MY purpose is to give as exact an account , as my Enquiries can , of the renowned City of London , with her Suburbs annexed ; And , to proceed herein the more regularly , the foundation of my Discourse shall be layed with that of Hers , beginning with her first Rise or Original ; Then it shall grow up with Her , according to those Degrees of profection , that she is now arrived unto .

From her Foundation we will bring you to her Walls , and so lead you in at her Gates ; whence you shall walk along her streets , and visit her Churches with other ancient Religious Houses , and publique Edifices ; Then we shall bring you to refresh your self at her Conduits , and Aquaeducts , her brooks , bourns , and Wells ; Afterwards , we shall gently lead you along over her Bridges , and so bring you to solace your self upon the rare , and renowned River of Thames , which we shall derive from her very source , and accompany her Stream all along , till she comes to pay tribute to the Ocean ; Then we shall make a perambulation in her severall Precincts , Divisions , and Wards . And because nothing displayes the prudence of a City more , then her political way , and method of Government , we shall endeavour to satisfie you in that point , and speak of her Magistracy , her Priviledges , her well-moulded Corporations and Companies , whereby we shall take occasion to revive the memory of those famous Patriots , and Worthies , which she hath produc'd and bred , with their Munificence , their Merits , and publique Monuments .

We shall go on then to give the neerest conjecture we can make of her dimensions , in point of length and latitude , and of the number of humane souls , that usually dwell , and lodge within Her ; Nor shall we conceal some Clowds that have hung over her , and ill-favour'd clashings she hath had with her Soveraign Princes .

And lastly , There will be a short Discourse by way of parallel , betwixt the City of London , and other the most populous great Marts of the World .

IT is as difficult a task to finde out the Original of some Nations and Citties , as it is to finde out the Spring of the mysterious River of Nile ; which tumbling down with a horrid noise of Cataracts through so many huge Rocks , above two thousand miles , comes punctually every Summer solstice , to visit the gran Cairo ; and then takes her leave of Her , as punctually the Autumnal Equinox next following , having first impregnared the hot womb of Egypt , with a wonderful prolificall vertue , for the generation of so many species of Animalls , and Vegetalls .

But to finde out the Original of the City of London , 't is not so hard a matter ; yet , there are variety of Opinions hereof , which we will briefly examine ; Piolomy , Tacitus , and Antonine , call her sometimes Londinium , and sometimes Longidinium . Ammianus Marsellinus , calls her Lundinum , and sometimes Augusta , which is , the stately and magnificent City . There are some who call Her Troia nova , or Troynovant ; which appellation , Edward the first , in that famous long Letter he writ to Pope Boniface , about the Scots Nation , seemes to assert : Others call her Caer Lud , other Dinas Belin ; But that Opinion which quadrats most with truth , is , that her first Founders , and Godfathers , were the ancient Britains , ( whom we now call Welsh ) who by confession of all Antiquaries , both domestick and forraign , were the Aborigenes , and first Inhabitants of this Countrey , being contemporary , and as it were concreated with the Iland her self ; There are three denominations , which are derived from the Britans , viz. Llhogdin ; Llhwndian , and Llhandian , which we shall endeavour to explane ; Touching the first , the Britans call a ship Llhong , and Dinan a Town . Insomuch , that Llongdin is no other then Shipton , or a Town of Ships ; And I have read of many Cities , who derive their names from Ships , as Nanpactum , Nauplia , Naualia Augusti , Nauctathmos ; But none of these hath more right to assume the Title of Shipton , or Llhongdin ( according to the British ) as the City of London hath , in regard that she is situated , upon the gentle ascent , or flank of a Hill hard by a dainty Navigable River , which swelling at certain set houres with the Ocean Tides , she is able by her deep , and safe Channel to entertain the greatest bottoms and Ships , that can ride on Neptunes back , which makes Her so famous a Mart , those Ships bringing in all the rich Commodities that the World can afford ; whereunto alludes old Robert of Glocester , in the Rimes of those dayes , which I thought worthy to insert here for the Antiquity of the Dialect .

Touching the second British appellation Llhwndian , Caesar , and Strabo , do mention that the ancient Britans called those Woods or Groves , which they had barrocadoed and fenc'd about with Trees cast down , and plash'd , to prevent all inrodes and assaults , they call'd such a place I say Llhwn , which is equivalent to a fenc'd Town , or dwelling , as the Poet sings of them .

