THis Citty of London ( sir ) in my mind both for antiquity and scituation may challenge glory with any Citty in the World .

Most true ( sir ) for it is reported , that Brute lineally descended from the Demy-god Aeneas , son of Venus , daughter of Iupiter , about the yeare of the world 2855 and 1108. before the Natiuity of Christ , builded this citty , and named it Troynouant . But in processe of time K. Lud , not onely repayred it , but also increased the same with faire buildings , towers and wals , and after his own name called it Luds towne : and by corruption of spéech , it is now called London : which king lyeth buried at a gate in the West part of the Citty , which hee likewise built in the honor of his name , caling it Ludgate .

Since that time ( I perceiue ) in euery Princes raigne it hath bin much beautified : but of all pleasurs that contents me , these swéet walkes of Moore fieldes are the chiefest , and the causers thereof deserue much commendations .

In so dooing , they purchase same after Death , and much pleasure to posterity : But to what vse are these Fieldes reserued ?

Only for Cittizens to walke in to take the ayre , and for Merchants maides to dry clothes in , which want necessary gardens at their dwellings .

By whom was these fields giuen to the citty ?

Marry sir by two mayds , the only daughters to Sir William Fines , a knight of the Rhodes , in the time of Edward the Confessor : who dying , left these Fieldes of Fines-berry after his owne name to his two daughters , Mary and Katharine , who refusing the pleasures of this world , betooke themselues to a deuout kind of life , and became two Nuns in the Monastery of Bedlem : wher hauing spent their daies in the seruice of God , at their death gaue these aforesaid fieldes to the Citty of London , for an ease to the Cittizens , and a place for their seruants to dry clothes in , and likewise builded the two Crosses , the one at Bedlem gate , the other at Shoredich .

These walkes ( Sir , ) as it seemes , beares the fashion of a crosse , equally diuided foure wayes , and like wise squared about with pleasant wals , the trees thereof makes a gallant shew , and yeelds vnto mine eye much delight .

They may well , for the like border of trees are not at this day in al the land again , for they be in number within these walles two Hundred , foure-score , and eleauen , beside those other standing west-ward without , to the number of some foure or fiue and thirtie .

I haue heard that many of these trees doe carry proper names ?

According to the planting thereof , they doe : and those which I remember so called , now stand on the the west side within these walles , the first of them at the corner of the middle walke west-ward , was first of all placed by Sir Leonard Hollyday then Lord Maior : the next on the corner north-ward at the steppes comming downe , by a Captaine , being a Gentleman of good reputation : the third by a Citizen , and Sonne to Sir Leonard Hollyday , which standeth next to his Fathers trée . There standeth néere vnto that , a trée called the two brothers , planted by two little boyes , and sonnes to a Citizen here in London , there is likewise a trée called the thrée sisters , by the name of thrée maydens that set it , and another the thrée brothers : there is a trée likewise on the north-west corner , which I saw set vp ( called Stubs his trée ) by one Christopher Stubs , one of the principal Porters of Black-well hall , a man well beloued , and of good credit . Many others were set vp by our Citizens , which I thinke néedlesse to speake of , nor tell of the bountie they shewed to the worke-men , at the planting of these same trées .

The charges hereof shew their liberall mindes , and no doubt but this field will be maintained time out of minds in as good order as it is nowe kept , for what you Citizens meane to giue glory too , neither cost nor care can be wanting , But I pray you how many Akars may this plot of ground containe ?

Marry Sir , within the walles some ten Akars , which was so measured out , and by a Plough made leuell , as it is now , a thing that neuer hath béen séene before to goe so néere London .

But why are these stockes of wood here prouided , with such a huge chaine of yron lockt to the wall ?

Onely as a punishment for those that lay any filthy thing within these fields , or make water in the same to the annoyance of those that walke therein , which euill sauors in times past haue much corrupted mans sences , and supposed to be a great nourisher of diseases .

The cost hereof they regard not , and the more they bestow hereon , the more honour they tye vnto our Citie , and the causers of these walkes hath deserued high commendations , making their posterities famous by these their déeds .

It séemes they intend a further grace to these fields ?

Their purpose is not fully knowne , but surely their intents are inclined to bountifull procéedings , as I heare , the building of certaine houses for shelters for maidens hauing their clothes lying there a drying , if at any time it should chance to raine .

