Part 52
1523. The 15th, Michael English, Nicholas Jenines; mayor, Sir T. Baldry, mercer.
1524. The 16th, Raph Dodmer, William Roch; mayor, Sir W. Bayly, draper.
1525. The 17th, John Caunton, Christopher Askew; mayor, Sir John Allen, mercer.
1526. The 18th, Stephen Peacocke, Nicholas Lambert; mayor, Sir Thomas Seamer, mercer.
1527. The 19th, John Hardy, William Holles; mayor, Sir James Spencer, vintner.
1528. The 20th, Raph Warren, John Long; mayor, Sir John Rudstone, draper.
1529. The 21st, Michael Dormer, Walter Champion; mayor, Sir Raph Dodmer, mercer.
This year it was decreed that no man should be mayor of London more than one year.
1530. The 22nd, William Dauntsey, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir T. Pargitor, salter.
1531. The 23rd, Richard Gresham, Edward Altham; mayor, Sir Nicholas Lambard, grocer.
1532. The 24th, Richard Reynoldes, Nicholas Pinchon, John Martin, John Prist; mayor, Sir Stephen Pecocke, haberdasher.
1533. The 25th, William Forman, Sir T. Kitson; mayor, Sir Christopher Askew, draper.
1534. The 26th, Nicholas Levison, W. Denham; mayor, Sir John Chamneis, skinner.
1535. The 27th, Humfrey Munmoth, John Cootes; mayor, Sir John Allen, mercer. By the king’s appointment he was of his council. A man of great wisdom, and also of great charity.
The forenamed sheriffs, Munmouth and Cootes, put away twelve serjeants and twelve yeomen, but were by a common council forced to take them again.
1536. The 28th, Robert Paget, William Boyer; mayor, Sir Raph Waren, mercer.
1537. The 29th, Sir John Gresham, Thomas Lewen; mayor, Sir Richard Gresham, mercer.
1538. The 30th, William Welkenson, Nicholas Gibson; mayor, William Forman, haberdasher.
1539. The 31st, John Feiry, Thomas Huntlow; mayor, Sir W. Holles, mercer.
1540. The 32nd, Sir William Laxton, Martin Bowes; mayor, Sir William Roch, draper.
1541. The 33rd, Rowland Hill, Henry Suckley; mayor, Sir Michael Dormer, mercer.
1542. The 34th, Henry Habberthorne, Henry Amcotes; mayor, John Cootes, salter.
1543. The 35th, John Toleus, Richard Dobbes; mayor, Sir W. Bowyer, draper, for part, Sir Raph Waren, mercer.
1544. The 36th, John Wilford, Andrew Jude; mayor, Sir W. Laxton, grocer.
1545. The 37th, George Barnes, Ralph Alley; mayor, Sir Martin Bowes, goldsmith.
1546. The 38th, Richard Jarveis, Thomas Curteis; mayor, Sir Henry Hubbathorne, merchant-tailor.
* * * * *
Edward VI. began his reign the 28th of January, in the year 1546.
* * * * *
1547. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas White, Robert Charsey; mayor, Sir John Gresham, mercer.
1548. The 2nd, William Locke, Sir John Ailife; mayor, Sir Henry Amcotes, fishmonger.
1549. The 3rd, Richard Turke, John Yorke; mayor, Rowland Hill, mercer.
1550. The 4th, Augustine Hind, John Lyon; mayor, Sir Andrew Jude, skinner.
1551. The 5th, John Lamberd, John Cowper; mayor, Sir Richard Dobbes, skinner.
1552. The 6th, William Gerard, John Maynard; mayor, Sir George Barnes, haberdasher.
* * * * *
Queen Mary began her reign, the 6th of July, the year 1553.
* * * * *
1553. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Ofley, William Huet; mayor, Sir Thomas White, merchant-tailor.
This Thomas White founded St. John’s college, in Oxford. He gave to the city of Bristow two thousand pounds.
1554. The 2nd, David Woodrofe, William Chester; mayor, Sir John Lion, grocer.
1555. The 3rd, Thomas Leigh, John Machil; mayor, Sir William Gerard, haberdasher.
1556. The 4th, William Harper, John White; mayor, Sir Thomas Ofley, merchant-tailor.
1557. The 5th, Richard Malorie, James Aitham; mayor, Sir Thomas Curteis, fishmonger.
1558. The 6th, John Halse, Richard Champion; mayor, Sir Thomas Legh, mercer.
* * * * *
Queen Elizabeth began her reign, the 17th of November, in the year of Christ 1558.
