JOHN HOWES' MS. 
 1582. 
 
0 
 
JOHN HOWES' MS., 
 1582, 
 
 Being *• a brief note of the order and manner of tlie proceedings 
 in tlie first erection of " 
 
 THE THREE ROYAL HOSPITALS OF 
 Reproduced and Printed at the charges of 
 
 SEPTIMUS VAUQHAN MORGAN, Esq., 
 
 a Governor of Christ's Hospital ; 
 
 With Introduction and Notes by 
 
 WILLIAM LEMPRIERE, 
 
 Seiiior Assistant Clerk of Christ's Hospital, 
 
 AND 
 
 Secretary of the Benevolent Society of Blues. 
 
 LONDON 
 1904 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Among the ancient Archives of Christ's Hospital are 
 many interesting Records : — 
 
 (i.) The Registers, containing the names of all 
 Children admitted on the Foundation, and 
 beginning in 1566. 
 (ii.) The Court Minutes. 
 
 (iii.) The Annual Accounts, showing the yearly 
 receipts and payments, date back to 1552, 
 when the Monastic Buildings of the Gray 
 Friars were fitted for the reception of the 
 " Blew " Boys and Girls. 
 But, among them all, the small volume herein repro- 
 duced is not the least interesting. Not only is it the 
 earliest History of the Royal Hospitals, but it vividly 
 portrays the state of the City of London consequent on 
 the suppression, — contrary to the desire and advice of 
 Cranmer and Gresham as representing the Church and the 
 Citizens, — of the Spitals attached to the Monasteries. 
 
 John Howes, the writer of the MS., was a Citizen and 
 Grocer, who had been apprentice and servant (e.^., 
 clerk or private secretary) within the Gray Friars to 
 Richard Grafton, the first Treasurer General. 
 
 * V. "Richard Grafton, Citizen and Grocer, of London," pp. 75-76, by Mr. John 
 Abernethy Kingdon, F.R.C.S., privately printed, 1901. 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 A Minute of Court, 27 September, 1558, states that : 
 " There was also assigned to be the Renter for the 
 
 gatheringe and collectinge aswell the rentes of the landes 
 " in the Citie as also of all the landes in the Countrie John 
 " House serunt w*^ M"" Grafton at the speciall request of his 
 " said M"" who also hath promysed to aunswer for his said 
 " serunfcs doings from tyme to tyme to whome theare is 
 " graunted yerely for the doinge thereof vi^' xiii' iiij'^." 
 
 Another Minute of 24 July, 1559, orders : " That John 
 " House serunt wyth M'' Grafton shall attende upon the 
 " Scruteners of Thospitalls for the tyme being who aftre 
 " knowledge to him Geuen by willm Smothinge aforesaid 
 " [the Steward] shall enquyer and searche out for the 
 " payments of all the legacies so geuen and make thereof 
 " rehearsal! to the Scruteners or gatherers of them who 
 " shall receave the same." 
 
 A Minute of 22 August, 1559, adds : ''And that John 
 '' House for the collectinge or knowledge geuinge to the 
 " Scruteners of all the said legacies shall likewyse haue of 
 '' eu^'ye pounde receaued ij*^ and none other fee or wages." 
 
 The following entry in the Register of Lands shows 
 that he remained a resident within the Hospital : "John 
 " Howe, Grocer, for a Tenement on West side of the 
 " Great Hall of ye Hospitall, a yaarde and a Quille of 
 *' water yerely xP." 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 On 22 November, 1565, "John Howe Groc"^ had 
 " graunted to him this daie as well the contynewaunce in 
 " his dwelling house as also to pay but iij^' rent from 
 " Mychellmas 1564 notw^^'standinge that before this he 
 " was apoynted to pay iiij^' by the yeare." 
 
 Thus he became intimately acquainted with all details 
 of the foundation and management of the House he loved 
 so well and served so faithfully. 
 
 The MS. itself is bound in white vellum, and the ink is 
 blacker than most of that of the present day. 
 
 The Memo, signed "Nistrode" shows that a century 
 after the MS. was written its contents were known and 
 valued, but it appears to have been subsequently forgotten 
 until 1888, when it was discovered while search was being 
 made for evidence in support of the Hospital's Case before 
 the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 
 
 Now, out of love for his old school, Mr. Septimus 
 Yaughan Morgan, one of the Governors (and Brother of 
 Mr. Alderman Walter Yaughan Morgan, the first Treasurer 
 of Christ's Hospital under the Scheme of 1890), has caused 
 this facsimile to be produced, — moved thereto by seeing a 
 similar reproduction of the Archives of the Grocers' 
 Company, of which Richard Grafton was at one time 
 Upper Master Warden. 
 
 The reading of the Rev. E. H. Pearce's delightful 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 " Annals of Christ's Hospital " (published in 1901) will 
 give zest to the perusal in extenso of John Howes' 
 Account. 
 
 Let us praise God for the good work of 
 
 Nicholas Eidley, the Preacher ; 
 Edward, the Eoyal Hearer and Doer ; 
 Lord Mayor Dobbs and the other wise Counsellors ; 
 " who had one heart to do the commandment of the 
 King " ; and 
 
 Kichard Grafton, 
 the patient and fearless Worker through the early days of 
 stress and storm. For, at a critical time in the history of 
 London, they were enabled to start three noble Institutions, 
 which the munificence of generations of Governors have 
 built up into the Religious, Royal and Ancient Foundations 
 of Christ, S** Thomas and Bridewell. 
 
 LEMPRIERE. 
 
 Christ's Hospital, 
 
 London, E.C., 
 Jwie, 1904. 
 
 Note. — His son, Edmund Howes (baptised at Christ Church, Newgate Street, 
 19 July, 1562) " set out with enlargements Stow's Chronicle after his death " 
 as Strype relates ; and was instrumental in persuading John Dow to place 
 on a permanent footing the Music School of Christ's Hospital. 
 
This paper Book was shewed to W"" Parry Gent at the 
 time of his exarainacon taken in Chancery on the parte 
 and behaKe of WilUam Gibbon Esq'' deft, at the suyte of 
 the Major and Cittizens of the Citty of London Gover- 
 nours of the S* Bartholomewes HospitaJl neere Smithfield 
 London, Comp^*" 
 
 NiSTRODE. 
 
 William Parry was Clerk of Christ's Hospital from 1653 to 1704 ; and William 
 Gibbon was Treasurer from 1662 to 1679. 
 
 The suit referred to probably related to a claim for 500 marks a year payable 
 to St. Bartholomew's Hospital by the Citizens of London under the terms of the 
 Charter of Henry VIII. 
 
I — J r" ^^^^Av*^r- ^ ^^^^ °p ^^^i"!'^ 
 
 0^ />t o tn^Jj&ir- 
 
TO THE RIGHTS WO^^'^FULL MR. NORTON MR. 
 AWDELEYE & MR. BANCKES, TREASURER, & 
 GOVERNORS OF CHRYSTE HIS HOSPITALL, &c. 
 
 Righte Worshipf ull, I have vppon good occasion collected 
 & gathered together a brefe note of the order & manner of 
 the proceadings in the fyrste ereccon of the Hospitalles of 
 Chrystes, Brydewell, & Thomas the Apostle, wherein 
 you shall not onlye see the forwarde willing myndes, & 
 the bountyfull lyberall handes of a nomber of good men : 
 whoe only spent theire tyme and studie {ad. sumn.) to 
 advaunce & sette forwarde this famous worcke : But all so 
 you shall reade of a nomber of notable platts and devyses 
 layed for the accomplyshing of the same : As allso the 
 carefull myndes of the Governo" to preserve the state 
 of these Hospitalles in those daungerous daies of Quene 
 Marie : when there was nothing ells looked for (but 
 downe w'^ them, downe w*^ them). 
 
 William Norton (Treasurer 1582 to 1593), Thomas Audley, and John Bancks 
 (Assistant Treasurer) were all considerable Benefactors to Christ's Hospital. 
 
( «• ) 
 
 Things worth ie to be had in memorie & to be knowne 
 to suche as shall succeade in office. fFor as the phisicon 
 can never cure his patient excepte he fyrste examyn the 
 ground of his dissease, — So lykewyse you that ar called 
 to be governo''^ shall never knowe when you doe well 
 excepte you vnderstande what others have done before 
 you. I have thoughte good therefore to present vnto 
 you these brefe notes, not that I meane to have them 
 publyshed or made knowne to the worlde, for that were 
 not convenyent. But for that yt hathe pleased god to 
 calle you to be Governo" of the poore, A worcke no 
 doubte of greate good service, & a fytte place for men of 
 good conscience, knowledge, & discrecon : suche as 
 
i 
 
( iii. ) 
 
 beare a mercyfull mynde & will not make theire will a 
 lawe, but have a fatherly care, and seke by all meanes to 
 contynewe love & peace, & to preserve those good things 
 w*'^ other good men before have gyven gotten & lefte to 
 the relefe & maintenance of the poore : & not by extreame 
 dealing to bring in question those things w''^ have bene 
 longe in quyet, for theire is nothinge gyven to the relefe 
 & comforte of the poore : but yt fyrst proceadethe of love 
 & good lyking, & so by wyse discrecon grave and discrete 
 governement yt male be contynued and augemented. 
 And for that the things conteyned in this booke dothe 
 only intreate of matters incident to yo'" governemente I 
 have therefore for dyvers causes made choyce of yo'^ wo""^^ 
 vnto whome I will imparte these my traveiles 
 
 " By wise discretion, grave and discreet government it may be continued and 
 augmented." — The present rent roll of Christ's Hospital, £G9,000 a year, is the best 
 testimony to the judicious care of the Governors in the past, and had they not 
 been obliged to sell many of their properties in London and elsewhere, under 
 compulsory powers, the Hospital's income would be very much larger. 
 
* (^^O^^^^ (f^^,^ 2^^p^ |>2»r4^ 2<^^H^ 
 
 ^y,.^^J^^i^ ^jl^4-^i^^ f-^j^^ 
 
( iv. ) 
 
 as things necessarie for yo'' place and calling. Wyshing 
 that yt woulde please you to accepte this my rude 
 vnpollyshed stile in as good parte as I w*'^ my good will 
 present yt vnto you. And y£ I have eyther omytted or 
 lefte vnperfecte any thinge worthie memorie, or not so fully 
 sett foorthe some things as the cause requyrethe : ympute 
 yt rather to the lacke of my knowledge, or the imbecillitie 
 of myne vnlearned head : then the wante of any good 
 will & yett yt maie be (y£ cause so requyre) y*' hereafter 
 I will not only amende yt but allso augemente yt. Yf 
 therefore I fynde that you doe accepte & take this in good 
 parte, esteming well of these my traveiles begonne and 
 fynyshed w*^ a moste willing mynde : there shall not 
 passe many dales (deo auspicante) god willing 
 
( V. ) 
 
 but I will putt in wrighting certaine abuses in 
 governmente of the poore in this present tyme, with 
 sundrie devyses for remedie of the same. And so moste 
 humblie desiring you not to iudge otherwyse of mee then 
 I deserve I take my leave : wishing vnto yo"" wo^^^^^ bothe 
 in this transitorie worlde a most happie lyfe : & in the 
 worlde to come those vnspeakable ioies of eternitie, to the 
 god bring us all. Amen. 
 
 J. Howes. 
 
 Putt in wrighting,^' The second volume was completed in 1587. It 
 
 contains, inter alia, the author's opinions on the government of the Hospitals ; 
 the inadetiuacy of their income ; suggestions for preventing the entry of " the 
 beggars of England " into the City ; for the erection of municipal houses in lieu 
 of tenements in alleys ; and of lodgings in " void places out of the City, such as 
 Whitechapel, for those stricken with the Plague ; reference to the numbers of 
 homeless children : and observations on the curriculum of the Schools. 
 
