The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 3 · Section 7
SECT. 7.
Of Bridges, Rivers, &c.
VVE ſhall begin with the Bridge, which for admirable Workmanſhip, vaſtneſs of Foundation, for all Dimenſions, for Solid Stately Houſes, and Rich Shops built thereon, ſurpaſſeth all others in Europe; it hath Nineteen Arches, beſides the Draw-bridge, Founded in a deep broad River. It is 800 Foot in Length, Sixty High, and Thirty Broad; it hath a Draw-bridge almoſt in the middle, and 20 Foot between each Arch. It was about the Year 1176, begun to be Built of Stone, and after the Labour of 33 Years Finiſhed, viz. Anno 1209. which was a work of exceeding coſt and difficulty, conſidering the great flux and reflux of the River in that place, ſo that it hath been frequently known that at the Ebbing and Flowing of the water, it falls with ſo violent a Cataract, that it has Drown'd many that would adventure to Shoot through the Arches at ſuch times. Before ſome part of the Houſes were burnt (for there hapned many grievous Fires there, of which and other Accidents, more hereafter) it lookt more like a ſtately and Continued Street, than a Bridge. The Charges of keeping this Bridge in Repair are ſo great, that there is a large Houſe, a vaſt Revenue in Lands and Houſes and Divers conſiderable Officers ſet apart for the conſtant care and Repair thereof: The principal whereof are the two Bridge-Masters, choſen out of the Body of the Liveries upon Midſummer-day, after the Sheriffs and the Chamberlain. Concerning this Bridge, and the ſtupendious ſite and ſtructure thereof, take the ingenious fancy of Mr. James Howel, in imitation of Sannazarius the famous Venetian Poet, who writ the like about that City and the Rialto, the prime Bridge there.
Cum Londinenſem Neptunus viderat Ʋrbem
Vectus ibi propriis atque revectus Aquis,
Dum Denſam penetrat ſylvam, lucoſ que ferentes
Pro Ramis funes, pro foliiſ que cruces,
Cum ſuperimpoſitum torrenti flumine Pontem
Viderat, & Rapido ponere jur freto,
Cum tantos Muros, ferrumina, Caſtra, tot Arcus
Vidit, & haec tergo cuncta jacere ſuo.
Arcus, qui poſſunt totidem formare Rialtos
Metiri ſiquis ſumma vel ima Cupit;
Haec Deus undarum aſpiciens, fluxuſque retrorſum
Tundere, & horrendos inde Boare ſonos,
Nunc mihi quanta velis terrae miracula pandas,
Eſt primus Mundi pons, ait, iſte Stupor.
The ſame Paraphas'd in Engliſh.
When Neptune, from his billows, London ſpy'd,
Brought proudly thither by a high Spring-Tide:
As through a floating Wood he ſteer'd along,
And moving Caſtles cluſter'd in a throng;
When he beheld a mighty Bridge give Law
Ʋnto his Surges and their fury awe;
When ſuch a ſhelf of Cataracts did roar,
As if the Thames with Nile had chang'd her ſhoar;
When he ſuch Maſſy Walls, ſuch Towers did eye,
Such Poſts, ſuch Irons on his back to lie:
When ſuch vaſt Arches he obſerv'd, that might
Nineteen Rialto's make, for depth and height:
When the Cerulean God theſe things ſurvey'd,
He ſhook his Trident, and, aſtoniſh'd, ſaid,
Let the whole Earth now all her Wonders count,
This Bridge of Wonders is the Paramount.
There was firſt a Ferry where this Bridge is built, and the Ferry-man and his Wife Dying, his only Daughter, a Maid, named Mary, with what her Parents left her, and the profits of this Ferry, built a Houſe for Nuns, where the Eaſt part of St. Mary-Overy's Church now ſtands, and gave them the overſight and profits of the Ferry. This Nunnery was afterwards converted into a Co…lege of Prieſts, who built the Bridge of Timber, but the time when, is uncertain, but mention is made of it, Anno 994. when the Londoners overthrew a part of Sweyn King of Denmark's Army, who beſieged them; many of the Danes being Drowned in the Thames, becauſe in their haſty flight they took no heed of, or could not recover the Bridge.
