LEt vs now ſaith (Fitz Stephen) come to the ſportes and paſtimes,Of ſports and paſtimes in this Citie euerie thing hath his time, a time to weepe a time to laugh, a time to mourne, & a time to daunce. Eccleſ. 3. ſéeing it is fitte that a cittie ſhould not onely be commodious and ſerious, but alſo merrie and ſportfull: whereupon in the ſeales of the Popes, vntil the time of Pope Leo,There is not enough information here to determine which Pope Leo Stow refers to. on the one ſide was Saint Peter fiſhing with a keye ouer him, reached as it were by the hande of God out of heauen, and about it this verſe. Tu pro me nauem liquiſti, ſuſcipe clauem. And on the other ſide was a cittie, and this inſcription on it, Aurea Roma. Likewiſe to the prayſe of Auguſtus Ceſar, and the ci F2 tie 68 Sportes and paſtimes.tie, in reſpect of the ſhewes and ſportes was written,

All night it raynes, and ſhowes at morrowtide returne again. And Ceſar with almigtie Ioue hath matcht any equall raigne. But London for the ſhews vpon Theaters, & Comical paſtimes, hath holy playes repreſentations of miracles,Stage playes. which holy confeſſors haue wrought, or repreſentations of tormentes wherein the conſtancie of Martirs appeared. Euery yeare alſo at Shrouetuſeday (that we may beginne with childrens ſports, ſéeing we al haue béene Cock fighting.children) the ſchoole boyes do bring cockes of the game to their Mayſter, and all the forenoone they delight themſelues in cockfighting: after dinner all the youthes goe into the fieldes, to play at the ball. The ſchollers of euery ſchoole haue their ball (or baſtion) in theirBall play. hands: the auncient and wealthy men of the Citie come forth on horſebacke to ſée the ſport of the young men, and to take parte of the pleaſure in beholding their agilitie. Euery Fryday in Lent a freſh company of young men comes into the fielde on horſebacke, and the beſt horſemen conducteth the reſt.Exerciſe of war like feates on horſebacke with diſarmed launces. Then march forth the citizens ſonnes, and other young men with diſarmed launces and ſhieldes, and there they practiſe feates of warre. Many Courtiers likewiſe when the king lyeth néere, and attendants of noble men do repayre to theſe exerciſes, and while the hope of victorie doth inflame their mindes, do ſhew good proofe how ſeruiceable theyBattailes on water. would bee in martiall affayres. In Eaſter holidaies they fight battailes on the water, a ſhield is hanged vpon a pole, fixed in the midſt of the ſtreame, a boat is prepared without oares to be carryed by violence of the water, and in the fore part thereof ſtandeth a young man, readie to giue charge vpon the ſhield with his launce: if ſo be he breaketh his launce againſt the ſhield, and doth not fall, he is thought to haue performed a worthy déede. If ſo be (without breaking his launce, hee runneth ſtrongly againſt the ſhield, downe hee falleth into the water, for the boate is violently forced with the tide, but on each ſide of the ſhielde ride two boates furniſhed with young men, which recouer him that falleth as ſoone as they may, Upon the bridge, wharfes, and houſes, by theLeaping, dancing, ſhooting wreſtling, riuers ſide, ſtand great numbers to ſée, and laugh thereat. In the holy dayes all ſommer the youths are exerciſed in leaping, dancing, ſhooting, wraſtling, caſting the ſtone, and practizing their ſhields Sportes and paſtimes. 69 ſhieldes: the maydens trippe it with their Timbrelles,Dauncing. and daunce as long as they can well ſée. In winter euery holy Fighting of Boars, bayting of Beares and Bulles.day before dinner, the Boares prepared for brawne are ſet to fight, or els Bulles and Beares are bayted.

When the great fenne or Moore (which watereth The More field when there was no ditch by the wall of the Citie ſlyding on the yce.the walles of the citie on the North ſide) is frozen, many young men play vpon the yce, ſome ſtryding as wide as they may, doe ſlide ſwiftly: others make themſelues ſeates of ice, as great as milſtones: one ſits downe, many hand in hand do drawe him, and one ſlipping on a ſudden, all fall together: ſome tye bones to their féete, and vnder their heeles, and ſhouing themſelues by a little picked ſtaffe, doe ſlide as ſwiftly as a birde flyeth in the aire, or an arrow out of a croſſebow. Sometime two runne together with poles, and hitting one the other, eyther one or both doe fall, not without hurt: ſome break their armes, ſome their legs, but youth deſirous of glorie, in this ſort exerciſeth it ſelfe againſt the time of warre: Many of the citizens do delight themſelues in Haukes, and houndes,Hauking and hunting. for they haue libertie of hunting in Middleſex, Hartfordſhire, all Chiltron, and in Kent to the water of Cray. Thus farre FitzStephen of ſports.

