H:iiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiii i!»^ YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BRITTOir & BRAYXEys 'WESTMINSTER WESTMIH-STEK ECAILIL , SOTTTH END, ANU P.UiT OF Wi:ST SIDE. Kawkesworfii- fc . J:,m^^.Mi^/^ Aui, imts.tj ^WbOe.sg Sff^Siliom,. Sad. H CflHiiax. BETETOH" & HEliSSrET'S "WESXiamSOnETi. . B.W^iIlin.p;s del JJ3n.ttciii direacV HARTS O-F S^ STEPHEN'S CHAPEL gc CLOISTER WJE S TMIH S TEM. c HEF.EBEWCES . A. &ie7;e k 3."Wiadow- S^ Sleptens ~.D V.. Spauarels to Tfeidows &c . C .r.'NirVip-s in Oratory fignres from, the EaU. XandoTh.-PuhU^iicd Jajj..ll8S5. by J. WeaU SSMghMWorn/. &ad. & Cf Trizttav THE HISTORY ANCIENT PALACE AND LATE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT WESTMINSTER: EMBRACING ACCOUNTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL, AND ITS CLOISTERS, — WESTMINSTER HALL, — THE COURT OF REQUESTS, — THE PAINTED CHAMBER, &C. &C. EDWARD WEDLAKE BRAYLEY, and JOHN BRITTON, Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries, &c. &c. &c. illcsteated by engravings. R. W. Billings del. S. Williams sc. seal of ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE. LONDON : JOHN WEALE, ARCHITF-CTURAL LIBRARY, 59, HIGH HOLBORN, 1836. 3, B. NICHOLS AND SON, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL DE GREY, PRESIDENT OF the INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS ; &C. &C. &c. TO THE VICE-PRESIDENTS, HONORARY SECRETARIES, AND TO ITS OTHER ML BERS. Established for the purpose of promoting and duly fostering the art and the science of Architecture in Great Britain, the Institute op British Architects is at once entitled to this public compliment, and to the best wishes, as well as praises, of the Authors of the present volume. Its noble President, in particular, commands these in an eminent degree, for his Lordship has evinced more than common zeal in fostering its infancy, and has shewn a love of the Art and practice of Achitecture, which cannot fail to connect the name of De Grey with that of the Institute in all its future history, and eventful influence. From the days of Sir Christopher Wren, the Enghsh archi tect has never been fairly and fully appreciated, as regards his relative station amongst the artists of his country. In the "Royal Academy of Arts," which is the sole public A 2 iv DEDICATION. acknowledged Institution of British Artists, there are only four Architects oat of forty members; thus shewing the slight estimation in which their profession was held at the foundation of the Academy in 1768; and the number has not been increased. Since that time, several attempts have been made to establish societies of Architects, but without sufiicient influence to coUect and combine, under a regular code of laws, a number of experienced and practical men. You, Gentlemen, have at length accomplished this object; and by associating property, respectability, and influence, have obtained a " local habitation and a name ; " and being pecuharly fortunate in the selection of your distinguished President, you possess the means of securing honour to yourselves, and conferring lasting benefit on the profession. Deriving instruction from other associations, you wiU reso lutely avoid aU trivial and personal jealousies — all acts and proceedings which may either emanate from private motives and prejudices, or be regarded as arising from undue par tiality. By legislating and acting on those general principles which are calculated to promote an honourable, liberal, and generous practice in the profession — by discountenancing every thing of a contrary kind — ^by inculcating sound and philosophical doctrines through the medium of your Society, and in your respective offices — and by shewing to the Public that your own exertions are based on the union of taste, judgment, and probity, you will make the Institu tion an ornament and an honour to the country and to yourselves. Many years' intimacy with some of the most eminent dedication. V Architects and Artists of England, and also with their patrons or employers, have afforded the writers of this Address opportunities of knowing the sentiments and con duct of both classes ; and whilst they have often witnessed high talent and equal integrity in some professors, with liberality and good taste in patrons ; they have also seen instances of incompetency and trickery in one, with mean ness and ignorance in the other. Your Society is calculated to remove these evils. By promoting that laudable emulation which leads to excellence, and by repressing and discouraging all that is disreputable and unworthy the man of honour, of science, and of taste, you wiU secure the confidence of the nobi lity and gentry of the land. The Architecture and Architects of Britain may thus speedily become a theme of praise and admiration to foreigners ; whilst the metropoUs, the provincial towns, and the parks of our country may be adorned with edifices to vie in beauty of design, appropriateness of adapta tion, and grandeur of effect, with any of the famed classic buildings of Greece and Italy. In consequence of the recent destruction of the Houses of ParUament by fire, opportunity has been afforded of call ing into competition and exertion the abilities of our Archi tects. Within the short space of four months, no fewer than ninety-seven sets of Designs have been made for the pro posed new Houses of the Legislative Bodies. These Designs comprise at least fourteen hundred drawings of large dimen sions — of elaborate detail — embracing complicated and exten sive suites of apartments — of varied forms and apphcations, and of great difficulty and intricacy in combination ; the mere vi DEDICATION. production therefore of such a mass of drawings, involves a strong proof of the talents and invention of our native Archi tects. We have cause to believe that the Designs laid before his Majesty's Commissioners, manifest great knowledge of the spirit, forms, and detail of the ecclesiastical and mo nastic Architecture of the middle ages— much skill, and taste in general and particular design — and extraordinary talent in drawing. With this testimony, from competent authority, we may reasonably look forward for the carrying into effect the ' Best of these Designs,' whereby the judgment and honour of the Commissioners will be fuUy recognized — the fortunate Artist be acknowledged and rewarded — the profession receive an impetus and dignity — and office-job bing and sinister influence have their final overthrow. The consummation of these points cannot but reflect much credit upon your Institution, of which so many individuals are now competing for that great meed of professional dis tinction, the erection of the proposed new Houses. In addressing this Volume to the "Institute of British Architects," the Authors must assure the Members of the " Architectural Society," that they are fuUy sensible of the claims of that respectable Association to every consideration from the profession, from amateurs, and from the literati. Both societies have already done much good, and are likely to effect much more; for both have the same laudable objects in view, namely — the promotion of Architecture in this Country — the extension of the principles of taste, science, and honour among its professors, and the forma tion of Museums and Libraries for the purpose of in- DEDICATION. Vll structing the junior members, and affording rational amusement and information even to the veterans of the Art. Emulation and competition among educated men, and between two such Societies, will advance the progress of Architectural science; — and although a union of the two, with the increased powers which would result from combi nation and co-operation, might be a desideratum, yet unless it were to be cemented by disinterestedness, and a strict unanimity, it is scarcely to be desired. But whether united, or separated, both Societies have our best wishes for their increasing prosperity and utihty — ^for uninterrupted har mony — and for the final establishment of a national Architec ture, and of a character for its professors which may surpass that of any other Country in the world. Edward Wedlake Brayley, John Bbitton. January 20, 1836. *«* Strictly in accordance with the sentiments and facts above expressed, are the comments of an anonymous, but discriminating, writer in " the Atlas," (January 31, 1836) which are transferred to this volume, as a means of giving them additional publicity, and a permanent record in immediate connection with Architects and architectural subjects. " In the year 1835 was founded ' The Institute of British Architects : ' it immediately enrolled among its members the greater number of Architects of established reputation in the British Metropolis. It opened an extensive cor respondence with all foreign Academies and Institutions dedicated to the kin dred Arts, and it has formed the nucleus of an important museum of professional reference, by the casts, books, models, &c. already in its possession. The Vm DEDICATION. establishment of this Institution was the more necessary, as, with the exception of the ' Architectural Society,' which takes its stand in a position not less honourable or useful, although devoted to the younger members of the profession, there had been no attempt to gather together the architectural genius of the country. The profession was scandalized and injured by the favouritism under which all Public works were committed to the select few, instead of being open to public competition. Thus, the character of the country suffered in the eyes of foreigners, and our public buildings became, with few exceptions, a reproach rather than an honour. Architects had long felt the want of a recognized body of professional men who should represent them, assert the character of the profession, and promote a more profound study of the various branches of science connected with the art. We have abundance of talent, and security for ability in the character of our Architects. Acted upon by a more free and popular system, the benefits of the new Institute wiU develope themselves, and our public monuments become indeed, a test of our national advancement." PREFACE. Every ancient edifice, whether of Egyptian, Grecian, or Roman origin and execution — whether on the banks of the Nile, the IHssus, or the Tiber — ^whether its architectural forms be religious, warlike, or domestic, conveys in its varied features certain historic facts and evidence, which cannot fail to awaken the curiosity and laudable enquiries of ardent minds. Nor are the old buildings of Great Britain devoid of interest, or without their due share of historical association and national import. The fortified palaces of her monarchs — the castles of her steel-clad barons — the spacious and gorgeous monasteries and cathedrals of her monks and prelates — and the country-mansions and town-houses of her gentry and merchants, are objects of varied, but com manding attraction: for they all serve to illustrate the history of Art and of Science ; the customs and condition of our ancestors at different epochs ; the progress of civiliza tion, and the moral and political advancement of the nation. The contents of the ensuing pages will fully exem plify these remarks : for there is no single edifice, nor compound building, in this country, which involves such a variety of historical, political, and forensic materials, PREFACE. with the eventful changes and vicissitudes to which it has been subjected, as the Ancient Palace of Westminster. The destruction, by fire, of the two Houses of Par- Hament, and of a large mass of appendant Buildings, in October 1834, gave rise to the present publication. In the progress of its execution, the Authors have ascer tained and related many facts to shew that the Architects of the olden times, commonly called the "^ dark-ages,' studied at once stability, grandeur, and beauty, in their sacred and regal edifices. These were not merely large in size, and of lasting materials, but were finished in the smaller parts and decorations, with great cost and labour, and often with exquisite adornments. The reflections and facts which press on the mind of the historian whilst contemplating matters connected with our modern national edifices and public bodies, excite feehngs of regret, and frequently provoke the language of reproof ; for though it has been poetically said that " Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss," it is generally admitted that in the execution of our public buildings, from the time immediately subsequent to the erection of St. Paul's Cathedral to that of the modem palace in St. James's Park, there has been lamentable mismanage ment in such works, at once justifying the censures of criti cism, and the regret of patriots. In the annals of Parliament, as well as in the literary records of the kingdom, the historian meets with perpetual evidences of misappUcations of public money — of the injudi cious employment of improper, incompetent persons— and of the censures and obloquy applied to such persons after they have enriched themselves from the people's purse, and inflicted a disgrace both on their profession and their country by taste less and dishonest practices. Instances of these things are PREFACE. XI too recent and too palpable to require specific notice ; but with such warnings — such beacons before him, the prudent statesman will take care to steer a safer and more honest course, between the Charybdis and Scylla of interested, irresponsible directors, and of incompetent professors. It is the imperious duty of Government to establish, not merely a better system of management in public buildings after they are erected, than has lately prevailed, but also to ensure their being skiKuUy and judiciously designed for their destined ends, and executed with all the science and know ledge which can be obtained. As the present age is one of enterprise and great activity, — as it professes to give facility to aU improvements and reasonable reforms, the public have a right to expect that this spirit wiU be duly and fully exercised in executing the proposed New Houses of Parliament. — ^The subject is im portant and national — ^it belongs to the whole kingdom, and the whole kingdom wiU be interested, and in some measure imphcated, in the honour or disgrace which may become cha racteristic of the new erections. It aff'ords a theme of deep import to the philosopher and historian ; for in reviewing the present commanding state of this country, they cannot fail to compare her with other times as well as with other kingdoms both of the ancient and modem world. In the present endeavour to obtain designs for a building, that shall be fuUy worthy of the great purposes of our National Legislature, Government have proceeded most auspiciously and wisely. By calling the talents and energies of Architects into competition, it may be confidently antici pated that many skilful and apposite designs will be pro duced : and it may also be as safely presumed that the Com missioners named by his Majesty wiU manifest both discri- xii PREFACE. mination and judgment in their selection.* Amenable as they are to the unprejudiced dictum of pubHc opinion, they must be fully aware of the deHcacy and difficulty of the task imposed on them. However superior one design may be to aU the others, and however scrupulous and decisive may be the judges in their choice and report, they wHl not escape reproach. It is to be hoped that their duties and responsibi lities will not terminate with their selection and report; but that they will be invested with further authority and powers. After carefully examining so many designs, and also studying the subject in all its details and architectural capa bilities, these Gentlemen will be eminently quaUfied to advise with the Architect; to suggest and recommend modifications of some parts, and alterations of others ; stiU however grant ing to, and enforcing on the Architect, his professional respon sibilities, and allowing him every due latitude of discretion, in order that he may be fairly honoured or blamed for his finished work. On too many occasions of public buildings, some meddling and officious person, in office, has dictated injudicious altera tions to an Architect's design ; but such things it is hoped will not occur again. On the present occasion one design is to be selected from amongst a series of ninety-seven ; and it may be fairly presumed that amongst so many works of professional taste and skiU, the prize wiU fall on one of com manding merit. It may also be concluded that the inventor of such design, if an Architect himself, is better qualified to carry into practical eff'ect his own creations, and even to improve them, than any other person possibly can be. * The Commissioners are The Honourable Sir Edward Cust, The Ho- nourableT.LiDDELL, Charles HANBDRYTRACY,Esq.M. P., George Vivian, Esq. and Samuel Rogers, Esq. The last gentleman having declined to act, it became the duty of the other four to perform the task. PREFACE. XIU Since the preceding remarks were written, the Commis sioners have declared their election of four designs out of the number they had examined, and have made their report to his Majesty, who has signified his approval of their choice, (as recently stated by Lord Dimcannon, in the House of Lords,) and the subject has been again referred to the same Committees of the Houses of Lords and Commons, as were named last year. The successful candidates, are, Charles Barry, Esq.* J. C. Buckler, Esq. D. Hamil ton, Esq. and W. Railton, Esq. to each of whom £500 is awarded. The other Architects have agreed to make a Public Exhibition of their drawings, and his Majesties Commissioners of Woods and Forests have granted them the use of the rooms in the east wing of the National Gal lery. An opportunity will thus be afforded for the pubhc to examine and compare the various and numerous designs which have been made for this important mass of pubhc edifices, and the Architects wiU also be enabled to analyse and contrast their own works with those of their profes sional brethren. We hail the event and the epoch, as of incalculable importance to the profession, to the pubhc, and to the national character. We are sanguine enough to expect that it will be the first of an annual exhibition of Architectural models, drawings, casts, and engravings, by which the Artists will be enabled to display their re spective powers and quahfications, the nobility and gentry be better instructed in the arts of architectural composition, and the pubhc mind be much improved in all matters con nected with this most important branch of the fine arts. As the intended Buildings will be of elaborate detail, compli cated arrangement, and impressive grandeur, the necessary ex pense of executing them may possibly raise objections in the * The designs of this highly talented architect are recommended to be car ried into effect. PREFACE. minds of some economic politicians; but they should remem ber that our countrymen have long been reproached for their want of ability or hberality to erect magnificent buildings. Whilst the capitals of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and even America, are distinguished for spacious and splendid edifices, which induce travellers to visit and praise them, the Metro poUs of the British Empire, although unparalleled in extent, wealth, and pohtical relations, has neither a Palace, nor a Senate house, to compete with those of most other capitals. If the designs selected be appropriate in aU essential parts, and fully adapted to the wants and conveniences of every official purpose, they ought, also, to be imposing and grand as a whole, and abound with every fascination of architec tural, sculptural, and pictorial eff'ect. Whilst nearly a mil lion of money has been injudiciously expended on a palace, which the profound and acute Von Raumer, (" Letters on England ") pronounces " in every respect a total failure," surely the Legislature and the Nation cannot reasonably object to such an outlay on a Pubhc building as may mani fest to the world that we possess at once professional abihty and sufficient wealth to vindicate and estabhsh a character for architecture. In preparing, and during the progress of the present Volume, much exertion has been used to obtain original materials, as well as to select the most important facts con nected with the Ancient Palace, from inedited records, and from our older Chroniclers. Divers Manuscripts in that invaluable repository the British Museum, have been sedulously examined, and many circumstances have been now, for the first time, communicated to the pubhc from that source. The especial acknowledgments of the Authors are due to C. P. Cooper, Esq. Secretary to the Record Commission, PREFACE. XV for his hberal permission to consult gratuitously the ancient Records connected with the subject of our work, in the various depositories under his control. Much valuable and interesting information has thereby been obtained, which it would have been otherwise impossible, under the general cir cumstances of the payment of official fees, transcripts, &c. to have inserted in the present, or indeed in any Pubhcation restricted to a moderate price. The Authors have great pleasure, also, in acknowledg ing and recording their sincere thanks to the following Gen tlemen, who have rendered to them varied, but valuable assistance. The Right Honourable Lord Canterbury, Speaker of the House of Commons at the time of the great conflagration. Major-Genebal Sir Benjamin Charles Stephen son, Commissioner of Woods and Forests. Sir Robert Smirke, Architect, who has been employed, since the fire, in rebuilding and fitting up the new Houses, in supplying new buildings, and in recasing and repairing the whole interior of the HaU. John Rickman, Esq. Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons. Sir Francis Palgrave, K. H. Sir Harris Nicolas, K.C.M.G., K.H. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. W. T. Philipps, Esq., Thomas Chawner, Esq. Archi tect, and Henry Rhodes, Esq. Architect, of the office of Woods and Forests, who very pohtely and kindly gave the Authors access to an elaborate set of drawings of the Houses of Parliament and their attached buildings, which had been recently made by the two gentlemen last named. These drawings, consisting of Plans and Sections, are pecuharly interesting, as exhibiting careful measurements of all the xvi preface. numerous apartments connected with the two Houses. They are preserved in the office of Woods and Forests. L. N. COTTINGHAM, Esq. C. J. RiCHABDSON, Esq. and George Bailey, Esq. Architects. John Baker, Esq. to whom, among other valuable notes, we are indebted for the communications from which are de rived the curious memoir of Alice Piers. Henry Cole, Esq. J. Stevenson, Esq. J. M. MOFFATT, Esq. In the original prospectus of this work, the Authors and Pubhsher engaged to furnish " about 400 pages of letter-press, and forty engravings," for the sum specified: they have given, however, nearly one hundred pages and eight prints more than was stipulated; thus exceeding their promises, and incurring considerable cost beyond their first estimate. Cal culating on an extensive sale, they fixed a low price on the volume, and they presume to hope that there are readers enough in this class of Literature to secure them against loss. Although they have fuUy redeemed their pledge in regard to the promised quantity of letter-press and illustrations, the Authors are aware they have failed in one particular, namely, the intended completion of their work by a given day. But they are under few apprehensions of being subjected to blame on that account. Much research was necessary, and considerable time has been employed (far beyond what was contemplated) in obtaining original information from ancient and authentic records; as well as in selecting from, and analysing such prior authorities as it was deemed expedient to consult for the due execution of their undertaking;. The Volume now completed, is submitted with every feel ing of respect for, and confidence in, the judgment and discrimination of an impartial tribunal — The Public ANCIENT PALACE, &c. WESTMINSTER. CHAPTER I. ISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE RELIGIOUS AND PALATIAL BUILDINGS OF WESTMINSTER, FROM THE PRESUMED ERAS OF THEIR FOUNDATION, UNTIL THE REIGN OF EDWARD THE FIRST. According to the united testimony of our annalists, the district now named Westminster was originaUy called Thorney Island, from its having been " overgrown with thorns, and environed with water." This fact is substantiated by a charter granted in the year 785, by Offa, the Mercian king, wherein the Isle of Thorney is expressly mentioned in conjunction with Westminster,* — the latter appellation hav ing arisen from the new Minster, then supposed to have been built, being situated to the West, either of London or of St. Paul's Minster, or Cathedral. * Iccirco ego Q^a, pro amore omnipotentis Dei in memoria seterna, dedi sancto Petro, et plebi Domini degenti in Torneia in loco terriiili, quod dicitur at Westmunster, quandam partem terrse, &c. Vide Widmore's " Enquiry." Appendix III. — The following passage occurs in " Chronicon R. Cestrensis, sive Polycronicon :" — " Quidam ad instigacionem regis Ethelberti construxit ecclesiam beato Petro in occidentali parte urbis Londonie in loco qui Thorneya dicebatur, quod sonat Spinarum Insula, nunc autem dic\t\s.xWestmomsteriuin." 8 WESTMINSTER PALACE. At what precise time a reUgious foundation was first estabUshed in this dangerous place,—" in loco terribili,"—as it is termed in the more ancient grants, has been a subject of much controversial enquiry ; but the most accredited writers ascribe its origin to Sebert, king of the East Saxons, " who having embraced Christianity, and being baptized by Mel- litus, bishop of London, immediately (to shew himself a Christian indeed), " built a church to the honour of God and St. Peter, on the west side of the cittie of London ;"— some time previously to the year 616.* Whatever opinion, how ever, may be entertained as to the person of the actual founder, there can be httle doubt of the existence of a small monastery on this spot, in the very early part of the seventh century. During the Danish invasions, in the ninth and tenth cen turies, the church at Westminster suffered much spoUation, and was at length entirely deserted about the year 943. Nearly twenty years afterwards it was restored by King Edgar, at the intercession of the celebrated Dunstan, who, when the buildings had been again rendered habitable, * Stow's " Survey of London," p. 377, edit. 1598.— The years 604, 605, and 610, have also been assigned as the dates of the foundation of the church at Westminster. Usher, on the authority of Fleta, refers it to a yet earlier period, and assigns to it, even at its origin, those honours which it did not ob tain uutU after the conquest. " From the primitive age of the Christian Faith among the Brittains," says the bishop, " that is, from the days of Lucius, their king, who, in the year of grace one hundred and eighty-four, is sayd to have received the Divine Law of Christ, and together with it the baptism of holy re generation, the place of Westminster was founded and consecrated to the honour of God, and specially deputed for the buriall of kings, and a treasury or repo sitory of their royaU ornaments." Cressy's " Church History," p. 64 b. The fabulous story of King Lucius was abstracted by Venerable Bede from the " Liber Pontificalis," a work which the learned Bishop Lloyd, of Worcester, in the preface to his " Historical Account of Church Government," characterizes as " a Mixen of ill-contrived Forgeries." CANUTE: EDWARD THE CONFESSOR. A. D. 1017 — 1065. 9 " brought hither twelve monks of the Benedictine Order,"* (probably from Glastonbury), to whom both himself and the King made various grants of landed property, as well as rich presents in gold. After the assumption of the English throne by Canute in the year 1017, this monastery appears to have been taken under his especial care, in consequence of the extraordinary interest which he had conceived for the conversation of Wulnoth, its then abbot, who was celebrated for " his great wisdom and fine elocution." We are farther told, says Wid- more, " that for his sake that prince came frequently to the abbey, and that from his interest at court the monastery was preserved from any molestation in those troublesome times. "f The same author adds, " it being so near the King's Palace, no wonder that the king and his courtiers were acquainted with the church and the abbot, and became benefactors to the place." This allusion to a royal habitation, as existing at West minster in the reign of King Canute, is somewhat cor roborated by Norden, who states, — ^but on what authority has not been traced, — that " in the time of Edward the Confessor, a palace at AVestminster was destroyed by fire, which had been inhabited by Canute about the year 1035.J" A supposed stronger testimony of there having been a royal abode upon this spot, even at an antecedent period to the above, has been deduced from the rescript or bull of Pope * Will. Malm. " De Gestis Pontifical." p. 141. t " History of the Church of St. Peter, Westminster," p. 8. j: " Speculum Britannise," Part I., p. 44. Canute or Knoute, as he is called Peter Langtofte's Metrical Chronicle, died in 1036. " Seuenten yere," says that writer, " was he kyng >orgh conquest & desceit. At Westmynstere he ligges in a toumbe purtreit." This, however, is not correct, for Canute was buried at Winchester. 10 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Nicholas II., inserted in what is denominated King Edward's third charter to the abbey at Westminster, granted in 1065. " Because," says the pontiff", " the place where the said church and monastery were built was anciently the seat of kings, — et quia antiquitus sedes est — therefore, by the autho rity of God and his holy Apostles, and of this Roman see and our own. We grant, permit, and solidly confiirm, that hereafter, for ever, it be the Place of the king's constitution and consecration, the repository of the imperial regaha, and a perpetual habitation of monks," &c.* There are, however, several considerations which may induce us to refrain from yielding an entire credence to the opinion that there was a royal palace at Westminster before the reign of the Confessor himself. Edric Streon, through whose re peated treachery to the Saxon cause, Canute was alone beholden for dominion in England, was as though in retribution for his crimes, beheaded, by command of the monarch he had served, within the royal palace in London, and his body was flung out of a window into the Thames,^ an event which could scarcely have occurred at Westminster. Again, the first charter which King Edward granted to Abbot Wulnoth and the monks of Westminster, was tested "in palatio regio" at London, in the year 1045. It may therefore be inferred, that there was no regal habitation at Westminster at that time. In regard to the rescript of Pope Nicholas, we briefly remark that the charter itself, in which it appears, is considered by our best antiquaries as of " very dubious authority.''^ * Dugdale's " Monasticon," (edition 1817), vol. i. p. 295, from Bibl. Cott. MS. Faust. A. iii. fol. 31 b. t Will. Malm., p. 73 ; and Matt. West., p. 403. : " Monasticon," vol. i. p. 268. See also Dr. Hickes's preface to " Literatura Septentrionalis," pp. 37, 38. EDWARD THE CONFESSOr's PALACE AND CHURCH, 1052-1065. 1 1 The earhest document of a remote age, from which the existence of a palatial residence on this spot may be directly inferred, is a charter given by Edward the Confessor to the abbey of Ramsey. That charter was " made" at West minster;* and although there is no date attached, we are enabled, from the name of Archbishop Stigand occurring in it, as a subscribing witness, to determine that it could not have been granted before 1052, in which year that prelate was first promoted to the see of Canterbury. About this period, as there is every reason to beheve. King Edward was proceeding with his re-construction of St. Peter's Church and Monastery at Westminster ; and it may be offered as a reasonable surmise, that he himseH erected the Palace there, from a desire to forward, by his own pre sence, the efficient progress of the splendid work which he had undertaken. Sulcardus says, " he pressed on the work very earnestly, having appropriated to it a tenth of his entire substance in gold, silver, cattle, and all other pos sessions." Compared with the former edifice, it was a very magnificent fabric ; and according to Matthew Paris,t it after wards became an example much followed in the construction of other churches ; its general plan being that of a cross, to which the historian appears to allude, by the words " novo compositionis genere construxerat;" the earlier Saxon churches having been built without transepts. Edward, on the completion of his church, determined to have it dedicated in the most solemn and impressive man ner ; and with that intent summoned a General Assembly, * " Historia Ramesiensis," cap. cxiii. Gale, XV. Scriptores. + This writer, speaking of King Edward, says, " Sepultus est Londini, in ecclesia quam ipse novo compositionis genere construxerat, k qua post multi ecclesias construentes exemplum adepti, opus illud expensis emulabantur sumptuosis." — Historia Major; p. 3, Tiguri, 1589. 12 WESTMINSTER PALACE. at Westminster, of all the Bishops and great men in the kingdom, to be witnesses of the ceremony, which was ap pointed to take place on the day of the Holy Innocents (December the 28th), 1065. "About midwinter," says the Saxon Chronicle, " King Edward came to Westminster, and had the minster there consecrated, which he had himself built to the honour of God and St. Peter, and all God's Saints. This church-haUowing was on Childermas Day, and he was buried on Twelfth Day in the same minster." * Whether Edward was present at this consecration is doubtful, as the annahsts vary in their relations ; one writer affirming that he was seized with a sudden illness on the night before Christmas Day, which prevented his attendance, and another that he sickened immediately after the cere mony. Certain it is, that he died either on the fourth or fifth of January, 1066, and was shortly after buried before the high altar in the new church.f * This is corroborated by the " Saxon Chronicle," copied by Lambard, and now preserved in the library at Christ-Church, Canterbury. See Lye's Saxon Dictionary (Manning's edition) Appendix. The following is the passage: " MLxv. Hnb eabpeapb cyng com ¦co IDefcmynjtijie to Jjam mib- pintpe. ] f m jnj^pe paeji let halgian. pe he pylp jetimbpobe on cilba maj-j-a baeg. ] he jropjijrepb on tpelpan aepen." And King Edward came to Westminster about midwinter, and the minster there which he had himself built, he let be hallowed on Childermas Day ; and he died on the eve of Twelfth Day. t Robert of Gloucester states that he died on the 4th of January, 1066, im mediately after he had related the vision in which the calamities which were to desolate his country had been revealed. ]>o Seynt Edward adde Tpys ytold, he closede bojje hys eye. And fe verfe day of Janyuere in J)ys maneie gam deye. Al >e franchyse of Engelonde, & al joye & biysse, Myd hym was vaste ybured, ]jo me bured hym ywys. And J)at me vond sone afterward niyd mony deluol cas. At Westinynstre a tuelf})e day ]jys gode man ybured was." Vide Rob. of Gloucester's Chronicle, Hearne's edit, reprint, p. 49 MIRACLES OF EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, 1066. 13 That the palatial buildings at Westminster formed the principal residence of King Edward, may be inferred from the fact of our early chroniclers having assigned the occur rence of several of his recorded visions to that spot. Those of the drowning of a Danish King who had undertaken to invade England; of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus; and finally, of the grievous afflictions which his country would undergo after his own decease, were of this number; and tradition has even identified the chamber where he died, as that which after generations called the Painted Chamber, and by which name it is even yet distinguished.* Robert of Gloucester has introduced the names of Editha, his Queen, her brother Harold, and " Roberd, {)hat viardeyn was of Jjb palays ywys, among those persons who attended his death-bed. The simphcity and piety of Edward the Confessor, his munificence towards the church, and above aU, to use the phraseology of the times, his " abstraction from fleshly de- hghts," rendered him a great favourite with the monkish historians, and they have not scrupled to attribute numerous miracles to his sanctity. He was so much in love, they teU us, with retirement and devotional reflection, that being once disturbed at a country seat by the singing of nightin gales, he prayed that they might no more be heard in that place; which petition, continues the legend, was granted accordingly. Even the time of his death, say these fabulists, was made known to him by the dehvery of a ring and mes- * In the ceremonial of the marriage of Richard, Duke of York, second son of Edward the Fourth, in the year 1477, the Painted Chamber is spoken of by the appellation of St. Edward's Chamler ; and Sir Edward Coke, in his fourth In stitute, states, that the causes of Parliament were in ancient time shewn in La Chamhre Depeint, or St. Edward's Chamber. 14 WESTMINSTER PALACE. sage from St. John the Evangehst; and within six years after his decease, according to Aihed and Matthew Paris, the following miracle was performed at his tomb. In the time of Wilham the Conqueror, when all Enghsh prelates were " sifted to the branne," a Synod was held in the church at Westminster, by Archbishop Lan- franc (anno 1074), to examine, avowedly, into the quali fications and conduct of the clergy, " yet with the covert design of making room for the new-come Normans," by ejecting such of the Bishops and Abbots as had but little learning and influence. At this Synod, Wulstan Bishop of Worcester was charged with being " a most illiterate and foohsh man, and unfit for the station he held ; a very idiot, unacquainted with the French language, and incapable either to instruct the church or counsel the king." His pastoral staff and ring were therefore demanded of him by Lanfranc, in the king's name ; but Wulstan, grasping his staff with an unmoved countenance, made this reply : " I know, my lord archbishop, that I am entirely unfit for, and unworthy so high a station, being undeserving of the honour, and unequal to the task; however, I think it unreasonable that you should demand that staff which I never received from you, yet in some measure I submit to your sentence, and will re sign it; but consider it just to make that resignation to King Edward, who conferred it on me." Thus ending, he left the synod, and crossing the church to Edward's tomb, said, whilst standing before it,-- " Thou knowest, O holy king! how unwUlingly I undertook this office, and even by force, for neither the desire of the prelates, the petition of the monks, nor the voice of the nobility prevailed, tiUyour commands obliged me; but see! a new king, new laws ; a new bishop pronounces a new sentence. Thee they accuse of a fault for making me a bishop, and me of assurance for HAROLD, AND WILLIAM I. 1066. 