TO all the children of our Mother holy Church, to whom this present writing shall come; Simon the sonne of Mary sendeth greeting inour Lord. Where among other things, and before other Lauds, the high altitude of the heavenly Councells, marvelously wrought by some readier devotion, it ought to be more wor shipped; of which things the mortall sicknes (after the fall of our first Father Adam) hath taken the beginning of this new repay ring: Therefore forsooth, it beseemeth wor thy, that the place, in which the Sonne of God is become man, and hath proceeded from the Virgins wombe, which is increaser and beginner of mans redemption, namely ought to be with reverence worshipped, and with beneficiall portions to bee increased. Therefore it is, that the said Simon, sonne of Mary; having speciall and singulor devo tion to the Church of the glorious Virgin at Bethelem, where the same Virgin of her brought forth our Saviour incarnate, and lying in the Cratch, and with her own milke nourished; and where the same Child to us there borne, the Chivalrie of the heavenly Company, sang the new Hymne, Gloria in excelsis Deo. The same time, the increa ser of our health, (as a King, and his Mo ther a Queene) willed to bee worshipped of Kings: a new starre going before them at the honour and reverence of the same Child, and his most meeke Mother: And to the exaltation of my most Noble Lord, Henry, King of England; whose wife and child the foresaid Mother of God, and her onely Son, have in their keeping and protection: And to the manifold increase of this Citie of London, in which I was borne: And also for the health of my soule, and the soules of my predecessors and successors, my Father, Mo ther, and my friends: And specially for the soules of Guy of Marlowe, John Durant, Ralph Ashwye, Maud, Margaret, and Dennis, women: Have given, granted, and by this my present Charter, here have confirmed to God, and to the Church of S. Mary of Bethelem, all my Lands which I have in the Parish of S. Buttolph without Bishopsgate of London; that is to say, whatsoever I there now have, or had, or in time to come may have, in houses, gardens, pooles, ponds, ditches and pits, and all their appurtenances, as they be closed in by their bounds; which now extend in length from the Kings high street East, to the great ditch in the West, the which is called Deepe ditch and in breadth, to the Lands of Raph Dow ning in the North: and to the Land of the Church of Saint Buttolph in the South. To have and to hold the foresaid Church of Bethelem in free and perpetuall Almes: And also to make there a Priorie, and to ordaine a Prior and Canons, Brothers and also Si sters, when Iesus Christ shall enlarge his grace upon it. And in the same place, the Rule and order of the said Church of Bethelem solemnly professing, which shall beare the token of a Starre openly in their Coapes and Mantles of profession, and for to say di vine Service there for the soules aforesaid, and all Christian soules: And specially to receive there the Bishop of Bethelem, ca nons, Brothers and Messengers of the Church of Bethelem for evermore, as often as they shall come thither. And that a Church or Oratory there shall be builded, as soone as our Lord shall enlarge his grace: under such forme, that the order, institution of Pri ors, Canons, Brothers, Sisters of the visita tion, correction and reformation of the said place, to the Bishop of Bethelem and his successors, and to the Charter of his Church, and of his Messengers, as often as they shall come thither, as shall seeme them expedient, no mans contradiction notwithstanding, shall pertaine for evermore: Saving alway the services of the chiefe Lords, as much as per taineth to the said Land. And to the more surety of this thing, I have put my selfe out of this Land, and all mine: And Lord God frey, then chosen of the Nobles of the Citie of Rome, Bishop of Bethelem, and of the Pope confirmed then by his name in England, in his name, and of his successors, and of his Chapter of his Church of Bethelem, into bodily possession: I have indented and given to his possession, all the foresaid lands, which possession hee hath received, and en tred in forme abovesaid. And in token of subjection and reverence, the said place in London without Bishopsgate, shall pay yeerely in the said Citie, a Marke sterling at Easter, to the Bishop of Bethelem, his Successors of his Messengers, in the name of a Pension. And if the faculties or goods of the said place (our Lord granting) happen to grow more, the said place shall pay more, in the name of pension, at the said terme, to the Mother Church of Bethelem. This (forsooth) gift and confirmation of my deed, and the putting to of my Scale for mee and mine heires, I have stedfastly made strong, the yeere of our Lord God, Anno 39.Hen. 3. A thousand, two hundred, forty seven, the Wednesday after the Feast of S. Luke the Evangelist: These being witnesses, Peter the sonne of Allen, then Maior of London, Nicholas Bet, then Sheriffe of the said Citie, and Alderman of the said Ward; Raph Sparling, Alder man; Godfrey of Campes, Simon Co micent, Simon Ronner, Rob. of Wood ford, Thomas of Woodford, Walter Pointell, Walter of Woodford, &c.

