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Survey of London: The City of Westminster

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The Citie of VVestminster, with the Antiquities, Boundes, and Liberties thereof.
Now touching the Citie of Westminster, I will beginne at Temple Barre, on the right hand or Northside, and so passe vp west, through a Backe lane or streete, wherein do stand three Innes of Chancery the first is called Clementes Inne,
Clements Inne of Chancery.
because it standeth neare to S. Clementes church, but nearer to the fayre fountaine called Clementes well,
Clements well.
the se
cond is New Inne
New Inne of Chancery.
so called, as Lateliar made an Inne of Chance
ry for students, then another, to witte, aboute the beginning of the raigne of Henry the seauenth, and not so late as some haue supposed, to witte at the pulling down of Strand Inne in the raign of King Edward the sixt: for I reade that Sir Thomas Moore sometime Lord Chancellor was a student in this New Inne, and went from thence to Lincolnes Inne &c. The thirde is Lions Inne,
Lyons Inne of Chancery.
an Inne of Chancerie also. This streete stretcheth vp vnto Drury lane,
Druery lane.
so called, for that there is a house belonging to the Family of the Druries. This lane turneth North towarde S. Giles in the field, from the south end of this lane in the high street are diuers fayre buildinges, Hosteries, and houses for Gentlemen, and men of honor, amongst the which Cecile house
Cecill house.
is one, which sometime belonged to the Parson of S. Martins in the fielde, and by composition came to Sir Thomas Palmer knight in the raign of Edwarde the sixt, who began to builde the fame of Bricke, and Timber, very large and spatious, but of later time it hath beene farre more bewtifully encreased by the late Sir William Cecile Baron of Burghley, Lord Treasurer, and greate Councellor of the estate of England.
From thence is now a continuall new building of diuers fayre houses euen vp to the Earle of Bedfordes house,
Bedford house
which is a good
ly house, lately builded nigh to Iuy Bridge, ouer against the olde Bedforde house, namely, called Russell house and Dacres house,
now
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The Citie of Westminster.
now the house of Sir Thomas Cecile Lorde Burghley, and so on the North side to a lane that turneth to the Parish Church of S. Martin in the fielde,
Parish church of S. Martin in the fielde.
and stretcheth to S. Giles in the fielde. Then had ye the Chappell of our Lady
Chappell of our Lady in the Pew an house belong
ing to Bethlē.
called the Pew, with an house wherein sometime were distraight and Lunatike people.
Amongst other thinges of this Chappel I haue read that on the 17. of Februarie in the yeare of Christ 1452. by negligence of a scholler appointed by his Scholemaister, to put forth the lights of this Chappell, the Image of our Lady
Chappell of our Lady the Pew brent.
richly decked with Iew
els, pretious stones, pearles, and ringes (more then any Ieweller could iudge the price) (for so sayeth mine Author) was with all this apparrell, ornamentes and Chapple it selfe brent.
Iohn Piggot.
Then is the Mewse
The Meuse by Charing Crosse.
so called of the kinges Faulchons there kept by the kinges Faulconer, which of olde time was an office of great account, as appeareth by a Recorde of Richarde the second, in the first of his raigne, for Sir Symon Burley knight, was made Constable for the Castles of Windsor, Wigmore and Guil
forde, and of the Manor of Kenington, and also Maister of the kinges Faulcons, at his Mewse neare vnto Charing Crosse by West. Of later time king Henry the eight hauing fayre stabling there for horses in the yeare 1534. and the 28. of his raigne1, it was burned with many great houses and much hay therein:
The Meuse burned.
but it was againe reedified in the raignes of king. Edwarde the sixt, and Queene Marie, and this is the farthest building westwarde, on the northside of that high streete.
On the southside of the which street, in the Liberties of West
minster (beginning at Iuie bridge) first is Durham house, buil
ded by Thomas Hatfielde Bishop of Durham,
The Bishop of Durhams house.
who was made Bishop of that See in the yeare 1345. and sat Bishop there 36. yeares.
Amongst matters memorable concerning this house, this is one, In the yeare of Christ 1540. the 32. of Henry the eight, on May day a great and triumphant Iusting
Iusting feast at Durham house.
was holden at West
minster, which had been formarly proclamed in France, Flanders, Scotland, and Spaine, for all commers that woulde vndertake the challengers of England, which were Sir Iohn Dudley, Sir Thomas Seymar Sir Thomas Ponings, and Sir George Ca
rew
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The Citie of Westminster.
rew knightes, and Anthony Kingston, and Richarde Crum
well Esquiers, at which came into the Lists that dayrichly appa
relled and their horses trapped all in white Ueluet, there came a
gainst them the saide day 46. Defendantes or Undertakers vz
the Earle of Surrey formost, Lord VVilliam Howarde, Lord. Clinton, and Lord Cromwell, son and heire to Thomas Crom
well Earle of Essex, and Chamberlaine of England with other, and that day after the Iustes performed the Challengers rode vn
to this Durham house where they kept open householde, and fea
sted the king and Queene with her Ladyes and all the Court, the second day Anthonie Kingston, and Richarde Cromwell were made knightes there, the thirde day of May the saide chalengers did Turney on horsebacke with swordes, and against them came 49. Defendantes: Sir Iohn Dudley, and the Earle of Surrey running first, which at the first course lost their Gauntletes: and that day Sir Richarde Cromwell ouerthrew maister Palmer and his horse in the fielde to the great honor of the chalengers, the fi2ft of May the Chalengers fought on foote at the Baryars, and against them came 50. Defendantes, which fought valiantly: but Sir Richarde Cromwell ouerthrew that day at the Barryars maister Culpepper in the fielde, and the sixt day the chalen
gers brake vp their householde.
In this time of their housekeeping they had not onely feasted the king,
Pencioners.
Queene, Ladyes and all the court, as is afore shewed, but also they cheared all the knightes and Burgesses of the com
mon house in the Parliament, and entertayned the Maior of Lon
don with the Aldermen and their wiues at a Dinner &c. The king gaue to euery of the saide challengers, and their heires for e
uer, in rewarde of their valiant actiuitie one hundred markes and a house to dwell in of yearely reuenewe out of the landes pertay
ning to the Hospitall ofS. Iohn of Ierusalem.
Next beyond this Durham house is one other great house som
time belonging to the Bishop of Norwitch,
The Bishop of Norwitch his house.
and was his London lodging, which now pertayneth to the Archbishop of Yorke by this occasion. In the yeare 1529. when Cardinall VVolsey Archbishop of Yorke was indighted in the Premunirey, whereby
king
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373
The Citie of Westminster.
king Henry the eight was intituled to his goodes and possessions: hée also seazed into his hands, the saide Archbishoppes house, com
monly called Yorke place, and changed the name thereof into White hall whereby the Archbishops of Yorke being dispossessed and hauing no house of repayre about London, Quéene Marie gaue vnto Nicholas Heth then Archbishoppe of Yorke and to his successors, Suffolke house in Southwarke, lately builded by Charles Bramdon Duke of Suffolke, as I haue shewed.
This house the saide Archbishops solde, and bought the a
foresaide house of olde time belonging to the Bishoppes of Nor
wich, which of this last purchase is now called Yorke house, the Lord Chancellors, or Lorde Keepers of the great Seale of England, haue beene lately there lodged.
Then was there an Hospitall of S. Marie Rounceual
Hospitall of S. Marie Rounci
uall.
by Cha
ring Crosse (a Cell to the Priorie & Couent of Rounceual in Na
uar in Pampelion Diocesse) where a Fraternitie was founded in the 15. of Edwarde the fourth, but now the same is suppressed and turned into Tenementes.
Neare vnto this Hospitall was an Hermitage, with a Chap
pell of S. Katherine
Hermitage with a Chap
pell of S. Katherine.
ouer against Charing Crosse,
Charing crosse
which Crosse builded of stone, was of old time a fayre péece of worke there made by commandement of Edwarde the first, in the one and twentith yeare of his raigne, in memorie of Helenor his deceased Quéene as is before declared.
