FITZSTEPHEN THE CHRONICLER
To the reign of Henry the Second belongs the only description of London
in the twelfth century that we possess. It is, of course, that of
FitzStephen. I transcribe it in full; and as this description belongs
to the Norman rather than the later Plantagenet period, to the twelfth
rather than the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, I place it in the
Book of Norman London.
STEPHANIDES: DESCRIPTIO NOBILISSIMAE CIVITATIS LONDONIAE
A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE CITY OF LONDON
_De Situ (Nobilissimae Civitatis London)_
Inter nobiles Urbes Orbis, quas Fama celebrat, Civitas Londonia,
Regni Anglorum Sedes, una est quae Famam sui latiùs diffundit, Opes
& Merces longiùs transmittit, Caput altiùs extollit: Felix est Aeris
Salubritate, Christiana Religione, Firmitate Munitionum, Natura Situs,
Honore Civium, Pudicita matronali, Ludis etiam quàm jocunda: & Nobilium
est foecunda Virorum: quae singula semotim libet inspicere.
_The Situation thereof_
Amongst the noble Cities of the World, honoured by Fame, the City of
London is the one principal Seat of the Kingdom of England, whose
Renown is spread abroad very far: but she transporteth her Wares and
Commodities much farther, and advanceth her Head so much the higher.
Happy she is in the Wholesomeness of the Air, in the Christian
Religion, her Munition also and Strength, the Nature of her Situation,
the Honour of her Citizens, the Chastity of her Matrons: very pleasant
also in her Sports and Pastimes, and replenished with honourable
Personages: All which I think meet severally to consider.
_De Clementia Coeli_
Ibi siquidem emollit Animos Hominum Clementia Coeli, non ut sint in
Venerem (putres) sed ne feri sint & bestiales, (sed) potius benigni &
liberales.
_The Temperateness of the Air_
In this Place, the Calmness of the Air doth mollify Men’s Minds, not
corupting them with venereal Lusts, but preserving them from savage and
rude Behaviour, and seasoning their Inclinations with a more kind and
free Temper.
_De (Christiana ibi) Religione_
Est ibi in Ecclesia Beati Pauli Episcopalis Sedes, quondam fuit
Metropolitana, & adhuc futura creditur, si remeaverint Cives in
Insulam: Nisi forte Beati Thomae Martyris Titulus Archiepiscopalis,
& Praesentia corporalis, Dignitatem illam Cantuariae, ubi nunc est,
conservet perpetuam. Sed cum utramque Urbium harum Sanctus Thomas
illustraverit, Londoniam Ortu, Cantuariam Occasu: Ipsius Sancti
Intuitu, cum Justitiae Accessu, habet altera adversus alteram,
quod amplius alleget. Sunt etiam, quod ad Christianae Fidei Cultum
pertinet, tum in Londonia, tum in Suburbano, tredecem majores Ecclesiae
Conventuum, praeter minores Parochianas, centum viginti sex.
_Of the Christian Religion there_
There is in the Church of St. Paul a Bishop’s See: It was formerly a
Metropolitan, and, as it is thought, shall recover the said Dignity
again, if the Citizens shall return back into the Island: except,
perhaps, the Archiepiscopal Title of St. Thomas the Martyr, and his
bodily Presence, do perpetuate this Honour to Canterbury, where now
his Reliques are. But seeing St. Thomas hath graced both these Cities,
namely, London with his Birth, and Canterbury with his Death; one Place
may alledge more against the other, in Respect of the Sight of that
Saint, with the Accession of Holiness. Now, concerning the Worship of
God in the Christian Faith: There are in London and in the Suburbs 13
greater Conventual Churches, besides 126 lesser Parish Churches: (139
Churches in all).
_De Firmitate (& Situ) Urbis_
Habet ab Oriente Arcem Palatinam, maximam & fortissimam, cujus & Area
& Muri à Fundamento profundissimo exurgunt: Cemento cum Sanguine
Animalium temperato. Ab Occidente duo Castella munitissima: Muro Urbis
alto & magno duplatis Heptapylae Portis intercontinuante, (Spatio)
turrito ab Aquilone per Intercapedines. Similiterque ab Austro Londonia
murata & turrita fuit: Sed Fluvius maximus piscosus Thamensis, Mari
influo refluoque qui illac allabitur, Moenia illa Tractu Temporis
alluit, labefactavit, dejecit. Item sursùm ab Occidente Palatium Regium
eminet super Fluvium eundem, Aedificium incomparabile, cum Antemurali
& Propugnaculis, duobus Millibus ab Urbe, Surburbano frequenti
continuante.
_On the Strength and Scite of the City_
It hath on the east Part a Tower Palatine, very large and very strong,
whose Court and Walls rise up from a deep Foundation: The Morter is
tempered with the Blood of Beasts. On the West are two Castles well
fenced. The Wall of the City is high and great, continued with seven
Gates, which are made double, and on the North distinguished with
Turrets by Spaces. Likewise on the South London hath been enclosed
with Walls and Towers, but the large River of Thames, well stored with
Fish, and in which the Tide ebbs and flows, by Continuance of Time,
hath washed, worn away, and cast down those Walls. Farther, above in
the West Part, the King’s Palace is eminently seated upon the River: an
Incomparable building, having a wall before it, and some Bulwarks. It
is two miles from the City, continued with a suburb full of people.
[Illustration: MARCH. FIELD WORK
SEPTEMBER. BOAR-HUNTING
From _The Old English Calendar_ (11th cent.), Cotton MS.]
