THis Citie (saith Fitzstephen) is glorious in Manhood: furnished with munitions, populous with inhabitants; insomuch that in the troublesome time of King Stephen, it hath shewed at a Muster 20000. armed Horsemen, and threescore thousand Foot-men, serviceable for the Warres. Moreover (saith he) the Citizens of London, wheresoever they become, are notable before all other Citizens, in civility of manners, attire, table, and talke.The modest Matrons that have bin, & ought to be. The Matrons of this Citie, are the very modest Sabine Ladies of Italie. The Londoners, sometime called Trinobants, repelled Caesar, who alwaies made his passage by shedding blood: whereupon Lucan sung: Territa quaesitis ostēdit terga Britannis.

The Citie of London hath bred some,Worthinesse of men, Citizens of London. which have subdued many Kingdomes, and also the Romane Empire. It hath also brought forth manyothers, whom Vertue and Valour hath highly advanced, according to Apollo in his Oracle to Brute, Sub occasu Solis, &c. In the time of Christianity, it brought forth that Noble Emperour Constantine, Constatine the Emperour borne in London. which gave the Citie of Rome, and all the Imperiall signes, to God, Saint Peter, and Pope Silvester, chusing rather to be called a Defender of the Church, than an Emperour. And lest peace might be violated, and their eyes troubled by his presence, he retired from Rome, and built the Citie of Constantinople. London also in late time hath brought forth famous Kings: Maude the Empresse, King Henrie, sonne to Henry the second, and Thomas the Archbishop, &c.

This Thomas, surnamed Becket, borne in London, A Sheriffs Clerke of London became chancelor of England, and Archbishop of Canturbury. brought up in the Priory of Marton, and a Student at Paris, became the Sheriffes Clerke of London for a time, then Parson of S. Mary-hill, he had a Prebend at London, another at Lincolne, studied the Law at Bononie, &c. was made Chancellour of England, and Archbishop of Canturbury, &c. Vnto these might be added innumerable persons of honour,Honorable actions done by the worthy citizens of London. wisedome and vertue, borne in London: but of actions done by worthy Citizens, I will onely note a few, and so to other matters.

The Citizens of London, Hospitall of S. James in the fields. time out of minde, founded an Hospitall at Saint Iames in the fields, for leprous women of their Citie.

In the yeere 1197. Walter Brune, VValter Brune. a Citizen of London, and Rosia his wife, founded the Hospitall of our Lady, called Domus Dei, or S. Mary Spittle, without Bishopsgate in London, an house of such reliefe to the needy, that there was found standing at the surrender thereof, ninescore beds, well furnished for receipt of poore people.

In the yeere 1216. the Londoners sending out a Navie, tooke 95. ships of Pirates and Sea-robbers, besides innumerable others that they drowned, which had robbed on the River of Thames.

In the yeere 1247.Simon Fitzmary. Simon Fitzmary, one of the Sheriffes of London, founded the Hospitall of S. Mary, called Bethlem, without Bishopsgate.

In the yeere 1283. Henry Wallis, Henry VVallis, then Maior, builded the Tunne upon Cornehill, to bee a Prison for night-walkers, and a Market-house called the Stocks, both for fish and flesh, standing in the middest of the Citie. Hee also builded divers Houses on the West and North side of Pauls Church-yard, the profits of all which buildings are to the maintenance of London Bridge.

In the yeere 1332. William Elsing, VVilliam Elsing, Mercer of London, founded Elsing Spittle, within Creplegate, for fustentation of an hundred poore blinde men, and became himselfe the first Prior of that Hospitall.

Sir Iohn Poultney, Draper, Sir Iohn Poultney. 4. times Maior, 1337. builded a faire Chappell in Pauls Church, wherein he was buried. He founded a Colledge in the Parish Church of S. Laurence, called Poultney. Hee builded the Church called little Alhallowes, in Thames streete: and Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. and the Carmelite Friers Church in Coventry: he gave reliefe to prisoners in Newgate and the Fleet, and ten shillings the yeere to Saint Giles Hospitall by Oldborne for ever, and other legacies long to rehearse.

Iohn Stody Vintner, Iohn Stody. Maior, 1358. gave to the Vintners all the Quadrant, wherein the Vintners Hall now standeth, with all the tenuments round about, from Stodies Lane, where is founded thirteene Almes-houses, for so many poore people, &c.

Henry Picard, Henry Picard. Vintner, Maior, 1357. In the yeere 1363. did in one day ſumptuously feast Edward the third, King of England; Iohn, King of France; David, King of Scots; the King of Cipres, then all in England; Edward, Paince of Wales, with many other Noblemen, and after kept his Hall for all commers, that were willing to play at dice and hazard; the Lady Margaret his wife kept her chamber to the same effect, &c.

Iohn Lofken Fishmonger,Iob. Lofken. foure times Maior, 1367. builded an Hospitall called Magdalens, at Kingstone upon Thames, gave thereunto 9. tenements, 10. shops, one Mill, 125 acres of Land, 10 acres of meddow, 120. acres of pasture, &c. More, in Lond. he builded the faire parish Church of Saint Michael in crooked Lane, and was there buried.

Iohn Barnes, Joh. Barnes. Maior, 1371. gave a Chest with three locks, & 1000. marks therein, to be lent to yong men upon sufficient pawne, and for the use thereof, to say De profundis, or Pater noster, and no more: he also was a great builder of S. Thomas Apostles Parish Church, as appeareth by his Armes there both in stone and glasse.

In the yeere 1378. Iohn Filpot, Ioh. Filpot. sometime Maior, hired with his mony 1000. Souldiers, and defended the Realme from incursions of the enemy; so that in small time his hired men tooke Iohn Mercer, a Sea-rover, with all his ships, which he before had taken from Scarborrow, and fifteene Spanish ships, laden with great riches.

In the yeere 1380. Thomas of Woodstocke, Thomas Percy, Hugh Calverley, Robert Knowles, & others, being sent with a great power to ayde the Duke of Britaine, the said Iohn Filpot hired Ships for them of his owne charges, and released the Armour, which the Souldiers had pawned for their victuals, more than a thousand in number.

This most Noble Citizen, (saith Thomas Walsingham) that had travelled for the commodity of the whole Realme, more than all other of his time, had often relieved the King, by lending him great summes of money, and otherwise. He deceased in the yeere 1384. after that he had assured lands to the Citie, for the reliefe of thirteene poore people for ever.

In the yeere 1381. William Walworth, William Walworths valiancy. then Maior, a most provident, valiant, and learned Citizen, did by his arrest of Wat Tylar, (a presumptuous Rebell, upon whom no man durst lay hands) deliver the King and Kingdome from the danger of most wicked Traitors, and was for his service knighted in the field, as before hath beene related.

Nicholas Brembar, Iohn Filpot, Robert Laund, Nicholas Twiford, and Adam Francis, Aldermen, were then for their service likewise Knighted, and Sir Robert Knowles, for assisting of the Maior was made free of the City.

Sir Robert Knowles, Ro. Knowles. thus worthily enfranchised a Citizen, founded a Colledge with an Hospitall at Pountfract: he also builded the great stone bridge at Rochester, over the River of Medway.

Iohn Churchman Grocer,Iohn Churchman. one of the Sheriffes, 1386. for the quiet of Merchants, builded a certaine house upon Wooll wharse, in Tower ward to serve for Ternage, or weighing of wools, and for the Customer, Comptrollers, Clerkes, and other Officers to sit, &c.

Adam Bamme, Adam Bamme. Goldsmith, Maior, 1091, in a great dearth, procured corne from divers parts beyond the Seas, to be brought hither in such abundance, as sufficed to serve the Citie, and the Countries neere adjoyning: to the furtherance of which good worke, he took out of the Orphants Chest in the Guildhall, 2000. Marks to buy the said corne, and each Alderman laid out 20. pound to the like purpose.

Tho. Knowles, Thomas Knowles. Grocer, Maior, 1400. with his brethren the Aldermen, began to new build the Guild-hall in London, and in stead of an old little Cottage in Alderman-bury street, made a faire I2and Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. and goodly house, more neere unto S. Laurence Church in the Jurie. Hee reedified S. Anthonies Church, and gave to the Grocers his house neere unto the same, for reliefe of the poore for ever. More, he caused water to be conveied to the gates of Newgate and Ludgate, for reliefe of the prisoners there.

Iohn Hinde, Iohn Hinde. Draper, Maior 1405. newly builded his parish Church of Saint Swithen by London stone, his monument is defaced, save onely his Armes in the glasse windows.

Thomas Falconer Mercer,Thomas Falconer. Maior, 1414 lent to King Henry the 5. towards maintenance of his warres in France, 10000. markes upon Iewels: more, hee made the posterne called Mooregate, caused the ditches of the Citie to be cleansed, and did many other things for good of the same Citie.

William Sevenock Grocer,VVilliam Sevenock. Maior 1419. founded in the Towne of Sevenock in Kent, a free schoole for poore mens children, and 13. Almes-houses: his Testament saith 20. poore men and women.

Richard Whittington Mercer,Richard VVhittington. 3. times Maior, in the yeere 1421. began the Library of Gray Friers in London, to the charge of foure hundred l. his executors (with his goods) founded and builded Whittington Colledge, with Almeshouses for 13. poore men, and Divinity Lectures to be read there for ever. They repaired Saint Bartholomews Hospitall in Smithfield, they bare some charges to the glazing and paving of the Guildhall, they bare halfe the charges of building the Library there, and they builded the west gate of London, of old time called Newgate, &c.

Iohn Carpenter, Iohn Carpenter. Towne-Clerke of London, in the reigne of Henry the fifth, caused (with great expences) to be curiously painted upon boord, about the North Cloister of Pauls, a monument of death, leading all estates, with the speeches of death,Dance of death, called the dance of Pauls. and answer of every state. This Cloyster was pulled downe 1549. He also gave Tenements to the Citie, for the finding and bringing up of foure poore mens children, with meat, drinke, apparell, learning at the Schooles in the Vniversity, &c. untill they might be preferred, and then other in their places for ever.

Robert Chichley, Ro. Chichley. Grocer, Maior, 1422. appointed by his Testament, that on his birth-day, a competent dinner should be ordained for two thousand foure hundred poore men, housholders of this Citie, and every one to have two pence in money. More, he gave one large plot of ground, thereupon to build the new parish Church of S. Stephen neere unto Walbrooke, &c.

Iohn Rainwell Fishmonger,Ioh. Rainwell. Maior, 1427. gave Tenements to discharge certaine Wards of London of Fifteenes, and other payments.

Iohn Welles Grocer,Ioh. VVels. Maior, 1433. a great builder of the Chappell or Colledge of the Guild-hall, and was there buried: he caused fresh water to be conveyed from Teyborne, to the Standard in West Cheap, for the service of the Citie.

William Eastfield Mercer,VVilliam Eastfield. 1438. appointed his executors, of his goods, to convey sweet water from Teyborne, and to build a faire Conduit by Aldermanbery Church, which they performed, as also made a Standard in Fleetstreet, by Shew-lane end: they also conveyed water to Creplegate, &c.

Stephen Browne Grocer,Stephen Browne. Maior 1439. sent into Prusia, causing corne to bee brought from thence, whereby hee brought downe the price of Wheat, from three shillings the bushell, to lesse than halfe that money: for corne was then so scarce in England, that poore people were enforced to make them bread of Fearne roots.

Philip Malpas, Philip Malpas. one of the Sheriffes, 1440. gave by his Testament 125. l. to reliefe of poore prisoners, and every yeere for five yeeres, 400. shirts and smocks, 40. paire of sheets, and 150. gownes of Freeze to the poore. To 500 poore people in London, every one six shillings eight pence: to poore maids marriages, 100. markes: to high-waies, an hundred markes: twenty markes the yeere to a Graduate to preach, twentie pounds unto Preachers at the Spittle on the three Easter holy-daies, &c.

Robert Large Mercer,Robert Large. Maior 1440. gave to his parish Church of S. Olive in Surrey 200. l. to S. Margarets in Lothbery 25. l. to the poore twenty pounds: to London bridge one hundred markes. Towards Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. Towards the vaulting over the watercourse of Walbroke two hundred marks. To poore Maids marriages, one hundred markes: to poore House-holders, one hundred pounds, &c.

Richard Rich Mercer,Richard Rich. one of the Sheriffes, 1442. founded Almes houses at Hodsdon in Hertfordshire.

Simon Eyre Draper,Simon Eyre. Mayor, 1346. builded the Leaden-hall, for a common Garner of corne, to the use of this City, and left five thousand markes to charitable uses.

Godfrey Bullein, Godfrey Bullein. Maior of London, 1458. by his Testament gave liberally to the prisons, hospitals, and Lazer-houses; besides a thousand pound to poore house-holders in London, and 200. l. to poore householders in Norfolke.

Richard Rawson, Richard Rawson. one of the Sheriffes, 1477. gave by Testament large Legacies to the Prisoners, Hospitals and Lazer-houses. To other poore, to high wayes, to the water-conduits, besides to poore Maids marriages, 340. pounds, and his executors to build a large house in the Churchyard of S. Mary Spittle, wherein the Maior and his brethren do use to sit, and heare the Sermons in the Easter holy-dayes.

