Limestreete warde

A Survey of London. Reprinted From the Text of 1603. Originally published by Clarendon, Oxford, 1908.

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John Stow, 'Limestreete warde', in A Survey of London. Reprinted From the Text of 1603, ed. C L Kingsford( Oxford, 1908), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/survey-of-london-stow/1603/pp150-163 [accessed 31 October 2024].

John Stow, 'Limestreete warde', in A Survey of London. Reprinted From the Text of 1603. Edited by C L Kingsford( Oxford, 1908), British History Online, accessed October 31, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/survey-of-london-stow/1603/pp150-163.

John Stow. "Limestreete warde". A Survey of London. Reprinted From the Text of 1603. Ed. C L Kingsford(Oxford, 1908), , British History Online. Web. 31 October 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/survey-of-london-stow/1603/pp150-163.

Limestreete warde.

Limestreete warde. Limestreete.; High street of Cornehill.

The next is Limestreete warde, and taketh the name of Limestreete, of making or selling of Lime there (as is supposed). The East side of this Limestreete, from the North corner thereof to the midst, is of Aldgate warde, as is aforesaid: the west side, for the most part from the said north corner, southward, is of this Limestreete ward: the southend on both sides is of Langborne ward: the bodie of this Limestreete ward is of the high streete called Cornehill streete, which stretcheth from Limestreete on the southside, to the west corner of Leaden hall: and on the north side from the southwest corner of Saint Marie streete, to another corner ouer against Leadenhall.

Now for saint Mary street, the west side therof is of this Limestreete warde, and also the streete which runneth by the north ende of this saint Marie streete, on both sides, from thence west to an house called the Wrestlers, a signe so called, almost to Bishops gate. And these are the bounds of this small ward.

An house in Limestreets called the kings Artirce; Benbridges Inne

Monuments or places notable in this ward be these: In Limestreete are diuerse fayre houses for marchants and others: there was sometime a mansion house of the kings, called the kings Artirce whereof I find record in the 14. of Edward the first, but now growne out of knowledge. I reade also of another great house in the west side of Limestreete, hauing a Chappell on the south, and a Garden on the west, then belonging to the Lord Neuill, which garden is now called the Greene yard of the Leaden hall. This house in the ninth of Richard the second, pertained to sir Simon Burley and sir Iohn Burley his brother, and of late the said house was taken downe, and the forefront thereof new builded of timber by Hugh Offley, Alderman. At the Northwest corner of Limestreet was of old time one great Messuage called Benbriges Inne, Ralph Holland Draper, about the year 1452. gaue it to Iohn Gill, maister, and to the Wardens, and Fraternitie of Tailers and Linnen Armorers of saint Iohn Baptist in London, and to their successors for euer. They did set vp in place thereof a fayre large frame of timber, containing in the high street one great house, and before it to the corner of Limestreet, three other tenements, the corner house being the largest, and then downe Limestreete diuers proper tenements. All which the Marchant Taylers in the raigne of Edward the sixt sold to Stephen Kirton Marchant Tayler and Alderman, he gaue with his daughter Grisild, to Nicholas Woodroffe the saide great house, with two tenements before it, in liew of a hundred pound,and made it vp in money 366. pound, 13. shillings, 4. pence. This worshipfull man, and the Gentlewoman his widow after him, kept those houses downe Limestreet in good reparations, neuer put out but one tennant, tooke no fines, nor raysed rents of them, which was ten shillings the peece yerely: But whether that fauour did ouerliue her funerall, the Tenants now can best declare the contrarie.

Mesuage of the Lord Souch.

Next vnto this on the high streete, was the Lord Sowches Messuage or tenement, and other. In place whereof Richarde Wethell, (fn. 1) Marchant Tayler, builded a fayre house, with an high Tower, the seconde in number, and first of tymber, that euer I learned to haue beene builded to ouerlooke neighbours in this Citie.

This Richard then a young man, became in short time so tormented with goutes in his ioynts, of the hands and legges, that he could nether feede him selfe, nor goe further then he was led, much lesse was he able to climbe, and take the pleasure of the height of his Tower.

Then is there another faire house builded by Stephen Kirton, Alderman: Alderman Lee doth now possesse it, and againe new buildeth it. (fn. 2)

Messuage caled the Greene gate. Philip Malpas robbed.

