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Transcriber's note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
A carat character is used to denote superscription. A
single character following the carat is superscripted
(example: y^e). Multiple superscripted characters are
enclosed by curly brackets (example: w^{ch}).
A letter with a macron accent (straight line over the
letter) is enclosed by square brackets and preceded by
an equal sign; for example, a "d" with a macron is
signified by [=d].
A letter with a tilde character above it is enclosed by
square brackets and preceded by a tilde; for example, an
"m" with a tilde is signified by [~m].
The OE-ligature is represented by [OE].
The letters "u" and "v" are mostly interchanged; as, e.g.,
"in haruest time" and "vnder a bridge".
Some of the spelling is very old, and often phonetic (they
wrote as they heard it spoken, dialects and all).
THE FLEET.
[Illustration]
THE FLEET
Its River, Prison, and Marriages
by
JOHN ASHTON
(Author of "Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne," "Dawn of the
Nineteenth Century," &c., &c., &c.)
Illustrated by Pictures from Original Drawings and Engravings
[Illustration]
New York
Scribner and Welford
1888
[Illustration: VIEW OF MOUTH OF THE FLEET _circa_ 1765. (_Guildhall Art
Collection._)]
_Frontispiece._
[Illustration]
PREFACE.
This book requires none, except a mere statement of its scheme. Time
has wrought such changes in this land of ours, and especially in
its vast Metropolis, "The Modern Babylon," that the old land-marks
are gradually being effaced--and in a few generations would almost
be forgotten, were it not that some one noted them, and left their
traces for future perusal. All have some little tale to tell; even
this little River Fleet, which with its Prison, and its Marriages--are
things utterly of the past, entirely swept away, and impossible to
resuscitate, except by such a record as this book.
I have endeavoured, by searching all available sources of information,
to write a trustworthy history of my subject--and, at the same time,
make it a pleasant book for the general reader. If I have succeeded
in my aim, thanks are due, and must be given, to W. H. Overall, Esq.,
F.S.A., and Charles Welch, Esq., Librarians to the Corporation of the
City of London, whose friendship, and kindness, have enabled me to
complete my pleasant task. It was at their suggestion that I came upon
a veritable _trouvaille_, in the shape of a box containing Mr. Anthony
Crosby's Collection for a History of the Fleet, which was of most
material service to me, especially in the illustrations, most of which
were by his own hand.
I must also express my gratitude to J. E. Gardner, Esq., F.S.A., for
his kindness in putting his magnificent and unrivalled Collection of
Topographical Prints at my disposal, and also to J. G. Waller, Esq.,
F.S.A., for his permission to use his map of the Fleet River (the best
of any I have seen), for the benefit of my readers.
JOHN ASHTON.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CONTENTS.
The River.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
Course of the Fleet--Derivation of its Name--The River of
Wells--The Fleet choked up--Cleansing the Fleet--The
Fleet Navigable--Wells--Ponds and Pools 1
CHAPTER II.
Water Supply of London--The Fleet to be Cleansed--Smell
of the River--Prehistoric London--Antiquarian
Discoveries--Cleansing the Fleet--Fouling the River--Rivers
rising at Hampstead--The Tye-bourne--The West-bourne--Course
of the West-bourne 13
CHAPTER III.
Course of the Fleet--The Hampstead Ponds--Rural Fleet--Gospel
Oak--Parliament Hill--Kentish Town--Brown's
Dairy--Castle Inn--St. Pancras Wells--Burials at St.
Pancras--the Brill 25
CHAPTER IV.
Battle Bridge--King's Cross--The Dust-heaps--St. Chad's
Well--St. Chad's Well-water 39
CHAPTER V.
Medicinal Waters--Spas--The White Conduit--White Conduit
House--White Conduit Gardens 53
CHAPTER VI.
Sadler's Discovery--Miles's Musick House--A Man Eats a
Live Cock, &c.--Forcer, the Proprietor--Macklin on
Sadler's Wells--Actors at Sadler's Wells--The Pindar of
Wakefield 67
CHAPTER VII.
"Black Mary's Hole"--Its Disappearance--Bagnigge Wells--Nell
Gwyn's Houses--Bagnigge House 77
CHAPTER VIII.
Bagnigge Wells--The Organist--Different Proprietors--"Punch"
on Bagnigge Wells--Decadence of the Wells 87
CHAPTER IX.
Cold Bath Fields Prison 99
CHAPTER X.
