The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 26 · Section 3
Proverbs.
A London Jury, hang half and save half.]
Some affirm this of an Essex, others of a Middlesex Jury, and my Charity believes it equally true, that is, equally untrue of all three: What gave first occasion to this Libelling Proverb I know not; this I know, reports of this Nature, like round bodies, down Precepices, once m…ved move themselves, and a Mouse may stir what a man cannot stay in this kind. The best is, though none can hinder a Slanderer from speaking, they may hinder them from speaking Truth.
This Proverb would fain suggest to credulous people, as if Londoners frequently impannelled on Juries, and loaded with multiplicity of matters, aim more at dispatch then Justice, and to make quick Riddance (though no hast to hang true men) acquit half and condemn half. Thus …hey divide themselves in aequilibrio, betwixt Justice and mercy, though it were meet the latter should have the more advantage, and the Beam break on the pitiful side. Others extend this Proverb also to their arbitrations betwixt party and party; as if not minding the merits of the cause, they cleave the thing controverted into equal moities betwixt Plainuff and Defendant.
The falsnesse of these Suggestions will appear to such, who by perusing History do discover the London Jurors most consciencious in proceeding secundum allegata & probata, always inclining to the merciful side in saving life, when they can find any cause or colour for the same, and amongst many thousands take two most memorable Instances.
The first, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, who on the 17 of April 1554. was (in the Reign of Queen Mary) arraigned for High Treason in Guildhall, before Sir Thomas White Lord Maior, the Earls of Shrewsbury and Derby, Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Cheif Justice, &c. Mr. Edward Griffin the Attorney General, pressed the Prisoner very sorely for his Correspondency with the Carews in the West, and his being privy to the Rising of Sir Thomas Wyat. Sir Nicholas pleaded many hours for himself, no lesse stoutly then wisely, yet with due submission to the Conrt, till at last his Jury passed upon him, whose names ad perpetuam rei memoriam are here inserted.
*Hollingshead chron. p. 1105.1. Wheston. 2. Lucar. 3. Yoong. 4. Martin. 5. Beswike. 6. Barscarfeld. 7. Kightleie. 8. Low. 9. Painter. 10. Banks. 11. Calthrop. 12. Cater.
These acquitted the Prisoner, and though much menaced by the Court, stood stoutly to their Verdict, for which they were all imprisoned, five *Idem p. 1126.of them fined, and paid 260. l. a peice, the rest lower Sums, and after their discharge from durance, commanded to attend the Council Table at an *Stows chron. pag. 624. who saith, they were fined 500. l. a peicehours warning.
The other is of a person who was lately arraigned in Guildhall, and whom I list not to name, partly because he is easily guessed, partly because he was of so turbulent a Spirit, that his Name would set all my Book at dissention. He being charged with what concerned his Life, was by an uncorrupted Jury, though heavily pressed to the contrary, clearly acquitted, and one passage (omitted in his printed Tryal) I must here insert.
Speaking his Farewell to the Jury now ready to depart the Bar, he requested them to remember a Statute in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh, as making much in his behalf. Sirrah, said one Judge on the Bench to this Prisoner, I know that Statute better then you do; to whom he calmly replyed, I believe you Sir, but I desire that these Gentlemen of the Jury should understand it but as well as I do; and so it seems they did, for his life was saved thereby.
A Fool will not part with his Bawble for the Tower of London.]
This Tower anciently was (and in part still is) the Magazine of Englands Wealth. There the Silver, the Mint of Money, and there the Brasse and Iron to defend it, the Armory and Store-house of Ordnance; yet Fools so doat on their darling Fancies, that they prize them above all this Treasure. But alass! Quod scribimus, & Legimus, & ridemus, hoc facimus; We do our selves what we deride in others. Every one is addicted to some vanity or other, which he will not part with on any conditions, so weak and wilful we are by nature. He that will not freely and sadly confess that he is much a Fool, is all a Fool.
London Lick Penny.]
