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
The King, and his royal consort Isabella, a daughter of France, were
some years after again conducted, with extraordinary magnificence, thro’
the city; but in 1398, the citizens petitioning to have their taxes
taken off, and against entering into a treaty with the French King,
about the delivering up of Calais, Richard was so exasperated against
them, that he obliged many of the richest of the citizens to sign and
seal several blank papers sent them by the ministry, who afterwards
filled them up at their pleasure, with such sums as would effectually
drain them; and this rendered him so odious to the citizens, that when
Henry Duke of Lancaster arrived from France, they received him with open
gates, and expressed their joy by magnificent shews, solemn processions
of the clergy, and loud acclamations; and, in short, after the late King
was made prisoner, Henry was received in great pomp by the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, Sheriffs, and all the several companies in their formalities.
The reign of Henry IV. was not distinguished by any remarkable disputes
between that King and the citizens; but in the year 1407, a dreadful
plague carried off 30,000 of the inhabitants, whereby corn became so
cheap, that wheat sold at 3s. 4d. the quarter.
In the reign of Henry V. the citizens chiefly distinguished themselves
by the splendid cavalcade, with which they conducted that brave Prince
through the city, after the glorious battle of Agincourt, In this reign
Moorgate was first built, and Sir Henry Barton, the Lord Mayor, first
ordered lanthorns to be hung out, for illuminating the streets by night.
Indeed it is surprizing, that so useful and necessary a regulation was
not made much earlier, considering the multitude and wealth of the
inhabitants, the brooks which still ran through some of the streets, and
the dirt occasioned by their lying much lower than at present.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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