15 accepting the charge. Nevertheless, to them I will not, but to thee I resign my staff." Then raising his arm, he placed the staff upon the tomb, which was of stone, and leaving it, went arrayed as a monk, and sat with them in the chapter house. When this became known in the synod, a mes senger was sent for the staff, but he found it adhere so firmly to the stone that it could by no means be removed; nor could either the king or the archbishop himself disengage it from the tomb. Wulstan was then sent for, and the staff readily submitted to his touch ; which being considered as a consummation of the miracle, he was allowed to retain his episcopal dignity. — Such imphcit credit was given to this story, that, according to the annals of Burton Abbey, King John urged it to Pandulph, the Pope's legate, as a proof of the right of the Enghsh kings to nominate bishops.* The Saxon Chronicle, under the date 1066, says, " this year came King Harold from York to Westminster, on the Easter succeeding the midwinter when the king (Edward) died." After the decisive victory obtained at Hastings, in the same year, over the brave but unfortunate Harold, William the Norman, on his arrival near London, made it one of his first cares to give thanks for his success at King Edward's tomb, at Westminster ; — and, as it would seem from a pas sage in WiUiam of Malmsbury, the " better to ingratiate him self with the Enghsh," by displaying a veneration for the Confessor's memory, — he fixed on the new church for the scene of his own coronation, and accordingly, on the Christ mas Day foUowing, he was crowned by the side of Edward's tomb. At a subsequent period, he caused the remains of his * Brayley's " History, &c. of the Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster," vol. I, p. 25 : 4to, 1818. 16 WESTMINSTER PALACE. predecessor to be re-interred within "a curious and more costly tomb of stone." In the year 1069, as appears from the " Annals of Waverley," Elfric, abbot of Peterborough, was tried before the king, in curia, at Westminster. This is one of the first notices on record of the holding a law-court on this spot. According to Hoveden a Great Council was held at West minster in 1074; but the Saxon Chronicle states it to have been held in 1076. Another council was held there in 1084. In the following year, as appears from the Saxon Chronicle, the king (William the Conqueror) kept his court at West minster during the festival of Whitsuntide, when he received the homage and oath of fealty from his subjects ; and on that occasion knighted his youngest son, Henry. It has been said, that the Conqueror " enlarged the palace to the north ward," but this is questionable.* It appears that this sovereign by a charter dated at " Westminster," and now preserved among the archives in the Tower, confirmed to Hugh de Coleham, a grant which had been made to him and his heirs by the abbot (Gilbertus) and convent, of being steward of the abbey at Westminster.f In the reign of William Rufus, who, according to Holins- hed, " was proclaimed and crowned at Westminster, on Sunday the 6th of the kalends of October (Sept. 26th) 1087," » The assertion was possibly grounded on a surmise in Strype's Stow, viz. " It is not to be doubted but that King William I., as he was crowned there, so he built much at this palace, for he found it far inferior to the building of princely palaces in France." See vol. ii. p. 627, edit. 1753. tRymer's " Fcedera," vol. i. pt.l, p. 2, edit. I816.-In his eighteenth year (anno 1084) the same king, in the presence of all the archbishops, bishops, abbots, justices, earls, and all his barons, in his council at " Westminster " confirmed and signed (with a cross) the dignities and liberties which William, bishop of Durham, granted to the prior and monks of St. Cuthbert.— Ibid. p. 3, from archives in the Tower. WESTMINSTER HALL BUILT BY RUFUS. 17 the palatial buildings received a memorable accession by the erection of the Great Hall, — of which Matthew Paris thus speaks under the date 1099. — ' In the same year. King WiUiam, on returning from Normandy into England, held for the first time his court in the New Hall at Westminster. Having entered to inspect it, with a large military retinue, some persons remarked that ' it was too large, and larger than it should have been ;' the king replied, that ' it was not half so large as it should have been, and that it was only a bed-chamber in comparison with the building which he in tended to make.'* At this court, the king bestowed the bishopric of Durham on his favourite Ranulph Flambard. In the following year Rufus kept the festival of Whitsuntide at Westminster.f Fabyan, when speaking of the grievous exactions of Wil liam Rufus (under the year 1097), says, " the kynge filled the spiritualtie and temporaltie with unreasonable taskys, * Matt. Paris, p. 51, edit. 1589. The exact words of Paris are as^foUow :— " Eodem anno, — Rex Anglorum Willielmus de Normannia in AngUam rediens, tenuit prime curiam suam apud Westmonasterium in Nova Aula : — Quam ciim inspecturus cum multa militia introisset, ckm alij eam dixissent magnam nimis esse et aequo majorem, dixit Rex eam debitte magnitudinis dimidia parte carere, nee eam esse nisi thalamum ad palatium quod erat facturus." This account is corroborated both by Brompton and Knigaton : vide Twysden's " Decem Scrip- tores," p. 995 and p. 2369. The foUowing passage, which appears in Stow's " Chronicle," (4to. 1600) p. 187, has been also attributed to Matthew Paris, as if asserted by him in connection with the foregoing account of the boast ful declaration of William Rufus, viz. " A diligent searcher might yet finde out the foundation of the HaU which he had proposed to build, stretching from the river of Thames even unto the common highway." On referring carefuUy, however, to the printed copies of Paris's history, no such remark has been found ; and the probability is, that it originated either with Stow himself, or with John Hooker, in his enlargement of Holinshed's Chronicles, in 1588. After all, it is very questionable whether there was ever any real ground for the remark thus stated to have been made by Paris. t Madox's " Hist, and Antiquities of the Exchequer," vol. I., p. 9. C 18 WESTMINSTER PALACE. and tributys, the which he spent upon the Towre of London, and the makynge of Westmynster Hall." * Whilst the work was in progress, the king went into Normandy, having " moche payne to rule the Normans, for they rebeUyd often agayne him." On his return, " when he saw the Hall of Westmyn ster yt he had caused to be buylded, he was therwith discon tented yt it was so lytic. Wherfore, as it is rehersed of some wryters, he entended, if he had lyued, to have made a larger, and y' to have serued for a chaumber." f Henry the First held his court at Westminster, at many different times, and the records of his presence there are so numerous, that we may fairly consider it as having been his principal abode. He was crowned at Westminster, according to the Saxon Chronicle, on Sunday, the 5th of August, 1100, after having sworn at the altar " to annul all the unrighteous acts that took place in his brother's time." At the festival of St. Michael, 1 102, he held a great Council at Westminster, at which were present " all the chief men of England, both clergy and laity.J In August, 1108, he again held a Court at Westminster, where he filled up so many vacant bishoprics and abbacies, both in England and Normandy, " that there was no man," says the Saxon Chronicle, " who remembered that so many together were ever given away before."§ The good Queen Maud, King Henry's consort, who died in this » Fabyau's " Chronicles," p. 252, edit. 1811. The writer adds, that after this return of the king from Normandy, " many wonderfuU prodygyes and tokens were shewed in Englonde, as y"' swelling or rysing of the water of Thamysi in such wyse y' it drowned diuerse townes. Also the deuyU was scene waIke in mannys lykenesse, w* dyuerse other thynges whiche I ouer passe." Ibid. Rufus was no favourite with the monkish annalists, and they have contrived to stigmatize his memory far more than his true deserts merited. f Vide Fabyan's " Chronicles," ut sup. J In the same year, as appears from Eadmer and other annalists, a Synod was held in the abbey church at Westminster, by Archbishop Ansehn. § Saxon " Chronicle," Ingram's translation, p. 330. STEPHEN — HENRY II. — 1135-1163. 19 palace on the kalends of May (May the first) 1118,* was buried in the " old chapter-house " of St. Peter's church j to which, in the time of Lent, she had been accustomed to walk barefoot, in a garment of hair, to perform her devo tions and wash the feet of the poor. In a charter of King Stephen (who was crowned in the abbey church on St. Stephen's Day, 1 135), quoted by Ma- dox, his court and palace are said to have been at West minster.f In the same year, at the festival of Easter, the king held a splendid court and general council within his palatial residence : the archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Rouen were present, together with fifteen bishops (four of them of Normandy), and many of the laity. This monarch is the reputed founder of St. Stephen's Chapel (the late House of Commons), which was so dedicated in honour of the Proto-Martyr. Henry the Second was crowned at Westminster, (with Eleanor his consort) on Sunday, December the 19th, 1154; and he having been " blessed as King," was with great splendour placed upon the throne of the realm.J In the 9th of this sovereign (anno 1163), as appears from the " Rotulus Cancellarise," the sheriffs of London were allowed, in their account rendered in the Exchequer, the sum of £d. 13*. 9\d., paid by them for the works of the king's palace of Westminster, and G^s. for " scindulce" (shingles) to cover the palace: 10s. to Alnodfor cleansing the king's houses were also allowed, and 10s. for rushes. There is a passage in Stow which, at the first view, would seem to be immediately connected with the above repairs ; yet, on a full consideration of Fitz-Stephens, to whom Stow * Saxon " Chronicle," Ingram's trans, p. 329. ¦f- " Quoniam Curia et Domus Regise in fundo iUo [sc. in Manerio Westmo- nasterii] consistunt." Vide " Formulare Angl." Num. D. X Vide Henry of Huntingdon, anno 1154. c 2 20 WESTMINSTER PALACE. refers, there is strong reason to beheve that Westminster was not the place originally meant. The passage follows : " This pa lace was repaired about the yeere 1 1 63, by Thomas Becket, ChanceUor of England, with exceeding great celerity and speed, which before was ready to have fallen downe."* These words are evidently a deduction from Fitz-Stephen's "Life of St. Thomas a Becket," but as appUed to Westminster, they seem erroneous. — " Through the industry and counsel of this chanceUor" [Becket], says Fitz-Stephen, "the earls and barons assisting, the noble realm of England was renovated as a new spring ; the Holy Church was honoured, and each vacant bishopric or abbey was bestowed, without simony, on an honest person ; the king, by the favour of the King of Kings, prospered in aU his affairs; the kingdom of England was enriched, its horn of plenty was filled, the hills were cul tivated, the vaUeys abounded in grain, the meadows in cattle, and the downs in sheep. The ChanceUor Thomas caused the Palatial seat of the kingdom at London, after its ruin to be repaired with wonderful celerity, completing such a work between a certain Easter and Whitsuntide. There were so many carpenters and other workmen labouring assiduously, with so much noise and vigour, that when close together one could hardly hear the voice of another, "f * " Survey of London," p. 884, edit. 1618. t The original passage is as follows : — " Hujus Caucellarii industria et consilio, annitentibus comitibus et baroni- bus, nobUe iUud Regnum AngUse, tanquam ver novum renovatur, ecclesia sancta honoratur, vacans episcopatus vel abbatia honestee personse, sine symo- nia, donatur. Rex, favente Rege regum, in omnibus negotiis suis prosperatur ; Angliae regnum ditatnr ; pleno replet Ulud copia cornu ; coUes culti sunt, vaUes habundant frumento, pascuse pecoribus, balantibus ovilia. CanceUarius Tho mas regni sedem palatium videlicet Lundoniae, post ruinam, reparare facit, mira celeritate tantum opus perficiens intra quoddam pascha et pentecosten : tot fabris lignariis et aliis operariis tantae instanciae motu et sonitu operantibus, ut vix alter alteram proximo admotum posset audire loquentem." W. Fitz- HENRY II. HENRY III. 1163-1170. 21 Now it cannot reasonably be argued, that the palatial seat here aUuded to was at Westminster, when the word London is so expressly introduced. Besides, Fitz-Stephen himself, in the Introduction to his account of Becket (which furnishes a very curious picture of the metropohs in the time of Henry the Second, of whom he was a cotemporary), has speciaUy distinguished the Tower palatine, " arcem palatinam," from the royal palace at Westminster. After speaking of the waUs and fortifications of London, he thus proceeds : — " On the west again, and on the bank of the river, the Royal Palace exalts its head, and stretches wide, an incomparable struc ture, furnished with bastions and a breastwork, at the dis tance of two miles from the city, but united to it, as it were, by a populous suburb."* From the above circumstances it may justly be assumed, that the buUding stated to have been so expeditiously re paired by the ChanceUor Becket, was in London itself, and not on the spot now under review. Hume says, that the custody of the Tower was committed to Becket in the early part of Henry's reign ; and it may therefore be suggested that Fitz-Stephen refers to some part of that edifice rather than to Westminster. Henry the eldest son of Henry II., was crowned king in the abbey church, anno 1 1 70, in his father's hfe-time, his father having previously obtained the assent of a General Stephen, vitae Sancti T. Cantuarieus. in Bibl. Lansdown. No. 398,fol. 11 b. There is another copy of Fitz-Stephen's Life of St. Thomas k Becket, in the Cottonian Library, Julius A. xi. sm. 4to. in which the above passage occurs also, with a few merely verbal differences, at fol. 114 b. * Although Fitz-Stephen speaks of Westminster as being united to London by a populous suburb, his words,^ust be received with some Umitation ; for it was not until three or four centuries after his days that the Strand was formed into a continued street. The viUage of Charing was also interposed between the Strand and Westminster. 'Z'Z WESTMINSTER PALACE. Assembly of his principal subjects at Windsor. Tlie coro nation feast was held in the Great Hall at Westminster, and King Henry, the father, " upon tha,t dale, served his Sonne at the table as Sewer, bringing up the bore's head with trumpets before it, according to the maner. Where upon, according to the old adage, Immutant mores homines cum dantur honores, the young man conceiving a pride in his heart, beheld the standers-by with a more stately countenance than he had wont ; the Archbishop of Yorke, who sat by him, marking his behaviour, turned unto him and said, ' Be glad, my good Sonne, there is not another prince in the world that hath such a Sewer at his table.' To this the new king answered, as it were disdainfuUie, thus : ' Why doost thou marveU at that ? My father, in doing it, thinketh it not more than becommeth him ; he, being borne of princehe bloud onlie on the mother's side, serveth me that am a king borne, having both a king to my father, and a queene to my mother.' Thus the young man, of an eviU and perverse nature, was puffed up in pride by his father's unseemhe dooinge.*" In Lent, 1176, Henry II. held a general CouncU at West minster, at which many of the spiritual and temporal lords were present, when the king sat to determine contests be tween Alfonso, king of Castile, and Sancho, king of Navarre, who had agreed to submit their disputes to his decision.f Richard I. held a splendid court at Westminster, on Sun day, the 3d of the nones of September, 1189, when he was crowned in the abbey church, in the presence of the "assem bled archbishops, bishops, earls, barons, and a great number * Holinshed's " Chronicle," vol.ii. p. 130 ; (from Matt. Paris and Polydore Vergil), edit. 1807. t Matt. Paris, " Historia Major." Tiguri, 1589, p. 127. RICHARD I.— 1189-1193. 23 of knights." This assembly was unfortunately distinguished on account of a massacre of the Jews. " Whilst the king sat at dinner, some principal men of the Jews came to bring him presents ; but because the Jews were commanded, the day before, not to come to the king's court on the day of his coronation, the common people committed great outrages upon their persons, and the Londoners slew many of the Jews within the city, and burnt the houses of many of them, and of divers other persons. Hereupon, the next day the king caused several of those malefactors to be arrested, and adjudged them to be hanged."* It should be remarked, that on the preceding day the king had given orders that neither Jews nor women should be present at the solemnity, " for feare," says Stow, " of enchantments, which were wont to be practised." At the coronation feast, as appears from^Hove- den and Diceto, who were eye-witnesses of the ceremony^ the citizens ofJLondon officiated as the king's butlers, and those of Winchester served up the viands. In Brompton's Chronicle, under the^date 1193, it is stated that ' King Richard the First, being at dinner at West minster, in the HaU which is caUed the Little Hall, received tidings that King Phihp of France had entered Normandy? and besieged VernoU, whereupon he swore that he would never turn away his face untU he had met him and fought with him ; and having directed an opening to be made in the wall (the remains of which, according to the Chronicler, were visible when he wrote), he immediately made his way through it, and proceeded to Portsmouth.' f In the "Chronicle of London," edited by Sir Har ris Nicolas, (from the Harleian MS. No. 565) is this * Madox's " History of the Exchequer," (from R. Hoveden), vol i. p. 21. t Brompton's " Chronicle," in Decem Scrip, p. 1259. 24 WESTMINSTER PALACE. passage, under the 8th of Richard I., anno 1197: "In this yere the Kyng came into Engelond, and tok the casteU of Notyngham, and disherited John his brother. And the same yere Kyng Richard was crowned ageyne at Westm." * In the 10th year of this sovereign, Ely as the engineer, or ar chitect, was aUowed ten marks by the' Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, for the repairs of the King's Houses at West minster, " by writ of Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Justicier." f It appears from the " Placitorum Abbreviatio," that in the above year also (10th Richard I.), a Fine was levied in the King's Court at Westminster. This is remarkable only, from being the first notice of the King's Courts, which occurs on the Placita Rolls. J King John was crowned in St. Peter's Church at West minster, on Ascension Day, May the 27th, 1199, "after the man'er then vsed, with great solemnitie, and no lesse rejoic ing of aU such as were present." Seventeen Archbishops and Bishops attended this ceremony. On the 19th of Sep tember foUowing, a Synod was held at Westminster by Arch bishop Hubert, " in which diverse constitutions were made and ordeined touching the administration of sacraments, and other ecclesiastical matters." * Matt. Paris and other annalists say, that this second coronation took place at Winchester. t " Et Elyse Ingeniatori x marcae ad reparationem Domorum Regis apud Westmonasterium, per breve H. Cautuar. Episcopi." Madox's "Exchequer," vol. ii. p. 206, from Mag. Rot. 10 R. I. Rot. 12 a, Lond. & Midd. Walpole has erroneouslyjassigned this record to the reign of King John, anno 1209. Vide his " Works," vol. iii. p. 12, note : 4to, 1797. X " Placitorum in Domo Cap. West. Asserv. Abbreviatio," p. 9 a. It appears from.iHoveden, that an Ecclesiastical Council was held in the ' Chapel of the Infirmary,' Westminster, in 1194, when Eari John, the king's brother and several of his partizans were excommunicated for rebelHon. KING JOHN 1202 THE CLOSE ROLLS. 25 We now advance to a period in which the documentary memoranda respecting this palatial residence become more specific and accessible — chiefly in consequence of the recent pubhcation of " The Close RoUs,"* the originals of which are preserved among the invaluable national archives in the Tower of London. These records include many curious en tries concerning the " King's Houses" (Domus Regis), as they were then denominated at Westminster. The foUowing entries on the Close Rolls give us some information as to the state of the palatial buUdings in the time of King John. On the 19th of October, 1205 (7th John) ' the sum of £10. was directed to be paid to the king's treasurer, Robert de * The Records " intituled Rotuli Litterarum Clausardm, or Close Rolls, are a series of Parchment RoUs, commencing with the sixth year of the reign of King John, anno domini 1204, on which are recorded or euroUed all Mandates, Letters, and Writs of a private nature. They are denominated Close, in contradistinction to another series of RoUs caUed Patent. The entries registered on the Close RoUs are Letters addressed in the King's name to indi viduals, for special and particular purposes, and were folded, or closed up, and sealed on the outside with the Great Seal." — The most antient of the Close RoUs now extant is that of the sixth of King John, anno Domini 1204 ; and there is reason to believe that the RoU in question is the first of that species of RoUs, It was not then, however, styled a Close Roll, that term being first appUed to a RoU of the eighth year of the same king. The custom of recording documents on RoUs of parchment, though of antient date, commenced here after the Norman Conquest ; for d minster, in the early part of the foUowing year, viz. at the feast of the Purification (February the 2nd), and on the 5th of the ides of AprU. The first CouncU was dissolved by the king in consequence of the expostulations of some of the bishops, who, in warning him against evU counseUors, said that ' their measures would prove as ruinous to himself as they had been to his father.' f At the second Council (at which the earls, barons, and prelates are spoken of as being present), the prelates repeated their censures; and aft^'' descanting on the desolation and imminent dangers of th realm, they threatened both the king and his ministers with excommunication unless he reformed his errors. Henry, on this occasion, was alarmed; and to aUay their anger he humbly promised to be governed by their counsel in all things. J At Christmas 1234, the king kept a court at Westminster, in presence of very many of his bishops and principal sub jects, — " prmsentibus episcopis et principibus regni quam plurimis ;" — and ' at that time,' says Matthew Paris, ' seven Jews were brought before him who, at Norwich, had stolen a certain boy, and having circumcised him, kept him for a year from the view of Christians, intending to crucify him at the so lemnity of the Passover.' They ' were convicted,' continues the annalist, ' of this deed, and, in the presence of the king, confessed the truth of the accusation, and therefore were de tained in prison to await his pleasure, in peril of their hves * Matt. Paris, " Hist, Major," p. 375. t Ibid. p. 381. X Ibid. p. 383. 38 WESTMINSTER PALACE. and hmbs.' * This event may be cited in iUustration of the fact, that our law courts were in former ages frequently held before the monarch in person ; and the phrase of summons ' in banco regis,' stiU is 'before the king himself.' The foUowing characteristic narrative of the circumstances attending the betrothment of IsabeUa, Henry the Third's sister, to the Emperor Frederic, is given by Matthew Paris : it furnishes an early instance of a royal marriage by proxy. ' In February 1235, two ambassadors from the Emperor Frederic arrived at Westminster, to demand in marriage for their master the Princess Isabella, the king's sister. The king summoned a councU of the bishops and great men of the kingdom, to consider the proposals of the emperor ; to which, after three days' consultation, an unanimous assent was given. The ambassadors then entreated that they might be permitted to see the princess. The king sent confidential mes sengers for his sister, to the tower of London, where she was kept in vigilant custody ; and they most respectfully brought the damsel to Westminster, into the presence of her brother. She was in the twenty-first year of her age, exceedingly beau tiful, in the flower of youthful virginity, becomingly adorned with royal vestments and accomphshments, and thus she was introduced to the imperial envoys. They, when they * Matt. Paris, p. 395. It would seem, however, from Fabyan, that the ac cused (who probably had been induced to confess themselves guilty under some secret promise of being spared), were released without punishment. Vide " Chronicle," p. 320, edit. 1811.— In the " Close RoUs " of the 19th of Henry the Third, (anno 1234,) is an entry, bearing teste by the king himself at West minster on the 20th of November, which appears to have some reference to the vague charge against the Jews, viz. ' The Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk is commanded to make proclamation in the city of Norwich, and in all the good towns of those counties, that no Christian woman shaU thenceforth serve the Jews in nursing their young children, or in any other office.' CORONATION FEAST OP QUEEN ELEANOR, 1236. 39 had for a while delighted themselves with beholding the virgin, and judged her to be in aU things worthy of the im perial bed, confirmed by oath the emperor's proposal of ma trimony, presenting to her, on the part of their master, the wedding-ring. And when they had placed it on her finger, they declared her to be empress of the Roman empire, ex claiming altogether, ' Vivat Imperatrix, vivat ! ' ' The emperor, being informed of the acceptance of his pro posals, sent the Archbishop of Cologne and the Duke of Louvaine, with a noble train, to escort the bride elect to Germany. Previously to the departure of the princess, on the 6th of May, the king held a solemn feast at Westminster, for the Archbishop of Cologne, and the rest of the envoys of the empress; and the next day they aU departed, being accompanied to Dartford by the king and a large concourse of earls, barons, and other nobles.' * At the commencement of 1236, this Palace became the scene of great festivity, in consequence of the marriage of the King with Eleanor, second daughter of Raymond, Earl of Prqvence. The nuptials were solemnized at Canterbury on the 14th of January; and on Saturday the 19th, (prior to the Queen's coronation on the next day, in the Abbey Church at Westminster,) their majesties made a public entry into London. Stow says, that to this coronation there " resorted so great a number of aU estates, that the citie of London was scarce able to receive them. The citizens rode to meet the King and Queene, being clothed in long garments, em broidered about with golde and silke of dyvers colours ; their horses finely trapped in arraie, to the number of 360, everie man bearing golden or silver cups in their hands, and the king's trumpeters before them sounding. The citie was « Matt, Paris, "Hist. Major," p. 400, 40 WESTMINSTER PALACE. adorned with silkes, and in the night with lampes, cressets and other lights without number; besides manie pageants and strange devices which were shewed." * The coronation feast was kept in the Great Hall of this palace ; and it being one of the first, so celebrated, of which any essential particulars have been recorded, we shaU here insert a brief account of the various ceremonies, as described by Matthew Paris. 'The king came to Westminster on the 19th of January; and the next day, which was Sunday, there was performed a ceremonial surpassing any thing ever before heard of, in which the king carried the crown, and the inauguration of Queen Eleanor was accomphshed. The Archbishop of Can terbury, of special right, performed the office of coronation ; the Bishop of London assisting in the ceremony as deacon, and the other bishops taking place according to their rank. In like manner, aU the abbots ; preceded, as of right, by the nbbot of St. Alban's ; — for as St. Alban was the first Martyr in England, so the abbot of the monastery of St. Alban's should be the first in order and dignity, as the authentical privileges of that church demonstrate. There, also, were the great men who, from ancient custom, and the old law of the kingdom, ought to be present; together with the citizens of certain cities, who performed offices which of ancient right had been exercised by their predecessors. But why should I teU what was done in the church, reverently ministering unto God? ' At the nuptial feast were assembled such a multitude of the nobihty of both sexes, such numbers of the religious, such a vast body of the people, and such a variety of players' — 'Ais^nowes,'— that the city of London could scarcely con- * stow's " Annals," p. 278, edit. 1600 ; from Matt. Paris. GREAT FEAST IN WESTMINSTER HALL, 1236. 41 tain them in her capacious bosom. In the procession the Earl of Chester bare before the king the sword of St. Edward the Confessor, called curtana, in token of his being Earl of the Palace, — ' Comes Palatii,' — and having authority to re strain the king, if he should do wrong; as constable of Chester, he kept back the people with his rod, when they pressed too forward. The high marshal of England (the Earl of Pembroke) carried a rod before the king, both in the church and in the haU, making way for the king, and arranging the guests at the royal table. The barons, ' cus- todes' of the Cinque Ports, bare a canopy over the king, supported on five spears, though from some contentious scruples they had almost neglected their duty. The Earl of Leicester held water for the king to wash before dinner. The Earl of Warenne officiated as the royal cup-bearer, in lieu of the Earl of Arundel, who was a youth not yet knighted. Master Michael Belet had the office of butler. The Earl of Hereford was marshal of the king's household. Wilham de Beauchamp was almoner. The justiciary of the forests re moved the dishes from the king's table, though he was at first impeded [by some counter claim]. The citizens of Lon don poured the wine abundantly into precious cups; the citizens of Winchester had oversight of the kitchen and napery; and others officiated according to their various claims, which were decided salvo jure, so that they might be substantiated on a fitter occasion, and the joy of the nuptial feast not be interrupted by contention. The chanceUor, the chamberlain, the marshal, and the constable, took their seats with reference to their offices ; and all the barons in the order of their creation. The solemnity was resplendent with the clergy and knights, properly placed. But how shaU I describe the dainties of the table, and the abundance of divers liquors ; the quantity of game, the variety of fish, the multr- 42 WESTMINSTER PALACE. tude of jesters, and the attention of the waiters ? Whatever the worid pours forth of pleasure and glory was there espe ciaUy displayed.'* According to Fabyan, 'royaU solemnities and goodly justys' were also kept during eight days in TuthiU-field; or as this writer more graphicaUy expresses it, " in the feelde by Westmynster, lying at y^ west end of y^ church."f Stow, referring to the Tower Records, says that, on the 29th of December in the above year, viz. 1236, "Wil ham de HaverhuU, the king's treasurer, was commanded that upon the day of the Circumcision of our Lord (January the 1st), he should cause 6,000 poore people to be fed at London for the state of the king, the queene, and their chU- dren. The weake and aged to bee placed in the great HaU, and in the lesser [HaU] those who were more strong, and in reasonable phght; in the king's chamber the children, and [also] in the queene's ; — and when the king knew the charge he would allow it in the accounts." J One of the most remarkable events attending Henry's nuptials, was the enactment of the Statutes, or " Provisions of Merton " as they are styled by historians, in consequence of their having been agreed to at Merton, in Surrey ; where the king held a court on the third day after the queen's coro nation. It is stated in the introductory clause of those provi sions, that the king's court was holden before the Archbi shop of Canterbury, and other his bishops and suffragans, and before the greater part of the earls and barons of England, there being assembled ' for the coronation of the * Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 406. f Fabyan's " Chronicle," p.329. I Survey of London, p. 386. edit. 1598. It may be questioned whether Stow has not been mistaken in assigning the date 1236 to the above-mentioned .feast, as there was no issue from the royal marriage until the year 1239. There is a precept extant relative to a similar feast in 1247-48. KING HENRY III. 1238. 43 said king, and Ahanore the queen, about which they were aU caUed.'* About the time of the king's marriage, the rain feU in such vast quantities as to cause a great inundation. 'At the new moon,' says Paris, ' at the festival of St. Scolastica, (February the 10th,) 'the tide meeting the torrents from the river, their streams sweUed so that fords became impassable ; the banks were overflowed, the bridges were concealed by the floods, the miUs with their dams were injured, and the arable land and the meadows were overwhelmed. Among other singular circumstances, the river Thames, transgressing its accustomed hmits, flowed into the great Palace at Westmin ster, and spreading itself, so covered the area that the middle of the Hall might be passed in boats, and persons rode through it on horseback to their chambers. The water bursting into the ceUars, could scarcely be drawn out again. Signs, which preceded this tempest, were afterwards con sidered as prognostics of the mischief. Thunder was heard in the winter, on the festival of St. Damasius, (December the 11th,) and on the Wednesday after the Conception of St. Mary, (December the 8th,) a false sun was seen beside the real sun.' f * See " Statutes of the Realm," vol. i. p. 2, anno 20 Hen. III. edit. 1810. The words are — " pro coronatione ip'ius D'ni Regis et Alianore Regine, p' qua omnes vocati fuerunt.' ' t Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 407. The occurrence of great floods, and of strange appearances in the atmosphere, about the same time, are also no ticed by Matthew of Westminster, and other annalists. In another flood, which occurred on the eve of St. Edmund's Day 1242 (November 21st), occa sioned by " by a marveUous tempest of thunder and Ughtening, foUowed by an exceeding raine," the river Thames rose so high that " aU the countrie was drowned for the space of six miles about Lambeth, and none might get into Westminster Hall except they were set on horsebacke." Vide HoUnshed's " Chronicles," vol. iii. p. 399 ; and Matt. Paris, sub eod. anno. 44 WESTMINSTEB PALACE. King Henry spent his Christmas at Winchester in the year 1237 ; and soon after he summoned,— "i?e>" scripta re galia,"— z. Court, or Parhament, of his principal subjects, viz. archbishops, bishops, abbots and priors, earis and barons. On the 20th of January following, at a meeting in the Palace at Westminster, the king,— after artfully acknow ledging his own previous indiscretions, as weU as the iUegal practices of his ahen ministers,^ — ^promised amendment, and requested a subsidy ; offering beforehand, to submit to the appointment of Commissioners ' who should direct the dis tribution of the money to the proper purposes of the state.' His insincerity, however, was too weU known to admit of a ready acquiescence in his desire. The prelates and barons were indignant at the profligacy with which the best interests of the crown and kingdom had been sacrificed to gratify his foreign favourites ; and it was not until he had engaged to renew and faithfully observe the Great Charter and the Charta de Foresta, that he obtained a subsidy of a thir tieth of the moveables of the clergy and laity.* Even this was accompanied by the condition, that, in every county throughout the kingdom, four knights should be chosen to coUect and deposit the money within some monastery, that it might be restored to its former owners, should the king break his promise.f But conditions were of httle avail with Henry : the money, when raised, was seized by his own com mand, and squandered away with reckless profligacy on his alien favourites. * Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 420. t In Rymer's " Fcedera," vol. i. p. 232, edit. 1816, is a writ (tested by the king at Westminster) addressed to the Sheriff of Kent, relative to the levying the above aid. The king's assessors were to cause four "de legaUoribus homi- nibus de singulis viUis " to be summoned, who were on oath to declare the true amount of the assessment. . KING HENRY III. — CHANCERY ROLLS, 1229 1239. 45 The Chancery RoUs of this reign, preserved in the British Museum, include various items relating to the Palace, of the general tenor of which the foUowing are specimens; they appear among the payments made by the sheriffs of London and Middlesex out of the fee-farm of the city. In the 13th of Henry III. the citizens render account of 60s. lOd. paid to Walter, the chaplain of St. Stephen's chapel at Westminster: to Adam, of the king's chapel, 30s. 6d. : and to the heir of Richard de Leveland 10^. 12s. 4d. for the custody of the Houses of Westminster. The same payments are repeated in all the foUowing Rolls to the 21st of the same king; with the additions, in his 16th year, of 26s. for the conveyance to Northampton of six casks of wine, which were in the custody of John Colemere in the king's cellar at Westminster; and in his 21st year, of 121. Os. 12d. for conveying 241 casks of wine from London to Westmins ter, and stowing the same in the king's ceUar, there. We shaU now advert to the very curious information respecting some of the Palatial decorations, which was first communicated to the pubhc by Walpole, in his " Anecdotes of Painting." It furnishes a demonstrative proof that oil- painting was practised in this country nearly two centuries before its presumed discovery by John ab Eyck in 1410. In the 12th of Henry III. (anno 1228,) the king ordered his treasurer and chamberlains to pay to a certain painter — " cuidam pictori "— 20s. for painting the great Exchequer chamber.* In 1236, a mandate was directed to the king's treasurer, requiring him ' to have the king's great chamber at West minster painted of a good green colour, in the manner of a ¦^ Rot. Claus. 12 Hen. III. m. 8. 