Thomas Ilam, Tho. Ilam. one of the Sheriffes, 1480. newly builded the great Conduit in Cheape, of his owne charges.

Edward Shaw Goldsmith,Edw. Shaw. Maior 1483 caused Creplegate of London to bee builded of his owne goods, &c.

Thomas Hill Grocer,Tho. Hill. Maior, 1485. caused of his goods, the Conduit of Grasse-street to be builded.

Hugh Clopton Mercer,Hugh Clopton. during his life a batchelour, Maior 1492. builded the great stone arched Bridge at Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire, and did many other things of great charity, as in my Summary.

Robert Fabian, Robert Fabian. one of the Sheriffes, 1494. gathered out of divers good Authors, aswell Latine as French, a large Chronicle of England and of France, which he published in English, to his great charges, for the honor of this Citie, and common utility of the whole Realme.

Sir Iohn Percivall Merchant-Taylor,Iohn Percivall. Maior, 1498. founded a Grammarschoole at Macklefield in Cheshire, where he was borne, hee endowed the same schoole with sufficient Lands, for the finding of a Priest, master there, to teach freely all children thither sent, without exception.

The Lady Thomasine his wife,Rich. Carew. founded the like Freeschoole, together with faire lodgings for the Schoolemasters, Scholars, and other, and added twenty pound of yeerely revennue for supporting the charges, at Saint Mary Wike in Devonshire, where she was borne.

Stephen Gennings, Stephen Gennings. Merchant-Taylor, Maior 1509. founded a faire Grammarschoole at Vlfrimhampton in Staffordshire, left good lands, and also builded a great part of his Parish Church, called Saint Andrewes Vndershaft in London.

Henry Keble Grocer,Hen. Keble. Maior 1511. in his life a great benefactor to the new building of old Mary Church, and by his Testament gave a thousand pounds toward the finishing thereof. He gave to highwaies two hundred pound; to poor Maids marriages, one hundred markes. To poore husbandmen in Oxford and Warwickshires, one hundred and forty Ploughshares, and one hundred and forty Cultars of iron, and in London to seven Almes-men, six pence the week for ever.

Iohn Collet, Ioh. Collet. a Citizen of London by birth, and by dignity Deane of Pauls, Doctor of Divinity, etected and builded one Free-schoole in Pauls Churchyard, 1512. for 3. hundred fifty three poore mens children, to be taught free in the same schoole, appointing a Master, a submaster and a Chaplaine, with sufficient stipends to endure for ever, and committed the oversight thereof to the Mercers in London, because himselfe was sonne to Henry Collet, Mercer, Maior of London, and endowed the Mercers with Lands, to the yeerely value of 120. pound, or better.

Sir William Fitzwilliam the elder,William Fitzwilliam being a Merchant-taylor, and servant somtime to Cardinall Wolsey, was chosen Alderman of Breadstreet Ward in London, in Anno 1506. Going afterward to dwell at Milton in Northamptonshire, in the fall of the Cardinall his former master, he gave him kinde entertainement there at his house in the Countrey. For which deed being called before the I3King, Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. King, and demanded how he durst entertaine so great an enemy to the State? His answer was, that hee had not contemptuously or wilfully done it; but only because he had beene his Master, and (partly) the meanes of his greatest fortunes. A just and royall disposition in the King. The King was so well pleased with his answer, that saying, himselfe had too few such servants, immediately he knighted him, and afterward made him a Privie Counsellour.

This worthy Knight dying,The liberall and bountifull minde of this Fitz-William. His death. gave an hundred pounds to poore maids marriages. His debts and debtors (over whose names he had written, Amore Dei remitto) he freely forgave. He gave to the Vniversities forty pounds; to the poore, thirty pounds; to mend the high waies betwixt Chigwell and Copersall in Essex, fifty pounds. To mend other high waies, about Thorney and Sawtry Chappell, and the Bridge, fifty pounds more. And to the Merchant-Taylors his Brethren, he gave his best standing Cup, as a friendly remembrance of him for ever.

Iohn Tate, Brewer,Iohn Tate. then a Mercer, Maior, 1514. caused his Brewhouse, called the Swanne, neere adjoyning to the Hospitall of Saint Anthonie in London, to be taken downe, for the inlarging of the said Church, then new builded, being a great part of his charge: This was a goodly foundation, with Almes houses, a Free Schoole, &c.

George Monnox Draper,George Monnox. Maior 1515. re-edified the decayed Parish Church of Waltamstow or Walthamstow in Essex, he founded there a Free Schoole, and Almes-houses for thirteene Almes-people: He made also a cawsey of Timber over the Marshes, from Walthamstow to Locke-Bridge, &c.

Sir Iohn Milborne, Iohn Milborne. Draper, Maior, 1522. builded Almes-houses, foureteen in number, by the crossed Friers Church in London, there to be placed foureteen poore people, and left to the Drapers, certaine Messuages, Tenements, and Garden-plots, in the Parish of Saint Olaves in Hartstreet, for performance of stipends to the said Almes people, and other uses. Looke more in Aldgate Ward, where you shall be further satisfied.

Robert Thorne, Robert Thorne. Merchant-Taylor, deceasing a Batchelour, in the yeere 1532. gave by his Testament to charitable actions, more than foure thousand, foure hundred and forty pounds, and legacies to his poore kindred more, five thousand, one hundred forty two pounds, besides his debts forgiven, &c.

Sir Iohn Allen, Sir Iohn Allen. Mercer, Maior of London, and of counsell to King Henry the 8. deceased 1544. buried at Saint Thomas of Acres, in a faire Chappell by him builded. He gave to the Citie of London a rich collar of gold, to be worne by the Maior, which was first worne by Sir William Laxton. He gave five hundred Markes to be a stocke for Sea-cole, his Lands purchased of the King, the rent thereof to bee distributed to the poore in the Wards of London for ever.

He gave besides to the Prisons, Hospitals, Lazer houses, and all other poore in the Citie, or two miles without, very liberally, and over-long to be recited.

Sir William Laxton, Sir William Laxton. Grocer, Maior, 1545. founded a faire free Schoole at Owndale in Northamptonshire, with six Almes-houses for the poore.

Sir Iohn Gresham, Sir Iohn Gresham. Mercer, Maior 1548 founded a Free schoole at Holt, a Market Towne in Norfolke: He gave to every Ward in London tenne pounds, to be distributed to the poore; and to 120. poore men and women, every one of them three yards of broad cloth, of 8. or 9. shillings the yard, to be made in Gownes ready to their backes. He gave also to Maids marriages, and to the Hospitals in London, aboue 200. pounds in ready money.

Sir Rowland Hill, Sir Rowland Hill. Mercer, Maior, 1550. caused to be made divers cawseyes, both for horse and man: he made foure Bridges, two of stone, containing 18. Arches in them both. He builded one notable Free-schoole at Drayton in Shropshire: he gave to Christs hospitall in London, 500. pounds, &c.

Sir Andrew Iud Skinner, Sir Andrew Iud. Maior 1551. erected one notable Free-scoole at Tunbridge in Kent, and Almes-houses nigh Saint Helens Church in London, and left to the Skinners, Lands to the value of threescore pounds, 3. shillings eight pence the yeere, for the which they bee bound to pay 20. l. to the Schoolmaster, 8. l. to the Vsher yeerely for ever, and Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. and foure shillings the week to the sixe almes people, and twenty five shillings foure pence the yeere in coales, for ever.

Sir Thomas White, The famous memory of Sir Thomas White. Lord Maior of this honourable City in Anno 1554. and a worthy Brother likewise of the Merchant-Taylors Society, being a lover of learning, & an earnest furtherer therof, first purchased the Hall in Oxenford, called Glocester Hall, Glocester Hall in Oxenford. for Schollers and Students, to receive there the benefit of learning. But his private thoughts very often soliciting him, that he should (in time) meet with a place, where two Elmes grew, and that there his further purpose should take effect. At length, he found out the place, where (at his owne cost and expences) hee founded the famous Colledge, called Saint Iohn Baptist Colledge,The building of S. Iohn Baptist Colledge in Oxenford. and where these two Elmes (as I have heard) are yet standing endowing it with such liberall gifts, lands and revenues, as would require too much time, here to be remembred of set downe.

Beside his provision for learning in this worthy place,Other Schooles by him builded & maintained. hee erected other Schooles: as at Bristow, Reading, and a Colledge at Higham Ferries. More, he gave to the City of Bristow, the summe of two thousand pounds to purchase land,His great bounty to the City of Bristow. amounting to the yeerely value of an hundred and twenty pound: The Maior and Citizens paying therefore yeerely an hundred pounds. Eight hundred pounds must bee lent to sixteene poore Clothiers, fifty pounds each man, for the space of ten yeeres, sufficient security being given by them for the same. Afterward that eight hundred pounds, was to passe to other sixteen poore clothiers, according to the discretion of them put in trust.Provision of Corne for the poore. Two hundred pounds beside was reserved, for provision of corne, and needefull occasions for the poore, in the order and care of the Maior, Aldermen and Citizens, &c.

Then according to his will, which remaineth yet to be seen, out of this bountifull gift to Bristow, His order out of his gift to Bristow. these memorable branches, and benevolences, were (by himselfe) devised, and thus ordered, beginning in the yeere 1577. and so thence forward, they went on according to his owne direction. Then on the Feast of Saint Bartholmew was brought to the Merchant-Taylors Hall,An hundred and 4. pounds brought to Merchant Taylors Hall alwaies on Bartholomew day. an hundred and foure pounds, the hundred pound to be lent (for ten yeeres space) to foure poore young men in the City of Yorke, Free-men and Inhabitants being Clothiers: and the foure pound overplus, to bee imployed about the charges and paines, that no man (used in the businesse) might receive discontentment. Then in 1578. the like sum was to bee delivered thence to Canturbury: and so thence forward, the same summes (yeerely) to the Cities and Townes following orderly.

To 1579 Reading.The order of the yeerely lending. 1580 The Merchant-Taylors themselves. 1581 Glocester. 1582 Worcester. 1583 Excester. 1584 Salisbury. 1585 West-Chester. 1586 Norwich. 1587 Southampton. 1588 Lincolne. 1589 Winchester. 1590 Oxenford. 1591 Hereford East. 1592 Cambridge. 1593 Shrewsbury. 1594 Linne. 1595 Bathe. 1596 Derbie. 1597 Ipswich. 1598 Colchester. 1599 New-Castle.

This sum of one hundred and foure pounds,The hundred and foure pounds is yeerely delivered at the Merchant Taylors Hall. passing thus yeerly to the forenamed places, is delivered still at the Merchant-Taylors Hall, and to the good intended uses of the giver; and that there might be no breathing while for so just a Stewards talent, but to have it still kept in continuall employment for the poore: the same order was appointed, to take beginning againe (as before) at the City of Yorke, and so successively (while the world endureth) to the Townes before named,Passing still in order from place to place. in the selfesame course as it had the Originall; with great care and observance in them, to whom it belongeth, that the dead may not be abused, nor poore mens right injured.

But Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. But did he thus shut up his purse, and say to himselfe; I have given sufficient? No,His liberal bounty to the City of Coventry, it being then in great distresse. he did cast his pitying eye next on the City of Coventry, distressed (at that time) in great and grievous manner: What his instant benevolence was, hee tooke it to be but as an houres Sun-shine after a whole day of storme and tempest; although it might yeeld some comfort, were the season never so short. But to establish a certainty, that no dismay or doubt should ever after bee able to remove (even as a worthy Pyramides erected to perpetuity) he gave to the City of Coventry, 1400. pounds, therewith to purchase lands, rising to the annuall value of seventy pounds.Twelve poore aged Inhabitants of Coventry yeerely. Twelve aged poore inhabitants of that City, were to have (in free Almes) 24. pounds, each man 40. shillings yeerly, on the eleventh day of March, or within six dayes after Foure poore young men also were to have 40. pounds lent them in free lone,Foure poore yong men of the same City. ten pound each man, and for nine yeers space, upon sufficent security given. And their turnes being thus served, then foure other poore young men were to have the like summes, and for like limitation, and so from 9. yeeres to nine yeeres for ever.

Afterward, it was ordered (in free lone) to two poore men of the same City, and lastly, to one: in which nature (according to the severall limitations) it doth yet, and doubtlesse shall for ever continue. Also the same summe was appointed to one yong man in Northampton for 9. yeeres in free lone,Northampton. next, to one in the City of Leicester; Leicester. thirdly, to one in Nottingham; Nottingham VVarwicke. fourthly, to one in Warwicke; and for the like time. Then returning againe to Coventry for one yeere, it repasseth to the said Townes againe, each after other in like nature, for ever. And lest his worthy intent should faile in the continuance, he enlarged his first gift to Coventry of 1400. l. to 2000. and 60. pound to be employed as hath been remembred: 40. l. being yeerely paid out of it, to Saint Iohn Baptist Colledge in Oxenford, and allowances also by himselfe given in each place, that bonds should bee made, without any charge to the receiver.

Edward Hall Gentleman,Edward Hall. of Grayes Inne a Citizen by birth and office, as common Serjeant of Lond. & one of the Iudges in the Sheriffes Court, he wrote and published a famous and eloquent Chronicle, intituled, The uniting of the two noble Families, Lancaster and Yorke.