All England may take example , at your London Citizens , who not onely séeke for their owne benefites ▪ but striue to profit others , shewing themselues good common-wealths men , and as they be called the Fathers of the Citie , so be they cherishers of the poore and succourlesse .

If I should shew you the charitable déeds , of all our Citizens now liuing , as of those in times pass , from one kings raigne to another , I should fill a large volume with antiquities : but I will briefly touch but onely such as concernes this our discourse of these walkes of Moorefieldes , and things pertinent to the same purpose .

But I pray you shewe me sir , haue they neuer bin otherwise vsed ?

Yes that they haue , for time is often the ouerthrower of lawdable customes : for Halles Chronicle setteth downe , that the inhabitants about London , as Isling ton , Hogsdon , Shoreditch and others , before the raign of Henry the eight , had so enclosed these fields , with hedges and ditches , that neyther the young men of this Citty might shoote , nor the ancient persons walke for pleasure in these fields , but that either their bowes and arrowes were taken away , or broken , or the Citizens arested for walking , saying , that no Londoner ought to go out of the Citie , but in the hye wayes . This so gréeued the Londoners , that in the sixt yeare of King Henrie the Eight , a great number of the Citie , assembled themselues in a morning and a Turner in a Fooles coat , ran crying therough the Citie , Shouels and spades , Shouels & spades , by which meanes followed so many people , that it was a wonder to behold , and within lesse than thrée houres all the hedges about the Citie were cast downe , the ditches filled vp , and euery thing made plaine , such was the quicknesse of these diligent workemen , after this the fields were neuer more hedged in .

The Citizens I perceiue euer carried gallant mindes , and to this day ( I sée ) they continually striue to beautifie this famous Citie , for what faire summer houses with loftie towers and turrets are here builded in these fields , and in other places , the suburbes of the Citie ▪ not so much for vse and profite as for shewe and pleasure , bewraying the noblenesse of their mindes .

Many of our ancient Citizens sir haue far more worthyer dispositions , and chiefely delights in the repayring of Hospitals , and building almes houses for the poore and therein employ their wits , spending their wealths to the common commoditis of this our Citie .

You speake but truth ▪ for London Cittizens are the Lawes mirrour for charitable guifts : but of all other stately buildings neere vnto these fields , this beares the greatest shew , called Fishers folly .

It is sir , a verie faire house indéede , large , and beautifull , incompast with many walkes and gardens of pleasure , builded by one Iasper Fisher , frée of the Goldsmithes , late one of the sixe Clarkes of the Chancerie , and a Iustice of peace , it hath since for a time béene the Earle of Oxfords place : our late Queene hath lodged there , and now it belongeth to Sir William Cornewallis .

This house ( as I haue heard ) being so large and sumptuously builded by a man of no greater calling , was mockingly named Fishers Folly , and a rime hath beene lately made of it , and others the like ( not farre off builded ) in this manner .

Indéed of such like houses builded by Citizens , men will report their pleasures , but if I should speake of the true glorie of our Citizens , Gresham house , with the Royall Exchange , builded by one man : Whittington Colledge , Newgate , part of Christ church by another with diuers other monuments which I omit , as the charge of London bridge , builded at the first by two Sisters of Saint Marie Oueryes , and such like : but of all other memorable déedes maintained to this day by our Citizens , there is thrée which deserue immortall commendations , the Orphants Court in Guild hall , where couetous executors are preuented , Christs Hospitall , where fatherlesse children are well brought vp , and the prison of Bridewell where vice is iustly corrected .

Thrée things in my minde that your Citizens winne heauen by , but for what Offenders is that Bridewell chiefely reserued ?

For 〈◊〉 persons : as vagabonds , and for those that are obstinate , and will not liue in the feare of God , but abuse their bodies with lewd vices , as whoredome , and such like .

That place I thinke néedlesse sir to speake of in these walkes , therefore I pray you shew the of the antiquitie of this Monasterie of Bedlem where these two charitable sisters were buried .

