account of the Church of England.
* * * * *
1461. The 1st sheriffs, George Ireland, John Locke; mayor, Hugh Witch,
mercer.
1462. The 2nd, William Hampton, Bartholomew James; mayor, Thomas Cooke,
draper, made knight of the Bath in the 5th of Edward IV. and had great
troubles after.
1463. The 3rd, Robert Baslet, Thomas Muschampe; mayor, Matthew Philip,
goldsmith, made knight of the Bath the 5th of Edward IV., and after in
the field, the 10th of Edward IV.
1464. The 4th, John Tate, John Stone; mayor, Raph Joceline, draper,
knight of the Bath, and also in the field.
1465. The 5th, Henry Waver, William Constantine; mayor, Raph Verney,
mercer. Henry Waver, one of the sheriffs, made knight of the Bath.
1466. The 6th, John Browne, Henry Brice; mayor, John Yong, grocer, made
knight in the field.
This year began the troubles of Sir Thomas Cooke, and other aldermen, as
ye may read in my Summary.
1467. The 7th, Thomas Stalbroke, Humfrey Heyford; mayor, Thomas
Oldgrave, skinner.
1468. The 8th, Symon Smith, William Hariot; mayor, William Taylor,
grocer.
This mayor gave tenements to discharge Cordwainer street ward of
fifteens.
1469. The 9th, Richard Gardener, Robert Drope; mayor, Richard Lee,
grocer.
This year the Tower of London being delivered to the mayor and his
brethren, they delivered King Henry from thence.
1470. The 10th, Sir John Crosbie, John Ward; mayor, Sir John Stockton,
mercer.
Thomas the Bastard Fauconbridge, with a riotous company, set upon this
city at Aldgate, Bishopsgate, the Bridge, etc., and twelve aldermen,
with the recorder, were knighted in the field by Edward IV., to wit,
John Stockton, mayor, Raph Verney, late mayor, John Yong, later mayor,
William Tayler, late mayor, Richard Lee, late mayor, Matthew Philips,
late mayor, George Ireland, William Stoker, William Hampton, since
mayor, Thomas Stolbroke, John Crosbie, and Bartlemew James, since mayor,
with Thomas Urswike, recorder.
1471. The 11th, John Allin, John Shelley; mayor, William Edward, grocer.
The water-conduit at Aldermanburie, and the standard in Fleet street
were finished.
1472. The 12th, John Browne, Thomas Bedlow; mayor, Sir William Hampton,
fishmonger.
This Sir William Hampton punished strumpets, and caused stocks to be set
in every ward to punish vagabonds.
1473. The 13th, Sir William Sokar, Robert Belisdon; mayor, John Tate,
mercer.
This year the sheriffs of London were appointed each of them to have
sixteen serjeants, every serjeant to have his yeoman, and six clerks, to
wit, a secondary, a clerk of the papers, and four other clerks, besides
the under-sheriff’s clerks.
1474. The 14th, Edmond Shaw, Thomas Hill; mayor, Robert Drope, draper.
This Robert Drope increased the water-conduit upon Cornhill, etc.
1475. The 15th, Hugh Brice, Robert Colwich; mayor, Robert Basset, salter.
This Robert Basset corrected the bakers and other victuallers of this
city.
1476. The 16th, Richard Rawson, William Horne; mayor, Sir Raph Joceline,
draper, knight of the Bath.
By the diligence of this mayor the walls of the city were repaired.
1477. The 17th, Henry Collet, John Stoker; mayor, Humphrey Hayford,
goldsmith.
1478. The 18th, Robert Harding, Robert Bifield; mayor, Richard Gardener,
mercer.
Robert Bifield, sheriff, was fined by the mayor, and paid fifty pounds
toward the water-conduits.
1479. The 19th, Thomas Ilam, John Warde; mayor, Sir Bartholomew James,
draper, made knight in the field by Edward IV.
Thomas Ilam newly built the great conduit in West Cheape.
1480. The 20th, Thomas Daniel, William Bacon; mayor, John Browne, mercer.
1481. The 21st, Robert Tate, William Wiking; mayor, William Hariot,
draper.
1482. The 22nd, William Whit, John Mathew; mayor, Edmond Sha, goldsmith.
This Edmond Sha caused the postern called Cripplesgate to be newly
built, etc.
* * * * *
Edward V. began his reign the 9th of April, in the year 1483.
* * * * *
Richard III. began his reign the 22nd of June, in the year 1483.
