Home > Primary sources > Survey of London > 1598 Survey sections
Survey of London (1598): Wall about the City of London
Survey of London (1598): Bridges in London
B5vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
10
Of the Auncient and Present Riuers, Brooks, Boorns, Pooles, wels, and Conduites of
fresh water, seruing the Citie, as also of the
ditch, compassing the wall of
the same.
AUnciently vntill the Conquerors time,1 and 200.
yeres after, the Citie of London was watered be
sides the famous Riuer of Thames, on the South
part, with the riuer of the wels, as it was then cal
led on the west, with a water called walbrooke,
runing through the middest of the Citie into the riuer of Thames
seruing the hart thereof. And with a fourth water or Boorne,
which ran within the Citie, through Langboorne warde, wate
ring that parte in the East. In the west Suburbes was also an o
ther greate water, called Oldborne, which had his fall into the
Riuer of wels: then was there 3. principall Fountaines, or wels
in the other Suburbes, to wit Holly well, Clements well, and
Clarkes wel. Neare vnto this last named fountaine, were diuers
other wels, to wit Skinners well, Fags well, Tede well, Leders
well, and Radwell. In west Smithfield there was a Poole, in
recordes called Horsepoole, And one other Poole neare vnto the
parish Church of S. Giles without Criplegate. Besides all
which they had in euery streete and lane of the City diuers fayre
wels, and fresh springes: and after this manner was this Citie
then serued, with sweete & fresh waters, which being since decayed,
other meanes haue beene sought to supply the want, as shall bee
shewed, but first of the aforenamed Riuers and other waters, is to
be said, as followeth.
Thames the most famous Riuer of this Iland, beginneth a little
aboue a
Riuer of
Thames.
village called winchcombe in Oxfordshire, and still in
creasing passeth first by the vniuersitie of Oxford, and so with a
maruelous quiet course to London, and thence breaketh into
the French Ocean by maine tides, which twise in 24. howers
space doeth eb and flow, more then 60. miles in length, to the great
com-
B6rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Riuers and other waters seruing this Citie
11
commodity of Trauellers, by the which all kinde of Marchandise
be easily conueyed to London, the principall store house, and sta
ple of all Commodities within this Realme: so that omitting to
speake of greate ships, and other vessels of burden, there perteyneth
to the Cities of London, westminster and Burrough of South
warke aboue the number as is supposed of 2000. Wherryes and
other small boates, whereby 3000. poore men at the least bee set
on worke and maintained.
That the Riuer of the wels
whirries on the
Thames.
Riuer of wels
in the west parte of the Citie, was
of old time so called: it may be prooued thus, william the Conquer
or in his Charter, to the Colledg of S. Martin, le Grand in Lon
don, hath these wordes: I do geue and grant to the same church
all the land and the Moore, without the Posterne, which is called
Criplegate, on eyther parte of the Posterne, that is to say, from
the North corner of the wal, as the ryuer of the wels, there neare
running departeth the same More from the wal, vnto the runing
water which entreth the Cittie, this water hath beene since that
time called Turnemill Brooke: yet then called the riuer of the
Wels, which name of Ryuer continued: and it was so called in the
raign of Edwarde the first: as shalbe shewed, with also the decay
of the saide riuer,
Decay of the
Riuer of the
Wels.
in a fayre booke of Parliament recordes,
parliament re
cord.
now
lately restored to the Tower, it appeareth that a parThis text has been supplied. Reason: Omitted from the original text due to a printing or typesetting error. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on evidence internal to this text (context, etc.). (SM)l2iament being
holden at Carlile in the yere 1307, the 35. of Edwarde the first,
Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne, complayned that whereas in
times past the course of water, running at London, vnder Olde
borne bridge, and Fleete bridge into the Thames, had beene of
such bredth and depth, that 10. or 12. Shippes, Nauies, at once
with Marchandizes, were wont to come to the foresaide bridge of
Fleete, and some of them to Oldborne bridge:
Riuer of wels
bare shipes.
now the same
course by filth of the Tanners and such others, was sore decayed:
also by raising of wharses, but specially by a diuersion of the wa
ter made by them of the new Temple, for their milles standing
without Baynardes Castle, in the first yeare of King Iohn
patent recorde
Mils by Bay
nardes castle
made in the
first of King
Iohn.
and
diuers other impedimentes, so as the saide ships could not enter as
they were wont, and as they ought, wherefore he desired that the
Mayor of London with the Sheriffes, and other discrete Alder
men, might be appointed to view the course of the saide water, and
that
B6vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
12
Riuers and other waters seruing this Citie
that by the othes of good men, all the aforesaide hinderances might
be remoued, and it to be made as it was wont of olde: whereupon
Roger le Brabason, the Constable of the Tower, with the May
or and Sheriffes were assigned to take with them honest and dis
crete men, and to make diligent search & inquiry, how the said ry
uer was
Riuer socalled
in the yeare
1307.
in olde time, and that they leaue nothing that may hurt
or stop it, but keepe it in the same estate, that it was wont to bee:
so farre the recorde. Whereupon it followed that the saide riuer,
was at that time clensed, these mils remoued, and other thinges
done for the preseruation of the course thereof, notwithstanding
neuer brought to the old depth, and breadth, whereupon the name
of riuer ceased, and it was since called a Brooke, namely Turn
mil or Tremill Brooke,
Turnemill
brooke.
for that diuers mils were erected vpon
it, as appeareth by a fayre Register booke, conteyning the foun
dation of the Priorie at Clarken wel, and donation of the landes,
thereunto belonging, as also by diuers other recordes.
This brooke hath beene diuers times since clensed, namely
and last of all to any effect. In the yeare 1502. the 17. of Henry
the 7. the whole course of Fleete dike, then so called was scow
red (I say) down to the Thames, so that boates with fish and few
ell were rowed to Fleete bridge and to Oldborne bridge, as
they of olde time had beene accustomed, which was a great com
modity to all the inhabitantes in that part of the City.
In the yeare 1589. was granted a fifteene, by a common
Councell of the Cittie, for the clensing of this Brooke or dike and
the money amounting to a thousand markes was collected,
Fleete dike
promised to
be clensed: the
money collect
ed, but the
Citizens de
ceThis text has been supplied. Reason: Omitted from the original text due to a printing or typesetting error. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on guesswork. (SM)i3ued.
and it
was vndertaken that by drawing diuers springes about Hamp
stid heaThis text has been supplied. Reason: Omitted from the original text due to a printing or typesetting error. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on evidence internal to this text (context, etc.). (SM)t4h, into one head and course, both the Citie should be ser
ued of fresh water, in all places of want, and also that by such a
follower, as men call it the channell of this brooke shoulde bee
scowred into the Ryuer of Thames, but much money being ther
in spent, the effect fayled, so that the brookes by meanes of conti
nuall incrochments vpon the banks gyttying ouer the water,
and casting of soilage into the streame, is now become worse cloy
ed and choken then euer it was before.
The running water so called
A running
water called
Walbrooke.
by William the Conqueror in
his saide Charter, which entreth the Citie &c. before there was
any
B7rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Riuers and other waters.
13
any ditch betwéene Bishopsgate and the late made Posterne cal
led Moregate, entred the wal and was truely of the wall called
Walbrooke not of Gualo as some haue farre fetched: it ranne
through the Citie with diuers windinges from the North to
wardes the South into the riuer of Thames, and had ouer the
same diuers Bridges, along the Streetes and Lanes, through
which it passed. I haue read in an olde writing booke intituled the
customes
liber customs.
of London, that the Prior of the Holy Trinity within
Aldgate ought to make ouer VValbrooke in the ward of BThis text has been supplied. Reason: Omitted from the original text due to a printing or typesetting error. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on guesswork. (SM)r5ed
streete, against the stone wall of the Citie, vz. the same Bridge
