i gives his assent thereunto, wherein consists the happiness of the English subjects, above all the subjects of any other prince in the world; that neither in laws, nor in bye-laws, neither in taxes or imposts, no man is obliged to do or pay any thing but by his own consent. There is another court of the chamberlain of the city, to whom belongs the receipts of the rents and revenues of the city, and likewise the business of enrolling and making free apprentices, over whom he has a great authority. To the lord mayor also belongs the courts of coroner, and another court for the conservation of the river of Thames. Lastly, the court of goal-delivery at Newgate, held usually eight times a year, at the Old Bailey, both for the City and Middlesex, for the trial of criminals, whereof the lord mayor is chief judge, and hath the power to reprieve condemned persons. There are other courts called Wardmote, or the meeting of wards, whereof there are twenty-six in the whole city, and every alderman hath a several ward appropriated to him. In this court enquiry is made into all things that can conduce to the regulating and well governing of the city. Also the court of Hallmote, or assembly of every guild, and fraternity for regulating what belongs to every company in particular. There are likewise two sheriffs belonging to this city, which like the lord mayor, are only for a year, and are elected generally upon Midsummer Day. The name is thought to be Saxon, from Shire, or county and rive governor. His office is to serve the King's writs of attachment, to return indifferent juries, to see that the public peace be kept, and that condemned persons be executed, &c. Newgate, Ludgate, and the two counters are put into the custody of the sheriffs. For the ecclesiastical government, there is a bishop, and the present is Dr. Henry Compton, and to the cathedral of St. Paul's, belongs a dean, a chapter, a treasurer, and thirty prebendaries. A rector or vicar is placed in every parish for the cure of souls, and there is in every parish a parsonage or vicarage house for the minister, and in most parishes a competent allowance of tithes. The several Companies or Corporations of the City of London, and the time of their Incorporation. THE traders of the City of London are divided into companies or corporations, and are so many bodies politic, enjoying large priviledges by the charters of divers kings, granted to them, and have places to meet in, called halls, some whereof like so many palaces (with arms belonging to each company) worthy to be seen by strangers. The arms of this famous City of London are, argent cross gules, with the sword of St. Paul (say some) and not the dagger of William Walworth, for it is recorded this coat did belong to the city long before Wat Tyler's rebellion. 1. Mercers. They were incorporated 17 Richard II. 1393. 2. Grocers. First called Pepperers, incorporated 28 Edward III. 3. Drapers. Incorporated 17 Henry VI. 4. Fishmongers. The Stock and Salt, incorporated 28 Henry VIII. 5. Goldsmiths. They were made a company 16 Richard II. 6. Skinners. Incorporated first by Edward III. confirmed 18 Richard II. 7. Merchant Taylors. They were compleatly incorporated by Henry VII. 1501. 8. Haberdashers. Incorporated 17 Henry VII. called St. Kath. society. 9. Salters. Had their arms 22 Henry VIII. Crest and supporters by Queen Elizabeth. 10. Ironmongers. They were made a company 3 Edward IV. 11. Vintners. Incorporated by Edward III. and confirmed by Henry VI. 12. Clothworkers. Grew to be a company 22 Henry VIII. 13. Dyers. Incorporated first by a Charter from Henry V1. 14. Brewers. Incorporated by Henry VI. confirmed by Queen Elizabeth. 15. Leather-sellers. First incorporated 6 Richard II. 16. Pewterers. They were made a society by King Edward IV. 17. Barber Chirurgeons. First incorporated by Edward IV. and confirmed by every Prince since. 18. Armourers. Incorporated by Henry VI. himself being of the company. 19. White Bakers. Incorporated 1 Edward II. 20. Wax Chandlers. In great credit in the times of Popery. Incorporated 2 Richard III. 1484. 21. Incorporated 2 Edward IV. and confirmed by King James. 22. Cutlers. They were made a company by Henry V. and others since. 23. Girdlers. They were made a company 27 Henry VI. 24. Butchers. They were not incorporated till 3 King James. 25. Sadlers. They are ancient, from Edward I. 300 years ago. 26. Carpenters. They were incorporated 7 July, 17 Edward IV. 27. Cordwainers or Shoemakers. Incorporated 17 Henry VI. and confirmed since. 28. Painters or Painter Stainers. Incorporated 23 Queen Elizabeth, 1580. 29. Curriers. They are antient, but not incorporated till 12 June, 3 King James. 