The Monasterie ( now ruinated ) was builded by their Father Sir William Fines the chiefe owner of the rich Farme of Finesburie house , the which to this day holds priuiledges of good estéeme . Likewise here in Bedlem is now scituated an Hospital for the cure of distracted people , which in former times about the yeare 1246 , was founded by Simon Fitz-marie , one of the Sheriffes of London , of the same house and kindred , naming it the priory of Saint Marie de Bethlem , after the elder of the two Sisters , to which King Edward the third graunted a protection , but after in the time tune of King Henrie the 8. in the beginning of his raigne , there was one Sir Walter Gennings one of the Kings Chamber , who being distract of his wits got helpe in that place , by the meanes of that holy Prior , in regard of which King Henrie at the suppression of this religious Monasterie , gaue it to the Citie for Hospitall for that vse , the Chappell whereof was taken downe in the raigne of Quéene Elizabeth , and houses builded there by the Gouernors of Christs Hospitall in in London , and now in this place , people that be distract of wits , are by the suite of their fréends receiued and kept , but not without chargers to their bringers in .

Here is Sir , as it seemes a burying place walled in with bricke , which surely is , the deuotion of some charitable Citizen .

It is sir for in the yeare 1569 , sir Thomas Roe , Marchant taylor , and Maior of this Citie , caused to bèe inclosed within this wall , about one akar of ground , being part of this Hospitall of the Hospitall of Bethlem , this he appointed for a burying place , as an ease for such Parishes in London , as wanteth a conuenient ground within their Parishes . The ●●die his wife was there buried ( by whose perswasions he enclosed it ) but himselfe borne in London , was buried at Hackney .

But now sir , let vs returne by the walke néere this Ditch fide , where I am willing to vnderstand howe those fields came so beautified , being in times past , as I haue heard , a Fen or moorish kinde of ground .

To begin first , after it was giuen by these two sisters to this Citie : I find that in the time of William the Conquerour . it was continually in winter , as you say , a great Fen or moore of water , stretching all along betwixt Crippie-gate and Bishops-gate , but not in such good manner as it now doth , for all these whole fields of Finsburie , from Hollow well to this place . was a wast and vnprofitable ground a long time , so that in the raigne of Edward the second , it was let to farme for foure Markes by the yeare : but in the yeare 1415 , the 3. yere of Henrie the fift , Thomas Falnet Maior , caused the wall of the Citie to bée broken toward this Moore , and builded here the posterne called Moore-gate for the case of the Citizens , to walk this way vpon caus● ( as was then ) towards Isllington , Hogsdon & such like . Moreouer , he caused the ditches of the Citie , from Shoreditch to Houndsditch and so to this Moore ditch along by Bedlem to bee newe cast , and clensed , by meanes whereof this Fen or Moore , was greatly drayned and dryed : so shortly after it grew such hard ground , that Raph loselin Maior for repayring the Citie wall , caused this Moore to be searched for clay , & here in this place brick to be burnt .

But sir , here is stones set vpright , what is the meaning of them ?

Marry where they stand , tunnes vnderneath the common shore from a spring called dame Annis de Cleare called by the name of a rich London widow , called Annis Cla●e , who matching her selfe with a riotous Courtier in the time of Edward the first , who vainely consumed all her wealth , and leauing her in much pouertie , there drowned she herself , being then but a shallow ditch or running water , since which as I said before ) turneth by sluces arched ouer , all along by these stones here standing : which sluces or bridges was made in the yere 1512 , by Roger Atchley Maior , who likewise caused the grounds to be leauelled , as they were this last yeare , by Sir Leonard Holliday Maior , and the other worshipfull Aldermen his brethren , whereby these fields were made something more commodious , but not so pleasant and drye as now they are , for many times they stood still full of noisome waters , which afterward in the yeare 1527. was by the meanes of sir Thomas Semor , Mayor made dry , who repairing the sluces , conuayed the sayd waters ouer this Towne Ditch , into the course of Wall-brooke shoare , and so into the Thames , and by these degrées was this Fen or Moore at length made maine and hard ground , which before being ouergrowne with flags , sedges , and Rushes , serued for no vse , since the which time , all the further and higher grounds beyond Finesbury court , haue beene so heightned with leastals and dung , that now thrée Windmils are set thereon , the ditches being filled vp , and the bridges ouerwhelmed .

But now I pray you let vs walke backe againe to Moore gate , & go into this narrow laus called the posterne , betwéene Moore-gate and Criple-gate , because it hath at either end a doore to be shut in the night season .

This is a posterne belonging to Criple-gate so called long before the conquest , only to kéepe night-walkers out of the subberbs , but now I haue named Criple-gate , I thinke it not amisse to shew the antiquity thereof , and why it was so called at the first .

That would I gladly vnderstand , for I haue heard diuers reports thereof .

