Survey of London: Sports and Pastimes
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Sports and pastimes of old time vsed in this Citie.
LEt vs now saith (Fitz Stephen) come to the sportes and pastimes,
ous and serious, but also merrie and sport
full: whereupon in the seales of the Popes, vntil the time of Pope Leo, on the one side was Saint Peter; fishing with a keye ouer him, reached as it were by the hande of God out of heauen, and about it this verse. Tu pro me nauem liquisti, suscipe clauem . And on the other side was a cittie, and this inscription on it, Aurea Roma. Likewise to the prayse of Augustus Cesar, and the ci
Nocte pluit tota redeunt spectacula mane, &c.
Of sports and pastimes in this Citie eue
rie thing hath his time, a time to weepe a time to laugh, a time to mourne, & a time to daunce. Eccles. 3.
séeing it is fitte that a cittie should not onely be commodirie thing hath his time, a time to weepe a time to laugh, a time to mourne, & a time to daunce. Eccles. 3.
ous and serious, but also merrie and sport
full: whereupon in the seales of the Popes, vntil the time of Pope Leo, on the one side was Saint Peter; fishing with a keye ouer him, reached as it were by the hande of God out of heauen, and about it this verse. Tu pro me nauem liquisti, suscipe clauem . And on the other side was a cittie, and this inscription on it, Aurea Roma. Likewise to the prayse of Augustus Cesar, and the ci
tie
F2
68
Sportes and pastimes.
tie, in respect of the shewes and
sportes was written,
All night it raynes, and showes at morrowtide returne again. And Cesar
with almigtie Ioue hath matcht any equall raigne. But London for
the shews vpon Theaters, & Comical pastimes, hath holy playes representations
of miracles,
sors haue wrought, or representations of tormentes wherein the constancie of Martirs appeared. Euery yeare also at Shrouetuse
day (that we may beginne with childrens sports, séeing we al haue béene children) the schoole boyes do bring cockes of the game to their Mayster, and all the forenoone they delight themselues in cockfighting:
day in Lent a fresh company of young men comes into the fielde on horsebacke,
med launces and shieldes, and there they practise feates of warre. Many Courtiers likewise when the king lyeth néere, and atten
dants of noble men do repayre to these exercises, and while the hope of victorie doth inflame their mindes, do shew good proofe how ser
uiceable they would bee in martiall affayres. In Easter holidaies they fight battailes on the water,
lently forced with the tide, but on each side of the shielde ride two boates furnished with young men, which recouer him that falleth as soone as they may, Upon the bridge, wharfes, and houses, by the riuers side, stand great numbers to sée, and laugh thereat. In the holy dayes all sommer the youths are exercised in leaping, dancing, shooting, wrastling,
Stage playes.
which holy
confessors haue wrought, or representations of tormentes wherein the constancie of Martirs appeared. Euery yeare also at Shrouetuse
day (that we may beginne with childrens sports, séeing we al haue béene children) the schoole boyes do bring cockes of the game to their Mayster, and all the forenoone they delight themselues in cockfighting:
Cock fighting.
after dinner all the youthes goe into the fieldes, to play at the ball.
Ball play.
The schollers of euery schoole
haue their ball (or bastion) in their hands: the auncient and wealthy men of the
Citie come forth on horsebacke to sée the sport of the young men, and to take
parte of the pleasure in beholding their agilitie. Euery Fryday in Lent a fresh company of young men comes into the fielde on horsebacke,
Exercise of war like feates
on horsebacke with disarmed launces.
and the best horsemen conducteth
the rest. Then march forth the citizens sonnes, and other young men with disarmed launces and shieldes, and there they practise feates of warre. Many Courtiers likewise when the king lyeth néere, and atten
dants of noble men do repayre to these exercises, and while the hope of victorie doth inflame their mindes, do shew good proofe how ser
uiceable they would bee in martiall affayres. In Easter holidaies they fight battailes on the water,
Battailes on water.
a shield is hanged vpon
a pole, fixed in the midst of the streame, a boat is prepared without oares to be
carryed by violence of the water, and in the fore part thereof standeth a young
man, readie to giue charge vpon the shield with his launce: if so be he breaketh
his launce against the shield, and doth not fall, he is thought to haue performed
a worthy déede. If so be (without breaking his launce, hee runneth strongly
against the shield, downe hee falleth into the water, for the boate is violently forced with the tide, but on each side of the shielde ride two boates furnished with young men, which recouer him that falleth as soone as they may, Upon the bridge, wharfes, and houses, by the riuers side, stand great numbers to sée, and laugh thereat. In the holy dayes all sommer the youths are exercised in leaping, dancing, shooting, wrastling,
Leaping, dan
cing, shooting wrestling,
casting the stone, and practizing their
cing, shooting wrestling,
shields
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Sportes and pastimes.
shieldes: the maydens trippe it with
their Timbrelles, and daunce
Dauncing.
as
long as they can well sée. In winter euery holy day before dinner, the Boares
prepared for brawne are set to fight,
Fighting of
Boars, bayting of Beares and Bulles.
or els Bulles and Beares are
bayted.
When the great fenne or Moore (which watereth the walles of the citie on the North
side) is frozen, many young men play vp
on the yce,
ting one the other, eyther one or both doe fall, not without hurt: some break their armes, some their legs, but youth desirous of glo
rie, in this sort exerciseth it selfe against the time of warre: Many of the citizens do delight themselues in Haukes, and houndes,
Stephen of sports.
on the yce,
The More field when there was no ditch
by the wall of the Citie slyding on the yce.
some stryding as wide as
they may, doe slide swiftly: others make themselues seates of ice, as great as
milstones: one sits downe, many hand in hand do drawe him, and one slipping on a
sudden, all fall together: some tye bones to their féete, and vnder their heeles,
and shouing themselues by a little picked staffe, doe slide as swiftly as a birde
flyeth in the aire, or an arrow out of a crossebow. Sometime two runne together
with poles, and hitting one the other, eyther one or both doe fall, not without hurt: some break their armes, some their legs, but youth desirous of glo
rie, in this sort exerciseth it selfe against the time of warre: Many of the citizens do delight themselues in Haukes, and houndes,
Hauking and hunting.
for they haue libertie of hunting in
Middlesex, Hartfordshire, all Chiltron, and in Kent
to the water of Cray. Thus farre Fitz-Stephen of sports.