46 WESTMINSTER PALACE. curtain, and in the great gable of the same chamber, near the door, to have painted this motto : Ke ne dune ke ne tine, ne pret ke desire :* and also to have the king's little wardrobe painted green like a curtain, — so that the king, on his first coming there, may find the above-mentioned chamber and wardrobe painted and ornamented as directed.' f In the same year, on the 7th of February, another man date was addressed to H. de PateshuU, the king's treasurer, ordering him " to have the border at the back of the king's seat in the chapel of St. Stephen, at Westminster, and the border at the back of the queen's seat, in another part of the same chapel, painted of a green colour, both within side and without ; and also to have painted near the queen's seat a crucifix, with Mary and John, opposite to the king's cross near the king's seat.' J On the 2d of August, 1237, the king, by writ dated at Westminster, commands his treasurer and chamberlains to pay four pounds eleven shiUings to Odo, the goldsmith, 'keeper of our works at Westminster, for the making of pictures — " ad picturas faciendas " — in our chamber there.' § In the early part of 1238, as appears from Matthew Paris, (sub eodem anno,) Henry held his court at Westminster ; * That is, " Qui ne donne ce qu'il tient, ne prend ce qu'il desire;" which accords with the Latin proverb. Qui non dat quod habet, non occipit ille quod optat. We may thus render it in English :— He who gives not what he pos sesses, receives not what he desires. t Rot. Claus. 20 Hen. III. m. 12. Dallaway, but surely without warrant from the record, renders the words, " in magno gabulo ejusdem camerae juxta ostium," by ' the great west window above the entrance.' Vide his edition of Walpole's "Anecdotes of Painting," vol. i. p. 6. There were many • great gables' in ancient houses that were not pierced by windows. X Rot. Claus. 20 Hen. III. m. 12. § Rot. Liberat. 21 Hen. III. m. 5. PALATIAL DECORATIONS, 1239. 47 where, on the 7th of January, he gave his sister Eleanor, the widow of WiUiam, Earl of Pembroke, in marriage to Simon de Montfort (a foreigner), whom he had recently taken into his especial favour, and created Earl of Leicester. Walter, the chaplain of St. Stephen's, performed the marriage cere mony in the king's little chapel, — " in parvula capeUa regis, quss est in angulo cameree ;" — and probably in private, as the king, on being afterwards reproached by his brother Richard for assenting to such a match, defended his conduct by urging ' the necessity of the case, the widow being enceinte.' A very remarkable precept respecting the palatial decora tions was issued by King Henry in his 23d year (anno 1239), and, from being directly connected with the history of colour ing in oil, we shaU here insert it, both in the words of the original and in a literal translation : — " Rex thesaurario et camerariis suis salutem. Liberate de thesauro nostro Odoni aurifabro, et Edwardo fiho suo, cen- tem et septemdecem sohdos et decem denarios, pro oleo, ver- nici, et coloribus emptis, et picturis factis in camera reginse nostrcB apud West, ab octavis Sanctse Trinitatis, anno regni nostri xxiii. usque ad festum Sancti Barnabe Apostoli, eodem anno, scilicet per xv dies." * ' The king, to his treasurer and chamberlains, greeting. Deliver of our treasure to Odo the goldsmith, and Edward his son, one hundred and seventeen shiUings and ten pence, for oil, varnish, and colours bought, and for pictures made in the chamber of our queen at Westminster, from the oc taves of the Holy Trinity [May the 25th,] in the 23d year of * Rot. Claus. 23d Hen. III., as cited by Walpole, in his "Anecdotes of Painting."—" There is another mandate," he adds, " of Henry's 25th year, for two windows with pictures in the hall [query, lesser haU ?] and with the motto, Ke ne dune, &c. above mentioned, of which I do not know that any of our antiquaries have taken notice." Walpole's " Works," vol. iii. p. 16. 48 WESTMINSTER PALACE. our reign, to the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle [June the 1 1th] in the same year, namely for fifteen days.' It seems probable that the pictorial embelhshments thus noticed had reference to the preparations then making for the queen's accouchement, as her first son, Edward, sur- named, from the place of his birth, of Westminster, was born on the 16th of June, 1239, five days only after the last date mentioned in the record. "Before the birth of this Edward," says Holinshed (sub eod. anno), " there appeared early in the morning, certeine dales together, before the sunne was up, a star of a large compasse, the which with swift course was carried through a long circuit of the air, sometimes shewing as it had borne fire with it, and some times leaving as it were smoke behind it; so that it was after judged, that the great deeds which were to be atchieved by the same Edward, were by this wonderful consteUation foreshewed and signified." By another mandate of the same year, issued after the recovery of the queen, the king orders, ' that the chamber behind the queen's chapel, and the private chamber of that chamber, be wainscotted, and the aforesaid chamber lined ; and that a list, or border, be made, and well painted with the images of our Lord and angels with incense-pots, scat tered over the list or border. He also directs that the four Evangelists be painted within the chamber aforesaid; and tJiat a crystal vase be made for the keeping of his rehcs.' Shortly after, by other precepts, (which also are entered on the Close RoUs,) Hugh de PatteshuU, the king's treasurer, was ordered, ' to cause to be made at the upper end of the chapel of St. Stephen, a new, good, and large door;' — and the treasurer and chamberlains of the king's exchequer were commanded ' to provide (among other things) one hundred wax candles to be placed in the chapel of St. Stephen on KINO HENRY 111.-1241-1242. 49 that saint's day, (December 26th) ; and one hundred other wax candles for the chapel of St. John, on that saint's day,' (December 27th). In 1241, Henry held his court at Westminster, ' where he banqueted the great men of his kingdom.' Matthew Paris gives the foUowing account of the proceedings under the above date : ' At the request of Otho, the Pope's legate, whom he especially endeavoured to gratify, the king (girded with the military belt) bestowed the honour of knighthood on the nephew of the legate, whose name was Advocatus, at the same time giving him a pension, or rent, [redditus] of £30, which the young man disposed of immediately, know ing that he shoxUd shortly return home with his patron. The same day the king also bestowed knighthood on a cer tain Proven9al, and gave him a valuable pension. These solemnities in the church being finished, the king dined in the greater palace [hall] of Westminster. The legate, whom he had invited to dinner, he placed at the higher part of the table, namely in the royal seat, which is in the centre of the table ; not however without the envious and angry glances of many being directed towards him. The king himself sat on his right hand, and the Archbishop of York on his left, many of the prelates and other great men being seated according to the order of their rank and dignity.' Another splendid scene was exhibited here during the continuance of the same festival. ' On the day of St. Ed ward,' (January the 5th, anno 1241-42,) 'whom the king held in especial honour, he bestowed the honour of knight hood on Peter of Savoy, the queen's uncle, and fifteen other noble youths, in the church of St. Peter, at Westminster ; and on the morrow, being the day of Epiphany, in his great palace, he feasted most sumptuously an immeasurable multi tude of guests, on account of this Peter, and to signahze the 50 WESTMINSTER PALACE. acquisition of his new dignity. The citizens of London also attended at this festival, being summoned by a royal edict, under a penalty of 100 shilhngs, to join in the rejoicings.'* Henry kept his Christmas in the great haU at Westmins ter in 1241, and shortly afterwards he held a councU there, to obtain aid for the expedition which he was then meditat ing against France. His barons, however, refused comph- ance, and even upbraided him for his wanton dissipation of the settled revenues of the kingdom, as weU as for the sums daUy exacted from his subjects by unlawful proceedings. He had the like iU success at another meeting held on the 1st of Febraary 1242; but, as he was determined not to forego his purpose, he contrived to raise a large sum, by way of gift, loan, and other means, and on the 15 th of May he sailed for Poictiers— taking with him " thirtie barrels of sterhng coine." After an inglorious campaign, and the loss of two battles, he was compeUed to purchase a five year's truce at the cost of £5,000. He then retired to Bourdeaux, where he remained until September 1243, lavishing away with reckless improvidence aU the treasures which he had caused to be wrung from his oppressed people.f Notwithstanding his pecuniary embarrassments, the king, almost immediately on returning from France, commenced the erection of some new buildings at Westminster, the principal of which was a large chamber, that eventually ob tained the name of the Chamber of the Holy Cross. This must have been a work of considerable importance, as the foUowing extracts from the Close Rolls of the 28th year of Henry's reign will prove. * Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 531. t Vide Matthew Paris, and Matthew of Westminster, sub anno 1243. Di rectly on his return, the king, in order to supply his empty coffers, sought a quarrel with the Jews, who, to appease his seeming wrath, were constrained to submit to a tallage of 50,000 marks. KING HENRY III -1244. 51 In that year, a mandate was directed to the sheriff of Kent, requiring him ' with aU possible speed to purchase, and cause to be conveyed to Westminster, 100 barge loads of grey stone ' — " 100 navatas grisiae petree," — 'for the works which the king had ordered to be done there ; and that he exert such commendable dihgence in obeying the said man date, that W. de HaverhuU, his treasurer, and Edward [of Westminster], to whom the king had entrusted the execution of the before-mentioned works, may not throw upon him the blame, if, contrary to the king's wishes, those works be deferred.' Again, on the I7th of May, 1244, the king commands the treasurer and chamberlains to pay out of his treasury, to Edward of Westminster, £l,949. 13s. b\d. which he 'had expended in the erection of a new chamber near to our HaU at Westminster, and of our Conduit, and in other works there which we enjoined him to have constructed' By another, and rather singular, precept of the same year, tested by Henry himself, at Clive, on the 19th of July, the king granted to Edward Fitz-Odo, that ' from the aqueduct which the king had constructed to the Great HaU at West minster, he might have a pipe to his own court at Westmins ter, of the size of a goose-quill.'* * Edward Fitz-Odo, who was the director, or master, of the works at West minster for a very considerable period, was the same person who in other records is caUed Edward of Westminster. He was the son of Odo, the goldsmith, the director of the king's works in the early part of his reign. On the transfer of the office oifusor, or melter, of the king's exchequer, to this Edward, by John le Fusor, his uncle, (who had previously held it,) for " twelve marks of silver towards his voyage into the Holy Land," the king confirmed the agreement by a grant signed with his own hand, at Westminster, on the 22d of January, 1240. Vide Madox's " Exchequer," vol. ii. p. 310 ; and Rymer's " Fcedera," vol. i. p. 239, edit. 1816. The above grant is noticed both in the "Rot. Claus." and in the " Foedera." E 2 .52 WF.STMINSTER PALACE. During the progress of the above work, a most sumptuous feast was given by the king, in the Great HaU, on account of the marriage of Richard, Earl of Comwall, (his brother,) with Cincia of Provence, who was sister both to Henry's own consort and to the Queen of France. This lady had been brought to England by her mother, the Countess of, Provence and Narbonne, " a comely, wise, and civU woman," who was received with great honour by the nobles, and " the citie of London was also gorgeously prepared against her coming." The nuptials were solemnized at Westminster, on St. Clement's day, 1243, (November 23d,) " with great royalty, and companie of noblemen." Matthew Paris, in recording the abundance and magnificence of the entertain ment, informs us that more than thirty thousand dishes were prepared for the wedding dinner. There were two councUs, or pariiaments, assembled at Westminster in 1244; but Henry was unsuccessful in obtain ing money from either, his boundless extravagance and tyrannous exactions having highly displeased both the pre lates and the nobles. He contrived, however, by iUegal fines, inflicted for alleged offences on the citizens of London, and by fleecing the Jews, to replenish his treasury with large sums. In the foUowing year, June the 7th, the king issued a writ, tested at Westminster, stating ' that it had been re solved by the nobles who had spent the feast of Pentecost with him there, to proceed into Wales against David, the son of Llewelhn, and his adherents.' * Nearly at the same time, viz. in the summer of 1245, Henry commenced his memorable re-buUding of the Abbey Church at Westminster, in that elegant and lofty style of architecture which stUl forms its primary character, and * Vide " Reports on the Dignity of a Peer," App. 1. p 11. KING HENRY III. ABBEY CHURCH REBUILT — 1245. 53 which about that period was adopted in almost all the eccle siastical buUdings throughout Europe. ' The king,' says Matthew Paris, ' moved by his devotional regard for St. Edward, commanded that the church of St. Peter at West minster should be enlarged: — and the old waUs (with the tower) of the eastern part being overthrown, were con structed anew and more handsomely, by artificers whom the king at his own cost procured ; the new work being fitted to the residue, or western part.' * It appears from a record quoted by Madox from the " Patent RoUs,^' that a new exchequer office, with two trea suries, was esta,bhshed by the king, for the receipt of the money which he appropriated to the rebuilding of the abbey church ; and that in April 1246, the sum of £2,591, which was due from the widow of a Jew of Oxford, was assigned by him to that use. The document follows : ' The king gave and granted unto God and the blessed Edward, and to the Church of Westminster, towards the building of that church, £2591, in which sura Licoricia, who was the wife of David, a Jew of Oxford, was bound to him. And the king wiUs that this money be paid into the new exchequer, that for the above purpose he has constituted at Westminster, and of which he has appointed the Archdeacon of Westminster and Edward of Westminster treasurers. Witnessed by the King at Windsor, AprU 22d, 1246.' f » Matthew Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 642, edit. 1589. Thomas Wykes (a canon of Osney), who was a contemporary historian with Paris, and whose " Chronicle" has been pubUshed in Gale's " Scriptores," corroborates this statement of the new work having been executed at the king's cost, though without discriminating the parts rebuilt. He says, ' The king, with the pro ceeds of his own exchequer, erected the church from the foundations.' — " Quam idem rex — de propriisfisci regalis exitibus— a fundamentis construxerat." t Vide Madox's " Exchequer," vol. ii, p. 3, note «, from the " Patent RoU" 54 WESTMINSTER PALACE. On the 3d of October, 1247, (the day of the translation of St. Edward,) a gorgeous scene was exhibited here, on the occasion of King Henry presenting to the abbey church a precious vessel which had been sent to him from the Holy Land, and was attested to inclose some of the genuine blood of our Saviour, which had trickled from his wounds at the Crucifixion. Several weeks before the ceremony, the king summoned his chief subjects to meet him at Westminster, • that they might hear,' says Matthew Paris, ' the most joyful news of a holy benefaction recently bestowed on the English from heaven. On the day appointed, the great men assem bled, and were informed, in reply to their inquiries, that, the king had received from the Masters of the Knights Templars and Hospitallers, a beautiful crystaUine vase, containing a portion of the blood of our Saviour, which he had shed on the Cross for the salvation of mankind ; the genuineness of the rehc being testified under the seals of the Patriarch [Robert] of Jemsalem, and the archbishop, bishops, abbots, and other prelates of the Holy Land ! ' The king then commanded that all the priests of Lon don, habited in costly dresses, and bearing standards, crosses, and hghted tapers, should early in the morning on St. Ed ward's day, reverently meet at St. Paul's. Thither the king himself came, and with the utmost veneration receiving the vase, with the treasure [of Christ's blood] already mentioned, he bore it openly before him, (preceded by the richly-dressed priests,) waUiing slowly, in a humble garb, and without stop ping, to the church of Westminster. He held the vase with both hands, keeping his eyes fixed on the vessel, or looking of the 30th Hen. III. m. 5. The then Archdeacon of Westminster was Richard de Crokesley, who in the same year became Abbot of Westminster, on the recommendationof the king; and for whom also Henry procured from Pope Innocent IV. the right of saying mass fuUy habited in Episcopal vestments. KING HENRY III. 1248. 55 up to heaven, whilst proceeding along the dirty and uneven road. But a paU was held over him on four spears, and two persons supported his arms, lest the fatigue should be too great for him. ' Near the gate of the Bishop of Durham's hall [in the Strand], he was met by the members of the convent of Westminster, with bishops, abbots, and monks (singing and rejoicing, with tears, in the Holy Spirit), who accompanied the procession to the church, which could scarcely contain the assembled multitude. The king, untired, carried the vase round the palace and the monastery, and then delivered it, as an invaluable present, to the church of St. Peter, and the brethren administering therein to the honour of God.'* On the same day, and within the church, the king con ferred the honour of knighthood on his half-brother WiUiam de Valence, and several other youthful persons. About the end of the same year, whilst Henry himself kept his Christmas at Winchester, a writ was directed to William de HaverhuU, his treasurer, and Edward of West minster, commanding them, among other things, ' to fiU the king's Great Hall from Christmas day to the day of the Circumcision (January 1st) with poor people, and feed them there.' f On the 9th of February, 1248, the king being involved in great pecuniary distress, in consequence of his indiscreet prodigahty, assembled a parliament at Westminster, " where * Vide Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 735, &c. (Wats's edit.) and " Ad ditamenta," p. 161, where our author has given a particular account of what was then said in support of the genuineness of the gift. The Bishop of Nor wich celebrated mass, and in his subsequent discourse pronounced the grant (by the assembled bishops) of six years and 140 days' pardon, to aU that came to reverence the sacred reUc ! Matthew Paris was himself present at the ceremony. t ",Rot. Claus." 32 Hen. III. 56 WESTMINSTER PALACE. aU the nobiUtie of the realme in manner was present," and A-om whom he sohcited a subsidy, " in rehefe of the great iharges which he had in divers waies sustained." This, however, the barons, "who looked," says Holinshed, " for reformation in his dooings," refused to grant; and he was plainly told that " they would not impoverish themselves to enrich strangers, their enemies." Henry promised amend ment, and adjourned the meeting untU the month of July, when, on the parliament re-assembling, and again refusing a supply, he dissolved it in anger. Shortly afterwards he was constrained, for want of money, to dispose of his plate and jewels at a great loss ; and on being informed that the Lon doners had purchased them, he exclaimed passionately, that *' If Octavian's treasures were to be sold, the city of Lon don would store them up." In the same year, on the 23d of September, Henry, by a precept tested by himself at Windsor, ' enjoined Master John de St. Omer to cause the wardrobe of the king's cham ber at Westminster to be painted, in the same manner as the picture begun in that chamber; and to make a new reading-desk, to be placed in the new chapter-house at West minster, hke that which is in the chapter-house of St. Alban, or more seemly and beautiful, if it can be done ; and also that he provide the colours, timber, and other necessaries for these works, until the returning of the king to London.' For the costs thus incurred, an order for re-payment was afterwards directed to the Abbot of Westminster, Edward Fitz-Odo, and Philip Luvel, the king's treasurer.* Henry's animosity to the citizens of London, whom he had ironically reproached with " caUing themselves barons, on account of their wealth," was at this time in fuU activity ; * " Rot, Claus." 33 Hen. III. m. 3. KING HENRY Hi. ST. EDWARd's FAIR. 1248. 57 and, as a means of reducing their affiuence, he devised the expedient of granting an annual fair to the Abbot of West minster, to be held at St. Edward's tide (October), during fifteen days; — "and to the end that the same should be more haunted with all manner of people, he commanded by proclamation that all other fairs, as Elie, and such hke, holden in that season, should not be kept, nor that any wares should be shewed within the citie of London, either in shop or without ; but that such as would seU should come for that time vnto Westminster : which was done, not with out great trouble and paines to the citizens, which had not room there but in booths and tents, to their great disquiet ing and disease for want of necessarie provision, being tur- moiled too pitifuUie in mire and dirt, through occasion of raine."* AU remonstrances against the injustice of this proceeding were ineffectual, and Henry, instead of attending to their complaints, still further aggrieved the citizens by keeping his Christmas in London, and obliging them to pre sent him with rich new year's gifts. " Besides this," says Stow, " the king tooke victuals and wine where any could be found, and paide nothing for it.^' Shortly afterwards he constrained the citizens to give him the sum of £2,000 ster ling, which, according to Dart, ("Westmonasterium," vol. i. * HoUnshed's " Chronicles," vol. ii. p. 416, from Matt. Paris.— S/. Ed ward's Fair was first held in the churchyard at Westminster, but it was after wards removed to Tothill, or Tuthill, (now TuthiU Fields,) as appears from the following entry on the Calendar of the Patent RoUs, (ann. 34 Hen. III. m. i.) viz. " Translatio Fer' Abb' Westm' a cemiterio Westm', usque apud le TothuU." Many disputes and legal bickerings arose in that and the foUowing reigns, between the Abbots of Westminster and divers merchants and other persons, in consequence of the extensive privileges claimed under Henry's grant of this fair ; and even the immediate precincts of the king's palace, in respect to trade, appear to have been subjected to the abbot's authority during its continuance. 58 WESTMINSTER PALACE. p. 26,) he apphed towards carrying on the works of the abbey church. At length, however, the murmurs of the people alarmed the rapacious monarch with a short-lived fear, and the foUowing singular instance of his apparent con trition is related by Matthew Paris : ' By command of the king, the citizens of London assem bled together before him at Westminster, with aU their fami- hes, even to the boys of twelve years old, on the Sunday before the feast of Sts. Perpetua and Fehcitas (March7th 1250), in the greater palace, which is caUed the Great HaU ; and there was such a crowd of people that the whole court was filled with them. Being met together, the king, humbly, as if about to shed tears, entreated each one of the citizens, with heart and voice to disavow aU kind of anger, malevolence, and rancour towards him; for he publicly confessed that frequently he himself, but more frequently his servants, had in many ways injured them, taking away their goods and retaining them, and in various respects encroaching on their rights and hberties, wherefore he besought them to pardon him. The citizens, understanding that nothing further was required of them, consented to aU that the king requested ; although no restitution was made of what had been taken from them.' * That Henry was stiU proceeding with the decorations of his palace, wiU appear from the foUowing records. — On the 14th of August, 1250, the king by his mandate, tested at Bridgewater, ordered Edward of Westminster ' to cause effi gies—" imagines "—of the Apostles to be painted around the waUs of St. Stephen's chapel, and on the western side the day of Judgment ; and in like manner to have the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary painted on a tablet or panel ; so that the whole may be ready at the king's coming.' f * Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 748. f " Rot. Claus."^4 Hen. III. m. 7. KINO HENRY III. GREAT CHAMBER — ANTIOCH CHAMBER 1251.59 Ten days afterwards, by a precept tested at Windsor, Odo the goldsmith was commanded, ' without delay, to put aside the picture which was begun to be painted in the king's great chamber at Westminster, beneath the large historical picture of the said chamber, with the scroUs containing the figures and representations of hons, birds, and other beasts, and to paint it green, after the manner of a curtain, or hang ing, so that the effect of the great history may be kept unimpaired.' * In the same year, Godfrey de Listen was ordered ' to buy six hundred luces [or pike], and to let one hundred of them be put into the king's ponds at Westminster, to stock those ponds.' f In the year 1251, Edward of Westminster was com manded, ' that the king's Jewry — " judaismum " — at West- minster,J and the king's great wine-cellar, should be wains cotted ; and that the low chamber in the king's garden, and the httle tower beyond the chapel there, should be painted, and that in the same chamber a chimney should be made ;' and 'We wiU', says the mandate, 'that the said chamber be caUed the Antioch Chamber.' § * " Rot. Claus." 34 Hen. IIL m. 7. t Ibid. X This Judaism, or Jewry, is supposed by Dallaway to have been an exche quer or treasury, erected by Henry for receiving the sums levied on the Jews. § " Rot. Claus." 35 Henry III. m. 10. It seems probable, that the chamber was ordered to be thus named from being painted with representations relating to the siege of Antioch, which city, in the year 1098, had been taken by the Christians in the first crusade. There are several precepts extant, which shew that this subject was frequently chosen by King Henry to adorn his palaces, probably from respect for his heroic uncle, Richard Coeur de Lion. In the Pipe RoU of his 21st year, is a mandate for painting the wainscot of his chamber under his chapel at the palace of Clarendon, in Wiltshire, with the history of Antioch and the single combat of King Richard, — " et hystoria An- tiochise in eadem depingenda cum duello Regis Richardi." In his 34th year (as entered in the " Close Rolls," m. 12.) is the king's order (tested at West- 60 WESTMINSTER PALACE. In February 1252, ("Rot. Claus." 36 Hen. III.) the' king ordered Ralph de Dungan, ' keeper of the king's books — " cus- todi hbromm regis" — to supply Master WiUiam the king's painter with colours for painting the queen's httle wardrobe, and for repairing the paintings — "et emendendam pictu- ram" — in the king's great chamber, and in the queen's chamber.' Master WiUiam is again mentioned in a precept tested by Henry at Winchester in June 1256, and thus rendered by Mr. Hardy, in his Introduction to the printed volume of the "Close Rolls." — 'The king, in presence of Master WiUiam the painter, a monk of Westminster, lately at Winchester, confirmed and gave orders for a certain picture to be made at Westminster, in the wardrobe where he was accustomed to wash his face, representing the king who was rescued by his dogs from the seditions which were plotted against that king by his subjects ; — respecting which picture the king addressed other letters to you, Edward of Westminster ; and the king commands Phihp Luvel, his treasurer, and the aforesaid Edward of Westminster, to cause the same Master WiUiam to have his costs and charges for painting the afore said picture, without delay ; and when the king shall know the cost, he wiU give them a writ of liberate therefor.' * minster) to R. de Sandford, master of the knights templars, that he deliver to Henry of the Wardrobe, for the queen's use, ' a certain great book, which is in his house at London, written in the French language, in which are contained the Acts of the King of Antioch, and of other Kings ' — " in quo continentur Gcsta Regis Antioohise et regum aliorum," &c. This book had been compUed and iUuminated by Henry's command; and the use for which it was now wanted appears from a precept on the " Close Rolls " of the following year (m. 11, dated at Winton), which directs that Edward of Westminster ' cause the history of Antioch to be painted in the king's chamber in the Tower of London, as Thomas Espernir shall say to (or direct) him.' * There are two other entries on the " Close RoUs " of the 44th of Hen. III. KING HENRY III. — WILL'AM THE MONK 1252. Ol Notwithstanding the promises of amendment which the king had so recently and publicly made to the citizens of London, he stiU continued his tyrannical exactions ; and he appears to have assumed the Cross, under the hope of even making rehgion subservient to his views. In 1252, he again invited aU the Londoners to his palace at Westminster, where the Bishops of Worcester and Chichester, by his command, exhorted the people to engage in the intended crusade. Finding the citizens unwilhng to attend to this exhortation, Henry himself reproved them virulently for their backwardness, but with little effect, as three persons only were induced to foUow his counsel. Being afterwards refused supplies, in a parliament which he had assembled about the middle of October, he compeUed the Londoners to present him with 20,000 marks of gold ; and also, says Hohnshed, to their " further grief," obliged them to close their shops for fifteen days, and carry their merchandize for sale to ' St. Edward's Fair' at Westminster.* which doubtless refer to the above-mentioned Master WiUiam, who appears to have been a native of Italy. By the first precept, Edward of Westminster is enjoined that, ' without delay, he shall deUver to brother WiUiam (monk of Westminster — "pictori regis" — colours, and all other necessary things for re storing the king's paintings at Windsor, accordingly as WiUiam the Monk shaU instruct the said Edward, on the part of the king.' By the second mandate, the Sheriff of Surrey is required that, ' out of the issues of the said county, he cause the paintings of the king's great hall at Guilford to be repaired, as may be necessary, without delay, &c. and that immediately, the pictures and fron tispiece — " tabulas et fruntellum'' — of the altar of the great chapel there, be made, as we have instructed WilUam of Florence, painter.' William the Flo rentine, ' our painter,' is again mentioned on the Close RoU of the S2d of Henry III. (anno 1268,) which directs that certain works shall be done within the castle of Guilford, for the use of Eleanor the king's daughter-in-law, and of Eleanor the Queen Consort ; and that the Sheriff of Surrey shaU pay to the said WiUiam ' sixpence per day,' for his wages as Master of the Works at Guilford. * It has been supposed, and with much appearance of probability, that the 62 WESTMINSTER PALACE In the spring of 1253, another parhament was held at Westminster, in which the king, by acknowledging his for mer irregularities, and promising to observe faithfuUy the charters of King John, prevaUed on the clergy to grant him a tenth of their revenues for three years, and on the barons, three marks for every knight's fee held immediately of the crown. On this occasion the king had offered to submit to excommunication if he should faU to observe his engage ments; and he therefore, early in May, convened in the Great Hall of Westminster, an assembly of aU his magnates, both spiritual and temporal, in order to have the sentence of anathematization solemmly pronounced. There was something appaUing in the nature of this cere mony; and the understanding revolts equaUy against the craft that engendered it, and the debasing superstition by which it was maintained. In the present instance, aU the prelates (if not the barons hkewise), bore hghted tapers in their hands, but the king excused himself from holding any, saying that ' he was no priest ;' yet to prove the sincerity of his concurrence, he ' would keep his hand upon his breast during the proceedings.' The anathema was pronounced by the Archbishop of Canterbury ; and the curse of heaven was determined support which the king gave to this fair, was for the purpose of enabUng the Abbot of Westminster the better to carry on the rebuilding of the abbey church, with the proceeds of the duties which were levied on the goods exposed for sale. In 1254, however, according to a document cited by Wid- more, (" Rot. Vascon." 38 Henry III. m. 4.) he gave a more decided proof of his desire to forward the work, by commanding his treasurer and the barons of the exchequer to apply 3,000 marks yearly towards that end. Henry, notwith standing his multiplied extortions, was frequently in want of money, and Mat thew Paris, under the years 1250 and 1251, condemns him for not keeping up that kingly hospitaUty which had been customary at the palace. He Ukewise censures the king, queen, prince Edward, and the courtiers for taking, or rather exacting, rich presents. Vide " Hist. Major," pp. 752 and 780. KING HENRY III. ILLEGAL EXACTIONS — 1 255. 6S invoked against those persons who, in future, should in any respect violate the two charters, (namely Magna Charta and the Charta de Foresta,) which were now confirmed by the king. The tapers were then extinguished, and thrown stinking and smoking upon the ground, and the dire male diction uttered, that the souls of every one who infringed the charters 'might thus be extinguished, and stink, and smoke in hell.' At the conclusion of the ceremony, the king voluntarily added, " So may God help me, I will invio lably observe all these things, as I am a man and a Christian, a knight, and a crowned and anointed king!"* — Henry was probably sincere at the moment, yet this solemn protestation had but httle influence over his subsequent conduct. In January 1254, whilst the king was prosecuting the war in Guienne, a parliament was summoned at Westminster by the queen's authority; but, though twice assembled, the barons steadily refused to grant the aid required, and the meeting was dissolved. A similar refusal was given to Henry himself at another parliament, which met in the palace at the feast of St. Edward in 1255, and at which ' al most aU the great men of the kingdom were present.' On this occasion the king is recorded to have 'prolonged the time of the session, day after day, for the space of a month ;' yet all his endeavours to prevail on the assembly to accede to his wishes were ineffectual.f Resort was then had to the old system of iUegal exactions, and both the Jews and the citizens of London were grievously oppressed, to gratify the rapacious wants of the sovereign. Eight thousand marks * Matt. Paris. "Hist. Major," p. 839. It might have been beUeved, that an oath thus solemnly pronounced would have been religiously kept ; yet such was the influence of Henry's abandoned favourites, that they very soon pre vailed on him to get his oath annuUed by the authority of the supreme pontiff : after which, he immediately reverted to his former habits. t Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," pp. 884, 5. 64 WESTMINSTER PALACE. were extorted from the Jews, under pain of hanging if not speedily paid ; — " and when," says Hohnshed, " the king had fleeced them to the quick, he set them to farm unto his bro ther. Earl Richard, that he might peel oil skin and all ! " It was probably to give a colour of retributive justice to these transactions, that the Jews of Lincoln were now accused of crucifying a youth of eight years of age, " from despite of Christ's religion." On that charge, on the 22d of Novem ber, in the above year, one hundred and two individuals of this persecuted nation were brought up from Lincoln, and examined in the king's court at Westminster, and thence committed to the Tower. Eighteen of them were afterwards executed for the alleged murder, which is said to have been confessed (upon promise of pardon) by the Jew who was owner of the house wherein the boy was crucified : the others were released, after being kept several months in prison. * In the year 1256, says Stow, "King Henry sat in the exchequer of this HaU [Westminster], and there set down order for the appearance of the sheriffs, and bringing-in of their accounts; and there were five marks set on every sheriff's head for a fine, because they had not distrained every person that might spend £15 land by the year, to receive the order of knighthood, according as the same sheriffs were commanded. Also, the mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs of London, being accused of oppression and wrongs done by them, and submitting themselves in this place, before * In Rymer's "Foedera," (vol. i. p. 335, edit. 1816,) are two documents from the Tower archives relating to this transaction. They are both tested by the king, and addressed ' Petro leBlund,' Constable of the Tower, command ing him to set at liberty (by the first) one John, a converted Jew, who had been accused of participating in the murder ;— and (by the second) a Jew of London named Benedict fil. Mossei, who had been tried at Westminster for the same crime, but acquitted on the evidence of the mother of Hugh, the murdered boy. KING HENRY HI. 1258. 65 the King sitting here in judgment upon the matter, they were condemned to pay their fines for their offences committed ; and further, every one of them [was] discharged of assize and ward."* — At the end of August, in the same year, Alexan der III., king of Scotland, and Margaret his consort, (Henry's sister,) became for a short time the king's guests in this palace. King Henry kept his Christmas at Westminster in the year 1257, and at the Mid-lent foUowing held a parhament there, which he soon afterwards angrily dissolved, in conse quence of its refusal to sanction an unjust levy on the reve nues of the clergy. The numerous aggressions and acts of despotism which the king had committed, excited general indignation, and a powerful confederacy against him was formed by the barons, who, at another great Council which met in Westminster HaU, on the 2d of May 1258, assembled in complete armour. On the entrance of the king they put aside their swords, but Henry, alarmed at the unusual appearance, exclaimed, " Am 1 then a prisoner?" "Not so," replied Roger Bigod (the Earl of Norfolk, and Earl Marshal) ; " but as you. Sir, by your partiality to foreigners, and your own prodigahty, have involved the realm in misery, we demand that the authority of the state be delegated to commissioners, who shaU have power to correct abuses, and enact salutary laws." A. stormy altercation ensued, but Henry found it necessary to submit, and after certain arrangements had been made the meeting was adjourned to Oxford. On the appointed day, June the 11th, the parliament assembled in that city, when the entire government of the kingdom was vested in a Council of twenty-four barons and prelates, who, assisted by * Strype's Stow's " London," vol. ii, edit. 1755. F C6 WESTMINSTER PALACE. twelve Representatives of the people, or commonalty, were entrusted with the concerns of the intended reformation. To that meeting, though branded by subservient annalists with the opprobrious appellation of the " Mad Parliament," the authority of the House of Commons, as an integral part of the Legislature, is greatly indebted. Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, (who had married the king's sister,) was a principal leader of the associated barons, and the fear and apprehension which his resolute demeanour had excited in the mind of the fickle sovereign, was signaUy iUustrated by an occurrence that took place within a short time after the breaking up of the above parha ment ; and the particulars of which have been thus circum- stantiaUy related by Matthew Paris. In July 1258, the king leaving his palace to dine, took a boat at Westminster, but when on the Thames the sky grew dark, and such a storm of thunder and hghtning and rain came on, that the affrighted monarch, who at aU times was alarmed at tempestuous weather, ordered his attendants to put him ashore. The skiff was near the noble palace of the Bishop of Durham, where the Earl of Leicester then resided; and the earl, on perceiving the king approach, gladly hastened to meet him. Saluting him most respectfuUy, and consohng him under his alarm in a becoming manner, he said, ' Why should you be afraid, since the tempest is over ? ' To which the king rephed, not lightly, but seriously, and with a severe countenance, 'Above measure, I dread thunder and hght ning ; but, by the head of God ! I am in more terror of thee than of aU the thunder and lightning in the world.' * On the nth of May, 1259, the king by his precept com manded Master John of Gloucester, his plasterer, and the * Matt. Paris, " Hist. Major," p. 944. KING HENRY III. GREAT SEAL. 1260. O^ masters of his works at Westminster, ' to make five statues of kings carved in freestone, and a pedestal for the image of the Blessed Virgin, and to deliver them, as the king's gift, to the masters of the works of the church of St. Martin, in Lon don.'* In the same year, on the 13th of October, Henry held a court at Westminster at which regulations were made for the due government of the kingdom, in pursuance of the provisions of the Council of Oxford.f Several deeds bearing teste by the king at Westminster, and dated about this time, have been printed in the " Foedera." After the inglorious treaty ('in the above year), by which Henry irrevocably ceded to Louis the Ninth, King of France, the countries of Normandy, Anjou, Poitou, Touraine, and Maine, a new Great Seal was made, from the legend of which (enumerating the king's titles) aU mention of Nor mandy and Anjou was omitted. Its first keeper was Henry de Wingham, Bishop of London, who, as recorded in the Patent RoUs, resigned it to the king, in the royal chamber at Westminster, on St. Luke's day (October the 8th) 1260; and the king ' forthwith delivered his new seal to Nicholas de Ely, Archdeacon of Ely, as keeper, who thereupon took the oath of office,' &c. The old seal was then broken by the king's command, and the fragments given to be distributed to certain poor people belonging to religious houses, as a benefaction from himself.' J Rishanger, the continuator of Matthew Paris, states that the King of France paid to * " Rot. Claus." 43d Hen. III. m. 10. — By a former precept, issued in his 39th year, Henry had granted to the same John of Gloucester, his plasterer, that ' for the whole term of his life he should be free from all tallage and toUs everywhere throughout the Realm.' " Rot. Claus." f "Ann. Mon. Burton," inter Rer. Angl. Scrip. Vet. tome i. p. 427: Oxon. 1684. X " Cal. Rot. Patent." p. 31. P 2 68 WESTMINSTER PALACE. King Henry three hundred thousand pounds Tournois for the above cession;* but it appears from a variety of documents printed in the " Fcedera," that, after much nego- ciation, Henry agreed to take one hundred and thirty-four thousand pounds Tournois for his claim, and on the 14th of May, 1264, he gave a fuU acquittance for that sum to the French king. In the latter part of the year 1260, (as appears from Mat thew of Westminster,) the king was again visited by Alex ander King of Scots, and his consort Margaret ; and at a royal feast at Westminster, he conferred the honour of knight hood on fourscore persons. From a memorandum in the archives of the abbey church, which has been cited by Widmore, (and described by him as being in the handwriting of the time,) it appears that the total sum expended on the works at Westminster, from their commencement until the Sunday next after Michaelmas, in the45thof Henry the Third (anno 1 261) was £29,.S45. 19s. 8d; and that £260 remained due ' for the wages of the freestone carvers, &c. and for the freestone and other purchases.'f Whether this sum included the expenses incurred on the buildings of the Palace, as weU as on those of the abbey church, we have no present means of ascertaining. Holinshed, under the date 1263, says, "The same year the king's little hall at Westminster, with manie other houses thereunto adioining, was consumed with fire, by negligence of one of the kinges servants." The same event is thus noticed in the " Chronicle of London," edited by Sir Harris Nicolas, from the Harleian MS. before cited: "This yere, after the purification of oure Lady, [February the 2d,] the * M. Paris, " Hist. Major," 957. t Widmore's " Hist, of St. Peter's Church, Westminster,'' Appendix, p. 182. KING HENRY III. 1263. 69 kinges liteU haUe at Westm', with the chaumbre, were brent." From a Latin document given in the " Fcedera," it would seem that on this occasion Henry de Sandwich, Bishop elect of London, was written to by the king for a supply of timber to re-instate the destroyed buildings. His reply to the king, which is dated from Longstow, on the 1 1th of the kalends of March in the above year, is curious. After the customary address, the bishop proceeds thus: 'This is to let your Highness know, that having heard of the burning of your houses at Westminster we were much grieved, fearing that when it should be made known to you, your mind would be disturbed, and your bodily health (which God amend and preserve) would be injured. ' As to the timber concerning which your lordship has written to us, know that, as we are informed by many per sons worthy of credit, that to say nothing of our parks and preserves, the keepers of the bishopric of London, during the last vacancy, have so destroyed our woods, that towards the repair of our own houses, if it were requisite, we beheve that there would be found little, if any, supply. Wherefore, until we shall have ascertained by our steward or bailiff, whether your said keepers have left us any thing with which we may assist you, we dare not promise any thing to your serenity. May the Lord strengthen and preserve your safety for a long time."* During the popular commotions about this period, arising from the king's perfidious violation of the statutes of Oxford, considerable damage was done to his brother's property in this vicinity, as appears from Wykes's " Chronicle" ; but we have no means of specifying the immediate scene of the * " Foedera," vol. i. pt. i. p. 424, edit. 1816. yO WESTMINSTER PALACE. devastation. 'In the beginning of Lent 1263,' says the annahst, ' there assembled a furious mob of Londoners, who, after ravaging the manor of Islewych (Isleworth), belonging to the King of the Romans, destroyed a fishpond, or lake, which he had made at a great expense ; and, not content with this mischief, they proceeded to the mansion of the king, in the suburbs of London, near Westminster, which they nearly pulled down, scarcely leaving one stone upon another, and taking away aU the posts, tiles, and stones that were of any use for the buUding. They also in their rage devastated the manors of aU who adhered to the king, or served him in any capacity, attacking especiaUy the lands of Wilham de Valentia (his haK-brother), whom, without reason, they accounted an alien.'* After the decisive battle between the forces of the barons, under Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and those of the king himself, at Lewes, in Sussex, on the 14th of May, 1264, a treaty, called the Mise of Lewes, was signed on the field, and it was agreed that the final agreement should be referred to the decision of a Parliament to be assembled at London in the month following. The Parliament met accordingly, about the 24th of June, and besides the barons and prelates, it " consisted, apparently, of knights elected for several shires, as well as of persons summoned by special Writs, but not of Representatives of cities or boroughs.f " On the 20th of January, 1265 (49th of Henry III.), another Parliament was assembled at Westminster, % in obedience to * "Chron. Thomse Wykes," inter Hist. Angl. Script, quinque, tom.ii. p. 59. t Vide " Reports on the Dignity of a Peer," vol. i. p. 138. In that ParUa ment it appears " that four Knights, as represencatives of each of certain coun ties, were required to attend, not by writs to the sheriffs, but by writs to the keepers of the peace in those counties ; " yet there is no direct proof that such knights were really present. Ibid, p. 154. \ Vide "De Antiquis Legibus," a book in the office of the Town Clerk of KING HENRY III.— POPULAR REPRESENTATION. 1265. 7^ Writs issued in the preceding month. This meeting took place under the immediate influence of the Earl of Leicester, who then held the king in restraint, and it appears that the prelates and barons who were summoned on that occasion, were aU, or nearly all, his acknowledged partizans. But, independently of the magnates of the land, we have clear evidence that to this Parliament, knights were summoned as representatives of counties, and citizens and burgesses for cities and boroughs, as well as of four members for each of the cinque ports. For the cities and boroughs two members only were in general summoned, but the city of London was represented hj four citizens ; most probably in return for the strenuous support which they had given to the barons. This assembly, therefore, may be regarded as the first Parliament in which the legislative body began to assume its present form, as distinctly connected with a representation of the people. On the 14th of March 1265, the king, who was stiU held under control by the Earl of Leicester, assigned ' the houses which were those of Edward of Westminster [Prince Edward], at Westminster,' to Peter de Montfort, the earl's son, for his own residence.* After the victory at Evesham, however, on the 4th of August in the same year, when the Earl of Leicester was slain and the king freed from captivity, the above grant, and all others which he had made whilst under durance, were declared nuU and void. It is not probable that much work was executed at the Palace during the contentions with the barons, yet in the Close RoUs of this year (49th of Henry III.) there is a man- London. The ParUament assembled in the Great HaU at Westminster, and Prince Edward, and Henry son of the King of the Romans (who had become hostages at the Mise of Lewis), were declared free before aU the people, "co ram omni populo in Magna Aula Westm'."— Vide " Report on the Dignity of a Peer," vol. i. p. 464. * " Fcedera," vol. i. p. 453. 7^ WESTMINSTER PALACE. date directed to the treasurer, requiring him to pay ' to the painters of the king's chamber seven pounds and ten shU- lings, for the pictures made in the said chamber, in the chapel behind his bed.' There is also another precept, tested by the king at Westminster on the 7th of January, in his 51st year (anno 1267), commanding the bailiffs of the city of London ' to pay, out of the fee-farm of the said city, to Master Walter, our painter, the sum of twenty marks, for pictures made in our chamber at Westminster ; and that you by no means omit to do it, and it shaU be accounted with you in the Exchequer.' About this time the domestic troubles in the kingdom were renewed, and the Tower of London, which had been placed under the authority of Ottoboni, the pope's legate, was besieged by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, who was then the chief leader of the associated barons. The obligations which the king had conferred on the Abbey at Westminster, were in some degree returned on this occasion, by the loan of 'gold, precious stones, jewels, and other valu ables,' which had been deposited in the ' chest or shrine of the blessed Edward,' and which Henry sold or pledged to certain merchants for large sums of money, in order to raise soldiers in France and Scotland.'* About three weeks after Easter, according to Holinshed, the insurgent soldiers, " which laie in London and in South- wark, did much hurt about in the county of Southerie [Surrey], and elsewhere. They also spoyled the towne of » The king's acknowledgment of and obUgation to return the loan, is entered on the Patent RoUs, and has been printed in the " Foedera," vol. i. part i. p. 472. After quietness had been restored, and the pecuniary affairs of the king become more flourishing, he redeemed the rich jewels which had been pledged, and returned them to the church ; making other compensation for what had been sold. KING HENRY III. ST. BDWARD's SHRINE. 1265. 7^ Westminster, and the parish church there ; but the monkes and the goodes belonging to the abbey they touched not, but they made havocke in the king's Palace, drynking up and destroying his wine, they brake the glasse windows, and defaced the buildings most disorderly, uneth [scarcely] for bearing to set the house on fire." * This statement is corroborated by Wykes, who says, that ' the insurgents under the Earl of Gloucester, without con sideration attacked the king's Palace at Westminster, which disdained comparison with those in divers countries, — " quod diversis in regnis comparationem recipere dedignatur," — and breaking with clubs and levers the doors and windows, carried them into Southwark, where they constructed a kind of barrier for their defence against assault.' f On the 13th of October 1269, the new abbey church at Westminster, of which the eastern part, with the choir, to some distance beyond the transept, had now been completed, was first opened for divine service. On this occasion the remains of King Edward the Confessor were removed, with great solemnity, " into ye chapell at y^ backe of the hygh aulter, and there layde in a ryche shrine," J which the king had caused to be made for its reception. § The vast pomp with which this ceremony was performed, may be appreciated * Holinshed's "Chronicle," p. 778: edit. 1577; from Matthew of West minster. t Wykes's " Chronicle," sub anno 1267. t Fabyan's " Chronicle," p. 366. § This shrine, as appears from Matthew Paris (" Hist. Major," p. 553), had been prepared in 1241. The king, says the annalist, ' in this year employed chosen goldsmiths of London to construct a Shrine of the purest gold, adorned with precious stones, in which the reUques of the blessed Edward might repose ; and the work was most skilfuUy executed at his sole cost. Though the mate rials were highly valuable, the workmanship far excelled them, according to the poetical phrase, " materiem superahat opus." 74 WESTMINSTER PALACE. from a passage in Wykes's " Chronicle," which, speaking of Henry the Third, proceeds thus : ' This prince being grieved that the reliques of St. Edward were so poorly enshrined, and not elevated, resolved that so great a luminary should be placed on high as a candlestick to enlighten the church. He therefore, on the third of the ides of October, the day of St. Edward's first translation, summoned the nobility, magis- strates, and burgesses of the realm, to Westminster, to attend this solemn affair. At that time, the chest being taken out of the old shrine, the king and his brother, the King of the Romans, carried it upon their shoulders, in view of the whole church; his son Edward (afterwards king), Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, the Earl Warenne, and the Lord Philip Basset, with as many other nobles as could come near to touch it, supporting it with their hands to the new shrine; which was of gold, adorned with precious stones, and placed in an exalted situation.' According to Matthew of Westminster, the king, with many of his nobles, clothed in white garments, had passed the preceding night in the abbey church, watching and praying, and performing acts of charity. After the ceremony of the translation was over, the king magnificently feasted a great multitude of the assembled company, of aU ranks, in his Palace. It is also stated, that he was accustomed for many years to have the two HaUs at Westminster fiUed with poor people, and fed on the day of St. Edward's translation. In the year 1269, this Palace became the scene of a very singular occurrence, the particulars of which have been thus related by contemporary annahsts. A violent quarrel had taken place between John de Warenne, Eari of Surrey, and Sir Alan la Zouche, one of the king's justices, respecting a certain manor. These parties appeared before the judges in Westminster Hall, 0'^ the Tuesday after St. John the Baptist's KING HENRY III. A GROSS ASSAULT. 1269. 7"-' day, when a personal altercation arose, which was carried on with such indecent violence, that from abusive language they proceeded to blows ; and at length the domestics of the Earl, (who, unknown to his antagonist, were furnished with arms,) drew their swords, and, in defiance of the respect or reve rence due to the king and queen, (who were then residing in the palace,) as well as of the judges before whom the cause was pending, even in their very presence, and in the presence of the officers of the Chancery, (who were also in the HaU,) made a fierce attack on Alan la Zouche, who fearing they would kill him, fled towards the king's chamber ; but the assailants boldly followed him, and having inflicted on him dangerous wounds, left him half dead; then making their escape from the Palace to the river Thames, they crossed it in a boat, to seek a place of concealment. The king and prince Edward, hearing the lamentations of the wounded knight, were highly displeased, and resolved not to leave such an open act of violence unpunished. Orders were immediately issued that the earl should come into court, to submit himself to the laws and to the justice of the king. But that nobleman, apprehending that he should be cora- mitted to prison, refused to obey the royal mandate. Upon this, Prince Edward, with the Archbishop of York, and other nobles, attended by a band of soldiers, went after the earl, who had taken refuse in his castle at Reigate ; where, through the mediation of the Earl of Gloucester, and of Henry, son of the King of Almaine, the culprit nobleman was induced to surrender himself; and on the Sunday after the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul he was brought to court, that he might submit to the law and custom of the realm, and receive the award of justice. It appears that Roger la Zouche, as weU as his father Alan, had been wounded by the retainers of the earl, who was sentenced to place himself at the mercy of the king 76 WESTMINSTER PALACE. for a fine of 5,000 marks ; that, for the injury done to the knight and his son, he should give them 2,000 marks ; and that the earl himself, accompanied by fifty knights, should proceed on foot from the New Temple at London to West minster where they should aU make oath that the assault was not committed with premeditated mahce, but through a storm of anger suddenly excited. The unfortunate Alan la Zouche was attacked with fever in consequence of the wounds which he had received, and hot weather supervening, his iUness increased, and terminated in his death.* Soon after this event. Prince Edward, who, under the persuasions of Ottoboni, the legate, had assumed the Cross, at Northampton, in the preceding year, departed for the Holy Land ; — and he was stiU absent from England, when the king his father became seriously ill, and at length died, on the 16th of November 1272. Four days afterwards, the King was interred, with as much solemnity as the time would permit, in St. Edward's chapel, in the newly-built church at Westminster, where a splendid tomb, adorned with mosaic- work, was erected to his memory by his successor. Walpole concludes a somewhat laboured eulogium on this sovereign, — in which his love of splendour and the arts is urged by way of counterbalance to his oppressive exactions and profuse expenditure, — hj the enquiry, " who will own that he had not rather employ Master WiUiam and Edward of Westminster to paint the gestes of the Kings of Antioch, than imitate the son in his barbarities in Wales, and usurpa tions in Scotland ? " » Thom. Wykes's " Chron." inter Hist. Angl. Script, quinque, Oxon. p; 91, 2; and Matt. Westmonast. " Flores Historiar.'' Franco/. 1601, p. 399. From the "Patent RoU" it appears also that a safe conduct was granted to the earl, to appear at the king's court at Westminster, July 8, 54 Hen. III. (1270). Wm. Capv7> r/ei. KUlVARli THE FIRST. ^LUll-LiailASI. S. Wiitittms sc. CHAPTER II. HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER, FROM THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD THE FIRST UNTIL THE DEATH OF ED WARD THE THIRD. On the day after the decease of Henry the Third (namely on November the 17th, 1272) his eldest son Edward was pro claimed King in the greater Hall at Westminster, as appears from a letter addressed to him by the magnates of the realm, announcing his father's decease and burial.* His regnal year, however, did not commence until after his father's interment on the 20th of that month, when, according to Matthew of Westminster, the barons went to the high altar in the Abbey Church, and swore fealty to him ; after which he was pro claimed in the New Temple, where the Lords had assembled. * " Foedera," vol. i. part i. p. 497. 78 WESTMINSTER PALACE. A convention of the Clergy and Laity, after the festival of St. Hilary, in 1273, is stated to have taken place at West minster in consequence of the death of Henry the Third. It appears that this assembly was constituted in the same manner with that summoned in 1265, under the authority of the Earl of Leicester and his partizans ; for among those who were present on this occasion, besides the spiritual and temporal nobility, there were " de quolibet Comitatu quatuor milites, et de qualibet civitate quatuor." All present took the oath of fealty to Edward I. Walter de Merton was appointed ChanceUor, and ordered to remain at Westmin ster, as the place for public business — "tanquam in loco publico," — till the coming of the King, who was then abroad. It was also provided that there should be no Justices Itinerant in the King's absence, but only in the Bench. Two Nuncios from the Pope came to London during the sitting of this Parliament.* Before the King's arrival in England, orders had been given to prepare for his coronation at Westminster, and in February 1274, divers warrants were issued by Walter de Merton, the ChanceUor, requiring the Sheriffs of different counties to furnish provisions for the consequent feast.f * " Annales EcclesiseWigorn." in AngUa Sacra, tom. i. p. 499. That West minster was the principal seat of justice for the whole kingdom in the reign of Edward I. appears, not only from the above account of the ParUament in 1273, but also from the foUowing passage in the same annals : " Anno 1280. In crastino Epiphanise, recedente Rege k Castro Wintonise versus No- vam Forestam, reversus est CanceUarius ejus Londoniam, ut apud Westmonas terium, quasi in loco certo, omnes indigentes et Brevia petentes, et jura sua pro- sequentes, remedium invenirent ibidem." Ibid. p. 504. t Vide " Foedera," vol. I. part ii. p. 609. The magnificent scale on which the banquet was to be given, may be appreciated by the quantity of provisions that was ordered to be supplied, and which included 440 oxen and cows, 430 sheep, 450 pigs, 16 fat boars, 278 flitches of bacon, and 22,460 capons and other poultry. Ibid. CORONATION OF EDWARD I.' -1274. 79 Some affairs of national importance, however, detaining him on the Continent, the intended celebration was deferred until August, a short time prior to which, as appears from an entry on the Patent RoUs, WiUiam of Windsor and Joceres of London, the King's purveyors, were sent through the several counties of England to coUect provisions for the feast, and aU persons were enjoined to aid and assist them. Edward landed at Dover with Eleanor his Queen, on the 2nd of August, and their passage through London to the Palace at Westminster was attended by great rejoicings. The exterior of the houses were hung with the richest silks and tapestry, the conduits flowed with the choicest wines, and gold and sUver were profusely scattered among the popu lace by the more affluent citizens. On the 19th of August, Edward and his royal consort were crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster, Alex ander, King of Scotland, and aU the principal nobility of both countries, being present at the ceremony. The proces sion to the banquet in the great HaU was unusuaUy splendid. Knighton says, ' The King of Scotland was accompanied by one hundred knights on horseback, who as soon as they had dismounted, turned their steeds loose for any one to catch and keep that thought proper. Then came Edmund, Earl of CornwaU, the King's nephew, and the Earls of Gloucester, Pembroke, and Warenne, each having in their company a hundred iUustrious knights, wearing their lords' armour; and when they had ahghted from their palfreys, they also set ^them free, that whoever chose might take them unquestioned. And the aqueduct in Chepe [Cheapside] poured forth white wine and red like rain water, for those who would to drink at pleasure.' * * Henry de Knyghton " De Eventibus Angliffi," inter Decem Scriptores, col. 2461. 80 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The first Parhament after Edward's Coronation was held at Westminster on the 19th of May 1275; and among the returns entered on the " Hundred RoUs " of the same year, in answer to one of the questions contained in the Commis sion by which the Inquisitions were taken, namely, ' What manors hath the King in demesne ? ' the Jury are stated to reply that, ' in the county of Middlesex, the King hath {inter alia) the Palace of Westminster, which was of the ancient demesne of the crown.' * From the foUowing translated abstracts from the Wardrobe Accounts entered on the ChanceUor's RoU of the 5th year of King Edward, it is obvious that some considerable works must have been in progress at the Palace in the early part of his reign. They are also curious from including the charges for a variety of articles that were then used. It is observable that, in these records, the earlier accounts are the first which are entered ; and the probability is that they were condensed from the more minute specifications of other documents. 'The account of Giles de Audenard, Keeper of the Tower of London, for the Works at the Tower of Lon don, at Westminster, and at the King's Mews, from the Sunday next before Christmas in the 5th year of King Edward the First until Easter in the 6th year of the same King.' ' For timber, boards, and planks for a new " pomellu," f \pomellum, baU, or globe] upon the Great HaU of West- * " Rotuli Hundredorum," p. 403. t Pomellus, globulus; GaUic^ pomme ,- de eo dicitur quod formam rotun- dam et sphsericam, ut pomum habet. PomeUi etiam dicuntur globuU ; Gall. houtons, quibus in vestimentis utuntur, Du Cange. The term appears to denote globular ornaments of any kind. It is applied to ornaments of a royal crown. KING EDWARD 1. PALATIAL REPAIRS, 12/8. 81 minster, and to amend divers of the King's Courts there, shingles to cover the said houses, and carriage thereof from Kingston by water to Westminster, nails for the said ' pomellu ' and for other things in the said Court, for white washing the said ' pomellu,' for covering with lead the two new ' pomeU' ' [pomellos] of the two great kitchens, for six new wooden 'pomell,' bought for the King's seat in the little HaU, three hundred and one quarter of Reygate stone for the works there, 906 sacks of lime for the same, seven loads (' carratis ') of lead for the old and new gutters of th 3 King's houses there, firewood to melt the said lead, plaster of Paris, bolts, or fastenings (' serruris ') for the doors and windows of the said houses, for tiles, &c. and straw ' ad eas- dem domus interclausur' near the King's bed, iron-work for divers windows in the King's chamber, for painting one ' list a ' [border, or margin] in the great Hall, and colours for the same, grafts or cuttings bought for the King's garden, and other minute expenses about the King's houses there, with the wages of masons, carpenters, plumbers, blacksmiths and other workmen employed in the said repairs from St. Innocent's day in the 6th year until the Wednesday before the feast of St. Fabian and St. Sebastian in the same year, £64 9 2i ' For timber, whereof to make the King's Mews, and car riage of the same from Kingston to the said Mews, as well by land as by water, divers keys for the same, and for repairing in the will of James King of Arragon, 1262. Spicileg. D'Acherii, tom, ix. p. 198 ; to baUs placed instead of feet to support silver cups, in the statutes of the Cistercians 1203, apud Marten. Anecd. tom. iv. col. 1299: and to ornaments of buildings, "Cuidam plumbario qui plumbavit Pomellos ex parte muris, XX. sol."— Comput. ann. 1261, ex Bibl. Reg. " Foedera," t. v. p. 48 and 59. " Gloss, ad Script. Med. et Infim. Latin." Auct. C. Dufiesne, D. Du Cange. Edit. Nov. a Benedict, e Congr. S. Mauri, t. v. Paris. 1734. col. 632. G 82 WESTMINSTER PAr.,ACE. the keys of the gerfalcons' bath, for iron rings for the cur tain of the Mews before the said falcons, and for turfs bought for the herbary of the said falcons, £ 25 0 2 ' The account of the said Giles for the King's Works at Westminster and the King's Mews there, from Mon day on the morrow of AU Saints, in the 4th year of the same King, until the Sunday next after the feast of the Translation of St. Andrew in his 5th year. ' For gross timber, as weU oaks as elder, planks and shin gles for a new chamber for the Queen's use, for the chamber of master Francis, and for a new house for timber and brush wood, near the chamber of the said master Francis, a new butlery for the Queen's use, a new kitchen for WiUiam de Montrevel, and for the repair of other the King's houses there, and for the carriage of the aforesaid timber, £25 2 7 ' For deal boards bought for the doors and windows of the aforesaid houses, and for certain offices there, and for tables, stands, and other things in the Queen's butlery and kitchen, and for the making thereof, £ 14 13 4 ' For sockets i^forceriis ') to hold waxen torches, for two other sockets, for coffers to contain the roUs and taUies of the Exchequer, for iron bought for the use of the King and Queen, and carriage thereof, and for divers keys for the aforesaid houses, and other iron-work for the offices there, £16 5 6 'For lead, bought to cover the Queen's Oriel, and to amend the gutters, tin bought to mix with the said lead to cover the said Oriel, and for the amendment of other places there, with firewood to melt the same, and for plaster of Paris, £32 2 0 ' For four ship-loads of hard stone of ' Bon ' {Bononia, or Boulogne ?) seven hundred and one quarter of Reygate free- KING EDWARD I. PALATIAL REPAIRS, &C. 1277. 83 stone, and for freight and unloading thereof, and for burnt lime, and for plaster of Paris purchased for the aforesaid works, £25 18 9i ' For tiles to cover the said houses and to repair other the King's houses there, with the carriage of the same, £6 8 0 ' For a new glass window bought for the Queen's Oriel, and for the repairs of other windows there, 9s. lOd. " For shoots or cuttings of divers plants of vines, wiUows, &c., and certain other purchases for the garden of the King and Queen there, llSs. 4d. ' For the wages of masons, carpenters, and other workmen about the aforesaid works during the above time, £77 14 6^ ' For boards bought for divers " solar' " (probably floors) and other things of the houses of the chaplain officiating in the chapel of the King's Mews, and for the King's falconers dwelling there ; for keys for the said houses, plaster of Paris, colours to paint the said Mews, and the painting of the same, for an earthen mound (embankment) newly made about the said Mews, and for necessaries for the offices there, £49 14 11 ' For the wages of masons, carpenters, and others working at the aforesaid Mews, during the time aforesaid, £6 17 1 la in the 6th of Edward I. (anno 1278) the King received the homage of Ralph de Levelaund, the son and heir of Mar gery, who was the wife of Fulk Peyforer, deceased, who held in capite of the King, by serjeanty, the custody of the Palace of Westminster, and the King's Prison of the Fleet.* * " Rot. Grig. Abbreviatio," vol. i. p. 29, edit. 1805. In the 1st year of Edward's reign, the citizens of London were allowed in their account rendered in the Exchequer, the sum of j6 10 12 2, which had been paid by them to the beirs of Richard Levelaunds for the custody of the King's houses at Westmiu- G 2 84 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The refusal of LleweUyn, Prince of Wales, to come to England to pay his accustomed homage, had highly incensed the Enghsh monarch, who, having prepared " a mighty power," departed from Westminster, in the quindene of Easter 1277, for the purpose of chastising his vassal. On this occasion the Courts of the King's Bench and the Ex chequer were removed to Shrewsbury, from Michaelmas in the above year untU the 15th day of St. HUary foUowing, when they " wer brought ageyn to Westm'." LleweUyn was constrained to submit, and having been received, says the annahst, " with a kisse of peace," he accompanied the King into England, and kept his Christmas with him at West minster. At Michaelmas 1278, a Parhament was held at Westmin ster, when Alexander the Third, King of Scotland, appeared before Edward in the King's chamber there, " Et ibidem op- tulit idem Rex Scotise eidem Regi Anglise devenire hominem suum ligeum, et facere ei homagium suum." The oath of fealty to the sovereign of England was taken in the name of the King of Scotland, by Robert de Bruce, Earl of Carrick, appointed deputy or locum tenens for that purpose, by spe cial permission of King Edward. " Preedictus Rex Scotise fidelitatem iUam, sic nomine suo et vice sua per prsedictum Robertum juratam et factam, confirmavit et ratificavit." The homage thus paid by the Scottish King for the lands which he held of the King of England, was by the latter, some years afterwards, made one of his pretexts for the invasion of Scotland.* ster; and likewise 60s. Sd. paid to William the Chaplain, for celebrating Divine Service in the Chapel of St. Stephen at Westminster. Vide " Rot. Cancell." 1st Edw. I. * " Foedera," vol. I. part ii. p. 563. In Pinkerton's " Iconographia Scotica," there is an iU-executed print of a sitting of ParUament, in which KING EDWARD I. 1279-1289. 85 In July 1279, several singular precepts, tested by the King at Westminster, were directed to the sheriffs of different counties, requiring them to search out and imprison aU those injurious slanderers, who had spread reports that the King had commanded that 'no corn should be harvested, nor mea dows mowed,' as well as with other falsehoods, ' which he had never uttered nor imagined, and at which he was justly displeased.' * In 1 280, according to Stow, the King " caused his father's sepulture at Westminster to be richly garnished with preci ous stones of jasper, which he had brought out of France for that purpose." He appears also, to have contributed to the furtherance of the rebuilding of the abbey church, of which it is recorded, that " the new worke to the end of the choir was fully finished in 1285." f In this year also, at a Parliament held at Westminster, at the feast of Easter, the celebrated Statutes were made, which our historians have denominated the " Additamenta Glocestrice," or the " Second Statutes of Westminster." % On the return of the King from Gascony (in August 1289) where, and in other foreign parts, he had continued upwards of three years, he immediately directed a rigid inquiry into the gross corruption of which his justices had been guilty during his absence beyond sea. Nearly all the judges of his superior Courts at Westminster, together with their officers, were deeply implicated in this and other glaring abuses, and the escheators and justices itinerant had been alike guilty King Edward is represented on a throne at the upper end, with Alexander, King of Scotland, on a lower seat on his right hand, and Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, similarly seated on his left hand. It is described as executed from a copy of an ancient limning that was formerly in the College of Arms at London. * " Foedera," p. 575. f Holinshed's " Chronicle," sub eod. anno. : See "The Statutes of the Realm," vol. i, p. 71, edit. 1810. 86 WESTMINSTER PALACE. of "wrongfuU iudgements," and "manie hainous crimes." Sir Thomas Weiland or Weyland, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, who was declared guUty of procuration of murder, was banished the kingdom, besides having aU his property "con fiscate into the King's coffers." Seven or eight other jus tices were punished by heavy fines and imprisonment in the Tower ; and Adam de Stratton, Chief Baron of the Exche quer (who appears to have been an ecclesiastic) was deprived of all his temporal possessions, amounting in value to nearly 40,000 marks. It appears from Walsingham, that these offences gave the King occasion to oblige the Judges to swear " that for the future they would take neither money nor present of any kind, unless it was a breakfast, which they might accept, provided there was no excess." During the sitting of a Parliament at Westminster, in the year 1290, the Prior of the Church of the Holy Trinity of London, and Bogo de Clare (brother to the Earl of Glouces ter), were attached to answer the King, Peter de Chanet (the king's steward), Walter de Fancourt (the king's marshal), Edmund, Earl of CornwaU (the king's nephew), and the Abbot of Westminster (Walter de Wenlock), of this : that, whereas the said earl, by the king's command, came to his Parliament at London, and was passing through the great Hall of Westminster, towards the king's council (where every one ought to pass lawfuUy and peaceably, and pursue his business without being hable to receive citations or sum monses), the said prior, by the procuration of the said Bogo, on the Friday before the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary last past (February the 2d), cited the aforesaid earl in the said hall, to appear on a certain day before the Archbishop of Canterbury, to answer what should be then objected to him,— to the manifest contempt of the king, and his dishonour, to the amount of £10,000; and to the injury of KING HOWARD I. BOGO DE CLARE. 1290. 