Then is there a fayre house of olde time called the greene gate, by which name one Michael pistoy Lumbard held it, with a tenement and nine shops, in the raigne of Richard the second, who in the 15. of his raigne gaue it to Roger Crophull, and Thomas Bromester, Esquires, by the name of the Greene gate, in the parish of S. Andrew vpon Cornehill, in Limestreete warde: since the which time Philip Malpas, sometime Alderman and one of the Shiriffes, dwelled therin, and was there robbed and spoyled of his goods to a great value, by lacke Cade, and other Rebels in the yeare 1449.

Mutas house robbed.

Afterwards in the raigne of Henrie the seuenth, it was seased into the kings hands, and then granted, first vnto Iohn Alston, after that vnto William de la Riuers, and since by Henrie the 8. to Iohn Mutas (a Picarde) or Frenchman, who dwelled there, and harbored in his house many Frenchmen, that kalendred wolsteds, and did other things contrarie to the Franchises of the Citizens: wherefore on euill May day, which was in the yeare 1517, the Prentizes and other spoyled his house: and if they could haue found Mutas, they would haue stricken off his heade. Sir Peter Mutas, sonne to the said Iohn Mutas, solde this house to David Woodroffe Alderman, whose sonne Sir Nicholas Woodroffe Alderman, sold it ouer to Iohn Moore Alderman, that now possesseth it.

Leaden porch.

Next is a house called the Leaden portch, lately diuided into two tenements, whereof one is a Tauerne, and then one other house for a Marchant, likewise called the Leaden portch: but now turned to a Cookes house. Next is a faire house and a large, wherein diuerse Maioralities haue beene kept, whereof twaine in my remembrance: to wit, Sir William Bowyar, and Sir Henry Huberthorne.

Mannor of Leaden hall; Licence to take vp Lead to the building vp of common Granarie; Horse mill in Grassestreete.; Symon Eyre sometime an Vpholster, then by changing of his copie a Draper.; Leaden hall new builded to be a common Garner.; A Chappell builded in Leaden hall.; Legacies giuen by Simon Eyre.;Dayly seruice by noate, &c., and three free schooles in the Leaden hall.; Liber albus. Beame for tronage of wools at Leaden hall.