West from this Crosse stoode sometime an Hospital of Saint Iames,
Hospitall of S. Iames.
consisting of two hydes of Land with the appurtenances in the parish of Saint Margaret in Westminster, and founded by the Citizens of London, before the time of any mans memorie, for foureteene sisters maidens that were leprouse, lyuing chastly, and honestly in diuine seruice.
Afterwardes diuers Citizens of London, gaue six and fifty pound rent thereunto, and then were adioyned eight Brethren to minister diuine seruice there. After this also sundrie deuout men of London gaue to this Hospitall foure hydes of land in the fielde at Westminster, and in Hendon, Calcote, and Hampsted, eighty acres of Lande and3 Woode &c. king Edwarde the first, con
firmed
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374
The Citie of Westminster.
firmed those giftes and granted a Fayre to be kept on the Eue of S Iames, the
S. Iames Fayre for 7. dayes.
day, the morrow, and foure dayes following, in the eighteenth of his raigne.
This Hospitall was surrendred to Henry the eight the thrée and twentith of his raigne, and the Sisters being compounded with all were allowed Pensions for terme of their liues, and the king builded there a goodly Mannor, annexing thereunto a Parke,
S. Iames Parke
closed about with a wall, of bricke now called S. Iames Parke seruing indifferently to the saide Mannor, and to the Man
nor or Pallace of White hall.
South from Charing Crosse on the right hand, are diuers fayre houses lately builded before the Parke, then a large Tylt
yarde for Noble men,
Tylt yarde at Westminster.
and other to exercise themselues in Iusting, Turning, and Feighting at the Barryars.
On the left hand from Charing Crosse, be also diuers fayre, Tenementes lately builded till yee come to a large plot of ground inclosed with bricke, and is called Scotland,
Scotland a plot of giound4 so called.
where great building hath beene for receipt of the kinges of Scotland, and other estates of that Countrie: for Margaret Quéene of Scots and Systar to king Henry the eight had her abiding there, when shee came into England after the death of her husband, as the king of Scotland, had in former times, when they came to the Parliament of Eng
land.
Then is the saide White hal
White hall.
sometime belonging to Hubart de Brugh Earle of Kent, and Iusticiar of England, who gaue it to the Blacke Fryars in Oldborne as I haue before noted. King Henry the eight ordayned it to bée called an honor, and builded there a sumptuous Gallery and a bewtifull Gate house, thwart the high streete to S. Iames Parke, &c.
In this Gallorie the Princes with their Nobility, vse to stand or sit, and at Windowes to beholde all triumphant Iustinges, & other militarie exercises.
Beyond this Gallerie on the left hand is the garden or orchyard belonging to the saide White hall. On the right hand bée diuers fayre Tennis courtes, bowling Allies, and a Cocke pit,
Tennis courts Bowling Allies and Cocke pit
all built by king Henry the eight, and then one other arched gate with a
way
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The Citie of Westminster.
way ouer it thwarting the streete from the kinges gardens to the saide Parke.
From this gate vp kinges streete, to a Bridge ouer Long ditch
Long pitch5.
(so called for that the same almost insulateth the Citie of West
minster) neare which Bridge is a way leading to Chanon Row, so called for that the same belonged to the Deane and Chanons of S. Stephens Chappell,
S. Stephens Allie.
who were there lodged as now diuers No
blemen, and Gentlemen be.
From this way vp to the Woolestable and to the high Tow
er, or gate which entreth the Pallace Court, all is replenished with buildinges, and inhabitantes.
Touching this Woolestable,
T. Glifforde.
I reade that in the raign of Ed
warde the first, the Staple being at Westminster the parrishio
ners of S. Margaret, and Marchantes of the Staple builded of new the saide Church, the great Chancell excepted, which was lately before new builded, by the Abbote of Westminster.
Moreouer that in the 27. of Edwarde the thirde the Staple of Woole, before kept at Bruges in Flanders, was ordayned by Parliament to bee kept in diuers places of England, Wales, & Ireland, as at Newcastle, Yorke, Lincolne, Canterbury, Nor
witch, Westminster, Chichester, Winchester, Excester, Bristow, and Carmarden, &c. to the greate benefit of the king, and losse vnto strangers, and marchantes. For there grew vnto the king by this meanes (as it was saide) the summe of one thousand a hundred and two pounds by the yere more then any his predicessors before had receiued, the Staple at Westminster at that time began on the next morrow after the feast of S. Peter Ad vincula6. The next yeare there was granted to the king by Parliament towardes the recouery of his title in France, fifty shillinges of euery sacke of Wooll transported ouer seas, for the space of six yeares next ensuing,
Robert de A. nesbery.
by meanes whereof the king might dispend dayly during those yeares, more then a thousande markes starling. For by the common opinion there were more then 100000. sackes of Wool yearely transported into forrain landes, so that during six yeares the saide grant extended to fiftéene hundred thousand pound starling.
In the 37. of Edwarde the thirde it was granted vnto him for
two
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The Citie of Westminster.
two yeares to take six and twenty shillinges eight pence, vppon euery sacke of Woolle transported and the same yeare the Staple of Woole (notwithstanding the kings oth and other great estates) was ordayned to bée kept at Callis and six and twenty marchants the best and welthiest of all England, to be Farmers there, both of the Towne and Staple for three yeares, euery marchant to haue six men of Armes, and foure Archers at the kinges cost. Hée ordayned there also two Maiors, one for the towne, and one for the Staple, and hée tooke for mala capta commonlie called Maltorth (I thinke Custome) twentie shillinges, and of the said marchantes Gardians of the Towne forty pence, vppon euery sacke of Woolle.
In the 44. of Edwarde the thirde, Quamborough King
ston vpon Hull, and Boston, were made Staples of Wooll, which matter so much offended some, that in the 50. of his raigne in a Parliament at London, it was complayned that the Staple of Woole, was so remoued from Callis to diuers townes in England contrary to the statute, appointing that Citizens and marchantes should kéepe it there, and that the king might haue the profites and customes with the exchange of golde and siluer that was there made, by all the Marchantes in Christendome (e
stemed to amount to 8000 ￡. by yeare) the Exchange onely: and the Citizens and marchantes so ordred the matter that the king spent nothing vpon souldiers neither vpon defence of the town against the ennemies, whereas now hee spent eight thousande pound by yeare.
In the yeare 1388. the twelfth of Richarde the second,
Manu script. French.
in a Parliament at Cambridge, it was ordayned that the staple of Wooles
Wooll Staple at Middle. brough.
should be brought from Middlebrough in Holland to Callis.
In the fouretéenth of his raigne there was granted 40. s̃. v
pon euery sacke of Woole, and in the one and twentith was gran
ted 50. s̃. vpon euery sacke transported by english men, and thrée pound of by strangers &c. It séemeth that the marchantes of this staple be the most ancient marchantes of this Realm, and that all commodities of the Realme or Staple,
Staple Mar
chantes the most ancientst of this realme.
marchandizes by law & Charter, as Wooles, Leather, Wool fels, Lead, Tyn, cloth &c.
King
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377
The Citie of Westminster.
King Henrie the sixt had sixe Wooll houses within the Staple at Westminster . those he graunted to the Deane and Cannons of S. Stephen at Westminster, and confirmed it the 21. of his raigne. Thus much for the Staple haue I shortly noted:
And now to passe to the famous Monasterie of Westminster: At the very entrance of the Close thereof is a lane that leadeth to
ward the West, called Théeuing lane,
Theeuing lane.
for that theeues were led that way to the Gate house, while the Sanctuarie continued in force.
This Monasterie was founded and builded by Sebert king of the East Saxons, vpon the perswasion of Ethelbert king of Kent, who hauing imbraced christianitie, and being baptized by Meli
