Deo Opt. Max. & memoriae.

Hic resurrectionem mortuorum expectat Thomas Digsaeus, Armiger, ex Antiqua Digsaeorum in Cantia Familia oriundus, vir fide & pietate in Deum singulari, rei militaris admodum peritus, optimarum literarum studiosus, & scientiis Mathematicis ad miraculum (ut ex libris editis constat) eruditissimus: Quem Deus in Coelestem Patriam, Anno salutis, 1595. evocavit: charissimo Marito Vxor moestissima posuit.

Here lieth in an assured hope to rise in Christ, Thomas Digges, Esquire, sometime Muster-Master of the English Army in the Low-Countries: A man zealously affected to true Religion, wise, discreete, courteous, faithfull to his friends, and of rare knowledge in Geometry, Astrologie, and other Mathematicall sciences: who finished this transitory life with a happy end, in Anno 1595.

That the dead might live, Christ dyed.

Here lieth buried,A plated stone by the Communion Table. Elizabeth Norreis, daughter of the right Honourable Sir Henry Norreis, Knight, Lord Norreis of Ricot, who deceased the 18. day of April, 1574.

Armig. hic Jon. Constantinus positus; A marvellous ancient plated stone. genetrici subjacet; aeternè laetenur in arce polorum. Qui Februo cessit. Mil. 1. Cent. quatuor bis & octo.

Here lieth entombed,A very faire Tombe in the South side of the Quire. Ralph Woodcock, Grocer and Alderman of London, who departed this life the first day of September, 1586. aged, 67. yeeres. Hee had foure wives, Helen Collier, by whom he had five sonne and three daughters.

Dd2Good

Creplegate Ward. Good Bower, by whom he had ten sons and five daughters. Elenor Carew, by whom he had one daughter. And Mary Lovyson, by whom he had no issue.

Elizabeth, A faire plated stone by the Communion Table. whose husband Davy hight, Lyeth buried here till time the Trumpet blow: But sure the heavens possesse her sacred spright, Her vertuous life and godly end did show. And they that knew her pathes of perfect love, The sundry gifts that garnished her life, Can witnesse well, and by her end approve, There seldome hath been seene a better wife. Give God the praise for such her happy race: And pray, that we like vertues may embrace. She died the 12. day of August, 1569.

Beneath this Church have ye Gay-spur lane, Gay-spur lane. which runneth down to London Wall,Priory or Hospitall called, Elsing Spittle. as is afore shewed. In this lane, at the North end thereof, was (of old time) a house of Nuns, which house being in great decay, Wil. Elsing, Mercer, in the yeere of Christ, 1329. the 3. of Edward the 3. began in place thereof the foundation of an Hospitall, for sustentation of 100. blind men. Towards the erection whereof, he gave his 2. houses in the Parishes of S. Alphage, & our blessed Lady in Aldermanbury, neere Creplegate.

This house was after called a Priory or Hospital of S. Mary the Virgin, founded in the yeere 1332. by W. Elsing, for Canons regular: the which W. became the first Prior there. Robert Elsing, son to the said W. gave to the said Hospitall, 12. l. by the yeere, for the finding of 3. Priests, he also gave 100. s. towards the inclosing of the new Church-yard without Ealdgate: Charter-house Church-yard without Alderſgate, and one other the like without Ealdgate. and 100. s. to the inclosing of the new Church-yard without Aldersgate: to Tho. Elsing his son, 80. l. the rest of his goods to be sold, and given to the poore. This house valued, 193. l. 15. s. 5. d. was surrendred the eleventh of May, the 22. of Henry the 8.

A briefe remembrance of SYON Colledge, in the Parish of Saint Alphage.

IN the same place where the foresaid Elsing Spittle and Priory were formerly situated;A Colledge for the Clergy of London. there is now newly erected a Colledge for the Clergy of London, and liberties thereof, called by the name of Syon Colledge: And Almes-houses for twenty poore people, ten men, and ten women.

This was done by the especiall care and paines of M. Iohn Simson, Rector of S. Olaves Hartstreet London, one of the Executors of the last Will and Testament of M. Thomas White, Doctor White of S. Dunstanes in the West. Doctor in Divinity, Vicar of S. Dunstanes in the west, and one of the Canons Residentiary of S. Pauls Church London: which forenamed Thomas White (besides sundry sums of mony, and great yeerly revenues given by him to pious and charitable uses in divers places) gave 3000. l. to purchase and build the foresaid Colledge for the use of the Clergy, and Almes-houses for the 20. poor people aforesaid.

He also gave unto the said Colledge and Almes-houses 160. l. per annum for ever,An hundred and threescore pounds yeerly allowed. whereof there is 120. l. yeerly allowed for the maintenance of the poore Almes-men & women. And 40. l. yeerly for 4. dinners for the Clergy, who are to have 4. Latine Sermons in the yeere; one every quarter, and upon these daies are to dine together in the Colledge.

In the same Colledge the aforenamed Iohn Simson did in his life time at his owne proper costs and charges build a very faire and spacious Library, A faire & goodly Library in Syon Colledge. containing 121. foote in length, within the wals, & above 25. foot in breadth. And hath furnished it with wainscot, stalls, deskes, seates, and other necessary and usefull ornaments befieting the place.

He likewise at his cost and charges erected the new building adjoyning to the Library, A new building joyned to the Library. all along the Southside of the Colledge Court, for lodging for the Governours, or others at their appointment.

to this Library there have beene already divers bountfull and well disposed Benefactors,Liberall Benefactors to the Library, & their gift. who have given large summes of money towards the furnishing of it with bookes.

The

Creplegate Ward. The right Honourable Paul, Lord Viscount Bayning, gave fifty pounds.

The right Honourable Anne, Vicountesse Bayning, his wife, gave 50. l.

Sir George Croke, Knight, one of his Majesties Iustices of his Pleas before him assigned to be holden, gave 100. l.

Rebecca, Lady Rumney, widow to Sir William Rumney, late Alderman of London, gave 100. l.

M. Thomas Gonnell, late Citizen and Merchant-Adventurer of London, gave by his Will 100. l.

M. Iohn Greenough, late Citizen and Woolman of London, gave by his Will fifty pounds.

M. Robert Parkhurst, Citizen and Alderman of London, gave fifty pounds.

Besides divers others; whose names, legacies, gifts, and bookes bought therewith: are (by way of a gratefull memoriall) registred in a faire Booke kept in the Library.

The Monuments that were in this Church defaced, Thomas Cheney, son to William Cheney, Thomas, Iohn, and William Cheney, Iohn Northampton, Draper, Maior, 1381. Edmond Hungerford, Henrie Frowike, Ioane, daughter to Sir William Cheney, wife to William Stokes, Robert Edarbroke, Esquire, 1460. Dame Ioane Ratcliffe, William Fowler, William Kingston, Thomas Swineley, and Helen his wife, &c.

The principall Ile of this Church, towards the North, was pulled downe, & a frame of foure houses set up in place: the other part from the steeple upward, was converted into a Parish Church of S. Alphage, Parish Church of S. Alphage. & the Parish Church which stood neere unto the VVall of the City by Creplegate, was pulled downe, the plot thereof made a Carpenters yard, with saw-pits.

The Hospitall it selfe, the Prior, and Canons house, with other Lodgings, were made a dwelling house, the Church-yard is a Garden plot, and a faire Gallery on the Cloyster: the lodgings for the poore are translated into stabling for horses.