* * * * *
1483. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Norland, William Martin; mayor, Robert
Bilisden, haberdasher.
1484. The 2nd, Richard Chester, Thomas Brittaine, Raphe Austrie; mayor,
Thomas Hill, grocer, Sir William Stoaker, draper, John Ward, grocer.
Three sheriffs and three mayors this year by means of the sweating
sickness, etc. Thomas Hill appointed by his testament the water-conduit
in Grasse street to be built.
* * * * *
Henry VII. began his reign the 22nd of August, in the year 1485.
* * * * *
1485. The 1st sheriffs, John Tate, John Swan; mayor, Hugh Brise,
goldsmith.
This Hugh Brise was keeper of the king’s mints at London.
1486. The 2nd, John Percivall, Hugh Clopton; mayor, Henry Cellet, mercer.
The cross in Cheap was new built in beautiful manner.
1487. The 3rd, John Fenkell, William Remington; mayor, Sir William
Horne, salter.
This William Horne made knight in the field by Henry VII., gave to the
repairing of highways betwixt London and Cambridge five hundred marks,
and to the preachers at Paul’s cross, etc.
1488. The 4th, W. Isaack, Raph Tilney; mayor, Robert Tate, mercer.
1489. The 5th, William Caple, John Brocke; mayor, W. White, draper.
1490. The 6th, Henry Cote, Robert Revell, Hugh Pemberton; mayor, John
Mathew, mercer.
1491. The 7th, Thomas Wood, William Browne; mayor, Hugh Clopton, mercer.
Hugh Clopton built the great stone bridge at Stratford upon Haven in
Warwickshire.
1492. The 8th, William Purchase, William Welbecke; mayor, William
Martin, skinner.
A riot made upon the Esterlings by the mercers’ servants and other.
1493. The 9th, Robert Fabian, John Winger; mayor, Sir Raph Astrie,
fishmonger, made knight by Henry VII.
Robert Fabian, alderman, made _Fabian’s Chronicle_, a painful labour, to
the honour of the city, and the whole realm.
1494. The 10th, Nicholas Alwine, John Warner; mayor, Richard Chawry,
salter.
1495. The 11th, Thomas Knesworth, Henry Somer; mayor, Henry Colet,
mercer.
1496. The 12th, Sir John Sha, Sir Richard Haddon; mayor, Sir John Tate,
the younger, mercer.
The king made this mayor, Robert Shefield, recorder, and both the
sheriffs, knights, for their good service against the rebels at Black
Hith field.
1497. The 13th, Bartlemew Read, Thomas Windout; mayor, W. Purchase,
mercer.
All the gardens in the Morefield were destroyed, and made plain ground.
1498. Thomas Bradbury, Stephen Jeninges; mayor, Sir John Percevall, made
knight in the field by King Henry VII.
1499. The 15th, James Wilford, Thomas Brond; mayor, Nicholas Alwin,
mercer.
This Nicholas Alwin gave to three thousand poor people in London twelve
pence the piece, and to three thousand in the town of Spalding, the
like, etc.
1500. The 16th, John Hawes, William Steede; mayor, W. Remington,
fishmonger.
1501. The 17th, Lawrence Ailmer, Henry Hede; mayor, Sir John Sha,
goldsmith, made knight in the field by Henry VII.
This Sir John Sha caused his brethren the aldermen to ride from the
Guildhall unto the water’s side, where he took his barge to Westminster;
he was sworn by the king’s council: he commonly in the afternoons kept a
court alone, called before him many matters, and redressed them.
1502. The 18th, Henry Kebel, Nicholas Nines; mayor, Bartlemew Reade,
goldsmith.
1503. The 19th, Christopher Hawes, Robert Wats, Thomas Granger; mayor,
Sir William Capell, draper, made knight by Henry VII.
This Sir William caused a cage in every ward to be set for punishing of
vagabonds.
1504. The 20th, Roger Acheley, William Brown; mayor, John Winger, grocer.
1505. The 21st, Richard Shore, Roger Grove; mayor, Thomas Knesworth,
fishmonger.
This Thomas Knesworth appointed the water-conduit at Bishopsgate to be
built, etc.
1506. The 22nd, William Copenger, Thomas Johnson, William Fitzwilliams,
merchant-tailor, after of council to Henry VIII.; mayor, Sir Richard
Haddon, mercer.
1507. The 23rd, William Butler, John Kirkby; mayor, William Browne,
mercer, for part, Lawrence Ailmer, draper.
