a sign. Then the Three Cranes’ lane, so called not only of a sign of
three cranes at a tavern door, but rather of three strong cranes of
timber placed on the Vintry wharf by the Thames side, to crane up wines
there, as is afore showed. This lane was of old time, to wit, the 9th of
Richard II., called The Painted Tavern lane, of the tavern being painted.
Then next over against St. Martin’s church, is a large house built of
stone and timber, with vaults for the stowage of wines, and is called
the Vintry. There dwelt John Gisers, vintner, mayor of London, and
constable of the Tower, and then was Henry Picard, vintner, mayor.
In this house Henry Picard feasted four kings in one day (as in my
_Summary_ I have showed). Then next is Vanner’s lane, so called of one
Vanner that was owner thereof; it is now called Church lane, of the
coming up from the wharf to St. Martin’s church. Next is Brode lane,
for that the same is broader for the passage of carts from the Vintrie
wharf, than be the other lanes. At the north-west corner of this lane is
the Parish Clerks’ hall, lately by them purchased, since they lost their
old hall in Bishopsgate street. Next is Spittle lane, of old time so
called, since Stodie’s lane, of the owner thereof named Stodie. Sir John
Stodie, vintner, mayor in the year 1357, gave it with all the quadrant
wherein Vintners’ hall now standeth, with the tenements round about unto
the Vintners; the Vintners built for themselves a fair hall, and also
thirteen alms houses there for thirteen poor people, which are kept of
charity rent free.
The Vintners in London were of old time called Merchant-vintners of
Gascoyne; and so I read them in the records of Edward II., the 11th
year, and Edward III., the 9th year: they were as well Englishmen as
strangers born beyond the seas, but then subjects to the kings of
England, great Burdeaux merchants of Gascoyne and French wines, divers
of them were mayors of this city, namely John Adrian, vintner, Reginold
at conduit, John Oxenford, Hen. Picard, that feasted the kings of
England, France, Scotland, and Cypres, John Stodie, that gave Stodie’s
lane to the Vintners; which four last named were mayors in the reign of
Edward III.; and yet Gascoyne wines were then to be sold at London not
above four pence, nor Rhenish wine above six pence the gallon. I read of
sweet wines, that in the 50th of Edward III., John Peachie, fishmonger,
was accused, for that he procured a license for the only sale of them
in London; which notwithstanding he justified by law, he was imprisoned
and fined. More, I read, that in the 6th of Henry VI., the Lombards
corrupting their sweet wines, when knowledge thereof came to John
Rainwell, mayor of London, he in divers places of the city commanded the
heads of the butts and other vessels in the open streets to be broken,
to the number of one hundred and fifty, so that the liquor running
forth, passed through the city like a stream of rain water, in the sight
of all the people, from whence there issued a most loathsome savour.
I read, in the reign of Henry VII., that no sweet wines were brought
into this realm but Malmesies by the Longabards, paying to the king
for his license six shillings and eight pence of every butt, besides
twelve pence for bottle large. I remember within this fifty-four years
Malmsey not to be sold more than one penny halfpenny the pint. For proof
whereof, it appeareth in the church book of St. Andrew Undershafte, that
in the year 1547 I. G. and S. K., then churchwardens, for eighty pints
of Malmsey spent in the church, after one penny halfpenny the pint, paid
at the year’s end for the same ten shillings. More, I remember that no
sacks were sold but Rumney, and that for medicine more than for drink,
but now many kinds of sacks are known and used. And so much for wines.
For the Vintry, to end therewith, I read, that in the reign of Henry
IV., the young prince Henry, Thomas Duke of Clarence, John Duke of
Bedford, and Humfrey Duke of Glocester, the king’s sons, being at supper
among the merchants of London in the Vintry, in the house of Lewes John,
Henry Scogan sent to them a ballad beginning thus:--
“My noble sonnes and eke my lords deare,
I your father, called unworthily,
Send unto you this ballad following here,
Written with mine own hand full rudely,
Although it be that I not reverently
Have written to your estates, I you pray
Mine uncunning, taketh benignely,
For God’s sake, and hearken what I say.”
Then follow in like metre twenty-three staves, containing a persuasion
from losing of time follily in lust and vice, but to spend the same
in virtue and godliness, as ye may read in Geffrey Chawcer’s works
lately printed. The successors of those vintners and wine-drawers, that
retailed by the gallons, pottle, quart, and pint, were all incorporated
by the name of Wine-tunners[188] in the reign of Edward III., and
confirmed in the 15th of Henry VI.