And 't is more then probable , that in that place , where St. Pauls Church now stands , there was a Wood or Grove at first , in regard there was a Fane or Temple erected there to the honour of Diana ; for Historians observe , that whereas Venus , Mars , and Vulcan were used to have their Temples in the Suburbs , Jupiter and Apollo within the City , the Goddess Diana was used to have her Temples set up in Woods , which might make the Britains denominate that place Llhwndian , which is as much as Diana's Grove or Town .

As this derivation carrieth a great semblance of truth with it , so the third , viz. Llhandian carrieth as much , if not a greater verisimilitude , and weighs most with me ; The Brittains to this day , call a Church or Temple Llhan , whereof there be a great number in Wales to this day , as Llhangorse , Llhansawel , Llhandilo &c. which signifieth the Churches of such places ; And whereas by the Current and consentient opinion of all Antiquaries , there was a Pagan Temple , or Fane erected to Diana , in that place where now St. Paul's stands , there being yet there a place called Camera Dianae , where Oxe heads and bones are daily found , which were used to be offered her as victims and sacrifices , I say , 't is more then probable , that the Britains were induc'd thereby to call the place Nhandian , which is the Temple of Diana ; and so in tract of time , the word was contracted , and came to be called London .

Now , who was the first Founder of London , is no where precisely found . But whosoever first founded her , they shewed much prudence in the choyce of scituation ; For the happy and fortunate Estate of the City , hath given good proof , that built she was in a good houre , when some propitious Starre was then the ascendent , and marked for long life and continuance , and that she is for antiquity very honourable ; Ammianus Marcellinus giveth us to understand , that she was called an ancient City in his time , which is above twelve hundred years agoe ; Cornelius Tacitus doth seem to do the like three hundred years before , who gives her this Character , Londinum copiâ Negotiatorum , & commeatu valdè celebre for multitude of Merchants , and commerce , London is very renowned : This only was wanting to the glory thereof , that she had not the name of Free City , nor of Colony ; Neither indeed had it stood with the Roman interest , if any City flourishing with Trade , should have enjoyed the right of a Free City ; And therefore it was , as may be well supposed , that they ordain'd her to be a Prefecture , for so they term'd Towns where Marts were kept , and Justice administred , yet so that they had no Magistrates of their own , but rulers were sent every year to govern them , and for to execute Law in publick matters , namely of Tax , Tribute , Tolls , Customs , Warfare , &c. from the Senate of Rome ; Hence it commeth , that Tacitus the Panegyrist , and Marcellinus aforesaid , call her only a Town ; But although she was not lo●tier in name , yet in Wealth , Riches , and Prosperity , she flourished as much as any other , yea and continued alwayes the same , under the Dominions of Romans , Saxons , and Normans , seldom or never afflicted with any great calamities . In the raign of Nero , when the Britains had conspired to recover , and resume their liberty , under the Conduct of Baeodicia , the Londoners could not with all their weepings hold Suetonius Paulinus , but that after he had leavied a power of the Citizens to ayd him , he would needes dislodge , and remove from thence , leaving the City naked to the Enemy , who forth with surprized and slew some few , whom either weakness of Sex , feebleness of age , or sweetness of the place had detained there : Neither had she sustained lesse losse , and misery , at the hands of the Gaules , if she had not suddenly , and beyond all expectation by Gods providence bin relieved ; For when C. Alectus had by a deceitful stratagem , made away Carausius , who taking advantage of our rough Seas , and of Dioclesians dangerous Warres in the East , and withall , presuming of the Gauls , ( now French ) and most venturous Marriners , and Servi●ors at Sea , withheld to himself the Revenues of Britain and Holland , and born for the space of six years , the Title of Emperour Augustus , as his Coines here very oft do shew : When M. Aurelius Asclepiedotus had in a Battail slain Alectus in the third year now of his Usurpation of the Imperial Purple and State , those French who remained alive after the Battle hastening to London , would have sack'd the City , had not the Thames , who never fail'd to help the Londoners , very opportunely brought in the Roman Legions , who by reason of a Fog at Sea , were severed from the Navy : For they put the Barbarians to the Sword , all the City over , and thereby gave the Citizens , not only safety by the slaughter of their Enemies , but pleasure in beholding such a sight ; And then it was , as our Chronicles record that Lucius Gallus was slain by a Brook side , which ran almost through the middle of the City , and of him was called by the British Nantgall , in English Wallbrook ; which name remains yet in a Street , under which there is a sewer within the ground , to rid away the filth , and ordures of the City , Not far from London-stone , which I take to be a Mile-mark or Milliary , such as was in the Market places at Roms , from which were taken dimensions of all journies , every way , considering it is neer the midst of the City , as it lyeth in length . Neither is it probable , she was yet wall'd about ; But a little after our Stories report , that Constantine the Great , at the instance of his Mother Helena , did first fence her about with a Wall made of rough stone , and British Bricks , which took up in compasse , above three miles , so that it inclosed the Model of the City almost four-square , but not equal on every side , considering , that from East to West , she is far longer then from South to North. That part of this Wall which stood on the Thames side , is by the continual flowing , and washings of the River fallen down and decayed ; yet there appear'd certain remains thereof in Henry the seconds time , as Fitzstephen , who then liv'd doth testifie . The rest now standing , is stronger towards the North , which not many years since , was reedified by the meanes of Joceline , Lord Mayor of London ; But towards East and West , although the Barons in old time , during their Warres , repaired and renewed it with the ruynes of the Jewes houses then demolished , yet it grew quickly , all thorow , out of decay ; For Londoners like to those old Lacedemonians , laughed at strong walled Towns , as Cot-houses for Women , thinking their own Cities sufficiently fenc'd , when they are fortified with bones , and not with stones .

