for the poor, was suppressed by Henry VIII., and again by him given to
the city, and is endowed by the citizens’ benevolence.
St. Giles in the Fields was an hospital for leprous people out of the
city of London and shire of Middlesex, founded by Matilde the queen,
wife to Henry I., and suppressed by King Henry VIII.
St. John of Jerusalem, by West Smithfield, an hospital of the Knights of
the Rhodes, for maintenance of soldiers against the Turks and infidels,
was suppressed by King Henry VIII.
St. James in the Field was an hospital for leprous virgins of the city
of London, founded by citizens for that purpose, and suppressed by King
Henry VIII.
St. John, at Savoy, an hospital for relief of one hundred poor people,
founded by Henry VII., suppressed by Edward VI.: again new founded,
endowed, and furnished by Queen Mary, and so remaineth.
St. Katherine, by the Tower of London, an hospital, with a master,
brethren, and sisters, and alms women, founded by Matilde, wife to King
Stephen; not suppressed, but in force as before.
St. Mary within Cripplegate, an hospital founded by William Elsing, for
a hundred blind people of the city, was suppressed by King Henry VIII.
St. Mary Bethelem, without Bishopsgate, was an hospital, founded
by Simon Fitzmary, a citizen of London, to have been a priory, and
remaineth for lunatic people, being suppressed and given to Christ’s
hospital.
St. Mary, without Bishopsgate, was an hospital and priory, called St.
Mary Spittle, founded by a citizen of London for relief of the poor,
with provision of one hundred and eighty beds there for the poor: it was
suppressed in the reign of King Henry VIII.
St. Mary Rouncevall, by Charing cross, was an hospital suppressed with
the priories aliens in the reign of King Henry V.; then was it made a
brotherhood in the 15th of Edward IV., and again suppressed by King
Edward VI.
St. Thomas of Acres, in Cheape, was an hospital for a master and
brethren (in the record called Militia); it was surrendered and sold to
the mercers.
St. Thomas, in Southwark, being an hospital of great receipt for the
poor, was suppressed, but again newly founded and endowed by the
benevolence and charity of the citizens of London.
An hospital there was without Aldersgate, a cell to the house of Cluny,
of the French order, suppressed by King Henry V.
An hospital without Cripplegate, also a like cell to the said house of
Cluny, suppressed by King Henry V.
A third hospital in Oldborne, being also a cell to the said house of
Cluny, suppressed by King Henry V.
The hospital, or alms-house, called God’s house, for thirteen poor
men, with a college, called Whitington college, founded by Richard
Whitington, mercer, and suppressed; but the poor remain, and are paid
their allowance by the mercers.
Christ’s hospital, in Newgate market, of a new foundation in the Grey
Fryers church by King Henry VIII.: poor fatherless children be there
brought up and nourished at the charges of the citizens.
Bridewell, now an hospital (or house of correction), founded by King
Edward VI., to be a workhouse for the poor and idle persons of the
city, wherein a great number of vagrant persons be now set a-work,
and relieved at the charges of the citizens. Of all these hospitals,
being twenty in number, you may read before in their several places,
as also of good and charitable provisions made for the poor by sundry
well-disposed citizens.
NOW OF LEPROSE PEOPLE, AND LAZAR HOUSES
It is to be observed that leprous persons were always, for avoiding the
danger of infection, to be separated from the sound, etc.; God himself
commanding to put out of the host every leper.[302] Whereupon I read,
that in a provincial synod holden at Westminster by Hubert, archbishop
of Canterbury, in the year of Christ 1200, the 2nd of King John, it
was decreed, according to the institution of the Lateran council, that
when so many leprous people were assembled, that might be able to build
a church, with a churchyard, for themselves, and to have one especial
priest of their own, that they should be permitted to have the same
without contradiction, so they be not injurious to the old churches,
by that which was granted to them for pity’s sake. And further, it was
decreed that they be not compelled to give any tithes of their gardens
or increase of cattle.
