‘But not his blood, his wounds did not so moveOur grieving souls, or wake our weeping love,—As that we saw, in many a town, appearHis aged head transfixed on a spear.’Pharsalia, ix. 136.For his venerable head adorned with its silver locks, set upon a pole, was publicly carried through London, and regardlessly placed upon the Bridge.’“Sir William Dugdale, in his ‘Baronage,’ volume i., page 683, says that Lord Bardolf’s head was erected over a gate at Lincoln; and this is partly supported by the Chronicle in the Harleian Collection, No. 565, page 68 a, which states that in the ninth year of Henry IV., ‘the Erle of Northumberland and yeLord Bardolf, which arysyn a yeynis yeKyng, were taken in yenorth cuntre, and be heded, and yehed of yeforsaid Erle, and a quarter of yeLord Bardolf, were sent to London, and sett vp on London Brigge.’ Dugdale adds, however, from the authority of the Close Rolls, that Avicia, the widow of that Baron, was permitted by the King to take down his body and bury it.“The only historical notice which I find connected with London Bridge, immediately succeeding the last unhappy story, is of a light and even trivial nature, being nothing greater than a dispute in the Bridge-Street,between Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, and John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, the second and third sons of Henry IV., their followers and the Citizens. Stow, in relating this circumstance, in his ‘Annals,’ page 338, makes no farther mention of the place than that they ‘being in East-Cheape, in London, at supper, after midnight, a great debate hapned betweene their men and men of the Court, lasting an houre, till the Maior and Sheriffs, with other Citizens, ceased the same:’ and Maitland adds, in volume i., of his ‘History,’ page 185, that these Officers were, in consequence, summoned before Sir William Gascoigne, the Chief Justice, to submit themselves to the King’s mercy on behalf of the Citizens. Richard Marlow, however, the then Lord Mayor, and John Law and William Chicheley, the Sheriffs, with the Aldermen, strenuously asserted their innocence, alleging that they had only done their duty in preserving the peace of the City; and the King being fully satisfied with this answer, the Corporation returned to London. I have only farther to remark, that Prince Thomas of Clarence was engaged in a similar fray in East-Cheap in the year previous to the present, namely 1407-8; and that it is to him that Shakspeare makes the dying King Henry deliver that noble speech in the ‘Second Part of King Henry IV.,’ Act 4, Scene 4. We derive, however, such a character of John of Lancaster from Falstaff, that we wonder to find him either in East-Cheap or Bridge-Street; for in that very same dramatic history, andin the preceding scene, he says of him: ‘Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy doth not love me; nor a man cannot make him laugh;—but that’s no marvel, he drinks no wine.’ Here, then, close all the events of London Bridge which have come under my reading, in the year 1409.“The Festival of St. Mary Magdalen, July 22nd, in the first year of Henry V., A. D. 1413, brings to us the recollection of a very ancient and curious Saxon law, namely that of Sanctuary: by which privilege, if a person accused of any crime,—excepting Treason and Sacrilege, in which the Crown and the Church were too nearly concerned,—had fled to any Church, or Church-Yard, and within forty days after went before the Coroner, made a full confession of his crime, and took the oath provided in that case, that he would quit the realm, and never return again, without leave of the King, his life should be safe. At the taking of this oath he was brought to the Church-door, where being branded with an A, signifying Abjured, upon the brawn of the thumb of his right hand, a port was then assigned him, from which he was to leave the realm, and to which he was to make all speed, holding a cross in his hand, and not turning out of the highway, either to the right hand or the left. At this port he was diligently to seek for passage, waiting there but one ebb and flood, if he could immediately procure it; and if not, he was to go every day into the sea up to his knees, essaying to pass over. If this could not be accomplishedwithin forty days, he was again to put himself into Sanctuary. These privileges of Sanctuary and Abjuration were taken away in 1624, by the Statute of the 21st of James I., chapter 28: but you will find the ancient law on these points fully set forth in William Rastall’s ‘Collection in English of the Statutes now in force,’ London, 1594, folio, under their proper titles, folios 2 a, 399 b, and also in Andrew Horne’s learned work of ‘La Somme, appellé Mirroir des Justices,’ London, 1624, 12mo., chapter 1, section xiii., page 102. Rastall, you will recollect, was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas under Queen Mary; and Horne was a Lawyer of great erudition and eminence, in the reigns of the First and Second Edwards.“Well, Sir, having brought to your remembrance these ancient privileges, I am next to tell you that in 1413, a train of five abjurants of the realm crossed London Bridge on their way to Calais; having issued from a member of the famous Sanctuary of St. Martin’s le Grand, which was founded by Ingelric, Earl of Essex, and his brother Girardus, in 1056, and confirmed by Pope Alexander II., and King William I., in 1068. For these facts I must refer you to Stow’s ‘Survey,’ volume i., pages 605-606; and to page 16, &c. of a modest little volume of much curious information by Mr. Alfred John Kempe, entitled ‘Historical Notices of the Collegiate Church, or Royal Chapel and Sanctuary, of St. Martin’s le Grand,’ London, 1825, 8vo. As for the circumstance which causedthese worthies to fly their country, we have it set down in the following terms, in that Chronicle contained in the Harleian Manuscript, No. 565, folio 74 a. ‘And in the same yere, on Seynt Marie Maudeleyn day,’—July 22nd.—‘John Nyaunser, Squyer, and his men, sclowen Maistr. Tybbay, Clerk,’—Archdeacon of Huntingdon, and Chancellor to Joan, Queen of Henry IV.—‘as he passyd thorugh lad lane. For the whiche deth the same John Nyaunser and iiij of his men fledden in to Seynt Anne’s Chirche with inne Aldrich gate,’—that is to say, St. Anne in the Willows, as we now call it, though without exactly knowing why,—‘And with inne the said Church they were mured vp. And men of diuers wardes wacched them nyzt and day. And yeforsaid John Nyaunser and his men for suoren the Kynges lond, and passyd through the Citee of London,’—on August the 21st,—‘toward Caleys, in there schertes and breches,’—a purse about their necks,—‘and ich of them a cross in ther hand.’ Let me add, that you will also find this circumstance recorded in Stow’s ‘Annals,’ page 345.”“My worthy Mr. Postern!” exclaimed I, for I now began to grow exceedingly impatient, “I really can bear this no longer: you promise to give me a descriptive history of London Bridge, and here you tell me of nothing but a riot which took place in the streetnearto it, and of a troop of knaves whichprobablywalked over it. Positively, my good Sir, it’s too bad; and unless your story mend, why——”“‘It shall be mended, Mr. Barbican,’” answered the imperturbable Antiquary, in much the same tone of voice as that with whichLope Tochocalmed the enraged Muleteer, in the same words;—“‘It shall be mended,’ and our Chronicles too, Mr. Geoffrey; but sweeten your disposition, my good friend, I pray you. Remember, that an Antiquary mayrufflehis shirt, but never his temper; for though I confess to you that the collateral events which I am obliged to introduce, are somewhat like—‘Rich windows that exclude the light,And passages which lead to nothing:’—yet, when we consider how little the tooth of Time hath left to us of continuous History, we should labour to supply that defect by joining all the fragments with which we meet, wherever they may be united to the principal, but still imperfect, chain. We are, however, now arrived at a period, which our Bridge Historians do in general pass over, with little information to their readers, and less labour to themselves; yet even here, although we have no pictorial delineations to refer to, yet, with a little research, we have enough of descriptive story to call up the very scenes before our eyes, and to bring the actors again living before us.“The year 1415 is not only immortalized in History by the famous Battle of Agincourt, fought on the 25th of October, but even in the Chronicles of London Bridge it is a most memorable era, on accountof the splendid Pageants which welcomed the victorious Henry V., as he returned over that edifice to his Palace at Westminster. About the middle of November, or, as some tell us, the 16th, the King embarked for England, bringing his principal prisoners with him; and you may remember, by the way, that his fleet being encountered by a violent storm, two of his ships were sunk, and all were in extreme danger. You will find a few particulars of these facts in Stow’s ‘Annals,’ page 351, and also in that Chronicle which I have so often quoted, in the Harleian Manuscript, No. 565; of which latter, the following are the words, from page 76 b.“‘Also in this yere, that is to say the xxviij day of Octobr., the Kyng com to his Town of Caleys, and was there til yexvj day of Nouembr. And that same day yeKing schypped fro his Town of Caleys toward Engelond: And he landed yesame day at nyzt, at Douerre, and com forth all yewoke after toward London. And yefryday at nyzt, yeKing come to Eltham, and there he lay all that nyzt; and on yemorwe was Satyrday, yexxiij day of Nouembr. The Maire of London, and alle yeAldermen, with all yeCraftes of London, reden euery man in reed, with hodes reed and white, and mette with yeKyng on yeBlake heth comyng from Eltham ward, toward his Citee of London; and ayens his comynge was ordeyned moche ryalte in London: that is to weten, at London Bregge, at yeConduyt in Cornhill, at thegrete Conduyt in Chepe; and at yeCrosse in Chepe was mad a Ryall Castell with Angells and Virgynes, syngynge there jnne. And so yeKyng and hise presoners of Frensshmen reden thorugh London vn to Westminster to mete.’“It is fortunate for us Antiquaries, however, that we have still better descriptions of these Pageants, and especially of that exhibited on London Bridge; and if in relating them to you, I seem to speak over much upon one subject, I pray you to remember, as I said, how very slightly that subject—at least so far as concerns the Bridge,—has been treated by Historians in general; and how many of those who have pretended to write of this edifice, have omitted it altogether. Give me your patience, then, whilst I translate for you two curious accounts of those Pageants, which welcomed King Henry into the best and the greatest of Cities.