tus Bishop of London: immediatly (to shew himselfe a christian indéede) built a church to the honor of God and Saint Peter, on the West side of the cittie of London, in a place (which because it was ouergrowen with thornes, and enuironed with water) the Saxons called Thorney, and now of the Monastery and West situation thereof is called Westminster.
Foundation of Westmin
ster by Sebert a Christian king not only in word but in deed.
In this place (saith Fulcardus
Fulcardus.
) long before was a Temple of Apollo, which being ouerthrowne, King Lucius built therein a Church of Christianitie.
Sebert was buried in this church, with his wife Athelgoda, whose bodies many yeares after, to wit in the raigne of Richard the second (saith Walsingham
Walsingham.
) were translated from the old church to the new, and there interred.
Edgare King of the West Saxons repaired this Monasterie a
bout the yeare of Christ 958. Edward the Confessor builded it of new, wherevpon T. Clifford writeth thus.
Without the walles of London (saith he) vppon the Riuer of Thames there was in times passed a little Monasterie,
T. Clifford.
builded to the honor of God, and Saint Peter, with a few Benedict Monkes in it, vnder an Abbotte seruing Christ: very poore they were, and little was giuen them for their reliefe, here the king intended (for that it was néere to the famous citie of London and the Riuer of Thames, that brought in all kind of Marchan
dizes from all partes of the worlde) to make his Sepulcher,
he
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The Citie of Westminster.
he commanded therefore that of the tenthes of all his rentes, the worke should be begunne in such sort as should become the Prince of the Apostles.
At this his commandement the work is nobly begun, euen from the foundation and happely procéedeth till the same was finished: the charges bestowed, or to be bestowed are not regarded. He graunted to this church great priuiledges, aboue all the churches in this land as partly appeare by this his Charter.
Ꜫꝺꝩeaꞃꝺ Cynȝ ȝꞃæꞇ ꝩillm biseope Ꞁ leoꝼsꞇane Ꞁ Alꝼfie Poꞃꞇ ȝeꞃeꝼen. Ꞁ ealle minꞃe buꞃhþeȝn on Lúꝺen ꝼꞃeonꝺlice: Anꝺ ic cyþe eoꝩ ꝥ ic hæbbe seo ȝiꝼꞇa ȝyꝼen Ꞁ vnnam Chꞃisꞇ Ꞁ S. Peꞇeꞃ þam haliȝan Aposꞇel inꞇo ꝩestminsteꞃ: ꝼulꞃa ꞃeoꝺome oꝼeꞃ ealle þa land þe lonȝaþ inꞇo þæꞃe haliȝan sꞇoꝩ. &c.
Edwarde King greet William Bishop and Leofstane and Aelffie Portreeues, and all my Burgesses of London friendly, and I tell you that I haue this giuen and granted to Christ & S. Peter the holy Apostle at Westminster full freedome ouer all the land, that belongeth to that holy place. &c.
He also caused ye parish Church of S. Margaret
Parish church of S. Margaret
to be newly buil
ded, without the Abbie church of Westminster for the ease & com
moditie of the Monks, because before that time the parish Church stoode within the old Abbey church in the South Isle, some what to their annoyance. This church of S. Margaret (which that king Edward builded) continued till the daies of King Edwarde the first, at what time the staple of woolles was at Westminster, and then the parishioners and Merchantes of the Staple builded it all of new (the great chancell excepted, which was done by the Abbots of Westminster as is afore shewed.
King Henry the third in the yeare of Christ 1220. began the new worke of our Ladies Chappell, and in the yeare 1245. the walles and stéeple of the olde Church (builded by king Edwarde)
were
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379
The Citie of Westminster.
were taken downe, and inlarging the same Church, caused them to be made more comely, for the furtherance whereof in the yeare 1246. the same king (deuising how to extort money from the ci
tizens of London towardes the charges) appointed a Mart to be kept at Westminster,
A Mart at Westminster.
the same to last fiftéene dayes, and in the meane space all trade of Merchandise to cease in the Cittie, which thing the citizens were faine to redéeme with two thousand pound of siluer.
The worke of this Church with the houses of Office, was fini
shed to the end of the Quire in the yeare 1285. the 14. of Edward the first. All which labour of 66. yeares, was in the yeare 1299. defaced by a fire kindled in the lesser Hall of the Kinges Pallace at Westminster,
Westminster with the pal
lace burned.
the same with many other houses adioyning, and with the Quéenes chamber were all consumed, the flame thereof also (being driuen with the wind) fired the Mo
nasterie, which was also with the pallace consumed.
Then was this Monastery againe repaired by the Abbotes of that Church, king Edward the first and his successors putting to their helping handes.
Edward the second apropriated vnto this Church the patro
nages of the Churches of Kelueden and Sabritsworth in Essex in the Diocesse of London.
Simon Langham Abbot (hauing béene a great builder there in the yeare 1362.) gaue 400.£. to the building of the bodie of the church: but (amongst others) Abbot Islip was in his time a great builder there, as may appeare in the stone worke, and glasse win
dowes of the Church.
Since whose decease that worke hath staide as hee left it, vn
perfected, the Church and stéeple being all of one height.
King Henry the seuenth about the yeare of Christ 1502. cau
sed the Chappell of our Ladie,
New Chappel at Westmin
ster.
builded by Henry the third, with a Tauerne also called the White Rose neare adioyning to be taken downe: In which plot of ground, on the 24. of Ianuary, the first stone of the new chappell was laid by the handes of Abbot Islip, Sir Reginald Bray, Knight of the Garter, Doctor Barnes, mai
ster of the Rolles, Doctor Wall, Chaplen to the King, Maister Hugh Aldham, Chaplen to the Countesse of Darbie, and Rich
mond
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The Citie of Westminster.
mond (the kinges mother) Sir Edward Stanhop knight, and di
uers other: vpon the which stone was ingrauen the same day and yeare, &c.
The charges in building this Chappell amounted to the summe of 14000. pound: the stone for this worke (as I haue béene in
formed) was brought from Huddlestone quarrie in Yorke shire: The Altar and sepulture of the same King Henry the seuenth, wherein his bodie resteth in this his new chappell, was made and finished in the yeare 1519. by one Peter a Painter of Florence: for the which hee receyued 1000. pounde starling for the whole stuffe and workemanship, at the handes of the kinges executors, Richard Bishop of Winchester, Richard Bishoppe of London, Thomas Bishop of Durham, Iohn Bishoppe of Rochester, T. Duke of Norfolke, Treasurer of Englande, Edward Earle of Worcester the kinges Chamberlaine, Iohn Fineaux knight, Chiefe Iustice of the Common place, &c.
This Monasterie being valued to dispend by the yeare 3470. pound &c. was surrendered to Henry, the eight, in the yeare 1539. And Benson then Abbot was made the first Deane and not long after it was aduaunced to a Bishoppes Sea,
Westminster a Bishops sea.
in the yeare 1541. Thomas Thurley being both the first and last Bishop there, who when he had impouerished the church was translated to Norwich in the yeare 1550. the fourth of Edward the sixt, and from thence to Elie, in the yeare 1554. the second of Quéene Mary, Richard Cox Doctor in Diuinitie (late schoolmaister to king Edward 6.) was made Deane of Westminster whom Quéen Mary put out, & made Doctor Weston Deane, vntill the yere 1556. and then he being remoued from thence on the 21. of Nouember, Iohn Fe
kenham (late Deane of Paules) was made Abbot of Westmin
ster, and tooke possession of the same, being installed, and fourtéene Monkes more receyued the habbot with him that day of the order of Saint Benedict: but the saide Iohn Feckenham with his Monkes enioyed not that place fully thrée yeares for in the yeare 1559. in the moneth of Iuly they were all put out, and Quéene Elizabeth made the saide Monasterie a Colledge,
Westminster made a col
ledge.
instituting there a Deane, twelue Prehendes, twelve poore Almesmen,7 and
fortie
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The Citie of Westminster.
f8ortie schollers, calling them the Queenes schollers: and so was it named the Colledge at Westminster, founded by Q. Elizabeth. D. Bill one of her Maiesties Chaplens was made the first Dean: after whom succéeded M. D. Gabriel Goodman, now Resident.
Of the Kinges and Quéenes crowned
Kings and Queenes crow
ned at West
minster.