_De Hortis (Consitis)_
Undique extra Domos suburbanorum Civium Horti Arboribus consiti
spatiosi, & speciosi, contigui habentur.
_Of the Gardens planted_
Everywhere without the Houses of the Suburbs, the Citizens have Gardens
and Orchards planted with Trees, large, beautiful, and one joining to
another.
_De Pascuis_
Item à Borea sunt Agri Pascui, & Pratorum grata Planities, Aquis
Fluvialibus interfluis: Ad quas Molinarum versatiles Rotae citantur cum
Murmure jocoso. Proximè patet Foresta ingens, Saltus nemorosi Ferarum,
Latebrae Cervorum, Damarum, Aprorum, & Taurorum sylvestrium.
_Of their Pastures_
On the north Side are Fields for Pasture, and open Meadows very
pleasant: among which the River Waters do flow, and the Wheels of the
Mills are turned about with a delightful Noise. Very near lieth a
large Forest in which are woody Groves of wild Beasts; in the Coverts
whereof do lurk Bucks and Does, wild Boars and Bulls.
_De Agris_
Agri Urbis sationales non sunt jejunae Glareae, sed pingues Asiae Campi
qui faciunt laetas Segetes, & suorum Cultorum repleant Horrea cerealis
Jugere Culmi.
_Of their Fields_
The arable Lands are no hungry pieces of Gravel Ground: but like the
rich fields of Asia, which bring plentiful Corn, and fill the barns of
those that till them with a dainty Crop of the Fruits of Ceres.
_De Fontibus_
Sunt & circa Londoniam ab Aquilone suburbani Fontes, praecipui Aqua
dulci, salubri, perspicua, & per claros Rivo trepidante Lapillos. Inter
quos Fons Sacer, Fons Clericorum, Fons Sancti Clementis nominatiores
habentur, & adeuntur celebriori Accessu, & majori Frequentia Scholarium
& urbanae Juventutis in Serotinis aestivis ad Auram exeuntis. Urbs sanè
bona, cùm bonum habeat Dominum.
_Of their Wells_
There are also about London, on the North of the Suburbs, choice
Fountains of Water, sweet, wholesome and clear, streaming forth among
the glistening Pebble-stones: In this Number, Holy Well, Clerkenwell,
and Saint Clement’s Well, are of most Note, and frequented above the
rest, when Scholars and Youths of the City take the air abroad in the
Summer Evenings. A good city when it hath a good Lord.
_De Honore Civium_
Urbe ista Viris est honorata, Armis decorata, multo Habitatore
populosa, ut Tempore bellicae Cladis sub Rege Stephano Bello apti, ex
ea exeuntes qui ostentati, haberentur 20,000 Equitum armatos, & 60
mille Peditum aestimarentur. Cives Londoniae ubicunque Locorum prae
omnibus aliis Civibus Ornatu Morum, Vestium, & Mensae, Locatione,
spectabiles & noti habentur.
_Of the Citizens’ Honour_
This City is honoured with her Men, graced with her Arms, and peopled
with a multitude of inhabitants. In the fatal Wars under King Stephen,
there went out to a Muster, Men fit for war, esteemed to the Number of
20,000 Horsemen, armed, and 60,000 Footmen. The Citizens of London are
known in all places, and respected above all other Citizens, for their
civil Demeanour, their good Apparel, their Table, and their Discourse.
_De (Pudicita) Matronis_
Urbis Matronae ipsae Sabinae sunt.
_Of their Chastity, and the Matrons_
The Matrons of the City may be parallelled with the Sabine Women.
[Illustration: MATRON AND MAID
MS. (12th cent.).]
_De Scholis_
In Londiniis tres principales Ecclesiae: viz. Sedes Episcopalis,
Ecclesia S. Martini, Scholas celebres habent & Privilegio & antiqua
Dignitate, plerumque tamen Favore personali alicujus vel aliquorum
Doctorum, qui secundum Philosophiam noti & praeclari habeantur. Et alii
ibi sunt Scholae de Gratia & Permissione. Diebus Festis ad Ecclesias
Festivas Magistri cum Discipulis suis Conventus, Gratia Exercitationis,
celebrant. Disputant ibidem Scholares, quidam demonstrativè, dialecticè
alii: alii recitant Enthymemata: hii meliùs perfectis utuntur
Syllogismis. Quidam ad Ostentationem exercentur Disputationem, quae est
inter Colluctantes. Alii ad Veritatem, ea quae est Perfectionis Gratia:
Sophistae Simulatores Agmine & Inundatione Verborum beati judicantur.
Alii paralogizantur: Oratores aliqui quandoque Orationibus rhetoricis
aliquid dicunt apposite ad persuadendum, curantes Artis Praecepta
servare, & ex Contingentibus nihil omittere. Pueri diversarum Scholarum
Versibus inter se convixantur: aut de Principiis Artis Grammaticae, aut
de Regulis Praeteritorum vel Futurorum contendunt: Sunt alii, qui, in
Epigrammatibus, Rithmis & Metris Fescennina Socios suppressis Nominibus
liberius lacerant, Loedorias jaculantur & Scommata, Salibus Socraticis
Sociorum, vel forte Majorum Vitia tangunt, ne mordacius Dente rodant
procaciori, audacioribus Convitiis Auditores multum videre parati:
Ingeminant tremulos Naso crispante Cachinnos.