:2) 
 
 (3. 
 
A FFAMILIAR & FRENDELY DISCOURSE DIALOGUE 
 WYSE SETTING FORTHE THE FYRSTE ORDER & 
 MANER OF Y^ EREC"CONS OF THE HOSPITALLES 
 CHRISTES, BRIDEWELL AND S^ THOMAS Y^ APOSTLE. 
 
 Dignitie. Was there ever in any a^e the lyke nomber of poore 
 people as there ar at this present begging in the streates of 
 the Cyttie and wandring in the fie Ides so ydellye, being 
 readie to attempte any myscheife vppon any lighte occasion. 
 
 Dutie. The nomber at this present is greate & yett in tymes 
 
 past muche greater. 
 
 Dignitie. Howe dothc that appeare in any rcorde or in any 
 
 Cronicle. 
 
( 2 ) 
 
 By sundrye & many probable reasons. fFyrste, yf I 
 shoulde sette downe the myserable estate of this lande in 
 olde tyme when Julius Caesar had suppressed the Brytons 
 & kepte them in subiection by the space of 483 yeres, or 
 yf I shoulde sett foorthe the oppressions & spoyles Done 
 by the Saxons, whoe had this lande in governement 487 
 yeres, or yf I Were able to sette foorthe the terrible 
 tyrannye of the cruell Danes, whoe made havocke & 
 spoyle of this Lande many yeres : Then shoulde I laie 
 open the myserable estate of the people when in the 
 whole lande there was nothing but pennurie & beggerye. 
 Butt then shoulde I be over tedious ^- make a greate 
 volume. Therefore I will briefely begin w*'' ye Conqueror 
 
Jp<-2:p/y^:»^^ ^^^^^^ ^-^^(^j^^ 
 
 ^^^^ ^^"^^^ J^'^'^'^Vs ^^^^^^y^^^"^^ -^r^^^rn^-' 
 
 yw^^vW fe^*^^ ^IWo^ ^^^^ £*ty^ 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 of whose governemente Wee have greate testemonyes 
 bothe in o'^ Lawes & hy stories. 
 
 It appeareth that ymeadiatly after the Conquest the 
 people of the Lande were so oppressed by ransomes, 
 ffynes, Taxes, & spoyles that they were not able to 
 satysfie the desyer of the hungrye raveninge Normans, 
 whoe subdued them by suche tyrranye that all the 
 Wealthe of the lande was to lyttle to satysfie theire 
 gredye desyre. Wherevppon followed longe and cruell 
 Warres, whereby the Lande was pestered Withe a 
 multitude of ydell people (fe yt was longe before they 
 coulde be suppressed. 
 
 Secondly, after these perillous tymes wereappeased w''^ 
 had contynued all to longe, then came the greate cyvill 
 Warres betwene the twoe noble houses of Lancaster 
 
jir^ ^c^/wr ^^^^ ^^i^- 
 
 (^^fe-y- -(yr^^ <,/ A^12p (Y^cff&' f^^oU 
 
 ■^1?^ C**^^ ^o/^ yif^j^^^-^y^^ ^-At-TT- CtfWte- 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 & Yorke. At w*'^ tyme yt appearethe by o'' histories 
 that the people gave themselves to faccous warres & 
 ydellnes 6i to lyve vppon spoyles. These warres 
 contynued many yeres by reason whereof there was suche 
 a nomber of ydell pylfering Roges that yt was many 
 yeres before these owtlawes & Rogyshe people could be 
 reduced to conformetie. 
 
 Thirdly, in the Latter tyme of that moste famous & 
 worthie prynce king Henry the eighte after y^ Wynning 
 of Bullaigne & ending of the king's warres yt appeareth 
 that there were greate nombers of poore lame ydell & 
 maysterles men dispersed into dyvers parts of this Realme, 
 but chiefely aboute this Cittie of London, ffor w""^ cause 
 that moste noble prynce gave order to the Lorde 
 
 " Greate nombers of poore,'' Sfc. — " Through some causes not now thoroughly 
 " understood, the City of London had, about the reigns of Henry VIII. and 
 "Edward VI., become the receptacle of thousands, whose idleness, want of regular 
 '* employment or other means had made them fit objects for relief or correction." — 
 Malcolm's Loudinium II., p. 554. 
 
1 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 Maior & Cyttezens to provide that the wounded souldiers 
 & disseased wandring people mighte be cured and releved. 
 And the better to epcourage the Cyttezens to proceade in 
 this accon the king gave vnto the L. Maior Comunalltie & 
 Cyttezens the mansion house of S* Bartholomewes to be 
 made a house to harbour & cure the lame & disseased 
 people & gave w*^*" 380^' 4"' 2'^- yerely to the reliefe & 
 comforte of the said poore. 
 
 Dignitic. This was a noble foundacon of this worthie king in 
 the latter ende of his raigne his fame shall never die so 
 longe as the worlde endurethe. 
 
 Dutie. I* & ys a goodly foundacon & did greate good 
 
 St. Bartholomewes " — v. Rev. E. H. Pearce's " Annals of Christ's Hospital," 
 pp. 11-13. — The Hospital of St. Bartholomew-the-Less, originally founded by 
 Rahere about 1123, was refoundcd by Henry VIII. in 1544 as the House of the 
 Poor. It was united to the Royal Hospitals of Edward VI. at a General Court 
 holden at Christ's Hospital, 27tb September, 1557. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 in the Cyttie During the greatest parte of king Edwards 
 raigne, but in the latter yeres of king Edwarde the 
 officers began to be necligent and chefely the bedells so 
 that the streates & lanes in London began to swarme w^^ 
 beggers & roges for nothing can be so suerly establyshed 
 but that tyme maie alter & chaunge the good entente 
 & meaning of the fyrste ifounders, as hereafter shall 
 appeare wherein the lyke occasion is offered. Butt this 
 was not only y^ cause at that present, for at that tyme y^ 
 nomber of the poore did so encrease of all sorts, that the 
 churches, streates and lanes Were fylled daylye w*^ a 
 nomber of Loathsome Lazars botches & sores so that 
 St. Bartholomewes hospitall Was not 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 able to receyve the ten the parte of those that then were to 
 be provided for. Wherevppon the preachers in theire 
 pulpitts moved the people to provide & to gyve lyberally 
 to the relefe of those poore people. But espeaciallye that 
 worthie Bysshoppe Rydley whoe in a sermone before the 
 kings ma*''^ did so zealouslye move the king to have a care 
 for the relefe of the poore that the king after the ende of 
 the sermone sent for the Bysshoppe & conferred w*^' him 
 What course mighte best be taken for the relefe of the 
 poore. After w''^ conference the king Wrotte his Ires to 
 the L. Maior, and willed the Bysshoppe to signefie so 
 muche to the L. Maior that yt was the kings pleasure 
 that he should e be the 
 
 " TheL. Maior''' — v. "Annals of Christ's Hospital," p. 16. — Sir Richard Dobbs, 
 Lord Mayor, 1551-2. His Portrait hangs in the Court Room of Christ's Hospital, 
 London, and is reproduced, from a photograph by Mr. Charles B. Browne, B.Sc, 
 in "Annals of Christ's Hospital." At his funeral in May, 1556, all the Governors 
 attended " with ther gren stayflfes in ther handes." (Machyn's Diary, pp. 105-6). 
 V. Ridley's farewell letter to the Citizens of London in Trollope's " History of 
 Christ's Hospital," p. 46 ; and '* Bridewell Royal Hospital," by Colonel A. J. 
 Copeland, F.S.A., p. 25. 
 
C2^ 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 brynger of the said Ires to tlie ende that the L. Maior 
 shoulde be the more carefull to accomplyshe the kings 
 requeste. 
 
 Dignitie. What good successe followed of the kings Ires. 
 
 Dutie. These gracious Ires of the king and good motion of the 
 
 Bysshoppe tooke very good effecte. 
 Dignitie. I piaie you lett me heare what followed. 
 Dutie. I shalbe over tedious vnto you, the discourse is longe & 
 
 the matter intricate. 
 Dignitie. My desycr is to heare the whole discourse & therefore 
 
 " Zt7i^'* Zet^^r^."— Endeavours have been made to trace the original letter, 
 but in vain. At that time such documents were regarded as private, and not 
 official, so were retained by the Lord Mayor. 
 
3 
 
( ^ ) 
 
 I praie you leave no parte vntonched. 
 Dutie. I will accomplyshe yo'' request so farre foorthe as my 
 
 knowledge & memorie will permytt mee. 
 Dignitie. Proceade. 
 
 Dutie. After the L. Maior & his bretheren had well consydered 
 
 of the kings Ires they thoughte yt very convenyent to 
 calle tenne or twelve of the wyi:est cittezens & to appoynte 
 certaine Aldermen to mete & conferre w^^ them what were 
 best to be done. And to sette downe in wrighting some 
 plattforme w''^ waie these greate nombers of ydell rogishe 
 wandring beggers mighte be removed oute of the streates & 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 every sorte placed in sundrie houses the younge the aged 
 the sore & the lustie roge & every of these to be made 
 proffitable members in the comon weal the. 
 
 I lyke very well of yo"^ begining. I praie you goe on. 
 
 This worthie Bysshoppe Mr. Docto'" Rydley whoe was 
 the fyrste begetter of those good beginings did not cease, 
 but effectually followed the L. Maior that then was 
 Sr. Richarde Dabbes whoe was a verye earnest man in 
 setting forwards of this worcke. So that after dyvers 
 meetings of the Byshoppe & other wyse Cyttezens they 
 devysed a booke wherein they had sette downe in what 
 sorte & manner they woulde have these poore 
 
4- 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 provided for. 
 
 Dignitie. Can you sette downe brefelye to what effecte that booke 
 
 was. 
 
 Dutie. 1 will Doe my good will. fFyrste they devysed to take 
 
 oute of the streates all the fatherles children & other poore 
 mens children that were not able to kepe them & to bringe 
 them to the late dissolved house of the Greie tfryers w""^ 
 they devysed to be an hospitall for them where they 
 shoulde have meate drincke & cloths, lodging and learning 
 and officers to attende vppon them. They all so devysed 
 that there should be provysion 
 
 '''•Late dissolved house 4'<^.—T]i\b had been occupied by the Grey Friars from 
 1224 to 1538, when it was surrendered to the King (v. " Annals of Christ's 
 Hospital," p. 8), who granted it to the Corporation in 1546, for the relief of the 
 Poor, subject to various tenancies of private Houses within the Precincts. 
 
PL.j i^l.^fl ^ ^ .dl^s ^i/t. ... . I 
 
 4^,^ £c£2- ^^^^^ ^ ^"l^e^ o/i^ 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 made to kepe the sicke from the whole and layed a platte 
 to have purchased Fynsburye Courte & there to have 
 kepte the children m a freshe aire in the tyme of sicknes 
 because they feared leaste throughe the corrupte nature of 
 the children whoe being taken from the dounghill mighte 
 one infecte another being packte up in one house & so 
 putte the hole Cyttie in Daunger of infection. 
 
 DigQitie. This devysc I lyke very well for yt caryethe w'^ y t bothe 
 
 vertue & pollecie. 
 
 Dutie. Then the Governo'^ devysed that the sucking children 
 
 & suche as for wante of yeres were not able to 
 
 Finshnry Courts — Probably part of the Manor of Finsbury adjacent to the 
 London Wall, belonging to the Prebend of Hollywell and Finsbury, and leased to 
 the Corporation of London. 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 learne shoulde be kepte in the Countreye & allwaies at 
 Easter broughte home. 
 
 Dignitie. J lyke vcry Well of theire devyse. I praie you proceade. 
 
