The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 3 · Section 3
SECT. 3.
Of HOSPITALS, &c.
1. CHriſts-Hoſpital was founded by that Pious King Edward VI. upon this occaſion, which being ſo Remarkable, we ſhall recount from Mr. Stow and others.
Dr▪ Ridley, then Biſhop of London, Preached before the King's Majeſty at Weſtminſter, in which Sermon he made a fruitful and godly Exhortation to the Rich, to be merciful to the Poor; and alſo to move ſuch as were in Authority, to act by ſome charitable way and means to relieve them. Whereupon the King's Majeſty, (being a Prince of Towardneſs and Virtue for his years, as England before never brought forth, and being alſo ſo well retained and brought up in all godly knowledge, as well by his de…r Uncle, the late Protector, Edward Seymour. Duke of Sommerſet, as alſo by his virtuous Schoolmaſters) was ſo careful of the good Government of the Realm. and chiefly to do and prefer ſuch things as moſt eſpecially touched the Honour of Almighty God. And underſtanding that a great number of poor People did ſwarm in the Realm, and chiefly in the City of London, and that no good order was taken for them, did ſuddenly (and of himſelf) ſend to the ſaid Biſhop, as ſoon as his Sermon was ended, willing him not to depart, until he had ſpoken with him. And this that I now write (ſaith Mr. Sto… ) was the very Report of the ſaid Biſhop Ridley, who (according to the King's Command) gave his attendance. And as ſoon as the King's Majeſty was at leiſure, he called for him, and cauſed him to come to him in a great Gallery at Weſtminſter, where no perſon was preſent but they two, and therefore made … ſit down in one Chair, and He Himſelf in another, which before the coming of the Biſhop were there purpoſely ſet, and cauſed the Biſhop, notwithſtanding his unwillingneſs, to be covered, and then entered communication with him, in this manner: Firſt giving him hearty Thanks for his Sermon and good Exhortation; He therein rehearſed ſuch ſpecial things as he had Noted, and that ſo many, that the Biſhop ſaid, Truely, truely, (for that was commonly his ſaying) I could never have thought that excellency to have been in His Grace, but that I beheld and heard it in him. At laſt the King's Ma…eſty much commended him for his Exhortation, for the Relief of the Poor.
But my Lord (quoth he) you willed ſuch as are in Authority to be careful thereof, and to deviſe ſome good Order for their Relief; wherein I think you mean Me, for I am in Highest Place, and therefore am the first that must make Anſwer to God for my Negligence if I ſhould not be careful therein, knowing it to be the expreſs Commandment of Almighty God, to have compaſſion of his poor and needy Members, for whom we must make an Account unto Him. And truely, my Lord, I am (before all things elſe) most willing to travel that way, and I doubt nothing of your long and approved Wiſdom and Learning, but that you having ſuch good Zeal as wiſheth help unto them, have alſo had ſome conference with others, what ways are beſt to be taken therein, and therefore I pray you to ſay your mind.
Which Speech being ſo truely Virtuous and Noble in ſo young a Prince, deſerves an everlaſting Record.
The Biſhop thinking leaſt of that matter, and being amazed to hear the Wiſdom and earneſt Zeal of the King, was (as he ſaid himſelf) ſo aſtoniſhed, That he could not tell what to ſay. But after ſome pauſe, ſaid, That he thought (at this preſent) for ſome entrance to be had, it were good to practiſe with the City of London, becauſe the Number of the Poor there are very great, and the Citizens alſo very many and wiſe; and he doubted not, but they were alſo both pitiful and merciful; as the Mayor, and his Brethren, and other the Worſhipful of the ſaid City: And that if it would pleaſe the Kings Majeſty to direct His Gracious Letters unto the Mayor of London, willing him to call unto him ſuch Aſſiſtants as he ſhould think meet, to conſult of this matter; for ſome Order to be taken therein, he doubted not but good would follow thereon; and he himſelf promiſed the King to be one himſelf that ſhould earneſtly travel therein.
