a little spring: but being increased by other small floods and
brooks that run into it: and, among others, two somewhat bigger
ones. Before the City, it is half a mile broad (hardly so much now
as it was in former days, being pent in and straitened to a narrower
space, by the later buildings on each side): and further, broader.
By all that space that lieth between the Sea and the City, and a
good sort of land also above, the water ebbs and flows six hours
together, with a swift tide; when the sea flows in to the length of
thirty miles, it fills all the Anyder with salt water, and drives
back the fresh water of the river; and somewhat further, it hangeth
the sweetness of fresh water with saltness: but a little beyond
that, the river waxeth sweet, and runneth foreby the City fresh and
pleasant; and when the sea ebbs and goes back again, this fresh
water follows it almost to the very fall into the sea.
They have also another river, which indeed is not very great, but it
runneth gently and pleasantly: for it riseth even out of the same
hill that the City standeth upon, and runneth down slope through the
midst of the City into Anyder. And because it ariseth a little
without the City, the Amaurotians have enclosed the head spring of
it with strong fences and bulwarks; and so have joined it to the
City: this done, to the intent that the waters should not be stopped
nor turned away, nor poisoned, if their enemies should chance to
come upon them. From thence the water is derived and brought down in
channels or brooks divers ways into the lower parts of the city.
Where that cannot be done by reason that the place will not suffer
it, then they gather the rain water in great cisterns which doth
them as good service. Then next for the situation and walls. That it
stood by the side of a low hill, in fashion almost square. The
breadth of it began a little beneath the top of the hill, and still
continued by the space of two miles, until it came to the river
Anyder. The length of it, which lieth by the river-side, was
somewhat more.
The City is compassed about with an high and thick wall, full of
turrets and bulwarks. A dry ditch, but deep and broad and overgrown
with bushes, briers, and thorns, goeth about three sides or quarters
of the City. To the fourth side, the river itself serveth for a
ditch.
The streets be appointed and set forth very commodious and handsome,
both for carriage and also against the winds. The streets be full
twenty foot broad. The houses be of fair and gorgeous buildings: and
in the street-side, they stand joined together in a long row through
the whole street, without any partition or separation. On the
backside of the houses, through the whole length of the street, lie
large gardens which be closed in round about with the back parts of
the street. Every house hath two doors, one to the street, and a
postern door on the backside into the garden. These doors be made
with two leaves, never locked nor bolted: so easy to be opened, that
they will follow the least drawing of a finger, and shut again of
themselves.
They set great store by their gardens. In these they have vineyards
and all manner of fruits, herbs, and flowers, so pleasant, so well
furnished, and so finely kept, that I never saw anything more
fruitful, nor better trimmed in any place: and their study and
diligence herein cometh not only of pleasure, but also of a certain
strife and contention that is betwixt street and street, concerning
the trimming, husbanding, and flourishing, of their gardens, every
man for his own part: and verily, you shall not lightly find in all
the City anything that is more commodious, either for the profit of
the citizens, or for pleasure. And therefore it may seem, that the
first founder of the city minded nothing more so much as he did
these gardens. They say, that King Utopus himself, even at his first
beginning, appointed and drew forth the platform of the City into
this fashion and figure that it hath now, by his gallant garnishing
and the beautiful setting forth of it. Whereunto he saw that one's
man age would not suffice, that he left to his posterity.
Their chronicles, which they keep written with all diligent
circumspection, containing the history of 1760 years, even from the
first conquest of the Island, record and witness, that the houses in
the beginning were very low, and likely homely cottages, or poor
shepherds' houses, made at all adventures of every rude piece of
wood that came first to hand: with mud-walls, and ridged roofs
thatched over with straw. But now the houses be curiously builded
after a gorgeous and gallant sort, with three stories, one over
another.
The outside of the walls be made of either hard flint, or of
plaster, or else of brick: and the inner sides be well strengthened
with timber-work.
The roofs be plain and flat, covered with a certain kind of plaster
that is of no cost: and yet so tempered that no fire can hurt or
perish it: and it withstandeth the violence of the weather, better
than any lead.