 Dutie. There was allso devysed to be taken oute of the streates 
 
 all the lame and aged people suche as had not any place 
 to goe vnto. And they shoulde all be convayed to the 
 Hospitall of St. Thomas in Sowthwarke where they 
 shoulde have meate, drincke, and lodging, Chirurgians 
 and other officers to attend e vppon them. 
 
 Dignitie. Here ar twoe sortes very well provyded for in wordes. 
 
 Dutie. Truly they ar yet but in wordes 
 
 St. Thomas^ Hospital was originally founded within the Priory of St. Mary 
 
 Overie Southwark, between 1172 and 1207, for converts and poor children, and was 
 dedicated to St. Thomas a Beckett. 
 
 By Letters Patent of Edward VI., dated 12tli August, 1551, the site of the 
 Hospital, the Church and part of the Endowment (£154 lis. Id. per annum) were 
 granted to the Corporation of London for a place and home for poor people ; anti 
 by further Letters Patent, dated 13th August, 1551, the residue of the Endowments 
 (£160 per annum) was granted as a purchase for £2,461 2s. 6d. 
 
 The site was sold in 1862 for railway extension, and the patients were housed 
 in the old Surrey Gardens Buildings until the opening of the present handsome 
 structure at Stangate in 1871. 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 but anon you shall heare of deedes. 
 
 Dignitie. J longe to heare the whole some of this devyse. 
 
 ^'^"6- I will proceade w*^ the rest. Then they did devyse that 
 
 all the ydell & lustie roges as well men as woemen shoulde 
 all be taken vp & be convayed into some house where they 
 shoulde have all things necessarie & be compellde to 
 labour. 
 
 Dignitie. You delighte me greately. I desire to heare y^ rest. 
 
 Dutic. Then they devysed that all the lazer people shoulde 
 
 The Lazern (the loathsome Lazars, botches and sores, p. 6) were a constant 
 annoyance to the Citizens by their " clapping of dishes and ringing of bells " 
 (Stow, 1633, Ed. p. 344). and were an erer-present source of infection. 
 
 The following extract from the Christ's Hospital General Account for 
 April, 1553, shows the arrangement made for dealing with them : — 
 
 " Payd to the vj Lazarhowses adioynige to the Citie for the herbouringe of the 
 " poore whiche haucbene sente them from this howse and from S* Tliomas Hospilall 
 " accordinge to suche order as was taken w^*" the kepers of the said liowses, whiche 
 " was for euerye poore person that shoulde be sente vnto them Vjy the Gou'nours of 
 " this howse they shoulde be allowed vi" viii" a Monethe and payd monthly and euery 
 " of the kepers of the sayd howses to thintcnte they shoulde botli charitably and well 
 " entreate shuche poore as shoulde be comitted vnto them, and also diligently look 
 " vnto them that none of their said poore shoulde come w'^in the Citie to begg 
 " neyther w"'in iij myle therof except only at the Dores of their said howses, 
 " euery of them ys allowed yerely xx" to be payd Quarterly. And this order was 
 " taken the xxiiij^h day of Septembre 1552. Sythen whiche tyme to this daye is 
 " vij monethes and to the said howses haue I payd as maye appeare by the 
 '* particulers thereof only for the poore xxxiij^' xiiij« ij** and for their haulf yeares 
 " ffee iijL'* And by the consent of the howse when the ordre was taken cu'y of 
 " them had v* whiche in the whole was xxx«- xxxviij^-i iij" ij*-" 
 
'^^^ji ^^^^ 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 be removed out of the streates & have monthly pencons 
 payde them to the ende that they shoulde not anoye the 
 kings subiects resorting to the Cyttie. 
 Dignitie. I lyke these devyses passing well. 
 
 Dutie. They allso devysed yett more, that all the decayed 
 
 poore Cyttezens shoulde be made knowne & that every of 
 them shoulde have wekelye a pencion according to his 
 necessitie. 
 
 Dignitie. I lyke wcU of that devyse yt proceaded of a charitable 
 mynde. 
 
 Dutie, Nowe you male see that the Cyttezens devysed 
 
o^fs/i ^Q^2ff e^^^c^ 
 
 I 6 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 to dense the Cyttie clean e of all sorts of beggers from 
 tyme to tyme. And because they shoulde not encrease 
 they devysed to augemente the nomber of theire beadles, 
 to the ende they shoulde dailye attende & wayte in the 
 streates & at the gates of the Cyttie that no Countrey 
 beggers shoulde come yn to anoye or putt the Cyttie to 
 any farther charge. 
 Dignitie. A Very good pollecie for w*^out that the rest had bene 
 nothing. 
 
 Dutie. There was allso devysed that all lame men & woemen 
 
 w""^ shoulde be cured & made hole 
 
 " Beadles."— By the terms of Henry VIII.'s Charter the Corporation were to 
 " find eight persons to be Bedells to bring to the . . . House of the Poor such poor, 
 " sick. aged, and impotent people as shall be found going abroad in the City of 
 "London and the suburbs of the same, not having wherewith to be sustained. 
 " And to repulse and avoid such valiant and sturdy vagabonds and beggars they 
 " shall find daily within the said City and the suburbs of the same." Their wages 
 were fixed at £3 6s. 8d. a year. 
 
7 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 shoulde be broughte to the house of Labour as allso all the 
 theves w*''' shoulde be acquytted eyther by theii^ booke or 
 by proclamacon that they shoulde all be broughte to ye 
 house of labour & there kept vntyll they mighte be better 
 provided for. 
 
 Dignitic. This devyse of all the rest surpassethe here is a perfecte 
 
 plattforme of a comon weal the i& god will blesse that 
 Cittie or Countrie wherein these good accons ar putte in 
 execucon. You sale this was devysed & truely yt was a 
 good devyse, but what successe tooke all these devyses : 
 that I desier to knowe. 
 
 Dutic. The plattforme thus drawne was delyvered in 
 
0 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 wrighting to the L. Mai or & courte of Aldermen where yt 
 was generallie well lyked. W*^' this booke they delyvered 
 a peticon in wrighting to this efFecte that this theire 
 travaile myghte be putt in execucon & not die in oblyvion. 
 Dignitie. Jhls was a good motion & proceaded of a good zeale yt 
 had bene greate pyttie that so good a worcke broughte to 
 so good efFecte shoulde so have bene buryed. 
 Dutie. stirred vp a greate nomber w'^'' did prosecute & 
 
 followe the sute w^hoe never lefte the L. Maior & Courte 
 of Aldermen tyll they had order to proceade & power 
 gyven them to doe all that was nedefull in that accon. 
 
 '^Generally well likedy — "The Lord wrought with thee, and gave thee the 
 "consent of the brethren," i.e.. the Aldermen. — tiidley's farewell to the Citizens. 
 
>/^/xc ^^^^j^ ^"^^^^"^^"^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ VC^' 
 
 t / / 
 
 6 ^ 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 Dignitie. I lyke very well of this decree. Proceade I praie 
 you. 
 
 Dntie. These that had fyrste drawen this platte chose as 
 
 many vnto them of Aldermen & other grave Cyttezens 
 as made up the full nomber of xxx*'® persons & chose 
 officers to attende vppon them to warne theire meetings 
 w*'^ comonly they did every dale vntill they had 
 broughte this worcke vnto perfecte rypenes. 
 
 Dignitie. WJiat was the nexte thing these xxx^'*" persons tooke 
 
 in hande. 
 
 Dutie. These xxx"*" persons devysed to sende precepts to every 
 
 Alderman & to the Wardeines of every Companye to 
 
 Thirty persons^—" Ot the Governors. Those to whom the whole charge 
 " and government shall be committed, as well of this House of Occapations, as 
 "also of the other Hospitals, are 30 in nimibcr, whereof 6 are Aldermcu, — and 2 of 
 " the same 6 shall always be elected of those tliat have been Mayors of the City, — 
 " and 24 Citizens of London who shall be named and elected of the whole City." — 
 Bridewell Petition. 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 this effecte that they w*'" theire officers shoulde make 
 dilligent searche w*^in every of theire Wardes & companyes 
 what nomber of poore fatherlesse children, what nomber 
 of aged, lame & impotent persons and what nomber of ydell 
 roges as well woemen as men As all so what nomber of 
 decayed housholders were in everye Companie & Warde 
 w*^in the Cyttie of London & lybties of the same. And 
 after this searche so made they all agreed to sette downe 
 in wrighting theire whole nombers in a booke. 
 
 Dignitie. This was a very good course & incydent to the matter. 
 
 Dutie. This searche being dilligently made throughoute ye 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 Cyttie the Aldermen of every Warde & the Wardeines of 
 every Companye broughte in theire reportes severallye of 
 every of the sortes of the poore. 
 Dignitie. It is not to be doubted but the nomber was greate. 
 Dutie. The nomber was greate indede as shall appeare, viz. : — 
 
 Of ffatherles children 300 
 
 Of Sore & sicke psons 200 
 
 Of poore men overburdened w^^ theire children 350 
 Of aged persons ------ 400 
 
 Of decayed householders - - - - 650 
 
 Of ydell vagabondes 200 
 
 The whole nomber ys as yt appeareth to be of 
 
 all sortes w'''' requyred present relefe - - 2160 (sic) 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 Dignitie. Howe was jt possible that this Cittie shoulde be so 
 
 overchardged w*^ poore people. 
 Datie. F£or wante of execucon of good lawes & by neckligente 
 
 governemente as It shall hereafter appeare in the discourse 
 
 of this present tyme 
 Dignitie. Nowe I praie you showe me howe ys yt possible to 
 
 rayse sufficient matter to releve the present necessitie of 
 
 all those sortes of poore. 
 Dutie. I will shewe you what somes of money was raysed & 
 
 by what meanes yf yt please yo" to attende the hearing. 
 Dignitie. W*'' all my harte & I thancke you to 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 Dutie. These xxx*'^ persons did comonly mete every dale in the 
 
 inner chamber in the Gvildhall where they fyrste thoughte 
 good to begynne w*^ themselves & agreed to presse vppon 
 every of them selves a severall some of money according 
 to his calling & abillitie, some 20^', some 10*', some more, 
 some lesse. 
 
 There was allso graunted them the fynes of twoe w""^ 
 were chosen ShirilFs w''^ was 200*' so y*^ the whole some 
 at that tyme taken vp in presse was 748*' or there abouts. 
 Dignitie. I lyke this good bcgining well. 
 
 Dutie. Xhat w""^ followed had allso very good successe. Ffor 
 
 after this these xxx"*" persons devyded them selves into 
 twoe partes agreing to devyde the 
 
 *' Sheriffs' Fines." — By Order of Court of Common Council, 6th September, 
 1552, of £300 received as Fines for refusing to take the office of Sheriff from 
 John Crymes, Clothworker, Thomas Clayton, Baker, and John Brown, Mercer, 
 £200 was assigned to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and £100 to Christ's Hospital. 
 
c-v^_ ^^^^ r/^— f-p.^/^^ 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 Cittie betwene them & to calle all the preachers mynisters, 
 churchewardaines & sydemen & w*^ three or foure of the 
 better sorte of every paryshe before them to the ende to 
 perswade them that they shoulde drawe on the rest of theire 
 paryshoners to a francke benevolence & wekely pencion. 
 And to that effecte they delyvered there w*^ a very fyne 
 wittie & learned oracon being printed w''^' they gave to 
 every preacher and mynister the better to instructe & 
 perswade the people in every paryshe to gyve lyberallye. 
 Dignitie. J can hardly e beleve that the benevolence of London 
 only could ryse to a compotent some to releve suche a 
 nomber. 
 
