Part 16

_St._ MARY’S STAINING, a small church, formerly seated on the north side of Oat lane, in the ward of Aldersgate within. The reason why it received the additional epithet of _Staining_, is very uncertain; some imagining it to be derived from the painter stainers, who might probably live near it; while others suppose that it was originally called _Stany_ or _Stony_ from its being built with stone, to distinguish it from those in the city built with wood, &c. This ancient edifice, however, being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was united to St. Michael’s Wood street. _Stowe._

_St._ MARY WHITECHAPEL, was originally erected as a chapel of ease to the church of St. Dunstan, Stepney; and from its external appearance probably received the additional epithet of _White_. We read of this church in 1329, and the first chapel was probably of much greater antiquity.

The church was anciently denominated _St. Mary Matsellon_, a name which some have ridiculously supposed was derived from the women of the parish having killed a Frenchman, about the year 1428, for murdering and robbing his benefactress, a religious widow, who had generously brought him up almost from his infancy: but this church was known by this name above an hundred years before this bloody catastrophe. Mr. Strype, therefore, in his edition of _Stowe’s Survey_, with greater appearance of reason derives the name from the Hebrew or Syriac word _Matsel_ which signifies a woman who has lately brought forth a son; alluding to Mary’s being delivered of our Saviour: however, this name has given way to the more ancient one of Whitechapel, which is even given to the long street by which the edifice is situated.

The old church being in a very ruinous condition in 1673, it was taken down and rebuilt in the present form. It is a coarse and very irregular building. The body, which is built with brick, and ornamented with stone rustic work at the corners, is ninety-three feet in length; sixty-three in breadth; and the height of the tower and turret eighty feet. The principal door is adorned with a kind of rustic pilasters, with cherubims heads by way of capitals, and a pediment above. The body has many windows, which are of various forms and different sizes, a sort of Venetian, oval and square. The square windows have ill-proportioned circular pediments, and the oval, or more properly elliptic windows (some of which stand upright, and others crosswise) are surrounded with thick festoons. The steeple, which is of stone, and appears to be a part of the old structure, rises above the principal door, and is crowned with a plain square battlement; in the center of which rises a small turret with its dome and fane. _English Architecture._

This church is a rectory, in the gift of the Principal and Scholars of King’s Hall and Brazen Nose College, Oxford. The Incumbent’s profits, according to Mr. Maitland, amount to about 350l. _per annum_.

_St._ MARY WOOLCHURCH-HAW, stood on the east side of Stocks market, in Walbrook ward, and received its additional appellation from a beam in the church yard for the weighing of wool; for in that church yard was anciently kept the wool staple: but this church being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of St. Mary Woolnoth. _Maitland._

_St._ MARY WOOLNOTH, at the corner of Sherborne lane, and adjoining to the Post Office in Lombard street, is supposed to derive its additional epithet of Woolnoth from its being almost contiguous to the above wool staple, whence it might be called _Woolneah_ or _Woolnigh_, which, by an easy transition, might pass into Woolnoth.

We read of a church with the same addition in 1355. The last suffered by the fire in 1666, when every thing within it was destroyed but the walls; however, being soon after repaired, it continued in a very crazy condition, till it was appointed to be one of the fifty new churches to be erected within the bills of mortality.

In digging a foundation for the present church in 1716, there were discovered, at the depth of fifteen, and twenty-two feet, a great variety of Roman earthen vessels, both for sacred and profane uses; but all broken, together with a considerable number of the tusks and bones of boars and goats, with several medals and pieces of metal; some tesselated work, a part of an aqueduct, and at the bottom of all a well full of dirt, which was no sooner removed, than a fine spring arose, in which is placed a pump with an iron bason. By the great quantity of pot-sheards, &c. found in this place, Mr. Maitland is of opinion, that here was a pottery; and from the tusks and bones he imagines, that near this place stood the temple of Concord, mentioned by the Romans.

The new church was finished in the year 1719, and is a very handsome structure built with stone. On the north side which fronts Lombard street, instead of windows there are three very large and lofty niches adorned with Ionic columns, and surrounded with a bold rustic. Over these is a large cornice, upon which is placed a balustrade. The entrance is at the well end by a lofty rustic arch, over which rises an oblong tower, ornamented with six Composite columns in the front, and two on the sides; upon this is raised a lesser tower of the same form crowned with a balustrade, from the center of which rises a flag staff with a fane. The windows are on the south side, where the edifice is intirely surrounded with houses.