Next is Palmer’s lane, now called Anchor lane; the Plumbers have their
hall there, but are tenants to the Vintners. Then is Worcester house,
sometime belonging to the Earls of Worcester, now divided into many
tenements; the Fruiterers have their hall there. Then is the Old Swan, a
great brewhouse. And this is all on the Thames’ side that I can note in
this ward.
On the land side is the Royall street and Paternoster lane, I think
of old time called Arches; for I read that Robert de Suffolke gave to
Walter Darford his tenement with the appurtenance in the lane called Les
Arches, in the parish of St. Michael de Paternoster church, between the
wall of the field called Winchester field on the east, and the same lane
on the West, etc. More, I read of a stone house called Sto da de Winton
juxta Stenden bridge, which in that lane was over Walbrooke water.
Then is the fair parish church of St. Michael called Paternoster church
in the Royall. This church was new built, and made a college of St.
Spirit and St. Mary, founded by Richard Whitington, mercer, four times
mayor, for a master, four fellows--masters of art, clerks, conducts,
chorists, etc., and an alms house called God’s house, or hospital, for
thirteen poor men, one of them to be tutor, and to have sixteen pence
the week; the other twelve, each of them to have fourteen pence the
week for ever, with other necessary provisions, a hutch with three
locks, a common seal, etc. These were bound to pray for the good estate
of Richard Whitington and Alice his wife, their founders, and for
Sir William Whitington, knight, and Dame Joan his wife, and for Hugh
Fitzwaren, and Dame Molde his wife, the fathers and mothers of the
said Richard Whitington and Alice his wife, for King Richard II., and
Thomas of Woodstocke, Duke of Glocester, special lords and promoters of
the said Richard Whitington, etc. The license for this foundation was
granted by King Henry IV., the 11th of his reign, and in the 12th of the
same king’s reign, the mayor and commonalty of London granted to Richard
Whitington a vacant piece of ground, thereon to build his college in
the Royall, all which was confirmed by Henry VI., the 3rd of his reign,
to John Coventrie, Jenkin Carpenter, and William Grove, executors to
Richard Whitington. This foundation was again confirmed by parliament,
the 10th of Henry VI., and was suppressed by the statute of Edward VI.
The alms houses, with the poor men, do remain, and are paid by the
Mercers. This Richard Whitington was in this church three times buried:
first by his executors under a fair monument; then in the reign of
Edward VI., the parson of that church, thinking some great riches (as
he said) to be buried with him, caused his monument to be broken, his
body to be spoiled of his leaden sheet, and again the second time to
be buried; and in the reign of Queen Mary the parishioners were forced
to take him up, to lap him in lead as afore, to bury him the third
time, and to place his monument, or the like, over him again, which
remaineth, and so he resteth. Thomas Windford, alderman, was buried in
this church 1448; Arnold Macknam, vintner, a merchant of Burdeaux, 1457;
Sir Heere Tanke, or Hartancleux, knight of the garter, born in Almayne,
a noble warrior in Henry V. and Henry VI. days; Sir Edmond Mulshew,
knight, near to Thomas Cokham, recorder of London; the Lady Kyme; Sir
William Oldhall, knight, 1460; William Barnocke; Sir John Yong, grocer,
mayor 1466; Agnes, daughter to Sir John Yong, first married to Robert
Sherington, after to Robert Mulleneux, then to William Cheyney, esquire;
John Having, gentleman; William Roswell, esquire; William Postar, clerk
of the crown, 1520; Sir William Bayly, draper, mayor 1533, with Dame
Katherine his wife, leaving sixteen children; John Haydon, mercer,
sheriff 1582, who gave legacies to the thirteen alms men, and otherwise,
for a lecture.
At the upper end of this street is the Tower Royall, whereof that street
taketh name. This Tower and great place was so called of pertaining to
the kings of this realm, but by whom the same was first built, or of
what antiquity continued, I have not read more than that in the reign
of Edward I., the 2nd, 4th, and 7th years, it was the tenement of Symon
Beawmes; also, that in the 36th of Edward III., the same was called the
Royall, in the parish of St. Michael de Paternoster, and that in the
43rd of his reign, he gave it by the name of his inn, called the Royall,
in the city of London, in value twenty pounds by year, unto his college
of St. Stephen at Westminster; notwithstanding, in the reign of Richard
II. it was called the Queen’s Wardrobe, as appeareth by this that
followeth:--King Richard having in Smithfield overcome and dispersed his
rebels, he, his lords, and all his company, entered the city of London,
with great joy, and went to the lady princess his mother, who was then
lodged in the Tower Royall, called the Queen’s Wardrobe, where she had
remained three days and two nights, right sore abashed; but when she
saw the king her son she was greatly rejoiced, and said, “Ah, son! what
great sorrow have I suffered for you this day!” The king answered and
said, “Certainly, madam, I know it well; but now rejoice, and thank
God, for I have this day recovered mine heritage, and the realm of
England, which I had near hand lost.”
