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VI
Under Claudius the Eomans obtained a footing whicli the
Britons were unable to resist ; and from this time many of
the imperial coins have devices, particularly in commemora-
tion of their successes or victories. Several of the emperors
were themselves in Britain ; and none of the Eoman coins
yield in interest to those of Severus, who died at York^ Fe-
bruary 4thj 211.
No coins appear to have been struck by the Romans in
London before the year 285, when second brass of Diocletian
and Maximian are found, with the genio popvli romani re-
verses, having the exergual letters lon, p l n, or p l c ; the
former by numismatists are held to imply lon [oinvm] or
LON [dinivm] ; the second, p [ercvssa] l [o] n [dini] ; and the
third, p[ecynia] l[ondini] c[oncvssa?]. One of the latter,
having on the obverse maximianvs nob, c, is doubtless com-
memorative of his association with Diocletian in the imperial
dignity in that year.
In 287, Carausius, then prefect in Britain, and in command
of the fleet stationed at Boulogne to repel the German pirates
in their predatory expeditions, absolved himself of his allegi-
ance to the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, called himself
Augustus, and assumed the tribunitian power. In that yeax
he struck silver coins, the reverse having a figure between two
military standards, and the legend fides militvm, as indica-
tive of their support ; and others having a prsetorian trireme,
with the legend felicitas avg., as expressive of his happiness
in the devotion of the naval forces to his interest ; that they
were so, is proved by their defeat of the armament sent by the
emperors against the rebel Carausius, who, in 289, was tacitly
accepted by them as emperor in Britain, as there are coins,
ascribed to that year, bearing on their reverse the figure of
Peace, and pax avggg,, and in the exergue m l xxi. The
three gs, in compliment to the triarchy of emperors, Diocle-
tian, Maximian, and Carausius, are found attached to other
legends on the coins of Carausius, and the exergual characters
Vll
L.J M jj.^, C.J or CL. occur most frequently. Numismatists de-
fine these letters to imply Londinum^ Moneta Londinensis ;
the c. or cl. having reference to the ancient Clausentum^ now
Bitternj near Southampton,
Constantius ChloruSj named Csesar in 292, was despatched
to subvert the assumed power of Carausius, and to recover
that part of Gaul and Britain which acknowledged his sove-
reignty. Carausius was assassinated, in 293, by Allectus, who
declared himself his successor, and assumed the purple. The
exergual letters on his coins may be included in the same
definitions as those on the coins of his predecessor. Some
have Q L, which Gori and other antiquaries read q [vartaeivs]
ii[oNDiNi cvsvs]; others, q[v^stor] l[ondinensis?]. In 293,
Constantius Chlorus captured Boulogne, and made great pre-
parations for passing to Britain. His armaments, on landing
in 296, made two distinct descents on the coast, when the
repellants under Allectus were encountered by the force com-
manded by Asclepiodotus, the prefect of the Prsetorium, and
Allectus was slain in the conflict,
Constantius Chlorus, who held that division of the Roman
empire which included Gaul, Hispania, and all Africa, in 305,
passed into Britain to repel the incursions of the Picts, and
died at York, August 1st, 306. On some of the coins struck
on that event, bearing the legends consecuatio, or memoria
* Genebrier, in his Eistoire de Oarausim, printed at Paris in 1740, pp. 250-52,
describes a third brass of Carausius, which he had obtained in England, having
on the reverse four military standards, but the legend defaced in the last five
letters, cohh [peaet], in the exergue m l. He dwells in rapture on the conscious-
ness it was then unique, and believed it to allude to the prsetorian cohorts, who,
he supposed, had constituted the body-guard of Carausius. The device of the four
military standards is, however, found in the coins of preceding emperors, and had
doubtless some more generally expressive meaning. That piece is now in the
Hunterian Museum, Glasgow ; and the fact may be adduced as one of the many
instances which are known of the extreme solicitude evinced by Dr. Hunter, in
rendering that cabinet the most complete in all its particulars. One of the same
type, but in the finest possible condition, and in that state certainly unique, not
long since in the writer's possession, has passed into the extensive and highly
valuable Roman cabinet formed by Mr. Francis Hobler,
vm
FELix^ the exergual letters are pln^ i.e» p[eecvssa] l[o]n-
[dini]^ or p l c^ p[ecvnia] l[ondini] c[oncvssa?].
Under Constantinus Magnus^ and the successors of his fa-
mily^ the numismatist finds many types of interesting and
historical import, with the exergual letters p lon. and p l c.
These emanations of the London mint were doubtless struck
in the Tower, which continued till the time of Honorius*,when
the inroad of Alaric and the Vandals into Italy caused the
recall of the Eoman legions in Britain, never to return.
What constituted the currency in Britain, from the period
of the extinction of the Roman power till the establishment
of the Saxons, has not been satisfactorily explained. As the
British coinage ceased wholly in the reign of Claudius, when
an edict was issued and enforced, which ordained that all
money current in Britain should bear the image and super-
scription of the Roman emperor, it can only be supposed that
what remained of the Eoman money was so employed; in
addition to which may possibly be added the forgeries cast
from the moiQds which have been found at various periods.
Again, there are the vilely struck pieces in imitation of the
third brass of the Tetrici, and others; and of such greatly
reduced size to the originals as to be suggestive that they
were intended for some fraudulent purpose.
The coins struck by the Saxons were at first the sceattse in
silver, and the stycae, in copper ; these serve as the prelude
to the more generally recognized Anglo-Saxon penny, on the
style and execution of which it is evident the types of the
previous Roman currency conferred a beneficial influence.
Anglo-Saxon pennies, stinick at the close of the eighth cen-
tury, are known. Their weight, according to the original re-
gulations, should be twenty-two and a half grains, but many
* In September, 17^77, while digging in the Tower for the foundations of the
new Ordnance office, the site of the Uoman mint ia supposed to have been disco-
vered; some gold coins of Plonoriua, and an ingot of silver marked EX OFFI[cina]
HONORU; were found. — See Arckceologia, vol. v. pp. 291-305.
IX
are found weigldng several grains less. The hsefling, or half-
penny-j the weight eleven and a quarter grains^ has only of
late years been rendered familiar to numismatists .; but of the
feorthHng^ now^ vulgo^ the farthings weighing five and a half
grains^ no vestige is extant. The pennies of Alfred bear^ in
some instances^ not only the name of the monier, but also the
place of mintage, as shown in the annexed representation.
In this the monogram londini is distinctly traceab l^;^,^ ^
The one or two specimens of the Alfred half-pence, in the
Thomas collection, were, previous to the Cuerdale find, sub-
ject to doubt and suspicion; but that extraordinary discovery,
while it served to dispel many doubts which enshrouded the
history of the monetary remains of that period, also enriched
the numismatic depositories with many a choice specimen of
several most desirable varieties. Among those the half-pennies
of Alfred were not the least appreciable.
When excavating in Honey-lane market, Cheapside, for the
building of the City of London School^ several Anglo-Saxon
remains were found; and with some pennies of ^Ethelstan,
and other coins, turned up a half-penny of Eadgar; it was
borrowed by the late Mr. CufP, and, being deposited in his
waistcoat pocket, was found accidentally to have broken into
* The pennies of Alfred^ with the London monogram on the reverse^ were^ till
recently, of excessive rarity. A specimen, formerly in the collection of Counsellor
Whetstone, in Ireland, passed into that of Mr. Holmes, the editor of Simon's
Essay on th£ Coins of Ireland, 1810, 4to. He sold it with other coins to the late
Patrick Reynolds, a coin dealer in Holborn ; from him it passed to the late
Matthew Young, for fourteen pounds. Mr. Dimsdale purchased it of Toung for
twenty guineas; and, at his sale in 1824, the Kev. J. W. Martin became the
purchaser at thirty-nine guineas.
fragments. The soil had operated on the silver^ and destroyed
all tenacity ; the metal of the coins was as brittle as glass.
So Httle was loiown of the half-pence of the Anglo-Saxon
period a century since^ that one of the Confessorj edward
REXj rev. VFINE ON LVNDj was exhibited in December, 1743,
by the Eev. George North of Codicote, before the Society of
Antiquaries, and was then supposed to be the only specimen
of the Anglo-Saxon half-penny extant"^.
After the disastrous battle of Hastings, in 1066, and the
subversion of the Anglo-Saxon dynasty in the reputed death
of Harold the Second, the penny under William the Norman
continued statutably to be in weight twenty-two and a half
grains ; but none of the Beaworth coins, wholly in an unim-
pai re j^ ^ /^on dit iou . exceeded in weight twenty-one grains. His
coins axe all pennies, the want of the lesser pieces being
supplied by halves and quarters, as proved by the great parcel
found at Beaworth, the whole of which had never been in
circulation, yet many were found cut into two or four parts,
and were probably issued from the mint in that form. Lon-
don appears, among other cities and towns, as a place of
mintage, the Saxon name Lynden, or Lvndon, being on the re-
verse, abbreviated according to the space following the name
of the monier. The coinage of the pennies of William the
Krst exhibits for the first time the use of the collar, the pieces
being uniformly round, and a pile of them of any number
is perfectly cylindrical.
* Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries, vol. iv. p. 184. The half-pence never
appear to have been in sufficiency to the requirement ; and of the farthing it
would seem none under any reign had been coined. The pennies were then cus-
tomarily cut into halves and quarters, and, thus divided, passed as the represen-
tatives of the lesser coins. In February, 1832, while some field labourers, on the
estate of Mrs. Shepherd of Campsey Ash in Suffi)lk, were felling a pollard oak,
two thin leaden cases were fonnd ; one had become wholly embedded in the solid
part of the root, but both were filled with coins of Edward the Confessor and
Harold the Second. There were in all nearly six hundred pieces ; the greater part
were pennies, but among them were many which bad been cut into halves and
quarters, for currency as halfpence and farthings.
XI
Heniy the Third was but nine years old when^ in 1216^ he '
succeeded to the throne^ with an exhausted treasury^ and the
kingdom overrun by foreign enemies ; fortunately the loyalty
of the Earl of Pembroke, then guardian of the kingdom^ with
the prudence and resolution of Hubert de Burgh, High Jus-
ticiary, served firmly to support him in his regal dignity.
In 1220, a writ was issued for the changing of the name of
John on the coins, to that of Henry ; but the new coinage was
not effected until his sixth year, when, on the morrow of
Ash Wednesday, certain moniers were sworn before the High
Justiciary in the Exchequer ; and on the same day eight dies,
for making round half-pennies and farthings, were delivered
to them. Subsequently, on the Thursday before Easter, eight
dies for pennies, eight for half-pennies, and the same number
for farthings, were delivered to the same parties, over and
above the eight previoasly mentioned.
These pennies are distinguished by most numismatists as
the short-cross type ; a cross of double lines is bounded by an
inner circle, beyond which, and on the verge of the coin, is
the monier^s name and place of mintage. Some persons, how-
ever, entertain a doubt as to this type being really that of
Henry the Third, and are more disposed to consider it as
having been introduced by Henry the Second ; but the names
of the moniers, appointed in the sixth of Henry the Third*,
negative fully any antecedent appropriation.
The device of the short-cross type appears to have been
suggested by that on the reverse of the full-faced half-pennies
of John, struck in Ireland; the annulets in the quarters of
those half-pennies being, in the coins of Henry the Third, dis-
placed for four small pellets placed crosswise. A writ, dated
February 25th, 1222tj ^as directed to all the sheriffs, com-
manding them to make proclamation, that, within fifteen days
* See Madox's History of the Exchequer^ vol. ii. p. 8/.
t Close Roll, 6 Hen. III. membr. 14 dors.
xu
after Easter^ no half-penny* or farthing should be current
unless it were rounds and that no others should be paid^ or
received^ on pain of forfeiture.
No English coins of John are known ; but he minted half-
pennies arid farthings in Ireland^ probably in 1185; which bear
his title DOMiNVs hiberni^, their currency being restricted
to Ireland during the life-time of his father Eichard the First ;
* The half-penny or farthing of Henry the Third has long been a matter of
extreme solicitude with modem numismatists. Thoresby, in his DucaMs Leodi-
ensls, 1715, p. 253, mentions his having been shown by Thomas Herbert, earl of
Pembroke, " a round half-penny or ferthing of Henry the Third." It is possible :
but when the Pembroke collection was dispersed by auction, in 1848, no such
coin was then foimd. Folkes was of opinion that but few of these half-pennies
or farthingB had been struck, because he had not met with any. He adds, " I
should even think they were discontinued several yeare before his death, or his
son and successor, King Edward the First, could hardly have been so generally
taken for the first of our princes that added half-pennies and farthings to his
coin." In this conjecture Folkes is no doubt right; but, although he had not
met with any, the specimen in the Pembroke cabinet might, with other missing
coins, have passed from it after the earl's death in 1733, as his son was no anti-
quary^ and presented the whole stock of Haym's Nvmiismata, PermhrocMana to
his valet, for whose benefit copies were announced, in 1746, for sale, at four
guineas each. In the sale catalogue of Mr. M. S. Haynes, sold by Gerard,
March 22d, 1780, lot 16 wa^ a farthing or half-penny of Henry the Third, there
described as " unique, and diffei*ent from those in Folkes." A round short-cross
half-penny of Henry the Third, iu the collection of Edward Jacob the historian
of Faversham^ weighing ten grains, and described a£ unique, was sold by Gerard,
February 20th, 1782, lot 21. Mr. MascaU was the purchaser; but when that
collection, after his decease, was sold in May, 1789, that piece was not particu-
larized in the catalogue.
One in the writer's possession, weighing seven grains, may be thus described :
Obverse. King enthroned, sceptre in right hand, orb in the left. The crown
on the king's head is similar to that on the KEX Irish half-pennies of John. The
legend on the upper verge of the coin indistinct.
Efiverse. + ■ BIMON . . LVND, the short cross, with four pellets in each quarter,
in the field. The cross before the legend has the usual horizontal and perpen-
dicular dashes at each point. The fii^t letter is indistinct, and also those for on
before lvnd ; the N and D are braced. "
The lightness of the half-penny, seven grains, will not excite surprise when it
is borne in mind that, although many of the pennies of davi on lvnde weigh
twenty-one or more grains, there are several by that monier, ioan on cant, and
others, which do not exceed sixteen grains.
Some pennies read IOAN F R ON CA., others kogeko f k on c. ; these have been
held as blundered types, but are not so ; they are the sons of Robert a monier
at Canterbury, whose surname does not appear. The first reads IOAN ftt.tvr
ROBEETI ON CANT., the other E0GEP.0 FILIO KOBEETI ON CANT.
XUl
but^ on becoming king of England in 1199^ he struck penniesj
half-pennies, and farthings in Ireland, with the regal title
lOHANNEs REX. The wiit of Henry the Third had therefore
reference solely to his coinage of that year, and to the half-
pence and farthings then coined to displace the fractional
portions of the pennies of his predecessors ; but the bigotted
character of Henry the Third, his almost imbecile subserviency
to the aggressive encroachments of the clergy, and the spolia-
tion of the kingdom by successive and prodigal grants of trea-
sure to his Norman kindred and their followers, served to
render his reign one of oppression and misrule ; and from the
first the monetary arrangements appear to have been anything
but satisfactory to the welfare of the people at large. Those
who held the control of the king's exchanges appear, notwith-
standing the king's orders, to have placed some obstacles in
the way of the currency of the half-pence and farthings ; and,
on the plea of a refusal on the part of the people, they appear to
have been withheld, and caused the enactment of the statute,
1228, 12 Hen. III., declaratory against those who should in
buying or selling presume to refnse a half-penny or farthing,
being of lawful metal, and having the form it should have*.
Half-pennies and farthings are here mentioned, and were
certainly coined, as is further evidenced by the king's order,
in 1229, to his treasurer and the officers concerned, to pay to
the Archbishop of Bordeaux's accompt five hundred marks of
good money, to which is attached the special direction, " with-
out half-penniest."
In 1229, the payment of tenths to the church of Eome was
exacted with such severity that people were compelled to
borrow money of the Italian usurers, who came hither with
Stephen, Pope Gregory the Ninth's nuncio J, " at the rate of
* Pulton's Abstracts of the Statutes, 1579, 4to, p. 214.
+ Libert. Rot. 13 Hen. III. membr. 11.
t Thus, to serve the purpose of ecclesiastical rapacity, were introduced the
infamous Cauraini. Matthew Paris, sub anno 1235, designates them as '^ pestis
XIV
one noble for the loan of twenty by the month/' Numerous
frauds served also greatly to diminish the currency. The Jews
clipped the money^ in many instances^ to the inner circle ; and
private exchanges of silver bullion became such a nuisance
thatj in 1232^ proclamation was made that no persons^ Chris-
tians or Jews, should in future presume to exchange money,
either new or old, that is to say, new for old or old for new,
or buy or exchange any silver, except in the king's exchanges ;
and that all persons so offending shall forfeit body and goods,
and the money and siLver found upon them. The king's need
impelled him, by a writ dated June 24th, 1245, directed to
the mayor of London, to assemble all the Mercatores ultra-
montani, or Italian merchants, who exchanged money for
gain, and to inform them that in consideration of the profits
of their trading in England, and their gain by exchanging, the
king required a large sum of money to be paid by them to
him ; if they refused they were to quit the kingdom within a
time appointed ; and the mayor, with the other commissioners,
were to make a return to the writ on the vigil of St. Peter and
St. Paul, i.e. June 28th, being within a period of five days.
Impoverished in every way, the king nevertheless, in Aprils
1247, gave large sums of sterling m.oney to his half-brother
Guy de Lusignan, and to Baldwin emperor of Constantinople ;
the money being then so greatly reduced by the vile practice
of clipping, the treasurer was commanded in the payment to
the emperor, to make it of the best money he had. Com-
mands were also at that time sent to the mayor and others of
London, to make proclamation that the king's common money
should be current, and on no account be refused ; and if any
one should offer, either in buying or seUing, any clipped penny
abominanda ;" and adds, in allusion to the name by which they were called, " vera
Caursini, quasi causantes vel capientes, et ursini nuncupantur." Roger Niger,
bishop of London, excommunicated them in 1235, and they were banished the
kingdom in or about 1240 ; but, being the Pope's money changers, were again
fouJid here iu 1250, when the atrocities they perpetrated caused their expulsion
in a short time afterward.
XV
or half-penny, it should be immediately bored through, in
whosesoever hands it should be found*. This had little or no
effect ; clipped money continued current^ and Matthew Paris
alludes to other proclamations in the following year, by which
no clipped money was to pass in currency ; that if in future
any should be found, it should be bored through and returned
to the owner; but that all heavy and good pennies and half-
pennies of the old money, not being clipped, should be current,
and have course with the new money, and not be refusedf.
These proclamations followed the issue, in 1248, of the long-
cross type pennies, on which the cross extended to the extreme
edge of the coin, and rendered apparent every attempt at
clipping ; and was made more distinguishable from those of
his predecessors by the numerals III. in Roman capitals, or
on some from particular mints, rex ang., or rex terci.
From these facts it may be concluded the farthings were
coined iu the early part of the king^s reign, and that the half-
pennies were of the short-cross type onlyf , as no allusion is
* Gose Rollj 31 Hen. III. membr. 5 dors.
f Patent RoUj 32 Hen. Ill, membr. 4^ and Close Roll, same year, membr. 1?^,
J Mr. Sainthill, with his usual courtesy, refers to Simon's quotation from
Stowa^ that dies were issued in 1247, or rather 1248, to Canterbury, Dublin, and
other places ; and that, in 1251-2, King Henry the Third caused pennies and
half-pennies to be struck in Irelandb^ the object being doubtless to assist in the
spoHation of that country by the rapacity of the papal demands. Simon, describ-
ing them, adds " What I have seen of these pennies weigh twenty, and twenty
grains and a half, the half-pennies from nine and a half to ten grains." — £ssay
on Irish Coins, edit. 1810, p. 14. In his second plate, with the types of the pen-
nies DAVI ON DIVELI, and BICARD ON DIVE, he figures also. No. 49, the half-penny
EICABD ON rxVE. A reference to the sale catalogue, made by SneUing, of Simon's
collection, in December, IT'S/, shows that Simon po^essed but two specimens
of the pennies of Henry the Third, both particularized as rev. eicakd on divi.
The half-penny is not found there ; it is unknown to all Irish numismatists; and
the writer has no hesitation in believing that Simon has jumped at a conclusion as
to the similitude of the type and weight, and that the half-penny in Simon's plate
is simply a supposititious venture ; and further, it is doubtful whether any half-
pence were struck so late in his reign. Mr, Lindsay, Oomage of Ireland, 1839,
^ 4to, advances nothing in support of Simon : to him and to all the half-penny is
equally unknown.
a Afmak, edit. 1631, p. 187. b Rymer, Foedera, tom. i. p. 462.
XVI
made to them, but as of " the old money;" and in many dis-
coveries of the pennies of the long-cross^ or later type, of
Henry the Third they are frequently found cut into halves
and quarters, as the representations of the half-penny and
farthiug, the specially coined pieces of those denominations
being no longer coined by authority.
Henry the Third died November 16th, 1272, and withia
four days subsequently, with as much solemnity as the time
would permit, he was buried on the south side of St. Edward,
in Westmiuster. Fabian says these Hues were '^ wry ten in a
table hangynge vpon ye tombe of the sayd Henry :"
" Tercius Henricus iacet hie pietatis amicus :
Ecclesiam stravit istam quam post renovavit.
Reddat ei munus qui reguat trinus et unus*."
The great coinage of King Edward the First is placed by
Knyghton and Wikes to 1278; but Hemingford, Trivet, and
Walsingham, more correctly, agree in placing it to the follow-
ing year, 1279. Hemingford says that new money was then
made incisihiliSj and round farthings and half-pennies, which
were prejudicial to the poor; but that writer was speaking
only as the subject was prejudicial to his order, as evidenced
in the complaint embodied in the following quatrain :
" Edward did smite round penny, half-penny, ferthing,
The crosse passes the bond of all throughout the ring ;
The poor man, ne to priest, the penny fraises nothing :
Men give God aye the least, they feast him with a fe,rthing."
The words of Trivet and Walsingham are " Moneta AngHse,
per tonsuram nimis deteriorata, ex mandato regis renovatur ;
obolusque, qui prius formam semicirculi habebat, tanquam
pars denarii in medio divisi, fit rotundusf^ juxta vaticinium
* Chronicle, edit. 1559, fol., vol. ii. p. 100. It has been suggested that Henry
the Third's veneration for Edward the Confessor was the probable cause of his
adopting the sovereign type of that monarch on hisr gold penny.
■|- Leland quotes this passage from the annals of a monk of St. Albans, as
perused by him in the monastic library at Tinemouth. — CoUecianeaj edit. 17!^0,
vol. ii. p. 404.
XVll
Merlini^ dicentis : Findetur forma commerciij dimidium ro-
tundum erit."
Matthew of Westminster^ also^ under 1279^ says^ '' Nam
quia denarius findi in duas partes pro obolis^ et in quatuor
partes pro quadrantibuSj consuevit : ordinatum fuitj ad tollen-
dam occasionem defalcationis monetse, quod rotundi essent
denariij oboli, et quadrantes."
The indenture between King Edward the First and William
de Turnemire of Marseilles was dated on Thursday [Decem-
ber 8th^ 1279] J the feast of the Conception of the Blessed
Mary^ in the eighth of his reign. The standard was that com-
monly called silver of Guthuron's [now Gutter] lane^ in Cheap-
side, eleven ounces two pennyweights and a quarter fine silver^
and seventeen pennyweights three quarters alloy. The pound
of money to weigh twenty shillings and threepence by account^
so that no pound be over twenty shillings and fourpence^ nor
less than twenty shillings and twopence by account. The
ounce to weigh twenty pence ; the penny^ twenty-four grains ;
which, by the weight then appointed^ were equal to the
former thirty-two grains of wheat [the twenty-two and a half
grains of the Saxon or Tower pound division] . A penny force,
twenty-five grains and a half; the penny deble, or feble,
twenty-two grains and a half ■^. Turnemire^ as master of the
king^s mint in England, was directed to establish furnaces in
London^ Canterbury, Bristol, and York.
The seignorage on the coinage of silver, in 1279, was one
* From the advent of "William the Norman to the year 1300^ 28 Edw. I., the
pound Troy of silver was coined into twenty shillings ; and from that time to
1349, 23 Edw. III., the same pound Troy was coined into twenty shillings and
threepence. The pound Troy of silver contained then as now eleven ounces and
two pennyweights of pure silver^ and eighteen pennyweights of alloy, but is now
coined into sixty-six shillings. The shilling before 1300, an imaginative sum
of twelve pennies, or pence, contained as much silver as three shillings and three-
pence half-penny, of Queen Victoria's money. The penny of the olden day was
therefore equivalent by tale to threepence farthing of our time, but it is clear
that silver was then of much more than five times its present value, as evidenced
by old records, in the payments for labour and the requirements of subsistence.
b
xviu
shilling in the pound weight coined^ and sevenpence to the
master^ to defray the expense of coining. Every pound of
silver coined into farthings^ by virtue of the indenture of that
year^ was to contain twenty-four farthings^ and three shillings
for the assay^ beyond the number appointed for pennies or
sterhngSj on account of the extra trouble and charge of coin-
age ; on which consideration also the master was to be allowed
tenpence half-penny for all expenses upon every pound ; the
king to have twelve pennies at the least*.
The coining was followed by a proclamation throughout
the kingdom^ forbidding the currency of clipped money^ and
ordering that no one should be enforced to take it against his
will. Exchanges of money were at the same time appointed
in divers places^ where the diminished coin mighty on paying
fourteen pence in the pounds be exchanged for the new coin
of the statute weight. Wikes states this regulation took effect
about Easter^ 1280^ and in a short time afterward scarcely any
person would take the light or clipped coin. The Chron. Prio-
ratus de Dunstaphj p. 453j affords some fuller particulars : on
the octave of the Trinity^ the king^ by his proclamation to
the sheriffs of England^ commanded that no false or cHpped
money should continue to be current ; and of his own proper
revenue sent good money^ not clipped^ to ten cities in Eng-
landj to make exchange^ until the new money should be made.
Subsequently^ on the fourth day following the calends of
August^ the first exchange of the new money commenced^ that
isj of round pennies and farthings ; and the old money was
current with the new during the following. year^ when the old
was totally prohibited. In the mean time new half-pennies f
* Libei' Mtcber Scaccarii, fol. 24?".
+ The issue of pennies and farthings, and no half-pennies at the first, solves the
difficulty in the extract from the register of John Eversden, cellarer of the abbey
of St. Edmund's Bury, 1272-1300, quoted by Stevens in his HistoAcal Accmmt
of Taxes, 1733, 8vo, p. 81 : '' Anno 1279, the coin was altered in England, the
triangular farthing being made round, yet such old money as was reasonable was
not forbidden passing among the new ; but yet, contrary to what had been used.
XIX
also were made^ and began to be current upon the day when
tbe prohibition of the old money took place.
In an order for a trial of the pix^ in 1281^ it is spoken of,
as ^^ of old custom;" and in 1312^ 6 Edw. 11.^ assays were
made before Walter de Norwich, and other barons of the Ex-
chequer, at Westminsterj of all the pixes, as well of pennies
as of farthings, during the whole time that John de Pontoyse
and Lapine Roger were masters of the mints of London and
Canterbury, and Roger de Erowick keeper of the king's ex-
changes in those cities.
The uncertainty in the weight of the several coins appears
to have created a desire to regulate them more strictly by a
mode of weighing each piece, with weights issued from the
royal mints for that purpose. Such weights are mentioned as
being in use, in the Patent RoU 6 Johan. mem. 7, dors., and
probably earlier, but w^re either not enforced, or were dis-
continued in succeeding reigns. In that of King Edward the
Second, when so much silver was coined, these uncertainties
were probably more frequent ; and opportunity was taken, in
1335, by a monk of St. Augustine's in Canterburyj who, as
receiver of the rents, contrived to defraud those who made
payments to the abbey, by selecting the heaviest of these pen-
nies, and, by placing them in one scale, weighed against them
all the money that was paid to him ; thus, in this apparently
fair, but really fraudulent transaction, he gained sometimes
five shillings, and never less than three shillings and four-
pence, in every twenty shillings*.
Richard the Second succeeded his grandfather with aU the
acclamation that the popularity of the children of Edward the
Black Prince might be supposed to inherit ; but assailed by
the half-pence hemg qmte laid aside, one great piece was coined, equivalent to
four pence of the common sort." The currency of the half-penny of Henry the
Third is here noticed, but no farthings, " the triangular farthing " being evidently
the long-crosa penny broken into four parts. The groat was first struck in 1279.
* Ohron. Will. Thorn, col. 2068.
b2
XX
tlie attacks from Erance^ and by the incursions of the Scots,
the commencement of his reign was involved in considerable
difficulty and turmoil. The Commons, in 1378, among other
evils, presented in a petition to the king, and praying redress,
stated that certain weights for bread, and measures for beer,
such as the gallon, pottle, and quart, were ordained by statute,
and that the said Commons had no small money to pay for
the smaller measures, which was greatly injurious to them,
and therefore they prayed that it would please the king and
council to command that half-pennies and farthings should
be made, in order to pay for the smaller measures, and other
little purchases, for Grod, and for works of charity ; and that
the victuallers throughout the realm should be charged to sell
their victuals answerably to the size of the money. This the
king promised to be done, so soon as bullion could be provided
for the purpose*.
In 1380, the Commons again by petition represented the
unabated great inconveniences sustained by them from the
want of half-pennies and farthings, with which they had been
accustomed to purchase small quantities of bread and beer,
but which were then wanting all over England. They there-
fore prayed that such coins might be made, and circulated
amongst the common people to their great relief; and that,
out of every pound weight coined, there should be made three
fourths of half-pennies and farthings, of the same fineness and
weight as heretofore. In answer it was promised, with the
advice of the council, that a certain quantity should be made
for the ease of the peoplef.
Nothing however was done to alleviate the general suffer-
ings of the subject. Enactments were made in reference to
the currency of foreign money in England, and the inhibiting
the exportation of coin, but these were as recklessly withdrawn
in favour of particular minions or persons ; and the Commons
* Rolls of Parliament, vol. iii. p. 64. f lUd. vol. iii. p. 86.
XXI
again, in 1393, urged in their petition to the king, " That
whereas there had been great scarcity in the realm of half-
pennies and farthings of silver, whereby the poor were fre-
quently ill supplied, so that when a poor man would buy his
victuals and other necessaries convenient for him, and had
only a penny, for which he ought to receive a half-penny in
change, many times, ' il perdra son denier,' he lost or spoiled
his penny in order to make one half-penny. Also, that when
many worthy persons of the commonalty would give their
alms to poor beggars, they could not, on account of the scar-
city of half-pennies and farthings, to the great withdrawing
of the sustenance of poor beggars. For this inconvenience the
Commons prayed that a remedy might be found." The king
replied, that half-pennies and farthings should be made.
Stni no measTU'es of relief were adopted tiU 1395, when two
indentures, on the same terms as that of 1351, 25 Edw. III.,
were effected, one with John Wildeman, the other with Ni-
colas Molakine, a Florentine"^. Half-pence and farthings
appear to have been then struck in considerable quantities ; the
former are now the most common of that king's coins, while
the farthing is extremely raref.
Henry the Fourth, on his accession, September 30th, 1399,
among other means to render himself popular, repealed various
impolitic measures of his predecessor, and made special pro-
clamation against the currency of silver half-pennies brought
from Venice, of which three or four were scarcely equal in
* Amid the general poverty by whicli the king was surrounded, and the urgent
requirement of coined money, inconsistent in that as in all things else, a grant
at this time appears on the Patent Roll, 19 Rich; II., part ii. membr. 30, by
which, notwithstanding the statute, license was conceded to Margaret countess
of Norfolk, and D. B., goldsmith of London, to melt down groats, half-groats,
and sterlings, to the amount of one hundred pounds, and to make thereof a silver
vessel for the use of the said Margaret.
•f" One of the half-pence in the writer's possession weighs nine grains, while
several others in fair condition weigh but seven, A farthing that, according to
the indenture, should weigh four and a half grains, also possessed by the writer,
weighs five grains. The types of both, struck in London, are similar.
xxu
value to the English sterling or penny; and farther commanded
that no one in fatixre should pay or receive them*. This pro-
clamation was repeated in the following year 14j00t.
The statutes enacted to prevent the currency of the gold
and silver money of Flanders and Scotland^ all of which was
lighter than the coin of the realm^ were found incapable of
effect by reason of the general want of small money ; so that
the Commons, in 1402, petitioned the king in parliament,
praying that he would be pleased to ordain some remedy for
the great mischief amongst the poor people, for want of half-
pence and farthings of silver, which were wont to be, and still
were, the most profitable money to the said people, but were
now so scarce, because none were worked or macle at that
time ; wherefore the people in divers places, of great necessity,
used the money of foreign lands, as half-pennies of Scotland,
and others called galley half-pennies, and in some parts half-
pennies divided, to the great destruction and waste of the said
money ; and in some places tokens of lead ; so that not only
the destruction of the said money was inevitable, but also in'
process of time that of all other monies of silver, as the groat,
half-groat, and sterling, if remedy shoiild not be applied J.
To this petition the king returned a favourable answer, and
the statute 4 Hen. IV., cap. 10, made the following provision
for this exigence :
^^ Item : for the great scarcity that is at this present within
the realm of England, of half-pence and farthings of silver,
it is ordained and established, that the third part of all the
money of silver which shaU be brought to the bullion shall be
made into half-pence and farthings ; and that of this third
part, the one half shall be made in half-pence, and the other
half in farthings; and the same to do and perform let the
coiner be sworn in especial ; and that no goldsmith, nor other
* Close Eoll, 1 Hen. IV., partii. membr. 12 dors,
f Close Boll, 2 Hen. IV,, part ii. membr, 9 dora.
t Rolls of Parliament, vol. iii. p. 498.
XXIU
person whatsoever he be^ melt any such half-pence or farthings^
on pain to pay to the king the quatreble of that which shall
be so molten^ against the form of this statute."
A short time before the passing of the above statute an in-
denture was executed between the king and Walter Merwe^
master of the mint^ in accordance vrith that of 1351^ 25
Mw. III.^
Notwithstanding the statutes passed to preclude the cur-
rency of foreign money^ false money still continued to be
brought into the realm; and the Scots are represented as
being the most busily engaged in these frauds. The Commons,
in or about 1406^ represented that the Scots, under and by
colour of safe conduct of the king, coming into the realm^
brought with them false money of Scotland, resembling the
coin of England, and of false alloy ; namely, certain knights
and esquires of Scotland, some one hundred pounds^ and some
forty pounds, of half-pennies, to the defrauding of the com-
mon people of England. They therefore besought the king
that he would be pleased to ordain in the present parliament
that every Scotchman, of what estate or condition soever, who
should come into England with safe conduct or otherwise, and
bring with him such false money into England^ and all others,
aliens or denizens, who should bring galley half-pennies into
England to the defrauding of- the people, and thereof should
be convicted, should incur the pain of hfe and limb.
The prayer of this petition was not granted ; the king, con-
sidering the statutes as sufficiently penal without making the
offence capital, repHed, '' Let the statutes in this case made
be kept and observed and put in executionf.
In 1411, the statute that forbade the currency of galley half
pence, also of the money of Scotland, ^nd of other realms
beyond the sea, was again commanded to be firmly holden
* Close 'Roll, 3 Hen. IV., part ii. membr. 9 dors,
t Rolls of Parliament, vol. iii. p. 600.
XXIV
and put in due execution in all points^ on account of the great
deceits which were practised in all those coins*.
Prior to this date^ the silver money coined by King Henry
the Fourth was^ in accordance with the arrangement of the
indenture of the 25th of Edward III.^ the penny weighing
eighteen grains^ the half-penny nine grains, and the farthing
four and a half grainsf. These coins are distinguishable onJy
from those of the Fifth and Sixth Henries by their weight,
and are vexatiously difi6.cult of obtainment.
An ordinance, by the advice of the lords spiritual and tem-
poral, '^ because of the great scarcity of money at this time
within the realm of England, and because of other mischiefs
and causes manifest," directed the master of the mint to coin
of the Tower pound of gold fifty nobles, and of the Tower
pound of silver thirty shillings of sterlings or pennies, of as
good alloy as the old money, as well within the town of Calais
as in the Tower of London ; the ordinance to commence from
the Easter next ensuing, 1412. This division of the Tower
pound reduced the groat to sixty grains, the half-groat to
thirty grains, the sterling or penny to fifteen grains, the half-
penny to seven and a half grains, and the farthing to three
and three-quarters grains. King Henry the Fourth died
March 20th, 1412-13; and the same regulation being con-
tinued during the reigns of Henry the Fifth and Sixth has
added considerably to the difficulty in appropriating to the
several reigns the coins of these respective monarchs.
On the accession of Henry the Fifth, the standard of the
coins declared in Parliament in 1411 was confirmed, for the
future working of the mints of London and Calais J.
Writs, in 1414, were issued to William Crowmere, mayor
and escheator of the city of London, and others, which stated
* Statute, 13 Hen. IV., cap. 6.
t A fine farthing, civiTAa cantor, in the writer's possession, weighs exactly
four and a half grains.
t Close Roll, 1 Hen. V., membr. 35 dors.
XXV
that whereas it had been usual aforetime for the merchants
of Venice, who came in their galleys/ to bring with them into
England their own money of Venice^ called galley half-pence^
to make their merchandizes^ to the injury of the people, and
contrary to the provisions of the statute, by which such money
was forfeited to the king ; it was therefore commanded that
aU merchants and others of Venice, who should enter the
port of London, should be diligently searched, to know
whether such money were within their galleys, and that the
possessors of such money should be strictly enjoined not to
do anything contrary to that statute ; but if they would mer-
chandize with it, to bring such money to the mint, in the
Tower of London, there to be coined"*^.
The mercantile intercourse between England and foreign
countries constantly afforded opportunities for the introduc-
tion of continental monies of less value than the English cur-
rency ; but the debased pieces, being thus introduced, became
engrafted among the coins of the realm, and were accepted
in payment in the frequently recurring general want of half-
pence and farthings. The mischief was self-evident; and in
1415, John duke of Bedford, guardian of England during
the absence of the king in France, enacted, at the request of
the Commons, and by consent of the lords spiritual and tem-
poral, the statute known as Statute I., 3 Hen. V., which de-
clared that gaUey half-pence, and the money called suskine
and doitkinefj and^ all manner of Scottish money of silver,
should be put out, and for the future not be current in any
payment ta the realm of England ; and by proclamation, all
* Close Roil, 2 Hen. V., membr. 19.
f The suskine and doitkine are defined by Snelling {SiUei^ Com, p. 18, note) to
have been " certainly the Flemish seskin, or piece of six mites ; and the other,
the Holland duitkin, or doitkin, of two penningena." Holinshed {Description of
Ireland, p. 21) intimates that ^' the mayor, at the conclnsion of his office, in 1551,
owed no man a dotkin," Shakespeare appears to have been fond of the term
doit, as expressive of littleness or minute value. In his Merchant of Venice, Shy-
lock craftily insinuates to Antonio his desire to take no doit of usance for his
XXVI
persons having galley half-pence, suskines, or doitkines,
should bring them to the king's exchanges, before the feast
of Easter next ensuing, there to be broken, and those which
should be found to be good silver there to be stricken and
coined into English half-pennies; and that aU they, who after
the said feast of Easter, should make, coin, buy, or bring
into the realm of England any galley half-pence, suskines, or
doitkines, to sell them or put them in payment in the said
realm, should be judged as felons, and forfeit all their lands,
tenements, goods, and chattels; and the receivers were to
forfeit, for every time of such receipt or payment, one hun-
dred shillings.
The short but glorious reign of King Henry the Fifth ceased
August 31st, 1422 ; and his successor, Henry the Sixth, an
infant, was but httle more than eight months old.
In the parliament holden at Westminster, October 20th,
1423, the Commons prayed that the money called blancs, not
being silver, but made of metal of no value, having become
current commonly vnthin the realm of England to the great -
damage of the common people, might by proclamation be
wholly put out of the realm before the feast of St. John
Baptist next ensuing; and that after that feast no person
should pay or receive the same upon the pains and penalties
monies ; and, in the second part of Kitig Henwy IV., Justice Shallow recounts
among his bombastical fellow-braggadocios of Clement's Iniij " Little John Doit
of Staffordshire." Again, in CorioIa,mtSj Menenius tells the Romans
" This morning, for ten thousand of your throats
I'd not have given a doit.'* — ^Actv. sc. 4.
In the same play, Coriolanu^ exclaims against the baseness of sworn j&iends, who
" shall within this hour.
On the dissection of a doit, break out
To bitterest enmity." — Act iv. sc. 1.
And Marcius, in contempt of the spoils of the Roman triumph, characterizes va-
lueless " irons of a doit ;" anachronisms hardly pardonable in England's pride, her
chief dramatic bard ; for the time of Coriolanus was five centuries before Christ,
when Holland and its doitkins were not in any man's imagination. Yet who, of
the readers of Shakespeare, for the numismatist's invective, cares a doit ?
xxvu
ordained by the statute 3 Hen. V., against those who should
pay or receive the money called galley half-pence^ suskyns^
and dodekyns. The statute 2 Hen. VI.^ cap. 9^ follows exactly
in accordance with this prayer. The blancs^ or whites^ so
called from their colour^ were coins struck in France by King
Henry the Fifths of baser alloy than sterling, and then passed
currently for eightpence.
As groatSj and but few of the coins of lesser value, were
struck in the coinages early in Henry the Sixth's reign, the
want of small change was at length so severely felt that the
Commons, by petition to the parhament assembled at West-
minster, February 25th, 1444-5, prayed them '^ to considre
the grete hurt the pore communes of this noble roialme
of Englond have and suffer at this time for defaulte of half-
penyes and ferthynges of silver, in so much that men tra-
vaiUng over contrees, for part of their expenses of necessite
most departe [divide] our soveraigne lordes coigne, that is to
wete, a peny in two peces, or eUes forego all the same peny,
for the paiement of an half-peny*; and also the pouere com-
mon retailiours of vitailles, and of other nedefull thyngs, for
defaulte of such coigne of half-penyes and ferthings, often-
tymes mowe not sell their seid vitailles and things, and many
of our said soveraine lordes pouere Hege people, which wold
bye such vitailles and other small thinges necessarie, mowe
not bye theme for defaulte of half-penyes and ferthings not
* Accompts appear to have been formerly kept to the exactness of half a
farthing. Among the payments made in 1365, 39 Edw. III., to Thomas Hessey,
goldsmith of London, for gold and silver cups and plate, presented at Dover to
divers knights and others in the retinue of the Earl of Flaaders, is one " To
John Kaiamit, for a, silver cup, gilt, with a white eagle standing upon three
angels, worth nine pounds eleven shillings and eleven pence, and half a farthing."
Again, in an account of rents derived from certain tenements secured to the
hospital of Herbaldowne in Kent, by a mortmain grant from King Henry the
Sixth, is noticed a payment in money of " four shillings and sixpence, and half
a farthing. " How this was paid does not appear ; but, if no payments were made
but in round perfect coin without a violation of the law, the poor people in
Herbaldowne hospital must have been deprived of '^ the half-farthing" of the
rent that was due to them. There are farthings in silver of this reign.
XXVUl
hadde, noutlier on the parte bier, nor on the partie seller;"
and praying that, whereas there were heretofore of the Tower
pound of silver, with the alloy, coined thirty s hillin gs in half-
pennies and farthings, that in future, the fineness being not
abated, there should be to the number of thirty-three shil-
lings, with certain allowances for the trouble of coinage and
other charges, in order to prevent the melting them, as was
known, for other uses ; no man to be enforced to take more
in any payment of twenty shillings in groats, than twelve-
pence in half-pence and farthings. The prayer of this petition
was granted, and the regulations it required were to take
effect for two years, from April 8th, 1446, the king reserving
to himself the power of restraining the ordinance whenever
he should think proper*. The promised remedy was at least
far distant.
The proposition involves some elucidation of the causes why
so many of the half-pence of the Henries weigh but six. grains,
and some are so light as ^Ye grains. From the thirty-three
shillings it was proposed the king should take for his seigno-
rage seven pence in number ; the master of the mint for melt-
ing the same, and the moniers for extra labour in striking
so many pieces, ten pence in number; the owner of the bullion,
from which the said half-pence and farthings were struck, to
have " the encreased" or remaining shilling. The half-pence
were therefore by authority reduced one-tenth in weight, and,
as evidenced by the specimens which are extant, the reduction
was to a greater extent. The coinage took effect in 1446, his
twenty-fourth year ; and to that, or the later coinages in his
reign, may be fairly appropriated these light pieces of King
Henry the Sixth.
The scarcity of small monies among the trading commimity
toward the close of the reign of King Henry the Seventh
appears to have been severely felt, and not only induced the
* Rolb of Parliament, vol. v. p. 109.
XXIX
dissemination of counterfeit coins^ but private tokens of lead
became more generally diffused. There had long existed an
inducement to adopt this practice : the clothworkers and
dressers were^ by statutes of no recent enactment^ required to
affix to each piece their seal of lead^ serving as a token or
mark of the length or quality of the cloth proffered for sale ;
and to many the making or casting of leaden tokens would
be a manufacture in which they were adepts. Erasmus^ who
visited London in 1497^ and again in 1499, alludes in his
Adagiu, printed at Paris in the following year, to those plum-
beos Anglice, as he terms them, the money he had observed as
being in common circulation"^.
King Henry the Eighth reiterated, in 1519, the statute
against the circulation of galley half-pence, but^ in the absence
of a national currency to supply the need, it was of no effect.
The statutes prohibitory of small foreign coins appear to have
constantly failed in the effect sought to be produced: and
the cause is evident. The quantity of coined half-pence and
farthings seems at no period to have been sufficient to meet
the requirement of the people ; and their minuteness of form
* Skeltoiij in Ms Ikmnyng of Elynov/r Rummyng, wliile recounting the sottish
follies of those who sought her ale, notices that of " mad Kyt, that had little wit" —
" She semed somdele seke,
And brought a peny cheke
To Dame Elynour,
Tor a draught of lycour." — Lines 414-17,
The words " peny cheke" have been twice suggested to the writer, as referring
to " a penny token " of that day, but the supposition is erroneous. Skelton alludes
to the thriftless extravagance of the drunkard, who could bring a chicken, mar-
ketably worth a penny, for a draught of ale not worth a farthing. Contemporary
authority may be adduced in support of the assertion. In the accompt of the
master and wardens of the Founders Company, of an entertainment provided by
them in 1498, the cost of five dozen and a half of chickens, doubtless of the best
description, was seven shillings and sixpence, or little more than five farthings each ;
and the barrel of ale, containing thirty-two gallons, is charged at four shillings,
or less by one fourth than a half-penny a quart ; while dame Elynour's, being
draught ale, and the measure a pint black earthenware pot, was not a ferthing's
worth in value. Taylor the water poet, more than a-century later, in his budget
of epigrams entitled The Sculler, says '^ a penny is the price of a pot of ale."
XXX
caused their loss or destruction^ from many incidents, unavoid-
able even to the most careful. Thus any representation of a
monetary circulation was better than nonej and, unequal as
the continental monies were to the value of the English coins,
they were accepted in payment when the latter could not be
obtained. The statute of 1519, that reenacted the prohibitory
penalties of preceding reigns, was, like those, nothing more
than a fulminating anathema; the foreign currency continued
in spite of all legal restraint, though the galley half-pence, as
they were designated, were easily distinguishable from^the coin
of the realm from their extreme thinness and lightness, yet
something wider in their diameter than the English half-
penny*. The regulations for the coinage in 1523, with a view
* StoWj in his Swrvm^ ofLoTidon, first printed in 1598, thus speaks of his remem-
brance of their currency in his youth, though doubtless the mint regulations on the
accession of Elizabeth, and the proclamation of September 29th, 1560, destroyed
every possibility of their further obtrusion, and consummated their annihilation,
'^ In Mincheon [now called Mincing] lane, a third lane out of Tower street, on
the north side, so called of tenement-s there some time pertaining to the Minchuna
or nuns of St. Helen's in Bishopsgate street, of old time dwelled divers strangers,
bom at Genoa and those parts ; these were commonly called gaUey-men, as men
that came up in the galleys, brought up vdnes and other merchandizes^ which
they landed in Thames street at a place called Galley key. They had a certain
coin of silver amongst themselves, which were half-pence of Genoa, and were
called Gfalley half-pence. These half-pence were forbidden ; and it was enacted,
that if any person bring into this realm Galley half-pence, suskins, or dodkins,
he should be punished as a thief; and he that tateth or payeth such money shall
leese an hundred shillings, whereof the king shall have the one half, and he that
will sue, the other half. Notwithstanding, in my youth, I have seen them pass
current, but with some dif&culty, for that the English half-pence were then,
though not so broad, somewhat thicker and stronger."
Stow, while describing Thames street and its neighbourhood, again particu-
larizes " GaUey key, where the galleys were used to unlade and land their mer-
chandizes and wares ; and that part of Thames street was therefore of some called
Galley row, but more commonly Petty "Wales." The latter appellation appears
to have been derived from some large buildings, of stone, erected as warehouses
for stowage, at the east Mid of Thames street, over against Galley key, but which
were traditionally said to have been, in the olden day, the residence of the princes
of "Wales. Stow intimates that no galleys had landed there in the memory of
men living ; and the buildings by neglect having fallen to ruin, were, in his
time, let out as stabling for horses, and " to tipplers of beer, and such like.
Amongst others, one Jlother Mampudding, as they termed her, for many years
kept this house, or a great part thereof, for victualling." Stow died in 1605, in
his eightieth year.
XXXI
to supply tMs urgent demand^ enacted^ that of every hundred
pounds worth of silver^ coined at any mint^ ten marks should
be struck in half-pennies^ and five marks in farthings; and
"whereas the farthings and half-pennies were struck with one
coin p. e. of one and the same type] j so that the common people
many times took farthings for half-pennies^ it was ordained^
that the farthings to he made from that time were to have on
one side a portcuUis^ and on the other a rose with a cross :
also, that all persons who should bring plate or bullion to be
coined under the value aforesaid^ should receive the tenth part
of the said plate or bullion in half-pennies or farthings. The
subsequent debasement of the coinage seems to have wholly
submerged the small coins of good silver; they are now of
extreme rarity.
The base alloy of the coinages of King Edward the Sixths
to which no real value seemed to be attached^ and the fre-
quent lessenment of their denominative currency^ must have
been a source of extreme discomfiture to the people during the
whole reign of King Edward the Sixth*; although^ before its
closCj the restoration of the sterling currency of England^ by
an issue of coins of pure silver^ was an avowed object of his
ministry.
The nine days^ reign of Queen Jane was too brief to allow
of the issue of any coinage on the principles aimed at by the
late king, but delayed by his immature decease ; the gleam of
the sunshine of hope set^ alas ! amid the murkiness of popish
delusions^ and gibbets raised in the principal streets of the city
constituted a portion of the distinguishing pageantry which
was to give due honour to the advent of her successor.
Mary began her reign in 1553^ by a proclamation^ in full
assurance to the people of England^ of a currency of standard
excellence ; but the indentures of her coinage are evidence of
* Pennies and half-pennies of very base alloy were issued from the London and
Bristol mints. The rarity of the half-pence has induced a denial of there having
been any such coin ; but Mr. Bergne possesses one of the London mint.
xxxu
the gross fraud practised in that aflFair. The poor of her time
had no cause to render her thanks for any solicitude either
expressed or felt by her on their account ; it were well^ in-
deed^ if the history of this period formed no part of the annals
of England,
Under Elizabeth an effulgence burst forth that served to
render more apparent the oppressions of the past reign, and,
from the first, the metal of her coinage was pure ; it was ster-
ling and determinate*. In 1561, appeared silver coins of the
value of three half-pence, and three farthingsf; yet the great
want of half-pence and farthings impelled the almost general
use, among ale-house keepers, chandlers^ grocers, vintners^
* The debased coins of Henry the Eighth, Edward, and Queen Mary_, were by
proclamation, on the queen's accession in 1558, greatly reduced in their repre-
sentative value, and on the issuing of the newly amended coinage were declared
to be no longer current. Agarde, in his paper on the derivation of the phrase
" Sterling money," printed by Heame, in his Cmious Discowrses, states that the
" Esterlinges, who, being Germans, brought up in the mines there of silver and
copper, were by Her Majesty's order, for the refining of our base coins, brought
hither by Alderman Lodge, with whom I was fctmiharly acquainted. This he told
me, that most of them, in melting, fell sick to death with the savour^ so as they
were advised to drink from a dead man's skull, for their recure. Whereupon,
he with others, who had the oversight of this work, procured a warrant from the
council to take off the heads upon London Bridge and make cups thereof, out of
which they drank, and fotind some relief, although most of them died."
*|* The three-ferthing piece was a coin of wider flan than the half-pence of pre-
ceding reigns, but the metal was much thinner. Introduced in 1561, no further
issue occurred till 1572, and the coinage of these pieces ceased in 1579 ; they are
excessively scarce, and found only in distinguished cabinets.
In the field, on the obverse, behind the queen's head, is a rose, a circumstance .
noticed by Shakespeare, but like a will o'the wisp, the phantom led him into an
anachronism, hardly justifiable in a writer so distinguished. He throws back the
Tisage of the coin of Elizabeth to the reign of John. In his play, entitled King
John, Philip Falconbridge, avowing to the queen-mother Elinor his reasons for
preferring his own face to that of his brother, satirically observes,
'' My face so thin,
That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose, »
Lest men should say — look, where three farthings goes !"
Act i. sc. 1.
Shakespeare has thus a. passing glance at the prevailing custom in his day of
thrusting a natural rose behind the ear, or in the head-dress, or in the breast of
the costume of the ladies of the court of Elizabeth, without the slightest consider
ration of its appropriateness.
XXXUl
and other traders^ of private tokens of lead*^ tin, latten^ and
it is said of leather. There were frequent and well-founded
complaints^ that their circulation was derogatory of the queen's
princely dignity and honour ; and what was of greater consi-
deration, the constantly occurring loss to the poor, since for
these tokens commodities could only be obtained of the par-
ties by whom they were issued ; and as to their repayment in
silver coin, their extended dissemination rendered the attempt
a matter of impossibility.
In 1574, proposals were made to the queen's majesty, by
two persons named "Wickliffe and Humphrey,, to coin half-
pence and farthings, of twelve and six grains each, of base
silver, of two parts fine and one-third alloy; but the queen,
remembering the difficulties attending the debased coins on
her accession, refused all overtures of the kind. Other pro-
posals were made in subsequent years to coin copper pledges
for half-pence and farthings, of twenty-four grains and twelve
grains, by which the troy pound would be coined into ten shil-
lings. These proposals were so far approved, that a proclama-
tion was preparedt to render them current, and private tokens
were thus forbidden to be made or used, without a warrant or
commission first obtained for that purpose, on pain of impri-
sonment for one year of the person who made them, and also
to be fined at pleasure. These new copper pledges were to be
current in all the queen's dominions, and every person was to
* Nicholas Ball^ " marketman, " of Chudleigh in Devonshire, has minuted some
particulars of the mode of issuing these leaden tokens, which are now interesting
and pertinent to these enquiries. His book of accompts, yet extant, states under
the head of Expences: '' January 24th, 1562. Item; paid for A nyron with a
prynt, and for lede, and for smytyng of my tokense, iijs." Again, the accompt
for the year ended February 23d, 1566, has, under the same head, Expences :
" Paid for ij pownde of led for tokens, and for making of the same to tokens,
xxij d." A third notice in the '' Market accompte made by Nycholas Ball, mar-
ket man, ended the 23rd of February, 156?'," exhibits an outlay, '' Paid for led
and for tokens, for ij years paste xvjt?."
There are specimens of the leaden tokens of Queen Elizabeth's reign in the
Beaufoy cabinet. They are all excessively rare.
t Harl. MS. 698, fol. 117.
XXXIV
receive them under pain of her displeasure^ and such punish-
ment as should be thought meet in that case ; no person to
be obliged to receive them in any payments above twenty shil-
lingSj and in all sums under that amount no more than a groat
was to be paid in them. An officer was also to be appointed
to reside in some noted place in the city of London^ to exchange
to every person who required it two-thirds of any sum in silver
pennies^ which were to be coined in sufficiency for that pur-
pose^ and one-third in these pledges ; that no more of these
pledges should be coined than were thought to be barely re-
qiiired for the present use of the subject; the queen^s intent
being to take away the private tokens^ so prejudicial to her
royal estate and dignity^ and to give in exchange for them a
more convenient pledge^ universally payable in all small pay-
ments^ and particularly in changing of threepences^ three
half-pencesj and pence.
The queen possibly looked on the project as a temporary
means of allaying existing evils^ without producing permanent
benefit ; her influence no doubt placed a negative on the whole
transaction; the proclamation was not promulgated, nor is
there any evidence that any advances were made in furthering
the coinage of these copper pledges. Had this scheme taken
effect, the pound weight avoirdupois of copper, then worth
about eightpence, would have been coined into twelve shil-
lings and twopence ; thus immediately presenting a great in-
ducement to their being counterfeited.
The many suggestions of this period appear to have ended
in the withdrawal of the three-farthing pieces, and the issue
in 1582 of silver half-pence, which, though weighing but four
grains, and consequently very inconvenient, were nevertheless
deemed more satisfactory as regarded the public interests than
the projected issue of copper. These half-pence were issued
at irregular periods during the queen^s reign. They have on
the obverse a portculUs, and the mint mark of the year; on
the reverse a cross having pellets in the quarters ; their variety
XXXV
consisted in tte difference of the symbolical mint mark of each
issuCj scarcely discernible to any but a curious inquirer'^.
The impracticability of coining half-pence^ to say nothing
of farthings, in sHver, available in size to be manually felt by
the roughened hand of the labourer, induced farther projects
of an alloy of silver and copper, and of copper solely, to meet
the exigency ; but the debased coins of former reigns had been
so greatly disadvantageous to all the parties concerned, that
the queen undisguisedly evinced her inherent dishke to any
of these schemes. At length the requirement of money for
the pay of the army in Ireland, and the urgent solicitation of
Lord Buckhurst, then lord treasurer, induced her compliance
to the issue, for a restricted period, of a coinage of shillings,
sixpences, and threepences, of a mixed metal, three-fourths
copper to one-fourth of silver ; and of pence, half-pence, and
farthings of copper, for currency in Ireland. The pence and
half-pence in copper, dated 1601 and 1602, had a brief circu-
lation in Ireland t- No farthings were struck, and Gerard
Malynes, a few years subsequently, while noticing the copper
monies current throughout Europe, observes, " in Ireland,
they had in Queene Elizabeth her time, half-pence and pence
of copper, which are most of them lost and consumed J."
* Sliakespeare, alluding to the general similitude of these coins in Queen Eliza-
beth's reign, makes Rosalind tell Orlando^ the principal evils of the female sex
" were all like one another, as half-pence are." — As you like it, act.iii. sc. 2.
Again, in allusion to their minuteness, in Micch ado about Twthmg, act ii, sc. 3,
Leonato relates that Beatrice in her passion made piece-meal of the sheet of
paper : " she tore the letter into a thousand half-pence !"
f These arrangements were in conformity with the orders of the lord deputy
and council, dated " at Her Majesties castle of Dublin, May 20th, 1601 ;" but the
queen's original instructions, ", dated at our pallace of Westminster, January
22d, 1601," addressed to Thomas Knyvett, warden of the mint in the Tower of
London, directed ^' Charles Anthony, graver of our mint, to engrave and make
the coining-irons for five several sorts of moneys, for our realm of Ireland, videl.,
peices of shillings, sixpences, threepences, twopences, and pence of the compass
and bredth of the like moneys coined in our mint here." The mixture of the me-
tals appears to have been the subject of another order in council already issued ;
and no mention is therein made of coins of copper solely.
X Lex MGTcatona, 1622, folio, p. 278.
c3
XXXYl
The partial convenience tLe copper pence and half-pence
were found to aflFord in Ireland appears to have revived the
idea of copper pledges for a penny and for a half-penny^ for
circulation in England^ as patterns of their types^ dated 1601^
are found in numismatic collections in silver and in copper ;
but these patterns were in all probability the result of some
private scheme, and did not emanate from the Tower mint.
It may farther be observed^ that the rose and crown on the
leaden pattern-piecCj Beaufoy cabinet^ No. 7^ is so similar to
that on the proposed '' Pledge for a Halfe-penny^" that both
woidd seem to have issued from the same source. The project
failed to obtain the sanction of the authorities^ and nothing
farther is known of these pledges beyond the extant specimens
of their proposed types. Snelling states that '^ the only cities
which we learn did strike farthing tokens at this time were
those of Bristol^ Worcester^ and Oxford. We know but little
what were the types of the pieces during this interval^ but we
are told that on the first of those struck by the city of Bristol^
which was of lead or latten, there was a coney ; and on that
of Worcester^ of the same metal^ was a death^s head^ but we
have never seen either. Those of the private traders were
made without any form or fashion^ as might be seen at that
time in every tavern and chandler shop*.^^
* View of the Copper Coinage of ETiglaTid, 1766, p. 4. The licence to the mayor
and aldermen of Bristol, to coin in future a farthing for general use, was granted
by the lords of the privy council. May 12th, 1594, on the condition that all
previous abuses in that city were reformed, the lead and other tokens issued by
persons without authority should be called in, and the value at which they were
first issued should be rendered in change in current money.
Snelling had met with but two or three specimens of these leaden tokens, one
dated 1599 he has engraved, ut siupra, p. 2 ; but the earlier tokens of Bristol, or
Worcester, appear to have been equally unknown to him. It is true he quotes
Malynes for the fact that the one for Bristol ^' had on one side a ship, and on the
other c. E., for civitas bristoue :" he engraved one of that type, but in error,
as the piece he has so represented has reference to 1652, or later; while the to-
kens of Queen EHzabeth's period were struck with circular-headed irons on
square flans of copper, with no legend or inscription, as Malynes has described
them, beyond the letters c. a. on the reverse.
XXXVll
On the accession of King James the First^ nothing beyond
pennies and half-pennies in silver appears to have been at-
temptedj to supply the positive requirement of a currency that
could be felt and seen^ and at the same time representing a
smaller value than the silver penny, for the conveniency of
the lower orders. The widely different appellations and no-
minal value of the several Scottish copper coins, the bawbee,
the bodle, and the plack, utterly precluded their circulation
in England; in fact, the necessities and turmoils in Scotland,
occasioned by almost no government either in name or effect,
had caused such irregularities in their financial measures, that
the value of Scottish money was as Httle known in England as
if Scotland had been a distant European continental state.
SneHing recounts particulars of various projects and schemes
obtruded on the government for a copper coinage of farthings ;
but personal advantage, more than any purpose to serve a
positive public requirement, is in all apparent.
Sir Robert Cotton, in his paper entitled " The manner how
the kings of England have supported their estates^" addressed
to King James in 1611, his ninth year, while deprecating all
with
certain cautions and limitations^ made of meere copper, have
on the one side two sceptres crossing under one diadem, in
remembrance of the union betweene England and Scotland;
and on the other side the harpe for Ireland, and the inscrip-
tion, lACOBVS D. G. MAGN^ BRITT. ERA. ET HIBER. REX. And
the said farthing tokens have not onely beene found very com-
modious and necessarie for pettie comjnutations, but also to
be a great reliefe of the poore, and means to encrease charitie,
without which many of them had perished, everie man having
means to give almes, even the mechanicall poore to the in-
digent poore*."
However " commodious and necessary " soever their issue
might appear to him and the parties interested, the following
letters to the mayor of Leicester will disclose, not only the
mode by which they were enforced into circulation, but also
the general repugnance to them, as evinced by persons in au-
thority. The issue appears to have been made under the king's
authority, " by way of resumption" of the original powers de-
legated to the Hariugtons.
" WorshipfiiU sir, my hearty comendacions remembred :
Whereas His Majestic, by proclamacion bearinge date the
26th day of October last, hath bene pleased (by way of re-
sumpcion) to establish the continuance of his highnes farthing
tokens, and to prohibite the use of all other tokens whatsoever,
straightly chardging and comaundinge all mayors, justices of
the peace, and other his ministers, to see the due perfor-
maunce and execucion of the premisses : Theise are to desire
you to receave of the bearer hereof one small trusse in canvas.
* Lex Met'caioria, 1622, folio, p. 278. The harp, as indicative of Ireland, ap-
pears firstly on.Englisli coins, on the reverses of those struck by King James the
First, on his accession in 1603.
xliii
marked L.^ contayninge twenty poimdes^ which are 80 papers
of 55. 3d. every paper^ of His Majesties said farthing tokens,
with the allowance of 2l5. for 20s. for His Majesties subiecttes;
And to do your best endevour by some of your officers for the
issuyng and converting thereof into other moneijs with all con-
venient speede; and to retnme or send, by the carrijers or
otherwise, the said money, or such part thereof, unto mee, as
you shall receave from time to time for the same ; and the
said officer for his allowance is to have two shillings upon
every pound, which shalbe paied within two monethes after the
date hereof; otherwise, it is but 12d. per pound, for all such
quantity as he or his freindes shall disperse there, or in other
places thereabouts. So not doubting of your readines herein,
and requijringe your aunswere and further dirreccion to ad-
vaunce His Majesties service, I take leave, comittinge you to
the protexion of the Allmighty.
" From the office in London, in Bishopsgate streete, neere
to the signe of the Black Bull, this 18 of December, 1615.
" Your worships to comand,
" GrERARD MaLYNES."
The mayor refused them, on the ground of his dissent to
advance the twenty pounds j and that circumstance elicited a
further explanation on the part of Malynes :
c< Worshipfull sir, my harty comendacions remembered, I
did write unto you, the 18th day of December, sending there-
with one small packet marked L., contayning twenty pounds
of His Majesties white farthing tokens, per goodman King
the carrier, who is since returned, and saijth, that you have
not receaved the same, because you were not pleased to dis-
burse moneij for them*. Sir, I did not desire by my letter
* Here, as in every other place, there appears to have been a determination
against accepting in currency " his highness farthing tokens." Nichols's History
of Lekest&rshwe, vol. i. p, 425, states, under 11 James I. " In this year, 1613,
John Stamford and his deputies were authorized to issue His Majesty's farthing
xliv
any money of you ; but according to the king^s and the lords^
appointement, I do send them unto all maiors and bailiffs of
the principal townes of England^ requyringe them to issue and
vente them, according to His Majesties proclamacon; and
when they have receaved money for them to send me the same,
which if it come within two monethes then they to have 25.
"per lb. for their allowaunce, otherwise but Vld. per lb.; and
there is in every paper 55. 3c?., which maketh 21^. for 205., to
be given to the subiect for the kings aUowaunce : wherefore I
pray you to receave the said farthing tokens, and to do your
best endevour to issue them, causing the said proclamacon to
be proclaimed againe, as hath bene done at Bristol!, Excester,
and other places, from whence good sonams of moneys have
akeady bene sent me, from time to time as they do vente them,
for they are to continue for ever as things very necessary and
comodious. So not doubting of your readines to do His Ma-
iesties service, I comend you to the Almighty.
^' London, from the ofi&ce in Bishops gate street, next to
the Blacke Bull within Bishopsgate, the 18th of January,
1615 [-iq.
" Your worships loviug freiud to comand,
" Gerard Malynes,"
These and other resistances impelled the issue of various
proclamations to enforce the authority of the farthing tokens,
which failed wholly of their purpose, but evinced in every
m^ovement the evasive treachery of the patentees, who, upon
the death of Lady Harington*, appear, by the proclamation
tokens for the counties of Leicester and Rutland." No reference to any authorily
is given ; and, as the hall books, and the town book of acts of that period at Lei-
cester, have been examined, it is clear from the absence of all minutes as to that
feet, the appointment of Stamford and his fellows did not arise from any order
of the corporation, but from the patentees abetted by the crown.
* The burial register of St. Botolph Bishopsgate, in June, 1620, has the fol-
lowing minute :
" The Ladie Anne Harington, late wyfe of Jo. Lorde Harington of Exton in
the countie of Rutland, departed this life, in their house in this parish, May
25th, being Ascention-daye, and was enterred at Exton aforesaid."
' xlv
of June 28th, 1622, to have been Lodovick Stuart, duke of
Eiclimondj and James marquis of Hamilton. It was a period
of abuse and private aggrandisement*; the benefit of the pa-
tent to the duke was, however, but of brief durationf. He
died in 1624, when all his titles became extinct.
King James died unlamented at Theobalds, March 27th.,
1625, and his successor King Charles, by a proclamation dated
May 30th following, authorized the currency of the royal
* Many of these iniquitous transactions excited deeply-felt and -vindictive re-
monstrances ; possibly none more so than the priTilege granted to Sir Giles
Mompesson (Maasinger's Sir Giles Overreach) and Sir Francis Michell, or Mitchell,
of granting licences to public-houses for their own emolument. Sir Giles "was a
member of parliament, a projector, a great dealer and patentee ; the latter, ac-
cording to Wilson, a poor sneaking justice of the peace in Clerkenwell, who
maintained himself by contributions derived or wrung from the brothels in that
neighbourhood. Their oppressions, and other offences in the abuses of the patents
they held, were at length, to appease the popular indignation, visited by both
being degraded from the order of knighthood. Mompesson fined one thousand
pounds, and to stand perpetually in the degree of an outlaw ; his testimony not
available in any court ; disabled to hold any office under the king or the common-
wealth ; to be excepted out of all general pardons j not to come within twelve
miles of the king's or prince's court, or of the courts at W^estminster ; and to be
for ever held an infamous person. This sentence was passed on Mompesson by
the House of Lords, and the king, in the most hypocritical manner, rendered
them his hearty thanks for this condign punishment : he added to it perpetual
banishment. Michell was sentenced to be imprisoned during the king's pleasure,
in the chamber in the gaol at Finsbury, that he had prepared for others ; to be
also fined one thousand pounds, and disabled from holding any office ; yet these
were but the luckless scape-goats who were doomed to all this obloquy, and to
bear all the infamy of several iniquitous patents, in the profits of which the pro-
curer, George ViUiera, duke of Buckingham, and the king himself, the grantor,
were participants. The diary of William Whiteway of Dorchester, 1618-34,
Egerton MS. 784, mentions an incident not generally known. — " May, 1621 :
Sir Francis Mitchell, being one of Sir Giles Mompesson's cousins, was sent unto
Finsbury jail, a place made by him for rogues, and made to ride on a lean jade
backwards through London, holding the tail in his hand, and having a paper
upon his foreheadj whereon was written his offence."
•f Even under the ducal patent the position of the farthing tokens was in no
way amended. Taylor the water poet, and queen's waterman, consequently a
courtly writer, somewhat satirically alludes to their littleness of value in his
Prince Charles his Welcome from Spaine, in which, describing the uproarious re-
joicings in London on the night of October 6th, 1623, says " Hee or shee that-
had but foure tokens, or as much on credit, committed their whole estate to fire
and faggot, insomuch that chandlers' shops and storehouses were almost willingly
emptied."
^
xlvi
farthing tokens ; and strictly prohibited the use of any other
farthing tokens than those made by authority of Frances
duchess dowager of Eichmond and Lenox, and Sir Francis
Craue, knight, under the letters patent of the late king, and
about to be granted by him to the said duchess for the term
of seventeen years, notified in the said letters patent. Another
proclamation to the same purport was promulgated on June
4th ; and the grant to the duchess, her coadjutor on the king's
part being Sir Francis Crane, knight, passed the seal July 11th
following. The whole of the proceedings onward were based
on special roguery ; the patentees evaded all honourable ad-
justment; counterfeits of every description were abundant;
persons were convicted, fined, and placed in the pillory ; but
so determined were the oficnders, that some continued the
practices^ were again apprehended, and underwent the expia-
tion of the pillory a second time.
A proclamation, about Michaelmas 1633, directed the coun-
terfeiters of the farthing tokens*, and the makers of instru-
ments for that purpose, upon conviction, each to be fined
100/.; to be set on the pillory in Cheapside, and from thence
whipped through the streets to Old BrideweU, and there to
be kept to hard work ; and if ever they were enlarged from
thence, then to find sureties for their good behaviour.
* Tapwell, in Massinger's N&w Way to Pay Old Debts, printed in 1633^ tells
Wellborn, " your credit not worth a token, you grew the common borrower."
Gifford, who was no numismatist, in explaining this passage, writes — '^ During
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and from thenceforward to that of Charles the
Second, very little brass or copper money was coined by authority. For the con-
venience of the public, therefore, tradesmen were permitted to coin small money
or Tokens, as they were called, which were used for change. These little pieces are
mentioned by most of our old writers ; their value is not ascertained, but seems
to have been about a farthing."- — Massinger's Work, edit. 1813, vol. iii. p. 496.
So also Luke, in Massinger's (Xip Madam, to an appeal to his mercy, replies,
" I wiU be satisfied to a token ;" that is, fiilly, to the smallest possible sum.
Heywood, in his PhUocoifuymsta : the'Drvmkard Opened, Dissected, and Ana-
U>7rdsed, 1635, 4to, among the many phrases applied to drunken fellows at this
period, enumerates, " He hath swallowed a taveme token ;" the allusion was more
to the quantity he bad drunk than to the leaden tokens, then in use in various
taverns notwithstanding the law to the contrary.
xlvii
The court of Star Chamber, on April 25th, 1634, having
taken into consideration the complaints made from several
parts of the kingdom, concerning the stop and refusal of
farthing tokens*, proceeding as well from the abuse in coun-
terfeiting as in causing the same to pass in payments to work-
men for wages, and for commodities, in greater quantities
than was at first intended, Ordered, that thenceforth no man
should pay above twopence in farthings at any one time, nor
buy any farthings at a less rate than they were usually vended
by the patentees.
Ey a proclamation, dated March 1st, 1635-6, the duchess
it appears was no longer patentee j her place was supplied by
Henry Howard, lord Maltraverst; Sir Francis Crane, knt.,
continuing as his coadjutor. By another evasive trick, the
* The patentees, or those they employed, forwarded large parcels of these
fe,rthiiig tokens to the American colonies, but so sturdy were the primitive
fathers, that in "Winthorp's Journal of the first years of the colony of Massachu-
setts, it is recorded — " March 4th, 1634-5, at the General Court at New Town, ,
brass farthings were forbidden, and bullets were made to pass for ferthings." —
Winthorp's History of Neio England, Boston, 1825, 8vo, p. 156.
