Part 9

Then in all haste, every Alderman sent to his Ward that no man should stir after 9 of the clock out of his house but to keep his doors shut, and his servants within till 7 of the clock in the morning. After this commandment, Sir John Monday, Alderman, came from his Ward, and found two young men in Cheap playing at Bucklers, and a great company of young men looking on them for the commandment was then scarce known, for then it was but 9 of the clock. Master Monday seeing that, bade them leave, and the one young man asked him why? and then he said Thou shalt know, and took him by the arm to have had him to the counter. Then all the young men resisted the Alderman and took him from Master Monday, and cried 'Prentices and clubs. Then out at every door came clubs and weapons and the Alderman fled, and was in great danger. Then more people arose out of every quarter, and out came serving men, and water men and courtiers, and by 9 of the clock there were in Cheap 6 or 7 hundred. And out of Paul's Churchyard came 3 hundred, which wist not of the other, and so out of all places they gathered, and brake up the counters, and took out the prisoners, that the Mayor had thither committed for hurting of the strangers, and came to Newgate and took out Studley and Petyt, committed thither for that cause. The Mayor and Sheriffs were there present, and made proclamation in the King's name, but nothing was obeyed. Thus they ran a plump through Saint Nicholas Shambles, and at Saint Martins gate, there met with them Sir Thomas Moore and other, desiring them to go to their lodgings: And as they were entreating, and had also brought them to a stay: The people of Saint Martins threw out stones and bats and hurt divers honest persons, that were persuading the riotous people to cease, and they bade them hold their hands, but still they threw out bricks and hot water. Then a sergeant of arms called Nicholas Dounes, which was there with Master Moore, entreating them, being sore hurt, in a fury cried Down with them. Then all the misruled persons ran to the doors and windows of Saint Martin, and spoiled all that they found, and cast it into the street, and left few houses unspoiled. And after that they ran heading into Cornhill by Leadenhall to the house of one Mutuas a Frenchman or Picardy born, which was a great bearer of Frenchmen, where they pick purses, or how evil disposition soever they were of, and within his gate, called Grenegate, dwelled divers Frenchmen that calendared worsted, contrary to the King's laws: and all they were so born out by the same Mutuas, yet no man durst meddle with them, wherefore he was sore hated, and if the people had found him in their fury, they would have stricken off his head: but when they found him not, the watermen, and certain young priests that were there fell to rifling: some ran to Blanche-chapelton, and brake the strangers houses, and threw shoes and boots into the street. This from 10 or 11 of the clock, continued these riotous people during which time a knight called Sir Thomas Parr, in great haste went to the Cardinal and told him of this riot, which incontinent strengthened his house with men and ordnance. And after, this knight rode to the King to Richmond, and made the report much more than it was. Wherefore the King hastily sent to London and was truly advised of the matter, and how the riot was ceased, and many of the doers apprehended. But while this ruffling continued, Sir Richard Cholmeley knight, Lieutenant of the Tower, no great friend to the City, in a frantic fury loosed certain pieces of ordnance, and shot into the City, which did little harm, howbeit his good will appeared. About 3 of the clock, these riotous persons severed and went to their places of resort, and by the way they were taken by the Mayor and the heads of the City, and some sent to the Tower, and some to Newgate, and some to the Counters, to the number of 300; some fled, and specially the watermen and priests, and serving men, but the poor prentices were taken. About five o'clock, the Earls of Shrewsbury and Surrey, which had heard of this riot, came to London with such strength as they had, so did the Inns of Court, and divers noble men: but before they came all the riot was ceased, and many taken as you have heard.

THE PAPAL LEGATE IN THE CITY (1519).

Campeggio is well known in connection with the part which he played in the divorce proceedings between Henry VIII. and his first wife Catherine of Aragon in 1529. That occasion was not his first visit to England; he had previously been entrusted with a mission from the Pope to Henry, and the reception of himself and his train is described in the passage below. The subject of this embassy of 1519 was to urge Henry to assist in waging war on the Turks, who were apparently endeavouring to push their way into Europe; and similar messages were conveyed at the same time to the other powerful rulers on the Continent. The incident of the opening of the chests must have created considerable amusement among the onlookers, and would hardly add to the popular estimation of a Papal embassy.

=Source.=—Hall's _Chronicle_.