The King (forthwith) not only Granted his Letter, but made the Biſhop tarry until the ſame was written, and his Hand and Signet ſet thereto; and commanded the Biſhop not only to deliver the ſaid Letter himſelf, but alſo to ſignifie unto the Mayor, that it was the Kings eſpecial Requeſt and expreſs Commandment, that the Mayor ſhould therein travel; and ſo ſoon as he might conveniently, give him knowledge how far he had proceeded therein. The Biſhop was ſo joyous at the having this Letter, that now he had occaſion to travel in ſo good a matter, wherein he was marvellous zealous, that nothing could have more pleaſed and delighted him: wherefore the ſame Night he came to the Lord Mayor of London, who was then Sir Richard Dobbs Kt. and delivered the King's Letter, and ſhewed his Meſſage with effect.
The Lord Mayor not only joyfully received this Letter, but with all ſpeed agreed to ſet the matter forward, for he alſo favoured it very much. And the next day▪ being Monday, he deſired the Biſhop of London to dine with him, and againſt that time the Mayor promiſed to ſend for ſuch men as he thought meeteſt to talk of this matter, and ſo he did. He ſent firſt for two Aldermen, and ſix Commoners, and afterwards more were appointed, to the number of 24. In the end, after ſundry Meetings, (for by the means and good diligence of the Biſhop it was well followed) they agreed upon a Book that they had deviſed, wherein firſt they conſidered on Nine ſpecial kinds and ſorts of poor People, and thoſe they brought into theſe
Three degrees,
1. The Poor by Impotency.
2. The Poor by Caſualty.
3. The Thriftleſs Poor.
1. The Poor by Impotency, are alſo divided into three kinds,
viz.
1. The Fatherleſs Poor Mans Child.
2. The Aged, Blind and Lame.
3. The Diſeaſed Perſon, by Leproſie, Dropſie, &c.
2. The Poor by Caſualty, are likewiſe of 3 kinds;
that is to ſay,
1. The Wounded Soldier.
2. The Decayed Houſholder.
3. The Viſited with any grievous Diſeaſe.
3. The Thriftleſs Poor, are three kinds in like manner;
viz.
1. The Rioter, that conſumeth all.
2. The Vagabond, that will abide in no place.
3. The Idle Perſon, as Strumpets, and others.
For theſe three ſorts of Poor, three ſeveral Houſes were provided:
(1.) For the Innocent and Fatherleſs, which is the Beggars Child, and is indeed the Seed and Breeder of Beggary; they provided the Houſe that was the late Gray-Fryers in London, and called it by the Name of Chriſts-Hoſpital, where poor Children are trained up in the knowledge of God, and ſome virtuous Exerciſes, to the overthrow of Beggary.
For the (2) Degree, was provided the Hoſpitals of St. Thomas in Southwark, and St. Bartholomew in Weſt-Smithfield, where are continually at leaſt 200 Diſeaſed Perſons, which are not only there lodged and Cured, but alſo fed and nouriſhed.
For the (3) Degree, they provided Bridewell, where the Vagabond and idle Strumpet is chaſtiſed, and compelled to labour, to the overthrow of the vicious life of Idleneſs.
They provided alſo for the honeſt decayed Houſholder, that he ſhould be relieved at home at his Houſe, and in the Pariſh where he dwelt, by a Weekly Relief and Penſion.
And in like manner they provided for the Lazer, (or Leprous Perſon) to keep him out of the City from Clapping of Diſhes, and Ringing of Bells, to the great trouble of the Citizens, and alſo to the dangerous Infection of many, that they ſhould be relieved at home at their Houſes, by ſeveral Penſions.
Now after this good Order taken, (to the Eternal Honour of this Noble City) and the Citizens willing to further the ſame, the Report thereof was made to the King; And His Majeſty, for the Advancement thereof, was not only willing to grant ſuch as ſhould be Overſeers and Governors of the ſaid Houſes, a Corporation, and Authority for the Government of them: but alſo required, that he might be accounted as the Chief Founder and Patron thereof.