in this Church William surnamed Conqueror, & Matilde his wife were the first: & since them all other Kings and Quéenes of this realme, haue béene here crowned.
The kinges and Quéenes buried
Kinges and Queenes buried at Westminster.
in this Church are these: Sebert king of the East Saxons, with his wife Athelgode, Harold surnamed Herefote, king of the West Saxons: Ed
ward the simple, surnamed Confessor, sometime richly shrined in a Tombe of siluer and Gold, curiously wrought by commande
ment of William the Conqueror, Egitha his wife was there bu
ried also, King Henry the third, whose Sepulture was richly garnished with precious stones of Iasper, which his sonne Ed
ward
S. Edwardes shrine at Westminster.
the first brought out of Fraunce for that purpose: Eleanor wife to Henry the thirde, Edwarde the first who offred to the shrine of Edward the Confessor the chaire of marble, wherein the Kinges of Scotlande were crowned, with the scepter and Crowne also to the same king belonging. Hee gaue also to that church landes to the value of 100. pounde by the yeare, twenty pound thereof yearely to be distributed to the poore for euer: then there lyeth Eleanor his wife, daughter, to Ferdinando king of Castile, Edward the third by Quéene Phillip of Henault his wife. Richard the second and Anne his wife, with their images vpon them, with cost more then foure hundred markes for the guilding: Henry the fift with a royall image of siluer and guilt, which Katherine his wife caused to be laid vpon him, but the head of this image being of massie siluer is broken off, and conuayed a
way with the plates of siluer and guilt that couered his bodie: Ka
therine his wife was buried in the old Lady chappel, but her corps being taken vp in the raigne of Henry the seuenth (when a newe foundation was to bee laide) she was neuer since buried, but remayueth aboue grounde in a coffin of bordes behinde the East ende of the Presbyterie: Henrie the seuenth in a sumptuous
sepulture
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The Citie of Westminster.
sepulture, and chappell before specified, and Elizabeth his wife, Edwarde the sixt in the same Chappell without any monument, Quéene Mary without any Monument in the same chappell: Matilde daughter to Malcolne king of Scottes, wife to Henry the first, lyeth in the Reuestrie: Anne wife to Richard the third, Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Darbie, mother to Hen
ry the seuenth, Anne of Cleue, wife to Henry the eight: Edmond second sonne to Henry the third, first Earle of Lancaster, Darby, and Leycester, and Aueline his wife, daughter and heire toWil
liam de Fortibus Earle of Albemarle. In S. Thomas chappel lie the bones of the children of Henry the third, and of Edward the first, in number nine. In the Chapter house, Alianor countesse of Barre, daughter to Edward the first, William of Windsore, and Blaunch his sister, children to Edward the thirde: Iohn of Eltham Earle of Cornewell, sonne to Edward the second, Elia
nor wife to Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester: Tho
mas of Woodstocke by king Edward the third his father: Mar
garet daughter to Edward the fourth, Elizabeth daughter to Henry the seuenth, William de Valence Earle of Pembrooke, Aimer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke, Margaret and Iohn sonne and daughter to William de Valence, Iohn Waltham Bi
shop of Sarum Treasurer of England, Thomas Ruthall Bishop of Durham 1522. Gyles Lord Dawbeny Earle of Bridgewa
ter, Chamberlaine to king Henry the seuenth 1508. and his wife of the family of the Arundelles in Cornewell, Iohn Vicount Welles, 1498. The Ladie Katherine daughter to the Dutchesse of Norfolke, Sir. T. Hungerford knight, father to Sir Iohn Hungerford of Downampney knight, a son & daughter to Hum
frey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex, and Elizabeth his wife, Philip Dutchesse of Yorke, daughter to the Lorde Mohun, thrice maried, to the Lord Fitzwalter, Sir Iohn Golofer, and to the Duke of Yorke: William Dudley Bishop of Durham, Nicholas Baron Carew, Walter Hungerford sonne to EdmondBiographical sources indicate that Walter Hungerford is the son of Sir Thomas Hungerford., Sir Iohn Burley Knight, and Anne his wife, Sir Iohn Golo
fer Knight, Humfrey Bourchere, Lorde Cromwell, Henry Bourchere sonne and heire to the Lord Barons, and both slain at
Barnet
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The Citie of Westminster.
Barnet, Sir William Trussell knight, Sir Thomas Vaughan knight, Francis Brandon Dutchesse of Suffolke, Mary her daughter, Sir Iohn Hampden Knight, Sir Lewes Vicount Robsart Knight, Lord Bourchere of Henalt, and his wife daugh
ter and heyre to the Lord Bourchere: Robert Browne and Wil
liam Browne Esquires: The Ladie Iohane Tokyne daughter of Dabridge court: George Mortimer bastarde, Iohn Felby Esquire, Anne wife to Iohn Watkins, William Southwike Es
quire, William Southcot Esquire, Raph Constantine gentle
man, Arthur Troffote Esquire, Robert Hall Knight, slaine in that church, Sir Richard Rouse Knight, Sir Geffrey Maun
deuil Earle of Essex, and Athelard his wife, Sir Foulk of New
castle, Sir Iames Barons Knight, Sir Iohn Salisberie knight, Margaret Dowglasse Countesse of Lineaux, with Charles her sonne, Earle of Lineaux: Henry Scogan a learned Poet, in the cloyster. Geffrey Chaucer the most famous Poet of England,
Geffrey Chau
cer the famous poet of England.
also in the Cloyster, 1400. but since Nicholas Brigham Gentle
man, raysed a Monument for him in the South crosse Ile of the Church: his workes were partly plublished in print by William Caxton in the raigne of Henry the sixt: Increased by William Thinne Esquire, in the raigne of Henry the eight: Corrected and twice increased through mine owne painefull labours, in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth, to wit, in the yeare 1561. and again beautified with noates, by me collected out of diuers Re
cordes and Monumentes, which I deliuered to my louing friende Thomas Speight, & he hauing drawne the same into a good forme and methode, as also explaned the old and obscure wordes &c. hath published them in Anno 1597.
Anne Stahanhope Dutches of Sommerset & Iane her daugh
ter, Anne Cecill Countesse of Oxford daughter to the Lorde Burghley, with Mildred Burghley her mother, Elizabeth Barkley Countesse of Ormond, Frauncis Sidney Countesse of Sussex, Elizabeth Countesse of Hertford, Thomas Baron Wentworth, Thomas Baron Wharton: Iohn Lorde Rustell, Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Chauncellor, Sir Iohn Puckering Lord Kéeper. &c.
This
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The Cittie of Westminster.
This Church hath had great priuiledge of Sanctuarie
Sanctuary at Westminster.
within the precinct therof, to wit, the church, churchyard, and close, &c. from whence it hath not béene lawfull for any Prince or other, to take any person that fledde thether for any cause: which priuiledge was first granted by Sebert king of the East Saxons, since increased by Edgare king of the West Saxons, renewed and confirmed by king Edward the Confessor, as appeareth by this his charter following.
Edward by the grace of God, King of Englishmen: I make it to be knowne to all generations of the world after me, that by speciall commandement of our holy Father Pope Leo, I haue renewed & honored the holy church of the blessed Apostle S. Peter of Westminster, & I order and establish for euer, that what person of what conditi
on or estate soeuer he be, from whence soeuer hee come, or for what offence or cause it be, eyther for his refuge in
to the said holy place, he be assured of his life, liberty and limmes: And ouer this I forbid vnder the paine of euer
lasting damnation, that no minister of mine, or of my suc
cessors intermeddle them with any the goods, landes or possessions of the said persons taking the said Sanctuary: for I haue taken their goodes and liuelod into my speci
all protection, and therefore I graunt to euery each of them in as much as my terrestriall power may suffice, all manner freedome of ioyous libertie: And whosoe
uer presumes or doth contrary to this my graunt, I will he lose his name, worshippe, dignitie, and power, and that with the great traytor Iudas that betrayed our Saui
our, he be in the euerlasting fier of hell, and I will and or
daine that this my graunt endure as long as there remay
neth in England, eyther loue or dread of christian name.
More of this Sactuarie ye may read in our histories, and also in the statute of Henry the eight, the 32. yeare.