The "Cold Bath"--Cold Baths--Sir John Oldcastle--Archery--Tea
Gardens--Small Pox Hospital--The Pantheon--Lady
Huntingdon's Chapel--Lady Huntingdon 111
CHAPTER XI.
The Spencean System--Orator Hunt--Riot in the City--Riots--End
of the Riots 127
CHAPTER XII.
Fighting--Hockley-in-the-Hole--Bear Baiting--Bear Gardens--Bull
Baiting--Sword Play 137
CHAPTER XIII.
Mount Pleasant--Saffron Hill--Old House in West
Street--Fagin--Field Lane--Thieves 153
CHAPTER XIV.
Bleeding Hart Yard--Ely Place--John of Gaunt--Ely
Chapel--Turnmill Brook--The Fleet--Holborn Bridge 163
CHAPTER XV.
Lamb's Conduit--Clerkenwell--Fleet Market--Rye-House
Plot--Fleet Bridge 179
CHAPTER XVI.
Alderman Waithman--John Wilkes--Ludgate Prison--Sir
Stephen Foster 193
CHAPTER XVII.
Bridewell--Montfichet Castle--Fuller on Bridewell--Ward
on Bridewell--Howard on Bridewell--Bridewell Prison--
The City and Apprentices--Mother Cresswell--Bridewell
Court Room 205
CHAPTER XVIII.
Alsatia--Whitefriars--Deaths in the Fleet--Ben Jonson and
the Fleet 223
The Fleet Prison.
CHAPTER XIX.
History of the Fleet Prison--Female Wardens--Settlement of
Fees--Liberty of Prisoners--Filthy State of the Fleet--A
Quarrelsome Knight--Preference for the Fleet Prison--Sir
John Falstaff--Cardinal Wolsey 229
CHAPTER XX.
Prisoners--Puritans--Bibliography of Fleet Prison--A
Warden's Troubles 243
CHAPTER XXI.
The Warden of the Fleet--Purchase of Wardenship--Bad
Discipline--Boundaries of the Fleet--Preference for the
Fleet 255
CHAPTER XXII.
Complaints of the Warden--The Warden keeps Corpses--Huggins
and Bambridge--Castell--The First Prisoner
in Irons--Acquittal of Huggins and Bambridge--Bambridge
and his Prisoners--Chapel in the Fleet Bagging 265
CHAPTER XXIII.
Admission to the Fleet Prison--The _Humours_ of the Fleet 279
CHAPTER XXIV.
Garnish--The "Common Side"--Howard's Report--Regulations
of the Prison--Gordon Riots--Burning of the
Fleet Prison--Fleet Prison Rebuilt--The "Bare"--Racket
Masters--A Whistling Shop--A Mock Election
"_Dum Vivimus, Vivamus_"--Number of Prisoners--Destitution 293
CHAPTER XXV.
Escape of Prisoners--A Gang of Forgers--Abolition of
Imprisonment for Debt--Prisoners Object to move--Opposition
to Removal--"The Last Days of the Fleet"--Sale
of the Fleet Prison--Begging Grate--Richard Oastler 313
Fleet Marriages.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Illegal Marriages--Cost of Marriages--_Peculiars_--Suppression
of Irregular Marriages--A Fleet Parson's Reflections--Fleet
Parsons--An Heiress Married 327
CHAPTER XXVII.
John Gaynam--The Bishop of Hell--Edward Ashwell--John
Floud--Walter Wyatt 339
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Lilleys--Fleet Parsons--Parson Keith 351
CHAPTER XXIX.
"The Bunter's Wedding"--Fleet Parsons--Exchange of
Wives--Singular Marriage--Irregular Marriage 363
CHAPTER XXX.
A Runaway Marriage--Fortune's Married--Illegal Marriage--Fleet
Marriage Registers--Extracts from Registers--End
of Marriages 375
INDEX 386
[Illustration]
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
SHEPHERD'S WELL, HAMPSTEAD 22
THE FLEET, KENTISH TOWN 28
VIEW OF THE VALLEY OF THE FLEET AND HIGHGATE CHURCH,
FROM FORTESS TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, SEPT. 28, 1845 29
THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN 30, 31
OLD HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN NELL
GWYNNE'S 33
THE FLEET AT KENTISH TOWN--BROWNE'S DAIRY FARM, SEPT.