( 25 ) 
 
 Dutie. They devysed allso that there shoulde be boxes provyded 
 
 & to every Inholder there was delyvered one to the ende y* 
 they mighte gather of theire ghests theire benevolence to 
 that good worcke. There were allso boxes delyvered to 
 the Wardeines of everye Companie to the same efFecte w*'^ 
 in the ende a nomber broughte in greate somes of money, 
 for men gave franckly the worcke was so generally well 
 lyked : the preachers allso at Pawles crosse did contynually 
 perswade the people to gyve lyberally so that money cr.me 
 in abundantlye. 
 
 Dignitie. It is a ioyfull thinge to heare that the people were so 
 readye to gyve theire moneye to so good a worcke. 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 Dutie, They proceaded farther. There was a devyse that 
 
 every honest housholder in London shoulde have a byll 
 prynted wherein there was a glasse wyndowe lefte open 
 for his name & for his some of moneye the tenure whereof 
 is this. 
 
 T. W. doe franckly gyve & freely graunte foorthew*^ 
 to be payde towards the ereccon of the houses for the 
 poore .... & wekely towards the maintenance and 
 continuance of ye same poore 
 
 These bylles thus made & prynted were delyvered to 
 the churchewardeins to the ende that they should delyver 
 them to the honest housholders of the paryshe & every 
 man to sett downe 
 
 '* Adevyse" Sfc. — " This month of August (1552) began the great provision 
 "for the poor in London, towards the which every man was contributory, and gave 
 " certain money in hand, and covenanted to give a certain weekly." — Howes' 
 Stow, p. 608. 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 his owne name and his some what he woulde gyve 
 presently & wekelye. 
 
 This was a fyne devyse & there must nedes ryse a 
 greate some of moneye. 
 
 Uppon the retourne of these boxes bylles & benevolences 
 & every thing entred into a faire booke by the Clarcke 
 then these xxx^'^ persons moved the L. Maior & Courte of 
 Aldermen to sett downe theire benevolence, w*"^ they did 
 & they gave an hundrethe pownds & 50^' a yere Lande 
 w''^' the Cyttie had purchased of y*' king w*"*" Lande was 
 tourned over to St. Thomas Hospitall. 
 
 Sfc. — On 11th August, 1562, it was agreed that the Savoy and 
 certain other lands originally given to the 3 Hospitals should be turned over to 
 St. Thomas' Hospital, in whose possession they have since remained. 
 
/i^'^if ^rf^ ^j^^ ^^24^^.jlj^ 
 
 ^ ^ ziDZ^-\ ^^^^ 
 
 (^CC^rO- ^eop^£y^ (^f^S^^ ^ ^\y^^t^*^^^ ywt 
 
 j)i^ihc^ ^CM^// ^^^2/^/ 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 Dignitie. I 866 all things prosp6r6d that th6se good m6n took6 in 
 hande. 
 
 Dutie. A£t6r this these xxx*'^ persons prayed the Lorde Maior & 
 
 Courte of Aldermen to have houses appoynted for the 
 receyte & harboring of these poore people av°^ was willingly 
 graunted. 
 
 Dignitie. What houses were theye. 
 
 Dutie. The one was the house of the late dissolved GreyfFriers 
 
 w""^' house at that tyme stood voyde <&; emptie, only a 
 nomber of hoores & Roges harbored therein all nighte, the 
 other was y'' house w""^ wee nowe call St. Thomas 
 
/pxe.^.^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 I 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 Hospitall w*"^ house stoode voyde & emptie a long tyme 
 saving in Chrystes Hospitall there laie one Thomas 
 Bryckett Vicar of Chrystes churche w*^ whome the 
 Governo'' compounded & boughte all his tables beadsteads 
 & other things whereof there is an Inventorye of whose 
 lodging the Governo'' made them a compting house & 
 lodging for theire Clarcke. 
 
 Dignitic. These houses were very convenient for suche a purpose 
 but I thincke they were farre oute of repacons. 
 
 Duiic. Yea they were sumwhat oute of repacon & therefore 
 
 these xxx"® persons thoughte yt good to make 
 
 Thomas Birkehed, by the Letters Patent of Henry VIIT. dated 27th December, 
 1547, was appointed "the first original and modern Vicar" of the newly-formed 
 Parish of Christ Church, Newgate Street, and was to have a fit habitation and a 
 yearly pension of £26 13s. 4d. 
 
 On 4th March, 1553, the Governors of St. Bartliolomew's Hospital agreed that 
 he be granted £6 13s. 4d. quarterly for life "for his house which he had within 
 " Christ's Hospital." 
 
 " At the suppression of the Monasteries, the Monastery of the Franciscans or 
 " Gray friers escaped the fury by the protection or mediation of what good Angel 
 " incarnate I know not. But surely it was God's good will it should stand." 
 — Howes' Stow, p. 982, 
 
/ ^ 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 choyceof Officers, so that there was chosen to be Treasurer 
 of Chrysts hospitall Mr. Roe w''^ was after L. Maior. 
 There was allso chosen to be Treasurer of Thomas 
 Elospitall Mr. Chester whoe allso afterwarde was L. Maior 
 of London. 
 
 They allso agreed that forthw^^ these tvvoe houses 
 shoulde be repay red & made swete and redye to receyve 
 the poore. 
 
 They allso ordered that Thomas Hospitall should be 
 made able to harbo'' & receave 300 persons. 
 
 They allso ordered that Chrystes Hospitall shoulde be 
 made redye to harbo"" and receave 500 persons. 
 
 Sir Thomas Rone, Knt., Merchant Taylor, Lord Mayor 1668, was apparently 
 offered the Treasurership, but did not accept the post, as the Account Books of 
 Christ's Hospital show that Richard Grafton was the first Treasurer. 
 
^^^^^ i^cli^ 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 Allso M'' Callthroppe one of the xxx*'^persons tooke vppon 
 him to provyde 500 ffeatherbeds & 500 padds of Strawe 
 to laie vnder the featherbedds & as manye blancketts & a 
 thousande paire of shetes to be allowed for the same when 
 he had furnyshed as many as shoulde come to a thousand 
 marcks. 
 
 There was allso appoynted to eache of these houses 
 Surveyo"*' to see the worckes goe forwards whose names 
 hereafter ensue. Viz. 
 
 Stephen Cobbe George Tedlowe 
 
 John Blondell Henry Ffyssher 
 
 Thesewere Thomas Lodge 
 
 for Xristes 
 
 Thomas Bartlett 
 Thomas Eaton 
 Rieharde Grafton 
 
 These Thomas Hunte 
 
 were 
 for St. 
 
 iL'pri. William Petersone 
 Mr. Essex e 
 John Sawyer 
 
 Stephen Cobb, Haberdasher ; Thomas Lodge, Grocer, Lord Mayor 1562 ; 
 Thomas Bartlett, Stationer ; and Richard Grafton, Grocer, were among the first 
 Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 It was allso ordered that a proclamacon shoulde be 
 made to avoyde all forreine beggers. 
 
 They allso tooke order w*^ the men of the Lazar houses 
 nere vnto London that they shoulde not anoye the Cyttie 
 allowing them certaine pencions & tooke bands of the 
 Governo''^ of those Lazar houses for performance of 
 covenants. 
 
 Dignitie. J praie you make reporte of the names of these good 
 Govemo", for truely I am per s waded that they were 
 appomted of god to accomplyshe this good worcke. 
 
 Dutie. After all these theire metings, toyles, paines and 
 
 traveiles taken, the houses grewe nowe to be in readynes 
 & furnyshed w*^ all manner of nessaries 
 
 Foreign beggars^ i.e,, beggars from without the City. 
 
Cr*~~L C«w9^^ Q^eW»-iJ 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 mete and convenient. 
 
 Whereuppon the Governo'^ meeting at the Gvildhalle 
 agreed together to mete all in the Compting house made 
 for the Governo*^^ in Chrystes Hospitall on the vi^^ daie of 
 October 1552. At w*"^ tyme and place they mette whose 
 names hereafter foil owe. Viz. 
 
 S"" Martyn Bowes 
 S' Andre we Judde 
 S'^ John Olyve 
 M' Jarveis 
 M"^ Hewetts 
 
 John Browne 
 William Chester 
 Thomas Lodge 
 Guye Waed 
 John Blundell 
 
 Thomas Bartletts 
 Clement Newce 
 William Crompton 
 John Callthroppe 
 Lonne 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 M'' Heywarde 
 
 Richarde Hill 
 
 Walter Younge 
 
 George Toedlowe 
 
 Thomas Ffenton 
 
 Thomas Hunte 
 
 Henry Ffyssher 
 
 William Peterson 
 
 Jesper Ffyssher 
 
 Edwarde Wythers 
 
 Thomas Locke 
 
 John Yickers 
 
 M' Essexe 
 
 Richarde Grafton 
 
 Thomas Eaton 
 
 These Governo" thus mette determyned to make choyce 
 of theire Officers w''^ shoulde serve in Chrystes Hospitall. 
 And fyrste they began w^^' one Thomas Cleaton whoe was 
 chosen Shyriife of London being a baker w*^ whome they 
 compounded to sette owte his fyne in breade w""^ was one 
 hundredth powndes. 
 
 Truely a grave company of wyse men as yt 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 Wardeinc 
 of ye house. 
 
 Clarke. 
 Stevvarde. 
 
 Buttler. 
 
 Undcr- 
 buttler. 
 
 Cooke. 
 Porters. 
 
 Gramer 
 Schoole 
 Mayster. 
 
 Li s. d. 
 
 appeareth by theire proceadings. 
 
 They allso made theire choyce of all other officers w""'' 
 were thought mete to serve in that house & to attende 
 vppon the children. Viz. 
 
 John Vickers whoe had yerelye for his paines 
 
 & service a gowne clothe of . 
 
 John Watson whose fee and lyverye was 
 
 William Smoothing whose fee was yerely 
 
 Thomas Mason whose yerely fee was 
 
 William Benne whose yerely fee was 
 
 Anthonye Ideson whose yerely fee was . 
 
 John Saepschead & John Fforeskeue whose 
 yerely fee was to cache of them w^'' theire 
 lyveryes . . . . . .600 
 
 John Robynson whose yerely fee was . . 15 0 0 
 
 2 13 
 10 0 
 6 18 
 6 13 
 2 0 
 
 4 
 0 
 4 
 4 
 0 
 
 0 0 
 
 John Watson was Clerk and Writing Master until his death in October, 1562. 
 He was buried at Christ Church, Ist November, 1562, and a Pension was granted 
 by the Governors to his Widow. 
 
 Most of these names appear in the first List of Salaries paid in June, 1553. 
 
 Warden. — This intended appointment did not come into effect. It was 
 modelled on that of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where the celebrated Thomas 
 Vicary or Vicars (Sergeant Surgeon to Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary and 
 Elizabeth) was Warden at a like fee. 
 
 Robert Ballthorp.-— The following Epitaph was inscribed on his Monument in 
 St. Bartholomew's Church: "Here Robert Balthrop lies interred, To Elizabeth 
 " our Queen, Who Sergeant of the Chirurgeons sworn Neere 30 years hath been. 
 
 He died at 69 of years, December i)th the day, The year of grace 800 twice, 
 " Deducting 9 away." 
 
^_ 
 
 '^tt^^ ~^.2.^<^^ 
 
( 36 ) 
 
 Gramer 
 vsher. 
 
 A Teacher 
 to write. 
 
 Schoole- 
 maisters 
 for the 
 Petties 
 A.B.C. 
 
 A Scoole- 
 maistcr for 
 Musicke. 
 
 Chirurgionc. 
 
 Chirurgione. 
 
 A Barbor. 
 
 A Taylor. 
 
 The coale 
 keper. 
 
 Themazon 
 scourer. 
 