Richard Hils Merchant-Taylor,Richard Hils. 1560. gave 500. pound towards the purchase of an house, called, the Mannor of the Rose, wherein the Merchant-Taylors founded their free Schoole in London: he also gave to the said Merchant-Taylors one plot of ground, withcertainsmal Cottages on the Tower hill, where he builded faire Almes-houses for foureteene sole women.

About the same time,W. Lambert. William Lambert Esquire, free of the worshipfull Company of. Drapers, borne in London, a Iustice of the peace in Kent, founded a Colledge for the poore, which he named of Queene Elizabeth in East Greenwitch.

William Harper. Merchant-Taylor, Sir VVilliam Harper. Maior, 1562. sounded a a free Schoole in the Towne of Bedford where he was borne and also buried.

Sir Thomas Gresham Mercer, Sir Thomas Gresham. 1566. builded the Royall Exchange in London, and by his Testament left his dwelling house in Bishopsgate street, to be a place for readings; allowing large stipends to the Readers, and certaine Almes-houses for the poore.

William Patten Gentleman,VV. Patten. a Citizen by birth, and customer of London outward, Iustice of Peace in Middlesex, the Parish Church of Stokenwenton being ruinous, he repaired or rather new builded.

Sir Thomas Rowe Knight,Sir Thomas Rowe his worthy liberality. Lord Maior of the City of London, in 1568. a worthy brother also of the Merchant-Taylors Company, beside his charitable cost and charges, in building the new Church yard in Bethlem, containing neere one Acre of ground, and inclosed with a wall of bricke, and a Sermon to be preached every Whit-Sunday in the morning, in presence of the Lord Maior and Aldermen; as also giving one hundred pounds, to be lent to eight poore men: gave to the merchant-Taylors, lands, or tenements,Ten poore men to be maintained for ever. out of them to be given 40. pounds yeerely, to maintaine ten poore men for ever, such as were not brethren of his owne society, but chosen out of five Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. five severall Companies,Clothworkers. viz. Clothworkers, Armorers, Carpenters, Tylars, and Plaisterers. Armorers. As considering, that by over toyling labour,Carpēters. dangers,Tylars. fall, bruises and such like inconveniences,Plaisterers they were soonest like to become impotent, and unable to help or maintaine themselves. Therefore, to each of these ten men, he freely gave the summe of foure pounds, quarterly to bee paid them at the Merchant-Taylors Hall, during their lives. And then to succeed to other men in the same Companies, according to due consideration of just cause, and most necessitie.

Ambrose Nicholas Salter,Ambrose Nicholas. Maior 1576. founded 12. Almes-houses in Monkswell street, neere unto Creplegate, wherein he placed 12. poore people, having each of them 7. d. the weeke, and once every yeere, 5. sackes of coles, and one quarter of a hundred Faggots, all of his gift for ever.

William Lambe Esquire, sometime a Gentleman of the Chappell to King Henry the eighth, VVilliam Lambe Citizen and Clothworker of London. and in great favour with him: was also a free Brother of the worshipfull Company of Clothworkers, and a kind loving Citizen to the City of London. Out of his love to Learning and Schollers, in the Town of Sutton Valens in Kent, where hee was borne, at his owne proper cost and charges he erected a free Grammar-Schoole,A free Grammar Schoole at Sutton Valens in Kent. for the education & instruction of youth, in the feare of God, good manners, knowledge, and understanding, allowing yeerely to the Master twenty pounds, and ten pouuds yeerely to the Vsher, from time to time, as either place shall be supplied by succession, and for their yeerely stipends or perpetuall pensions.

In the same Towne of Sutton also,Almes-houses at Sutton for the poore. for the reliefe of poore people, he caused to bee builded sixe Almes-houses, having an Orchard and Gardens, and the sum of ten pounds yeerely payed them.

At Maidstone likewise in Kent, Free Schoole at Maidstone. hee hath given ten pounds yeerely to the free Schoole for ever: with this speciall caution, that needy mens children may bee preferred onely, to the enjoying of this benefit.

The Gentleman foresecing,His reliefe to poore Clothiers in divers places. in his life time, the decay of sundry Trades and Occupations, to the utter undoing of very many, especially poore Clothiers, whose impoverishing deserved greatly to be pittied, freely gave to the poore Clothiers in Suffolke, in Bridgenorth and in Ludlow in Shropshire, 300. pounds to be paid by even portions: to each severall Towne of the said Counties, one hundred pounds apeece, for their supportation and maintenance, at their worke or occupation.

And as his charity extended it selfe thus liberally abroad in the Countrey,His building of the Conduit neere to Oldborn, and the Standard at Oldborn bridge. so did the Citie of London likewise taste thereof not sparingly. For neere unto Holborne hee founded a faire Conduit, and a standard with a Cocke at Holborne bridge, to convey thence the waste. These were begun the six and twentieth day of March, 1577. and the water carried along in pipes of Lead, more than two thousand yards, all at his owne cost and charges, amounting to the summe of fifteene hundred pounds, and the worke fully finished the foure and twen¦tieth of August in the same yeere.

Moreover,Poore women benefited by the Conduit. he gave to poore women, such as were willing to take paines, 120 Pailes, therwith to carry & serve water.

Being a member (as I have already said) of the Cloth-workers Company,His gift to the worshipfull Company of Clothworkers. and to shew that he was not unmindfull of them, hee gave them his dwelling house in London, with other Lands and Tenements to the value of thirty pound yeerely, besides, 4. pounds more also yeerely, by them to be thus bestowed; to wit, for the hyring of a Minister to read divine Service, thrice every weeke, as Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, throughout the yeere, in the Chappell or Church belonging to his house, called by the name of Saint Iames in the Wall,Allowance for foure yeerely Sermons. by Creplegate; and for foure Sermons there to be preached, a competent allowance for each. And also out of the thirty pounds yeerely,Every pooreman and poore woman, a shirt, a smock and a gowne, and a payre of shooes, &c. it is provided, that a deduction be made by the said Clothworkers, for apparelling of twelve men, and as many women, in forme as followeth: To every of the twelve men a Freeze gowne, one Lockeram shirt, and a good strong paire of Winter shooes. To the twelve women likewise, a Freeze gowne, a Lockeram smocke, and a good paire of Winter shooes, all ready made for their wearing. Alwaies remeb Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. remembred, that they be persons both poore and honest, to whom this charitable deed is to be extended; and this is yeerely done on the first of October.

To the Parish Church of Saint Giles without Creplegate, S Giles without Creplegate. hee gave fifteene pound to the Bels and Chime, intending a further liberality thereto, if they had taken due time.

To the worshipfull Company of the Stationers he gave a legacie of sixe l. 13. s. 4. d. for perpetuall reliefe of the poore,His gift to the Company of Stationers. in the Parish Church of Saint Faiths under Pauls: namely, to twelve poore people, twelve pence in money, and twelve pence in bread, every Friday throughout the yeere.

To Christs Hospitall in London, His gift to Christs Hospitall. toward the bringing up of poore mens children he hath given 6. l. yeerely for ever: and an hundred pounds in ready money together, therewith to purchase Lands, that their reliefe (by the revennues of the same) may be perpetuall.

To Saint Thomas Spittle or Hospital in Southwarke, His gift to S. Thomas Hospitall. towards the succour of the sicke and diseased, he gave foure l. yeerely for ever.

An hundred pounds he intended to the Hospitall called the Savoy, His intent to the Savoy. but by reason that such agreements could not be made as he thought convenient, his contribution that way, (much against his minde) went not forward.

For the reliefe of poore prisoners in the two Compters,His reliefe for poore prisoners. Newgate, Ludgate, the Marshalseas, the Kings-Bench, and the White Lion, he dealt very bountifully and discreetly; giving unto the two Compters six pound apeece, and to bee paid unto them by twenty shillings each moneth. To the other Prisons fore-mentioned, six mattresses apeece, the whole number being two dozen and an halfe.

He was not unmindful of poore maids marriages,Marriage money for poore maids. but gave twenty pounds to be equally divided among forty, by equall portions of tenne shillings apiece. Yet with this proviso, that those poore maids to be married, should be of good name and fame.

His love and bounty to his servants,His love and liberality to his servants. as also the hundred and eight Freeze gownes ready made, which he bequeathed at his Funerall to poore men and women, with dispersing the remnant of all his goods after his buriall, where need and reason required, I am contented to passe over, referring what else is further to be said of him, till I come to speake of the place where he lyeth buried.

Sir T. Offley, Sir Thomas Offley bequeathed much to the poore. Merchant-Taylor, Maior, deceased 1580. appointed by his Testament, the one halfe of all his goods, and two hundred pounds deducted out of the other halfe, given to his sonne Henry, to be given and bestowed in deeds of charity, by his executors, according to his confidence and trust in them.

Barnard Randulph, Bernard Randolph, Common Serjeant of London, his liberall bounty. Common Serjeant of London, 1583. This man (in his life time) somewhat before his death, gave and delivered with his owne hand, to the Company of Fishmongers in London, the summe of nine hundred pounds; of good and lawfull money of England, to be imployed towards the conducting of Thames water, cesterning the same in lead,For conveying of Thames water. and casſteling it with stone, in the Parishes of Saint Mary Magdalen, and Saint Nicholas Cold-Abbey, neere unto old Fishstreet, seven hundred pounds. The other two hundred pounds, to pay for ever yeerely, the sum of ten pounds: to wit, towards the maintenance of a poore Scholler,For a poor Scholar. in the Vniuersitie of Oxenford, yeerely, foure pounds. Towards mending the high-waies in the Parish of Tisehurst, For mending high wayes. in the County of Sussex where the said Barnard was borne, every yeere foure pounds.For the poore in divers parishes. And to the poore people of the Parishes of Saint Nicholas Oliffe in Breadstreet, and St. Mary Magdalen neere to old Fishstreet, forty shillings; to wit, twenty shillings to either Parish for ever.

More he willed and bequeathed by his last will and testament, to be bestowed in land or annuities, for reliefe of the poore, inhabiting in the Wards of Queen Hith, and Castle Baynard in the City of London, and in the forenamed Parish of Tisehurst, in the County of Sussex, the summe of 1000 pounds.

Master Thomas Ridge, Master Tho. Ridge. Grocer, gave 1163. l. 6. s. 8. d. to godly and charitable uses in forme following.

To the Company of Grocers,Benefit of yong beginners. for the benefit of Young-men, free of the same Society, and to be lent unto them for a certaine Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. certaine time one hundred pound.

To the Hospitals in and about London, 100. l.

For the releefe of poore Preachers, Love to Religion. Care of poore tradesmen 400. l.

For the helpe of poore and decayed Trasedmen, in and about London, 300. l.

To a Lecture in Grasse-Church in London, 100. l.

To his men and maid servants, 63. l.

In gownes for poore men, 100. l.

Master Iohn Haydon Mercer,Master Iohn Haydon his bountifull charity. Alderman, and one of the Sheriffes of London, deceasing in the time of his Shrievalty 1583. gave these christian and liberall gifts following.

An hundred gownes, which cost 100. l. given to an hundred poore men,To the poore in gownes. and every man 12. d. in mony beside.

For the benefit of young beginners in the world he gave,Benefit of young beginners. to his owne Company of the Mercers, 600. l. to bee lent to young men, after the allowance of 3. l. 6. s. 8. d. in the hundred pound. And the 20. pound yeerely arising by that money, yeerely to be given to the poore.

To the same Company also he gave 400. l. more, to bee likewise lent out, according to the former rate: and the benefit ensuing thereby; of 3. l. 6. s. 8. d. yeerely,Love to Religion. allowed towards the maintaining of a Lecture at Saint Michaels Church by Pater noster row, called St. Michaels in the Querne.

He gave to Christs Hospitall 500. l.

Hee gave to the eleven chiefe worshipfull Companies,Care for young beginners and the poore. beside his owne, the summe of 1100. l. to bee lent out (for time) to young beginners, at 3. l. 6. s. 8. d. in the hundred pound, and the benefit of 20. pound arising thereby yeerely, to goe to the Hospitals, and sixteene pound besides to the poore yeerely.To severall Cities for the benefit of young beginners and the poore prisoners.

He gave to the City of Excester one hundred pound.

To the City of Bristow one hundred pound.

To the City of Glocester, one hundred pound.

This money is intended to be lent to poore young beginners in trading, at the rate of benefit (by the money) of 3. l. 6. s. 8. d. in the 100. l. And that benefit should go to the reliefe of poore prisoners, and other poore people.

He gave to the Towne of Wardbury, in the County of Glocester, 6. l. 13. s. 4. d.

He gave to his Company of the Mercers, Remembrance of his Company and of his servants. to make them a Cup, 40. l.

He gave to his servants among them all, 240. l.

What remained out of this moity, as an over-plus, he gave to the before remembred Companies, viz. 50. pound to each of them and to the uses fore-named.

Master Richard Walter Girdler,Richard Walter. 2200. pound to the foure Hospitals of London. And 500. pound towards building and maintaining a Free-Schoole at Thiryden in Northampton shire.

William Norton, Stationer, sometime Treasurer of Christs Hospitall, VVilliam Norton his benevolence. gave the summe of 6. l. 13. s. 4. d. yeerely to his Company to be lent to young men, free of the same Society: And 6. l. 13. s. 4. d. yeerely for ever, he gave also unto Christs Hospitall.