21, 1833 34
CASTLE, KENTISH TOWN ROAD, 1848 35
THE BRILL 37
BATTLE BRIDGE 40, 41, 42
DUST HEAP AT BATTLE BRIDGE 45
ST. CHAD'S WELL 49
THE WHITE CONDUIT 54, 62
STONE IN THE WHITE CONDUIT 57
WHITE CONDUIT GARDENS (INTERIOR) 64
" " " (EXTERIOR) 65
THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD 75
BAGNIGGE HOUSE 82
BAGNIGGE WELLS, NEAR BATTLE BRIDGE, ISLINGTON 85
A VIEW TAKEN FROM THE CENTER BRIDGE IN THE GARDENS OF
BAGNIGGE WELLS 88
WAITER FROM THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE
HUMOURS OF BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
THE BREAD AND BUTTER MANUFACTORY; OR, THE HUMOURS OF
BAGNIGGE WELLS 89
A BAGNIGGE WELLS SCENE; OR, NO RESISTING TEMPTATION 90
THE BAGNIGGE ORGANIST 91
THE ANCIENT RIVER FLEET, AT CLERKENWELL, 1825 100
SOUTH VIEW OF THE COLD BATHS 113
THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL IN COLD BATH FIELDS 118
VIEW OF NORTHAMPTON OR SPA FIELDS CHAPEL, WITH THE
COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S HOUSE ADJOINING 124
FAGIN, THE JEW 159
FIELD LANE NEGOTIATIONS; OR, A SPECIMEN OF "FINE DRAWING" 160
ELY HOUSE 1784 169
END OF HOLBORN BRIDGE, TAKEN FROM THE SOUTH, AND PART OF
HOLBORN HILL, JUNE 2, 1840 175
HOLBORN BRIDGE 177
LAMB'S CONDUIT, SNOW HILL 181
FLEET MARKET, FROM HOLBORN BRIDGE 187
BRIDEWELL BRIDGE 207
WOMEN BEATING HEMP 213
PASS ROOM, BRIDEWELL, 1808 215
THE ARREST 228
BAMBRIDGE 273
A PRISONER IN IRONS 274
THE COMMON SIDE OF THE FLEET PRISON 278
THE FLEET PRISON 296
RACKETS IN THE FLEET PRISON, 1760 303
A WHISTLING SHOP IN THE FLEET, 1821 306
AUTOGRAPH DONE AT THE PARLOUR NO. 1, PALAIS DE LA FLETE,
THIS 24 DAY JUNE 311
FARRINGDON STREET AND THE FLEET PRISON 322
GROUND PLAN OF FLEET PRISON 323
SECTION OF THE PRISON 323
EXTERIOR OF THE GRATE 324
A FLEET WEDDING 362
THE SAILOR'S FLEET WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT 364
ILLUSTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE FOUND AT PAGES 171, 172, 184,
280, 294, 304, 307, 308, 319, 335.
[Illustration]
_The Fleet:_
Its River, Prison, and Marriages.
CHAPTER I.
Only a little tributary to the Thames, the River Fleet, generally,
and ignominiously, called the Fleet _Ditch_, yet it is historically
interesting, not only on account of the different places through
which its murmuring stream meandered, almost all of which have some
story of their own to tell, but the reminiscences of its Prison stand
by themselves--pages of history, not to be blotted out, but to be
recorded as valuable in illustration of the habits, and customs, of our
forefathers.
The City of London, in its early days, was well supplied with water,
not only by the wells dug near houses, or by the public springs, some
of which still exist, as Aldgate Pump, &c., and the River Thames; but,
when its borders increased, the Walbrook was utilized, as well as
the Fleet, and, later on, the Tye-bourne, or twin brook, which fell
into the Thames at Westminster. In the course of time these rivulets
became polluted, land was valuable; they were covered over, and are
now sewers. The course of the Fleet being clearly traceable in the
depression of Farringdon Street, and the windings of the Tye-bourne in
the somewhat tortuous Marylebone Lane (so called from the Chapel of
St. Mary, which was on the banks of "le bourne," or the brook[1]). Its
further course is kept in our memory by Brook Street, Hanover Square.
The name of this little river has exercised many minds, and has been
the cause of spoiling much good paper. My own opinion, backed by many
antiquaries, is that a _Fleet_ means a brook, or tributary to a larger
river, which is so wide, and deep, at its junction with the greater
stream as to be navigable for the small craft then in use, for some
little distance. Thus, we have the names on the Thames of Purfleet,
Northfleet, and Southfleet, and the same obtains in other places.