“The first which I shall cite, is, most probably, from the pen of an eye-witness, both of the King’s valour abroad, and of his triumphs at home; since it is from a Latin Manuscript in the Cottonian Library, markedJulius, E. IV., Article 4, which the Catalogue at page 17 calls ‘The Acts of King Henry V.: the Author, a Chaplain in the Royal Army, who saw them for himself.’ This Manuscript is written on paper, in a very small and fair current black-letter, full of contractions; and on page 122 b, the account of the Bridge Pageants runs thus. ‘And therewith, about the hour of ten in the day, the King came in the midst of them all; and the Citizens gave gloryand honour to God, and many congratulations and blessings to the King, for the victories he had brought them, and for the public works which he had wrought; and the King was followed by the Citizens towards the City, with a proper, but a moderate, protection. And for the praise and glory of the City, out of so many magnificent acts of the noble Citizens, some things worthy of note the pen records with applause. On the top of the Tower at the entrance of the Bridge, which stands, as it were, on going into the strength of the City, there stood on high a figure of gigantic magnitude, fearlessly looking in the King’s face, as if he would do battle; but on his right and left hand, were the great keys of the City hanging to a staff, as though he had been Gate-keeper. Upon his right, stood the figure of a woman not much less in size, habited in the gown, tunic, and ornaments of a female, as if they had been meant for a man and his wife, who appeared favourers of the King, and desired that they might see his face, and receive him with many plaudits. And the towers about them were ornamented with halberts and the Royal Arms; and trumpeters stood aloft in the turrets, which were resounding with horns and clarions in winding and expanding melody. And in the front of the fortress this appropriate and elegant writing was imprinted, ‘The King’s City of Justice.’ And there appeared, on both sides, all the way along the Bridge, very little youths; and, also, on both sides, out of the stone-work before them, was a lofty column, theheight of the smaller towers, made of wood, not less delicate than elegant, which was covered over with a linen cloth painted the colour of white marble and green jasper, as if it had been of a square shape, and formed of stones cut out of the quarries. And upon the summit of the column on the right side, was the figure of an Antelope rampant, having a splendid shield of the Royal Arms hanging about his neck, and in his right foot he held a sceptre extended, and offered it to the King. Upon the top of the other column was the image of a lion, also rampant, which carried a spear having the King’s banner displayed upon the upper end, which he held aloft in his dexter claw. And across, at the foot of the Bridge, was erected the fabric of a Tower, the height of the aforesaid columns, and painted; in the midst of which, under a superb tabernacle, stood a most beautiful effigy of St. George, all in armour, excepting his head, which was adorned with laurel interwoven with gems, which shone between it like precious stones for their brightness. Behind him was a tapestry of cotton, having his Arms resplendently embroidered in a multitude of escutcheons. Upon his right was suspended his triumphal helmet; upon his left his shield of Arms of a correspondent magnitude; and he had his right hand upon the handle of his sword, which was girt about him. Upon the tower was raised an extended scroll, containing these words, ‘To God only be honour and glory;’ and in front of the building, this congratulatory prophecy,—Psalmxlvi. 4.—‘The streams of the River make glad the City of God:’ and all the principal towers were gallantly adorned with the Royal Arms embossed upon them, or displayed in banners upon lances reared above them. In the house adjoining to the fortress behind, were innumerable children representing the English Priesthood, in radiant garments with shining countenances: others were like virgins, having their hair adorned with laurels interwoven with gold; and they continued singing from the coming in of the King, with modulation of voice and melody of organs, according to the words of this song in English.’“I know very well that it is most common for the events of the reign of Henry V., to be cited from the ‘History of his Life and Actions,’ written in Latin verse by Thomas, a Monk of Elmham, in Norfolk, in his time Prior of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Lenton, in the County of Nottingham. As that part of his Poem, however, which treats ‘De adventu Regis ad Pontem Londoniarum,’—concerning the King’s entrance at the Bridge of London,—is considerably inferior to the account which I have already given you, I shall dispense with your labour in listening to it, and mine in translating it; and only observe to you, that an authentic copy of Thomas of Elmham’s ‘Historia de Vitâ et Gestâ Henrici V. Anglorum Regis,’ is preserved in the Cottonian Manuscript which I last cited, article 3, fairly written on parchment, in the small black text-hand of the latter part of the fifteenth century; and that the passagewill be found at folio 101 b. Capitulum xliiii. I would remind you, also, that a printed edition of this work was published by Tom Hearne, Oxford, 1727, 8vo., which is not one of his most common books; the text was taken from several old Manuscripts, and the value of a large-paper copy fluctuates between four and six guineas. The next authority, therefore, whom I shall quote upon this subject, is supposed to have been the production of the justly famous old John Lydgate, who was in his days a very eminent English Poet; being born about 1375, and dying about 1461. He was a Monk of the Abbey of Bury, in Suffolk; and of these historical verses by him there is a Manuscript copy, written on parchment in an old Court-hand, ornamented with vermillion chorusses and lines, in No. 565, of the Harleian Manuscripts, in the British Museum. You will find them forming Articles 8 and 9 of that volume, and thus entered in the Catalogue, volume i. page 351. ‘A Poem upon the Wars of King Henry the V. in France; and his return to England, after the battle of Agincoure; composed perhaps by John Lidgate.’—‘The making of(i. e. Poem upon)the comynge of the Kynge(Henry V.)out of Fraunce, to London. By John Lidgate, the Monke of Bury.’ Such are the titles of these verses, from which I shall repeat to you all that concerns the King’s entry at London Bridge; and, firstly, at page 111 b. the story runs thus, beginning at the second stanza of ‘Passus Tercius.’“The Mayr of london was Redy bown,With all yecraftes of that CiteAlle clothyd in red, thorugh out yetownA semely sight it was to se:To yeblack Hethe thanne rod he,And spredde yeway on euery syde;XxtiMl. men myght wel seOure comely kynge for to abyde.Wot ze right well that thus it wasGloria tibi Trinitas.The kyng from Eltham sone he nam,Hyse presoners with hym dede brynge;And to yeBlake Heth ful sone he cam,He saw london with oughte lesynge.‘Heill Ryall london,’ seyde our kyng,‘Crist yekepe from euere care!’And thanné zaf it his blessyngAnd preied to Crist that it well fare.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.The Mair hym mette with moche honourWith alle yeAldermen with oughte lesyng;‘Heyl,’ seide yeMair, ‘thou conquerour,The grace of God with the doth spryng:Heil Duk, Heil Prynce, Heil comely Kyng;Most worthiest Lord vndir Crist ryall,Heil rulere of Remes with oughte lettyng,Heil flour of knyghthood now ouer all.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.‘Here is come youre Citee allZow to worchepe, and to magnyfye;To welcome zow bothe gret and small,With zow euere more to lyue and dye.’‘Graunt mercy Sires,’ oure kyng ’gan say,And toward london he ’gan ryde;This was vp on Seynt Clementys dayThey welcomed hym on euery side.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.The lordes of Fraunce thei ’gan say then,‘Jngelond is nought as we wene;Jt farith by these Englyssh men,As it doth by a swarm of bene:Jngeland is lik an hyve with jnne,There fleeres makith vs full evell to wryng,Tho ben there arrowes sharpe and kene,Thorugh oure harneys they do vs styng.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.To london Brygge thanne rood oure kyng,The processions there they mette hym ryght;‘Ave Rex Anglorum,’ thei ’gan syng,‘Flos Mundi,’ thei seide, ‘goddys knyght.’To london Brigge whan he com right,Vp on the gate ther stode on hyA gyaunt, that was full grym of myght,To teche the Frensshe men curtesy.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.And at the Drawe brigge that is faste by,Two toures there were vp pight;An Antelope and a Lyon stondyng hym by,Above them Seynt George oure lady’s knyght.Be syde hym many an Angell bright,‘Benedictus’ thei ’gan synge;‘Qui venit in nomine domini, goddys knyght’Gracia Deiwith zow doth sprynge.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.”“Thus finish Lydgate’s verses, so far as they relate to these Pageants on London Bridge; but as they tell us nothing of the Royal display upon that occasion, let me remark to you, that we are told, in an Heraldical Manuscript in the Harleian Collection, No. 6079, folio 24 a, that ‘At the cominge in of Kinge Henry the Vthout of Fraunce into Englande, his coursers were trapped wthtrappers of partye colours: scilicet, one syde blewe velute embroudered wthAntellopes sittinge vpon stayres wthlonge flowers springinge betwixt their horns.’ Which trappings were, by the King’s order, subsequently given to the Abbey of Westminster for the vestry, where they were converted into copes and other Ecclesiastical habits.”“But before you quite shut up your account of these Pageants, my good Mr. Postern,” said I, as he came to a close, “letmesay a word or two, touching those Royal supporters, which sat upon the columns on London Bridge; since there are many curious little points of Antiquity to be met with in the history of Heraldic bearings. The first use of an Antelope as a supporter to the King’s Arms, is doubtfully hinted at in a Manuscript in the Harleian Library in the British Museum, No. 2259, as having been soancient as the reign of King Richard II.; though we are much more certain that King Henry IV. entertained a Pursuivant named Antelope, and probably adopted such an animal as his dexter supporter, from the family of Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, into which he married. The instance of a Lion also appearing as a supporter, is mentioned in Gough’s ‘Sepulchral Monuments,’ which you have already quoted, volume ii., part ii., page 68, from the information of John Charles Brooke, Esq., Somerset Herald, who says that when Henry V. became King, he bore on the dexter side of his Arms, a Lion rampant guardant, and on the sinister, an Antelope. We read also that he bore an Antelope and a Swan, and two Antelopes; and you may see all these excellently drawn and described in Mr. Thomas Willement’s ‘Regal Heraldry,’ London, 1821, 4to., pages 21, 28, 30, 33, and 36.”