I have moreover heard, that there is a writ in our law, _de leproso
amovendo_; and I have read that King Edward III., in the 20th year of
his reign, gave commandment to the mayor and sheriffs of London, to make
proclamation in every ward of the city and suburbs, that all leprous
persons inhabiting there should avoid within fifteen days next, and
that no man suffer any such leprous person to abide within his house,
upon pain to forfeit his said house, and to incur the king’s further
displeasure; and that they should cause the said lepers to be removed
into some out places of the fields, from the haunt or company of sound
people: whereupon certain lazar-houses, as may be supposed, were then
built without the city some good distance; to wit, the Locke without
Southwark in Kent street; one other betwixt the Miles end and Stratford,
Bow; one other at Kingsland, betwixt Shoreditch and Stoke Newington; and
another at Knightes bridge, west from Charing cross. These four I have
noted to be erected for the receipt of leprous people sent out of the
city. At that time, also, the citizens required of the guardian of St.
Giles’ hospital to take from them, and to keep continually, the number
of fourteen persons leprous, according to the foundation of Matilde the
queen, which was for leprous persons of the city of London and the shire
of Middlesex, which was granted. More, the wardens, or keepers of the
ports, gates, or posterns of this city, were sworn in the mayor’s court
before the recorder, etc., that they should well and faithfully keep the
same ports and posterns, and not to suffer any leprous person to enter
the said city.
John Gardener, porter of the postern by the Tower, his oath before
the mayor and recorder of London, on Monday, after the feast of St.
Bartlemew, the 49th of Edward III.: That the gates and postern be well
and faithfully kept in his office and baylywicke, and that he should
not suffer any lepers or leper to enter the city, or to remain in the
suburbs; and if any leper or lepers force themselves to enter by his
gates or postern, he to bind them fast to horses, and send them to be
examined of the superiors, etc.
Finally, I read that one William Pole, yeoman of the crown to King
Edward IV., being stricken with a leprosy, was also desirous to build
an hospital, with a chapel, to the honour of God and St. Anthony, for
the relief and harbouring of such leprous persons as were destitute in
the kingdom, to the end they should not be offensive to other in their
passing to and fro: for the which cause Edward IV. did by his charter,
dated the 12th of his reign, give unto the said William for ever a
certain parcel of his land lying in his highway of Highgate and Haloway,
within the county of Middlesex, containing sixty feet in length and
thirty-four in breadth.
FOOTNOTE:
[302] “Leviticus 13. Numbers 5. Leprose persons to be separated from the
sound.”--_Stow._
THE TEMPORAL GOVERNMENT OF THIS CITY, SOMEWHAT IN BRIEF MANNER
This city of London, being under the government of the Britons, Romans,
and Saxons, the most ancient and famous city of the whole realm, was at
length destroyed by the Danes, and left desolate, as may appear by our
histories. But Aelfred, king of the West Saxons, having brought this
whole realm (from many parts) into one monarchy, honourably repaired
this city, and made it again habitable, and then committed the custody
thereof to his son-in-law Adhered, earl of Mercia; after whose decease
the city, with all other possessions pertaining to the said earl,
returned to King Edward, surnamed the Elder, etc.: and so remained in
the king’s hands, being governed under him by portgraves (or portreves),
which name is compounded of the two Saxon words, _porte_ and _gerefe_,
or _reve_. Porte betokeneth a town, and gerefe signifieth a guardian,
ruler, or keeper of the town.
These governors of old time (saith Robert Fabian), with the laws and
customs then used within this city, were registered in a book called the
Dooms’ day, written in the Saxon tongue; but of later days, when the
said laws and customs were changed, and for that also the said book was
of a small hand, sore defaced, and hard to be read or understood, it was
less set by, so that it was embezzled and lost. Thus far Fabian.