This Bridge was burnt, Anno 1136. It was afterwards new built; but the Charges of continual Reparation being ſo great, it was by the Aid of the Citizens and others built of Stone, as beforeſaid, the Timber Bridge having been maintain'd partly by the proper Lands thereof, partly by Legacies and Lib… rality of Divers Perſons, and partly by Taxations in divers Shires, at leaſt 215 years before the Bridge of Stone was built. And that we may give an Eſtimate of the Payments and Allowances belonging to this great Bridge, it is recorded that in Henry the 7th's time it amounted in one year to above 815 l. by which may be gueſſed what improvement and increaſe it is come to by this time, the prices of things being ſo vaſtly altered.
Beſides this Bridge there are three other curious Sone-Bridges over that mighty Chargeable and beautiful work or Channel, rendring Navigable the Fleet Brook, from the River Thames to Holborn-Bridge, which is 100 Foot Broad, on the ſides of which are many huge Vaults to treaſure up Coals for the uſe of the poor, &c. About the middle of this Channel ſtands Fleet-Bridge, being conſiderably advanced, though it lies in a level with Fleet-ſtreet, and the bottom of Ludgate-Hill, ſo that all Waggons, Coaches, Carmen, &c. paſs over it, the other two Bridges, viz. Bridewell-Bridge, and Fleet-laneBridge are raiſed 14 Steps or Stairs above the Streets on each ſide of the ſaid Channel, in order to the admittance or giving paſſage to all Lighters, Barges, Boats, Hoys, &c. which bring in plentifully every Tide, Coals; for which, and other Goods brought, there are certain Duties paid to the City, which were granted to the City by an Act of Parliament. This Channel was finiſhed, Anno 1676. at the Coſt of above 74000 l. And by the ſame Act of Parliament, H…lborn-Bridge, at the North-end of this Channel, was ordered to be enlarged, which is very commodiouſly done, to the great advantage of Paſſengers. The…e were ſeveral other inferiour Bridges mentioned by Stow and others, but being of no great eminency (and can hardly now be diſcovered) we paſs them by.
Of Rivers, Aqueducts, &c.
The Great and famous River of Thames deſerves precedency, not only of all other Rivers in England, but perhaps of the World; becauſe it's breadth, depth, gentle ſtrait and even Courſe, extraordinary wholſome Water and Tides, render it more commodious for Navigation, than any other that we read of. The Sea Flows up this River near fourſcore miles, that is almoſt to Kingſtone, 12 miles above London by Land, and 20 by Water, bringing the greater Veſſels to London, and the ſmaller beyond; then againſt the ſtream, Boats are drawn to Oxford, and higher many miles.
It is High Water at this City when the Moon comes to the North-Eaſt and South-Weſt points of Heaven, the one in our Hemiſphere, and the other in the oppoſite Hemiſphere. The higheſt Tides are upon a Land Flood, the Wind Northwest at the Equinoctial, and the Moon at Full; When theſe Four Cauſes concur (which is very rare) the River over-flows its Banks in ſome places, endamaging Weſtminſter in their Cellars.
This Noble River opening Eaſtward towards Germany and France, is much more advantageous for Traffique then any other River of England.
There is a variety of excellent Fiſh, eſpecially incomparable Salmon, and along its Banks on either ſide a fat and fruitful Soyl, pleaſant with Meadows, and innumerable Palaces, and ſtately Buildings of the Nobility, Gentry, and great Citizens, that it yields as beautiful a ſight as can any where be met withal; Which may be thus Deſcribed only from Windſor to London, with a little alteration of Mr. Draytons Lines.
But now this Flood upon his Voyage preſt,
(That finds with ſtrength his beauty ſtill increaſt,
Where Windſor ſtood on Tip-toe to behold
The Goodly Thames ſo far as e're he could:
With Royal Houſes Crown'd, of ſtately pride,
On either Bank as he along doth glide)
With ſweet Delight doth his long Courſe purſue,
Doth Oatlands, Hampton-Court and Richmond view,
Then Weſtminſter great Thames doth entertain,
That vaunts her Palace and her ſumptuous Fane:
The Lands Chief Seat, that challengeth for hers
Kings Coranations and their Sepulchers.
Then goes along by that more beautious Strand,
That ſhews the Wealth and glory of the Land▪
(Such ſumptuous Seats within ſo little ſpace
Th' all-viewing Sun ſcarce ſees in all his Race)
By London leads, which like a Creſcent lies,
Whoſe Windows view with the be-ſpangled Skies,
Her riſing Spires ſo thick themſelves do ſhow,
As do the Reeds that on her Banks do grow,
There ſees his Wharffs and People-crowded Shores:
His boſom ſpread with ſhoals of labouring Oars:
With that great Bridge that doth him moſt Renown,
By which he puts all other Rivers down.
