CONTENTS

PAGE
The Author to the Reader[1]
The Antiquity of London[3]
The Wall about the City of London[7]
Of the Ancient and Present Rivers, Brooks, Bourns, Pools, Wells, and Conduits of Fresh Water serving the City[12]
The Town Ditch without the Wall of the City[19]
Bridges of this City[21]
Gates in the Wall of this City[27]
Of Towers and Castles[42]
Of Schools and other Houses of Learning[66]
Houses of Students of the Common Law[70]
Of Orders and Customs of the Citizens[73]
Of Charitable Alms in Old Times given[82]
Sports and Pastimes of Old Time used in this City[84]
Watches in London[91]
Honour of Citizens, and Worthiness of Men in the same[96]
The City of London divided into Parts[107]
Portsoken Ward[110]
Tower Street Ward[118]
Aldgate Ward[125]
Lime Street Ward[136]
Bishopgate Ward[148]
Broad Street Ward[157]
Cornehill Ward[168]
Langborne Ward and Fennie About[179]
Billingsgate Ward[185]
Bridge Ward Within[189]
Candlewike Street Ward[194]
Walbrook Ward[200]
Downegate Ward[206]
Vintry Ward[213]
Cordwainer Street Ward[224]
Cheap Ward[231]
Coleman Street Ward[248]
Bassings hall Ward[255]
Cripplegate Ward[260]
Aldersgate Ward[271]
Faringdon Ward Infra, or Within[277]
Bread Street Ward[307]
Queen hithe Ward[314]
Castle Baynard Ward[325]
The Ward of Faringdon Extra, or Without[331]
Bridge Ward Without (the 26th in number), consisting of the Borough of Southwark, in the County of Surrey[358]
The Suburbs without the Walls of the City, briefly touched, as also
without the Liberties, more at large described[374]
Liberties of the Duchy of Lancaster[393]
The City of Westminster, with the Antiquities, Bounds, and Liberties thereof[398]
Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Government[422]
Parish Churches[434]
Hospitals in this City and Suburbs[438]
Of Leprous People and Lazar Houses[440]
Temporal Government of this City[442]
Aldermen and Sheriffs of London[474]
Officers belonging to the Lord Mayor’s House[474]
Sheriffs of London; their Officers[475]
Mayor and Sheriffs’ Livery[475]
Companies of London placed at the Mayor’s Feast[476]
Liveries worn by Citizens at Triumphs[479]
An Apology, or Defence, against the Opinion of some Men, which think that the Greatness of that City standeth not with the Profit and Security of this Realm[482]
The Singularities of the City of London[485]
An Appendix[498]
Fitzstephen’s Description of London[501]
Index[511]

A
SVRVAY OF
LONDON.

Conteyning the Originall, Antiquity,
Increase, Moderne estate, and description of that
City, written in the yeare 1598, by Iohn Stow
Citizen of London.

Since by the same Author increased,
with diuers rare notes of Antiquity, and
published in the yeare,
1603.

Also an Apologie (or defence) against the
opinion of some men, concerning that Citie,
the greatnesse thereof.

VVith an Appendix, contayning in Latine
Libellum de situ & nobilitate Londini: Written by
William Fitzstephen, in the raigne of
Henry the second.

Imprinted by Iohn Windet, Printer to the honorable
Citie of London.
1603.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ROBERT LEE
LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LONDON
TO THE COMMONALTY AND CITIZENS OF THE SAME
JOHN STOW, CITIZEN, WISHETH LONG HEALTH AND FELICITY

Since the first publishing of the perambulation of Kent by that learned gentleman, William Lambert, Esq., I have heard of sundry other able persons to have (according to the desire of that author) essayed to do somewhat for the particular shires and counties where they were born or dwelt; of which none that I know (saving John Norden, for the counties of Middlesex and Hertford) have vouchsafed their labour to the common good in that behalf. And, therefore, concurring with the first, in the same desire to have drawn together such special descriptions of each place, as might not only make up a whole body of the English chorography amongst ourselves, but also might give occasion and courage to M. Camden to increase and beautify his singular work of the whole, to the view of the learned that be abroad, I have attempted the discovery of London, my native soil and country, at the desire and persuasion of some of my good friends, as well because I have seen sundry antiquities myself touching that place, as also for that through search of records to other purposes, divers written helps are come to my hands, which few others have fortuned to meet withall; it is a service that most agreeth with my professed travels; it is a duty that I willingly owe to my native mother and country, and an office that of right I hold myself bound in love to bestow upon the politic body and members of the same. What London hath been of ancient time men may here see, as what it is now every man doth behold. I know that the argument, being of the chief and principal city of the land, required the pen of some excellent artisan, but fearing that none would attempt and finish it, as few have essayed any, I chose rather (amongst other my labours) to handle it after my plain manner, than to leave it unperformed. Touching the dedication, I am not doubtful where to seek my patron, since you be a politic estate of the city, as the walls and buildings be the material parts of the same. To you, therefore, do I address this my whole labour, as well that by your authority I may be protected, as warranted by your own skill and understanding of that which I have written. I confess that I lacked my desire to the accomplishment of some special parts,[1] which some other of better ability promised to perform; but as I then professed, have since out of mine old store-house added to this work many rare notes of antiquity, as may appear to the reader, which I do afford in all duty, and recommend to your view, my labours to your consideration, and myself to your service, during life, in this or any other.