They keep the wind out of their windows with glass: for it is there
much used; and some were also with fine linen dipped in oil or
amber: and that for two commodities: for by this means more light
cometh in, and the wind is better kept out.
EVIL MAY DAY (1517).
Riots were by no means infrequent in the City in the Middle Ages, and
here is an account of a typical disturbance, in which, of course, the
young and hot-headed apprentices took their share. Just at this time
there was intense animosity against the foreign merchants and artisans;
the citizens thought that the presence of the foreigners, pursuing their
occupations within the walls, was not only harmful to their own
interests, but a violation of their charters which had given them the
privilege of exclusive trade. At last the common indignation broke out
in the great riot of May Day, 1517, which was long remembered as Evil
May Day. It had been for centuries a practice of the citizens to collect
in bands on May Day to hold high holiday, and they would sally forth,
headed by mock officers, into the neighbouring fields to indulge in
various sports; on this particular occasion the holiday spirit was not
turned to such innocent and harmless purposes.
=Source.=—Hall's _Chronicle_.
The young and evil disposed people said, they would be revenged on
the merchant strangers, as well as on the artificers strangers. On
Monday the morrow after, the King removed to his manor of Richmond.
Upon this rumour the 28th day of April, divers young men of the City
assaulted the Aliens as they passed by the streets, and some were
stricken and some buffeted, and some thrown in the canal. Wherefore
the Mayor sent divers persons to ward, as Stephen Studley skinner,
and Bettes and Stephenson and divers other, some to one counter, and
some to another and some to Newgate. Then suddenly was a common
secret rumour, and no man could tell how it began, that on May day
next, the City would rebel and slay all aliens, insomuch as divers
strangers fled out of the City....
Then in all haste, every Alderman sent to his Ward that no man
should stir after 9 of the clock out of his house but to keep his
doors shut, and his servants within till 7 of the clock in the
morning. After this commandment, Sir John Monday, Alderman, came
from his Ward, and found two young men in Cheap playing at Bucklers,
and a great company of young men looking on them for the commandment
was then scarce known, for then it was but 9 of the clock. Master
Monday seeing that, bade them leave, and the one young man asked him
why? and then he said Thou shalt know, and took him by the arm to
have had him to the counter. Then all the young men resisted the
Alderman and took him from Master Monday, and cried 'Prentices and
clubs. Then out at every door came clubs and weapons and the
Alderman fled, and was in great danger. Then more people arose out
of every quarter, and out came serving men, and water men and
courtiers, and by 9 of the clock there were in Cheap 6 or 7 hundred.
And out of Paul's Churchyard came 3 hundred, which wist not of the
other, and so out of all places they gathered, and brake up the
counters, and took out the prisoners, that the Mayor had thither
committed for hurting of the strangers, and came to Newgate and took
out Studley and Petyt, committed thither for that cause. The Mayor
and Sheriffs were there present, and made proclamation in the King's
name, but nothing was obeyed. Thus they ran a plump through Saint
Nicholas Shambles, and at Saint Martins gate, there met with them
Sir Thomas Moore and other, desiring them to go to their lodgings:
And as they were entreating, and had also brought them to a stay:
The people of Saint Martins threw out stones and bats and hurt
divers honest persons, that were persuading the riotous people to
cease, and they bade them hold their hands, but still they threw out
bricks and hot water. Then a sergeant of arms called Nicholas
Dounes, which was there with Master Moore, entreating them, being
sore hurt, in a fury cried Down with them. Then all the misruled
persons ran to the doors and windows of Saint Martin, and spoiled
all that they found, and cast it into the street, and left few
houses unspoiled. And after that they ran heading into Cornhill by
Leadenhall to the house of one Mutuas a Frenchman or Picardy born,
which was a great bearer of Frenchmen, where they pick purses, or
how evil disposition soever they were of, and within his gate,
called Grenegate, dwelled divers Frenchmen that calendared worsted,
contrary to the King's laws: and all they were so born out by the
same Mutuas, yet no man durst meddle with them, wherefore he was
sore hated, and if the people had found him in their fury, they
would have stricken off his head: but when they found him not, the
watermen, and certain young priests that were there fell to rifling:
some ran to Blanche-chapelton, and brake the strangers houses, and