The next is Leaden Hall, of which I reade, that in the yeare 1309. it belonged to Sir Hugh Neuill knight, and that the Ladie Alice his widow made a feofment thereof, by the name of Leaden hall, with the aduowsions of the Church of S. Peter vpon Cornhill, and other churches to Richard Earle of Arundell and Surrey, 1362. More, in the yeare 1380. Alice Neuill, widow to Sir Iohn Neuill, knight of Essex, confirmed to Thomas Cogshall and others the said Mannor of Leaden hall, the aduowsions, &c. In the yeare 1384. Humfrey de Bohun, Earle of Hereford, had the said Mannor. And in the yeare 1408. Robert Rickeden of Essex, and Margaret his wife, confirmed to Richarde Whittington and other Citizens of London, the said Mannor of Leaden hall, with the Appurtenances, the Aduousions of S. Peters Church, Saint Margarets Pattens, &c. And in the yere 1411 the said Whittington and other confirmed the same to the Maior and Comminaltie of London, whereby it came to the possession of the Citie. Then in the yeare 1443. the 21. of Henrie the sixt, Iohn Hatherley Maior, purchased licence of the said King, to take vp. 200. fodder of Leade, for the building of water Conduits, a common Granarie, and the crosse in west Cheape more richly for honour of the Citie. In the yeare next following, the Parson and parish of Saint Dunston in the east of London, seeing the famous and mightie man (for the wordes bee in the graunt: cum nobilis & potens vir.) Simon Eyre, Citizen of London, among other his workes of pietie, effectually determined to erect and build a certaine Granarie vpon the soile of the same Citie at Leaden hall of his owne charges, for the common vtilitie of the saide Citie, to the amplifying and inlarging of the sayde Granarie, graunted to Henrie Frowicke then Maior, the Aldermen, and Comminaltie and their successors for euer, all their Tenements, with the appurtenaunces, sometime called the Horsemill in Grasse streete, for the annuall rent of foure pound &c. Also certaine Euidences of an Alley and Tenements pertayning to the Horsemill, adioyning to the sayd Leaden hall in Grasse streete, giuen by William Kingstone Fishmonger, vnto the parish church of S. Peter vpon Cornehill, doe specifie the sayd Granarie to be builded by the sayde honourable and famous Marchant Symon Eyre, sometime an Upholster, and then a Draper, in the yeare 1419. He builded it of squared stone, in forme as now it sheweth, with a fayre and large chappell in the East side of the Quadrant, ouer the porch of which hee caused to be written, Dextra Domini exaltauit me, The Lords right hand exalted me. Within the sayde Church on the North wall was written Honorands famosus marcator Simon Eyre huius operis, & c. In English thus. The honourable and famous Marchant, Simon Eyre founder of this worke, once Maior of this Citie, Citizen and Draper of the same, departed out of this life, the 18. day of September, the yeare from the incarnation of Christ 1459. and the 38. yeare of the raigne of king H. the sixt. He was buried in the parish Church of Saint Mary Wolnoth in Lombard streete: he gaue by his Testament, which I haue read, to be distributed to all prisons in London, or within a mile of that Citie, somewhat to reliefe them. More, hee gaue 2000. Markes vpon a condition, which not performed, was then to bee distributed to Maides marriages, and other deeds of charitie: he also gaue 3000. markes to the Drapers, vpon condition they should within one yeare after his decease, establish perpetually a maister or warden, fiue secular priests, sixe clarkes, and two queristers, to sing dayly diuine seruice by note for euer, in his chappell of the Leaden hall: also one Maister with an Usher for Grammar, one master for writing, and the third for song, with housing there newly builded for them for euer, the Master to haue for his Salarie ten pound: and euerie other peiest eight pound, wuery euery other Clarke fiue pound six shillings eight pence, and euery other chorister, fiue marks: and if the Drapers refused this to do, within one yeare after his decease, then the three thousand Markes to remaine to the Prior and couent of Christs Church in London, with condition to establish as is aforesayd, within two yeares after his decease: and if they refused, then the three thousand Markes to be disposed by his Executors as they best could deuise in works of charitie: thus much for his Testament, not performed by establishing of diuine seruice in his chappell, or free schooles for schollers, neither how the stocke of 3000. Marks, or rather fiue thousand Marks was employed by his Executors, could I euer learne: he left issue Thomas, who had issue, Thomas, &c., True it is that in one yeare 1464. the third of Edward the fourth, it was agreed by the Mayor, Aldermen and Comminaltie of London, that notwithstanding the Kings letters Patentes, lately before graunted vnto them touching the Tronage or Weighing of Wares to bee holden at the Leaden Hall, yet sute should be made to the king for new letters pattentes to be granted to the Mayor of the Staple for the Tronage of wols to be holden there, & order to be taken by the discreation of Thomas Cooke then Maior, the counsaile of the Citie, Geffrey Filding then Maior of the Staple at Westminster, and of the kings Councell, what should bee payd to the Maior and Aldermen of the Citie, for the laying and housing of the Woolles there, that so they might bee brought foorth and weighed, &c.

A brotherhood of 60 priests in the chappell of Leaden hal.

Touching the Chappell there, I find that in the yeare 1466. by licence obtained of king Edward the fourth, in the sixt of his raigne, a Fraternitie of the Trinitie of 60. priests (besides other brethren, and sisters) in the same Chappell was founded by William Rouse, Iohn Risbie, & Thomas Ashby priests, some of the which 60. priests, euery market day in the fore noone, did celebrate diuine seruice there, to such Market people as repayred to prayer, and once euerie yeare they met all togither, and had solemn seruice, with Procession of all the Brethren and Sisters. This foundation was in the yere 1512. by a common councell confirmed to the 60. Trinitie priests, and to their successors, at the will of the Maior and Cominaltie.

Leaden hall burned.

In the yeare 1484. a great fire happened vpon this Leaden Hall, by what casualtie I know not, but much howsing was there destroyed, with all the stockes for Guns, and other prouision belonging to the Citie, which was a great losse, and no lesse charge to be repayred by them.