This Noble River hath her Original out of the ſide of an Hill in Cotſwold Downs, a little above a Village called Winchcomb, in Oxfordſhire, where it was antiently called Iſis, or the Ouſe, running to Oxford, and by the way receiving many ſmall Rivulets and Brooks joyning at that City with the Charwell, then by Abington, Dorcheſter, where the River Thame and Iſis joyn, from whence it is called Tham…ſis, or Thames; thence by Reading, Maiden-head, Windſor, Stanes, and ſeveral other conſiderable Palaces, Towns, and ſtately Houſes, to London, and receives the Medway, a conſiderable River that runs by the City of Rocheſter, and Waters all the Southern parts of Kent: The length of it being, at leaſt, if meaſured by the Journeys at Land, 180 Miles, and Ebbs and Flows, as before, near 80 Miles. The Common difference betwixt Tide and Tide is found to conſiſt of 24 Minutes, which wanteth but 12 of a whole hour in 24, by which they come later than the other. Mr. Stow tells us that in his time (the firſt Edition of his Survey being Printed above 80 years ago) there were 2000 Wherries or ſmall Boats, whereby 3000 Water-men got their Living, their Gains being moſt in Term-time, but now there are a great many more, this River being a Nurſery to breed young Men ſit for the Sea to Serve His Majeſty, or the Merchants, &c. Beſides theſe, there is an Infinite Number of Wherries, Tide-Boats, Tilt-Boats, Barges, Hoys, &c. for Paſſengers, or to bring neceſſary Proviſion of all ſorts from all Quarters of Oxfordſhire, Berkſhire, Buckinghamſhire, Bedfordſhire, Hartfordſhire, Middleſex, Eſſex, Surrey, and Kent, unto the City; but of the Navigation of London, we refer to the Chapter of Trade; and the Rates of Water-men to a diſtinct head, to be Treated of hereafter.
The Extent of the Juriſdiction and Prerogative of the Lord Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of London on the River Thames, &c.
THe Lord Mayor of LONDON for the time being, and his Succeſſors for ever in that great Dignity, have full Power and Authority over the Rivers of Thames and Medway, to inflict puniſhment upon all Tranſgreſſors relating to the ſaid Rivers, the Water-Bayly of London being his Subſtitute.
The Extent of this Juriſdiction begins at a place called Colnie-Ditch, a little above Stains-Bridge Weſtward, as far as London-Bridge, and from thence to a place called Yendall, otherwiſe Yenland, or Yenleete, and the Waters of Medway. This Authority and Juriſdiction belongs to the Lord Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of London, by divers Grants, Charters, and Confirmations made by the Kings and Queens of England, beſides ſundry Acts of Parliament.
Yet there have been ſome conteſts betwixt the Lord Mayor, and the Lord High Admiral of England about it, but after a fair and Judicial Tryal in open Court, the Controverſie was decided in favour of the City, and the Lord Mayor was adjudged to be Conſervator of the Thames. There were alſo ſome Controverſies about the Rivers of Thames and Medway, but all differences were abſolutely concluded, Anno 1613. Sir John Swinnerton being then Lord Mayor, and Thomas Sparry Eſq being then his Deputy in that Office. So that the Lord Mayor bears always ſince (as in former times) the ſtile of Conſervator of the ſaid River, within the ſaid Limits and Bounds.
And whereas there was a Company of Fiſhermen called Tinckermen, that with unlawful Nets and other devices, made an infinite deſtruction of the young Brood, or Fry of Fiſh, to feed their Hogs; by the ſingular care and coſt of the Lord Mayor, and vigilance of the Citizens, they were many years ago ſuppreſt, and a regular and orderly manner of Fiſhing brought in uſe, that ſuch a havock may not be made of the young Fry; As alſo ſundry other abuſes by unlawful Fiſhing, and ſome annoying Timbers in Tilbury-hope, dangerous to Paſſengers, and deſtructive to the young Brood of Fiſh and Fiſhermens Nets, were alſo to general benefit reformed. Likewiſe they took care to clear and cleanſe the River Weſtward of about 79 Stops or Hatches, conſiſting of divers great Stakes and Piles, erected by Fiſhermen for their private lucre, and ſtanding illfavouredly for Paſſengers near the Fair-Deep; but none now are left, except ſuch as ſtand out of the paſſable high ſtream, that can prejudice none. The like Courſe was kept in the time of Henry the 4th, and Henry the 8ths times. There is alſo a watchful Eye that no Carrion nor Dead Carkaſſes be thrown into the River to pollute or infect the ſtream.