This tower seemeth to have been at that time of good defence; for when
the rebels had beset the Tower of London, and got possession thereof,
taking from thence whom they listed, as in my _Annals_ I have shown, the
princess being forced to fly, came to this Tower Royal, where she was
lodged, and remained safe, as ye have heard; and it may be also supposed
that the king himself was at that time lodged there. I read, that in the
year 1386, Lyon King of Armonie, being chased out of his realm by the
Tartarians, received innumerable gifts of the king and of his nobles,
the king then lying in the Royall, where he also granted to the said
king of Armonie, a charter of a thousand pounds by year during his
life. This for proof may suffice that kings of England have been lodged
in this tower, though the same of later time have been neglected, and
turned into stabling for the king’s horses, and now letten out to divers
men, and divided into tenements.
In Horsebridge street is the Cutlars’ hall. Richard de Wilehale, 1295,
confirmed to Paul Butelar this house and edifices in the parish of St.
Michael Paternoster church and St. John’s upon Walbrooke, which sometime
Lawrens Gisors and his son Peter Gisors did possess, and afterward
Hugonis de Hingham, and lieth between the tenement of the said Richard
towards the south, and the lane called Horseshew bridge towards the
north, and between the way called Paternoster church on the west,
and the course of Walbrooke on the east, paying yearly one clove of
Gereflowers at Easter, and to the prior and convent of St. Mary Overy
six shillings. This house sometime belonged to Simon Dolesly, grocer,
mayor 1359. They of this company were of old time divided into three
arts or sorts of workmen: to wit, the first were smiths, forgers of
blades, and therefore called bladers, and divers of them proved wealthy
men, as namely, Walter Nele, blader, one of the sheriffs the 12th of
Edward III., deceased 1352, and buried in St. James’ Garlicke Hith; he
left lands to the mending of high ways about London, betwixt Newgate
and Wicombe, Aldgate and Chelmesford, Bishopsgate and Ware, Southwark
and Rochester, etc. The second were makers of hafts, and otherwise
garnishers of blades. The third sort were sheathmakers, for swords,
daggers, and knives. In the 10th of Henry IV. certain ordinances were
made betwixt the bladers and the other cutlers; and in the 4th of
Henry VI. they were all three companies drawn into one fraternity or
brotherhood by the name of Cutlers.
Then is Knightriders’ street, so called (as is supposed) of knights well
armed and mounted at the Tower Royall, riding from thence through that
street west to Creed lane, and so out at Ludgate towards Smithfield,
when they were there to tourney, joust, or otherwise to show activities
before the king and states of the realm.
In this street is the parish church of St. Thomas Apostle, by Wringwren
lane, a proper church, but monuments of antiquity be there none, except
some arms in the windows, as also in the stone work, which some suppose
to be of John Barns, mercer, mayor of London in the year 1371, a great
builder thereof; H. Causton, merchant, was a benefactor, and had a
chantry there about 1396; T. Roman, mayor 1310, had also a chantry there
1319; Fitzwilliams, also a benefactor, had a chantry there. More, Sir
William Littlesbery, _alias_ Horne (for King Edward IV. so named him,
because he was a most excellent blower in a horn); he was a Salter
and merchant of the staple, mayor of London in the year 1487, and was
buried in this church, having appointed by his testament the bells to
be changed for four new bells of good tune and sound, but that was not
performed; he gave five hundred marks to the repairing of highways
betwixt London and Cambridge; his dwelling-house, with a garden and
appurtenances in the said parish to be sold, and bestowed in charitable
actions, as his executors would answer before God; his house, called the
George, in Bred street, he gave to the Salters, they to find a priest in
the said church, to have £6 13_s._ 4_d._ the year, to every preacher at
Paul’s cross and at the Spittle four pence for ever; to the prisoners
of Newgate, Ludgate, Marshalsey, and King’s Bench, in victuals, ten
shillings at Christmas, and ten shillings at Easter for ever; which
legacies are not performed. William Shipton, William Champneis, and
John de Burford, had chantries there; John Martin, butcher, one of the
sheriffs, was buried there 1533; etc. Then west from the said church,
on the same side, was one great messuage, sometime called Ipres inn, of
William Ipres, a Fleming, the first builder thereof. This William was
called out of Flanders, with a number of Flemings, to the aid of King
Stephen against Maude the empress, in the year 1138, and grew in favour
with the said king for his services, so far that he built this his house
near Tower Royall, in the which tower it seemeth the king was then
lodged, as in the heart of the city, for his more safety.