“Many thanks to you, Mr. Geoffrey Barbican,” recommenced my visitor, “for this most opportune display of your Heraldical learning: and, in returning to London Bridge, I must observe, that as all history is but a record of the evanescent scenes of human life, it must, of course, be formed of all those strong lights and shades which are so very conspicuous in its original; and hence arises that striking contrast of events, which so frequently fills us with solemnity and awe. We retire, perchance, from a banquet to a prison, or from a triumph to an execution; at least, such is the nature of the next event which I find forour Chronicles, for the Towers of London Bridge usually claimed a portion in most of the victims of the axe and the scaffold. The principles of the Lollards, as they were invidiously called, were then rapidly spreading; and Sir John Oldcastle, commonly called the good Lord Cobham, was one of the most active leaders in the religious reform commenced by Wickliffe: as he was not only at a very considerable cost in collecting and transcribing his works, which he caused to be widely distributed, but he also maintained many of his disciples as itinerant preachers throughout the country. Oldcastle had, however, escaped from the power of the Clergy who had condemned him as a heretic, and confined him in the Tower; when King Henry being persuaded by them that he headed 20,000 Lollards for his destruction, he was attainted, and a large reward offered for his head: in confirmation of which Stow informs us, in his ‘Annals,’ page 352, that on the ‘viii day of October’—1416—‘was a Parchment maker of Trill-melle Streete drawne, hanged, and headed, for that he had harboured Sir John Oldcastle:’ and the Harleian Chronicle, No. 565, page 77 a, adds, that his head ‘was set upon London Bridge for tretory.’ Another obscure person, most probably concerned in the same unhappy society, is also recorded as coming to a similar end: for, ‘John Benet, Woolman,’ says Stow, in the place I last cited, ‘who had in London scattered sceduls full of sedition, was drawne, hanged, and beheaded on Michaelmas-day:’ and the HarleianChronicle adds, that his head was also fixed upon London Bridge.“Our next ceremonial procession over this edifice was the solemn and splendid funeral of King Henry V.; when that gallant Sovereign had departed this life, on Monday, the last day of August, 1422, at the Castle of Bois de Vinciennes, a short distance from Paris. That sumptuous spectacle is described in several places, although I do not find it mentioned either in the Life by Thomas of Elmham, or in that by Henry’s Chaplain; but Stow, in his ‘Annals,’ page 363, says that the Royal body arrived in London about the tenth of November, and so was conveyed by London Bridge through Cheapside, to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, where funereal exequies were performed; and thence it was carried and interred in Westminster Abbey. As the corse advanced in rich and solemn procession over the Bridge, it was truly a magnificent and imposing spectacle. On a royal chariot, decorated with cloth of gold like a bed of state, was laid a figure exactly representing the late King, habited in a robe of purple velvet, lined with ermine; wearing an imperial diadem of gold and jewels on the head, and bearing in the hands, the regal sceptre, and the mound and cross. The face, which was painted exactly to resemble the life, was uncovered, and looking towards Heaven; and on the bed lay a covering of red silk beaten with gold. The chariot was drawn by six stout horses, richly harnessed, with heraldic devices upon their housings: thus, the first bore the Armsof St. George; the second, of Normandy; the third, those of King Arthur; the fourth, those of St. Edward the Confessor; the fifth, the coat of France, alone; and the sixth, those of France and England quarterly. When the chariot passed through any town of eminence, a rich and costly canopy was held over it, by some of its more honourable attendants; and it was surrounded by three hundred torch-bearers habited in white; by five thousand men-at-arms on horseback in black armour, holding their spears reversed; and by a multitude of Lords bearing pennons, banners, and bannerolls; whilst twelve captains went before carrying the King’s achievement. After the body followed the servants of the Household all in black; then came James I., King of Scotland, as Chief Mourner, with the Princes and Lords of the Royal blood, in mourning habits; and lastly, at the distance of two miles in the rear, followed Queen Katharine, no less honourably attended.“We learn, also, from a very interesting history of King Henry V. in English, contained in the Harleian Manuscripts, No. 35, folio 138 a, that when the funeral ‘should enter the Cittye, ten Bishopps, wththeir pontificall adornments revested, and many Abbotts mytored, and other men of the Church in greate number, with a right great multitude of Cittizens of the same Cittie, went out thereof to meet the Corps, and receaued it with due honnour. And all yesaide Spiritualls singinge, the officers accustomed in like case, conveyed the same Corps by LondonBridge, and by Lumbart Streete, thoroughe the Cheape vnto yeCathedrall Churche of Saint Paule.’ This life of King Henry is partly a translation from the Latin of Titus Livius, an Historian of his reign, who called himself by that name, and the French Chronicles of Enguerrant. The other particulars you will find set down in Stow, as I have already cited him, and in two Manuscript volumes of Heraldic ceremonies, in the Harleian Library, No. 2076, folio 6 b, and No. 6079, folio 23 b; and in finishing our imperfect notices of this reign, let me close with almost the very words of the good old London Historian to whom we are so much indebted—‘Thus this most victorious and renowned King entred the way decreed for every creature, in the flower and most lusty time of his age, to wit, when he was six and twenty years old, when he had reigned nine years, and five months with glory.’“You must, doubtless, worthy Mr. Barbican, well remember the discord which Shakspeare represents to have existed between the Protector, Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester; and Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester: and the fray which takes place between their serving-men in blue coats and tawny coats, on Tower-hill. This is in his ‘First Part of Henry the Sixth,’ Act I, Scene 3; but we learn from Fabyan’s ‘Chronicle,’ page 413, that they once disturbed London Bridge with a brawl that wore a much darker aspect. It was customary in the more ancient days of this City, that the LordMayor should be elected on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, on the 28th of October; and that on the day following he should be sworn in at Westminster. It was then, during the subsequent banquet of Sir John Coventry, Citizen and Mercer, that the Protector sent for him in great haste, and commanded him to watch the City securely during the night following; and on Tuesday, the 30th of October,—for, in 1425, St. Simon and St. Jude’s day happened on a Sunday, and therefore the Lord Mayor was elected the day after,—about nine in the morning, some of the Bishop’s servants came from his Palace on the Bankside, to enter at the Bridge Gate, when the warders, as they were commanded, kept them out by force. Upon which repulse, they retired in great discontent, and, gathering together a larger body of Archers and men-at-arms than that which kept the gate, assaulted it as a hostile City. All London was immediately alarmed; the Citizens shut their shops and hastened down to the Bridge in great multitudes; and a conflict would speedily have commenced, had it not been for the prudence and mediation of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Prince of Portugal; who rode between the Protector and the Bishop, eight several times, ere they could bring them to any agreement; until, at length, they both consented to refer their dispute to the decision of John Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford, and Regent of France. The quarrel was, however, not concluded until the followingEaster, which began on the last day of March. In defending London Bridge, the Protector appeared to be only retaliating upon the Bishop; for, in the third article of his charges against him, he stated, that once, when he was quietly riding to attend the King, the Bishop attempted his death at the Bridge foot, by assembling archers and soldiers in Southwark; by setting up engines to stop his way; by drawing the chain, used in ancient fortifications, across the Bridge; and by placing men in windows and turrets to cast down stones upon the heads of him and his followers.“I have already mentioned to you, that there were several Towers erected on London Bridge, both for defence and ornament; although we have not any authentic historical notice concerning them, until we arrive at the year 1426, when Stow tells us in his ‘Survey,’ volume i., pages 61, 65, that the Tower at the North end of the Drawbridge, over which the heads of Traitors were wont to be set, was then began to be newly built, in the Mayoralty of Sir John Raynewell, Citizen and Fishmonger; who bore for his Arms, Parted per pale indented Argent and Sable, a Chevron Gules. He laid one of the first stones of the edifice, and the Bridge-Master, with John Arnold and John Higham, the Sheriffs, laid the others. Upon each of these four stones, the name IHESUS was engraven in fair Roman characters, and at the rebuilding of this Gate and Tower in April 1577, they were laid up as Memorials in the Bridge House. The Drawbridgeover which it was erected, was, at this period, readily raised up or lowered, that ships might pass up the River to Queenhithe; which was, during the use of this convenience, a principal strand for their lading and unlading, as being in the centre and heart of the City.“In the year 1428, we find a short, but certain proof, that the passing beneath London Bridge was not less dangerous, than it is at present. You will see the circumstance mentioned in Stow’s ‘Annals.’ page 369, but I prefer giving it you in the words of the often-mentioned Harleian Manuscript, No. 565, folio 87 b, which was, very probably, the original authority of the good old Chronicler. ‘Also this same yere,’—says the record,—‘the viij day of Nouember, the Duke of Norfolk, with many a gentil man, squyer, and yoman, tok his barge at Seynt Marye Ouerye be twen iiij and v of yebelle a yens nyzt, and proposyd to passe thorugh London Bregge. Where of the forseid barge, thorugh mysgouernance of stearyng, fell vp on the pyles and ouerwhelmyd. The whyche was cause of spyllyng many a gentil man and othere; the more ruthe was! But as God wolde, yeDuke him self and too or iij othere gentyl men, seying that myschief, leped vp on yepyles, and so were saved thorugh helpe of them that weren a bove yeBrigge with castyng downe of ropes.’ The Duke of Norfolk, to whom this misfortune happened, was John Mowbray, the second of that title,who had served under King Henry V. in France, and who died October the 19th, 1432.“We next come down to the April of 1431, when an association was formed at Abingdon, in Berkshire, headed by one William Mandeville, a weaver, and Bailiff of the Town, who entitled himself Jack Sharp, of Wigmore’s land, in Wales. The Protector took instant order for his apprehension, and when examined, he confessed that it was intended ‘to have made Priests’ heads as plenty as Sheeps’ heads, ten for a penny.’ His own, however, did not remain on his shoulders long after, for he was executed as a traitor, at Abingdon, and his head erected on London Bridge, whilst his companions were also hanged and quartered in other places. You find this fact related by Fabyan in his ‘Chronicle,’ page 422.“From these scanty notices of misery, infatuation, and crime, it is with much delight that we turn to a spectacle of the greatest magnificence, and the most distinguished character, which London Bridge ever witnessed: the entrance of King Henry VI. to the City, after his Coronation as King of France, in the Church of Nôtre Dame, at Paris, on Friday, the 7th of December, 1431. On the 9th of the February following, he landed at Dover, and upon Thursday, the 21st of the same month, he was met by the Mayor and Corporation of London at Blackheath. Of their ceremony in conducting him towards the City, and the numerous Pageants which they had prepared to meet him at London Bridge, I shall now proceed to giveyou an account, extracted from Alderman Fabyan’s ‘Chronicle,’ volume ii., pages 423-425, and from Lydgate’s Poem on the ‘Comynge of yeKynge out of Fraunce to London;’ of which a very fair copy is preserved in that Harleian Manuscript which I have already quoted, No. 565, folio 114 b. The verses by Lydgate are not very common in any form, and they have, as I think, been but once printed in connection with the history of London Bridge, which is in Malcolm’s ‘Londinum Redivivum,’ already cited, volume ii., page 397; and, although you may conceive that I quote too much of them, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of beginning at the very commencement, since it is but little less beautiful than Chaucer’s immortal Tales. Listen, then, Mr. Barbican, I pray you listen; if you have ears for either Poesy or Romance.‘Towarde the ende of wyndy Februarie,Whanné Phebus was in yefyssh ronneOut of the signe whiche callyd is Aquarie;Newe kalendas were entred, and begonneOf Marches comyng, and the mery sonneVp on a thorsday, shed hys bemys brightVp on london, to make them glad and light.The stormy reynes of all there heuynesseWere passyd a way, and allé there greuaunce;For the syxte Henry, rote of there gladnesse,Ther herty’s joye, the worldis suffissaunce,By trewe assent was crownyd king of Fraunce.The heven reioysyng the day of his repaire,Made at his comynge the wether to be so faire.A tyme J trowe of God for hym prouydyd,Jn alle the heuenes there was no clowdé sayne;From other dayes that day was so deuydyd,And fraunchisyd from mystys and from rayne.The erthe attempred, the wyndes smothe and playne,The Citezeines thorughe out the CittéHallow’d that day with gret solemnnyte.And, lyk for Dauid after his victorie,Reioysyd was al Jerusalem;—So this Cité with laude, pris, and glorie,For ioye mustred like the sonné beme,To geue ensample thorughe out this reem.Al of assent who can so conceyue,There noble Kyng were glad to resceyue.There clothyng was of colour ful couenable,The noble Mair was clad in red velvet;The Shireves, the Aldermen ful notableIn furryd clokes, the colour of Scarlet;In stately wyse whanné they were metEch one were wel horsyd and mad no delay,But with there Maire rood forthe in there way.The Citezeyns, ech one of the Citté,(In there entent that they were pure and clene)Chose them of white a ful faire lyuerye,In euery crafté as it was wel sene:To showe the trowthe that they dede meneToward the kyng, hadde made them feithfullyJn sundry deuyses embrowdyd richely.And for to remembre of other alyens,First Geneweys,—though thei were strangéresFlorantynys and Venyciéns,And Esterlyngés clad in there manéres;Conveyd with serjaunts and othere officéres,Statly horsyd after the Mair ridyngPassyd the subbarbes to mete with the Kyng.To the Blake heth whauné they dyd atteyneThe Mair,—of prudence in especiall,—Made them hove in renges tweyneA strete be twen ech party lik a wall;All clad in whit, and the most principallA fore in red, with the Mair rydyngTyl tymé that he saw the Kyng comyng.Thanne with his sporys he tok his hors a non—That to be holde it was a noble sightHow lyk a man he to the Kyng is gon,Right well cheryd of herté glad and light;Obeinge to hym as hym ought of right,And after that be kunnyngly a braid,And unto the King even thus he sayd.‘Souereigne Lord and noble Kyng ze be wolcome out of youre Rem of Fraunce in to this zoure blessyd Rem of Jngelond, and in especial vn to zoure most notable Citee of London, other wise called youre chambre; we thankynge Almyghty God of the good and gracious acheuyng of zoure crowne of Fraunce: Besechynge of his mercyful grace to sende zow prosperite and many yeris to the comfort of alle zoure lovyng pepille.’‘But for to tellen alle the circumstauncysOf euery thyng, shewyd in centents,—(sentence)Noble deuyses, diuerse ordinauncysConveid by Scripture with ful gret excellence,—Al to declare y have none eloquence;Wherfore y pray to alle tho that it schalle redeFor to correcte, where as they se nede,’”“So came the procession to London Bridge; andI very much suspect that the Corporation of our good City was so economical, as to entertain King Henry with some of the very same pageants which it had displayed to his father seventeen years before: for we find Fabyan stating, that ‘when the Kyng was comen to yeBridge, there was deuised a mightie Gyaunt, standyng with a sweard drawen.’ However, Lydgate will tell the story in the more interesting terms, and he continues thus:—‘First, when they passyd, was yeFabourEntring yeBriggé of this noble Towne,There was a peler reysyd lik a Tour,And theron stod a sturdy champyoun;Of look and cheré stern as a lyoun,His swerd, vp rered prowdly, ’gan manaceAlle foreyn enemyes from the Kyng to enchace.And in defens of his estat RialleThe geaunt wolde abyde ech auenture;And alle assautés that were marcyallFor his sake he proudly wolde endure;In token wher of he hadde a long scriptureOn either syde, declaryng his entent,Whyche saydé thus by good avisement.‘Inimicos ejus induam confusione.’—Psalm cxxxii. 18.‘Alle those that ben enemys to the KyngJ schal them clothé withe confucion:Make hym myghti by vertuos leuyng,His mortall fone to oppressen and bere a down;And hym to encreasen as Criste’s champion,Allé myschevys from him to abriggeWith the grace of God at the entryng of this Brigge.’Too Antilopis stondyng on either syde,With the Armes of Jngelond and of Fraunce;Jn token that God schalle for hym provideAs he hath title by iuste eneritaunce,To regne in pees, plenté, and alle plesaunce:Cesyng of werre, that men myzte ryden and gon,As trewe liegis there hertys mad bethe oon.’“‘And when,’ says Fabyan, ‘the Kyng was passed the first gate, and was comen to the Draw-bridge, there was ordeined a goodly tower, hanged and apparailed with silke and clothes of arras, in most riche wise.’ Of which building thus speaks Lydgate.
‘But not his blood, his wounds did not so moveOur grieving souls, or wake our weeping love,—As that we saw, in many a town, appearHis aged head transfixed on a spear.’
‘But not his blood, his wounds did not so moveOur grieving souls, or wake our weeping love,—As that we saw, in many a town, appearHis aged head transfixed on a spear.’
Pharsalia, ix. 136.
For his venerable head adorned with its silver locks, set upon a pole, was publicly carried through London, and regardlessly placed upon the Bridge.’
“Sir William Dugdale, in his ‘Baronage,’ volume i., page 683, says that Lord Bardolf’s head was erected over a gate at Lincoln; and this is partly supported by the Chronicle in the Harleian Collection, No. 565, page 68 a, which states that in the ninth year of Henry IV., ‘the Erle of Northumberland and yeLord Bardolf, which arysyn a yeynis yeKyng, were taken in yenorth cuntre, and be heded, and yehed of yeforsaid Erle, and a quarter of yeLord Bardolf, were sent to London, and sett vp on London Brigge.’ Dugdale adds, however, from the authority of the Close Rolls, that Avicia, the widow of that Baron, was permitted by the King to take down his body and bury it.
“The only historical notice which I find connected with London Bridge, immediately succeeding the last unhappy story, is of a light and even trivial nature, being nothing greater than a dispute in the Bridge-Street,between Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, and John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, the second and third sons of Henry IV., their followers and the Citizens. Stow, in relating this circumstance, in his ‘Annals,’ page 338, makes no farther mention of the place than that they ‘being in East-Cheape, in London, at supper, after midnight, a great debate hapned betweene their men and men of the Court, lasting an houre, till the Maior and Sheriffs, with other Citizens, ceased the same:’ and Maitland adds, in volume i., of his ‘History,’ page 185, that these Officers were, in consequence, summoned before Sir William Gascoigne, the Chief Justice, to submit themselves to the King’s mercy on behalf of the Citizens. Richard Marlow, however, the then Lord Mayor, and John Law and William Chicheley, the Sheriffs, with the Aldermen, strenuously asserted their innocence, alleging that they had only done their duty in preserving the peace of the City; and the King being fully satisfied with this answer, the Corporation returned to London. I have only farther to remark, that Prince Thomas of Clarence was engaged in a similar fray in East-Cheap in the year previous to the present, namely 1407-8; and that it is to him that Shakspeare makes the dying King Henry deliver that noble speech in the ‘Second Part of King Henry IV.,’ Act 4, Scene 4. We derive, however, such a character of John of Lancaster from Falstaff, that we wonder to find him either in East-Cheap or Bridge-Street; for in that very same dramatic history, andin the preceding scene, he says of him: ‘Good faith, this same young sober-blooded boy doth not love me; nor a man cannot make him laugh;—but that’s no marvel, he drinks no wine.’ Here, then, close all the events of London Bridge which have come under my reading, in the year 1409.