1508. The 24th, Thomas Exmew, Richard Smith; mayor, Stephen Jeninges,
merchant-tailor.
This Stephen Geninges built the greatest part of St. Andrewes church
called Undershaft. He built a free-school at Ulfrunehampton in
Staffordshire, etc.
* * * * *
Henry VIII. began his reign the 22nd of April, the year 1509.
* * * * *
1509. The 1st sheriffs, George Monoxe, John Doget; mayor, Thomas
Bradbury, mercer, for part, Sir William Caple, draper.
1510. The 2nd, John Milborne, John Rest; mayor, Henry Keble, grocer.
This Henry Keble gave one thousand pounds toward the new building of his
parish church of Aldermary.
1511. The 3rd, Nicholas Shelton, Thomas Mirfine; mayor, Roger Achiley,
draper.
This Roger Achiley provided corn for service of this city in great
plenty. He caused the same to be stowed up in the common garner called
Leaden hall.
1512. The 4th, Robert Aldarnes, Robert Fenrother; mayor, Sir William
Copinger, fishmonger, for part, Richard Haddon, mercer, for the rest.
Sir W. Copinger gave half his goods to his wife, and the other half to
the poor that had most need.
1513. The 5th, John Dawes, John Bridges, Roger Bafford; mayor, W.
Browne, mercer, and John Tate, mercer.
This John Tate new built the church of St. Anthonies hospital in London.
1514. The 6th, James Yarford, John Monday; mayor, George Monoux, draper.
1515. The 7th, Henry Warley, Richard Grey, W. Bayly; mayor, Sir William
Butler, grocer.
1516. The 8th, Thomas Seimer, John Thurstone; mayor, John Rest, grocer.
1517. The 9th, Thomas Baldrie, Raph Simondes; mayor, Sir Thomas Exmew,
goldsmith.
Sir Thomas Exmew made the water-conduit in London wall by Mooregate, etc.
1518. The 10th, John Allen, James Spencer; mayor, Thomas Mirfin, skinner.
1519. The 11th, John Wilkenson, Nicholas Partrich; mayor. Sir James
Yarford, mercer.
From this time the mayors of London, for the most part, have been
knighted by courtesy of the kings, and not otherwise.
1520. The 12th, Sir John Skevington, John Kyme; mayor, Sir John Bruge,
draper.
1521. The 13th, John Breton, Thomas Pargetor; mayor, Sir John Milborne,
draper.
This Sir John Milborne founded fourteen alms houses by the Crossed
Fryers church, etc.
1522. The 14th, John Rudstone, John Champneis; mayor, Sir John Mundy,
goldsmith.
1523. The 15th, Michael English, Nicholas Jenines; mayor, Sir T. Baldry,
mercer.
1524. The 16th, Raph Dodmer, William Roch; mayor, Sir W. Bayly, draper.
1525. The 17th, John Caunton, Christopher Askew; mayor, Sir John Allen,
mercer.
1526. The 18th, Stephen Peacocke, Nicholas Lambert; mayor, Sir Thomas
Seamer, mercer.
1527. The 19th, John Hardy, William Holles; mayor, Sir James Spencer,
vintner.
1528. The 20th, Raph Warren, John Long; mayor, Sir John Rudstone, draper.
1529. The 21st, Michael Dormer, Walter Champion; mayor, Sir Raph Dodmer,
mercer.
This year it was decreed that no man should be mayor of London more than
one year.
1530. The 22nd, William Dauntsey, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir T.
Pargitor, salter.
1531. The 23rd, Richard Gresham, Edward Altham; mayor, Sir Nicholas
Lambard, grocer.
1532. The 24th, Richard Reynoldes, Nicholas Pinchon, John Martin, John
Prist; mayor, Sir Stephen Pecocke, haberdasher.
1533. The 25th, William Forman, Sir T. Kitson; mayor, Sir Christopher
Askew, draper.
1534. The 26th, Nicholas Levison, W. Denham; mayor, Sir John Chamneis,
skinner.
1535. The 27th, Humfrey Munmoth, John Cootes; mayor, Sir John Allen,
mercer. By the king’s appointment he was of his council. A man of great
wisdom, and also of great charity.
The forenamed sheriffs, Munmouth and Cootes, put away twelve serjeants
and twelve yeomen, but were by a common council forced to take them
again.
1536. The 28th, Robert Paget, William Boyer; mayor, Sir Raph Waren,
mercer.