Robert, Earl of Gloucester, brother to the empress, being taken, was
committed to the custody of this William, to be kept in the castle
of Rochester, till King Stephen was also taken, and then the one was
delivered in exchange for the other, and both set free. This William of
Ipres gave Edredes hithe, now called the Queen’s hithe, to the prior and
canons of the Holy Trinity in London: he founded the abbey of Boxley
in Kent, etc. In the first of Henry II., the said William, with all
the other Flemings, fearing the indignation of the new king, departed
the land; but it seemeth that the said William was shortly called back
again, and restored both to the king’s favour and to his old possessions
here, so that the name and family continued long after in this realm, as
may appear by this which followeth.
In the year 1377, the 51st of Edward III., the citizens of London,
minding to have destroyed John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Henry
Percie, marshal (for cause shown in my _Annals_), sought up and down,
and could not find them, for they were that day to dine with John of
Ipres at his inn, which the Londoners wist not of, but thought the duke
and marshal had been at the Savoy, and therefore posted thither; but one
of the duke’s knights seeing these things, came in great haste to the
place where the duke was, and after that he had knocked and could not be
let in, he said to Haveland the porter, “If thou love my lord and thy
life, open the gate;” with which words he gat entry, and with great fear
he tells the duke, that without the gate were infinite numbers of armed
men, and unless he took great heed that day would be his last; with
which words the duke leapt so hastily from his oisters, that he hurt
both his legs against the form: wine was offered, but he could not drink
for haste, and so fled with his fellow Henry Percie out at a back gate,
and entering the Thames, never stayed rowing until they came to a house
near the manor of Kennington, where at that time the princess lay with
Richard the young prince, before whom he made his complaint, etc.
On the other side, I read of a messuage called Ringed hall. King Henry
VIII., the 32nd of his reign, gave the same, with four tenements
adjoining, unto Morgan Philip, _alias_ Wolfe, in the parish of St.
Thomas Apostles, in London, etc.
Over against Ipres inn, in Knight riders street, at the corner towards
St. James at Garlicke hithe, was sometime a great house built of stone
and called Ormond place, for that it sometimes belonged to the Earls of
Ormond. King Edward IV., in the 5th of his reign, gave to Elizabeth his
wife the manor of Greenwich, with the tower and park, in the county
of Kent. He also gave this tenement called Ormond place, with all the
appurtenances to the same, situate in the parish of St. Trinitie in
Knight riders street, in London. This house is now lately taken down,
and divers fair tenements are built there, the corner house whereof
is a tavern. Then lower down in Royall street is Kerion lane, of one
Kerion sometime dwelling there. In this lane be divers fair houses for
merchants, and amongst others is the Glaziers’ hall.
At the south corner of Royall street is the fair parish church of St.
Martin called in the Vintry, sometime called St. Martin de Beremand
church. This church was new built about the year 1399 by the executors
of Mathew Columbars a stranger born, a Burdeaux merchant of Gascoyne and
French wines; his arms remain yet in the east window, and are between
a cheveron, three columbins. There lie buried in this church--Sir John
Gisors, mayor 1311; Henry Gisors, his son, 1343, and John Gisors, his
brother, 1350; he gave to his son Thomas his great mansion-house called
Gisors hall, in the parish of St. Mildred, in Bread street. This Thomas
had issue, John and Thomas; John made a feoffment, and sold Gisors hall
and other his lands in London, about the year 1386; Thomas deceased
1395. Henry Vennar; Bartholomew de la Vauch; Thomas Cornwalles, one
of the sheriffs 1384; John Cornwalles, esquire, 1436; John Mustrell,
vintner, 1424; William Hodson; William Castleton; John Gray; Robert
Dalusse, barber, in the reign of Edward IV., with this epitaph:
“As flowers in the field thus passeth life,
Naked, then clothed, feeble in the end,
It sheweth by Robert Dalusse, and Alison his wife,
Christ them save from the power of the fiend.”