This Wall giveth entrance at seven principal double Gates ; for I willingly omit the smaller , which as they have bin lately repaired , so they have also new names given them ;

On the West side there be two , to wit , Ludgate of King Lud a Britain , or Flud-gate , as Leland is of opinion , of a little flud running beneath it , like as the Gate Fluentana in Rome , built again from the foundation ; This Gate was made a free Prison , Anno 1378 , Bremer being Major , which was confirm'd 1382. by a Common Councel in the Guild-Hall , where 't was ordained , that all Freemen of London should for debts , trespasses , accounts , and contempts , be imprisoned in Ludgate , where at first for lodging and water , they did not pay anything . We go next to Newgate , the fairest of all the Gates so call'd from the newness thereof , whereas before it was call'd Chamberlane Gate , which now is the publick Gaol or Prison for Criminalls ; and also for civil actions , for the Country of Middlesex . And it hath bin so many Ages , as appears by Records in King Johns time ; as also in King Henry the third , who ( as an old Authour testifieth ) sent a Command to the Sheriffs of London , to repair the Goal of Newgate .

On the North side are four Gates , viz. Aldersgate , or Oldersgate from the antiquity thereof , or as others would have it from Aldrich a Saxon ; the second is Cripplegate of a Spitle of Cripples sometimes adjoyning thereunto : The third is Mooregate , call'd so of a Moory ground hard by , which is now draind up , and made fair and firm , and turn'd into a field & delightful walks . Which Gate was first built by Falconer Lord Mayor , in the year of our Lord 1414. Then Bishopsgate of a Bishop the Benefactor ; which Gate the Dutch Marchants , or Hans of the Styliard were bound by Covenant both to repair , and defend at all times of danger and extremity .

On the East side there is Aldgate , so named from the oldnesse , or Elbegate as others terme it , which hath bin oft re-edified ; It is thought , that two Gates more stood , besides the Bridge gate , by the Thames side , namely Belinsgate , now a Wharfe or a Key for the Scots Trade ; and Douregate or the Watergate , commonly call'd Dowgate .

There be some Posterns besides that may go for Gates , as that of Christs Hospital , which was made in the Reign of Edward the sixth ; Another was made out of the wall lately into Moorfields . But the Postern by the Tower shews that it hath bin very ancient , and an arch'd Gate of much trust ; for in times past there was alwaies a person of quality who was Custos of that Posterne . Towards the Rivers side , there are also many water gates for the better security of the City .