30. Masons or Free Masons, were made a company 12 Henry IV. 31. Plumbers. They were made a corporation 9 King James. 32. Innholders. They were made a company 6 Henry VIII. 33. Founders. Incorporated 18 September, 12 King James. 34. Embroiderers. Incorporated 4 Queen Elizabeth. 35. Poulterers. Incorporated by Henry VII. and confirmed 33 Queen Elizabeth. 36. Cooks. Incorporated 12 Edward IV. and confirmed by Queen Elizabeth and King James. 37. Coopers. They were made a company 18 Henry VII. 38. Bricklayers, or Tylers. Incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, confirmed 2 King James. 39. Bowyers. The time of their Incorporation was 21 King James. 40. Fletchers. They are also a corporation, but when made is uncertain. 41. Blacksmiths. Incorporated 20 Queen Elizabeth, confirmed 2 King James. 42. Joiners. Incorporated 18 Queen Elizabeth. 43. Plaisterers. Incorporated Henry VII. 44. Weavers, now Silk Weavers. Very antient, having 3 societies. 45. Fruiterers. Incorporated 3 King James. 46. Scriveners. Antient, yet not incorporated till 14 King James. 47. Bottlemakers or Horners. They are of great antiquity but not incorporated. 48. Stationers. Of great antiquity, before printing, and incorporated 3 Philip and Mary. 49. Marblers. Not incorporate, unless joined with the masons. 50. Wool-Packers. They flourished in the time of the Woolstaple. 51. Farriers. They rise from Henry de Ferraris, Master of the Horse to William the Conqueror. 52. Paviours. They have kept friendship together many years. 53 Loriners. They have a hall in Coleman-street Ward, upon London Wall. 54. Brown Bakers. 19 King James. They are of long standing, and incorporated 55. Woodmongers. Incorporated 3 King James, have lost their charter. 56. Upholsterers. Formerly much esteemed, but we do not find when incorporated. 57. Turners. They were made a company 2 King James. 58. Glaziers. Of antient friendship, but their incorporation unknown. 59. Clerks, called Parish Clerks, were incorporated 17 Henry III. 60. Watermen. They are a brotherhood, regulated by the Lord Mayor of London. 61. Apothecaries. Divided from the Grocers, incorporated 15 James. 62. Silk-throwers. Incorporated 23 April, 5 Charles I. Out of the twelve first of these companies, is the Lord Mayor chosen, or at least he is made free of one of them, after he is elected. The livery-men of all these companies meet together at Guildhall for chusing Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Parliament-men (whereof there are four for the city) and other officers, which is called a common hall; they are elected by the majority of voices. The Wards and Precincts of the City of London. THE general division of the wards of this city, since their purchasing the liberties of Southwark, in the County of Surry, consists of twenty-six aldermen to govern them, the names of which are as follow. 1. Tower Street Ward, so called from the Tower of London; unto this ward belongs Sydon, or Seething Lane, part of Mark Lane, Mincing Lane, and Beer Lane; in this Lane is Baker's Hall, then two lanes called Church Lanes, and next to them Fowl Lane; the church of St. Dunstan's in the east, and the Custom House, where is received and managed all the impositions laid on merchandize, imported or exported from the city, which is so considerable, that of all the customs of England, divided into three parts, the port of London pays two thirds, that is, above £33,0000 yearly. This house being destroyed by the late dreadful fire in the year 1666, is now rebuilt in a much more magnificent, uniform, and commodious manner by the king, and hath cost his Majesty £1000 building. In this ward there are remarkable, the Tower of London. Two halls of companies, the Cloth-workers, and the Bakers. This Ward hath an alderman, a deputy, eleven common-council men, and 3 parish churches. Allhallows, Barking, St. Olave Hart Street, and St. Dunstan's in the east, the last of which, with great part of the Ward, was burnt down by the late dreadful fire, but is lately rebuilt, and an organ placed therein; thirteen constables, twelves scavengers, thirteen of the wardmote inquest, and a beadle. 2. Portsoken Ward, wherein is contained the east part of the Tower, the Hospital of St. Katherines, East Smithfield and Tower Hill, where there is a store-house for keeping provisions for the royal navy, called the Slaughter House. The Merchant Taylors have in this ward alms-houses for fourteen women; next is the Minories, then Hog Lane, near Goodman's Fields, and the ward ends in Petticoat Lane. This Ward hath an alderman and his deputy, six common council-men, two parish churches, Trinity Minories and St. Buttolph's |