 Li 
 
 Jeames Seamer whose yerely fee was . . 10 0 0 
 John Watson whose yerelye fee was . .368 
 Thomas Lowes and Thomas Cutts whose 
 
 yerelye fees to eache of them . . . 2 13 4 
 A Teacher of pricksonge whose yerely fee was 2 13 4 
 Robte Ballthroppe whose yerely fee was . 13 6 8 
 Henry Browne whose yerely fee was . .400 
 John Staples whose yerely fee Avas . .200 
 Robte Cooke whose yerelye fee was . . 2 13 4 
 Trongon Charsley whose yerelye fee was . 2 0 0 
 Thomas Lucas whose yerely fee was . . 10 U 
 
QwOy^e-J^ li^ 6^^i^ C^^^^l^^ 2P<ii^. 
 
 fVv£^^ .^y^^^ ^\J24. ^ |_^_ 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 There were all so encreased more Beadelles & theire 
 wages was allso encreased by reason tbat theire pains was 
 then greater then before. 
 
 Li s. d. 
 
 Governo's Mr. Yickers whose yerely fee was . .16 8 
 Matron. Agnes Sexton whose yerely fee was besyde a 
 
 lyverey and 18"^- a weke for hir boorde . 3 6 8 
 Systers. xxv"® and every of them had yerelye for theire 
 
 severall fees xp- & a lyverey and xvi pence 
 
 a weke for theire boorde wages 
 The Bluer. John WassG had for his ycrclyc fee 
 
 The Sextone of Chrystes churche Ijad lor his 
 
 attendance yerelye . . . .10 0 
 ' The Governo"" did allso make the like choice of 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 Officers for St. Thomas Hospitall whose yerelye fees 
 were as folio we. Viz. 
 
 Hospitteiei. William Morsette whose yerely fee was 
 ciarcke. John Marleye whose yerely fee was 
 Stewarde. Eicharde Maye whose yerely fee was 
 Buttier. John Pyllsworthe whose yerely fee was . 
 Cooke. William Underwood whose yerely fee was 
 chiruigions. Joh^ Enderbye 
 
 Mathewe Johnson 
 John Anderson 
 John Sherylfe 
 John Parker 
 John Stur butts 
 
 Li s. d, 
 
 10 0 0 
 
 10 0 0 
 
 6 13 0 
 
 5 0 0 
 
 8 0 0 
 
1 
 
 \yi^-^/^'-h^ 
 
 ofy^if^ r^l^ '^IS^-^ -i^Xtt'^^ ver^h^'^ 
 
 X 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 All these were Chirurgions whoe had eache of Li s. d. 
 them for their severall fees yerelye . . 15 0 0 
 The officers thus chosen the children taken and 
 receaved into the house to the nomber of three hundrethe 
 and eightie as allso the aged & lame into S* Thoms 
 hospitall to the nomber of 260 A nomber of the 
 children being taken from the dunghill when they came 
 to swete and cleane keping & to a pure dyett dyed 
 downe righte & so lykewyse the poore aged & other 
 in the hospitalles dyed. And a nomber of them aswell 
 the children in Chrystes hospitall as of the Aged and 
 lame in St. Thomas hospitall woulde watche duely when 
 the porters were absent that they mighte steale oute Si 
 falle to theire olde occupacon so that a nomber of them 
 were sharply 
 
 " 27ie children . . . received into the House," — From Howes' Stow 
 (p. 608) we learn that the 23rd November, 1552, was the exact date of the first 
 admission both into Christ's and St. Thomas' Hospitals. 
 
 • " Dunghill "= dustheap (c.f. " a dunghill of seacoalc ashes." — Stow 1G33 Ed, 
 p. 180). 
 
 Dyed doivne righte." — v. "Annals of Christ's Hospital," pp. 47-48. The 
 earliest Kegister shows a very high rate of mortality, but the death rate throughout 
 London in Tudor times was terrible. Oul of an estimated population of 120,000. 
 7,830 died in 1578, i.e., 65 per 1,000 ; and 6,762 in 1582, i.e., 56 per 1.000, while in 
 1593 it was upwards of 140 per 1,000 (f. Creighton's History of Epidemics 
 in Britain). 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 punyshed before they coulde be broughte to abyde w^^in 
 the boundes of theire houses. Thus I have as my 
 memorye serveth me sette downe the order & manner of 
 
 the beginning of these houses. There were allso releved 
 wekely by pencions to the nomber of vi hundreth decayed 
 housholders. 
 
 I most hartely thancke you for you have taken 
 greate paines & I never in all my lyfe tyme hearde any 
 thing that more delighted me then this yo' reporte 
 
 There resteth yet much more w""'" I will delyver vnto 
 you as brefely as I maie. 
 
 I will not be vnthanckfull to you for this your greate 
 paines & traveile. 
 
 *" Sharply punished."— The punishment is not recorded, but we know that 
 anyone who escaped from Bridewell and was re-taken as a vagrant was to be 
 *' whipped at the cart's tail, and on a repetition, to be treated as a rogue of the 
 " first degree and have his ear bored," and at the third offence to be used as a 
 felon. (Bridewell Royal Hospital, p. 48.) 
 
 " Pensiojisy — The care of the aged was. and is, as much the object of Christ's 
 Hospital as the care of the young. Although the general funds are no longer 
 applicable for this purpose, upwards of 1,300 aged pensioners are now paid out 
 of special funds devised or given, mostly by the Governors, for the relief of the 
 Blind and various classes of people. 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 Dutic. Y t dothe me good to heare you so delighted w*^ so longe 
 
 & tedious a historic & because I perceave you take pleasure 
 in yt I will performe as muclie as my poore knowledge will 
 permytte me. 
 
 During this tyme the Beadelles were very busie & 
 dilligente to clense the streates & lanes of Roges, beggers 
 & of other forreine poore. 
 
 There was allso for the poore children of the free scoole 
 a place made to dispute w"' the schollers of other free 
 schooles & sylver pennes & garlands provyded towards the 
 rewarding of suche as best deserved. This Avas fyrste 
 erected by S'" William Chester to encourage the poore 
 children to learning db after promyse was made by Martyn 
 Boes to gyve yerely maintenance for the continuance of yt 
 but his mynde alltered & so yt came to nothing. 
 
 " A place made to dispute icith the scholars of other free schools,'" 4"^.— Prior 
 to the Dissolution these disputations were held in tlie Priory of St. Bartholomew, 
 and revived for a year or two in the Cloister, i.e., the " ({ardon," of Christ's 
 Hospital, where the best Scholars (those still of St. Anthonie's School) were 
 rewarded with Bows and Arrows of silver given to them by Sir Martin Bowes. — 
 Stow, 1633, Ed, p. 04. 
 
 " The Town Ditch.'' — Begun in 1211 and finished in 1213, this formed a Moat 
 200 feet broad round the City Wall. Stow says that it was " now of late neglected 
 " and forced either to a very narrow and tilthy channel, or altogether stopi)ed up 
 for gardens planted and houses builded thereon." 
 
 A strip 890 feet long and about 80 feet broad was leased to the Governors by 
 the Corporation of London, the first lease being for 50 years at 12'* per year. 
 Much of this was let by the Governors ; part was "a Burienge Place bothe for y' 
 " children of this House and Ilospitall and for Chiistes Churche Parishe, called 
 after y« name of y* Hcm[)e Yardc " ; and part was " a Yard called or known 
 " as the Town Ditch being a place of recreation for the children of this House and 
 " for the laying of Timber." (Christ's Hospital Register of Lands.) 
 
^ ^hbdj^ Cj^^cn/ yih&)tr- ^tjj^J^^ 
 
 ^ 6 / 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 The furnyture of these twoe houses w*'' wainescott 
 beadsteads & A thousande featherbeds ii thousande paire 
 of sheetes w^'' coverletts & blaiicketts accordingly coulde 
 not but ryse to a marveilous chardge besydes the making 
 & repairing of the houses. 
 
 You have graceously consydered of the chardge w'''' 
 indede surmounted farre the receyte w""'' was a lytle vnder 
 3000^' but god so wroughte in the harte of a nomber of 
 good men, that some men buylded and vawted the towne 
 dytche at theire owne proper costs & chardges. And 
 other there were that boughte featlierbedds, coverletts, 
 shetes, blanckets, sherts & smocks & disbursed greate 
 somes of moneye w''^ never came to any publicque 
 accoumpte so that god in secreate broughte greate things 
 to passe in 
 
0 ^fi^ 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 the advauncemente of this fovvndacon. 
 
 Truely yt was the only worcke of god & begonne in a 
 blessed tyme. 
 
 Yt dothe appeare so, for that the vertuous prynee king 
 Edwarde whose godly Ires were the fyrste begetters of 
 this fowndacon, having knoAvledge of the forwardncs of 
 this good worcke did of hiuiselfe comaunde warrante to 
 be made wlierevnto he sett his liaiide that all the l3^nnen 
 belonging to the churches in London shoulde be broughte 
 & delyvered to the governo''" for the vse of these poore, 
 reserving sufficient for the comunion table w^^' towells & 
 Surplyces for the mynysters & Clarckes, w'^'' lynnen did 
 great service in those causes & especiall in S'' Thomas 
 hospitall where the Aged, lame 
 
 " Linen belonging to the Churches in London."' — In a memo, in Cecil's hand of 
 matters to be transacted at a Council on 24tli November, 1552, is the following 
 item : " To move the Ks Ma"e that the newe hospit in L5do mayc haue of ye Ks 
 "gyft the lyne of y^ Churche in Londeu." (State Papers (Domestic) Edward VI., 
 Vol. 15, No. 61.) 
 
^t~2f <^^P^Qj <^g^^ 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 & sore people were to be cured. 
 Dignitie. These twoe worthie houses ar perfectly performed : the 
 children w''^ ar the Rootes of beggerye ar provyded for, 
 the lame & aged ar removed, so that nowe there resteth 
 only the thirde house for the lustie Roges & ydell 
 vagabonds. 
 
 Dutic. Att this present the Cyttie was unprovided of suche a 
 
 house notw"'standing to acconiplyshe that w"'"' was 
 promysed they cleansed the streates of ydell men & 
 woemen. And as the tyme served theye broughte them 
 into- that parte of Chrystes hospitall w"^'' is nowe the 
 schoolemaysters house where they were kepte from doing 
 any farther harme allthoughe not ymployed to any 
 occupacons 
 
 "Idle men and iwmeny — For many years adults continued to be admitted 
 into Christ's Hospital, (r. " Annals of Christ's Hospital," p. 39.) 
 
1^0 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 for the place served not. but this contynued not longe 
 for shortly after they devysed to make meanes to tlie 
 king's ma*'^ for the house of Brydewell w""'' in shorte tyme 
 they obteyned. the manner & circumstances thereof I 
 will putt doAvne in wrighting' as yt proccaded because 
 therein was conteyned the whole substance of the cause of 
 all the fowndacon. 
 
 Dignitie. That of all the rest I desier to heare. 
 
 Dutie. There was a fyne supplicacon made to be delyvered to 
 
 the kinge in the name of the poore & there was 
 appoynted to be at the delyverye thereof theye whose 
 names hereafter ensewe, viz. 
 
 Mr. Docto' Rydley Bysshop ot' London 
 
^ ^— — - 
 
 < 77* 
 
( ^6 ) 
 
 Martyn Boes 
 S'^ Rowland Hill 
 S"" Andrewe Judde 
 S'^ John Gressham 
 S'" John Oly ve 
 
 William Chester 
 
 Lodge 
 Broome 
 M^Marche 
 M"^ Blondell 
 M"^ Bartletts 
 M-- Grafton 
 
 This supplicacon was delyvered by the Bys.shoj)pe of 
 London to the king in his inner clossett at Westmynster 
 vppon his knees w*'"' a learned oracon in the comendacons 
 of the L Maior & Cyttezens for theire forvvardenes in that 
 good worcke. 
 