These, or the like exercises haue béene continued till our time, namely in stage
playes,
ners well besides Smithfield: which play continued thrée dayes together,
sent. And of another, plaide in the yeare 1409. which lasted eight daies, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde, whereat was present most part of the nobilitie, and gentrie of Eng
land &c. Of late time in place of those Stage playes, hath béene vsed Comedies, Tragedies, enterludes, and histories, both true and fayned: For the acting whereof certaine publike places, as the Theater, the Curtine, &c. haue béene erected. Also cockes of the game are yet cherished by diuers men for their pleasures, much money being laid on their heades, when they fight in pits, where
of some be costly made for that purpose. The Ball is vsed by no
ble men and gentlemen in Tennis courtes,
ner sort in the open fieldes, and stréetes. The youthes of this ci
on the Riuer of Thames rowed in boates, with staues flat at the fore-end, running one against another, and for the most part ey
ther one, or both ouerthrowne and well ducked. On the holydaies in sommer the youthes of this Citie, haue in the fields exercised themselues in leaping, dauncing, shooting, wrastling,
zens kept games of defence,
tall of Saint Giles in the fielde, where they challenged, and had the masterie of the men in the suburbes, and other commers &c. Al
so in the yeare 1453. of a tumult made against the Mayor, at the wrestling besides Clarkes well &c. which is sufficient to proue that of olde time the exercising of wrestling, and such like hath beene much more vsed then of latter yeares. The youthes of this citie, also haue vsed on holy dayes after euening prayer, at their may
sters dores, to exercise their wasters and bucklers:
dens (one of them playing on a Timbrel) in sight of their maisters
on the Ice is now but childrens play: but in hauking and hunting many graue citizens, at this present haue great delight, and do ra
ther want leasure then good will to follow it. Of triumphant shewes
uance, riding through the citie towards Westminster, there to be crowned Quéene of England, the citie was adorned with silkes, & in the night with lampes, cressets, and other lights, without num
ber, besides many Pageantes, and strange deuises there presented, the citizens also rode
petters sounding before them: These citizens did minister wine, as Bottelers, which is their seruice at the coronation. More in the yeare 1298. for victorie obtained by Edward the first against the Scottes, euery citizen according to their seuerall trade, made their seuerall shew, but specially the Fishmongers, which in a so
lempne procession, passed through the citie, hauing amongst other Pageants and shewes, foure Sturgeons guilt, carried on foure horses: then foure Salmons of siluer on foure horses, & after them sixe and fortie armed Knightes riding on horses, made like luces of the sea, and then one representing S. Magnus (because it was on S. Magnus day) with a thousand horsemen &c. Of one other shew ye may reade in the yeare 1377. made by the citizens for disport of the yong prince Richard, son to the blacke prince, and thus it fol
loweth. On the sunday before candlemas in the night, 130. citi
zens disguised, and wel horsed in a mummerie with sound of trum
pets, shackbuts, cornets, Shalmes, and other minstrels, and in
numerable torch lights of Waxe, rode from Newgate through Cheape ouer the bridge, through Southwarke, and so to Ken
nington besides Lambhith, where the young Prince remayned with his mother, and the Duke of Lancaster, his vncle, the earles of Cambrldge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with diuers other Lordes. In the first ranke did ride 48. in the likenes and habite of Esquires, two and two together cloathed in redde coates and gownes of Say, or sandall, with comely visors on their faces: after them came riding 48. knights in the same liuerie, of colour and stuffe: Then followed one richly arrayed like an Emperor, and after him some distance, one stately tyred like a Pope, whome followed 24. Cardinals, and after them eyght or tenne with black visors not amiable, as if they had béen Legates from some forrain Princes. These maskers, after they had entred the Mannor of Kenington, alighted from their horses and entred the hall on foot: which done, the Prince, his mother, and the Lordes came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the saide mummers did salute, shewing by a paire of dice vpon the table their desire to play with the Prince, which they so handled, that the Prince did alwayes win when he cast them. Then the mummers set to the prince thrée
A Stage play continued.
whereof
ye may reade in
Anno 1391. a play to be plaide by the parish Clearkes of
London at the Skinners well besides Smithfield: which play continued thrée dayes together,
A stage play that lasted eight daies.
the King,
Quéene, and Nobles of the realme being present. And of another, plaide in the yeare 1409. which lasted eight daies, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde, whereat was present most part of the nobilitie, and gentrie of Eng
land &c. Of late time in place of those Stage playes, hath béene vsed Comedies, Tragedies, enterludes, and histories, both true and fayned: For the acting whereof certaine publike places, as the Theater, the Curtine, &c. haue béene erected. Also cockes of the game are yet cherished by diuers men for their pleasures, much money being laid on their heades, when they fight in pits, where
of some be costly made for that purpose. The Ball is vsed by no
ble men and gentlemen in Tennis courtes,
The ball at Tennis play
and by people of meaner sort in the open fieldes, and stréetes. The youthes of this ci
tie
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Sports and pastimes.
tie time out of mind, haue left off to
practise the disarmed launce, & shielde on horsebacke in the fieldes, but I
haue séene some few vpon the Riuer of Thames rowed in boates, with staues flat at the fore-end, running one against another, and for the most part ey
ther one, or both ouerthrowne and well ducked. On the holydaies in sommer the youthes of this Citie, haue in the fields exercised themselues in leaping, dauncing, shooting, wrastling,
Leaping, dan
cing, shooting wrestling, &c.