It would be impossible, perhaps, to find a place in the whole city where the principal ornaments of a building could be more completely concealed. The tower can no where be seen to advantage, and can scarce any where be seen at all, except on the roofs of the neighbouring houses and the opposite garret windows: a great deal of expence has therefore been here thrown away in ornaments, to very little purpose.

The advowson of this church was in the Prioress and Convent of St. Helen’s in Bishopsgate street, till at their dissolution they fell to the Crown; when King Henry VIII. granted it to Sir Martin Bowes, in whose family it has ever since continued. The Rector, besides casualties, receives about 22l. a year in glebe, and 160l. _per annum_, in lieu of tithes.

MASONS. This company had their arms granted by Clarencieux, King at arms, in the year 1477, though the members were not incorporated by letters patent, till they obtained them from King Charles II. in 1677. This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, twenty-two Assistants, and seventy Liverymen, whose fine on admission is 5l. They have a small convenient hall in Masons alley, Basinghall street. _Maitland._

MASONS _alley_, Basinghall street; so called from Masons hall within it.

MASONS _arms yard_, Madox street.*

MASON’S _court_, Brick lane, Spitalfields.†

MASON’S _stairs_, Bankside.†

MASON’S _yard_. North Audley street.†

MAST _yard_, 1. Ratcliff highway. 2. Wapping.

MASTER OF THE CEREMONIES, an officer appointed by King James I. for the more honourable reception of Ambassadors and strangers of quality. As a badge of his office he wears a gold chain, to which hangs a medal that has on one side an emblem of Peace placed under the crown of England, with King James’s motto BEATI PACIFICI, and on the other an emblem of War, with the words DIEU ET MON DROIT. His salary is 300l. a year. He has under him an Assistant and a Marshal, the latter of whom has 6s. 8d. a day. _Chamberlain’s Present State._

MASTERS IN CHANCERY. See the article _Masters in_ CHANCERY.

MASTER OF THE HORSE, the third great officer of the King’s court, has the management and disposal of all the King’s stables and breed of horses; he has authority over the equeries and pages, coachmen, footmen, grooms, riders of the great horse, farriers and smiths; he appoints all the other tradesmen who work for the King’s stables, and by his warrant to the avenor makes them give an oath to be true and faithful. In short, he is intrusted with all the lands and revenues, appropriated for the King’s breed of horses, the expences of the stable, and of the coaches, litters, &c.

He alone has the privilege of making use of any of the horses, pages, or footmen belonging to his Majesty’s stables; and at any solemn cavalcade he rides next the King, and leads a horse of state. His salary is 1276l. 13s. 4d. _per annum_.

MASTER OF THE HOUSHOLD, an officer under the Lord Treasurer of the King’s house, whose office is to survey the accounts of the house.

MASTER OF THE JEWEL HOUSE, an officer who has the care of all the gold and silver plate used at the King’s table; as also of all the loose jewels, chains, &c. in the Tower of London.

MASTER OF THE REVELS, an officer under the Lord Chamberlain, has the management of all the masques and comedies at court, and has a salary of 100l. a year.

MASTER OF THE ROBES, an officer who orders all his Majesty’s robes, as those of his coronation, of St. George’s feast, and of Parliament, and of his wearing apparel. He has a salary of 500l. _per annum_, and under him is a yeoman, three grooms, a page, a brusher, a sempstress, &c.

MATCH _walk_, Upper Shadwell.

MATHAM’S _court_, Threadneedle alley, Little Moorfields.†

MATTHAS’S _court_, Great Hermitage street.†

_St._ MATTHEW’S, Bethnal Green. See BETHNAL GREEN.

_St._ MATTHEW’S _Friday street_, is situated on the west side of that street in the ward of Faringdon within, and owes its name to its dedication to St. Matthew the Evangelist, and its situation. The old church being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the present structure was erected in its place. It is a plain stone building, with one series of large arched windows, and at the east end is the steeple, which consists of a square brick tower, void of all ornament.