To all theſe intents and purpoſes the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen his Brethren, with the under Officers, meet eight times a year in the four Counties of Middleſex, Surrey, Kent, and Eſſex, and have a Judicial ſitting for Maintenance of the Rivers Rights and Priviledges, where they have power to Impanel Juries, to make Inquiſition after all Offences committed upon the River within their Exte…, and as the Verdict given by the Jury makes it appear, ſo they proceed to the puniſhment of the … ſors according to the quality of the offence, whereof it may be proper to give this Memorable Inſtance, as it is Recorded by Mr. Stow in his Survey, page 20, Printed Anno 1633. and more briefly delivered by Mr. Howel in his Londinopolis, Printed Anno 1657. page 15. Thus.
Sir John Rolls Knight, and Lord Mayor of the City of London, and Conſervator of the River of Thames, and Waters of Medway, aſſiſted and accompanied by the Aldermen and two Sheriffs then contemporary, and attended by the Recorder, and the Sub-conſervation, or Water-Bayly, with 50 Officers and Servants, took their Barges at Billings-gate, the third of July, 1616. and in a few hours arrived at Graves-end in Kent, where a Seſſion for Conſervancy of the ſaid River was kept before the ſaid Lord Mayor and his ſaid Aſſiſtants, at which place and time a Jury of the Free-holders of the ſaid County being ſworn to inquire of all Offences committed in any part of the River whatſoever, within the ſaid County; The Common Sergeant of the City (the Recorder being then abſent upon extraordinary occaſions) Delivered them a Charge to this effect, That for as much as there had not been any Seſſion of Conſervancy in many years paſſed kept by any Lord Mayor of London in that place, it was probable and evident they could not be well informed, neither of the Lord Mayor's Juriſdiction and power to Reform Annoyances and Offences there, and to inflict due puniſhments upon the Offendors; nor of the Nature of the Service to be by them performed in the Courſe of their Inquiry; therefore he thought it convenient to make both the one and the other known unto them. Hereupon he ſhewed them that the Juriſdiction of the Court of London in the River of Thames, from Stanes Bridge Weſtward, unto the points of the River next unto the Sea Eaſtward, appeared to belong to the City, in manner and form following.
I. Firſt in point of Right by preſcription, as appears by an ancient Book called Dun…horp, That Civitatis fundationis, aedificationis, & conſtructionis cauſa erat Thameſis Fl…v…us, quorum vero Civitatis & fluminis gubernationem tam duces, Majores, Cuſtodes, Vicecomites, Aldr. & Magnates Civitatis Memoratae hucuſque obtinuerunt & habuerunt. Whence he inferr'd that the Government of the River hath, belonged to the City time out of mind.
In 21. H. 3. Jorden Coventry, one of the Sheriffs of the City, was ſent by the Mayor and Aldermen to remove certain Kiddles that Annoyed the Rivers of Thames and Medway; who, ultra Yenland verſus mare, did take divers perſons that were Offenders, and impriſoned them; Whereupon complaint being made to the King, he took the matter ill at the firſt, and ſent for the Lord Mayor and Citizens to Kennington; Where, upon hearing of the Matter before the ſaid King, the Cities Juriſdiction over the ſaid River was ſet forth and allowed, and the Complainants convinced, and every one of them Amerced at 10 l. and the Amercements adjudged to the City; And afterward their Nets were burnt by Judgment given by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in the Hustings.
1. R. 2. Writs were directed to the Sheriffs of Eſſex and Kent, Reciting the Cities Title, with Command not to ſuffer the Citizens of London to be moleſted contrary to the Liberties formerly granted and allowed unto them.
II. Secondly, In point of Right by Allowance in Eire, the Conſervation of the Thames belongs to the City: For it was produced that 1 R. 2. before Hugh Bigot, Juſtice I…enerant, the Sheriffs and Citizens of London were called in Queſtion for their Juriſdiction exercis'd on the Thames, before whom it was found, by a Jury in Southwark, Quod nullus habet aliquid Juris in Thamiſia, uſ que ad Novum Gurgitem niſi Civis London.
In the 14, E. 2. The Conſtable of the Tower was Indicted by Divers Wards of London before the Juſtices in Eire at the Tower, De muneris & recep. Cove, pro Kedellis in Thamiſiis & Conſtabularius ad Kidellas reſpondet quod Juſtic. non habent Juriſdictionem extra London, prolitum: inde cognoſcere cum praedict. Kidelli ſunt in aliis Comitatibus, & Justic. dixerunt, aqua Thamiſiae pertinet ad Civitatem London, uſque Mare, & ſi velit reſpondeat; Who then Pleaded, Not Guilty.