In the yeere 1541. Sir Iohn Williams, Master of the Kings Jewels, dwelling in this house, on Christmas Even at night, about seven of the clocke,Elsing Spittle burned. a great fire began in the Gallery thereof, which burned so sore, that the flame firing the whole house, and consuming it, was seene all the City over, and was hardly quenched; whereby many of the Kings Iewels were burned, and more imbeselled (as was said.)

Sir Rowland Hayward, Maior, dwelled in this Spittle, & was buried there, 1593. Richard Lee, alias, Clarenciaulx, King of Armes, 1597.

Here lieth the body of Sir Rowland Hayward, A very goodly Monumēt in the wall of the Quire on the South side. Knight, twice Lord Maior of this City of London, and living an Alderman the space of 30. yeeres, and (at his death) the ancientest Alderman of the said City. He lived beloved of all good men, and died (in great credit and reputation) the fifth day of December, Ann. Dom. 1593. And the 36. yeere of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth. He had two vertuous wives, and by them many happy children.

Ioane, daughter of William Tillesworth, Esquire, was the first wife to Sir Rowland Hayward, by whom he had issue, 3. sons and 5. daughters, which 3. sons, and 2. of the daughters died in their infancy. The eldest of the surviving daughters, named Elizabeth, was first married to Richard VVaren, Esquire, and (after his decease) to Thomas Knevet, Esquire, one of her Majesties Privie Chamber. Susanna, the second daughter, was married to Henry Townsend, Esquire. Ioane the third daughter, was married to Iohn Thinne, Esquire.

Katharine, the second wife of Sir Rowland Hayward, was daughter to Thomas Smith, Esquire, by whom hee had likewise issue three sons and five daughters, whereof one sonne and one daughter died infants. The two sons and foure daughters yet living, are George, Iohn, Alice, Katharine, Mary, and Anne, all young, and unmarried at their fathers death.

Decus vitae, est honorata Mors.

This Tombe was erected by the appointment of Edward Pilsworth, and VVilliam Cotton, Citizens of London, and Executors of the said Sir Rowland.

Dd3Here Creplegate Ward. Here lieth buried under this stone the body of Robert Hodgson, A Gravestone at the entrance into the Quire doore. Esquire, one of the Auditors of the Queenes Majesties Court of Exchequer, who died the 26. day of May, in the yeere of our Lord 1577.

Now to returne to Milkestreet, so called of milke sold there, there bee many faire houses for wealthy Merchants and other: among the which I reade, that Gregory Rokesley, Gregory Rokesley, Maior of London, his house rent 20. shillings the yeere. Maior of London, in the yeere 1275. dwelled in this Milkstreete, in an house belonging to the Priory of Lewes in Sussex, whereof he was Tenant at will, paying 20. s. by the yeere without other charge: such were the rents of those times.

In this Milkestreete, Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalen. is a small Parish Church of Saint Mary Magdalen, which hath of late yeeres been repaired: William Browne, Maior, 1513. gave to this Church forty pounds, and was buried there. Thomas Exmew, Maior, 1528. gave forty pounds, and was buried there: so was Iohn Milford, one of the Sheriffes, 1375. Iohn Olney, Maior, 1475. Richard Rawson, one of the Sheriffes, 1476. Henry Kelsey. Sir Iohn Browne, Maior, 1497. Thomas Muschampe, one of the Sheriffes, 1463. Sir William Cantilow, Knight, Mercer, 1462. Henry Cantilow, Mercer, Merchant of the Staple, who builded a Chappell, and was buried there, 1495. Iohn West, Alderman, 1517. Iohn Machel, Alderman, 1558.

Thomas Skinner, Clothworker, Maior, 1596.

Here lieth the corps of Thomas Skinner, late Citizen and Alderman of London, A comely Monumēt in the South Ile of the Quire. borne at Saffron Walden in Essex, who in the 63. yeere of his age, and on the 5. day of December, Anno Dom. 1596. being then Lord Maior of this City, departed this life, leaving behind him three sonnes, Iohn, Thomas, and Richard: and three daughters, Aunc, Iulian, and Elizabeth.

Here lieth interred the body of Mistresse Mary Collet, wife of M. John Collet, Citizen and Salter of London, who deceased the 22. of December, An. Dom. 1613. being aged 35. yeeres.

This Marble witnesse,A faire Stone in the same Ile before the Monument forenamed. dew-dropt with the eies Of grived Niobe, tels thee, that here lies Her second husband joy, her first content, Her parents comfort, her friends ornament, Her neighbours welcome, her deare kinreds losse, Her owne health’s foe, deeming all pleasure drosse, The world a layle, whence, through much paine we see Her soule at length hath purchast liberty; And soar’d on high where here Redeemer lives: Who (for her torment) rest and glory gives.

Here lie the bodies of Gerard Gore, A comely Tombe in the Chancell, by another much more ancient Tombe of Henry Cantilowe. Citizen, Merchant-Taylor, and Alderman of London, and of Helen his wife: who lived together married 57. yeeres. The said Gerard died the 11. day of December, 1607. in the 91. yeere of his age. And shee departed this life the 13. day of February, in the foresaid yeere, being 75. yeeres old.

Here lyeth the body of Thom. Henshawe, A faire Stone at the entrance into the Quire. Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, who had to wife Flower Henshawe, and had issue by her 9. sons, and 4. daughters. He deceased the 11. day of Ianuary, 1611. aged, 76. yeeres: and she died the 6. of March, 1615. aged, about 60. yeeres.

Here lieth the body of sir William Stone, A very faire Monument in the Chancell on the North side. Knight, free of the Clothworkers and Turkie Companies, sometime Alderman of this City. He was the sonne of Reynold Stone, Citizen and Fishmonger of London. The said Sir VVilliam departed this life the 14. of September, 1609. aged, 63. yeeres, &c.

As the Earth, the Earth doth cover, So under this stone lyes another. Sir William Stone, who long deceased, Ere the worlds love him released, So Creplegate Ward. So much it lov’d him. For they say, He answered death before his day, But ’tis not so: for he was sought Of one that both him made and bought. He remain’d the great Lords treasure, Who called for him at his pleasure, And receiv’d him. Yet be’it said, Earth griev’d that heaven so soone was paid. Here likewise lyes inhumed in one bed, Dame Barbara, the welbeloved wife Of this remembred Knight: whose soules are fled From this dimme Vale, to everlasting life. Where no more change, nor no more separation Shall make them flye from their blest habitation. Grasse of levitie, Span in brevity, Flowers felicity, Fire of misery, Winds stability Is mortality. Their Riches were like corne lent to the field, What it receiv’d it manifold did yeeld. Their bodies have a grave their vertues none, But shall with time grow greene, when they are gone. Stone walls, brasse Towers, decay as flowers: One gone, their good is, Lo, here they stood. So transitory is our glory. This Stone,A comely Monumēt in the east end of the South Ile. this Verse, two Mountfords doe present, The corps of one, the others Monument: Two lovely brethren, by their vertues knowne, Whom Cambridge, and Kings Colledge cal’d their owne. Osbert and Richard, of which worthy paire, The first imployed by Sea in great affaire, Made Heaven his Haven, and at that Port, the other (By land) did overtake his elder Brother. So now the bones of both are laid asleepe, These in this Church, those in the Easterne Deepe: Till all the dead shall wake from Sea and Land, Before the Iudge of quicke and dead to stand. Amen. We sonne-lesse parents, yet not childlesse left, Bewaile (as men) our seed untimely reft. As Christians, we hope, and joy, and say; Heaven is our home, and thither, Death the way. By Sea or Land, it skils not, so we minde The Faithfull Pilgrims narrow path to finde. Mort. Osbert, Mense Decemb. 1614. Mort. Richard, Mense Ian. 1615.

