Ancient Drunkenness in London.—Andrews in his History of Great Britain, says, "In the 16th century drinking had its votaries in abundance. Much time was spent by the citizens of London at their numerous taverns." In the country, if a bitter writer of the time, (Stub's Anatomie of Abuse,) may find credit, every public-house was crowded from morn till night with determined drunkards. Camden, who also allows the increase of drunkenness among the English, imputes it to their familiarity with the Flemings in the Low Country wars.
The taverns of London were many and much frequented. An old bard has favoured us with a list of them in Newes from Bartholomew Fayre, a black letter poem, the title page of which is torn off, viz.
"There hath been great sale and utterance of wine,
Besides beere, and ale, and ipocras fine,
In every country, region, and nation,
But chiefly in Billingsgate, at the Salutation;
And the Bore's Head, near London Stone,
The Swan at Dowgate, a taverne well known;