And for the furtherance of the ſaid Work, and continual maintenance of the ſame, He, of his meer Mercy and Goodneſs granted, that whereas (before) certain Lands were given to the maintaining of the Houſe of the Savoy, founded by King Henry VII. for the Lodging of Pilgrims and Strangers, and that the ſame was now made but a Lodging for Loyterers, Vagabonds and Strumpets, that lay all day in the Fields, and at night were harboured there, the which was rather the maintenance of Beggary, than any Relief to the Poor: gave the ſame Lands, being firſt ſurrendred by the Maſter and Fellows there, (which Lands were of the yearly value of 600 l.) unto the City of London, for the maintenance of the Foundation aforeſaid.
And for a further Relief, a Petition being made to the King's Majeſty, for a Licence to take in Mortmaine, or otherwiſe without Licence, Lands to a certain yearly value, and a ſpace left in the Patent for His MAJESTY, to put in what Sum He pleaſed: He looked on the void place, called for Pen and Ink, and with His own Royal Hand wrote this Sum, 4000 Marks by the year, (which is 2666 l. 13 s. 4 d. and with the former 600 l. makes in all 3266 l. 13 s. 4 d.) and then ſaid, in the hearing of his Council, Lord, I yield thee moſt hearty thanks, that thou haſt given me life thus long, to finiſh this work to the Glory of thy Name.
After which Foundation eſtabliſhed, he lived not above two days; whoſe life would have been wiſhed equal to the Patriarchs, if it had pleaſed God ſo to have prolonged it. He dyed at Greenwich the 6th of July, Anno 1553. He was in Body beautiful, of a ſweet Aſpect, and ſpecially in his Eyes, which ſeemed to have a ſtarry livelineſs and luſtre in them. For his pregnancy of Wit and Knowledge in all kinds of Learning, Cardan (who coming into England, had often conference with him) reporteth of him, that he was extraordinary skilful in Languages, and in the Politicks; well ſeen in Philoſophy, and in Divinity; and generally indeed, a very Miracle of Art and Nature.
He would anſwer Ambaſſadors ſometimes upon the ſudden, either in French or Latin. He knew the ſtate of Foreign Princes perfectly, and his own more. He could call all Gentlemen of Account through his Kingdom, by their Names. And all this, when he had ſcarce yet attained to the Age of Fifteen Years, and dyed before Sixteen. That from hence we may gather, It is a ſign of no long Life, when the Faculties of the Mind are ripe ſo early.
His Pious and Religious Life was Remarkable, as may be ſeen in the whole ſeries of it; and his Death was no leſs, for the hour before he dyed, he was overheard to pray thus by himſelf:
O Lord God, deliver me out of this miſerable and wretched life. O Lord, thou knoweſt how happy it were for me to be with thee; yet for thy Choſen's ſake, if it be thy Will, ſend me life and health, that I may truly ſerve thee. O Lord God, ſave thy choſen People in England, and defend this Realm from PAPISTRY, and maintain thy true Religion, that I and my People may praiſe thy Holy Name for thy Son Jeſus Chriſt's ſake.
So turning his Face, and ſeeing ſome by him, he ſaid, I thought you had not been ſo nigh. Yes, ſaid Dr. Owen, we heard you ſpeak to your ſelf. Then, ſaid the King, I was praying to God; I am faint, Lord have mercy upon me, and receive my Spirit: And, in ſo ſaying, his bleſſed Spirit departed, to take poſſeſſion of an heavenly Crown, when he had enjoyed an earthly Crown, ſix years, five months, and nine days.
He was buried the 9th of Auguſt, in Henry the Seventh's Chappel at Weſtminſter, near the Body of the ſaid King Henry the Seventh his Grandfather.
This ſmall Digreſſion, I hope, will not be unacceptable to all true Chriſtians, being in memorial of that Peerleſs, and Never-enough Bewailed Prince; but he was too good for the World, and reſts now in endleſs Happineſs.