Its derivation seems to be Saxon--at least, for our language. Thus,
in Bosworth's "Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language," we find,
"Flede-Fledu: part. _Flooded_; _overflowed_: tumidus[2]: Tiber fledu
wearð[3]--the Tiber was flooded (Ors. 4. 7)."
Again, the same author gives: "Fleot (_Plat_ fleet, m. _a small river_;
_Ger._ flethe. f. _a channel_). _A place where vessels float_, _a bay_,
_gulf_, _an arm of the sea_, _the mouth of a river_, _a river_; hence
the names of places, as _Northfleet_, _Southfleet_, _Kent_; and in
London, _Fleet ditch_; _sinus_.[4] Soes Fleot, _a bay of the sea_.[5]
_Bd._ 1. 34."
Another great Anglo-Saxon scholar--Professor Skeat, in "An Etymological
Dictionary of the English Language": "Fleet, a creek, bay. In the names
_North-fleet_, _Fleet_ Street, &c. Fleet Street was so named from the
Fleet Ditch; and _fleet_ was given to any shallow creek, or stream, or
channel of water. See Halliwell. M.E. _fleet_ (Promptorium Parvulorum,
&c., p. 166). A.S. _fleót_, a bay of the sea, as in Soes Fleot, bay
of the sea. Ælfred's tr. of Beda, i. 34.[5] Afterwards applied to any
channel or stream, especially if shallow. The original sense was 'a
place where vessels float,' and the derivation is from the old verb
_fleet_, to float, &c."
The French, too, have a cognate term, especially in Norman towns,
as Barfleur, Honfleur, Harfleur, &c., which were originally written
Barbe_flot_, Hune_flot_, and Hare_flot_: and these were sometimes
written Hareflou, Huneflou, and Barfleu, which latter comes very near
to the Latin _flevus_, called by Ptolemy _fleus_, and by Mela _fletio_.
Again, in Brittany many names end in _pleu_, or _plou_, which seems to
be very much like the Greek [Greek: pleô]: _full_, _swollen_, which
corresponds to our Anglo-Saxon Flede; Dutch Vliet.
But it has another, and a very pretty name, "THE RIVER OF WELLS,"
from the number of small tributaries that helped to swell its stream,
and from the wells which bordered its course; such as Sadler's
Wells, Bagnigge Wells, White Conduit, Coldbath, Lamb's Conduit,
Clerkenwell--all of which (although all were not known by those names
in Stow's times) were in existence.
Stow, in his "SURVEY OF LONDON" (ed. 1603, his last edition, and which
consequently has his best corrections), says--
[Sidenote: "_Riuer of Wels._]
[Sidenote: _Decay of the Riuer of the Wels._]
[Sidenote: _Parliament Record._]
[Sidenote: _Riuer of Wels bare ships._]
[Sidenote: Patent Record. _Mils by Baynards Castel, made in the first
of King John._]
[Sidenote: _Turnemill Brooke._]
That the riuer of Wels in the west parte of the Citty, was of
olde so called of the Wels, it may be proued thus, William the
Conqueror in his Charter to the Colledge of S. Marten le Grand
in London, hath these wordes: I doe giue and graunt to the same
Church all the land and the Moore, without the Posterne, which
is called Cripplegate, on eyther part of the Postern, that is
to say, from the North corner of the Wall, as the riuer of the
Wels, there neare running, departeth the same More from the
Wall, vnto the running water which entereth the Cittie; this
water hath beene long since called the riuer of the Wels, which
name of riuer continued, and it was so called in the raigne of
Edward the first; as shall bee shewed, with also the decay of
the saide riuer. In a fayre Booke of Parliament recordes, now
lately restored to the Tower,[6] it appeareth that a Parliament
being holden at Carlile in the yeare 1307, the 35 of Edward the
I. Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne, complayned that whereas, in
times past the course of water, running at _London_ vnder _Olde
bourne_ bridge, and _Fleete_ bridge into the Thames, had beene
of such bredth and depth, that 10 or 12 ships, Nauies at once
with marchãdises, were wõt to come to the foresaid bridge of
Fleete, and some of them to Oldborne bridge: now the same course
by filth of the Tanners & such others, was sore decaied; also by
raising of wharfes, but specially by a diversiõ of the waters
made by them of the new _Temple_, for their milles standing
without _Baynardes Castle_, in the first yeare of King _John_,
and diuers other impediments, so as the said ships could not
enter as they were wont, & as they ought, wherefore he desired
that the Maior of London, with the shiriffs, and other discrete
Aldermen, might be appointed to view the course of the saide
water, and that by the othes of good men, all the aforesaide
hinderances might be remoued, and it to bee made as it was
wont of old: wherupon _Roger le Brabazon_, the Constable of
the Tower, with the Maior and Shiriffes, were assigned to take
with them honest and discrete men, and to make diligent search
and enquirie, how the said riuer was in old time, and that they
leaue nothing that may hurt or stop it, but keepe it in the same
estate that it was wont to be. So far the record. Wherupon it
folowed that the said riuer was at that time cleansed, these
mils remoued, and other things done for the preseruation of
the course thereof, not withstanding neuer brought to the olde
depth and breadth, whereupon the name of riuer ceased, and was
since called a Brooke, namely Turnmill or Tremill Brooke, for
that diuers Mils were erected vpon it, as appeareth by a fayre
Register booke, conteyning the foundation of the Priorie at
Clarkenwell, and donation of the landes thereunto belonging, as
also by diuers other records.