87 the liberties of the church of the said abbot (granted by the Court of Rome) ; since the aforesaid place is wholly exempt from the jurisdiction of all archbishops or bishops whom soever, by the liberties granted to him and his church of Westminster, and to the damage of the said abbot, £1,000; to the injury of the earl, £5,000 ; and to the manifest preju dice of the office of the aforesaid steward and marshal, since it pertaineth to them, and no other, to make attachments in the king's palace. The aforesaid prior and Bogo de Clare admitted the fact of the citation, but asserted their ignorance of the exemption of the place, and threw themselves on the king's mercy. They were, however, committed to the Tower, this act being regarded as a direct violation of the privUeges of Parliament ; but were subsequently admitted to bail. Bogo de Clare was also subjected to pay a fine of 1,000 marks to the king, and £1,000 to the earl ; but through the intercession of the Bishop of Durham, and others, the latter fine was reduced to £lOO.* * Vide " Rot. Parliamentorum," vol. i. p. 17. Prynne, in his " History of King John," &c. (p. 406) has made the following deductions respecting the legal immunities of the king's palace from the above case : " From this record and judgment it is most evident ; first, that the king's royal palace is exempted from all archiepiscopal and episcopal jurisdiction whatsoever ; 2dly, that the serving of a citation therein by any officer of the archbishop, is a high contempt and dishonour to the king, in those who serve, or procure it to be there served, on any person ; deserving a very great fine to the king, and imprisonment in the Tower of London, especially during the king's personal presence there, and in time of Parliament, upon a peer and member of Parliament, and an injury both to the king's steward and marshal ; 3dly, that Westminster Abbey was by the pope's buUs, and our king's charters, exempted from aU archiepiscopal ju risdiction ; 4thly, that the fine and imprisonment imposed on them in this case, was not for any breach of the privilege of Parliament, not here mentioned nor insisted on (as Sir Edward Coke, 4th Instit. p. 2, and Mr. Elsinge, "Man ner of h9lding Pariiaments," p. 144-5, mistake), but for the contempt, injury, and dishonour, to the king, his palace, privilege, ofiicers, and the court." 88 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Another breach of privilege at Westminster occurred in the early part of the year 1294, when, WiUiam de Sadington having been struck in the great haU by Geoffrey de Parche- miner, the latter was fined 20s. and committed to the cus tody of the marshal.* On the 12th of December 1291, the heart of King Henry the Third was dehvered by Abbot Wenlock of Westminster, to the Abbess of Font-Everaud, in Normandy, to which foundation it had been promisedby that sovereign ; his grand father Henry II., and his uncle Richard Coeur de Lion, hav ing been interred there, f His body, however, was suffered to remain in the monastery at Westminster, which he had appointed for his burial-place, by deed, in 1245, when he commenced the rebuilding of the abbey church. From the Wardrobe and other accounts which are stiU extant, in appears that in 1292, and the two foUowing years, many artificers were employed in different works, but parti cularly in painting, at the " King's chapel in his Palace at Westminster." These rolls were first mentioned by Mr. Topham in his Memoir on St. Stephen's Chapel, (pubhshed by the Society of Antiquaries,) as remaining in the Exche quer ; but they were afterwards more particularly examined by Mr. Hawkins, when in search of information for Smith's " Antiquities of Westminster." Twelve roUs in aU, have been found, which appear to form portions of a series regularly numbered from 1 to 113. The earliest roU commences on April 28th, 1292, and the last concludes with the week after the feast of St. Bartholomew, August 24th, 1294. Generally speaking, each roll contains the accounts of a single week, but in one instance two weeks are included, * " Placitorum Abbreviatio," p. 291 : edit. 1811. t The precept of King Edward for this delivery, has been printed in the " Foedera," vol. I. part ii. p. 758 ; from the archives in the Tower. WAGES OF ARTIZANS IN 1293, 1294. SQ The highest weekly expenses varied from about £5 to £l3. Ninety-four masons were at work in one week, and forty-two in another, together with fifty-five stone-cutters, six carpenters, &c. Whilst the painters (to whom most of the rolls relate) were employed, the highest weekly charge was £3. 18s. 3d.; the lowest £l. 3s. 8d.: the number of painters, on an average, was about twelve or thirteen. These roUs furnish interesting information concerning the rate of wages of artificers at the close of the thirteenth cen tury. We learn that the superior masons, who were engaged in the years 1291 and 1292, had 6d. a day, and that the wages of the others varied from 4d. to 4|c?. and 5d. a day ; the weekly wages of the apparitor, or foreman, were 3s. 6c?. ; the squarers of stone, and their assistants, were paid from 4d. to 5d. a day. Wages of the principal smith 6d. a day ; of carpenters from 4|c?. to 5d. a day; of plumbers 4ld. to 6d. a day; of tilers 5d. a day. The wages of the painters in those years, were as follow. Master Walter, the principal painter, was paid I4d. a day, the others smaUer sums, in general from 7d. to 3d. a day- Two individuals, Andrew (Andrea) and Giletto, probably Itahans, had conjointly 6s. 8d. for six days, and 8s. in another week for the same time. Among the articles charged in these accounts, are several which clearly demonstrate that painting in oil-colours formed a part of the decorations that were then in progress. Oil and cole and varnish, with white and red lead, vermiUion and azure, and sinople, are repeatedly mentioned ; together with gold and silver (leaf), of which considerable quantities were used. These articles, as Mr. Hawkins has remarked, " could not have been wanted for mere house painting ;" and hence, as well as from the length of time which the artists were employed, he judiciously infers, " that the paintings were not 90 WESTMINSTER PALACE. even heraldical bearings (exclusively), but human figures ; either portraits or ideal representations, and historical sub jects such as were afterwards painted on the waUs when the chapel was rebuilt by Edward the Third."* From the prices mentioned in these roUs, it appears that a 'pottle of oU' cost 5d. or 6d.; a pound of red lead 2d.; a pound of white lead l^d. or l^d.; a pound of tin 3id.; a quartern of azure Is. ; a pound of red varnish 3^d. and 4d. ; a quartern of sinople Is. ; a pound of green 5id. ; one hun dred (probably books) of gold-leaf 3s. 4d. ; one hundred of silverJeaf 6d. ; and a quartern of vermiUion (probably — of a hundred weight,) 6s. 5d. In September 1294, a Parliament was held at Westmins ter, at which John (Bahol) King of Scotland was present, and wherein it was determined to make war against France, towards the charges of which Bahol consented to grant aU the revenues of his paternal estates in England for three years. Soon afterwards. King Edward royally entertained in his Palace, during several days, the ' four noble envoys ' of the King of Arragon, with whom he was secretly negociating for assistance in the proposed war.f * Smith's " Antiquities of Westminster," p. 76. It may be further remarked that Master Walter, the principal painter concerned in these decorations, was almost unquestionably the painter of that name, who executed the pictures in the king's chamber, as before mentioned under the date 1267. At that time he was probably a young man, but in the 20th of Edward I. (anno 1292) , he ap pears to have had a son old enough to assist his father, a ' ' Thomas, son of Master Walter," being mentioned in all the above RoUs relating to painter's works as employed on a rising salary at from Is. 6d. to 3s. a week. It is observable that the names of the painters are almost invariably distinguished by that of the county or place from which they came ; viz. John of Soningdon, John of Car lisle, Roger of Winchester, Thomas of Worcester, Roger of Ireland, John of Nottingham, WiUiam of Ross, William of Oxford, Godfrey of Norfolk, and others. t Matt. Westminster, " Flores Historiorum," p. 431, Franc. 1601. EDWARD I. PALACE DESTROYED BY FIRE. 1298. 91 On the 29th of March 1 298 " a vehement fire," according to Stow, "being kindled in the lesser hall in the King's Palace at Westminster, the flame thereof being driven with the wind fired the monasterie adioining, which, with the Palace, were both consumed." * Stow's authority is Matthew of Westminster, whose words are as follow: "A. Gf. 1298 accedente rege Anghse ad Westmonast. 4 kal. Aprilis, accenso que igne vehementi in minori aula Palatii, flamma tecturam domus attingens, ventoque agitata, Abbatise vicinee eedificia cum Palatio regis devoravit." f This account is certainly exaggerated in regard to the monastery of Westminster; although Flete, foUowino' Wal singham, has stated that the flames 'being driven by the wind, devoured the edifices of the neighbouring Abbey;' but this must certainly be restricted to some of the outer buildings eastward of the chapter-house. In respect to the Palace itself, the devastation unquestionably was much greater, since we ascertain from different records, that the King was constrained to remove to the palace of the Arch bishop of York, at Whitehall, where he continued occasion- aUy to reside until his decease. In the Wardrobe accounts of the 25th of Edward I. t is an entry to this effect, under the dates April the 3rd and June the 18th: 'Paid to John le Coniers, sent by the King [who was then in the North,] to Westminster, to repair the houses and waUs of the court of the Archbishop of York there, and to do other works by the King's appointment against the King's coming there, — for timber, nails, glass, windows, and other building materials, and for the wages of the workmen, £19 16 II.' * Stow's " Chronicle," p. 318. t "Flores Hist." p. 421. X Vide " Additional MSS." in the British Museum, fol. 196. 92 WESTMINSTER PALACE. We also learn from the Parliament RoUs of the 28th of Edward I. (anno 1360), that ' the King and his CouncU as sembled in the chamber of the dweUing of the Archbishop of York at Westminster, about Easter in that year.' * Again, in the wardrobe accounts of the 32nd of Edward I.f (anno 1304), there is this entry: 'Paid to Walter de Clerk- enweU, chaplain, appointed to superintend the construction of two new chambers for the King and Queen, in the palace of the Archbishop of York at Westminster, for building ma terials, &c. between the 12th of August and the 14th of No vember, £42 10 2.' In the year 1302, some very singular proceedings took place in Parhament respecting the claims made by the Abbot of Westminster to certain duties upon aU merchants and traders who exposed their goods for sale within the precincts of the King's Palace, during the celebration of St. Edward's fair. The foUowing account of these proceedings is derived from the Parhament RoUs of the 30th of Edward I. The Parhament itself had assembled at Westminster, fifteen days after Michaelmas. Walter (de Wenlock) Abbot of Westminster, shewed that by a charter of King Henry III., confirmed by the reigning King, he had a right to hold a fair at Westminster, and during the time of that fair he was entitied to the same privileges that were exercised by the Bishop of Winton at the fair of St. Giles's Hill, Winchester; and that the said bishop and his predecessors had of right, at the time of the Winchester fair, levied toUs from aU merchants bringing goods for sale into the city or suburbs, and that none were aUowed to ex pose goods for sale during the time of the fair except in the ' "Rot. Pari." vol. i. p. 143. t Vide " Additional MSS." ut supra, fol. 20 b. KING EDWARD I. — ABBATIAL PRIVILEGES, 1302. 93 place appointed : and the abbot further said, that John de Noer, Michael le Patmer, and other merchants, bringing goods for sale at Westminster, and exposing them in places different from that appointed by the abbot for holding the fair, he had, in virtue of his chartered privUege, seized those goods. The merchants impleaded the abbot and his bailiffs before the steward and marshals of the king's house at West minster, natnel)', the residence of the Archbishop of York; and they, at the complaint of the said merchants, had relieved their property from distraint, to the manifest injury of the church ; wherefore the abbot prays the king and council, after having heard the royal charters and confirmations, on which he grounded his claim, to grant him remedy. It was therefore ordered by the king and council, that Walter de Beauchamp, his steward, should in full council produce the record of the preceding complaint ; which he did accordingly. The steward having stated the names of the aggrieved merchants, and the value of the goods seized by the abbot's officers, with his own proceedings, in consequence of the seizure ; and it appearing from the charters produced by the abbot, that he was entitled to the same rights and privileges with respect to the fair at Westminster, as were exercised by the Bishop of Winchester at the fair of St. GUes's HUl; a writ was directed to the sheriff of Hants, requiring him to return an account, on the inquisition of a jury of good men and true, of the extent and importance of the power pos sessed by the Bishop of Winchester at the fair held near that city. The return to this writ being made, it clearly appeared that the rights of the bishop were very considerable ; and that no business could be transacted during the fair of St. Giles's HiU, but at the place appointed, except under pecu liar restrictions, and that his authority extended not only 94 WESTMINSTER PALACE. over the city and suburbs, but to the country around within seven leagues. On the receipt of this statement, the king's council de cided, that though the Abbot of Westminster had seized the property of the merchants in houses within the verge of the palace, as he was only prosecuting his own right, without injury to the king, or those who held those houses of the king in fee, and since his jurisdiction was decided to be similar to that of the Bishop of Winchester, and it plainly appeared by their own admission that the merchants had infringed his regulations as to the place of sale for goods, that therefore the abbot should have return of the goods distrained.* In the same Parhament (30th Edw. I.) was presented a petition from Thomas le Marschal and others, tenants of the king's palace, setting forth, that they and their ancestors had never been subject to the jurisdiction of any one but the Bailiff of the Palace, and complaining that at the time of the fair at Westminster, the baihffs of the abbot had prevented merchants from exercising traffic within the verge of the palace, fining them for disobedience in their own courts, at their pleasure, to the great damage of the tenants aforesaid ; and therefore they begged remedy from the king, aUedging that the palace ought to be the freest place in England, " le plus frank leu D' engleterre." The petitioners were told, that if they thought themselves wronged they might apply to the Court of Chancery .f In the year 1303, the king's treasury, which was then within the precincts of theabbeyat Westminster,! was robbed of jewel- * " Rot. Pari." vol. i. pp. 150—152. t " Rot. ParL" vol. i. p. 155. X In Dart's Westmonasterium,'' vol. ii. p. 27, it is affirmed that this Trea sury "was in the Cloisters." KING EDWARD I. HIS TREASURY ROBBED, 1303. 95 lery to a very large amount ; but a part of the stolen valuables were afterwards recovered. On the 6th of June, an order was issued by the King, who was then in Scotland, to Ralph de Sandwich and others, to make inquisition concerning this depredation ;* and about a fortnight afterwards, John de Dro- kenesford, keeper of the King's wardrobe, accompanied by those appointed to make the inquiry, entered the treasury, and found the chests and coffers broken open, and much of the treasure gone. The Abbot (Wenlock), with about fifty of his monks, were in consequence committed to the Tower, on the charge of stealing property to the value of £lOO,OOO.f Twelve of them were kept two years in prison without trial ; but at length, on Lady day 1305, the King, who had come to the church at Westminster to return thanks for his victory over the Scots, gave orders for their discharge. A singular case, having reference to the privileges of the Law Courts at Westminster, has been recorded on the " Pla cita RoU" of the 34th of Edward I., which is now preserved among the national archives in the Chapter-house at West minster. The conduct of the king, in respect to his ungra cious son, which is incidentally mentioned in the record, wiU forcibly remind the reader of an occurrence in the life of Henry the Fifth, when Prince of Wales, which forms so beautiful a scene in one of Shakespeare's dramas. % ' Roger de Heexham complained to the king, that whereas he was the justice appointed to determine a dispute between Mary the wife of WiUiam de Brewes [Braose], plaintiff, and William de Brewes, defendant, respecting a sum of 800 » See " Mem. de Jocalibus a Garderoba R. surreptis," in "Selections from the MisceUaneous Records," recently printed by the Record Commissioners, p. 277, &c. t "Foedera," vol. i. p. 959. X Vide " The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth," Act v. Scene 2. 96 WESTMINSTER PALACE. marks which she claimed from him, and that having decided in favour of the former, the said WiUiam, immediately after judgment was pronounced, contemptuously approached the bar, and asked the said Roger, in gross and upbraiding lan guage, if he would defend that judgment ; and he afterwards insulted him in bitter and taunting terms, as he was going through the Exchequer chamber to the king, saying to him, ' Roger, Roger, thou hast now^ obtained thy wiU of that thou hast long desired." WUham de Brewes, when arraigned before the King and his Council for this offence, acknowledged his guilt ; ' and be cause,' says the record, ' such contempt and disrespect, as weU towards the king's ministers as towards the king himself, or his court, are very odious to the king, — as of late expressly appeared, when his majesty expelled from his houshold, for nearly half a year, his dearly-beloved son Edward, Prince of Wales, on account of certain improper words which he had addressed to one of his ministers, and suffered him not to enter his presence until he had rendered satisfaction to the said officer for his offence, it was decreed by the king and council that the aforesaid WiUiam should proceed, unattired, bare-headed, and holding a torch in his hand, from the King's Bench in Westminster-hall, during full court, to the Exchequer, and there ask pardon from the aforesaid Roger, and make an apology for his trespass.' He was afterwards, for his contempt towards the king and his court, committed to the Tower, there to remain during the king's pleasure. King Edward being intent on the subjugation of Scotland, and with a view to augment his forces for an expedition into that country which he was then meditating, caused procla mation to be made throughout England, in the year 1306, that all those who were heirs to estates held by military tenure, " ut quotquot tenerentur fieri mihtes successione KING EDWARD I. HIS SON KNIGHTED, 1306. 97 paterna, et qui haberent unde mihtarent," should make their appearance at Westminster at the feast of Pentecost, to be admitted ; each to be equipped (except with respect to his horse's trappings,) from the royal wardrobe. Three hundred young men, therefore, the sons of earls, barons, and knights, assembled and received purple, silk, fine linen, and girdles embroidered with gold, according to their respective rank. And because the royal palace, though large, was too confined for such a crowd of persons, they went to the New Temple at London, cutting down fruit trees, levelling waUs, and erecting tents and booths, which the young aspirants severaUy deco rated with their embroidered vestments : and as many as could take up their quarters there, kept their watch during the night. But the Prince of Wales, by the direction of his father, with the noblest of the young men, kept watch in the church of Westminster. Then, so great was the clang of the trumpets and pipes, and the noise of the acclamations, that the convent could not hear the service of the choir. The following day, the King girded his son with the belt of a knight in his palace, and gave to him the Duchy of Aquitaine. The Prince, being knighted, went to shew himself in his triumph to his associates in military glory. There was then such pressure about the high altar that two knights died, and several fainted away, though each had at least three soldiers to lead and defend him. The Prince therefore proceeded no further, but the crowd being removed from the great altar, he girded his companions. Then there were brought two swans (duo cygni vel olores) before the King, with glorious pomp, adorned with gold nets, and gUded ornaments, a desirable spectacle to beholders. Viewing them, the King vowed to the God of Heaven and the Swans,* that he would go into * Matt. West. " Flores Hist." p. 454, 5. The singular ceremonial of mak. ing a vow of arms before the Swan, is also mentioned by Trivet as having taken G 98 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Scotland, and dead or ahve, avenge the death of John Comyn and the broken faith of the Scots : adjuring the Prince, and the other great men of the land, to give him their promise, that if he should die, his body should be carried before them into Scotland, and that he should not be buried untU they had triumphed over the perfidious King and nation. They aU gave him assurance that they were prepared either in the King's life, or after his death with the Prince, to go to Scot land, and fulfil the royal vow. By the Statute ofTaUiage, which was passed at Westmins ter in the 34th year of Edward the First, the right of the Commons' Representatives to interfere in the granting of supphes, was distinctiy recognized ; for it is provided by that act, " that no talhage, or aid, shaU be taken without the assent of the archbishops, bishops, earls, barons, knights, burgesses, and other freemen of the land ;" — the latter, un questionably, were the ' liberi homines ' of the common lawi In the foUowing year (AprU the 5th, 1305) another Parlia- place on this occasion. It was one of the usual'chivalric observances of this period ; and some have supposed that there is an allusion to it in the poem in old French, on the "Siege of Carlaverock," published by Sir H. Nicolas, the writer styUng Sir Robert de Tony as " a Knight of the Swan," " Chevalier a Cygne." This knight, who distinguished himself at Carlaverock, afterwards feU into disgrace with the King, and probably was not present at the ceremony mentioned in the text. Sir H. Nicolas observes that " Although Tony might on a former occasion have made his vows ' before the Swan,' it does not explain why he only of the poet's heroes should have been described as a ' Knight of the Swan.' " It also appears that Sir Robert de Tony assumed the swan as his badge on his seal, and therefore the title given to him may have had refer ence to his pedigree, as claiming descent, in common with the Beauchamps Earis of Warwick, the Bohuns, and the Staffords, from the " Knight of the Swan," celebrated in the popular romance of that title, and from whom the Counts of Boulogne were said to be Uneally descended. See " The Siege of Carlaverock, &c. with Memoirs of the Personages commemorated by the Poet." By N. H. Nicolas, Esq. 1828. Notes, p. 369, 370. KING EDWARD I. — HIS DECEASE. 130/. 99 ment was held at Westminster, ' in the house of the arch bishop of York, where the king then stayed;' and on this occasion letters from the pope, Benedict the Eleventh, were presented by his nuncio.* The king had been greatly irritated by the murder of Comyn, (who had sworn to him aUegiance, and betrayed to him the design of the Scots to revolt,) and he resolved to be signaUy revenged on the Scottish nation. With that intent, he summoned all his mihtary vassals to meet him at Cariisle, in July 1306, where he joined them, and in the foUowing January held his last parhament, in which the celebrated ordinance, caUed the ' Statute of Carlisle,' was made against the exactions of ecclesiastical foundations. Edward was Ul when he quitted London, and for a considerable time he remained, through weakness, in the neighbourhood of Car lisle; but finding some improvement in his health, he at length began his march into Scotland, with the determina tion, according to our annahsts, to " destroy that kingdom from sea to sea." His progress, however, was soon checked by the ravages of disease, and he expired at but a short distance from CarUsle, at Burgh on the Sands, on the 7th of » " Rot. Pari." vol, i. pp. 178, 179. From the same work (Ibid. p. 143) we learn, that a Council was held, " in Camera Hospitii Archiepiscopi Eboraci, apud Westm'." on the Thursday after Palm Sunday, 1300. — It appears, also, from the same authority, (p. 76,) that in a cause prosecuted before parhament, in the 20th of Edward I. (anno 1292,) between the Earls of Hereford and Gloucester, the earls, and some of their manucaptors, made their appearance on a day ap pointed before the king and his council, in the house of Otho de Grandisson, (who was one of the council,) without the palace of the king at Westminster. Among the archives in the office of the King's Remembrancer of the Exche quer, there is the fragment of a roll of payments, &c. of the 33d of Edward I. for work done at the house of the Archbishop of York, ' against the coming of the king, in the week in which was the feast of St. Peter ad Vincula,' and for ' a new hall, and other chambers, built there for the king.' G 2 X(X) WESTMINSTER FALACE. July 1307. His strong exasperation against the Scots may be appreciated by his dying commands to his son Edward^ whom he enjoined, in the most solemn manner, to prosecute the war, and « to carry his dead bones along with the army to the very extremity of Scotland." This command is thus mentioned by Froissart :— The king 'called his eldest son, and made him swear by the Saints, in the presence of aU his barons, that as soon as he should be dead he would have his body boiled in a large cauldron, until the flesh should be separated from the bones; that he would have the flesh buried, and the bones preserved; and that every time the Scots should rebel against him, he would summon his people and carry against them the bones of his father : for he beheved most firmly that, as long as his bones should be carried against the Scots, those Scots would never be victo rious.'* Edward's injunctions, however strongly they had been urged, had little influence over the depraved mind of his successor. He advanced, indeed, into Scotland ; yet it was no further than to Cumnock, in Ayrshire, and thence, under the pretence of making preparations for his marriage and coronation, he hastily returned into England. In defiance, also, of his father's threatened malediction, he recalled from banishment his profligate favourite. Piers de Gaveston, upon whom he conferred the title of Earl of CornwaU, and lavished on him both estates and treasures; among the former of which was the entire lordship of the Isle of Man. In the intervening time, he caused the embalmed remains of his father to be conveyed, first, to Waltham Holy Cross, and subsequently to the abbey church at Westminster, where the body was finally interred, on the 28th of October 1307, on * Vide " Froissart's Chronicles," Johnes' translation,' vol. i. p. xxv. KING EDWARD 1. HIS REMAINS EXAMINED. 1774. 101 the south side of the chapel of St. Edward the Confessor, ¦where his tomb stiU remains.* During the entire reign of the deceased monarch, the rebuilding of the abbey church had been proceeded with, and the works had been completed from the intersection of the choir and transept to the upper part of the nave. His donations, however, to that edifice, were but few, and (excepting some estates which he had granted to found the anniversary of his first consort, the much-beloved Eleanor,) they chiefly consisted of the Scottish regalia, which had been brought from the abbey of Scone in i297,f and of certain relics of saints and martyrs. * Edward's successor appears to have held his father's advice and memory in equal disregard ; but succeeding monarchs paid due respect to our English Jus- . tinian, and several royal warrants are extant for renewing the cerecloths round his body, in order to ensure the preservation of his remains. The payments for these operations were defrayed from the royal treasury, as may be deduced from the extracts from the Close Rolls printed in Rymer's " Fcedera." The earUest order (" De cera renovanda circa corpus Edwardi I. avi Regis) pre served in that collection, is dated July the 6th, in the 13th of Edward III. (vide " Foedera," vol. ii. pt. 2. p. 1084;) but that this was not the first occasion on which the envelopments of the body were ordered to be renewed, is evident from the terms used, viz. " Coram circa corpus — renovari faciatis prout hac- tenus fieri consuevit." In consequence of the curiosity excited by the above warrants, and by other documents relating to King Edward's interment, inserted in the " Foedera," permission was obtained from the Dean of Westminster to open his tomb, and it was done on the 2d of May 1774, in the presence of about twenty persons, chiefly members of the Society of Antiquaries. Edward's body was found in a coffin of Purbeck stone, within the raised tomb, and above the general pave ment of the chapel. His remains, which were richly habited, and in a fair state of preservation, had an innermost covering of very fine Unen cerecloth, dressed closely to the face and hands, and to every part of the body that was allowed to be examined. An interesting account of the proceedings was after wards drawn up by Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Bart, and printed in the 3d volume of the " ArchBeologia." t The regalia thus presented, consisted of the Coronation chair, inclosing the celebrated prophetic stone, or palladium of Scotland, called Jacob's Pillow, and 102 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The reign of Edward the Second commenced very unpro pitiously for the good of the nation, and its conclusion was not less disastious to the illfated monarch himself. His favourite Gaveston, who was the son of a gentleman of Gui enne, was entrusted with aU the authority of the state, and aU its honours were lavished upon profligates and foreigners. Under the corrupt sway of this minion of his vices, the young king " began to hold his nobles in no regard, to set nothing by their instmctions, and to take small heed unto the good government of the commonwealth, so that within a while he gave himself to wantonness, passing his time in vo luptuous pleasure and riotous excess ; and Piers, as though he had sworn to make the king to forget himselfe, and the state to which he was called, furnished his Court with com panies of jesters, ruffians, flattering parasites, musicians, and other vile and naughtie ribalds, that the Idhg might spend both dales and nights in jesting, plaieing, banketing, and such other filthie and dishonourable exercises." * Some interruption was put to these excesses by Edward's marriage with IsabeUa, the beauteous daughter of Phihp le Bel, King of France, who was then only in the 1 3th year of her age. The nuptial ceremony was celebrated with great mag nificence at Boulogne, on the 25th of January 1308, in the presence of four kings, three queens, and many other royal and noble personages.f the sceptre and the golden crown of the Scottish kings. A distinct historical , account of the Prophetic Stone wUl be found in Brayley's "History, &c. of the Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster," vol. ii. pp. 118 to 136. * Holinshed's " Chronicles," vol. ii. p. 547, edit. 1807. t Shortly before his departure for France, divers precepts tested at West minster were issued by the king to the sheriffs of different counties, requiring them to supply provisions for the approaching coronation festival. That ad- , dressed to the Sheriff of Wiltshire bears date on the 4th of January 1308 ; it orders the sheriff to provide 24 Uve oxen, 24 Uve porkers, 4 Uve boars, and 30 , CORONATION OF KING EDWARD II. 1308. lOo On the return of the king from France, the preparations for his Coronation were soon arranged, and the ceremony was performed in the abbey church at Westminster, on the festi val of St. Mathias (Febmary the 25th) 1308, which in that year was on Quinquagesima Sunday. The most complete account of the solemnity is to be found in an ancient Latin manuscript in the British Museum, and the foUowing curious details are derived from that source.* The king was crowned by Henry, Bishop of Winchester, who officiated in place of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had been caUed upon to answer to somewhat objected to him on the part of his sovereign ; but prior to the ceremony the king, in order to save the right of the see of Canter bury — "ut jus ecclesiae Cantuarise salveretur" — wrote two epistles to Pope Clement [the Fifth], stating that the arch bishop, in consequence of bodily weakness, was not able to be present at the ensuing coronation, to execute the duty which belonged to his official character. The holy pontiff, in consequence of this apphcation, transmitted a commission, under his own seal, to three of the bishops, that the king might appoint one of them to perform the office of coro nation. These were the bishops of Winchester, Salisbury, and Chichester ; but as the Bishop of Chichester, being the king's chanceUor, had the right of presenting the cup of St. very fat bacon hogs, to be sent to Westminster by the quindene of the Purifica tion of the Virgin. Vide Bibl. Cott. MS. Vespasian, C. xiv. fol. 116.— In the preceding year, the king had addressed a mandate to the Seneschal of Gascony and the Constable of Bourdeaux, dated CUpston, September 25, directing them to procure and send to London, by Christmas-tide, 1,000 pipes of good wine, that it might be ready for the approaching coronation ; to be paid for by the Friscobaldi, merchants of Florence, who farmed the revenues of Gascony. See " Fcedera," vol. ii. pt. 1. p. 7, edit. 1818. * Bibl. Cott. Vitellius, C. xii. fol. 231. A copy of the Coronation RoU of Edward II. with other documents, has been printed in the new edition of the " Foedera," vol. ii. pt. i. pp. 33—36. 104 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Edward at the coronation, and as the Bishop of Sahsbury laboured under corporeal debility, it pleased the king to assign the duty of placing the crown on his head to the Bishop of Winchester. The Archbishop of York, not choos ing to come without his cross, (probably from some point of etiquette,) was not permitted to share in the solemnities. On the morning of the coronation, the king was placed on an elevated seat in the little hall at Westminster, " roba viridi indutus et nigris cahgis absque calciamentis calciatus ;" and all the way thence to the abbey church was covered with woollen cloths. Before him were gathered aU the earls and knights, and other persons of distinction. In the procession to the church, two golden spurs were borne by Aymer (Earl of Pembroke) the Earl Marshal ; after whom came the Earl of Hereford, bearing the royal sceptre with the cross ; and next followed Henry of Lancaster, son of the Lord Edmund [Crouchback], brother of the late king, who carried the royal staff with a dove on the top. Then foUowed the Earls of Lancaster, Lincoln, and Warwick, bearing three swords; that called Curtana being carried by the former earl. Next appeared the treasury, on which were the regal vestments ; this was borne by the Earl of Arandel, Thomas de Vere, (son and heir of the Earl of Oxford,) Lord Hugh le Despencer, and Lord Roger de Mortimer, of Wigmore, who were followed by the king's treasurer, carrying the patera of the chahce of King Edward [the Confessor]. Then came the Lord Piers de Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, bearing the crown ornamented with precious stones ; and after him came the King himself, who was about to be crowned, over whose head a canopy was supported by the Barons of the Cinque Ports. When the king came to the great altar, he laid upon it a pound of gold. He also took the oaths previously to his coronation, in the foUowing form : — KING EDWARD II. HIS CORONATION OATH. 1308. 105 Interrbgacio Episcopi. — " Sire, volez vous graunter et garder, et par vostre serment confermir, au poeple d'Engle- terre, les leys et les coustumes a eux grauntez par les aun- ciens Rois d'Angleterre voz predecessours, droiterels et de- voutez a Dieu, et nomement les leys, les coustumes, et les fraunchises grauntes au clergie et au poeple par le glorious Roy Seint Edward, vostre predecessour ?" Responsio Regis. — " Je les graunt et promet." " Sire, garderez vous a Dieu et a Saint Eglise, et au clergie et au poeple, pais et acord en Dieu entierement solonc vostre poer ? " " Je le garderez." " Sire, ferez vous paraistre en touz les jugementz ouele et clroite justice et descrecion en misericorde et verite a vostre poeple ? " " Je le ferez." " Sire, graunterez vous a tenir et a garder les leys et les coustumes droitureles, les quoy la comunaute de vostre Reaume aura esleuz, et les defenderez et afforcerez al ho- neur de Dieu a vostre poer?" " Je les graunte et promets."* After this, the Bishop of Winchester proceeded to the duties of anointing and consecrating the king, according to the Ordinate, which at this solemnity was borne by John de Lenham, a brother of the order of Friars Preachers. When the king's spurs were to be put on, the Lord Charles, bro ther to the King of France and uncle to the queen, per formed that office in respect to the right shoe and spur ; but the left shoe was put on by the Earl of Pembroke, and the left spur by the Earl of CornwaU. After these ceremo nies, the king took the crown from the altar, and delivered it * As this is one of the earUest instances in which the terms of the Corona tion Oath are so particularly recorded, we have foUowed the precise orthogra phy of the manuscript. 106 WESTMINSTER PALACE. into the hands of the bishop, who placed it on the king's head ; and he being thus crowned, was led to a raised throne between the monks' choir and the presbytery of the great altar ; upon which the clergy, with a loud voice, sung Te Deum laudamus. These things having been done, the Lady IsabeUa, the king's consort, standing in the same place which the king had occupied, was crowned by the Bishop of Winchester, immediately before the commencement of the mass : — and when they came to the offertory in the mass, the king de scended from his seat, and laid upon the great altar one mark of gold, being a portion of that before mentioned. There also was placed an image of St. John, as a pilgrim, ex tending his hand to receive the ring from St. Edward ; and of the pound of gold which the king had first brought to the great altar, a part was an image of St. Edward offering the ring to the pilgrim. At the conclusion of the mass, the king wearing his' crown before the great altar, devoutly received the sacrament in the presence of the bishops and prelates. Then the king, crowned, bearing the sceptre in his right hand, and the royal staff in his left, with aU the apparatus of the coronation [regaha], was conducted to his palace; and in a chamber there that apparatus was deposited, to be afterwards returned to the church of Westminster, in which it was kept. When equipped in other apparel, the king went to dine with the prelates, peers, and others, in the great hall, where, on the same day, he bestowed knighthood on the son of his sister the Countess of Gloucester, and many others. At this festival, the Earl of Lancaster, as steward, presented the king's cup, and others served him according to their offices. Dinner being over, the king in his regal habihments retired to his chamber where aU his clothes were deposited except the KING EDWARD II. BANISHMENT OF GAVESTON. 