threw shoes and boots into the street. This from 10 or 11 of the
clock, continued these riotous people during which time a knight
called Sir Thomas Parr, in great haste went to the Cardinal and told
him of this riot, which incontinent strengthened his house with men
and ordnance. And after, this knight rode to the King to Richmond,
and made the report much more than it was. Wherefore the King
hastily sent to London and was truly advised of the matter, and how
the riot was ceased, and many of the doers apprehended. But while
this ruffling continued, Sir Richard Cholmeley knight, Lieutenant of
the Tower, no great friend to the City, in a frantic fury loosed
certain pieces of ordnance, and shot into the City, which did little
harm, howbeit his good will appeared. About 3 of the clock, these
riotous persons severed and went to their places of resort, and by
the way they were taken by the Mayor and the heads of the City, and
some sent to the Tower, and some to Newgate, and some to the
Counters, to the number of 300; some fled, and specially the
watermen and priests, and serving men, but the poor prentices were
taken. About five o'clock, the Earls of Shrewsbury and Surrey, which
had heard of this riot, came to London with such strength as they
had, so did the Inns of Court, and divers noble men: but before they
came all the riot was ceased, and many taken as you have heard.
THE PAPAL LEGATE IN THE CITY (1519).
Campeggio is well known in connection with the part which he played in
the divorce proceedings between Henry VIII. and his first wife Catherine
of Aragon in 1529. That occasion was not his first visit to England; he
had previously been entrusted with a mission from the Pope to Henry, and
the reception of himself and his train is described in the passage
below. The subject of this embassy of 1519 was to urge Henry to assist
in waging war on the Turks, who were apparently endeavouring to push
their way into Europe; and similar messages were conveyed at the same
time to the other powerful rulers on the Continent. The incident of the
opening of the chests must have created considerable amusement among the
onlookers, and would hardly add to the popular estimation of a Papal
embassy.
=Source.=—Hall's _Chronicle_.
When the Cardinal of York knew, that there was coming a legate into
England, which should have a greater pre-eminence than a Cardinal,
he whose ambition was never satisfied, caused a Bishop and certain
Doctors to pass the sea to Calais to welcome him, and to show him
that if he would have the Popes purpose, to take any effect in
England, he should in any wise send in post to Rome, to have the
said Cardinal of York to be legate also, and to be joined in
commission with him, which thing was done (not without good rewards)
so that in thirty and five days, the bull was brought to Calais.
During which time the Cardinal of York sent to the Legate to Calais,
red cloth to clothe his servants, which at their coming to Calais,
were but meanly appareled. And when all things were ready he passed
the sea and landed at Dover, and so kept forth his journey toward
London. At every town as they passed, he was received with
Procession, and accompanied with all the Lords and gentlemen of
Kent. And when he came to Blackheath, there met him the Duke of
Norfolk, with a great number of prelates, knights and gentlemen, all
richly appareled. And in the way he was brought into a rich tent of
cloth of gold, where he shifted himself into a robe of a Cardinal,
edged with ermine, and so took his mule riding toward London.
The night before he came to London the Cardinal of York, to furnish
the carriages of the Cardinal Campeius, sent to him twelve mulettes
with empty coffers covered with red, which twelve mulettes were led
through London, amongst the mulettes of Campeius, which were but
eight and so these twenty mulettes passed through the streets, as
though they had been full of treasures, apparel and other
necessaries. And when they came into Chepe, one of the mulettes
brake from her keeper, and overthrew the chests, and overturned two
or three other mulettes carriages, which fell with such violence,
that divers of them unlocked, and out of some fell old hosen, broken
shoon, and roasted flesh, pieces of bread, eggs and much vile
baggage; at which sight the boys cried, See, see my Lord Legates
treasure, and so the muleteers were ashamed, and took up all their
stuff and passed forth. And about three o'clock in the afternoon on
the 29th day of July the said legate entered the city, and in
Southwark met him all the clergy of London with crosses, censors and
copes and 'censed him with great reverence. The Mayor and Aldermen,
and all the occupations of the city in their best liveries stood in
the streets, and him highly honoured: to whom Sir Thomas More made a
brief oration in the name of the city. And when he came to St.