The Countryman coming up hither by his own experience will easily expound the meaning thereof. The best is, it is also London Get Penny, to those who live here, and carefully follow their Vocations.
London Cockneys.]
Let us observe first the antiquity of this Proverb, then the meaning; Lastly, the Application thereof to Londoners. It is more then four hundred years old; for when Hugh Bigot, added artificial fortifications to the natural strength of his Castle at Bungey in Suffolk, he gave out this Rhime, therein vaunting it for impregnable;
Were I in my Castle of Bungey,
Upon the River of Waveney,
I would ne care for the King of *Camd. Brit. in Suffolk.Cockeney.
Meaning thereby King Henry the Second, then peaceably possessed of London whilest some other places did resist him, though afterwards he so humbled this Hugh, that he was fain with large sums of money, and pledges for his Loyalty, to redeem this his Castle from being razed to the Ground.
I meet with a double sense of this word Cockeney, some taking it for,
1. One coaks'd or cockered, made a wanton or Nestle-cock of, delicately bred and brought up, so that when grown Men or Women, they can endure no hardship, nor comport with pains taking.
2. One utterly ignorant of Husbandry, and Huswifery, such as is practiced in the Country, so that they may be perswaded any thing about Rural Commodities, and the Original thereof, and the Tale of the Citizens Son, who knew not the Language of Cock, but call'd it Neighing is commonly known.
Here I take no Notice of his *Minshews Diction. in the word Cockney.Fancy who will have it called Cockney by Transposition, quasi Incoct, raw and rude, as forc'd and far fetch'd.
The Name is generally fix'd on such who are born within the Sound of Bow-Bell, and are tender enough, and sufficiently ignorant in Country businesses. One merrily perswaded a She Citizen, that seeing Malt did not grow, the good Huswifes in the Countrey did spin it; I knew as much said the Cockney, for one may see the Threds hang out at the ends thereof. However, be it known unto all people, that as there are delicate and silly Folk in the Countrey; so are there as hardy men and skilful Huswives in the City, no disparagement to any of what place soever.
Ane ill word meets another, and it were at the Bridge of London.]
This is a Scottish *Proverb by David Ferauson Minist…r at ….Proverb, and indeed a Scottish Text needs a Scottish Comment thereon. However, I thus guesse at the meaning thereof; London-Bridge is notoriously known for a narrow passe, and numerous passengers, so that people meeting thereon, a Quarrel will quickly be engendred, if one of them hath not the wit or patience, to step into a Shop, if on foot; if on Horseback to stay in the void places. Thus Words quickly enflame a difference, except one of the parties have the Discretion of silence, yeilding or departure.
Billings-gate Language.]
Billings was formerly a Gate, though now rather portus then porta, being the prime Landing place, and Market for some Sea Commodities. Now, although as fashionable people live there, as elsewhere in the City, yet much rude folk repair thither, so that one may term this the Esculine Gate of London, from the drosse and dregs of the baser people flocking thither. Here one may hear Linguas jurgatrices; yea shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them. I doubt not, but that Rome, Venice, Paris, and all populous Cities have their Billings-gate Language, in those places where rude people make their Rendezvouz.
Kirbies Castle, and Megses Glory.
Spinolas Pleasure, and Fishers Folly.]
These were four houses about the City, built by Citizens, large and sumptuous above their Estates, whose Memories are likely longer to continue by this Rhime, then by their own pompous buildings.
The fi…st of these is so uncastelled, the Glory of the second so obscured, that very few know (and it were needlesse to tell them) where these houses were fixed.
As for Spinola (a Genoan made Free-Denizon) the Master and Fellows of a Colledge in Cambridge, know too well what he was, by their expensive Suit known to posterity, by Magdalen Colledge Case. If his own Countrey (I mean the Italian) curse did overtake him, and if the Plague of Building did light upon him, few I believe did pity him.
As for the last, it was built by Jasper Fisher, Free of the Goldsmiths, one of the six Clerks in Chancery, and a Justice of Peace, who, being a Man of no great Wealth (as indebted to many) built here a Beautiful house, with Gardens of pleasure, and* Stows Survey p. 175. Bouling Alleys about it, called Devonshire House at this Day.