Notwithstanding, I have found, by search of divers old registers and
other records abroad, namely, in a book sometime appertaining to the
monastery of St. Alban’s, of the portgraves, and other governors of this
city, as followeth:
First, that in the reign of King Edward, the last before the Conquest,
Wolfegare was portgrave, as may appear by the charter of the same king,
in these words: “Edward, king, greeteth Alfward, bishop, and Wolfegare,
my portgrave, and all the burgesses in London.” And afterward that, in
another charter, “King Edward greeteth William, bishop, and Sweetman, my
portgrave.” And after, that in another charter to the abbey of Chertsey,
to William, bishop, and Leofstane and Alsy, portgraves. In the reign of
William the Conqueror, William, bishop of London, procured of the said
Conqueror his charter of liberties, to the same William, bishop, and
Godfrey, portgrave, in Saxon tongue, and corrected in English thus:
“William, king, greet William, bishop, and Godfrey, portgrave, and all
the burgeses within London, French and English. And I graunt that they
be all their law worthy that they were in Edward’s dayes the king. And I
will that each child bee his father’s heire. And I will not suffer that
any man do you wrong, and God you keepe.” And then in the reign of the
said Conqueror and of William Rufus, Godfrey de Magnavile was portgrave
(or sheriff), as may appear by their charters, and Richard de Par was
provost.
In the reign of King Henry I., Hugh Buche was portgrave, and Leofstanus,
goldsmith, provost, buried at Bermondsey.
After them Aubrey de Vere was portgrave, and Robert Bar Querel provost.
This Aubrey de Vere was slain in the reign of King Stephen. It is to be
noted, also, that King Henry I. granted to the citizens of London the
shrivewick thereof, and of Middlesex, as in another place is showed.
In the reign of King Stephen, Gilbert Becket was portgrave, and Andrew
Buchevet provost.
After him, Godfrey Magnavile, the son of William, the son of Godfrey
Magnavile, by the gift of Maude, the empress, was portgrave, or sheriff
of London and Middlesex, for the yearly farm of three hundred pounds, as
appeareth by the charter.
In the time of King Henry II., Peter Fitzwalter was portgrave; after
him John Fitznigel was portgrave; after him Ernulfus Buchel became
portgrave; and after him William Fitz Isabel. These portgraves are also
in divers records called vice-counties, vicounties, or sheriffs,[303]
as being under an earl; for that they then, as since, used that office
as the sheriffs of London do till this day. Some authors do call them
domesmen, aldermen, or judges of the king’s court,
William Fitz Stephen, noting the estate of this city, and government
thereof in his time, under the reign of King Stephen and of Henry II.,
hath these words:
“This city (saith he), even as Rome, is divided into wards; it hath
yearly sheriffs instead of consuls; it hath the dignity of senators and
aldermen; it hath under officers, and, according to the quality of laws,
it hath several courts and general assemblies upon appointed days.” Thus
much for the antiquity of sheriffs, and also of aldermen, in several
wards of this city, may suffice. And now for the name of bailiffs, and
after that of mayors, as followeth:
In the first year of King Richard I., the citizens of London obtained
to be governed by two bailiffs, which bailiffs are in divers ancient
deeds called sheriffs, according to the speech of the law, which called
the shire Balliva, for that they, like as the portgraves, used the same
office of shrivewicke, for the which the city paid to fee farm three
hundred pounds yearly as before, since the reign of Henry I., which also
is yet paid by the city into the Exchequer until this day.
They also obtained to have a mayor, to be their principal governor and
lieutenant of the city, as of the king’s chamber.
1180. The names of the first bailiffs, or officers, entering into
their office at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in the year of
Christ 1189, were named Henry Cornhill and Richard Reynere, bailiffs or
sheriffs.
Their first mayor was Henry Fitz Alwin Fitz Liefstane, goldsmith,
appointed by the said king, and continued mayor from the 1st of Richard
I. until the 15th of King John, which was twenty-four years and more.
1190. The 2nd of Richard I., sheriffs, John Herlion, Roger Duke; mayor,
Henry Fitz Alwin.
1191. The 3rd, sheriffs, William Haverill, John Bucknote; mayor, Henry
Fitz Alwin.
1192. The 4th, Nicholas Duke, Peter Newlay; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1193. The 5th, Roger Duke, Richard Fitz Alwin; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1194. The 6th, William Fitz Isabel, William Fitz Arnold; mayor, Henry
Fitz Alwin.
1195. The 7th, Robert Besaunt, John de Josue; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1196. The 8th, Gerard de Anteloche, Robert Durant; mayor, Henry Fitz
Alwin.