casting of the stone or Ball &c. And for defence and vse of the weapon, there
is a speciall profession of men that teach it. Yee may reade in mine
Annalles, how that in the yeare 1222. the citicing, shooting wrestling, &c.
zens kept games of defence,
Games of de
fence.
and wrestlings néere vnto the Hospifence.
tall of Saint Giles in the fielde, where they challenged, and had the masterie of the men in the suburbes, and other commers &c. Al
so in the yeare 1453. of a tumult made against the Mayor, at the wrestling besides Clarkes well &c. which is sufficient to proue that of olde time the exercising of wrestling, and such like hath beene much more vsed then of latter yeares. The youthes of this citie, also haue vsed on holy dayes after euening prayer, at their may
sters dores, to exercise their wasters and bucklers:
Playing at the
Bucklers.
and the maidens (one of them playing on a Timbrel) in sight of their maisters
Dauncing for garlandes in the streets.
and Dames to
daunce for garlandes hanged thwart the streetes, which open pastimes in my youth,
being now suppressed: worser practizes within dores are to be feared: as for the
bayting of Buls and Beares, they are till this day much frequented. Slyding vpon the Ice is now but childrens play: but in hauking and hunting many graue citizens, at this present haue great delight, and do ra
ther want leasure then good will to follow it. Of triumphant shewes
Mathew Paris. Shewes for tri
umphes.
made by the citizens of London, ye may reade in the
year 1236. the 20. of Henry the
third, Andrew Bockwell then being Mayor, howe Helianor
daughter to Reymonde earle of Proumphes.
uance, riding through the citie towards Westminster, there to be crowned Quéene of England, the citie was adorned with silkes, & in the night with lampes, cressets, and other lights, without num
ber, besides many Pageantes, and strange deuises there presented, the citizens also rode
The citizens roade.
to meet the King &
Queene cloathed in long garments embrodered
Imbrodered garments
about with gold, and silks of diuers colors, their
horses gallantly trapped to the number of 360. euery man
bearing
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Sportes and pastimes.
bearing a cuppe of gold or siluer in
his hand, and the kings trumpetters sounding before them: These citizens did minister wine, as Bottelers, which is their seruice at the coronation. More in the yeare 1298. for victorie obtained by Edward the first against the Scottes, euery citizen according to their seuerall trade, made their seuerall shew, but specially the Fishmongers, which in a so
lempne procession, passed through the citie, hauing amongst other Pageants and shewes, foure Sturgeons guilt, carried on foure horses: then foure Salmons of siluer on foure horses, & after them sixe and fortie armed Knightes riding on horses, made like luces of the sea, and then one representing S. Magnus (because it was on S. Magnus day) with a thousand horsemen &c. Of one other shew ye may reade in the yeare 1377. made by the citizens for disport of the yong prince Richard, son to the blacke prince, and thus it fol
loweth. On the sunday before candlemas in the night, 130. citi
zens disguised, and wel horsed in a mummerie with sound of trum
pets, shackbuts, cornets, Shalmes, and other minstrels, and in
numerable torch lights of Waxe, rode from Newgate through Cheape ouer the bridge, through Southwarke, and so to Ken
nington besides Lambhith, where the young Prince remayned with his mother, and the Duke of Lancaster, his vncle, the earles of Cambrldge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with diuers other Lordes. In the first ranke did ride 48. in the likenes and habite of Esquires, two and two together cloathed in redde coates and gownes of Say, or sandall, with comely visors on their faces: after them came riding 48. knights in the same liuerie, of colour and stuffe: Then followed one richly arrayed like an Emperor, and after him some distance, one stately tyred like a Pope, whome followed 24. Cardinals, and after them eyght or tenne with black visors not amiable, as if they had béen Legates from some forrain Princes. These maskers, after they had entred the Mannor of Kenington, alighted from their horses and entred the hall on foot: which done, the Prince, his mother, and the Lordes came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the saide mummers did salute, shewing by a paire of dice vpon the table their desire to play with the Prince, which they so handled, that the Prince did alwayes win when he cast them. Then the mummers set to the prince thrée
Iewels,
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72
Sportes and pastimes.
Iewelles,
The prince did winne three Iewels of the Maskers.
one
after another, which were a boule of gold, a cuppe of gold, and a ring of gold,
which the Prince wanne at thrée casts. Then they set to the Princes mother, the
Duke, the Earles, and other Lords, to euery one a ring of gold, which they also
did win: After which they were feasted, and the musick sounded, the prince and
Lords daunced on the one part with the mummers, which did also daunce, which
iolitie being ended, they were againe made to drinke, and then departed in order
as they came.