Then next is Woodstreet, Woodstreet. by what reason so called, I know not; true it is, that (of old time) according to a Decree made in the reigne of Richard the first, the houses in London were builded of stone, for defence of fire, which kind of building was used for two hundred yeeres or more; but of later time, for the winning of ground, taken downe, and houses of timber were set up in place. It seemeth therefore, that this street hath beene of the later building, all of timber, (for not one house of stone hath beene knowne there) and therefore called Woodstreet; otherwise it might take the name of some builder or owner thereof.

Tho. Wood, one of the Sheriffes, in the Creplegate Ward. the yeere 1491. dwelled there: he was an especiall Benefactor towards the building of S. Peters Church at Woodstreet end, which is called Gold-smiths row, garnished with the likenesse of Wood-men: his predecessors might be the first builders, owners and namers of this street, after their owne name.

On the East side of this street is one of the Prison houses, Compter in Woodſtreet. pertaining to the Sheriffes of London, and is called the Compter in Woodstreet, which was prepared to be a prison-house, in the yeere 1555. and on the Eve of S. Michael the Archangell,Celebrated on June 29. the prisoners that lay in the Compter in Breadstreet, were removed to this Compter in Woodstreet. Beneath this Compter is Lad Lane, Ladle lane, corruptly called Lad lane. or Ladle Hall; for so I find it of Record, in the Parish of Saint Michael Woodstreet, and beneath that is Love Lane, Love lane. so called of wantons.

By this Lane is the ancient Parish Church of S. Albans. Parish Church of S. Alban. One note of the great antiquity of it, is the name: by which it was at first dedicated to Saint Albane, the first Martyr of England. Another character of the antiquity of it, is to be seene in the manner of the turning of the Arches in the windowes, and heads of the Pillars. A third note appeares in the Romane bricks, here and there inlayed amongst the stones of the building. Very probable it is, that this Church is at least of as ancient a standing, as King Adelstane the Saxon, who, as the Tradition sayes, had his house at the East end of this Church. This Kings house having a doore also into Adelstreet, in this Parish, gave name, as ’tis thought, unto the said Adel-street: which in all Evidences to this day, is written King-Adelstreet. One great square Tower of this Kings house seemes yet remaining: to be seene at the North corner of Love Lane, as you come from Alderman-bury: which Tower is of the very same stone and manner of building with S. Albanes Church. This Church, decayed with meere age, is this yeere beginning to be taken downe, and to be new builded.

It hath the Monuments of Sir Rich. Illingworth, Baron of the Exchequer, Thomas Catworth, Grocer, Maior, 1443. Iohn Woodcocke, Maior, 1405. Iohn Collet and Alice his wife: Ralph Thomas, Ralph and Richard, sonnes of Ralph Illingworth, which was sonne to Richard Illingworth, Baron of the Exchequer. Thomas, sonne of Thomas Fitzwilliams; Thomas Halton, Mercer, Maior, 1550. Thomas Ostrich, Haberdasher, 1483. Richard Swetenham Esquire; and William Dunthorne, Town-Clerke of London, with this Epitaph:

Faelix prima dies postquam mortalibus aevi, Cesserit, hic morbus subit, atq, repentè senectus, Tum mors qua nostrum Dunthorn cecidisse Wilelmum, Haud cuiquam latuisse reor, dignissimus (inquam,) Artibus hic Doctor, necnon celeberrimus hujus Clericus Vrbis erat primus, nulli{que} secundus, Moribus, ingenio, studio, nil dixeris illi, Quin dederit natura boni, pius ipse modestus, Longanimus, solis patiens, super omnia gratus, Quique sub immensas curas variosque labores, Anxius atteritur vitae, dum carpserit auras, Hoc tetro in tumulo, compostus pace quiescit.

Simon Morsted, Thomas Pikehurst, Esquire, Richard Take, Robert Ashcombe, Thomas Lovet, Esquire, Sheriffe of Northamptonshire, 1491. Iohn Spoore, 1429. Katharine, daughter to Sir The Mirley, Knight, William Linchlade, Mercer, 1392. Iohn Penny, Mercer, 1450. Iohn Thomas, Mercer, 1485. Christopher Hawse, Mercer, one of the Sheriffes, 1503. William Sharborough, Vintner, Simon de Berching. Sir Iohn Cheke, Knight, Schoole-master to King Edward the 6. deceased, 1557. doth lye here.

Hunc posuit Tumulum frater,A Monument in the East end of the Chancell. superaddidit illi Triste Nepos Carmen; dignus utroque fuit. Cur Tumulum? justo ne funus honore careret. Cur Carmen? laudes ne tegerentur humo. Vita Creplegate Ward. Vita pia, & foelix mors, vitam morte prehendunt, Et pensant-Coeli munere, damna soli.

Here lyeth buried M. Albayne Hill, Doctor of Physicke, who dyed the 26. day of December, An. Dom. 1559.

Here also lyeth buried Mistris Alice Hill, A monument in the South wall of the Chappell. sometime wife to the said M. Dr. Hill: who dyed the last day of May, An. Dom. 1508.

Ethelreda White,An anciēt plate fixed in the wall of the North Chappell. quondam uxor Henrici White, Armigeri, & unius filiarum & haeredum Roberti Frother, Aldermanni London. Quae quidem Ethelreda obiit in vigilia S. Iohan. Baptist. An. Regis Henrici 8. 26. An. Dom. 1534.

The 13. day of September,A faire plated Gravestone in the North Chappell of the Quire. 1557. Doctrinae tamen Chekus uter{que} Magister, Aurea naturae sabrica morre jacer. Non erat è multis unus, sed praestitir unus Omnibus & Patriae flos erat ille suae: Gemma Britanna fuit, tam magnum nulla tulerunt Tempora Thesaurum, tempora nulla ferent.

Hic jacet Benedictus Trotter,A gravestone in same Chappell. nuper Civis, & Grocerus London, Mercator Stapulae villae Caliciae. Qui obiit ultimo die Mensis Octobris, 1496. Cujus, &c.

Hic jacet Willielmus Hinchlade,A faire plated stone by the Communion Table. quondam Civis & Mercerus London. Qui obiit 9. die Ianuarii, An. Dom. 1392. Et Alicia uxor ejus. Quorum, &c.

Of William Wilson, A faire plated stone in the body of the Church. Ioane his wife, and Alice their daughter deare, These lines be left to give report, these three lye buried here; And Alice was Henry Decons wife, which Henry lives on earth, And is the Serjeant Plummer unto Queene ELIZABETH. With whom this Alice left issue here, her vertuous daughter Iane, To be his comfort every where, now joyfull Alice is gone. And for these three departed soules, gone up to joyfull blisse; Th’ Almighty praise be given to God, to whom the glory is.

Alice dyed, the eleventh day of March, 1572.

Ad sacros cineres,A small Monumēt on a pillar in the middle Ile. & piam memoriam Alleni Downer, Civis London, è libertate Potifica, & aetate & officio aliquando senioris, & Mariae Vxoris Parentum integritate quadrata, Thomas Filius unus, & uncus superstes, ultimum hoc pli & filialis amoris testamentum assert.

