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diff --git a/19800.txt b/19800.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..78fa765 --- /dev/null +++ b/19800.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21863 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of London and the Kingdom - Volume I by +Reginald R. Sharpe + + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no +restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under +the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or +online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license + + + +Title: London and the Kingdom - Volume I + +Author: Reginald R. Sharpe + +Release Date: November 13, 2006 [Ebook #19800] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONDON AND THE KINGDOM - VOLUME I*** + + + + + + [Illustration: CHARTER OF WILLIAM I TO THE CITIZENS OF LONDON.] + + CHARTER OF WILLIAM I TO THE CITIZENS OF LONDON. + + + [Illustration: CHARTER OF WILLIAM I GRANTING LANDS TO DEORMAN.] + + CHARTER OF WILLIAM I GRANTING LANDS TO DEORMAN. + + + + + +London and the Kingdom + +A HISTORY--DERIVED MAINLY FROM THE ARCHIVES AT GUILDHALL IN THE CUSTODY OF +THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF LONDON. + +By REGINALD R. SHARPE, D.C.L., +RECORDS CLERK IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK OF THE CITY OF LONDON; +EDITOR OF "CALENDAR OF WILLS ENROLLED IN THE COURT OF HUSTING," ETC. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. I. + +_PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CORPORATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LIBRARY +COMMITTEE._ + +London +LONGMANS, GREEN & Co. +AND NEW YORK: 15 EAST 16TH STREET. + +1894 + + + + + +LONDON: +PRINTED BY BLADES, EAST & BLADES, +23, ABCHURCH LANE, E.C. + + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Of the numerous works that have been written on London, by which I mean +more especially the City of London, few have been devoted to an adequate, +if indeed any, consideration of its political importance in the history of +the Kingdom. The history of the City is so many-sided that writers have to +be content with the study of some particular phase or some special epoch. +Thus we have those who have concentrated their efforts to evolving out of +the remote past the municipal organization of the City. Their task has +been to unfold the origin and institution of the Mayoralty and Shrievalty +of London, the division of the City into wards with Aldermen at their +head, the development of the various trade and craft guilds, and the +respective powers and duties of the Courts of Aldermen and Common Council, +and of the Livery of London assembled in their Common Hall. Others have +devoted themselves to the study of the ecclesiastical and monastic side of +the City's history--its Cathedral, its religious houses, and hundred and +more parish churches, which occupied so large an extent of the City's +area. The ecclesiastical importance of the City, however, is too often +ignored. "We are prone," writes Bishop Stubbs, "in examining into the +municipal and mercantile history of London, to forget that it was a very +great ecclesiastical centre." Others, again, have confined themselves to +depicting the every-day life of the City burgess, his social condition, +his commercial pursuits, his amusements; whilst others have been content +to perpetuate the memory of streets and houses long since lost to the eye, +and thus to keep alive an interest in scenes and places which otherwise +would be forgotten. + +The political aspect of the City's history has rarely been touched by +writers, and yet its geographical position combined with the innate +courage and enterprise of its citizens served to give it no small +political power and no insignificant place in the history of the Kingdom. +This being the case, the Corporation resolved to fill the void, and in +view of the year 1889 being the 700th Anniversary of the Mayoralty of +London--according to popular tradition--instructed the Library Committee to +prepare a work showing "the pre-eminent position occupied by the City of +London and the important function it exercised in the shaping and making +of England." + +It is in accordance with these instructions that this and succeeding +volumes have been compiled. As the title of the work has been taken from a +chapter in Mr. Loftie's book on London ("Historic Towns" series, chap. +ix), so its main features are delineated in that chapter. "It would be +interesting"--writes Mr. Loftie--"to go over all the recorded instances in +which the City of London interfered directly in the affairs of the +Kingdom. Such a survey would be the history of England as seen from the +windows of the Guildhall." No words could better describe the character of +the work now submitted to the public. It has been compiled mainly from the +City's own archives. The City has been allowed to tell its own story. If, +therefore, its pages should appear to be too much taken up with accounts +of loans advanced by the City to impecunious monarchs or with wearisome +repetition of calls for troops to be raised in the City for foreign +service, it is because the City's records of the day are chiefly if not +wholly concerned with these matters. If, on the other hand, an event which +may be rightly deemed of national importance be here omitted, it is +because the citizens were little affected thereby, and the City's records +are almost, if not altogether, silent on the subject. + +The work does not affect to be a critical history so much as a _chronique +pour servir_, to which the historical student may have recourse in order +to learn what was the attitude taken up by the citizens of London at +important crises in the nation's history. He will there see how, in the +contest between Stephen and the Empress Matilda, the City of London held +as it were the balance; how it helped to overthrow the tyranny of +Longchamp, and to wrest from the reluctant John the Great Charter of our +liberties; how it was with men and money supplied by the City that Edward +III and Henry V were enabled to conquer France, and how in after years the +London trained bands raised the siege of Gloucester and turned the tide of +the Civil War in favour of Parliament. He will not fail to note the +significant fact that before Monk put into execution his plan for +restoring Charles II to the Crown, the taciturn general--little given to +opening his mind to anyone--deemed it advisable to take up his abode in the +City in order to first test the feelings of the inhabitants as to whether +the Restoration would be acceptable to them or not. He will see that the +citizens of London have at times been bold of speech even in the presence +of their sovereign when the cause of justice and the liberty of the +subject were at stake, and that they did not hesitate to suffer for their +opinions; that, "at many of the most critical periods of our history, the +influence of London and its Lord Mayors has turned the scale in favour of +those liberties of which we are so justly proud"; and that had the +entreaties of the City been listened to by the King and his ministers, the +American Colonies would never have been lost to England. + +There are two Appendices to the work; one comprising copies from the +City's Records of letters, early proclamations and documents of special +interest to which reference is made in the text; the other consisting of a +more complete list of the City's representatives in Parliament from the +earliest times than has yet been printed, supplemented as it has been by +returns to writs recorded in the City's archives and (apparently) no where +else. The returns for the City in the Blue Books published in 1878 and +1879 are very imperfect. + + R. R. S. + +THE GUILDHALL, LONDON, +_April, 1894._ + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +PREFACE. +CHAPTER I. + THE PORT OF LONDON. + THE CITY NOT IN DEMESNE. + THE ROMAN OCCUPATION. + THE SAXONS IN ENGLAND. + THE BISHOP OF LONDON. + THE DANES IN LONDON. + ALFRED "RESTORES" LONDON. + THE FRITH-GILD OF THE CITY. + THE FIRST PAYMENT OF DANEGELT. + LONDON SUBMITS TO SWEYN. + CNUT EXPELLED BY ETHELRED. + THE LAWS OF ETHELRED. + THE "LITHSMEN" OF LONDON. + LONDON THE CAPITAL. + EARL GODWINE AND THE CITIZENS. +CHAPTER II. + THE NORMAN CONQUEROR. + LONDON SUBMITS TO WILLIAM. + WILLIAM'S CHARTER TO THE CITY. + THE "DOOMSDAY" BOOK. + THE ELECTION OF HENRY I. + HENRY'S CHARTER TO THE CITY. + THE SHERIFF-WICK OF MIDDLESEX. + LONDON'S ELECTION OF STEPHEN. + THE EMPRESS MATILDA. + LONDON AND THE SYNOD AT WINCHESTER. + THE EMPRESS MATILDA IN LONDON. + LONDON HOLDS THE BALANCE. +CHAPTER III. + FITZ-STEPHEN'S DESCRIPTION OF LONDON + CHARTER OF HENRY II TO THE CITY. + THE REVOLT OF THE BARONS + RICHARD I AND HIS CHANCELLOR. + THE CITY AND ITS "COMMUNE." + SUBSTITUTION OF MAYOR FOR PORT-REEVE. + CHRONICLE OF ARNALD FITZ-THEDMAR. + THE CITY'S CLAIM AT CORONATION BANQUETS. + INSURRECTION UNDER LONGBEARD. + THE GOLDEN BULL. + FITZ-WALTER THE CITY'S CASTELLAIN. + LONDON AND THE GREAT CHARTER. + DEATH OF KING JOHN. +CHAPTER IV. + THE TREATY OF LAMBETH. + TUMULT RAISED BY CONSTANTINE. + THE KINGDOM OVER-RUN BY FOREIGNERS. + TAKEN INTO THE KING'S HAND. + LONDON SUPPORTS THE BARONS. + THE CITY AT THE MERCY OF THE KING. + ORGANIZATION OF CRAFT GUILDS. + THE MISE OF AMIENS. + SIMON DE MONTFORT'S PARLIAMENT. + THE BATTLE OF EVESHAM AND ITS RESULTS. + THE FATE OF FITZ-THOMAS, MAYOR. + THE MAYORALTY RESTORED. + WALTER HERVY RE-ELECTED MAYOR. +CHAPTER V. + FITZ-THEDMAR'S PREJUDICE AGAINST HERVY. + CHARGES AGAINST WALTER HERVY. + THE RESULTS OF HERVY'S POLICY. + INTERRUPTION OF TRADE WITH FLANDERS. + FLEMINGS EXPELLED FROM ENGLAND. + ARRIVAL OF EDWARD I IN ENGLAND. + THE MURDER OF LAURENCE DUKET. + THE ITER AT THE TOWER. + THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS. + DEATH OF QUEEN ELEANOR. + THE KING IN DIFFICULTIES. + RISING OF THE SCOTS UNDER WALLACE. + DEATH OF EDWARD I. +CHAPTER VI. + THE ORDAINERS AND THEIR WORK. + RICHER DE REFHAM, MAYOR. + THE FALL OF GAVESTON. + THE CITIZENS RESIST A TALLIAGE. + DISSENSION IN THE CITY. + PROCEEDINGS AT THE ITER OF 1321. + CLAIMS PUT FORWARD BY THE CITY. + CONTINUATION OF THE ITER. + HAMO DE CHIGWELL, MAYOR. + MILITARY SERVICE OF LONDONERS. + ESCAPE OF MORTIMER FROM THE TOWER. + THE CITY LOST TO EDWARD II. + MURDER OF BISHOP STAPLETON. + DEATH OF THE KING. +CHAPTER VII. + THE CITY MARKET MONOPOLY. + THE CORONATION STONE. + JOHN DE GRANTHAM ELECTED MAYOR. + THE KING AND THE EARL OF LANCASTER. + TRIAL OF HAMO DE CHIGWELL. + LONDON MERCHANTS AND THE STAPLES. + A NEW TAX ON WOOL. + RICHARD DE BETOYNE, MAYOR OF THE STAPLE. + BETOYNE'S CONDUCT AT YORK APPROVED. + EXPIRATION OF TREATY OF NORTHAMPTON. + THE KING'S MONOPOLY OF WOOL. + THE CITY PREPARES TO DEFEND ITSELF. + THE BATTLE OF SLUYS. +CHAPTER VIII. + THE KING'S UNEXPECTED RETURN, 30 NOV., 1340. + THE CITY'S RIGHT TO VARY CUSTOMS. + EDWARD AGAIN SETS SAIL FOR FRANCE. + SURRENDER OF CALAIS. + THE BLACK DEATH. + THE BATTLE OF POITIERS. + THE PEACE OF BRETIGNY. + RENEWAL OF THE WAR WITH FRANCE. + ASSESSMENT ON CITY PARISHES. + PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOOD PARLIAMENT. + THE COMMON COUNCIL CHOSEN FROM THE GUILDS. + THE CITY AND THE DUKE OF LANCASTER. + THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN REMOVED. +CHAPTER IX. + RICHARD THE "LONDONERS' KING." + JOHN PHILIPOT. + A CITY LOAN OF L5,000. + THE POLL-TAX AND PEASANTS' REVOLT. + REFORMS UNDER JOHN DE NORTHAMPTON. + NICHOLAS EXTON, ALDERMAN, DEPOSED. + PROCEEDINGS AGAINST JOHN DE NORTHAMPTON. + NORTHAMPTON CONFINED IN TINTAGEL CASTLE. + THE BOOK CALLED "JUBILEE." + EFFORTS TO OBTAIN NORTHAMPTON'S RELEASE. + DISAFFECTION TOWARDS THE KING. + THE LORDS APPELLANT IN THE CITY. + RE-APPEARANCE OF NORTHAMPTON. + THE CITY REFUSES A LOAN TO RICHARD. + FARRINGDON WARD--WITHIN AND WITHOUT. +CHAPTER X. + DOUBTFUL REPORTS AS TO THE LATE KING'S DEATH. + THE STATUTE OF HERESY. + RICHARD WHITTINGTON, MAYOR. + THE MAYOR'S PRECEDENCE IN THE CITY. + BATTLE OF AGINCOURT. + MORE CITY LOANS. + HENRY'S CONQUEST OF NORMANDY. + THE TREATY OF TROVES. + DEATH OF KING HENRY V. +CHAPTER XI. + RIVAL CLAIMS OF BEDFORD AND GLOUCESTER. + RELIEF OF ORLEANS. + CORONATION OF HENRY VI. + THE KING'S RETURN FROM FRANCE. + CALAIS APPEALS TO LONDON. + THE PENANCE OF ELEANOR COBHAM. + CAPTURE AND DEATH OF CADE. + RIVALRY BETWEEN YORK ANS SOMERSET. + THE DUKE OF YORK NOMINATED PROTECTOR. + A GENERAL RECONCILIATION AT ST. PAUL'S. + COMMISSIONS OF ARRAY. + THE CITY AND THE YORKISTS. + THE DUKE OF YORK CLAIMS THE CROWN. + LONDON FORSAKEN BY HENRY. +CHAPTER XII. + CHARTERS OF EDWARD IV TO THE CITY. + RENEWAL OF THE CIVIL WAR. + HENRY VI RESTORED TO THE CROWN. + THE "BASTARD" FAUCONBERG. + RESTORATION OF EDWARD IV. + ACCESSION OF EDWARD V. + THE CITY AND THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. + CORONATION OF RICHARD III. + BOLD SPEECH OF THE CITIZENS. + VISIT OF HENRY VII TO THE CITY. + THE PERKIN WARBECK CONSPIRACY. + DEFEAT AND CAPTURE OF WARBECK. + THE MARRIAGE OF PRINCE ARTHUR. + THE CITY'S CONTROL OVER THE COMPANIES. + MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS MARY. + LAST DAYS OF HENRY VII. +CHAPTER XIII. + PROCEEDINGS AGAINST EMPSON AND DUDLEY. + CORONATION OF HENRY VIII. + SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY THE CITY. + EDUCATION IN THE CITY. + DEAN COLLET AND ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL. + PROVINCIAL SCHOOLS FOUNDED BY CITIZENS. + THE CITY BEFORE THE STAR CHAMBER. + EVIL--MAY-DAY. + THE CITY OBTAINS THE KING'S PARDON. + AN EPIDEMIC IN THE CITY. + RECEPTION OF CARDINAL CAMPEGGIO. + THE EMPEROR CHARLES VISITS THE CITY. + TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF BUCKINGHAM. + LIVERY COMPANIES TO SURRENDER THEIR PLATE. + PARLIAMENT THREATENED BY WOLSEY. + LONDON AND THE KINGDOM. + DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUE. + THE AMICABLE LOAN. + A TRUCE WITH FRANCE. + PAUL WYTHYPOL, MERCHANT-TAILOR. + THE FALL OF WOLSEY. +CHAPTER XIV. + THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE CLERGY. + TITHES PAYABLE IN THE CITY. + THE CITY AND THE GREAT BEAM. + ANNE BOLEYN AND THE CITY. + THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE CHARTERHOUSE. + EXECUTION OF FISHER AND MORE. + THE PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE. + JANE SEYMOUR--ANNE OF CLEVES. + THE DISSOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS HOUSES. + RELIGIOUS HOUSES FOSTERED BY THE CITY. + INSTITUTION OF PARISH REGISTERS. + THE CITY AND THE DISSOLVED HOUSES. + PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES. + RENEWAL OF WAR WITH FRANCE. + A BENEVOLENCE RAISED IN THE CITY. + MORE LEVIES TO BE RAISED IN THE CITY. + ENFORCEMENT OF UNIFORMITY. + THE CITY AS GOVERNORS OF ROYAL HOSPITALS. + FUNERAL OF HENRY THE EIGHTH. +CHAPTER XV. + THE CORONATION OF EDWARD VI. + THE REFORMATION. + SUPERSTITIOUS USES. + SPOLIATION OF THE CHURCHES. + THE TUNING OF THE PULPITS. + CRANMER AT ST. PAUL'S. + KETS REBELLION. + THE CITY OPPOSED TO THE PROTECTOR. + THE PROTECTOR LODGED IN THE TOWER. + THE KING ENTERTAINED BY SHERIFF YORK. + THE BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK. + THE WARD OF BRIDGE WITHOUT. + UNPOPULARITY OF WARWICK. + THE FALL OF SOMERSET. + THE CITY AND THE ROYAL HOSPITALS. + ALDERMAN DOBBS AND CHRIST'S HOSPITAL. +CHAPTER XVI. + NORTHUMBERLAND'S CONSPIRACY, 1553. + MARY PROCLAIMED QUEEN IN THE CITY. + THE MASS RESTORED. + CORONATION OF QUEEN MARY. + WYATT'S REBELLION. + QUEEN MARY AT THE GUILDHALL. + SUPPRESSION OF THE REBELLION. + MEN AND MONEY DEMANDED OF THE CITY. + THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE. + RECONCILIATION WITH THE POPE. + THE MARIAN PERSECUTION. + FOREIGNERS IN THE CITY. + DECLARATION OF WAR WITH FRANCE. + SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY THE CITY. + THE LOSS OF CALAIS. + DEATH OF MARY. +CHAPTER XVII. + CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. + RESTORATION OF THE PRAYER BOOK. + THE WAR WITH FRANCE. + THE LOSS OF HAVRE OR NEWHAVEN. + THE RESTORATION OF ST. PAUL'S. + THE INCEPTION OF THE ROYAL EXCHANGE. + SIR THOMAS GRESHAM. + THE ROYAL EXCHANGE COMPLETED. + INSURANCE BUSINESS AT ROYAL EXCHANGE. + GRESHAM COLLEGE. + THE CITY FLOODED WIH POLITICAL REFUGEES. + THE FIRST PUBLIC LOTTERY. + SEIZURE OF SPANISH VESSELS. + THE DUKE OF ALVA'S ENVOY IN THE CITY. + MEASURES OF RETALIATION AGAINST SPAIN. + THE RISING IN THE NORTH. + THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO. + FURTHER CALLS FOR MONEY AND MEN. + COUNT CASIMIR ENTERTAINED BY GRESHAM. +CHAPTER XVIII. + PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. + JESUITS IN THE CITY. + SPECIAL PREACHERS FOR THE CITY. + PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. + THE FALL OF ANTWERP. + THE BABINGTON CONSPIRACY. + PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE ARMADA. + THE ADVENT OF THE ARMADA. + RICHARD TOMSON AND HIS EXPLOIT. + THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. PAUL'S. + THE CAMP AT TILBURY. + THE CITY AND DISBANDED SOLDIERS. + THE CITY AND THE EARL OF ESSEX. + PRIVATEERING AGAINST SPAIN. + ALDERMAN SIR JOHN SPENCER. + THE CAPTURE OF CADIZ. + THE CITY REFUSES FURTHER SUPPLIES. + THE TYRONE REBELLION. + INSURRECTION OF EARL OF ESSEX. + MOUNTJOY IN IRELAND. + THE LAST DAYS OF ELIZABETH. + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + + +(M1) + +The wealth and importance of the City of London are due to a variety of +causes, of which its geographical position must certainly be esteemed not +the least. The value of such a noble river as the Thames was scarcely +over-estimated by the citizens when, as the story goes, they expressed to +King James their comparative indifference to his threatened removal of +himself, his court and parliament, from London, if only their river +remained to them. The mouth of the Thames is the most convenient port on +the westernmost boundary of the European seaboard, and ships would often +run in to replenish their tanks with the sweet water for which it was once +famous.(1) + +After the fall of the Western Empire (A.D. 476), commercial enterprise +sprang up among the free towns of Italy. The carrying trade of the world's +merchandise became centred for a time in Venice, and that town led the way +in spreading the principles of commerce along the shores of the +Mediterranean, being closely followed by Genoa, Florence, and Pisa. The +tide, which then set westward, and continued its course beyond the Pillars +of Hercules, was met in later years by another stream of commerce from the +shores of the Baltic.(2) Small wonder, then, if the City of London was +quick to profit by the continuous stream of traffic passing and repassing +its very door, and vindicated its title to be called--as the Venerable Bede +had in very early days called it the Emporium of the World.(3) + +But if London's prosperity were solely due to its geographical position, +we should look for the same unrivalled pre-eminence in commerce in towns +like Liverpool or Bristol, which possess similar local advantages; whilst, +if royal favour or court gaieties could make cities great, we should have +surely expected Winchester, Warwick, York, or Stafford to have outstripped +London in political and commercial greatness, for these were the +residences of the rulers of Mercia, Northumbria, and Wessex, and the +scenes of witena-gemots long before London could boast of similar favours. +Yet none of these equals London in extent, population, wealth, or +political importance. + +(M2) + +We must therefore look for other causes of London's pre-eminence, and +among these, we may reckon the fact that the City has never been subject +to any over-lord except the king. It never formed a portion of the king's +demesne (_dominium_), but has ever been held by its burgesses as tenants +_in capite_ by burgage (free socage) tenure. Other towns like Bristol, +Plymouth, Beverley, or Durham, were subject to over-lords, ecclesiastical +or lay, in the person of archbishop, bishop, abbot, baron or peer of the +realm, who kept in their own hands many of the privileges which in the +more favoured City of London were enjoyed by the municipal authorities. + +In the early part of the twelfth century, the town of Leicester, for +instance, was divided into four parts, one of which was in the king's +demesne, whilst the rest were held by three distinct over-lords. In course +of time, the whole of the shares fell into the hands of Count Robert of +Meulan, who left the town in demesne to the Earls of Leicester and his +descendants; and to this day the borough bears on its shield the arms of +the Bellomonts.(4) The town of Birmingham is said, in like manner, to bear +the arms of the barons of that name; the town of Cardiff, those of the De +Clares; and Manchester, those of the Byrons. Instances might be +multiplied. But the arms of the City of London and of free boroughs, like +Winchester, Oxford, and Exeter, are referable to no over-lord, although +the borough of Southwark still bears traces in its heraldic shield of its +former ecclesiastical connection. + +(M3) + +The influence of an over-lord for good or evil, over those subject to his +authority, was immense. Take for instance, Sheffield, which was subject, +in the reign of Elizabeth, to the Earl of Shrewsbury. The cutlery trade, +even in those days, was the main-stay of the town, and yet the earl could +make and unmake the rules and ordinances which governed the Cutlers' +Company, and could claim one half of the fines imposed on its members.(5) + +When, during the reign of Charles II, nearly every municipal borough in +the kingdom was forced to surrender its charter to the king, the citizens +of Durham surrendered theirs to the Bishop, who, to the intense horror of +a contemporary writer, reserved to himself and his successors in the See +the power of approving and confirming the mayor, aldermen, recorder, and +common council of that city.(6) + +(M4) + +The commercial greatness of London can be traced back to the time of the +Roman occupation of Britain. From being little more than a stockaded fort, +situate at a point on the river's bank which admitted of an easy passage +by ferry across to Southwark, London prospered under the protection +afforded to its traders by the presence of the Roman legions, but it never +in those days became the capital of the province. Although a flourishing +centre of commerce in the middle of the first century of the Christian +era, it was not deemed of sufficient importance by Suetonius, the Roman +general, to run the risk of defending against Boadicea,(7) and although +thought worthy of the title of Augusta--a name bestowed only on towns of +exceptional standing--the Romans did not hesitate to leave both town and +province to their fate as soon as danger threatened them nearer home. + +(M5) + +For military no less than for commercial purposes--and the Roman occupation +of Britain was mainly a military one--good roads were essential, and these +the Romans excelled in making. It is remarkable that in the Itinerary of +Antoninus Pius, London figures either as the starting point or as the +terminus to nearly one-half of the routes described in the portion +relating to Britain.(8) The name of one and only one of these Roman +highways survives in the city at the present day, and then only in its +Teutonic and not Roman form--the Watling or "Wathelinga" Street, the street +which led from Kent through the city of London to Chester and York, and +thence by two branches to Carlisle and the neighbourhood of Newcastle. The +Ermin Street, another Roman road with a Teutonic name, led from London to +Lincoln, with branches to Doncaster and York, but its name no longer +survives in the city. + +(M6) + +The same reasons that led the Romans to establish good roads throughout +the country led them also to erect a bridge across the river from London +to Southwark, and in later years to enclose the city with a wall. To the +building of the bridge, which probably took place in the early years of +the Roman occupation, London owed much of its youthful prosperity; +whenever any accident happened to the bridge the damage was always +promptly repaired. Not so with the walls of the city. They were allowed to +fall into decay until the prudence and military genius of the great Alfred +caused them to be repaired as a bulwark against the onslaughts of the +Danes. + +(M7) + +"Britain had been occupied by the Romans, but had not become Roman,"(9) +and the scanty and superficial civilization which the Britons had received +from the Roman occupation was obliterated by the calamities which followed +the northern invasions of the fifth and following centuries. A Christian +city, as Augusta had probably been, not a vestige of a Christian church of +the Roman period has come down to us.(10) It quickly lapsed into paganism. +Its very name disappears, and with it the names of its streets, its +traditions and its customs. Its inhabitants forgot the Latin tongue, and +the memories of 400 years were clean wiped out. There remains to us of the +present day nothing to remind us of London under the Roman empire, save a +fragment of a wall, a milestone, a few coins and statuettes, and some +articles of personal ornament or domestic use--little more in fact, than +what may be seen in the Museum attached to the Guildhall Library. The long +subjection to Roman rule had one disastrous effect. It enervated the +people and left them powerless to cope with those enemies who, as soon as +the iron hand of the Roman legions was removed, came forth from their +hiding places to harry the land. + +(M8) + +Thus it was that when the Picts and Scots again broke loose from their +northern fastnesses and threatened London as they had done before (A.D. +368), they once more appealed for aid to the Roman emperor, by whose +assistance the marauders had formerly been driven back. But times were +different in 446 to what they had been in 368. The Roman empire was itself +threatened with an invasion of the Goths, and the emperor had his hands +too full to allow him to lend a favourable ear to the "groans of the +Britons."(11) + +(M9) + +Compelled to seek assistance elsewhere, the Britons invited a tribe of +warriors, ever ready to let their services for hire, from the North Sea, +to lend them their aid. The foreigners came in answer to the invitation, +they saw, they conquered; and then they refused to leave an island the +fertility of which they appreciated no less than they despised the +slothfulness of its inhabitants.(12) They turned their weapons against +their employers, and utterly routed them at Crayford, driving them to take +refuge within the walls of London. + +(M10) + +"A.D. 457 (456). This year Hengist and AEsc [Eric or Ash] his son fought +against the Britons at a place called Creegan-Ford [Crayford] and there +slew four thousand men, and the Britons then forsook Kent, and in great +terror fled to London."(13) So runs the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, and this is +the sole piece of information concerning London it vouchsafes us for one +hundred and fifty years following the departure of the Romans. The +information, scant as it is, serves to show that London had not quite +become a deserted city, nor had yet been devastated as others had been by +the enemy. Its walls still served to afford shelter to the terrified +refugees. + +(M11) + +When next we read of her, she is in the possession of the East Saxons. How +they came there is a matter for conjecture. It is possible that with the +whole of the surrounding counties in the hands of the enemy, the Londoners +were driven from their city to seek means of subsistence elsewhere, and +that when the East Saxons took possession of it, they found houses and +streets deserted. Little relishing a life within a town, they probably did +not make a long stay, and, on their departure, the former inhabitants +returned and the city slowly recovered its wonted appearance, as the +country around became more settled. + +(M12) + +Christianity in the country had revived, and London was now to receive its +first bishop. It is the year 604. "This year," writes the chronicler, +"Augustine hallowed two bishops, Mellitus and Justus; Mellitus he sent to +preach baptism to the East Saxons, whose king was called Seberht, son of +Ricula, the sister of Ethelbert whom Ethelbert had there set as king. And +Ethelbert gave to Mellitus a bishop's see at London." This passage is +remarkable for two reasons:--(1) as shewing us that London was at this time +situate in Essex, the kingdom of the East Saxons, and (2) that Seberht was +but a _roi faineant_, enjoying no real independence in spite of his +dignity as ruler of the East Saxons and nominal master of London, his +uncle Ethelbert, king of the Cantii, exercising a hegemony over "all the +nations of the English as far as the Humber." (14) + +Hence it is that London is spoken of by some as being the _metropolis_ of +the East Saxons,(15) and by others as being the principal city of the +Cantii;(16) the fact being that, though locally situate in Essex, it was +deemed the political capital of that kingdom which for the time being +happened to be paramount. + +(M13) + +After the death of Seberht, the Londoners became dissatisfied with their +bishop and drove him out. Mellitus became in course of time Archbishop of +Canterbury, whilst the Londoners again relapsed into paganism.(17) Not +only was the erection of a cathedral in the city due to Ethelbert, but it +was also at his instigation, if not with his treasure, that Seberht, the +"wealthy sub-king of London," was, as is believed, induced to found the +Abbey of Westminster.(18) + +(M14) + +When the Saxon kingdoms became united under Egbert and he became _rex +totius Britanniae_ (A.D. 827), London began to take a more prominent place +among the cities of the kingdom, notwithstanding its having been three +times destroyed by fire between 674 and 801.(19) It became more often the +seat of the royal residence, and the scene of witena-gemots; nevertheless +it was not the seat of government, much less the capital. Then and for a +long time to come it had a formidable rival in Winchester, the chief town +of Egbert's own kingdom of Wessex. To Winchester that king proceeded in +triumph after completing the union of the Saxon kingdoms, and thither he +summoned his vassals to hear himself proclaimed their overlord. From +Winchester, Alfred, too, promulgated his new code of Wessex law--a part of +the famous _Domboc_, a copy of which is said to have been at one time +preserved among the archives of the City of London(20)--and the Easter +gemot, no matter where the other gemots of the year were held, was nearly +always held at Winchester. When it came to a question of trade regulation, +then London took precedence of Winchester. "Let one measure and one weight +pass, such as is observed at London and at Winchester,"(21) enacted King +Edgar, whose system of legislation was marked with so much success that +"Edgar's Law" was referred to by posterity as to the old constitution of +the realm. + +(M15) + +In the meantime, the country had been invaded by a fresh enemy, and the +same atrocities which the Briton had suffered at the hands of the Saxon, +the Saxon was made to suffer at the hands of the Dane. London suffered +with the rest of the kingdom. In 839 we read of a "great slaughter" +there;(22) in 851 the city was in the hands of the enemy, and continued to +remain at the mercy of the Danes, so much so, in fact, that in 872 we find +the Danish army taking up winter quarters within its walls, as in a city +that was their own.(23) + +(M16) + +It was now, when the clouds were darkest, that Alfred, brother of King +Ethelred, appeared on the scene, and after more than one signal success by +land and sea, concluded the treaty of Wedmore (A.D. 878)(24) by which a +vast tract of land bounded by an imaginary line drawn from the Thames +along the river Lea to Bedford, and thence along the Roman Watling Street +to the Welsh border, was ceded to the enemy under the name of _Danelagh_. +The treaty, although it curtailed the Kingdom of Wessex, and left London +itself at the mercy of the Danes, was followed by a period of comparative +tranquillity, which allowed Alfred time to make preparations for a fresh +struggle that was to wrest from the enemy the land they had won. + +(M17) + +The Danes, like the Angles and the Jutes before them, set little store by +fortifications and walled towns, preferring always to defend themselves by +combat in open field, and the Roman wall of the City was allowed to fall +still further into decay. In the eyes of Alfred on the other hand, London, +with its surrounding wall, was a place of the first importance, and one to +be acquired and kept at all hazards. At length he achieved the object of +his ambition and succeeded in driving out the Danes, (A.D. 883 or +884).(25) + +(M18) + +Whilst the enemy directed their attention to further conquests in France +and Belgium, Alfred bent his energies towards repairing the City walls and +building a citadel for his defence--"the germ of that tower which was to be +first the dwelling place of Kings, and then the scene of the martyrdom of +their victims."(26) To his foresight in this respect was it due that the +city of London was never again taken by open assault, but successfully +repelled all attacks whilst the surrounding country was often devastated. + +Nor did Alfred confine his attention solely to strengthening the city +against attacks of enemies without or to making it more habitable. He also +laid the foundation of an internal Government analagous to that +established in the Shires. Under the year A.D. 886, the Anglo-Saxon +Chronicle(27) records that "King AElfred restored London; and all the Anglo +race turned to him that were not in bondage of the Danish men; and he then +committed the burgh to "the keeping of the aldorman AEthelred." In course +of time the analogy between shire and city organization became more close. +Where the former had its Shiremote, the latter had its Folkmote, meeting +in St. Paul's Churchyard by summons of the great bell. The County Court +found its co-relative in the Husting Court of the City; the Hundred Court +in the City Wardmote.(28) + +(M19) + +For the next ten years Alfred busied himself founding a navy and +establishing order in different parts of the country, but in 896 he was +compelled to hasten to London from the west of England to assist in the +repulse of another attack of the Danes. Two years before (894) the Danes +had threatened London, having established a fortification at Beamfleate or +South Benfleet, in Essex, whence they harried the surrounding country. The +Londoners on that occasion joined that part of the army which Alfred had +left behind in an attack upon the fort, which they not only succeeded in +taking, but they "took all that there was within, as well money as women +and children, and brought all to London; and all the ships they either +broke in pieces or burned, or brought to London or to Rochester."(29) Nor +was this all: Hasting's wife and his two sons had been made prisoners, but +were chivalrously restored by Alfred. + +(M20) + +The Danes, however, were not to be daunted by defeat nor moved from their +purpose by the generous conduct of Alfred. In 896 they again appeared. +This time they erected a work on the sea, twenty miles above London. +Alfred made a reconnaissance and closed up the river so that they found it +impossible to bring out their ships.(30) They therefore abandoned their +vessels and escaped across country, and "the men of London" writes the +chronicler, "brought away the ships, and all those which they could not +bring off they broke up, and those that were _stalworth_ they brought into +London."(31) + +(M21) + +The principle of each man becoming responsible to the Government for the +good behaviour of the neighbour, involved in the system of frankpledge +which Alfred established throughout the whole of his kingdom, subject to +his rule, was carried a step further by the citizens of London at a later +date. Under Athelstan (A.D. 925-940) we find them banding together and +forming an association for mutual defence of life and property, and thus +assisting the executive in the maintenance of law and order. A complete +code of ordinances, regulating this "frith" or peace gild, as it was +called, drawn up by the bishops and reeves of the burgh, and confirmed by +the members on oath, is still preserved to us.(32) + +(M22) + +The enactments are chiefly directed against thieves, the measures to be +taken to bring them to justice, and the penalties to be imposed on them, +the formation of a common fund for the pursuit of thieves, and for making +good to members any loss they may have sustained. So far, the gild +undertook duties of a public character, such as are found incorporated +among other laws of the kingdom, but it had, incidentally, also its social +and religious side. When the ruling members met in their gild-hall,(33) +which they did once a month, "if they could and had leisure," they enjoyed +a refection with ale-drinking or "byt-filling." + +(M23) + +Some writers see in the "frith-gild" of Athelstan's day, nothing more than +a mere "friendly society," meeting together once a month, to drink their +beer and consult about matters of mutual insurance and other topics of +more or less social and religious character.(34) But there is evidence to +show that the tie which united members of a "frith-gild" was stronger and +more solemn than any which binds the members of a friendly society or +voluntary association. The punishment of one who was guilty of breaking +his "frith" was practically banishment or death. Such a one, in +Athelstan's time, was ordered to abjure the country, which probably meant +no more than that he was to leave his burgh or perhaps the shire in which +he dwelt, but if ever he returned, he might be treated as a thief taken +"hand-habbende" or one taken with stolen goods upon him, in other words, +"with the mainour."(35) A thief so taken might lawfully be killed by the +first man who met him, and the slayer was, according to the code of the +"frith-gild," "to be twelve pence the better for the deed."(36) Under +these circumstances, it is more reasonable to suppose, that the +"frith-gild" was not so much a voluntary association as one imposed upon +members of the community by some public authority.(37) + +(M24) + +The commercial supremacy of London, not only over Winchester but over +every other town in the kingdom, now becomes more distinct, for when +Athelstan appointed moneyers or minters throughout the country, he +assigned eight (the largest number of all) to London, whilst for +Winchester he appointed only six, other towns being provided with but one +or at most two.(38) The king, moreover, showed his predilection for London +by erecting a mansion house for himself within the city's walls. + +The encouragement which Athelstan gave to commercial enterprise by +enacting, that any merchant who undertook successfully three voyages +across the high seas at his own cost (if not in his own vessel) should +rank as a thane,(39) must have affected the London burgess more than those +of any other town. + +(M25) + +Under Ethelred II, surnamed the "Unready" or "redeless" from his +indifference to the "rede" or council of his advisers, the city would +again have fallen into the hands of the Danes, but for the personal +courage displayed by its inhabitants and the protection which, by Alfred's +foresight, the walls were able to afford them. In 994, Olaf and Sweyn +sailed up the Thames with a large fleet and threatened to burn London. +Obstinate fighting took place, but the enemy, we are told, "sustained more +harm and evil than they ever deemed that any townsman could do to them, +for the Holy Mother of God, on that day, manifested her mercy to the +townsmen and delivered them from their foes."(40) + +(M26) + +Matters might not have been so bad had not the king already committed the +fatal error of attempting to secure peace by buying off the enemy. In 991, +he had, with the consent of his witan, raised the sum of L10,000 with +which he had bribed the Danish host. This was the origin of the tax known +as Danegelt, which in after years became one of the chief financial +resources of the Crown and continued almost uninterruptedly down to the +reign of Henry II. The effect of the bribe was naturally enough to induce +the enemy to make further depredations whenever in want of money; and +accordingly, a Danish fleet threatened London the very next year (992) and +again in 994. On this last occasion, the same wretched expedient was +resorted to, and the Danes were again bought off. + +(M27) + +Nor was cowardice the only charge of which Ethelred was guilty. To this +must be added treachery and murder. In the year 1002, when he married the +daughter of the Duke of Normandy, hoping thereby to win the Duke's +friendship and to close the harbours on the French coast against Sweyn, +Ethelred issued secret orders for a massacre of all Danes found in +England. In this massacre, which took place on the Festival of St. Brice +(13th Nov.), perished Gunhild, sister of Sweyn. Under these circumstances, +it can scarcely be wondered at, that thenceforth the Danish invasions +became more frequent, more systematic, and more extensive than ever. + +For four years they continued their depredations "cruelly marking every +shire in Wessex with burning and with harrying." Then they were again +bought off with a sum of L36,000, and two years' respite (1007-8) was +gained.(41) It was a respite and no more. As soon as they had spent their +money, they came again, and in 1009 made several assaults on London--"They +often fought against the town of London, but to God be praise that it yet +stands sound, and they have ever fared ill."(42) Every year they struck +deeper into the heart of the country, and carried their plundering +expeditions from Wessex into Mercia and East Anglia. + +(M28) + +In 1011 Canterbury was taken and sacked, Alphage, the Archbishop, being +made prisoner, and carried away by the Danish fleet to Greenwich. Finding +it impossible to extort a ransom, they brutally murdered him (19th May, +1012), in one of their drunken moods, pelting him in their open court or +"husting" with bones and skulls of oxen.(43) The worthy prelate's corpse +was allowed to be removed to London where it was reverently interred in +St. Paul's. A few years later, Cnut caused it to be transferred with due +solemnity to the Archbishop's own metropolitan church of Canterbury. + +(M29) + +In the following year, Sweyn was so successful in reducing the +Northumbrians and the inhabitants of the five boroughs,(44) as well as the +towns of Winchester and Oxford, taking hostages from each as he went, that +he thought he might venture once more to attack London itself; hoping for +better success than had attended him on previous occasions. He was the +more anxious to capture London, because Ethelred himself was there, but he +again met with such determined resistance, and so many of his followers +were drowned in the Thames that for the fourth time he had to beat a +retreat.(45) + +(M30) + +Leaving London for a while, Sweyn proceeded to conquer that part of +England which still held out against him, and having accomplished his +purpose, was again preparing to attack the one city which had baffled all +his attempts to capture, when the Londoners themselves, finding further +opposition hopeless, offered their submission and left Ethelred to take +care of himself.(46) This he did by betaking himself to Normandy, where he +remained until Sweyn's death in the following year (3rd Feb., 1014). + +(M31) + +Upon this event taking place, the crews of the Danish fleet assumed the +right of disposing of the English crown, and elected Sweyn's son, Cnut, to +be king. The English, however, compelled as they had been by superior +strength to submit to the father, were in no mood to accept without a +struggle the sovereignty of his son. The whole of the Witan at once +declared in favour of sending for Ethelred, with the assurance "that no +lord was dearer than their natural lord," if only he would promise to +govern them more justly than before.(47) Ethelred sent word by Edmund his +son that "he would be to them a kind lord, and amend all the things which +they eschewed, and all the things should be forgiven which had been done +or said to him, on condition that they all, unanimously and without +treachery, would turn to him." Pledges were given and taken on either +side, and thenceforth a Danish king was to be looked upon as an +outlaw.(48) + +(M32) + +When Ethelred arrived in England, he was accompanied according to an +Icelandic Saga,(49) by King Olaf, of Norway, who assisted him in expelling +the Danes from Southwark, and gaining an entrance into the city. The +manner in which this was carried out, is thus described. A small knot of +Danes occupied a stronghold in the City, whilst others were in possession +of Southwark. Between the two lay London Bridge--a wooden bridge, "so broad +that two waggons could pass each other upon it"--fortified by barricades, +towers, and parapets, and manned by Danes. Ethelred was naturally very +anxious to get possession of the bridge, and a meeting of chiefs was +summoned to consult how it could be done. Olaf promised to lay his fleet +alongside the bridge if the English would do the same. This was agreed +upon. Having covered in the decks of the vessels with a wooden roof to +protect the crew and fighting men, Olaf succeeded in rowing light up to +the bridge and laying cables round its piers. This done, he caused his +ships to head down stream and the crews to row their hardest. The result +was that the piles were loosened and the bridge, heavily weighted by the +Danes who were fighting upon it, gave way. Many were thrown into the +river, whilst others made good their retreat to Southwark, which was soon +afterwards stormed and taken. This incident in connection with Ethelred's +return formed the subject of more than one Scandinavian poem, of which the +following may serve as a specimen:-- + + "London Bridge is broken down-- + Gold is won and bright renown. + Shields resounding, + War-horns sounding, + Hildur shouting in the din! + Arrows singing, + Mail-coats ringing-- + Odin makes our Olaf win!" + +(M33) + +For a short while after his return Ethelred displayed a spirit of +patriotism and courage beyond any he had hitherto shown. He succeeded in +surprising and defeating the Danes in that district of Lincolnshire known +as Lindsey, and drove Cnut to take refuge in his ships, and eventually to +sail away to Denmark.(50) + +(M34) + +It was not long before he again appeared; he was then, however, to meet in +the field Ethelred's son, Edmund, whose valour had gained for him the name +of Ironside. This spirited youth, forming a striking contrast to the weak +and pusillanimous character of his father, had collected a force to +withstand the enemy, but the men refused to fight unless Ethelred came +with them, and unless they had "the support of the citizens of +London."(51) A message was therefore sent to him at London to take the +field with such a force as he could gather. Father and son thereupon +joined forces; but the king was in ill-health, and it wanted but a whisper +of treachery to send him back to the security of London's walls. Thither, +too, marched Cnut, but before he arrived Ethelred had died (23rd April, +1016).(52) The late king was buried in St. Paul's.(53) + +(M35) + +The city of London had by this time attained a position higher than it had +ever reached before. "We cannot as yet call it the capital of the kingdom, +but its geographical position made one of the chief bulwarks of the land, +and in no part of the realm do we find the inhabitants outdoing the +patriotism and courage of its valiant citizens."(54) Under Edgar the +foreign trade with the city had increased to such an extent that Ethelred, +his son, deemed it time to draw up a code of laws to regulate the customs +to be paid by the merchants of France and Flanders as well as by the +"emperor's men," the fore-runners of those "easterling" merchants, who, +from their headquarters in the Steel-yard at Dowgate, subsequently became +known as merchants of the Steel-yard.(55) + +Among the multitude of foreigners that in after-years thronged the streets +of the city bartering pepper and spices from the far east, gloves and +cloth, vinegar and wine, in exchange for the rural products of the +country, might be seen the now much hated but afterwards much favoured +Dane.(56) The Dane was again master of all England, except London, and +Ethelred's kingdom, before the close of his reign, was confined within the +narrow limits of the city's walls; "that true-hearted city was once more +the bulwark of England, the centre of every patriotic hope, the special +object of every hostile attack."(57) + +(M36) + +At Ethelred's death the Witan who were in London united with the +inhabitants of the city in choosing Edmund as his successor. This is the +first recorded instance of the Londoners having taken a direct part in the +election of a king. Cnut disputed Edmund's right to the crown, and +proceeded to attack the city. He sailed up the Thames with his fleet, but +being unable to pass the bridge, he dug a canal on the south side of the +river, whereby he was enabled to carry his ships above bridge, and so +invest the city along the whole length of the riverside. To complete the +investment, and so prevent any of the inhabitants escaping either by land +or water, he ditched the city round, so that none could pass in or +out.(58) + +(M37) + +This, as well as two other attempts made by Cnut within a few weeks of +each other to capture London by siege, were frustrated by the determined +opposition of the citizens.(59) "Almighty God saved it," as the chronicler +piously remarks.(60) + +(M38) + +Nor was Cnut more successful in the field, being worsted in no less than +five pitched battles against Edmund, until by the treachery of Edmund's +brother-in-law, Eadric, alderman of Mercia, he succeeded at last in +vanquishing the English army on the memorable field of Assandun.(61) + +(M39) + +After this Edmund reluctantly consented to a conference and a division of +the kingdom. The meeting took place at Olney, and there it was agreed that +Edmund should retain his crown, and rule over all England south of the +Thames, together with East Anglia, Essex and London, whilst Cnut should +enjoy the rest of the kingdom. "The citizens, beneath whose walls the +power of Cnut and his father had been so often shattered, now made peace +with the Danish host. As usual, money was paid to them, and they were +allowed to winter as friends within the unconquered city."(62) + +(M40) + +The partition of the kingdom between Edmund and Cnut had scarcely been +agreed upon before the former unexpectedly died (30th Nov., 1016) and Cnut +became master of London and king of all England. His rule was mild, +beneficent and just, recognising no distinction between Dane and +Englishman, and throughout his long reign of nearly twenty years the +citizens of London enjoyed that perfect peace so necessary for the +successful exercise of their commercial pursuits. + +(M41) + +At the election of Cnut's successor which took place at Oxford in 1035, +the Londoners again played an important part. This time, however, it was +not the "burhwaru or burgesses" of the City who attended the gemot which +had been summoned for the purpose of election, but "lithsmen" of London. + +(M42) + +As to who these "lithsmen" were, and how they came to represent the City +(if indeed they represented the City at all) on this important occasion +much controversy has arisen. To some they appear as nothing more than the +"nautic multitude" or "sea-faring men" of London.(63) On the other hand, +there are those who hold that they were merchants who had achieved thane +right under the provisions of Athelstan's day already mentioned;(64) +whilst there are still others who are inclined to look upon them as so +many commercial travellers who had made their way to Oxford by river in +the ordinary course of business, and who happened by good fortune to have +been in that city at the time of a great political crisis.(65) The truth +probably lies somewhere between these extremes. The "lithsmen" may not +themselves have been thanes, although they are recorded as having been at +Oxford with almost all the thanes north of the Thames;(66) but that they +were something more than mere watermen, such as we shall see joining with +the apprentices of London at important political crises, and that they +were acting more or less as representatives of the Londoners who had +already acquired a predominant voice in such matters, seems beyond doubt. + +(M43) + +During the next thirty years London took no prominent part in the affairs +of the country, content if only allowed to have leisure to mind its own +business. The desire for peace is the key-note to the action of the +citizens of London at every important crisis. Without peace, commerce +became paralyzed. Peace could be best secured by a strong government, and +such a government, whether in the person of a king or protector could +count upon their support. "For it they were ready to devote their money +and their lives, for commerce, the child of opportunity, brought wealth; +wealth power; and power led independence in its train." The quarrels of +the half-brothers, Harold and Harthacnut, the attempt by one or both of +the sons of Ethelred and Emma to recover their father's kingdom, and the +question of the innocence or guilt of Earl Godwine in connection with the +murder of one of them, affected the citizens of London only so far as such +disturbances were likely to impede the traffic of the Thames or to make it +dangerous for them to convey their merchandise along the highways of the +country. + +(M44) + +The payment of Danegelt at the accession of Harthacnut (A.D. 1040),(67) +probably touched the feelings, as it certainly did the pockets, of the +Londoners, more than any other event which happened during this period. + +(M45) + +Upon the sudden death of Harthacnut (A.D. 1042), who died in a fit "as he +stood at his drink,"(68) the choice of the whole nation fell on Edward, +his half-brother--"before the king buried were, all folk chose Edward to +king at London."(69) The share that the Londoners took in this particular +election is not so clear as in other cases. Nevertheless, the importance +of the citizens was daily growing, and by the time of the accession of +Edward the Confessor, the City was recognised as the capital of the +kingdom, the chief seat for the administration of the law, and the place +where the king usually resided.(70) + +(M46) + +In early Saxon times the witan had met in any town where the king happened +at the time to be; and although theoretically every freeman had a right to +attend its meetings, practically the citizens of the town wherein the +gemot happened at the time to be held, enjoyed an advantage over freemen +coming from a distance. Alfred ordained that the witan should meet in +London for purposes of legislation twice a year.(71) Athelstan, Edmund and +Edgar had held gemots in London, the last mentioned king holding a great +gemot (_mycel gemot_) in St. Paul's Church in 973. + +(M47) + +During the reign of Edward the Confessor, at least six meetings of the +witan took place in London; the more important of these being held in 1051 +and the following year. By the gemot of 1051, which partook of the nature +of a court-martial, Earl Godwine was condemned to banishment; but before a +twelve-month had elapsed, he was welcomed back at a great assembly or +_mycel gemot_ held in the open air without the walls of London.(72) The +nation had become disatisfied owing to the king's increasing favour to +Norman strangers, but the earl desired to learn how stood the City of +London towards him, and for this purpose made a stay at Southwark. He was +soon satisfied on this point. "The townsfolk of the great city were not a +whit behind their brethren of Kent and Sussex in their zeal for the +national cause. The spirit which had beaten back Swend and Cnut, the +spirit which was in after times to make London ever the stronghold of +English freedom, the spirit which made its citizens foremost in the +patriot armies alike of the thirteenth and of the seventeenth centuries, +was now as warm in the hearts of those gallant burghers as in any earlier +or later age. With a voice all but unanimous, the citizens declared in +favour of the deliverer; a few votes only, the votes, it may be, of +strangers or of courtiers, were given against the emphatic resolution, +that what the earl would the city would."(73) Having secured the favour of +London his cause was secure. That the citizens heartily welcomed the earl, +going forth in a body to meet him on his arrival, we learn also from +another source;(74) although, one at least of the ancient chroniclers +strongly hints that the favour of the citizens had been obtained by bribes +and promises.(75) The earl's return was marked by decrees of outlawry +against the king's foreign favourites, whose malign influence he had +endeavoured formerly to counteract, and who had proved themselves strong +enough to procure the banishment of himself and family. + +(M48) + +The last gemot held under Edward was one specially summoned to meet at +Westminster at the close of the year 1065, for the purpose of witnessing +the dedication of the new abbey church which the king loved so well and to +which his remains were so shortly afterwards to be carried. + +(M49) + +He died at the opening of the year, and the same witan who had attended +his obsequies elected Harold, the late Earl Godwine's son, as his +successor. This election, however, was doomed to be overthrown by the +powerful sword of William the Norman. + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + + + +(M50) + +As soon as the news of Harold's coronation reached William of Normandy, he +claimed the crown which Edward the Confessor had promised him. According +to every principle of succession recognised in England, at the time, he +had no right to the crown whatever. When the Norman invader landed at +Pevensey, Harold was at York, having recently succeeded in defeating his +brother Tostig, the deposed Earl of Northumbria, who, with the assistance +of Harold Hardrada, had attacked the northern earls, Edwine and Morkere. +On hearing of the Duke's landing, Harold hastened to London. A general +muster of forces was there ordered, and Edwine and Morkere, who were bound +to Harold by family tie--the King having married their sister--were bidden +to march southward with the whole force of their earldoms. But neither +gratitude for their late deliverance at the hands of their brother-in-law, +nor family affection, could hurry the steps of these earls, and they +arrived too late. The battle of Senlac, better known as the battle of +Hastings, had been won and lost (14th Oct., 1066), the Norman was +conqueror, and Harold had perished. For a second time within twelve months +the English throne was vacant.(76) + +The times were too critical to hold a formal gemot for the election of a +successor to the throne; but the citizens of London and the sailors or +"butsecarls" (whom it is difficult not to associate with the "lithsmen" of +former days) showed a marked predilection in favour of Edgar the Atheling, +grandson of Edmund Ironside, and the sole survivor of the old royal line. +The Archbishop, too, as well as the northern earls, were in his favour, +but the latter soon withdrew to their respective earldoms and left London +and the Atheling to their fate.(77) Thus, "the patriotic zeal of the men +of London was thwarted by the base secession of the northern traitors." + +(M51) + +After waiting awhile at Hastings for the country to make voluntary +submission, and finding that homagers did not come in, William proceeded +to make a further display of force. In this he betrayed no haste, but made +his way through Kent in leisurely fashion, receiving on his way the +submission of Winchester and Canterbury, using no more force than was +absolutely necessary, and endeavouring to allay all fears, until at length +he reached the suburbs of London.(78) + +He had been astute enough to give out that he came not to claim a crown, +but only a right to be put in nomination for it. To the mind of the +Londoner, such quibbling failed to commend itself, and the citizens lost +no time in putting their city into a posture of defence, determined not to +surrender it without a blow. + +(M52) + +Upon William's arrival in Southwark, the citizens sallied forth. They +were, however, beaten back after a sharp skirmish, and compelled to seek +shelter again within their city's walls. William hesitated to make a +direct attack upon the city, but hoped by setting fire to Southwark to +strike terror into the inhabitants and bring them to a voluntary +surrender. He failed in his object; the city still held out, and William +next resorted to diplomacy. + +(M53) + +The ruling spirit within the city at that time was Ansgar or Esegar the +"Staller" under whom, as Sheriff of Middlesex, the citizens had marched +out to fight around the royal standard at Hastings. He had been carried +wounded from the field, and was now borne hither and thither on a litter, +encouraging the citizens to make a stout defence of their city. To him, it +is said, William sent a private message from Berkhampstead, asking only +that the Conqueror's right to the crown of England might be acknowledged +and nothing more, the real power of the kingdom might remain with Ansgar +if he so willed. Determined not to be outwitted by the Norman, Ansgar (so +the story goes) summoned a meeting of the eldermen (_natu majores_) of the +City--the forerunners of the later aldermen--and proposed a feigned +submission which might stave off immediate danger. The proposal was +accepted and a messenger despatched. William pretended to accept the terms +offered, and at the same time so worked upon the messenger with fair +promises and gifts that on his return he converted his fellow citizens and +induced them by representations of the Conqueror's friendly intentions and +of the hopelessness of resistance, to make their submission to him, and to +throw over the young Atheling. + +(M54) + +Whatever poetic tinge there may be about the story as told by Guy of +Amiens, it is certain that the citizens came to the same resolution, in +effect, as that described by the poet, nor could they well have done +otherwise. The whole of the country for miles around London, had already +tendered submission or been forced into it. The city had become completely +isolated, and sooner or later its inhabitants must have been starved out. +There was, moreover, a strong foreign element within its walls.(79) Norman +followers of Edward the Confessor were ever at hand to counsel submission. +London submitted, the citizens accepting the rule of the Norman Conqueror +as they had formerly accepted that of Cnut the Dane, "from necessity." An +embassy was despatched to Berkhampstead, comprising the Archbishop of +York, the young Atheling, the earls Edwine and Morkere, and "all the best +men of London," to render homage and give hostages,(80) and thus it was, +that within three months of his landing, William was acknowledged as the +lawfully elected King of England, and, as such, he crowned himself at +Westminster, promising to govern the nation as well as any king before him +if they would be faithful to him. + +(M55) + +The conciliatory spirit of William towards the Londoners is seen in the +favourable terms he was ready to concede them. Soon after his coronation-- +the precise date cannot be determined--he granted them a charter,(81) by +which he clearly declared his purpose not to reduce the citizens to a +state of dependent vassalage, but to establish them in all the rights and +privileges they had hitherto enjoyed. + +The charter, rendered into modern English, runs as follows:-- + +"William, King, greets William, Bishop, and Gosfregdh, Portreeve, and all +the burgesses within London, French and English, friendly. And I give you +to know that I will that ye be all those laws worthy that ye were in King +Eadward's day.(82) And I will that every child be his father's heir after +his father's day and I will not suffer that any man offer you any wrong. +God keep you." + +The terms of the charter are worthy of study. They are primarily +remarkable as indicating that the City of London was, at the time, subject +to a government which combined the secular authority of the port-reeve +with the ecclesiastical authority of the bishop. It was said, indeed, to +have been greatly due to the latter's intercession that the charter was +granted at all, and, in this belief, the mayor and aldermen were long +accustomed to pay a solemn visit to the bishop's tomb in St. Paul's +church, there to hear a _De profundis_ on the day when the new mayor took +his oath of office before the Barons of the Exchequer.(83) + +(M56) + +As regards the port-reeve--the _port-gerefa_, _i.e._, reeve of the port or +town of London(84)--the nature and extent of his duties and authority, much +uncertainty exists. Whilst, in many respects, his position in a borough +was analogous no doubt to the shire-reeve or sheriff of a county, there +were, on the other hand, duties belonging to and exercised by the one +which were not exercised by the other. Thus, for instance, the port-reeve, +unlike the sheriff, exercised no judicial functions in a criminal court, +nor presided over court-leets in the city as the sheriff did in his county +by _turn_, the latter being held independently by the alderman of each +ward.(85) + +(M57) (M58) (M59) + +In the next place the charter brings prominently to our notice the fact +that there was already existing within the City's walls a strong Norman +element, existing side by side with the older English burgesses, which the +Conqueror did well not to ignore. The descendants of the foreign merchants +from France and Normandy, for whose protection Ethelred had legislated +more than half a century before, had continued to carry on their +commercial intercourse with the Londoners, and were looking forward to a +freer interchange of merchandise now that the two countries were under one +sovereign. Their expectation was justified. No sooner had London submitted +to the Norman Conqueror than, we are told, "many of the citizens of Rouen +and Caen passed over thither, preferring to be dwellers in that city, +inasmuch as it was fitter for their trading, and better stored with the +merchandise in which they were wont to traffic."(86) But by far the most +important clause in the charter is that which places the citizens of +London in the same position respecting the law of the land as they enjoyed +in the days of their late king, Edward the Confessor. Here there is +distinct evidence that the Conqueror had come "neither to destroy, nor to +found, but to continue."(87) The charter granted nothing new; it only +ratified and set the royal seal(88) to the rights and privileges of the +citizens already in existence. + +(M60) + +It is recorded that William granted another charter to the citizens of +London, vesting in them the City and Sheriffwick of London, and this +charter the citizens proffered as evidence of their rights over the +cloister and church of St. Martin le Grand, when those rights were +challenged in the reign of Henry VI.(89) This charter has since been lost. + +(M61) + +The compact thus made between London and the Conqueror was faithfully kept +by both parties. Having ascended the English throne by the aid of the +citizens of London, William, unlike many of his successors, was careful +not to infringe the terms of their charter, whilst the citizens on the +other hand continued loyal to their accepted king, and lent him assistance +to put down insurgents in other parts of the kingdom. The fortress which +William erected within their city's walls did not disturb their +equanimity. It was sufficient for them that, under the Conqueror's rule, +the country was once more peaceful, so peaceful that, according to the +chronicler, a young maiden could travel the length of England without +being injured or robbed.(90) + +(M62) + +The close of the reign of William the First witnessed the completion of +"Doomsday," or survey of the kingdom, which he had ordered to be made for +fiscal purposes. For some reason not explained, neither London nor +Winchester--the two capitals, so to speak, of the kingdom--were included in +this survey. It may be that the importance of these boroughs, their wealth +and population, necessitated some special method of procedure; but this +does not account for the omission of Northumberland, Cumberland, +Westmorland, and Durham, from the survey. We know that Winchester was +afterwards surveyed, but no steps in the same direction were ever taken +with respect to London. The survey was not effected without disturbances, +owing to the inquisitorial power vested in the commissioners appointed to +carry it out. + +(M63) + +William died whilst on a visit to his duchy of Normandy, and "he who was +before a powerful king, and lord of many a land, had then of all his land, +only a portion of seven feet."(91) the same which, to this day, holds his +mortal remains in the Abbey at Caen. He was succeeded by William his son. +The death of the father and accession of his son was marked by fire, +pestilence, and famine.(92) + +(M64) + +A fire destroyed St. Paul's and the greater part of the City. Maurice, +Bishop of London, at once set to work to rebuild the Cathedral on a larger +and more magnificent scale, erecting the edifice upon arches in a manner +little known in England at that time, but long practised in France. The +Norman Conquest was already working for good. Not only the style of +architecture, but the very stone used in re-building St. Paul's came from +France, the famous quarries of Caen being utilised for the purpose.(93) + +There was already in the city, one church built after the same manner, and +on that account called St. Mary of Arches or "le Bow." The object of +setting churches and other buildings upon vaults was to guard against +fire. Whatever defence against fire this method of building may have +afforded, it was certainly no defence against wind. In 1091, the roof of +St. Mary-le-Bow was clean blown off, huge baulks of timber, 26 feet long, +being driven into the ground with such force that scarce 4 feet of them +could be seen.(94) + +(M65) + +The reign of the new king was one of oppression. Nevertheless, he +continued to secure that protection for life and property which his father +had so successfully achieved, so that a man "who had confidence in +himself" and was "aught," could travel the length and breadth of the land +unhurt, "with his bosom full of gold."(95) He also had an eye for the +protection of the city, and the advancement of its commerce, surrounding +the Tower of London by a wall, and repairing the bridge which had been +nearly washed away by a flood.(96) + +(M66) + +On the 2nd August, 1100, the Red King met his death suddenly in the New +Forest, and the next day was buried at Winchester. According to a previous +agreement, the crown should have immediately devolved upon his brother +Robert. Crowns, however, were not to be thus disposed of; they fell only +to those ready and strong enough to seize them. Robert was far away on a +crusade. His younger brother Henry was on the spot, and upon him fell the +choice of such of the witan as happened to be in or near Winchester at the +time of the late king's death.(97) + +(M67) + +The two days that elapsed before his coronation at Westminster (5th +August), the king-elect spent in London, where by his easy and eloquent +manner, as well as by fair promises, he succeeded in winning the +inhabitants over to his cause, to the rejection of the claims of Robert. +The election, or perhaps we should rather say, the selection of Henry by +the witan at Winchester, was thus approved and confirmed by the whole +realm (_regni universitas_), in the city of London. + +The choice was made however on one condition, viz.:--that Henry should +restore to his subjects their ancient liberties and customs enjoyed in the +days of Edward the Confessor.(98) The charter thus obtained served as an +exemplar for the great charter of liberties which was to be subsequently +wrung from King John. + +(M68) + +Another charter was granted by the new king--a charter to the citizens of +London--granted, as some have thought, soon after his accession, and by way +of recognition of the services they had rendered him towards obtaining the +crown. This however appears to be a mistake. There is reason for supposing +that this charter was not granted until at least thirty years after he was +seated on the throne.(99) + +(M69) + +The chief features of the grant(100) were that the citizens were +thenceforth to be allowed to hold Middlesex to farm at a rent of L300 a +year, and to appoint from among themselves whom they would to be sheriff +over it; they were further to be allowed to appoint their own justiciar to +hold pleas of the crown, and no other justiciar should exercise authority +over them; they were not to be forced to plead without the city's walls; +they were to be exempt from scot and lot and of all payments in respect of +Danegelt and murder; they were to be allowed to purge themselves after the +English fashion of making oath and not after the Norman fashion by wager +of battle; their goods were to be free of all manner of customs, toll, +passage and lestage; their husting court might sit once a week; and +lastly, they might resort to "withernam" or reprisal in cases where their +goods had been unlawfully seized. + +(M70) + +Touching the true import of this grant of Middlesex to the citizens at a +yearly rent, with the right of appointing their own sheriff over it, no +less than the identity of the justiciar whom they were to be allowed to +choose for themselves for the purpose of hearing pleas of the crown within +the city, much divergence of opinion exists. Some believe that the +government of the city was hereby separated from that of the shire wherein +it was situate, and that the right of appointing their own justiciar which +the citizens obtained by this charter was the right of electing a sheriff +for the city of London in the place of the non-elective ancient +port-reeve. Others deny that the charter introduced the shire organization +into the government of the city, and believe the justiciar and sheriff to +have been distinct officials.(101) The latter appear to hold the more +plausible view. Putting aside the so-called charter of William the First, +granting to the citizens in express terms _civitatem et vice-comitatum +Londoniae_, as wanting in corroboration, a solution of the difficulty may +be found if we consider (1) that the city received a shire organization +and became in itself to all intents and purposes a county as soon as it +came to be governed by a port-reeve, if not as soon as an alderman had +been set over it by Alfred; (2) that the duties of the shrievalty in +respect of the county of the city of London were at this time performed +either by a port-reeve or by one or more officers, known subsequently as +sheriffs, and (3) that for the right of executing these duties no rent or +ferm was ever demanded or paid.(102) + +If this be a correct view of the matter, it would appear that the effect +of Henry's grant of Middlesex to the citizens to farm, and of the +appointment of a sheriff over it of their own choice, was not so much to +render the city independent of the shire, as to make the shire subject to +the city. It must be borne in mind that no sheriff (or sheriffs) has ever +been elected by the citizens for Middlesex alone, the duties appertaining +to the sheriff-wick of Middlesex having always been performed by the +sheriffs of the city for the time being.(103) Hence it is that the +shrievalty of London and Middlesex is often spoken of as the shrievalty of +"London" alone, and the shrievalty of "Middlesex" alone (the same officers +executing the duties of both shrievalties) and the _firma_ of L300 paid +for the shrievalty of Middlesex alone is sometimes described as the +_firma_ of "London," sometimes of "Middlesex," and sometimes of "London +and Middlesex."(104) + +(M71) + +The right of electing their own justiciar granted to the citizens by Henry +resolves itself into little more than a confirmation of the right to elect +their own sheriffs.(105) Just as sheriffs are known to have held pleas of +the crown in the counties up to the time of the Great Charter (although +their duties were modified by Henry I, and again by Henry II, when he +appointed Justices in eyre) so in the city of London, no one, except the +sheriffs of London could hold pleas of the crown, and an attempt made by +the Barons in 1258 to introduce a justiciar into the Guildhall was +persistently challenged by the citizens.(106) + +Even those who stedfastly maintain that in the country the sheriff and +justiciar grew up to be two distinct officers, the one representing local +interest and the other imperial, are willing to allow that in the city of +London such distinction was evanescent. The office of justiciar in the +city was twice granted _eo nomine_ to Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of +Essex, and it is twice mentioned as having been held by one named Gervase, +who (there is reason to believe) is identical with Gervase de Cornhill, a +Sheriff of London in 1155 and 1156; but the office became extinct at the +accession of Henry II.(107) + +(M72) + +The events which followed Henry's decease afford us another instance of +the futility of all attempts at this early period to settle the succession +to the crown before the throne was actually vacant. The King's nephew, +Stephen of Blois, and the nobility of England had sworn to accept the +King's daughter Matilda, wife of Geoffery of Anjou, as their sovereign on +the death of her father; yet when that event took place in 1135, Stephen, +in spite of his oath, claimed the crown as nearest male heir of the +Conqueror's blood.(108) + +There was no doubt of his popularity, whilst Matilda on the other hand +injured her cause by marrying an Angevin. On the continent a bitter feud +existed between Norman and Angevin; in England the Norman had steadily +increased in favour, and England's crown was Stephen's if he had courage +enough to seize it. + +Landing on the Kentish coast, his first reception was far from +encouraging. Canterbury and Dover, held by the Earl of Gloucester, refused +to acknowledge him and closed their gates on his approach. Undismayed by +these rebuffs, Stephen pushed on to London, where he was welcomed by every +token of good will. The Londoners had been no party to the agreement to +recognise Matilda as Henry's successor; they had become accustomed to +exercising a right of sharing in the choice of a king who should reign +over them, and they now chose Stephen. "It was their right, their special +privilege," said they, "on the occasion of the king's decease, to provide +another in his place."(109) There was no time to be lost, the country was +in danger, Stephen was at hand, sent to them, as they believed, by the +goodness of Providence. They could not do better than elect him: and +elected he was by the assembled aldermen or eldermen (_majores natu_) of +the City. + +Such is the story of Stephen's election as given by the author of the +"Gesta Stephani," one who wrote as an eye-witness of what took place, but +whose statements cannot always be taken as those of an independent +chronicler of events. Informal as this election may have been, it marks an +important epoch in the annals of London. Thenceforth the city assumes a +pre-eminent position and exercises a predominant influence in the public +affairs of the kingdom.(110) + +(M73) + +From London Stephen went down to Winchester, where he was heartily +welcomed by his brother Henry, recently appointed papal legate. Next to +London, it was important that Stephen should secure Winchester, and now +that London had spoken, the citizens of Winchester no longer hesitated to +throw in their lot with the king. Winchester secured, and Stephen put in +possession of the royal castle and treasury, he returned to London, where +all doubts as to the validity or invalidity of his election were set at +rest by the ceremony of coronation (Dec. 1135). + +(M74) + +In the spring of the following year (April 1136), a brilliant council of +the clergy and magnates of the realm was held in London,(111) reminding +one of the Easter courts of the days of the Conqueror which latterly had +been shorn of much of their splendour. The occasion was one for +introducing the new king to his subjects as well as for confirming the +liberties of the church, and Stephen may have taken special care to +surround it with exceptional splendour as a set off against the meagreness +which had characterised the recent ceremony of his coronation.(112) + +(M75) + +In the meanwhile the injured Matilda appealed to Rome, but only with the +result that her rival received formal recognition from the Pope. Three +years later (1139) she landed in England accompanied by her brother, the +Earl of Gloucester. She soon obtained a following, more especially in the +west; and Winchester--the seat of the royal residence of the queens of +England since the time when Ethelred presented the city as a "morning +gift" to his consort at their marriage--became her headquarters and +rallying point for her supporters, whilst London served in the same way +for Stephen. + +(M76) + +After nine months of sieges and counter sieges, marches and counter +marches, in which neither party could claim any decided success, Stephen, +as was his wont, withdrew to London and shut himself up in the Tower, with +only a single bishop, and he a foreigner, in his train. Whilst safe behind +the walls of that stronghold, negotiations were opened between him and the +empress for a peaceful settlement of their respective claims (May, 1140), +Henry of Winchester acting as intermediary between the rival parties.(113) +The negotiations ended without effecting the desired result. + +(M77) + +Matters assumed an entirely different aspect when Stephen was made +prisoner at Lincoln in the following year (2nd Feb., 1141). Henry of +Winchester forsook his role of arbitrator, and entered into a formal +compact with the empress who arrived before Winchester with the laurels of +her recent success yet fresh, agreeing to receive her as "Lady of +England," (_Domina Angliae_) and promising her the allegiance of himself +and his followers so long as she would keep her oath and allow him a free +hand in ecclesiastical matters.(114) + +(M78) + +This compact was entered into on the 2nd March, and on the following day +the empress was received with solemn pomp into Winchester Cathedral. It +remained for the compact to be ratified. For this purpose an +ecclesiastical synod was summoned to sit at Winchester on the 7th April. +The day was spent by the legate holding informal communications with the +bishops, abbots, and archdeacons who were in attendance, and who then for +the first time in England's history claimed the right not only of +consecration, but of election of the sovereign.(115) + +On the 8th April, Henry in a long speech announced to the assembled clergy +the result of the conclave of the previous day. He extolled the good +government of the late king who before his death had caused fealty to be +sworn to his daughter, the empress. The delay of the empress in coming to +England (he said) had been the cause of Stephen's election. The latter had +forfeited all claim to the crown by his bad government, and God's judgment +had been pronounced against him. Lest therefore, the nation should suffer +for want of a sovereign, he, as legate, had summoned them together, and by +them the empress had been elected Lady of England. The speech was received +with unanimous applause, those to whom the election did not commend itself +being wise enough to hold their tongue. + +(M79) + +But there was another element to be considered before Matilda's new title +could be assured. What would the Londoners who had taken the initiative in +setting Stephen on the throne, and still owed to them their allegiance, +say to it? The legate had foreseen the difficulty that might arise if the +citizens, whom he described as very princes of the realm, by reason of the +greatness of their city (_qui sunt quasi optimates pro magnitudine +civitatis in Anglia_), could not be won over. He had, therefore, sent a +special safe conduct for their attendance, so he informed the meeting +after the applause which followed his speech had died away, and he +expected them to arrive on the following day. If they pleased they would +adjourn till then. + +(M80) + +The next day (9th April) the Londoners arrived, as the legate had +foretold, and were ushered before the council. They had been sent, they +said, by the so called "commune" of London; and their purpose was not to +enter into debate, but only to beg for the release of their lord, the +king.(116) The statement was supported by all the barons then present who +had entered the commune of the city(117) and met with the approval of the +archbishop and all the clergy in attendance. Their solicitations, however, +proved of no avail. The legate replied with the same arguments he had used +the day before, adding that it ill became the Londoners who were regarded +as nobles (_quasi proceres_) in the land to foster those who had basely +deserted their king on the field of battle, and who only curried favour +with the citizens in order to fleece them of their money. + +(M81) + +Here an interruption took place. A messenger presented to the legate a +paper from Stephen's queen to read to the council. Henry took the paper, +and after scanning its contents, refused to communicate them to the +meeting. The messenger, however, not to be thus foiled, himself made known +the contents of the paper. These were, in effect, an exhortation by the +queen to the clergy, and more especially to the legate himself, to restore +Stephen to liberty. The legate, however, returned the same answer as +before, and the meeting broke up, the Londoners promising to communicate +the decision of the council to their brethren at home, and to do their +best to obtain their support. + +(M82) + +The next two months were occupied by the empress and her supporters in +preparing the way for her admission into the city, the inhabitants of +which, had as yet shown but little disposition towards her. But however +great their inclination may have been to Stephen, they at length found +themselves forced to transfer their allegiance and to offer, for a time at +least, a politic submission to the empress. Accordingly, a deputation went +out to meet her at St. Albans (May 1141), and arrange terms on which the +city should surrender.(118) + +More delay took place; and it was not until shortly before midsummer +(1141), that she entered the city. Her stay was brief. She treated the +inhabitants as vanquished foes,(119) extorted large sums of money,(120) +and haughtily refused to observe the laws of Edward the Confessor they +valued so much, preferring those of the late king, her father.(121) + +(M83) + +The consequence was that, within a few days of her arrival in London, the +inhabitants rose in revolt, drove her out of the city(122) and attacked +the Tower, of which Geoffrey de Mandeville was constable, as his father +William had been before him.(123) + +(M84) + +This Geoffrey de Mandeville had been recently created Earl of Essex by +Stephen, in the hope and expectation that the fortress over which Geoffrey +was governor, would be held secure for the royal cause. The newly fledged +earl, however, was one who ever fought for his own hand, and was ready to +sell his fortress and sword to the highest bidder. The few days that the +empress was in the city, afforded her an opportunity of risking a trial to +win over the earl from his allegiance. To this end she offered to confirm +him in his earldom and to continue him in his office of Constable of the +Tower, conferred upon him by Stephen; in addition to which, she was ready +to allow him to enjoy lands of the rent of L100 a year, a license to +fortify his castles, and the posts of sheriff and justiciar throughout his +earldom. The bait was too tempting for the earl not to accept; and a +charter to the above effect was drawn up and executed.(124) + +(M85) + +Scarcely had the fickle earl consented to throw in his lot with the +empress before she had to flee the city. The departure of the empress was +quickly followed by the arrival of her namesake, Matilda, the valiant +queen of the captured Stephen; and again the earl proved false to his +allegiance and actively supported the queen in concert with the +citizens.(125) + +(M86) + +With his aid(126) and the aid of the Londoners,(127) the queen was enabled +to reduce Winchester and to effect the liberation of her husband by +exchanging the Earl of Gloucester, brother of the empress, for the +captured king. + +(M87) + +After being solemnly crowned, for the second time,(128) at Canterbury, +Stephen issued a second charter (about Christmas time, 1141),(129) to +Geoffrey de Mandeville, confirming and augmenting the previous grant by +the empress. Instead of sheriff and justiciar of his own county of Essex +merely, he is now made sheriff and justiciar of London and Middlesex, as +well as of Hertfordshire. + +(M88) + +But even these great concessions failed to secure the earl's fidelity to +the king. Again he broke away from his allegiance and planned a revolt in +favour of the empress who recompensed him with still greater dignities and +possessions than any yet bestowed. This second charter of the +empress,(130) is remarkable for a clause in which she promises never to +make terms with the Londoners without the earl's consent, "because they +are his mortal foes."(131) But the plans of the earl were doomed to be +frustrated. The empress, tired of the struggle, soon ceased to be +dangerous, and eventually withdrew to the continent, and Stephen was left +free to deal with the rebel earl alone. With the assistance of the +Londoners, who throughout the long period of civil dissension, were +generally to be found on the winning side, and held as it were the balance +between the rival powers, Stephen managed after considerable bloodshed to +capture the fortifications erected by the Earl at Farringdon.(132) + +(M89) + +The earl was subsequently treacherously arrested and made to give up his +castles. Thenceforth his life was that of a marauding freebooter, until, +fatally wounded at the siege of Burwell, he expired in September, 1143. + +(M90) + +Notwithstanding the absence of the empress and the death of the faithless +earl, a desultory kind of war continued to be carried on for the next ten +years on behalf of Henry of Anjou, son of the empress. In 1153 that prince +arrived in England to fight his own battles and maintain his right to the +crown, which the king had already attempted to transfer to the head of his +own son Eustace. This attempt had been foiled by the refusal of the +bishops, at the instigation of the pope, to perform the ceremony. The +sudden death of Eustace made the king more ready to enter into +negotiations for effecting a peaceful settlement. + +(M91) (M92) + +A compromise was accordingly effected at Winchester,(133) whereby Stephen +was to remain in undisputed possession of the throne for life, and after +his death was to be succeeded by Henry. The news that at last an end had +come to the troubles which for nineteen years had disturbed the country, +was received with universal joy, and Henry, conducted to London by the +king himself, was welcomed in a manner befitting one who was now the +recognised heir to the crown.(134) + + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + + +(M93) + +Both London and Winchester had been laid in ashes during Stephen's reign, +the former by a conflagration--which took place in 1136, again destroying +St. Paul's and extending from London Bridge to the church of St. Clement +Danes--the latter by the burning missiles used in the conflict between +Stephen and the empress in 1141. Winchester never recovered her position, +and London was left without a rival. Fitz-Stephen, who wrote an account of +the city as it stood in the reign of Henry II, describes it as holding its +head higher than all others; its fame was wider known; its wealth and +merchandise extended further than any other; it was the capital of the +kingdom (_regni Anglorum sedes_).(135) + +(M94) + +It was through the mediation of an intimate friend and fellow citizen of +Fitz-Stephen that Archbishop Theobald had invited Henry of Anjou over from +France in 1153. Thomas of London, better known as Thomas Becket, although +of foreign descent, was born in the heart of the city, having first seen +the light in the house of Gilbert, his father, some time Portreeve of +London, situate in Cheapside on a site now occupied by the hall and chapel +of the Mercers' Chapel. Having been ordained a deacon of the Church, he +became in course of time clerk or chaplain to the archbishop. Vigorous and +active as he was, Thomas soon made his influence felt, and it was owing to +his suggestion (so it is said(136)) that the bishops had declined to be a +party to the coronation of Eustace during Stephen's lifetime. + +On the accession of Henry, Thomas passed from the service of the +archbishop, then advanced in years, to the service of the young king. He +was raised to the dignity of chancellor, and became one of the king's most +trusted advisers. By their united efforts order was once again restored +throughout the kingdom. The great barons, who had established themselves +in castles erected without royal licence, were brought into subjection to +the crown and compelled to pull down their walls. Upon the death of the +archbishop, Thomas was appointed to the vacant See (1162). From that day +forward the friendship between king and archbishop began to wane. Henry +found that all his attempts to establish order in his kingdom were +thwarted by exemptions claimed by the archbishop on behalf of the clergy. +He found that allegiance to the Crown was divided with allegiance to the +Pope, and this state of things was likely to continue so long as the +archbishop lived. Becket's end is familiar to us all. His memory was long +cherished by the citizens of London, who made many a pilgrimage to the +scene of his martyrdom and left many an offering on his tomb in the +cathedral of Canterbury. It is hard to say for which of the two, the +father or the son, the citizens entertained the greater reverence. For +many years after his death it was the custom for the Mayor of the City for +the time being, upon entering into office, to meet the aldermen at the +church of St. Thomas of Acon--a church which had been erected and endowed +in honour of the murdered archbishop by his sister Agnes, wife of Thomas +Fitz-Theobald of Helles(137)--and thence to proceed to the tomb of Gilbert +Becket, the father, in St. Paul's churchyard, there to say a _De +profundis_; after which both mayor and aldermen returned to the church of +St. Thomas, and, each having made an offering of two pence, returned to +his own home.(138) St. Thomas's Hospital, in Southwark, was originally +dedicated to the murdered archbishop, but after its dissolution and +subsequent restoration as one of the Royal Hospitals, its patron saint was +no longer Thomas the Martyr, but Thomas the Apostle. + +(M95) + +Whilst the king and his chancellor were busy settling the kingdom, +establishing a uniform administration of justice and system of revenue, +and not only renewing but extending the form of government which had been +instituted by Henry I, the citizens of London, availing themselves of the +security afforded by a strong government, redoubled their energy in +following commercial pursuits and succeeded in raising the city, as +Fitz-Stephen has told us, to a pitch of prosperity far exceeding that of +any other city in the world. + +They obtained a charter from Henry,(139) although of a more limited +character than that granted to them by his grandfather. The later charter, +for instance, although in the main lines following the older charter, +makes no mention of Middlesex being let to ferm nor of any appointment of +sheriff or justiciar being vested in the citizens. It appears as if Henry +was determined to bring the citizens no less than the barons of the realm +within more direct and immediate subservience to the crown. The concession +made by the king's grandfather had been ignored by Stephen and the empress +Matilda, each of whom in turn had granted the shrievalty of London and +Middlesex to the Earl of Essex. For a time the appointment of sheriffs was +lost to the citizens. Throughout the reigns of Henry II and his successor +they were appointed by the crown. Richard's charter to the citizens makes +no mention of the sheriffwick, nor is it mentioned in the first charter +granted by John. When it was restored to the citizens (A.D. 1199), by +John's second charter, the office of sheriff of London had lost much of +its importance owing to the introduction of the communal system of +municipal government under a mayor. + +(M96) + +In the meantime the sheriffs of the counties, who had by reason of Henry's +administrative reforms, risen to be officers of greater importance and +wider jurisdiction, and who had taken advantage of their positions to +oppress the people during the king's prolonged absence abroad, were also +made to feel the power of the crown. A blow struck at the sheriffs was +calculated to weaken the nobility and the larger landowners--the class from +which it had been the custom hitherto to select these officers. Henry saw +the advantage to be gained, and on his return to England in 1170 deposed +most of the sheriffs and ordered a strict enquiry to be made, as to the +extortions they had committed in his absence. Their places were filled for +the most part by men of lower rank, and therefore likely to be more +submissive. Some, however, were reinstated and became more cruel and +extortionate than ever.(140) + +(M97) + +The last fifteen years of Henry's life were full of domestic trouble. He +had always found it an easier matter to rule his kingdom than his +household. His sons were for ever thwarting his will and quarrelling with +each other. It was his desire to secure the succession to the crown for +his eldest son Henry, and to this end he had caused him to be crowned by +the Archbishop of York (14th June, 1170), who was thereupon declared +excommunicated by his brother of Canterbury. The son began to clamour for +his inheritance whilst his father still lived, and appealed in 1173 to the +French king, whose daughter he had married, to assist him in his unholy +enterprise. Whilst Henry was engaged in defending his crown against his +own son on the continent, the great barons of England rose in +insurrection, and the king was obliged to hasten home, where he arrived in +July, 1174. The rebellion was quickly put down, and the strife between +king and nobles for a time ceased. + +(M98) + +In the city there were occasional disturbances caused by the younger +nobility--the young bloods of the city(141)--who infested the streets at +night, broke into the houses of the rich and committed every kind of +excess. In 1177 the brother of the Earl of Ferrers was waylaid and killed, +and for some time the streets were unsafe at night. The chronicler records +a singular outrage perpetrated three years before, by these sprigs of +nobility. They forcibly entered the house of a wealthy citizen whose name +has not come down to us, he is simply styled the _pater-familias_. Of his +courage we are left in no doubt, for we are told that he slipt on a coat +of mail, armed his house-hold, and awaited the attack. He had not long to +wait. The leader of the band--one Andrew Bucquinte soon made his +appearance, and was met by a pan of hot coals. Swords were drawn on both +sides and _pater-familias_, whose coat of mail served him well, succeeded +in cutting off the right hand of his assailant. Upon the cry of thieves +being raised, the delinquents took to their heels, leaving their leader a +prisoner. The next day, being brought before the king's justiciar, he +informed against his companions. This cowardly action on the part of +Bucquinte led to many of them being taken, and among them one who is +described by the chronicler as the noblest and wealthiest of London +citizens, but to whom the chronicler gives no other name than "John, the +old man" (_Johannes Senex_). An offer was made to John to prove his +innocence by what was known as the ordeal by water,(142) but the offer was +declined, and he was eventually hanged. The whole story looks suspicious. + +(M99) + +Having settled the succession of the crown of England upon his eldest son, +the king put his second son, Richard, into possession of the Duchy of +Aquitaine, and provided for his third son, Geoffrey, by marriage with the +heiress of Brittany. There was yet another son, John, who was too young to +be provided for just now, and who being without any territory, assigned to +him, acquired the name of Lackland. Both Richard and Geoffrey had taken +the part of their brother Henry in 1173, and in 1177 the three brothers +were again quarrelling with their father and with each other. After the +deaths of Henry and Geoffrey, the quarrel was taken up by the surviving +brothers, Richard and John. + +In all these--more or less--petty wars with his sons, the king had always to +deal with the ruler of France. At last, in 1189, the loss of Le Mans--his +own birth-place--and the unexpected discovery that his youngest and best +beloved son, John, had turned traitor towards him, left the king nothing +to live for, and after a few days suffering he died, ill and worn out, at +Chinon. + +(M100) + +Richard had scarcely succeeded to the throne, before he set out on a +crusade, leaving the government of his country in the hands of William +Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, as chancellor.(143) With him was associated in +the government, Hugh de Puiset, or Pudsey, Bishop of Durham, but Longchamp +soon got the supreme control of affairs into his own hands, and commenced +to act in the most tyrannical fashion. He increased the security of the +Tower of London, which had been committed to his charge, by surrounding it +with a moat,(144) and having got himself nominated papal legate, made a +progress through the country committing the greatest extortion.(145) + +(M101) (M102) + +Report of the Chancellor's conduct having reached the ears of Richard, he +despatched the Archbishop of Rouen to England with a new commission, but +the worthy prelate on arrival (April, 1191), was afraid to present the +commission, preferring to let matters take their course.(146) Already a +fierce rivalry had sprung up between the chancellor and John, the king's +brother, who, for purposes of his own, had espoused the cause of the +oppressed. Popular feeling at length became so strong, that Longchamp +feared to meet John and the bishops, and, instead of going to Reading, +where his attendance was required, he hastened to London. Arriving there +(7 Oct.), he called the citizens together in the Guildhall, and prayed +them to uphold the King against John, whom he denounced as aiming plainly +at the Crown. The leading men in the city at the time were Richard +Fitz-Reiner and Henry de Cornhill. These took opposite sides, the former +favouring John, whilst the latter took the side of the chancellor.(147) +John's party proving the stronger of the two, Longchamp thought it safest +to seek refuge in the Tower.(148) + +(M103) + +As soon as John found that the chancellor had gone to London instead of +Reading, he too hastened thither. On his arrival he was welcomed and +hospitably entertained by Richard Fitz-Reiner who gave him to understand +on what terms he might expect the support of the city.(149) As to terms, +John was ready to accede to any that might be proposed. + +(M104) (M105) + +The next day (8 Oct.), a meeting of the barons of the realm, as well as of +the citizens of London, was convened in St. Paul's Church, to consider the +conduct of the chancellor, and it was thereupon decided that Longchamp +should be deposed from office. The story, as told by different +chroniclers,(150) varies in some particulars, but the main features are +the same in all. The king's minister was set aside, John was recognised as +the head of the kingdom, and new appointments made to judicial, fiscal, +and military offices. The Archbishop of Rouen, who attended the council, +seeing the turn affairs had taken, no longer hesitated to produce the +letters under the king's sign manual appointing a new commission for the +government of the kingdom. + +(M106) + +The same day that witnessed the fall of Longchamp was also a memorable one +in the annals of the City of London; for immediately after judgment had +been passed on the chancellor, John and the assembled barons granted to +the citizens "their commune," swearing to preserve untouched the dignities +of the city during the king's pleasure. The citizens on their part swore +fealty to King Richard, and declared their readiness to accept John as +successor to the throne in the event of his brother dying childless.(151) + +(M107) + +This is the first public recognition of the citizens of London as a body +corporate; but so far from granting to them something new, the very words +_their_ commune (_communam suam_) imply a commune of which they were _de +facto_, if not _de jure_ already in enjoyment. How long the commune may +have been in existence, unauthorised by the crown, cannot be determined; +but that the term _communio_ in connection with the city's organization +was known half a century before, we have already seen;(152) and, according +to the opinion of Giraldus Cambrensis, there is no valid distinction +between the words _communio_, _communa_ and _communia_.(153) Bishop +Stubbs, however, hesitates to translate _communio_ as "commune," the +latter being essentially a French term for a particular form of municipal +government. He prefers to render it "commonalty," "fraternity," or +"franchise," although he goes so far as to allow that the term "suggests +that the communal idea was already in existence as a basis of civic +organization" in Stephen's reign, an idea which became fully developed in +the succeeding reign.(154) He is also in favour of dating the foundation +of the _communa_ in London from this grant by John and the barons,(155) +and in this view he is supported by Richard of Devizes, who distinctly +states that the _communia_ of London was instituted on that occasion, and +that it was of such a character that neither King Richard nor Henry his +father would have conceded it for a million marks of silver, and that a +_communia_ was in fact everything that was bad. It puffed up the people, +it threatened the kingdom, and it emasculated the priesthood.(156) + +(M108) + +With the change from a shire organization to that of a French _commune_, +whenever that happened to take place, there took place also a change in +the chief governor of the city. The head of the city was no longer a Saxon +"port-reeve" but a French "mayor," the former officer continuing in all +probability to perform the duties of a port-reeve or sheriff of a town in +a modified form. From the time when this "civic revolution"(157) occurred, +down to the present day, the sheriff's position has always been one of +secondary importance, being himself subordinate to the mayor. + +(M109) + +The earliest mention of a mayor of London in a formal document is said to +occur in a writ of the reign of Henry II.(158) The popular opinion, +however, is that a change in the name of the chief magistrate of the City +of London took place at the accession of Richard I. What gave rise to this +belief is hard to say, but it is not improbable that it arose from a +statement to be found in an early manuscript record still preserved among +the archives of the Corporation, and known as the _Liber de Antiquis +Legibus_.(159) The original portion of this manuscript purports to be a +chronicle of mayors and sheriffs from 1188 down to 1273, noticing briefly +the chief events in each year, and referring to a few particulars relative +to the year 1274. + +After naming the sheriffs who were appointed at Michaelmas, A.D. 1188, +"the first year of the reign of King Richard,"(160) it goes on to say that +"in the same year Henry Fitz-Eylwin of Londenestane was made mayor of +London, who was the first mayor of the city, and continued to be such +mayor to the end of his life, that is to say, for nearly five and twenty +years." That Henry Fitz-Eylwin was mayor in the first year of Richard's +reign is stated no less than three times in the chronicle.(161) + +(M110) + +The compiler of the chronicle is supposed to have been Arnald or Arnulf +Fitz-Thedmar,(162) an Alderman of London, although it is not known over +which ward he presided. Particulars of his life are given in the volume +itself, from which we gather that he was a grandson on the mother's side +of Arnald de Grevingge(163) a citizen of Cologne; that his father's name +was Thedmar, a native of Bremen; that he was born on the vigil of St. +Lawrence [10 August] A.D. 1201, his mother being forewarned of the +circumstances that would attend his birth in a manner familiar to biblical +readers; that he was deprived of his aldermanry by the king, but was +afterwards restored; that he became supporter of the king against Simon de +Montfort and the barons, and that he was among those whom Thomas +Fitz-Thomas, the leader of the democratic party and his followers, had +"intended to slay" on the very day that news reached London of the battle +of Evesham, which crushed the hopes of Montfort and his supporters. The +date of his death cannot be precisely determined, but there can be but +little doubt that it took place early in the third year of the reign of +Edward the First, inasmuch as his will was proved and enrolled in the +Court of Husting, London, held on Monday, the morrow of the Feast of St. +Scolastica [10 Feb.] of that year (A.D. 1274-5).(164) + +Setting aside the statement--namely that mention is made of a mayor of +London, in a document of the reign of Henry II--as wanting corroboration, +the first instance known at the present day of any such official being +named in a formal document occurs in 1193 when the Mayor of London appears +among those who were appointed treasurers of Richard's ransom.(165) + +(M111) + +Richard's first charter to the City (23 April, 1194)(166) granted a few +weeks after his return from abroad makes no mention of a mayor, nor does +the title occur in any royal charter affecting the City until the year +1202, when John attempted to suppress the guild of weavers "at the request +of our mayor and citizens of London." A few years later when John was +ready to do anything and everything to avoid signing the Great Charter +which the barons were forcing on him, he made a bid for the favour of the +citizens by granting them the right to elect annually a mayor, and thus +their autonomy was rendered complete. + +(M112) + +When Richard recovered his liberty and returned to England he was heartily +welcomed by all except his brother John. One of his first acts was to +visit the City and return thanks for his safety at St. Paul's.(167) The +City was on this occasion made to look its brightest, and the display of +wealth astonished the foreigners in the King's suite, who had been led to +believe that England had been brought to the lowest stage of poverty by +payment of the King's ransom.(168) + +(M113) (M114) + +In order to wipe out the stain of his imprisonment, he thought fit to go +through the ceremony of coronation for the second time. His first +coronation had taken place at Westminster (3 Sept., 1189,) soon after his +accession, and the citizens of London had duly performed a service at the +coronation banquet--a service which even in those days was recognised as an +"ancient service"--namely, that of assisting the chief butler, for which +the mayor was customarily presented with a gold cup and ewer. The citizens +of the rival city of Winchester performed on this occasion the lesser +service of attending to the viands.(169) + +The second coronation taking place at Winchester and not at Westminster, +the burgesses of the former city put in a claim to the more honourable +service over the heads of the citizens of London, and the latter only +succeeded in establishing their superior claim by a judicious bribe of 200 +marks.(170) + +(M115) + +Richard was ever in want of money, and cared little by what means it was +raised. He declared himself ready to sell London itself if a purchaser +could be found.(171) The tax of Danegelt, from which the citizens of +London had been specially exempted by charter of Henry I, and which had +ceased to be exacted under Henry II, mainly through the interposition of +Thomas of London, was practically revived under a new name. The charter +already mentioned as having been granted to the citizens by Richard after +his return from captivity was probably purchased, for one of the king's +regular methods of raising money was a lavish distribution of charters to +boroughs, not from any love he had for municipal government, but in order +to put money in his purse. As soon as Richard had collected all the money +he could raise in England, he again left the country, never to return. + +(M116) + +The pressure of taxation weighed heavily on the poor, and occasioned a +rising in the city under the leadership of William Fitz-Osbert. The cry +was that the rich were spared whilst the poor were called upon to pay +everything.(172) Accounts of the commotion differ according as the writer +favoured the autocratic or democratic side. One chronicler, for instance, +finds fault with Fitz-Osbert's personal appearance, imputing his +inordinate length of beard--he was known as "Longbeard"--to his desire for +conspicuousness, and declares him to have been actuated by base +motives.(173) + +Others describe him as a wealthy citizen of the best family, and yet as +one who ever upheld the cause of the poor against the king's +extortions.(174) Whatever may have been the true character of the man and +the real motive of his action, it is certain that he had a large +following. When Hubert Walter, the justiciar, sent to arrest him, +"Longbeard" took refuge in the church of St. Mary-le-Bow. Thither he was +followed by the king's officers--described by a not impartial chronicler as +men devoid of truth and piety and enemies of the poor.(175)--who with the +aid of fire and faggot soon compelled him to surrender. On his way to the +Tower, he was struck at and wounded by one whose father (it was said) he +had formerly killed;(176) but this again may or may not be the whole +truth. A few days later he and a number of his associates were +hanged.(177) + +(M117) + +Two years before his death at Chaluz, Richard, with the view of aiding +commerce, caused the wears in the Thames to be removed, and forbade his +wardens of the Tower to demand any more the toll that had been accustomed. +The writ to this effect was dated from the Island of Andely or Les Andelys +on the Seine, the 14th July, 1197, in the neighbourhood of that fortress +which Richard had erected, and of which he was so proud--the Chateau +Gaillard or "Saucy Castle," as he jestingly called it. The reputation +which the castle enjoyed for impregnability under Richard, was lost under +his successor on the throne. + +(M118) + +Soon after John's accession we find what appears to be the first mention +of a court of aldermen as a deliberative body. In the year 1200, writes +Thedmar (himself an alderman), "were chosen five and twenty of the more +discreet men of the city, and sworn to take counsel on behalf of the city, +together with the mayor."(178) Just as in the constitution of the realm, +the House of Lords can claim a greater antiquity than the House of +Commons, so in the city--described by Lord Coke as _epitome totius +regni_--the establishment of a court of aldermen preceded that of the +common council. + +(M119) + +When, after thirteen years of misgovernment, during which John had enraged +the barons and excited general discontent by endless impositions, matters +were brought to a climax by his submission to the pope, it was in the city +of London that the first steps were taken by his subjects to recover their +lost liberty. On the 25th August, 1213, a meeting of the clergy and barons +was held in the church of St. Paul; a memorable meeting, and one that has +been described as "a true parliament of the realm, though no king presided +in it."(179) Stephen Langton, whose appointment as Archbishop of +Canterbury had so raised John's ire, took the lead and produced to the +assembly a copy of the Charter of Liberties, granted by Henry I, when that +king undertook to put an end to the tyranny of William Rufus. If the +barons so pleased, it might (he said) serve as a precedent. The charter +having been then and there deliberately read, the barons unanimously +declared that for such liberties they were ready to fight, and, if +necessary, to die.(180) + +The clergy and people who had hitherto supported the king against the +barons, having now engaged themselves to assist the barons against the +tyranny of the king, John found himself with but one friend in the world, +and that was the Pope. "Innocent's view of the situation was very simple," +writes Dr. Gardiner, "John was to obey the Pope, and all John's subjects +were to obey John." Within a few weeks of the council being held at St. +Paul's, the same sacred edifice witnessed the formality of affixing a +golden _bulla_ to the deed--the detestable deed (_carta +detestabilis_)--whereby John had in May last resigned the crown of England +to the papal legate, and received it again as the Pope's feudatory.(181) + +(M120) + +In the following year (1214), whilst the king was abroad, the barons met +again at Bury St. Edmunds, and solemnly swore that if John any longer +delayed restoring the laws and liberties of Henry the First, they would +make war upon him. It was arranged that after Christmas they should go in +a body and demand their rights, and that in the meantime they should +provide themselves with horses and arms, with the view of bringing force +to bear, in case of refusal.(182) The citizens at the same time took the +opportunity of strengthening their defences by digging a foss on the +further side of the city wall.(183) + +(M121) + +Christmas came and a meeting between John and the barons took place in +London at what was then known as the "New" Temple. The result, however, +was unsatisfactory, and both parties prepared for an appeal to force, the +barons choosing as their leader Robert Fitz-Walter, whom they dubbed +"Marshal of the army of God and of Holy Church."(184) + +(M122) + +This Fitz-Walter was Baron of Dunmow in Essex, the owner of Baynard's +Castle in the City of London, and lord of a soke, which embraced the whole +of the parish known as St. Andrew Castle Baynard. He moreover enjoyed the +dignity of castellain and chief bannerer or banneret of London. The rights +and privileges attaching to his soke and to his official position in time +of peace were considerable, to judge from a claim to them put forward by +his grandson in the year 1303. Upon making his appearance in the Court of +Husting at the Guildhall, it was the duty of the Mayor, or other official +holding the court, to rise and meet him and place him by his side. Again, +if any traitor were taken within his soke or jurisdiction, it was his +right to sentence him to death, the manner of death being that the +convicted person should be tied to a post in the Thames at the Wood Wharf, +and remain there during two tides and two ebbs.(185) + +In later years, however, upon an enquiry being held by the Justiciars of +the Iter (a deg. 14 Edward II, A.D. 1321), the claimant was obliged to +acknowledge that he had disposed of Baynard's Castle in the time of Edward +I, but had especially reserved to himself all rights attaching to the +castle and barony, although he very considerately declared his willingness +to forego the right and title enjoyed by his ancestor of drowning traitors +at Wood Wharf.(186) + +(M123) + +But it was in time of war that Fitz-Walter achieved for himself the +greatest power and dignity. It then became the duty of the castellain to +proceed to the great gate of St. Paul's attended by nineteen other +knights, mounted and caparisoned, and having his banner, emblazoned with +his arms, displayed before him. Immediately upon his arrival, the mayor, +aldermen, and sheriffs, who awaited him, issued solemnly forth from the +church, all arrayed in arms, the mayor bearing in his hand the city +banner, the ground of which was bright vermilion or gules, with a figure +of St. Paul, in gold, thereon, the head, feet, and hands of the saint +being silver or argent, and in his right hand a sword.(187) The +castellain, advancing to meet the mayor, informed him that he had come to +do the service which the city had a right to demand at his hands, and +thereupon the mayor placed the city's banner in his hands, and then, +attending him back to the gate, presented him with a charger of the value +of L20, its saddle emblazoned with the arms of Fitz-Walter, and its +housing of cendal or silk, similarly enriched. + +A sum of L20 was at the same time handed to Fitz-Walter's chamberlain to +defray the day's expenses. Having mounted his charger, he bids the Mayor +to choose a Marshal of the host of the City of London; and this being +done, the communal or "mote-bell" is set ringing, and the whole party +proceed to the Priory of Holy Trinity at Aldgate. There they dismount, and +entering the Priory, concert measures together for the defence of the +city. There is one other point worthy of remark, touching the office of +chief banneret, and that is that on the occasion of any siege undertaken +by the London forces, the castellain was to receive as his fee the +niggardly sum of one hundred shillings for his trouble, and no more. + +(M124) + +It is not improbable that Fitz-Walter's election as leader of the +remonstrant barons was in some measure due to his official position in the +city. It is also probable, as Mr. Riley has pointed out, that the +unopposed admission of the barons into the city, on the 24th May, 1215, +may have been facilitated by Fitz-Walter's connexion, as castellain, with +the Priory of Holy Trinity, situate in the vicinity. + +But there were other reasons for selecting Fitz-Walter as their leader at +this juncture. If the story be true, Fitz-Walter had good reason to be +bitterly hostile to King John, for having caused his fair daughter Maude +or Matilda to be poisoned, after having unsuccessfully made an attempt +upon her chastity.(188) This is not the only crime of the kind laid to the +charge of this monarch,(189) and there appears to be too much reason for +believing most of the charges against him to be true. It is certain that +Fitz-Walter was one of the first to entertain designs against John, and +that he and Eustace de Vesci, on whose family the king is said to have put +a similar affront, were forced to escape to France. The story how +Fitz-Walter attracted John's notice by his prowess at a tournament in +which he was engaged on the side of the French, and was restored to the +King's favour and his own estates, is familiar to all. + +(M125) + +After a feeble attempt to capture Northampton, the barons, with +Fitz-Walter at their head, accepted an invitation from the citizens of +London to enter the city. They made their entry through Aldgate.(190) + +The concession which John had recently made to the citizens, viz.:--the +right of annually electing their own mayor(191)--had failed to secure their +allegiance. The city became thenceforth the headquarters of the +barons,(192) and the adhesion of the Londoners was followed by so great a +defection from the King's party (including among others that of Henry de +Cornhill), that he was left without any power of resistance.(193) + +(M126) + +The citizens met their reward for fidelity to the barons when John was +brought to bay at Runnymede. In drafting the articles of the Great Charter +the barons, mindful of their trusty allies, made provision for the +preservation of the city's liberties, and the names of Fitz-Walter and of +the mayor of the city appear among those who were specially appointed to +see that the terms of the charter were strictly carried out.(194) + +By way of further security for the fulfilment of the articles of the +charter the barons demanded and obtained the custody of the City of +London, including the Tower, and they reserved to themselves the right of +making war upon the king if he failed to keep his word. For a year or more +the barons remained in the city, having entered into a mutual compact with +the inhabitants to make no terms with the king without the consent of both +parties.(195) + +(M127) + +The right of resistance thus established was soon to be carried into +execution. Before the year was out, John had broken faith, and was +besieging Rochester with the aid of mercenaries. An attempt to raise the +siege failed, owing to the timidity (not to say cowardice) of Fitz-Walter, +who, like the rest of the barons, was inclined to be indolent so soon as +the struggle with the king was thought to have ended.(196) + +(M128) + +The Pope supported his vassal king. For a second time during John's reign +London was placed under an interdict. The first occasion was in 1208, when +the whole of England was put under an interdict, and for six years the +nation was deprived of all religious rites saving the sacraments of +baptism and extreme unction.(197) It was then the object of Innocent to +stir up resistance against John by inflicting sufferings on the people, +now his purpose was to punish the people for having risen against John. + +(M129) (M130) + +The barons saw no other course open to them but to invite Louis the +Dauphin to come and undertake the government of the kingdom in the place +of John. On the 21st May, 1216, Louis landed at Sandwich and came to +London, where he was welcomed by the barons. Both barons and citizens paid +him homage, whilst he, on his part, swore to restore to them their rights, +to maintain such laws of the realm as were good, and to abolish those (if +any) that were bad.(198) Suspicion, however, had been aroused against +Louis by the confession of a French nobleman who had come over in his +train, and who had solemnly declared on his deathbed that his master had +sworn when once on the throne of England to banish all John's +enemies.(199) Just when matters seemed to be approaching a crisis and the +barons were wavering in their allegiance, John died (19th October, 1216). + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + + +(M131) + +Although London remained faithful to Louis after John's death, the barons +began to desert him, one by one (_quasi stillatim_),(200) and to transfer +their allegiance to John's eldest son, a boy of nine years of age, who had +been crowned at Gloucester soon after his father's death, the disturbed +state of the country not allowing of his coming to London for the +ceremony.(201) + +(M132) + +After his defeat at Lincoln (20th May, 1217), by William the Marshal, Earl +of Pembroke, one of Henry's guardians, Louis beat a hasty retreat to +London and wrote to his father, the French king, to send him military +assistance, for without it he could neither fight nor get out of the +country. + +(M133) + +Among the prisoners taken at Lincoln were Robert Fitz-Walter, and a +neighbour of his in the ward of Castle Baynard, Richard de Muntfichet, +who, like Fitz-Walter, had also suffered banishment in 1213. The tower or +castle of Muntfichet lay a little to the west of Baynard's Castle, and was +made over in 1276 by Gregory de Rokesle, the mayor, and citizens of London +to the Archbishop of Canterbury, for the purpose of erecting a new house +for the Dominican or Black Friars, in place of their old house in +Holborn.(202) We hear little of Fitz-Walter after this, beyond the facts +that he soon afterwards obtained his freedom, that he went on a crusade, +and continued a loyal subject to Henry until his death in 1235. He is said +to have been in the habit of wearing a precious stone suspended from his +neck by way of a charm, which at his last moments he asked his wife to +remove in order that he might die the easier.(203) + +(M134) + +A French fleet which had been despatched in answer to Louis was defeated +off Dover by Hubert de Burgh, who had gallantly held that town for John, +and continued to hold it now for Henry. London itself was invested by the +Marshal, and threatened with starvation; but before matters came to +extremes, Louis intimated his willingness to come to terms.(204) + +(M135) + +A meeting was held on the 11th of September (some say at Kingston,(205) +others at Staines(206)), and a peace concluded.(207) Louis swore fealty to +the Pope and the Roman Church, for which he was absolved from the ban of +excommunication that had been passed on him, and surrendered all the +castles and towns he had taken during the war. He, further, promised to +use his influence to obtain the restoration to England of the possessions +that had been lost beyond the sea. + +(M136) + +Henry, on his part, swore to preserve to the barons and the rest of the +kingdom, all those liberties which they had succeeded in obtaining from +John. Everything being thus amicably settled, Louis went to London, and, +after borrowing a large sum of money from his former trusty supporters, +betook himself back to his native country.(208) The general pardon which +was granted by the young king extended to the Londoners, who became +reconciled and received back their lands,(209) but did not extend to the +clergy, who were left to the tender mercy of the papal legate. + +(M137) + +For some years to come there remained a party in the city who cherished +the memory of Louis, and the cry of "Mountjoy!" the war-cry of the French +king--was sufficient to cause a riot as late as 1222, when Constantine +Fitz-Athulf or Olaf, an ex-sheriff of London, raised the cry at a +tournament, in order to test the feeling of the populace towards Louis. +Any serious results that might have arisen were promptly prevented by +Hubert de Burgh, the justiciar, who very quickly sought out the +ringleader, and incontinently caused him and two of his followers to be +hanged at the Elms in Smithfield. Whilst the halter was round his neck, +Fitz-Athulf offered 15,000 marks of silver for his life. The offer was +declined. He was not to be allowed another chance of stirring up sedition +in the city.(210) + +A more circumstantial account of this event is given us by another +chronicler,(211) who relates that the wrestling match which took place on +the festival of Saint James (25th July),--the same as that mentioned by +Matthew Paris--was held at Queen Matilda's hospital in the suburbs,(212) +and was a match between the citizens of London and those outside; that +victory declared itself in favour of the Londoners, and that their +opponents, and among them the steward of the Abbot of Westminster, +thereupon left in high dudgeon. With thoughts of revenge in their hearts, +the latter caused invitations to be issued for another match to be held at +Westminster, on the following feast of Saint Peter ad Vincula (1st +August). + +It was at this second and later match that the trouble began. The steward +was not content with collecting the most powerful athletes he could find, +but caused them to seize weapons and to attack the defenceless citizens +who had come to take part in the games. The Londoners hurried home, +bleeding with wounds, and immediately took counsel as to what was best to +be done. Serlo, the mercer, who had held the office of mayor of the city +for the past five years, and was of a peaceable disposition, suggested +referring the matter to the abbot; and it was then that Constantine, who +had a large following, advocated an attack upon the houses of the abbot +and of his steward. No sooner said than done, and many houses had already +suffered before the justiciar appeared upon the scene with a large force. +As to the seizure of Constantine and his subsequent execution, the +chroniclers agree. + +Constantine's fellow citizens were very indignant at the indecent haste +with which the justiciar had caused his execution to be carried out, and +did not fail to bring the matter up in judgment against him, when, some +ten years later, Hubert de Burgh himself fell into disgrace.