III. He went further, in point of Right; that this Juriſdiction belonged to the City by antient Charters, 8 R. 1. that is 480 and odd Years ago. Dominus Richardus Rex, Filius Regis Henrici ſecundi conceſſit & firmiter praecepit, ut omnes Kidelli qui ſunt in Thamiſia amoveantur ubicunque fuerint in Thamiſia; —1. Joh. Rex conceſſit, & firmiter praecepit ut omnes Kidelli qui ſunt in Thamiſia vel in Medway amoveantur, & ne caeteri Kidelli alicubi ponantur in Thamiſia vel in Medway ſuper forf. 10 1. ſterlingorum.
Then he urged the Famous Charter of King Henry the III. which ran thus: Henry by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, and Aquitain, and Earl of Anjou, unto all Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, Juſtices, Sheriffs, Stewards, Miniſters, and to all Bayliffs and to all his True Men, Greeting: wotteth well, that we for the health of our Soul, and the health of the Soul of King John our Fader, and the Souls of our Anceſtors; and alſo for the Common profit of our City of London, and of all our Realms, have Granted and ſtedfaſtly Commanded, That all the Weares that be in Thames or in Medway be done away: and that from henceforth no Weares be ſet in Thames or Medway, upon the forfeiture of 10 1. Alſo we claim quit to our Citizens of London, all that, that our Conſtable of our Tower of London was wont to take of the ſaid Weares. Wherefore we will, and ſtedfaſtly Command, that no Conſtable of the aforeſaid Tower at any time from henceforth forward, any thing ask, nor any Grievance do to any of the ſame City by E…cheſon of the ſame Weares; it is to us known enough, and by our true Men do us to underſtand, that moſt privacy and leaſt profit might fall unto the ſame City, and to the whole Realm by Encheſen of the ſame Weares; which we make for ever firm and ſtable unto the ſame City, as the Charter of our Lord King John our Fader, which our Barons of London thereof have reaſonably Witneſſed. Witneſſes Euſtace of London, Peter of Weſtminſter, &c. at Weſtminſter the 18th of February, in the Year of our Reign Eleven. Beſides theſe he produced divers others in this King's Reign to the purpoſe aforeſaid, and the 7th. of E. III.
IV. This Juriſdiction belongs to the City of London by Acts of Parliament, W. 2. cap. 47. an. 13. No Salmons to be taken from the Nativity of our Lady, unto St. Martins Day in all points, nor none to be taken in Mill-Pools from the midſt of April, until Midſummer, under penalty for the firſt Offence, of burning of Nets and Engines; the ſecond Offence, Impriſonment for a Quarter of a Year; the third Offence, for a whole Year.
13. R. II. confirms the reſtraint of taking Salmons in many Waters, from the midſt of April, until Midſummer, upon the ſame pain; nor within that time to uſe any Nets, called Stalkers, nor any other Engine, whereby the Fry may be deſtroyed. He urged likewiſe 17 R. II. cap. 9. and the 11. H. VII. cap. 15.
1 Eliz. cap. 17. Againſt Nets, Wheeles, and other Engines, for deſtroying the Fiſh, againſt killing of Salmon and Trouts out of ſeaſon, againſt killing Pike or Pickerel, not ten Inches long, or Salmon not 16 Inches long, or Trout not 8 Inches long, or Barbel 12 Inches and more; nor to Fiſh with any Nets, but ſuch whereof every Meaſh or Maſh ſhall be two Inches and a half broad, Angling excepted. This not to extend to Smelts, Roches, Minoes, Bullhead, Gudgeons, or E…les, in place where the ſame have been uſed to be taken, The Offender to loſe for every Offence. 20 …s. and the Fiſh, alſo the unlawful Nets, Engines and Inſtruments.
The Mayor of London (Inter alia) hath full Power and Authority by this Act to Inquire of all Offences Committed contrary thereunto, by the Oaths of 12 Men or more, and to Hear and Determine all and every the ſame, and inflict Puniſhments, and impoſe Fines accordingly.