 A Coppie of y'^ same supplicacon. 
 Ffor Jhesus Chrystes sake righte deare & moste dread 
 soveraigne Lorde. Wee the myserable sore sicke & 
 frendless people beseche yo'' gracious ma*''' to cast vppon 
 vs yo'^ eyes of mercye & compassion 
 
( ^7 ) 
 
 Whoe no we by the mightie operacon of Almightie god the 
 Cyttezens of London have all readie so lovingly & 
 tenderly looked vppon that they have not only provided 
 healpe for o"" malladies & disseases & the vertuous 
 educacon & bringing vpp of o' myserable & poore chilldren 
 
 butt allso have in a readynes moste proffitable & wholesome 
 occupacons for the contynuing of vs & o""" in godly 
 exercyse, by Reason whereof wee shall no more falle into 
 that fylthie puddle of ydelhies, w'''' was the mother &> 
 leader of vs into beggerye & all myschefe, but fi'om 
 henceforthe shall walke in that f reshe fyelde of exercyse 
 w°^' is the guyder & begetter of all wealthe vertue & 
 honestie. But alas (moste gracious Lorde) excepte wee 
 fynde favo'' in the eies of yo'* ma^'^ all this theire traveile & 
 o'' hope of delyverance from that wretched vile estate 
 cannot be attained 
 
( 48 ) 
 
 for lacke of harbo"" & lodging. And therefore o moste 
 gracious soveraigne heare vs speaking in Chrystes name 
 & for Chrystes sake have compassion vppon vs that wee 
 maie lye no longer in the streates for lacke of harbo" & 
 that o^ olde sore of ydellnes maie neyther longer vexe vs 
 nor greve the comon weale. Oure sute moste deare 
 soveraigne is for one of yo'" houses called Brydewell A 
 thing no doubte bothe vnmete for vs to aske of yo"" ma*'° & 
 allso to enioye, yf wee asked the same for o' sin full lyving 
 & vnworthines sake, but wee as the poore members of o"" 
 savio"" Jhesus Chryste, sent by him, moste humbly sue to 
 yo"" grace in o'' saide Maister's name Jhesus Chryste that 
 wee for his sake & for the service that he hathe done to 
 yo'' grace & all the faythfull Comons of yo' liealme in 
 
0 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 spending his moste deare & precious blood for you & vs 
 maie receyve in rewarde at yo' ma*'''^ handes gyven to vs 
 his members w''^ of his greate mercye he accoumpteth & 
 acceptethe in o'' behalfe as graunted & gyven to him selfe 
 the same yo"" Graces house as a moste acceptable gyfte & 
 swete oblacon offered vnto him, & then not wee but he, 
 even o"" saide mayster & savio"", w'''' all ready hathe 
 crowned yo'' ma*'''' w*''' an earthely crowne, shall according 
 to his promyse crowne yo' grace w^'' an everlasting 
 Diademe & place you in the pallace of eternall glorie, and 
 not wee only but the whole Congregacon & churche 
 spread throughout the whole worlde shall will nighte 
 & daie calle & crye incessantly e vnto o' saide loving & 
 swete savio' m' to preserve & defende yo' ma'^^ bothe 
 nowe &> for ever. 
 
2!i^Ht dJZf/^ o'j y (T«b.'2<^ A>^T^\»*-^-p.^^&-_2i^<< 
 
( 50 ) 
 
 Dignitie. This supplicacon was very well pende and to good 
 purpose & yt was as orderly delyvered, & I trust yt tooke 
 as goode efFecte. I praie you what was ells done. 
 
 Dutie. Besyde the supplicacon there were good notes putt in 
 
 wrighting & delyvered to the Counsaile of the whole 
 entente & meaning of the L. Maior & Cyttezens, ho we 
 they woulde employe the house of Bridewell & the Lands 
 of the Savoie, for y'' obteyning whereof they praied the 
 Lordes to be earnest suters vnto the kinge. 
 
 Dignitie. I praie you shewe me did the L. Maior and Cittezens 
 offer this booke to y"" Lords of y"" Counsaile before yt was 
 requyred, or did the L. of the Counsaile 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 demaunde yt. 
 
 Dutie. Dyvers of the Counsaile y* wyshed well to the further- 
 
 ance of theire sute requyred them to putt in wrighting 
 theire whole entente & purpose of their devyses that they 
 mighte be satysfyed of y^ good meaning of the Cyttie & 
 that then they shoulde be the better able to perswade the 
 king to graunte theire request. And so the Cyttezens 
 made dyvers bookes, whereof one was gyven to the kinge, 
 one to the L of the Counsaile & one to the Bysshoppe of 
 Canterbury & to dyvers others. 
 
 DigQitie. I would e be glad to see what is contayned in that 
 
 booke. And therefore yf yt be not to greate a volume I 
 praie you make reporte thereof. 
 
 Divers Books. — Two of the originals are still in existence : one in the Parker 
 MSS. at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, a copy of which appears in the 32nil 
 Report of the Schools Inquiry Commissioners — Parker being the " Byschoppe of 
 Canterbury " referred to. The other is in the Harleian Collection at the British 
 Museum, No. G04, p, 176, and is reprinted in the " Supplement to the Memoranda 
 " relating to the Royal Hospitals," p. 32. (v. "Annals of Christ's Hospital," p. 29.) 
 
 In the General Account for 1553 there is the following entry in the month of 
 November : " Paid to John Pillesworth for the writinge of certayue copies of the 
 " state of Chrystes Hospitall and for one Alphabett of Lres. VI^." 
 
* / ».e^^^r^^W- *o U.n»,^r^ ^-mS-X, » 
 
 y^v2^a«'^^^H^^^i^ ^^^^ 
 
( 52 ) 
 
 Dewtie. I shall not nede to spende so muche tyme for not yet 
 
 viii. yeres past I gave in a brefe of y* & of other things to 
 the Governo'' of Chrystes hospitall allthoughe nowe owte 
 of memorye & againe the whole substance of the booke is 
 conteyned in the former devyses. 
 
 Dignitie. It Were greate pyttie that so good a thing shoulde so 
 soone be forgotten. 
 
 Dutie. Xhe pollecie was good & yt had as good successe for the 
 
 king did not only graunte vnto them theire whole sute 
 but allso became ffounder & patrone of the hospital Is & 
 gave w^^'all the Lands of the Savoie to the value of 450^' 
 a yere w^Wl y^ moveables aswell the plate as other things. 
 
 " A brief,'' ^'c. — This was diligently searched for in 1889, but without success. 
 Had it been extant in the days of William Parry, he would doubtless have 
 produced it as evidence. 
 
 " Gave withal the Lands of the Savoy." — The gift was announced by the 
 King to the Lord Mayor at Whitehall, on 10th April, 1553. (v. Howes' Stow, 
 p. 609). 
 
( 53 ) 
 
 Dignitie. This was a goodly gyfte but I praie you tell me what 
 became of all the Officers belonging to y' house. 
 
 Dutie. The kinge coven'^nted w*^^ the Cyttie that every Officer 
 
 shoulde have his accustomed stypende or wages During 
 his lyfe payde him quarterlye by the Cyttie w'^ came 
 yerely to 101*^ 6'- S^' And as these Officers dyed so these 
 pencions ceased. It was allso founde that the Savoie was 
 in debte w""^" the Cyttie tooke order to paie 178^' 12'- 9^- 
 
 Dignitie. Seing I have proceaded thus farre in this accon lett 
 
 mee be satysfyed yf you can what shoulde move the kinge 
 to departe from so bewtyfuU a house as Bridewell was so 
 rytchely garnyshed w'^ so greate chardges & being so 
 lately buylded, and allso what 
 
( 54 ) 
 
 moved the kinge to convarte the Landes of the Savoie to 
 the Cyttie. 
 
 Dutie. Ffjrste for the house of Brydewell yt was latelye 
 
 buylded & not w^'^'out an infynite ehardge, but the scytuacon 
 thereof was suche that all the coste was caste awaie, there 
 was no coming to yt but throughe stincking lanes or over 
 a fylthy dytche w""^' did so continually anoye the house, 
 that the kinge had no pleasure in yt. And therefore the 
 kinge being requyred by the Cyttezens to converte yt to 
 so good a vse god moved his harte to bestowe yt to that 
 vse rather then to be at any charge in keping of yt or to 
 suffer yt to falle downe & so not proffi table to any. And 
 this I am suer was the Keason that moved the king, for 
 at that 
 
 " Bridewell r—%t. Bride's or St. Bridget's Well. From the days of William 
 the Conqueror this had been a Royal Fortress or Palace situate at the West end of 
 the City. For some time it was occupied by Wolsey, but reverted to Henry VIII., 
 by whom it was repaired in 1522. (r. " Bridewell Royal Hospital.") 
 
 The Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlem, founded by Simon FitzMary, Sheriff of 
 London, in 1246, was includ(}d in Henry VIII.'s gift to the City, and was united to 
 Bridewell in 1555. 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 tyme yt stood voyde & was daily spoylde by the kepers. 
 And Dowe as touching the tourning over of the Savoie 
 lands you shall vnderstand that the Savoie was erected by 
 king Henry YIP^ in the tyme of pap3^strie chiefely for 
 pylgrymes, wayfaring men, & for maymed & brused 
 souldiers that they myghte have meate drincke & lodging 
 for a tyme. The pylgrymes being suppresssd & so no vse 
 of them, & as for suche wayfaring men & souldiers as y*" 
 house did comonly harbo"^ were none other but comon 
 Roges (fe ydell pyKering knaves w""^ theye receyved in at 
 nighte & every morning toumed oute at the gates w%ut 
 meate drincke or clothe & so laie wandring all daie abrode 
 seking theire adventure in fylching & stealing .(fc at nighte 
 came & wer'e receyved in againe. And so the Savoie was 
 
 " The Savoy:'— Ct Stow, 1633 Ed., p. 344. 
 
( 56 ) 
 
 nothing ells but a nurserye of all villanie. The Revenewes 
 & proffits of the Rents came wholy to the vse of the 
 maysters whoe were pryestes & officers of the house. 
 
 And so the vertuous prince king Edwarde had greate 
 Reason in converting the lands to the Cyttie where the 
 poore receaveth the proffits. And this good king did not 
 forgette that wayfaricge men shoulde be relieved for he 
 covenanted w*^ the Cyttie that they shoulde provyde for 
 them w°^ the Cyttie dothe performe in Thomas Hospitall 
 where there ar a nomber daily lodged over & besydes 
 theire owne poore which ar comonly to the nomber of ... . 
 
 This noble prince kinge Edwarde the sixte did allso 
 gyve to the L. Maior & Cyttezens in y'' saide fowndacon 
 power & aucthoretie to searche 
 
 " AfUhority to search," ^'c. — v. Charter. 
 
( 57 ) 
 
 enquyre & seke owte in London & Myddellsexe all ydell 
 Ruffians & taverne haunters vagabonds beggers & all 
 persones of yll name & fame bo the men & woemen & them 
 to apprehende sende & comytte to Bridewell & by any 
 other waies or meanes to punyshe or correcte as shall seme 
 good to theire discreations. 
 
 Dignitie. You have awnswei'ed mee fully e yt was a pryncelye 
 gyfte & of greate importance but nowe yo" have putt 
 another thinge into my heade that maketh me to muse. 
 
 Dutie. What is that ? 
 
 Dignitie. What course took the Groverno" to rayse moneye to 
 defraie all these chardgeable accons as to prepare necessarie 
 Instruments for sundrie occupacons & to have money in 
 stocke readye to disburse. 
 