(213) The +result was, that the justiciar took refuge in the Priory of Merton. When +the citizens received the king's orders to follow him there, and to take +him dead or alive, they obeyed with unconcealed joy. They allowed little +time to elapse, but set out at once, 20,000 strong, ready to tear him limb +from limb; but luckily they were stopped in time by another message from +the king, and Hubert obtained a respite.(214) + +(M138) + +At the time of Constantine's execution, there was real danger to be +anticipated from raising the cry in favour of any foreigner. The land was +already swarming with foreigners, and in that very year (viz. 1222), the +archbishop had been under the necessity of summoning a council of bishops +and nobles to be held in London, owing to dissensions that had arisen +between the Earl of Chester, William of Salisbury, the king's uncle, and +Hubert de Burgh, and to a rumour that had got abroad, that foreigners were +inciting the Earl of Chester to raise an insurrection.(215) + +A few years later, the country was over-run by a brood of Italian usurers +who battened on the inhabitants, reducing many to beggary. When attempts +were made to rid the city of these pests, they sheltered themselves under +the protection of the Pope.(216) + +Throughout the reign of Henry III, there was one continuous struggle +against foreign dominion, either secular or ecclesiastical. In this +struggle, none took a more active part than the citizens of London, and +"when [in 1247], the nobles, clergy, and people of England put forth their +famous letter denouncing the wrongs which England suffered at the hands of +the Roman bishop, it was with the seal of the city of London, as the +centre of national life that the national protest was made."(217) + +(M139) + +Side by side with this struggle another was being carried on, a struggle +for the liberty of the subject against the tyranny and rapacity of the +king. More especially was this the case with the city. Henry was for ever +invading the rights and liberties of the citizens. Thus in 1239, he +insisted upon their admitting to the shrievalty one who had already been +dismissed from that office for irregular conduct, and because they refused +to forego their chartered right of election and to appoint the king's +nominee, the city was deprived of a mayor for three months and more.(218) + +(M140) + +The substitution of a _custos_ or warden appointed by the king for a mayor +elected by the citizens, and of bailiffs for sheriffs,--a procedure known +as "taking the city into the king's hands,"--was frequently resorted to +both by Henry and his successors, and notably by Edward I, in whose reign +the city was deprived of its mayor, and remained under government of a +_custos_ for thirteen consecutive years (1285-1298).(219) + +Any pretext was sufficient for Henry's purpose. If the citizens harboured +a foreigner without warrant, not only was the city taken into the king's +hand, but the citizens were fined L1,000,(220) a sum equal to at least +L20,000 at the present day. A widow brings an action for a third part of +her late husband's goods in addition to her dower. The case goes against +her in the Court of Husting, and is heard on appeal before the king's +justiciar sitting at St. Martin's-le-Grand. The verdict is not set aside, +but some flaw is discovered in the mode of procedure; the explanation of +the citizens is deemed insufficient, and the mayor and sheriffs are +forthwith deposed, to be reinstated only on the understanding that they +will so far forego their chartered right--viz.: of not impleading nor being +impleaded without the walls of their city--as to consent to attend the +king's court at Westminster, where finally, and after considerable delay, +they are acquitted.(221) + +Take another instance. The king had shown an interest in the Abbey Church +of Westminster, and had caused a new chapel to be built in 1220, he +himself laying the first stone. Thirty years later, or thereabouts, he +made certain concessions to the Abbot of Westminster--what they were we are +not told--but it is certain that they, in some way or other, infringed the +rights of the citizens of London in the County of Middlesex. The king +promised to compensate them for the loss they would sustain; but failing +to get their consent by fair promises, he resorted to his favourite +measure of taking the city into his own hands. For fifteen years the +dispute between the citizens and the Abbot as to their respective rights +in the County of Middlesex was kept alive, and was at last determined by a +verdict given by the barons of the exchequer, which completely +justified(222) the attitude taken up by the citizens of London. + +(M141) + +In 1230 he extorted a large sum of money from the citizens at a time when +he was meditating an expedition to the continent for the purpose of +recovering lost possessions. The citizens, however, were not the only +sufferers. The religious houses were heavily mulcted, as were also the +Jews, who, whether they would or not, were made to give up one third of +their chattels.(223) Again in 1244, the citizens of London and the Jews +were made to open their purse-strings that the king might the better be +able to pay his wine merchant, his wax chandler, and his tailor; but even +then his creditors were not paid in full.(224) + +Only once does it appear that the king's conscience pricked him for the +extortions he was continually practising on the citizens. This was in +1250, when he called the citizens together at Westminster, and begged +their forgiveness for all trespasses, extortions of goods and victuals +under the name of "prises," and for forced loans or talliages. Seeing no +other way out of it, the citizens acceded to his request.(225) As recently +as the previous year (1249) he had exacted from them a sum of L2,000.(226) + +(M142) + +Henry had been crowned at Gloucester soon after his accession.(227) +Nevertheless he was again crowned--this time in London in 1236, after his +marriage with Eleanor of Provence. The city excelled itself in doing +honour to the king and queen as they passed on their way to Westminster: +but the joy of the citizens was damped by the king refusing to allow +Andrew Bukerel the mayor to perform the customary service of assisting the +chief butler at the coronation banquet. It was not a time for raising +questions of etiquette, so the mayor pocketed the affront, preferring to +settle the question of the city's rights at some more convenient time, +rather than damp the general joy of the company by pressing his +claim.(228) + +(M143) + +Yet, notwithstanding his manifestly unjust treatment of the citizens of +London, and the cynical contempt with which he looked upon their ancient +claim to the title of "barons," he usually went through the formality of +taking leave of them at Paul's Cross or at Westminster, before crossing +the sea to Gascony(229) and was not above making use of them when +compelled to sell his plate and jewels to satisfy his debts. In 1252, he +even went so far as to grant them a charter of liberties, but for this +concession the citizens had to pay 500 marks.(230) + +(M144) + +It is scarcely to be wondered at if, when the crisis arrived, and king and +barons found themselves in avowed hostility, the citizens of London joined +the popular cause. By the month of June, 1258, the barons had gained their +first victory over Henry. He was forced to accept the Provisions of +Oxford, passed by the Mad Parliament,(231) as it came to be called in +derision. The Tower of London was transferred to the custody of the +barons, and they were for the future to appoint the justiciar. Towards the +end of July, a deputation from the barons waited upon the mayor and +citizens to learn if they approved of the agreement that had been made +with the king.(232) + +(M145) + +The mayor, aldermen, and citizens, after a hasty consultation, gave their +assent, but with the reservation "saving unto them all their liberties and +customs," and the city's common seal was set to the so-called "charter" +which the deputation had brought. + +(M146) + +It was not long before the city discovered that the barons were as little +likely to respect its liberties as the king himself. Hugh Bigod, whom they +had appointed justiciar gave offence by the way he exercised his office. +In spite of all remonstrance he insisted upon sitting at the Guildhall to +hear pleas, a jurisdiction which belonged exclusively to the sheriffs. He +summoned the bakers of the city to appear before him, and those who were +convicted of selling bread under weight he punished, in a way that was not +in conformity with city usage.(233) + +(M147) + +In November of the following year (1259), Henry took occasion of his +departure for the continent to make some popular concessions to the +citizens. He appeared at a Folkmote, which was being held at Paul's Cross, +and, before taking leave, he announced that in future the citizens should +be allowed to plead their own cases (without employing legal aid) in all +the courts of the city, excepting in pleas of the crown, pleas of land, +and of wrongful distress. On the same day John Mansel who had been one of +the king's justiciars in 1257, when the city was "taken into the king's +hand," and Fitz-Thedmar had been indicted and deprived of his aldermanry +for upholding the privileges of the citizens(234)--publicly acknowledged on +the king's behalf the injustice of Fitz-Thedmar's indictment, and +announced that Henry not only recalled him to favour, but commanded that +he should be restored to his former position.(235) + +(M148) + +During the king's absence abroad, the barons' cause was materially +strengthened by the support afforded Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, +by the king's son. Upon hearing of the defection of his son, Henry hurried +back to England. A consultation took place in the city as to the attitude +which the citizens ought to take up, with the result that when Henry +appeared (April, 1260), both he and the Earl of Gloucester were admitted +into the city, whilst the Earl of Leicester and "Sir Edward," as the +chronicler styles the king's son, had to find accommodation in the +suburbs.(236) + +Henry was now master of the situation. The city was his, and he determined +that it should remain so. Strict watch was kept over the gates, which for +the most part, were kept shut night and day in order to prevent surprise. +Every inhabitant of the age of twelve years and upwards was called upon to +take an oath of allegiance before the alderman of his ward, and those of +maturer age were bound to provide themselves with arms. The king, who now +ruled again in his own way, stirred the anger of the barons, by presuming +to appoint Philip Basset, his chief justiciar, without first asking their +assent; and the barons retaliated by removing the king's sheriffs, and +appointing "wardens of the counties" in their stead.(237) In June 1261, +Henry produced a Bull of Alexander IV, annulling the Provisions of Oxford, +and freeing him from his oath.(238) + +(M149) + +For eighteen months the king reigned supreme. The barons could do nothing, +and the Earl of Leicester, finding their cause hopeless, withdrew in +August (1261) to France, and remained there until the spring of 1263, when +he returned as the unquestioned head of the baronial party, to take up +arms against the king. The citizens professed loyalty to Henry, who was +residing in the Tower, and bound themselves by oath to acknowledge his son +Edward as heir to the crown.(239) At Whitsuntide, the barons sent a letter +to the king requiring him to observe the Provisions of Oxford, and shortly +afterwards, addressed another letter to the citizens "desiring to be +certified by them whether they would observe the said ordinances and +statutes made to the honour of God in fealty to his lordship the king, and +to his advantage of all the realm, or would, in preference, adhere to +those who wished to infringe the same."(240) + +(M150) + +Before sending a reply, the citizens had an interview with the king in the +Tower, to whom they showed the barons' letter. The result was, that Henry +availed himself of their services to mediate between him and the barons. A +deputation of citizens accordingly travelled to Dover, where an +understanding was arrived at between the hostile parties. The citizens +were prepared to support the barons, subject to their fealty to the king +and saving their own liberties; whilst the king promised to dismiss his +foreign supporters--the real cause of all the mischief. Hugh le Despenser, +whom Henry had deposed, was again installed justiciar of all England in +the Tower; and the king and his family left the city for Westminster, the +day after the barons entered it. "Thus was a league made between the +barons and the citizens with this reservation--'saving fealty to his +lordship the king.'"(241) + +(M151) + +Whilst the commons of England were thus winning their way to liberty, the +commons of the city were engaged in a similar struggle with the +aristocratic element of the municipal government. The craft guilds cried +out against the exclusiveness of the more wealthy and aristocratic trade +guilds, the members of which monopolized the city's rule. They found an +able champion of their cause in the person of Thomas Fitz-Thomas, the +mayor for the time being (1261-1265). The mayor's action in the matter +disgusted Fitz-Thedmar, the city alderman and chronicler, who complains +that he "so pampered the city populace," that they styled themselves the +"commons of the city," and had obtained the first voice in the city. The +mayor would ask them their will as to whether this or that thing should be +done; and if they answered "ya" "ya," it was done, without consulting the +aldermen or chief citizens, whose very existence was ignored.(242) It is +not surprising that, under a mayor so thoroughly in sympathy with the +people, opportunity was taken by the citizens to rectify abuses from which +they had so long suffered. Their trade had been prejudiced by the number +of foreigners which the king had introduced into the city, and accordingly +we read of an attack made on the houses of some French merchants. Rights +of way which had been stopped up, were again opened, and where land had +been illegally built upon, the buildings were abated. + +The chronicler complains of the populace acting "like so many justices +itinerant." It was in vain that the king addressed a letter to the mayor +and citizens, setting forth that the dissensions between himself and the +barons had been settled, and commanding his peace to be kept as well +within the city as without.(243) + +(M152) + +The popular movement received every encouragement from the barons. Let +those who were disaffected put their complaints into writing, and the +barons would see that the matter was duly laid before the king, and that +the city's liberties were not diminished. Fortified with such promises, +the mayor set to work at once to organize the craft guilds. Ordinances +were drawn up "abominations" Fitz-Thedmar calls them(244) for the +amelioration of the members, and everything was done that could be done to +better their condition. + +(M153) + +A few days before Henry and the barons had concluded a temporary peace, +the citizens had been greatly excited by an action of the king's son. +Henry was, as usual, in want of money, and had failed to raise a loan in +the city. His son came to his assistance and seized the money and jewels +lying at the Temple (29th June). The citizens were so exasperated at this +high-handed proceeding on the part of the prince that they vented their +spleen on the queen, and pelted her with mud and stones, calling her all +kinds of opprobrious names, as she attempted to pass in her barge under +London Bridge on her way from the Tower to Windsor. (13th July).(245) + +Such conduct very naturally incensed the king and his son against the +citizens. Henry was angry with them, moreover, for having admitted the +barons contrary to his express orders.(246) It is not surprising, +therefore, that when Fitz-Thomas presented himself before the Barons of +the Exchequer to be admitted to the mayoralty for the third year in +succession, they refused to admit him by the king's orders, Henry "being +for many reasons greatly moved to anger against the city."(247) + +(M154) + +Before the end of the year (1263), both king and barons agreed to submit +to the arbitration of the King of France. The award known as the Mise of +Amien--from the place whence it was issue--which Louis made on the 23rd +Jan., 1264, proved of so one-sided a character that the barons had no +alternative but to reject it. However unjustifiable such repudiation on +the part of the barons may have been from a moral point of view, it was a +matter of necessity. Many of them, moreover, including those of the Cinque +Ports, as well as the Londoners, and nearly all the middle class of +England, had not been parties to the arbitration, and therefore, were not +pledged to accept the award.(248) + +(M155) + +The citizens and the barons now entered into solemn covenant to stand by +each other "saving however their fealty to the king." A constable and a +marshal were appointed to command the city force, which was to stand +prepared night and day to muster at the sound of the great bell of St. +Paul's. The manor of Isleworth, belonging to Richard, King of the Romans, +the king's brother, was laid waste, and Rochester besieged, but, +disturbances again breaking out at home, Leicester had to hurry back to +restore order and prevent the city being betrayed to the king's son.(249) + +(M156) + +In May the earl set out again with a force of Londoners(250) to meet the +king, who was threatening the Cinque Ports. In the early morning of the +14th he came upon the royal army at Lewes. Prince Edward himself led the +charge against the Londoners--he had not forgotten the insult they had +recently offered to his mother--and succeeded in driving them off the +field. They scarcely indeed awaited his onslaught, so unpractised in +warfare had they become of recent years, but turned their backs and sped +away towards London, followed in hot pursuit by Edward. When he returned +he found that, owing to his absence, the day was lost, and that his father +and brother had been made prisoners.(251) In spite of his own success, he +also had to surrender. + +(M157) + +The barons returned to the city in triumph, bringing the king and Richard, +king of the Romans, in their train. Edward had been placed in custody in +Dover Castle, pending negotiations. Henry was lodged in the Bishop's +Palace, whilst Richard was committed to the Tower. An agreement was drawn +up which secured the safety of the king, and left all matters of dispute +to be again referred to arbitration.(252) This treaty formed the basis of +a new system of government, and led to the institution of Simon de +Montfort's famous Parliament. + +The short respite--for it proved to be no more--from civil war was welcomed +by the Londoners. The city had been drained of a large part of its +population in order to increase the Earl of Leicester's army, and business +had been seriously disturbed. For the past year no Court of Husting had +been held, and therefore no wills or testaments had received probate; +whilst all pleas of land, except trespass, had to stand over until the +country became more settled.(253) + +(M158) + +The parliament which Leicester summoned to meet on the 20th January, 1265, +marked a new era in parliamentary representation. It was the first +parliament in which the merchant and the trader were invited to take their +seats beside the baron and bishop. Not only were the shires to send up two +representatives, but each borough and town were to be similarly +privileged.(254) + +Terms of reconciliation between king and barons were arranged, and once +more the mayor and aldermen did fealty to Henry in person in St. Paul's +church. Fitz-Thomas, who for the fourth time was mayor, was determined to +lose nothing of his character for independence; "My lord," said he, when +taking the oath, so long as you are willing to be to us a good king and +lord, we will be to you faithful and true."(255) + +(M159) + +Peace was not destined to last long. Dissensions quickly broke out between +Gilbert, Earl of Gloucester, and Simon de Montfort, owing in a great +measure to jealousy. Gloucester insisted that the Mise of Lewes and the +Provisions of Oxford had not been properly observed, hinting unmistakably +at the foreign birth and extraction of his rival. Endeavours were made to +arrange matters by arbitration, but in vain; and by Whitsuntide the two +earls were in open hostility. Gloucester was joined by Edward, who had +succeeded by a ruse in escaping from Hereford, where he was detained in +honourable captivity.(256) + +(M160) + +With their combined forces they fell on Earl Simon at Evesham and utterly +defeated him (4 Aug.). Simon himself was killed, and his body barbarously +mutilated.(257) The king, who was in the earl's camp, only saved himself +by crying out in time "I am Henry of Winchester, your king." Whilst the +battle was raging the city was visited with a terrible thunderstorm--an +evil omen of the future. + +If credit be given to every statement made by the city alderman and +chronicler, Fitz-Thedmar, we must believe that the battle of Evesham took +place just in time to prevent a wholesale massacre of the best and +foremost men of the city, including the chronicler himself, which was +being contrived by the mayor, the popular Thomas Fitz-Thomas, the no less +popular Thomas de Piwelesdon or Puleston, and others.(258) + +(M161) + +The citizens of London were soon to experience the change that had taken +place in the state of affairs. The day after Michaelmas, the mayor and +citizens proceeded to Westminster to present the new sheriffs to the +Barons of the Exchequer; but finding no one there, they returned home. The +truth was that the king had resorted to his favourite measure of taking +the city into his own hands for its adherence to the late Earl of +Leicester; and for five years it so remained, being governed by a _custos_ +or warden appointed by the king, in the place of a mayor elected by the +citizens.(259) + +(M162) + +There had been some talk of the king meditating an attack upon the city, +and treating its inhabitants as avowed enemies.(260) The very threat of +such a proceeding was sufficient to throw the city into the utmost state +of confusion. Some there were "fools and evil-minded persons," as our +chronicler describes them--who favoured resisting force by force; but the +"most discreet men" of the city, and those who had joined the Earl under +compulsion, would have none of it, preferring to solicit the king's favour +through the mediation of men of the religious orders. Henry still remained +unmoved, and the fear of the citizens increased to such an extent that it +was finally resolved that the citizens as a body should make humble +submission to the king; and that the same should be forwarded to him at +Windsor under the common seal of the city. Whilst the deputation bearing +this document was on its way it was met by Sir Roger de Leiburn, who +turned it back on the ground that he himself was on his way to the city +for the express purpose of arranging terms of submission.(261) + +(M163) + +That night Sir Roger lodged at the Tower, and the next morning he went to +Barking Church, on the confines of the city,(262) where he was met by the +mayor and a "countless multitude" of the citizens. The advice he had to +give the citizens was that if they wished to be reconciled to the king, +they would have to submit their lives and property unreservedly to his +will. Letters patent were drawn up to that effect under the common seal, +and taken by Sir Roger himself to Windsor. The citizens had not long to +wait for an answer. The king's first demand was the removal of the posts +and chains which had been set up in the streets as a means of defence. His +next was that the mayor--his old antagonist Fitz-Thomas--and the principal +men of the city should come in person to him at Windsor, under letters of +safe conduct. Trusting to the royal word, the mayor and about forty of the +more substantial men of the city proceeded to Windsor, there to await a +conference with the king. To their great surprise, the whole of the party +were made to pass the night in the Castle keep. They were practically +treated as prisoners. + +(M164) + +Some regained their liberty, but of Fitz-Thomas nothing more is heard. +From the time that he entered Windsor Castle, he disappears from public +view. That he was alive in May, 1266, at least in the belief of his +fellow-citizens, is shown by their cry for the release of him and his +companions "who are at Windleshores." They would again have made him +Mayor, if they could have had their own way. "We will have no one for +mayor" (they cried) "save only Thomas Fitz-Thomas."(263) + +(M165) + +In the meantime the king had himself gone to London and confiscated the +property of more than sixty of the citizens, driving them out of their +house and home. Hugh Fitz-Otes, the Constable of the Tower, had been +appointed warden of the city in the place of the imprisoned mayor; +bailiffs had been substituted for sheriffs, and the citizens made to pay a +fine of 20,000 marks. Then, and only then, did the king consent to grant +their pardon.(264) + +(M166) + +Queen Eleanor, who had interceded for the Londoners,(265) was presented by +the king with the custody of London Bridge, the issues and profits of +which she was allowed to enjoy. She allowed the bridge, however, to fall +into such decay, that she thought she could not do better than restore it +to its rightful owners. This she accordingly did in 1271, but soon +afterwards changed her mind, and again took the bridge into her +charge.(266) + +(M167) + +At Easter, 1267, the Earl of Gloucester, who had constituted himself the +avowed champion of those who had suffered forfeiture, and become +"disinherited" for the part they had taken with the Earl of Leicester, +sought admission to the city. The citizens hesitated to receive him within +their gates, although according to some, he was armed with letters patent +of the king addressed to the citizens on his behalf.(267) Under pretence +of holding a conference with the papal legate at the Church of Holy +Trinity, Aldgate, he gained admission for himself and followers: and there +he remained, having made himself master of the city's gates.(268) +Thereupon many citizens left the city, fearing the wrath of the king, and +once more the city was in the hands of the populace. The leading citizens +were placed under a guard; the aldermen and bailiffs were deposed to make +way for the earl's own supporters, and, for better security, a covered way +of timber was made from the city to the Tower.(269) + +Whatever may have been the actual part played by the legate in admitting +the disinherited into the city, he soon showed his dissatisfaction at the +state of things within its walls, by leaving the Tower, to join the king +at Ham, and placing the disinherited--"the enemies of the king"--under an +interdict.(270) + +(M168) + +At length the king and the Earl of Gloucester came to terms (16 June). The +earl was to have his property restored to him, and the city was to be +forgiven all trespasses committed against the king since the time that the +earl made his sojourn within its walls. The earl gave surety in 10,000 +marks for keeping the peace, and the citizens paid the king of the Romans +1,000 marks for damages they had committed three years before in his manor +of Isleworth.(271) Not a word about the imprisoned mayor, Fitz-Thomas! + +(M169) + +The king's letters patent granting forgiveness to the citizens for +harbouring the Earl of Gloucester(272) were followed in the spring of the +following year by another charter to the city.(273) But inasmuch as this +charter did not restore the mayoralty, the citizens had little cause to be +thankful and looked upon it as only an instalment of favours to come. + +(M170) + +Towards the end of this year or early in the next (1269), the city was +committed by the king to his son Edward, who ruled it by deputy, Sir Hugh +Fitz-Otes being again appointed Constable of the Tower, and warden of the +city.(274) It was through the good offices of the prince, that the +citizens eventually recovered the right to elect their mayor, so long +withheld. "About the same time, that is to say, Pentecost, 1270," writes +Fitz-Thedmar, "at the instance of Sir Edward, his lordship the king +granted unto the citizens that they might have a mayor from among +themselves in such form as they were wont to elect him."(275) + +(M171) + +He further allowed them to choose two sheriffs who should discharge the +duties of sheriff, (_qui tenerent vicecomitatem_) of the City and +Middlesex, as formerly; but instead of the yearly ferm of L300 in pure +silver (_sterlingorum blancorum_), formerly paid for Middlesex, they were +thenceforth to pay an annual rent of L400 in money counted (_sterlingorum +computatorum_.)(276) + +(M172) + +The citizens lost no time in exercising their recovered rights. Their +choice fell upon John Adrian for the mayoralty, whilst Philip le Taillour +and Walter le Poter were elected sheriffs. After they had been severally +admitted into office--the mayor before the king himself on Wednesday, the +16th July, and the sheriffs at the Exchequer two days later--the king +restored the city's charters, and the citizens acknowledged the royal +favour by a gift of 100 marks to the king, and 500 marks to Prince Edward, +who had proved so good a friend to them, and who was about to set out for +the Holy Land.(277) + +(M173) + +Adrian was succeeded in the mayoralty by Walter Hervy, who had already +served as sheriff or bailiff on two occasions, once by royal appointment. +He made himself so popular with the "commons" of the city during his year +of office, that when October, 1272, came round and the aldermen and more +"discreet" citizens were in favour of electing Philip le Taillour as his +successor, the commons or "mob of the city"--as the chronicler prefers to +style them--cried out, "Nay, nay, we will have no one for mayor but Walter +Hervi."(278) + +(M174) + +The aldermen finding themselves in a minority, appealed to the king and +council at Westminster. Hervy did the same, being accompanied to +Westminster by a large number of supporters, who took the opportunity of +the aldermen laying their case before the council to insist loudly, as +they waited in the adjacent hall, upon their own right of election and +their choice of Hervy. It was feared that the noise might disturb the king +who was confined to his bed with what proved to be his last illness. All +parties was therefore dismissed, injunction being laid upon Hervy not to +appear again with such a following, but to come with only ten or a dozen +supporters at the most. + +(M175) + +Hervy paid no heed to this warning, but continued to present himself at +Westminster every day for a fortnight, accompanied by his supporters in +full force, expecting an answer to be given by the council. At length the +council resolved to submit the whole question to arbitration, the city in +the meanwhile being placed in the custody of a warden. Before the +arbitrators got to work, the king died (16 Nov.), and rather than the city +should continue to be disturbed at such a crisis, the aldermen agreed to a +compromise, and Hervy was allowed to be mayor for one year more.(279) + + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + + +(M176) + +Although the aldermen had been prevailed upon to give their assent to +Hervy's election to the mayoralty, his democratic tendencies made him an +object of dislike, more especially to Fitz-Thomas. When, therefore, that +chronicler records that throughout Hervy's year of office he did not allow +any pleading in the Husting for Pleas of Land except very rarely, for the +reason that the mayor himself was defendant in a suit brought against him +by Isabella Bukerel,(280) we hesitate to place implicit belief in his +statement.(281) We are inclined, moreover, to give less credit to anything +that Fitz-Thedmar may say against the mayor when we bear in mind that the +former had a personal grievance against the latter.(282) + +(M177) + +Hervy was a worthy successor to Fitz-Thomas, and, under his government, +the craft guilds improved their position. Fresh ordinances for the +regulation of various crafts were drawn up, and to these the mayor, on his +own responsibility, attached the city seal.(283) When Hervy's year of +office expired--these so-called "charters" were called in question as +having been unauthorised by the aldermen of the city and as tending to +favour the richer members of the guilds to the prejudice of the poorer. +After a "wordy and most abusive dispute" carried on in the Guildhall +between the ex-mayor and Gregory de Rokesley who acted as spokesman for +the body of aldermen, Hervy left the hall and summoned the craft-guilds to +meet him in Cheapside. There he told them that it was the wish of Henry le +Galeys (or Waleys) the mayor and others to infringe their charters, but +that if they could stand by him he would maintain those charters in all +their integrity. + +Fearing lest a riot might follow, the chancellor--Walter de Merton, through +whose mediation Hervy had been at last accepted as mayor by the +aldermen--ordered his arrest. This was on the 20th December, 1273. Hervy +was, accordingly, attached but released on bail, and early in the +following January (1274), his charters were duly examined in the Husting +before all the people, and declared void. Thenceforth, every man was to +enjoy the utmost freedom in following his calling, always provided that +his work was good and lawful.(284) + +(M178) + +When the mayor removed certain butchers' and fishmongers' stalls from +Cheapside, in order that the main thoroughfare of the city might present a +creditable appearance to the king on his return from abroad, the owners of +the stalls, who complained of being disturbed in their freeholds--"having +given to the sheriff a great sum of money for the same"--found a champion +in Hervy. Their cause was pleaded at the Guildhall, and such "a wordy +strife" arose between Hervy and the mayor, that the session had to be +broken up, and Hervy's conduct was reported to the king's council. The +next day, upon the resumption of the session, a certain roll was produced +and publicly read, in which "the presumptuous acts and injuries, of most +notorious character" which Hervy was alleged to have committed during his +mayoralty were set forth at length. + +(M179) (M180) + +The charges against him were eight in number, of which some at least +appear to be in the last degree frivolous. He had on a certain occasion +borne false witness; he had failed on another occasion to attend at +Westminster upon a summons; he had failed to observe all the assizes made +by the aldermen and had allowed ale to be sold in his ward for three +halfpence a gallon; he had taken bribes for allowing corn and wine to be +taken out of the city for sale, and he had misappropriated a sum of money +which had been raised for a special purpose. Such was the general run of +the charges brought against him, in addition to which were the charges of +having permitted the guilds to make new statutes to their own advantage +and to the loss of the city and all the realm, as already narrated, and of +having procured "certain persons of the city, of Stebney, of Stratford, +and of Hakeneye" to make an unjust complaint against the mayor, "who had +warranty sufficient for what he had done, namely, the council of his +lordship the king." This last charge had reference to the recent removal +of tradesmen's stalls from Chepe. No defence appears to have been allowed +Hervy. The charges were read, and he was then and there declared to be +"judicially degraded from his aldermanry and for ever excluded from the +council of the city"; a precept being at the same time issued for the +immediate election of a successor, to be presented at the next court.(285) + +(M181) + +From this time forward nothing more is heard of Hervy. The same cloud +envelopes his later history, that gathered round the last years of his +predecessor and political tutor Thomas Fitz-Thomas. The misfortune of both +of these men was that they lived before their age. Their works bore fruit +long after they had departed. The trade or craft guilds, as distinguished +from the more wealthy and influential mercantile guilds, eventually played +an important part in the city. Under Edward II, no stranger could obtain +the freedom of the city (without which, he could do little or nothing), +unless he became a member of one of these guilds, or sought the suffrages +of the commonalty of the city, before admission to the freedom in the +Court of Husting.(286) + +The normal and more expeditious way of obtaining the freedom was thus +through a guild. If Hervy or Fitz-Thomas lived till the year 1319, when +the Ordinances just cited received the king's sanction, he must have felt +that the struggle he had made to raise the lesser guilds had not been in +vain. The mercantile element in the city, which had formerly overcome the +aristocratic element,(287) in its turn gave way to the numerical +superiority and influence of the craft and manufacturing element. Hence it +was that in 1376--when the number of trade or craft guilds in the city +compared with the larger mercantile guilds was as forty to eight--the +guilds succeeded in wresting for a while from the wards the right of +electing members of the city's council.(288) + +(M182) + +In the meantime, King Edward I, arrived in London (18th August, 1274), +where he was heartily welcomed by the citizens,(289) and was crowned the +following day. He had expected to have returned much earlier, and had +addressed a letter to the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty of the City of +London, eighteen months before, informing them of his purposed speedy +return, and of his wishes that they should endeavour to preserve the peace +of the realm.(290) He was, however, detained in France. + +(M183) + +Edward's right to succeed his father was never disputed. For the first +time in the annals of England, a new king commences to reign immediately +after the death of his predecessor. _Le Roi est mort, vive le_ _Roi_! +Within a week of his father's decease, a writ was issued, in which the +hereditary right of succession was distinctly asserted as forming Edward's +title to the crown.(291) + +(M184) + +Before setting sail for England, Edward despatched a letter (3rd April), +"to his well-beloved, the mayor, barons, and reputable men of London," +thanking them for the preparations he understood they were making for the +ceremony of his coronation, and bidding them send a deputation of four of +the more discreet of the citizens, to him at Paris, for the purpose of a +special conference.(292) + +(M185) + +The difficulty which gave rise to this conference and to the signal mark +of distinction bestowed upon the citizens of London, proved to be of a +commercial character, and, as such, one upon which the opinions of the +leading merchants of London would be of especial value. Ever since the +year 1270, the commercial relationship between England and Flanders had +been strained. The Countess of Flanders had thought fit to lay hands upon +the wool and other merchandise belonging to English merchants found within +her dominions, and to appropriate the same to her own use. Edward's +predecessor on the throne had thereupon issued a writ to the mayor and +sheriffs of London, forbidding in future the export of wool to any parts +beyond sea whatsoever,(293) but this measure not having the desired +effect, he shortly afterwards had recourse to reprisals. + +On the 28th June, 1270, a writ had been issued to the same parties +ordering them to seize the goods of all Flemings, Hainaulters, and other +subjects of the Countess, for the purpose of satisfying the claims of +English merchants; and all subjects of the Countess, except those workmen +who had received express permission to come to England for the purpose of +making cloth, and those who had taken to themselves English wives, and had +obtained a domicile in this country, were to quit the realm by a certain +date.(294) Those Flemings who neglected this injunction were to be seized +and kept in custody until further orders, and the same measures were to be +taken with those who harboured them. In the meantime, an inquisition was +ordered to be made as to the amount and value of the goods seized by the +Countess, and the English merchants were to lodge their respective claims +for compensation. + +(M186) + +The interruption of trade between England--at that time the chief +wool-exporting country in the world--and Flanders where the cloth-working +industry especially flourished, caused much tribulation; and the King of +France, the Duke of Brabant, and other foreign potentates, whose subjects +began to feel the effect of this commercial disturbance, addressed letters +to the King of England, requesting that their merchants might enter his +realm and stay, and traffic there as formerly. They had never offended the +King or his people; the Countess of Flanders was the sole offender, and +she alone ought to be punished. The matter having received due +consideration, the embargo on the export of wool was taken off with +respect to all countries, except Flanders, with the proviso that no wool +should be exported out of the kingdom without special license from the +king.(295) + +By the month of October, 1271, the inquisitors, who had been appointed to +appraise the goods and chattels of Flemings in England, were able to +report to parliament that their value amounted to L8,000 "together with +the king's debt," whilst the value of merchandise belonging to English +merchants and seized by the countess amounted to L7,000, besides chattels +of other merchants. Parliament again sat in January of the new year to +consider the claims of English merchants, when those whose goods had been +taken in Flanders, "and the Londoners more especially," appeared in +person. Each stated the amount of his loss and the amount of goods +belonging to Flemings which he had in hand, and a balance was struck. An +inquisition was, at the same time, taken in each of the city wards, as to +the number of merchants who bought, sold, exchanged, or harboured the +goods of persons belonging to the dominion of the Countess; and also as to +who had taken wools out of England to the parts beyond the sea, contrary +to the king's prohibition.(296) Many Flemings, still lurking in the city, +were arrested, and only liberated on condition they abjured the realm so +long as the dispute between England and Flanders should continue. Nearly +six months elapsed before any further steps were taken by either party in +the strife. The Countess then showed signs of giving way. Envoys from her +arrived in England. She was willing to make satisfaction to all English +merchants for the losses they had sustained, but this was to be subject to +the condition that the king should bind himself to discharge certain +alleged debts, which had been the cause of all the mischief from the +outset, within a fixed time. In the event of the king failing to discharge +these claims, the justice of which he never recognised, the Countess was +to be allowed to distrain all persons coming into her country from England +by their bodies and their goods, until satisfaction should be made for +arrears. This haughty message only made matters worse. The king and his +council became indignant, and contemptuously dismissed the envoys, +commanding them to leave England within three days on peril of life and +limb.(297) + +(M187) + +Time went on; Henry died, and before his son Edward arrived in England +from the Holy Land to take up the reins of government, his chancellor, +Walter de Merton, had caused a proclamation to be made throughout the +city, forbidding any Fleming to enter the kingdom, under penalty of +forfeiture of person and goods. The proclamation was more than ordinarily +stringent, for it went on to say that if perchance any individual had +received special permission from the late king to sojourn and to trade +within the realm, such permission was no longer to hold good, but the +foreigner was to pack up his merchandise, collect his debts, and leave the +country by Christmas, 1273, at the latest.(298) + +(M188) + +The Countess had probably hoped that a change of monarch on the English +throne would have favoured her cause. This proclamation was sufficient to +show her the character of the king with whom she had in future to deal, +and destroyed any hope she may have entertained in this direction. She +therefore took the opportunity of Edward's passing through Paris to +London, to open negotiations for the purpose of restoring peace between +England and Flanders; and it was to assist the king in conducting these +negotiations, that he had summoned a deputation of citizens of London to +meet him at Paris. + +(M189) + +The choice of the citizens fell upon Henry le Waleys, their mayor for the +time being, one who was known almost as well in France as in the city of +London, if we may judge from the fact of his filling the office of Mayor +of Bordeaux in the following year. With him were chosen Gregory de +Rokesley who, besides being a large dealer in wool, was also a goldsmith +and financier, and as such was shortly to be appointed master of the +exchange throughout England;(299) John Horn, whose name bespeaks his +Flemish origin,(300) and who may on that account have been appointed, as +one who was intimate with both sides of the question under discussion; and +Luke de Batencurt, also of foreign extraction, who was one of the Sheriffs +of London this same year. + +(M190) + +These four accordingly set out to confer with the king at Paris, having +previously seen to the appointment of wardens over the city, and of +magistrates to determine complaints which might arise at the fair to be +held at St. Botolph's, or Boston, in Lincolnshire, during their +absence.(301) The deputation were absent a month. On the 19th July, +Gregory de Rokesle and certain others whose names are not mentioned again +set out in compliance with orders received from the king; the object of +their journey being, as we are expressly told, to treat of peace between +the king and the Countess of Flanders at Montreuil.(302) A month later +Edward himself was in England. + +(M191) + +The king ruled the city, as indeed he ruled the rest of the kingdom, with +a strong hand. Londoners had already experienced the force of his arm and +his ability in the field, when he scattered them at Lewes; they were now +to experience the benefit of his powers of organization in time of peace. +Fitz-Thedmar's chronicle now fails us, but we have a new source of +information in the letter books(303) of the Corporation. + +(M192) + +The first and the most pressing difficulty which presented itself to +Edward, was the re-organization of finance. Without money the barons could +not be kept within legitimate bounds. Having won their cause against the +usurpations of the crown, they began to turn their arms upon each other, +and it required Edward's strong hand not only to impose order upon his +unruly nobles, but also, to bring Scotland and Wales into submission. The +country was flooded with clipt coin. This was called in, and new money +minted at the Tower, under the supervision of Gregory de Rokesley as +Master of the Exchange.(304) Parliament made large grants to the king; and +he further increased his resources by imposing knighthood upon all +freeholders of estates worth L20 a year.(305) When the Welsh war was +renewed in 1282, the city sent him 6,000 marks by the hands of Waleys and +Rokesley.(306) + +(M193) + +In 1283 an extraordinary assembly--styled a parliament by some +chroniclers--was summoned to meet at Shrewsbury to attend the trial of +David, brother of Llewelyn, Prince of Wales. To this so-called parliament +the city sent no less than six representatives, viz.: Henry le Waleys, the +mayor, Gregory de Rokesley, Philip Cissor, or the tailor, Ralph Crepyn, +Joce le Acatour, or merchant, and John de Gisors.(307) Their names are +worthy of record, inasmuch as they are the first known representatives of +the city in any assembly deserving the name of a parliament, the names of +those attending Simon de Montfort's parliament not having been transmitted +to us. David was convicted and barbarously executed, his head being +afterwards carried to London, and set up on the Tower, where his brother's +head, with a mock crown of ivy, had recently been placed.(308) + +(M194) + +Of Ralph Crepyn, one of the city's representatives at Shrewsbury, a tragic +story is told. Meeting, one day, Laurence Duket, his rival in the +affections of a woman known as "Alice atte Bowe," the two came to blows, +and Crepyn was wounded. The affray took place in Cheapside, and Duket, +fearing he had killed his man, sought sanctuary in Bow Church. Crepyn's +friends, hearing of the matter, followed and having killed Duket, disposed +of their victim's body in such a way as to suggest suicide. It so +happened, however, that the sacrilegious murder had been witnessed by a +boy who informed against the culprits and no less than sixteen persons +were hanged for the part they had taken in it. Alice, herself, was +condemned to be burnt alive as being the chief instigator of the murder; +others, including Ralph Crepyn, were sent to the Tower, and only released +on payment of heavy fines.(309) The church was placed under interdict, the +doors and windows being filled with thorns until purification had been +duly made. Duket's remains, which had been interred as those of a suicide, +were afterwards taken up and received the rights of Christian burial in +Bow Churchyard. + +(M195) + +The year 1285 was a memorable one both for London and the kingdom. It +witnessed the passing of two important statutes. In the first place the +statute _De Donis_ legalised the principle of tying up real estate, so as +to descend, in an exclusive perpetual line; in other words, it sanctioned +entails, and its effect is still experienced at the present day in every +ordinary settlement of land. In the next place the Assise of Arms of Henry +II was improved so as to secure for the king a national support in the +time of danger. In every hundred and franchise each man's armour was to be +viewed twice a year; and defaults reported to the king "who would find a +remedy." The gates of walled towns were to be closed from sun-set to +sun-rise, and watch and ward were to be kept as strictly as in times past, +"that is to wit, from the day of the Ascension until the day of S. +Michael, in every city by six men at every gate; in every borough, twelve +men; every town, six or four, according to the number of the inhabitants +of the town, and they shall watch the town continually all night from the +sun-setting unto the sun-rising."(310) Three years previous to the passing +of this statute the mayor, alderman and chamberlain had made very similar +provisions for the keeping of the City of London, the city's gates, and +the river Thames.(311) + +(M196) + +For the city, the year was a memorable one, owing to the suspension of its +franchise. The circumstances which caused the loss of its liberties for a +period of thirteen years (1285-1298) were these. The king's justiciars +were sitting at the Tower, where the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen of the +city had been summoned to attend. Owing to some informality in the +summons, Gregory de Rokesley, the Mayor, declined to attend in his +official capacity, but formally "deposed himself" at the Church of All +Hallows Barking--the limit of the city jurisdiction-- by handing the city's +seal to Stephen Aswy or Eswy, a brother alderman. On entering the chamber +where sat the justiciars, the mayor excused his unofficial appearance on +the ground of insufficient notice. This was not what the justiciars had +been accustomed to. On the contrary, the citizens had usually shown +studied respect towards the justiciars whenever they came to the Tower for +the purpose of holding pleas of the crown. + +(M197) + +The rules of procedure on such occasions are fully set out in the city's +"Liber Albus,"(312) and they contain, curiously enough, a provision +expressly made for cases where the full notice of forty days had not been +given. In such an event the prescribed rule was to send some of their more +discreet citizens to the king and his council to ask for the appointment +of another day. Whether Rokesley had taken this step before resorting to +the measures he did we are not told. It was also the custom on such +occasions for the citizens to gather at Barking Church, clothed in their +best apparel, and thence proceed in a body to the Tower. A deputation was +appointed--selected members of the common council--who should also proceed +to the Tower for the purpose of giving an official welcome to the +justiciars on behalf of the citizens. It was not thought to be in any way +derogatory to secure the goodwill of the king's justiciars by making ample +presents. It had been done time out of mind. The sheriffs and aldermen +were to attend with their respective sergeants and beadles, the benches at +the Tower were to be examined beforehand and necessary repairs carried +out, all shops were to be closed and no business transacted during the +session. In a word, everything was to be done that could add to the +dignity of the justiciars and the solemnity of the occasion. In contrast +with all this, Rokesley's conduct was indeed strange, and leads us to +suppose that his action was caused by some other and stronger reason than +the mere omission to give the usual notice of the coming of the king's +justiciars. + +(M198) + +Be this as it may, the king's treasurer, who may possibly have been +forewarned of what was about to take place, at once decided what course to +take. He declared the city to be there and then taken into the king's +hands, on the pretext that it was found to be without a mayor, and he +summoned the citizens to appear on the morrow before the king at +Westminster. When the morrow came, the citizens duly appeared, and about +eighty of them were detained. Those who accompanied Rokesley to Barking +Church on the previous day were confined in the Tower, but after a few +days they were all set at liberty, with the exception of Stephen Aswy, who +was removed in custody to Windsor.(313) + +(M199) + +The king appointed Ralph de Sandwich _custos_ or warden of the city, +enjoining him at the same time to observe the liberties and customs of the +citizens, and for the next thirteen years (1285-1298) the city continued +to be governed by a warden in the person of Sandwich or of John le Breton, +whilst the sheriffs were sometimes appointed by the Exchequer and +sometimes chosen by the citizens.(314) + +(M200) + +In May, 1286, the king went to Gascony, leaving the country in charge of +his nephew, Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, and did not return until August, +1289. He was then in sore straits for money, as was so often the case with +him, and was glad of a present of L1,000 which the citizens offered by way +of courtesy (_curialitas_). The money was ordered (14th October) to be +levied by poll,(315) but many of the inhabitants were so poor that they +could only find pledges for future payment, and these pledges were +afterwards sold for what they would fetch.(316) A twelve-month later +(October, 1290) when Edward visited London, he was fain to be content with +the smaller sum of 1,000 marks.(317) + +(M201) + +The expulsion of the Jews in 1290 increased Edward's difficulties, for on +them he chiefly depended for replenishing his empty exchequer. Their +expulsion was not so much his own wish as the wish of his subjects, who, +being largely in debt to the Jews, regarded them as cruel tyrants. The +nation soon discovered that it had made a mistake in thus getting rid of +its creditors, for in the absence of the Jews, Edward was compelled to +resort to the Lombard merchants. It may possibly have been owing to some +monetary transactions between them that the king was solicitous of getting +a life interest in the city's Small Beam made over to a lady known as +Jacobina la Lumbard. No particulars are known of this lady, but to judge +from her name she probably came of a family of money-lenders, and if so, +the king's action in writing from Berwick (28th June, 1291) to the warden +and aldermen of the city--at a time when he was completely in the hands of +the Italian goldsmiths and money-lenders--soliciting for her a more or less +lucrative post is easily intelligible.(318) The king's request was +refused, notwithstanding the city being at the time in charge of a +_custos_ of his own choice instead of a mayor elected by the citizens +themselves. Such requests produced friction between the king and the city, +and the former's financial relations with the foreign merchants were +fraught with danger to himself and to his son.(319) + +(M202) + +Edward's anxiety was in the meanwhile increased by domestic troubles. In +1290 he suffered a bitter disappointment by the death of a Scottish +princess who was affianced to his son, the Prince of Wales, and thus a +much-cherished plan for establishing friendly relations between the two +countries was frustrated. But this disappointment was quickly cast in the +shade by the more severe affliction he suffered in the loss of his wife. +In November Queen Eleanor died. Her corpse was brought from Lincoln to +Westminster, and the bereaved husband ordered a memorial cross to be set +up at each place where her body rested. One of these crosses was erected +at the west end of Cheapside. After the Reformation the images with which +the cross was ornamented, like the image of Becket set over the gate of +the Mercers' Chapel, roused the anger of the iconoclast, who took delight +in defacing them. + +(M203) + +Time only increased the king's pecuniary difficulties. In February, 1292, +all freeholders of land of the annual value of L40 were ordered to receive +knighthood, and in the following January the estates of defaulters were +seized by the king's orders.(320) In June, 1294, war was declared against +France. Money must be had. Every monastery and every church throughout +England was ransacked for treasure, and the sum of L2,000, found in St. +Paul's Church, was appropriated for the public service.(321) The dean was +seized with a fit (_subita percussus passione_) and died in the king's +presence.(322) + +(M204) + +Instead of invading France, Edward found his own shores devastated by a +French fleet, whilst at the same time his hands were full with fresh +difficulties from Scotland and Wales. In the summer of 1295, the city +furnished the king with three ships, the cost being defrayed by a tax of +twopence in the pound charged on chattels and merchandise. John le Breton, +then warden, advanced the sum of L40, which the aldermen and six men of +each ward undertook to repay.(323) In the following year (1296) the city +agreed, after some little hesitation, to furnish forty men with +caparisoned horses, and fifty arbalesters for the defence of the south +coast, under the king's son, Edward of Carnarvon.(324) + +(M205) + +Edward again turned his attention to Scotland, and, having succeeded in +reducing Balliol to submission, he carried off from Scone the stone which +legend identifies with Jacob's pillow, and on which the Scottish kings had +from time immemorial been crowned,(325) By Edward's order the stone was +enclosed in a stately seat, and placed in Westminster Abbey, where it has +since served as the coronation chair of English sovereigns. + +(M206) + +From Berwick Edward issued (26 Aug., 1296,) writs for a Parliament to meet +at Bury St. Edmund's, in the following November. The constitution of this +Parliament was the same as that which had met at Westminster in November +of the previous year (1295) and which was intended to serve as a model +parliament, a pattern for all future national assemblies. The city was +represented by two aldermen, namely, Sir Stephen Aswy, or Eswy, who had +been confined in Windsor Castle ten years before for his conduct towards +the king's justiciars at the Tower, and Sir William de Hereford.(326) From +this time forward down to the present day we have little difficulty in +discovering from one source or another the names of the city's +representatives in successive parliaments. Edward, of course, wanted +money. The barons and knights increased their former grants; so also did +the burgesses. The clergy, on the other hand, declared themselves unable +to make any grant at all in the face of a papal prohibition,(327) and the +king was at last driven to seize the lay fees of the clergy of the +province of Canterbury. In the spring of the following year he proceeded +to seize all the wool of the country, paying for it by tallies, and to +levy a supply of provisions on the counties. The act was only justifiable +on the plea of necessity, and led to measures being taken to prevent its +repetition.(328) + +(M207) + +It was an easier matter for Edward to raise money than to get the barons +to accompany him abroad. To leave them behind was to risk the peace of the +country. He therefore spared no efforts to persuade them to join in a +projected expedition, and when persuasion failed tried threats. It was his +desire that the barons should go to Gascony, whilst he took the command in +Flanders. This was not at all to the taste of the barons, who declined to +go abroad, except in the personal retinue of the king himself. "With you, +O king," said Roger Bigod, "I will gladly go; as belongs to me by +hereditary right, I will go in front of the host, before your face;" but +without the king he positively declined to move. "By God, earl," cried the +king, fairly roused by the obstinacy of his vassal, "you shall either go +or hang;" to which the earl replied, with equal determination, "By the +same token, O king, I will neither go nor hang."(329) + +Nothing daunted, the king issued writs (15 May) for a military levy of the +whole kingdom for service abroad, to meet at London on the 7th July, a +measure as unconstitutional as the seizure of wool and the levying of +taxes without the assent of Parliament. On the day appointed, the barons, +who had received a large accession of strength from the great vassals, +appeared with their forces at St. Paul's; but instead of complying with +the king's demands--or rather requests, for the king had altered his +tone--they prepared a list of their grievances. + +(M208) + +With difficulty civil war was avoided, and in August Edward set sail for +Flanders. No sooner was his back turned, than the barons and the Londoners +made common cause in insisting upon a confirmation and amplification of +their charters.(330) Prince Edward, the king's son, who had been appointed +regent in his father's absence, granted all that was asked, and on the +10th October (1297), the _Confirmatio Cartarum_, as it was called, was +issued in the king's name.(331) Thenceforth, no customs duties were to be +exacted without the consent of parliament. + +(M209) + +In view of the king's return to England in March (1298), the warden of the +city, Sir John Breton, the aldermen, and a deputation from the wards met +together and resolved that every inhabitant of the city, citizen and +stranger, should pay to the king's collectors the sum of sixpence in the +pound of all their goods up to L100.(332) In the following month Edward +issued letters patent (11th April), restoring to the citizens their +franchises and the right of again electing their mayor.(333) The choice of +the citizens fell upon Henry le Waleys, who was duly admitted by the +Barons of the Exchequer after presentation to the king.(334) + +(M210) + +In the summer Edward marched to Scotland for the purpose of putting down +the rising under Wallace. An account of the battle of Falkirk, fought on +the 22nd July, was conveyed to the mayor, aldermen, and "barons" of +London, by letter from Walter Langton, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, +or, as he was then styled, Bishop of Chester, who wrote as an eye-witness, +if not indeed as a partaker in that day's work.(335) It was the first +battle of any consequence in which the English long-bow was brought into +prominence. Edward's victory was complete. The enemy's loss was great, the +number that perished, according to the bishop's information, being two +hundred men-at-arms and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Edward was unable, +however, to follow up his success for want of supplies, and so retreated. +In 1304, he again marched northward, notwithstanding the defection of many +nobles. He had previously resorted once more to the questionable practice +of talliaging the city of London,(336) levying from the citizens the +fifteenth penny of their moveable goods and the tenth penny of their +rents.(337) The campaign was eminently successful. Sterling surrendered +after a siege of two months, and Wallace himself shortly afterwards fell +into his hands, having refused the terms of an amnesty which Edward had +generously offered. + +(M211) + +He was carried to London, where a crowd of men and women flocked out to +meet one, of whose gigantic stature and feats of strength they had heard +so much. He was lodged in the house of William de Leyre, an alderman of +the city, situate in the parish of All Hallows at the Hay or All Hallows +the Great. Having been tried at Westminster and condemned to death on +charges of treason, sacrilege and robbery, he was hanged, drawn, and +quartered, and his head set up on London Bridge.(338) + +(M212) + +No sooner was Wallace disposed of than another claimant to the Scottish +crown appeared in the person of Bruce. Before Edward took the field +against the new foe, he conferred knighthood upon his son and nearly three +hundred others, including John le Blound the mayor. The number of knights +within the small compass of the city was reckoned at that time to be not +less than a thousand.(339) Knighthood, as we have seen, was one of the +means Edward resorted to for raising money, and on this occasion the +citizens of London are said to have made him a free gift of L2,000, in +recognition of the honour bestowed on their mayor.(340) + +(M213) + +In the summer of 1307, Edward set out to execute the vow of vengeance +against Bruce that he had made on the occasion of the knighthood of his +son, but the hand of death was upon him, and before lie reached the +Scottish border he died (7th July). + + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + + +(M214) + +The new king's character, differing as it did so much from that of his +father, was not one to commend itself to the citizens of London. With them +he never became a favourite. The bold and determined character of Queen +Isabel, the very antipodes of her husband, was more to their liking, and +throughout the contests that ensued between them, the citizens steadily +supported her cause. At her first appearance, as a bride, in the city, the +streets were compared with the New Jerusalem, so rich were they in +appearance;(341) whilst at the coronation ceremony, which took place a +month later (25th February, 1308), she and her husband were escorted by +the mayor and aldermen in their most gorgeous robes, quartered with the +arms of England and France, and were served at the banquet as custom +commanded.(342) + +(M215) + +But even thus early in Edward of Carnarvon's reign the presence of +foreigners--to whom the king was even more addicted than his father--was +likely to prove a source of trouble; and it was necessary to make special +proclamations forbidding the carrying of arms on the day of the coronation +and enjoining respect for foreigners attending the ceremony.(343) The +king's foreign favourites proved his ruin, and contributed in no small +degree to the eventual defection of the city. They were for ever desiring +some favour of the citizens. At one time it was Piers de Gavestone who +wanted a post for his "valet";(344) at another it was Hugh le Despenser +who desired (and obtained) a lease of the Small Beam for a friend.(345) +The friend only held the Beam for little more than six months, and then, +at the urgent request of the queen herself, it was given to another.(346) + +(M216) + +The barons were especially irritated at being supplanted by the king's +favourites, and in 1308 succeeded in getting Edward to send Gaveston out +of England. In the following year, however, he was recalled, and the +barons became so exasperated that in 1310, when the king summoned an +assembly of bishops and barons, the latter appeared, contrary to orders, +in full military array. The king could not do otherwise than submit to +their dictation. Ordainers were appointed from among the barons for the +purpose of drawing up ordinances for the government of the kingdom. These +ordinances were promulgated in their complete form in 1311, when they +received the sanction of a parliament assembled at the House of the Black +Friars, in the month of August, and were afterwards publicly proclaimed in +St. Paul's Churchyard,(347) special precautions being taken at the time to +safeguard the gates of the city by night and day.(348) Gaveston was +condemned to banishment for life. + +(M217) + +In the meantime, whilst the Ordainers were engaged on their work, Edward +had put himself at the head of his army and marched against the Scots, who +were rapidly gaining ground under Bruce. He remained on the border until +July, 1311, trying every means to raise money. In March of that year the +city sent him one thousand marks, by the hands of Roger le Palmere and +William de Flete, the mayor, Richer de Refham, contributing no less than +one hundred pounds of the whole sum. The money was despatched on +horseback, tied up in baskets covered with matting and bound with cords, +and the cost of every particular is set out in the city's records.(349) + +(M218) + +Refham was a mayor of the popular type. He had already suffered +deprivation of his aldermanry for some reason or another, but was +reinstated in 13O2.(350) No sooner was he chosen mayor than he caused a +collection to be made of the ancient liberties and customs of the city, +from the books and rolls preserved in the city's Chamber, and having +assembled the aldermen and best men of the city, he caused them to be +publicly read. This having been done, he next proceeded to ask the +assembly if it was their will that these ancient customs and liberties, +which had so often been infringed by the removal of mayors and sheriffs, +should be for the future maintained. Their answer being given unanimously +in the affirmative, he at once took steps to obtain the king's writ of +confirmation, and caused them to be proclaimed throughout the city. He +made a perambulation of the city and abated all nuisances and +encroachments. He went further than this. For some time past the streets +had been rendered unsafe to pass after dark by bands of rioters who at +that day were known by the _sobriquet_ of "roreres." A few years later, +the same class went under the name of "riffleres." They were the +precursors of the "Muns," the "Tityre Tus," the "Hectors," and the +"Scourers,"--dynasties of tyrants, as Macaulay styles them, which +domineered over the streets of London, soon after the Restoration, and at +a later period were superseded by the "Nickers," the "Hawcubites," and the +still more dreaded "Mohawks," of Queen Anne's reign. By whatever name they +happened at the time to be known, their practice was the same, +viz.:--assault and robbery of peaceful citizens whose business or pleasure +carried them abroad after sundown. + +During Refham's mayoralty, a raid was made on all common nightwalkers, +"bruisers" (_pugnatores_), common "roreres," _wagabunds_ and others, and +many were committed to prison, to the great relief of the more peaceably +disposed.(351) + +His strictness and impartiality were such as to raise up enemies, and an +excuse was found for removing him not only from the office of mayor, but +once again from his aldermanry.(352) On this point, however, the city +archives are altogether silent, they only record the appointment of his +successor to the mayoralty chair at the usual time and in the usual +manner. + +(M219) + +In January, 1312, the king returned to the north, and as soon as he had +arrived at York ignored the ordinance touching Gaveston, and instead of +sending his favourite into exile, received him into favour and restored +his forfeited estates. Foreseeing the storm that he would have to meet +from the barons, the king wrote from Knaresborough (9th Jan.) to Refham's +successor, John de Gisors, enjoining him to put the city into a state of +defence, and not allow armed men to enter on any pretext whatever.(353) On +the 21st he wrote again, not only to the mayor, but to nineteen leading +men of the city, exhorting them to hold the city for him.(354) Other +letters followed in quick succession--on the 24th and 31st January and the +8th February--all couched in similar terms.(355) When, however, he saw how +hopeless his case was, Edward sent word to the mayor and sheriffs that the +barons might be admitted provided the city was still held for the king. +Accordingly the barons were admitted without bloodshed, and held +consultation at St. Paul's as to what was best to be done.(356) Gaveston's +days were numbered. On the 12th June he was forced to surrender +unconditionally to the Earl of Warwick, and that day week was beheaded +without the semblance of a trial.(357) + +The influence he had exercised over the king had been remarkable from +their youth. The son of a Gascon knight, he had been brought up with +Edward as his foster brother and playfellow, and in course of time the +strong will of the favourite gained a complete mastery over the weaker +will of the prince. But his arrogant behaviour soon raised such a storm +among the nobles at Court that he was forced to leave England. When Edward +succeeded to the throne, one of his first acts was to recall Gaveston, to +whom he gave his own niece in marriage, after having bestowed upon him the +Earldom of Cornwall. The king seemed never tired of heaping wealth upon +his friend. Among other things, he bestowed upon his favourite (28th Aug., +1309) the sum of 100 shillings payable out of the rent of L50 due from the +citizens of London for Oueenhithe, to be held by him, his wife, and the +heirs of their bodies.(358) + +Both of them had friends and enemies in common. As Prince of Wales, Edward +had made an attempt to encroach upon some woods belonging to Walter +Langton, Bishop of Chester. This caused a breach between father and son, +and the prince was banished from Court for a whole half-year. Gaveston +also bore the same bishop a grudge, for it was owing in a great measure to +Langton's influence as treasurer to Edward I that he was in the first +instance forced into exile. When the prince succeeded his father, there +came a day of retribution for the bishop; his property was handed over to +Gaveston, and he himself carried prisoner from castle to castle by the now +all powerful favourite. A proclamation was also issued at the instance of +Gaveston, inviting complaints against the bishop.(359) + +(M220) + +Edward had purposed holding a parliament at Lincoln towards the end of +July, 1312, but the turn that affairs had taken induced him to change his +mind, and he summoned it to meet at Westminster.(360) It was important +that he should secure the city, if possible, in his favour. In this he was +successful; so that when the barons appeared to threaten London, having +arrived with a large force at Ware, they found the city's gates strongly +guarded.(361) + +(M221) + +In November (1312), the queen gave birth to a son, who afterwards ascended +the throne as Edward III. Isabel herself informed the citizens of the +auspicious event by letter sent by the hands of John de Falaise, her +"taillur."(362) The news had already reached the city, however, before the +queen's own messenger arrived, and he signified his disappointment at +being forestalled by declining to accept a sum of L10 and a silver cup of +32 ozs., which the city offered him by way of gratuity, as being +inadequate to his deserts. As nothing further is recorded of the matter, +it is probable that the offended tailor had reason to repent of his folly. +For more than a week the city was given up to merry-making, in honour of +the birth of an heir to the crown. The conduits ran with wine; a solemn +mass was sung at St. Paul's, and the mayor and aldermen rode in state to +Westminster, accompanied by members of the fraternities of drapers, +mercers, and vintners of London, in their respective liveries, to make +offering, returning to dine at the Guildhall, which was hung with tapestry +as befitted the occasion. + +(M222) + +After the death of Gaveston, his old enemy Walter Langton again found +favour and resumed his office as treasurer. The city had little reason to +be gratified at his return to power; for it was by his advice that the +king in December of this year (1312), issued orders for a talliage, which +the great towns, and especially London, objected to pay. Early in the +following January (1313), the mayor and aldermen were summoned to attend +the royal council, sitting at the house of the White Friars. The question +was there put to them--would they make fine for the talliage, or be +assessed by poll on their rents and chattels? Before making answer, the +mayor and aldermen desired to consult the commons of the city. An +adjournment accordingly took place for that purpose. When next the mayor +and aldermen appeared before the council, they resisted the talliage on +the following grounds:(363)--In the first place, because, although the king +might talliage cities and boroughs that were of his demesne, he could not, +as they understood, talliage the City of London, which enjoyed exemption +from such an imposition by charter. In the next place, there were prelates +and barons, besides citizens, who enjoyed rents and tenements in the city, +and their consent would first have to be obtained before the municipal +authorities could levy such a tax. Thirdly, the citizens held the city by +grant of former kings, at a fee ferm for all services payable into the +exchequer, and on that account ought not to be talliaged. Under these +circumstances the council was asked to delay the talliage until Parliament +should meet. + +This request the king and council expressed themselves as ready to comply +with on condition that the city made an immediate advance of 2,000 marks. +The city refused, and the king's assessors appeared at the Guildhall, and +read their commission. They were on the point of commencing work, when the +city obtained a respite until the meeting of Parliament by a loan of +L1,000. More than eighteen months elapsed, and at last a Parliament was +summoned to meet at York (Sept. 1314); but the country was in such a +disturbed state, owing to the renewal of the war with Scotland, that the +talliage question was not discussed. Nevertheless the king's officers +appeared again in the city to make an assessment, and again they were +bought off by another loan of L400. The king took the money and broke his +word, and the record of pledges taken from citizens for "arrears of divers +talliages and not redeemed," is significant of the hardship inflicted by +this illegal exaction on a large number of inhabitants of the city.(364) + +(M223) + +Out of this sum of L400, nearly one-half (L178 3_s._ 4_d._), was allowed +the city for the purpose of furnishing the king with a contingent of 120 +arbalesters, fully equipped for the defence of Berwick. Edward had been +defeated by the Scots at Bannockburn (24 June, 1314), and Berwick was +threatened. On the 21st November, Edward wrote from Northampton, asking +for 300 arbalesters if the city could provide so many; but the city could +do no more than furnish him with 120.(365) The fall of Berwick was only +postponed. In 1318 the great border fortress against Scotland was captured +by Bruce. Edward was forced soon afterwards to come to terms with the Earl +of Lancaster and the barons with whom he had so long been in avowed +antagonism, and a general pacification ensued, which received the sanction +of Parliament sitting at York in November.(366) On the 4th December, the +king sent home the foot soldiers which the city had furnished, with a +letter of thanks for the aid they had afforded him. They were immediately +paid off and disbanded.(367) + +(M224) + +It was not long before the king and Lancaster were preparing to join +forces for the recovery of Berwick. In the meantime, the Barons of the +Exchequer appeared at the Guildhall (25th February, 1319), and summoned +the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen to answer for certain trespasses. Several +holders of office, and among them Edmund le Lorimer, Gaoler of Newgate, +for whom Hugh le Despenser had solicited the Small Beam, were deposed: a +proceeding which gave rise to much bickering between mayor, aldermen and +commons. Disputes, moreover, had arisen in the city touching the election +and removal of the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen of the city, which +required some pressure from the Earl Marshal and other of the king's +ministers, sitting in the Chapter-house of St. Paul's, before peace could +be restored.(368) + +(M225) + +According to the writer of the French Chronicle, to which reference has +frequently been made,(369) the dissension in the city was mainly +attributable to John de Wengrave, the mayor. The citizens had lately been +busy drawing up certain "points" for a new charter. Wengrave, who was at +the time, or until quite recently, the city's Recorder, had contrived, in +1318, to force himself into the mayoralty having served as mayor the two +years preceding--"against the will of the commons." He had shown no little +opposition to the "points" of the proposed charter, possibly because one +of the points precluded the mayor, for the time being, from drawing or +hearing pleas, saving only "those pleas which, as mayor, he ought to hear, +according to the custom of the city."(370) If this received the king's +approval, Wengrave's occupation as Recorder, at least so long as he was +mayor, was gone. However this may be, the mayor's opposition was rendered +futile, and the articles were confirmed by the king's letters patent.(371) +Their main feature has already been alluded to; thenceforth the direct way +to the civic franchise was to be through membership of one of the civic +guilds. A foreigner or stranger, not a member of a guild, could only +obtain it by appealing to the full body of citizens before admission +through the Court of Husting. Conscious of their newly acquired +importance, the guilds began to array themselves in liveries, and "a good +time was about to begin."(372) Edward did not give his assent to these +articles without receiving a _quid pro quo_. The citizens were mulcted in +a sum of L1,000 before the king's seal was set to the letters patent.(373) +They did not mind this so much as they did the annoyance caused by the +king's justiciars eighteen months later. + +(M226) + +Early in 1321 commenced a memorable Iter at the Tower which lasted +twenty-four weeks and three days. No such Iter had been held before, +although the last Iter held in 1275 had been a remarkable one for the +courageous conduct of Gregory de Rokesle, the mayor. This was to surpass +every other session of Pleas of the Crown in its powers of inquisition, +and was destined to draw off many a would-be loyal citizen from the king's +side. Its professed object was to examine into unlawful "colligations, +confederations, and conventions by oaths," which were known (or supposed) +to have been formed in the city.(374) The following particulars of its +proceedings are gathered from an account preserved in the city's records +and supervised, if not compiled, by Andrew Horn, the city's Chamberlain, +an able lawyer who was employed as Counsel for the city during at least a +portion of the Iter.(375) The annoyance caused by this Iter, the general +stoppage of trade and commerce, the hindrance of municipal business, is +realised when we consider that for six months not only the mayor, sheriffs +and aldermen for the time being, but everyone who had filled any office in +the city since the holding of the last Iter--a period of nearly half a +century--as well as twelve representatives from each ward, were called upon +to be in constant attendance. All charters were to be produced, and +persons who had grievances of any kind were invited to appear. Great +commotion prevailed among the citizens upon receiving the king's writ, and +they at once addressed themselves to examining the procedure followed at +former Iters. It is probable, as Mr. Riley suggests, that for this purpose +they had resort to the "Ordinances of the Iter" already mentioned as set +out in the city's Liber Albus.(376) When the dreaded day arrived and the +justiciars had taken their seat at the Tower, the mayor and aldermen, who, +according to custom, as already seen in Rokesley's day, were assembled at +the church of All Hallows Barking, sent a deputation to welcome them, and +to make a formal request for a safe conduct to the citizens on entering +the Tower. This favour being granted, the king's commission was read. + +(M227) + +The opening of the Iter did not augur well for the city. Fault was found, +at the outset, by Geoffrey le Scrop, the king's sergeant-pleader, because +the sheriffs had not attended so promptly as they should have done. The +excuse that they had only acted according to custom in waiting for the +grant of a safe conduct was held unsatisfactory, and nothing would please +him but that the city should be at once taken into the king's hand.(377) + +(M228) + +Again, when the citizens claimed to record their liberties and customs by +word of mouth without being compelled to reduce them into writing, as the +justices had ordered, the only reply they got was that they did so at +their own peril.(378) Three days were consumed in preliminary discussion +of points of etiquette and questions of minor importance. + +(M229) + +On the fourth day the mayor and citizens put in their claim of liberties, +which they supported by various charters.(379) The justiciars desired +answers on three points, which were duly made,(380) and matters seemed to +be getting forward when there arrived orders from the king that the +justiciars should enquire as to the ancient right of the aldermen to +record their liberties orally in the king's courts. Having heard what the +citizens had to say on this point, the justiciars were instructed to +withhold their judgment; and this and other questions touching the +liberties of the city were to be postponed for future determination.(381) + +(M230) + +On the ninth day of the Iter, a long schedule, containing over 100 +articles upon which the Crown desired information, was delivered to each +ward of the city.(382) Days and weeks were consumed in considering various +presentments, besides private suits and pleas of the Crown. Suits were +determined in the Great Hall of the Tower facing the Thames, whilst pleas +of the Crown were heard in the Lesser Hall, beneath the eastern tower. The +justiciars occasionally protracted their sittings till dusk, much to the +disgust of the citizens, whose business was necessarily at a stand-still, +and as yet no indictments had been made.(383) These were to come. + +(M231) + +On the thirty-fourth day of the Iter, John de Gisors was indicted for +having during his mayoralty (1311-1313), admitted a felon to the freedom +of the city, and fraudulently altered the date of his admission. The +question of criminality turned upon this date. Had the felony been +committed before or after admission? The accused declared in his defence +that admission to the freedom had taken place before the felony; a jury, +however, came to the opposite conclusion, and not only found that +admission had taken place after an indictment for the felony, but that the +mayor at the time was aware of the indictment. The judges therefore +ordered Gisors into custody. He was soon afterwards released on bail, but +not without paying a fine of 100 marks.(384) + +(M232) + +A similar indictment against his son Anketin, as having participated in +his father's offence, failed. Within a week of Gisors's indictment, the +mayor for the time being, Nicholas de Farndon, was deposed, and the city +placed in the hands of Sir Robert de Kendale, the king's +commissioner.(385) + +(M233) + +For nine weeks in succession the citizens had suffered from the +inconveniences of the Iter, when a brief adjournment over Easter took +place. In the meantime, an assay was held at the Guildhall of the new +weights and measures which Walter Stapleton, Bishop of Exeter, had, in his +capacity as the king's treasurer, caused to be issued throughout the +country. One result of the trial was that whilst the city's weight of +eight marks was discovered to be slightly deficient, the city's bushel was +found to be more true than the king's. + +(M234) + +After Easter the sittings of the justiciars were resumed. A great change, +however, had come over them during the recess. They no longer behaved +"like lions eager for their prey; on the contrary, they had become very +lambs."(386) The reason for this sudden change, we are told, was the +insurrection in Wales, under the Earl of Hereford, the king's +brother-in-law. + +(M235) + +The chief questions discussed before the justices were the right of the +weavers of London to hold their guild, and the right of the fishmongers of +Fish-wharf to sell their fish at their wharf by retail instead of on their +vessels or at the city markets. The claim of the fishmongers was opposed +by Andrew Horn, himself a fishmonger by trade, as well as an eminent +lawyer, who acted on this occasion as leading counsel for the City. + +(M236) + +When Whitsuntide was approaching, an indictment was brought by the city +wards against their old enemy John de Crombwelle, the Constable of the +Tower. He had already made himself obnoxious to the citizens by attempting +to enclose a portion of the city's lands;(387) and now he was accused of +seizing a small vessel laden with tiles, and converting the same to his +own use, and further, with taking bribes for allowing unauthorised +"kidels" to remain in the Thames. The judges, having heard what he had to +say in defence, postponed the further hearing until after Trinity Sunday +(14th June). In the meantime, the citizens had the gratification of seeing +the constable removed from office, for allowing the Tower to fall into +such a dilapidated state, that the rain came in upon the queen's bed, +while giving birth to a daughter, afterwards known as Joanna of the +Tower,(388) and destined to become the wife of David the Second, King of +Scotland. + +(M237) + +On the judges resuming their sittings after Trinity Sunday, they sat no +longer in the Great Hall or the Lesser Hall, "as well by reason of the +queen being in childbed there, as already mentioned, as of the fortifying +of the Tower, through fear of the Earl of Hereford and his accomplices, +who were in insurrection on every side." Temporary buildings had to be +found for them. A fortnight later there were signs of the Iter being +brought to an abrupt termination, the citizens having represented that +they could not possibly keep proper watch and ward owing to disturbances +consequent to the holding of the Iter;(389) and within a week, viz., on +4th July, it was actually closed. + +(M238) + +It was the bursting of the storm which had long been gathering against the +king's new favourites, the Despensers, father and son, that caused the +sudden termination of the Iter, and it was the fear lest he should lose +the support of the city against Lancaster and his allies that caused the +king quickly to restore to the citizens their Mayor. Hamo de Chigwell took +the place of the deposed Farndon.(390) + +(M239) + +Within a few hours of the closing of the Iter Chigwell and the aldermen +were summoned to Westminster to say whether they would be willing to +support the king and to preserve the city of London to his use in his +contest with the barons. Edward and his council received for answer that +the mayor and his brethren "were unwilling to refuse the safe keeping of +the city," but would keep it for the king and his heirs. They were +thereupon enjoined to prepare a scheme for its defence for submission to +the king's council, and this was accordingly done.(391) + +(M240) + +The city was, however, wavering in its support; Chigwell did his best to +hold the balance between king and baron, and to hold a middle course, +avoiding offence as far as was possible to one side and the other. After +the lapse of a few days, a letter came from the Earl of Hereford, +addressed to the mayor, sheriffs, aldermen and commonalty of the city, +asking for an interview. It was then decided, after due deliberation in +the Court of Husting, to ask Edward's advice on the matter before +returning an answer. At first the king was disinclined to allow the +interview, but when the lords approached nearer London, and resistance +would have been hopeless, he gave way, and a deputation was appointed to +meet the lords at the Earl of Lancaster's house in Holborn. To them the +earl explained the aim and object of himself and his confederates. They +were desirous of nothing so much as the good of the realm and the +overthrow of the Despensers, father and son, who led the king astray and +had caused the Iter to be held at the Tower in order to injure the city. +Having listened to the earl's statement, the recorder, on behalf of the +deputation, asked for a few days' delay in order to consult with the mayor +and commonalty. The matter was laid before an assembly which comprised +representatives from each ward (30th July), and again it was resolved to +ask the king's advice. At length a reply was sent to the lords to the +effect that the citizens would neither aid the Despensers nor oppose the +lords, but the city would in the meantime be strongly guarded for the +preservation of order. With this the lords were satisfied.(392) + +(M241) + +A fortnight later (14th August) the king, moved by the intercession of the +Earl of Pembroke, the bishops, and his queen, yielded to the lords, and an +agreement between them was reduced to writing and publicly read in +Westminster Hall.(393) + +(M242) + +Chigwell's conduct throughout met with so much favour from the citizens as +well as from the king that when the latter issued letters patent(394) +granting a free election of a mayor in October of this year, it was +decided to continue Chigwell in office without a fresh election.(395) + +(M243) + +Such popularity as the king had for a time achieved by his concession to +the demands of the lords, however unwillingly made, was enhanced by +another circumstance. An insult had been offered to the queen by Lady +Badlesmere, who had refused to admit her into her castle at Ledes, co. +Kent, when on her way to Canterbury. The queen was naturally indignant, +and the unexpected energy displayed by Edward in avenging the insult gave +fresh strength to his cause. With the assistance of a contingent sent by +the citizens of London, the king beseiged the castle, and, having taken +it, hanged the governor.(396) Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere, the owner of +the castle, was afterwards taken and put to death at Canterbury. + +(M244) + +Elated with his success, the king forthwith proceeded to issue "a charter +of service"--_i.e._, a charter binding the citizens to serve him in future +wars--which he wished the good people of London to have sealed, "but the +people of the city would not accede to it for all that the king could +do."(397) In the place of this charter, however, he was induced to grant +the citizens one of a diametrically opposite nature, whereby it was +provided that the aids granted by the citizens upon this occasion should +not be prejudicial to the mayor and citizens, nor be looked upon as +establishing a precedent.(398) + +(M245) + +Having thus secured an acknowledgment of their rights, the citizens were +ready enough to waive them when occasion required. The battle of +Boroughbridge (16 March, 1322) was won for the king by the aid of +Londoners. We know, at least, that when he started from London at the +close of 1321 he was accompanied by five hundred men at arms from the +city, and one hundred and twenty more were sent after him on the 3rd +March.(399) + +(M246) + +The Londoners were by no means to be despised in the field. Froissart +describes them as being very dangerous when once their blood was up, and +slaughter on the battle field only gave them fresh courage.(400) A late +writer(401) who was pleased to describe the city's military force as "an +army of drapers' apprentices and journeymen tailors, with common +councilmen for captains and aldermen for colonels," gave it credit, +nevertheless, for natural courage, which, combined with befitting +equipment and martial discipline, rendered the force a valuable ally and a +formidable enemy. + +(M247) + +The Earl of Lancaster, who was made prisoner at Boroughbridge, and +afterwards executed before his own castle at Pomfret, had come to be a +great favourite with the Londoners, in whose eyes he appeared as the +champion of the oppressed against the strong. His memory was long +cherished in the city, and miracles were believed to have taken place--the +crooked made straight, the blind receiving sight and the deaf +hearing--before the tablet he had set up in St. Paul's commemorative of the +king's submission to the Ordinances. Edward ordered the removal of the +tablet, but it was again set up as soon as all power had passed from his +hands.(402) + +(M248) + +Edward, again a free ruler, lost no time in revoking these Ordinances. The +elder Despenser he raised to the earldom of Winchester.(403) This was in +May, 1322; a year later (April, 1323), he deposed Chigwell, who had again +been re-elected to the mayoralty in the previous October, and put in his +place Nicholas de Farndon,(404) thus reversing the order of things in +1321, when Farndon had been deposed and his place taken by Chigwell. + +The deposed mayor, however, was ordered to keep close attendance on the +Court, as were also three other London citizens, viz.: Hamo Godchep, +Edmund Lambyn, and Roger le Palmere; and in the following November he +recovered his position,(405) and held it for the rest of Edward's reign. + +(M249) + +The king's triumph was destined to be short-lived. In August, 1323, Roger +Mortimer, a favourite of the queen, effected his escape from the Tower, +where he had lain prisoner since January, 1322. The divided feeling of the +citizens which had been more or less apparent since the year of the great +Iter, now began to assert itself. Mortimer's escape had taken place with +the connivance, if not active assistance, of a leading citizen, Richard de +Betoyne, and he took sanctuary on the property of another leading citizen, +John Gisors.(406) In November the citizens thought fit to close their +gates, to prevent surprise.(407) + +(M250) + +In the following year (1324), a quarrel broke out between two of the city +guilds, the weavers and the goldsmiths. Fights took place in the streets +and lives were lost.(408) How far, if at all, such a quarrel had any +political significance it is difficult to say, but it is not unlikely, at +a time when the guilds were winning their way to chartered rights, that +occasionally their members took sides in the political struggle that was +then being carried on. + +(M251) + +Edward, in the meanwhile, was threatened with war by France, unless he +consented to cross the sea and do homage to the French king for the +possessions he held in that country. This the Despensers dared not allow +him to do. A compromise was therefore effected. Queen Isabel, who was not +sorry for an opportunity of quitting the side of a husband who had seized +all her property, removed her household, and put her on board wages at +twenty shillings a day,(409) undertook, with the king's assent, to revisit +her home and to bring about a settlement. Accordingly, on the 9th +March,(410) 1324, she crossed over to France, where she was afterwards +joined by Mortimer and her son. + +(M252) + +Once on the continent, the queen threw off the mask, and immediately began +to concert measures against the king and the Despensers. By negotiating a +marriage for her son with the daughter of the Count of Hainault, she +contrived to raise supporters in England, whilst by her affected humility +and sorrow, displayed by wearing simple apparel as one that mourned for +her husband, she won the sympathy of all who beheld her.(411) The king, on +the other hand, publicly forbade any one holding correspondence with her, +caused provisions to be laid up in the Tower in case of emergency, and +prepared a fleet to prevent her landing. + +(M253) + +It was all in vain. The majority of the citizens had made up their mind to +give him no more support. On the 24th September, 1326, Isabel, in spite of +all precautions, effected a landing near Harwich; and Edward, as soon as +he was made aware of her arrival in England, took fright and left London +for the west. The queen, who was accompanied by her son and her "gentle +Mortimer," gave out that she came as an avenger of Earl Thomas, whose +memory was yet green in the minds of the citizens, and as the enemy of the +Despensers.(412) Adherents quickly came in from all sides, and with these +she leisurely (_quasi peregrinando_) followed up the king.(413) + +In the meantime a letter had been despatched to the city in her name and +that of her son, desiring its assistance in destroying "the enemies of the +land." To this letter, we are told, no answer was sent "through fear of +the king." Another letter was therefore sent to the same effect, in which +Hugh Despenser was especially named as one to be destroyed, and an +immediate answer was requested.(414) This letter was affixed to the cross +in Cheapside and copies circulated through the city. + +On the 15th October, the city broke out into open rebellion. The mayor and +other leading men had gone to the house of the Blackfriars to meet the +Bishops of London and Exeter. The mob, now fairly roused by the queen's +second letter, hurried thither and forced them to return to the Guildhall, +the timid Chigwell "crying mercy with clasped hands," and promising to +grant all they required. A proclamation was made shortly afterwards to the +effect that "the enemies to the king and the queen and their son" should +depart the city.(415) + +(M254) + +One unfortunate man, John le Marchall, suspected of being employed by Hugh +Despenser as a spy, was seized and incontinently beheaded in Cheapside. +The mob, having tasted blood, hastened to sack the house of Walter +Stapleton, Bishop of Exeter, who as Edward's treasurer, had confiscated +the queen's property. It so happened, that the bishop himself, attended by +two esquires, was riding towards the city intending to have his midday +meal at his house in Old Dean's Lane (now Warwick Lane), before proceeding +to the Tower. Hearing cries of "Traitor!" he guessed that something was +wrong, and made for sanctuary in St. Paul's. He was caught, however, just +as he was about to enter the north door, dragged from his horse, carried +to Chepe, and there put to death in the same way as John le Marchall had +been executed a short hour before.(416) + +The bishop's two attendant esquires also perished at the hands of the mob. +Their bodies were allowed to lie stark naked all that day in the middle of +Chepe. The head of the bishop was sent to the queen at Gloucester,(417) +but his corpse was reverently carried into St. Paul's after vespers by the +canons and vicars of the cathedral. It was not allowed, however, to remain +there long; for hearing that the bishop had died under sentence of +excommunication, the authorities caused it to be removed to the church of +St. Clement Danes, near which stood the bishop's new manor house of which +we are reminded at the present day by Exeter Hall. The parish church was +in the gift of the Bishop of Exeter for the time being, and John Mugg, +then rector, owed his preferment to Stapleton. He was, therefore, guilty +of gross ingratitude when he refused to take in the corpse of his patron, +or to allow it the rites of burial. Certain poor women had more +compassion; they at least cast a piece of old cloth over the corpse for +decency's sake and buried it out of sight, although without any attempt to +make a grave and "without any office of priest or clerk." Thus, it +remained till the following month of February, when it was disinterred and +taken to Exeter. The treatment of Bishop Stapleton caused other prelates +to look to themselves, and many of them, including the primate himself, +began to make overtures of submission to Queen Isabel. + +After the Bishop's murder there was no pretence of government in the city. +The mob did exactly as they liked. They sacked the houses of Baldock, the +Chancellor, and carried off the treasure he had laid up in St. Paul's. The +property of the Earl of Arundel, recently executed at Hereford, which lay +in the Priory of Holy Trinity, Aldgate, shared the same fate. The banking +house of the Bardi, containing the wealth accumulated by the younger +Despenser, was sacked under cover of night. The Tower was entered, the +prisoners set free, and new officers appointed.(418) All this was done in +the face of a proclamation, calling upon the citizens to sink their +differences and to settle their disputes by lawful means.(419) + +(M255) (M256) + +When the Feast of St. Simon and Jude again came round, and Chigwell's term +of office expired by efflux of time, no election of a successor took +place, but on the 15th November, the Bishop of Winchester paid a visit to +the Guildhall, where, after receiving the freedom of the city, and +swearing "to live and die with them in the cause, and to maintain the +franchise," he presented a letter from the queen, permitting the citizens +freely to elect their mayor as in the days before the Iter of 1321, for +since that time no mayor had been elected, save only by the king's +favour.(420) They at once elected Richard de Betoyne, whom the queen had +that day appointed Warden of the Tower, conjointly with John de +Gisors.(421) Thus were these two aldermen recompensed for the assistance +they had rendered Mortimer in his escape from the Tower. + +(M257) + +On the 13th January, 1327--exactly one week before the king met his +wretched end in Berkeley Castle--Mortimer came to the Guildhall with a +large company including the Archbishop of Canterbury and several bishops, +and one and all made oath to maintain the cause of the queen and of her +son, and to preserve the liberties of the City of London. This was +solemnly done in the presence of the mayor, the chamberlain, Andrew Horn, +and a vast concourse of citizens. The Archbishop, who had offended many of +the citizens by annulling the decree of exile passed against the +Despensers in 1321, now sought their favour by the public offer of a gift +to the commonalty of 50 tuns of wine.(422) + + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + + +(M258) + +Edward III was only fourteen years of age when he succeeded to the throne. +For the first three years of his reign the government of the country was +practically in the hands of Mortimer, his mother's paramour; and it was no +doubt by his advice and that of the queen-mother that the young king +rewarded the citizens of London, who had shown him so much favour, by +granting them not only a general pardon(423) for offences committed since +he set foot in England in September, 1326, but also a charter confirming +and enlarging their ancient liberties.(424) + +This latter charter, which has been held to be of the force of an Act of +Parliament,(425) established (among other things) the ferm of the +Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex at the original sum of L300 per annum, +instead of the increased rental of L400 which had been paid since +1270;(426) it appointed the mayor one of the justices at the gaol delivery +of Newgate, as well as the king's escheator of felon's goods within the +city; it gave the citizens the right of devising real estate within the +city; it restored to them all the privileges they had enjoyed before the +memorable Iter of the last reign; and granted to them a monopoly of +markets within a circuit of seven miles of the city.(427) These two +charters--the charter of pardon and the charter of liberties--together with +another charter(428) releasing the citizens from all debts due to the late +king, were publicly read and explained in English to the citizens +assembled at the Guildhall by Andrew Horn, the Chamberlain, on the 9th +March.(429) + +(M259) + +Scarcely was he knighted and crowned king before necessity compelled him +to take the field against the Scots. The Londoners were, as usual, called +upon to supply a contingent towards the forces which had been ordered to +assemble at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.(430) They responded to the king's appeal +by sending 100 horsemen fully equipped, each one supplied with the sum of +100 shillings at least for expenses, and a further contingent of 100 +foot-men. They made their rendezvous at West Smithfield, whence they +proceeded to "la Barnette."(431) + +(M260) + +Whilst furnishing this aid to the king the citizens were anxious that +their liberality should not be misconstrued, or tend to establish a +precedent in derogation of their chartered privileges. Their fears on this +score were set at rest by the receipt of letters patent from the king +declaring that their proceedings on this occasion should not be to their +prejudice.(432) + +(M261) + +A parliament held in September, at Lincoln, in which the citizens were +represented by Benedict de Fulsham and Robert de Kelseye,(433) granted the +king an aid of a twentieth to defray expenses; and Hamo de Chigwell, among +others, was appointed by the king to collect the tax from the +citizens.(434) + +(M262) + +The City's representatives were accompanied to Lincoln by the mayor, +Richard de Betoyne, who was the bearer of letters under the seal of the +commonalty addressed to the king, the queen, and members of the king's +council praying that the courts of King's Bench and Exchequer might not be +removed from Westminster to York.(435) The removal was inconvenient to the +city merchants, whatever advantage might accrue to those dwelling in the +north of England. Negotiations between the City and the king on this +subject were protracted for some weeks; the king at length promising that +the courts should return to Westminster as soon as the country was in a +more settled state.(436) + +(M263) + +The campaign against the Scots brought little credit to either side, and +terminated in a treaty, the terms of which were for the most part arranged +by Mortimer and the queen-mother. One of the articles of peace stipulated +for the surrender of all proofs of the subjection of Scotland; and +accordingly the abbot of Westminster received orders to deliver up the +stone of Scone to the Sheriffs of London for transmission to Isabel, who +was in the north.(437) This the abbot refused to do--"for reasons touching +God and the church,"--without further instructions from the king and his +council.(438) + +When negotiations were opened in 1363 for the union of the kingdoms of +England and Scotland, it was proposed that Edward should be crowned king +at Scone on the royal seat (_siege roial_) which he should cause to be +returned from England. These negotiations, however, fell through, and the +stone remains in Westminster Abbey to this day.(439) + +The treaty which had been arranged at Edinburgh (17 March, 1328), was +afterwards confirmed by a Parliament held at Northampton, in which the +city was represented by Richard de Betoyne and Robert de Kelseye.(440) + +(M264) + +When the terms of this treaty of Northampton (as it was called) came to be +fully understood, the nation began to realise the measure of disgrace +which they involved, and Mortimer and the queen became the objects of +bitter hatred. Henry, Earl of Lancaster, the king's nominal guardian, had +grown weary of his false position, and of serving only as Mortimer's tool. +Determined to throw off the yoke, he refused to attend a parliament which +met at Salisbury in October (1328),(441) unless certain changes in the +government and in the king's household were first made. In the meantime, +Bishop Stratford of Winchester and Thomas, Lord Wake, two of his +supporters, had paid a visit to the city and had endeavoured to rouse the +citizens to action. The king, hearing of this, wrote to the municipal +authorities for an explanation. They frankly acknowledged, in reply, that +the bishop had been in the city for the purpose of discussing the ill +state of affairs, and themselves expressed a hope, amid vows of the utmost +loyalty, that the king would redress the grievances under which the nation +suffered.(442) + +(M265) + +Instead of attending the parliament at Salisbury, the earl marched in full +force to Winchester. On the 5th November he wrote to the citizens from +Hungerford, to the effect that he had made known to parliament his +honourable intentions, but had received no reply; that the parliament had +been adjourned to London; that he had been informed of certain matters +about which he could not write, but which the bearer would communicate to +them; and he concluded with assuring them that he desired nothing so much +as the king's honour and the welfare of the kingdom, and declaring his +implicit confidence in their loyalty.(443) + +(M266) + +The mayor of the city at this time was John de Grantham. His election had +taken place but recently, and was the result of a compromise. Chigwell, +who had again been chosen mayor at the expiration of Betoyne's year of +office in 1327, was a decided favourite with the citizens, notwithstanding +a certain want of firmness of character, and he was again put up as a +candidate for the mayoralty in October, 1328. He had enemies, of course. +Towards the close of his last mayoralty he was ill-advised enough to sit +in judgment upon a brother alderman on a charge of having abused him two +years previously. During the troublous times of 1326, John de Cotun, +alderman of Walbrook ward, was alleged to have described Chigwell, who was +then mayor, as "the vilest worm that had been in the city for twenty +years," adding that the city would know no peace so long as Chigwell was +alive, and that it would be a blessing if he lost his head.(444) After +some hard swearing on both sides, leading to the discovery of bad blood +existing between the informer and the alderman, the charge was dismissed. + +At the outset it appeared that Chigwell's reelection was assured; but the +city as well as the country was in a disturbed state, and political +reasons may have led to an endeavour to force another candidate in the +person of Benedict de Fulsham over his head. Be that as it may, it is +certain that when Chigwell's name was proposed to the assembled citizens +at the Guildhall, the cry was raised of "Fulsham! Fulsham!" So high did +party spirit run, that the election had to be postponed, and eventually it +was thought best that both candidates should be withdrawn. This having +been done, the choice of the electors fell on John de Grantham, a +pepperer.(445) + +(M267) + +On the 8th November the new mayor despatched a letter to the king, +expressing the joy of the city at the news of a proposed visit, and the +prospect of the next parliament being held in London. His majesty might be +assured of the city's loyalty.(446) Four days later (12 November), Edward +despatched a messenger from Reading with a letter to John de Grantham, +bidding him cause a deputation to be nominated for the purpose of +proceeding to Windsor. The messenger arrived late on Sunday evening, and +the deputation was to be at Windsor on the following Tuesday. A meeting +was therefore summoned on Monday, when six aldermen and six commoners were +nominated to meet the king. On Thursday the deputation returned and +reported the result of the interview. It appears that Edward had +complained to the deputation of armed men having left the city to join the +earl at Winchester. He was also desirous to know if the city was in a +proper state of defence and the king's peace preserved therein. On these +points the mayor endeavoured to satisfy him by letter of the 18th +November. As to armed men having left the city for Winchester, his majesty +was informed that none had so left with the knowledge of the municipal +authorities, and if any should be found to have done so, they would most +assuredly be punished.(447) + +(M268) + +Early in December the king and queen came to London, accompanied by the +queen-mother and Mortimer, and took up their quarters at Westminster. The +whole of the city went forth to welcome them, and they were made the +recipients of valuable gifts. Their stay, however, lasted but one short +week.(448) + +(M269) + +By the 16th the king was at Gloucester, where he wrote to the Mayor of +London, enclosing a copy of particulars of all that had passed between +himself and the Earl of Lancaster--the charges made by the earl and his own +replies--in order, as he said, that the citizens might judge for themselves +of the rights of the quarrel between them. These particulars, the mayor +was desired to have publicly read at the Guildhall.(449) This was +accordingly done (20 Dec.), in the presence of some of the earl's +supporters, who took the opportunity of explaining the earl's +position.(450) + +(M270) + +Whilst notifying the king that his wishes had been complied with, the +mayor and commonalty besought him that all measures of hostility between +himself and the barons might be suspended until parliament should meet. +The city became the headquarters of the dissatisfied bishops and nobles. +The Sunday before Christmas, the pulpit in St. Paul's was occupied by the +primate, who was equally anxious with the civic authorities that matters +should be left to be adjusted by parliament.(451) + +(M271) + +The barons in the city, in the meanwhile, awaited the arrival of the Earl +of Lancaster. On New Year's day he came, and on the 2nd January (1329) a +conference of bishops and barons took place at St. Paul's.(452) The +futility of an attempt to form a confederation soon became apparent. The +city stood fast to the king; some of the barons wavered, and nothing was +left to Lancaster but to make the best terms he could. Edward had already +offered pardon to all who should submit before the 7th January, with +certain exceptions.(453) + +(M272) + +Now that the king, or rather, we should say, Mortimer, was once more +master of the situation, the citizens who had favoured the constitutional +party became the objects of retribution. On Sunday, the 22nd January +(1329), the mayor and twenty-four citizens were ordered to meet the king +at St. Albans. They returned on the following Thursday with instructions +to see if the city was prepared to punish those who had favoured +Lancaster. No sooner were the king's wishes made known, than an enquiry +was at once set on foot. On Wednesday (1st February), the deputation +returned to the king, who was then at Windsor, to report the sense of the +city; and on the following Sunday (4th February), the king's justices +commenced to sit at the Guildhall for the trial of those implicated in the +late abortive attempt to overthrow Mortimer. Three days were consumed in +preliminary proceedings; and it was not until Wednesday (8th February) +that the real business of the session commenced. By that time the king +himself had come to London, and had taken up his headquarters at the +Tower, having passed through the city accompanied by his consort, the +queen-mother, and many of the nobility.(454) It does not appear that +Mortimer came with them. + +(M273) + +Among those who were brought to trial at the Guildhall was Chigwell. He +was accused of being implicated in the abduction of the Abbot of Bury St. +Edmunds, and of feloniously receiving two silver basins as his share of +the plunder. Being convicted, he claimed the benefit of clergy, and the +Bishop of London, after some delay, was allowed to take possession of him +on the ground that he was a clerk. His life was thus saved and he was +conveyed to the episcopal prison amid general regret, although, as we have +already seen, he was not a universal favourite. "Many said, he is a good +man; others, nay, but he deceiveth the people."(455) He was kept for some +months in honourable confinement at the bishop's manor of Orset, co. +Essex, and early in 1330 was admitted to purgation. Thus encouraged, he +hastened once more to return to the city. He was still popular with a +large body of the citizens, who, on hearing of his approach, flocked to +meet him, his re-entry into the city being made to resemble a triumphal +progress. Both Isabel and her son were seized with alarm; and a writ was +forthwith issued for his arrest.(456) He was, however, forewarned, and +able to make his escape. Little is known of his subsequent career; Stow +places his death in or about 1328, but this must be a mistake. By his will +dated 1332, he left some real estate in the city to the dean and chapter +of St. Paul's Cathedral for the maintenance of a chantry.(457) + +(M274) + +Mortimer's vengeance was not confined to a few leading citizens. +Lancaster's life was spared, but he was mulcted in a heavy fine. Many of +his associates took refuge in flight. The Earl of Kent, the king's uncle, +was shortly afterwards charged with treason, into which he had been drawn +by the subtlety of Mortimer, and made to pay the penalty with his head. +This, more than anything else, opened the king's eyes to Mortimer's true +character, and at length (Oct., 1339,) he caused him to be privily seized +in the castle of Nottingham.(458) Thence he was carried to London, and +hanged at the Elms in Smithfield. + +(M275) + +Queen Isabel, who witnessed the seizure of her favourite and whose prayers +to spare the "gentle Mortimer" were of no avail, was made to disgorge much +of the wealth she had acquired during her supremacy, and was put on an +allowance. The rest of her life, a period of nearly thirty years, she +spent in retirement. Before her death(459) she gave the sum of forty +shillings to the Abbess and Minoresses of Aldgate of the Order of St. +Clare, for the purpose of purchasing for themselves two pittances or doles +on the anniversaries of the decease of her husband the late king and of +Sir John de Eltham his son.(460) The removal of Mortimer corresponded very +closely with the king's coming of age. He was now eighteen years old, and +thenceforth he "ruled as well as reigned." + +(M276) + +The king's marriage with Philippa of Hainault, which had taken place at +York on the 30th January, 1328, had been popular with the city(461) as +tending to open up trade with Flanders. Hitherto nearly all the wool +produced by this country had been sent to Flanders for manufacture, the +export trade being so large that the king is said to have received more +than L30,000 in a single year from duties levied on this commodity +alone.(462) We have already seen how, in order to punish the Countess of +Flanders for injuries inflicted upon English merchants, the king's +grandfather resorted, in 1270, to the expedient of forbidding all export +of wool to her country.(463) The misery which her half-starved people were +then compelled to suffer soon induced the Countess to come to terms. It +was also in no small measure owing to the fear of a similar stoppage by +the intervention of the French fleet, that the Flemings laid aside their +neutrality in 1339, and openly assisted Edward in his war with France. + +(M277) + +Towards the close of the last reign the "staples" or market towns for the +sale of certain commodities, but more especially of wool, had been removed +from the continent and established at various places in England, Ireland +and Wales.(464) London was one of those places. No wool was to be exported +abroad until it had remained at one or another of the staples for a period +of forty days. This rule appears however to have been relaxed by Edward +II, in favour of all staple towns but London; merchants being allowed to +remove their goods from other staples after a stay of only fifteen days. +The London merchants, therefore, were under the disadvantage of finding +the market always forestalled. Edward III had not long been on the throne +before they took the opportunity of submitting this hardship not only to +the king, but also to the queen-mother, and prayed that the relaxation of +the rule touching the forty days with respect to other staples might be +withdrawn.(465) Their prayer, however, would seem to have had but little +effect, for within a week of the petition to the king we find that monarch +issuing an order to the collector of customs on wool, leather and +wool-fells in the port of London, to enforce the delay of forty days +before goods could be removed.(466) + +(M278) + +Nor was this the only grievance that the London merchants had. In order to +raise money to put down the rebellion of the Scots which had broken out +soon after his accession, he had recourse to an extra tax upon wool, +leather, and wool-fells. The money thus raised was to be considered a +loan, receipts being given to the merchants under the king's seal, known +as "Coket," and the merchants in return were to be allowed absolute free +trade from the 2nd July, 1327, the date of the writ, up to the following +Christmas.(467) The Londoners objected altogether to this impost, on the +grounds that they had never been consulted on the matter, and had never +given their assent.(468) + +A compromise was subsequently effected. In consideration of the good +service which the citizens of London had already done to the king in times +past, and for the good service which they were prepared to render again in +the future, they were released of arrears of the tax due from 2nd July to +the 23rd September, provided they were willing to pay it for the remainder +of the term.(469) After Christmas the restrictions upon free trade were +again enforced.(470) + +(M279) + +On the 11th December (1327), Edward issued a writ(471) to the Sheriffs of +London to choose two representatives to attend on behalf of the citizens +at a parliament to be held at York, on Sunday next after the Feast of the +Purification (2 Feb., 1328). Instead, however, of sending only two members +as directed, the citizens appear on this occasion to have sent no less +than four, viz.: Richard de Betoyne, Robert de Kelseye, John de Grantham, +and John Priour the Younger.(472) + +One of the questions to be determined was the advisability of again +removing the Staple from England to the continent. On this question, there +appears to have arisen some difference of opinion among the city +representatives. Betoyne, who had formerly enjoyed the office of Mayor of +the Staple beyond the seas, favoured a return to the old order of things, +whilst his colleagues were opposed to any such proceeding. Notification of +Betoyne's disagreement with his colleagues was made to the mayor and +commonalty of the City by letter from the mayor and commonalty of York, to +which reply was made that Betoyne's action was entirely unauthorised.(473) +A letter was sent the same day to Betoyne himself, enjoining him to do +nothing in the matter opposed to the wish of the commonalty of +London(474); and another to Betoyne's colleagues informing them of the +City's action, and bidding them to exert themselves to the utmost to keep +the Staple in England.(475) + +The account of Betoyne's difference with his colleagues, as related in the +letter from the City of York, was subsequently found to require +considerable modification, when a letter was received by the Mayor of +London from two of his colleagues, Grantham and Priour.(476) Their account +of what had actually taken place was to the effect that Betoyne had been +publicly requested by a number of representatives from various towns, +assembled in the Chapter House at York, to resign his mayoralty (of the +Staple) and to deliver up the charters which had been acquired at no +little expense. Betoyne replied that the charters were in the possession +of John de Charleton,(477) who refused to give them up, but that he had +himself, four years since, caused a transcript of the charters to be made, +which he was prepared to give up to them if they so wished. Thereupon, +there suddenly appeared upon the scene the Mayor of York, hand in hand +with John de Charleton himself, and followed by a number of burgesses of +York. The appearance of John de Charleton was eminently distasteful to +Betoyne, and he got up and left the room, declining to take any further +part in the discussion so long as Charleton was present. That was +practically all that had occurred, and the writers expressed themselves as +much hurt if anything more than this had been reported from the mayor and +commonalty of York, for in their opinion Betoyne had never shown himself +otherwise than diligent in his duty. The letter concluded with a report of +general news, the chief item being the announcement of the death of the +King of France, and the writers expressed a wish that the same publicity +might be given to their letter as was given to the letter received from +the Mayor of York. + +(M280) + +Betoyne on the same day sent home his own account of what had taken place +at York.(478) It agrees in the main with the account sent by his +colleagues, but contains some particulars of interest not mentioned in the +latter. He relates how he had been asked to retire from the Mayoralty of +the Staple beyond the seas, and to give up the charters and other +muniments which the several towns had obtained at considerable cost. To +this he had replied that many charters he had left behind on the +continent, but he had brought over with him the charters of the franchises +of the staples which had been purchased of the late king. These were in +the hands of John de Charleton, who refused to give them up. He had +himself, however, gone to Dover in the eighteenth year of Edward II, when +the king himself was there, and had caused a duplicate of the charters to +be made, which he had expressed his readiness to show them. He encloses a +copy. As a proof of the bad feeling (_la malencolye_) which the burgesses +of York entertained towards him, he proceeds to relate how the Mayor of +York, maliciously and without any warning, had appeared at the assembly +with four or five of his suite, accompanied by John de Charleton, clothed +in the mayor's livery, and by a crowd of citizens, to the terror of the +assembled merchants. Thereupon, Bretoyne had declared that he would not +sit nor remain where Charleton was, and had left the meeting; for, said +he, he would never make peace with Charleton except with the assent of the +Mayor and Commonalty of London. He concluded by asking that his character +might not be allowed to suffer by anything which the Mayor of York may +have written. By a postscript he informs the Mayor of London, that on the +eve of the Purification (the day fixed for the re-assembly of parliament) +the Mayor of York had come to his hostel, accompanied by many others, and +had accused him of having come to the city for the express purpose of +annoying their fellow-burgess John de Charleton, which he had denied. This +insult, he is advised, touches not only himself, but the Corporation of +London whose representative he was. + +(M281) + +Both these letters were laid before the commonalty of London assembled at +the Guildhall on the 19th February, when Betoyne's action was approved, +and on the following day a letter was addressed to him to that effect. The +Mayor and Commonalty of York received also a missive in which their late +conduct to Betoyne was severely criticised.