* * * * *
1559. The 1st sheriffs, Thomas Lodge, Roger Martin; mayor, Sir William Huet, clothworker.
1560. The 2nd, Christopher Draper, Thomas Row; mayor, Sir William Chester, draper.
This year the merchant-tailors founded their notable free-school for poor men’s children, etc.
1561. The 3rd, Alexander Avenon, Humfrey Baskervile; mayor, Sir William Harper, merchant-tailor.
1562. The 4th, William Alin, Richard Chamberlaine; mayor, Sir Thomas Lodge, grocer.
1563. The 5th, Edward Bankes, Rowland Heyward; mayor, Sir John White, grocer.
1564. The 6th, Edward Jackeman, Lionel Ducket; mayor, Sir Richard Malorie, mercer.
1565. The 7th, John Rivers, James Hawes; mayor, Sir Richard Champion, draper.
1566. The 8th, Richard Lambert, Ambrose Nicholas, John Langley; mayor, Sir Christopher Draper, ironmonger.
1567. The 9th, Thomas Ramsey, William Bond; mayor, Sir Roger Martin, mercer.
1568. The 10th, John Oleph, Robert Harding, James Bacon; mayor, Sir Thomas Row, merchant-tailor.
1569. The 11th, Henry Becher, William Dane; mayor, Alexander Avenon, ironmonger.
1570. The 12th, Francis Bernam, William Box; mayor, Sir Rowland Heyward, clothworker.
1571. The 13th, Henry Miles, John Braunch; mayor, Sir William Allin, mercer.
1572. The 14th, Richard Pipe, Nicholas Woodrofe; mayor, Sir Lionel Ducket, mercer.
1573. The 15th, James Harvy, Thomas Pullison; mayor, Sir J. Rivers, grocer.
1574. The 16th, Thomas Blanke, Anthony Gamage; mayor, James Hawes, clothworker.
1575. The 17th, Edward Osborne, Wolstane Dixie; mayor, Ambrose Nicholas, salter.
1576. The 18th, William Kimpton, George Barne; mayor, Sir John Langley, goldsmith.
1577. The 19th, Nicholas Backhouse, Francis Bowyer; mayor, Sir Thomas Ramsey, grocer.
1578. The 20th, George Bond, Thomas Starkie; mayor, Sir Richard Pipe, draper.
1579. The 21st, Martin Calthrope, John Hart; mayor, Sir Nicholas Woodrofe, haberdasher.
1580. The 22nd, Ralph Woodcock, John Alate; mayor, Sir John Branch, draper.
1581. The 23rd, Richard Martin, William Webbe; mayor, Sir James Harvie, ironmonger.
1582. The 24th, William Roe, John Hayden, Cuthbert Buckle; mayor, Sir Thomas Blancke, haberdasher.
1583. The 25th, William Masham, John Spencer; mayor, Edward Osborne, clothworker.
1584. The 26th, Stephen Slany, Henry Billingsley; mayor, Sir Thomas Pullison, draper.
1585. The 27th, Anthony Radclife, Henry Pranell; mayor, Sir Wolstane Dixie, skinner.
1586. The 28th, Robert House, William Elkin; mayor, Sir George Barne, haberdasher.
1587. The 29th, Thomas Skinner, John Katcher; mayor, Sir George Bond, haberdasher.
1588. The 30th, Hugh Ofley, Richard Saltenstall; mayor, Sir Martin Calthorpe, draper, for part, and Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest of that year.
1589. The 31st, Richard Gurney, Stephen Some; mayor, Sir John Hart, grocer.
1590. The 32nd, Nicholas Mosley, Robert Broke; mayor, John Allot, fishmonger, for part, Sir Rowland Heyward, clothworker, for the rest.
1591. The 33rd, William Rider, Benet Barnham; mayor, Sir William Webb, salter.
1592. The 34th, John Garrard, Robert Taylor; mayor, Sir William Roe, ironmonger.
1593. The 35th, Paule Banning, Peter Hauton; mayor, Sir Cuthbert Buckle, vintner, for part, Sir Richard Martin, goldsmith, for the rest.