Si vere dicunt monumenta monentia mentes, Mille mihi monumenta pii posuēre parentes. Ingratus ne sim monumento hoc miile rependo.

Vpon the Wall by the North doore, a faire Monument in stone, with these inscriptions:

Misericordiam Dei per Jesum Christum obtinuimus.

Here lye the bodies of Anne, the wife of Laurence Gibson, Gent. and of their three sonnes. She was a most faithfull and loving wife, and a right-religious, wise, vertuous and modest woman, and adorned with many other such excellent and commendable gifts and qualities, that she is worthy of perpetuall memory. She was of the ancient Family of the Bamfords in Lincolnshire: and the 29. day of December, 1611. she patiently and Christianly ended this mortall life.

Spe resurgendi ad vitam aeternam requiescimus.

Hoc moestissimus ejus maritus, in piam memoriam Vxoris suae, talis, tam{que} charissimae construi fecit: eundem{que} hic cum illa esse sepulturum sperat & exoptat.

In Christo filii sumus Dei, & haeredes aeternae vicae.

Mentis vis magna. What, is she dead? doth he survive? No: both are dead, and both alive. She Creplegate Ward. She lives, hee’s dead, by love, though grieving, In him, for her, yet dead, yet living. Both dead, and living? then what is gone? One halfe of both, not any one. One mind, one Faith, one hope, one Grave, In life, in death, they had, and still they have.

Amor conjugalis aeternus. Hic jacet in requiem Woodcocke Iohn, An Ancient Tomb in the Chancell, lately intruded on with new Pewes. vir Generosus, Maior Londiniae, Mercerus, valdè morosus. Hic jacet Tom Shot-hose, sine Tombe, sine Sheets, sine Riches, Qui vixit sine Gowne, sine Cloake, sine Shirt, sine Breeches.

In the Vestrie South Window, there is the figure of Thomas Heritagh, in a red Mantle: Right before him in another pane is the Mercers Armes, of which Company (it seemes) he was free. This man was the builder of this Vestry-house.

At the East end of the Chancell, on the right hand, is a faire Monument, with this inscription:

To the sacred Memory of Thomas Shelly, eldest sonne and heire of Henry Shelly of Patcham in the Country of Sussex, Esquire, departed this life the second day of Decemb. 1620. being 23. yeeres of age: by his most sorrowfull wife, Mary Shelly, eldest daughter of Thomas Stephens of the middle Temple, Esquire, Atturney Generall to Prince Henry.

If Youth, Religion, Vertue, and the rest Of Graces that in fraile Man are the best, Could have conser’d long life, this Funerall Verse Had not so soone beene offered at thy Herse By thy sad Widdow: whose Fate did allow Her onely three weeks happinesse, to know How good thou wert: and what remaines of life, To her yeelds sorrow: she was once a wife To such an husband, whose like ’twere in vaine, And flattery to her griefe, to hope againe. But thou wert flesh, and that to earth must turne, Thy pure soule blest; she onely left to mourne.

Adjoyning to this on the right hand, is a faire Marble Monument in Ovall:

Deo Trino & Vno opt. max. sacrum, ac

Aeternae Memoriae ornatissimae & laudatissimae feminae, Annae Walleriae in Icenis oriundae, unius at{que} unicae parentum prolis; Ingenio, Genio & Genere conspicuae: Guilielmi Waadi, Regii Consistorii sanctioris{que} Concilii Serenissimae Heroinae, Dominae Elizabethae, Angliae, &c. Reginae, à secretis.

Conjugis,

Quae annos enata Xix. in puerperio, 10. Calendas Septembris, Anno Salutis Iesu merito restitutae, M.D.XIC. ex hac peritura ad perennam vitam emigravit.

Cui

Placidè in Christo gentis humanae sospitatore obdormienti, hoc mortale immortalis amoris Monumentum Conjux moestissimus posuit.

On the South side of the Church, on the wall adjoyning to the Vestry, is an ancient Monument, in the memory of Christopher Hawes, Mercer and Alderman of London, who dyed the 25. of October, 1508. and is interred in a Vault under the foundation of the Church.

Then is Adle street, Adle street. in old Evidences written King-Adel-street; and so called from King Adel stane the Saxon. At this present it is replenished with faire buildings on both fides:Pinners Hall, now the Plaisterers Hall. Amongst which, there was sometime the Pinners Hall: but that Company being decayed, it is now the Plaisterers Hall.

Not Creplegate Ward. Not farre from thence is the Brewers Hall,Brewers Hall. a faire house: which Company of Brewers was incorporated by King Henry the sixth, in the 16. of his reigne; confirmed by the name of Saint Mary and Saint Thomas the Martyr, the 19. of Edward the fourth.

From the West end of this Adle street, Little Woodstreet runneth downe to Creplegate: and somewhat East (from the Sunne Taverne, against the wall of the Citie) is the Curriers Hall.Curriers Hall.

Now on the West side of Woodstreet have ye Huggen lane, Huggen lane so called of one Hugan, that of old time dwelled there. He was called Hugan in the Lane, as I have read in the 34. of Edward the first. This Lane runneth downe by the South side of S. Michaels Church in Woodstreet; and so growing very narrow by meanes of late encrochments, to Guthurons lane.

The Parish Church of Saint Michael in Woodstreet is a proper thing,Parish Church of S. Michael in Woodstreet. and lately well repaired. Iohn Iue, Parson of this Church, Iohn Forster, Goldsmith, and Peter Fikeldon, Taylor, gave two Messuages and Shops, with Sollars, Cellars, and other Edifices, in the same Parish and street, and in Ladle Lane to the reparations of the Church, Chancell, and other workes of charity, the 16 of Richard the second.

The Monuments here, be of William Bambrough, the son of Henry Bambrough of Shardborough, 1392.

William Turner, Waxe-Chaundler, 1400.

Iohn Peke, Goldsmith, 1441.

VVilliam Taverner, Girdler, 1454.

VVilliam Mancer, Ironmonger, 1465.

Iohn Nash, 1466. with an Epitaph.

Iohn Allen, Timber-monger, 1441.

Robert Draper, 1500.

Iohn Lambard, Draper, Alderman, one of the Sheriffes of London, who deceased 1554. and was father to William Lambard, Esquire, well knowne by sundry learned Bookes that he hath published.

Iohn Medley, Chamberlaine of London.

Iohn Marsh, Esquire, Mercer, and Common Sergeant of London, &c.

Here lyeth Ioh. Blount, Citizen and Clothworker of Lond. eldest son of W. Blount of Mauggareffield, A comely small Monument in the East end of the North Quire, in the wall. in the County of Glocest. Esquire, who had to wife Anne Layton, of whom he had issue, six sonnes and eight daughters, and lived together man and wife nine and twenty yeeres, in worshipfull and good reputation, and dyed at the age of threescore and three yeers, the first day of May, 1599.

Here lyeth the body of Nicholas Waren, A smaller Monumēt in the same Ile and wall. Citizen and Grocer of London, borne at Whitby in Yorkshire, who had to wife Margaret Crome, who lived together married two and twenty yeeres and eleven moneths. He dyed in joy and peace of a faithfull confession, the tenth day of April, 1614. being about the age of two and fifty yeeres.

IOB 17. Vers. 5. My breath is corrupt, my dayes are cut off, the Grave for me.