The same yeere, King Henry the 8. gave this Hospitall unto the Cittie: the Church and Chappell whereof were taken downe in the reigne of Queene Elizabeth, and houses builded there, by the Governors of Christs Hospitall in London. In this place, people that be di straught in their wits, are (by the suite of their friends) received and kept as a fore, but not without charges to their bringers in.Hum. Dyſon

At a Court of Aldermen, holden on Tuesday, the 20. of Ianuary, An. 4. Ed. 6. a Carre-roome was freely given to the inhabitants of Bishopsgate Ward, to the intent, that they should cause the utter parts of the said Ward without the gate to be kept cleane.

Also, at a Court of Aldermen, hol den on Tuesday the 7. of April, An. 5. Edw. 6. Hum. Diſon It was ordered that the inhabi tants within the precinct of Bethlem should be (from thenceforth) united to the parish Church of Saint Buttolph without Bishopsgate, and so by the Par son and parishioners of the same parish accepted and taken; and to bee allotted and charged with them, to all offices and charges (Tithes and Clarkes wages ex cepted:) In consideration whereof, the Parson of the said parish was to receive yeerely out of the Chamber of London 20 shillings, and the Parish Clarke 6. shillings 8. pence.

In the yeere 1569. Sir Thomas Roe, Buriall for the dead prepared. Merchant-Taylor, Maior, caused to bee inclosed (with a wall of brick) about one Acre of ground,Deepe ditch by Bethlem. being part of the said Hospitall of Bethlem, to wit, on the bank of a deepe ditch so called, parting the said Hospitall of Bethlem from the Moore field: this he did for buriall, and ease of such parishes in London, as wan ted ground convenient within their Parishes. The Lady his wife was there buried (by whose perswasion hee inclo sed it) but himselfe borne in London, was buried in the Parish Church of Hackney.

From this hospitall Northward upon the streets side, many houses have been builded with Allies backward, of late time too much pesterd with people (a great cause of infection) up to the Bars.I.e., the Bars by St. Mary Spital

The other side of this high streete from Bishopsgate and Hounds-ditch, Dolphin without Bishopsgate. the first building is, a large Inne for receit of travellers, and is called the Dolphin, of such a signe.

In the yeere 1513. Margaret Ricroft Widdow, gave this house with the Gardens and appurtenances, unto Willi am Gam, R. Glye, their wives, her daugh ters, and to their heires, with condition, they yeerely give to the Warden or Governour of the Gray Fryers Church within Newgate fortie shillings, to finde a Student of Divinity in the Vniversity for ever.

Then is there a faire house of late builded by Iohn Powlet. Next to that, a farre more large and beautifull house, with Gardens of pleasure, howling al lies, Fishers folly. and such like, builded by Iasper Fi sher, free of the Goldsmiths, late one of the sixe Clerkes of the Chancery, and a Iustice of peace. It hath since (for a time) beene the Earle of Oxfords place. The late Queene Elizabeth hath lod ged there: It now belongeth to the Earle of Devonshire. This house being so large and sumptuously builded, by a man of no great calling, possessions or wealth, (for hee was indebted to many) was mockingly called Fishers folly, and a Rithme was made of it, and other the like, in this manner;

And so of other like buildings about the Citie, by Citizens, men have not letted to speake their pleasure.