+ The name of Lord Maltravers in the patent seems to have been understood
for that of his Either, Thomas Howard^ earl of Arundel, as appears by an incident
related in " Merry Passages and Jests, compiled by Sir Nicholas L'Estrange;"
Harl. MS., 6396. The cross painted on the doors or shutters being the popular
indication of a house infected with the plague.
" The Earle of Arundell, lord marshall, had the sole patent for coining of new
ferthings, with a distinct mark for their currency, because many were counter-
feited before ; and when he went embassador to the emperor, the mint-house, well
stored, was locked up till his returne. The sickness being .then in London, and
poore people wanting their coine, some knave or other, in the night, clapped a
redde crosse upon the dore, and underwritt it thus — ' Lord have mercy upon us,
for this house is full of tokens.' " This is rendered fully intelligible by the fol-
lowing quotation from Taylor the water poet, who, in his Feareful Summer, or
London's Galamiiie, 1625, describing the horrors of that visitation, observes,
" With LOED HATE MERCIE VPON VS, On the doro.
Which though the words be good, doth grieve men sore ;
And o'er the doore-posts fix'd a crosse of red.
Betokening there Death some blood hath shed.
Some with God's markes or tokens doe espie.
Those marks or tokens shew them they must die."
The mint-house, or office for the issue and change of these farthings, was on
the north side of Lothbury j hence the name yet retained of Tokenhouse yard.
xlviii
farthing tokens were '' for the future to be made with such a
distinction of brass as will readily make them known from all
others^ and thereby prevent the people from being deceived by
counterfeits*; and that the patentees shall rechange all that
shall be brought to them for that purpose^ not only of these,
but also those of all copper, made by His Majesty, and his
father. King James."
Misgovemment, and the fallacies engendered iu the king's
breast by the tuition received in his youth, aided by the hatred
of her subjects by the queen, at length excited that iadigna-
tion in the people which hurled the monarch from his throne.
The commotions which began in 1641 annihilated all autho-
rity in reference to the farthing tokens ; and, the ruin being
incalculable, a petition from divers persons, presented to the
House of Commons, was read September 24th, 1642, when
the ofl&ce of exchange and rechange of farthings was referred
to the Committee for Propositions, as was also aU the business
relating to the patents for making such tokens, and every
other matter relating to themf.
Eebruary 15th, 1642—3 : the sequestering of the rents and
profits of the farthiug-token ofl&ce, and the calling the officers
The earl left England at the end of March, 1636j was accompanied by hie son
Lord Maltravers, and continued abroad till December in that year^ distinguished
as one 6i the pla^e-years ; so that the jest had possibly a reality.
The author of a pamphlet, published after the parliamentary suppression of
the fe,rthing tokens in 1644, written with the avowed hope of their currency being
again authorized, intimates the need the poor had of them ; " For it is said, the
poore you shall have alwayes with you ; unlesse now by this means they will be
altogether starved, as some who observe the weekly bUls of morality report they
are ; that many already depart this life by a new kind of plague, for not having
the old tokens about them."
* Counterfeited farthing tokens were so generally blended in all payments with
those issued under the supposed authority of the patent, that, in many instances,
they were scarcely distinguishable. A bad farthing went as far as an authorized
one in charity, and the alms-plate received many. The churchwardens' accompts
of St. Margaret's, Westminster, under the year 1637, notice a disbursement of
ll. 7s. " to Mrs. Stone, the wife of John Stone, for bad fe,rthings, which her hus-
band received when he was overseer for the poor," as part of the stock brought
in by his predecessors.
t Commons Joui'Tials, vol. ii. p. 780.
xlix
to account for the arrears_, were considerations referred to the
committee for the advance of monies^ at Haberdashers^ hall.
That committee^ on March 31st, directed Mr. Hill to examine
at the Eolls office the patent for the farthing tokens, and to
institute an inqmry, what profits had been raised by these
tokens, and to whom paid. That some progress in that in-
quiry had been made is evident, as, on April 14th, Mr. Hill was
ordered to make his report on the morrow ; but the report,
or any minutes of it, have not been discovered.
The House, by an order of the 12th April, enjoined that
no more farthings were to be made; and the committee at
Haberdashers^ hall were appointed to take course that all the
farthing tokens then made, with all the tools, and copper for
the making of them, in the keeping of James East, should
be seized. The seizure was ma^e as directed by the warrant
of the committee; but, on the 17th, it was ordered that all
the monies which had been seized in the said office were to
be deUvered on account to East, who was to proceed in the
making of tokens, to pay the workmens' wages, and render a
weekly statement to the committee of the profits.
May 9th. James Harrington and others appointed over-
seers of the Earthing office, the profits of which appear to have
been received by Frederic, Prince Elector Palatine, husband of
the king's sister Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia.
The grievance of the farthing tokens induced a further
petition to the House of Commons, which was read on June
17thj and referred to the committee at Haberdashers' hall;
the knights and burgesses- of Middlesex, Surrey, London, and
"Westminster to aid in that business.
December 16th. A new committee was appointed to con-
sider the accounts of the Farthing office, both of receipts and
disbursements. This business was more particularly recom-
mended to Mr. Hill, who was further to examine the abuse
of importing counterfeit farthings, and how it might be pre-
vented, with power to receive propositions for the better
d
making of fartliingSj and preserving them from being counter-
feited; and to consider how the said office might be employed
to the advantage of the state, and of all things conducing to
its better regulation.
1644. The total annulment of the farthing token office as
established by royalty^ its reordination by the authority vested
in the committee at Haberdashers' hall^ and the apparent pur-
poses intended by the governing power, seem to have excited
some distrust. A petition from the lord mayor and others in
common council assembled, against the farthing tokens, was
presented to the House of Commons ; and, August 3d, referred
to the committee of the house for the farthing token office,
with the addition of the members for Westminster, the city of
London, and Southwark; and the same petition was, on the
7th, also referred to the committee for the king's revenue.
The exchange business of the farthing token office appears
to have ceased when the creative power and issue was restored;
and another complaint of the citizens, with a petition of the
poor, against the tokens, represented most truly there was no
rechange for their farthings, to their great damage, even to
their utter undoing. These representations were taken into
consideration by the House, on September 6th ; and a com-
mittee of the members directed to acquaint the common coun-
cil with the whole matter of the debates by the House*, and
to desire the opinion of the city council in what manner the
inconvenience on all sides might be prevented, and the poor
receive the best satisfaction.
* The Diwry, a newspaper so entitled, SeptemlDer 13th, 1644, referring to the
transactions in the House of Commons on Friday the 6th instant, states that
" the business of farthing tokens was again taken into consideration ; and it was
declared how great a damage the kingdom sustained by their increase, some of
them being made and minted beyond the seas, the brasse no way countervailing
the worth of the &rthing ; which, as it was a hindrance to our kingdom, bo it
was a great benefit to strangers. It was also declared, that His Majestic payed
his army for the most part with farthing tokens which were minted at Bristol ;
and, being cunningly and secretly conveyed by sea to London, they oftentimes
received silver for them."
On the loth of that months the common council replied it
was ahove them to present a remedy for an affair of such con-
sequence ; that if the tokens were suddenly decried it would
be a great inconvenience^ and also great if they were conti-
nued. They suggested that the patentees had formerly pro-
clamations for decrying them without rechange ; that traders
were more willing to have them decried than continued ;
and thirdly^ the poor were in such straits^ not knowing what
to trust to ; but that^ if the tokens were decried^ there were
fifteen hundred pounds in farthings in the hands of the pa-
tentees, which, if melted, would in some way satisfy the poor,
besides the estates of the patentees might contribute to the
same. They further desired that course might be taken for
the coinage of new farthings, according to their intrinsic value;
and that in the Tower, pennies, twopences, and small monies
might be coined. These suggestions were duly entertained ;
and the House, on the 14th of that month, having passed a
resolution for raising five thousand pounds for the exchange
of farthing tokens, out of the estates of the patentees, agents,
and contrivers, ordered the same to be communicated to the
lord mayor, who was required to call forthwith a court of
aldermen, to consider how that sum might be raised, and the
best way put in eflect for the redress and the relief of the
poor within the cities of London and Westminster, and the
lines of communication ; and also to stay the clamour raised
by the poor upon the rumour of decrying of the farthing
tokens, and prevent the inconveniences which, if speedy re-
medy were not applied, would ensue thereupon.
The suggestion of coining new farthings according to their
intrinsic value appears to have received some attention, and
there are patterns of this year of such size as to induce a belief
something of that purpose was "intended. The fians are seven-
eighths of an inch in diameter, and may be thus described :
FARTHING TOAKENs^ — ^Two sccptrcs iu salticr, a rose crowned,
and fleurs-de-lis in the quarters.
d2
lii
Rev. TYPVs MONET^ ANGL. MRis — Two sccptrcs through a
crown^ three lions passant gardant in the quarters*.
Another variety would seem as if it was designed or struck
in compliment to the city authorities :
ciTTiE OF LONDON — A rosc crowucd^ between two swords^ the
points downward^ 1644.
Rev. TYPVS MONET^ ANGL. ^Ris. The samc die as above.
No Tower-struck small silver monies in accordance with
the prayer are known to have been issued^ if the mint marks
(r) and {v)y supposed to have reference to the year 1644 and
1645 J may be adopted as a solution of the inquiry; nor is it
known what they imply^ whether rex or parliament ? Certain
it isj traders moulded or struck leaden tokens in much greater
variety than before; some are dated 1644t^ and others have
rude representations of strange monstrosities. To these pro-
bably Cleaveland alludes^ in his Midsummer Moon, when he
observes/^ the king's image is sometimes stamped on leadj and
nature^s mint coynes monsters." ^
What was further done in this affair by the city authorities
does not appear — apparently nothing : but the royal farthing
tokens were evidently suppressed by the House of CommonSj
and the leaden tokens of private traders took their place.
* Snelling engraved this farthing token among his pattern pieces for farthings,
1766, pi. 6, fig. 1, from the specimen then in Hollis's cabinet. That piece, on the
dispersion of the collection in 181?, sold for eight guineas. The legend on the
reverse seems to have been suggested by that on Briot's pattern shilling, arche-
TTPVS MONET^ A'RGENT[E]iE ANGLIC, 1635 J and the patterns for the farthings
were doubtless by the same artist. Sir Robert Harley, master and worker of the
Tower mint from 1626 to 1636, introduced Nicholas Briot, as chief engraver in
that establishment. He remained in the mint as " the king's graver" till 1642,
having given evidence to the parliament, in that capacity, in May that year, but
is said to have quitted England in the same year. Sir Robert Harley was rein-
stated as master and worker of the mint by an ordinance of the Parliament,
May 5th, 1643 ; and Briot was no doubt recalled, as these patterns are certainly
the work of that engraver.
The pattern with the '' Cittie of London" obverse was in the Duke of Devon-
shire's cabinet ; but, on the sale of that collection in 1844, passed, it is presumed,
into the British Museum.
f There are specimens in the Beaufoy Cabinet.
liii
^^ The humble petition of some hundreds of retailers^ for the
restoring of farthing tokens/^ printed in 1644, 4to, asserts that
the aim of the petitioners for the decrying of farthings had
simply their own interests involved. " That this very point is
the gulph of their conceiptSj and the mystery of their griping
iniquity, mixt with vaine-glory^ vis.y to suppresse these farthing
tokens, that so they may advance their owne tokens, stamps,
seals, nameSj signes, and superscriptions, if not images, as now
appeares, though they be far inferior to Csesar^s*." No autho-
rity appears to have intervened in the prohibition of leaden
tokens ; the exchange offices of the royal farthing tokens be-
ing closed, they were valueless, and inflicted a deadly loss on
traders generally.
It is clear that if the lord mayor, aldermen, and common
council were quiescent, it was because the bugbear of the
royal tokens aflrighted them no longer ; but the old women
of the city were not to be so appeased ; they mobbed, and took
so prominent a part in the representations which were made
to the House of Commons respecting the grievance of the
farthing tokens, that, on September 26thj the House ordered
a servant to the serjeant-at-arms should be appointed to take
the names of the women who came about the business of the
farthing tokens, their places of abode, and their desires.
The writer of a tract, entitled ^^ A remedy against the losse
of the subject by Earthing Tokens," 1644, 4to, argues most
fairly " It is very true that farthings are useful and necessary.
* ruUerj essentially a royalist, peevishly applied this distinction in another
phase, "when referring to the conunonwealth coinage of 1649, wholly struck on
what the partizans of the king had allowed to remain of the crown plate in the
Tower • he said, " the mint was of late much employed to coin the plate of the
nation to make state money^ whence one said —
' Csesaris effigies nulla est, sed imaginis experSj
Crux duplex super est dira, gemensque Lyra.'
Sure I am, their coin goeth under a general suspicion of being as bad as their
cause. But I hope, hereafter, when the question, if asked of our coiners — Whose
image and superscription is this ? it will be returned — The Caesars of England !"
Histonj of the Worthies of England, 1662, fol., p. 193.
liv
both for rich and poor; we cannot well be without them ; and
in silver, they are so small that many cannot feel them be-
tween their fingers; therefore, we ought to have farthings,
either in copper, or some metal with copper, and they ought to
be so much in value as may be worth a farthing. AU copper,
without any mixture, is likely to be best, to prevent coimter-
feiting of them ; for it is certain, if it be so big and so weighty,
as with the coining and other charges they cost a farthing, we
are sure none shall be counterfeited, nor brought in from fo-
reign parts ; for it was the great profit that made the increase.
Therefore we ought to make our farthings worth a farthing,
that the subject may be no more deceived with unlawful to-
kens. These farthings will be very beneficial to all tradesmen,
especially retailers, and very comfortable to the poor people*.^'
The decapitation of the king, on the 30th January, 1648-9,
an mil led for ever all disputes between the patentees of the
farthing tokens, and the public. The crown had throughout
been the greatest delinquent, and had plundered the poor most
mercilessly. The whole afPair, to all who were engaged or
named in it, remains one of indelible disgrace ; and further,
it may be noticed as one of the many instances of the general
respect observed by the people of England to the laws, which
are held as binding and required for the good governance of
the nation, that no trader^ s token, struck on brass or copper,
bears^ an earlier date than 1648. These, certainly, from the
few that have reached our day, were not issued before the death
of the king, but in the months of February, and before March
25th ; the remaining months of the civil year following that
event, according to the custom of that time.
John Evelyn, one of a family who derived their wealthy
position from the large emoluments they effected as gunpowder
makers to the crown, poignantly notices in his diary, " May
* Reasonable as this proposal is in every respect, the farthing containing the
farthing's worth of copper occurs but in a solitary instance, and that not till
after the restoration of royalty in 1666. See Descriptive Catalogue, No; l!^3.
'30th^ 1649 : unkingship was proclaimed ; the king's statues
at St. Paul's^ and the Exchange, were thrown down;" and
then, unconstrained/brass and copper tokens appear to hare
been issued everywhere. " The tokens which," as Evelyn later
splenetically observed, " every tavern and tipHng-house, in
the days of late anarchy among us, presumed to stamp and
utter for immediate exchange, as they were passable through
the neighbourhood, which, though seldom reaching farther
than the next street or two, may happily, in after times, come
to exercise and busie the learned critic what they should sig-
niiie." Their uses, the historian and the topographer have
long since learned to estimate ; and every known variety
should be sedulously acquired, and deposited in the museum
of every county or town to which they pertain.
It is evident, from the pattern pieces dated 1649, as also
the Sun and Rock type of 1651, that some endeavours were
made to establish a state farthing; but no particulars re-
specting them have hitherto transpired. A weekly newspaper,
entitled " Several Proceedings of State Affaires," March 16th,
1653-4, intimates, ^^ it is uncertain what will be done about
farthing tokens"^." The same paper, April 27th, 1654, says,
" this night [April 26th] are come out new farthings, weighing
a quarter of an ounce of fine pewter, which is but the price
of new pewter ; that so the people may never hereafter fear to
lose much by them ; the harp on one side, and a cross on the
other, with t. k. above it." These pieces have all the rarity of
patterns for a projected issue, that failed to obtain any autho-
rity. Possibly, on a closer inspection, the k may be found to
be an imperfectly formed r ; and as such, one of the many
visionary ideas of the luckless medalist Thomas EawHns.
* Sir Ealphe MaddiSon, in his Discov/rse of Mint Affawes, presented to his
Highness the Lord Protector, 1655, in reference to " the mint at a late stand/'
and the maintenance of the legalized purity of the metals, observes, '* the like
inconveniences to embasing cometh by coining of farthing tokens, giving them
currency, and decrying them."
Ivi
The copper farthing, having the head of Oliver pro. en-
graved on the obverse, and on the reverse the arms of England,
with the Cromwell family coat on an escutcheon of pretence,
dated 1651"^, has certainly no reference to that year. It is a
repetition of Simon^s pax qv^eritvr bello type, with Blon-
deau's edging, of 1656t; and, by some error, the numeral i
was punched in the die in place of some other. Cromwell did
not assume the dignity of Protector till December 16th, 1653;
and the possibly intended date of the farthing was 1657; he
having been again inaugurated, on June 26th in that year, as
Lord Protector, with almost regal powers. From the rarity
of the specimens, the die was probably not hardened, and the
error of the wrong figure might apparently seem of no imme-
diate consequence, to amend or efface J.
Oliver, Lord Protector, died lit Whitehall, September 3d,
1658, on the anniversary of his memorable victories at Dun-
bar in 1650, and at Worcester in 1651, when the accession
of Hichard Cromwell to the Protectorate presented to specu-
lators a new opportunity for the obtaining a patent right to
issue farthings under the authority of the state ; and among
* Engraved by Snelling ; Pattern Pieces, pi, vi, fig. 9.
f Several of the pattern fartlaings, like the half-crown of 1656, rarely occur fine.;
they have generally a worn appearance, occasioned by the first possessore bearing
them about their persons. A gentleman, known to the writer, has constantly in
his purse, rubbing with the gold currency of the day, the love-lock guinea of
-Queen Anne ; being told at is of considerable value, he retains it in his purse,
that, being under his eye, it may not be otherwise than safe. A lady who attended
the view of the Pembroke coins before the sale, produced from her pocket a large
circlet of fine ancient Greek silver coins for comparison, drilled and strung on a
silk cord, like the Popish rosary of alternate beads and medalets, and, with less
respect, gathered into a heap in the hand, and thrust into the pocket whence
they were taken.
J In a manuscript account of English coins collected by Judge Burroughs (and
presented by him to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge) by Mr. Sylvester
Bolton, merchant of Newcastle -upon-T3nie, 1740, under those of the Common-
wealth period, the OLIVER pro. copper ferthing is noticed, as having R under the
Protector's head. This is sufficiently confirmatory that the farthing was not con-
templated among Simon's reformatory specimens of the national coinage ; and
that the copper pattern under notice was another of Rawlins's unheeded specU'
lative schemes.
Ivii
the most forward was Thomas Violet^ an unprincipled adven-
turer, whose aim appears to have been the procuring for
himself large emoluments, in reward for denouncing to the
government supposed offenders against the arbitrary and mo-
nopolizing restrictions of their administration. Having failed
in securing such advantages under favour of the Star Cham-
ber, in the reign of Charles the First, Violet made a discovery
to the Commonwealth authorities, of an intended shipment
of silver, amounting to 278,250?., from the Thames, in three
Dutch ships. The result was the seizure of the whole, on
April 29th, 1653, as a contraband lading, and establishing, as
Tiolet asserted, his claim to the payment in his favour of
11,000/.; but, having been unsuccessful under the late Pro-
tector, doggedly pursued the phantom upon the advent of- his
son ; yet, still finding the fruition of his hopes as distant as
ever, he adopted a new scheme, and, in April 1659, prayed a
patent in trust, for the issuing of a farthing for the use of the
public. Violet^s petition was to this effect :
" To His Highness Richard, Lord Protector of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereimto
belonging : The humble Petition of Edward Johnson, junior,
esquire, and others,
" Shewethj That there are many frauds and deceits daily practised
by diverse petty retailing tradesmen, chapmen, and others, in making
and uttering farthing tokens of their own stamping 5 almost every petty
retailing tradesman putting forth a several farthing token, not valuable,
vrithout any license : some of pewter, tinne, lead, brass, and some of
copper, according to every man's fancy, who make their own farthing
tokens. Great numbers of these retailing tradesmen break, others re-
move themselves from one place to another, and many of them die
insolvent ; and their farthing tokens, thus unduly uttered, being not
valuable, one of them not being worth in value the sixth part of a
farthing, and some of their farthing tokens not worth the twentieth
part of a farthing, the people of this nation (especially the poorer sort)
are daily cheated and cozened by these indirect practices.
" To prevent these abuses for the future, your petitioners humbly
pray your Highness, that a common valuable farthing may be made of
Iviii
fine rose copper, of a valuable weight, (that is to say) of the weight of
about half a quarter of an ounce avoirdupois to a farthing; and twenty
shillings by tail to weigh eight pounds avoirdupois, with the remedy
of sixpence under or over 3 to pass current within your Highnesses
dominions of England, Scotland, and Ireland, for all such persons as
will make use of them for their necessity of change ; and to prohibit
all other farthing tokens now made, or to be made, or uttered within
your Highness's dominions aforesaid.
" That to have a valuable common farthing, to be made to pass cur-
rent within your Highness's said dominions, is so needful a thing in the
commonwealth, and of such necessity for change, that the making of
the same will relieve and accommodate many thousands of petty trades-
men and poor people, as will plainly appear unto your Highness in our
most humble reasons and motives hereunto annexed, to which Wee do
most humbly refer.
" Your petitioners most humbly pray your Highness, in respect of
the great charge and trouble they shall undergo in performing this ser-
vice for the good of the commonwealth, to grant unto them, and their
assignes and deputies, the sole making and uttering of the aforesaid
common farthing for one and thirty years, and to prohibit all other far-
things, and the making and counterfeiting of this farthing by any other,
upon pain and loss of estate and impiisonment during your Highness's
pleasure 5 and in consideration thereof, your petitioners will serve your
Highness's dominions with valuable farthings, of the goodness and
weight aforesaid; and also, unto your Highness's exchequer to your
Highness's use, twelve pence, for every two and twenty shillings in
farthings which shall be vented and uttered by your petitioners, their
deputy or deputies in England, Scotland, and Ireland ; which will be
certain revenue to your Highness of many hundred pounds ayear, and
a great accommodation and benefit to the poor of all your Highness's
dominions. " And your petitioners shall daily pray.''
The unquestionable requirement of some such issue for the
public convenience induced the following reply and order on
that petition^ addressed to the solicitor-general^ Sir William
EUis:
" Richard P.
" Wee have perused the petition of Edward Johnson, junior, and
others^ together with the reasons hereunto annexed 3 and Our will and
pleasm'e is, that our solicitor-general prepare a book for our signaturCj
for the erecting of an office for the sole making, venting, and uttering
lix
of a common farthing, to go cun-ent in England, Scotland^ Ireland, and
Wales, according to the weight, proportions, and propositions in their
petition contained, with such rules to be observed by the petitioners,
or their assigns, for the stamps, figures, and arms of the said farthings*,
as Wee and our successors shall appoint; and for the granting the
same to the said Edward Johnson, junior, and others, and their assigns
and deputies, for one and thirty years j reseiTing to Us and our suc-
cessors, twelve pence, for every two and twenty shillings of the said
farthings so vented and uttered. And our solicitor-general is to attend
and acquaint the Parliament with this petition, together with the rea-
sons thereunto annexed, and with this our warrant ; vi'ho are desired
to ordaine and appoint such rules, prohibitions, and penalties for the
effectual and better management of this service, the preventing of all
former abuses, and restraining of the counterfeiting and importation of
any the said farthings from the parts beyond the seas, as they shall
thinke fit and necessary for the carrying on of this service for the good
of the commonwealth.
" Given at Whitehall, the 19th day of April, 1659."
The Parliament^ on April 22d^ only three days later than
the issuing of this order^ was by commission under the great
seal dissolved, and the governing authority^ as previously vested
in Eichard Lord Protector^ ceased. In the ensuing months
some members upon their own responsibility assembled^ and
constituted vrhat is known historically as the Eump Parlia-
ment. To this power^ however illegally convened^ Eichard
CromweU presented himself on May 25th^ tendered his sub-
missioUj and divested himself of all concern in the affairs of
the state. Violet, so often baffled before, seized this as another
opportunity; and accordingly^ on the same day that extin-
guished the transient glories of the Protectorate^ petitioned
this " High Court of Parhament of the Commonwealth of
England/^ for payment of his asserted outstanding and over-
due claim of 11,000/.^ or a confirmation of his patent for the
farthing ; adding^ " if the Parliament please to employ me in
* The device of the type of "Violet's proposed farthing has not transpired^ pos-
sibly no dies were ever engraved, the whole being a scheme to worm some ad-
mission of his hitherto miallowed claim from the Protector.
Ix
tliis service^ and to grant me for thirty-one years the entire
and whole management of this office^ for making a common
farthings I will thankfully accept of this employment^ and
humhly and thankfully allow it as 5000Z. paid unto your pe-
titioner from the Commonwealthj in part of his due deht of
ll^OOOZ.^ for staying the aforesaid silver; and your petitioner
will he tied to pay the maimed soixldiers, during the time of
this grantj twelve pence upon every twenty-two shilHngs iq
farthings which shall be uttered by me^ or my assigns^ in Ung^
landj Scotland^ and Ireland; that will be a constant revenue,
and I will pay it in monthly, to the treasurers for the maimed
souldiers.
'^ And if the state please to have farthings of a smaller pro-
portion, and made lighter, and yet these copper farthings shall
be above as heavy again as the ordinary farthings that now pass
among us, I will pay unto the maimed souldiers five shillings
upon every two and twenty shillings that is uttered in the
office, and accompt truly upon oath monthly to the treasurers
of the maimed souldiers. This will be a great revenue to the
maimed souldiers ; about 300/. a month, for some years/''
Violet fared as unsuccessfully in this as in all his previous
attempts, having at the ^ame time to withstand the advances
of a rival of no ordinary pretension^ who avowed his claim in
the following papers :
" To the Supreame Authoritie of this Nation, The Parliament
OF England : The humble Petition of Thomas Dimsterville
'' Sheweth, That by the blessing of God, and his owne industry,
your petitioner hath prepared a metall, in nature hard like silver, and
in colour as beautiful as silver, in his owne kinde ; and as it is different
in colour from all sorts of metalls, so not easy to be counterfeited at
all by mechanick fellowes ; which your petitioner humbly presents to
your honours as most fit for farthings ; and likewise humbly desires
your honours to grant your petitioner the preparation of the said metall,
in regard of the great care, pains^ and charges your petitioner hath
beene at ^ and indeede (besides the great necessity thereof), it would
even clothe the commonwealth with honour, profit, and charitie, and
ki
consequently cut off these inconveniences, or rather great abuses, now
practised to the commonwealth's very great dishonour, by farthings
that are made with stamps of all sorts of signes j it oftentimes falling
out that such are refused, after they are dispersed abroad, to every
ordinary man's private loss, but chiefly the poores. So that your peti-
tioner humbly conceives, that if this may be allowed by your honours,
it would be an act of so high favour to the commonwealth, that it may
well be ranked among those many acts of grace in which your honours
have not only spent your times, but even wearied your spirits to com-
pleat a thorough reformation.
'^ The premisses considered ; your petitioner fiumbly prayes your
honours to owne the good intended, and to grant the thing petitioned
for, in regard the state and the commonwealth will be something in
honour advanced by itj the commonwealth's treasure much enriched
by it; and the poore members of the Lord Jesus more frequently
relieved by it; which your petitioner most heartily desires: and for
which " Hee shall ever pray."
Another paper^ entitled ^^ Certain Reasons annexed unto tbe
Humble Petition of Thomas Dunsterville," recounted the fol-
lowing advantages that would thereby accrue :
" First, the state's honour; secondly, the subjects' content; thirdly,
the commonwealth's profit ; fourthly, the reliefe of the poore ; and
fifthly, the suppressing abuses now practised by severall sorts of men
that stamp farthings, not so much for their own use as their own profit,
but the state's dishonour, the subjects' discontent, the commonwealth's
disprofit, and the poor's loss ; it often falling out, that such men either
dying, or falling to decay in their estates, after they have made twenty
or thirty pounds' worth, more or less, their farthings, being dispersed
abroad, are refused, to every man's loss that hath them; and this in-
sufferable abuse cannot easily be coiTected untill your honors please to
suppress them. Now, because there is so great necessity for farthings,
your petitioner humbly conceives this cannot well be done, except your
honours please to pass an act for the allowance of State Farthings ;
and your petitioner verily believes that this would be an act of such
honorable and necessary concernment, that there is scarcely any act
of grace so like as that, not only to make the Three Commonwealths*,
* Query, whether Rawlins'a pattern ferthing, Snelling's Pattern Pieces for
Farthings, pi. vi., fig.?", has any reference to Dunsterville's project, the Three Com-
monwealths being thereon represented conjoined — " thvs vnited invincible.'*
The scheme failing, Kawlins appears to have struck pieces from the dies in several
Ixii
but even posterity itself^ your honours' debtors. And yet, as this may
conduce to an honorable and necessary use, so (if not rightly stated)
it may bring with it great inconveniences,
" To prevent which, your petitioner humbly prayes your honors to
fix your judgements on such a metall as is not easy to be counterfeited,
and not to be counterfeited at all by ordinary fellowes. And such a
metall your petitioner hath prepared 5 for it beareth in it two colours,
the one a pale sandie red, imbodied vrith azure throughout, and it hath
these properties :
" First, it is different from all sorts of metals in colour ;
" Secondly, it is hard and beautifull, like silver, in its own kinde ;
" Thirdly, it is in colour as durable as silver ;
" Fourthly, it is much easier to counterfeit silver than the same
metall.
" Which last, well weighed, will take off the fear of counterfeiting
farthings 5 because your petitioner humbly conceives, that no man will
counterfeit farthings who can counterfeit silver with more ease -, pro-
vided your honours make it felony, without having the benefit of the
clergie, as in like cases it is for silver and gold.
" Now, there are twty main objections some of the honourable mem-
bers of the house make against the allowance of farthings :
" The first objection is, the danger of glutting the commonwealth
with farthings, as formerly it was ;
" The second objection, the prejudice poor workmen will have by
their work-masters, who will pay them for their labours most of their
monie in farthings.
" Your petitioner humbly answers to the first objection, that there
will be great danger of glutting the commonwealth if your honours
allow of copper or brass, or any such tinkerly metal, that is obvious
for every ordinary man to stamp 3 for then it is probable there will be
more stamped without doors than within, as in former time it was ;
for indeed, it is the community of the metall brings the danger. Your
honours have had much experience of this, by those practical abuses
that overspread the nation when farthings were made of copper and
brass 3 but will (without all doubt) be prevented, if your honours make
choice of a metal that is not easy to be counterfeited, and not to be
varietiea. Snelling ( View of ike Copper Coin and Carnage, p. 34) speaks of several
of the pieceSj figured in the same plate^ being struck on a whitish mixed metal ;
possibly the metal Dunsterville was desirous'the Rump Parliament should have
adopted ; but the types of all those which Snelling notices are severally subse-
quent to the restoration of monarchy.
Ixiii
counterfeited at all by tinkerly fellows. Upon this consideration^ your
petitioner is fully assured that your honours^ who have not only spent
your times and ever wearied your spirits to reform abuses, will never
allow of tinkerly metall, to answer the self ends of those men who sue
for farthings of copper or brass, or any common metall, of how near
relation their service hath made them to your honours, in regard the
consequence will be so dangerous and destnictive.
" Your petitioner humbly answers to the second objection, that
there are two ways to prevent those abuses that may accrue to poor
laborers :
" The first is, if your honours please to pass a penal act, that no
work-master shall pay a laborer, in farthings, above twelve pence in
twenty shillings.
" Secondly, if your honours order, that there shall be no allowance
given in the exchange of farthings for monie, as formerly there was
twelve pence in twenty shillings ; then there will be no pressures on
poor men, but every man will buy them as his necessity shall require.
And this, your petitioner hopes is undeniable ; notwithstanding, with
humble submission he submits to yom- honours grave judgements."
Neither of tliese scliemes was entertained by the parlia-
mentary authorities ; and the business of the farthingSj with
the public utiHty attached to a better regulation^ was wholly
absorbed in the unavoidable arrangements for the returning
ascendancy of the crown^ in the person of King Charles the
Second. The cavahers and other dependants of the royal party^
in maddened delight of the event, frequented the taverns which
had been greatly depressed under Oliver's protectorate "^j and^
* The noise of music and the song, so often depicted in our early dramas, and
which was the soul of the midnight revelry in the taverns, was, by the Common-
wealth authorities, wholly forbidden. By the ordinance, 1656, chap. 21, it was
enacted, that " if any person or persons, commonly called fiddlers, or minstrells,
shall at any time be taken playing, fiddling, or making musick, in any inn, ale-
house, or tavern, or shall be taken proffering themselves, or desiring or entreating
any person or persons to hear them play or make musick in the places aforesaid,
every such person or persons so taken shall be adjudged, and are hereby adjudged
and declared, to be rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars."
Moat of these fidlers or minstrels appear to have been sorry performers.
Puttenham, in 1589, complains that " the overbusie and too speedy retume of
one maner of tune doth too much annoy, and as it were glut the eare, unlesse it
be in small and popular musickes, sung by these cantabanqui upon benches and
batrel-heads, where they have none other audienta than boys or country fellowes.
Ixiv
from a picture of their manners and conduct^ as portrayed
by CoTrley^ one of themselves^ in his comedy of ^^ The Cutter
of Coleman Street," must be supposed to have greatly added
to the increase of taverns. When, however, the popular effer-
vescence of the coronation had passed, and the sanguine hopes
of many were found to be vain, much of the frenzied hilarity
died away, and many of the taverns, more especially those in
the neighbourhood of the Royal Exchange, became places for
transacting business, and tokens served as cards of address.
Merchants met there, conferred and settled accounts ; lawyers
executed conveyances ; attornies attended, as at inns in the
county-towns on market-days, to receive their clients; and
physicians frequented them at certain hours, saw- patients,
and dispensed prescriptions.
With the restoration of King Charles the Second were re-
vived the hopes of his political adherents ; right or wrong the
ear of royalty was beset by importunate claims for pension,
place, or special benefits, in monopolies or otherwise. Sir
Thomas Armstrong, more fortunate than many, obtained by
patent dated at Westminster, December 14th, 1660, an au-
thority to issue copper farthings, struck by means of the mill,
that pass by them in the street ; or else by blind harpers, or such like taveme
minstrels, that give a fit of mirth for a groat." In Ben Jonson's masque of the -
Metamorphosed Gipsies, 1621, one of the company, on the introduction of Cheeks-
the piper, or Tom Ticklefoot the taborer, it is not clear which, says " I cannot
hold now, there's my groat, let 's have a fit for mirth's sake !" The groat is thus
shown to have been the usual requital to tavern musicians, and hence the origin
of groats in the olden time being called " fidlers' money ;" but after the Restora-
tion in 1660, it is noticed in various poetical productions and comedies that the
sixpence had taken place of the groat ; and the phrase is still current ; when seve-
ral sixpences are given in change, the exclamation arises — " what a lot of fidlers'
money !"
Harpists at taverns are now rarely tolerated. " Honest Jack Nichols, the
harper," is remembered in one of Tom Brown's Letters from the Dead to the,
Living, WorJcs, vol. ii. p. 191. In Ned Ward's Satyrical Reflections upon Cluba,
quoted in Ritson's ATicient Songs, edit. 1829, p. Iviii., Nichols seems to have plyed
at the cellar, at the sign of the Still in the Strand. Hogarth's third print of the
Rake's Progress exhibits one behind the door at the Rose tavern in Brydges
street, the harp bedecked with a woman's cap ; and in his Election Entertain-
ment, a blind fidling woman holds an elevated position.
Ixv
for the convenience of His Majesty^s subjects in Ireland;
these were to weigh twenty grains or more^ at the discretion
of the said Armstrong. The type was to resemble the previous
Royal Farthing Tokens :
CAROLVs . II . D . G . M . B . — Two scoptrcs through crown^ in sal-
tier. Rev. FEA. ET. HiB. HEX — Harp crowned^ in field.
The mint mark^ a plume^ followed the word rex on the re-
verse. These tokens were however strenuously opposed by
the Lords Justices of Ireland,, and were met by a proclamation
issued August 17th., 1661 ^ which prohibited any person or
persons from making or causing to be made any brass or cop-
per money or tokens^ without special license from the king.
The mandate was of no effect^ the Dublin traders issued their
tokens as before; and Armstrong appears to have had suffi-
cient interest to obtain a recognition of his '^ license from the
king," in a second proclamation, dated September 13th, 1661,
which, while it reiterated its anathema against tokens issued
by private persons, excepted Sir Thomas Armstrong, he having
a special license " by letters patent under the great seal of
England." Still this was of no avail ; James duke of Ormond,
lord lieutenant in 1662, more loyal to the interests of Ireland,
would not listen to his patent claims, or allow him to issue his
farthings. The few specimens extant, even seldom found in
cabinets, are therefore simply pattern pieces*.
A measure of political economy that arose from the unli-
mited currency of farthing tokens, and the total absence of
any. nationally recognized representative of either the half-
penny or the farthing, was an order by the House of Commons,
on Tuesday, January 33d, 1661-2, that the numbers of all
innkeepers, victuallers, and cooks who kept shops ; chandlers.
* The opposition which Armstrong encountered appears to have caused a
difference of -weight in these patterns. Two, in the writer's possession, weigh
respectively twenty-three, and twenty-seven grains ; a third having a variation,
the plume also after M. B, on the obverse, weighs thirty grains. The farthings
themselves would doubtless have been issued one-third less in weight.
Ixvi
who sold beer and ale ; ale-house keepers ; and sellers of c*
fee^ in London^ Westminster^ and Southwark, should be h
before the House ; but the mischiefs, however manifest, wc
constraLued to be borne patiently by the government, a
apologists of no ordinary character spontaneously stood fori
Sir William Petty, in his anonymously published Treatise
Taxes and Contributrons, 1662, 4to, in reference to the all
or embasing of money, alludes to them in a favourable aspe^
In his fourteenth chapter he observes :
'' Copper or tin money, made od valorem in its matter, is
embasing ; the same being only cumbersome and baser th
silver money, onely because less convenient and portab
And copper money ad valorem in workmanship and matt<
both together, such as on which the effigies and scutcheon a
so curiously graven and impressed, as the monies seem rati
medals, is not embasing, unless the numbers of such pieces
excessive ) for, in case of such excess, the workmanship bei
of no other use but to look upon, becomes base by its beiagt
common. Nor are such tokens bad as are coined for exchan
in retailing by particular men, if such men be responsible, a
able to take them back and give silver for them. Base mon
is therefore such as Dutch skiUings, stivers, French soulz, a
Irish bon-galls ; for the most part consisting of great piec
though of small value."
In conclusion, the author adds ^^ the raising or embasing
monies is a very pitiful and unequal way of taxing the peop]
and it is a sign that the state sinketh which catcheth hold
such weeds, as are accompanied with the dishonour of impn
sing a princess effigies to justifie adulterate commodities; a
the breach of public faith, such as is the callmg a thing wl
it really is not."
Various persons, Violet, BusheU, and others, on the p]
of their losses," or services rendered to King Charles the Fir
solicited patents for the privilege of issuing state farthin§
but the object being to enrich or repay themselves at the o
Ixvii
of the public^ these claims were severally rejected. At length
Blondeau was again sent for from France ; he became an of&-
cer of the mint^ his patent being dated November 3d^ 1662^
and a pattern copper farthing so dated*, "vrith an inscribed
edge, was issued; but beyond three or four varieties in the
edging, that being Blondeau^s particular business, as Simon
engraved the dies, and solely set forth as probationary efforts,
nothing further was then effected.
Two patterns for national farthings appeared in 1665. Spe-
cimens are extant in silver and copper : one has the king^s
bust with a full flowing peruke ; the punch is evidently the
work of Thomas Simon, and doubtless one of his last efforts f ;
the other obverse has the hair closely trimmed, the ribands of
the wreath being the only ornament behind the head. Eoth
have the same reverse, Britannia seated on a globe, the spear
reclining on her left arm, while her right hand holds forth a
branch of laurel. The design, apparently derived from the
reverses of the large hrass coins of the Boman emperors, in
which Britain is represented seated on a rock, and in one
instance in particular, a coin of Antoninus Pius, struck anno
140, shows her seated on an orb buoyant on the waves ; the
spear on her left arm, as indicative of the power to protect
herself; while her right proudly holds her colonial ensign. The
colony, then suhject. to the greatest power that ever spanned
the globe, is now the greatest of all nations ; the sun sets not
on its wide domain, and its daring manhood is found in every
known portion of the world.
* One of these pattern farthings will be found in the Beaufoy Cabinet ; see
Descriptive Catalogue, No. S'4.
f The pattern piece with the flowing peruke occurs in less frequency than the
other^ which was certainly Roettier's pattern. VPhether owing to Simon's death,
or some other cause, the punch was not again used till 16 ?6, when Blondeau's
service in the Tower mint ceased ; and having, as it would appear, Simon's punch
in his possession, struck a few pieces of silver, which have not slightly perplexed
numismatists for what purpose they were issued. Query, were they proofe struck
as professional mementos on his adieu ? for such their generally worn condition
would seem to indicate.
e2
Ixviii
Late in 1666^ Sir Edward Forde published under licenst
dated November 2d^ ^^ Experimental proposals how the king
may have money to maintain his fleets, and also to rebuilc
London." This scheme may be defined as being simply g
proposition for the king to draw prospective bills on the taxes
authorized by the Parliament. Snelling, referring to these
projects^ observes, ^^ no other proposals have come to our know-
ledge, until the year 1668, when propositions to coin a com-
mon farthing were made by Prince Rupert and Lord Henry
Howard ; and in the next year others by Mr. Elias Palmer ;
but we are ignorant of what articles either of them consistedj
or whether they had any affinity to, or agreed with, the pat-
terns of 1665, or the farthing that took place soon after*."
Sir Edward Eorde appears however to have proposed an issue
of tokens, rendering the king a noble in the pound profit, yet
on vaUd security guaranteeing a due change of silver for all
farthing tokens brought for rechange; but Henry Slingsby,
master of the mint in 1670, met this by suggesting a farthing
of intrinsic value in Swedish copper, a proposition that ehcited
the following, printed on a half sheet quarto, and distributed
at the time :
" A demonstration that Farthings are as necessary as bread for
most of the people ; and that farthings of an intrinsick value
are useless and deceitful,
" The number of those whose bowels yearn for their daily bread
before they can earn a penny to buy it^ do eminently exceed all the rest
of the people in any nation 5 and their extreme poverty makes them
incapable of paying, if trusted 5 so that^ to keep them from farthings
and such small exchanges were to starve three quarters of the people,
and withal to break, and so in fine to starve^ all these multitude of
petty retailers^ who sell only these poor all necessaries for life.
" This necessity enforceth those retailers, for want of a publique
allowed token, to make tokens of pence, half-pence, and farthings,
and therein, as in all else, to grind the faces of the poor, by wholly
Viefio of the Copper Coin and Coinage, 1766, fol., p. 36.
Ixix
refusing, or at best giving but what they please for their own late-
vented tokens.
" This unresistable want of small exchanges is yet clearer, by the
general acceptance of the Rump two-pences, Dutch stivers, and French
souses.
" These experiences, together with the observed waste of bullion,
by loss of small coin, hath ever produced copper or brass tokens in all
nations for the necessary traffick and subsistance of the needy, chusing
rather to endure the mischiefs of counterfeits than the dying groans of
their starved poor.
" Tokens, therefore, being as necessary as bread, it is the same
charity to provide that silver be repaid for all tokens, as that a penny
loaf shall weigh so many ounces ; without which care the poor would
quickly be forced to give a penny for one ounce of bread, as they now
do ten pence to some chandlers, of their own farthings, for a two-
penny loaf.
" Master Slingsby of the Mint, to accommodate the poor, and pre-
vent counterfeits, proposeth a farthing of an intrinsick worth 5 but
considers not that, if he justly perform it, their burthen will be so
intolerable that the chandler will not sell his ware for them, because,
in one week, he will have a cartload of them, and withal will not know
how to get silver for them, without which he breaks, because, though
he sells by farthing parcels, yet he buyeth by pounds and shillings.
" Next, though Mr. Slingsby be still of so publique a spirit to give
his pains for no gains, yet the people, who have so lately been so
cheated by pretenders to this publique spirit, may reasonably desire
sure security, that he, and all under and after him, shall never lessen
his weight, embase his metal, or refuse to return silver for his tokens,
without loss of time or money to the people ; and that he will also take
all counterfeits that shall deceive them, under colour of being his.
" Yet, if he would undertake to secure all this, which no security
can, until he can afford copper and labour as cheap as the Swedes, and
withal bind both Swedes and Dutch from sending us in lighter and
coarser copper farthings, which cannot be discerned without a touch-
stone and gold weights in every family j if these impossibilities could
be secured, yet the king loseth the noble in the pound, which Sir Ed-
ward Ford offereth, with certain security and clear evidence that he
can performe all^ and yet desires no monopoly of tokens, but that all
who will so secure the people from all damage, and pay the noble as
he offereth, may also make tokens, so they use not his invention, which
the law gives him for fourteen years, and the king, he doubts not, vrill
allow him."
Ixx
Early in 1671, the government, to relieve, amid the general
scarcity of money, the severely-felt want of small change, an-
nounced an intended issue of half-pence and farthings of cop-
per, which were wholly to supersede the tokens in currency
issued by private retailers, traders, and others. The type of
the farthings it was understood was to be the same as the*
pattern pieces of 1665, with the reverse legend qvatvor maeia
viNDico, and Britannia in the exergue, which obtained the
soubriquet of '' Lord Lucas's farthings,'^ from their being the
subject of his sarcasm, in his speech on the second reading of
the subsidy bill, for granting one-twentieth of all estates to
the king's use. In this speech before the king, in the House
of Lords, on February 22d, 1670-1, after alluding to the dis-
appointed hopes of the nation, in the restoration of monarchy,
the increase of taxes, and the diminished means of meeting
the demand, he added " it is evident there is scarcity of money,
for all the parliament-money has wholly vanished ; the king's
proclamation, and the Dutch, have swept it aU away ; and of
His now Majesty's coin there appears but very little; so that
in effect we have none left for common use, but a little lean
coined money of the late three former princes : and what sup-
ply is preparing for it, my lords ? I hear of none, unless it be
of copper farthings ; and this is the metal that is to vindicate^
according to the inscription on it, the dominion of the four
SEAS." This satirical castigation appears to have caused the
bombast of the legend to evaporate ; it was suppressed ; and
on the pattern pieces of 1671, the word Britannia from the
exergue is elevated in its place.
Snelling, though generally well informed in these matters,
acknowledges his inability to afford much elucidation in refe-
rence to the coinage of 1672; he says, " this appears to have
been a coinage by patent ; but we do not know the terms of it,
nor to whom it was granted, only that it was of pure Swedish
copper, and at the rate of twenty pence to the poimd avoirdu-
pois; that His Majesty advanced 15,000/. to pay for copper
Ixxi
blocks [blanks] J whicli were delivered free from customs and
excise ; and that tbe dies were engraven by Eoettier^ at one
penny per pound weight*." The transmission of the copper
from Sweden was attended with considerable difficulty^ and
delays^ not contemplated by the governing powers^ caused the
issue of the copper coinage to be much later than was at first
determined. Orders for the discontinuance of the issue of
traders' tokens fulminated without effect^ and caused the fol-
lowing announcement by authority^ in the London Gazette,
July 25th, 1672 :
" Whereas divers personSj who presumed in contempt of His Ma-
jesty's authority, and the laws of this kingdom, to stamp, coin, ex-
change, and distribute farthings, half-pence, and pence of brass and
copper, have by His Majesty's command been taken into custody, in
order to a severe prosecution against them ; but upon their humble
submission, and promise not to offend in that kind for the future. His
Majesty hath been graciously pleased to remit their offences : To the
end none hereafter may through ignorance incur the danger and pe-
nalties that attend such practices, these are to give notice that it is
His Majesty's pleasure, that no person or persons do for the future
make, coin, exchange, or use any other farthings or tokens than such
as are coined in His Majesty's Mintj His Majesty having given such
directions for the speedy making a considerable quantity of farthings,
to be made current for exchange of moneys, by his proclamation now
preparing for that purpose."
The difficulties in the procuration of the copper, and which
caused the delay at the mint, are best explained by the fol-
lowing paper :
" Repo7^t of the Officers of His Majesty's Mint, concerning the
Copper Farthings.
" To the Right Honourable the Earle of Shaftesbury and
Mr. Secretary Coventry.
''' According to your Lordship's and Mr. Secretaryes order and
d'lrections on Saturday last [July 27th], We have considered of the
farthing business, and discoursed with Mr. Cronstrom, the Swedish
^ Vkw of the Copper Coin and Coinage, VlQQ, fol., p. 36.
Ixxii
gentleman, about furnishing of copper for the same ; And doe humbly
represent, that the last year, upon the agreement made with him about
the copper blanks for farthings^ the pound weight avoirdupois was to
be cut into sixty-eight pieces, or seventeen pence, with three or four
pieces remedy ; out of which he was to receive in ready money, upon
the delivery into the Mint, fourteen pence half -penny ; the remaining
two pence half-penny being for the defraying the necessary charges
and expenses in and about coining and distributing them.
" In pursuance of which agreement he hath brought into England
four hundred and ninety-seven barrels of copper blanks 3 each barrel
containing three hundred poimds weight avoirdupois ; which, at the
rate of fourteen pence half-penny per pound, comes to 9008/. 2*. M.
" Of which he received in January
and February last, out of the coinage-
money of the Mint 2000/.
" And lately, out of the Exchequer, 2969/. m all 4969/. 0*. Orf.
" Soe there remains due to him - - 4039/. 2*. 6rf.
" But, in regard of a new duty imposed in Sweden upon copper,
since the said agreement, amounting to two pence half-penny the pound
weight, he did demand after the rate of seventeen pence the pound
weight, having as he affirmed paid the said duty there ; yet, your Lord-
ship and Mr. Secretary refusing it him, because it was not according
to the agreement, and promising to move his Majestic for the 150/.
demanded by him, for the loss he had formerly sustained for want of
ready money, he accepted of your lordship's offer, and was contented
to deliver the remaining 4039/. 2s, 6d. worth, at the rate of fourteen
pence half-penny, as he had done the rest, provided he might be paid
ready money for the same.
" Wee did likewise acquaint him that your Lordship and Mr. Se-
cretary intended to move His Majesty for the repaiment of the 2000/.
of the coinage money, and that it was agreed he should receive the
same in further part of the said moneys due to him 5 and the remaining
2039/. 2s. 6d. out of the first of the farthings coined ; and that we
should receive but 2000/. of the coinage money afterwards.
" Whereupon he desired us to represent unto your consideration,
the further loss he had sustained for want of ready money, for the
whole 4039/. 2*. 6d., which we promised to doe 3 in discharge whereof,
and because it will be some time before the faithings can be coined and
uttered for the raising of money to pay him, as also, in respect he hath
been a loser upon his last parcel of near 700/., by the new duty paid
in Sweden, we doe humbly offer and leave to your consideration, the
Ixxiii
proposing to His Majesty the allowing him 150/. more, for his for-
bearance therein ; which, though it will not recompense his loss, yet we
humbly conceive it may suit with His Majesty to allow it him.
" We are nevertheless to mind your Lordship and Mr. Secretary,
that the Exchequer fees of the 5000/. will come to above 50/., and
humbly to move you that provision may be made for them, whereby
Mr. Cronstrom may receive his summe entire. In respect whereof,
and because there will likewise need above 100/. for the providing of
weights and ballances, and for fitting of the farthing o£&ces, we doe
humbly propose, that you will be pleased to move His Majesty for
500/. more, upon the privy seale of 15,000/. for this service 5 which
will satisfie the Swedish gentleman the 300/., pay the Exchequer fees,
help to carry on this affaire, and leave a stock of 5000/. entire.
" We did acquaint Mr. Cronstrom with your intentions of moving
His Majesty about leaving a stock of 5000/. in the hands of Mr. Hoare,
Comptroller of the Mint, for the paying him from time to time ready
money for his copper blanks, with which he is very weU satisfied 5 and
will thereupon undertake to furnish His Majesty yearly with copper
blanks, to the value of 10,000/. or 12,000/.; provided he be allowed
the two pence half-penny upon the pound weight of copper, imposed
in Sweden since his contract 5 which we humbly conceave is but rea-
sonable. Soe that, for the future, he must be obliged to cut the pound
weight into seventy-eight pieces, or nineteen pence half -penny, with
the remedy of five or six pieces upon the pound weight, so long as the
duty shall continue. But, in case any alteration be made in Sweden
therein, he is then to give timely notice thereof 3 and accordingly to
alter his price, and the number of pieces upon the pound weight.
" As to the quantities of copper blanks, and times of delivering
them here, Mr. Cronstrom does declare that, in regard to the Sound's
being shut up the winter season, he cannot then ship any copper
blanks from October untill May ; but after that time he will engage to
deliver here, the season of the year, the winds and hazards of the seas
alwayes considered, the said copper blanks, according to the propor-
tions hereafter named, and in the respective months at the furthest ;
that is to say, in the months of
" July 5000/.
August 1600/.
September 1600/.
October 1600/.
November 2200/.
Total - 12000/. worth J at 17i(/. jser pound.
Ixxir
" In relation to the quantities of farthings may be weekly coined,
we are to acquaint you that, in respect we have not room at present in
the Mint to set up above five presses for the coining of farthings, we
shall not be able to make above two hundred and fifty pounds weekly
of them, and scarcely that, nntiil a full provision of puncheons and dyes
be made, and that the moneyers are well versed in the way.
" As to the time, we doe intend (God vrilling) on Monday next,
[August 5th,J to begin to coin at five presses, soe that all possible
diligence shall be used by us in the despatch of this afiaii*e, for the better
supply of quantities of farthings for necessary use and change.
" And as to His Majesty allowing the use of th.e common farthings,
half-pence, and pence of shop-keepers, retailers, and others, untill a
sufficient provision of his said fai^things may be made, we thought it
not fit for us to advise or meddle in, but most humbly submit the con-
sideration thereof unto His Majesty, whose great wisdom and prudence
can best determine the same.
" Ant. St. Leger.
" H. Sh'ngsby.
" Ja. Hoare.
" Thursday, August 1st, 1672." " Jno. Brattle."
This statement shows no attempt at coining the farthings
of 1672 was made till Monday August 5th; but a proclama-
tion dated on Priday-j August 16th^ declared the farthings and
half-pence coined by the king^s authority were to be current
from and after this date, in all payments under the value of
sixpence^ and not otherwise*.
The reason for thus declaring them current was stated to
be the necessity of superseding the private tokens for pencCj
half-pence^ and farthings^ by which His Majesty^s subjects
had been greatly defrauded. In order to prevent those abuses.
His Majesty had not only directed a severe prosecution of the
offenders, but had likewise commanded his officers of the mint
to coin many thousand pounds of sterling silver, into single
pence and two-pences, for the smaller traffic and commerce ;
hoping by both these means to have totally suppressed the
unlawful practices of such offenders. Since which time, how-
London Qaxetie, Monday, August 19th, 1672.
Ixxv
ever^ it had been found that the mischief increased ; partly by
the small silver money being bought in and .hoarded up^ so
that there might be a scarcity thereof in common payments ;
but chiefly by the vast profit attending those tokens, for which,
as it was stated, the utterers chose to run any hazards of law,
rather than quit the hopes of their private lucre.
His Majesty therefore considered that his subjects would
not have accepted those private tokens, unless there had been
some kind of necessity for such small coins to be made for
pubUc use, which could not well be done in silver, nor safely
in any other metal, unless the intrinsic value of the coin should
be equal, or near, -to the current value ; and accordingly com-
manded half-pence and farthings to be coined, which should
contain as much copper in weight as should be of their true
intrinsic value respectively, the charges of coining and uttering
only being deducted.
And all persons who should, after the first day of Septem-
ber, make, vend, or utter any other kind of pence, half-pence,
farthing, or other pieces of brass, copper, or other base metal,
other than the coins authorized above, or should ofier to coun-
terfeit any of His Majesty^s half-pence or farthings, were to
be chastised with exemplary severity*.
An advertisement in the London Gazette, August 22d, an-
nounced the mode of issue of the farthings coined at the Tower
mint, by intimating that His Majesty^s farthings, lately made
current by proclamation, would thereafter for some time be
daily uttered at an office appointed for that purpose in Fen-
church street, near Mincing lane, from nine o^ clock in the
forenoon until twelve, and from two in the afternoon tiU five.
Further, all persons were to take notice, that His Majesty had
given strict orders to the officers who were to dehver out the
said farthings, not to receive any cHpped or counterfeit money
* Quoted by Snelling in his Yieio of the Copper Com and Coinage^ p. 36. The
proclamation is in the library of the Society of Antiquaries.
Ixxvi
in exchange for them, but to return the clipped money^ and
to cause all counterfeit to be struck through, or cut to pieces,
in the presence of the parties who should bring and offer the
same.
The half-pence, though declared current in the preceding
proclamation, were none of them coined till early in the fol-
lowing year. An advertisement in the London Gazette, Mon-
day, August 36th, gave notice that the Farthing office would
not be again opened in that week, until Friday ; and that in
future it would be constantly opened every Tuesday and
Friday; and that none of His Majesty^s half-pence had then
been delivered out, nor would they be ready until after the
following Christmas.
On Monday, September 23d, ^e London Gazette announced
that the delivery of the farthings would in future be restricted
to Tuesday only in each week.
These facilities and authoritative orders were insufficient to
stay the circulation of traders^ tokens. In Ireland, they were
-declared illegal by proclamation, dated October 17th, 1673;
in England, notwithstanding the threatened prosecution an-
nounced against all offenders, the tokens continued still to cir-
culate ; for the national farthings, and half-pence, there was
but an inconsiderable demand, especially for dissemination in
the provincial towns ; and that the issuers of the tokens had
no very cogent reasons for withdrawing or destroying them,
was patent to all observers. The evil remained as before ; it
was therefore determined by the king iu council further to
legislate against the practice, in the following denouncement :
" Whitehall, February 20th. His Majesty having been in-
formed that divers retailers and shopkeepers, in several cities,
towns, and corporations of this kingdom, do continue to utter,
in exchanges and payments, pence, half-pence, and farthings
of their own making, in contempt of His Majesties proclama-
tion, and contrary to law, to the great injury and abuse of
His Majesties good people; it was ordered by His Majesty ia
Ixxvii
council, that the judges should be acquainted therewith, that
they might give the same in charge to the grand juries in the
several assizes of the respective comities, that all offenders
therein may be severely prosecuted, and punished according to
their demerits. And for the better and more speedy famishing
of His Majesty^s people with copper farthings and half-pence.
His Majesty was farther pleased to order, that there should be
a daily delivery of them, at the Farthing office in Fenchurch
street, London, to all such as shall desire the same*."
Emboldened by the leniency observed towards several of-
fenders, very little towards the non-circulation of traders'
tokens was effected by these missives, although published
under the king's name ; and a more determined mandate was
issued in the following broadside :
" A Proclamation enjoining the prosecution of all such persons as shall
make or utter any farthings, half-pence, or pence of brass, or utter
base metals with private stamps.
" Charles R.
'^ Whereas His Majesty, having by his royal proclamation of the
16th of August [1672], in the twenty-fourth year of his reign, for-
bidden the use of all private farthings, did cause sufficient quantities
of copper farthings and half-pence, of the intrinsic value, to be coined
for the general good and convenience of his subjects : nevertheless. His
Majesty hath been informed that several persons and corporations
remote from London have forborne to call in their private farthings,
and do still presume to make use of and utter the same -, whereby they
continue not only to violate the laws of this kingdom, and defraud
His Majesty's good subjects, but hinder the vending of those half-
pence and farthings which are provided for necessary exchange, which
would have been ere this time dispersed in those parts, if the said
abuses of stamping and uttering of private farthings had been duly
suppressed : His Majesty, therefore, to the end that all offenders to the
premises, who are now left without excuse, may know the danger they
daily incur, and desist from any further proceeding in the like kind,
hath thought fit by this his royal proclamation to publish and declare
his royal will and pleasure to be, that a strict and severe inquiry shall
^ London Gazette, Monday, February 23d, 1673-4.
Ixxviii
be made, of all persons that shall, after the 2d day of February
[1674-5], next ensuing, stamp, vend, utter, or in any way make use
of in payment or exchange, any half-pence, farthings, or pieces of
brass, copper, or other base metals whatsoever, other than the half-
pence and farthings by His Majesties royal proclamation authorized
and allowed ; and whosoever shall be found culpable therein shall be
severely punished. And for that purpose. His Majesty doth hereby
will and command all his judges, justices of assize, justices of the peace,
and all other inferior officers and ministers of justice whatsoever, that
they take care at their several and respective courts, assizes, quarter-
sessions, and other inferior courts, that have or may have cognizance or
punishment of the said offences, that after the 2d day of February they
cause all such as shall offend in the premises to be proceeded against,
and punished as they shall deserve.
" Given at our court at ^A^hitehaU, the 5th day of December [1674],
in the twenty-sixth year of oui* reign."
This proclamatioii seems to have wrought a change; a
greater demand for the king's half-pence and farthings was
created^ , and the traders' tokens visibly declined. That how-
ever there might be no error in the intention of the governing
authorities^ it was advertised':
^^ Whitehall^ [Friday] February 19th. His IMajesty was
this day pleased to order in council, that copies of His ]\Ia-
jesty's late proclamation about farthings be sent to the sheriffs
of the respective counties^ to be published ; and that the right
honourable the Lord Keeper do direct the judges of assize to
give in charge to the grand juries, and other juries, in their
respective circuits this next assizes, to present and prosecute
all offenders against the said proclamation, that they may be
punished according to law. And it was further ordered, that
the said proclamation, and this order of His IMajesty in council,
* The king's half-pence and farthings were transmitted to America and the
colonies. A newspaper, entitled the Loyal Impartial Mercury, October 6th, 1682,
has the following intimation : " From Bristol they write, that another ship is
fitting out for Pensylvania, on board of which forty Quakers, with their famihs,
will embark ; and amongst other things, ' tis said they carry over with them three
hundred pounds worth of half-pence and farthings, which in that colony go cur-
rent for twice their value."
Ixxix
should be inserted in the Gazette^ to the end that all persons
concerned may take notice thereof*."
Trom this time onward the writer has not met with any
document in reference to the circulation of traders^ tokens ;
their total suppression appears to hare been fiilly effected.
A pattern piece, recognized among collectors as the London
half-penny, is deserving of some notice, as nothing certain ap-
pears to be known in reference to its original purpose. From
specimens in the writer's possession they may be thus de-
scribed :
Obv. An elephant, faciug to the left.
Rev, The shield, with cross of St. George, and sword of St.
Paul in the first quarter, as borne by the city of London.
A star above and below the shield ; and the word london,
divided, so as to occupy both sides of.the shield.
This type is excessively rare, and is struck on a half -penny
of Charles, the Sec.ond.
Another reverse has the same shield ; the upper star is
wanting, and the legend is now london god preserve. Colons
are placed between each word. Also struck on a half-penny
of Charles the Second.
Other specimens, struck on copper, of double the thickness
of the ordinary half-penny. Another on fine brass.
The elephant obverse is the same on all, and it has been
conjectured was the badge of the Royal African Company.
Snelling supposed they were struck for the West India colo-
nies ; but of this the question arises, why place the arms of the
city of London on the reverse ? Coins for Bombay were struck
in 1 678, by royal authority ; but nothing has yet been disco-
vered to afford any elucidation of these London half-pennies.
* London GaseUe, Thursday^ February 25th; and Monday, March 1st, 1674-5.
Ixxx
The dies were probably executed by the Roettiers privately,
and not engraved in the Tower mint^ from the fact that, in
William and Mary's reign, the same obverse is again found
with two different reverses. The one, god preserve new
ENGLAND. 1694, in five lines across the field; the other, god
PRESERVE CAR0:^INA, AND THE LORDS PROPRIETORS. 1694, in
six lines across the field. These are both very scarce, more
particularly the formerj and belong to the class of Anglo-
American coins.
Ixxxi
COLLECTIONS OF TRADERS^ TOKENS.
Eyelyn's disparaging estimate in reference to early traders'
tokens has failed in being perpetuated. While noticing the
rarity of certain series of coins, he observes, " Those of the
Greek, consisting of all metals, of very moderate size and little
elegancy, are everywhere to be had ; and the variously deno-
minated Attic obolus, with the head of Minerva and Noctua,
of as vulgar use as our farthings ; but hardly by half so large
as the tokens which every tavern and tiphng-house, in the days
of anarchy amongst us, presumed to stamp and utter for imme-
diate exchange, as they were passable through the neighbour-
hood, which, though seldom reaching further than the next
street or two, may happily, in after times, come to exercise
and busie the learned critic what they should signify, and fill
whole volumes with their conjectures*."
Evelyn, misled by his admiration of royalty, overlooked the
primary cause of these substitutes for a better currency, and
his perverted sense seems disposed to treat them with con-
tumely. Other minds less prejudiced soon discovered their
uses ; and Snelling remarks that ^'^ the first person who ap-
pears to have made a collection of these tokens was the late
Browne Willis; which collection is now in the Bodleian li-
brary at Oxford, and is the completest that has come under
our noticet-^^
Browne WiOis received his education at Westminster and
Christ Church College, Oxford; and, being honoured, in 1720,
with the degree of Doctor of Laws, conferred upon him by that
university, he in gratitude presented to that seat of learning
* Nwmimiata : a Discowse wpon Medals, 1697, fol., p. 16. ,
t View of the Cc^er Com andf Comage, 1766, close of Preface.
f
Ixxxii
his cabinet of coins, to which, during life, he made conside-
rable additions. His solicitude in obtaining by all possible
means every procurable trader^s token is nowhere more ar-
dently expressed than in the following letters he addressed to
Dr. Stukeley. In one, dated from his residence, Whaddon hall,
June 10th, 1745, his wonted anxiety is thus manifested:
^^ You have done great honour to the publick, and no one
can more benefit the learned world, I drudge on and amuse
myself — still collecting our town and traders^ farthings ; and,
as I have furnished the University of Oxford with my cabiaet
of above twelve hundred*, have been making a small one of
duplicates to fill my empty tables, and fain would have some
of Lincolnshire. I have not one left of the whole county,
except a siugle piece of William Browne of Crowland. As
I enclose a firank, cannot you put one into it; a Stamford,
Grantham, or Boston town or traders^ token, or Liacola?
They will come in a letter ; or may be left at Newport Pagnell,
as I think your Stamford newspaper comes thither. I was at
Newport PagneH last week, and was told that an old brasier
there, who had left off busiuess, had several. I wish I could
purchase them, if worth it. One Blakemore, a sadler at New-
port Pagnell, if left for me at his shop there, would send to
me : three or four enclosed in a frank would come safe, and
your goodness in this respect, and indulgence in pardonirig
this notice, will ever oblige one, who is, with tender of best
respects to your lady and self,
" Your most devoted humble servant,
" Browne Willis."
The doctor was remiss, or there were some insuperable ob-
stacles in the way; possibly none of the tokens required; as
on the 14th of the following month, Browne Willis, iu another
* Browne Willis's donation comprised tokens of all parts of England, but the
Beaufoy cabinet, more in number, contains solely those having formerly currency
in the metropolis. Browne Willis died in 1760.
Ixxxiii
letter^ after addressing his wonted hopes of his brother anti-
quary's ^^ good health/^ adds —
" Pray pardon my seconding my request about traders'
tokens. I think I enclosed a frank ; but cannot you send some
for me to Mr. Blackmore's? If you have not opportunity of
sending so, a Stamford trader, or town piece, will come in a
letter ; and pray, doctor, favour me in this respect ; who am,
begging your excuse of this scrawl,
" Your most humble servant to command,
" Browne Willis."
Snelling, writing in 1765, notices other collectors in his
time. Dr. Andrew Gifford, one of the librarians of the British
Museum, made a large collection ; but Snelling speaks of it
as then dispersed, except the town pieces, which were pur-
chased for King George the Third's cabinet. The collection of
Mr. Thomas HoUis, in Pall Mall*, possessed many choice and
rare specimens ; but Snelling referred to that of Mark Cephas
Tutetf as the most copious with which he was acquainted.
The Tutet collection was dispersed in 1786, and comprised
about 1800 pieces : his manuscripts descriptive of those tokens,
and of his other extensive series of coins, frequently quoted
by Gough in his archaeological pubhcations, are in the writer's
possession. Dr. Andrew C. Ducarel was also a collector; and
* HoUis'a town residence, where his coin collections were deposited, was at
No. 19j Pall Mallj the comer of John street, more familiarly known in late years
as the residence of Molteno the printseller. It has been recently rebuilt.
•j* Mark Cephas Tutet was associated with Mr. Vidall, as eminent merchants
in Pudding lane^ and his attachment to collecting traders* tokens appears to have
originated in his being a citizen of London. In him were united the integrity
and skill of the man of business, with the accomplishments of the polite scholar
and the intelligent antiquary ; while, aa a collector, few had so just an apprecia-
tion of what was truly valuable. Many of his books were improved by manu-
script notes written in his own small calligraphy : his library and collections of
coins, medals, and prints, with his judicious observations, being constantly avail-
able to the use of those who were favoured with his intimacy. He was elected a
member of the Society of Antiquaries, June 26th, 1755; and died July 9th, 1786.
See Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. vi., p. 403.
f3
Ixxxiv
traders^ tokens formed a division of some distinction among
the collections of the Rev. Eichard Southgate of the British
Museum. After his decease in January 1795^ that helluo num-
morum, Mr. Samuel Tyssen, of Narford hall in Norfolk^ pur-
chased the whole privately for 1500Z. It was his glory to
purchase all the collections he could privately ; and the Hod-
sail and other choice cabinets fell within his grasp ; the cost
was no object.
The national coUection in the British Museum is an amal-
gamation of numerous cabinets from the time of its establish-
ment^ based on the collections of Sir Hans Sloane, in 1752.
Among them^ that of Miss Banks^ the sister of Sir Joseph
Banks, who was ever insatiate on this subject ; those who ap-
peared at her brother's hospitable table in Soho square not
unfrequently rendering some oblation to that shrine. Addi^
tions by purchase are constantly enlarging the Museum col--
lection ; yet, apart from it, the Beaufoy cabinet has no rival,
either in extent, or the surpassing interest of many of the
traders' tavern and coffee-house tokens. No known variety
of the large brass pence is wanting; and the specimens on
LEATHER, of the highest rarity, may in vain be looked for
elsewhere.
Ixxxv
METROPOLITAN SIGNS.
Atlieiiseus and other Greek and Eoman writers and satirists
present nninerous instances of the general use of signs by the
tavern-keeper and the trader in Rome and Greece ; in accor-
dance with the line in the ancient epigrammatist —
He hung th ' instructive symbol o*er his door.
In England signs appear to have been adopted at a very
early period. Dr. Hawkesworth observes that " a discerning
eye may discover in many of our signs evident marks of the
religion prevalent among us before the Reformation. Saint
George^ as the tutelary saint of this nation^ may escape the
censure of superstition ; but St. Dunstan with his tongs^ ready
to take hold of Satan^s nosCj and the legions of angels^ nuns^
crosses^ and holy lambs^ certainly had their origin in the days
of popery*."
The colophons and devices appended to the greater part of
the books printed in the metropohs in the sixteenth century
exemplify the variety of the signs which distinguished the
printing-houses and shops of our earliest printers and book-
sellers. They were notj however^ the only persons who indi-
cated their dwellings by signs^ but it is shown by every kind
of record extant^ that all other calliugs and trades adopted
similar indications^ and that notoriety was obtained by an
infinite diversity of pictorial symbols.
Ben Jonson^ in his play of the Alchymisty printed in 1610^
notices Abel Drugger the tobacconist's sign^ as a conundrum.
The commingling of objects^ and their perplexity^ is also fmrther
* AdvmUi/rer, numb. 9^ December 5th^ 1^52.
Ixxxvi
made subject of remark in his Masque of Augur es, 1622^ in
whicli one of the characters affirms
" It even puts Apollo
To all his strength of art to follow
The flights, and to divine
What's mean'd by every signe."
The signs figured on traders^ tavern^ and coflfee-house to-
kens from 1649 to 1672 are all highly illustrative of the period.
Many of them^ upon the rebuilding of London after the great
fire^ were ensculptured in stone^ and embodied in the brick
front, for the most part above the first tier of mndows, or what
is generaUy designated the first-floor. They were frequently
only the restoration of the symbol or device by which the
house occupying the same site, previously to the general
conflagration, was distinguished for centuries prior to that
event, and especially known as a place of business ; still, it did
not follow that in successive tenancy the same trade was con-
tinued ; hence, doubtless, the inconsistency of the symbol on
the token of a trader, to whose calling or trade it had not the
slightest reference, and in some instances seemed in direct
opposition. In these days of sanitary requirement, when, from
the narrowness of the streets, the buildings of the last half of
the seventeenth century are demolished, unregretted, the pick-
axe levels all; and, amid modem improvements, expanded
and extended thoroughfares, the red-brick front, embellished
with stone signs and window-cornices, are all passing away
swiftly in the everywhere change and demolition.
Late in the seventeenth century the sign-boards in the nar-
row streets of Paris, from their eccentricity of form and size,
as well as their position, being found obnoxiously inconve-
nient, Louis the Fourteenth directed that no sign-board in
Paris should for the future measure more than eighteen inches
by twelve, and all the iron work used, not to weigh, more than
four or five pounds. On the contrary, in London, in the ab-
sence of all restraint, there was an increasing anxiety among
Ixxxvii
shopkeepers and traders to enlarge their sphere of action^ and
their signs were gradually increased in size*.