Thomas Iennings, Thomas Iennings his love to the poore. Fishmonger, to 7. Parishes in London, gave 4. l. 13, s. 2. d. yeerely.

To Christs Hospitall he gave 40. s. yeerely.

To the Towne of Braughin in Hartford shire, where he was borne, he gave 6. l. 13. s. 4. d.

Master Peter Blundell, Peter Blundell his most liberall charity. Clothier of London, a man very godly and christianly disposed all his life time, dying in Anno 1599. gave by his last will and testament, these bountifull gifts following.

He gave to Christs Hospitall in London, To Hospitals in and about London. 500. l.

To S. Bartholomews Hospitall 250. l.

To S. Thomas Hospitall 250. l.

To Bridewell Hospitall yeerely 8. l.

To the Church of Tiverton, in which Towne he was borne, 50. l.

Towards mending the High-waies there, 100. l.

To the twelve chiefe Companies in London, For the reliefe of poore prisoners. to each of them 150. l. toward the releeving of poore prisoners, and other charitable uses, the whole summe amounting to 1800. l.

Towards the helpe of poore Maides marriages in the Towne of Tiverton, To poore maides marriages 400. l.

Hee Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. He gave to the City of Excester, To helpe poore Artificers. to bee lent there to poore Artificers nine hundred pound.

He gave toward the building of a free Grammar-Schoole in Tiverton, To a free Schoole and Officers thereto belonging. 2400. pound.

More afterward laid out by his executors 1000. pound.

To the Schoole-master yeerely, fifty pounds.

To the Vsher yeerly, 13. l. 6. s. 8. d.

To the Clerke yeerely, 40. s.

To place foure boyes Apprentises in husbandry yeerely 20. pound.For Apprentises.

For the maintenance of six Schollers yeerely,His love to Learning and Schollers. three in Oxenford, and the other three in Cambridge, 2000. l.

Robert Comin, Robert Chilcot a worthy servant to so good a Master. alias Chilcot, servant sometime to the said Peter Blundell, imitated the worthy steps of his Master, so farre as power permitted him leave, giving as insueth.

He gave to Christs Hospitall in London, 100. l.

To poore prisoners,Reliefe of poore prisoners. whose debts did not amount above five pound, 100. l.

Towards the building of an ordinary Free-Schoole,His love to learning and the poore. that children might bee made apt and ready for his Masters free Grammar-Schoole in Tiverton, where he himselfe also was borne, 400. l.

Towards the maintaining of the said lesser schoole,To the Schoole and the attending Officers. and for reliefe of certaine poore people yeerely, 90. l.

To the Schoole-master yeerely 20. pound.

To the Clerke yeerely 3. l.

For reparations yeerely 4. s.

For 15. poore mens Gownes,For the poore. and each of them 2. s. in money yeerly 16. l. 10. s.

To 15. poore Artificers 15. pound.

To as many poore people weekely,Repairining the Church. 6. d. to each.

Towards repayring the Church 19. l. 10. s.

To mend the High-waies there ten pound.

To other uses foure pound.

Iohn Holmes Draper,Iohn Holms. gave to the Parish of Saint Sepulchres, in Anno 1588. his dwelling house in the same Parish, yeelding yeerely, 32. pound.

Thomas Atkinson Baker,Thomas Atkinson. gave also to the same Parish, 10. l. yeerely.

Master Thomas Cure, Sadler, and Squire Sadler to Queene Elizabeth, Thomas Cure his hospitall in Southwarke. as his sonne also was after him, did build an Hospitall in Southwarke, having some helpe afforded him by the Parish of St. Saviour: but the main and chiefe charge was his owne proper cost. The house was for 18. poore people each of them having two Chambers, and allowance of 4. pound ten shillings to each person yeerely. The building of the Hospitall cost above three hundred pounds.

Master George Bishop, Stationer, gave 6. pound yeerly to his Company: George Bishop his memorable charity. and hath allowed ten pound yeerely for ever towards maintaining Preachers at Pauls Crosse. Hee gave likewise sixe pound yeerly to Christs Hospitall.

Master Richard Culverwell, Richard Culverwell. Brewer, gave to the Hospitall of Bridewell, two hundred pound.

Master William Whitmore, William VVhitmore Haberdasher, gave also to the same hospitall, 200. pound.

Master Iohn Norton, Iohn Norton mindfull of the poore, and of his Company. Stationer, gave to his owne Company the summe of one thousand pound to purchase lands amounting to the value of fifty pound yeerly, and some part to be lent to poore yong men.

He gave also one hundred and fifty pounds to the Parish of S. Faiths under Pauls, to purchase seven pounds tenne shillings yeerely for ever, to be given to the poore.

Master Henry Fisher, Fishmonger, gave to his Company nine pound yeerly, Henry Fisher his love to learning. to maintaine a Scholar in the Colledge of Brazen-nose in Oxenford, with the allowance of nine pound and two shillings yeerely for two Sermons.

Master Thomas Aldersey, Thomas Aldersey his love to religion and the poore. Haberdasher, out of an Appropriation which he had at Bunbery in Cheshire, gave the allowance of two hundred Markes yeerely, one hundred Markes whereof was for the maintenance of a Preacher.

He gave to the Minister 20. pound.

He gave to a Schoole, thirty pound.

He gave to the poore, ten pound.

Master Robert Offley, Robert Offley his liberall charity. Haberdasher, to the Maior and communalty of Chester gave sixe hundred pound to be lent there to young Traders.

For reliefe of the poore, and men in prisons, besides other charitable uses two hundred pound.

Hee Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. More, he gave two hundred pounds, to pay tenne pounds yeerely to the poore of the Company.

More,Reliefe for two poore scholars yeerely. he gave two hundred pounds, that tenne pounds might be yeerely given to either of the Vniversities, toward the maintaining of two Scholars there, one in each.

Hee gave to Bethlem, one hundred pounds.

He gave to the other Hospitals, to prisons, and to the poore, one hundred and threescore pounds.

Master Thomas Fisher, Tho. Fisher his love to learning, and respect of the poore. Skinner, gave forty five pounds yeerely, out of which, twenty pounds was to be yeerely allowed, for a Free-schoole at Standon in the County of Hertford.

To buy paper, bookes, pennes and inke, yeerely for the Scholars, 5. poends.

To Christs Hospitall yeerely, tenne pounds.

For the redemption of Prisoners in either of the Compters and Ludgate, lying there for three pounds debt, twenty pounds.

Master Florence Caldwell, Florence Caldwell his charity Haberdasher, to divers poore Parishes in London gave twenty pounds yeerely.

Divers wel-disposed Citizens of London, The love of divers Citizens to learning. desirous (as yet) not to be named, being born in or neere to Ashborn in the Peake, in the Country of Derby, combining their loving benevolence together, have builded there a faire School-house, with convenient lodgings for a Master and Vsher, and liberall maintenance yeerely allowed thereto.

Master Robert Rogers, The Christian and charitable works of Robert Rogers Leatherseller, and a Batchelour, like a most liberall and bountifull benefactor, gave these gifts following:

To the Prisons in and about London, twelve pounds.

To the poore of two severall Townes in the west Countrey, thirteene pounds sixe shillings eight pence.

To the poore of the Towne of Poole, where he was borne, tenne pounds.

For the building of Almes-houses there, three hundred thirty three l.

For the reliefe of poore prisoners, A speciall note of a godly disposition. such as were neither Atheists nor Papists, and might be delivered, each man at the summe of twenty Nobles, an hundred and fifty pounds.

For the benefit of poore Preachers, Care of Religion. allowing to each man tenne pounds, an hundred pounds.

For the comfort of poore decayed Artificers, being charged with wife and children, and of knowne honest reputation, one hundred pounds.

He gave to the Company of Merchant Adventurers,His care for poore decayed brethren. for the reliefe of poore decayed people, and toward the support of yong Free-men, foure hundred pounds.

He gave to Christs Hospitall, to purchase Lands for the reliefe of the house, five hundred pounds.

For the erection of certaine Almes-houses in and about London, His provident care for the poore in divers places and Parishes. and also for the maintenance of twelve poore people, six hundred pounds.

To the Parish wherein he dwelt, 10. l.

That two dozen of bread may every Sunday (through the yeere) for ever be given to the poore, an hundred pounds.

He gave to Christs-Church Parish, fifteene pounds.

For reliefe of the poore in sundry Parishes without the wals, as Newgate, Creplegate, Bishopsgate, and the Parish of S. George in Southwarke; unto every one of them he gave twenty sixe pounds, thirteene shillings, fourepence.

Moreover, he gave to S. Georges Parish in Southwarke, Saint Sepulchres, S. Olaves beyond the Bridge, Saint Giles without Creplegate, and S. Leonard in Shorditch, to buy coales for the poore in each Paris, thirty pounds apeece.

He gave beside to either Parish of S. Buttolph, without Aldgate and Bishopsgate, twenty pounds.

For the maintaining of foure Scholars, His love and liberality to Learning. two in Oxenford, and two in Cambridge, Students in Divinity, 400, l. Of which the Company of Leather-sellers have great respect, and not onely see it diligently performed; but also have added their bounty thereto.

Master Iohn Fuller, Iohn Fuller his Almes-houses and charity. Esquire, and one of the Judges in the Sheriffes Court in London, by his last will and testament, bearing date the 10. of Iune, 1592. appointed his wife, her heires and assignes, to erect certaine Almes-houses in the Parish of Stoken-heath, for twelve poore aged single men, being aged fifty yeeres or upwards.

KHe Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. He appointed also the like Almes-houses to be builded in the Parish of S. Leonard in Shorditch, For poore aged widdowes. for twelve poore Widdow women of the like age, and shee to endow them with the yeerely maintenance of one hundred pounds; namely, to each fifty pounds by the yeere for ever. And that mony to be deducted out of his Lands in Lincolnshire, assuring over the same to certaine Feoffees in trust, by a Deed of Feoffement.

Moreover,Feoffees put in trust to see his will performed. hee gave his Messuages, Land, and Tenements, lying and being in the severall Parishes of S. Bennet, and S. Peter by Pauls wharfe, to Feoffees in trust, yeerely for ever, to disburse all the issues and profits of the said Lands and Tenements, to the relieving and discharging of poore prisoners, in the Hole or Two-penny wards,Care for the reliefe and discharge of poore prisoners. in either of the Compters in London, by equall portions to each Compter. Provided, that the debt doe not exceed the summe of twenty shillings eight pence, for every prisoner at any time to be set free.

Master Edward Elmer, Edward Elmer. Grocer, gave to both the Compters in London, an hundred pounds, partly to bee laid out in Faggots for the Prisoners in cold weather; and for two load of straw yeerely to Bethlem.

Master William Nelson, William Nelson his love to learning. Grocer, towards the maintaining of twelve poore Scholars in Oxenford and Cambridge, gave foure hundred pounds, to be paid yeerely to each place twenty pounds; and thirty three shillings foure pence to each man. And to the Prisons, 33. l.

Master Rafe Newbery, Rafe Newbery. Stationer, gave a stocke of Bookes, and priviledges of Printing, to bee sold for the benefit of Christs Hospitall and Bridewell.

Master Robert Row, Haberdasher, for the furtherance of poore Scholars in both the Vniversities, Robert Row a savourer of learning. gave 20. l. yeerely, and the remainder of his goods that were not bequeathed.

Master Edmond Stile, Edmond Stile his charity. Grocer, and Sheriffe of London, gave to be distributed among the said Hospitals in London, the summe of threescoure pounds.

Iohn Stockley, Iohn Stockley his charity and love to learning. Merchant-taylor, gave to Christs Hospitall, and the other Hospitals beside, towards the education of poore children in the feare of God, the summe of forty pounds.

He gave besides to the Vniversities, forty pounds more, towards the maintenance of foure poore Scholars, to bee disposed by the Master and Wardens of the Merchant-taylors, with consent of his Executors and Overseers; desiring that S. Iohn Baptists Colledge in Oxenford should have the prerogative of the gift, if such be there to be found, as are capable of the same.

Gaius Newman, Gaius Newman his charity. Goldsmith, gave to Christs Hospitall, five pounds: to Saint Bartholomews Hospitall, six pounds, thirteene shillings, foure pence: and to the hospitall of Bridewell, three pounds.

Iohn Newman, Iohn Newman his charity. Grocer, gave to Christs Hospitall; three pounds: to Saint Bartholomews hospitall, six pounds: and to Saint Thomas in Southwarke, and Bridewell hospitall, forty shillings to each house.

Richard May, Richard May his love-tokē to London, and charity to the poore. Merchant-taylor, gave (by his last will and testament) to the Chamber of London, the summe of three hundred pounds, toward the new building of old, ruined and decayed Blackwell Hall, in London: It being a Market place for the selling of woollen clothes, on such usuall market-dayes as are therunto assigned. Vpon the receipt of this gift, the said Hall was taken downe, a new foundation laid; and within the space of tenne moneths following, the worke was finished, with the full charge of 2500. pounds.

He gave besides to Christs Hospitall, the summe of ninety pounds.

Peter Chapman, Peter Chapman his charity, & love to learning. Ironmonger, gave to the eight Prisons in and about London, the summe of threescore pounds.

He gave also to two poore Scholars of Oxenford, studying Divinity, 5. l. to each yeerely.