Next
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The Citie of Westminster.
Next to this famous Monastery, is the Kings principall Pal
lace, of what antiquitie it is vncertaine: but Edward the Confessor held his Court there: as may appeare by the testimony of sundrie, and namely of Ingulphus, as I haue before told you. The said king had his Pallace, and for the most part remained there: where he al
so ended his life, and was buried in the Monastery which he had builded. It is not to be doubted, but that King William the first, as he was crowned there, so he builded much at this Pallace: for he found it farre inferiour to the building of princely pallaces in France. And it is manifest, by the testimony of many Authors, that William Rufus builded the great Hall there, about the yeare of Christ, 1097 amongst others, Roger of Windouar, and Mathewe Parris,
Great hall at Westminster. Mathew Paris.
doo write, that King William (being returned out of Normandie into England) kept his feast of Whitsontide very royally at Westmin
ster, in the new Hall which he had lately builded, the length where
of (say some) was 270. foote, and seuentie foure foote in breadth, and when he heard men say, that this Hall was too great, he answered,
Liber Wood
bridge.
and said: this Hall is not bigge inough, by the one halfe, and is but a Beade chamber in comparison of that I meane to make: a dili
gent searcher (saith Paris) might finde out the foundation of the hall, which he had supposed to haue builded, stretching from the Riuer of Thames, euen to the common high way. This Pallace was re
paired about the yeare,
Pallace repai
red.
1163. by Thomas Becket,
W. Fitzstephēs
Chauncelor of England, with excéeding great celeritie and spéede: which before, was ready to haue fallen downe. This hath béene the principall seate and Pallace of all the Kings of England, since the Conquest: for héere haue they in the great Hall kept their feasts of Coronation especially, and other solemne feasts, as at Christmas, and such like, most commonly: for proofe whereof, I finde Recorded, that in the yeare, 1236. and the twentieth of Henry the third>, on the 29. of December,
Record Tower.
William de Hauarhull the Kings Treasurer, is com
maunded, that vpon the day of Circumcision of our Lord, hee caused 6000. poore people to be fed at Westminster, for the state of the King, the Quéene, and their children: the weake and aged to be pla
ced in the great Hall:
The vse of great Halles was to feede the Poore.
and in the lesser, those that were most strong, and in reasonable plight: in the Kings Chamber, the children in the Quéenes: and when the King knoweth the charge, he would allow
it
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The Citie of Westminster.
it in the accounts. The like commaundement, the said King Henry gaue to Hugh Gifford and William Browne, that vpon Fryday next after the Epiphany, they should cause to be fed in the great Hal of Windfor, at a good fire, all the poore and néedy children that could be found, and the kings children, being waighed and measured, their waight and measure to be distributed for their good estates.
In the yeare 1238. the same King Henry kept his feast of Christmas at Westminster,
Mathew Paris.
in the great Hall: so did he in the yeare 1241. where he placed the Legate in the most honourable place of the Table, to wit, in the middest, which the Noble men tooke in euill part: the King sate on the right hand, and the Archbishop on the left, and then all the Prelates and Nobles according to their estates: for the King himselfe set the Guests. The yeare 1242. he likewise kept his Christmas in the Hall, &c. Also in the yeare 1243. Richard Earle of Cornwell the Kings brother, married Cincia, daughter to Beatrice, Countesse of Prouince, and kept his marriage feast in the great Hall at Westminster, with great royalty and company of No
ble men: insomuch, that there were tolde (triginta milia) 30000. di
shes of meates at that dinner.
In the yeare 1256. King Henry sate in the Exchequer
H. the 3. sate in the Exche
quer and mer
ced the She
riffes.
of this Hall, and there sette downe order for the appearance of Sheriffes, and bringing in of their accounts: there was fiue Markes set on euery Sheriffes head for a fine, because they had not distrained eue
ry person, that might dispend fiftéene pound land by the yeare to re
ceiue the order of Knighthoode, as the same Sheriffes were com
manded.
In the yeares 1268 and 1269. the same king kept his Christmas feasts at Westminster as before, and also in the same, 1269. he trans
lated with great solemnitie, the body of king E. the Confessor,
Translation of E. the Con
fessor.
into a new Chapell, at the backe of the high Alter: which Chapell hee had prepaired of a meruailous workmanship, bestowing a new Tombe or Shrine of Golde, and on the day of his translation, hee kept a royall feast in the great Hall of the Pallace: thus much for the feast of olde time in this Hall.
We read also, that in the yeare 1236. the riuer of thames ouer
flowing the Banques, caused the Marshes about Woolwitch to bee all on a Sea,
Marshes about Woolwitch drowned.
wherein Boates and other vesselles were carried
with
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The Citie of Westminster.
with the streame, so that besides cattell, the greatest number of men women, and children, inhabitants there, were drowned: and in the great Pallace of Westminster, men did rowe with wheries,
Wheries row
ed in West
minster Hall.
in the middest of the hall, being forced to ride to their chambers.
Moreouer, in the yeare 1242. the Thames ouerflowing the banques about Lambhithe, drowned houses and fields, by the space of sixe miles, so that in the great hall at Westminster, men tooke their hor
sse, because the water ran ouer all. This Pallace was (in the yeare, 1299. the twentie seuenth of Edward the first, brent by a vehement fire,
T. Walsinghā. Pallace at Westminster brent.
kindled in the lesser hall of the Kings house, the same with many other houses adioyning, and with the Quéenes chamber, were con
sumed, but after that repaired. In the yeare, 1313. the 31. of E. the first, the kings treasury at Westminster was robbed,
The kings Treasury at Westminster robbed.
for ye which, Wal
ter Abbot of Westminster,
The Abbot & Monkes sent to the Tower.
with 49. of his brethren, and 32. other were throwne into the Tower of London, and indighted of the rob
berie, of an hundred thousand pound: but they affirming themselues to be cleare of the fact, and desiring the King of spéedie iustice, a com
mission, was directed for inquirie of the truth, & they were freed. In the yeare 1316 E. the 2. did solemnize his feast of Penticost, at West
minster, in the great Hall,
E. the 2. kee
ping his feasts at Westm. hal. was presented with a com
plaint, of not rewarding souldiers.
where sitting royally at the table, with his Peares about him, there entred a woman adorned like a Minstrell, sitting on a great horse, trapped as Minstrelles then vsed, who rode round about the tables, shewing pastime, and at length, came vp to the kings table, and laide before him a letter, and forthwith turning her horse, saluted euery one, and departed. The letters being opened, had these contents. Our Soueraigne Lord the King, hath nothing courteously respected his knights, that in his fathers time, and also in his owne, haue put forth their persons to diuers perils, and haue vtterly lost, or greatly diminished their substance, for honor of the said King, and he hath inriched aboundantly such as haue not borne the waight as yet, of the businesse, &c. This great Hall was begun to be repaired
Great Hall at Westminster repaired.
in the yeare, 1397. by Ri. the 2. who caused the walles, win
dowes, and roofe, to be taken downe, and newe made, with a stately portch, & diuers lodgings of a meruailous worke, & with great Costs: all which, he leuied of strangers banished, or flying out of their coun
tries, who obtained license to remain in this land by the kings char
ters, which they had purchased with great summes of money.
This
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The Citie of Westminster.
This hall being finished in the yeare, 1399. the same King kept a most royall Christmas there, with dayly Iustings and runnings at Tylt, whereunto resorted such a number of people, that there was euery day spent, twentie eight, or twentie sixe Oxen, and thrée hun