_Of their Schools_
In London, three famous Schools are kept at three principal Churches,
St. Paul’s, the Holy Trinity, and St. Martins: which they retain
by Privilege and ancient Dignity: Yet for the most Part, by Favour
of Some Persons, or some Teachers, who are known and famed for
their Philosophy, there are other schools there, upon Good will
and Sufferance. Upon the Holidays, the Masters with their Scholars
celebrate Assemblies at the Festival Churches. The Scholars dispute for
exercise sake: some use Demonstrations, others topical and probable
Arguments: some practise Enthymems, others do better use perfect
Syllogisms: some exercise themselves in dispute for ostentation, which
is practised among such as strive together for Victory: others dispute
for Truth, which is the Grace of Perfection. The Sophisters, which are
Dissemblers, turn Verbalists, and are magnified, when they overflow in
Speech and Abundance of Words: some also are entrapped with deceitful
Arguments. Sometimes certain orators, with rhetorical Orations, speak
handsomely to persuade, being careful to observe the precepts of Art,
who omit no matter Contingent. The Boys of divers Schools wrangle
together in versifying, or canvas the principles of Grammar, or dispute
the rules of the preterperfect and future Tenses. Some there are that,
in Epigrams, Rhymes and Verses use that trivial way of abuse. These do
freely quip their Fellows, suppressing their names, with a Fescennine
and railing Liberty: These cast out most abusive jests: and, with
Socratical witty expressions, they touch the Vices of their Fellows,
or perhaps of their Superiors, or fall upon them with a satyrical
Bitterness, and with bolder Reproaches than is fit. The hearers,
prepared for Laughter, make themselves merry in the mean Time.
_De Dispositione Urbis_
Singulorum Officiorum exercitatores, singularum Rerum Venditores,
singularum Operarum suarum Locatores, quotidiano Mane per se sunt
Locis distincti omnes, ut Officiis. Praeterea est in Londonia supra
Ripam Fluminis inter Vina in Navibus, & Cellis vinariis Venalia,
publica Coquina: Ibi quotidiè pro Tempore est invenire cibaria
Fercula, assa, frixa, elixa, Pisces, Pisciculos, Carnes grossiores
Pauperibus, delicatiores Divitibus, Venationum, Avium, Avicularum. Si
subitò veniant ad aliquem Civium Amici fatigati ex Itinere, nec libeat
jejunus expectare, ut novi Cibi emantur, coquantur, dent Famuli Manibus
limphas Panesque, interim ad Ripam curritur, ibi praesto sunt omnia
Desiderabilia. Quantalibet Militum vel Peregrinorum Infinitas intrat
Urbem qualibet Diei vel Noctis Hora, vel ab Urbe exitura, ne vel hii
nimium jejunent, vel alii impransi exeant, illuc si placeat divertunt,
& se pro Modo suo singuli reficiunt: Qui se curare volunt molliter,
accipiunt Anserem, ne Affricam Avem vel Attagen Ionicum non opus ut
quis quaerant, appositis quae ibi inveniuntur Deliciis: Haec equidem
publica Coquina est & Civilitati plurimum expediens, & ad Civilitatem
pertinens: Hinc est quod legitur in Gorgia Platonis, juxta Medicinam
esse Coquorum Officium, Simulachrum, & Adulationem quartae Particulae
Civitatis.
_How the Affairs of the City are Disposed_
The several Craftsmen, the several Sellers of Wares, and Workmen for
Hire, all are distinguished every Morning by themselves, in their
places as well as Trades. Besides, there is in London upon the River’s
Bank a public Place of Cookery, among the Wines to be sold in the
shops, and in the Wine Cellars. There every day you may call for any
dish of Meat, roast, fryed or sodden: Fish both small and great:
ordinary Flesh for the poorer Sort, and more dainty for the Rich as
Venison and Fowl. If Friends come upon a sudden, wearied with Travel,
to a Citizen’s House and they are loth to wait for curious preparations
and dressings for Fresh Meat: let the servants give them water to
wash, and Bread to stay their Stomach, and, in the mean time, they run
to the water side, where all things that can be desired are at hand.
Whatsoever multitude of Soldiers, or other Strangers, enter into the
City, at any Hour of the Day or Night or else are about to depart:
they may turn in, bate here, refresh themselves to their Content, and
so avoid long Fasting and not go away without their dinner. If any
desire to fit their dainty tooth, they take a Goose: they need not to
long for the Fowl of Africa, no, nor the rare Godwit of Ionia. This is
the publick Cookery, and very convenient for the State of a City, and
belongs to it. Hence it is, we read in Plato’s Gorgias, that next to
the Physician’s Art is the Trade of Cooks, the Image and Flattery of
the fourth part of a City.
_De Smithfield_
Est ibi extra unam Portarum statim in Suburbio quidam planus Campus
Re & Nomine. Omni sexta Feria nisi sit major Festivitas praeceptae
Solemnitatis, est ibi celebre Spectaculum Nobilium Equorum venalium.
