London (England) -- Description and travel; London (England) -- History -- 16th century -- Sources; London (England) -- Surveys
And for defence and use of the weapon, there is a special profession of
men that teach it. Ye may read in mine _Annals_ how that in the year
1222 the citizens kept games of defence, and wrestlings, near unto the
hospital of St. Giles in the field, where they challenged, and had the
mastery of the men in the suburbs, and other commoners, etc. Also, in
the year 1453, of a tumult made against the mayor at the wrestling
besides Clearke’s well, etc. Which is sufficient to prove that of old
time the exercising of wrestling, and such like, hath been much more
used than of later years. The youths of this city also have used on holy
days after evening prayer, at their masters’ doors, to exercise their
wasters and bucklers; and the maidens, one of them playing on a timbrel,
in sight of their masters and dames, to dance for garlands hung athwart
the streets; which open pastimes in my youth being now suppressed,
worse practices within doors are to be feared. As for the baiting of
bulls and bears, they are to this day much frequented, namely, in Bear
gardens,[111] on the Bank’s side, wherein be prepared scaffolds for
beholders to stand upon. Sliding upon the ice is now but children’s
play; but in hawking and hunting many grave citizens at this present
have great delight, and do rather want leisure than goodwill to follow
it.
Of triumphant shows made by the citizens of London, ye may read,[112] in
the year 1236, the 20th of Henry III., Andrew Bockwell then being mayor,
how Helianor, daughter to Reymond, Earl of Provance, riding through the
city towards Westminster, there to be crowned queen of England, the city
was adorned with silks, and in the night with lamps, cressets, and other
lights without number, besides many pageants and strange devices there
presented; the citizens also rode to meet the king and queen, clothed in
long garments embroidered about with gold, and silks of divers colours,
their horses gallantly trapped to the number of three hundred and sixty,
every man bearing a cup of gold or silver in his hand, and the king’s
trumpeters sounding before them. These citizens did minister wine, as
bottelers, which is their service, at their coronation. More, in the
year 1293, for victory obtained by Edward I. against the Scots, every
citizen, according to their several trade, made their several show, but
especially the fishmongers, which in a solemn procession passed through
the city, having, amongst other pageants and shows, four sturgeons gilt,
carried on four horses; then four salmons of silver on four horses; and
after them six and forty armed knights riding on horses, made like luces
of the sea; and then one representing St. Magnus, because it was upon
St. Magnus’ day, with a thousand horsemen, etc.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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