Where the wall endeth towards the River , there were two strong Forts or Bastions , of which the one Eastward remaineth yet , usually called the Tower of London , called in the old British Bringwin , or Tourgwin , which in English is , the White Tower ; a most famous and goodly Cittadel encompassed about with thick and strong Walls , full of lofty , and stately Turrets , fenc'd about with a broad and a deep ditch , furnish'd also with an Armory or Magazine of Warlick munition , with other buildings besides , so that it resembleth a Town of it self ; and one may well suppose , that those two Castles which Fitz-stephens recordeth to have bin on the East side of this City , went both to the making of this one : The other Fort was on the West side of this City , where Fleet a little riveret ran , whence Fleetstreet took its name , and in time , it was able to bear Vessels , as appears in some Parliament Rolls , which Riveret dischargeth it self into the Thames . Fitz Stephen calls this the Palatin Tower or Castle ; And they write , that in the Reign of William the Conqueror , it was consumed by fire , out of the ruines whereof a great part of Saint Pauls Church , was newly built ; And also on the very plot of ground where it stood , Robert Kilwarby ArchBishop of Canterbury founded a Religious House for the Dominican Fryars , whence we call the place Black-fryars ; whereby a man may easily guess of what bigness it was ; howbeit , in that place , stood in the dayes of Henry the second ( Gervase of Tilbury in his Book call'd Otia Imperialia is my Author ) two Forts or Ramparts , the one whereof belong'd to Bainard , the other to the Baron of Monfichet by right of succession , but nothing remaineth of them to this day ; yet some think that Pembroke House was a piece of them , which we term Bainards Castle , of Bainard a noble man of Dunmow , whose possession sometimes it was , & whose Successors the Fitz Waters were in right of inheritance , who were Ensign-bearers of the City of London , ( as shall be told hereafter ) and among them Robert Fitz water , had licence of K. Edward the first , to sell the Site of Bainards Castle to the forenamed ArchBishop Kilwarby . Neither was this City at that time wall'd only , but also when the Flamins or Pagan Priests were taken away , and Christian Religion established under that good Emperour Constantine , a Bishop was install'd in their room , for it appeareth at the Councel of Arles , which in the year of grace 314 was held under the said Constantine the great , the Bishop of London was present ; for he subscribed , as it is to be seen in the first Tome of the Councel in this manner . Restitutus , Bishop in the City of London out of the Province of great Britain ; Which Restitutus and his Successors , had their Seat and residence as some affirm , as Saint Peters in Cornhil .

From that time , London flourished in such honour , that she began to be call'd Augusta , and by that name was famous under the Emperour Valentinian ; For Ammianus Marcellinus in his 27 Book writeth thus , And going forward to London an ancient Town which posterity call'd Augusta : and in the 28 Book , He went from Augusta , which men of old time call'd London ; Whence it came that after Constantine's time , there was a Mint appointed therein ; For we read in those Pieces of Money , which he caused to be stamp'd in honour of his Father Constantius , and in others ; this was the Inscription , P. Lon. S. that is Pecunia Londino signata , Mony stamp'd in London . He who had the charge and overseeing thereof under the Comes of Sacrarum largitionum , is in the Book of Notice term'd , Praepositus the saurorum Augustensium in Britannia , that is , Provost of the Treasury of Augusta or London , in Britany . For this name Augusta was a name full of Dignity and Majesty ; And both Founders and Repairers of Cities , when they hoped or wish'd , that such Cities would become flourishing and powerful , gave them significant names of good fortune ; But among the most auspicious names that be , none is more magnificent , none more auspicate and glorious than Augusta . For , this of Augustus , the most gracious & mighty Emperour Octavianus took unto himself , not without the judgment of the best learned . Sirnamed he was , saith Dio , Augustus as one of great Majesty above the nature of man : for what things be most honourable and sacred , are called Augusta : Neither had London this name for so high an honour , without the Licence of the Roman Emperours ; In regard that names could not be impos'd upon Cities without authority , as Virgil notes in that verse of his ;

But as continuance of time has outworne this so honorable a name of Augusta : so it hath confirm'd that other most ancient name Londinum . Whiles it enjoy'd the soresaid name Augusta it scaped fair from destruction by a rebellious rout of Ransakers ; But Theodosius the father of Theodosius the Emperour did cut them in pieces whiles they were encombred with their spoils & entred , as Marcianus saith , with exceeding great joy in triumphant manner into the City distressed before , & overwhelm'd with grievous calamities ; And marching with his Army from thence , he by his valour and prowesse , so freed Britain from those intolerable calamities and dangers wherewith she was beset , that the Romans , as witnesseth Symmachus , honored him among other ancient Worthies , and men of high renown with the Statue of a man of Arms. Not long after , when the Romans Empire in Britain was come to an end , in that publick destiny , and fatal defection of the whole State , it fell unto the English Saxons , but in what sort , it is not well agreed on among Authors ; It is most probable that Vortigern to redeem himself , being taken prisoner , delivered it for his ransome unto Hengist the Saxon , considering that it did belong unto the East Saxons , whose Countrey also , as Writers do record , Vortigern upon that condition made over unto Hengist .