In the year 1552, began the Repairing of the Gray-Fryers Houſe, for the poor Fatherleſs Children, and in the month of November the Children were taken in to the ſame, to the Number of almoſt 400.
On Chriſtmas-day in the Afternoon, while the Lord Mayor and Aldermen Rode to Pauls, the Children of Chriſts-Hoſpital, from St. Lawrence-lane end in Cheapſide towards Pauls, all in one Livery of Ruſſet-Cotton, Three hundred and forty in Number; and at Eaſter next they were in Blue at the Spittle, and ſo they have continued ever ſince, but they were this Year at St. Sepulchres.
This indeed was a work of extraordinary Piety, and, in my judgment, it is a very Comely Sight to ſee the Poor Boys, when they Sup all together, with what Decency, Order and Neatneſs they are ſerv'd and Governed, by the reſpective Perſons in that Office; how plentifully they are provided with good Dyet, Waſhing, Lodging, and Learning, to fit them for buſineſs, which the City takes care to ſettle them in, according to their reſpective Capacities; and it is known that many of them came to be Men of Note, Wealth, and great Uſefulneſs in their Countrey.
Chriſts-Hoſpital, Bridewel and St. Thomas are Incorporated, by the Names of the Mayor, Commonalty, and Commons of the City of London, Governors of the Poſſeſſions, Revenues and Goods of the Hoſpitals of Edward King of England, the Sixth, o… Chriſt, Bridewel, and St. Thomas the Apoſtle… &c.
St. Bartholomew-Hoſpital is Incorporated, by th… Name of the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens … the City of London, Governors of the Hoſpital … the Poor, called, Little Saint Bartholomews, near to Weſt-Smithfield, of the Foundation of King Henry the Eighth.
In the Year 1533, the 10th of April, Sir George Barn… (being Mayor of this City) was ſent for to the Court at W…itehall, where the King gave him (… was ſaid) his Houſe of Bridewel, and 700 Marks of Land, late belonging to Savoy Hoſpital, and all the Bedding, and other Furniture, &c. for Bridewel, and St. Thomas in Southwark. The Gift was confirmed by Charter, dated June 26. following. And in the Year 1555, Sir William Gerrard Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, entred Bridewel, and took poſſeſſion thereof, according to the Gift of the ſaid King Edward, the ſame being confirmed by Queen Mary. This Bridewel, is now bu…lt in a very curious and ſtately manner.
To reckon up the ſeveral Eminent and Bountiful Benefactors to theſe Hoſpitals, would be endleſs, they, except ſome that would be concealed, are to be found in the Records of thoſe places, to which the Reader is referred. Only it being a very ſingular Example of Honeſty, Induſtry, and Piety, (not to detract in the leaſt, from any Worthy and Bountiful Benefactor) I will Remark one Richard Caſtel, o… Caſtell…r, Shoemaker, dwelling in Weſtminſter, a Man of great labour and care in his Faculty with his own hands, ſo that he was called the Cock of Weſtminſter, becauſe both Winter and Summer he was at his Work before Four a Clock in the morning: This Man thus honeſtly and painfully labouring for his Living, God bleſſed and increaſed his Labours ſo …bundantly, that he purchaſed Lands and Tenements …n Weſtminſter, to the yearly value of 44 l. And having no Child, with the conſent of his Wife, who ſurvived him, and was a virtuous good Woman, gave the ſame L…ds wholly to Chriſts-Hoſpital aforeſaid, to the Relief of the Innocent and Fatherleſs Children, and for the Succor of the Miſerable, Sore and Sick, harboured in other Hoſpitals about London.
Sir William Cheſter Kt. and Alderman of London, and John Calthrop Citizen and Draper of the ſame City, at their own proper Coſts and Charges, …ade the Brick-Walls and Way on the Back-ſide, which leadeth from the ſaid New Hoſpital, unto the Hoſpital of St. Bartholomew, and alſo covered and vaulted the Town-Ditch from Alderſgate to Newgate, which before was very Noiſom and Contagiou… to the ſaid Hoſpital.
