The present period is so distinguished for historical research, that
the publication of an English Chronicle, written in the fifteenth
century, will not it is presumed require any other prefatory remarks
to recommend it to attention, than a brief account of the MSS. from
which it has been transcribed. Two copies are extant in the British
Museum; the one in the Harleian MS. 565, the other in the Cottonian
MS. Julius B. I. and the material variations between them are either
alluded to, or inserted in the Notes. The copy in the Harleian MS.
ends with the 22nd year of the reign of Henry the Sixth, Anno 1442,
about which time the volume was evidently written: but the other
transcript, which is in a much later hand, is continued to the death
of Edward the Fourth, Anno 1483, though after the accession of that
monarch the narrative is barren and unsatisfactory. It may therefore
be inferred that the original compiler did not survive the death of
Henry the Sixth, and that the continuation was by another person. With
the events of that period the writer is consequently to be deemed
contemporary; and all which he relates of the reigns of Henry the
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth, are peculiarly deserving of notice; for some
curious facts are mentioned, many of which have never, it is
believed, been so fully detailed, even if they were previously known;
whilst of earlier times his statements are as worthy of credit as
those of other Chroniclers who did not live in the ages of which they
respectively treat.
This volume is called "A CHRONICLE OF LONDON" in the title-page, from
the author having so particularly confined himself to the Metropolis;
and still more, because he has, like his successor Fabian, commenced
each year with the election of the Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of London,
whose names are uniformly recorded, but unfortunately no clue exists
by which the name of the writer can be ascertained.
To the history of England however, no less than to that of London,
this Chronicle will, it is confidently expected, be considered a
valuable addition; and the laudable avidity evinced by the
Corporation, under whose patronage it appears, as well as by numerous
natives of the metropolis, to possess every work relating to its early
history, justifies the hope that by them at least it will be
favourably received.
Towards the end of the volume the following ILLUSTRATIONS are
introduced, the most important of which have, with the obliging
permission of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq. the Town Clerk, been copied from
the invaluable muniments in the City Archives.
A curious Latin Poem on the dispute between King Edward the
First and the King of France, relative to some lands in
Gascony in 1295. From the MS. in the Town Clerk's Office,
marked Liber Custumarium.
A fragment of a French Poem on the treacherous conduct of
Sir Thomas Turbeville, in 1296. From the Cottonian MS.
Caligula A. XVIII.
A Letter from King Edward the Third to Edward Prince of
Wales, giving an account of the Battle of Scluyse, dated
28th June, 14 Edward III. 1340. From the MS. in the Town
Clerk's Office, marked Letter _F_.
A Letter from Edward the Black Prince to the Mayor,
Aldermen, and Commonalty of London, dated 22nd of October
1356, detailing the proceedings of the English Army under
his command, and informing them of the BATTLE OF POICTIERS.
From the MS. in the Town Clerk's Office, marked Letter _G_.
A Letter from a Priest, named Robert Prite, to some
Nobleman, dated 8th of December 1356; in which he speaks of
the Battle of Poictiers, and relates other news of the
times. From the original in the Cottonian MS. Caligula D.
III.
A Declaration of Bernard Du Troy, a Gascon gentleman, made
on his death-bed, 1st of July 1361, that he was the
individual who took John King of France prisoner at the
Battle of Poictiers. Also from the Cotton MS. Caligula D.
III.
A Proclamation of Richard II., dated at Chelmsford on the
5th of July 1381, to the Earl of Warwick and others, denying
that Wat Tyler and his followers were supported by his
authority; and commanding them to use all possible means for
the preservation of the peace in Warwickshire, and the
places under their jurisdiction. Also from the Cottonian MS.
Caligula D. III.
A Poem, by Lydgate, describing the Expedition of Henry the
Fifth into France, the Battle of Agincourt, and the
magnificent Pageant prepared by the City of London, in
honour of his return to the Metropolis. From the Harleian
MS. 565.
Another Poem, by Lydgate, describing the Pageant and
Reception of Henry the Sixth into London on the 21st of
February 1431, after his coronation as King of France. Also
from the Harleian MS. 565.
Two copies of a Poem on the reconciliation of the Lords of
the Yorkist faction with King Henry the Sixth and his
adherents; the one from the Cottonian MS. Nero A. VI., and
the other from the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. XVI.
A Ballad sent by a Pursuivant to the Sheriffs of London and
their Brethren on May Day at Bishop's Wood, at an honorable
dinner; each of them bringing his dish: by John Lydgate.
From Ashmole's MS. No. 6943.
Two copies of a Ballad, also by Lydgate, entitled "London
Lickpenny;" the one from the Harleian MS. 542, and the other
from the Harleian MS. 367.
A short Ballad, also by Lydgate, upon the Emptiness of his
Purse. From the Harleian MS. 2255.
Another Ballad, by Lydgate, in ridicule of the Forked
Head-dresses of Females. From the Harleian MS. 2255.
A Ballad on Fraudulent Millers and Bakers; likewise by
Lydgate. From the same MS.
The whole of these articles were written at the periods to which they
relate, and the greater part of them are for the first time printed;
whilst the few that have been before published, are inserted either
because more correct copies have been discovered, or because they are
so intimately connected with some of the others that they could not
with propriety be omitted.
Most of the pieces enumerated have escaped the notice of Historians;
and as they tend in an important degree to illustrate the Manners and
Customs of the Metropolis, their appearance in this volume cannot
fail, it is hoped, to be acceptable to those who are interested in the
early History of London or of this Kingdom.
February 1827.
WILL' CON'TOR. WILL' RUFFUS. HEN. PR. STEPHAN. HEN. SECUNDUS. RIC.
JOHN. HENRICUS. EDWARD TRES. RIC. HEN. IIIJ^{tus}.
NOMI'A CUSTODU' LONDON' TEMPORE REG' RIC'I PRIMI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT
APUD WESTM' TERCIO DIE SEPTEMBR' ANNO D'NI MILL'O C^{mo} lxxxix.