Theſe, or the like exerciſes haue béene continued till our time, namely in ſtage playes,A Stage play continued. whereof ye may reade in Anno 1391. a play to be plaide by the pariſh Clearkes of London at the Skinners well beſides Smithfield: which play continued thrée dayes together,A ſtage play that laſted eight daies. the King, Quéene, and Nobles of the realme being preſent. And of another, plaide in the yeare 1409. which laſted eight daies, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde, whereat was preſent moſt part of the nobilitie, and gentrie of England &c. Of late time in place of thoſe Stage playes, hath béene vſed Comedies, Tragedies, enterludes, and hiſtories, both true and fayned: For the acting whereof certaine publike places, as the Theater, the Curtine,Theater and Curtine for Comedies & other ſhewes. Cocke fight. &c. haue béene erected. Alſo cockes of the game are yet cheriſhed by diuers men for their pleaſures, much money being laid on their heades, when they fight in pits, whereof ſome be coſtly made for that purpoſe. The Ball is vſed by noble men and gentlemen in Tennis courtes,The ball at Tennis play and by people of meaner ſort in the open fieldes, and ſtréetes. The youthes of this ci F3 tie 70 Sports and paſtimes.tie time out of mind, haue left off to practiſe the diſarmed launce, & ſhielde on horſebacke in the fieldes, but I haue ſéene ſome few vpon the Riuer of Thames rowed in boates, with ſtaues flat at the fore-end, running one againſt another, and for the moſt part eyther one, or both ouerthrowne and well ducked. On the holydaies in ſommer the youthes of this Citie, haue in the fields exerciſed themſelues in leaping, dauncing, ſhooting, wraſtling,Leaping, dancing, ſhooting wreſtling, &c. caſting of the ſtone or Ball &c. And for defence and vſe of the weapon, there is a ſpeciall profeſſion of men that teach it. Yee may reade in mine Annalles, how that in the yeare 1222. the citizens kept games of defence, and wreſtlings néere vnto the Hoſpitall of Saint Giles in the fielde, where they challenged, and had the maſterie of the men in the ſuburbes,Games of defence. and other commers &c. Alſo in the yeare 1453. of a tumult made againſt the Mayor, at the wreſtling beſides Clarkes well &c. which is ſufficient to proue that of olde time the exerciſing of wreſtling, and ſuch like hath béene much more vſed then of latter yeares. The youthes of this citie, alſo haue Playing at the Bucklers.vſed on holy dayes after euening prayer, at their mayſters dores, to exerciſe their waſters and bucklers: and the maidens (one of them playing on a Timbrel) in ſight of their maiſters Dauncing for garlandes in the ſtreets. and Dames to daunce for garlandes hanged thwart the ſtreetes, which open paſtimes in my youth, being now ſuppreſſed: worſer practizes within dores are to be feared: as for the bayting of Buls and Beares, they are till this day much frequented. Slyding vpon the Ice is now but childrens play: but in hauking and hunting many graue citizens, at this preſent haue great delight, and do rather want leaſure then good will to follow it. Of triumphant ſhewes made by the citizens of London, ye may reade in the year 1236. the 20. of Henry the third, Andrew Bockwell then being Mayor, Mathew Paris. Shewes for triumphes. howe Helianor daughter to Reymonde earle of Prouance, riding through the citie towards Weſtminſter, there to be crowned Quéene of England, the citie was adorned with ſilkes, & in the night with lampes, creſſets, and other lights, without number, beſidesThe citizens roade. many Pageantes, and ſtrange deuiſes there preſented, the citizens alſo rode to meet the King & Queene cloathed in long garments embroderedImbrodered garments about with gold, and ſilks of diuers colors, their horſes gallantly trapped to the number of 360. euery man bearing Sportes and paſtimes. 71 bearing a cuppe of gold or ſiluer in his hand, and the kings trumpetters ſounding before them: Theſe citizens did miniſter wine, as Bottelers, which is their ſeruice at the coronation. More in the yeare 1298. for victorie obtained by Edward the firſt againſt the Scottes, euery citizen according to their ſeuerall trade, made their ſeuerall ſhew, but ſpecially the Fiſhmongers,Fiſhmongers proceſſion, for triumph of victorie, againſt the Scots, more then a thouſand horſmen. which in a ſolempne proceſſion, paſſed through the citie, hauing amongſt other Pageants and ſhewes, foure Sturgeons guilt, carried on foure horſes: then foure Salmons of ſiluer on foure horſes, & after them ſixe and fortie armed Knightes riding on horſes, made like luces of the ſea, and then one repreſenting S. Magnus (becauſe it was on S. Magnus day) with a thouſand horſemen &c. Of one other ſhew ye may reade in the yeare 1377.A ſhew by torch ſight, being a MommeriUnclear; context obvious.e, of more then 100. horſes. made by the citizens for diſport of the yong prince Richard, ſon to the blacke prince, and thus it followeth. On the ſunday before candlemas in the night, 130. citizens diſguiſed, and wel horſed in a mummerie with ſound of trumpets, ſhackbuts, cornets, Shalmes, and other minſtrels, and innumerable torch lights of Waxe, rode from Newgate through Cheape ouer the bridge, through Southwarke, and ſo to Kennington beſides Lambhith, where the young Prince remayned with his mother, and the Duke of Lancaſter,I.e., John of Gaunt. his vncle, the earles of Cambrldge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with diuers other Lordes. In the firſt ranke did ride 48. in the likenes and habite of Eſquires, two and two together cloathed in redde coates and gownes of Say, or ſandall, with comely viſors on their faces: after them came riding 48. knights in the ſame liuerie, of colour and ſtuffe: Then followed one richly arrayed like an Emperor, and after him ſome diſtance, one ſtately tyred like a Pope, whome followed 24. Cardinals, and after them eyght or tenne with black viſors not amiable, as if they had béen Legates from ſome forrain Princes. Theſe maſkers, after they had entred the Mannor of Kenington, alighted from their horſes and entred the hall on foot: which done, the Prince, his mother, and the Lordes came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the ſaide mummers did ſalute, ſhewing by a paire of dice vpon the table their deſire to play with the Prince, which they ſo handled, that the Prince did alwayes win when he caſt them. Then the mummers ſet to the prince thrée F4 Iewels, 72 Sportes and paſtimes. Iewelles,The prince did winne three Iewels of the Maskers. one after another, which were a boule of gold, a cuppe of gold, and a ring of gold, which the Prince wanne at thrée caſts. Then they ſet to the Princes mother, the Duke, the Earles, and other Lords, to euery one a ring of gold, which they alſo did win: After which they were feaſted, and the muſick ſounded, the prince and Lords daunced on the one part with the mummers, which did alſo daunce, which iolitie being ended, they were againe made to drinke, and then departed in order as they came.