V. He proceeds to aſſert the Cities Right, to the Conſervation of the Thames, and the Waters of Medway, by way of Inquiſition, whereof there were two, the one taken at Raynam in Eſſex, the other at Graveſend in Kent, before Sir William Cambridge Grocer. then Lord Mayor of London, 9 Henry V. where it was preſented, that whereas by the antient Ordinances of London, the Meſhes of Nets ſhould be two Inches in the fore part, and one Inch in the hinder part, and it being found that the Offences according to the ſaid Inquiſitions, are Contra libertates & conſuetudines Civitatis, it was adjudged that the Nets ſhould be burnt, according to the antient Cuſtom in that behalf provided.
VI. He goes on after to prove that this Right belongs to the City by Decrees. In 8 Henry IV. the Mayor and Aldermen did exhibit their humble Petition to the King's Councel, reciting, that (time out of mind) they had the Conſervation and Correction of the River of Thames, of all Trincks, Nets, and other Engines whatſoever, in the River of Thames and Medway placed, and have uſed to make a Sub-Conſervator under them: and complaining that Alexander Bonner then Sub-Conſervator, having diſcharged his Duty in removing Kiddles, he was ill intreated by the owners, dwelling in Erith, Bratriferry, Barking, Woolwich, and other places in the Counties of Kent and Eſſex: and upon hearing of the matter in Camera Stellata, they were found Guilty, and Conſtrained to ſubmit themſelves to the Lord Mayor, and ordered to bring always their Nets unto him, before they ſhould uſe them, and that the Kiddles then taken ſhould be at the diſpoſition of the Lord Mayor: ſo the Offenders made their ſubmiſſion accordingly.
VII. He proceeds; This Right appertains to the City of London, by Letters Patents, which he proved by a Grant made by Edward IV. to the Earl of Pembroke, for ſetting up a Wear in the River of Thames: which Grant was Revoked, and Cancelled at the Requeſt of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, upon ſhewing their Right, therefore alleaged it was contrary to their antient Liberties. At which time the Cities Title to the Conſervancy of the Thames and Medway was at large ſet forth, and recited to have been ſhewn to the Lord Chancellor, and to the ſaid Earl and his Counſel, which accordingly was alſo read.
VIII. He reinforceth the Right of the City by Proclamations, whereof one was made by H. VIII. in the 34 of His Reign, wherein it is affirmed, that the Lord Mayor and his Predeceſſors, have had by divers Grants of the Kings of England, and by Acts of Parliaments enjoyed always the Conſervacy of the Thames without Impediments or Interruption: By which Proclamation it was Commanded that none ſhould reſiſt, deny, or impugne the Lord Mayor or his Deputy in doing or executing any thing that might conduce to the Conſervacy of the River, and of the Fiſh and Fry within the ſame.
IX. He produceth Report, for in a Controverſie betwixt the Lord Admiral, and the Lord Mayor, for the Meaſuring of Coals and other things upon the Thames, it then fell into Debate, to whom the Conſervacy of the Thames did belong, which cauſe was referred by Queen ELIZABETH's Councel of State, 1597, to the Attorney-General, and Solicitor, who joyntly Certified amongſt other things, that the Conſervancy and care of the ſaid River, did, and ought, to belong to the City of London.
X. By quo Warranto it was proved that the Conſervacy of the Thames, belongs to the City: for 3 Jac. a quo Warranto was brought againſt the City in the Exchequer, to know by what Title She claimed the Conſervacy of the River of Thames, and the Waters of Medway; whereupon the City made Her Title Good thereunto, by antient preſcription, and otherwiſe: ſo Judgment was given in Her Favour.
XI. He goes on afterwards to confirm the Right of the City, by Proof of Ʋſage, in regard the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have time out of mind made Ordinances, concerning the Good Government of the River of Thames, as well for the Seaſons and Manner of Fiſhing beneath London-bridge Eaſtward, upon pain of certain Penalties, as appears from time to time, from the Reign of Henry III. and ſo downward.
The Lord Mayor hath removed Kiddles, Wears, Trinks, and other unlawful Engines, and reformed the diſorders of ſuch as have offended beſides in the River of Thames, and inflicted puniſhment upon Offenders accordingly.
The Right of the City appears alſo by the Writs, and Preceps under the Teſte of the Lord Mayor, to the Sheriffs of Kent and Eſſex, for the Returning of Juries before him, to inquire of Offences done in the River. The ſame Right of the City appears alſo by Commiſſions, whereof divers have been directed to the Lord Mayor, to put in Execution the, Acts of Parliament, made for Conſervance of the Thames and Medway, and to inquire of all Offences made, or done in the ſaid Waters, and to puniſh the Deliaquents accordingly.