The body of William Harvie, A comely Monumēt in the same wall & Ile. Citizen and Grocer of London, and Deputy to the Alderman of this Ward of Creplegate within, was buried the twentieth day of March, Anno Domini, 1597. of the age of 68. yeeres. Maudlin, his first wife, by whom he had issue, foure sonnes and one daughter, was buried the 16. day of November, 1581. Margaret, his second wife, by whom he had issue, one son, was buried the 14. of Ianuary, 1593. Joane, his third wife, survived.

Robert Harvie, A Memory on the same Monument. his eldest sonne, Citizen and Grocer of London, was buried in his Fathers Grave the ninth of November, 1608. out of his house in the Old Iewry, being of the age of 47. yeeres, 5. moneths, and 10. dayes; when he had served his Prince, Comptroller of the Customehouse, and Warden of the Grocers. Hee had to wife Sara Audley, of whom hee had issue, three sonnes and three daughters, &c.

There is also (but without any outward Monument) the head of Iames, Iames, the 4. King of Scots, his head buried in S. Michaels Church in Woodstreet. the fourth King of Scots of that name; slaine at Flodden field, and buried here by this occasion: After the Battell, the body of the said King being found, was closed in Lead, and conveyed from thence to London Creplegate Ward. London, and so to the Monastery of Sheyne in Surrey, where it remained for a time, in what order I am not certaine. But since the dissolution of that house, in the reigne of Edward the sixth, Henry Gray, Duke of Suffolke, being lodged and keeping house there; I have beene shewed the same body, so lapped in Lead, close to the head and body, throwne into a waste roome amougst the old Timber, Lead, and other rubble. Since the which time, workemen there (for their foolish pleasure) hewed off his head: And Launcelot Young, Master Glasier to Queene Elizabeth, feeling a sweet savour to come from thence, and seeing the same dryed from all moysture, and yet the forme remaining, with the haire of the head and beard red; brought it to London, to his house in Woodstreet, where (for a time) he kept it for the sweetnesse: but in the end, caused the Sexton of that Church to burie it amongst other bones, taken out of their Charnell, &c.

I reade in divers Records, Blacke Hall in Woodstreet, in S. Michaels Parish. of a house in Woodstreet, then called Blacke Hall; but no man at this day can tell thereof.

On the North side of this Saint Michaels Church, is Maiden lane, now so called,Ingene lane, or Maiden lane. but (of old time) Ingenelane, or Inglane. In this Lane the Wax-Chandlers have their Common Hall,Wax-Chandlers Hall. on the South side thereof: and the Haberdashers have their like Hall on the North side, at Stayning lane end. This Company of the Haberdashers,Haberdashers Hall. or Hurrers, of old time so called, were incorporated a Brotherhood of S. Katharine, Record in the Rolles the 26. of Henry the 6. and so confirmed by Henry the seventh, the 17. of his reigne; the Cappers and Hat-merchants, or Hurrers, being one Company of Haberdashers.

Downe lower in Woodstreet is Silver street, Silver street (I thinke, of Silver-smiths dwelling there) in which bee divers faire houses.

And on the North side thereof is Monkes-well street, Monks-well street. so called, of a Well at the North end thereof, where the Abbot of Garendon had an house or Cell, called Saint Iames in the Wall by Creplegate, and certaine Monkes of their house were the Chaplains there; wherefore the Well (belonging to that Cell or Hermitage) was called Monkes-well, and the street of the Well, Monkes-well street. The East side of this street, down against London wall, and the south side thereof to Creplegate, bee of Creplegate Ward, as is afore shewed.

In this street,Bowyers Hall. by the corner of Monks-well street, is the Bowyers Hall.

On the said East side of Monks-well street, Almes. houses in Monks-well street. be proper Almes-houses, twelve in number, founded by Sir Ambrose Nicholas, Salter, Maior, 1575. wherein be placed twelve poore and aged people rent-free, having each of them 7. pence the weeke, and once the yeere each of them five sackes of Charcoales, and one quarter of an hundred of Faggots, of his gift for ever.

On the North side of the way, turning towards Creplegate, and even upon, or close to London Wall, (as it were) are certaine new-erected Almes-houses, six in number, of the cost and gift of Mr. Robert Rogers, Leather-seller, and very good maintenance allowed (for ever) to such people as are appointed to dwell in them.

Then, in little VVoodstreet, Almes. Chambers in little Woodstreet. bee seven proper Chambers in an Alley on the West side, founded for seven poore people, therein to dwell rent-free, by Henry Barton, Skinner, Maior, 1516.

Thus much for the Monuments of this Ward within the Walles.

Now without the Posteme of Creplegate, Parish Church of S. Giles without Creplegate first is the Parish Church of Saint Giles, a very faire and large Church, lately repaired, after that the same was burned, in the yeere 1545. the 37. of Henry the eighth; by which mischance, the Monuments of the dead in this Church are very few. Notwithstanding, I have read of these following:

Alice, William and Iohn, wife and sons to T. Clarell.

Agnes, daughter to Thomas Niter, Gentleman.

William Atwell.

Felix, daughter to Sir Thomas Gisors, and wife to Thomas Travars.

Thomas Mason, Esquire.

Edmond Wartar, Esquire.

Ioan, wife to Iohn Chamberlaine, Esquire, daughter to Roger Lewkner, Esquire.

William Frier.

Iohn

Creplegate Ward. Iohn Hamberger, Esquire.

Hugh Moresbye.

Gilbert Prince, Alderman.

Oliver Cherley, Gentleman.

Sir Iohn Wright, or Writhesley, alias Garter, King at Armes.

Ioan, wife to Thomas Writhesley, sonne to Sir Iohn Writhesley.

Garter, daughter and heire to William Hall, Esquire.

Iohn Writhesley the yonger, sonne to Sir Iohn Writhesley and Eleanor.

Eleanor, second wife to Iohn Writhesley, daughter and heire to Thomas Arnold, sister and heire to Richard Arnold, Esquire.

Iohn, her sonne and heire.

Margaret, with her daughter.

Iohn Brigget. Thomas Ruston, Gent.

Iohn Talbot, Esquire, and Katharine his wife.

Thomas Warfle, and Isabel his wife.

Thomas Lucie, Gentleman, 1447.

Ralph Rochford, Knight, 1409.

Edmond Watar, Esquire.

Elizabeth, wife to Richard Barnes, sister and heire to Richard Malgrave Esquire, of Essex.

Richard Govere, and Iohn Govere, Esquires.

Sir Henry Grey, Knight, son and heire to George Grey, Earle of Kent, 1562.

Reginald Grey, Earle of Kent.

Richard Choppin, Tallow-Chandler, one of the Sheriffes, 1530.

Iohn Hamber, Esquire, 1573.

Thomas Busbie, Cooper, who gave the Queenes head Taverne to the reliefe of the poore in the Parish, 1575.

Iohn Wheler, Goldsmith, 1575.

Richard Bolene, 1563.

William Bolene, 1575.

W. Bolene, Physician, 1587.

Robert Crowley, Vicar there, all these foure under one old stone in the Quire.

The learned Iohn Foxe, Writer of the Acts and Monuments of the English Church, 1587.

The skilfull Robert Glover, alias Somerset, Herauld, 1588.

Iohannis Hambei,An anciēt Marble Tombe on the North side of the Chancell. Armigeri, caro hoc in Tumulo repulverescet, sicut & Ianae charissimae Conjugis. Qui dum vixit, Edovardo sexto, Mariae & Elizabethae Angliae Regibus, in variis calculorum & rationum generibus, tam praestitorum & exterorum, quam decimarum & primitiarum ratiocinator dignissimus extiterat. Obiit autem Iohannes 8. Calend. Aprilis, Anno Salutis à Christo, 1573. Quem Iana secundo post Mense insequuta est, 16. scilicet Calend. Iunii. Quorum spiritus ad Coelum reversi reassumptionem carnis expectant.