Sir Raph Austrie, fishmonger, new roofed this church with timber,
covered it with lead, and beautifully glazed it: he deceased 1494, and
was there buried with his two wives; Raph Austrie, his son, gentleman;
William Austrie, and other of that name; Bartrand, wife to Grimond
Descure, esquire, a Gascoyne and merchant of wines, 1494; Thomas Batson;
Alice Fowler, daughter and heir to John Howton, wife to John Hulton;
James Bartlet, and Alice his wife; William Fennor; Roger Cotton;
Robert Stocker; John Pemberton; Philip de Plasse; John Stapleton; John
Mortimer; William Lee; William Hamsteed; William Stoksbie, and Gilbert
March, had chantries there.
Then is the parish church of St. James, called at Garlick hithe, or
Garlicke hive; for that of old time, on the bank of the river of Thames,
near to this church, garlick was usually sold. This is a proper church,
whereof Richard Rothing, one of the sheriffs 1326, is said to be the new
builder, and lieth buried in the same: so was Waltar Nele, blader, one
of the sheriffs 1337; John of Oxenford, vintner, mayor 1341. I read, in
the 1st of Edward III., that this John of Oxenford gave to the priory
of the Holy Trinity in London two tofts of land, one mill, fifty acres
of land, two acres of wood, with the appurtenances, in Kentish town, in
value 20_s._ 3_d._ by year. Richard Goodcheape, John de Cressingham,
and John Whitthorne, and before them, Galfrid Moncley, 1281, founded a
chantry there.
Monuments remaining there: Robert Gabeter, esquire, mayor of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1310; John Gisors; William Tiligham; John Stanley;
Lord Strange, eldest son of the Earl of Derby, 1503; Nicholas Statham;
Robert de Luton, 1361; Richard Lions, a famous merchant of wines, and
a lapidary, sometime one of the sheriffs, beheaded in Cheape by Wat
Tyler and other rebels in the year 1381; his picture on his gravestone,
very fair and large, is with his hair rounded by his ears, and curled;
a little beard forked; a gown, girt to him down to his feet, of
branched damask, wrought with the likeness of flowers; a large purse
on his right side, hanging in a belt from his left shoulder; a plain
hood about his neck covering his shoulders, and hanging back behind
him. Sir John Wrotch, fishmonger, mayor 1361, deceased 1407; Thomas
Stonarde, of Oxfordshire; John Bromer, fishmonger, alderman 1474; the
Lady Stanley, mother to the Lord Strange; the Countess of Huntingdon;
the Lady Harbert; Sir George Stanley; Gilbert Bovet, 1398; a Countess
of Worcester, and one of her children; William More, vintner, mayor
1395; William Venor, grocer, mayor 1389; Robert Chichley, mayor 1421;
James Spencer, vintner, mayor 1543; Richard Plat, brewer, founded a free
school there 1601.
And thus an end of Vintry ward, which hath an alderman, with a deputy,
common councillors nine, constables nine, scavengers four, wardmote
inquest fourteen, and a beadle. It is taxed to the fifteen[189] at £6
13_s._ 4_d._
FOOTNOTES:
[187] “In London at thirty-six pound, and in the Exchequer at
thirty-four pound ten shillings.”--_1st edition_, p. 189.
[188] “Having thus much, not without travail and some charges, noted for
the antiquitie of the Vintners, about two years since or more I repayred
to the common-hall of that company, and there showed and read it in
a court of assistance, requiring them, as being one of the principal
companies in the citie (of whom I meant therefore to write the more at
large) that if they knew any more which might sound to their worship or
commendation, at their leisure to send it me, and I would joyne it to
my former collection; at which time I was answered by some that tooke
upon them the speech, that they were none of the principall, but of
the inferior companies; and so willing me to leave them, I departed,
and never since heard from them, which hath somewhat discouraged me
any farther to travail amongst the companies to learne ought at their
handes.”--_1st edition_, p. 192.
His comment (in a side note) is equally worth preserving: “The readiest
to speake not alwaies the wisest men.”
[189] “In London at six and thirty pounds, and in the Exchequer at
thirty-five pounds five shillings.”--_1st edition_, p. 195.
CORDWAINER STREET WARD
The next is Cordwainer street ward, taking that name of cordwainers, or
shoemakers, curriers, and workers of leather, dwelling there; for it
appeareth in the records of Henry VI., the 9th of his reign, that an
order was taken then for cordwainers and curriers in Corney street and
Sopars lane.