From Fishers folly, Berwards lane. up to the west end of Berwards lane, of old time so called, but now Hogge lane, because it meeteth with Hogge lane, which commeth from the Barres without Ealdgate, as is afore shewed; is a continuall building of te nements, with Allies of Cottages, pe stered, Tazell Close. &c. Then is there a large Close, called Tazell Close, sometime, for that there were Tazels planted for the use of Cloth-workers: since letten to the Crosse-bow makers, wherein they used to shoote for games at the Popingey. Now the same being inclosed with a Bricke wall,Artillary yard. serveth to bee an Artillery yard, or Garden, whereunto the Gun ners of the Tower weekely doe repaire; namely, every Thursday, and there le velling certaine Brasse Pieces of great Artillery against a But of earth, made for that purpose, they discharged them for their exercise. Present use is made thereof, by divers worthy Cittizens, Gentlemen and Captaines, using Mar tiall Discipline, and where they meete (well-neere) weekely, to their great commendation in so worthy an exer cise, wherof hereafter I will speake more at large.

Then have ye the late dissolved Pri ory and Hospitall, Walter Brune Mer cer, one of the Sheriffes of London, 1203. commonly called, Saint Marie Spittle, founded by Walter Brune, and Rosia his wife, for Canons regular; Walter, Archdeacon of London, laid the first stone in the yeere 1197. William of Saint Mary Church, then Bishop of London, dedicated it to the honour of Iesus Christ, and his Mother the perpetuall Virgin Mary by the name of Domus Dei, and Beatae Mariae, ex tra Bishopsgate, in the parish of S Buttolph, the bounds whereof, as appeareth by composition betwixt the Parson & Prior of the said Hospitall,Berwards lane. concerning tithes, beginneth at Berwards lane toward the south & extendeth in breadth to the Parish of S. Leonard of Sores ditch towards the North, Soreditch so called more than 400. yeers since. and in length, from the Kings streete on the West to the Bi shops of Londons field, called Lollesworth on the East. The Prior of this Saint Mary Spittle, for the emortising and pro priation of the Priory of Bikenacar in Essex, to his said house of S. Mary Spittle, gave to Henry the seventh 400. l. in the two and twentieth of his reigne. This Hospitall surrendred to Henry the eighth, was valued to dispend 478. l. wherein was found, besides ornaments of the Church, and other goods pertai ning to the Hospitall, 180. beds well furnished, for receipt of the poore: for it was an Hospitall of great reliefe. Sir Henry Plesington, Knight, was buried there, 1452.

In place of this Hospitall,Pulpit Crosse at the Spittle. and neere adjoyning,Charnell and Chappell of S. Edmond and of Mary Magdalen. are now many faire houses builded, for receipt and lodging of worshipfull persons. A part of the large Church-yard pertaining to this Hospitall, and severed from the rest with a Brick wall, yet remaineth as of old time, with a Pulpit Crosse therein,Sermons in the Easter holydayes at the Spittle. somewhat like to that in Pauls Church-yard. And against the said Pulpit on the South side before the Charnell and Chappell of Saint Edmond the Bishop, and Mary Magdalen, which Chappell was founded about the yeere 1391. by W. Eue sham, Citizen and Peperer of London, who was there buried; remaineth also one faire builded house of two stories in height for the Maior, and other honorable persons, with the Aldermen and Sheriffes to sit in, there to heare the Sermons preached in the Easter holydayes. In the Loft over them stood the Bishop of London, and other Prelates; but now the Ladies, and Aldermens Wives doe there stand at a faire Window, or sit at their pleasure.

