[CHAPTER VII]
FITZSTEPHEN THE CHRONICLER
To the reign of Henry the Second belongs the only description of London in the twelfth century that we possess. It is, of course, that of FitzStephen. I transcribe it in full; and as this description belongs to the Norman rather than the later Plantagenet period, to the twelfth rather than the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, I place it in the Book of Norman London.
| Stephanides: Descriptio NobilissimaeCivitatis Londoniae | A Description of the MostHonourable City of London |
| De Situ (Nobilissimae Civitatis London) | The Situation thereof |
| Inter nobiles Urbes Orbis, quasFama celebrat, Civitas Londonia, RegniAnglorum Sedes, una est quae Famamsui latiùs diffundit, Opes & Merceslongiùs transmittit, Caput altiùs extollit:Felix est Aeris Salubritate, ChristianaReligione, Firmitate Munitionum, NaturaSitus, Honore Civium, Pudicita matronali,Ludis etiam quàm jocunda: &Nobilium est foecunda Virorum: quaesingula semotim libet inspicere. | Amongst the noble Cities of theWorld, honoured by Fame, the City ofLondon is the one principal Seat of theKingdom of England, whose Renownis spread abroad very far: but shetransporteth her Wares and Commoditiesmuch farther, and advanceth herHead so much the higher. Happy sheis in the Wholesomeness of the Air, inthe Christian Religion, her Munitionalso and Strength, the Nature of herSituation, the Honour of her Citizens,the Chastity of her Matrons: verypleasant also in her Sports and Pastimes,and replenished with honourable Personages:All which I think meet severallyto consider. |
| De Clementia Coeli | The Temperateness of the Air |
| Ibi siquidem emollit AnimosHominum Clementia Coeli, non ut sintin Venerem (putres) sed ne feri sint& bestiales, (sed) potius benigni &liberales. | In this Place, the Calmness of theAir doth mollify Men’s Minds, notcorupting them with venereal Lusts, butpreserving them from savage and rudeBehaviour, and seasoning their Inclinationswith a more kind and free Temper. |
| De (Christiana ibi) Religione | Of the Christian Religion there |
| Est ibi in Ecclesia Beati PauliEpiscopalis Sedes, quondam fuit Metropolitana,& adhuc futura creditur, siremeaverint Cives in Insulam: Nisiforte Beati Thomae Martyris TitulusArchiepiscopalis, & Praesentia corporalis,Dignitatem illam Cantuariae, ubi nuncest, conservet perpetuam. Sed cumutramque Urbium harum SanctusThomas illustraverit, Londoniam Ortu,Cantuariam Occasu: Ipsius Sancti Intuitu,cum Justitiae Accessu, habet alteraadversus alteram, quod amplius alleget.Sunt etiam, quod ad Christianae FideiCultum pertinet, tum in Londonia,tum in Suburbano, tredecem majoresEcclesiae Conventuum, praeter minoresParochianas, centum viginti sex. | There is in the Church of St. Paula Bishop’s See: It was formerly aMetropolitan, and, as it is thought,shall recover the said Dignity again, ifthe Citizens shall return back into theIsland: except, perhaps, the ArchiepiscopalTitle of St. Thomas theMartyr, and his bodily Presence, doperpetuate this Honour to Canterbury,where now his Reliques are. But seeingSt. Thomas hath graced both theseCities, namely, London with his Birth,and Canterbury with his Death; onePlace may alledge more against theother, in Respect of the Sight of thatSaint, with the Accession of Holiness.Now, concerning the Worship of Godin the Christian Faith: There are inLondon and in the Suburbs 13 greaterConventual Churches, besides 126lesser Parish Churches: (139 Churchesin all). |
| De Firmitate (& Situ) Urbis | On the Strength and Scite of the City |
| Habet ab Oriente Arcem Palatinam,maximam & fortissimam, cujus & Area& Muri à Fundamento profundissimoexurgunt: Cemento cum SanguineAnimalium temperato. Ab Occidenteduo Castella munitissima: Muro Urbisalto & magno duplatis HeptapylaePortis intercontinuante, (Spatio) turrito abAquilone per Intercapedines. Similiterqueab Austro Londonia murata &turrita fuit: Sed Fluvius maximuspiscosus Thamensis, Mari influo refluoquequi illac allabitur, Moenia illaTractu Temporis alluit, labefactavit,dejecit. Item sursùm ab OccidentePalatium Regium eminet super Fluviumeundem, Aedificium incomparabile, cumAntemurali & Propugnaculis, duobusMillibus ab Urbe, Surburbano frequenticontinuante. | It hath on the east Part a TowerPalatine, very large and very strong,whose Court and Walls rise up froma deep Foundation: The Morter istempered with the Blood of Beasts.On the West are two Castles wellfenced. The Wall of the City is highand great, continued with seven Gates,which are made double, and on theNorth distinguished with Turrets bySpaces. Likewise on the South Londonhath been enclosed with Walls andTowers, but the large River of Thames,well stored with Fish, and in which theTide ebbs and flows, by Continuance ofTime, hath washed, worn away, andcast down those Walls. Farther, abovein the West Part, the King’s Palace iseminently seated upon the River: anIncomparable building, having a wallbefore it, and some Bulwarks. It istwo miles from the City, continued witha suburb full of people. |