Spectaturi vel empturi veniunt, qui in Urbe assunt, Comites, Barones,
Milites, Cives plurimi. Juvat videre Gradarios Succussatura nitente
suaviter ambulantes: Pedibus lateraliter simul erectis quasi a
subalternis & demissis: Hinc Equos, qui Armigeris magis conveniunt,
durius incendentes, sed expedite tamen, qui quasi a Contradictoribus
Pedes simul elevant, & deponunt: Hinc nobiles Pullos juniores, qui
nondum Fraeno bene assueti, altius incedunt mollis Crura reponunt:
Hinc summarios Membris validis & vegetis. Hinc dextrarios preciosos,
elegantis Formae, Staturae honestae, micantes Auribus, Cervicibus
arduis, Clunibus obesis. In horum Incessu spectant Emptores, primo
Passum suaviorem, postea Motum citatiorem, qui est quasi à contrariis
Pedibus anterioribus simul Solo amotis & admotis, & posterioribus
similiter. Cum talium Sonipedum Cursus immineat, & aliorum forte qui
similiter sunt in Genere suo ad Vecturam validi, ad Cursuram vegeti:
Clamor attollitur, vulgares Equos in Partem ire praecipitur: Sessores
Alipedum Pueri: Tres simul, aliquando bini Certamini se praeparant,
docti Equis imperare, indomitorum lupatis temperant Fraenis Ora: hoc
maximè praecaverit ne alter alteri Cursum praecipiat. Equi similiter
pro Modo suo ad Certamen Cursus illius se attollunt: tremunt Artus,
Morae impatientes, stare Loco nesciunt, facto Signo Membra extendunt,
Cursum rapiunt, Agilitate pervicaci feruntur: Certant sessores Laudis
Amore, Spe Victoriae Equis admissis subdere Calcaria, & nec minus
urgere eos Virgis & ciere Clamoribus. Putares omnia in Motu esse,
secundum Heraclitum, & salsam omnino Zenonis Sententiam, dicentis,
quoniam, non continget moveri, neque Stadium pertransire. Parte alia
stant seorsim Rusticorum Peculia, Agrorum Instrumenta, Sues longis
Lateribus, Vaccae distentis Uberibus, Corpora magna Boum, lanigerumque
Pecus: Stant ibi aptae Aratris, Trahis & Bigis Equae: quarundam Ventres
Foetibus protument: alias, editi Foetus obeunt Pulli lasciviores,
Sequela inseparabilis.
[Illustration: A HORSEMAN
Harl. MS., 4751 (13th cent.).]
_Of Smithfield_
Without one of the Gates is a certain Field plain (or smooth) both in
Name and Situation. Every Friday, except some greater Festival come in
the way, there is a brave sight of gallant Horses to be sold: Many come
out of the City to buy or look on, to wit, Earls, Barons, and Knights,
Citizens, all resorting thither. It is a pleasant Sight there to
behold the Nags well fleshed, sleik and shining, delightfully walking,
and their Feet on either Side up and down together by turns: or also
trotting Horses, which are more convenient for Men that bear Arms:
these, although they set a little harder, go away readily, and lift up
and set down together the contrary Feet on either Side. Here are also
young Colts of a good Breed, that have not been well accustomed to the
bridle: these fling about, and by mounting bravely, shew their mettle.
Here are the principal Horses, strong and well limbed. Here also are
Brest Horses, (fit to be joined by couples) very fair and handsome, and
sleek about the Ears, carrying their Necks aloft, being well fleshed,
and round about the Buttocks. The Buyers first look at their soft and
slow pace, and after cause them to put on with more speed, and behold
them in their Gallop. When these Coursers are ready to run their Race,
and perhaps some others, which in their kind are both good for carriage
and strong for Travel: The People give a Shout, and the Common Hacknies
are commanded to go aside. They that ride are Boys: three together, and
sometimes two make matches among themselves, being expert in governing
their Horses, which they ride with Curb Bridles, labouring by all Means
that one get not the race from the Other. And the very Beasts, in like
Manner, after their Fashion, are eager for the Race, while their Joints
tremble, and impatient of Delay, endure not Standing still in a Place.
When the Token is given, they stretch out their Limbs, and run with all
Activity and Speed: the Riders spurring them on, for the love of Praise
or the hope of Victory: and exciting them by whips and cries. You would
think everything were in motion with Heraclitus: and Zeno’s Opinion to
be false, saying that nothing moves from place to place. In another
part stand the Country People with Cattle and Commodities of the Field,
large Swine and Kine with their Udders strutting out, fair-bodied Oxen,
and the woolly flock. There are also Cart-Horses, fit for the Dray, the
Plough, or the Chariot: and some Mares big with Foal: together with
others that have their wanton colts following them close at their Side.
_De Navibus & Mercimoniis_
Ad hanc Urbem, ex omni Natione quae sub Coelo est, navalia gaudent
Institores habere Commercia. Aurum mittit Arabs, Species & Thura
Sabaeus, Arma Scythes, Oleum Palmarum divite Silva. Pingue Solum
Babylon, Nilus Lapides preciosos. Seres purpureas Vestes. Norwegi,
Russi, varium Grisium, Sabelinas. Galli sua Vina.
_Concerning Shipping and Merchandise_
To this City Merchants bring in Wares by Ships from every Nation
under Heaven. The Arabian sends his Gold, the Sabean his frankincense
and Spices, the Scythian Arms: Oil of Palms from the plentiful Wood:
Babylon her fat soil, and Nilus his precious Stones: the Seres send
purple Garments: they of Norway and Russia, Trouts, Furs, and Sables:
and the French their Wines.
_De Antiquitate & Politia_
Urbe Roma secundum Chronicorum Fidem satis antiquior est. Ab eisdem
quippe Patribus Trojanis haec prius à Bruto condita est, quam illa à
Remo & Romulo. Unde & adhuc antiquis eisdem utitur Legibus communibus
Institutis. Haec similiter illis Regionibus est distincta: Habet annuos
pro Consulibus Vicecomites: habet senatoriam Dignitatem & Magistratus
minores: Eluviones & Aquaeductus in Vicis: Ad Genera Causarum
deliberativae, demonstrativae, judiciales Loca sua, Fora singula: habet
sua Diebus statutis Comitia.