And here is to bee noted, that time out of minde, it hath beene a laudable custome, that on good Fryday in the after-noone, some especiall learned man, by appointment of the Prelates, hath preached a Sermon at Pauls Crosse, treating of Christs passion: and upon the three next Easter Holydayes, Munday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the like learned men, by the like appointment, have used to preach on the forenoones at the said Spittle, to perswade the Article of Christs resurection: and then on Low Sunday, one other learned man at Pauls Crosse, to make rehearsall of those foure former Sermons, either commending or reproouing them, as to him (by iudgement of the learned Divines) was thought convenient. And that done, he was to make a Sermon of his owne studie, which in all were fiue Sermons in one. At these Sermons so severally preached, the Maior with his Brethren the Aldermen were accustomed to bee present in their Violets at Pauls on good Fryday, and in their Scarlets at the Spittle in the Holydaies, except Wednesday, in Violet, and the Maior with his Brethren on Low Sunday in Scarlet, at Pauls Crosse, continued untill this day.

Touching the Antiquity of this Custome, I find that in the yeere 1398. King Richard having procured from Rome, confirmation of such statutes, and ordinances, as were made in the Parliament, begun at Westminster, and ended at Shrewsbury, he caused the same confirmation to be read and pronounced at Pauls Crosse and at Saint Mary Spittle, in the Sermons before all the people. Philip Malpas one of the Sheriffes in the yeere 1439. gave 20. shillings by the yeere to the three Preachers at the Spitle. House in S. Mary Spittle Church-yard builded for the Maior and Aldermen Pulpit Crosse in Spittle Church-yard new builded. Stephen Forstor Maior in the yeere 1594. gave forty pounds to the Preachers of Pauls Crosse and Spittle. I finde also, that the aforesaid house, wherein the Maior and Aldermen doe sit at the Spittle, was builded (for that purpose) or the goods, and by the executors of Rich. Rawson Alderman, and Isabel his wife, in the yeere 1488. In the yeere 1594. this Pulpit being old, was taken downe, and a new one set up, the Preachers face turned towards the South, which was before toward the West. Also a large house (on the East side of the said Pulpit) was then builded, A house in Spittle Church-yard buil ded for the Governers and Children of Christs Hospitall. for the Governours and Children of Christs Hospitall to sit in: and this was done of the goods of William Elkin Alderman, late deceased. But within the first yeere, the same house decaying, and like to have fallen, was againe (with great coſt) repaired at the Cities charge.

Here I may not omit an especiall matter, because in my remebrance, nor else (in my reading) I finde not the like. On Munday in Easter weeke,On Munday in Easter week, An. Dom. 1617. A Saint Mary Spittle. being April 21. 1617. our most Gracious Soveraigne King Iames, being gone on his Journey to Scotland: It pleased divers Lords and other of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Councell, to visit this place of Saint Mary Spittle, and there to remaine in company (during the Sermon time) with the Lord Maior, Sir Iohn Lemman, and his worthy Brethren the Aldermen of this City. The Sermon being ended, they rode home with the Lord Maior to his house neere Belingsgate, where they were lovingly and honourably both welcommed and entertained with a most liberall and bountifull Dinner, and all the Gentlemen attending on them. The Lords, were the right reverend Father in God, George Lord Archbishop of Canturbury, Sir Francis Bacon, Lord keeper of the great Seale of England; the Earle of Worcester; the Lord Liſle, Lord Cham berlaine to her Majesty, the Lord Bishop of London; the Lord Carew; the Lord Knivet; Sir Iulius Caesar; Sir Tho mas Edmonds; Sir Iohn Digby, with di vers other Knights and worthy Gentlemen, &c. And the Preacher that then preached, was Master Doctor Page, of Detford in Kent.

On the East side of this Churchyard ly eth a large field,Lolesworth field. of old time called Lolesworth, Buriall of the Romans in Spittle field. now Spittle field, which about the yeere 1576. was broken up for Clay to make Bricke: in the digging thereof many earther pots called Vrnae, were found full of Ashes,Old Mo numents of the Romanes found. and burnt bones of men, to wit of the Romans that inhabi ted here. For it was the custome of the Romans, to burne their dead, to put their Ashes in an Vrne, and then bury the same with certain Ceremonies, in some field appointed for that purpose neere unto their City.