To poore Scholars in Cambridge also, following the same study, hee gave the like summe of money.

To the poore of the Towne of Cokeham in Barkeshire, where it appeared he was borne, he gave the summe of five pounds yeerely.

Iohn Carre, Iohn Carre his care for learning, and the poore. Ironmonger, gave a gift of twenty pounds yeerely, for the space of one and twenty yeeres. Five pounds thereof was to goe to a Preacher at Standon in Essex.

Concerning the other 15. pounds, it was Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. was ordered to passe in this manner of course.

The first yeere, it was for the benefit of certaine poore Parishes in London, thereto appointed.

The second yeere it was for the helpe of two poore Scholars, one in Oxenford, and the other in Cambridge.

The third yeere it was appointed for reliefe of the poore in Standon. And so (according to this course) to continue for time and place, during the space of one and twenty yeeres.

Henry Cowche, Henry Cowche his charity. or Croutch, Merchant-Taylor, gave unto Christs Hospitall the benefit of his house, known by the name of the Crowne without Aldgate, having divers yeeres as then to come in the Lease, and yeelding yeerely the summe of fifteene pounds. Five pound is yeerely appointed to be paid to the poore of the Parish, and tenne shillings to a Preacher. The rest remaineth to the Hospitall, and after the Leases expiration, it is judged to yeeld above an hundred markes yeerely.

David Smith, David Smith his care of the poore. Embroiderer, at his owne charge did build certaine Almeshouses, upon the hill called S. Peters hill, neere unto old Fishstreet, allowing sufficient maintenance to them.

He gave also five and twenty pounds yeerely to the Company of Ironmongers, appointing it to be distributed among the poor, in the Wards of Queen Hithe, and Castle Baynard.

Iohn Scot, Iohn Scot his charity to the poore. Salter, gave to his Companie the summe of twenty pounds yeerely, because they should allow to the six poore Almes-men of the Company, each man twelve pence weekely. The rest is to be divided among other poore, and thirty shillings to bee bestowed in Coles yeerely for the poore.

William Stoder, William Stoder his charity. Grocer, gave to Christs hospitall, for reliefe of the poore children there, fifty pounds yeerely.

William Mascall, William Mascall his charity. Brewer, gave to the same hospitall, and to the same intent, nine pounds yeerely.

Stephen Skidmore, Stephen Skidmore his love & charity to the poore. Vintner, gave a gift of forty foure pounds yeerely, and ordered in this manner:

To seventeene poore Parishes in London, appointed by nomination, seventeene pounds.

To the poore of the Parish of S. Stephen in Colemanstreet, twelve pence weekly in bread.

To the poore of Corke in Ireland, (where it seemeth he was borne) being twelve in number, to each poore body forty shillings.

Richard Iacob, Richard Iacob his charity to hospitals & prisons. Vintner, gave a gift of sixteene pounds for ever, that it should be distributed to Christs Hospitall, Saint Bartholomews, Bridewell, and Saint Thomas in Southwark, forty shillings to each house yeerely: and the other eight pounds to be given to certaine appointed poore Parishes in London.

He gave moreover (for so long time as two hundred yeeres should last) the summe of twenty eight pounds yeerely.A time of honest & large continuance. Of which portion of money, sixteene pounds was appointed for poore Prisoners, that lay imprisoned in any of the eight Prisons in and about London yeerly; to each Prison forty shillings: as the Gatehouse, the Fleet, both the Compters of the Poultry and Woodstreet, Ludgate, the Marshallsea, the Kings Bench, and the White Lion.

What remained of the over plus of the money, was to be distributed to the poore of divers appointed Parishes.

Iohn Russell, Iohn Russell his charitable deeds. Draper, gave the summe of fourescore pounds yeerely for ever: out of which these summes following should be deducted, and the rest remain to be employed by the Company of Drapers.

He gave thirteene pounds nine shillings yeerely to thirteene poore people.

For reliefe of the poore,His especiall respect of the poore. to be bestowed in bread yeerely, two and fifty shillings.

To be bestowed in Coales yeerely for the poore, three pounds.

For the maintaining of Preachers yeerely at Pauls Crosse, His love to religiō and learning. tenne pounds.

Toward the maintaining of two Scholars, one in Oxenford and the other in Cambridge, the sum of thirteene pounds six shillings eight pence.

For maintaining a Scholemaster at Burton in Staffordshire, thirteen pounds, sixe shillings, eight pence.

Item, Rob. Gale his love to learning, and respect of the poore. To the Visher, five pounds.

And to the Visitors, thirty shillings.

Robert Gale, Vintner, out of his Lands lying in divers places, gave the summe K2of Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. of one hundred and forty pounds yeerely, to be imployed in manner following, after the decease of Dorothy his wife.

To six of the poorer sort of Scholars in Corpus Christi Colledge, in the Vniversity of Oxenford, usually commorant and residing in the said Colledge, and yeerely to be chosen on the Feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle, by George Lacocke, his heires or assignes, under his or their hand and seale: To each Scholar he gave three pounds, six shillings eight pence yeerely for ever, to be paid by the said Lacocke, his heires or assignes for ever, out of his Lands in Claipoole, in the County of Lincolne, and Brassington, in the County of Derby.

To the poore Towne of Chippenham, in Wiltshire, he gave twenty pounds.

To the Preacher there, 20. shillings.

To the Bailiffe and Burgesses, as a friendly remembrance, yeerely twenty shillings.

To Christs Hospitall in London, twenty pounds.

To the Company of Vintners, twenty pounds.

To the poore in Lincolne, 20. pounds.

To a Preacher there yeerely, ten shillings.

To the Maior and Chamberlaine, twenty shillings.

To the Minister of S. Markes Church there, ten shillings.

Iohn Quarles, Iohn Quarles his charity. Draper, gave yeerely to be bestowed in bread, for reliefe of the poore, six pounds.

William Dummer, William Dummer his charity. Draper, gave to the poore the summe of 13. pounds, 18. shillings, 4. pence yeerely for ever.

William Parker, W. Parker his charity a Brother also of the same Society, gave towards the maintaining of a Lecture yeerely at Saint Antlins, six pounds.

Owen Clun, another Brother also of the same Society, Owen Clun his charity gave to the poore of the said Company yeerely for ever, the summe of twenty five pounds.

Iames Stoddard, Iames Stoddard his loue to Learning. Grocer, for the maintaining of two poore Scholars, the one in the Colledge of Brazen-nose in Oxenford, and the other to be of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge, gave 10. l. yeerely to be paid for ever, out of his Tenement called the Swan with two neckes, in the Parish of S. Laurence old Jury.

Iohn Skeete, Iohn Skeete his respect of the poore, and his love to learning. Draper, for reliefe and maintenance of the poore, in the Hospitals in and about London, gave the sum of three hundred pounds.

Moreover, hee gave to foure poore Scholars studying Divinity in the Vniversity of Oxford, and which are not able to proceed in their degrees, five pounds to each Scholar, to be paid at the next Act or Commencement.

The like liberality he gave to the other Vniversity of Cambridge, for so many Scholars, five pound to each, and at the same time.

Roger Owfield, Roger Owfield, his love to learning. Fishmonger, gave the summe of one hundred pounds towards the maintenance of poore Scholars, that studied. Divinity in the Vniversities of Oxenford and Cambridge, or else where. And his desire was, that some of them might be of the Towne of Ashborne, if any such could there be found fit for it. Otherwise he appointed the money to be imployed in Scholarships, in Sidney or Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge. Beside, hee gave to Christs Hospitall one hundred pounds.

Iohn Berriman, Iohn Berryman his respect of the poore. of Bishops Tawton, in the County of Devonshire, Clothier, and said to be a free Draper of London, gave to Christs Hospitall, an hundred pounds: to Saint Bartholomews, five pounds: to Saint Thomas, six pounds: to Bridewell, forty shillings: and to Bethlem fifty pounds.

Iohn Ireland, Iohn Ireland his charity Salter, gave to Christs Hospitall, foure pounds: to Saint Bartholomews, foure pounds: to Saint Thomas and Bridewell, twenty shillings to each house.

Thomas Thorney, Thomas Thorney his charity. Barber Chirurgion, gave to Christs Hospitall, five pounds, and to Bridewell, five pounds.

Francis Evington, Francis Evington his charity & love to learning. Merchant-Taylor, gave to Christs Hospitall, tenne pounds, and to Saint Bartholomews Hospitall, tenne pounds.

Hee gave also to poore Scholars in both the Vniversities, sixe pounds to each Scholar.

Henry Butler, Draper, gave to Saint Thomas Hospitall, Henry Butler his charity. tenne pounds: to Christs Hospitall, five pounds: and to S. Bartholomews and Bridewell, five pounds to each house.

Peter Hall, Peter Hall his charity Draper, gave to Christs Hoſpitall Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. Hospitall, tenne pounds: to Saint Bartholomews, three pounds: and the like to Saint Thomas.

Roger Ienkins, Roger Ienkins his love to Learning. Barber Chirurgion, to the poore Scholars in Christs Hospitall, gave five pounds, to buy them Bookes at the discretion of the Treasurer.

George Chamberlaine, George Chāberlaine his charity Ironmonger, gave to Christs Hospitall, tenne pounds; to Saint Thomas, five pounds: to Saint Bartholomews, five pounds: and to Bridewell, tenne pounds.

Thomas Church, Tho. Church his charity Draper, gave to Christs Hospitall, tenne pounds: to Bridewell, tenne pounds: to Saint Bartholomews five pounds; and to Saint Thomas, five pounds.

Andrew Banning Grocer, gave for ever, Andrew Banning his love to learning. 120. pounds to the Company of Grocers, therewith to purchase lands of five pounds value yeerely, for the reliefe of some poore Scholar in the Vniversity of Cambridge.

Randall Manning, Randall Manning His love to Learning. Skinner, gave toward the reliefe of foure poore Scholars yeerely, forty shillings to each Scholar, being of Christs and Emanuel Colledges in Cambridge, and this gift to continue the space of thirty yeeres. Katharine, wife to the said Randall Manning, gave also the summe of one hundred pounds, that her husbands will might the more effectually be kept and performed.

Hugh Cappe, Hugh Cappe his liberall charity. Plaisterer, gave for reliefe of the poore children in Christs Hospitall, the summe of 100. pounds. He gave also to the two Hospitals of Saint Bartholomews and S. Thomas in Southwarke, tenne pounds to each house.

Lewes Randall, Lewes Randall his charity. Pewterer, gave unto Christs Hospitall, fifty pounds: and to S. Thomas Hospitall, twenty shillings.

Henry van Hilton, A strāgers charity. Merchant Stranger, and a free Denison of London, gave unto Christs Hospitall, thirty pounds.

Humfrey Fox, Hufrey Fox his charity. Draper, gave to the poore childrens succour in Christs Hospitall, the summe of fifty pounds.

William Parker, William Parker his bountifull charity. Merchant-taylor, gave to Christs Hospitall, to purchase lands for maintenance of the poore children, five hundred pounds.

He gave also to the Treasurer of Bridewell, to set forty Boyes on worke, which should bee taken up begging in the streets, and there bound Apprentices for 7. yeeres, to learne severall Trades; for each boy should five pound be paid to the Treasurer, untill the summe of two hundred pound should fully be run out.

Of this man expect more when I come to speake of the new building of Aldersgate.

George Palin, George Palin his boūtifull charity. Merchant, and free of the Girdlers Society, by his last Will and Testament,Those Almeshouses are builded neere to Creplaegate. to good and charitable uses gave these gifts following:

First, he gave nine hundred pounds towards the erection or building of certaine Almes-houses, in or about the Citie of London, wherein six poore people should have the yeerely allowance of six pounds, thirteene shillings and foure pence to each person.

More, he gave towards the having a sweet Chime in Bow Church in London, one hundred pounds.

He gave to Saint Iohn Baptist, His care & love to Learning. and Brazen-nose Colledges in Oxenford, towards the maintaining of foure Scholars there yeerely, three hundred pounds, to each Colledge, and to each Scholar, foure pounds yeerely.

To the six severall Prisons in and about London, His care for prisoners, and the poore. he gave threescore pounds.

He gave unto Christs Hospitall to purchase Lands after the rate of twenty pounds yeerely, for benefit of the poore children there, the summe of three hundred pounds.

Moreover,His zeale to learning. in further expression of his zeale and love to learning, and for the like uses as we have before declared, he gave to Trinity and Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, the summe of six hundred pounds.

To the Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwarke, he gave fifty pounds.

Towards the bearing of such Scholars charges,The fruits of a Christian faith as should come (from time to time) to preach at Pauls Crosse, hee gave the summe of 200. pounds.

He gave 132. pounds to be distributed to certaine Parishes in London, to some tenne pounds, to others twenty pounds.

He gave to the Towne of Wrenbury in Cheshire, His care of poore people in the coūtry 200. l. to purchase Lands, after the rate of twenty markes by the yeere, for reliefe of the poore there.

He gave also for behoof of the Church K3there, Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. there, the summe of thirty pounds.

He gave for forty poore Gownes, forty pounds.

Laurence Campe, Laurence Campe his love to learning. Draper, gave forty pounds towards the maintenance of poore Schollers in Cambridge, at the discretion of Robert Meakin, Preacher of S. Iohns Church in Walbrooke.

