THE HONOUR OF LONDON APPRENTICES: EXEMPLIFIED, In a brief Historical Narration; Containing many Heroical actions done by (some in particular, the rest in general) Prentices of the most renowned, and (in that regard) truly honourable City of London, both at home and abroad.  
In long, forepast, present, and modern times.  
Collected and published, by a Wellwisher to what himself once was that is to say, a Apprentice (and now a free Citizen) of the famous City of London.   printer's or publisher's device 
June 3d London, Printed by ●. A. 1647▪   

The Honour of London Prentices.  
TO give light to thi● intended narration I account it very pertinent (as an exordium to the discourse) to set down an Exemplary practice (in general) used among London Prentices which might worthily be wished that it wear in some record drawn into custom in all christian society's, & that is the unanimous correspondency that is among that innumerable company, For it is worth observation that whereas from all Shiers and Countries of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales the sons of Knights Esquires gentlemen ministers yeomen and trades m●n come up from their particular places of Nativity, and about, to be apprentices in London, each one to a trade, occupation, mystery, or profession: suitable to their several condition, quality, or education, yet I say, though so 〈◊〉 r●●ote in bi●●● or habitation being once sealed in this famous City, (be●ides the commonty which obligeth every one to his particular Master) there is (as one may say a kind of a supernatural Sympathy & a general Union, w●ich knits their h●●rts in a bond of fraternal affection under the common ●●●on of London Prentice's or apprentices of London: in so much that as I have taken notice many a time and often, that i● by (either real or supposed wrong, or violence be offered to any one, the rest (though not otherwise) knowing him to be a apprentice, do immediately (and commonly without examination of the quarrel) engage themselves in the rescue, affrighting the advarsary with this terrible sentence, Knock him down he wrongs a apprentice. This general denomination, hath begotten admirable effects in all ages, as may be seen in our English Chronicle, and in Master Strouds S●rvey of London, where the honour of London Prentices in general (and of some in particular) is conspicious to the eye of Christendom, (I & further too) the valiant exploits and notable feats of arms achieved and done by London Prentices is so remarkable that from time to time the condition hath always been an inseparable adjunct to an Hereditary Honour, which drawn in a line to this present age, hath illustrated with its beams, the glory of that honourable City, as the Seminary (or seed plot) of martial Spirits as the Isue of my mu●e in Heroricall verse sha●l though I confess unworthily declare to the reader or hearer of the following Naration.  
TRanslucent Muse with thy emphatic beams,  
Quicken my genius that this Theme of Themes,  
By me may be illustrated so full.  
That all may know what none can disannul:  
The honour of brave London Lads I treat,  
Who have achieved many a worthy feat;  
Done that which makes the world their deeds admire,  
Making great London to more height aspire,  
Rasing a general Trophy to the stile,  
Of London Prentice's let false Fortune smile,  
Or frown all's one, this Apolation hath,  
Trod in all t●mes an honourable Path;  
Peruse our Chronicles from age to age,  
When Fell Bellona did in England rage;  
And you shall find (whoever Peace enjoyed  
Bold London Prentices in war employed,  
And such success attended on their worth,  
That rarely any Army marched forth,  
Wherein the London Prentices bore sway,  
But still they had the fortune of the day,  
Whose Part soever this Party sided with,  
Were all most sure of victory for the pith,  
Marrow and veins of war in them were found▪  
And all their actions were with honour crowned;  
Were London Prentices in force combined,  
The adverse party must go down the wind,  
At home▪ abroad, in Europe, Asia, and  
Hot Africa, and America by Land  
Or Sea, no action worth regard  
Was do●e, but London Apprentice in it shared.  