(479) Betoyne's recent services +were recognized by the grant, at his own request, of a handsome coverlet +furred with minever, in part payment of his expenses incurred in attending +the parliament at York.(480) + +(M282) + +The king, finding that the opposition to the removal of the staple +displayed not only by London but by York, Winchester, Bristol and Lincoln +was too great to be overcome, abolished staples altogether (August, 1328), +and re-established free-trade.(481) He even invited Flemish weavers to +settle in England so as to give a stimulus to the manufacture of woollen +fabrics. These he took under his special protection,(482) for the native +looked askance upon all foreigners, traders or craftsmen. + +(M283) + +One of the last political acts of Mortimer had been to send Edward over to +France to do homage to Philip of Valois, the new king, for his possessions +in that country. This homage Edward paid in 1329, but subject to certain +reservations.(483) In 1330 he was making preparations for war, and took +the opportunity of the presence of Stephen de Abyndone and John de +Caustone, the City's representatives in the parliament held that year at +Westminster, to ask them what assistance the City would be likely to +afford him. The City members asked leave to consult the commonalty on the +matter. Eventually the sum of 1,000 marks was offered, a sum so trifling +that Edward consented to accept it only as a free gift, and plainly +intimated that he looked for more substantial aid in the future.(484) + +In July, he summoned the mayor and twenty-four of the leading citizens to +attend him at Woodstock. The mayor (Simon de Swanlonde) would have had +them excused on the ground of the disturbed state of the city, but the +king was not to be denied. Substitutes were appointed for the mayor during +his absence, and he and seven aldermen and sixteen commoners went to +Woodstock, where they gave assurances of the City's loyalty.(485) In 1331, +after Mortimer's fall, when Edward was his own master, lie again visited +France, and a peace was concluded between the two kings.(486) + +(M284) + +From 1332 to 1335 the king was chiefly occupied with Scotland. It was part +of the policy of Philip of Valois to encourage disturbance in the north of +England, as a means of recovering his lost possessions in France.(487) The +period of four years during which peace had been assured by Edward with +Scotland by the treaty of Northampton had now elapsed,(488) and active +operations on both sides re-commenced. In 1334 the city voted 1,000 marks, +afterwards raised to 1,200, for raising 100 horsemen and as many +men-at-arms to assist the king for a period of forty days.(489) + +A spy was also despatched to Normandy and Brabant to see how matters were +going there, and gifts were made to the courts of Juliers and Namur to +secure their favour. The parliament which sat at York in May, 1335,(490) +having decided in favour of a fresh expedition to Scotland,(491) the king +sent orders to the City to hold its forces in readiness to march under the +leadership of two of its aldermen, John de Pulteney and Reginald de +Conduit.(492) A commission to seize ships in the port of London to the +king's use, resulted in the detention of six ships.(493) + +(M285) + +At length, the friendly attitude which Philip of Valois had taken up +towards Scotland, much to Edward's prejudice, determined the latter to go +in person to France for the purpose, not only of defending his possessions +there, but also of enforcing his claim to the French crown. The year 1337 +was devoted to active preparations for the struggle. The City of London, +in spite of its franchise, was called upon to furnish 500 men at arms, and +to send them to Portsmouth by Whitsuntide.(494) The date was subsequently +altered to Trinity Sunday.(495) The king took occasion to find fault with +the city's dilatoriness in executing his demands, as well as with the +physique of the men that were being supplied. At the request of the mayor, +Sir John de Pulteney (he had recently received the honour of +knighthood(496)), the number of men to be furnished was reduced to 200, +the rest to be supplied on further notice.(497) + +(M286) + +When Parliament met in London in February, the City made presents of money +to the king, the queen, the chancellor, the treasurer, and others,(498) +for no other purpose apparently, but to win their favour. In the following +month the City obtained a charter declaring its liberties and customs to +be unaffected by the recent statute establishing free trade,(499) when +presents in money or kind were again made to the officers of state.(500) + +(M287) + +The services which the mayor had done the city in the work of obtaining +this charter were acknowledged by a gift of two silver basins and the sum +of L20 from his fellow citizens.(501) It was by Pulteney's influence that +the king consented to allow a sum of 1,000 marks to be taken into account +at a future assessment for a fifteenth, instead of insisting upon its +being a free gift from the citizens.(502) + +(M288) + +In March, 1337, a statute forbade the importation of wool, as a +preliminary to the imposition of an additional custom, and in the +following year parliament granted the king half the wool of the +kingdom.(503) The Londoners having no wool of their own, paid a +composition,(504) and were often reduced to sore straits. Thus in April, +1339, an assessment had to be made in the several wards of the City to +discharge a debt to the king of 1,000 marks. The men of Aldersgate ward +refused to pay their quota of L9. A precept was thereupon issued to the +sheriffs to levy the larger sum of L16 10s., on the lands, tenements, +goods, and chattels of the ward, and pay the same into the Chamber of the +Guildhall by a certain day.(505) The citizens of London, and the nation +generally, would the more willingly have borne these exactions if any +adequate good had resulted from them. But Edward's first campaign resulted +in nothing more than the assumption by him of the name and arms of the +King of France, at a cost of L300,000.(506) + +(M289) + +Among the ships which had been prepared for the king's expedition to +France, three were known as "La Jonette," of London; "La Cogge," of All +Hallows; and "La Sainte Marie Cogge." The last mentioned belonged to +William Haunsard,(507) an ex-sheriff of London, who subsequently did +signal service in the great naval battle of Sluys. Prior to the king's +departure, measures were taken for the safe custody of the city during his +absence.(508) The City had difficulties in raising a contingent of +soldiers, for many of the best men had joined the retinue of nobles, and +all that could be mustered amounted to no more than 100 men, viz: 40 +men-at-arms, and 60 archers.(509) + +(M290) + +After the king's departure (12 July, 1338) the City laid in provisions for +transmission abroad, 500 quarters of corn and 100 carcases of oxen to be +salted down. In addition to which it purchased 1,000 horseshoes and 30,000 +nails.(510) In October steps were taken to protect London from attack by +sea and land. Piles were driven into the bed of the river to prevent the +approach of a hostile fleet; the wharves were "bretasched" with boards, +and springalds set at different gates and posterns.(511) + +(M291) + +In February, 1339, the citizens received the king's orders to furnish four +ships with 300 men, and four scummars(512) with 160 men, victualled for +three months, to proceed to Winchester. Upon some demur being made to this +demand, the number of ships was reduced to two, well equipped with men and +arms. Pursuant to these orders each ward was assessed for the purpose of +levying 110 men armed with haketon, plates, bacinet with aventail, and +gloves of plate; and sixty men armed with only haketon and bacinet. The +pay of the men was to be threepence a day each for two months. The vessels +were to be joined by ships from various other ports, and proceed to sea in +charge of Sir William Trussel by the middle of March to intercept, if +possible, the enemy's fleet.(513) + +(M292) + +By Easter time the danger appeared more imminent, and the mayor and +aldermen met hurriedly in the Guildhall, on Easter Sunday afternoon after +dinner. An immediate attack up the Thames was expected. The mayor and +aldermen agreed to take it in turns to watch the river night and day. On +the following Wednesday, each alderman was ordered to enquire as to the +number of arbalesters, archers, and men capable of bearing arms in his +ward. A number of carpenters were sworn on the same day to safe-guard the +engines of war laid up in the new house near Petywales.(514) This new +house appears to have been known as "La Bretaske," and was used for +storing springalds, quarels, and other war material.(515) + +(M293) + +At this period there were kept in the chamber of the Guildhall six +instruments called "gonnes," which were made of latten, a metal closely +resembling brass, five "teleres" or stocks for supporting the guns, four +cwt. and a half of pellets of lead, and thirty-two pounds of gunpowder by +way of ammunition.(516) The mention of "teleres" and the small amount of +ammunition favours the assumption that the instruments were rather +hand-guns than heavy pieces, as has been supposed.(517) A "telere" or +tiller was a common name for the stock of a cross-bow,(518) and the +earliest hand-guns or fire-arms known consisted of a simple tube of metal +with touch-hole, fixed on a straight stick or shaft, which when used was +passed under the arm so as to afford a better grip of the weapon. + +(M294) + +The danger blew over, and before the close of the year the king was +expected to return to England.(519) He did not return however before +February, 1340, having intimated his intention to the mayor of London, by +letter from Sluys, dated Sunday the 20th.(520) Notwithstanding his long +absence, he had accomplished little or nothing. + +(M295) + +He had come to the end of his resources and was in want of money to carry +on the war. The City was asked to lend him L20,000. It offered 5,000 +marks. This was contemptuously refused, and the municipal authorities were +bidden to re-consider the matter, or in the alternative to furnish the +king with the names of the wealthier inhabitants of the City. At length +the City agreed to advance the sum of L5,000 for a fixed period, and this +offer the king was fain to accept.(521) At the close of 1339, the chief +towns of Flanders had entered into an offensive and defensive alliance +with Edward, and an arrangement was made for paying the sum of L1,500 out +of the L5,000 to Jacques van Arteveldt, the king's agent at Bruges.(522) +Three aldermen and nine commoners were appointed to make the necessary +assessment for the loan, for the repayment of which John de Pulteney was +one of the king's sureties.(523) + +(M296) + +Provided with this and other money supplied by parliament, Edward again +set out for the continent (June, 1340). With him went a contingent of 283 +men-at-arms, furnished by the City, 140 of them being drawn from that part +of the city which lay on the east side of Walbrook, and 143 from the +western side. It had been intended to raise 300 men, and the better class +of citizens had been called upon to supply each a quota, or in default to +serve in person; but eleven had failed in their duty and, on that account, +had been fined 50 shillings each, whilst six others, making up the +deficit, had set out in the retinue of Henry Darcy, the late mayor.(524) + +(M297) + +The names of the transport ships and the number of men-at-arms supplied by +each city, the number of mariners and serving-men (_garzouns_), which were +about to take part in the great battle fought off Sluys (24 June), are on +record.(525) Although the French fleet was superior to his own in numbers +and equipment, Edward did not hesitate to attack. The struggle was long +and severe, lasting from noon on one day until six o'clock the next +morning. If any one person was more conspicuous for valour on that +occasion than another, it was William Haunsard, an ex-sheriff of London, +who came with "a ship of London" and "did much good."(526) + +An account of the battle was despatched by the king to his son the Prince +Regent, dated from his ship, the "Cogg Thomas," the 28th June.(527) + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + + +(M298) + +It was one of the conditions of the Flemish alliance, mentioned at the +close of the last chapter, that the campaign of 1340 should open with the +siege of Tournay, and it was with this object specially in view that +Edward had set out from England. After his brilliant victory over the +French fleet which opposed his passage Edward marched upon Tournay. Its +siege, however, proved fruitless, and, disappointed and money-less, he +slipt back again to England and made his appearance unexpectedly one +morning at the Tower(528) (30 Nov.). + +(M299) (M300) + +The king attributed the failure of the war to the remissness of his +ministers in sending money and supplies. Scarcely had he landed before he +sent for the chancellor, the treasurer, and other ministers who were in +London, and not only dismissed them from office, but ordered them each +into separate confinement. John de Pulteney was one of those made to feel +the king's anger, and he was relegated to the castle of Somerton, but as +soon as Edward's irritability had passed off he and others obtained their +freedom.(529) A searching enquiry was instituted in the spring of the +following year (1341) as to the way in which the king's revenues had been +collected in the city. Objection was raised to the judges holding their +session within the city and they sat at the Tower. Great tumult prevailed, +and the citizens refused to answer any questions until the judges had +formally acknowledged the City's liberties. A special fund was raised for +the purpose of defending the City's rights.(530) From the 5th March to the +17th March the justices sat, and then an adjournment was made until the +16th April. On resumption of the session another adjournment immediately +took place owing to parliament sitting at Westminster, and when the judges +should have again sat, the Iter was suddenly determined by order of the +king.(531) The king showed much annoyance at the attitude taken up by the +citizens, or at least by a certain portion of them, with respect to this +enquiry, and endeavoured to procure the names of the ringleaders.(532) +Failing in this, and not wishing to make an enemy of the city on which he +largely depended for resources to carry out his military measures, he +bestowed a general pardon on the citizens, and promised that no Iter +should be held at the Tower for a period of seven years.(533) + +(M301) + +As a further mark of favour he granted to the City, soon after the abrupt +termination of the Iter, a charter confirming previous charters; allowing +the citizens in express terms to vary customs that might in course of time +have become incapable of being put into practice, and declaring the city's +liberties not subject to forfeiture through non-user.(534) + +(M302) + +In August (1341) the citizens met to consider the question of levying a +sum of L2,000, of which 2,000 marks was due to certain citizens in part +payment of the L5,000 lent to the king, and 1,000 marks was required for +the discharge of the city's own debts. A certain number of aldermen and +commoners were at the same time appointed to confer with the king's +council touching the sending of ships of war beyond the seas. The result +of the interview was made known to the citizens at a meeting held later on +in the same month. A further grievous burden (_vehemens onus_) was to be +laid upon them; they were called upon to provide no less than twenty-six +ships, fully equipped and victualled at their own cost.(535) + +(M303) + +The ships were probably wanted for conveying forces over to Brittany under +the command of Sir Walter de Maunay, in the following year. The king +himself made an expedition to that country in October, 1342, having +previously succeeded in borrowing the sum of L1,000 from the citizens. He +had asked for L2,000, but was fain to be content with the lesser sum, +security for repayment of which was demanded and granted.(536) + +(M304) + +In March, 1343, Edward returned to England, having made a truce with +France for three years.(537) He was beginning to learn the value of the +English longbow and the cloth-yard shaft in the field of battle. Hitherto +he, like others before him, had placed too much reliance on charges by +knights on horseback. What the longbow could effect, under proper +management, had been experienced at Falkirk in 1298. It had proved a +failure at Bannockburn in 1314 through bad strategy, but at Halidon Hill +twenty years later (1333) it was again effective. It was destined soon to +work a complete reform in English warfare; and the yeoman and archer were +to supersede the noble and knight. The London burgess and apprentice were +especially apt with the weapon from constant practice in Finsbury fields. +Edward realised the necessity of fostering the martial spirit of the +Londoners, and on one occasion (January, 1344) invited the wives of the +burgesses to witness a tournament at Windsor, where they were entertained +right royally.(538) + +(M305) + +Before the expiration of the truce Edward was busy with preparations for a +renewal of the war. Four hundred London archers were to be got ready by +Midsummer of 1344, as the king was soon to cross the sea; and 100 +men-at-arms and 200 horsemen were to be despatched to Portsmouth.(539) In +1345, a royal commission was issued for the seizure for the king's use of +all vessels lying in the river.(540) A further contingent of 160 archers +was ordered to Sandwich by Whitsuntide, and in August the city received +another order for yet more archers.(541) In September, the king informed +the mayor by letter that, owing to the defective state of his fleet and +the prevalence of contrary winds, he had postponed setting sail for a +short time; the civic authorities were to keep their men-at-arms and +archers ready to set out the morrow after the receipt of orders to +march.(542) Six months elapsed, during which the citizens were kept under +arms waiting for orders, when, on the 18th March, 1346, another letter was +sent by the king to the effect that he had now fully made up his mind to +set sail from Portsmouth a fortnight after Easter. The men-at-arms, the +horsemen, and the archers, were to be ready by a certain day on pain of +losing life, limb, and property. On the 28th March, the archers mustered +in "Totehull" or Tothill Fields, near Westminster.(543) + +(M306) + +The expedition did not actually sail from Portsmouth until the 10th July, +the fleet numbering 1,000 vessels more or less.(544) Previous to his +departure, Edward caused proclamation to be made in the city and +elsewhere, to the effect that the assessments that had been made +throughout the country for the purpose of equipping the expedition, should +not be drawn into precedent.(545) + +(M307) + +On the 3rd August the regent forwarded to the city a copy of a letter he +had received from the king, giving an account of his passage to Normandy +and of the capture of various towns, and among them of Caen. There he had +discovered a document of no little importance. This was none other than +an agreement made in 1338, whereby Normandy had bound itself to assist the +king of France in his proposed invasion and conquest of England.(546) This +document the king transmitted to England by the hands of the Earl of +Huntingdon, who was returning invalided, and it was publicly read in St. +Paul's Churchyard, with the view of stirring the citizens to fresh +exertions in prosecuting the war. The king's own letter was also publicly +read in the Husting by the regent's order.(547) The City was exhorted to +have in readiness a force to succour the king, if need be. Every effort +was made to raise money, and the regent did not hesitate to resort to +depreciation of the coinage of the realm in order to help his father. The +City made a free gift to the king of 1,000 marks and lent him 2,000 +more.(548) + +(M308) + +On the 26th August the battle of Crecy was won against a force far +outnumbering the English army. The victory was due in large measure to the +superiority of the English longbow over the crossbow used by the Genoese +mercenaries; but it was also a victory of foot soldiers over horsemen. The +field of Bannockburn had shown how easy a thing it was for a body of +horsemen to crush a body of archers, if allowed to take them in the flank, +whilst that of Halidon Hill had more recently taught the king, from +personal experience, that archers could turn the tide of battle against +any direct attack, however violent. Edward profited by the experience of +that day. He not only protected the flank of his archers, but interspersed +among them dismounted horsemen with levelled spears, the result being that +the French were driven off the field with terrible slaughter. + +(M309) + +Flushed with victory Edward proceeded to lay siege to Calais. His forces, +which had been already greatly reduced on the field of Crecy, suffered a +further diminution by desertion. The mayor and sheriffs of London were +ordered to seize all deserters, whether knights, esquires, or men of lower +order, found in the city, and to take steps for furnishing the king with +fresh recruits and store of victuals.(549) By Easter of the following +year, the City was called upon to furnish two vessels towards a fleet of +120 large ships, which the council had decided to fit out. All ships found +in the port of London were pressed into the king's service.(550) + +In July (1347) the king was in need of more recruits and provisions.(551) +Calais still held out, although both besiegers and besieged were reduced +to sore straits. At last it surrendered (4 Aug.). Edward spared the lives +of its principal burgesses at the intercession of his queen, but he +cleared the town of French inhabitants, and invited Londoners and others +to take up their abode there, offering them houses at low rents and other +inducements.(552) A truce with Philip was agreed on, and Edward returned +home. For a time England was resplendent with the spoils of the French +war--"A new sun seemed to shine," wrote Walsingham.(553) Every woman of +position went gaily decked with some portion of the plunder of the town of +Caen or Calais; cupboards shone with silver plate, and wardrobes were +filled with foreign furs and rich drapery of continental workmanship. The +golden era was of short duration. + +(M310) + +In August, 1348, the pestilential scourge, known as the Black Death,(554) +appeared in England, and reached London in the following November. The +number of victims it carried off in the city has been variously +computed,(555) but all conjectures of the kind must be received with +caution. All that is known for certain is that the mortality caused a +marked increase in the number of beggars, and, at the same time, raised +the price of labour and provisions within the city's walls to such a +degree that measures had to be taken to remedy both evils.(556) Besides +the losses by death, the population of the city and the country generally +was sensibly diminished by the flight of numbers of inhabitants to the +continent, with the hope of escaping the ravages of the plague. The king's +treasury threatened soon to become empty, and the country left +defenceless, if this were allowed to go on unchecked; he therefore ordered +the sheriffs of London to see that no men-at-arms, strangers or otherwise, +left the kingdom, with the exception of well-known merchants or +ambassadors, without the king's special order.(557) Pilgrimages to Rome or +elsewhere were made an excuse for leaving England, at a time when the +king's subjects could ill be spared. The king endeavoured to limit this +drain upon the population of the kingdom by allowing none to cross the sea +without his special licence. The city authorities having negligently +executed his orders in this respect, received a rebuke in October, 1350, +and were told to be more strict in their observance for the future.(558) + +(M311) + +On the night which ushered in New Year's day, 1350, an abortive attempt +had been made by the French to recapture Calais. This ill success rendered +Philip the more willing to agree to a further prolongation of the truce +with England. Notification of this cessation of hostilities was duly sent +to the sheriffs of London.(559) Before the truce had come to an end Philip +of Valois had ceased to live, and had been succeeded on the throne of +France by John II. + +(M312) + +The city had scarcely recovered from the ravages of the late pestilence, +before it was called upon (24 July, 1350) to furnish two ships to assist +the king in putting down piracy. These were accordingly fitted out; the +ship of Andrew Turk being furnished with 40 men-at-arms and 60 archers, +whilst that of Goscelin de Cleve had on board 30 men-at-arms and 40 +archers.(560) With their aid, Edward succeeded in utterly defeating a +Spanish fleet which had recently inflicted much damage on the Bordeaux +wine fleet, and capturing 24 large ships laden with rich merchandise.(561) +The citizens had further to submit to a tax on wool and wine, in order to +maintain the king's vessels engaged in putting down piracy.(562) + +(M313) + +In 1354 an exception was made by special charter of the king in favour of +the City of London, and its sergeants were permitted to carry maces of +gold or silver, or plated with silver, and bearing the royal arms. Ten +years before the commons of England had petitioned the king (_inter alia_) +not to allow any one to carry maces tipped with silver in city or borough, +except the king's own officers. All others were to carry maces tipped with +copper only (_virolez de cuevere_), with staves of wood as formerly. The +petition was granted saving that the sergeants of the City of London might +carry their mace within the liberties of the city and before the mayor in +the king's presence.(563) This same year (1354), moreover, the king with +the assent of parliament had again forbidden the carrying of gold or +silver maces. Thenceforth, maces were to be of iron, brass or tin, or +staves tipped with latten, and not to bear representations of the royal +arms, but the arms or signs of the city using them. Again exception was +made in the case of London; two sergeants of the City as well as of the +City of York being permitted to carry gold or silver maces, but they were +not to be surmounted with the royal arms. This led to a humble +remonstrance from the whole body of the citizens of London, presented to +the chancellor and the council by their mayor, Adam Fraunceys, and within +a month the charter above mentioned was granted. That the charter +originated or authorized the title of "Lord" Mayor, as some have supposed, +is extremely improbable. + +(M314) + +In 1355, all efforts to convert the truce into a final peace having +failed, war with France was renewed. Edward was soon called home by fresh +troubles in Scotland. Having recovered Berwick, which had been taken by +surprise, and formally received the crown of Scotland from Edward Baliol, +he prepared to rejoin his son, the Black Prince, in France, and in March, +1356, ordered the city to furnish him with two vessels of war.(564) + +(M315) + +News of the battle of Poitiers (19 September, 1356), and of the defeat and +capture of the French king, was received in the city by letter from the +Prince of Wales, dated 22nd October.(565) Again the English longbow, +combined with superior tactics, gained the day. The prince, on his return, +made a triumphal entry into the city, passing over London Bridge on his +way to Westminster, with the captive king and the king's son in his +train.(566) The streets were almost impassable for the multitude that +thronged them; and for the moment the citizens forgot at what cost to +themselves the victory had been gained. A truce--a welcome truce--for two +years followed.(567) + +(M316) + +Only a few weeks before the prince's return the citizens had laid before +the king a list of their grievances and prayed for redress.(568) They had +complained of being charged taxes and talliages in excess of any other of +the commons. They had lent the king at Dordrecht no less a sum than +L60,000, and had incurred further loss by the discrepancy between the +weight for weighing wool at Dordrecht and that of England. They had lent +the king further sums of L5,000 and L2,000 on two separate occasions, +which had not been repaid. The sum of L40,000 had been advanced to the +king's merchants at Calais and elsewhere, and this, together with other +sums lent (amounting to over L30,000), was still outstanding to the +grievous hurt of many citizens. They had, moreover, been called upon to +undergo more charges than others with respect to the king's expeditions to +Scotland, Flanders and France, and in providing men-at-arms, archers and +ships, in aid of his wars. Nor did their complaints stop here. The king's +purveyors had been accustomed to seize the carriages, victuals and +merchandise of citizens without offering payment for the same, in direct +contravention of the king's first charter to the city. Owing, moreover, to +deaths by the plague, so much property had come into mortmain that the +city had become impoverished, and one-third part of it rendered void of +inhabitants. These points they had desired the king to consider, inasmuch +as the city had always been loyal and peaceful, setting an example to the +whole country. The petition wound up with the usual complaint against the +privileges allowed foreign merchants, and a request that the king would +grant them letters patent under the great seal, such as they might show to +the purveyors whenever they attempted to take anything without +payment.(569) + +(M317) + +After the expiration of the truce Edward again set out for France. That +country, however, had suffered so much during the last two years at the +hands of freebooters, that Edward experienced the greatest difficulty in +finding sufficient provisions for his army. Whilst he was traversing +France in search of a force with which to try conclusions in the field, a +Norman fleet swept down upon the south coast and sacked Winchelsea. The +news of this disaster so incensed the king that he determined to march +direct on Paris. The Londoners, in the meantime, assisted in fitting out a +fleet of eighty vessels, manned with 14,000 men, including archers, in +order to wipe out this disgrace, but the enemy contrived to make good +their escape.(570) + +(M318) + +At length Edward was induced to accede to the terms offered by France, and +the peace of Bretigny was concluded (8th May, 1360). The terms were very +favourable to England, although Edward consented to abandon all claim to +the French crown. King John was to be ransomed, but the price set on his +release was so high that some years elapsed before the money could be +raised, and then only with the assistance of a few of the livery companies +of the city, which showed their sympathy with the captured king by +contributing to the fund being raised for the purpose of restoring him to +liberty.(571) It was John's high sense of honour that kept him in +captivity in England until his death in 1364. He had in fact been +liberated and allowed to return to France soon after the conclusion of +peace, on payment of part of his ransom, hostages being accepted for +payment of the remainder. In 1363 one of the hostages broke his pledge and +fled, and John, shocked at such perfidy, returned Regulus-like to England. +Hence it was that he appears as one of the four kings whom Picard, the +mayor, entertained that same year at a banquet, followed by play at dice +and hazard.(572) + +(M319) + +The citizens now enjoyed a period of leisure which they were not slow to +turn to account. The years which followed the peace of Bretigny, until war +broke out afresh in 1369, witnessed the re-organisation of many of the +trade and craft guilds. Some of these, like the Goldsmiths, the Tailors or +Linen-Armourers, and the Skinners, had already obtained charters from +Edward soon after his accession, so had also the Fishmongers, although the +earliest extant charter of the company is dated 1363. The Vintners date +their chartered rights from the same year; the Drapers from 1364; whilst +the more ancient company of Weavers obtained a confirmation of their +privileges in 1365. Minor guilds, like the Founders, the Plumbers, the +Fullers and others, had to content themselves with the recognition of +their ordinances by the civic authorities alone between 1364 and 1369. + +The king's favour was purchased in 1363 by a gift of nearly L500, to which +the livery companies largely contributed.(573) The amount of each +subscription varied from half-a-mark to L40, the latter sum being +contributed by the Mercers, the Fishmongers, the Drapers, and the Skinners +respectively. The Tailors subscribed half that amount, being outdone by +the Vintners, who contributed L33 6_s._ 8_d._ + +(M320) + +With the renewal of the war, a change comes over the pages of the City's +annals. The London bachelor and apprentice is drawn off from his football +and hockey, with which he had beguiled his leisure hours, and bidden to +devote himself to the more useful pursuits of shooting with arrow or bolt +on high days and holidays.(574) Once more we meet with schedules of +men-at-arms and archers provided by the City for service abroad, and of +assessments made on the City's wards to pay for them.(575) Every +inducement in the shape of plunder was held out to volunteers for +enlistment, and public proclamation was made to the effect that the spoils +of France should belong to the captors themselves.(576) + +(M321) + +It was an easier matter for the City to provide the king with money than +men. In 1370 it advanced a sum of L5,000,(577) and in the following year a +further sum of L4,000, and more was subscribed by the wealthier citizens, +among whom were William Walworth, who contributed over L200, Adam +Fraunceys, Simon de Mordon, and others.(578) + +(M322) + +Still the expenses of the war exceeded the supply of money, and resort was +had to a new form of taxation, by which it was hoped that a sum of L50,000 +might be realised. By order of parliament, made in March, 1371, the sum of +22_s._ 3_d._ was to be levied on every parish in the kingdom, the number +of parishes being reckoned as amounting to 40,000. It soon became apparent +that the number of existing parishes throughout the country had been +grossly miscalculated. There were not more than 9,000, and the amount of +assessment had to be proportionately raised. It was necessary to summon a +council at Westminster in June, to remedy the miscalculation that had been +made in March. Half of the representatives of the late parliament were +summoned to meet the king, and among them two of the city's members, +Bartholomew Frestlyng and John Philipot--"the first Englishman who has left +behind him the reputation of a financier."(579) The mistake was rectified, +the charge of 22_s._ 3_d._ was raised to 116_s._ and the city was called +upon to raise over L600.(580) + +In the meantime the civic authorities had, in answer to the king's +writ,(581) prepared a return of the number of parish churches, chapels and +prebends within the city.(582) It was found that within the city and +suburbs there were 106 parish churches(583) and thirty prebends, but only +two of the latter were within the liberties. There was also the free +chapel of St. Martin's-le-Grand, which embraced eleven prebends, all +within the liberty of the city, and there were, moreover, two other +chapels within the liberty. Besides these (the return stated) there were +none other. + +(M323) + +The bare fact that there existed over 100 parishes, each with its parish +church, within so small an area as that covered by the city and its +suburbs, is of itself sufficient to remind us that, besides having a +municipal and commercial history, the city also possesses an +ecclesiastical. The church of St. Paul, the largest foundation in the +city, with its resident canons exercising magnificent hospitality, was a +centre to which London looked as a mother, although it was not strictly +speaking the metropolitan cathedral. That title properly applies to the +Minster at Canterbury; but the church of Canterbury being in the hands of +a monastic chapter left St. Paul's at the head of the secular clergy of +southern England.(584) Besides the hundred and more churches there were +monastic establishments and colleges which covered a good fourth part of +the whole city. The collegiate church of St. Martin's-le-Grand almost +rivalled its neighbour the cathedral church itself in the area of its +precinct. The houses of the Black Friars and Grey Friars in the west were +only equalled by those belonging to the Augustine and Crossed Friars +towards the east; while the Priory of St. Bartholomew found a counterpart +in the Priory of Holy Trinity. The church was everywhere and ruled +everything, and its influence manifests itself nowhere more strongly than +in the number of ecclesiastical topics which fill the pages of early +chronicles in connection with London.(585) + +(M324) + +The war brought little credit or advantage in return for outlay. In +January, 1371, the Black Prince had returned to England with the glory of +former achievements sullied by his massacre at Limoges, and the City of +London had made him a present of valuable plate.(586) The conduct of the +war was transferred to his eldest surviving brother, John of Gaunt, Duke +of Lancaster. In 1372 the king himself set out with the flower of the +English nobility, and accompanied by a band of London archers and crossbow +men.(587) The expedition, which had for its object the relief of Rochelle, +and which is said to have cost no less than L900,000, proved disastrous, +and Edward returned after a brief absence.(588) In 1373 the city furnished +him with a transport barge called "The Paul of London." The barge when it +left London for Southampton was fully supplied with rigging and tackle; +nevertheless, on its arrival at the latter port, it was found to be so +deficient in equipment that it could not proceed to sea. The only +explanation that the master of the barge could give of the matter was that +a certain number of anchors and cables had been lost on the voyage. The +City paid twenty marks to make up the defects.(589) The year was marked by +a campaign under Lancaster which ended in the utmost disaster. The French +avoided a general action; the English soldiers deserted, and as the winter +came on the troops perished from cold, hunger and disease. By 1374 the +French had recovered nearly all of their former possessions. England was +tired of the war and of the ceaseless expenditure it involved. It was with +no little joy that the Londoners heard, in July, 1375,(590) that peace had +been concluded. + +(M325) + +In April, 1376, a parliament met, known as the Good Parliament,(591) and +before granting supply it demanded an account of former receipts and +expenditure. No less than three city aldermen were charged with +malversation. Richard Lyons, of Broad Street ward, was convicted with Lord +Latimer of embezzling the king's revenue, and sentenced to imprisonment +and forfeiture of goods.(592) Adam de Bury, of Langbourn ward, who had +twice served the office of mayor, was charged with appropriating money +subscribed for the ransom of the French king and fled to Flanders to avoid +trial;(593) whilst John Pecche of Walbrook ward was convicted of an +extortionate exercise of a monopoly of sweet wines and his patent +annulled. All three aldermen were deposed from their aldermanries by order +of an assembly of citizens composed of representatives from the various +guilds and not from the wards.(594) + +(M326) + +The guilds, indeed, were now claiming a more direct participation in the +government of the city than they had hitherto enjoyed, and their claim had +given rise to so much commotion that the king himself threatened to +interpose.(595) The threat was not liked, and the citizens hastened to +assure him that no disturbance had occurred in the city beyond what +proceeded from reasonable debate on an open question, and that to prevent +the noise and tumult arising from large assemblies, they had unanimously +decided that in future the Common Council should be chosen from the guilds +and not otherwise.(596) This reply was sent to the king by the hands of +two aldermen--William Walworth and Nicholas Brembre--and six commoners, and +the following day (2 August) the king sent another letter accepting the +explanation that had been offered, and expressing a hope that the city +would be so governed as not to require his personal intervention.(597) + +Not only was the common council to be selected in future by the guilds, +but the guilds were also to elect the mayor and the sheriffs. The +aldermen and the commons were to meet together at least once a +quarter,(598) and no member of the common council was to serve on +inquests, nor be appointed collector or assessor of a talliage. This last +provision may have been due to the recent discoveries of malversation, +but, however that may be, it was found to work so well that it was more +than once re-enacted.(599) These changes in the internal administration of +the city were avowedly made by virtue of Edward's charter, which +specifically gave the citizens a right to remedy hard or defective +customs.(600) + +(M327) + +The power of the guilds in the matter of elections to the common council +was not of long duration. Before ten years had elapsed representation was +made that the new system had been forced on the citizens, and in 1384 it +was resolved to revert to the old system of election by and from the +wards.(601) + +(M328) + +Encouraged by the success which had so far attended their efforts of +reform, the good parliament next attacked Alice Perers, the king's +mistress. Of humble origin, and not even possessing the quality of good +looks, this lady, for whom the mediaeval chroniclers have scarcely a good +word to say,(602) nevertheless gained so complete a mastery over the king +as to favour the popular belief that she indulged in magic. At length her +barefaced interference in public affairs led to an award against her of +banishment and forfeiture. Upon the dissolution of the good parliament (6 +July, 1376), and the meeting of a new parliament, elected under the direct +influence of the Earl of Lancaster, who once more gained the upper hand +now that the Black Prince was dead, Alice Perers was allowed to +return.(603) She was again in disgrace soon after Richard's accession, +when her property, much of which consisted of real estate in the +City,(604) became escheated, and the citizens of London were promised +redress for any harm she might have done them.(605) She was afterwards +married to Sir William de Windsor, who, in 1376, had got himself into +trouble over a disturbance in Whitefriars(606)--a quarter of the city +which, under the name of Alsatia, became afterwards notorious for riots, +and as the resort of bad characters. Towards the close of 1379 her +sentence of banishment, never strictly enforced, was revoked and pardon +extended to her and her husband.(607) + +(M329) + +In December, 1376, the citizens obtained a charter from the king, with the +assent of parliament, granting that no strangers (_i.e._ non-freemen) +should thenceforth be allowed to sell by retail within the city and +suburbs. This had always been considered a grievance, ever since free +trade had been granted to merchant strangers by the parliament held at +York in 1335. + +(M330) + +The last year of Edward's reign was one of serious opposition between the +City and the selfish and unprincipled Lancaster. In so far as the duke, +with the assistance of Wycliffe, meditated a reform among the higher +clergy, he might, if he would, have had the city with him. The citizens, +like the great reformer himself, were opposed to the practice of the +clergy heaping up riches and intermeddling with political matters. The +duke, however, went out of his way to hurt the feelings of the citizens, +by proposing to abolish the mayoralty and otherwise encroach upon their +liberties.(608) Not content with this he took the occasion when Wycliffe +was summoned to appear at St. Paul's (19 Feb., 1377), to offer violence to +Courtenay, their bishop. This so incensed the citizens that the meeting +broke up in confusion. The next day the mob, now thoroughly roused, +hastened to the Savoy where the duke resided. He happened, however, to be +dining in the city at the time, with a certain John de Ypre. The company +had scarcely sat down to their oysters before a soldier knocked at the +door and warned them of the danger. They forthwith jumped up from the +table, the duke barking his shins (we are told) in so doing, and, making +their way to the riverside, took boat for Kennington, where the duke +sought protection in the house of the Princess of Wales. Thanks to the +intervention of the bishop, who appeared on the scene, the mob did but +little serious harm, beyond ill-using a priest and some of the duke's +retainers whom they happened to come across.(609) + +(M331) + +The civic authorities were naturally anxious as to what the king might say +and do in consequence of the outbreak, and desired an interview in order +to explain matters. Lancaster was opposed to any such interview taking +place. The London mob had seized upon an escutcheon of the duke, displayed +in some public thoroughfare, and had reversed it by way of signifying that +it was the escutcheon of a traitor.(610) This had particularly raised his +anger. Nevertheless, in spite of his efforts to prevent it, an interview +was accorded to a deputation from the city, of which John Philipot acted +as spokesman. After drawing the king's attention to the threatened attack +on the privileges of the city, and the proposed substitution of a +"captain" for a mayor, Philipot offered an apology for the late riot. It +had taken place, he said, without the cognisance of the civic authorities. +Among a large population there were sure to be some bad characters whom it +was difficult to restrain, even by the authority of the mayor, when once +excited. A mob acted after the manner of a tornado, flying hither and +thither, bent on committing havoc at anybody's expense, even its own, but, +thank God! the duke had suffered no harm nor had any of his retinue been +hurt. The king having listened to the deputation, assured them in reply, +that so far from wishing to lessen the privileges of the city, he had a +mind to enlarge them. They were not to alarm themselves, but to go home +and endeavour to preserve peace. On leaving the presence the deputation +met the duke, with whom they interchanged courtesies.(611) In the +meanwhile lampoons on the duke were posted in the city. The duke became +furious and demanded the excommunication of the authors. The bishops +hesitated through fear of the mob, but at last the Bishop of Bangor was +induced by representations made to him by leading citizens, who wished it +to be known that they did not approve of such libels, to execute the +duke's wishes.(612) + +(M332) + +The duke was determined to have his revenge, and again the citizens were +summoned to appear before the king, who was lying at Shene. This time they +did not get off so easily. The mayor, Adam Stable, was removed, and +Nicholas Brembre appointed in his place. A fresh election of aldermen took +place,(613) and the City did penance for the recent insult to the duke's +escutcheon by offering, at the king's confidential suggestion, a wax taper +bearing the duke's arms in St. Paul's. Even that did not satisfy him; nay, +it was adding insult to injury (he said), for such an act was an honour +usually paid to one who was dead! The citizens were in despair, and +doubted if anything would satisfy him, short of proclaiming him king.(614) + +(M333) + +One of the last acts of Edward was to restore the Bishop of Winchester to +the temporalities of which he had been deprived by the duke, and this +restitution was made at the instance and by the influence of Alice +Perers,(615) who within a few weeks robbed her dying paramour of his +finger rings and fled.(616) + + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + + +(M334) + +Shortly after Edward had breathed his last, a deputation from the City +waited upon the Prince of Wales at Kennington. John Philipot again acted +as spokesman, and after alluding to the loss which the country had +recently sustained, and recommending the City of London--the "king's +chamber"--to the prince's favour, begged him to assist in effecting a +reconciliation with Lancaster. This Richard promised to do, and a few days +later the deputation again waited on the young king--this time at Shene, +where preparations were being made for the late king's obsequies--and a +reconciliation took place, the king kissing each member of the deputation, +and promising to be their friend, and to look after the City's interests +as if they were his own.(617) Formal announcement of the reconciliation +was afterwards made at Westminster, and Peter de la Mare, long a prisoner +in Nottingham Castle, was set free, to the great joy of the citizens.(618) + +(M335) + +At the express wish of the citizens, Richard--the "Londoners' king," as the +nobles were in the habit of cynically styling the new sovereign, for the +reason that he had ascended the throne more by the assistance of the +_bourgeois_ Londoner than of the nobility(619)--took up his quarters at the +Tower, whence he proceeded in state to Westminster for his coronation. +Great preparations were made in the city to tender his progress through +the streets one of exceptional splendour. The claim of the mayor and +citizens to assist the chief butler at the banquet was discourteously +refused by Robert Belknap, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who bluntly +told them that they might be of service in washing up the pots and pans. +The citizens had their revenge, however. They set up an effigy of the man +at a conspicuous arch or tower in Cheapside, in which he appeared to the +whole of the procession as it passed on its way to Westminster, in the +ignominious attitude of vomiting wine.(620) This was enough; the Londoners +gained the day, and were allowed to perform their customary services at +the banquet, and the mayor got his gold cup.(621) + +(M336) + +Richard was only eleven years of age when raised to the throne. A council +was therefore appointed to govern in his name. Neither the Duke of +Lancaster nor any other of the king's uncles were elected councillors, +and, for a time, John of Gaunt retired into comparative privacy. The task +of the council was not easy. The French plundered the coast,(622) and the +Scots plundered the borders. Money was sorely needed. The City consented +to advance the sum of L5,000 upon the security of the customs of the Port +of London and of certain plate and jewels,(623) and when parliament met +(13 Oct., 1377) it made a liberal grant of two tenths and two fifteenths, +which was to be collected without delay, on the understanding that two +treasurers should be appointed to superintend the due application of the +money.(624) The two treasurers appointed for this purpose were two +citizens of note, namely, William Walworth and John Philipot, of whose +financial capability mention has already been made. + +(M337) + +Before parliament broke up it gave its assent to a new charter to the +City.(625) Foreigners (_i.e._ non-freemen) were again forbidden to traffic +in the city among themselves by retail, and the City's franchises were +confirmed and enlarged. So much importance was attached to this charter +that Brembre, the mayor, caused its main provisions to be published +throughout the city.(626) + +(M338) + +Lancaster soon became tired of playing a subordinate part in the +government of the kingdom. As a preliminary step to higher aims, he +contrived, after some little opposition, to obtain the removal of the +subsidy granted by the last parliament, out of the hands of Walworth and +Philipot into his own, although these men had given no cause for suspicion +of dishonourable conduct in the execution of their public trust.(627) + +(M339) + +The energetic John Philipot soon found other work to do. The English coast +had recently become infested with a band of pirates, who, having already +made a successful descent upon Scarborough, were now seeking fresh +adventures. Philipot fitted out a fleet at his own expense, and putting to +sea succeeded in capturing the ringleader,(628) a feat which rendered him +so popular as to excite the jealousy of the Duke of Lancaster and other +nobles. His fellow citizens showed their appreciation of his character by +electing him to succeed Brembre in the mayoralty in October (1378).(629) + +(M340) + +The citizens were, however, split up into factions, one party, with +Philipot and Brembre at his head, maintaining a stubborn opposition to +Lancaster, whilst another, under the leadership of Walworth and John de +Northampton, favoured the duke. These factions were continually plotting +and counter-plotting one against the other. At Gloucester, to which the +duke had brought the parliament in 1378, in the hope of escaping from the +interference of the "ribald" Londoners,(630) Brembre was arraigned on a +charge of having connived during his recent mayoralty at an attack made on +the house of the duke's younger brother, Thomas of Woodstock, Earl of +Buckingham, and although he succeeded in proving his innocence, the earl +and his party continued to use threats, and Brembre, in order to smooth +matters over, consented to be mulcted in 100 marks. When the matter was +reported to the Common Council at home (25 Nov.), that body not only +signified its approval of his conduct--"knowing for certain that it was for +no demerits of his own, but for the preservation of the liberties of the +city, and for the extreme love which he bore it, that he had undergone +such labours and expenses,"--but recouped him what he had disbursed.(631) + +(M341) + +In course of time the earl and his followers succeeded in persecuting +Brembre to a disgraceful death. At present they contented themselves with +damaging the trade of the city, so far as they could, by leaving the city +_en masse_ and withdrawing their custom. The result was so disastrous to +the citizens, more especially to the hostel keepers and victuallers, that +the civic authorities resolved to win the nobles back to the city by +wholesale bribery, and, as the city's "chamber" was empty, a subscription +list was set on foot to raise a fund for the purpose. Philipot, the mayor, +headed the list with L10, a sum just double that of any other subscriber. +Six others, among them being Brembre (the earl's particular enemy) and +Walworth, subscribed respectively L5; whilst the rest contributed sums +varying from L4 down to five marks, the last mentioned sum being +subscribed by Richard "Whytyngdon" of famous memory.(632) + +(M342) + +The grants made to the king by the parliament at Gloucester were soon +exhausted by the war, and recourse was had, as usual, to the City. In +February, 1379, the mayor and aldermen were sent for to Westminster. They +were told that the king's necessities demanded an immediate supply of +money, and that the Duke of Lancaster and the rest of the nobility had +consented to contribute. What would the City do? After a brief +consultation apart, the mayor and aldermen suggested that the usual course +should be followed and that they should be allowed to consult the general +body of the citizens in the Guildhall. Eventually the City consented to +advance another sum of L5,000 on the same security as before, but any tax +imposed by parliament at its next session was to be taken as a set +off.(633) + +(M343) + +At the session of parliament held in April and May (1379), the demand for +further supply became so urgent that a poll-tax was imposed on a graduated +scale according to a man's dignity, ranging from ten marks or L6 1_s._ +4_d._ imposed on a duke, to a groat or four pence which the poorest +peasant was called upon to pay. The mayor of London, assessed as an earl, +was to pay L4; and the aldermen, assessed as barons, L2. The sum thus +furnished by the city amounted to less than L700,(634) and the whole +amount levied on the country did not exceed L22,000, a sum far short of +what had been anticipated. + +(M344) + +In the following year (1380) there was a recurrence to the old method of +raising money, but this proving still insufficient a poll-tax was again +resorted to. This time, the smallest sum exacted was not less than three +groats, and was payable on everyman, woman and unmarried child, above the +age of fifteen, throughout the country. The amount thus raised in the city +and liberties was just over L1000.(635) The tax was especially irritating +from its inquisitorial character, and led to serious consequences. + +(M345) + +The country was already suffering under a general discontent, when a +certain Wat Tyler in Kent struck down a collector of the poll-tax, who +attempted in an indecent manner to discover his daughter's age. This was +the signal for a revolt of the peasants from one end of England to the +other, not only against payment of this particular tax, but against taxes +and landlords generally. The men of Essex joined forces with those of Kent +on Blackheath, and thence marched on London. With the aid of sympathisers +within the City's gates, the effected an entrance on the night of the 12th +of June, and made free with the wine cellars of the wealthier class. The +next day, the rebels, more mad than drunk (_non tam ebrii quam dementes_), +stirred up the populace to make a raid upon the Duke of Lancaster's palace +of the Savoy. This they sacked and burnt to the ground. They next vented +their wrath upon the Temple, and afterwards upon the house of the Knight's +Hospitallers at Clerkenwell. In the meantime reinforcements were gathering +in Essex under the leadership of one known as "Jack Straw," and were +hurrying to London. At Mile End they were met (14 June) by the young king +himself, who set out from the Tower for that purpose, accompanied by a +retinue of knights and esquires on horseback, as well as by his mother in +a drawn vehicle. The rebels demanded the surrender of all traitors to the +king. To this Richard gave his assent, and having done so returned to the +city to take up his quarters at the Wardrobe, near Castle Baynard, whilst +the rebels, availing themselves of the king's word, hurried off to the +Tower. There they found Simon of Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, and he +and others were beheaded on Tower Hill. The rest of the day and the whole +of the next were given up to plunder and massacre, so that the narrow +streets were choked with corpses. Among those who perished at the hands of +the rebels was Richard Lyons, the deposed alderman. At length, on the +evening of Saturday, the 15th, when the king had ridden to Smithfield +accompanied by Walworth, the mayor, and a large retinue in order to +discuss matters with Wat Tyler (the Essex men had for the most part +returned home), an altercation happened to arise between Tyler and one of +the royal suite. Words were about to lead to blows when the mayor himself +interposed, and summarily executed the king's order to arrest Tyler by +bringing him to the ground by a fatal blow of his dagger. Deprived of +their leader the mob became furious, and demanded Walworth's head; the +mayor, however, contrived to slip back into the City, whence he quickly +returned with such a force that the rioters were surrounded and compelled +to submit. The king intervened to prevent further bloodshed, and knighted +on the field not only Walworth, but also Nicholas Brembre, John Philipot +and Robert Launde.(636) The same day a royal commission was issued to +enquire into the late riot and to bring the offenders to account.(637) + +(M346) + +Orders were given on the 20th June to each alderman to provide men-at-arms +and archers to guard in turns the city's gates, and to see that no armed +person entered the city, except those who declared on oath that they were +about to join the king's expedition against the rebels. In the meantime, +the aldermen were to make returns of all who kept hostels in their several +wards.(638) In a list, containing nearly 200 names of divers persons of +bad character, who had left the city by reason of the insurrection,(639) +there appear the names of two servants of Henry "Grenecobbe." The name is +far from common, and we shall not perhaps be far wrong in conjecturing +that the owner of it was a relation of William "Gryndecobbe," who led the +insurgents against the abbey of St. Albans and compelled the abbot to +surrender its charter.(640) + +(M347) + +"Jack Straw," on being brought before the mayor, was induced by promises +of masses for the good of his soul, to confess the nature of the +intentions of the rioters, which were to use the king's person as a +stalking horse for drawing people to their side, and eventually to kill +him and all in authority throughout the kingdom. The mendicant friars, who +were believed to be at the bottom of the insurrection,(641) were alone to +be spared. Wat Tyler was to be made king of Kent, whilst others were to be +placed in similar positions over the rest of the counties. The mayor +sentenced him to be beheaded. This done, his head was set up on London +Bridge, where Wat Tyler's already figured.(642) + +(M348) + +The discontent which had given rise to the peasants' revolt, had been +fanned by the attacks made by Wycliffe's "simple priests" upon the rich +and idle clergy. The revolt occasioned a bitter feeling among the landlord +class against Wycliffe and his followers, and after its suppression the +Lollards were made the object of much animadversion. Their preaching was +forbidden,(643) and Wycliffe was obliged to retire to his country +parsonage, where he continued to labour with his pen for the cause he had +so much at heart, until his death in 1384. + +(M349) + +The majority of the citizens favoured the doctrines of Wycliffe and his +followers and endeavoured to carry them out. The Duke of Lancaster had no +real sympathy with the Lollards; he only wished to make use of them for a +political purpose. It was otherwise with the Londoners, and with John de +Northampton, a supporter of the duke, who succeeded to the mayoralty soon +after the suppression of the revolt. Under Northampton--a man whom even his +enemies allowed to be of stern purpose, not truckling to those above him, +nor bending to his inferiors,(644)--many reforms were carried out, +ecclesiastical as well as civil. + +The ecclesiastical courts having grossly failed in their duty, the +citizens themselves, fearful of God's vengeance if matters were allowed to +continue as they were, undertook the work of reform within the city's +walls. The fees of the city parsons were cut down. The fee for baptism was +not to exceed forty pence, whilst that for marriage was not as a general +rule to be more than half a mark. One farthing was all that could be +demanded for a mass for the dead, and the priest was bound to give change +for a half-penny when requested or forego his fee.(645) Steps were taken +at the same time to improve the morality of the city by ridding the +streets of lewd women and licentious men. On the occasion of a first +offence, culprits of either sex were subjected to the ignominy of having +their hair cropt for future identification, and then conducted with rough +music through the public thoroughfares, the men to the pillory and the +women to the "thewe." After a third conviction, they were made to abjure +the City altogether.(646) It was during Northampton's first year of the +mayoralty that the citizens succeeded in breaking down the monopoly of the +free fish-mongers. A number of "dossers" or baskets for carrying fish were +also seized because they were deficient in holding capacity, and on that +account were calculated to defraud the purchaser.(647) But, although a +mayor in those days exercised, no doubt, greater power in the municipal +government than now, we must be careful to avoid the common mistake of +attributing to the individuality of the mayor for the time being what was +really the action of the citizens as a body corporate. + +(M350) + +In October, 1382, Northampton was elected mayor for the second time, and +Philipot, his rival, either resigned or was deprived of his +aldermancy.(648) His re-election was at the king's express wish. On the +6th he wrote to the sheriffs, aldermen and commons of the city intimating +that, whilst anxious to leave the citizens free choice in the matter of +election of their mayor, he would be personally gratified if their choice +fell upon the outgoing mayor. At first Northampton declined re-election, +but he afterwards consented to serve another year on receiving a written +request from the king.(649) His hesitation was probably due to the +factious state of the city. Brembre and Philipot were not his only +enemies. Another alderman, Nicholas Exton, of Queenhithe Ward, had +recently been removed from his aldermancy for opprobrious words used to +Northampton during his first mayoralty. A petition had been laid before +the Court of Common Council in August, 1382, when Exton himself being +present, and seeing the turn affairs were taking, endeavoured to +anticipate the judgment of the court, by himself asking to be exonerated +from his office, declaring at the same time that he had offered a large +sum of money to be released at his election in the first instance. The +court wishing for further time to consider the matter adjourned. At its +next meeting a similar petition was again presented, but the court +hesitated to pronounce judgment in the absence of Exton, who was summoned +to appear at the next Common Council. When the court met again, it was +found that Exton had ignored the summons. Judgment was, therefore, +pronounced in his absence and he was deprived of his aldermancy.(650) + +(M351) + +At the close of Northampton's second mayoralty (Oct., 1383), his place was +taken by his rival, Nicholas Brembre,(651) and a general reversal of the +order of things took place. The free-fishmongers recovered their ancient +privileges,(652) and the judgment passed upon Exton as well as a similar +judgment passed upon another alderman, Adam Carlile, were reversed.(653) + +(M352) + +Soon after Brembre's election the king confirmed the City's liberties by +charter,(654) which had the assent of parliament. Two years previously the +citizens had besought the newly-married queen to use her interest with +Richard to that end.(655) Her good offices, as well as the fact that the +City had recently advanced to the king the sum of 4,000 marks, on the +security of the royal crown and other things,(656) may have been +instrumental in obtaining for the citizens this fresh confirmation of +their rights. + +(M353) + +In January (1384) Northampton was bound over to keep the peace in the sum +of L5,000;(657) but in the following month he was put under arrest +(together with his brother, known as Robert "Cumberton," and another), for +raising a disturbance in the City, and sent to Corfe Castle.(658) For +Northampton's arrest, as well as for the summary execution of a certain +John Constantyn, a cordwainer, who had been convicted of taking a leading +part in the disturbance, Brembre received a letter of indemnity from the +king.(659) The riot had one good effect. It roused public opinion against +monopolies and restriction of trade to such an extent, that Richard very +soon afterwards caused the city to be opened freely to all foreigners +_(i.e._, non-freemen) wishing to sell fish or other victuals.(660) + +(M354) + +In August (1384) the opinion of each individual member of the Common +Council was taken on oath, as to whether it would be to the advantage or +disadvantage of the city if Northampton were allowed to return; and it was +unanimously found that his return would breed dissension rather than peace +and unity.(661) Armed with this _plebiscite_ the mayor and a number of +citizens, whom the king had summoned by name, attended a council at +Reading for the purpose of determining the fate of Northampton. The +accused contented himself with objecting to sentence being passed against +him in the absence of his patron the Duke of Lancaster. This, however, +availed him nothing, and he was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment in +Tintagel Castle.(662) Another authority(663) states that the mayor brought +with him to the council a man named Thomas Husk or Usk (whose name, by the +way, does not appear in the list which the king forwarded to the mayor), +who made a number of charges against Northampton. The prisoner so far +forgot himself in the royal presence as to call Usk a liar, and to +challenge him to a duel. Matters were not improved by Northampton's appeal +for delay in passing sentence upon him in the absence of the Duke of +Lancaster. Richard flushed crimson with anger at the proposal, declaring +that he was ready to sit in judgment upon the duke no less than on +Northampton, and forthwith ordered the latter's execution, and the +confiscation of his goods. The sentence would have been earned out but for +the timely intercession of the queen, who flung herself at her husband's +feet and begged for the prisoner's life. The queen's prayer was granted, +and Northampton was condemned to perpetual imprisonment and remitted to +Corfe Castle. Thence, at the beginning of September, he was removed to the +Tower of London, where two of his partisans, John More, one of the +sheriffs, and Richard Northbury, recently arrested, were lodged. + +(M355) + +The Chief Justice, Tressilian, hesitated to take any steps against the +prisoners, one of whom had already been tried and sentenced, asserting +that the matter lay within the jurisdiction of the mayor. His scruples, +however, on this score were easily set aside, and on the 10th September, +each of the prisoners was sentenced to be drawn and hanged. No sooner was +sentence passed than the chancellor, Michael de la Pole, entered on the +scene, and proclaimed that the king's grace had been extended to the +prisoners, that there lives would be spared, but that they would be +imprisoned until further favour should be shown them. They were +accordingly sent off to various fortresses; Northampton to Tintagel Castle +in Cornwall, Northbury to Corfe Castle, and More to Nottingham; and all +this arose, says the Chronicler, from the rivalry of fishmongers.(664) + +(M356) + +When Brembre sought re-election to the mayoralty in October, 1384, he +found a formidable competitor in Nicholas Twyford, with whom he had not +always been on the best of terms. It was in 1378, when Twyford was sheriff +and Brembre was occupying the mayoralty chair for the first time, that +they fell out, the occasion being one of those trade disputes so frequent +in the City's annals. A number of goldsmiths and pepperers had come to +loggerheads in St. Paul's Churchyard during sermon time, and the mayor had +committed one of the ringleaders to the compter. The culprit, however, +happened to be, like Twyford, a goldsmith, and was one of his suite. +Twyford resented his man being sent to prison, and for his pains got +arrested himself.(665) It was felt that the election would be hotly +contested and might lead to disturbance. Besides the customary precept +issued by the mayor forbidding any to appear who were not specially +summoned,(666) the king took the precaution of sending John de Nevill, of +Roby, to the Guildhall to see that the election was properly conducted. In +spite of all precautions, however, a disturbance took place, and some of +the rioters were afterwards bound over to keep the peace.(667) It is said +that Brembre himself secreted a body of men in the neighbourhood of the +Guildhall, and that when he found the election going against him, he +signalled for them, and Twyford's supporters were compelled to flee for +safety, and that thus the election was won.(668) Nothing of this appears +in the City's Records, where Brembre's re-election is entered in the +manner of the day.(669) + +(M357) + +In 1385 Brembre was again elected mayor, and continued in office until +October, 1386, when he was succeeded by his friend and ally, Nicholas +Exton. This was the fourth and last time Brembre was mayor. In the +meantime, the Duke of Lancaster and his party had renewed their efforts to +effect the release of Northampton and of his fellow prisoners, More and +Northbury, on the understanding that they were not to come near the City, +and Brembre again took the opinion of the aldermen and commons severally +as to the probable effect of the release of the prisoners. This occurred +in March, 1386, when it was unanimously resolved that danger would result +to the city if Northampton was allowed to come within 100 miles of +it.(670) The resolution caused much annoyance to the duke, who +characterised it as unreasonable and outrageous, and led to some heated +correspondence.(671) It had, however, the desired effect of at least +postponing the release of the prisoners.(672) + +(M358) + +A few months after Exton had taken Brembre's place as mayor (Oct., 1386), +the new mayor raised a commotion by ordering a book called "Jubilee," +which Northampton is supposed to have compiled--or caused to be compiled +for the better government of the City, to be publicly burnt in Guildhall +yard.(673) The cordwainers of London, staunch supporters of Northampton +(the leader of the riot which led to Northampton's arrest in 1384 was a +cordwainer), complained to parliament of Exton. The book, said they, " +comprised all the good articles pertaining to the good government of the +City," which Exton and all the aldermen had sworn to maintain for ever, +and now he and his accomplices had burnt it without consent of the +commons, to the annihilation of many good liberties, franchises, and +customs of the City.(674) The book had already been subjected to revision +in June, 1384, when Brembre was mayor;(675) it was now utterly destroyed. + +(M359) + +In 1387 efforts were again made to secure Northampton's release, and this +time with success. On the 17th April Exton reported to the Common Council +that Lord Zouche was actually engaged in canvassing the king for the +release of Northampton and his allies. The Council thereupon unanimously +resolved to send a letter to Lord Zouche, on behalf of the entire +commonalty of the City, praying him to desist from his suit, and assuring +him of their loyalty to the king even unto death.(676) It also resolved to +send a deputation on horseback to the king, who was at "Esthamstede," to +ask his favour for the City, and to beg of him not to annul the charters +which he had already given to the citizens, more especially as touching +the release of the prisoners in question. + +(M360) + +On the 4th May the Recorder, William Cheyne, reported to the Common +Council assembled in the upper chamber of the Guildhall the result of the +interview with the king. The deputation had been received most graciously, +and the mayor had been particularly successful in his speech, setting +forth the dangers that would inevitably ensue, both to the king and to the +city, if pardon were granted to Northampton and his friends. The king had +replied that he would take good precautions for himself before he granted +them their liberty;(677) and with this answer the citizens had to be +content. The answer was an evasive one, if it be true, as one authority +states, that on the 27th April--the day on which the mayor had informed the +citizens of the intervention of Lord Zouche--Northampton had received his +pardon and been restored to his property.(678) His friends remained still +unsatisfied, and plagued the king for more favourable terms to such a +degree that Richard ordered (7 Oct.) proclamation to be made in the city +against any further entreaties being made to him on the subject.(679) + +(M361) + +Two days before the order for this proclamation, the king was informed by +letter of the nature of a fresh oath of allegiance(680) that had been +taken by the mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the city. He was +furthermore exhorted to give credence to what Nicholas Brembre might +inform him as to the state and government of the city, since there was no +one better informed than Brembre on the subject. + +(M362) + +To this the king sent a gracious reply.(681) He had learnt with much +pleasure from Nicholas Brembre of the allegiance of the citizens, which he +trusted would continue, as he would soon have good reason for paying a +visit to the city in person. He had heard that the new sheriffs were good +and trusty men, and he expressed a hope that at the approaching election +of a mayor they would choose one of whom he could approve, otherwise he +would decline to receive the mayor-elect at his presentation. He not only +forbade any further entreaties to be made to him touching Northampton, +More and Northbury, but commissioned enquiry to be made as to their +property in the city. He was especially gratified to learn that, in +accordance with his request, they had appointed Thomas Usk (the chief +witness against Northampton) to the office of under-sheriff, and promised +that such appointment should not be drawn into precedent. The citizens +were not slow to take the hint about the election of a new mayor, and +Exton was continued in office.(682) + +(M363) + +Great discontent had arisen meanwhile in the country at the lavish +expenditure of the king, without any apparent result in victories abroad, +such as had been gained in the glorious days of his predecessor. A cry for +reform and retrenchment was raised, and found a champion in the person of +the Duke of Gloucester, the youngest of the king's uncles. At his +instigation, the parliament which assembled on the 1st October, 1386, +demanded the dismissal of the king's ministers, and read him a lesson on +constitutional government which ended in a threat of deposition unless the +king should mend his ways. Richard was at the time only twenty-one years +of age. In the impetuosity of his youth he is recorded as having +contemplated a dastardly attempt upon the life of his uncle, whom he had +grown to hate as the cause of all his difficulties. A plan was laid, which +is said to have received Brembre's approbation, for beguiling the duke +into the city by an invitation to supper, and then and there making away +with him, but the duke was forewarned. The chronicler who records +Brembre's complicity in this nefarious design against Gloucester's life +also relates that Exton, who was mayor, refused to have anything to do +with it.(683) + +(M364) (M365) (M366) + +Before the end of the session, parliament had appointed a commission, with +Gloucester at its head, to regulate the government of the country and the +king's household. This very naturally excited the wrath of the hot-headed +king, who immediately set to work to form a party in opposition to the +duke. In August of the next year (1387) he obtained a declaration from +five of the justices to the effect that the commission was illegal. On the +28th October he sent the Archbishop of York and the Earl of Suffolk into +the city to learn whether he could depend upon the support of the +citizens. The answer could not have been regarded as unfavourable, for, on +the 10th November, the king paid a personal visit to the city and was +received with great ceremony.(684) On the following day (11 Nov.) orders +were given to the aldermen of the City to assemble the men of their +several wards, to see that they were suitably armed according to their +rank and estate, and to make a return of the same in due course.(685) + +(M367) + +On the 14th Gloucester formally charged the king's five counsellors--the +Archbishop of York, the Duke of Ireland, the Earl of Suffolk, Chief +Justice Tressilian and Nicholas Brembre, "the false London knight," with +treason.(686) The king retaliated by causing proclamation to be made to +the effect that he had taken these same individuals under his own +protection, and that no one should harm them save at his own peril. This +protection was extended also to the king's uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, +and the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, the impeaching parties. + +(M368) + +On the 28th the mayor and aldermen were summoned to proceed to Windsor +forthwith, to consult upon certain matters very weighty (_certeines +treschargeauntes matirs_).(687) The City's archives contain no record of +what took place at the interview, but it appears that the object of the +conference was to ascertain how many men-at-arms the city would be likely +to furnish the king at a crisis. The answer given by the mayor was not +encouraging; the citizens were merchants and craftsmen, and not soldiers, +save for the defence of the city itself; and the mayor straightway asked +the king's permission to resign his office.(688) + +(M369) (M370) + +Finding that he could not rely on any assistance from the Londoners--whom +Walsingham describes as fickle as a reed, siding at one time with the +lords and at another time with the king(689)--Richard was driven to +temporise. He had already promised that in the next parliament his +unfortunate advisers should be called to account, but long before +parliament met (3 Feb., 1388), four out of the five culprits had made good +their escape--at least for a time. Brembre alone was taken.(690) He had +anticipated the blow by making over all his property at home and abroad to +certain parties by deed, dated the 15th October, 1387, no doubt, upon a +secret trust.(691) + +(M371) + +Notwithstanding the evident coolness of the citizens towards him, Richard +determined to leave Windsor and spend Christmas at the Tower. He would be +safer there, and less subject to the dominating influence of the Duke of +Gloucester and the Earls of Arundel, Nottingham, Warwick and Derby, who +objected to his shaking off the fetters of the commission. As soon as his +intention was known, these five lords--who, from having been associated in +appealing against Richard's counsellors, were styled "appellant"--hastened +to London, and drawing up their forces outside the city's walls, demanded +admittance. After some little hesitation, the mayor determined to admit +them, defending his action to the king by declaring that they were his +true liege men and friends of the realm.(692) + +(M372) + +On the 18th January, 1388, the lords appeared at the Guildhall, +accompanied by the Archbishop, the Bishops of Ely, Hereford, Exeter, and +others. The Archbishop absolved the citizens of their oaths of allegiance, +whilst the Bishop of Ely, the lord treasurer, deprecated any remarks made +to the disparagement of the lords. The lords and the bishops had been +indicted on an iniquitous charge, and there were some among the citizens +who had been similarly indicted, but whether justly or unjustly he (the +bishop) could not say. That would be decided by parliament. In the +meantime they were ready to assist in settling the trade disputes in the +city, for it was absurd for one body of the citizens to attempt to +exterminate another. The citizens, however, showed no desire to accept the +proffered mediation.(693) + +(M373) + +When parliament met (3 Feb.), a formidable indictment of thirty-nine +charges was laid against the king's late advisers, of whom Brembre alone +appeared. On the 17th February, he was brought up by the constable of the +Tower, and was called on to answer off-hand the several charges of treason +alleged against him. He prayed for time to take counsel's advice. This +being refused, he claimed to support his cause by wager of battle, and +immediately the whole company of lords, knights, esquires, and commons, +flung down their gages so thick, we are told, that they "seemed like snow +on a winter's day."(694) But the lords declared that wager by battle did +not lie in such a case. When the trial was resumed on the following day, +so much opposition arose between the king, who spoke strongly in Brembre's +favour, and the lords, that it was decided to leave the question of the +prisoner's guilt or innocence to a commission of lords, who, to the +surprise and annoyance of the majority of the nobles, brought in a verdict +of not guilty. Brembre was not to be allowed thus to escape. The lords +sent for two representatives of the various crafts of the city to depose +as to Brembre's guilt; but even so, the lords failed to get any definite +verdict. At last they sent for the mayor, recorder, and some of the +aldermen (_seniores_) to learn what they had to say about the accused. + +(M374) + +One would have thought that with Nicholas Exton, his old friend and ally, +to speak up for him, Brembre's life would now at least be saved, even if +he were not altogether acquitted. It was not so, however. The mayor and +aldermen were asked as to their _opinion_ (not as to their knowledge), +whether Brembre was cognisant of certain matters, and they gave it as +their _opinion_ that Brembre was more likely to have been cognisant of +them than not. Turning then to the Recorder, the lords asked him how stood +the law in such a case? To which he replied, that a man who knew such +things as were laid to Brembre's charge, and knowing them failed to reveal +them, deserved death. On such evidence as this, Brembre was convicted on +the 20th February, and condemned to be executed.(695) He was drawn on a +hurdle through the city to Tyburn, showing himself very penitent and +earnestly desiring all persons to pray for him. At the last moment he +confessed that his conduct towards Northampton had been vile and wicked. +Whilst craving pardon of Northampton's son "he was suddenly turned off, +and the executioner cutting his throat, he died."(696) + +(M375) + +If we are to believe all that Walsingham records of Brembre, the character +and conduct of the city alderman and ex-mayor was bad indeed. Besides +conniving at the plot laid against Gloucester's life, which involved the +grossest breach of hospitality, he is recorded as having lain in wait with +an armed force at the Mews near Charing Cross, to intercept and massacre +the lords on their way to Westminster, to effect an arrangement with the +king, as well as having entertained the idea of cutting the throats of a +number of his fellow-citizens, and placing himself at the head of the +government of the city, the name of which he proposed changing to that of +"Little Troy."(697) + +(M376) + +Of Brembre's associates, Tressilian was captured during the trial, torn +from the Sanctuary at Westminster, and hanged on the 19th. Another to +share the same fate was Thomas Uske, who had been one of the chief +witnesses against Northampton. He was sentenced to death by parliament on +the 4th March, and died asseverating to the last that he had done +Northampton no injury, but that every word he had deposed against him the +year before was absolutely true.(698) + +(M377) + +The lords appellant, who were now complete masters of the situation, +insisted upon the proceedings of this "merciless" parliament, as its +opponents called it, being ratified by oath administered to prelates, +knights, and nobles of the realm, as well as to the mayor, aldermen, and +chief burgesses of every town. On the 4th June--the day parliament rose--a +writ was issued in Richard's name, enjoining the administration of this +oath to those aldermen and citizens of London who had not been present in +parliament when the oath was administered there.(699) + +(M378) + +In the meantime the continued jealousy existing among the city guilds--the +Mercers, Goldsmiths, Drapers, and others, objecting to Fishmongers and +Vintners taking any part in the government of the city on the ground that +they were victuallers, and as such forbidden by an ordinance passed when +Northampton was mayor to hold any municipal office(700)--had led parliament +(14 May) to proclaim free trade throughout the kingdom.(701) A party in +the city tried to get parliament to remove Exton from the mayoralty on the +ground of his having connived at the curtailment of the City's liberties +and franchises. The attempt, however, failed, and he remained in office +until succeeded by Nicholas Twyford (Oct., 1388).(702) Although Twyford +belonged to the party of Northampton as distinguished from that of Brembre +and Exton, his election raised little or no opposition, such as had been +anticipated. When he went out of office in October, 1389, however, party +strife in the city again showed itself. The majority of the citizens voted +William Venour, a grocer, into the mayoralty, but the choice was strongly +opposed by the Goldsmiths, the Mercers, and the Drapers, who ran another +candidate, one of their own body, Adam Bamme, a goldsmith.(703) + +(M379) + +Some months before the close of Twyford's mayoralty, Richard had succeeded +in gaining his independence (May, 1389), which he was induced by +Lancaster, on his return after a prolonged absence abroad, to exercise at +length in favour of Northampton, by permitting him once more to return to +London, although only as a stranger.(704) This was in July. In December, +letters patent granting him a free pardon were issued, containing no such +restriction.(705) His re-appearance in the streets of the city revived the +old party spirit, and Adam Bamme, who had succeeded Venour in the +mayoralty, found it expedient to forbid all discussion of the rights and +the wrongs of the several parties of Northampton and Brembre on pain of +imprisonment.(706) Four more years elapsed before Northampton was +re-instated in the freedom of the city.(707) + +(M380) + +For some years Richard governed not unwisely. In 1392, however, he +quarrelled with the city. Early in that year he called upon every +inhabitant, whose property for the last three years was worth L40 in land +or rent, to take upon himself the honour of knighthood. The sheriffs, +Henry Vanner and John Shadworth, made a return that all tenements and +rents in the city were held of the king _in capite_ as fee burgage at a +fee farm (_ad feodi firmam_); that by reason of the value of tenements +varying from time to time, and many of them requiring repair from damage +by fire and tempest, their true annual value could not be ascertained, and +that, therefore, it was impossible to make a return of those who possessed +L40 of land or rent as desired.(708) + +(M381) + +This answer was anything but agreeable to the king. But he had other cause +just now for being offended with the city. Being in want of money, he had +offered a valuable jewel to the citizens as security for a loan, and the +citizens had excused themselves on the plea that they were not so well off +as they used to be, since foreigners had been allowed to enjoy the same +privileges in the city as themselves. Having failed in this quarter, the +king had resorted to a Lombard, who soon was able to accommodate him; but +when the king learnt on enquiry that the money so obtained had been +advanced to the Lombard merchant by the very citizens who had refused to +lend it to the king himself, his anger knew no bounds,(709) and he +summoned John Hende, the mayor, the sheriffs, the aldermen, and +twenty-four of the chief citizens(710) of the City to attend him in June, +at Nottingham. They accordingly set out on their journey on the 19th June, +and arrived in Nottingham on the 23rd; the government of the city being +left in the meanwhile in the hands of William Staundon. On the 25th they +appeared before the lords of the council, when the chancellor rated them +roundly for paying so little attention to the king's writ--the writ +touching knighthood--and complained of the defective manner in which the +city was governed.(711) + +(M382) + +He thereupon dismissed the mayor from office, committing him to Windsor +Castle. The sheriffs were likewise dismissed, one being sent to Odyham +Castle, and the other to the Castle of Wallingford. The rest of the +citizens were ordered to return home.(712) + +(M383) + +At nine o'clock in the morning of the 1st July, Sir Edward Dalyngrigge +appeared in the Guildhall, and there, before an immense assembly of the +commons, read the king's commissions appointing him warden of the city and +the king's escheator. The deposed sheriffs were succeeded by Gilbert +Maghfeld, or Maunfeld, and Thomas Newton, who remained in office, by the +king's appointment,(713) until the end of the year, when they were +re-elected, the one by the warden and the other by the citizens.(714) +Dalyngrigge was soon afterwards succeeded in the office of warden by Sir +Baldwin de Radyngton.(715) + +(M384) + +By way of inflicting further punishment upon the citizens, Richard had +already removed the King's Bench and Exchequer from London to York;(716) +but the removal proved so much more prejudicial to the nation at large +than to the City of London that the courts were soon brought back.(717) He +would even have waged open war on them had he dared.(718) Instead of +proceeding to this extremity, he summoned the aldermen and 400 commoners +to Windsor(719) and fined the City L100,000. This was in July (1392). In +August the king notified his intention of passing through the city on his +way from Shene to Westminster. The citizens embraced the opportunity of +giving him a magnificent reception, which the king acknowledged in the +following month by restoring to them their liberties and setting free +their late mayor and sheriffs.(720) The fine of L100,000 recently imposed, +as well as other moneys which the king considered to be due to him from +the city, were also remitted.(721) + +(M385) + +Once more restored to their liberties, the citizens in the following year +(1393), with the assent of parliament, effected a reform in the internal +government of the city which the increasing population had rendered +necessary. The Ward of Farringdon Within and Without had increased so much +in wealth and population that it was deemed advisable to divide it into +two parts, each part having its own alderman. Accordingly, in the +following March (1394), Drew Barantyn was elected Alderman of Farringdon +Within, whilst John Fraunceys was elected for Farringdon Without. A more +important reform effected at the same time was the appointment of aldermen +for life instead of for a year only.(722) + +(M386) + +In the following year (1394) the queen--Anne of Bohemia--died. She had +always shown a friendly disposition towards the city, and it was mainly +owing to her intercession that Richard had restored its liberties.(723) +Her death removed one good influence about Richard, and marks a change of +policy or of character.(724) His second marriage in 1396 did not improve +matters. In that year the mayor, Adam Bamme, died in office, and instead +of allowing the citizens freely to elect a successor, he thrust upon them +Richard Whitington.(725) He arrested the Duke of Gloucester and the Earls +of Warwick and Arundel, and otherwise behaved so outrageously as to raise +doubts as to his sanity. He gave out that he was afraid to appear in +public for fear of the Londoners; but this was only a ruse for the purpose +of raising money.(726) Like Edward II, he borrowed money from anybody and +everybody, and often resorted to unconstitutional measures to fill his +purse. He made the nobles and his wealthier subjects sign blank cheques +for him to fill up at his pleasure.(727) These cheques, or "charters" as +they were called, were afterwards burnt by order of his successor on the +throne. + +(M387) + +A crisis was fast approaching. The Duke of Hereford, whom the king had +banished, and who, on the death of his father "time honoured Lancaster," +succeeded to the title early in 1399, was prevailed upon to return to +England and strike a blow for the recovery of his inheritance which +Richard had seized. Richard, as if infatuated, took this inopportune +moment to sail to Ireland. Before setting out he made a last bid for the +favour of the citizens by again granting them permission to rule the fish +trade according to ancient custom.(728) It was too late; they had already +resolved to throw in their lot with Henry of Lancaster. + +As soon as Henry had landed at Ravenspur (4th July) a special messenger +was despatched to the city with the news. The mayor was in bed, but he +hurriedly rose and took steps to proclaim Henry's arrival in England. "Let +us apparel ourselves and go and receive the Duke of Lancaster, since we +agreed to send for him," was the resolution of those to whom the mayor +conveyed the first tidings; and accordingly Drew Barentyn, who had +succeeded Whitington in October, 1398, and 500 other citizens, took horse +to meet the duke, whom they escorted to the city. The day that Henry +entered the city was kept as a holiday, "as though it had been the day for +the celebration of Easter." + +(M388) + +When Richard heard of Henry's landing he hurried back from Ireland. He was +met by the duke with a large force, which comprised 1,200 Londoners, fully +armed and horsed.(729) Finding resistance hopeless, the king made +submission, craving only that he might be protected from the Londoners, +who, he was convinced, bore him no good will. He was, in consequence, +secretly conveyed to the Tower under cover of night. Articles were drawn +up accusing him of misgovernment, and publicly read in the Guildhall. Four +of his advisers and supporters, whose names he gave up, hoping to gain +favour for himself thereby, were executed at a fishmonger's stall in +Cheapside. Sentence of deposition was passed against him, and Lancaster +proclaimed king in his stead under the title of King Henry IV. + + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + + + +(M389) + +The sentence passed on the late king proved his death warrant; his haughty +spirit broke down, and he died at Pontefract the following year. According +to Henry's account he died of wilful starvation. There were many, however, +who believed him to have been put to death by Henry's orders; whilst +others, on the contrary, refused to believe his death had actually taken +place at all, notwithstanding the fact of the corpse having been purposely +exposed to public view throughout its journey from Pontefract to +London.(730) This belief that Richard was still alive was fostered by +many, and, among others, by William Serle. He had been at one time the +late king's chamberlain, and he kept up the delusion of Richard being +still in the land of the living, by exhibiting the late king's signet, +which had come into his possession. Serle was eventually arrested in the +north of England and brought to London, to be executed at Tyburn.(731) + +(M390) + +Sixteen years later (1416), a certain Thomas Warde, called "Trumpyngtone," +personated the late king, and a scheme was laid for placing him on the +throne with the aid of Sigismund, king of the Romans Sigismund, however, +refused to have anything to do with the plot, which was hatched within the +city's liberties by Benedict Wolman and Thomas Bekering. The conspiracy +having been discovered, its authors were thrown into prison. One died +before trial, the other paid the penalty for his rashness with his +head.(732) In August, 1420, long after Trumpington was dead, two others, +Thomas Cobold and William Bryan, endeavoured still to keep up the delusion +in the city. The mayor, Whitington, himself ordered their arrest. Bryan +had time to escape from the house of William Norton, a barber given to +Lollardry, where he and his fellow conspirator were lodged. Cobold tried +to hide himself, but was discovered cunningly concealed in the house, and +taken before the mayor and aldermen. Being questioned as to the identity +of Trumpington and the late king, he gave an evasive reply, adding, that +the question of identity had become immaterial since Trumpington had been +dead some time. Cobold was thought to be too dangerous a man to be allowed +at large, so he was committed to prison.(733) + +(M391) + +In the meantime Wycliffe had died (1384), and Lollardry had become only +another name for general discontentment. The clergy made strenuous efforts +to suppress the Lollards. Pope Boniface had invoked the assistance of the +late king (1395) to destroy these "tares" (_lolium aridum_) that had +sprung up amidst the wheat which remained constant to church and king, and +called upon the mayor and commonalty of the city to use their interest +with Richard to the same end.(734) Besides seeking the support of the +commonalty against the powerful nobles, the new king sought the support of +the church, and he had not been long on the throne before he issued +commissions for search to be made in the city for Lollards, and for the +arrest of all preachers found sowing the pestilential seed of Lollardry +(_semen pestiferum lollardrie_).(735) Early in 1401 a price was put upon +the head of the captain and leader of the sect, Sir John Oldcastle, +otherwise known as Lord Cobham. Public proclamation was made in the city, +that any one giving information which should lead to his arrest should be +rewarded with 500 marks; any one actually arresting or causing him to be +arrested should receive double that amount, whilst the citizens and +burgesses of any city or borough who should take and produce him before +the king, should be for ever quit of all taxes, talliages, tenths, +fifteenths and other assessments.(736) Not only were conventicles +forbidden, but no one was allowed to visit the ordinary churches after +nine o'clock at night or before five o'clock in the morning.(737) + +(M392) + +Still the clergy were not satisfied. The ecclesiastical courts could +condemn men as heretics, but they had no power to burn them. Accordingly, +a statute was passed this year (1401), known as the statute of heresy (_de +haeretico comburendo_), authorising the ecclesiastical courts to hand over +to the civil powers any heretic refusing to recant, or relapsing after +recantation, so that he might pay the penalty of being publicly burnt +before the people.(738) It was the first English law passed for the +suppression of religious opinion, and its first victim is said to have +been one William Sautre, formerly a parish priest of Norfolk.(739) + +(M393) + +Henry had other difficulties to face besides opposition from the nobles. +France had refused to acknowledge his title to the crown, and demanded the +restoration of Richard's widow, a mere child of eleven. The Scots(740) and +the Welsh were on the point of engaging in open insurrection. Invasion was +imminent; the exchequer was empty, and the Londoners appealed to could +offer no more than a paltry loan of 4,000 marks.(741) + +(M394) + +As time went on, Henry had to try new methods for raising money. The +parliament which met at the opening of 1404, granted the king a 1_s._ in +the pound on all lands, tenements and rents, besides 20_s._ for every +knight's fee. The money so raised was not, however, to be at the disposal +of the king's own ministers, but was to be placed in the hands of four +officials to be known as treasurers of war (_Guerrarum Thesaurarii_). The +names of the treasurers elected for the purpose are given as John Owdeby, +clerk, John Hadley, Thomas Knolles, and Richard Merlawe, citizens of +London.(742) Three of these were citizens of note. Hadley had already +served as mayor in 1393, Knolles had filled the same office in 1399, and +was re-elected in 1410, whilst Merlawe was destined to attain that honour +both in 1409 and 1417. + +(M395) + +It was during Merlawe's first mayoralty that the citizens advanced to the +king the sum of 7,000 marks,(743) to enable him to complete the reduction +of Wales, which his son, the Prince of Wales, had already nearly +accomplished. In 1412 they advanced a further sum of 10,000 marks.(744) At +the beginning of that year a commission was addressed by Henry to Robert +Chichele, the mayor, brother of the archbishop of the same name, to the +sheriffs of the city, to Richard Whitington and Thomas Knolles, the late +mayor, instructing them to make a return of the amount of land and +tenements held in the city and suburbs, with the view of levying 6_s._ +8_d._ on every L20 annual rent by virtue of an act passed by the late +parliament.(745) A return was made to the effect that it was very +difficult to discover the true value of lands and tenements in the city +and suburbs, owing to absence of tenants and dilapidations by fire and +water, but that they had caused enquiry to be made, and the names of men, +women and other persons (_hominum, feminarum et aliarum personarum_) +mentioned in the commission were forwarded by them in the following a, b, +c (_in sequenti a, b, c_). What lands and tenements the "men, women and +other persons" had elsewhere they had no means of discovering.(746) The +schedule, or "a, b, c," is not entered in the City Letter Book, but is to +be found among the Exchequer Rolls, preserved at Her Majesty's Public +Record(747) Office. The gross rental was returned at L4,220, and the sum +paid into the exchequer at 6_s._ 8_d._ for every L20, under the provisions +of the act amounted to L70 6_s._ 8_d._ The mayor and commonalty of the +city are credited as possessing lands, tenements and rents of an annual +value of no more than L150 9_s._ 11_d._, whilst the Bridge House Estate +was returned at L148 15_s._ 3_d._ Of the livery companies, the Goldsmiths +appear as the owners of the largest property, their rental of city +property amounting to L46 10_s._ 1/2_d._, the Merchant Tailors following +them closely with L44 3_s._ 7_d._ The Mercers had but a rental of L13 +18_s._ 4_d._ whilst the Skinners had L18 12_s._ 8_d._ Robert Chichele, the +mayor, was already a rich man, with an annual rental of L42 19_s._ 2_d._, +derived from city property, or nearly double the amount (L25) with which +Richard Whitington was credited. + +(M396) + +Whitington had already three times occupied the mayoralty chair; once (in +1396) at the word of a king, and twice (in 1397 and 1406) at the will of +his fellow citizens. On the occasion of his third election a solemn mass +was for the first time introduced into the proceedings, the mayor, +aldermen and a large body of commoners attending the service at the +Guildhall Chapel, before proceeding to the election.(748) The custom which +then sprang up continues in a modified form to this day, the election of a +mayor being always preceded by divine service. Its origin may perhaps be +ascribed in some measure to the spirit of Lollardry which, in its best +sense, found much favour with the citizens. + +The enormous wealth which he succeeded in amassing was bestowed in +promoting the cause of education, and in relieving the sufferings of the +poor and afflicted. He built a handsome library in the house of the Grey +Friars and also the Church of Saint Michael in the "Riole." He is credited +by some writers with having purchased and presented to the corporation the +advowson of the Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill. But this is probably a +mistake arising from the fact of a license in mortmain having been granted +by Henry IV to Richard Whitington, John Hende, and others, to convey the +manor of Leadenhall, together with the advowsons of the several churches +of Saint Peter upon Cornhill and Saint Margaret Patyns, held of the king +in free burgage, to the mayor and commonalty of the City of London and +their successors.(749) + +(M397) + +On the accession of Henry V, Archbishop Arundel, whom Walsingham describes +as the most eminent bulwark and indomitable supporter of the church,(750) +renewed his attack on the Lollards, and endeavoured to serve Oldcastle +with a citation. Failing to accomplish this he caused him to be arrested. +The bold defence made by the so-called heretic, when before his judges, +gained additional weight from the reputation he enjoyed for high moral +character. Nevertheless he was adjudged guilty of the charges brought +against him. A formal sentence of excommunication was passed, and he was +remitted to the Tower for forty days in the hope that at the expiration of +that time he might be found willing to retract. This, however, was not to +be. + +(M398) + +He contrived to make his escape from prison,(751) and shortly afterwards +appeared at the head of a number of followers in St. Giles's Fields. Great +disappointment was felt at not receiving the assistance that had been +expected from city servants and apprentices. According to Walsingham, no +less than 5,000 men, comprising masters as well as servants, from the +city, were prepared to join the insurgents, had not the king taken +precautions to secure the gates. As soon as it was discovered that the +young king had made ample preparations to meet attack, the Lollards took +to flight. Many, however, failed to make good their escape, and nearly +forty paid the penalty of their rashness with their lives.(752) Walsingham +was probably misinformed as to the number of the persons who were prepared +to assist the Lollards. The fact is that, to the respectable City burgess, +Lollardism was a matter of less moment than was the scandalous life led by +the chantry priest and other ministers of religion, and this the civic +authorities were determined to rectify as far as in them lay. Between the +years 1400 and 1440, some sixty clerks in holy orders were taken in +adultery and clapt into prison by ward beadles.(753) Nevertheless the +clergy, and more especially the chantry priest, continued to live a life +of luxury and sloth, oftentimes spending the day in dicing, card playing, +cock fighting and frequenting taverns. + +(M399) + +The recent abortive attempt of Oldcastle gave rise to another Statute +against the Lollards,(754) by which the secular power, no longer content +with merely carrying into execution the sentences pronounced by +ecclesiastical courts, undertook, where necessary, the initiative against +heretics. Archbishop Arundel, the determined enemy of the Lollards, had +had no hand in framing this Statute--the last that was enacted against +them.(755) He had died a few months before parliament met, and had been +succeeded by Henry Chichele. + +(M400) + +Early in the following year (1415) the king made an offer of pardon to +Oldcastle, who was still at large, if he would come in and make submission +before Easter.(756) Instead of accepting so generous an offer, Oldcastle +busied himself in preparing for another rising to take place as soon as +the king should have set sail on his meditated expedition to France. +Lollard manifestoes again appeared on the doors of the London churches; +whilst Oldcastle himself scoured the country for recruits, to serve under +a banner on which the most sacred emblems of the church were +depicted.(757) + +(M401) + +In August (1415) another Lollard, John Cleydone by name, a currier by +trade, was tried in St. Paul's Church before the new Archbishop and +others, the civic authorities having taken the initiative according to the +provisions of the recent Statute, and arrested him on suspicion of being a +heretic. The mayor himself was a witness at the trial, and testified as to +the nature of certain books found in Cleydon's possession; they were "the +worst and the most perverse that ever he did read or see." Walsingham, who +styles Cleydon "an inveterate Lollard" (_quidam inveteratus Lollardus_), +adds, with his usual acerbity against the entire sect, that the accused +had gone so far as to make his own son a priest, and have Mass celebrated +by him in his own house on the occasion when his wife should have gone to +church, after rising from childbed.(758) Having been convicted of heresy +by the ecclesiastical court, the prisoner was again delivered over to the +secular authorities for punishment.(759) Both he and his books were +burnt.(760) + +(M402) + +Two years later Oldcastle himself was captured in Wales and brought to +London. At his trial he publicly declared his belief that Richard II was +still alive; he was even fanatic enough to believe that he himself would +soon rise again from the dead.(761) He was sentenced to be hanged and +burnt on the gallows, a sentence which was carried out in St. Giles's +Fields.(762) Lollardry continued to exist, especially in London and the +towns, for some years, but it ceased to have any historical or political +significance.(763) + +(M403) + +Henry V was resolved to maintain not only the old religion of the days of +Edward III, but also the old foreign policy, and in 1414 he commenced +making preparations for renewing the claim of his great-grandfather to the +crown of France. In 1415 this claim was formally made, and Henry gathered +his forces together at Southampton. On the 10th March he informed the +civic authorities of his intention of crossing over to France to enforce +his claim and of his need of money. On the 14th a brilliant assembly, +comprising the king's two brothers, John, Duke of Bedford, and Humphrey, +Duke of Gloucester, Edward, Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury, +the Bishop of Winchester, and others, met at the Guildhall to consider the +matter. + +(M404) + +A question arose as to order of precedence, and it was arranged that the +mayor, as the king's representative in the City, should occupy the centre +seat, having the Primate and the Bishop of Winchester on his right, and +the Duke of York and the king's brothers on his left.(764) This question +having been settled, the meeting, we presume, got to business; but what +took place is not recorded in the City's archives. We know, however, that +in June the king pledged his jewels to the City for a loan of 10,000 +marks,(765) and that on the 1st August--just as he was preparing to set +sail--he raised a further loan of 10,000 marks on the security of the +customs.(766) + +(M405) + +On the 15th June the king, who was then on his way to the coast, took +solemn leave of the civic authorities, who had accompanied him to +Blackheath. He bade them go home and keep well his "chamber" during his +absence abroad, giving them his blessing and saying "Cryste save +London."(767) Arriving at Southampton, he there discovered a conspiracy to +place the young Earl of March, the legitimate heir of Edward III, on the +throne, as soon as he himself should have set sail. The traitors were +seized and executed, and the City lost no time in sending the king a +letter congratulating him upon his discovery of the plot.(768) + +(M406) + +A few days later (12th August) he sailed for France and landed near +Harfleur, to which town he laid siege. It offered, however, a stubborn +defence, and it was not until the 18th September that the town +surrendered. On the 22nd Henry sent a long account of the siege and +capture to the mayor and citizens of London, bidding them render humble +thanks to Almighty God for this mercy, and expressing a hope of further +success in the near future.(769) + +(M407) (M408) + +Early in October the king caused proclamation to be made in the City, that +all and singular knights, esquires and valets who were willing to go with +him to Normandy, should present themselves to his uncle Henry, Bishop of +Winchester and Treasurer of England, who would pay them their wages. By +the same proclamation merchants, victuallers and handicraft-men were +invited to take up their residence in the recently captured town of +Harfleur, where houses would be assigned to them, and where they should +enjoy the same privileges and franchises to which they had always been +accustomed.(770) + +(M409) (M410) + +The battle of Agincourt was fought on the 25th October, and news of the +joyous victory arrived in England on or before the 28th, on which day--the +Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude--Nicholas Wotton, the recently elected +mayor, was sworn into office at the Guildhall according to custom. On the +following day, therefore, the mayor, aldermen and a large number of the +commonalty made a solemn pilgrimage on foot to Westminster, where they +first made devout thanksgiving for the victory that had been won, and then +proceeded to present the new mayor before the Barons of the Exchequer. +Care is taken in the City records to explain that the procession went on +this occasion on foot, simply and solely for the purpose of marking their +humble thanks to the Almighty and his Saints, and more especially to +Edward the Confessor, who lay interred at Westminster, for the joyful news +which so unexpectedly had arrived. The journey on foot was not to be drawn +into precedent when others succeeded to the mayoralty, nor supplant the +riding in state which had been customary on such occasions.(771) The +reception given to the king by the Londoners on his return from France, +was of so brilliant and varied a character, that one chronicler declares +that a description of it would require a special treatise.(772) On the +16th November he landed at Dover and proceeded towards London. On +Saturday, the 23rd, the mayor and aldermen and all the companies rode +forth in their liveries to meet the king and conduct him and his train of +French prisoners through the City to Westminster. On Sunday morning a +deputation from the City waited upon Henry and presented him with the sum +of L1,000 and two basons of gold worth half that sum.(773) + +(M411) + +During the next eighteen months succeeding the battle of Agincourt, Henry +devoted himself to making preparations at home for renewing active +military operations. He had intended at midsummer, 1416, to lead an +expedition in person to the relief of Harfleur, but the command was +subsequently delegated to his brother, the Duke of Bedford. Proclamation +was publicly made in the city by order of the king, dated the 28th May, +that all and singular knights, esquires and valets holding any fief or +annuity from the king should proceed to Southampton by the 20th June, +armed each according to his estate, for the purpose of joining the +expedition.(774) In 1417 France was rendered weak by factions, and Henry +seized the opportunity for another attack. On the 1st February he issued +his writ to the sheriffs of London for a return to be made of the number +of men-at-arms and archers the City knights could furnish.(775) In March +the mayor, Henry Barton, was made a commissioner for victualling the navy +which was to rendezvous at Southampton.(776) + +(M412) + +In the same month the City advanced the king the sum of 5,000 marks,(777) +and in the following June a further sum was advanced by private +subscription among the wealthier citizens on the security of a Spanish +sword, set in gold and precious stones, of the estimated value of L2,000. +The sword was pledged with the subscribers on the understanding that they +would not dispose of it before Michaelmas twelve-month.(778) + +(M413) (M414) + +On the 9th August the king addressed a letter to the mayor, sheriffs, +aldermen and good folk of the City of London, informing them of his safe +arrival in Normandy and of his success in making himself master of the +castle of "Touque" without bloodshed.(779) To this the citizens sent a +dutiful reply on the 28th day of the same month, assuring the king of the +peaceful condition of the city. On the 2nd September an order went forth +from the Common Council of the City that each alderman should immediately +instruct the constables of his ward to go their rounds and warn all +soldiers they might come across, to vacate the City and set out on the +king's service before the end of the week on pain of imprisonment.(780) +Success continued to attend Henry's arms. On the 5th September he was able +to inform the citizens, by letter,(781) of the capture of Caen, excepting +only the citadel, and this was to be rendered to him by the 19th day of +the same month at the latest, unless relief should have previously arrived +for the besieged from the King of France, his son the Dauphin, or the +Count of Armagnac, Constable of France. The Duke of Clarence wrote a few +days later to the citizens, notifying the extraordinary success which had +followed the king. So many towns and fortresses had been taken that the +only fear was that there were not sufficient men to keep guard over +them.(782) + +(M415) (M416) + +In order to keep the English force in Normandy better provided with +victuals, the Duke of Bedford, who had been left behind as the king's +lieutenant, caused the Sheriffs of London to proclaim that all persons +willing and able to ship victuals to France for Henry's use, might do so +without paying custom dues on their giving security that the victuals +should be sent to Caen and not elsewhere.(783) Bedford, who was learning +how to rule a free people--a lesson which, had he been allowed to practice +in after years, might have saved the house of Lancaster from utter +destruction(784)--presided in the parliament, which met in November, 1417. +On the 17th December this parliament granted the king two fifteenths and +two tenths. No time was lost in taking measures for collecting these +supplies, the king's writ appointing commissioners for the City of London +being issued the day following.(785) + +(M417) + +In Paris matters were going on from bad to worse. Whilst the capital of +France was at the mercy of a mob, Henry proceeded to lay close siege to +Rouen. Frequent proclamation was made in London for reinforcements to join +the king, either at Rouen or elsewhere in Normandy.(786) This was in +April, 1418, or thereabouts. On the 5th July, the Duke of Clarence +informed Richard Merlawe, the mayor, by letter, of the fall of Louviers, +and of the expected surrender of Pont de l'Arche,(787) from which latter +place the duke wrote. On the 10th August Henry himself wrote to the +citizens informing them of his having sat down before Rouen and of the +straits his forces were in for lack of victuals and more especially of +"drink." He begged them to send as many small vessels as they could, laden +with provisions, to Harfleur, whence they could make their way up the +Seine to Rouen.(788) In less than a month a reply was sent (8 Sept.) from +Gravesend under the seal of the mayoralty, informing Henry that the +citizens had been busy brewing ale and beer and purveying wine and other +"vitaille," and that they had despatched thirty butts of sweet +wine--comprising ten of "Tyre," ten of "Romesey," and ten of "Malvesy"--and +1,000 pipes of ale and beer. With these they had also sent 25,000 cups for +the king's "host" to drink out of.(789) In the meantime, the besieged +received no such relief from the pains of hunger and thirst, and on the +19th January, 1419, they were compelled to surrender their ancient +town.(790) The war continued throughout the year (1419), all attempts at a +reconciliation proving abortive. Pointoise fell into Henry's hands; and +both Henry and the Duke of Clarence sent word of its capture to London. +The duke took the opportunity of asking that the freedom of the City might +be conferred on his servant, Roger Tillyngton, a skinner; but the citizens +in acknowledging the duke's letter make no reference to his request.(791) + +(M418) + +On the 17th August the king wrote again to the mayor, aldermen and commons +of the City, thanking them for their "kynde and notable prone of an ayde," +which they had granted of their own free will, therein setting a good +example to others, and prayed them to follow such directions as the Duke +of Bedford should give them respecting their proffered assistance. The +bearer of this letter having been taken prisoner at Crotoye, a duplicate +copy of it was afterwards forwarded from Trie le Chastel on the 12th +September.(792) + +(M419) + +The murder of John, Duke of Burgundy, by a partisan of the Dauphin, which +took place about this time, induced Duke Philip to come to terms with +England in the hope of avenging his father's death;(793) and the French +king, finding further resistance hopeless, was content to make peace. By +the treaty of Troyes (20 May, 1420), the Dauphin was disinherited in +favour of Henry, who was formally recognised as the heir to the French +crown, and who agreed to marry Catherine, daughter of Charles VI.(794) The +marriage took place on the 3rd June, and on the 14th a solemn procession +was made in London and a sermon preached at Paul's Cross in honour of the +event.(795) + +(M420) (M421) + +On the 12th July Henry addressed a letter from Mant to the corporation of +London informing them of his welfare. He had left Paris for Mant in order +to relieve the town of Chartres, which was being threatened by the +Dauphin. The Duke of Burgundy had joined him and had proved himself "a +trusty, lovvng and faithful brother." The king's expedition proved +unnecessary, for the Dauphin had raised the siege before his arrival and +had gone into Touraine. To this letter a reply was sent under the +mayoralty seal on the 2nd August, congratulating Henry upon his success, +and assuring him that there was no city on earth more peaceful or better +governed than his City of London.(796) + +(M422) + +On the 26th January, 1421, the Duke of Gloucester, the Guardian of England +in the king's absence, ordered the Sheriffs of London to announce that the +queen's coronation would take place at Westminster on the third Sunday in +Lent.(797) The king and queen landed at Dover with a small retinue on the +1st February, and after a few days' rest at Canterbury, entered the city +of London amid tokens of welcome and respect from the laity and clergy. +They took up their abode at the Tower, whence they were conducted on the +day appointed for the coronation to Westminster by the citizens on foot +and on horseback.(798) + +(M423) + +Henry had not been at home six months before he again left England, never +to return.(799) The hopes that he entertained of reforming and governing +his possessions in France, and his ambition to have headed, sooner or +later, a crusade which should have stayed the progress of the Ottoman and +have recovered the sepulchre of Christ, were not destined to be realised. +He died at the Bois de Vincennes, near Paris, on the last day of August, +1422, leaving a child nine months old--the unhappy Henry of Windsor who +succeeded to the throne as Henry VI. When the body of the late king was +brought over from France to be buried at Westminster, the citizens showed +it every token of respect in its passage through London. The streets of +the city, as well as of the borough of Southwark, were cleaned for the +occasion. The mayor, sheriffs, recorder and aldermen, accompanied by the +chief burgesses, and clad in white gowns and hoods, went forth to meet the +remains of the king they loved so well, as far as St. George's bar in +Southwark, and reverently conducted them to St. Paul's Church, where the +funeral obsequies were performed. The next day they accompanied the corpse +to Westminster, where further ceremonies took place. Representatives of +the various wards were told off to line the streets, the solemnity of the +occasion being marked by the burning of torches, whilst chaplains stood in +the porches of the various churches, clad in their richest copes, with +thuribles in their hands, and chanted the _venite_ and incensed the royal +remains as they passed. The livery companies provided amongst them 211 +torches, and to each torch-bearer the city chamberlain gave a gown and +hood of white material or "blanket" (_de blanqueto_), at the "cost of the +commonalty." (800) + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + + + +(M424) + +At the death of Henry V the administration of affairs fell into the hands +of his two brothers, John, Duke of Bedford, and Humfrey, Duke of +Gloucester. On the 29th September a writ was issued from Windsor, in the +name of the infant on whom the crown of England had devolved, summoning +four citizens of London to attend a parliament to be held at Westminster +at Martinmas,(801) and two days afterwards another was addressed to the +sheriffs of London, enjoining them to make proclamation for the keeping +the king's peace, and authorising them to arrest and imprison rioters +until the king and his council should determine upon their +punishment.(802) The precise wishes of the late king as to the respective +parts which Bedford and Gloucester were to undertake in the government of +the realm are not clearly known, but it is generally thought that he +intended the former to govern France, whilst the latter was to act as his +vicegerent in England. An attempt to carry out the arrangement was doomed +to failure. + +As soon as parliament met (9 Nov.) it took into consideration the +respective claims of the two dukes. Bedford had already (26 Oct.) +despatched a letter from Rouen, addressed to the civic authorities, +setting forth his right to the government of the realm, as elder brother +of the deceased sovereign and as the party most interested in the +succession to the crown. Without mentioning Gloucester by name, he warned +the citizens against executing orders derogatory to himself. He professed +to do this, not from any ambitious designs of his own, but from a wish to +preserve intact the laws, usage and customs of the realm.(803) After some +hesitation, parliament resolved to appoint Bedford protector as soon as he +should return from France, but that during his absence Gloucester should +act for him.(804) + +(M425) + +On the 8th February of the new year (1423), the sheriffs of London +received orders to make proclamation for all soldiers who were in the +king's pay to assemble at Winchelsea by the 1st day of March, as an +expedition was to set sail from that port for the purpose of defending the +town and castle of Crotoye. The business was pressing and necessitated a +repetition of the order to the sheriffs a fortnight later (22 Feb.).(805) + +(M426) + +On the 23rd February William Crowmere, the mayor, William Sevenoke, +William Waldene, and John Fray were appointed commissioners to enquire +into cases of treason and felony within the city; and two days later they +found Sir John Mortimer, who was charged with a treasonable design in +favour of the Earl of March, guilty of having broken prison.(806) He was +subsequently convicted of treason both by lords and commons, and sentenced +to death. + +(M427) + +On the 5th June (1423) the hearts of the citizens were gladdened with the +news that they were likely to be repaid some of the money they had +advanced to the king's grandfather. Orders were given for all persons to +whom Henry IV was indebted at the time of his decease, and who had not yet +received from his executors a moiety of the sums due, to send in their +bills and tallies to Sir John Pelham and John Leventhorp, two of the +king's executors, sitting at the Priory of Saint Mary, Southwark, by the +Monday next after Midsummer-day.(807) We can believe that few orders ever +met with readier response from the inhabitants of the city. + +(M428) + +At home as well as abroad Gloucester soon made enemies; among them was his +own uncle, the Chancellor, Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, a wealthy +and ambitious prelate. During Gloucester's absence on the continent, +whither he had gone to recover the estates of his newly-married wife, the +ill-fated Jacqueline of Hainault, Beaufort garrisoned the Tower with +creatures of his own. When Gloucester returned mutual recriminations took +place, and the mayor was ordered (29 Oct., 1425) to prevent Beaufort +entering the city. A riot ensued in which the citizens took the part of +the duke, and the bishop had to take refuge in Southwark. The quarrel was +patched up for awhile until Bedford, who was sent for, should arrive to +act as arbitrator.