Every of these pots had in them (with the Ashes of the dead) one piece of Copper money, with the inscription of the Emperour then reigning: some of them were of Claudius, some of Veſpaſian, some of Nere, of Antoninus Pius, of Tra janus, and others. Besides those Vrnes, many other pots were found in the same place, made of a white earth, with long necks, and handles, like to our stone Jugs: these were empty, but seemed to be buried full of some liquid matter, long since consumed and soked through. For there were found divers Vials, and other fashioned Glasses, some most cun ningly wrought, such as I have not seen the like, and some of Chrystall, all which had water in them, nothing dif fering in clearnesse, taste, or savour from common spring water; whatsoever it was at the first. Some of these Glasses had Oyle in them very thick, and earth ly in savour. Some were supposed to have Balme in them, but had lost the vertue: many of these pots and Glasses were broken in cutting of the Clay, so that few were taken up whole.

There were also found divers Dishes and Cups, of a fine red coloured earth, which shewed outwardly such a shining smoothnesse, as if they had been of Cur rall. Those had (in the bottomes) Roman letters printed, there were also Lampes of white earth and red, artifi cially wrought with divers Antiques a bout them, some three or foure Images, made of white earth, about a span long each of them: one I remember was of Pallas, the rest I have forgotten. I my selfe have reserved (amongst divers of those antiquities there) one Vrne, with the Ashes and bones, and one pot of white earth very small, not exceeding the quantity of a quarter of a wine pint, made in shape of a Hare, squatted upon her legs, and betweene her eares is the mouth of the por.

There hath also been found (in the same field) divers Coffins of stone,Troughs of Stone found in the Spittle field. con taining the bones of men: these I sup pose to bee the burials of some speciall persons, in time of the Brittons, or Saxons, after that the Romans had left to governe here. Moreover, there were also found the scuis and bones of men, without Coffins, or rather whose Coffins (being of great timber) were consumed.Great Nayles of Irō found in the field and fond opinions of men. Divers great Nayles of Iron were there found, such as are used in the Wheeles of shod Carts, being each of them as big as a mans finger, and a quarter of a yard long, the heads two inches over. Those Nayles were more wondred at than the rest of the things there sound, and many opinions of men were there uttered of them, namely, that the men there buried, were murthered by dri ving those Nayles into their heads; a thing unlikely: for a smaller Nayle would more aptly serve to so bad a pur pose, and a more secret place would lightly be employed for such buriall.

But to set downe what I have obser ved concerning this matter, I there be held the bones of a man lying (as I noted) the head North, the feet South, and round about him (as thwart his head, along both his sides, and thwart his feet) such Nayles were found. Wher fore I conjectured them to be the nayles of his Coffin, which had been a trough, cut out of some great tree, and the same covered with a planke of a great thick nesse, fastened with such Nayles, and therfore I caused some of the Nayles to be reached up to me; and found under the broad heads of them, the old wood, skant turned into earth, but still retai ning both the graine and proper colour. Of these Nayles (with the wood under the head thereof) I reserved one, as al so the nether jaw-bone of the man, the teeth being great, sound, and fixed, which (amongst many other Monuments there found) I have yet to shew; but the Nayle lying dry, is by scaling greatly wasted. And thus much for this part of Bishopsgate Ward, without the Gate: for I have in another place spo ken of the Gate, and therefore I am to speake of that other part of this Ward, which lyeth within the Gate.