Many of the metropolitan signs appear at this period to
have been sufficiently ill painted, and the orthography attached
was equally bad. Addison complained that ^^ many a man has
lost his way and his dinner by this general want of skiU of or-
thography; for, considering that the painters are usually so
very bad that you cannot know the animal under whose sign
you are to live that day, how must the stranger be misled if
it be wrong spelled as well as ill painted ? "What makes these
evils the more insupportable is, that they are so easily
amended, and nothing done in it. Eut it is so far from that,
that the evil goes on in other arts as well as orthography.
Places are confounded as well for want of proper distinctions^
as things for want of true characters f."
Addison again^ in the Spectator^ No. 28^ April 2d, 1711,
was bitterly satirical on the metropolitan sign-boards, and pro-
* The advantages pf this controlment of the disposition and size of the signs
in the metropolis of France did not escape the notice of Dr. Martin IjistePj who,
in his Jowmey to Paris, 1698, observes, " 'Tis pretty to observe how the king
disciplines this great city by small instances of obedience. He caused them to
take down all their signs at once, and not to advance them above a foot or two
from the wall, nor to exceed such a small measure of square ; which was rapidly
done, so that the signs obscure not the streets at all, and make little or no figure,
as though there were none, being placed very high, and very little."
Many of the French signs had saintly prefixtures to their designations, which
were or are rarely found attached to those of England. There are other deviations,
for which no reason appears, as in that of the silver lion at Calais. In England are
and have been herds of golden, black, blue, red, and white lions ; but no silver one
occurs in any notices of signs during the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries.
Houses in which gaming appears to have been followed presented a pictorial
intimation of the games for which they were distinguished. Formerly, one made
known that cards were a public amusement by a sign termed Pigue et Carreau,
Anglicej spade and diamond. The same sign, possibly by Frenchmen, was adopted
in England. One at Newport in the Isle of Wight became a riddle to many, and
hence, from misapprehension, '' Pique et Carreau" became perverted into " the
Pig and Carrot." Again at Godmanchester, where probably the figures on the
sign-board were by time nearly obliterated, the form of the diamond induced a
new appellation in that of " the Pig and Chequers." Many instances of similar
perversions might be adduced.
- + Tatlei; numb. 18, May 20th, 1709.
Ixxxviii
posed a new office^ that of a superintendent, wMcIl he consi-
dered would very much contribute to the embellishment of the
city, and to the driying of barbarity out of the streets^ It was
proposed to invest this officer with fall powers to expunge or
rectify whatever he found irregular or defective. It is added —
" For want of such officer, there is nothing like sound lite-
rature and good sense to be met with in those objects that are
everywhere thrusting themselves out to the eye, and endea-
vouring to become visible. Our streets are filled with blue
boars, black swans, and red lions ; not to mention flying pigs,
and hogs in armour, with many other creatures more extra-
ordinary than any in the deserts of Africa. Strange ! that one
who has all the beasts and birds in nature to choose out of
should live at the sign of an Ens rationis I
" My first task therefore should be, like that of Hercules^
to clear the city from monsters. In the second place, I would
forbid that creatures of jarring and incongruous natures should
be joined in the same sign, such as the bell and the neat^s
tongue, the dog and the gridiron. The fox and the goose may
be supposed to have met ; but what has the fox and the seven
stars to do together ? and when did the lamb and dolphin ever
meet, except upon a sign-post ? As for the cat and fiddle, there
is a conceit in it ; and therefore I do not intend that anything
I have here said should affect it. I must however observe
upon this subject, that it is usual for a young tradesman, on
his first setting up, to add to his own sign that of the master
whom he served ; as the husband, after marriage, gives a place
to his mistresses arms in his own coat. This I take to have
given rise to many of those absurdities which are committed
over our heads ; and, as I am informed, first occasioned the
three nuns and a hare, which we see so frequently together,
I would therefore establish certain rules for the determining
how far one tradesman may give the sign of another^ and in
what cases he may be allowed to quarter it with his own. In
the third place, I would enjoin every shop to make use of a
Ixxxix
lign which bears some affinity to the wares in which it deals;
^ cook should not live at the boot^ nor a shoemaker at the
•oasted pig ; and yet^ for want of this regtdation, I have seen
I goat set up before the door of a perfumer^ and the French
ang's head at a sword-cutler's.
" An ingenious foreigner observes that several of those gen-
tlemen who value themselves upon their families^ and over-
Look such as are bred to trade^ bear the tools of their fore-
fathers in their coats of arms. I will not examine how true
khis is in fact ; but^ though it may not be necessary for poste-
rity thus to set up the sign of their forefathers^ I think it
highly proper for those who actually profess the trade to show
some such marks of it before their doors.
'^ When the name gives an occasion for an ingenious sign-
post^ I would hkewise advise the owner to take that opportu-
nity of letting the world know who he is. It would have been
ridiculous for the ingenious Mrs. Salmon to have lived at the
sign of the trout ; for which reason she has erected before her
house the figure of the fish that is her namesake*. Mr. Bell
has likewise distinguished himself by a device of the same
jiature; and here I must beg leave to observe that the parti-
cular figure of a bell has given occasion to several pieces of
* Handbills of this period show that the salmon, as a sign, was not a recent
a ALEXR. CLEEVE — On a shield, St. George'^s cross; in the
first quarter, the sword of St. Paul. Bev. The same.
tie Cross of St. George has been the badge of the English kings and nation
t the time of King Edward the Third, the period of the civil commotions be-
in the Yorkists and Lancastrians excepted, when it was nearly superseded
he Roses ; but, upon the termination of the wars between the rival houses,
fain predominated, and still continues to adorn the banner of England,
tie king's badge was formerly worn by his own retainers, and the men of free
orations ; hence, possibly, the reason why the City of London bears the red
3, to which, in the first quarter, has been added the sword of St, Paul's mar-
oax, the symbol of the patron of the city.
.ONDON TRADERS, TAVERN, AND
COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS,
CURRENT 1649-1672.
ABOHUBOH LANE, Lombard Street.
76 RALPH LVCAS AT THE WHIT — A bear, in the field.
Bev. IN ABCHYRCH LANE .] 665 — HIS HALF PENY.
The White-Bear tavern was destroyed in the great fire of September 1666^
it, on the rebuilding, the proximity of the situation for all purposes of business
duced a Frenchman; described by Evelyn as " M. Pontack^ the son of the
resident of Bordeaux, owner of a district whence are imported to England
me of the most esteemed claret/' to establish a tavern with all the novelties
' French cookery, that soon obtained popularity under the appellation of Pon-
,ck's. Proud of his descent^ he set up his father's head as a sign, as possibly
ore attractive than his own^ and, doubtless being painted in official costume,
lou became noticed as the Pontack's Head. Evelyn, in July 1683, however,
ems to have thought the son no conjuror, and to have considered his acquire-
ents of but ordinary capacity ; as he observes, " I think I may truly say of him,
hat was not so truly said of St. Paul, that much learning had made him mad."
The fellows of the Royal Society, after the Fire, held their anniversary dinner
1 November 30th, at the Crown tavern in Threadneedle street; but for some
Luse, possibly more scientifically cooked viands, moved to the Pontack's Head ;
id in 1694, Evelyn again records, " we all dined at Pontack's as usual."
A scarce tract, entitled "The Metamorphoses of the Town, 1731," sufficiently
;testB the character of Pontack's as the resort at that period of extravagant epi-
ireg, and, in the bill of fare of " a guinea ordinary," figure ^' a ragout of fatted
lails," and "chickens not two hours from the shell." The tavern appears to
ive been at this period conducted by a female, as the Weekly Oracle records ; on
Thursday, January 15th, 1736, William Fepys, banker in Lombard street, was
arried at St. Clement's church in the Strand, to Mrs. Susannah Austin, who
tely kept Pontack's, where with universal esteem she acquired a considerable
rtune."
ADDLE HILL, Upper Thames Street.
77 CHARLES DEARE — Sun in splendour; Distillers*' arms.
AT ADLIN HILL — In the field, c. e. d.
14 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
ALDGATB.
Aldgate, built in 1606, was sold by the civic authorities^ on Wednesday, July
30thj 1760, for Vl^l. 105. The demolition began on September 4th, the Monday
following, when some of the ornamental carvings, part of the city arms, with the
heads and wings of the dragons, apparently cut in Portland stone, were obtained
by Sir Walter Blackett, an eminent merchant at Newcaatle-upon-Tyne, and ap-
propriated to the decoration of R^tthley castle, an eye-trap, erected by him on the
crags of that name, near Wallington, Northumberland,
'78 lOHN GAME AT THE COACH — A coach : below it 1.
2
Be^. AND HORSES AT ALLGATE — The above repeated,
in the field.
The Coach-and-Horses was a sign adopted by hackney-coach proprietors, who,
by an ordinance of the Lord Protector, with the advice of his council, June 23d,
1654, were not, within London, Westminster, and six miles about the late lines
of communication, to exceed at any time two hundred persons ; the hackney-
coaches used by them, not more than three hundred ; nor their hackney horses
for coaches to exceed six hundred. The entire direction, as to places of standing,
rates of fares, and rules of governance, was vested in the Court of Aldermen of „
the City of London ; provided the ordinance did not extend to the prejudice or
restraint of any coaches commonly called stage-coaches, coming to, or going from
London to remote places.
79 lOHN TiDDER [16]57 — Three doves, from the Tallow-
chandlers' arms. Ben. within aldgat — i. A. T.
ALDGATE HIGH STREET.
80 DAVID gillatt AT THE PYE — A magpie, in the field.
Bev. wiTHOVT ALGATE . 1671 — In the field, D. g. -i.
' 2
A token was issued from " the Pye without Algate" so early as 1648, and the
initials of the tavemer and his wife- on the reverse were then W. a. G.
In 1661 was printed "The Presbyterian Lash, or Noctrofife Maid Whipp'd; a
tragi-comedy, as it was lately acted in the great roome at the Pye Tavern at Al-
gate. " This bitter satire had allusion to Zachakt Crofton, a violent Presbyterian
leader, who was accused of whipping hie maid for some supposed fe,ult she had
conunitted; and had the efeonteiy to print a defence of his conduct. See White
Kennett's Chrondcle, p. 797; and Butler's HudHyras, edit. 1?'64, vol, i. p. 354.
De Foe, in his Memoirs of ike Plague, 1665, notices in particular "the Pye
Tavern, over against the end of Houndsditch." He describes the dreadfal set of
fellows who there kept late hours in a room next the street ; and, as the dead-
cart passed, followed by grieving persons, whose relations were being borne to the
great pit then opened in the churchyard, assailed them by jeers and raillery that
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 15
remonstrance could abate ; yet, ere a fortnight had elapsed^ all were themselves
rown lifeless corpses into the same hole^ and he who was most forward and most
id in his imprecations and scoffe was the first to pass to " that bourne from
lence no traveller returns."
The Piej now called the Magpie^ is a contraction of the words '' maggoty-pie/'
duced from the French word magot, implying a caprice, a whim, or a fancy ;
appellation the Pie appears to have obtained from the whimsicality of its
oUeries.
Bl SIMON TVRNER NEXT — A magpie, in the field.
Ee'G. THE PIE AT ALGATE — Grocers Company arms.
The usual farthing size. Turner also issued a token for one penny.
32 AT THE HARTS HORNS — Horns affixed to scalp, in field.
BeV. WITHOVT ALL-GATE — In the field, E. D. T.
33 ROBERT WARD — Lion rampant, in the field.
Ee'd. WITHOVT ALL-GATE — In the field, r. a. w.
B4 GABRIELL HARPER — In field, angel winged, bearing scroll.
Be'd. WITHOVT ALLGAT [16]59 — A bunch of grapes.
35 GABRIELL ha[r]per — In the field, an angel, as above.
Eev. WITHOVT ALLGAT [16]59 — A bunch of grapes.
Phe R in the surname on obverse omitted in error by the die sinker.
ALDBRSGATE STREET.
Aldersgate, whence many of John Daye the printer's most rare productions
med in the sixteenth century, was sold by the civic authorities, on Wednesday,
pril 22d, 1761, for 91?., and the demolition commenced in the following week,
ie site where it stood is marked, on the east side of the street, by 62, St. Mar-
Q's-le-grand.
B6 losEPH COLLET IN — A bucket, or milk-pail, in the field.
Be'd. ALDERSGATE STREET — In the field, I. M. C.
87 THE SWAN AND SVGAR — Swan and eugar-loaf, in field.
B&C. IN ALDERSGATE STREET — In the field, C. S. I.
The sugar-loaf, like Abel Drugger's bona roba's cap, " all o' cop," indicated
at the issuer was a grocer.
16 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
88 RICHARD DOWLEY — In field, the Salters Company arms;
Rev. NEAR ALDERSGATE — Same coat impaled with the
arms of Dowley.
89 'V\^ALTER lONES IN ALDERSGA — Seven stars, in the field.
Rev, STREET . HIS HALFE PENY — Name in monogram.
90 Sultan Solyman''s head — Bolyman^ in the field.
Rev, The Coffee Mourn in Alder sgdte Street^ 1666.
Evidently a coffee-house keeper's token, issued on reestablishing his business
here, after the fire in September. Possibly ^ard^ who adopted the same sign
and issued a similar token, on his removal to Bread street in 16?^1.
Solyman the Magnificent, the fourth emperor of the Turks, began his reign in
1520, in the same year Charles the Fifth became emperor of Germany. He was
the contemporary of Henry the Eighth, Edward the Sixth, Mary, and Elizabeth.
Solyman died September 4th, 1566. The distinctive splendour of his rule appears
to have caused his name to be adopted as the fi*equent subject of a sign where
Turkey coffee was sold.
91 NICHOLAS COOKE GROCER AT Y^ — A cock, in field. Rev.
COCK IN ALDERSGAT STREETE — HIS PENNY. 1666.
The diarnalSj in January 1762, noticed the death of " Mrs. Wilksj widow,
mistress of the Cock inn in Aldersgate street, judged to be one of the biggest
•'women in England."
92 ROGER WALLMAN AT THE — A horse, in the field.
Rev. ALDERSGATE STREET [16] 66 — HIS HALFE PENY.
Query, the Black Horse ? that sign being still there.
93 MICHAELL SYMONDS AT THE — A stiU, in the field.
Rev. IN ALDERSGATE STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY.
Symonds was a distiller; the still being a prominent symbol in the Distillers
Company arms.
94 THO. GROVE . CHEESMONGER — A weight, T. E. G. Rev.
IN ALDERSGATE STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY . 166&.
95 THE MAIDEN HEAD — Virgin's head on shield, E. A.
Rev. IN ALDERSGATE STREET — Same device, [16] 68.
The Maidenhead was possibly, in more instances than onoj set up in compli-
ment to Queen Catharine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry the Eighth.
Previous to her marriage with that monarch, the Parr femily assumed as one of
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 17
ir badges, derived fi-om the family of Ros of Kendal^ the device of a maiden's
,d couped below the breast, vested in ermine and gold ; her hair of the last,
and her head encircled with a wreath of red and white roses,
[lie head is found on the Pinmakers Company arms, with the motto,
'ffiOINITAS ET UNITAS NOSTKA ^TEENITAS."
6 lOHN WARNER IN. 1668 — A bell, below a dolphin.
Bei), ALDERSGATE STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY. I. A. W.
Phe sign indicated was the Bell and Dolphin.
7 lOHN MYNN — St. George and the Dragon, in the field.
Mev. ALDERSGATE WITHOVT — In the field, I. M. M.
ilichard Smith, in his Obituary, Sloane MS. 886, notices, " May 15th, 1634,
:hard Lawley, innkeeper at the George without Aldersgate, buried." The Mer-
ms Politicus, a newspaper, dated April 8th, 1658, announced coaches from the
orge inn without Aldersgate, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Smith subseq^uently records, '^ September 14th, 16/0, Mrs. Mary Mynn, wife to
. John Mynn, grocer, without Aldersgate, died at two a.m. Buried l?'th."
acer implied the company to which he belonged. The George was an inn having
bt sign.
Fohn Mynn was of the family of Mynn, booksellers, in Little Britain, who for
i most part perished of the plague, in 1665. By the marriage of his cousin
yrell to one of the Mynns, the latter family became connected with that of
ihard Smith,
ANGEL ALLEY, Thames Street.
8 OBADIAH SVRRIDGE IN ANGELL — An angel with wings.
Rev. ALLY IN THAMES STREET. 1668 — HIS HALFE
PENY. 0. A. S.
ANGEL STREET.
9 lOHN ABETHELL — Seven stars, in the field. Ttev. IN
ANGELL STREET — ^In the field, I. A. A.
bigel street was possibly that in South wark.
ST. ANN^S LANE, Aldersgate , Street.
MATHEW HANSCOMBE — Sugar-loaf, in the field. Rev,
IN ST. ANNS LANE.[16]58 — In the field, m. a. h.
c
18 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
ST. ANN'S STREET, Westminster.
101 RALPH FVLLER IN s. — Scales, Bakers'* arms, in the field.
Rev, ANS STREET WESTMIN — In the field, R. F. F,
AVE MARIA LANE, Ludgate Street,
102 GODFREY ROBINSON — Hawk "with varvels, in the field.
Bev. IN ATE MARY LANE — In the field, G. R. 1658.
Stow, describing the neiglibourhood in 1603, observes that Ave Mary lane was
" so called, of text- writers and bead-makers then dwelling there ; and at the end
of that lane is likewise Creede lane, late so called, but sometime Spurrier row,
of spurriers dwelling there." Artizans in matters of hawking, and the chace,
afford a feir pretext for the sign of the falcon.
BALDWIN^S GARDENS.
103 NICHOLAS SMITH. 1666 — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Bev, IN BALDAVYNS GARDEN — In the field, N. H. s. I".
" Baldwins gardens, neare Grayes-inn lane," is said to have derived that name
from Richard Baldwin, who erected some houses here in 1589.
BANKSIDE, Southwark.
104 MELCHISEDECK FRITTER — Feltmakers' arms, in the field.
BeT), ON YE BANKE SIDE BREWER — HIS HALFE PENY.
Melchisedeck Fritter's name occurs in the churchwardens' accompts of St.
Margaret's, Westminster, in 1643, when an abatement of 2s. Qd., for weekly pay-
ments, and contributions to the outworks constructed in that year, was allowed
in the rent due for premises in Tummill street, CJlerkenwell. The building on
the Bankside, from, the sign, would seem to have been previously occupied by a
felt-maker, and although converted into a brewery, the sign it had hitherto borne,
the Hat, continued.
105 AT THE EARLE OF ESSEX — A Stag, in the field.
Bev, ARMES AT BANCKSIDE — R. E. P.
A stag is the crest of the LeatherseUers' arms. The allusion is evidently to the
parliamentary general, Robert D'Evreux, Earl of Essex, who died in 1646. R. P.
was doubtless a partizan of the Commonwealth authorities.
106 "WILLIAM BOORMAN — The Haherdashers Company arms,
Bm, AT THE BANKSIDE — In the field, W. E. B.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 19
)7 WILLIAM CHAPMAN ON^ — A corn-bushel measure, in field.
BeV. THE BANK SIDE SOVTHWARK — HIS HALF PENY.
)8 THOMAS MARTIN — A hedge-hog, in the field.
Be'd, ON THE BANKSIDE — In the field, t. e. m.
The hedge-hog is seldom used in heraldry^ though as a symbol the animal may
compared to an expert industrious man, who seizes every opportunity of im-
oving his fortune or preventing poverty. It may he considered the emblem of
igaUty.
39 HANDREY STROVD ON- — An unicorn, in the field.
Bev. THE bankside . 1658 — In the field, H. e. s.
See Manning and Bray's Histoi^y of Swrrey, vol. iii. p. 590.
10 GEORGE VAVASOVR — Arms, Vavasour; with a crescent.
Bets. ON THE BANKE SIDE — In the field, G. F. V.
11 WILLIAM WILLIAMS — In the field, a plough. Bev. ON
THE BANCKSIDE — In the field, W. B. w.
12 lOHN LVDGALL AT Y^ BANKE — A crooked billet? IN
SOVTHWARK, Be'G, SIDE . HIS HALF PENY . 1668 —
Watermens"' arms, in the field.
13 Elizabeth Port at the Banchside^ in three lines, script type.
Bev. HER HALF PENY — Infield, two keys crossed; 1668.
Octagona,! in shape. The sign termed the Cross or Crossed Keys. Bankside
as anciently within the jurisdiction of the bishops of Winchester, and the keys
e part of the charge on the arms of that see. The house had doubtless been
ng employed for other purposes ; yet " the Cross Keys," apparent on the token,
ere still its distinctive sign.
The stews on the Bankside were, in 1506, inhibited by King Henry the Seventh,
it a decreased number subsequently permitted, till King Henry the Eighth, in
)46, suppressed them wholly. Stow mentions these allowed stew-houses as having
signs on their fronts towards the Thames, not hanged out, but painted on the
alls, as the Cross Keys, the Gun, the Castle, the drane, the Cardinal's Hat*,
.e BeU, the Swan," and others.
* Skelton, in his Why come ye not to Cowrte, a bitter invective on Wolsey,
ritten in 1523, or before, alludes to " the sygne of the Cardinall Hat," being
en closed. Later, in the accompt of WiUiam CoUe, citizen and grocer, receiver
the rents of the hospital of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, 1581-2, credit is
van for a quit-rent of S^s., paid by the governors of St. Thomas's hospital, from
the Cardinal's Hat."
C 2
20 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
Sir John Howard's steward's accounts^ 1465^ has the following : " Ttein, the
xxiiij day of Ma.y, my mastyre lent to my lord of Norffolke, whan he lay at the
stewcj XX s." My lord of Norfolk was John Mowbray; the last Duke of Norfolk
of that family: he died in 14? 5.
The ori^nal regulations of the stews on Bankside, by which the bishops of Win-
chester in the fifteenth century exercised control over them^ are extant, written
on parchment, in the Bodleian library, Oxford.
BANK END, Southwark.
114 ANTHONY CRAVEN AT THE — A castle, in the field,
Eev, BANKE END IN SOVTHWARKE — HIS HALFE
PENNY. A. B. C.
Bank-end staii^, near London Bridge, appear to have been the nearest place of
landing to Shakespeare's or the Globe Theatre, now involved in the site of Barclay
and Perkins's great brewery.
BARBICAN.
115 EDMOND ALEXANDER — A horse-shoe, in the field.
Be'd, IN BARBYCAN — In tlie field, E. M. A.
116 ELIZABETH BABINGTON — In the field, E. B. Eev, IN
BARBICAN — 1653, in the field.
117 WILLIAM BVDD IN — A bull, in the field.
Bev. - BARBICANN . 1655 — In the field, w. A. R.
The BuU was, and is almost everywhere, a, prevalent sign. Boys, quoting the
town records, in his Collections for the History of Sandtoich, pp. 685, 6S7, states
that, "in 1540, information was taken before the burgesses upon oath, a certain
person at church said, ' the sacrament of the altar was but a signification and a
sign, as the sign of a bull, or the sign of a rose, set up at taverns' " ; rather a
ticklish assertion for the town magnates to construe : and it appears to have been
somewhat dangerous to the heterodoxical assertor; as later, in 1550, when Henry
the Eighth had been gathered to his &thers, the same volume records that a
deposition was entertained against a certain person, who had said, " the King's
Majesty that dead is, was an heretick !" This was too much ; the luckless defemer
was immediately sentenced to the pillory^, and the loss of both his ears,
118 THOMAS COOPER — In the field, T. A. c. Eev, in
BARBICAN . 1655 — CHANDLER, in the field.
119 EDWARD GRO . . — The Bowjers' arms, in the field.
Bei), IN BARBICAN . 1665 — In the field, E. G. G.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 21
20 ROBERT HAYES AT Y^ coFFE HOYS — Sultan Morat's
head, in the field. ne'e. In Barbican formerly in
Pannyer Ally.
The sultan Morat^ or Amurath the Fourth, whose head is figured on varioua
fiee-house tokens, was raised to that dignity in 1623, amid the general acclama-
ms of the people ; but, intoxicated with the power he held, he became with no
deeming quality the most detestable tyrant that ever ruled the Ottoman em-
re. Addicted to brutal excesses, he was his own assassin in 1640.
Morat figures as a tyrant in Dryden's Awreng^he.
Hayes was burned out from Panier alley in September 1666, and pursuing his
urse in a northward direction, appears to have reestablished himself in Barbican,
le house seems to have attained considerable notoriety, and to have been the
eneof the outrage recorded by Richard Smith, in his Obituary: "April 11th,
ir2, Mr. Brand, an old stocking seller in Barbican, died this night, of a blow on
8 head the day before, fi'om an earthen drinking pott or jug, by one Kitchen,
is commonly reported, at a coflfee-house in Barbican."
21 lAMES LEECH — BODIS MAKER, in the field. Bev, IN
BARBICAN — In the field, a naked child ?
A bodice or stay-maker. The memorable Tom Paine was a lady's stay-makerT
'Keefie's Jemmy Jumps is a character, as a calling, now extinct.
22 WILLIAM MILTON — MEAL MAN, in the field. Rev, IN
BARBICAN : 1666 — In the field, w. E. M.
John Milton, father of the author of Pa/radise Lost, by profession a scrivener,
it who had retired firom. business many years before his death, died about 164?",
, his house in the Barbican, and was buried in Cripplegate church.
Query, Was this William Milton in any degree related to the poet ?
23 FRANCIS MORLEY AT THE — The royal oak, the Boscobel
oak tree, bearing three crowns, in the field. Eev.
IN BARBICAN . 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY. F. M. M.
Barnaby, see Bermondsey Street.
BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, Smithfield.
24j WILLIAM RVSSELL . 1671 — HIS COFFEE HOYSE, in field.
Beia. IN ST. BARTHOLOMEWS CLOSE — A coffee-man pour-
in^i: coffee.
22 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
BARTHOLOMEW LANE, Threadneedle Street.
125 ED: HEATH AT s^ THO , GRESHAM — His head,- in field.
Eev, IN BARTHOLMEW LANE — HIS HALF PENY. E. M.' H.
Sir Thomas QTesham, a name ever to be remembered with lasting honour by
the citizens of London, is here represented with the flat cap-like form on his head ;
his left hand resting on his sword-hilt.
Bartholomew the Less, see Threadneedle Street.
BASINGHALL STREET.
126 THO: armestronge AT yb — An official in civil costume.-
Eev, IN BASING-HALL STREET — HIS HALFPENY. 1668.
127 GEORGE STARCKEY AT THE — A horse current, in field.
Bev. IN BASINGHALL STREET— HIS HALFE PENY,
The White or Saxon Horse.
The German chiefs, according to Krantz, bore on theirs shields the figure of
the beast whose name they assumed, which sei-ved to distinguish the warribra
in the hour of conflict ; and, on the subversion of the Roman empire by the Germa-
nic races, these emblems became the hereditary badges of tribes and families,
forming the basis on which the arinorial bearings of modem nations are fouuded.
The White Horse may, without exaggeration, be styled the Saxon emblem ; for,
from the earliest to our own time, it has constituted the peculiar badge of the race.
Tacitus notices that while they roved in their native woods in Germany; the
White Horse was considered sacred, and was 'typified in the religious ceremonifes
of the Saxons. It doubtless gave name to the hardy warriors, who, fourteen hun-
dred years since, migrated in accordance with their policy, bearing the standa^j
of their nation unfurled before them ; and, landing on the shore of Kent, caused
the White Horse to have been ever since recognised as the insignia or arms of
the county in which they settled. The Saxon Chronicle, under anno 871, also re-
cords the repulse of the Danish invader by Alfred the Great, at the memorable'
battle of Ethandune, (Edington, Wilts.) The commemorative trophy, the colossal
White Horse, hewn out in the chalk on Berkshire downs, has, like his gloiy,
continued unharmed and uninjured, indestructible amid the lapse of ages.
BASIN& LANE.
128 RALPH everSleV IN— An arched crown, in the field.
Bev. BASING LANE in[n] — In the field, iarets hall.
Gerard's, a perversion of Gisors'.hall, or mansion, is thus described by Stow :
" On the south side of Basing lane is one great house, of old time built uporf arched,
vaults, and with arched gates of stone brought from Caen in Normandy." As he
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 23
I readj it was originally owned by Jolin Gisors^ mayor of London in 1245^ who
pears from the name to have been of a Norman family, was a Pepperer or mem-
■ of the now Grocers company; and in 37 Henry III. is named on the Patent
Us of that year, as the king's chamberlain of London, empowered to regulate
! prices of wines. He' was sheriff in 1240, and mayor in the years 1245, 1246,
50, and 1259. In 1250, he had the honour of being the first mayor presented
bhe Barons of the Exchequer, and admitted by them to that ofl&ce. He was al-
■man of Vintry ward, and coroner for the city of London, from 1281 to 1284,
i was deceased in the reign of Edward the Second, as in the fourteenth year
that monarch. Sir John Gisors, as son and heir, was called on, to answer for his
tier, as king's coroner of London.
5ir John Gisors, who was mayor in 1311, though here named the son, was
isibly the grandson of the mayor of 1245 ; the long period of years between
ms to justify this supposition. Sir John was created Constable of the Tower
1327, on the accession of King Edward the Third : see Close Roll, 1 Edw. III.,
1, m. 23. He died in 1329 ; and it is apparently to him the particulars of the
ultureisreferableinthechapelofSt. Mary, in the Gray Friers, '^addexterum
nu altaris, sub prima parte fenestrse, sub lapide elevate*."
rhis Sir John Gisors left two sons; Henry, the elder, who was sheriff in 1330;
1 John, who had issue, and who became the heirs and owners of Gisors' hall,
a John Gisors, according to Stow, afeofmentof this property was made in 1386,
i it then probably passed to the military order of St. John of Jerusalem ; as, on
:;ember 1, 1406, "Walter Grendon, then prior, gave a receipt for four pounds,
m. Margaret, widow of Sir John Philippot, knight, Thomas Goodlak, and their
tnerSj "in full payment of all arrears for rent due to us from their tenement
Led Jesores hall in the city of London."
n 1598, Stow finds that " the same is now a common hostery ;" banters Grafton
his credulity, or worse, in asserting Gisors' hall to have been the abode of a
nt named Gerard ; and the may-pole of the bygone day fictionized into the
nt's spear-staff, " when, even at the first building of Gisors' hall, were made
ers arched doors, yet to be seen, which seem not sufficient for any great mon-
:, or other than men of common stature to pass through."
n September, 1666, the great fire destroyed the building, but on its reconstruc-
1, all of the stone waU that could be retained was made available, and it then
Dd some ten or twelve feet above the ground. On the east and south sides
i perceptible the stone-work of the windows, to the arched vaults below the
undj since denominated the crypt ; and if they were blocked up in Sfeow's time,
tainly had the appearance of " divers arched doors," insufficient for the pas-
e of any except a man of common stature ; but, on the demolition of the Ge-
i's-hall tavern, in April, 1852, and the bricked stoppings being forced through,
iron mulUons of the windows were shown to have been greatly injured by the
ration of the fire, and the stone work evinced the destructiveness of the ravages
building had sustained during the conflagration ; even the supporting columns
he crypt, as it was termed, were greatly damaged.
'he figure of the Giant Gerard, carved from a twisted block of timber, dis-
led and ill at ease, that stood between. the first-floor windows, and faced the
rway of the house now numbered twenty-four, on the north side of Basing
3, was in March, 1852, moved from its position, and is now deposited in the
pt or vaults below the Guildhall. The building materials of the tavern were
^ Collect. Topogr. et Gencalogka, vol. v. p. 282.
24 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
sold by auction on April 8th and 10th following, and, ere the month had closed, it
was, with the south side of Basing lane, wholly demolished. The vaults remained
for some months to gratify the public curiosity ; but the crown of the arched roof
being two feet or more above the level of the roadway, was in its turn cleared
out, with considerable attention to the preservation of the stone in ita several
proportions, and will be reconstructed, as one of the inntimerable attractions
contemplated by the proprietors of the Crystal Palace^ on Anerley hill near
Sydenham.
129 AT THE SEA YEN STARES — In the field, seven stars.
Rev. IN BASIN LANE .1650 — A. A. P., in the field.
130 VINCENT FLETCHER — Seven stars, in the field.
Rev, IN BASING LANE .1666 — In the field, v. F. f,
Fletcher was apparently the successor of A. P. at the Seven Stai^. In the
great fire of September, 1666, Basing lane was wholly destroyed.
131 AT THE WHIT HORS — In the field, a horse caprioling.
IN BASEN LANE . 1652 — I. G., in the field.
BATTLE BRIDGE, Southwark.
Battle bridge was so named from being situated on ground, and over a water-
course flowing from the Thames, belonging to the abbot of Battle abbey ; the place
is now called Mill lane.
132 THE BROOD HEN AT BATLE — Hen sitting on nest, in field.
Rev, BRIDGE IN SOVTHARKE — In the field, L. E. S.
133 CHESMOVNGER AT — In the field, an angel.
Rev. BATTEL BRIDG A. M. F., in the field.
134 lOHN HOLLAND AT — A castle, in the field. Rev.
BATEL BRIDG . SOVTHWARK — In the field, I. E. H.
135 RICHARD SAPP AT BATLE — Peacock, the tail displayed.
Rev. BRIDG IN SOWTHARKE — In the field, R. S. S.
"Alexander of Macedonia imposed a great penaltie on him that killed a pea-
cocke. Quintus Hortensius the Romane oratour first set it upon the table, beeing
himself a perfect glutton." — Henry Buttes's Dyets dry DvmwTj 1599, sign, K 6.
Baynard Castle, Thames Street, see No. 150.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS, 25
BEAR ALLEY, Southwark.
» PENNIFATHER — A bell, HIS |,
Mev. IN BEARE ALLY . BRIDGFOOT — IN SOYTHWARK.
36 ROWLAND PENNIFATHER — A bell, HIS |. in the field.
BEDFORDBURY, Ohandos Street.
37 ELiz: ROW.VPER en[d] — A skittle ball and two pins.
Eev. OF BEDFORDBERY — In the field, E. r.
Skittles, under the appellation of kayles or nine-pins, was, with other games,
jnounced as an unlawful amusement in the reign of King Edward the Fourth,
id the magistrates commanded to seize and bum them. Strutt, while noticing
le general failure of such enactments, adds — " I rememher, about twenty years
ick (1780), the magistrates caused all the skittle frames, in or about the city of
ondon, to be taken up, and prohibited the playing at Dutch pins, nine ping, or
. long bowling alleys, when in many places the game of nine holes was revived
! a substitute, with the new name of ' Bubble the Justice, ' because the populace
id taken it into their heads to imagine the power of the magistrates extended
ily to the prevention of such pastimes as were specified by name in the public
its, and not to any new species of diversion." — Sports and Pastimes^ edit. 1810,
io. Introd. p. xliv.
BEDFOED STREET, Oovent Garden.
38 THE CROS KEYES TAVERN — Two crossed keys, in field.
Bev. IN COVENT GARDEN — In the field, G. G, G.
Most of the early parochial rate books of St. Paul, Covent garden, are supposed
) have been destroyed in the fire of September, 1795 ; all that remain are the
ictor's rate books of 1650, ^nd the poor-rate assessment books of the years 1651
he eastern division only), 1657, and 1663. There are no others till 1697; and
scently, some heartless wretch has purloined the volume of vestry minutes, from
640 to 1681 ; certainly one of the most interesting of all the metropolitan records.
The Crossed-keys tavern appears to have been in Bedford street, between Hen-
ietta street and King street. George Gascoigne's name is noticed in the rate
ooks of 1657 ; but he was doubtless an older inhabitant, as in the burial register
lat commences October 27, 1653, are recorded in April 24, 1654, the sepulture
f Debora Gascoigne, and on May 8th, Dorothy Gascoigne. The burial of George
f^ascoigne, the issuer of the token, follows on January 23, 1660-61.
39 SAMVELL HOARE AT THE CROS — Two crossed keys, in
field. Mev. IN BEDFORD STREET COVENT GARD —
In the field, s. G. h.
Samuel Hoare possibly married the widow of George Gascoigne, the middle
litial being the same. Hoare's name appears on the rate book of 1663. The burial
agister notices him, October 14, 1668, as '' Captain Samuel Hoare, buried in the
26 XONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
churcli ;" and later, possibly of the same femily, is recorded, August 2d, 1695,
" Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hoare, esq., from St. Ann's^ buried in the church."
These interments were in the vaults.
140 TOVCH NOT MINE ANOINTED — Head o£ King Charles II.
Eev. FEARE GOD. HONOR THE KING: — A bible, between
w. s., the date 1660, above.
140* TOVCH NOT MINE ANOINTED — Head of King Charles II,
Hev. FEARE GOD . HONOR THE KING — A bible, between
w. M. s., and the date 1664, above.
William Sheares, bookseller, at the Bible in Bedford street, Covent garden, in
1661, as a frontispiece to some of his pubUcations, prefixed an engraving of his
sign, a Bible, with w. s., surrounded by the motto " feahe god . honok the
KING," as on the token.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, has a notice ; " Sept. 21st, 1662, Mr. Sheires,
bookseller in Covent garden, buried." "Where, does not appear; his name is not
in the parifih register. Margaret Sheares is found in imprints, three or four years
later.
Theburialregister of St. Paul, Covent garden, records, " March 26, 165^3, Mrs.
Margaret Sheares buried."
141 WILLIAM FARNCOMBE — In the field, OYLE MANE. 1654.
Be'&. IN COVENT GARDEN — w. F., in the field.
William Famcombe appears on the rate book of 1657", in Bedford street; and
in tho. burial register, February 3, 1660-61, is recorded the interment of " Wil-
liam, son of William Famcombe." The name again occurs in the assessment
book of 1663.
BEDLAM, Bishopsgate Withont.
Simon Fitz-Mary*, sheriffof London in the years 1233 and 1246, out of his singu-
lar and especial devotion to the church of the glorious Virgin Mary at Bethleh^n,
gave, as the deed of gift recites, " aU that land of mine, which I possess in the
parish of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, namely, whatsoever I have there, or
whatsoever I ought to have there, in houses, gardens, fish-ponds, ditches, pits,
and all their appurtenances, included within the bounds ; the which extend in
length from the king's way on the east, to the ditch called Depediche on the west ;
and in breadth, towards the land which was Ralph Dunnynges on the north, to
the land of the church of St. Botolph on the south; in clear, free, and perpetual
alms, and especially for building the same into a priory." The grant, dated on
Wednesday, October 23, 1247, was witnessed by Peter Fitz-Alwyn, supposed to
have been the grandson of Henry Fitz-Alwyn, draper, of London Stone, first
mayor of London ; Nicholas Bat, sheriff and alderman of Bishopsgate ward ; Ralph
Sparling, and othera.
* Lelaud names him Simon Fitz -Moris ; and he is elsewhere called Maury.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 27
Not otherwise endowed, and failing of other assistance, the priory lingered till
123, when Stephen Jennings, a merchant tailor, bequeathed forty pounds to-
irds purchasing the right of adapting it to the reception of lunatics, Skelton,
his Why come ye w)t to Cowte, written in or about 1523, in his abuse of Car-
nal "Wolsey, thus describes him :
" He grinnes and he gapes
As it were Jacke Napes,
Such a mad Bedlem."
In 1546, on the dissolution of popish religious houses, the priory, with aU its
venues, passed to the city authorities, as a hospital for insane persons. Aggas,
his map, 1560, particularizes the buildings, with the church in the midst, de-
olished in 1562, doubtless for the purpose of laying out lines of small houses,
iich were soon after erected. Sir Thomas Roe, in 1569, inclosed, as a place of
trial for the neighbourhood, about an acre of the land belonging to the said
ispital, on the west, on the bank of the deep ditch, the boundary of the hospital
ad from Moorfields. This inclosed portion constitutes the north-west comer of
verpool street and Blomfield street, next Finsbury circus.
Contiguous to the metropolis, it became a suburban receptacle for lawless and
w characters ; the limatics were of the worst description, and maintained by
iblic charity, but scantily bestowed. Streets of small tenements creeped up
oaost imperceptibly, and became the pestilential abode of dissolute persons,
lettle, in his Kind Hearts' Dreamt, printed at latest in 1593, notices the bowling-
Leys in Bedlam. Stow, in 1598, observes, '^'from this hospital northward, upon
e street's side, many houses have been built with alleys backward, of late too
uch pestered with people, a great cause of infection, up to the bars ;" and Ben
inson, in his Alck&mist, 1610, has an allusion to the beggarly condition of the
ecinct :
" Lovewit. The world's turn'd Bethlem !
Face. These are all broke loose
Out of St. Katherine's, where they use to keep
The better sort of mad folks.'* Act v. sc. 1.
The attempt by the city authorities, in 1644, to renovate the place and insti-
te order, was, from the density of the population, abandoned, until the new
spital, on the south side of Moorfields, begun in April, 1675, and completed in
ily, 1676, became the home of the lunatics ; and their former receptacle was
her pulled down or rendered habitable for more supposed sane persons. Strype,
1720, describes it as containing several courts and alleys, under the appella-
m of Old Bethlem ; it continued so till 1829, when the main street, so named,
LS vridened, and the name changed to Liverpool street.
\}2 AT THE SALVTATION — In the field, two men greeting.
IN BEDLAM . 1658 — G. A. H., in the field.
The transmutation of the tavern signs at this period was the theme of numerous
iters. Richard Flecknoe, in his Enigmatical Cka/racters, 1658, 8vo, speaking
" your fanatick reformers," observes, " as for the signs, they have pretty well
?un their reformation already, changing the sign of the Salutation of the Angel
d our Lady into the Souldier and Citizen,, and the Catherine-wheel into the Cat
d Wheel. Such ridiculous work they make of their reformation, and so zealous
3 they against all mirth and jolHty, as they would pluck down the sign of the
t and Fiddle too, if it durst but play so loud as they could hear it."
28 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
143 EPHRAIM CLITHEROW — The sun in rays, in the field.
Ber^, AT THE STXE IX BEDLAM — E. G. C.
144 THE SINE OF THE HALF — A crescent, in the field.
Rev, MOYN IN BEDLAME — In the field, T. B.
Sir Thomas Browne was of opinion that the human feioes ponrtrayed on ale-
house signs, and in coats of armSj for the sun and moon, were reliques of ps^-
nism, and that these visages originally implied Apollo and Diana.
Butler, who waggishly aaks^
'' Tell me but what's the nat'ral cause.
Why on a sign, no painter draws
The full moon ever, but the half?"
HudibraSj part ii. canto 3.
may be fedrly answered on the rule of common sense ; was the moon represented
full fiiced, as the Baptist's head on the Irish half-pennies and &rthings of King
John, the more than half fuddled mooney-eyed customers, by an optical illxision,
on retiring, might mistake the moon's disc for a sun in glory ; fency it another
haven of bliss ; return, and become lunatically drunk.
BEECH LANE.
Beech lane is mentioned in early records, as the way lying " versus le Beche,"
the shore of the great water, A red cross, in contrast with the white or stone
cross towards Cripplegate, stood at the west comef, both afterwards giving names
to the respective streets on their sites. The Roman watch-tower, the Barbican,
stood near the red cross, and was subsequently the site of the town mansion of the
Bridgewater family ; that in its turn has given place to Bridgewater square.
145 ELIZABETH "WOOD — Goldsmiths Company arms, in the
field. Bev. is beach laxe . 1656 — In the field, E. "W.
146 EDWARD MARSHALL — In the field, three crowns.
Eev, IX beech lane . 1668 — his half pent. e. i. m.
147 henry GREEN NEXT DORE TO GLOVERS HALL. Bee,
IN BEECH LANE . 1669 . A HALFE PENEY. H. A. G.
BELL YARD, Fleet Street.
Bell yard derived that appellation from a messuage or tenement called " the
Bell," in the parish of St. Dunstan's, Fleet street, " lately belonging to the priory
of St. John of Jenisalem,'' On the dissolution of the priory. King Henry the
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 29
;lith granted the said messuage to Anthony Stringer, frona whom, in 1543, it
sed to John Hornby. The Inquisitio post mortem, instituted on Hornby's de-
86 in 1558j ehcited these fcicts.
8 VICTOR DREW IN BELL — Kej within crescent, in field.
Bev, YARD NEAR TEMPLE BARR — HIS HALF PENY. 1667.
["he sign of the Key and Half-moon.
9 WILL. lONSON AT Y^ DRAKE IN — A drake, in the field.
Rev. BELL YARD NEARE TEMPLE BAR — HIS HALPE
PENY. 1667.
BENET or BAYNAED CASTLE, Thames Street.
lO EDWARD OAKES AT BENET — A windmill, in the field.
Rev. CASTLE . THAMES STREET — In the field, E. G. 0.
ST. BENNETTS HILL, Thames Street.
II MATHEW TVNSTALE AT THE — A harrow, in the field.
Rev. HARROW ONE S^ BENNETS HILL — In the field, 1?
Large braes, for pence, were chiefly issued by coffee-house keepers on their re-
abhshment after the great fire.
BEEMONDSEY STEEET, Southwark.
!2 AT THE WHITE SWAN IN — A swan with collar and chain.
Rev. BARNABEY STREET — In the field, W. A. T.
Che Mandevilles, earls of Esses, bore for arms, gules, a swan arg. ducally eol-
ed and chained or. The Bohuns^ descended from them by a female line, bore
) same badge.
Che White Swan was a device borne by King Edward the Third on his shield,
a tournament, with the legend in the vernacular English dialect, the first re-
'ded instance of its use in a motto :
'^ Ha ! ha ! the Whyte Swan !
By Groddee soule I am thy man !"
ior to this time, the English language was a commixture of speech, of Anglor
son and Norman-Prench.
rhe White Swan was also the badge of his son King Richard the Second.
30 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
153 AT THE RED BVLL IN — A bull passant, in the field.
Bev, BERMONDSEY STREETS — In field, . . D. ? indistinct.
154 RICHARD MELTON IN — Crossed keys, in the field.
Rev. BARNIBE STREETE — In the field, R. A. M.
The sign of the Crossed Keys is yet extant in Bermondsey street.
155 NICHOLAS SHELLEY IN — HIS HALFE PENNY, in field.
Bev, BARMONDICE CHESEMONGER — In the field, N. M. s.
1666.
156 lOHN STEVENS IN BARMONSI — In the field, I. A. s. 1666.
Bev. STREET IN SOVTHWARKE — HIS HALF PENY.
BILLINGSGATE.
157 AT THE QVEENES HEAD — Queen EHzabeth, with high
ruff. Bev. at billingsgate — In the field, R. A. c.
Antecedent to the fire, was the Boar's Head in Billingsgate, that gave name
also to Boar's-head alley. Machin, in his diary, a chronicle of the cardinal virtues
of catholicisnij mentions, on May llTthj 1555, one Hall, a lighterman, of Boar's-
head alley, who, while the feithful of ilachin's religion were going in procession
through Cheapside, was hound to a post there and whipped, as they passed, for
his heretical opinions. Well might the accession of Queen Elizabeth induce her
sign to be raised, as an expression of general joy.
158 John Eldridge at Billingsgate^ in four lines, on obverse.
Bev. HIS HALF PENY— A lion rampant, and still, in field.
Octangular in form. A distiller of strong water ; burned out in the great fire
in September, 1666. He appears to have reestablished himself in Drury lane, at
the sign of the Eagle and Crown, whence he issued a half-penny token, bearing
date 1667".
BILLITEE LANE.
" The narrow way called Bellezeters lane" is noticed as a boundary, in a sur-
vey of lands and quit-rents belonging to London Bridge, in the fifteenth century.
Harl. MS. 6016. BiUiter lane is now Billiter street.
159 "WILLIAM wiCEiNS . 1657, in three lines, on obverse.
Bev, IN bilet[e]r lane — A man dipping candles.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 31
)0 WILLIAM PHILLIPS — ^A crooked billet, in the field,
Bev, IN BILLITER LANE — In the field, W. E. p.
BIROHIN LANE, Oornhill.
" The king's way called Bercher's lane, in the parish of St, Edmnnd in Lom-
rd stretCj " is noticed as a boundary, in a survey of lands and quit-rents belonging
London Bridge, in the fifteenth century. Harl. MS. 6016.
Bercher appears to be a perversion, or misnomer. '' Birchover lane," according
Stow, edit. 1603, was " so called of Birchover, the first builder and owner
sreof, now corruptly called Birchin lane. This lane, and the high street near
joining, were formerly for the most part inhabited by wealthy drapers ; but
the reign of Henry the Sixth, from Birchover lane on that side of the street, to
3 stocks, the most part dwelhng there were fripperers or upholders, who sold old
parel and household stufi"." What would now be termed a broker's alley. So, in
e JR^rnme from, Pa/massvis^ 1606, 4to, it is said, "And you. Master Amoretto — ■
3 fine, when that puppet-player Fortune must put such a Birchin-lane post in
good a suit — such an ass in so good fortune."
31 lAMES FORDE AT THE — A cock, in the field. Bev.
COCKE IN BVRCHING LANE — In the field, I. E. F.
52 AT THE SHIP IN — A ship, in the field. Bev. bvrchen
LANE — In the field, E. A. D.
BISHOPSeATE WITHIN.
Bishopsgate was sold by the commissioners of the city lands, on Wednesday,
jcember 10th, 1^60, for immediate demolition. The house at the comer of
.momile street has a mitre in the front, with inscription, to mark the site on
lich it stood.
53 THE FLOWER POT WITH — In the field, a vase of flowers.
Be'd. IN BISHIPSGATE — The initials L. M. T., in the
field.
Still there, and well known to the citizens of London, as a house of call of many
burban conveyances.
54 THE SHTGER LOFE IN — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
Bev, BISHOPSGATE STREETE — In the field, R. S. M.
)5 THO. BLACKBORNE — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
Bev, BISHOPSGATE STRE — In the field, T. s. b.
32 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
166 THE SVGAR LOFE AT — A sugar-loaf, in the field. Bev^
BISHOPSGATE . GROCER — In the field, F. M. B.
167 HEN : HORNE CHESEMONGER — H. M. H., in the field.
Rev. IN BISHOPSGATE STREET — In field, H. M. H.
168 AT THE SVNN IN — The sun in splendour, in the field,
Bev, BISHOPSGATE STREET — In the field, w. i. a.
The sun in rays is a device in the Distillers' arms, and doubtless the occasion
of it-s adoption as a tavern sign.
Signs formerly, in addition to the symbol, had frequently an inscription or
motto. The Oraftsman, September 30th, llTSS, asserts that " the peculiarities of a
nation may he discovered by the choice of their signs ;" and, as an instance of the
art and wit in drawing customers to their houses, quotes, among others
" ' The best drink under the Sun.'
Besides this skill and address in attracting customers, they also show a true judg-
ment of the world, in the following inscription partictdarly, which is very common
in town and country —
' Drink here, and drown all sorrow.
Pay to day, and trust tomorrow.'
That might be applied to much higher people than poor ale-house tipplers ; and
I believe some of the best tradesmen would be obliged to me, if I could inculcate
the same maxims into the minds of their premier customers."
169 AT THE ACORNE IN — An acorn, in the field.
Bev, BISHOP- GATE STREETE — In the field, I. K. M.
170 THE SHIP TAVERN IN — A ship, in the field.
Be'O, BISHOPSGATE STREETE — In the field, E. D.
171 THE STARR TA VERNE IN — Star of eight points, in field.
BeV. BISHOPS - GATE STREETE — In the field, H. I. B.
The crest to the Innkeepers' arms is a star of eight points.
172 lOHN WASHBOURN — In the field, the initials I. w.
Bev, IN BISHOPSGATE . SALTER — In the field, 1661.
173 EDW: NOVRSE HIS FARTHINGE WORTH OF COPPER.
Bev, NEXT THE BVLL IN BISHOP GATE STREET. 1666.
Nourse, by his company, was a girdler, and possibly, having married the daugh-
ter of Hugh "Wells, citizen and armourer, of St. Michael's, Comhill, was a wealthy
participant, if not the successor to his fe,ther-in-law's business in that parish, at
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 38
time of the fire in September^ 1666; and after that disastrous event issued
token immediately on reestablishing himself, "next the Bull/' in Bishops-
) street*.
QeUing most truly observes of Nourse's token, "an honest farthingworth of
Der it waSj requiring no promise of repayment, carrying its value along with
ind certainly would have been taken in any part of the kingdom without
pie." — Copper Coinage, "p. 30. The pattern farthing of Eling Charles the Second,
jd 1665, weighs four pennyweights ; this of Nourse's, seven pennyweights;
le the pattern piece of \Q7\, and the farthing actually issued in 1672, weigh
3tly three' and a half pennyweights, half the weight of Nourse's "farthinge
th of copper/' wpecimens of which are among the rarities of traders' tokens.
Whether after the rebuilding on Cornhill he returned to his former domicile
bat parish is not known to the writer; but in the north aisle of St. Michael's
rch is a monumental stone bearing the following inscriptions :
Near this place lieth interred the bodies of Lvke Novese, late of Gloucester,
; who died April the 25th, 1673, aged 89 years.
And of HvGH Wells, late of this parish, citizen and armourer of London ;
\ died February 25th, 1673, aged 84 years.
And also of Edward Novese, citizen and girdler of London^ son to the said
:e Nourse. He married Mary, one of the daughters of the said Hugh Wells,
died June 12th, 1689, aged 65 years."
^ HENRY RVSSELL AT THE — A horse-shoe, and H. A. R.
Rev, IN BISHOPSGATE STREET — HIS HALFE PENY. 1667.
)
RICHARD DOWDING Y^ WHIT — A lion rampant, in field.
Bev. BISHOPSGATE STREET — HIS HALF PENY. 1670.
BISHOPSGATE WITHOUT.
r AT THE WHITE HART — In the field, a hart couchant.
Bev. in[n] at bedlam gate — e. e. k., in the field.
rected, according to the date formerly on the front, in 1480. Stow, in 1598,
, "next unto the parish church of St. Buttolph without Bishopsgate is a iair
For receipt of travellers." In the Eiuropean Magazvm, for March, 1787", is a view
" Next the Bull." What a contiguity ! Unluckily no farthing token is known
le Bull, the inn to which Thomas Hobson, the Cambridge carrier, travelled,
t^ly yet successiuUy, to and fro, backward and forward, during a long life,
man from whom is derived the saying " Hobson's choice : that, or none."
et horses to the students, who were compelled to take the horse in turn as he
i in the stable ; thus no horse was worked more than another. He amassed
iderable property, and died while the plague was raging in London, January
1636. The poets of the university eternized his memory in verse : Milton
etwopiecesj both areprinted among his minor poems. His portrait, engraved
ayne, is one of the graphical rarities of that period ; and Peck, at the end of
Memoirs of OUver Oromwdl, has published the will of this eccentric but bene-
it person. He was a considerable benefactor to his native town, Cambridge.
D
34 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
of the front ; and on June 3d and 4tli, 1788, the whole of the furniture, plate, linen,
and effects were sold by auction on the premises ; the advertisements described it
as " the "White Hart tavern^ of eminent resort for upwards of three centuries."
In January, 1819, the freehold of the White Hart tavern, the houses in White
Hart court, etc., then producing on the old low long-leasehold rents 624Z. per an-
mrni, were announced for sale on the llTth ; particidars were to be had of Mr. John
Long, Christ's Hospital. The White Hart tavern was rebtult in 1829, when the
entrance into Old Bedlam, formerly called Bedlam-gate, was widened, and the
street renamed Liverpool street.
The Mirror, vol. xv., has a wood-cut view of the exterior of the White Hart
tavern, showing the alterations subsequent to 1787, for improving the entrance
to White Hart court ; taken almost immediately before the demolition m 1829.
.White Hart court appears to have been buflt on the old inn yard.
177 THE HALF MOONE BREW — A half-moon, in the field.
Eev. HOTSE , wiTHOVT BGATE — In the field, g. i. o.
Joan Wood, in 1600, by her last will, gave rentcharges arising from the brew-
house called the Half-moon brewhouse, and a house in Half-moon alley, with
other lands and tenements, to St. Botolph's, for charitable uses. — Stow's Swrvey,
edit. 1754, vol. i. p. 423.
The half -moon was the representative of a sixpence in the alewife's uncancelled
scores, when the wall did penance in chalked hieroglyphics for the sins of the
tippler. So in " Master W. H., his song to his wife at Windsor," printed in
Captain Llewellyn's Men-miracles, and other Poems, 1656, duod., p. 40, mention
is made of " the fat harlot of the tap," who
" Writes at night and at noon.
For tester, half a moon ;
And great round O^ for a shilling."
The wood-cut attached to the ballad of " My Wife will be my Master," to the
tune of "A taUour is no man/' printed in J. P. Collier's 5oo^ ofRoxhwghe Ballads,
1847, 4to, p. 89, is an admirable illustration of such an alewife's score. The phrase
" mind your P's and Q's" is said to have originated in a caution to tipplers who
drank freely on credit, to be wary of the pints and quarts, scored against them
by the nicked chalk of mine host. But in Rowland's J*W* K-naves is found this
couplet —
" Bring in a quart of Maligo [Malaga] right true ;
And look you rogue, that it be pee and kew."
178 CHRISTOPHER PARRAT A — Stag and dove, in the field.
Bei}. WITHOVT BiSHOPSGATE — In the field, c. E. p.
179 FRANCES DASHWOOD — Virginian smoking, in the field.
Bev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, A ^?
Taylor the water poet, in his Admirable Hccplmts of Nichohis Wood, the Greai
Eater of Kent, observes, " every one hath particular qualities to themselves, and
dissonant from others, some live by smoake, as tobacconists, knights of the vapour,
gentlemen of the whiffe, esquires of the pipe, gallants infwmo."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 35
) AT THE GRIDE- IRON — A gridiron, in the field.
Eev, WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, h. m. I.
he gridiron is a prominent charge in the Girdlers Company arms.
L THE ROSE AND CROWN — A rose crowned, in the field.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, w. M. i.
he frequency of the rose as a vintner's sign had its origin in the adoption of the
rose of Lancaster^ or the white rose of York, by the several adherents of those
■ons. The marriage of the Lancastrian King Henry the Seventh with Eliza-
L of York extinguished the feuds which the rivalry of these royal houses had
ted ; and the Tudor rose, half redj half white, surmounted by the crown, be-
e the royal badge, and as a sign, designated " the rose and crown ;" while
semi-colours became in time unused, their origin and meaning being imper-
ly understood.
2 E. c. AT THE BLEW BOORE — A Maltese cross, in field.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — A boar, collar and chain.
he blue boar was the badge of the earls of Oxford. Stow, while noticing the
ptuous cavalcades of the nobihty of that period, thus distinguishes John de
e, lord great chamberlain, and the sixteenth earl, who died in 1663 ; '' The
earl of Oxford, feither to him that now [1598] liveth, hath been noted within
e forty years to have ridden into this city, and so to his house by London-
e, with eighty gentlemen, in a livery of Reading tawney, and chains of gold
it their necks, before him ; and one hundred tall yeomen, in the Hke hvery,
>llow him, without chains, but aU having his cognizance of the blue boar em-
dered on their left shoulder."
] SAMVEL HAMPSON — A horse current, in the field.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, s. a. h.
\i BATHVRST, in the field — confectioner, on the verge.
Eev. BISHOPSGATE WITHOVT — Three sugar-loaves.
) THOMAS GOSS WITHOVT — A hive, in the field.
Bev, BISHOPSGATE . 1652 — In the field, T. g.
) ROBERT STVDD AT THE — A helmet, in the field.
Bev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, R. M. s.
' THO : TVCHIN. GROCER — Griocers Company arms, in field.
Bev, WITHOVT BiSHOPSGAT — In the field, t. e. t.
)hn Mottley, under the name of Robert Seymour, in hie Swrv&y of London,
':, vol. i. p. 355, while recording the benefactions inscribed on the second table,
sr the gallery, at the north-west comer of the church of St. Botolph Bishops-
, notices that " Mr. Deputy Tutchin gave, armo 1659, for the poor, five pounds
vnmim for ever," The deputy was no doubt the issuer of the token.
D 2
36 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
188 lOHN TVTHILL — Head of King Charles II., in the field.
.Eev, WTHovT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, i. e. t.
189 ARTHVR HALL AT Y^ SINE OF MY LORD CRAVEN.
Bev. "WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — HIS HALF PENY.
William Craven, eldest son of Sir "William Cravenj lord mayor of London in
1611, created Baron Craven of Hampsted-ilarshall, co. Berks., March 12tli, 1626.
Married Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, eldest daughter of King James the First,
and widow of the Palsgrave Frederick, subsequently King of Bohemia. Created
Earl of Craven, March 15th, 1663 ; he died in 1697,
190 SAMVEL HVTTON AT Y^ ciTTY OF — NORWICH, in exergue.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — HIS HALF PENY.
191 HENRY lORDON, VITLER — A ■weaver'*s shuttle, in the field.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, H. F. i.
192 THOMAS MIDDLETON — T, K. M., in the field.
Eev. WITHOVT BiSHOPSGAT — In the field, same initials.
193 DOROTHY OVERTON AT THE — Horse, With pack-saddle.
Eev, WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — HER HALFE PENY.
The pack horses represented on several tokens indicated horses being for hire.
It is stated that post horses and stages were first established by regulation in July,
1483, soon after the accession of King Richard the Third ; but in the steward's
accounts of disbursements for Sir John Howard, subsequently Duke of Norfolk,
under the date April 17th, 1467, is — " Item, the same day my mastyr paid to
the hakeneyman in party of payment of the horae my mastyr hered to ryde to
Stoke [by Nayland, co. Suffolk], xxs."
193* WILL ; SMALEY . BAKER — A windmill, in the field.
Eev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — In the field, w. A. s.
194^ Ealph Butcher A666 — In three lines. Eev. WITHOVT
BISHOPSGATE — Lion rampant : above, a stick of candles.
Butcher, prior to the great fire in September, 1666, resided in Tower street^
whence he issued a token in 1664. See No. 1173.
Possibly others of this date estabhshed their callings here, their dwellings else-
where having been destroyed,
195 THOMAS FYDGE . 1666 — In the field, his half PENY,
Eev, WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — Sugar loaf, in field.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 37
Francis Hardy. Grocer — Above tlie name, the date 1 QQQ.
Bev. WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — Grocers Company arms.
WALTER SHOWER. 1666— In tlie field, HIS HALF PENY.
Be^, WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — A crescent, in the field.
THOMAS ENGLISH . 1667 — The Distillers Company arms.
Be^, WITHOVT BISHOPSGATE — HIS HALF PENY.
BLACKFRIAES.
' THOMAS WILSON — A rose and crown, in the field.
Be'O, IN BLACK FRYERS — In the field, T. A. w.
the ballad describing Admiral Dean's Funeral, a royalist banter on the ho-
s rendered the body on its passage by water for interment in King Henry the
nth's chapelj in June, 1653, it is said —
" Queen-hythe, Paul's wharf, and the Fryers also.
Where now the players have little to do.
Let him pass without any tokens of woe,
Which nobody can deny."
' WILLIAM CRANWELL — Man dipping candles, in the field.
Bev, IN BLACKFRiEBS — In the field, w. R. c.
YE DARKE ENTRY — In the field, the initials R. D. s.
Bev. IN BLACK FRIERS — 1659, in the field.
THO : SVTTON AT Y^ BLACK FRYER — A Dominican friar.
Bev. IN BLACKE FRYERS . 1671 — In the field, his 1?
le Dominican is here represented with cross and rosary, the implements of his
ig; and across the field, in script characters, is the denotation of the celebrity of
ign as a Mimi House. The acquisition of this piece has ever been a desideratum
collectors; it is engraved in Snelling's C(^er Coinage, pi. v. fig. 39.
iln appears to have been a liquor in considerable demand at this time. " One
g written on a cofiee-house sign, ' Here's Mum to be sold,' said it was a good
le. How can that be? said the other. Why thus, replied the former:
" Here's Mum to be
S, o, 1, d."
Complaisant Compa/nion, 16^4, 8vo, p. 83.
inner calls M%cm a strong kind of beer,. introduced from Brunswick, and de-
eitiier from the German mommelen, to mumble, or fi'om mvm {silentii index),
38 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
i. e., either drink that will {vt nos didrmts) make a cat speak, or drink that will
take away the power of speech. Pope has
" The clamorous crowd is hush'd with mugs of mum,
Till all, tun'd equals send a general hum."
203 PAYABLE IN BLACK FRIARS LONDON — A Dominican or
black friar, with cross in right hand, Bev. The
City arms and motto, domine dirige nos.
A token of the eighteenth century, beautifiilly executed.
BLACKMAN STREET, Southwark.
Blackman street extends from St. George's church to the King's-bench prison.
204 WILLIAM ALLSYP AT Y^ — Object in field, illegible.
Eev. IN BLACKMAN ST.SOVTHWARK — HIS HALF PENY.
205 DANIEL ARNOLD WINE COOPER 166 . ? in four lincs.
Bev, NEER ST. GEORGES CHVRCH . HIS HALF PENY,
Octagonal in form. The old parish church of St. George the Martyr^ named
on the token, appertained by the gift of Thomas Ademe, and Thomas his son,
in the year 1122, to the priory of Bermondsey. Impaired by age, it was demo-
lished, and the foundation stone of the present edifice was laid April 23d, 1734.
206 lOHN EWING. ST. GEORGES CHVRCH IN SOVTHWARKE,
He'd. An ape seated, smoking a pipe — His ^ penny.
Octangular in form. Tobacco must have become prevalent at a much earher
date than is generally supposed, and its qualities appreciated by different names.
" As for the Middle-sex, or Londoner, I smeU his diet. Vescitur aura ceth&'ea.
Here is a pipe of right Trinidado for him. The Yorkers they will bee content
with bald Tabacodocko.*' — Henry Buttes's Dyets Dry Dirmer, 1599, Epistle Dedi-
catorie, Aa. rev.
207 HTGH LEY AT THE WHITE — A swan, in the field.
Be'&. BY ST. GEORGES CHVRCH — SOVTHWARK . HIS
HALF PENY.
Heart-shaped.
208 ROBERT MAYOW.1667 — In the field, a man smoking.
Eev. IN BLACKMAN . STREET — HIS HALF PENY.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 39
► HENRY POWELL IN — Ooopers Company arms, in field.
Bev, BLACKMAN STREET — In the field, H. s. p.
) MICHAELL RAYNER IN — Bakers Company arms, in field.
Eev. BLACKMAN STREET . 1667 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
M. E. R.
KING'S-BENCH PEISON, Southwark.
1 ROBERT STONIER AT Y^ KINGS BENCH IN, in five Hnes.
ne'e. SOVTHWARKE . HIS HALFE PENY . 1669.
he prison of the Court of King's Bench has been situated near the end of
3kman street for ages, of which no distinctive records remain. Prince Hal,
rwards the memorable King Henry the Fifth, was committed, in 1411, to this
on by Judge Gascoigne, for insulting him while on the bench.
reflfray MinshuU, writing '' from the King's Bench prison in Southwarke," in
7, characterises it as "a place that hath more diseases predominant in it
a the pest-house in plague-time, and it stinkes more than the lord mayor's
ge-house, or Paris-garden^ in August."
he foundation of the present prison was laid August 6th, 1 755 ; and the debtors
isferred-thence, from the old ruinous building, November 7th, 1758.
2 NEAR THE BENCH — In the field, the initials R. A. o.
Eev. IN SOYTHWARK — Three sugar-loaves, in the field.
BLANCH-APPLETON COURT, Mark Lane.
V name derived from the lands or manor of Blanch Appleton. Stow^ in his
i}aye, notices a grant of King Edward the First, in 1285, authorizing the en-
sure and shutting up of a lane behind the said Blanch Appleton ; he adds
t the manor belonged to Sir Thomas Roos of Hamelake, knight, and describes
IS " standing at the north-east comer of Mart lane, now corruptly termed
rke lane."
Ln order of Common Council, October 12th, 1464, ordained ''that the basket-
kerSj gold-wire drawers, and other foreigners, using mysteries within the city,
uld not henceforth hold shops within the liberty of the city, but at Blanche
pulton, so as they 'might have sufficient dwelling there."
3 lOSEPH TAYLOR HIS |- — The Coopers Company arms,
Bev, IN BLANCH APPLETON COVRT AT THE END OF
MARKE LANE.
40 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
BLOOMSBURY.
214 ANDREW PASHLEY AT Y^ BVLL — A bull: above, an
open mouth. Mev. and movth in bloomsbvry —
HIS HALFE PENNY.
The Bull and Mouth, said to be a perversion of Boulogne Mouth, sed qa. ? This
was an elucidation that originated with George Steevens the commentator, a
mischievous wag in literary matters.
BOEOUGH, Southwark.
215 CHARLES WESTON, POTER — Seven stars, in the field.
Bev, IN THE BYRROW . 1666 — In the field, c. m. w.
BOW LANE, Cheapside.
Bow lane, from the occupation of ite inhabitantSj was formerly called Cord-
wainers' street : when they left it, hosiers took possession ; it was then called
Hosier lane ; its present name is derived from its proximity to the church of St.
Mary de Arcubus, or St. Mary-le-Bow.
The old parish seal of St. Mary-le-Bow represents the tower of the church of
St. Mary de Arcubus, as finished in 1512. Stow thus describes it : *' The arches
or bows thereupon, with the lanthoms, five in number ; to wit, one at each comer,
and one on the top, in the middle, finished with stone brought from Caen in Nor-
mandy." The purpose was to have them glazed, and lights placed within^ to guide
those who by the ferry crossed the Thames.
The celebrity of Bow bell arises from the £ict that according to the Norman
practice the curfew or couvre-feu bell was sounded from the church on this spot.
As time passed on, the stringency of the mandate was relaxed, and Bow bell
sounded at nine o'clock*, when there were no church clocks to warn the time-
* Inclination, the vice, or fool, in the interlude of Tlw TriaU of Ti'easiufrej 1567,
boasts he was so old, he could remember
" The same yeere the weathercocke of Paules caught the pip,
So that Bowe bell was like much woe to sustaine."
Bow bell had the same use in London as the great bell at Oxford, commonly
called " Tom of Christ church." By the statutes of the university, Christ-church
bell was to sound at nine of the clock every night, to call all scholars to their
colleges, and the townspeople to their own dwellings ; but the college being at
one end of the town and on low ground, it was deemed not sufficiently loud in
its sound, and the enlargement of the compass and weight was determined. Tom,
after three fruitless attempts, was at a cost of 800^ successftdly recast at Oxford,
on April 8th, 1680. Oxford Tom is still a sign near Bride lane in Fleet street.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 41
nd passer by. In Haughton's Englishmm, for my Money, written in 1580^ but
printed till 1616, this is noticed as a late hour :
" 'Tis nine o'clock ! harke. Bow bell rings." — Sign, E iv. rev.
i in Rowland's 'Tis ffm^ry wlien gossips meet, 1609, the crew of kind gossips,
le drinking claret at the tavern, break up with the exclamation
" Harke ! Bow bell rings ; before the Lord, 'tia late."
ohn Dunne, mercer, and y>- parishioner, buried in St. Pancras churchyard,
ter lane, bequeathed two houses in Bow lane for the maintenance of Bow bell,
only familiar to us, from the cradle, by the fabled warning of Bow bellf to
runaway Richard Whittington, but eternized also in Pope's portentous line
" Far as loud Bow's stupendous bells reaouijd."
)e referred only to past notoriety ; it was one bell, not a set of bells, and Whit-
yton's beU perished in the great fire of September, 1666.
■ Londoners, or persons born within the sound of Bow beU, are derisively called
Jockneys ;" but why has long been subject of dispute. Blount says, Camden
ives "the etymology of cockney from the river Thamesis, that runs by London,
I was of old time called Cockney. Others say, the little brook that runs by
rabole or Tummill street was so called." — GlossograpMa, 1670, 8vo. As deri-
ions they deserve no attention. The plenteous land of Cokeney or Cokaigne,
n cogimm, a kitchen, is memorable in the rhymes of our forefathers ;
" In Cokaygne is met and drink,
"Withute care, how and swink."
3 superabundance showing
" Ther both rivers gret and fine.
Of oile, melk, honi, and wine."
are, too, was a fair abbey of white and gray frocked monks, so well provided,
' " The gees irostid on the spitte
Fleey to that abbai, god hit wot.
And gredith ' gees al bote, al hot !' "
The Anglo-Saxon word cocnimga, signifying cooked fare, meats roasted or pre-
■ed for eating, and other viands, appears to have conferred an immortiUty of
thet on the natives of London, and their mayor, as " the king of Cockneys,"
m their close aUiance to feasting and revelry, in the olden day, whatever reform
y have effected in the present. The iVench phrase, " le pais de. Cocagne," in
Preneh coguame, implies the land of good cheer. The Italian cocagna has the
le meaning, and both seem derived from the Latin coquina. The famous coun-
alluded to, both by the French and the Italian writers, is described by them
i, region where the hills are made of sugar-candy, and the loaves run down the
■s, crying, come, eat me ! Where is this region ?
Cokeney, in very early times, was used to designate London. Camden has re-
ded of the rebellious baron Hugh Bigod, in the reign of King Henry the Second,
-t he boasted, and in rhyme too,
" Were I in my castle of Bungay,
Upon the river Waveney,
I would ne care for the king of Cockeney."
42
If these lines had any reality beyond mere tradition, they could only have been
expressed in contempt of the monarch, and the subserviency to him of the Lon-
doners. Certain it is, "the King of Cockenets" had long been the butt of sport ;
and in the Christmas revelries at Lincoln's TnTi was formerly a prominent person-
^e. The following extracts from the Black Book of that society, vol. iii. fol. 87 a,
under the regulations " For Cristmas," will afford some illustration of the fact :
February 9th, 1519, 10 Hen. VIII. " Item, hit is agreed and ordeyned that
he that shalbe chosen hereafter to be king on Christmas-day shall occupy then
the said room if he be present^ and if he be absent, the mai^hal for the time being,
by the advise of the utter barristers, to name another to occupy the saone room ;
and for learning of young gentlemen to do service, that the marshall sit as king
on new-year's day, and have like service as was on Christmas-day ; and that the
master of the revels during the dinner-time occupy the marshal's room.