Sir Rowland Hill Lord Mayor, in the 3d Year of this King, beſides many large and bountiful Charities on other things, gave this Hoſpital 500 l. in his Life, and 100 l. at his Death.
In the Year 1552, the Citizens of London having purchaſed the void ſuppreſſed Hoſpital of St. Thomas in Southwark, in the Month of July began the Reparations thereof, for Poor, Impotent, Lame, and Diſeaſed People, ſo that in November following the Sick and Lame were taken in.
II. Of all the Hoſpitals that ever were Founded in Chriſtendom, there is none can parallel that of Thomas Sutton Eſq called, Sutton's Hoſpital, which will commend to all ſucceeding Poſterity the duely deſerved Praiſes of that truely Worthy, and Never-to-be-forgotten Gentleman, the Phoenix of Charity in our Times.
The Diſſolved Charter-houſe by Weſt-Smithfield, belonging to the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Suffolk, after Lord Treaſurer of England, is ſufficiently known to be a very large and goodly Manſion, beautified with ſpacious Gardens, Walks, Orchards, and other Pleaſures, Enriched with divers Dependencies of Lands and Tenements thereunto belonging, and very aptly ſeated for wholeſom Air, and ſeveral other Commodities.
All which Commodiouſneſs of Situation, and largeneſs of Circuit, gave occaſion to this well minded Gentleman, Mr. Sutton, to affect that Houſe, as the only Place whereon to build the Foundation of his Religious Purpoſe.
For among other his Chriſtian Determinations, he had formerly intended to build an Houſe at Hallingbury-Bouchers in Eſſex, to be an Hoſpital for ſuch Poor Men and Children, as he himſelf in his life time (or future Governors for the ſame to be Deputed) ſhould think fit to be Lodged and Relived there. Alſo for a School-Maſter and Ʋſher, to Teach Children to Read, and Write, and inſtruct them in the Latin and Greek Grammar, with a Learned Divine likewiſe, to Preach the Word of God to them all. And a Maſter beſide to Govern all thoſe People belonging to that Houſe.
But finding this Goodly Manſion of the Charter-Houſe, to be much more convenient for the purpoſe, he became an earneſt Suitor to the Earl of Suffolk, to purchaſe that Houſe of him, acquainting his Honour with the alteration of his mind concerning Hallingbury, and his earneſt Deſire to make the Charter-Houſe the Hoſpital. The Earl being Honorably inclin'd to ſo Godly a motion, the Price being concluded on, the Bargain and Sale was aſſured. The Sum disburs'd for this purpoſe amounted to 13000 l. which was Paid down in hand, before the unſealing of the Conveyance. Then he became Suitor again to his Majeſty, to perform all that, at the Chartor-Houſe, which he had formerly intended at Hallingbury. Whereto the King readily yielded, being Graciouſly affected to ſo Charitable a Work, and Granted His Letters Patents to the ſame effect.