1594. The 36th, Robert Lee, Thomas Benet; mayor, Sir John Spencer, clothworker.
1595. The 37th, Thomas Low, Leonard Holiday; mayor, Sir Stephen Slany, skinner.
1596. The 38th, John Wattes, Richard Godard; mayor, Thomas Skinner, clothworker, for part, Sir Henry Billingsley, haberdasher.
1597. The 39th, Henry Roe, John More; mayor, Sir Richard Saltenstall, skinner.
1598. The 40th, Edward Holmeden, Robert Hampson; mayor, Sir Stephen Some, grocer.
1599. The 41st, Humfrey Welde, grocer, Roger Clarke, salter; mayor, Sir Nicholas Mosley, clothworker.
1600. The 42nd, Thomas Cambell, ironmonger, Thomas Smith, haberdasher, William Craven, merchant-tailor; mayor, Sir William Rider, haberdasher.
1601. The 43rd, Henry Anderson, girdler; William Glover, dyer; mayor, Sir John Garrard, haberdasher.
1602. The 44th, James Pemberton, goldsmith, John Swinerton, merchant-tailor; mayor, Robert Lee, merchant-tailor.
* * * * *
Thus much for the chief and principal governors of this famous city; of whose public government, with the assistance of inferior officers, their charges for keeping of the peace, service of the prince, and honour of this city, much might have been said, and I had thought to have touched more at large; but being informed that a learned gentleman (James Dalton, a citizen born), minded such a labour, and promised to perform it, I have forborne and left the same to his good leisure, but he being now lately deceased without finishing any such work (a common fault to promise more than to perform), and I hear not of any other that taketh it in hand, I have been divers times minded to add certain chapters to this book, but being (by the good pleasure of God) visited with sickness, such as my feet (which have borne me many a mile) have of late years refused, once in four or five months, to convey me from my bed to my study, and therefore could not do as I would.
At length, remembering I had long since gathered notes to have chaptered, am now forced to deliver them unperfected, and desire the readers to pardon me, that want not will to pleasure them.
FOOTNOTES:
[303] “Since called shiriffes, and judges of the King’s court, and have therefore under-shiriffes, men learned in the law, to sit in their courts. Domesmen, or judges of the King’s court.”--_Stow._
[304] The first edition has “mayor Hugh Fitz Thomas,” and does not make mention of “Fitz Ottonis.”
[305] Hallontide,--or, as it was more generally designated, All Hallontide,--is the older designation of All Saints’ day, the 1st of November.
ALDERMEN AND SHERIFFS OF LONDON
There be in this city, according to the number of wards, twenty-six aldermen; whereof yearly, on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, one of them is elected to be mayor for the year following, to begin on the 28th of October: the other aldermen, his brethren, are to him assistants in councils, courts, etc.
More, there is a recorder of London, a grave and learned lawyer, skilful in the customs of this city, also assistant to the lord mayor: he taketh place in councils and in courts before any man that hath not been mayor, and learnedly delivereth the sentences of the whole court.
The sheriffs of London, of old time chosen out of the commonalty, commoners, and oftentimes never came to be aldermen, as many aldermen were never sheriffs, and yet advanced to be mayor, but of late (by occasion) the sheriffs have been made aldermen before or presently after their election.
Nicholas Faringdon was never sheriff, yet four times mayor of this city, and so of other, which reproveth a bye word, such a one will be mayor, or he be sheriff, etc.
Then is there a chamberlain of London. A common clerk, or town clerk. A common sergeant.
OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE LORD MAYOR’S HOUSE
Sword-bearer, } Common hunt, } esquires, four. Common crier, } Water bailiff. } Coroner of London. Sergeant carvers, three. Sergeants of the chamber, three. Sergeant of the channel. Yeoman of the channel. Yeomen of the water side, four. Under water-bailiff. Yeomen of the chamber, two. Meal weighers, three. Yeomen of the wood wharfs, two. The sword-bearer’s man. } Common hunt’s men, two. } Common crier’s man. } gentlemen’s men, seven. Water-bailiffs’ men, two. } The carver’s man. }
Whereof nine of these have liveries of the lord mayor, viz., the sword-bearer, and his man, the three carvers, and the four yeomen of the water side; all the rest have their liveries from the chamber of London.