However, it seems this was an ancient Vanity, even in the Days of King David, * Psal. 49. 11.Their inward thought is, that their Houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all Generations: They call their Lands after their own names.
He will follow him like a St. Anthonies pig.]
St. Anthonie is notoriously know for the Patron of Hogs, having a pig for his page in all pictur…s, though for what reason unknown, except, because being an Hermit, and having a Cell or hole, digged in the earth, and having his generall repast on roots, he and hogs did in some sort entercommon both in their diet and lodging.
There was a fair Hospital built to the honour of St. Anthony, in Bennets Fink in this City. The Protectors and Proctors whereof claimed a priviledge to themselves, to garble the Live Pigs in the Markets of the City, and such as they found starved, or otherwise unwholsom for mans sustenance, they would slit in the ear, tie a *Stows Survey of London, pag. 190.Bell about their Necks, and let them loose about the City.
None durst hurt or take them up (having this Livery of St. Anthony upon them) but many would give them bread, and feed them in their passage, whom they used to follow whining after them. But, if such Pigs proved fat, and well liking (as often they did) the Officers of St. Anthonies Hospital would seize on them for their own use.
The Proverb is appliable to such, who have servile saleable souls, who for a small reward, will lack-wey many Miles, pressing their Patrons with their unwelcome importunity.
He was born within the Sound of Bow-Bell.]
This is the Periphrasis of a Londoner at large, born within the Suburbs thereof; the Sound of this Bell exceeding the extent of the Lord Maiors Mace. It is called Bow-bell, because hanging in the Steeple of Bow-Church, and Bow-Church because built on Bows or Arches. *Stows Survey of London. pag. 269.John Dun Mercer, gave 1472, two Tenements to maintain the ringing of this Bell nightly at Nine a clock, which sounded to Servants a Retreat from their Work, and a March to their Supper and Bed; and therefore conceived by some Masters to ring too soon, by most Apprentices too late. William Copland the Kings Merchant about the Year 1520. gave a bigger Bell for the same purpose, and had the hansel thereof himself, being first rang as a Knell at his Burial.
—St. Peters in the Poor.
Where no Tavern Alehouse or Sign at the Dore.]
Under Correction I conceive it called in the Poor, because the Augustinian Friers professing wilful poverty, for some hundred of years, possessed more than a Moiety thereof. But as one gave for his Motto Malim dives esse quam haberi; this Parish may say Malim pauper vocari quam esse, which ever was (not to say is) one of the richest in London, which their Signlesse houses doe avouch, being a Sign of the eminency of their Inhabitants, ubi quisque sui ipsius index, sufficiently notified and distinguished by themselves.
How ancient the use of Signs in this City on private houses is to me unknown, sure I am, it was generally used in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth, Witnesse that dear jest of a well meaning Citizen, who lost his life in those dangerous times for saying he would leave the Crown to his Son.
I suspect this Proverb is lately a little discomposed, and that some publick houses for entertainment have stept or crept into this Parish.
To dine with Duke Humphrey.]
This Proverb hath altered the original meaning thereof. For first it signified aliena vivere quadra, to eat by the bounty, or feed by the favour of another man. For Humphrey Duke of Gloucester (commonly called the good Duke) was so hospital, that every man of Fashion, otherwise unprovided, was welcome to Dine with him. It not being so proper for Strangers to sup in those dayes, with the greatest House keepers. The said Duke was so bountiful, that his *Stows Survey of London. pag. 75.Alms-dish of Silver, was very massie when empty (what then when full;) which Alms-dish came afterwards into the possession of the Duke of Somerset, who sent it to the Lord Rivers, to sell the same to furnish himself for a Sea-voyage.
But after the Death of good Duke Humphrey, (when many of his former Alms-men were at a losse for a meals meat) this Proverb did alter its Copy, to Dine with Duke Humphrey, importing, to be Dinnerlesse.