Francisco Borono, Nobilissimi Mediolanensi, Another faire Marble Tomb close adjoyning. & Annae Baptistae Boroni uxori, necnon & filio; Quorum ossa hoc clauduntur Tumulo. Idem Baptista Baronus, Francisci frater, ac Annae maritus, in eorum memoriam hanc posuit scriptionem. Obiit Franciscus Londinensis, 16. die Aprilis, Anno Domini, M.D.XXXIII. Aetatis suae, XXXI. Anna vero & filius, ultimo die Octobris, M.D.XLVI.

Hic jacet Henricus Giffard, filius tertiogenitus Iohannis Giffard,A small Monumēt at the South wal of the Chancell. nuper de Northhall, in Comitatu Middless. Armigeri. Qui cum corporis castitatem quadraginta trium annorum coelibatu comprobasset, Animam Sponso suo Iesu Christo piam sanctam{que} tradidit, 15. die Iulii, Anno Domini, 1602.

Christo S. S. Iohanni Foxo,A very faire Marble stone set up on end in the same wall. Ecclesiae Anglicanae Martyrologo fidelissimo, Antiquitatis Historicae Indagatori sagacissimo, Evangelicae veritatis propugnatori acerrimo, Thaumaturgo admirabili; Qui Martyres Marianos, tanquam Phoenices, ex cineribus redivivos praestitit. Patri suo omni pietatis officio imprimis colendo, Samuel Foxus illius primogenitus, hoc Monumentum posuit, non sine lachrymis.

Obiit die 18. Mens. April. An. Dom. 1587. jam septuagenarius. Vita vitae mortalis est, Spes vitae immortalis.

Here lyeth the body of Robert Crowley, A faire plated stone on the groūd in the Chancell. Clerke, late Vicar of this Parish; who departed this life the 18. day of Iune, An. Dom. 1588.

Sacra sub hoc saxo tria corpora mista quiescunt,A Plate engraven on a faire stone neer to the other. Gulielmi Bullen Medici, Fratrisque Richardi, EeAc Creplegate Ward. Ac Johannis Foxi: qui tres mihi crede fuerunt Doctrina clari, rari & pietatis alumni. Gulielmus Bullen Medicamina semper habebat, Aequè pauperibus danda, ac locupletibus aequè. Sicque Richardus erat benefacere & ipse paratus, Omnibus ex aequo quibus ipse prodesse valebat. At Foxus noster per multas hos parasangas, Vita praecurrit, studiisque accedimus omnes. Extant quae scripsit tormenta cruenta piorum, Extant perdoctè permulta volumina scripta, Quae scripsit Foxus: nulli fuit ipse secundus.

Obiit An. Dom. 1587. April. 16.

Here lyeth buried William Bullen, On the same stone. who dyed the seventh day of Ianuary, 1576.

Vnder this stone sleepeth the body of Richard Bullen, a faithfull Servant and Preacher of Iesus Christ: And was buried the sixteenth day of October, Anno Domini, 1563.

Here lieth the body of Richard Westerne, one of the sonnes of Richard Westerne, Another plated stone in the Chancell. of London, Grocer, who being aged 25. yeeres, deceased the 15. day of December, Anno Domini, 1602.

Christus mihi vita, Mors mihi lucrum.

Heere lyeth buried Sir Henry Grey, A faire Tombe in the South Ile of the Quire. Knight, sonne and heire to George, Lord Grey, of Ruthen, and Earle of Kent. The which Sir Henry Grey departed this life the 24. day of September, in the yeere of Christ, 1562.

Anna Thomae Tumulo jacet hoc uxorcula Strangae,A faire plated stone in the same Ile. Quae quia bella fuit, placuit{que} marita marito, Marmore sic texit, dulci devictus amore.

Obiit Anno Salutis, 1573. Aetatis suae, 19. Februarii vicessimo quarto. Tolerandum, Sperandum.A comely Monumēt in the South wal of the Quire.

Roberto Glovero, alias Somerset, Feciali celeberrimo: Heraldicae Scientiae, & veritatis antiquae, vindici acerrimo: summam laudem & benevolentiam ob praeclarum ingenium, per acre judicium; ex multa veterum scriptorum (labore indefesso) perscrutatione; ob morum facilitatem, vitaeque innocuae sanctimoniam, apud omnes consecuto; Avunculo chariss. Thomas Milles Nepos, amoris hoc Monumentum moerens posuit.

Robertus iste, natus Ashsordiae Cantii emporio, parentibus ingenuis, liberaliter educatus, in multis apprimè versatus, Heraldicae unicè peritissimus evasit. Fratrem unicum Gulielmum ex Tho. & Mildreda P. P. Sorores autem 5. habuit. ex Elizabetha Flower Conjuge, 5. tantum, superstites reliquit liberos, filios scilicet 3. filias{que} 2. Tandem cum jam Patriae orbi{que} post varia exantlata studia acuminis peritiae, & diligentiae stupendae gustum insignem praebere, at{que} Principi Sereniss. suis meritis gratissimus esse ceperit. 10. April. 1518. aetat. suae 45. vitam erumnosam cum morte piè & placidè, in uno Christo commutavit. Idque omnium cum doctissimorum tum optimorum undique pro tanto literar. pietatis & virtutis alumno dolore ac gemitu utpote; Quem fata tantum terris ostendisse videantur, nec amplius esse sinant.

R. G. moriens ut viverat, vixit ut moriturus.

In the North Ile of the Quire, hangeth vp the Ensignes of Armes belonging to Thomas Hawley, alias Clarentiaulx, King at Armes, buried 1573. but no other Monument there made for him.

Roger Mason, of this Parish, Citizen and Vintner of London, gave to the poore of the freedome of this Parish, 200. pounds, wherewith an yeerely rent of 16. pounds or thereabout, is purchased for ever; to be bestowed on ten Gownes of blacke Cloth lined, to bee distributed yeerely upon tenne poore men of the freedome of this Parish, upon All Saints day, at the discretion of the Vicar, and Church Creplegate Ward. Church-wardens for the time being. He died the 3. day of Septemb. 1603. Aetat-suae, 37. Leaving his wife Iane, by whom he had three sons and three daughters; whereof one onely now liveth, named Katharine. Which Iane truely paid the above mentioned two hundred pounds, and joyned the erection of this Monument, set up, An. Dom. 1606. May the 8. day: Iohn Buckeridge, Doctor of Divinity, being Vicar; Edward Sikling, Richard May, David Iones, and Roger Webbe, then Churchwardens.

William Day, Another small Monument in the wall of the same Ile in the Quire. Citizen and Vintner of London, the sonne of Thomas Day of Boseham, in Sussex, Gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife, gave to the poore of this Parish 80. pounds, which was payed by his brother George Day, wherewith an yeerely rent of sixe pounds, or thereabout, is purchased for ever: to be bestowed on twelve Coats of greene Cloth, to be distributed yeerely upon twelve poore Orphans, upon All Saints day; at the discretion of the Vicar and Church-wardens for the time being. Hee lyeth buried in his Parish Church of S. Michael in Cornhill, and dyed the 22. day of September, 1603. Aetatis suae, 32. Set up Anno Domini, 1606. May the 8. day: Iohn Buckeridge, Doctor of Divinity, being Vicar, and the fore-remembred Church-wardens.