Thus far after my notes delivered by an officer of the lord mayor’s house, but unperfected; for I remember a crowner, an under-chamberlain, and four clerks of the mayor’s court, and others.
THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON; THEIR OFFICERS
The sheriffs of London, in the year 1471, were appointed each of them to have sixteen sergeants, every sergeant to have his yeoman, and six clerks; to wit, a secondary, a clerk of the papers, and four other clerks, besides the under sheriffs’ clerks, their stewards, butlers, porters, and other in household many.
OF THE MAYOR’S AND SHERIFFS’ LIVERIES SOMEWHAT
To follow precedent of former time, the clerks of companies were to inquire for them of their companies that would have the mayor’s livery, their money as a benevolence given, which must be twenty shillings at the least put in a purse, with their names that gave it, and the wardens to deliver it to the mayor by the first of December; for the which every man had then sent him four yards of broad cloth, rowed or striped athwart, with a different colour to make him a gown, and these were called ray gowns, which was then the livery of the mayor, and also of the sheriffs, but each differing from others in the colours.
Of older times I read, that the officers of this city wore gowns of party colours, as the right side of one colour and the left side of another; as, for example, I read in books of accounts in the Guildhall, that in the 19th year of Henry VI. there was bought for an officer’s gown two yards of cloth, coloured mustard villars (a colour now out of use), and two yards of cloth, coloured blue, price two shillings the yard, in all eight shillings. More, paid to John Pope, draper, for two gown cloths, eight yards of two colours, _eux ombo deux de rouge_ (or red), _medle bune_, and _porre_ (or purple) colour, price the yard two shillings. These gowns were for Piers Rider and John Bukles, clerks of the chamber.
More, I read that in the year 1516, in the 7th of Henry VIII., it was agreed by a common council in the Guildhall that the sheriffs of London should (as they had been accustomed) give yearly rayed gowns to the recorder, chamberlain, common sergeant, and common clerk, the sword-bearer, common hunt, water-bailiff, common crier, like as to their own offices, etc.
1525. More, in the 16th of Henry VIII., Sir William Bayly, then being mayor, made a request, for that clothes of ray (as he alleged) were evil wrought, his officers might be permitted (contrary to custom) for that year to wear gowns of one colour; to the which, in a common council, one answered and said, “Yea, it might be permitted,” and no man said, “Nay,” and so it passed. Thus much for party coloured and ray gowns have I read: but for benevolence to the mayor, I find that of later time that each man giving forty shillings towards his charges, received four yards of broad cloth to make him a gown, for Thomas White performed it in the 1st of Queen Mary; but Sir Thomas Lodge gave instead of four yards of broad cloth, three yards of satin to make them doublets, and since that the three yards of satin is turned into a silver spoon, and so it holdeth.
The days of attendance that the fellowships do give to the mayor at his going to Paules were seven, as followeth:--
1. Alhallowen day. 2. Christmasse day. 3. St. Stephen’s day. 4. St. John’s day. 5. New Year’s day. 6. Twelfth day. 7. Candlemasse day.