"This brooke hath beene diuers times since clensed, namely, and
last of all to any effect, in the yeare 1502 the 17th of Henrie
the 7. the whole course of Fleete dike, then so called, was
scowred (I say) downe to the Thames, so that boats with fish
and fewel were rowed to Fleete bridge, and to Oldburne bridge,
as they of olde time had beene accustomed, which was a great
commoditie to all the inhabitants in that part of the Citie.
[Sidenote:_Fleete dyke promised to be clensed; the money
collected, and the Citizens deceiued._]
"In the yeare 1589, was granted a fifteene, by a common Councell
of the citie, for the cleansing of this Brooke or dike: the
money amounting to a thousand marks collected, and it was
undertaken, that, by drawing diuerse springes about Hampsted
heath, into one head and Course, both the citie should be serued
of fresh water in all places of want, and also that by such a
follower, as men call it, the channell of this brooke should be
scowred into the riuer of Thames; but much mony being therein
spent, y^e effect fayled, so that the Brooke by meanes of
continuall incrochments vpon the banks getting ouer the water,
and casting of soylage into the streame, is now become woorse
cloyed and that euer it was before."
From this account of Stow's we find that the stream of the Fleet,
although at one time navigable, had ceased to be so in his time, but
we see, by the frontispiece, which is taken from a painting (in the
Guildhall Art Gallery) by Samuel Scot, 1770 (?) that the mouth of the
Fleet river, or ditch, call it which you like, was still, not only
navigable, but a place of great resort for light craft.
The name "River of Wells" is easily to be understood, if we draw again
upon Stow, who, in treating of "Auncient and present Riuers, Brookes,
Boorns, Pooles, Wels, and Conduits of fresh water seruing the Citie,"
&c., says--
"Aunciently, vntill the Conquerors time, and 200 yeres after,
the Citie of London was watered besides the famous Riuer of
Thames on the South part; with the riuer of the WELS, as it was
then called, on the west; with water called WALBROOKE running
through the midst of the citie into the riuer of Thames, seruing
the heart thereof. And with a fourth water or Boorne, which ran
within the Citie through LANGBOORNE ward, watering that part
in the East. In the west suburbs was also another great water,
called OLDBORNE, which had his fall into the riuer of Wels:
then was there 3 principall Fountaines or wels in the other
Suburbs, to wit, Holy Well, Clements Well, and Clarkes Well.
Neare vnto this last named fountaine were diuers other wels,
to wit, Skinners Wel, Fags Wel, Loders Wel, and Rad Well; All
which sayde Wels, hauing the fall of their ouerflowing in the
foresayde Riuer, much encreased the streame, and in that place
gaue it the name of Wel. In west Smithfield, there was a Poole
in Recordes called HORSEPOOLE, and one other Poole neare vnto
the parish Church of Saint GILES without CRIPPLEGATE. Besides
all which they had in euerie streete and Lane of the citie
diuerse fayre Welles and fresh Springs; and, after this manner
was this citie then serued with sweete and fresh waters, which
being since decaid, other means haue beene sought to supplie the
want."