_Its Antiquity and Government_
According to the Report of Chronicles, it is more ancient than the
City of Rome: For, both being descended from the same Trojan Stock,
Brute built this, before Remus and Romulus did the other. Whence still
it useth the same ancient Laws and common Institutions. For this our
City, like to that, is distinguished by Wards and several Limits: it
hath Sheriffs every year, answerable to their Consuls: it hath Aldermen
enjoying the dignity of Senators, besides inferior Magistrates: it
hath also common Sewers, and conveyances for Water in the Streets.
Concerning Causes in Question, there are several Places and Courts for
Causes deliberative, demonstrative, and judicial: Upon their set Days
also they have their Common-council and great Assemblies.
_De Consuetudinibus Ecclesiarum_
Non puto Urbem esse, in qua sint probabiliores Consuetudines in
Ecclesiis visitandis, Ordinatis Dei honorandis, Festis feriandis,
Eleemosynis dandis, in Hospitibus suscipiendis, in Desponsationibus
firmandis, Matrimoniis contrahendis, Nuptiis celebrandis, Conviis
ornandis, Convivis hilarandis, etiam in Exequiis curandis & Cadaveribus
humandis.
_Of the Customs of the Churches_
I think there is no City that hath more approved Customs, for
frequenting the Churches, for honouring God’s Ordinances, observing
of Holidays, giving Alms, entertaining Strangers, Confirmation of
Contracts, making up and celebrating of Marriages, setting out of
Feasts, welcoming the Guests, and, moreover, in Funeral Rites, and
burying of the Dead.
_Pestes Civitatis_
Solae Pestes Londini sunt, immoderata Stultorum Potatio, & frequens
Incendium.
_The Pests of London_
The only Plagues of London are immoderate drinking of idle Fellows, and
often Fires.
_Frequentia Nobilium_
Ad haec, omnes ferè Episcopi, Abbates, & Magnates Angliae, quasi Cives
& Municipes sunt Urbis Londoniae: Sua ibi habentes Aedificia praeclara,
ubi se recipiunt, ubi Divites Impensas faciunt, ad Consilia, ad
Conventus celebres in Urbem evocati, à Domino Rege, vel Metropolitano
suo, seu propriis tracti Negotiis.
_Frequented by Nobles_
Moreover, almost all Bishops, Abbots, and Noblemen of England are,
as it were, Citizens and Freemen of London. There they have fair
dwellings, and thither they do often resort, and lay out a great deal
of Money: and are called into the City to Consultations and solemn
Meetings, either by the king, or their Metropolitan, or drawn by their
own business.
_De Ludis_
Amplius, & ad Ludos Urbis veniamus, quoniam non expedit utilem tantum &
feriam Urbem esse, nisi dulcis etiam sit & jocunda. Unde & in Sigillis
summorum Pontificum, usque ad Tempora Leonis Papae, ex altera Parte
Bullae, sculpto per Impressionem Piscatore Petro, & supra eum Clave
quasi Manu de Coelis ei porrecta, & circa eum Versu,
Tu pro me Navem liquisti, suscipe Clavem.
Ex altera Parte impressa erat Urbs, & Scriptura ista, Aurea Roma. Item
ad Laudem Cæsaris Augusti & Romae dictum est:
Nocte pluit tota, redeunt Spectacula mane,
Divisum Imperium cum Jove Cæsar habes.
_Of Sports and Pastimes_
Let us also come at last to their Sports and Exercises: For it is
expedient that a City be not only commodious for Gain, and serious in
Business, but also pleasant and delightful. Therefore, to the time of
Pope Leo, the Popes gave in their seals, on one side of their Bull, St.
Peter like a Fisherman, and over him a Key reached forth to him, as it
were from Heaven, by the hand of God, and this Verse about it:
For me Thy Ship thou didst forsake,
Therefore the Key of Heaven take.
On the other part was stamped a City, with this Inscription, Golden
Rome. Also, this was written to the Praise of Cæsar Augustus and Rome:
All night the Sky distils down watry Showers,
The Morning clears again to show the Play:
Great Jove and Cæsar have their several hours,
And in this Universe by turns bear Sway.
_De Repraesentatione Miraculorum_
Londonia pro Spectaculis theatralibus, pro Ludis scenicis, Ludos habet
sanctiores, Repraesentationes Miraculorum, quae sancti Confessores
operati sunt, seu Repraesentationes Passionum, quibus claruit
Constantia Martyrum.
_Representation of Miracles_
London, instead of common Interludes belonging to the Theatre, hath
Plays of a more Holy Subject: Representations of those Miracles which
the holy Confessors wrought, or of the Sufferings wherein the glorious
constancy of Martyrs did appear.
_De Pugna Gallorum & Ludo Pilae_
Praeterea quotannis Die, quae dicitur Carnivalia, ut a Puerorum Ludis
incipiamus, omnes enim Pueri fuimus, Scholarum singuli Pueri suos
apportant Magistro suo Gallos gallinaceos Pugnatores & totum illud
Antemeridianum datur Ludo Puerorum vacantium, spectare in Scholis
suorum Pugnas Gallorum. Post Prandium exit in Campos omnis Juventus
Urbis, ad Ludum Pilae celebrem. Singulorum Studiorum Scholares
suam habent Pilam: singulorum Officiorum Urbis Exercitatiores suam
singuli Pilam in Manibus. Majores Natu Patres, & Divites Urbis in
Equis spectatum veniunt Certamina Juniorum, & Modo suo inveniuntur
cum Juvenibus, & excitari videtur in eis Motus Caloris naturalis,
Contemplatione tanti Motus & Participatione Gaudiorum Adolescentiae
liberioris.