1308. 107 shirt, tunic, breeches, and shoes, " quae, propter sacram unctionem, super regem tota nocte quousque lavaretur in custumum permanserint." * The barons felt so greatly insulted by Gaveston being suf fered to appear and walk in the procession immediately before the king, " without regard to the claims of inheritance, or the precedents of former reigns," that they assembled three days afterwards in the refectory of the monks at West minster, and in a spirited petition to the king required the immediate banishment of his pampered favourite. Edward engaged to return an answer in the ensuing parhament, (to be held in April,) yet in the interim he continued to lavish both the honours and the treasures of the state upon Gaves ton, to the extreme, even, of permitting him to wear the crown jewels, and also the crown itself ! This conduct could not be borne: Gaveston was compeUed to quit England, and to swear, under the sentence of excommunication, that he would never return. The king accompanied him to Bris tol, and he sailed from that port ; but, to the great surprize and mortification of the barons, they soon learned that he had landed in Ireland, and assumed the government there by royal appointment. That the king was not without personal fear from the strong indignation which had been thus excited, is evinced by his issuing writs to the sheriffs, tested at West minster on October the 4th, ' prohibiting the holding of tour- * It is remai-kable that some of the minor charges for this coronation re mained unsettled, even so late as the 15th or 16th year of the king's reign, as appears from the Rolls of Parliament, on which petitions are entered from Richard de Hurst, of London, for the payment of ten shiUings for sea coal ; and from Dionise le Lymbrennere [Lime-burner], of two marks for lime. Both articles are stated to have been furnished to John de Norton, Clerk of the Palace, for the king's coronation. Vide " Rot. Pari." vol. i. pp. 405, 406. At tliis Coronation, Sir John Bakewell, or Blackwell, was pressed to death by the crowd. 108 WESTMINSTER PALACE. naments,' and ordering that ' all persons summoned to the parhament about to assemble at Westminster, should appear there without horses or arms, under penalty of body, lands, and goods." * During the early part of this reign, as may be deduced from the original accounts stiU existing in the King's Remem brancer's Office, some considerable works were in progress at Westminster, but we are unable to ascertain the distinct sums that were expended on the Palace alone, the charges for the Tower and the Mews being blended with them. In Edward's first year, nearly £3,200 was thus laid out, the chief particulars of the expenditure of which wiU be seen by the following abstracts from the original record : ' Account of Nicholas de TikehuUe and John de Norton, Clerks, appointed by Walter Fitz-Reginald, the King's Treasurer, to keep account of the charges for the works at the Palace of Westminster, at the Tower of London, and at the King's Mews, near Westminster; under the survey of Wilham de Staverton, Clerk and ComptroUer; from Aug. T, 1 st Edward II. to Mar. 1 0 next ensuing, when Wilham de Staverton retired from the office, and from that day to the feast of St. Michael in the foUowing year. ' They acknowledge the receipt (at different times) of £3,828. 2s. 8d. by writs of "Liberate," or writs from the Treasurer and Chamberlain, for the abovementioned works ; and of £532. I7s. bid. received from the King's Wardrobe, by his own hands, and by the hands of various other persons, as mentioned in the receipts dehvered in to the Treasury. Sum total . . . £4,361. Os. li^. ' For these sums, they account by money expended for great and smaU timber, boards, clay, stone of Caen, Rey- * Vide " Foedera," vol. ii. pt. I. p. 59, edit. 1818. KING EDWARD II. ACCOUNT OF PAYMENTS. 1307. 109 gate, Boulogne, and Ailesford, lime, chalk, tiles, lead, iron, shingles, plaster [of Paris], pitch, laths, keys, large and small, sand, and other necessary articles bought and provided for the before-mentioned works, namely, from August 7, in the first year of King Edward II., to Michaelmas in that year, as specified in the particulars delivered to the Treasury, £1038. 13s. 6d. ; for payments for carriage and portage by land and water, £19. lis. l^d.; for the wages of carpenters, sawyers, masons, smiths, glaziers, painters, plasterers, weU- sinkers, tilers, torch bearers, and scourers of the haUs for the Coronation, and other workmen employed about the said work, £1,966. 7s. Hid.; and for miscellaneous payments by the treasurer and chamberlain, £40. 13s. 4d.; and for payments to various persons by order of the keeper of the wardrobe, J. de Benstede, £127. 5s. 6id. 'Sum total, for the first year, £3191. 12s. 5id.' That far more minute accounts are extant, in respect to the above expenditure, wiU be evident from the ensuing par ticulars, which wiU elucidate the distinct manner in which those accounts were originally kept. There is an ancient manuscript, on veUum, in the posses sion of Sir Thomas PhUlipps, Bart.* relating to the works that were carried on at Westminster, &c. in the 1st year of Edward the Second's reign, from which the following is a translated abstract of the payments made for one week in August 1307- It commences thus : ' The Account of Nicholas de Tykhull, Clerk, of the pay ments in money made for works at the King's Palace and * This manuscript (or ' Compotus ') was purchased by Sir Thomas PhilUpps at the second sale of the effects of the late Craven Ord, Esq. (who was the first Secondary in the King's Remembrancer's Office,) in January 1830, for the sum of seventy guineas. There can scarcely be a doubt that it had belonged to the Exchequer. no WESTMINSTER PALACE. Mews at Westminster, and at the Tower of London, as ordered by the Treasurer, on the part of the King; namely, from the 7th of August, in the first year of the reign of Kmg Edward, son of King Edward, to the 24th of February next ensuing, by the view and testimony of WiUiam de Staverton and John de Norton, Comptrollers of those works; and from the same 24th of February, anno 1, to , by the view and testimony of the aforesaid John de Norton. Payments made for these works, by N. de TykehuU, W. de Staverton, and J. de Norton, Clerks, the 13th of August^ for the preceding week, at Westminster. To the Master Mason.— To Master Richard de Wightham, the mason assigned by the Treasurer to superintend and direct each of the works of building, and to be the master in the same office, in aU the foregoing places ; for his wages for the preceding week, receiving the money by his own hands 7s. To the Stonecutters. — ^To Wilham of Abyndone, Adam of Pipringe, WiUiam of Banbury, Simon of Banbury, Ro bert of Tychemerche, John of Berkhamstede, Alexander of Hoghton, Milo of Stachesdene, and John of Coumbe, 9 masons employed in cutting large Caen stones — "grossas petras de Cadamo" — ^for the said works, as task-work, taking for 100 feet 4s., for 480 feet thus cut, receiving the money by the hands of WiUiam of Abyn done and Adam of Pipringe . . . I9s. 2id. To the Master Workman. — To Master James de Leues- ham, the workman appointed to oversee the several operations of workmanship in all the beforementioned places. Mem. that nothing was paid to him here, but at the Exchequer, by the Chamberlain, by his writ of Liberate. KING EDWARD U. ACCOUNTS OF PAYMENTS. 1307. HI To 1 Workman, 5d. a day. — To Alan de Leuesham, work man, for repairing the hearths or fireplaces [astras] in the structure of the Palace, and doing other things necessary ; for four days and a half, receiving the money by his own hands ...... 22id. To the inferior Labourers 2id. a day. — John de Tyngri, [and thirty-four other labourers, whose names are men tioned,] for carrying timber, stones, plaster, boards, &c. from the King's Bridge to the Palace, and for divers other necessary kinds of work, for four days and a half, receiving the money by the hands of WiUiam de Laddrede and Nigel de Cornubia, to each 11|. 32s. 9f (Z. To the inferior Labourers 2id. a day. — ^To Adam Cole man, and others, in all eleven inferior labourers, for cleansing divers houses and divers places in the Palace, and for carrying fflth even to the Thames, receiving the money each by his own hands, for 4 days lOd. 9s. 2d. For different purchases, chiefly of smaU articles, as keys, sieves, latches, and other things, in all . 3s. 1 lid. For Carriage. — To John Wisman, carrier, for the carriage of seven thousand of tiles, from East Smithfield, near the Tower of London, to the Palace, reckoning for the carriage of 1,000, 6d., receiving the money by his own hands, 3s. 6d. — Item, to Henry de Schipman, lighter man, for seven boat-loads of sand, from the Thames, for making mortar, reckoning for a boat-load 6d., receiving the money by his own hands, 3s. 6d. . . 'Js. For Porterage. — To Henry Godale, porter, and his asso ciates, for the porterage and carriage of two barge-loads of Caen freestone, from the King's Bridge to the Palace, receiving the money by his own hands . . \4d. 112 WESTMINSTER PALACE. For the scaffolds 3d. a day.— To WiUiam de Leddred and Richard de Blethelan, scaffold-makers, for work done about the scaffolds for the masons, for six days, to each I8d 2*- Sum total of the first payments for wages 0 73 0* Of the purchases . . .0311 For carriage and porterage .082 Total . .£455* From other accounts of Nicholas de TikehuUe and John de Norton, (preserved in the King's Remembrancer's Office,) the foUowing particulars are derived ; viz. In the 2d year of Edward II. there was expended in different works at the Palace, and at the Tower, for materials, £356. 6s. Hid.; for carriage and porterage 6s. 2d.; for wages £131. 46s. lid.; and in various smaU payments £19. 18s. 8(i^.; making a total of £508. Is. \\d. In Edward's 3d year, there were simUar charges, amounting to £80. lis. \id.; in his 4th year, to £98. Is. M.; and in his 5th year to £53. 14s. \\id.\ Of the principal works executed within the Palace at Westminster, in the early part of this reign, we shall now insert a description from another RoU belonging to the King's Remembrancer's Office, which has been discovered since the foregoing pages were composed, and which includes a variety of curious information that has never before been communicated to the public. The RoU is thus headed : * This sum exceeds the true amount by about two shillings, as may be seen on reckoning up the different totals. t There is a petition on the RoUs of ParUament the 14th of Edward II. (anno 1315,) from Thomas de Northampton, merchant, for the payment of £ 34. 10s. due to him for lead furnished to Sir Nicholas de TykhiU and John de Norton, for the overaignes [gutters] of the King's Palace at Westminster ; and for want of which he complains he is kept in poverty. " Rot. Pari." vol i. p. 378. KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OF THE PALACE. 1307-1310. 113 ' Memorandum of a great part of the Works ordered and executed in the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, and the King's Mews, near Westminster, in the time of Edward the son of King Edward, viz. from the beginning of the first untU the end of the fourth year of his reign. ' The Conduit of water coming into the Palace, and into the King's Mews, for the falcons, which in various places was obstructed and injured, and the underground pipes stolen, was completely repaired, and the water returned to its proper course and issues, both at the Palace and at the Mews. ' The Little Hall, which was burnt in the time of the king's father, was completely repaired and new raised ; and the waUs of the same haU, both within and without, were pro vided with corbels, — " corbellatis," — of Caen and Reygate freestone. The gables were heightened and coped, and the walls in many parts strengthened and embattled; and the upper masonry was bound together with large iron ties, with tinned heads,* on account of the great weight and size of the timbers. The floor of the haU was newly planked in the middle, and strengthened below in various parts with great timber. " The Queen's HaU, which was burnt in the time of the late king, was completely repaired and restored in the same manner as the httle hall, except that the clamps were not of iron. The flooring of this haU, of which the greater portion had been burnt, and the remaining part was weak and de cayed, was repaired and raised, and ceiled underneath. ' The houses of those persons having custody of the robes * The original words are as follow: " Cu' grossis caviUis ferreis cu' capi- tib' stagnimatis." The words grossis cavillis ferreis evidently aUude to what artificers formerly caUed horse ties, hut which are now known by the appeUa- tion of dog ties. We may assume that the outer parts of those mentioned above had been tinned to prevent oxidation. 114 WESTMINSTKR PALACK. and private equipage of the king, and which had been burnt, were fully repaired and restored. ' The Nursery Chambers of the sons and daughters of the [late] king and queen,— the " Maydenhalle,"—WLth its cham bers, wardrobe, and other convenie'o.ces,—" aysiamentis,"— the various houses and chambers appropriated to the use of the earis and countesses, the barons and baronesses, and also of two of the queen's damsels, [maids of honour,] with divers chambers, wardrobes, gaUeries, &c., aU which had been burnt, were fuUy repaired and restored. ' The new Gaol, situated at the end of the little hall, to wards the south, near the Painted Chamber, with a chimney, divers windows, and other necessary conveniences, — newly constructed for festivals when the king banquets in the Little Hall, or in the Painted Chamber, — various inner-cloisters, ways, and passages, within and towards the houses, and aU and singular the houses in the inner-court, — "i» interiori bdllia palacii," — of the palace, which were greatly dilapidated and requiring repair, were now fully repaired and amended. ' The various chambers about the Little Hall, which were under the direction and appointment of Lord Walter Regi nald [Reynolds], treasurer, the Lord John de Berwick, and other magnates, and of the surveyors appointed to super intend the present works, namely, Richerus de Refham, Wil ham de Leyre, and John le Conuers ; with the wardrobes, chambers, and inner cloisters, — "inf claustris," — were now altogether newly buUt. ' The hall and chambers formerly used by the earls and countesses [in waiting], and now for the deliveries of the keeper of the king's wardroDe, near the chandlery, were fuUy repaired and restored. ' The Palace of the Lord Edmund, the [late] king's bro ther, aU of which, with its haUs, chambers, chapel, and KING EDWARD II. — REPAIRS OF THE PALACE. 1307-1310. 115 kitchen, (many of which were burnt, and others ruinous, unroofed, and faUen down,) was now entirely restored, re paired, and fully amended. ' All the herbaries, vineries, and gardens, (both within the Palace and the Tower,) were propped or treUiced, turfed, cleaned, and repaired. AU the gutters and aqueducts, also, extending from the Thames to the kitchens and wardrobes of the Palace, for carrying off waste water, and which were obstructed and choked up, were now entirely laid open, cleared, and fully amended. ' All the stew-ponds, — " vivariis," — of the palace were scoured, cleansed, and repaired, prior to the coronation ; and aU the private wardrobes of the king and queen, and other persons of .distinction, — " magnates," — were emptied and cleansed. The chambers of the clerk of the king's privy seal, near the king's bridge on the Thames, and one low chamber under the same, which is for the clerk of the kitchen, together with two chimneys and two wardrobes, were aU constructed anew. The dilapidated houses of the king's chaplains and clerks of the chapel, were also new-roofed, supported, and amended. ^ The almonry of the king and queen, which was unroofed and otherwise dilapidated in many parts, was fully repaired, and new roofed. The chambers which are now appropriated to the use of the keeper of the king's wardrobe, were newly made, with their chimneys, wardrobes, and other conve niences. ' The old plumber' s-shop, — " plumbaria," — for the works of the palace, which was so decayed as to be no longer of use, was in a great measure newly constructed and restored for the new operations, together with a weU, — " uno puteo," — and an earthen chimney. ' AU the houses and chambers for the service of the pri- i 2 116 WESTMINSTER PALACE. vate panterers and butlers of the king and queen, of the taUors, the apothecaries, the water-bearers, the chandlers, &c. were fuUy repaired, and many of them constructed anew and rebuilt. ' The houses near the kitchen, within the court — "curia" —of the Archbishop of York, for scalding, salting, and the scuUery, were newly erected ; together with other houses for the convenience and use of the treasurer and barons of the exchequer, in the palace which the late king, after the com bustion of his [former] palace, had built at his own cost within the court of the aforesaid archbishop. ' A storehouse, — " una storhus," — consisting of divers houses and chambers for the operations above mentioned, was erected within the hostelry of the palace, by the advice and ordination of the treasurer and chamberlain ; — and mem. that these houses were first raised near the [south] door of the great hall, for a pantry against the coronation, and after wards removed by order of the king, because they obstructed the light at the entrance of the great chamber of requests. ' Of the reparation, emendation, and painting of the Great Hall, against the coronation. — The roof, which on either side was dilapidated and decayed, was now in some measure amended; and the great exchequer [chamber] was repaired and amended in hke manner. 'The king's White Chamber, which extends from the king's green chamber to the queen's bridge on the Thames, toge ther with other chambers, chimneys, wardrobes, passages, &c. were by the Idng's own direction distinguished by a diversity of coping. ' The Ship caUed the Margaret of Westminster was repaired and variously amended. The hatches were newly made— ";iec- chiata de moi;o"— and the forecastle, hindcastle,— " %jirfcas- ^e^Z,"— and topcastle, were repaired; and divers conveniences, as pantiles, butleries, wardrobes, &c, were constructed within KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OP THE PALACE. 1307-1310. 1 17 the same, — " in div'sis inf claustris," — by the precept and devise of the king himself. The vessel was afterwards cleansed both within and without, and the two large chests, or armories, were secured with bolts, keys, and other iron apparatus. — Mem. This ship, with her boats and barges, was thus cleansed and repaired, because the king had destined her for his voyage to France, to celebrate his nuptials with IsabeUa, daughter of the King of France ; and then, that the Queen IsabeUa might come to England in the same ship. ' The common bench and the exchequer were ordained to be held in the Abbey of Westminster, whUst the great works [at the palace] were in progress ; and divers houses within the abbey were roofed, repaired, and amended for those pur poses, by order of the treasurer and barons, on account of the impediments and disturbances occasioned by the works, — " p'pt' impedimenta et p'furbac'oes op'ac'onu'.'" The following particulars relating to the preparations for the coronation of Edward the Second, are entered on the back — "in dor so" — of the RoU from which the preceding memoranda were derived. * Of the halb constructed within the palace against the coronation of the king, and extending throughout its ¦whole length and breadth, viz. ' One long haU was erected of the entire length of the upper waU of the palace, reaching along the Thames, for the judgments and solemnities of the treasurer and barons [of the exchequer], and the great men and counciUors. This haU was appropriated for the royal seat on the day of the coronation, and it was therefore ordered, that it should be covered with boards " de sago," and strongly supported at the back along its entire length, on account of the pressure of the people. ' Fourteen other haUs were afterwards made, extending m length from that just mentioned, towards the great door of 118 WESTMINSTER PALACE the palace, approaching as nearly as possible to the door without impeding the entrance and exit of the people and the men at arms. In these haUs divers partitions were made for pantries, butleries, dressers, &c. with lattices before the partitions. — Three conduits were ordained to be running con tinuaUy with red and white wine, and with piment,* — "pya- mento " — in the centre of these haUs, that every one might come and drink at pleasure. ' Of the providing and storing forms, trestles, and tables against the coronation. ^Mem. That all the houses and aU the halls in the Palace, and many houses within the precincts of the Abbey, were prepared, and, as it were, fiUed with tables. ' Barriers, pahsades, lattices, and other defences, were constructed before the door of the great monastery in which the king was crowned, and in the same manner before each of the doors of the palace, and also before various places within and without the palace, which were assigned for pantries, butleries, cooking-rooms, sculleries, larders, and poulteries, and for divers other offices. ' Forty furnaces were fixed in the palace against the con clusion of the coronation; and divers ovens were made within it against the coronation, namely, in the bakehouse and saltsary. ' Divers breaches were made (and afterwards repaired) in the walls of the palace, for entrances and exits to various offices, namely pantries, butleries, larders, and rooms for poultry, and divers other necessaries provided, which had been lodged and deposited within the cemetery (and near the cemetery) of the monastery, by the palace. Divers lat tices were also constructed before the said entrances, and closed and interclosed between and about those arrangements. * Piment was wine mixed with spice and sweetened with honey. Chaucer, in his MUler', Tale, says, " He sent her piment, methe, and spiced ale." KING EDWARD II. — REPAIHS OP THE PALACE. 1307-1310. 119 ' Of the regal seat ordained and constructed in the mo nastery, in the middle of the choir, in which the king and queen were crowned. — The platform for the seats was wain scotted about, and so much elevated that men-at-arms, namely, earls, barons, knights, and other nobles, might ride undsr the same ; and mem. divers stairs and passages were made for ascending and descending the same.' From the foUowing remarks, which are entered on the same RoU, it is evident that the preceding account is only a •condensed abstract from a much fuUer record, that had been subjected to examination in order to verify its correctness. ' First, it is to be noticed that this Roll is caUed the ac count of Nicholas de TikehuUe and John de Norton ; and also, that there is no commission, nor brief, under the great or the privy seal, nor of the treasurer; wherefore the exact time of the commencement of the computation is doubtfuL Also, that the old timber from the old houses taken down and rebuilt is not accounted for, nor yet the remaining tim ber saved from the scaffolds. ' The charges made for cleansing and repairing the stews — " vivarior'," (fish-ponds) — and for fish purchased to feed the pikes — " lupor' aqHicor'" (water-wolves) — in those stews, and for barrels bought " p' viridi succo," do not appear to pertain to the works of the palace. ' Of the iron, steel, glass, and various other articles pur chased wholesale, where it is said that 1,000 lbs., or 100 lbs., of iron, steel, glass, &c. were bought for so much, it is not specified in what houses, or for what doors, windows, or places, those articles were used. ' Also, of certain wages reckoned as paid to Nicholas de Leddrede and Richard Bedell, the supervisors for the pur chase of timber, stone, and other things pertaining to the office of Nicholas de TikehuUe and John de Norton [no 1-^0 WESTMINSTER PALACE. particulars are given]. — The repair of the ship, and the ope rations connected with it, may also be considered as not per taining to the works of the palace.' There are a few other entries on the same Roll, but as they are of no importance to our present research, we for bear to record them. From various other accounts preserved in the office of the King's Remembrancer, it appears that the foUowing sums were expended on the palatial buildings in materials and wages, from the 5th to the 13th years (inclusive) of the reign of Edward the Second ; namely, in the 5th year, £53. 14s. lid. ; 6th year, £88. 4s. 3d.; 7th year, £88. 19s. 6id.; 8th year, non comp.; 9th year, £65. 12s. S^d.; 10th year, £53. 9s. 2d.; 11th year, £87- 15s. 4id.; 12th year, £11. 9s. lid. ; and 13th year, £25. 4s. 5d. Of the RoU for the latter year (anno 1319), we shaU here insert a translated abstract, as it tends to shew that the restoration of St. Ste phen's chapel was actually commenced by Edward the Second, although the entire credit of the work has been hitherto awarded to his successor. ' Michaelmas, 13th year of Edward II. — Account of John de Norton, Clerk of Receipts of Money for the Works of the Palace of Westminster, and of the expenditures, by the survey and testimony of John de Vyene, Clerk appointed for that purpose by the Commissioners of the Exchequer, in the 13th year of King Edward the son of King Edward. ' To John de Radewelle, mason, for work about the arch buttress of Marculf 's chamber, which buttress was weak and defective, and on the point of falling down, through the flowing and inundation of the Thames; and about divers defects existing in the waUs of the Painted Cham ber ; also about various defects near to and in the KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OF THE PALACE. 1319. 121 gaUery and passages of the new chapel of St. Stephen; and likewise about various defects in the foundation of a certain penthouse, near the white chamber towards the Thames; and about divers other defects in various places within the palace:— from Oct. 1st to Nov. 20tli, namely, for thirty-five working days, receiving the money by his own hands at various times, namely, at the end of each week, for the week, (at sixpence per day) . 17s. 6d. ' To John Est, mason, working about the same ; for twenty- seven working days, receiving the money by his own hands, at various times, namely, at the end of each week for the week 13s. 6d. ' To John le Rok, carpenter, working about a certain pent house, newly constructed over the stones wrought " en- talliatas " — for the chapel of St. Stephen, for the protec tion of those stones ; and also about a certain penthouse and covering newly made uW viciu' * of the new chapel of St. Stephen ; and about repairing and amending the roof of the great haU, and cutting shingles for that roof • and about amending a certain gutter in the chamber which is for the use of the king's chaplains and clerks : — ^for forty-two working days (at sixpence per day) computed from the 1st of October aforesaid, receiving the money by his own hands at divers times, &c. . . . . .21s. ' To Richard de Cmland, carpenter, working about the same, for twenty-three working days, (at five pence per day,) within the same time, receiving the money, &c. . 9s. 7d. * In Papendiek's " Synopsis of Architecture," a vice is stated to be " a spiral geometrical staircase, conducting to the tower or steeple of a church, or to the upper stories of an ancient casteUated mansion." The phrase "ultra vicium nove Capelle," wiU therefore imply, ' beyond (or above, for in the latter sense the word ultra is occasionaUy used in the record) the staircase of the New Chapel.' 122 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ' To John Sewale, carpenter, working about the same, for twenty-three working days, (at five pence per day,) within the same period, receiving the money, &c. . . 9s. 'Jd. ' To WiUiam le Bere, carpenter, working about the same, for five working days, (at five pence per day,) within the same period, receiving the money at Westminster . 2s. Id. ' To Gilbert de Westminster, plumber, working about the roof of the pantry of the little haU, covering it with lead, and about various defects in the roof of the httle hall, and in some of the gutters and roofs within the palace : — for thirty-eight days and a half, (at sixpence per day,) within the above time, receiving the money, &c. . .19s. 3d. ' To Semannus de EstweUe, plumber, working about the same, for twenty-four days and a half, (at sixpence per day,) within the same time, receiving, &c. . 12s. 3d. ' To Adam de Winchester, plumber, working about the covering, repairing, and amending the roof of the little haU, for eighteen days, (at eightpence per day,) within the same time, receiving, &c. . . . . .12s. ' To John Valet, plumber, working about the repair and amendment of the roof of the httle haU, for six days (at eightpence per day), receiving, &c. . . .4s. ' To Ralph le Dikere, tiler, working about the covering of the roof of the chapel of St. Stephen, — " drca coop'turam comblie capelle S'c'i Steph'i,"—nea.r the Receipt [of the Exchequer], about the larder, and about various other defects existing in divers places within the palace, for forty-six days, (at five pence per day,) receiving, &c. 19s. 2d. ' To John le Tuler, tiler, working about that penthouse which is for the lodging of the masons in the hostelry, — " in astel- laria," — and about that penthouse which is beyond the vice above the slating of the new chapel towards the httle haU, about the chandlerv, and about various other defects in KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OF THE PALACE. 1319. 123 different houses within the palace, for seventeen days, (at five pence per day,) within the same time . . 7s. Id. ' To Adam Sclow, mason's assistant, for twelve days, withhi the same time, (at three pence halfpenny per day,) re ceiving, &c 3s. 6d. ' To John de Pabenham, mason's assistant, for 23 days, within the said time, (at three pence per day,) receiving, &c 5s. 9d. ' To John Dust, plumber's assistant, for forty-four days, (at two pence halfpenny per day,) receiving, &c. . 9s. 2d. ' To WiUiam Gohf, tUer's assistant, for forty days, (at two pence halfpenny per day,) receiving, &c. . . 8s. 4d. ' To Thomas Prat, tiler's assistant, (for eight days,) at two pence halfpenny per day,) within the said time, re ceiving, &c. ........ 20d. ' To John Shell, tiler's assistant, for seventeen days 3s. 6d. ' To Richard Valet, plumber's assistant, for seventeen days, receiving, &c. ....... 3s. 6d. ' To John de Westwik, carrier, appointed to carry and dis tribute " tendulas de astellaria," and various other places, even to the roof of the great haU, for the carpenters, for ten days, at two pence halfpenny per day,) receiving &c 2s. Id. ' To John Shell, " torchiator,"* working about various waUs in the great stables, and in divers other places within the palace, repairing and amending, for six days, (at three pence halfpenny per day, receiving, &c. . . 21d. ' To John de Kinstebregge, assistant " torchiator," for six days, (at two pence halfpenny per day,) receiving, &c. 15d. * Vrohably plasterer ; from the French word torchis, signifying a kind of coarse mortar, composed of clay mixed with straw. 124 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ' To Peter de Skerbek, for 18 lb. of tin, bought by him for solder for the plumbers before mentioned, at 2d. per lb. 3s. 'To the same, for one quartern of large wood, for the plumber's work . . . . . • . 2\d. ' To the same, for one bushel and a half of charcoal, for the said plumbers' work ...... 2^d, ' To the same, for one quartern of tallow . . -id. ' To the same Peter de Skyrbek, for 50 blocks of Caen stone, and also for long blocks of Aylesford stone, selected and wrought for the arch buttress of Marculf 's chamber, which buttress stands in the Thames ; and for stone to repair other defects in the waU of the palace, caused by the inundations of the Thames, by him purchased in large quantity, 20s. 4d. ; for portage and carriage of those stones from London to the king's bridge at Westminster, and then from the king's bridge to the palace, to be there wrought ; and their carriage again from the palace to the bridge, 2s. lOd. For 2,000 naUs for shingles for the great haU, at 16d. per thousand 2s. 8d. ' For 3,000 naUs for laths, at 10c?. per thousand . 2s. 6d. ' For 200 spike nails, at 4d. per 100 . . . . 8d. 1 cwt. of hme, from various hme-burners . . 4s. 60 lbs. of pitch, bought for making cement, for the gutter of Marculf's chamber .... 3s. 100 of Flanders tUes, to be pulverized for making the same cement \2d. 3 yeUow dishes, bought at different times to make the cement in, at 2d. each 6d. 12 cart-loads of sand, at Id. per load . . 12d. ' To WiUiam Heiward, of Croydon, for 42 feet of timber, bought of him 26s. 8d. ' To John Robert, of Croydon, for 16 feet of timber, bought of him, and valued altogether .... 6s. Sd. KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OF THE PALACE. 1324-1327. 125 ' To Rich. Atte Hurve, for 16 feet of timber, bought of him, and valued altogether . . . . . 6s. lid. Mem. This timber was bought to make a penthouse to cover and protect the freestone wrought for the chapel of St. Stephen ; and for other repairs. ' To John Robert, for 1,000 laths, bought of him, for the said penthouse 4s. ' For one quartern — "quartrano" — of large wood, for the plumbers' work . . . . . . 2 Id. ' For one bushel of charcoal, bought for the plumbers, for soldering [the lead of] various roofs . . . lid. ' For two " bollis " [bowls ?] for the use of the masons and tilers . 5d. ' Amount of this part of the RoU £ 13. I7s. 6d. On the back of the Roll is an account of various payments for wages to workmen, amounting in aU to £ 1 1 . 6s. 5id. That the whole of what has been ascertained respecting the works executed at the Palace in Edward the Second's reign, may be brought into connection, we shaU here insert an abstract from the Chancellor's Roll of the 1st year of Edward the Third, which is now deposited among the " Ad ditional Manuscripts" in the British Museum. It includes the following particulars of the operations at Westminster, from the 16th of November, 1324, to the 16th of March, 1327; that is, from the I7th year of Edward the Second to the 1st year of his successor. It commences thus : ' The Account of WiUiam de ChayUowe, Surveyor of the King's Works in the Tower of London and Palace of Westminster, of all his receipts, and of the payments and disbursements by him made, as weU for the works of the New Chapel within the Palace, as for the repair of other houses within the said Palace and Tower, &c. 126 AVESTMINSTER PALACE. from the 16th of November, in the J 7th year of Ed ward II., until the feast of St. Michael in the 19th year. ' The total amount received for the above-mentioned works, between the 16th of November, in the l7th year, and the feast of St. Michael next foUowing, was £ 879. 13s. 4d. ; whereof was expended at the Palace of Westminster, for timber, boards, laths, &c. for the repair of divers houses there, together with a house of the king's chaplains, and ano ther house newly built for the queen's butlery and saltsary, £ 16. I7s. In ragstone, bought for the same, 22s. 6d. In iron-work, £ 8. 7s. 2d. In glass for the windows, 45s. 1 l^d. For plaster of Paris and wood to burn it, 38s. 8d. For tUes and hme, £ 9. 6s. 2id. For repairing the benches and tables in the great haU, and the other houses, against the feast of Pentecost, 44s. 9d. For the wages of masons, carpenters, smiths, and others, £39. 9s. 9^d.—The Chapel of the Palace : for timber bought as weU at Tonbridge as elsewhere, for the said chapel, £ 17. 9s. Hid. For stone, as weU of Caen as of ' Ryegate ' and ' Eylesford,' £ 144. 15s. 7d. For hme, &c. £ 9. 7s. lOd. For iron and steel, £8. 7s. 8d. For coal, 34s. For reeds to cover the stone and timber, 2s. 6d. For the conveyance of materials, £33. Is. 9|d For the wages of workmen, £329. 19s. 6|rf. ' The total amount received for the works, &c. between Michaelmas in the 18th of Edward II., and the Michaelmas in his 19th year, was £ 1,179. 5s.; whereof was expended for the Palace at Westminster, in timber, £ 16. 19s. 6d. In tiles, lime, &c. £7. 6s. 8d. In iron work, £l4. 4s. lid. In lead and tin, and for the wages of plumbers, £ 158. 15s. lOd. In glass, 65s. 7d. And in other ways, as for plaster of Paris, ex penses of raising timber, wages, &c. a total of £256. 12s. 5^d. ' For the Chapel of the palace, with the new alur'.—For timber for the new alur' (cloister), between the king's cham- KING EDWARD II. REPAIRS OP THE PALACE. 1324-1327. 127 ber and the said chapel, for stone, as well of Caen as of Rye- gate, for lime, sand, iron, coals, plaster of Paris, carriage of materials, and for wages, in aU £376. 5s. frf. ' From Michaelmas, in the 19th year of Edward II. to Mi chaelmas in his 20th year. Palace at Westminster : — Expended for timber for the new house between the old Exchequer and the inner gate of the palace, £ 14. 14s. 5§rf. For freestone, Caen-stone, Ryegate, and Aylesford stone, £19. 6s. id.; and for lime, sand, plaster of Paris, iron, tiles, lead, tin, glass, and other necessary materials, and for car riage, and the wages of workmen, divers other sums, amount ing, with those just specified, to £206. 1 3s. lid. For the Chapel: — in timber, stone, hme, sand, iron, coal, in lead to cover the new alur' and in carriage of materials, and the wages of workmen, £153. 3s. 4id. ' From Michaelmas, in the 20th year of Edward II. to the 16th March, in the 1st year of Edward III. — For timber for the new house within the Palace at Westminster, for stone, sand, hme, &c. for carriage, and the wages of work men, for lead and tin for the houses, and the pipe of the con duit, for tiles, for timber for the great engine, " magnum inge- nium," and the house newly made under the waU, towards the east, &c. divers sums, amounting to £407- 1 3s. 3^d. The foUowing instances (among others) of infringement on the privileges of the Palace, in the reign of Edward the Second, with the awards made in each case, are derived from the Placita and other roUs. In the King's second year, Ahce, the daughter of Nicholas le Ken, was summoned to answer the complaint of Walter de Bedewynde, the Remembrancer of the Exchequer, who had accused her of revihng him, by caUing him ' a thief, se ducer, and other opprobrious names,' in the great hall at Westminster, and elsewhere within the King's Palace there. 