(808) He arrived in London on the 10th January, 1426. +The citizens, who had more than once been in communication with the +duke(809) during his absence abroad, presented him with a pair of basins, +silver-gilt, containing 1,000 marks. The gift, however, does not appear to +have been so graciously received as it might have been, for a London +alderman records that the donors, for all their liberality, "hadde but +lytylle thanke."(810) + +(M429) + +The two brothers had not met since the death of Henry V. After prolonged +negotiations, a _modus vivendi_ between the parties was arrived at, and +Gloucester and the bishop were induced to shake hands. Beaufort left +England soon afterwards with the Duke of Bedford, on the plea of making a +pilgrimage, and did not return until September, 1428, by which time he had +been made a cardinal and appointed papal legate in England. +Notwithstanding his legatine authority being unacknowledged by Gloucester +and others, the citizens received him on his return "worthily and +loyally," riding out to meet him and escorting him into London.(811) + +(M430) + +Gloucester had always been a favourite with the Londoners, until his +conduct to his Flemish wife, whom he left behind on the continent to fight +her own battles as best as she could, and the undisguised attention he +paid to Eleanor Cobham, a lady in his wife's suite, whom he eventually +married, estranged their favour. In August, 1424, the Common Council had +voted the duke a gift of 500 marks; and two years later--viz., in April, +1426--the citizens raised a sum, variously stated to have been L1,000 and +1,000 marks, for the benefit of his duchess.(812) The female portion of +the community were specially incensed against the duke, and a number of +women went the length of presenting themselves before parliament in 1427, +with a letter complaining of his behaviour towards his wife. In March of +the next year (1428) the citizens themselves followed suit, and drew the +attention of parliament, through the mouth of John Symond, their Recorder, +to the wretched straits to which the duchess had been reduced, as +witnessed her own letters. They begged parliament to consider the best +means for recovering for her the lands of Hainault, Holland and Zeeland, +which had always been places of sure refuge for the English merchant, and +the rulers of which had ever been friendly to the king of England. The +citizens finally avowed themselves ready to take upon themselves their +share in any undertaking the lords and commons of the realm might decide +upon.(813) + +(M431) + +In the meantime matters had not gone well with the English in France. In +July, 1427, the Earl of Salisbury came over to London for +reinforcements.(814) In September of the following year he was able to +inform the City of the success that had attended his recruited army.(815) +He was then within a short distance of Orleans, before which town he +shortly afterwards met his death. Bedford continued the siege, but the +town held out until May, 1429, when it was relieved by the Maid from the +little village of Domremi, and the English army was compelled to retreat. + +(M432) + +Whilst Bedford was conducting the siege of Orleans, and Jeanne Darc was +meditating how best to relieve the town, the citizens of London were +suffering from a severe dearth. At length the Common Council resolved (22 +July, 1429) to send agents abroad for the purpose of transmitting all the +corn they could lay their hands on to England. The assistance of Bedford, +who had by this time been compelled to raise the siege of Orleans, was +invoked.(816) + +(M433) + +Bedford had recently been joined by Beaufort, who had become more than +ever an object of hatred to Gloucester, and had lost to a certain extent +the goodwill of the nation by the acceptance of a cardinal's hat. He had +set out on the 22nd June (1429), carrying with him a small force which he +was allowed to raise for the avowed object of prosecuting a Hussite +crusade in Bohemia, but which was eventually sent to France.(817) The +question of his position in parliament and the council, now that he was a +cardinal, was decided by the parliament which met on the 22nd September. + +(M434) + +Members of parliament representing the City of London had hitherto been +allowed a certain amount of cloth and fur trimming at the City's expense, +wherewith to dress themselves and their personal attendants in a manner +suitable to the position they held. Those who had from time to time been +elected members appear to have abused this privilege--where a yard had been +given, they had literally taken an ell--and it was now thought to be high +time to take steps to check the abuse in future. Accordingly it was +ordained by the mayor and aldermen, on the 12th August of this year (and +the ordinance met with the approval of the commoners on the 29th day of +the same month), that for the future no alderman elected to attend +parliament should take out of the chamber or of the commonalty more than +ten yards for gown and cloak, at 15_s._ the yard, and 100_s._ for fur if +the alderman had already served as mayor, otherwise he was to have no more +than five marks. Commoners were to be content with five yards of cloth and +33_s._ 4_d._ for fur. Each alderman, moreover, was to be allowed eight +yards of cloth at 28 pence a yard for two personal attendants, and each +commoner four yards of the same for one attendant, if the parliament was +sitting in London or the neighbourhood, and eight yards for two attendants +if parliament was sitting in some more remote place, "as was formerly +ordained during the mayoralty of John Michell" (1424-5).(818) + +(M435) + +The condition of France necessitated the early coronation of the young +king, whose right to the French crown had been established by the Treaty +of Troyes. At his accession to the throne of England Henry VI was but a +child of nine months. He was now eight years old. Before he could be +crowned King of France, it was necessary that he should first be crowned +King of England. Proclamation was accordingly made that he would be +crowned on the 6th November following, and that all claims to services +should be forthwith laid before the lord steward.(819) Gregory, to whose +chronicle we have had frequent occasion to refer, writing as an +eye-witness, gives a full account(820) of what took place at the ceremony +of coronation in Westminster Abbey, and of the banquet that followed; but +omits to mention that the citizens put in their usual claim, in accordance +with the above proclamation, to serve the king at the banquet as butler. +That the claim was actually made we learn from other sources.(821) We also +know that William Estfeld, the recently-elected mayor, received the +customary gold cup and ewer used on the occasion, which he afterwards +bequeathed to his grandson.(822) + +(M436) (M437) + +In April, 1430, the young king left England for France, and remained +abroad for nearly two years. On the 10th November he wrote to the mayor +and citizens, urging them to advance him the sum of 10,000 marks, as that +sum might do him more ease and service at that particular time than double +the amount at another. The letter was dated from Rouen, where the court +afterwards established itself for a considerable time.(823) On Sunday, the +12th December, 1431, he made his entry into Paris with great ceremony, and +was duly crowned.(824) + +(M438) + +On his return to England early in the following year, he was met by John +Welles, the mayor, the aldermen, the sheriffs, and more than 12,000 +citizens of London, who rode out on Thursday, the 20th February, as far as +Blackheath, and was there presented with the following address:-- + + + _"Sovereign lord as welcome be ye to your noble Roialme of + Englond, and in especial to your notable Cite London oþerwise + called your Chambre, as ever was cristen prince to place or + people, and of the good and gracioux achevyng of your Coronne of + Fraunce, we thank hertlich our lord almyghty which of his endles + mercy sende you grace in yoye and prosperite on us and all your + other people long for to regne."_ + + +(M439) + +After hearing the address the king rode to Deptford, where he was met by a +procession of 120 rectors and curates of the city, in the richest copes, +and 500 secular chaplains in the whitest of surplices, with whom were a +like number of monks bearing crosses, tapers and incense, and chanting +psalms and antiphons in grateful thanks for his safe return. Thence the +royal cavalcade passed through Southwark to the city, where pageants +appeared at every turn. The fulsome adulation bestowed upon a lad scarcely +ten years of age was enough to turn his young brain. Passing through +Cornhill and Chepe, the procession eventually reached St. Paul's. There +the king dismounted, and being met by the Archbishop of Canterbury and ten +other bishops in their pontifical robes, was led by them to the high +altar. Prayers were said and the sacred relics kissed. The king then +remounted his horse and made his way to his palace of Westminster, the +streets being hung with tapestry and the houses thronged to their roofs +with crowds of onlookers, and was there allowed a brief day's rest. On the +following Saturday a deputation from the city, headed by the mayor and +aldermen, went to the palace and presented Henry with L1,000 of the purest +gold, in a gold casket, with these words:-- + +"_Most cristen prince the good folk of youre notable Cite of London, +otherwise cleped your Chambre, besechen in her most lowely wise that they +mowe be recomanded un to yo__r__ hynesse, ant þ__t__ can like youre noble +grace to resceyve this litell yefte yoven with as good will and lovyng +hertes as any yefte was yoven to eny erthly prince._" + +The king having graciously acknowledged the gift, the deputation returned +to the city.(825) + +(M440) + +Beaufort, who had returned home in time for the coronation, had again set +out for France with the king, and Gloucester took advantage of their +absence to renew his attack on his rival. Letters of _proemunire_ were +drawn up in anticipation of the cardinal's return, and additional offence +was given by the seizure of the cardinal's plate and jewels at Dover. On +learning of Gloucester's schemes, Beaufort determined to give up a +projected visit to Rome, and to return home in time for the opening of +parliament (12th May, 1432).(826) He desired to learn why he had been thus +"strangely demeened" contrary to his deserts. When parliament met and the +cardinal asked who were his accusers, Gloucester held his tongue, and the +king expressed his confidence in the cardinal's loyalty. In the following +year (1433) Bedford appeared before parliament and announced that he had +come home to defend himself against false accusations. He understood that +the recent losses that had occurred in France were attributed to his +neglect. He desired his accusers, of whom he shrewdly suspected Gloucester +to be one, to stand forth and prove their charges. Again there was +silence, and the duke, like the cardinal, had to rest satisfied with the +king's assurance of loyalty.(827) + +(M441) + +The finances of the country were at this time (1433) in the most +deplorable condition. It was necessary to exercise the strictest economy. +Bedford was the first to set an example of self-denial by offering to +discharge the duties of counsellor at a reduced salary. Gloucester +followed his brother's example. The archbishops, the cardinal, and the +bishops of Lincoln and Ely agreed to render their services without +payment. Parliament showed its good will by voting a fifteenth and tenth, +but out of the sum thus realised L4,000 was to be applied to the relief of +poor towns. The amount of relief which fell to the share of the poorer +wards of the City of London was L76 15_s._ 6-1/4_d._, which was +apportioned among eighteen wards. The largest sum allotted was L20, which +went to Cordwainer Street Ward, whilst Lime Street Ward received the +magnificent relief afforded by the odd farthing.(828) The mayor, sheriffs +and aldermen were called upon to attend in person before the chancellor, +in April, 1434, to make oath that they would duly observe a certain +article (_quendam articulum_) which the late parliament had agreed to, but +what this article was does not appear in the City's archives.(829) + +(M442) + +Bedford was prevailed upon to remain in England and undertake the office +of chief counsellor, but differences again arising between him and +Gloucester, which the personal interference of the young king could with +difficulty calm, he again set sail for France (June, 1434). His career was +fast drawing to an end. Burgundy was intending to desert him as he knew +full well, and the knowledge accelerated his end. His death took place at +Rouen on the 14th September of the following year (1435).(830) + +(M443) + +With his death England's supremacy in France began to decline, and Henry +VI was to lose in that country all or nearly all that had been gained by +his doughty predecessor. The defection of Burgundy was followed by the +loss of Paris. The chief event of 1436 was the raising of the siege of +Calais, which had been invested by the Duke of Burgundy. On the 27th June +the mayor and aldermen of Calais, being anxious to get help from the +government at home, and finding that according to precedent they could +only do so through the mediation of the City of London, addressed a letter +to the mayor and aldermen of London imploring them, as the head of "the +principal of all the cities of the realm of England," to move the king to +send the requisite aid.(831) + +In answer to this appeal Henry Frowyk, the mayor, consulted the livery +companies, and by their advice sent a contingent to the relief of the +town.(832) The king, too, had been very urgent that the City should raise +a force to oppose "the man who stiled himself Duke of Burgundy and Count +of Flanders," whilst he took pains to conciliate such Flemings as were +living in the city and were ready to take an oath of allegiance.(833) +Gloucester had been appointed captain of Calais for a term of nine years, +but before he set sail for its relief the siege had been raised by Edmund +Beaufort, Count of Mortain.(834) + +(M444) + +An attempt was made in 1439 to bring about a peace, but it failed, and a +new tax--a tax upon aliens--had to be imposed for the purpose of raising +money in addition to the usual supplies. Every alien householder was +called upon to pay sixteen pence, and every alien who was not a +householder sixpence, towards the expenses of the country.(835) + +(M445) + +The streets of the city have witnessed few sadder sights than the penance +inflicted on Eleanor Cobham, at one time the mistress, and afterwards--on +the dissolution of his marriage with Jacqueline--the wife of Gloucester. +The new duchess was aware that in the event of the king's death her +husband was next in succession to the throne, and was inclined to +anticipate matters. It was a superstitious age, and the duchess invoked +the aid of witchcraft to accomplish her wishes. In 1441 her operations, +innocent as they were in themselves, however bad their intent, were +discovered, and she was condemned to do public penance followed by +imprisonment for life. For three days the wretched lady was made to walk +the streets, taper in hand and bare-foot (it was November), in the sight +of all the citizens, who were forbidden to show her any respect, but, at +the same time, were ordered not to molest her.(836) The latter they were +little likely to do. Nay! on each day as she landed at the Temple, at the +Swan or at Oueenhithe, the mayor and sheriffs went forth to attend her, +accompanied by members of the livery companies.(837) Yet, not a finger did +her husband raise in her defence! He either could not or would not save +her. + +(M446) + +By charter, dated the 26th day of October, 1444, the king confirmed the +mayor, recorder and certain aldermen as justices of the peace, and, among +other things, granted to the corporation the soil of the Thames within the +City's liberties.(838) This grant was not made without some little +opposition from the inhabitants of the neighbouring county of Surrey.(839) + +(M447) + +The king was now under the influence of William de la Pole, Earl of +Suffolk, by whose intervention a truce with France had been concluded on +the 28th May of this year (1444), to last until the 1st April, 1446. In +order to strengthen the truce, a marriage was arranged between Henry and +Margaret of Anjou. The princess came over to England early in the +following year, and was married on the 22nd April (1445). The match was +not altogether a popular one; nevertheless, when Margaret passed through +the city on her way to be crowned at Westminster, she was received "in the +most goodly wise, with alle the citezines on horseback ridyng ayenst hir +to the Blackheth in blew gownes and rede hodes."(840) + +(M448) + +The truce was renewed, and Suffolk increased in popularity. After the +deaths of Gloucester and Cardinal Beaufort, within a few weeks of each +other, in 1447, he became the king's chief adviser, and continued to be so +until the loss of the French provinces three years later (1450) raised so +much opposition against him that the king was compelled to order his +banishment. This was not thought a sufficient punishment by his enemies, +and he was taken on the high seas and brutally murdered (2 May). After his +death an attack was made on his supporters. Again the men of Kent rose in +revolt; this time under the leadership of an Irish adventurer--Jack +Cade--who called himself Mortimer, and gave out that he was an illegitimate +son of the late Earl of March. They mustered on Blackheath 30,000 strong +(1 June), and then awaited the king's return from Leicester, where +parliament had been sitting. Henry on his arrival sent to learn the reason +of the gathering, and in reply received a long list of grievances which +the rebels intended to amend.(841) Notwithstanding the boldness of this +answer, the king had only to make proclamation that all his true and liege +subjects should "a-voyde the fylde," for the whole force to disperse in +the course of one night. The danger, indeed, seemed to be over. A week +later, however, the royal force met a number of the rebels near Sevenoaks, +by whom it was put to rout. Encouraged by this success, the rebels +returned and took up their quarters in Southwark. The unhappy king had by +this time retired to Kenilworth, notwithstanding the offer made by the +citizens of London to stand by him.(842) + +(M449) + +The city authorities had, in the meantime, taken steps to put the city +into a state of defence. A Common Council met on the 8th June, when it +decided that an efficient guard should be placed night and day upon all +gates, wharves and lanes leading to the Thames. An enclosure recently +erected at "le Crane" on the riverside belonging to John Trevillian, was +ordered to be abated. Balistic machines (_fundibula_) of all kinds were to +be collected on the wharves, whilst the sale of weapons or armour or their +removal out of the city was restricted. Lastly, it was agreed to represent +to the king the advisability of limiting the number of his nobles coming +into the city, owing to the scarcity of provisions.(843) On the 26th June +the Common Council again met, and it was then decided to send two mounted +men to reconnoitre Cade's position, and to learn, if possible, his +movements.(844) Three days later (29 June) orders were given for four men +to be selected from each ward to assist the aldermen in preserving the +peace. Anyone refusing to do his duty in keeping watch was to be sent to +prison. In spite of all precautions, Cade and his followers succeeded in +gaining a footing in the city (3 July), their first action being to sack +the house of Philip Malpas.(845) Cade himself encouraged rather than +restrained the excesses of his men. "Now is Mortimer lord of the City," he +cried as he struck with his sword the old Roman mile-stone known as London +stone.(846) It is clear that the rebels had friends in the city, otherwise +they would never have effected an entrance so easily--"They had othyr men +with hem as welle of London as of there owne party."(847) The matter was +made the subject of investigation by the Common Council. Evidence was +given by Thomas Geffrey, a barber, to the effect that on Friday, the 3rd +July, the keys of the bridge had been given up, but by whom he knew not. +William Reynold also deposed that Richard Philip, a grocer, had told him +that unless the wardens of the bridge opened the gates, the Kentish +captain threatened to set fire to the bridge and the city, and that +thereupon Thomas Godfrey, a "sporyour," clad in russet, brought the keys +and opened the gates.(848) + +(M450) + +On Saturday, the 4th of July, the rebels, who had retired for the night, +returned to the city. Robert Horne, alderman of Bridge Ward, who had +rendered himself especially obnoxious to the rebels, was made prisoner and +sent to Newgate. Sir James Fiennes, the Lord Say, was brought from the +Tower to the Guildhall, where the rebels were holding mock trials on those +who were unfortunate enough to fall into their hands, and, after a hasty +examination, was conveyed to the Standard in Chepe and there executed. His +head, together with those of two others who had that day suffered a +similar fate, was set up on London Bridge. + +(M451) + +By the next evening (Sunday) the citizens had managed to recover their +presence of mind, and sallied out at ten o'clock at night, under the +leadership of Lord Scales and another, across the bridge. Before they had +arrived on the Southwark side of the river they were met by the rebels, +and a severe fight took place between the parties on the bridge itself, +lasting until eight o'clock the next morning. At last the rebels were +defeated, and the city freed from their presence. Offers of pardon were +made and accepted, and the rebels dispersed. Cade, however, continued to +plunder and ravage the country, until a price having been put upon his +head, he was apprehended by the Sheriff of Kent,(849) and died the same +night from injuries received at his capture. His head was subsequently set +up on London Bridge. + +(M452) + +The king had now been married some years, and no heir had appeared. Great +uncertainty prevailed as to the right of succession to the throne, and +gave rise to much rivalry and mutual mistrust between Richard, Duke of +York, who now for the first time becomes a conspicuous figure on the +stage, and Edmund Beaufort, recently created Duke of Somerset. Both of +them could claim to be the king's nearest kinsmen, both of them being +descendants of Edward III, the one tracing his descent, on his father's +side, through Edmund Langley, and on his mother's side, through Lionel, +Duke of Clarence, whilst the other was the surviving representative of +John of Gaunt. + +(M453) + +The king's incapacity to govern without a strong minister at his back, as +evinced by his conduct during the recent outbreak, induced both of these +nobles to throw up their appointments, the one in Ireland and the other in +France, and to hasten home. The Duke of York was the first to reach +England, and, in spite of measures which had been taken to intercept him, +made his way to London. He was anxious in the first place to clear himself +of suspicion of having been implicated in Cade's rebellion,(850) and to +this end sought and obtained an interview with the king. Having satisfied +Henry on this point, he next proceeded to demand the reform of certain +abuses in the government. A short session of parliament, which met on the +6th November, opened with an altercation between the rival dukes. On the +1st December Somerset was placed under arrest; and on the following day +his lodgings at the Black Friars were broken into and pillaged. An example +was made of one of the men convicted of being concerned in the breaking +into the Black Friars, and he was beheaded at the Standard in Chepe. The +Duke of York made a personal visit to the city, and caused proclamation to +be made of the heavy pains and penalties which should follow any attempt +at robbery. As a further demonstration against lawlessness, the king +himself rode through the city a few days later, accompanied by his lords +in full panoply, the route being kept by a line of armed citizens on +either side of the way. Alderman Gregory, whose chronicle affords us a +vivid picture of contemporary events, and who was called upon to serve the +office of mayor of the city the following year, confesses that the +procession on this occasion would have been a gay and glorious sight, "if +hit hadde ben in Fraunce, but not in Ingelonde," for it boded little +good.(851) + +The Duke of Somerset did not long remain in prison, for immediately after +Christmas he was appointed captain of Calais. In 1451 the disasters which +followed the English arms in France, when Calais was again threatened, +were made an occasion for another attempt by York to crush his rival. He +openly avowed his determination to proceed against Somerset, and, joined +by the Earl of Devonshire and Lord Cobham, marched to London (Jan., 1452). +Henry at once prepared to march against his cousin. The duke had hoped +that through the influence of his party within the city, the gates would +have been flung open on his approach. In this he was disappointed. The +majority of the citizens were still loyal to Henry, and by his orders +entrance was denied the duke, who thereupon withdrew to Dartford, whilst +the king's forces encamped at Blackheath. + +(M454) + +For a time civil war was avoided, the king promising that Somerset should +be again committed to custody until he should answer such charges as York +should bring against him. The king, however, failed to keep his word. +Somerset was allowed to remain in power, and York was only allowed his +liberty after he had consented to swear public allegiance to the king in +St. Paul's Church. Any stronger measures taken against him would probably +have provoked disturbance in the city.(852) + +(M455) + +Henry's mind had never been strong, and in the following year (1453) it +entirely gave way. In October the queen bore him a son, after eight years +of married life, but though the infant was brought to his father, Henry +gave no signs of recognising his presence. The illness of the king, and +the birth of an heir to the crown, were events which materially affected +the fortunes of the Duke of York. In November the civic authorities +prepared for emergencies; every citizen was to provide himself with +armour, but he was strictly enjoined to be guarded in his conversation, +and not to provoke tumult by showing favour to this or that lord. Even a +proposal that the mayor and aldermen should pay a visit of respect to the +Duke of York was rejected as impolitic at the present juncture.(853) + +(M456) + +Notwithstanding liberal grants made by parliament for the defence of +Calais, that town was still in danger. On the 29th November, 1453, a +letter was read before the Common Council of the City, emanating from the +Lord Welles and the Lord Ryvers, asking for assistance towards putting +Calais into a state of defence. Further consideration of the matter was +adjourned until the following 4th December. By the 7th day of the same +month the Council had consulted the commons, who had declared that owing +to their numerous burdens and expenses they could contribute nothing to +that end.(854) This did not prevent a further application being made early +in 1454, for contributions towards the defence of Calais if that town were +besieged.(855) Again the commons were consulted, and again they pleaded +the excessive burdens they were already called upon to bear, and the +losses they had sustained by seizure of their ships and merchandise by the +Duke of Burgundy, rendering them unable for the present to undertake any +further charges unless steps were taken for the recovery of their +goods.(856) An answer to this effect was accordingly delivered by the +Common Sergeant on behalf of the citizens, who declared themselves willing +at the same time to bear their share with the rest of the realm.(857) An +appeal made in August of the same year (1454), for the sum of L1,200 for +the same purpose, met with similar failure.(858) + +The plea of poverty was no idle one, if we may judge from the fact that +when, in November of this year, an assessment of half a fifteenth was made +on the city wards, eleven out of twenty-five wards were in default.(859) +Between the years 1431 and 1451 the citizens had advanced large sums of +money to the king, of which more than L3,000 remained in the latter year +due to the city.(860) + +(M457) + +A crisis, in the meanwhile, was fast approaching. The birth of an heir to +the throne urged the Duke of York to take prompt action. Although the +majority of the nobles were opposed to him, he had on his side the +powerful family of the Nevills, having married Cicely Nevill, sister of +Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, the head of the family, and father of +the still more powerful Earl of Warwick. Towards the end of January (1454) +the Duke of York, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, and others of the +duke's supporters, entered the city, each followed by a large force of +retainers fully armed. With them came also York's eldest son, the Earl of +March, afterwards King Edward IV.(861) + +The Common Council were anxious lest the presence of these nobles in the +city should lead to a disturbance. A strict neutrality was ordered to be +observed both by the mayor and aldermen, as well as by the inhabitants of +the city at large. The _waytes_, or watchmen, were ordered to perambulate +the streets every night with their minstrels to keep the citizens in good +humour (_pro recreacione hominum_), and prevent robbery. Nevertheless, +there is evidence to show that disturbances did occasionally arise between +the inhabitants and those in the suite of the nobles.(862) + +(M458) + +The king's continued illness necessitated sooner or later the appointment +of a regent. For a brief space there seemed a possibility of the regency +being claimed by the queen. The City, in the meanwhile, paid court to both +parties, the mayor and aldermen one day paying a solemn visit to the +queen, attired in their gowns of scarlet, and a few days later paying a +similar compliment to the Duke of York.(863) At length the duke was +nominated protector (3 April). Some correspondence ensued between the +City, the Duke of York, the queen, and the Earl of Salisbury, on what +subject we know not,(864) but on the 13th May the mayor and aldermen +waited upon the duke to thank him for his favour and goodwill.(865) + +(M459) + +So long as the king remained an imbecile York was supreme, his rival, +Somerset, having been committed to prison at his instigation in December, +1453. Henry, however, soon recovered from his illness, although his +convalescence proved of equally short duration, and York's protectorate +came to an end. With Henry's restoration came the release of Somerset, and +York determined to try conclusions with his rival in the field. At the +first battle of St. Albans, fought on the 22nd May, 1455, victory declared +for York and Somerset was killed. After the battle York accompanied the +king to London and lodged him in the bishop's palace in St. Paul's +churchyard. The excitement caused Henry a relapse, and York was for the +second time named protector; but in the spring of 1456 he had again to +retire upon the king's recovery. + +(M460) + +Just when the country was settling down to enjoy a period of comparative +quiet, there occurred (May, 1456) in the city one of those sudden +outbreaks against the "merchant stranger" residing within the city's walls +which too often appear in the annals of London. On this occasion the young +mercers of the city rose against the Lombards; why or wherefore we are not +told. We only know that these foreigners received such bad treatment that +they meditated leaving the city in a body and setting up business +elsewhere. The fault was not altogether with the citizens, it appears; for +two Lombards were ordered to be hanged.(866) + +The king, who was at the time at Coventry--whither the queen had caused him +to be removed, owing to her suspicion that the Londoners were in favour of +the Yorkist party--sent for alderman Cantelowe,(867) a mercer, and promptly +committed him to Dudley Castle for safe keeping, as having been implicated +in the attack on the houses of the Italian merchants. + +This outbreak was followed by another "hurlynge" between the mercers of +the city and those Lombards who had consented to remain in the city on the +understanding that they should be allowed to ply their business without +molestation until the council or parliament should determine otherwise. In +consequence of this second outbreak no less than 28 mercers were arrested +and committed to Windsor Castle.(868) + +(M461) + +On the 3rd September, 1456, the king wrote from Lichfield to the Mayor, +reminding him of the dangers which had recently threatened the city--"the +king's chamber"--the government whereof ought to serve as an example to the +rest of the kingdom, and enjoining him that thenceforth he should allow no +one to enter the city but such as came peaceably, and with moderate +retinue, according to his estate and degree, and should take precautions +against gatherings of evil disposed persons which might lead to a breach +of the peace.(869) + +(M462) + +Notwithstanding the precautions taken to protect the coast, the French +made a descent in 1457, and plundered Sandwich and Fowey, capturing over +30 ships, great and small, and doing much damage. The citizens of London, +to whom the protection of their commerce in the "narrow sea," as the +channel was then frequently called, was everything, thereupon took counsel +among themselves, and made a proposal to the king and to Bishop Waynflete, +the chancellor, to find 2,000 men and provisions for certain ships then +lying in the Thames, at their own expense, to join an expedition to punish +the enemy for their boldness. The king thanked them for their patriotic +spirit and gave orders for a naval force to join the city contingent from +Hull.(870) + +(M463) + +In 1458 Henry tried his hand at effecting a reconciliation between the two +rival sections of the nobility, and to this end ordered a great council to +meet in St. Paul's on the 27th January. Warwick left his post at Calais, +and came over to London to attend the meeting; but he did not arrive until +more than a month after the appointed day, and when he came it was with a +body of 600 men at his back, "all apparyled in reed jakkettes, with whyte +ragged stavis."(871) He took up his quarters within the city, where he +found the Duke of York and the Earl of Salisbury. The young Duke of +Somerset and other lords, who, like him, had lost their fathers at the +battle of St. Albans, were refused an entrance to the city for fear of a +breach of the peace, and had to find accommodation outside the city's +walls.(872) During the conference the mayor patrolled the streets by day, +whilst at night a force of 3,000 men was kept in readiness to assist the +aldermen in preserving the king's peace.(873) The times were critical, but +at length all ended well. A grand pacification took place in March, and +was solemnized by an imposing procession to St. Paul's, in which York led +the queen by the hand. The reconciliation thus effected was more apparent +than real, and neither party relaxed their efforts to prepare for renewed +hostility. + +(M464) (M465) (M466) + +In August the civic companies were warned against furnishing the +confederate lords with any war material, but were to keep their arms and +harness at the disposal of the king alone.(874) It wanted very little to +kindle the smouldering embers of dissatisfaction into a flame, and this +little was soon forthcoming. In November(875) a riot occurred at +Westminster, in which the Earl of Warwick was implicated. A yeoman in his +suite picked a quarrel with one of the king's servants and wounded him. +Thereupon others of the king's household, finding their fellow-servant +wounded and his enemy escaped, way-laid the earl and his attendants as +they left the council to take barge on the river. By dint of hard hitting, +the earl managed to embark and to make his way to the city. But the affray +was not without bloodshed, and Warwick found it convenient to withdraw +soon afterwards to his post at Calais, which thenceforth became the +head-quarters of the disaffected lords. + +(M467) + +In the following April (1459) another affray broke out. This time it was +between inhabitants of the city and certain members of the Inns of Court, +and the riot was so dangerous as to result in loss of life. The king +hearing of this sent for William Tayllour, the alderman of the ward, and +kept him in confinement at Windsor until the election of the new mayor, +William Hewlyn, in October, by whose intercession he regained his +freedom.(876) + +(M468) + +By this time the country was again divided into two hostile camps. A +crisis came in September, when the Earl of Salisbury, the king's most +inveterate enemy, marched upon Ludlow with a large force. Lord Audley, +sent by the queen to arrest him, was defeated by the earl at Blore Heath +(23 Sept., 1459). Later on, however, the earl and the Yorkist army were +themselves compelled to seek security. The Duke of York took refuge in +Ireland, and the Earl of Warwick, who had crossed from France to join his +father, returned to Calais, taking the Earl of Salisbury with him. + +(M469) + +On the 9th October the king issued his writ for a parliament to be held at +Coventry on the 20th November. The usual writ was sent to the City of +London, but the names of the aldermen and commoners elected to represent +the citizens do not appear in the City's records.(877) The business of the +session was the attainder of the Duke of York and his followers, and +judgment was passed upon the duke, the Nevills, father and son, the young +Earls of March and Rutland, and others. Two days after the date of this +writ, the Common Council decided to send a deputation to wait upon the +king and assure him of the City's allegiance and of the steps taken for +its safe custody.(878) + +(M470) + +The citizens had previously (Oct., 1459) displayed their willingness to +assist the king by a gift of 1,000 marks.(879) This gift must have been +the more welcome, inasmuch as Henry's debts had been rapidly on the +increase, whilst his creditors remained unpaid. The queen, on the other +hand, into whose hands the government of the kingdom had been drawn, was +"gaderyng riches innumerable." The imposition of taxes, talliages and +fifteenths, whilst harassing the king's subjects, seemed to make him not a +whit the richer, the issues and profits being frittered away. They would +have forgiven him had he maintained a household in regal style or spent +their money on maintaining the country's honour in the field. As matters +were, Henry, by misgovernment, was rapidly losing the hearts of his +people, and "theyre blessyng was turned in to cursyng."(880) + +(M471) (M472) (M473) + +On the 14th January, 1460, the king issued a commission to the mayor, +aldermen and sheriffs for collecting men-at-arms and archers to resist the +_late_ Duke of York and the _late_ Earls of March, Warwick, Salisbury and +Rutland.(881) Similar commissions were addressed to every township,(882) +and did much harm to the royal cause, now tottering to its fall, as being +unconstitutional. They formed the subject of one of the set of articles of +complaint drawn up by the Earls of March, Warwick and Salisbury, and +addressed by them, on behalf of themselves and the Duke of York, to the +archbishop and the commons of England.(883) Such commissions the lords +declared to be an imposition which, if continued, would be "the heaviest +charge and worst example that ever grew in England." The city authorities +appear to have rested their opposition to the king's commission, not so +much on the grounds that they were unwilling to raise a force for his +assistance, as that a demand for military aid in such a form might +derogate from the city's franchise and liberties. A deputation, consisting +of two aldermen, Thomas Urswyk, the Recorder, and one of the +under-sheriffs, was sent to Northampton to wait upon the king and council +and to explain the views of the citizens in that respect. The interview +was of a satisfactory character; and the deputation returned bearing a +gracious letter from the king declaring that the City's franchise and +liberties should in no way be prejudiced by the commission.(884) + +(M474) + +The citizens deemed it time to look to their own safety, and place their +city into a better posture of defence. The master and wardens of the +livery companies were exhorted (14 Feb., 1460), on account of the +disturbed state of the kingdom, to raise contributions towards the +purchase of accoutrements for the safeguard of the city.(885) The king +himself was shortly coming into the city, and measures were taken (28 +Feb.) for placing a proper guard over the several gates.(886) On the 11th +May the masters and wardens were summoned, on behalf of the king, to +appear before the mayor and aldermen at the Guildhall, to hear a royal +proclamation read touching the preservation of the king's peace.(887) + +(M475) + +The Yorkist Earls of Salisbury, Warwick and March, encouraged by the +reports of the state of affairs in England, at length made up their minds +to return and strike a blow for the recovery of their estates, which had +become forfeited to the king. They set sail from Calais (26 June), and +landing at Sandwich made their way without opposition through Kent to +London. + +(M476) + +On the 27th June, by which time news of their arrival must have reached +the city, a Common Council was held, when the commoners who were present +solemnly promised to stand by the mayor and aldermen in safe-guarding the +city, and resist with all their might the rebels against the lord the king +who were about to enter the city contrary to the king's orders. The civic +companies somewhat tardily gave their adhesion to the royal cause, and +agreed to defend the city. The gates were ordered to be manned, and no one +was to be allowed to enter without first saying who and what he was. +Strict enquiry was to be made as to the character of strangers residing +within each of their wards.(888) On the following day the Common Council +met again and gave orders that the drawbridge of London Bridge should be +always kept down, so that victuallers and others might have ready access +to the City, but the gateway on the drawbridge was to be kept closed, +whilst _le wikett_ was to be constantly open. A strict watch was to be +kept on the new tower(889) above the bridge by men-at-arms stationed +there, who should also be ready to let down _le port Colyce_ when occasion +required.(890) + +(M477) + +A deputation, moreover, was appointed to set out to meet the Earls of +March and Warwick on their way to Northampton, for the purpose of inducing +them, if possible, to turn aside and not approach the city. The members +were instructed to inform the lords of the king's commands to the citizens +to hold the city for him, and to oppose the lords' entry under heavy +penalty. This instruction to the deputation was given, we are told, with +the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of Norwich, Ely +and Exeter, and of the Prior of St. John's, Clerkenwell. The mayor, +aldermen and commonalty agreed to stand by any terms which the deputation +might be compelled to make. They had not taken this step without first +consulting the Lords Scales and Hungerford, and Sir Edmund Hampden, who +held the Tower of London for King Henry. The bridge gate was ordered to be +closed between nine and ten o'clock on the night of the 28th, and to +remain closed till the morning. Even the portcullis was to be kept down if +necessary, whilst the mayor and sheriffs, with a certain number of armed +men, patrolled the city, and the aldermen kept watch in their several +wards.(891) Notwithstanding the next day being Sunday, the critical state +of affairs necessitated a meeting of the Common Council. It was then +agreed that if any messenger should arrive from Warwick, no communication +should be held with him. Special watches were appointed for the bridge and +for Billingsgate by night and day, and so anxious were the authorities to +avail themselves of the service of every abled citizen on that Sunday, +that no one was allowed to attend Divine Service at St. Paul's.(892) + +(M478) + +Up to this point the citizens had shown themselves loyal to Henry. They +now began to waver. Early in the morning of the 30th June the mayor and +aldermen appear to have changed their minds. The earls had sent them a +letter and they resolved to receive it. The contents of this letter are +not recorded. On the following day (1 July) another communication from the +earls was received. Here again we are left in the dark as to its +purport--the City's journals at this period being very imperfect,--we only +know that they declined to accede to the request to keep at a distance +from London, for the very next day (2 July) they were admitted into the +city.(893) + +(M479) + +The city was thus lost to the king; but the Tower still held out, and no +amount of eloquence on the part of certain doctors of divinity, whom the +Common Council had appointed to try and arrange matters so as to avoid +bloodshed, would induce Lord Scales and his companions to surrender it, +although the garrison was hard pressed for victuals.(894) Nothing was left +but to starve them out, and this the Earl of Salisbury proceeded to do, +with the aid of the citizens and the boatmen on the river, by whom the +Tower was strictly invested by land and water. The Common Council appear +to have felt some qualms of conscience in joining in this proceeding, for +they caused it to be recorded--as if by way of excuse for their action--that +"there seemed to be no other way of preserving the city."(895) A +resolution, moreover, that each alderman should subscribe the sum of L5 +towards raising a force to intercept victuals on their way to the Tower +was rescinded.(896) + +(M480) (M481) + +By the 10th July matters had become so serious with the beleaguered +garrison, that a letter was sent to the Common Council, signed by the Earl +of Kendal, Lord Scales, Lord Hungerford, Lord Lovell and Sir Edmund +Hampden, asking why war was thus being made upon them. To this the Council +replied that the lords had brought it upon themselves by firing on the +citizens in the first instance, and taking provisions from them without +payment.(897) At last the garrison could hold out no longer, and the Tower +was surrendered (19th July). Lord Scales endeavoured to take sanctuary at +Westminster, but was seized by river boatmen and barbarously +murdered.(898) + +(M482) + +Meanwhile the Duke of York had managed to raise a sum of money in the +city;(899) the battle of Northampton had been won and lost (10th July), +and Henry had been brought a prisoner to London (16th July). On the same +day that the king arrived in London, the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of +the City entered into an agreement, under the Common Seal, to abide by any +arrangement made between the Earl of Salisbury and the beleaguered lords +in the Tower for the surrender of that stronghold.(900) + +(M483) + +On the 21st July the king, or the Earl of Warwick, in his name, attempted +to restore quiet in the city by promising that those who had offended +against the king's highness and the common weal of the realm, and had been +committed to the Tower, should forthwith receive ample justice. In the +meantime all conventicles, assemblies or congregations in breach of the +peace were strictly forbidden, and every man was exhorted to repair to his +own house, and wait upon his lord or master in whose service he might +happen to be.(901) + +(M484) (M485) (M486) + +In October the Duke of York attended parliament and boldly asserted his +right to the throne. After hearing arguments for and against his claim, +parliament arrived at a compromise by which the reversion of the crown was +settled on the duke, and to this the king himself was forced to give his +assent.(902) It was otherwise with the proud and defiant Queen Margaret. +She was determined to acquiesce in no such arrangement. Whilst she was +collecting a force in the north, wherewith to strike one blow for the +crown of which her son appeared likely to be robbed, the mayor and +aldermen held an extraordinary meeting of the wardens of the livery +companies. The king wished to be assured of the temper of the citizens. +Would they as a body support him and his council, protect his royal +person, and defend the city against those who were raising disturbances in +divers parts of the realm? To each and all of these questions the wardens +are recorded as having given satisfactory replies, and it was then and +there agreed that each alderman should make enquiry as to the number of +strangers residing in his ward, and the reasons for their being in the +city. Watch was to be kept by night in every ward, a lantern hung outside +every dwelling-house, and the city's gates were to be closed every night +and guarded by men-at-arms.(903) Although these measures were avowedly +taken on behalf of King Henry, they were, in reality, so many precautions +for securing the government in the hands of his rival the Duke of York. + +(M487) + +The struggle which hitherto had been between two unequal sections of the +nobility, each avowing its loyalty to the king, now became a struggle +between the two rival Houses of Lancaster and York. Richard, Duke of York, +did not live to enjoy the crown, his right to the reversion of which had +recently been acknowledged by parliament. Just as the year was drawing to +a close he met his death at Wakefield in the first clash with the House of +Lancaster, and his head in mockery was set up on one of the city's gates +from which he derived his ducal title. + + "Off with his head, and set it on York's gates; + So York may overlook the town of York." + +(M488) + +When Henry was once restored to liberty and to his queen, after the second +battle of St. Albans (17 Feb., 1461), York's son, Edward, Earl of March, +who became by his father's death heir to the crown, was immediately +proclaimed traitor in the city.(904) The queen wished for victuals to be +sent from the city to her forces at St. Albans, but the carts were seized +before they left the city by a mob which refused to let them go in spite +of the mayor's entreaties and threats. Margaret's army consisted for the +most part of rude northern followers who threatened to sack the city if +once allowed within its walls, and the majority of the inhabitants were +unwilling to supply the queen with provisions until she had removed her +half-disciplined force to a distance from London. With a civilized army at +her back it might have been possible for Margaret to have gained a footing +in the city.(905) As matters stood, she deemed it best to accede to the +request thus made to her, and to draw off her army. + +(M489) + +It was a fatal mistake, for it gave time for Edward and Warwick to join +forces and march on London. The civic authorities, finding how hopeless it +was to place further dependence upon Henry, and desiring above all things +a stronger government than they could look for under the king, now +surrendered the city to his opponents. They had not forsaken the king--he +had forsaken them. They would no more of him. + + "He that had Londyn for sake, + Wolde no more to hem take."(906) + +(M490) + +On the 1st March the chancellor called a general assembly of the citizens +at Clerkenwell, and explained to them the title by which Edward, Duke of +York, laid claim to the crown.(907) His title was thereupon acknowledged +with universal applause, and on the 4th he proceeded to Westminster +Palace, accompanied by many of the nobility and commons of the realm,(908) +and was there proclaimed king by the name of Edward IV. + + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + + + +(M491) + +The new king made himself very popular with the citizens. He was not less +a favourite with them because he joined their ranks and became a trader +like themselves, or because he took a wife from among his own subjects and +made her a sharer of his crown. At the coronations, both of Edward and his +queen, which took place after an interval of three years, the City was +fully represented, and its claim to services at the king's coronation +banquet duly acknowledged.(909) At the latter ceremony no less than four +citizens, among them being Ralph Josselyn, the mayor, were created Knights +of the Bath.(910) The citizens had previously shown their respect to +Elizabeth Woodville by riding forth to meet her and escorting her to the +Tower on her first arrival to London, and by presenting her with a gift of +1,000 marks or L750.(911) + +(M492) + +If the young and handsome prince who now ascended the throne occasionally +carried his familiarity with the wives of city burgesses beyond the limits +of strict propriety, much could be forgotten and forgiven for the +readiness he showed to confirm and enlarge the City's privileges and to +foster the trade of the country. Before he had been on the throne many +months he granted the citizens, by charter, the right of package and +scavage, as well as the office of gauger of wines.(912) + +(M493) + +In the following March (1462) he confirmed the charter granted to the City +by Henry IV, whereby the citizens obtained the right of taking toll and +custom at Billingsgate, Smithfield and elsewhere, as well as the right of +_tronage_ or weighing wool at the Tron.(913) + +(M494) + +In August, 1462 Calais was again in danger, and the king wanted money. The +Earl of Worcester and others of the council were sent into the city to ask +for a loan of L3,400. After considering the matter, the civic authorities +agreed to lend him L1,000. The money was to be raised by assessment on the +wards, but Dowgate ward being at the time very poor, was not to be +pressed.(914) In the following October the City again came to the king's +assistance with a further loan of 2,000 marks,(915) and on the 9th +November the City obtained (in return, shall we say?) a charter confirming +its jurisdiction over the Borough of Southwark,(916) originally granted by +Edward III. Again, the coincidence of a charter granted by the king to the +City, with a loan or gift from the City to the king, is remarkable. + +(M495) + +When Edward returned in February, 1463, from the North, where he had +succeeded with the assistance afforded him by the Londoners in +re-capturing most of the castles which the restless Margaret had taken, +the City resolved to give him a befitting reception. Preparations were +made for the mayor, aldermen and commons to ride forth to meet him in +their finest liveries, but the king having expressed his intention of +coming from Shene to the city by water, the citizens went to meet him in +their barges, with all the pomp and ceremony of a Lord Mayor's day.(917) + +(M496) + +Edward now gave himself up to a life of luxury and pleasure. In 1464 he +married the young widow of Sir John Grey, better known by her maiden name +of Elizabeth Woodville. His marriage to her gave offence to the nobility, +more especially to the Earl of Warwick, who was planning at the time a +match with France or Burgundy, and to whom the news of the marriage with +one so beneath the king in point of dignity came as an unpleasant +surprise. The earl was still more offended when he learnt that the young +king had secretly effected a marriage treaty between his sister Margaret +(whom Warwick had destined for one of the French princes) and the Duke of +Burgundy. These matrimonial alliances, combined with the inordinate favour +Edward displayed towards his wife's family, led to an estrangement between +the king and his powerful subject. + +(M497) + +The proposed alliance with Burgundy was far from being distasteful to the +merchants of the city, inasmuch as it was likely to open up trade with +those states of the Low Countries which the Burgundian dukes had +consolidated as a barrier against France. When the Princess Margaret was +about to start (June, 1468) for her future husband's dominions, the mayor +and aldermen of London testified their appreciation of the alliance by +presenting her with a pair of silver gilt dishes, weighing 19 lbs. 8 oz., +besides the sum of L100 in gold, by way of a wedding gift.(918) + +(M498) + +Disgusted with the king's unhandsome conduct towards him, Warwick found an +ally in Clarence, the king's brother, gave him one of his daughters in +marriage, and even encouraged him to hope for the succession to the crown. +Edward's extravagant and luxurious life had lost him much of his +popularity. He had ceased, moreover, to possess the goodwill of the +citizens for having allowed the arrest of Sir Thomas Cooke or Coke,(919) +an alderman of the city, on a false charge of treason. Notwithstanding his +acquittal, Cooke had been committed to prison and only regained his +liberty on payment of an extortionate fine to the king and queen.(920) +Warwick and Clarence made use of the general discontent that prevailed to +further their own designs, and the civil war was renewed. The City +endeavoured to steer a middle course. In June (1469) it lent the king the +sum of L200, but in the following month it lent Warwick and Clarence just +five times that amount on the sole security of some jewels of little +value.(921) In May, 1470, when there seemed little hope of the jewels +being redeemed, as Warwick and Clarence had been obliged to flee to +France, the Common Council entertained the thought of selling them for +what they were worth. The sale did not take place, however, but they were +kept some in the "Treasury," and some in the custody of William Taillour, +late mayor, on the express understanding that he was not to be held +responsible in the event of their being stolen or taken by force.(922) In +February, 1471, when the wheel of fortune had once more placed Henry VI on +the throne from which he had been driven by Edward, and Warwick and +Clarence were again in power, the mayor and aldermen caused it to be +placed on record that the loan on the jewels had been made by agreement of +the whole court, with the assistance of certain commoners who had been +called in to contribute. What their object was in so doing is not clear. +Perhaps they felt some qualms as to what Edward might say or do in respect +of the loan, should he again return to power. They, at the same time, +extended the time for the repayment of the loan, at the desire of the +dukes of Clarence and Warwick. If the jewels were not redeemed by +Whitsuntide at the latest, they were to be sold.(923) + +(M499) + +Whilst Warwick and Clarence were in France in 1470, they concerted +measures with Queen Margaret for effecting another revolution. By +September matters were ready for execution. On the 13th Warwick landed in +England; and before the end of the month the Kentish men so threatened the +City and Westminster, that the newly-elected sheriffs had to be escorted +by an armed force in order to be sworn in at the Exchequer, whilst a +constant patrol was kept in the streets.(924) On the 1st October it was +made known in the city that the king had taken flight. His queen took +sanctuary at Westminster, leaving the Tower in the hands of the mayor and +aldermen and members of the council of Warwick and Clarence. The +unfortunate Henry was quickly removed from the wretched cell in which he +had so long been confined to a commodious and handsomely furnished +apartment which the queen herself, being _enceinte_ at the time, purposed +occupying when she should be brought to bed. A garrison was placed in the +Tower by order of the Common Council, sitting, for safety's sake, in the +church of St. Stephen, Walbrook. On the 5th October Archbishop Nevill, +Warwick's brother, entered the city with a strong force and relieved the +civic authorities of the custody of the Tower, and on the following day +Warwick himself appeared, accompanied by Clarence and a large following, +and removed Henry from the Tower to the Bishop of London's palace.(925) +Two days later (9 Oct.) he obtained from the Common Council the sum of +L1,000 for the defence of his stronghold, Calais, besides a loan of L100 +from the aldermen of the city for his own private use.(926) On the 18th +the Earl of Worcester, Edward's constable and minister of his +cruelties,(927) was beheaded on Tower Hill, the ground being kept by the +Sheriffs of London and a contingent from the several wards.(928) + +(M500) + +In November Henry was made to hold a parliament, and Sir Thomas Cooke, the +deposed alderman, lost no time in presenting a bill for the restoration of +his lands, which had been seized by the queen's father, Lord Rivers. He +would probably have been successful had fortune continued to favour King +Henry, for, besides being a member of parliament, he was, writes Fabyan (a +brother alderman), "a man of great boldnesse in speche, and well spoken +and syngulerly wytted and well reasoned."(929) John Stokton had recently +been elected mayor, but there is reason for believing that he, like other +aldermen, preferred Edward on the throne, licentious and extravagant as he +was, to an imbecile like Henry. He fell ill, or, as Fabyan puts it, +feigned sickness and took to his bed, and Cooke assumed the duties of the +mayoralty. At Edward's restoration Cooke had to seek refuge in France, but +he was taken at sea before he could reach the continent. The same fate +might have awaited Stokton had he shown himself less cautious at that +critical time. + +(M501) + +That the aldermen and the better class of citizens favoured Edward, is +shown by the ease with which he effected an entry into the city when he +returned to England in the spring of the following year (1471). The gates, +we are told, were opened to him by Urswyk, the Recorder, and certain +aldermen (their names are not mentioned), who took advantage of the +inhabitants being at dinner to let in Edward.(930) Two days later, having +recruited his forces, Edward marched out of the city, with Henry in his +train, to meet Warwick. He encountered him on Easter Day (14 April) at +Barnet, and totally defeated him, both the earl and his brother being left +dead on the field. By this time Margaret had landed with a fresh army; but +a crushing defeat inflicted upon her at Tewkesbury (4 May) left Edward +once more master of the kingdom. + +(M502) (M503) + +For a short time the city lay in some peril whilst Edward was engaged with +Warwick and Margaret. The men of Kent again became troublesome. They +affected not to believe that Warwick had actually fallen at Barnet. Under +the leadership of Thomas Fauconberg or Falconbridge, generally spoken of +as the "bastard," being a natural son of William Nevill, first Lord +Fauconberg, Earl of Kent, they marched to London, with the intention of +releasing Henry from confinement and placing him again on the throne. +Fauconberg, who had been made a freeman of the City in 1454,(931) assumed +the title of captain of King Henry's people in Kent, and on the 8th May +wrote from Sittingbourne to inform the inhabitants of the city that he had +undertaken the cause of Henry against the "usurper" Edward, and to ask to +be allowed to pass through the city with his followers, whom he promised +to hold in restraint and prevent doing any mischief. He had written to the +mayor and aldermen to the same effect, and had desired to have a reply +sent to him at Blackheath by a certain day and hour. To this letter the +mayor and aldermen sent an answer on the following day, to the effect that +when Edward left the city, after the battle of Barnet, to follow the +movements of Margaret and endeavour to bring about an action before she +could completely rally her forces, he had charged them on their allegiance +to hold the city of London for him, and for none other. For that reason +they dared not, neither would they, suffer him to pass through the city. +They hesitated to accept his assurance as to the peaceable behaviour of +his followers, judging from past experience. As for the statement he had +caused to be published, that he held a commission as captain of the Navy +of England and men of war by sea and land under the Earl of Warwick, whom +he still supposed to be alive, they assured him that the earl was dead, +and that his corpse, as well as the corpse of Montague, the earl's +brother, had been exposed to view for two days in St. Paul's. They gave +him the names of some of the chief men who had fallen at Tewkesbury, +obtained, they assured him, not from hearsay but from +eye-witnesses--special war correspondents, whom the City had despatched for +the express purpose of reporting on the state of the field, and they +concluded by exhorting him to do as they themselves had done, and to +acknowledge Edward IV as the rightful king. They would even plead for +royal favour on his behalf, but as to letting him and his host pass +through the city, that was out of the question.(932) Having despatched +this answer to Fauconberg, the civic fathers at once set to work to +fortify the river's bank from Castle Baynard to the Tower, where lay the +rebels' fleet. On Sunday, the 12th May, the Kentish men tried to force +London Bridge and set fire to some beer-houses near Saint Katherine's +Hospital. The attack was renewed on the following Tuesday, whilst portions +of the rebel force, amounting it was said to 5,000 persons, were told off +to try and force the gates of Aldgate and Bishopsgate. There, however, +they were repulsed, and nearly 300 of them met their death, either in +actual fight or in their endeavours to get on board their boats at +Blackwall. Urswyk, the city's Recorder, as well as Robert Basset, alderman +of Aldgate Ward, showed conspicuous valour in the fight which took place +in that quarter.(933) The city was never again troubled by Fauconberg. +After much wandering he was taken prisoner at Southampton, and thence +conveyed to Middleham, in Yorkshire, where he was beheaded. His head was +afterwards sent to London and set up on London Bridge, "looking into +Kentward."(934) + +(M504) + +On the night after Edward's return(935) in triumph to London, Henry VI +ended his life in the Tower, murdered, in all probability, at the instance +of the Duke of Gloucester, the king's brother, afterwards King Richard +III. His remains lay in state at St. Paul's and at the Blackfriars a short +while, and were then carried to Chertsey to be buried.(936) Edward +distributed honours among his supporters in the city with a lavish hand. +Not only did the Lord Mayor--the cautious Stokton--receive the honour of +knighthood, but the aldermen(937) besides, whilst the city's doughty +Recorder was soon afterwards raised to be Baron of the Exchequer. The City +was so pleased with its Recorder that it voted him a pipe of wine +annually, but the gift was not to be drawn into precedent.(938) + +(M505) + +The rest of Edward's reign was undisturbed by any attempt to unseat the +new dynasty, and his position was rendered the more secure by the birth of +a son (afterwards Edward V) in the sanctuary of Westminster, whither his +wife Elizabeth had fled for refuge. Before the young Prince of Wales was +five years old he received the honour of knighthood at Westminster. The +mayor and aldermen went to meet him on his way from the city to +Westminster on that occasion, clad in scarlet robes, whilst the streets +from Bishopsgate to Saint Paul's were thronged with the commons in their +livery.(939) + +(M506) + +Edward was now free to carry out his foreign policy. Parliament voted +supplies to enable him to make war with France, but these were not +sufficient, and he had recourse to a system of "benevolences" or free +gifts, which few, however, dared to refuse. On the 30th May, 1475, he left +the Bishop of London's palace in St. Paul's Church-yard, and, passing +through Cheapside to London Bridge, took boat to Greenwich for the purpose +of crossing over to France. The livery companies turned out to do him +honour.(940) The expedition ended without a blow, Edward allowing himself +to be bought off with a sum of 75,000 crowns paid down and a pension of +50,000 more. On his return he was met at Blackheath by the mayor and +aldermen in scarlet gowns, with their servants in gowns of +"musterdevilers," accompanied by more than 600 members of the companies in +gowns of bright murrey.(941) + +(M507) + +By resorting again to benevolences and exacting money from the City in +return for charters, Edward avoided the necessity of summoning parliament +between the years 1478 and 1483. On the 25th May, 1481, the king granted +the City a general pardon,(942) and in the following month the City +returned the compliment by a loan of 5,000 marks.(943) This loan was not +only repaid, but the king in the next year extended his hospitality to the +City by giving a large number of citizens a day's hunting in Waltham +forest, and afterwards regaling them and their wives with venison and +wine.(944) + +(M508) + +The close of the year 1482 witnessed such a dearth of cereals that the +exportation of wheat or other grain was absolutely forbidden. It was +feared that a famine might arise in the City of London, so vast had its +population become, both from the influx of nobles who had taken up their +quarters within its walls as well as of strangers from foreign lands. +Merchants were therefore encouraged to send their grain to London by a +promise that it should not be intercepted by the king's purveyors.(945) + +(M509) + +The names of the City's representatives who attended the parliament which +met in January, 1483, are not recorded, but we have the names of four +aldermen and five commoners, who were appointed in the previous month of +December to confer with the City members on matters affecting the +City.(946) In addition to parliamentary grants of a fifteenth and tenth, +and a renewal of the tax on aliens, the citizens agreed to lend the king +the sum of L2,000, each alderman to lay down 50 marks and 80 commoners to +subscribe L15 a piece.(947) Some difficulty was experienced in raising the +money, and the names of eleven persons who had refused to contribute were +forwarded to the king.(948) A little more than a month elapsed and Edward +was dead. + +(M510) + +The coronation of the young prince who now succeeded to his father's +throne, only to occupy it however for a few weeks, was fixed to take place +on the first Sunday in May; and on the 19th April the City was busy making +arrangements for the prince's reception. It was decided that the mayor and +aldermen should ride forth to meet the king, clad in gowns of scarlet, +their attendants being provided with gowns of the colour of lion's-foot +(_pied de lyon_), at the public cost. Five sergeants-at-mace belonging to +the mayor, and nineteen sergeants-at-mace in the service of the sheriffs, +were also to ride out to meet the king, clad in gowns of the +last-mentioned colour. The sword-bearer was to be provided with a gown of +murrey, and a deputation from the civic guilds, to the number of 410 +persons, clad in gowns of the same colour, was to join the cavalcade.(949) +On the 14th May they rode out to Hornsey, where they met the prince and +his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, and escorted them to the city. The duke +was the same day appointed Protector, to the great disappointment of the +queen, who again took sanctuary at Westminster. She was induced shortly +afterwards to give up possession of her younger son, the Duke of York, and +he and Prince Edward were lodged in the Tower by order of Gloucester, who +took up his quarters at Crosby Palace, the mansion house of Sir John +Crosby, in Bishopsgate Street. + +Although preparations had been made for the coronation, and the City had +appointed representatives from the livery companies to assist the chief +butler at the banquet(950) according to custom, that ceremony never took +place. Gloucester feared that if once the young king was crowned, the +project which he had already begun to entertain of transferring the crown +to his own head would be less capable of realization. Although he took an +oath of allegiance to the new king,(951) it was not long before he +determined to feel the pulse of the citizens as to their feelings towards +himself as a claimant of the crown. + +(M511) + +In order to do this he called to his assistance Dr. Shaw, an eminent +preacher, whose brother, Sir Edmund Shaa, or Shaw, happened to be mayor at +the time. Acting upon instructions from Gloucester, Shaw preached a sermon +at Paul's Cross on Sunday, the 22nd June (1483), in which he charged the +late king with bigamy, Edward IV having, as he declared, made a contract +of marriage with one of his mistresses before he married Elizabeth +Woodville, and this being the case the late king's children by her were +illegitimate, and Gloucester was the rightful heir to the throne. It was +arranged that at this point in his discourse Gloucester himself should +appear on the scene, coming up, as if by chance, from his lodgings at +Castle Baynard. By some mischance the duke failed to appear at the proper +moment, and the effect was lost. The citizens sat stolidly silent, not a +single cry being raised in favour of Gloucester. + +(M512) + +Nothing daunted by this dismal failure, Gloucester made another and more +successful attempt to win over the citizens. On the following Tuesday (24 +June) he sent the Duke of Buckingham to harangue the citizens at the +Guildhall. The duke began by reminding his hearers of the danger to which +their wives and daughters had been exposed under the late king; of the +undue influence exercised at court by Jane Shore,(952) one only of a +number of respectable women whom Edward, he said, had seduced; of the +excessive taxes and illegal extortions by way of "benevolences" they had +recently suffered, and of the cruel treatment of their own alderman, +Cooke. He then went on to repeat the remarks of Dr. Shaw touching the +illegitimacy of the princes, and spoke of the dangers of having a boy king +on the throne, concluding by saying that although it were doubtful if +Gloucester would accept the crown if asked, he would certainly be greatly +influenced by any request proceeding from the "worshipful citizens of the +metropolis of the kingdom."(953) Buckingham's eloquence was lost on the +citizens, who were as little influenced by what their new Recorder, Thomas +Fitz-William, had to say on the matter. At length the duke lost patience +and plainly told them that the matter lay entirely with the lords and +commons, and that the assent of the citizens, however desirable in itself, +was not a necessity. By this time the back of the hall was packed with +Gloucester's partisans, so that when Buckingham put the question pointedly +to the assembly--would they have the Protector assume the crown?--a cry of +assent arose from this quarter and was taken up by a few lads and +apprentices. This was enough; the voice of the few was accepted as the +voice of the many, and the citizens were bidden to attend on the morrow to +petition Gloucester to accept the crown. + +(M513) + +Accordingly, on the morrow, a deputation from the city waited on the Duke +of Gloucester at Baynard's Castle and invited him to accept the crown. +After a considerable show of affected reluctance, Richard assented, and, +having assented, lost no time in carrying out his pre-conceived purpose. +The very next day he hastened to Westminster and, seating himself on the +throne, declared himself king by inheritance and election. + +(M514) + +On the 6th July the last Angevin king that reigned over England was +crowned--crowned with his wife Anne, widow of Prince Edward, killed at +Tewkesbury, but after the battle not in it, and of whose blood Richard +himself is thought to have been guilty. The City accepted the position and +made the new king and queen a present of L1,000; two-thirds for the king +and the remainder for the queen. The money was raised in the city by way +of a fifteenth; the poor were not to be called upon to contribute, and the +gift was not to form a precedent.(954) The claim of the mayor and citizens +to assist the chief butler at the coronation banquet was made and +allowed,(955) the king, sitting crowned in _le Whitehawle_, presented to +the mayor and aldermen who were present on that occasion a gold cup set +with pearls and precious stones, to be used by the commonalty at public +entertainments in the Guildhall.(956) Concerning this cup there is the +following curious entry made in the City's Records, under date 13th July, +1486, when Hugh Brice was mayor:--(957) + + + "Item it is aggreed this day by the Court that where Hugh Brice + Mair of this Citie, hathe in his Kepyng a Cuppe of gold, garneised + with perle and precious stone of the gifte of Richard, late in + dede and not of right, Kyng of Englond, which gifte was to thuse + of the Cominaltie of the said Citee, that if the saide Cuppe be + stolen or taken away by thevys oute of his possession, or elles by + the casualtie of Fire hereafter it shall hapne the same Cuppe to + be brent or lost, that the same Hugh Brice hereafter shall not be + hurt or impeched therfore." + + +This extract is interesting as showing that the coronation cup presented +to the mayor of the City by way of _honorarium_ was, at this period at +least, looked upon as a gift made to the City's use, and that the mayor +could not claim it as his own perquisite, as mayors had been in the habit +of doing in days gone by, and as they continued to do afterwards. William +Estfeld, who, as mayor, attended the coronation of Henry VI (6 Nov., +1429), and received the customary gold cup and ewer, appropriated the gift +to his own use, and, as we have already mentioned, bequeathed them to his +grandson. + +(M515) (M516) + +Richard had scarcely been seated three months on the throne before the +Duke of Buckingham, who had been rewarded for his late services by being +appointed lord high constable, was in open rebellion, and Henry, Earl of +Richmond, long an exile in France, was meditating an invasion. +Buckingham's conspiracy proved a failure, and he paid for his rashness +with his head. The Earl of Richmond was detained in France by stress of +weather, and danger from that quarter was averted at least for a time. + +(M517) (M518) + +On Richard's return to London after putting down his enemies, he was +welcomed by over 400 members of the various civic companies, who rode out +to meet him in gowns of murrey.(958) His policy was one of conciliation, +and he lent a ready ear to a Petition which the citizens presented to him +setting forth the wrongs which they had suffered: "We be determined" said +the citizens in forcible language, "rather to adventure and to commit us +to the peril of our lives and jeopardy of death, than to live in such +thraldom and bondage as we have lived some time heretofore, oppressed and +injured by extortions and new impositions against the laws of God and man, +and the liberty and laws of this realm wherein every Englishman is +inherited."(959) + +(M519) + +Richard met this appeal by summoning parliament to meet in January (1484), +when various acts were passed affecting the trade and commerce of the city +and the country, and among them one which forbade aliens keeping any +foreign apprentices or workpeople to assist them in their occupation, and +otherwise imposed great restrictions upon the merchant stranger.(960) This +statute was scarcely less welcome to the citizens of London than that +which declared the practice of exacting money under the guise of +benevolences to be unconstitutional.(961) + +(M520) + +In the summer he was welcomed wherever he went, yet he knew that danger +threatened. Richmond was preparing for an invasion and the nobles were not +to be trusted. The citizens, too, were aware of the danger, and had in the +early part of the year appointed a joint committee of aldermen and +commoners to survey the city's ordnance, and to supply guns and gunpowder +in place of that which had recently been destroyed by a fire.(962) In +August they had promised Richard a loan of L2,400, each alderman +contributing L100;(963) and in the following November the mayor and +aldermen rode out to Kennington to meet him and escort him to the +Wardrobe, near Blackfriars.(964) + +(M521) + +Matters became more serious as time went on. In June, 1485, the City +advanced another sum of L2,000 to assist Richard against the "rebels," who +were daily expected to land in England.(965) Extraordinary precautions +were taken to guard the city.(966) At last the blow fell. On the 7th +August Henry landed at Milford Haven, and on the 22nd the battle of +Bosworth was fought and Richard killed. + +(M522) + +From Bosworth field Henry set out for London. He was met at Shoreditch by +a deputation from the City, accompanied by the Recorder, and was presented +with a gift of 1,000 marks.(967) The standards taken on the field of +battle were deposited with much pomp and ceremony in St. Paul's Church, +where a _Te Deum_ was sung, and for a few days Henry took up his residence +in the bishop's palace in St. Paul's Churchyard.(968) + +(M523) + +A cloud soon overshadowed the rejoicings which followed Henry's accession. +An epidemic hitherto unknown in England, although visitations of it +followed at intervals during this and the succeeding reign, made its +appearance in the city towards the close of September. The "sweating +sickness," as this deadly pestilence was called, carried off two mayors +and six aldermen within the space of a week(969)--so sudden and fatal was +its attack. Sir Thomas Hille, who was mayor at the time of its first +appearance, fell a victim to it on the 23rd September, and was succeeded +by William Stocker, appointed on the following day.(970) Within four days +Stocker himself was dead. There remained little more than a month before +the regular day of election of a mayor (28 Oct.)(971) for the year +ensuing, and John Warde was called upon to take office during the +interval.(972) He appears to have entertained but little affection for the +city, and the civic authorities had some difficulty in getting him to +reside in London,(973) where his duties required his presence. When the +mayoralty year expired he was not put in nomination for re-election. He +probably went back into the country, glad to get away from the +pestilential city, and Hugh Brice was elected in his stead.(974) +Fortunately for the city, the epidemic departed as suddenly and +unexpectedly as it came. By the end of October it had entirely +disappeared, and allowed of Henry's coronation taking place on the 30th of +that month. + +(M524) + +Within a fortnight of his arrival in London Henry issued a writ of summons +for his first parliament. It was not so much for the purpose of obtaining +supplies that he was anxious that parliament should meet at the earliest +opportunity; he was desirous of obtaining as soon as possible a +parliamentary title to the crown. As for his immediate necessities, he +preferred to apply to the City. He asked for a loan of 6,000 marks, or +L4,000; but the citizens would not advance more than half that sum. The +loan was repaid the following year--"every penie to the good contentation +and satisfying of them that disbursed it."(975) + +(M525) + +In January, 1486, Henry married the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Edward +IV, and heiress of the Yorkist family. He had previously taken the +precaution of committing to the Tower the Earl of Warwick, son of +Clarence, for fear lest he might set up a title to the crown.(976) After +his marriage he set out on a progress through the country, and on his +return to London, in June, was met by the mayor and citizens at Putney, +and escorted by them down the river to Westminster.(977) + +(M526) (M527) + +A rumour that the Earl of Warwick had escaped from the Tower gave an +opportunity for an imposter, Lambert Simnel, to personate the earl. In +order to satisfy the Londoners that the rumour of Warwick's escape was a +fabrication, Henry caused his prisoner to be paraded through the streets +of the city, and exposed to public view at St. Paul's. After Simnel's +defeat (16 June, 1487), the Common Council agreed (28 June) to send a +deputation, consisting of two aldermen, the recorder, and four commoners, +with a suite of 24 men, to meet the king at Kenilworth, and at the same +time voted the king a present of L1000.(978) This gift was quickly +followed (11 July) by the grant of another loan of L2,000 to be levied on +the civic companies as before.(979) + +(M528) (M529) + +In October Henry was expected in London,(980) and the Common Council again +showed their loyalty by agreeing that the mayor and aldermen should ride +forth to meet his highness, clad in cloaks of scarlet, and accompanied by +a suite of servants clothed in medley, at the cost of the "Chamber." With +them also rode a contingent from the various civic guilds, clothed in +violet, and numbering over 400 horsemen. The Mercers, the Grocers, the +Drapers, the Fishmongers, and the "Taillours," each sent 30 mounted +representatives of their guild; the Goldsmiths sent 24, whilst the rest +sent contingents varying from one to twenty.(981) On the occasion of the +queen's coronation, which took place the following month (25 Nov.), she +was made the recipient of a gift of 1,000 marks by the City.(982) + +(M530) + +The king would willingly have remained at peace if he were allowed, from +motives of economy if for no other reason. England, however, could not sit +still and see Brittany overwhelmed by the French king. Before assistance +could be sent to the Duchess Anne, it was imperative that money should be +raised. At the close of 1488 the Common Council voted the king a loan of +L4,000. The money was ordered to be raised by assessment on the companies, +but the practice was not to be drawn into precedent. The king, like a good +paymaster as he always was, whatever other defects he may have had, repaid +the money in the following year.(983) + +(M531) + +Early in the following year parliament(984) granted large supplies which +enabled Henry to despatch 6,000 Englishmen to Anne's assistance, but which +caused much discontent among the "rude and beastlie" people of Yorkshire +and Durham.(985) In June, 1491, another loan of L3,000 was raised, this +time by assessment on the wards;(986) and in October Henry declared to +parliament his intention of invading France in person. A grant of two +fifteenths and two tenths was immediately made to assist him in his +expedition by parliament; whilst the City contributed a "great +benevolence," the fellowship of Drapers contributing more than any other +fellowship, and every alderman subscribing, whether he wished it or no, +the sum of L200. The amount contributed by the commonalty exceeded +L9,000.(987) Thus furnished with supplies, the king crossed over to Calais +on the 6th October, 1492. The campaign, however, had scarcely opened +before Henry gladly accepted the liberal terms offered him by the French +king, and peace was signed at Etaples (3 Nov.). + +(M532) + +The success which, brief as it was, had attended Simnel's enterprise was +sufficient to encourage a hope that a better planned project might end in +overturning the throne. A report was accordingly blazed abroad that +Richard, Duke of York, brother of King Edward V, was yet alive, not having +been murdered in the Tower, as had been supposed; and a man called Perkin +Warbeck or Warboys, a native of Tournay, assumed the name of Richard +Plantagenet and succeeded in getting a large number of people in Ireland +and Scotland to believe that in his person they in fact saw Richard, Duke +of York, the rightful heir to the crown. James IV of Scotland not only +gave him in marriage the lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of the Earl of +Huntley, but led an army into England in hopes that the appearance of the +pretended prince might raise an insurrection in the northern counties. +Instead, however, of joining the invaders the English prepared to repel +them, and James retreated into his own country. This took place in 1496. +Parliament granted large supplies to enable the king to meet the danger, +but the inhabitants of Cornwall, sick of the constant demands made of them +for money, and aware of the large treasure which Henry had already +amassed, openly resisted any attempt at further taxation and determined to +march on London. + +(M533) + +The Londoners, who not only abstained from opposing the new demand for +money, but volunteered a loan to the king (15 Nov.) of L4,000,(988) lost +no time in putting their city into a state of defence. Six aldermen and a +number of representatives from the livery companies were deputed to attend +to the city's ordnance.(989) The mayor was to be allowed twelve armed men +in addition to his usual suite, and the sheriffs forty sergeants and forty +valets in order to assist them in keeping the peace within the city. +Communication was to be kept up at least once in the day between the mayor +and the Lord Chancellor. Houses which had been set up on the city's walls, +or within sixteen feet of them, were to be abated. John Stokker, who +filled the not unworthy office of Common Hunt,(990) was ordered daily to +ride out to learn the king's pleasure and report thereon to the mayor and +aldermen. Among those appointed to guard the city's gates and Temple Bar +was Alderman Fabyan, the chronicler.(991) The state of anxiety which +prevailed in the city at this crisis is illustrated by "Jesus Mercy" at +the head of one side of the page of the City's record, on which the above +orders are entered, whilst on the other side are the words _vigilie +temporis turbacionis_.(992) + +(M534) (M535) (M536) (M537) + +By the 22nd June, 1497, all immediate danger had passed, the rebels being +on that day utterly defeated at Blackheath. Their leaders were taken and +executed; the rest were for the most part made prisoners, but were soon +afterwards dismissed without further punishment. The leniency displayed +towards them by Henry was ill-repaid by their afterwards flocking to the +standard of the _soi-disant_ Richard IV, King of England, who availed +himself of their mutinous disposition and appeared in their midst at +Bodmin. The news of Perkin Warbeck having arrived in Cornwall from Ireland +was brought to the mayor and aldermen of the City of London by letter from +the king, which was read to the Common Council on Saturday, the 16th +September.(993) The rebels made an unsuccesful attempt to get possession +of Exeter, but hearing of the approach of the king's forces, Perkin +Warbeck withdrew to Taunton, leaving his followers to take care of +themselves. From Taunton he went to "Mynet" (Minehead) accompanied by less +than sixty adherents,(994) and by the 12th October the king was able to +inform the Mayor that Peter "Warboys" had voluntarily submitted himself +and had confessed to his being a native of Tournay.(995) The king had him +conveyed to London and paraded through the streets on horseback, in a +species of mock triumph, and caused his confession to be printed and +scattered over the country that people might see the real character of the +man. For a time he appears to have been detained in lax custody about the +court, but after he had made an attempt to escape and reach the sea-coast, +and been re-captured, he was sent to the Tower. There he got into +communication with the unfortunate Earl of Warwick, and entered into a +plot for effecting his own and the earl's liberty. A charge was formulated +against the earl on the most trivial grounds, of a conspiracy to seize the +Tower, and Warbeck was indicted as an accomplice. The former, being found +guilty by his peers, was beheaded on Tower Hill, while Perkin and three of +his accomplices were hanged at Tyburn.(996) + +(M538) + +In the meantime Prince Henry, who afterwards succeeded his father on the +throne as King Henry VIII, but was at the time a child of seven years, +paid a visit to the city (30 Oct., 1498), where he received a hearty +welcome and was presented by the Recorder, on behalf of the citizens, with +a pair of gilt goblets. In reply to the Recorder, who in presenting this +"litell and powre" gift, promised to remember his grace with a better at +some future time, the prince made the following short speech:--(997) + +(M539) + + + _"Fader Maire, I thank you and your Brethern here present of this + greate and kynd remembraunce which I trist in tyme comyng to + deserve. And for asmoche as I can not give unto you according + thankes, I shall pray the Kynges Grace to thank you, and for my + partye I shall not forget yo__r__ kyndnesse."_ + + +In anticipation of the prince's visit, a proclamation had been made by the +civic authorities with the view of purging the city of infectious disease, +to the effect that all vagabonds and others affected with the "greate +pockes" should vacate the city on pain of imprisonment.(998) + +(M540) (M541) + +The removal of Warwick--"the one judicial murder of Henry's reign"--if not +suggested by Spain, was an act which could not be otherwise than grateful +to the Spanish king. For five years past negotiations had been proceeding +for a marriage between Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon. Warwick's +death cleared away the last of Henry's serious competitors, and "not a +doubtful drop of royal blood" remained in the kingdom to oppose Arthur's +claim to the succession. The princess was expected shortly to arrive in +England, and a committee composed of aldermen and commoners was appointed +(Nov. 1499) to consult with the king's commissioners as to the +preparations to be made for her reception.(999) Nearly two years, however, +elapsed before she set foot in England. In May, 1500, there were again +rumours of her approach, and the Common Council voted a sum of money to be +levied on the wards to defray the expenses of her reception.(1000) + +(M542) + +The "garnysshyng of the pagents" for the festive occasion(1001) was +interrupted by the death of Edmund, the king's infant son. On the 19th +June the members of the various craft guilds were ordered to line the +streets of Old Bailey and Fleet Street, through which the funeral +procession was to pass on its way to Westminster. The mayor and aldermen +were to stand, clad in their violet gowns, near Saint Dunstan's Church, +and the next morning to go to Westminster by barge to attend the solemn +requiem.(1002) + +(M543) + +There was no necessity for hurry in regard to the pageants. More than a +twelvemonth was yet to elapse before they were wanted. At length--on the +2nd October,(1003) 1501--the princess landed at Plymouth, and five days +later the City received notice from the king of her approach to London. +The marriage was solemnized at St. Paul's on the 14th November, the +princess being presented with silver flagons by the City in honour of the +occasion.(1004) Five months later (2 April, 1502) the bride was a widow, +Prince Arthur having died at the early age of fifteen. + +(M544) + +In 1503 the streets of the city were again put into mourning, for in +February of that year Henry lost his queen. A long account of the manner +of "receyvyng of the corps of the most noble princes Quene Elizabeth" is +given in the City's Archives.(1005) In the following month the streets +presented a very different appearance, the occasion being the +solemnization of the league made between Henry and the King of the Romans. +Bonfires were ordered to be lighted at nine different places, and at each +of them was to be placed a hogshead of wine, with two sergeants and two +sheriffs' yeomen to prevent disturbance; but seeing that it was the Lenten +season and that the queen had so recently died, there was to be no +minstrelsy. The City Chamberlain was instructed to provide a certain +quantity of "Ipocras," claret, Rhenish wine and Muscatel, besides comfits +and wafers, and two pots of "Succade" and green ginger, to be presented on +the City's behalf to the ambassadors of the King of the Romans, lying at +"Pasmer Howse"; a similar gift being presented the following day on behalf +of the sheriffs.(1006) + +(M545) + +Henry's chief merit was that he established order, and for this the +citizens were grateful. This improvement on the weak government of his +immediate predecessors had only been carried out, however, at the cost of +extension of royal power, and the City was made to suffer with the rest of +the kingdom. In 1503 the civic authorities were deprived by statute of +their control over the livery companies,(1007) and in the same year the +Tailors of London obtained a charter which gave umbrage to the mayor and +aldermen of the City, as ousting them of their jurisdiction. The Tailors +maintained their independence, and their wardens are expressly mentioned +as refusing to join the Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths +and other fraternities in a petition to parliament (1512) for placing them +formally under the rule of the mayor and aldermen, from which they were +frequently breaking away.(1008) + +(M546) + +It was not until 1505 that the City succeeded in getting its charter(1009) +from Henry, and then only on payment of the sum of 5,000 marks. The terms +of the charter, moreover, were far from satisfactory, and an attempt was +made to get them altered and obtain an abatement of the fine,(1010) but to +no purpose. + +(M547) + +Henry continued his high-handed policy towards the City up to the day of +his death, and thereby greatly increased his treasure. His chief +instruments were Empson and Dudley, who took up their residence in the +city, occupying two houses in Walbrook, whence each had a door into a +garden of the Earl of Oxford's house in St. Swithin's Lane.(1011) There +they used to meet and concert measures for filling the king's purse and +their own. In 1506 Henry removed Robert Johnson, a goldsmith, from the +shrievalty within three days of his election, and put William Fitz-William +in his place. Johnson took the matter so much to heart that he died.(1012) +In the same year Thomas Kneseworth, the late mayor, was committed to the +Marshalsea, together with the sheriffs who had served under him, and only +regained his liberty on payment of a large sum of money.(1013) In 1507 Sir +William Capel, Alderman of Walbrook Ward, who had already fallen a victim +to Empson and been heavily fined under an obsolete statute, was again +attacked and fined L2,000 for supposed negligence during his mayoralty. +Rather than submit to such extortion he went to prison, and remained there +until the king's death, when he obtained his freedom and was soon +afterwards re-elected mayor.(1014) Lawrence Aylmer, another mayor, was +also a victim of Henry's tyranny, and was committed to the compter, where +he remained for the rest of the reign.(1015) + +(M548) + +In the meantime the Archduke Philip happened to fall into Henry's hands +(Jan., 1506). Whilst crossing the sea to claim the kingdom of Castile in +right of his wife, he was driven by stress of weather into Weymouth. Henry +was too shrewd a politician not to make the most of so lucky an event, and +detained him in a species of honourable captivity, until Philip had +promised him the hand of his sister Margaret with a large dower. This +marriage alliance was destined never to be realised. Another scheme, +however, was subsequently proposed and met with more success. This was a +marriage of Henry's own daughter with Philip's son Charles, Prince of +Castile. News of their engagement was conveyed to the mayor and aldermen +of the City by a letter from the king himself (25 Dec., 1507), in which he +expatiated on the benefits, political and commercial, likely to arise from +the match.(1016) + +This letter was followed by another from the king, dated from Greenwich, +the 23rd June following, in which the Corporation was informed that for +the assurance of execution of the marriage treaty both parties had given +pledges, and that the City of London was, among other cities and towns, +included in letters obligatory to that effect, which letters he begged +should be sealed without delay with the Common Seal of the City.(1017) And +so, after the manner of the times, the boy of eight was married (by proxy) +to the girl of twelve, amid great rejoicings in London (17 Dec., +1508).(1018) + +(M549) + +If Henry amassed wealth, it was not from any miserly motive. He well knew +the value of the money, and that peace at home was never better secured +than by a full treasury. He made, moreover, a princely use of his money, +encouraging scholarship, music, and architecture, and dazzled the eyes of +foreign ambassadors with the splendour of his receptions. That he had a +fine taste in building no one can deny who has once seen the chapel of +King's College, Cambridge, or the chapel that bears his name at +Westminster. + +(M550) + +Originally intended by Henry as a resting place for the remains of his +uncle, Henry VI, the last mentioned edifice was diverted from its purposes +and became the chantry as well as the tomb of Henry VII himself. Anxiety +for his soul caused him to bind the Abbot of Westminster by heavy +penalties to the due observance of his obit. These penalties were set out +in six books or deeds, sealed with the Common Seal of the City of London, +and formally delivered to the king by a deputation of the mayor and +aldermen, who received in return a seventh book to remain in their +custody. In 1504--the year that Pope Julius sanctioned the removal of the +remains of Henry VI from Windsor to Westminster--the mayor and citizens +formally sealed the "books" before the Master of the Rolls at the +Guildhall. Two years later certain livery companies undertook to keep the +king's obit on the day that the mayor for the time being went to take his +oath at the Exchequer.(1019) + +(M551) + +The king died at his palace of Shene, recently renamed in his honour +"Richmond," on the 22nd April,(1020) 1509. Just before his death he +granted a general pardon and paid the debts of prisoners committed to the +compters of London and to Ludgate for debts amounting to forty shillings +or less.(1021) His corpse was conveyed from Richmond to St. Paul's on the +9th May, being met on its way at St. George's Bar, in Southwark, by the +mayor, aldermen and a suite of 104 commoners, all in black clothing and +all on horseback. The streets were lined with other members of the +companies bearing torches, the lowest craft occupying the first place. +Next after the freemen of the city came the "strangers"--Easterlings, +Frenchmen, Spaniards, Venetians, Genoese, Florentines and "Lukeners"--on +horseback and on foot, also bearing torches.(1022) These took up their +position in Gracechurch Street. Cornhill was occupied by the lower crafts, +ordered in such a way that "the most worshipful crafts" stood next unto +"Paules." A similar order was preserved the next day, when the corpse was +removed from Saint Paul's to Westminster. The lowest crafts were placed +nearest to the Cathedral, and the most worshipful next to Temple Bar, +where the civic escort terminated. The mayor and aldermen proceeded to +Westminster by water, to attend the "masse and offering." The mayor, with +his mace in his hand, made his offering next after the Lord Chamberlain; +those aldermen who had passed the chair(1023) offered next after the +Knights of the Garter, and before all "knights for the body"; whilst the +aldermen who had not yet served as mayor made their offering after the +knights.(1024) + +When King Henry VIII was about to make an expedition to France in 1544, +the Court of Aldermen gave notice to the Bishop of London that the obit of +Henry VII would be kept on Friday, the 16th May, on which day there would +be a general procession, and that the observance would be continued until +the king departed out of the realm, and then on every Friday and Wednesday +until his return.(1025) + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + + + +(M552) + +One of the first acts of the new king was to grant Letters Patent +absolving the City of all trespasses committed before the date of his +accession,(1026) and to offer restitution to all who had suffered at the +hands of Empson and Dudley or their agents. Empson and Dudley were +themselves committed to the Tower and afterwards executed. In the meantime +an enquiry was opened in the city as to recent proceedings against Capel +and others. + +It was found that six men, whose names were John Derby, _alias_ Wright, a +bowyer, Richard Smyth, a carpenter, William Sympson, a fuller, Henry +Stokton, a fishmonger, Thomas Yong, a saddler, and Robert Jakes, a +shearman--all of whom had more than once been convicted of perjury, and on +that account been struck off inquests--had contrived to get themselves +replaced on the panel, and had been the chief movers in the recent actions +against the late mayor and other officers of the city. They had, moreover, +taken bribes for concealment of offences of forestalling and regrating. +Being found guilty, on their own confession, of having brought false +charges against many of the aldermen, the Court of Common Council adjudged +the whole of the accused to be disfranchised. Three of them, who were +found more guilty than the rest, were sentenced to be taken from prison on +the next market day, on horseback, without saddles, and with their faces +turned towards the horses' tails, to the pillory on Cornhill. There they +were to be set "their heddes in the holys" until proclamation of their +crime and sentence was read. The lesser offenders were spared the pillory, +but were condemned to attend on horseback at Cornhill, whence all the +offenders were conducted to the Standard in Fleet Street "by the most high +ways," where the proclamation was again read. The culprits were then taken +back to prison and made to abjure the city on pain of imprisonment at the +pleasure of the mayor and aldermen.(1027) Among the charges brought +against Derby was one to the effect that being on a jury he had received +the sum of ten shillings and "a quarter of ffisshe for his howsehold," a +bribe which a suitor had tendered by the advice and counsel of Thomas +Yong, saddler, who was apparently acting as Derby's accomplice.(1028) + +(M553) + +On the occasion of the king's coronation, which took place on +Midsummer-day soon after his marriage with Catherine of Aragon, his +brother's widow, the citizens presented the king and queen with the sum of +L1,000 or 1,500 marks. Two-thirds of the gift was given expressly to the +king, the remaining one-third being a tribute of respect to the queen. The +money was to be raised in the city by way of a fifteenth, but the poor +were not to be assessed.(1029) The procession from the Tower to +Westminster was equal to, if it did not surpass, any spectacle that had +yet been witnessed in the city for its gorgeousness and pomp. The streets +were railed and barred from Gracechurch Street to Cheapside at the expense +of the livery companies who lined the way,(1030) "beginning with base and +meane occupations and so ascending to the worshipful crafts." The +Goldsmiths of London were especially conspicuous for their marks of +loyalty on that day. Their stalls, which were situate by the Old Change at +the west end of Chepe, were occupied by fair maidens dressed in white and +holding tapers of white wax, whilst priests in their robes stood by with +censers of silver and incensed the king and queen as they passed.(1031) + +(M554) + +After three years of indolent and luxurious ease Henry became embroiled in +continental troubles. In 1511 a holy league had been formed for the +purpose of driving the French out of the Milanese, and Henry's +co-operation was desired. A parliament was summoned to meet early in the +following year.(1032) After granting supplies(1033) it unanimously agreed +that war should be proclaimed against France. The campaign of 1512 ended +ingloriously, and the French king threatened to turn the tables on Henry +and to invade England. Henry rose to the occasion and at once set about +strengthening his navy. On the 30th January, 1513, he addressed a letter +to the Corporation of London desiring them to furnish him with 300 men, +the same to be at Greenwich by the 15th February at the latest.(1034) +Proclamation was thereupon made in the city for all persons who were +prepared to join the war to appear at the Guildhall any time before the +10th February, where, if approved, they would be furnished with sufficient +harness and weapons, without any charge, and also with sufficient wages at +the king's cost.(1035) + +The city was suffering at the time from great scarcity of wheat, and each +alderman was called upon to contribute the sum of L5 towards alleviating +the distress which prevailed. A contract was made with certain Hanse +merchants to furnish the city with 2,000 quarters of wheat and rye +respectively by Midsummer-day, whilst the royal purveyors were forbidden +to lay hands on wheat, malt or grain entering the port of London.(1036) +Under the circumstances it could have been no great hardship, but rather +an advantage to rid the city of 300 mouths. On the 1st February, 1513, the +aldermen were instructed to enquire in their respective wards as to the +number of men each ward could furnish, and two days later the livery +companies were ordered to find the sum of L300 to defray the expense +connected with fitting out the men. If more than L300 were needed they +were to draw on the Chamber, but any money not expended out of that sum +was to be paid into the Chamber.(1037) The companies raised the sum of +L405, the Mercers contributing L35, the Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers and +Goldsmiths respectively L30, and the rest sums of smaller amount.(1038) +There was some difference of opinion as to the nature of the uniform to be +worn by the city's contingent. At length it was settled that the soldiers' +coats should be white, with a St. George's cross and sword, together with +a rose, at the back and the same before. Their shoes were to be left to +the discretion of the muster-masters.(1039) + +(M555) + +Henry himself now crossed over to France. The campaign proved more +successful than the last, for the French being attacked at Guinegate, were +seized with so great a panic that Henry achieved a bloodless victory. From +the hasty flight of the French cavalry, the engagement came to be known as +the Battle of Spurs. This victory secured the fall of Terouenne and was +followed shortly afterwards by the capture of Tournay. + +(M556) + +Notwithstanding these successes, however, Henry found it necessary to make +peace in the following year. His allies had got what they wanted, and the +conquest of France was as far off as ever. It remained only to make as +good a bargain as he could. The French king consented to the payment of a +large sum of money, in return for which he was given Henry's sister Mary +in marriage, although she was already affianced, if not married, to Prince +Charles of Castile. This was the work of the king's new minister, Wolsey. + +(M557) + +To the apostles of the New Learning--as the revival of letters which +commenced in the last reign came to be called--to Erasmus, to Archbishop +Warham, to More and to Colet, the war at its outset had been eminently +distasteful. With the accession of Henry VIII to the throne they had hoped +for better things. War was to be for ever banished and a "new order" was +to prevail. + +(M558) + +Of its connection with More and Colet the City is justly proud. At the +opening of Henry's reign the future lord chancellor was executing the +duties of the comparatively unimportant post of under-sheriff or judge of +the Poultry Compter, a post which he continued to hold until 1517.(1040) +He had received his education in the city at St. Antony's School in +Threadneedle Street, a school which had already achieved a great +reputation and afterwards reckoned among its pupils the famous Whitgift. +Later in life he shut himself up for four years in the Charterhouse of +London, living a life of devotion and prayer, but without taking any +vow.(1041) + +(M559) + +The father of John Colet, Dean of St. Paul's, had taken an active part in +municipal life. Henry Colet had been alderman first of Farringdon Ward +Without and afterwards of the Wards of Castle Baynard and Cornhill,(1042) +and as alderman of the last mentioned ward he had died towards the close +of 1505. He had served as sheriff in 1477 and as mayor in 1486. + +(M560) + +Up to the time of Henry VI education had been carried on in the city +chiefly by means of schools attached to the various city churches and +religious houses. By order of Henry VI, and at the instigation of four +city ministers,(1043) grammar schools were established in several +parishes. The school of St. Antony attached to the hospital of the same +name, of which Dr. John Carpenter was at the time master, received an +endowment from Henry VI for the maintenance of scholars at Oxford. The +school continued to flourish some time after the dissolution of the +hospital. There was also a school attached to the hospital of St. Thomas +of Acon, as famous in its day as that of St. Antony, but of which little +is known until after the suppression of the religious houses by Henry +VIII, when it passed into the hands of the Mercers' Company and became +known, as it is to this day, as the Mercers' School. + +(M561) + +The Dr. John Carpenter just mentioned must not be confounded with the Town +Clerk of that name, the compiler of the famous _Liber Albus_ and the +founder of the City of London School. There is little known of the +foundation of this latter school beyond the statement made by Stow a +century and a-half later, that he "gave tenements to the city for the +finding and bringing up of four poor men's children with meat, drink, +apparel, learning at the schools in the universities, etc., until they be +preferred, and then others in their places for ever."(1044) Within the +last few years the City Chamberlain's accounts--touching "the lands of Mr. +John Carpenter, sometyme commen clarke of this cittie"--have been brought +to light, and serve to supplement in a small way Stow's meagre but +valuable statement. The rental or amount with which the Chamberlain +charged himself for the year 1565 or 1566 is there set down as L41 0_s._ +4_d._, and the discharge--embracing a quit rent due to the Dean and Chapter +of Westminster, and expenses incurred in overseeing, clothing and feeding +four poor children "being founde at scoole and lerning by the bequeste of +the sayde Master Carpenter"--amounted to L19 12_s._ 8_d._, leaving a +balance to the City of L21 7_s._ 8_d._(1045) From so modest a beginning +arose the school which, situate on the Thames Embankment, now numbers over +700 scholars. + +(M562) + +There was a school attached to St. Paul's long before Colet's day, just as +there is one now, independent of the school of Colet's foundation, and +devoted mainly to the instruction of the Cathedral choristers. Soon after +Colet's appointment to the Deanery in 1505 he experienced no little +dissatisfaction with the Cathedral School, where great laxity prevailed, +more especially in the religious education of the "children of Paul's," +and so, about the year 1509--the year of Henry's accession--having recently +come into a considerable estate by the death of his father, he set about +acquiring a small property situate at the east end of St. Paul's Church +for the purpose of establishing another school which would better realise +his own ideal of what a school should be than the existing Cathedral +School. Colet's School grew apace. In 1511 he was in negotiation with the +Court of Aldermen for the purchase "of a certen grounde of the citie for +an entre to be hadde into his new gramer scole."(1046) By January of the +next year (1512) he had succeeded in obtaining the assent both of the +Court of Aldermen and Common Council to the purchase by him of a "certen +grounde in the Olde Chaunge for the inlargyng of his gramer scole in +Powly's Churcheyerd" for the sum of L30.(1047) The property was conveyed +to him by deed, dated the 27th September, which deed was sealed with the +common seal on the 7th October following.(1048) The question as to whom he +should entrust the management of his school caused Colet no little +anxiety. He eventually decided to confide its revenues and management +entirely to the Mercers' Company, and when asked the reason for his so +doing replied that "though there was nothing certain in human affairs he +yet found the least corruption in them."(1049) + +Considerable rivalry existed among the various grammar schools of the +city, more especially between the boys of Colet's School and the boys of +the more ancient foundation of St. Antony, which, for a long time, had the +reputation for turning out the best scholars. Public disputations were +held in the open air. The St. Paul's boys meeting St. Antony's boys would +derisively call them St. Antony's pigs, that saint being generally +represented with a pig following him, and challenge them to a disputation; +the latter would retaliate by styling their rivals "pigeons of St. +Paul's," from the bird which then, as now, frequented St. Paul's +Churchyard. From questions of grammar, writes Stow,(1050) they usually +fell to blows "with their satchels full of books, many times in great +heaps, that they troubled the streets and passengers." After the decay of +St. Antony's School the rivalry was taken up, but in a more friendly way, +by the later foundation of the Merchant Taylors' School. + +(M563) + +But the citizens of London did not limit their efforts in the cause of +education to their own city. Throughout the country there are to be found +grammar schools which owe their establishment to the liberal-mindedness +and open-handed generosity of the city merchant.(1051) Their existence +bears testimony to the kindly feeling which men who had grown rich in +London still bore to the provincial town or village which gave them birth +and which they had left in early life to seek their fortune in the great +metropolis. + +To take but a few instances: Sir John Percival, a merchant-tailor, who in +1487 filled the subordinate office of Lord Mayor's carver, performing his +duties so well that the mayor, Sir Henry Colet, nominated him one of the +sheriffs for the year ensuing by the time honoured custom of drinking to +him at a public dinner, founded a school at Macclesfield. Stephen Jenyns, +another merchant-tailor, did the same thing at Wolverhampton. Sir Thomas +White, another member of the same company, founded two schools in the +provinces, one at Reading and another at Bristol, besides the College of +St. John at Oxford. Sir William Harper, yet another merchant-tailor, +established a school at Bedford. + +The Mercers' Company rivalled the Merchant-Taylors' in the number of +schools established in the country through the liberality of its members. +Sir John Gresham founded one at Holt, in Norfolk; Sir Rowland Hill, an +ancestor of the originator of the Penny Postal scheme, another at Drayton, +in Shropshire; whilst schools at Horsham, in Sussex, and West Lavington, +in Wiltshire, were erected by two other mercers, Richard Collier and +William Dauntsey. There exist at the present day at least four schools +which owe their foundation to wealthy members of the Grocers' Company, the +well known school at Oundle, co. Northampton, upon which the Company have +expended on capital account the sum of L35,000, having been founded by Sir +William Laxton; another at Sevenoaks, in Kent, by William Sevenoke, a +native of the place, who rose from very humble circumstances to the chief +magistracy of the city; another at Witney, in Oxfordshire, by Henry Box, +and another at Colwall, co. Hereford, by Humphry Walwyn. Sir Andrew Judd, +a member of the Skinners' Company, established a school at Tonbridge, +whilst Sir Wolstan Dixie, another skinner, performed the same charitable +act at Market Bosworth. Lastly, Sir George Monoux and Thomas Russell, both +of them members of the Drapers' Company, founded schools at Walthamstow +and at Barton-under-Needwood, co. Stafford, respectively. + +(M564) + +On the Feast of St. Matthew (21 Sept.), 1515, a messenger arrived in the +city from Wolsey desiring the mayor and aldermen to attend that evening at +St. Paul's to return thanks to Almighty God for the queen, who was quick +with child. The summons was obeyed,(1052) and in the following February +(1516) the Princess Mary was born. + +(M565) + +By this time Wolsey had risen to be a great power in the State. In 1514 he +had been made Archbishop of York, and in the following year a cardinal. +His high position as a prince of the Church, as well as his authority with +the king, rendered it desirable for the citizens to keep well with him. On +the 6th March, 1516, it was resolved to send a deputation to the cardinal +for the purpose of securing his favour. No expense was to be spared in the +matter, and all costs and charges were to be paid by the Chamber.(1053) In +the following June the cardinal handed to the mayor a list of abuses in +the city which required reform. Sedition was rife there; the commons were +disobedient, the statute of apparel was ignored, vagabonds and masterless +folk resorted there and unlawful games were allowed in houses. The king's +council required an answer on these points within a few days, and an +answer was accordingly given, but the purport of it is not recorded, +although it was read to the Court of Aldermen before being +despatched.(1054) + +In November of the same year (1516) the City was in difficulties with the +recently erected Court of Star Chamber, and Wolsey, who practically kept +the whole business of government in his own hands, came to the City's +assistance with advice. It appears that a subsidy was due on the 21st of +this month and the City had not paid its quota. The mayor and aldermen +were cited to appear before the cardinal and other lords of the council in +the Star Chamber at Westminster. Being asked if they had "sworne for their +assayng," to the king's subsidy, the Recorder answered on their behalf +that such procedure was contrary to Act of Parliament. The cardinal +thereupon advised them to agree to give the king L2,000 in order to be +discharged of their oaths "or ells every of theym to be sworn of and uppon +the true value of their substance within the sum of 100 marks." This took +place on Saturday, the 22nd, and the mayor and aldermen were to give an +answer to the Star Chamber by the following Wednesday. On Tuesday, the +25th, the Court of Aldermen met to consider what was best to be done under +the circumstances. The decision they arrived at was that as the present +assessment was less than the last, they would, in consideration of the +king's letters, make up the sum then payable so that it should equal the +last assessment.(1055) + +(M566) + +The seditious "brutes" or riots of which Wolsey had complained as daily +occurring in the city were soon to assume a serious form. They were +occasioned for the most part by the jealousy with which everybody who was +not a freeman of the city was looked upon by the free citizen. The influx +of strangers and foreigners has been daily increasing, notwithstanding the +limitations and restrictions placed upon their residence and mode of +trading,(1056) whilst the tendency of freemen had been to leave the city +for the country.(1057) + +Whilst the civic authorities were doing all they could to prevent the +possibility of a disturbance arising on the coming May-day(1058)--a day +kept as a general holiday in the city--occasion was taken by a minister of +the church, whose duty it was to preach the usual Spital sermon on Easter +Tuesday (14 April), to incite the freemen to rise up against the foreigner +and stranger.(1059) When the 1st May arrived all might have been well, had +not a city alderman allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. It happened +that John Mundy,(1060) Alderman of Queenhithe Ward, came across some +youngsters playing "at the bucklers" at a time when by a recent order they +should have been within doors, and he commanded them to desist. This they +showed no disposition to do, and when force was threatened raised the cry +for 'prentices and clubs. A large crowd quickly assembled and the alderman +had to beat a hasty retreat. The mob, now thoroughly roused, proceeded to +set free the prisoners in Newgate and the compters, and to attack the +strangers and foreigners quartered at Blanchappleton(1061) and elsewhere. +Rioting continued throughout the night, but early the following morning +they were met by a large force which the mayor in the meantime had +collected, and 300 of them were made prisoners, so that by the time that +assistance arrived from the court quiet had been restored. A commission of +Oyer and Terminer was opened at the Guildhall to try the offenders. John +Lincoln, who had not so long ago been appointed surveyor of goods bought +and sold by foreigners,(1062) was charged with being the instigator of the +riot, and being found guilty was hanged in Cheapside, whilst twelve others +were hanged on gallows in different parts of the city. Others received the +king's pardon with halters round their necks in token of the fate they +deserved.(1063) + +(M567) + +The civic authorities were not unnaturally anxious to make their peace +with the king, and to disclaim any complicity in the late outbreak. The +Court of Aldermen met on the 11th May to consider how best to approach his +majesty on so delicate a subject. It was decided to send a deputation to +the lord cardinal to "feel his mind" as to the number of persons that +should appear before the king. The next day eight aldermen and the +Recorder were nominated by the court "to go the Kinges grace and to knowe +his plesure when the Mayr and Aldremen and diverse of the substancyall +commoners of this citie shall sue to beseche his grace to be good and +gracious lord un to theym and to accept theym nowe beyng most sorrowful +and hevye for thees late attemptates doon ayeynst their wylles."(1064) + +(M568) (M569) (M570) + +The deputation forthwith proceeded, clothed in gowns of black, to +Greenwich, whither the king had gone on the 11th May. The Recorder as +usual acted as spokesman, and humbly prayed the royal forgiveness for the +negligence displayed by the mayor in not keeping the king's peace within +the city. The king in reply told them plainly his opinion that the civic +authorities had winked at the whole business, and referred them to +Cardinal Wolsey, his chancellor, who would declare to them his +pleasure.(1065) With this answer the deputation withdrew and reported what +had taken place to the mayor, who had wisely kept away. It was clear that +above all things the favour of the cardinal had to be obtained. For this +purpose a committee was appointed, whose duty it was to "devise what +thinges of plesur shalbe geven to my lord Cardynall and to other of the +lordes as they shall thynk convenient for their benevolences doon +concernyng this last Insurreccioun."(1066) By the 22nd May matters had +evidently been accommodated. On that date the king sat at Westminster Hall +in great state, surrounded by the lords of his council and attended by the +cardinal. The mayor and aldermen and chief commoners of the city, chosen +from the leading civic companies,(1067) had arrived by nine o'clock in the +morning clad in their best liveries, "according as the cardinal had +commanded them."(1068) Wolsey knew the king's weakness for theatrical +display. At Henry's command all the prisoners were brought into his +presence. They appeared, to the number of 400 men and eleven women, all +with ropes round their necks. After the cardinal had administered a rebuke +to the civic authorities for their negligence, and had declared that the +prisoners had deserved death, a formal pardon was proclaimed by the king, +the cardinal exhorting all present to loyalty and obedience. It was some +time before the effects of the late outbreak disappeared. Compensation for +losses had to be made;(1069) some were bound over to keep the peace;(1070) +and counsel were employed to draw up a statement of the points of +grievance between the citizens and merchant strangers for submission to +the king.(1071) In September there were rumours of another outbreak, but +the civic authorities were better prepared than formerly, and effectually +stopt any such attempt by putting suspected persons into prison. + +Lest any unfavourable report should reach the cardinal, the Recorder and +another were ordered to ride in all haste to Sion, where Wolsey was +thought to be, and if they failed to find him there, to follow him to +Windsor and to report to him the active measures that had been taken to +prevent any further insurrection in the city.(1072) "Evil May-day" was +long remembered by the citizens, who raised objection to Thomas Semer or +Seymer, who had been sheriff at the time, being elected mayor ten years +later.(1073) In May, 1547, all householders were straitly charged not to +permit their servants any more to go maying, but to keep them within +doors.(1074) + +(M571) + +With gibbets all over the city, each bearing a ghastly freight, and the +summer approaching, it is scarcely surprising that the city should soon +again be visited with an epidemic. "At the city gates," wrote an +eye-witness, "one sees nothing but gibbets and the quarters of these +wretches"--the wretches who had been hanged for complicity in the late +disturbance--"so that it is horrible to pass near them."(1075) The +"sweating sickness," which had again made its appearance in 1516, and had +never really quitted the city (except for a few weeks in winter), now +raged more violently than ever, accompanied by measles and small-pox. The +king ordered all inhabitants of infected houses to keep indoors and hang +out wisps of straw, and when compelled to walk abroad to carry white +rods.(1076) This order, however, was badly received in the city and gave +rise to much murmuring and dissatisfaction.(1077) The civic authorities +did what they could to mitigate the evil by driving out beggars and +vagabonds, and removing slaughter-houses outside the city walls,(1078) as +well as by administering relief to the poorer classes by the distribution +of tokens or licences to solicit alms. These tokens consisted of round +"beedes" of white tin, bearing the City's arms in the centre, to be worn +on the right shoulder.(1079) In the midst of so much real suffering, there +were not wanting those who took advantage of the charitable feeling which +the crisis called forth and were not ashamed to gain a livelihood by +simulating illness. Such a one was Miles Rose, who on the 11th March, +1518, openly confessed before the Court of Aldermen that he had frequently +dissembled the sickness of the "fallyng evyle" (or epilepsy) in divers +parish churches in the city, on which occasions "jemewes" of silver, +called cramp rings, would as often as not be placed on his fingers by +charitable passers-by, with which he would quickly make off, pocketing at +the same time many a twopence which had been bestowed upon him.(1080) + +(M572) + +The city could scarcely have recovered its wonted appearance after the +ravages of the pestilence before its streets were enlivened with one of +those magnificent displays for which London became justly famous, the +occasion being an embassy from the French king sent to negotiate a +marriage treaty between Henry's daughter Mary, a child but two years of +age, and the still younger Dauphin of France. The City Records, strange to +say, appear to be altogether silent on this subject, and yet the embassy, +for magnificent display, was such as had never been seen within its walls +before. We can understand that the embassy was not acceptable to the +thrifty middle-class trading burgess, when we read that it was accompanied +by a swarm of pedlars and petty hucksters who showed an unbecoming anxiety +to do business in hats, caps and other merchandise, which under colour of +the embassy had been smuggled into the country duty free.