The patronage of this rectory was anciently in the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, and upon their suppression, when the conventual church was converted into a cathedral, Henry VIII. conferred it upon the Bishop; but the new bishopric being soon after dissolved, King Edward VI. granted it to the Bishop of London, in whom the advowson still continues. To this church the parish of St. Peter Cheap is united.

MAUDLIN’S _rents_, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.†

MAUL’S _court_, Fore street, Cripplegate.†

MAXHAM’S _court_, Long alley.†

MAXIMUS _court_, Moorfields.†

MAXIN’S _court_, Moorfields.†

MAY FAIR, near Hyde Park; so called from a fair annually held there in the month of May.

MAY FAIR _street_, near Hyde Park.

MAYFIELD’S _buildings_, near Rag Fair.

_Lord_ MAYOR. The chief magistrate of this metropolis was, before the Norman conquest, called the Portreve, or Portgrave, which title in the reign of Henry II. was changed for that of Mayor, a name by which the chief magistrate of the city of Roan, the capital of Normandy, was then distinguished. In 1215 the citizens obtained from King John a charter which granted them the privilege of chusing this magistrate, which was afterwards confirmed by several other royal grants; and the Mayors were elected by the court of Aldermen, and a number of Commons summoned by them, out of each of the wards; but the number thus summoned being occasionally varied at the discretion of the Aldermen, gave great uneasiness to the commonalty, for the removing of which the method of election was altered by an act of Common Council in the year 1476, and the present manner of electing by the Livery of the several companies was established: by virtue of which the Lord Mayor is annually chosen on Michaelmas day.

For this purpose the Liverymen on that day assemble in Guildhall, where, by holding up of hands, they usually chuse two of the senior Aldermen below the chair, who being returned to the court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen, the senior is generally declared Lord Mayor elect.

Some time after, the Lord Mayor elect, accompanied by the Recorder and several of the Aldermen, is presented to the Lord Chancellor, as his Majesty’s representative, for his approbation, without which the person elected has no legal authority to perform the office: but this being obtained, he is on the eighth of November sworn into his office at Guildhall, and the following day before the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster.

The ninth of November being the day on which the Lord Mayor elect enters upon his office, the Aldermen and Sheriffs attend him to Guildhall in their coaches, and about noon proceed from thence in their coaches to the Three Cranes stairs, where the Lord Mayor, the Lord Mayor elect, the Aldermen, Recorder, and Sheriffs, go on board the city barge, and attended by the several city companies in their several barges, adorned with flags and pendants, proceed by water to Westminster, where his Lordship having taken the oaths prescribed, returns in the same pompous manner to Black Friars stairs, whence the livery of many of the city companies, preceded by colours and bands of music, march to their stands, which are erected on both sides the streets through which his Lordship is to pass.

The Lord Mayor being at length landed at Black Friars, he is preceded by the Artillery company, which is followed by the company of which the Lord Mayor is free. After them follow several others with their music, flags, and streamers, and among the rest the armourers have a person riding on horseback, completely dressed in polished armour. At length march the Lord Mayor’s domestics and servants, followed by his Lordship in the coach of state, and after him come the Aldermen, Recorder, Sheriffs, Chamberlain, Common Serjeant, Town Clerk, &c. in their several coaches and chariots, and in this manner proceed to Guildhall, where a noble entertainment is provided, as there is also for the several Companies at their respective halls.

The power of this great officer is at present much more considerable than it was formerly, for he is not only the King’s representative in the civil government of the city, but also First Commissioner of the lieutenancy, perpetual Coroner and Escheator within the city and liberties of London and the borough of Southwark; Chief Justice of oyer, terminer and goal-delivery of Newgate; Judge of the court of wardmote at the election of Aldermen; Conservator of the rivers Thames and Medway; so that if any citizen or apprentice of London be carried away, and by force detained on ship-board, he can, by his warrant, compel the Captain or Master of such vessel to release such citizen: he is also perpetual Commissioner in all affairs relating to the river Lea, and chief Butler of the kingdom at all coronations, when his fee for that service is a gold cup and cover, with a golden ewer.