Thus much for sportfull shewes in triumphes may suffice: of other shews for sports
and pastimes yearly vsed, first at Christ
masse, there was in the Kinges house wheresoeuer hee was lodg
ed, a Lorde of misrule,
shippe, were he spirituall, or temporall. Amongst the which the Maior of London, and either of the shiriffes had their seuerall Lordes of Misrule, euer contending without quarrell or offence, who should make the rarest pastimes to delight the beholders. These Lordes beginning their rule on Alhollon Eue, continued thesame till the morrow after the Feast of the Purification, com
monly called Candlemas day: In all which space there were fine and subtile disguisinges, Maskes, and Mummeries, with playing at Cardes, for Counters, Nayles, and pointes, more for pastimes then for gaine. In the weeke before Easter had yee great shewes made for the fetching in of a twisted Tree, or With, as they termed it, out of the woodes into the kinges house, and the like in
to euery mans house of honor or worship. In the moneth of May,
ment) would walke into the sweet meadowes and greene woods, there to reioyce their spirites with the beuty and sauour of sweete flowers, and with the noyce of birdes, praising God in their kinde and for more notable example hereof Edwarde Hall, hath noted, that K. Henry the eight in the seuenth of his raigne on May day in the Morning with Queene Katheren his wife, accompanied with manie Lordes and Ladies, rode a Maying from Greenewitch to the high ground of Shooters hill, where (as they passed by the way) they espied acompanie of tall yeomen clothed all in Greene, with greene whoodes, and with bowes and arrowes to the num
gaine they likewise shot againe, their arrowes whistled by craft of the heade, so that the noise was strange and lowde, which great
ly delighted the king and Queene and their Companie. Moreouer this Robin Hoode desired the King and Queene with their reti
nue to enter the greene wood, where, in harbors made of boughes and decked with flowers, they were set and serued plentifully with venison and wine, by Robin Hoode and his meynie, to their greate contentment, and had other Pageantes and Pastimes as yee may reade in my saide Author. I find also that in the moneth of May, the Citizens of London, of all estates, lightlie in euery parish, or sometimes two or three parishes ioyning together, had their seuerall mayinges, and did fetch in Maypoles, with diuers warlike shewes, with good Archers, Morrice dauncers, and o
ther deuises for pastime all the day long, and towardes the eue
ning they had stage playes and bonefires in the streetes, of these Mayinges, wee read in the raigne of Henry the 6. that the Al
dermen and Shiriffs of London being on May day at the Bishop of Londons wood in the parish of Stebunheath, and hauing there a worshipful dinner for themselues and other commers, Lydgate, the Poet that was a Monke of Bray, sent to them by a Pursiuant a ioyfull cōmendation of that season contayning 16. staues in me
ter Royall, beginning thus.
masse, there was in the Kinges house wheresoeuer hee was lodg
ed, a Lorde of misrule,
L. of misrule at Christmas.
or mayster of merie disporters, and the
like had ye in the house of euery noble man, of honor, or good worshippe, were he spirituall, or temporall. Amongst the which the Maior of London, and either of the shiriffes had their seuerall Lordes of Misrule, euer contending without quarrell or offence, who should make the rarest pastimes to delight the beholders. These Lordes beginning their rule on Alhollon Eue, continued thesame till the morrow after the Feast of the Purification, com
monly called Candlemas day: In all which space there were fine and subtile disguisinges, Maskes, and Mummeries, with playing at Cardes, for Counters, Nayles, and pointes, more for pastimes then for gaine. In the weeke before Easter had yee great shewes made for the fetching in of a twisted Tree, or With, as they termed it, out of the woodes into the kinges house, and the like in
to euery mans house of honor or worship. In the moneth of May,
May games.
namely on May day in the morning, euery man (except impediment) would walke into the sweet meadowes and greene woods, there to reioyce their spirites with the beuty and sauour of sweete flowers, and with the noyce of birdes, praising God in their kinde and for more notable example hereof Edwarde Hall, hath noted, that K. Henry the eight in the seuenth of his raigne on May day in the Morning with Queene Katheren his wife, accompanied with manie Lordes and Ladies, rode a Maying from Greenewitch to the high ground of Shooters hill, where (as they passed by the way) they espied acompanie of tall yeomen clothed all in Greene, with greene whoodes, and with bowes and arrowes to the num
ber
73
Sportes and Pastimes.
ber of 200. One being their Chieftain
was called Robin Hoode, who required the king and his company, to stay
& see his men shoot whereunto the king granting, Robin Hoode
Robin Hoode and his men shot before the
king.
whistled, and al the 200. Archers shot of, loosing all at once,
and when he whistled againe they likewise shot againe, their arrowes whistled by craft of the heade, so that the noise was strange and lowde, which great
ly delighted the king and Queene and their Companie. Moreouer this Robin Hoode desired the King and Queene with their reti
nue to enter the greene wood, where, in harbors made of boughes and decked with flowers, they were set and serued plentifully with venison and wine, by Robin Hoode and his meynie, to their greate contentment, and had other Pageantes and Pastimes as yee may reade in my saide Author. I find also that in the moneth of May, the Citizens of London, of all estates, lightlie in euery parish, or sometimes two or three parishes ioyning together, had their seuerall mayinges, and did fetch in Maypoles, with diuers warlike shewes, with good Archers, Morrice dauncers, and o
ther deuises for pastime all the day long, and towardes the eue
ning they had stage playes and bonefires in the streetes, of these Mayinges, wee read in the raigne of Henry the 6. that the Al
dermen and Shiriffs of London being on May day at the Bishop of Londons wood in the parish of Stebunheath, and hauing there a worshipful dinner for themselues and other commers, Lydgate, the Poet that was a Monke of Bray, sent to them by a Pursiuant a ioyfull cōmendation of that season contayning 16. staues in me
ter Royall, beginning thus.
Mighty Flora, Goddesse of fresh flowers,
which clothed hath the soile in lustie greene.
Made buds spring, with her sweete showers,
by influence of the Sun shine.
To doe pleasance of intent full cleane,
The pleasant moneth of May commen
ded.
ded.
vnto the States which now sit here.
Hath Vere downe sent her owne daughter deare.
Making the vertue, that dured in the roote.
Called of Clarkes, the vertue vegitable.
for to trascend, most holsom and most soote.
Into
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74
Of watches in London.
Into the Crop, this season so agreeable
the baumy libuor3, is so commendable.
That it reioyceth, with his fresh moisture,
man, beast, and fowle, and euery creature: &c.