that is next the Church of Al Saintes, at the wall. Also that the
Prior of the new Hospitall, S. Marie Spittle, without Bishops
gate ought to make the middle parte of one other Bridge next to
the saide Bridge towardes the North: And that in the 28. yeare
of Edwarde the first, it was by inquisition found before the Ma
ior of London that the parish of S. Stephen vppon walbrooke,
ought of right to couer the course of the saide Brooke, and there
fore the Shieriffes were commanded to distrayne the saide Pari
shioners so to doe in the yeare 1300. the keepers of those Bridges
at that time were VVilliam Iordan, and Iohn de Bauer. This
watercourse hauing diuers Bridges, was afterwardes vaulted o
uer with Bricke, and paued leuill with the streetes and lanes,
where through it passed, and since that also houses haue beene
builded thereon, so This text has been supplied. Reason: Type apparently malformed or fractured. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on evidence internal to this text (context, etc.). (KL)t6hat the course of VValbrooke
Walbrooke
vaulted and
paued ouer.
is now hidden
vnder ground, and thereby hardly knowen. Langborne water7 8
so called of the length thereof, was a greate streame of water brea
king out of the ground, in Fan Church streete, which ran downe
with a swift course, west, through that streete, thwart Grastreet
and downe Lombardestreete, to the west ende of S. Mary
VVolnothes Church, and then turning the course South downe
Shareborne lane, so termed of sharing or deuiding, it brake into
diuers rilles or rillets
Sharebourne
lane.
to the Riuer of Thames, of this Bourne
that warde tooke the name, and is till this day called Langborne
warde,
Langbourne
warde.
this Bourne also is long since stopped vp at the heade and
the rest of the course filled vp and paued ouer, so that no signe
thereof remaineth more then the names aforesaide, Oldeborne
or Hilborne was the like water, breaking out aboute the place
where
B7vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
14
Riuers and other waters.
where now the bars9 do stand, and it ran downe the whole streete
till Oldebourne bridge, and into the Riuer of the VVels, or
Turnemil Brook: this Bourn was likewise long since stoped vp
at the head, & in other places where the same hath broken out, but
yet till this day, the saide streete is there still called high Oulde
bourn hil, and both the sides thereof together with al the grounds
adioyning that lye betwixt it, and the riuer of Thames remayne
full of springes, so that water is there found at hand, and harde to
be stopped in euery house.
There are (saith Fitzstephen)
Fitzstephen.
Holywell
neare London, on the North
side speciall wels, in the Suburbes: sweete, wholesome, and cleare,
amongst which Holywel, Clarkes wel, & Clementes wel, are
most famous and frequented by Schollers, and youths of the City
in sommer euenings, when they walke foorth to take the aire. The
first, to wit, Holywel is much decayed and marred with filthinesse,
purposely layd there, for the heighthening of the ground, for garden
plots: the fountaine called S. Clements wel, North from the
Parish church of S. Clements, and
Clements
well.
neare vnto an Inne of Chan
cery, called Clements Inne, is thereof yet fayre curbed square
with harde stone, and is alwaies kepte cleane for common vse: it
is alwaies ful, and neuer wanteth water, the third is called Clarks
well, or Clarken well, and is also curbed aboute square with
stone. Not far
Clarkes well
from the west ende of this Clarkes well Church
without the stone wall that incloseth the Church, the other smal
ler wels that stood neare vnto Clarkes wel, to wit Skinners wel,
Fagges well, Todwell, Loders well, and Redwell, are all de
cayed and so filled vp. that their places are now hardly discerned:
somewhat
Skinners well
North from Holywell is one other well curbed square
with stone, and is called Dame Annis the cleare,
Dame Annis
the cleare.
and not farre
frō it but somewhat west, is also one other cleare water called Pe
rilous Pond,
Perilous pond
because diuers youthes by swimming therein haue
béene drouned, and thus much be saide for fountaines and wels.
Horsepoole in West Smithfielde was sometime a greate
water,
Horsepoole.
and because the inhabitantes in that parte of the Citie did
there water their Horses, the same was in olde recordes called
Horsepoole, it is now much decayed, the springs being stoped vp
and the land water falling into the small bottome, remayning
in