(1081) The +foreign retail trader was at the best of times an abomination to the free +burgess, and this sharp practice on the part of the Frenchmen, coming so +soon after the recent outburst against strangers on Evil May-day, only +served to accentuate his animosity--"At this dooing mannie an Englishman +grudged, but it availed not."(1082) The ambassadors were lodged at the +Merchant Taylors' Hall, which, owing to the ill-timed action of the French +pedlars, had the look of a mart. On Sunday, the 3rd October, the king, +with a train of 1,000 mounted gentlemen richly dressed, attended by the +legates and foreign ambassadors, went in procession to St. Paul's to hear +mass; after which the king took his oath--a ceremonial which the French +admiral declared to be "too magnificent for description." On the following +Tuesday (5 Oct.) the marriage ceremony--so far as it could be carried out +between such infants--was celebrated at Greenwich, and a tiny gold ring, in +which was a valuable diamond, placed upon Mary's finger.(1083) + +(M573) + +In the following year (July, 1519) the streets witnessed another scene of +gaiety. This time it was a visit of the legate, Cardinal Campeggio, for +which the civic authorities made great preparations.(1084) In the first +place the mayor and aldermen, in their gowns and cloaks of scarlet, were +ordered to take up their position at 9 o'clock on the morning of Relic +Sunday (_i.e._, the third Sunday after Midsummer Day) at St. Paul's stairs +(_the stayers w__t__in poulys_). Next to them were to stand the Skinners, +then the Mercers and other worshipful crafts in their order, clothed in +their last and best livery. In this manner the street was to be lined on +either side from the west door of St. Paul's down to Baynard's Castle. +Upon the arrival of the lord cardinal and other lords at the Cathedral the +mayor and aldermen were to head the procession and seat themselves in the +choir to hear _Te Deum_ sung. Bonfires or "pryncypall fyres" were to be +lighted at St. Magnus corner, Gracechurch, Leadenhall, the conduit on +Cornhill, St. Thomas "of Acres," the Standard and little conduit in Cheap, +the Standard in Fleet Street, and in Bishopsgate Street; whilst cresset +lights and small fires "made after the manner of Midsummer-night" were to +add to the gaiety of the scene. Men-at-arms, well harnessed and +apparelled, were to keep certain streets, whilst the aldermen and their +constables were to keep watch and ward in their best array of harness. The +ambassadors, who were to be lodged in Cornhill, were to be escorted home +at night by the aldermen with torches, and to await their commands. There +was one other, perhaps not unnecessary, direction to be followed, which +was to the effect that if by any chance the strangers should be overcome +by the hospitality of the city, or, in the words of the record--"yf eny +oversyght be wt moche drynke of the strangers"--the citizens were to "lett +theym alone and no Englishemen to medyle wt theym." + +(M574) (M575) + +The legate landed at Deal on the 23rd July, and by slow stages was +conducted with every mark of respect to London. His passage through the +city was associated with an episode of a decidedly comic character if we +are to believe the chronicler. A story is told(1085) that the night before +Campeggio entered London, Wolsey sent him twelve mules with (empty) +coffers, in order to give a semblance of wealth to the legate and his +retinue. In Cheapside one of the mules turned restive and upset the +chests, out of which tumbled old hose, shoes, bread, meat, and eggs, with +"muche vile baggage," at which the street boys cried "See, see my lord +legate's treasure!" The story, however, is on good authority deemed more +malicious than probable. + +(M576) + +In January, 1519, the Emperor Maximilian died and left the imperial crown +to be contested for by the kings of France and Spain. It eventually fell +to the latter, and Charles V of Spain was elected Emperor Charles I, the +event being celebrated by a solemn mass and _Te Deum_ at St. Paul's, +followed by a banquet at Castle Baynard.(1086) + +(M577) + +Both France and Germany were eager to secure the co-operation of Henry. +Charles anticipated the meeting which was to take place between Henry and +Francis on the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold by coming over in person +to England (May, 1519) and having a private conference with his uncle. The +young emperor did not visit the city on this occasion; but in 1522, when +war had broken out between him and Francis and he was again in England, he +was escorted to the city with great honour and handsomely lodged in the +palace of Bridewell. Nearly L1,000 was raised to meet the expenses of his +reception and of furnishing a body of 100 bowmen for the king's +service.(1087) + +The king and his guest and ally were met at St. George's Bar in Southwark +by John Melborne,(1088) the mayor, accompanied by the high officers of the +city, clothed in gowns of "pewke," each with a chain of gold about his +neck.(1089) A "proposicioun" or address was made by Sir Thomas More, now +under-treasurer of England, who was afterwards presented by the City with +the sum of L10 towards a velvet gown,(1090) whilst other speeches made in +the course of the procession were composed by Master Lilly,(1091) of +Euphues fame, the first high master of Colet's School. + +(M578) + +Between the first and second visits of the emperor the citizens had +witnessed some strange sights and had gone through much suffering and +privation. The city had scarcely ever been free from sickness, and famine +and pestilence had followed one another in quick succession. In September, +1520, the fellowships or civic companies subscribed over L1,000 for the +purchase of wheat(1092) to be stored at the Bridgehouse, where ovens were +fitted up.(1093) Mills for grinding corn already existed in the Thames +hard by.(1094) The following year the plague raged to such an extent that +every house attacked was ordered to be marked with St. Antony's cross, +"otherwise called the syne of Tav,"(1095) and citizens were forbidden to +attend the fair at Windsor for fear of carrying infection to the +court.(1096) + +Again a scarcity of corn was feared, and the Bridge-masters were +authorised by the Court of Common Council to purchase provisions, the +corporation undertaking to give security for the repayment of all monies +advanced by the charitably disposed for the purpose of staving off +famine.(1097) Early in 1522 (15 Jan.) died Fitz-James, Bishop of London, +carried off with many others by "a great death in London and other places +of the realm."(1098) + +(M579) + +The citizens had also in the meanwhile witnessed the arrest and execution +of the Duke of Buckingham, son of the duke who figured so prominently +before the citizens when the crown was offered to Richard III at Baynard +Castle. He was seized one day whilst landing from his barge at the Hay +Wharf, on a number of charges all more or less frivolous. His attendants +were dismissed to the duke's "Manor of the Rose," in the parish of St. +Laurence Pountney(1099)--on the site of which recently stood Merchant +Taylors' School--whilst he himself was conducted to the Tower (16 April, +1521). An indictment was laid against him at the Guildhall before Sir +John Brugge, lord mayor, and others (8 May). After a trial at Westminster +which lasted some days, he was found guilty of high treason, and condemned +to be hanged, drawn and quartered, and to suffer such other atrocities as +usually accompanied the death of a traitor in those days. The king, +however, satisfied with his condemnation, spared him these indignities, +and the duke was allowed to meet his death at the block. His corpse was +reverently carried from the Tower to the Church of the Austin Friars by +six poor members of that Order.(1100) + +The duke had other friends in the city besides these poor religious men, +who thus requited in the only way they could many acts of kindness done to +their Order by Buckingham in his life time, and his death gave rise to +much disaffection and seditious language for some time afterwards.(1101) + +(M580) + +Before the emperor left England he succeeded in committing Henry to an +invasion of France. In order to carry out his object the king needed +money, and the City was asked to furnish him with the sum of +L100,000.(1102) Ten days later (26 May) the City agreed to advance +L20,000. The livery companies were to be called upon to surrender their +plate, and foreigners as well as citizens were to be made to +contribute.(1103) + +(M581) + +The question arose whether the aldermen should be jointly assessed with +the commoners or by themselves. The mayor and aldermen were willing to +contribute the sum of L3,000,(1104) but this offer the Common Council +"nothyng regarded," but sent the common sergeant to talk the matter over +with them. After long consultation the mayor and aldermen sent back word +that it was more "convenient" that they should be assessed with the +commoners and not to be severed.(1105) + +In the meantime a hasty valuation had been made by the command of Wolsey +of the plate of the livery companies, and of the ready money lying in +their halls, the whole value of which was estimated to be L4,000. This, +together with the sum of L10,000 which the Court of Aldermen purposed +raising among the wealthier class of citizens, was all that the cardinal +was given to expect from the City.(1106) On the 24th May the deputation, +which had ridden with all speed after the cardinal in order to make this +report, returned to the city and reported to the Court of Aldermen that +his grace was in no wise satisfied with the City's offer, and that he +expected the City to furnish the king with at least L30,000, of which +L10,000 was to be ready within three days.(1107) The matter was +compromised by the City consenting to advance L20,000. + +In June the Recorder had an interview with Wolsey respecting the security +to be given for repayment of the loan. The cardinal refused to allow that +certain abbots, abbesses and priors, who had been named, should enter into +bond, and the citizens were obliged to be content with the personal +securities of the king and Wolsey himself. Touching the plate of the +halls, the cardinal wished only to take it in case of absolute necessity, +and then only at a fair price. He desired the owners to bring it to the +Tower, "there to be coyned and they [_i.e._, the government] to pay the +seyd money that so shalbe coyned." The result of the Recorder's interview +was reported to the Court of Aldermen the 17th June.(1108) A committee had +already (2 June) to take an account of the plate brought in and to enter +its true weight in a book.(1109) + +(M582) (M583) + +The recent loan of L20,000 had scarcely been raised(1110) before the +citizens found it necessary to make a further advance of 4,000 marks. +Their liberality was repaid by a gracious letter from Wolsey himself, in +which he promised to see the money repaid in a fortnight,(1111) and to +extend to them his favour. What vexed the citizens more than anything was +being compelled to make oath before the cardinal's deputy sitting in the +Chapter House of St. Paul's as to the amount each was worth in money, +plate, jewels, household goods and merchandise,--a system of inquisition +recently introduced.(1112) + +(M584) (M585) + +As if all this were not enough Wolsey demanded another loan before the end +of the year. This was too much even for the patient and open-handed London +burgess. The Common Council determined (4 Nov.) to put a stop to these +extortionate demands, and resolved that, "As touchyng the Requeste made by +my lorde cardynalles grace for appreste or aloone of more money to the +kynges grace, they can in no wise agre thereto, but they ar and wilbe well +contendid to be examyned uppon their othes yf it shall please his grace so +to do."(1113) The stand thus made by the citizens against illegal +exactions gave courage to others. The king's commissioners were forcibly +driven out of Kent, and open rebellion was threatened in other +counties.(1114) + +(M586) + +There was only one course left open to Henry, and that was to summon a +parliament. For nearly eight years no parliament had sat. It was now +summoned to meet on the 15th April, 1523, not at Westminster, but at the +house of the Blackfriars.(1115) The names of the city's representatives +are on record. The aldermen elected one of their body, George Monoux, and +with him was associated "according to ancient customs," the city's +Recorder, William Shelley; whilst the commons elected John Hewster, a +mercer, and William Roche, a draper(1116) + +A few days after the election a committee of fourteen members was +nominated to consider what matters should be laid before parliament as +being for the welfare of the city.(1117) Sir Thomas More was chosen +Speaker. The enormous sum of L800,000 was demanded. Expecting some +hesitation on the part of the Commons, Wolsey himself determined to argue +with them, and suddenly made his appearance in state. Finding that his +speech was received in grim silence, he turned to More for a reply. The +Speaker, falling on his knees, declared his inability to make any answer +until he had received the instructions of the House, and intimated that +perhaps the silence of the Commons was due to the cardinal's presence. +Wolsey accordingly departed discomforted.(1118) His attempt to overawe +parliament marks the beginning of his downfall. He still kept well with +the city, however, and rendered it several small services. + +(M587) + +Emboldened by their recent success the citizens determined to make a stand +against other exactions, and when in May, 1523, another demand was made +for one hundred bowmen, as in the previous year, they sent their charter +to the cardinal and begged that the article touching citizens not being +liable to foreign service might remain in force. A similar demand was made +in the following November, and again the assistance of Wolsey was called +in.(1119) The City on the other hand had recently conferred a favour on +the cardinal by discharging Robert Amadas, his own goldsmith, from serving +as alderman when elected in March of this year.(1120) + +(M588) + +In June the king and queen of Denmark paid a visit to the city and +attended mass at St. Paul's,(1121) when the Court of Aldermen made them a +present of two hogsheads of wine, one of white and another of claret, and +two "awmes" of Rhenish wine, two fresh salmon, a dozen great pike, four +dozen of "torchettes," and eight dozen of "syses."(1122) + +(M589) + +The joint attack of Henry and the emperor against France in 1523 proved as +great a failure as that of 1522. In the midst of the campaign Henry was +threatened with danger nearer home. The Scots marched southward, and +created such a panic in the city that a solemn procession, in which +figured Cuthbert Tunstal, Bishop of London (successor to the unfortunate +Fitz-James), the mayor and aldermen, all the king's justices, and all the +sergeants-at-law, took place every day for a week.(1123) After a futile +attack upon Wark Castle the invaders withdrew and all danger was +over.(1124) + +(M590) + +When the Feast of St. Edward (13 Oct.) came round, George Monoux, alderman +and draper, who had already (1514-15) once filled the office of mayor of +the city, was re-elected; but refusing to accept the call of his +fellow-citizens he was fined L1,000. It was thereupon declared by the +Court of Aldermen that anyone who in future should be elected mayor, and +refused to take up office, should be mulcted in a like sum.(1125) Monoux's +fine was remitted the following year, and he was discharged from +attendance, although keeping his aldermanry, on account of ill health. In +return for this favour he made over to the Corporation his brewhouse +situate near the Bridgehouse in Southwark.(1126) + +(M591) + +Before the close of the year (3 Dec., 1523) the king pledged himself by +letters patent to repay the loan of L20,000 which the City had advanced +for his defence of the realm and maintenance of the wars against France +and Scotland.(1127) + +(M592) + +The disappointment experienced by Wolsey in not being selected to fill the +Papal chair on the death of Adrian VI induced him to take measures for +transferring his master's power from the imperial court to the court of +France. In the meantime a league was formed between Henry, the emperor, +and Charles, Duke of Bourbon, for the conquest and partition of France. +During the formation of this league some correspondence between England +and the Continent appears to have been lost in a remarkable manner, to +judge from the following proclamation,(1128) made the 10th July, 1524:-- + +(M593) + + + _"My lorde the maire streitly chargith and commaundith on the king + or soveraigne lordis behalf that if any maner of person or persons + that have founde a hat with certeyn lettres and other billes and + writinges therin enclosed which lettres been directed to o__r__ + said soveraigne lorde from the parties of beyond the see let hym + or theym bryng the said hat lettres and writinges unto my said + lorde the maire in all the hast possible and they shalbe well + rewarded for their labour and that no maner of person kepe the + said hat lettres and writinges nor noon of them after this + proclamacioun made uppon payn of deth and God save the king."_ + + +(M594) (M595) + +The news of the defeat and capture of the French king at Pavia (24 Feb., +1525) was hailed by Henry with great delight. The crown of France was now, +he thought, within his grasp. On Saturday, the 11th March, a triumph was +made in the city to celebrate "the takynge of the Frenche kyng in Bataill +by Themporer and his alies."(1129) Bonfires were lighted at different +places, one being in Saint Paul's Churchyard near the house where lay the +foreign ambassadors. The Chamberlain was ordered to provide a hogshead of +wine at every fire. The city minstrels filled the air with music, and the +parish clerks attended with their singing children, who sat about the +bonfires and sang ballads and "other delectable and joyfull songs." On the +Sunday following the king and queen and officers of state attended a _Te +Deum_ at St. Paul's, the legate himself pronouncing the benediction.(1130) + +(M596) + +Henry's first impulse was to take advantage of the French king's +misfortune; the cardinal, on the other hand, saw danger in the +predominating influence of Charles in Europe, and would gladly have seen +his master join hands with Francis against the emperor. He was +nevertheless bound to carry out the king's wishes as if they were his own, +and money was necessary for the purpose. Instead of resorting to a +benevolence--a mode of raising money already declared by parliament to be +illegal--he suggested that the people should be asked for what was called +an Amicable Loan, on the old feudal ground that the king was about to lead +an expedition in person. The citizens were among the first to whom Wolsey +made application. Were they of opinion, he asked, that the king should +undertake the expedition to France in person? If so, he could not go +otherwise than beseemed a prince, and this he could not do without the +city's aid. The sum they were asked to subscribe did not, he said, amount +to half their substance, which the king might very well have demanded. +When it was objected that trade had been bad, Wolsey lost his temper and +declared that it was better that some citizens should suffer rather than +that the king should be in want, and that if they refused to pay it might +"fortune to cost some their heddes."(1131) At length the citizens agreed +to grant the king a sixth part of their substance, which Henry graciously +acknowledged by letter (25 April),(1132) saying that it was not his wish +to overburden them, for he valued their prosperity more than ten such +realms as France. The letter was read, by Wolsey's express wish, to the +Common Council on the 28th, when it was agreed to ask for a fortnight's +grace before sending an answer to so important a missive.(1133) A +deputation was forthwith despatched to Hampton Court to solicit the +cardinal's mediation, but not being able to obtain an interview they +returned, and steps were taken to raise the money required. + +When the cardinal was informed later on that the alderman of each ward was +holding an enquiry as to the means of the inhabitants he affected to be +very angry. "They had no right to examine anyone," he said; "I am your +commissioner, I will examine you one by one myself." The mayor (Sir +William Bailey) thereupon threw himself at the cardinal's feet beseeching +him that since it was by Act of Common Council that the aldermen had sat +in their respective wards for the purpose of taking the benevolence--a +procedure which he now perceived to be against the law--the Act should by +the Common Council be revoked. "Well," said Wolsey "I am content," and he +then proceeded to ask how much the mayor and aldermen then present were +prepared to give. When the mayor incautiously remarked that if he made any +promise there and then it might perhaps cost him his life, Wolsey again +became furious. What! the mayor's life threatened for obeying the king's +orders! He would see to that. + +In the country the loan met with so much opposition that a rebellion was +feared. At length, finding it was impossible to collect the money, Wolsey +sent (19 May) for the mayor and aldermen and informed them that the king +had given up all thoughts of his expedition to France, and that they were +pardoned of all that had been demanded of them.(1134) + +(M597) (M598) + +Before many weeks elapsed Wolsey saw with satisfaction a truce made +between Henry and the queen regent of France.(1135) Early in 1526 the +French king regained his liberty by virtue of a treaty which he at once +repudiated, and war between him and the emperor was renewed, but England +remained virtually at peace. In the following year (1527) the cardinal +himself paid a visit to the French king and superintended the drawing up +of articles for a permanent peace. By September all was settled, and +Wolsey returned to England. Ambassadors from France shortly afterwards +arrived, and were lodged in the Bishop of London's palace in St. Paul's +Churchyard. The City made them valuable presents at the instance of the +lord cardinal.(1136) + +(M599) (M600) (M601) (M602) + +The election of Paul Wythypol,(1137) a merchant-tailor, as alderman of the +Ward of Farringdon Within, in 1527, again brought Henry and the citizens +into variance. The king desired Wythypol's discharge, at least for a time. +The Court of Aldermen hesitated to accede to the request and consulted +Wolsey.(1138) He recommended them an interview with the king at Greenwich. +To Greenwich they accordingly went (24 Feb.) by water, where they arrived +in time to give a formal reception to the cardinal, who landed soon +afterwards from his barge. After a few words had passed between the +cardinal and the municipal officers, the former entered the palace, whilst +the latter waited in the king's great chamber till dinner time. When that +hour arrived they were bidden to go down to the hall, where the mayor was +entertained at the lord steward's mess, and the aldermen received like +attention from the comptroller and other officers of state. The city's +Counsel who had accompanied the mayor and aldermen were entertained at the +table of "master coferer." Dinner over, the company returned to the great +chamber, where they were kept waiting till the evening. At length the +mayor and aldermen were bidden to the king's presence in his secret +chamber. What took place there the writer of the record declares himself +unable to say,(1139) and, although the mayor afterwards made a report of +the matter to the court, no particulars are recorded in the City's +archives. The practical outcome of the interview appears to have been that +Wythypol was left unmolested for a whole twelve-month. When that time had +elapsed he was again summoned before the Court of Aldermen either to +accept office or take the oath prescribed.(1140) Refusing both these +propositions he was committed to Newgate.(1141) This took place on the 6th +February, 1528. On the 3rd March he appeared in person before the Court of +Aldermen and desired a respite from office, or to be allowed to pay a +fine. Being asked the amount of fine he was prepared to pay, he offered +L40, and at the same time asked to be discharged from office for a period +of three years. This offer was declined, and Wythypol was again ordered to +take the oath prescribed for his discharge.(1142) Nearly three months were +allowed to elapse before any further steps were taken, when, on the 22nd +May, the court again ordered Wythypol to appear at its next meeting, and +to take up office, or else take the oath, or pay such fine as should be +assessed by the mayor, aldermen and common council.(1143) It is certain +that he did not take office, so the conclusion must be that he availed +himself of one or other of the alternatives open to him. John Brown was +elected alderman of Farringdon Within shortly afterwards, but he was +discharged by the Common Council, and the aldermanry was subsequently +filled by John Hardy being translated to it from Aldersgate Ward.(1144) + +(M603) + +In addition to an epidemic of sickness,(1145) the city was threatened the +following year with a famine, notwithstanding the fact that large +quantities of grain had been stored up in various parts of the city by +order of the municipal authorities. The country had suffered recently by +heavy rains, and large tracts of land had been inundated. In anticipation +of trouble, a large stock of wheat had been laid in, but when it came to +the point of disposing of it, the bakers of the city and the bakers of +Stratford-at-Bow declined to take it except at their own price, until +compelled by threats and, in some cases, imprisonment.(1146) + +(M604) + +For some years past Henry had been meditating a divorce from Catherine of +Aragon, his brother's widow, but it was not until 1529 that the assent of +the Pope was at last obtained to try the validity of the marriage. The +legatine court sat in the city at the house of the Blackfriars, where +every arrangement was made to add dignity to the proceedings. At its head +sat the two cardinals, Campeggio and Wolsey, on chairs covered with cloth +of gold, and on their right sat Henry himself.(1147) The sudden suspension +of all proceedings after the court had sat for some weeks, and the +revocation of the cause to the Court of Rome, led to Wolsey's downfall. In +October the seals were taken from him and given to Sir Thomas More, his +furniture and plate were seized, and he himself ordered to remove from +London. + +(M605) + +A few days after Wolsey's disgrace a banquet was held at the Guildhall on +the occasion of the swearing in of Ralph Dodmer, the newly-elected mayor. +It is the first lord mayor's banquet of which any particulars have come +down to us, and they are interesting as recording the names of the chief +guests. The mayor's court, the scene of the feast, was boarded and hung +with cloth of Arras for the occasion. One table was set apart for peers of +the realm, at the head of which sat the new lord chancellor and at the +bottom the lords Berkeley and Powis. At either side of the table sat nine +peers, among whom were the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, the one being the +treasurer and the other the marshal of England, Sir Thomas Grey, Marquis +of Dorset, the Earl of Oxford, high chamberlain, and the Earl of +Shrewsbury, lord steward of England, Tunstal, Bishop of London, Sir Thomas +Boleyn, Lord Rochford, whose daughter Anne was shortly to experience the +peril of sharing Henry's throne, Lord Audley, and others. At two other +tables, placed between the court of orphans and the mayor's court, were +entertained a number of knights and other gentlemen, whose names are not +recorded.(1148) + +(M606) + +It was not long before further proceedings were taken against the king's +late minister. On the 3rd November (1529), after the lapse of six years, +parliament met in the city at the palace of Bridewell. The City was +represented by Thomas Seymer, an alderman and ex-mayor, John Baker, the +City's Recorder, John Petyte, grocer, and Paul Wythypol,(1149) the +merchant-tailor whose election as alderman had recently created no little +trouble. Among other members was Thomas Cromwell,(1150) a friend of +Wolsey, and destined soon to take his place as the king's chief adviser. A +bill for disabling the cardinal from being restored to his former +dignities was carried by the Lords and sent down to the Commons (1 Dec.). +There it is said to have met with the strenuous opposition of Cromwell. Of +this, however, there is some doubt, as it is uncertain whether the bill +provoked any discussion, parliament being shortly afterward prorogued (17 +Dec.) and the unhappy cardinal left in suspense as to what fate was in +store for him.(1151) At Christmas he fell ill, and the king's heart became +so far softened towards his old favourite that early in the following year +(Feb., 1530) he was restored to the archbishopric of York with all its +possessions except York-place (Whitehall) in Westminster, which Henry +could not bring himself to surrender. His colleges were seized; the +college he had founded at Ipswich was sold; but his college at Oxford, +known as Cardinal College, was afterwards re-established under the name of +Christ Church. He himself was not allowed to rest long in peace. He was +summoned to London on a charge of treason, for which there was little or +no foundation, but the troubles of the last two years had rendered him so +infirm that he died on the way. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + + + +(M607) + +Although Wolsey was no more, his works followed him. He it was, and not +Henry, who first conceived the idea of church reform, towards which some +steps had been taken in Wolsey's lifetime. It was left for Henry to carry +out the design of his great minister. When the king laid his hand on the +monasteries, he only followed the example set by the cardinal in 1525, +when some of the smaller religious houses in Kent, Sussex and Essex were +suppressed for his great foundation of Oxford. To assist him in carrying +out his design he turned to parliament. Relieved as they now were of the +oppression of the great nobles, the Commons were ready to use their +newly-acquired independence against the clergy, who exacted extravagant +fees and misused the powers of the ecclesiastical courts. Acts were passed +regulating the payment of mortuary fees and the fees for probate, whilst +another Act restricted the holding of pluralities and the taking of ferms +by church-men.(1152) The clergy threatened to appeal to Rome, but were +warned that such action would be met with pains and penalties as opposed +to the royal prerogative.(1153) + +(M608) + +In the city the question of tithes payable to the clergy had been always +more or less a vexed question. Before the commencement of the thirteenth +century the city clergy had been supported by casual dues in addition to +their glebe land. These casual payments were originally personal, but +subsequently became regulated by the amount of rent paid by parishioners +for their houses. A question arose as to whether the citizens were also +liable to pay personal tithes on their gains, and it was eventually +decided that they were so liable.(1154) + +On the 31st August, 1527, a committee, which had been specially appointed +to enquire into matters concerning the city's welfare, reported, among +other things, upon the tithe question as it then stood in the city.(1155) +The "curates," they said, had purchased a Bull of Pope Nicholas, on the +6th August, 1453, and this Bull had been confirmed by Act of Common +Council on the 3rd March, 1475. Not only was the amount of the tithe +payable fixed by the Bull, but the Bull itself was to be publicly read by +the curates four times a year, so that no doubt should exist in the minds +of the parishioners. This the curates had failed to do, and had caused +their parishioners heavy legal expenses in disputing demands for tithes. +One man was known to have spent as much as L100 in his own defence. The +committee suggested that the whole question should be referred to the +Bishop of London, and that a translation of the Bull should be exhibited +in every church. The citizens were the more aggrieved because many +parsonages and vicarages were let to ferm.(1156) + +(M609) + +The curates made their defence in a book of eighteen articles touching +tithes and other oblations, the chief point being that every householder, +time out of mind, had been bound to pay to God and the Church one farthing +out of every 10_s._ of rent, a half-penny out of 20_s._ and so forth, on +100 days of the year; amounting in all to 2_s._ 1_d._ for every 10_s._ +rent _per annum_. This manner of payment proving tedious, the curates and +their parishioners came to an agreement that 1_s._ 2_d._ should be paid on +every 6_s._ 8_d._ or noble, and this sum the curates had been receiving +time out of mind, none reclaiming or denying. But, inasmuch as this +payment by occupiers of houses was only ordained for a "dowry" to the +parish churches of London which had no glebe lands, the curates demanded +that all merchants and artificers, with other occupiers of the city, +should pay personal tithes of their "lucre or encrece" according to the +common law, and as "well conscyoned" men had been in the habit of paying +in times past.(1157) The book of articles was laid before the Court of +Common Council on the 16th February, 1528, by Robert Carter and six other +priests, on behalf of their entire body. On the following 16th March the +Court of Aldermen for themselves agreed to pay tithe at the forthcoming +Easter according to the Bull of Pope Nicholas, and not after the rate of +1_s._ 2_d._ on the noble,(1158) whilst four days later the Common Council +decided that, for the sake of convenience, bills should be posted in every +parish church within the city showing the number of offering days (viz., +eighty-two) and the amount to be offered by inhabitants of the city.(1159) + +So matters continued until, early in 1534, it was agreed to submit the +whole question to the lord chancellor and other members of the council, +who made their award a few days before Easter.(1160) It decreed that at +the forthcoming festival every subject should pay to the parson or curate +of his parish after the rate of 2_s._ 9_d._ in the pound, and 16 pence +half-penny in the half-pound, and that every man's wife, servant, child +and apprentice receiving the Holy Sacrament should pay two pence. These +payments were to continue to be paid "without grudge or murmur" until such +time as the council should arrive at a final settlement.(1161) + +(M610) + +In the meanwhile the city had been made to feel the heavy hand of the king +and of his new minister, Thomas Cromwell. In May, 1530, Elsing Spital, a +house established by William Elsing, a charitable mercer, for the relief +of the blind, but which had subsequently grown into a priory of +Augustinian canons of wealth and position, was confiscated by the Crown. +What became of the blind inmates is not known. In the following year +(1531) the Priory of Holy Trinity, Aldgate, shared the same fate. The +priory had existed since the time of Henry I and the "good queen" +Matilda,(1162) and its prior enjoyed the singular distinction of being +_ex__ officio_ an alderman of the city. The canons were now removed to +another place and the building and site bestowed by Henry upon his +chancellor, Sir Thomas Audley.(1163) + +(M611) + +Between 1531 and 1534 the City enjoyed some respite from attack. It even +recovered some of its lost privileges. In 1521 Henry had deprived the City +of its right to the Great Beam, and of the issues and profits derived from +it, and had caused a conveyance of it to be made to Sir William Sidney. In +1531 the beam was re-conveyed to the City.(1164) The Grocers' Company were +scarcely less interested in the beam than the City, for to them was +deputed the choice of weighers, who were afterwards admitted and sworn +before the Court of Aldermen. Both the City and the company used their +best endeavours to recover their lost rights, the former going so far as +to sanction the distribution of the sum of L23 6_s._ 8_d._ between the +king's sergeant, the king's attorney, and one "Lumnore,"(1165) a servant +of "my lady Anne,"(1166) with the view of gaining their object the +easier.(1167) A compromise was subsequently effected by which Sir William +Sidney continued to hold the beam at an annual rent payable to the +City,(1168) until, in 1531, he consented to a surrender, and it became +again vested in the Corporation. + +(M612) + +Finding it hopeless to obtain the Pope's sanction to his divorce from +Catherine, Henry at last lost all patience, and on the 25th January, 1533, +was privately married to Anne Boleyn. The match was unpopular with the +citizens, who took occasion of a sermon preached on Easter-day to show +their dissatisfaction. According to Chapuys, the Spanish ambassador, who +sent an account of the affair to the emperor, the greater part of the +congregation got up and left the church when prayers were desired for the +queen. When Henry heard of the insult thus offered to his new bride he was +furious, and forthwith sent word to the mayor to see that no such +manifestation should occur again. Thereupon, continues Chapuys, the mayor +summoned the guilds to assemble in their various halls and commanded them +to cease murmuring against the king's marriage on pain of incurring the +royal displeasure, and to order their own journeymen and servants, "and, a +still more difficult task, their own wives," to refrain from speaking +disparagingly about the queen.(1169) + +(M613) + +It was perhaps on this account that the civic authorities excelled +themselves in giving the queen a suitable reception as she passed from the +Tower to Westminster on the 31st May. The Court of Aldermen directed (14 +May) the wardens of the Haberdashers to prepare their barge as well as the +"bachelers" barge for the occasion. Three pageants were to be set up, one +in Leadenhall and the others at the Standard and the little Conduit in +Cheapside. The Standard was to run with wine. A deputation was appointed +to wait upon the king's council to learn its wishes, and enquiry was to be +made of the Duke of Norfolk whether the clergy should take part in the +day's proceedings, and whether the merchants of the Steelyard or other +strangers should be allowed to erect pageants.(1170) + +(M614) + +The Court of Common Council had on the previous day (13 May) voted a gift +of 1,000 marks to be presented to the queen at her coronation, and a +further sum to be expended in the city "for the honor of the same."(1171) +Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn were the only queens of king Henry +VIII who were crowned, and on both occasions the citizens of London +performed the customary services.(1172) + +(M615) + +In September (1533) Anne gave birth to a daughter, who afterwards ascended +the throne as Queen Elizabeth. In the following spring (1534) parliament +passed an Act of Succession, which not only declared Elizabeth (and not +Mary, the king's daughter by Catherine of Aragon) heir to the crown, but +required all subjects to take an oath acknowledging the succession. +Commissioners were appointed to tender the oath to the citizens,(1173) and +by the 20th April the "most part of the city was sworn to the "king and +his legitimate issue by the queen's grace now had and hereafter to +come."(1174) A fortnight later deeds under the common seals of the livery +companies "concernyng the suretye state and succession" of the king were +delivered to Henry in person at Greenwich by a deputation of +aldermen.(1175) + +(M616) + +The oath, nevertheless, met with much opposition, more especially among +the clergy and the religious orders. Elizabeth Barton, known as the "holy +maid of Kent," and some of her followers, among them being Henry Gold, +rector of the church of St. Mary Aldermary, were executed at Tyburn for +daring to speak against the king's marriage.(1176) The friars proved +extremely obstinate, and Henry sent commissioners to seek out and suppress +all those friaries that refused to submit. + +(M617) + +The inmates of the London Charterhouse, who might well have been left to +enjoy their quiet seclusion from the world, were startled by a visit from +the king's commissioners calling upon them to take the oath. The manner of +their reception by John Houghton, the prior, and his brethren and +subsequent proceedings are graphically described by Maurice Chauncy,(1177) +one of the inmates, who was more compliant than his brethren to the king's +wishes, and thereby saved his life. The prior and Humphrey Middlemore, the +procurator of the convent, were committed to the Tower for counselling +opposition to the commissioners. There they were visited by the Archbishop +of York and the Bishop of London, who persuaded them at last that the +question of the succession was not a cause in which to sacrifice their +lives for conscience sake. The result was that after a while Houghton and +his companion declared their willingness to submit. On the 29th May the +commissioners received oaths of fealty from Prior Houghton and five other +monks, and on the 6th June Bishop Lee and Sir Thomas Kitson, one of the +sheriffs, received similar oaths from a number of priests, professed monks +and lay brethren or _conversi_ belonging to the house.(1178) The oaths of +obedience to the Act were given under reservation "so far as the law of +God permitted," and for a time the monks were left in comparative quiet, +some few of them, of whom Cromwell entertained the most hope of +submission, being sent, by his direction, to the convent of Sion.(1179) + +(M618) (M619) + +The exhortations of the "father confessor" were not without some measure +of success, several of the Carthusians being induced to alter their +opinions as to the king's demands. The seal of doom, however, was fixed on +the order by the passing of the Act which called upon its members to +renounce the Pope and acknowledge the royal supremacy.(1180) Fisher and +More denied the king's title of Supreme Head of the Church, and were +committed to the Tower. At this crisis there came to London two priors of +Carthusian houses established, one in Nottinghamshire and the other in +Lincolnshire. They came to talk over the state of affairs with Houghton. +An interview with Cromwell, recently appointed vicar-general or king's +vicegerent in matters ecclesiastical, was resolved on. The king might +possibly be prevailed upon to make some abatement in his demands. +Cromwell, however, no sooner discovered the object of their visit than he +committed them to the Tower as rebels and would-be traitors. As they still +refused to acknowledge the king's supremacy in the Church, in spite of all +efforts of persuasion, they were brought to trial, together with Father +Reynolds of Sion, on a charge of treason. A verdict of guilty was, after +some hesitation on the part of the jury, found against them, and they were +executed at Tyburn (4 May, 1535), glorying in the cause for which they +were held worthy to suffer death. Houghton's arm was suspended over the +gateway of the London Charterhouse, in the fond hope that the rest of the +brethren might be awed into submission. This atrocious act of barbarism +had, however, precisely the opposite effect to that desired. The monks +were more resolute than ever not to submit, and not even a personal visit +of Henry himself could turn them from their purpose.(1181) Three of them +were thereupon committed to prison, where they were compelled to stand in +an upright position for thirteen days, chained from their necks to their +arms and with their legs fettered.(1182) They were afterwards brought to +trial on a charge of treason, convicted and executed (19 June). + +The fate of the remaining monks is soon told. In May, 1537, the royal +commissioners once more attended at the Charterhouse, when they found the +majority of its inmates prepared to take the oath prescribed. Ten of them, +however, still refused, and were committed to Newgate and there left to be +"dispatched by the hand of God," in other words to meet a painful and +lingering death from fever and starvation. The following month the remnant +of the community made their submission, and the London Charterhouse, as a +monastic institution, ceased to exist. + +(M620) + +Fisher and More were now brought from the Tower, where they had lain six +months and more, and convicted on a similar charge of treason. Their +sentence was commuted to death by beheading. Fisher was the first to +suffer (19 June, 1535). His head was set up on London Bridge and his body +buried in the churchyard of All Hallows, Barking. More suffered a few +weeks later (6 July). His head, too, was placed on London Bridge, but his +body was buried in the Tower, whither the remains of Fisher were +afterwards carried. On the 15th December the Court of Aldermen publicly +condemned a sermon preached by Fisher "in derogation and diminution of the +royal estate of the king's majesty."(1183) + +(M621) + +When, in the following year (1536), the smaller monasteries--those of less +than L200 a year--were dissolved by Act of Parliament, and the inhabitants +of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, taking fright lest the king and Cromwell +should proceed to despoil the parish churches, set out on the Pilgrimage +of Grace, Henry sought the City's aid. On the 10th October a letter from +the king was read before the Court of Aldermen, desiring them to dispatch +forthwith to his manor of Ampthill, where the nobles were about to wait +upon his majesty, a contingent of at least 250 armed men, 200 of which +were to be well horsed, and 100 to be archers.(1184) The mayor, Sir John +Allen,(1185) lost no time in issuing his precept to the livery companies +for each of them to furnish a certain number of bowmen and billmen, well +horsed and arrayed in jackets of white bearing the City's arms. They were +to muster in Moorfields within twenty-four hours. The Mercers were called +upon to furnish the largest quota, viz., twenty men; the Grocers, Drapers, +Tailors and Cloth-workers respectively, sixteen men, and the rest of the +companies contingents varying from twelve to two.(1186) The Court of +Aldermen at the same time took the precaution of depriving all priests and +curates, as well as all friars dwelling within the city, of every +offensive weapon, so that they should be left with nothing but their +"meate knyves."(1187) The king sent a letter of thanks for the city's +contingent.(1188) + +Later on, when Allen had been succeeded in the mayoralty by Sir Ralph +Warren,(1189) it was resolved that each member of the court should provide +at his own cost and charges twenty able men fully equipped in case of any +emergency that might arise, whilst the companies were again called upon to +hold men in readiness.(1190) + +(M622) + +Henry in the meantime had got rid of his second wife on the specious +ground of her having misconducted herself with more than one member of the +court, the real cause being her miscarriage(1191) of a male child, to the +king's bitter disappointment. Henry had made up his mind to change his +wives until he could find one who would give him a male heir and thus +place the succession to the crown beyond all possibility of doubt. The +very next day following Anne Boleyn's execution he married Jane Seymour. +The marriage necessitated the calling together of a new parliament, when a +fresh Act was passed settling the succession on Jane's children and +declaring both Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate. Nevertheless, as soon as +Mary made formal submission to her father, the king's attitude towards +her, from being cold and cruel, changed at once to one of courtesy if not +of affection. He was thought to entertain the idea of declaring her +heir-apparent. Indeed, on Sunday, the 20th August, she was actually +proclaimed as such in one of the London churches--no doubt by some +mistake.(1192) + +(M623) + +Whilst parliament was sitting at Westminster convocation was gathered at +St. Paul's in the city, and continued to sit there until the 20th July, +presided over by Cromwell as the king's vicar-general. The meeting was +remarkable for its formal decree that Henry, as supreme head of the +Church, might and ought to disregard all citations by the Pope, as well as +for the promulgation of the ten articles intended to promote uniformity of +belief and worship.(1193) + +(M624) (M625) + +In September, 1536, the Court of Common Council agreed to vote the same +sum of money for the coronation of the "right excellent pryncesse lady +Jane, quene of Englonde," as had been granted at the coronation of "dame +Anne, late queene of Englonde."(1194) The money, however, was not +required, for the new queen was never crowned. Just one week after the +birth of a prince (12 Oct., 1537), afterwards King Edward VI, there was a +solemn procession of priests from every city church, with the Bishop of +London, the choir of St. Paul's, the mayor, aldermen and crafts in their +liveries, for the preservation of the infant prince and for the health of +the queen, who lay in a precarious state.(1195) A few days later (24 Oct.) +she was dead. The citizens caused her obit to be celebrated in St. Paul's +with truly regal pomp.(1196) + +(M626) (M627) + +Two years later the citizens were preparing to set out to Greenwich in +their barge (the mayor, aldermen, and those who had served the office of +sheriff, in liveries of black velvet with chains of gold on their necks, +accompanied by their servants in coats of russet) to welcome Anne of +Cleves, who landed at Dover the 27th December, 1539.(1197) On the 3rd +February, 1540, the Court of Aldermen was informed that the king and queen +would be leaving Greenwich on the morrow for Westminster, and that it was +the king's wish that the commons of London should be in their best +apparel, in their barges, to wait upon his highness, meeting at St. +Dunstan's in the East at 7 o'clock in the morning and arriving at +Greenwich by 8 o'clock.(1198) + +(M628) + +The insurrection which had taken place in the country under the name of +the Pilgrimage of Grace was seized by the king as an excuse for +suppressing many of the larger monasteries and confiscating their +property. He had no such excuse for carrying out his destructive policy in +the city. Nevertheless, under the immediate supervision of Cromwell, the +work of suppression went on, and before the end of 1538 was well nigh +complete. The surrender of the houses of the Black Friars, the Grey Friars +and the White Friars followed in quick succession, "and so all the other +immediatlie."(1199) Cromwell by this time had removed from his house near +Fenchurch to another near the Austin Friars in Throgmorton Street. He had +recently asked for a pipe of water to be laid on to his new house, and +this the Common Council had "lovingly" granted.(1200) In his private +concerns he showed as little regard for the rights of others as in the +affairs of State. He did not scruple to remove bodily a small house, the +property of Stow's father, in order to enlarge his own garden, giving +neither warning beforehand nor explanation afterwards, and "no man durst +go to argue the matter."(1201) + +The hospital of St. Thomas of Acon, which had ministered to the wants of +the poorer citizens for nearly 400 years, disappeared,(1202) and was soon +followed by the priory and hospital of St. Bartholomew, an institution of +even greater antiquity, the hospital of St. Thomas, in Southwark, the +priory and hospital of St. Mary without Bishopsgate, known as St. Mary of +Bethlem, or "Bedlam," and the Abbey of Graces or New Abbey (sometimes +called the Eastminster to distinguish it from the other minster in the +west of London) which had been founded by Edward III, near Tower Hill. + +(M629) + +A portion of the spoil was, as we have already seen, distributed among +court favourites. The site of the house and gardens of the Augustinian +Friars in Broad Street Ward was occupied, soon after their suppression (12 +Nov., 1538), by the mansion-house of that politic courtier the celebrated +Marquis of Winchester, who managed to maintain himself in high station in +spite of the changes which took place under the several reigns of Henry +VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, "by being a willow and not an oak." +The building known at the present day as Winchester House, in Broad +Street, stands near the site of the old mansion-house and garden of +William Paulet, first Marquis of Winchester. The Friars' church he allowed +to stand; and in June, 1550, the nave was granted, by virtue of a charter +permitting alien non-conforming churches to exist in this country, to the +Dutch and Walloon churches.(1203) The first marquis dying in 1571, he was +succeeded by his son, who sold the monuments and lead from the roof of the +remaining portion of the church and turned the place into a stable.(1204) +The fourth marquis was reduced to parting with his house, built on the +site of the old priory, in order to pay his debts, and appears to have +found a purchaser in a wealthy London merchant and alderman of the city, +John Swinnerton or Swynarton.(1205) + +(M630) + +The steeple of the church, which was of so great beauty that the citizens +desired its preservation,(1206) was sold by the marquis to Henry Robinson, +who forthwith set to work to pull it down on the ground that it was in +such a state of decay as to be a danger to the passer-by. Swinnerton, who +happened to be mayor at the time, ordered him to stay the work of +demolition; he, however, not only hurried on the more, but obstructed the +officers sent to put a stop to the work, for which he was committed to +Newgate to stay there until he gave security for restoring what he had +already pulled down. The thought suggests itself that the fact of +Swinnerton having purchased adjacent property may have made him the more +zealous in preventing the demolition of the steeple than perhaps he might +otherwise have been. However that may be, he lost no time in informing the +lords of the council of the state of affairs and asking their advice (16 +Feb., 1612). The reply came three days later, and was to the effect that +as the City had had the option of purchasing the steeple at even a less +price than Robinson had paid for it, and might have come to some +arrangement with the marquis to keep it in repair, it could not prevent +Robinson, who purchased it as a speculation, making the best he could of +his bargain; so that, unless the City consented to accept Robinson's offer +to part with his property on payment of his purchase-money and +disbursements within a fortnight, down the steeple must come.(1207) + +(M631) + +The priory of St. Helen without Bishopsgate was one of the last to be +surrendered. In 1542 the nuns' chapel, which at one time was partitioned +off from the rest of the church, was made over to Sir Richard Williams, a +nephew of Thomas Cromwell, and ancestor of the Protector. The nuns' +refectory or hall passed into the hands of the Leathersellers' Company and +formed the company's hall until the close of the last century. The conduct +of the inmates of the priory had not always been what it should be.(1208) +The last prioress, in anticipation of the coming storm, leased a large +portion of the conventual property to members of her own family, and at +the time of the suppression was herself allowed a gratuity of L30 and a +pension. + +(M632) + +The relations existing between the civic authorities and the religious +houses in the city were often of a most friendly and cordial character. +When, in 1520, the Friars of the Holy Cross wanted assistance for the +maintenance and building of their church, they applied to the Corporation +as being their "secund founders."(1209) For assistance thus given the +friars bound themselves to pray for their benefactors. When, in 1512, the +master of St. Bartholomew's hospital obtained a lease for ninety-nine +years from the City of a parcel of land on which his gatehouse or porch +stood, it was on condition of payment of a certain rent and of his keeping +a yearly obit in his church for the souls of the mayor, aldermen and +commons of the city; and when the master of the hospital, two years later, +attempted to back out of the terms of his lease and asked to be discharged +from keeping the obit on the ground that he thought that the payment of +the specified rent was sufficient for the premises, the Court of Aldermen +unanimously decided that no part of the agreement should be minished or +remitted.(1210) When the house of the Sisters Minoresses or Poor Clares, +situate in Aldgate, suffered from fire, the Corporation rendered them +pecuniary aid to the extent of 300 marks.(1211) + +It was, however, to the Franciscans or Grey Friars that the citizens of +London, individually as well as in their corporate capacity, were more +especially attached. Soon after their arrival in England in 1223, they +became indebted to the benevolence and generosity of citizens, their first +benefactor having been John Ewen, citizen and mercer, who made them a gift +of some land and houses in the parish of St. Nicholas by the Shambles. +Upon this they erected their original building. Their first chapel, which +became the chapel of their church, was built at the cost of William +Joyner, who was mayor in 1239; the nave was added by Henry Waleys, who was +frequently mayor during the reign of Edward I; the chapterhouse by Walter +le Poter, elected sheriff in 1272; the dormitory by Gregory de Rokesley, +who was mayor from 1274 to 1281, and again in 1284-5, and whose bones +eventually found a resting place in their church; the refectory by another +citizen, Bartholomew de Castro; and lastly--coming to later times--a library +was added to their house by the bounty of Richard Whitington, as already +narrated. It became the custom for the mayor and aldermen, as patron and +founders, to pay a yearly visit to their house and church on St. Francis's +day (4 Oct.). The custom dates from 1508. In 1522 the visit was for the +first time followed by a dinner.(1212) + +(M633) + +In one respect at least, if in no other, Cromwell's action in suppressing +religious houses resulted in a benefit to the city of London as well as to +the country at large, and this was in the institution of parish registers, +not only for baptisms, but also for marriages. It had been his intention +to establish them in 1536 to remedy the inconvenience to the public +arising from the suppression of the smaller monasteries, and it is evident +that some instructions were given at this time, inasmuch as the registers +of two city parishes--viz., St. James Garlickhithe and St. Mary +Bothaw--commence in November of this year,(1213) although the royal +injunction commanding that registers should systematically be kept up, +under penalty of fines, was not published by Cromwell, as vicar-general, +until the 29th September, 1538. The delay is to be accounted for by the +great discontent which the rumour of his project excited in the country. +It was reported that some new tax on the services of the Church was +contemplated, and the first in the list of popular grievances circulated +by the rebels in the Pilgrimage of Grace was the payment of tribute to the +king for the sacrament of baptism. In course of time, as matters became +quieter and the government began to feel its own strength, Cromwell +resumed a project never altogether abandoned, and caused the injunction to +be issued, an action for which posterity must ever be deeply grateful. + +(M634) + +On the other hand, the sudden closing of these institutions caused the +streets to be thronged with the sick and poor, and the small parish +churches to be so crowded with those who had been accustomed to frequent +the larger and more commodious churches of the friars that there was +scarce room left for the parishioners themselves. The city authorities saw +at once that something would have to be done if they wished to keep their +streets clear of beggars and of invalids, and not invite the spread of +sickness by allowing infected persons to wander at large. As a means of +affording temporary relief, collections for the poor were made every +Sunday at Paul's Cross, after the sermon, and the proceeds were +distributed weekly among the most necessitous,(1214) but more +comprehensive steps were required to be taken. + +(M635) + +Sir Richard Gresham,(1215) who was mayor at the time (1537-8), took upon +himself to address a letter(1216) to the king setting forth that there +were three hospitals in the city, viz., St. Mary's Spital, St. +Bartholomew's and St. Thomas's, besides the New Abbey on Tower +Hill--institutions primarily founded "onely for the releffe, comforte and +helpyng of pore and impotent people not beyng able to helpe theymselffes; +and not to the mayntenannce of Chanons, Preests, and Monks to lyve in +pleasure, nothyng regardyng the miserable people liyng in every strete, +offendyng every clene person passyng by the way with theyre fylthy and +nasty savours"--and asking that the mayor and aldermen of the city for the +time being might have the order and disposition of the hospitals +mentioned, and of all the lands, tenements and revenues appertaining to +the same. If his grace would but grant this request the mayor promised +that a great number of the indigent sick would be relieved, whilst "sturdy +beggars" not willing to work would be punished. + +(M636) (M637) + +In March, 1539, the City presented two petitions to the king, one desiring +that the late dissolved houses might be made over to them, together with +their rents and revenues, in order that relief might be provided for the +sick and needy, and the other asking that Henry would be pleased to convey +to them the churches of the late four orders of friars, together with +their lands and tenements, so that the mayor and citizens might take order +for the due performance of divine service therein to the glory of God and +the honour of the king.(1217) These petitions having been either refused +or ignored, the Court of Common Council, on the 1st August, 1540, +authorised the mayor and aldermen to make diligent suit to the king for +the purchase of the houses, churches, and cloisters of the dissolved +friars, and to make an offer of 1,000 marks for them "yf thei can be +gotten no better chepe."(1218) Henry upbraided the City for being "pynche +pence" or stingy in their offer,(1219) but as no better offer was made the +matter was allowed to stand over, and nothing was done for four years. + +(M638) + +Henry meanwhile took the opportunity afforded him by a full treasury, +which rendered him independent of the favour of the citizens, of robbing +them of their right of measuring linen-cloth and other commodities, and +conferring the same by letters patent on John Godsalve, one of the clerks +of the signet. The City's right was incontestable, and had been admitted +by the king's chancellor, as well as by the Chancellor of the Court of +Fruits and Tenths (a court recently established), and the mayor and +aldermen represented the facts of the case to the king himself by letter, +dated the 21st July, 1541.(1220) Another "variance" occurred about this +time between the City and the Crown touching the office and duties of the +City's waterbailiff.(1221) + +Again, in the spring of 1542, an incident occurred which caused the +relations between parliament and the City to be somewhat strained. The +sheriffs of that year--Rowland Hill,(1222) an ancestor of the founder of +the Penny Post, and Henry Suckley--had thought fit to obstruct the +sergeant-at-mace in the execution of his duty, whilst attempting to remove +a prisoner, who was a member of parliament, from one of the compters. The +arrest of a member of parliament has always been a hazardous operation, +and the sheriffs after a time thought better of it and gave up their +prisoner. The Speaker, nevertheless, summoned them to appear at the Bar of +the House and finally committed them to the Tower. They were released +after two or three days, however, at the humble suit of the mayor.(1223) + +(M639) + +In the following year (1543) the plague returned, and extra-precautions +had to be taken against the spread of the disease, now that the houses of +the friars were no longer open to receive patients and to alleviate +distress. Besides the usual order that infected houses should be marked +with a cross, the mayor caused proclamation to be made that persons of +independent means should undergo quarantine for one month after recovery +from sickness, whilst others whom necessity compelled to walk abroad for +their livelihood were to carry in their hands white rods, two feet in +length, for the space of forty days after convalescence. Straw and rushes +in an infected house were to be removed to the fields before they were +burnt, and infected clothing was to be carried away to be aired and not to +be hung out of window. The hard-heartedness engendered by these +visitations is evidenced by the necessity of the mayor having to enjoin +that thenceforth no householder within the city or liberties should put +any person stricken with the plague out of his house into the street, +without making provision for his being kept in some other house. All dogs +other than hounds, spaniels or mastiffs kept for the purpose of guarding +the house were forthwith to be removed out of the city or killed, whilst +watch-dogs were to be confined to the house.(1224) In October the mayor +was ordered to resume the weekly bills of mortality, which of late had +been neglected, in order that the king might be kept informed as to the +increase or decrease of the sickness.(1225) The Michaelmas Law Sittings +had to be postponed until the 15th November, and were removed to St. +Albans.(1226) + +(M640) + +Whilst the city was being wasted by disease the king was preparing for war +with France.(1227) A joint expedition by Henry and Charles was to be +undertaken in the following year (1544). A commission was issued early in +the year for raising money in the city, and the lord chancellor himself, +accompanied by officers of State, came into the city to read it. Finding +that the lord mayor's name appeared third on the commission instead of +being placed at its head, the chancellor ordered the mistake to be at once +rectified by the town clerk and a new commission to be drawn up, whilst +the rest of the lords agreed that at their several sessions on the +business of this subsidy the lord mayor should occupy the seat of +honour.(1228) By the end of April the chancellor (Audley) had died. His +successor, Lord Wriothesley, had not long been appointed before the Court +of Aldermen sent a deputation to desire his lordship's favour and +friendship in the city's affairs, and agreed to make him a present of a +couple of silver-gilt pots to the value of L20 or thereabouts.(1229) On +the 24th May the Common Council agreed to provide a contingent of 500 or +600 men at the discretion of the mayor and aldermen, the men being raised +from the livery companies.(1230) + +(M641) + +Just as the king was about to set sail for the continent, he issued +letters patent (23 June, 1544) re-establishing the hospital of St. +Bartholomew on a new foundation, with the avowed object of providing +"comfort to prisoners, shelter to the poor, visitation to the sick, food +to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, and sepulture +to the dead."(1231) + +(M642) + +Henry crossed over to France, leaving the new queen, Catherine Parr, widow +of Lord Latimer, whom he had recently married, regent of the realm. After +a long siege, lasting from July until September, he succeeded in taking +Boulogne. On Thursday, the 25th September, an order was received by the +Court of Aldermen from the lord chancellor, on behalf of the queen regent, +to get in readiness another contingent of 500 men well harnessed and +weaponed, 100 of whom were to be archers and the rest billmen. The last +mentioned were to be provided with "blak bylles or morys pykes." The whole +force was to be ready for shipment to Boulogne by the following Saturday. +No time was to be lost. The wardens of the city companies were immediately +summoned, and each company was ordered to provide the same number of men +as on the last occasion. Each soldier was to be provided with a coat of +grey frieze, with half sleeves, and a pair of new boots or else "sterte +upps." The Corporation for its part appointed five captains, to each of +whom was given the sum of L10 towards his apparel and charges, whilst L5 +was allowed to each petty captain. These sums were paid out of the "goods" +of the mayor and commonalty.(1232) + +Scarcely had the city recovered from this drain upon its population before +it was again called upon to fill up the ranks of the army in France. On +Saturday, the 25th October, the Court of Aldermen was ordered to raise +another force of 500 men by the following Monday. It was no easy matter to +comply with so sudden a demand. The city companies were called upon to +contribute as before, any deficiency in the number of men raised by them +being made up by men raised by the mayor and aldermen themselves in a +somewhat novel fashion. The Court of Aldermen had agreed that each of +their number should on the Saturday night make the round of his ward and +select "fifty, forty, twenty, or ten" tall and comely men, who should be +warned in the king's name to appear the next morning before seven o'clock +at the Guildhall. On Sunday morning the mayor and aldermen came to the +Guildhall, and took the names of those whom they had selected over night. +Two hundred men were eventually set apart to make up the deficiency of +those to be provided by the companies. By six o'clock in the evening the +whole contingent of 500 men was thus raised, and at nine o'clock on Monday +morning they mustered at Leadenhall, whence they were conducted by the +sheriffs and city chamberlain to the Tower Hill and handed over to Sir +Thomas Arundel, who complimented the civic authorities on the appearance +of the men, and promised to commend their diligence to the king.(1233) +This same Monday morning (27 Oct.) the mayor received instructions to see +that such carpenters and other artificers as had been "prested" for the +king's service at Boulogne by the king's master-carpenter kept their day +and presented themselves at the time and place appointed on pain of +death.(1234) Search was ordered to be made in the following month for +mariners lurking in the city, and if any were discovered they were to be +forthwith despatched to the ships awaiting them.(1235) + +(M643) + +By this time the king had ceased to take a personal part in the campaign +and had returned home, the mayor and aldermen giving him a hearty welcome, +and making him a suitable present in token of their joy for his return and +his success in effecting the surrender of Boulogne.(1236) + +(M644) + +At the opening of the next year (1545) Henry demanded another benevolence +after the rate of two shillings in the pound. The lord chancellor and +others of the king's council sat at Baynard's Castle to collect the +benevolence of the city, "callinge all the citizens of the same before +them, begininge first with the mayor and aldermen."(1237) Richard Rede, +alderman of the ward of Farringdon Without, resisted this demand as +unconstitutional, and was promptly despatched to the king in Scotland, +where he was shortly afterwards made a prisoner of war. Another alderman, +Sir William Roche, of Bassishaw ward, was unfortunate enough to offend the +council and was committed to the Fleet.(1238) + +(M645) + +On the 8th February William Laxton, the mayor, was presented to the king +at Westminster, when Henry took occasion to thank him and his brother +aldermen for the benevolence they had given him. He informed them of the +success that had recently attended the English forces under the Earl of +Hertford and the lord admiral, Sir John Dudley, whom he had left as deputy +of Boulogne, and dismissed them to their homes after conferring upon the +mayor the honour of knighthood.(1239) + +(M646) + +In the following April volunteers were called for, and those in the city +willing to follow the fortunes of war as "adventurers" were asked to +repair to the sign of the "Gunne," at Billingsgate, where they would +receive directions from John of Caleys, captain of all such adventurers, +for their passage to France.(1240) The sessions of the law courts were +adjourned in order to give lawyers and suitors an opportunity of showing +their patriotism by taking up arms.(1241) The city companies furnished 100 +men appareled "with whyte cotes of penystone whytes(1242) or karsies," +with a red cross of St. George before and behind, each being provided with +a white cap to wear under his "sallett or scull."(1243) + +(M647) + +There yet remained a portion of the last subsidy to be collected, for +which purpose the lord chancellor once more paid a visit to the city (12 +June) and sat in the Guildhall. Every alderman was straitly charged to +call before him every person in his ward who was worth L40 and upwards. +The king's affairs were pressing, and this last payment must be +immediately forthcoming.(1244) + +(M648) + +A week later (19 June) letters from the king were read to the Court of +Aldermen touching the levying of more forces and firing of beacons--a +French squadron had appeared off the south coast. It was resolved to +adjourn consideration of the message until the following Monday, when the +lord chancellor and other lords of the council would again be coming into +the city for the subsidy, and their advice could be asked. The outcome of +these letters was that the City had to raise a force of 2,000 able men. To +do this an assessment of a fifteenth was ordered to be levied on the +wards, but in the meantime the money so to be raised was to be advanced by +the aldermen.(1245) Not only were the aldermen on this, as on other +occasions, mulcted in their pocket, but they were also called upon to +personally share with the lord mayor himself and the sheriffs in the extra +watch which in the "besye tyme of the warres" was ordered to be kept in +the city.(1246) In the meantime a man was despatched by the Court of +Aldermen to St. James' Fair to buy five wey of cheese for the city's +soldiers who were already at Guildford. The cheese was to be sent by water +as far as Kingston, whence it would be conveyed by "the good industrye and +help of Master Judde, alderman," to its destination. The bakers of +Stratford contracted to send two cart-loads of bread. It was further +agreed on the same day that Christopher Fowlke should forthwith go to +Guildford, and further if need be, "to guyde the seyd vytayle and to utter +the same to the souldyers by thassistence of the sworde berer and the +under chamberleyn. And to recyve money for the same."(1247) A flag and a +drum were likewise to be despatched forthwith. The citizen soldiers were +required to assist in driving out the French, who had effected a landing +in the Isle of Wight; but before they arrived the enemy had +disappeared.(1248) + +(M649) + +The French king now prepared to lay siege to Boulogne, and the citizens +were again called upon to furnish soldiers. One thousand men were +required, and this number was only raised by enlisting men who had failed +to pass previous musters. However, there was no time to pick and +choose.(1249) + +(M650) + +By this time Henry's resources were fast giving out. A parliament was +summoned to meet in November, and again resort was had to confiscation for +the purpose of supplying the king with money. An Act was passed which +placed 2,000 chantries and chapels and over 100 hospitals at Henry's +disposal.(1250) + +(M651) + +All parties were, however, tired of the war, and in the following June +(1546) a peace was concluded. Henry was allowed to retain Boulogne as +security for a debt, and the French admiral soon afterwards paid a visit +to the city, where he was heartily welcomed and hospitably +entertained.(1251) + +(M652) (M653) + +Freed from the embarrassment of foreign wars, Henry now had leisure to +turn his attention to home affairs, and more particularly to the +establishment of that uniformity which he so much desired, and which he +endeavoured to bring about by getting rid of all those who differed in +opinion from himself. Those who openly declared their disbelief in any one +of the "Six Articles," and more particularly in the first article, which +established the doctrine of the real presence, ran the risk of death by +the gallows, the block or the stake. A city rector, Dr. Crome, of the +church of St. Mary Aldermary, got into disgrace for speaking lightly of +the benefits to be derived from private masses, and, although his argument +tended to minimise the effect of the recent confiscation of so many +chantries, he was called upon to make a public recantation at Paul's +Cross.(1252) + +(M654) + +Others were not so compliant. Among these was Anne Ascue or Ascough, a +daughter of Sir William Ascough, of Kelsey, in Lincolnshire, and sometimes +known as Anne Kyme, from the name of her husband, with whom she had ceased +to live. In June, 1545, she and some others, among whom was another woman, +Joan, wife of John Sauterie, of London, had been arraigned at the +Guildhall "for speaking against the sacrament of the altar"; but, no +evidence being adduced against her, she was on that occasion acquitted and +discharged.(1253) Scarcely a year elapsed before she was again in custody. +On the 18th June, 1546, she was tried at the Guildhall and condemned to be +burned alive as a heretic at Smithfield, where the city chamberlain had +orders to erect a "substantial stage," whence the king's council and the +civic authorities might witness the scene.(1254) + +(M655) + +The insanitary condition of the city, occasioned for the most part by an +insufficient supply of water, was not improved by the influx of disbanded +and invalided soldiers, followed by a swarm of vagabonds and idlers, which +took place at the conclusion of peace with France. To the soldiers +licences were granted to solicit alms for longer or shorter periods, +whilst the vagabonds were ordered to quit the city.(1255) The water +question had been taken in hand by the Common Council towards the close of +the preceding year (1545), when Sir Martin Bowes entered upon his +mayoralty, and a tax of two fifteenths was imposed upon the inhabitants of +the city for the purpose of conveying fresh water from certain "lively +sprynges" recently discovered at Hackney.(1256) Bowes himself was very +energetic in the matter, and before he went out of office he had the +satisfaction of seeing a plentiful supply of water brought into the heart +of the city from the suburban manor of Finsbury.(1257) + +(M656) + +Henry's reign was now fast drawing to a close. In April, 1546, he had +bestowed an endowment of 500 marks a year on the city poor-houses on +condition the citizens themselves found a similar sum.(1258) In January, +1547--a few days only before he died--he showed still further care for the +city poor by vesting in the Corporation, not only St. Bartholomew's +Hospital, thenceforth to be known as the House of the Poor in West +Smithfield, but also the house and church of the dissolved monastery of +the Grey Friars and the house and hospital of Bethlehem.(1259) + +(M657) + +The Corporation lost no time in getting their newly acquired property into +working order. On the 6th May the late king's conveyance was read before +the Court of Aldermen, and thereupon a committee, of which Sir Martin +Bowes was a prominent member, was deputed to make an abstract of the +yearly revenues and charges of the house of the Grey Friars and hospital +of little Saint Bartholomew, and to report thereon to the court with as +much speed as possible.(1260) From a purely monetary point of view the +City had made a bad bargain, and had saddled itself with an annual +expenditure out of the Corporation revenues to an extent little thought of +at the time.(1261) + +(M658) + +On the 28th January, 1547, Henry died "at hys most pryncely howse at +Westminster, comenly called Yorkeplace or Whytehall"--the palace which +Cardinal Wolsey built for himself, and which Henry appropriated, extending +its grounds and preserves in cynical contempt of public convenience and +utter disregard of the chartered rights of the citizens of London.(1262) +There his corpse remained until the 14th February, when it was removed at +8 o'clock in the morning to Sion House, near Richmond, and thence conveyed +to Windsor on the following day. + +(M659) + +In the meantime the mayor, Henry Huberthorne, or Hoberthorne,(1263) had +been sent for (31 Jan.) to attend the king's council at Westminster, where +he received orders to return to the city and cause himself and his brother +aldermen to be arrayed in their scarlet robes, in order to accompany the +heralds whilst they proclaimed the new king in various parts of the city. +This being done, the mayor took steps for securing the peace of the city, +and the citizens voted Edward a benevolence of a fifteenth and a +half.(1264) + +(M660) + +Edward on his part presented the mayor and aldermen with 104 gowns of +black livery, according to the precedent followed at the decease of Henry +VII. These gowns were distributed among the mayor and aldermen, the high +officers and certain clerks in the service of the Corporation. Ten +aldermen accompanied the remains of the late king on their way to Windsor, +riding forth in black coats with the rest of the mourners, the harness and +bridles of their horses being covered with black cloth. Two of the +aldermen, Sir William Laxton and Sir Martin Bowes, had each four servants +in their suite, whilst the rest of the aldermen had three, all in black +coats.(1265) + + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + + + +(M661) + +Provision had been made for the succession to the crown on Henry's death +by an Act of Parliament passed in 1544, and the princesses Mary and +Elizabeth were thereby re-instated in their rights of inheritance as if no +question of their legitimacy had ever been raised. As Edward, who was next +in succession to the crown, was but a boy, Henry had taken pains to select +a council of regency in which no one party should predominate. This +council was soon set aside, and Hertford, the king's uncle, got himself +appointed Protector of the realm and took the title of Duke of Somerset. +At the time of his father's death Edward was residing at Hertford Castle. +He was soon afterwards carried thence by his uncle to London and lodged in +the Tower, where the mayor, Henry Hoberthorne, went to pay his respects +and received the honour of knighthood.(1266) + +On the 19th the young king passed through the city to Westminster, the +mayor riding before him bareheaded with the mace of crystal(1267) in his +hand. The streets were lined with members of the livery companies. The +conduits, the standard and cross in Chepe, the Ludgate and the Temple Bar +had been freshly painted and trimmed with goodly hangings of Arras and +cloth of gold for the occasion. At three of the conduits, namely, the +conduit in Cornhill, the great conduit in Chepe, and the conduit in Fleet +Street, wine was made by artificial means to flow as if from the +"festrons" of the conduits themselves. At the little conduit in Chepe were +stationed the aldermen of the city, in their scarlet gowns, and the +Recorder, who, in the name of the whole city, presented his majesty with +1,000 marks in "hole new sufferaynes" of gold in a purse of purple cloth +of gold, which his majesty deigned to accept with his own hand. The next +day Edward was crowned. The lord mayor, according to custom, attended with +his crystal mace as the king passed from his palace to church, and thence, +after mass, to Westminster Hall, and received for his services the +customary gold cup, which on this occasion weighed twenty ounces, with its +cover and a "leyer" (or laver) silver-gilt weighing six ounces.(1268) + +(M662) + +The work of reformation was now about to be taken seriously in hand. +Something, it is true, had been done in this direction under Henry, but in +_dilettante_ fashion. The ceremony connected with the boy-bishop, which +even Colet had thought worthy to be perpetuated in his school,(1269) had +been abolished by order of the mayor in 1538.(1270) The ruthless +destruction of the shrine of St. Thomas at Canterbury, and the erasure of +his name from service-books, had been followed in the city by an order +(1539) for a new common seal on which the arms of the city were +substituted for the original effigy of the saint.(1271) Henry himself only +coquetted with Protestantism; his chief object, if not the only one, was +to get rid of the papal supremacy; but among the bourgeois class of the +city there was an earnest desire to see an improvement made in the +doctrine and discipline of the Church.(1272) + +Whilst the statute of the Six Articles was still unrepealed, the sacrament +of the mass frequently provoked open hostility in the city. Thus, in +August, 1538, Robert Reynold, a stationer, was declared upon the oath of +five independent witnesses to have been heard to say "that the masse was +nawght, and the memento was Bawdrye, and after the consecracioun of the +masse yt was idolatrye." He was further charged with having said that it +were better for him to confess and be houseled by a temporal rather than a +spiritual man.(1273) Again, in February, 1543, Hugh Eton, a hosier of +London, was convicted of disguising himself "in fonde fassyon," and of +irreverently walking up and down in St. Bride's Church before the +sacrament, disturbing the priests at mass and creating a tumult. By way of +punishment for his offence he was set in the cage in Fleet Street, +"disguised" as he was, with a paper on his head setting forth his offence. +He there remained until four o'clock in the afternoon, when he was removed +to the compter and condemned to stay there a prisoner until he found +sureties for good behaviour.(1274) + +After the repeal of the statute by Edward's first parliament, the +opposition to the "sacrament of the altar," as the mass was called, became +greater than ever.(1275) A boy was ordered to be whipt naked in the church +of St. Mary Woolnoth for throwing his cap at the host at the time of +elevation.(1276) In February, 1548, information was given to the Court of +Aldermen of preachers having used "certain words" touching the mass in the +churches of St. Dunstan in the east and St. Martin Orgar.(1277) On the 5th +May, 1548, the mayor and aldermen resolved to appear the next day before +the Lord Protector Somerset and the council, and explain the nature of the +misdemeanours of certain preachers, concerning which the mayor had already +had some communication with the Archbishop of Canterbury.(1278) + +In the following month (5 June) the Court of Aldermen investigated a +charge made against a city curate that, about a month before, after +reciting the common prayers at the choir door at high mass, he had prayed +among other things that Almighty God might send the king's council grace +and bring them out of the erroneous opinions that they were then in. The +informer went on to say that Sir Clement Smith and the Recorder, who were +present, laughed at the prayer. But inasmuch as the informer had not been +present himself, and that what he had laid before the court was mere +hearsay evidence, little attention was paid to it.(1279) + +(M663) + +The abolition of chantries initiated by Henry VIII was carried out to a +fuller extent by his successor. The statute (1 Edward VI, cap 14) by which +this was effected not only deprived a large number of priests of a means +of livelihood, but laid them open to insult from those they met in the +street. They complained that they could not walk abroad nor attend the +court at Westminster without being reviled and having their tippets and +caps violently pulled.(1280) + +(M664) + +The same statute--by declaring all chantries, obits, lights and lamps to be +objects of superstitious use, and all goods, chattels, jewels, plate, +ornaments and other moveables hitherto devoted to their maintenance to be +thenceforth escheated to the Crown--dealt a heavy blow to the Corporation +of the City of London, as well as to the civic companies and other bodies +who owned property subject to certain payments under one or other of these +heads. Three years after the passing of the Act the Corporation and the +companies redeemed certain charges of this character on their respective +properties to the amount of L939 2_s._ 5-1/2_d._ by payment to the Crown +of no less a sum than L18,744 11_s._ 2_d._(1281) + +The redemption of these and other charges of a similar character, whilst +very convenient to the Crown, saving the trouble and expense of collecting +small sums of money, worked a hardship upon the Corporation and the +companies. In order to raise funds for redeeming the charges they were +obliged to sell property. This property was often held under conditions of +reverter and remainders over, unless what was now declared to be illegal +was religiously carried out. It was manifestly unfair that they should be +made to forfeit property because the conditions under which it was held +could no longer be legally complied with. A petition therefore was +presented to the king in order to obviate this difficulty, and to enable +them to part with the necessary property and at the same time to give a +clear title.(1282) + +(M665) + +In the meantime (Aug., 1547) an order had gone forth for the demolition of +all images and removal of pictures and stained glass from churches. The +instructions sent to the lord mayor were very precise. "Stories made in +glasse wyndows" relative to Thomas Becket were to be altered at as little +expense as possible. Images and pictures to which no offerings and no +prayers were made might remain for "garnisshement" of the churches; and if +any such had been taken down the mayor was at liberty to set them up +again, unless they had been taken down by order of the king's +commissioners or the parson of the church. If there existed in any church +a "storye in glasse" of the Bishop of Rome, otherwise the Pope, the mayor +might paint out the papal tiara and alter the "storye."(1283) These +instructions, contained in a letter from the king's council, were duly +considered at a Court of Aldermen held on the 22nd September, with the +result that every alderman was ordered, in the most secret, discreet and +quiet manner he could devise, to visit each parish church in his ward, and +to take with him the parson or curate and two or three honest +parishioners, churchwardens or others who had had anything to do with the +removal of the images that had already been taken down, and, having shut +the church door for the sake of privacy, to take a note in writing of what +images had formerly been in the several churches, what images had +offerings and were prayed to, and what not; who had removed those taken +down, and what had been done with them. A report was to be made on these +points by every alderman at the next court, so that the lords of the +council might be informed thereon and their will ascertained before any +further steps were taken.(1284) + +The havoc worked by the king's commissioners in the city and throughout +the country by the reckless destruction of works of art was terrible. The +churches were stripped of every ornament, their walls whitewashed, and +only relieved by the tables of the commandments. Early in September the +commissioners visited St. Paul's and pulled down all the images. In +November the rood was taken down with its images of the Virgin and St. +John. The great cross of the rood fell down accidentally and killed one of +the workmen, a circumstance which many ascribed to the special +intervention of the Almighty. From St. Paul's the commissioners proceeded +to the church of St. Bride, and so from parish church to parish +church.(1285) + +In the following year (1548) the chapel of St. Paul's charnel house was +pulled down and the bones removed into the country and reburied. From a +sanitary point of view their removal is to be commended. There is no such +excuse, however, for the destruction of the cloister in Pardon churchyard +(April, 1549), with its famous picture of the Dance of Death, painted at +the expense of John Carpenter, the town clerk of the city, of whom mention +has already been made. The fact was that the Protector Somerset required +material for building his new palace in the Strand,(1286) to enlarge which +he had already pulled down Strand Church, dedicated to Saint Mary and the +Holy Innocents.(1287) The destruction of the cloister necessitated a new +order of procession on the next Lord Mayor's Day (24 Oct.), when Sir +Rowland Hill paid the customary visit to St. Paul's, made a circuit of the +interior of the cathedral, and said a _De profundis_ at the bishop's +tomb.(1288) + +(M666) + +Nor can the civic authorities themselves be altogether acquitted of +vandalism. They destroyed the churches of St. Nicholas Shambles and St. +Ewin, and sold the plate and windows, but the proceeds were distributed +among the poor.(1289) They went further than this. They removed the fine +tombs and altars, as well as the choir stalls, from the church of the Grey +Friars, where mingled the ashes of some of the noblest and best in the +land. There was some excuse, however, for these acts. The house and church +of the Grey Friars had been granted to the City at the close of the last +reign on the express condition that the churches of St. Nicholas and St. +Ewin should be abolished, and that the church of the Grey Friars should be +established as a parish church in their place under the name of Christ +Church. It was probably in order to render the old monastic church more +convenient as a parish church that they removed much of what to the +antiquary of to-day would have seemed of priceless value, and at the same +time reduced the dimensions of the choir.(1290) + +(M667) + +At Easter, 1548, a new communion service in English took the place of the +mass.(1291) At the election of the mayor on the following Michaelmas-day, +on which occasion a mass had always been celebrated at the Guildhall +Chapel since the time of Whitington, an endeavour appears to have been +made by the Court of Aldermen to effect a compromise between mass and +communion, for whilst it ordered that a mass of the Holy Ghost should be +solemnly sung in English in the Guildhall Chapel (which had been +confiscated by Henry VIII)(1292) as theretofore, it further ordered that +the holy communion should be administered to two or three of the priests +there at the same mass.(1293) Orders were issued by the king's council +that candles should no longer be carried about on Candlemas-day, ashes on +Ash Wednesday, palms on Palm Sunday. These practices were now considered +superstitious, as also was the "sensyng" which hitherto had taken place in +St. Paul's at Whitsuntide, but which the Court of Aldermen now decreed to +be abolished, and the preaching of sermons substituted in its place.(1294) + +(M668) + +The people were at this time extremely distracted by the various and +contradictory opinions of their preachers; and as they were totally +incapable of judging of the force of arguments adduced on one side or the +other, but conceived that everything spoken from the pulpit was of equal +authority, great confusion and perplexity of mind ensued. In order to +"tune the pulpits" and to effect uniformity of doctrine and service, the +Lord Protector resorted to proclamations, which, although no longer having +the authority of statutes as in the reign of Henry VIII, practically +answered the same purpose. Preaching was thus restricted to those who had +previously obtained a licence from the king, his visitors, the archbishop +of Canterbury, or the bishop of the diocese.(1295) The same want of +uniformity which appeared in the preachers appeared also in their +congregations; some "kepte holy day and manny kepte none, but dyd worke +opynly, and in some churches servys and some none, soche was the +devysyon."(1296) + +(M669) + +In the meantime great discontent had been caused by the Protector's +measures. The rich nobleman and country gentleman said nothing, for their +assent had been purchased by gifts of church property, but the tenants and +bourgeois class suffered from increased rents, from enclosures and +evictions. Church lands had always been underlet; the monks were easy +landlords. Not so the new proprietors of the confiscated abbey lands, they +were determined to make the most out of their newly-acquired +property.(1297) Insurrection broke out in various parts of the country. +Not only were enclosures thrown open and fences removed, but a cry was +raised for the restoration of the old religion. Information of what was +taking place was sent to Sir Henry Amcotes, the mayor, and steps were at +once taken (2 July, 1549) for putting the city into a state of defence and +for the preservation of the king's peace. A "false draw-brydge" was +ordered (_inter alia_) to be made for London Bridge "in case nede should +requyer by reason "of the sterrynge of the people (which God defende!) to +caste downe thother."(1298) The city gates were constantly watched and the +walls mounted with artillery.(1299) + +(M670) + +In the midst of these preparations there was a lull. On the 21st day of +July, being the 6th Sunday after Trinity, came Archbishop Cranmer to St. +Paul's. He wore no vestment save a cope over an alb, and bore neither +mitre nor cross, but only a staff. He conducted the whole of the service +as set out in the "king's book" recently published, which differed but +slightly from the church service in use at the present day, and he +administered the "Communion" to himself, the dean and others, according to +Act of Parliament. The mayor and most of the aldermen occupied seats in +the choir. Cranmer's object in coming to the city on that day was to +exhort the citizens to obey the king as the supreme head of the realm, and +to pray the Almighty to avert the trouble with which, for their sins, they +were threatened.(1300) + +(M671) + +Two days later (23 July) the king himself left Greenwich and rode through +the city to Westminster, accompanied by the Lord Protector and other +nobles. The mayor and aldermen rode out to Southwark, the former in a gown +of crimson velvet, the latter in gowns of scarlet, to meet the royal +party, and conducted it as far as Charing Cross, where the aldermen took +their leave, the king saluting them and "putting of his capp to everie of +them." The mayor rode on to Westminster, where the king and the Protector +graciously bade him farewell.(1301) + +(M672) + +The aspect of affairs began to look black indeed. By the end of the month +Exeter was being besieged by the rebels, and on the 8th August the French +ambassador, taking advantage of the general distraction, bade the Lord +Protector open defiance at Whitehall.(1302) At midnight instructions were +sent to the mayor to seize all Frenchmen in the city who were not +denizens, together with their property. By this time, however, Exeter had +been relieved and the insurrection in the west had been put down. The +western insurgents had demanded the restoration of the mass and the +abolition of the English liturgy. Contemporaneously with this religious +movement another agitation was being made in the eastern counties, and +more especially in Norfolk, which had for its object the destruction of +enclosures. With the eastern rebels, who placed themselves under the +leadership of Robert Ket, a tanner of Wymondham, the Protector himself +sympathized at heart, and the council had to exercise no little pressure +before he could be induced to send an efficient force to put them down. At +length the rebels were met and defeated by a force under the command of +the Earl of Warwick, the son of the extortionate Dudley who was associated +with Empson in oppressing the city towards the close of the reign of Henry +VII. Ket galloped off the field, leaving his followers to be ridden down +and killed by the earl's horsemen. He was shortly afterwards captured in a +barn, and eventually brought up to London, together with his brother +William, and committed to the Tower. Being arraigned and convicted of +treason, they were handed over to the high sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk. +Robert was hanged in chains on the top of Norwich Castle, whilst his +brother William suffered a similar fate on the top of Wymondham +Steeple.(1303) + +(M673) + +Somerset's fall was now imminent. The citizens hated him, not for his +favouring the reformers, but for the injury he had caused to trade and for +his having bebased the coinage still further than it had been debased by +Henry VIII. His colleagues in the council, who had been pampered with +gifts of church lands, were angry with him for the favour he had shown +towards those who raised the outcry against enclosures, and they began to +show their independence. + +(M674) + +On the afternoon of Sunday, the 6th October, 1549, a letter was sent to +the mayor subscribed by Lord St. John, the president of the council, the +earls of Warwick, Southampton and Arundel, and other members of the +council, containing a long indictment of the Protector's policy and +conduct. He was proud, covetous and ambitious. He had embezzled the pay of +the soldiers, with which he was building sumptuous houses in four or five +different places. Whilst sowing discord among the nobles, he flattered the +commons to the intent that, having got rid of the former, he might with +the aid of the latter achieve his scarcely veiled design of supplanting +the king himself. They had hoped, the letter continues, to have persuaded +the duke by fair means to take order for the security of the king's person +and the commonwealth; but no sooner was the matter broached to the duke +than he showed himself determined to appeal to the arbitrament of the +sword. Such being the case, they on their part were no less resolved, with +God's help, to deliver the king and the realm from impending ruin, or +perish in the attempt. They concluded by asking the civic authorities to +see that good watch and ward were kept in the city and that no _materiel_ +of war was supplied to the duke or his followers. Any letters or +proclamations coming from the Protector were to be disregarded.(1304) + +(M675) + +Determined not to be forestalled by his enemies; the duke himself wrote +the same day (6 Oct.) to the mayor desiring the City to furnish him +forthwith with 1,000 trusty men fully armed for the protection of the +king's person. The men were to be forwarded to him at Hampton by the +following Monday mid-day at the latest, and in the meantime the citizens +were to take steps to protect the king and his uncle, the duke, against +conspiracy.(1305) + +(M676) + +Before these letters had been despatched the mayor and aldermen had been +summoned by the Earl of Warwick, who now took the lead against Somerset, +to meet him and other lords of the council at his house in Ely Place, +Holborn. A meeting had accordingly taken place that Sunday morning, when +the state of affairs was discussed. After the meeting separated Warwick +came to the city and took up his residence in the house of Sir John York, +one of the sheriffs, situate in Walbrook. Sir John Markham, lieutenant of +the Tower, was removed, and Sir Leonard Chamberlain appointed in his +place, whilst the Court of Aldermen took extraordinary precautions for +safe-guarding the city.(1306) + +(M677) + +As soon as Somerset was made aware of the Tower being in the possession of +his rivals he removed from Hampton Court to Windsor, carrying the young +king with him, and despatched a letter to Lord Russell to hurry thither +with such force as he could muster.(1307) + +(M678) + +On Monday (7 Oct.) the lords of the council sat at Mercers' Hall--they felt +safer in London--and thence despatched a dutiful letter to the king, and +another (explaining their conduct) to Cranmer.(1308) The Common Council +met at seven o'clock that morning, having been warned on Sunday +night.(1309) The object of their meeting so early in the day was that no +time might be lost before taking into consideration the letters that had +been received from Somerset and from the lords. After due deliberation the +citizens agreed to throw in their lot with the lords and to assist them +"to the uttermost of their wills and powers" in the maintenance and +defence of the king's person.(1310) + +(M679) + +On Tuesday (8 Oct.) the Common Council again assembled in the Guildhall to +meet the lords by appointment. Rumour had been spread to the effect that +it was the intention of the lords to cause a reestablishment of the old +religion.(1311) This the lords assured the meeting was far from their +minds. They intended no alteration of matters as established by the laws +and statutes. All they wanted was to cause them to be maintained as +formerly, before they had been "disformed" by the Lord Protector, and for +this they prayed the assistance of the citizens. Thereupon the mayor, +aldermen and common council, thanking God for the good intentions of their +lordships, "promised their ayde and helpe to the uttermost of their lieves +and goodes."(1312) + +(M680) (M681) + +On Wednesday (9 Oct.) the lords met at the house of Sheriff York, where +they had dined the previous day.(1313) They had heard that Somerset had +seized all the armour, weapons and munitions of war he could lay his hands +upon, both at Hampton Court and Windsor, and with them had armed his +adherents. They again sent letters to the king, the archbishop and others, +and declared Somerset to be unworthy to continue any longer in the +position of Protector.(1314) The Common Council, which met the same +day--"for divers urgent causes moved and declared by the mouth of the +recorder and of the lord mayor and aldermen on the king's behalf"--agreed +to furnish with all speed 500 men, or if necessary 1,000 men, well +harnessed and weaponed, to proceed to Windsor Castle for the delivery and +preservation of his majesty. It was subsequently arranged that 100 of the +contingent should be horsemen.(1315) By the afternoon of Friday (11 Oct.) +the men and horsemen were ready. They mustered in Moorfields, whence they +marched through Moorgate, Coleman Street, Cheapside, and out by Newgate to +Smithfield, with the Sword-bearer riding before them as captain. At +Smithfield they broke off, and were discharged from further service for +the time.(1316) There is no evidence to show that the force was ever +called upon to proceed to Windsor. + +(M682) (M683) + +The adhesion of the City to the lords had in the meanwhile added strength +to their cause, many who had at first held back now declaring themselves +against Somerset. In this manner they were joined by Lord Chancellor Rich, +the Earl of Shrewsbury, Chief Justice Montague and others, whose +signatures appear to a proclamation issued on the 8th October setting +forth "the verye trowth of the Duke of Somersettes evell government and +false and detestable procedynges."(1317) By the end of the week (12 Oct.) +the lords felt themselves strong enough to proceed in person to Windsor, +where on their knees they explained their conduct to the king, who +received them graciously and gave them hearty thanks. The following day +(Sunday) was spent in removing some of Somerset's followers; and on Monday +(14th) Somerset himself was brought prisoner to London, "riding through +Oldborne in at Newgate and so to the Tower of London, accompanied with +diuers lordes and gentlemen with 300 horse, the lord maior, Sir Ralph +Warren, Sir John Gresham, Mr. Recorder, Sir William Locke and both the +shiriffes and other knights, sitting on their horses agaynst Soper-lane, +with all the officers with halbards, and from Oldborne bridge to the Tower +certaine aldermen or their deputies on horsebacke in every streete, with a +number of housholders standing with bils as hee passed."(1318) + +At the sudden fall of one who for a short time had been all powerful--a +little more than a week had served to deprive him of the protectorate and +render him a prisoner in the Tower--did it cross the mind of any of the +onlookers that he it was who carried away from the Guildhall Library some +cartloads of books which were never returned? + +(M684) + +There were some who looked upon Somerset's fall as an act of God's +vengeance for his having caused Bonner to be deprived of his bishopric of +London. On the 1st September last Bonner had preached at Paul's Cross +against the king's supremacy. Information of the matter was given to the +council, and Bonner was called upon to answer for his conduct before +Cranmer and the rest of the commissioners. The informers on this occasion +were William Latymer, the parson of the church of St. Laurence Pountney, +and John Hooper, a zealous Protestant, who afterwards became Bishop of +Gloucester. Whilst under examination before the commissioners Bonner was +confined in the Marshalsea. Hooper in the meantime was put up by Cranmer +to preach at Paul's Cross, and he took the opportunity thus afforded him +of inveighing strongly against Bonner's conduct. Bonner failed to satisfy +the commissioners, and on the 1st October was deprived of office and +committed to prison during the king's pleasure. "But marke what +followeth," writes the chronicler of the Grey Friars, within a week "was +proclaymyd the protector a traytor."(1319) + +(M685) + +On the 17th October Edward came from Hampton Court to Southwark Place, a +mansion formerly belonging to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, when it +was known as Suffolk House. It was now used in part as a mint, and was +occupied by Sheriff York in his capacity as master of the king's mint. +After dinner the king knighted York in recognition of his hospitality and +his past services, an honour personal to York and not extended to his +colleague in the shrievalty, Richard Turke. From Southwark Edward set +forth to ride through the city to Westminster, accompanied by a long +cavalcade of nobles and gentlemen, "the lord mayor bearinge the scepter +before his maiestie and rydinge with garter kinge of armes."(1320) + +(M686) + +Somerset's confinement in the Tower was not of long duration. On the 6th +February, 1550, the lieutenant of the Tower received orders to bring his +prisoner "with out greate garde or busyness" to Sheriff York's house in +Walbrook, where the council was sitting; and on the duke entering into a +recognisance to remain privately either at Shene or Sion, and not to +travel more than four miles from either place, nor attempt to gain an +interview with the young king, he was allowed to depart.(1321) + +(M687) + +With Warwick, who became the ruling spirit of the council after the fall +of Somerset and the abolition of the protectorate, religion was a matter +of supreme indifference, and for a time it was uncertain whether he would +favour the followers of the old religion or the advanced reformers. He +chose to extend his patronage to the latter. The day after Somerset's +release from the Tower, Bonner was again brought from the Marshalsea, +where he had been roughly used,(1322) and the cause of his deprivation +reconsidered by the lords of the council sitting in the Star Chamber, the +result being that the previous sentence by Cranmer was confirmed and +Bonner again relegated to prison. Bishops were now appointed directly by +the king, who in the following April caused Nicholas Ridley, bishop of +Rochester, to be transferred to London in Bonner's place; and the see of +Westminster,(1323) which had been created in 1540, was united to London. +In July Hooper was nominated to the see of Gloucester; but some time +elapsed before this rigid reformer could be induced to overcome his +prejudice to episcopal vestments (which he denounced as the livery of +Anti-Christ) and consent to be consecrated in them.(1324) As soon as the +ceremony was over he cast them off. + +(M688) + +For some time past the City had experienced difficulty in exercising its +franchise in the borough of Southwark. That borough consisted of three +manors, known respectively as the Guildable Manor, the King's Manor and +the Great Liberty Manor.(1325) The first of these--and only the first--had +been granted to the City by Edward III soon after his accession. The civic +authorities had complained of felons making good their escape from the +city to Southwark, where they could not be attacked by the officers of the +city; and the king, in answer to the City's request, had made over to them +the town or vill of Southwark.(1326) This grant was afterwards confirmed +and amplified by a charter granted by Edward IV in 1462, whereby the +citizens were allowed to hold a yearly fair in the borough on three +successive days in the month of September, together with a court of +pie-powder, and with all liberties and customs to such fair +appertaining.(1327) In course of time the City claimed the right of +holding a market, as well as the yearly fair, twice a week in Southwark. +This claim now led to difficulties with the king's bailiff, Sir John Gate. +A draft agreement had been drawn up during Somerset's protectorate in the +hopes of arranging matters,(1328) but apparently without success. + +(M689) + +At length the city agreed (29 March, 1550) to make an offer of 500 marks +for the purchase of the rights of the Crown in Southwark,(1329) and +eventually a compromise was effected. For the sum of L647 2_s._ 1_d._ the +king conveyed by charter(1330) to the City of London divers messuages in +Southwark, with the exception of "Southwark Place" and the gardens +belonging to it, formerly the Duke of Suffolk's mansion, and for a further +sum of 500 marks he surrendered all the royal liberties and franchises +which he or his heirs might have in the borough or town of Southwark. It +was expressly provided that this charter was not to be prejudicial to Sir +John Gate or to his property and interests. The ancient rent of L10 per +annum was still to be paid, and the citizens were to be allowed to hold +four markets every week in addition to a fair and court of pie-powder +enjoyed since the time of Edward IV. On the 9th May the lord mayor took +formal possession of the borough of Southwark by riding through the +precinct, after which the Common Cryer made proclamation with sound of +trumpet for all vagabonds to leave the city and borough and the suburbs +and liberties of the same.(1331) + +(M690) + +It was originally intended, no doubt, that the borough should be +incorporated for all municipal purposes with the city, and that the +inhabitants of the borough should be placed on the same footing as the +citizens. This, however, was never carried out. Notwithstanding the fact +that among the ordinances drawn up (31 July) for the government of the +borough,(1332) there was one which prescribed the same customary procedure +in the election of an alderman for the new ward of Bridge Without as +prevailed in the city;(1333) the inhabitants of the borough have never +taken any part in the election of an alderman. The first alderman, Sir +John Aylyff, a barber-surgeon, was "nominated, elected and chosen" by the +Court of Aldermen,(1334) and was admitted and sworn before the same body +on the 28th May, 1850--that is to say, some weeks before the ordinances +just mentioned were drawn up. + +The alderman of the ward continued to be nominated and elected by the +Court of Aldermen until 1711, when, by virtue of an Act of Common Council, +the ward was to be offered to the several aldermen who had served as +mayor, in order of seniority. If no alderman could be found willing to be +translated from his own ward to that of Bridge Without, the Court of +Common Council was empowered by another Act passed in 1725 to proceed to +the election of an alderman. + +The ward of Bridge Without has never sent representatives to the Common +Council, inasmuch as its inhabitants refused to "take up their freedom" +and bear the burdens of citizenship, and there existed no means for +forcing the freedom upon them. In 1835, however, a petition was presented +to the Common Council by certain inhabitants of Southwark asking that they +might for the future exercise the right of electing not only an alderman, +but common council-men for the ward, and that the ordinances of 1550 might +be carried out according to their original intention. The petition was +referred to the Committee for General Purposes, who reported to the Common +Council(1335) to the effect that, considering that the borough of +Southwark had never formed part of the City of London, the charter of +Edward VI notwithstanding, and that the holding of wardmotes in the +borough would materially interfere with the duties of an ancient officer +known as a seneschal or steward of Southwark, the petition could not be +complied with, except by application to the legislature, and that such a +course would neither be expedient or advisable. Another petition to the +same effect has quite recently been presented to the Court of Aldermen; +but it was equally unsuccessful.(1336) + +(M691) + +Warwick had not long taken the place of Somerset before he found himself +compelled to make peace with France (29 March, 1550). This he accomplished +only by consenting to surrender Boulogne. The declaration of peace was +celebrated with bonfires in the city, although the conditions under which +the peace was effected were generally unacceptable to the nation and +brought discredit upon the earl.(1337) One result of the conclusion of the +war was again to flood the streets of the city with men who openly +declared that they neither could nor would work, and that unless the king +provided them with a livelihood they would combine to plunder the city, +and once clear with their booty they cared not if 10,000 men were after +them. It was in vain that proclamation was made for all disbanded soldiers +to leave the city. They refused to go, and oftentimes came into conflict +with the city constables. At length the mayor and aldermen addressed a +letter on the subject to the lords of the council (25 Sept.).(1338) + +(M692) + +In the following year the state of the city was rendered worse by a +proposal of Warwick to debase the currency yet more. As soon as the +proposal got wind up went the price of provisions, in spite of every +effort made by the lords of the council to keep it down. They sent for the +mayor (Sir Andrew Judd) to attend them at Greenwich on Sunday, the 10th +May, and soundly rated him--or, as the chronicler puts it, "gave him some +sore words"--for allowing such things to take place. On Thursday, the 28th, +the mayor summoned a Common Council, when the Recorder repeated to them +the king's orders that the price of wares was not to be raised. The livery +companies were to see to it, and there were to be no more +murmurings.(1339) + +Warwick himself excited the anger of the city burgesses by riding through +the streets to see if the king's orders against the enhancement of the +price of victuals were being carried out. Coming one day to a butcher's in +Eastcheap, he asked the price of a sheep. Being told that it was 13 +shillings, he replied that it was too much and passed on. When another +butcher asked 16 shillings he was told to go and be hanged. The earl's +conduct so roused the indignation of the butchers of the city--a class of +men scarcely less powerful than their brethren the fishmongers--that they +made no secret that the price of meat would be raised still more if the +debasement of the currency was carried out as proposed.(1340) Yet, in +spite of all remonstrances and threats, a proclamation went forth that +after the 17th August the shilling should be current for six pence +sterling and no more, the groat for two pence, the penny for a halfpenny, +and the halfpenny for a farthing.(1341) The price of every commodity rose +50 per cent. as a matter of course, and nothing that Warwick could do +could prevent it. Seeing at last the hopelessness of attempting to +overcome economic laws by a mere _ipse dixit_, he caused a "contrary +proclamasyon" to be issued, and "sette alle at lyberty agayne, and every +viteler to selle as they wolde and had done before."(1342) + +(M693) + +Warwick's increasing unpopularity raised a hope in the breast of Somerset +of recovering his lost power. Some rash words he had allowed to escape +were carried to the young king, who took the part of Warwick against his +own uncle, and showed his appreciation of the earl's services by creating +him Duke of Northumberland (11 Oct.). A few days later Somerset was seized +and again committed to the Tower.(1343) The new duke vaunted himself more +than ever, and as a fresh coinage was on the eve of being issued, he +caused it to be struck with a ragged staff, the badge of his house, on its +face.(1344) Some of the duke's servants thought to ruffle it as well as +their master, and offered an insult to one of the sheriffs, attempting to +snatch at his chain of office as he accompanied the mayor to service at +St. Paul's on All Saints' Day, and otherwise creating no little +disturbance in St. Paul's Churchyard. The mayor waited until service was +over, and then took them into custody.(1345) + +(M694) + +At the time of Somerset's second arrest the Common Council and the wardens +of the several livery companies were summoned to meet at the Guildhall to +hear why the duke had been sent for the second time to the Tower, and to +receive instructions for safe-guarding the city. They were informed by the +Recorder that it had been the duke's intention to seize the Tower and the +Isle of Wight, and to "have destroyed the city of London and the +substantiall men of the same."(1346) This was, of course, an exaggeration, +although there is little doubt that the duke was preparing to get himself +named again Protector by the next parliament. On the 1st December he was +brought from the Tower by water to Westminster, the mayor and aldermen +having received strict orders to keep the city well guarded.(1347) He was +arraigned of treason and felony, but his judges, among whom sat his enemy +Northumberland himself, acquitted him of the former charge, and those in +the hall, thinking he had been altogether acquitted, raised a shout of joy +that could be heard as far as Charing Cross and Long Acre. When they +discovered that he had been found guilty of felony and condemned to be +executed they were grievously disappointed. As he landed at the Crane in +the Vintry on his way back to the Tower that evening, and passed through +Candlewick (Cannon) Street, the people, we are told, cried "'God save him' +all the way as he went, thinkinge that he had clerely bene quitt, but they +were deceyved, but hoopinge he should have the kinge's pardon."(1348) +According to another chronicler there were mingled cries of joy and sorrow +as he passed through London, some crying for joy that he was acquitted, +whilst others (who were better informed of the actual state of the case) +lamented his conviction.(1349) His execution took place on Tower Hill in +January of the next year (1552). + +(M695) + +In the meanwhile the civic authorities had been energetically engaged in +making regulations for the hospital of the poor in West Smithfield, better +known as St. Bartholomew's Hospital, which they had recently acquired, and +in grappling with the poverty and sickness with which they were +surrounded. Instead of trusting to the charity of those attending the +parish churches on Sunday for raising money for the poor, the Common +Council, in September, 1547, resorted to the less precarious method of +levying on every inhabitant of the city one half of a fifteenth for the +maintenance of the poor of the hospital.(1350) The voluntary system, +however, was not wholly abolished. In the following April (1548) a +brotherhood for the relief of the poor had been established, to which the +mayor (Sir John Gresham) and most of the aldermen belonged, each agreeing +to subscribe a yearly sum varying from half a mark to a mark.(1351) In +September governors were appointed of St. Bartholomew's Hospital--four +aldermen and eight commoners(1352)--and in the following December the +Common Council passed an Act for the payment of 500 marks a year to the +hospital, the sum being levied on the livery companies.(1353) + +(M696) + +In 1551 the City succeeded in obtaining another hospital. This was the +hospital in Southwark originally dedicated to Thomas Becket, but whose +patron saint was, after the Reformation, changed to St. Thomas the +Apostle. Negotiations were opened in February with the lord chancellor for +the purchase of this hospital.(1354) They proceeded so favourably that by +the 12th August the hospital and church and part of their endowment were +conveyed to the City by deed, whilst the rest of the endowment was +transferred by another deed on the following day.(1355) The purchase-money +amounted to nearly L2,500. + +(M697) + +Having thus cared for the sick and the poor, the civic authorities next +turned their attention to the conversion of a portion of the ground and +buildings of the dissolved monastery of the Grey Friars into a hospital +for the reception and education of fatherless and helpless children. In +1552 Sir Richard Dobbs(1356) was mayor. He took an active part in the +charitable work that was then being carried on in the city, and his +conduct so won the heart of Ridley that the bishop wrote from prison +shortly before his death commending him in the highest possible terms:--"O +Dobbs, Dobbs, alderman and knight, thou in thy year did'st win my heart +for evermore, for that honourable act, that most blessed work of God, of +the erection and setting up of Christ's Holy Hospitals, and truly +religious houses which by thee and through thee were begun." In July the +work of adapting the old buildings, rather than erecting new, was +commenced, and in a few months the premises were sufficiently forward to +admit of the reception of nearly 400 children. The charity was aided by +the king's bestowal of the linen vestures used in the city prior to the +Reformation, and at that time seized by the commissioners.(1357) Just as +the close of the reign of Henry VIII had witnessed the reopening of the +church of the Grey Friars under the name of Christchurch, and the +celebration of the mass once more within its walls, so now the close of +his son's short reign witnessed the restoration of their house and +buildings, and their conversion, in the cause of education and charity, +into Christ's Hospital. + +(M698) + +There was yet another class of inhabitant to be provided for, namely, +those who either could not or would not work. On behalf of these a +deputation(1358) was appointed by the City to present a petition to the +king that he would be pleased to grant the disused palace of Bridewell to +the municipality for the purpose of turning it into a workhouse. The +deputation was introduced by Ridley, who himself wrote in May of this year +(1552) to secretary Cecil on the same subject.(1359) The efforts of the +bishop and the deputation were rewarded with success. In the following +spring (1553) the king not only consented to convey the palace to the +municipal body, but further gave 700 marks and all the beds and bedding of +his palace of the Savoy for the maintenance of the workhouse.(1360) The +City having thus become possessed of the several hospitals of St. +Bartholomew, St. Thomas, Christ's and Bridewell, the king, a few days +before his death, granted the mayor, aldermen and commonalty a charter of +incorporation as governors of these Royal Hospitals in the city.(1361) + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + + + +(M699) + +The death of Edward VI took place on the 6th July, 1553, although it was +not generally known until two days afterwards. By his father's will the +Princess Mary became heiress to the throne. Northumberland was aware of +this. He was equally aware that if Mary succeeded to her brother's crown +matters might go hard with him. He therefore persuaded Edward to follow +the precedent set by his father and re-settle the succession to the crown +by will. He succeeded moreover in getting the late king to name as his +successor the Lady Jane Grey, grand-daughter of Mary Duchess of Suffolk, +the younger sister of Henry VIII, and he took the further precaution of +marrying her to his own son, Lord Guildford Dudley. It was in vain that +the judges and law officers of the Crown pointed out that the Act of +Parliament which authorised Henry to dispose of the crown by will, in the +case of his children dying without heirs, did not apply to Edward. +Councillors and judges, and even Cranmer himself, were forced to signify +their assent by subscribing to the will, which was dated (21 June) a +fortnight only before Edward's death. + +Northumberland well knew the advantage to be got by securing the +co-operation of the city in prosecuting his scheme, so he persuaded the +mayor (Sir George Barnes), a number of aldermen (including Sir John +Gresham, Sir Andrew Judd, Thomas Offley and Sir Richard Dobbs), and +several of the leading merchants of the city to append their signatures to +the will.(1362) The king had been already dead two days before +Northumberland sent for them to Greenwich and acquainted them of the fact, +exhorting them at the same time to sign the document.(1363) + +(M700) + +On the 10th July the Lady Jane was brought from Richmond and lodged in the +Tower, and that same evening was proclaimed queen at the Cross in Chepe. +The mayor took no part in the ceremony, and only one of the sheriffs +(William Gerard or Garrard) attended the heralds. If Northumberland +thought that the citizens would favour Lady Jane merely because she was a +Protestant he was mistaken. The proclamation was received with undisguised +coldness, and "few or none said God save her."(1364) Nor was it better +received by the country at large. The eastern counties rose and in a few +days Mary was at the head of 30,000 men. No time was to be lost, and +Northumberland at once set out from London to meet her. As he passed +through the city he noticed that none wished him "God speed." + +(M701) + +No sooner was his back turned than the lords of the council, seeing how +matters were going, and eager to throw off the yoke which the duke had +placed on their necks, determined upon proclaiming Mary queen. It was +necessary, however, that the City should first be informed of their +intention, and that, too, without creating too much attention. One of +their number therefore took the opportunity of the mayor riding abroad on +Wednesday, the 19th July, to accost him privately and bid him and the +sheriffs, and such of the aldermen as he could get together at short +notice, to meet the lords of the council within an hour at the Earl of +Pembroke's place at Castle Baynard. The mayor hurried back, sent for the +Recorder and some of the aldermen, and with them proceeded to the place +appointed, where they found the council assembled. They were informed of +the intention of the lords, and the mayor was bidden to accompany them to +Cheapside for the purpose of proclaiming Queen Mary. Their object soon got +wind; a crowd followed them to Cheapside, and when the proclamation was +made there was such a throwing up of caps and such cries of "God save +Queen Mary" that nothing else could be heard. The civic authorities, as +well as the lords of the council, thereupon proceeded to St. Paul's to +hear a _Te Deum_; after which the lords withdrew from the city, leaving +orders, however, for Queen Mary to be proclaimed in other parts of the +city according to custom. The next day (20 July) they returned and dined +with the mayor, sitting in council, after dinner, until four o'clock in +the afternoon, whilst the church bells rang all day long.