These greate Mayinges and Maygames made by the gouer
nors and maisters of this Citie, with the triumphant setting vp of the greate shafte, (a principall Maypole in Cornhill, before the parish Church of S.Andrew) therefore called Undershafte, by meane of an insurrection of youthes, against Alianes on May day, 1517. the ninth of Henry the eight, haue not beene so free
ly vsed as afore. And therefore to speake of watches
tained where the robbery was don, should competently restore the losse: And this was after the vse of Sauoy, but yet thought more harde to bee obserued, here, then in those partes: and therefore lea
uing those laborious watches, I will speake of our pleasures and pastimes in watching by night. In the monethes of Iune, and Iu
ly, on the Uigiles or Festiuall daies, and on the same Festiuall daies in the eueninges, after the Sunne setting, there were vsually made Bonefiers in the streetes,
stiuall daies with meates and drinkes plentifully, whereunto they woulde inuite their neighboures and Passengers also to sit, and be merry with them in greate familiarity, praising God for his be
nefites bestowed on them: These were called Bonefires aswell of good amity amongst neighbours that being before at contro
uersie, (were there by the labour of others) reconciled, and made of bitter enemies, louing frendes: as also for the vertue that a
duite by Paules gate through west Cheape, by the Stocks, throgh Cornhill, by Leaden hall to Aldegate, then backe downe Fen
churchstreete, by Grasse church, aboute Grasse church Con
duite, and vp Grasse church streete into Cornhill, and through it into west Cheape, againe, and so broke vp, the whole way or
dered for this marching watch, extended to 3200. Taylors yards of assize, for the furniture whereof with lightes there were appoin
ted 700. Cressetes, 500. of them being founde by the Compani
es, the other 200. by the Chamber of London? besides the which lights euery Constable in London) in number more then 240. had his Cresset: the charge of euery Cresset was in light two shil
linges foure pence, and euery Cresset had two men, one to beare or hold it, an other to beare a bag with light, and to serue it, so that the poore men perteyning to the Cressets, taking wages, besides that euery one had a strawne hat, with a badge painted, and his break
fast amounted in number to almost 2000. The marching watch conteyned in number aboute 2000. men, parte of them being olde souldiers, of skill to bee captaines, Lieutenantes, Sergeantes, Corporals, &c. Wiflers, Drommers, and Fifes, Standard and Ensigne bearers, Sworde players, Trompiters on Horsebacke, Demilaunces on greate horses, Gunners with hand Guns, or halfe hakes Archers in coates of white sustian signed on the brest and backe with the armes of the citie, their bowes bent in their handes, with sheafes of arrowes by their sides, Pike men in bright corslets, Burganets, &c. Holbarders, like the Bilmen, in Almaine Riuetes, and Aperns of Mayle in greate number, there were also diuers Pageantes, Morris dancers, Constables the one halfe (which was 120. on S. Iohns Eue4, the other halfe on S. Peters Eue5 in bright harnesse some ouergilte, and euery one a Iornet of Scarlet thereupon, and his hench man following him, his min
strels before him, and his cresset light passing by him, the Wayts of the citie, the Mayors Officers, for his guarde before him, all
men, and the like Torch bearers aboute him, Hench men twaine, vpon great stirring horses following him. The Shiriffes watches came one after the other in like order, but not so large in number as the Mayors: for where the Mayor had besides his Giant thrée Pageantes, each of the Shiriffes had besides their Giantes but two Pageants, ech their Morris Dance, and one hench man, their Officers in Iacquetes of wolsted, or Say, party coloured, diffe
ring from the Mayors and each from other, but hauing harnised men a greate many, &c.
nors and maisters of this Citie, with the triumphant setting vp of the greate shafte, (a principall Maypole in Cornhill, before the parish Church of S.Andrew) therefore called Undershafte, by meane of an insurrection of youthes, against Alianes on May day, 1517. the ninth of Henry the eight, haue not beene so free
ly vsed as afore. And therefore to speake of watches
Watches in the night com
manded.
and shewes in the nightes:
First I reade that in the yeare of Christ, 1253. watches in
Cities and Borough towns were commanded by king Henry the thirde, for the
better obseruing of peace and quietnesse amongst his people: And farther by the
aduice of them of Sauoy: hee ordayned that if any man chanced to bee
robbed, or by any meanes damnified, by any theefe or robber, hee to whome the
charge of keeping that country, Citie or Borough chifely appermanded.
tained where the robbery was don, should competently restore the losse: And this was after the vse of Sauoy, but yet thought more harde to bee obserued, here, then in those partes: and therefore lea
uing those laborious watches, I will speake of our pleasures and pastimes in watching by night. In the monethes of Iune, and Iu
ly, on the Uigiles or Festiuall daies, and on the same Festiuall daies in the eueninges, after the Sunne setting, there were vsually made Bonefiers in the streetes,
Bonefiers and banqueting in the streetes.
euery man bestowing wood or
labour towardes them: the welthier sorte also before their dores neare to the
saide Bonefires would, set out tables on the Uigiles furnished with sweete breade,
and good drinke, and on the Festiuall daies with meates and drinkes plentifully, whereunto they woulde inuite their neighboures and Passengers also to sit, and be merry with them in greate familiarity, praising God for his be
nefites bestowed on them: These were called Bonefires aswell of good amity amongst neighbours that being before at contro
uersie, (were there by the labour of others) reconciled, and made of bitter enemies, louing frendes: as also for the vertue that a
great
75
Of watches in London.
greate firehath to purge the
infection of the aire. On the vigils of S. Iohn Baptist,
Watches at Midsommer.