B8rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Riuers and other waters.
15
inclosed with Bricke, is but fowle: and is called Smithfielde
Ponde.
The Poole
poole without
Cripplegate.
by S. Giles Churchyarde was a large water in
the yeare 1244. for it is read that Anne of Lodbury was drou
ned therein, this Poole is now for the most parte stopped vp, but
the spring is preserued, and it was coopped about with stone by
the Executors of Richarde VVhittington.
The said riuer of the Wels, the running water of Walbrooke,
the Bournes aforenamed, and other the fresh waters that were
in and aboute this Citie, being in processe of time by incrochment
for buildinges and otherwise vtterlie decayed, and the number of
Citizens mightely increased, they were forced to séeke swéete
waters abroade, whereof some at the request of king Henry the
thirde, in the 21. yeare of his raigne, were for the profite of the
Citie, and good of the whole Realme
Patent 1236.
thether repayring, gran
ted to the Citizens and their Successors by one Gilbert Sanford,
with liberty to conuey water from the towne of Teiborne, by
Pypes of leade into their Citie, & the first Cesterne of leade ca
stellated with stone in the Citie of London was called the greate
Conduit in west Cheape, and was begunne to bee builded in
the yeare 1285. Henry Wales being then Maior: the water
course from Padington to Iames hed hath 510. roddes, from
Iames hed on the hill to the Mewsgate, 102. roddes, from the
Mewsgate to the crosse in Cheape 484. roddes.
The Tonne vpon Cornhil was Cisterned in the yere 1401.
Iohn Chadworth then being Maior.
Bosses of water, at Belinsgate, by Powles wharfe, and by S.
Giles Church without Cripplegate made aboute the yere 1423.
Water conueyed to the Gaoles of Newgate and Ludgate,
1432.
Water procured to the Standarde in west Cheape aboute
the yeare 1431. king Henry the sixt in the yeare 1442. graun
ted to Iohn Hatharley, Maior licence to take vp 200. fodar of
Leade for the building of Conduites of a common Garnery and of
a new Crosse in west Cheape, for honor of the Citie.
The Conduit in Aldermanbury and the Standarde in Fleete
streete were made and finished by the executors of Sir William
East-
B8vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
16
Riuers, and other waters
Eastfielde in the yeare 1471. a Sesterne was added to the stan
derd in Fletestreete, and a Sesterne was made at Fleete bridge,
and one other without Criplegate in the yeare 1478.
Conduite in Grastreete in the yeare. 1491.
Conduite at Oldbourne Crosse aboute 1498. againe new
made by William Lambe, 1577.
Little Conduite by the Stockes market aboute. 1500.
Conduite at Bishopsgate aboute 1513.
Conduite at London wall aboute 1528.
Conduite at Aldgate without, aboute, 1535.
Conduite in Lothbury, and in Colemanstreete.10 1546.
Conduite of Thames water, at Dowgate. 1568,
Thames water conueyed into mens houses
Thames wa
ter conueyed
into mens
houses, in the
east parte of
the City.
by pypes of lead
from a most artificiall forcier standing neare vnto London bridge
and made by Peter Moris Dutch man in the yeare 1582. for
seruice of the Citie, on the East part thereof.
Conduites
Conduites in
old fishstreet.
of Thames water by the parish churches of S. Ma
rie Magdalen, and S. Nicholas Colde Abby neare vnto olde
Fishstrete, in the yeare 1583.
One other new Forcier was made neare to Broken wharfe,
to conuey Thames water
Thames wa
ter conueyed
into the west
part of the
City.
into mens houses of west Cheape, a
bout Powles, Fleetestreete &c. by an English Gentleman, na
med Beuis Bulman, in the yeare 1594. Thus much for waters,
seruing this Citie, first by Riuers, Brookes, Boornes, Foun
taines, Pooles, &c. And since by Conduites partly made by good
and charitable Citizens, and otherwise by chardges of the com
mThis text has been supplied. Reason: The text is not clear for some reason not covered by other available values. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on guesswork. (SM)i11naltie, as shalbe shewed in description of Wards wherein they
be placed.
And now some Benefactors to these Conduites shalbee re
membred.
In the yeare 1236. certaine Marchants strangers,
Benefactors
towardes the
water condu
This text has been supplied. Reason: The text is not clear for some reason not covered by other available values. Evidence: The text has been supplied based on guesswork. (SM)it12es.
of cities
beyonde the Seas, to wit Amiens, Corby, and Nele for priui