Here, then, we have a list of Wells, which are, together with those I
have already mentioned, quite sufficient to account for the prettier
name of the "River of Wells." Of these wells Stow writes in his
deliciously-quaint phraseology:--
[Sidenote: "_Fitzstephen. Holy well._]
There are (saith _Fitzstephen_) neare London, on the North side
special wels in the Suburbs, sweete, wholesome, and cleare,
amongst which _Holy well_, Clarkes wel, and Clements wel are
most famous, and frequented by Scholers, and youthes of the
Cittie in sommer evenings, when they walke forthe to take the
aire.
"The first, to wit, Holy well, is much decayed, and marred with
filthinesse laide there, for the heightening of the ground for
garden plots.
[Sidenote: _Clements well._]
"The fountaine called S. Clements well, North from the Parish
Church of S. Clements, and neare vnto an Inne of _Chancerie_,
called _Clements_ Inne, is faire curbed square with hard stone,
kept cleane for common vse, and is alwayes full.
[Sidenote: _Clarks well._]
[Sidenote: _Playes by the Parish Clarks at Clarks well._]
[Sidenote: _Players at the Skinners well._]
"The third is called Clarkes well, or Clarkenwell,[7] and is
curbed about square with hard stone, not farre from the west
ende of Clarkenwell Church, but close without the wall that
incloseth it; the sayd Church tooke the name of the Well, and
the Well tooke the name of the Parish Clarkes in London, who
of old time were accustomed there yearely to assemble, and to
play some large hystorie of holy Scripture. And, for example,
of later time, to wit, in the yeare 1390, the 14 of Richard the
Second, I read the Parish Clarks of London, on the 18 of July,
playd Enterludes at _Skinners well_, neare vnto _Clarkes well_,
which play continued three dayes togither, the King, Queene, and
Nobles being present. Also the yeare 1409, the 10 of Henrie the
4. they played a play at the _Skinners well_, which lasted eight
dayes, and was of matter from the creation of the worlde. There
were to see the same, the most part of the Nobles and Gentiles
in England, &c.
[Sidenote: _Skinners well._]
[Sidenote: _Wrestling-place._]
"Other smaller welles were many neare vnto Clarkes well, namely
_Skinners well_, so called for that the Skinners of London held
there certaine playes yearely playd of holy Scripture, &c. In
place whereof the wrestlings haue of later yeares beene kept,
and is in part continued at _Bartholomew tide_.
[Sidenote: _Fagges well._]
"Then was there Fagges well, neare vnto _Smithfield_ by the
_Charterhouse_, now lately dammed vp, _Tod well_, _Loders well_,
and _Rad well_, all decayed, and so filled vp, that there places
are hardly now discerned.
"Somewhat North from _Holy well_ is one other well curbed
square with stone, and is called _Dame Annis the Cleare_, and
not farre from it, but somewhat west, is also one other cleare
water called _Perillous pond_[8], because diuerse youthes by
swimming therein haue beene drowned; and thus much bee said for
Fountaines and Wels.
"_Horse poole_ in _Westsmithfield_, was sometime a great
water, and because the inhabitants in that part of the Citie
did there water their Horses, the same was, in olde Recordes,
called _Horspoole_, it is now much decayed, the springs being
stopped vp, and the land waters falling into the small bottome,
remayning inclosed, with Bricke, is called _Smithfield pond_.
[Sidenote: _Poole without Cripplegate._]
"By S. Giles Churchyard was a large water, called a _Poole_. I
read in the year 1244 that Anne of Lodburie was drowned therein;
this poole is now for the most part stopped vp, but the spring
is preserued, and was cooped about with stone by the Executors
of _Richard Wittington_."
[Footnote 1: The name of this church has been Latinized as
"Sancta Maria de Ossibus"!]
[Footnote 2: Swollen.]
[Footnote 3: The real quotation in Orosius is "þa wearð Tiber
seo eâ swa fledu."]
[Footnote 4: A bag, or purse, a fold of a garment; a bay,
bight, or gulf.]
[Footnote 5: I cannot find this quotation in "Boedoe Historia
Ecclesiastica," &c., in any edition I have seen, but in 1.33.
I do find Amfleet, and in John Smith's edition (Cambridge,
1722) as a note to Amj-leor he says "Vulgo Ambleteau or
Ambleteuse, about 2 miles north of Boulogne"]
[Footnote 6: The Records were kept in the Tower, and at the
Rolls Office, in a very neglected state, until they were
removed to the present Record Office in Fetter Lane.]
[Footnote 7: This is the only one left whose position is a
matter of certainty.]
[Footnote 8: Afterwards known as "Peerless Pool," an unmeaning
cognomen.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]