MARCH. FIELD WORK | |
SEPTEMBER. BOAR-HUNTING | |
| De Hortis (Consitis) | Of the Gardens planted |
| Undique extra Domos suburbanorumCivium Horti Arboribus consiti spatiosi,& speciosi, contigui habentur. | Everywhere without the Houses ofthe Suburbs, the Citizens have Gardensand Orchards planted with Trees, large,beautiful, and one joining to another. |
| De Pascuis | Of their Pastures |
| Item à Borea sunt Agri Pascui, &Pratorum grata Planities, Aquis Fluvialibusinterfluis: Ad quas Molinarumversatiles Rotae citantur cum Murmurejocoso. Proximè patet Foresta ingens,Saltus nemorosi Ferarum, LatebraeCervorum, Damarum, Aprorum, &Taurorum sylvestrium. | On the north Side are Fields forPasture, and open Meadows verypleasant: among which the RiverWaters do flow, and the Wheels of theMills are turned about with a delightfulNoise. Very near lieth a large Forestin which are woody Groves of wildBeasts; in the Coverts whereof do lurkBucks and Does, wild Boars and Bulls. |
| De Agris | Of their Fields |
| Agri Urbis sationales non suntjejunae Glareae, sed pingues AsiaeCampi qui faciunt laetas Segetes, &suorum Cultorum repleant Horreacerealis Jugere Culmi. | The arable Lands are no hungrypieces of Gravel Ground: but like therich fields of Asia, which bring plentifulCorn, and fill the barns of those thattill them with a dainty Crop of theFruits of Ceres. |
| De Fontibus | Of their Wells |
| Sunt & circa Londoniam ab Aquilonesuburbani Fontes, praecipui Aqua dulci,salubri, perspicua, & per claros Rivotrepidante Lapillos. Inter quos FonsSacer, Fons Clericorum, Fons SanctiClementis nominatiores habentur, &adeuntur celebriori Accessu, & majoriFrequentia Scholarium & urbanaeJuventutis in Serotinis aestivis adAuram exeuntis. Urbs sanè bona, cùmbonum habeat Dominum. | There are also about London, onthe North of the Suburbs, choiceFountains of Water, sweet, wholesomeand clear, streaming forth among theglistening Pebble-stones: In thisNumber, Holy Well, Clerkenwell, andSaint Clement’s Well, are of most Note,and frequented above the rest, whenScholars and Youths of the City takethe air abroad in the Summer Evenings.A good city when it hath a good Lord. |
| De Honore Civium | Of the Citizens’ Honour |
| Urbe ista Viris est honorata, Armisdecorata, multo Habitatore populosa, utTempore bellicae Cladis sub RegeStephano Bello apti, ex ea exeuntes quiostentati, haberentur 20,000 Equitumarmatos, & 60 mille Peditum aestimarentur.Cives Londoniae ubicunqueLocorum prae omnibus aliis CivibusOrnatu Morum, Vestium, & Mensae,Locatione, spectabiles & noti habentur. | This City is honoured with her Men,graced with her Arms, and peopled witha multitude of inhabitants. In the fatalWars under King Stephen, there wentout to a Muster, Men fit for war, esteemedto the Number of 20,000 Horsemen,armed, and 60,000 Footmen. TheCitizens of London are known in allplaces, and respected above all otherCitizens, for their civil Demeanour, theirgood Apparel, their Table, and theirDiscourse. |
| De (Pudicita) Matronis |
MATRON AND MAID | Of their Chastity, and the Matrons |
| Urbis Matronae ipsae Sabinae sunt. | The Matrons of the City may beparallelled with the Sabine Women. |
| De Scholis | Of their Schools |
| In Londiniis tres principales Ecclesiae:viz. Sedes Episcopalis,Ecclesia S. Martini,Scholas celebres habent& Privilegio & antiquaDignitate, plerumquetamen Favore personalialicujus vel aliquorumDoctorum, qui secundumPhilosophiam noti &praeclari habeantur. Etalii ibi sunt Scholae deGratia & Permissione.Diebus Festis ad EcclesiasFestivas Magistri cumDiscipulis suis Conventus,Gratia Exercitationis, celebrant.Disputant ibidemScholares, quidam demonstrativè,dialecticè alii: aliirecitant Enthymemata:hii meliùs perfectis utunturSyllogismis. Quidam adOstentationem exercenturDisputationem, quae estinter Colluctantes. Aliiad Veritatem, ea quaeest Perfectionis Gratia:Sophistae SimulatoresAgmine & InundationeVerborum beati judicantur. Alii paralogizantur:Oratores aliqui quandoqueOrationibus rhetoricis aliquid dicuntapposite ad persuadendum, curantesArtis Praecepta servare, & exContingentibus nihil omittere. Pueri diversarumScholarum Versibus inter seconvixantur: aut de Principiis ArtisGrammaticae, aut de Regulis Praeteritorumvel Futurorum contendunt: Suntalii, qui, in Epigrammatibus, Rithmis& Metris Fescennina Socios suppressisNominibus liberius lacerant, Loedoriasjaculantur & Scommata, Salibus SocraticisSociorum, vel forte Majorum Vitiatangunt, ne mordacius Dente rodantprocaciori, audacioribus Convitiis Auditoresmultum videre parati: Ingeminanttremulos Naso crispante Cachinnos. | In London, three famous Schools arekept at three principalChurches, St. Paul’s, theHoly Trinity, and St.Martins: which they retainby Privilege andancient Dignity: Yet forthe most Part, by Favourof Some Persons, or someTeachers, who are knownand famed for their Philosophy,there are otherschools there, upon Goodwill and Sufferance. Uponthe Holidays, the Masterswith their Scholars celebrateAssemblies at theFestival Churches. TheScholars dispute for exercisesake: some