1197. The 9th, Roger Blunt, Nicholas Ducket; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1198. The 10th, Constantine Fitz Arnold, Richard de Beaco; mayor, Henry
Fitz Alwin.
* * * * *
King John began his reign the 6th of April, 1199.
* * * * *
1199. The 1st of King John, sheriffs, Arnold Fitz Arnold, Richard Fitz
Bartilmew; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
King John granted the sheriffwicke of London and Middlesex to the
citizens thereof, as King Henry I. before had done, for the sum of three
hundred pounds yearly. Also he gave them authority to choose and deprive
their sheriffs at their pleasure.
1200. The 2nd, sheriffs, Roger Dorsit, James Bartilmew; mayor, Henry
Fitz Alwin.
1201. The 3rd, Walter Fitz Alis, Simon de Aldermanbury; mayor, Henry
Fitz Alwin.
1202. The 4th, Norman Blundel, John de Glie; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1203. The 5th, Walter Browne, William Chamberlain; mayor, Henry Fitz
Alwin.
Walter Brune, and Rose his wife, founded the hospital of St. Mary
without Bishopsgate, commonly called St. Mary Spittle.
1204. The 6th, Thomas Haverel, Hamond Brond; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1205. The 7th, John Walgrave, Richard Winchester; mayor, Henry Fitz
Alwin.
1206. The 8th, John Holland, Edmond Fitz Gerard; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1207. The 9th, Roger Winchester, Edmond Hardle; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1208. The 10th, Peter Duke, Thomas Nele; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
The king, by his letters patents, granted to the citizens of London
liberty and authority yearly to choose to themselves a mayor.
1209. The 11th, Peter le Josue, William Blund; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1210. The 12th, Adam Whitley, Stephen le Grace; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1211. The 13th, John Fitz Peter, John Garland; mayor, Henry Fitz Alwin.
1212. The 14th, Randolph Giland, Constantine Josue; mayor, Henry Fitz
Alwin.
This Henry Fitz Alwin deceased, and was buried in the priory of the Holy
Trinity, near unto Aldgate.
1213. The 15th, Martin Fitz Alis, Peter Bate; mayor, Roger Fitz Alwin.
This year the ditch about London was begun to be made, of two hundred
and four feet broad, by the Londoners.
1214. The 16th, Salomon Basing, Hugh Basing; mayor, Serle Mercer.
1215. The 17th, John Travars, Andrew Newland; mayor, William Hardel.
* * * * *
King Henry III. began his reign the 19th of October, 1216.
* * * * *
1216. The 1st, sheriffs, Benet Senturer, William Bluntinars: mayor,
James Alderman for part, and Salomon Basing for part.
1217. The 2nd, Thomas Bokerel, Ralph Eiland; mayor, Serle Mercer.
1218. The 3rd, John Viel, John le Spicer; mayor, Serle Mercer.
The forest of Middlesex and the warren of Staines were this year
disafforested.
1219. The 4th, Richard Wimbledon, John Viel; mayor, Serle Mercer.
1220. The 5th, Richard Renger, John Viel; mayor, Serle Mercer.
1221. The 6th, Richard Renger, Thomas Lambart; mayor, Serle Mercer.
1222. The 7th, Richard Renger, Thomas Lambart; mayor, Serle Mercer.
Constantine Fitz Aluf raised great troubles in this city, and was hanged
with his nephew and other.
1223. The 8th, John Travars, Andrew Bokerel; mayor, Richard Renger.
1224. The 9th, John Travars, Andrew Bokerel; mayor Richard Renger.
The king granted to the commonalty of London to have a common seal.
1225. The 10th, Roger Duke, Martin Fitz William; mayor, Richard Renger.
1226. The 11th, Roger Duke, Martin Fitz William; mayor, Richard Renger.
This year the king confirmed to the citizens of London free warren
or liberty to hunt a certain circuit about the city, in the warren
of Staines, etc. And, also, that the citizens of London should pass
toll-free throughout all England, and that the keddles, or wears, in the
river of Thames and Medway should be plucked up and destroyed for ever,
etc. Patent, 16th Henry III.