128 WESTMINSTER PALACE. and which she denied. A jury of the court, and of persons dweUing near the palace, was consequently impanneUed; and having found that the insult was given " upon the King's Bridge of his palace at Westminster," they awarded damages to the amount of forty pounds. In the sixth year of Edward II., a court of the palace for pleas of the Crown — " Placita aulae domini Regis de Co rona" — ^was held at Westminster, before Hugh de Audley, steward and marshal of the king's household, when John de Redinges was arraigned for counterfeiting the king's privy seal ; but he aUeged that he had purchased it of Edmund de Malo Lacu, the former steward, (who was also before the court,) for forty talents of gold, and judgment was in con sequence given against the latter.* On the eve of Ascension day, in the 8th of Edward II. (anno 1315,) Thomas de Gerdestan, Archdeacon of Norfolk, and one of his officers, were impleaded before the king and his council, then sitting in parhament at Westminster, for that they, on the eighth of March preceding, — the king be ing then in his palace and holding his parliament, — did cite Joan de Barr, Countess of Warenne, she being then in at tendance on the queen consort in the chapel of the said palace, to appear in the church of St. Nicholas of Braheden, to make answer to Maud de Nerford, in a cause of divorce between her and John Earl of Warenne. The fact having been proved, the archdeacon and his officer were committed to the Tower .f In the same year, on the 14th of May, a writ was ad dressed to WiUiam de Leyre and Richard Abbot, stating that * Vide "Additional Manuscripts" in the British Museum, Ayscough's Catalogue, No. 4,486, fo. 52. t Vide Ryley's " Placita ParUamentaria," p. 543 ; and " Cal. Rot. Paten- tium," p. 75, 6: edit. 1802. KING EDWARD II. RETURN OF GAVE.STON. 1309. 129 the pavement between Temple Bar and the gate of the king's palace at Westminster, was so broken and injured, that it was a great nuisance to those frequenting the court, and very perUous both for horsemen and foot passengers ; and that a petition had been preferred to the king and councU, pray ing them to provide a remedy for the same. The said Wil liam and Richard were, consequently, commanded to cause the said pavement to be repaired, and to distiain for the ex pense ' pro rata,' upon aU persons having houses adjacent to it, between the said Bar and the Palace.* Edward II. like other weak monarchs, was governed by unprincipled favourites ; and the perpetual troubles, and disastrous termination of his reign, must be attributed to that circumstance. Although he had been compelled to banish Gaveston, as before related, he could not endure the deprivation of his society, and soon made arrangements for his recaU. Among other measures, he secretly procured from the court of Rome a dispensation to free his minion from the consequences of his oath of never returning into England ; and Gaveston had no sooner come back, than he received him with open arms, and loaded him with new ho- nours.f But neither Edward nor his favourite were capable of deriving wisdom from past experience. "The reign of dissipation," as Dr. Lingard has remarked, " was instantly recommenced : the Court became a perpetual scene of feast ing, dancing, and merriment ; and Gaveston, in the posses sion of his former ascendancy, indulged in his accustomed * Vide "Rot. Pari." vol. I. p. 302; and "Additional Manuscripts," in Brit. Museum, No. 4577, art. 92. t The infatuation of the king became so extreme, according to Walsingham, that he was heard to say, ' ' if his power was equal to his affection, he would set the crown on Gaveston's head." K 130 WESTMINSTER PALACE. extravagance, and irritated his enemies by his pleasantries and his sarcasms."* The insulting conduct of Gaveston, conjoined with the dis ordered state of pubhc affairs, determined the barons to place the acts of government under a more efficient control; and an opportunity to effect that purpose was afforded them in a Parhament which met at Westminster, about the end of February, 1309-10, on which occasion, in despite of the royal prohibition, the barons and their retainers assembled in arms. Gaveston had prudently withdrawn ; but the king was constrained to issue his letters patent, dated at West minster, on the 16th of March, stating that he had granted authority to the earls, barons, and prelates of his kingdom, to nominate certain of their own number and others, to form a committee, which should have power to regulate the royal household, and redress the grievances of the nation. The committee appointed under this authority, consisted of seven prelates, eight earls, and six barons, who by the * The reckless prodigality with which he proceeded to dissipate, or embezzle, the royal treasures, distinctly appears from the statements of contemporary writers. The Old Chronicle in Peter College, Oxford, (vide Lelandi CoUecta- nea, vol. ii. p. 473) states that " Gaveston conveyed the table and trestUles [trestles] of gold from the tresory of Westminstre, and deUvered them to one Armoir of Frisconbaude, to be carried to Gascoyn: " — and Walter Hemlng- ford estimates the treasure which he sent abroad at the value of £100,000, be sides gold and precious stones. Aimeric de Friscobaldi belonged to a mercan tile company at Florence, and he appears to have acted as banker to the court of Edward II. In a wardrobe account of the fourth year of that monarch, in the British Museum, (vide Cotton. MS. Nero, C. viii. f. 46.) is the specification of a debt of £3829. 17«. as being owing to this ItaUan for monies advanced to the king in the months of August and September in that year, and for wHch Friscobaldi had a biU under the seal of Ingelard de Warle, Keeper of the King's Wardrobe. It appears even, that the customs of England were some time farmed by the Company of the Friscobaldi. KINO EDWARD II. — ORDINANCES OF GOVERNMENT. 1311. 131 name of Ordainers, were immediately sworn faithfuUy to dis charge their office. In the first articles which they pre sented to the king, there was nothing inserted respecting Gaveston; but as he afterwards rejoined the king on his route into Scotiand, and was even invested by him Avith new powers, they proceeded to frame a code of Ordinances, more especiaUy adapted to the circumstances of the state, by which the favourite was adjudged to be for ever banished from the dominions of the Enghsh crown, under penalty of death, as being one " who had given bad advice to the king, embezzled the pubhc money, formed an association of men sworn to hve and die with him against all others, estranged the affections of the sovereign from his liege subjects, and, for his own purposes, obtained blank charters with the royal seal affixed to them.* Among the other important articles of the new Ordinances were those which enjoined, — that the king should not leave the kingdom, nor levy war, without the consent of the baron age in Parliament; — that aU purveyances, except such as were ancient and lawful, should cease ; and that every one pre suming to take any other might be pursued with hue and cry, and punished like robbers ; — that the new taxes on wool, cloth, and other merchandize should be abohshed ; — that all the great officers of the crown, the wardens of the cinque ports, &c. should be chosen with the advice and assent of the baronage in Parhament ; — and that, to prevent delay in the administration of justice. Parliaments should be holden at least once every year, or twice if need be, and in a conve- * Vide " Ordenances faites k Londres, 5 Edw. II. touchant I'etat de scon houstel et de seen realme: cu' Ordinationibus," &c. Walsingham, "Hist. Augliffi," p. 78, edit. 1574; and Rymer's "Foedera," vol. u. pp. 232, 233. edit. 1818. 132 WESTMINSTER PALACE. nient place. From the general tenor of the Ordinances, how ever, it would seem that the authority of the Parhament was at that period supposed to reside in the baronage.* At the time appointed for Gaveston's final departure from England, viz. Nov. 1st, 1311, he and the king separated with tears ; but the latter being unable to live without his favourite, allowed him to return clandestinely into CornwaU, intending to rejoin him when opportunity served. This had no sooner come to the knowledge of the Ordainers, than they caused a mandate to be issued (bearing date on the 28th of November, and tested by Edward himself, at Westminster,) for Gaveston's apprehension ; but he eluded whatever search might have been made for him, and the king joined him at York early in January, 1311-12. The king had previously dissolved the Parliament, and spent his Christmas at West minster ; which latter fact is substantiated by a Wardrobe ac count of the fifth year of his reign, now in the British Mu seum, and from which the following information has been de- rived.f ' Paid to the King, for the privy expenses of his chamber at Westminster, by the hands of WiUiam de Tholouse, and placed to the account of the said William, by special com mand of the King .... £100 ' December 24th.— Delivered to the King to play at Dice, on the Eve of the Nativity at Westminster . 100s. " December 25th.— In alms given at the Mass celebrated in the King's presence in the Conventual Church at West minster ..... 9s. 4d. * "The Commons," says Dr. Lingard, " had nothing to do but to present petitions and to grant money."— Vide " History of England," vol. U. p. 497, note 14. t Vide Cotton. MS. Nero C. viii. folios 50, 53, and 141. KING EDWARD II. WARDKOnS ACCOUNT. 133 ' Paid to William le Balance, of Soper's Lane, for cleaning and repairing broken Balances used for weighing money in the King's Wardrobe .... 2s. ' November 23d. — Paid to John Freyr, Panetrarius Regime, for money expended by him for repairing Knives for the Queen's table ..... 1 3d. ' November 26th. — Paid to John de Chat, for repairing of tubs (cuvarum) for the Queen's Baths at Westminster. 20^?. ' November 29th In alms given at the Mass celebrated in the Conventual Church at Westminster, for the soul of Queen Eleanor, the King's mother . 4s. lid. ' On the same day, in Offerings made by the Queen at the shrine of St. Edward, in the aforesaid Church, and at divers rehques in the said Church . . 14s. ' December 1st. — To Richard Andrewe, for cutting two Cloths to cover the Beds of the Queen's Maidens {Domi- cella) at Westminster .... 3s. ' Paid to WiUiam Tonsorius, of London, for cutting ten Cloths of divers colours, for the Queen's person, at West minster ..... 20s. A few days after Edward had rejoined his favourite at York, a royal proclamation was pubhshed there, stating that Gaveston was a true and loyal subject, and had returned into England in obedience to the king's orders ; and in the month foUowing (February 24th), Edward, by a new grant, restored to him aU his former estates and honours. Gaves ton's insolence increased with the return of his prosperity, and he even dared to speak insultingly to the queen. The barons being more aggrieved than ever at his pride and auda city, formed a new confederation against him, and assembhng their retainers in arms, under the pretence of a tournament, proceeded towards the north. The king suspecting their intent, retired to Newcastle, and afterwards to Tynemouth 134 WESTMINSTER PALACE. and Scarborough. Leaving his favourite in the strong castle at the latter place, for greater security, he then repaired to York, and unfurled the royal banner. MeanwhUe, the con federates besieged Gaveston, and after some negociations, to which the king was a party, constrained him to surrender, his life being ensured by the terms of the capitulation. But the " Black Dog of Arderne," as Gaveston had nicknamed the Earl of Warwick, had sworn " thaft he should feel his teeth," and conveying him to Warwick Castle, it was there resolved by the confederate chiefs, that he should be put to death, in conformity with the Ordinances before stated. He was accordingly beheaded on the 19th of June, on Black Lowe HiU, near Warwick. This extra-judicial execution most grievously aflhcted the king, and he vowed a severe revenge ; but the barons being ever on their guard, he was at length induced to consent to a treaty of reconciliation. Various obstacles, however, and especiaUy a well-founded distrust of the king's sincerity, pre vented the completion of an agreement until the autumn of 1313, when, in a parliament held at Westminster,* an act of general amnesty was passed : particular pardons were also granted by the king to nearly five hundred nobles and other persons who had been engaged in the confederacy against Gaveston. On the 16th of October, before the parhament broke up. Edward appeared Seated upon his throne iu West minster Hall, where, in sight of the assembled people, the * On the Close RoUs, 6th of Edw. II. m. 2, are precepts to the sheriffs of Kent, Essex, and Hertford, Surrey and Sussex, Bedford and Bucks, North ampton, and Oxford and Berks, ordering them to send in certain quantities of wheat, malt, oats, oxen, sheep, and hogs, for the use of the king's household, at Westminster, during the parliament which he had summoned to meet there on the quindene of the nativity of St. John the Baptist.— Vide " De Expensis Hospitii Regis in Parliamento." Foedera, vol. ii. p. 218. KING EDWARD II. RAVAGES OF FAMINE 1314. 135 barons kneeling submissively, expressed their sorrow at having offended the king, and acknowledged his clemency with thank fulness.* Notwithstanding the accordance which the king and his barons had so lately and so solemnly made, no lasting friend ship sprang up between them. Thoughts of revenge still rankled in Edward's bosom, and his continual infractions of the Ordinances gave new offence to the nobles who had framed them. The people suffered grievously from these dissensions, and a direful famine, bringing disease and pestUence in its train, sweUed the calamities of the nation to the utmost degree of horror. The most loathsome reptiles were used for food, man preyed upon man, and instances are recorded of parents assuaging their hunger on the dead bodies of their own chil dren ! In the hope of arresting the scourge, a maximum on. the price of provisions was fixed by the parliament, which met at Westminster on the 20th of January, 1314-15 ;f but * From a letter of Edw. II. to the Pope, dated Westminster, May 16, 1313, it appears that Robert de Cisterne, clerk, was at that time the king's physician. The king expresses the highest confidence in the skill of his medical attendant, " qui (dicitRex) complexionem nostram, ac corporis nostri statum, prae omni bus aliis novit diUgenter ;" and he applies to the Pope to grant a dispensation to R de Cisterne to hold a prebend in the collegiate church of Wingham, not withstanding his attendance on the king might prevent his performing his cle rical duties.— Vide " Foedera," vol. ii. p. 215, edit. 1818. t From various writs " de Expensis" (tested at Westminster, which are stiU extant,) it appears that the " knights of the shire" in this parhament were each aUowed four shilUngs^cr diem, togetherwith their respective charges in coming and returning. The prices fixed on the various articles of provision were as foUow :— For the best ox not fed with grain, 16s. and no more; but if fed on corn and made fat, 24*. : the best live fat cow, 12*. : a fat hog, of two years old, 3s. id.: a fat sheep, unshorn, SOd.; but if shorn, Ud. : a fat goose, 3d.: a good and fat capon, 2id.: a fat hen, Hd.: two pullets, Hd.: three pigeons. Id.: twenty eggs, \d. Those persons who refused to seU those things at the above prices, were to forfeit them to the king.-Vide " Foedera," vol ii. p. 203 : edit. 1818. 136 WESTMINSTER PALACK. this restriction only increased the scarcity, and the statute was repealed in another parhament that assembled at Lincoln at the beginning of the foUowing year. The price of every article of subsistence rose enormously; and the king, at the suggestion of the citizens of London, suspended the brewe ries, as a measure " ¦vvithout which, not only the indigent but the middle classes must inevitably have perished through want of food." At times it became difficult to procure bread even for the royal household. Walsingham records the foUowing singular occurrence, as having taken place within Westminster HaU, at Whitsuntide 1317: — " This year the king celebrated the feast of Pentecost in the Great Hall at Westminster, where as he sat in the royal seat at table, in the presence of the great men of his kingdom, there entered a woman adorned with a theatrical dress, sit ting on a fine horse with corresponding trappings, who, after the manner of players, made a circuit round the tables, and at length ascended the steps to the table of the king, and laid before him a certain letter ; then reining back her steed, and saluting the guests, she retired as she came. The king had the letter opened that he might know its contents, which were as foUow : — ' His lordship the king shows little courtly consideration for his knights, who, in his father's time and in his own, have exposed themselves to various dangers, and have spent or diminished their substance in their service; while others who have not borne the weight of business, [alios qui pondus negocii nondum portaveranf\ have been abundantly enriched !' When these things were heard, the guests looking one upon another, wondered at the boldness of the woman, and the porters or door-keepers were blamed for having suffered her to enter ; but they excused them selves, answering that it was not the custom at the royal palace [domus regia^ in any way to prohibit the entrance of KING EDWARD II. ^ALM.S BESTOWED. 1325. 137 players, [histriones,] especiaUy at solemn festivals. Persons were then sent after the woman, who was easily found, taken, and committed to prison ; and being required to tell why she had acted in such a manner, she truly replied that she had been induced to do it by a certain knight, for a proper reward [mercede condigna]. The knight being sent for, and brought before the king, in reply to inquiries, nothing fearing, boldly confessed himself the author of the letter, and avowed that he had consulted the king's honour in what he had done. Therefore the knight by his constancy rendered himself deserving of the king's favour, with abundant gifts ; and the woman was released from prison."* We learn from the " Originalia," that in the 13th year of Edward II., the king appointed John de Ditton clerk and keeper of his works in the Palace of Westminster, and at the Tower of London. It appears from a Wardrobe account of the 18th of the same reign, that on the 19th of August, 1325, the king, on his coming to Westminster, bestowed alms on the Friars of the city of London, of the foUowing denominations, for their sup port for one day, viz : — sixty Friars of Mount Carmel, 4d. each ; fifty Friars of the order of St. Augustin ; sixty-four Friars Minors; seventy Friars Preachers; and sixteen Friars of the [Holy] Cross.f AU the latter years of Edward the Second's reign proved equaUy calamitous to the nation, as those which had pre ceded them ; and much blood was spilt, both in the disas trous wars with Scotland, and in the king's contest with the barons, — many of whom perished on the scaffold. The Spencers, father and son, became the king's new favourites j the son, in particular, who, unwarned by the fate of Gaveston, * Walsingham " Hist. Anglise," p. 85. t Vide " Proceedings" of the Record Commissioners, p. 177. 138 WESTMINSTER PALACE. governed the country with the like arrogance, and with a simUar usurpation of the royal authority as his iU-fated pre decessor had done. In the ensuing contention, the confede rate barons were at first successful; and in a parliament which met at Westminster in August 1321, they intimidated the king, by fiUing the Great Hall with armed men, into signing a sentence of perpetual banishment against the Spen cers, under pain of death should they ever return. Thomas, the potent Earl of Lancaster, and cousin to the king, was at the head of this confederacy, and he had also been a prin cipal in the measures which had been pursued against Gaves ton ; — but in May 1322, by " the downward turn of fickle Fortune's wheel," his own fate was sealed. He had been taken in arms, and being arraigned before King Edward at Pontefract, was told that " it was useless to speak in extenu ation of his offences," and forthwith condemned to suffer as a traitor. That sentence, however, from his relationship to the king, was changed into decapitation, and he was beheaded on an eminence without the town. Sixteen other knights and nobles were executed about the same time. The Spen cers were then recaUed, and invested with new honours ; and the famous Ordinances were almost whoUy abrogated in a parhament assembled at York. But the Lancastrian party was not extinct; and the barons, aggrieved and aggravated by the qstentation and misrule of the favourites, formed a new conspiracy; in which, even- tuaUy, the queen and prince Edward, her eldest son, became participators. To narrate the events which foUowed is the pro vince of the general historian. It must suffice to state in these pages, that the queen, incensed at her husband's conduct, con tracted an adulterous intercourse with Roger Mortimer, (a potent baron of the Welsh marches, who had recently escaped from the Tower,) and by his aid, and the assistance of the KING EDWARD II. HIS ABDICATION. 139 forces of the Count de Hainault, and of the people generally, who deserted the cause of their infatuated sovereign, the two Spencers were seized and executed, the king himself being made a prisoner, and consigned to the Earl of Leices ter's castle of Kenilworth. Of the occurrences which shortly followed, Walsingham has given the ensuing account, under the date of 1327 : — " Edward the Second being detained in captivity at Kenil worth, the queen and her son went to London at Epiphany, and were joyfuUy received by the people. AU the nobihty of the kingdom were summoned to meet in parhament on the morrow, when they decided that the king was unworthy of his crown, that he should be deposed, and his eldest son made king in his stead. This being done, the decision was publicly proclaimed in the Great HaU at Westminster ; and all the people consented to it. The Archbishop of Canter bury and the prelates approving, the former addressed a ser mon to the people, taking for his text — Vox populi, vox Dei. The queen being informed of these proceedings, either was, or pretended to be, very much distressed at the fate of her husband. On which the young prince swore that he would not assume the crown without his father's permission. A deputation was therefore sent to Kenilworth, who returned with the formal abdication of the fallen monarch, and Edward III. was proclaimed king.* " * Dr. Lingeu-d, who takes a more unfavourable view of the deposition of the king than most other writers, says that on the day when that measure was pro posed (January the 8th), in the pai'Uameut at Westminster, " the Hall was filled with the most riotous of the citizens of London, whose shouts and menaces were heard in the room occupied by the parliament. Not a voice was raised in the king's favour. His greatest friends thought it a proof of com'age to remain sUent ; — and the young Edward was declared king by acclamation, and presented in that capacity to the approbation of the populace." — Vide " Hist, of England," vol. ii. p. 546. 140 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Between the prison of a sovereign and the grave, it has been remarked, the interval is but short. It proved so with the deposed Edward. He was ignominiously conveyed from KenUworth to Berkeley Castle, where he was most atroci ously murdered on the 21st of September 1327. His corpse was privately interred in the Abbey Church of St. Peter at Gloucester ; where a sumptuous monument was afterwards erected to his memory.* The foUowing is a hst of the different parhaments which were held at Westminster in the reign of Edward II., with the dates of their commencement. From the writs de ex pensis, (which were mostly tested at Westminster,) it appears that the knights of shires were in general paid 4s. per diem each for attendance, in addition to their charges in coming and returning ; at some other times 3s. 4d. per diem was the sum paid, and in one instance 2s. 6d. only : — f * The foUowing remarkable instances of the low diversions of Edward the Second, are derived from a communication made to the " Antiquarian Reper tory," (vol. ii. p. 406, 407,) by the late Mr. Astle, of some entries from an authentic MS. in old French, relating (inter alia) to the private expenses of that sovereign. Paid to the king himself, to play at cross and pile, [tossing up,] by the hands of Richard de Merewith, Receiver of the Treasury, .... 12flf. Paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money which he lent to the king to play at cross and pUe, •••.... 5» Paid to Piers Barrard, usher of the king's chamber, for money which he lent to the king, and which he lost at cross and pile to Mons. Robt. WattewyUe, id. Paid to James de St. Alban's, the king's painter, who danced on a table be fore the king and made him laugh heartily, being a gift by the king's own hands, iu aid of him, his wife, and children 50,, Paid at the lodge at Walmer, when the king was stag-hunting there, to Morris Ken, of the kitchen, because he rode before the king, and often feU from his horse, at which the king laughed heartily ; a gift by command, 20s. t Vide " Palgrave's ParUamentary Writs," vol. ii. division I. Calendar. KING EDWARD III. ROLL OF HIS CORONATION. 1327- 1*1 March . 3, 1308 April . . . 25, 1316* April . . . 27, 1309 October . . 6, 1320 November . 12, 1311 July . . . 15, 1321 February . 13, 1312 January . . 20, 1324 August . . 20, 1312 February 23, 1324 March . 18, 1313 November . 18, 1325 July . . . 8, 1313 December . 26, 1326 September . 23, 1313 Prorogued to April . . . 21, 1314 January . . 7, 1327 January . . 20, 1315 The regnal year of Edward the Third commenced on the 25th of January 1327 ; on the 28th he received the great seal from the chanceUor (Hotham, Bishop of Ely) at Westmin ster, and re-dehvered it to the same person ; and on the fol lowing Sunday, February the 1st, he was crowned in the neighbouring abbey church; — prior to which, writs were addressed to all sheriffs, commanding them to proclaim and preserve the king's peace in their respective jurisdictions. Among the RoUs preserved in the Augmentation Office, is one intituled " Contrarotulus Johannis de Feryby Contraro- tulatoris Thomse de Useflete Clerici Magnse Garderobee Regis, per eundem Regem et Concilium deputati, de diversis rebus emptis et expensis circa Coronacionem dicti Dom. Regis Edw. tercii a Conquestu, m Ecclesia beati Petri Westm' et in Palacio ejusd. videlicet primo die Februarii, anno regni sui primo ; ut patet infra.f " * This appears to have been a special councU, or convention, relating to the perambulations of the forests ; and to have Continued its sittings on the 2d, 9th, and 21st of May. t Different dates have been assigned to the coronation-day of Enward III. Fabian and HoUinshed say it was on the day of the Purification of Our Lady, which is February the 2nd. ; and Tindal, in his notes to Rapin, says it was on 142 WESTMINSTER PALACE. This record consists of two sections ; the first includes a statement of the articles, (chiefly different kinds of cloth, tapestry, &c.,) and their quantities and prices, used for fitting up the church and hall for the inauguration of the king; and the second section gives an account of the manner in which the articles were respectively appropriated. The articles furnished by different persons include " pan- nus ad aurum," (cloth of gold,) " dyaspretum," (diapered cloth,) "aurifrigium in canabo," (linen worked with gold thread,) " velvettum," " samiteUum," " pannus casatus," "pannus purpureus," "pannus taffetanus," "cindon" or "sin- don," and " tapetum " (tapestry). The total expense of these articles was £1056. 19s. 3d. — The cost of the king's corona tion Gloves was three shiUings. The second portion of the roU is more interesting, as affording notices of the manner in which the places appointed for the coronation ceremonies were fitted up and ornamented. ' For the great Hall of Westminster. ' Of cloth of Candlewick-street, for hangings and bancours — " ad Dorserium et Bankerium" — in the king's great haU at Westminster, on the day of his coronation, in the first year of the king, ... 7 cloths and 12 ells. ' The same day, of stiong cloth for the king's haUs, 60 eUs. ' The same day, to be placed under the king's feet, passing with bare feet from his own station to the church, and from the church to his chamber, returning after the coro nation, of sta-ong cloth, . . , .15 doths. ' Also, for the floors of the haUs, of hnen cloth, 300 eUs. January the 26th. But the above RoU proves it to have been on February the 1st, with which, indeed, other records agree. KING EDWARD III. CORONATION ORNAMENTS. 1327. 143 ' The ornament of the king's Seat [" pulpitulum" \ on the day of his Coronation, in the Church of Westminster. ' For the fitting up and ornament of the seat of King Edward 111. on the day of his coronation in the church of West minster, Feb. 1, in the 1st year of his reign : viz. cloth of gold with diaper-work on sUk, cloth of gold on linen, samite, — "samitell," — velvet, tapestry, with cushions for the cham ber, (as appears below,) used for the royal seat of Edward III., by the survey and testimony of John de Feriby, ap pointed clerk for this purpose by the seneschal and trea surer of the household : — for tapestry of different colours to cover the timber-work of the king's seat, 21 tapestries. ' The same day, for cloth of gold on silk, to hang around the same seat, on every side, and for ornamenting the bench of the seat, .... 6 cloths and 1 quarter. ' The same day, for a veil or curtain to be stretched above over the king's head, sitting on the chair in the royal seat, with cords of cloth of gold and purple linen, 2 cloths. ' The same day, for chamber cushions, for the king's feet, sitting in the chair, .... 5 cushions. ' The same day, to hang between the cloths of gold and silk before-mentioned, around the royal seat, at the sides and borders, cloth of gold on hnen, . . 22 cloths. ' Item, of striped cloth — "pannus tartarus radiatus" — for the same, ....... 1 cloth. ' The same day, of strong lawn, for the same, 6 pieces. ' For the ornament of the Rails of the Great Altar, and of the Pavement of the Church, on the Coronation-day. ' Item, the same day, for fitting up and ornamenting the raUs of the great altar, and the pavement, with cloth of gold and silk diapered, 4 cloths. 144 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ' The same day, for purple velvet for the same, . 1 piece. ' The same day, for cloth of silk,— pannus tartarinus in serico, — for the same 1 cloth. ' Ornaments of the King's Chamber for his Consecration, with his oblations, and of the regal Chair before the Altar. ' Item, the same day, for fitting up and ornamenting the king's chamber, and for covering the king's lesser chair before the altar, with cloth of %kM,—" pannus ad aurum de Nakr"— 2 cloths. ' The same day, for cloth of gold on silk with diaper work, for the same, 2 cloths. ' The same day, for the same, for " samitell' paleat' de Styva," 1 cloth. ' The same day, for chamber cushions for the king's smaUer chair, * 3 cushions. ' Item, for cushions for the king's chamber, 4 cushions. * For sUk gloves, for the king, at his coronation, 1 pair. ' For the oblation of our lord the king, cloth of gold on silk with diaper-work, ...... 1 cloth. ' Ornaments of the Chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury, before the Altar. ' Item, for fitting up and ornamenting a chair in which the Archbishop of Canterbury sat at the king's coronation, cloth of gold on silk, — " pannus ad aurum in serico raf- fato," 1 cloth. ' The same day, for two chamber cushions for the same chair. ' The same day, for tapestry to put under the chair, 2 pieces. ' For covering the Tomb of the late King Edward (I.) on the Coronation-day. ' The same day, for a covering for the tomb of the Lord Ed ward, the illustrious grandsire of King Edward III. at the KING EDWARD III. — CORONATION ORNAMENTS. 1327. 14<5 coronation, cloth of gold on silk with diaper-work, sewed together on account of the breadth of the tomb, 2 cloths. ' Covers for the Cushions. - Item, of " pannus de Tars" for newly covering 3 cushions of the abbot of Westminster, for the king to place his foot on, descending from the great chair in the royal seat, after being anointed on the day of coronation, . . 1 eU. ' The Ornaments of the King's Chamber before his taking the order of Knighthood. ' Item, for the fitting up and ornamenting the king's chamber, in his Palace at Westminster, on the last day of January ; the night before he received the order of knighthood : viz. with red tapestry, and shields of the king's arms in the corners, 5 pieces. ' The same day, for cushions of new samite for the king's chapel, 3 cushions. ' For cushions of the same, for the chamber, after the king is knighted 6 cushions. ' For bancours — " bankeriis" — for the same chamber, orna mented with different shields ; viz. 4 red with green bor ders, 1 green, and 4 murrey and blue . 9 bancours. ' Item, for bancours for the chamber before mentioned, orna mented with tapestry, and shields in the corners with the king's arms, 3 bancours. ' Ornaments of the Royal Seat, in the great Hall at West minster, on the Coronation-day. Item, for ornaments for the king's seat: viz. cloth of gold and Turkey silk, . . 4 cloths, containing 30f eUs. ' The same day, for the back of the same, to preserve it from the humidity of the waU, . . .24 eUs of hnen. 146 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ' The same day, for a veil, on the side of the king's seat, cloth of gold on linen, . . • • 12 cloths. ' The same day, for 1 piece of velvet, for a veil, with labels, hanging before the table of the king; strengthened with red and grey lawn, . . . • • 4 pieces. ' The same day, to place under the king sitting, 2 pieces of velvet, containing 14 eUs. ' The same day, cushions of samite for the same, 3 cushions.' Edward the Third was both knighted and crowned on the same day, namely, on Sunday, Febraary the 1st, 1327, he being then but little more than fourteen years of age. The former ceremony was performed (in the palace) by his cousin Henry, Earl of Lancaster; and that of the coronation by Walter Reginald, Archbishop of Canterbury : the oath admi nistered to him resembled that taken by his father. The subsequent banquet was, as customary, given with much pomp in Westminster HaU. Speaking of the commencement of this reign, it is remarked in the " First Report on the Dignity of a Peer," that " the office of Chief Justiciary had then ceased ; and the Chan ceUor had become the first Law Officer of the Crown. The King's Bench, the Common Pleas, and the Exchequer, had become completely separate Courts, the Presidency of the Chief Justiciar no longer existing ; and the Puisne Judges of the Three Courts were considered aU as equal in Degree, taking Rank according to their Antienty as Judges of the Land, the Chiefs of each Court only having Precedence of the Puisne Judges, and taking Rank among themselves;— the Chief Justice of the King's Bench first, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas next, and the Chief Baron of the Exchequer last." The reign began under circumstances KING EDWARD III. HIS MARRIAGE. 1328, 1329. 147 which tended to establish and increase the authority of the Lords and Commons assembled in parliament; and during its course the constituent parts of the Legislative Assembhes of the realm appear to have been considered as fixed, nearly as they now stand. In a Parhament which assembled at Westminster on St. Brice's-day (November the 13th) 1328, the city of London received from the king a confirmation of all its former liber ties : he also granted many new privUeges to the citizens, including the jurisdiction of the borough of Southwark, and the/ee-/ar»w of London, at an annual rent of £300. Shortly after, viz. on the 24th of January 1328-29, the king was married, at York, to Phihppa, the youngest daughter of the Count of Hainault and HoUand, and the young queen was crowned in the abbey church at Westminster in the April foUowing. " Upon these happy nuptials there was great joy aU over England, but especially at Court, where there was nothing but justs and tournaments in the day-time, maskings, revels, and interludes with songs and dances in the evenings, and continual feasting with great magnificence, for three weeks together.* There is reason to believe that the works at St. Stephen's Chapel were discontinued for some time after Edward's accession; but the operations were recommenced in the spring of 1330, and continued, with httle, if any, interruption untU the entire completion of the chapel, about the years 1353 or 1354. Numerous RoUs relating to the expenses and progress of the works are yet extant in the king's remem brancer's office. About thirteen of them were particularly examined by Mr. Hawkins, when he engaged in coUecting his materials for Smith's " Antiquities of Westminster;" and several others have been consulted on the present occasion. • Barnes's History of Edward III. p. 27. L 2 148 WESTMINSTER PALACE. To specify the particular titles of these records would occupy too much of our Umited space, but it may be stated, gene rally, that there are roUs of account of Robert de Hill, " controUer of the works of the new chapel of St. Stephen, within the palace," extending from the 4th to the 7th year of Edward 111.; of John de Broghton, who was controUer from the 7th to the 14th year of that reign, if not longer; and of Robert de PyppeshuU, or PippeshuU, who held the office from the 17th to the 19th year, when he was probably suc ceeded by Martin de Ixning; whose counter-roUs are extant for the 19th, 20th, and 21st of Edward 111, ' This last officer was one of the royal chaplains, and he was presented to a prebend in St. Stephen's Chapel, on AprU 1st, 1351.* The office of controller was subsequently held by Adam de Ches- trefield, or Chesterfield, for several years, his accounts ex tending from the 29th to the 43d year of this long reign. De Chestrefield obtained a prebendal staU at St. Stephen's, in May 1369. f These persons appear to have been con trollers of the accounts in regular succession, during nearly if not quite the whole time that the works of St. Stephen's chapel were carried on in the reign of Edward III. The earliest among these accounts are those of Walter de Weston, " clerk of the works at the King's Palace of West minster, and at the Tower of London," for several years. He was appointed to that office (as before stated) in the fourth of Edward III. In the twenty-third year of that reign he was chaplain J to the king, who bestowed on him the sixth prebend in St. Stephen's chapel. § Peter de Bruges may have succeeded him as " clerk of the works at the pa- * Pat. 25 Ed. III. Pt. i. as cited by Newcourt, " Repertorium," vol. i. p. 748. f Newcourt, vol. i. p. 749. X Cal. Rot. Patent, p. 109 a. § Newcourt, vol. i. p. 747. KING EDWARD III. WORKS OP ST. STEPHEY's CHAPEL. 14Q lace of Westminster," in the twenty-first of Edward's reign, as Mr. Hawkins mentions a RoU of de Bruges extending from October 15th, 21st Edward III., to August 10th foUow ing;* but there is extant among these records a RoU inti tuled " Particulse Compoti Walteri de Weston, de operibus R. infra Turrim Lond. annis regni R. Ed. III. post conquest. 