useDemonstrations, otherstopical and probable Arguments:some practiseEnthymems, others dobetter use perfect Syllogisms:some exercisethemselves in dispute forostentation, which ispractised among such asstrive together forVictory: others dispute for Truth,which is the Grace of Perfection. TheSophisters, which are Dissemblers, turnVerbalists, and are magnified, whenthey overflow in Speech and Abundanceof Words: some also are entrappedwith deceitful Arguments. Sometimescertain orators, with rhetorical Orations,speak handsomely to persuade, beingcareful to observe the precepts of Art,who omit no matter Contingent. TheBoys of divers Schools wrangle togetherin versifying, or canvas the principles ofGrammar, or dispute the rules of thepreterperfect and future Tenses. Somethere are that, in Epigrams, Rhymesand Verses use that trivial way of abuse.These do freely quip their Fellows,suppressing their names, with a Fescennineand railing Liberty: Thesecast out most abusive jests: and, withSocratical witty expressions, they touchthe Vices of their Fellows, or perhapsof their Superiors, or fall upon themwith a satyrical Bitterness, and withbolder Reproaches than is fit. Thehearers, prepared for Laughter, makethemselves merry in the mean Time. |
| De Dispositione Urbis | How the Affairs of the City areDisposed |
| Singulorum Officiorum exercitatores,singularum Rerum Venditores, singularumOperarum suarum Locatores,quotidiano Mane per se sunt Locisdistincti omnes, ut Officiis. Praetereaest in Londonia supra Ripam Fluminisinter Vina in Navibus, & Cellis vinariisVenalia, publica Coquina: Ibi quotidièpro Tempore est invenire cibaria Fercula,assa, frixa, elixa, Pisces, Pisciculos,Carnes grossiores Pauperibus, delicatioresDivitibus, Venationum, Avium,Avicularum. Si subitò veniant adaliquem Civium Amici fatigati ex Itinere,nec libeat jejunus expectare, ut noviCibi emantur, coquantur, dent FamuliManibus limphas Panesque, interim adRipam curritur, ibi praesto sunt omniaDesiderabilia. Quantalibet Militum velPeregrinorum Infinitas intrat Urbemqualibet Diei vel Noctis Hora, vel abUrbe exitura, ne vel hii nimium jejunent,vel alii impransi exeant, illuc si placeatdivertunt, & se pro Modo suo singulireficiunt: Qui se curare volunt molliter,accipiunt Anserem, ne Affricam Avemvel Attagen Ionicum non opus ut quisquaerant, appositis quae ibi inveniunturDeliciis: Haec equidem publica Coquinaest & Civilitati plurimum expediens, &ad Civilitatem pertinens: Hinc est quodlegitur in Gorgia Platonis, juxta Medicinamesse Coquorum Officium, Simulachrum,& Adulationem quartae ParticulaeCivitatis. | The several Craftsmen, the severalSellers of Wares, and Workmen forHire, all are distinguished every Morningby themselves, in their places aswell as Trades. Besides, there is inLondon upon the River’s Bank a publicPlace of Cookery, among the Wines tobe sold in the shops, and in the WineCellars. There every day you may callfor any dish of Meat, roast, fryed orsodden: Fish both small and great:ordinary Flesh for the poorer Sort, andmore dainty for the Rich as Venisonand Fowl. If Friends come upon asudden, wearied with Travel, to aCitizen’s House and they are loth towait for curious preparations and dressingsfor Fresh Meat: let the servantsgive them water to wash, and Breadto stay their Stomach, and, in themean time, they run to the water side,where all things that can be desiredare at hand. Whatsoever multitudeof Soldiers, or other Strangers, enterinto the City, at any Hour of the Dayor Night or else are about to depart:they may turn in, bate here, refreshthemselves to their Content, and soavoid long Fasting and not go awaywithout their dinner. If any desire tofit their dainty tooth, they take a Goose:they need not to long for the Fowl ofAfrica, no, nor the rare Godwit ofIonia. This is the publick Cookery, andvery convenient for the State of a City,and belongs to it. Hence it is, we readin Plato’s Gorgias, that next to thePhysician’s Art is the Trade of Cooks,the Image and Flattery of the fourth partof a City. |
| De Smithfield | Of Smithfield |
| Est ibi extra unam Portarum statimin Suburbio quidam planus Campus Re& Nomine. Omni sexta Feria nisi sitmajor Festivitas praeceptae Solemnitatis,est ibi celebre Spectaculum NobiliumEquorum venalium. Spectaturi velempturi veniunt, qui in Urbe assunt,Comites, Barones, Milites, Cives plurimi.Juvat videre Gradarios Succussaturanitente suaviter ambulantes: Pedibuslateraliter simul erectis quasi a subalternis& demissis: Hinc Equos, quiArmigeris magis conveniunt, duriusincendentes, sed expedite tamen, quiquasi a Contradictoribus Pedes simulelevant, & deponunt: Hinc nobilesPullos juniores, qui nondum Fraenobene assueti, altius incedunt mollisCrura reponunt: Hinc summariosMembris validis & vegetis. Hincdextrarios preciosos, elegantis Formae,Staturae honestae, micantes Auribus,Cervicibus arduis, Clunibus obesis. Inhorum Incessu spectant Emptores,primo Passum suaviorem, postea Motumcitatiorem, qui est quasi à contrariisPedibus anterioribus simul Solo amotis& admotis, & posterioribus similiter.Cum