When the Cardinal of York knew, that there was coming a legate into England, which should have a greater pre-eminence than a Cardinal, he whose ambition was never satisfied, caused a Bishop and certain Doctors to pass the sea to Calais to welcome him, and to show him that if he would have the Popes purpose, to take any effect in England, he should in any wise send in post to Rome, to have the said Cardinal of York to be legate also, and to be joined in commission with him, which thing was done (not without good rewards) so that in thirty and five days, the bull was brought to Calais. During which time the Cardinal of York sent to the Legate to Calais, red cloth to clothe his servants, which at their coming to Calais, were but meanly appareled. And when all things were ready he passed the sea and landed at Dover, and so kept forth his journey toward London. At every town as they passed, he was received with Procession, and accompanied with all the Lords and gentlemen of Kent. And when he came to Blackheath, there met him the Duke of Norfolk, with a great number of prelates, knights and gentlemen, all richly appareled. And in the way he was brought into a rich tent of cloth of gold, where he shifted himself into a robe of a Cardinal, edged with ermine, and so took his mule riding toward London.

The night before he came to London the Cardinal of York, to furnish the carriages of the Cardinal Campeius, sent to him twelve mulettes with empty coffers covered with red, which twelve mulettes were led through London, amongst the mulettes of Campeius, which were but eight and so these twenty mulettes passed through the streets, as though they had been full of treasures, apparel and other necessaries. And when they came into Chepe, one of the mulettes brake from her keeper, and overthrew the chests, and overturned two or three other mulettes carriages, which fell with such violence, that divers of them unlocked, and out of some fell old hosen, broken shoon, and roasted flesh, pieces of bread, eggs and much vile baggage; at which sight the boys cried, See, see my Lord Legates treasure, and so the muleteers were ashamed, and took up all their stuff and passed forth. And about three o'clock in the afternoon on the 29th day of July the said legate entered the city, and in Southwark met him all the clergy of London with crosses, censors and copes and 'censed him with great reverence. The Mayor and Aldermen, and all the occupations of the city in their best liveries stood in the streets, and him highly honoured: to whom Sir Thomas More made a brief oration in the name of the city. And when he came to St. Pauls, there he was received by bishops mitred, and under a canopy entered the church: which canopy his servants took for their fees. And when he had offered, he gave his benediction to all the people, and took again his mule, and so was with all his train aforesaid, conveyed to Bath place, and there rested: where he was welcomed of the Cardinal of York. And on Sunday next ensuing these two Cardinals as legates, took their barges and came to Greenwich, each of them had beside their cross two pillars of silver, two little axes gilt, and two cloke bags embroidered, and the Cardinals hats borne before them. And when they came to the kings hall, the Cardinal of York went on the right hand; and there the King royally appareled and accompanied, met them even as though both had come from Rome, and so brought them both up into his chamber of presence, and there was a solemn oration made by an Italian, declaring the cause of the legacy to be in two articles, one for aid against God's enemies, and the second for reformation of the Clergy. And when Mass was done, they were had to a chamber, and served with lords and knights, with much solemnity: and after dinner they took their leave of the king and came to London and rode through the city together, in great pomp and glory, to their lodgings.

WOLSEY AND THE CITIZENS (1525).

The incidents related in the following passage are concerned with one of the periodical efforts of Henry VIII. to raise money in irregular ways. He seems to have left the matter on this occasion to Wolsey, who issued commissions for levying the sixth part of the goods of the laity and the fourth of those of the clergy. This proceeding caused great alarm, and rebellions appeared imminent in all parts of the country. Whereupon Henry disavowed the whole business, and told the citizens of London that he would not exact anything by compulsion, but merely ask for a benevolence. This was, of course, recognised as an artifice to obtain the same results by different means, and the citizens sturdily protested, arguing that benevolences had been declared illegal. Wolsey experienced very great difficulty in his dealings with the Londoners, who well maintained their reputation for guarding their independence and liberty, even when faced with threats and menaces.

=Source.=—Hall's _Chronicle_.

And now since God hath given us victory, the King remembering the saying of the Poet that sayeth: It is more mastery to use victory gotten, than to get it, thinketh it necessary now in all haste, to make an army royal, and he in person to pass the seas, and to recover his right inheritance, both of the Crown of France as of Normandy, Guyen, Gascony, Aniowe and Mayne, the writings whereof comprehending the very title, you may see here present if ye list, but I doubt not but you know them well enough. And now I ask you this question, whether that you think it convenient, that the King should pass with an army or not, for the King will do by the advice of his subjects: to the which many said yea.