( 58 ) 
 
 Dutie. I will as I may satysfie yo"* Ffyrste they consydered 
 
 that they had drawne from the Cyttezens, bothe particulerly 
 & generally greate somes of moneye & therefore nowe the 
 devysed to take a newe course w""^ was to borrowe of every 
 halle & Companies severall somes of moneye w''^ particulerly 
 I coulde sette downe, bothe the Companies and the somes 
 borrowed yf I shoulde not be over tedious. 
 
 Dignitie. I prayc you sett them downe in order for my learninge. 
 
 Dutie. You shall comaunde mee. 
 
 
 £i 
 
 
 
 
 Imprimis the Mercers 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 Skynners 
 
 . 70 
 
 The Grocers 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 m^'chantaylo''^ 
 
 . 100 
 
 The Habdasshers 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 Salters 
 
 . 70 
 
 The Dpapers 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 Ironmongers 
 
 . 40 
 
 The Fysshemongers . 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 Vinteners . 
 
 . 40 
 
 The Goldesmythes 
 
 100 
 
 The 
 
 Clothworkers 
 
 . 100 
 
 Borrow " = ask or beg, as in Exodus III. 22. 
 
 Every Hall and Company. — In accordance with Act of Common Council, 
 February, 1554-5 (v. " Bridewell Royal Hospital," pp. 37, 38). 
 
~ ^^^^ dS* w^ir^-^iv-^ 
 
 1= 
 
 n 
 
( 59 ) 
 
 
 
 
 ^1 
 
 ine Diers . 
 
 20 
 
 The Browne Bakers 
 
 5 
 
 Ihe Bmers 
 
 CIA 
 
 The longe Bowestringe 
 
 
 ine iaIlowcn"nnalers 
 
 CIA 
 
 20 
 
 makers . 
 
 2 
 
 ine ramters 
 
 5 
 
 The Glasyers 
 
 5 
 
 ine roulters 
 
 1 A 
 
 10 
 
 ihe Bakers 
 
 10 
 
 The Barborsurgeons . 
 
 20 
 
 The leathersellers 
 
 40 
 
 ine Ourriars 
 
 1 A 
 
 lU 
 
 ine Carpenters . 
 
 10 
 
 The Bowyers 
 
 6 
 
 The Guttlers 
 
 10 
 
 The Imbroderers 
 
 5 
 
 The Sadlers 
 
 40 
 
 The Waxch"nndlers 
 
 5 
 
 The Gyrdlers 
 
 30 
 
 ihe rewterers . 
 
 40 
 
 ihe In holders 
 
 20 
 
 ihe Wollpackers 
 
 10 
 
 The Cowpers 
 
 20 
 
 The Pastlers 
 
 10 
 
 The plomers 
 
 5 
 
 The Ffruterers . 
 
 5 
 
 The Cordwainers 
 
 15 
 
 The Masons 
 
 5 
 
 The Armorers 
 
 10 
 
 The Joyners 
 
 5 
 
 The ffl etchers 
 
 5 
 
 The Plasterers . 
 
 5 
 
 The Bricklaiers . 
 
 5 
 
 mi 1 J i 1 1 1 t> p 
 
 ihe bottellmakers & y*" 
 
 
 The butchers 
 
 20 
 
 i ourners 
 
 
 ine okryveners . 
 
 10 
 
 ine raviars 
 
 Q 
 
 6 
 
 ine Woodmongers 
 
 1 A 
 
 10 
 
 The Weavers 
 
 0 
 
 The Blacksmythes & 
 
 
 The Stacioners . 
 
 5 
 
 the Spurriers . 
 
 5 
 
 The Ffownders . 
 
 5 
 
 The fFarriars 
 
 5 
 
 The Loryners 
 
 4 
 
 The vpholsters . 
 
 10 
 
 The Turno'"'^ 
 
 
 The Greye tawyers 
 
 5 
 
Ht^, (fjt^^t^€^ ^y^^^ ^^^^f 
 
 ^^y^ i^<vv^^ ^^^^^ 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 Dignitie. This course was well taken yi the moneye were 
 
 aunswered accordinglye. 
 
 Dutie. The moneye came in verye good order & dyvers good 
 
 men gave largelye to fynyshe the house of occupacons 
 & besydes the boxes wh*"^ before was delyvered to the 
 Inholders & to the .... & other were broughte into the 
 Treasurers w^'' good porcons of moneye in them. 
 
 There was allso a fyftene or twoe graunted to buye 
 wood and coale to serve the poore of the Cyttie & the 
 rest to be converted to the stocke & to sette the Idell a 
 worcke. 
 
 Dignitie. Howc Were all these greate somes of money imployed. 
 
 " A Fifteen or ttro.'' — By order of Court of Common Council, 4th Augast, 
 1579, two Fifteenths were levied for Bridewell. (" Bridewell Royal Hospital," 
 p. 52). 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 Dutie. The Governo''^ at this present boughte suche ymplements 
 
 as was necessarie to sette the ydell aworcke, and now 
 they receave into the house of Brydewell all y"" ydell Roges 
 & strompets that were wandring aboute the Cyttie : they 
 buylded <k severed Rooraes & made lodgings for the 
 prysoners : they allso chose officers, as Porter, Cooke, 
 Stewarde & other that were surveio""' of the workes & a 
 Matrone to governe the synglewoemen w*"'' were in 
 nomber at that tyme .... 
 
 And they boughte Woode & coale & made a Wharfe & 
 so there was meanes ynoughe to consume moneye. 
 
 Diguitie. Nowe 1 pcrccave theire devyse and plattforme grewe to 
 effecte & was made perfecte by the erecting of this house, 
 so that nowe the streates of the 
 
( 62 ) 
 
 Cyttie were cleared of all sortes of beggers, the poore 
 fatherlesse children in a house by themselves, the 
 lame & aged in a house by them selves, the Lazar 
 kepte in the Lazer house & were compounded w^^all. 
 The ydell lustie Roges and strompets were broughte to 
 Bridewell, & the decayed housholder releved by pencyons 
 wekely. This worcke was begune in a good tyme & 
 tooke good successe yf the con ty nuance were aunswerable 
 to the begining. The lyke provysion was never in any 
 Chrystian kingdome. 
 Dutie. The whole worcke & devyse of the fyrste chosen 
 
 governo" came nowe to a full perfection, nowe was 
 the Cittie in hir bewtie. And nowe was 
 
MjJ^^^ fl^^ f p^JS> (T^-^^ 
 ^C^^ S-^^f^ ^1^^^^^ 
 
 ^ y vc^ (>»o*-r^^^"TX>**^?S<- ^T^^^***^*^-^^^- ^>»vtf^^X»o-ro^ 
 
 ^ hi 
 
 I r 
 
( 63 ) 
 
 Bridewell in his pry me all the Cyttyzens thoughte theire 
 moneye well bestowed & praysed god greately for the 
 happie successe of this good worcke. but alas what shall 
 I sale, god tooke to his mercye y* blessed king wh*"^' 
 was the Patron e & fFownder of these good accons by 
 reason whereof came greate allteracon & chaunge. 
 
 AUthoughe god tooke awaie the good king, yett this 
 good worcke coulde never die for mens devocons contynewe 
 for ever. 
 
 Devocon dyed when good men were enforced to flye 
 into forreine Coiintreyes for safetye of theire owne lyves & 
 consciences. 
 
 Edward VI. died 6th July, 1553. He liad signed the Indenture of Covenants 
 on 12th June, and the Charter is dated 26th June, lo53. 
 
( 64 ) 
 
 Dignitie. Whie, did not Quene Marye w*"^ succeded putt to hir 
 
 healping hande & gyve good countn'^nce to this good 
 worcke. 
 
 Dutie. Xhe Cyttyzens were in good hope that shee woulde 
 
 have done soe, but yt came otherwyse to passe for at suche 
 tyme as shee came oute of Norffolke & was to be receaved 
 into London y® Governo'''' sette vp a stage w*houte Allgate 
 & placed them selves & the children vppon the stage. 
 And prepared a childe of the free schoole to make an 
 oracon to hir, but when shee came nere vnto them shee 
 cast hir eie another waie & never stayed nor gave any 
 countn^'nce to them. 
 
 Dignitie. jj^jg jg ygj.y straunge that you tell mee, butt nowe I 
 
 consyder of hir profFession yt is 
 
 " The Oovfirnors set up a stage wicliout Aldgate.''^ — This was oa 3rd August, 
 1553. One of the childreu salutinge her highncsse kneclingc on his knees made 
 " an oration to her highness in Latin." (Wriothesley's Chronicle, p. 94.) TroUope 
 asserts that Edmund Campion (the Jesuit) was the orator. 
 
 The Boys of Christ's Hospital have always been privileged to present an 
 Address on the occasion of the first entry of the Sovereign into the City of 
 London. 
 
(Vi^* (f^*''^^^^ '^^'^ /l^"^ ^''^ 
 
( 65 ) 
 
 nothing straunge at all, for nowe I knowe shee did not 
 lyke of the blewe boyes, but yf they had bene so manye 
 Greyefryers shee woulde have gyven them better 
 countn^nce. 
 
 Dutie. You have allreadie touched the quycke, the chaunge of 
 
 Relligion had allmoste overtourned all for then there was 
 nothing but flye, flye, or burne, burne. 
 
 Dignitie. The tyme was sharpe and daungerous, but I truste this 
 worcke contynewed. 
 
 Dutie. W*'' muche adoe, for there were a nomber that preached 
 
 ernestlye & spake bytterlye againste yt & Commissioners 
 were appoynted to examyne yt, but god styrred some 
 amoungest them selves that theire malicious myndes tooke 
 not suche efFecte as they looked for. 
 
 Dignitie. Came yt to y^ passe y^ they were syfted by Comission. 
 
^ /^y- ^.^^^ ^^^2^1^ 
 
 ^'Atr^;^^ ^^^^^ /^wY^.M^^ '^4Uv/^ 
 
 T 
 
( 66 ) 
 
 ffryer Peto & ffryer Perin did theire good wills to 
 have subverted all, but ffryer John a Spanyarde who 
 came in companie to see the manner & was broughte by 
 the rest of the Comissioners to have his opinion whoe 
 being there at dinner tyme & seeing the poore children 
 sett at the tables in the halle & seing them served in w*^ 
 meate, he was so wrapped in admyracon that sodenly he 
 burst oute in to teares <i saide in Lattin to the company 
 that he had rather be a Scullion in theire kytchin then 
 stewarde to the kinge. 
 
 God wroughte a speciall myracle in that good ffryer 
 for yt is wrytten of him that after his retourne into Spaine 
 he was executed for relligion. 
 
 Alfonsus the king's Confessor, had very good lyking of 
 
^^^^^ i^^P^e^^^^ l^^^^J^^ 
 
( 67 ) 
 
 the trayning vp of these children & he vsed very good 
 wordes to the companye in the favo'' of them, there were 
 allso some of the Comissioners that spake very favorablye 
 in theire behalf e & some were made frendes by frendes & 
 not w*hout consyderacon. 
 
 Was not Docto** Storyes hande in the pye. 
 There was bothe Storye, Chedseye, & Harpesfelde w**" 
 dyvers other but Story was made a frende for not longe 
 before the Governo" of that house had gyven him a lease 
 of the house wherein he dwelte of w*"^' he him selfe had 
 bestowed some coste & therefore he was made a frende, for 
 he thoughte that yf the fFryers shoulde be restored into 
 the place of the children that then they woulde bringe his 
 house in question for yt was parcel 1 of 
 
 " Starve, Chedsey and Harjpesfelde." —In the General Account for 1557 there 
 is mention of an " allowance for reparation done upon the tenement wherein 
 " Docto^ Storye doth dwell that is to say for boardinge and tylingc . . . 
 " sande and bricke Vll^'-" He was Principal of Broadgate. Oxford. (r. 
 " History of J'cmbroke Coll., Ox.," p. 518, by the Rev. Douglas Maclean, a Scholar 
 and Exhibitioner of Christ's Hospital, and Kingdon's " Richard Grafton," p. 77.) 
 
