University of Virginia Library

Were it possible for a man, in the compasse of a day, to behold (as the sunne does) all the citties in the world, as if he went with walking beames about him; that man should never see in any part of the yeare, any citty so magnificently adorned with all sorts of tryumphes, variety of musicke, of bravery, of bewty, of feastings, of civill (yet rich) ceremonies, with gallant lords and ladies, and thronges of people, as London is inriched with, on the first day that her great lord (or Lord Maior, for 'tis all one) takes that office upon him.

In former ages, he was not encompast with such glories; no such firmaments of starres were to be seene in Cheapside: Thames dranke no such costly healthes to London as hee does now. But as Troynovant spread in fame, so our English kings shined upon her with favours.

In those home-spun times, they had no collars of SS, no mace, sword, nor cap of maintenance; these came by degrees, as additamenta honoris, additions or ensignes of more honour, conferd by severall princes on this citty: for in the time of Edward Confessor,

the chiefe ruler of the citty was called Reeve, Greeve, or Portreeve. The next to him in authority; Provost.

Then in the first of Richard I. two Bayliffes carried the sway: this continued till the ninth of King John, who by letters patents gave the citizens power yearely to choose themselves a lord maior, and two sheriffes.

Then, King Henry III made the first aldermen in London (yet the name of Ealdorman was knowne in the Saxons time, for Alwin in the reigne of Edgar was alderman of all England, that is to say chiefe justice:) and those aldermen of London had rule then (as now) over the wardes of the citty, but were everie year changed, as the shreiffes are in these dayes.

Then Edward I. ordained that the Lord Maior should, in the king's absence, sit in all places within London as chiefe justice; and that every alderman that had bin Lord Mayor, should be a justice of peace for London and Middlesex all his life after.

Then in the reigne of Henry VII, Sr. John Shaw, goldsmith, being Lord Maior, caused the aldermen to ride from the Guildhall to the water side, when he went to take his oath at Westminster, (where before they rode by land thither); and at his returne to ride againe to the Guild-hall there to dine; all the kitchens, and other offices there, being built by him: since which time the feast has there bin kept, for before it was either at Grocers Hall, or the Merchant Taylors.

Thus small rootes grow in time to cedars, shallow streames to rivers, and a hand of government to be

the strongest arme in a kingdome. Thus you see London in her meane attyre, then in robes maiestical; and sitting in that pompe, cast your eye upon those alluring objects, which she her selfe beholds with admiration.