Well said the Cardinal, then must he be made able to go like a Prince, which cannot be without your aids, and for to shew you what the Archbishop of Canterbury and I, which be primates of the realm hath done, we have given of our lands, and all lands appertaining to the church, the third part, and the temporal lords have given of lands and goods, the sixth part, and to jeopard their bodies in pain and travail, and now since they which shall adventure their lives, doth proffer the sixth part, what should they give which abide at home? Forsooth I think that half your substance were too little, not meaning that the King so asketh. For he demandeth only no more, of fifty pound, the sixth part, and so upon every pound above fifty, to what sum soever it amount to, the sixth part that is 3s. and 3 pence of the pound and from 20 pound to fifty pound, and so upward. 2s. and 8 pence of the pound, and from 20 pound to 20s. 12 pence of the pound, and this to be levied according to the first valuation, as appeareth by your own valuation, which is but a small matter, to the thing that is meant. Then they being astonished, at last one said, My lord since the last valuation divers merchants be decayed by the seas, and suretyship, and other ways, so that valuation cannot be had. Then answered the Cardinal, Sirs, speak not to break the thing that is concluded, for some shall not pay the tenth part, and some more, it were better that some should suffer indigence, than the King at this time should lack, and therefore beware and resist not, nor ruffel not in this case, for it may fortune to cost some their heads: but I will speak to the King, to be good to you, so that if he go not over the sea in person, then you shall have your money redelivered, but first let the money be gathered, and lay it where you will, and if the King need it not, you may take it again.

When the Cardinal had thus persuaded the Mayor, and his brethren and other head commoners, they took their leave and every day after by the space of fortnight, he sent for a certain number of Commoners, and told them like tale, but some spake such words to him, and some going from him, that they were sent to ward.

THE APPRENTICES (1527, ETC.).

During the Tudor period the apprentice was a prominent feature of London life, and is chiefly famous for his prowess as a disturber of the peace. The apprentice system was of considerable importance, and many regulations and ordinances were passed from time to time to govern the conditions under which apprentices were to be bound and treated during their term. The story of "Evil May Day," already given, illustrates the turbulence of the apprentices and the relaxation of discipline in the City during this period. The Regulations of 1582 show clearly that they were getting out of hand, and in 1595 further troubles induced Elizabeth to issue further instructions of a drastic nature.

=Sources.=— (_a_) An Act of Common Council, 1527, quoted by Maitland, i. 230; (_b_) _ibid._, 1582, Maitland, i. 267; (_c_) Strype's edition of Stow's _Survey_, vol. ii.

(_a_) [_Admonition to the Apprentices_].—Ye shall constantly and devoutly on your knees, every day, serve God, morning and evening; and make conscience in the due hearing of the Word preached, and endeavour the right practice thereof on your life and conversation. You shall do diligent and faithful service to your master for the time of your apprenticeship, and deal truly in what you shall be trusted. You shall often read over the covenants of your indenture, and see and endeavour yourself to perform the same, to the utmost of your power. You shall avoid all evil company, and all occasions which may tend to draw you to the same; and make speedy return when you shall be sent of your masters' and mistresses' business. You shall be of fair, gentle, and lowly speech and behaviour to all men, and especially to all your governors; and according to your carriage, expect your reward, for good or ill, from God and your friends.

(_b_) Henceforth no apprentice whatsoever shall presume: 1. To wear any apparel but what he receives from his master. 2. To wear no hat within the city and liberty thereof, nor anything instead thereof than a woollen cap, without any silk in or about the same. 3. To wear no ruffles, cuffs, loose collar, nor other thing than a ruff at the collar, and that only of a yard and a half long.... 10. To wear no sword, dagger, or other weapon, but a knife; nor a ring, jewel of gold, nor silver, nor silk in any part of the apparel.

It was likewise further enacted that every apprentice offending against any of the above-mentioned items was for the first offence to be punished at the discretion of his master; for the second to be publicly whipped at the hall of his company; and for the third to serve six months longer than specified in his indentures. It was also further ordained that no apprentice should frequent or go to any dancing, fencing, or musical schools; nor keep any chest, press, or other place for the keeping of apparel or goods, but in his master's house, under the penalties aforesaid.

(_c_) The ancient habit of the apprentices of London was a flat round cap, hair close cut, narrow falling bands, coarse side coats, close hose, cloth stockings, and other such severe apparel. When this garb had been urged by some to the disparagement of apprentices, as a token of servitude, one, many a year ago, undertaking the defence of these apprentices, wrote thus, that this imported the commendable thrift of the citizens, and was only the mark of an apprentice's vocation and calling (and which anciently, no question, was the ordinary habit of a citizen), which point of ancient discipline, he said, the grave common lawyers do still retain in their profession; for the professors of that learning, we see, do at this present retain the parti-coloured coats of serving-men at their serjeants' feasts; and he wished, that the remembrance of this ancient livery might be preserved by the grave citizens, in setting apart a particular time or day for the feast of their apprenticeship, when they should wear their former apprentice's garb; making profession in this way, that they gloried in the ensigns of their honest apprenticeship.