1537. The 29th, Sir John Gresham, Thomas Lewen; mayor, Sir Richard
Gresham, mercer.
1538. The 30th, William Welkenson, Nicholas Gibson; mayor, William
Forman, haberdasher.
1539. The 31st, John Feiry, Thomas Huntlow; mayor, Sir W. Holles, mercer.
1540. The 32nd, Sir William Laxton, Martin Bowes; mayor, Sir William
Roch, draper.
1541. The 33rd, Rowland Hill, Henry Suckley; mayor, Sir Michael Dormer,
mercer.
1542. The 34th, Henry Habberthorne, Henry Amcotes; mayor, John Cootes,
salter.
1543. The 35th, John Toleus, Richard Dobbes; mayor, Sir W. Bowyer,
draper, for part, Sir Raph Waren, mercer.
1544. The 36th, John Wilford, Andrew Jude; mayor, Sir W. Laxton, grocer.
1545. The 37th, George Barnes, Ralph Alley; mayor, Sir Martin Bowes,
goldsmith.
1546. The 38th, Richard Jarveis, Thomas Curteis; mayor, Sir Henry
Hubbathorne, merchant-tailor.
* * * * *
Edward VI. began his reign the 28th of January, in the year 1546.
* * * * *
1547. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas White, Robert Charsey; mayor, Sir John
Gresham, mercer.
1548. The 2nd, William Locke, Sir John Ailife; mayor, Sir Henry Amcotes,
fishmonger.
1549. The 3rd, Richard Turke, John Yorke; mayor, Rowland Hill, mercer.
1550. The 4th, Augustine Hind, John Lyon; mayor, Sir Andrew Jude,
skinner.
1551. The 5th, John Lamberd, John Cowper; mayor, Sir Richard Dobbes,
skinner.
1552. The 6th, William Gerard, John Maynard; mayor, Sir George Barnes,
haberdasher.
* * * * *
Queen Mary began her reign, the 6th of July, the year 1553.
* * * * *
1553. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Ofley, William Huet; mayor, Sir Thomas
White, merchant-tailor.
This Thomas White founded St. John’s college, in Oxford. He gave to the
city of Bristow two thousand pounds.
1554. The 2nd, David Woodrofe, William Chester; mayor, Sir John Lion,
grocer.
1555. The 3rd, Thomas Leigh, John Machil; mayor, Sir William Gerard,
haberdasher.
1556. The 4th, William Harper, John White; mayor, Sir Thomas Ofley,
merchant-tailor.
1557. The 5th, Richard Malorie, James Aitham; mayor, Sir Thomas Curteis,
fishmonger.
1558. The 6th, John Halse, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir Thomas Legh,
mercer.
* * * * *
Queen Elizabeth began her reign, the 17th of November, in the year of
Christ 1558.
* * * * *
1559. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Lodge, Roger Martin; mayor, Sir William
Huet, clothworker.
1560. The 2nd, Christopher Draper, Thomas Row; mayor, Sir William
Chester, draper.
This year the merchant-tailors founded their notable free-school for
poor men’s children, etc.
1561. The 3rd, Alexander Avenon, Humfrey Baskervile; mayor, Sir William
Harper, merchant-tailor.
1562. The 4th, William Alin, Richard Chamberlaine; mayor, Sir Thomas
Lodge, grocer.
1563. The 5th, Edward Bankes, Rowland Heyward; mayor, Sir John White,
grocer.
1564. The 6th, Edward Jackeman, Lionel Ducket; mayor, Sir Richard
Malorie, mercer.
1565. The 7th, John Rivers, James Hawes; mayor, Sir Richard Champion,
draper.
1566. The 8th, Richard Lambert, Ambrose Nicholas, John Langley; mayor,
Sir Christopher Draper, ironmonger.
1567. The 9th, Thomas Ramsey, William Bond; mayor, Sir Roger Martin,
mercer.
1568. The 10th, John Oleph, Robert Harding, James Bacon; mayor, Sir
Thomas Row, merchant-tailor.
1569. The 11th, Henry Becher, William Dane; mayor, Alexander Avenon,
ironmonger.
1570. The 12th, Francis Bernam, William Box; mayor, Sir Rowland Heyward,
clothworker.
1571. The 13th, Henry Miles, John Braunch; mayor, Sir William Allin,
mercer.
1572. The 14th, Richard Pipe, Nicholas Woodrofe; mayor, Sir Lionel
Ducket, mercer.