and of S. Peter, and
Paul the Apostles, besides the standing watches all in bright harnesse
in euery warde, and streete of this Citie, there was also a marching watch, that
passed through the principall streetes thereof, to wit from the little Conduite by Paules gate through west Cheape, by the Stocks, throgh Cornhill, by Leaden hall to Aldegate, then backe downe Fen
churchstreete, by Grasse church, aboute Grasse church Con
duite, and vp Grasse church streete into Cornhill, and through it into west Cheape, againe, and so broke vp, the whole way or
dered for this marching watch, extended to 3200. Taylors yards of assize, for the furniture whereof with lightes there were appoin
ted 700. Cressetes, 500. of them being founde by the Compani
es, the other 200. by the Chamber of London? besides the which lights euery Constable in London) in number more then 240. had his Cresset: the charge of euery Cresset was in light two shil
linges foure pence, and euery Cresset had two men, one to beare or hold it, an other to beare a bag with light, and to serue it, so that the poore men perteyning to the Cressets, taking wages, besides that euery one had a strawne hat, with a badge painted, and his break
fast amounted in number to almost 2000. The marching watch conteyned in number aboute 2000. men, parte of them being olde souldiers, of skill to bee captaines, Lieutenantes, Sergeantes, Corporals, &c. Wiflers, Drommers, and Fifes, Standard and Ensigne bearers, Sworde players, Trompiters on Horsebacke, Demilaunces on greate horses, Gunners with hand Guns, or halfe hakes Archers in coates of white sustian signed on the brest and backe with the armes of the citie, their bowes bent in their handes, with sheafes of arrowes by their sides, Pike men in bright corslets, Burganets, &c. Holbarders, like the Bilmen, in Almaine Riuetes, and Aperns of Mayle in greate number, there were also diuers Pageantes, Morris dancers, Constables the one halfe (which was 120. on S. Iohns Eue4, the other halfe on S. Peters Eue5 in bright harnesse some ouergilte, and euery one a Iornet of Scarlet thereupon, and his hench man following him, his min
strels before him, and his cresset light passing by him, the Wayts of the citie, the Mayors Officers, for his guarde before him, all
in
76
Of watches in London.
in a Liuery of wolsted or Say
Iacquetes party coloured, the Mayor him selfe well mounted on horsebacke, the
Sword bearer before him in fayre Armour well mounted also, the Mayors footmen, and the like Torch bearers aboute him, Hench men twaine, vpon great stirring horses following him. The Shiriffes watches came one after the other in like order, but not so large in number as the Mayors: for where the Mayor had besides his Giant thrée Pageantes, each of the Shiriffes had besides their Giantes but two Pageants, ech their Morris Dance, and one hench man, their Officers in Iacquetes of wolsted, or Say, party coloured, diffe
ring from the Mayors and each from other, but hauing harnised men a greate many, &c.
This Midsommer watch was thus accustomed yearely, time out of minde, vntill the
yeare 1539. the 31. of Henry the 8. in which yere on the eight of
May, a great muster was made by the Citizens, at the Miles ende, all in
bright harnesse, with coates of white silke,
or
cloth, and chaynes of gold, in three great battailes, to the number of 15000.
which passed through London to Westminster, and so through the
Sanctuarie, and round about the Parke of S. Iames, and
returned home through Oldbourne. King Henry then considering the
greate charges of the Citizens for the furniture of this vnusuall Muster, forbad
the marching watch prouided for, at Midsommer, for that yeare, which
being once laide downe, was not raised againe till the yeare 1548.
the second of Edwarde
the sixt, Sir Iohn Gresham, then being Mai
or, who caused the marching watch, both on the Eue of S. Iohn Baptist, and of S. Peter the Apostle, to bee reuiued and set foorth, in as comely order as it had beene accustomed, which watch was also beutified by the number of more then 300. De
milances, and light horsemen, prepared by the Citizens to bee sent into Scotland for the rescue of the towne of Hadington, and others kept by the English men, since this Maiors time, the like marching watch in this Citie hath not been vsed, though some at
tempts haue beene made thereunto, as in the yere 1585. a booke was drawn by a graue Citizen, & by him dedicated to Sir Thomas Pullison, then Lord Maior and his Brethren the Aldermen: con
teyning the manner and order of a marching watch in the cittie
ficers of sondrie sortes were thereby well set a worke, none but rich men charged: poore men helped: olde Souldiers, Trompiters, Drommers, Fifes, and ensigne bearers, with such like men, meet for Princes seruice kept in vre, wherein the safety and defence of euery common weale consisteth. Armonr6 and Weapon being yearely occupied in this wise: the Citizens had of their owne redi
ly prepared for any neede, whereas by intermission hereof, Armo
rers are out of worke, Souldiers out of vre, weapons ouergrown with foulenes, few or none good being prouided. &c.
or, who caused the marching watch, both on the Eue of S. Iohn Baptist, and of S. Peter the Apostle, to bee reuiued and set foorth, in as comely order as it had beene accustomed, which watch was also beutified by the number of more then 300. De
milances, and light horsemen, prepared by the Citizens to bee sent into Scotland for the rescue of the towne of Hadington, and others kept by the English men, since this Maiors time, the like marching watch in this Citie hath not been vsed, though some at
tempts haue beene made thereunto, as in the yere 1585. a booke was drawn by a graue Citizen, & by him dedicated to Sir Thomas Pullison, then Lord Maior and his Brethren the Aldermen: con
teyning the manner and order of a marching watch in the cittie
vpon
77
Of Watches in London.
vpon the Euens accustomed, in
commendation whereof (namely in time of peace to be vsed) he hath wordes to this
effect. The Artificers of sondrie sortes were thereby well set a worke, none but rich men charged: poore men helped: olde Souldiers, Trompiters, Drommers, Fifes, and ensigne bearers, with such like men, meet for Princes seruice kept in vre, wherein the safety and defence of euery common weale consisteth. Armonr6 and Weapon being yearely occupied in this wise: the Citizens had of their owne redi
ly prepared for any neede, whereas by intermission hereof, Armo
rers are out of worke, Souldiers out of vre, weapons ouergrown with foulenes, few or none good being prouided. &c.