dreth Shéepe, besides fowle, without number: hee caused a gowne for himselfe to be made of Golde, garnished with Pearle and preci
ous Stone, to the value of 3000. Markes: he was garded by Cheshiere men, and had about him commonly thirtéene Bishops, besides Barons, Knights, Esquires, and other more then néeded: insomuch, that to the houshold, came euery day to meate 10000. people, as appeared by the messes tolde out from the Kitchen to 300. Seruitors.
Thus was this great Hall for the honour of the Prince often
times furnished with guests,
Ro. Iuelefe.
not onely in this kings time (a prodi
gall Prince) but in the time or other also, both before & since, though not so vsually noted. For when it is said, the King held his Feast of Christmas, or such a Feast at Westminster, it may well bee suppo
sed to bee kept in this great Hall, as most sufficient to such a pur
pose.
I finde noted by Robert Fabian,
Ro. Fabian.
the Chronickler (some
time a Citizen and an Alderman of London) that king Henry the seuenth,in the ninth of his raigne
King Henry the 7. feasted the Mayor of London, &c.
(holding his royall feast of Christ
mas, at Westminster) on the twelfth day, feasted Raphe Austry, then Mayor of London, and his brethren the Aldermen, with other Commoners in great number, and after dinner, dubbing the Ma
yor Knight, caused him with his brethren, to stay and behold the dis
guizings and other disports, in the night following, shewed in the great Hall, which was richly hanged with Arras, and Staged about on both sides: which disports being ended in the morning, the King, the Quéene, the Ambassadors, and other states, being set at a table of stone, 60. knights, and Esquires, serued 60. dishes to the Kings Messe, and as many to the Quéenes (neither flesh nor fish) and ser
ued the Mayor with twentie foure dishes to his Messe, of the same manner, with sundrie wynes, in most plentious wise: and finally, the King and Quéene, beeing conueyed with great lights into the Pallace, the Mayor with his Company in Barges, returned and came to London, by breake of the next day. Thus much for buil
ding
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The Citie of Westminster.
ding of this great hall, and feasting therein. It moreouer appeareth, that many Parliaments haue beene kept there:
Parliament kept in Westminster Hall. 9
for I finde noted, that in the yeare 1397. the great Hall at Westminster, beeing out of reparations, and therefore (as it were newe builded by Richard the second, (as is before shewed) the same Richard in the meane time hauing occasion to holde a Parliament, caused for that pur
pose a large house to be builded in the middest of the Pallace Court, betwixt the clocke Tower, and the gate of the olde great Hall, this house was very large and long, made of timber, couered with Tyle, open on both the sides, and at both the endes, that all men might see and heare what was both sayde and done.
The Kings archers (in number, 4000. Chesheire men) com
passed the house about with their Bowes bent, and Arrowes noc
ked in their hands, alwayes ready to shoote: they had bouch of court
Bouch of Court.
(to wit, meat and drinke) and great wages, of sixe pence by the day.
The olde great Hall being new builded, Parliaments were a
gaine there kept as before: namely, one in the yeare 1399. for the deposing of Richard the second. A great part of this Pallace at Westminster was once againe brent in the yeare 1512. the fourth of Henry the eight, since the which time, it hath not béene reedi
fied: onely the great Hall, with the offices neare adioyning, are kept in good reparations, and serueth as afore it did, for feasts at Coronations, Arraignments of great persons charged with trea
sons, kéeping of the courts of iustice, &c. But the Princes haue béene lodged in other places about the citie, as at Baynards Castle, at Bridewell, and White Hall, sometime called Yorke Place, and sometimes at S. Iames.
This great Hall hath béene the vsuall place of pleadings, and ministration of Iustice, whereof somewhat shortly I will note. In times past, the courts and benches followed the King, wheresoeuer he went, as well since the conquest, as before, which thing at length being thought combersome, painfull, and chargeable to the people, it was in the yeare 1224. the 9. of H. the 3. agreed, that there should be a standing place appointed, where matters should be heard and iud
ged, which was in the great Hall at Westminster.
Magna carta. Cōmon place in Westmin
ster Hall.
In
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The Citie of Westminster.
In this Hall, be ordained thrée iudgement seates, to wit, at the entry on the right hand, the common place, where ciuill matters are to be pleaded,
T. Smith.
specially such as touch lands, or contracts, at the vpper end of the Hall, on the right hand (or Southeast corner) the Kings bench where pleas of the Crowne haue their hearing: and on the left hand or Southwest corner, sitteth the Lord Chancelor, accompanied with the master of the Rowles, and with certain other of the 11. mē (lear
ned for the most part in the Ciuill Lawe, and called maisters of the Chauncery)
Court of the Chauncery.
which haue the Kings fée. The times of pleading in these courts are foure, in the yeare which are called Termes , the first is Hillary Terme , which beginneth the 23. of Ianuarie (if it be not Sunday) and endeth the 12. of Februarie. The second, is Easter Terme , and beginneth 17. dayes after Easter day, and endeth 4. dayes after Assencion day . The third Terme beginneth 6. or seuen dayes after Trinitie Sunday , and endeth the Wednes
day fortnight after. The fourth is Michelmas Terme , which be
ginneth the 9. of October (if it be not Sunday) and endeth the 28. of Nouember.10
And here is to be noted, that the Kings of this Realme, haue vsed sometimes to sit in person in the Kings Bench, namely, King Edward the fourth, in the yeare, 1462. in Michelmas Terme sate in the Kings Bench
Kings of this Realme haue sate on the Kings Bench, in West. Hall.
thrée dayes togither, in the open Court, to vn
derstand how his lawes were ministred and executed.
Within the Port, or entry into the Hall, on either side, are ascendings vp into large chambers: without the Hall adioyning thereunto, wherein certaine Courts be kept, namely, on the right hand, is the court of the Exchequer,
Court of the Exchequer.
a place of account, for the reue
newes of the crowne: the hearers of the account, haue Auditors vnder them, but they which are the chéefe for the accounts of the prince, are called Barons of the Exchequer, wherof one is called the chéefe Baron. The greatest officer of al, is called the high Treasurer of England. In this court be heard, those that are delators (or infor
mers) in popular and penall actions, hauing thereby part of the pro
fit by the law assigned vnto them.
In this Court,
Informers.
(if any question bee) it is determined after the order of the common Law of England, by twelue men, and all sub
sidies,
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The Citie of Westminster.
sidies, Taxes, and Customes, by account, for in this office, the Sheriffes of the Shire do attend vpon the execution of the com
maundements of the iudges, which the Earle should do, if he were not attending vpon the Princes in the Warres, or otherwise about him: for the chéefe office of the Earle was, to sée the Kings iustice to haue course, and to bee well executed in the Shire, and the Princes Reuenewes to bee well aunswered and brought into the Treasury.
If any fines or amerciaments bee extracted out of any of the said courts vpon any man, or any arrerages of accounts, of such things as is of customes, taxes and subsidies, or other such like occa
sions, the same the Sheriffe of the Shire doth gather, and is answe
rable therefore in the Exchequer, as for other ordinary rents, of pa
trimoniall lands, and most commonly of taxes, customes, and sub
sidies, there be particular receiuers and collectors, which do answer it into the Exchequer. This Court of the Exchequer, hath of olde time (and as I thinke, since the conquest) béene kept at Westmin
ster, notwithstanding, sometimes remooued thence by commaun
dement of the king, for a time, and after restored againe, as name
ly, in the yeare, 1209. King Iohn commaunded the Exche
quer to be remooued from Westminster, to Northampton, &c.
On the left hand aboue the staire is the Duchie chamber, where
in is kept, the court for the Duchie of Lancaster, by a Chauncelor of that Duchie, and other officers vnder him.