_Of Cock-fighting and Ball_
Moreover, that we may begin with the Schools of Youth, feeling once
we were all Children: Yearly at Shrovetide, the Boys of every School
bring fighting cocks to their Masters, and all the Forenoon is spent at
School to see these Cocks fight together. After dinner all the Youth
of the City goeth to play at Ball in the Fields: the Scholars of every
study have their Balls. The Practisers also of all the Trades have
every one their Ball in their hands. The ancienter Sort, the Fathers,
and the wealthy Citizens, come on Horseback to see the Youngsters
contending at their sport, with whom, in a Manner, they participate
by Motion: stirring their own natural heat in the View of the active
Youth, with whose Mirth and Liberty they seem to communicate.
[Illustration: TILTING
Royal MS. 2, B. vii.]
_De Ludis bellicosis in Campis_
Singulis Diebus Dominicis in Quadragesima post Prandium exit in
Campum Juvenum recens Examen in Equis bellicosis & in Equis Certamine
primis: quorum quisque sit aptus in Gyros currere doctus Equo.
Erumpunt a Portis catervatim Filii Civium laici, instructi Lanceis &
Scutis militaribus: Juniores Hastilibus Ferro dempto praesurcatis,
Simulachra Belli cient & agonisticam exercent Militiam. Adveniunt
& plurimi Aulici Rege in Vicino prosito & de familiis Consulum &
Baronum Ephebi nondum Cingulo donati Militiae Gratia concertandi.
Accendit singulos Spes Victoriae: Equi feri adhiniunt, tremunt Artus,
Fraenos mandunt, impatientes Morae stare Loco nesciunt. Cum tandem
Sonipedum rapuit Ungula Cursum, Sessores Adolescentes divisis Agminibus
hii praecedentibus instant, nec assequuntur: hi Socios dijiciunt &
praetervolant.
_Sports in Lent_
Every Sunday in Lent, after Dinner, a Company of young Men ride out
into the Fields on Horses which are fit for War, and principal Runners:
Every one among them is taught to run the Rounds with his Horse. The
Citizens’ Sons issue out through the gates by Troops, furnished with
Lances and warlike Shields: The younger sort have their Pikes not
headed with Iron, where they make a representation of Battle, and
exercise a skirmish. There resort to this Exercise many Courtiers, when
the King lies near Hand, and young Striplings out of the families of
Barons and great Persons, which have not yet attained to the warlike
Girdle, to train and skirmish. Hope of Victory inflames every one. The
neighing and fierce Horses bestir their Joints and chew their Bridles,
and cannot endure to stand still: At last they begin their Race, and
then the young Men divide their troops: some labour to outstrip their
leaders, and cannot reach them: others fling down their Fellows and get
beyond them.
[Illustration: TILTING IN BOATS
Royal MS. 2, B. vii.]
_De Ludis Navalibus_
In Feris Paschalibus ludunt quasi Praelia navalia: In Arbore siquidem
Mediamna Scuto fortiter innexo, Navicula multo Remo & Raptu Fluminis
cita, in Prora stantem habet Juvenem, Scutum illum Lancea percussurum:
qui, si Scuto illi Lanceam illidens frangat eam, & immotus persistat,
habet Propositum, Voti compos est: si vero Lancea integra fortiter
percusserit, & per fluentem Amnem dejicietur, Navis Motu suo acta
Praeterit. Sunt tamen hinc inde secus duae Naves stationariae, & in eis
Juvenes plurimi, ut eripiant Percussorem Flumine absorptum cum primo
emersus comparet, vel summa rursus cum bullit in Unda. Supra Pontem
& in Solariis supra Fluvium, sunt qui talia spectent, multum rideri
parati.
_Sea Fights_
In Easter Holidays they counterfeit a Sea Fight: a Pole is set up in
the middle of the River, with a Target well fastened thereon, and a
young Man stands in a Boat which is rowed with Oars, and driven on with
the Tide, who with his Spear hits the Target in his Passage: with which
Blow, if he break the Spear and stand upright, so that he hold Footing,
he hath his Desire: but, if his Spear continue unbroken by the Blow,
he is tumbled into the Water, and his Boat passeth clear away: But on
either side this Target two Ships stand in Ward, with many young Men
ready to take him up, after he is sunk, as soon as he appeareth again
on the top of the water: The Spectators stand upon the Bridge, and
in Solars upon the River to behold these Things, being prepared for
Laughter.
_De Ludis Aestivalibus, ut Lucta & hujusmodi_
In Festis tota Aestate Juvenes Ludentes exercentur, in Saliendo,
in Arcu, in Lucta, Jactu Lapidum, amentatis Missilibus ultra Metam
expediendis, Parmis Duellionum. Puellarum Cytheraea ducit Choros, &
Pede libero pulsatur Tellus, usque imminente Luna.
_Summer Sports_
Upon the Holidays all Summer, the Youth is exercised in leaping,
Shooting, Wrestling, casting of Stones, and throwing of Javelins fitted
with Loops for the Purpose, which they strive to fling beyond the mark:
they also use Bucklers, like fighting Men. As for the Maidens, they
have their exercise of dancing and tripping until Moonlight.
[Illustration: DANCING
Prudentius MS., 24199 (11th cent.).]