“The Festival of St. Mary Magdalen, July 22nd, in the first year of Henry V., A. D. 1413, brings to us the recollection of a very ancient and curious Saxon law, namely that of Sanctuary: by which privilege, if a person accused of any crime,—excepting Treason and Sacrilege, in which the Crown and the Church were too nearly concerned,—had fled to any Church, or Church-Yard, and within forty days after went before the Coroner, made a full confession of his crime, and took the oath provided in that case, that he would quit the realm, and never return again, without leave of the King, his life should be safe. At the taking of this oath he was brought to the Church-door, where being branded with an A, signifying Abjured, upon the brawn of the thumb of his right hand, a port was then assigned him, from which he was to leave the realm, and to which he was to make all speed, holding a cross in his hand, and not turning out of the highway, either to the right hand or the left. At this port he was diligently to seek for passage, waiting there but one ebb and flood, if he could immediately procure it; and if not, he was to go every day into the sea up to his knees, essaying to pass over. If this could not be accomplishedwithin forty days, he was again to put himself into Sanctuary. These privileges of Sanctuary and Abjuration were taken away in 1624, by the Statute of the 21st of James I., chapter 28: but you will find the ancient law on these points fully set forth in William Rastall’s ‘Collection in English of the Statutes now in force,’ London, 1594, folio, under their proper titles, folios 2 a, 399 b, and also in Andrew Horne’s learned work of ‘La Somme, appellé Mirroir des Justices,’ London, 1624, 12mo., chapter 1, section xiii., page 102. Rastall, you will recollect, was Chief Justice of the Common Pleas under Queen Mary; and Horne was a Lawyer of great erudition and eminence, in the reigns of the First and Second Edwards.
“Well, Sir, having brought to your remembrance these ancient privileges, I am next to tell you that in 1413, a train of five abjurants of the realm crossed London Bridge on their way to Calais; having issued from a member of the famous Sanctuary of St. Martin’s le Grand, which was founded by Ingelric, Earl of Essex, and his brother Girardus, in 1056, and confirmed by Pope Alexander II., and King William I., in 1068. For these facts I must refer you to Stow’s ‘Survey,’ volume i., pages 605-606; and to page 16, &c. of a modest little volume of much curious information by Mr. Alfred John Kempe, entitled ‘Historical Notices of the Collegiate Church, or Royal Chapel and Sanctuary, of St. Martin’s le Grand,’ London, 1825, 8vo. As for the circumstance which causedthese worthies to fly their country, we have it set down in the following terms, in that Chronicle contained in the Harleian Manuscript, No. 565, folio 74 a. ‘And in the same yere, on Seynt Marie Maudeleyn day,’—July 22nd.—‘John Nyaunser, Squyer, and his men, sclowen Maistr. Tybbay, Clerk,’—Archdeacon of Huntingdon, and Chancellor to Joan, Queen of Henry IV.—‘as he passyd thorugh lad lane. For the whiche deth the same John Nyaunser and iiij of his men fledden in to Seynt Anne’s Chirche with inne Aldrich gate,’—that is to say, St. Anne in the Willows, as we now call it, though without exactly knowing why,—‘And with inne the said Church they were mured vp. And men of diuers wardes wacched them nyzt and day. And yeforsaid John Nyaunser and his men for suoren the Kynges lond, and passyd through the Citee of London,’—on August the 21st,—‘toward Caleys, in there schertes and breches,’—a purse about their necks,—‘and ich of them a cross in ther hand.’ Let me add, that you will also find this circumstance recorded in Stow’s ‘Annals,’ page 345.”
“My worthy Mr. Postern!” exclaimed I, for I now began to grow exceedingly impatient, “I really can bear this no longer: you promise to give me a descriptive history of London Bridge, and here you tell me of nothing but a riot which took place in the streetnearto it, and of a troop of knaves whichprobablywalked over it. Positively, my good Sir, it’s too bad; and unless your story mend, why——”
“‘It shall be mended, Mr. Barbican,’” answered the imperturbable Antiquary, in much the same tone of voice as that with whichLope Tochocalmed the enraged Muleteer, in the same words;—“‘It shall be mended,’ and our Chronicles too, Mr. Geoffrey; but sweeten your disposition, my good friend, I pray you. Remember, that an Antiquary mayrufflehis shirt, but never his temper; for though I confess to you that the collateral events which I am obliged to introduce, are somewhat like—
‘Rich windows that exclude the light,And passages which lead to nothing:’—
‘Rich windows that exclude the light,And passages which lead to nothing:’—
yet, when we consider how little the tooth of Time hath left to us of continuous History, we should labour to supply that defect by joining all the fragments with which we meet, wherever they may be united to the principal, but still imperfect, chain. We are, however, now arrived at a period, which our Bridge Historians do in general pass over, with little information to their readers, and less labour to themselves; yet even here, although we have no pictorial delineations to refer to, yet, with a little research, we have enough of descriptive story to call up the very scenes before our eyes, and to bring the actors again living before us.
“The year 1415 is not only immortalized in History by the famous Battle of Agincourt, fought on the 25th of October, but even in the Chronicles of London Bridge it is a most memorable era, on accountof the splendid Pageants which welcomed the victorious Henry V., as he returned over that edifice to his Palace at Westminster. About the middle of November, or, as some tell us, the 16th, the King embarked for England, bringing his principal prisoners with him; and you may remember, by the way, that his fleet being encountered by a violent storm, two of his ships were sunk, and all were in extreme danger. You will find a few particulars of these facts in Stow’s ‘Annals,’ page 351, and also in that Chronicle which I have so often quoted, in the Harleian Manuscript, No. 565; of which latter, the following are the words, from page 76 b.
“‘Also in this yere, that is to say the xxviij day of Octobr., the Kyng com to his Town of Caleys, and was there til yexvj day of Nouembr. And that same day yeKing schypped fro his Town of Caleys toward Engelond: And he landed yesame day at nyzt, at Douerre, and com forth all yewoke after toward London. And yefryday at nyzt, yeKing come to Eltham, and there he lay all that nyzt; and on yemorwe was Satyrday, yexxiij day of Nouembr. The Maire of London, and alle yeAldermen, with all yeCraftes of London, reden euery man in reed, with hodes reed and white, and mette with yeKyng on yeBlake heth comyng from Eltham ward, toward his Citee of London; and ayens his comynge was ordeyned moche ryalte in London: that is to weten, at London Bregge, at yeConduyt in Cornhill, at thegrete Conduyt in Chepe; and at yeCrosse in Chepe was mad a Ryall Castell with Angells and Virgynes, syngynge there jnne. And so yeKyng and hise presoners of Frensshmen reden thorugh London vn to Westminster to mete.’
“It is fortunate for us Antiquaries, however, that we have still better descriptions of these Pageants, and especially of that exhibited on London Bridge; and if in relating them to you, I seem to speak over much upon one subject, I pray you to remember, as I said, how very slightly that subject—at least so far as concerns the Bridge,—has been treated by Historians in general; and how many of those who have pretended to write of this edifice, have omitted it altogether. Give me your patience, then, whilst I translate for you two curious accounts of those Pageants, which welcomed King Henry into the best and the greatest of Cities.
“The first which I shall cite, is, most probably, from the pen of an eye-witness, both of the King’s valour abroad, and of his triumphs at home; since it is from a Latin Manuscript in the Cottonian Library, markedJulius, E. IV., Article 4, which the Catalogue at page 17 calls ‘The Acts of King Henry V.: the Author, a Chaplain in the Royal Army, who saw them for himself.’ This Manuscript is written on paper, in a very small and fair current black-letter, full of contractions; and on page 122 b, the account of the Bridge Pageants runs thus. ‘And therewith, about the hour of ten in the day, the King came in the midst of them all; and the Citizens gave gloryand honour to God, and many congratulations and blessings to the King, for the victories he had brought them, and for the public works which he had wrought; and the King was followed by the Citizens towards the City, with a proper, but a moderate, protection. And for the praise and glory of the City, out of so many magnificent acts of the noble Citizens, some things worthy of note the pen records with applause. On the top of the Tower at the entrance of the Bridge, which stands, as it were, on going into the strength of the City, there stood on high a figure of gigantic magnitude, fearlessly looking in the King’s face, as if he would do battle; but on his right and left hand, were the great keys of the City hanging to a staff, as though he had been Gate-keeper. Upon his right, stood the figure of a woman not much less in size, habited in the gown, tunic, and ornaments of a female, as if they had been meant for a man and his wife, who appeared favourers of the King, and desired that they might see his face, and receive him with many plaudits. And the towers about them were ornamented with halberts and the Royal Arms; and trumpeters stood aloft in the turrets, which were resounding with horns and clarions in winding and expanding melody. And in the front of the fortress this appropriate and elegant writing was imprinted, ‘The King’s City of Justice.’ And there appeared, on both sides, all the way along the Bridge, very little youths; and, also, on both sides, out of the stone-work before them, was a lofty column, theheight of the smaller towers, made of wood, not less delicate than elegant, which was covered over with a linen cloth painted the colour of white marble and green jasper, as if it had been of a square shape, and formed of stones cut out of the quarries. And upon the summit of the column on the right side, was the figure of an Antelope rampant, having a splendid shield of the Royal Arms hanging about his neck, and in his right foot he held a sceptre extended, and offered it to the King. Upon the top of the other column was the image of a lion, also rampant, which carried a spear having the King’s banner displayed upon the upper end, which he held aloft in his dexter claw. And across, at the foot of the Bridge, was erected the fabric of a Tower, the height of the aforesaid columns, and painted; in the midst of which, under a superb tabernacle, stood a most beautiful effigy of St. George, all in armour, excepting his head, which was adorned with laurel interwoven with gems, which shone between it like precious stones for their brightness. Behind him was a tapestry of cotton, having his Arms resplendently embroidered in a multitude of escutcheons. Upon his right was suspended his triumphal helmet; upon his left his shield of Arms of a correspondent magnitude; and he had his right hand upon the handle of his sword, which was girt about him. Upon the tower was raised an extended scroll, containing these words, ‘To God only be honour and glory;’ and in front of the building, this congratulatory prophecy,—Psalmxlvi. 4.—‘The streams of the River make glad the City of God:’ and all the principal towers were gallantly adorned with the Royal Arms embossed upon them, or displayed in banners upon lances reared above them. In the house adjoining to the fortress behind, were innumerable children representing the English Priesthood, in radiant garments with shining countenances: others were like virgins, having their hair adorned with laurels interwoven with gold; and they continued singing from the coming in of the King, with modulation of voice and melody of organs, according to the words of this song in English.’