" Item, that the King of Cornets on Childermas day sit and have due service,
and that he and all his officers use honest manner and good order, without any
waste or destruction making in wine, brawn, chely, or other victuals ; and that
he and his marshal, butler, and constable marshal, have their lawful and hon^t
commandments by delivery of the officers of Christmas ; and that the said king
of Cockneys, ne none of his officers, medyU neither in the buttery, nor in the
steward of Christmas his office, upon pain of 405. for every such meddling.
" Item, that Jack Straw and all his adherents be from henceforth utterly
banished, and no more to be used in IJncoln's Inn, upon pain to forfeit for every
time five pounds : the said cs. to be levied of every fellow that shall happen to
offend against this rule aforesaid."
A Cockney is therefore simply, as Burton affirms, one who is curious in the ob-
servation of meats prepared from the coquinaf the kitchen, or cooking-place ; a
practice more anxiously observed within the sound of Bow bell than elsewhere.
Shakespeare has caustically alluded t-o this excess of sohcitude in his King Lear^
who when chagrined by his daughter's unkindne^, the old time-beaten king,
amid his imforeseen misfortunes^ exclaims
" O me, my heart, my rising heart ! but dovra."
The fool, to quiet him, promptly adds —
" Ciy to it, nuncle, as the Cockney did to the eels, when she put them i' the
paste alive ; she rapped 'em o' the coxcombs with a stick, and cried Down, wan-
tons down ! 'T was her brother, that in pure kindness to his horse, butter'd his
hay." — ^Act ii, sc. 4.
So also in the interlude of Thersites, written in 1537, though probably not
printed till after 1561, Thersites promises, among other provisoes, to remember
Mulciber's kindness in equipping him,
" Whyle that the cat shall love well mylke,
And women love to go in sylke,
Whyle beggars have lyce.
And cockneys are nyce."
Henry Buttes, in his Dyets J>ry Bimier, 1599, sm. 8vo, describing aprecocks,
or apricots, observes, " called in Greek hericocciaj in Latin pjxecociaj or prcBmoMra,
id est, soone ripe, or first ripe, for they offer themselves about the end of spring.
Hence we call a ripe-headed young boy, a, prin-cock. Horace saith 'non anao
puerum prsecocis ingeni/ id est, I love no aprecocks; and so on the contrary, a
cockni is inverted, being as much as incoct, unripe. "
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 43
6 AT THE GREENE DRAGON — A dragon, in the field.
Eev, IN BOWE LANE — In the field, i. c. k.
The vane on the steeple of Bow church, in Cheapside, is a dragon^ a profanation
the asserted symbol of the cock, as being typical of St. Peter's cock.
7 lOHN WOLRICH AT THE — A game cock, in the field.
Bexi. COK . IN BOW. LANE . 1652 — In field, i. s. "w.
8 lOHN WOLRICH AT THE — A game cock, in the field.
Bev, COK . IN BOW. LANE . 1658 — In the field, i. w.
[n the interim, Wolrich appears to have become a widower, the initial of the
ie'a name being omitj;ed in the latest dated piece.
The Cock in Bow lane, a house of considerable notoriety even prior to these
fces^ was destroyed in the great fire of September, 1666 ; but on being rebuilded
umed the old sign; and after the lapse of two centuries "crows still" — the
use with its cognomen is yet extant.
9 THE MERMAYD TAVERN — A mermaid, in the field.
Ee'o. IN BOWE LANE . 1652 — In the field, i. A. P.
10 BARTHOLOMEW HILL — A stag, in the field.
Eev. IN BOWE LANE — In the field, B. M. H.
Possibly a leather-seller, the stag being the crest of the Leathersellers' arms.
BOW STREET, Westminster.
Bow street is shown by Porter's map of London, published in or about 1654,
bave been semi-circular in form, and extended jfrom King street, Westminster,
lind the Westminster market, the site now occupied by the sessions-house, and
mnunicating to Broken cross, at the foot of Tothill street. In Blome's map of
Margaret's parish, retained in the booksellers' edition of Stow's Survey, 1754,
w street is there designated '' Thieving lane." It would seem, on the extinction
Westminster market, the neighbourhood became the abode of much squalid
aery, rogues, and thieves.
!1 AT THE BLEW LION IN — Lion rampant, in the field.
Be'd, BOW STRET . WESTMIN — In the field, e. p. o.
'2 THE CROS SHVFLES — Oorn-porters' shovels, crosswise.
Bev. IN BOW STRET .1653 — In the field, H. b. s.
Maltsters used the crossed shovels as a sign. The issuer was possibly a meal-
xi, or what is now teimed a corn-chandler.
44 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
223 BOW STREET . BACKER — 111 the field, a baker's peel.
Rev. IN WESTMINSTER . 1659 — T. A. s., in the field.
224 lAMES BEECH IN BOW STREET — Grapes within hoop.
Bev, IN WESTMINSTER. 1667 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
Beech was located in Swan alley, at the foot of Garllck hill, in. Thames street,
till September, 1666, when the great fire compelled his moving westward. See
No. 1130.
The sign as here depicted exhibits a deficiency of the ivy, which was wont to
be entwined about the hoop, and conferred, during centuries long prior to this
date, a certain elegancy of form beyond the adventitious irregularities of the ivy-
bush. These entwined hoops were in addition to the sign; hence, the horse jon
the hoop, the swan on the hoop, and many others ; but with the disuse of the
ivy-bush, the hoop, that was its latest representative, is now almost forgotten.
BEEAD STREET, Oheapside.
" Bread street, so called of bread sold here, as in a market, is now wholly in-
habited by rich merchants ; and divers fair inns be there, for good receipt of car-
riers and other travellers to the city." — Stow, 1598.
John Milton, the poet, was bom in this street, December 9th, 1608, his fether
being a scrivener, at the sign of the spread-eagle, an heraldic symbol that appears
in the femily anns"; so that possibly the sign originated by being set up by the
elder Milton, who had another house, "the Rose," in the same street. Aubrey,
who intimates that foreigners who came into England would see the house and
chamber where the poet was bom, quaintly adds — " he was much more admired
abroad than at home." The fire in 1666 destroyed the street whoUy, and with it
every vestige of his birth-place.
225 WILLIAM BARNES IN — A still, in the field.
Bev, BREAD STREET . DISTILLER In field, W. I. B.
226 RICHARD CROFT — Object in the field worn and illegible,
Bev. IN BREAD STRET — R. c, in the field.
227 lOHN lENNENS AT THE — Sun in rays. Bev, LOWER
END. BRED STREET — Ironmongers Company arms.
228 EDWARD LEWIS — A porridge-pot, in the field. Bev, in
BRED STRETE . 1659 — In the field, E. R. B.
The porridge-pot, or iron vessel with three legs, as in the armorial bearings of
the Braziers company, since united with the Armourers.
Some error appears on the reverse, in the initials E. E. b.
Mermaid in Bread Street, see Mermaid in Cheap, No. 310.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 45
BRIDE LANE, Fleet Street.
9 WILL : HEARNE AT Y^ WHIT — A bear, in field. Bev. in
BRIDE LANE — In the field, w. M. H.
o early as 1252, a -white bear was sent as a present from Norway to King
riry the Third ; by him it was sent to the Tower, and four-pence per day for
keep was directed to be paid by the sheriffs of London.
L white bear, with collar and chain, and muzzled, was the badge of Queen
ae, consort of King Richard the Third. The bear was the badge of the earls
/V^arwick, who are supposed to have derived it from Urso d'Abitot.
BRIDEWELL.
AT YE PYD.BVLL IN — A bull, in the field. Rev. ovld
BRID . well 1652 — In the field, m. a. e.
BRIDEWELL DOCK.
Jridewell Dock was formerly a landing-place used by the Thames watermen ;
ice the many houses of entertainment. In Lodowick Barry's Ra/m, Alley , or
rrie !IHd;es, printed in 1611, 4to, Will Smallshankea and the rest of his fellows,
lie being conducted after supper by torchlight, from the Mitre in Fleet street
he Savoy, are set on, swords drawn, by Throat and his desperadoes, who carry
the pretended heiress unperceived towards St. Giles's; Thomas Smallshankes,
tied at this scurvy luckj affirms she had run off towards Meet bridge ; but
11 asserting it as a thing not possible, Thomas reiterates —
" Upon my life,
They went in by the Greyhound, and so strooke
Into Bridewell, — to take water at the dock." — Sign. E i.
J Greyhound wa^ a well-known tavern on the south side of Fleet street.
1 ROBERT CHAPMAN AT BRIDE — Woodmongers' arms.
He^. WELL DOCK . HIS HALF PENY — In field, R. E. C.
2 ROBERT CHAPMAN AT — Woodmongers'' arms, in tlie field,
Mev, BRIDEWELL DOCKE — In the field, R. E. c.
"he farthing ; of less size than the preceding. Bridewell dock, described by
De, in his caustic hnes —
" — where Fleet ditch with disemboguing streams
Rolls its large tribute of dead dogs to Thames/'
i that portion of New Bridge street from Tudor street to Chatham place ; the
7 road-way for carriages and horses being then water issuing into the Thames
n Fleet ditch. See Whishaw's Plan of London before and after the Fire,
46 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
233 GILES RAY . WOODMONG — Woodmongers" arms, in field.
Rev, AT BRIDWELL DOCKE — In the field, g. i. r.
BRIDEWELL STEPS.
234 AT THE SVNN TAVERN — The sun in rays, in the field.
B&e. VPON BRIDEWELL - STEPS — In the field, A. E. c.
BRIDGE FOOT, Southwark.
235 lOSEPH BROCKET — A hound, coUar and chain, in field.
Rev, BRIG FOOT sovTHWARK — In the field, i. m. b.
236 coRNELivs COOKE AT THE — A bear passant, with collar
and chain. Rev, BEARE . AT the bridge fot —
In the field, c. A. c.
The Bear at Bridge-foot was a, house of oouaderable antiquity. Among the
disbursements for Sir John Howard, in the steward's accounts yet extant, are
noticed, " March 6th, 1463-4. Item, payd for red wyn at the Bere in Sowthe-
werke, iijd." And again, " March 14th," same year, " Item, payd at dyner at
the Bere iu Sowthewerke in costys, iijs. iiijt?. Item, that my mastyr lost at
shotynge, xx(^."
Gerrard, in a letter to Lord Strafford, printed among the Strafford Papers, dated
January, 1633, intimates that "aU back doors to taverns on the Thames are com-
manded to be shut up, only the Bear at the Bridge-foot is exempted, by reason of
the passage to Greenwich." The tavern was situated on the west side, opposite
the end of St. Olave's or Tooley street. Query, whether this " passage to Green-
wich" was the avenue or way called Bear alley ? See No. 136.
The Cavaliers* ballad on the magnificent fimeral honours rendered to Admiral
Dean (killed June 2d, 1653), while passing by water to Henry the Seventh's
chapel, has the foUowing allusion :
" From Greenwich towards the Bear at Bridge-foot,
He was waffced with wind that had water to't.
But I think they brought the devil to boot.
Which nobody can deny."
In another ballad, " On banishing the Ladies out of Town," by the Common-
wealth authorities, the notoriety of the Bear at Bridge -foot is again manifest :
" Farewell Bridge-foot and Bear there-by.
And those bald pates that stand so high ;
We wish it from our very souls
That other heads were on those poles !"
Pepys, in his Diary, February 24th, 166?, says ''Going through bridge by watery
my waterman told me how the mistress of the Beare tavern, at the Bridge-foot,
did lately fling herself into the Thames, and drown herself." Query, A. Cooke?
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 47
lie Bear tavern was demolished in December^ 1761 ; on the 24th of that month
labourers employed found money to a considerable value^ chiefly gold and
3r coins of the time of Elizabeth*. The wall that enclosed the tavern remained
early in December, 1764, when the ground was wholly cleared, and '^levelled
.e up to the present inconvenient wooden stairs at Pepper alleyf ."
he Bear tavern token in this cabinet, as also several others issued by South-
It traders, now of rare occurrence, were on the demolition of St. Olave's, or
len Elizabeth's Grammar-school, in 1839, found between the joists^ below the
rings of the school-room, and purchased from the labourers then employed.
I HENRY PHILLIPS AT^-Sugar-loaf, in field. Bev. bridge
FOOT . SOVTHWARK — In the field, h. s. p.
BEIDGES STEEET, Oovent Garden.
luilt, as appears by the rate-books of St. Martin's in the Fields, in 1637, before
parish of St. Paul, Covent garden, was constituted ; and said to have derived
t appellation from George Bruges or Brydges, who succeeded to the barony
Jhandps in 1621, and died in 1654. Sir John Brydges, of Wilton castle, bart.,
I in this street in February, 1651-2, but no entry of his burial occurs in the
Lsh register of St. Paul.
3 AT THE FLEECE TAVERN — A fleece, in field. Eev. in
coven[t] garden — In the field, w. c.
fiUiam Clifton, at the Fleece tavern on the west side of Bridges street, appears
he rate-book, 1651. The churchwardens' accompts 1656-7, notice a disburse-
it of 26 s., " for mending the grate over the sewer, by the Fleece tavern." He
ears to have been the chief tavemer, and in the rate-book of 1657 he is rated
t6s., while Long, at the Rose, was assessed at but 13 a., only half the amount,
: churchwardens' accounts for the year ending at Easter, 1658, mention a pay-
it on April 12th^ " to Mr. Clifton, 3Z. 13s., for wine for the last yeare." The
lal register of 1658 records, on November 12th, the interment of " Mr. Clifton's
1," and on March 21st, 1660-61^ " Thomas, Sonne of William Clifton."
he taverns in Covent garden, immediately after the restoration of royalty,
ime the receptacles of bullies and vicious characters, places of most licentious
rt. L'Estrange, in his translation of Quevedo's Visions, 1667, 8vo, p. 137,
des to the notoriety of the Fleece tavern broils, where the bully or hector
), " I was never well, but either at the Fleece tavern, or Bear at Bridge foot,
Bng my guts with food and tipple, till the hoops were ready to burst."
)rey, under " local fettality," observes, " the Fleece tavern in Covent garden
York street), was very unfortunate for homicides ; there have been several
;d there in my time. It is now, 1692, a private house."
he burial register of St. Paul notices, September 13th, 1672, the consigning
he earth of " Amey Watts, Mr. Clifton's servant;" and again, on February
1, 1675, " widow — More, from the Fleece ;" the parish-clerk has left a blank,
1 a memorandum, that he did '^ not leme her christian name."
Piiblic Adv^tiser, Dec. 26th, 1761. f Ihid., Dec. 15th, 1764.
48 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
Aubrey says " in York street;" but if so, there must have been a back or
second way to the Fleece, as the tavern appears by the rate-books to be about
six houses down, south of the comer of Bridges street and Russell street.
2S9 AT THE ROSE TAVERN — A blown rose, in the field.
Bev, IN coven[t] garden — In the field, w. m. l,
"William Long appears in the rate-books, 1651 and 1657, among the assessed on
the east-side of Bridges street ; and in the burial register he is noticed as Jburied
in the churchyard, August 5th, 1661. His widow, Mary Ijong, issued a token as
from Russell street, also in this collection. No. 974 ; her name is on the rate-book,
1663, assessed at i2s., and the Theatre Royal, 40s. Her burial is recorded in the
parish register, " Jan. 29, 1673-4, Mary hong, widow." Their place of sepulture
was in the noi*th-west ground, behind the houses in King street. The headstone
recorded William and Mary Long as the parents of twenty-four children. See
Maitland, vol. li. p. 665. Nothing of the stone is now known.
The Longs continued the tavern, which from its contiguity to the theatre, and
close connection with it, became the vortex, of Hbidinism, and was frequented by
court bullies, literary men of loose character, and other gentry of no character
at ^. The scenes of the MomiTig BannMej w the T. STREET . IN COVEN GARDEN — HIS HALFE PENNY.
le notoriety of the Rose tavern appears, after the death of William Long, to
! created an opponent in this rival Rose. John Moore, in the rate-book, 1663,
jsed at but 4s. id., foUows so closely after Clifton that his Rose was apparently
^een the Fleece and York street.
iiery, whether the widow More, who died in 1675, noticed in the pre-
ag note, was the widow of John More, and successor to Clifton, at the Fleece ?
. ROBERT WHITE IN BRIDGE — A Windmill on stand.
Eev. STREET . COVENT GARDEN — HIS HALFE FENNY.
R. E. W.
BROAD STREET.
! STEPHEN SLANEY — In the field, three sugar-loaves.
Bev, IN BROAD STREET — The initials, s. s., in the field.
! AT THE WHITE HORSE — A packhorse ; R above the
saddle. Bev, in broad streete — In the field,
E. A. B. 1658.
le engraver's mark E, shows the dies of this token were the work of Thomas
UNS, chief die-sinker of King Charles the First's ambulatory mint. Rawlins
the engraver of the memorable rare Oxford crown, struck at Oxford in 1644 ;
metal obtained by melting down the university and college plate. George
ington Barker's specimen, now in the British Museum, was purchased by Miss
cs for eighty guineas. The Oxford penny, by the same artist, purchased at
sdale's sale for the Bodleian cabinet, had twenty guineas, or rather an un-
;ed sum, named in the instructions to secure it ; so rare are the productions
awlins. See also No. 638.
50 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
The White Horse, a house for the reception of travellers, was destroyed in the
great fire in September, 1666. On excavating the area for the new Kojal Ex-
change, but one token was found, that issued from the White Horse in Broad
street ; it is, however, differently described in the Guildhall Jtuseimi Catalogue,
p. 73, No. 16.
Glasshouse Hall, Broad Street, see No. 532.
BEOKEN CROSS, Westminster.
The roadway, formerly called Broken Cross, is now named Princes street, lead-
ing from Storey^s gate, at the end of the Birdgate walk, to Victoria street.
244 AT THE BROKEN CROSS — A heart, Qu. Golden Heart?
Bev. IN WESTMINSTER . 1659 — In the field, F. a. h.
BROKEN WHARF, Thames Street.
245 HVGH ANDRVS . 1667 — In the field, pair of sheep-shears.
Eev, AT BROCKEN WHARFE — HIS HALF PENY.
246 ROBERT AVSTIN woodm[onger] — A faggot, in the field,
Mev. AT BROKEN WHARFE — Woodmoiigers"* crest.
Two feggots are symbols emblazoned on the arms of the Woodmongers; as a
company, now extinct.
247 WILL . AND ELIZABETH — Three hammers crowned.
Eei). NORTH AT BROKEN WHARF — W. E. N., in the field.
Three hannners snnnoimted by crowns^ are the charge on the Smiths* arms.
BUCKLERSBUEY.
Bucklersbniy was formerly distinguished for the number of its houses of pubhc
entertainment. Richard Smith, formerly secondary of the Poidtry compter, re-
cords, in his Obituary, " April 14th, 1639, died Tho. Houff, Bucklersbury, that
sold the nappy ale." In front of number 7, over the first-floor windows, are still
the sculptured effigies of the three mag^, the kings of the east ; that, on the re-
building of the house after the fire of 1666, was possibly a revival of the sign of
an earlier day.
248 lOHN MOORECOCK — A pickled or neat's tongue ? in field.
Bev, IN BVCKELBERY . 1666 — In the field, i. i. M.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 51
BUDG-E EOW, Cannon Street.
Judge row, according to Stow, was ''so called of the budge furre, and of skin-
s dwelling there."
9 THOMAS SNOW — A hawk with bells, in the field.
Be'e. IN BVDGE ROE — A stick of candles, and t. a. s.
Srocera, as appears by the Fasten Letters, were formerly dealers in hawks, and
requirements of falconry ; later, though a chandler, Snow seems also to have
n a chapman in these matters ; unless possibly it was the sign of his predecessor.
BULWARK GATE, Tower Hill.
AT THE CROOKED BILLET — In the field, R. I. s. Rev.
AT THE BVLWORKE GATE — A crooked billet, in field.
1 RICHARD GOODWIN AT — A Hon rampant, in the field.
Be'G, THE BVLWARKE GATE — ^In the field, R. D. G.
BUTCHER ROW, without Temple Bar.
;!!atesby, Percy, Winter, and others of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot,
w conjectured to have been one of the many wily schemes of King James the
•st, held their meetings in the Butcher row, or " the back of St. Clement's,"
usual appellation.
2 MATHEW DVNE AT Y^ BACON SHOP — In field, a flitch.
EeiS, IN BVTCHER ROW. AT TEMPLE BAR — HIS HALPE
PENNY. M. E. D.
3 SAMVEL lONES AT THE— ^A fleece, in the field, s. A. r.
Bev. IN YE BVTCHER ROW.TEM.BARR — HIS HALFE
PENNY.
4 AT THE GOLDEN FLEECE — A fleece, in the field.
Bev. WITHOVT TEMPLE BARR — In the field, S. A. s.
5 RICHARD CHARTER — A bell, in the field. Bev. in
BVTCHER ROW — In the field, R. i. c.
Storer's engraving of ''Temple Bar, from Butcher row, 1796," presents the best
phic illustration of this vicinity, of which a portion of the inconvenient build-
s, with projecting stories, are yet extant on the south side, at the east end of
?-che street",
E 2
52 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
CANNON STEEET, by London Stone.
Cannon street, formerly known as Candlewick street^ the most important quarter
of Saxon London, and the early high road through the city. Henry Fitz-Al-wyn
of " Londenestone/' draper, noble by birth, whom the citizens declared should
alone rule over them, was mayor of London from 1189 till 1213 inclusive, a period
of twenty-four years.
256 NATHANIELL BAGNE — An unicorn, in the field.
Re's, IN CANNON STREETE — In the field, N. s. B.
The unicorn was a favourite exotic introduced among the dramatis personm of
the magisterial pageants. In Cooke's City Gallant, 1599, 4to, a city apprentice
exclaims, " By this light, I doe not thinke but to be lord mayor of London before
I die, and have three pageants carried before me, besides a ship and an imicom."
The red or Tudor dragon of King Henry the Seventh, as the sinister supporter
of the royal arms of England, was displaced for the Scottish unicorn by King James
the Sixth of Scotland, when he succeeded to the throne of England upon the de-
cease of Queen Elizabeth.
257 AT YE WHITE HART — A hart lodged, in the field.
Bev. IN CANNON STREETE — In the field, B. I. s.
The White Hart lodged, under a tree proper, gorged with a crown, and chained,
or J was a badge borne by King Richard the Second. He derived this symbol from
his mother, Joan, the fe,ir maid of Kent, daughter, and lastly sole heiress, of
Edmund Plantagenet, sumamed of Woodstock, Earl of Kent.
258 THO : COLCOCK GROCER AT Y^ — Grocers Company arms.
Eev. GOVLDEN KEY IN CANNON STREE — A key ; 1?
One of the large brass pence struck after the fire.
259 ANNE BLVNT IN — A Turk's head, in the field.
Bev. CANNON STREET . 1672 — 1? amid eight rosettes.
A coffee-house penny of the largest size.
CARTEE LANE.
260 RICHARD HASKER — A pendant ball, in the field.
Bev. IN CARTER LANE . 1664 — HIS HALFE PENY.
The " golden ball," a sign peculiar to silk-mercers.
CASTLE STREET, Southwark.
261 SAMVELL HODGKINE — A cavalier"'s boot. s. H., in field.
Eev. IN CASTELL STREETE — In field, same object, s. H.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 53
262 RICHARD HODGKINE — A cavalier's boot, in the field.
Bev. IN CASTLE STRETE — In the field, R. B. H.
Taylor the water-poet, in his Ncmy of Land Sliips, while describing the Fellow-
ship, notices her lading being " bootea, spurres, shooes, pantoffles, slippers, gal-
loshes, gammoshoes^ and such things as by art or nature are coupled and made
fellowes."
Boots were universally worn by fashionable men ; and by others, in imitation
of them. Spurs also were worn, whether on horseback or on foot; the practice^
in factj became so prevalent, that, in the last parliament of Elizabeth, the speaker
directed the commons to come to the house without spurs. The practice continued
during the seventeenth century, and portraits of persons of any distinction are
almost invariably represented in boots, as shown on the token.
The latter token, possibly that of the son, as successor to his fether.
OATEATON STREET.
263 THE KINGS ABMES TA VERNE — I. E. w[are 2], in the field.
Rev. IN CATEATON STREETS — The same initials.
Stow, describing the north wing of Cheap ward, at the close of the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, mentions, " Cattestreet, corruptly Catteton street." J. "W". was
possibly of the Ware family; as a Roger "Ware issued, in 1664, a half-penny token,
bearing the royal arms, '4n Cateaton street," now named Gresham street.
ST. CATHAEINE'S, East of the Tower.
Howell, in his Londinopolis, 1657, folio, p. 341, observes, "from the liberties of
St. Katherine to Wapping, 'tis yet in the memoiy of man^ there never was a house
standing, but the gallows, which was iurther removed in regard of the buildings ;
but now there is a continued street towards a mile long, from the Tower all along
the river almost as fe,r as Ratcliffe^ which proeeedeth from the increase of navi-
gation, mariners, and trafique."
264 ROBERT ASKE IN — An open arched crown, in the field.
Eev. ST. KATHERNS : SALTER — In the field, R. A.
265 WILLIAM BVTLER IN s. — The 'Grocers Company arms.
Hev. KATHERNS . GROCER — In the field, W. I. B.
266 WILLIAM BVTLER IN s. — Two sugar-loaves braced, in the
field. Eev. katherins . groser — In field, w. i. b.
267 AT the deary MADE — A woman churning, in the field.
JRev. IN s. KATHARNS.1653 — In the field, M. s. w.
A cheese-factor's sign.
54: LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
268 lOHN HAWARD IN ST. — A pair of spectacles, in the field.
Bev, KATRANS . SPECTELE MAKER — In field, I. M. H.
The sign derived from the charge, the old-fe,shioned bamacUs or nose-squeezer,
on the shield of the Spectacle-makers Company. Spectacles are asserted to have
been invented at the close of the thirteenth century, by Alexander Spina, a monk
of Pisa^ who died at an advanced age in 1313 ; but, although Pliny in his chapter
of inventions mentions them not, Pancirollus, who quotes Plautus, '^ Vi^rvm cedo
— necesse est conspiciMo uti," proves they were in use by the ancients,
269 AT THE BLACK SWAN — Swan, with collar and chain.
Bev. IN SANT . KATARNS . 1659 — In the field, i. K. H,
270 Thomas Houlcroft 1665 — In three lines, on obverse.
Eev. BY YE CAGE IN ST KATHERNS — In field, T. M. H.
Taylor the water-poet, after describing the five gaols or prisons in Southwark,
in his time, in allusion to the cage in St. Catherine's, adds —
" Crosse but the Thames unto S, Katherins then,
There is another hole or den for men.
Another in East Smithfield, little better.
Will serve to hold a theefe or paltry debter."
Praise and Y&ftm of a JayU.
271 THOMAS LACY . 1669 — St. George and Dragon, in field.
Re's, IN ST. KATERNS — In the field, His half peny.
ST. CATHARINFS COURT.
272 AT THE COOPERS ARMS — In the field, the Coopers' arms.
in S. KATHERNS CVRT — I. A. H., in the field.
273 MARKE heynes IN — In the field, his half peny.
BeTi. s. KATHERNS covRT — Coopers Company arms.
ST. CATHARINE'S DOCK.
274 THOMAS hockwell — In the field, a horse and cart.
IN s. katerens dock — T. B. H., in the field.
Taylor the water-poet, in his splenetic invective against coaches, entitled, TM
World Rwrmes on WhedeSj observes, " A cart is the emblem of a man, the noblest
of all creatures, and a coach is the figure of a beast ; for as man hath two legges,
a cart hath two wheeles. The coach being in the like sense the true resemblance
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 55
of a beast ; by which is parabolically demonstrated^ that as much as men are su-
perior to beastSj so much are honest and needful carts more nobly to be regarded
and esteemed above needless, upstart, fantastical, and time-troubling coaches."
275 GILBERT TAYLER AT — HIS HALF PENY, in the field.
Mev. ST KATHERNS DOCK — In the field, an archer.
ST. CATHAEINE'S LANE.
276 AT THE BLACK BOY IN — A Negro boy, with tobacco-
leaves. Bev, ST. KATHERNS LANE — In field, W. A. B.
The same chubby-faced ebonized resemblance of humanity generally adopted
by the tobacco sellers of this period, is stiU the prevailing sign of tobacconists.
277 FRANCIS CLARKE IN — HIS HALF PENY, in the field.
Eev. ST. KATHERNS LANE — In field, three tobacco-roUs.
278 THE 3 TOBACCO ROVLS — Three tobacco-rolls, in the field.
He'd, IN S. KATHERINS LANE — In the field, T. E. L.
Pendant black rolls, representing coils of tobacco, partially gilded, still con-
stitute the exterior decoration of tobacconists' shops. Taylor the water-poet, who
evinces a hatred of tobacco, describes the vendor as
'* The smoakie black lung-puff'd tobacconist.
Whose joy doth in tobacco sole consist."
279 AT THE 2 DRAYMEN — Two brewers, with slung barrel.
BeD. IN ST. KATHERINS LANE — In the field, T. A. D.
The king's breweiy was in the olden time at St. Catharine's. Henry Machin,
in his Diary,, October, 9th, 1551, records — " Giles, the king's beer-brewer, dwell-
ing at St. Catharine's, who had bled to death from a scratch on his leg, was buried
this day at Aldgate, with heraldic emblazonments of his arms, and the craft of
the Brewers."
The brewhonse was probably that spoken of elsewhere, in 1650, as the Bear
brewhouse. There are frequent allusions to it in the ballads of that day.
280 lOHN CVRTIS IN — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Bev. s. KATHERINS LANE — In the field, I. f. c.
281 lAMES COOPER AT THE — Eose and crown. Be'd. in
ST. KATHERNS LANE . HIS HALF PENY. I. A. C. 1668.
Octangular in form.
56 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN^
282 lOHN CHEQVRIGHT IN — In the field, his half PENY.
Eev, ST. KATHERINS LANE . 1669 — A bell, I. s. c.
ST. OATHARINFS MILL BRIDGE.
283 RICHARD BRYAN . 1667 — In the field, His half peny.
Bev. AT ST. KATHERN . MIL . BRIDG R. M. B., in field.
ST. CATHARINE'S STAIRS.
284 THE plvme of feathers — Prince's plume, in the field.
Eev. at katrins stears — In the field, e. a. n.
The FeatherSj or plume of feathers^ generally supposed to have originated with
Edward the Black Prince^ was long before, according to Guillimj a badge or
device borne by King Stephen, who died in 1154 ; the motto
*' Vi mtUa invertitur ordo ;'' — No force alters their feshion,
Camden, in his JRemams, edit. 1605, p. 161, is the earliest printed authority
for the appropriation of the ostrich feathers, and the words ICH DIEN, as the badge
and motto of Edward the Black Prince, an assertion that has occasioned con-
siderable doubt and difficulty. The battle of Crecy, or Cressy, was fought on
Saturday, August 26th, 1346. In that conflict. Prince Edward is said to have
slain the King of Bohemia, and that he adopted the ostrich feathers from the same
having been borne as the crest of the fallen monarch. It is true there is extant
a contemporary allusion in support of this assertion, in a medical treatise by John
de Ardem^ a physician attached to the court of King Edward the Third ; and
among the Sloaue MSS., Nos. 56, 76, and 335, are three several copies of John
de Ardem's work, in which, in the chapter on Heemorrhoids, the allusion is thus
made to the feather of the Prince of "Wales :
, " Et nota quod talem pennam albam portabat Edwardus primogenitus filing
Edwardi Regis Anglise super crestam suam, et illam pennam conquisivit de Rege
Boemise quem int-erfecit apud Cresse in Prancia ; et sic assumpsit sibi iUam pen-
nam quse dieitur ostrich f ether, quamprius dictus rex nobilissimus portabat super
crestam. Et eodem anno quo dictus strenuus et bellicosus princeps migravit ad
Dominum, scripsi HbeUum istum manu propria, videlicet anno Domini 1376 ; et
dictus Edwardus princeps obiit vi. idus Juxdi, videlicet die Sanctse Trinitatis,
apud Westmonasterium. in magno Parliamento, quem Deus absolvat, qui fuit
flos milicise mundi sine pare."
In the margin of all the three manuscripts is the representation of a single
ostrich feather, with a riband or label across the quiU.part.
Edward the Black Prince, in a letter dated April 25th, 1370, wrote his motto
in full — '^ HOUMOUT ICH DIEN," wotds that, supposing them to be old Flemish,
would imply '^High spirit, I seiTO." There are good reasons, notwithstanding
the authorities referred to above, that the device, as borne by Edward the Black
Prince, was in fact derived from his mother, Queen Philippa, and from the house
of Hainault ; possibly from the Comte of Ostrevant, that formed the appanage of
the eldest sons of the counts of that province.
AND COFFEK-HOUSE TOKENS. 57
185 BRIAN WEAVER AT ST. — A roll of tobacco, in the field.
Bev., KATHERINS STAIRES — In the field, B. W.
!86 Edward Belitha . Grocer — HIS dovble token FOR A 1?
Bev, AT s. kathern staires — Two sugar-loaves. 1669.
CHAIN GATE, Southwark.
i87 THE RED LION . CHAINE — Lion rampant, in the field.
Bev. GATE IN SOVTHWARK — In the field, s. K. t.
The Red lion had doubtless its origin, as a sign, long prior to the accession of
iing James the First, in compliment to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, fourth
on of King Edward the Third and father of King Henry the Fourth. The duke
vas at all times popular ; and the powerful support he rendered to the new faith,.
:s set forth by Wickliffe the morning star of the reformation in England, was
lalculated to increase that popularity. His marriage with Constance, daughter
if Pedro the Cruel, kiBg of Castile, gave him, on the death of his father-in-law,
1, claim to the throne of Castile and Leon ; and a boss in the cloisters at Canter-
)ury has heraldic charges in reference to his title as king of Castile and Leon.
)n a castle, or, is a shield, cf/rgent, charged with a lion rampant, gules, the arms
)f Leon. From these insignia, it is not improbable that the castle and the red
ion were, together or separately, adopted as symbolical by his partizans, and
18 such adopted by persons who occupied houses of general resort.
CHANCEEY LANE, Fleet Street.
Matthew Carter, in his Aoialysis of Honor, 1655,- p. 245, says that '^ Chancery
ane is so called, for that King Edward the Third, in 1341, the fifteenth year of
lis reign, annexed the House of Covents by patent to the office of Chancery, now
sailed the Rolls." This is however erroneous ; Chancery lane is a perversion of
'' the Chancellor's lane," a name by which that way was long before known, in
;he reign of King Henry the Third.
In the manuscript diary of William Whiteway, Egerton MS. in Museo, 784,
s recorded, '^' Dec. 20th, 1621, a fire broke out in Chancery lane, by the negligence
)f a clerk, and bum'd ten houses, with a great number of records, and two lords
louses ; but went no farther,"
288 THE KINGS HEAD TAVERN — King Henry the Eighth.
Be'Q, AT CHANCERY LANE END — T. A. K., in the field.
The imprint on the title to Forde's Ladies Triall, 1639, 4to, has " Printed for
Jenry Shephard, in Chancery lane, at the signe of the Bible, between Sarjant's
!nne and Fleet street, near the King's-head taverne."
A gentleman having drank very hard at the King's-head tavern, reeling up
;?hancery lane, happened to reel within the rails of the pump, where keeping his
notion round so long, he tired, and, leaning on the rails, asked from within, of a
58 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
pasaer by, where he was ; " Over against the Chancery," was the reply; " I
thought so/' said he^ ''and the reason, I think, I shall never get out of this
place." — Cambridge Jests, The Chancery is now the Rolls Court.
Hogarth, in his print of " Burning the Rumps," at Chancery lane end, one of
the large series of his illustrations to Butler's Hvdibras, published in 1726, has
included a view of the King's-head tavern.
See also King's-head tavern. Fleet Street, Nos. 482, 483, 484.
289 AT THE HOLE IN THE WALL — Wall, with circular hole.
Beti. IN CHANCERY LANE . 1651 — In field, I. M. F.
The house, situated on the east side, is immediately opposite the old gate of
Lincoln's Inn ; and, being supported by the dependants on legal functionaries,
appears to have undergone fewer changes than the law, retaining all the vigour
of a new establishment.
290 F. w. AT THE GOLDEN CROS — Maltese, or cross pattee.
Rev, IN CHANCERY LANE — In the field, f. a. w.
291 AT THE GLOBE TAVERN — A globe, in the field.
Rev, IN CHANCERIE LANE — In the field, t. e. l,
292 EDWARD CODDINGTON — A skull, in the field.
Rev, IN CHANCERY LANE — In the field, E. M. C.
Query, Was Coddington one of the medical profession, by this memento mori ?
The famous Dr. Caius, who died July 29th, 1573, bequeathed to his friend Justice
Wray '^ a ring with a death's head."
The death's head on a ring was customarily worn at this period, as a species of
repentance for past errors. -Gnotho, in Massinger's Old Law, bids Agatha his
wife, in the tavern, as a preparative to leaving this world — " Down on thy knees,
and make thee ready : sell some of thy cloathes to buy thee a death's head, and
put upon thy middle fimger." — Act iv. sc. 1.
293 ABRA : HVDSON . APOTHECARY AT — Apothecaries' arms.
Rev, THE BLEW BOAR . IN CHANCERY LANE — A boar.
The unicorn, as fictionized in heraldry, is a white horse, having the horn of
the narwhale emanating from the forehead ; the belief in the animal being based
on the passage in Job, ch. xxxix. v, 9, " Will the unicorn be willing to serve
thee?" but the original word "-Bern," thus translated "unicorn," is, by St. Je-
rome, Montanus, and Aquila, rendered " rhinoceros" ; and in the Septuagint,
" monoceros, " signifying nothing more than "^ one horn." The rhinoceros is there-
fore the misinterpreted unicorn of the ancients ; and, from a belief in the fabulous
medicinal qualities of the horn, has been advanced aa the crest of the Company
of Apothecaries, on some of whose sign-boards the rhinoceros presented the simili-
tude of anything but the real beast ; and being frequently mistaken for a boar,
the practice of painting the monster became more monstrous, and the boar proper
has, to be more agreeable to the eye, been bedizened as a blue boar.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 59
294 THE WHITE SWAN — A swan, in the field. Ee'^, in
CHANCERY LANE — In the field, E. A. S.
The swan argent was a badge of King Henry the Fifth, derived from the earl-
dom of Hereford.
295 HVMPHREY TAPT AT THE — Anchor and sword, in field.
EeX), AT CHANCERY LANE END — CYTLER . 1665.
296 THE S. IONS HEAD TAVERN — Bearded head, in a charger.
Be'd, IN CHANCERY LANE — In the field, R. M. H.
The Baptist tavern appears to have met a disastrous fate during the great fire,
from some misplaced fear. Sir Edward Atkins, then a baron of the Exchequer,
in a letter dated from Lincoln's Inn, September 8th, 1666, addressed to his brother
Robert in Gloucestershire, describing the ravages he had witnessed, says —
" Chancery lane is yet standing, except the St. John's Head near Lincoln's Inn,
which was pulled downe, by way of prevention, and another house towards
Holbome." The tavern was rebuilt, and its site appears to be identified in the
following resolution — " Saturday, February 5th, 1772, the Society of Lincoln's
Inn have determined on a plan that has long been in agitation, to take down all
the old buildings, except the chapel and hall, and to build a grand row all up
Chancery lane, from the Ajichor and Baptist tavern, the north end of the garden
wall." The tavern at the termination of the wall, towards Holbom, now bears
the sign of the White Hart.
297 LEOPARD TAVERN IN — A spur, and I. s. I., in the field.
CHANCERY LANE. 1665 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
298 WILLIAM BRAMPTON . 1666 — An unicorn, in the field.
ne'e, MILINOR . IN CHANCERY LANE — In field, W. K. B.
The unicorn was most probably the sign of a previous occupant, or series of
occupants, and had no reference to Brampton's occupation.
299 THE POPES HEAD TAVERN — Pope's head with the tiara.
Me'e. IN CHANCERYE LANE — In the field, W. B. I.
Query, Was the sign of the Pope's Head adopted in compliance with the phrase
yHh&te pa^aliter, to drink like a Pope ? Priests, in all ages and countries, have
been and are generally accounted ton-vivcmts. So Horace, inveighing against the
aober thrift ot Postumus, insists on a more generous course —
" Then shall your worthier heir discharge.
And set th' imprison'd casks at large.
And dye the floor with wine.
So rich and precious, not the feasts
Of pontifis chear their ravish'd guests
With liquor more divine." — Book ii. Ode 14.
60 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
300 HENRY REDMAN. 1666 — Pope's head, With tiara and stafiP.
Re'C, IN CHANCERIE LANE — HIS HALF PENY.
Redman was possibly a new occupant of the old Pope's Head tavern, after the
fire in September, 1666, had dislodged him from a more eastward direction.
301 Turk's Head — George Bayhin^ in script characters across
the field. Be'G, AU the Coffee House in Chancery Lane,
in five lines.
302 Turk's Head— In the field, Bohert Terrey his ^-
Bev. Att the Coffee House in Chancery Lane, in script.
Terry appears to have been the successor of Dayhin after the fire, the ravages
of which ceased at a large house in Fleet street, a door or two east of Fetter lane.
'Change Alley, see Exchange Alley.
CHARING CROSS.
Sonmer says the Anglo-Sax. cyrrwng from cyn'aii, avertere, was a name in
olden time given to places where several roads met or diverged thence ; " this,
by perversion, became cerring, and at length passed into charing, as now-a-days
is named that guad9'ivium, or place where four roads meet, near Westminster,
commonly called Charing- Crosse ; Crosse being added on account of the cross
formerly erected there, as was usual in places where several roads conjoined."
Othere have derived Charing from Chere Heine, a name assumed in compliment
to a cross erected here in memory of Queen Eleanor, consort of King Edward the
First, who died in November, 1290, and was buried in Westminster Abbey; but
this conjecture is nullified by the occurrence of the word Charing in the petition
to King Henry the Third, in 1261, from William de Kadnor, bishop of Llandaff,
praying for leave to abide, during his visits to or sojourn in London, " in the
cloister of his hermitage at Charing."
803 marke rider . at the swan — Swan ; grapes in its
beak, in field. Bev. against the mewes . 1665 —
HIS halfe penny.
The steward's accounts of disbursements by or for Sir John Howard, subse-
quently created Duke of Norfolk, and slain on Richard's side at Bosworth field,
show the Swan to have been an old house of repute :
" xxj day of Feverer, 1466-7. Item, my mastyr paid for his costes at the Swan
at Westemenstre ijs. ijd."
The Swan, in Ben Jonson*B time, was either distinguished for the excellence
of the wine, or the poet had secured to himself the good offices of Ralph the
waiter. At some court conviviahty, that followed the marriage of Frederic Pal-
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 61
grave of Bohemia and King James's daughter Elizaheth^ Ben Jonson was re-
quired extemporaneously to say grace^ with which he complied :
'^ Our king and queen, the Lord God blesse !
The paltzgrave and the lady Besse ;
And God blesse every living thing
That lives and breathes, and loves the Idng.
God bless the councill of estate.
And Buckingham the fortunate.
God blesse them all, and keepe them safe ;
And God blesse me, and God blesse Kafe,"
The invocations in honour and praise of Great Britain's Solomon* and his
family, were sufficiently agreeable to the feelings of the monarch -, but the associar
tion of Kafe was to royal ideas incomprehensible, and he became mightily inqui-
sitive respecting him. Ben told the king that Rafe or Ralph was the drawer at the
Swan tavern by Charing cross, who drew him good canary. For this drollery,
as Aubrey states. His Majesty gave the poet afi hundred pounds ! The feet, how-
ever, has to be doubted.
The swan on the obverse of this token differs from all others ; the head is
crowned, and in the bill is a bunch of grapes.
Pepys appears to have been so consternated by the ravages of the great fire in
1666, as scarcely to have been master of himself. On September 6th, he records
his wandering to the Swan, and was there shaved, " trimmed," as he terms it;
" and to Whitehall, but saw nobody, and so home," by water to the Navy office
in Crutched friars. On the J'th, again to the Swan, with the same result.
The " Swan near the Mewes," was a distinction from another tavern of some
Celebrity, " the Swan in the Strand, near Charing cross." See No. 1123.
S04 THE PAGEANT TAVERNE AT CHARING CROSSE — I. W.,
in a wreathed circle. Bev. A triumphal arch, with
three passages.
The Pageant tavern had as a sign a pictorial representation of one of the
triumphal arches erected in Fleet street and the Strand, in April, 1661, with
leave to remain standing for one year. Pepys, when the arrival of the Queen
* That King James believed he richly merited the title, there is no disputing ;
but it should be remembered his reign was a general acceptation of error for fact ;
and he acquired the cognomen by a source not generally known. It was conferred
on the Scottish king, by Henry the Fourth of France, on being apprized of his
aScession to the throne of England, in allusion to the believed paternity of David
Rizzio. The French king had been too close an ally to England's late queen,
and had received such substantial benefit from that alliance, that contempt, not
respect, was the estimate of his affinity with the Stuart; yet his daughter,
Henrietta Maria, became by marriage the daughter of King James the First,
whose vaunting assertion of divine right in the crown, and her Catholicism, created
ill fortune to these realms nearly the whole of the seventeenth century. Luckless
m themselves as a family, they brought the same withering qualities with them
into England ; and it is remarkable that the crown-ensconced head of James the
First is rarely observable on any tavern or trader's token.
62 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
Catharine of Braganza was hourly expected, notes in his Diary, May 25th, 1662,
his being shown by Captain Ferrers, at the Triinnph tavern, at Charing cross,
some Portugal ladles, who had preceded Her Majesty. These maids of honour,
as evidenced by Pepys, were not all Lucretias, nor were they in any way accord-
ing to his taste. Evelyn too, though loyal to an extreme, when he records the
queen's arrival on May 30th, had an eye to her ladies, whom he describes as
*' sufficiently unagreeable."
CHARTERHOUSE LANE.
305 FRANCES BENTHAM — Sun in rays, in field. Bev. in
CHARTER , HOVS . LANE — In the field, F, M. B.
The sun is an important symbol in the Distillers' arms — ^the genial influence
of which impels humidity to *' drop as rain, — distil as dew." — Deutei'ommiy,
ch. xxxii. v. 2. In the rare satirical frontispiece to the Elegy on the Death of
Madame Gineva, 1736, the motto is ludicrously perverted to " cease to drop,
distil no more."
306 lOHN BYSH AT Y^ HARROW — A harrow, in the field.
Be7>, IN CHARTER HOVSE LANE — HIS HALFE PENY.
307 AT THE FLIEING HORSE — Pegasus, in field. Bev. in
CHARTER HOVSE LANE — In the field, A. A. L.
The hippogriff Pegasus sprang from the blood of Medusa slain by Perseus. This
winged horse flew to Mount Helicon, the seat of the muses, where with a stroke
of his hoof he opened the fountain Hippocrene, called by the Roman satirist
Cahallinus, or the Horse's spring.
BeUerophon, becoming arrogant from prosperity, resolved by the assistance of
Pegasus to ascend to heaven. As Horace says,
" In our folly we aim at Heaven itself j"
but Jupiter, to punish his presumption, struck him blind, and he fell to the earth ;
Pegasus, however, continued to mount upwards, was translated to the skies, and
ranked among the constellations. It is in this etherial flight Pegasus is most
frequently represented on the tokens.
308 FRANCIS TVRNER IN — The Tudor rose crowned, in field.
Be^, CHARTERHOVSE LAN^ — In the field, f. s. t.
309 lOHN HOWES AT CHARTR — The Grocers Company arms.
Bev. HOVSE LANE END — In the field, i. m. h.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 63
CHEAPSIDE.
310 AT YE MAREMAYD — A mermaid, with her accessories.
He'd. TAVERN . CHEAPESIDE — In the field, I. T. M.
The Mermaid in Bread street^ the Mermaid in Friday street, and the Mermaid
in Cheapj were all one and the same. The tavenij situated behind, had a way to
it from these thoroughfares, but was nearer to Bread street than Friday street.
The steward's accounts of monies expended for Sir John Howard, subsequently
Shakespeare's Jocky of Norfolk, afford the following notices in reference to the
Mermaid in the olden day :
" November 5th, 1462. Item, my mastyr payd for t'on di. [i. e. the one half]
off the dynner at the Mermayde, be my lordya comawndement xiiijs. vj d." My
lord, here named, was John Mowbray, last Duke of Norfolk of that name ; he died
in 1475.
'^ March 4th, 1463-4. Item, for vj of my mastyrs mannys soper in Bred stret,
smjd."
'■ Item, the xxvj day of March, 1464, payd for wyn at the Mermayd in Bred
stret, for my mastyr and Syre Nycholas Latemer, x Thefts," at the Devil tavern, in three thousand shares, of lOOOZ, each.
In October, 1734, Taylor, of St. Bride's parish, was certified as the owner
of the two houses adjoining the Middle Temple~gate ; the old Devil tavern being
'thW in" the occupation of John Goostrey. ■ In 1746 the Royal Society held here
their annual dinner; and in 1752 concerts of vocal and instrumental music were
^ven-'in the great room.
■■ A view of the exterior of the Deviltavem, with its gable-pointed front, engraved
ifrbm a-drawing by "Wale, was published in Dodsley's Zondon and its ETwirons,
1761. -The sign-iron l>earing itspendant sign represents the latest effort of the
jai^istj-the saint being painted as a half length, and the devil behind him grinning
■grimly' over his shoulder. On the moval of signs by authority, it was,-in'l764,
placed flat against the front, and there remained till the demolition^f the house.
-' In July, 1766, Richard Andrews, of St. Dunstan's parish, became the purchaser
'of-Taylor's property -in the two houses ; and on the morning of Satui'day, October
.12th, 17^1, the Devil tavern was accidentally set on fire ; the mischief was, how-
ever, by the promptness of the engines, early- subdued without much damage.
Dr. Kenrick, in January, 1774, attempted a series of lectures in'the Apollo at
the Deyil tavern, which he termed the School of Shakespeare. His manner of
"dehvery, and reckless abuse of existing commentators, gained him no popularity.
* The notoriety of the Devil tavern created an opponent on the opposite side
©f- Fleet street, named " the Young Devil tavern ;" and to this place the Society
of Antiquaries, who previously were wont to assemble on Friday evenings, from
six till ten, at the Bear tavern in the Strand, changed their rendezvous, January
9th, 1707-8; "this evening and in fiiture,'' as their Minutes state; — but mine
host failed, and, as Browne Willis intimates, the antiquaries, in or about 1709,
" met at the Fountain tavern, as we went down into the Inner Temple, against
Chancery lane."
Later, a music-room, called the Apollo, was also attempted, but with no suc-
cess ; an advertisement for one of the Castle tavern concerts, December 19th, 1737,
intimated " tickets to be had at Will's coffee-house, formerly the Apollo, in Bell
yard, near Temple bar,"
THE nKYlI. 'J'7iY.i:i.-;W IN I'LIlET STREET.
MD'ICXLV].
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 107
and after a few evenings &Ued to attract. A print; showing the interior of the
Apollo, the doctor on a dais lecturing^ and audients in the balustraded music
gallery, was published at the time in a magazine, but is now excessively rare.
Brush Collins, in March, 1775, delivered for several evenings in the great room
a satirical, mimical, and analytical lecture on the elements of modem oratory.
In the following year, a Pandemonium club was held here ; and, according to a
notice in the writer's possession, the first meeting was to be on Monday, the 4th
of November, 17^6. These devils were lawyers, who were about commencing
term, to the annoyance of many a hitherto happy hon-vi/vant.
From bad to worse, the Devil tavern fell into disuse; and Messrs Child* pur-
chased the freehold of Andrews, in June 1787", for 28002. It was soon after de-
molished, and the site is now occupied by the houses called Child's place.
481 AT THE DOLPHIN — A dolphin, in the field. Bev.
WITHIN TEMPLE BARR — In the field, W. M. w.
The Dolphin at an earlier date would seem to have been a house of no great
reputation. At the wardmote courts of 1640 and 1641, Timothy Howe, at the
Dolphin near Temple bar, was presented for using unlawful measures. Howe
appears to have been several times under the ban of the inquest. He and others
then residing in Ram alley, were, in December, 1618, presented for keeping their
* The banking-house of Messrs Child and Co. was, in King James the First's
reign, a public ordinary; the sign being the Marygold,
'' The marigold that goes to bed with the sun.
And with him rises weeping." — Wmter's Tale, act iv, sc. 3.
As an ordinary it appears to have borne a riotous character, and at the wardmote
held on St. Thomas's day, December 21st, 1619, Richard Crompton, keeping an
ordinary at the Maiygold in Fleet strefet, was presented " for disturbing the quiet
of John Clarke, being next neighbours, late in the nights, from time to time, by
ill disorder." Messrs Child are also in possession of the original sign — a full blown
marygold, exposed to a meridian sun ; and round it, the motto "ainsi mon ame."
Carved in oak, but painted and gilded in part, it is over the door in the front
office, and may be readily scanned by any peraon whose business vrith the house
may draw him thither.
Among the memorable banking accounts at Messrs Child's, in the olden time,
may be particularized that of Madame Eleanor Grwynne. The world have yet
much to learn respecting this extraordinary individual, who certainly on her
outset in life sold oranges from a basket borne on the arm, in the pit of Drury
lane theatre. Charles the Second died February 6th, 1685 ; and he is said, almost
in extremis, if not really his last words, to have enjoined on his successor, " let not
poor Nelly starve." If such was really his injunction, the commiseration would
seem to have been ill placed ; NeUy, who refused aU titles of honour for herself,
was anything but poor; in the closing of her banking account in January, 1688,
the executors of her will, Lawrence Hyde, earl of Rochester ; Henry Sidney, after-
wards earl of Romney ; Sir Robert Sawyer ; and Thomas Herbert, earl of Pem-
broke, collector of the justly distinguished cabinet of coins recently dispersed,
severally attest its settlement by their signatures ; and as one of the items appear
14,443 ounces of plate.
108 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
tobacco shops open all night, and having fires therein to which there were no
chimneys ; for uttering hot waters (spirituous liquors), and selling ale without
licence ; to the great disquietness, terror, and annoyance of that neighbour-
hood. Howe was again, with others, presented in December, 1630^ for an-
noying the judges at Serjeants' inn. Chancery lane, by the smell and stench of
their tobacco.
482 THE KINGS HEAD TAVERN — King Henry the Eighth.
Rev, AT CHANCERY LANE END — In field, T. A. K.
483 WILLIAM HART . CHANCEREY — In field, HIS HALFE PENY.
Rev, LANE END IN FLEET STREET — King Henry the
Eighth, full faced, wm. k.
By an error of the die-sinker, the letter K is punched on the reverse, instead
of Hj for the name of Hart, the issuer.
The King's Head tavern stood at the west comer of Chancery lane, as tradition
states, on or near the site of a mansion that had been the residence of Sir John
Oldcastle, summoned to parliament as Baron Cobham, and who died in 1417.
The King's Head tavern is asserted, from some old papers, to have been erected
in the reign of King Edward the Sixth ; the sign was, however, that of the burly
reformer his father. Queen Elizabeth, in her fourth year, was entertained by
the students of the Temple, and on that or an ensuing occasion of a visit to the
city authorities, a species of masque was presented to Her Majesty on her entering
the city ; and, from some cords across the street, adjusted from the King's Head
tavern to the opposite side, several cherubs descended, and proffered for her ac-
ceptance a crown of gold and laurels, with several complimentary loyal verses.
Those presented by a fourth cherub were the following quatrain :
" Virtue shall witness of her worthiness,
And fame shall registrare her princelie deeds ;
The worlde shall still praie for her happyness.
From whom our peace and quietude proceeds*.
Here was no vague prophecy ; for, as Henry Kirke White most eloquently ex-
P^^^^^"*' "Virtue bloom.,
Even in the wreck of life, and moun'ts the skies ;"
-thus it is, the princely glories of '' good Queen Be^'s" days continue as fresh in
the pages of history as ever, and the brightness of their halo is of unsurpa^ed
effiilgence ; and yet these lines seem but written as now, and in praise of our
own monarch.
Like many of the large houses which were taverns at this period, the tavern
or wine-rooms appear to have been on the first-floor. Richard Marriott, for whom,
while residing in St. Dunstan's churchyard. Fleet street, in 1653, the rare first
* The quatrain here quoted are lines in George Peele's pageant, represented
on the inauguration-day of Sir Wolstan Dixie, Oct. 29th, 1585, of which no other
copy is known than that in the Corporation Library, Guildhall.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 109
edition of Isaac Walton's Compleat Angler was printed by Thomas Maxey, an-
nounced by advertisementSj in 1665, that his publications were "^to bee sold at
his shopp in lleet streetj vnder the King's Head taueme." How long it con-
tinued under that denomination is doubtfiil ; the house was demohshed in May,
I799j to widen the entrance into Chancery lane.
There are several prints of the old house at the west comer of Chancery lane ;
but none approach in fidelity that from a drawing by William Capon, That by
WiUiam Alexander, in Bagster's edition of Walton, 1815, 8vo, is interesting, as
showing the old wine-room on the firat floor to have been lastly a reading-room ;
an inscribed board to that effect being placed at the window.
484 AT THE KINGS HEAD — Henry the Eighth, full faced.
IN FLEET STEEETE — In the field, L. W : H. M.
See also No. 288, ante.
485 lAMES FARE. 1666 — An arched rainbow based on clouds.
Bet). IN FLEET STREET — HIS HALF PENY.
The Rainbow appears to have been the second coffee-house opened in the me-
tropohs. Aubrey, having noticed Bowman's coffee-house in St. Michael's alley,^
Comhill, as the first established, in 1652*, adds " 'twas about four years before
any other was set up, and that was by Mr. Farr.'' Aubrey wrote this in 1680,
and Mr. Farr had then become a person of distinction.
Farr's success as a coffee-man appears to have annoyed his neighbours ; and at
the wardmote held in St. Sepulchre's church, on Monday, December 21st, 1667',
* Coffee appears to have been known some years earlier at Oxford. Anthony
Wood's notes record that while Nathaniel Conopius, u, Cretan, continued in
Bahol college, he made the drink called coffee for his own use, and usually drank
it every morning. Conopius left the university in 1648 ; but, as the ancients of
that house informed Wood, his was the first coffee that was drunk in Oxford.
In 1650, Jacob, a jew, opened a coffee-house at the Angel, in the parish of St.
Peter in the East, in Oxford, and there it was drunk by some who delighted in
novelties. In 1654, Cinques Jobson, a jew and Jacobite, bom near Mount Leba--
non, sold coffee in Oxford ; and in 1655, Arthhr Tillyard, an apothecary, in his
house against All Souls college, sold coffee publicly: "this coffey house," old
Anthony adds, " continued tiU His Majesty's return, and after ; and then they
became more frequent, and had an excise set upon coffey."
Howell, while noticing Sir Henry Pope Blount's Orgcmon SahiHs, 1659, ob-
serves " this coffe-drink hath caused a great sobriety among all nations; formerly
apprentices and clerks used to take their morning draughts in ale, beer, or wine,
that often made them unfit for business : now they play the good-fellows in this
wakefdll and civil drink."
Coffee-houses, by the statute of 1663, 15 Chas. II., cap. 11 and 15, were di-
rected to be licensed at the general quarter sessions of the peace for the county
within which they were situated. In 1675, they were, by proclamation, ordered
to be closed, as seminaries of sedition ; this egregrious act of folly, too frequent
in that reign, was however amended in a few days by another, that annulled or
suspended the former.
no
among the presentments of nuisances was the following : " We present James
Farr, barber, for making and selling of a drinke called Coffee, whereby in making
the same he annoyeth his neighbours by evill smells ; and for keeping of fire for
the most part night and day, whereby his chimney and chamber hath been set on
. fircj to the great danger and affiightment of his neighbours. " To this presentment
were annexed the names of five complainants, one of them, Daniell Pakeman,
law bookseller*, ^*at the Rainebow, in Fleet street." As a bookseller. Pake-
man, his feare increased by Farr's continuing his fires day and night, and having
already set his chimney and chamber on fire, was apprehensive the Rainbow
might become too hot to hold him. The presentment, the avowed object of which
was to oust the salamandrine coffee-vending barber, appears, however, to have
&iled in effect ; Farr possibly promised reform, or amended the alleged annoy-
ance ; certain it is, Farr became eminently successful^, and is returned at the
wardmotes in 1663 and 1668, among persons of eminence and repute, to con-
stitute the grand jury for those years. Farr's token was doubtless occasioned by
the disastrous great fire of September, 1666, to indicate that with him all was
yet safe, and the Rainbow still radiant. His coffee-room was possibly that abutting
on the Inner Temple passage.
The Rainbow, so fer as is known to the writer, does not occur on any other
tradesman's token.
Hatton notices the Phoenix insurance office, estabhshed about the year 1682,
as (l^OS) at the Rainbow coffee-house in Fleet street. The first promoter appears
to have been Dr. Nicholas Barbone ; if he was related to Praise God Barebone,
long a distinguished parishioner of St. Diinstan's, its establishment and retention
at the Rainbow is immediately explained.
The Rainbow is even now a house of considerable business. The entrance is
the second door westward of the Inner Temple gate in Fleet street. There are
two or more small engraved views of the entrance, in the respective editions of
Hughson and Malcolm, in 180? and 1808.
* The house appears to have long borne " the signe of the Rainbowe. " Ephraim
Dawson, a bookseller, in 1636, was a publisher here, possibly in the fi-ont shop.
Pakeman's name is found on title pages, in 1650, if not earlier ; and Samuel Speed
was also a publisher ^' at the Rainbowe, near the Inner Temple gate, in Fleet
street," in 1663. Richard Smith's Obituary notices, " September 3d, 1664, Daniel
Pakeman, bookseller, in Fleet street, buried."
+ Aubrey, relating some anecdotes of Sir Henry Pope Bloimt, a distinguished
literary character of the seventeenth century, adds " when coffee first came in.
Sir Henry Blount was a great upholder of it, ajid hath ever since been a constant
frequenter of coffee-houses, especially Mr. Farre's at the Rainbowe by Inner
Temple gate ; and lately, John's coffee-house in Fuller's (Fulwood's) ' rente, in
Holbom." These notes were written in 1680.
Sir Henry appears to have been a practical joker, an adroit febricator of white
lies, " one who," as Aubrey insinuates, "tells feilsities not to doe anybody an
injury, but to impose on their understanding." The knight alleged " at Mr.
Farre's, that at an inne (naming the signe) in St. Alban's, the innkeeper had
made a hogs-trough of a fi:ee-stone coffin, but the pigges after that grew leane,
dancing and skipping, and would run up on the tops of the housesy Hke goates.
Two yoimg gentlemen, hearing Sir Henry tell this sham so gravely, rode the next
day to St. Alban's to inquire. Coming there, nobody had heard of any such
thing ; 'twas altogether felse. The next night, so soon as they alighted, they
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. Ill
486 lOHN SECOL AT S. DVNSTANS — In the field, I. p. s.
Uen), CHVRCH . FLEET . STREETE — The same initials.
John Seacole's name is inscribed in the list of licensed victnallers, in the ward-
mote returns of 1649 and 1650. He was possibly dead in 1651, as his name ap-
pears not in that year. " The widow Seacole" is mentioned in that of December
1652, but not afterwards.
487 BOB : MARKHAM AT THE — Seven stars, in field, against.
Ee'O. ST. DVNSTONS CHVRCH . PLET STRET— R. E. M. I?
Very different in type to the penny issued by Robert Markham, in 16?2, en-
graved in Snelling's Yiem oftlie C(ypper Comage, 17QQ, pi. v. fig. 7.
488 THE HERCVLES FILLERS — Hercules grasping two pillars.
Bev. IN FLEET STREETE — I. M. S., in the field.
The date of this piece is early ; as subsequently Edward Oldham issued an
undated token " at ye Hercules piUera, in Fleet street." Oldham is named in
the wardmote returns of licensed victuallers from 1657 to 1659 ; and among the
free cooks from 1660 to 1680. The Hercules Pillars tavern was in repute among
the hon-vivants of this period. Pepys frequently mentions it in his Diary, as a
house to which he and his friends resorted. It stood on the site of the house now
2.7 in Fleet street. Hercules Pillars alley is still, de facto, opposite to Clifford's-
inn passage, but without name. "With the extinction- of the tavern, the title of
the neighbouring inlet of tenements seems also to have been forgotten.
came to the Rainbow and found Sir Henry, and, looking learingly on him, told
him they wondered he was not ashamed to tell such stories. ' Why, gentlemen !
have you been there to inquire?' 'Yea,' said they. 'Why truly, gentlemen,'
rejoined Sir Henry, ' I heard you tell such strange things 1 knew to be false,
' that I would not have gone over the threshold of the door to have found you in
a lye ;' at which all the company laughed at the two young gentlemen."
Aubrey's narration of the St. Alban's hoax is thus differently related, in a rare
volume of new jests, entitled The Convplaisant Companion^ 1674, 8vo, p. 54:
"^Two Jesuits seated in a coffee-house told a great many foreign stories, which
[Sir Henry Pope Blount] a gentleman and a great traveller sitting by knew to be
notorious iyes, yet contradicted them not, but told one of his own making, which
was, that now is to be seen at St. Alban's-a stone trough, which that saint kept
a long time for water for his ordinary use ; and that ever since if swine should
eat anything out of it they would die instantly. The Jesuits hearing this, re-
solved the next day to ride and see this holy relic. Coming to St. Alban's, they
found no such matter ; and, returning home, tax'd the gentleman with telling
such an untruth, saying, they had taken the pains to ride and see it, but found
no such thing. ' Gentlemen/ said he, * I thought you had been more civill; you
told me the other night a hundred palpable lyes,, and I went not about to disprove
you ; I told you but one, and you, by your dwn confession, have ridden twenty
miles to do it.*"
112 LONDON TRADERS,
489 THOMAS TISBVRY OLE — In the field, T. T. in monogram.
Rev, MAN IN FLET STREETE — 1653, in the field.
Thomas Tisberry, oilman^ was presented at the wardmote courtj on St. Tho-
mas's day^ December 21st, 1664, "for selling his goods by light weight;" certain
weights being particularized as not according to the standard of weights settled
by the lord mayor.
490 FITZ . lEFEEY . MILINER — N. A. F., in field. Bev, IN
FLEET STREET — In the field, 1656.
Master Nicholas subsequently pursued his trade as a milliner at the sign of the
Sunflower, in the Strand, whence he also issued a token.
The millinery business formerly, as evinced by the tokens^ was conducted by
men, who imported (as was presumed, from Milan,) fashions and elegancies for
females. Hotspur (1st pt. Hen. IV., act iii. sc. 1.) contemptuously describes the
king's messenger as " perfumed like a milliner."
*' No milliner can so fit his customer."
491 AT THE CASTLE TAVERN — A castle, in the field.
Bev, AT FLEET CONDVIT — In the field, d. s. g.
" The Newe Conduit in Fleet street," according to the Chronicle of London,
compiled in the reign of King Henry the Sixth, was begun in 1439, but not com-
pleted till 14ri, in the mayoralty of Sir William Edwards. It stood in the main
street, a Httle westward of Shoe lane end ; and hj the fire in September, 1666,
was wholly destroyed.
The Castle tavern was one of high repute. The Clockmakers Company, from
their establishment in 1631, having no hall, held their meetings at some tavern
in the city. Their last meeting before the fire was held August 20th, at the
Castle tavern, in Fleet street, and the first meeting after, on October 8th, 1666,
at the Crown tavern in Smithfield*.
After the fire, the Castle tavern was rebuilt ; and in October, 1^35, the obi-
tuary of that month records the death of Sir John Tash, knight, alderman of Wal-
brook ward, who formerly kept the Castle tavern in Meet street, and was one of
the most considerable wine merchants in London ; he was then in the sixty-first
year of his age, and commonly reported to be worth two hundred thousand
pounds.
492 LEWIS WILLSON AT Y^ — The sun in rays, in the field.
Bev. TAVERNE IN FLEET STREET — HIS HALFE PENY.
The name of Lewis Wilson is among the licensed vintners in the vra-rdmote
returns for 1661 to 1665 inclusive. As it is not in the lists of 1666, was the Sun
tavern within range of the great fire that year, and not the late tavern of that
sign by Shire lane at Temple bar ?
* ArchcBohgia, vol. xxxui. p. 98.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 113
493 WILLIAM HEALEY AT THE — Boar's head, in the field,
Bev. IN FLEET STREET . 1668 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
W. M. H.
William Hayley was no doubt the same person who appears in the wardmote
returns of licensed victuallers for the years 1664 and 1665. The Boar's Head,
situated between Water lane (now Water street) and the Bolt-in-Tun inn^ was
destroyed in the great fire of the following year. On its being rebuilded^ Hayley
resumed business, issued his token, and his name again appears in the wardmote
returns from 1669 to 1680. He served the of&ces of constable and scavenger in
16^4. The Boar's Head is still there.
Westward of the Boar's Head is the Bolt-in-Tun inn, the rebus of the fe.mily
name of Bolton ; and the device being an arrow or bolt piercing the bung of a tun.
It is an inn df earlier date than generally supposed : the " Hospicnmi vocatwm le
BoUenton" is mentioned a^ a boundary, in a license of alienation to the Friars
Carmelites of London, of certain premises in the parish of St. Dunstan, Fleet
street, enrolled on the Patent Roll, 1443, 21 Hen. VI., p. 2, m. 24.
494 WILLIAM HALSTED AT THE — Grrocers Company arms.
Itev. IN FLEET STREET . HIS |- PENNY — Monogram.
495 10. HARWARD AT 3 NVNS — Three nuns, in the field.
Bev, IN FLEET STREETE — In the field, I. H.
NEW FLEET STREET.
496 WILL. WARDE AT THE VNICORNE — In the field, I?
IN NEW FLEETE STREETE — Unicorn, in the field.
Large brass. " New Fleet street," apparently the new buildings eastward of
Fetter lane, after the ravages of the fire in September, 1666. Warde issued before
the fire, a half-penny token; he was resident in 1666, in Green's rents, Fleet
bridge.
The frequency of the unicorn as a sign has induced some persons to conjecture
that it had been assumed on the accession of King James the Sixth of Scotland,
and that the Tudor dragon had given place to the Scottish unicorn ; that how-
ever is not the fact; on tbe tokens the animal is represented gradiens, and never
heraldically with collar or chain.
FLEMISH OHUROHYAED, St. Catharine's.
Behind Hangman's -Gains, corrupted from Hammes and Guisnes, is the Flemish
churchyard, appropriated for the burial of those of Hammes and Guisnes, and
other poor Flemings who came over afterwards under Queen Elizabeth, and is
still a churchyard for the poorer sort. — Stow's Swrv&y, edit. 1?54, vol. i. p. 353.
I
14 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
'97 THE LABOR IN VAINE IN — Women scrubbing a negro.
BeiO, FLEMISH CHVRCHYARD — In the field, I. I. c.
'98 AT THE GOAT IN — In the field, a goat.
FLEMISH CHVRCH YARD — T. D. H., in the field.
FORE STREET, Cripplegate.
99 THOMAS WHITE — The royal oak, 1664, in the field.
Beii. IN FORE STREET — In the field, t. "W.
The Royal Oakj as a sigiij derived its impetus from being a principal object in
le lord mayor's pageant in the year of the Restoration. Evelyn, in his Diary,
ctober 29th, 1660, mentions, ''going to London, my lord maior's show stopped
le in Cheapside ; one of the pageants represented a greate wood, with the royal
ike, and history of His Majesty's miraculous escape at Boscobel."
FOSTER LANE, Cheapside.
Foster lane previous to the fire in 1666 was chiefly occupied by working gold-
niths. Dugdale, in his Diary, March 12th, 1663, has the following notice :
Paid to a jeweller in Foster lane, for the gold, and making the medaU granted
> me by the king, to wear as Norroy King of Armes, 5Z. 12s. Paid for the gold
lain 8Z. lOs., in toto, 14?. 2s." The engraved portrait of Dugdale, from the
Lcture at Blythe hall, ^Varwickdiire, by Holl, exhibits the Norroy medal pen-
mt from the shoulders.
00 AT THE DAGAR AND — A dagger, with magpie on point.
Bev. PYE IN FOSTER LANE — In the field, M. H. D.
Face, in the first scene of Ben Jonson's Alcketnist, played in 1610, describes
apper to Doll Common, as a lawyer's clerk he had met with on the preceding
Lght, " in Holborn, at the Dagger." Gifford conunents on this, " the Dagger
not mentioned at random : it was an ordinary or gaming-house of the lowest
id most disreputable kind." Again, in the second scene of the fifth act, Subtle
slls Dapper, as from Doll Common, his supposed " aunt of Fairy,"
'' Her Grace would have you eat no more Woolsack pies.
Nor Dagger fiiTimety."
The pies obtained at the "Woolsack ordinary or tavern have here a distinguished
otice by the dramatist, but certainly had not the celebrity of the Dagger -piea,
hich conferred considerable notoriety on '' the Dagger in Cheap/' apparently
le house designated on the token as in Foster lane, but possibly having a long
assage or way leading to it from Cheapside. The device on Dannet's token is
pictorial pun of a dagger-pie, so frequently alluded to by early satirists and
Titers. Decker, in his Satiro-Tnastix, 1602, says
" Out, bench-whistler, out; I'll not take thy word
For a Dagger-pie."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 115
There are also allusions and notices in Hobson's Jests, 160/; in the Penniless
Parliament of Thread-iare Poets, 1608 ; and in Rowland's 'Tis merry wJien gossips
meet, 1609.
So too, in Histrio-mastix, a supposed satire on Shakespeare's Troilus and
Cressida^ printed in 1610; the Captain having inapressed Belch, the players'
bill-poster, on his exit, tells him
" Text billea must now be turned to iron billes."
Belch shouts after him,
'' And please you let them be Dagger-pies." — Sign. F 2.
Dagger-pies are also mentioned in Heniy Parrot's Laquel Midiculosi : or ^primges
for Woodcocks, 1613, 8vo.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, Sloane MS, 886, records, '^ December 22d,
165/, Moses Dannet^ at ye Dagger in Foster lane, buried."
501 lOHN CHAMBERS AT Y^ — Woolpack, in the field.
Bevi. IN FOSTER LANE — In the field, I. A. c.
502 LANCELOTT AYRES AT yb — Eose, in the field. Bev, in
FOSTER LANE HIS ^ PENY — In field, L. M. A.