1573. The 15th, James Harvy, Thomas Pullison; mayor, Sir J. Rivers,
grocer.
1574. The 16th, Thomas Blanke, Anthony Gamage; mayor, James Hawes,
clothworker.
1575. The 17th, Edward Osborne, Wolstane Dixie; mayor, Ambrose Nicholas,
salter.
1576. The 18th, William Kimpton, George Barne; mayor, Sir John Langley,
goldsmith.
1577. The 19th, Nicholas Backhouse, Francis Bowyer; mayor, Sir Thomas
Ramsey, grocer.
1578. The 20th, George Bond, Thomas Starkie; mayor, Sir Richard Pipe,
draper.
1579. The 21st, Martin Calthrope, John Hart; mayor, Sir Nicholas
Woodrofe, haberdasher.
1580. The 22nd, Ralph Woodcock, John Alate; mayor, Sir John Branch,
draper.
1581. The 23rd, Richard Martin, William Webbe; mayor, Sir James Harvie,
ironmonger.
1582. The 24th, William Roe, John Hayden, Cuthbert Buckle; mayor, Sir
Thomas Blancke, haberdasher.
1583. The 25th, William Masham, John Spencer; mayor, Edward Osborne,
clothworker.
1584. The 26th, Stephen Slany, Henry Billingsley; mayor, Sir Thomas
Pullison, draper.
1585. The 27th, Anthony Radclife, Henry Pranell; mayor, Sir Wolstane
Dixie, skinner.
1586. The 28th, Robert House, William Elkin; mayor, Sir George Barne,
haberdasher.
1587. The 29th, Thomas Skinner, John Katcher; mayor, Sir George Bond,
haberdasher.
1588. The 30th, Hugh Ofley, Richard Saltenstall; mayor, Sir Martin
Calthorpe, draper, for part, and Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest
of that year.
1589. The 31st, Richard Gurney, Stephen Some; mayor, Sir John Hart,
grocer.
1590. The 32nd, Nicholas Mosley, Robert Broke; mayor, John Allot,
fishmonger, for part, Sir Rowland Heyward, clothworker, for the rest.
1591. The 33rd, William Rider, Benet Barnham; mayor, Sir William Webb,
salter.
1592. The 34th, John Garrard, Robert Taylor; mayor, Sir William Roe,
ironmonger.
1593. The 35th, Paule Banning, Peter Hauton; mayor, Sir Cuthbert
Buckle, vintner, for part, Sir Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest.
1594. The 36th, Robert Lee, Thomas Benet; mayor, Sir John Spencer,
clothworker.
1595. The 37th, Thomas Low, Leonard Holiday; mayor, Sir Stephen Slany,
skinner.
1596. The 38th, John Wattes, Richard Godard; mayor, Thomas Skinner,
clothworker, for part, Sir Henry Billingsley, haberdasher.
1597. The 39th, Henry Roe, John More; mayor, Sir Richard Saltenstall,
skinner.
1598. The 40th, Edward Holmeden, Robert Hampson; mayor, Sir Stephen
Some, grocer.
1599. The 41st, Humfrey Welde, grocer, Roger Clarke, salter; mayor, Sir
Nicholas Mosley, clothworker.
1600. The 42nd, Thomas Cambell, ironmonger, Thomas Smith, haberdasher,
William Craven, merchant-tailor; mayor, Sir William Rider, haberdasher.
1601. The 43rd, Henry Anderson, girdler; William Glover, dyer; mayor,
Sir John Garrard, haberdasher.
1602. The 44th, James Pemberton, goldsmith, John Swinerton,
merchant-tailor; mayor, Robert Lee, merchant-tailor.
* * * * *
Thus much for the chief and principal governors of this famous city; of
whose public government, with the assistance of inferior officers, their
charges for keeping of the peace, service of the prince, and honour of
this city, much might have been said, and I had thought to have touched
more at large; but being informed that a learned gentleman (James
Dalton, a citizen born), minded such a labour, and promised to perform
it, I have forborne and left the same to his good leisure, but he being
now lately deceased without finishing any such work (a common fault to
promise more than to perform), and I hear not of any other that taketh
it in hand, I have been divers times minded to add certain chapters
to this book, but being (by the good pleasure of God) visited with
sickness, such as my feet (which have borne me many a mile) have of late
years refused, once in four or five months, to convey me from my bed to
my study, and therefore could not do as I would.
At length, remembering I had long since gathered notes to have
chaptered, am now forced to deliver them unperfected, and desire the
readers to pardon me, that want not will to pleasure them.