_De Pugna Aprorum, Taurorum, & Ursorum_
In Hyeme singulis fere Festis ante Prandium, vel Apri spumantes pugnant
pro Capitibus & Verres fulmineis accincti Dentibus addendi Succidiae,
vel pingues Tauri cornupetae, seu Ursi immanes cum objectis depugnant
Canibus.
_Fighting of Boars, Bulls and Bears_
In Winter almost every holiday before Dinner, the foaming Boars fight
for their heads, and prepare with deadly Tushes to be made Bacon: or
else some lusty Bulls, or huge Bears are baited with Dogs.
_De Ludentibus supra Glaciem_
Cùm est congelata Palus illa magna quae Moenia Urbis aquilonia alluit,
exeunt lusum super Glaciem densae Juvenum Turmae: Hii ex Cursu Motu
captato citatiore, Distantia Pedum posita, magnum Spatium Latere altero
praetenso perlabuntur. Alii quasi magnos Lapides molares de Glacie
Sedes sibi faciunt: Sessorem unum trahunt plurimi praecurrentes,
Manibus se tenentes: in tanta Citatione Motus aliqui Pedibus lapsi
cadunt omnes proni. Sunt alii super Glaciem ludere doctiores, singuli
Pedibus suis aptantes, & sub Talaribus suis alligantes Ossa, Tibias
scilicet Animalium & Palos Ferro acuto subposito tenentes in Manibus,
quos aliquando Glaciei illidunt: tanta Rapacitate feruntur, quanta Avis
volans, vel Pilum Balistae. Interdum autem magna procul Distantia ex
Condicto, duo aliqui ita ab oppositis veniunt, curritur: Palos erigunt,
se invicem percutiunt: vel alter, vel ambo cadunt, non sine Laesione
corporali, cùm post Casum etiam Vi Motus feruntur ab invicem procul:
&, qua Parte Glacies Caput tangit, totum radit, totum decorticat.
Plerumque Tibia cadentis, vel Brachium, si super illud ceciderit,
confringitur. Sed Aetas avida Gloriae, Juventus cupida Victoriae, ut in
veris Praeliis fortius se habeat, ita in simulatis exercetur.
_Sport upon the Ice_
When that great Moor, which washeth Moorfields, at the North Wall of
the City, is frozen over, great Companies of Young Men go to sport upon
the Ice: then fetching a Run, and setting their feet at a distance,
and placing their Bodies sideways they slide a great Way. Others take
heaps of Ice, as if it were great Millstones and make Seats: Many going
before, draw him that sits thereon, holding one another by the Hand: in
going so fast, some slipping with their feet all fall down together,
some are better practised to the Ice and bind to their shoes Bones as
the Legs of some Beasts, and hold Stakes in their hands headed with
sharp Iron, which sometimes they strike against the Ice: and these Men
go on with Speed as doth a bird in the air, or darts shot from some
warlike Engine: sometimes two Men set themselves at a Distance and run
one against another as it were at Tilt, with these Stakes wherewith one
or both parties are thrown down, not without some hurt to their Bodies:
and after their fall, by reason of the violent Motion are carried a
good distance one from another: and wheresoever the Ice doth touch
their head it rubs off all the skin and lays it bare: and if one fall
upon his leg or arm it is usually broken: But young Men being greedy
of honour and desirous of Victory, do thus exercise themselves in
Counterfeit Battles, that they may bear the Brunt more strongly, when
they came to it in good Earnest.
_De hiis qui delectantur in Avibus_
Plurimi Civium delectantur ludentes in Avibus Coeli, Nisis,
Accipitribus, & hujusmodi, & in Canibus militantibus in Silvis.
Habentque Cives suum Jus Venandi in Middlesexia, Hertfordseira & tota
Chiltra, & in Cantia, usque ad Aquam Craiae.
_Sport with Birds and Dogs_
Many citizens take delight in Birds, as Sparrow-hawks, Goss-hawks, and
such-like, and in Dogs to hunt in the woody ground. The Citizens have
authority to hunt in Middlesex, Hertfordshire, all the Chilterns, and
in Kent, as far as Gray-water.
[Illustration: THE CHASE
Royal MS. 2, B. vii.]
_Virtus Londonensium_
Londonienses, tunc Trinovantes dicti Caium Julium Cæsarem qui nullas
nisi Sanguine fuso Vias habere gaudebat, repulerunt. Unde Lucanus,
Territa quaesitis ostendit Terga Britannis.
_The Valour of Londoners_
The Londoners once called Trinovants, repulsed C. Julius Cæsar who
commonly paved his way with blood: whereupon Lucan:
He was afraid and foil’d by Briton’s Hand,
That first presumed to invade their Land.
_De hiis quos Civitas London peperit_
Civitas Londonia peperit aliquos, qui Regna plurima & Romanum sibi
subdiderunt Imperium: & plurimos alios, quos Mundi Dominos Virtus
evexit ad Deos, ut fuerat, in Appollinis Oraculo, Bruto promissum:
Brute, sub occasu Solis, trans Galliae Regna,
Insula in Oceano est undique clausa Mari:
Hanc pete: namque tibi Sedes erit illa perennis,
Haec fiet Natis altera Troja tuis.
Hic de Stirpe tua Reges nascentur, & ipsis
Totius Terrae subditus Orbis erit.