503 RICHARD EAST AT THE — Stag's head, in the field.
Bev, IN FOSTER LANE . 1664 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
Dislodged by the great fire in September, 1666, East reestablished himself at
the Stag's Head, in Whitecross street, whence he issued a similar token.
504 SAMVELL DAWSON AT Y^ — Nag's head, in the field.
Be'C, IN FOSTER LANE. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
505 ANTHONY POOLE IRONMONGR — Nag's head, in the field.
Bev. IN FOSTER LANE. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY.
Poole appears to have been successor to Dawson, on the rebuilding after the
great fire.
506 EDWARD lARYis AT Y^ — Sun in rays, in the field.
Be^. IN FOSTER LANE. 1668 — HIS HALF PENY. E. I. I,
Issued on opening the newly erected house, after the fire.
FOUNTAIN LANE, St. Giles.
507 THO: BRODWAY OF ST. GILES — Hand holding pine -apple.
Bev, AT FOVNTAN . LAN . END — In the field, T, A. B.
I 2
16 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
FRIDAY STREET.
!08 AT YE whit[e] hors[e] — A horse current, in the field.
Be'O, IN FRYDAY STBEETE . [16]57 — In field, E. M. M.
FantastiquCj in Peele's Old Wives' Tale, 1595^ says, " I had even aa lieve the
bamherlaine of the White Horse iim, had called me up to bed." — ^Act i. sc. 1.
'he chamberlain is an officer whose duties are now nearly extinct. ChytraeuSj a
rerman, who visited England about 1580, and narrated his observations in Latin
erse, noticed, as an extraordinary circumstancej the custom in the Englisli inns
f being waited on by women.
The White Horse tavern in Friday street was, from its contiguity to bouses of
istinction, the Mermaid in Cheap, and others in that locality, of considerable
otoriety among hon-vivants, players, playwrights, and roisterers, in the reign of
iueen Elizabeth. In the Jests of George Peele it is mentioned as the scene of
ame of his mad pranks and irregularities ; and in the poetical productions of that
eriod. The tavern was destroyed in the great fire of September, 1666, and on
eing rebuilt was constituted an inn with spacious yardj resuming the old «ign.
t is still there.
!09 ANDREW VINCENT Y^ COFFEE — Hand holding cofiee-pot.
Eev, HOVSE IN FRIDAY STREET . [16]71 — Infield, I?
A coffee-house penny of the large brass size.
FULLER'S RENTS.
Fuller's is a perversion of Fulwood's rents, buildings erected by Christopher
Nilwood, a member of Gray's Inn, in the reign of King James the First. The
icetious Ned Ward, late in life, had here a punch-house, within one door of
Irray's Inn ; at this house he died in 1731.
ilO GEORGE RYTHE AT THE — Angel and crown, in the field.
Jlev. IN FVLLERS RENTS . HOLBORN — HIS HALF PENNY.
GAEDEN ALLEY.
Garden alley appears to have been some way to garden ground, near the
lorseferry road, in St. John's parish ; or, what is not improbable, had reference
St. John's, Clerkenwell.
Ill lOHN MEDOWCOYRT IN — In,the field, I. E. M. Sev. ST.
lONESES . GARDEN ALYE — I. E. M., in the field.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 117
GAELICK HILL, Upper Thames Street.
512 THE GRAHVND TAVERNE — Greyhound, collar and chain.
Be'O. AT GARLICKE HILL — In the field, A. B.
Stow, describing the vicinity in his day, says " Garlick hithe, or Garlicke hive,
was so called for that of old time, on the bank of the river Thames, near to the
parish church of St. James, garlick was usually sold." He mentions also " the
great house of stone, formerly belonging to the earls of Ormond, in Kjiight-rider
street, at the corner towards St. James at Garlicke hithe, called Ormond place,
given to Elizabeth Woodville by her husband King Edward the Fourth, in the
fifth of his reign : this house is now [1603] lately taken down, and divers feir
tenements built there, the cornerhouse whereof is a tavern." Possibly the Grey-
hound tavern, destroyed in the great fire of September, 1666,
GEORGE YARD.
513 WILL: ADKINES IN GEORG . YARD — The Queeii's Head.
Bev, IN KING STREET . WESTMINSTER — In the field,
HIS HALFE PENNY. W. A. A.
The Queen's Head, as on all the early tokens, is the portraiture of Queen
Elizabeth, whose name is even now associated in our fondest retrospections, with
the epithet of " good Queen Bess."
514 THOMAS COOKE BAKER IN — 1666, in the field.
Rev, GEORG . YARD . WESTMINSTER — In field, T. M. C.
ST. GILES IN THE FIELDS.
The difficulty of appropriating the several traders' tokens having the general
description of St. Giles's in the Fields, may be sufficiently explained by the asser-
tion, that in the locality at this period, distinctive streets were scarcely premedi-
tated. As buildings were raised, they became occupied gradually by the trades,
callings, and avocations named and progressively dated on the tokens. The better
observance of the sabbath, as it was termed by the Puritans, became an enact-
ment of the Commonwealth authorities, when ordinaries and victuallers were for-
bidden to profane the lord's day by providing for the necessities of man ; and Cock
and Pie fields, so named from a public-house of that sign, became the rendezvous
or resort of "oppressed tipplers." Here receptacles were opened by publicans,
who, notwithstanding the penalties of the law, found it their interest to transgress
the regulations defined by the statutes, and were fined for these excesses. As
royalty rose in ascendency, tenements more rapidly increased, and Cock and Pie
fields, since known as the Seven Dials, became a section of streets. Bainbridge
and Buckeridge streets were named after the land-owners, in the fiagitious reign
of Charles the Second. So also " Dyott street, Bloomabury square," as termed in
the elegant phraseology of a deceased modern poet. Evelyn mentions his going
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
D 1694, the Doric pillar placed in the middle of a circular area, by Thomas
vho had been groom of the chamber. The pillar was in imitation of those
ce ; and, being later surmounted by a clock with seven dials, each iacing-
diverging from the pillar, gave the precinct the name of the Seven Dials,
scribed by Gay in his Trivia^ printed in 1?12 :
" Where femed St. Giles's ancient limits spread.
An inrail'd column rears its lofby head ;
Here to sev'n streets, sev'n dials count the day,
And from each other catch the circling ray.
Here oft the peasant, with enquiring face,
Bewilder'd, trudges on from place to place ;
He dwells on eViy sign with stupid gaze,
Enters the narrow alley's doubtful maze,
Tries ev'ry winding court and street in vain.
And doubles o'er his weary steps again."
)illar, long since removed, was again raised, and now decorates Walton-
lames.
VILL : COLLINES BREWER — Arms ; dragon rampant, on
shield. Bev. in st. GILES the feilds — In the
field, w. E. c.
'HILIP wetherell in — Three lions passant gardant.
Bev. ST. GILES IN FiELDES — In the field, p. i. w,
ig the fines registered in the parish books of St. Giles's in 1646, is the
ig : " Reed of Mr. Wetherill, headboro', which he had of one for an
:. 4d."
V^ALT. BIGG AT THE BEL IN — In the field, a bell.
Bev, GYLESES IN THE FEILDES — Same device, in field.
ROBERT STARKY IN ST. GILES — A talbot, in the field.
Bev, YE FEILD . HIS HALF PENY — In field, R. A. S.
lT the wheatsheife — In the field, E. E. H. Bev, in
SAINT GILESES — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
tat. HARDING . GROSER — In field, N. H. BeV, GILESES
IN THE FEILDS — Grocers Company arms, in the field.
'HE TALOW CHANDLER — Man dipping candles, in field.
Bev. IN ST. GILES FEILD — In the field, i. h.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 119
522 ROBERT NEW IN GILLES — Tallowchandlers' arms.
Rev. IN THE FEILDES . 1 652 — In the field, R. E. N.
523 DANYELL lAMES . GILES— A ship, in field. Re's, the
FEILDES . 1 657 — In the field, d. m. i.
524 HENRY POWELL IN — In the field, cheesemonger.
Rev. SAINT GILES FEILDS — 1662, in the field.
" We find nothing of this parishioner beyond the information on his token."
Parton's History of St. Giles's Parish, p. 386.
525 THOMAS BRICKILL IN — MEALE MAN, in the field.
Rev. ST. GILES THE FEELDES — In the field, 1663,
526 ELIZABETH PEARCE [16] 63 — HER HALFE PENNY.
Rev. ST. GILES IN YE FEILDES — Tallowchandlers' arms.
527 lOHN WOODMAN AT THE — A raven, in field. Rev. IN
ST. GILESES IN Y^ FEILDS — CHEESMONGER , 1665.
528 ROBERT HVLLCVP IN — Bear, in the field. Rev. Giles
IN THE FEILDES — In the field, R. M. H.
Robert Hulcup, "a parishioner of much respectability," was chosen a vestry-
man in 1667, and continued such tiU 1682. Having previously served as overseer,
and other offices, he was churchwarden in 1671, and was on most committees for
the conducting of parochial business. To the poor of his parish he was a consi-
derable benefactor, having bequeathed a legacy of 40Z. per aimmmi ^' charged on
certaine messuages or tenements, late of Captain William Whitcombe, situate
neare unto Drury lane." This bequest the heir-at-law disputed, and in 1686 the
parish relinquished farther claim by accepting a certain sum.
529 ia: wagstaf in st. giles in — In the field, i. w. 1669.
Rev. YE FEILDS . near Y^ WHITE HART — HER DOVBL.
TOKEN FOR A ^.
530 lOHN BVTLER IN ST. — A castle, in field. Rev. GILES
IN THE FEILDS . 1 670 — In the field, i. E. b. i-,
John Butler bequeathed by will, in 1685, the rents and profits and all his term
of years, ''in the messuage or tenement situate at Pye-comer, in the parish of
St. Sepulchre, London, known by the sign of the Bell ;" to be applied to the benefit
of the most necessitous poor of the parish of St. GUes in the Fields. Butler's lease
expired in 1738, and his charitable bequest then ceased.
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
GILTSPUR STREET.
way towards Smithfield^ called Gilt SpurrCj or Kniglitriders' street, so
)f the knights and others riding that way into Smithfield, replenished
N buildings on both sides np to Pie comer."' — Stow, 1603.
^MES STEPHENS AT Y^ — Three nuns, in the field.
Be'G. IN GILTSPVR STREET — "WITHOVT NEWGAT.
GLASSHOUSE HALL, Broad Street.
ROM GLASHOTSE HALL — In the field, a Turk's head.
Rev. GOD PRESERVE THE NATION — A ship saihng.
. street and the Glass-house were wholly destroyed in the general calamity
•eat fire in September, 1666 ; but where the Turk's Head was subsequently
led has yet to be ascertained,
i on large brass, as a coffee-house penny.
GLEAN ALLEY, Tooley Street.
EN : MVMFORD — IN GLEANE ALLEY, in the field.
Be'G, IN TOOLEY STREET — In the field, h. e. m.
GOAT LANE.
riLLiAM HOOKE? — Stages horns, in the field. Bev, in
GOATE LANE. 1671 — In the field, A half peny.
GOLDEN LANE, Barbican.
T THE COCK IN GOLDEN LANE — A cock, in the field.
Ber>, Will. Bedhury^ Ms halfe peny^ in script.
'ANIEL CHERRY IN — In field, D. M. C. Be'd. GOLDING
LANE . BREWER — 1656, in the field.
ICHARD PAWLEY AT THE 3 — Grocers Company arms.
BeiS. CVPPS . IN GOLDING LANE — HIS HALFE PENY.
R. M. P.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 121
538 THOMAS PERROT IN — Two sugar-Ioaves, in the field,
Bev. GOLDEN -LANE ,1658 — In the field, t. l. p.
539 AT THE VINE IN — A vine, in the field. Be'G. golden
LANE — In the field, G, W. B.
The sign appears to have conferred its name on a neighbouring court. See
No. 1236.
Bedcj in the eighth century, notices the culture of the vine in this country;
and vineyards are mentioned in the laws of Alfred. Domesday, among other
vineyards therein particularized, includes one at Holebume, and another at the
village of Westminster.
540 AT THE WHITE SWAN — A swan, with collar and chain,
Ee'c, IN golden lane — In the field, w, A. t.
GOODMAN'S FIELDS.
541 GOODMANS FIELDS BREWHOVSE . 1760 — Bear, ring in
nose. Bev, thomas iordan and go. — three pence.
Large size. A rare brass token of the eighteenth century.
GOSWELL STEEET.
542 AT the bvtchers armes — Butchers Company arms.,
Bev. IN GOSWELL STREETS — In the field, M. a. g.
GEACEGHUBCH STREET.
543 SAMVELL KING IN — Man dipping candles, in the field.
Beis, GRACiovs STREET — St. George and Dragon.
Stow, after noticing the conduit in Graase street, observes, " higher in Grasse
street is the parish church of St. Bennet, called Grrasse church, of the herb market
there kept." These notices are followed by a particular of the customs^ or tolls,
of Grass-church market, in the reign of King Edward the Third. Grass-church
became in time, by the extinction of the market, perverted into Gracious street ;
and here Tarlton, who by all representations appears to have led a dissolute and
irregular life, oncS held " a tavern, at the sign of the Saba," king Solomon's
queen of Sheba. The year is uncertain, as he and his wife subsequently had an
ordinary in Paternoster row. He however, while one of the compariy playing at
the Curtain, or theatre, in Shoreditch, died of the plague in Holiwell, now the
High street, Shoreditch, September 3d, 1588, and was buried on the same day.
The fire in September, 1666, wholly destroyed Gracious street, but on being^
rebuilt it was named Gracechurch street, by which it is still known.
22 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
!44 THE 3 TVNN TA VERNE IN — Three tuns ; Vintners' arn
Be^. GRACE CHVRCH STREETE — In the field, I. E. K
The Three Tuna before the fire in 1666.
!45 THOMAS ALLISON. 1668 — Three tuns ; Vintners' arn
Bev. IN GRACIOVS STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY. T. A.
!46 WILLIAM "WILLIAMS IN — Lion rampant, in the field.
Bev. GRACE- CHVRCH STREET — In the field, W. F. w
Possibly the White Lioiij prior to the fire. The white lioiij derived from i
imily of Mowbray, was the badge or ensign of the house of Howard.
!47 ROBERT CARTER AT Y^ WHITE — Lion rampant, in fie]
Eev. IN GRACECHVRCH STREETE — HIS PENNY.] 668
Large brass, for penny currency.
48 NEW COFFEE HOVSE HALL — A talbot, in the field.
Eev. IN GRACE CHVRCH STREET — T. D. N. B. I?
Large brass size. Two persons appear to have been concerned.
'49 Another specimen, struck on red copper.
!50 lAMES CHVRCHEY AT THE — Bell, in the field. Bev. :
GRACECHVRCH STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY. 1670.
THE GRANG^E, Bermondsey.
!51 THO: PRICE . THE RED COWE — A COW, and sugar-loi
Bev, AT YE GRAYNGE IN SOVTHWARK — HIS HA]
PENY.
OLD GRAVEL LANE, Ratcliffe Highway.
>52 lOHN ABBOT IN OVLD — In the field, a black jack.
Bev, GRAFELD LANE . IN WAPING — I. E. A., in field.
Taylor the water poet, in his " Jacke o*Lent, his beginning and entertainmen
otices his avoidance of
" Black jacks at gentle buttery bars,
Whose liquor oftentimes breeds household wars."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 123
Various ballads mention the black jack. In that entitled " The Times abuses/'
in the Roxburghe collection, now in the British Museum, occurs the following
allusion : ,,^^^ ^^^j ^^ faddUng Mull'd Sacke,
When drinke I have got none :
Cannot they thinke on the blacke jacke,
And let mull'd sacke alone V
The following carousing song is derived from an early manuscript :
" The black jack ! the merry black jack,
As it is tost on high-a,
Grows, flows — till at last they fall to blows.
And make their noddles cry-a.
The brown bowl ! the merry brown bowl,
As it goes round about-a ;
Fill, still — let the world say what it will,
And drink the drink all out-a.
The deep can ! the merry deep can.
As we do freely quaff-a ;
Fling, sing — ^be as merry as a king,
And sound a lusty laugh-a."
Diary of William Whiteway, 1618-34 ; Egerton MS. 7Si.
The Black Jack, see also Nos. S7S and 942.
GEAVEL LANE, Houndsditch?
553 HENRY ENGLISH — Two tobacco-pipes crossed, in the field,
Bev, IN GRAVIL LANE — In the field, H. E.
The Puritans appear to have been as great whiffers as the royalists, and the
prevalence of smoking excited the holy vengeance of Hugh Peters, who in one of
his admonitory sermons exhorted his congregation to "beware, beloved, of three
mischievous Ws — ^wine, women, and tobacco : but you will object, tobacco is no
W ; to which I answer, tobacco must be understood under the notion of a weed,
and then it holds right."
GRAY^S-INN LANE.
554} THE c[astle] ta VERNE — In the field, a castle.
Eev. IN GRAYES IN LANE — T. M. H., in the field,
555 lAMES COLE IN GRAYSE — HIS HALFE PENNY, in field.
Eev, INNE LANE , PEICE BROKER — In field, I. K. C.
Dealer in short remnants of cloth.
556 lOHN FARMER IN — In the field, his half peny,
Bev, GRAYES INN LANE — Man dipping candles.
124 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
)57 TiMOTHEY HALSEY — Man dipping candles, in the field.
Ee'i}, IN GRAISEN LANE — In the fieldj T. s. h.
>58 AT THE SWAN TAVERNE — A swan, in the field,
BeV. AT GRAYS IN LANE - END — In field, W. M. G.
)59 lOHN cox AT YE SWAN TAVERN — A swan, with collar.
Bev, AT GRAZES INN LANE END — In field, I. c. 1664.
)60 HVMPHREY wtGAN.1663 — A harrow, in the field,
Bev, IN GRAIES INN LANE — In the field, H. B, w. 1.
)61 ROBERT KEMBLE . BAKER AT THE — Star with eight
points, wavy. Bev, stark . in graies inn lane
— HIS HALFE PENNY. 1667.
)62 LYDIA DVNWELL AT Y^ — An oil-flask, in the field.
Bev. IN GRAIES INNE LANE — HER.HALFE PENY. 1668.
GREAT GARDEN, St. Catharine^s.
)63 lOHN MAYSEY AT THE — Three tuns; Vintners' arms.
GREAT GARDN IN ST. KAT — In the field, I. A. M.
564 lOHN WEDELL AT THE — Com-meter's shovel, in field.
Bev, IN GREAT GARDEN — In the field, i. k. w.
GREEN YARD, Within Leadenhall.
The Green yard -was a portion of the garden attached to the old mansion of
Leadenhall, -when the residence of the Neville family.
565 THO: LANE YH GREEN YARD — Lion rampant; T. M. L.
Bev, WITHIN LEADENHALL — HIS HALF PENY.
566 HVMPHREY EEDES AT THE — Nag's head, in the field.
Be'O, IN THE GREENE -YARD — HIS HALF PENY.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 125
567 WILL : PAYNE AT THE BLACK — A bull, in the field.
Rev. IN THE GREENE YAED — HIS HALF PENY.
568 RICHARD NETTLETON — King's head ; Charles II., in field.
Rev. IN THE GREENE YARD — HIS HALF PENY.
GREEN'S EENTS, Bride Lane.
569 EDM. lAMES . GREENS — The sun in rays, in the field.
Rev, RENTS . FLEET BRIDG — In the field, E. M. I.
570 EDM. lAMES . GREENS — The sun, in the field.
JSe-y. RENTS . FLEET BRIDG — A pestle and mortar.
Green's renta were whoUy destroyed in the great fire of September^ 1666.
GRAY FRIARS, Newgate Street.
571 lAMES WATERS AT — A gray friar, in the field.
Rev, GRAYE FRIARS GATE — In the field, I. A. "W.
The entrance to the now Blae-coat School^ then immediately opposite to the
end of "Warwick lane,
572 RICHARD TART IN GRAY — Coffee-man filling cofi'ee-cup.
Rev. FRIERS HIS HALF PENY — In the field, R. T.
GRUB STREET, Cripplegate.
573 THOMAS ORGHAR . CHAND — In the field, T. A. O.
Rev. LER IN GRVB STRETE [16]67 — HIS HALF PENY.
574 George Hide . Grocer^ in three lines, across the field.
Rev. IN GRVBB STREET — Tobacco-roU and half-moon.
575 ROGER FOSSETT — A crane, in the field. Rev. IN GRVB
STREET — In the field, R. M. F.
576 lOHN DAWSON AT THE — Rose and crown, in the field.
Rev. IN GRYB STREET. 1666 — HIS HALFE PENY.
126 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
577 SAM, WRIGHT . APOTHECARY — An unicorn : crown above.
Bev. ' IN GRVB STREET, 1669 — HIS HALF PENY.
The sign designated the Crown and Unicom.
GUILDHALL YAED.
578 THOMAS AILAY AT THE 3 — Three tuns; Vintners' arms.
Bev. AT GVILDHALL GATE . 1665 — In field, T. E. A. -I".-
" December 16th, 1654, Richard Major, vintner, at the Three Tons, by Guild-
hall, died intestate." — Richard Smith's Obituary, Sloane MS. 886.
579 wiL. TILER AT Y^ off[ice] — In the field, w. a. t.
BEHIND THE 3 TVNS — GVILD HALL.
580 AT THE WHIT LYON — Lion rampant, in the field.
Be'e. IN GVILD HALL GATE — In the field, w. A. c.
The White Lion, of which there are frequent notices by contemporary writers,
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, Sloane MS. 886, notices, ''January 26th, 1656^
James Glasbrook, that once kept the White Lyon ale-house in Guildhall yard,
and after fined for alderman, died sodenly at Dr. Micklethwait's door, in Little
Britain."
W. C. was the occupant before the great fire in September, 1666, that greatly
injured Guildhall; iq 1669 it was restored, and Robert Peete then became the
tenant. The present south front of Guildhall is only a new casing on the old
atone wall in 1789.
581 ROBERT PEETE . OVER AGAINST — Lion rampant, in field.
Bev. GVILDHALL GATE . 1669 — HIS HALF PENY.
GUTTER LANE, Cheapside.
FuUer, speaking of Outter lane, says " it took its name from him who was
once the owner thereof, and was anciently inhabited by gold-beaters." Gutter
lane is a perversion of Guthrum, a Danish name of notoriety in the reign of King
Alfred. In 1280, Gregory de Rokesley, mayor of London, chief director of the
royal mint, ordered the silver of the new coinage then progressing to be of the
fineness " commonly called silver of Guthuron's lane." In the accounts of the
Goldsmiths Company, of the quarterage received from those of the livery in 1492^
some are described as residing in '' Goodryn lane."
582 THOMAS FITZHVGH AT Y^ GOLDEN — In the field, I?
Be'e. ANCHOR IN GVTER LANE — An anchor, in field.
Fitzhugh'a token is one of the large brass, or penny size.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOK.ENS, 127
HAND YAED, Holborn.
Hand yard appears to have been on the norfcli side of Holborn. Hand court,
nearly opposite to Grea:t Turnstile, a well-known thoroughfare to Bedford row,
was formerly known as Hand alley.
583 WILLIAM BARRETT. IN HAND — A hand, in the field.
Ee'd, YARD IN HOLBORN, 1668 — HIS HALPE PENNY.
HARP ALLEY, Shoe Lane.
Harp alley, formerly called Harper alley, was for many years the mart of signs
and sign-irons. Carved grapes and gilded sugar -loaves, for pendants, were till
recently displayed in the shops ; but the main character of the neighbourhood is
wholly changed : it is the bathos of the professions of gilders and painters.
584 HENRY BROWNE AT HARPE — HIS HALFE PENNY.
Re's. ALLEY END . AT DITCH SIDE — In field, H. I. B.
HATTON GARDEN.
Evelyn mentions in his Diary, June iTth, 1659, his going " to see the founda-
tions laying for a street and buildings in Hatton garden, designed for a little
town, lately an ample garden,"
585 THOMAS PRENCE IN — Three sugar-loaves, and t. m. p.
Be'C, HATTON GARDEN — In field, HIS HALFE PENY.
HATTON WALL.
5SQ REBECKA NEGVS — A game cock, in the field — AT
Bev. HATTON WALL , 1657 — In the field, r. n.
HAYMAEKET.
587 lAMES WARREN. 1664 — A half-moon, in the field.
Bev. IN THE HAYMARKETT . HIS HALE PENNY.
The reverse, in five lines across the field.
128 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
HERMITAGE, Wapping.
" On the east side and by north of the Tower, lieth East Smithfield. From
thence. Nightingale lane, which runneth south to the Hermitagej a brewery, so
called of a hermit sometime being there." — Stow, edit. 1603.
588 KINGS HEAD TAVERN — Head of King Henry the Eighth.
Me'C, AT THE HERMITAGE — In the field, W. E. A.
589 WILLIAM KEDWARD BAKER — HIS HALFE PENT.
Rev. AT THE HERMETTAGE — Bakers Company arms.
HERMITAGE STAIES.
590 lOHN NEWELL NEA^ yE — Stick of candles, in the field.
Bev. HERMITAGE STAIERS — In the field, a Virginian,
with bow and arrow.
Evidently a ship-chandler, made candles, and sold the best Virginian tobacco.
HOG LANE.
'* East of the parish church of St. Botolph, Aldgate, were several inns for the
reception of travellers, up to Hog lane end, some within the Bars, and a mark
was there showing how far the liberties of the city extended. This Hog lane,
now called Petticoat lane and Artillery lane, stretched north to Bishopsgate
street. In Stow's time, about 1598, it had rows of elms on each side, with bridges
and stiles to pass over into pleasant fields, but is now a continued building from
Houndsditch to Whitechapel, and farther." — Seymour's Swrvey of London, 1734,
vol. i. p. 276.
591 lOHN BAVET — Do^ leading a horse by the bridle, in field.
IN HOGG LANE — In the field, i. a. B.
HOLBORN CONDUIT.
Holbom conduit stood on the rise of Snow hill, between Cow lane and Cock
lane. The precinct of these tokens was wholly destroyed in the great fire.
592 qveen's HEAD TAVERNE — Head of Queen Elizabeth, in
the field. Bev, AT holborne covndid — In the
field, E. E. H.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 129
593 THE HEN AND CHICKENS — Hen with her brood, in field.
Rev. AT HOLBORNE CVNDVT — In the field, T. B.
594 ANTHONEY lOYCE — Three stags, two and one, in the field.
Bev, AT HOBORN CONDVIT — In the field, A. k. i.
Apparently a leatherseller.
595 THE THREE S"VGAR LOVES — Three loaves pendant.
Bev, AT HOLBORNE CVNDITE — In the field, T. E. s.
596 MATT. BAYLY AT Y^ RED COW — A COW, in the field.
Bev, NEAR HOLBORN CONDVIT — In field, M. T. B. ^.
HOLBORN BRIDGE.
Holbom bridge was the ascent from tlie now top of Farringdon street to Ely
place^ where stood the palace of the bishops of Ely^ and the garden^ now builded
on and called Hatton garden. Westward to the city boundaries, terminating
the wide part near Gray's-inn lane end, called Holbom bars^ was formerly called
Low Holbom, or latterly^ as on the tokens, Holbom. High Holbom is that por-
tion of the main street from Holbom bars to Drury lane. Holbom is a perversion
of Old-bourne.
597 lOHN MVRDOCK NEARE — The Mercers Company arms.
Bev, HOLBORNE BRIDGE — In the field, i. b. m.
598 ROBERT BOOTH — Two men with staves, in the field.
Bev. AT HOLBORNE BRIDG — In the field, R. B.
Query, the sign of the Two Drovers ?
The " Description of a City Shower," printed in the Tatter, October l?th,
1710, and subsequently published in the collected works of Dean Swift, forcibly
depicts the condition of Holbom bridge at this period, from the streams of filth
of all hues and odours, under such a visitation :
" Each torrent drives, with rapid force,
From Smithfield or St. Pulchre's shape their course,
And in huge confluent join'd at Snow-hill ridge,
Fall from the conduit, prone to Holbom bridge."
599 RICHARD CORNISH — A castle, in the field. Bev. AT
HOLBORN BRIDG — In the field, R. M. c.
130 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
HOLBOEN.
500 WILLIAM BLOW AT Y^ KINGS — HIS HALFE PENT.
Bev. ARMES IN HOLBABNE — The Eojal arms crowned.
The " Old King's Arms" is still extant by Ely place.
501 lANE BOARDMAN NEERE — A ship Sailing, in the field.
BeiS. STAPLES INN IN HOLBOBN — HER HALFE PENNY,
502 WILLIAM COBB — Sun in rays, Distillers' arms, in the field.
Bev, IN HIGH HOLBVRN — HIS HALF PENY.
The Sun tavern was near Fulwood's rents. In the Banquet of Jests, 1639, duod.,
t is thus noticed : " A pleasant fellow willing to put off a lame horse, rode ^i'tti
rom the Sunne tavern within Gripplegate, to the Sunne in Holborn, neere the
Puller's rents, and the next day, offering to sell >iTTin in Smithfield, the buyer
isked him why he looked so leane ; ' marry ! no marvell,' answered he, ' for but
yesterday I rid him from sunne to sunne, and never drew bit.' "
503 DAVID DEANE — The initials D. b. d., in the field.
Bev, IN holbobne — In the field, 1657.
504 WILLIAM DANCER — Apple-tree, bearing fruit, in the field.
Bev, IN HOLBORNE . 1659 — In the field, w, d.
''An apple is of evill report, or at leastwise hath but an evil name amongst the
Elomans, for the very name, mahmi, signifieth evill. Hence some forbid both
iheese and apples with this fallacian, caseus est nequam, et mala su/nt Tuala. How-
>eit, not origination but fortune made them sophisters ; for 'mdhmb, an apple,
ieriveth bis line of ancestry from the Greeke melon, of greate antiquitie, not un-
Lnown to Homer. Yet the obvious notation is passing plausible and more pas-
able, because an apple was the cause or occasion of all evill ; but whether it were
in apple or no, fides sit penes a/u;thores." — Henry Buttes's Dyets Dry BiTmer, 1599,
dgn. B 8.
505 BAPTIST FRERE IN — In field, 1661. Bev, holborne .
OYLEMAN — B. s. F., in the field.
606 DANIELL GREY SALLVTATION — Angel Gabriel, and the
Virgin. Bev, taverne in holborne — his halfe
PENY.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 15l
607 THE GOLDEN GRIFFIN — A griffin, in the field.
Bev, TAVERNE IN HOLBORNE — In the field, T. s. p.
Among the informations exhibited to the committee of inquiry relative to the
great fire, printed in 1667, 4to, pp. 17, 18, is a long account of the apprehension
of a woman charged with being an incendiary ; her being carried to the Griffin in
Holbom, and ordered by Lord Craven to be secured ; but no farther proceeding
instituted. The woman, as in the case of Hubert^ who was hanged, confessed
voluntarily; but was never required to justify the words spoken by her.
608 ROB, HOLMES AT THE — Prince's plume, in the field.
Bev, FETHARS IN HOLBORN — In the field, R. H.
The Feathers tavern was on the south side of High Holborn. In 1^85, the
Feathers, then described as " a public-house," was greatly injured by a fire that
destroyed several houses in Holborn, and backwards to Whetstone park. The
house, number 262, has since been rebuilt. A court leading into "Whetstone park,
called Pargiter's rents, obtained subsequently the name of Feathers court from
the sign. It is now a thoroughfere from Holborn into Whetstone park, and is
midway between the two Turnstiles.
609 AT THE KINGS HEAD — Bust of King Henry the Eighth.
Bev. TAVERN IN HOLBORNE — H. M. H., in the field.
610 lOHN lONES IN HOLBORN — In the field, a pair of scales.
Bev. NEER GRAYES IN GATE — HIS HALFE PENY.
611 SYMON PANNATE — Butchers Company arms, in the field.
Bev. IN HIGH HOLBORNE — In the field, s. M. P.
" Each butcher, by himselfe, makes martial lawes.
Cuts throats and kills, and quarters, hangs, and drawes."
John Taylor the water poet's Jack o'Lent, 1Q\7.
612 AT THE RED LION — A Hon rampant, in the field.
Bev, IN HYE HOLBORN. 1652 — In the field, L. c. s.
The Red Lion, whence Red-lion street, is in the parish of St. Giles in the fields.
The fine stained glass windows of the old church were, during the sway of puri-
tanical frenzy, ordered to be destroyed ; but on the receipt of the order to that
efiect, the emblazoned glass was by a better feeling wholly moved and concealed,
till on the restoration of royalty, the windows were replaced and again shone in
their wonted splendour. One on the south side, that had become faulty, or was
altogether deficient, would seem to have been supplied at the cost of mine host
of the Red Lion, who appears to have been a loyalist.
Months after the estabhshment of Charles the Second, the royalists carried
their pitiable resentment beyond the grave, by exhuming the bodies of Cromwell,
Ireton, and Bradshaw. The order for this purpose passed by a vote of the House
K 2
L32 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
f Commons, December Sth, 1660. On Saturday, January 26th, 1661, the bodies
f Cromwell and Ireton, in their coffins, were taken from their graves in West-
ainster abbey, and in the night of the following ilonday conveyed in two carts
the Red Lion inn in Holborn. Bradshaw's was removed on Tuesday morning,
nd on "Wednesday, the 30th, the anniversary of Charles the First's execution,
whose memory by this outrage no honour was rendered, the three coffins were
(laced on sledges, and ignominiously drawn from the Red Lion to Tyburn, The
)odies were there taken from the coffins, and hanged on the cross-pieces of the
riple-tree till sui^et, when the heads were struck off and the corpses flung into
. deep hole below the gallows; the heads on three poles were raised at the north
nd of Westminster hall, and there continued till blown down by gusts of wind,
)n the part of the exhumer this appears not to have been a promptly paid job,
s the receipt for fifteen shillings, dated May 4th, 1661, is extant, " for taking
tp the corpes of CromeU, and Ireton, and Brasaw, rec. by mee, John Lewis."
The Red Lion continued to be a house of eminence ; as Baron Atkins, in a letter
Lated from Lincoln's Inn, September 8th, 1666, describing the horrors of the late
ire, writes, " Sir Richard Broon's house burned to the ground, where he has
ustained great losses ; and my brother Browne likewise, for my sister being then
'ery ill, aU the care was to remove her : they are all now at the Red Lyon in
lolbome."
Andrew Marvell, who hated the Stuarts, and has left a name memorable for
ttany reasons, ceased to exist August 18th, 1678, and was buried in St. Giles's
hurch. Aubrey, desirous of learning the immediate site of his last home, in-
[uired of the sexton, and was informed that " his body lay below the pews, on the
outh side of the church, imder the window in which was painted in the glass a
ed lion, given by the innholder of the Red lion in Holbom." In vain may the
Tchaeologist aim at further inquiry, or seek the '
" Storied window richly dight ;"
s, preparatory to the building of the present church, the windows and materials
if the former one were, in 1730, consigned to FUtcroffc, the builder, in part liqui-
lation of his estimate of cost of the new edifice. Nothrag is now known of the
lid windows.
The family name of the issuer of the token was possibly Stanton. An advertise-
aent, in 1678, for the recovery of a horse, stolen or strayed from Warwick field,
tehind Warwick house, now Warwick court, Holbom, referred for reward to
lobert Stanton, at the Red Lyon inn, in Holbom.
The Red Lion inn was on the south side of Holborn, but the house bearing the
ign is no longer extant. Red Lion yard, west of the Old George and Blue Boar,
leing now an extensive range of stabling.
)13 WILLIAM SHEERS — An anchor, in the field.
Eev. IN HOLBVRNE— In the field, 1656.
)14 RICHARD SHEPHEARD CORNE — Three horse-shoes, in the
field. Bev. chandler in high holborn — his
HALF PENY. 1668.
According to Speed, " the familie of the Ferrers were first seated in Rutland-
hire, as besides the credit of writers, the horse-shoe, whose badge it was, doth
ritnesse ; where in the castle, and now the shire-hall, right over the seat of the
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 133
judgej a horse-shoe of iron curiously wrought^ containing five foote and a halfe
in length, and the bredth thereto proportionably, is fixed." — Theatre of Great
Britaine, edit. 1627, p. 59.
The heralds state that Henry de Ferrariis, who came to England with "WiUiam
the Norman, in the capacity of chief farrier, is commemorated in the family of
Ferrers, bearing arms, argent, six horse-shoes, sahle, three, two, and one.
The arras on the token are those of the Farriers Company : argent, three horse-
shoes, sabU.
615 HVMPHRY SIMES — A cavalier's boot, in the field.
Re'G. IN HOLBORNE . 1658 — In the field, three pigeons ?
Q^Q EGBERT THODY AT Y^ — King's head; Charles the Se-
cond. Bev, IN HOLBORNE. 1667 — In the field, his
HALFE PENY.
The Bang's Head ale-house, an old building in Holbom, near Bloomsbury
market, fell on August 24th, 1764, about three, p. m. The only person killed was
a tipling tailor, named Murphy. The house on being rebuilt retained the same
sign, but was recently dfemolished for the opening into New Oxford street,
617 AT THE THREE CVPS — In the field, M. D. B. BeT). in
HOLBORNE . 1658 — Three cups, in the field.
Winstanley, who has recorded many interesting traits of his contemporaries,
notices his being with Richard Head, the author of the English Rogue, on the
coming forth of the first part, " drinking a glass of Rhenish, at the Three Cup
tavern in Holbom," The commendatory verses written on that occasion are
printed in his Lives ofths English Poets, 1687, 8vo, p. 208.
Heywood, noticing the appliances of the tavemers, says — " Come to plate,
every taveme can afibrd you flat bowles, French bowles, prounet cups, beare
bowles, beakers ; and private householders in the citie, when they make a feast
to entertaine their friends, can fiimish their cupbords with flagons, tankards,
beere-cups, wine-bowles ; some white, some parcell guUt, some guilt all over,
some with covers, others without, of sundry shapes and qualities." — PMlocotho-
nista: the Drimkard opcTied, 1635, 4to, p. 45,
618 THE 3 SYGAR LVES IN — Three sugar-loayes pendant.
Bev. TVBNSTILE IN HOLBORN — In the field, R. C. A.
619 RICHiiRD VNDERWOOD: HIS HALFE PENNY: R. E. V.
Bev, IN HOLBORN , POVLTERER — A running hare.
The inscription on the obverse in flve lines.
The sign of " the Running Hare" was formerly not uncommon. In The
Schoolemaster : or Teacher of Table Philosophy, 1583, it is said " during the ages
of chivalry, if a man was going forth to war, or to a tournament, it was then
34 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
tiought unlucky to meet a priest ;" so Melton^ in his Astrologaster, asserts " it
! very ill lucke to have a hare cross one in the high-way." "With the general
rejudice against the hare, why it should have been adopted as a sign occasions
latter of question.
(20 ELEANOR WEAVER NEAR — In field, E. W. EeV. GRAIES
INN GATE . HOLBORNE — HALFE PENT.
121 WILLIAM WHETSTONE — In the field, a Negro boy.
Bev. IN HOLBORNE . 1653 — W. I. w., in the field.
The " black boy," on obverse, holds a tobacco-leaf in his right hand, and a roll
f tobacco under his left arm.
Whetstone, a man of some wealth, and, as his token shows, a tobacconist on
tie south side of Holbom, near the Turnstile, served the office of overseer of St.
riles in the fields in 1655. After the Restoration he was the builder of several
ouses at the east end, between Newman's row, the north side of Lincohi's-inn
elds, and Holbom ; several persons adopting the same purpose, covered the site
westward to Gate street with other houses, and the whole obtained, from the
riginator, the name yet retained, of Whetstone's park. ,The scene of every vice ;
)ryden, Butler, and other writers have recorded its early history in indelible
isgrace.
122 ALLAN WILSON AT Y^ flece — A fleece, in the field.
Eev. TAVERN IN HOLBORNE — In the field, A. w.
The Golden Fleece was once the occasion of a jeu d'esprU said to have been
ttered by Great Britain's Solomon. Old Lambe of Buiy used to go hunting
ery brave in apparel, so glittering and radiant he eclipsed all the court. King
ames, seeing hiTn one day in the field, asked what he was, and was told it was
ne Lambe. " Lambe," said the king, " I know not what kinde of lambe he is,
ut I am sure he hath a good fleece on his back." — Sir Nicholas L'Estrange,
lerry Passages and Jests, Harl. MS. 6395.
HOLYWELL LANE, Shoreditch.
123 EDMVND BANNISTER IN HOLLO — A lion rampant, in
the field. Bev. WAY LANE SHORDITCH 1668 — His
HALFE PENY. E. E. B.
HOLYWELL STREET, Strand.
Holywell street, extending fi-om St. Clement's churchyard to the church of St.
fary-le-Strand, was, as Strype in 1720 describes the street, "commonly called
tie back of St. Clement's, a place inhabited by divers salesmen and piece-brokers."
iilkmen, bodice and stay makers were here formerly congregated, chiefly distin-
AND GOFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 135
guished by the signs of the Half-Moon^ the Golden Key, and the Indian Queen,
as depicted on engraved shop-bills ; but since London progressed westwardsj the
silk-mercers and stay makers have whoUy abandoned the street, and there are
now more publishers of periodicals, booksellers, and stallmen located here, than
of any other trade.
624) AT THE BODY [or BODICE] MAKER — In the field, W. S.
Bev. IN HOLYWELL STRET — A bodice, or pair of stays.
HORSLYDOWN, Southwark.
Horslydown is a perversion of Horse down, originally having been a grazing
ground for horses. A letter among the Paston Papers, dated Horshighdon, Ja-
nuary, 1456, shows the appellation at that time to have been Horseydown.
625 PETER HALL . MELMAN — A wheatslieaf, in the field.
Bev, IN HORSLEYDOWNE — In the field, p. m. h.
HORSLYDOWN LANE.
626 HENRY CRICH . IN — HIS HALF PENY, in the field.
Bev, HORSLY DOWNE LANE — A wheatsheaf ; H. A. c.
627 RICHARD PACK . 1669 — The Butchers Company arms.
». IN HORSE DOVNE LANE — HIS HALF PENY.
628 THOMAS STOKES IN — In the field, his halp-peny.
B&c, horslydown lane — Two hands joined; T. A. s.
HOESLYDOWN STATES.
629 AT the shyger lofp — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
Bev. HORSEY DOVNE STARES — In the field, R. G. s.
630 THE SHYGER LOFE AT — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
Bev. HORSLY DOWN STARES — In the field, W. K. F.
HOSIEE LANE, Smithfield.
631 AT THE SVGER LOFE — A sugar-loaf, in the field,
w. IN HOSER LANE . 1651 — In the field, i. r. p.
36 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
;32 RICHARD NORWOOD , SALTER — A nag's head, in the field.
Be'i), IN OSIER LANE. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY.
HOUNDSDITOH.
The ditch of the city extending from Aldgate, north-east to Bishopsgate, called
Houndesditch, for that in old time, when the same lay open, much filth, con-
3yed forth of the city, especially dead dogs, were there laid or cast." Such is
tow's definition ; but the greater probability is, that the appellation was derived
om the establishment of the hounds, which constituted the city kennel, being
lere maintained in the fifteenth century in a filthy manner. Arnold's Chronicle,
rinted soon after 1500, contains a petition to the lord mayor, aldermen, and
)iiiinon council, referring to the abominable savours caused by the keeping of
le kennel in the moat and ditches.
Stow, who in his youth appears to have known well the vicinity, details its
rogressive occupation from the enclosed field, and the " homely cottages" of the
id-ridden poor, there domiciled in poverty and sickness, yet recognized by the
riory of the Holy Trinity ; till there were built houses that rather wanted room
lan rent, for the most part possessed by brokers and sellers of old apparel. This
as the London historian's description in 1598, at the close of the sixteenth cen-
iry ; but it soon became the resort of bad men, money-lenders, who rendered it
villainous place of extortion, rascally cheating, and usury. Glorious Ben, and
;ber distinguished dramatists, players, and poets, are in their denoomcements of
lese rapacious swarms irrefragable contemporary evidence • nor can the bitter
lathemas of Taylor the water poet have escaped the reader. In his Brood of
ormorants, he sarcastically asks —
'' "Was Houndsditch Houndsditch call'd, can any tell.
Before the brokers in that street did dwell ?
No sure it was not, it hath got that name
From them, and since that time they thither came ;
And well it now may be call'd Houndsditch,
For there are hounds wiU give a vengeance twitch."
33 SARY HIET AT WOLSAK — A woolpack, in the field.
Be'G, IN HOYNSDiCH — In the field, s. h.
34 PHILLIP lEMMET — A game-cock, in the field.
Bev, GOLDEN . COCK . HYNDICH — In the field, p. e. i.
35 AT THE HAND AND PENN — Hand holding pen, in field,
Bev. IN HOVNDSDiTCH . 1653 — In the field, m. a. t.
36 RICHARD HOLBROVGH — Hand holding pen, in the field.
Bev, IN tlOVNDSDITCH . 1669 — HIS HALF PENY.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 137
637 AT THE WHIT HORS IN— A horse current, in the field;
Re's, HOVND DICH NEA ALGATE — In the field, L. E. H,
638 AT THE WHITE HORS — A horsB current, in the field.
Bev. IN HOVNESDICH . 1658 — In the field, i. A. p.
Below the horse, on the obversoj is a small B ; the mark of Thomas Rawlina,
an engraver of considerable excellence, and, before the civil wars, an officer in the
Tower Mint. When Parkhurst and.Bushell were appointed masters of the mint
estabhshed at New Inn, Oxford, in February 1642-3, Rawlins at the same time
was constituted chief engraver ; but on the king's affairs becoming hopeless, Raw-
lins fled to Paris. On his returning to England, his mark is found on the town-
pieces of 1652, struck for the cities of Bristol and Oxford ; and there are doubtless
others to which he did not affix his initial. In 1658 his mark is again distin-
guished on the Houndsditch and one or two other tokens. He was then in extreme
distress, as evidenced by a letter addressed by him, from ^' the Hole in St. Mar-
tin's, Febru. 27, 1657-8," to John Evelyn, pathetically imploring his aid.
*' Sir: It is my misfortune since my coming into England, to rancounter many
misfortunes. I am now a prisoner*, and am resolved to make use of the Act for
Relief of Poore Prisoners, and only want money to sue out my Habeas Corpeas.
Sir, it is for God's sake I begg your charitye, and I shall retume it ether in worke,
in which, I thank God, I have much bettered my selfe since I had the honor to
see you at Parris, or in what quantity of money you shall be pleased to furnish
me with. Sir, I once more for Heaven's sake implore your assistance, to him
that writs him selfe, however distressed at this tyme,
" To' fe-ithfuU and ever gratefull servant, Tho: Rawuns."
Evelyn, in his endorsement of the letter, described him as '' an excellent artist,
but debash'd [debauch'd] fellow ;" nor is there the slightest Inference to be drawn
that this urgent appeal was otherwise than unfavourably received. The engraving
of traders' irons was at best but precarious and un remunerative, and although he
is known to have competed for the proposed state fe,rthings, to displace those
issued by traders and ale-house keepers, yet he was thoroughly unsuccessfiil. The
piece with Oliver's proffie on the obverse, and having on the reverse the attributes
of the. three kingdoms entwined on columns, inscribed thvs vnbted invincible,
and again issued in four or five varieties known as patterns, were the productions
of Thomas Rawhns. After the restoration of Charles the Second, Rawlins's patent
a-s chief engraver was but slightly recognized j he however worked in the mint on
the official seals ; the money-dies being supervised by younger, more enei^etic,
and more skilfully practised hands. He died in 1670.
* The " Hole in St. Martin's," where Rawlins intimated he was then a prisoner,
was one of the many cells called public prisons, which disgraced the metropolis
in the seventeenth centilry. Cromwell, in his war with the Dutch, cranmied it
with prisoners ; and in October, 1653, the Dutch captains there confined addressed
a petition to General Monk, praying his good offices towards their liberation ; it
was dated " from the Prison in the Mewes," and from that appellation was pos-
sibly a place of confinement created imder the Stuarts; subsequently it became
the parish watch-house, of which there is an excessively rare print. It stood on
the east side of the Mews, the site being the now roadway in front of the east
end of the Royal Academy. _
38 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
►39 WILLIAM ACTON AT Y^ — A goldeB ball, in the field.
Rev, IN HOVNSDiTCH , 1664 — A pair of opened scissors.
►40 lOHN PALMER , IN — An anchor, in the field.
Bm. HOVNSDICH . 1667 — In the field, i. i. P.
Query, the Blue Anclior ? noticed in Seymour's otherwise Mottley's Sv/rvey of
'yondonj 1734, vol. i. p. 371, as the boundary in that part of Bishopsgate ward.
141 PETER ESSINGTON — Eose and crown, p. E., in the field.
Eei>, IN HOVNSDICH . 1668 — HIS HALF PENV.
IRONGATE, St. Catharine's.
Stow, describing the Tower in his time, observes that " on the south side, to-
(Tards the east, is a great and strong gate, commonly called the iron-gate, but
iot usually opened."
542 AT IRON GATE — In field, Grrocers Company arms ; I. e. p.
Mei?, HIS HALFE PENNY — The full name in monogram.
543 EDMON SMITH AT IRON — In the field, his half peny.
Mev, gate . NEAR THE TOWER — ^A trumpeter sounding.
544 lOHN PATSTON — The name in monogram, in the field.
Eev. AT THE IRON GATE — In the field, I. A. P.
545 DAVID KEMPE AT THE — A cock, in the field.
Eev. NEAR . IRON . GATE — In the field, D. A. K.
546 IN ST KATHARINES — A cock and bull, in the field.
Bev, NIGH Y= IRON GATE — In the field, w. h. r.
A graphical illustration of what most persons have heard — a cock and bull
story, a tale expressing one thing, but meaning another ; a something told with,
n modem phraseology, a mental reservation to deceive. Cave Beck, in a now
excessively rare volume, hunted down by Grangerites for the portrait, entitled
TJie Universal Character, 1657, 8vo, renders a coeval elucidation of the sign :
" The Egyptians of old had a symbolical way of writing, by emblems and
figures, which might be read by other nations instructed in their wisdom, but was
30 hard to learn, and tedious in the practice, that letters soon justled them out of
the world ; besides, most of their hieroglyphicks were so catachrestical, the pic-
ture shewing one thing to the eye, and a quite different sense imposed upon it.
AND COFFEK-HOUSE TOKENS. 159
that they justified the painter who drew a mis-shapened cock upon a sign-board,
and wrote under it, ' this is a bull,' "
A volume of early ballads, in the writer's possession, has one entitled " The
Cock and the Bull, " a species of instruction to a young flirt how to vex her lover ;
the burthen being,
" Then to tell him a tale of a cock and a bull,
That you mean'd no such thing, but was playing the fool !"
So again, by a more recent writer ;
'' Jove bid it fill his head top-full.
Of taking Troy, and cock and bull."
Homer's lUad Travestie, 11762, duod.
IRONGATB STATES.
647 0? E. — -Bust of King Charles the Second, enrobed.
Be^. B, M. C, at Irongate Staires . 1 664:^ in script type.
IRONMONGER LANE, Oheapside.
648 lOHN SNOW IN — whit[e] baker, in the field.
Eev. IREMONGER LANE — In the field, I. s.
IVY LANE, Paternoster Row.
The venella, or narrow way, of Ivy lane is noticed in a grant by King Edward
the First to the City of London, in 1281.
649 WILLIAM OSMAN . CORNE — A harrow 1 in the field.
Bev, CHANDLER . IN IVEY LANE — In the field, w. o.
650 WILLIAM HEBB IN — Plasterers Company arms, in field.
iv, IVEY LANE . 1664 — In the field, w. i. H.
JACOB STREET, Southwark.
651 THE BVNCH OP GRAPES — A bunch of grapes, in the field.
Bev. IN lACOB STREETE — In the field, w. A. c.
" The superexcellency of the grape plant and fruite is inestimable j yet by the
way to be noted, in that God calleth his church a vine ; the fruite or wvce whereof
are good workes ; therefore in many places of the scripture, every vine is cursed
with a VCB, whereon there are found no uvw. Ave blesseth; a vce curseth." — Henry
Buttes's Byets Dry Bvrmer, 1599, sign. B 3.
140 LONDON TRADERS,
ST. JAMESES GUARD.
652 "WILL: SLiDD.svTLER TO Y^ GVARD — Head of Monk.
Bev, AT ST lAMESES. HIS HALF PENY — W. I. S,
Issued probably from tbe canteen at the Horse-guard, in -St. James's park,
feeing the banquetting-bouse, Wbiteball. In tbe second edition of Pennant's
Accomit of London is an engraved view from a painting of this period. Canaletti
also painted a view of tbe old Horse-guard ; it is engraved among tbe illustrations
to Smith's Westminster.
Monk, as captain-general, immediately after the Restoration bad a brief vitaUty
of sign-board notoriety, that has long since passed away. His bead appears on
this and another tokcD, No. 1165. Distinction derived from a meretricious and
often misplaced popularity is but too frequently painfidly evanescent. Horace
Walpole illustrates this remark most pointedly, in a letter to General Conway,
dated in April, V7^7 ; alluding to this transitory adulation in his day, he observes
'^ I was yesterday out of town, and tbe very signs, as I passed through the vil-
lages, caused me to make very quaint reflections on the mortaUty of fame and
popularity. I observed how the duke of Cumberland's head had succeeded almost
universally to Admiral Vernon's, as his had left but few traces of the duke of
Ormond's. I pondered these things in my heart, and said unto myself — surely
all glory is but a sign." Sic transit gloria mwndi.
ST. JAMES'S FIELDS.
St. James's fields, unbuilt-on until after tbe restoration of King Charles the
Second, was the open space west of the Haymarket, between Pall Mall and
Piccadilly ; now the site of Waterloo place, Charles street, St. James's square,
md Jermyn street. Here annually some centuries before was held a fafr, till the
ank-haired religionists, who deemed even a smile profaneness, induced a resolu-
;ion of the Commonwealth ParHament, on Thursday, July iTth, 1651, that '' the
air usually held and kept yearly at St. James's within the bberty of the city of
SVestmioster, on or about tbe 25th of July, be forborne this year ; and that no
air be held or kept there by any person or persons whatsoever, untill the Parlia-
nent shall take further order."
With the return of royalty more liberal views obtained countenance ; and on
September 2!^tb, 1664, a market, to be called St. James's market, for every kind
)f provisions, was proclaimed to be thenceforth held in St. James's fields, on
tfondays, WednesdajE, and Saturdays ; and for all kinds of cattle, in tbe Hay-
market, in the parish of St. Martin's in the fields. The ground, market-bouse,
hops, and other buildings of tbe St. James's market, were on Jlay 22d, 1696,
eased to Thomas Hall, esq., for ninety-nine years, from Michaelmas, 1740, and
terminate on October 10th, 1839 ; the fine 1,300?., and the annual rent lOZ.
[Tie rents many years since were estimated at 500Z. per annum ; and the lease
)econiing the property of the earl of Godolphin, be, in 1766, left one moiety of
he rents to the duchess of Newcastle, and the other to tbe marquis of Carmar-
hen. Tbe market was let in 1799 at the annual rent of 1,600?.
)53 DAVID THOMAS. 1663 — In field, an anchor : crown above.
Be'G. IN ST lAMES FEILDES — In the field, D. i. t.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 141
ST. JAMES'S MARKET.
654 SAKAH AVSTIN AT THE GREEN — Wild man, with club.
Bev. MAN IN ST. lAMES MARKET PLACE — HER HALFE
PENNY.
Christian the Thirds king of Denmark, father of Anne, queen of King James
the First, bore, as supporters to his arms, two savage men wreathed about the
loins and.temples with ivy, and bearing spiked clubs. Queen Anne had such a
figure as her sinister supporter ; since represented in pageants and on the tokens
as bearing an unspiked club, and designated the Green Man. See also No, 1222.
The market-place was at the end of Norris street, a short street opposite to
Panton street in the Haymarket.
655 THOMAS lENNiNGS IN — A man dipping candles, in the
field. Eev. westmin. or in mar[ket] lane — In
the field, T. E. I.
Q5Q THOMAS ienngs IN — A man dipping candles, in the field.
Bev, WESTMIN. OR IN mar[ket] LANE — In the field,
T. E. I.
- Market lane was parallel with the Haymarket, a cart-way leading from Pall-
Mall to St. James's market. The houses on the east side have been long since
absorbed into the site of the rear of the King's theatre or Italian Opera-house ;
the arcade behiad it being Market lane, so transformed in the modem improve-
ments.
657 GEORGE ros GROCER — In the field, a rose. Be'c, in
ST. lAMES MARKETT — HIS HALFE PENNY.
658 BVRBAGE SALTER AT Y^ — Eose and crown, in the field.
Bev. IN ST. lAMESES MARKETT — HIS HALFE PENY.
659 EDWARD PERSMORE — A vase of flowers, in the field.
Bev. IN ST. lAMES MARKET — In the field, E. E. P.
'the Flower-pot," but derived from the earlier representations of the
Salutation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, in which either lilies were
placed in his hand, or they were set as an accessory in a vase. As popery de-
clined, the angel disappeared, and the lily-pot became a vase of flowers ; subse-
quently the Virgin was omitted, and there remained only the vase of flowers.
Since, to make things more unmistakable, two debonair gentlemen, with hat in
hand, have superseded the floral elegancies of the olden time, and the poetry of
the art seems lo^t.
142 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
660 RICHARD BARNES — The Mercers' arms, in the field.
Bev, OF MARKETT STREET — In the field, R. B.
Market street, on the east and west sides of St. James's market.
661 LAVRANCE BALL HIS HALF PENT — Bakers' arms.
Be'G. IN ST. lAMES MARKETT. 64 — In the field, L. E. B.
662 RICH: BARRETT CHANLE^ — Oheese-knife, in the field.
IN ST. lAMESES . 1665 — In the field, r, a. b.
663 ELIZABETH TOWNSEND IN ST. — The market-house.
Bev, lAMESES MARKETT. 1666 — HER HALFE PENNY.
E, T,
The market-house, of which no engraving is known to the writer, was erected
this year. Pepys, in his Diary, on April 1st (no fool either), confesses the pleni-
tude of his prying curiosity : " up and down my lord St. Alban's his new buildings
and market-house, looking to and again into every place building." Modem
improvements have now swept away the whole.
The Townsend famil y hved at the north-east comer of St. Alban's street, &cing
the south side of the market-houae ; they remained till the demolition, in 1818,
and then occupied one of the first erected houses in Charles street, in the Hay-
market, and are still there as poulterers.
%^^ ANN KANES IN S^ lAMES — Floral device ; A. K. Bev,
MARKETT . MILLINER. 1667 — HER HALFE PENNY.
Q^S Mark Lawn . Fishmonger — In the field, 1667, and |-.
Be'G, IN ST. lAMES MARKET PLACE A plough.
666 THO: PAGITT CHEESMONGR — A woman churning, in the
field. Bev, IN ST. iameses market place — HIS
HALF PENY.1669.
667 lOHN DICKENSON. 1669 — In the field, a sugar-loaf; i. d.
Be'G. IN ST. lAMES MARKET — In the field, a rose.
JEEUSALEM ALLEY, Gracechurch Street.
668 ED: CHENEY AT THE SWAN — A swan, in the field.
Bev, IN lERVSALEM ALLEY — In the field, E. A. C.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 143
669 SENT lERVSALEM ALLE — In field, yiew of Jerusalem,
Bev, IN GRATIOVS STREET — E. E. A., in the field.
JEWIN STREET, Cripplegate.
" In Redcross street, on the west side from St. Giles's churchyard, a large plot
of ground called the Jews' garden, as being the only place appointed them in
England wherein to bury their dead ; till ll?'?', when it was permitted to them,
after long suit to King Henry the Second and the parliament at Oxford, to have
a special place assigned them in every quarter where they dwelt. This plot of
ground remained to the Jews till the time of their final banishment out of
England ; and is now turned into fair garden-plots and summer-houses for plea-
sure." — Stow, ed. 1603. The occupation of the site by the Jews in the olden time
is perpetuated in the name of Jewin street.
670 AT THE SVNN . 1 659 . IN — The sun in rays, in the field.
Bev. lEWlN STREETE — In the field, i. M. D.
671 lOHN GOVLDLEY IN lEWEN — I. G., in the field.
Bev. STREET . CHEESMONGER — HIS HALF PENY. 1669.
OLD JEWEY, Oheapside.
The Old Jewry, on the south side of Lothbury, a street so called of Jews some
time dwelling there, and near adjoining. William duke of Normandy first brought
them from Rouen to inhabit here. Their synagogue, at the north comer of the
Old Jewry, King Henry the Third granted to the prior and brethren of a new
order of firiars, called the Fratres de Sacca, from their being clad in sackcloth ;
on their extinction at -a later date, Robert Large, lord mayor in 1439, and Hugh
Clopton, lord mayor in 1492, occupied the mansion. In 1598, when Stow wrote,
he adds " thus much for this house, sometime the Jews' synagogue, since a house
of friars, then a nobleman's house, after that a merchant's house wherein mayo-
ralties have been kept, and now a tavern, and hath to sign a Windmill." The Old
Jewry was utterly destroyed in the fire of September, 1666.
672 ANDREW BLEACHLE . WHIT — A hart couchant, in field,
BeTi. IN THE OLD IVREY — In the field, A. A. B.
673 lOHN MELLER — A game-cock, with spurs, in the field.
Bm. IN OLD IVREY. 1663 — In the field, i. M. M.
674 THO: WALKER AT Y^ SVGER LOF — A sugar-loaf; 1666,
Bev. IN YE OLD IVRY.HIS HALF PENY — T. I. W.
144
675 HENRY FELLING AT THE — A mitre, in the field.
Be'G. LOWER END OVLD IVRY — HIS HALF PENY. 1668.
Mitres occur as charges in the insignia of several English sees and abbeys, but
aa a part of the episcopal costume in the Anglican church the practice has long
since become obsolete : it is the reUque of a rule formerly attempted among the
Eiomish prelacy, even then neither strictly observed nor enforced.
676 ROBINS IN OLD lEWRY — The figure S, in indentation.
Rev. Blank.
Struck on leather. One inch and two eighths diameter.
A LEATHER THEEE-PENCE of oxceasive rarity; formerly in the collection of Dr.
Samuel Pegge, at whose sale in 1797 it was purchased by the late David Alves
RebeUo, of Hackney, for 21. 4s.
The idea of leather money appears to have struck the fancy of Sir William
Davenant, who, in his comedy of The Wits, 1636, 4tOj thus alludes to it :
" Bury her gold with her !
'Tie strange her old shoes were not interred too,
For fear the days of Edgar should return,
When they coin'd leather.". — Act v. bo. 1.
Play- writers rarely adhere to facts ; and this flourish is a whimsy of the poet,
Kobiu's, at a later date, is mentioned by Macky, as one of the three celebrated
coffee-houses in Change alley, called Garraway's, Robin's, and Jonathan's. That
writer speaks of Robin's being the resort of the foreign bankers, and often even
of foreign ministers.' — Jowmy throvgh Engkmd, edit, 1724^ 8vo, vol, i. p. 169.
677 RICHARD TYMMS AT Y^ — Three sugar-loaves, and r. t.
Bev, IN YE OLD lEWRY, 1670 — In field, his halfe
PENNY TOKEN.
ST. JOHN'S LANE, Olerkenwell.
St. John's lane, leading from St. John's street, where, Hicks's hall formerly
stood, to St. John's gate.
678 AT THE BIRD IN HAND — Hand holding bird : star above.
Bev. IN s. lOHNS LANE — In the field, t. m. a.
ST. JOHN STREET, Olerkenwell.
679 lONATHAN GRAST IN ST. — In field, the initials i. f. G.
Bev, lOHNS STREET . CHEESE — MONGER [16]57.
./i^¥rj> ,s^^aRE?l!:-HOUSE TOKENS. 145
680 lOHN GARNER — In the field, a globe. Bm^ in s.
lOHN STREET — A globe, in the field.
681 THOMAS SAYLE AT Y^ WHITE BEARE — A bear chained,
in the field. Eev, IN st iohns street . SALTER —
HIS HALFE PENNY . T. S. S.
682 GEORGE SCA VINTON — In the field, a stick of candles.
Be^. IN ST lOHN STREET — G. E. s., in the field.
683 lAM . SMITH . SOPE BOILER — Horse and groom, in field.
Be'G. IN ST. lOHN STREET — In the field, i. m. s.
684? EDWARD medwinter AT THE — King's head; Charles
the Second. Bev, tavern in st. iohn street —
HIS HALF PENY.
685 Iohn Dodson his halfe Pmny^ in four lines.
Be'o. In &>. Iohn Street . 1667, in script characters.
686 THOMAS PRESTWOOD — Salters Company arms, in field,
Be^. IN ST. IOHN STREET. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY.
687 EDMVND MANNING AT Y^ — Tobacco-roll ; HIS i-, infield.
Be'd. IN ST. IOHNS STREETE [16]71 — A sugar-loaf.
St. Katharine's, see Catharine's.
KENT STEEET.
688 THOM : STIVER AT THE — Tallow- chandlers' arms, in field.
Be'e, END OF KENT STREETE — In the field, T. s. 1652.
689 BENETT MARINOR IN — In field, B. E. M. Be'G. KENT
STREETE . 1656 — A bear and ragged staff.
In Shakespeare's historical play of Kmg Hmry the Sixth, Clifford, in his vaunt
of defiance to Warwick, threatens personal vengeance in the coming conflict :
" Might I but know thee by thy household badge."
L
"Warwick replies —
" Now by my father's badge, old Nevil's crest,
The rampant bear chaiii'd to the ragged staff.
This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet." — Second Part, act v, sc. 1.
Shakespeare here confoimds the crest with the cognizance; nor was the latter
the badge of Neville, hut of the Beauchamps, who preceded him in the earldom,
690 AT THE WHITE BEARE — Bear with collar, and H. E. M.
Bev. IN KENT STREETE — A FARTHING CHANGER,
H. M. appears to have officiated as an agent in the collecting and interchanging
with the issuers of farthing tokens. One other instance occurs ; richabd EICH,
in Little Drury lane, Mealman, has on his token, " changee of faetkengs."
See No, 414, How this agency was effected does not appear.
The household furniture and fixtures of the White Bear public-house in Kent
street, in the parish of St. George, Southwark, were announced for sale by auction
by Thomas Fiah, June 14th, 1781. The White Bear is yet a sign in Kent street.
691 WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER AT Y^ — Anchor, in the field.
Bev. IN KENT STREET — HIS HALF PENNY. W. 0.
Square in form.
692 MICKELL RIDLEY — Mercers Company arms, in the field.
Eev. IN KENT STREET — In the field, M. I. r.
Evelyn mentions in his Diary, December 5th, 1683, " I was this day invited to
a wedding of one Mrs. Castle, the daughter of one [James] Burton, a broom-man,
by his -vrife, who sold kitchen-stuff in Kent street, whom God so blessed that the
father became a very rich and was a very honest man ; he was sheriff of Surrey
[in 1673], where I have sat on the bench vrith him."
Kent street, after the lapse of two centuries, presents but little improvement.
King's-Bench Prison, Southwark, see No. 211.
KING STEEET, Covent Garden.
693 THE WHITE BEARE , IN KING STREET — A bear passant,
chained. Eev. IN covent garden . his half
PENY — In the field, N. s. n.
The name of Nathaniel Norkengton appears in the poor-rate assessment
book, 1663 ; but the burial register notices on August lOth, 1660^ the interment
of " a child of Mr. Norrington." The same chronicle of death records his burial,
" of the plague/' on October 27th, 1665, as also of several of his children. The
plague this year caused so great a depopulation in the neighbourhood that would
now be scarcely credited. Pepys, in his Diary, January 19th, 1666, in reference
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 147
to the ravages of the pestilence in the metropolis, notices as " a remarkable thing,
how infinitely naked all that end of the town, Covent Garden, is at this day of
people ; while the city is almost as fall again as ever it was."
KING STREET, St. Giles's in the Fields.
694 THO : WOOLLAMS IN NEW KING — In field, three brushes.
Be'e, STREET. IN ST. GILES Y^ FEILDS — HIS HALFE
PENNY. T. I. W.
KING STREET, Westminster.
695 THE BELL TAVERN IN — A bell, in field. Be'o, kings
STRET . WESTMINS. — In the field, C. M. D.
The Bell tavern was one of very early date. Among the expenses of Sir John
Howard, under November 15th, 1466, are noticed, " Item, my mastyr spent for
his costes at the Belle at Westemenstre, iijs. viijc^."
'' November 27th. Item, my mastyr spent at the Belle at "Westemenstre, ijs."
" December 1st. Item, my mastyr spent at the Belle at Westemenstre, xxiij d.
oh."
" February 3d, 1464-5. Item, paid mastres Ysbelles costes at the Belle at
"Westemenstre, xvjd,"
" Item, the same day paid fore iiij mennes sopers that brought her to London,
Mistress Isabel was Sir John's second daughter by hia first wife, Catherine,
daughter of Thomas lord Molines.
Pepys, in his Diary, mentions the Bell tavern: "July 1st, 1660, met with Purser
"Washington, with whom and a lady, a friend of his, I dined at the Bell tavern
in King street ; but the rogue had no more manners than to invite me, and let me
pay my club."
The October club met at the Bell tavern in Queen Anne's reign, when the Bell
appears to have been both a coffee-house and tavern. Tickets were procurable
here for the Gravesend land adventure scheme, 400?. for 5s., announced in the
Exammer, September 2l8t, 1710, " to be drawn in the fairest manner out of two
wheels, and by two parish boys, at Plaisterers' hall, near Cheapside, on the 27th
instant." On December 2d, in the same year, the curious collection of paintings
by different masters, formed by Cornelius Van de Velde, were announced for sale
by auction, at the Bell tavern.
696 YE BLACK DOGG IN KING — In the field, a dog.
Bev. STREET . WESTMINSTER — G. H. w., in the field.
The Dog tavern, noticed in Taylor the water poet's Bogge of Wctrre, was another
house of old resort ; but why the frequency of the sign of the Black Dog, has
baffled the writer's enquiries. Ben Jonson's infirmities appear to have prevented
the frequency of his visits to the Devil, about the time of old Sym's death early
l2
148 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN^
in 1627', and on his being stricken with palsy, in 1628, the distance was probably
beyond his power. Aubrey relates that Ben, " in his later time, lived in West-
minster, in the house* under which you passe, as you goe out of the churchyard
into the old palace, where he dyed." This was but a short distance to the Dog
tavern in King street, and it became the western rendezvous where the literati
and wits, who acknowledged Ben Jonson as their chief, met to associate with the
jovial spirits of the age. Herrick, on his leaving college, says he here " quaffed
the mighty bowl" with Ben Jonson; but could not, as he tells us, "thrive in
frenzy like rare Ben," who seems to have exceeded all his competitors in sallies
of wild wit and high imaginations. Herrick quitted London in 1629, on being
presented to the vicarage of Dean Prior in Devonshire, where he continued, till on
the death of Charles the First he was ejected from his rural parish. Jonson had
in the mean while died, and Herrick on coming to London, supported in the means
of living by some wealthy royahsts, again participated in the tavern gaieties of the
metropolis. Recollections of "the brave translunary scenes" then gone by in-
spired his muse thus to address the shade of " glorious Ben." It commences —
" AiBen!
Say how or when
Shall we, thy guests,
Meet at these lyric feasts
Made at the Sunf,
The Dog, the Triple Tun ;
Where we such clusters had
As made us nobly wild, not mad !
And yet such verse of thine
Outdid the meat, outdid the frolic wine."
Ben's means of subsistence were, according to entries in the Pell records, his
annuity as poet laureate, one hundred marks, or 661. 135. 4d. He appears also
to have been in the receipt of a yearly pension of fifty marks from the Chamber
of London, that was in the time of his greatest need withdrawn. The Harl. MS.
4955, fol. 204, contains his memorable letter to William Cavendish, then earl, but
subsequently duke of Newcastle, dated Westminster, December 20th, 1631, ear-
nestly praying for relief. His urgent need is enforced by the intimation that
" Yesterday, the barbarous court of Aldermen have withdrawn their chandlerly
pension, for verjuice and mustard, S3li. 6s. 8d." From this time onward, till
death brought him his quietus, poor Ben's, from his infirmities and necessities,
was but a sorry existence.
* The site of Ben Jonson's house is defined in Capon's plan of the Palace of
Westminster.
+ The Sun tavern was also in King street, Westminster. In the steward's
account of the expenses of Sir John Howard, knight, under March 26th, 1464,
occurs the " Item, at dynere at Westemenstyr at the taveme of the Sonne, when
my mastyr dynyd wyth mastyr Stanley, ijs."
Sir John passed the evening of that day with " Syre Nycholas Latemer, at the
Mermayd in Bredstret," and expended in wine, " xd. oh."
Another entry under September 3d, 1468, notices a payment "to the godewife
at the Sone in the Kinges strete at Westmynster, for vj pipes, price of the pipe'
viijcZ., sumraa iiijs." These wine-pipes were required for Sir John's carvel then
fitting for sea.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 149
Aubrey states that Ben Jonson died August Gth^ 1637, and was buried on
tbe 9th in "Westminster abbey^ '^ in the north aisle^ in the path of square stones
opposite to the 'scutcheon of Kobertus de Ros."
The brevity of the inscription over his grave^ *' o eaue ben JOHNSON/' has
excited the surprise of many not aware of its origin. Sir John Youngs of Great
Milton, Oxfordshire, passing through the abbey, and not finding any memorial to
the poet, gave one of the masons then working there eighteen pence to cut that
line in the stone that covered his last deposit. The smalhiess of the stone occa-
sioned the absurd tradition that has lasted to our time, that Ben Jonson's body,
to save charges, was buried in an upright posture.
The original inscribed stone that marked Ben Jonson's grave was, on the recent
repaving of the abbey, very laudably placed against the wall, below the monu-
ment of Brigadier -general Killegrew, in order to preserve it from injury. The new
stone that now covers the site of the poet's last earthly tenement is inscribed like
the former, to arrest the footsteps of those who might otherwise heedlessly pass
over the spot.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, mentions '^ April 17th, 1648, died Mr. Slinger,
vintner, at the Dogg at "Westminster." Previous to the Restoration, the Dog
tavern was one of much resort by the cavaliers and dependants on the sunshine
of royalty. Pepys mentions it as a house of that character. In bis Diary, he re-
cords his being there on March 8th, 1660, and hearing the news of the death, on
the third of the previous month, of the great Charles Gustavus, king of Sweden.