Robert Dove, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, The worthy charitable gifts of Master Robert Dove gave (in his life time, and long before he dyed) to the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of that worshipfull Company, the summe of two thousand, nine hundred, fifty eight l.. tenne shillings, to be yeerely imployed in these good uses following:

First,This charity extēdeth only to poore brethren of the same company. for the mantaining of thirteen poore Almes-men, in gownes of good cloth, well lined, with a silver Dove upon each mans left sleeve. And six other poore men, termed Reversioners, to succeed in the roomes of the deceased Gowne-men, they wearing Cloakes of good cloth in the meane time, with a silver Dove also upon each mans left arme: the yeerely allowance to performe this is one hundred and seven pounds.

He gave to the Schoolemaster eight pounds.

He gave also to the poore of Saint Buttolphs without Aldgate, in which Parish he dwelt and dyed, twenty pounds, nine shillings.

To Saint Iohn Baptists Colledge in Oxenford he gave 100. pounds.His love to learning.

To the prisoners in the two Counters of London, and to the Prisons of Ludgate and Newgate, hee gave twenty pounds.

He gave to Christs Hospitall in London, to purchase Lands, after the rate of tenne pounds yeerely, and for one to instruct the boyes in singing, two hundred and forty pounds.

He gave to the Parish of S. Sepulchers the summe of fifty pounds,A notable and moste Christian care for poor condemned persons, and their going to their death. that after the severall Sessions in London, when the Prisoners remaine in the Gaole, as condemned men to death, expecting execution on the morrow following, the Clerke of the Church should come in the night time, and likewise early in the morning, to the window of the prison where they lye, and there ringing certaine toules with a hand-bell, appointed for the purpose, he doth afterward (in most Christian manner) put them in minde of their present condition, and ensuing execution, desiring them to be prepared therefore as they ought to bee. When they are in the Carts, and brought before the wall of the Church, there hee standeth ready with the same Bell, and after certaine toules, rehearseth an appointed Prayer, desiring all the people there present to pray for them. The Beadle also of Merchant-taylors Hall hath an honest allowed stipend, to see that this be duely done.

What else remaineth concerning this man, expect when I come to speake of the Hall.

Randulph Woolley, Randulph Wolley his love to learning, and care for the poore. Merchant-Taylor, gave to the Governours of Christs Hospitall, therewith to pay yeerely for ever, five pounds, to the Reader of Oare Chappell, in the Parish of Mucklestone, in the County of Stafford, by fifty shillings at each halfe yeere. For which he is to teach freely the children of the inhabitants of Aston, in the fore-named Parish of Mucklestone.

He gave more to the said Hospitall one hundred pounds, for the allowing of fifty shillings yeerely every Easter day, that the poore children may then eat roast meat.

He gave moreover to the said Governours one hundred pounds, therewith to pay yeerely unto the poore of the Parish of Muckle stone five pounds.

He gave also to Saint Bartholomews Hospitall, three pounds.

Henry Walcot, Henry Walcot, his charity. Grocer, gave to Saint Bartholomews Hospitall twenty pounds: to Christs Hospitall, five pounds: to S. Thomas in Southwarke, five pounds: to Bridewell, three pounds sixe shillings, eight pence: and to Bethlem, three pounds, six shilling eight pence.

Henry Woolaston, Henry VVoolaston his charity. Draper, gave to S. Thomas Hospitall, forty pounds: and to the foure Beadles, Coats of good new cloth.

Also he gave to every Governour, going to his buriall, and staying there the Sermon time, halfe a crowne to each man, to dine together afterward.

Iohn Vernon, Iohn Vernō his charity. Merchant-Taylor, gave to Christs Hospitall, forty pounds: to S. Bar Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. Bartholomews Hospitall, fifty pounds: to Bridewell and S. Thomas, five pounds to each house.

Edward Harvist, Edward Harvist his charity. Brewer, gave unto Christs Hospitall, the summe of one hundred pounds: and fifty pounds, to bee equally divided betweene the two Hospitals of S. Bartholomews and S. Thomas in Southwarke.

Iohn Brown, Iohn Brown his charity. Wool-winder, and Magdalen his wife, gave certaine lands lying in Barking in Essex, amounting then to 5. l. 6. s. 8. d. yeerely. And this gift they gave unto Christs Hospitall for ever.

Iohn Porter, Iohn Porter his charity. of Porters Key, Fishmonger, gave unto Christs Hospitall, twenty pound.

Lewis Randall, Lewis Randall his charity. Pewterer, but a Brewer by his profession, of his owne free cost and charge, paved (with faire free Stone) the East Ile of Christs Hospital Cloyster, and renewed all the Armories of former liberall Benefactors to that house, wherof himselfe was one of the Governours.

Hee gave beside 50. pound to the Treasurer,His love to the children. that the poore children there maintained, might eate roste-meat, at dinner, on every Saint Mathias day, if it fall out of Lent. But if it fall in Lent, then they are to eat good and well made Furmenty, both at dinner and supper.

Iohn Whithall, Iohn VVhithall his charity. Skinner, gave to the Childrens reliefe in Christs Hospitall, 40. pound.

William Iones, VVilliam Iones his bountifull charity. Merchant, and free of the worshipfull Company of Haberdashers, in his life time did many charitable deeds, and by his Will and Testament ordained many more, putting his owne Society in trust to see them performed, as shall briefly be declared.

First,His Christian care for Religion in his country. many yeeres before he dyed, he allowed 50. pound yeerely to a Preacher at Monmouth, there to instruct the people in Gods true Religion. Afterward hee grew to settle a certaine stipend there, amounting to the summe of 100. Markes yeerely, to maintaine a good Preacher there. Providing also, that a convenient house should be built for him, with all necessary matters belonging to it, that hee might (with the more comfort) dwell there among them.His care for the maintenance of Learning.

Also, for the instruction of youth in Learning and Religion, he ordained to have a faire Free-Schoole there built at his owne charge, and a faire house also to be erected for the chiefe Master. Allowing him yeerly (for ever) 60. pound, and 30. pound also yeerly to the Visher.

Beside,His providence for the poore and needy people in Monmouth. being Christianly mindfull of the poore and needy people in those parts, he tooke order for the building of an Hospitall in the same Towne, ordaining it for twenty poore people: giving to every one of them a good Gowne yeerely, and 2. shillings 6. pence apeece weekely. And because himselfe (being farre absent) could bee no Surveyor of these workes, hee committed the care thereof to the loving Brethren of his Company, paying to them (in his life time) the summe of 8000. pound. And left them by his will, 1000. pound more, for the full finishing of so good a worke.

More,Still his Piety and Christian Charity walk hand in hand together. he appointed to the said Company of Haberdashers, the summe of 5000. pound by them to be disbursed, for the maintenance of a good Preacher at Newland in Glocester shire, and of certaine poore people in the same Parish.

More,His care for poore decayed brethren of the Company. Hee gave to the same Society, one thousand foure hundred and forty pounds, to allow unto nine poore men, being free Brethren of the same Company, eight pounds apeece yeerely for ever.

Moreover,His maintaining of a Preacher in the City of London for ever. he left (by his will) 600. pound in money, and a faire house in the City of London, to the disposition of the Company, to bestow the yeerely profits, for the yeerely maintenance of a godly Preacher in this City for ever, which Preacher from time to time is to benominated by the Company. As already they have thereto appointed Master Iohn Downham, Batchelor in Divinity, and a very learned Preacher.

More,His love to poore Preachers. hee gave the summe of 1000. pound to bee faithfully distributed among poore Preachers here in England.

To be distributed among the severall Hospitals in London, His charity to Hospitals and poore people beyond the Seas. he gave the summe of 500. pound.

To the poore in Stoad hee gave 200. pound.

To the poore of Hamborough, he gave 50. pound.

Beside, to such poore English men as lived in Hamborough, he gave 50 pound.

Hee Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. He gave likewise a good summe of money (by way of gratitude and thankfulnesse) to his owne Company,His love to his own Company as a token of his love, for their care and paines-taking, in the managing of so serious a businesse.

The Hospitall at Monmouth was built (by the Company) in his life time,What care and diligence the worthy Company have taken in the execution of his will, according to the times and severall appointed places. and the poore people placed in it.

Since his death, the house for the Preacher there, the Free-schoole, and the house for the Schoolmaster, all these are (by this time) neere hand finished.

An house also for the Preacher at Newland, and the Hospitall for tenne poore people there, is already (by them) begun, and in very good forwardnesse.

His intended care for a Preacher in London, is already performed, and the same continued in a Lecture, at S. Bartholomews Church, neere to the Exchange, every Thursday in the afternoone.

Whatsoever else remaineth, concerning the trust reposed in them, they wil (with all speed) both truely and faithfully effect.

Here I could enter into a further relation, Divers men yet living, have been and still are most bountifull benefactors to the poore, and many other religious uses concerning some men yet living, whose liberall bounty and most Christian charity, doth deserve no meane commendation, and is very little inferiour to many of them already named.

But because they account it honour enough to them, that divers poore people (in private) should rather sufficiently finde it, than the world (in publike) know it, I am content to spare their nomination, as knowing very well, that they who have beene so liberall in their life time, have (no doubt) set downe extraordinary determinations, which neither death, nor any deceiving Executors, can or shall frustrate and disappoint.

Let me commend that truly-religious man,The testimony of a good and godly conscience indeed. who perceiving the heavy want of divers honest house-holders, laboriously endevouring (night and day) to maintaine their charge; but that the worlds extremity frowned too fiercely upon them. I know the man, and oftentimes in teares hath he said to mee; Here is true poverty indeed, too modestly silent in speaking their mighty need and misery, and therefore justly deserving pittie. To two, three, foure, and many times more of these, hath he beene, and is, a liberall Benefactor (weekely) with his owne hands: yet not in his owne name, or as comming from himselfe, (he being so meanely disguised at such times of his comming to them, and so sudden also in departing from them, that they were not able to distinguish him;) but alledging, that the reliefe was sent them from some, who understood their neede (almost) as well as themselves, and willed them to bee thankfull onely to God for it.

Oh that London had a Park neer adjoining to it, stored with many such choise Deere; as doubtlesse it hath, though not easily knowne. For some build Almes-houses, Free-Schooles, Cawseyes and Bridges in very needfull places: yea, and repaire old ruined Churches, releeving Hospitals also in very bountifull manner, and are weekly Benefactors to Prisons: yet performed by such agents faithfully, that the true bestowers are not noted, though vehemently suspected; and the glory they shunne here, will (for ever) shine on them else-where. But God stirre up the mindes of many more, to imitate them in this tonguelesse liberality.

Master William Masham, William Masham his love to Learning. Grocer, and Alderman of London, gave (beside his liberall charity to the Hospitall) toward the maintenance of poore Scholars, at both the Vniversities, twenty pounds.

Master Henry Prannel, Henry Prannel his charity. Vintner, and Alderman of London, gave among the said Hospitals the summe of 50. pounds yeerely.

Master William Elkin, William Elkin his bountifull charity. Mercer, and Alderman of London, in the yeere 1593. gave to Christs Hospitall in London, and for certaine charitable uses, the summe of 800. pounds.

He gave also to the Prisons in and about London, threescore pounds.

Beside, he gave to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, five pounds, and to both the Vniversities together, threescore pounds.

Master Richard Gurney, Richard Gurney his charity. Slater and Alderman of London, gave to be distributed among the severall Hospitals in and about London, threescore pound. And to the Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. the Vniversities yeerely five pound.

Master Hugh Offley, Hugh Offley his love to learning and care for the poor. Leather seller and Alderman of London, gave for the maintaining of Scholars in both the Vniversities, 77. pound.

He gave to Christs Hospitall in London, the like summe of 77. pound.

Beside, hee gave to the prisoners in and about London, 20. pound, and 35. shillings yeerly to continue for certaine yeeres.

Master Robert Brooke, Robert Brook his charity. Grocer and Alderman of London, gave to be distribu¦ted among the Hospitals in London, the summe of sixe and thirty pound.

Master Benedict Barnham, Benedict Barnham, his charity. Draper and Alderman of London, gave to be distributed among the severall Prisons in London, fifty pounds.

Master Robert Taylor, Robert Taylor his charity. Haberdasher and Alderman of London, gave in distribution to the Hospitals in London, the summe of one hundred pound.

Master Paul Banning, Paul Banning his charity. Grocer, and sometime an Alderman of London, gave unto Christs Hospitall the sum of one hundred pounds.

Sir Richard Goddard, Sir Richard Goddard. Draper and Alderman of London, gave to the Hospitall of Bridewell, two hundred pound.

Master William Walthall, VVilliam VValthall his charitable benevolence Mercer and Alderman of London, gave to the Hospitals of London, two hundred pounds.

More, he gave to poore Scholars in Cambridge, nine pound yeerely.

To the Prisons beside, in and about London, he gave one hundred thirty five pounds.

Beside his former gifts, hee gave ten pound yeerely to Christs Hospitall.

To his Company of the Mercers he gave five hundred pounds to be lent to young men that begin the world.Care for young beginners.

Sir Robert Hampson, Sir Robert Hampson, his charity. Merchant-Taylor, and Alderman of London, gave to the charitable reliefe of poore prisoners, one hundred and fifty pounds in ready money, and the reversion of two Tenements beside.