This Gentleman lived always a Batchelor, and by ſundry Employments and Parſimony grew to great Wealth, which he well Employed, to his immortal honnour. He endowed … Hoſpital with above 3000 l. a Year in Land, viz. All and ſingular the Mannors, Lordſhips, Meſſuages, Lands, Tonements, Reverſions, Services, Meadows, Paſtures, Woods, Advowſons, Patronages of Churches, and Hereditaments of the ſaid Thomas Sutton whatſoever, Situate, lying and being within the County of Eſſex, Lincoln, Wilts, Cambridg, and Middleſex, or in any of them, with all and every of their Rights, Members, and Appurtenances whatſoever. Except all his Mannors and Lordſhips of Littlebury, and Haddeſtock, with their Appurtena…ces in the County of Eſſex. In this Hoſpital he placed Fourſcore Poor Men, with convenient Lodging, Dyet, and Allowance of Money for Apparel; alſo Forty Poor Children with the like Proviſion; and a Grammar School, with a Maſter and an Ʋſher to Teach them: over all whom, he ordained, a Learned Man to be Maſter of the Houſhold, to be choſen by the Governors whom he appointed for the preſent, by the Authority of the Kings Letters, Patents, to be George Archbiſhop of Canterbury; Thomas Lord Elſemore Lord Chancellor; Robert Earl of Salisbury Lord Treaſurer, John Biſhop of London; Lancelot Biſhop of Ely, Sir Edward Cook, Chief Juſtice of the Common Pleas; Sir Thomas Foſter, a Judg of the Common-Pleas, Sir Henry Hubbard, the Kings Attorney-General, Doctor Overal Dean of Pauls; Doctor Mountain, Dean of Westminſter; Henry Thursby Eſq Maſter of the Chancery; Richard Sutton Eſq Auditor of the Impreſs; Geoffery Nightingale Eſquire; John Low Gentleman; Thomas Brown Gentleman, and Maſter of the Houſhold, for the time being, to be always one; and as any of thoſe Sixteen Governors ſhould die, the Survivors to make preſent Additions of others.
Towards the building of this Hoſpital, Chappel and School-Houſe, he gave 5000 l. but he lived not to ſee it performed, but what Death bereft him of, he left to the performance of his Faithful Executors, Mr. Richard Sutton, and Mr. John Low, Men of Religious and upright Souls, who carefully accompliſhed the Work, ſo that the Monday after Mich… mas day, being the 3d of October, Anno Dom. 1614. The Captains, Gentlemen, and Officers, entered into their Famous prepared Hoſpital, to the Glory of God, Honour of the King's Majeſty, Credit of the Governors, and Joy of Honeſt minds, and the Eternal Fame of the Noble Founder, who is laid in a goodly Tomb in the Chappel of his own Hoſpital,
With this Inſcription:
Sacred to the Glory of God, in Grateful Memory of Thomas Sutton Eſquire.
Here lieth buried the Body of Thomas Sutton, late of Caſtel Camps, in the County of Cambridge Eſq at whoſe only Costs and Charges this Hoſpital was Founded, and Endued with large Poſſeſſions, for the Relief of Poor Men and Children. He was a Gentleman, born at Knayth in the County of Lincoln, of Worthy and Honest Parentage. He lived to the Age of 79 Years, and Deceaſed the 12th. Day of December, Anno Domini 1611.
Though we Deſign to avoid all Prolixity, yet 'tis hoped it will be Pardoned, if we Tranſcribe an Epitaph, made upon this Worthy Man, by a Friend to Piety and Goodneſs; for he being a Rare Example, challenges, as his due Merit, a more than ordinary mention.
When bad Men die, the Memory Remains
Of their Corruptions and ungodly ways,
As Merit to their miſ-applyed pains,
Out of ill actions forming as ill praiſe.
For Vertue wounded by their deep diſgrace,
Leaves Fame to their poſterity and Race.
When Good Men die, the Memory remains
Of their true Vertue, and moſt Chriſtian ways,
As a due Guerdon to their Godly gains,
Out of good Actions forming as good praiſe.
For Vertue cheriſh'd by their Deeds of Grace,
Leaves Fame to their Poſterity and Race.
Among theſe Good (if Goodneſs may be ſaid
To be among the ſeed of Mortal Men,)
In upright Ballance of true Merit weigh'd,
Needs muſt we reckon Famous SUTTON then,
In whom, as in a Mirror doth appear,
That Faith with Works in him did ſhine most clear.
And let us not, as is a common uſe,
Meaſure him by a many other more;
In Death, to cover their bad lifes abuſe,
To lanch out then ſome bounty of their ſtore.
No, SUTTON was none ſuch, his Hoſpital,
And much more elſe beſide, ſpeaks him to all.
For as God bleſt him with abundant Wealth,
Like to a careful Steward he emplo'd it;
And order'd all things in his beſt of health,
As glad to leave it, as when he enjoy'd it.