Douch court.
Then is there in an o
ther chamber, the office of receits
office of receit
of the Quéenes Reuenewes, for the Crowne: then is there also, the Starre chamber,
Starre chāber.
where in the Tearme time euery wéeke once at the least, (which is commonly on Fridayes and Wednesdayes, and on the next day after, the Terme endeth) the Lord Chauncelor and the Lords, and other of the priuie counsell, and the two chief Iustices of England, from 9. of the clock, till it be 11. do sit. This place is called the Starre chamber, because the roofe thereof is decked with the likenesse of Starres guilt, there be plaints heard, of ryots, rowtes, and other misdemeanors, which if they be found by the Kings Councell, the partie the offender, shalbe censured by these persons, which speake one after another, and hee shalbe both fined and commaunded to the prison.
Then
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The Citie of Westminster.
Then at the vpper ende of the great Hall, by the Kings Bench, is a going vp, to a great chamber, called the white Hall, wherein is now kept the Court of Wardes, and Liueries:
The court of Wardes and Liueries.
and adioyning thereunto, is the Court of Requests.
Court of Requests.
Then is Saint Stephens chappell,
S. Stephens Chapell.
of olde time founded by King Stephen, and againe since, of a farre more cu
rious workemanship, newe builded by King Edward the third, in the yeare, 1347. for thirtie eight persons, in that church to serue God, to wit, a Deane, twelue secular Cannons, thirtéene Uickars, foure Clarkes, sixe Chorsles, two Seruitors, to wit, a Uerger, and a kéeper of the Chappell. Hee builded for those, from the house of re
ceit, along nigh to the Thames, within the same Pallace, there to inhabite, and since that, there was also builded for them, betwixt the the clocke house, and the wooll staple, called the wey-house. Hee al
so builded to the vse of this chapell, (though out of the Pallace court) some distance West, in the little Sanctuarie,
Litle Sanctu
arie.
a strong Clotchard of stone and timber, couered with Leade, and placed therein, thrée belles, about the biggest of the which (as I haue béene informed) was written.
King Edward made mee,
Thirtie thousand and three,
Take me downe and wey mee,
And more shall yee finde mee.
The said King Edward, endowed this chapell with lands, to the yearely value of 500. pound. Doctor Iohn Chambers, the kings phi
sitian (the last Deane of this Colledge) builded thereunto a cloyster
Cloyster of S. Stephens Cha
pel builded.
of curious workemanship, to the charges of 11000. Markes. This chapel (or colledge) at the suppression, was valued to dispend in lands by the yeare 1085. pound 10. shillings 5. pence, and was surren
dred to E. the 6. since the which time, the same chapell hath serued as a Parliament house.
Parliament house.
This Pallace (before the entry thereinto) hath a large court, and in the same, a tower of stone, containing a clocke,
Clock house at Westminster.
which striketh euery houre on a great bell, to be heard into the Hall, in sitting time of the courts, or otherwise: for the same clock (in a calme) will be heard into the citie of London. King H. the sixt, gaue the kéeping of this clock,
Fountaine in the Pallace Court.
with the Tower, called the clock house and the appurtenances, vnto W. Walsby, Deane of S. Stephens, with the wages of six pence by the day, out of the Exchequer. By this
Tower
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393
The Citie of Westminster.
Tower standeth a Fountaine, which at the Coronations, and other great triumphes, is made to run with wine out of diuers spouts. On the East side of this court, is an arched gate to the riuer of Thames, with a faire bridge and landing place,
Westminster bridge or common landing place.
for all men that haue occasion. On the North side, is the South end of S. Stephens Alley, or Canon Rowe; and also, a way into the olde wooll staple: and on the west side is a very faire gate begun by Ri. the 3. in the yeare 1484. and was by him builded a great heigth, and many faire lodgings in it, but left vnfinished, and is called the high Tower at Westminster.
High tower at Westminster.
Thus much for the Monastery and Pallace, may suffise. And now will I speake of the Gate-house,
Gate house at Westminster.
and of Totehilstréete, stretching from the West part of the Close. The Gate-house is so called of two Gates, the one out of the colledge court toward the North, on the East side wherof, was the Bishop of Londons prison, for clarkes conuict, and the other gate adioyning to the first, but towards the west, is a gaile, or prison for offenders thither committed. Walter Warfield celerar to the Monastery, caused both these gates with the appurtenances to be builded in the raigne of E. the 3. On the South side of this gate, King H. the 7. founded an almeshouse,
Almeshouse of Henry the 7.
for 13. poore men: one of them to be a Priest, aged 45. yeares, a good Gramarian, the other 12 to be aged fiftie yeares without wiues, euey Satterday the Priest to receiue of the Abbot, or Pryor, 4. pence by the day, and each other 2 pence halfe penny by the day for euer, for their sustenance, and eue
ry year to each one a gowne and a hood ready made: and to 3. womē that dressed their meat, and kept them in their sicknesse, each to haue euery Satterday 16. pence, and euery yeare a gowne ready made. More to the 13. poore men yearely 80. quarters of cole, and 1000. of good faggots to their vse: in the hall and kitchen of their mansion, a discréete Monk to be ouerseer of them, and he to haue 40. shillings by the yeare, &c. and hereunto was euery Abbot and Pryor sworne. Neareunto this house westward, was an olde chapell of S. Anne,
Chapell of S. Anne.
ouer against the which, the Lady Margaret,
Almeshouse founded by Lady Marga
ret.
mother to king H. the 7 erected an Almeshouse for poore women, which is now turned into lodgings for the singing men of the colledge: the place wherein this chapell and Almeshouse standeth, was called the Elemosinary or Al
mory,
Almory at Westminster.
now corruptly the Ambry, for that the Almes of the Abbey were there distributed to the poore. And therein Islip Abbet of West
minster
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394
The Citie of Westminster.
minster, first practized and erected the first Presse of booke Printing that euer was in England,
Printing of bookes at Westm. the first in Eng
land.
about the yeare of Christ, 1471. From the West gate runneth along Totehill stréete,
Totehil street.
wherein is a house of the Lord Gray of Wilton, and on the other side at the entry in
to Totehill field, Stourton house, which Gyles, the last L. Dacre of the South,11 purchased and built new, whose Lady, and wife Anne, (sister to Thomas the Lord Buckhurst) left money to her Executors to build an Hospitall for 20. poore women, and so many children to be brought vp vnder thē, for whose maintenance she assigned lands, to the valew of 100. pound by the yeare: which Hospitall,
Hospitall foun
ded by Lady Anne Dacre.
her Exe
cutors haue new begun, in the field adioyning. From the entry into Totehil field, the stréete is called Petty Fraunce,
Petty France.
in which, and vpon S. Hermits hill, on the South side thereof, Cornelius van dun (a Brabander borne, Yeomen of the Guard, to King H. the 8. King E. the 6. Quéene Mary and Quéene Elizabeth) built 20. houses for poore women to dwell rent frée:
Almeshouses for poore wo
women.
and neare hereunto was a chappell of Mary Magdalen,
Chappel of Mary Mag
dalen.
now wholly ruinated. The citie of Westmin
ster for ciuill gouernment is diuided in 12. seuerall Wardes, for the which, the Deane of the Collegiat church of Westm. or the high Steward, do elect 12. Burgesses, and as many assistants, that is, one Burgesse,
Gouernment of Westmin
ster Citie.
and one Assistant, for euery Warde, out of the which 12 Burgesses, 2. are nominated yearely, vpon Thursday in Easter wéeke, for chief Burgesses to continue for one yeare next following, who haue authoritie giuen them by the Act of Parliament 27. Eliza
beth, to heare, examine, determine, and punish according to ye lawes of the Realme, and lawfull customes of the citie of London, matters of incontinencie, common scoldes, inmates, and common annoyan
ces, and likewise, to commit such persons as shall offend against the peace, and thereof to giue knowledge within 24. houres to some Iu
stice of peace, in the countie of Midlesex.