“I know very well that it is most common for the events of the reign of Henry V., to be cited from the ‘History of his Life and Actions,’ written in Latin verse by Thomas, a Monk of Elmham, in Norfolk, in his time Prior of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Lenton, in the County of Nottingham. As that part of his Poem, however, which treats ‘De adventu Regis ad Pontem Londoniarum,’—concerning the King’s entrance at the Bridge of London,—is considerably inferior to the account which I have already given you, I shall dispense with your labour in listening to it, and mine in translating it; and only observe to you, that an authentic copy of Thomas of Elmham’s ‘Historia de Vitâ et Gestâ Henrici V. Anglorum Regis,’ is preserved in the Cottonian Manuscript which I last cited, article 3, fairly written on parchment, in the small black text-hand of the latter part of the fifteenth century; and that the passagewill be found at folio 101 b. Capitulum xliiii. I would remind you, also, that a printed edition of this work was published by Tom Hearne, Oxford, 1727, 8vo., which is not one of his most common books; the text was taken from several old Manuscripts, and the value of a large-paper copy fluctuates between four and six guineas. The next authority, therefore, whom I shall quote upon this subject, is supposed to have been the production of the justly famous old John Lydgate, who was in his days a very eminent English Poet; being born about 1375, and dying about 1461. He was a Monk of the Abbey of Bury, in Suffolk; and of these historical verses by him there is a Manuscript copy, written on parchment in an old Court-hand, ornamented with vermillion chorusses and lines, in No. 565, of the Harleian Manuscripts, in the British Museum. You will find them forming Articles 8 and 9 of that volume, and thus entered in the Catalogue, volume i. page 351. ‘A Poem upon the Wars of King Henry the V. in France; and his return to England, after the battle of Agincoure; composed perhaps by John Lidgate.’—‘The making of(i. e. Poem upon)the comynge of the Kynge(Henry V.)out of Fraunce, to London. By John Lidgate, the Monke of Bury.’ Such are the titles of these verses, from which I shall repeat to you all that concerns the King’s entry at London Bridge; and, firstly, at page 111 b. the story runs thus, beginning at the second stanza of ‘Passus Tercius.’
“The Mayr of london was Redy bown,With all yecraftes of that CiteAlle clothyd in red, thorugh out yetownA semely sight it was to se:To yeblack Hethe thanne rod he,And spredde yeway on euery syde;XxtiMl. men myght wel seOure comely kynge for to abyde.Wot ze right well that thus it wasGloria tibi Trinitas.The kyng from Eltham sone he nam,Hyse presoners with hym dede brynge;And to yeBlake Heth ful sone he cam,He saw london with oughte lesynge.‘Heill Ryall london,’ seyde our kyng,‘Crist yekepe from euere care!’And thanné zaf it his blessyngAnd preied to Crist that it well fare.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.The Mair hym mette with moche honourWith alle yeAldermen with oughte lesyng;‘Heyl,’ seide yeMair, ‘thou conquerour,The grace of God with the doth spryng:Heil Duk, Heil Prynce, Heil comely Kyng;Most worthiest Lord vndir Crist ryall,Heil rulere of Remes with oughte lettyng,Heil flour of knyghthood now ouer all.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.‘Here is come youre Citee allZow to worchepe, and to magnyfye;To welcome zow bothe gret and small,With zow euere more to lyue and dye.’‘Graunt mercy Sires,’ oure kyng ’gan say,And toward london he ’gan ryde;This was vp on Seynt Clementys dayThey welcomed hym on euery side.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.The lordes of Fraunce thei ’gan say then,‘Jngelond is nought as we wene;Jt farith by these Englyssh men,As it doth by a swarm of bene:Jngeland is lik an hyve with jnne,There fleeres makith vs full evell to wryng,Tho ben there arrowes sharpe and kene,Thorugh oure harneys they do vs styng.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.To london Brygge thanne rood oure kyng,The processions there they mette hym ryght;‘Ave Rex Anglorum,’ thei ’gan syng,‘Flos Mundi,’ thei seide, ‘goddys knyght.’To london Brigge whan he com right,Vp on the gate ther stode on hyA gyaunt, that was full grym of myght,To teche the Frensshe men curtesy.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.And at the Drawe brigge that is faste by,Two toures there were vp pight;An Antelope and a Lyon stondyng hym by,Above them Seynt George oure lady’s knyght.Be syde hym many an Angell bright,‘Benedictus’ thei ’gan synge;‘Qui venit in nomine domini, goddys knyght’Gracia Deiwith zow doth sprynge.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.”
“The Mayr of london was Redy bown,With all yecraftes of that CiteAlle clothyd in red, thorugh out yetownA semely sight it was to se:To yeblack Hethe thanne rod he,And spredde yeway on euery syde;XxtiMl. men myght wel seOure comely kynge for to abyde.Wot ze right well that thus it wasGloria tibi Trinitas.
The kyng from Eltham sone he nam,Hyse presoners with hym dede brynge;And to yeBlake Heth ful sone he cam,He saw london with oughte lesynge.‘Heill Ryall london,’ seyde our kyng,‘Crist yekepe from euere care!’And thanné zaf it his blessyngAnd preied to Crist that it well fare.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.
The Mair hym mette with moche honourWith alle yeAldermen with oughte lesyng;‘Heyl,’ seide yeMair, ‘thou conquerour,The grace of God with the doth spryng:Heil Duk, Heil Prynce, Heil comely Kyng;Most worthiest Lord vndir Crist ryall,Heil rulere of Remes with oughte lettyng,Heil flour of knyghthood now ouer all.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.
‘Here is come youre Citee allZow to worchepe, and to magnyfye;To welcome zow bothe gret and small,With zow euere more to lyue and dye.’‘Graunt mercy Sires,’ oure kyng ’gan say,And toward london he ’gan ryde;This was vp on Seynt Clementys dayThey welcomed hym on euery side.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.
The lordes of Fraunce thei ’gan say then,‘Jngelond is nought as we wene;Jt farith by these Englyssh men,As it doth by a swarm of bene:Jngeland is lik an hyve with jnne,There fleeres makith vs full evell to wryng,Tho ben there arrowes sharpe and kene,Thorugh oure harneys they do vs styng.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.
To london Brygge thanne rood oure kyng,The processions there they mette hym ryght;‘Ave Rex Anglorum,’ thei ’gan syng,‘Flos Mundi,’ thei seide, ‘goddys knyght.’To london Brigge whan he com right,Vp on the gate ther stode on hyA gyaunt, that was full grym of myght,To teche the Frensshe men curtesy.Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.
And at the Drawe brigge that is faste by,Two toures there were vp pight;An Antelope and a Lyon stondyng hym by,Above them Seynt George oure lady’s knyght.Be syde hym many an Angell bright,‘Benedictus’ thei ’gan synge;‘Qui venit in nomine domini, goddys knyght’Gracia Deiwith zow doth sprynge.’Wot ze right well that thus it was,Gloria tibi Trinitas.”
“Thus finish Lydgate’s verses, so far as they relate to these Pageants on London Bridge; but as they tell us nothing of the Royal display upon that occasion, let me remark to you, that we are told, in an Heraldical Manuscript in the Harleian Collection, No. 6079, folio 24 a, that ‘At the cominge in of Kinge Henry the Vthout of Fraunce into Englande, his coursers were trapped wthtrappers of partye colours: scilicet, one syde blewe velute embroudered wthAntellopes sittinge vpon stayres wthlonge flowers springinge betwixt their horns.’ Which trappings were, by the King’s order, subsequently given to the Abbey of Westminster for the vestry, where they were converted into copes and other Ecclesiastical habits.”
“But before you quite shut up your account of these Pageants, my good Mr. Postern,” said I, as he came to a close, “letmesay a word or two, touching those Royal supporters, which sat upon the columns on London Bridge; since there are many curious little points of Antiquity to be met with in the history of Heraldic bearings. The first use of an Antelope as a supporter to the King’s Arms, is doubtfully hinted at in a Manuscript in the Harleian Library in the British Museum, No. 2259, as having been soancient as the reign of King Richard II.; though we are much more certain that King Henry IV. entertained a Pursuivant named Antelope, and probably adopted such an animal as his dexter supporter, from the family of Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, into which he married. The instance of a Lion also appearing as a supporter, is mentioned in Gough’s ‘Sepulchral Monuments,’ which you have already quoted, volume ii., part ii., page 68, from the information of John Charles Brooke, Esq., Somerset Herald, who says that when Henry V. became King, he bore on the dexter side of his Arms, a Lion rampant guardant, and on the sinister, an Antelope. We read also that he bore an Antelope and a Swan, and two Antelopes; and you may see all these excellently drawn and described in Mr. Thomas Willement’s ‘Regal Heraldry,’ London, 1821, 4to., pages 21, 28, 30, 33, and 36.”