Laſtly, He makes good the Right and Title of the City, by the Continual Claim She has made thereunto, as appears in thoſe various Conteſts She had with the Lord Admiral of England, wherein after divers Debates and Diſputes, She ſtill came off well, and made Her Title good. Which moved King Jamts in the third Year of His Reign, to put a Final Determination to the Buſineſs, by the Letters Patents he paſſed unto the City, wherein he ſaith, That ad omnem Controverſiam in hac parte Temporibus, tam preſentibus quam futuris tollendam, & omne Dubium amo vendam; that to cut off all Controverſies, as well of the preſent times, as of Future, and to remove all Doubts, he did Confirm and Ratifie the ſaid Right unto the City of London, &c.
I. This Office of Conſervator of ſo Noble a River, is of great Extent, for he is to preſerve the Currency of the ſtream, on the Banks on both ſides.
II. To preſerve the Fiſh and Fry within the ſame, that no Fiſhermen uſe unlawful Nets or Engines, or fiſh at Prohibited Seaſons.
III. To hinder the erection of any Weares, Kiddles, or Engines, and the knocking in of any Poſts, Piles, or Stake., which may in any ſort hinder the Stream, or Navigation; and to pull them up, if already done, and puniſh the Offenders: alſo to prevent all incroachments upon the Rivers, and the Banks thereof: likewiſe to inquire of all Bridges, Flood-Gates, Mill-dams, and ſuch like Annoyances; and whether any do hurl in any Soyl, Duſt, or Rubbiſh, or other Filth whatſoever to choak her.
But for the ſtrength and ſafety of the River againſt the Invaſion of an Enemy, by Block-Houſes, Forts, Baſtions, or Caſtles, and the ſecuring of the Merchant and Navigation to and fro, that Charge belongs to the Soveraign Prince.
The former Charge, Care, and Circumſpection belongs properly to the City of London, which is Seated in a fit place to be watchful over her, for which Vigilance, the Thames Rewards the City abundantly, by bringing her in the Spices of the South, the Jewels of the Eaſt, and the Treaſures of the Weſt, yea a conſiderable ſhare of the richeſt Merchandizes of the World, &c. ſo that this Famous River may be ſaid, to be (as it were) the Radical Moyſture of London, and its beſt Friend; which was hinted by the Lord Mayor to King James; for the King being diſpleaſed, becauſe the City would not lend Him a Sum of Money, told the Mayor and Aldermen, that he would Remove His Court with all the Records of the Tower, and the Courts of Weſtminſter-Hall, to another place, with further expreſſions of that kind. The Lord Mayor calmly heard all, and at laſt Anſwered, Your Majeſty hath Power to do what You Pleaſe, and Your City of London will obey accordingly; but She humbly Deſires, that when Your Majeſty ſhall remove Your Courts, You would pleaſe to leave the Thames behind You.
Beſides the ineſtimable Benefit that this Noble River brings to the City, and the Adjacent places, by the eaſie conveyance of all Sorts of Goods and Merchandizes, almoſt all the Fuel for Firing being alſo brought by it from Newcaſtle, Scotland, Kent, Eſſex, &c. It ſupplies the City in very many places with excellent wholſom Water, convey'd into all the Adjacent Houſes by Water Engines, of great coſt and Artifice. So much for the Thames.
The City of London is ſupply'd with pure Spring-Water, from above Twenty Conduits, ſo Commodiouſly placed, that they ſerve all the Chiefeſt parts of the City. And in all parts, though on the higheſt Ground, It is abundantly Served with Pump Water, and thoſe Pumps in many places hardly. Six Foot deep in the Ground.
Of the New-River.
This Famous and never-to-be-forgotten Work brought by the Liberal Charge and Exquiſite Skill of one Worthy Man, Sir Hugh Middleton, Knight and Baronet, Citizen and Goldſmith of London, deſerves an everlaſting Memorial. Several Wells and Springs of ſweet and freſh Water with which the City was ſerved, being Decayed, ſundry Projects were on Foot to ſupply that want; but this Principal Device was found out by the aforeſaid Gentleman, and the Difficulties and vaſt Expence made it for ſome time to be retarded, but Courage and a Reſolution to promote the Publick Good, prompted him on to the Atchievment, which ſince hath proved happily Commodious, and of infinite Utility to the whole City, ſo that the brave Adventurer deſerves a Statue to Eternize his Name, and Tranſmit his Memory, to keep it Freſh (like his Waters) to future Ages. Now as Mr. Stow ſpeaks very ingeniouſly, if thoſe Enemies to all Good Actions, Danger Difficulty, Detraction, Contempt, Scorn, and Envy, could have prevailed by their Malevolent Interpoſition, either before, at the beginning, and in the very Birth of the Attempt, and a good while after, this work had never been accompliſhed.