Here lyeth the body of Edward Harvist, A very faire Monument in the North wal of this Ile. Citizen and Brewer of London, Aldermans Deputy of this Parish, and one of His Majesties Gunners; and Anne his beloved wife. They were both very charitable persons: as in giving Land to this Parish perpetually, for the reliefe of poore Widdowes; as also Land to the Company whereof he was free, for mending of the high way betweene Edgeworth and Paddington. He gave great Legacies to his poore kindred, and departed this life the foureteenth day of March, 1610. Shee departed this life the foure and twentieth day of May, Anno Domini, 1610. Expecting both a glorious resurrection in Iesus Christ.

A Remembrance of Tho. Busbie, Citizen and Cooper of London, who departed this life in the yeere 1575. and was buried the 11. day of Iuly. This Busbie, A comely Monumēt by the other. willing to relieve the poore, with fire and with bread, Did give the house wherein he dwelt, then called the Queenes Head. Foure full Loads of the best Charcoales he would have bought each yeere, And forty dozen of Wheaten Bread, for poore Householders here. To see these things distributed, this Busbie put in trust The Vicar and Church-wardens, thinking them to be just. God grant that poore Householders here, may thankfull be for such; So God will move the minds of more, to doe for them as much: And let this good example move such men as God hath blest, To doe the like, before they goe with Busbie to their rest. Within this Chappell, Busbies bones, in dust a while must stay, Till he that made them, raise them up, to live with Christ for aye.

A Remembrance of Master Richard Roper, &c. If you on earth that live,An engraven Plate fixed in the wall. did know what rest the dead possesse, You would not wish to wander here, in Vale of wretchednesse. Good Helen, wife to me that was, prepare thy selfe with speed, That thou and I, with this yong Maid, a Plant of both our Seed, May rest in one, and rise in three, by power of Godheads might, When we with Angels shall assemble, to everlasting light.

Richard Roper lived 70. yeeres, and dyed the 28. day of Septemb. An. Dom. 1578.

Helen Roper lived 65. yeeres.

Ioane Roper lived the age of two yeeres.

Within this Ile lyeth buried the body of Charles Langley, sometime of this Parish, Ale-Brewer, who was buried Ee2the Creplegate Ward. the eighth day of Iune, An. Dom. 1602. And did give bountifully to the poore of this Parish.

If Langleys life you list to know,A comely Monumēt in the wall beneath the Quire read on, and take a view, Of faith and hope I will not speake, his workes shall shew them true: Who whilst he liv’d, with counsell grave, the better sort did guide; A stay to weake, a staffe to poore, without back-bite or pride: And when he dyed, he gave his Mite, all that did him befall, For ever (once a yeere) to cloath S. Giles his poore withall. All Saints he pointed for the day, Gownes twenty ready made, with twenty Shirts, and twenty Smocks, as they may best be had. A Sermon eke he hath ordain’d, that God may have his praise, And other might be won thereby, to follow Langleys wayes. On Vicar and Church-wardens then, his trust he hath repos’d, As they will answer him one day, when all shall be disclos’d. Thus being dead, yet still he lives, lives, never for to dye, In Heavens blisse, in Worlds fame; and so I trust shall I. Launcelot Andrewes, Vicar. Iohn Taylor, Wil. Hewet, Edw. Sickling, Rich. May, Churchwardens.

Charities to the poore in the Parish of Saint Giles without Creplegate.

Master Thomas Busby, Thomas Busby his gift to the poore. Cooper, gave forty dozen of Wheaten Bread, and foure Loads of Charcoales, to be distributed yeerely for ever unto the poore of this Parish, in manner following: The weeke before Alhallontide, one load of Char-coales, and tenne dozen of bread; the weeke before Christmas; the weeke before the five and twentieth day of January; and the weeke before Easter, the foresaid proportion of bread and Coales.

Mr. Blighton, Mr. Blighton his gift. Butcher, gave 40. dozen of wheaten bread, and 2. load of Charcoales, to bee distributed at the same time, and in the same proportion.

Master Charles Langley, Brewer, gave twenty Gownes for men and women, Charles Langley his gift. to be distributed, and twenty shirts for twenty other men, and twenty smocks for twenty other women yeerely for ever, at the Feast of All Saints: and a remainder of money to be given amongst the poore people the same day, and forty shillings also that day allowed for a Sermon.

Master Roger Mason, Vintner, gave two hundred pounds in Money, Roger Mason his gift. with the which summe, tenne Gownes are likewise to be provided for tenne poore men or women, on the same Feast day of All Saints, for ever.

Master William Day, William Day his gift. Vintner, gave fourescore pounds: with the which sum are to be provided twelve Coates, for twelve poore mens Children, for ever yeerely, and to bee distributed at the said Feast of All Saints.

Mistris Anne Harvist gave foure tenements in Monks-well street, Anne Harvist her gift. neere Creplegate, amounting to the yeerely rent of twenty pounds, to bee distributed quarterly to twenty poore widdows, to each of them 5. shillings the quarter.

Master Robert Smith hath given foure Bibles in Octavo, Rob. Smith his gift. well buffed and bossed, to foure poore mens children, such as can best deserve them by reading, to be distributed yeerely for ever at Easter. And also two and fifty dozen of Wheaten bread, every weeke one dozen for ever.

Master Richard Hanbury, Rich. Hanbury and Richard Budd their gift. and Master Richard Budd, have given six new Books of Common Prayer in Quarto, well buffed and bossed, to be given yeerely for ever at Easter, to sixe poore mens children, such as can best deserve them by reading. And also 52. dozen of wheaten bread, to be given every week for ever.

Master Roger Bellow, Roger Bellow his gift. Brewer, hath given the Lease of an house in Moore-lane, called the signe of the Cocke, the yeerely rent whereof is twenty pounds. Out of the which summe, tenne pounds is yeerely to be given to the poore, at the Feast of Christmas: And the remainder (except twenty shillings, otherwise by his will disposed) is yeerly to be reserved, for the purchasing of some parcell of Land, towards the reliefe of the poore.

The

Creplegate Ward. The circuit of the Parish of S. Giles without Creplegate.

THe Parishioners, in their Perambulation, first strike downe the Alley (which hath sometime beene part of their Church-yard) close by S. Giles his Well, and crossing the Towne-ditch, keepe along by the Citie Wall, almost to Aldersgate, where they should crosse the Ditch againe, and take in certaine Garden-houses, which stand neere the Ditch, and so comming downe a little Garden Alley, (through which sometime hath beene a way into Aldersgate street) returne again by S. Giles his Well, the same way they went in.