talium Sonipedum Cursus immineat,& aliorum forte qui similiter sunt inGenere suo ad Vecturam validi, adCursuram vegeti: Clamor attollitur,vulgares Equos in Partem ire praecipitur:Sessores Alipedum Pueri:Tres simul, aliquando bini Certaminise praeparant, docti Equis imperare,indomitorum lupatis temperant FraenisOra: hoc maximè praecaverit ne alteralteri Cursum praecipiat. Equi similiterpro Modo suo ad Certamen Cursus illiusse attollunt: tremunt Artus, Moraeimpatientes, stare Loco nesciunt, factoSigno Membra extendunt, Cursumrapiunt, Agilitate pervicaci feruntur:Certant sessores Laudis Amore, SpeVictoriae Equis admissis subdereCalcaria, & nec minus urgere eosVirgis & ciere Clamoribus. Putaresomnia in Motu esse, secundumHeraclitum, & salsam omnino ZenonisSententiam, dicentis, quoniam, noncontinget moveri, neque Stadiumpertransire. Parte alia stant seorsimRusticorum Peculia, Agrorum Instrumenta,Sues longis Lateribus, Vaccaedistentis Uberibus, Corpora magnaBoum, lanigerumque Pecus: Stant ibiaptae Aratris, Trahis & Bigis Equae:quarundam Ventres Foetibus protument:alias, editi Foetus obeunt Pullilasciviores, Sequela inseparabilis. | Without one of the Gates is a certainField plain (or smooth) both in Nameand Situation. Every Friday, exceptsome greater Festival come in the way,there is a brave sight of gallant Horsesto be sold: Many come out of the Cityto buy or look on, to wit, Earls, Barons,and Knights, Citizens, all resortingthither. It is a pleasant Sight thereto behold the Nags well fleshed, sleikand shining, delightfully walking, andtheir Feet on either Side up and downtogether by turns: or also trottingHorses, which are more convenient forMen that bear Arms: these, althoughthey set a little harder, go away readily,and lift up and set down together thecontrary Feet on either Side. Hereare also young Colts of a good Breed,that have not been well accustomed tothe bridle: these fling about, and bymounting bravely, shew their mettle.Here are the principal Horses, strongand well limbed. Here also are BrestHorses, (fit to be joined by couples)very fair and handsome, and sleek aboutthe Ears, carrying their Necks aloft,being well fleshed, and round about theButtocks. The Buyers first look attheir soft and slow pace, and after causethem to put on with more speed, andbehold them in their Gallop. Whenthese Coursers are ready to run theirRace, and perhaps some others, whichin their kind are both good for carriageand strong for Travel: The Peoplegive a Shout, and the CommonHacknies are commanded to go aside.They that ride are Boys: three together,and sometimes two makematches among themselves, beingexpert in governing their Horses,which they ride with Curb Bridles,labouring by all Means that one getnot the race from the Other. And thevery Beasts, in like Manner, after theirFashion, are eager for the Race, whiletheir Joints tremble, and impatient ofDelay, endure not Standing still in aPlace. When the Token is given, theystretch out their Limbs, and run withall Activity and Speed: the Ridersspurring them on, for the love of Praiseor the hope of Victory: and excitingthem by whips and cries. You wouldthink everything were in motion withHeraclitus: and Zeno’s Opinion to befalse, saying that nothing moves fromplace to place. In another part standthe Country People with Cattle andCommodities of the Field, large Swineand Kine with their Udders strutting out,fair-bodied Oxen, and the woolly flock.There are also Cart-Horses, fit for theDray, the Plough, or the Chariot: andsome Mares big with Foal: togetherwith others that have their wanton coltsfollowing them close at their Side. |
A HORSEMAN | |
| De Navibus & Mercimoniis | Concerning Shipping and Merchandise |
| Ad hanc Urbem, ex omni Nationequae sub Coelo est, navalia gaudentInstitores habere Commercia. Aurummittit Arabs, Species & Thura Sabaeus,Arma Scythes, Oleum Palmarum diviteSilva. Pingue Solum Babylon, NilusLapides preciosos. Seres purpureasVestes. Norwegi, Russi, varium Grisium,Sabelinas. Galli sua Vina. | To this City Merchants bring inWares by Ships from every Nationunder Heaven. The Arabian sendshis Gold, the Sabean his frankincenseand Spices, the Scythian Arms: Oilof Palms from the plentiful Wood:Babylon her fat soil, and Nilus hisprecious Stones: the Seres send purpleGarments: they of Norway and Russia,Trouts, Furs, and Sables: and theFrench their Wines. |
| De Antiquitate & Politia | Its Antiquity and Government |
| Urbe Roma secundum ChronicorumFidem satis antiquior est. Ab eisdemquippe Patribus Trojanis haec prius àBruto condita est, quam illa à Remo& Romulo. Unde & adhuc antiquiseisdem utitur Legibus communibusInstitutis. Haec similiter illis Regionibusest distincta: Habet annuos proConsulibus Vicecomites: habet senatoriamDignitatem & Magistratusminores: Eluviones & Aquaeductusin Vicis: Ad Genera Causarum deliberativae,demonstrativae, judiciales Locasua, Fora singula: habet sua Diebusstatutis Comitia. | According to the Report ofChronicles, it is more ancient than theCity of Rome: For, both being descendedfrom the same Trojan Stock,Brute built this, before Remus andRomulus did the other. Whence stillit useth the same ancient Laws andcommon Institutions. For this ourCity, like to that, is distinguished byWards and several Limits: it hathSheriffs every year, answerable to theirConsuls: it hath Aldermen enjoyingthe dignity of Senators, besides inferiorMagistrates: it hath also commonSewers, and conveyances for Water inthe Streets. Concerning Causes inQuestion, there are several Places andCourts for Causes deliberative, demonstrative,and judicial: Upon their setDays also they have their Common-counciland great Assemblies. |