Rich. Arnold; A request of the Citizens to the Maior and Aldermen; Leaden hall market for Cannas and Linnen cloth.; Common Beame to be kept in Leaden hall; Leaden hall pertainings to the comminaltie Wols, Fels, and other marcandizes to be sold in Leaden hall

In the yeare 1503. the eightenth of Henrie the seuenth, a request was made by the Commons of the Citie, concerning the vsage of the said Leaden hall, in forme as followeth. 'Please it the Lord Maior, Aldermen, & common councel, to enact that al Frenchmen, bringing Canuas, Linnen cloth, and other wares to be sold, and all Forreins bringing Wolsteds, Sayes, Staimus, (fn. 3) Kiuerings, Nailes, Iron worke, or any other wares, and also all maner Forreins bringing Lead to the Citie to be sold, shall bring all such their wares aforesaid to the open Market of the Leaden hall, there and no where else to be shewed, solde and vttered, like as of olde time it hath beene vsed, vpon paine of forfeyture of all the sayd wares, shewed or sold in any other place then aforesayd, the shew of the said wares to be made three dayes in the weeke, that is to say Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: it is also thought reasonable that the common Beam be kept from hencefoorth in the Leaden Hall, and the Farmer to pay therefore reasonable rent to the Chamber: for better it is that the Chamber haue aduauntage thereby, then a forreine person: and also the said Leaden hall, which is more chargeable now by halfe then profitable, shall better beare out the charges thereof: also the common Beame for wooll at Leaden hall may pay yearly a rent to the Chamber of London, toward supportation and charges of the same place: for reason it is, that a common office occupied vpon a common ground, beare a charge to the vse of the Comminaltie: also that Forreins bringing wools, fels, or any other Marchandizes or wares to Leaden hall, to be kept there for the sale and Market, may pay more largely for the keeping of their goods, then free men.'Thus much for the request of the Commons at this time.

Leaden hall vsed as a garner; Roger Achley Maior, made good prouision for the city; Bread Carts of Stratford the Bow.

Now to set downe some proofe that the said hall hath beene imployed and vsed as a Granarie for corne and graine (as the same was first appoynted) leauing all former examples, this one may suffice: Roger Achley Maior of London, in the yeare 1512. the third of Henrie the eight, when the said Maior entered the Maioralitie, there was not found one hundred quarters of wheate in all the Garners of the Citie, either within the liberties, or neare adioyning: through the which scarcitie, when the Carts of Stratford came laden with bread to the Citie (as they had beene accustomed) there was such presse about them, that one man was readie to destroy an other, in striuing to bee serued for their money: but this scarcitie lasted not long: for the Maior in short time made such prouision of Wheate, that the Bakers both of London, and of Stratford were wearie of taking it vp, and were forced to take much more then they would, and for the rest the Maior laid out the money, and stored it vp in Leaden hall, and other garners of the Citie. This Maior also kept the Market so well, that hee would be at the Leaden hall by foure a clocke in the Sommers mornings, and from thence he went to other markets, to the great comfort of the Citizens.

Liber. D.A Baker of Stratford punished in London for baking bread vnder the Assise; Iohn Maluern Bred carts from Stratford missed in this city in time of scarsitie.

I reade also that in the yeare 1528. the 20. of Henrie the eight, Surueyers were appoynted to view the Garners of the Citie, namely the Bridgehouse, and the Leaden hall, how they were stored of Graine for the seruice of the Citie. And because I haue herebefore spoken of the bread Carts comming from Stratford at the Bow, ye shall vnderstand that of olde time the Bakers of Breade at Stratford, were allowed to bring dayly (except the Sabbaoth and principall Feast <s>) diuerse long Cartes laden with bread, the same being two ounces in the pennie wheate loafe heauier then the penny wheate loafe baked in the Citie, the same to be solde in Cheape, three or foure Cartes standing there, betweene Gutherans lane, and Fausters lane ende, one carte on Cornehill, by the conduit, and one other in Grasse streete. And I haue reade that in the fourth, yere of Edward the second, Richard Reffeham being Maior, a Baker named Iohn of Stratforde, for making Bread lesser then the Assise, was with a fooles whoode on his head, and loaues of bread about his necke, drawne on a Hurdle through the streets of this Citie: Moreouer in the 44. of Edward the third Iohn Chichester being Maior of London, I read in the visions of Pierce Plowman, a booke so called, as followeth. 'There was a careful commune, when no Cart came to towne with baked bread from Stratford: tho gan beggers weepe, and workemen were agast, a little this will be thought long in the date of our Dirte, in a drie Auerell a thousand and three hundred, twise thirtie and ten, &c'. I reade also in the 20. of Henrie the eight, Sir Iames Spencer being Maior, six Bakers of Stratford were merced in the Guild hall of London, for baking vnder the size appoynted. These Bakers of Stratford left seruing of this citie, I knowe not vppon what occasion, about 30. yeares since.