FOOTNOTES:
[303] “Since called shiriffes, and judges of the King’s court, and have
therefore under-shiriffes, men learned in the law, to sit in their
courts. Domesmen, or judges of the King’s court.”--_Stow._
[304] The first edition has “mayor Hugh Fitz Thomas,” and does not make
mention of “Fitz Ottonis.”
[305] Hallontide,--or, as it was more generally designated, All
Hallontide,--is the older designation of All Saints’ day, the 1st of
November.
ALDERMEN AND SHERIFFS OF LONDON
There be in this city, according to the number of wards, twenty-six
aldermen; whereof yearly, on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel,
one of them is elected to be mayor for the year following, to begin
on the 28th of October: the other aldermen, his brethren, are to him
assistants in councils, courts, etc.
More, there is a recorder of London, a grave and learned lawyer, skilful
in the customs of this city, also assistant to the lord mayor: he taketh
place in councils and in courts before any man that hath not been mayor,
and learnedly delivereth the sentences of the whole court.
The sheriffs of London, of old time chosen out of the commonalty,
commoners, and oftentimes never came to be aldermen, as many aldermen
were never sheriffs, and yet advanced to be mayor, but of late (by
occasion) the sheriffs have been made aldermen before or presently after
their election.
Nicholas Faringdon was never sheriff, yet four times mayor of this city,
and so of other, which reproveth a bye word, such a one will be mayor,
or he be sheriff, etc.
Then is there a chamberlain of London. A common clerk, or town clerk. A
common sergeant.
OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE LORD MAYOR’S HOUSE
Sword-bearer, }
Common hunt, } esquires, four.
Common crier, }
Water bailiff. }
Coroner of London.
Sergeant carvers, three.
Sergeants of the chamber, three.
Sergeant of the channel.
Yeoman of the channel.
Yeomen of the water side, four.
Under water-bailiff.
Yeomen of the chamber, two.
Meal weighers, three.
Yeomen of the wood wharfs, two.
The sword-bearer’s man. }
Common hunt’s men, two. }
Common crier’s man. } gentlemen’s men, seven.
Water-bailiffs’ men, two. }
The carver’s man. }
Whereof nine of these have liveries of the lord mayor, viz., the
sword-bearer, and his man, the three carvers, and the four yeomen of the
water side; all the rest have their liveries from the chamber of London.
Thus far after my notes delivered by an officer of the lord mayor’s
house, but unperfected; for I remember a crowner, an under-chamberlain,
and four clerks of the mayor’s court, and others.
THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON; THEIR OFFICERS
The sheriffs of London, in the year 1471, were appointed each of them
to have sixteen sergeants, every sergeant to have his yeoman, and six
clerks; to wit, a secondary, a clerk of the papers, and four other
clerks, besides the under sheriffs’ clerks, their stewards, butlers,
porters, and other in household many.
OF THE MAYOR’S AND SHERIFFS’ LIVERIES SOMEWHAT
To follow precedent of former time, the clerks of companies were to
inquire for them of their companies that would have the mayor’s livery,
their money as a benevolence given, which must be twenty shillings at
the least put in a purse, with their names that gave it, and the wardens
to deliver it to the mayor by the first of December; for the which
every man had then sent him four yards of broad cloth, rowed or striped
athwart, with a different colour to make him a gown, and these were
called ray gowns, which was then the livery of the mayor, and also of
the sheriffs, but each differing from others in the colours.
Of older times I read, that the officers of this city wore gowns of
party colours, as the right side of one colour and the left side of
another; as, for example, I read in books of accounts in the Guildhall,
that in the 19th year of Henry VI. there was bought for an officer’s
gown two yards of cloth, coloured mustard villars (a colour now out of
use), and two yards of cloth, coloured blue, price two shillings the
yard, in all eight shillings. More, paid to John Pope, draper, for two
gown cloths, eight yards of two colours, _eux ombo deux de rouge_ (or
red), _medle bune_, and _porre_ (or purple) colour, price the yard two
shillings. These gowns were for Piers Rider and John Bukles, clerks of
the chamber.
More, I read that in the year 1516, in the 7th of Henry VIII., it
was agreed by a common council in the Guildhall that the sheriffs of
London should (as they had been accustomed) give yearly rayed gowns
to the recorder, chamberlain, common sergeant, and common clerk, the
sword-bearer, common hunt, water-bailiff, common crier, like as to their
own offices, etc.