Pauls, there he was received by bishops mitred, and under a canopy
entered the church: which canopy his servants took for their fees.
And when he had offered, he gave his benediction to all the people,
and took again his mule, and so was with all his train aforesaid,
conveyed to Bath place, and there rested: where he was welcomed of
the Cardinal of York. And on Sunday next ensuing these two Cardinals
as legates, took their barges and came to Greenwich, each of them
had beside their cross two pillars of silver, two little axes gilt,
and two cloke bags embroidered, and the Cardinals hats borne before
them. And when they came to the kings hall, the Cardinal of York
went on the right hand; and there the King royally appareled and
accompanied, met them even as though both had come from Rome, and so
brought them both up into his chamber of presence, and there was a
solemn oration made by an Italian, declaring the cause of the legacy
to be in two articles, one for aid against God's enemies, and the
second for reformation of the Clergy. And when Mass was done, they
were had to a chamber, and served with lords and knights, with much
solemnity: and after dinner they took their leave of the king and
came to London and rode through the city together, in great pomp and
glory, to their lodgings.
WOLSEY AND THE CITIZENS (1525).
The incidents related in the following passage are concerned with one of
the periodical efforts of Henry VIII. to raise money in irregular ways.
He seems to have left the matter on this occasion to Wolsey, who issued
commissions for levying the sixth part of the goods of the laity and the
fourth of those of the clergy. This proceeding caused great alarm, and
rebellions appeared imminent in all parts of the country. Whereupon
Henry disavowed the whole business, and told the citizens of London that
he would not exact anything by compulsion, but merely ask for a
benevolence. This was, of course, recognised as an artifice to obtain
the same results by different means, and the citizens sturdily
protested, arguing that benevolences had been declared illegal. Wolsey
experienced very great difficulty in his dealings with the Londoners,
who well maintained their reputation for guarding their independence and
liberty, even when faced with threats and menaces.
=Source.=—Hall's _Chronicle_.
And now since God hath given us victory, the King remembering the
saying of the Poet that sayeth: It is more mastery to use victory
gotten, than to get it, thinketh it necessary now in all haste, to
make an army royal, and he in person to pass the seas, and to
recover his right inheritance, both of the Crown of France as of
Normandy, Guyen, Gascony, Aniowe and Mayne, the writings whereof
comprehending the very title, you may see here present if ye list,
but I doubt not but you know them well enough. And now I ask you
this question, whether that you think it convenient, that the King
should pass with an army or not, for the King will do by the advice
of his subjects: to the which many said yea.
Well said the Cardinal, then must he be made able to go like a
Prince, which cannot be without your aids, and for to shew you what
the Archbishop of Canterbury and I, which be primates of the realm
hath done, we have given of our lands, and all lands appertaining to
the church, the third part, and the temporal lords have given of
lands and goods, the sixth part, and to jeopard their bodies in pain
and travail, and now since they which shall adventure their lives,
doth proffer the sixth part, what should they give which abide at
home? Forsooth I think that half your substance were too little, not
meaning that the King so asketh. For he demandeth only no more, of
fifty pound, the sixth part, and so upon every pound above fifty, to
what sum soever it amount to, the sixth part that is 3s. and 3 pence
of the pound and from 20 pound to fifty pound, and so upward. 2s.
and 8 pence of the pound, and from 20 pound to 20s. 12 pence of the
pound, and this to be levied according to the first valuation, as
appeareth by your own valuation, which is but a small matter, to the
thing that is meant. Then they being astonished, at last one said,
My lord since the last valuation divers merchants be decayed by the
seas, and suretyship, and other ways, so that valuation cannot be
had. Then answered the Cardinal, Sirs, speak not to break the thing
that is concluded, for some shall not pay the tenth part, and some
more, it were better that some should suffer indigence, than the
King at this time should lack, and therefore beware and resist not,
nor ruffel not in this case, for it may fortune to cost some their
heads: but I will speak to the King, to be good to you, so that if
he go not over the sea in person, then you shall have your money
redelivered, but first let the money be gathered, and lay it where
you will, and if the King need it not, you may take it again.