A petition of the commons concerning the vse of the Leaden hall.

In the yeare 1519. a petition was exhibited by the commons to the common councell, and was by them allowed, concerning the Leaden hall, howe they would haue it vsed, viz. 'Meekely beseeching sheweth vnto your good Lordship, and Maisterships, diuerse Citizens of this Cittie, which vnder correction thinke, that the great place called the Leaden hall, should nor ought not to be letten to farme, to any person or persons, and in especiall to any fellowship or companie incorporate, to haue and hold the same hall for tearme of yeares, for such inconueniences as thereby may ensue, and come to the hurt of the common weale of the said Citie, in time to come, as some what more largely may appeare in the Articles following.

Leaden Hall a free Market place for; victulers and the people to stand drie

'First, if any assembly, or hastie gathering of the commons of the said Citie for suppressing or subduing of misruled people within the saide Citie, hereafter shall happen to be called or commanded by the Maior, Aldermen, and other gouernors and counsellors of the said Citie for the time being, there is none so conuenient meete and necessarie a place to assemble them in, within the saide citie, as the saide Leaden hall, both for largenes of roome, and for their sure defence in time of their counselling togither about the premises. Also in that place hath been vsed the Artillerie, Guns, and other armors of the said citie, to be safely kept in a readines for the safegard, wealth, and defence of the said citie, to bee had and occupied at times when neede required. As also the store of tymber for the necessarie reparations of the tenements belonging to the chamber of the said citie, there commonly hath been kept. Item if any triumph or noblenesse were to be done, or shewed by the communaltie of the citie for the honour of our soueraigne Lord the King, and realme, and for the worship of the said Citie, the saide Leaden hall is most meete and conuenient place to prepare and order the said triumph therein, and from thence to issue foorth to the places therefore appoynted. Item, at any largesse or dole of any money made vnto the poore people of this Citie, it hath beene vsed to bee done and giuen in the said Leaden hall, for that the saide place is most meete therefore. Item, the honourable father, that was maker of the said hall, had a speciall will, intent and minde, that (as it is commonly said) the Market men and women that came to the Citie with victuals and other things, should haue their free standing within the said Leaden Hall in wet weather, to keepe themselues and their wares drie, and thereby to encourage them, and all other to haue the better will and desire the more plenteously to resort to the said Cittie, to victuall the same. And if the saide Hall should be letten to farme, the will of the said honourable father should neuer be fulfilled nor take effect. Item, if the said place, which is the chiefe fortresse and most necessarie place within all the Citie, for the tuition and safegard of the same, should bee letten to farme out of the handes fo the chiefe heades of the same Citie, and especially to an other bodie politique, it might at length by likelihood be occasion of discord and debate betweene the saide bodies politique, which God defend.

'For these and many other great and reasonable causes, which hereafter shall be shewed to this honorable Court, your said beseechers thinke it much necessarie, that the said hal be stil in the hands of this Citie, and to be surely kept by sad and discreet officers, in such wise, that it may alway be readie to be vsed and occupied for the common weale of the said Citie when need shall require, and in no wise to bee letten to any bodie politique.' Thus much for the petition.

Leaden Hall ment to haue beene made a Burse for Marchants.

About the yeare 1534. great meanes was made about the Leaden Hall to haue the same made a Bursse for the assemblie of marchants, as they had been accustomed in Lombardstreet, many common counselles were called to that ende: but in the yeare 1535. Iohn Champneis being Maior, it was fully concluded that the Bursse should remaine in Lombard streete, as afore, and Leaden hall no more to be spoken of concerning that matter.

The vse of Leaden hall in my youth was thus: In a part of the North quadrant on the East side of the North gate, was the common beames for weighing of wooll, and other wares, as had beene accustomed: on the west side the gate was the scales to way meale: the other three sides were reserued for the most part to the making and resting of the pageants shewed at Midsommer in the watch: the remnant of the sides and quadrants were imployed for the stowage of wooll sackes, but not closed vp: the lofts aboue were partly vsed by the painters in working for the decking of pageants and other deuises, for beautifying of the watch and watchmen, the residue of the lofts were letten out to Marchants, the wooll winders and packers therein to wind and packe their wools. And thus much for Leaden hall may suffice.