ledges which they enioyed in this Citie, gaue 100. £. towardes
the charges of conueying water from the towne of Teyborne.
Robert Large then Maior 1439. gaue to the new water Condu
ites then in hand, forty Markes, and towarde the vaulting ouer
of Walbrooke 200 markes.
Sir
C1rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
Riuers and other waters.
17
Sir Wiliam Eastfielde conueyed water from Teyborne and
from Highbery.
Wiliam Combes Sheriffe 1441. gaue to the worke of the
Conduits. x.£.
Richarde Rawson one of the Sheriffes 1476. gaue, xx £.
Robert Reuel one of the Shiriffes 1490. gaue, x.£.
Iohn Mathew Maior 1490. gaue xx.£
William Bucke Taylor in the yere, 1494. gaue 100. markes
towardes repayring of Conduites.
Dame Thomason widow, late wise to Iohn Perciuall Tay
lor, Maior in the yere 1498. gaue towards the Conduit in Old
bourne, xx. markes.
Richarde Shore one of the Shiriffes 1505. gaue to the Con
duit in Oldborne. x £.
The Lady Ascue widow to Sir Christopher Ascue, 1543.
gaue towardes the Conduites, C.£.
Dauid Wodren, Shiriffe, 1554. gaue towardes the Con
duit at Bishopsgate xx.£.
Edwarde Iackman one of the Shiriffes 1564. gaue toward
the Conduites. C.£.
Barnarde Randolfe common Sarieant of the Citie 1583.
gaue to the water Conduits. 700.£
Thus much for the Conduits of fresh water to this Citie.
The ditch13 which partly now remaineth,
Liber Dunsta
bla.
and compassed the
wal of the Citie, was begun to be made by the Londoners in the
yere 1211. & was finished in the yere 1213. the 15. of king Iohn,
this ditch being then made of 200. foote brode,
Ditch14 about
London 200.
foote brode.
Liber Trinitate
caused no smal hind
rance to the Canons of the holy Trinity, whose church stoode
neare vnto Aldgate: for that the saide ditch passed through their
grounde, from the Tower of London, vnto Bishopsgate. This
ditch being originally made for the defence of the cittie was
long together carefully clensed and mainteyned as neede required,
but now of late neglected and forced eyther to a very narrow and
the same a filthy channel, or altogether stopped vp for gardens
planted, and houses builded thereon euen to the very wall, and in
many places vpon both ditch and wall, to what danger of the ci
tie, I leaue to wiser consideration: and can but wish, that reforma
C
tion
C1vClick here to view the page in facsimile.
18
Riuers and other waters seruing this Citie.
tion might be had.
In the yeare of Christ, 1354. the 28. of Edwarde the third,
the ditch of this citie flowing ouer the banke into the Tower ditch
the king commanded the saide ditch of the citie to be clensed, and
so ordered, that the ouerflowing thereof, should not force any filth
into the Tower ditch. Anno 1379. Iohn Filpot Maior of Lon
don caused this ditch15 to be clensed and euery household to pay v.ď.
which was for a daies worke towardes the charges thereof. Ri
charde the 2. in the tenth of his raigne, granted a Tole to bee ta
ken of wares solde by water, or by lande for 10. yeares towardes
repayring of the wall and clensing of the ditch.
Thomas Fawconer Mayor 1414. caused the ditch to be clensed.
Ralf Ioceline, Maior 1477. caused the whole ditch to be cast and
clensed, and so from time to time it was clensed and otherwise re
formed.
In my remembrance also the same was clensed, namely the
Moore ditch, when Sir Wiliam Hollies was Maior in the yeare
1540. And not long before or after, from the Tower of London,
to Aldgate. It was againe clensed in the yere 1549. Henry
Amcotes being Mayor,
Plentie of fish
in the towne
ditch.
at the charges of the companies at
which time the saide ditch16 lay open without eyther wall or pale,
hauing therein great store of very good fish of diuers sortes, as
many men yet liuing who haue taken and tasted them, can well
witnes: but now no such matter the charge of clensing that ditch
issaued & great profit made by letting out the banks with the spoile
of the whole ditch. I am not ignorant of two fifeteenes granted by
a common counsell in the yeare 1595. for the reformation of this
ditch, and that a smal portion thereof, to wit, betwixt Bishopsgate,
and the Posterne called Moregate, was clensed and made some
what broder: but filling againe very fast, by reason of ouer raising
the ground neare adioyning, therefore neuer the better: and I
will so leaue it.
Of
C2rClick here to view the page in facsimile.
19
Survey of London (1598): Wall about the City of London
Survey of London (1598): Bridges in London