When the Cardinal had thus persuaded the Mayor, and his brethren and
other head commoners, they took their leave and every day after by
the space of fortnight, he sent for a certain number of Commoners,
and told them like tale, but some spake such words to him, and some
going from him, that they were sent to ward.
THE APPRENTICES (1527, ETC.).
During the Tudor period the apprentice was a prominent feature of London
life, and is chiefly famous for his prowess as a disturber of the peace.
The apprentice system was of considerable importance, and many
regulations and ordinances were passed from time to time to govern the
conditions under which apprentices were to be bound and treated during
their term. The story of "Evil May Day," already given, illustrates the
turbulence of the apprentices and the relaxation of discipline in the
City during this period. The Regulations of 1582 show clearly that they
were getting out of hand, and in 1595 further troubles induced Elizabeth
to issue further instructions of a drastic nature.
=Sources.=—
(_a_) An Act of Common Council, 1527, quoted by Maitland, i. 230;
(_b_) _ibid._, 1582, Maitland, i. 267;
(_c_) Strype's edition of Stow's _Survey_, vol. ii.
(_a_) [_Admonition to the Apprentices_].—Ye shall constantly and
devoutly on your knees, every day, serve God, morning and evening;
and make conscience in the due hearing of the Word preached, and
endeavour the right practice thereof on your life and conversation.
You shall do diligent and faithful service to your master for the
time of your apprenticeship, and deal truly in what you shall be
trusted. You shall often read over the covenants of your indenture,
and see and endeavour yourself to perform the same, to the utmost of
your power. You shall avoid all evil company, and all occasions
which may tend to draw you to the same; and make speedy return when
you shall be sent of your masters' and mistresses' business. You
shall be of fair, gentle, and lowly speech and behaviour to all men,
and especially to all your governors; and according to your
carriage, expect your reward, for good or ill, from God and your
friends.
(_b_) Henceforth no apprentice whatsoever shall presume: 1. To wear
any apparel but what he receives from his master. 2. To wear no hat
within the city and liberty thereof, nor anything instead thereof
than a woollen cap, without any silk in or about the same. 3. To
wear no ruffles, cuffs, loose collar, nor other thing than a ruff at
the collar, and that only of a yard and a half long.... 10. To wear
no sword, dagger, or other weapon, but a knife; nor a ring, jewel of
gold, nor silver, nor silk in any part of the apparel.
It was likewise further enacted that every apprentice offending
against any of the above-mentioned items was for the first offence
to be punished at the discretion of his master; for the second to be
publicly whipped at the hall of his company; and for the third to
serve six months longer than specified in his indentures. It was
also further ordained that no apprentice should frequent or go to
any dancing, fencing, or musical schools; nor keep any chest, press,
or other place for the keeping of apparel or goods, but in his
master's house, under the penalties aforesaid.
(_c_) The ancient habit of the apprentices of London was a flat
round cap, hair close cut, narrow falling bands, coarse side coats,
close hose, cloth stockings, and other such severe apparel. When
this garb had been urged by some to the disparagement of
apprentices, as a token of servitude, one, many a year ago,
undertaking the defence of these apprentices, wrote thus, that this
imported the commendable thrift of the citizens, and was only the
mark of an apprentice's vocation and calling (and which anciently,
no question, was the ordinary habit of a citizen), which point of
ancient discipline, he said, the grave common lawyers do still
retain in their profession; for the professors of that learning, we
see, do at this present retain the parti-coloured coats of
serving-men at their serjeants' feasts; and he wished, that the
remembrance of this ancient livery might be preserved by the grave
citizens, in setting apart a particular time or day for the feast of
their apprenticeship, when they should wear their former
apprentice's garb; making profession in this way, that they gloried
in the ensigns of their honest apprenticeship.