1227. The 12th, Stephen Bokerel, Henry Cocham; mayor, Roger Duke.
The liberties and franchises of London were ratified; and the king
granted that either sheriff should have two clerks and two sergeants,
also that the citizens should have a common seal.
1228. The 13th, Stephen Bokerell, Henry Cocham; mayor, Roger Duke.
1229. The 14th, William Winchester, Robert Fitz John; mayor, Roger Duke.
1230. The 15th, Richard Walter, John de Woborne; mayor, Roger Duke.
1231. The 16th, Michael S. Helan, Walter de Bussell; mayor, Andrew
Bokerel, pepperer.
1232. The 17th, Henry de Edmonton, Gerard Bat; mayor, Andrew Bokerel,
pepperer.
1233. The 18th, Simon Fitzmary, Roger Blunt; mayor, Andrew Bokerel,
pepperer.
1234. The 19th, Raph Ashwye, John Norman; mayor, Andrew Bokerel,
pepperer.
1235. The 20th, Gerard Bat, Richard Hardle; mayor, Andrew Bokerel,
pepperer.
1236. The 21st, Henry Cocham, Jordan of Coventrie; mayor, Andrew
Bokerel, pepperer.
1237. The 22nd, John Toloson, Gervais the cordwainer; mayor, Andrew
Bokerel, pepperer.
1238. The 23rd, John Codras, John Withal; mayor, Richard Renger.
1239. The 24th, Roger Bongey, Raph Ashwye; mayor, William Joyner.
This William Joyner builded the choir of the Grey Friers church in
London, and became a lay brother of that house.
1240. The 25th, John Gisors, Michael Tony; mayor, Gerard Bat.
This year aldermen of London were chosen, and changed yearly, but that
order lasted not long. Gerard Bat was again elected mayor for that year
to come, but the king would not admit him, being charged with taking
money of the victuallers in the precedent year.
1241. The 26th, Thomas Duresme, John Viel; mayor, Reginald Bongey.
1242. The 27th, John Fitzjohn, Raph Ashwye; mayor, Reginald Bongey.
1243. The 28th, Hugh Blunt, Adam Basing; mayor, Raph Ashwye.
1244. The 29th, Raph Foster, Nicholas Bat; mayor, Michael Tony.
1245. The 30th, Robert of Cornehil, Adam of Bentley; mayor, John Gisors,
pepperer.
1246. The 31st, Simon Fitz Mary, Laurence Frowicke; mayor, John Gisors,
pepperer.
Simon Fitz Mary founded the hospital of Mary, called Bethlem without
Bishopsgate. Queene hithe let to farm to the citizens of London.
1247. The 32nd, John Viel, Nicholas Bat; mayor, Peter Fitz Alwin.
1248. The 33rd, Nicholas Fitz Josey, Geffrey Winchester; mayor, Michael
Tony.
1249. The 34th, Richard Hardell, John Tholason; mayor, Roger Fitz Roger.
1250. The 35th, Humfrey Bat, William Fitz Richard; mayor, John Norman.
The king granted that the mayor should be presented to the barons of the
exchequer, and they should admit him.
1251. The 36th, Laurence Frowike, Nicholas Bat; mayor, Adam Basing.
1252. The 37th, William Durham, Thomas Wimborne; mayor, John Tolason,
draper.
The liberties of this city were seized, the mayor charged that he looked
not to the assise of bread.
1253. The 38th, John Northampton, Richard Pickard; mayor, Richard
Hardell, draper.
1254. The 39th, Raph Ashwie, Robert of Limon; mayor, Richard Hardell,
draper.
1255. The 40th, Stephen Doo, Henry Walmond; mayor, Richard Hardle,
draper.
The mayor, divers aldermen, and the sheriffs of London, were deprived,
and others placed in their rooms.
1256. The 41st, Michael Bockeril, John the Minor; mayor, Richard Hardle,
draper.
1257. The 42nd, Richard Owel, William Ashwie; mayor, Richard Hardle,
draper.
The king caused the walls of this city to be repaired and made with
bulwarks.