| De Consuetudinibus Ecclesiarum | Of the Customs of the Churches |
| Non puto Urbem esse, in quasint probabiliores Consuetudines inEcclesiisvisitandis, Ordinatis Deihonorandis, Festis feriandis, Eleemosynisdandis, in Hospitibus suscipiendis,in Desponsationibus firmandis,Matrimoniis contrahendis, Nuptiis celebrandis,Conviis ornandis, Convivishilarandis, etiam in Exequiis curandis& Cadaveribus humandis. | I think there is no City that hathmore approved Customs, for frequentingthe Churches, for honouring God’sOrdinances, observing of Holidays,giving Alms, entertaining Strangers,Confirmation of Contracts, making upand celebrating of Marriages, settingout of Feasts, welcoming the Guests,and, moreover, in Funeral Rites, andburying of the Dead. |
| Pestes Civitatis | The Pests of London |
| Solae Pestes Londini sunt, immoderataStultorum Potatio, & frequensIncendium. | The only Plagues of London areimmoderate drinking of idle Fellows,and often Fires. |
| Frequentia Nobilium | Frequented by Nobles |
| Ad haec, omnes ferè Episcopi,Abbates, & Magnates Angliae, quasiCives & Municipes sunt UrbisLondoniae: Sua ibi habentes Aedificiapraeclara, ubi se recipiunt, ubi DivitesImpensas faciunt, ad Consilia, adConventus celebres in Urbem evocati,à Domino Rege, vel Metropolitanosuo, seu propriis tracti Negotiis. | Moreover, almost all Bishops,Abbots, and Noblemen of England are,as it were, Citizens and Freemen ofLondon. There they have fair dwellings,and thither they do often resort,and lay out a great deal of Money: andare called into the City to Consultationsand solemn Meetings, either by theking, or their Metropolitan, or drawnby their own business. |
| De Ludis | Of Sports and Pastimes |
| Amplius, & ad Ludos Urbis veniamus,quoniam non expedit utilem tantum &feriam Urbem esse, nisi dulcis etiam sit& jocunda. Unde & in Sigillis summorumPontificum, usque ad TemporaLeonis Papae, ex altera Parte Bullae,sculpto per Impressionem PiscatorePetro, & supra eum Clave quasi Manude Coelis ei porrecta, & circa eum Versu, Tu pro me Navem liquisti, suscipe Clavem. Ex altera Parte impressa erat Urbs, &Scriptura ista, Aurea Roma. Item adLaudem Cæsaris Augusti & Romaedictum est:Nocte pluit tota, redeunt Spectacula mane, Divisum Imperium cum Jove Cæsar habes. | Let us also come at last to theirSports and Exercises: For it isexpedient that a City be not onlycommodious for Gain, and serious inBusiness, but also pleasant and delightful.Therefore, to the time of PopeLeo, the Popes gave in their seals, onone side of their Bull, St. Peter like aFisherman, and over him a Key reachedforth to him, as it were from Heaven,by the hand of God, and this Verseabout it: For me Thy Ship thou didst forsake, Therefore the Key of Heaven take. On the other part was stamped a City,with this Inscription, Golden Rome.Also, this was written to the Praise ofCæsar Augustus and Rome:All night the Sky distils down watry Showers, The Morning clears again to show the Play: Great Jove and Cæsar have their several hours, And in this Universe by turns bear Sway. |
| De Repraesentatione Miraculorum | Representation of Miracles |
| Londonia pro Spectaculis theatralibus,pro Ludis scenicis, Ludos habetsanctiores, Repraesentationes Miraculorum,quae sancti Confessores operatisunt, seu Repraesentationes Passionum,quibus claruit Constantia Martyrum. | London, instead of common Interludesbelonging to the Theatre, hath Plays ofa more Holy Subject: Representationsof those Miracles which the holyConfessors wrought, or of the Sufferingswherein the glorious constancy ofMartyrs did appear. |
| De Pugna Gallorum & Ludo Pilae | Of Cock-fighting and Ball |
| Praeterea quotannis Die, quae diciturCarnivalia, ut a Puerorum Ludis incipiamus,omnes enim Pueri fuimus,Scholarum singuli Pueri suos apportantMagistro suo Gallos gallinaceos Pugnatores& totum illud Antemeridianumdatur Ludo Puerorum vacantium,spectare in Scholis suorum PugnasGallorum. Post Prandium exit inCampos omnis Juventus Urbis, adLudum Pilae celebrem. SingulorumStudiorum Scholares suam habentPilam: singulorum Officiorum UrbisExercitatiores suam singuli Pilamin Manibus. Majores Natu Patres,& Divites Urbis in Equis spectatumveniunt Certamina Juniorum, &Modo suo inveniuntur cum Juvenibus,& excitari videtur in eis Motus Calorisnaturalis, Contemplatione tanti Motus& Participatione Gaudiorum Adolescentiaeliberioris. | Moreover, that we may begin withthe Schools of Youth, feeling once wewere all Children: Yearly at Shrovetide,the Boys of every School bring fightingcocks to their Masters, and all the Forenoonis spent at School to see theseCocks fight together. After dinner allthe Youth of the City goeth to playat Ball in the Fields: the Scholarsof every study have their Balls. ThePractisers also of all the Trades haveevery one their Ball in their hands.The ancienter Sort, the Fathers, andthe wealthy Citizens, come on Horsebackto see the Youngsters contending attheir sport, with whom, in a Manner,they participate by Motion: stirringtheir own natural heat in the View ofthe active Youth, with whose Mirth andLiberty they seem to communicate. |