The 23rd of Henry VIII., these companies had place at the mayor’s feast in the Guildhall, in order as followeth; I speak by precedent, for I was never feast-follower:--
1. Mercers, the wardens, and seventeen persons, five messes. 2. Grocers, the wardens, and sixteen persons, four messes. 3. Drapers, the wardens, and twelve persons, four messes. 4. Fishmongers, the wardens, and twelve persons, four messes. 5. Goldsmiths, the wardens, and ten persons, three messes. 6. Skinners, the wardens, and eight persons, three messes. 7. Merchant-tailors, the wardens, and nine persons, three messes. 8. Vintners, the wardens, and six persons, two messes. 9. Ironmongers, the wardens, and four persons, four messes and a half. 10. Merchant-haberdashers, the wardens, and fourteen persons, four messes and a half. 11. Salters, the wardens, and eight persons, two messes and a half. 12. Dyers, the wardens, and six persons, two messes. 13. Leathersellers, the wardens, and eight persons, three messes. 14. Pewterers, the wardens, and five persons, two messes. 15. Cutlers, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 16. Armourers, the wardens and three persons, one mess. 17. Waxchandlers, the wardens and six persons, two messes. 18. Tallow-chandlers, the wardens and three persons, two messes. 19. Shiremen, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 20. Fullers, the wardens and nine persons, two messes. 21. Sadlers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 22. Brewers, the wardens and twelve persons, four messes. 23. Scriveners, the wardens and six persons, two messes. 24. Butchers, the wardens and seven persons, three messes. 25. Bakers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 26. Poulterers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 27. Stationers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 28. Inholders, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 29. Girdlers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 30. Chirurgeons, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 31. Founders, the wardens and one person, one mess. 32. Barbers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. No Clothing. Upholders, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 34. Broiderers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 35. Bowyers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 36. Fletchers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Turners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 38. Cordwainers, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 39. Painters-stainers, the wardens and five persons, two messes. 40. Masons, the wardens and one person, one mess. 41. Plumbers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 42. Carpenters, the wardens and four persons, two messes. 43. Pouch-makers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 44. Joiners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 45. Coopers, the wardens and one person, one mess. No Clothing. Glaziers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Linendrapers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Woodmongers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 49. Curriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Foystors, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Grey Tanners, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 52. Tilers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 53. Weavers, the wardens and one person, one mess. 54. Blacksmiths, the wardens, and one mess. No Clothing. Lorimars, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 56. Spurriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 57. Wiresellers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Fruiterers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. No Clothing. Farriers, the wardens and two persons, one mess. 60. Bladesmiths, the wardens and two persons, one mess.
These companies severally, at sundry times, purchased the king’s favour and license by his letters patents, to associate themselves in brotherhoods, with master and wardens for their government: many also have procured corporations, with privileges, etc.; but I read not of license by them procured for liveries to be worn, but at their governor’s discretion to appoint, as occasion asketh, some time in triumphant manner, some time more mourning like, and such liveries have they taken upon them, as well before, as since they were by license associated into brotherhoods, or corporations. For the first of these companies that I read of to be a guild, brotherhood, or fraternity, in this city, were the weavers, whose guild was confirmed by Henry II. The next fraternity, which was of St. John Baptist, time out of mind, called of tailors and linen-armourers of London; I find that King Edward I., in the 28th of his reign, confirmed that guild by the name of tailors and linen-armourers, and gave to the brethren there of authority yearly to choose unto them a governor, or master, with wardens, etc. The other companies have since purchased license of societies, brotherhoods, or corporations, in the reigns of Edward III., Richard II., Henry IV., Henry V., Henry VI., and Edward IV., etc.
SOMEWHAT OF LIVERIES WORN BY CITIZENS OF LONDON, IN TIME OF TRIUMPHS AND OTHERWAYS
1236. The 20th of Henry III., the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, and citizens of London, rode out to meet the king and his new wife, Queen Elianor, daughter to Reymond Beringarius of Aragon, earl of Provence and Narbone. The citizens were clothed in long garments, embroidered about with gold, and silk in divers colours, their horses finely trapped, to the number of three hundred and sixty, every man bearing a golden or silver cup in his hand, the king’s trumpets before them sounding, etc., as ye may read in my _Annales_.
1300. The 29th of Edward I., the said king took to wife Margaret, sister to Philip Le Beau, king of France; they were married at Canterbury. The queen was conveyed to London, against whom the citizens to the number of six hundred rode in one livery of red and white, with the cognizances of their mysteries embroidered upon their sleeves, they received her four miles out of London, and so conveyed her to Westminster.
1415. The 3rd of Henry V., the said king arriving at Dover, the mayor of London with the aldermen and crafts-men riding in red, with hoods red and white, met with the king on the Blacke hith, coming from Eltham with his prisoners out of France.
1432. The 10th of Henry VI., he being crowned in France, returning into England, came to Eltham towards London, and the mayor of London, John Welles, the aldermen, with the commonalty, rode against him on horseback, the mayor in crimson velvet, a great velvet hat furred, a girdle of gold about his middle, and a bawdrike of gold about his neck trilling down behind him, his three henxemen, on three great coursers following him, in one suit of red, all spangled in silver, then the aldermen in gowns of scarlet, with sanguine hoods, and all the commonality of the city clothed in white gowns, and scarlet hoods, with divers cognizances embroidered on their sleeves, etc.
1485. The 1st of Henry VII., the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, and commonality, all clothed in violet (as in a mourning colour), met the king at Shorditch, and conveyed him to Powles church, where he offered his banners.