And first to begin on the left hand of Bishopsgate street,Clarkes Hall and their alms houses in Bishopsgate street. from the Gate ye have certaine Tenements of old time pertai ning to a brotherhood of St. Nicholas, granted to the Parish Clarkes of London for two Chaplens to bee kept in the Chappell of St. Mary Magdalen, neere unto the Guild hall of London, in the 27. of Henry the sixth. The first of these house towards the North, and against the Wall of the City, was sometime a large Inne or Court, called the Wrastlers of such a signe, and the last in the high street towards the South, was sometime also a faire Inne called the Angel, of such a signe. Amongst these said Tenements was (on the same street side) a faire Entry or Court to the common Hall of the said Parish Clarks, with proper Almes-houses, seven in number, adjoyning, for Parish Clarkes, and their Wives, their Widdowes, such as were in great yeeres not able to labour. One of these, by the said Brotherhood of Parish Clarkes, was allowed sixteene pence the weeke, the other sixe had each of them nine pence the weeke, according to the Patent thereof granted. This Brotherhood (amongst other) being suppressed: In the reigne of Edward the sixth, the said Hall with the other buildings there, was given to Sir Robert Chester, a Knight of Cambridge-shire, against whom the Parish Clarkes commencing sute, in the reigne of Queen Mary, and being like to have prevailed, the said Sir Robert Che ster pulled down the Hall, sold the tim ber, stone and lead, and thereupon the sute was ended. The Almes-houses re mained in the Queenes hands, and peo ple were there placed, such as could make best friends. Some of them ta king the pension appointed, have let forth their houses for great rent, giving occasion to the Parson of the Parish, to challenge tithes of the poore, &c.

Next unto this is the small Parish Church of Saint Ethelburge, Parish Church of S. Ethelbiage. Virgin, and from thence some small distance is a large Court, called little S. Helens, because it pertained to the Nunnes of St. Helens, Priory of S. Helens and almes-houses. and was their house: there were seven Almes-roomes or houses for the poore, belonging to the Company of Leathersellers. Then somewhat more West is another Court with a winding lane, which commeth out against the West end of Saint Andrew Vndershafts Church. In this Court standeth the faire Church of Saint Helen, Parish Church of S. Helen. sometime a Priory of blacke Nunnes, and in the same a parish Church of S. Helen.

This Priory was founded before the reigne of Henry the third. William Ba sing, Deane of Pauls was the first Foun der, and was their buried, and William Basing, one of the Sheriffes of London, in the second yeere of Edward the se cond, was holden also to be a Founder, or rather an helper there. This Priory being value at 314. l. 2. s. 6. d. was surrendred the 25. of November, the 30. of Henry the 8. The whole Church, the partition betwixt the Nuns Church and Parish Church being taken down, remaineth now to the Parish, and is a faire Parish Church, but wanteth such a steeple, as Sir Thomas Gresham promised to have builded, in recompence of ground in their Church filled up with his Monument.

The Nuns Hall, and other housing thereto pertaining,Leathersellers Hall. was since purchased by the Company of Leather sellers, and is their common Hall: which Company was incorporate in the 21. yeere of Richard the second.

In the Church of S. Hellen, have yee these Monuments of the dead:

Thomas Langton, Chaplaine, buried in the Quire, 1350.

Adam Francis, Maior 1354.

Elizabeth Vennar, wife to William Vennar, Alderman, one of the Sheriffes of London, 1401.

Ioane, daughter to Henry Seamer, wife to Richard, sonne and heire to Robert Lord Poynings, dyed a Virgin, 1420.

Iohn Swinflat, 1420.

Nicholas Marshall, Ironmonger, Al derman, 1474.

Sir Iohn Crosby, Alderman, 1475. and Anne his wife.

Thomas Williams, Gentleman, 1495.

Ioane Cocken, wife to Iohn Cocken, E squire, 1509.

Mary Orrell, wife to Sir Lewes Orrell, Knight.

Henry Sommer, and Katharine his wife.

Walter Huntington, Esquire.

John Langthrop, Esquire, 1510.

John Gower, Steward of Saint Helens, 1512

Robert Rochester, Esquire, Serjeant of the Pantrie to Henry the eighth.

Sir William Sanctlo, and Sir William Sanctlo, father and fonne.

Elianor, daughter to Sir Thomas Butler, Lord Sudley.

John Southworth.

Nicholas Harpsfield, Esquire.

Thomas Sanderford, or Sommerford, Alderman.

Alexander Cheney.

Walter Dawbeney.

George Fastolph, fonne to Hugh Fastolph.

Robert Liade.

Thomas Benolt, alias Clarentiaulx, King at Armes, 1534.

William Hollis, Maior, 1540.

John Fauconbridge, Esquire, 1545.

Hacket, Gentleman of the Kings Chappell.