■ y 
 
 ^ (^^if^^f- ^rT^^ ^^^-^^ ^^o^ 
 ^^^^ f^l^ 
 
( 68 ) 
 
 the ffryers w''^ ho was not willinge to parte from. 
 
 Dignitie. That lease was gyven in a good tyme & to a good 
 purpose for a f rende in those daies was worthie thanckes. 
 
 Dutie. The Govern o'"^ had made more frendes for Xroferson 
 
 w°^ was Bysshoppe of Chichester & Confessor to Quene 
 Marye & a Comissioner was a suer f rende to the children 
 for the Governo'"' did lykewise graunte him a lease of his 
 house w*^ twoe gardens so that yf the ffryers had entred 
 they woulde have called his house in question for yt was 
 allso ye chefe lodging of the Prior. 
 
 Dignitie. Then I scc that frendes were made hy rewards. 
 
 Dutie. liotbe rewardes & greate frendes were made by some 
 
r 
 
( ) 
 
 of the Governo''^ to contynewe that house for other vvyse yt 
 woulde have gone harde. For the ffryers made greate 
 frendes & greate meanes to be restored to that house 
 because yt stood hole & was not spoyled as other houses 
 were but they never durst* open theire mouthes to suppresse 
 that house as longe as ffryer John was w^'^m the lande. 
 Digaitie. Was there any means made to ffryer John to speake in 
 
 the favo'' of the children. 
 Duiie. Not that ever I vnderstood for the Comissioners 
 
 broughte ffryer John & Alfonsus the king's Confessor to 
 see the house to the ende they shoulde have moved the 
 king & the Quene to restore the Greyffriers again to theire 
 former places as allso to make reporte in what state they 
 fownde the house, but god so wroughte in secreate that 
 ffryer John delyvered openly his opinion w''^ did so 
 
<Vf^««> /l^rrw /»^/f3<r/r 
 
 c 
 
 ^.H^ 0^^^2l^^ / ->V^-f <^^w^ 
 
( 70 ) 
 
 appalle iFryer Perin and ffiyer Peto that tliev never 
 
 durste open theire mouths againste that house. 
 Dignitie. Was there no more ffryers but Peto & Perin. 
 Dutie. There were v or vi other poore ffryers had bene 
 
 ffryers in the house before but they only depended vppon 
 
 Perin & Peto. 
 
 Dignitie. It appeauethe that the ffryers woulde faine have bene 
 restored to theire olde occupacons & that the Governo" 
 had sum what to doe to defende & to contynewe the 
 creadit of the house : was there any thing ells passed 
 worthie the noting. 
 
 Dutie. Not that I remember, only Bysshoppe Gardener clapte 
 
 M"" Grafton fast in the fllete for twoe dales because he 
 suffered the children to learne y^ 
 
 Richard Grafton, probably a Tudor (r. Mr. Kingdon), Cit. and Grocer ; 
 Chronicler ; Deputy of the Ward of Farringdon Within ; King's Printer ; M.P. for 
 the City of London ; Treasurer of St, Bartholomew's Hospital ; First Treasurer- 
 General Christ's nosi)ital, &c. One of the early adherents of the "New 
 Learning," and the friend of Cranmer and Ridley, he gave up his business as a 
 Merchant, on purpose to print the Bible in English. While still very young he 
 was closely associated with Coverdale in translating and transcribing his Bible, 
 and imported many copies at his own costs. He risked his life in setting up the 
 type in Paris, and was thrice imprisoned in the Fleet during Henry VlII.'s reign. 
 Occupied practically the whole of the Little Cloister of the Grey Friars, with its 
 surroundings, holding part by Letters Patent of Henry VIIL and part as tenant, 
 first of St. Bartholomew's then of Christ's Hospital, at £8 13s, 4d. per annum. 
 There is little doubt that his was the master mind that directed the affairs of the 
 Hospitals through their early years. He was buried in Christ Church, 14th May, 1573. 
 (" Poyntz and Grafton," and " Richard Grafton," by Mr. J. A, Kingdon). 
 
(Mllpj^ '^^.rr^a^. 
 
( 71 ) 
 
 Englyshe Prymer when they shoulde have learned the 
 Lattin Abseies. 
 
 Dignitie. Coulde the Bysshoppe of Winchester being L. Chauncelo'' 
 have so muche leasure as to looke ynto y® hospitalles. 
 
 Dutie. He looked so farre ynto them that he forced the 
 
 Governo'"' bothe of Bridewell & of Thomas hospitall to 
 erecte in eyther of them a chappell & to have a Masse 
 prieste to be theire Hospitteler & to have dailie masse 
 saide. 
 
 Dignitie. Methincks there was smalle discrecon in the Bysshoppe 
 to deale so hardelye w*^^ Bridewell where none but Roges 
 and Harlotts ar. 
 
 Dutie. Of all the rest of the houses theire mallice was moste 
 
 chefely again ste Bridewell. 
 
 " Abseies,'' i.e., A.B.C.'s.— The Catechism was first printed in English with the 
 Alphabet, &c., so that a Book containing the Catechism came to be called an 
 A, B.C. Book or Absey-book. 
 
( 72 ) 
 
 Dignitie. What coulde the Bysshoppe & the Comissioners sale 
 against Bridewell. 
 
 Dutie. Pardon ato. Bridewell did discypher many secreats & 
 
 yt was knowne there that a nomber of Balles prystes did 
 many tymes enter comons in other mens pastures. And 
 besydes that Bridewell did somwhat abridge the 
 eccleasiasticall courte of theire iurysdiction ffor w""^ cause 
 the Governo" were never in quyet but every Terme 
 proces came oute againste them for one cause or other. 
 Dignitie. Yt appcarcthe that Bridewell was a greate mote in 
 theire eies & that theire owne consciences accused them of 
 some fowle matters w''^' they feared shoulde come to lyghte 
 by examynacon. 
 
 Dutie. It maye be they feared the cracking of theire credit 
 
i^f S^^^e- r^£j2i^ ^yJ^ -:g^X^^^^^-J^ 
 Xir^Qi- ^^^^ ^ ^^n^44^ (y^^-*^^ ^ C 
 
 ^^p^p^rn^^- ^^^^^^ (Vft^trt^ o^ ^^^^^ 
 
( 73 ) 
 
 but this I knowe what w'^'' preaching againste yt & what 
 w^^ proces they did all they might doe to discounten'^nce & 
 to discreadit that house, w""'' gave an occasion to some 
 greate persons lusty youthes at that tyme to comytte many 
 owtrages whereof ensued greate troubles & no doubte y£ 
 Quene Marie had contynued longer they woulde have 
 supprest yt by one meane or other. 
 
 Dignitie. Coulde not the Popes clergie & Bridewell be frends. 
 
 Dutie. The deathe of Quene Marie ended all the stryfe. 
 
 Dignitie. I perceave by this discourse y* yo"" hospitalles were in 
 theire chefest pryme in the tyme of king Edward ffownder 
 of them & that they were nothing encreased by Quene 
 Marie. 
 
7)i ' ' 
 
 ^2(1 
 
( 74 ) 
 
 Dutie. In King Edwardes tyme they floryshed & in Quene 
 
 Maries tyme the Cyttie had muche to doe to kepe them 
 from suppressing. And therefore no hope of augementing 
 or encreasing. 
 
 Dignitie. Was the ending of Quene Marie any better then the 
 begining. 
 
 Dutie. The begining & ending were muche alyke & here 
 
 endethe all that I can saie touching these affaires. 
 Dignitie. Before you departe I prale you she we me in what state 
 
 you lefte the thre hospitalles. 
 Dutie. Chrystes hospitall was chiefely mainteyned by the 
 
 lyberall devocon of the Cyttezens. Brydewell by labor & 
 
 other .... & S' Thom^ hospi 
 
( 75 ) 
 
 I 
 
 talle by Rents & revenues & yf any one of the three wanted 
 then the other twoe did suppHe the lacke of that one for 
 so was yt ordeyned from the begining that the one shoulde 
 supplie the others lacke & that the lands of the Savoie 
 were gyven to the mainten'^nce of them all. 
 
 Dignitie. What lands mighte they dispende at that tyme. 
 
 Dutie. I can not sett you down the iust value but I will gesse 
 
 at them as nere as I can. 
 
 £i 
 
 ffyrste there was of the Savoie lands j 
 of the gyfte of king Edwarde vj ) 
 
 Lands belonging to Thomas hos- ^ 
 pitall purchased of king Henry > 150 
 viij by y yeare ... J 
 
 s. d. 
 
 0 0 p ann 
 0 0 
 
y^^^ ^^^^ C^^^^* — if^c^^j^ 
 
( 76 ) 
 
 £i s. d. 
 
 Lands purchased of Mr. Cloffe p ann 
 Lands gyven by Mr. Suckley p ann 
 
 Lands gy ven by Robte Melles p ann 
 
 Lands gyven by Emanuell Luker 
 
 40 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 p ann 
 
 A Lease gyven by Willm Lane Grocer 
 
 23 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 p ann 
 
 Landes given by S''* Richard Dabbes . 
 
 3 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 p ann 
 
 A Lease gyven by Robte Kytchin 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 p ann 
 
 Lands purchased of Dofelde p ann 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 Lands purchased of Lawrence warren 
 
 26 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 p ann 
 
 A Lease gyven by M'' Halle p ann 
 
 53 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 Landes gyven by M'^ Champnes 
 
 16 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 p ann 
 
 Lands purchased of Lawrence Jfarrcw.— Probably the best investment ever 
 made by the Governors. With 1.000 marks (£660 13s. 4d.) given or lent by 
 themselves in 1552, they purchased an estate on the eastern conuncs of the 
 Hospital. This comprised 6 tenements, 8 gardens with " haielofts," stables and a 
 shed, including " 2 tenements with 2 gardens in the tenure of the Bishop of 
 " Chichester " (i.e., Bp. Christophersou), whose yearly rent was £9, and " a 
 tenement with a Garden in the tenure of Doctor Storie," who paid £i a year 
 rent. (Christ's Hospital Register of Lands.) 
 
( 77 ) 
 
 £i s. d. 
 
 Lands gyven by Richard Castle I q q — 
 
 Cordewayner toChrjstes hospitall ) p ann 
 
 Certaine tenements & gardeines ) 
 adioyning to Chrystes hospitalle ) 
 
 Rents raysed in Bridewell 
 
 One anuetie oute of the Brydgehouse 5 0 0 p ann 
 
 One anuetie oute of Myldreds . 0 16 0 p ann 
 
 One anuetie gj^ven by S"" Walter i 
 Myldemaie. . . p annm f 
 
 Dignitie. Here appearethe a goodly maintenance & yt seraeth that 
 
 these lands & Rents were gyven at the tyme of the fyrste 
 
 erection of hospitalles & therefore yt must nedes followe 
 
 that dyvers 
 
^^J^^j^ ^^^^ "^^Jf^^/^"^ 
 , (Z (View 
 
( 78 ) 
 
 of these Leases ar expyred. 
 
 Dutie. You have saide truthe the porcion was greate and at 
 
 the fyrste erection god moved the harts of a nomber of 
 good men to gyve greate things. And I hope that the 
 same good mynde be in a nomber still & that they will 
 shewe the fruits of the Gospell w*'^ god graunte wee male 
 all doe. Amen & so Vale. 
 
 Digaitie. Seiug that you will nedes departe & that I can not stale 
 you any Longer I praie you be myndefuU of yo"^ promyse 
 made in the begining touching reformacon of the abuses 
 of the tyme presente. 
 
 PINIS. 
 
GETTY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 
 3 3125 01450 5727