“Many thanks to you, Mr. Geoffrey Barbican,” recommenced my visitor, “for this most opportune display of your Heraldical learning: and, in returning to London Bridge, I must observe, that as all history is but a record of the evanescent scenes of human life, it must, of course, be formed of all those strong lights and shades which are so very conspicuous in its original; and hence arises that striking contrast of events, which so frequently fills us with solemnity and awe. We retire, perchance, from a banquet to a prison, or from a triumph to an execution; at least, such is the nature of the next event which I find forour Chronicles, for the Towers of London Bridge usually claimed a portion in most of the victims of the axe and the scaffold. The principles of the Lollards, as they were invidiously called, were then rapidly spreading; and Sir John Oldcastle, commonly called the good Lord Cobham, was one of the most active leaders in the religious reform commenced by Wickliffe: as he was not only at a very considerable cost in collecting and transcribing his works, which he caused to be widely distributed, but he also maintained many of his disciples as itinerant preachers throughout the country. Oldcastle had, however, escaped from the power of the Clergy who had condemned him as a heretic, and confined him in the Tower; when King Henry being persuaded by them that he headed 20,000 Lollards for his destruction, he was attainted, and a large reward offered for his head: in confirmation of which Stow informs us, in his ‘Annals,’ page 352, that on the ‘viii day of October’—1416—‘was a Parchment maker of Trill-melle Streete drawne, hanged, and headed, for that he had harboured Sir John Oldcastle:’ and the Harleian Chronicle, No. 565, page 77 a, adds, that his head ‘was set upon London Bridge for tretory.’ Another obscure person, most probably concerned in the same unhappy society, is also recorded as coming to a similar end: for, ‘John Benet, Woolman,’ says Stow, in the place I last cited, ‘who had in London scattered sceduls full of sedition, was drawne, hanged, and beheaded on Michaelmas-day:’ and the HarleianChronicle adds, that his head was also fixed upon London Bridge.
“Our next ceremonial procession over this edifice was the solemn and splendid funeral of King Henry V.; when that gallant Sovereign had departed this life, on Monday, the last day of August, 1422, at the Castle of Bois de Vinciennes, a short distance from Paris. That sumptuous spectacle is described in several places, although I do not find it mentioned either in the Life by Thomas of Elmham, or in that by Henry’s Chaplain; but Stow, in his ‘Annals,’ page 363, says that the Royal body arrived in London about the tenth of November, and so was conveyed by London Bridge through Cheapside, to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, where funereal exequies were performed; and thence it was carried and interred in Westminster Abbey. As the corse advanced in rich and solemn procession over the Bridge, it was truly a magnificent and imposing spectacle. On a royal chariot, decorated with cloth of gold like a bed of state, was laid a figure exactly representing the late King, habited in a robe of purple velvet, lined with ermine; wearing an imperial diadem of gold and jewels on the head, and bearing in the hands, the regal sceptre, and the mound and cross. The face, which was painted exactly to resemble the life, was uncovered, and looking towards Heaven; and on the bed lay a covering of red silk beaten with gold. The chariot was drawn by six stout horses, richly harnessed, with heraldic devices upon their housings: thus, the first bore the Armsof St. George; the second, of Normandy; the third, those of King Arthur; the fourth, those of St. Edward the Confessor; the fifth, the coat of France, alone; and the sixth, those of France and England quarterly. When the chariot passed through any town of eminence, a rich and costly canopy was held over it, by some of its more honourable attendants; and it was surrounded by three hundred torch-bearers habited in white; by five thousand men-at-arms on horseback in black armour, holding their spears reversed; and by a multitude of Lords bearing pennons, banners, and bannerolls; whilst twelve captains went before carrying the King’s achievement. After the body followed the servants of the Household all in black; then came James I., King of Scotland, as Chief Mourner, with the Princes and Lords of the Royal blood, in mourning habits; and lastly, at the distance of two miles in the rear, followed Queen Katharine, no less honourably attended.
“We learn, also, from a very interesting history of King Henry V. in English, contained in the Harleian Manuscripts, No. 35, folio 138 a, that when the funeral ‘should enter the Cittye, ten Bishopps, wththeir pontificall adornments revested, and many Abbotts mytored, and other men of the Church in greate number, with a right great multitude of Cittizens of the same Cittie, went out thereof to meet the Corps, and receaued it with due honnour. And all yesaide Spiritualls singinge, the officers accustomed in like case, conveyed the same Corps by LondonBridge, and by Lumbart Streete, thoroughe the Cheape vnto yeCathedrall Churche of Saint Paule.’ This life of King Henry is partly a translation from the Latin of Titus Livius, an Historian of his reign, who called himself by that name, and the French Chronicles of Enguerrant. The other particulars you will find set down in Stow, as I have already cited him, and in two Manuscript volumes of Heraldic ceremonies, in the Harleian Library, No. 2076, folio 6 b, and No. 6079, folio 23 b; and in finishing our imperfect notices of this reign, let me close with almost the very words of the good old London Historian to whom we are so much indebted—‘Thus this most victorious and renowned King entred the way decreed for every creature, in the flower and most lusty time of his age, to wit, when he was six and twenty years old, when he had reigned nine years, and five months with glory.’
“You must, doubtless, worthy Mr. Barbican, well remember the discord which Shakspeare represents to have existed between the Protector, Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester; and Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester: and the fray which takes place between their serving-men in blue coats and tawny coats, on Tower-hill. This is in his ‘First Part of Henry the Sixth,’ Act I, Scene 3; but we learn from Fabyan’s ‘Chronicle,’ page 413, that they once disturbed London Bridge with a brawl that wore a much darker aspect. It was customary in the more ancient days of this City, that the LordMayor should be elected on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, on the 28th of October; and that on the day following he should be sworn in at Westminster. It was then, during the subsequent banquet of Sir John Coventry, Citizen and Mercer, that the Protector sent for him in great haste, and commanded him to watch the City securely during the night following; and on Tuesday, the 30th of October,—for, in 1425, St. Simon and St. Jude’s day happened on a Sunday, and therefore the Lord Mayor was elected the day after,—about nine in the morning, some of the Bishop’s servants came from his Palace on the Bankside, to enter at the Bridge Gate, when the warders, as they were commanded, kept them out by force. Upon which repulse, they retired in great discontent, and, gathering together a larger body of Archers and men-at-arms than that which kept the gate, assaulted it as a hostile City. All London was immediately alarmed; the Citizens shut their shops and hastened down to the Bridge in great multitudes; and a conflict would speedily have commenced, had it not been for the prudence and mediation of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Prince of Portugal; who rode between the Protector and the Bishop, eight several times, ere they could bring them to any agreement; until, at length, they both consented to refer their dispute to the decision of John Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford, and Regent of France. The quarrel was, however, not concluded until the followingEaster, which began on the last day of March. In defending London Bridge, the Protector appeared to be only retaliating upon the Bishop; for, in the third article of his charges against him, he stated, that once, when he was quietly riding to attend the King, the Bishop attempted his death at the Bridge foot, by assembling archers and soldiers in Southwark; by setting up engines to stop his way; by drawing the chain, used in ancient fortifications, across the Bridge; and by placing men in windows and turrets to cast down stones upon the heads of him and his followers.
“I have already mentioned to you, that there were several Towers erected on London Bridge, both for defence and ornament; although we have not any authentic historical notice concerning them, until we arrive at the year 1426, when Stow tells us in his ‘Survey,’ volume i., pages 61, 65, that the Tower at the North end of the Drawbridge, over which the heads of Traitors were wont to be set, was then began to be newly built, in the Mayoralty of Sir John Raynewell, Citizen and Fishmonger; who bore for his Arms, Parted per pale indented Argent and Sable, a Chevron Gules. He laid one of the first stones of the edifice, and the Bridge-Master, with John Arnold and John Higham, the Sheriffs, laid the others. Upon each of these four stones, the name IHESUS was engraven in fair Roman characters, and at the rebuilding of this Gate and Tower in April 1577, they were laid up as Memorials in the Bridge House. The Drawbridgeover which it was erected, was, at this period, readily raised up or lowered, that ships might pass up the River to Queenhithe; which was, during the use of this convenience, a principal strand for their lading and unlading, as being in the centre and heart of the City.
“In the year 1428, we find a short, but certain proof, that the passing beneath London Bridge was not less dangerous, than it is at present. You will see the circumstance mentioned in Stow’s ‘Annals.’ page 369, but I prefer giving it you in the words of the often-mentioned Harleian Manuscript, No. 565, folio 87 b, which was, very probably, the original authority of the good old Chronicler. ‘Also this same yere,’—says the record,—‘the viij day of Nouember, the Duke of Norfolk, with many a gentil man, squyer, and yoman, tok his barge at Seynt Marye Ouerye be twen iiij and v of yebelle a yens nyzt, and proposyd to passe thorugh London Bregge. Where of the forseid barge, thorugh mysgouernance of stearyng, fell vp on the pyles and ouerwhelmyd. The whyche was cause of spyllyng many a gentil man and othere; the more ruthe was! But as God wolde, yeDuke him self and too or iij othere gentyl men, seying that myschief, leped vp on yepyles, and so were saved thorugh helpe of them that weren a bove yeBrigge with castyng downe of ropes.’ The Duke of Norfolk, to whom this misfortune happened, was John Mowbray, the second of that title,who had served under King Henry V. in France, and who died October the 19th, 1432.
“We next come down to the April of 1431, when an association was formed at Abingdon, in Berkshire, headed by one William Mandeville, a weaver, and Bailiff of the Town, who entitled himself Jack Sharp, of Wigmore’s land, in Wales. The Protector took instant order for his apprehension, and when examined, he confessed that it was intended ‘to have made Priests’ heads as plenty as Sheeps’ heads, ten for a penny.’ His own, however, did not remain on his shoulders long after, for he was executed as a traitor, at Abingdon, and his head erected on London Bridge, whilst his companions were also hanged and quartered in other places. You find this fact related by Fabyan in his ‘Chronicle,’ page 422.
“From these scanty notices of misery, infatuation, and crime, it is with much delight that we turn to a spectacle of the greatest magnificence, and the most distinguished character, which London Bridge ever witnessed: the entrance of King Henry VI. to the City, after his Coronation as King of France, in the Church of Nôtre Dame, at Paris, on Friday, the 7th of December, 1431. On the 9th of the February following, he landed at Dover, and upon Thursday, the 21st of the same month, he was met by the Mayor and Corporation of London at Blackheath. Of their ceremony in conducting him towards the City, and the numerous Pageants which they had prepared to meet him at London Bridge, I shall now proceed to giveyou an account, extracted from Alderman Fabyan’s ‘Chronicle,’ volume ii., pages 423-425, and from Lydgate’s Poem on the ‘Comynge of yeKynge out of Fraunce to London;’ of which a very fair copy is preserved in that Harleian Manuscript which I have already quoted, No. 565, folio 114 b. The verses by Lydgate are not very common in any form, and they have, as I think, been but once printed in connection with the history of London Bridge, which is in Malcolm’s ‘Londinum Redivivum,’ already cited, volume ii., page 397; and, although you may conceive that I quote too much of them, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of beginning at the very commencement, since it is but little less beautiful than Chaucer’s immortal Tales. Listen, then, Mr. Barbican, I pray you listen; if you have ears for either Poesy or Romance.
