London in the Time of the Tudors

by Walter Besant

Descending from their studies, glads my heart,

That I began to wish with private teares,

There lived more that were of White’s desert;

But now I looke, and spie that time is balde,

And Vertue comes not, being seldome calde.”

Fifth, John Bonham, citizen and mercer, who went to Denmark with his merchandise, there was received at Court and distinguished himself at a tournament—the only occasion on record of a merchant fighting in a tournament—and finally led an army to victory over the Great Solyman, who made him a knight after the defeat of the Turk:—

“Then, at a parley he admirde me so;

He made me knight and let his armie go.”

Sixth, Christopher Croker. Alas! the world has forgotten Christopher. He was a vintner’s ’prentice. He was loved by Doll Stodie, his master’s daughter; and he burned to give her a better position; he joined the army of the Black Prince in France; distinguished himself there; went with him to Spain, and returned a knight:—

“And when Don Peter, driven out of Spaine,