Notes

  1. Stow’s two methods of dating this event do not match. The 28th year of the reign of Henry VIII was 1536-1537. The mismatch may also be due to a compositorial error. (SM)↑
  2. Overinking. (SM)↑
  3. Ink bleedthrough. (SM)↑
  4. I.e. ground (SM)↑
  5. I.e. ditch (SM)↑
  6. Celebrated on 29 June. (KL)↑
  7. Ink bleedthrough. (SM)↑
  8. Letter missing; catchword from preceeding page is fortie. (SM)↑
  9. Underinking; context obvious. (SM)↑
  10. We have not marked up the dates in this paragraph because Stow is describing the calendar of the legal terms. See the Glossary for more information on the four legal terms.↑
  11. According to Kingsford, the last lord Dacre of the South was Gregory Fiennes (Kingsford 380)↑

Cite this page

MLA citation

Stow, John, and William fitz Stephen. Survey of London: The City of Westminster. The Map of Early Modern London, edited by Janelle Jenstad, U of Victoria, 20 Jun. 2018, mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm.

Chicago citation

Stow, John, and William fitz Stephen. Survey of London: The City of Westminster. The Map of Early Modern London. Ed. Janelle Jenstad. Victoria: University of Victoria. Accessed June 20, 2018. http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm.

APA citation

Stow, J., & fitz Stephen, W. 2018. Survey of London: The City of Westminster. In J. Jenstad (Ed), The Map of Early Modern London. Victoria: University of Victoria. Retrieved from http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm.

RIS file (for RefMan, EndNote etc.)

Provider: University of Victoria
Database: The Map of Early Modern London
Content: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

TY  - ELEC
A1  - Stow, John
A1  - fitz Stephen, William
ED  - Jenstad, Janelle
T1  - Survey of London: The City of Westminster
T2  - The Map of Early Modern London
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/06/20
CY  - Victoria
PB  - University of Victoria
LA  - English
UR  - http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm
UR  - http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/xml/standalone/stow_1598_WEST6.xml
ER  -

RefWorks

RT Web Page
SR Electronic(1)
A1 Stow, John
A1 fitz Stephen, William
A6 Jenstad, Janelle
T1 Survey of London: The City of Westminster
T2 The Map of Early Modern London
WP 2018
FD 2018/06/20
RD 2018/06/20
PP Victoria
PB University of Victoria
LA English
OL English
LK http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm

TEI citation

<bibl type="mla"><author><name ref="#STOW6"><surname>Stow</surname>, <forename>John</forename></name></author>, and <author><name ref="#FITZ1"><forename>William</forename> <surname><nameLink>fitz</nameLink> Stephen</surname></name></author>. <title level="a">Survey of London: The City of Westminster</title>. <title level="m">The Map of Early Modern London</title>, edited by <editor><name ref="#JENS1"><forename>Janelle</forename> <surname>Jenstad</surname></name></editor>, <publisher>U of Victoria</publisher>, <date when="2018-06-20">20 Jun. 2018</date>, <ref target="http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm">mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_WEST6.htm</ref>.</bibl>

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