Then walking up the West side of Red-crosse street, and the South side of Barbican, till they come toward the farther end thereof, over against the signe of the Bores head, they set up their marks upon a great Post (as it seemeth set there for the same purpose) where they should crosse over to the North side, right over against the said bound, thorow certaine Garden Alleys, lying on the West side of Willoughby House: but by reason of some contention, that course is of late denyed them, so that they passe through Barbican, and turne up Goswell street, (being part of S. Buttolphs Parish) untill they come a little beyond the Barres, where they enter their owne bounds againe, and setting up their markes, passe along the right side of the Kings high way, leading to Islington, and leaving the Mount Mill upon their right hand, they proceed on, till they come within three roddes of a little Bridge, (at the lower end of the Close next unto Islington, over which lyeth a foot-path toward Newington Greene,) where they digge a way over the Ditch, and so keepe upon the top of the Ditch banke, all the breadth of the lower end of the said Close; where they turne againe South-east, and taking in all the Lay-stalles, and low grounds, where bricke hath been made, strike over betweene those low grounds and the Brick-hils, that now are adjoyning to the foot-path, leading from the Pest-house to Islington, which they leave on the left side; in the South end of which Brick-hill, there is a stone set, now almost digged downe: From the which stone, they come straight South, till they come over a Bridge, which is laid purposely for them, and after removed; which as soone as they have past, they strike downe, by the said Ditch side Eastward, to the farthest Conduit head, where they give the Children Poynts.

From whence they keepe a straight course into the Kings high way, to Dame Anne de Clare, upon the right side of which way they keepe, till they come to the Butts, where a planck is purposely laid for them, over which they passe into Holywell Close, and so keepe directly to the farthest of the sixe Milles, next unto Holywell, which they leave on their left hand, and so passing over the high way, keepe a straight course over the Walks, to the farthest Wall, South of the middle Walke, (leaving the Butchers Close, and the lower Gardens, some three Roddes on the left hand) in the which VVall there is a marke or Bound: From thence (not entring the lowest Walke at all) they turne full West, over the high way leading from Moregate, and comming into little Morefields, (as we call it) they keepe close to the Pales and Tentors (for they have not passing eight or ten foot of ground from the Pales) till they come to the Posterne, where they set up their mark; and so through the Posterne they make their returne, &c.

There was in this Church (of old time) a Fraternity or Brother-hood of our blessed Lady,Brother-hood in S. Giles Church. or Corpus Christi and S. Giles, founded by Iohn Belancer, in the reigne of Edward the third, the 35. yeere of his reigne.

Some small distance from the East end of this Church,Water-Conduit without Creplegate. is a water-conduit, brought in pipes of lead from Highbery, by Iohn Middleton, one of the Executors to Sir William East field, and of his goods. The inhabitants adjoyning, castellated it of their own coses and charges, about the yeere 1483.

There was also a Bosse of cleere water in the Wall of the Church-yard,Bosse in the Wall of S. Giles Church-yard. Ee3made Creplegate Ward. made at the charges of Richard Whitington, sometimes Maior, and was like to that of Belinsgate. Of late the same was turned into an evill Pumpe, and so is cleane decayed.

There was also a faire Poole of cleere water,Poole of Spring water. neere unto the Parsonage, on the west side thereof, which was filled up in the reigne of Henry the sixth. The Spring was cooped in, and arched over with hard stone, and staires of stone to goe downe to the Spring, on the banke of the Towne ditch. And this was also done of the goods, and by the Executors of Richard Whitington.

In Whitecrosse-street, White-crosse-street. King Henry the fifth builded one faire House, and founded there a Brotherhood of S. Giles, to be kept: which House had sometime beene an Hospitall of the French Order,Hospitall of the French Order. by the name of Saint Giles without Creplegate, in the reigne of Edward the first; the King having the Jurisdiction, and pointing a Custos thereof, for the precinct of the Parish of Saint Giles, &c. Patent Rich. 2. the 15. yeere: Which Hospitall being suppressed, the Lands were given to the Brotherhood, for reliefe of the poore.

One Alley, of divers Tenements, over against the North wall of S. Giles Church-yard, was appointed to bee Almes-houses for the poore, wherein they dwelled rent-free, and otherwise were relieved: but the said Brotherhood was suppressed by Henry the 8. since which time, Sir Iohn Gresham, Maior, purchased the Lands, and gave part thereof to the maintenance of a Free Schoole, which he had founded at Holt, a Market Towne in Norfolke.

In Red crosse street, Red-crosse streete. on the West side from S. Giles Church-yard, up to the said Crosse, be many faire houses builded outward,Liber. S. Buttolph. with divers Alleys, turning into a large plot of ground, of old time called the Iewes Garden, The Iewes Garden, or place to bury their dead. as being the onely place appointed them in England, wherein to bury their dead; till the yeere 1177. the 24. of Henry the second, that it was permitted them (after long suit to the King and Parliament at Oxford) to have a speciall place assigned them in every quarter where they dwelled.

This plot of ground remained to the said Iewes, till the time of their finall banishment out of England and is now turned into faire Garden-plots and Summer-houses for pleasure.

On the East side of this Red-crosse street, be also divers faire houses, up to the Crosse. And there is Beech lane, Beech lane. peradventure so called of Nicholas de la Beech, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, put out of that Office in the 13. of Edward the third. This Lane stretcheth from Red-crosse street, to White-crosse street, replenished, not with Beech trees, but with beautifull houses of stone, bricke and timber. Amongst the which, was (of old time) a great house, pertaining to the Abbot of Ramsey for his lodging,The Abbot of Ramsey his Inne. when he repaired to the Citie: It is now called Drewrie House, of Sir Drew Drewrie, a worshipfull owner thereof.

On the North side of this Beech lane, towards White-crosse street, the Drapers of London have lately builded 8. Almes-houses of bricke and timber,Almes-houses in Beech lane. for eight poore Widdowes of their owne Company, whom they have placed there rent-free, according to the gift of the Lady Askew, Widdow to Sir Christopher Askew, sometime Draper, and Maior, 1533.

Then in Golding lane, Golding lane. Richard Gallard, of Islington, Esquire, Citizen and Painter-stainer of London, Almes people there. founded 13. Almes-houses, for so many poore people placed in them rent-free.

Hee gave to the poore of the same Almes-houses, 2. d. the piece weekly, & a load of Charcoales among thē yeerly for ever; he left faire Lands about Islington, to maintain his foundation. T. Hayes, sometime Chamberlaine of London, in the latter time of H. the 8. married Elizabeth his daughter and heire; which Hayes and Elizabeth had a daughter named Elizabeth, married to Iohn Iron-monger, of London, Mercer, who now hath the order of the Almes-people.

On the West side of Red-crosse street is a street called the Barbican, Burgh-kenning, or Barbican. because sometime there stood on the North side there of a Burghkenning, or VVatch-tower of the Citie, called in some language a Barbican, as a Bikening is called a Beacon. This Burgh-kenning, by the name of the Mannor of Base Court, was given Creplegate Ward. given by Edward the third, to Robert Vfford, Earle of Suffolke, and was lately pertaining to Peregrine Barty, Lord Willoughby of Ersby.

Next adjoyning to this, is one other great house,Garter Place. called Garter Place, sometime builded by Sir Thomas Writhe, or Writhesley, Knight, alias, Garter, principall King of Armes, second son of Sir Iohn Writhe, Knight, alias Garter, and was Vncle to the first Thomas, Earle of Southampton, Knight of the Garter, and Chancelor of England: Hee built this house, and in the top therof a Chappel, which hee dedicated by the name of S. Trinitatis in Alto. Thus much for that part of Creplegate Ward without the VVall, whereof more shall be spoken in the Suburbe of that part. This VVard hath an Alderman & his Deputy within the gate. Common Councell, 8. Constables, 9. Scavengers, 12. for VVardmote Inquest, 15. and a Beadle.

Without the gate, it hath also a Deputy, Common Councell, 2. Constables, 4. Scavengers, 4. VVardmote Inquest, 17. and a Beadle. It is taxed in London to the Fifteene, at 40. pounds.

Alderſgate