The Lord Mayor upon public occasions wears either scarlet or purple robes richly furred, with a velvet hood and gold chain or collar of SS. When he goes abroad in his state coach, the Mace-bearer sits upon a stool in the middle facing one of the windows, and the Sword-bearer upon another stool facing the other, and when on foot his train is supported by a page, and the mace and sword carried before him.

The principal officers for the support of his dignity, are the Sword-bearer, the Common Hunt, Common Crier, and Water Bailiff, who have all great salaries or perquisites, with each the title of Esquire. He has also three Serjeant Carvers, three Serjeants of the chamber, a Serjeant of the channel, two Yeomen of the chamber, four Yeomen of the water side, a Yeoman of the channel, an Under Water Bailiff, six Yeomen waiters, three Meal weighers, two Yeomen of the wood wharf, and an officer called a Foreign taker. _Maitland._

_Lord_ MAYOR’S COURT. This is a court of record held before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder, every Tuesday in Guildhall, wherein actions of debt, trespass, attachments, covenants, &c. arising within the city and liberties, of any value, may be tried, and actions from the Sheriff’s court removed hither, before the jury be sworn.

This is also a court of equity, relating to affairs transacted within the city and liberties; it giving relief when judgment is obtained in the Sheriff’s court for more than the just debt.

This court is, in several respects, the best to commence a process in; since an action, exclusive of stamps, may be entered for so small a sum as four pence; and yet, though not proceeded upon, it never dies, as those in other courts. Besides, a suit may be begun and ended here within the space of fourteen days, for thirty shillings.

The juries for trying causes in this and the Sheriff’s courts, are annually returned at Christmas by the several courts of wardmote, when each ward appoints a sufficient number of persons to serve on those juries for every month of the year.

This court has an office peculiar to itself, consisting of four Attorneys, by whom all actions cognizable therein are entered; for the execution thereof there are six Serjeants at mace. _Lex Lond._

_Court of Lord_ MAYOR AND ALDERMEN. This is also a court of record, in which is lodged a great part of the executive power of the city, whereby all leases and other instruments that pass the city seal are executed; the assize of bread ascertained; contests relating to water courses and party walls, adjusted; and the city officers suspended and punished, according to the nature of their offences.

This court has a power of annually electing eleven overseers or rulers of the fraternity of watermen; and a right of fixing their several taxes with the approbation of the Privy Council; and likewise a right of disposing of most of the places belonging to the city officers.

MAYPOLE _alley_, 1. Fenchurch street. 2. Holiwell street. 3. St. Margaret’s Hill. 4. St. Olave street. 5. Wych street.

MAY’S _alley_, Wheeler street.†

MAY’S _buildings_, Bedfordbury.†

MAY’S FARM, Dog row, Mile End.†

MAY’S _yard_, Barnaby street.†

MAZE _court_, Tooley street.

MAZE _pond_, near Snow fields, Southwark.

MAZE POND _street_, Southwark.

MAZE _street_, Tooley street.

MEAD’S _court_, Bond street.

MEAL _yard_, Fleet market.

MEARD’S _court_, 1. Dean street.† 2. Wardour street.†

MEAT _wharf_, Mill bank.

MEDIFORD _court_, a handsome large court in Fenchurch street.†

MEETING HOUSE _alley_, 1. Greenbank.⸸ Johnson’s street.⸸ 3. Queen street, Rotherhith.⸸

MEETING HOUSE _court_, 1. Black Friars.⸸ 2. Drury lane.⸸ 3. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street.⸸ 4. Stony lane.⸸

MEETING HOUSE _yard_, 1. Broad street, London Wall.⸸ 2. Deadman’s place, Southwark.⸸ 3. Devonshire square, Bishopsgate street without.⸸. 4. Five foot lane.†. 5. Gravel lane, Houndsditch.⸸ 6. Little St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate street within.⸸ 7. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street.⸸ 8. Nightingale lane.⸸ 9. Old Horselydown lane.⸸ 10. Old Jewry.⸸ 11. Silver street, Wood street, Cheapside.⸸ 12. Water lane.⸸ 13. Wentworth street.⸸ 14. West lane.⸸

MEETING HOUSES. Of these there are above an hundred and twenty within the bills of mortality. See a particular account of them under the names of the several denominations of Protestant Dissenters, as BAPTISTS, INDEPENDENTS, PRESBYTERIANS, &c.