TILTING | |
| De Ludis bellicosis in Campis | Sports in Lent |
| Singulis Diebus Dominicis in Quadragesimapost Prandium exit in CampumJuvenum recens Examen in Equis bellicosis& in Equis Certamine primis:quorum quisque sit aptus in Gyros curreredoctus Equo. Erumpunt a Portiscatervatim Filii Civium laici, instructiLanceis & Scutis militaribus: JunioresHastilibus Ferro dempto praesurcatis,Simulachra Belli cient & agonisticamexercent Militiam. Adveniunt & plurimiAulici Rege in Vicino prosito & defamiliis Consulum & Baronum Ephebinondum Cingulo donati Militiae Gratiaconcertandi. Accendit singulos SpesVictoriae: Equi feri adhiniunt, tremuntArtus, Fraenos mandunt, impatientesMorae stare Loco nesciunt. Cumtandem Sonipedum rapuit UngulaCursum, Sessores Adolescentes divisisAgminibus hii praecedentibus instant,nec assequuntur: hi Socios dijiciunt &praetervolant. | Every Sunday in Lent, after Dinner,a Company of young Men ride out intothe Fields on Horses which are fit forWar, and principal Runners: Everyone among them is taught to run theRounds with his Horse. The Citizens’Sons issue out through the gates byTroops, furnished with Lances andwarlike Shields: The younger sorthave their Pikes not headed with Iron,where they make a representation ofBattle, and exercise a skirmish. Thereresort to this Exercise many Courtiers,when the King lies near Hand, andyoung Striplings out of the families ofBarons and great Persons, which havenot yet attained to the warlike Girdle,to train and skirmish. Hope of Victoryinflames every one. The neighing andfierce Horses bestir their Joints and chewtheir Bridles, and cannot endure to standstill: At last they begin their Race, andthen the young Men divide their troops:some labour to outstrip their leaders, andcannot reach them: others fling downtheir Fellows and get beyond them. |
TILTING IN BOATS | |
| De Ludis Navalibus | Sea Fights |
| In Feris Paschalibus ludunt quasiPraelia navalia: In Arbore siquidemMediamna Scuto fortiter innexo, Naviculamulto Remo & Raptu Fluminis cita,in Prora stantem habet Juvenem, Scutumillum Lancea percussurum: qui, si Scutoilli Lanceam illidens frangat eam, &immotus persistat, habet Propositum,Voti compos est: si vero Lancea integrafortiter percusserit, & per fluentemAmnem dejicietur, Navis Motu suo actaPraeterit. Sunt tamen hinc inde secusduae Naves stationariae, & in eisJuvenes plurimi, ut eripiant PercussoremFlumine absorptum cum primo emersuscomparet, vel summa rursus cum bullitin Unda. Supra Pontem & in Solariissupra Fluvium, sunt qui talia spectent,multum rideri parati. | In Easter Holidays they counterfeita Sea Fight: a Pole is set up in themiddle of the River, with a Target wellfastened thereon, and a young Manstands in a Boat which is rowed withOars, and driven on with the Tide, whowith his Spear hits the Target in hisPassage: with which Blow, if he breakthe Spear and stand upright, so that hehold Footing, he hath his Desire: but,if his Spear continue unbroken by theBlow, he is tumbled into the Water,and his Boat passeth clear away: Buton either side this Target two Shipsstand in Ward, with many young Menready to take him up, after he is sunk,as soon as he appeareth again on thetop of the water: The Spectators standupon the Bridge, and in Solars uponthe River to behold these Things, beingprepared for Laughter. |
| De Ludis Aestivalibus, ut Lucta &hujusmodi | Summer Sports |
| In Festis tota Aestate JuvenesLudentes exercentur, in Saliendo, inArcu, in Lucta, Jactu Lapidum, amentatisMissilibus ultra Metam expediendis,Parmis Duellionum. Puellarum Cytheraeaducit Choros, & Pede liberopulsatur Tellus, usque imminente Luna. | Upon the Holidays all Summer, theYouth is exercised in leaping, Shooting,Wrestling, casting of Stones, andthrowing of Javelins fitted with Loopsfor the Purpose, which they strive tofling beyond the mark: they also useBucklers, like fighting Men. As for theMaidens, they have their exercise ofdancing and tripping until Moonlight. |
DANCING | |
| De Pugna Aprorum, Taurorum,& Ursorum | Fighting of Boars, Bulls and Bears |
| In Hyeme singulis fere Festis antePrandium, vel Apri spumantes pugnantpro Capitibus & Verres fulmineis accinctiDentibus addendi Succidiae, vel pinguesTauri cornupetae, seu Ursi immanescum objectis depugnant Canibus. | In Winter almost every holidaybefore Dinner, the foaming Boars fightfor their heads, and prepare with deadlyTushes to be made Bacon: or elsesome lusty Bulls, or huge Bears arebaited with Dogs. |