1258. The 43rd, Robert Cornhill, John Adrian; mayor, Richard Hardle,
draper.
1259. The 44th, John Adrian, Robert Cornhill; John Gisors, pepperer.
1260. The 45th, Adam Browning, Henry Coventry; mayor, William Fitz
Richard.
1261. The 46th, John Northampton, Richard Picard; mayor, William Fitz
Richard.
1262. The 47th, John Tailor, Richard Walbrooke; mayor, Thomas Fitz
Richard.
1263. The 48th, Robert de Mountpilier, Osbert de Suffolke; mayor, Thomas
Fitz Thomas Fitz Richard.
The citizens of London fortified the city with iron chains drawn thwart
their streets.
1264. The 49th, Gregory Rokesly, Thomas de Deford; mayor, Thomas Fitz
Thomas Fitz Richard.
1265. The 50th, Edward Blund, Peter Angar; mayor, Thomas Fitz Thomas
Fitz Richard.
The chains and posts in London were plucked up, the mayor and principal
citizens committed to ward, and Othon, constable of the tower, was made
custos of the city, etc.
1266. The 51st, John Hind, John Walraven; mayor, William Richards.
The earl of Gloucester entered the city with an army, and therein
builded bulwarks, cast trenches, etc.
1267. The 52nd, John Adrian, Lucas de Batencourt; mayor, Alen de la
Souch. This Alen de la Souch, being a baron of this realm, and also
chief justice, was in the year 1270 slain in Westminster hall by John
Warren earl of Surrey.
Thomas Fitz Theobald and Agnes his wife, founded the hospital of St.
Thomas of Acon in Westcheap.
1268. The 53rd, Walter Harvy, William Duresm, Thomas Wimborn; mayor, Sir
Stephen Edward.
A variance fell in London between the goldsmiths and the tailors,
wherethrough many men were slain.
1269. The 54th, Thomas Basing, Robert Cornhill; custos, Hugh Fitz
Ottonis, custos of London, and constable of the tower.[304]
1270. The 55th, Walter Potter, Philip Tailor; mayor, John Adrian,
vintner.
1271. The 56th, Gregory Rocksley, Henry Waleys; mayor, John Adrian,
vintner.
The steple of Bow church in Cheap fell down, and slew many people.
1272. The 57th, Richard Paris, John de Wodeley; mayor, Sir Walter Harvy;
custos, Henry Frowike, pepperer, for part of that year.
* * * * *
Edward I. began his reign the 16th of November, 1272.
* * * * *
1273. The first sheriffs, John Horne, Walter Potter; mayor, Sir Walter
Harvy, knight.
1274. The 2nd, Nicholas Winchester, Henry Coventry; mayor, Henry Walles.
1275. The 3rd, Lucas Batecorte, Henry Frowike; mayor, Gregory Rocksley:
chief say-master of all the king’s mints throughout England, and keeper
of the king’s exchange at London.
1276. The 4th, John Horn, Raph Blunt; mayor, Gregory Rocksley.
1277. The 5th, Robert de Arar, Raph L. Fewre; mayor, Gregory Rocksley.
1278. The 6th, John Adrian, Walter Langley; mayor, Gregory Rocksley.
1279. The 7th, Robert Basing, William Maraliver; mayor, Gregory Rocksley.
1280. The 8th, Thomas Fox, Raph Delamere; mayor, Gregory Rocksley.
1281. The 9th, William Farindon, Nicholas Winchester; mayor, Gregory
Rocksley.
This William Farindon, goldsmith, one of the sheriffs, was father to
Nicholas Farindon: of these two, Farindon ward took that name.
1282. The 10th, William Maraliver, Richard Chigwel; mayor, Henry Walleis.
This Henry Walleis builded the tun upon Cornhill to be a prison, and the
stocks to be a market house.
1283. The 11th, Raph Blund, Anketrin de Betanil; mayor, Henry Walleis.
1284. The 12th, Jordain Goodcheape, Martin Box: mayor, Henry Walleis.
Laurence Ducket, goldsmith, murdered in Bow church, and the murderers
hanged.