The raise of London Prentices did shine  
Among the Infidel's in Palestine,  
When that renowned christian Champion named,  
Gedfrey of Bullo●gne (through the world so famed)  
Went to the holy war (so called then)  
The London Prentices proved men of men,  
And in particular 
* In William Conq. G●o. Ellis Haberdasher Fran. Lee, Grocer. Alex. Beale Cu●ler. Walt. Vincen. fishm. Godf. Haris Salter. C▪ Fitz williams. Gelds. W. Valintine Taylor. Guy vaux. sadler. N. Morgan, Bras●er. P. Or●tond, Taylor. Gre Finch, Skiner. Rosse Sly, Fish. Rich. Salter. Shoo. Rol. Ashley. Butch. Sir Walter Raulies' History of the world, ●●l●● 229.  fifteen of them  
Before the walls of old jerusalem,  
Slew and took prisoner's eight and forty Turks,  
Boldly adventuring into their works:  
Two of these Infidel's were great Bashaws,  
Who came to over-top the christian Laws.  
These fifteen London Prentices▪ stout blades)  
named in the margin, with their several trades  
Were knighted in the field, and their bright fame  
Shown on fair London City (whence they came)  
What honour by these Heroes London got,  
Time doth record and fame forgetteth not,  
Were not these worthy Prentice's indeed,  
Whose prowess all the Army did exceed;  
Also when our stout Cordelion went  
Against those Miscreants with good intent  
(And pious zeal) three Regiments of these  
Bold apprentices with him did cross the Seas,  
And at the I'll of Cypress did such things,  
That of their fame learned Marinoe sings,  
At stately Acon walls they were the first  
Which did adventure; when no other durst;  
This was a motive which French Philip moved,  
To leave that cause which most he should have loved,  
Mere emnlation of these brave young men  
Made him march up the hill and down again,  
Leaving King Rich, and the holy war,  
B●cause our men outstripped the French so fare.  
Thus London Prentices where ere they came,  
Purchased their own, England and London same.  
Likewise when Warlike Longshanks men did raise  
For the same warfare in his Father's days,  
A number of these Youths (pricked forward by,  
Example of the former History)  
(Some with their master's leaves, and some with out)  
went to fetch honour from the damned Rout  
Of Turkish Infidels (in Palestine)  
Doing brave service (in that great design)  
And chief ten, which their own Story grants,  
Slew 22 of the wild Miscreants.  
This deed procured them Knighthood, though thus famed,  
I cannot name them, cause to me unnamed.  
Thus much for Palestine (the holy Land)  
Where London Prentices bravely did stand,  
For God, their Prince, and Country, with good chance,  
Now will I turn my style to Spain and France,  
Where we shall view (as in a glorious glass)  
The fame of London Prentices, which was  
So memorable in those wars, that time  
Hath given pray●e to this my present rhyme.  
When our third Edward (greatest of that name)  
Unto the Realm of France (at th' first laid claim,  
Among the thousands, which (with willing mind)  
In that great enterprise were all combined,  
john Hall a Tailor near to Leaden Hall  
Apprentice (of a mind heroical)  
Having an itching humour to the wars,  
He from his master ran to follow Mars,  
And at the field of Crecy he did slay  
With his own hand and sword 18 that day,  
And prisoner took Count Saysons: for which thing  
He instantly was knighted by the King,  
His Colonel being slain, he did possess  
The charge, and governed it with rare success,  
And for his credit (who had done such deeds)  
King Edward still to honour him proceeds;  
Not only him, but all the Tailors which,  
I● London lived, his valour did enrich.  
King Edward for Hall's sake, and exaltation,  
Did make the Tailor's first a Corporation:  
Who linen armours were called till then,  
Esteemed as poor and despicable men:  
But now that they more honoured might be,  
The King himself o'th' Company was free,  
And after him 7 more were Freemen made,  
Of this most honourable Kingly Trade.  