Queen Elizabeth granted Power to the Citizens by Act of Parliament, for Cutting and Conveying of a River, from any part of Middleſex or Hartfordſhire to the City of London, with a Limitation of ten Years time, for the performance thereof. But She dyed before it was undertaken. King James Granted the like, but without limitation of time. And when others would not undertake it, Sir Hugh Middleton did, with infinite Pains and vaſt Charge, both begin and finiſh it. He brought it from Amuel and Chadwel, two Springs near Ware in Hartfordſhire, from whence, in a turning and winding Courſe, it Runs threeſcore Miles before it reaches the City.
At the North-ſide of the City at Iſlington, he built a large Ciſtern to receive it, and from thence it is diſperſed in Pipes, ſerving the higheſt parts of London in their lower Rooms, and the Lower parts in their higher Rooms.
It was begun the 28th of February, Anno Dom. 1608, and finiſhed in five Years.
It can hardly be imagined what difficulties and rubs there were in the way, through which the Water was to paſs, ſome being Ozie, Soft, and Muddy; other again as Hard, Craggy, and St…ny; in ſome places the Channel is Thirty Foot deep; in other places it is carried over Valleys in open Troughs betwixt Hills, which Troughs are ſupported by Wooden Arches, ſome of them fixt in the Earth very deep, and riſing in Height above 23 Foot. Over this New-River are made 800 Bridgs, ſome of Stone, ſome of Brick, and ſome of Wood, and ſix hundred Men have been at once imployed in this Great Work.
The River being brought to the ſaid Great Ciſtern, the Water was not let in till Michaelmas Day, Anno 1613. Sir John Swinnerton, then Lord Mayor, and Sir Thomas Middleton, Brother to the ſaid Sir Hugh, being Elected Lord Mayor for the Enſuing Year. In the Afternoon, Sir John Swinnerton, and Sir Thomas Middleton, with Sir Henry Mountague, the Recorder of London, and many of the Worthy Aldermen, Rode in a Solemn manner to ſee the Great Ciſtern, and firſt Iſſuing of the ſtrange River thereunto, which was then made Free Denizen of London; and the Solemnity was thus:
A Troop of Labourers of the Number of Sixty or more, well Apparrelled, and wearing Green Monmoth Caps, after the Brittiſh manner, all alike, carried Spades, Shovels, Pickaxes, and ſuch like Inſtruments of Laborious Employment, and marching after Drums twice or thrice about the Ciſtern, preſented themſelves before the Mount, where the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen were (with a Worthy Company beſides,) and one Man in the behalf of the reſt, delivered a handſom Speech in Verſe; at the Concluſion of which, the Flood-Gates flew open, and the Stream ran Cheerfully into the Ciſtern, the Drums Beating, and Trumpets Sounding in Triumphant manner, and a Gallant Peal of Chambers gave a Period to the Entertainment.
Upon which brave Man, theſe Lines were made.
Ad Hugonem Middleton Equitem Aurat um, De ſtupenda hac aquarum opera.
Compita qui fluvium per Londinenſia Duxti,
Ʋt jam quiſque ſuis vicus abundet aquis,
Non Aganippe tuas ſatis eſt depromere laudes,
Haec ſcaturigo novae quam tibi fundit aquae.
Before we leave this Head, although it is no… neceſſary to give a particular Account of every Conduit, whereof there are many in and about the City (as was ſaid,) and one now a Rearing in the place of the Old Conduit, at the Weſt end of Cheap… ſide, which is intended to be a Stately one, and beſeeming the Magnificence of the City, and that Gallant Street where it is to be Erected, &c. Ye… that neatly-wrought Conduit in Stocks-Market, a… the Weſt end of Lumbard-ſtreet, is not to be omitted, whereupon is placed a very Magnificent Statue of KING CHARLES the II. on Horſeback, Trampling upon an Enemy, all in Excellent White-Marble, at the Sole Coſt and Charges of Sir Robert Viner, who was Lord Mayor of London, in the Year 1675.
There is likewiſe a very Magnificent Statue of King CHARLES the I. on Horſe-back, all of… Solid Braſs, at Charing-Croſs; the Figures of both which are here Exhibited.
THE K. AT THE STOCKs MARKET
THE K. AT CHARING CROSs.