almes, entertaining Strangers, confirmation of Contracts, making up and celebrating of Marriages, setting out of Feasts, welcomming the Guests; and moreover, in funerall rites, and burying of the dead. The only plagues of London are immoderate drinking of idle fellowes, and often fires. Moreover, almost all Bishops, Abbots, and Noble men of England, are as it were, Citizens and Free-men of London; there they have faire dwellings, and thither they doe often resort, and are called into the City to Consultations and solemne meetings, either by the King, or their Metropolitane, or drawne by the peoples affaires.

Of Exercise and Pastimes.

LEt us also come at last to their Sports and Exercises; for it is expedient that a City bee not onely commodious for gaine, and serious, but also pleasant and delightfull. Therefore to the time of Pope Leo, the Popes gave in their Seales, on one side of their Bull, Saint Peter like a Fisherman, and over him a Key reached forth to him as it were from Heaven by the hand of God, and this verse about it: For me thy Ship thou didst forsake, Therefore the Key of Heaven take.

On the other part was stamped a City with this Inscription, Golden Rome. Also this was written to the praise of Caesar

Augustus, and Rome: All night the Sky distils downe watry showeres, The morning cleeres againe to shew the play. Great Iove and Caesar have their severall houres, And in this Vniverse by turnes beare sway.

London, in stead of common Enterludes belonging to the Theatre, hath plaies of a more holy subject, representations of those miracles which the holy Confessors wrought, or of the sufferings wherein the glorious constancy of Martyrs did appeare. Besides that, wee may beginne with the Schooles of youth, seeing once wee were all children; Yeerely at Shrovetide the Boyes of every Schoole bring fighting Cocks to their Masters, and all the forenoone is spent at Schoole, to see these Cockes fight together. After dinner, all the youth of the City goeth to play at the Ball in the fields, the Schollers of every Schoole have their Balls. The teachers also that traine up others in seats and exercises, have every one their Ball in their hands. The ancient and wealthy Citizens come on horsebacke to see these yongsters contending at their sport, with whom in a manner they participate by motion, stirring their owne naturall heat in the view of youth, with whose mirth and liberty they seeme to communicate. Every Sunday in Lent, after dinner, a company of young men ride out into the fields on horses which are fit for warre, and principall runners: every horse among them is taught to run his rounds. The Citizens sonnes issue out thorow the gates by troupes, furnished with Lances and warlike Shields: the yonger sort have their Pikes not headed with yron, where they make a representation of battell: There resort to this exercise many Courtiers, when the King lies neere-hand, and young striplings out of the families of Barons and great persons, which have not yet attained to the warlike Girdle, doe traine and skirmish. Hope of victory inflames every one: the neighing and fierce horses bestir their joynts, and chew their bridles, and cannot indure to stand still; at last they beginne their race, and then the yong men divide their troupes; some labour to outstrip their leaders, and cannot reach them; others fling downe their fellowes, and get beyond them. In Easter Holy-dayes they counterfeit a Sea-sight: a Pole is set up in the middle of the River, with a Target well fastened thereon, and a yong man stands in a Boat which is rowed with Oares, and driven on with the tide, who with his Speare hits the Target in his passage; with which blow, if he breake the Speare, and stand vpright, so that hee hold footing, hee hath his desire: but if his Speare continue unbroken by the blow, hee is tumbled into the water, and his Boat passeth cleere away: but on either side this Target, two Ships stand in Ward, with many yong men ready to tak him up after he is sunke: assoone as he appeareth againe on the top of the water; the spectators stand upon the Bridge, and other convenient places about the River to behold these things, being prepared for laughter. Vpon the Holy-dayes, the youth is exercised all Summer, in Leaping, Shooting, Wrestling, casting of Stones, and throwing of Javelins fitted with loopes for the purpose, which they strive to fling beyond the marke; they also use Bucklers, like fighting men. As for the Maidens, they have their exercise of Dancing. In Winter, almost every Holy-day before dinner, the foaming Bores fight for their heads, and prepare with deadly Tushes to bee made Bacon; or else some lusty Bulls, or huge Beares, are baited with Dogs. When that great Moorish Lake at the North part of the City wall is frozen over, great companies of young men goe to sport upon th yee, then fetching a runne, and setting their feet at a distance, and placing their bodies sidewise, they slide a great way. Others take heapes of yee, as if it were great Mil-stones, and make seats: many going before, draw him that sits thereon, holding one another by the hand; in going so fast, sometime they all fall downe together: some are better practised to the yee, and binde to their shooes, Bones, as the legs of some beasts, and hold Stakes in their hands, headed with sharpe yron, which sometimes they strike against the yee; and these men goe on with such speed, as doth a Bird in the Aire, or Darts shot from some warlike Engine: sometime two men set themselves at a distance, and runne one against another, as it were at tilt, with these Stakes, wherewith one or both parties are throwne downe, not without some hurt to their bodies; and after their fall, by reason of the violent motion, are carried a good distance one from another: and wheresoever the yee doth touch their head, it rubs off the skin and bruiseth it: and if one fall upon his leg or his arme, it is usually broken: But young men being greedy of honour, and desirous of victory, doe thus exercise them in counterfeit battels, that they may beare the brunt more strongly, when they come to it in good earnest. Many Citizens take delight in Birds, as Spar-hawkes, Gosse-hawkes, and such like, and in Dogs to hunt in the wooddy ground. The Citizens have authority to hunt in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, all the Chilterns, and in Kent, as farre as Gray-water. The Londoners, once called Trinovants, repulsed C. Iulius Caesar, who commonly paved his way with blood: whereupon Lucan;

He was afraid, and foil’d by Britons hand, That first presumed to invade their land.

The City of London can bring out some who subdued many Kingdomes, and the Empire of Rome, and many others who (being great Lords heires) were deified in another world: as Apolloes Oracle did promise Brute:

Brute, thou shalt finde an Iland in the West, Beyond the Gaules, environ’d with the maine; Direct thy journey thither for thy rest, And there a second Troy shall rise againe. Kings from thy Hieres, and Conquerours shall spring. Who will the world into subjection bring.

In the times of Christianity, it brought forth the Noble Emperour Constantine, who gave the City of Rome, and all the Imperiall Armes to God, and to Saint Peter, and Silvester the Pope, whose Stirrop hee refused not to hold, and pleased rather to be called, Defendour of the holy Romane Church, than Emperour any more. And lest the peace of our Lord the Pope should suffer any disturbance, by the noise of secular affaires, he left the City, and bestowed it on the Pope, and founded the City of Constantinople for his owne habitation. London also in these latter times hath brought forth famous and magnificent Governours; Maud the Empresse, Henry the third, King, and Thomas the Archbishop, a glorious Martyr of Christ, then whom no man was more innocent, or more devoted to the generall good of the Latine world.