A pumpe in the high street of Limestreete warde. Cornhill street in some place raysed two fadome higher then of alde time, as appeared by buildings found so deepe.

Now on the North of Limestreet warde in the high street are diuerse faire houses for Marchants, and proper tenements for artificers, with an Alley also called Shaft alley, of the shaft or Maypole sometime resting ouer the gate thereof, as I haue declared in Aldgate warde. In the yeare 1576. partly at the charges of the parish of saint Andrew, and partly at the charges of the chamber of London, a water pompe was raised in the high street of Limestreete warde, neare vnto Limestreet corner: for the placing of the which pumpe, hauing broken vp the ground they were forced to digge more then two fadome deepe before they came to any maine ground, where they found a harth made of Britain, or rather Roman Tile, euery Tile halfe yarde square, and about two inches thick: they found Coale lying there also (for that lying whole will neuer consume) then digging one fadome into the maine, they found water sufficient, made their prall, and set vp the pumpe, which pumpe with oft repayring and great charges to the Parish, continued not foure and twenty yeares, but being rotted, was taken vp, and a new set in place, in the yeare 1600. Thus much for the high streete.

S. Mary street, Parish church of Mary, S. Vrsula, & 11000 virgines called at the Axe, letten out for a warehouse.; Parish church of S. Austine in the wall made a chappell to the Papey, and since pulled downe <and> made a stable.

In S. Marie street had ye of olde time a Parish Church of S.Marie the virgine, Saint Vrsula, and the 11000. virgins, which Church was commonly called S.Marie at the Axe, of the signe of an Axe, ouer against the East end thereof, or S. Marie Pellipar, of a plot of ground lying on the North side thereof, pertayning to the Skinners in London. This parish about the yeare 1565. was vnited to the Parish Church of S. Andrew Vndershaft, and so was S. Mary at the Axe suppressed, and letten out to bee a warehouse for a Marchant. Against the east end of this Church, was some time a faire wall, now turned to a pumpe. Also against the north end of this S.Mary street, was sometime one other parish church of S. Augustine, called S. Augustine in the wall, for that it stood adioyning to the wall of the Citie, and otherwise called S. Augustins Papey, or the poore, as I haue read in the raigne of Ed. the 3. About the yeare 1430 in the raigne of Henrie the sixt, the same church was allowed to the brethren of the papey, the house of poore priests, where of I haue spoken in Aldgate warde. The Parishioners of this Church were appointed to the Parish church of Alhallowes in the wall, which is in Broadstreete warde, this brotherhood, called Papey, being suppressed, the church of S. Augustin was pulled downe, and in place thereof one Grey a Pothecarie builded a stable a hayloft, &c. It is now a dwelling house. Those two parish churches both lying in the ward of Limestreet, being thus suppressed, there is not any one parish church or place for diuine seruice in that warde, but the inhabitantes thereof repaire to S. Peter in Cornhill warde S. Andrew in Aldegate ward, Alhallowes in the wall in Broadstret ward, and some to S. Denis in Langborne warde.

Houses by london wall in the ward of Limestreete.; A part of Limestreete warde vniustly withhelde by Bishopsgate warde.; A churchyeard by London Wall pertayning to Saint Martins Bishopsgate. Liber Frater.Liber Papie