A general mistake fixed this sense, namely, that Duke Humphrey was buryed in the Body of St. Pauls Church, where many men chaw their meat with feet, and walk away the want of a Dinner; whereas indeed that noble person interred in St. Pauls, was Sir *Idem p. 368.John Beauchamp Constable of Dover, Warden of the Cinque Ports, Knight of the Garter, Son to Guy Earl of Warwick, and Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick, whilst Duke Humphrey was honourably buried in St. Albans.
I will use you as bad as a Jew.]
I am sure I have carried the Child home, and layed it at the Fathers House, having traced this Proverb by the Tract from England in General to London, thence to the Old Jury, whence it had its first Original; that poor Nation (especially on ShroveTuesday) being intollerably abused by the English, whilst they lived in the Land.
I could wish, that wheresoever the Jews live, they may not find so much courtesie as to confirm them in their false, yet not so much Cruelty as to discourage them from the true Religion; till which time I can bemone their Misery, condemn the Christians Cruelty, and admire Gods justice in both.
See we it here now fulfilled, which God long since *Deut. 28. 37. 1 Kings 9. 7. Jer. 24. 9.frequently foretold, and threatned, namely that he would make the Jews become a Proverb, if continuing Rebellious against him. I passe not for the Flouts of prophane Pagans, scoffing at the Jews Religion, *Juven. Sat.Credat Judaeus Apella, but to behold them thus Proverbiascere, for their Rebellions against God, minds me of the performance of Gods Threatning unto them.
Good manners to except my Lord Maior of London.]
This is a corrective for such, whose expressions are of the largest size, and too general in their extent, parallel to the Logick Maxime; Primum in unoquoque genere est excipiendum, as too high to come under the Roof of comparison. In some cases it is not civil to fill up all the room in our speeches of our selves, but to leave an upper place voyd, as a blank reserved for our betters.
I have dined as well as my Lord Maior of London.]
That this Proverb may not crosse the former, know, that as well is not taken for as dubiously or daintily, on Variety of Costly Dishes, in which kinds, the Lord Maior is Paramount for Magnificence. For (not to speak of his solemn Invitations, as when Henry Pickard, Lord Maior 1357. did in one day entertain a *Stows Survey of London, pag. 87.Messe of Kings, Edward King of England, John King of France, David King of Scots, and the King of Cyprus, besides Edward Prince of Wales, and many prime Noble-men of the Land) his daily Dinners, are Feasts both for Plenty, Guests and Attendants. But the Proverb hath its modest meaning, I hauehave dined as well, that is, as comfortable, as contentedly, according to the Rule; Satis est quod sufficit, enough is as good as a Feast, and better then a Surfeit, and indeed Nature is contented with a little, and Grace with lesse.
As old as Pauls Steeple.]
Different are the Dates of the Age thereof, because it had two births or beginnings. For if we count it from the time wherein it was originally co-founded by K. Ethelbert, with the Body of the Church, Anno six hundred and ten, then it is above a thousand and forty years of Age. But if we reckon it from the year 1087. when burnt with Lightning from Heaven, and afterwards rebuilt by the Bishops of London; it is not above five hundred years old. And though this Proverb falls far short of the Latine ones, Antiquius Arcadibus, Antiquius Saturno: yet serveth it sufficiently to be returned to such, who pretend those things to be Novell, which are known to be stale, old, and almost antiquated.
He is only fit for Ruffians-Hall.]
A Ruffian is the same with a Swaggerer, so called, because endevouring to make that Side to swag or weigh down, whereon he ingageth. The same also with Swash-Buckler, from swashing, or making a noise on Bucklers. West-Smith-field (now the HorseMarket) was formerly called *Continuer of Stows Annals pag. 1024.Ruffians-Hall, where such men met casually and otherwise, to try Masteries with Sword and Buckler. Moe were frighted then hurt, hurt then killed therewith, it being accounted unmanly to strike beneath the Knee, because in effect it was as one armed against a naked man. But since that desperate Traitor Rowland Yorke *Camd. Eliz. in Anno. 1587.first used thrusting with Rapiers, Swords and Bucklers are disused, and the Proverb only appliable to quarrelsome people (not tame, but wild Barretters) who delight in brawls and blows.