Sir Andrew Iud, Maior, 1551.

Sir Thomas Gresham, Mercer, 1579.

William Skegges, Serjeant Poulter.

Richard Gresham, fonne to Sir Thomas Gresham, 1564.

Here lieth the body of William Kerwin, A comely Alabaster Tombe, standing in the midst of the Church below. of this Citie, free Mason. Who departed this life the 26. day of Decemb. 1594.

Here also lyeth the body of Magdalen Kerwin, his wife, by whom he had issue, two sonnes and two daughters. She deceased the 23. day of August, 1592.

There is a faire Grave-stone, engraven on the plaine stone, being there laid in memoriall of Mr. Abraham Orelius, a learned Preacher of the French Church; it lyeth neere to Sir Iohn Spencers Tombe, in the South Ile of the Chancell; but none new else beside.

A yong new-borne childe was taken up,A printed memory hanging up in a Table, at the en tranced to the Church doore. betweene the great Ware-house and Sir Iohn Spencers backe gate, being (by a most unnaturall mother) there buried in a great dung-hill of Sea-coale ashes, with the face upward; yet found alive by Richard Atkinson, who used to make cleane the passage there of the soyle, carrying it thence with his wheel-barrow. The child had not any ragge or cloth about it, but was all bloudied, by reason that the Navillstring was un tyed, and the body meerely crusted o ver with the Sea-coale dust. Yet being made cleane by the poore mans wife, it was found to be a most goodly Man child, strong and well featur’d, without any blemish or harm upon it: but stran gled inwardly, by sucking in the noy some filth and ashes.

It was christened, and named Iob cl nere extractus; Iob taken out of the ashes. It lived 3. dayes, and dying, lyes buried in the Churchyard, the 5. of September, 1612. Richard Ball, Minister; William Robinson, and Richard Westney, Church-wardens; Thomas Edwards and Abra ham Gramer, Side-men; Iohn Harvey, Clerke.

The charity that I finde in this Parish given to the poore, is 2. s. every Sunday (for ever) in Bread, allowed by the gift of the fore-remembred Mr. Robin son. And 1. s. also in Bread every Sun day given by Mistris Scioll.

The bounds and limits of S. Helens Parish, called Bishopsgate-street, the fur thest house on the East side, wherein Thomas Childe now dwelleth, towards the South, abutteth upon the tenement now in the occupation of Iames Austen, in the Parish of Saint Martins Oteswich. The furthest house, wherein Ed ward Higges, Sadler, now dwelleth, to wards the North, abutteth upon the Parsonage house of Saint Ethelburges Parish, enclosing (withall) little S. Helens Close, wherein the Leather-sellers Hall, other Tenements, and Almes-houses belonging to the said Company, doe stand. As also great Saint Helens Close; wherein the Parish Church, with a thorow-fare to the backe-gate, leading into S. Mary at the Axe; and the utmost house belonging to the said Parish, is next adjoyning to the said gate towards the South, and openeth into the street there, commonly called Saint Mary at Axe.

On the West side of the street, cal led Bishopsgate-street, the furthest house, wherein Thomas Goodson now dwelleth, (towards the South) abutteth upon the gate, wherein Mr. Richard Foxe, Alder mans Deputy, then dwelled, in the Parish of S. Martin Oteswich. And the furthest house, wherin Nathaniel Wright then also dwelled, towards the North, abutteth upon the messuage or Tene ment Inne, called the Blacke Bull, in the said Parish of Saint Ethelburge. By me, Io. Warner, Parish-Clerke there.

Then have ye one great house,Of croſbie place, and of Sir Iohn Crosbie called Crosbie Place, because the same was builded by Sir Iohn Crosbie, Gracer and Woollman, in place of certaine Tene ments, with their appurtenances, letten to him by Alice Ashfeld, Prioresse of S. Helens, and the Covent, for ninety nine yeeres, from the yeere 1466. unto the yeere 1565. for the annuall rent of eleven pounds six shillings eight pence. This house hee builded of stone and timber, very large and beautifull, and the highest at that time in London: hee was one of the Sheriffes, and an Alder man in the yeere 1470. knighted by Edward the fourth, in the yeere 1471. and deceased in the yeere 1475. so short a time enjoyed he that his large and sumptuous building.