Thus much for ſportfull ſhewes in triumphes may ſuffice: of other ſhews for ſports and paſtimes yearly vſed, firſt at Chriſtmaſſe, there was in the Kinges houſe whereſoeuer hee was lodged, a Lorde of miſrule,L. of miſrule at Chriſtmas. or mayſter of merie diſporters, and the like had ye in the houſe of euery noble man, of honor, or good worſhippe, were he ſpirituall, or temporall. Amongſt the which the Maior of London, and either of the ſhiriffes had their ſeuerall Lordes of Miſrule, euer contending without quarrell or offence, who ſhould make the rareſt paſtimes to delight the beholders. Theſe Lordes beginning their rule on Alhollon Eue, continued the ſame till the morrow after the Feaſt of the Purification, commonly called Candlemas day: In all which ſpace there were fine and ſubtile diſguiſinges, Maskes, and Mummeries, with playing at Cardes, for Counters, Nayles, and pointes, more for paſtimes then for gaine. In the weeke before Eaſter had yee great ſhewes made for the fetching in of a twiſted Tree,Twiſted trees fetUnclear. from the woodes. or With, as they termed it, out of the woodes into the kinges houſe, and the like into euery mans houſe of honor or worſhip. In the moneth of May,May games. namely on May day in the morning, euery man (except impediment) would walke into the ſweet meadowes and greene woods, there to reioyce their ſpirites with the beuty and ſauour of ſweete flowers, and with the noyce of birdes, praiſing God in their kinde and for more notable example hereof Edwarde Hall, Edward Hall. hath noted, that K. Henry the eight in the ſeuenth of his raigne on May day in the Morning with Queene Katheren his wife, accompanied with manie Lordes and Ladies, rode a Maying from Greenewitch to the high ground of Shooters hill, where (as they paſſed by the way) they eſpied a companie of tall yeomen clothed all in Greene, with greene whoodes, and with bowes and arrowes to the number Sportes and Paſtimes. 73 ber of 200. One being their Chieftain was called Robin Hoode, who required the king and his company, to ſtay & ſee his men ſhoot whereunto the king granting, Robin Hoode Robin Hoode and his men ſhot before the king. whiſtled, and al the 200. Archers ſhot of, looſing all at once, and when he whiſtled againe they likewiſe ſhot againe, their arrowes whiſtled by craft of the heade, ſo that the noiſe was ſtrange and lowde, which greatly delighted the king and Queene and their Companie. Moreouer this Robin Hoode deſired the King and Queene with their retinue to enter the greene wood, where, in harbors made of boughes and decked with flowers, they were ſet and ſerued plentifully with veniſon and wine, by Robin Hoode and his meynie, to their greate contentment, and had other Pageantes and Paſtimes as yee may reade in my ſaide Author. I find alſo that in the moneth of May, the Citizens of London, of all eſtates, lightlie in euery pariſh, or ſometimes two or three pariſhes ioyning together, had their ſeuerall mayinges, and did fetch in Maypoles, with diuers warlike ſhewes, with good Archers, Morrice dauncers, and other deuiſes for paſtime all the day long, and towardes the euening they had ſtage playes and bonefires in the ſtreetes, of theſe Mayinges, wee read in the raigne of Henry the 6. that the Aldermen and Shiriffs of London being on May day at the BiſhopBiſhops wood Biſhops hall by Blethenhall greene. of Londons wood in the pariſh of Stebunheath, and hauing there a worſhipful dinner for themſelues and other commers, Lydgate, the Poet that was a Monke of Bray, ſent to them by a Purſiuant a ioyfull cōmendation of that ſeaſon contayning 16. ſtaues in meter Royall, beginning thus.