MEGGS’ _Almshouse_, on the south side of Whitechapel, was founded about sixty-five years ago, by William Meggs, Esq; for the reception of twelve widows, each of whom has a room, and annually receives 5l. 4s. and a chaldron of coals.

MELANCHOLY _walk_, St. George’s fields.

MERCERS, the first of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King Richard II. in the year 1393. The members are not only exempt from quarterage, but upon their admission to the livery, pay only a fine of 2l. 13s. 4d.

This fraternity is governed by a Prime and three other Wardens, with forty Assistants, and 232 Liverymen.

MERCERS HALL, and Chapel, are situated in Cheapside, between the Old Jewry and Ironmonger lane, on the spot where anciently stood an hospital dedicated to St. Thomas of Acars or Acons. They were both destroyed by the fire of London; after which they were rebuilt by the company. The front, which is towards Cheapside, is adorned with a very handsome entrance; the door case is enriched with the figures of two Cupids mantling the company’s arms, and with festoons, &c. and over it the balcony is adorned with two pilasters of the Ionic order, and a pediment; with the figures of Faith, Hope and Charity, and other enrichments.

The inner court is adorned with piazzas, formed of columns of the Doric order; the hall room and great parlour are wainscoted with oak, and ornamented with Ionic pilasters; and the ceiling with fret-work.

The chapel is neatly wainscoted, and paved with black and white marble.

MERCERS _court_, 1. St. Mary hill. 2. Tower hill. 3. Tower street.

MERCERS SCHOOL, in the Old Jewry, was, as well as their hall and chapel, a part of the hospital of St. Thomas of Acons; but that hospital being surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1531, it was purchased by the company of Mercers, and the ancient school continued; the Master having a salary of 40l. _per annum_, with a commodious dwelling house, for which he is obliged to teach twenty-five boys grammatical learning. _Maitland._

MERCERS _street_, Long Acre; so called from its belonging to that company.

MERCHANT ADVENTURERS. See HAMBURGH MERCHANTS.

MERCHANT TAYLORS, the seventh of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by Edward IV. in the year 1466; and was anciently denominated _Taylors and Linen Armourers_: but many of the company being great merchants, and Henry VII. one of the members, that Prince in the year 1503 re-incorporated it, by the name of, _The Master and Wardens of the Merchant Taylors of the fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the city of London_.

This fraternity is governed by a Master, four Wardens, thirty-eight Assistants, and 394 Liverymen, who upon their admission pay a fine of 20l. The company is possessed of a great estate, out of which they pay to charitable uses, pursuant to the wills of the respective donors, about 2000l. _per annum_.

This company has a spacious hall on the south side of Threadneedle street. _Strype’s Stowe._

MERCHANT TAYLORS _Almshouse_, near the west end of Rosemary lane, contains twenty-six apartments for so many poor widows, the relicts of deceased members, who annually receive 6l. and a chaldron of coals each, with a gown every third year. _Maitland._

MERCHANT TAYLORS _rents_, Moor lane.

MERCHANT TAYLORS SCHOOL, in Suffolk lane, Thames street, was founded by the company of Merchant Taylors in the year 1568, for the education of boys. It was anciently kept in a house which belonged to the Duke of Buckingham, and was called the Manor of the Rose; but that edifice being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the present structure was erected upon the same spot.

The school is a long and spacious building, supported on the east by many stone pillars that form an handsome cloister, within which are apartments for the three Ushers. Adjoining to the school is a library supported also by stone pillars, and well furnished with books. And on the south of the library is the part called the chapel. Contiguous to these is a large house appropriated to the use of the head Master.

The school consists of eight forms, in which near three hundred boys have their education; an hundred of whom, according to the constitutions of the company, are taught _gratis_; an hundred more at 5s. and fifty at 2s. 6d. a quarter.

The head Master receives from the company a salary of 10l. 6s. _per annum_, and thirty shillings for water; besides the quarterage from the scholars, which renders his salary very considerable. The first Usher has 30l. a year, and the two last 25l. _per annum_, and all of them have proper apartments.

Several of the scholars are annually sent to St. John’s College, Oxford, which seems to have been founded by Sir Thomas White chiefly for their use, as they have no less than forty-six fellowships in that college.