London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (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. 5 (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
Against a pillar in the body of the church, stood a beautiful image of
the Virgin Mary; and that a lamp might be continually kept burning
before it, and an anthem sung every day, John Burnet, Bishop of Bath and
Wells, bequeathed a handsome estate.
In the center stood a large cross, and towards the north door a crucifix
at which offerings were made, that greatly increased the revenue of the
Dean and Canons.
The last piece of ornament we shall mention, was the fine dial belonging
to the great clock, which being visible to all who passed by, care was
taken that it should appear with the utmost splendor, and in particular
an angel pointed to the hour.
Under this cathedral was a parish church called St. Faith’s, in which
several persons of distinction were formerly interred: but no records
remain that mention the time when divine worship was performed in it.
St. Paul’s cathedral was encompassed with a wall about the year 1109,
which extended from the north east corner of Ave Mary lane, eastward
along Pater noster row, to the north end of the Old Change in Cheapside;
whence it ran southward to Carter lane, and passing on the north side of
it to Creed lane, turned up to Ludgate street. To this wall there were
six gates, the principal of which was situated near the end of Creed
lane in Ludgate street. The second was at St. Paul’s alley in Pater
noster row, the third at Canon alley; the fourth, called the Little
gate, was situated at the entrance into Cheapside; the fifth, called St.
Austin’s, led to Watling street; and the sixth fronted the south gate of
the church near St. Paul’s chain.
Within the north side of this enclosure was situated in the middle of
the church yard, a pulpit cross, at which sermons were preached weekly;
and here was held the folkmote, or general convention of the citizens.
Facing this cross stood the charnel, in which the bones of the dead were
decently piled up together, a thousand loads whereof were removed to
Finsbury fields in the reign of Edward VI. and there laid in a moorish
place, with so much earth to cover them, as raised a considerable mount,
on which was erected three windmills to stand upon.
On the north west corner of the church yard, was the episcopal palace,
contiguous to which on the east was a cemetery denominated Pardon Church
Haw, where Gilbert Becket erected a chapel in the reign of King Stephen.
See PARDON CHURCH.
On the east of the church yard was a clochier or bell tower by St.
Paul’s school; wherein were four great bells, called Jesus bells, from
their belonging to Jesus chapel in St. Faith’s church; but these,
together with a fine image of St. Paul on the top of the spire, being
won by Sir Miles Partridge, Knt. of Henry VIII. at one cast of the dice,
were by that gentleman taken down and sold.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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