| De Ludentibus supra Glaciem | Sport upon the Ice |
| Cùm est congelata Palus illa magnaquae Moenia Urbis aquilonia alluit,exeunt lusum super Glaciem densaeJuvenum Turmae: Hii ex Cursu Motucaptato citatiore, Distantia Pedum posita,magnum Spatium Latere altero praetensoperlabuntur. Alii quasi magnos Lapidesmolares de Glacie Sedes sibi faciunt:Sessorem unum trahunt plurimi praecurrentes,Manibus se tenentes: in tantaCitatione Motus aliqui Pedibus lapsicadunt omnes proni. Sunt alii superGlaciem ludere doctiores, singuli Pedibussuis aptantes, & sub Talaribus suisalligantes Ossa, Tibias scilicet Animalium& Palos Ferro acuto subposito tenentesin Manibus, quos aliquando Glacieiillidunt: tanta Rapacitate feruntur,quanta Avis volans, vel Pilum Balistae.Interdum autem magna procul Distantiaex Condicto, duo aliqui ita ab oppositisveniunt, curritur: Palos erigunt, seinvicem percutiunt: vel alter, vel ambocadunt, non sine Laesione corporali, cùmpost Casum etiam Vi Motus ferunturab invicem procul: &, qua Parte GlaciesCaput tangit, totum radit, totum decorticat.Plerumque Tibia cadentis,vel Brachium, si super illud ceciderit,confringitur. Sed Aetas avida Gloriae,Juventus cupida Victoriae, ut in verisPraeliis fortius se habeat, ita in simulatisexercetur. | When that great Moor, which washethMoorfields, at the North Wall of theCity, is frozen over, great Companiesof Young Men go to sport upon the Ice:then fetching a Run, and setting theirfeet at a distance, and placing theirBodies sideways they slide a great Way.Others take heaps of Ice, as if it weregreat Millstones and make Seats: Manygoing before, draw him that sits thereon,holding one another by the Hand: ingoing so fast, some slipping with theirfeet all fall down together, some arebetter practised to the Ice and bind totheir shoes Bones as the Legs of someBeasts, and hold Stakes in their handsheaded with sharp Iron, which sometimesthey strike against the Ice: andthese Men go on with Speed as doth abird in the air, or darts shot from somewarlike Engine: sometimes two Menset themselves at a Distance and runone against another as it were at Tilt,with these Stakes wherewith one orboth parties are thrown down, not withoutsome hurt to their Bodies: andafter their fall, by reason of the violentMotion are carried a good distance onefrom another: and wheresoever the Icedoth touch their head it rubs off all theskin and lays it bare: and if one fallupon his leg or arm it is usually broken:But young Men being greedy of honourand desirous of Victory, do thus exercisethemselves in Counterfeit Battles,that they may bear the Brunt morestrongly, when they came to it in goodEarnest. |
| De hiis qui delectantur in Avibus | Sport with Birds and Dogs |
| Plurimi Civium delectantur ludentesin Avibus Coeli, Nisis, Accipitribus, &hujusmodi, & in Canibus militantibus inSilvis. Habentque Cives suum JusVenandi in Middlesexia, Hertfordseira& tota Chiltra, & in Cantia, usque adAquam Craiae. | Many citizens take delight in Birds,as Sparrow-hawks, Goss-hawks, andsuch-like, and in Dogs to hunt in thewoody ground. The Citizens haveauthority to hunt in Middlesex, Hertfordshire,all the Chilterns, and in Kent,as far as Gray-water. |
THE CHASE | |
| Virtus Londonensium | The Valour of Londoners |
| Londonienses, tunc Trinovantes dictiCaium Julium Cæsarem qui nullas nisiSanguine fuso Vias habere gaudebat,repulerunt. Unde Lucanus, Territa quaesitis ostendit Terga Britannis. | The Londoners once called Trinovants,repulsed C. Julius Cæsar whocommonly paved his way with blood:whereupon Lucan: He was afraid and foil’d by Briton’s Hand, That first presumed to invade their Land. |
| De hiis quos Civitas London peperit | Natives of London |
| Civitas Londonia peperit aliquos, quiRegna plurima & Romanum sibi subdideruntImperium: & plurimos alios,quos Mundi Dominos Virtus evexit adDeos, ut fuerat, in Appollinis Oraculo,Bruto promissum: Brute, sub occasu Solis, trans Galliae Regna, Insula in Oceano est undique clausa Mari: Hanc pete: namque tibi Sedes erit illa perennis, Haec fiet Natis altera Troja tuis. Hic de Stirpe tua Reges nascentur, & ipsis Totius Terrae subditus Orbis erit. Et Temporibus Christianis, nobilemillum edidit Imperatorem Constantinum,qui Urbem Romam & Imperialia Insigniaomnia Deo donavit, & beato Petro &Sylvestro Papae, qui & Statoris exhibuitofficium, & se non amplius Imperatorem,sed Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Defensoremgavisus est vocari: &, ne PaxDomini Papae occasione praesentiae ejussecularis strepitus tumultu concuteretur,ipse ab urbe Domino Papae collata,omnino discessit, & sibi Civitatem Bizantiumedificavit. Londonia & modernisTemporibus Reges illustres magnificosquepeperit. Imperatricem Matildem,Henricum Regem tertium, & beatumThomam Archiepiscopum Christi Martyremgloriosum, quali non candidioremipsa tulit, nec quo fuerit devinctior alteromnibus Bonis totius Orbis Latini. | The City of London hath broughtforth some who have subdued manykingdoms, and the Empire of Rometo