Now because of late there halth beene some question, to what Warde this Church of S. Augustine Papey should of right belong, for the same hath beene challenged by them of Aldegate Warde, and without reason taken into Bishopsgate Warde from Limestreete Warde, I am somewhat to touch it. About 30. yeares since the Chamber of London granted a lease of ground (in these wordes) lying neare London wall in the ward of Limesterret, from the west of the said church or chappell of S. Augustine Papey Bishopsgate, &c. On the which plat of grounde the lease (fn. 4) builded three faire tenements, and placed tennacntes (fn. 5) there: these were charged to beare scot and lot, and some of them to beare office in Limestreete ward: all which they did willingly withour grudging. And when any suspected or disordered persons were by the Landkord placed there, the officers of Limestreete warde fetched them out of their houses, commited them to Warde proceured their due punishmetns and banished them from thenfe: whereby in shorty tomne that place was reformed, & brought into good order, which thing being noted by them of Aldegate Warde, they moued their Alderman Sir Thomas Offley to call in house to be of his Ward, but I may selfy shewing a faire ledgier booke sometime pertaying to the late dissoluted Priorie of the holy Trinity within Aldegate, wherein were set down the iust boundes of Aldgate warde, before Sir Thomas Offley Sir. Rowland Hayeard, the common Counsell and Wardemote inquest of the saide Limestreete ward, Sir Thomas Offley gaue ouer his challenge: and so that matter rested in good quiet, untill the yeare 1579. that Sir Richard Pype being Mayor, and Alderman of Bishopsgate warde challenged those houses to bee of his Warde, whereunto (without reason shewed) Sir Rowland Heyward yeelded: and thus is that side of the streete from the North corner of S. Mary streete almost to Bishopsgate (wherein is one plot of grounde letten by the Chamberline of Londen to the parrish of S. Martins Oteswich, to be a churchyeard, or burying place for the dead of that parish, &c. vniustly drawne and withoulden from the warde of Limestreet. Diuers other proofes I could set down, but this one following may suffice. The Mayoer and Alderman of London made a graunt to the fraterninty of Papie, in these words: Be it remembred, that where now of late the master and wardens of the fraternity of the Papie, haue made a bricke wall, closing in the chappell of Saint Augustines called Papie chappell, scituate in the parish of All-Saintes in the wall, in the warde of Lime street of the Cittie of London: from the southeast corner of the which bricke wall, is a skuncheon of xxi. foote of assise from the said corner Eastward. And from the same skuncheon there to a message of 55. foote & a halfe westward, the said skuncheon breaketh out of line righte southward betxit the mesasures aforesaid, iii, foot, and fiue inches of assise, vpon the common ground of the city afore said, Raph, Verney Mayor,and the Aldermen of the same citie, the xxii, day of October, the sixt yeare of Edward the fourth graunted to john Hord Priest master Iohn Bolte and Thomas Pachet priest wardens of the fraternity of Papie aforesaid, and to their successors for euer, &c. yeelding iii. d inrolled in the Guildhall of London which is a sufficient proofe the same plot of ground to be of Limestreet warde and neuer otherwise accounted or challenged.

Patent. Oxford place.

On the south side of this streete stretching west from S. Mary streete towardes Bishopsgate streete, there was of olde time one large messuage builded of stone and timber, in the parish of S. Augustine in the wall, now in the parrish of Alhallowes in the same wall, belonging to the Earle of Oxeford, for Richard de Vere Earle of Oxford possessed it in the 4. of Henry the fift, but in processe of time the landes of the Earle fell to femals, amongest the which one being married to Wingfielde of Suffolke, this house with the appurtenances fell to his lot and was by this heire Sir Robert Wingfield sold to M.Edward Cooke, at this time the Queenes Atturney Generall. This house being greatly ruinated of late time for the most part bathy been letten out to Powlters, for stabling of horses and stowage of Poultrie, but now lately new builded into a number of small tenements, letten out to strangers, and other meane people.

Subsidie of Limestreete warde in the yeare 1371.

One note more of this Warde, and so an end. I finde of Recorde, that in the yeare 1371. the 45. of Edwarde the thirde, a great subsidie of 100000. pounde was graunted towardes the Kings warres in France, whereof the Cleargie paid 50000. pounds, and the laitie 50000. pound, to be leuied to 39. shires of England, containing parishes 8600. of euery parrish 5. pounde xvi.s. the greater to helpe the lesser: this Cittie (as one of the shires) then containing 24. Wardes, and in them 110. parishes, was therefore assessed to 635.li. 12.s. whereof Limestreet ward did beare 34. shillings and no more, so small a Warde it was ans so accounted, as hauing no one whole parrish therein but small portions onely of two parrishes in that warde. This warde hath an Alderman, his Deputie, common counsailors 4. Constables 4. Scauengers 2. Wardemote inquest 16. and a Beadle, and is taxed to the fifteene at 1.li. 19.s. ii.d. ob.q.

Footnotes

  • 1. Wethell] Whethill 1598
  • 2. builded it 1633
  • 3. Stamins] 1633; Staimus 1598, 1603
  • 4. lease 1633
  • 5. tennantes 1598; tenementes 1603