A Loyal heart may be landed under Traitors Bridge.]
This is a Bridge under which is an Entrance into the Tower (over against Pink Gate) formerly fatal to those who landed there, there being a muttering that such never came forth alive, as dying (to say no worse) therein, without any Legal Tryal. The Proverb importeth, that passive Innocence overpower'd with Adversaries, may be accused without cause, and disposed at the pleasure of others; it being true of all Prisoners, what our Saviour said to and of St. *Joh. 21. 18.Peter, Another shall carry thee whither thou wouldst not.
Queen Elizabeth may be a proofe hereof, who in the Reign of Queen Mary her Sister, first stayed and denyed to Land at those Stairs, where all Traytors and Offenders customably used to Land, till a Lord (which my *Fox Acts and Monuments, pag. 2092.Author would not, and I cannot name) told her she should not choose, and so she was forced accordingly.
To cast water into the Thames.]
That is, to give to them w…o had plenty before; which notwithstanding is the dole general of the World. Yet let not Thames be proud of his full and fair stream, seeing Water may be wanting therein, as it was Anno 1158. the Fourth of William Rufus, when men might walk over *Stows Chron. in An. notato.dryshod; and again *Idem in Anno notato.Anno 1582. a strong Wind lying West and by South, which forced out the Fresh and kept back the Salt-water.
He must take him a House in *J. Heywood in his Epigrams num. 69.Turn-again Lane.]
This in old Records is called *Stows Survey of London, pag. 427.Wind-again Lane, and lyeth in the Parish of St. Sepulchres, going down to Fleet-Dike, which men must turn again the same way they came, for there it is stopped. The Proverb is applied to those, who sensible that they embrace destructive courses, must seasonably alter their manners, which they may do without any shame to themselves; it is better to come back through Turn-again (though a narrow and obscure) Lane, then to go (on an ill account) straight forwards in a fair street hard by, whence, Vestigia nulla retrorsum, as leading Westward to Execution.
He may whet his Knife on the Threshold of the Fleet.]
The Fleet is a place notoriousl… known for a Prison, to which many are committed for their contempts, more for their debts. So called it is from a Brook running by, as that (of Tygris in Armenia) from its former Fleetnesse, though now it creepeth flow enough, not so much for age; as the injection of City excrements wherewith it is so obstructed.
The Proverb is appliable to those who never owed ought, or else having run into debt have crept out of it, so that now they may defie danger and arrests, yea may triumphare in Hostico, laugh in the Face of the Serjeants. Surely the Threshold of the Fleet so used, setteth a good edge on the Knife, and a better on the Wearer thereof, acting him with a Spirit free from all engagements.
All goeth down Gutter-lane.
There is a small Lane (inhabited anciently by Gold-beaters) leading out of Cheapside, East of Foster-lane, which Orthography presents to the Reader by the name of *Stows Survey of London. Pag. 338.Guthurun-Lane, from him the once Owner thereof. But common people (we must speak with the volge and think with the wise) call it Guttur Lane, pleading for their mispronouncing it, that the narrow form thereof is like the Throat or Gullet, and such a one would have pleased Apitius the Epicure, who wished to himself Tricubitale Guttur.
The Proverb is appliable to those who spend all in Drunkennesse and Gluttony, meer Belly-Gods, whom the *Arist. moral. l. 3.Philosopher called foreign: I confesse the word both in sound and sense, hath some affinity with that of St. Pauls of the *Tit. 1. 12.Gretians, foreign, Idle-bellyes, save that our Gastrimargi are far worse, so named from the meer madnesse and distraction of their appetite.
As Lame as St. Giles Criple-gate.]