Then let malicious fools this story scan,  
And blush to say, a Tailor is no man;  
The Author of these lines, himself is free  
O'th' Merchant-taylors' Company: yet he,  
Did not for that respect advance them so,  
Here's nothing but what Chronicles do shoe:  
Now leaving France, I will return my stile,  
And think I see the B●ack Prince in Castille,  
Aiding Don Pedro Right there o'th' same,  
Against the bastard Henry's Harl●t claim,  
The London Prentices so lavish were  
Of Manhood as by stories doth appear)  
That all the Christian world did them admire  
For from the field they never wou●d retire,  
And in particular, one William Man  
On Fish-street-hill, a Vintner at the Swan,  
Did show h●mself a perfect man (though young)  
For with a matchless force he laid along  
Five of the Rebels (bleed●ng) on the ground,  
Four slain (outright) the fift with many a wound,  
Was carried from the field: all men of might  
And eminence, for which he was dubbed Knight  
By the Black Prince, and Baron made of Denbigh;  
Thus you may see that Prentices brave men be.  
But on particulars staying to long,  
I shall the general honour too much wrong.  
Therefore returning to my proper stream,  
I'll prosecute my first intended theme:  
Observe old stories, more especially  
Of the 4th Edward, and sixth Henry:  
Let Warwick or his fortune smile or frown.  
The scale of victory turned up or down,  
Just as the Prentices did aid or fight  
Against: was sure to be, were't wrong or right,  
Which side they took prevailed: the other part  
(Wanting the help o'th' Prentices) felt smart.  
Now leaving forepast actions which have been,  
Let's now draw near to what our eyes have seen,  
In th●s unhappy difference, which of late  
Hath proved both happy, and unfortunate;  
This an Aenigmae may be thought to be,  
Yet 'tis most plain to prove: for done't we see  
The Cavaliers bewailing their hard fate,  
The Roundheads boasting themselves fortunate;  
What would their business have been brought unto,  
Had not the Prentices been prompt to go,  
Though toth' Commanders Victory will ascribe;  
Yet known experience shows, that if the tribe  
Of London Prentices had not stood out,  
The other part, had prevailed no doubt.  
I will not say they fought against the King  
(For that I lest uphold of any thing)  
But to continue as I did beg●n,  
Proving which part the Apprentice takes must win.  
A reason for't, is what I said att'h first,  
A perfect union force can never burst,  
And they are so united that what part  
They took, is served (as 'twere) but with one heart▪  
Good Lads, they took Religion for their cause,  
Their liberties and fundamental laws,  
The privilege of Parliament (what not)  
But certainly by that auspiciously Lot,  
Which follows London Prentices (in war)  
The difference 'twards a perids run thus far,  
And probable conjectures we may reap,  
That from this seed of sorrow halcyon days  
Shall spring in England; and we shall ere long  
Enjoy King, Peace, Truth, Liberty, our Song,  
Shall then be grateful Locans to our God,  
Our King, our Parliament, when every odd  
Shall be made even; and we Englishmen  
Restored unto our Pristine State again;  
And London Prentices shall honoured be  
With what belongs to them (in each degree)  
I'th' interim as an earnest that with love,  
The Parliament doth of their zeal approve,  
Their just Petitions granted, not by chance,  
But even confirmed by an Ordinance,  
That as their valour hath obliged our Nation,  
Once in a Month for honest recreation  
A day's allowed; thus service is rewarded,  
And London Prentices are well regarded:  
For so they ought (if things we rightly scan)  
Sith no Lord Mayor, no Sheriff, nor Alderman,  
But was a London Apprentice, ere he came  
To be a Citizen free of the same,  
And from that first did by degrees ascend  
Unto that state which Prentices defend;  
Now a short door to shu● in this small Story,  
Is this, Let London still th●nk on the glory,  
Which She hath by her Prentices accrued,  
Let Whores and Bawds leave off their courses lewd,  
Lest a Shrove-tuesday visit (or some hour  
Wherein the London Prentices have power)  
Chastise their sordities: brave Prentices,  
Do utterly abhor such things as these.  
Adieu my noble hearts, judge not amiss  
Of him who to your honour published this.   
FINIS.