themselves: and many others whobeing Lords of this World were deifiedin another: as Apollo’s oracle didpromise Brute: Brute, thou shalt find an Island in the West, Beyond the Gauls, environ’d with the Main; Direct thy journey thither for thy Rest, And there a second Troy shall rise again. Kings from thy Heirs and Conquerors shall spring, Who will the World into subjection bring. And in the times of Christianity, itbrought forth the noble Emperor Constantine,who gave the City of Romeand all the Imperial arms to God, andto St. Peter, and Silvester the Pope,whose stirrup he refused not to hold,and pleased rather to be called Defenderof the Holy Roman Church, thanEmperor any more. And, lest thepeace of our Lord the Pope shouldsuffer any disturbance by the Noise ofsecular affairs, he left the City andbestowed it on the Pope and foundedthe City of Constantinople for his ownHabitation. London also in theselatter times hath brought forth famousand magnificent princes: Maud theEmpress: King Henry the Third, andThomas the Archbishop, a gloriousmartyr of Christ, than whom no manwas more innocent, or more devoted tothe general Good of the Latin World. |
In connection with this important document certain notes are necessary. There were, FitzStephen says, thirteen larger conventual churches and 126 lesser parish churches. The thirteen conventual churches were, one supposes, St. Paul’s, to which was attached a college of Priests, St. Martin’s le Grand, The Priory of the Holy Trinity, St. Mary Overies, the Hospital of St. Katherine by the Tower, the Priory of St. Bartholomew, the Priory of St. John, the Nunnery of Clerkenwell, the Hospital of St. James, St. Mary Spital, the Hospital of St. Thomas of Acon, the Hospital of St. Giles, and the Abbey of Bermondsey. It is possible, however, that his list did not include houses so far from London as St. Giles, St. James, and Bermondsey. It certainly did not include Westminster Abbey. The number of parish churches indicates that the City was now completely divided into parishes. Little change, if any, was made in the City parishes from the time of the Confessor till the Great Fire. After this many of the old parish churches were not rebuilt; and at the present day we continually witness a ruthless destruction of old churches and old associations. We have already tried to get some idea of the number of the inhabitants from other sources; we may try again by considering the number of the churches. Every man in the City belonged of course to his parish church; every man was compelled to obey the Church, to fast on fast days, and to attend mass regularly on Sundays and holy days. If we allow 800 souls only, men, women, and children, for each church, we have a total of 108,200. And this, subject to oscillations caused by losses from plague or from war, sometimes as much as 100,000, and sometimes dropping to 50,000, I take to have been the average population of London for many centuries.
THE WHITE TOWER
FitzStephen’s “Palatine” Tower is the White Tower, and the other two towers are Baynard’s Castle and Montfichet, both built near the junction of the Fleet with the Thames. FitzStephen speaks with pardonable exaggeration of the northern fields, which were still undrained and covered with bog and quagmire. The “tillage fields” were those belonging to the monks of Westminster south of Holborn and Oxford Street. The seven gates were those of Aldgate, Bishopsgate, Cripplegate, Aldersgate, Newgate, Ludgate, and Bridgegate. Note that the river-side wall by this time had disappeared; it had either fallen down or been taken down. The foundations have been partially uncovered in modern times. The river wall became practically useless after the erection of the Tower and the spread of warehouses along the bank. The bridge could be used to prevent the passage of ships under the arches, so that the upper part of the river was safe, while the Tower might be trusted to defend the small part of the town below the bridge, which, besides, could only be approached by the narrow stairs or the quays.
“The artisans of the several crafts, the vendors of the various commodities, and the labourers of every kind, have each their separate stations which they take every morning.” This shows that the people exposed their wares and carried on their industries in certain assigned spots. Here they had their selds, which were large sheds protected from the weather, in which the things were exposed for sale. A modern fruit-market is a seld; formerly there were selds for everything, and the seld might be a single shanty or it might be a great market like Leadenhall. The names of the modern streets preserve the memory of these selds. Honey Lane, Milk Street, Soper’s (Soaper’s) Lane, Wood Street, The Poultry, Friday Street (where food proper for Friday was sold) and so forth. FitzStephen affords a pleasant glimpse of a busy and prosperous city. Would that the writer had gone into a little more detail! As it is we are thankful for what we get: we could not spare one word of what is written.