St. Giles was by …irth an Athenian, of noble Extraction and great Estate, but quitted all for a solitary Life. He was visited with a Lamenesse (whether natural or casual I know not) but the Tradition goes, that he desired not to be healed thereof for his greater mortification: if so, his Judgement differed from all the good Lamemen in the Gospel, importunate for ease from their infirmity. He is accompted the Patron of Criples; and whereas Churches dedicated to other Saints of better Footmanship, get the speed of him and come into the City, generally Lame St. Giles laggeth behind in the Suburbs, as in London, Cambridge, Salisbury, &c.
Criplegate was so called before the *Stows Survey of London. pag. 32.Conquest, from Criples begging of Passengers therein. And indeed they may prescribe for their Custome, ever since the Lameman begged an Alms of …eter and Iohn at the beautiful Gate of the Temple.* Acts 3. 2.
This Proverb may seem guilty of false Herauldry, Lamenesse on Lamenesse, and in common Discourse, is spoken rather merrily then mournfully of such, who for some light hurt, lagg behind, and sometimes is applied to those, who out of Lazinesse (none so lame as they that will not go) counterfeit Infirmity.
You are all for the Hoistings, or Hustings.]
It is spoken of those who by Pride or Passion are mounted or elated to a pitch above the due proportion of their Birth, Quality, or Estate; such as are all in Altitudinibus, so that Common persons know not how to behave themselves unto them. It cometh from Hustings, the Principal and highest Court in London, (as also in Winchester, Lincolne, York, &c.) so called from the French word Haulser, to raise or lift up.
The mention of the Hustings, a Court so called, mindeth me of another Court, called the Court of Hall-mote, and I am resolved to run the hazard of the Reader's anger with this my Digression, to rectifie a mistake in some, and prevent it in others.
Sir Edward Coke, Institut. 4. part. cap. 9.
This is derived of Hall and Mote, as much as to say, the Hall Court, id est, Conventus Civium in Aulam Publicam; Every Company in London having a Hall wherein they kept their Courts, and this Court antiently called Hall-Mote, or Folk-Mote.
With whom verbatim concurreth (who would not willingly dissent from him in point of Common-Law) the Learned Doctor Cowel in his Interpreter.
But let all take heed that they confound not this Court, with another more Antient, (and more proper for the cognizance of the Pen of a Divine) viz. Haly-Mote Court, being a Court derived from Haly, which is Holy, and Mote a Meeting, being an Assembly kept before the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, for the Regulation of the Company of the Bakers in London, (wherein the Staffe of Bread, and therein the Life of the poor is so much concerned) formerly kept on the Lords Day, (whence it took its Name) before the Feast of St. Thomas. But a Court of Common-Councell …. the 15th. 1609. altered that Court, until the Thursday before St. Thomas's Day, as since by a later act of the same Councel, it is Removed unto the Monday before the said Festival. The Antient Title of this Court ranne as followeth;
Curia Sancti-Motus tenta in Guilhaldea Civitatis London. coram Majore, & Vicecomitibus Civitatis London. Die Dominico proximo ante Festum St. Thomae Apostoli, ad horam sextam, ante Meridiem ejusdem Diei, secundum Consuetudinem Civitatis London.
Such who are Learned in the Lawes, and are pleased to reflect on the Name of my Author *Mr. Richard Smith still living, quondam Seneschallus Curiae Sancti-Motus antedi….and Worthy Friend on the Margin, will not in the least Degree suspect the Truth hereof.
Before I come to enroll the List of the Worthies of this City, I premise the words Londinas and Londinensis, as some have curiously stated their Senses, according to whose fancy,
| 1. Londinas | signifieth | one born in | London | wheresoever he doth live. |
| 2. Londinensis | one living in | wheresoever he was born. |
Could this be made a truth, this distinction would be very serviceable to me in this work; but it will not hold water, finding on due enquiry, that by the best Criticks, both are used promiscuously for an…, either born, or living in that City, save, that Londinas (answering to the Question Cujas) signifieth Persons alone, whilst Londinensis importeth either Persons or Things relating to that City, as Turris Londinensis, Pons Londinensis, &c.