London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
Two years after, the city refusing to lend the King a sum of money, and
some of the citizens beating and abusing a Lombard merchant, for
offering to advance the sum required, the King was so exasperated, that
he sent for the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and twenty four of the
principal commoners of the city, to attend him at Nottingham, which
having done, the Mayor was committed prisoner to Windsor castle, and the
rest to other prisons. A commission, under the great seal, was then
granted to the Dukes of York and Gloucester, the King’s uncles, to
enquire into that and other offences, of which the above persons being
found guilty, they were not only fined 3000 marks, but the liberties of
the city were seized; the Mayor was degraded from his office, and a
Custos appointed in his room; the Sheriffs were also degraded, and
others chosen; and, by the King’s precept, seventeen persons were
appointed Aldermen, during the royal pleasure. As a farther
mortification to the city, the King not only withdrew, with the
nobility, to York, but removed the courts of justice to that city.
However, upon payment of the fine of 3000 marks, all the city liberties
were restored, except the privilege of chusing her own Mayor. And the
King, returning to London, was met at Shene, or Richmond Heath, by four
hundred citizens on horseback, dressed in a rich uniform, with the
Recorder at their head, who made a speech, in which he humbly begged
pardon for their past offences, and earnestly entreated his Majesty to
honour the Chamber of London with his presence; to which he consenting,
they attended him to St. George’s church in Southwark, where he was
received by a solemn procession of the clergy, and five hundred boys in
surplices, with the Bishop of London at their head. At London bridge he
was presented with a fine horse, adorned with trappings of gold brocade,
and his Queen with a fine pad, and very noble furniture.
Never was the city more richly embellished than on this occasion, for
the citizens of all ranks strove to outvie each other, in honour of
their reconciled Sovereign; the streets were lined with the city
companies in their formalities, and the conduits all the while ran with
variety of wines.
At the standard in Cheapside, a boy dressed in white, to represent an
angel, stood in a magnificent pageant, and upon the King’s approach,
presented him with wine in a gold cup, and placed on his head a crown of
gold, adorned with a variety of pearls and precious stones, and likewise
another on the head of the Queen. After which their Majesties were
conducted to their palace at Westminster, by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen,
and Sheriffs, who, the next day, made his Majesty a present of two
silver basons gilt, with 1000 nobles of gold in each, curious pictures
of the Trinity, valued at 800l. and several other valuable presents. But
after all, they were obliged to pay him 10,000l. before he would restore
them the right of chusing their own magistrates.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account