(1365) + +(M702) + +As soon as Northumberland heard of the turn affairs had taken, he caused +Mary to be proclaimed at Cambridge, where he happened to be quartered, +"castinge up his capp after as if he had bene joyfull of it." His +simulated enthusiasm, however, availed him nothing, and orders were issued +for his arrest. Special precautions were taken to avoid disturbance on the +day (25 July) that he passed through the city on his way to the Tower, +every householder in the several wards through which he and his fellow +prisoners were to pass being instructed to hold himself in readiness +within doors with a clean halberd, and a bill or "pollox" for such service +as the alderman might appoint.(1366) No disturbance took place, the +populace contenting itself with cursing the duke and calling him traitor, +and making him take off his hat as he passed through Bishopsgate and +continue his journey bareheaded.(1367) + +(M703) + +On the evening of the 3rd August Queen Mary made her first entry into the +city, accompanied by her sister Elizabeth. She had come from Newhall, in +Essex, where a few days before she had been presented with the sum of L500 +in gold by a deputation of the Court of Aldermen accompanied by the +Recorder.(1368) On the 2nd August it was decided that the lord mayor and +his brethren should ride out the next afternoon to meet her majesty at the +Bars without Aldgate, and taking their places appointed by the +herald-of-arms, should accompany the royal procession.(1369) The reception +which the new queen met with in the city must have been gratifying. The +mayor, on approaching her, handed to her the civic sword, which was given +to the Earl of Arundel to carry before her. The mayor himself bore the +mace. By express permission of the Court of Aldermen a number of +Florentine and other merchant strangers were allowed to attend on +horseback, and to erect a pageant at Leadenhall.(1370) The whole length of +the streets through which the queen had to pass on her way to the Tower +had been lavishly decorated, and was lined with members of the various +civic companies in their livery gowns. Nothing was omitted that could +please the eye or ear.(1371) + +A touching scene took place as Mary was about to enter the Tower. The +widow of the Duke of Somerset, to whose policy as protector Mary had +offered a steady opposition, met the queen at the Tower gate, and in +company with the Duke of Norfolk, Stephen Gardiner and others, who had +been confined in the Tower in the late reign, knelt down and saluted her. +Mary, in a charitable mood, kissed each of them, claimed them as her own +prisoners, and shortly afterwards granted them their liberty.(1372) + +(M704) + +A week later (10 Aug.) the remains of the late king were carried from +Whitehall to Westminster and laid in Henry the Seventh's Chapel, the +service being conducted wholly in English, the communion taking the place +of the mass, and the priests being vested in a surplice only, in +accordance with the provisions of the Book of Common Prayer. For a short +time after Mary's accession it was thought that she would be content if +the Church were restored to the position it was in at the time when Henry +VIII died. It was not long before the new queen shewed this opinion to be +erroneous. The Prayer Book of King Edward VI was set aside, the high +altars that had been removed were restored, and mass was restored. Ridley +was sent to the Tower and Bonner brought out from the Marshalsea and +reinstated in the bishophric of London. Gardiner, who had been deprived of +his see of Winchester and kept prisoner in the Tower, not only recovered +his freedom and his see, but was made the queen's chancellor. On the other +hand, Cranmer and "Mr. Latimer" were sent to the Tower. + +(M705) + +The change that was being wrought caused some little disturbance in the +city. When Doctor Bourne, who had been put up by the queen to preach at +Paul's Cross one Sunday in August, began to pray for the dead, and to +refer to Bonner's late imprisonment, one of his hearers threw a knife at +him whilst others called the preacher a liar. The queen was so angry at +this that she sent for the mayor and aldermen and told them plainly that +she would deprive the city of its liberties if they could not better +preserve peace and good order within its walls.(1373) + +A few days later she issued a proclamation in which, whilst making no +secret of her wish that everyone would conform to the religion "which all +men knew she had of long tyme observed, and ment, God willing, to contynue +the same," she deprecated men calling each other heretic or papist, but +willed that everyone should follow the religion he thought best until +further orders were taken.(1374) The mayor in the meantime had also issued +his precept against any sermon or lecture being read other than the Divine +Service appointed until the queen's further pleasure should be made +known.(1375) + +Lest any disturbance should arise on the following Sunday (20 Aug.), when +Bishop Gardiner's chaplain was to preach at Paul's Cross, the queen sent +the captain of the guard with 200 men, who surrounded the pulpit, halberd +in hand. The mayor, too, had ordered the livery companies to be present +"to herken yf any leude or sedicious persons made any rumors"--a precaution +which much pleased the queen.(1376) + +(M706) + +When Michaelmas-day (the day on which the election of the new mayor for +the ensuing year was to take place) came round, the choice of the citizens +fell upon Sir Thomas White.(1377) In accordance with the new order of +things, the election was preceded by the celebration of mass in the +Guildhall Chapel as of old. + +(M707) + +The day after the election of the new mayor the queen passed through the +city from the Tower to Whitehall for her coronation. The streets presented +their usual gay appearance on this occasion, and the queen was made the +recipient of the "accustomed" gift of 1,000 marks on behalf of the +city.(1378) On the day of the coronation (1 Oct.) the daily service at St. +Paul's had to be suspended because all the priests not under censure for +Protestantism or for having married were summoned to assist at +Westminster.(1379) + +(M708) + +When Mary appeared before her first parliament(1380) she found her +subjects in many points opposed to her. They were willing to restore the +worship and practice of the Church as they existed before the death of +Henry VIII, but they showed a determination neither to submit to Rome nor +to restore to the Church the property of which it had been deprived. They +knew, moreover, of her anxious wish to marry Philip, son of the emperor +Charles V, and yet did not hesitate to present to her a petition against a +foreign marriage. It was a bold step for parliament to take in those days, +and showed that it was determined to win back its ancient rights and no +longer to be the tool of the crown. Mary was not one likely to yield in a +matter on which she had once set her heart. Rather than take its advice +she dissolved parliament. The result was an insurrection. + +(M709) + +In the meanwhile the aged Cranmer and the youthful Lady Jane Grey--she +"that wolde a been qwene"--her husband and two of her husband's brothers +had been brought to trial at the Guildhall (13 Nov). The axe was borne +before them on their way from the Tower, as if in anticipation of the +verdict. The Lady Jane is described as clad in a black gown, with velvet +cap and black hood, having a black velvet book hanging at her girdle, +whilst she carried another in her hand.(1381) Each of the accused pleaded +guilty, and sentence of death was passed; its execution was, however, +delayed owing to the outbreak known as Wyatt's Rebellion. + +(M710) + +The ostensible cause of the rebellion was the queen's determination at all +hazards to marry Philip, whose ambassadors arrived at the opening of the +new year (1554). The civic authorities had been warned to treat them +handsomely, a warning which was scarcely necessary, for the citizens have +never allowed political differences to interfere with their hospitality; +and accordingly one of the ambassadors was lodged at Durham Place, near +Charing Cross, another at the Duke of Suffolk's house hard by, whilst a +third shared apartments with the chancellor "Nigro" (Philip Negri) in Sir +Richard Sackville's house at the conduit in Fleet Street. To each and all +of the guests the City sent presents of wax, torches, flour and every kind +of meat, game and poultry.(1382) Formal announcement of the intended match +was made by the chancellor on the 14th January, but it was received with +every sign of discontent and misgiving, "yea and therat allmost eche man +was abashed, loking daylie for worse mattiers to growe shortly +after."(1383) The following day (15 Jan.)--the day on which the rebellion +under Wyatt broke out in Kent, to be followed by risings in Devonshire and +Norfolk--the mayor and aldermen were summoned to court and ordered to bring +with them forty of the chief commoners of the city, when the lord +chancellor informed them of the queen's intention, and exhorted them as +obedient subjects to accept her grace's pleasure and to remain content and +quiet. He warned them, at the same time, to see that the queen's wishes +respecting religious services in the city were strictly carried out, on +pain of incurring her high indignation.(1384) + +(M711) + +Steps were taken for putting the city into a proper state of defence. The +civic companies were ordered to set watches as on similar critical +occasions, and no gunpowder, weapons or other munitions of war were +allowed to be sent out of the city. Chains were set up at the bridge-foot +and at the corner of New Fish Street. The borough of Southwark was called +upon to provide eighty tall and able men, well harnessed and weaponed, for +the safeguard of the queen's person and of the city,(1385) whilst the +livery companies at a few hours' notice furnished a force of 500 men to be +speedily despatched by water to Gravesend.(1386) + +(M712) + +Whatever faults Queen Mary had, she was by no means deficient in courage. +On the same day (1 Feb.) that Wyatt appeared with his forces at Southwark, +she came to the Guildhall(1387) and there addressed a spirited harangue to +the assembled citizens.(1388) She plainly told them that her proposed +marriage was but a Spanish cloak to cover the real purpose of the +rebellion, which was aimed against her religion. She was their queen, and +they had sworn allegiance to her; they surely would not allow her to fall +into the hands of so vile a traitor as Wyatt was. As for her marriage, it +had been arranged with the full knowledge of the lords of the council, as +one of expediency for the realm. Passion had no part in the matter. She +had hitherto, she thanked God, lived a virgin, and doubted not she could, +if necessary, live so still. At the close of her speech, which, we are +told, was delivered in a loud voice so that all might hear, she bade the +citizens to pluck up heart and not to fear the rebels any more than she +did. She then quitted the hall and went up into the aldermen's council +chamber and there refreshed herself, after which she rode through +Bucklersbury to the Vintry, where she took barge to Westminster. + +In the meantime the Spanish ambassadors had taken fright at Wyatt's +approach and had "sped themselves awaie by water, and that with all +hast."(1389) Many inhabitants of the city had also deserted their fellow +burgesses at this critical time, and their names were submitted to the +Court of Aldermen for subsequent enquiry.(1390) They were, according to +Foxe, afraid of being entrapped by the queen and perhaps put to death. + +(M713) + +In response to the queen's speech the citizens at once set to work to +raise a force of 1,000 men for the defence of the city, the mayor and +aldermen each in his own ward taking a muster. So busy was everyone on +Candlemas-day (2 Feb.) that the civic authorities omitted to attend the +afternoon service at St. Paul's, and the mayor's serving-men waited upon +him at dinner ready harnessed.(1391) Even the lawyers at Westminster +"pleaded in harness."(1392) + +(M714) (M715) + +The defensive precautions taken by the mayor and aldermen were sufficient +to prevent Wyatt making good his entry into the city by Southwark and +London Bridge. Foiled in this direction he sought to approach the city +from another side, but had to march as far as Kingston before he could +cross the Thames. Many of his followers in the meantime deserted +him.(1393) Nevertheless he continued to make his way, with but little +opposition, to Ludgate, which, contrary to his expectation, he found shut +in his face. He had been recognised by a tailor of Watling Street, who +seeing the force approaching cried, "I know that theys be Wyettes +ancienttes," and forthwith closed the gate.(1394) That Wyatt had +supporters in the city may be gathered from the half-hearted opposition +that he met with in Southwark, as well as from the fact that many of the +soldiers raised in the city and neighbourhood deserted to Wyatt at the +outset of the rebellion.(1395) Wyatt himself exhibited no little +disappointment at finding Ludgate closed against him instead of the aid +which he evidently had expected. "I have kept touch" said he, as he turned +his back on the city.(1396) He had scarcely reached Temple Bar before he +was overcome by a superior force and yielded himself a prisoner. After a +short stay at Whitehall he was removed to the Tower. + +(M716) + +The failure of the revolt was fatal to Lady Jane Grey, and she was +beheaded within the Tower (12 Feb.) almost at the same time that her +husband was being executed outside on Tower Hill. By the strange irony of +fortune, it fell to the lot of Thomas Offley to perform the duties of +sheriff at Dudley's execution, although he had himself been one of the +supporters of the Lady Jane in her claim to the crown. For the next few +days the city presented a sad spectacle; whichever way one turned there +was to be seen a gibbet with its wretched burden, whilst the city's gates +bristled with human heads.(1397) Wyatt himself was one of the last to +suffer, being brought to the block on Tower Hill on the 11th April. His +head and a portion of his body, after being exposed on gallows, were taken +away by his friends for decent burial.(1398) + +(M717) + +On the 17th February proclamation was made for all strangers to leave the +realm, on the ground that they sowed the seeds of their "malycyouse +doctryne and lewde conversacioun" among the queen's good subjects;(1399) +and this had been followed in the city by precepts to each alderman to +call before him all the householders of his ward, both rich and poor, on +Wednesday the 7th March, at six o'clock in the morning, and strictly +charge them that they, their wives, their children and servants behave +themselves in all things and more especially in matters of religion, +following the example of the queen herself. All offenders were to be +reported forthwith.(1400) + +(M718) + +A report having got abroad in the city that the lords of the council had +endeavoured to extract a confession from Wyatt implicating the Princess +Elizabeth in the late rebellion, the mayor was ordered by Bishop Gardiner +to bring up the originator of the rumour before the Star Chamber. When Sir +Thomas White appeared with the culprit, one Richard Cut by name, a servant +to a grocer in the city, he was soundly rated by Gardiner for not having +himself punished the offender, and when he replied that the party was +there present for the Star Chamber to deal with according to its pleasure, +was again rebuked:--"My lord, take heed to your charge, the Citie of London +is a whirlepoole and a sinke of evill rumors, there they be bred, and from +thence spred into all parts of the realme."(1401) Cut paid the penalty for +his love of gossip by being made to stand two days in the pillory and by +the loss of his ears.(1402) + +(M719) + +The suppression of the revolt left Mary at liberty to carry out her +matrimonial design. But before accomplishing this she was determined to +place such a garrison in or near London as should prevent similar +outbreaks in future. For this purpose she applied to the citizens for a +sum of 6,000 marks. Thus called upon to supply a rod for their own backs, +the citizens demurred. They at first proposed to offer the sum of 1,000 +marks, or at the most L1,000; they afterwards agreed to contribute double +the first mentioned sum,(1403) and this was accepted. The money was raised +by contributions from the different livery companies, the Merchant +Taylors, the Mercers, the Grocers, the Drapers, the Fishmongers, the +Goldsmiths, and the Haberdashers being called upon to subscribe the sum of +L100 respectively, whilst the rest of the companies paid sums varying from +L80 to forty shillings.(1404) No sooner had the citizens satisfied the +queen in this respect than they were called upon to send 200 soldiers to +Gillingham, in Kent, there to be embarked for foreign service under the +Lord Admiral. The City again demurred, and asked to be excused the +necessity of forwarding the men beyond Billingsgate or the Tower Wharf and +also of providing them with accoutrements. It was to no purpose, both men +and accoutrements had to be found.(1405) On the 10th April the chamberlain +received orders to see that the city's artillery was in readiness and to +increase the store of gunpowder.(1406) Wyatt was to be executed the next +day, and these orders were probably given in anticipation of a +disturbance. + +(M720) + +That Wyatt still had friends in the city is shown by the bold attitude +taken up by the jury in the trial (17 April) of one of his accomplices, +Nicholas Throckmorton, against whom they brought in a verdict of not +guilty.(1407) For this they were bound over to appear before the Star +Chamber. Four of the twelve made submission; the rest, among whom were +Thomas Whetstone, a haberdasher, and Emanuel Lucar, a merchant tailor, +were committed some to the Tower and the rest to the Fleet, where they +remained for six months. In the meantime the Court of Aldermen wrote (19 +July) to the council in their favour, but with little success.(1408) A +month later (19 August) a deputation waited on the Court of Aldermen for +advice as to what future steps had best be taken for obtaining the release +of their brethren in the Fleet, when they were told that the wives of the +prisoners or the prisoners' friends should first make suit to the council +for their release, after which the court would see what they could +do.(1409) At length the prisoners were summoned once more (26 Oct.) before +the Star Chamber, when they one and all declared that they had only acted +in accordance with their conscience, whilst Lucar, more outspoken than the +rest, asserted that "they had done in the matter like honest men and true +and faithful subjects." Such plain speaking ill suited the judges, who +thereupon condemned the offenders to a fine of 1,000 marks apiece and +imprisonment until further order. Eventually five out of the eight were +discharged (12 December) on payment of a fine of L220, and ten days later +the rest regained their liberty on payment of L60 apiece.(1410) + +(M721) + +A parliament which met in April (1554)(1411) gave its consent to Mary's +marriage with Philip, but refused to re-enact the old statutes for the +persecution of heretics. On the 19th July Philip landed at Southampton, +and on the 21st Mary herself notified the event to the citizens of +London,(1412) who for some time past had been making preparations for +giving both queen and king a fitting reception, and who immediately on +receipt of the news of Philip's landing caused bonfires to be lighted in +the streets.(1413) + +(M722) + +Mary rode down to Winchester to meet Philip,(1414) and on the 25th became +his wife. It was not until the 17th August that the royal pair approached +the city. On that day they came by water from Richmond to Southwark, the +king in one barge, the queen in another. After taking refreshment at the +Bishop of Winchester's palace, and killing a buck or two in the bishop's +park, they retired to rest.(1415) Special orders were given to the +aldermen to keep a good and substantial double watch in the city from nine +o'clock in the evening (17 Aug.) until five o'clock the next morning, such +watch to continue until further notice.(1416) The authorities differ +widely as to the precise day on which the royal party passed through the +city. The city's own records point to the afternoon of Sunday the 19th +August as the day. On the morning of that day the Court of Aldermen sat, +and a letter from the queen commending them for their forwardness in +"making shewes of honour and gladnes" for the occasion was read to the +wardens of all the companies for them to communicate to the members. The +wardens were further enjoined to give strict orders to the members of +their several companies to honestly use and entreat the Spaniards in all +things, both at their coming in with the king and queen and ever +afterwards. The same morning a speech which the Recorder had prepared for +the occasion in English was handed over to the master of St. Paul's School +to be turned into Latin. None too much time was allowed the worthy +pedagogue for the purpose, for he was to give it back that same afternoon +so that the Recorder might "make and pronounce yt to the kinges majesty at +his comynge in."(1417) + +A curious incident is related in connection with the royal procession +through the city. The conduit in Gracious Church Street, which had been +newly painted and gilded, bore representations of the "nine worthies," and +among them Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth. Instead of carrying a +sword or mace like the rest, Henry had been portrayed with a sceptre in +one hand and a book bearing the inscription _Verbum Dei_ in the other. +This catching the eye of Bishop Gardiner as he passed in the royal train, +he was very wroth and sent for the painter, asked him by whose orders he +had so depicted the king, called him "traitor" and threatened him with the +Fleet prison. The poor painter, who for the first time had been made to +realise the change that was taking place, pleaded that what he had done +had been done in all innocence, and hastened to rectify his mistake by +removing the bible from the picture and substituting in its place a pair +of gloves.(1418) + +(M723) + +In November (1554) a new parliament(1419) was called, which proved more +ready than the last to comply with the queen's wishes. It re-enacted the +statutes for burning heretics and agreed to a reconciliation of the Church +of England with the See of Rome, but it refused to sanction the surrender +of Church lands. Bonner had already taken steps to purge his diocese of +heresy by issuing a series of articles (14 Sept.) to which every +inhabitant, clerical and lay, was expected to conform.(1420) That there +was room for improvement in matters touching religion and public decorum +there is no doubt, otherwise there would have been no need of +proclamations such as those against the arrest of persons whilst +conducting service in church,(1421) against wrangling over passages of +scripture in common taverns and victualling houses,(1422) or against +carrying of baskets of provisions and leading mules, horses or other +beasts through St. Paul's.(1423) + +The mayor and aldermen endeavoured to set a good example by constant +attendance at the services and by joining in processions at St. Paul's as +in former days.(1424) The law forbidding the eating of meat in Lent, +except by special licence, was vigorously enforced.(1425) Ale-houses and +taverns were closed on Sundays and holy days, and interludes were +forbidden.(1426) + +(M724) + +Nevertheless the attempt to restore the old worship within the city was +often met with scornful mockery, sometimes attended with violence. A dead +cat, for instance, was one day found hanging in Cheapside, its head shorn +in imitation of a priest's tonsure, and its body clothed in a mock +ecclesiastical vestment, with cross before and behind, whilst a piece of +white paper to represent a singing-cake was placed between its forefeet, +which had been tied together. Bonner was very angry at this travesty of +religion, and caused the effigy to be publicly displayed at Paul's Cross +during sermon time. A reward of twenty marks was offered for the discovery +of this atrocious act, but with what success we do not know.(1427) + +On another occasion, when the Holy Sacrament was being carried in solemn +procession through Smithfield on Corpus Christi-day (24 May), an attempt +was made to knock the holy elements out of the hands of the priest. The +offender was taken to Newgate, where he feigned to be mad.(1428) Again, on +the following Easter-day a priest was fiercely attacked by a man with a +wood-knife whilst administering the sacrament in the church of St. +Margaret, Westminster. The culprit was seized, and after trial and +conviction paid the penalty of his crime by being burned at the +stake.(1429) A pudding was once offered to a priest whilst walking in a +religious procession,(1430) the offender being afterwards whipt at the +"Post of Reformation," which had been set up in Cheapside in 1553.(1431) +But all this defiance shown to Mary's attempt to restore the old worship +only led her to exercise more drastic methods for accomplishing her +purpose. + +(M725) + +By the opening of 1555 her own strong personal will had overcome the +conciliatory policy of her husband, who was content to restrain his +fanaticism within the limits of expediency, and the Marian persecution +commenced. On the 25th January a proclamation was issued in the name of +the king and queen, and bearing the signature of William Blackwell, the +town clerk of the city, enjoining the lighting of bonfires that afternoon +in various places in token of great joy and gladness for the abolition of +sundry great sins, errors and heresies which lately had arisen within the +realm of England, and for the quiet renovation and restitution of the true +Catholic faith of Christ and his holy religion.(1432) This proclamation +was but a prelude to other fires lighted for a very different purpose, +which the mind even at this day cannot contemplate without a shudder. The +first victim of the flames for conscience sake was John Rogers, once vicar +of St. Sepulchre's church and prebendary of St. Paul's. He was burnt in +Smithfield "for gret herysy" in February of this year, in which month +Hooper, who had been deprived of his bishopric of Gloucester, suffered the +same fate in his own cathedral city.(1433) In the following May another +city vicar, John Cardmaker, otherwise known as John Taylor of St. Bride's, +who had been a reader at St. Paul's and had publicly lectured against the +real presence, was burnt in Smithfield with John Warne, an "upholder" of +Walbrook.(1434) + +Few weeks passed without the fire claiming some human victim either in +London or the provinces. On the 9th February Thomas Tomkins, a godly and +charitable weaver of Shoreditch, and William Hunter, a young London +apprentice, were with four others condemned to the stake. The two named +met their fate in Smithfield, one on the 16th March and the other on the +26th. The rest were removed into Essex and there consigned to the flames, +three of them in March and one in the following June.(1435) + +In October Bishops Latimer and Ridley were burnt at Oxford. "Be of good +comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man"--cried Latimer encouragingly to +his fellow sufferer--"we shall this day light such a candle, by God's +grace, in England as I trust shall never be put out." In March of the +following year (1556) Cranmer, after some display of weakness, suffered +the same fate, on the same spot, and with no less fortitude. And thus for +two years more the fires were kept alive in London and in the country; the +Lollard's tower at St. Paul's serving as a prison for heretics,(1436) and +proving more often than not but a step to Smithfield. + +(M726) + +Throughout Mary's reign the strife between the citizens and merchant +strangers was renewed. She had herself added to the evil by her marriage +with Philip, causing the city to be flooded with Spaniards, who took up +their abode in the halls of the civic companies.(1437) A rumour got abroad +early in September, 1554, that 12,000 Spaniards were coming over "to fethe +the crown,"(1438) and this accounts for precepts being sent to the several +aldermen of the city on the 27th September enjoining them to make a return +of the number of foreigners that had come to reside in their ward during +the past nine or ten days, and whence they came.(1439) The favour shown by +the Crown to the merchants of the Steelyard was especially annoying to the +freemen of the city.(1440) It was to little purpose that the mayor and +aldermen issued orders from time to time against giving work to foreigners +and prohibiting all such from opening shops within the city.(1441) The +struggle between citizen and stranger still went on. In 1557 the +corporation made an effort to induce the king and queen to revoke the +favours shown to the merchants of the Steelyard in prejudice of the +liberties of the city,(1442) and eventually the privileges were revoked on +the ground that the merchants of the Hanse had not kept faith with the +Crown.(1443) In the same year the exclusiveness entertained by the +citizens towards foreigners made itself felt more particularly against +that class of foreigner which kept open school in the city for teaching +writing. Certain scriveners, freemen of the city, made a complaint before +the Court of Aldermen against foreigners keeping writing-school within the +city and its liberties.(1444) The chamberlain's conduct of shutting in the +shop windows of foreigners teaching children to write was approved by the +mayor and aldermen,(1445) whilst freemen were allowed to keep open school +provided they entered into a bond not to engross deeds.(1446) Occasionally +foreigners were successful in obtaining licences from the civic +authorities for teaching writing, but it was only on condition they kept +their lower windows closed.(1447) + +(M727) (M728) (M729) + +In the meantime the disposition of the queen towards heretics became more +relentless in proportion as her temper became more soured from ill-health, +by disappointment in not having off-spring, and by the increasing neglect +of her by her husband. Tired of her importunate love and jealousy, Philip +took the first opportunity of quitting her side and crossed over to the +continent (4 Sept., 1555) on a visit to the Emperor Charles. The +abdication of the latter towards the close of 1556 made Philip master of +the richest and most extensive dominions in Europe, and his greatest wish +at the time was to engage England in the war which was kindled between +Spain and France. In this he received the support of Mary, who had in +August (1556) succeeded in obtaining a loan from the city of L6,000.(1448) +The seizure of the castle of Scarborough by Thomas Stafford,(1449) second +son of Lord Stafford, in which he was reported to have received +encouragement from the King of France, was made a _casus belli_, and Henry +was proclaimed an open enemy (7 June, 1557).(1450) French subjects were +allowed forty days to quit the country, and letters of marque were issued +by proclamation on the 9th June.(1451) On the 5th July Philip once more +left England for Flanders,(1452) having succeeded in the object for which +he had come, viz., the declaration of war against France. + +(M730) + +The citizens of London at once began to take stock of their munitions of +war. On the 22nd June the Chamberlain was instructed to prepare with all +convenient speed four dozen good _splentes_ and as many good _sallettes_ +or _sculles_ for the city's use, and to cause a bowyer to "peruse" the +city's bows and to put them in such good order that they might be +serviceable when required.(1453) In the following month a large force +crossed over to France under the leadership of Lords Pembroke, Montagu and +Clinton. To this force the City of London contributed a contingent of 500 +men, the best (according to Machyn(1454)) that had ever been sent. They +mustered at the Leadenhall on the 16th July in the presence of Sir Thomas +Offley,(1455) the mayor, the sheriffs and Sir Richard Lee, and were +conveyed thence by water to Gravesend and Rochester under the charge of +ten officers, whose names are duly recorded.(1456) + +(M731) + +On the last day of July the queen informed the civic authorities by letter +of the departure of her "deerest lord and husband" to pursue the enemy in +France, and desired them to get in readiness 1,000 men, a portion of whom +were to be horsemen, well horsed and armed, and the rest to be archers, +pikes and billmen. The force was to be ready by the 16th August at the +latest, after which date it was to be prepared to set out at a day's +notice. The letter contained a schedule of names of individuals to whom +the queen had made special application, and these were not to be called +upon by the municipal officers to make any contribution, neither were the +tenants of those noblemen and gentlemen already on active service in +France.(1457) + +(M732) + +The Court of Aldermen was taken aback at such a demand coming so soon +after the setting out of the previous force, and on the 4th August it +instructed the Recorder and one of the sheriffs to repair to the queen's +council "for the good and suer understandyng of her majesty's pleasure" in +the matter. The deputation was further instructed to remind the lords of +the council not only of the ancient liberties and franchises of the city +on the point, but also of the city's lack of power to furnish a number of +men exceeding any it had ever been called upon to furnish before.(1458) It +was all to no purpose; the men had to be provided; and the matter having +been fully explained to the wardens of the several livery companies, they +succeeded in raising the force required.(1459) + +(M733) + +The defeat of the French king at St. Quentin was celebrated in the city by +a solemn procession to St. Paul's, in which figured the mayor and aldermen +in their scarlet gowns.(1460) The joy of the citizens was shortlived. +Philip's caution did not allow him to avail himself of the opportunity +thus offered him of marching on the French capital, and before the end of +the year matters had taken a different turn. + +(M734) (M735) + +In December a Spaniard named Ferdinando Lygons was commissioned to raise +300 mounted archers in the city of London and county of Middlesex.(1461) +At the opening of the new year (2 Jan., 1558) the queen wrote to the +corporation desiring to be at once furnished with 500 men out of the 1,000 +men the city had been ordered to keep in readiness since July. As the +matter was urgent they were not to wait to supply the men with +coats.(1462) The force was required for the defence of Calais, which was +now in a critical position. On the 9th January another letter was sent by +Mary marked, _Hast, Hast Post, Hast, For lief, For lief, For lief, For +lief!_ demanding the full contingent of 1,000 men.(1463) Calais had fallen +two days before,(1464) and Mary was determined not to rest until the town +had been recovered. Diligent search was at once instituted throughout the +city for all persons, strangers as well as freemen, capable of wearing +harness;(1465) and the livery companies and fellowships were called upon +to provide double the number of men they had furnished in July last.(1466) +On the 13th the queen wrote to say that a violent storm, which had +occurred on the night of the 10th January, had so crippled the fleet that +her forces could not be conveyed across the channel; the civic authorities +were therefore to withhold sending their force to the sea-coast until +further orders, but to keep the same in readiness to start at an hour's +notice.(1467) On the 19th January the citizens were informed by letter +that Philip's forces were on their way to Flanders, under the Duke of +Savoy, and that the channel was being kept open by a fleet under Don Luis +Carvaial. One half of the force of 1,000 men, furnished with armour and +weapons and coats of white welted with green and red crosses, was to be +despatched to Dover by the end of the month, thence to sail for Dunkirk +for service under the Earl of Rutland. The City was to take especial care +that the contingent should be chosen from the handsomest and best picked +men, and superior to those last sent.(1468) The force mustered at the +Leadenhall, the 24th January, for inspection by the mayor, and at five +o'clock in the evening were delivered over to the captains for +shipment.(1469) Three days later the lords of the council instructed the +mayor to make a return of the number of foreigners residing still within +the city, and to make proclamation on the next market day that it should +be lawful thenceforth for anyone to seize the persons of Frenchmen who had +not avoided the city pursuant to a previous order, and to confiscate their +goods and chattels to his own proper use.(1470) + +(M736) + +Mary succeeded in March in raising a loan in the city of L20,000 (she had +asked for 100,000 marks or L75,000(1471)) on the security of the crown +lands. The loan bore interest at the rate of twelve per cent., and a +special dispensation was granted to avoid the penalties of the Usury +Act.(1472) The money was raised by assessment on the livery companies. On +the 16th March the Court of Aldermen summoned the wardens of the twelve +principal companies to attend at the Guildhall at eight o'clock the next +morning, in order that they might learn how much the lords of the council +had "*tottyd*" against each of them towards the loan. The smaller +companies were to attend in the afternoon of the same day in order to be +informed of the sums the Court of Aldermen deemed fit that each should +contribute to assist their wealthier brethren. The total amount subscribed +by the greater companies was L16,983 _6s._ 8_d._, of which the Mercers +contributed L3,275. The lesser companies subscribed L1,310, in sums +varying from L30 to L500.(1473) + +(M737) + +It is probable that Mary wanted this loan to enable her to prosecute the +war. The country was not disposed, however, to assist her in this +direction. The people were afraid of rendering Philip too powerful. +Disappointed both in her public and domestic life, she fell a victim to +dropsy and died on the 17th November--"wondering why all that she had done, +as she believed on God's behalf, had been followed by failure on every +side--by the desertion of her husband, and the hatred of her subjects." The +loss of Calais so much affected her that she declared that the name of the +town would be found impressed upon her heart after death. On the occasion +of her funeral the City put in its customary claim for black livery cloth, +but more than one application had to be made before the cloth was +forthcoming.(1474) + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + + + +(M738) + +The accession of Elizabeth, after the gloomy reign of her sister, was +welcomed by none more joyfully than by the citizens of London, who +continued to commemorate the day with bonfires and general rejoicing long +after the queen had been laid in her grave.(1475) When news was brought of +her sister's death Elizabeth was at Hatfield. Within a week she removed to +London and took up her abode at the Charterhouse. The sheriffs went out to +meet her as far as the boundary of the county of Middlesex, the limit of +their jurisdiction, dressed in coats of velvet, with their chains about +their necks and white rods in their hands. Having first kissed their rods, +they handed them to the queen, who immediately returned them, and the +sheriffs thereupon joined the gentlemen of the cavalcade and rode before +her majesty until they met Sir Thomas Leigh,(1476) the mayor, and his +brethren the aldermen. The sheriffs then fell back and took their places +among the aldermen.(1477) From the Charterhouse she removed after a stay +of a few days to the Tower, amid the blare of trumpets, the singing of +children and the firing of ordnance. + +(M739) + +The Court of Common Council (21 Nov.) agreed to levy two fifteenths on the +inhabitants of the city for the customary present to be given the new +queen on her passing through the city to her coronation, which was to take +place on the 15th January following, as well as for defraying the costs of +pageants on the occasion.(1478) Committees were appointed to see that the +several conduits, the Standard and Cross in Cheap, and other parts of the +city were seemly trimmed and decked with pageants, fine paintings and rich +cloth of Arras, silver and gold, as at the coronation of Queen Mary, and +better still if it conveniently could be done.(1479) Among those appointed +to devise pageants for the occasion and to act as masters of the ceremony +was Richard Grafton, the printer.(1480) Eight commoners were appointed by +the Court of Aldermen (17 Dec.) to attend upon the chief butler of England +at the cupboard at the coronation banquet.(1481) + +(M740) + +A curious instance of a strike among painters is recorded at this time. +The painters of the city, we are told, utterly refused to fresh paint and +trim the great conduit in Cheap for the coronation for the sum of twenty +marks. This being the case, the surveyors of the city were instructed to +cause the same to be covered with cloth of Arras having escutcheons of the +queen's Arms finely made and set therein, and the wardens of the Painters' +Company were called upon to render assistance with advice and men for +reasonable remuneration.(1482) + +(M741) + +The main object which Elizabeth kept before her eyes, from first to last, +was the preservation of peace--peace within the Church and without. Her +natural inclination was towards the more ornate ritual of the Roman +Church, but the necessity she was under of gaining the support of the +Protestants, whom even the fires of Smithfield had failed to suppress, +inspired restraint. All her actions were marked with caution and +deliberation. From the day of her accession religious persecution in its +worst form ceased. Non-conformity was no longer punished by death. +Preachers who took advantage of the lull which followed the Marian +persecution and resumed disputatious sermons, as they did more especially +in the city, were silenced by royal proclamation,(1483) which ordered them +to confine themselves to reading the gospel and epistle for the day, and +the Ten Commandments, in the vulgar tongue, without adding any comment. +They were further ordered to make use of no public prayer, rite or +ceremony other than that already accepted until parliament should ordain +otherwise. + +(M742) + +Parliament met in January, 1559, and at once acknowledged the queen's +legitimacy and her title to the crown, an acknowledgment which she had +failed to obtain from the Pope. An Act of Uniformity was passed forbidding +the use of any form of public prayer other than that set out in the last +Prayer Book of Edward VI, amended in those particulars which savoured of +ultra-Protestantism. The same parliament also passed an Act of Supremacy, +which dropt the title of supreme head of the Church with reference to the +queen, but still upheld the ancient jurisdiction of the Crown over all +ecclesiastics. Having accomplished this much, parliament was dissolved (8 +May). + +(M743) + +On the following Whitsunday (14 May) Divine Service was conducted in the +city in English according to the Book of Common Prayer.(1484) +Commissioners were appointed in July "to ride about the realm for the +establishing of true religion," four being nominated for the city, whose +duty it was to call before them divers persons of every parish and make +them swear to observe "certain injunctions newly set out in print."(1485) +The election of a new mayor at Michaelmas was followed by the celebration +of a "communion" in the Guildhall Chapel."(1486) + +(M744) + +The success of Elizabeth's policy was unfortunately marred by the excess +of zeal displayed by the reformers. More especially was this the case in +the city of London. Had the inhabitants bent their energy towards putting +down the disgraceful trafficking that went on within the very walls of +their cathedral church, shutting up gambling houses, and stopping +interludes and plays which made a jest of religion, instead of leaving +such abuses to be corrected by royal proclamation,(1487) their conduct +would have met with universal approbation. Instead of this they again set +to work pulling down roods, smashing up ancient tombs and committing to +the flames vestments and service books--the work of years of artistic +labour(1488)--until the wanton destruction was restricted, if not +altogether stopped, by the queen's orders.(1489) + +(M745) + +In the meantime the state of affairs with France and Scotland demanded +Elizabeth's attention. The marriage of Mary Stuart with the Dauphin of +France had taken place in April, 1558, and the sudden death of Henry II of +France by an accident at a tournament had soon afterwards raised her and +her husband to the throne. Mary now assumed the arms and style of Queen of +England, and the life-long quarrel between her and Elizabeth was about to +commence. By the end of the year (1559) Mary had collected a sufficient +force at her back to render her mistress of Scotland. In the following +January a French fleet was ready to set sail. Nevertheless Elizabeth +refused to take any active measures to meet the enemy and to prevent them +effecting a landing. On the 6th she caused proclamation to be made for +French subjects to be allowed perfect freedom as in time of peace, but +English vessels were to be held in readiness "untill yt maye appeare to +what ende the greate preparaciouns of Fraunce do entende."(1490) Long +after the appearance of a French fleet off the coast of Scotland, and when +it had been driven to take refuge in Leith harbour, Elizabeth still +declared her intention of keeping, if possible, on friendly terms with +France if only the "insolent titles and claims" of Francis and Mary might +cease and Scotland left in peace.(1491) With the aid of soldiers and +seamen provided by the City(1492) the French were forced to surrender, +and, by a treaty signed at Edinburgh, agreed to leave Scotland and to +acknowledge Elizabeth's right to the English crown. + +(M746) + +In 1561 Mary, who had declined to recognise the treaty of Edinburgh from +the first, returned to Scotland, in spite of Elizabeth's prohibition, and +soon succeeded in drawing over many Protestants to her side. In the +following year an opportunity offered itself to Elizabeth for striking a +blow at her rival--not in Scotland, but in France. A civil war had broken +out between the French Protestants--or Huguenots, as they were called--and +their Catholic fellow-subjects, and Elizabeth promised (Sept., 1562) to +assist the leaders of the Huguenots on condition that Havre--or Newhaven, +as the place was then known--was surrendered to her as security for the +fulfilment of a promise to surrender Calais. The queen (23 July, 1562) +applied by letter to the City of London for a force of 600 men to be held +in readiness to march at a moment's notice. She had determined, the letter +said, to put the sea coast into a "fencible arraye of warre."(1493) The +men were ordered to muster at the Leadenhall on the 18th September.(1494) +The aim and object of the expedition was set out in a "boke" or +proclamation.(1495) + +(M747) + +In 1563 a peace was patched up, and the Catholics and Huguenots united in +demanding from Elizabeth the restoration of Havre. The queen refused to +surrender the town, and again called upon the City of London to furnish +her with 1,000 men for the purpose of enabling her to secure Havre, and to +compel the French to surrender Calais as promised.(1496) The Court of +Aldermen hesitated to raise so large a force, and sent a deputation of +three of their court to wait upon the lords of the Privy Council the same +afternoon, with a view to having the number reduced to 500 on the ground +that the City had supplied so many soldiers during the past year.(1497) +The deputation having reported to the court the next day (3 July) that the +Privy Council would make no abatement in the number of soldiers to be +furnished, it was agreed to renew the application.(1498) Again the City's +request was refused, and the full number of 1,000 men was apportioned +among the livery companies.(1499) The citizens, jealous as they always +were of the stranger within their gates, availed themselves of a too +literal interpretation of a royal proclamation and seized all the +Frenchmen they could find in the city with all their belongings. They even +went so far as to attack the house of the French ambassador, and would +probably have gone yet further lengths had they not been stopt by +peremptory orders from the queen.(1500) + +On the 8th July the City was informed by letter from the queen that the +French had already commenced the siege of Havre, and was asked to have 400 +out of the 1,000 men ready to set sail with Lord Clinton by the +16th.(1501) This letter was immediately followed by another from Lord +Clinton summoning every inhabitant of the city "usinge the exercise of eny +kynde of water crafte" before the lord high admiral or his deputy at +Deptford on a certain day.(1502) The Common Hunt, the city's +water-bailiffs, two sergeants-at-mace and two sheriff's officers were +appointed by the Court of Aldermen to "conduct" the city's contingent to +the fleet lying in the Thames.(1503) + +(M748) + +Before the end of July Havre was lost.(1504) The garrison had been +attacked by a plague, which for more than a twelvemonth had been rampant +in London,(1505) and the Earl of Warwick, the commander of the town, found +himself compelled to accept such terms as he could obtain. The garrison +was allowed to leave with all munitions of war. Whilst proclaiming to her +subjects the surrender of the town--not through any cowardice on the part +of the garrison, but owing to a "plage of infectuous mortall sickness" +inflicted by the Almighty--Elizabeth pleaded for tender care and charity to +be shown to the soldiers on their return, due precaution being taken by +the principal officers of every city, town and parish against the spread +of infection.(1506) + +(M749) + +The approaching end of the war with France is foreshadowed by an order of +the Court of Aldermen (25 Nov., 1563) touching the re-delivery to the +various civic companies of the "harness" which they severally provided for +the war, and which had been forwarded from Portsmouth and was lying in the +Guildhall Chapel.(1507) Peace was signed on the 13th April, 1564, and on +the 31st July a proclamation was issued for disbanding the navy.(1508) +Throughout the war Elizabeth had been careful to keep on good terms with +Spain, and English vessels found molesting Spanish ships under pretext of +searching for French goods were ordered to be arrested.(1509) An +interruption of commerce with Flanders had been threatened, owing to the +Duchess of Parma having forbidden the importation of English woollen cloth +into the Low Countries for fear of infection from the plague, but +Elizabeth retaliated by closing English ports to all Flemish vessels, and +matters were accommodated.(1510) + +(M750) + +The period of peace and tranquillity which ensued enabled the citizens to +bestow more attention on their own affairs. Their cathedral stood in +urgent need of repairs. Its steeple had been struck by lightning in 1561, +and 3,000 marks had already been expended on its restoration.(1511) An +application to the City from the lord treasurer in 1565 for a sum of L300 +towards roofing one of the aisles of the cathedral came as a surprise to +the Court of Aldermen, who caused enquiries to be made as to the receipt +and delivery of contributions already made, and returned for answer that +the City of London had long ago delivered "all such mony as the sayd cyty +dyd at eny tyme grant or agree to geve or paye towards the sayd work." His +lordship was desired "no further to charge or burden the sayd cytye wth +the payment of any more mony towards the sayd work."(1512) Nevertheless +the City was called upon for a further contribution two years later (June, +1567), when negotiations were entered into between the City, the Bishop of +London and the Dean and Chapter of Saint Paul's, which ended in the +Corporation agreeing to find forty foders of lead for roofing the south +aisle of the cathedral, and lending a sum of L150 to the bishop and the +dean and chapter, on condition the latter granted a further lease to the +City of the manor of Finsbury for a term of 200 years beyond the term yet +unexpired.(1513) Whilst repairs were being carried out in the cathedral +itself, something was also being done outside the building to render the +accommodation for hearing the sermons preached at Paul's Cross more +convenient for the mayor and aldermen and municipal officers. A gutter +which conducted rainwater upon the heads of the lord mayor's suite at +sermon time was removed; the bench on which the civic officials sat was +enlarged for their better convenience, and places erected for the +accommodation of aldermen's wives.(1514) + +(M751) + +The rapid increase of commerce under the fostering care of Elizabeth +rendered the erection of a Burse or Exchange for the accommodation of +merchants "to treate of their feate of merchandyzes" a pressing necessity. +The matter had been mooted thirty years before, but little had been done +beyond ascertaining the opinion of merchants as to the most convenient +site.(1515) The project, however, took root in the mind of Sir Richard +Gresham, an alderman of the city, whose business had occasionally carried +him to Antwerp, where he became familiar with the Burse that had been +recently set up there, and in 1537 (the year that he was elected mayor) he +forwarded to Thomas Cromwell, then lord privy seal, a design for a similar +Burse to be erected in London. Finding little or no attention paid to his +communication he again (25 July, 1538) wrote to Cromwell suggesting the +erection of a Burse in Lombard Street--the site favoured by city +merchants--at a cost of L2,000. If the lord privy seal would but bring +pressure to bear upon Sir George Monoux, a brother alderman but a man of +"noe gentyll nature," to part with certain property at cost price, he +(Gresham) would undertake to raise L1,000 towards the building before he +went out of office, and he would himself carry Cromwell's letter to Monoux +and "handle him" as best he could.(1516) This application had the desired +effect. On the 13th August Henry VIII addressed a letter to Monoux +desiring him to dispose of certain tenements about Lombard Street which +were required for the commonweal of merchants of the city, and to come to +terms with Gresham as to the amount to be paid for them. Both parties +having referred the matter to Sir Richard Rich, Chancellor of the Court of +Augmentations of the Crown, as arbitrator, the City agreed to pay a yearly +sum of twenty marks for the houses that were required. Monoux refusing to +accept this sum, another letter was despatched to him from the king urging +him not to stand in the way of a project so useful to merchants and +tending so much to the "beautifitye" of the city. To this second appeal +Monoux gave way, and received the cordial thanks of Henry by letter dated +the 25th November.(1517) Nothing more was done in the matter until it was +taken up many years later by Sir Thomas Gresham, son of Sir Richard.(1518) +Acting, as he did for a long succession of years, as Queen Elizabeth's +agent in Flanders, Sir Thomas spent much of his time in Antwerp.(1519) +When he was not there himself he employed a factor in the person of +Richard Clough to conduct his affairs. In 1561 this Richard Clough, in a +letter addressed to his principal from Antwerp (31 Dec.),(1520) expressed +much astonishment at the City of London being so far behind continental +towns:--"Consideryng what a sittey London ys, and that in so many yeres +they have nott founde the menes to make a bourse! but must walke in the +raine, when ytt raineth, more lyker pedlers then marchants; and in thys +countrie, and all other, there is no kynde of pepell that have occasion to +meete, butt they have a plase meete for that pourpose." Indeed, Clough got +quite excited over the thought that London, of all cities in the world, +possessed no decent accommodation for merchants transacting their everyday +business, and declared his readiness to build "so fere a bourse in London +as the grett bourse is in Andwarpe" and that "withhoutt molestyng of any +man more than he shulld be well dysposyd to geve." + +It was not long before Gresham made up his mind that London should have a +Burse, and in May, 1563, the Court of Aldermen deputed Lionel Duckett, who +was also a mercer, to sound Gresham as to "his benevolence towards the +makyng of a burse."(1521) But however desirous Gresham might be to +prosecute the work, he was prevented from doing so by stress of business. +Commercial difficulties arose between England and the Low Countries owing +to the proclamation of the Duchess of Parma. Up to the year 1564 Gresham +was forced to make Antwerp his place of abode, and could only occasionally +visit London; since that time, however, his business allowed him to look +upon London as his permanent residence, and he only crossed over to +Antwerp when special circumstances rendered it necessary. An additional +reason for the delay in carrying out Gresham's project may perhaps be +found in the fact that, during his absence on the queen's business in +1563, Elizabeth had, with her usual parsimony, cut down Gresham's +allowance of twenty shillings a day for "his diets." Gresham complained +bitterly of this abridgment of his income in a letter to Secretary Cecil, +and also in another letter couched in more guarded terms to the queen +herself.(1522) In both letters he set out the sum total of the money +(L830,000) which he had negotiated for the queen, and referred to his +having broken a leg in her majesty's service and to his declining years. +Whatever may have been the cause of the delay, it was not until the 4th +January, 1565, that a definite offer was made by Gresham to erect a +"comely burse" at his own cost and charge, provided the City would furnish +a suitable site. This offer was accepted.(1523) + +(M752) + +Difficulties at once presented themselves in finding a site. It was +originally proposed to obtain from the Merchant Taylors' Company a plot of +land between Lombard Street and Cornhill, but the company refused to part +with the property and a new site had to be chosen.(1524) No sooner was +this done, and a place selected to the north of Cornhill, than a +difficulty arose between the City and the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury +as to the terms of purchase.(1525) This having been successfully overcome +and the site purchased, the next step was to invite subscriptions, not +only from members of the livery companies, but from merchant adventurers +beyond the sea.(1526) Such a liberal response was made to this +invitation(1527) that on the 7th June, 1566, Sir Thomas Gresham was able +to lay the first stone of the new building, a deed of trust between the +City and Gresham having previously (14 May) been executed.(1528) + +(M753) + +It is curious to note the strong foreign element in connection with the +building of Gresham's Burse. The architect as well as the design of the +building came from abroad. The clerk of the works (Henryk)(1529) and most +of the workmen were foreigners, Gresham having obtained special permission +from the Court of Aldermen for their employment.(1530) Most of the +material for structural as well as ornamental purposes (saving 100,000 +bricks provided by the City)(1531) came from abroad, and to this day the +Royal Exchange is paved with small blocks of Turkish hone-stones believed +to have been imported in Gresham's day, and to have been relaid after the +several fires of 1666 and 1838. It was the employment of these strangers +which probably gave rise to an order of the Court of Aldermen (19 June, +1567) that an officer should be appointed to attend at the Burse daily +"for a competent season," to see that no "misorder" be done to any of the +artificers or other workmen there employed, and to commit to ward any that +he should find so-doing.(1532) + +(M754) + +By the 22nd December, 1568, the Burse was so far complete as to allow of +merchants holding their meetings within its walls, but it was not until +the 23rd January, 1571, that the queen herself visited it in state and +caused it thenceforth to be called the Royal Exchange. Her statue which +graced the building bore testimony to the care and interest she always +displayed in fostering commercial enterprise. + +(M755) + +On the door of a staircase leading up to a "pawne" or covered walk on the +south side of the building there had been set up the arms and crest of +Gresham himself, which some evilly disposed person took it into his head +to deface. A proclamation made by the mayor (16 Feb., 1569) for the +apprehension of the culprit does not appear from the city's records to +have proved successful.(1533) Some years later (21 March, 1577) the mayor +had occasion to issue another proclamation for the discovery of persons +who had defaced and pulled away "certen peces of timber fixed to thendes +and comers of the seates"(1534) in the Royal Exchange, with what result we +know not. + +(M756) + +In 1574 the Court of Aldermen appointed a committee to confer with Gresham +touching the "assurance" of the Royal Exchange.(1535) The connection +between the new Burse and insurance is remarkable. The principle of +insurance policies had been introduced into the city by the Lombards as +early as the thirteenth century,(1536) and a Lombard Street policy became +a familiar term.(1537) When the Lombard Street merchants quitted their old +premises for the more commodious Exchange they carried thither their +insurance business with them, and a part of the new building was devoted +exclusively to this branch of commerce. A grant of letters patent which +Elizabeth made to Richard Candler for the making of policies and +registering of assurances within the city was objected to by the Court of +Aldermen, as being contrary to the liberties of the City, and a deputation +was appointed to wait upon the lords of the Privy Council to have it +revoked.(1538) This was early in 1575. A year later we find Candler making +answer to a bill of fees drawn up by certain aldermen and citizens of +London, respecting his office.(1539) + +In order to put an end to the frequent disputes which arose in the Royal +Exchange among merchants on matters of insurance, the Court of Aldermen +appointed two of their number to consider the difficulty and to report +thereon. They made their report to the court on the 29th January, +1577.(1540) They had, in accordance with the oft-repeated desire expressed +to previous lord mayors by the lords of the Privy Council, consulted with +their brethren the aldermen, as well as with merchants of the city, both +Englishmen and foreigners, and had drawn up orders agreeable to those that +had hitherto been used in Lombard Street, to which all countries had been +accustomed to submit. The orders, however, not yet being completed, the +Court of Aldermen decided upon appointing arbitrators from year to year to +deal with all matters of insurance, and so relieve the lords of the Privy +Council of the trouble which they had hitherto experienced on that score +at a time when they had weightier matters to attend to. The arbitrators +were to receive one penny in the pound amongst them in all cases, whether +the claim were for whole losses, part,(1541) or averages. Their decision +was to bind both assurer and assured, and they were to sit twice a week +(Monday and Thursday) "in the offyce howse of assurances" in the Royal +Exchange. They were to be attended by the "register of assurances," whose +business it was to summon witnesses. A poor-box was to be provided, to +which the party assured, on judgment, should contribute twelve pence. + +(M757) + +On Sundays and holy days the Exchange was enlivened during a portion of +the year with the music of the city waits, who were ordered by the Court +of Aldermen (April, 1572) to play on their instruments as they had +hitherto been accustomed at the Royal Exchange, from seven o'clock till +eight o'clock in the evening up to the Feast of Pentecost, after which +they were to commence playing at eight p.m., and "to hold on" till nine +p.m. up to Michaelmas.(1542) There is another circumstance connected with +the same building that deserves a passing notice, which is that football +used to be played within its walls, a game forbidden in 1576 to be played +any longer either there or in any of the city's wards.(1543) + +(M758) + +The citizens of London are indebted to Sir Thomas Gresham for something +more than their Royal Exchange. By will dated 5th July, 1575, proved and +enrolled in the Court of Husting,(1544) Gresham disposed of the reversion +of the Royal Exchange and of his mansion-house in the parish of St. Helen, +Bishopsgate, after the decease of his wife, to the mayor and corporation +of the city and to the wardens and commonalty of the Mercers' Company in +equal moieties in trust (_inter alia_) for the maintenance of seven +lectures on the several subjects of Divinity, Astronomy, Music, Geometry, +Law, Physic and Rhetoric. In 1596 these two corporate bodies came into +possession of the property, and in the following year drew up ordinances +for the regulation of the various lectures. According to the terms of +Gresham's will the lectures were delivered at Gresham House. When Gresham +House, which escaped the Fire of London, became dilapidated, the City and +the Company on more than one occasion petitioned Parliament for leave to +pull it down and to erect another building on its site. The proposal, +however, was not entertained, but in the year 1767 an Act was passed +vesting Gresham House in the Crown for the purpose of an Excise Office, +and providing for the payment by the Crown to the City and Company of a +perpetual annuity of L500 per annum. For some time the lectures ceased to +be delivered for lack of accommodation. When they were next delivered it +was at the City of London School, where they continued until Gresham +College was erected in Basinghall Street.(1545) + +(M759) + +In the meantime Protestantism had been gaining ground in England as well +as on the continent. Many who in the evil days of the Marian persecution +had sought refuge in Switzerland and Germany had returned to England as +soon as they were assured of safety under Elizabeth, and had introduced +into the country the religious tenets of Calvin they had learnt abroad. +Elizabeth found herself confronted not only by Catholics but by Puritans. +As she felt herself seated more strongly on the throne she determined to +enforce more strictly than hitherto the Act of Uniformity. In 1565 the +London clergy were ordered to wear the surplice and to conform in other +particulars. Between thirty and forty of them--and those the most +intelligent and active of them--refused and resigned their cures. Their +congregations supported them, and thus a large body of good Protestants +were driven into opposition. But there all action against them ceased. It +was otherwise with the Protestants on the continent, where a determination +arrived at in the same year that Elizabeth enforced the Act of Uniformity, +to suppress heresy, led to the most horrible persecution, and drove many +of the inhabitants to seek refuge in England. + +(M760) + +Of the hundreds of foreigners who sought this country, driven from France +or Spain by religious persecution,(1546) none was more hospitably received +than the brother of the great Coligny, the Cardinal Chastillon. The Bishop +of London having excused himself entertaining the cardinal at Fulham, his +eminence was lodged and hospitably treated for a whole week by Gresham. +During his visit he paid a visit, Huguenot as he was, to the French Church +established in the city, where his co-religionists were allowed to worship +without fear of molestation. He further paid his host the compliment of +visiting the Exchange, then approaching completion. At the end of the week +he removed to Sion House, where accommodation had been found for +him.(1547) + +(M761) + +The influx of refugees from the continent was far from being an unmixed +blessing. Whilst some settled peacefully down and taught the London +artizan the art of silk-weaving, others betook themselves to the river's +side, where they defied the civic authorities.(1548) A fresh return was +ordered to be made of their number.(1549) It became necessary to forbid +aliens remaining in the city more than a day and a night; they might +reside in other places if they liked, but not in the city of London.(1550) +Mortality increased so much that a committee hud to be appointed (March, +1569) "to peruse about the cytie where apte and convenient places maye be +had and founde for the buryall of the deade in tyme of plage and other +tymes of gret deathe," and to report thereon to the Court of +Aldermen.(1551) An acre of ground, more or less, near Bethlem Hospital was +subsequently prepared as a cemetery by the civic authorities,(1552) whilst +a friend of the mayor agreed under certain conditions to enclose it with a +wall, erect a pulpit and make other improvements at his own cost.(1553) + +(M762) + +In the course of time the persecuted Netherlanders took heart of grace, +encouraged by the gallant conduct of the Prince of Orange, their leader, +no less than by the active assistance and sympathy of their brethren in +England, who were continually passing to and fro with munitions of war, in +spite of proclamations to the contrary.(1554) "Whilst Elizabeth dribbled +out her secret aid to the Prince of Orange the London traders sent him +half-a-million from their own purses, a sum equal to a year's revenue of +the Crown."(1555) + +(M763) (M764) + +The decline of Antwerp which followed Alva's administration marks the +foundation of London's supremacy in the world of commerce. Hitherto the +queen had been accustomed through Gresham, her factor, to raise what money +she required by loans from merchants abroad. Merchant strangers were well +content to lend her money at ten or twelve per cent., seeing that the City +of London was as often as not called upon to give bonds for repayment by +way of collateral security.(1556) When that door was closed to her she +turned to her own subjects, the Company of Merchant Adventurers, to whom +she had shown considerable favour. Her first application to this company +for a loan was, to her great surprise, refused. The matter was afterwards +accommodated through the intervention of Sir Thomas Gresham; and as the +confidence of the city merchants increased, loans were afterwards +frequently negotiated between them and the Crown, much to the convenience +of one party and to the advantage of the other.(1557) + +(M765) + +As another means of raising money Elizabeth had resort to a lottery--the +first public lottery ever held in London, although the game called "The +Lott" was not unknown in the city in the reign of Henry VIII.(1558) The +lottery was advertised in 1567 as being a very rich lottery general, +without any blanks, containing a number of good prizes of ready-money, +plate and divers sorts of merchandise, the same having been valued by +expert and skilful men. The lottery was, as we should say at the present +day, "under the immediate patronage" of the queen herself, and the +proceeds, after deducting expenses, were to be devoted to the repair of +harbours and other public works conducive to strengthening the realm. +Besides the prizes, of which a long list is set out in the city's records, +there were to be three "welcomes" or bonuses given to the first three +winners of lots. The first person to whom a lot should happen to fall was +to have for "welcome" a piece of silver-gilt plate of the value of L50, +and the second and third fortunate drawers were to have respectively, in +addition to their prizes, a piece of gilt plate of the value of L20. The +prizes, the chief of which amounted to L5,000 sterling, although the +winner was to receive only L3,000 in cash, the rest being taken out in +plate and tapestry,(1559) were exhibited in Cheapside at the sign of the +Queen's Arms, the house of Antony Derick, goldsmith to Elizabeth and +engraver to the Mint in this and the preceding reign.(1560) The mayor and +aldermen agreed to put into the lottery thirty "billes or lottes" at the +least under one posy, viz.:--_God preserve the Cytye of London quod M and +A._ Any profit that might arise from the lots was to be equally divided +between them.(1561) + +The livery companies of the city were also invited to subscribe to the +lottery as well as the Company of Merchant Adventurers.(1562) On the 4th +August the livery of the Merchant Taylors' Company were summoned to their +hall to declare the amount each individual was ready to venture--"all under +our posy in the name of this Common Hall," the posy subsequently +determined upon being the following:-- + + "One byrde in hande is worthe two in the woode, + Yff wee have the greate lott it will do us good."(1563) + +The "reading" of the lottery was postponed till the 10th January, +1569.(1564) It took place at the west door of St. Paul's, commencing on +the 11th day of that month, and continued day and night until the 6th May +following.(1565) It was reported at the time that Elizabeth withdrew a +large sum of the prize-money for her own use previous to the drawing of +the lots, and this report, whether well founded or not, created no little +disgust among the subscribers.(1566) + +(M766) (M767) + +Before the close of 1568 Alva had severed the last links connecting +England with the Low Countries by suddenly seizing and imprisoning all +English merchants found at Antwerp on the ground that certain Spanish +treasure-ships had been detained in England. Such conduct on his part was +characterized by Elizabeth as "verie straunge and hertofore in no tyme +used betwixt the Crowne of England and the House of Burgondye wt owt some +manner of former conferrence proceedyng and intelligence had of the myndes +and intentions of the prynces themselves on both sides," and she forthwith +issued a proclamation for the seizure of Spanish vessels and merchants +found in English ports by way of reprisal.(1567) She was careful to show +that any former detention of Spanish vessels served as a mere pretence for +Alva's conduct. Certain Spanish vessels of small tonnage, called "zabras," +had, it was true, entered English harbours in the west country, and the +bullion and merchandise had been discharged on English soil; but all this +had been done in order to prevent the ships and cargo falling into the +hands of the French ships which threatened them. Some of the treasure had +been even "borrowed"; but this was not contrary to the honorable usage of +princes in their own dominions. The Spanish ambassador had called upon her +majesty to ask that the vessels and cargo might be given up, "pretending +the monye to appertaine to the king his maister," which her majesty had +declared her willingness to assent to as soon as she should have had +communication from the west country. The ambassador, who was asked to +return in four or five days to receive the ships and treasure, had failed +to appear, and her surprise was great to find that orders had been given +for the arrest of her subjects at Antwerp on the very day (29 Oct.) that +the Spanish ambassador was with her majesty. Such was the account of the +matter as given in the queen's proclamation to the citizens of London. But +there are other and contradictory accounts. Whoever may have been the +rightful owner of the treasure, which in all probability was on its way to +Flanders for payment of Alva's soldiers,(1568) the opportunity of dealing +a blow to Spain and at the same time of replenishing the Exchequer at home +afforded by the presence of the ships in English waters was thought too +good to be lost. + +(M768) + +On the 5th January the mayor received orders from Sir Nicholas Bacon to +seize all Flemings' goods to the queen's use, inasmuch as it was quite +possible that what had taken place in Flanders had been done without the +King of Spain's commission. The following day the mayor informed the +council that he had arrested the bodies and goods of certain merchant +strangers in the city.(1569) Throughout the greater part of the month +frequent letters passed between the city, the merchant adventurers, the +merchants of the staple and the lords of the council concerning Alva's +proceedings and measures to be taken by way of reprisal. The citizens +showed themselves very anxious to devise measures of retaliation and to +avail themselves to the utmost of the opportunity afforded them of +avenging themselves of their foreign rivals, as the following memorial +signed by the mayor and nine of the principal merchants of the city +proves:--(1570) + +"First, we doe thinck it very needfull and necessary that wth all possible +speed the bodies, shipps and goodes of all the subiects of the said king +be had under arrest, and their bodies to be sequestred from their houses, +comptinghouses, books, warehouses and goods; and they themselves to be +committed unto severall and sure custodie and keeping. And that alsoe +comission may be granted to sage persons to enquire and trie out all +coulorable transports and contracts don since the XXth of December last by +any of the subiects of the said king or by any other nation. And that a +proclamation be made by the queene's mates aucthorite forthwth for the +avoiding of collorable bargaines, transports and contracts hereafter to be +made." + +Thomas Rowe(1571) (he had not yet received the honour of knighthood), who +was mayor at the time, happened to be a connection by marriage of Sir +Thomas Gresham, having married Mary, the eldest daughter of Sir John +Gresham, of Titsey, Sir Thomas's uncle. It was owing to this connection +that the mayor received information of Alva's arbitrary proceedings before +the news reached the ears of Secretary Cecil; for Gresham's factor at +Antwerp, Richard Clough, had lost no time in despatching a special +messenger to his master, who, immediately after hearing the news, broke in +upon the mayor's slumbers at twelve o'clock on the night of the 3rd +January in order to communicate the same to him. The next morning the +mayor wrote to Sir William Cecil informing him of what had occurred and +how under the circumstances he (the mayor) had taken upon himself to stay +the despatch of letters abroad for a while.(1572) + +(M769) + +Towards the end of January, 1569, the Duke of Alva sent over an agent, +Monsieur D'Assoleville, to demand the restitution of the treasure. The +mayor deputed John Gresham and another to escort the envoy from Gravesend +to London, where he was lodged at Crosby Place, at that time the mansion +house of William Bond, alderman of Candlewick Street Ward.(1573) At first +he demanded an audience with the queen herself, but was fain to be content +with a reference to her council.(1574) The treasure in the meantime had +been removed to London for greater security.(1575) Negotiations proving +fruitless the agent returned to Antwerp, "having succeeded in obtaining +from Elizabeth nothing beyond the assurance that she was ready to +surrender the treasure when his master promised indemnity to all her +subjects in the Low Countries, and agreed solemnly to ratify the ancient +treaty of alliance between the Crown of England and the House of +Burgundy."(1576) + +(M770) + +That such a large amount of treasure should be lying idle did not commend +itself to the mind of so astute a financier as Sir Thomas Gresham. He +accordingly suggested to Sir William Cecil by letter (14 Aug., 1569) that +the queen should cause it to be minted into her own coin, and thereby make +a profit of L3,000 or L4,000. As for repayment, her majesty could effect +it by way of exchange, to her great profit, or give bonds for a year or +more to the merchants who owned the money, and who, in Gresham's opinion, +would willingly accede to such proposal.(1577) Bold as this suggestion +was, it appears, nevertheless, to have been carried into execution.(1578) + +(M771) + +The hardships already experienced by Spanish merchants from stoppage of +commercial intercourse with England must have been materially increased +the following year by an order of the Court of Aldermen (11 July, 1570) to +the effect that all matters and suits brought by merchant strangers, +subjects of the King of Spain, in any of the Queen's Majesty's Courts +within the city of London for the recovery of a debt should be stayed, and +no manner of arrest or attachment allowed until further notice, unless the +stranger suing were a denizen or a member of the Church.(1579) + +(M772) (M773) (M774) + +By proclamation made the last day of June, 1570, English merchants who had +suffered loss by Alva's proceedings were desired to make a return of such +loss to the officers of one or other of the cities or towns of London, +Southampton, Bristol, Chester, Newcastle, Hull or Ipswich, as they should +find it most convenient,(1580) and on the 20th July following every +Englishman into whose hands any goods belonging to Spanish subjects might +have come was ordered to make a certificate under his hand and seal into +the Court of the Admiralty, in the city of London, for her majesty to take +further order thereon as should be thought meet.(1581) Negotiations, which +had been renewed for mutual restitution, again broke down, for when the +terms on which restitution was to be effected were to be reduced to +writing, or, in the language of the record, "_put into mundum_,"(1582) the +Spanish commissioners were found to have no authority to arrange matters, +whilst at the same time they wished to introduce clauses and conditions +which Elizabeth could in no wise accept. Seeing that she was being played +with, and knowing that much of the goods of English merchants seized in +Spain and the Netherlands had already been sold, the queen determined to +put up for sale the Spanish merchandise which for three years had been in +English hands. Proclamation to this effect was made the 14th January, +1572.(1583) The queen showed every desire to treat the Spanish merchants +with consideration. The sale was entrusted to Spanish subjects, who, upon +their oath, were to make sale of all the ships, goods, wares and +merchandise arrested, to the utmost advantage they could; and Spanish +owners were allowed, either by themselves, their factor or attorney, +freely to enter the realm within thirty days after the date of the +proclamation to attend the sale, provided they made no attempt against her +majesty or the peace of the country and departed immediately the sale was +over. This proclamation, coupled with the hopelessness of Alva's case and +the manifestation of discontent displayed by his own ruined merchants, led +to articles being drawn up (25 Mar.) between Elizabeth and the King of +Spain for an adjustment of their respective claims. Sir Thomas Gresham had +previously (4 Feb.) been directed by letter from Lord Burghley and Sir +Walter Mildmay to deliver up certain bonds of the Governor and Company of +Merchant Adventurers to be cancelled now that the whole matter was to be +referred to arbitration.(1584) + +(M775) + +To add to the queen's difficulties, Mary, who had been deposed from the +throne of Scotland and had sought shelter in England, was importuning her +for assistance for the recovery of her lost crown. Whilst Elizabeth +hesitated either to replace her rival in power or to set her at liberty, +the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland endeavoured to carry out a +scheme for marrying Mary to the Duke of Norfolk and forcing Elizabeth to +acknowledge her as successor to the crown of England. The Duke of Norfolk +obeyed the queen's summons to attend the court, and was committed to the +Tower (Oct., 1569).(1585) The earls refused to obey the summons, and rose +in insurrection. On the 24th November they were proclaimed traitors.(1586) +Troops were sent against them, but they cowardly left their supporters to +their own fate and fled to Scotland. The rebellion, fruitless as it proved +to be, caused no little excitement in the city. + +(M776) + +The same day that the earls were proclaimed traitors the Mayor of London +issued his precept to the several aldermen, enjoining them to take steps +for safe-guarding the city and taking into custody all rogues, masterless +men and vagabonds.(1587) On the following day another precept was issued +to the several livery companies for providing a certain number of +soldiers, "well and sufficientlie furnyshed wth a jerkyn and a paire of +gally sloppes of broad clothe, collor watchet, one calyver wth flaske and +tuchebox, a moryan, a sworde and a dagger."(1588) The soldiers were to be +ready to serve her majesty at an hour's warning. The Chamberlain received +orders to amend the several gates of the city and the portcullises +belonging to them, as well as to repair the city's guns and put them in +readiness, and lay in a stock of powder and shot to serve as occasion +should require.(1589) By the 12th December all fear of immediate danger +had passed away, and the livery companies were ordered to receive back the +armour and weapons supplied to the soldiers and to keep them in their +hall. The men were to be dismissed to their several industries, but still +to hold themselves in readiness for service at an hour's warning if +occasion should require them. A week later the soldiers were dismissed to +their houses, those who had no house being allowed sixpence a day until +called upon for active service.(1590) + +(M777) + +Although the rising in the north had failed, the Catholics were not +without hope. They were encouraged by the issue of a Papal Bull +excommunicating Elizabeth and absolving her subjects from their +allegiance. This Bull was affixed to the door of the Bishop of London's +palace by a man named John Felton. The queen was alarmed. She believed +that the long-threatened union against her of the Catholic powers had at +length been effected. Felton was seized and tried at the Guildhall. He was +found guilty, and paid the penalty of his rashness by being hanged, drawn +and quartered.(1591) His exemplary punishment failed, however, to put a +stop to Catholic intrigues against Elizabeth. + +(M778) + +The defeat of the Turkish fleet at Lepanto by Don John of Austria (7 Oct., +1571) was commemorated two days later in London by a thanksgiving service +at St. Paul's,(1592) which was attended by the mayor, Sir William +Allen,(1593) the aldermen and members of the companies in their liveries. +In the evening of the same day bonfires were lighted in the streets of the +city by precept of the mayor.(1594) The immediate effect of the victory +was the release of a large number of captives (variously estimated at +12,000 and 14,000)(1595) from Turkish slavery, for whose redemption the +citizens were constantly being called upon to subscribe.(1596) + +(M779) + +Whilst the Low Countries were winning their way to freedom from the +Spanish yoke, and France was suffering the horrors of Saint Bartholomew's +day (24 Aug., 1572), England remained tranquil, and the city merchant had +little cause to complain, except, it might be, on account of the number of +strangers who rivalled him in his business.(1597) For the better +preservation of peace members of the French and the Dutch churches were +ordered (28 Sept.) not to leave their houses after 9 o'clock at +night.(1598) + +(M780) + +So long as the Spanish king turned a deaf ear to the exhortations of the +Pope, and refused to make a descent upon England, Elizabeth was able to +cope with Catholicism at home by peaceful measures. But the time was +approaching when she could no longer refuse to give practical assistance +to her struggling co-religionists on the continent. The Netherlands had +for some time past been preparing for open revolt against the barbarous +government of Alva. In 1572 a party seized Brill, and thus laid the +foundation of the Dutch Republic. It wanted but the active adhesion of +Elizabeth to enable the French to drive the Spaniards out of the country, +but this the queen was as yet unwilling to give. Two years later (1574) +she offered her services to effect an understanding between Spain and the +Netherlands, but her mediation proved futile. Both in 1572 and 1574 there +are signs of military preparations having taken place in the city. In the +first mentioned year Elizabeth held a review of the city troops in +Greenwich Park.(1599) In 1574 the city was called upon to furnish 400 +soldiers for the queen's service, and steps were taken to allot to the +livery companies their quota of men or money in view of future +calls.(1600) A store of gunpowder was also laid up.(1601) + +(M781) + +If one thing more than another was calculated to precipitate a rupture +between England and Spain it was the action of English seamen, who roved +the seas and indirectly rendered assistance to the Netherlanders by +plundering Spanish vessels, in spite of all proclamations to the +contrary.(1602) The Londoner was not behind-hand in this predatory +warfare. + +(M782) (M783) + +In June, 1575, the queen borrowed a sum of L30,000 from the citizens on +security.(1603) The money was subscribed by the wealthier class of +citizens, and a moiety of the loan was repaid in little more than a +twelvemonth.(1604) Whatever may have been her faults, Elizabeth honestly +paid her debts, and when she discovered in 1577 that money which she had +repaid to certain officials had not reached the hands of the original +creditor, she forthwith issued a proclamation commanding all such +creditors to send in their claims in writing to the chief officer of her +majesty's household.(1605) It is difficult to dissociate altogether this +proclamation from the removal of George Heton from the office of +Chamberlain of the City three months afterwards.(1606) + +(M784) + +In February, 1578, the City was called upon to provide 2,000 arquebusiers. +Refusal was useless, although an attempt was made to get the number +reduced to 500. The mayor had scarcely issued his precept to the aldermen +to raise the men before he received another order for 2,000 to be trained +as directed in handling and using their weapons and kept in readiness for +future service.(1607) One hundred and fifty men were ordered (12 June) to +be ready at an hour's notice for foreign service.(1608) Strangers and +foreigners were not exempt.(1609) Some of the city companies were slow in +paying their quota of expenses of fitting out the men, and pressure had to +be brought to bear on them by the Court of Aldermen.(1610) + +(M785) (M786) (M787) + +In the following year Casimir, Count Palatine of the Rhine, paid a visit +to England to answer a charge brought against him by the English envoy in +Holland, of having used forces against the Netherlanders which had been +despatched from these shores for their support. On the evening of +Thursday, the 22nd January, 1579, the Count landed at the Tower, where he +was received by a party of noblemen and others, among whom we may +conjecture was the Mayor of London and representatives of the city.(1611) +Thence he was conducted by the light of cressets to Gresham's house, in +Bishopsgate Street, where he was received with music and lodged and +feasted by the worthy owner for three days. The honour thus shown to +Gresham is only one more proof of the esteem and respect in which he was +universally held by all parties, and, "in truth," as his biographer justly +remarks,(1612) "his great experience, his long and familiar intercourse +with men of all grades and professions, from princes and nobles--with whom +... he was on as intimate a footing as the impassable barrier of rank will +permit--to the lowliest of his own dependants, the knowledge of men and +manners which he must have derived from foreign travel, and his +acquaintance with all the languages of civilised Europe, must have +rendered him, towards the close of his life especially, as favourable a +specimen as could have been selected of the English gentleman of that +day." Casimir's reception was one of the last acts of public service +performed by Gresham, for before the close of the year he had died (21 +Nov.). On Sunday (25 Jan.) the Count was conducted to Westminster for an +interview with the queen, after which lodgings were assigned to him in +Somerset House. The court of Common Council had already (23 Jan.) voted +"Duke Cassimerus" a gratification "in moneye or anye other thinge" to the +value of 500 marks.(1613) His visit was one round of feasting, hunting and +sight-seeing; one day dining with the lord mayor, another with the +merchants of the Steelyard; one day hunting at Hampton Court, and another +day witnessing athletic sports at Westminster. That the Count succeeded in +clearing his character may be surmised from the fact of his receiving the +Order of the Garter before his departure.(1614) + +(M788) + +In the following year the plague, which had been very virulent towards the +end of 1577, and from which the city was seldom entirely free, appeared at +Rye (June, 1580). A twelvemonth later it was raging in London, but as the +weather grew colder its virulence abated, allowing of the resumption of +the lord mayor's feast. The respite was short. In the spring of 1582 it +was again rife in the city, increasing in fatality during the hot season +and continuing until the winter of 1583.(1615) Business was often at a +standstill, the law courts had to be removed to the country, and the +sittings of the London Husting suspended.(1616) + +St. Paul's Churchyard, which served as the burial ground to no less than +twenty-three city parishes, became overcrowded and greatly added to the +insanitary condition of the city by its shallow graves. The mayor informed +the lords of the council of this state of affairs by letter (15 May, +1582), in which he says that scarcely any grave was then made without +exposing corpses, and that the heat of the crowds standing over the +shallow graves caused noxious exhalations. It was currently reported at +the time that the gravediggers were the cause of the shallow graves "as +being desirous to have the infection spred that they might gaine by +burieng."(1617) + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + + + +(M789) + +The time was fast approaching when the queen would find herself unable any +longer to maintain her frequent cry to the council board, "No war, my +lords, no war!" and she began to concert measures to frustrate any attempt +that might be made to attack her crown and realm by the subtle device of +the Pope's emissaries or the more open hostility of Philip. + +(M790) + +There were two ways in which the Pope and Spain could attack England, the +one by making a descent upon the coast, the other by undermining the +loyalty of the queen's subjects by the aid of missionaries. A descent upon +the English coast was, for the present at least, out of the question, but +it was possible to wound England by fostering insurrection in Ireland. +Accordingly, in 1579, a large force landed at Limerick under the authority +of the Pope. It was, however, overpowered and destroyed by Lord Grey, the +lord deputy.(1618) + +Then followed the rebellion under the Earl of Desmond, who six years +before had regained his liberty on a promise to use his influence to +destroy the Catholic religion in Ireland.(1619) Throughout the Desmond +rebellion the Londoners were constantly being called upon to furnish men +and munition of war. The trouble was protracted by the landing of a force +of 800 men from Spain, with the connivance, if not with the authority, of +Philip. When the rebellion was suppressed distress drove many Irish to +England, and the city became their chief refuge.(1620) A special day was +appointed for apprehending "all suche rogishe and begging Ireishe people +as well men weomen as children" as should be found wandering abroad in the +city,(1621) and steps were taken subsequently to convey all Irish beggars +to Bristol with the view of sending them back to their native land.(1622) + +(M791) + +Whilst appealing to force to accomplish their object in Ireland, the +Catholics resorted to intrigue to gain the same object in England and +Scotland. For some years past there had been a steady flow from the +continent of seminary priests, who worked silently and secretly making +converts to the old religion. Every precaution was taken to prevent their +inculcating their dangerous opinions into the minds of the inhabitants of +the city and drawing them off from their allegiance to the queen and to +the established Church. The aldermen were instructed to make return of +those in their ward who refused to attend church. This was in 1568.(1623) +In 1574 all strangers who had crept into the city under colour of religion +and were found to be of no church were ordered to leave.(1624) In the +following year (9 June, 1575) every stranger was called upon to subscribe +the Articles of religion before he was allowed to take up his residence +within the city, and those who refused to subscribe or to attend church +were to give bond for their appearance before her Majesty's Commissioners +for Ecclesiastical Causes to answer such matters as should be objected +against them.(1625) The aldermen were instructed to make diligent search +in their several wards for such as held conventicles under colour of +religion and inter-meddled with matters of State and civil +governance.(1626) In 1580 a regular Jesuit mission, under two priests, +Campion and Parsons, was despatched to England as part of an organised +Catholic scheme. Campion had at one time been a fellow of St. John's +College, Oxford. Their first step was to remove a difficulty under which +devout Catholics had laboured ever since the issue of the Bull of +excommunication against Elizabeth in 1571. That Bull had reduced them to +the necessity of choosing between disobedience to the Church and treason +to the queen. The new missionaries helped them out of the dilemma by +explaining that the censures of the Church only applied to heretics; +Catholics might feign allegiance and the Church would say nothing. + +(M792) + +Under these circumstances it can scarcely be wondered at that the +government proceeded to strong measures--A proclamation was issued +requiring English parents to remove their children from foreign +seminaries, and declaring that to harbour Jesuit priests was to harbour +rebels;(1627) whilst parliament imposed fines upon all who refused to +attend the service of the established Church, in addition to the penalties +imposed in 1571 upon those who claimed to absolve subjects from their +allegiance and to receive them into the Church of Rome. In the city a +strict watch was again ordered to be kept on all those who failed to +attend regularly their parish church.(1628) It was further proposed to +appoint special preachers to counteract the baneful influence of the +Jesuit priest, and the Bishop of London was ordered to make a list of the +best preachers and to appoint them districts.(1629) + +(M793) + +These instructions Bishop Aylmer forwarded to the lord mayor with a +request for a contribution to enable him and his associates, the dean of +St. Paul's and the dean of Windsor, to carry them into effect. The mayor +replied (6 Sept., 1581) that, as for himself, his office was already so +burdensome, both in work and expense, that it would go hard with him if he +was called upon to pay more than any other parishioner in a Church matter. +Both he and his brethren the aldermen were no less desirous than others to +promote the knowledge of true religion and to inculcate obedience to the +queen by lectures in the city, but the commons would have to be consulted +first. He enclosed a list of lectures already established in the several +parishes, and drew attention to the great yearly charge incurred by the +companies and private persons in the city in maintaining students at the +universities to serve the Church in the office of preaching and +reading.(1630) This expense, the mayor said, warranted the City and the +Companies asking to be no further burdened. The writer concluded by +intimating that, however willing the corporation might be to assist in the +good work, its ability to do so had been much diminished by the indiscreet +demeanour of the bishop's own chaplain, Mr. Dyos, who had recently defamed +the citizens in a public sermon at Paul's Cross, "as favorers of userers, +of the familye of love and puritanes," saying "that if the appointing of +preachers were committed to us we wold appointe preachers such as should +defend usirie, the familie of love and puritanisme as they call it." The +City was liable to make mistakes, just as the bishop himself had made a +mistake in appointing so indiscreet a person for his chaplain, but in +other respects they had no cause to reproach themselves in the matter of +appointments. In conclusion they desired his lordship to take order for +the reparation of their good fame. + +Hitherto the City had received no direct communications from the Privy +Council on the subject, but three days after the date of the lord mayor's +letter to the Bishop of London the lords of the council made a direct +appeal to the mayor and aldermen suggesting that a collection should be +made among the clergy and other inhabitants of the city in order to +"oppose the supersticion of popery wch by the coming over of divers +Jesuits and seminarie preistes hath ben of late much increased."(1631) +Little appears to have been done in the matter by the civic authorities +until the beginning of the next year, when the first step was taken by the +appointment of a committee (25 Jan., 1582).(1632) + +(M794) + +Campion meanwhile had been arrested and subjected to cruel torture. He was +eventually executed. Parsons, his companion, escaped to the continent, +where he continued to carry on an intrigue against the life of Elizabeth +in conjunction with Allen, who some years before had established the +famous seminary at Donay for the purpose of keeping up a supply of Jesuit +priests for England. + +(M795) + +In 1583--soon after Edward Osborne(1633) had been elected to the +mayoralty--a conspiracy, which had long been on foot, for the assassination +of Elizabeth and the invasion of England by a French army was discovered. +Matters began to look serious, and it behoved the queen to dismiss the +Spanish ambassador from England (Jan., 1584) and to see to her forces. +Lord Burghley drew up "a memoryall of dyvers thynges nesessary to be +thought of and to be put in execution for this sommer for ye strength of +ye realme to serve for martiall defence ageynst ether rebellion or +invasion,"(1634) containing suggestions for holding musters and training +soldiers. The navy was got ready for sea. + +(M796) + +In April (1584) the City received orders to muster 4,000 men and to revive +the military shows on the eve of the Feasts of St. John the Baptist and +St. Peter the Apostle as accustomed to be held in the days of Henry VIII. +These displays had gradually fallen into desuetude; it was now the queen's +policy to renew them.(1635) The citizens showed themselves equal to the +emergency, and "mustered and skirmished" daily at Mile End and St. +George's Field, so that in little more than a month they were in a fit +state of discipline and training to appear in Greenwich Park before the +queen herself, who thanked them graciously for their energy and pains, and +declared that she had no subjects more ready to suppress disloyalty and to +defend her person.(1636) + +(M797) + +In July news arrived of the assassination of the Prince of Orange (10 +July). Englishmen well knew that those who plotted against his life were +plotting also against the life of their queen, and with wonderful +unanimity--Catholics and Protestants alike--they joined in a "Bond of +Association" for the defence of her majesty's person. The terms of the +association were afterwards embodied in a bill and submitted to +parliament, specially summoned for the purpose.(1637) + +(M798) + +Staggered by the sudden loss of their beloved leader, the Netherlanders +despatched envoys the following year (1585) to England offering to +acknowledge Elizabeth as their sovereign. Upon their arrival in London the +envoys were lodged and hospitably entertained--although not at the City's +expense--in Clothworkers' Hall,(1638) and on the 29th June were received in +audience by the queen at Greenwich. After much hesitation, as was her +wont, she at last consented to take the Netherlands under her protection +and to despatch troops to their assistance, but only on condition that the +States gave security for expenses to be incurred.(1639) + +(M799) + +On the 9th July the mayor, Sir Thomas Pullison,(1640) issued his precept +to the aldermen for each to make a survey in his ward of all such persons +as were suitable and willing for service in the Low Countries, where it +was intended they should have good allowance.(1641) + +(M800) + +Every effort was made to save Antwerp, but it was too late. By chaffering +and bargaining with the envoys Elizabeth had lost her opportunity and +Antwerp fell (19 Aug.). She could be resolute at times, but it wanted much +to rouse her into activity. The news of Antwerp's fall administered to her +the necessary incitement to deal "roundly and resolutely" with her new +allies. Fresh forces were despatched to Flanders under the Earl of +Leicester, making in all some 10,000 men that had already been sent +thither, nearly one-fourth of which had been furnished by the city of +London.(1642) The queen grumbled at having to send so many--"I have sent a +fine heap of folk thither, in all ... not under 10,000 soldiers of the +English nation," said she to the envoys in October(1643)--and she kept the +earl so short of money that he had to mortgage his estate.(1644) The City +did what it could and made him a present of L500 in "newe angells," but +the City itself was in pecuniary difficulties and was compelled to borrow +or "take up" money to defend its title to its own lands,(1645) which had +been in constant jeopardy ever since the appointment of the royal +commission to search for "concealed lands" in 1567.(1646) + +(M801) + +The direct effect of the fall of Antwerp upon the city of London was to +flood its streets more than ever with strangers, and on the 30th October, +1585, the mayor was once more called upon by the lords of the Privy +Council to make a return of the number of strangers within the city, and +more especially of the number of French and Flemish strangers that had +arrived "sithens the beginninge of the presente trobles moved by the house +of Guise in Fraunce and the rendringe of the towne of Andwerpe."(1647) In +April and May of the following year (1586) the year of the disastrous +battle at Zutphen and of the death of the _Chevalier sans peur et sans +reproche_, Sir Philip Sidney--another call was made in the city for +volunteers for service in the Low Countries,(1648) and the civic companies +were ordered to lay in a stock of gunpowder to be ready "uppon eny +ymminent occacioun."(1649) + +(M802) + +Whilst operations, more or less active, were being carried on in the +Netherlands against Spain, a new Catholic conspiracy against the life of +Elizabeth, with Anthony Babington at its head, was discovered by +Walsingham. The delight of the citizens at the queen's escape drew forth +from her a letter which she desired to be read before the Common Council, +and in which she testified her appreciation of their loyalty. The letter +was introduced to the council by some prefatory remarks made by James +Dalton, a member of the court, in which he expatiated upon the beauties of +the reformed Church as contrasted with the Roman religion.(1650) The +discovery of the plot led to stringent measures being taken against +suspected persons in the city, and returns were ordered to be made setting +forth for each ward: (1) the names of the ablest men for service, (2) the +names of those past service, (3) the names of all who were suspected as to +religion, and (4) the names of all strangers born.(1651) + +(M803) + +The discovery had also another effect: it brought the head of Mary Stuart +to the block. A commission of peers sitting at Fotheringhay found that the +conspiracy had been "with the privitie of the said Marie pretending tytle +to the crowne of the realme of England," and it only remained for +Elizabeth to sign the warrant for her execution to remove for ever a +dangerous rival. This, however, the queen long hesitated to do, and when +at length prevailed upon she caused public proclamation to be made of the +reasons which induced her to take the extreme course.(1652) + +(M804) + +To add to the general gloom, England was threatened before the close of +the year (1586) with a famine, caused partly by the inclemency of the +seasons and partly by a "corner" in wheat, which some enterprising +engrossers had managed to bring about.(1653) In November the mayor caused +the city companies to lay in 6,000 or 7,000 quarters of wheat and rye for +the relief of those who had already suffered from the extreme dearth, and +to raise a sum of L2,500 over and above such sums as they had hitherto +disbursed for the provision of corn and grain,(1654) and the Court of +Aldermen (3 Jan., 1587) agreed to erect a new garner at the +Bridgehouse.(1655) + +(M805) + +After the execution of Mary Stuart, Philip of Spain laid claim to the +crown of England. For years past he was known to have been preparing a +fleet for an invasion of the country. Preparations were now almost +complete, and in 1587 expectation was that the fleet might be seen any day +bearing down upon the English coast. The inhabitants of villages and towns +on the south coast forsook their homes in terror of the invasion and +sought shelter inland.(1656) The evil hour was put off by the prompt +action of Drake, who, with four ships of the royal navy and twenty-four +others supplied by the City and private individuals,(1657) appeared +suddenly off the Spanish coast, and running into Cadiz and Lisbon, +destroyed tons of shipping under the very nose of the Spanish lord high +admiral, and threw into the sea the vast military stores that had been +accumulated there. Having thus accomplished the object for which he set +sail--that of "singeing the king of Spain's beard"--he returned, and the +sailing of the Armada was put off for a year. + +(M806) + +Preparations were in the meanwhile pushed on in the city to meet the +attack whenever it should be made. Ten thousand men were levied and +equipped in a short space of time.(1658) Any inhabitant of the city +assessed in the subsidy-book at L50 in goods, and who, being under fifty +years of age, was called upon to serve, and refused, was forthwith +committed to Newgate.(1659) If any fault was to be found with the city's +force it was the inefficiency of its officers, whom the municipal +authorities always claimed to appoint. The Earl of Leicester, who was in +command of the camp which had been formed at Tilbury, held but a poor +opinion of Londoners as a fighting force.(1660) "For your Londoners," +wrote the earl to Walsingham,(1661) I see their service will be little, +except they have their own captains, and having them, I look for none at +all by them when we shall meet the enemy." He declares that he knows what +burghers be well enough, even though they be "as brave and well trained" +as the Londoners; they would be useless without good leaders,(1662) and on +this he had always insisted. He warns Walsingham against yielding to the +wishes of "townsmen" at such a critical juncture, for they would look for +the like concession at other times. The Londoners were not peculiar in +their desire to have their own officers, according to the earl's own +showing, for the letter continues:--"You and my lords all know the +imperfection at this time, how few leaders you have, and the gentlemen of +the counties here are likewise very loth to have any placed with them to +command under them, but well pleased to have some expert man with them to +give them advice." Two years later a code of regulations for the +"trayninge of capytaynes" was forwarded by the government to the city, and +there put into execution.(1663) + +(M807) + +In addition to the land force the City agreed (3 April, 1588) to furnish +and fully equip for war sixteen of the largest and best merchant ships +that could be found in the Thames, and four pinnaces to attend on +them.(1664) A committee was nominated to sit at Clothworkers' Hall and +take the necessary steps for fitting out the vessels, the cost of which +was to be met by an assessment on citizen and stranger alike.(1665) +Nothing was said at the time about victualling the fleet, but we learn +from a later entry in the City's Journal that they were victualled for +three months. On the 16th July the City agreed to supply victuals for +"those twentie shipps lately sett forth" for one month longer, and on the +10th August the Common Council again passed a similar resolution.(1666) + +(M808) + +At last the blow fell. On Friday, the 19th (o.s.) July, the Armada was +sighted off the Lizard. A strong wind from the south-west was blowing at +the time, and it was thought advisable to let the fleet pass and to follow +it up with the English vessels then lying in Plymouth harbour. On the +following day the two fleets hove in sight of each other. According to the +report made to Walsingham by Richard Tomson--a Londoner serving on board +the _Margaret and John_, one of the ships furnished by the City--the +Spanish fleet numbered at that time 136 sail, ninety of which were large +vessels, whilst the English fleet numbered no more than sixty-seven.(1667) + +Notwithstanding the great superiority of the enemy's fleet in numbers and +tonnage, the English admiral, Lord Howard, opened fire the next morning, +but took care not to come to close quarters. "We had some small fight with +them that Sunday afternoon," reported Hawkins to Walsingham.(1668) The +admiral had other reasons for preserving caution. His ships were but +ill-furnished with provisions and with ammunition, and even thus early he +had to beg the Secretary of State to send him "for God's sake some powder +and shot."(1669) The same deficiency of ammunition was experienced the +whole time that the two fleets were opposed to each other, and but for +this the enemy would not have got off so cheaply as it did. Scarcely a day +passed without some cannonading taking place, but never a general +engagement. The English trusted to their superior seamanship and to the +greater activity of their own light vessels compared with the heavier and +more unwieldly Spanish galleons. Again and again they poured broadside +after broadside into the enemy, but always making good their retreat +before the Spanish vessels could turn in pursuit. On Tuesday (23 July), +wrote Hawkins, they had "a sharp and long fight" off Portland, on Thursday +"a hot fraye." And thus the Armada made its way up channel, pestered with +the swarm of English vessels that would never leave it at peace. On the +Saturday following (27 July) it finally dropped anchor in Calais roads, +with the intention of awaiting there the arrival of Alexander Farnese with +his promised aid before making a direct descent upon the English coast. +Farnese did not arrive for the reason that he was blockaded by the Dutch +fleet; but the English received an accession of strength by the arrival of +Lord Henry Seymour with a squadron of sixteen ships, which hitherto had +been lying off Folkestone.(1670) + +At this juncture the lord mayor (Sir George Bond), having received +information of the critical state of affairs and that a general engagement +was imminent, issued his precept to the aldermen to summon the pastors and +ministers of each ward, and bid them call their parishioners to church by +toll of bell or otherwise, both in the morning and afternoon of this +eventful Saturday, in order that humble and hearty prayers might be +offered to Almighty God "by preaching and otherwise," as the necessity of +the times required.(1671) Three days before (24 July) he had given orders +for a strict watch and ward to be kept in the city, and for a goodly +supply of leather buckets in case of fire.(1672) + +(M809) + +After more than one consultation together, the English commanders +determined to resort to stratagem. They sent for a number of useless hulks +from Dover, and having filled them with every kind of combustible, sent +them all aflame on Sunday night into the thick of the enemy. The result +was a panic; cables were cut and frantic attempts made to escape what +seemed imminent and wholesale destruction. The ships fell foul of each +other; some were wrecked and others burnt. When Monday morning dawned only +eighty-six vessels out of 124 that had anchored off Calais thirty-six +hours before could be found, and these for the most part were seen driving +towards the coast of Flanders. The English fleet at once prepared to +follow in pursuit, but attention was for a time drawn off to the action of +the flagship of the squadron of galeasses, a huge vessel which had become +disabled by loss of rudder, and the crew of which were endeavouring by the +aid of oars to bring into Calais harbour. The Lord Admiral Howard at once +bore down upon her in the _Ark_, but the water proved too shallow. The +London ship _Margaret and John_ followed suit and, although of less +tonnage than the _Ark_, got aground. Richard Tomson sent home a graphic +account of the exploit that followed.(1673) Both ships sent out long boats +to capture the rich prize as she lay stuck fast upon the harbour bar. +Tomson himself formed one of the little band of volunteers. The boats were +soon alongside the galeass, its huge sides towering high above them. There +then ensued "a pretty skirmish for half-an-hour," wrote Tomson, "but they +seemed safely ensconced in their ships, while we in our open pinnaces and +far under them had nothing to shroud and cover us." Fortune at last +favoured the attackers. The Spanish commander fell dead on his deck with a +bullet through his head. A panic seized the sailors, most of whom jumped +overboard and tried by swimming and wading to reach the shore. Some +succeeded, but many were drowned; whilst those who remained on board +signified their readiness to capitulate by hoisting a couple of +"handkerchers" on rapiers. The English lost no time in clambering up the +sides of the monster, and at once commenced plundering the vessel and +releasing the galley slaves. They were only waiting for the tide to take +their prize in tow and carry her off when they were warned by the governor +of Calais against making any such attempt. They were free to plunder the +vessel if they liked, but make prize of the vessel itself they must not, +and this order the governor showed himself ready and able to enforce by +opening fire from the fort. Tomson and his fellow volunteers were heartily +disgusted at having after all to surrender their prize, "the verye glory +and staye of the Spanish armye, a thing of very great value and strength." + +(M810) + +This exploit being ended and the long boats having returned to their +respective ships, the lord admiral started in pursuit of the Spaniards. +Seeing them coming up the Spanish commander immediately prepared for +action. An engagement--described by Hawkins as "a long and great +fight"--took place off Gravelines and lasted six hours. The English pursued +the same tactics as before, and with like success. Without losing a single +ship of their own they succeeded in riddling the best Spanish ships +through and through, and at last the Armada was forced to bear away +towards the open sea. The English followed and made a pretence of keeping +up the attack, but by this time nearly all their ammunition as well as +food had given out. + +(M811) + +From Tuesday (30 July) until the following Friday (2 Aug.) the pursuit +was, nevertheless, maintained by Howard, Drake and Frobisher. On Sunday (4 +Aug.) the strong south-wester which had prevailed rose to a gale, and the +English fleet made its way home with difficulty. It was otherwise with the +Armada. Crippled and forlorn, without pilots and without competent +commander, the great fleet was driven northward past the Hebrides and +eventually returned home in a decimated condition by the west coast of +Ireland. + +(M812) + +In the meantime the civic authorities took order for receiving the sick +and wounded and administering to their comfort. Two aldermen--Sir Thomas +Pullison and Sir Wolstan Dixie--were deputed (29 July) by their brethren to +ride abroad among the innholders, brewers, bakers and butchers of the city +to see that they did not enhance the price of provisions and that they +well entertained all soldiers who arrived in the city.(1674) The City +agreed, moreover, to re-victual the ships it had furnished and to provide +them with munition and other requisites. A fresh tax was imposed for the +purpose of "marine and land affairs."(1675) + +(M813) + +It was a long time before any certain news arrived in the city of the +ultimate fate of the Armada. There had been rumours abroad that the +English fleet had been victorious--with so many Londoners serving in the +fleet, it would have been strange indeed if their friends at home had been +kept in absolute ignorance of what was taking place in the channel--and +bonfires had been lighted, but these rumours were often incorrect and +sometimes lead to mischief. The mayor therefore issued his precept to the +aldermen on the 30th July--the day after the engagement off +Gravelines--bidding them see that the inhabitants of their several wards +refrained from crediting any news that might be reported of the vessels at +sea but what they received from the mayor himself. The precaution was +necessary "for the avoyding of some dislike that may come thereof."(1676) +On the 1st August, so critical were the times, the mayor issued a precept +by the queen's orders forbidding householders to quit the city, that they +might the better be ready for the queen's service if required.(1677) On +the 4th the citizens were informed that if they had any friend or servant +detained as prisoner in the Spanish dominion, or bound to the galleys, +whom they wished to set free, they might have Spanish prisoners allotted +to them to assist towards ransom.(1678) + +(M814) + +The first public notification of the complete destruction of the Armada +was made in a thanksgiving sermon preached by the Dean of St. Paul's on +Tuesday, the 20th August, at Paul's Cross, in the presence of the mayor +and aldermen and the livery companies in their best gowns.(1679) In +November the queen resolved to attend a public thanksgiving service at St. +Paul's in person, Monday, the 18th, being the day that was originally +fixed. Great preparations were made for the occasion. The livery companies +were ordered to take up their appointed stations at eight o'clock in the +morning and to follow in the train of the royal procession until the +"preaching place" was reached. Places were to be kept by a detachment of +the "yeomanry" of each company sent on at six o'clock for that purpose. +The "governors of the hospital" of each company were also to attend, staff +in hand, and repair to the "skaffold" for them appointed. After dinner the +companies were to return immediately to their stations and to wait there +until her majesty returned to Somerset House.(1680) The day was afterwards +changed from Monday, the 18th, to Sunday, the 24th, when the queen came in +great state to St. Paul's. After prayers she took her seat in a closet +built out of the north wall of the church and facing Paul's Cross, where +she heard a sermon preached by the Bishop of Salisbury. That being over +she was entertained at dinner in the bishop's palace, and afterwards +returned to Somerset House.(1681) + +(M815) + +Whilst the City is justly proud of its own share in the defence of the +kingdom at this great crisis in the nation's history, it has not neglected +to give honour where honour was most due. Of the great naval commanders +the "sea dogs" of that age--the faces of at least two of them were familiar +to the citizens. Both Frobisher and Hawkins owned property in the city, +and in all probability resided there, like their fellow seaman and +explorer, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who was living in Red Cross Street, in the +parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate, in 1583, the year that he met his death +at sea.(1682) The same parish claims Frobisher, whose remains (excepting +his entrails, which were interred at Plymouth, where he died) lie buried +in St. Giles's Church, and to whom a mural monument was erected by the +vestry in 1888, just three centuries after the defeat of the Armada, to +which he had contributed so much. If Hawkins himself did not reside in the +city, his widow had a mansion house in Mincing Lane.(1683) He, too, had +probably lived there, for although he died and was buried at sea, a +monument was erected to his memory and that of Katherine, his first wife, +in the church of St. Dunstan-in-the-East.(1684) There is one other--a +citizen of London and son of an alderman--whose name has been handed down +as having taken an active part in the defence of the kingdom at this time, +not at sea, but on land. A monument in the recently restored church of St. +Helen, Bishopsgate, tells us that Martin Bond, son of Alderman William +Bond, "was captaine in ye yeare 1588 at ye campe at Tilbury, and after +remained chief captaine of ye trained bands of this citty until his +death." The monument represents him as sitting in a tent guarded by two +sentinels, with a page holding a horse. + +(M816) + +It was well that the Spaniards suffered defeat at sea, for had they been +able to effect a landing they would have made short work with the +half-trained and dissatisfied soldiers in the camp at Tilbury, and London +would have been at their mercy. Even the presence of Elizabeth herself, +riding on horseback through the camp, as she did on the 8th August, was +but poor compensation to the soldiers for the want of victuals and wages. +Many sold their armour and weapons to pay themselves as soon as the camp +broke up. Citizens of London were warned by royal proclamation (20 +Aug.)(1685) against purchasing armour and weapons offered by soldiers, who +were declared to "have most falsly and slanderously given out that they +weare compelled to make sale of them for that they receaved noe pay, which +is most untruely reported." Any armour or weapons bought before +publication of the proclamation was to be delivered up to the mayor with +particulars as to the way the purchase had been effected and compensation +would be allowed. + +(M817) + +Notwithstanding the extreme parsimony with which Elizabeth had fitted out +both army and navy, the cost of preparations to meet the attack of Spain +had been great, and she was obliged to borrow money. In September (1588) +the City advanced her the sum of L30,000, receiving her bond for repayment +in the following March; and in the following December she borrowed a +further sum of L20,000 to be repaid by the following April. Both sums were +raised among the livery companies.(1686) + +(M818) + +In March of the following year (1589) parliament granted a liberal supply, +but the grant was accompanied by a request that Elizabeth would no longer +await the assaults of Spain, but carry the war into the enemy's country. +This the queen declared her inability to undertake on the score of +poverty. She promised, however, to give what assistance she could to any +of her subjects who relished such enterprise. Norris and Drake were at +hand, ready and willing to undertake the work on these terms. Already (in +January) the City had been called upon to furnish them with 400 strong and +able men.(1687) At the end of March 1,000 more were required, and each +alderman was instructed to search in his ward for all able and masterless +men and all other persons fit for service that were householders and not +charged with families, and to bring them to the Leadenhall.(1688) With +these and other forces the expedition set sail, but beyond storming Vigo +and committing some damage at Corunna, it accomplished nothing and +returned in July. + +(M819) + +Again the city was threatened with danger and disease from the presence of +disbanded soldiers and sailors, who were apt to carry their freebooting +habits wherever they went, more especially when starvation stared them in +the face. Sir Martin Calthorp did what he could to relieve them, paying +out of his own pocket no less a sum than L100. His conduct was applauded +by the lords of the council, who authorised him to raise a further sum +towards assisting the soldiers to their homes in the country by allowing +them a half-penny a mile.(1689) + +(M820) + +A royal proclamation was subsequently (20 Aug.) issued promising payment +of any money due to mariners who would make a written application to the +Admiralty. Soldiers were to return to the country where they had been +pressed and apply to the justices or other officers who pressed them, and +who would make a certificate to the lieutenant of the county, when the +soldiers would receive "reasonable contentment."(1690) This, however, +failed entirely to remedy the evil.(1691) Four days before this +proclamation precept had been issued to the aldermen for a good and +substantial double watch to be kept throughout the night of the 16th +August until noon of the next day. There had been a report abroad of a +large meeting of soldiers and sailors to take place as early as five +o'clock on the morning of the 17th in the neighbourhood of Tower +Hill.(1692) + +(M821) + +The revolution which followed the assassination of the French king by +Jaques Clements about this time (Aug., 1589) brought fresh anxiety to +Elizabeth, who felt bound to support the Protestant Henry of Navarre with +all the means at her command, as an indirect way of carrying on the war +against Spain. Four thousand men were to be despatched for his assistance, +1,000 of whom the City was called upon to supply. As they were to be +picked men the lords of the council ordered double the number, or 2,000 +men, to be got ready, in order that expert officers might review them and +select the number required.(1693) The demand was enforced by a letter from +the queen herself, in which she drew attention to the necessity of +assisting one whose preservation was of so much importance to +England.(1694) The city's gates were at once closed by the mayor's orders +to prevent the exodus of "lusty, strong, able and young men" to avoid +service.(1695) Although Henry IV was materially assisted by the arrival of +English troops, their operations were chiefly confined to Normandy. + +(M822) + +A further contingent of 400 men was shortly afterwards (22 June) demanded +by the queen, 300 of which were to be got ready at once. More care than +usual was to be bestowed on their selection, as they were to be employed +under the Earl of Essex,(1696) with whom the City happened at this time to +be out of favour. What was the precise cause of the City's disgrace does +not appear; we only know that the civic authorities were anxious to +recover the good will of one so near the person of the sovereign, and to +this end made him a "small present," thanking him for his past services, +for the general defence of the realm, and of all Christian estates +professing the Gospel and true religion of Almighty God, and assuring him +that they were not so much presenting him with money, in sending him a +gratuity, as with "the hart of the citie." They begged that if some +private offence had been given to his lordship he would "wrappe it up" in +this public testimony of their hearty good wills.(1697) + +(M823) + +In the meantime the Common Council had, at the queen's request, agreed (16 +June) to fit out six ships of war and one pinnace at a cost of L7,400, to +be levied on the companies. This sum was afterwards raised to +L8,000.