Later he notices, October 10th, 1666, being the fast-day for the fire, " went with
Sir W. Batten to Westminster, to the parish church, St. Margaret's, where were
the parliament men, and Stillingfleet in the pulpit ; so full, no standing there, so
he and I to eat herrings at the Dog tavern."
697 THE BORS HEAD IN KINGS — Boar's Lead, lemon in mouth.
Rev, STREETE .WESTMINSTER — In the field, I. D. w.
The Blue Boar's Head tavern was on the park side of King street, between
Gardener's lane and George yard. . The original site, and its communication from
King street to De la Haye street, are defined in Blome's Map of St. Margaret's
parish, retained in the booksellers' edition of Strype's Stow, 1754. The Boar's
Head tavern was rebuilt about the middle of the last century.
The Protector Oliver is traditionally said to have resided in King street, "West-
minster, and in the rate-books of St. Margaret's he is described as " Lieutenant-
generall Oliver Cromwell." His house is said to have been contiguous to the
Boar's Head ; but all identity seems lost. The Old Swan tavern, demolished in
1795, was engraved under the behef that was the bouse ; but for the assertion
there has not transpired the slightest authority.
698 WILLIAM WATTS .1650 — In three lines, across the field.
B&0, KING STREET. WESTMINSTER — Oordwainers^ arms.
699 IN KINGS STREETE — A mortar, with two pestles.
E&e. WESTMINSTER . 1651 — In the field, e. a. m.
150 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
700 IN KING STREETE — In the field, three gloves. Eev, IN
WESTMINSTER — A fleur-de-lis, and s. B., in the field.
701 WILL. CLARKE IN KING — The Queen^s head, in the field.
Bev. STRET WESTMINSTER — In the field, W. E. C.
702 WILL. HAWKINS KING ST. — A bulPs head, in the field.
Be'G. IN WESTMINSTER — In the field, w. H. H.
The Bull's Headj probably in compliment to Queen Anna Boleyn, whose family
arms were argent, a chevron gides, between three bull's heads sahle. They are
thus emblazoned in the windows of the mansion^ Wickham court, in Kent.
703 THOMAS SHERWOOD — A stag passant regardant, in field.
Rev, IN KING STREETE — In the field, t. p. S.
704 EDWARD BARNARD AT Y^ DOLPHIN IN- KING STREET
IN WESTMINSTER. Bev, A dolphin: below, a hand
pouring coffee ; HIS HALF PENY.
The dolphin, one of the earliest devices in heraldry, was borne on a banner by
Andrew the Dauphin, count of ViennoiSj contemporary with King Henry the
Third of England, and patriarch of the dauphins descended from the houses of
Burgundy and La Tour. The form adopted was of course symbolical of the name
of the province ; amwe, a dolphin or, was readily descried by the vassals of Dau-
phine, and one that was generally understood.
Shakespeare, in his play of Kmg Johfi, in using the word dolphin, as indica-
tive of the dauphin —
" Lewis the Dolphin and the heire of France,"
has inadvertently conmntted a gross anachronism. King John died more than
a century before the title was created, or borne by the heira-apparent of the
throne of France.
On tradesmen's toXens the dolphin is represented as embowed ; it is so also on
ancient coins and sculpture, as if sporting on the surface of the water, when it
deceives the eye, and appears curved ; and from those acknowledged faulty re-
presentations, the heralds have notwithstanding adopted the curved form on
shields of arms. The dolphin, like aU the cetacea, is destitute of scales, but scales
are marked in armorial emblazonments, to give a more gorgeous effect to its
naturally beautiful colours :
" And as he darts, the waters blue
Are streaked with gleams of many a hue,
Green, orange, purple, gold." — Lewis.
705 WIDOW MATHEW. KING — 1659, in the field.
Bev, STREET . WESTMINSTER — In the field, K. M.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 151
706 ALLAN ADLINGTON IN KING — In the field, a goat.
Bets. STREET IN WESTMINSTER . [16] 67 — HIS HALFE
PENNY, A. K. A.
KNIGHT-EIDER STREET, Doctors' Commons.
Stow mentions Knight-rider street as famous in his day for fish and fish dinners ;
and derives the name of the neighbouring Friday street fi:om the fishmongers
dwelling there, who supplied or served at the Friday markets.
707 THE SWANN IN KNIGHT — Swan with collar and chain.
Bev, RIDER STREETE . 1650 — In the field, G. h. g.
LAMBETH HILL, Upper Thames Street.
708 AT THE GREEN DRAGON — A winged dragon, in the field.
Bexi. ON LAMBETH HILL . 1651 — In the field, i. e. h.
709 SAMVELL ANDREWES AT — A cock, in the field.
Be'O. FOOT OP LAMBETH HILL — In the field, S. E. A.
LAMBETH.
710 THOMAS EDMONDS — Oorn-pdrters lifting a sack, in field.
Be'e. LAMBETH. 1668 — His HALFE PENNY.
711 HERCVLES COX. STARCH — Wheatsheaf and birds, in field.
B&e, MAKER IN LAMBETH. [16]69 — HIS HALF PENY.
H. E. C.
LAWRENCE LANE, Cheapside.
712 JOHN MASON AT WHITE — A hart lodged, in thp field.
Bex), IN ST. LAVRENC LANE — In the field, i. m. m.
The White Hart and the Crossed Keys taverns, whence tokens were issued,
have long since passed away ; the Blossoms inn only remains ; in the olden day
it was named Bosom's inn ; and in 1522, when Charles the Fifth visited King
Henry the Eighth, that hostelry was occupied by the emperor's servants. The
great fire of 1666 destroyed all vestiges of the original edifice. It was rebuilt,
and an engraving represents- the sign as a figure of St. Lawrence, bearing the
palm of martyrdom in hie right hand, and supporting a gridiron.
152 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
LEADENHALL MAEKET.
713 KATRIN PICK — Butchers Company arms, in the field.
IN LEDEN. HALL — In the field, K, P.
714 EDWARD RVGBEY AT THE — Angel, in field. Eev, over
AGAINST LEADENHALL — HIS HALF PENNY. 1668.
Hollar's Map of London^ engraved in 1667, and sold by Nathaniel Brooke;
marks out the immediate site of old Leadenhall.
LEADENHALL STREET.
715 HENRY SMITH IN LEA — A key ; the golden key? [16]57.
Rev. DENHALL STREETE — H. s., in monogram.
Keys, in secular heraldry^ generally refer to the office held by the bearer, in
the service of the crown, and are then distinguished, or j but the practice of
adopting the golden key, aa a sign, was in the olden time very frequent, particu-
larly by locksmiths,
716 YE PEWTER POT IN — An ale-house pot, in the field.
Bet). LEADENHALL STREE — In the field, T. E. B.
Robert Chicheley, mayor in 1423, enacted that retailers of ale should sell the
same in their houses in pots of '^^peutre," sealed and open ; and that whoever
carried ale to the buyer should hold the pot in one hand and a cup in the other;
and that all who had pots unsealed should be fined. Sealed implies stamped.
Wine measures were no infrequent emblem set up as a sign. Early engravings
by Theodore Galle and others, and the sutlers' booths at camp meetings, aa repre-
sented by Wouverman and other painters^ show that, appendant to a pole, it was,
' either in conjunction with ivy twined about a hoop, or in the absence of a bush,
an usual sign. The pewter-pot is here indicative of an ale-house ; and in com-
mendation of the liquor thus sings a contemporary :
" Oh ! Ale ab alendo ! thou liquor of life,
That I had but a mouth as big as a whale ; '
For mine is too little.
To touch the least tittle.
That belongs to the praise of a pot of good ale."
717 coRNELivs CAGE — Nag's head, in the field. Re^, in
LEADENHALL STREET — In the field, C. M. C.
718 AT THE GROCERS ARMES — The Grocers Company arms.
Rev. IN LEADENHALL STREETE — In the field, T. B. M,
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 153
719 AT THE GEORGE IN — St. Qeorge and Dragon, in field.
Rev. LEADENHALL STREET — In the field, I. E. w.
The figure of St. George, a very popular sign, has frequently been the subject
of allusion by poetical pens. In some complimentary lines to the beauty of lady
Ch[esterfield?] by Captain Martin Llewellyn, fearing to approach her, it is said
'' Horse and man stick fe.st and stay.
Like fierce St. George's of the way ;
Rooted like statues, there they stand.
Like trophies of the carver's hand :
Hang forth a bush, and one may swear.
They're but the sign for Traveller ;
He spurres still, but his horse moves down
No more than that stamp'd on half-crown."
Mm Miracles, 1656.
720 lOHN CROWE IN — An anchor, in field. Rev. leaden
HALL STREET — In the field, i. A. c.
The sign of the Golden Anchor is yet extant.
721 AT THE PYE TAVERN IN — A magpie within a hoop.
Rev. LEADENHALL STREETE — In the field, M. F. B.
In old records the sign would be described " The Pie on the Hoop."
"Pliny reputeth Agrippina, wife of Claudius Csesar, had a mavis or blacke-
bird that did speake very plainly." — Buttes's Dyets Dry Dvuvmr, 1599, sign. L 6.
Qu., was this a magpie ?
722 lOHN KEMPSTER^A vase of flowers, in the field.
Rev. LEADENHALL STREET — In the field, I, E. K.
Formerly a symbol of the Annunciation to the Virgin.
723 AT YE KINGS HEAD IN — In the field, 1. 1. A. Rev,
LEADENHALL STREET — King's head with sceptre.
At this hoiae Sir William Parkyns and other partizans of the Stuarts -con-
cocted the scheme, in 1695, when Mary had ceased to live, to assassinate King
William the Third, in the lane between Brentford and Tumham green through
which the king had to pass.
Sir John Fenwick of Fenwick castle in Northumberland, with others of his
party, met here later in consultation for restoring the abdicated King James the
Second. Fenwick was beheaded on Tower hill, January 23d, 169?". The sign of
the King's Head tavern is now perverted to that of the King's Arms inn.
Among the taverns of notoriety formerly in Leadenhall street, was the Crown
tavern, situated behind a house, number 46, more recently known as Nathaniel
Bentley's, or '' Dirty Dick's," one of whose whimsies was to remove the sign-iron
154
with the sign-board fixed " time out of mind/' in iront of Bentley's house, but
over the passage leading fi*om Leadenhall street to the Crown tavern. Walshj the
tavemer, was plaintiff in a suit against Bentley for this act, and, on the hearing
of the cause before Lord Mansfield, at Guildhall, July 18th, 1764, obtained a
verdict with damages and costs of suit. In the Ewropecm-Magamie, January,
1801, is an admirably engraved view of Bentley's house in Leadenhall street,
showing the entry to the Crown tavern.
724 GEORGE DANIELL AT THE— Lion and lamb, in the field.
Bev, IN LEADEN HALL STREET — In the field, HIS OB.
and two gloves pendant.
A glove-seller's sign.
725 THOMAS SCOTT AT THE RED — Lion rampant, in field.
Be'd. IN LEADENHALL STRET — HIS HALF PENT.
The Hon rampant that appears distinctly for the first time on the shield of
Alexander the Second, king of Scotland, is supposed to have been derived from
the device adopted by the earls of Northumberland and Himtingdon, fi-om whom
the Scottish kings descended. The accession of King James the Sixth to the
English throne, in 1603, introduced the red Hon as a sign of frequent occurrence.
726 lOHN SCOTT AT THE RED — Lion rampant, in the field.
Be'G. IN LEADENHALL STRET — In the field, I. s. s.
727 lOHN ALDER AT Y^ PEALE — A baker's peel, 1668.
Be'e, IN LEADEN . HALL . STREET — HIS HALF PENY.
I. A. A.
728 THOMAS SAWYER. 1668 — Woman chuming, in the field.
Bev. IN LEADENHALL STREET — HIS HALF PENY.
Woman and chum, a sign frequently adopted by cheesemongers,
729 lOSEPH WEBB. FLEXMAN — A Spinning wheel, and I?
Be'G, IN LEADENHALL STREET. 1668 — ^The same.
A flax-dresser'B token.
LIMEHOUSE.
Pepys, in his Diary, October 9th, 1661, notices his going " by coach to Captain
Marshe's, at Limehouae, to a house close by the lime-house, that gives name to
the place." He was in error. Stow, in edit. 1598, writes, " Limehurst, or Lime
host, corruptly called Limehouse, sometime distant a mile from Batchffe."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 155
730 lOHN RAILTON.1658 — The Bakers' arms, in the field.
Bev, BAKER AT LYMHOVSE — In the field, I. E. R.
731 ISAAC HICKMAN CHEES — In the field, I. E, H.
Be'G. MONGER IN LIMEHO^VSE — A woman churning.
732 FRANCS ZACAGY — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Be'C. BREWER IN LIME HOVS — In the field, F. E. z.
733 MARGRET LVCAS — Brewers Company arms, in the field.
Be'd, IN LIME HOVS . 1663 — In the field, M. L.
Women in the olden time appear to have been the chief brewers of ale and
beer. Among the inquisitions of the Domesday Survey, it is stated, " braziabat
cujuscunque uxor, xd./' that is, from every man whose wife brewed, the supe-
rior lord received ten penfie ; and that women were chiefly employed in that
trade is proved by the statute, at the time of passing the Assisa Panis et Cervisise,
in 1266, 61st of Henry III. Harrison, in the Description of Britain, prefixed to
Holinshed's Chronicle, vol. i. p. 96, alludes to the deceitful practices of the ale-
wives in brewing, so late as the time of Queen Elizabeth ; and in Wales there is
still a jocose saying — " no one hath reason to expect good ale unless lie lies with Ms
brewer." The beer-brewers of London, as a fraternity, are however frequently
noticed in the early rolls of parliament, although, as a company, they were not
incorporated till the time of King Henry the Sixth, in 1438.
734 DOROTHY SMART — In the field, her half peny.
Bev. IN LiMEHOTSE . 1667 — D. s., with floral device.
LIMEHOUSE COENER.
735 ANN HARLOW AT — In the field, her half PENY.
Bev. LIME HOVSE CORNER — A. H., in the field.
736 EDMOND DOBSON.1667 — In the field, his half peny.
Bev. .AT LIME HOVSE CORNER — E. D., in the field.
LIONS INN.
737 AT THE WHITE HORSE — Horse caprioling, in the field.
Bev. NEXT TO LIONS INN — In the field, r. s.
The entrance into Lyons inn was formerly in Holywell street, but the White
Horse was possibly situated in Wyche street.
156 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
LITTLE BEITAIN, Aldersgate Street.
738 AT THE GOVLDEN GLOBE — In the field, a globe.
Bev, m LETLE BRETEN.1650 — w. E. L, in the field.
739 DANIELL LANE AT THE — In the field, a goat. Be^, in
LITTLE BRITTAINE — HIS HALF PENY.
The asserted perversion of the Puritan adage " god encompasseth us/* into
the sign of " the Goat and Compasses/' would seem to be the jocosery of some
T^aggish expounder, as the writer has failed in discovering any old sign of that
import. " The Goat and Compasses" is a sign in Upper Fitzroy street.
740 AT THE RED CROSE — In the field, R. E. p. Bev. in
LiTEL BRITTIN — A Maltese cross, in the field.
LOMBAED STEEET,
741 THE CARDENALLS CAPP — CardinaFs hat, in the field.
Be'G, TAVERN. IN LOMBARD STRETE— In field, I. M. 9.
The Cardinal's cap; or hat, was first instituted in 1265, at the council of Lyons^
by Pope Innocent the Fourth. The colour, blood red, indicated that these men
of peace should be ready to shed their blood in the service of God, and for the
defence of his church.
Simon Eyre, draper, mayor of London in 1445-6, gave the tavern called the
Cardinal's Hat, in Lombard street^ with a tenement annexed on the east part of
the tavern, and a mansion behind the east tenement, with an alley firom Lombard
street to Comhill, and the appurtenances, all which were by him new built,
toward a brotherhood of our Lady, in St. Mary Woolnoth's church, Lombard
street, where he was buried in 1459. " Le Ca-rdinales Hat," a tenement belong-
ing to the Brethren of the Cross, and the king's road called " Grascherch strete,"
are noticed as boundaries in a survey of lands and quit-rents belonging to London
bridge, in the fifteenth century. — Harl. MS. 6016.
In the steward's accounts of the expenditure of Sir John Howard, subsequently
duke of Norfolk, slain at Bosworth field, are the following notices of the Cardinal's
Hat tavern, and the charges of that day :
"July 30th, 1463. Item, my mastyre delyveryd to Sawnsani att the Cardenallys
Hatt, for my said lord [John Mowbray, duke of Norfolk,] iij I. vjs. viij d."
" Item, the same day my mastyr payd att the Cardenallis Hatte, for horsse-
mete and mannys mete, xviijs. iiijeZ."
"August 19th. Item, gevyn to a man att the Cardynallis Hatt, ijc?. Item,
spent the same day -at the taveme, xvj d."
" August 2l8t. Item, payd at the CardenaUs Hatt, for horsse mette, xija. vj d.
Item, in shoyinge, iijc2. oh. Item, payd the same day for mannys mete, fro
Twysday att evyn to Sonday none, xs, viij(^."
" March 5th, 1463-4. Item^ payd to the wyve off the Cardenallys Hat, for
my masterys botys, iijs. iiijc?."
AND COFFEE-HOUSK TOKENS. 157
" March 12th. Item, to the goodman of the Oardenallya Hat, for horsemet,
vijs. vjd."
" Item, for my masterys mennys costys, when thei came ferst to London,
iijs. iiijd."
" Item, for my masterys costys in bred, ale, and fere, xiijd."
" Item, for Reynoldys horse for a nyghte, iij d."
" Item, for ij nyghtes in beddySj viij d,"
" March 13th. Item, payd for Jamys Hoberd costys and Thorpis, ^t the
Cardenalys Hat, ijd."
" March 29th, 1464. Item, payd for beddys to the goodman off the Carde-
nallys Hat, xxd."
" January 5th, 1464-5. Item, payd for standynge of Gylders horsse at the
Cardenalles Hat, viijt?."
742 AT YE SALVTATION IN LOMBARD — Two meiij bowing.
Eev. STREET. HIS HALF PENNY — In the field, T. M. H,
After the great fire, eastward, but immediately adjoiiiiug to St. Mary Woohioth
church. Sir Robert Viner built a stately mansion. Here he was visited by Kuig
Charles the Second, being the royal banker, and consulted on pecuniary matters,
but more particularly during his mayoralty in 1674-5. On one occasion the kings
of England and London became gloriously mellow ; and Charles, when about to
enter his coach on his return westward, was urgently entreated by Sir Robert to
" stay and take another bottle." Seducing and seduced, to this the king jovially
consented, and, thrusting his arm within the lord mayor's, the reeling potentate^'
returned to the table, singing jollily
" For a man that is drunk is as great as a king."
That this line was derived fi:om some bacchanalian ballad, and one the king, pos-
sibly, sang among his dissolute midnight companions, has been generally con-
ceded, but it has hitherto eluded discovery; chance has, however, shown it to
be a portion of the following* :
" Come, hang up your care, and cast away sorrow ;
Drink on ; he 's a sot that e'er thinks of tomorrow.
Good store of tierce claret supplies every thing,
For a man that is drunk is aa great as a king.
Let no one with crosses or losses repine.
But take a full dose of the juice of the vine.
Diseases and troubles are ne'er to be found,
But in the damn'd place where the glass goes not round.
Come, hang up your care," etc. — Westminster. DroUery, 1672.
Sir Robert Yiner's house was subsequently the Post Office, the site being now
occupied by the Guardia;n Life Assurance office, and Adam Spielmann's office for
the exchange of foreign money.
* The catch, "Come, lay by your cares," was written by Thomas Shadwell,
and sung in the third act of his comedy of The Miser, played at t)rury lane in
1671-2. Sir Richard Steele, Spectator, No. 462, refers the incident to Guildhall,
during the mayoralty dinner of that year. The freaks of royalty were sufficiently
absurd, but that this should have occurred at a public festival is past credence.
158 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
743 JOHN ROLFE IN — Hand holding a glove, in the field.
Be'G. LVMBERT STREETE — In the field, I. R.
A glover's sign.
744 WILLIAM SMITH. 1666 — Royal oak, with three crowns.
Be'd. IN LVMBER STREETE — HIS HALF PENY.
LONDON BRIDGE.
745 AT THE 3 BIBLES ON — G. s. t[yns], in the field.
Be'e. LONDON bridge — In the field, three bibles.
Tokens issued by booksellera. are of the utmost rarity. The Wise Merchcmt, or
the Peerless PeaH, by Thomas Calvert, was printed for Charles TyBS, dwelling at
the Three Bibles on London Bridge^ 1660, 8vo. The initials on the obverse have
doubtless reference to this publisher. The Three Bibles are a charge in the arms
of the Stationers Company.
The same sign appears to be aUuded to in a later notice. The sixth edition of
Love's Mcm/mr's Jewdj printed in 1^24, has advertised at the end, " the right sort
of the Balsam of ChiU, to be had of Henry Tracy^ at the Three Bibles on London
Bridge, at Is. Qd. a bottle, where it hath been sold these forty years." The ear-
lier editions of the same work had, possibly, the same announcement, to which is
annexed the caution, " all persons are desired to beware of a pretended Balsam
of Chili, which for about these seven years last past hath been sold and continues
to be sold, by Mr. John Stuart, at the Old Three Bibles, as he calls his sign, al-
though mine was the sign of the Three Bibles twenty years before his. This pre-
tended balsam sold by Mr. Stuart resembles the true balsam in colour, and is put
up in the same bottles ; but has been found to differ exceedingly from the true
sort by several person, who, through the carelessness of the buyers entrusted,
have gone to the wrong place. Therefore all persons who send should give strict
order to enquire for the name of Tracy ; for, Mr. Stuart's being the very same
sign, it is an easy matter to mistake. All other pretended Balsams of Chili, sold
elsewhere, are shams and impositions, which may not only be ineffectual, but
prove of worse consequence."
746 EDWARD MVNS AT THE SVGER — Sugar-loaf, in the field.
Eev. LOAF ON LONDON BRIDGE . 1668 — HIS HALFE
PENNY.
LONDON STONE, Cannon Street.
747 WILLIAM BVRGES AT — Butchers Company arms, in field.
Eev, LONDON STONE. 1667 — HIS HALF PENY.
London Stone, an undoubted memorial of the Roman occupation of this coun-
try, and by some considered as a milliarium or central stone, from whence the
distances from London were measured. In the Anglo-Saxon period, in the time
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 159
of Athelstan, king of the "West ^xons, it is mentioned as London Stone. Hollar's
Map of London^ engraved in 1667, shows its former position, abutting on the
roadway on the south side of Oanno^ street, whence Sir Christopher Wren, in
veneration of its antiquity, and to protect it from farther injury, encased it in a
position against the south wall of St. Swithin's church.
LONG AOEE.
Machin, in his Diary, December 6th, 1556, supplies the original name of '^ the
long acres," to this street, not Long Acre. " One of the three sanctuary men,
who had sought refuge in the convent of "Westminster, and were whipped on that
day, was one of Master Comptroller's men, who had killed Eichard Eggy Uston
[Eccleston], the comptroller's tayler, in ike l. IN ST. MARTINS LANE — In the field, w. k. c.
797 GEORGE GVNTHORPE AT THE — A man dipping candles.
Bev, LOWER END OF ST. MARTINS LANE — HIS HALF
PENY. 1667,
798 lOHN ROBOTTOM AT Y^ FLEESE — In the field, a fleece.
Bev. TAVERN IN ST. MARTINS LANE — HIS HALFE
PENNY. 1667.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 169
799 WILLIAM WEBB AT Y^ COVLT AND— A Colt in a cradle.
Ee'e. CRADLE IN ST. MARTINS LANE — HIS HALFE
PENNY. 1667.
ST. MARTIN'S IN THE FIELDS.
800 lOHN LADD IN ST. MARTINS LAN — HIS HALFE PENY.
1667. Eev. IN YE FEILDES , NEARE CHVRCH — III
the field, I. A. L.
801 lAMES HOPKINS AT Y^ HARROW IN — A harrow ; 1668.
Bev. ST, MARTINS LANE . IN Y^ FEILDES — HIS HALFE
PENY. I, T. H.
ST. MARY-AT-HILL, Billingsgate.
802 WILL. LAFTON , MEAL — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Be'C, MAN AT ST. MARY HILL — In the field, W. s. L.
803 lOHN HIVE AT THE — Bee-hive, in the field. Bev, ON
ST, MARY HILL. 1667 — HIS HALF PENY. I. D. H.
804 THOMAS HTNTE AT Y^ — The Salters Company arms.
iJ. AT ST. MARY HILL — In the field, T, S. H.
805 EDMOND LAWRENCE — The Fishmongers Company arms.
Bev. ON ST. MARYS HILL — In the field, E. E. L.
806 MARaRET NORTH AT THE^In field, ship saiUng, 1668.
BeTS. ON S. MARY HILL — HER HALF PENNY. M.N.
Octangular in shape.
ST. MARY AXE, Leadenhall Street.
The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary formerly stood in the street that
bears its name, on the north side of Leadenhall street, and derived the appellation
of St. Mary at the Axe, from a house having that sign near its east end. The
parishes of St. Andrew Undershaft, and St. Mary, were united in 1565, and the
latter church not being required, it was let for the purposes of warehouses, when
from neglect it became an useless ruin, and was at length rased to the ground.
170 LONDON TRADERS^ TAVERN,
807 MARY DELL IN— In the field, a bell. Be'G. SEN MARY
ACTS . 1657 — M. D., in the field.
ST. MARY MAGDALEN, Old Fish Street.
808 HENRY RICHARDSON AT THE — Qu. a bear? in the field.
Bev, IN MARY MAYDLING COTRT YARD — HIS HALFE
PENY.
OctangTilar in form. The legend on the reverse is in six lines. Thomas Hay-
wood's English IPraveUeTj 1633, was " printed by Robert Raworth, dwelling in
Old Fish-street, jieere St. Mary Maudlin's church."
809 FRANCIS WOOD AT YE — Commonwealth arms, in field.
Bei}. IN MARY MAGDLENS — In the field, P. I. W.
Another token issued by John Ward, in New Gravel lane, and this by Francis
Wood, are all that appear to have adopted the State's arms.
THE MAZE, Southwark.
Aubrey, noticing the mazes in imitation of the labyrinths of the ancients, for-
merly in England, observes " at Southwarke was a maze, now converted into
buildings bearing that name." — Lansdowne MS. 231, fol. 143 r.
810 MICH. BLOWER AT Y^ — A cock, in the field.
Be'o. MAZE IN sovTHWORKE — In the field, m. a. b.
MERCERS STREET, Long Acre.
811 THOMAS LVCKE IN MERCERS — Between two roses, 1666.
BeV, STREET. BREWER. HIS HALFE PENY — T. M. L.
ST. MICHAEL'S LANE, Thames Street.
812 THOMAS NVTT IN MICALS — Object in the field indistinct.
LANE NEER THE OLD SWAN — HIS HALF PENY.
MILE END.
813 HENRY BARTLETT — A dolphin, in the field. Bev, in
MILEND . 1658 — In the field, h. e. b.
The dolphin is rendered famihar by the classical fable of Arion.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 171
814 GEORGE SMITH IN — The Weavers Company arms,
Bev. MiLEND. WEAVER . 1658 — In the field, G. M. s.
815 lOSEPH ALMOND AT Y^ SHIP — In the field, a ship.
Bev. IN MILE END. 1668 — HIS HALF PENY. I. I. A.
MILK STREET, Cheapside.
Milk street is memorable in a, celebrated controversy between two noble
families, recorded in the Scrope and Grosvenor Koll. It was also the birth-place
of Sir Thomas More, as FuUer quaintly observes, " the brightest star that ever
shone in that via lactea." The street derived its name from being in ages past a
market for the sale of milk.
816 AT THE BOARES HEAD — Boar's head, lemon in mouth.
Bev, IN MILKE STREET — In the field, w. s. r.
The boar's head was anciently a sumptuous dish at Christmas and other public
festivities. Queen Margaret, wife to King James the Fourth of Scotland, at her
wedding dinner, was served at the first course, " within a fayr platter, of a wyld
boore's bed gylt." At Queen's college, Oxford, the boar's head dish is still con-
tinued, but the head is a block of wood neatly carved. Various carols are extant,
which preceded the boar's head as It was borne to the table ; among them, the
following :
" Ca^t apri defero,
The bore's heed in hand bring I,
With garland gay and rosemary;
I pray you all sing merrely,
Qm estis m con/vivio.
The bore's heed, I understande,
Is the chefe servyce in this lande ;
Loke where ever it be fande,
Servite cum ca/ntico.
Be gladde,' lordesj both more and lesse,
For this hath ordeyned our stew^rde.
To chere you aU this Christmasse,
The bore's heed with musta,rde."
Olmsfmas Ca/rroUes, impr. by Wynkyn de Worde, 1521.
817 WILLIAM RixoN AT THE— A COW, in field. Bev, red
cow IN MILKE STREET — HIS HALF PENY TOKEN.
The earliest pubUshed London Directory, 16^7, entitled " The Names of the
Merchants living in London," notices " Tho. Framton, near the Red Cow, in
Milk street."
172 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
MILLBANK, Westminster.
818 THOMAS MASCALL AT — Scales, from the Bakers' arms.
Eev, MILLBANCKE . WESTMINSTER — In the field, HIS
HALFE PENNY. T, M.
819 lOHN STANDBROOK, LYME MAN — Man bearing a sack.
Be'C. AT MILL BANCKE . HIS HALF PENY — I. E. S. .
There was also a John Standbrookej lime-man, in Southwark, at St. Mary
Ovary's stairs. The initials on that token are I. S. S.
MILL LANE, Tooley Street.
820 I AMES TOVCHIN AT Y^ RED — Lion passant gardant;
I. H. T. Bev. IN MILL LANE. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
Mill lane derived that appellation from the miU belonging to the abbot of
Battle. — OoUect. Topogr. et Geneal., vol. viii. p. 252. In Mill lane is still " the
Red Lion and Key/' possibly the same sign.
MINOEIES, Aldgate.
821 AT THE 2 SMITHES — Two smiths working at anvil.
Bev. IN THE MINORIES . 1654 — In the field, i. s. P.
822 THOMAS PIERSON IN — In the field, man dipping candles.
Bet). THE MINORIES . 1655 — T. L. P., in the field.
823 GEORGE COX AT THE 2 — Man dipping candles, in field.
Bev, COKS IN THE MINORIES — In the field, G. E. c.
The candle-maker has here perpetrated a vile pun on his name ; cert^ he
would have invoked the wrath of the great lexicographer, who boldly averred
that " the man that would make a pun would pick a pocket."
824 ELENOR STONE — In the field, her half peny.
Bev. in the minoryes — Name in monogram, in field.
825 tho. washbvrne at — Three crowns, in the field.
Bev. in the MINORIES — Grrocers Company arms.
The three crowns imply the diadems of the three kingdoms, England, Scotland,
and Ireland. Queen Caroline, wife of King George the Second, in most respects
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 173
endeared to the people of England^ having conceived the idea of excluding the
public from St. James's park, and converting it into a noble garden for the palace,
consulted Sir Robert Walpole as to its probable cost; his memorable reply was,
" only Three Crowns."
826 RICH. BVRTON AT THE — Ship, in the field. Bev, in
THE MINORIES . 1666 — In the field, R. M. b.
827 HENRY SADD IN Y= MINORIES — Rose and crown ; H. s.
Bev. A COFFEE HALFE PENNY [16]66 — In the field,
a Turk's head ; H. s.
LITTLE MINOEIES.
828 MARY TAYLOR IN THE — An unicorn, in the field.
Bev, LITTLE MINORIES — In the field, m. t.
THE MINT, Southwark.
Southwark, in the time of Edward the Confessor, appears, before 1053, to have
been a corporation governed by a bailiff, and was certainly a royal Saxon mint
in the antecedent reign. Pennies of silver were coined here by Canute, Edward
the Confessor, William the Norman, "William Rufus, and Henry the First, The
royal domain was opposite the church of St. George ; and early in the reign of
King Henry the Eighth a magnificent structure called Suffolk Place was erected
here by Ms brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk; from him it passed
to the king, who then named it Southwark Place, restored the mint, and also
coined money. Edward the Sixth continued the mint. John Yorke, sheriff of
London in 1550-51, appointed in 1548, the second year of his reign, sole master
and worker, employed this mint ; and the coins struck under his authority bear
as a mint-m^rk an old English T. The coinage here ceased with this reign, and
the building, hitherto the mint, became a place of public resort for drinking, and
was long after known as Hogmagog hall. Southwark Place was eventually in
great part demolished, and the ground, gradually covered by small tenements,
became a densely populated vicinage, still bearing the precinctal appellation of
the Mint.
An admirably etched view of the ducal palace of Charles Brandon, as in 1546,
from a drawing by Anthony Van den Wyngrerde, is an illustration in the fifth
volume of Brayley's History of Surrey, 1850.
829 lOHN BELL IN THE MINT — Three bells, in the field.
Bev. IN SOVTHWARKE . 1669 — HIS HALF PENY.
830 RICHARD PERKINS — In the field, the Mercers Company
arms. Bev, in mint, sovthwarke — r, m. p.
174 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
MONTAGUE CLOSE, Southwark.
831 AT THE CROOKED BILLET — A billet, in the field.
Eev. IN MOVNTAGVE OLOSS — In the field, T. i. c.
832 STEPHEN OVERMAN — An unicom, in the field.
Em. MOVNTAGV CLOSE — In the field, s. M. o.
MOOEFIELDS.
833 AT THE — An angel, in the field — MOREFIELDS.
Be'd. NEARE BADLAM - GATE — H. s. C, in the field.
834 IN MORE FEILDES — A Still, DistiUers' arms, in the field.
Eev, NEARE BEDLAM GATE — HENRY YOVNG, I?
Henry Young, the issuer of this token, ^'a distiller of hot waters/' previously
to September, 1666, established on Ludgate hill, deposed before one of the com-
mittees of inquiry instituted after the great fire, that ^' about April, 1661, being
in the Jesuits* college in Ajitwerp, one Powell, an English Jesuit, persuaded him
to turn Roman cathoUc ; and told him if he intended to save his life and estate
he had best turn so, for within seven years he should see all England of that
religion." Young replied, " the city of London would never endure it." Powell
answered, " within five or six years they would break the power and strength of
London in pieces ; they had been contriving it these twenty years, and if Young
did live he should see it done." Young fiirther deposed that, shortly after his
coming into England, Thompson and Copervel, both papists, several times affirm-
ed that, "within five or six years at the furthest, the Roman cathoHc religion
would be all over the kingdom."
In Akerman's Lmidon Tradesmefifi's Tokens, No. 1233, figured in plate vii. No. 82,
is a token supposed to have emanated fi:om the Belle Sanvage inn on Ludgate hill ;
but to that it has no reference. Henry Young was a distiller ; the figure described
as " an Lidian woman" is the sinister supporter of the Distillers Company arms,
and no " belle sanvage" at all. The fire in September, 1666, destroyed all the
buildings on Ludgate hOl, and subsequently. Young established his business near
Bedlam gate in Moorfields, where, adopting a still as his sign, he issued the penny-
sized token above noticed.
No sign in the metropolis has been the occasion of more varied conjectures than
the far-famed " Belle Sauvage." Mr. Douce quotes the inedited metrical romance
of Alexander, conjectured to have been written by Adam Davie, at the beginning of
the fourteenth century, for the fact that king Solomon, being visited at Jerusalem
by the fair queen of Sabba, a city in Macropy, the Ma-cropii in Ethiopia of Pliny,
" Thennes cam Sibely savage,"
for her love, forsook his God above. " ' Sibely savage' is the person who in our
modem bibles is called the queen of Sheba, and the sign has been corrupted into
that of the Bell Savage ; the same sign, corrupted in like manner, was so adopt-ed
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 175
on the continent." Mr. Douce adds, " Sibely savage, as a proper name, is another
pervereion of si belle sauvage ; and though the lady was supposed to have come
from the remotest parts of Africa, and might have been as black as a negro, we
are not now to dispute the superlative beauty of the mistress of Solomon, here
converted into a savage. It must be admitted the queen of Shaba was as well
adapted for the purpose of a sign as the Wise Men of the East, afterwards me-
tamorphosed into the ' Three Kings of Cologne.' "
These are poetical deductions. Pegge, in his Anecdotes of the English Lcmguage,
p. 291, intimates that a friend had seen a lease of the Bell Savage inn (he should
have said ' the Bell inn,') to Isabella Savage ; affording an elucidation that over-
threw the conjectures about a bell and a savage, or la belle sauvage. Douce was
disposed to treat this altogether as an anomaly ; he conceived it probable that
Pegge's friend had been in some way or other deceived, the date of the lease not
being mentioned ; and if the name of Isabella Savage really appeared in the docu-
ment it might have been an accidental circumstance, at a period not very distant*;
but a deed, enrolled on the Close roU of 1453, certifies a feict that places the point
in dispute beyond all doubt. By that deed, dated at London, February 5th, 31
Hen. VI., John Prensh, eldest son of John Frensh late citizen and goldsmith of
London, confirmed to Joan Frensh, widow, his mother, " totum ten' sive hospi-
cium cum suis pertin' vocat' Savagesynne, alias vocat' le Belle on the Hope ;" all
that tenement or inn with its appurtenances, called Savage's inn, otherwise called
the Bell on the Hoop, in the parish of St. Bridget in Fleet street, London, to have
and to hold the same for term of her life, without impeachment of waste. The
sign in the olden day was the Bell; " on the hoop" implied the ivy-bush, fashioned,
as was the custom, as a garland. The association of Savage's inn with the sign of
the Bell certainly gave an impulse to the perversion or new name of " la belle
Sauvage :" when that occurred is another question.
Machin, in his Diary, February S'th, 1553-4, the day being Ash Wednesday,
is very minute on the untoward incident of Wyat's rebellion ; by him the Belle
Sauvage inn is not mentioned; but Howes, in his enlargement of Stow, 1631,
p. 621, notices particularly, as well known, the " Bell Savage, an inn nigh unto
Ludgate ;" and that [' Wyat, baffled in passing with his forces through Ludgate,
rested him awhile upon a stall over against the Belle Savage gate, and at the last
returned towards Charing crosse."
LITTLE MOORFIELDS, Cripplegate.
835 SIMON BOND AT THE — GREEN HOVSE, in the field.
Bev. IN LITLE MOOR FELDS — In field, S. A. B. 1666.
A green-house was a garden house with bowling-alhes^ of which there are fre-
quent notices in our contemporary dramatists, by whom there are constant allu-
sions to their immoral purposes. Chettle, in his Kind Heaifs Dream, printed at
latest in 1593, notices the bowling-allies, or green-houses, in Bedlam; and Myn-
shull, in his Essayes and Characters of a Pi'ison, 1618, observes — "A nasty stinking-
lodging in a jayle is sweeter land than any garden-house about Bunhill."
After the fire, it was proposed by the city authorities to establish a hay-market
in Little Moorfields ; the project, however, failed.
* Illustrations of Shakespea/re, edit. 1839, 8vo, p. 62.
176 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
MOOEGATE.
836 lOHN RANDALL AT MOORE — Moorgate ; I. M. R. 1666.
Re'e. GATE . HIS HALFE PENNY — In field, the same.
The -view in the field, on both sides, exhibits Moorgate, that stood across the
Fore-street end of Finsbniy place, erected in 1415, and reedified in 1472. Be-
coming impaired by long standing, the gate shown on the token was demolished
in 1672, Moorgate, rebuilt, was sold by the commissioners of the city lands,
April 22d, 1761, for 166Z., but while being demolished, the stone was repurchased
by the city authorities, and flung into the Thames to arrest the havoc the tides
were causing to the starlings of the newly widened centre arch of London Bridge.
Smeaton, the eminent civil engineer, had been sent for expressly fi:*om Yorkshire,
for his advice, and although it was then Sunday morning, the repun;hase of the
stone, as he advised, was effected-, labourers, horses, carts, and barges were hired,
and the demolition of the gate, the conveyance of the stone, and the immersion
against the starlings, was continued with no intermission.
WITHIN MOORGATE.
837 OLIVER HOLMES AT — A boar, in field, Eb'g. within
MOOREGATE — In the field, o. a. h.
The street now known as London Wall is the locality here indicated by Within
Moorgate.
New Exchange, see Strand, No. 1109.
New Fish Street, see Fish-Street Hill.
NEWGATE WITHOUT.
838 THOMAS ANDREWS — In field, horse-shoe and su^ar-loaf.
Ret), WITHOTT NEWGATE — T, A., in the field.
839 RALPH PACKMAN — In the field, Merchant Tailors' arms.
Met}, WITHOVT NEWGATE — A beaver hat, and R. i. p.
Vendors of beaver hats were at this time called " haberdashers of hats," then
highly expensive. Dugdale, in his Diary, April 13th, 1661, minutes " payd for
a bever hatt, 4Z. 10s. ;" the fashion of it may be seen in Hollar's portrait of that
distinguished antiquary. Pepya too, who was as anxious to observe the &shions
as any courtier in his day, records in his Diary, June 27th, in the same year,
'* this day, Mr. Holden sent me a bever which cost me 42. 5s." Pepys had evi-
dently bated the seller a crown.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 177
NEWGATE PRISON.
840 BELONGING TO Y^ CELLOR ON THE MASTERS SIDE AT —
1669. He'd. NEWGATE — The then Debtors" Prison.
Newgate^ mentioned by Fitzstephen as one of the seven double gates in the wall
of the city of London^ in the reign of King Henry the Second, stood at the west
end of Newgate street. The north end of the present Newgate prison denotes
the site, the gateway extending across the street. In the reign of King John it
is noticed as having long been the gaol or prison for felons or trespassers ; and in
the reign of King Henry the Fifth had become, according to Grafton, * ^ a most ugly
and loathsome prison," so that the memorable Sir Richard WhittingtoUj touched
in pity, bequeathed money for rebuilding it. License for that purpose having
been obtained in 1422, from King Henry the Sixth, shortly after his accession,
Whittington's executors faithfully performed the purport of his instructions.
The great fire early in September, 1666, utterly destroyed Newgate ; but it was
shortly after rebuilt for its original uses, and as a debtors' prison. The token was
struck in 1669, as a monetary medium among the prisoners, and is of the utmost
rarity and interest from the delineation of the prison it affords.
Newgate continued till 1776, when it was demolished. The diumals record that
■^ on Tuesday, July 9th, the statue of Whittington and his cat was taken down
from Newgate ; that statue with the others are to be placed in the new prison in
the Old Bailey." The same diurnals, on the 10th, intimated as a caution, that
" the person who is now taking down the gaol of Newgate ought to put up a
scaffold on each side of the gat«, to save the passengers from the danger of having
their brains beaten out by the stones, which, in spite of every caution, are liable
to £i,ll on their heads."
NEWGATE MAEKET.
The market without Newgate, held on the verge of the former lands and pos-
sessions of the collegiate church of St. Martin -le-grand, is of very remote date.
Stephen king of England, in one of his precepts of restitution of certain lands
of which he had despoiled that church, particularized among others, and con-
firmed, " that portion of land, with three stalls in the market, which Peter More
firmly held of Roger bishop of Salisbury, then dean of St. Martin's." This
functionary, who held also the o£B.ces of lord chief justice and lord treasurer,
died December 11th, 1139.
841 THE FOX AND GOOSE — In field, fox carrying ofi" goose.
Eei\ IN NEWGATE MARKET — D. E. w., in the field.
842 THOMAS FOX AT THE — A fox, in field. Rev, fox in
NEWGATE MARKET. 1670 — In the field, T. A. F.
The sign, a pun upon his name.
843 MARY HVRST.YB WHITE SWAN — A swan, with collar.
Bev. IN NEWGATE MARKETT. 1670 — HER HALFE PENY.
N
178 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
New Palace Yard, see Palace Yard.
NEW EENTS, Southwark.
The New Rents led from Foul lane to St. Saviour's dock stairs, on the Bank-
side, between Stoney street and London Bridge.
844 HENRY THORPE IN THE NEW — A SUgar-loaf ; H. R, T.
Ee^G, RENTS IN SOVTHWARKE — HIS HALFE PENNY.
NEW STEEET, Shoe Lane.
New street, between Shoe lane and Fetter lane, was commenced before the
restoration of King Charles the Second. At the wardmote court of Farringdon
Without, held December 21st, 1661, a presentment was preferred against the
master and wardens of the Goldsmiths Company, being the owners of certain
newly erected tenements in New street, by Fewter lane, for defective pavements.
The great fire in September, 1666, made sad devastation in thispart of thecity;
and John Childe, parish clerk of St. Bride's, who had been newly inducted into
his office, in the May of that year thus sorrowfully entered in the register under
his charge — " October, 1666, but sixteene houses in the brode place by Newe
streete." The " brode place" is now the site of Gough square, the three new
streets, the Queen's printing-office, and many other buildings in that locality.
The token was issued before the ruin the parish clerk has so feelingly deplored.
845 IN THE NEW STREET — A lion rampant, in the field.
EeV. NEERE SHOOWE LANE — In the field, W. E. M.
ST. NICHOLAS SHAMBLES.
St. Nicholas in the Shambles is an instance of the retention of the name as a
parish long after it had ceased to be one. King Henry the Eighth granted to the
mayor, commonalty, and citizens of London the church of the late Gray Friars
in London, for a parish church, in place of the church of St. Ewen in Newgate
market, and St. Nicholas in the Shambles, then destroyed, with so much of the
parish of St. Sepulchre as then lay within Newgate, for a newly erected parish
to be called Christchurch.
In the accompt of William Colle, citizen and grocer, as receiver of the rents
of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, 1581-2, credit is taken for rents received from
Thirteen houses in St. Nicholas Fishambles, 502. 19s. 4(^.
Fourteen houses in the new buildings, in the Shambles, 83?. 10s.
This affords the date of their erection.
The court of Common Council, on April 29th, 1667, directed the ground, where
the middle row in the Shambles stood, and the ground of the four late houses in
Newgate market, between Warwick-lane end and the late Bell inn there, to be
laid into the street, according to the Act of Parliament for enlarging and widening
the streets. These improvements are denoted in Leake's general plan, embodying
the surveys made by order of the city authorities, after the disastrous fire in 1666.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 179
846 THE TALLOW CHANDLER — A man dipping candles.
Be'C, IN S. NICKLES SHAMBLES — In the field, e. a. s.
847 AT THE SWANN BEHIND — A swan, in the field.
Bev, THE SHAMBLES. 1649 — In the field, i. M. H.
NIGHTINGALE LANE, East Smithfield.
Nightingale ia a perversion of Knighten-guild lane.
848 RICHARD lAMES IN — In the field, his half peny.
Eev. NIGHTINGALE LANE — Hope leaning on an anchor.
849 lOHN PARKER IN — MELE MAN, in the field.
Re'O. NIGHTINGGAL LANE — In the field, I. s. p.
NOBLE STREET, Foster Lane.
850 lOHN EAMES — In the field, i. E. E. Be'i). in noble
STREET — 1659, in the field.
NORTHUMBEELAND ALLEY, Fenchurch Street.
851 AT THE FETHERS IN — The Prince's plume, in the field.
Bev, northvmberland alley — In the field, i. e. c.
852 THOMAS KNIGHT IN— Scales, in field; Bakers' arms.
Be'G, northvmberlan aly — In the field, t, b. k.
853 AT the king DAVID. 1667 — King David, with harp.
Be'o. IN northvmberland alye — her halfe penny.
S. A.
Pursuant to the City Improvement Act passed in the session of 1/60, a passage,
twenty-five feet wide, was directed to be made through Northumberland alley
into Crutched Friars.
NORTON FOLGATE.
S54i AT the coke in — A cock, in the field. Bet), nortvn
FOLGATE. 1650— In the field, B. e. h.
n 2
180 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
855 ABRAHAM LEKEVX — In field, three tuns; Vintners"" arms.
Re'e, IN NORTON FOLGATE, in three lines across the field.
856 TRISTRAM MAY AND HENRY SELL — A lion rampant, in
field, Eei), brewers in Norton folgate: their
HALFE PEN Y. 1667.
ST. OLAVE^S, Southwark.
857 NICOLAS BARNARD — In the field, N. s. B. Rev. in
OLIVES. sovTHWARKE — 1654, in the field.
See note preceding No. 1168.
858 MATHEW PEARCE MEALEMAN — A wheatsheaf ; M. K. P.
Rev, ST. OLIVES . SOVTHWARK — HIS HALF PENY.
859 AT THE 3 CRANES — In the field, three cranes (birds).
Rev. IN S. OLIVES STREETE — In the field, S. E. s.
860 AT 3 TOBACCO PIPES — In the field, three pipes.
Rev. IN s. OLIVES STREETE — M. c, in the field.
The small clove introduced over m. c. in the field, on the reverse, indicates
the issuer to have been a grocer and tobacconist.
ST. OLAVKS WATERG^ATE.
861 AMBROSE BVTLER AT ST. OLIVES — A corn bushel measure.
Rev. WATERGATE. SOVTHWARK — HIS HALF PENY.
A. M. B.
A corn-dealer or meal-man. Prom these stairs John Boydell delineated his
most interesting print of old London Bridge, the buildings, and other peculiari-
ties, in 1751.
OLD BAILEY.
862 AT THE BLEW BELL IN — A beU, in field. Rev. the
OLD BALEY. 1650^In the field, T. K. F.
The sign still extantj the corner house leading into Prujean square. Here
WiUiam Oldys, Norroy king of arms, author of the Life of Sir Walter Raleigh,
and other productions which have honourably distinguished him among English
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 181
historical writers, was wont, late in life, to spend his evenings, and drink to ex-
cess ; his favourite beverage being porter, with a glass of gin between each pot.
The Bell formerly being within the rules or liberties of the Tleet prison, Oldys
jocularly named his drinking associates " rulers." From this house, a watchman,
one of " the lights of other days," whom he regularly paid, used every night to
lead him home to Bennett's hill, before twelve o'clock, in order to save sixpence,
a fine paid to the porter of the Herald's Office, by all returning thither after that
hour. Sometimes, and that not unfrequently, Oldys was so lumpily drunk, two
were required to bear him home. He died April 15th, 1761, in his seventy-se-
cond year.
863 NEXT TO THE 3 CRANES — In the field, w. b. 1651.
TAVERN. OVLD BALEY SA[l]TER — W. B. 1651.
864 THOMAS PAVLSON — In the field, a spread eagle.
Eev, IN YE OVLD BAYLEY — T. E. P., in the field.
The sign was the old Black Spread Eagle.
" The eagle with two necks in the imperial arms, and in the arms of the king
of Spain, depicted on sign-boai*ds aa the Spread Eagle, signifies the east and west
empire, and the extension of their power from the east to the west." — 'Jo. Collet's
Common Place Book, Addit, MS. in Museo, 3890.
865 AT THE LION AND BALL — Lion current, ball before him.
Bet). IN THE OLD BAYLEY — In the field, N. E. S.
Query, whether this sign underwent subsequently a different appellation ; the
diumals at a later date, having recorded " Yesterday, March 8th, 11^64, departed
this life in some small hopes of the chance of a better, at her school, the Golden
Lion, known by the name of the Ydlow Lamb, in the Old Bailey, Mrs. Smith,
the virtuous widow ol the late distinguished Mr. John Smith, of the same place,
vintner, who made his exit a few days since."
LITTLE OLD BAILEY.
The now west side of the Old Bailey, from Elect lane to Snow hill, was the
west side of the Little Old Bailey ; but when the intermediate buildings were
demolished for the present space, the Little Old Bailey became extinct.
866 GEO. ETCHYS AT Y^ VPPER — In field, Carpenters' arms.
Ee'Q, END OP LITLE OLD BAYLY — In field, G. H. E.
867 AT THE 7 STARS IN THE — Seven stars, in the field.
Revi, LITTLE OVLD BEALEY — In the field, I. I. F.
182 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
868 al[i]ce wate[r]s in the — Tallow-chandlers' arms, in
the field. Be'c. little ovlde bayley — A. w.
OLD CHANGE, Cheapside.
869 EDWARD andrewes — In the field, a rose and crown.
Bev. IN YE OLDE CHANG — E. I. A., in the field.
870 EDWARD CHIPP IN — In the field, a Tudor dragon.
Rev, YB ovLD CHANGE [16]59 — E. G. c, in the field.
Signs, in most instances, derive their origin from devices or emblems which
have continued to be presented to popular view. The Red Dragon is said to have
been the armorial ensign of CadwaUader, the last of the British kings. Henry the
Third, previous to an intended visit, in 1240, directed a standard, bearing a red
di-agon, to be placed in the abbey church of Westminster. He had also the same
device borne before >iim as an ensign, in the battle with the barons at Lewes.
Edward the First fought under the red dragon, on his subjugation of Wales ;
and Edward the Third erected the same standard in the memorable battle of
Cressy, August 24th, 1346. Henry the Seventh, on entering into London, after
the battle of Bosworth field, offered at the altar in St. Paul's church a stajidard
charged with '^ a red fiery dragon, beaten upon white aaid green sarcenet." Pro-
fessing to be descended from Cadwallader, he adopted the red dragon as a dexter
supporter to the royal arms. By the house of Tudor it was so continued to be
borne, till it ceased with Queen Elizabeth, the last of that race.
871 AT THE WILLOW TREE — A willow tree, in the field.
Be'G, IN THE OVLD CHANGE — In the field, N. I. B.
See also No. 347.
Old Fish-Street Hill, see Fish-Street Hill.
Old Palace Yard, see Palace Yard.
OLD STREET, St. Luke's.
872 THE BELL BREWEHOVS — A bell, in the field. Be'e, IN
OVLD STREETE. 1652 — In the field, r. k. d.
872*THO. WELLES : ERA. LEONARD — A tun, from Vintners'
arms. Bev. the bell in ovld stret — In the
field, a bell.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 183
873 AT THE BLACKE GACK — Black jack, or bombard, in field.
Ber}. IN OVLD STtoET — In the field, A. e. s.
Black jacks were formerly ostensible objects in the appliances of the ancient
taverns. Hford^ in Wilkins's Miseries of Inf&rced Marriage, 1607, 4to, servants'
liveries being at this period almost invariably blue, accosts the clown on his
entrance —
" How now, blue bottle, are you of the house ?
Clown. I have heard of many black jacka, sir, but never of a blue
bottle."- — Act i. sc, 1.
Heywood, describing the vessels in use at ale-houses and taverns, says further
" Other bottles we have of leather, but they most used by shepherds and harvest
people of the country ; small jacks we have in many ale-houses of the city and
suburbs, tipp'd with silver, besides the great black jacks and bombards at the
court, which when the Frenchmen [who came here with Queen Henrietta Maria]
first saw, they reported at their returne into their country the Englishmen used
to drinke out of their bootea." — Philocothonista : the Drimlcwrd opened, 1635, 4to,
p. 45.
The cost of a six-gallon black jack, in 1685, was thirty-six shillings. — ArcTu^o-
logia, vol. xxxiv. p. 355.
The Black Jack, see also Noa. 652 and 942.
874 THOMAS HEDGER — In the field, a crooked billet; T. M. h.
IN OVLD STREET. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
874*iOHN FVLLERTON, IN OLD STREET — An anchor, and J-.
Bev, lOHN SANDSBVRY. IN OLD STREET — Ohecquers.
ORCHAED STREET, Westminster.
875 PETER CLESBY IN ORCHARD — A horse, with BLAK above.
Bev, STREET IN WESTMINSTER — HIS HALFE PENNY.
P. E. C.
The sign indicated on the token was the Black Horse.
OLD PALACE YARD, Westminster.
876 lOHN HARMAN AT THE — Crooked billet, in the field.
Bev>. IN THE OVLD PALLACE — HALF PENY. I. S. H.
Old Palace yard, the area beyond King Henry the Seventh's chapel, where
the Victoria tower now frowns in sullen majestic height.
The communication hence to the Thames in the. olden time was designated
" the Parliament stairs."
184 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
NEW PALACE YAED.
877 THO: PALLISER . NEW PALLACE — Grocers Company arms.
Rev. HIS HALF PENY.1666 — King's head; Charles
the Second.
New Palace yard, the area before the entrance to Westminster Hall ; the cause-
way to the Thames being known as Watermen's stairs.
The houses on the north side of New Palace yard, to which are attached the
signs ; the old bell tower, whence was taken the great bell for St. Paul's cathe-
dral ; and the hackney-coach stand, at that period, are aU admirably displayed
in Hollar's print of Westminster Hall, engraved in 1647.
878 THOMAS PEARSON IN THE NEW — Naked boy, in the field.
Rev, PALACE YARD IN WESTMINSTER — HIS HALF
PENNY. T. I. P.
PANIER ALLEY.
879 EDW: FOSTER . LETHERSELER AT Y^ — Gridiron, and a
nag's-head upon it. R&d. CORNER SHOPP in panier
ALLEY — HIS HALFE PENNY.
880 ROBERT HAYES AT YE. COFFEE — In field, a TurFs head.
Rev. HOTSE IN PANIER ALLEY — HIS HALF PENY.
Panier alley was so called from having been in the olden time the standing of
the bakers' boys with their paniers. By statute of 1302^ 30 Edward I., if not
before^ the bakers of London were bound to seU no bread in their shops or houses,
but in the market. The bakers' boys stood here in rows, forming an alley, with
their bread in paniers ; and records are extant, dated 1440, in which Panier alley
is mentioned as a place long and distinctively known. The bakers of Stratford
and other neighbouring villages brought also, on all days but Sundays and prin-
cipal feasts, bread in long carts, the bread being two ounces in the penny wheat
loaf heavier than the wheat loaf baked in the city ; these were pitched and sold by
boys from paniers, at regularly defined standings, not only on the usual market-
days, but daily. Bishop Bale has recorded the cry of the bakers' boys at Stur-
bridge fair near Cambridge, in the reign of King Edward the Sixth — " Buy and
beare away : steale and run awaye." Later, as the ballad affirms, Robin Con-
science in his ramble through Newgate market,
'•' Where country women, maids, and men.
Were selling needful things "
encountered the railing of the butterwomen, whose butter \feighed not down
their scales ; and "the bakers that stood in a row" brawled at him, because he
reminded them that but for the dread of the law their loaves would be less than
the statutable weight.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 185
Panier alley, wholly destroyed in the great fire of 1666, immediately faced the
end of St. Martin's lane, more generally known as St. Martin-le-grand ; but on
rebuilding was placed a few feet westward of the original site ; and by an order
of the court of Common Council, dated April 29th, 166?, was 'Ho be enlarged to
nine feet in width, and paved with free-stone for passengers." As a narrow in-
convenient way, it would appear to be sarcastically alluded to in Homer-h-la'
Mode, the ninth book of Homer's Ihads, in English burlesque, 1681, 8vo, where it
is said the Greeks promised to Meleager, since he had slain the boar, a pretty piece
^ ' " Which they affirm'd to be as good
As that where Panyer alley stood.'*
Later was published " News from Pannier alley : or a true relation of some
pranks the Devil hath lately play'd there, with a plaster-pot, 1685^," 4to.
The buildings in or about Panier alley appear to have been at this time in
progress, as an ensculptured tablet was soon after placed against the wall of a
house on the east side, having reference to the wonted usages of the place, like a
departed spirit hovering over its former locality ; a naked urcbin, seated on end
of panier, represents a baker's boy supplying from the panier the demand for a
loaf; below him, inscribed
" WHEN Y^ HAVE SOVGH"^ THE CITTY ROVND
YET STILL TH[i]S IS THE HIGH[e]s'^ GBOVTTD.
AVGVST THE 27 1688."
Robert Hayes, burned out from this alley^ reestablished his calling as " a
coj6Fee-man," under the same sign in Barbican. See No. 120.
PAEKER'S LANE, Drury Lane.
So called from the mansion of Peter Parker, esq., who resided here in 1623,
It is now named Parker street.
881 HENRY DVNSCOMBE IN . 1668 — A man dipping candles.
Be'G. PARKERS LANE. HIS HALF PENY — H. I. D. 1668.
PATERNOSTER ROW.
882 THE CASTELL TAVERN — A castle, in field. Be'i), in
PATERNOSTER ROW — In the field, I. D. B.
TarltoUj Queen Elizabeth's favourite stage clown^ is said to have kept an ordi-
nary, "the sign of the Castle/* on the spot where Dolly's chop-house is now
situated. Tarlton died in September^ 1688.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, has this notice : " December I6th, 1648, died
— Gough, vintner, at the Castle in Paternoster row." Possibly J. B. issued the
token on his becoming Gough's -successor. In the great fire in September, 1666,
the Castle tavern, at the east end on the north side of Paternoster row, was
wholly destroyed, but rebuilt of considerable magnitude ; the large room in par-
ticular was distinguished for its extent and painted embellishments. Concerts of
186 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
nmsic were frequently lield here about the middle of the last century ; and the
Castle Society of Music was long one of eminent distinction. In 1768 their per-
formances were conducted at Haberdashers* hall, but their business meeting
were held at the Half-moon tayern in Cheapside. The Castle tavern appears at
this time to have fidlen into desuetude, and in 17"© was the Oxford bible ware-
house, where were deposited the productions of the Oxford univeraity press ;
another portion being occupied by a famiture auctioneer named ITpton. Soon
after six in the morning of January Sth, in that year, a fire occurred at Messrs
Johnson and Payne, booksellers, in Patem(Kiter row, that destroyed their house,
as abo the Oxford bible warehouse, involving a loss of more than 7000^. j and
Cock's printing-house. An advertisement in April, 1/71, proffered on a building-
lease, the freehold ground "' fronting Paternoster row, from east to w^t, sixty-six
f^t ; and in depth from south to north, ninety-six feet, being the ground where
the Castle tavern and three other houses lately stood, destroyed by fire."
883 CHAPTER COFFEE HOVSE (4) — In the field, a mitre.
Mev. Blank : struck on leather.
A LEATHER GBOAT. The letters in the legend are reversed, and the figure (4) is
distinct on lower verge. M. C Tutet, whose collections were dispersed in 1786,
possessed a similar piece struck on leather, but his had the figure 2, or half groat.
884 CHAPTER COFFEE HOVSE — In the field, a mitre.
Rev. Blank : struck on leather.
Different, and smaller in size. The leather appears to have been gilded.
The Chapter coffee-house, at the north-west comer of Paid's alley, long the
resort of eminent literary characters, was, it is stated, finally closed on the death
of Mr. Charles FaithfuU, the proprietor, in November, 1853.
ST. PAUL'S OHUECHYARD.
885 GILES CALVERT AT THE — Spread-eagle, in the field.
Re'G. WEST END OF ST. PAVLS — In the field, G. E. C.
The Spread Eagle was long a sign of notoriety in St, Paul's church^ird ; tra-
dition has recorded that the gilded copper vane in the form of an eagle, on the
lofty spire of old St. Paul's, was during a high wind blown down, and felling
against the sign of the Spread Eagle beat it to the ground*. The first edition of
Shakespeare's TroUus and Cressida was printed at the Spread Eagle in St. Paul's
churchyard. At the north door of St. Paul's, William Burley, at the sign of the
Spread Eagle, in 1609, publidtied Pamdia : MusicVs MisceUanie ofpUasarvt Maun-
* " During a great tempest at sea in January, 1506, Philip king of Castile
and his queen were weather-driven, and landed at Fahnouth. The same tempest
blew down the eagle of brass, off the spire of St. Paul's church in London, and
in the Mling the same eagle broke and battered the black eagle that hung for a
sign in St. Paul's churchyard." — Stow's AmhoXsj p. 484. The black eagle, the
cognizance of the house of Austria, of which Philip was the head.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 187
delays cmd Catches^ accredited as the earliest practical English book of catches,
canonsj rounds^ and glees. The north side of St. Paul's churchyard became at
this period an established marketji and there are various tokens of the traders
here located. The chapter-house^ and the cloister on the north side, were by
order of the Commonwealth authorities demolished, the ground cleared, and
.paved with the old stone of these buildings. Dugdale mentions in his Diary
August 6th, 1657, as being the first day the herb women moved from their stands
in Cheapside into the new market thus created. The thi-ong of persons caused
an order for its suppression, October 21st,_1661, when "persons vending roots,
herbs, and fruits," were directed " to sell only in the streets called Aldermanbuiy
and Broad street, and then only on market-days." — Mercwrius Publi&iis, October
24th, 1661, p. 671.
886 AT THE 3 TVNN TAVERN — Three tuns ; Vintners' arms.
Ee'd, ^ IN S. PAVLS CHVRCHYARD — In the field, E. c.
On the north side, at the west end of St. Paul's churchyard, is a house of stage-
coach notoriety, bearing the ludicrous sign of the Goose and Gridiron, which has
puzzled many a wiseacre for a definition. Situated in London-house yard, so
named as being contiguous to the former residence of the bishop of London, the
house, before the great fire, was known by the sign of the Mitre ; and in 1664,
Robert Hubert, alias Forges, '' gent., and sworn servant to His Majesty," exhi-
bited here a museum of natural rarities, as the catalogue describes them, " col-
lected by him at great cost, and during thirty years travel in foreign countries ;
daily to be seen at the place called the musick-bouse at the Miter, near the west
end of St. Paul's church." Concerts of music and musical parties were also among
the diversions the house afibrded, till the fire in September, 1666, destroyed all.
On the rebuilding of the house the new tenant appeara to have by-shop'd the
mitre ; and, in contempt of the dissolute harmonies that had hitherto been the
attraction, he perverted the Swan and Lyre, the crest and charge on the arms of
the company of Musicians, into the silly Goose and Gridiron, forgetting possibly
the goose had once the honour of being the capitolian guard of ancient Rome.
The imprint on the title of " a Discourse of the national excellencies of England,
by E.. H.," afibrds some allusion to these buildings erected on the cathedral lands ;
" printed for Henry Fletcher, at the Three Gilt Cups, in the new buildings, near
the west end of St. Paul's, 1658," duod.
887 lOHN WEBSTER AT YE ALMON — An almond tree; 1663.
Bet). TREE . IN PAVLS CHVRCHYARD — The same, I. M.W.
The adaptation of the almond tree, as a sign, so proximate to the church, has
possibly an allusion to the fine allegorical description of inevitable human decre-
pitude, in Ecctedaste^,- ch.. xii., v. 5, when " the almond tree shall flourish," and
'' the mourners go about the streets."
888 THE COFFEE HOVSE AT THE — Turk's head, in the field.
Ber), WEST END OF ST. PAVLS LONDON — Name in a
monogram; and I?
A large-sized cofiee-house penny, one of the rarest of traders' tokens.
188 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
PAUL'S WHARF, Upper Thames Street.
'' From Paul's chain at the foot of Benet hill, formerly called Paul's wharfe
hill, is Paul's wharf, having a common stair or landing-place from the Thames."
889 THE BALL [bell?] neere — The figure 3, in the field.
Bet). PAVLES WHARFE — In the field, I. H.
The Ball would seem to be an error for " the Bell ;" as Abraham Chitty, in
1669, issued a half-penny token from '' the Bell brewhouse, neare Paules wharfe,"
There was also the BeU yard, by Paul's wharf. A singularity attached to this
token is the figure 3 on the obverse. Query, three pence ? Mark Cephas Tutet,
in his choice collection of traders* tokens, dispersed after his death in 1786, had
a similar piece, that in place of the 3 had on the obverse '' 6°"
890 AT YE NEXT BOAT. BY PAVLS — A wherry; NEXT BOAT.
Re'G. WHARFE AT PETERS HILL FOOT — M. M. B.
Gallants anU play-goers to the Bear-garden and theatres on the Bankside
conferred no little celebrity on Paul's-wharf stairs, from its having long been the
usual ferry, by a species of general concurrence.
The words '^ next boat," on the token, sufficiently indicate the rendezvous
of the boatmen plying for passsengers at Paul's-wharf stairs. A ballad, entitled
" The Boatman's Song," printed in the Loyal GarlaTid, at this period a highly
popular collection of royalist effusions, affords some illustration of the hailing of
the boatmen to strangers coming within their bounds :
" Will you go by water, Sir ?
I am the sculler ;
Go with my fare up westward. Sir,
My boat shall be no fuller.
Next oars. Sir, next oars !
Whither is 't you go ?
To Foxhall, or Westminster,
Or through bridge ho ?"
The phrase '' next boat" obtains some illustration by a reference to the water-
men's feres, as set forth by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, September
7th, 161^1 : " Over the water directly in the next sculler, between London Bridge
and Limehouse, or London Bridge and Fox-haU, 2d."
Faux or Vaux hall, by the attractive mechanical contrivances of Sir Samuel
Morland, had long before become a place of feshionable resort for the city gallants.
Evelyn in his Diary, July 22d, 1661, notices he " went to see the new Spring
Garden, at Lambeth, a prettily contrived plantation. "
PEPPEE ALLEY, Southwark.
89] THOMAS CROWDER AT — T. c. in monogram, in the field,
Eev. PEPPER ALLEY GATE — In the field, T. S. C.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 189
892 ARTHVK ADAMS — Oar, from crest of Watermens^ arms.
Bei), IN PEPPER ALEY. 1652 — Peacock, tail displayed.
Why watermen should require such small change as tokens were likely to
afford seems now problematical. Decker^ in his GvXVs Bom-hooJc, 16Q9, speaking
of gallants who crossed the Thames to the theatres on the Bankside, saya " no
matter, upon landing, whether you have money or no ; you may swim in twenty
of their boats upon the river upon ticket ;" hence the phrase to go '' on tick/'
to go on trust,
PETER STREET, Westminster.
893 AT THE KINGS HEAD IN — King's head; Henry VIIT.
Eev, FETTER STREETE w. M. — In the field, R. R. Y.
PETTICOAT LANE, Whitechapel.
Petticoat lane was formerly called Hog lane. StoWj in 1598, describing the
neighbourhood as pleasant fields since the accession of Queen Elizabeth^ observes
" now within a few years is made a continual building throughout, of garden
houses and sm_all cottages, and the fields on either side be turned into garden
plotSj tenter yards, bowling alleys, and such like."
The revocation of the edict of Nantes, 1685' drove thousands of the French
protestant broad-silk weavers to England, many of whom settled themselves in
this vicinity.
894 DANIELL DEBOVRCK — In the field, HIS HALF PENY.
Eev, IN PETTECOATE LANE — Bird in hand, in the field.
895 NEARE THE SHEARES — In the field, a pair of shears.
Eev. IN PETTICOATE LANE — s. A. H., in the field.
896 CHRISTOPHER WELDON AT Y^ — A half-moon, in the field.
Eev. IN PETTICOATE LANE . 1667 — HIS HALFE PENY.
The Half-moon, or crescent, seems to be but an alteration of the Turk's Head
as a sign. In Cartwright's comedy of The Ordma/ry, 1651, 8vo, is this allusion ;
" Slicer. The sign o' th' Half-moon that hangs at your door, is not for nought.
Ch'edtdmiB, That's the Turk's arms, they say." — Act iv. sc. 1.
The Turks, a horde of rude Asiatic warriors, entered Constantinople, by the
gate of St. Romanus, on May 29thj 1453, and subverted the last remains of the
once all-powerful Roman empire : the Crescent trampled despotically on the
Cross. Europe was at that time in a state of utter prostration ; science, literature,
and the arts were in abeyance ; and the destruction of the eastern empire com-
pleted the ruin of its commerce, ^neas Sylvius, subsequently Pope Pius the
Second, while describing Europe in the fifteenth century, in a few nervous sen-
190 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
tences, colours the Beeming mystery of the causes of this general debasement.
He describes Europe " as a body without a head — a republic without laws or
magistrates. Every state has a separate prince, and every prince a separate
interest. What eloquence could unite so many discordant and hostile powers
under the same standard ? "What mortal could reconcile the English with the
French — Genoa with Arragon — the Germans with the natives of Hungary and
Bohemia ? If a small number enlisted in the holy war, they must be overthrown
by the infidels ; if many, by their own weight and confusion."
The Turks became the masters of commerce, and the flag bearing the Crescent
floated vauntdngly in the breeze, till the discovery of America, and the adoption
of the new route to India by way of the Cape of Good Hope, at the close of the
same century, turning the tide of events, the decline of the Turkish power com-
menced ; it has continued on the wane, and must at length succumb to superior
intelligence and independent commercial enterprize, the imperislm,ble glories of
knowledge and eneigy. In this year, 1853, after a lapse of four centuries, how
nearly has the Cross borne down the Crescent.
897 GRAVES WEAVER . AT ¥» — Wicker cradle, in the field.
Bets, IN PETTICOATE LANE — In the field, G. w,
Weaver was a basket-maker ; the wicker cradle being the crest of the Basket-
makers Company.
PETTY FRANCE, Bishopsgate.
Petty France was subsequently called liamb alley; but being demolished, the
ground was in llTSO occupied by more extensive buildings, and in the Parish
Clerks' Survey, 1732, is thus described : " Petty Frajice, that was a ruined deso-
late place, is now raised a great deal higher, and is made a fine spacious street,
containing many large uniform houses." Petty France is now New Broad street.
898 lOHN BARNES. CHANDLER — Carpenters' arms, in field.
Be'c. IN PETTEI FRANCE — In the field, I. s. B.
899 WILLIAM RACK AT Y^ — An Indian, in field. Bev. in
PETTY FRANCE. [16]66 — In the field, r. m. r.
The figure of the Indian is the sinister supporter to the Distillers Company arms.
PETTY FRANCE, Westminster.
The line of road fi:om TothiU street, Westminster, to James street, Buckingham
gate, was formerly known as Petty France. Milton the poet is said to have re-
sided here, on the north side, next door to James Lord Scudamore's, abutting
on St. James's park, from. 1652 to the eve of the Restoration in 1660. " Petty
France is now named York street, fi-om John Sharp, archbishop of York, primate
and metropohtan of England, having there his town residence." — Hatton's New
View of London, 1708, p. 639.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 191
900 AT THE SAVL IN PETTY — The Conversion of Saul.
Be'o. franc[e] Westminster — In the field, i. s. t.
