The legate landed at Deal on the 23rd July, and by slow stages was conducted with every mark of respect to London. His passage through the city was associated with an episode of a decidedly comic character if we are to believe the chronicler. A story is told[1085] that the night before Campeggio entered London, Wolsey sent him twelve mules with (empty) coffers, in order to give a semblance of wealth to the legate and his retinue. In Cheapside one of the mules turned restive and upset the chests, out of which tumbled old hose, shoes, bread, meat, and eggs, with "muche vile baggage," at which the street boys cried "See, see my lord legate's treasure!" The story, however, is on good authority deemed more malicious than probable.
The contest for the empire, 1519.
In January, 1519, the Emperor Maximilian died and left the imperial crown to be contested for by the kings of France and Spain. It eventually fell to the latter, and Charles V of Spain was elected Emperor Charles I, the event being celebrated by a solemn mass and Te Deum at St. Paul's, followed by a banquet at Castle Baynard.[1086]
The emperor's visit to the city, 1522.
Both France and Germany were eager to secure the co-operation of Henry. Charles anticipated the meeting which was to take place between Henry and Francis on the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold by coming over in person to England (May, 1519) and having a private conference with his uncle. The young emperor did not visit the city on this occasion; but in 1522, when war had broken out between him and Francis and he was again in England, he was[pg 365] escorted to the city with great honour and handsomely lodged in the palace of Bridewell. Nearly £1,000 was raised to meet the expenses of his reception and of furnishing a body of 100 bowmen for the king's service.[1087]
The king and his guest and ally were met at St. George's Bar in Southwark by John Melborne,[1088] the mayor, accompanied by the high officers of the city, clothed in gowns of "pewke," each with a chain of gold about his neck.[1089] A "proposicioun" or address was made by Sir Thomas More, now under-treasurer of England, who was afterwards presented by the City with the sum of £10 towards a velvet gown,[1090] whilst other speeches made in the course of the procession were composed by Master Lilly,[1091] of Euphues fame, the first high master of Colet's School.
Pestilence and famine, 1519-1522.
Between the first and second visits of the emperor the citizens had witnessed some strange sights and had gone through much suffering and privation. The city had scarcely ever been free from sickness, and famine and pestilence had followed one another in quick succession. In September, 1520, the fellowships or civic companies subscribed over £1,000 for the purchase of wheat[1092] to be stored at the Bridgehouse, where ovens were fitted up.[1093] Mills for grinding corn already existed in the Thames hard by.[1094] The following year the plague raged to such an extent[pg 366] that every house attacked was ordered to be marked with St. Antony's cross, "otherwise called the syne of Tav,"[1095] and citizens were forbidden to attend the fair at Windsor for fear of carrying infection to the court.[1096]
Again a scarcity of corn was feared, and the Bridge-masters were authorised by the Court of Common Council to purchase provisions, the corporation undertaking to give security for the repayment of all monies advanced by the charitably disposed for the purpose of staving off famine.[1097] Early in 1522 (15 Jan.) died Fitz-James, Bishop of London, carried off with many others by "a great death in London and other places of the realm."[1098]
Execution of the Duke of Buckingham, 1521.