University of Virginia Library

The Pageant in the Strond.

The Citie of Westminster and Dutchy of Lancaster, perceiuing what preparation their neighbor citie made to entertain her Souerainge; though in greatnes they could not match her, yet in greatnes of Loue and Duerie, they gaue testimonie, that both were equall. And in token they were so, hands and hearts went together: and in the Strond, erected vp a Monument of their affection.

The Inuention was a Rayne-bow, the Moone, Sunne, and the seauen Starres, called the Pleiades, being aduaunced betweene two Pyramides: Electra (one of those seauen hanging in the aire, in figure of a Comet) was the speaker, her words carrying this effect.

That as his Majestie had left the Citie of Loudon, happy, by deliuering it frō the noyse of tumult: so he would crowne this place with the like joyes; which being done, shee reckons vp a number of blessings, that will follow vpon it.

The worke of this was thought vpon, begun and made perfect in xij. daies.

As touching those fiue which the Citie builded, the Arbor in Cheap-side, and the Temple of Ianus, at Temple-bar, were both of them begun and finisht in sixe weekes. The rest were taken in hande, first in March last, after his Maiestie was proclaymed,

vpon which, at that time, they wrought till a Moneth after S. Iames his day following, and then gaue ouer by reason of the sicknes: At this second setting vpon the, six weekes more were spent.

The Citie elected sixteene Comitties, to whom the Mannaging of the whole busines was absolutely referred of which number, foure were Aldermen, the other grauè Commoners.

There were also Committies appoynted as Ouerseers, and Serueyors of the workes.

The Citie imployed in the Framing, building, and setting vp of their fiue Arches, these officers and worke-men.

• A Clarke that attended on the Committies.
• Two officers that gaue Summons for their meetings. &c.
• A clarke of the Workes.
• Two master-Carpenters.
• Painters.

Of which nnmber, those that gaue the maine direction, and vndertooke for the whole busines, were only these seauen.

• William Friselfield.
• George Mosse.
• Iohn Knight.
• Paul Isacson.
• Samuell Goodrick.
• Richard Wood.
• George Heron.

Caruers.

Ouer whom, Stephen Harrison Ioyner was appoynted chiefe; who was the sole Inuentor of the Architecture, and from whom all directions, for so much as belonged to Caruing, Ioyning, Molding, and all other worke in those fiue Pageants of the Citie (Paynting excepted) were set downe.

           

Ioyners	80
Carpenters.	60
Turners.	6
Laborers to them.	6
Sawyers.	12
Laborers during all the time, and for the day of the Triumph.	70

Besides these, there were other Artificers, As: Plommers, Smythes, Molders.