Sir Henry Anderson, Henry Anderson, his love to learning. Grocer and Alderman of London, and Richard Anderson his sonne, gave to the Colledge of Brazen-nose in Oxenford, for the reliefe of poore Scholars there, one hundred and thirteen pounds.

Sir William Glover VVilliam Glover his charity. Dyer and Alderman of London, gave also to the Hospitals, in and about London, the summe of two hundred pounds,

Sir William Rumney, VVillia, Rumney his charity. Haberdasher, and Alderman of London, gave also to be distributed among the same Hospitals, the summe of threescore and five pounds.

Sir Roger Iones, Roger Jones his charity. Dyer and Alderman of London, gave likewise to the said Hospitals, two and twenty pounds.

Master Richard Faringdon, Richard Faringdon his charity. Clothworker, and Alderman of London, gave also to be distributed among the same Hospitals, the summe of threescore and six pound thirteene shillings foure pence.

Nicholas Stile, Nicholas Stile, his charity, and care for poore Sea-men. Grocer, and Alderman of London, gave unto Christs Hospitall five pound, to St. Bartholomews, 10. pound, and to St, Thomas Hospitall three pound.

Moreover, he gave to poore maimed Sea-faring souldiers, in S. Bartholomews Hospitall ten pound, if no house were erected in or about London, for the harbour and reliefe of such maimed Souldidiers and Saylors.

Master Ieffrey Elwes, Ieffrey Edwes his charity. Merchant-Taylor, and Alderman of London, gave unto Christs Hospitall the summe of one hundred pounds. And to the Hospitall of St. Bartholomew, and St. Thomas in Southwarke ten pounds to each house.

Master Cuthbert Martin, Cuthbert Martin his charity. Skinner, and Alderman of London, gave unto Christs Hospitall, the summe of twenty pounds.

Sir Iames Deane, Iames Dean his charity. Draper, gave to be distributed among the severall Hospitals in and about London, the summe of one hundred and thirty pounds. And to the Prisoners threescore and ten pounds.

Master George Smithes, George Smithes his charity. Goldsmith, and Alderman of London, gave to Christs Hospitall, ten pounds. And to Bridewell ten pounds.

Sir William Bowyer, VVilliam Bowyer, his charity. Grocer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1543. gave to the severall Prisons in and about London, the summe of two hundred pounds.

Sir Iohn Lion, Grocer, Alderman, and Lord Maior of Lond, Sir Iohn Lyon his charity. in the yeere 1554. gave to Christs Hospitall. St. Bartholomews, S. Thomas in Southwark, and Bridewell, one hundred pounds.

Sir Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. Sir Richard Champion, Sir Richard Champion his charity for reliefe of the poore. Drapet, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere, 1565. gave the summe of nineteene pound and foureteene shillings yeerely, to a Christian and charitable worke, formerly begun by Sir Iohn Milbourne, Draper, Alderman and Lord Maior of London likewise, and with the like yeerely allowance of nineteene pounds and fourteene shillings towards the maintenance of 13. poore Almes-houses at Tower-hill, and neere to the dwelling of the Lord Lumley.

Sir Christopher Draper, Sir Christopher Draper his charity. Ironmonger, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1566. gave to the Prisons in and about London, and Bethlem withall, threescore and eight pounds.

Sir Lionel Ducket, Sir Lionel Ducket his charity. Mercer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1572. gave to be distributed among the Hospitals in London, the summe of one hundred pounds.

Sir Thomas Ramsey, Sir Thomas Ramsey his charity. Grocer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1577. gave also in distribution among the said Hospitals threescore pounds.

Sir Wolstane Dixie, Sir VVolstane Dixie his charitable benevolence Skinner, Maior, 1586. gave as followeth.

He founded a Free-schoole at Bosworth and endowed it with twenty pound yeerely.

To Christs Hospitall in London hee gave yeerely for ever two and forty pounds.

For a Lecture in St. Michaels Bassings Hall, yeerely, ten pounds.

To the poore of Newgate, twenty pounds.His bounty to Prisons in divers places.

To the two Compters, and to Ludgate and Bethlem, to each of them tenne pounds.

To the foure Prisons in Southwarke, twenty pounds, thirteene shillings, and foure pence.

To the poore of Bassings Hall, tenne pounds.

To Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, Out of his love to learning. to buy lands for the maintenance or two Fellowes, and two Scholars, sixe hundred pounds.

To the building of the Colledge, fifty pounds.

To bee lent unto poore Merchants,To poore Merchants. five hundred pounds.

To the Hospitals of Saint Bartholomew, To Hospitals and poore maids marriages, &c. and Saint Thomas, fifty pounds to each.

To the the poore of Bridewell, twenty pounds.

To poore Maids marriages, one hundred pounds.

To poore Strangers of the Dutch and French Church, fifty pounds.

Towards the building of the Pesthouse, To the Pesthouse. two hundred pounds.

Sir Iohn Hart, Sir Iohn Hart his care of Learning, and respect of the poore. Grocer, Alderman and Lord Maior London, in the yeere 1589. erected and founded a Free-schoole in Yorkeshire, with the allowance of thirty pound yeerely to a Master and an Vsher.

Sir Iohn Allot, Sir Iohn Allot his charity. Fishmonger, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, gave likewise in distribution among the said Hospitals, threescore and sixe pound thirteene shillings.

Sir William Webbe, Sir William VVebbe his charity. Salter, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1591. gave likewise to be distributed among the said Hospitals, fourescore pound.

Sir Stephen Slanie, Sir Stephen Slanie, his charity. Skinner, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1595. beside his bountifull charity to the severall Hospitals, gave to bee bestowed among the severall Prisons, the summe of one hundred pounds.

Master Thomas Skinner, Thomas Skinner his charity. Clothworker, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1596. gave to the severall Hospitals in and about London one hundred and twenty pound to be equally divided among them.

Sir Robert Lee, Sir Robert Lee his charity. Merchant-Taylor, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, 1602. gave also in distribution among the said Hospitals, two and forty pound.

Sir Iohn Wattes, Sir Iohn VVats, his charity. Clothworker, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1606. gave unto Christs Hospitall the summe of ten pound, and to Saint Thomas hospitall in Southwarke, twenty pounds.

Sir Henry Rowe, Sir Henry Rowe his charity. Mercer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, 1607. gave likewise to bee distributed among the same hospitals, the summe of one hundred pounds.

Sir Humfrey Weld, Sir Humfrey VVeld his charity. Grocer, and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1608. gave Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. gave to be distributed among the severall hospitals, the summe of one hundred pounds.

Sir Thomas Cambell, Sir Thomas Cambell his charity. Ironmonger, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1609. gave to Christs Hospitall the summe of twenty pounds. And to the two Hospitals of S. Bartholomews, and Saint Thomas, five pound to each house.

Sir Iames Pemberton, Sir Iames Pemberton his love to learning and to the poore. Goldsmith, and lately Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1611. in his life time founded a Free-schoole at Heskin in the Parish of Ekklesden, in Lamcashire, endowing it with fifty pounds yeerely.

Hee gave also to Christs Hospitall, five hundred pounds.

Hee gave to his Company of Goldsmiths, two hundred pounds.

To divers Prisons hee gave one hundred pounds.

And to sundry poore Parishes hee gave charitably, leaving it to his Executors discretion.

Sir Iohn Swinnerton, Sir Iohn Swinnerton his charity. Merchant-Taylor, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, in the yeere 1612. gave unto Christs Hospitall the summe of one hundred pound. And to the other three hospitals, of Saint Bartholomews, Saint Thomas, and Bridewell, tenne pound to each house.

Sir Henry Rowe, Sir Henry Rowe his love to learning. Mercer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, beside his former bounty to the hospitals, gave to the two Vniversities, Oxenford and Cambridge, forty pound to poore scholars that study Divinity: and when they shall proceed Masters of Arts, to each scholar forty shillings.

Sir Thomas Hunt, Sir Thomas Hunt his charity. Skinner, gave to be divided among the poore of Christ Church, Saint Bartholomews, Saint Thomas in Southwarke, and Bridewell, one hundred pounds.

Sir William Rumney, William Rumney his love to learning. Haberdasher, and Alderman of London, beside his former liberality to the hospitals, gave to 40. poore scholars in Cambridge, the sum of twenty pounds.

Sir William Stone, William Stone his charity. Clothworker, gave to the severall Prisons in London, the summe of fifty pounds.

Master Ieffrey Elwes, Ieffrey Elwes his love to learning. Merchant-Taylor, and Alderman of London, over and beside his bountifull charity to the Hospitals in London, gave to the Chancelor, Master and scholars of the Vniversity of Oxenford, to the use of the body and corporation of the said Vniversity, and to Saint Iohn Baptist Colledge, the summe of three hundred pounds.

Thus much for famous Citizens have I noted, concerning their charitable actions, for the most part done by them in their life time. The residue left in trust to their Executors, I have knowne some of them hardly (or never) performed. Wherefore I wish men to make their owne hands their Executors, and their eyes their Overseers, not forgetting the old Proverbe, Women be forgetfull, Children be unkinde, Executors bee covetous, and take what they finde. If any body aske where the deads goods became, They answer; So God mee helpe and holydome, hee dyed a poore man.

And now of some women, Citizens wives, deserving memory, for example to posterity, shall be noted.

Dame Agnes Foster widdow,Agnes Foster. sometime wife to Sir Stephen Foster, Fishmonger, Maior, 1455. having enlarged the Prison of Ludgate, in 1463. shee procured in a common Councell of this City, certaine Articles to be established for the ease, comfort and reliefe of poor Prisoners there, as in the Chapter of Gates I have set downe.

Avice Gibson, Avice Gibson founded a Chappell, a Free-schoole, and Almes houses at Radcliffe. wife unto Nicholas Gibson, Grocer, one of the Sheriffes, 1539. by licence of her husband, founded a Free-schoole at Radcliffe neere unto London, appointing to the same for the instruction of threescore poore mens children, a Schoole-master and Vsher with fifty pound. Shee also builded Almes-houses for foureteene poore and aged persons, each of them to receive quarterly sixe shillings eight pence the peece for ever. The government of which Free-schoole and Almes-houses, ſhee Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. ſhe left in confidence to the Coopers in London.

This vertuous Gentlewoman, was afterward joyned in marriage with Sir Anthony Knevet, Cursed is hee that removeth his neighbours marke, have I read. Knight, and so called the Lady Knevet. A faire painted Table of her picture was placed in the Chappell, which she had built there, but of late removed thence, by the like reason, as the Grocers Armes (fixed on the outer wall of the Schoole-house, are pulled downe, and the Coopers set in place.

Margaret Danne, Margaret Danne. Widdow to William Danne, Ironmonger, one of the Sheriffes of London, 1570. gave by her testament to the Ironmongers two thousand pounds, to be lent to young men of that Company, paying after the rate of 5. pounds the yeere for every hundred, which hundred pounds so arising yeerly was to be imployed on charitable actions, as shee then appointed; but not performed in more than thirty yeeres after.

The Lady Baineham, sometime an Aldermans Widdow of this City,The Lady Baineham her charity. gave to the poore of the Drapers Company, ten pounds yeerely for ever.

The Lady Forman gave to be distributed among the severall hospitals forty pounds.The Lady Forman her charity.

The Lady Barne, The Lady Barne her charity. Wife to Sir George Barne, Haberdasher, and Lord Maior of London, gave also to the said hospitals, fourescore pounds.

The Lady Anne Saunders, The Lady Saunders her charity. sometime also an Aldermans wife of London, gave unto the reliefe of the said Hospitals, the summe of one hundred and twenty pound.

The Lady Anne Hunt, The Lady Hunt her charity. Wife to Sir Thomas Hunt, Skinner, gave in like manner for reliefe of the several Hospitals in London, the summe of one hundred and fourescore pounds.

The Lady Frances Ierningham, The Lady Ierningham her charity. Widdow, out of her Christian and charitable disposition to the said Hospitals, gave liberally the summe of three hundred and forty pounds.

The Lady Frances, The Countesse of Sussex her charity. sometime Countesse of Sussex, but a great friend and well-willer to the City of London, and knowne to be a very godly and religious Lady, gave to the said Hospitals the summe of one hundred pounds.

The Lady Katharine Constable, The Lady Constable her charity. being said to be bred and brought up in this Honourable Citie, declared her love thereto at her death, and gave unto the Hospitals the summe of two hundred pounds.

The Lady Webbe, sometime Wife to Sir William Webbe, The Lady VVeb her charity. Ironmonger, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, gave to be distributed among the severall Hospitals, the summe of three hundred pounds.

The Lady Gresham, wife sometime to Sir Thomas Gresham, The Lady Gresham her charity, Mercer, and Agent beyond the Seas to Queene Elizabeth of famous memory, gave also to the Hospitals, fourescore and tenne pounds.

The Lady Mary Ramsey, The Christian and bountifull charity of the Lady Ramsey. wife to Sir Thomas Ramsey, Grocer, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, about the yeere one thousand, five hundred, seventy seven, being seized of Lands in Fee-simple of her owne inheritance, amounting to the yeerely value of two hundred forty three pounds; by consent of her said husband, gave the same to Christs Hospitall in London, towards the reliefe of the poore children there, and other charitable uses, as shall bee declared.

To the Master and Vsher of the Schoole belonging to Christs-Church, she gave yeerely twenty pounds.