And being prepared every hour to die,
Diſpoſed all his Gifts moſt Chriſtian…y,
In Abrahams boſome ſleeps he with the bleſt,
His Works, they follow him, his worth ſurvives,
Good Angels guide him to eternal reſt,
Where is no Date of time, for Years or Lives.
You that are Rich, do you as he hath done,
And ſo aſſure the Crown that he hath wo… ▪
To conclude in a word, this Famous Hoſpital, with the value of the Lands laid into it, the Purchaſe of the Houſe, Stock laid in, (which he hath given into the Treaſury, or Store of the ſaid Hoſpital to begin with, and to defend the Rights of the Houſe, being 1000 l.) and Allowance towards the Building: alſo the Remainder of his Goods unbequeathed, his large Gifts and Legacies to divers Honorable and Worthy Friends, beſides great ſtore of far more inferior account (which would puzle me to number) and the reſidue of 20000 l. left to the diſcretion of his Executors, may truly and deſervedly be ſaid, to be the very greateſt and moſt bountiful Gift, that ever was given in England, no Abbey (at the firſt Foundation thereof) excepted, or therewith to be compared, being the Gift of one man only.
He gave to the Poor in Barwick 100 Marks. To the Poor of Stoke-Newington 10 l. To the Poor Fiſhermen of Oſtend in Flanders 100 l. To the mending of the High-Ways between Iſlington and Newington, in the County of Middleſex 40 Marks (or 26 l. 13 s. 4 d.) To the mending the High-Ways between Aſhden and Walden, called Waldenlane in Eſſex 100 l. To the mending the High-Ways between Great Lynton in the County of Cambridge, and the ſaid Town of Walden 60 l. 13 s. 4 d. Towards the mending of Horſeth-lane 60 l. To the mending of the Bridges and ordinary High-Ways between South-Minſter and Malden in Eſſex 100 l. To the Chamber of London 1000 l. to be Yearly lent to Ten young Merchants, not having any great Stocks of their own: and thoſe Ten to be appointed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City for the time being, and the Dean of Pauls: they are … to pay any Intereſt for it, nor any to enjoy it but ….
… the Poor People of Hadſtock 20 l. To the Poor of Littlebury and Balſham 40 l. To the Parſon and Church-Wardens of Balſham for the time being, towards the buying a Bell, to be hanged up in the Steeple, to amend the Ring there 20 l. To the Poor of South-minſter 20 l. To the Poor of little Hal…enbury 20 l. To the Poor of Dunsby, in the County of Lincoln 20. l. To the Poor Pri…ers in the Priſons of Ludgate, Newgate, the two …ompters in London, the King's-Bench, the … 2000 l. to be paid and divided among the ſame Priſoners by even and equal portions.
To the Maſter, Fellows, and Scholars of the Corporation of Jeſus College in Cambridge 500 Marks▪ To the Maſter, Fellows, and Scholars of the Corporation of Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge, 500 l. To every one of his Fe…ffees, put in truſt about his … 26 l. 13 s. 4 d. To the Poor of Beverly, a … in Cottingham. To the Poor of Lincoln, a Remainder of Years in the Rectory of Glentham in the County of Lincoln. To Mr. Hutton, Vicar of Littlebury 20 l. To the Poor of …mps Caſtle 10 l. To the Poor of Elcomb 10. l. To Mr. Floud, Parſon of Newington 13 l. 6 s. 8 d. To the Poor of the Pariſh of Hackn…y 10 l. with ſeveral others, &c. And ſo much for Famous SƲTTON and his Hoſpital, which deſerves an Eternal MEMORIAL.