Et Temporibus Christianis, nobilem illum edidit Imperatorem
Constantinum, qui Urbem Romam & Imperialia Insignia omnia Deo donavit,
& beato Petro & Sylvestro Papae, qui & Statoris exhibuit officium, &
se non amplius Imperatorem, sed Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Defensorem
gavisus est vocari: &, ne Pax Domini Papae occasione praesentiae ejus
secularis strepitus tumultu concuteretur, ipse ab urbe Domino Papae
collata, omnino discessit, & sibi Civitatem Bizantium edificavit.
Londonia & modernis Temporibus Reges illustres magnificosque peperit.
Imperatricem Matildem, Henricum Regem tertium, & beatum Thomam
Archiepiscopum Christi Martyrem gloriosum, quali non candidiorem ipsa
tulit, nec quo fuerit devinctior alter omnibus Bonis totius Orbis
Latini.
_Natives of London_
The City of London hath brought forth some who have subdued many
kingdoms, and the Empire of Rome to themselves: and many others who
being Lords of this World were deified in another: as Apollo’s oracle
did promise Brute:
Brute, thou shalt find an Island in the West,
Beyond the Gauls, environ’d with the Main;
Direct thy journey thither for thy Rest,
And there a second Troy shall rise again.
Kings from thy Heirs and Conquerors shall spring,
Who will the World into subjection bring.
And in the times of Christianity, it brought forth the noble Emperor
Constantine, who gave the City of Rome and all the Imperial arms to
God, and to St. Peter, and Silvester the Pope, whose stirrup he refused
not to hold, and pleased rather to be called Defender of the Holy Roman
Church, than Emperor any more. And, lest the peace of our Lord the
Pope should suffer any disturbance by the Noise of secular affairs,
he left the City and bestowed it on the Pope and founded the City of
Constantinople for his own Habitation. London also in these latter
times hath brought forth famous and magnificent princes: Maud the
Empress: King Henry the Third, and Thomas the Archbishop, a glorious
martyr of Christ, than whom no man was more innocent, or more devoted
to the general Good of the Latin World.
In connection with this important document certain notes are necessary.
There were, FitzStephen says, thirteen larger conventual churches and
126 lesser parish churches. The thirteen conventual churches were,
one supposes, St. Paul’s, to which was attached a college of Priests,
St. Martin’s le Grand, The Priory of the Holy Trinity, St. Mary
Overies, the Hospital of St. Katherine by the Tower, the Priory of St.
Bartholomew, the Priory of St. John, the Nunnery of Clerkenwell, the
Hospital of St. James, St. Mary Spital, the Hospital of St. Thomas of
Acon, the Hospital of St. Giles, and the Abbey of Bermondsey. It is
possible, however, that his list did not include houses so far from
London as St. Giles, St. James, and Bermondsey. It certainly did not
include Westminster Abbey. The number of parish churches indicates
that the City was now completely divided into parishes. Little change,
if any, was made in the City parishes from the time of the Confessor
till the Great Fire. After this many of the old parish churches were
not rebuilt; and at the present day we continually witness a ruthless
destruction of old churches and old associations. We have already tried
to get some idea of the number of the inhabitants from other sources;
we may try again by considering the number of the churches. Every man
in the City belonged of course to his parish church; every man was
compelled to obey the Church, to fast on fast days, and to attend mass
regularly on Sundays and holy days. If we allow 800 souls only, men,
women, and children, for each church, we have a total of 108,200. And
this, subject to oscillations caused by losses from plague or from war,
sometimes as much as 100,000, and sometimes dropping to 50,000, I take
to have been the average population of London for many centuries.
[Illustration: THE WHITE TOWER]
FitzStephen’s “Palatine” Tower is the White Tower, and the other
two towers are Baynard’s Castle and Montfichet, both built near
the junction of the Fleet with the Thames. FitzStephen speaks with
pardonable exaggeration of the northern fields, which were still
undrained and covered with bog and quagmire. The “tillage fields”
were those belonging to the monks of Westminster south of Holborn and
Oxford Street. The seven gates were those of Aldgate, Bishopsgate,
Cripplegate, Aldersgate, Newgate, Ludgate, and Bridgegate. Note that
the river-side wall by this time had disappeared; it had either fallen
down or been taken down. The foundations have been partially uncovered
in modern times. The river wall became practically useless after the
erection of the Tower and the spread of warehouses along the bank. The
bridge could be used to prevent the passage of ships under the arches,
so that the upper part of the river was safe, while the Tower might be
trusted to defend the small part of the town below the bridge, which,
besides, could only be approached by the narrow stairs or the quays.
“The artisans of the several crafts, the vendors of the various
commodities, and the labourers of every kind, have each their separate
stations which they take every morning.” This shows that the people
exposed their wares and carried on their industries in certain assigned
spots. Here they had their selds, which were large sheds protected
from the weather, in which the things were exposed for sale. A modern
fruit-market is a seld; formerly there were selds for everything, and
the seld might be a single shanty or it might be a great market like
Leadenhall. The names of the modern streets preserve the memory of
these selds. Honey Lane, Milk Street, Soper’s (Soaper’s) Lane, Wood
Street, The Poultry, Friday Street (where food proper for Friday was
sold) and so forth. FitzStephen affords a pleasant glimpse of a busy
and prosperous city. Would that the writer had gone into a little more
detail! As it is we are thankful for what we get: we could not spare
one word of what is written.
And he tells us so much in a few words. What, for instance, can be more
complete and more suggestive to the imagination than his description
of the London matrons in one word, pithy and full of meaning? They are
“Sabines!”—“Sabinae sunt!”
“Quod si pudica mulier in partem juvans,
Domum atque dulces liberos:
Sabina qualis.”—