He was buried in Saint Helens, the Parish Church, a faire Monument of him and his Lady is raised there: hee gave towards the reforming of that Church five hundred markes, which was bestowed with the better, as appeareth by his Armes, both in the stone-worke, roofe of Timber, and glasing.

I hold it a fable said of him, to be na med Crosbie, of being found by a crosse; for I have reade of other to have that name of Crosbie before him; namely, in the yeere 1406. the 7. of Henry the 4. the said King gave to his servant Iohn Crosbie, the wardship of Ioan, daughter and sole heire to Iohn Iordaine, Fish monger, &c. This Crosbie might bee Father or Grandfather to Sir Iohn Crosbie.

Richard Duke of Glocester, and Lord Protector, afterward King, by the name of Richard the third, was lodged in this house: since which time, among other, Anthony Bonvice, a rich Merchant of I taly, dwelled there; after him Garmain Cioll. Then William Bond, Alderman, increased this house in heighth, with building a Turret on the top thereof: Hee deceased in the yeere 1576. and was buried in Saint Helens Church. Divers Ambassadours have beene lodged there; namely, in the yeere 1586. Henry Ramelius, Chancellour of Denmarke, Ambassadour unto the Queens Majesty of England, from Fre derick the second, King of Denmarke: An Ambassadour of France, &c. Sir Iohn Spencer, Alderman, lately purchased this house, made great reparations, kept his Maioralty there, and since builded a most large ware-house neere thereunto.

From this Crosby place, up to Leaden Hall corner, and so downe Grasse-street, among other tenements, are divers faire and large-builded houses for Merchants and such like.

Now for the other side of this Ward, namely the right hand,Water-conduit at Bishopsgate. hard by within the Gate, is one faire water-Conduit, which Tho. Knesworth, Maior in the yeer 1505. founded, hee gave 60. pounds, the rest was furnished at the common charges of the Citie. This Conduit hath since beene taken downe, and new builded. David Woodroffe, Alderman, gave 20. pounds towards the conveyance of more water thereto. From this Conduit have ye (amongst many faire tenements) divers faire Innes, large for receit of travellers, and some houses for men of Worship; namely, one most spacious of all other there about, buil ded of bricke and timber, Sir Thomas Greshams house builded. by Sir Tho mas Gresham, Knight, who deceased in the yeere 1579. and was buried in S. Helens Church, under a faire Monument, by him prepared in his life: hee appointed by his Testament, this house to be made a Colledge of Readers, as before is said in the Chapter of schools and houses of learning.

Somewhat West from this house, is one other faire house, wherein Sir William Hollis kept his Maioralty, and was buried in the Parish Church of Saint Helen. Sir Andrew Iud also kept his Maioralty there, and was buried at S. Helens. Sir Andrew Iud his Almes houses. He builded Almes-houses for six poore Almes-people, neere to the said Parish Church and gave Lands to the Skinners, out of which they are to give 4. shillings every weeke to the six poore Almes-people, 8. d. the peece, and 25. s. 4. d. the yeere in Coales amongst them for ever.

Then in the very West corner, over against the East end of S. Martins Oteswich Church, (from whence the street windeth towards the south, you had, of old time, a faire Well with two Buckets, so fastned, that the drawing up of the one let downe the other; but now of late that Well is turned into a Pumpe.

From this to the corner over against the Leaden Hall, and so downe Grasse-street, are many faire houses for Merchants and Artificers, and many faire Innes for travellours, even to the corner where that Ward endeth, over against Grasse-Church.

Thus much for this Bishopsgate Ward shall suffice: which hath an Alderman, two Deputies, one without the Gate, another within; Common Counsellors, 6. Constables, 7. Scavengers, 7. for Wardmore inquest, 13. and a Beadle: it is taxed to the Fifteene at 13. l.