‘Towarde the ende of wyndy Februarie,Whanné Phebus was in yefyssh ronneOut of the signe whiche callyd is Aquarie;Newe kalendas were entred, and begonneOf Marches comyng, and the mery sonneVp on a thorsday, shed hys bemys brightVp on london, to make them glad and light.The stormy reynes of all there heuynesseWere passyd a way, and allé there greuaunce;For the syxte Henry, rote of there gladnesse,Ther herty’s joye, the worldis suffissaunce,By trewe assent was crownyd king of Fraunce.The heven reioysyng the day of his repaire,Made at his comynge the wether to be so faire.A tyme J trowe of God for hym prouydyd,Jn alle the heuenes there was no clowdé sayne;From other dayes that day was so deuydyd,And fraunchisyd from mystys and from rayne.The erthe attempred, the wyndes smothe and playne,The Citezeines thorughe out the CittéHallow’d that day with gret solemnnyte.And, lyk for Dauid after his victorie,Reioysyd was al Jerusalem;—So this Cité with laude, pris, and glorie,For ioye mustred like the sonné beme,To geue ensample thorughe out this reem.Al of assent who can so conceyue,There noble Kyng were glad to resceyue.There clothyng was of colour ful couenable,The noble Mair was clad in red velvet;The Shireves, the Aldermen ful notableIn furryd clokes, the colour of Scarlet;In stately wyse whanné they were metEch one were wel horsyd and mad no delay,But with there Maire rood forthe in there way.The Citezeyns, ech one of the Citté,(In there entent that they were pure and clene)Chose them of white a ful faire lyuerye,In euery crafté as it was wel sene:To showe the trowthe that they dede meneToward the kyng, hadde made them feithfullyJn sundry deuyses embrowdyd richely.And for to remembre of other alyens,First Geneweys,—though thei were strangéresFlorantynys and Venyciéns,And Esterlyngés clad in there manéres;Conveyd with serjaunts and othere officéres,Statly horsyd after the Mair ridyngPassyd the subbarbes to mete with the Kyng.To the Blake heth whauné they dyd atteyneThe Mair,—of prudence in especiall,—Made them hove in renges tweyneA strete be twen ech party lik a wall;All clad in whit, and the most principallA fore in red, with the Mair rydyngTyl tymé that he saw the Kyng comyng.Thanne with his sporys he tok his hors a non—That to be holde it was a noble sightHow lyk a man he to the Kyng is gon,Right well cheryd of herté glad and light;Obeinge to hym as hym ought of right,And after that be kunnyngly a braid,And unto the King even thus he sayd.
‘Towarde the ende of wyndy Februarie,Whanné Phebus was in yefyssh ronneOut of the signe whiche callyd is Aquarie;Newe kalendas were entred, and begonneOf Marches comyng, and the mery sonneVp on a thorsday, shed hys bemys brightVp on london, to make them glad and light.
The stormy reynes of all there heuynesseWere passyd a way, and allé there greuaunce;For the syxte Henry, rote of there gladnesse,Ther herty’s joye, the worldis suffissaunce,By trewe assent was crownyd king of Fraunce.The heven reioysyng the day of his repaire,Made at his comynge the wether to be so faire.
A tyme J trowe of God for hym prouydyd,Jn alle the heuenes there was no clowdé sayne;From other dayes that day was so deuydyd,And fraunchisyd from mystys and from rayne.The erthe attempred, the wyndes smothe and playne,The Citezeines thorughe out the CittéHallow’d that day with gret solemnnyte.
And, lyk for Dauid after his victorie,Reioysyd was al Jerusalem;—So this Cité with laude, pris, and glorie,For ioye mustred like the sonné beme,To geue ensample thorughe out this reem.Al of assent who can so conceyue,There noble Kyng were glad to resceyue.
There clothyng was of colour ful couenable,The noble Mair was clad in red velvet;The Shireves, the Aldermen ful notableIn furryd clokes, the colour of Scarlet;In stately wyse whanné they were metEch one were wel horsyd and mad no delay,But with there Maire rood forthe in there way.
The Citezeyns, ech one of the Citté,(In there entent that they were pure and clene)Chose them of white a ful faire lyuerye,In euery crafté as it was wel sene:To showe the trowthe that they dede meneToward the kyng, hadde made them feithfullyJn sundry deuyses embrowdyd richely.
And for to remembre of other alyens,First Geneweys,—though thei were strangéresFlorantynys and Venyciéns,And Esterlyngés clad in there manéres;Conveyd with serjaunts and othere officéres,Statly horsyd after the Mair ridyngPassyd the subbarbes to mete with the Kyng.
To the Blake heth whauné they dyd atteyneThe Mair,—of prudence in especiall,—Made them hove in renges tweyneA strete be twen ech party lik a wall;All clad in whit, and the most principallA fore in red, with the Mair rydyngTyl tymé that he saw the Kyng comyng.
Thanne with his sporys he tok his hors a non—That to be holde it was a noble sightHow lyk a man he to the Kyng is gon,Right well cheryd of herté glad and light;Obeinge to hym as hym ought of right,And after that be kunnyngly a braid,And unto the King even thus he sayd.
‘Souereigne Lord and noble Kyng ze be wolcome out of youre Rem of Fraunce in to this zoure blessyd Rem of Jngelond, and in especial vn to zoure most notable Citee of London, other wise called youre chambre; we thankynge Almyghty God of the good and gracious acheuyng of zoure crowne of Fraunce: Besechynge of his mercyful grace to sende zow prosperite and many yeris to the comfort of alle zoure lovyng pepille.’
‘But for to tellen alle the circumstauncysOf euery thyng, shewyd in centents,—(sentence)Noble deuyses, diuerse ordinauncysConveid by Scripture with ful gret excellence,—Al to declare y have none eloquence;Wherfore y pray to alle tho that it schalle redeFor to correcte, where as they se nede,’”
‘But for to tellen alle the circumstauncysOf euery thyng, shewyd in centents,—(sentence)Noble deuyses, diuerse ordinauncysConveid by Scripture with ful gret excellence,—Al to declare y have none eloquence;Wherfore y pray to alle tho that it schalle redeFor to correcte, where as they se nede,’”
“So came the procession to London Bridge; andI very much suspect that the Corporation of our good City was so economical, as to entertain King Henry with some of the very same pageants which it had displayed to his father seventeen years before: for we find Fabyan stating, that ‘when the Kyng was comen to yeBridge, there was deuised a mightie Gyaunt, standyng with a sweard drawen.’ However, Lydgate will tell the story in the more interesting terms, and he continues thus:—
‘First, when they passyd, was yeFabourEntring yeBriggé of this noble Towne,There was a peler reysyd lik a Tour,And theron stod a sturdy champyoun;Of look and cheré stern as a lyoun,His swerd, vp rered prowdly, ’gan manaceAlle foreyn enemyes from the Kyng to enchace.And in defens of his estat RialleThe geaunt wolde abyde ech auenture;And alle assautés that were marcyallFor his sake he proudly wolde endure;In token wher of he hadde a long scriptureOn either syde, declaryng his entent,Whyche saydé thus by good avisement.‘Inimicos ejus induam confusione.’—Psalm cxxxii. 18.‘Alle those that ben enemys to the KyngJ schal them clothé withe confucion:Make hym myghti by vertuos leuyng,His mortall fone to oppressen and bere a down;And hym to encreasen as Criste’s champion,Allé myschevys from him to abriggeWith the grace of God at the entryng of this Brigge.’Too Antilopis stondyng on either syde,With the Armes of Jngelond and of Fraunce;Jn token that God schalle for hym provideAs he hath title by iuste eneritaunce,To regne in pees, plenté, and alle plesaunce:Cesyng of werre, that men myzte ryden and gon,As trewe liegis there hertys mad bethe oon.’
‘First, when they passyd, was yeFabourEntring yeBriggé of this noble Towne,There was a peler reysyd lik a Tour,And theron stod a sturdy champyoun;Of look and cheré stern as a lyoun,His swerd, vp rered prowdly, ’gan manaceAlle foreyn enemyes from the Kyng to enchace.
And in defens of his estat RialleThe geaunt wolde abyde ech auenture;And alle assautés that were marcyallFor his sake he proudly wolde endure;In token wher of he hadde a long scriptureOn either syde, declaryng his entent,Whyche saydé thus by good avisement.
‘Inimicos ejus induam confusione.’—Psalm cxxxii. 18.
‘Alle those that ben enemys to the KyngJ schal them clothé withe confucion:Make hym myghti by vertuos leuyng,His mortall fone to oppressen and bere a down;And hym to encreasen as Criste’s champion,Allé myschevys from him to abriggeWith the grace of God at the entryng of this Brigge.’
Too Antilopis stondyng on either syde,With the Armes of Jngelond and of Fraunce;Jn token that God schalle for hym provideAs he hath title by iuste eneritaunce,To regne in pees, plenté, and alle plesaunce:Cesyng of werre, that men myzte ryden and gon,As trewe liegis there hertys mad bethe oon.’
“‘And when,’ says Fabyan, ‘the Kyng was passed the first gate, and was comen to the Draw-bridge, there was ordeined a goodly tower, hanged and apparailed with silke and clothes of arras, in most riche wise.’ Of which building thus speaks Lydgate.