I haue read in the history of Edmond King of England , written by Iohn Lydgate . Munke of Berry , that when the Danes spotled part of his kingdome , a reuerent bishop of this land , caused that body of king Edmond martyr to be brought from S. Edmonds bury to London , in at Cripplegate , a place saith he so called of cripples begging ther , at which gate ( it was saide ) the body entering , Mirracles were wrought , as some of the Lame to goe away , praising God : This Gate was sometimes a Prison , whereunto such Cittizens and others as were arested for debt , or common trespasses , were committed , as they be now to the Counters . This Gate was new builded by the Brewers of London . 1244.

This hath much contented my desires , and considering it is yet far , to night I will request you to turne back into the walkes , and there to discourse of further antiquities .

Withall my heart Sir , I cannot spend my time better .

Then I pray you tell what course ( Sir ) hath this common shoare thorough the Citty into the Thames .

This Citty in old time , ( as I finde it recorded ) was deuided , the one halfs from the other , which is East from West , by a faire brooke of swéete Water , which ran from these fields thorough this wal into the riuer of thames , which diuision to this day is maintained without charge , which water is called Wall-brooke . The course from hence runneth directly first to Saint Margrets Church in Loathbury from thence from the lower part of the Gracers hall , about the East of their Kitchin , vnder Saint Mildreds Church , somewhat West from the stockes Market , from thence thorough Bucklers-bury , by a great House built of stone and Timber , called the old Barge , because in times past , Barges out of the Thames were rowed vp so far into this brooke , on the backeside of the Houses on Wall-brooke stréete , which streete taketh the name of this saide brooke : then by the west end of Saint Iohns Church vpon Wall-brooke , vnder Horshee bridge , by the West side of Tallow Chandlers Hall , and of the Skinners Hall , and so behinde the other houses to Elbow lane , and by a part thereof downe Gréenwitch lane , into the riuer of thames , this is the right course of this water , which of olde time was bridged ouer in diuers places , for passage of Horses & men as need required : but since by the means of increasement on the bankes thereof , much annoyances bee done therein . But at length the same by a common consent of this Citty , was arched ouer with Brick , and paued with stone equall with the ground whence it passed thorough : and is now in most places builded vpon , that no man may deserue it , and therefore the trace thereof is hardly known to the common sort of people .

Now I pray you let me know how this vaute or Riuer is made cleane , considering so much Channell durt runnes therein .

Where these stones stand as I said before , there is a long hollow Cesterne or shoare arched ouer , reaching into the Citty , into the which once a yeare , as it is the custome of our Citty , to sée it made cleane , there entereth diuers labouring men , with Links and Torches lighted , with a Taber and a pipe , or other such Mellody , that the Merchants , whose Uautes and Houses of offices stand ouer , may hear them , and by such meanes they may know what is amisse , and wanteth mending , and still when this busines is effecting , the owners of those houses spare not for cost , which they giue downe at the Grates as they passe along .

This is a good order , and an incouragement to such an intricate businesse , but to let that passe , and shew me the antiquity of your Aldermens going to the Sermons to the Spittle , neare Soreditch in Easter wéeke , which in my mind is a most memorable custome .

First to shew you the first antiquity thereof , that place was in times past an Hospitall , commonly called Saint Mary Spittle , builded by Water Browne , Deane of Paules , in the yéere 1197. first named by him Domus Dei , but at the suppression of Abbies bring surrendred to King Henry the eight , it was valued to bee worth yéerely 478 pound , wherein was found ( besides the ornaments of the Church ) and other goods belonging to the Hospital , a hundred and fourescore Beds well furnished for the receate of poore people , for it was an Hospitall of great releefe : but now touching the custome why thrée Sermons be made there in the thrée Holydayes of Easter wéeke , I finde that in the yeare 1398. King Richard hauing procured from Rome confirmation of such statutes & ordinances as were made in the Parliament , begun at Westminster , and ended at Shrew ▪ bury , he caused the same confirmation to bee read and pronounced at Paules Crosse , and at Saint Mary Spittle in the Sermons , before al the people : Phillip Malpas , one of the Shriefes in the year 1439. gaue twenty shillings by the yéere , to the thrée Preachers at the Spittle . Steuen Foster Mayor in the yeare 1454. gaue forty poundes to the Preachers at the Spittle and Paules Crosse : I find also that the said house wherein the Mayor and Aldermen doe fit at the Spittle , was builded for that purpose of the goode , and by the executors of Richard Rawson Aldermen , and Isabell his wife in the yeare 1488. Likewise in the yeare 1595. the Pulpet being olde , was taken downe , and a new set vp , the Preachers face turned toward the South , which was before towards the west : Also a large House on the East side of the said Pulpet , was then builded for the gouernors and Children of Christes Hospitall to sit in , and this was done of the goods of William Elkins , Alderman lately deceased , but within the first yeare the same house decaying , and like to haue fallen , was againe with great cost repated at the Cittyes charge .