In the moneth of August aboute the feast of S. Bartlemew the Apostle,
before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Shiriffes of London placed in a
large Tent neare vnto Clarken well, of old time were diuers daies spent
in the pastime of wrestling, where the Officers of the Citie: namely the
Shiriffes, Serieantes and Yeomen, the Portars of the kinges beame, or weigh house,
and other of the Citie were challengers of all men, in the suburbesʿto wrestle for
games appointed: and on other daies, before the saide Maior, Aldermen and
Shiriffes, in Fensbery fielde, to shoote the Standarde, broade arrow, and
flight, for games: but now of late yeares the wrestling is onely practised on
Bartilmew day in the after noone, and the shooting some three or foure
dayes after, in one after noone and no more. What shoulde I speake of the auncient
dayly exercises in the long bow by Citizens of this cittie, now almost cleane left
of and forsaken. I ouer passe it: for by the meane of closing in the common
groundes, our Archers for want of roome to shoote abroade, creepe into bowling
Allies, and ordinary dicing houses, nearer home, where they haue roome e
nough to hazard their money at vnlawfull games: where I leaue them to take their pleasures.
nough to hazard their money at vnlawfull games: where I leaue them to take their pleasures.
Notes
Cite this page
MLA citation
Survey of London: Sports and Pastimes.The Map of Early Modern London, edited by , U of Victoria, 20 Jun. 2018, mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_sports.htm.
Chicago citation
Survey of London: Sports and Pastimes.The Map of Early Modern London. Ed. . Victoria: University of Victoria. Accessed June 20, 2018. http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_sports.htm.
APA citation
The Map of Early Modern London. Victoria: University of Victoria. Retrieved from http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_sports.htm.
, & 2018. Survey of London: Sports and Pastimes. In (Ed), 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: Sports and Pastimes 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_sports.htm UR - http://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/xml/standalone/stow_1598_sports.xml ER -
RefWorks
RT Web Page SR Electronic(1) A1 Stow, John A1 fitz Stephen, William A6 Jenstad, Janelle T1 Survey of London: Sports and Pastimes 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_sports.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: Sports and Pastimes</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_sports.htm">mapoflondon.uvic.ca/stow_1598_sports.htm</ref>.</bibl>Personography
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Janelle Jenstad, associate professor in the department of English at the University of Victoria, is the general editor and coordinator of The Map of Early Modern London. She is also the assistant coordinating editor of Internet Shakespeare Editions. She has taught at Queen’s University, the Summer Academy at the Stratford Festival, the University of Windsor, and the University of Victoria. Her articles have appeared in the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Early Modern Literary Studies, Elizabethan Theatre, Shakespeare Bulletin: A Journal of Performance Criticism, and The Silver Society Journal. Her book chapters have appeared (or will appear) in Performing Maternity in Early Modern England (Ashgate, 2007), Approaches to Teaching Othello (Modern Language Association, 2005), Shakespeare, Language and the Stage, The Fifth Wall: Approaches to Shakespeare from Criticism, Performance and Theatre Studies (Arden/Thomson Learning, 2005), Institutional Culture in Early Modern Society (Brill, 2004), New Directions in the Geohumanities: Art, Text, and History at the Edge of Place (Routledge, 2011), and Teaching Early Modern English Literature from the Archives (MLA, forthcoming). She is currently working on an edition of The Merchant of Venice for ISE and Broadview P. She lectures regularly on London studies, digital humanities, and on Shakespeare in performance.Roles played in the project
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John Lydgate is mentioned in the following documents:
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Richard II
King Richard II
(b. 6 January 1367, d. 1400)King of England and lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine. Son of Edward, the Black Prince.Richard II is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Peter the Apostle is mentioned in the following documents:
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John Stow is mentioned in the following documents:
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John Wolfe is mentioned in the following documents:
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Robin Hood is mentioned in the following documents:
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Jupiter is mentioned in the following documents:
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Matthew Paris is mentioned in the following documents:
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Sir John Gresham
Sir John Gresham Sheriff Mayor
Sheriff of London from 1537—1538 CE. Mayor from 1547—1548 CE. Member of the Mercers’ Company. Buried at the Church of St. Michael in Bassinges Hall.Sir John Gresham is mentioned in the following documents:
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Bartholomew the Apostle is mentioned in the following documents:
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John Montgomery
Father of Nicholas Montgomery. Not to be confused with Sir John Montgomery.John Montgomery is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Paul of Tarsus is mentioned in the following documents:
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Sir Thomas Pullyson is mentioned in the following documents:
Locations
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Pope’s Head Alley
Pope’s Head Alley ran south from Cornhill to Lombard Street, and was named for the Pope’s Head Tavern that stood at its northern end. Although it does not appear on the Agas Map, its approximate location can be surmised since all three streets still exist. Although Stow himself does not discuss Pope’s Head Alley directly, his book wasImprinted by Iohn Wolfe, Printer to the honorable Citie of London: And are to be sold at his shop within the Popes head Alley in Lombard street. 1598
(Stow 1598). Booksellers proliferated Alley in the early years of the 17th century (Sugden 418).Pope’s Head Alley is mentioned in the following documents:
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Lombard Street
Lombard Street runs east to west from Gracechurch Street to Poultry. The Agas map labels itLombard streat.
Lombard Street limns the south end of Langbourn Ward, but borders three other wards: Walbrook Ward to the south east, Bridge Within Ward to the south west, and Candlewick Street Ward to the south.Lombard Street is mentioned in the following documents:
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Moorditch is mentioned in the following documents:
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Moorfields is mentioned in the following documents:
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Skinner’s Well is mentioned in the following documents:
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Smithfield is mentioned in the following documents:
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The Theatre is mentioned in the following documents:
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The Curtain
In 1577, the Curtain, a second purpose-built London playhouse arose in Shoreditch, just north of the City of London. The Curtain, a polygonal amphitheatre, became a major venue for theatrical and other entertainments until at least 1622 and perhaps as late as 1698. Most major playing companies, including the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the Queen’s Men, and Prince Charles’s Men, played there. It is the likely site for the premiere of Shakespeare’s plays Romeo and Juliet and Henry V.The Curtain is mentioned in the following documents:
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The Thames is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Giles in the Fields is mentioned in the following documents:
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Clerkenwell is mentioned in the following documents:
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Westminster Hall
Westminster Hall isthe only surviving part of the original Palace of Westminster
(Weinreb and Hibbert 1011) and is located on the west side of the Thames. It is located on the bottom left-hand corner of the Agas map, and is labelled asWestmynster hall.