Notes

  1. I.e., William I. (SM)↑
  2. Letter missing; context obvious. (SM)↑
  3. Letter missing. (SM)↑
  4. Letter missing; context obvious. (SM)↑
  5. Letter missing. (SM)↑
  6. Unclear. (KL)↑
  7. Weinreb’s The London Encyclopaedia states that there is no evidence for this stream (Weinreb Langbourne). (CD)↑
  8. Harben addresses Stow’s description of the stream here, calling his inference of the name purely mythical and stating that there is no reason to suppose that there was ever a brook or stream running in this direction in this part of the City (Harben, Langbourne [The]). (JZ)↑
  9. I.e., Holborn Bars. (JZ)↑
  10. I.e., the Colemanstreet Conduit. (JZ)↑
  11. Underinking. (SM)↑
  12. Underinking. (SM)↑
  13. I.e., City Ditch. (JZ)↑
  14. I.e., City Ditch. (JZ)↑
  15. I.e., City Ditch. (JZ)↑
  16. I.e., City Ditch. (JZ)↑

References

Cite this page

MLA citation

Stow, John, and William fitz-Stephen. Survey of London (1598): Rivers and Other Waters. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 7.0, edited by Janelle Jenstad, U of Victoria, 05 May 2022, mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm.

Chicago citation

Stow, John, and William fitz-Stephen. Survey of London (1598): Rivers and Other Waters. The Map of Early Modern London, Edition 7.0. Ed. Janelle Jenstad. Victoria: University of Victoria. Accessed May 05, 2022. mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm.

APA citation

Stow, J., & fitz-Stephen, W. 2022. Survey of London (1598): Rivers and Other Waters. In J. Jenstad (Ed), The Map of Early Modern London (Edition 7.0). Victoria: University of Victoria. Retrieved from https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/editions/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm.

RIS file (for RefMan, RefWorks, 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 (1598): Rivers and Other Waters
T2  - The Map of Early Modern London
ET  - 7.0
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/05/05
CY  - Victoria
PB  - University of Victoria
LA  - English
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm
UR  - https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/xml/standalone/stow_1598_waters.xml
ER  -

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>fitz-Stephen</surname></name></author>. <title level="a">Survey of London (1598): Rivers and Other Waters</title>. <title level="m">The Map of Early Modern London</title>, Edition <edition>7.0</edition>, edited by <editor><name ref="#JENS1"><forename>Janelle</forename> <surname>Jenstad</surname></name></editor>, <publisher>U of Victoria</publisher>, <date when="2022-05-05">05 May 2022</date>, <ref target="https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm">mapoflondon.uvic.ca/edition/7.0/stow_1598_waters.htm</ref>.</bibl>

Personography