" He fell to the earthy and heard a voice." — Acts, ix. 4. One of the puritanical
devices of the period, in allusion to St. Paul, the tutelary saint of the metropolis.
901 NICHOLAS SHERMAN WHIT — A large building, in field.
Eev. HALL IN PETTI FRANCE — In the field, N. M. s.
Appears to have been a sign of the Banqaetting house^ Whitehall.
PHILPOT LANE, Fenchurch Street.
'' So called of Sir John Philpotj who dwelled there, and was owner thereof."
902 ROBERT NEVILL — Three stags, two and one, in the field.
Eev, IN PHILPOT LANE — In the field, R. A. N.
Query, arms of the Leathersellers Company ?
PICCADILLY.
903 RICHARD GROOME IN — An anchor, crown on the stem.
Bev. PiCKADiLLY. 1665 — Infield, his halfe penny.
The old way of depicting the Crown and Anchor.
PICKLE-HEREING STAIES, Southwark.
904 EDWARD BRENT — A hoj, or sailing-boat, in the field.
Be'C. AT PICKELL HERRING — In. the field, E. C. B.
905 EDWARD BRENT — In the field, his half penny. 1668.
Bm, The field occupied by a hoy, or sailing-boat.
In Mottley's Swrvey of London, Westminster, and Soutliwa/rh, published under
the name of Robert Seymour, VJM, fol., vol. i. p. 817^ is noticed a monument
in St. Olave's churchyard, to " Edward Brent^ esq., 1676 :" he was doubtless the
issuer of these tokens.
906 MARGRET BROWNE AT YE BLVE — Anchor, in the ifield;
M. B. Be^. NEARE PICKLE HERING IN SOVTHWARK
— HIS HALFE PENY. 1668.
An octagon in shape. In the die HIS was originally punched : later sti-uck
pieces show the alteration to hee.
192 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
907 lAMES HOLLAND — Bakers Company arms, in the field,
Bev. AT PICKLE BERING — In the field, i. M. H.
908 lAMES HOLLAND. HIS HALF PENNY, in fonr lines.
Eeis. The date 1668, and the Bakers Company arms.
909 THOMAS HVTHINSON — In the field, his half peny.
Rev. AT PiCKELL HEARING — Five tobacco-pipes.
PIE CORNER, Smithfield.
'' Pie comer, a place so called of such a sigiij eometimea a fair irin for receipt
of travellers, but now [1603] divided into tenements; and over against the said
Pie comer lieth Cocke lane, which runneth down to Oldbourne conduit." — Stow.
The Pie inn appears to have been on the east side, above Giltspur street, con-
tiguous to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, possibly the now site of Windmill court.
J. T. Smith's quarto etching, entitled '' Old Houses at the south comer of Hosier
lane, drawn in April, 1795," affords an admirable illustration of the Pie comer
of Ben Jonson's BartholoTn^w Fayre, a drama descriptive of its vagaries in I6I4.
Stow notices, " from Hosier lane to Cocke lane, over against Pie comer," the
houses of the Elizabethan period thus faithfully detailed in the etching.
The fire of 1666 progressed northward to Cock lane comer, on the 4th of Sep-
tember, and was there subdued. PepjB, in his Diary that day, mentions the
house of Mr. Hewer's mother " at Pie comer, being burned, so that the fire is
got so fer that way." A carved naked boy, as Pennant describes him, " repre-
sented wonderfully fat indeed !" was set up at the north comer of Cock lane, to
commemorate the fire of London as being occasioned by the sin of gluttony ; the
boy is stiU in statu quo, but the lying inscription has long been obliterated by the
painter's brush, although its propriety was formerly thus supported from the
pidpit : a nonconforming parson, preaching on the anniversary of the fire of Lon-
don, averted that " the calamity could not be occasioned by the sin of blasphemy,
for in that case it would have begun at Billingsgate ; nor lewdness, for then Drury
lane would have been first on fire ; nor lying, for then the flames had reached
them from Westminster Hall ; no, my beloved, it was occasioned by the sin of
gluttony; for it began at Pudding lane, and ended at Pie comer."
910 FRANCIS HARRIS. BAKER — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Ee'O. AT PYE CORNER . HIS ^ PENNY — F. M. H.
911 lOHN MARSTON. TALLOW — Half-moou, and seven stars.
Rev. CHANDLER IN PYE CORNER — HIS HALFE PENY.
The sign, the Half-moon and Seven Stars, rendered terrestrial by the agglome-
ration of a stick of candles.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 195
POSTERN GATE, Oripplegate.
In King William the First's grant of certain land and moor to the collegiate
church of St. Martin-le-grand, in 1067, " the postern which is called Cripelesgate"
is particularized in the demarcation of the boundary.
The postem-gate was immediately opposite the end of Aldermanbury.
912 ROBERT SARRESON — In the field, the postern gate.
Bev. IN THE POSTORNE — R. E. s., in the field.
POULTRY.
" Poulterers in the olden time dwelt and sold poultry at their stalls in the high
street from Stocks market to the great conduit. The street doth yet bear the
name of the Poultry, and the poulterei^ are but lately departed from thence
into other streets, as lately into Grasse street, and the end of St. Nicholas flesh
shambles," — Stow, edit. 1598.
913 AT THE ROSE TAVERN — A rose, in the field. Rev, IN
THE POVLTREY — In the field, T. E. D.
Machin, in his Diary, January 5th, 1560, thus mentions the Kose tavern : ''A
gentleman arrested for debt ; Master Oobham, with divers gentlemen and serving
men, took him from the officers, and carried bim to the Rose tavern, where so
great a fray, both the sheriff were feign to come, and from the Rose tavern took
all the gentlemen and their servants, and carried them to the compter."
Richard Smith, in his manuscript Obituary, notices, " October 30th, 1649, died
Mr. William Bowyer, vintner, in the Poultry. Old Mrs. Bowyer, widow, aged
86 years, on November 6th, 1672; buried I'ebruary 25th, 1673, in St. Mildred's
church in ye Poultry, where her husband, "William Bowyer, alias Gamble, vintner
at the Rose, sometime lived." She died in Oovent garden.
Ned Ward commends the Rose tavern in the Poultry, as in his time famous for
good wine : '* There was no parting without a glass, so we went into the Rose
tavern in the Poultry, where the wine according to its merit had justly gained a
reputation, and there in a snug room warmed with brash and fe,ggot, over a quart
of good claret, we laughed over our night's adventure." — London Spy, 1709.
914 GEORGE TWINE. 1665 — Three cranes erect, in the field.
IN THE POVLTREY — In field, HIS HALF PENY.
The Three Cranes tavern, destroyed in the fire of 1666, was rebuilt, and is
noticed in 1698, in one of the many paper controversies of that day. A fulmi-
nating pamphlet, entitled " Ecclesia et Factio : a Dialogue between Bow church
steeple and the Exchange Grasshopper," elicited " An Answer to the Dragon and
Grasshopper : in a Dialogue between an Old Monkey and a Yoimg Weasel, at the
Three Crane Tavern in the Poultry."
194 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
915 THE EXCHANGE TAVERN — Quadrangle of the Eoyal
Exchange. Bev, in the povltry. 1671 — "w. k.
The arrival of STary Moders, alias Stedman, as the German princess, at " the
Exchange tavern, right against the Stocks, betwixt the Poultry and Cornhill, at
five in the morning ; Mr. King being np, and standing at the bar telling of brass
farthings ;" with her marriage to Carleton, the tavemer's wife's brother ; are inci-
dents fully narrated in Francis Kirkman's Cov/nterfdt Lady Unveiled, 1673.
The view on the obverse shows the north and east sides of the quadrangle
of the building, destroyed by fire in the night of January 10th, 1838.
PUDDING LANE, Lower Thames Street.
Stow names it " Rother lane, or Red Rose lane, of such a sign there : now (1598)
commonly called Pudding lane, because the butchers of Eastcheape have their
scalding-house for hogs there, and their puddings, with other filth of beasts, are
voided down that way to their dung-boats on the Thames. TMs lane is chiefly
inhabited by basket-makers, turners, and butchers."
At the April sessions, in 1666, at the Old Bailey, John Rathbone an old army
colonel, and others, were foimd guilty of high treason, in having conspired to seize
the Tower, and fire the city, the attempt having been determined on to take efiect
on the 3d of September ensuing, as being found by Lilly's almanack, and an astro-
logical scheme, to be^a lucky day for that purpose, a planet then ruling that
prognosticated the down&U of monarchy. The evidence was declared to be clear
and full, and their guilt established, so that Rathbone and the other prisoners
were executed at Tyburn, on the 30th of that month. The London Gasettej April
30th, narrates the particulars of their trial and conviction ; and, notwithstanding
the failure of the entire plot, enough of the conspiracy remained successfully to
fire the city, and cause the most destructive conflagration on record. The LoTtdcm
Gazettes of September 3d and 10th afford considerable details, and state that about
one in the morning of Sunday September 2d, the fire commenced at the house
occupied by — Farriner, said to be the king's baker, in Pudding lane. The neigh-
bourhood was a mass of pitched wooden houses, and a strong easterly wind pre-
vailing, soon caused it to spread beyond the power of extinguishing it by means of
engines; and the intensity of the heat rendered all manual operations near it impos-
sible. There can be no doubt the fire was a premeditated popish a£^ir, and accele-
rated by one day of the predicted time, by the opportune violence of the wind.
The persons appointed to survey the ruins after the fire certified that '' the
fire that begun in London upon the 2d of September, at one — Farryner's house,
a baker, in Pudding lane, between the hours of one and two in the morning, and
continued burning until the 6th of that month, did overrun the space of three hun-
dred and seventy-three acres and three roods within the walls. There remained
seventy-five acres three roods standing within the walls unbumed. Eighty-nine
parish churches, besides chapels, were burned. Eleven parishes within the walls
standing. Houses burned, thirteen thousand two hundred.
" Ralph Gatrix, ) "^
L'Estrange, in the Ohsettatw, May 18th, 1681, enters fully into the charges
against Rathlione and the other conspirators, stimulated as there intimated by
some confession that had been recently made by some person implicated in the
original design.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 195
916 AT YE MAYDEN HEADE — Mercers' arras, in the field.
Eev. IN PVDIN LANE . 1657 — In the fi.eld, B. w. a.
PUDDLE DOCK, Blackfriars.
A property belonging to tlie authorities of the city of London that formerly
conferred a distinguished title, Shadwell^ in his comedy of Epsom Wells, printed
in 1676, mentions " the countess of Puddle dock." Hogarth, in May, 1?32, with
some companions as frolicsome as himself, having only an additional shirt in his
pocket, started at midnight, from the Bedford Arms tavern, under the east piazza
in Covent garden, on a tour, by the Gravesend hoy ; and, at the Dark house,
Bilhngsgate, met with the no less eminent personage than " his grace " (the title
having advanced in dignity) " the duke of Puddle dock, " most facetiously drunk.
Hogarth, in an enthusiastic fit of inspiration, drew his pencil, and on the instant,
° " The living manners as they rose."
The vraisemblance obtained general approval ; the portraiture was pasted against
the cellar-door ; unhappily it has not been engraved ; and the title from some
cause has become dormant. The duke of Puddle dock appears to have "been a
weU-known character ; as in 1739 was printed, in folio, " The Popular Conven-
tion, a poem, by the duchess of Puddle dock."
917 THO: BAKER AT THE. [16]59 — Feathers, in the field.
B&d. NERE PVDLE DOCK . 16[59] — In the field, T. A. B.
Thomas Grey, in 1668, issued a half-penny token from the same house ; as the
wife's christian name is still A., it was possibly Baker's widow who had remarried.
The precinct of the Black Friars was formerly distinguished as the abode of
many zealous puritans, and for the sale of feathers, the two professions being often
rather inconsistently united in the same person. In Randolph's Muse's Loohmg-
glass, Bird, the featherman, and Mrs. Flowerdew, are described as two of the
sanctified fraternity of Blackfriars.
918 ROBERT HALE AT PVDLE — HIS HALFE PENY, in the field.
Be'G. DOCK . CHANDLER . 1662 — In the field, r. m. h.
QUEENHITHE, Upper Thames Street.
In early times the property of Edred, a Saxon chieftain, and named after him
Edred's hithe, or haven. King Stephen was subsequently the owner j and King
Henry the Third called it Ripa Eegince, or the Queen's hithe, the revenues being
settled on her. In 1246, that monarch '' let to ferme, to John Grisors, then mayor, ,
and his successors and commonalty of London, the Queen hithe for ever, for the
somme of fifty pounds the yeare."
919 RICHARD BRIGGS. 1660 — Fishmongers Company arms.
Bev, AT QVEENEHITHE — In the field, r. a. b. ^.
o2
196 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
920 BARTHOLLOMEW FISH — In field, three fish. Ret), at
QVEENEHITHE . 1 667 — HIS HALFE PENY.
Query, thr^e luces, or pike ? The heralds seem occasionally to have interfered,
or had the power of interfering, in the devices on tokens. Sir WiUiam Dugdale,
in his Diary, November 3d, 1668, has a minute; "John Salmon, of Chester,
maketh brass pence with armes upon them (three salmons) : to disclayme him."
SOPER LANE, otherwise Queen Street.
So named in honour of Catharine of Braganza, upon the rebuilding, 1666.
921 WILL. CLERKE AT Y^ [Cock and Sackbottle] IN soper.
Bev, LANE ALIAS QVEEN STREET — HIS HALFE PENY.
1669.
GREAT QUEEN STREET, LmcolnVInn Fields.
922 PHILIP WETHERELL IN — Apothecaries Company arms.
Bev. GREAT QVEEN STEEET. [16]69 — HIS HALF PENY.
P. M. W.
RATCLIFFE HIGHWAY.
Stow, in reference to the enlai^ment of London at the close of the sixteenth
century, says " there hath been of late, in place of elm trees, miany small tene-
ments raised towards RadclifEe ; and Kadcliffe itself hath been also increased in
building eastward ; in place whereof I have known a large highway, with fe,ir
elm trees on both the sides." The locality must have increased rapidly, as Sir
Roger L'Estrange, in his once highly popular translation of Quevedo's YisumSj has
the expression, *' common as Ratcliffe highway."
923 AT THE BLACK BOAY — A negro or black boy, in the field.
Rev, IN RATCLIF. 1651 — In the field, n. e. v.
The artist has added some accessories to the figure of "the black boy," not
usually detailed, pipes in bis right hand, and a pot in his left.
924 lOHN BISHOP. 1656 — Three sugar-loaves, in the field.
Bev, IN RATLIFF HIGHWAY — In the field, I. M. B.
925 FRANCIS BVLL IN — King's head; Henry the Eighth, in
the field. Bev, ratliff. 1656 — In field, F. a. b.
925* THOMAS CAPON IN — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Bev, IN RATLIF HIE WAY — In the field, T. B. c.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 197
926 THE WHEATSHEAF AND — Sheaf, with sugar-loaf above.
SVGER LOFE IN RATLIF — In the field, H, D. B.
927 AT THE GVNN IN — A marine gun, mounted on carriage.
Bev, RATLIFE HIGH WAY — In the field, W. A. T.
928 AT THE PLOW — In the field, a plough. Be'd. ratlif
HIE WHAY — w. M, c, in the field.
929 WILL: ARCHER AT THE — Hand, with coffee-pot, in field.
Rev, COFFEE HOVSE IN RATLEFE — HIS HALF PENY.
9.30 AT THE GOLDEN BALL — In the field, a ball. Be'ii. in
RATTLIFE . 1662 — R. A. B., in the field.
931 THO. SORELL AT RED — Lion rampant, in the field.
Bev. LYON TAVERN IN RATCLIEF — HIS HALF PENY.
932 RICH. STILES AT Y^ WHITE — Lion rampant, in the field.
Bei), AT RATCLIF.1666 — In field, his half peny.
933 lASPAR SKACHAR AT THE — King's head; Charles the
Second. Bev, tavern in ratclife . 1667 — his
HALFE penny . I. S.
934 George Dam at ye Rose Brew house^A rose, in exergue.
Be'd. In BattcUffe Highwaye . 1669 .
RATOLIFF CROSS.
935 WILLIAM BAKER AT LITTLE WHIT — Horse, in the field.
Be'G, HORS. NERE RATCLIF. CROSS — HIS HALF PENY.
936 RANDOLPH HVFT AT THE — Eojal oak, in field. Bev, at
RATLEFF CROSS. 1667 — HIS HALFE PENY. R. M. H.
937 lOHN MARCH THE sw[a]n — Swan with collar and chain.
Be'&. AT RATLLiF CROSS — In the field, i. M. m.
938 WILLIAM NVNN AT THE BEL — A bell, in field. Be'G,
INN NEARE RATLIF CROSS — HIS HALF PENY. W. A. N.
19S LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
939 lOSEPH BROOKE . COATE — ^A coat displayed, in field ; i. B.
Rev, SELER NEAR RATCLIF CROS — HIS HALFE PENNY.
REDOROSS STEEET, Cripplegate.
940 THOMAS BALLETT AT Y^ — Mermaid, in the field.
Bev, IN RED CROS STREET — In the field, T. A. B.
941 Philip Ferrers: Barrett Chrdon^ in script characters.
B&C, IN RED CROSS STREET — THEIR HALF PENY.
942 THOMAS WHITTLE — RED + STREETE . 1657, in the field.
Rev. CORNER BEECH LANE — In the field, a black jack.
The black jack (see also Nos. 552 and 873) was formerly a frequent sign, bnt
one only remains in Portsmouth street, Lincoln's-inn j&elds. It was frequently
the theme of laudatory rhymes. The hallad "in praise of the Black Jack," printed
in Westminster Jh'oU&ryj 1672, 8vo, pp. 9J:-5, declares that
" No tankard, flagon, bottle, or jug.
Are half so good, or so well can hold tug ;
For when they are broken, or full of cracks.
Then must they fly to the brave black jacks.
Ch^rm. And I wish his heires may never want sack.
That first invented tlie bonny Black Jack.
When bottle and jack together stand — fie on 't.
The bottle 's a dwarf compared to a giant :
Then jacks had we not reason to chocee ?
For jacks make boots, when the bottle mends shoes.
Chorus. And I wish his heires, dc.
And as for the bottle, you never can fill it
Without a fimnell, but you must spill it ;
'Tis as hard to get in as *tis to get out ;
Not so with the jack, it runs like a spout.
Chorus. And I wish his heires," ete.
Richard Smith enters in his Obituary " March 5th, 1674, this day died Mrs.
Jane Whittle, wife of Mr. Thomas Whittle of Redcross street, strongwater-xnan
(a good friend of mine), of good report. Buried March 10th, in St. Giles's parish ;
Avith a sermon preached by Mr. Smithers, our lecturer."
943 T. DICKENSON AT THE SVNN — The sun in rays. Rerf.
IN RED CROSS STREET. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY. T. D,
in monogram.
Eedriffe, see Rotherhithe.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 199
ROSE ALLEY, Newgate Market.
94i4} RICHARD SKELSON IN ROSE — In the field, a rose.
Bei}. ALEY IN NEWGATT MARKET — HALF PENY. R. M. S.
" A taverne/' as Bishop Earle observes in his Miorocosmography, " is a degree^
or if you willj a paire of etaireSj above an ale-house, where men get drunk with
more credit and apology: if the vintner's rose be at door, it is sign sufficient, but
the absence of this is supplied by the ivy-bush."
ROSE-AND-OROWN COURT, GlrayVInn Lane.
945 ROB. STOCKTON. IN ROSE AND — A greyhound, in field.
B&C. CROWN CORT. GREYS IN LANE— rHIS HALF PENY.
The Greyhound argent was borne as a sinister supporter by King Henry the
Seventh, for the house of York ; collared or, the collar charged with a rose gvl^,
"for the house of Lancaster. The greyhound is however generally collared gules,
without the charge.
Aubrey the antiquary lodged, in 16^3, in the house of Henry Coley, a tailor ;
and the astrologically adopted son of the far-famed William Lilly, in E-ose-and-
Crown Court, in Gray's-inn lane. Born at Oxford, October 18tb, 1633, there
are two or three portraits of Coley ; he was an astrologer, a fortune-teller, and a
water-caster.
ROSEMARY LANE.
Rosemary lane*, a region thus graphically described by Pope in the Dimciad :
" Where wave the tatter'd fragments of Eag-fair,"
long known as the mart of old clothes, rags, and secondary goods of all sorts, has
recently been ennobled by the appellation of Royal Mint street.
946 AT THE FALCON IN — In the field, a falcon. Eev.
ROSE- MARY LANE — The initials r. h., in the field.
A white falcon was the badge of Queen Anna Boleyn.
* Among the more memorable residents of Rosemary lane was Richard Bran-
don, the executioner of King Charles the First, " His Majesty's decollation," as
Evelyn described that incident, " was at two o'clock p. m. on January 30th,
1649. Within an hour of the blow being struck, Brandon was paid thirty pounds
in half-crowns ; he had also the orange stuck fall of cloves that the king held,
and an handkerchief out of the king's pocket. After leaving the scaffold, a gen-
tleman in Whitehall offered him twenty shillings for the orange, which he refused,
but afterwards sold it in Rosemary lane for ten shillings. He returned home about
six at night, and gave his vrife the money he had received for the day's business."
Richard Brandon died on Wednesday, June 20th, 1649, and on the following
day, attended by crowds of persons, " was carried to Whitechapel churchyard,
having a bunch of rosemary at each end of the coffin, and on the top thereof; a
200 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
947 EDWARD READE IN — Fruiterers' arms, in the field,
BeT). ROSEMARY LANE — In the field, E. T. R.
The emblazonment on the shield of the Fruiterers' arms is an apple-tree, the
teinpter or serpent, twined about the trunk, presenting the apple to Eve, Adam
being on the dexter side. The subject is generally known as the Adam and Eve ;
and among the drolleries of Charles the Second's days, some pot-house bard, whom
*' the brewer's dog had bitten in the brain," and not insensible to embroilments
at home, has thus quibbled on the sign ;
" All women rightly are call'd Eves,
Because they came from Adam's wife :
Add thi to eves, and they are thieves.
And oft rob men of merry life.
To eve add Is, they are evels.
Let d precede, they are devels :
Thus eves are thieves, thieves are evils.
And angry eves worse than devils."
948 ED. FLOWERS AT THE — A bunch of grapes, in the field.
Re's. IN ROSEMARY LANE — In the field, e, m. f.
949 ROBERT cryer. PASTRY-COOK — King's Head-, Charles
the Second, in field. Bev. in rose-mary lane.
1668 — HIS halfe peny. r. s. c.
REDRIFFE, or EOTHERHITHE.
Redriff has long been the vulgar appellation of Rotherhithe. In a roll of ac-
counts, the expenditure of John the Second, king of France, while prisoner in
the Tower, from July 1st, 1359, to July 8th, 1360, the following notice occurs —
" Plusieurs bateliers qui menerent le roy esbatre i, Ride Ride [Redriffe] et ail-
leurs, par la riviere de Tamise, pour don fait h. eulx, huit nobles, vtilent 53s. 3d."
rope being tied across and lengthwise from one end to the other." The burial
register of St. Mary Matfelon, on the 21st, has the entry " Buried in the church-
yard, Richard Brandon, a ragman in Rosemary lane ;" and an addition, " this
B. Brandon is supposed to have cut off the head of Charles the First." The fact
was clearly known by the parish oJ6&cers, but an unobtrusive " supposed" in the
register could implicate no one ; yet so little were the authorities, on the Resto-
ration, apprised of the real circumstances, that orders were issued on June 7th,
1660, for the apprehension of comet Joyce and Hugh Peters, as the executioners
of the king ; and, right or wrong, the latter was executed at Charing cross, con-
victed under a false charge, to substantiate which no proof was advanced beyond
a presumption, and Peters, ignorant no doubt who really had struck the blow,
was unable to parry the force of the indictment.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 201
950 lOHN HARisoN IN — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
REDRIFE . MEALMAN — In the field, I. K. H.
951 WILLIAM RVSHLEY OF — A mill-wLeel, in the field.
Be'o, REDRIFF. MILLER — In the field, w. r. r.
952 FRANCIS SEELLE — Three sugar-loaves, in the field.
Bev. IN REDRIF. F. s., in three lines across the field.
953 WILLIAM SIMONS — In the field, a bull. Ee'c, in
REDERIF — w. p. S., in the field.
954 ELIZABETH SWAN — In the field, her half peny.
AT rederiff — A swan, in the field.
955 MARY WARREN — In the field, a crown. Bev. AT
REDRIFF — M. w., in the field.
956 AT OLEYANT STAIRES — A Spread-eagle, in the field.
Bev. IN REDEREP. 1659 — In the field, E. b. c.
Elephant stairs are nearly opposite to Execution dock, Wapping.
957 THOMAS heywood — A wheatsheaf, with bird on top.
Bev, IN rederrif. 1664* — ^In the field, T. s. H.
958 THOMAS CLIFFORD — A tobacco-roll, in the field.
Bev. IN ROTHORiTH. 1666 — Infield, ms half peny.
959 WILL. MANARD AT THE — Cradle and sugar-loaf.
Be'G. IN REDERIFE. 1666 — In the field, w. E. M.
The Cradle is the crest of the Basket-makers' arms ; but, as appears jfrom the
Cmn/pUat YvnM&fj 1?'20, it was also the symbol of a place of temporary refuge
" From all the parish plagues and terrors
That wait on poor weak woman's errors."
960 GEORGE PRICE IN — Three men standing about a globe.
Beti, REDREFE . 1666 — In the field, G. s. P.
961 lAMES WRIGHT. 1667 — Bakers Company arms, in field.
Be'e, IN REDRIF. BAKER — In the field, I. D. w.
202 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
962 HENRY BODDY AT THE — Salutation; two men bowing.
Bet, IN REDRiF. 1668— In the field, His half peny.
963 THOMAS MAY AT Y^ BVNCH OF — Grapes, in the field.
Bev. GRAPES, in rederife. 1669 — his half peny.
T. E. M.
ROTHERHITHE LANE.
964 AT THE DARKE HOVSE — In the field, the initials M. F.
Beii, IN REDRIF LANE — 1653, in the field.
EOTHEEHITHE STAIRS.
965 lAMES BVRTON NEERE — Grocers Company arms, in the
field, B^. REDRIFE STAYRES. [16]66 — In the field,
I. M. B.
EOTHEEHITHE WALL.
966 AT THE CASTLE — A castle, in the field. Be'e, on
REDRIF WALL — In the field, t. i. h. '
967 ROBERT WEBB AT Y^ — A ship, in the field.'
Be'G. TAVERN. ON REDRIFFE WALL — HIS HALFE PENY.
R. H. W.
968 lOHN OTTER — In the field, His half peny. Be'c, on
REDERIF WALL — A bird \ in the field.
969 PHILIP COOKE AT — Shipwrights' arms, in field. B&e.
REDERIF WALL. 1669 — In the field, his half peny.
ROTTEN ROW, Aldersgate Street.
970 RICHARD CVPMAN AT Y^ — Two brewers, in the field.
BeXi. IN ROTTEN ROW. 1666 — HIS HALFE PENY.
Rotten row being without the city, was, it is said, a place of execution, till
1529 ; then changed to Tybum ; but Sir Roger Mortuner was hanged for high trea-
son at Tybum, November 29th, 1330, and his accomplice. Sir Simon de Bereford,
on the Monday after the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle following.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 203
EOUND OOUET, Strand.
The site of old Round court, a communication from the Strand to Vine street
and Chandos street, long the abode of vice and wretchedness, is now occupied by
the western side of the Oharing-cross hospital.
971 THO. ALLATT. CHANDLER. IN THE ROVN[d] — A COrn-
porter bearing sack. Bev. CORT against y^ new
EXCHAING — HIS HALFB PENNY.
972 lOH: AYSHLEY AT Y^ 3 — Three pigeons, in the field.
Bev. PIGEONS . ROVND COVRT — In the field, i. p. A.
RUSSELL STREET, Oovent Garden.
973 lOHN HATTEN — Prince's plume, or feathers, in the field.
Bev. IN RVSELL STREETE — In the field, i. d. h.
" Mr, John Hatton" is named in the poor-rate assessment books of St. Paul,
Covent garden, 1651, 1657, and 1663. His house is particularized "on the north
side of Russell street," now named Great Russell street, between the Piazza and
Bow street.
Evelyn, in the winter of the year preceding the Restoration, resided with his
family in this house. In his Diary, apparently an after compilation, he says, under
the date October 18th, 1659, " I came with my wife and family to London, and
tooke lodgings at the Three Feathers, in Russell street, Covent garden, for all the
winter ; my son being very unwell." The fact does' not transpire in this memo-
randum, but Evelyn's business was to render all possible aid, by correspondence,
to the restoration of monarchy, of which he was a secret agent. He was residing
here in May, 1660, and- on the 29th of that month he walked hence into the
Strand, and witnessed the accomplishment of his hopes, the cavalcade that accom-
panied Charles the Second on hia advancement to the throne, and occupied from
two till nine p. m. in passing.
974 MARY LONG IN RVSSELL — A rose on stem, in the field.
Bev. STREET . IN COVENT GARDEN — HER HALPE
PENNY. M. L.
Mary Long was the widow of William Long (see No. 239), whose interment is
recorded in the burial register of St. Paul, Covent Garden, August 5th, 1661.
Under January 29th, 1673-4, is that of " Mary Long, widow;" and there are
also the following entries : June 4th, 1678, '' the porter from the Rose tavern ;"
and, September 30th, 1693, " a poore labourer from Mr. Long's, named John."
Tickets for the Mathematical Adventure, " a lottery to be drawn at Stationers'
hall on March 25th next," were announced in the Post-boy newspaper, February
25th, 1698-9, to be had at " the Rose coffee-house, by the play-house."
204 LONDON TRADERS^ TAVERN,
975 AT Y= VNICORNE IN — An unicom passant, in the field.
BeiS. RVSSELL STREETE — In the field, C. E. G.
SAFFRON HILL.
976 AT THE 2 BREWERS — Two draymen bearing a slung
barrel. Rev. ON SAFRON hill — In the field, G. A. P.
977 lOHN lONES AT SAFFRON HILL — In the field, I?
Benf. OVRE AGAINST THE CASTLE . 1672, in four lines.
Large brass size, for a penny circulation.
SALISBURY COURT, Fleet Street.
978 WILLIAM HARVEY AT Y^ CATT — In the field, a cat.
IN SALSBVRY COVRT — W. A. H., in the field.
Among the ancient Egyptians, the cat was revered as an emblem of the moon.
Stately temple were erected to their honour, in which special worship was ob-
servedj and sacrifices rendered. When a oat died, all the femily in the house
shaved their eyebrows ; posthumous honours were religiously performed, and their
burial attended with great formality. Their remains even now, as swathed mum-
mies, and remembrances in alabaster vases with cat-head covers, and wooden
ef&gies, may be observed in modem museums. Diodorus Siculus relates that a
Roman having by accident killed a cat, the mob gathered about the house in which
he was, and notwithstanding the Egyptians were then n^otiating a peace with
the Romans, neither the fear of their vengeance, nor the entreaties of persons sent
by the king to pacify them, could appease their wrath, or rescue the man from
death by their hands.
Query, was Bonifece, embued with this veneration for the animal, thus con-
sidered sacred to Diana, or in love with the subject of his sign, induced with
Horace to exclaim — " Micat mter om/nes ?"
SANCTUARY GATE, Westminster.
979 WILLIAM GARWAY. AT Y^ SENTRY — A still; Distillers'
arms. Mev. gate in Westminster . 1666 — his
HALFE PENY. W. A. G,
All churches and churchyards, during the papal domination till the reign of
King Henry the Eighth, were more or less sanctuaries, and protected traitors, -
murderejs, and other misdoers, if within forty days they acknowledged their
cmoes, and submitted themselves to banishment. The sanctuaries claiming more
pri\alege than othere were those of St, John's of Beverley, St. Martin's-ie-grand
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 205
in London^ Ripon in Yorkshire, St. Burian's in Cornwall^ and Westminster. The
Sanctuary gate stood on the abbey side of Great George street, near the site of
the present Sessions house.
St. Saviour's Dock, see Dock Head, Bermondsey.
SEA-COAL LANE, Snow Hill.
980 RICH. WEST. AT RED — A cross pattee, in the field.
Eexi, IN SEACOL LANE . 1662 — In the field, r. s. w,
A bhnd ale-house in Sea-coal lane was one among the many places of shift,
hide and seek, of George Peele, the dramatist, and Shakespeare's contemporary.
In the Merrie Conceited Jestes of this worthy is a ludicrous description of a ren-
contre here, between him and Anthony Nit the barber of Brentford, who had
been deluded of his lute by the cajolery of the former.
SHAD WELL.
Shadwell, as a parish, is portion of Stepney, from which it was taken by Act of
Parliament, passed March 17th, 1670. The parish church, named St. Paul's by
reason that the dean and chapter of St. Paul's, London, are the patrons, was not
consecrated till March SOth, 1671.
981 MATHEW DODSLEY AT — M. R. D., in the field. Bev.
SHADWELL DOCK . 1658 — Bear, with collar and chain.
Signs formerly were expensive affairs, and sign painters doubtless frequently
extortionate. A thrifty Boniface requiring a bear, was told by the painter, one
without a chain was the cheapest. The stipulated price, though low, was agreed
on ; but the painter using size-colours, the unchained bear was soon by the rain
obliterated and washed off. The innkeeper, enraged at what he shrewdly supposed
was the painter's duplicity, was told in reply, the fault was all hia own ; as had
he paid sufficiently to have the bear drawn with a collar and chain, he could not
have gone away, ''for," argued Apelles, " can you or any man imagine a bear
would stay without a chain ?" — Camhridge Jests, 167'4.
982 WILLIAM POWES — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
Eev, LIVING IN SHADWELL — In the field, w. E. P.
983 THO. DARRELL . AT BELL — A bell, in the field.
Bev, WHARFE IN SHADWELL — In the field, T. M. D.
Bells have long been a fe-vourite object as a sign, attributable doubtless to some
of the delusions Catholicism inflicts on its devotees. The sound of a consecrated
bell was said to have the power of averting the perils of lightning and storms ;
generally, the prevalency of bells, as signs, has its origin in this belief.
206
984 AT THE SWAN WITH 2 — A swan with two necks.
Bev. NECKS IN SHADWELL — In the field, n. e. b.
Swans were anciently considered as the "the king's game." King Edward
the Fourth ordained that no one, whose income was less than five marks, should^
possess a swan ; and imprisonment to any one who dared to touch their eg^.
The marks of the several owners, known as swan marks, were on their heaks ;
that of the king's was called the douhle nick ■ and the sign of the royal swan, or
swan with two nicks, becoming unintelligible to the sign painter, was perverted
into the " swan with two necks. " So also swan-upping, the taking up of the cyg-
nets to mark them, on the authorized day, the Monday following Midsummer-day,
is now changed into the ridiculous phrase of swan-hopping.
" The Swan with Two Necks at Milk-street end," the now Swan with Two
Necks in Lad lane, is noticed by Machin. in his Diary, August 5th, 1556.
On another token. No. 1072, the same sign occurs.
985 lOHN ANNis IN SHADWELL — A lion passant, in the field.
Bev, NEERE COALE-STAIKS . 1667 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
MIDDLE SHADWELL.
986 GREGORY COOKE . 1666 — Head to the left, in the field.
BeV, IN MIDDLE SHADWELL — HIS HALF PENY.
NEW SHADWELL.
987 NICH: THORN. CHANDLER — In the field, a greyhound.
Be'd. IN NEW SHADWELL — N. s ? T., in the field.
UPPER SHADWELL.
988 THE SONNE TAVERNE — Sol in rays, in the field.
Eev, IN VPPER SHADWELL. 1657 — In field, E. s. n.
The Sun, on many tokens, is shown as a human face, from which externally
proceed spikes as radiating points, to Indicate the rays resulting from that great
luminary. A sign of this character is said to have bothered a recruit, who having
emerged -for the first time from his native village, was bUletted at the Sun, and
writing home, described the sign as " the mon*s fcice set a' round of skivers."
989 YE SPEAKER FRIGAT — In the field, E. E. w. Bev, IN
VPPER SHADWELL — A ship, in the field.
Sir Richard Stainer, the commander of the Speaker fiigat-e, was knighted by
Cromwell, at Whitehall, June 11th, 1657, for his bravery in the fight under
Admiral Blake against the Spaniards. The sign was therefore either complimen-
tary, or set up by some Bonifece who had served on board.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 207
990 HENREY SMITH . 1658 — A leg, in the field. Re^o. in
VPER SHADWELL — In the field, H. A. s.
The usual stocking-seller's sign.
991 EDWARD HILLSYE — Oooks Company arms. Ee'o. m
VPER SHADWELL — In the field, e. p. h.
992 BENJAMIN MILLER. 1666 — A windmill, in the field.
IN TPPER SHADWELL — HIS HALF PENY.
SHARPS ALLEY, Cow Cross.
Sharp's alley^ wholly demolished in May^ 1853j for the sanitary improvement
of the metropolis.
993 georg[e] ADAMS . SHARPS — 1657, in the_ field.
Em, ALEY. cow CROSS — In the field, G. m. a.
994 AT THE .3 LYONS IN — Three lions passant gardant.
Me'G, SHARPS ALLEY. 1657 — In the field, g. m. f.
SHAEFS ALLEY, in Leadenhall.
995 AT THE SHIP IN SHARPS — A ship, in the field.
ALLY IN LEADEN HALL — In the field, F. G. R.
SHIRE LANE, Fleet Street.
" Hard by the bar is Shire lane, so called because it dividetli the city from
the shire." — StoWj edit. 1598. The parochial records of St. Dunstan's show seve-
ral presentments in the reign of King James the First, against the old gateway
or entrance from Fleet street into Shire lane.
Anthony Wood, the historiographer of Oxford, in hia Diary, May 1st, 1670, no-
tices that he " dined with Mr. Ashmole, at his house in Sheer lane neare Tem-
ple barr ; and John Davis of Kidwelly was there. After dinner, he conducted A.
W. to his lodgings in the Middle Temple, where he showed him all his rarities,
mz., ancient coins, medalls, pictures, old manuscripts, etc., which took them up
neare two hours' time." The rarities here described now constitute the world-
wide known Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.
Shire lane, more recently a locality of most disreputable character, by way of
obliterating the past, was in July, 1845, renamed Lower Serle's place.
208
996 lOHN PARRETT AT THE SWORD — A sword and buckler.
B&G, AND BVCKLER IN SHEERE LANE HIS HALFE
PENNY. 1667.
The general character of buckler-play, as formerly practised in the streets of
London, is an incident in the interlude named Jacke Jugeler, "both wytte and
very playsent, 1563," 4to. So also in Cocke LoreH, the Pardoner recites on his
roll the name of *' Jelyan Joly at ^gne of the bokeler."
Buckler play, which but one other token is known to illustrate, by a proclama-
tion in 1609, more particularly concerning the city of London and counties ad-
joining, was, with bear-baitings and gingiTig of ballads, thenceforth to be utterly
prohibited, and the parties offending to be severely punished by any alderman or
justice of the peace ; but in the misgoverned reign of Charles the Second, licenses
for that, as a pastime, and other mischievous sports were, on payment of a &e^
readily obtained of Sir Henry Herbert, then Master of the Revels. Misson, who
was in England in William the Third*s reign, in reference to these conflicts, ob-
serves, " within these few years you would often see a sort of gladiators marching
thro' the streets, in their slurts to the waist, their sleeves tucked up, sword in
hand, and preceded by a drum to gather spectators. They gave so much a head
to see the fight, with cutting swords and a kind of buckler for defence. The edge
of the sword was a little blunted, and the care of the prize-fighters was not so
much to avoid wounding one another, as to avoid doing it dangerously ; never-
theless, as they were obliged to fight till some blood flowed, without which nobody
would give a &iihing for the show, they were forced sometimes to play a little
roughly." Hogarth's print of Tht Fair, an assembl^e of contemporary histrionic
characters of every-day life, now extinct, places them immediately before the
reader. The house in Shire lane was probably noted for such exhibitions.
997 Will. Richardson . His Halfe Penny ^ in four lines.
In Bheire Lane . 1 667, in four lines, in the field.
SHOE LANE, Fleet Street.
Shoe lane and its vicinity appears in the olden time to have been notorious for
the habitation of block draughtsmen and vulgar sign-painters. So the anony-
mous author of Whimsies : or a New Cast of Characters, 1631, duod., observes —
" A ballad-monger is the ignominious nickname of a penurious poet, of whom he
partakes in nothing but in povertie. He has a singular gift of imagination, for
he can descant on a man's execution long before his confesaon. Nor comes his
invention fer short of his imagination. For want of truer relations, for a neede,
he can finde you out a Sussex dragon, some sea or inland monster, drawne out
by some Shoe-lane man in a Goi^n-like feature, to enforce more horror in the
beholder."
998 THOMAS SEELE AT — A tobacco-roU, in the field.
Bev, SHOOE LANE — In the field, t. a. s.
999 lAMES SMITH — Device in the field obliterated.
Eev, IN SHOOE LANE — In the field, five bells.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 209
1000 AT THE CROSE KEYES — In the field, I? Rev. in
Si-IOOE LANE — Two keys crossed, in tlie field.
The crossed keys, a relic of the papal time in England^ are t jpical of St. Peter,
well known as the accredited bearer of the keys of Paradise. The apostle is him-
self occasionally represented with two keys in his hand, and at other times with
a double key, surmounted by a cross. St. Peter was the first of the followers of
Christ to declare the glories of salvation, and his preaching had effect on the
minds of the earliest converts, by his artless simplicity and humble character.
The boat used on the Thames is called a Peter-boat, in compliment to the saint
as the especial patron of fishermen and of fishmongers ; and the keys, the emblem
of St. Peter, form part of the ensigns of the Fishmongers Company. In the early
periods of art, the Pope was commonly represented in the character of St. Peter,
bearing in his hand the keys of heaven. The power of the keys assmned by the
Pope, and intended to infer the privilege of passing judgment on departed souls,
is derived from the metaphorical expression of Christ, recorded in the Gospel,
St. Matthew, chap. xvi.
1001 MANSFiELDS COFFEE HOVSE — Hand holding coffee-pot.
Bev. IN SHOE LANE. BY PROVIDENCE — Coffee-CUps
and pipes.
The pennies were issued on the coffee houses reopening after the great fire.
1002 lOHN PAYNE IN. 1669 — HIS HALFE PENNY, in field.
Eev. SHOOE LANE . MEALEMAN — Floral device, i. D. p.
SHOREDITCH.
1003 WILLIAM GILLAM AT THE — Two figures, in the field.
Bev. lEAN SHORE IN SHORDICH — HIS HALFE PENNY.
The figures represent King Edward the Fourth and his mistress, Jane Shore.
The sign is extant in the High street.
1004 THE ROSE AND CROWNE — A crowned rose, in the field.
Bev. IN SHOREDITCH. 1652 — In the field, s. p.
1005 NEARE SHOREDITCH — The sun in rays, in the field.
Bev, CHVRCH. AT SVNN. 1657 — In the field, c. r.
The adage of a man being the worse for being "in the sun," seems verified in
the die-sinker's blunder, or misarrangement of the legend on the token, the pur-
port of which is "the Sun neare Shoreditch church."
1006 RICHARD HOVLDER IN — A linon-press, in field. Bev.
SHORDICH , PATTEN MAKER — HIS HALFE PENY. 1669.
P
210 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1007 lOHN WOODESON LIVEING — A plough, in the field.
Bev, IN SHORDITCH. 1669 — HIS HALF PENY.
SILVER STREET, Wood Street.
" Silver street, the region of money, a good seat for an usurer." — B&n Jomon.
1008 lOHN LAWRANCE — In the field, 1659. Bc'g. in silver
STREET — I. s. L., in the field.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, mentions, in May, 1630, "Woodcock, a vint-
ner, at the comer of Silver street, in Great Wood street, burned in his bed."
WEST SMITHFIELD.
1009 THO. ALLDRIDGE AT THE CATORN — Wheel of martyr-
dom. Re's. WHEEL IN WEST SMITHFIELD — HIS
HALFE PENNY. T. M. A.
In the ancient primstaffi or almanacks, in accordance with a prevailing su-
perstitious belief, against those days that were reputed ominous, or^ ill-fated, was
set the mark of a wheel allegoricaUy to express them ; and the Romish church,
amid the many fictions created to delude the minds of their devotees, adopted a
story of St. Catharine of Alexandria, who never existed, and induced a popularity
to her name, by preferring her to the honour of martyrdom on the wheel.,
Flecknoe, in his Snigmatical Characters, 1 658, asserts that the Catherine Wheel
was changed in the Commonwealth period into " the Cat and Wheel," from a
hatred to Romanism, and the absurdities of that church,
1010 ANTILOP.WEST SMITHFEILD — In the field, THO. HATTON.
Be^. BIBIS VINVM SALVTA ANTILOP — HIS HALFE PENY.
1664.
The ancients drank not only in honour of the gods but also in honour of their
emperors, their friends, and their mistresses, and doubtless their favourite ani-
mals ; possibly the antelope among others. The Greeks, before drinking, saluted
those of the party in some appropriate term indicative of the most friendly solici-
tude: "may you live long,"" " to your health, my companion," and other similar
expressions. The Romans observed the like custom, and in their modes of salutation
VWere in no way behind the Greeks ; their " Propino tibi salutem," " Bene te,"
and " Bene amicam," were among the most common. The early Christians drank
healths in honour of the angels, the apostles, and the martyrs. The Scots, in less
civilized times, presented to their bishops, at the time of nomination and election,
the great cup of St. Magnus ; and when the aspirant for episcopal honours drank
off the contents in one draught, the people were transported with joy, and clapped
" their hands in full assurance that his episcopate could not but be happy. The
custom of pledging or drinking healths may be traced to the remotest ages.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 211
1011 I AMES BYARD AT THE 3 — Three sugar-loaves, in field.
Eex>. IN SMITHFIELD. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY. I. E. B.
1012 AT THE HAKTS HORNS IN "WEST— Sultan Amurath's
head. Eev, smithfeild . the coffeehovs — o. m. c.
^ TOKEN. 1664.
An advertisement^ in the newspaper entitled Mercmius Politicus, June 24th,
1658, announced that, on and after the 28 th, all persons having occasion to travel
from London to Manchester and Warrington, or any other town upon the road,
could have a good and able single horse, or more, furnished, at three-pence a
mile, without charge of a guide, by applying to Mr. Christophek Chajbteris,
at the sign of the Hart's HomSj in "West Smithfield. Charteris was evidently the
issuer of this token.
1013 AT THE CROVN TAVERN — An arched crown, in field.
Re'G, IN WEST SMITHFIELD — In the field, I. A. c.
In the rare broadside, entitled " The Dagonizing of Bartholomew Faire, " by the
saintly Sir Thomas Adams, lord mayor, 1647, it ia recorded—
*' Entring through Duck lane, at the Crowne,
The soveraigne Cit began to frowne,
As it abated his renowne.
The paint did so o'ertop him.
Downe with these Dagons, then quoth he.
They outbrave my dayes regality,
For 's pride and partiality,
Jove crop him.
The Crown tavern was situated in what was then termed Smithfield rounds,
and was held on the first floor. The minutes of the Clockmakers Company show
that, having previously held their meetings at the Castle tavern in Fleet street,
destroyed in the great conflagration, they assembled for the first time after the
fire, October 8th, 1666, at the Crown tavern, Smithfield, Henry Eversden, a pub-
lisher of religious books, had his shop on the ground-floor ; one of his imprints
describes it as being "under the Crown, next Duck lane in West Smithfield,
16?0." Another, toCamfield's Cortvj^^imdveIiMeofMi^hUou&ness,^j\iiiQ&uilQ7l,
states the book to have been " printed for H. Eversden, under the Crown tavern
in West Smithfield." ^
Here, among the manyprojects created in 1^20 by the South Sea scheme, was
suggested an " Insurance office for horses dying natural deaths, stolen, or dis-
abled." The purpose had some plausibility; and a rival adventure followed, at
Robin's in Exchange alley, the capital to be subscribed 2,000,000?.
1014 AT THE GEORGE INN — St. George slaying the dragon.
Eev, IN WEST SMITHFIELD — In the field, t. d. h.
Between the initials, on the reverse, is a figure and ball, referring to the game
ofPellMelL
p 2
^IS LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1015 Ric. HARPER AT THE HARP — A. harp, in the field.
Eev. IN WEST SMITHFIELD — In the field, R. A. H.
Harping on his name appears to have been the incentive to the device of his sign.
1016 lOHN MERIEFIELD AT Y^ — Object in field indiBtinct, IN.
Hev. WEST SMITHFIELD . 1669 — HIS HALFE PENY.
I. M. M.
1017 RICHARD PEMBLE IN — Frying-pan; ironmonger's sign.
Bev, WEST SMITHFEILDE — In the field, r. e. p.
1018 THE NEW QVEENES HEAD — Bust of Queen EUzabeth.
IN WEST SMITHFIELD — G. A. P., in the field.
A rival house to another " qtebnb head tavern/' in West Smithfield, whence
was issued a token with the initials, i. t. m.
1019 lOHN SAWYER AT Y^ NAGS — A still, in the field.
Bev, HEAD IN SMITHFEILDE — In field, a nag's head.
A distiller of spirits, or vendor of hot waters.
1020 CHARLES WHITE AT- Y^ RED — Lion rampant, in field.
Ee^. LION IN WEST SMITHFIELD — HIS HALFE PENY.
C. M, W.
1021 THO. WHITE AT Y^ BLACKMORES — Nogro head; HIS OB.
HEAD IN WEST SMITHFIELD — In field, T. E. W.
Negroes, men of black complexions, short black woolley hair, and by religion
pagans, were some time known in Europe as a second or inferior race, by the
appellation of black-a-moors, or black Moors, to distinguish them from the Moors,
men of tawny complexions, long black hair, and by religion Mahomedans. Thus
the two divisions of Africa, on the north and south of the Senegal, are respec-
tively called Mauritia, or the countiy of the Moors, and Nigritia, the country
of the blacks. The race of negroes, black men with woolley hair, have, to all
European knowledge, been subject at aU times as slaves or menials to their long-
haired brethren the Moors. The Black -a-moor, or the Negro's Head, indicate one
and the same sign.
1022 WALTER WILLEC . — In the field, HIS HALFE PENY.
Bev. WEST SMITHFEILD — The Tallow-chandlers' arms,
in the field.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 213
SMITHFIELD BAES.
Smithfield bars are the city boundaries on the north aide of Smithfield, leading
to Cow cross. The sign is still there.
1023 lOHN BOND AT Y^ BVLLS — A buU's head; I. M. B.
Be'd. HEAD AT SMITHFIELD BARS — HIS HALFE PENY.
1024; ROBERT cvRTis . 1669 — In the field, his half peny.
Eev, AT SMITHFIELD BARRS — R. c, in the field.
1025 IEFFERY THOMAS GROCER — In field, HIS HALF PENY.
Bm. OVER AGAINST Y^ SHIP PENS — IN SMITH FEILD.
" The Sheep pens/' at this period so called, occupied the space west of Smith-
field barSj at the upper end of Chick lane and Cow lane.
1026 lOHN WARREN GROCER — Anchor and cable, in the field.
BeD. AT SMITHFEILD PENS. [16]55 — Infield, I. w.
SNOW HILL.
'' The high street tumeth down Snore hill to Oldboume conduit, and from
thence to Oldbome bridge, all replenished with fair building." — Stow, edit. 1598.
Howell, in his ZondiTyypolis, 1657, fol., in great part borrowed from Stow, writes
" Sore hiU, now vulgarly called Snow hill."
Snow hill, from its declivity, was long an incommodious and even dangerous
thoroughfare. The diumals, in June, 1764, notice with much satisfection the
attempt then made to ensure personal safety. "The posts on the south side are
taken down, and the foot- way being raised will make the street much more con-
venient for foot passengers."
Long and memorably distinctive on Snow hill has been the sign of the Saracen's
Head, but unluckily no tavern token of the house is known. George Colman the
younger, being in company where a young handsome wife wore on her breast a
miniature of her husband with huge whiskers, was asked if he could guess who
itwaslike? "Certainly," replied Griffinhoof; "the Saracen's Head on Snow hill."
1027 AT THE co[c]k AT — A cock, in the field.
Bev, SNOWHILL. 1649 — In the field, e. e. b.
1028 APOTHECARY — In the field, M. N. c, in monogram.
Bev, SNOWHILL — A cock on spire, in the field.
A cock was the general object in sacrifice or thanks-offering in the temple of
jEsculapiuSj by those who recovered from any disease. — Plato's Phmdon.
^14: LONDON TRADERS^ TAVERN,
1029 GABRIEL BONNER — Grocers Company arms, in the field.
Eev. ON SNOW HILL — In the field, g. d. b.
1030 AT THE LION AND — Lion and lamb, in the field.
Bev, LAMBE ON SNOW HIL — In the field, L. w.
SOHO.
Soho or Sohoe fields, are noticed in the rate-books of St, Martin's in the fields^
so early as 1632, if not before ; and the burial register of St. Paul, Covent garden^
a parish parcelled out of St. Martin's, commencing in October, 1654, has frequent
entries of interments of persons from Soho, A proclamation, dated April 7th, 1671,
prohibited the further erecting of small habitations and cottages in the fields
called Windmill fields. Dog fields, and the fields adjoining to So-Hoe ; but the pro-
hibition seems to have had no effect, as in 1675 the buildings had so extended,
that a receiver was specially appointed to collect the rates of that part of the then
parish of St, Martin's in the fields, and the rates are distinctly entered in what
is designated ''the Soho book." The street called Old Soho, aZms Wardour street,
is later noticed. Windmill fields were on the north side of Oxford road ; the site
or position of the windmill being indicated by Windmill street, leading from Char-
lotte street to Tottenham court road.
The tradition that the square and neighbourhood derived the appellation of
Soho from that being the password among the partizans of the Duke of Mon-
mouth in 1686, though adopted by Pennant and others, is scarcely worth refuta-
tion; still the following, from the Loyal Protestant, a newspaper of that period,
dated Thursday, August 17th, 1682, may interest some persons :
" On Wednesday [August 16th], about eight or nine o'clock. His Majesty, with
some of his guards, came from Windsor to Whitehall, where he waa met by Hia
Royal Highness [the Duke of York], and after walked through the park to St.
James's, where they stayed some time ; and afterwards went up Piccadilly and
through Rupert street, to view that famous So-hoe square, which having fiilly
viewed, returned in his coach, accompanied by His Royal Highness, His Grace
the Duke of Ormond, and the right honourable the Lord Hide, to the Duke of Or-
mond's in St. James's square, where His Majesty received a splendid treat. His
Majesty and His Royal Highness then returned to St. Jajnes's, and about three
His Majesty returned to Windsor."
1031 THOMAS RODGERS — Dog baiting bull, in the field.
ne'e, AT SOHOW. 1667 — In the field, his half p^ny.
LITTLE SOMEES QUAY, Lower Thames Street.
Somers quay was the first westward of Billingsgate. Regius's volimie, entitled
Places of the Scriptwre, was " printed, in 1548, for Gwalter Lynne, dwelling upon
Somers kaye, by Byllinges gate, and solde by Richard Jugge, at the north doore,
in Poules churche yarde, at the signe of the By -bell."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 215
]032 JOHN SIMMONS . 1666 — A still in field, from Distillers'
arms. Be-v. on little svmmer kay — his halfe
PENNY. I. H. S.
10S3 Tilt-boat, with oar-rowers and steersman, in the field.
Mev. JOHN MICHELL LIVING AT LITLE SOMERS KEY
NEAR BILINGSGATE, in seven lines.
The tilt-boat here represented superseded the ancient Gravesend barge, and,
tiU the introduction of steam-boats in 1815, was the most general mode of con-
veyance to Gravesend ; and Billingsgate the starting-place from London, time
out of mind.
Snelling has engraved this token in his View of the Copper Coinage, plate v. fig.
15. The dies were octangular in form, but the piece in the Beaufoy cabinet, a
fine PROOF specimen, is struck on a round blank.
SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS, Holborn.
The KJnights Templars, an order founded in the Holy Land, in or about 1119,
to guard the traditional site of the Temple of Solomon, and to protect pilgrims
who resorted thither, adopted, as their first settlement in England, the place in
Holborn now distinguished as Southampton buildings ; but the community be-
came so rich in a very short time, that, according to Heylin, they possessed no
less than sixteen thousand lordships, and extending the splendour of their esta-
bhshment, occupied the ground still known as the Temple in Fleet street. The
round church in Inner Temple lane, built by them in imitation of the church of
the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, was dedicated by Heraclins, patriarch of the
church of the Resurrection in that city, on February 10th, 1185, but the church
was not consecrated till 1240. It is still one of the glories of the British me-
tropolis.
Southampton buildings, nearly opposite to Gray's Inn in Holborn, still retains
the old appellation. Thomas Wriothesley, earl of Southampton, petitioned, but
unsuccessfally, King Charles the First, in 1637, for leave to demolish the then
Southampton house, and to erect buildings for tenantry on its site. During the
interregnum, the earl appears to have experienced no difficulty ; and Howell, in
his Zondinopolis, L657, fol., mentions Southampton house as having lately been
" quite taken down, and turned to several private tenements." There are traders'
tokens from Southampton buildings, bearing date 1658, and showing the occu-
pancy of some of the houses. The speculation would seem not to have been pro-
fitably successfol till the occurrence of the great fire, when Baron Atkins, in a
letter to his brother Sir Robert, from Lincoln's Inn, dated September 8th, 1666,
writes, " Houses are now at an excessive rate, and my lord treasurer's new build-
ings are now in great request."
The earl, on the restoration of King Charles the Second, was created lord high
treasurer, and, according to Dugdale's Diary, " died at his house near Holborn,
May 16th, 166?'." Dugdale refers to Southampton, afterwards Bedford house,
on the north side of Bloomsbury square, demolished in 1800, when Bedford place
was erected on the site and garden.
216
1034 THO. KENciE IN sovTH — In the field, his half peny.
-K^^, HAMPTON BVILDINGS — A crown, in the field.
1035 lOHN WILKINSON WHIT — A lion rampant, in the field.
Eev. IN SOVTHAMTON BILDGS — In the field, i. E.,w»
SOUTHWARK.
By the designation " South wark" on the early tokenSj the Borough, or now
High atreetj from the old London Bridge to Mint street, opposite to St. George's
churchj seems to be implied.
1036 AT THE WHIT BVLL HEAD — In the field, a bull's head.
Bev, IN SOVTHWARKE . 1648 — I. A. B., in the field.
1037 AT THE BORES HEAD — A boar's head, lemon in mouth.
Eeis, IN SOTTHWARK . 1649 — In the field, w, m. b.
Henry Wyudesore, one of the household of the memorable Sir John Fastolf of
Caister in Norfolkj in a letter to John Paston, dated from "London, on Sunday
next after St. Bartholomew's day," August^ 1459, or before, the year not being
mentioned, entreats biTn at his leisure to remind Sir John of his old promise, to
prefer or assist him in taking the Boar's Head in Southwark ; intimating that he
had purposed to have been elsewhere, but that " of my master's own motion he
said that I should set up in the Boar's Head," Sir John Fastolf died on St. Leo-
nard's day, November 6th, 1459, at the advanced age of more than eighty years.
In Alexander Chalmers's History of Oxford, it is stated that " the Boar's head
in Southwark, now divided into tenements, with Caldecot manor in Suffolk,
were part of the benefeictions of Sir John Fastolf to Magdalen college, Oxford."
Boar's Head alley is by St. Margaret's hill.
1038 AT THE GOLDEN KEY — In the field, a key between H. L.
Eev. IN SOVTHWARK . 1649 — Grocers Company arms.
1039 AT THE STARE TAVERNE — Star of eight points, in field.
Ee'G, IN SOVTHWARKE. 1649 — In the field, R. m. c.
The star is the crest of the Innholders' arms.
1040 AT THE CHECKER IN — The chequer, in the field.
Eev. SOVTHWARKE, 1651 — In the field, i. i. b.
In Shakerley Marmion's Finie OoTn/pwrmn, 1633, 4to, is noticed, " a waterman's
widow, at the sign of the red lattice in Southwark." Possibly this was the house.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 217
A manuscript list of tokens in the possession of Sir Peter Thompson^ 1747^ no-
tices one of a later date^ " iohn btbeEj at the chec[uer in the field ; on the reverse,
IN SOYTHWABKE, 1664, I, I. B."
George Cure gave certain tenements in Chequer alley, now vested in the go-
vernors of the Free Grammar School, to buy bread for the poor.
1041 NATHANIEL COLLYER — Grocers Company arms, in field.
Eev. IN SOVTHWARK . 1651 — In field, same repeated.
1042 AT THE DOGG AND DVCKE — Spaniel with duck in mouth.
Eev. IN SOVTHWARKE. 1651 — In the field, E. M. s.
The Dog and Duck appears to have been well known in 1642-3, when it was
made one of the points of extent of the earth-works, raised in defence of the me-
tropolis against the royalists. Here was placed «, quadrangular fort, with four
half bulwarks.
This was the sign originally of a pot-house in the proximity of some ponds
frequented for the brutal sport of duck -hunting ; but as encroachments on the
land progressed and the ponds were drained, the facilities declined, and towards
the close of the last century, as St. George's spa, the Dock and Duck obtained
the character of a resort for the vicious of both sexes. There are views of the
exterior and the interior, though difficult to be procured. Hedger the proprietor,
having outwitted the city authorities in a lease for a long period, erected a number
of tenements in St. George's fields, and the grounds belonging to Bethlehem
Hospital now include the site of the once ingloriously famous Dog and Duck.
A boundary stone, having the Southwark device, 1716^ and a spaniel bearing
a duck in his mouthy is yet retained in the garden-wall of Bethlehem Hospital,
facing Barkham terrace.
1043 ANTHONY BLAKE . TAPSTER . YE GEORGE IN SOVTH
WARKE. Bev, Three tobacco-pipes : above them four
beer measures.
On no other tokens than on this, and No. 1059, does the word tapster occur.
Chaucer, in the prologue to his Canterhwy Tales, written before 1390, describing
the friar, observes —
" He knew well the tavemes in every tovni.
And every hosteler and gay tapster."
Absolon, the jolly clerk in the Miller's Tale, had also the same disposition :
" In aU the toun n'as brewhoiis ne taveme.
That he ne visited with his solas.
There as that anygaillard tapstere was,"
Tyrwhitt, his erudite commentator, erroneously defined tapster as " a woman
who had care of the tap ; the termination stre, or ster, being used to denote a
female, like trix in Latin. A woman baker was therefore called a bakester ; and
1 woman brewer, a brewester." Tapster really indicated a male vendor of beer
or ale. The tapster at Pye-comer is a personage noticed in Peele's Merrk Jests ;
218
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
and in the Cobler's Song^ printed in The Cohler of Oanterhirie; or a/n Itwective
agamst TaHton's Newes (mt of Pwgatorie, 1608^ 4to^ the sex of the characters,
and their rogueries in short measure, are particularly mentioned :
" When tapsters and ale-wives, from Barwick to Dover,
FOl thirdingdeall pots till the drinke run over ;
When the quart is so fiill that no froth you can see.
Then the Cobler of Runmey shall a cuckold bee."
So in the contemporary ballad of "The Times abuses," occurs the quatrain
" The bar-boyes and the tapsters
Leave drawing of their beere.
And running forth in haste they cry,
'See, where Mull'd Sacke comes here!' "
And again, Taylor the water poet, in his budget of epigrams, entitled The
SoidleTf says, " If you will know the price of sinne, any ordinary priest can tell
you, as well as Tom Tapster can tell, a penny is the price of a pot of ale."
1044 AT THE GREENE MAN — A wild man, club on shoulder.
B&&. IN sovTHWARKE. 1651 — In the field, A. g.
The Green Man is here shown as the figure in the masques and in the mayo-
ralty processions.
1045 THE ROSE AND CROWNE — A rose crowned, in the field.
Eei?. IN SOVTHWARKE. 1651 — In the field, T. K. b.
1046 lAMES PITMAN IN — A still, from the Distillers' arms.
Bev, SOVTHWARKE. 1655 — In the field, i. i. p.
1047 lOHN FOX AT THE cr[o]wn — Arched crown, in field.
Eev. IN SOVTHWARKE. 1657 — A fox running.
1048 THOMAS DALLENDER — A crown, in the field. Mev. in
SOVTHWARKE. 1659 — In the field, t. d.
The Crown is still a "remanet," on the east side near St. George's church.
1049 WILLIAM SHELLEY — CHEESEMONGER, in the field.
Ee^}. IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, w. M. s. 1662.
1050 lOHN NELSON AT Y^ — Roll of tobacco, in the field.
Bev, IN SOVTHWARK. 1664 — In the field, i. n.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 219
1051 SVSANNAH BOND, in two lines across tbe field.
Bev IN SOVTHWARK — In the field, 1664.
1052 George Gorfield at y^ Lyon S^ Lambe in Bo^ethwarh,
G. K. c. Be'Q. HIS HALF PENNY — A lion and lamb,
1666.
1053 RICHARD ROBERTS AT Y^ BVLL HEAD TAVERNE IN
SOVTHWARK. Be'G. HIS HALF PENY — A bulPs head ;
R. R. 1667.
Edward Alleyiij founder of Dulwicli college, mentions the Bull's Head as one
of the places he resorted to with friends, or on business with other persons.
The newspapers, in June 11^56, announced "To be lett, being lately repair'd,
in the Borough, Southwark, near the hospital, a large house, late the Bull Head
tavern, either as a tavern or otherwise, having large vaults and a great deal of
warehouse room."
1054 ROB. THORNTON. HABERDASHER — HIS HALFE PENNY.
R. E. T. Bet), NEXT THE THREE BRVSHES — IN
SOVTHWARKE. 1667.
The Three Brushes was a tavern of some notoriety. In one of the many dis-
gracefiil prosecutions under the papistical reign of King James the Second, Bel-
lamy, mine host of the Three Brushes, figured most contemptibly as a witness
for the Crown, on the trial of the Rev. Samuel Johnson, at "Westminster Hall, on
Monday, June 21st, 16S6.
1055 lOHN FOSTER IN SOVTHWARKE. 1667, in five lines.
Be^, Three swans, two and one ; HIS HALF PENY.
Octangular.
1056 RICHARD POORE — Ape on horseback, in field. Be'Q. IN
SOVTHWARKE. 1667 — HIS HALFE PENNY. R. E. P.
The ape on horseback appears to have long been an attractive pastime.
Pedro de Gante, in his narrative of the visit made to England in February,
1543-4, by his master, Don Manriquez de Lara, third duke of NSjera, while de-
scribing the baiting of the king's bears at Paris garden on the bankside, South-
wark, says, " into the same place they brought a pony, with an ape listened
on its back ; and to see the animal kicking amongst the dogs, with the screams
of the ape, beholding the curs hanging from the ears and neck of the pony, is
very laughable."
Thomas Cartwright, in his AdmcmAio'n to ParUammt against ike Use of the Com-
mon Pra/yer, 1572, says, " if there be a bear or a bull to be baited in the afternoon,
Dr a jack-a-napes to ride on horseback, the minister hurries the service over in a
shameful manner, in order to be present at the show."
220
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
Holinahed relates that in 1586, on the reception of the Danish ambassador, at
Greenwich, *' for the diversion of the populace there was a horse with an ape upon
his back, which highly pleased them, so that they expressed their inward con-
ceived joy and delight with shrill shouts and variety of gestures." — Edit. 158^,
vol. iii, col. 1562. The amusement at Paris garden was continued long after.
Evelyn, in his Diary, June 16th, 16^0, mentions his going with some friends
to the Bear garden, where he had not been for twenty years before, " it being a
famous day for all these butcherly sports, or rather barbarous cruelties ; two poor
dogs were killed, and all ended with the ape on horseback."
1057 FRANCIS WHITE IN — Two angels supporting a crown.
Bev. SOYTHWARKE . 1667 — In field, his halfe penny.
1058 ADAM SMITH . 1668 — Hand holding a hat, in the field.
He's. IN sovTHWARKE — In the field, His half peny.
The device on the obverse is the crest of the Hatband-makers' arms. Smith
was doubtless a maker of felt or beaver hats.
1059 RICHARD BLAKE. TAPSTER — Head of Duke of Suffolk.
Eev. IN SOYTHWARK, 1669 — HIS HALF PENY. R. F. B.
Charles Brandon, brother-in-law of King Henry the Eighth, having married
his sister Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry the Seventh, and queen relict of
Louis the Twelfth of France, was created Duke of Suffolk, February 1st, 1514.
He held Brandon's place and large possessions in Southwark. He died in 1545.
1060 CALEB BIGG. THREAD — A raven, in the field.
Betf. MAKAR IN SOVTHWERK — In the field, C. E. B.
1061 HTGH BLVNDELL IN — In the field, a tobacco-roll.
Bev. SOVTHWARKE . GROCER — A sugar-loaf, in field.
1062 AT THE COCKE IN — In the field, a game-cock.
Bev, SOVTHWARKE . GROCER — T. C. c, in the field.
Edward Alleyn, founder of Dulwich college, died November the 25th, 1626,
having bequeathed to Constance his second wife, who survived him, the sum of
1500Z., secured on his property in Southwark, namely, the capital messuage and
inn called the Unicom, and three other houses, bearing the sign of the Barge,
the BeU, and the Cock. Was this one of Alleyn's houses ?
1063 lOHN EDE NEXT THE 3 CVPS — Name in monogram.
Bev, AGAINST THE GEORGE IN SOVTH^k — HIS HALF
PENT.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 221
1064 lAMES GYNTER . 16 . . ? — St. Greorge and Dragon, in field.
Ee'o. IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, I. A. G.
The George inn is near the Talbot, formerly the Tabard inn, which Chaucer
has eternized as the starting point of the wanton wife of Bath, and other devotees,
in quest of St. Thomas Becket's shrine, in his Canterbury Pilgrimage.
Stow remarks, in 1598, that ^Trom the Marshalsey towards London Bridge
on the same side, be many fair inns for receipt of travellers,, by these signs, the
Spurre, Christopher, Bull, Queene's Head, Tabard, George, Hart, and Kinge's
Head; amongst the which the most ancient is the Tabard."
In the Mti^arwrn DdicicB : or the Muses Itecreations, 1656, are some deprecatory
verses upon a surfeit by drinking bad sack at the George tavern in Southwark : —
" Oh ! would 1 might tume poet for an houre,
To satirize with a vindictive power
Against the drawer ! or, I could desire
Old Johnson's head had scalded in this fire ;
How would he rage, and bring Apollo down
To scold with Bacchus, and depose the clown
For his ill government, and so confute
Our poet-apes, that do so much impute
Unto the grapes inspirement ! "
1065 WILLIAM DAVIS IN — In the field, a sugar-loaf.
Bev. SOVTHWARKE . SALTER — w. D., in the field.
1066 AT THE KINGS HEAD IN — King's head; Henry the
Eighth. Ee'G, sovthwarke . grocer — In field, w. p.
In the steward's accounts of the private expenses of Sir John Howard, after-
wards Duke of Norfolk, and slain at Bosworth field, occurs, " November 30th,
1466, Item, paid fore wyne at the Kynge's Hed in Sothewerke, iijd."
1067 iames lane at the — Royal arms, in the field.
Eev, IN sovthwark — In the field, i. a. l.
1068 hen. langley. salter^A spur, in the field. Eev.
IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, h. m. l.
The Spur-inn yard is still there, on the east side of the High street.
1069 WILLIAM LONGE . WOOD — Woodmongers' arms, in field.
Bev. MOVNGER . SOVTHWARKE — In the field, w. I. L.
1070 WIL. ROGERS. SWAN & STIL — Swan and still, in field.
Mev. SOVTHWARK . DESTILLE^^ — In the field, w. a. r.
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1071 lOHN SHEPHEARD IN — Grocers Oompany arms, in field.
Ben, SOVTHWARKE . GROCER — In the field, i. s.
1072 AT THE SWAN WITH 2 — Swan with two necks, in field.
BeiD, NECKS IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, R. I. A.
Edward Hewlett^ by deed, in 1622, conferred a rent-charge of twenty pounds,
to the poor in general, on the messuage called the Swan with Two Necks, and
another adjoining thereto, in St. Saviour's ; and in the same year, by another
deed, gave to the poor of Cure's college the remainder of the Swan with Two
Necks, and Dagger tenements.
On another token, No. 984, the same sign occurs.
1073 RICHARD WOODEN — Scales, from White-bakers' arms.
Mev. IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, r. d. w.
1074 RICHARD WORRALL — A ram's head, in the field.
Bm, IN SOVTHWARKE — In the field, r. m. w.
The Ram's Head is still a sign of some notoriety in the Borough market.
SPITALFIELDS.
1075 AT yE BALL AND RAVEN — A ravcn : ball pendant above.
Ben, IN SPiTTELL FEiLDES — In the field, w. M. c.
1076 RICHARD MiDLATON — Three tuns; Vintners^ arms, in
field. Bev, IN spittle feilds . 1 667 — ms halfe
PENNY. R. I. M.
1077 NATHANIEL BARRS AT Y^ — Maypole, with accessories.
Ben. in spittle fields. 1669 — his half peny.
Within a hoop on the may-pole are three tuns. The may-pole surmounted by
an ivy-bush.
STAINING- LANE, Wood Street.
Of old time so called, as may be supposed, of painter-stainers dwelling there.
1078 ionathan marefield — Royal arms, in the field.
Ben. in steninge lane — In the field, i. m. m.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 223
STANPIOPE STEEET, Clare Market,
1079 ROBERT COLLINS — Lioii rampant, in field. Bev. in
STANOP STREET — In the field, R. c.
STONEY LANE, Tooley Street.
1080 WILLIAM FLEMING AT Y^ 3 — Corn-porters lifting sack.
Eev. IN STONEY LANE. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY.
STEAND.