III. The Hoſpital of St. Mary of Bethlem, vulgarly called Bedlam was, Founded by Simon Fitz-Mary, one of the Sheriffs of London, Anno 1246. He Founded it to have been a Priory of C…ons, with Brethren and Siſters: and King Edward the III. granted a Protection for the Brethren, Militiae Beatae Mariae de Bethlem, within the City of London, in the Fourteenth of his Reign. But it was … an Hoſpital for Diſtracted People. Stephen… nings, Merchant-Taylor, gave 40 l. towards … chaſe of the Patronage, by his Teſtament, Anno 1523. The Mayor and Commonalty purchaſed it with all the Lands and Tenements thereunto belonging, in the Year 1546. The ſame Year King Henry the VIII. gave this Hoſpital unto the City. The Church and Chappel thereof were taken down in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and Houſes built there, by the Governors of Chriſt's-Hoſpital in London. In this Place People that be Diſtracted of their Wits, were received and kept at the Suit of their Friends, but not without Charges to their bringers in.
This Place being old, narrow, and not very pleaſant, the City of London reſolved to build a New Hoſpital, which in April 1675, was begun, and to the great Glory and Ornament of the City, and the great benefit of the Poor Lunaticks, was finiſhed July 1676, in ſo Stately and Beautiful a manner, that the whole World can hardly Parallel it; It is of a great Length, reaching from Moor-gate, to the Little-Poſtern, leading out of the North-Eaſt part of Moor-Fields, into the City, near the City Walls, with a moſt Glorious Front towards thoſe Delicate Walks of Moor-Fields; the Architecture is very Regular, Exquiſite, and Rich, with a Stately Turret in the midſt of a Curious Form, and Fair green Courts, part of which are Paved with broad Stone for walks, Environ'd with a very hanſom Brick-Wall; there are two Stately Galleries, reaching from one end to the other, on the ſides of which, are the Lodgings of the Diſtracted People, which are very neat and convenient, they are carefully and very decently ſerved with plenty of good wholſom Dyet, and very well attended, by Perſons appointed to that purpoſe. This Work coſt above 18000 l. to which many Noble Citizens, &c. were Benefactors, … is indeed, a Work very well becoming the Mag…nce of this Renowned City, who in all their undertakings, and in all Publick Acts of Ornament to the City, or Charity to the Poor, have demonſtrated themſelves to be Peerleſs.
Beſides theſe Grand Hoſpitals, there are a great many Alms-Houſes in and about the City, which were the Gifts of Pious and Worthy Perſons, of which, as far as we could obtain a diſtinct Information, we have given an account in the Chapter of Churches. I have Read that in the 44 of Edward the III. an Hoſpital was Founded by Robert Denton, Chaplain in the Pariſh of Barking, for the Suſtentation of Poor Lunaticks, or ſuch as were Phrenetick, or Sick of the Phrenzie, there to remain till they were perfectly whole, and reſtored to good Memory. There was alſo an Hoſpital of St. Mary Spittle, in Spittle-Fields, but diſſolved. There was likewiſe an Hoſpital of St. Anthony, in the Pariſh of Bennet-Fink. The Protectors of this Houſe were to Collect the Benevolence of Charitable Perſons, towards the Building and Support thereof. Theſe Officers were charg'd with the over-ſight of the Markets in the City, and did ſeveral times take from the Market-People, Pigs ſtarved, or otherwiſe unwholſom for Mans ſuſtenance; which they ſlit in the Ear, and one of the Proctors of St. Anthonies, tyed a Bell about the Neck, and let it feed at pleaſure, on Dung-hills, or other places, which no Body would hurt or take up: but if any gave them Bread or other Feeding, ſuch would they know, watch for, and follow, whining till they had given them ſomething, whereupon was raiſed a Proverb. …e whines (or followeth) like a Tantony-Pig; but if the Pigs
WESTMINSTER HALL
THE ROYALL EXCHANGE
CLARENDON HOVSE
COVENT GARDEN
came to be Fat, and of good liking, the Proctor would apprehend them for the Uſe of the Hoſpital; which is a matter not be much wondred at, for thoſe Perſons uſually loved their Bellies very well.
There was of old an Hoſpital of St. Mary Rouncival by Charing-Croſs, but ſuppreſſed, and turned to Tenements. So much for the Hoſpitals.