were a galley, the keel turned upwards; and I observed that no worm or rottenness is seen to have entered either board or timber of that hall, and therefore, in mine opinion, of no great antiquity.[137] I read, in 44th of Edward III., that a hospital in the parish of Barking church was founded by Robert Denton, chaplain, for the sustentation of poor priests, and other both men and women, that were sick of the frenzy, there to remain till they were perfectly whole, and restored to good memory. Also I read, that in the 6th of Henry V. there was in the Tower ward a messuage, or great house, called Cobham’s inn; and in the 37th of Henry VI, a messuage in Thames street pertaining to Richard Longvile, etc. Some of the ruins before spoken of may seem to be of the foresaid hospital, belonging peradventure to some prior alien, and so suppressed among the rest in the reign of Edward III. or Henry V., who suppressed them all. Thus much for the bounds and antiquities of this ward, wherein is noted the Tower of London, three parish churches, the custom house, and two halls of companies, to wit, the clothworkers and the bakers. This ward hath an alderman, his deputy, common councillors eight, constables thirteen, scavengers twelve, wardmote men thirteen, and a beadle; it is taxed to the fifteenth at six and twenty pounds.[138] FOOTNOTES: [131] Liber l. folio 40. [132] Proclamation. W. Dunthorn. [133] “And to Berewardes lane.”--_1st edition_, p. 95. [134] “When he deceased, 1501.”--_Ibid._ [135] “Woodroffe lane towardes the Tower in this parish.”--_1st edition_ p. 97. [136] “No gallies landed here in memorie of men living.”--_Stow._ [137] “But I leave every man to his own judgment, and pass to other matters.”--_1st edition_, p. 101. [138] “It is taxed to the fifteene at forty-six pounds, and accounted in the Exchequer at forty-five pounds ten shillings.”--_1st edition_, p. 102. ALDGATE WARD