(1698) Towards the close of the year (9 Nov.) the lord mayor and +sheriffs were called upon to levy 200 able men to be "pioners." They were +to be chosen out of the city of London and the county of Middlesex, and to +be despatched to Dieppe for service under the Earl of Essex "a service +vearie necessarie and we hope not of any long continuaunce,"(1699) wrote +the queen. In addition to men, the queen wanted money; and the Common +Council agreed (18 Sept.) to lend her L20,000 for three months, afterwards +renewed for six months.(1700) + +(M824) + +In the meantime Spanish emissaries, disguised as soldiers, mariners, +merchants, gentlemen with comely apparel, and even as "gallantes," decked +out in colours and feathers, had been doing the work of Philip silently +but surely. Some had resorted to the Universities; some to the Inns of +Court; whilst others had insinuated themselves into private families; but +wherever they took up their abode, and in whatsoever capacity, their one +aim and object had been to seduce the queen's subjects from their +allegiance. So successful had been their efforts that Philip meditated +another attack on England in 1592. At length commissioners were appointed +in all parts of the country to search for these "venemous vipers." +Householders were at the same time directed to enquire into the +antecedents of those who lodged with them, and to mark if they attended +Divine Service or not. A register or calendar of particulars respecting +them was to be kept, to be shown on demand.(1701) Here is a description of +one whose arrest was desired in 1596:--"A yonge man of meane and slender +stature aged about xxvjtie wth a high collored face, red nose, a warte +over his left eye, havinge two greate teeth before standinge out very +apparant, he nameth himselffe Edward Harrison borne in Westmerland, +apparelled in a crane collored fustian dublet, rounde hose, after the +frenche facion, an olde paire of yollowe knit neather stockes, he escaped +wthout either cloake, girdle, garters or shoes."(1702) + +(M825) + +Whilst all exportation of munitions of war, corn and other victual into +Spain or Portugal was strictly forbidden,(1703) the merchants of London, +as well as noblemen and wealthy country gentlemen, were encouraged to deal +blows at the enemy by fitting out privateers for scouring the Spanish +Main.(1704) Many a rich prize was thus brought home, the spoil being +divided by specially appointed commissioners,(1705) whose duty it was, +among other things, to see that the Crown was not defrauded of the custom +due upon the goods thus captured."(1706) The "fleet of the city of London" +was very successful in this kind of work, and a sum of L6,000 fell to its +lot as prize-money in 1591. This sum was ventured again in an expedition +undertaken by Raleigh in the following year,(1707) with the result that +the City netted no less a sum than L12,000, its share of the spoil of a +rich "carraque" that Raleigh had captured.(1708) + +(M826) + +This lucky windfall befell the citizens at a time when money was sorely +needed for building a pest-house or hospital for sufferers from the +plague, which again visited the city at the close of 1592.(1709) The cost +of such a building was estimated at L6,000. Various schemes were proposed +for raising the money. At one time (July, 1593) it was resolved that the +several livery companies which had taken shares in Raleigh's venture +should contribute twelvepence in the pound of their clear gain towards the +object.(1710) Later on (May, 1594) the companies were called upon to +contribute one-third of their clear gain. Even this proved insufficient, +and had to be supplemented by a "benevolence" in each ward.(1711) Another +year went by, and the hospital was still unfinished.(1712) + +(M827) + +The strain which the continuation of the war and the threatened renewal of +a Spanish invasion imposed upon the inhabitants of London at large was a +great one, and appears to have affected the mind of a weak and hysterical +woman, Anne Burnell. She gave out that she was a daughter of the king of +Spain, and that the arms of England and Spain were to be seen, like +_stigmata_, upon her back, as was vouched for by her servant Alice Digges. +After medical examination, which proved her statement to be "false and +proceedinge of some lewde and imposterouse pretence," she and her maid +were ordered to be whipt,--"ther backes only beeinge layd bare,"--at the +cart's tail through the city on a market day, "with a note in writinge +uppon the hinder part of there heades shewinge the cawse of there saide +punishmente."(1713) + +(M828) + +On the 16th July, 1594, the queen informed the citizens by letter of the +king of Spain having made preparations to get possession of the harbour of +Brest, and her determination to oppose him. She had given orders for +certain companies of soldiers to be levied in divers counties, and she +called upon the citizens to furnish her with a contingent of 450 men. They +were to be well trained and supplied with armour and weapons; their "coate +and conduct monye" would be found for them.(1714) The Court of Common +Council met on the following day and agreed to provide the number of +soldiers required.(1715) It had already (15 July) agreed to furnish six +ships and two pinnaces for her majesty's service,(1716) which William +Garraway and other owners of ships contracted to find for the sum of +L5,000.(1717) + +(M829) + +On Michaelmas-day (1594) John Spencer--"Rich Spencer" as he was called, +from his extraordinary wealth--was elected mayor for the ensuing +year.(1718) His daughter, much against her father's will, married Lord +Compton. To thwart the matrimonial designs of a nobleman was in those days +a perilous task, and Alderman Spencer was committed to the Fleet "for a +contempt" in endeavouring to conceal his daughter. "Our Sir John Spencer, +of London"--writes John Chamberlain(1719) to Dudley Carleton (15 March, +1599)--"was the last weeke committed to the Fleet for a contempt and hiding +away his daughter, who, they say, is contracted to the Lord Compton; but +now he is out again, and by all meanes seekes to hinder the match, +alledging a precontract to Sir Arthur Henningham's sonne. But upon his +beating and misusing her she was sequestred to one Barkers, a proctor, and +from thence to Sir Henry Billingsleyes,(1720) where she yet remaines till +the matter be tried. If the obstinate and self-willed fellow shold persist +in his doggednes (as he protests he will) and geve her nothing, the poore +lord shold have a warme catch." + +A few weeks after Spencer's confinement in the Fleet we find him at +variance with his brother aldermen for digging a pit on his estate near +"Canbury," or Canonbury, and thereby drawing off water which should have +gone to supply the poor of St. Bartholomew's Hospital to his own mansion. +A request was sent to him by the mayor and Court of Aldermen to cease the +conveyance of water until further order had been taken therein.(1721) Two +years later his "doggednes" once more got him into trouble, and he was +committed to Wood Street Compter for refusing to pay certain small sums of +money due from him towards furnishing soldiers and armour.(1722) He died +the 30th March, 1609, leaving behind him L80,000. + +His daughter, who inherited her father's money, was possessed also of some +of her father's spirit, and Lord Compton appears to have got "a warme +catch" indeed to judge from a letter she addressed to him soon after her +father's death. After reminding her "sweete life" of the care she had ever +taken of his estate and of her excellent behaviour, she begs him to allow +her L1,600 per annum, to be paid quarterly, besides L600 a year for +charitable works. She will have three horses for her own saddle "that none +shall dare to lend or borrow; none lend but I, none borrow but you." She +will have so many gentlemen and so many gentlewomen to wait upon her at +home, whilst riding, hunting, hawking or travelling. When on the road she +will have laundresses "sent away with the carriages to see all safe," and +chambermaids sent before with the grooms that the chambers may be ready, +sweet and clean. Seeing that her requests are so reasonable she expects +her husband to find her children in apparel and schooling, and all her +servants in wages. She concludes by declaring her will to have her houses +handsomely furnished, not omitting "silver warming pans," warns her +husband against lending money to the lord chamberlain, and prays him to +increase her allowance and double her attendance on his becoming an +earl.(1723) + +(M830) + +Spencer was succeeded in the mayoralty by Sir Stephen Slaney, and the +latter's year of office proved a busy one. Spain was meditating another +descent on England "with a greate navy of shippes by sea and huge powers +of men by lande," and the City was expected to furnish sixteen ships and +10,000 men for land service. The naval demand was extravagant, and after +some remonstrance was reduced to one for twelve ships and two pinnaces, +with a complement of 1,200 men.(1724) The City made an attempt to get a +reduction made also in the land force, but with what success is not clear. +This was in December, 1595. The money was found by imposing a tax of 2_s._ +8_d._ in the pound for goods and 4_s._ in the pound for lands on every +inhabitant of the city,(1725) and by advances made by the livery +companies.(1726) On the 8th January (1596) the queen addressed a very +gracious letter of thanks to the City for the promptitude displayed in +furnishing the ships.(1727) Instead of waiting for Spain to attack, +Elizabeth carried the war into the enemy's country, and Cadiz was captured +six months later by Essex and Howard. This exploit, in which the city of +London took its share, has been described(1728) as the most brilliant that +had ever been achieved by English arms between Agincourt and Blenheim, and +it was celebrated in London with bonfires and general rejoicing.(1729) As +soon as the Common Council heard of the arrival of the fleet from its +successful voyage it despatched commissioners to see after the City's +share of prize money.(1730) + +(M831) + +In the meantime (April, 1596) the queen's tortuous and parsimonious policy +had led to Calais falling into the hands of Spain. She had called upon the +Londoners to furnish 1,000 soldiers to assist in raising the siege, but it +is a question whether they ever got beyond Dover.(1731) Roused for the +time to a more energetic line of action, she determined to prevent, if +possible, the sister town of Boulogne falling into the hands of Spain, and +she called upon the city of London to supply 405 men towards the force to +be despatched in the autumn for its defence.(1732) + +(M832) + +The necessity of recruiting the garrison of the cautionary town of +Flushing, from which troops had recently been withdrawn for service on the +high seas, compelled the queen to apply again to the City (July, 1596) for +a contingent of 200 men.(1733) + +(M833) + +This constant drain on the resources of the city at length called forth a +remonstrance. The city was being threatened with famine at the close of +the year (1596), when another demand arrived for ten ships to be fitted +out for the public service. The matter was referred to a committee, and a +reply was drawn up, which was practically a refusal to obey the commands +of the council.(1734) + +(M834) + +It set forth the utter inability of the citizens, however willing they +might be, to supply more ships. They had already expended on sea service +alone, and irrespective of their disbursements in 1588, no less a sum than +100,000 marks within the last few years; so that the lords of the council +would see that the citizens had not been wanting in good will and +affection towards] that service. The same good will still remained, but +there was lacking the like ability, owing partly to former charges by sea +and land, but more especially to the great scarcity of victual which had +continued in the city for the past three years, and had compelled many who +had formerly been well off to reduce their expenditure, whilst others had +been obliged to relinquish their trades and break up their households. As +a proof of the poverty existing in the city their lordships were reminded +that when wheat was offered at a very moderate rate many were too poor to +purchase any. The wealthier sort would therefore have to be called upon to +subscribe towards the maintenance of the poorer class, and so be rendered +less able to contribute to other demands. The letter proceeded to draw +their lordships' attention to what after all was the reason which weighed +most with the citizens for refusing to contribute any more to the naval +service. "Besides theis defectes" wrote the mayor and corporation "we may +not conceale the great discontentment and utter discouragement of the +common people wthin this citie touchinge their adventure in the late viage +to the towne at _Cales_ [Cadiz] wch albeit it was perfourmed wth soe great +honor and happy successe as that the enemye was greatly weakned, the army +enritched and such store of treasure and other comodities (besides that +wch was thear embeazelled) brought safe home as was sufficient to defraye +the charges of the whole voyage, yet forasmuch as neither their principall +nor any parte thereof was restored unto them contrarie to the meaninge of +the contract set downe in writinge under the signatures of two noble +persons in her highnes name, they are made hereby utterly unfitt and +indisposed for the like service to be done hereafter."(1735) The Cadiz +adventure--they went on to say--had cost the City L1,900, a great part of +which sum was still not collected, whilst the City's Chamber was already +in debt to the extent of L14,000 and utterly unable to afford relief. The +writers, in conclusion, expressed themselves ready to contribute towards +the defence of the whole realm in like proportion as others of her +majesty's subjects, and with this arrangement they felt sure her majesty +would be well content. + +What was the effect of this reply does not appear; but in one respect the +queen was more than a match for the citizens. They had pleaded scarcity of +provisions and poverty as an excuse for not carrying out her recent +orders. Very good; let the livery companies, whose duty it was to find men +and money when required, practise a little self-restraint in the coming +summer (1597). Let them, she said, forbear giving feasts in their halls +and elsewhere, and bestow half the money thus saved on the poor; and the +order of the Court of Aldermen went forth accordingly.(1736) + +(M835) + +For some years past it had always been feared lest Spain should again +endeavour to strike at England through Ireland. A rising in Ulster under +Hugh O'Neill, known in England as the Earl of Tyrone, in 1594 was followed +by an appeal to Spain for help in 1595. Philip acceded to the request and +another Armada was got ready; but the fleet had scarcely put to sea before +it suffered a similar fate to the Armada of 1588 and was shattered by a +storm (Dec., 1596). The Tyrone rebellion necessitated further calls on the +City for men and money. In May, 1597, it was asked to furnish 500 men, +such as Sir Samuel Bagnall might approve of.(1737) In the following +year--when Bagnall met with a crushing defeat on the Blackwater--it was +called upon to supply a further contingent of 300 men and to lend the +queen a sum of L20,000.(1738) In 1599 Elizabeth sent her favourite Essex +to conquer Ireland in good earnest, to prevent the country falling into +the hands of Spain. She at the same time called upon the City for more +soldiers, and borrowed another sum of L60,000 on mortgage.(1739) + +(M836) + +In the meantime a report again got abroad that a Spanish fleet was +assembling at Brest for a descent on England. On the 25th July, 1598, the +lords of the council wrote to the mayor calling upon him to see that some +twelve or sixteen vessels were provided with ordnance and powder for the +defence of the Thames, and the court of Common Council at once took the +necessary steps for fitting out the ships as well as for mustering a force +of 3,000 men, afterwards raised to 6,000.(1740) The city's forces and the +charge of the river were confided to the Earl of Cumberland. Sir Thomas +Gerrard had at first been appointed colonel of the Londoners, "but for an +old grudge since the last parliament they wold none of him."(1741) It was +proposed to throw a bridge of boats across the Thames near Gravesend, +after the fashion of Parma's famous bridge erected across the Scheldt in +1585, and the court of Common Council (4 Aug.) gave orders for collecting +"hoyes, barges, lighters, boardes, cordes" and other material necessary +for the purpose.(1742) This project was, however, abandoned in favour of +sinking hulks in the channel of the river if occasion should arise. Watch +was ordered to be strictly kept in the city night and day, lanterns to be +hung out at night and the streets blocked with chains.(1743) It had been +rumoured that the Spanish fleet had been descried off the Isle of Wight, +and although the rumour proved false it caused no little alarm in the city +and gave rise to these precautions.(1744) After a few days the supposed +danger passed away. The fleet, which had been rapidly got together, and +included twelve ships and thirty hoys furnished by the city for the +defence of the river, put to sea nevertheless, whilst the land forces were +gradually disbanded.(1745) + +(M837) + +The administration of Essex in Ireland was a signal failure, and he made +matters worse by quitting his post without leave and forcing his presence +upon the queen. He had hoped to recover her good grace by his unexpected +appearance. Elizabeth was not to be thus cajoled. She ordered him into +custody, deprived him of his offices, and, what was of more importance to +him, refused to renew his patent of a monopoly of sweet wines. Although +the earl soon regained his liberty he could not forget his disgrace, and +his overweening vanity drove him to concert measures against the +government. In 1601 he rode at the head of a few followers into the city, +expecting the citizens to rise in his favour. The mayor had, however, been +forewarned, and 1,000 men were held in readiness in each ward fully armed +for the safeguard of the city.(1746) The earl and his band proceeded to +the house of Thomas Smith, in Fenchurch Street, one of the sheriffs, who +had represented himself, or been represented by others, as able and +willing to further the earl's cause. That the sheriff was thought by his +fellow citizens to have been implicated in Essex's mad attempt is seen +from the fact that within a week he was deprived, not only of his +sheriffwick, but also of his aldermanry,(1747) but to what extent he had +compromised himself it is difficult to determine. Finding the citizens +averse to a rising and his passage stopped by pikemen under the command of +Sir John Gilbert and Sir Robert Cross, who respectively had charge of +Ludgate and Newgate,(1748) and who refused to surrender them except to the +sheriff in person as the queen's representative, the earl and his company +hastened to the riverside and returned to Essex House by water. He was +subsequently arrested and committed to the Tower, together with two of his +accomplices, the Earls of Rutland and Southampton. Another of his +followers, the Earl of Bedford, was committed for a while to the custody +of Leonard Holiday, a city alderman.(1749) The queen, who had shown no +more agitation at the news of the attempt to raise the city than "of a +fray in Fleet Street,"(1750) took an early opportunity of thanking the +citizens and her subjects generally for the loyalty they had +displayed.(1751) + +A sum of L200 was distributed by the civic authorities among the officers +engaged in the city's defence, but the two knights at Ludgate and Newgate +refused to accept any gratuity.(1752) For a week or more strict guard was +kept at the city's gates, whilst bodies of troops fully armed were kept in +readiness at the Royal Exchange and Saint Paul's Churchyard in case of +disturbance.(1753) Essex was brought to trial on a charge of treason, +convicted and executed (25 Feb.). Sheriff Smith was made to undergo a +severe cross-examination, but appears to have got off with his life.(1754) + +(M838) + +Lord Mountjoy, who had succeeded Essex in Ireland, set to work +systematically to bring the country into complete submission. The conquest +was not effected without considerable aid from the city of London. From +1600 to 1602 the citizens were being constantly called upon to supply +fresh forces for Ireland.(1755) A Spanish force which at length came to +Tyrone's assistance in 1601, and established itself at Kinsale, was +compelled to surrender. The work of the sword was supplemented by famine; +until at last Tyrone himself was carried in triumph to Dublin, and the +conquest of Ireland was complete. + +(M839) + +Mountjoy's work could not be carried on without money, and Elizabeth had +been compelled in 1601 to summon a parliament to obtain supplies. Hitherto +the Puritans, who began in the early part of the reign to gain a hold in +the House of Commons, and had gradually increased in strength, had been +content, in the presence of a common danger, to refrain from offering any +systematic opposition to Elizabeth's government. But now that the defeat +of the Armada, the death of Philip II and the firm establishment of Henry +IV on the throne of France had removed all danger from abroad, they began +to change front. As soon as the House met the Commons chose Croke (or +Crooke), the City's Recorder, their Speaker, an honour which the City +acknowledged by ordering (3 Nov.) a gift of forty marks to be made to +him.(1756) When the question of supplies came before the House they were +readily granted, but a bill was introduced to abolish patents of +monopolies, which the queen had been in the habit of lavishly bestowing +upon her favourites by virtue of her prerogative, and by which the price +of nearly every commodity had been grievously enhanced. It was in vain +that the minority in the House found fault with the Speaker for allowing +the queen's prerogative to be called in question. The majority had the +nation at its back; and finding this to be the case Elizabeth, who knew +when to give way, yielded with grace. When a deputation of the Commons +waited upon her and expressed the gratitude of the House at her +concession, she replied in words full of kindness and dignity, thanking +the Commons for having pointed out her error, and calling God to witness +that she had never cherished anything but what tended to her people's +good, "Though you have had," she assured them, "and may have, many princes +more mighty and wise sitting in this seat, yet you never had, or ever +shall have, any that will be more careful and loving." + +(M840) + +These were the last words addressed by the queen to her people, and their +truth was borne out by her conduct throughout her long reign. Under her +the country had become united and prosperous. By the citizens of London +she was especially beloved, for they always found in her a supporter of +trade and commerce. If the Hanseatic towns behaved unfairly to the +merchant adventurers Elizabeth promptly retaliated upon the merchants of +the Steelyard. She had threatened to close the Steelyard altogether in +1578, when English merchants were ordered to quit Hamburg, and twenty +years later (1598), when fresh difficulties had arisen, the threat was +carried out.(1757) + +The queen rarely left London to make one of her many gorgeous progresses +from country house to country house or returned home without some notice +being sent to the city to allow of its inhabitants taking "the comfort of +behoulding her royall persone."(1758) Her love of personal admiration and +of handsome men continued to the last. As late as November, 1602, she +commanded the mayor and aldermen and a number of the "best and most grave" +citizens to attend her from Chelsea to Westminster, and the mayor, knowing +her weakness, ordered the livery companies to choose the "most grave and +comlie" members to join the procession.(1759) In the early morning of the +24th March, 1603, she died at Richmond, to the sincere regret of the +citizens no less than of the nation at large. + + + + + +END OF VOL. I. + + + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + + M1 The greatness of London. How far due to its geographical position. + + 1 Strype remarks of Thames water that it "did sooner become fine and + clear than the New River water, and was ever a clearer + water."--Strype, Stow's Survey, ed. 1720, bk. i, p. 25. Another + writer speaks of "that most delicate and serviceable ryver of + Thames."--Howes's Chron., p. 938. + + 2 During Edgar's reign (958-975), the foreign trade of the City had + increased to such a degree, and notably with a body of German + merchants from the Eastern shores of the Baltic, called + "Easterlings" (subsequently known as the Hanse Merchants of the + Steel-yard), that his son and successor Ethelred drew up a code of + laws for the purpose of regulating it. + + 3 "Et ipsa (_i.e._ Lundonia) multorum emporium populorum terra marique + venientium."--Hist. Eccl., lib. ii, cap. iii. + + M2 The tenure of the City of London compared with other boroughs. + + 4 Stubbs, Const. Hist., i, 409. + + M3 The powers of an over-lord. + + 5 See ordinances made by the Earl (32 Eliz.).--Hunter's Hallamshire + (1819), p. 119. + + 6 Luttrell, Diary, i, p. 314. + + M4 London under the Roman Empire. + + 7 "At Suetonius mira constantia medios inter hostes Londinium + perrexit, cognomento quidem coloniae non insigne, sed copia + negotiatorum et commeatuum maxime celebre."--Tacitus, Ann., xiv, 33. + + M5 Roman highways. + + 8 For the direction of the various routes, see Elton's Origins of + Engl. Hist., p. 344 note. + + M6 London bridge and the city wall. + M7 The departure of the Roman legions, and its consequences. + + 9 Stubbs, Const. Hist., i., 60. + + 10 The church of St. Peter-upon-Cornhill claims a Roman origin, but its + claim is unsubstantiated by any proof. + + M8 Appeal to Rome for aid against the Picts and Scots. A. D. 446. + + 11 This appeal took the following form:--"The groans of the Britons to + Aetius, for the third time Consul [_i.e._ A.D. 446]. The savages + drive us to the sea, and the sea casts us back upon the savages; so + arise two kinds of death, and we are either drowned or + slaughtered."--Elton, Origins of Engl. Hist., p. 360. + + M9 Meeting with refusal, the Britons call in the Saxons. + + 12 "Postea vero explorata insulae fertilitate et indigenarum inertia, + rupto foedere, in ipsos, a quibus fuerant invitati arma + verterunt."--Newburgh, Hist. Rerum Anglic. (Rolls Series No. 82). + Prooemium. p. 13. + + M10 The battle of the "Creegan Ford." A.D. 457. + + 13 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 12. + + M11 London, the metropolis of the East Saxons. + M12 Mellitus, the first Bishop of London, A.D. 604. + + 14 "In qua videlicet gente tune temporis Sabertus, nepos Ethelberti ex + sorore Ricula, regnabat quamvis sub potestate positus ejusdem + Ethelberti, qui omnibus, ut supra dictum est, usque ad terminum + Humbrae fluminis, Anglorum gentibus imperabat."--Bede, Lib. ii, c. + iii. + + 15 "Quorum [_i.e._, Orientalium Saxonum] metropolis Lundonia civitas + est."--Bede, Lib. ii, c. iii. So, again, another writer describes + London at the time it was devastated by the Danes in 851 as "Sita in + aquilonari ripa Tamesis fluminis in confinio East-Saexum et + Middel-Saexum, sed tamen ad East-Saexum illa civitas cum veritate + pertinet."--Flor. Wigorn., (ed. by Thorpe, for Engl. Hist. Soc.), i, + 72. + + 16 Kemble. Saxons in England, ii, 556. + + M13 St. Paul's Cathedral founded by Ethelbert. + + 17 "Mellitum vero Lundonienses episcopum recipere noluerunt, idolatris + magis pontificibus servire gaudentes. Bede, Lib. ii, cap. vi.--_Cf._ + Flor. Wigorn., i, 13. + + 18 "Ecclesiam ... beati Petri quae sita est in loco terribili qui ab + incolis Thorneye nunenpatur ... quae olim ... beati AEthelberti + hortatu ... a Sabertho praedivite quodam sub-regulo Lundoniae, nepote + videlicet ipsius regis, constructa est."--Kemble, Cod. Dipl., 555. + + M14 The rival Cities of London and Winchester. + + 19 Roger de Hoveden (Rolls Series No. 51), i, 8, 16, 18. + + 20 Norton, Commentaries on the City of London, 3rd ed., p. 53, &c. + + 21 Thorpe, 114. The Troy weight was kept in the Husting of London and + known as the Husting-weight.--Strype, Stow's Survey (1720), Bk. v., + 369. + + M15 London in the hands of the Danes. + + 22 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 55. + + 23 "And in the same year [_i.e._ 851] came three hundred and fifty + ships to the mouth of the Thames, and landed, and took Canterbury + and London by storm."--_Id._ ii, 56. + + M16 The Treaty of Wedmore, A.D. 878. + + 24 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 64, 65. + + M17 The Danes expelled from London. + + 25 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle--the existence of which in its present form + has been attributed to Alfred's encouragement of literature--seems to + convey this meaning, although it is not quite clear on the point. + Henry of Huntingdon (Rolls Series No. 44, pp. 148-149) ascribes the + recovery of London by Alfred to the year 886. The late Professor + Freeman (Norman Conquest, i., 56) does the same, and compares the + status of London at the time with that of a German free city, which + it more nearly resembled, than an integral portion of a kingdom. + + M18 Alfred "restores" London, 886-887. + + 26 Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 279. + + 27 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii., 67. _Cf._ "Lundoniam civitatem honorifice + restauravit et habitabilem fecit quam etiam. AEtheredo Merciorum + comitti servandam commendavit."--Flor. Wigorn., i, 101. + + 28 Stubbs, Const. Hist., i, 405. + + M19 An attack of the Danes in the absence of Alfred gallantly repelled + by the Citizens, A.D. 894. + + 29 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 71. + + M20 Successful strategy of Alfred against the Danes, A.D. 896. + + 30 According to Henry of Huntingdon (Rolls Series No. 74. p. 150) + Alfred diverted the waters of the Lea that his enemy's ships were + stranded. + + 31 -_Id._, ii. 71. _Cf._ "Quarum navium Lundonienses quasdam Lundoniam + vehunt, quasdam vero penitus confringunt."--Flor. Wigorn., i, 115. + + M21 The London "frith-gild" under Athelstan, 925-940. + + 32 Judicia Civitatis Lundoniae, Thorpe, 97, 103. + + M22 First mention of a Guildhall in London. + + 33 This is the earliest mention of a guildhall in London; and the + ale-making which took place at the meeting of the officers of the + frith-guild, accounts in all probability for Giraldus Cambrensis + (Vita Galfridi, Rolls Series No. 21 iii., c. 8.) having described + the Guildhall of London as "Aula publica quae a potorum conventu + nomen accepit." + + M23 The "frith-guild," something more than a mere friendly society. + + 34 "Notwithstanding the butt-filling and feasting, this appears to have + been a purely religious and social guild, and, although it may have + subsequently become a power in the city, so far, it is only of + importance as the first evidence of combination among the + inhabitants of London for anything like corporate action."--Loftie, + Hist. of London, i, 68. + + 35 Laws of Athelstan.--Thorpe, 93. + + 36 Judicia Civitatis Lundoniae.--Thorpe, 100. + + 37 Gross, The Gild Merchant, i, 178-179. + + M24 Encouragement given to London merchants. + + 38 Wilkins, Leges Anglo-Sax., p. 59. + + 39 "And if a merchant thrived so that he fared thrice over the wide sea + by his own means [cnaepte, craft] then was he thenceforth of + thane-right worthy." (Thorpe, 81.) The word cnaepte is similarly + translated in Wilkins's Leges Anglo-Saxonicae; (ed. 1721, p. 71.) + _per facultates suas_; but there seems no reason why it should not + be taken to mean literally a craft or vessel. The passage occurs in + a list of "People's Rank" which "formerly" prevailed, and is + probably of Athelstan's time, even if it did not form part of the + Judicia Civitatis Lundoniae.--Wilkins, _op. cit._ p. 70 note. + + M25 Return of the Danes _temp._ Ethelred the Unready, 991-994. + + 40 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 105. + + M26 The first payment of Danegelt, 991. + M27 The massacre of Danes 13th Nov., 1002. + + 41 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, p. 114. + + 42 -_Id._ ii, p. 115. + + M28 The murder of Abp. Alphage, 1012. + + 43 -_Id._ ii. pp. 117, 118. Annal. Monast., Waverley (Rolls Series No. + 36), ii, p. 173. + + M29 Sweyn again attacks London, A.D. 1013. + + 44 The towns of Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Stamford, and Derby, + which for many years were occupied by the Danes, were so called. + + 45 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, pp. 118, 119. + + M30 London submits. + + 46 -_Id._ ii, p. 119. Henry of Huntingdon (Rolls Series No 74), p. 180. + + M31 Election of Cnut, 1014. + + 47 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, p. 120. + + 48 -_Id._ ii, p. 120. _Cf._ "Ad haec principes se non amplius Danicum + regem admissuros in Angliam unanimiter spoponderunt."--Flor. Wigorn., + i, p. 169. + + M32 Ethelred returns to London. + + 49 The Heimskringla or Chronicle of the kings of Norway, translated + from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, ii. pp. 8-11. + + M33 Drives Cnut out of England. + + 50 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 120. + + M34 Return of Cnut, A.D. 1015. + + 51 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 121. + + 52 -_Id._ ii., 122. + + 53 Malmesbury, Gesta Regum (Rolls Series, No. 90), i, 215. + + M35 The laws of Ethelred regulating foreign trade. + + 54 Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 308. + + 55 Thorpe, Ancient Laws and Institutes, 127, 128. + + 56 In course of time the natives of Denmark acquired the privilege of + sojourning all the year round in London--a privilege accorded to few, + if any other, foreigners. They enjoyed moreover the benefits of the + 'the law of the city of London' (_la lei de la citie de Loundres_) + in other words, the right of resorting to fair or market in any + place throughout England.--Liber Cust. pt. i, p. 63. + + 57 Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 418. + + M36 Election of Edmund Ironside by the Londoners, 1016. + + 58 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 122. + + M37 Cnut's attempts on London frustrated. + + 59 "At oppidanis magnanimiter pugnantibus repulsa."--Malmesbury, i, 216. + + 60 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 123. + + M38 Victory of the Danes at Assandun, 1016. + + 61 -_Id._ ii, 121, 123. Henry of Huntingdon relates that Eadric caused + a panic on the field of battle by crying out that Edmund had been + killed. "Flet Engle, flet Engle, ded is Edmund." + + M39 Agreement between Edmund and Cnut for partition of the kingdom. + + 62 Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 437. + + M40 Cnut king of all England, 1016-1035. + M41 Election of Cnut's Successors. 1183. + M42 The lithsmen of London attend gemot at Oxford. + + 63 Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 538. + + 64 "The 'lithsmen' (ship-owners) of London, who with others raised + Harold to the throne, were doubtless such 'burg-thegns.'"--Gross, The + Gild Merchant, i, 186. _Cf._ Lingard, i, 318. Norton Commentaries, + pp. 23-24. + + 65 Green, Conquest of England, p. 462. Loftie, Hist. of London, i, 73. + "The Londoners who attended must have gone by way of the river in + their 'liths.'"--Historic Towns, London (Loftie), p. 197. + + 66 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 129. + + M43 Londoners desire for peace above all things. + M44 Revival of Danegelt, A.D., 1040. + + 67 At the death of Harold, Harthacnut was invited to accept the crown + by an embassy from England, of which the Bishop of London was a + member. He accepted the offer and crossed over from the continent + with a fleet of sixty ships, manned by Danish soldiers, and his + first act was to demand eight marks for each rower; an imposition + that was borne with difficulty. Anglo-Sax. Chron. ii, 132. + + M45 London the recognised capital, _temp._ Edward, Confessor. + + 68 Anglo-Sax Chron., ii, 132. + + 69 Freeman, Norman Conquest, 2nd ed., ii. 5. But according to Kemble + (Saxons in England, ii, 259 note), Edward's election took place at a + hastily convened meeting at Gillingham. + + 70 "London, que caput est regni et legum. semper curia domini + regis."--Laws of Edward Confessor, Thorpe, p. 197 note. + + M46 Gemots held in London. + + 71 For a list of gemots held in London from A.D. 790, see Kemble's + Saxons in England, ii, 241-261. + + M47 London declares for Godwine, 1052. + + 72 Malmesbury, i, 242-244. Freeman, ii, 148-332. + + 73 Freeman, ii, 324. + + 74 Sed omnis civitas duci obviam et auxilio processit et praesidio + acclamantque illi omnes una voce prospere in adventu suo. "Life of + Edward Conf." (Rolls Series No. 3.), p. 406. + + 75 "Interim quosdam per internuntios, quosdam per se cives + Lundonienses, quos variis pollicitationibus prius illexerat, + convenit, et ut omnes fere quae volebat omnino vellent, + effecit."--Flor. Wigorn., i., 209. + + M48 The dedication of Westminster Abbey, A.D. 1065. + M49 Death of Edward the Confessor. + M50 The landing of William, and Battle of Senlac, 1066. + + 76 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 165-167. + + 77 "Aldredus autem Eboracensis archiepiscopus et iidem Comites cum + civibus Lundoniensibus et butsecarlis, clitonem Eadgarum, Eadmundi + Ferrei Lateris nepotem, in regem levare volueren, et cum eo se + pugnam inituros promisere; sed dum ad pugnam descendere multi se + paravere, comites suum auxilium ab eis retraxere, et cum suo + exercitu domum redierunt."--Flor. Wigorn., i, 228. + + M51 William's March to London. + + 78 Such is the description of William's march, as given by Malmesbury + (ii, 307). Another chronicler describes his march as one of + slaughter and devastation.--Flor. Wigorn., i, 228. + + M52 Sets fire to Southwark in hopes of terrifying the citizens. + M53 Negotiations between William and the City. + M54 London submits to the Conqueror. + + 79 The bishop was certainly Norman, and so probably was the port-reeve. + + 80 Anglo-Sax. Chron. ii, 168-169. + + M55 His charter to the citizens of London. + + 81 This charter is preserved in the Town Clerk's Office at the + Guildhall. A fac-simile of it and of another charter of William, + granting lands to Deorman, forms a frontispiece to this volume. The + late Professor Freeman (Norman Conquest, second edition, revised + 1876, iv, 29) wrote of this venerable parchment as bearing William's + mark--"the cross traced by the Conqueror's own hand"--but this appears + to be a mistake. The same authority, writing of the transcript of + the charter made by the late Mr. Riley and printed by him in his + edition of the _Liber Custumarum_ (Rolls Series, pt. ii, p. 504), + remarks that, "one or two words here look a little suspicious"; and + justly so, for the transcript is far from being literally accurate. + + 82 -_Cf._ "_Ego volo quod vos sitis omni lege illa digni qua fuistis + Edwardi diebus Regis._" These words appear in the xivth century + Latin version of William's Charter, preserved at the Guildhall. + + 83 Liber Albus (Rolls Series i, 26). + + M56 The office of port-reeve. + + 84 Opinions differ as to the derivation of the term port. Some, like + Kemble, refer it to the Lat. _portus_, in the sense of an enclosed + place for sale or purchase, a market. ("Portus est conclusus locus, + quo importantur merces et inde exportantur. Est et statio conclusa + et munita."--Thorpe, i, 158). Others, like Dr. Stubbs (Const. Hist., + i, 404 n.), connect it with Lat. _porta_, not in its restricted + signification of a gate, but as implying a market place, markets + being often held at a city's gates. The Latin terms _porta_ and + _portus_ were in fact so closely allied, that they both alike + signified a market place or a gate. Thus, in the will of Edmund + Harengeye, enrolled in the Court of Husting, London, we find the + following: "Ac eciam lego et volo quod illa tenementa cum magno + portu vocato le Brodegate ... vendantur per executores meos."--Hust. + Roll, 114 (76). + + 85 Norton, Commentaries on the City of London, 3rd ed., pp. 258-259. + + M57 The foreign element already existing in the City. + M58 Its increase after the Conquest. + M59 The charter makes no new grant. + + 86 "London and her election of Stephen," a paper read before the + Archaeol. Inst. in 1866, by the late Mr. Green (p. 267). + + 87 Freeman, Norman Conquest, v, p. 55. + + 88 There appears to be no doubt that the charter preserved at the + Guildhall had a seal, but not a fragment remains. + + M60 William's other charter granting the sheriffwick of London. + + 89 "Et dicunt quod prefatus dominus conquestor ante fundacionem + ecclesie predicte et confeccionem carte sue de qua superius fit + mencio auctoritate parliament sui et per duas cartes suas quas dicti + maior et Cives hic proferunt scilicet per unam earam dimissit tunc + civibus London' totam dictam civitatem et vice-comitatum London' cum + omnibus appendiciis rebus et consuetudinibus eis qualitercumque + pertinentibus.... Et per alteram concessit et auctoritate supradicta + confirmavit eisdem civibus et successoribus suis quod haberent + predicta ac omnes alias libertates et liberas consuetudines suas + illesas quas habuerunt tempore dicti Sancti Regis Edwardi + progenitoris sui."--Letter Book K, fo. 120 b. + + M61 The strong government of William. + + 90 "Tantaque pax suis regnavit temporibus, quod puella virguncula auro + onusta, indempnis et intacta Angliam potuit peragrare."--Mat. Paris, + Hist. Angl. (Rolls Series No. 44), i, 29. + + M62 "Doomsday" Book completed. + M63 Death of William the Conqueror, and accession of his son, 1087. + + 91 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, p. 187. Flor. Wigorn., ii, p. 19. + + 92 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, p. 187. Flor. Wigorn., ii, p. 19. + + M64 St. Paul's destroyed by fire, 1087. + + 93 Stow's Survey (Thoms's ed.), p. 121. + + 94 Malmesbury. ii, 375. + + M65 The Tower strengthened and the bridge repaired, 1097. + + 95 Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, 189. + + 96 -_Id._, ii, 202. + + M66 Election of Henry I by the Witan at Winchester, 1100. + + 97 "Those of the council who were nigh at hand."--Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii, + 204. + + M67 Their choice confirmed by the City of London. + + 98 Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. (Rolls Series No. 44) i, 176. + + M68 Henry's charter to the City of London. + + 99 See Round's Geoffrey de Mandeville (p. 366), where the writer + conjectures the date of the charter to have been between 1130 and + 1135, and brings evidence in favour of it having been purchased by + the payment of a large sum of money. + + M69 The main features of the charter. + + 100 Set out under fifteen heads in the City's _Liber Albus_. (Rolls + Series) i, 128-129. + + M70 The grant of Middlesex to ferm, and choice of sheriff. + + 101 Stubbs, Const. Hist., i, 404, 405. Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville. p. + 356. + + 102 The sum of 100 marks of silver recorded (Pipe Roll, 31 Hen. I) as + having been paid for the shrievalty in 1130, appears to have been + more of the nature of a fine than a _firma_. + + 103 "Whereas from time immemorial there have been and of right ought to + be two sheriffs of this city, which said two sheriffs during all the + time aforesaid have constituted and of right ought to constitute one + sheriff of the county of Middlesex...."--Preamble to Act of Common + Council, 7th April, 1748, _re_ Nomination and election of Sheriffs. + Journal 59, fo. 130b. + + 104 Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, p. 357. Mr. Round's statements (_op. + cit._, Appendix P), that "this one _firma_ ... represents one + _corpus comitatus_, namely Middlesex, inclusive of London," and that + "from this conclusion there is no escape," are more capable of + refutation than he is willing to allow. + + M71 The citizens' right to elect their own Justiciar. + + 105 "It is probable that whilst the Sheriff in his character of Sheriff + was competent to direct the customary business of the Court, it was + in that of _justitia_ that he transacted business under the King's + writ."--Stubbs, Const. History, i, 389, note. + + 106 "Post hoc praedictus Justitiarius ... accessit ad Gildhalle + Londoniarum, et ibi tenuit placita de die in diem ... et + incontinenti ... ilia terminavit nullo juris ordine observato contra + leges civitatis et etiam contra leges et consuetudines cujuslibet + liberi hominis de regno Anglie. Quod vero cives semper + calumpniaverunt, dicentes quod nullus debet placitare in civitate de + transgressionibus ibidem factis nisi vicecomites Londoniarium."--Lib. + de Ant. (Camd. Soc.), p. 40. + + 107 Round. Geoffrey de Mandeville. pp. 107-113, 373, and Appendix K. + + M72 London and the election of Stephen, 1135 + + 108 Mat. Paris (Hist. Angl. i, 251), ascribes the incessant turmoil of + the latter part of the reign to the vengeance of the deity for this + breach of faith. + + 109 "Id quoque sui esse juris, suique specialiter privilegii, ut si rex + ipsorum quoquo moclo obiret, alius suo provisu in regno + substituendus e vestigio succederet."--Gesta Stephani (Rolls Series + No. 82), iii, 5-6. + + 110 "With the solemn independent election of a king, the great part + which London was to play in England's history had definitely + begun."--Green, London and her Election of Stephen. + + M73 Coronation of Stephen, December, 1135. + M74 A great Council held in London, April, 1136. + + 111 Gesta Stephani (Rolls Series No. 82). iii. 17. + + 112 Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, p. 18. + + M75 Arrival of the Empress Matilda in England. 1139. + M76 Attempted negotiations between Stephen and Matilda, May, 1140. + + 113 "Eodem anno in Pentecoste resedit rex Londoniae in Turri, episcopo + tantum modo Sagiensi praesente: ceteri vel fastidierunt vel timuerunt + venire. Aliquanto post, mediante legato, colloquium indictum est + inter imperatricem et regem. si forte Deo inspirante pax reformari + posset."--Malmesbury, Hist. Nov. (Rolls Series No. 90.), ii, 564. + + M77 Matilda formally acknowledged "Lady of England," 1141. + + 114 "Juravit et affidavit imperatrix episcopo quod omnia majora negotia + in Anglia praecipueque donationes episcopatuum et abbatiarum ejus + nutum spectarent, si eam ipse cum sancta ecclesia in dominam + reciperet et perpetuam ei fidelitatem teneret.... Nec dubitavit + episcopus imperatricem in dominam Angliae recipere, et ei cum + quibusdam suis affidare, quod, quamdiu ipsa pactem non infringeret + ipse quoque fidem ei custodiret."--_Id.,_ ii, 573. + + M78 A synod at Winchester, 7th April, 1141. + + 115 "Ventilata est hesterno die causa secreto coram majori parte cleri + Angliae ad cujus jus potissimum spectat principem eligere, simulque + ordinare."--_Id._, ii, 576. + + M79 The Londoners summoned to attend the synod. + M80 They arrive and request the king's release, 9th April, 1141. + + 116 "Missos se a communione quam vocant Londoniarum."--Malmesbury, (Hist. + Nov.), ii, 576. Exception may be taken to translating _communio_ as + 'commune'; but even if the municipal organization represented by the + French term _commune_ did not at this period exist in the City of + London in all its fulness, the "communal idea" appears to have been + there.--Stubbs, Const. Hist., i. 407. + + 117 "Omnes barones qui in eorum coramunionem jamdudum recepti + fuerant."--Malmesbury, _Ibid._ + + M81 Their request backed up by a letter from the Queen. + M82 The Londoners after much hesitation receive the Empress into their + city, June, 1141. + + 118 "Proficiscitur inde cum exultatione magna et gaudio, et in + monasterio Sancti Albani cum processionali suscipitur honore et + jubilo. Adeunt eam ibi cives multi ex Lundonia, tractatur ibi sermo + multimodus de reddenda civitate."--Contin. Flor. Wigorn. (Thorpe), + ii, 131. + + 119 "Erecta est autem in superbiam intolerabilem, quia suis incerta + belli prosperavissent."--Hen. of Huntingdon (Rolls Series No. 74), p. + 275. + + 120 "Infinitae copiae pecuniam, non simplici cum mansuetudine sed cum ore + imperioso ab eis exegit."--Gesta Stephani (Rolls Series No. 82), iii, + 75. + + 121 "Interpellata est a civibus, ut leges eis regis Edwardi observari + liceret, quia optimae erant, non patris sui Henrici quia graves + erant. Verum illa non bono usa consilio, prae nimia austeritate non + acquievit eis, unde et motus magnus factus in urbe; et facta + conjuratione adversus eam quam cum honore susceperunt. cum dedecore + apprehendere statuerunt."--Contin. Flor. Wigorn. (Thorpe), ii, 132. + + M83 The Empress forced to leave the city. + + 122 Malmesbury (Hist. Nov.), ii, 577-578. "Sed tandem a Londoniensibus + expulsa est in die Sancti Johannis Baptiste proximo sequenti"--Lib. + de Ant. (Camd. Soc), p. 197. + + 123 "Anno praedicto [_i.e._ 7 Stephen, A.D. 1141], statim in illa estate, + obsessa est Turris Lundoniarum a Londoniensibus, quam Willielmus + [_sic_] de Magnaville tenebat et firmaverat."--Lib. de Ant. (Camd. + Soc.), p. 197. From this it would appear that the father still held + the office of constable. A charter of the empress, however, which + Mr. Horace Round prints in his book on Geoffrey de Mandeville (pp. + 88, _seq._) points to the son as being constable at the time. + + M84 Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, and Constable of the Tower, + won over by the Empress. + + 124 Round, Geoffrey de Mandeville, pp. 88-95. + + M85 Forsakes the Empress for the Queen. + + 125 It is not to be supposed that the earl consented to assist the queen + without meeting with some return for his services, more especially + as the queen was prepared to go all lengths to obtain her husband's + liberty. See Round's Geoffrey de Mandeville, p. 119. + + M86 Capture of Winchester, and release of Stephen, Sept., 1141. + + 126 "Gaufrido de Mandevilla, qui jam iterum auxilio eorum cesserat, + antea enim post captionem regis imperatrici fidelitatem juraverat, + et Londoniensibus maxime annitentibus, nihilque omnino quod possent + praetermittentibus quo imperatricem contristarent."--Malmesbury (Hist. + Nov.), ii, 580. + + 127 "Magnae ex Lundoniis copiae."--Newburgh, Hist. Rerum. Angl. (Rolls + Series No. 82.), i, 42. "Cumque invicta Londoniensium + caterva."--Gesta Stephani (Rolls Series No. 82), iii, 80. The + Londoners sacked Winchester mercilessly. "Londonienses, cum maxima + militum regalium parte, modis horrendis Wintoniensem civitatem + expilavere."--Gesta Stephani, iii, 84. + + M87 His second charter to Mandeville. + + 128 The precedent thus set by Stephen, of submitting to the ceremony of + a second coronation after a period of captivity, was afterwards + followed by Richard I, on his return from captivity abroad. + + 129 This is the date assigned to the charter by Mr. Horace Round, + (Geoffrey de Mandeville, pp. 138-144). _Cf._ Appendix to 31st Report + of Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, p. 3. + + M88 London holds the balance between the rival powers. + + 130 The date assigned by Mr. Round to this charter is between Christmas, + 1141, and the end of June, 1142. + + 131 "Et convenciono eidem Gaufredo Comiti Essex quod dominus meus Comes + Andegavie vel ego vel filii nostri nullam pacem aut concordiam cum + Burgensibus Lund[oniae] faciemus, nisi concessu et assensu prae-dicti + Comitis Gaufredi quia inimici eius sunt mortales."--Round's Geoffrey + de Mandeville, p. 168. + + 132 Newburgh, Hist. Rerum Angl. (Rolls Series No. 82), i. 48. Henry of + Huntingdon (Rolls Series No. 74), p. 278. + + M89 Arrest of the earl, his freebooting life and death, September, 1143. + M90 Arrival of Henry of Anjou in England, 1153 + M91 Peace concluded between Stephen and Henry at Winchester, November, + 1153. + M92 Henry conducted to London. + + 133 Sometimes called the Treaty of Wallingford. + + 134 The general joy is depicted in glowing colours by Henry of + Huntingdon, (p. 289.) _Cf._ Anglo-Sax. Chron., ii., 235. + + M93 Fitz-Stephen's description of London. + + 135 Fitz-Stephen's Stephanides, Stow's Survey (Thoms's ed.), p. 208. + + M94 Thomas of London. + + 136 Freeman, Norman Conquest, v., 325. + + 137 A cartulary of the Mercers' Company contains a copy of a grant from + Thomas Fitz-Theobald to the hospital of St. Thomas of Acon of "all + that land, with the appurtenances, which was formerly of Gilbert + Becket, father of the Blessed Thomas the Martyr, Archbishop of + Canterbury, where the said Blessed Thomas the Martyr was born + (_duxit originem_), to build a church (_basilicam_) in honour of + Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the same most + glorious martyr."--Watney, Account of the Hospital of St. Thomas of + Acon (privately printed 1892), pp. 9, 237. + + 138 Liber Albus (Rolls Series), i, pp. 26, 27. + + M95 Charter of Henry II to the City of London. + + 139 This charter (with fragment of seal) is preserved at the Guildhall. + It bears no date, but appears to have been granted between 1154 and + 1161. + + M96 The Inquest of sheriffs, 1170. + + 140 Contin. Flor. Wigorn., ii, 138. + + M97 The revolt of the barons, 1174. + M98 Disturbances in the city, 1174-1177. + + 141 "De filiis et parentibus nobilium civitatis" and again "filii et + nepotes quorundam nobilium civium Londoniarum."--Benedict of + Peterborough (Rolls Series No. 49), ii, 155. + + 142 By a strange anomaly, a man who underwent ordeal by water was only + adjudged innocent if he sank to the bottom and was drowned. Hence + the old man's caution! + + M99 The last days of Henry II. 1177-1189. + M100 Accession of Richard I, and administration of Longchamp, 1189-1190. + + 143 Roger de Hoveden (Rolls Series No. 51), iii, 28. According to + Richard of Devizes (Rolls Series No. 82, iii, 387), Longchamp + obtained the chancellorship by bribery. + + 144 Benedict (Rolls Series No. 49). ii, 106. + + 145 -_Id._ ii, 143. + + M101 Longchamp opposed by Prince John, 1191. + M102 Arrival of Longchamp in London; the citizens divided, 7th October, + 1191. + + 146 -_Id._ ii, 158. + + 147 Preface to Roger de Hoveden, iii, p. lxxvii. Girald. Cambr. Vita + Galfridi (Rolls Series No. 21). iv, 397. + + 148 Richard of Devizes, iii, 414. Benedict, ii, 213. + + M103 John admitted into the city. + + 149 Ralph de Diceto (Rolls Series No. 68), ii, 99. Girald. Cambr. (Vita + Galfridi). iv, 397-398. Roger de Hoveden, iii. 140. + + M104 A meeting of barons and citizens in St. Paul's, 8 Oct., 1191. + M105 Longchamp deposed and John recognised as head of the kingdom. + + 150 Richard of Devizes. (Rolls Series No. 82), iii. 415. Benedict, 213. + Girald. Cambr. (Vita Galfridi), iv, 405. + + M106 John grants or confirms to the citizens their commune. + + 151 "Johannes comes frater regis et archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, et + omnes episcopi, comites et barones regni qui aderant, concesserunt + civibus Lundoniarum communam suam, et juraverunt quod ipsi eam et + dignitates civitatis Lundoniarum custodirent illibatas, quandiu regi + placuerit. Et cives Lundoniarum et epispcopi et comites et barones + juraverunt fidelitates regi Ricardo, et Johanni comiti de Meretone + fratri ejus salva fidelitate, et quod illum in dominum suum et regem + reciperent, si rex sine prole decesserit."--Benedict of Peterborough + (Rolls Series No. 49), ii, 214. _Cf._ Roger de Hovedene (Rolls + Series No. 51), iii, 141; Walter de Coventry (Rolls Series No. 58), + ii, 5-6. + + M107 Change of name from port-reeve to mayor. + + 152 -_Supra_ p. 49. + + 153 "In crastino vero convocatis in unum civibus, communione, vel ut + Latine minus vulgariter magis loquamur, communa seu communia eis + concessa et communiter jurata."--Vita Galfridi, iv, 405. + + 154 Const. Hist., i, 407. + + 155 Referring to the year 1191, he writes, "we have the date of the + foundation of the commune."--_Id._, i, 629. + + 156 "Concessa est ipsa die et instituta communia Londoniensium, in quam + universi regni magnates et ipsi etiam ipsius provinciae episcopi + jurare coguntur. Nunc primum in indulta sibi conjuratione regno + regem deesse cognovit Londonia quam nec rex ipse Ricardus, nec + praedecessor et pater ejus Henricus, pro mille millibus marcarum + argenti fieri permisisset. Quanta quippe mala ex conjuratione + proveniant ex ipsa poterit diffinitione perpendi, quae talis + est--communia tumor plebis, timor regni, tepor sacerdotii."--Chron. + Stephen, Hen. II, Ric. I (Rolls Series No. 82), iii, 416. + + M108 Change of name from port-reeve to mayor. + + 157 "It is impossible to avoid a suspicion," writes Bishop Stubbs, "that + the disappearance of the port-reeve and other changes in the + municipal government, signify a civic revolution, the history of + which is lost."--Const. Hist., i, 406n. + + M109 When did the change take place? + + 158 Merewether and Stephens, Hist. of Boroughs (1835), i, 384. No + authority, however, is given for this statement. + + 159 The entire MS. was published in Latin by the Camden Society in 1846; + and a translation of the original portion of the work was afterwards + made by the late Mr. H. T. Riley, under the title "Chronicles of the + Mayors and Sheriffs of London, A.D. 1188 to A.D. 1274." + + 160 "The correct date of the accession of Richard has never been + ascertained. No records appear to be extant to fix the commencement + of the reign of any king before the accession of John."--Nicholas, + Chronology of Hist., p. 285. + + 161 Fos. 45, 63 and 63b. + + M110 Arnald Fitz-Thedmar, the compiler of the _Liber de Antiquis_. + + 162 Or simply Thedmar. + + 163 It is thus that Riley reads the word which to me appears to be + capable of being read "Grennigge." + + 164 Calendar of Wills. Court of Husting, London, part. I., p. 22. From + another Will, that of Margery, relict of Walter de Wynton, and one + of Fitz-Thedmar's sisters--she is described as daughter of "Thedmar, + the Teutonic"--it appears that other sisters of Fitz-Thedmar married + into the well-known city families of Eswy and Gisors.--_Id._, part i, + p. 31. + + 165 "Ibi etiam dispositium est, penes quem pecunia collata debeat + residere: scilicet sub custodia Huberti Walteri Cantuariensis + electi, et domini Ricardi Lundoniensis episcopi, et Willelmi comitis + de Arundel et Hamelini comitis de Warenna et majoris + Lundoniarum."--Roger de Hoveden (Rolls Series No. 51), iii, 212. + + M111 The title of Mayor, first mentioned in a Royal Charter of 1202. + + 166 Preserved at the Guildhall. + + M112 Richard's return from captivity, March, 1194. + + 167 Ralph de Diceto (Rolls Series No. 68), ii, p. 114. + + 168 "Denique ad ingressum principis ita ornata est facies amplissimae + civitatis ut Alemanni nobiles qui cum ipso venerant et redemptione + regia exinanitam bonis Angliam credebant opum magnitudine + obstupescerent."--William of Newburgh (Rolls Series No. 82), i, p. + 406. + + M113 Is crowned for the second time. + M114 The custom of the Mayor assisting the Chief Butler at coronation + banquets. + + 169 "Cives vero Lundonienses servierunt de pincernaria, et cives + Wintonienses de coquina."--Roger de Hoveden (Rolls Series No. 51), + iii, 12. + + 170 Brit. Mus., Harl. MS. 3,504, fo. 248. + + M115 Heavy taxation. + + 171 "Si invenissem emptorem Londoniam vendidissem."--Richard of Devizes + (Rolls Series No. 82), iii, 388. + + M116 The rising in the city under Longbeard. 1196. + + 172 "Frequentius enim solito . . imponebantur eis auxilia non modica et + divites, propriis parcentes marsupiis volebant ut pauperes solverent + universa."--Roger de Hoveden (Rolls Series No. 51), iv. 5. "Ad omne + edictum regium divites, propriis fortunis parcentes, pauperibus per + potentiam omne onus imponerent."--Newburgh, (Rolls Series No. 82), + ii. 466. + + 173 Newburgh, ii., 466. + + 174 Mat. Paris, ii, 57. A similar character is given him by Roger de + Hoveden. Dr. S. R. Gardiner describes him as an alderman of the + city, and as advocating the cause of the poor artisan against the + exactions of the wealthier traders.--Students' History of England, i, + 169. + + 175 "Pauperum et veritatis ac pietatis adversarii."--Mat. Paris, ii. 57. + + 176 Newburgh, ii, 470. + + 177 "And for the time," adds Dr. Gardiner, "the rich tradesmen had their + way against the poorer artisans."--Students' History of England, i, + 170. + + M117 Richard's so-called second charter ordering the removal of wears in + the Thames, 14 July, 1197. + M118 First mention of a deliberative municipal body in the city, 1200. + + 178 Chronicles of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 2. + + M119 The council held at St. Paul's, 25th Aug., 1213. + + 179 Freeman, Norman Conquest, v, 709. + + 180 Mat. Paris, ii, 143. Roger of Wendover (Rolls Series No. 84), ii, + 83-87. + + 181 -_Id._ ii, 146. + + M120 Meeting of the barons at Bury St. Edmunds, 1214. + + 182 -_Id._ ii, 153. + + 183 Ann. of Bermondsey (Rolls Series No. 36), in, 453. + + M121 Open hostility between John and the barons, 1215. + + 184 Mat. Paris, ii, 154-156. + + M122 Robert Fitz-Walter, castellain of London. + + 185 As to the services and franchises of Fitz-Walter, both in time of + peace and war, see Lib. Cust., (Rolls Series), part i, pp. 147-151. + + 186 Introd. to Lib. Cust, p. lxxvii. + + M123 Duties of the castellain of the City in time of war. + + 187 The sword of St. Paul, emblematic possibly of his martyrdom, still + remains in the City's coat of arms. It has often been mistaken for + the dagger with which Sir William Walworth is said to have killed + Wat Tyler. + + M124 Feud between Fitz-Walter and King John. + + 188 The story is told in Mr. Riley's Introduction to the Liber + Custamarum (p. lxxix), on the authority of the Chronicle of Dunmow. + + 189 He is said to have made a similar attempt upon the wife of Eustace + de Vesci, a leading baron.--(Blackstone, Introd. to Magna Carta, pp. + 289, 290). + + M125 The Barons admitted into the City, May, 1215. + + 190 Mat. Paris, ii, 156. A different complexion, however, is put on this + event by another chronicler. According to Walter de Coventry (Rolls + Series, No. 58, ii, 220) the barons made their way into the City by + stealth, scaling the walls at a time when most of the inhabitants + were engaged in divine service, and having once gained a footing + opened all the City gates one after another. + + 191 By charter, date 8th May, 1215, preserved at the Guildhall. + + 192 Mat. Paris, ii, 159, 161, 164, 186. + + 193 Roger of Wendover (Rolls Series No. 84), ii, 117. + + M126 The city and Magna Carta, 15th June, 1215. + + 194 Stubbs, Select Charters, p. 298. + + 195 "Moram autem faciebant barones in civitate Londoniae per annum et + amplius cum civibus confoederati, permittentes se nullam pacem + facturos cum rege nisi assensu utriusque partis."--Annals of Waverley + (Rolls Series No. 36), ii, 283. + + M127 Open war between John and the barons. + + 196 Mat. Paris, ii, 161, 165. + + M128 London under an interdict. + + 197 Contin. Flor. Wigorn. ii, 167, 171. Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, + p. 3. + + M129 The arrival of the Dauphin, May, 1216. + M130 Death of John, 19th October, 1216. + + 198 Mat. Paris, ii, p. 179. + + 199 Confession of the Vicomte de Melun.--Mat. Paris, ii, 187. + + M131 The barons desert Louis. + + 200 Mat. Paris, ii, 200. + + 201 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 4. + + M132 Defeat of Louis at Lincoln, 20th May, 1217. + M133 Fitz-Walter and Muntfichet made prisoners. + + 202 Strype, Stow's Survey, 1720, Bk. i, p. 62. They had settled in + Holborn soon after their arrival in 1220. + + 203 Mat. Paris, ii, 385. + + M134 London invested by the Earl Marshal. + + 204 -_Id._, ii, 218, 220. + + M135 Treaty of Lambeth, 11th Sept., 1217. + + 205 Liber de Ant. fol. 38. According to this authority (fol. 38b), the + peace was ratified 23rd September, at Merton. + + 206 Mat. Paris, ii, 222. + + 207 Often spoken of as the Treaty of Lambeth (Rymer's Foedera, i, 148.) + + M136 Departure of Louis after borrowing a sum of money from the citizens. + + 208 The sum mentioned by Matthew Paris (ii. 224) is L5,000 sterling, but + according to a marginal note in the Liber de Ant. (fol. 39) it would + appear to have been only L1,000, which, according to the compiler of + that record, Louis repaid the Londoners as soon as he arrived home, + out of pure generosity (_mera liberalitate sua_). On the other hand, + Matthew Paris (ii, 292) under the year 1227, narrates that Henry + extorted from the citizens of London 5,000 marks of silver, on the + ground that that was the sum paid by the Londoners to Louis on his + departure, to the king's prejudice. + + 209 Walter of Coventry. (Rolls Series No. 58), ii, 239. + + M137 Attempt by Constantine Fitz-Athulf or Olaf, to raise a cry in favour + of Louis, 1222. + + 210 Mat. Paris, ii, 251, 252. + + 211 Roger of Wendover, (Rolls Series No. 84), ii, 265, 267. + + 212 Probably Saint Giles in the Fields, a hospital founded by Matilda, + wife of Henry I. + + 213 "Cives autem Londonienses, qui eundem H[ubertum] propter suspendium + Constantini oderant, laetati sunt de tribulalionibus suis, et ilico + conquesti sunt de eo, quod concivem suum injuste suspendit, et + absque judicio."--Mat. Paris, ii, 345. + + 214 -_Id._, ii, 346, 347. Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 6, 7. + + M138 The foreign element in the country. + + 215 "Dicebabur enim ... quod alienigenae qui plus regni perturbationem + desiderabant quam pacem, praefatum comitem Cestriae ad domini sui + regis infestationem et regni inquietationem inducere + conarentur."--Walter of Coventry, ii, 251. + + 216 Mat. Paris, ii, 382, 384, iii, 90. + + 217 Freeman, Norman Conquest, v, 469, 470. "Et quia communitas nostra + sigillum non habet, praesentes literas signo communitatis civitatis + Londoniarum vestrae sanctitati mittimus consignatas."--Mat. Paris, + iii, 17. + + M139 The city's struggle against encroachment by the king. + + 218 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 7, 8. + + M140 The city "taken into the king's hand" on the most frivolous + pretences. + + 219 French Chronicle (Camden Soc., No. 28), ed. by Aungier (Riley's + translation), pp. 241-244. + + 220 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 11. + + 221 -_Id._, pp. 13, 14, 16. + + 222 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 16, 17, 61. Mat. Paris, iii., 62, + 80-81. + + M141 Money extorted from the Jews as well as the citizens for payment of + the king's tradesmen. + + 223 Mat. Paris, ii, 323. + + 224 "Quia dominus rex obligabatur de debitis non minimis erga mercatores + de vino, de cera, de pannis ultramarinis, a civibus pecuniam multam + extorsit et Judaeis, nec tamen inde mercatores plenam pacationem + receperunt."--Mat. Paris, ii, 496. + + 225 "Cives tanien videntes aliud sibi non expedire, omnia benigne + remiserunt."--Mat. Paris, iii, 72. + + 226 -_Id._, iii, 43. + + M142 The coronation of king and queen, 1236. + + 227 Ann. of Worcester (Rolls Series No. 36), iv., 407. + + 228 "Unde, ne exorta contentione laetitia nuptialis nubilaretur, salvo + cujuslibet jure, multa ad horam perpessa sunt, quae in tempore + opportuno fuerant determinanda."--Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl., ed. 1684, + P. 355. _Cf._ City Records, Liber Ordinationum, fo. 193 b. Brit. + Mus. Cotton MS. Vespasian, C. xiv. fos. 113-114. + + M143 The king's custom of formally taking leave of his citizens before + going abroad. + + 229 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 9, 20, 45, 53. + + 230 -_Id._, p. 21. + + M144 The Mad Parliament, 11th June, 1258. + + 231 An early instance of this parliament being so designated is found in + the _Liber de Antiquis_ of the City's Records (fol. 75b.) where the + words _insane parliamentum_ occur. + + 232 This agreement between the king and barons is termed a "Charter" by + Fitz-Thedmar, who says it bore the seals of the king and of many + barons.--Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 41. + + M145 The Citizens throw in their lot with the Barons. + M146 Hugh Bigod the baron's justiciar in the city, 1258. + + 233 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 43. + + M147 The king takes leave of the citizens. November, 1259. + + 234 -_Id._, pp. 33-39. + + 235 -_Id._, pp. 45, 46. + + M148 The king's return from abroad, April, 1260. + + 236 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 47. + + 237 -_Id._, p. 52. + + 238 The Bull was confirmed by Alexander's successor Pope Urban IV. and + the later Bull was read at Paul's Cross, by the king's orders in the + following year (1262), _Id._, p. 53. + + M149 The king summoned to observe the Provisions of Oxford. 1263. + + 239 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 56. + + 240 -_Id._, p. 57. + + M150 Arrangements made between the king, the barons, and the city, July, + 1263. + + 241 -_Id._, p. 58. + + M151 Organization of the Craft Guilds under Fitz-Thomas the Mayor. 1262. + + 242 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 59. "A similar uprising of the + middle class of citizens was taking place about this period in other + towns. They are spoken of by chroniclers of the same stamp as + Fitz-Thedmar as ribald men who proclaimed themselves 'bachelors,' + and banded themselves together to the prejudice of the chief men of + the towns (_majores urbium et burgorum_)"--Chron. of Thomas Wykes + (Rolls Series No. 36), iv, 138. + + 243 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 59-60. + + M152 The movement favoured by the barons. + + 244 -_Id._, p. 60. + + M153 The queen insulted by the citizens, 13th July, 1263. + + 245 Ann. of Dunstaple (Rolls Series No. 36). iii. 222-223. Chron. of + Thos. Wykes (_Ibid_) iv, 136. Rishanger (Rolls Series No. 28, ii, + 18), places this event after the Mise of Amiens (23rd Jan., 1264). + + 246 Annales Londonienses.--Chron. Edward I and II (Rolls Series No. 76) + i, 60. + + 247 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 62. + + M154 The Mise of Amiens. 23rd Jan., 1264 + + 248 -_Id._, pp. 64, 65. + + M155 League between the citizens of London and the barons. + + 249 Ann. of Dunstaple. iii, 230, 231. + + M156 The Battle of Lewes, 14th May, 1264. + + 250 The number of Londoners who accompanied Leicester to Lewes is not + given. Thomas Wykes mentions it to have been very large, for the + reason that the number of fools is said to be infinite! "Quo + comperto comes Leycestriae glorians in virtute sua, congregata + baronum multitudine copiosa, Londoniensium innumerabili agmine + circumcinctus, quia legitur stultorum infinitus est numerus."--(Rolls + Series No. 36), iv, 148. + + 251 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 66; Ann. of Dunstaple, iii, 232; + Thos. Wykes, iv, 149, 150; Rishanger (Rolls Series No. 28), 27. + + M157 The Mise of Lewes. + + 252 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 67. + + 253 -_Id._, p. 74. + + M158 Meeting of Simon de Montfort's Parliament, 20th Jan., 1265. + + 254 Fitz-Thedmar gives the number of representatives of each city and + borough as four: "De qualitet civitate et burgo iiii + homines."--Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 75. + + 255 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 77. This anecdote is inserted in + the margin of Fitz-Thedmar's chronicle, the writer expressing his + horror at the "wondrous and unheard of" conduct of "this most + wretched mayor." + + M159 Jealousy between the Earls of Leicester and Gloucester. + + 256 The story is told by Thos. Wykes. (Rolls Series No. 36), iv, 163. + + M160 The Battle of Evesham, 4th August, 1265. + + 257 Lib. de. Ant. fo. 94b. + + 258 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 119. Circumstantially as the + chronicler relates the story, he appears only to have inserted it as + an after-thought. Mr. Loftie (Hist, of London, i, 151), suggests + that possibly the news of Fitz-Thomas' death might have been the + occasion of its insertion. + + M161 The city taken into the king's hands from 1265 to 1270. + + 259 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's Transl.), p. 235. + + M162 Threat of the king to subdue the city by force. + + 260 "His lordship the king had summoned to Wyndleshores all the earls, + barons, [and] knights, as many as he could, with horses and arms, + intending to lay siege to the City of London [and] calling the + citizens his foes."--Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 81. + + 261 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 82. + + M163 Fitz-Thomas and others summoned to Windsor. + + 262 At one time the parish of All Hallows Barking is spoken of as being + in the County of Middlesex, at another as being within the + City--Hust. Roll. 274, (10), (12). + + M164 The fate of Fitz-Thomas unknown. + + 263 In narrating this, Fitz-Thedmar again discloses his aristocratic + proclivities by remarking, "Such base exclamations did the fools of + the vulgar classes give utterance to" on this occasion, viz., the + election of William Fitz-Richard as Sheriff of Middlesex and Warden + of London.--Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 90, 91. + + M165 The city taken into the king's hand, 1265. + + 264 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 83, 85. + + M166 London Bridge bestowed on the queen. + + 265 "Regina etiam rogavit pro Londoniensibus de quibus rex plures + recepit ad pacem suam."--Ann. of Winchester (Rolls Series, No. 36), + ii, 103. + + 266 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 146, 147. + + M167 The Earl of Gloucester master of the city, April, 1267. + + 267 Ann. of Dunstaple. (Rolls Series, No. 36), iii, 245. + + 268 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 95. The citizens appear to have + been divided, as indeed they often were, on the question of + admitting the Earl. + + 269 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 95, 97. + + 270 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 96. + + M168 Terms arranged between Gloucester and the king, 16th June, 1267. + + 271 -_Id._, pp. 97, 100. + + M169 Charter of Henry III, 26th March, 1268. + + 272 Dated "Est Ratford," 16th June, 1267. Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, + pp. 98-100. + + 273 Dated 26th March, 1268. The original is preserved at the Guildhall + (Box No. 3). A copy of it, inserted in the Lib. de Ant. (fo. 108b), + has the following heading:--"Carta domini regis quam fecit civibus + Lond', _sub spe inveniendi ab eo meliorem gratiam_," the words in + italics being added by a later hand. + + M170 The city recovers its rights to elect mayor and sheriffs, 1270. + + 274 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 113. Ann. of Waverley (Rolls + Series No. 36), ii, 375. + + 275 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 129. + + M171 The sheriff's ferm increased to L400. + + 276 Lib. de Ant., fo. 120. + + M172 Election of John Adrian, Mayor, 1270. + + 277 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 129-130. + + M173 Election of Hervy, 1272, disputed. + + 278 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 153. + + M174 Appeal made by both parties to the king's council. + M175 The king's illness and death, 16th November, 1272. + + 279 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 154, 159. + + M176 Fitz-Thedmar's prejudice against Hervy. + + 280 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 164. + + 281 The series of Husting Rolls for Pleas of Land, preserved at the + Guildhall, commence in the mayoralty of Hervy's successor. + + 282 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 205-208. + + M177 Hervy's so-called "charter" to the guilds. + + 283 What Fitz-Thedmar means when he says (Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, + p. 171), that "only one part of the seal of the Commonalty of + London" was appended to Hervy's so-called "charter" is hard to + determine. The common seal of the city was at this period in the + custody of the mayor for the time being. Under Edward II, it was for + the first time entrusted to two aldermen and two commoners for safe + keeping.--City Records, Letter Book D, fo. 145b. _Cf._ Ordinances of + Edward II, A.D. 1319. + + 284 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 169-171. + + M178 Dispute between Hervy and the Mayor, 1274. + M179 Charges against Hervy for acts done during his mayoralty. + M180 Is discharged from his aldermanry. + + 285 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 173-5. + + M181 The after-results of the policy of Hervy and Fitz-Thomas. + + 286 "Et quod nullus alienigena in libertatem civitatis praedictae + admittatur nisi in Hustengo ... et si non sint de certo mestero, + tune in libertatem civitatis ejusdem non admittentur sine assensu + communitatis civitatis illius."--Lib. Custumarum (Rolls Series), pt. + 1, pp. 269-270. + + 287 "The establishment of the corporate character of the city under a + mayor marks the victory of the communal principle over the more + ancient shire organisation, which seems to have displaced early in + the century the complicated system of guild and franchise. It also + marks the triumph of the mercantile over the aristocratic + element."--Stubbs, Const. Hist., i, 630, 631. + + 288 "The guilds continued to elect until 1384, when the right of + election was again transferred to the wards." City Records, Letter + Book H, fos. 46b, 173. + + M182 Arrival of Edward I, in London, 18th August, 1274. + + 289 Chron. Edward I and II. (Rolls Series No. 76), i, 84. Chron. of T. + Wykes (Rolls Series No. 36) iv, p. 259. + + 290 Dated from "Caples in the land of Labour" (_Caples in terra + laboris_) or Capua, 19th January, 1273. This letter was publicly + read in the Guildhall on the 25th March following.--Chron. of Mayors + and Sheriffs, p. 163. + + M183 Edward's hereditary right to the crown clearly acknowledged. + + 291 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 161. + + M184 Four citizens to be sent to confer with Edward at Paris, 3rd April, + 1274. + + 292 -_Id._, p. 172. + + M185 The object of the conference. + + 293 -_.Id_, pp. 132, 140-2. + + 294 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 143-4. + + M186 Interruption of trade between England and Flanders. + + 295 -_Id._, pp. 145, 146. + + 296 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 147, 148. + + 297 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 149, 150. + + M187 Writ for the expulsion of all Flemings, 8th Sept., 1273. + + 298 -_Id._, p. 165. + + M188 Negotiations opened with Edward at Paris for peace with Flanders. + M189 Particulars of the four citizens sent to confer with the king at + Paris. + + 299 -A.D. 1279. "Eodem anno escambia et novae monetae extiterunt levata + apud turrim Londoniensem; et Gregorius de Roqesle major monetae per + totam Angliam."--Chron. Edw. I and II. (Rolls Series No. 76. i. + 88).--Aungier Fr. Chron. (Transl.) p. 239. + + 300 The name of John Horn with the addition. "Flemyng" occurs in the + 14th cent.--Hust. Roll. 64 (67), 81 (74). + + M190 Peace concluded between England and Flanders, July, 1274. + + 301 For one month after the Feast of St. Botolph the Abbot [17 June], + the Court of Husting in London was closed, owing to the absence of + citizens attending the fair. The right of appointing their own + officers to settle disputes arising at the fair was granted to the + citizens of London at the close of the Barons' War.--Chron. of Mayors + and Sheriffs, p. 176. + + 302 Peace was signed before the end of July.--Rymer's Foedera, (ed. 1816), + vol. i. pt. 2, p. 513. + + M191 Strong Government of the city under Edward I. + + 303 A series of MS. books extending from A.D. 1275 to 1688, deriving + their title from the letters of the alphabet with which they are + distinguished, A, B, C, &c, AA, BB, CC, &c. We are further aided by + chronicles of the reigns of Edward I and II, edited by Bishop Stubbs + for the Master of the Rolls. A portion of these chronicles the + editor has fitly called "Annales Londonienses." There is even reason + for believing them to have been written by Andrew Horn, citizen and + fishmonger, as well as eminent jurist of his day. He died soon after + the accession of Edward III. and by his will, dated 9th Oct., 1328, + (Cal. of Wills, Court of Husting, i, 344) bequeathed to the city + many valuable legal and other treatises, only one of which (known to + this day as "Liber Horn,") is preserved among the archives of the + Corporation. + + M192 The necessity for an immediate supply of money. + + 304 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, p. 239. + + 305 Stubbs, Select Charters, p. 447. + + 306 Chron. Edward I and II, (Rolls Series). Introd. vol. i, p. xxxiii. + + M193 The so-called Parliament at Shrewsbury. 1283. + + 307 -_Id._, i, 92. + + 308 Contin. Flor. Wigorn., ii, 229. 230. Tho. Wykes (Ann. Monast. Rolls + Series No. 36), iv, 294. Ann. of Worcester (_Ibid_), iv, 486. Walter + de Heminburgh (Eng. Hist. Soc.), ii, 13. + + M194 Ralph Crepyn and Laurence Duket. + + 309 They were, in the language of Stow, "hanged by the purse." (Survey, + Thoms' ed., p. 96). _Cf._ "He was hanged by the nek and nought by + the purs." (Chaucer, Cook's Tale. l. 885). The story is recorded in + Aungier's French Chron. (Riley's translation), p. 240; and in Chron. + Edward I and II (Rolls Series i, 92-93). + + M195 Legislative enactments of 1285. + + 310 Stubbs, Select Charters, pp. 472-474. + + 311 Letter Book C, fo. 52. Riley's Memorials, p. 21. + + M196 The justiciars at the Tower, 1285 + M197 The customary procedure when the citizens waited on the justices at + the Tower. + + 312 Rolls Series, i, 51-60. _Cf._ Lib. Ordinationum, fos. 154b, _seq._ + + M198 The city declared to be taken into the king's hand. + + 313 The circumstances of Rokesley's visit to the justices at the Tower + are set out in the city's "Liber Albus" (i, 16), from a MS. of + Andrew Horn, no longer preserved at the Guildhall. The story also + appears in Chron. Edward I and II (Rolls Series No. 76), i, 94. + + M199 For thirteen years the city governed by a _custos_ instead of a + mayor. + + 314 In 1293 the king appointed Elias Russell and Henry le Bole his + "improvers" (_appropriatores_) in the city:--Chron. Edward I and II, + (Rolls Series No. 76, i, 102). Their duties were practically + identical with those of sheriffs, and Bishop Stubbs places a + marginal note over against the appointment,--"Sheriffs appointed by + the king." Walter Hervy is recorded as having removed certain stones + near Bucklersbury when he was "improver" of the city (Letter Book A, + fo. 84. Riley's Memorials, p. 25). This was probably done in 1268, + when the city was in the king's hand, and Hervy and William de + Durham were appointed bailiffs "without election by the + citizens."--Chron. Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 112, 113. + + M200 Both the king and the city in straits for money, 1289-1290. + + 315 Letter Book A, fo. 132b. + + 316 -_Id._, fo. 110. + + 317 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 98. + + M201 The king's difficulties increased by the expulsion of the Jews, + 1290. + + 318 Letter Book A, fo. 95. Riley's Memorials, p. 26. + + 319 "From the very day of his accession, Edward was financially in the + hands of the Lombard bankers; hence arose, no doubt, the difficulty + which he had in managing the City of London; hence came also the + financial mischief which followed the banishment of the Jews; and + hence an accumulation of popular discontent, which showed itself in + the king's lifetime by opposition to his mercantile policy, and, + after his death, supplied one of the most efficient means for the + overthrow of his son."--Chron. Edward I and II. Introd. vol. i, pp. + c, ci. + + M202 Edward's domestic troubles of 1290. + M203 Seizure of treasure in monastries and churches, 1294. + + 320 Writ to the Sheriff of Middlesex, dated 2nd Jan., 1293. Letter Book + B, fo. 25. Contin. Flor. Wigorn., ii, 266. + + 321 Ann. of Dunstaple (Rolls Series No. 36), iii, 390. The chronicler + acquits the king of complicity in this sacrilege. + + 322 Contin. Flor. Wigorn., ii, 274. + + M204 The city furnishes ships and men for the defence of the coast 1295, + 1296. + + 323 Letter Book C. fo. 20. + + 324 -_Id._, fos. 21b, 22. (Riley's Memorials, pp. 31-33). Liber Custum., + i, 72-76. + + M205 The subjection of Scotland, 1296. + + 325 Chron. of Walter de Hemingburgh (Eng. Hist. Soc.), ii. 108, 109. + + M206 The parliament of Bury St. Edmund's, 3rd Nov., 1296. + + 326 Letter Book C, fo. 22b. + + 327 By the bull _Clericis Laicos_, Boniface VIII had recently forbidden + the clergy to pay taxes to any layman.--Chron. of Walter de + Hemingburgh (Eng. Hist. Soc.), ii, 113-116. + + 328 Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 130, 131, 134. + + M207 Edward's altercation with Roger Bigod, Feb., 1297. + + 329 Chron. of Walter de Hemingburgh, ii, 121. + + M208 The "Confirmatio Cartarum," Oct. 1297. + + 330 -_Id._, ii, 126, 127. + + 331 -_Id._, ii, 149, 151. + + M209 The mayoralty restored to the city, 11th April, 1298. + + 332 Letter Book B, fo. xxxvii (101b). + + 333 Preserved among the City Archives (Box 26). _Cf._ Letter Book C, fo. + xxiv, b. + + 334 Letter Book B, fo. 93. + + M210 Suppression of the Scottish rising under Wallace, 1298, 1304. + + 335 Letter Book C, fo. 24. (Riley's Memorials, 37). + + 336 Strictly speaking, a talliage could only be charged on the king's + demesnes, and these did not include the City of London. + + 337 Chron. Edward I and II (Rolls Series), i, 132. + + M211 Wallace brought to London, 22 Aug., 1305. + + 338 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's Transl.), 247. Chron. Edward I and II + (Rolls Series), i, 139. + + M212 Knighthood conferred on John le Blound, the mayor, and others, May + 1306. + + 339 Chron. Edward I and II (Rolls Series), i, 146. Hemingburgh ii, 248. + + 340 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's Transl.), 247 n. + + M213 Death of the king, 7th July, 1307. + M214 The accession of Edward II. + + 341 "Tunc visa est Londonia quasi nova Jerusalem monilibus + ornata."--Chron. Edward I and II (Rolls Series No. 76), i, 152. + + 342 "Ad quam coronationem major, aldermanni et cives Londoniarum induti + samiteis et sericeis vestimentis et ex armis Angliae et Franciae + depictis, coram rege et regina Karolantes, et servi civium ad illud + festum, ut moris est, de cupa servientes, omnibus intuentibus + inauditum proviserunt gaudium."--_Id. ibid._ + + M215 The king's foreign favourites. + + 343 Letter Book C, fo. 93 (Riley's Memorials, p. 64). + + 344 Letter Book D, fo. 96 (Memorials, pp. 69-71). + + 345 Letter Book C, fo. 97 b (Memorials, p. 69). + + 346 Letter Book D, fo. 104 (Memorials, pp. 72-74). + + M216 The Ordainers and their work, 1308-1311. + + 347 Chron. of Mayors and Sheriffs, pp. 224-225. + + 348 Letter Book D, fo. 147b. + + M217 The City's gift of 1,000 marks to assist the king against Scotland, + March, 1311. + + 349 -_Id._, fo. 125b. + + M218 Richer de Refham, Mayor, 1310-1311. + + 350 "Eodem anno (_i.e._ 1302), die Lunae ivto Kalendas Februarii, + restitutus est Richerus de Refham in honore aldermanniae Londoniarum, + et factus est aldermannus de Warda de Basseishawe."--Chron. Edward I + and II, i, 104. + + 351 Among those who were called to account was a woman remarkable for + her name--"Sarra la Bredmongesterre." A selection of the cases + enquired into is printed in Riley's Memorials, pp. 86-89. + + 352 "Sed quia idem Richerus fuerat austerus et celer ad justitiam + faciendam nulli parcendo, et quia fecit imprisonare Willelmum de + Hakford, mercer, ideo dictus W, et sui complices insurrexerunt in + ipsum et ideo depositus fuit ab officio majoris et postea + aldermanniae suae."--Chron. Edw. I and II, i, 175-176. + + M219 The fall of Gaveston. + + 353 Letter Book D, fo. 142. + + 354 -_Id._, fos. 142b-143b (Memorials pp. 93-98.) + + 355 -_Id._, fos. 142b, 143b, 145b. + + 356 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 203. + + 357 Lib. de Antiq., fo. 43b. Aungier's Fr. Chron. (Riley's Transl.), p. + 250. + + 358 Letter Book C, fo. 45. + + 359 Letter Book C, fo. 92b (Memorials p. 63). + + M220 Parliament at London. August, 1312. + + 360 The city chose as its representatives, Nicholas de Farendone, John + de Wengrave, and Robert de Kelleseye. Letter Book D. fos. 149b, 151, + 151b. + + 361 -_Id._, fos. 151b, 152 (Memorials pp. 102-104.) + + M221 The birth of a prince, 13 Nov., 1312. + + 362 -_Id._, fo. 168 (Memorials, pp. 105-106). + + M222 The question of the king's rights to talliage the city, 1312-1314. + + 363 Letter Book D, fos. 164, 164b. + + 364 Letter Book E, fo. 18. (Memorials, pp. 108-110). + + M223 The renewal of the war with Scotland, 1314. + + 365 Letter Book D, fo. 165. + + 366 Chron. Edward I and II, ii, 55, 56. + + 367 Letter Book E, fo. 84. (Memorials, pp. 128-129). + + M224 Dissension in the city, 1318-1319. + + 368 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 285. + + M225 Articles for the better government of the city confirmed by the + king, 8th June, 1319. + + 369 Aungier's French Chron. (Riley's translation), p. 252. + + 370 Lib. Cust. (Rolls Series) i, 269. + + 371 Dated York, 8th June, 1319. These letters patent are preserved at + the Guildhall (Box No. 4). Ten days later [18th June] Edward granted + an ample inspeximus charter to the city, the original of which does + not appear among the archives. _See_ Lib. Cust. i, pp. 255-273. + + 372 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's translation), p. 253. + + 373 In this year [1318-19] the new charter was confirmed by the king, + and cost L1,000. _Id._, p. 252. + + M226 The Iter at the Tower of 1321. + + 374 Chron. Edward I and II, Introd., vol. ii, p. lxxxiv. + + 375 Lib. Cust. (Rolls Series) i, 285-432. + + 376 Rolls Series i, 51-60. Copies of the Ordinances are also to be found + in the Liber Horn (fos. 209, _seq._) and Liber Ordinationum (fos. + 154b _seq._) of the city's archives. + + M227 Complaint of negligence of duty by the sheriffs. + + 377 Lib. Cust. i, 289, 308. + + M228 The city claims to record its custom by mouth of the Recorder. + + 378 Lib. Cust., i, 296. + + M229 the 4th day of the Iter. + + 379 -_Id._, i, 308-322. + + 380 -_Id._, i, 322-324. + + 381 -_Id._, i, 324-325. + + M230 The 9th day of the Iter. + + 382 -_Id._, i, 347-362. + + 383 "Et fuit illo die post horam vesperarum antequam Justiciarii et + duodenae perfiniebant; sed neminem eodem die indictaverunt."--Lib. + Cust., i, 366. + + M231 Indictment against a late mayor. + + 384 Lib. Cust., i, 371-374. + + M232 The city taken into the king's hand. + + 385 -_Id._, i, 378. Chron. Edward I and II, i, 291. Aungier, Fr. Chron., + p. 253. + + M233 Adjournment of the Iter over Easter. + M234 Sudden change in the attitude of the judges after Easter. + + 386 "Qui cum quasi leones parati ad praedam ante Pascham extitissent, + nunc, versa vice, quasi agni vicissim facti sunt."--Lib. Cust., i, + 383-384. + + M235 Andrew Horn appears as counsel for the City. + M236 The indictment brought against the Constable of the Tower. + + 387 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 216, 272. + + 388 Lib. Cust., i, 408, 409. + + M237 The Iter brought to a sudden termination. 4 July, 1321. + + 389 -_Id._, i, 425. + + M238 The mayoralty restored to the city. + + 390 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 291. The precise date of his election is + not known. Bishop Stubbs, in his introduction to the Chronicle cited + (i, p. lxxxii), states it to have taken place in January. This can + hardly have been the case, inasmuch as the city had not been taken + into the king's hands before the middle of February--forty-one days + after the commencement of the Iter. See Lib. Cust. i, p. 378. + + M239 The City promises to support the king, July, 1321. + + 391 Letter Book E, fos. 119b-120 (Memorials, pp. 142-144). + + M240 Letter from the Earl of Hereford and the City's reply. + + 392 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 293, 296. + + M241 Terms arranged between the king and the lords, 14 August. + + 393 -_Id._, i, 297. + + M242 Chigwell continued in the mayoralty. + + 394 Dated, Boxle, 25 October. Patent Roll 15, Edward II, Part 1, m. ii. + + 395 Chron. Edward I and II, i, p. 298. Re-elected "by the commons at the + king's wish."--Aungier Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), p. 254. + + M243 The queen insulted by Lady Badlesmere. + + 396 Chron. Edward I and II, i, pp. 298-299. + + M244 Attempt to issue a "charter of service." + + 397 Aungier, Fr. Chron., pp. 254, 255. + + 398 The charter, dated Aldermaston, 12th December, 15 Edward II [A.D. + 1321], with seal (imperfect) attached, is preserved at the Guildhall + (Box No. 4.) + + M245 The Londoners at Boroughbridge, 16 March, 1322. + + 399 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 301.--Aungier. Fr. Chron. (Riley's + transl.). p. 255. + + M246 The character of the citizen soldier in the field. + + 400 "Car c'est le plus perilleux peuple [sc. the English] qui soit au + monde et plus outrageux et orgueilleux et de tous ceux d' Angleterre + les Londriens sont chefs ... ils sont fors durs et hardis et haux en + courage; tant plus voyent de sang respandu et plus sont cruels et + moins ebahis."--Froissart's Hist. (ed. Lyon, 1559), pp. 333-334. + + 401 Macaulay, Hist., cap. iii. + + M247 Defeat and execution of the Earl of Lancaster, March, 1322. + + 402 Aungier. Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), pp. 257, 264. + + M248 Edward again despotic, 1322-1323. + + 403 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 303. + + 404 -_Id._, i. 305. Aungier. Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), p. 257. + + 405 By the king's writ, dated Ravensdale, 29 Nov., Letter Book E. fo. + 148. According to the French Chronicle (Aungier, p. 258) Chigwell + recovered the mayoralty on the feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec.]. On + the 7th Dec. he was admitted and sworn into office. + + M249 Escape of Roger Mortimer from the Tower. Aug. 1323. + + 406 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 301, 305, 318 n. + + 407 "Propter insidiantes domini regis et aliorum malorum + hominum."--_Id._, i, 306. + + M250 A feud between the Weavers and the Goldsmiths, 1324. + + 408 -_Id._, i, 307. + + M251 Departure of the queen for France, 9 March, 1324. + + 409 Aungier, Fr. Chron., p. 259. + + 410 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 308. Easter is given as the date of her + departure by the Fr. Chron. (p. 259), Easter Day falling on the 15th + April in that year. + + M252 Her return to England, 24 September, 1326. + + 411 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), p. 260. + + M253 The City lost to Edward. + + 412 See her proclamation issued at Wallingford, 15th Oct. Rymer's + Foedera, vol. ii, part 1, pp. 645, 646. + + 413 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 314, 315. + + 414 Dated Baldock, 6 Oct., 1326. City's Records, Pleas and Memoranda, + Roll A I, membr. x (12). + + 415 Aungier. Fr. Chron. (Riley's translation), pp. 262, 263. + + M254 The murder of Bishop Stapleton, 15 October, 1326. + + 416 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 315, 316. Aungier, Fr. Chron., p. 263. + + 417 Chron. Edward I and II, ii, 310. Murimuth, Chron. (Eng. Hist. Soc.), + p. 48. + + 418 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 321, ii, 310. Aungier, Fr. Chron. + (Riley's translation), p. 264. Murimuth (Eng. Hist. Soc.), pp. 48, + 49. + + 419 The proclamation is headed, _Proclamacio prima post decessum + episcopi Exoniensis et ipsius decollacionem._--City's Records, Pleas + and Memoranda, Roll A 1, membr. 2 dors. + + M255 The queen confirms to the citizens their right to elect their mayor, + Nov., 1326. + M256 Betoyne elected mayor. + + 420 Aungier, Fr. Chron., p. 265. + + 421 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 318. + + M257 Public declaration in favour of the queen and the City's rights. 13 + Jan., 1327. + + 422 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 323. Pleas and Memoranda, Roll A 1, memb. + 2. + + M258 Edward's charter to the city, 6 March, 1327. + + 423 Dated 28 February, 1326-7. Chron. Edward I and II, i, 325-326. + + 424 Dated 6 March, 1326-7. Preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 5). + + 425 In _re_ Islington Market Bill, 3 Clk, 513. See also Stat. 5 and 6, + William IV, cap. cxi, ss. 46 _et seq._ + + 426 -_Vide sup._, p. 104. + + 427 According to the common law of the land, no market could be erected + so as to be a "nuisance" to another market within a less distance + than six miles and a half and a third of another half.--Bracton "De + Legibus Angliae" (Rolls Series No. 70), iii, 584. + + 428 Dated 4 March, 1326-7. + + 429 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 325. + + M259 The City sends a contingent to assist the king against the Scots. + + 430 The king's letters asking for assistance were dated from Nottingham, + 29 April and 2 May.--City's Records, Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. + iv dors, and ix. + + 431 The names of the troopers are set out in full, under the several + wards, in Pleas and Memoranda, Roll A I, memb. ix. The compiler of + the "Annales Paulini" (Chron. Edward I and II, i. 333), gives the + number of the City contingent as 100 men, adding feelingly "sed proh + pudor! nil boni ibi facientes sine honore revertuntur." + + M260 This act not to be made a precedent. + + 432 Dated Topclyf, 10 July.--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. ii (4). + + M261 The City's representatives at the Parliament at Lincoln, Sept., + 1327. + + 433 -_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. iii. + + 434 Writ dated Lincoln, 23 September.--_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. v (7) + dors. + + M262 Petition against removing the courts and the exchequer to York. + + 435 -_Id._, Roll A 1. memb. iii.--In July, 1323, the Exchequer had been + transferred from York to Westminster, "and great treasure + therewith."--Aungier's Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), p. 258. + + 436 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1. membr. iii, and v (7). + + M263 Peace with Scotland, 1328. + + 437 Pleas and Memoranda, Roll A 1. membr. xxii. + + 438 -_Id._, Roll A 1. membr. xxii, dors.--According to the Chronicle of + Lanercost (Bannatyne Club, p. 261), it was the _Londoners_ who + refused to give up the stone. + + 439 Rymer's Foedera (1830), Vol. iii, pt. ii, p. 716. Stanley's Memorials + of Westminster Abbey (2nd ed.), pp. 60-64. + + 440 Rymer's Foedera (1821) Vol. ii, pt. ii, pp. 734, 740. Pleas and Mem., + Roll A 1, membr. xx dors. Chron. Edward I and II, i. 339-340. + + M264 The revolt of the Earl of Lancaster, Oct., 1328. + + 441 The city was represented by Stephen de Abyndon and Robert de + Kelseye. The writ was dated Clipston, 28 August, and the return made + the 10th October.--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1. membr. xxiii-xxiv. + + 442 Letter dated 27 September.--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. xxiii + (27) dors. + + M265 The earl's letter to the City, 5 Nov., 1328. + + 443 -_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. xxiv (28) dors. + + M266 The election of John de Grantham, mayor, in place of Chigwell. + + 444 "Quod dictus Hamo fuit pessimus vermis qui venit in civitate jam xx + annis elapsis et amplius, et quod nunquam foret bona pax in civitate + dum viveret et quod bonum esset valde si capud ejus a corpore + truncatur."--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. xxiii dors. + + 445 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 29. + + M267 The king desires a deputation from the city to meet him at Windsor, + Nov., 1328. + + 446 -_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. 29 dors. + + 447 -_Id._, _ibid._--Notwithstanding this disavowal, it is said that no + less than 600 Londoners assisted the Lancastrian cause.--Chron. + Edward I and II. Introd. Vol. i, p. cxx. + + M268 The king pays a short visit to London, Dec., 1328. + + 448 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 343.--Letter Book E, fo. 179b. (Memorials, + pp. 170-171). + + M269 The king's letter from Gloucester to the Mayor, &c., of London. 16 + Dec., 1328. + + 449 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 31. + + 450 See letter from the mayor, &c., to the king informing him that his + wishes had been carried out.--_Id._, Roll A 1. membr. xxviii (32). + + M270 The bishops and barons in the city. + + 451 At Christmas, both the primate and the city despatched letters to + Edward, who was then at Worcester, to that effect.--_Id._, Roll A 1. + memb. xxviii (32). + + M271 Failure of Lancaster to raise a confederation against the king. 2 + Jan., 1329. + + 452 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 343-344. + + 453 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1. membr. xxviii (32). + + M272 Trial at the Guildhall of those implicated with Lancaster. Feb., + 1329. + + 454 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 242-243. + + M273 Trial of Hamo de Chigwell, 13 Feb., 1329. + + 455 -_Id._, i, 245, 346. + + 456 -_Id._, i. 246-247. + + 457 The will is enrolled in the records of the Court of Husting, Roll 61 + (17). His devise to St. Paul's was challenged by John de Pulteney, + and execution stayed. + + M274 Execution of Mortimer, 29 Nov., 1330. + + 458 According to the compiler of the "Annales Paulini" (Chron. Edward I + and II, i, 352), Mortimer was taken "in camera Isabelle reginae." + + M275 The queen retires into privacy. + + 459 She died in 1357. and was buried in the church of the Grey Friars, + in the city. + + 460 "The last days of Queen Isabella."--Archaeol., vol. xxxv, p. 464. + + M276 Increase of trade with Flanders. + + 461 On her first arrival in London she was conducted by a cavalcade of + citizens to the Bishop of Ely's house in Holborn, and after her + marriage, was made the recipient of a present of gold and silver and + a great store of all kinds of provisions. Her coronation, which took + place two years later (Feb., 1330), was also made the occasion for a + further display of their loyalty and affection.--Chron. Edward I and + II, i, 338, 339, 349. + + 462 Green, Hist. of the English People, i, 410. Imposts on wool, writes + Bishop Stubbs, became of such importance at this period that "the + merchants again seemed likely to furnish the realm with a new + estate."--Const. Hist., ii. 379. + + 463 -_Supra_, pp. 112-115. + + M277 The establishment of staples in England. + + 464 "Eodem anno (_i.e._, 1326) post Pascha dominus rex habuit consilium + apud Westmonasterium; et ordinatum fuit ibi quod mercatores emerent + lanas. corias et plumbum, in certis locis Angliae, Walliae et + Hyberniae, et illa loca vocantur Stapel."--Chron. Edward I and II, i, + 312. _Cf._ Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 15. + + 465 Dated 23 April, 1327. Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. i (3) dors. + + 466 Dated Nottingham, 30 April (1327). Rymer's Foedera. Vol. ii, pt. ii. + p. 705. + + M278 A new tax on wool, leather, and wool-fells. + + 467 Writ to the collector of dues in the port of London and other places + on both sides of the Thames as far as Gravesend. Dated Overton, 2 + July, 1 Edward III (A.D. 1327). Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 7 + dors (cedula). + + 468 -_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. 7 dors. + + 469 Letters patent, dated Lincoln, 23 Sept., 1 Edward III (A.D. 1327). + _Id._, Roll A 1, membr. 7 dors. + + 470 Writ to sheriffs to see the restrictions carried out, dated York, 1 + March, 2 Edward III (A.D. 1327-8). _Id._, Roll A 1, membr. 24 dors. + + M279 Proposal to remove the Staple to the continent, Feb., 1328. + + 471 Dated from Coventry. _Id._, Roll A 1, membr. 18 dors. + + 472 Return to writ, dated 12 January, 1 Edward III (A.D. 1327-8).--Pleas + and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 20. + + 473 Letter from the Mayor, &c., of York, to the City of London, dated 29 + January, and reply.--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. xix (23). + + 474 -_Id. ibid._ + + 475 -_Id._, Roll A 1, membr. xvii (20) dors. The letter was sent in + reply to one from the City's representatives, Grantham and Priour, + asking for instructions. + + 476 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. xix (23) dors. + + 477 He had been an intimate favourite of Edward II. and had been + removed, with others, from that king's service in 1311. + Notwithstanding this, he appears as the king's Chamberlain in 1316. + Ten years later, when the city was in the hands of an infuriated + mob, and the king confined at Kenilworth, John de Charleton took the + Earl of Arundel prisoner and caused him to be beheaded. In 1329 the + citizens received peremptory orders from Edward III, not to harbour + him in the city.--Chron. Edward I & II. i, 247. + + M280 Betoyne's own account of his disagreement with his colleagues. + + 478 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 24. + + M281 Betoyne's action approved by the citizens, 19 Feb., 1328. + + 479 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 24. + + 480 Letter Book E, fo. 183. (Memorials, p. 169.) + + M282 Temporary abolition of Staples. Aug., 1328. + + 481 "In 1333 they were again established in England, but merchants + ignored them, and in the following year they were abolished. From + 1344 onwards they are frequently discussed in parliament and + assemblies of the merchants; and by the statute of 1353 the system + was consolidated."--Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 412. + + 482 Letter Book G. fos. 35b, 76. + + M283 England and France, 1329-1331 + + 483 Rymer's Foedera (1821), vol. ii, pt. ii. p. 765. + + 484 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 247, 249. + + 485 Chron. Edward I and II. i, 249, 251. + + 486 Rymer's Foedera (1821), vol. ii, pt. ii, p. 815. + + M284 The war with Scotland, 1332-1335. + + 487 Rex Franciae subtiliavit viis et modis quibus potuit qualiter + deturbaret regem Angliae et repatriare faceret ne tantum destrueret + et debellaret regnum Scotiae.--Knighton (Rolls Series No. 76), i, 476. + + 488 -_Id._, i, 461. + + 489 Letter Book E, fos. 1-4--(Memorials, pp. 187-190). + + 490 John de Grantham was allowed 60 shillings for a horse which he lost + whilst going to this parliament on the city's business. (Letter Book + F, fo. 9b.) It is, however, not clear that Grantham attended the + parliament as a city member. + + 491 Chron. Edward I and II, ii. 122. + + 492 Letter patent, dated 12 August.--Pleas and Mem., Roll A 1, membr. 35. + + 493 -_Id. ibid._ + + M285 Preparations for war with France, 1337. + + 494 Letter patent, dated Westm., 24 March.--Letter Book F., fo. 6. + + 495 -_Id._, fo. 6b. + + 496 Chron. Edward I and II, i, 366. + + 497 The king's letter, dated Stamford, 1 June, 1337.--Letter Book F, fo. + 6b. + + M286 Charter, 26 March, 1337. + + 498 Letter Book F, fos. 4-5. + + 499 Charter dated Westminster, 26 March, 1337, preserved at the + Guildhall (Box No. 5). The king made frequent attempts to annul this + charter.--Letter Book F, fo. 197; Letter Book G, fos. 11b, 41b. + + 500 -_Id._, fo. 9. + + M287 The services of John de Pulteney, Mayor. + + 501 -_Id._, fo. 9b. (Memorials, p. 197). + + 502 -_Id._, fo. 10b. + + M288 The king monopolises the wool of the country. + + 503 Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 380. + + 504 Letter Book F, fo. 42. + + 505 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 3 and 3 dors. + + 506 Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 380-381. + + M289 Naval and military preparations in the City. + + 507 Letter Book F, fos. 3, 3b. + + 508 -_Id._, fo. 14b. _Id._, fo. 18b. + + 509 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 5, membr. 3 dors. + + M290 The city put into a posture of defence after the king's departure, + July, 1338. + + 510 -_Id._, membr. 5 dors. + + 511 -_Id._, membr. 6. On the 23 October, the Duke of Cornwall, whom the + king had nominated regent during his absence abroad, wrote to the + Mayor, &c., of London, bidding him put the city into a posture of + defence.--Letter Book F, fo. 19. + + M291 Orders for city to provide more ships and men, Feb., 1339. + + 512 -_Skumarii_: a scummar, a rover. Skeats' Glossary to the Bruce + (Early Eng. Text Soc. _s. v._) + + 513 Letter Book F, fos. 22b-23. + + M292 A threatened invasion up the Thames, Easter, 1339. + + 514 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 1. + + 515 Letter Book F, fly leaf. (Memorials, p. 204.) + + M293 Implements of war stored at the Guildhall. + + 516 Letter Book F, fly-leaf. The passage was printed by the late Mr. + Riley, although somewhat inaccurately, in his Memorials (p. 205). + The original MS. runs thus: "Item in Camera Gildaule sunt sex + Instrumenta de Laton vocata Gonnes cum quinque teleres ad eadem. + Item pelete de plumbo pro eidem Instrumentis que ponderant iiijc li + et dj. Item xxxij li de pulvere pro dictis instrumentis." + + 517 The late Mr. Riley misread "roleres" for "teleres" (the writing is + not very legible), and therefore thought the passage referred to + heavy ordnance. + + 518 Richard Hastinges bequeaths by will in 1558 his bows and arrows, + with "tyllers" &c.--Calendar of Wills, Court of Hust., London, ii, + 670. + + M294 The king's return, Feb., 1340. + + 519 Congregacio Maioris Aldermannorum et unius hominis cujuslibet warde + civitatis pro negociis communitatem tangentibus die veneris proxima + post festum Sancte Katerine Virginis (25 Nov.) anno xiijc contra + adventum domini regis et regine de partibus transmarinis.--Pleas and + Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 10. + + 520 Letter Book F, fo. 30b. + + M295 A City loan of L5,000. + + 521 Letter Book F, fo. 32b. (Memorials, pp. 208-210.) + + 522 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 12 dors. + + 523 Letter Book F, fo. 34b. + + M296 The king again sets sail, June, 1340. + + 524 Letter Book F, fo. 39. + + M297 The battle of Sluys, 24 June, 1340. + + 525 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 20-21. Letter Book F, fo. 37b. + + 526 A cedula inserted between membranes 19 and 20 of Pleas and Mem., + Roll A 3. + + 527 Aungier, Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), 277. + + M298 The king's unexpected return, 30 Nov., 1340. + + 528 Murimuth, Contin. Chron. (Rolls Series No. 93), p. 116. Avesbury + (_Ibid_), p. 323. + + M299 Dismisses ministers and orders an enquiry as to collection of + revenue. + M300 The justices at the Tower, March-April. 1341. + + 529 Aungier's Fr. Chron. (Riley's transl.), pp. 283-285. Murimuth, p. + 117. + + 530 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 22. + + 531 Letter Book F, fos. 45b-49. Murimuth, pp. 118, 119. + + 532 Murimuth, p. 119. + + 533 Letter Book F, fo. 49. + + M301 Charter to the city, dated 26 March, 1341. + + 534 Dated 26 May, 1341. This charter, which was granted with the assent + of parliament, is preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 5.) + + M302 The city called upon to furnish the king with 26 ships. + + 535 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 3, membr. 25 dors. + + M303 The king's expedition to Brittany, Oct., 1342. + + 536 -_Id._, Roll A 5. membr. 17. + + M304 A truce with France for three years. + + 537 Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 392 note. Aungier's Fr. Chron. (Riley's + transl.), 290. + + 538 Murimuth, 155. + + M305 Renewal of the war in 1345. + + 539 Letter Book F, fos. 81-84b. + + 540 Commission, dated Windsor, 20th March, 1345. _Id._ fo. 98b. + + 541 -_Id._ fos. 99, 109, 110. + + 542 Letter Book F, fo. 111. + + 543 -_Id._, fo. 116b. + + M306 Expedition to France sets sail, 10 July, 1346. + + 544 Murimuth (Rolls Series, No. 93, p. 198) states that the number of + vessels great and small amounted to 750; whilst in another Chronicle + the same writer says that they numbered more than 1,500 (Chron. ed. + for Eng. Hist. Soc., p. 164.) + + 545 Letter Book F. fo. 119. Murimuth (Rolls Series), p. 198. + + M307 News of the king's arrival and success in Normandy, 3 Aug. + + 546 Murimuth (Rolls Series), pp. 205-211. + + 547 Letter Book F, fo. 120b. + + 548 -_Id._, fos. 121-125b. + + M308 The battle of Crecy, 26 Aug., 1346. + M309 Siege and surrender of Calais, 1346-1347. + + 549 Letter Book F, fos. 127, 127b, 130. + + 550 -_Id._, fos. 132b-133b. + + 551 -_Id._, fos. 139, 140. + + 552 -_Id._, fo. 140 b. + + 553 Hist. Angl. (Rolls Series No. 28), i, 272. _Cf._ Chron. Angliae + (Rolls Series No. 64). p. 26. + + M310 The Black Death, 1348-1349. + + 554 It was the first of the three pestilences (the others occurring in + 1361 and 1369) which served occasionally as land marks in history + for dating conveyances and other records.--See Bond's Handy-book for + verifying dates, p. 311. + + 555 Stow extravagantly conjectures that no less than 50,000 perished + within a year, all of whom were buried in Walter Manny's cemetery, + near the Charterhouse. Another chronicler states that 200 were + buried there alone between February and April, 1349.--Avesbury (Rolls + Series No. 93), p. 407. + + 556 Whilst the king forbade the encouragement of beggars by gifts of + charity, the municipal authorities fixed the price of labour.--Letter + Book F. fos. 163, 168, 169, 181. At the close of the year (1349) a + statute--known as the Statute of Labourers--was passed, fixing the + scale of wages at the rate prevalent before the Black Death, and + ordering punishment to be inflicted on those who demanded more. + + 557 Letter Book F, fo. 168. + + 558 -_Id._, fo. 191b. + + M311 A fresh truce with France, commencing 13 June, 1350. + + 559 By writ, dated 1 July. Letter Book F, fo. 185b. + + M312 Measures taken for the suppression of piracy, July, 1350. + + 560 Letter Book F, fos. 187b, 188b. + + 561 Avesbury (Rolls Series No. 93), p. 412. + + 562 Letter Book F, fos. 174, 176. + + M313 Charter relative to the City's gold mace, 10 June, 1354. + + 563 Rot. Parl., ii, 155. + + M314 Renewal of war with France, 1355. + + 564 Letter Book G, fo. 47.--Their cost, amounting to nearly L500, was + assessed on the wards. + + M315 Battle of Poitiers, 19 Sept., 1356 + + 565 Letter Book G, fo. 53b. (Memorials, pp. 285-289). + + 566 Walshingham (Rolls Series No. 28), i, 283. Chron. Angliae (Rolls + Series No. 64), p. 37. + + 567 Letter Book G, fos. 65-67. + + M316 Grievances of the city laid before the king. + + 568 Letter Book G, fo. 60. + + 569 Relief on this point was afforded by the king in February, 1359, by + the issue of a writ to the effect that the names of his purveyors + should be handed to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, and that the + purveyors shall not seize any victuals until they had shown and read + their commission.--Letter Book G, fo. 74. + + M317 Edward's last invasion of France, 1359-1360. + + 570 Walsingham, i, 288. + + M318 The peace of Bretigny, 1360. + + 571 Letter Book G, fo. 133. + + 572 Stow's Survey (Thom's ed. 1876), pp. 41, 90.--If we include David, + King of Denmark (as some do), the number of kings entertained on + this occasion was five, and to this day the toast of "Prosperity to + the Vintners' Company" is drunk at their banquets with five cheers + in memory of the visit of the five crowned heads.--See a pamphlet + entitled _The Vintners' Company with Five_, by B. Standring, Master + of the Company in 1887. + + M319 England at peace, 1360-1369. + + 573 Letter Book G, fo. 133.--The list of subscribers, as printed in + Herbert's Introduction to his History of the Twelve Great Livery + Companies (p. 32), is very inaccurately transcribed. + + M320 The renewal of the war, 1369. + + 574 -_Id._, fo. 158. + + 575 -_Id._, fos. 225b, 226b, 235b, 236b. + + 576 -_Id._, fo. 228b. + + M321 City loans, 1370-1371. + + 577 Letter Book G, fo. 247b.--The money was advanced on the security of + Exchequer bills. The names of the contributors and the several sums + contributed, covering three folios of the Letter Book, have been for + some reason erased. + + 578 -_Id._, fos. 263, 270. + + M322 New form of taxation, 1371. + + 579 Fasciculi Zizaniorum (Rolls Series No. 5), introd., p. xxviii. + + 580 Letter Book G, fos. 274b-275. + + 581 -_Id._, fo. 268. + + 582 Letter Book G, fos. 268b, 270. + + 583 The number of parishes is elsewhere given as 110.--_Id._, fo. 275. A + list of London benefices, under date 31 Edward I [1302-3], is given + in the City's Liber Custumarum (i, 228-230), the number being 116. + + M323 The city as an ecclesiastical centre. + + 584 Ralph de Diceto (Rolls Series No. 68), pref. vol. i, p. lvi. + + 585 Chron. Edward I and II, introd., vol. i., p. xli. + + M324 The prosecution of the war, 1371-1375. + + 586 Letter Book G, fo. 271. (Memorials, pp. 350-352). + + 587 -_Id._, fo. 289b. + + 588 Walsingham, i, 315. + + 589 Letter Book G, fos. 297, 298, 304b, 306b, 307. + + 590 Letter Book G, fo. 312b. Letter Book H, fos. 17-19b. + + M325 Charges against city aldermen, 1376. + + 591 The parliament was originally summoned for the 12th February, but + did not meet before the 28 April. The city members were John Pyel + and William Walworth, Aldermen, William Essex and Adam Carlile, + commoners.--Letter Book H. fos. 28. 29. + + 592 Chron. Angliae (Rolls Series No. 64), 78, 79. + + 593 Walsingham i, 321. Higden's Polychron (Rolls Series No. 41), viii, + 385. Chron. Angliae (Rolls Series No. 64), pp. 94, 392. + + 594 Letter Book H, fo. 45b. + + M326 A new system of election by the guilds, instead of the wards, + introduced, 1376. + + 595 See the king's letter, dated "Haddele" Castle, 29 July, 1376.--Letter + Book H, fo. 44. + + 596 The names of the representatives of the guilds forming the first + Common Council of the kind are placed on record.--Letter Book H, fos. + 46b, 47. + + 597 -_Id._, fo. 44b. + + 598 Letter Book H, fo. 46. + + 599 -_Id._, fos. 47, 161; Journal 11, fo. 89. + + 600 Charter, dated 26 May, 15 Edward III, _Supra_ p. 188. + + M327 The old system of election by wards reverted to in 1384. + + 601 Letter Book H, fo. 173.--The names of those elected by the wards to + the Common Council two years later (9 Ric. II), are inserted on a + cedula between membranes, 15 and 16, of Pleas and Memoranda, Roll A + 27. + + M328 Proceedings against Alice Perers, the king's mistress, 1376. + + 602 Walsingham, i, 327. Chron. Angliae, pp. 142, 143. Modern writers, + however, have discovered some good qualities in this lady.--See Notes + and Queries, 7th Series, vol. vii, pp. 449, _et seq._ + + 603 Chron. Angliae, p. 130. + + 604 See Hust., Rolls, 95, (130) (13O); 97, (9); 98, (73) (74) (82); 109, + (6) (7) (8); also Will of William Burton--Calendar of Wills, Court of + Hust., London, ii, 301. + + 605 Letter Book H, fo. 77b. + + 606 -_Id._, fo. 47b. + + 607 Pat. Roll, 3 Ric. II, part 1. + + M329 Charter forbidding free trade to merchant strangers, 4 Dec., 1376. + M330 Hostility between the City and Lancaster. + + 608 "Ut de cetero non major, antiquo more, sed capitaneus Londoniis + haberetur, et quod Marescallus Angliae in illa civitate, sicut alibi, + reos arestare valeret; cum multis petitionibus quae; manifeste + obviabant urbis libertatibus et imminebant civium + detrimento."--Chron. Angliae, p. 120. + + 609 Chron. Angliae, pp. 123-125, 397; Walsingham, i, 325. + + M331 Interview between the king and the citizens to explain matters. + + 610 Chron. Angliae, pp. 125, 398. + + 611 -_Id._, pp. 127, 128. + + 612 Chron. Angliae, p. 129. + + M332 Another interview with the king at Shene. + + 613 Letter Book H, fos. 58, 59. + + 614 Chron. Angliae, p. 134. + + M333 The king's death, 21 June, 1377. + + 615 Chron. Angliae, p. 129. + + 616 -_Id._, pp. 136-137, 142-143. + + M334 Reconciliation between Lancaster and the City, 1377. + + 617 Chron. Angliae, pp. 146-149. The chronicler expresses the utmost joy + and astonishment at the sudden change in the duke's manner. It was + (he says) nothing less than a miracle that one who had so recently + demanded a present of precious stones and 100 tuns of wine, as the + price of his favour, should now appear so complacent. + + 618 -_Id._, pp. 150, 151. + + M335 The coronation of Richard II, 16 July, 1377. + + 619 "Londonienses praecipue obloquebantur, dicentes jam perpaucorum + proceruin corda fore cum Rege, eos solos sibi fideles esse; quorum + Rex licet ironice, vocabatur a nonnullis proceribus, eo quod ipsi + multum juvissent eum in coronatione sua."--Walsingham i, 370; _Cf._ + Chron. Angliae, p. 200. + + 620 Chron. Angliae, p. 153. + + 621 Lib. Cust. ii, 467, 468. It appears from the City Records, that the + king's butler in ordinary could claim the office of Coroner of the + city.--See Letter Book H, fos. 68, 77b. + + M336 A city loan and parliamentary supplies, 1377. + + 622 The Isle of Wight had been surprised and taken, Rye had been + captured, Hastings had been destroyed by fire, and Winchelsea would + have fallen into the hands of the enemy but for the bold defence + made by the Abbot of Battle.--Walsingham i, 340-342; Chron. Angliae, + pp. 151, 166, 167. + + 623 Letter Book H, fos. 76-77, 83. + + 624 Et deputati sunt ad hujus pecuniae custodiam duo cives Londonienses, + scilicet Willelmus Walworthe et Johannes Philipot.--Chron. Angliae, p. + 171. Eight other citizens, viz., Adam Lovekyn, William Tonge, Thomas + Welford, Robert Lucas, John Hadley, John Northampton, John Organ, + and John Sely, were appointed collectors of the two + fifteenths.--Letter Book H, fo. 90. + + M337 Charter granted to the city with the assent of parliament, 4 Dec., + 1377. + + 625 Dated 4 Dec, 1377. Preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 9). + + 626 Letter Book H, fo. 82. + + M338 The subsidy taken out of the hands of Walworth and Philipot, 1378. + + 627 Chron. Angliae, p. 194: Walsingham i, 367. It was stated before + parliament, in 1378, that Walworth and Philipot had laid out every + penny of the subsidy.--Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 445 note. + + M339 Patriotic conduct of John Philipot. + + 628 Chron. Angliae, pp. 199, 200. Philipot again showed his patriotism in + 1380, by providing money and arms for an expedition sent to assist + the Duke of Brittany.--_Id._, p. 266. He died in the summer of + 1384.--Walsingham, ii, 115. + + 629 Letter Book H, fo. 95. + + M340 Factions in the City for and against the Duke of Lancaster, 1378. + + 630 "Et idcirco locum illum elegerant praemeditato facinori; ne + Londonienses, si Londoniis fuisset Parliamentum praedictum, sua + auctoritate vel potentia eorum conatus ullatenus + impedirent."--Walsingham, i, 380. + + 631 Letter Book H, fo. 101b. (Memorials, p. 427). + + M341 The Earl of Buckingham and his partizans withdraw themselves and + their custom from the City, 1378. + + 632 Letter Book H, fos. 109b, 110. + + M342 Another City loan of L5,000, Feb., 1379. + + 633 -_Id._, fos. 107, 108, 109. + + M343 The poll-tax of 1379. + + 634 -_Id._, fos. 111b, 113. + + M344 Renewal of the poll-tax, 1380. + + 635 Letter Book H, fos. 128, 132. + + M345 The peasants' revolt under Wat Tyler, 1381. + + 636 The story of the insurrection under Wat Tyler, and of his death at + the hands of Walworth, as told in Letter Book H, fo. 133b + (Memorials, pp. 449-451), varies in some particulars from that given + by Walsingham (i, 454-465), and in the Chronicon Angliae (pp. + 285-297). + + 637 Letter Book H, fo. 134. + + M346 Orders given for safeguarding the city, 20 June. + + 638 -_Id._, fo. 134b. + + 639 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 24, membr. 9. + + 640 Walsingham, i, 467-484; ii, 23. + + M347 Confession made by "Jack Straw." + + 641 Walsingham, ii, 13. + + 642 -_Id._, ii, 9, 10. + + M348 Revulsion of feeling against the Lollards after the suppression of + the peasants' revolt, 1382. + + 643 Letter Book H, fos. 149b, 150. + + M349 Reforms in the city during Northampton's first mayoralty, 1381-1382. + + 644 "Homo duri cordis et astutus, elatus propter divitias et superbus, + qui nec inferioribus adquiescere, nec superiorum allegationibus sive + monitis flecti valeret quin quod inceperat proprio ingenio torvo + proposito ad quemcunque finem perducere niteretur."--Walsingham, ii, + 65. + + 645 Letter Book H, fo. 144. (Memorials, p. 463). + + 646 Letter Book H, fo. 146b. + + 647 -_Id._, fos. 153-154. + + M350 Northampton re-elected mayor at the king's request, Oct., 1382. + + 648 Walsingham, ii, 71. From the City's Records it appears that early in + 1383, William Baret was alderman of Philipot's ward (Cornhill); but + in the following year, when Brembre succeeded to his mayoralty, and + the so-called "king's party" was again in the ascendant, Philipot + again appears as alderman of his old ward, continuing in office + until his death (12 Sept., 1384), when he was succeeded by John + Rote.--Letter Book H, fos. 163, 174. + + 649 Letter Book H, fo. 155b. + + 650 Letter Book H, fo. 154. + + M351 Brembre succeeds Northampton in the mayoralty, Oct., 1383. + + 651 Letter Book H, fo. 168. Three years later, "the folk of the Mercerye + of London" complained to parliament that Brembre and his "upberers" + had on this occasion obtained his election by force--"through debate + and strenger partye."--(Rot., Parl. iii, 225). There is no evidence + of this in the City's Records, although there appears to have been a + disturbance at his re-election in 1384. It may be to this that the + Mercers' petition refers. It is noteworthy that at the time of his + election in 1383, Brembre was not an alderman, although in the + previous year, and again in the year following his election, he is + recorded as Alderman of Bread Street Ward.--Letter Book H, fos. 140, + 163, 174. + + 652 Breve quod piscenarii libertatis civitatis Londoniae exerceant artem + suam ut consueverunt. Dated 27 Nov., 1383.--Letter Book H, fo. 172. + + 653 -_Id._, fos. 154-154b, 176-177. + + M352 Richard's second charter to the City, 26 Nov., 1383. + + 654 Dated 26 Nov., 7 Ric. II. Preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 9). + + 655 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 27, membr. 3 dors. + + 656 Letter Book H, fos. 166, 167. + + M353 Proceedings against Northampton. + + 657 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 27, membr. 3. + + 658 Writ dated 9 February; Letter Box H, fo. 173b. + + 659 -_Id._, fos. 173b, 174b. + + 660 -_Id._, fo. 174. + + M354 Trial of Northampton at Reading. + + 661 Letter Book H, fo. 179. + + 662 Letter Book H, fo. 179b; Walsingham, ii, 116. + + 663 Hidgen, Polychron. (Rolls Series No. 41), ix, 45 _seq._ + + M355 Is committed to Tintagel Castle. + + 664 "Haec autem omnia sibi fieri procurarunt aemuli piscarii, ut + dicebabur, quia per illos stetit quod ars et curia eorum erant + destructae."--Higden, ix, 49. + + M356 Brembre's re-election to the mayoralty, Oct., 1384. + + 665 Letter Book H, fo. 92. (Memorials, pp. 415-417). + + 666 Letter Book H, fo. 182. The names of those specially summoned are + set out in Pleas and Mem., Roll A 27, membr. 15. + + 667 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 27, membr. 4, 5 and 6. + + 668 Higden, ix, 50, 51. + + 669 Letter Book H, fo. 182. + + M357 Renewed efforts to obtain Northampton's release, March, 1386. + + 670 Letter Book H, fo. 198b. + + 671 Pleas and Mem., Roll A 27, membr. 26. + + 672 Letters patent of pardon received the king's sign manual on the 3 + June, 1386 (Letter Book H, fo. 216), but the prisoners were not + released before April in the following year.--See Higden, Polychron. + ix, 93. + + M358 A book of ordinances, known as "Jubilee," burnt by order of mayor, + Exton, March, 1387. + + 673 Letter Book H, fo. 214. (Memorials, p. 494). + + 674 Rot. Parl. iii, 227, cited by Riley in his "Memorials," p. 494, + note. + + 675 Letter Book H, fo. 176b. + + M359 Further efforts to secure Northampton's release, 1387. + + 676 This letter, which was dated the 27 April, was delivered to Lord + Zouche at his house by John Reche, Common Pleader, and Ralph Strode + and John Harwell, Sergeants-at-Arms.--Letter Book H, fo. 215b. + + M360 Northampton set free, 27 April, 1387. + + 677 "Super quo dominus Rex respondit quod licet in sua potestate fuerat + cum ipsis, Johanne, Johanne et Ricardo agere graciose bene tamen + sibi provideret priusquam foret eis graciam concessurus."--Letter + Book H, fo. 215b. + + 678 Higden, Polychron. ix, 93. + + 679 Letter Book H, fo. 222. + + M361 Letter from the mayor to the king, 5 Oct. + + 680 The oath as set out in the letter to the king differs from another + copy of the oath, which immediately precedes the letter in Letter + Book H, fos. 220b, 221; a clause having been subsequently added to + the latter to the effect that the swearer abjured the opinions of + Northampton and his followers, and would oppose their return within + the bounds and limits set out in the king's letters patent. + + M362 The king's reply, 7 Oct. + + 681 Letter Book H, fo. 222. + + 682 Letter Book H, fo. 223b. + + M363 The Parliament of 1386. + + 683 Walsingham, ii, 150. + + M364 Appointment of a Commission of Regency. + M365 The Commission declared illegal. + M366 Richard applies to the City for assistance. + + 684 Higden, Polychron. ix, 104. + + 685 Letter Book H, fo. 223b. + + M367 The king's advisers charged with treason, 14 Nov. + + 686 Higden, Polychron. ix, 106; Walsingham, ii, 166. + + M368 The mayor and aldermen summoned to Windsor, 28 Nov. + + 687 Letter Book H, fo. 223b. (Memorials, p. 449.) + + 688 Higden, Polychron. ix, 108-109. + + M369 Richard obliged to submit. + M370 Flight of the accused. + + 689 "Londonienses ... mobiles erant ut arundo, et nunc cum Dominis, nunc + cum Rege, sentiebant, nusquam stabiles sed fallaces."--Hist. Angliae, + ii, 161. + + 690 Higden, Polychron. ix, 108; Walsingham, ii, 169. + + 691 Pleas and Mem., Roll A, membr. 7. + + M371 The lords appellant admitted into the city, Dec., 1387. + + 692 Higden, ix, 111-114; Walsingham, ii, 170, 171; Engl. Chron. (Camd. + Soc. No. 64), p. 5. + + M372 The lords at the Guildhall, 18 Jan., 1388. + + 693 Higden, ix, 117, 118. + + M373 Trial of Brembre before parliament, Feb., 1388. + + 694 Howell's State Trials, i, 115. + + M374 Conviction and sentence of death. + + 695 Higden, Polychron. ix, 168. + + 696 State Trials, i, 118, 119. + + M375 Character of Brembre as depicted by Walsingham. + + 697 Walsingham, ii, 165-174. + + M376 Deaths of Tressilian and Uske. + + 698 Higden, ix, 167-169. + + M377 The proceedings of the "merciless" parliament confirmed by oath. + + 699 Letter Book H, fo. 228. + + M378 Party spirit in the city, 1388-1389. + + 700 Letter Book H, fo, 161. + + 701 -_Id.,_ fo. 126; Higden ix, 179. + + 702 Letter Book H, fos. 234, 234b. + + 703 Higden ix, 217. + + M379 The return of Northampton to the city, 1390. + + 704 Higden ix, 238, 239. + + 705 Letters patent, date, 2 Dec, 1390.--Letter Book H, fo. 255; Higden + ix, 243. + + 706 Letter Book H, fo. 259. (Memorials, p. 526.). + + 707 -_Id._, fo. 300. + + M380 Proclamation enforcing knighthood, Feb., 1392. + + 708 -_Id._, fo. 270. + + M381 The mayor summoned to Nottingham, June, 1392. + + 709 Higden, ix, 270. According to Walsingham (Hist. Angl. ii, 208), the + Lombard failed to get the money from the citizens, who nearly killed + him when they learnt his purpose. + + 710 The names of the citizens chosen for the occasion are given by + Higden (Polychron. ix, 269, 270), and in Letter Book H, fo. 270. + + 711 The reason given in the City Records for the dismissals which + followed is stated to be "certain defects in a commission under the + common seal and other causes."--Letter Book H, fo. 270b. + + M382 The mayor and sheriffs committed to prison, June, 1392. + + 712 Higden, Polychron. ix, 272; Walsingham, ii, 208-209. + + M383 Sir Edward Dalyngrigge appointed warden of the city, July, 1392. + + 713 Higden, ix, 273; Letter Book H, fo. 270b. + + 714 Letter Book H, fo. 275b. + + 715 -_Id._, fo. 273. + + M384 The City fined L100,000, July, 1392. + + 716 Letter Book H, fo. 269b; Higden, ix, 267. Walsingham (ii, 213) + suggests that this was done at the instance of the Archbishop of + York, the Chancellor. + + 717 "Putabant isti officiarii per hoc non modicum damnificare civitatem + Lundoniae, sed potius hoc multo majora damna intulerunt regi et + hominibus regni quam jam dictae civitati."