Originally built as an extension to Edward the Confessor’s palace in 1097, the hall served as the setting for banquets through the reigns of many kings.Westminster Hall is mentioned in the following documents:
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Newgate is mentioned in the following documents:
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Cheap Ward
MoEML is aware that the ward boundaries are inaccurate for a number of wards. We are working on redrawing the boundaries. This page offers a diplomatic transcription of the opening section of John Stow’s description of this ward from his Survey of London.Cheap Ward is mentioned in the following documents:
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Southwark is mentioned in the following documents:
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Lambeth is mentioned in the following documents:
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Greenwich is mentioned in the following documents:
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Bishop’s Hall is mentioned in the following documents:
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Bethnall Green is mentioned in the following documents:
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Cornhill
Cornhill was a significant thoroughfare and was part of the cityʼs main major east-west thoroughfare that divided the northern half of London from the southern half. The part of this thoroughfare named Cornhill extended from St. Andrew Undershaft to the three-way intersection of Threadneedle, Poultry, and Cornhill where the Royal Exchange was built. The nameCornhill
preserves a memory both of the cornmarket that took place in this street, and of the topography of the site upon which the Roman city of Londinium was built.Cornhill is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Andrew Undershaft
St. Andrew Undershaft stands at the southeast corner of St. Mary Axe Street in Aldgate Ward.The church of St. Andrew Undershaft is the final resting place of John Stow.St. Andrew Undershaft is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Andrew Undershaft (Parish) is mentioned in the following documents:
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Little Conduit (Cheapside)
The Little Conduit in Cheapside, also known as the Pissing Conduit, stood at the western end of Cheapside outside the north corner of Paul’s Churchyard. On the Agas map, one can see two water cans on the ground just to the right of the conduit.Little Conduit (Cheapside) is mentioned in the following documents:
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Westcheap is mentioned in the following documents:
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Stocks Market
The Stocks Market was a significant market forfish and flesh
in early modern London, located south of Poultry, north of Bucklersbury, and west of Walbrook Street in Cornhill Ward (Weinreb, Hibbert, Keay, and Keay 879). The building of the Stocks Market was commissioned by lord mayor Henry le Wales in 1283 and, according to the editors of The London Encyclopedia, is named after thethe only fixed pair of stocks in the city
(Weinreb, Hibbert, Keay, and Keay 879). It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, rebuilt, and then replaced in 1739 by the Mansion House, which is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London.Stocks Market is mentioned in the following documents:
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Leadenhall is mentioned in the following documents:
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Aldgate
Aldgate was the easternmost gate into the walled city. The nameAldgate
is thought to come from one of four sources: Æst geat meaningEastern gate
(Ekwall 36), Alegate from the Old English ealu meaningale,
Aelgate from the Saxon meaningpublic gate
oropen to all,
or Aeldgate meaningold gate
(Bebbington 20–1).Aldgate is mentioned in the following documents:
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Fenchurch Street
Fenchurch Street (often called Fennieabout) ran east-west from the pump on Aldgate High Street to Gracechurch Street in Langbourne Ward, crossing Mark Lane, Mincing Lane, and Rodd Lane along the way. Fenchurch Street was home to several famous landmarks, including the King’s Head Tavern, where the then-Princess Elizabeth is said to have partaken inpork and peas
after her sister, Mary I, released her from the Tower of London in May of 1554 (Weinreb, Hibbert, Keay, and Keay 288). Fenchurch Street was on the royal processional route through the city, toured by monarchs on the day before their coronations.Fenchurch Street is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. Benet Gracechurch is mentioned in the following documents:
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Gracechurch Street
Gracechurch Street ran north-south from Cornhill Street near Leadenhall Market to the bridge. At the southern end, it was calledNew Fish Street.
North of Cornhill, Gracechurch continued as Bishopsgate Street, leading through Bishop’s Gate out of the walled city into the suburb of Shoreditch.Gracechurch Street is mentioned in the following documents:
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Westminster is mentioned in the following documents:
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St. James Park is mentioned in the following documents:
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Holborn is mentioned in the following documents:
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Finsbury Field
Finsbury Field is located in northen London outside the The Wall. Note that MoEML correctly locates Finsbury Field, which the label on the Agas map confuses with Mallow Field (Prockter 40). Located nearby is Finsbury Court. Finsbury Field is outside of the city wards within the borough of Islington(Mills 81).Finsbury Field is mentioned in the following documents:
Organizations
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The Fishmongers’ Company
The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
The Fishmongers’ Company was one of the twelve great companies of London. The Fishmongers were fourth in the order of precedence established in 1515. The Company was originally two companies, the Stock-fishmongers and the Salt-fishmongers (or simply Fishmongers). They were united in 1536 under the designation ofThe Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Fishmongers of the City of London
(Herbert 4) The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers is still active and maintains a website at http://www.fishhall.org.uk/, including a section on their history and heritage.This organization is mentioned in the following documents:
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EEBO-TCP
Early English Books Online–Text Creation Partnership
EEBO-TCP is a partnership with ProQuest and with more than 150 libraries to generate highly accurate, fully-searchable, SGML/XML-encoded texts corresponding to books from the Early English Books Online Database. EEBO-TCP maintains a website at http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/tcp-eebo/.
Roles played in the project
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First Encoders
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First Transcriber
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First Transcribers
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Transcriber
This organization is mentioned in the following documents:
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