And now héere is to bee noted , that time out of mind , it hath béene , and is a lawdable custome in London , that on good Fryday in the after-noone , some especiall learned man , by appoyntment of the Bishops , hath Preached a Sermon at Paules Crosse treating of Christes passion : and vppon the thrée next Easter Hollydaies , Monday , Teusday , and Wednesday , the like learned men , by the like appointment , haue vsed to preach on the fore-noones at the saide Spittle , to the same effect , and then on low sunday , one other learned man at Paules Crosse , to make rehearsal of those foure former Sermons , either commending or reproouing them , as to him by the iudgement of the learned Deuines was thought conuenient , and that done , he was to make a sermon of his owne study , which in all were fiue Sermons in one . At these Sermons so seuerally preached , the Mayor with his breathren the Aldermen are acustomed to be present , in their violet gownes at Paules , on good Fryday , & in their Scarlet gownes at the Spittle vpon Monday , and Teusday , on the Wednesday in their violets , and on Low sunday in their Scarlets againe at Paules Crosse , which is vsed to this day .

These are lawdable customes , but haue your Aldermen no place to sit in at the Spittle , if it should chance to raine .

There is prouided for the Mayor , Aldermen and Sheriffes , a faire house of two stories hie to sit in , and in the lost ouer them , where the Bishoppe of London , and other Prelates were wont to sit , now stand the Ladies and Aldermens Wiues in a faire window , where they may likewise sit at their pleasure . And this is all the antiquity , that I euer read of the Spitle Sermons . And now ( sir ) considering the tediousnes of this my long discourse , I will reuiue you with a few verses , writ in the honor of London .

By these verses Sir , you haue highly honored your city , and no doubt but therin haue bin many worthy Citizens which hath thus brought her glorie to this height .

The Citty of it selfe Sir , is the most Noble , Populous , and richest in all the Land , for it is most glorious in manhoode , furnished with munitions , insomuch as in the troublesome time of King Stephen , ( when it was not halfe so populous ) it hath shewed at a Muster , twenty thousand armed Horse-men and thrée score thousand foote men , seruiceable for the wars . Moreouer , the Cittizens hereof , wheresoeuer they become , bee regarded before all other Citizens , both for ciuilitie of manners , attire , companie , and talke . The women , or rather Matrons of this Citie , resemble the verie modest Sabine Ladies of Italy .

Now , I pray you sir , discourse the gallant minds of some of your Citizens in times past , for I haue séene many records of them , and such as bee most memorable .

Henrie Picard Maior . 1357. did in one day sumptuously feast at his owne charge 4 Kings , 3 Princes , and one Quéene : which was , Edward the third King of England , Iohn King of Fraunce , Dauid King of Scots , & the King of Cypresse , then all in England : the blacke Prince , his Princesse , and the Dolphin Prince of France , with many other noble men , and kept his Hall open for all commers to reuell and dice in .

Iohn Barnes Maior 1371 , gaue a Chest with thrée locks and a Thousand Markes therein to the Citie , to be lent to young men vpon sufficient suertie , or vpon pawne .

Iohn Philpot Maior 1378 , hiered at his owne charge 1000 Soldiers , to defend the Land from the incursion of the enemie , so in short time his hiered 〈◊〉 tooke many sea Rouers with fiftéen Spanish Ships laden with great riches .

William Walworth Maior 1381 , most valiantly with his owne hands slew the Kebell Wat Tyler , for which hée was knighted in the field , and the bloody Dagger giuen to Londons armes , to his great honour and praise .

This is my minde , it is a charitable deuotion , and deserues eternall praise , I haue much béene delighted not only in these your walkes , but also in your pleasant discourses , which now we are forced to end , by reason of the night drawing on . Therefore I humbly take my leaue .