At which time the state of the Church went also to wrack , and endured sore affliction ; the Pastors were either slain , or forc'd to fly , their flocks worried , and havock made of all , as well Church goods as others . Theon the last Bishop of London of the British blood , was fain to hide the holy Relique of Saints for a memorial , as my Author saith , and not for any superstition . But although those daies of the English Saxons were such , that a man might truly say , Mars then brandished and shook his weapons , yet was London neverthelesse , as Bede testifieth , a Town of Trade , and traffique , frequented by many Nations resorting thither by Sea and Land ; But afterwards when a more gracious gale of peace breath'd favourably upon this wearied Island , and the English Saxons began to professe Christianity , it also began to flourish afresh ; for Ethelbert King of Kent , under whom Sebert raign'd in this tract , as it were his Vassal , and by courtesie , fouuded here a Church , and did consecrate it to Saint Paul , which being soon reedified and repaired , became at last most stately and magnificent , it was endowed by degrees with fair revenues ; & livings , wherewith were maintain'd a Bishop , a Dean , a Chanter , a Chancellour , a Treasurer , five Archdeacons , thirty Prebendaries , and divers other Incumbents and Officers , who might have a hansome subsistence thereby .

The East part of this Church seems to be the newer , and more curiously wrought , having under it a very fair large arch'd Vault , which also is Saint Faiths Church ; It was built out of the ruines of that Castle Palatine ( spoken of before ) by Mauritius the Bishop , about the year of our Lord 1086 , whereas it had been formerly consum'd by a wofull accidental fire , whereof William of Mamesbury wrireth thus ; The beauty whereof is so magnificent , that it deserves to be numbred in the rank of the most excellent Edifices , so large as that arch'd Uavlt underneath , and the Church above it of such capacity that it may seem sufficient to receive any multitudes of people whatsoever . Because therefore Bishop Maurice-carried a mind beyond all measure in this project , he transmitted the cost and charge of so laborious a piece of work unto those that came after : In the end , when B. Richard his Successor had made over all the Revenues belonging unto the Bishoprick to the building of this Cathedrall Church ; sustaining himself and his family otherwise in the mean while , he seemed in a manner to have done just nothing , notwithstanding that he spent his whole substance thereabout , and yet small effects came thereof .

The West part , as also the Cross Isle ; are very spacious , high built , and goodly to be seen by reason of such huge Columns , and are marvellously beautified with an arch'd roof of stone . Where these four parts crosse one another & meet in one , there ariseth up a mighty large & lofty Tower , upon which stood a spire Steeple , cover'd with lead , mounting up to a wonderful altitude ; for it was no less than five hundred , and five and thirty foot high from the ground , which in the year 1087 , was set on fire by lightning , and burnt with a great part of the City , but being rebuilt , was afterwards fi'rd again with lightening about an hnndred and fifty years ago , and was not perfectly repair'd ever since .

The measure and proportion of this stately structure , shall be here set down out of an old authentick Writer , who saith , that Saint Pauls Church containeth in length 690 foot , the breadth thereof is 130 foot , the height of the West arch'd roof from the ground carrieth 102 foot , and the new fabrique from the ground is 88 foot high , &c.

The ground belonging to this great Temple , in nature of a Coemitery or Church yard was of vast expansion , for , it reach'd North , as far as St. Nicholas market place ; West , almost as far as Ludgate ; and South , near to Baynards Castle : Now , as they say , that Rome was not built in a day , no more was this great and glorious Sanctuary , but a long tract of time , and some Ages pass'd before it came to be entirely compleated , and made a perfect Crosse , which is the exact shape of it . Nor did there want many advantages , according to the Genius of those times , to advance the work : for persons of good rank , besides pecuniary Contributions , did labour themselves therein , in their own persons , thinking to do God Almighty good service , to have a hand in rearing up his Temple ; Besides , Ic was an ordinary thing , for the ghostly Father to lay penances upon some penitentiaries , as Mafons , Carpenters , Bricklayers , Playsterers , and others to work so many daies gratis in the building , before they could get an absolution ; Insomuch , that it may be said , that as Pauls Church was partly built by the sinnes of the people , so it is now destroyed by the sins of the people .