The Strand, now among the most busy of highways, continued to be a strand,
on the banks of the Thames, long after all other parts of extending London and
Westminster had lost their original appearance and character. The footway from
Temple bar, so called from the magnificent adjoining house of the Templars — ■
thence to the Palace of Westminster, was, in 1315, so ill maintained, that the
feet of horses, as well of rich as of poor men, were often greatly injured, particu-
larly in the rainy season, the footway being frequently interrupted by bushes
and thickets. The sites of two of the bridges in the line of roadway of the Strand,
passing over streams which had their course to the Thames, are yet denoted by
the names given to the lanes through which the channels found their way : Strand
bridge, or Strand lane, opposite the end of Newcastle street, and Ivy bridge, the
lane leading to the Fox-under-the-hill, between Salisbury street and the Adelphi.
1081 AT THE SHIP.WITHOVT — A ship, in the field.
Bev. TEMPLE BAR . 1649 — In the field, w. m. s.
The Ship inn near Temple bar, the site now denoted by Ship yard, is men-
tioned among other grants to Sir Christopher Hatton in 1571. The token bearing
date 1649 is evidence that the inner tavern of that sign was then extant. Walj)ole,
in his memoir of Faithome based on Vertue's notes {Catalogue of Bngra/vers, Cal-
laway's edition, 1828, 8vo, p. 132), states, apparently in error, that about 1650
Faithome returned to England, married, and set up in a new shop at the sign of
the Ship next the Drake, opposite to the Palsgrave Head tavern, without Temple
bar. The contrary appeare; as after the affair at Basing house in October, 1645,
where Sir Robert Peake the printseller, Faithome, and other artists and players,
as royalist soldiers, were taken prisoners by the Parliamentarian forces, Faithome,
by leave or otherwise, went to Paris ; and there in his need sold to the Abbe de
MaroUes the stock he then possessed of proofs, many now unique, of his own
engravings, the whole of which enrich the royal collection at Paris. The year of
his retum as stated by Walpole is too early. That he was in London in 1653,
but not before, seems corroborated by the fact that the portrait of Noah Bridges,
prefixed to his Vulgar AntJimetic published in that year, is certainly by Faithome,
but is wholly without his W. F., or other marks. The portrait of the physician
Dr. Robert Bayfield, with Ixis name, is dated 1654, when possibly as a royalist
224 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
he had ceased to be ininiical to the Commonwealth authorities. That Faithome
adopted the sign of the Ship is nowhere indicated. On the title of his Art of
'Gra/vwff a/tid Mching is stated, " Published by William FaithornOj and sold at his
shop next to ye signe of the Drake, without Temple barr, 1662," sm. 8vo.
John Reynolds, a cook, issued a token, the device the fox stealing a goose, in
Ship yard, in 1666. " The Ship tavern, in the Butcher row near Temple bar,"
is noticed in an advertisement so late as June l!r56.
1082 EDWARD APTHORP — Three sugar-loaves, in the field.
Bev, wiTHOVT TEMPLE BAR — In the field, e. a.
The west ade, or " without Temple bar," appears at this period to have been
a sort of neutral ground, having no distinctive name, but Is now numbered as
part of the main street, the Strand ; and the arrangement of the tokens is in ac-
cordance with that view.
1083 lOHN BATTELL AT LION — Lion ranlpant, on shield.
Be^. TAVERN AT TEMPLE BAR — I. D. B., in the field.
1084 RICHARD PARROT, WITH — Lion rampant, in the field.
Eev. OVT TEMPLE BARRE — In the field, r. I. P.
Query, the Red Lion ?
1085 AT THE WHIT HORSE — Horse caprioling: sun in rays
above. Eev. withovt temple barr — In the field,
I. K. L
The sign was possibly the Sun and White Horse, the device being the same on
the following token.
1086 lOHN lAMES WITH — The sun, above ahorse, in the field.
OVT TEMPLE BARR — In the field, I. K. I.
1087 lOHN LAWTON wth qvt — St. John's head in a charger.
Be7>. TEMPLE BARR — In the field, i. i. L.
The sign of the Baptist's Head appears to have been one of much prevalency
in the time of papal domination. The subject seems to have been very generally '
adopted by Guido and other eminent painters. In the Ellesmere gallery is a fine
picture by Domenico Feti, of St. John's head in a charger, precisely as depicted
on the tavern signs of old.
1088 AT THE GOVLDEN LOCK — A lock, in the field.
Eei}. WITHOVT TEMPLE BARR — In the field, I. E. M.^
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 225
1089 ROBART MATHEWS — A plough, in field. Bev. with .
OYT. TEMPLE BAR — In the field, R. M. M.
1090 THE PAVLSGRAVE HEAD — Head of Prince Frederick,
Eev, WITHOVT TEMPLE BAR — In the field, I. D. R.
Palsgrave place, near Temple bar, on the south side, is the site of the tavern,
formerly of much notoriety. The Palsgrave Frederick, afterwards king of Bohe-
mia, was affianced to the princess Elizabeth in the old banquetting -house at
Whitehall, December 27th, 1612, when the sign was doubtless set up in compli-
ment to him.
Near the Palsgrave's Head tavern was Heycock's ordinary, much frequented
by parliament men and gallants. Here Andrew Marvell uttered the severe casti-
gation to certain members of the house, known to be in the pay of the crown,
for the ensuring the subserviency of their votes. Marvell dined usually at this
ordinary in the Strand, where, having eat heartily of boiled beef, with some
roasted pigeons and asparagus, he drank his pint of port ; and on the coming in
of the reckoning, taking a piece of money out of his pocket, held it between his
finger and thumb, and addressing his venal associates, said, " Gentlemen, who
would lett himself out for hire, while he can have such a dinner for half-a-crown. "
1090*IACOB ROBINS AT PRINCE — Half figure, with truncheou
in right hand. Bev. rvpert's head in y^ strand
— HIS HALFE PENNY. I. E. R.
1091 lOHN RADFORD AT Y^ govlden — Pair of spectacles, in
the field. Bev, withovt temple barr. 68 — his
HALFE PENY. I. E. R.
1092 AT THE WINDMILL — A windmill, in the field.
Bev. WITHOVT TEMPLE BARR — In the field, I. P.
The folly of disfiguring sign-boards in mere wantonness is not altogether of
modem date. Sir John Denham the poet, when a student at Lincoln's Inn, in
1635, though generally temperate as a drinker, having stayed late at a tavern with
some fellow students, induced them to join him in " a frolic," to obtain a pot of
ink and a plasterer's brush, and blot out all the signs between Temple bar and
Charing cross. Aubrey relates that R. Estcourt, esq., carried the ink-pot ; and
that next day it caused great confusion ; but it happened Sir John and his com-
rades were discovered, and it cost them some monies.
109S YE COFFEE HOVSE AGAINST — In field, W. E. s. Bev,
S. CLEMENTS CHVRCH . STRAND — HIS HALFE PENY.
The Strand in its course lay on the south side of the church ; the north side
had the appellation of " the backside of St. Clement's, " or "' back of St. Clement's;"
but under the improvements introduced by Alderman Pickett has obtained the
Q
226 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
name of Pickett streetj a deserved compliment paid to his public services. The
portion so named commences at Ship yard, passes St. Clement's churchyard, and
terminates at the end of Wyche street.
1094 GEO: LAVEANCE. MEAL — A wheatsheaf, in the field.
BeTS. ' AGAT CLEMENTS CHT — In the field, G. M. L.
The christian name, GEO. ends, not commences, the legend.
109J?*LAVRENCE GIFFORD — Patten- makers' arms, in the field.
Be'e, NEARE STRAND BRIGE — In the field, L. E. G.
1095 lOHN STATIONER . Y^ GOLDEN — HIS HALFE PENY. I. G. S.
[16] 69. Rev, ball neare strand bridge — In the
field, a pendant ball.
Strand bridge, now Strand lane. The ball a silk-mercer's sign.
1096 MATTHIAS BOWMAN — In the field, an escalop shell.
Bev, IN THE STRAND. 1667 — HIS HALFE PENY, infield.
The escalop-shell was the badge of a pilgrim, and became so general that Pope
Alexander the Fourth, between the years 1254 and 1261, prohibited all pilgrims,
hut those who were truly .noble, from assuming the escalop-shell in their armorial
insignia.
The Apostle St. James the Great, generally pourtrayed in the garb of a pilgrim,
has the escalop-shell as his symbol ; and being the patron saint of the abbey at
Reading in Berkshire, that monastic institution bore azure, three escaJops or.
The abbot had the privilege, about the year 1300, to coin money; and on the pen-
nies struck in this mint is an escalop-shell, in the first quarter on the reverse.
1097 ROB. CHAMBERS NEAR Y^ — The may-pole, in the field.
BeV. MAY-POLE IN THE STRAND — In field, R. I. C. |-.
On the obverse, in the field, is a sugar-loaf and three cloves : Chambers was
therefore a grocer.
1098 NAT. CHILD NEAR Y^ MAY POAL — Boar's head, in field.
Bev, IN Ys STRAND . GROCER . HIS ^. — Ohequers.
The boar's head on the obverse is pierced with three arrows. From the che-
quers being on the reverse he was possibly licensed to sell wines.
1099 PHILLIP COMPLIN — AT THE MAY POLE. 1666, in field.
BeV. IN THE STRAND . DISTILLER — HIS HALFE PENY,
The May -pole, with some small building attached, is delineated on the obverse
of this piece.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 227
1100 lOHN DOLLEN POVLTERER BY — A bell pierced by may-
pole. Eev. YE MAY -POLE IN THE STRAND — HIS
HALF PENY. I. D, D.
Gerrard's letter, dated April 1st, 1634, printed among the Strafford Papers,
vol. i. p. 227, supplies the fact of the first establishment of hackney-coach stands
in the metropolis. A captain Bailey had just then commenced the practice, by
placing four hackney coaches, the drivers in livery, at the May-pole in the Strand,
to convey passengers to required parts of the town at certain fixed fares. Prior
to this time no coaches stood in the streets for hire, but were to be hired from the
stables in inn-yards; and, according to Rushworth {OoUections, edit. 1680, vol. i.
part ii., p. 317), thete were then not more than twenty, in or about London.
The Tatler, March 9th, 1710, announced a stage-coach " twice aweek from the
One Bell in the Strand to Dorchester, the proper time for writing pastorals now
drawing near." The One Bell yard, on the north side of St. Mary's church, was
formerly famous forits stabling, and the hire of carriages or " glass coaches" for
private use. The tavern and buildings in the yard are now let out in tenements.
1100*IOHN DVTTON. HIS HALF PENY — King's head; Henry
tbe Eighth. Bev. near ye — Maypole, in the field;
IN THE strand.
1101 THE LOBSTER AT THE — A lobster, in the field.
Beia, MAY POLE IN THE STRAND — In the field, E. G.
110]*IOHN TWISTLETON AT Y^ — A building? I. T., above.
BeV. IN THE STRAND. HIS — HALFE PENNY.
The building is apparently the dwarf erection- formerly at the foot of the
May-pole.
1102 FRANC. GROVE AT WHIT — A swan, in the field.
Be'C. AGAINST SOMERSET HOVSE — In the field, F. E. G.
Now the Morning Chronicle newspaper office. The sign-post of the White
Swan, and its moveable or swinging sign-board, with a decorated iron frame, is
pictoriaUy shown in Jime's ludicrous but scarce print of The Lady's Disaster,
1746.
Subsequently, the White Swan was a public house on the west side of Swan
yard; but that house and three others were destroyed by fire. May 4thj 1812.
1102*IN THE STRANDE — R. M. L., in the field. Bev. NEARE
SOMERSET H. — In the field, R. m. l.
Somerset house, built by Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset, Lord Protector,
beheaded in 1552, and memorable for many historical events within its walls,
was demolished in 1775 for the erection of the present edifice.
Q 2
2^S
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1103 lOHN BROMLEY IX Y^ STRAND — A barber's soap-box.
Bev, NEAR THE BRIDGE. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
See also No. 1118. Lord Thurlow^ in his speecli, on July irtli, 1797, for post-
poning the further reading of the Surgeon's Incorporation bill, stated that, " by
a statute still in force, barbers and surgeons were each to use a pole, as a sign."
1104 AT THE CANARY HOYSE — CANARY, in monogram.
Bev. IN THE STRAND. 1665 — I? amid vine leaves.
Ben Jonson, in his Every Man out of his Humow, eulogises the liquor — " Canary,
the very essence and spirit of wine."
In "A note of some disbursements for my brother, J. Thornton, of Brockhall,
1637," in the writer's possession, occurs, " Item, for a dosen of stone bottles of
sacke, 14s. 6d." A bottle of sack, inscribed " New Canary, put in to see long
keep gopd, April 16$9, Bi. Combe/' was found by some labourers in August,
1735, while draining a fish-pond at Hempstead, Hertfordshire, embedded in
mud, at least three feet deep. The mouth of the bottle was waxed over, and the
wine perfectly good when tasted ; but decay had nearly destroyed the cork.
The Canary House in the Strand was long distinguished as a place of public
resort by persons of high character. Here, ha March, 1655, Sir Theodore Slayeme,
who had been physician of the household to King Henry the Fotirth of France,
and subsequently in the same capacity to King Charles the First, and was also
the j&iend of Rubens and Vandyck, assisting them in the chemical composition
of colours, became ill from the effect of drinking some bad wine, that, to a person
of his advanced age, being then in his eighty-third year, operated as a deadly
poison. He foretold, to the friends with whom, he was drinking, the time of his
death, and it happened according to his prediction. He was buried on the 29th,
in the old church of St. Martin's in the fields; and, in the vaults of the present
church, the writer some years since, whUe on a fruitless search for some memorial
of Nell Gwynne, saw, among other fine monuments unknown to archseologists, a
superb memento to this distinguished worthy.
The Canary House was possibly Carey house, noticed as " hear the Savoy in
the Strand." Pepys, in his Diary, November 30th, 1667, mentions his proceeding
from Arundel house " to Cary house, a house now of entertainment, next my
lady Ashley's, where I have heretofore heard common prayer in the time of Dr.
Mossum." Loveby, in Dryden's Wild Gallant, 1669, observes — " I think upon
the sack at Cary house with the abricot flavour."
In an advertisement for the sale of some paintings in 1689, " at three o'clock
in the aftemooon," the Canary house in the Strand is described as being '' between
the Feathers tavern and Long's coffee-house, on the east side of Exeter 'Change."
1105 GEORGE LANGFORD AT — View of Exetcv house.
Rev. EXCETER IN THE STRAND — G. s. L., in the field.
The sign here appears to have been Exeter house, lastly known as Exeter
'Change, and memorable in our day for the exhibitions of animals and birds from
all parts of the globe, continued to the time of its demoUtion.
In the olden time the parsonage-house of St. Martin's in the fields stood on
part of the site, till devolving to the crown, Queen Elizabeth granted it to Sir
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 229
William Cecil, then lord treasureTj who built on it Cecil house, and, when en-
nobled as Baron Burleigh, it was then called Burleigh house. That distinguished
statesman, one of the luminaries of that period, died here in 1598. His son,
Thomas Cecil, created Earl of Exeter in 1605, resided here, and it then received
the appellation of Exeter house. During the Interregnum the house seems to
have been occupied by the Parliamentary authorities; the funeral cortege of
General Popham, who was buried in Westminster abbey on the evening of Wed-
nesday, September 24th, 1651, was attended from Exeter house by the Speaker,
the Lord General, and many members of the parHament and council. The doctors
of civil law, in the fire of 1666, being driven westward, occupied Exeter house
till 1672. Langford's token is no doubt prior to this last occupation ; but on the
demolition of the building in August, 1829, the writer saw, cut in the stone ar-
chitrave above the window at the east end, "^ exeter 'change, 1676," a date
much earlier in its adaptation than is generally supposed. ITie length of the
building was, from east to west, forty paces.
1106 WILLIAM LYNE AT Y^ 3 — Three cranes erect, in field.
Mev, CRANES BY Y^ SAVOY. STRAN — In field, W. E. L.
In Willsford's Natwre's Secrets, it is said " Cranes soaring aloft and quietly in
the air foreshows fair weather ; but if they make much noise, as consulting which
way to go, it foreshows a storm near at hand." The cranes seem here to be main-
taining a regular cabal.
1107 THE ROSE AND CROWN — Tudor rose, crowned, in field.
Be'G. AGAINST THE SAVOY — In the field, H. M. T.
1108 AT THE VINCORNE — An unicorn, in the field.
Be'G. AGANST THE SAVOY — A double- stemmed rose;
R. M. D.
11 08* AT THE ANCHOR — In the field, an anchor. Bev. IN
THE STRAND — E. E. T., in the field.
1109 DANIEL CLARKE AT THE — A griffin, in the field.
Be'G, NEAR THE NEW EXCHANG — HIS HALF PENY.
The new Exchange erected by Robert Cecil, earl of Sahsbury, lord treasurer,
in 1608, was, as Sir Richard Baker observes, " a stately building on the north
side of Durham house, where stood an old long stable. " The plan appears to have
been similar to Gresham's Burse ; cellars below, the ground-floor level with the
street, a public walk, and on the upper story stalls or shops for the sale of wares
of all descriptions. " On Tuesday, April 10th, 1609, it was begun to be richly
furnished with wares, and the next day after. King James, the Queen, and Prince
Henry, with many great lords and ladies, came to see it, and then the king gave
it the name of Britain's Burse." In 1632, the building is thus described: " We
went to see the new Exchange, in the great street called the Strand. The build-
^30 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
ing has a fe^ade of atone, built after the Gothic style, that has lost its colour from
a>ge, and is become blackish. It contains two long and double galleries, one above
the other, in which are dktributed, in several rows, great numbers of drapers and
mercers very rich shops, filled with goods of every kind, and with mannfactures
of the most beautiful description. These are for the most part under the care of
well-dressed women, who are busily employed in work, although many are served
by yo\mg men called apprentices*."
A ballad entitled the Burse of Reformation, defaming the Royal Exchange,
printed in Wit Restored, 1668, duod., elicited an answer, also printed in the same
volume, containing an allusion to a tavern that at this period was established in
the cellars of the new Exchange :
" We walke o'er cellars richly fill'd
With spices of each kindf;
Tou have a taveme underneath.
And so you 're undermin'd.
If such a building long endure.
All sober men may wonder.
When g^ddy and light heads prevaile.
Both above ground and under."
Horace Walpole, in his admiration of romance, has related that the relict of
the Duke of Tyrconnel, James the Second's lord deputy of Ireland, had here on
the upper stoiy a milliner's stall, as a maintenance ; and, to avoid detection, at-
tended in a white dress and white mask, and was known as the White Widow.
The ground-floor was occupied by shops, booksellers and others, designated as
" the Lower Walk of the New Exchange;" it was wholly demolished in V737;
the site being now occupied by the houses Nos. 54 to 64 inclusive, the banking-
house of Messrs Coutts and Co. being the centre.
1110 ED. THVRMAN. MEALMAN — In the field, E. D. T.
Be'i>, NEER NEW EXCHANG — 1664, in the field.
1111 AT YE ORGS KEYES IN Y» — Two keys crossed, in field.
B&G,' STRAND . COOKE . 1657 — In the field, i, m. c.
The crossed keys are the symbol of St. Peter, the tutelary saint of Westminster.
The still unfethomed doubt whether St. Peter wa^ ever at Rome has long em-
ployed the research of distinguished theologians ; but the feet of his sojourn in
England stands incontestably established in monkish annals. St. Peter having
determined to consecrate the newly erected abbey of Westminster, the night being
stormy, he was delayed on the opposite bank of the river, till a fisherman in his
boat afforded him a safe passage across. To perpetuate this event, the custom,
originating in the person of Edric the fisherman, in 618, was established, that one
of his descendants, a fisherman, had the right, one day in the year, to be seated at
table with the prior of Westminster, and to demand ale and bread of the cellarer.
The practice was discontinued in 1382.
* Rowsee's Ti-eatise on the Queene's Welles.
t The cellars of the Royal Exchange, on Comhill.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 231
1112 THO. DAY. TALLOW CHANDLER — A plant of six leaves.
Bev, IN YE STRAND. HIS i^AUP PENY — Man dipping
candles, in the field.
1113 AT THE GOLDE LYON — A lion rampant, in the field.
Bev. TAVERN IN THE STRAND — In the field, E. M. I.
King James the Firsts in the fourth of his reigrij leased for ninety-nine years,
at the annual rent of ten shiUingSj certain tenements in the parish of St. Mary-
le-Savoy, part and parcel of the possessions pertaining to Denmark house^ to John
Villiers, viscount Purbeck^ brother to " Steeny/' George VillierSj duke of Buck-
ingham. These tenements^ by a parliamentary ordinance in 1650^ were sold for
the benefit of the state, and among them is enumerated "the Golden Lyon."
1114 YE GOLDEN LYON AND — Llon rampant ; the sun above.
Be'C. SVN IN YE STRAND [16]57 — In field, R. m. b.
" The Golden Lion/' and " the Sun/' are enumerated as distinct tenements in
the Parliamentary Survey, 1650 ; the annual reijfc of each being 26s. ^d. Either
both tenements were thrown into one after the sale in that year, or the Golden
Lion assumed the addition of " the god of day/' as a greater attraction.
1115 AT THE HARPE — A harp, in the field. Bev. IN THE
STRAND. 1656 — In the field, B. A. P.
Struck in fac-simile of the ferthing tokens of the largest size, issued imder the
authority of the patents of James the First and Charles the First. The only piece
in the whole series having resemblance to the royal tokens.
1116 THOMAS HVNT. BAKER — A batch of rolls, in the field.
Bev, IN THE STRAND . 1 ^Q^ — HIS HALF PENY.
The lozenge -shaped object on the obverse is a batch of cake-bread, rolls, or
manchets. So in Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Faire, 1614, where the allusion is to
a tailor, a calling traditionally said to be famous for eating hot rolls :
"Aye, and eat them all too, an they were in cake-bread." — Act v. sc. 3.
Taylor the water poet, in his Jacke o* Zent, 161?, says " the bakers metamor-
phose their trade from one shape to another ; his round halfe-penny loaves are
transform'd into square wigges, which wigges like drunkards are drown'd in their
ale. The rowles are tum'd into simnels, in the shape of bread-pies ; and the light
puff 'd up foure-comer'd bun doth shew that the knavery of the baker is universal,
in Asia, Europe, AMke, and America ; for since colhers and scriveners have pur-
chased the possession of the pillory from them, their light bread brings in heavy
gaines ; where if by chance, a batch or a basketful! being examined by the scales
of justice, and the bread committed to Newgate for want of weight, and the baker
to the Counter for lacke of conscience, yet hee knowes he shall out againe, and
with a tricke that he hath, in one weeke he will recover the consumption of his
purse againe, by his moderate light handling of the medicine of meale, yeast, and
water."
232 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1117 lOHN PEURis AT THE HARE — In field, a hare running.
Bev. IN THE STRAND. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
" Hare's flesh is good for those that would be leane and faire. It is a received
opinion that use of harems fleshe procureth beautie, fresh colour, and cheerftill
countenance, for a sevenight space ; in so much as the Italians have a by-word,
which speaketh thus of a iaire man : ' He hath eaten an hare.' " — Henry Buttes's
Dyets Thy Dmner, 1599, sign. K 2.
1118 lOHN BROMLEY IN Y^ STRAND — A barber's soap-box.
Rev. NEARE YORKE HOVSE . 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
The site of York house is sufficiently marked out by the streets thus distin-
guished; GEOEGE street, "vnxiERS street, dvke street, of alley, bvckingham
street. At the foot of the latter, and next the Thames, is the eminently beautifiil
landing or water-gate designed by Inigo Jones ; a solitary memento of the once
memorable edifice to which it was but an accessorial appendage of trivial note.
Bromley, in the same year, lived near Strand bridge. See No. 1103.
1118*wiLL: HORSLEY CHEESMONGER — In the field, a woman
churning. Bev. neare york hoyse in y^ strand
— his half peny. 1667.
1119 EDWARD ROBERTS GROCER — In the field, his halfe
penny. Bev. near york hovse in y^ stran —
Drapers'* arms, in the field.
1120 GEORGE SMITH IN Y^ STRAND — HIS HALFE PENNY.
Bev, AGAINST YORK HOVSE. AT Y^ — Orown, in field.
1121 Thomas Salisbury , his halfe peny^ in script characters.
Bev, IN YE STRAND NERE CHARING CROSS — Three
hawks, perched.
1122 IN the strand — A chopping-knife ? in the field.
Bev, IN WESTMINSTER — In the field, s. S. M.
1123 CHARLES STVRTON AT — In the field, c. s. Bev, THE
SWAN IN THE STRAND — A swan, in the field.
See note on No. 303.
1124 RICHARD SVMPTER — In the field, a greyhound in speed.
Bev. IN THE STRAND. 1664 — R. L. s., in the field.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 233
1125 Robert Ward, 1664, in three lines, occupies the field.
Bev. GLAS SELLER IN Y^ STRAND — A pendant bottle.
The pendant bottle is the charge in the arms of the company of Bottle-makers
and Homers of London ; the leather bottle, that induced an exulting lyrist of
the olden day to
*' Wish that in heaven his soul may dwell,
That first devised the leather bottel."
In the roll of accompts of the personal expenditure of John king of France^
while prisoner in England, for the year July 1st, 1359, ending July Sth, 1360,
occurs the item, " Pour deux boteilles de cuir, achetees d, Londres, pour Mon-
seigneur Philippe, 95. ^d."
The early interlude of TM Fow Elements, printed by Kastell, in or about
1510, has a line,
" So merely pypys the mery boteU."
This was doubtless no other than the leather bottle, that has so frequently as a
sign figured as a will o' the wisp to many a jolly carouser; but these have va-
nished. " The old leather bottle" in a solitary instance is to be found in Leather
lane, at the comer of Charles street ; and, although it once gave character and
distinction to Messrs Hoare's banking-house, opposite St. Dunstan's church in
Fleet street, the leather bottle is placed over the entrance, visible to every
passer-by, but, like that in Leather lane, it is profaned by gilding : it is the
golden, and not ^' the leathern bottle."
1126 lOHN WILLIAMS AT Y^ CROWN — A crown, in the field.
Be'G. VINTNER IN Y^ STRAND — HIS HALF PENY. I. E. W.
STEUTTON GROUND, Westminster.
1127 ROBERT DANCE IN STRVTON — Eagle and child, in field.
Bei). GROVND . WESTMINSTER . [1 6] 67 — In the field, his
HALFE PENNY. R. S. D.
SUFFOLK STREET, Southwark.
1128 ISAAC MARDOCK . OYLEMAN — An oil-jar ; and I. I. m.
Be'G. IN SVFFOLK STREET. 1666 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
The Lucca or Florence oil-jar, as shown on the token, is one of those imported
into England, formerly, and now frequently, set up by oilmen for their sign,
painted red for display and protection against the weather. Their similarity to
the form of a woman without a head has evidently su^ested the whimsical sign
of " the good woman," observable everywhere, where oilmen or colour-men adopt
a sign.
Hogarth, in the " Noon" print of his Four Parts of the Day, 11738, has shown
two signs in Hog lane, now Castle street, Seven Dials, apparently then well
234 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
known in the neighbourhood. One is the Baptist*s head in a charger, inscribec
below " GOOD EATING." The other the " good woman," a subject also noticet
in the Universal Spectator, January 8th, 1?^43, in a paper on '^ the Humours o
Sign-painting :" " 1 have not time to enumerate other things of this nature j ]
shall only add, that there Is a satirical colour-man near St. Giles's church, wb(
has on his sign made a satire on the whole fair sex, by drawing on it a well
dressed genteel lady, but without a head, and under her is written^ the gooi
woitAN." Hogarth and the colour-man appear to have both been wags in theii
way ; and the Baptist's head is possibly no more than the artist's mode of supply
ing the head, the deficiency shown by the vendor of colours.
SWAN ALLEY, Coleman Street.
Venner the wine-cooper, a mad enthusiast, held forth doctrines so subversive
of all government at the conventicle in Swan alley, that an insurrection followedj
and as the leader, he was, on January 19th, 1661, at Swan alley eud in Colemar
street, hanged, drawn, and quartered.
1129 lOHN SHELDON IN SWAN ALLEY — Three candlesticks.
Bei}. IN COLEMAN STREET. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
SWAN ALLEY, Thames Street,
1130 lAMES BEECH IN — SWAN ALLY AT Y^ FOOT OF GAR.
Bev. LICK HILL IN THAMES STREET — In the field, HIS
HALFE PENNY, 1666.
Beech, a tavemer, burned out firom Swan alley in the great fire, reestablished
himself at the Grapes, in Bow street, Westminster. See No. 224.
SWEETING'S EENTS, ComhiU.
The mansion of Henry Swieten, a Dutch merchant, formerly occupied the site.
He was one of the many eminent traders who were proceeded against in the Courf
of Star Chamber, at the instigation of Thomas Violet, on charges of transporting
gold and silver bullion in contravention of the statute. Swieten, or Sweeting, as
he is named in the transaction, was fined on February ll^th, 1637, five hundred
pounds.
Hollar's map or ground-plot, showing the ravages of the fire in 1666, depictf
the site, part of which, by an arrangement with Swieten, was taken to enlai^c
the new Koyal Exchange ; but, as the city rose firom her ashes, and tenements
were erected where Swieten'a mansion stood, they acquired the appellation o:
Swieten's rents, since Sweeting's alley, Mr. Charles Sweeting, an eminent grocer,
and deputy of Bishopsgate without, owner of this property, died August 6th,
llTSl. On the recent enlargement of the ground for the present Exchange, th«
whole were demolished, and the paved area passes over the ground.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 235
1131 THE SVLTANESS . A COFFEE HOVSE — A veiled head.
Bet}. IN SWEETINGS RENTS . CORNHILL — Heraldic device.
The Sultaneas coffee-house was an establishment after the fire ; and the token,
having on the reverse a St. George's cross with four human faces in the quarters,
is one of the rarest in the series.
Temple Bar Within, see Fleet Street.
Temple Bar Without, see Strand.
THAMES STREET.
1132 at the white bare in — A bear passant, chained.
Bev. theams street, grocer — In field, g. a.
The White Bear yet remains near London Bridge, in Upper Thames street.
11 S3 AT THE WHITE LION — A lion rampant, in the field.
Bev, NEIR LONDON BRIDGE-*-In the field, T. A. c.
A tenement, vrith its appurtenances, called the White Lyon, in Thames street,
was bequeathed in 1563, by Robert Carter, to the Fishmongers Company.
1134 WILL: DOD.AT ¥= WHITE LYON — Lion rampant, in
the field. Bev, wharfe . Thames street — In the
field, w. E. D.
The White lion wharf, near London Bridge, in Upper Thames street, is still
a place of considerable business.
1135 AT the blew ancor — An anchor, in the field.
Be'd. IN themes street — In the field, m. p. m.
1136 RICHARD EVANS AT THE OLD — Tower in the distance.
Bev. SWAN IN THAMES STREET — R. E. E. IP
The Old Swan has been a house for public entertainment time out of mind.
Rose Wrytell, some time wife of William Fairstede, clerk, by wiU dated in 1323,
16 Edw. II., bequeathed " the tenement of olde tyme called the Swanne on the
Hope, in Thames street," in the parish of St. Mary-at-hill, to maintain a priest
at the altar of St. Edmund King and Martyr, " for her soul, and the souls of her
husband, her father and mother." Rose Wrytell died in 1328, and the purposes
of her bequest appear to have been established; as in the parish books in 1499 is
236 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
entered a disbursement of four pence, '^ for a cresset to Rose Wrytell's cliantry
Th,e cresset was a brass socket for a candle : and the chantry ceased, with a
others, in 1548, under the mandate of King Edward the Sixth.
Eleanor Cobham, duchess of Gloucester, accused in 1440 of witchcraft ar
high treason, was sentenced to perform public penance in three open places i
London. Her first was from the Temple stairs to St. Paul's. On the second occi
sion, on "Wednesday, November 15th, she landed at the Old Swan, bearing i
her hand a wax taper of two pounds weight, her head covered with a kerchie
her feet bare, and scrolls detailing the enormity of her crime attached to ht
white dress ; she was there at noon-day received by the mayor, John Paddesle;
goldsmith, and master of the royal mint in the Tower ; John Sutton, and Joh
Wetenhall, the sheriffs, and the companies of London ; thence attended by thei
she proceeded through Bridge street and Gracechurch street to Leadenhall, an
at Cree-church, near Aldgate, rendered the taper at the altar. On the foUowin
Friday she landed at Queenhithe, and with the same ceremony proceeded to S
Michael's church, Comhill. She returned to Westminster by water, from tl
stairs at which she landed to perform this penance.
Stow, in 1598, mentions the Old Swan as a great brewhouse. Taylor the watt
poet, in an advertisement to his OdcomVs Goiwplai'nt, printed 161 , 4to, iDt
mated " If there be any gentlemen, or others, desirous to be practitioners in tt
Barmoodo and Ytopian tongues, the professor being the authour hereof, dwellet
at the Old Swanne neere London Bridge, who wiU teach them that are willin
to leame, with agility and fecility."
In the Cavalier ballad of " Admiral Dean's Funeral, " a scurrilous recital of tt
honours paid to the mutilated corpse of that brave man, in its passage by watt
from Greenwich to King Henry the Seventh's chapel, in June, 1653, it is said
" The Old Swan, as he passed by.
Said she would sing biTn a dirge, lye down and die :
"Wilt thou sing to a bit of a body ? quoth I.
"Which nobody can deny."
The Old Swan tavern, with its landing-stairs and all other adjuncts, wei
wholly destroyed in the great fire. The token appears to have been issued b
the occupant of the new building after that disastrous event. It is one of tt
rarest of the large size.
1137 AT THE BVLL HEAD — In the field, a bulPs head.
Bev, IN THEMS STBETE — The sun in rays, w. k. h.
1138 THE NAGGS HEAD TAVERN — Nag's head, bridled, in fiek
BeV. IN THAMES STREETE — In the field, T. E. B.
1139 AT THE PRINCES ARMES — Plume and p. c, in the fiek
Be^. IN THEMES STREETE — In the field, I. E. w.
The sign appears to have been set up in compliment to Prince Charles, afte
wards King Charles the Second.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 237
1140 AT THE FLING HORS — A Pegasus, in the field.
Bev. IN THEMS STREETE — In the field, T. A. E.
SimpliciuSj in Randolph's Ari^tippus, while renouncing in future malt liquor,
says — " in poetiyj the sole predominant quality, the aap and juice of a verse^
yea, the spring of the muses, is the fountain of sack ; for to think Helicon a barrel
of beer Is as great a sin as to call Pegasus a brewer's horse."
1141 THE LION AND KEY IN — Lion rampant, key in paw.
Eev. THEMES STREET. 1651 — In the field, P. E. r.
The Lion and Key is a pictorial pun on Lyon's Quay, one of the twenty quays
established in 1558, in Lower Thames street, from London Bridge to the western
extremity of the Tower ditch. Colonel Okey the regicide was a chandler at this
quay. — Wood's Fasti, p. 78.
The sign of the Lion and Key remains.
1142 AT THE BLACK BELL — A bell, in the field. Eei:. IN
THEMS STREETE — In the field, P. N. NVCE . 1652.
1143 lOHN CLARKE WOODMONG — Woodmongers' arms, in field.
Eev. IN THEMES STREETE — In the field, I. A. c.
1144 AT THE CROSE BVLETS — Orossed bar-shot, in the field.
ne'e, IN THAMES STREETE — In the field, B. E. W.
1145 RICHARD SPIRE — R. I. s., in field. Bev, in THAMES
STREETE — The above initials repeated.
1146 AT THE SVGGAR LOFE — In the field, A. E. K.
Eev. IN THEAMES STREET — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
1147 WILL: FIELD AT THE [a lobster, in field] IN THAMES
EeV. STREET NEERE QVEEN HITH . LON — W. S. F.
The word '' Londoii" was evidently intended on the reverse,
1148 WILLIAM MASLIN. 1663 — Bear and ragged staiF.
Eei). IN THAMES STREETE — In field, HIS HALF PENY.
The bear and ragged staff is the crest of the earls of Warwick ; but a merry
exponent of such enigmas^ on whom no fear of the penalties from a court of chi-
valry ha^ effect, asserts with little respect to the dignity of the tabard, that the
device and sign is simply " the pig and whistle." The latter phrase is a derisive
perversion of '* pix und ousel."
238 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1149 THOMAS ELKIN AT THE — Two fighting- CO cks, in field
Bev. IN THAMES STREET. 1667 — HIS HALF PENY
T. E. E.
The characteristics of the signs at this period and in the seventeenth centurj
prior to their general suppression in 1?^64, are pointedly described in the rt
monstrances of the Craftsman, June 17th, 1738, aimed at the pusillanraioii
measures of the government at that time ; the desire being expressed, that b
changing the ferocity of the subjeda the temper of the people might become mor
ductile and governable. He adds, '* it may be dangerous to attempt at once t
subdue this untoward disposition, for education and custom are a second nature
and therefore, as signs hang out constantly to the view of the people of all rank
and ages, those of courage and fierceness serve only to stimulate and excite
which ought for that reason to be exchanged for others more lenitive and moll:
fying. As for instance, no lyon should be drawn rampant, but couchant ; an^
none of his teeth ought to be seen without this inscription, ' Tho' he shows hi
teeth, he won't bite.' All bucks, bulls, rams, stags, unicorns, and all other wai
like animals, ought to ^be drawn without horns. Let no general be drawn i:
armour ; and instead of truncheons, let them have muster-rolls in their handf
Tti like manner, I woidd have all admirals painted in a frock and jockey-caj
like landed gentlemen. The common sign of the Two Fighting Cocks might b
better changed to a Cock and Hen ; and that of the Vahant Trooper to an Ho,
in Armour, or a Groat in Jack-boots, as some Hampshire and Welch pubHcan
have done already, for the honour of their respective countries."
1150 ROBERT BAYNES AT THE — HIS HALFE PENY, R. S. B
Bet!. IN THAMES STREET. 1668 — A boar, and threi
horse-shoes.
The sign, the Blue Boar and Horse-shoes.
1151 ROGER BAYNES. GOLDEN — A horse-shoe, crescentwise
Be'O, IN THAMES STREET — In the field, R. I. B.
1] 52 Edward Jones ouer against the Custome House in Thame
Street, Bev. His halfe penny, 1668 — The roya
arms on shield. ,
Evelyn mentions, in his Diary, September 22d, 1671, on his returning home t
Deptford, " I went on shore to see the Costome house, now newly rebuilt sine
the dreadful conflagration." The building here noticed was destroyed by fir
in February, 1814.
The Royal Arms is a sign still maintained by the Custom-house.
1153 AT THE CROWN AGINST — A crown, in the field.
Bev, BARKIN CHVRCH— In the field, w, M. s.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 239
THIEVING LANE, Westminster.
1154 lOHN BROWNE AT THE — A griffin, in the field.
Bev. GRIFIN IN THIFING LANE — In the field, I. A. B.
The grifBiij an animal of heraldic creation, descended as a badge from the
Ormonds to the Bullen family, and was the sinister supporter of the arms of
Queen Anna Boleyn. See Note preceding No. 321.
ST. THOMAS, Southwark.
1155 lOHN POND IN — In field, 1659. Eev. THOMASES
SOYTHWARK — I. M. P., in the field.
1156 lAMES PARRY IN st — Lion rampant, in the field.
Eev, THOMASES IN SOVTHWARK — HIS HALFE PENY.
1667.
THREADNEEDLE STREET.
Threadneedle street is, according to Stow, a perversion of Three Needle street.
Three needles are the charge on the shield of the Needle-makers Company arms.
1157 THE ANTWERP TAVERN — Three-masted ship, in field,
Bev. BEHIND THE EXCHANGE — In the field, P. A. T,
Noticed as " the Ship at the Exchange," among well-known taverns, particu-
larized in Nmvesfrom B. THE COCK IN WAPPING — A game-cock, in field.
1246 EDWARD FISH AT — In the field, the sun in rajs.
Bev. THE SVNN IN WAPIN — In the field, E. F.
1247 WILL. FRY AT THE SVGGAR — Sugar-loaf, in the field.
Bev. LOFE IN WAPPING — In the field, w. f.
1248 THOMAS HEWS AT THE — A Still, in the field.
Bev, GOLDEN STILL . WAPING — In the field, t. m. h.
1249 THOMAS PEIRCE — A pair of scissors? in the field.
Bev. IN WAPPIN — In the field, T. M. P.
1250 ROGER PRICE AT THE — A Negro boy, in the field.
Bev, BLACK BOY IN WAPIN — In the field, r. i. p.
1251 lOHN REWOOD AT THE — HIS HALF PENY, in the field.
Bev. ROYAL OKE IN WAPPING — In field, royal oak.
1252 ANN CVRTIS. 1654 — Leg, or hosier's sign, in the field.
Bev, IN WAPING — In the field, A. c.
1253 FRANCES NOKES — A bunch of grapes, in the field.
Bev. IN WAPING. 1655— In the field, f. n.
1254 THOMAS MILLS. AT Y^ — Phoenix nest, in the field.
Bev. IN WAPPINGE. 1664 — In the field, t. e. m.
1255 THOMAS bremredge — Rod and fish-hook, in the field.
Bev. IN WAPPING. 1666 — his halfe penny.
1256 lOHN harling . 1667 — The initials i. A. h., in the field.
Bev. IN WAPPING tobacconis — his halfe penny.
1257 AT THE TOBACKO ROLE — A roll of tobacco, in the field.
Bev. in wappin. 1667 — In the field, R. i. s.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 255
WAPPING DOCK.
1258 EDWARD WILLDIE AT Y^ WATER — Watermen's arms,
in the field. Bev. mans arms at wappin dock —
HIS HALF PENY. E. E. W.
WAPPING WALL.
1259 AT THE PLOW ON — In the field, a plough. Bev.
WAPING WALL. 1651 — w. A. s., in the field.
1260 FRANCIS PALMER. 1667 — Black boy, and pelican in nest.
Be'd, VPPON WAPPING WALL — HIS HALFE PENNY.
F. M. P.
A tobacconist, at the sign of the Black Boy and Pelican.
WAPPING NEW STAIRS.
1261 ANTHONY PHILLIPS AT — A fieur-de-lis, in the field.
NEW STARES IN WAPPIN — HIS HALF PENY. 1668.
The Tecorded miracle of the transmission of the Us, or lily, from heaven to
CloviSj the first ohriBtian king of France, may be traced to Louis the Seventh's
reception of a consecrated flower from Pope Alexander the Third. Louis, -who is
sometimes called Ludovicus Florus, bore on his signet a fleur-de-lis, but probably
assumed it in allusion to his name, then usually spelt Leys ; one of the earliest
instances of the punning device, and whence France was poetically termed
VEmmi-e des lAs.
1262 ANTHONY PHILLIPS AT — A fleur-de-lis, in the field.
Be'c. NEW STARES IN WAPPIN — In the field, a. a. p.
The farthing en sidte with the preceding.
1263 FARLEY STEVENSON AT THE — A castle, in the field.
Be'&, AT WAPPING NEW STAIRES — HIS HALF PENY.
F. I. S.
WATERMAFS LANE, Whitefriars.
In Temple street, opposite the glass-house.
1264 ISAAC GORDENER. WATER — A rose crowned, in field.
Bev. MANS LANE IN WHITFRYERS — In field, I. I. G.
256 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
WATLING STREET.
Watiing street appears to have long been censurably notorious for its extreme
narrowness as a public-way. Moxon, in his Tutor to Astronomy, printed in 1670,
describing the via lactea or milky way, a white circle seen in the heavens, observes
" some in a sporting manner call it Wathng street, but why they call it so I can-
not tell, except it be in regard of the narrowness it aeemeth to have." So Gay,
in his JWvMi, asks —
" Who would of Watling street the danger share,
When the broad pavement of Cheapside is near ? "
1265 lOHN HAMMOND groc[er] — A dog, in the field.
Bev. IN WATLING STREETE — In the field, I. H.
1266 THOMAS COOPER AT THE — A Moor OP Negro''s head.
Bev. IN WATLING STREET. 1668 — HIS HALFE PENY.
WESTMINSTER.
1267 ARTHOR PRYOR. 1667 — In the fieU, his half peny.
Bev. IN WESTMINSTER — A. P. in cyphers, in the field.
WHEELER STREET, Spit^lfields.
1268 ALEXANDER BVRCHETT — In the field, HIS half peny.
Bev. IN WHEELERS STREET — A pack-horse, in field.
1269 MARTIN RiDGiN IN — A field OF woodland gate,
Bev. WHEELER STREET — M. M. R., in the field.
Bidgin, the issuer, was evidently a woodmonger.
WHITFS ALLEY, Chancery Lane.
1270 lOHN LOCKE IN wmTES — In the field, the initials, i. L.
Bev, ALLY IN CHANCERY LANE — HIS ^.ALF PENY.
WHITEOHAPEL.
1271 AT THE 7 STARES IN — In the field, seven stars.
Bev. WHiTECHAPPEL . 1650 — R. I. c, in the field.
The Seven Stars is still a sign in the Whitechapel High street.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. §37
1272 lOHN CASE IN. 1656 — Three fleurs-de-lis, in the field.
Be'd. WHITE - CHAPPELL — In the field, I. e. c.
The fleur-de-lis, or lilies^ though borne equally by the elder and younger
branches of the Bourbon race^ are not a peculiarly distinctive badge of that dy-
nasty. The crown and mantle of the French sovereigns have been decorated with
this symbol, from the reign of Louis the Young, in the twelfth century. The
number of lilies borne on the royal shield was arbitrary and undefined, till they
were reduced to three, by Charles the Sixth, in the beginning of the fifteenth
century.
1273 THE SVNN TAVERN IN — In the field, the sun in rays.
Bev, WHITE CHAPPELL. 1656 — T. R? T., in the field.
1274 AT THE SVNN TA VERNE — In the field, the sun in rays.
Bev, IN WHITCHAPPEL. 1658 — s. E. c, in the field.
The sun appears to have set in these regions ; and, if the house yet remains,
would seem long since to have been distinguished by another appellation.
1275 WILL. BALET . SALTER — A bear, with collar and chain.
Bev. WHIT BARE . WHIT CHAP^ — In field, W. M. B.
1276 AT THE BLACK BOYES — Two Negro boys, in the field.
Bev. IN WHIT. CHAPEL — In the field, H. i. H.
1277 NATH. LITTLEFORD — In the field, three bezants or balls.
Be')), IN WHITGHAPEL — N. L., in the field.
The Lombard arms. Nat Littleford was a pawnbroker, "vulgo " mine uncle ;''
an affinity few have any gratification in acknowledging. As a pawnbroker's token
it is probably unique, as no other has occurred to the writer. The Lombards, who,
on the decline of commerce in Italy, came to England, and settled in a street
called after them Lombard street, were the first money-lenders or pawnbrokers ;
their trading-sign being three bezants, or Byzantine gold coin, in currency about
the time of the Crusades. As these disappeared from circulation, and the object
was forgotten by pawnbrokers, they conceived the bezants were balls; so they
continued the attraction of the gilded pills, and put forth more obtrusively as a
device or sign three gilded or golden globes. The pawnbrokers, as they increased
in numbers and wealth, degenerated in the knowledge of their ancient symbol,
and, supposing its colour to be of no importance, droUy, of all others, adopted
blue. This colour is seen where golden or gilded globes are not. Heraldically,
blue, as a colour, imports hurts or injuries ; and purple, wounds : thus, pawn-
brokers have of themselves adopted the symbol of their own condemnation ; as
their blue-balls show that he who is injured in his circumstances may, by apply-
ing to them, be assisted by ready cash, and be hurt still more eventually ; in the
results, looking himself very blue indeed, the chances, as the sign imports, being
two to one against him.
S
258 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1278 ELIZABETH ROSE IN "V\^HITE — A pose, in the field.
Rev. CHAPPELL. HER HALF PENY— A basket; and E, R.
Mrs, Rose appears to have been a basket-maker.
1279 SOLOMON BONNER — Brass-fonnders"" arms, in the field,
Rev. IN WHITE CHAPPELL — In the field, s, S. B.
The sign is still extant in Wliitechapel road.
1280 ROWLAND CVNEY — Man in the moon, in the field,
Re'c, IN WHITE CHAPPELL — In the field, r. h. c.
1281 EDWARD DALTON — A patten, in the field. Rev. IN
WHIT . CHAPEL — In the field, a beU.
The patten is the crest of the Patten-makers Company arms.
1282 THE TOBACKE ROVLD — A roll of tobacco, in the field.
Rev. HOVP IN WHiTCHAPELL — In the field, i. E. f.
1283 ISAAC WEEKES IN — A COW, or milkman''s sign, in field,
Rev. WHITE CHAPPELL — In the field, I. m. w.
1284 HENRY NARTON — Head of James Duke of York; D. Y
Rev. IN WHITECHAPPELL — In the field, H. n. 1667.
The feJse poptilarity attempted to be created for the king's brother no doub"
occasioned the setting up of " the Duke's Head ;" but the history of tie periof
shows that this honour^ rarely exhibited, was but ill deserved.
WHITECHAPEL PEISON.
1285 AT THE OLD PRISON IN — A sugar-loaf, in the field.
Rev. WHITCHAPPEL . 1656 — In the field, f. h.
Taylor the water poet, in The Praise arid Yert/Uje of a JayU and JayhrSj printei
in 1630, among the eighteen gaols and prisons then " in London and within ;
mile," mentions this:
" Lord Wentworth's jayle within White Chappell stands.
And Finsbuiy, God blesse me from their hands!"
A manuscript volume of disbursements for Sir John Francklyn of Wilsden
knt., M. P., notices, October 29th, 1624, " Item, given to the prisoners at Whit
Chappell, Is." Another act of ostentatious beggarly charity is recorded, on Fe
bruary 9th, 1625, " Item, to the poore at Poules, 2d." Later, Hatton, in his N&i
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 259
View of London, 1708, p. 783, while describing Whitechapel road, says "on the
north side of this street is a prison for debtors in the manor of Stepney, under five
pounds per amvimi." The site of the prison, here, on the token of 1656, notified
as of an "old" date, is marked in Bowles's large map of London, 1743.
WHITECROSS STEEET, Oripplegate.
Whitecross street derived that appellation from a white cross that stood for-
merly at the upper end, for the devotion of the passer by.
A presentment was, in 1275, instituted against the abbots of Rumsey, and the
priors of St, Trinity, " for that having built, six years past, a certain stone arch,
at the White Crosse in the ward of Oripplegate, beyond the course of a certain
water coming fi:om Smithfeld towards the Moor, the same being straitened (nar-
rowed) prevented the water having its fall course, and caused great annoyance
to the inhabitants."
1286 WHITE CROSS TAVERN — T. I. s., in the field.
Eev. WHITECROSS STREETE — In field, a cross Calvary.
1287 A CHANLER [i. e. Chandler] — In the field, G. m. b.
Be'O. IN WHITCRAS STREET — G. M. B., in the field.
1288 AT THE CHILDS coATE — A coat, shown as a sign.
Ee'G, IN WHIT CROS STREET — In the field, I. S. S.
The purport of this business is shown in the shop-bill of Ann Hogarth, ascribed
to her brother William Hogarth by Samuel Ireland ; but it is one of the many
falsifications by the father of W. H. Ireland, the fabricator of the Shakespeare
papers.
1289 FRANCIS DOVE — TALLOW CHANDLER, in the field.
Ee'O. IN WHITE CROSS STREET — In field, F. D. 1669.
1290 KATHEREN FEILDING HER |- — Object in field illegible.
Be'e. IN WHITE CROSS STREETE — FORMERLY IN
(illegible) streete.
1291 AT THE GLOVERS ARMES — Glovers' arms, in the field.
Ben, IN WHIT - CROSS street — In the field, i. i. d.
The Glovers Company obtained their arms and crest in 1464.
1292 lOHN GRAY WINE COOPER — An open arched crown.
Ben, IN WHITE CROSS STREET — HIS HALF PENNY.
S2
260
1293 ROBERT MiLLEN, in two lines across the field. Bev. in
WHIT CROS STRET — In the field, m.
1294 EDWARD WEBSTER. BREWER. IN WHITE CROSS.
Bev, STREET. HIS HALFE PENNY. 1666.
The inscription on the obverae is in five lines, and on the reverse in four lines.
WHITEFEIARS.
Whitefriars, formerly a privileged place of sanctuary, is repeatedly referred to
by dramatists and others, as Ai^atia ; it was the resort of libertines and rascals
of eveiy d^cription ; and here the corrupt practitioners of the law obtained <*
ready supply of affidavit men, or knights of the post, as they were termed. The
notorious noon-day abuses conmiitted here, and the riot in the reign of King
Charles the Second, occasioned by the Alsatian refdge and protection accorded
to the mad-headed enthusiasts called I^evellers and Fifth Monarchy men, caused
its suppression and clearance.
1295 EDWARD LIGHTMAKER IN — Three goats' heads, in the
field. Bev, whit fryers . brewer — In field, E. s. l.
The goats* heads on the obverse are one and two ; in the Cordwainers* arms the
shield bears a chevron, the goats' heads two and one. Lightmaker served as
constable in the Whitefriars precinct, for the years 1650 and 1651.
1296 THE DARKE HOTSE — 1657, in the field. Rev. in
WHIT FRIERS [16]57 — In the field, i. A. y.
1297 RICHARD FARSHAL AT Y^ — Wheatsheaf, in the field.
IN WHIT FRYERS . BAKER — R. K. F.
Farshal served the office of constable in the Whitefriars precinct, for the yeare
1653, 1657, and 1658.
1298 GOVIN GOVLDEGAY . WOOD — The Woodmongers' arms.
Bev, MONGER IN WHIT FRIRS — In the field, G, A. G.
The crest of the Woodmongers' arms was adopted as a sign and designated as
" the Lion in the Wood." There was formerly a tavern of this sign in Salisbury
court. Fleet street ; but of the house nothing is known to the writer beyond the
iact that, nearly eighty years since, the diurnals mention a well-dressed sharper
going to the tavern, then kept by a Mr. Cooper, and, after drinking liberally,
managing to secrete and carry off the silver tankard.
1299 ROBERT HANCOCK — A punning device ; a hand and cock,
Bev. AT WHITE FRYERS — In the field, r. i. h.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 261
1300 THOMAS STOTESBERY — St. Grcorge slaying the Dragon.
Be'i). IN WHITE- FRIERS — In the field, T. A. s.
The wardmote court return of licensed vintners in the Whitefriars^ on St. Tlio-
mas'sday, Monday, December 22d, 1651, mentions a '^ William Stoateabury,
vintner;" a3 the name is not again noticed it was possibly the same perBon, not-
withstanding the difference in the christian name.
1801 lOHN CLAY WOODMONGER — Horse and cart, in field.
Beii. IN WHITE FRYARS. 1667— JIIS HALFE PENNY.
WHITE-HART LANE.
1302 PHILLIP GARRETT — In the field, a crown. Be'c. in
WHITE HART LANE . 1666 — HIS HALFE PENNY.
WHITE-HAET YARD.
1303 HVMPHREY VAVGHAN IN — A man bearing a sack.
Bet). WHITE HART YARD. 1666 — HIS HALF PENY.
White-Hart yard was immediately opposite to Somerset house in the Strand ;
it is now called Swan yard, from the White Swan public-house, on the west side.
The original White Swan, at the west comer, in the Strand^ is now the Morn-
ing Chronicle newspaper of&ce.
WHITE-HORSE YARD, Drury Lane.
1304 WILL. NEAGVS IN WHITE HORS — Scales and wheatsheaf.
Be'G. YARD- IN DRVRY LANE BACKER — HIS HALFE
PENNY. W. I. N.
WHITE-HORSE YARD, London Wall.
1305 10. BENION IN WHIT HORS YRD. — A horse, in the field.
Bev. LONDON WALL NEER MORGAT — In the field, HIS
HALFE PENNY.
WINCHESTER STREET.
1306 WILLIAM THOMPSON AT THE — A vulture, and W. T.
BeV, IN WINCHESTER STREET — HIS HALFE PENNY.
262 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
WOOD STREET, Cheapside.
Wood street was probably so called from Thomas Wood, goldsmith and sheriff
in 1491 ; by whom was erected a range of large buildings extending on the upper
south side of West Cheap, from the cross to Bread street^ named Goldsmith's row.
1307 lOHN GIBSON IN — Salters Company arms, in the field.
Eev, GREATE WOOD stbet — In the field, i. m. g.
1308 WILLIAM HAYES IN. [16] 64 — In the field, a frying-pan,
BeV, WOOD STREETE IRONMVNGER — HIS HALF PENY.
1309 AT THE MITER T A VERNE — In the field, a mitre.
Eev. IN GREAT WOOD STREET — w. E. P., in the field.
Pepys, in his Diary, September 18th, 1660, mentions his going "to the Mitre
tavem in Wood street (a house of the greatest note in London), where I met
W. Symons, D. Scoball, and their -wives. Here some of us fell to handicap, a
sport that I never knew before, which was very good."
Notwithstanding the celebrity of the Mitre as a house of resort, the taverner
appears to have been anything else but enriched by it. Richard Smith, in his
Diary, records, August Ist, 1665, that " Will Procter, vintner, of the Mitre in
Wood street, with his young son, died insolvent at Islington, of the plague,"
The Mitre tavem was destroyed in the great fire in September, 1666.
1310 RALPH COMBS AT Y^ SHEARS — Pair of clipping shears;
R. 0. Bev. IN GREAT WOOD STREET [16]68 — HIS
HALFE PENY. R. E. C.
Skelton, in the Tunnyng of ElyTUywr JRvmmmg, the ale-wife of Leatherhead in
Surrey, notices the run of the tipplers for her ale :
" Another sort of sluts, some brought walnuts.
Some apples, some peares, some their clipping sheares."
On the side next to the Parish Clerks' hall, " the Golden Shears" is stiU a sign
there.
LITTLE WOOD STREET.
Little Wood street was formerly designated Cripplegate within.
1311 lOHN GRICE IN — A barber's soap-box, in the field.
Be'o, LiTTEL WOOD STREET — In the field, i. g. g.
Archaeologists have not, among other domestic remains, announced the dis-
covery of any barber's soap-box of the olden day, although the calling appears
to be one of remote antiquity. Shaving the beard, in Greece, in the time of Alex-
ander the Great, was considered a mark of efieminacy, pi*actised by fops and low
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS, 263
peraons, Diogenes, one day meeting a man -wifh a smoothly shaven chin, cyni-
cally questioned him, whether he had shaved as a reproach to nature, for having
made him a man instead of a woman? About the year of Rome 454, P. Tecunius
imported a cargo of barbers from Sicily, and introduced into the Eternal City the
practice of shaving the beard. Scipio Africanus was shaven daily. The fashion
became so prevalent that when a young man was about to shave for the first time
visits of ceremony were observed, and the precious produce of the operation, on
applying the razor to his beard, was usually enshrined in a small gold or silver
box, and dedicated to some divinity, but more particularly to Jupiter Capitolinus.
The numismatic device on the London barbers' tokens was invariably the soap-
box ; Mambrino's helmet, the lathering brass or pewter basin, with the neck-hole
cut in the rim, or the opened razor, or scissors, never obtained the honour of notice
or representation.
1312 FRANCIS PLOMER. 1666 — Barber's soap-box, in the field.
Eev. IN LITTLE WOOD STREET — HIS HALF PENY.
WOOLOHUEOH or STOCKS MAEKET.
The Mansion-house was erected in 1738, on the site of "Woolchurch market.
131S HVOH LVMBARD AT THE — Prince's plume, in field ; in
Bev, WOLLCHVRCH MARKET. 1670 — In field, H. I. L.
WOOLSTAPLE, Westminster.
Bridge street, continuing the line of road from Great Greorge street to "West-
minster bridge, now occupies the site formerly known as the Wool-staple.
1314 ROBERT WILLIAMS — A Maltese cross, in the field.
Bev. IN THE WOOL STABLE — In the field, r. m. w.
The Maltese cross, or cross pattee, on traders* tokens, generally represents a
red cross, memorable, in an earlier day, as a distinctive warning to avoid infec-
tion, or, as Shakespeare designates it,
" The token'd pestilence where death is sure."
AntoTvy and Oleopati^a, act iii. sc. 8.
Howes, under the year 1530, records, " The plague of pest being hot in the city
of London, hUw crosses, called per dgnvm Tau, were commanded to be set over
the doores of houses infected," a practice that, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
appears to have been strictly observed, as in the parochial accounts, for 1563, of
St. Margaret's, Westminster, is a credit of six pence, ^' Paid to the painter in
Totehil street, for painting of certain him crosses, to be fixed upon sundry houses
infected," Later, red crosses appear to have taken place of the blue.
264 LONDON TRADERS; TAVERN,
MERCHANT OF THE STAPLE.
1315 THE FARTHING OF A MERCHANT — Merchant-staplers'
arms, in field. B&d, of the staple of ENGLAND —
In the field, a fleece.
UNCERTAIN LOCALITIES.
1316 WITH A CROS BARR — In field, two open crossed bars.
Rev. Same legend and device, in the field, repeated.
1317 FOR WILLIAM BROCK — In the field, the initials, w. M. B.
Be'G, AND ROBERT COTLDRY — R. c, in the field.
1318 henery CHAPMAN — In the field, the sun in rays.
Rev, QVONDAM esqvire — H. c, in the field.
Apparently some royalist who had lost his fortune in defence of kingly prero-
gative ; and set forth on brass, on the score of previous gentility, his claim to
patronage. Query, whether the quondam esquii*e had experienced the fate of
JEsop's young man and the swallow ?
Chapman's " quondam esquire" was an appeal to the benevolence of those with
whom fortune had been less j&ckle, similar to that of the luckless wight noticed
in the rare volume entitled OamhHdge Jests: or Witty Alartmis for Mdancholy
Spirits : printed for Thomas Norris, at the Looking-glass on London Bridge. " A
witty though unfortunate fellow having try'd all trades, but thriving by none,
took the pot for his last refuge, and set up an ale-house with, the sign of the Shirt,
inscribed under it, ' this is my last shiffc.* Much company was brought him
thereby, and much profit."
Possibly hS had remembered old John Heywood's ballad, " Be merry, friends ! "
written in the time of King Edward the Sixth :
" The loss of wealth is loss of dirt,
Aa sages in all times assert :
The happy man's without a shirt,
And never comes to maun or hurt.
Be merry, friends !
Let the world slide, let the world go :
A fig for care, and a fig for woe !
If I can't pay, why, I can owe j
And death makes equall high and low.
Be merry, fiiends ! "
So also, Taylor the water poet, as a, concurrent testimony, in his Praise of
Cleane lAnnen, asserts :
" In weale or woe, in joy or dangerous drifts,
A shirt will put a'man unto his shifts."
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 265
1319 THE COMOMON [Communion] CVPP — Sacramental cup
and cover. Bev. i. H. s. A cross calvary, rising
from the horizontal bar of the H ; and seven stars below.
Possibly tliis piece has reference to what is occasionally noticed in churchwar-
dens' accounts as token money. James the Eirst, by patent dated May 18th,
1609j granted to Francis Philips and Richard More, the rectory and church of
St. Sepulchre in the city of London^ with all its rights, members, and appurte-
nances, " also all tithes and profits of the servants and apprentices, and strangers
{exbrcmeorv/m), and other parishioners, commonly called the token moTiey, paid or
payable at Easter time." The custom, it is said, prevailed long before the period
of the Reformation, when each parishioner was " houselled," that is, received the
sacrament, and was shrived ; though the practice has long since been commuted
by the payment of a certain sum.
1320 "WILLIAM HALL — In field, device as on abbey tokens.
Bev, PAINES BRINGS GAINES — Queen's Head, in field.
1321 WILLIAM ROWE — In the field, a bee-hive.
Bev. APPOTHECARIE — v?'. M. R., in the field.
1322 CHARLES scoRY TOBAGO — Three tobacco-pipes, in field.
Bev. NiST . HIS HALFE PENEY — Name in monogram.
1323 No legend: in the field, a- cross potent, 1663.
Bei), No legend; and the cross potent, as before.
1324 TOVCH NOT MINE ANOYNTED — Head of King Charles
the Second; c. R. Be'G, feare god. honor the
KING — Ironmongers' arms ; E. o. 1664.
1325 PHILIP LAMBE. 1666 — A lamb couchant, in the field.
Bev. THOMAS HARDWICK — THEIR HALF PENY.
1326 THOMAS BRYAN — In the field, linnen - draper.
Be'i). HIS HALFE PENNY — 1667, in the field.
Query, St. Catharine's by the Tower ? Richard Bryan, at St. Catharine's mill
bridge, issued a token there, in the same year.
1327 w. CLOVGH . 1667, in three lines across the field.
Bev, View of some building re-erected after the fire.
266 LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN,
1328 SAMVELL WARING. 1667 — In field, man on horseback.
Be^. HIS HALFE PENNY — s. w., in the field.
1329 Incuse, two blanks having been struck at one blow.
Bev. MILENER, HER HALFE PENNY— S. W., and 1668.
1330 RALPH KILLETT — Fruiterers Company- arms, in field.
HIS HALF PENY. 1668 — In the field, R. M. K.
1331 lOSEPH LAKE . 1668 — Man at work, smoking.
Bev. GROCER — In the field, his half peny.
1332 GOD SAVE THE KING — Head of Charles the Second.
BeD. lOHN COVLTON . 1670 — A globe, in the field.
1333 Brewers Company arms, in field, and square in form.
Bev. The initials, R. s. G. 1671.
1334 CAROLVS A CAROLO — Head of King Charles the Second.
Be'&. BRITANNIA, seated on globe ; 1672 in exergue.
The ferthing Issued by royal authority, to supersede all coffee-house, tavern,
and traders pseudo -monetary circulation. Those dated 1671 are pattern pieces.
1335 DILIGENT HANDS — A tree, in the field ; and R. s.
Bev, MAKETH RICH — Hand grasping a sword, 1673.
The only token known having this date.
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 267
ADDITIONS AND COREEOTIONS.
Page 13, No. 76. Abchurch lane would seem to have been long known for its
contributions towards good liTing. rriscOj in Haughton's Engliskmen for m/y
Money, played in 1598, says " I have the scent of London Stone as full in my
nose, as Abchurch lane of Mother Walle's pasties. Sirs, feele about, I smell Lon-
don Stone."— Edit. 1616, 4to, sign. Gl.
Respecting Mother "Wall's pies, see Sandys's Festive Songs, pp. xlvi. and xlvii.
Page 17, add,
100* NiCH : STRAINGE . AT yh COFFEE — Turk's head, in field.
Be'e. HOVSE. in st anns lane [16]69 — In the field,
hand pouring coffee.
Page 20, add,
116* AT THE FIGTRE — A fig-tree, in the field. Be'i), IN
barbik[aJn . 1653 — In the field, the initials -s. P.
Page 26, No. 140. From Henderson's collection, see Sale Catalogue, June 26thj
1818, No. 245.
Page 2?. A newspaper, dated Saturday, March 14th, 1752, states that " This
week workmen began to pull down four houses in the front of Bishopsgate street,
adjoining to Old Bedlam, and several others down the said place, in order to
make that passage to New Broad street more commodious, the new houses being
to belbuilt ten feet backwards."
Page 33. Luke Nourse, father of Edward Nourse, was mayor of Gloucester in
1657, and in that capacity issued the first town-piece in that city " for lOlCES-
SABY CHANGE."
Page 50, add,
243* Siluester Deane : Ms halfe Penny^ in script characters.
Bev. IN brod STREET . 1667 — A hand pouring cofiee.
Page 51, add,
249* FRAN : SMITH . AT Y^ RED — Bull, standing, in the field.
Be'e, IN BVDGE ROWE — Pewterers Company arms.
Page 62. Charterhouse lane is a perversion of Chartreuse lane.
268 LONDON TRADERS^ TAVERN,
Fage 7lj No. 344. Brathwaite, in his Bamdbee's J&umal, written before 1650^
on his homeward course from Mother Redcap's at Hollowajj notices his progress
" Thence to Islington at Lion,
Where a ju^ling I did spy one.
Nimble with his mates consorting.
Mixing cheating with his sporting ;
Creeping into th' case of 's viall
Spoil'd his juggling, made them fly all."
So in the same writer's Whimzies: or a New Cast of CharaderSj 1631, in that
of ^' a painter," is another allusion : " My lord maiors day is his jubilee, if any
such inferior artist be admitted to so serious a solemnity : if not, country present-
ments are his preferment ; or else, hee bestowes his pencile on an aged peece of
decayed canvas in a sooty ale-house, where Mother Redcap must be set out in
her colours. Here hee and his barmy hostesse draw both together, but not in
like nature; she in ale, hee in oyle. But her commoditie goes better dowue,
which he meanes to have his fiiU share of, when his worke is done. If she aspire
to the conceit of a signe, and desire her hirck-pole pull'd downe, he will supply
her with one ; which he performes so poorely, as none that sees it but would take
it for a signe he was drunk when he made it. A long consultation is had, before
they can agree what signe must be rear'd. A vieere-maide, sayes shee, for that
will sing catches to the youths of the parish. A lyon, sayes he, for that 's the onely
signe that he can make ; and this he formes so artlrasly, as it requires his expres-
sion — this is a lion. Which old EUenor Rumming, his tap-dame, denies, saying,
it should have been a meere-Tiiaid."
Page 83, No. 406. The papal tiara, or triple crown, is derived from the Ex-
archate of Ravenna, ?25 ; the kingdopa of the Lombards, ^55 ; and the state of
Rome, Sir.
Page 85, No. 418. Add arms ; ermine, a leopard passant in chief. Query,
Marden ?
Page 101. " Old Sym, the king of skinkers." In the Pi^ompiorvum ParviUonwi,
schenkare is defined " a giver of drink, a tapster." In Gouldman's Dictionary,
skinker, ptTicei'na a pocidis ; and by Forby, " one who serves drink." Thus
Chaucer has " Bacchus the win him skinketh al aboute ;" and in Shakespeare,
under-skinker answers to drawer. See Prince Hal's recital of his prodigaUty.
Kinff Hmiry /T., part 1. act ii, sc. 4.
Page 105." The advertisement to " Naps upon Parnassus : a sleepy muse nipt
and pincht, though not awakened ; printed by express order from the Wits, for
N. Brooke, 1658," sm. 8vo ; is ludicrously signed " Adoniram Banstittle, alia^
Tinder-box," and dated from the Apollo in Fleet street.
Page 118, line 5. A memorandum book of Bernard Lintot has an entry of the
payment to Gay, December 22d, 1715, of forty-three pounds for the copyright of
his Trivia. It was printed without date in 1716, and not 1712, as here stated.
Page 122, No. 650. Henry Preston, citizen and fishmonger, devised by will,
dat«d February 29th, 1434, certain tenements to the Fishmongers Company, in
AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS. 269
aid and support of poor men and women of the mystery and commonalty of Fish-
mongerSj for ever; among them^ one tenement called " the Hart on the Hope/*
in Gracechurch streetj in the parish of All Saints^ or Allhallows, London ; and
one tenement called "the Bell on the Hoop/' in the street and parish aforesaid.
Machinj in his Diary, tinder June 12thj 1560, notices " the woman who kept the
Bell in Gracechurchj was carted through the city as a bawd/' The Bell tavern
appears to have been on the site of the house now number 26, in Gracechurch
street ; and the "White Hart, on that occupied by Messrs Spooner, Attwood, and
company, bankers.
Page 139. Ivy lane was whoUy destroyed in the great fire. An advertisement
in the London Gazette, January 3d, 1666-7, announced that " Richard Royston,
bookseller, who formerly lived at the Angell in Ivy lane, and the shopkeepers
who formerly dwelt in the Round court in St. Martin's, are now placed in St.
Bartholomew's hospital, near Smithfield."
Page 159, No. 714. In Haughton's Englishmen for my Money, played in 1598,
is the following allusion : " Leaden hall ; could you not see the foure spoutes, as
you came along." — Edit. 1616, 4to, sign. F2, rev.
Page 165, No. 779. Campden house appears to have some honorary reference
to Sir Baptist Hicks, formerly a wealthy mercer, at the sign of the "White Bear,
at Soper-lane end, in Cheapside. The Middlesex magistrates, of whom he was
one, early in James the First's reign, held their meetings inconveniently at the
Castle inn near Smithfield bars; when Sir Baptist Hicks, at his own charge,
built a stately sessions house, with proper offices, opposite the "Windmill inn in
St. John's street ; and on the first assembling of the county magistrates therein,
on "Wednesday, January 13th, 1612, Sir Baptist entertained them in a princely
manner, and freely presented the building to them and their successors, for ever.
In honour of the founder it was named Hicks's Hall, and continued on that site
till 1782.
Sir Baptist Hicks was created Baron Hicks of llmington, co. Warwick, and
"Viscount Campden, co. Gloucester, May 5th, 1628. He died in 1629.
Richard Smith, in his Obituary, MS., in the University library, Cambridge,
Mm. 4. 36, notices under March 17th, 1661-2, " Sir James Drax's funeral from
Cambden house." '
Page 168, add,
798* THE DAGGER IN NEV RENTS — A dagger, point upwards.
Hev, MARTINS. ALLDERSGATE — In the field, I. S. P.
Query, was this the Dagger in Foster lane, rebuilt after the fire ? See No. 600.
Page 175. " The Belsavage," on Ludgate hill, is alluded to by Lambarde, in
his Percm^zfkttion of Kent, 1576, 4to, at an earlier date than either Stow, or his
continuators, have any notice of it. " Those who go to Paris-garden, the Bel-
savage, or Theatre [in Shoreditch], to behold bear-baiting, interludes, or fence-
play, must not account of any pleasant spectacle, unless they first pay one penny
at the gate ; another at the entry of the scaffold ; and a third for quiet standing. '*
270 TRADERS, AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS.
Page 182. Old Change. Henry the Third, in 1222^ the sixth year of his reign,
made proclajnation that no Englishman or other should make exchange, hut only
at his Exchange at London and Canterbury. The place where the king's Ex-
change was at this time kept, was by Paules, and gave name to the street called
the Old Change, but in evidence, the Old Exchange." — Camhium Segis, 1628,
4to, p. 2.
Page 189, No. 892. So also in Bradskaw's Ghost, a poem, 1660 ; Charon, not-
withstanding his being '' ferry-man unto the Parhament," demurs to waft over
Roimdheads for nought, and refiises his lordship :
" You shall not o're