In the time of Queen Mary, the beginning of Queen Elizabeth, as well as many years before, all apprentices wore blue cloaks in the summer, and blue gowns in the winter. But it was not lawful for any man, either servant or other, to wear their gowns lower than the calves of their legs, except they were above threescore years of age; but, the length of cloaks being not limited, they made them down to their shoes. Their breeches and stockings were usually of white broad cloth, viz. round slops, and their stockings sewed up close thereto, as if they were all but one piece. They also wore flat caps both then and many years after, as well apprentices as journey-men and others, both at home and abroad; whom the pages of the court in derision called flat-caps.

When apprentices and journeymen attended upon their masters and mistresses in the night they went before them carrying a lanthorn and candle in their hands and a great long club on their necks; and many well-grown sturdy apprentices used to wear long daggers in the day time on their backs or sides.

Anciently it was the general use and custom of all apprentices in London (Mercers only excepted, being commonly merchants, and of better rank, as it seems) to carry water tankards, to serve their masters' houses with water, fetched either from the Thames, or the common conduits of London.

It was a great matter, in former Times, to give £10 to bind a youth apprentice; but, in King James the First's time, they gave 20, 40, 60 and sometimes £100 with an apprentice; but now these prices are vastly enhanced, to 500, 600, or £800.

A WATER PAGEANT (1533).

The reign of Henry VIII. is famous for the number and splendour of its pageants. The Field of Cloth of Gold is familiar to all, and every event of any importance was made the occasion of a display of splendid clothing, tapestry, jewels, and allegorical groups. The fashion of extravagance and love of show, which was set by the King, was followed by all who could afford, and the City was in no way behindhand in taking part in these functions. The coronation in 1509, the reception of the French ambassadors in 1518, that of the Legate Campeggio, that of the Emperor Charles, the coronation of Anne Boleyn—all these afforded an occasion for a pageant, and the opportunity was never lost. The following description is of a water pageant in honour of Anne Boleyn.

=Source.=—Grafton's _Chronicles_, vol. ii., p. 448.

The xix day of May the Mayor and his brethren all in scarlet, and such as were knights had collars of Esses and the remnant having good chains, and the council of the City with them assembled at Saint Mary Hill, and at one of the clock descended to the New stair to their barge, which was garnished with many goodly banners and instruments, which continually made good harmony. After that the Mayor and his brethren were in their barge seeing that all the companies to the number of fifty barges were ready to wait upon them. They gave commandment to the companies that no barge should row nearer to another than twice the length of the barge upon a great pain. And to see the order kept, there were three light wherries prepared, and in every one of them two officers to call on them to keep their order, after which commandment given they set forth in order as hereafter is described. First before the Mayor's barge was a foyst or wafter full of ordinance, in which foyst was a great dragon continually moving, and casting wild fire: and round about the said foyst stood terrible monsters and wild men casting fire, and making hideous noises: next after the foyst a good distance came the Mayor's barge, on whose right hand was the Batchelors' barge, in the which were trumpets and divers other melodious instruments. The decks of the said barge and the sailyards and the top castels were hanged with rich cloth of gold and silk. At the foreship and the stern were two great banners rich beaten with the arms of the King and Queen, and on the top castell also was a long streamer newly beaten with the said arms.

At three of the clock the Queen appeared in rich cloth of gold and entered into her barge accompanied with divers ladies and gentlewomen, and incontinent the citizens set forwards in their order, their musicians continually playing and the batchelors' barge going on the Queen's right hand, which she took great pleasure to behold. About the Queen's barge were many noblemen, as the Duke of Suffolk, the Marquis Dorset, the Earl of Wiltshire her father, the Earls of Arundel, Derby, Rutland, Worcester, Huntington, Sussex, Oxford, and many Bishops and noblemen, every one in his barge which was a goodly sight to behold. She thus being accompanied rowed toward the Tower, and in the mean way the ships which were commanded to lie on the shore for letting of the barges shot divers peals of guns, and ere she landed there was a marvellous shot out of the Tower as ever was heard there. And at her landing there met with her the Lord Chamberlain with the officers of arms and brought her to the King, which received her with loving countenance at the postern by the waterside, and kissed her, and then she turned back again and thanked the Mayor and the citizens with many goodly words and so entered the Tower.

LATIMER'S EXHORTATION TO LONDON (1549).

Quite early in his career Latimer earned considerable fame as an eloquent preacher, but the boldness with which he proclaimed his religious views, and his denunciations of ecclesiastical abuses, frequently placed him in difficult positions. He lost favour towards the end of the reign of Henry VIII., but on the accession of Edward VI. he regained his old position of importance, and devoted himself to the work of an itinerant preacher. In this character his popular preaching talents exerted a much wider and more permanent influence in the spread of his opinions than his work as Bishop of Worcester could have done; and it is certain that his labours contributed very largely to fix the doctrines of the Reformation in the minds of the people.

=Source.=—Latimer's _Sermon on the Ploughers_.