--Higden, ix, 267-268. + + 718 Walsingham, ii, 210. + + 719 Higden, ix, 273. + + 720 Letters Patent of pardon, dated Woodstock, 19 September, 1392. + Preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 6). + + 721 Higden. ix, 274, 276, 278; Letter Book H, fos. 271b, 272, 274. + Notwithstanding these remissions, the city was mulcted, according to + Waisingham (ii, 211), in no less a sum than L10,000 before it + received its liberties.--_Cf._ Chron. of London, 1089-1483 (ed. by + Sir H. Nicolas, sometimes called "Tyrrell's Chronicle," from a City + Remembrancer of that name), p. 80. + + M385 Municipal reforms, 1393. + + 722 Stat. 17, Ric. II, c. 13; Letter Book H, fos. 290b, 291.; Bohun, + "Privilegia Londini" (ed. 1723), p. 57. + + M386 Change of conduct on the part of Richard, 1394-1398. + + 723 Higden, ix, 274. + + 724 Stubbs, Const. Hist., ii, 489-490. + + 725 Letter Book H, fo. 314. + + 726 Engl. Chron. (Camd. Soc. No. 64), p. 12. + + 727 "Also this yere (1397-8), by selying of blank chartres, the Citie of + London paied to the kyng a ml li."--Chron. of London (ed. by Sir H. + Nicolas); p. 83. + + M387 The landing of Henry of Lancaster, July, 1399. + + 728 Letters Patent, dat. 9 May, 1399.--Letter Book H, fo. 326. Richard + set sail on the 29th. + + M388 Richard's surrender and deposition from the crown. + + 729 "Douze cent hommes de Londres, tous armes et montes a + cheval."--Froissart (ed. Lyon, 1559), vol. iv, c. 108, p. 328. In + Lord Berner's translation of Froissart (iv, 566), the number is + wrongly given as 12,000. + + M389 Doubtful reports as to the late king's death. + + 730 Walsingham, ii, 245, 246. + + 731 Walsingham, ii, 262-264. Serle's Christian name is given elsewhere + as John.--Eng. Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 30. The writ for his + execution is dated 5 August, 1404.--Letter Book I, fo. 31b. + + M390 The "Trumpington" Conspiracy, 1416-1420. + + 732 Letter Book I, fo. 180b. (Memorials, pp. 638-641). Walsingham, ii, + 317. + + 733 City Records Journal, I, fo. 83b. We have now a series of MS. + Volumes among the City's archives known as "Journals" to assist us. + They contain minutes of proceedings of the Court of Common Council, + just as the "Repertories" (which we shall have occasion to consult + later on), contain a record of the proceedings of the Court of + Aldermen. The Letter Books may now be regarded as "fair copies" of + the more important of the proceedings of both Courts. + + M391 Proceedings against the Lollards. + + 734 Letter Book H, fo. 307b. The Lollards are said to have derived their + name from a low German word _lollen_, to sing or chant, from their + habit of chanting, but their clerical opponents affected to derive + it from the Latin _lolium_, as if this sect were as tares among the + true wheat of the church. + + 735 Letter Book I, fo. 125b-132. + + 736 -_Id._, fo. 130b. + + 737 -_Ibid._ + + M392 The statute of heresy, 1401. + + 738 Letter Book I, fo. 11b. + + 739 He appears, however, to have burnt by a special order of the king, + before the passing of the statute.--See Fasc. Zizan. (Rolls Series + No. 5), Introd. p. lxix. + + M393 Henry's other troubles. + + 740 A curious story is told of boys in the streets playing at England + and Scotland at this time, with the result that what began in play + ended in fighting and loss of life.--See Chron. Mon. S. Albani (Rolls + Series No. 28, 3), p. 332. + + 741 Letter Book I, fo. 16. + + M394 Supplies granted by parliament in 1404. + + 742 Letter Book I, fo. 27; Chron. Mon. S. Albani (Rolls Series No. 28, + 3), p. 379. + + M395 More city loans in 1409 & 1412. + + 743 Letter Book I, fo. 89b. + + 744 -_Id._, fo. 113. + + 745 -_Id._, fo. 108b. + + 746 Letter Book I, fo. 112b. + + 747 Exchequer Roll, Lay Subsidy, 144-20.--See Archaeological Journal, vol. + xliv, 56-82. + + M396 Whitington mayor for the third time, 1406. + + 748 Letter Book I, fo. 54. (Memorials pp. 563-564.) + + 749 License, dated Westminster, 29 May, 12 Henry IV (A.D. 1411).--Letter + Book I, fo. 103b. In 1417 the mayor and aldermen ordained that the + rector of St. Peter's for the time being should in future take + precedence of the rectors of all other city churches, on the ground + that Saint Peter's was the first church founded in the city of + London, having been built in 199 by King Lucius, and for 400 years + or more held the metropolitan chair.--Letter Book I, fo. 203. + (Memorials, pp. 651-653.) _Cf._ Journal 1, fo. 21b. + + M397 Further proceedings against Oldcastle and the Lollards, 1413. + + 750 "Eminentissima turris Ecclesiae Anglicanae et pugil invictus Dominus + Thomas de Arundelia."--Hist. Angl. ii, 300. + + M398 Meeting of Lollards in St. Giles' Fields, 12 Jan., 1414. + + 751 A certain William Fyssher, a _parchemyner_ or parchment-maker of + London, was afterwards (1416) convicted of assisting in Oldcastle's + escape, and was executed at Tyburn.--Letter Book I, fo. 181b. + (Memorials, p. 641.) + + 752 Walsingham, ii, 292-299; Fasc. Zizan. (Rolls Series No. 5), 433-449; + Chron. of London (ed. by Sir H. Nicolas), p. 97. + + 753 Letter Book I, fos. 286-290. + + M399 The last Statute against the Lollards, 1414. + + 754 2 Hen. V. Stat. i, c. 7. + + 755 It was not, however, the last occasion upon which parliamentary + action was attempted. In 1422, and again in 1425, the Lollards were + formidable in London, and parliament on both occasions ordered that + those who were in prison should be delivered at once to the + Ordinary, in accordance with the provisions of this Statute.--Stubbs, + Const. Hist., iii, 81, 363. + + M400 The king's offer of pardon refused by Oldcastle, 1415. + + 756 Letter Book I, fo. 147. + + 757 Walsingham, ii, 306, 307. + + M401 Trial and execution of Cleydon, a Lollard, 1415. + + 758 Hist. Angl., ii, 307. + + 759 Letter Book I, fol. 154. + + 760 See letter from the mayor to the king, giving an account of + Cleydon's trial, 22nd August, 1415.--Letter Book I, fo. 155. + (Memorials, p. 617). Foxe, "Acts and Monuments," iii, 531-534. + + M402 Oldcastle taken and executed, 1417. + + 761 Walsingham, ii, 327, 328. + + 762 Engl. Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 46; Chron. of London + (Nicolas), p. 106. + + 763 Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii., 363, 364. + + M403 Preparations for the invasion of France, 1414-1415. + M404 A question of precedence in the city. + + 764 Letter Book I, fo. 150. This "very antient memorandum" of the Lord + Mayor's precedence in the City was submitted to Charles II in 1670, + when that monarch insisted upon Sir Richard Ford, the Lord Mayor of + the day, giving "the hand and the place" to the Prince of Orange + (afterwards William III of England), on the occasion of the prince + being entertained by the City.--Repertory, 76, fos. 28b, 29. + + 765 Letter Book I, fo. 158b. (Memorials, p. 613). + + 766 -_Id._, fo. 157. + + M405 The king takes leave of the citizens on Blackheath, June, 1415. + + 767 Gregory's Chron. (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 17), pp. 108-109. Gregory was + an alderman of the City, and an eye-witness of much that he relates. + + 768 Letter dated 2nd August--the day on which Sir Thomas Grey, one of the + chief conspiritors was executed.--Letter Book I, fo. 180. + + M406 The capture of Harfleur, 18 Sept., 1415. + + 769 Letter Book I, fo. 143. (Memorials, p. 619). + + M407 Volunteers for service in France required, Oct., 1415. + M408 Citizens invited to reside in Harfleur. + + 770 Letter Book I, fo. 177. + + M409 Joy in the city at the news of the battle of Agincourt, Oct., 1415. + M410 The citizens welcome the king on his return from France. + + 771 Letter Book I, fo. 159. (Memorials, pp. 620, 622). + + 772 "Quali gaudio, quali tripudio, quali denique triumpho, sit acceptus + a Londoniensibus, dicere praetermitto. Quia revera curiositas + apparatumn, nimietas expensarum, varietates spectaculorum, tractatus + exigerent merito speciales."--Walsingham, ii, 314. + + 773 Chron. of London (Nicolas), p. 103. + + M411 Preparations for another expedition, 1416-1417. + + 774 Letter Book I, fo. 178b. Other proclamations on the same subject are + recorded in the same place, most of which will be found in + "Memorials" (pp. 627-629). + + 775 Letter Book I, fo. 190b. + + 776 -_Id._, fos. 188, 188b. + + M412 City loans, 1417. + + 777 Letter Book I, fo. 191b. + + 778 Letter Book I, fo. 218b. In May, 1419, the sword was surrendered, + and the security changed to one on wool, woolfells, &c.--_Id._, fo. + 227b. + + M413 Letter from the king to the City announcing his success, 9 Aug., + 1417. + M414 Another letter informing them of the capture of Caen, 5 Sept. + + 779 Letter Book I, fo. 229. (Memorials, p. 654.) + + 780 Journal 1, fo. 30b. + + 781 Letter Book I, fo. 200b. (Memorials, p. 657.) + + 782 Letter, dated Caen, 11 September.--Letter Book I, fo. 200b. + + M415 Proclamation by the Duke of Bedford, 18 Oct. + M416 Supplies granted by parliament, Dec, 1417. + + 783 Writ, dated 18th Oct.--Letter Book I, fo. 203. + + 784 Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii, 89. + + 785 Letter Book I, fo. 222. + + M417 Henry's conquest of Normandy, 1417-1419. + + 786 Letter Book I, fos. 211b, 212b, 217. Proclamations made by the civic + authorities at this time were subscribed "Carpenter"--the name of the + Common Clerk or Town Clerk of the City. The custom of the Town Clerk + of London for the time being, signing official documents of this + kind with his surname alone, continues at the present day. + + 787 Letter Book I, fo. 215b. + + 788 Letter Book I, fo. 216. (Memorials, p. 664). + + 789 Letter Book I, fo. 216. On the 15th September the question of + payment to the brewers, wine drawers and turners of the cups was + considered.--Journal I, fo. 48. (Memorials, pp. 665, 666). + + 790 Gregory's Chron. (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 17), 1222. + + 791 Letter Book I, fos. 236, 236b. + + M418 The king's letter to the City, 17 Aug., 1419. + + 792 Letter Book I, fo. 237. (Memorials, p. 674). + + M419 The treaty of Troyes, 20 May. 1420. + + 793 -_Id._, fo. 241b. + + 794 Letter Book I, fo. 252. + + 795 Walsingham, ii, 335. + + M420 The king's letter to the City, 12 July, 1420. + M421 The mayor's reply, 2 Aug. + + 796 Letter Book I, fo. 263. + + M422 The queen's coronation. + + 797 Letter Book I, fo. 259. According to Walsingham (ii, 336), the + ceremony took place on the _first_ Sunday in Lent. + + 798 Walsingham, ii, 336, 337. + + M423 Henry's last expedition, and death, Aug., 1422. + + 799 Parliament voted a fifteenth and a tenth to assist the king in his + necessities; John Gedney, alderman, John Perneys, John Bacon, + grocer, and John Patesley, goldsmith, being appointed commissioners + to levy the same within the City.--Letter Book I, fo. 277b. + + 800 Letter Book K, fo. 1b. + + M424 Rivalry between Bedford and Gloucester, 1422. + + 801 Letter Book I, fo. 282b. + + 802 Letter Book I, fo. 282b; Letter Book K, fo. 12. + + 803 Letter Book K, fo. 2. + + 804 Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii, 97. + + M425 An expedition to start for France, 1 March, 1423. + + 805 Letter Book K, fos. 10, 10b. + + M426 Sir John Mortimer. + + 806 -_Id._, fo. 15b. + + M427 The debts of Henry IV. + + 807 Letter Book K, fos. 10-18. + + M428 Gloucester and Beaufort, 1425-1428. + + 808 Chron. London (Nicolas), p. 114; Gregory's Chron. (Camd. Soc., N.S., + No. 17), p. 159; Engl. Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 64), pp. 53, 54. + + 809 See two letters from the mayor.--Letter Book K, fos. 18b, 21. + + 810 Gregory's Chron., p. 160. + + M429 End of the quarrel between Gloucester and Beaufort. + + 811 -_Id._, p. 162. + + M430 Gloucester loses the favour of the citizens. + + 812 Journal 2, fos. 22b, 64b (new pagination). + + 813 Letter Book K, fo. 50b. + + M431 The siege of Orleans, 1428-1429. + + 814 Gregory's Chron., p. 161. + + 815 Letter Book K, fo. 55b. + + M432 Famine in London, 1429. + + 816 Letter Book K, fos. 62, 63b; Gregory's Chron., p. 164. + + M433 Beaufort joins Bedford in France. + + 817 Letter Book K, fo. 66b; Gregory's Chron., p. 164. + + M434 Allowances made to those representing the City in parliament, 1429. + + 818 Letter Book K, fo. 68b. In 1443 the Common Council agreed to allow + the City members their reasonable expenses out of the chamber + (Journal 5, fo. 129b), but when parliament met at Coventry in 1459, + the City members were allowed 40_s._ a day, besides any + disbursements they might make in the City's honour (Journal 6, fo. + 166b), and the same allowance was made in 1464, when parliament sat + at York (Journal 7, fos. 52, 54). + + M435 The coronation of Henry VI, 6 Nov., 1429. + + 819 -_Id._, fo. 69b. + + 820 Gregory's Chron., pp. 164-168. + + 821 City Records, Liber Dunthorn, fo. 61b; Letter Book K, fo. 70. + + 822 Cal. of Wills, Court of Husting, London, ii, 509. + + M436 Sets out for France, April, 1430. + M437 And is crowned in Paris, Dec., 1431. + + 823 Letter Book K, fo. 84. + + 824 A long account of his entry into the French capital, and of the + pageantry in honour of the occasion, is set out in full in the + City's Records.--Letter Book K, fos. 101b-103. + + M438 The citizens welcome him on his return, 1432. + M439 The mayor and aldermen present him with a gift of L1,000. + + 825 A full descriptive account of Henry's reception on his return from + France is set out in the City Records (Letter Book K, fos. + 103b-104b). It purports to be an account sent by John Carpenter, the + Town Clerk, to a friend, and has been printed at the end of the + _Liber Albus_ (Rolls Series); _Cf._ Gregory's Chron., pp. 173-175. + + M440 Gloucester's attacks on Beaufort and Bedford, 1432-1433. + + 826 He informed the City of his intention by letter, dated from Ghent + the 13th April.--Letter Book K, fo. 105. + + 827 Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii, 114-117. + + M441 Financial reform, 1433. + + 828 Letter Book K, fo. 137b. + + 829 Letter Book K, fo. 138. + + M442 The death of Bedford, 14 Sept., 1435. + + 830 Gregory's Chron., p. 177. + + M443 Calais appeals to London for assistance, 27 June, 1436. + + 831 Letter Book K, fo. 148. + + 832 "And that same yere (1437), the Mayre of London sende, by the good + a-vyse and consent of craftys, sent sowdyers to Calys, for hyt was + sayde that the Duke of Burgone lay sege unto Calis."--Gregory's + Chron. p. 178. + + 833 Letter Book K, fos. 160-162. + + 834 Gregory's Chron. p. 179. + + M444 A tax imposed on aliens, 1439. + + 835 Letter Book K. fo. 183b. The tax was found to be so successful that + it was subsequently renewed. In 1453 it was renewed for the king's + life.--_Id._, fo. 280b. + + M445 The penance of Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester's wife, 1441. + + 836 Journal 3, fo. 103b. + + 837 Chron. of London (Nicolas), p. 129. + + M446 The king's charter to the City, 26 Oct., 1444. + + 838 The validity as well as the effect of this charter (which is + preserved in the Town Clerk's office) has been made the subject of + much controversy, some contending that it is in effect a grant of + the soil of the river from Staines to Yantlet, that being the extent + of the City's liberties on the Thames, whilst others restrict the + grant to the City's territorial limits, _i.e._, from Temple Bar to + the Tower. + + 839 Letter Book K, fo. 220b. + + M447 Henry's marriage with Margaret of Anjou, 22 April, 1445. + + 840 Chron. of London (Nicholas), p. 134. + + M448 Jack Cade's rebellion, 1450. + + 841 See "Historical Memoranda," by Stow, printed in "Three Fifteenth + Cent. Chron." (Camd. Soc., N.S., No. 28), pp. 94-99. + + 842 "And the Meire of London with the comynes of the city came to the + kynge besekynge him that he wolde tarye in the cite, and they wolde + lyve and dye with him, and pay for his costes of householde an halff + yere; but he wold nott, but toke his journey to + Kyllyngworthe."--"Three Fifteenth Cent. Chronicles" (Camd. Soc.), p. + 67. + + M449 The city prepares to defend itself. + + 843 Journal 5, fo. 36b. + + 844 Journal 5, fo. 39. + + 845 He had been admitted alderman of Lime Street ward in 1448, at the + king's special request, and had only recently been + discharged.--Journal 4, fo. 213b; Journal 5, fo. 38b. In 1461 he left + England, but was captured at sea by the French and put to ransom for + 4,000 marks.--Fabyan, p. 638. + + 846 Holinshed, iii, 224. + + 847 Gregory's Chron., p. 192. + + 848 Journal 5, fo. 40b. + + M450 Mock trials held by the rebels at the Guildhall. + M451 Cade apprehended. + + 849 Alexander Iden, who appears to have pursued Cade beyond the limits + of his own jurisdiction, as Sheriff of Kent, into the neighbouring + county of Sussex, where the rebel was apprehended in a garden at + Heathfield.--"Three Fifteenth Cent. Chron.," preface, p. vii. + + M452 The question of the succession to the throne. + M453 Rivalry between the Dukes of York and Somerset, 1450. + + 850 The exclusion of the Duke and other nobles from the king's council + had been made an express ground of complaint by the Kentish + insurgents. + + 851 Chron., p. 196. + + M454 Civil war averted. + + 852 "And so thei brought (the duke) ungirt thurgh London bitwene ij + bisshoppes ridyng unto his place; and after that made hym swere at + Paulis after theire entent, and put him frome his good peticions + which were for the comoen wele of the realme."--Chron. of London + (Nicolas), p. 138. + + M455 The king's illness, 1453. + + 853 Journal 5, fos. 131, 132b, 133b. + + M456 The City again called upon to assist in the defence of Calais, + 1453-1454. + + 854 Journal 5, fos. 134b, 135b, 136. + + 855 -_Id._, fo. 148. + + 856 -_Id._, fo. 152. + + 857 -_Id._, fo. 152b. + + 858 -_Id._, fos. 183, 184. + + 859 Journal 5, fo. 206. + + 860 Report of City Chamberlain to the Court of Common Council.--Journal + 5, fos. 227-228b. + + M457 The Duke of York and his supporters take up their quarters in the + city, 1454. + + 861 News-letter of John Stodeley, 19 Jan., 1454; Paston Letters + (Gairdner), i, 265, 266. + + 862 Journal 5, fos 143, 145b, 152, 152b-160b. + + M458 The Duke of York nominated protector, 1454. + + 863 Journal 5, fo. 150. + + 864 -_Id._, fos. 162, 162b. + + 865 -_Id._, fo. 164b. + + M459 The first battle of St. Albans, 22 May, 1455. + M460 A rising against the Lombards in the city, May, 1456. + + 866 Booking to Paston, 15 May; Paston Letters (Gairdner), i, 387; _Cf._ + Chron. of London (Nicolas), p. 139; Gregory's Chron., p. 199. + + 867 William Cantelowe, alderman of Cripplegate and Billingsgate wards, + from the latter of which he was discharged in October, 1461, on the + score of old age and infirmity (Journal 6, fo. 81b). He appears in + his time to have had financial dealings with the crown, on one + occasion conveying money over sea for bringing Queen Margaret to + England, and on another supplying gunpowder to the castle of + Cherbourg, when it was in the hands of the English. He is thought by + some to be identical with the William Cantelowe who afterwards (in + 1464) captured Henry VI in a wood in the North of England.--"Three + Fifteenth Cent. Chron." (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 28), Preface, p. viii. + + 868 Short English Chron. (Camd. Soc., N.S., No. 28), p. 70. + + M461 Letter from the king for safe-guarding the city, 3 Sept., 1456. + + 869 Letter Book K, fo. 287. + + M462 The citizens offer to man and victual ships to punish France, 1457. + + 870 -_Id._, fo. 288b. + + M463 A general reconciliation at St. Paul's, 25 March, 1458. + + 871 Cotton MS., Vitell. A, xvi, fo. 114. + + 872 Engl. Chron., 1377-1461 (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 77. + + 873 Fabyan, Chron. (ed. 1811), p. 633; _Cf._ Chron. of London (Nicolas), + p. 139. + + M464 Warwick implicated in a riot, Nov., 1458. + M465 Seeks refuge in the city. + M466 Leaves for Calais. + + 874 Journal 6, fos. 138, 138b, 139. + + 875 Engl. Chron., 1377-1461 (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 78; _Cf._ Fabyan, + p. 633; Holinshed, iii, 249. + + M467 Riot between citizens and Templars, April, 1459. + + 876 Short Engl. Chron. (Camd. Soc., N.S., No. 28), p. 71; Chron. of + London (Nicolas), p. 140. + + M468 The battle of Blore Heath, 23 Sept., 1459. + M469 Parliament at Coventry, 20 Nov., 1459. + + 877 Journal 6, fo. 166. + + 878 -_Id._, fo. 145. + + M470 The king loses favour. + + 879 -_Id._, fo. 163. + + 880 English Chron., 1377-1461 (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 179. + + M471 Unconstitutional conduct of the king in issuing commissions to raise + an army, Jan., 1460. + M472 A deputation from the City waits upon the king at Northampton. + M473 The City's liberties not to be prejudiced. + + 881 Journal 6, fo. 224b. + + 882 William Paston, writing to his brother John, under date 28th + January, 1460, remarks, "Item, the kyng cometh to London ward, and, + as it is seyd, rereth the pepyll as he come; but it is certayn ther + be comyssyons made in to dyvers schyres that every man be redy in + his best aray to com when the kyng send for hem."--Paston Letters + (Gairdner), i, 506. + + 883 Paston Letters (Gairdner), Introd., p. cxl. + + 884 The king's letter, dated 2 Feb., was read before the Common Council + on the 5 Feb.--Letter Book K, fo. 313b; Journal 6, fo. 196b. + + M474 Military precautions taken by the City, Feb., 1460. + + 885 Journal 6, fo. 197b. + + 886 -_Id._, fo. 203b. + + 887 -_Id._, fo. 158. + + M475 Landing of the confederate earls. + M476 The Common Council determine to oppose their entrance to the city, + 27 June, 1460. + + 888 Journal 6, fo. 237. + + 889 It had been destroyed by fire during the Kentish outbreak.--Gregory's + Chron., p. 193. + + 890 Journal 6, fo. 237b. + + M477 Meeting of Common Council on Sunday, 29 June. + + 891 Journal 6, fo. 238. + + 892 -_Id._, fo. 238b. + + M478 The Yorkist earls admitted into the city, 2 July, 1460. + + 893 Journal 6, fos. 239, 239b; Eng. Chron., 1377-1461 (Camd. Soc. No. + 64), p. 94. + + M479 The Tower holds out. + + 894 Journal 6, fo. 252b. + + 895 Eo quod nullus alius modus videtur esse tutus pro civitate.--_Id._, + fo. 251. + + 896 Journal 6, fo. 251b. + + M480 The Tower surrendered, 19 July. + M481 Murder of Lord Scales. + + 897 -_Id._, fo. 250b. + + 898 Eng. Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 64), p. 98. The Thames boatmen and + sailors were almost as powerful and troublesome a body of men as the + London apprentices. The Common Council had recently (11th July) + endeavoured to subdue their turbulent spirit by the distribution + among them of a large sum of money (L100).--Journal 6, fo. 254. + + M482 Battle of Northampton, 10 July, 1460. + + 899 On the 4th July the Common Council voted the earls the sum of L1,000 + by way of loan.--Journal 6, fo. 253. + + 900 Journal 6, fo. 256. By some inadvertence two copies of the agreement + were sealed, one of which was returned to the mayor to be cancelled. + + M483 Measures for restoring confidence in the city. + + 901 Journal 6, fo. 257. + + M484 Parliament of 7 Oct., 1460. + M485 The Duke of York's claim to the throne allowed. + M486 The Livery Companies declare their allegiance to the king. + + 902 Gregory's Chron., p. 208; Engl. Chron., pp, 99-100; Short Engl. + Chron., p. 75. + + 903 The interview with the wardens of the companies took place at a + Common Council held on the 13th December, 1460.--Journal 6, fo. 282b. + + M487 The battle of Wakefield, 29 Dec., 1460. + M488 The second battle of St. Albans, 17 Feb., 1461. + + 904 Journal 6, fo. 13. + + 905 The governing body in the city was still Lancastrian at heart. On + the 13th Feb. the Common Council had voted Henry, at that time in + the hands of Warwick, a loan of 1,000 marks, and a further sum of + 500 marks (making in all L1,000) for the purpose of _garnysshyng_ + and safeguarding the city. On the 24th a certain number of aldermen + and commoners were deputed to answer for the safe custody of the + Tower, and on the following day (25 Feb.) the mayor forbade, by + public proclamation, any insult being offered to Sir Edmund Hampden + and others, who had been despatched by the king and queen to London + for the purpose of ascertaining "the true and faithful disposition" + of the city.--Journal 6, fos. 35, 35b, 40. + + M489 The Earls of March and Warwick admitted into the city, Feb., 1461. + + 906 Gregory's Chron., p. 215. + + M490 Edward's claim to the crown recognised, 1 March, 1461. + + 907 Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii, 189. + + 908 Journal 6, fo. 37b. + + M491 The accession of King Edward IV, March, 1461. + + 909 Letter Book L, fo. 4; Lib. Dunthorn, fo. 62; Journal 7, fo. 98. + + 910 Short English Chron. (Camd. Soc., N.S., No. 28), p. 80. + + 911 Journal 7, fos. 97b, 98. + + M492 Edward's first charter to the city, 26 Aug., 1461. + + 912 Charter, dat. Winchecombe, 26 Aug., 1461. Preserved at the Guildhall + (Box No. 28). + + M493 Second charter of Edward IV, 25 March, 1462. + + 913 Inspeximus charter, dated Westminster, 25 March, 1462. Preserved at + the Guildhall (Box No. 13). + + M494 City Loans, 1462. + + 914 Journal 7, fo. 8. + + 915 -_Id._, fo. 15. + + 916 See Inspeximus charter 15 Charles II. + + M495 The king's reception in the city on his return from the North, Feb., + 1463. + + 917 Journal 7, fo. 21b. + + M496 Estrangement of Warwick, 1464-1468. + M497 Alliance between England and Burgundy, 1468. + + 918 Journal 7, fo. 175. + + M498 Renewal of the civil war, 1469. + + 919 Ancestor of Lord Bacon and others of the nobility.--See Orridge + "Citizens and their Rulers," p. 222. + + 920 Fabyan, p. 656. He was deprived of his aldermanry (Broad Street + Ward) by the king's orders.--Journal 7, fo. 128. + + 921 Journal 7, fos. 196, 198, 199. + + 922 Journal 7, fos. 215b, 222b. + + 923 -_Id._, fos. 229b, 230b. + + M499 Flight of Edward and restoration of Henry VI, Oct., 1470. + + 924 -_Id._, fo. 222b. + + 925 A record of what took place in the city between the 1st and 6th + October is set out in Journal 7, fo. 223b. + + 926 -_Id._, fo. 225. + + 927 He had, after Warwick's flight to France in March of this year, put + to death and impaled twenty of the earl's followers.--Warkworth's + Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 10), p. 9. + + 928 Journal 7, fo. 225. + + M500 Sir Thomas Cooke or Coke, late alderman. + + 929 Fabyan Chron., p. 660. + + M501 Edward recovers the throne, April, 1471. + + 930 Warkworth's Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 10), p. 15.--According to the + chronicler, the _Commons_ of the city were still loyal to Henry, + whom Archbishop Nevill had carried through the streets, weak and + sickly as he was, in the hope of exciting the sympathy of the + burgesses. Had the archbishop been a true man, "as the Commons of + London were," Edward would not have gained an entry into the city + until after the victory of Barnet-field. + + M502 The Kentish rising under "bastard" Fauconberg, May, 1471. + M503 Attack made on the City. + + 931 Journal 5, fos. 152, 175. + + 932 The "bastard's" letter and the reply of the mayor and aldermen are + set out in Journal 8, fos. 4b-6b, and Letter Book L, fo. 78. + + 933 Holinshed, iii, 323; Fabyan, p. 662.--According to Warkworth (p. 19), + the _Commons_ would willingly have admitted the rebels had the + latter not attempted to fire Aldgate and London Bridge. + + 934 Paston Letters, iii, 17. + + M504 Edward's return to London, and death of Henry VI, May, 1471. + + 935 The 21st May is the day usually given as that on which Edward + returned. The City's Journal, however, gives the day as the Eve of + the Ascension, that festival falling on May the 23rd.--Journal 8, fo. + 7. + + 936 Warkworth's Chron., p. 21. + + 937 Namely, Richard Lee, Matthew Philip, Ralph Verney, John Young, + William Tailour, George Irlond, William Hampton, Bartholomew James, + Thomas Stalbrok, and William Stokker.--Journal 8, fo. 7. + + 938 Journal 7, fo. 246. + + M505 Birth of Edward V. + + 939 -_Id._, 8, fo. 98. + + M506 The invasion of France, 1475. + + 940 -_Id._, fo. 101. + + 941 Journal 8, fo. 110b. + + M507 Edward and the citizens. + + 942 Preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. 28). + + 943 Journal 8, fo. 244. + + 944 Fabyan, p. 667. + + M508 A famine threatened, 1482. + + 945 Proclamation, dated 21 Nov., 22 Edw. IV.--Letter Book L, fo. 281b; + Journal 9, fo. 2. + + M509 Edward's last parliament, 1483. + + 946 Journal 9, fo. 12. + + 947 -_Id._, fo. 14. + + 948 -_Id._, fo. 14b. + + M510 Preparations for the coronation of Edward V. + + 949 -_Id._, fos. 18, 18b. + + 950 Journal 9, fo. 21b. + + 951 The oath taken by Gloucester to King Edward V, as well as the oath + which he was willing to take to the queen, if she consented to quit + Westminster, were read before the Common Council on the 23rd + March.--Journal 9, fo. 23b. + + M511 Shaw's sermon at Paul's Cross, Sunday, 22 June, 1483. + M512 The Duke of Buckingham at the Guildhall, 24 June, 1483. + + 952 Wife of Matthew Shore, a respectable goldsmith of Lombard Street:-- + + "In Lombard-street, I once did dwelle, + As London yet can witness welle; + Where many gallants did beholde + My beautye in a shop of golde." + + (_Percy Reliques_). + + She had recently been made to do penance by Gloucester in a white + sheet for practising witchcraft upon him; but her unhappy position, + as well as her well-known charity in better days, gained for her + much sympathy and respect. + + 953 The duke's speech, interesting as it is, as showing the importance + attached to gaining the favour of the City, cannot be regarded as + historical.--Stubbs, Const. Hist., iii, 224 note. + + M513 The deposition of Edward V, 26 June, 1483. + M514 The coronation of Richard III, 6 July, 1433. + + 954 Journal 9, fo. 27. + + 955 Journal 9, fo. 33b. The names of the citizens selected for that + honour are recorded.--_Id._, fo. 21b. The names also of those who + attended coronations in the same capacity down to the time of George + IV are, with one exception (the coronation of Charles I), entered in + the City's archives.--(See Report on Coronations, presented to Co. + Co., 18 Aug., 1831. _Printed_.) + + 956 -_Id._, fo. 43. + + 957 -_Id._, fo. 114b. + + M515 Rebellion of the Duke of Buckingham, 1483. + M516 His execution, 2 Nov. + M517 The king's reception in the city, Nov., 1483. + M518 Bold speech of the Londoners. + + 958 Journal 9, fo. 39. + + 959 Green, Hist. of the English People, ii, 63. + + M519 Richard's Parliament, Jan., 1484. + + 960 Stat. 1 Richard III, c. 9. + + 961 -_Id._, c. 2. + + M520 Expected invasion of Henry of Richmond, 1484. + + 962 Journal 9, fo. 43b. + + 963 Journal 9, fo. 56. + + 964 Cotton MS. Vitellius A, xvi, fo. 140. + + M521 Richard defeated and slain at Bosworth, 22 Aug., 1485. + + 965 Journal 9, fos. 78b, 81. Richard issued a proclamation against Henry + "Tydder" on the 23 June, calling upon his subjects to defend + themselves against his proposed attack.--Paston Letters (Gairdner), + iii, 316-320. + + 966 Journal 9, fos. 81b-83b. + + M522 Henry VII escorted to the city. + + 967 Journal 9, fos. 84, 85b, 86b; _Cf._ "Materials illustrative of the + reign of Henry VII" (Rolls Series, No. 60), i, 4-6. + + 968 Holinshed, iii, 479. + + M523 The sweating sickness, Sept.-Oct., 1485. + + 969 Hecker's "Epidemics of the Middle Ages," p. 168. + + 970 Journal 9, fo. 87b. + + 971 The day for election of mayor varied; at one time it was the Feast + of the Translation of S. Edward (13 Oct.), at another the Feast of + SS. Simon and Jude (28 Oct.). + + 972 Journal 9, fo. 88. + + 973 -_Id._, fo. 78b. + + 974 -_Id._, fo. 89b. + + M524 A City loan of L2,000. + + 975 Holinshed, iii, 482, 483; Cotton MS. Vitellius A, xvi, fo. 141b. + According to Fabyan (p. 683), the Mercers, Grocers and Drapers + subscribed nearly one half of the loan. + + M525 Henry's marriage with Elizabeth of York, Jan., 1486. + + 976 Pol. Verg., 717; "Materials illustrative of the reign of Henry VII" + (Rolls Series, No. 60), i, 3. + + 977 Gairdner's "Henry the Seventh" (Twelve English Statesmen Series), p. + 47. No record of this appears in the City's archives. + + M526 The insurrection of Lambert Simnel, 1487. + M527 City gifts to the king, June and July, 1487. + + 978 Journal 9, fos. 150b, 151. + + 979 -_Id._, fo. 151. + + M528 The king escorted to London, Oct., 1487. + M529 The City's gift to the queen at her coronation, 25 Nov., 1487. + + 980 He arrived on the 3rd Nov.--Gairdner, p. 57. + + 981 Journal 9, fos. 157b, 158. + + 982 -_Id._, fo. 161. + + M530 Henry VII and Brittany, 1488-1492. + + 983 Journal 9, fo. 223b; Cotton MS. Vitellius A, xvi, fo. 142b; Fabyan, + p. 683; Holinshed, iii, 492. + + M531 Parliamentary supplies and City loans. + + 984 Henry's second parliament was summoned to meet the 9th Nov., 1487. + The names of the City's representatives have not come down to us, + but we know that William White, an alderman, was elected one or the + members in the place of Thomas Fitz-William, who was chosen member + for Lincolnshire, and we have the names of six men chosen to + superintend the City's affairs in this parliament (_ad prosequendum + in parliamento pro negociis civitatis_), viz:--William Capell, + alderman, Thomas Bullesdon, Nicholas Alwyn, Simon Harrys, William + Brogreve, and Thomas Grafton.--Journal 9, fo. 224. + + 985 Holinshed, iii, 492. + + 986 Journal 9, fo. 273b. + + 987 Fabyan, p. 684. + + M532 Perkin Warbeck conspiracy, 1496-1497. + M533 The city put into a state of defence. + + 988 Journal 10, fos. 80b, 83; Repertory 1, fos. 10b, 13. The + "Repertories"--containing minutes of the proceedings of the Court of + Aldermen, distinct from those of the Common Council--commence in + 1495. + + 989 Repertory 1, fo. 19b. + + 990 Two years later, when the post was held by Arnold Babyngton, + complaint being made of the noisome smell arising from the burning + of bones, horns, shavings of leather, &c., in preparing food for the + City's hounds, near Moorgate, the Common Hunt was allowed a sum of + 26_s._ 8_d._ in addition to his customary fees for the purpose of + supplying wood for the purpose.--Repertory 1, fo. 70. The office was + maintained as late as the year 1807, when it was abolished by order + of the Common Council.--Journal 84, fo. 135b. + + 991 Repertory 1, fo. 20b. + + 992 -_Id._, fos. 20, 20b. + + M534 The rebels defeated at Blackheath, 22 June, 1497. + M535 Perkin Warbeck in Cornwall. + M536 Surrenders to the king's forces and is brought prisoner to London, + Oct., 1498. + M537 Is executed at Tyburn, 1499. + + 993 Journal 10, fo. 104b. + + 994 -_Id._, fo. 105. + + 995 -_Id._, fo. 108. + + 996 Fabyan, p. 687. + + M538 Visit of Henry VIII as a boy to the city, 30 Oct., 1498. + + 997 Cotton MS. Vitellius A, xvi, fo. 176. + + M539 His speech. + + 998 Repertory 1, fo. 41b. + + M540 Negotiations for a marriage between Prince Arthur and Catherine of + Aragon. + M541 Preparations for reception of the princess, Nov., 1499. + + 999 Repertory 1, fo. 62. + + 1000 Journal 10, fo. 187b. + + M542 Death of an infant prince, June, 1500. + + 1001 Journal 10, fo. 190b. + + 1002 -_Id._, fo. 191. + + M543 The marriage of Prince Arthur with Catherine of Aragon, 14 Nov., + 1501. + + 1003 This is the date given by Gairdner (p. 198). According to Fabyan + (p. 687) she arrived on the 4th Oct. + + 1004 Journal 10, fos. 238, 238b. + + M544 More rejoicings in the city, March, 1503 + + 1005 Repertory 1, fos. 122b-126. The account will be found in Archaeol., + vol. xxxii, p. 126. + + 1006 Repertory 1, fos. 130, 130b. + + M545 Charter of Henry VII to the Tailors of London, 6 June 1503. + + 1007 By Stat. 19 Henry VII, c. 7, annulling Stat. 15 Henry VI, c. 6. + + 1008 Repertory 2, fo. 146. + + M546 Henry's charter to the City, 23 July, 1505. + + 1009 Charter dated 23 July, 1505, preserved at the Guildhall (Box No. + 15). + + 1010 Repertory 1, fo. 175. + + M547 Henry's high-handed policy towards the City, 1506-1509. + + 1011 Strype, Stow's "Survey" (1720), bk. ii, p. 193. + + 1012 Repertory 2, fos. 12, 14; Grey Friars Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 53), + p. 29. + + 1013 The sum mentioned by Holinshed (iii. 539), is L1,400; _Cf._ Fabyan, + p. 689. + + 1014 Baker, in his Chronicle (ed. 1674), p. 248, puts Capel's fine at + L1,400; _Cf._ Fabyan, p. 689; Holinshed, iii, 530; Journal 11, fo. + 94. + + 1015 Fabyan, p. 690. + + M548 Marriage of the Princess Mary, Dec., 1508. + + 1016 Letter Book M, fo. 138; Journal 11, fo. 28. + + 1017 Journal 11, fos. 37-39. + + 1018 Gairdner's "Henry the Seventh," p. 206. + + M549 Henry's taste for the fine arts. + M550 The King's Chapel and Chantry at Westminster. + + 1019 Journal 10, fos. 318, 318b; Repertory 2, fos. 10b-11b. A list of + "such places as have charged themself and promysed to kepe the + yerely obit" of Henry VII, as well as a copy of indentures made for + the assurance of the same obit, with schedule of sums paid to + various religious houses for the observance of the same, are entered + in the City's Records.--Repertory 1. fo. 167b; Letter Book P, fo. + 186b. + + M551 The king's death, 22 April, 1509. + + 1020 The generally accepted day of his death, although the City's + Archives in one place record it as having taken place on the + 21st.--Journal 2, fo. 67b; _Cf._ Fabyan, 690. + + 1021 Holinshed, iii, 541. + + 1022 Journal 11, fos. 67b-69. + + 1023 "Aldermen barons and presenting barons astate whiche hath been + Maires." + + 1024 Journal 2, fo. 69. + + 1025 Repertory 11, fo. 68b. + + M552 Proceeding against Empson and Dudley and their agents. + + 1026 Letters Patent, dated 9 June, 1509, preserved at the Guildhall (Box + No. 29). + + 1027 Letter Book M, fo. 159; Journal 11, fo. 74b. + + 1028 Repertory 2, fo. 68. + + M553 City gift on occasion of the king's coronation, 24 June, 1509. + + 1029 Journal 11, fos. 80, 81b, 82; Letter Book M, fo. 160. + + 1030 Journal 11, fo. 80. + + 1031 Holinshed, iii, 547. + + M554 The war with France, 1512-1513. + + 1032 According to Holinshed (iii, 567), Parliament opened on the 25th + Jan., 1512. The Parliamentary Returns give the date as the 4th Feb. + with "no returns found." The names of the City's members, however, + are recorded in the City's Archives. They were Alderman Sir William + Capell, who had suffered so much at the close of the last reign, + Richard Broke, the City's new Recorder, William Cawle or Calley, + draper, and John Kyme, mercer, commoners.--Journal 11, fo. 147b; + Repertory 2, fo. 125b. + + 1033 The Act for levying the necessary subsidy ordained that every alien + made a denizen should be rated like a native, but that aliens who + had not become denizens should be assessed at double the amount at + which natives were assessed.--See "Historical Introd. to Cal. of + Denizations and Naturalizations of Aliens in England, 1509-1603." + (Huguenot Soc.), viii, 7. + + 1034 Journal 11, fo. 1. + + 1035 -_Id._, fo. 1b. + + 1036 Journal 11, fo. 171; Repertory 2, fos. 150b, 172. + + 1037 Repertory 2, fos. 151b-152. + + 1038 Journal 11, fo. 2. + + 1039 Repertory 2, fo. 153. + + M555 The Battle of Spurs, 16 Aug., 1513. + M556 Peace with France, 1514. + M557 The New Learning. + M558 Thomas More. + + 1040 Letter Book M., fo. 257; Repertory 3, fo. 221. In July, 1517, the + Fellowship of Saddlers of London consented, on the recommendation of + Archbishop Warham, to refer a matter of dispute between it and the + parishioners of St. Vedast to the Recorder and Thomas More, + gentleman, for settlement (Repertory 3, fo. 149); and in Aug., 1521, + "Thomas More, late of London, gentleman," was bound over, in the sum + of L20, to appear before the mayor for the time being, to answer + such charges as might be made against him.--Journal 12, fo. 123. + + 1041 Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More, pp. 3, 5, 6. + + M559 Dean Colet. + + 1042 Journal 8, fo. 144; Journal 9, fos. 13, 142b. + + M560 Education in the city. + + 1043 William Lichfield, rector of All Hallows the Great, Gilbert + Worthington, rector of St. Andrew's, Holborn, John Cote, rector of + St. Peter's, Cornhill, and John Nigel or Neel, master of the + hospital of St. Thomas de Acon and parson of St. Mary + Colechurch.--Rot. Parl. v, 137. + + M561 The City of London School. + + 1044 Stow's Survey (Thoms's ed., 1876), p. 42. + + 1045 Chamber Accounts (Town Clerk's office), i, fos. 202b, 203. + + M562 St. Paul's School. + + 1046 Repertory 2, fos. 121b, 123. + + 1047 -_Id._, fo. 126b; Journal 11, fo. 147b. + + 1048 Journal 11, fo. 163; Repertory 2, fos. 133b, 142. + + 1049 Letter of Erasmus to Justus Jonas quoted in Lupton's Life of Colet, + pp. 166, 167. + + 1050 Survey (Thoms's ed., 1876), p. 28. + + M563 Provincial grammar schools founded by citizens of London. + + 1051 "The number of grammar schools, in various parts of the country, + which owe their foundation and endowment to the piety and liberality + of citizens of London ... far exceeds what might be supposed, + approaching as it does nearly to a hundred."--Preface to Brewer's + Life of Carpenter, p. xi. + + M564 Birth of the Princess Mary, Feb., 1516. + + 1052 Repertory 3, fo. 46. + + M565 The city and Cardinal Wolsey, 1516. + + 1053 -_Id._, fos. 70b, 71. + + 1054 -_Id._, fos. 86, 86b, 88. + + 1055 Repertory 3, fos. 116, 116b. + + M566 Evil Mayday, 1517. + + 1056 Wares bought and sold between strangers--"foreign bought and + sold"--were declared forfeited to the City by Letters Patent of Henry + VII, 23 July. 1505, confirmed by Henry VIII, 12 July, 1523. + + 1057 In 1500, and again in 1516, orders were issued for all freemen to + return with their families to the city on pain of losing their + freedom.--Journal 10. fos. 181b, 259. + + 1058 Repertory 3, fos. 141b, 142. + + 1059 Holinshed, iii, 618. + + 1060 Or Munday; the name is said to appear in twenty-seven different + forms. He was a goldsmith by trade, and was appointed (among others) + by Cardinal Wolsey to report upon the assay of gold and silver + coinage in 1526.--Journal 13, fo. 45b; Letter Book O, fo. 71b. He + served sheriff, 1514; and was mayor in 1522. + + 1061 In 1462 the Common Council ordered basket-makers, gold wire-drawers, + and other foreigners plying a craft within the city, to reside at + Blanchappleton--a manor in the vicinity of Mark Lane--and not + elsewhere. + + 1062 Repertory 3, fo. 55b. + + 1063 For an account of the riot and subsequent proceedings, see + Holinshed, iii, 621-623, and the Grey Friars Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. + 53). p. 30. + + M567 The City anxious to regain the king's lost favour. + + 1064 Repertory 3, fos. 143, 143b. + + M568 A deputation attends the king at Greenwich, 11 May, 1517. + M569 Wolsey and other lords to be bought over with gifts. + M570 The king's pardon obtained, 22 May. + + 1065 Holinshed, iii, 624. + + 1066 Repertory 3, fo. 144b. + + 1067 -_Id._, fo. 143b. + + 1068 Holinshed, 624. + + 1069 Repertory 3, fo. 145b. + + 1070 -_Id._, fo. 145. + + 1071 Repertory 3, fo. 165. + + 1072 -_Id._, fo. 166. + + 1073 "Thys yere was much a doo in the yelde-halle for the mayer for the + comyns wold not have had Semer, for be cause of yell May-day."--Grey + Friars Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 53), p. 33. + + 1074 Repertory 11, fo. 351b. + + M571 The epidemic of 1518. + + 1075 Cal. Letters and Papers, For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. ii, pt. i, + Pref., p. ccxxi. + + 1076 -_Id._, vol. ii, pt. ii, p. 1276. + + 1077 Repertory 3, fos. 184b, 189b, 191, 192. + + 1078 Letter Book N, fo. 95b. + + 1079 Repertory 3, fos. 192, 194; Letter Book N, fos. 63b, 74. + + 1080 Repertory 3, fo. 197. + + M572 Marriage of the infant Princess Mary with the Dauphin, 5 Oct., 1518. + + 1081 Hall's Chron., pp. 593, 594. + + 1082 Holinshed, iii, 632. + + 1083 Cal. Letters and Papers, For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. ii. pt. i, + Pref., pp. clx, clxi. + + M573 Preparations for the reception of the legate in the city, July, + 1519. + + 1084 "An order devysed by the Mayer and hys brethrern the aldremen by the + Kynges commandment for a Tryumphe to be done in the Citie of London + at the Request of the Right honorable ambassadors of the Kynge of + Romayns."--10 July, Journal 12, fo. 9. + + M574 The legate lands at Deal, 23 July, 1519. + M575 A story told of his passage through the city. + + 1085 Hall, pp. 592, 593. + + M576 The contest for the empire, 1519. + + 1086 Holinshed, iii, 639. + + M577 The emperor's visit to the city, 1522. + + 1087 Journal 12, fos. 125, 172b, 173b; Letter Book N, fo. 194b. + + 1088 Knighted the next day at Greenwich.--Repertory 5, fo. 295. + + 1089 Repertory 5, fo. 294. + + 1090 -_Id._ 4, fo. 134b. + + 1091 -_Id._ 5, fo. 293. + + M578 Pestilence and famine, 1519-1522. + + 1092 Journal 12, fos. 75b-76; Letter Book N, fos. 142-143. + + 1093 Grey Friars Chron., p. 30; Repertory 4, fo. 71b. + + 1094 Repertory 4, fos. 1b, 12, 13. + + 1095 Journal 12, fo. 136. + + 1096 -_Id._, fo. 144. + + 1097 Journal 12, fos. 158, 161, 163b; Letter Book N, fos. 187b, 190b. + + 1098 Holinshed, iii, 675. + + M579 Execution of the Duke of Buckingham, 1521. + + 1099 Shakespere mentions the Duke's manor thus:-- + + "Not long before your highness sped to France, + The duke being at the Rose, within the parish + St. Laurence Poultney, did of me demand + What was the speech among the Londoners + Concerning the French journey." + + --Henry VIII, act 1, sc. 2. + + 1100 Cal. Letters and Papers, For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. iii, pt. + i, Pref., pp. cxxv, cxxvi, cxxxv, cxxxvi. + + 1101 On the 5th July steps were taken by the Court of Aldermen for + putting a stop to the mutinous and seditious words that were current + in the city "concerning the lamenting and sorrowing of the death of + the duke"--men saying that he was guiltless--and special precautions + were taken for the safe custody of weapons and harness for fear of + an outbreak. The scribe evinced his loyalty by heading the page of + the record with _Lex domini immaculata: Vivat Rex Currat + L_.--Repertory 5, fo. 204. + + M580 City loan of L20,000 to assist the king against France, 1522. + + 1102 Repertory 5, fo. 288. + + 1103 Journal 12, fos. 187b, 188b, 195; Letter Book N, fos. 203b, 204, + 208. + + M581 The aldermen to be assessed with the commoners and not to be + severed. + + 1104 Repertory 5, fo. 292. + + 1105 Journal 12, fo. 187b. + + 1106 Repertory 5, fos. 289, 290. + + 1107 -_Id._, fo. 291. + + 1108 Repertory 5, fos. 296b, 297. + + 1109 -_Id._, fo. 294. + + M582 A further loan of 4,000 marks. + M583 Letter of thanks from Wolsey, 3 Sept., 1522. + + 1110 A portion remained unpaid on 16 August.--Journal 12, fo. 195. + + 1111 Letter dated 3 Sept.--Journal 12, fo. 196b. On 28 Sept. Wolsey asked + for more time to repay the loan.--Repertory 5, fo. 326. + + 1112 Journal 12, fo. 200. + + M584 The City makes a stand against further loans. Nov., 1522. + M585 Others follow its example. + + 1113 Journal 12, fo. 210. + + 1114 See Green's "Hist. of the English People," ii, 121. 122. + + M586 Appeal to parliament, April, 1523. + + 1115 Grey Friars Chron., p. 31. + + 1116 Repertory 4, fo. 144; _Cf._ Repertory 6, fo. 20b; Letter Book N, fo. + 222. + + 1117 Repertory 4, fo. 145b. + + 1118 Roper's "Life of More," pp. 17-20. + + M587 The City and Wolsey, 1523. + + 1119 Repertory 4, fos. 152, 168; _Cf._ Repertory 6, fo. 38. + + 1120 Repertory 4, fos. 144b, 145, 146, 150; _Cf._ Repertory 6, fos. 22b, + 29, 32b. + + M588 The king and queen of Denmark in the city. + + 1121 Grey Friars Chron. pp. 30, 31. + + 1122 Repertory 4, fos. 153b-154; _Cf._ Repertory 6, fo. 42. + + M589 England invaded by the Scots. 1523. + + 1123 Repertory 6, fo. 61b. + + 1124 Holinshed, iii, 692, 693. + + M590 Monoux refuses to accept the mayoralty a second time, Oct., 1523. + + 1125 Journal 12, fos. 249-250. + + 1126 Journal 12, fos. 287-288. + + M591 The king pledges himself to repay the City loan of L20,000. + + 1127 -_Id._, fo. 276. + + M592 Formation of a league against France. + + 1128 -_Id._, fo. 284. + + M593 Proclamation for the recovery of lost letters, 10 July, 1524. + M594 The king of France made prisoner at Pavia, 24 Feb., 1525. + M595 Rejoicing in the city. + + 1129 Letter Book N, fo. 280; Journal 12, fo. 329. + + 1130 Grey Friars Chron., p. 32. + + M596 The Amicable Loan, 1525. + + 1131 Hall's Chron., p. 695. + + 1132 Journal 12, fo. 331; Letter Book N. fo. 278. + + 1133 Journal 12, fo. 331b. + + 1134 Hall's Chron., p. 701. + + M597 A truce between England and France. + M598 French ambassadors lodged in the city, 1527. + + 1135 The truce was to last from 14 August to 1 December.--Letter Book N, + fos. 291, 293; Journal 12, fos. 300, 305. + + 1136 "Item in lyke wyse the Chamberleyn shall have allowance of and for + suche gyftes and presentes as were geven presentyd on Sonday laste + passyd at the Bysshoppes palace at Paules to the Ambassadours of + Fraunce devysed and appoynted by my lorde Cardynalles Grace and most + specyally at his contemplacioun geven for asmoch as lyke precedent + in so ample maner hath not afore tyme be seen; the presents ensue + etc."--Repertory 7, fo. 225. + + M599 Troubles over Wythypol's election as alderman, 1527-1528. + M600 Wythypol again summoned to take office. + M601 Committed to Newgate, 6 Feb., 1528. + M602 Again summoned to take office, 22 May. + + 1137 He had been one of the commoners sent to confer with Wolsey touching + the amicable loan (Journal 12, fo. 331b). He attended the coronation + banquet of Anne Boleyn in 1533 (Repertory 9, fo. 2), and was M.P. + for the city from 1529-1536 (Letter Book O, fo. 157). His daughter + Elizabeth married Emanuel Lucar, also a merchant-tailor.--Repertory + 9, fos. 139. 140. + + 1138 Repertory 7, fos. 171b, 172, 174b, 179. + + 1139 Repertory 7, fos. 179b, 180. + + 1140 To the effect that he was not worth L1,000.--Journal 7, fo. 198. + + 1141 Repertory 7, fos. 238b, 240, 240b. + + 1142 -_Id._, fo. 243b. + + 1143 Repertory 7, fo. 206. The Common Council assessed the fine at + L100.--Journal 13, fo. 61b; Letter Book O, fo. 80b. + + 1144 Repertory 7, fo. 264. + + M603 A great dearth in the city, 1529. + + 1145 Journal 13, fo. 184b. + + 1146 Letter Book O, fos. 88b, 89b. + + M604 The legatine court at the Blackfriars, 1529. + + 1147 Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. iv, + Introd., p. cccclxv. + + M605 The lord mayor's banquet, 28 Oct., 1529. + + 1148 Letter Book O, fos. 174b-175; Journal 13, fo. 180b. + + M606 The fall of Wolsey, 1529-1530. + + 1149 Letter Book O, fo. 157. + + 1150 About the year 1522 Cromwell was living in the city, near Fenchurch, + combining the business of a merchant with that of a money-lender. He + sat in the parliament of 1523, and towards the close of that year + served on a wardmote inquest for Bread Street Ward. In 1524 he + entered Wolsey's service.--Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. + (Henry VIII.), vol. iii, pt. i, Introd., pp. cclvi, cclvii. + + 1151 Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. iv, + Introd., pp. dliii-dlvi. + + M607 The House of Commons and the Clergy, 1529. + + 1152 Stat. 21, Henry VIII, caps. 5, 6 and 13. + + 1153 Proclamation, 12 Sept., 1530.--Letter Book O, fo. 199b. + + M608 Disputes touching tithes payable to city clergy, 1527-1534. + + 1154 Burnell, "London (City) Tithes Act, 1879," Introd., pp. 1, 2. + + 1155 Letter Book O, fos. 47, _seq._ + + 1156 A list of these, comprising seven churches, was submitted to the + Court of Aldermen, 23 Feb., 1528.--Repertory 8, fo. 21. + + M609 The curates' book of articles. + + 1157 Letter Book O, fos. 140b, 141b. + + 1158 Repertory 8, fo. 27b. + + 1159 Letter Book O, fos. 145, 145b; Journal 13, fo. 125b. + + 1160 Letter book P, fos. 31, 34, 41b; Journal 13, fo. 417b. + + 1161 This order was confirmed by stat. 27, Henry VIII, cap. 21. Ten years + later a decree was made pursuant to stat. 37, Henry VIII, cap. 12, + regulating the whole subject of tithes, but owing to the decree not + having been enrolled in accordance with the terms of the statute, + much litigation has in recent times arisen.--Burnell, "London (City) + Tithes Act, 1879," Introd., p. 3. + + M610 Elsing Spital and Holy Trinity Priory surrendered to the king, + 1530-1531. + + 1162 The well-known and somewhat romantic account of the origin of the + priory and of its connection with the city cnihten-guild is given in + Letter Book C, fos. 134b, _seq._; _Cf._ Liber Dunthorn, fo. 79. + + 1163 Grey Friars Chron. (Camd. Soc., No. 53), p. 35. Three years later + (30 March, 1534) the Court of Aldermen resolved to wait upon the + chancellor "to know his mind for the office concerning the lands" + belonging to the late priory.--Repertory 9, fo. 53b. + + M611 The Great Beam reconveyed to the City after the lapse of ten years, + 1531. + + 1164 By letters patent dated 13 April, 1531 (preserved at the Guildhall, + Box No. 16). + + 1165 Henry Lumnore, Lumnar or Lomner, a grocer by guild as well as + calling (see Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), + vol. iii, pt. ii, p. 879), was associated with Sidney in holding the + beam. The City offered to buy him out either by bestowing on him an + annuity of L10 during the joint lives of himself and Sidney, or else + by paying him a lump sum of L100.--Repertory 8, fo. 218b. + + 1166 Anne Boleyn. + + 1167 Repertory 8, fo. 131. + + 1168 -_Id._, fos. 142b. 202b. + + M612 Feeling in the city at Henry's marriage with Anne Boleyn, 1533. + + 1169 Chapuys to the emperor.--Cal. State Papers (Spanish), vol. iv., pt. + ii, p. 646. + + M613 The queen's passage from the Tower to Westminster, 31 May, 1533. + + 1170 Repertory 9, fo. 1b. There is a fine drawing at Berlin by Holbein + which is thought to be the original design for the triumphal arch + erected by the merchants of the Steelyard on this occasion. + + M614 The City's gift of 1,000 marks. + + 1171 Journal 13, fo. 371b. According to Wriothesley (Camd. Soc., N.S., + No. 11, p. 19) the present to the queen was made to her in a purse + of cloth of gold on the occasion of her passing through the city on + the 31st May, the day before her coronation. + + 1172 Repertory 2, fo. 70b; Repertory 9, fo. 2. + + M615 The Act of Succession, 1534. + + 1173 Letter Book P, fos. 37-37b; Journal 13, fo. 408b. + + 1174 Letter to Lord Lisle.--Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry + VIII), vol. vii, p. 208. + + 1175 Repertory 9, fo. 57b. "Allso the same day [20 April] all the craftes + in London were called to their halls, and there were sworne on a + booke to be true to Queene Anne and to believe and take her for + lawfull wife of the Kinge and rightfull Queene of Englande, and + utterlie to thincke the Lady Marie, daughter to the Kinge by Queene + Katherin, but as a bastarde, and thus to doe without any + scrupulositie of conscience."--Wriothesley's Chron., i, 24. + + M616 Proceedings against those objecting to subscribe to the Act of + Succession. + + 1176 Grey Friars Chron., p. 37. In November of the last year they had + been made to do penance at Paul's Cross and afterwards at + Canterbury. + + M617 The monks of the Charterhouse, 1534-1535. + + 1177 "Historia aliquot nostri saeculi martyrum," 1583. Much of it is + quoted by Father Gasquet in his work on "Henry VIII and the English + Monasteries" (cap. vi), and also by Mr. Froude ("Hist. of England," + vol. ii, cap. ix). + + 1178 Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. vii, p. + 283. + + 1179 This convent--the most virtuous house of religion in England--was of + the Order of St. Bridget, and received an annual visit from the + mayor and aldermen of the City of London at what was known as "the + pardon time of Sion," in the month of August. In return for the + hospitality bestowed by the lady abbess on these occasions the Court + of Aldermen occasionally made her presents of wine (Repertories 3, + fo. 94b; 7, fo. 275). In 1517 the court instructed the chamberlain + to avoid excess of diet on the customary visit. There was to be no + breakfast on the barge and no swans at dinner (Repertory 3, fo. + 154b). In 1825 the Court of Common Council decreed (_inter alia_) + that "as tonchyng the goyng of my lord mayre and my masters his + brethern the aldermen [to] Syon, yt is sett at large and to be in + case as it was before the Restreynt" (Journal 12, fo. 302). It was + suppressed 25 Nov., 1539.--Wriothesley's Chron., i, 109. + + M618 The Act of Supremacy, 1534. + M619 Execution of Houghton and others, 1535. + + 1180 The Act of Supremacy was passed in 1534, but the king's new title as + Supreme Head of the Church was not incorporated in his style before + the 15 Jan., 1535. + + 1181 Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. viii, p. + 321. + + 1182 -_Id._, p. 354. + + M620 Execution of Fisher and More, 1535. + + 1183 Repertory 9, fo. 145. + + M621 The Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536. + + 1184 -_Id._, fo. 199. + + 1185 He had been elected mayor for the second time in October last + (1535), much against his own wish, at the king's express + desire.--Journal 13, fo. 452b; Wriothesley, i, 31. He presented the + City with a collar of SS. to be worn by the mayor for the time + being.--Repertory 11, fo. 238. + + 1186 Repertory 9, fos. 199, 199b. + + 1187 Repertory 9, fo. 200. + + 1188 -_Id._, fo. 200b. + + 1189 Son of Thomas Warren, fuller; grandson of William Warren, of Fering, + co. Sussex. He was knighted on the day that his election was + confirmed by the king (Wriothesley. i, 59). His daughter Joan (by + his second wife Joan, daughter of John Lake, of London) married Sir + Henry Williams, _alias_ Cromwell (Repertory 14, fo. 180; Journal 17. + fo. 137b), by whom she had issue Robert Cromwell, father of the + Protector. Warren died 11 July, 1533, and his widow married Alderman + Sir Thomas White.--See notes to Machyn's Diary, p. 330. + + 1190 Repertory 9, fo. 209b. + + M622 Henry's marriage with Jane Seymour, May, 1536. + + 1191 Henry attributed her miscarriage to licentiousness; others to her + having received a shock at seeing her royal husband thrown from his + horse whilst tilting at the ring.--Wriothesley, i, 33. + + 1192 Chapuys to [Granvelle] 25 Aug., 1536.--Cal. Letters and Papers For. + and Dom. (Henry VIII), vol. xi., p. 145. + + M623 Convocation at St. Paul's, 9 June-20 July, 1536. + + 1193 Wriothesley, i, 52-53. + + M624 Preparation for the new queen's coronation. + M625 She dies in childbed, 24 Oct., 1537. + + 1194 Letter Book P, fo. 103b. + + 1195 Wriothesley, i, 69. + + 1196 Letter Book P, fo. 135b; Wriothesley, i, 71, 72. + + M626 Anne of Cleves arrives at Dover, 27 Dec., 1539. + M627 Her passage through the city, 4 Feb,. 1540. + + 1197 Repertory 10, fos. 152b, 153; Wriothesley, i, 109, 111. + + 1198 Repertory 10, fo. 161. The circumstance that Henry carried his new + bride to Westminster by water instead of conducting her thither + through the streets of the city has been considered a proof of his + want of regard for her. + + M628 Cromwell's work of demolition in the city, 1537-1538. + + 1199 Holinshed, iii. 807. + + 1200 Letter Book P, fo. 113; Journal 14, fo. 30b. + + 1201 Stow's "Survey" (Thoms's ed., 1876), p. 68. + + 1202 The Mercers' Company applied for a grant of the chapel and other + property of the hospital; and this was conceded by letters patent, + 21 April, 1542, upon payment of the sum of L969 17_s._ 6_d._, + subject to a reserved rent of L7 8_s._ 10_d._, which was redeemed by + the company in 1560.--Livery Comp. Com. (1880), Append. to Report, + 1884, vol. ii, p. 9. + + M629 The division of the spoil. + + 1203 On the re-establishment of the Dutch or Mother Strangers' Church, at + Elizabeth's accession, it was declared by the Privy Council to be + under the superintendence of the Bishop of London (Cal. State Papers + Dom., Feb., 1560). Hence it was that Dr. Temple, Bishop of London, + was memorialised in March, 1888, as superintendent of the French + Church in London.--See "Eng. Hist. Review," April, 1891, pp. 388-389. + + 1204 Stow's "Survey" (Thoms's ed., 1876), p. 67. + + 1205 Nichols' "Progresses of Queen Eliz.," iii. 598. For particulars of + Swinnerton see Clode's "Early Hist. of the Merchant Taylors' + Company," i, 262, etc. + + M630 The mayor's effort to save the destruction of the steeple of the + Austin Friars Church. + + 1206 Strype's Stow, bk. ii, pp. 114, 115. + + 1207 Remembrancia (Analytical Index), pp. 133, 134. + + M631 The priory of St. Helen without Bishopsgate. + + 1208 In 1439 Reginald Kentwode, Dean of St. Paul's, having in a recent + visitation discovered "many defaults and excesses," drew up a + schedule of injunctions for their better regulation.--Printed in + London and Middlesex Archaeol. Soc. Transactions, ii, 200-203. + + M632 Friendly relations between the Corporation and religious houses in + the city. + + 1209 Journal 12, fo. 75. + + 1210 Repertory 2, fo. 185b. + + 1211 Repertory 5, fos. 15, 15b, 82b. + + 1212 Repertory 2, fo. 185; Grey Friars Chron., pp. 29, 31. + + M633 Royal injunction for keeping Parish Registers, 29 Sept., 1538. + + 1213 Sixteen other registers for city parishes commence in 1538, and four + in 1539.--See Paper on St. James Garlickhithe, by W. D. Cooper, + F.S.A. (London and Middlesex Arch. Soc. Trans., vol. iii, p. 392, + note). + + M634 Great increase of London poor, consequent on the suppression of + religious houses. + + 1214 Wriothesley's Chron. (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 11), i, 77, 78. + + M635 Sir Richard Gresham's letter to the king for conveyance to the City + of certain hospitals. + + 1215 Descended from a Norfolk family. Apprenticed to John Middleton, + mercer, of London, and admitted to the freedom of the Mercers' + Company in 1507. Alderman of Walbrook and Cheap Wards successively. + Sheriff 1531-2. Married (1) Audrey, daughter of William Lynne, of + Southwick, co. Northampton, (2) Isabella Taverson, _nee_ Worpfall. + Was the father of Sir Thomas Gresham, the founder of the Royal + Exchange and of the college which bears his name.--_Ob._, 21 Feb., + 1549. Buried in the church of St. Laurence Jewry. + + 1216 Cott. MS., Cleop. E., iv, fo. 222.--Printed in Burgon's "Life of + Gresham," i, 26-29. + + M636 Two petitions from the City, Mar., 1539. + M637 The City offers to purchase certain dissolved houses, 1 Aug., 1540. + + 1217 Journal 14, fo. 129; Letter Book P, fo. 178. + + 1218 Journal 14, fo. 216b; Letter Book P, fo. 220b. + + 1219 Repertory 10, fo. 200. + + M638 The City in difficulties with king and parliament, 1541-1542. + + 1220 Journal 14, fo. 269. + + 1221 Wriothesley, i, 129. + + 1222 Son of Thomas Hill, of Hodnet, co. Salop. He devoted large sums of + money to building causeways and bridges, and erected a grammar + school at Drayton-in-Hales, otherwise Market Drayton, in his native + county, which he endowed by will, dated 6 April, 1551 (Cal. of + Wills, Court of Hust., London, part ii, p. 651). See also Holinshed, + iii, 1021. + + 1223 Holinshed, iii, 824; Wriothesley, i, 135. According to the Grey + Friars Chron. (p. 45), it was the sergeant-at-arms himself whom the + sheriffs detained. + + M639 Precautions against the spread of pestilence, 1543. + + 1224 Proclamation dated 13 Aug., 1543.--Journal 15, fo. 48b. + + 1225 Journal 15, fo. 55; Letter Book Q, fo. 93. + + 1226 Letter Book Q, fo. 92b; Grey Friars Chron., p. 45. + + M640 Preparation for renewal of war with France, 1544. + + 1227 Writ to mayor and sheriffs for proclamation of war, dat. 2 Aug., + 1543.--Journal 15, fo. 46b. + + 1228 Repertory 11, fo. 32b. + + 1229 Repertory 11, fo. 65b. + + 1230 Journal 15, fo. 95; Repertory 11, fo. 74; Letter Book Q, fo. 109. + + M641 The re-establishment of St. Bartholomew's hospital, 23 June, 1544. + + 1231 "Memoranda ... relating to the Royal Hospitals," 1863, pp. 4-7. + + M642 The campaign in France of 1544. + + 1232 Repertory 11, fo. 106; Letter Book Q, fo. 116b. + + 1233 Repertory, 11, fo. 118b; Letter Book Q, fo. 120b. + + 1234 Journal 15, fo. 123; Letter Book Q, fo. 119. + + 1235 Journal 15, fo. 124; Letter Book Q, fo. 122. + + M643 City gift to the king on his return from France. + + 1236 Letter Book Q, fo. 120b. + + M644 Opposition to a benevolence in the city, 1545. + + 1237 Wriothesley, i, 151, 153; Grey Friars Chron., p. 48. + + 1238 Holinshed, iii, 346. + + M645 William Laxton, mayor, knighted, 8 Feb., 1545. + + 1239 Wriothesley, i, 151, 152. + + M646 A call for volunteers for the French war. April, 1545. + + 1240 Journal 15, fo. 239b; Letter Book Q, fo. 167b. + + 1241 Journal 15, fo. 240.; Letter Book Q, fo. 168; Wriothesley, i, 154. + + 1242 "A coarse frieze was so called from a small town in the West Riding + of Yorkshire. An Act of 5 and 6 Edward VI (1551-2) provided that all + "clothes commonly called Pennystones or Forest Whites ... shall + conteyne in length beinge wett betwixt twelve and thirtene yardes." + + 1243 Repertory 11, fo. 193b; Letter Book Q, fo. 133; Wriothesley, i, 154. + + M647 The last subsidy to be forthwith paid up. + + 1244 Wriothesley, i, 155. + + M648 A force of 2,000 soldiers demanded of the City, June, 1545. + + 1245 Repertory 11, fos. 203, 212b. + + 1246 30 July.--Repertory 11, fo. 215b. The Midsummer watch had not been + kept this year.--Wriothesley, i, 156. + + 1247 Repertory 11, fo. 213. + + 1248 Wriothesley, i, 58. + + M649 Boulogne threatened. + + 1249 Repertory 11, fo. 216b. + + M650 Act for confiscating chantries, &c., 1545. + + 1250 Stat. 37, Henry VIII, c. 4. + + M651 Peace with France proclaimed, 13 June, 1546. + + 1251 Repertory 11, fo. 299b; Letter Book Q, fo. 181; Journal 15, fo. 270; + Wriothesley, i, 165. + + M652 Uniformity of religion enforced, 1546. + M653 Recantation of the rector of St. Mary Aldermary. + + 1252 Holinshed, iii, 856; Grey Friars Chron., p. 50. + + M654 Trial and execution of Anne Ascue. + + 1253 Holinshed, iii, 847. + + 1254 Letter Book Q, fo. 181. + + M655 Improved water supply of the city, 1545-1546. + + 1255 Repertory 11, fo. 247. + + 1256 Journal 15, fo. 213b. + + 1257 Wriothesley, i, 162, 175. + + M656 St. Bartholomew's Hospital, &c., vested in the City, 13 Jan., 1547. + + 1258 Journal 15, fos. 245, 399b, _seq._ + + 1259 "Memoranda ... Royal Hospitals," pp. 20-45. + + M657 A committee appointed to investigate the recently acquired property, + 6 May, 1547. + + 1260 Repertory 11, fo. 349b. + + 1261 In Sept., 1547, the citizens were called upon to contribute half a + fifteenth for the maintenance of the poor of St. + Bartholomew's.--Journal 15, fo. 325b. In Dec, 1548, an annual sum of + 500 marks out of the profits of Blackwell, and in 1557 the whole of + the same profits were set aside for the poor.--Journal 15, fos. 398, + _seq._; Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 512. + + M658 The king's death, 28 Jan., 1547. + + 1262 Royal proclamation, 7 July, 1545, forbidding all pursuit of game in + Westminster, Islington, Highgate, Hornsey and elsewhere in the + suburbs of London.--Journal 15, fo. 240b. + + M659 Edward VI proclaimed king in the city, 31 Jan., 1547. + + 1263 Son of Christopher Huberthorne, of Waddington, co. Lane, Alderman of + Farringdon Within. His mansion adjoined the Leadenhall. _Ob._, Oct., + 1556. Buried in the church of St. Peter, Cornhill.--Machyn. 115, 352. + It was in Huberthorne's mayoralty that the customary banquet to the + aldermen, the "officers lerned" and the commoners of the city, on + Monday next after the Feast of Epiphany, known as "Plow Monday," was + discontinued.--Letter Book Q, fo. 191b. It was afterwards renewed and + continues to this day in the form of a dinner given by the new mayor + to the officers of his household and clerks engaged in various + departments of the service of the Corporation. An attempt was at the + same time made to put down the lord mayor's banquet + also.--Wriothesley, i, 176. + + 1264 Journal 15. fos. 303b, 305b; Letter Book Q, os. 192b, 194; + Wriothesley. i, 178. + + M660 Distribution of gowns of black livery. + + 1265 Journal 15, fo. 304; Letter Book Q, fo. 195; Repertory 11, fo. 335b. + + M661 Accession and coronation of Edward VI, 1547. + + 1266 "The lord mayor of London, Henry Hobulthorne, was called fourth, who + kneeling before the king, his majestie tooke the sworde of the Lord + Protector and made him knight, which was the first that eaver he + made."--Wriothesley's Chron. (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 11.), i, 181. + + 1267 This mace is still in possession of the Corporation. It is only + brought out for use on such occasions as a coronation, when it is + carried by the lord mayor as on the occasion narrated above, and at + the annual election of the chief magistrate of the city, when it is + formally handed by the Chamberlain to the lord mayor elect. The mace + consists of a tapering shaft of rock crystal mounted in gold, with a + coroneted head also of gold, adorned with pearls and large jewels. + Its age is uncertain. Whilst some hazard the conjecture that it may + be of Saxon origin, there are others who are of opinion that the + head of it at least cannot be earlier than the 15th century. + + 1268 Journal 15, fo. 305; Letter Book Q, fos. 195b-196; Repertory 11, fo. + 334b. + + M662 Opposition in the city to the sacrament of the mass, 1547-1548. + + 1269 "All these chyldren shall every Chyldermasse day come to Paulis + Church and here the chylde bisshoppis sermon, and after be at the + hye masse, and eche of them offer a 1d. to the childe bisshop and + with theme the maisters and surveyors of the scole."--Statutes of St. + Paul's School, printed in Lupton's "Life of Dean Colet," p. 278b. + + 1270 Letter Book P, fo. 172b. + + 1271 Journal 14, fo. 158b; Letter Book P, fo. 197. + + 1272 See Brewer's Introd. to Cal. Letters and Papers For. and Dom., vol. + iv, pp. dcli-dcliii. + + 1273 Letter Book P, fo. 153. + + 1274 Letter Book Q, fo. 102. + + 1275 "Also this same tyme [Nov., 1547] was moche spekying agayne the + sacrament of the auter, that some callyd it Jacke of the boxe, with + divers other shamefulle names... And at this tyme [Easter, 1548] was + more prechyng agayne the masse."--Grey Friars Chron., p. 55. + + 1276 Letter Book Q, fo. 250b. + + 1277 Repertory 11, fo. 423. + + 1278 "After the redyng of the preposycioun made yesterday in the Sterre + Chamber by the lorde chaunceler and ye declaracioun made by my lorde + mayer of suche comunicacioun as his lordshyp had wt the Bysshop of + Caunterburye concernyng the demeanor of certein prechers and other + dysobedyent persones yt was ordered and agreyd that my lorde mayer + and all my maisters thaldermen shall this afternone att ij of ye + clok repayre to my lorde protectors grace and the hole counseill and + declare unto theim the seid mysdemeanor and that thei shall mete att + Saint Martyns in the Vyntrey att one of the clok."--Repertory 11, fo. + 456b. + + 1279 Repertory 11, fo. 465. + + M663 Act for abolition of chantries, 1547. + + 1280 A proclamation against the evil behaviour of citizens and others + against priests, 12 Nov., 1547.--Letter Book Q. fo. 218; Journal 15, + fo. 335b. + + M664 Redemption of charges for superstitious uses by the city and + companies, 1550. + + 1281 By letters patent dated 14 July, 1550 (preserved at the Guildhall, + Box 17). + + 1282 Letter Book R, fo. 166b; Wriothesley's Chron. (Camden Soc., N.S., + No. 20), ii, 35. See also exemplification of Act of Parl. passed a deg. + 5 Edward VI, in accordance with the terms of this petition (Box 29). + + M665 Order for demolition of images, pictures, &c., Aug., 1547. + + 1283 Journal 15, fo. 322; Letter Book Q, fo. 210b. + + 1284 Repertory 11. fo. 373; Letter Book Q, fo. 214. + + 1285 Grey Friars Chron., 54, 55; Wriothesley. ii, 1. + + 1286 Grey Friars Chron., p. 58. In May (1548) the duke applied to the + City for water to be laid on to Stronde House, afterwards known as + Somerset House.--Repertory 11, fos. 462b, 484; Journal 15. fo. 383b; + Letter Book Q, fo. 253b. + + 1287 Grey Friars Chron., p. 55. + + 1288 Wriothesley, ii, 29. Touching the ceremony of visiting the tomb of + the Bishop of London, to whom the citizens were indebted for the + charter of William the Conqueror, see chap. i, p. 35. + + M666 The citizens and the Grey Friars Church, 1547. + + 1289 Letter Book Q, fos. 232, 234b; Repertory 11, fos. 356, 415, 431, + 444b, 511b. + + 1290 "Item, at this same tyme [_circ._ Sept., 1547] was pullyd up alle + the tomes, grett stones, alle the auteres, with stalles and walles + of the qweer and auters in the church that was some tyme the Gray + freeres, and solde and the qweer made smaller."--Grey Friars Chron., + p. 54. + + M667 The "communion" substituted for the mass, 1548. + + 1291 "At Ester followyng there began the commonion, and confession but of + thoys that wolde, as the boke dothe specifythe."--Grey Friars Chron., + p. 55; _Cf._ Wriothesley (Camd. Soc, N.S., No. 20), ii, 2. + + 1292 The Guildhall college, chapel and library were restored to the City + in 1550, by Edward VI, on payment of L456 13_s._ 4_d._,--Pat. Roll 4 + Edward VI, p. 9m. (32) 20; Letter Book R, fo. 64b. + + 1293 Repertory 11, fo. 493b. + + 1294 -_Id._, fo. 455. (431 pencil mark); Letter Book Q, fo. 237. "This + yeare in the Whitson holidaies my lord maior [Sir John Gresham] + caused three notable sermons to be made at Sainct Marie Spittell, + according as they are kept at Easter.... And the sensing in Poules + cleene put downe."--Wriothesley, ii, 2, 3. The processions were kept + up in 1554, "but there was no sensynge."--Grey Friars Chron., p. 89. + + M668 The "tuning of the pulpits." + + 1295 -_Cf._ Journal 15, fo. 352b; Letter Book Q, fos. 230-252b. "This + yeare [1548] the xxviiith daie of September, proclamation was made + to inhibite all preachers generallie till the kinges further + pleasure. After which daie all sermons seasede at Poules Crosse and + in all other places."--Wriothesley, ii, 6. + + 1296 Grey Friars Chron., pp. 59, 62. Occasionally the chronicler is + overcome by his feelings, and cries out, "Almyghty God helpe it whan + hys wylle ys!" _Id._, p. 67. + + M669 The insurrections of 1549. + + 1297 In some cases the new owners may have experienced some difficulty in + fixing a fair rent, as appears to have been the case with the City + of London and its recently acquired property of Bethlehem. When the + Chamberlain reported that the rents demanded for houses in the + precincts of the hospital were far too high, he was at once + authorised to reduce them at discretion.--Letter Book R, fo. 10b. + + 1298 Letter Book R, fo. 11b. + + 1299 Grey Friars Chron., p. 60; Wriothesley, ii, 15, 16. + + M670 Cranmer at St. Paul's, 21 July, 1549. + + 1300 Wriothesley, ii, 16, 17; Grey Friars Chron., p. 60. + + M671 The king passes through the city, 23 July. + + 1301 Wriothesley, ii, 19. + + M672 Ket's rebellion in Norfolk. 1549. + + 1302 Wriothesley, ii, 20; Grey Friars Chron., p. 61. + + 1303 Holinshed, iii, 982-984. + + M673 The fall of Somerset, 1549. + M674 Letter from lords of the council to the City accusing the Protector, + 6 Oct. + + 1304 Letter Book R, fo. 40; Journal 16, fo. 36. + + M675 Letter from Somerset to the mayor, 6 Oct., 1549. + + 1305 Letter Book R, fo. 39b. + + M676 Conference between the lords and the City at Ely Place, 6 Oct., + 1549. + + 1306 Acts of the Privy Council, ii, 331-332; Wriothesley, ii, 24-25; + Holinshed, iii, 1014; Repertory 12, pt. i, fos. 149-150. + + M677 Removal of the king to Windsor. + + 1307 Holinshed, iii, 1014-1015; Acts of Privy Council, ii, 333. + + M678 The City joins the lords against Somerset, 7 Oct., 1549. + + 1308 Acts of Privy Council, ii, fos. 333-336. + + 1309 Repertory 12, pt. i, fo. 150b. + + 1310 Letter Book R, fo. 40b. + + M679 The lords attend a Common Council, 8 Oct., 1549. + + 1311 -_Id._, fos. 43-43b. + + 1312 Acts of Privy Council, ii, 336, 337. + + M680 A meeting at Sheriff York's house, 9 Oct. + M681 The City agrees to furnish a contingent of soldiers to aid the + lords. + + 1313 Wriothesley, ii, 26. + + 1314 Acts of Privy Council, ii, 337-342. + + 1315 Letter Book R, fos. 41-42; Journal 16, fos. 37, 37b. According to + Holinshed (iii, 1017, 1018), considerable opposition was made by a + member of the Common Council named George Stadlow to any force at + all being sent by the city. He reminded the court of the evils that + had arisen in former times from the city rendering support to the + barons against Henry III, and how the city lost its liberties in + consequence. The course he recommended was that the city should join + the lords in making a humble representation to the king as to the + Protector's conduct. + + 1316 Wriothesley, ii, 26, 27. + + M682 The effect of the City's adhesion to the lords. + M683 Somerset brought to the Tower, 14 Oct. + + 1317 Letter Book R, fo. 37; Journal 16, fo. 34; Wriothesley, ii, 26. + + 1318 Stow's "Summarie of the Chronicles of England" (ed. 1590), p. 545; + Wriothesley, ii, 27, 28. The names are given differently in the Acts + of the Privy Council, ii, 344. + + M684 Bonner deprived of bishopric of London, 1 Oct., 1549. + + 1319 Grey Friars Chron., pp. 63, 64; _Cf._ Wriothesley, ii, 24. + + M685 The king entertained by Sheriff York, Oct., 1549. + + 1320 Wriothesley, ii, 28. + + M686 Somerset released on parole, 6 Feb., 1550. + + 1321 Acts of Privy Council, ii, 384; Wriothesley, ii, 33. + + M687 Warwick and the reformers, 1550. + + 1322 For more than a week he had been compelled to lie on nothing but + straw, his bed having been taken away by order of the knight marshal + for refusing to pay an extortionate fee.--Grey Friars Chron., p. 65. + + 1323 Thomas Thurlby, the last abbot of Westminster, became the first and + only bishop of the see. Upon the union of the see with that of + London Thurlby became bishop of Norwich. Among the archives of the + city there is a release by him, in his capacity as bishop of + Westminster, and the dean and chapter of the same, to the City of + London of the parish church of St. Nicholas, Shambles. The document + is dated 14 March, 1549, and has the seals of the bishopric and of + the dean and chapter, in excellent preservation, appended. + + 1324 For objecting to the prescribed vestments, he was committed to the + Fleet by order of the Privy Council, 27 Jan., 1551, and was not + consecrated until the following 8th March.--Hooper to Bullinger, 1 + Aug., 1551 ("Original Letters relative to the English Reformation." + ed. for Parker Society, 1846, p. 91). + + M688 The City and the borough of Southwark, 1550. + + 1325 Their respective boundaries are set out in the Report of + Commissioners on Municipal Corporations (1837), p. 3. + + 1326 Charter dated 6 March, 1 Edward III. + + 1327 Charter dated 9 Nov., 2 Edward IV. + + 1328 Letter Book Q, fos. 239b-241b. + + M689 Charter to the City, 23 April, 1550. + + 1329 Letter Book R, fo. 58b. + + 1330 Dated 23 April, 1550. A fee of L6 "and odde money" was paid for the + enrolment of this charter in the Exchequer.--Repertory 12, pt. ii, + fo. 458. This fee appears to have been paid, notwithstanding the + express terms of the charter that no fee great or small should be + paid or made or by any means given to the hanaper to the king's use. + According to Wriothesley (ii, 36), the "purchase" of Southwark cost + the city 1,000 marks, "so that nowe they shall have all the whole + towne of Southwarke by letters patent as free as they have the City + of London, the Kinges Place [_i.e._ Southwark Place or Suffolk + House] and the two prison houses of the Kinges Bench and the + Marshalsea excepted." + + 1331 Wriothesley, ii, 38. + + M690 The ward of Bridge Without. + + 1332 Letter Book R, fo. 80; Journal 16, fo. 82b. + + 1333 The custom in the city was for the inhabitants of a vacant ward to + nominate four persons for the Court of Aldermen to select one. As + there were no means of enforcing the above ordinance it was repealed + by Act of Co. Co., 16 June, 1558.--Letter Book S., fo. 167b. + + 1334 Letter Book R, fo. 71b. The following particulars of Aylyff and his + family are drawn from the city's archives. From Bridge Ward Without + he removed to Dowgate Ward. At the time of his death, in 1556, he + was keeper of the clothmarket at Blackwell Hall. His widow was + allowed to take the issues and profits of her late husband's place + for one week, and was forgiven a quarter's rent. Aylyff's son + Erkenwald succeeded him at Blackwell Hall. The son died in 1561. + After his decease he was convicted of having forged a deed. His + widow, Dorothy, married Henry Butler, "gentleman."--Repertory 13, pt. + ii, fos. 442b, 443, 461; Repertory 14, fos. 446b, 477b, 478; + Repertory 16, fo. 6b. + + 1335 Printed Report. Co. Co., 20 May, 1836. + + 1336 See Report Committee of the whole Court for General Purposes, with + Appendix, 31 May, 1892 (_Printed_). + + M691 Growing unpopularity of Warwick, 1550-1551. + + 1337 Grey Friars Chron., p. 66. The surrender of Boulogne was "sore + lamented of all Englishmen."--Wriothesley, ii, 37. + + 1338 Repertory 12, pt. ii, fo. 271b; Letter Book R, fos. 74, 85b; Journal + 16, fos. 66b, 91b. + + M692 The debasement of the currency, 1551. + + 1339 Letter Book R, fo. 115; Journal 16, fo. 118. + + 1340 Wriothesley, ii, 48. The price of living became so dear that the + town clerk and the under-sheriffs asked for and obtained from the + Common Council an increase of emoluments.--Letter Book R, fo. 117b. + + 1341 Wriothesley, ii, 54. + + 1342 Grey Friars Chron., p. 72. + + M693 The Duke of Somerset again arrested, 16 Oct., 1551. + + 1343 Wriothesley, ii, 56; Grey Friars Chron., p. 71. + + 1344 Grey Friars Chron., pp. 72, 73. + + 1345 -_Id._, pp. 71, 72. + + M694 Trial and execution of Somerset, 22 Jan., 1552. + + 1346 Wriothesley, ii, 57. + + 1347 Repertory 12, pt. ii, fo. 426; Letter Book R, fo. 157b. + + 1348 Wriothesley, ii, 63. + + 1349 Holinshed, iii, 1032. + + M695 The City and the Royal Hospitals, 1547-1553. + + 1350 Journal 15, fo. 325b; Letter Book Q, fo. 214b. + + 1351 Letter Book Q, fo. 237; Repertory 11, fo. 445b. + + 1352 Journal 15, fo. 384. + + 1353 Letter Book Q, fo. 261b; Journal 15, fos. 398, 401; Appendix vii to + "Memoranda of the Royal Hospitals," pp. 46-51. + + M696 St. Thomas's Hospital. + + 1354 Repertory 12, pt. ii., fos. 311, 312b. + + 1355 Both deeds are printed in Supplement to Memoranda relating to Royal + Hospitals, pp. 15-32. + + M697 Christ's Hospital. + + 1356 Son of Robert Dobbs, of Batley, Yorks. Alderman of Tower Ward. + Knighted 8 May, 1552. _Ob._ 1556. Buried in Church of St. Margaret + Moses.--Machyn, pp. 105, 269, 349; Wriothesley, ii, 69. + + 1357 Report, Charity Commissioners, No. 32, pt. vi, p. 75; Strype, Stow's + "Survey," bk. i, p. 176. + + M698 Bridewell Hospital. + + 1358 Among the names of those forming the deputation appears that of + Richard Grafton, whose printing house, from which issued "The + Prymer"--one of the earliest books of private devotion printed in + English as well as Latin--was situate within the precinct of the Old + Grey Friars.--Repertory 12, p. ii., fos. 271b, 272b. + + 1359 Strype, Stow's "Survey," bk. i, p. 176. + + 1360 Wriothesley, 83; Repertory 13, fo. 60. + + 1361 Charter dated 26 June, 1553. + + M699 Northumberland's conspiracy, 1553. + + 1362 "Letters Patent for the limitation of the Crown," sometimes called + the "counterfeit will" of King Edward VI.--Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. + Mary (Camd. Soc., No. 48), pp. 91-100. + + 1363 Richard Hilles to Henry Bullinger, 9 July, 1553.--"Original letters + relative to the English Reformation" (Parker Soc.), pp. 272-274. + + M700 Lady Jane Grey proclaimed queen, 10 July, 1553. + + 1364 Grey Friars Chron., pp. 78, 79. + + M701 Queen Mary proclaimed, 19 July. + + 1365 Wriothesley, ii, 88-90. + + M702 Northumberland sent to the Tower, 25 July. + + 1366 Letter Book R, fo. 262b; Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 68. + + 1367 Wriothesley, ii, 90, 91; Grey Friars Chron., p. 81. + + M703 Queen Mary enters the city. 3 Aug. + + 1368 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 69. + + 1369 -_Id._, fo. 70b. + + 1370 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 69b. + + 1371 Wriothesley, 93-95. + + 1372 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, p. 14; Wriothesley, ii, 95. + + M704 Mary releases the bishops and restores the mass. + M705 Disturbances in the city. + + 1373 Grey Friars Chron., p. 83; Wriothesley, ii, 96-98. + + 1374 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, p. 24. + + 1375 Letter Book R, fo. 270; Journal 16, fo. 261b. + + 1376 Wriothesley, ii, 99, 100; Holinshed, iv, 3. + + M706 Election of Thomas White mayor, 29 Sept., 1553. + + 1377 Citizen and Merchant Taylor. Son of William White, of Reading, and + formerly of Rickmansworth. Founder of St. John's College, Oxford, + and principal benefactor of Merchant Taylors' School. Alderman of + Cornhill Ward; when first elected alderman he declined to accept + office and was committed to Newgate for contumacy (Letter Book Q, + fo. 109b; Repertory 11, fo. 80b). Sheriff 1547. Knighted at + Whitehall 10 Dec., 1553 (Wriothesley, ii, 105). His first wife, + Avice (surname unknown), died 26 Feb., 1588, and was buried in the + church of St. Mary Aldermary. He afterwards married Joan, daughter + of John Lake and widow of Sir Ralph Warren, twice Mayor of London. + _Ob._ 11 Feb., 1566, at Oxford, aged 72.--Clode, "Early Hist. Guild + of Merchant Taylors," pt. ii, chaps. x-xii; Machyn's Diary, pp. 167, + 330, 363. + + M707 The queen's coronation, 1 Oct. + + 1378 Journal 16, fo. 261; Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 74b. + + 1379 Grey Friars Chron., p. 84. + + M708 Mary's first parliament, Oct.-Nov., 1553. + + 1380 Met in October, 1553. The names of the city's representatives are + not recorded. The Court of Aldermen, according to a custom then + prevalent, authorized the city chamberlain to make a gift of L6 + 13_s._ 4_d._ to Sir John Pollard, the Speaker, "for his lawfull + favor to be borne and shewed in the parlyment howse towardes this + cytie and theyre affayres theire."--Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 92. + + M709 Trial at the Guildhall of Lady Jane Grey, Cranmer and others, Nov., + 1553. + + 1381 Grey Friars Chron., p. 85; Wriothesley, ii, 104; Chron. Q. Jane and + Q. Mary, p. 32. There is preserved in the British Museum a small + manual of prayers believed to have been used by Lady Jane Grey on + the scaffold. The tiny volume (Harl. MS., 2342) measures only 3-1/2 + inches by 2-3/4 inches, and contains on the margin lines addressed + to Sir John Gage, lieutenant of the Tower, and to her father, the + Duke of Suffolk. + + M710 Outbreak of Wyatt's Rebellion. Jan., 1554. + + 1382 Journal 16, fo. 283. + + 1383 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, 35. + + 1384 Wriothesley, ii, 106. + + M711 The city put into a state of defence. + + 1385 Repertory 13, pt. i, fos. 116, 116b, 117, 117b, 119-122b. + + 1386 Wriothesley, ii, 107. + + M712 The queen's speech at the Guildhall, 1 Feb., 1554. + + 1387 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 121. + + 1388 Foxe's "Acts and Monuments," vi, 414-415; Holinshed, iv, 16. + + 1389 Holinshed, iv, 15. + + 1390 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 124. + + M713 A force of 1,000 men raised in the city. + + 1391 Wriothesley, iii, 109. + + 1392 Stow. + + M714 Wyatt and his followers before Ludgate. + M715 Wyatt made prisoner and lodged in the Tower. + + 1393 Foxe's "Acts and Monuments," vi, 415. + + 1394 Grey Friars Chron., p. 87. + + 1395 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, p. 43; Wriothesley, iii, 107, 108. + + 1396 Grey Friars Chron., p. 87. + + M716 Execution of Lady Jane Grey, Wyatt and others. + + 1397 Machyn, 45. The gibbets remained standing till the following June, + when they were taken down in anticipation of Philip's public entry + into London.--Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, 76. + + 1398 Grey Friars Chron., p. 89. + + M717 Measures for preserving the peace. + + 1399 Journal 16, fo. 283; Letter Book R, fo. 288. + + 1400 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 131. + + M718 The lord mayor before the Star Chamber. + + 1401 Holinshed, iv, 26. + + 1402 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 153; Letter Book R, fo. 293. + + M719 Demand of money from the city, 1554. + + 1403 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 130; Journal 16, fo. 284b. + + 1404 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 138b. + + 1405 -_Id._, fos. 142b, 146b. + + 1406 -_Id._, fo. 147. + + M720 Trial at the Guildhall of Nicholas Throckmorton, 17 April. + + 1407 Wriothesley, ii, 115. + + 1408 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 186b. + + 1409 -_Id._, fo. 190b. + + 1410 Howell's "State Trials," i, 901, 902; Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, + p. 75. + + M721 The queen's marriage, July, 1554. + + 1411 It sat from 2 April until 5 May.--Wriothesley, ii, 114, 115. The city + returned the same members that had served in the last parliament of + Edward VI, namely, Martin Bowes, Broke the Recorder, John Marsh and + John Blundell. + + 1412 Journal 16, fo. 295b. + + 1413 Repertory 13, pt. i, fos. 165, 166, 166b, 170. + + M722 The passage of the king and queen through the city, 19 Aug. + + 1414 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, p. 77. + + 1415 -_Id._, p. 78. + + 1416 Journal 16, fo. 263. + + 1417 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 191. A full account of the pageants, etc., + will be found in John Elder's letter.--Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, + Appendix X. + + 1418 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, pp. 78-79. + + M723 The reconciliation with Rome, 1554. + + 1419 Martin Bowes, of the old members, alone continued to sit for the + city, the places of the other members being taken by Ralph + Cholmeley, who had succeeded Broke as Recorder; Richard Grafton, the + printer; and Richard Burnell. + + 1420 Chron. of Q. Jane and Q. Mary, 82; Wriothesley, 122. + + 1421 Repertory 13, part i, fo. 111b. + + 1422 -_Id._, fo. 193. + + 1423 Journal 16, fo. 300. Bishop Braybroke, nearly two centuries before, + had done all he could to put down marketing within the sacred + precincts, and to render "Paul's Walk"--as the great nave of the + cathedral was called--less a scene of barter and frivolity. + + 1424 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 251b. + + 1425 In 1558, a man convicted of breaking this law was ordered to ride + through the public market places of the city, his face towards the + horse's tail, with a piece of beef hanging before and behind him, + and a paper on his head setting forth his offence.--Repertory 13, fo. + 12b. + + 1426 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 193; Letter Book S, fo. 119b. + + M724 Opposition to the reestablishment of the old religion. + + 1427 Journal 16, fo. 285b; Letter Book R, fo. 290b; Repertory 13, pt. i, + fo. 147; Wriothesley, ii, 114. + + 1428 Grey Friars Chron., p. 89. + + 1429 -_Id._, p. 95. + + 1430 -_Id._, _ibid._ + + 1431 -_Id._, p. 78n. + + M725 The Marian persecution, 1555. + + 1432 Journal 16, fo. 321b. + + 1433 Wriothesley, ii, 126; Grey Friars Chron., p. 94. + + 1434 Wriothesley, ii, 126n; Grey Friars Chron., pp. 56, 57, 95. + + 1435 Foxe's "Acts and Monuments," vi, 717, 737, 740, vii, 114, 115. + + 1436 "Item the vth day of September [1556], was browte thorrow Cheppesyde + teyd in ropes xxiijti tayd together as herreytkes, and soo unto the + Lowlers tower."--Grey Friars Chron., p. 98. + + M726 Renewed opposition to strangers in the city. + + 1437 "At this time [Aug., 1554] there was so many Spanyerdes in London + that a man shoulde have mett in the stretes for one Inglisheman + above iiij Spanyerdes, to the great discomfort of the Inglishe + nation. The halles taken up for Spanyerdes."--Chron. Q. Jane and Q. + Mary, p. 81. + + 1438 -_Id._, _ibid_. + + 1439 Repertory 13, pt. i, fo. 205b. + + 1440 By an order in council, dated Greenwich, 13 March, 1555, the + merchants of the Steelyard were thenceforth to be allowed to buy + cloth in warehouses adjoining the Steelyard, without hindrance from + the mayor. The mayor was ordered to give up cloth that had been + seized as foreign bought and sold at Blackwell Hall. He was, + moreover, not to demand _quotam salis_ of the merchants, who were to + be allowed to import into the city fish, corn and other provisions + free of import.--Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 384b; Letter Book S, fo. + 76. + + 1441 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fos. 399b, 404, 406; Letter Book S, fos. 70, + 93b. + + 1442 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 508b. + + 1443 Wheeler's "Treatise of Commerce" (ed. 1601), p. 100. + + 1444 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fos. 507b, 520b, 540. + + 1445 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 529. + + 1446 -_Id._, fo. 526b. + + 1447 -_Id._, fo. 534b. + + M727 Philip leaves England, 4 Sept., 1555. + M728 The queen obtains a City loan of L6,000, Aug., 1556. + M729 War declared against France, 7 June, 1557. + + 1448 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 420. + + 1449 Stafford had issued a proclamation from Scarborough Castle + declaiming against Philip for introducing 12,000 foreigners into the + country, and announcing himself as protector and governor of the + realm. He was captured by the Earl of Westmoreland and executed on + Tower Hill 28 May.--Journal 17, fo. 34b; Letter Book S, fo. 127b; + Holinshed. iv, 87; Machyn's Diary, p. 137. + + 1450 Journal 17, fo. 37b; Letter Book S, fo. 131. + + 1451 Journal 17, fos. 37b, 38; Letter Book S, fo. 131b. + + 1452 Machyn, p. 142. + + M730 A City contingent joins the expedition to France. + + 1453 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 517. + + 1454 "London fond v.c. men all in bluw cassokes, sum by shyppes and sum + to Dover by land, the goodlyst men that ever whent, and best be-sene + in change (of) apprelle."--Diary, p. 143. + + 1455 Merchant Taylor, son of William Offley, of Chester; alderman of + Portsoken and Aldgate Wards. Was one of the signatories to the + document nominating Lady Jane Grey successor to Edward VI, and was + within a few weeks (1 Aug.) elected sheriff. Knighted with alderman + William Chester, 7 Feb., 1557. His mansion-house was in Lime + Street, near the Church of St. Andrew Undershaft. _Ob._ 29 Aug, + 1582.--Machyn, pp. 125, 353; Index to Remembrancia, p. 37, note. + Fuller, who erroneously places his death in 1580, describes him as + the "Zaccheus of London" not "on account of his low stature, but his + great charity in bestowing half of his estate on the poor."--Fuller's + "Worthies," p. 191. + + 1456 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fos. 521b, 522; Letter Book S, fo. 134. + + M731 The City called upon to furnish another contingent of 1,000 men, 31 + July. + + 1457 Journal 17, fo. 54b. + + M732 The citizens make demur, but in vain. + + 1458 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 530. + + 1459 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fos. 530, 532, 522b, 535; Journal 17, fo. 54. + + M733 The French king defeated at St. Quentin, 27 Aug., 1557. + + 1460 Machyn, p. 147. + + M734 The loss of Calais, 7 Jan., 1558. + M735 A city force despatched, 24 Jan., 1558. + + 1461 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 571. + + 1462 Journal 17, fo. 55. See Appendix. They were ordered in the first + instance to be forwarded to Dover by the 19th Jan. at the latest, + but on the 6th Jan. the Privy Council sent a letter to the mayor to + the effect that "albeit he was willed to send the vc men levied in + London to Dover, forasmuch as it is sithence considered here that + they may with best speede be brought to the place of service by + seas, he is willen to sende them with all speede by hoyes to + Queenburgh, where order is given for the receavinge and placing of + them in the shippes, to be transported with all speede + possible."--Harl. MS. 643, fo. 198; Notes to Machyn's Diary, p. 362. + + 1463 Journal 17, fo. 56. + + 1464 Wriothesley, ii, 140. + + 1465 Order of the Court of Aldermen, 10 Jan.--Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. + 582. + + 1466 Repertory 13, pt. ii, fo. 582b; Precept to the Companies.--Journal + 17, fo. 56b. + + 1467 Journal 17, fo. 57. So furious was this storm, lasting four or five + days, that "some said that the same came to passe through + necromancie, and that the diuell was raised vp and become French, + the truth whereof is known (saith Master Grafton) to + God."--Holinshed, iv, 93. + + 1468 Journal 17, fo. 7. + + 1469 Repertory 14, fo. 1b; Journal 17, fo. 58; Machyn, 164. + + 1470 Journal 17, fos. 59, 59b; Letter Book S, fos. 154b, 155. + + M736 A city loan of L20,000, March, 1558. + + 1471 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), p. 100; Wriothesley, ii, 140, + 141. + + 1472 Stat. 5 and 6, Edward VI, c. 20, which repealed Stat. _37_, Henry + VIII, c. 9 (allowing interest to be taken on loans at the rate of + ten per cent.) and forbade all usury. This Statute was afterwards + repealed (Stat. 13, Eliz., c. 8) and the Statute of Henry VIII + re-enacted. The dispensation granted by Mary was confirmed in 1560 + by Elizabeth.--Repertory 14, fo. 404b. + + 1473 Repertory 14, fo. 15b; Journal 17, fo. 63. A large portion of this + loan was repaid by Elizabeth soon after her accession.--Repertory 14, + fos. 236b, 289. + + M737 Death of Mary, 17 Nov., 1558. + + 1474 Repertory 14, fos. 94b, 96b. + + M738 The ascension of Elizabeth, 17 Nov., 1558. + + 1475 The commemoration was eventually put down by the Stuarts as giving + rise to tumults and disorders.--Journal 49, fo. 270b; Luttrell's + Diary, 17 Nov., 1682. + + 1476 Son of Roger Leigh, of Wellington, co. Salop, an apprentice of Sir + Rowland Hill, whose niece, Alice Barker, he married. Buried in the + Mercers' Chapel. By his second son, William, he was ancestor of the + Lords Leigh, of Stoneleigh, and by his third son William, + grandfather of Francis Leigh, Earl of Chichester.--Notes to Machyn's + Diary, p. 407. + + 1477 "The order of the sheryfes at the receyvyng of the quenes highenes + in to Myddlesex."--Letter Book S, fo. 183; Repertory 14, fo. 90b. + + M739 The queen's coronation, 15 Jan., 1559. + + 1478 Letter Book S, fo. 182b; Journal 7, fo. 101b. + + 1479 Repertory 14, fos. 97, 98. + + 1480 -_Id._, fo. 99. + + 1481 -_Id._, fo. 102b. + + M740 A strike among the painters. + + 1482 Repertory 14, fo. 103b. + + M741 Elizabeth's policy of moderation, 1558. + + 1483 Dated 27 Dec., 1558.--Journal 17, fo. 106b. + + M742 The Act of Uniformity and Supremacy, 1558. + M743 The restoration of the Prayer Book and abolition of the Mass, 1559. + + 1484 Wriothesley, ii, 145. + + 1485 -_Id._ _ibid_. + + 1486 Repertory 4, fo. 213b. + + M744 Ultra-Protestant reformers in the city, 1559. + + 1487 Journal 17, fos. 120b, 168; Repertory 14, fo. 152; Letter Book T, + fo. 82b. + + 1488 "In some places the coapes, vestments, and aulter clothes, bookes, + banners, sepulchers and other ornaments of the churches were burned, + which cost above L2,000 renuinge agayne in Queen Maries time" + (Wriothesley, ii, 146; _Cf._ Machyn, p. 298). Among the churchwarden + accounts of the parish of St. Mary-at-Hill for the year 1558-1559 + there is a payment of one shilling for "bringing down ymages to + Romeland (near Billingsgate) to be burnt." + + 1489 Proclamation, dated 19 Sept., 1559.--Journal 17, fo. 267; Letter Book + T, fo. 5b. + + M745 The claims of Mary Stuart, 1559-1560. + + 1490 Journal 17, fo. 184b. + + 1491 Proclamation, dated 24 March, 1560.--Journal 17, fo. 223b. + + 1492 In April the city was called upon to furnish 900 soldiers, in May + 250 seamen, and in June 200 soldiers.--Repertory 14, fos. 323, 336, + 339b, 340, 340b, 344b; Journal 17, fos. 238b, 244. It is noteworthy + that the number of able men in the city at this time serviceable for + war, although untrained, was estimated to amount to no more than + 5,000.--Journal 17, fo. 244b. + + M746 The French war, 1562-1564. + + 1493 Journal 18, fos. 57-60b. The livery companies furnished the men + according to allotment. The barber-surgeons claimed exemption by + statute (32 Henry VIII, c. 42), but subsequently consented to waive + their claim. The city also objected to supplying the soldiers with + cloaks.--Repertory 15, fos. 110b, 113. + + 1494 Journal 18, fo. 66; Machyn, pp. 292, 293. + + 1495 Journal 18, fo. 71. + + M747 Soldiers for the defence of Havre. 1563. + + 1496 The queen to the mayor and corporation of London, 30 June, + 1563.--Journal 18, fo. 124. + + 1497 Repertory 15, fo. 258. + + 1498 -_Id._, fo. 259. + + 1499 -_Id._, fo. 263. + + 1500 The queen to the mayor, 2 Aug., 1563.--Journal 18, fo. 140. Precept + of the mayor.--_Id._, fo. 136; Repertory 15, fo. 279b; Machyn's + Diary, p. 312. + + 1501 Journal 18, fo. 128. + + 1502 -_Id._, fo. 119b. + + 1503 Repertory 15, fo. 265b. + + M748 The loss of Havre, July, 1563. + + 1504 Machyn, 312. + + 1505 Journal 18, fos. 139, 139b, 142, 151b, 152b, 154, 156b, 184, 189b. + With the sickness was associated, as was so often the case, a + scarcity of food.--Repertory 15, fos. 127, 133b, 138, 168, 178, 179b, + etc. The rate of mortality increased to such an extent that a + committee was appointed for the purpose of procuring more burial + accommodation.--Repertory 15, fos. 311b, 313b, 333. + + 1506 Proclamation dated 1 Aug., 1563.--Journal 18, fo. 141. + + M749 Peace between England and France signed, 13 April, 1564. + + 1507 Repertory 15, fo. 284b. + + 1508 Journal 18, fo. 249. + + 1509 -_Id._, fo. 190b. + + 1510 Journal 18, fos. 214, 215, 227, 291b, 354b; Holinshed, iv, 224. + + M750 The restoration of St. Paul's Cathedral, 1561-1565. + + 1511 Journal 17, fos. 320, 321, 331b; Letter Book T, fos. 42, 42b; + Repertory 14, fo. 491b. The fire caused by the lightning threatened + the neighbouring shops, and their contents were therefore removed to + Christchurch, Newgate and elsewhere for safety.--Journal 17, fo. + 319b; Letter Book T, fo. 42. + + 1512 Repertory 15, fos. 474, 478. + + 1513 Repertory 16, fos. 227, 241b, 274; Letter Book V, fo. 108b. + + 1514 Repertory 16, fos. 303b, 448. Among the Chamber Accounts of this + period we find an item of a sum exceeding L4 paid for "Cusshens to + be occupied at Powles by my L. Maior and thaldermen, vz:--for cloth + for the uttorside lyning of leather feathers and for making of theym + as by a bill appearth."--Chamber Accounts, Town Clerk's Office, vol. + i, fo. 50b. + + M751 Sir Thomas Gresham and the City Burse. 1565-1566. + + 1515 Journal 13, fos. 417, 420, 435, 442b, 443. + + 1516 Cotton MS., Otho E, x. fo. 45; _Cf._ Burgon's "Life of Gresham," i, + 31-33. + + 1517 Journal 14, fos. 124, 124b. + + 1518 By Sir Richard's first wife Audrey, daughter of William Lynne, of + Southwick, co. Northampton. Sir Thomas is supposed to have been born + in London in 1519. Having been bound apprentice to his uncle, Sir + John Gresham, he was admitted to the freedom of the Mercers' Company + in 1543. Married Anne, daughter of William Ferneley, of West + Creting, co. Suffolk, widow of William Read, mercer. + + 1519 The queen's business kept him so much abroad that her majesty wrote + to the Common Council (7 March, 1563) desiring that he might be + discharged from all municipal duties.--Journal 18, fo. 137. + + 1520 Printed in Burgon's "Life of Gresham," i, 409. + + 1521 Repertory 15, fo. 237b. + + 1522 Burgon, ii, 30-40. + + 1523 Repertory 15, fos. 406b, 407. + + M752 Difficulties of obtaining a site. + + 1524 Repertory 15, fos. 410b, 412. + + 1525 -_Id._, fos. 417b, 431. + + 1526 Repertory 16, fos. 31b, 32b, 43b; Letter Book V, fos. 5, 7b, 8, 17, + 21b. + + 1527 The amount of subscriptions and charges is set out in a "booke" and + entered on the City's Journal (No. 19, fos. 12-20; _Cf._ Letter Book + V, fos. 70b-79); see also Repertory 16, fo. 126. + + 1528 Journal 18. fo. 398. + + M753 Strong foreign element in connection with the building of the first + Burse. + + 1529 Repertory 16, fo. 316. + + 1530 Repertory 16, fo. 406b. + + 1531 Repertory 15, fo. 268b. + + 1532 Repertory 16, fo. 229. + + M754 The Burse opened by Q. Elizabeth, 23 Jan., 1571. + M755 Wanton damage done to the new Burse. + + 1533 "A proclamacioun concernyng the cutting of the crest conyzans and + mantell of the arms of Sr Thomas Gresham."--Journal 19, fo. 150b; + Letter Book V, fo. 222. + + 1534 Journal 20, pt. ii, fo. 341. + + M756 Insurance business carried on at the Royal Exchange. + + 1535 Repertory 18, fo. 362. + + 1536 "Law and Practice of Marine Insurance," by John Duer, LL.D. (New + York, 1845), Lecture ii, p. 33. + + 1537 At the present day the form of policy used at Lloyds and commonly + called the "Lloyd's policy" contains the following clause:--"and it + is agreed by us the insurers, that this writing or policy of + assurance shall be of as much force and effect as the surest writing + or policy of assurance heretofore made in Lombard Street or in the + Royal Exchange or elsewhere in London."--Arnould, "Marine Insurance" + (6th ed.), i, 230. + + 1538 Repertory 18, fo. 362b. + + 1539 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), p. 523. + + 1540 Repertory 19, fos. 166b, 168. + + 1541 The reader is here reminded that there is an essential difference + between life policies and fire or marine policies of assurance. The + latter, being policies of indemnity, recovery can be had at law only + to the extent of the actual damage done, whereas in life policies + the whole amount of the policy can be recovered. + + M757 Music and football at the Exchange. + + 1542 Repertory 17, fo. 300. + + 1543 Repertory 19, fo. 150. + + M758 Gresham College and Lectures. + + 1544 Cal. Wills, Court of Hust., London, ii, 698. + + 1545 Printed Report "Gresham College Trust," 29 Oct., 1885. + + M759 The Act of Uniformity strictly enforced, 1565. + M760 Gresham's hospitality to Cardinal Chastillon, 1568. + + 1546 A return made in 1567 by the livery companies of foreigners residing + in the city and liberties gives the number as 3,562.--Repertory 16, + fo. 202. Another authority gives the number as 4,851, of which 3,838 + were Dutch.--Burgon's "Life of Gresham," ii, 242, citing Haynes, p. + 461. + + 1547 Burgon's "Life of Gresham," ii, 271-275. + + M761 The city crowded with refugees from the continent. + + 1548 Repertory 16, fo. 164. + + 1549 Journal 19, fo. 116. + + 1550 Precept of the mayor to that effect, 19 Oct., 1568.-_Id._, fo. 132b. + + 1551 Repertory 16, fo. 451. + + 1552 Journal 19, fo. 180; Letter Book V, fo. 245. + + 1553 Letter Book V, fo. 246. Holinshed (iv, 234) and others give the + whole credit of providing the cemetery to the liberality of Sir + Thomas Rowe, the mayor. + + M762 The Prince of Orange receives substantial assistance from the + citizens. + + 1554 Proclamation (15 July, 1568) against suspected persons landing in + England or returning "with any furniture for mayntenaunce of ther + rebellion or other lyke cryme" against the King of Spain.--Journal + 18, fo. 115; _Cf._ Letter Book V, fos. 181, 246b. + + 1555 Green, "Hist. of the English People," ii, 418. + + M763 The decline of Antwerp London's opportunity. + M764 The queen applies to the merchant adventurers for a loan. + + 1556 Repertory 15, fos. 162, 164, 166b, 241b, 258, 267b, 297, etc. + + 1557 Strype, Stow's "Survey" (ed. 1720), bk. i, p. 283. + + M765 The first public lottery, 1567-1569. + + 1558 Journal II, fo. 253. + + 1559 Journal 19, fos. 55-58; Letter Book V, fos. 115b-117b. + + 1560 Price's "London Bankers" (enlarged edition), p. 51. + + 1561 Letter Book V, fo. 139. + + 1562 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), p. 314. + + 1563 Clode, "Early Hist. of the Guild of Merchant Taylors," pt. ii, pp. + 229-230. + + 1564 Journal 19, fo. 133b. + + 1565 Holinshed, iv, 234. + + 1566 "Mesmes j'entendz que de la blanque, qu'on a tiree ces jours passes + en ceste ville, ceste Royne retirera pour elle plus de cent mille + livres esterlin, qui sont 33,000 escuz; de quoy le monde murumre + asses pour la diminution qu'ilz trouvent aulx benefices qu'ilz + esperoient de leurs billetz"--wrote De la Motlie Fenelon, the French + ambassador in London.--Cooper's "Recueil des Depeches, etc., des + Ambassadeurs de France (Paris and London, 1838-1840)," i, 155. + + M766 English merchants in Antwerp arrested by order of Alva, 1568. + M767 Elizabeth retaliates by seizing treasure on board Spanish vessels. + + 1567 Proclamation, 6 Jan., 1569.--Journal 19, fo. 139; Letter Book V, fo. + 210. + + 1568 See letter from Sir Arthur Champernowne, William Hawkins and others + to the lords of the council. 1 Jan., 1569.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1547-1580), p. 326. + + M768 Order to seize Flemish merchants and their goods in London, Jan., + 1569. + + 1569 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), p. 326. + + 1570 Cotton MS., Galba C, iii, fo. 151b. This letter was signed by John + Gresham, Thomas Offley, John White, Roger Martyn, Leonell Duckett, + Thomas Heaton, Richard Wheler, Thomas Aldersey and Francis Beinson. + + 1571 Citizen and Merchant Taylor: Alderman of the Wards of Portsoken and + Bishopsgate; Sheriff, 1560-61. _Ob._ 2 Sept., 1570. Buried in + Hackney Church. He bestowed the sum of L100 for the relief of + members of his company "usinge the brode shire or ell rowinge of the + pearch or making of garmentes" during his lifetime, and some landed + estate in the city by his will for like purpose.--Letter Book V, fo. + 274b; Cal. of Wills, Court of Husting, ii, 686. + + 1572 Letter printed (from original among State Papers Dom.) in Burgon's + "Life of Gresham," ii, 287. + + M769 Alva's envoy demands restitution. + + 1573 Sir Thomas Rowe, mayor, to Secretary Cecil. 23 Jan., 1569.--Cal. + State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), p. 329; Burgon's "Life of Gresham," + ii, 295-296. + + 1574 -_Id._, 25 Jan. + + 1575 Cooper's "Depeches, etc., des Ambassadeurs de France," i, 176-177. + + 1576 Burgon's "Life of Gresham," ii, 297. + + M770 Gresham suggests minting the Spanish treasure, 14 Aug., 1569. + + 1577 Lansd. MS., No. xii, fo. 16b. + + 1578 -_Id._, fo. 22. + + M771 The City Courts closed to Spanish suitors, 11 July, 1570. + + 1579 Repertory 17, fo. 36b. + + M772 Failure of efforts to effect a mutual restoration of goods seized. + M773 Spanish goods ordered to be sold. + M774 The respective claims of England and Spain referred to arbitration. + + 1580 Journal 19, fo. 247b; Letter Book V, fo. 301. + + 1581 Journal 19, fo. 257. + + 1582 -_Id._, fo. 390b. + + 1583 Journal 19, fo. 390b. + + 1584 Add. MS., No. 5, 755, fo. 58. + + M775 Insurrection of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, 1569. + + 1585 In the following year he was removed to the Charterhouse, but being + discovered in correspondence with the deposed Queen of Scots was + again placed in the Tower. He was tried and convicted of treason, + and after some delay executed on Tower Hill.--Holinshed, iv, 254, + 262, 264, 267. + + 1586 The proclamation, which is set out in Journal 19, fo. 202b (_Cf._ + Letter Book V, fo. 267b), gives in detail the rise and progress of + the rebellion. + + M776 Measures taken for safe-guarding the city. + + 1587 Journal 19, fo. 202; Letter Book V, fo. 267. + + 1588 Journal 19, fo. 202; Letter Book V, fo. 267. + + 1589 Letter Book V, fo. 269. + + 1590 Journal 19, fo. 206b; Letter Book V, fo. 270b; Repertory 16, fo. + 522b. + + M777 Papal Bull of excommunication against Elizabeth, 1570. + + 1591 Holinshed, iv, 254. + + M778 Rejoicing in the city after the battle of Lepanto, 7 Oct., 1571. + + 1592 -_Id._, 262. + + 1593 From Hertfordshire, alderman of Billingsgate Ward. + + 1594 Dated 8 Nov.--Journal 19, fo. 370b. + + 1595 Holinshed, iv, 263. + + 1596 Repertory 17, fos. 8b, 23, 27b, 29. 243, etc.; Repertory 19, fos. + 24b, 154, etc.; City Records known as "Remembrancia" (Analytical + Index), pp. 51-55. + + M779 Peace and commercial prosperity, 1572. + + 1597 Stranger denizens, carrying on a handicraft in the city, had + recently preferred a Bill in Parliament against several of the + livery companies. They were persuaded, however, to drop it, and + refer their grievance to the Court of Aldermen.--Repertory 17, fos. + 302b, 335, 337. A return made by the mayor (10 Nov., 1571) of the + strangers then living in London and Southwark and liberties thereof + gives the total number as 4,631.--Cal. State Papers Dom. (1547-1580), + p. 427. + + 1598 Repertory 17, fo. 372. + + M780 The shifting policy of Elizabeth towards Spain and France, + 1572-1574. + + 1599 Journal 19, fos. 407-408b, 417-417b; Repertory 17, fos. 292, 298b, + 307, 308. + + 1600 Journal 20, pt. i, fos. 133b, 143b; Repertory 18, fo. 224b. + + 1601 Journal 20, pt. i, fo. 156b. + + M781 Piracy rampant, 1575-1576. + + 1602 Journal 20, pt. i, fo. 252; _Id._, pt. ii, fo. 280b. + + M782 A loan ofL30,000, June, 1575. + M783 A city Chamberlain dismissed from office. + + 1603 Journal 20, pt. i, fos. 228b, 239. + + 1604 Repertory 19, fo. 98. + + 1605 Journal 20, pt. ii, fo. 371. + + 1606 He was removed by order of Common Council, 13 Dec., _pre diversis + magnis rebus dictam civitatem et negotia ejusdem + tangentibus_.--Journal 20, pt. ii, fo. 376b. + + M784 The city called upon to furnish soldiers, 1578. + + 1607 Journal 20, pt. ii, fos. 388b, 389, 394-395b. The queen to the + mayor, etc., of London, 12 March.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1547-1580), p. 586. + + 1608 Journal 20, pt. ii, fo. 409b. + + 1609 -_Id._, fos. 404, 408b, 412. + + 1610 Repertory 19, fo. 346b. + + M785 Count Casimir at Gresham House, Jan., 1579. + M786 Death of Sir Thomas Gresham, 21 Nov., 1579. + M787 Count Casimir presented by the city with a gift of 500 marks. + + 1611 This conjecture is made from the fact of a precept having been + issued on the 20th Jan. for certain persons to furnish themselves + with velvet coats, chains and horses, and a suitable suite, to wait + upon the lord mayor on the following Saturday.--Journal 20, pt. ii, + fo. 404b. + + 1612 Burgon's "Life of Gresham," ii, 451-452. + + 1613 Journal 20, pt. ii, fos. 464, 480. + + 1614 Continuation of Holinshed, iv, 315. + + M788 The plague in the city, 1580-1583. + + 1615 City Records known as "Remembrancia" (Printed Analytical Index), pp. + 306, 330, 331, 350-352; Journal 20, pt. ii, fos. 373, 379, 407. + + 1616 Remembrancia (Index), pp. 207, 331, 334; Journal 21, fo. 235b. + + 1617 Remembrancia, vol. i, No. 331. + + M789 Preparations for war. + M790 Troubles in Ireland, 1579-1583. + + 1618 A reference to this defeat is to be found in the Dublin Assembly + Roll under the year 1581.--"Cal. of Ancient Records of Dublin" (ed. + by John T. Gilbert, 1891), ii, 155. + + 1619 Bright, "Hist. of England," ii, 539. + + 1620 Journal 21, fos. 19, 34, 52, 53, 69b-71b, 78b, etc.; Repertory 20, + fos. 90, 117, 117b, 119b, etc.; Remembrancia (Analytical Index), pp. + 230-236. + + 1621 Journal 21, fo. 329b. + + 1622 Among Chamber Accounts _circa_ 1585 we find the following:--"Pd. the + x of Dec. by order of Courte to Roger Warffeld Treasuror of + Bridewell towards the conveyinge of all the Irishe begging people in + and nere London to the Citie of Bristowe v1."--Chamber Accounts, Town + Clerk's Office, vol. ii, fo. 17. + + M791 The Jesuits in the city, 1580-1581. + + 1623 Repertory 16, fo. 350. + + 1624 Repertory 18, fo. 167. + + 1625 Journal 20, fo. 219b. + + 1626 Journal 21, fo. 81b; Repertory 20, fo. 1b. + + M792 The Recusancy Laws, 1581. + + 1627 Journal 21, fo. 90. + + 1628 -_Id._, fos. 114b, 135, 290, 322. + + 1629 Remembrancia (Analytical Index), pp. 364, 365. + + M793 Special preachers appointed for the city, 1581-1582. + + 1630 As early as 1554 students had been supported by the Corporation and + the Companies at the Universities.--Repertory 13, fos. 144b, 148, + 150b. + + 1631 Rembrancia, i, 250, 256 (Analytical Index, pp. 365, 366). Another + difference shortly occurred between the corporation and the Bishop + of London in October of this year. A dispute arose between them as + to who was responsible for keeping St. Paul's Cathedral in repair, + each party endeavouring to throw the burden upon the other (_Id._, + Analytical Index, pp. 323-327); and in the following March (1582) + Bishop Aylmer found cause to complain by letter of unbecoming + treatment by the mayor, both of the bishop and his clergy, and + threatened, unless matters changed for the better, to admonish the + mayor publicly at Paul's Cross, "where the lord mayor must sit, not + as a judge to control, but as a scholar to learn, and the writer, + not as John Aylmer to be thwarted, but as John London, to teach him + and all London."--(_Id._, _ibid._, pp. 128-129). + + 1632 Repertory 20, fo. 282. + + M794 Arrest and execution of Campion. + M795 Breach with Spain, Jan., 1584. + + 1633 Son of Richard Osborne, of Ashford, co. Kent. The story goes that he + was apprenticed to Sir William Hewet, clothworker, and that he + married his master's daughter, whom he had rescued from a watery + grave in the Thames at London Bridge. His son, Sir Edward Osborne, + was created a baronet by Charles I, and his grandson, Sir Thomas, + made Duke of Leeds in 1692 by King William III. + + 1634 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1581-1590), p. 157. The right of holding + musters in Southwark was again questioned; and the claim of the city + was upheld by Sir Francis Walsingham. For this he received the + thanks of the lord mayor by letter dated 15 Feb.--_Id._, p. 159. + + M796 Muster of 4,000 men in Greenwich Park, 1584. + + 1635 "A lettre from the quenes maty for ye mustringe of 4000 men, and + also for the shewes on the evens of St. John Baptist and St. Peter + thapostles."--Journal 21, fo. 421b. + + 1636 Contin. of Holinshed, v, 599, 600. + + M797 Assassination of Prince of Orange, 10 July, 1584. + + 1637 Journal 21, fo. 388b. + + M798 Dutch envoys to Elizabeth, June, 1585. + + 1638 Stow's Annals (ed. 1592), pp. 1198-1201. + + 1639 Motley, "United Netherlands," i, pp. 318-324. + + M799 Recruits for service in the Low Countries, July, 1585. + + 1640 For particulars of his life see Remembrancia (Analytical Index), p. + 284, note. + + 1641 Journal 21, fo. 448b. + + M800 The fall of Antwerp and despatch of Leicester to the Low Countries, + 1585. + + 1642 "Thaccompte of the saide chamberlyn for the transportacioun and + necessary provision of MMCCCCXX soldiers into the lowe countryes of + Flaunders."--Chamber Accounts, vol. ii, fos. 56-58b. + + 1643 Motley, "United Netherlands," i, 340. + + 1644 Chamber Accounts, ii, 134. The earl's honor of Denbigh, North Wales, + was mortgaged to certain citizens of London, and not being redeemed, + was afterwards purchased by the queen herself.--Repertory 22, fo. + 287. + + 1645 Repertory 21, fos. 308-311. + + 1646 For many years after the passing of the Act (1 Edw. VI, c. 14) + confiscating property devoted to "superstitious uses," the + corporation and the livery companies were the objects of suspicion + of holding "concealed lands," _i.e._ lands held charged for + superstitious uses, which they had failed to divulge. The + appointment of a royal commission to search for such lands was + submitted to the law officers of the city for consideration, 9 + Sept., 1567.--Repertory 16, fo. 276b. Vexatious proceedings continued + to be taken under the Act until the year 1623, when a Statute was + passed, entitled "An Act for the General Quiet of the Subjects + against all Pretences of Concealment whatsoever."--Stat. 21, James I, + c. ii. + + M801 The city flooded with strangers from France and Flanders. + + 1647 Journal 22, fo. 1. + + 1648 -_Id._, fos. 26, 29. + + 1649 Journal 22, fo. 37b; Repertory 21, fo. 288b. + + M802 Discovery of the Babington plot, Aug., 1586. + + 1650 Journal 22, fos. 52-53. Both the queen's letter and Dalton's speech + are printed in Stow's Continuation of Holinshed, iv, 902-904. + + 1651 Journal 22, fos. 48, 57b, 58; Repertory 21, fo. 327. + + M803 Execution of Mary Stuart, 8 Feb., 1587. + + 1652 Proclamation, dated Richmond, 4 Dec., 1586.--Journal 22, fo. 67b. + + M804 A threatened famine in the city, Nov., 1586 + + 1653 Royal Proclamation against engrossers of corn, 2 Jan., 1587.--Journal + 22, fo. 74. + + 1654 Journal 22, fo. 64. + + 1655 Repertory 21, fo. 370b. + + M805 Philip's preparations for invasion, 1587. + + 1656 Journal 21, fo. 136b. + + 1657 Motley, "United Netherlands," ii, 281. + + M806 Preparations in England, 1587-1588. + + 1658 Journal 22, fos. 144, 161b, 166-167b, 170b. + + 1659 Journal 22, fo. 190. + + 1660 Only 1,000 men out of the force raised by the city went to Tilbury, + and the earl only consented to receive this small contingent on + condition they brought their own provisions with them, so scantily + was the camp supplied with victuals through the queen's + parsimony.--Remembrancia (Analytical Index), p. 244. Letter from + Leicester to Walsingham, 26 July.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1581-1590), p. 513. + + 1661 Leicester to Walsingham, 28 July, 1588.--State Papers Dom., vol. + ccxiii, No. 55. + + 1662 William of Malmesbury bears similar testimony to the courage of + Londoners under good leadership: _Laudandi prorsus viri et quos Mars + ipse collata non sperneret hasta si ducem habuissent_.--Gesta Regum + (Rolls Series, No. 90), i, 208. + + 1663 Repertory 22, fo. 148b. + + M807 The City fits out sixteen ships and four pinnaces. + + 1664 A list of "the London shippes" (including pinnaces), dated 19 July, + 1588, is preserved among the State Papers (Domestic) at the Public + Record Office (vol. ccxii, No. 68), and is set out in the Appendix + to this work. Two other lists, dated 24 July, giving the names of + the ships (exclusive of pinnaces) are also preserved (State Papers + Dom., vol. ccxiii, Nos. 15, 16). Each of these lists give the number + of vessels supplied by the city against the Armada as sixteen ships + and four pinnaces, or as twenty ships (inclusive of pinnaces). It is + not clear what was the authority of Stow (Howes's Chron., p. 743) + for stating that the city, having been requested to furnish fifteen + ships of war and 5,000 men, asked for two days to deliberate, and + then furnished thirty ships and 10,000 men. At the same time there + does exist a list of "shipps set forth and payde upon ye charge of + ye city of London, anno 1588" (that is to say, the ships furnished + by the city for that whole year), and that list contains the names + of thirty ships, with the number of men on board each vessel and the + names of the commanders.--State Papers Dom., vol. ccxxxii, fos. 16, + 16b. + + 1665 Journal 22, fo. 173. The assessment was afterwards (19 April) + settled at three shillings in the pound.--_Id._, fo. 175. + + 1666 Journal 22, fos. 193, 200b. + + M808 The fate of the Armada, July, 1588. + + 1667 Richard Tomson to Walsingham, 30 July, 1588.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1581-1590), p. 517. + + 1668 Hawkins to Walsingham, 31 July, 1588.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1581-1590), p. 517. + + 1669 Howard to the same, 21 July.--_Id._, p. 507. + + 1670 Sir William Wynter to Walsingham, 1 Aug., 1588.--Cal. State Papers + Dom. (1581-1590), p. 521. + + 1671 Journal 22, fo. 196b. + + 1672 -_Id._, fo. 196. + + M809 Richard Tomson and the London ship _Margaret and John_. + + 1673 Tomson to Walsingham, 30 July, 1588.--State Papers Dom., vol. ccxiii, + No. 67. + + M810 The naval engagement off Gravelines 29 July, 1588. + M811 The Armada driven northward. + M812 Preparations in the city for receiving sick and wounded, 29 July. + + 1674 Repertory 21, fo. 578. + + 1675 Journal 22, fo. 200b; Cal. State Papers Dom. (1581-1590), p. 510. + + M813 Reports as to the fate of the Armada, July-Aug., 1588. + + 1676 Journal 22, fo. 197. + + 1677 -_Id._, fo. 199b. + + 1678 Journal 22, fo. 200. + + M814 The queen attends a public thanksgiving service at St. Paul's, 24 + Nov., 1588. + + 1679 Nichols' "Progresses of Q. Elizabeth," ii, 537. + + 1680 Journal 22, fos. 233, 235. + + 1681 Nichols' "Progresses of Q. Elizabeth," ii, 538, 539. + + M815 Monuments in city churches to Frobisher, Hawkins and Martin Bond. + + 1682 On the 7th Feb., 1583, previously to setting out on his last + ill-fated expedition, Gilbert addressed a letter to Walsingham from + "his house in Redcross Street."--Cal. State Papers Dom. (1581-1590), + p. 95. + + 1683 See the will of Dame Margaret Hawkins, dated 23 April, 1619.--Cal. of + Wills, Court of Hust., London, ii, 745. The will contains many + bequests of articles which savour of Spanish loot. + + 1684 Strype, Stow's "Survey" (1720), bk. ii, p. 44. + + M816 Disorganized state of the camp at Tilbury. + + 1685 Journal 22, fo. 202b. + + M817 City loans of L30,000 and L20,000, Sept.-Dec., 1588. + + 1686 Journal 22, fo. 210; Repertory 21, fos. 590b, 593; Repertory 22, + fos. 15, 26b, 27; Cal. State Papers Dom. (1581-1590), p. 471. + + M818 Expedition to Spain under Norris and Drake, April-July, 1589. + + 1687 Journal 22, fo. 252; Repertory 22, fo. 16b. + + 1688 Journal 22, fos. 227b, 278. + + M819 Disbanded soldiers and sailors in the city. + + 1689 Burghley and others to the mayor, 26 July, 1589.--Journal 22, fo. + 312. + + M820 Soldiers ordered to return to their own homes. + + 1690 -_Id._, fo. 316b. + + 1691 Journal 22, fo. 345b; Journal 23, fo. 79. + + 1692 Journal 22, fo. 314. + + M821 Elizabeth and Henry IV of France, 1589-1591. + + 1693 Journal 22, fo. 321b. + + 1694 -_Id._, fo. 326. + + 1695 -_Id._, fo. 321. + + M822 The City and the Earl of Essex, 1591. + + 1696 Journal 23, fos. 35, 38. + + 1697 July 24, 1591.--Remembrancia. i, 599 (Analytical Index, p. 408). + + M823 The City agrees to fit out six ships and a pinnace, 16 June, 1591. + + 1698 Journal 23, fos. 31, 43b, 48b; Repertory 22, fo. 284b. + + 1699 Journal 23, fos. 68, 68b; _Cf._ Cal. State Papers Dom. (1591-1594), + p. 48, where the date of the letter is given as "May." + + 1700 Journal 23, fos. 325b, 383b. + + M824 Search to be made for Spanish emissaries in disguise. + + 1701 Journal 23, fos. 45-46b. + + 1702 Journal 24, fo. 86. + + M825 Privateering expeditions against Spain, 1591-1592. + + 1703 Proclamation, dated 16 Sept., 1591.--Journal 23, fo. 47. + + 1704 Journal 23, fo. 73. + + 1705 -_Id._, fo. 71. + + 1706 Proclamations, dated 8 Jan. and 26 Sept., 1592.--Journal 23, fos. + 78b, 136. + + 1707 The queen to the lord mayor, 6 Jan., 1592.--Cal. State Papers Dom. + (1591-1594), p. 168. The same to the same, 25 Jan.--Journal 23, fo. + 87. + + 1708 Journal 23, fos. 157, 167, 174, 224b; Repertory 23, fo. 29. + + M826 Proposal to build a pest-house for the city, 1592. + + 1709 It was in 1592 that bills of mortality, kept by the parish clerks, + were for the first time published. + + 1710 Journal 23, fo. 204b. + + 1711 Journal 23, fo. 266. + + 1712 -_Id._, fos. 400, 402. + + M827 The hysterical Anne Burnell. + + 1713 -_Id._, fo. 153. + + M828 Six ships, two pinnaces and 350 men provided by the City against + Spain, July, 1594. + + 1714 Journal 23, fo. 290b. The number was afterwards reduced to 350 + men.--_Id._, fo. 296b; Remembrancia, ii, 3, 27, 30. + + 1715 Journal 23, fo. 290. + + 1716 -_Id._, fo. 289. + + 1717 Journal 23, fo. 293. The names, tonnage and crews of the ships are + thus given (Remembrancia, ii, 26):--The Assention, 400 tons, 100 + mariners; The Consent, 350 tons, 100 mariners; The Susan + Bonadventure, 300 tons, 70 mariners; The Cherubim, 300 tons, 70 + mariners; The Minion, 180 tons, 50 mariners; and The Primrose, 180 + tons, 50 mariners. Only one pinnace is mentioned, of 50 tons, with + 20 mariners. + + M829 Sir John Spencer and his daughter. + + 1718 Journal 23, fo. 323b. + + 1719 Chamberlain's Letters, _temp._, Eliz. (Camd. Soc., No. 79), p. 50. + The writer was a son of Richard Chamberlain, a city alderman. + + 1720 Alderman of Tower Ward; Sheriff 1584-5; Mayor 1597. + + 1721 Repertory 24, fo. 410b. + + 1722 Repertory 25, fo. 216b. + + 1723 The letter is printed _in extenso_ in Chambers' "Book of Days," i, + 464, and in Goodman's "Court of James I," ii, 127. + + M830 The capture of Cadiz, July, 1596. + + 1724 Journal 24, fos. 79b, 81, 82, 82b. + + 1725 -_Id._, fo. 85b. + + 1726 Journal 24, fos. 105, 144. + + 1727 -_Id._, fo. 84b. + + 1728 Macaulay's "Essay on Lord Bacon." + + 1729 Journal 24, fo. 145. + + 1730 -_Id._, fos. 146b, 149. + + M831 Calais falls into the hands of Spain, April, 1596. + + 1731 Journal 24, fos. 110-111, 129b.; Repertory 23, fo. 594b. + + 1732 Journal 24, fos. 124, 154b, 157b. + + M832 Reinforcements for the Netherlands, July, 1596. + + 1733 The queen to the mayor, 25 July; the lords of the council to the + same, 26 July.--Journal 24, fo. 142. + + M833 A demand for ten ships to be furnished by the City, Dec., 1596. + + 1734 Journal 24, fos. 173, 175. + + M834 The City's reply. + + 1735 The same dissatisfaction at the result of the Cadiz expedition so + far as it affected the citizens of London was displayed in a + previous letter from the mayor to the lords of the Privy Council (3 + Nov.) in answer to a demand for 3,000 men and three ships to ride at + Tilbury Hope and give notice of the approach of the Spanish + fleet.--Remembrancia (Analytical Index), pp. 243, 244. + + 1736 Repertory 24, fo. 60b. + + M835 Affairs in Ireland, 1594-1599. + + 1737 Journal 24, fos. 210b-213b, 216, 217. + + 1738 Journal 24, fos. 324b, 325, 329b; Repertory 24, fos. 268, 287, 306; + _Id._ 25, fo. 4b. Elizabeth asked for L40,000, but only succeeded in + getting half that sum.--Chamberlain's Letters, p. 15. + + 1739 Journal 25, fos. 34, 47b, 48; Repertory 24, fo. 352b. In July, 1600, + a deputation was appointed to wait upon the lords of the council + touching the repayment of this loan.--Repertory 25, fo. 119b. It + still remained unpaid in Feb., 1604.--Journal 26, fo. 163b. By the + end of 1606 L20,000 had been paid off.--Remembrancia (Analytical + Index), p. 188; Repertory 27, fo. 278. And by July, 1607, the whole + was repaid.--Howes's Chron., p. 890. + + M836 A scare in London, July-Aug., 1598. + + 1740 Journal 25, fos. 74b, 75, 77b-78b, 81, 81b, 82b-84, etc. + + 1741 Chamberlain's Letters, p. 59. + + 1742 Journal 25, fo. 79b. + + 1743 -_Id._, fos. 80, 80b. + + 1744 Chamberlain's Letters, p. 59. + + 1745 Chamberlain's Letters, p. 61; Journal 25, fos. 81, 84b. + + M837 The abortive insurrection of the Earl of Essex, Feb., 1601. + + 1746 Journal 25, fo. 238. + + 1747 Journal 25. fo. 245; Letter Book BB, fo. 85. He was deprived of his + aldermanry of the Ward of Farringdon Without and debarred from ever + becoming alderman of any other ward "for causes sufficiently made + known" to the Court of Aldermen. + + 1748 Repertory 25, fos. 209b, 213. + + 1749 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1598-1601), p. 546. + + 1750 Secretary Cecil to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and others, 10 + Feb., 1601.--Cal. State Papers Dom. (1598-1601), p. 547. + + 1751 Proclamation, dated 9 Feb., 1601.--Journal 25, fo. 240b. + + 1752 Repertory 25, fos. 213, 246. + + 1753 Journal 25, fos. 242, 243, 243b. + + 1754 Cal. State Papers Dom. (1601-1603), pp. 16, 26, 89, 90. + + M838 Mountjoy's conquest of Ireland, 1600-1603. + + 1755 Journal 25, fos. 137, 161b, 166, 179, 189, 190, 218b, 223, 237, + 237b, 262b-265b, 293, 295, 301, 302b, 313b, 315; Journal 26, fos. + 16b-19. + + M839 The parliament of 1601. + + 1756 Repertory 25, fo. 296b. + + M840 The last days of Elizabeth, 1601-1603. + + 1757 Repertory 24, fos. 343, 354; Repertory 25, fos. 165-175. The + Steelyard was re-opened in 1606.--Journal 27, fo. 66. + + 1758 Letter from Sir Christopher Hatton to the mayor, 27 Nov., + 1583.--Remembrancia (Analytical Index), p. 407. + + 1759 Journal 26, fo. 42. + + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LONDON AND THE KINGDOM - VOLUME I*** + + + +CREDITS + + +November 13, 2006 + + Project Gutenberg Edition + Paul Murray + Joshua Hutchinson + The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries Online Distributed + Proofreading Team + + + +A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG + + +This file should be named 19800.txt or 19800.zip. + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/9/8/0/19800/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one -- the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one +owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and +you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission +and without paying copyright royalties. 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