To the Schoolemaster of Hawsted, Her love to learning. by the yeere for ever, shee gave twenty pounds.

To tenne poore Widdowes, beside apparell and houses, yeerely twenty pounds.

To two poore people,Her care of the poore. a man and a woman by her appointed, during their lives she gave unto each of them yeerely, two pounds thirteene shillings and foure pence.

To two Fellowes of Peter-house, in the Vniversity of Cambridge, and towards the reliefe of foure Schollers yeerly forty pounds.

To St. Bartholemews Hospitall, tenne pounds.

To Newgate, Ludgate, and both the Compters,Her charity to the poore prisoners. each of them, ten pounds.

After the expiration of certaine Leases, there is to come unto Christs Ho ſpitall Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. yeerely the summe of one hundred and twenty pounds.

To three severall Parishes in London, To parishes in London. namely, Saint Andrews Vndershaft, Saint Peters the poore, and Saint Mary Wolnoth in Lumbardstreet, tenne pounds to each.

Towards the maintenance of sixe poore Scholars in Cambridge, twenty pounds.

Towards the reliefe of tenne poore maimed Souldiers,Care for poore maimed Souldiers. beside cassoks, caps, hose and shooes yeerely, the summe of twenty pounds.

For two Sermons yeerely, forty shillings.

She gave to the poore of Christschurch Parish yeerely for ever, the summe of fifty shillings.

To the poore of the Company of Drapers in London, she gave ten pounds yeerely.

All these gifts already rehearsed, are to continue for every yeerely.

Moreover, to each of these five Companies, Her care for poore beginners in the world. of Grocers, Drapers, Goldsmiths, Haberdashers, and Merchant-Tailors, shee gave the summe of one thousand two hundred pounds, to bee lent to young Trades-men for foure yeeres.

Shee gave to the Maior and Communalty of Bristow, a thousand pounds, to be imployed toward the new hospitall there, and other charitable uses, by the consent of her Executors.

To certaine Parishes in the Countrey, Her charity to divers Parishes in the countrey. as Berden, Newport, Clavering, Langley, Rickling, Quenden, Stocking, Pelham, and Walden, she gave the sum of one hundred pounds, to buy forty Gownes of Freeze for women, and sixty Coats for men, the remainder and overplus to goe to the poore.

She gave to poore maids marriages, forty pounds.

Moreover, shee gave the summe of five hundred pounds, towards the releasing of such prisoners, as lye for the debt of forty shillings, in any of the prisons in London and Southwarke.

She gave beside, the summe of three thousand pounds, to other good and godly uses.

The Lady Elizabeth Billingsley, The Lady Billingsley her love to learning. wife to Sir Henry Billingsley, Haberdasher, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, gave to her said husband, the summe of 4000. pounds, therewith to purchase lands in convenient time, and willed, that the residue of the profits of the said lands, should be bestowed upon a Scholarship and a Fellowship, in the Vniversity of Cambridge, in Saint Iohns Colledge, or any other Colledge there at his discretion.

The Lady Anne Iones, sometime wife to Sir Roger Iones, The Lady Iones her love to learning. Dier, and Alderman of London, gave towards the encouragement of poore Scholars in the Vniversities, 29. pounds, at the discretion of her Executors.

The Lady Spencer, The Lady Spencer her charity. sometime wife to Sir Iohn Spencer, Clothworker, Alderman and Lord Maior of London, gave to be distributed among the Hospitals, the summe of threescore and ten pounds.

The Lady Anne Glover, The Lady Glover her charity. sometime wife to Sir William Glover, Dier, Alderman of London, gave to reliefe of the Hospitals, the summe of fourescore pounds.

The Lady Barbara Stone, The Lady Stone her charity. sometime wife to Sir William Stone, Clothworker, gave to the reliefe of Christs Hospitall, one hundred pounds.

Mistris Elizabeth Walter, Mistris Walter her love to learning. sometime wife to Richard Walter, Girdler, gave 2. Fellowships to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

More, for the reliefe of poore Preachers, such as want livings, she gave the summe of three hundred pounds.

Mistris Alice Barnham, Mistris Barnham her love to learning. mother to M. Benedict Barnham, Draper and Alderman of London, gave to both Vniversities, 20. pound.

Mistris Elizabeth Scot, Mistris Scot, her love to learning. sometime wife to Iohn Scot, Salter, gave to the reliefe of poore Scholars in the Vniversities, forty pounds.

Mistris Katharine Garway gave also to the same benefit of poore Scholars,Mistris Garway her love to learning. twenty pounds.

Mistris Cicely Hawes, Mistris Hawes her love to learning. gave to poore Scholars in the Vniversities, twenty pounds.

Mistris Alice Hill, Mistris Hill her charity. Widdow, gave for the reliefe of poore prisoners, in the severall Prisons in and about London, one hundred pounds.

Mistris Elizabeth Packingten, Mistris Packingten her charity. Wid Ldow, Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. gave to Christs Hospitall,Mistris Packington her charity. threescore pounds.

Mistris Elizabeth Smith, Mistris Smith her charity. Widdow, gave to be distributed among the Hospitals, fourescore pounds.

Mistris Elizabeth Flicton, Mistris Electon her charity. sometime wife to Robert Electon, Grocer, gave unto Christs Hospitall, the summe of 66. pounds.

Mistris margery Simcotes, Mistris Simcotes her charity. sometime wife to George Simcotes, Grocer, gave unto Christs Hospitall, for reliefe of the poore Children, one hundred pounds.

Mistris Margaret Search, Mistris Search her charity. Widdow, gave unto Christs Hospitall, twenty pounds.

Mistris Iane Allington, Mistris Allington her charity. Widdow, gave unto Christs Hospitall, twenty pounds.

Mistris Iane Baker, Mistris Baker her charity. widdow gave to the reliefe of poore maids marriages, an hundred pounds.

Mistris Sambach, Mistris Sambach her charity. widdow, gave to the poore of the parish of Saint Brides in Fleetstreet, the summe of twenty five pounds yeerely.

Mistris Venables, Mistris Venables her charity. widdow, in her love to Christian Religion, gave for the help of poore Preachers, the summe of five thousand pounds.

Mistris Clarke, Mistris Clarke her love to Learning. widdow, late wife of Roger Clarke, Salter, and Alderman of London, in the Parish of Saint Margaret Moses, gave for the maintenance of poore Scholars, and other charitable uses beside, the summe of one thousand foure hundred pounds.

Mistris Ioane Doxie, Mistris Doxie her charity. Widdow, of Saint Bennet Grasse-Church in London, gave unto Christs Hospitall 5. pounds.

She gave to poore Maids marriages, twenty pounds.

She gave to the Company of Armorers, for reliefe of foure poore widdowes, for ever yeerely, five pounds to each widdow, desiring to have it called The poore Widdowes Mite.

She gave also towards the maintenance of the Lecture in Grasse-Church, fifty shillings yeerely.

Mistris Bakhouse, Mistris Bakhouse her love to learning. widdow, gave to the worshipfull Company of Haberdashers, the summe of forty pounds yeerely, towards the maintaining of 8. poore Scholars in the Vniversities; allowing to each Scholar yeerely five pounds.

Mistris Katharine Woodward, Mistris Woodward her charity. widdow, gave two hundred pounds to the Company of Ironmongers, to be lent out to yong men for their helpe.

She gave two hundred pounds more, to be distributed unto poore Scholars, the Hospitals, poore Prisoners, poore Parishes, poore Householders, poore Maids marriages: and three pounds thereof for three Sermons yeerely.

Mistris Iane Baker, Mistris Baker her love to learning. widdow, over and besides her former gift, for the helpe of poore Maids marriages, gave to three poore Scholars in Cambridge, and as many in Oxenford, the summe of twenty foure pounds, that when they shall severally take degree of Batchelours of Arts, they are to receive foure pounds each man.

Mistris Sibilla Iacob, Mistris Iacob her charity. widdow unto Richard Iacob, Vintener, gave unto Christs Hospitall, three pounds, and to Saint Thomas, three pounds.

Mistris Margery Philips, Mistris Philips her charity. widdow, gave unto Christs Hospital five pounds, and to Saint Thomas, five pounds.

Mistris Anna Whitmore, Mistris Whitmore her liberal charity. sometime wife to Master William Whitmore, Haberdasher, out of her most bountifull charity, gave unto Christs Hospital the summe of foure hundred pounds.

More, she gave to Saint Thomas Hospitall, twenty pounds.

To Saint Bartholomews Hospitall, threescore pounds.

She gave also to the Hospitall of Bridewell, to set the poore on worke, an hundred pounds.

Mistris Margaret Awdley of Hackney, Mistris Awdley her charity. Widdow, gave unto Christs Hospitall, one hundred pounds.

She gave to Saint Bartholomews, fifty pounds.

And to Saint Thomas Hospitall, fifty pounds.

Mistris Alice Elkin, The worthy charity of Mistris Alice Owen. widdow to Master William Elkin, Mercer and Alderman of London, was afterward married to the learned Lawyer, Master Thomas Owen, one of the learned Judges of the Land. This Mistris Alice Owen, caused (in her life time) an Hospitall to bee builded at Istington, for tenne poore women, with very convenient roomes, and Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. and Gardens to them adjoyning. Many other good workes were by her performed, and in her life time: and according as shee franckly and freely gave them, so will I set them downe in order, as followeth.

First,The manifest testimony of her affection to learning. she gave to the Library in the Vniversitie of Oxenford, the summe of two hundred pounds.

She gave also to the Library in the Vniversity of Cambridge the summe of twenty pounds.

For the foundation of one Fellowship, as also one Scholarship, in Emanuel Colledge in the Vniversity of Cambridge, shee gave a summe of money, the certaine value thereof is not as yet come to my hands.

She gave unto Christs Hospitall in London, Her care of the poore. to the end that twelve pence a peece weekely might be given to certaine poore people of Islington, threescore pounds.

Towards the beautifying of the Cloisters of Christs Hospitall, shee gave the summe of sixty six pounds, thirteene shillings, foure pence.

Shee gave, towards the maintaining of a Schoole-house at Edmunton, twenty pounds.

For a great Bell,A token of her love to the Countrey. to be rung and used in the Parish of Condover in Shropshire, shee gave the summe of fiftie pounds.

Item, The building of the Almeshouses at Islington, and purchasing of the Land laid to them, did cost her the sum of one thousand, foure hundred and fifteene pounds.

Close to the said Almes-houses,Her providence for the poore in her almes-houses. she builded a Schoolehouse and a Chappel of ease, that the poore might not goe over-far to Church, the charges whereof did cost her the summe of three hundred, sixty one pounds.

Yeerely also shee gave good summes of money,All these things were done in her life time. to poore Preachers unbeneficed, as also to the Prisons in and about London, all these being done in her life time.

By her last Will and Testament,Gifts appointed by her will. she hath provided, that 22. pounds yeerely shall be purchased, for the maintenance of the Schoole at Islington.

She hath bequeathed to poore Preachers the summe of 35. pounds.

She hath given to the Parish of Bashingshaw, (wherein sometime she dwelt) to increase the stocke of the poore there, twenty pounds.

She hath given to the Prisons, eight pounds.

To the Company of Brewers in London, to whose trust and care shee hath committed the government and oversight of the forenamed Almes-houses and Schoole-house at Islington; as a gratefull remembrance of her love, and that their paines should not goe altogether unregarded, she hath given in plate and money, one hundred pounds.

And here let mee tell you, that the charity of this vertuous and religious woman,A worthy example, and well deserving imitation. deserveth the more to bee remembred, and commended also to posterity; because she made her owne eyes the witnesses, to all or the greater part of the severall summes, first mentioned and given in her life time.

And yet at the time of her death, of children and childrens children, she had no lesse than two and twenty: A motive very able to hinder charity, especially in a worldly and covetous minde.

Neverthelesse, looking on all the parts disposed to her children, and the other dividents beside, she selected out so bountifull a portion for those poore members of Christ, that (even to the worlds end) may successively remember her good done to them, and justly terme her their liberall and mercifull mother.

One thing (above the rest) I may not forget; because in deliverances from any dangers, wee owe a more speciall duty and gratitude to God.

This worthy woman being borne at Islington, A great danger she escaped in her childhood. in the time of her childhood, she hapned there to escape a great danger, by meanes of an Arrow shot at randome in the field, where shee was then sporting among other children, the Arrow missing all the other, pierced quite thorow the hat on her head, and (God be praised for it) did not touch her with any other harme:The reasō of erecting her Almes-houses. whereupon, in the Towne of her birth, and where shee escaped such an expected perill, shee made choice to expresse her thankfulnesse to GOD, upon the Altar of her L2charitable Honour of Citizens, and worthineſſe of men. charitable Almes-houses and Schoole.

Thus much for the worthinesse of Citizens (both men and women) in this Citie, Iohn Lidgate, in praise of Londoners of his time. touching whom, Iohn Lidgate, a Monke of Bury, in the reigne of King Henry the sixth, made (amongst other) these Verses following: Of seven things I praise this Citie: Of true meaning and faithfull observance, Of righteousnesse, truth and equity; Of stablenesse aye kept in Legiance, And for of vertue thou hast suffisance: In this lond here, and other londs all, The Kings Chamber of Custom men thee call.