23°, 24°, & 25°." Hence it must be inferred that if de Weston was super seded by de Bruges, as clerk of the works at Westminster, he still continued to superintend those at the Tower : or perhaps de Bruges was only his deputy. Robert de Camp- sale acted as clerk of the works at the palace, and at the Tower, from the twenty-fifth of Edward 111, to the twenty- eighth, when he seems to have been succeeded in his office by Thomas de Stapelford, or Stapulford ; for among these RoUs is one indorsed, " Particulse de operibus palacii de Westm' de tempore Rob. de Campsale, solutee per manus Thom. de Stapulford, anno 28°." De Stapelford had been previously employed in keeping the accounts relative to other operations connected with the king's works, as we learn from another record, intituled " Particulse compoti T. de Stapelford, clerici, de omnibus receptis, misis, et expensis per ipsum factis, circa prosternationem quercuum in bosco de Beaumeis, ac eciam solutionibus vadior. magistrorum et opera- riorum, anno regni R. Edw. III. 23°," He continued in office, at least tiU the twenty-ninth or thirtieth of Edward III., as appears from another RoU. Wilham de Lambheth was "clerk of the works at the palace and Tower" in the 32nd year of this reign ; but in the 35th the office was fiUed by WiUiam de Sleford, whose accounts for that year, for the 36th, and 39th, are in the same office. He was one of the king's chaplains, and was a prebendary of St. Stephen's cha- * Smith's Antiquities of Westminster, p. 179. 150 WESTMINSTER PALACE. pel, or coUege, of which establishment he was made dean, May 17, 1369.* The foUowing details of the various operations at St. Ste phen's chapel, and of the works of the palace generaUy, have been derived from the above-mentioned records. The inter esting information which they furnish respecting the value of labour, prices of building materials, and other circumstances connected with former times, wiU be readily appreciated, 4th Edward III. ' 1330. — May 27th. — To Master Thomas the mason, coming first to Westminster, and beginning there upon the new Chapel of St. Stephen, ' et intrasura super moldas operanti' for his wages for six days, by order of the Lord Treasurer and CouncU, 6s. ' June 3. — ^To Master Thomas of Canterbury, master mason, working et tractanti super trasuram, 6s. 'June 5. — To John de Sene, merchant of Caen, for 400 Caen stones, caUed Gobetts, bought for the new chapel of St. Stephen, within the King's Palace at Westminster, at 4Z. per 100, 161. To the same, for 300 Caen stones caUed Quoins, bought for the same Chapel, at 12s. 6d. per 100, 11. 17 s. 6d. ' June 10.— To Master Thomas of Canterbury, mason, "ope ranti intrasura, et moldas de novo reparanti," for his wages, 6s. 'July 15.— To Robert le Clerk, &c. three scaffold-makers, for erecting a scaffold at the east end of the Chapel, &c. for five days, at 3id. per day, 4s. 4id. To six masons, for five days, at 5\d. per day, 13s. 9d. To Walter Peny, marble mason, for six days, at b^d. per day, 2s, 9d. * Newcourt, vol. i. p. 747 ; from the Patent RoUs. KING EDWARD III. ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 1330. 151 To three marble masons, for five days, at the same rate, 6s. lOid. To Will, de BeneviU, marble mason, for five days, at 4d. per day. Is. 8d. To WiU. le Hare, porter, for five days, at 3d. per day. Is. 3d. ' July 23. — ^To the scaffold-makers, for four days, 3s. 6d. To Master Thomas of Canterbury, 6s. To six masons, for five days, at 5|«? per day, 14s. 9d. To two masons, for four days, at the same rate, 3s. 8d. To Walter Peny, as before, for five days, 2s. 3id. To three marble masons, for five days, 6s. lO^d. To WUl. de BeneviU, as before. Is. 8d. To WiU. le Hare, porter, for four days. Is. ' July 29. — ^To Mich. Dissher, of Wood Street, for twenty-five beams of alder tree, for the scaffold at the east end of the Chapel, at 2d. each, 4s. 2d. To the same, for twenty-four hurdles for the same scaffold, at 2d. each, 4s. To the same, for 500 thongs to tie the scaffolds, at 4d. per 100, Is. 8d. For porterage and carriage of the beams, &c. from Wood Street to the Thames, 8d. For boatage of the same to Westminster, 4d. To Robert of St. Alban's, for two pounds of wax, for ce ment, at 6d. per lb.. Is. To the same, for eight pounds of pitch, at Id. per lb,, 8d. To the same, for 100 nails caUed Spikyng, for the Scaffold, lOd. * Aug, 3. — To John de SeUyngale, and John Beckere, masons, for laying stones and iron-work in the east gable, for six days, at 5id. per day, 5s, 6d. 152 WESTMINSTER PALACE. To John Bakere, John of Oxford, and Richard of Fever- sham, masons, for five days, at hd. per day, 6s. 3d. 'Aug. 17.— To John de SeUyngale, and John Bekere, for working on the east gable, for six days, as before, 5s. 6d. To John Baker, mason, for six days, at 5d per day, 2s. 6d. 5th Edward III. < 133] .—March 1.— To Rich, de Lynne, and Walt, le Murie, layers of stone, for working on the east gable, six days, at bid. per day, 5s. 6d. ' March 15.— To three layers of stone, for six days' work, at the same rate, 8s. 3d. To two carpenters, for working six days, at bd. per. day, 5s. To two scaffold-makers, for working six days, at 3id. per day, 3s, 6d. 'April 27, — To Thomas Bernak, of Lambeth, for twenty- three large Reygate stones, for the form pieces for the win dows, at 2s, each, with carriage, &c. 21. 6s. 'June 15. — ^To Thos. Bernak, for fifteen pieces of Reygate stone, for mold-pieces for the upper windows, at 2s, each, 11. 10s, To Thos. Bernak, for nineteen pieces of Reygate stone, for the said molds, at 2s. each, ll. 18s. ' June 30. — To Thos. Bernak, for ten pieces of Reygate stone, for the sides of the chapel, at 2s. each, ll. ' July 6. — To Thos. Bernak, for fourteen pieces of Reygate stone, caUed form-pieces, for the windows, at 2s. each, with carriage, &c. 11. 8s. ' July 20. — To WiUiam of Kent, for one hundred-weight of lime, for mortar, for the great window of the east gable, 3s. 6d. To John Shaw, for four cart-loads of sand, for the said mortar, 4d. KING EDWARD III. ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 1331. 153 ' May 4.— To Michael and Richard of Wood Street, for 100 poles of alder, for the scaffold at the east gable of the new chapel, 16s. To the same, for twelve large poles for standards for the scaffold, at lOd. each, 10s. To the same, for twenty-four hurdles for the scaffold, at l|d each, 3s. 6c?. To the same, for 1000 thongs, as before, 3s, 4d. To GUbert of Wood Street, for two long poles, for stand ards to the scaffold, at 12d. each, 2s. To the same, for six beams of alder, to make centres, at 2d. each, Is. Cartage and boatage. Is, 6d. ' April 27, — To John de Sene, merchant of Caen, for 250 Caen stones, caUed Gobetts, for the new chapel, at 41. per 100, lOZ. To the same, for 350 of Caen stones, caUed Quoins, at 12s. 6d. per 100, 21. 3s. 9d. To Robert of St. Alban's, for one pound of wax, to make cement, 6d. To the same, for eight pounds of pitch, at Id. per lb., 8d. ' July 20. — To Roger of Waltham, for a large cable of hemp for drawing up stones by a windlass to the top of the chapel, weighing six score great pounds, at 1 ^d. per lb., with porterage and boatage, I7s. 6d. 'Aug. 3. — To Rob. of St. Alban's, for 3 cwt. of Spanish iron, for bars and iron-work at the east gable, at 4s. 8d. per cwt. 14s. To Walter de Bury, smith, for making the iron into bars, at 4s. per cwt. 12s. To fho. Bernak, for four pieces of Reygate stone, at 2s, each, 8s. ' Aug. 11.— To Rob. of St. Alban's, for 2 cwt. of iron, 9s. 4d. 154 WESTMINSTER PAIACE, To W. de Bury, .or working the said iron, almost one half of which was wasted in the fire, 8s. ' Aug. 3 1 .—To Rob. of St. Alban's, for 3| cwt. of iron, 1 55. 2d. To Walter the smith, of Bury, for making the iron into bars, almost half being wasted, 13s. ' Sep. 22. — To Thos. Bernak, for ten pieces of Reygate stone, for form-pieces for the east gable, at 2s. 10«?. each, with carriage, &c. 1/. 8s. 4d. To the same, for five pieces of Reygate stone, at the same rate, 14s. 2d. ' Sep. 30. — ^To John le Tressh of London, for two oak boards for moulds for the masons, at 12^. each, 2s. To the same, for three oak boards caUed Lidholts, for the said moulds, at 6d. each. Is. 6d. ' Sep. 28. — To Thomas Bernak, for five pieces of Reygate stone, for the form-pieces of the east gable, at 2s. lOrf. each, 14s. 2d. 'Nov. 2. — ^To Bartholomew Cisson, for one pound of grease, for greasing the puUeys and beams, 2d. 'Nov. 13.— To John Walworth, glazier, for three windows of white glass, for the chapel of St. Stephen, 7s. 'Dec. 2.— To Nicholas Ivory for 2^ hundred of reeds, for co vering the new house for the stone-cutters and workmen, at IQd. per hundred, with boatage to Westminster, 6s. 3d. To Rich, le Clerk, for 4| hundred of reeds, for the same purpose, 3s. 9d. To Rob. of St. Alban's, for 2000 naUs for laths, at lOrf. per thousand. Is. 8d. To the same, for 1000 of iron naUs for an inclosure in the above house, 7d. To Walter Gautron, for 300 of hert-laths for the said house, at 5c?. per hundred. Is. 3d. KING EDWARD III. ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 1332. 155 To the same, for 500 beech-laths for the said house, at 2id. per hundred. Is. Oid. ' Dec. 7- — ^To Thos. Bernak, for seventeen form-pieces of Reygate stone, for the window in the east gable, at 3s. each, IZ. 10s. ' 1332. — Jan. 7- — To John Bishop, for twelve cart-loads of clay, at lid. per load. Is, 6d. To Bartholomew the stone-cutter, for one quarter of char coal, for cementing the stone, as burnt, 6d. To Robert of St, Alban's, for wax and pitch, for cement. Is, 2d. 6th Edward III. ' 1332. — Feb. 8. — ^To Tho. Bernak, for ten form-pieces of Reygate stone, for the east gable, at 2s. 6d. each, 1 1, bs. 'Feb. 15. — To the same, for seventeen form-pieces of stone, for the gable, at 2s. each, ll. 14s. To the same, for five small form-pieces, at lOd. each, 4s. 2d. ' March 15. — To John de Ringwode, for two oak boards, for covering two tabernacles at the east end, at 3d. each, 6d. To John de Lincoln, for 100 beech boards to cover the soursadel reredos^jn the east gable, 6s. 8d. To Walter le Best, for two boards to cover the said gable. Is. To Walter de Bury, smith, for eighteen cramps, to strengthen the stones in the gable. Is. 6d. To the same, for twelve goromis [qu. wedges ?], and six smaU hooks, 9d. 'April 19..— To Tho. Bernak, for a long and large stone for an image, 6s. To the same, for seventeen large form-pieces of Reygate stone, for the east gable, at 4s. each, 31. 8s. 156 WESTMINSTER PALACE. 'AprU 26.— To the same, for nine pieces of Reygate stone, at 3s. each, ll. 7s. 'May 17.— To the same, for nine pieces of Reygate stone, for the east gable, at 4s. each, with carriage, &c. from Rfey- gate, \l. \6s. To the same, for three pieces of stone, at 3s. 6d. each, 10s. 6d. To Walter de Bury, for an iron bar twelve feet long, weigh ing three quarters ten pounds, at Hd. per lb., made out of his own iron, to strengthen a marble column, and keep in its place under the great form, 10s. 7 id. ' June 14.— To Walter de Bury, smith, for three gogons of iron, for the gable, at 3d. each, 9d. ' July 19.— To Michael Dissher, for fifty beams of alder, for the new scaffold at the gable of the front of the new cha pel, 8s. To the same, for thongs and hurdles for the scaffold, 5s. 2d. ' July 26.— For a half hundred-weight of lime, to make mor tar for the lower gable in front of the chapel, 2s. 'Aug. 2. — ^To John de Parys, for plaster of paris, to mend the defects in the great stones of the gable, &c. 8s. ' Aug. 9. — ^To Michael of Canterbury, marble-mason, for one boat-load of cartat, with stones caUed rag, of the weight of ten dolers, to fiUup between the walls of the new chapel, 8s. To Thomas le Northeme, for half a hundred of beech boards, to covet the stone-masons during their work in the front of the chapel from wind and rain, &c. 4s. 6d. To Tho. Bernak, of Reygate, rokarius, for eight stones for the lower gable of the chapel, at 4s. each, ll. 12s. To the same, for six smaUer stones for the stairs (GrezJ of the tower in the south part of the gable, in front of the chapel, 15s. KING EDWARD III. ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 1332. 157 'Aug. 16. — To the same, for eight stones which were want ing to close up the lower gable, at Is. 6d. each, 12s, To Tho, Bernak, for two large stones, bought to make two images, 5s, 6d. each, lis. '- Aug. 23. — To John de Hungerford, carpenter, for working and making timbers for the scaffold to be erected afresh round the towers of the front of the chapel, for six days, at 5d. per day, 2s. 6d. To ,two scaffold-makers, for erecting and tying the scaf fold, five days at 3id. each, 2s. lid. ' Aug. 30.' — ^To Walter the smith, for two large staples, and two large hooks, of his own iron, weight eighty pounds, to bear and support two large images in front of the chapel, 10s. 'Sept., 13. — To Master Richard of Reading, for making two images by task-work in gross : viz, for an image of St, Ed ward, and another of St. John in the hkeness of a pilgrim, to be put in front of the gable of the chapel, 31. 6s. 8d. ' Nov. 2. — To Walter de Bury, the smith, for making two iron bars called tirauntz, fifteen feet long each, out of seven hundred-weight of iron de Baton, received by order of the tieasurer out of the stores in the Tower ; and for work upon the said bars, for the purpose of strengthening and keeping in their places the moynells (muUions of the window) in the east gable, at the rate of 4s. per cwt., three-fourths of the iron being wasted in the fire because of its weakness, ll. 8s. ' Nov, 9, — ^To Thomas Chp, for 500 reeds, for covering the waUs of the chapel, and the stones and timber, at lid per hundred, with boatage, 4s. 7d. ' Nov. 23. — To two workmen covering over the waUs of the chapel, at 3c?. per day each, 2s. 6d. 'Dec. 7.— To Tho, Bernak, for seventeen form-pieces of 158 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Reygate stone, for the window in the east gable, at 3s. each, 2s. Ud. 7th Edward III. ( i333_ March 21. — To John de Hungerford, carpenter, for two days' work on a penthouse on the gable, where the masons began that week to lay the stones on the said gable, at 5d. per day, lOe?. ' April 1 1 . To two scaffold-makers for erecting a new scaf fold round the tower on the north part of the gable, six days' work, at 3id. per day each, 3s. 6d. ' Sept. 30. — ^To Walter Merye, and Ralph le Hunte, layers of stone, for four days' work on the gable and walls of the chapel, at b^d. per day each, 3s. 8d. To Tho. Bernak, of Reygate, for twenty-four stones for the two towers of the front of the chapel, and to inclose and complete the lower gable, ll. 4s. To Richard of Talworth, merchant and citizen of London, for half a hundred-weight of wood, to melt lead, solder, &c. 3s. To Walter the smith, for twelve cramps, of his own iron, to secure the stones of the gable, 8d. ' Oct. 18. — ^To Robert de Thorney, for 2000 lath-naUs, Is, 8c?, To Michael le Disshere, for 150 beams of alder, at 2d. each, ll. 5s, To Rob, Mancel, for 1000 beech-laths, at 2id. per hun dred, 2s. Id. 'Oct. 25. — To Nicholas Jouri, for 300 reeds, to cover the penthouse over the gable, at lOd. per hundred, 2s. 6 arrest Gold smiths for the King's service. KING EDWARD IV. MARRIAGE IN ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL.-l 477.329 1471 ; — and on the following day, the unfortunate King Henry perished in the Tower : but whether from grief, (as reported at the time,) or by the hand of violence, has not been authenticated. About six weeks afterwards, (July the 3rd) the king cre_ ated his eldest son Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Corn waU, and Earl of Chester, in the Parliament Chamber at Westminster, in presence of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, eight other prelates, the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester, (the King's brothers,) and many of the principal nobihty and knights ; — all of whom swore fealty to the Prince, as " the verey and undoubted heyre" to the King, " and to the Corones and Reames [realras] of England and of France, and Lordship of Ireland : " * — an oath, alas ! how fearfuUy violated. On the 15th of January 1477, the Lady Anne Mowbray, daughter and heiress of Thoraas, Duke of Norfolk, was mar ried to Richard Duke of York, in St. Stephen's Chapel, in presence of the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales, Cicely the King's mother, and the ladies Elizabeth, Mary, and Ci cely, the King's daughters. The Chapel was richly hung with drapery on this occasion, and the royal company, after the perforraance of mass at the high altar, were splendidly banqueted in St. Edward's [or the Painted] Chamber.f Holinshed informs us, that King Edward kept the festival of Christmas, with great state, in 1482, at Eltham, where there was a dailie attendance of more than two thousand per sons. He adds — "The same yeare," [i. e. O. S.] "on Can dlemas day, he with his queene went in procession from saint Stephans chappeU into Westminster hall, accompanied with the earle of Angus, the lord Greie, & sir James LiddaU, am bassadors from Scotland. And at his proceeding out of his *" Foedera," tom. v. pars iii^ p. 5, fSandford's" Genealogical Hist." p. 394 330 WESTMINSTER PALACE. chamber he made sir John Wood, vnder-treasuror of Eng land, & sir WiUiam Catesbie one of the iustices of the comon plees, knights." The death of this Sovereign took place at the Palace of Westrainster, on the 9th of AprU 1483. His remains, when inclosed in a coffin, were brought into St. Stephen's Chapel, (where three masses were sung,) and there deposited during eight days ; after which they were carried into the Abbey Church at Westminster, and thence conveyed to Windsor, where they were finally interred in the royal Chapel. AU the Parliaments suramoned in the reign of Edward the IVth, were directed to assemble at Westminster, except one, ordained to be holden at York, on February the 5th, 1463, but which was ultimately ordered by proclamation, to sit at Westminster on the 29th of April foUowing; — and another, which after being summoned to meet at York on September the 22nd 1469, was superseded by a writ dated on the 7th of that month. With the exception of the Parliament sum moned to meet at Oxford by Charles the First, whUst the Long Parliament was sitting at Westminster ; of two sessions which took place by prorogation, at Oxford, in June 1625, and in October 1665, on account of the direful ravages of the Plague in London in those years ; and of another session at Oxford, in March 1681, our Parliaments, ever since the above reign, have always been held at Westminster. The reign of Edward the Vth extended only from the time of his father's decease, to the 26th of June in the same year, when he was superseded by his uncle Richard, (Duke of Gloucester,) who by a series of hypocritical and murderous acts, and the basest intrigues, contrived to usurp the throne from its rightful possessor — chiefly on the plea of the bas tardy of his brother's issue. Prior to this, however, orders had been issued for the coronation of his nephew ; who, at different times, in the months of May and June, was resident KING RICHARD III. — HIS ORATION AT WESTMINSTER. — 1483. 331 in this Palace, as appears from the several documents, tested by himself at Westminster, which have been printed in the "' Foedera."* On the day after that on which he had been proclaimed King, Richard the IlIrd proceeded in great state to West minster HaU, with a numerous train of attendants, " and there, when he had placed himselfe in the Court of the King's Bench, [on " the marble seat," as sorae writers state] he declared to the audience, that he would take upon him the crowne in that place there, where the king himselfe sitteth and ministreth the law, because he considered that it was the chiefest dutie of a king to minister the lawes. Then with as pleasant an oration as he could, he went about to win vnto him the nobles, the merchants, the artificers, and in conclu sion aU kind of men, but especiaUie the lawieres of this realme. And finalUe to the intent that no man should hate him for feare, and that his deceitfull clemencie might get him the good wUl of the people, when he had declared the dis commodities of discord & the coinodities of concord & vnitie, he made an open proclamation, that he did put out of his mind all enmities, and that he there did openhe pardon all offenses committed against him. And to the intent that he might shew a proofe thereof, he commanded that one Fog, whom he had long deadhe hated, should be brought then be fore him, who being brought out of the sanctuarie (for thither he had fled for feare of him) in the sight of the peo ple he tooke him by the hand. Which thing the comraon people reioiced at and praised, but wise men tooke it for a vanitie."f * The latest of those instruments, is an appointment of Purveyors for the royal household, bearing date on the 17th of June 1483. See "Foedera," tom. v. pars iii. p. 132. t Holinshed's " Chronicles," vol. iu. p. 397, See also Fabyan, p. 669. 322 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The coronation of Richard, and Anne his consort (the daughter of the king-making Earl of Warwick), was solemni zed in the abbey church at Westminster on July 6, 1483. Holinshed remarks, that, " the solemnitie was furnished, for the most part, with the selfe sarae prouision that was ap pointed for the coronation of his nephue; " which had been arranged to take place about six weeks prior to that date.* In the description of this cereraonial, given in an Har leian MS., it is stated that after the trumpets and clarions, the Serjeant at arms,and the heralds bearing the king's heraldic insignia, came "the Crosse w* a ryaU procession; fyrst Prests w* grey Amyses and then Abotts and Bushopes w' meters on ther hedds & crosers in there hands, and the Bushope of Rochest' bare the crosse before the Cardinall [Abp. Bour- chier]. And then comyng th' Erl of Northumberland barynge the poyntles sworde before the king naked. The Lord * Holinshed's statement is corroborated by the wardrobe account of Peter Courteys, keeper of the king's wardrobe in 1483, which, so far as relates to the provisions for the coronation, has been published iu the first volume of the " Antiquarian Repertory." Among the entries of articles of dress and orna ment provided for various persons who were present at the coronation of Richard the Ilird, is one headed " The deUveree of Divers stuff delivered for the use of Lorde Edward, Son of the late Kyng Edwarde the Fourthe, and of his Henxemen." It includes coloured velvet, cloth of gold, damask, satin, &c. for an ornamented dress, such as the prince might have worn at his own coronation, had it been permitted to have been celebrated. It is therefore most probable that the articles in question had been procured before the young king was super seded. Walpole, in his " Historic Doubts," has indeed aUeged the contents of this wardrobe account as evidence that Prince Edward walked, or was expected to walk at his uncle's coronation ; but if any proof were wanting that these arti cles were intended for his own coronation, it might be drawn from the circum stance of provision being made (according to the Wardrobe Account), not only for preparing o, splendid dress for the Prince, but also for dresses for his Henxemen, whose attendance would not have been required had he been present in any other character than that of sovereign. KING RICHARD 111 . — HIS CORONATION PROCESSION 1483. 333 Stanley bare the masse [mace] before the kinge. Th' Erl of Kent bare the second sworde poynted on the right hand of the kinge. The Lord LoveU bare the iij sworde on the left hand the king naked. Then comyng the Duke of Suff: beringe the king's scepter. Th' Erl of Lyncolne bare the crosse w' the balle, Th' Erl of Surrey bare the iiij* sworde w^in the scabbard before the Kinge upright. Then comyng the Duke of Norff: beringe the King's Crowne betwyx his hands. And then foloinge o'' Soveraigne Lorde Kinge Rych'J the iijde and over his bed a clothe of estate borne w' the V. ports, and on eche syde of the kynge going a Bushope^ the Bushope of Bathe and the Bushope of Durram, and so the King goinge in his robes of purple velvet. Then comyn the Duke of Bokingh'm bering the king's trayne w* a whyt staff in his hande. And then, corayng before the Queue both Erls and Barrons. Th' Erl of Huntyngton bare the queue's scepter, the Vicount Lyle the rod w' y^ dove upon. Th' Erie of Wylshyre bare the queue's Crowne. Then comynge o"" Soveraigne Lady the Queue, & over her bed a clothe of estate, and of every, corner of the cloth a baUe of golde, & on her bed a cyrklet of golde w* many precyous stones sett therein, & on every syde the queue going a Bus- hope, the Bushope of Excaster and the Bushope of Nor- wyche, and our Lady of Rychemond bare the quenes trajae. And our Lady of Suff: going in her estate by her selffe alone, and on her bed a cyrclet of Golde.* Then after her comyng the Doches of Norff: w^ other ladyes to the num ber of xxt'6. Then after them comyng knights and squiers w' many typstaves,"f * Katherine duchess of Suffolk was the sister of King Richard. At the feast after the coronation, she was " served her estate be [by] her selffe alone." t Vide " Excerpta Historica," p. 380 ; from Hari. MS. N" 2115. 334) WESTMINSTER PALACE. In recounting the formalities of the coronation, the writer of the MS. says that, the king and queen having quitted their seats of estate and advanced to the high altar, while the priests and clerks were "synging laten and prycksonge," their majesties " put of ther robes and there stood all nakyd from the medall upwards, and anone the Bushope anoynted bothe the Kyng and the Quyne. And when this was done, the Kyng and Quyne changed ther robes into clothe of golde, and then the Cardenall crowned them both w* great solemp- netye, and the organs went fuU shortly [sweetly ?] " But the former part of this statement must surely be understood with some reservation : probably Holinshed's narrative is here more accurate, who says "after diuerse songs solemnehe soong> they both ascended to the high altar, and were shifted from their robes, and had diuerse places open from the middle vpward, in which places they were anointed."* In his notice of the coronation feast, the MS. writer men tions the first course as being served " on dyshe of gold and an other of sylver aU covered ; " and adds, " and me Lord Awde- * "Chronicle," v. iu. p. 399. — Lists of the Dukes, Earls, Barons, and Knights, who were present at this Coronation, are to be found in the Chronicles of Grafton and Holinshed, and in the MS. in the Harleian Library, and in another belonging to the CoUege of Arms. Holinshed, who refers to Grafton as his authority, mentions " Edward, prince of Wales, the king's onelie son," as having attended at his father's coronation : but this is unquestionably an error, for that prince is not mentioned in the list of nobles and knights who were present at ihe solemnity, printed in the "Excerpta Historica," from the Harleian and Heralds' CoUege MSS ; neither had he the title of Prince of Wales untUmore than a month after the king's coronation at Westminster ; nor does it appear from the wardrobe account above quoted, that any coronation robes or orna ments were provided for him, as they must have been, had his presence been an ticipated. But though the king's son was absent, his nephews, the Earl of Warwick (son of George duke of Clarence), the Duke of Suffolk, and the Earl of Lincoln, were aU three in attendance, the two latter being among the bearers of parts of the Regalia. KING RICHARD III. HIS CORONATION FEAST. 1483. 335 ley Kerver to the kyng all the dynner-time, and me Lord Scroop of UpsaU, Cupberer. And so me Lord LoveU stand ing before the Kynge aU the dynner-tyme, and two squyers lying under the bord at the kyng's fete." " And then came in the second cowerse, and at the said cowerse, came rydyng into the hall S"" Robt Dymoke the Kyng's Champion, and his horse trapyd w* whyt sylke & red, & hym selff in whyt harnesse, and the Heraulds of Armes standyng upon a stage among aU the co'pany ; then came rydynge up before the Kyng his champion, and there he declared before aU the people, yf there be any man wUl say ageynst kyng Rychard the iij why he shoulde not p 'tende the crowne, and anon aU the people were in peace awhyle. And when he had aU seyd, anon all the haU cryed Kyng Rychard aU w' one voyce. And when this was done, anon on of the Lords brought unto this champion a cope fuU of red wyne cov'd, and so he toke the cope and uncov'd hym and dranke thereof, and when he had done, anon he casts owte the wyne and cov'd the cope agayne & made his obesans to the Kynge and turned his horsse abowt and rode through the hall w' the cope in his ryght hand, and that he had for his labor." The third course we are told "was so late that there myght no servyce be served savyng wafers and ipocrace." Lights were then brought, the king and queen quitted the festal apartment, and the company dispersed. No sooner had Richard accepted the sovereignty, than, ac cording to Fabyan, the young King Edward, and his brother the Duke of York " were put vnder sure kepynge within the Tower, in suche wyse that they never came abrode after."* * " Chronicles," p. 670.— In the Hari. MS. No. 433, (fol. 57 b.) is an entry of a writ of Privy Seal, directed to John Hayes, commanding him, ' to content John Lomplorn, of London, grocer ; Thomas Carter, wax-chandler ; John Short, bocher [butcher] , and othre of London forsaid, the som'e of £200, for vitaill spended in the house of Edward the Vth, pretending to be king.' 336 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Whatever may have been the real fate of those Princes — for there is some reason to believe, that the story of thei'" having been smothered in the Tower at the instigation of their ambitious uncle, was a calumny invented by the Lan castrians for sinister purposes — the report of their having been murdered made a strong impression against King Richard, and greatly tended to strengthen the conspiracy that shortly afterwards hurled hira frora his throne. The King kept his Christmas at Westminster, in great state, in the year 1484 ; prior to which, he had prevailed on the Queen Dowager to quit the sanctuary for the court, to gether with her five daughters, whom he had solemnly sworn to protect, and advance in marriage. During the festival, on Twelfth Day, he wore the crown at a royal banquet, at which his nieces were present ; but it was remarked with surprise, that Elizabeth, the eldest, was dressed in robes exactly simi lar in form and colour to those of the Queen Consort. This was construed into a charge against the King, that he was even then meditating either the death or divorce of the part ner of his bed and throne. The decease of the Queen, early in the foUowing March, gave additional strength to these suspicions, yet there is no vahd proof that Richard had any guilty participation in that event. The Queen was interred in the Abbey Church at Westminster, with aU the honours appropriate to her station.* Divers notices of this Palace, connected with the time of Richard the lllrd, occur in the very curious Harleian Manu script, numbered 433 ; which is said to have once belonged to the great Lord Burleigh, but more recently was the property of * Early in his reign. King Richard confirmed to the ' Ankeresse offVestmins- ter,' an annuity of six marks, ' to be taken yearly, during her life, of the issues, prouffits, and revenues of Notingham.'— SeeHari. MS. No. 433, fol. 41. KING RICHARD III,— PLACES IN THE PALACE.— 1484. 337 Strype,the historian.— Thomas Hunt was appointed Clerk of the King's works, for life, in the early part of that reign ; * and Robert Mannynge had the office of " Purveyor of al workemen and of stufe," for the said works, "within the Palais of Westmynstre & the Toure of Londone," for the same terme, at the wages of ten pence a day, payable frora the fee-farm of the town of Portsmouth."f Richard Scope- ham, " yoeman of the corone," was made keeper of " the Toure nigh unto th' Exchequer; " % and various tenements, &c. within the Palace, were granted to James Frys, or Friis, (elsewhere caUed Frise, the King's Physician,) "for terme of his life, without any accompt, or other thing.§" The places mentioned in the grant are "a ten't that Thomas Stoklade had to ferme, of Henry the vj*," "the logge [lodge] be- tweene the Rounde Toure & the lyteU waf conduct, which John Gurney late had," " a house which John Prudde late had," " a house under the Receipt of the Eschequer, conteyning in length xlvi fote, w* a htel house called the Pycherhouse, conteyning in length x fote & in brede vij fote, which John Randolf, squier, late had, — and a house w"'in Westmjmstre HaU, in a Towre vnder a house caUed Queue Margrettes CounsaiU house." At that time. Sir John Cates- by, whose family name the often-quoted distich, " Catesby the rat, and Lovel the dog. Rule aU England under a hog," — has rendered so notorious, "was keeper of the Palace of Westrainster, the Fleet prison," &c. as appears frora a writ of Privy Seal, to "aUow the Sherriffs of London the payraent of their fee" for his salary. || The office of keeping the g; * HarL MS. No. 433, fol. 35 b. f I3 a promise from the King that his life should be spared, he again surrendered himself a prisoner. " Incontinenthe after was Perkin brought to the court againe at Westminster, and was one day set fettered in a paire of stocks before the doore of Westminster Hall, and there stood a whole day, not without innumerable reproaches, mocks, and scomings. And the next dale he was caried through London, and set upon a like scaffold in Cheape, by the standard, with like ginnes and stocks as he occupied the dale before, and there stood all dale, and read openlie his owne confession [of imposture], written with his own hand."* Prince Arthur, the eldest son of Henry the Vllth, was married in November, 1501, to the Princess Katherine of Arragon. The matrimonial ceremonies were celebrated at St. Paul's, with great pomp ; and the Prifice and Princess for a short time afterwards resided at the Palace of the Bishop of London. Thence the King and Queen, " with the new wedded spouses, went from Baynardes CasteU by water to Westmynster, on whorae the Mayre and comminaltie of London, in barges garnished with standards, streamers, and penons of their deuice, gave their attendaunce. And there in the Paleys were suche marciaU feates, suche vahaunt iustes, suche vygorous tumeys, suche fierce fight at the barreyers, as before that tyme was of no man had in reraerabraunce. Of thys royaU triumphe lord Edwarde, duke of Buckyngham, * HoUnshed's " Chronicle," vol. iu. p. 521. V. et Polyd. VirgU. " Angl. Hist." p. 608, edit. 1546. Perkin Warbeck was afterwards imprisoned in the Tower ; but in the foUowing year he again engaged in in abortive attempt to free himself from captivity, together with the Earl of Warwick, who had been kept in such rigorous confinement that it has been said, " He knew not a goose from a capon." For this attempt, Henry caused Warbeck to be hanged at Tyburn, on the 2;JRY VIII. HIS MARRIAGE AND CORONATION. — 1509. 345 The accession of King Henry the Vlllth, was haUed with much joy by the people; and his first acts were very popular. In June, 1509, his marriage with the Princess Katherine, his brother's widow (a dispensation having been obtained frora the Pope), was solemnized at Greenwich, and on the 24th of the same month their Majesties were crowned at Westrainster with extraordinary porap. On this occasion they went in procession from the Tower ; the King, most splendidly appareUed, being mounted upon a goodly courser (in trappings of golden damask, purfled with ermine), and the Queen borne in a litter by two white palfreys, "trapped in white cloth of gold ; " her person arrayed in white satin, embroidered, her hair of great length hanging loosely down her back, and on her head a coronal set with many rich orient stones. On " the morrowe folowyng, being Sondaie, and also Mid summer dale, this noble Prince with his Queen, at time convenient," under canopies borne by the Barons of the Cinque Ports, " went from the Palaice to Westminster Abbey upon clothe caUed vulgarly cloth of ray, the which clothe was cut and spoyled by the rude and common people immediately after their repair into the Abbey ; where, ac cording to the sacred observaunce and auncient custome, his Grace with the Queen were annoynted and crowned by the Archbisshop of Cantorbury (WUham Warham) ; other pre lates of the realme being there present, and the nobihtie with a great multitude of commons of the same." * detaUed accounts of the King's obsequies are also given in the respective Chronicles of HaU and HoUnshed. * HaU's "Chronicle," p. 509. The characteristic account given by this annaUst of the splendid banquet in the Great HaU, and of the chaUenge to fight to " th' utterance," any person who should contend against the King's right to the throne, by the champion, " Sir Robert Dimmock," are deserving 346 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Difiuse descriptions are given in the chronicles of HaU and HoUnshed, of the dresses and decorations of the per formers in the splendid pageants which formed the chief amusement of the English court in the early part of the new reign ; and of which we shall here introduce some particulars. After keeping the festival of Christmas at Richmond, in 1509, " the King, with the Queen and aU their train," re turned about the end of January to the Palace of West minster. " And on a tyme beyng there," according to Hall, " his Grace, the erles of Essex, Wilshire, and other noble menne, to the nombre of twelue, came sodainly in a mornyng into the Queue's chambre, all appareled in short of attention. The chronicler states, that for the more honour and enno- bUng of this " triumphaunt Coronacion," there were prepared " bothe justes and turneis to be dooen in the Palaice of Westminster, ' where, for the King's grace and the Queen, was framed a fair house, covered with tapestry and hanged with rich cloths of arras ; and in the said Palace was made a curious fountain, and ouer it a castle ; on the top thereof a great crown imperial, aU the embatteUng with roses and pomegranates gilded ; and under and about the said castle a curious vine, the leaves and grapes thereof gilded with fine gold ; the walls of the castle were coloured with white and green lozenges, and in every lozenge was either a rose, or a pomegranate, or a shief of arrowes, or else an H and K gUded with fine gold, with certain arches or turrets gUded, to support the said castle ; and the targets of the arms of the defendants appointed for the justes thereupon sumptuously set. And out of several places of the same castle, on the several days of the Coronation, Justs, and Tumey, out of the mouths of certain beasts, or gargels, did run red, white, and claret wine." " Chronicle," p. 510. Arthur Taylor has remarked, that the solemnities of this " triumphaunt coronacion" were foUowed by "justs and turnies" worthy of that golden age of pageants. See " Glory of RegaUty, " p. 283. In the Cottonian Library is a copy of the Coronation oath of Henry the Vlllth, with interUneations in his own handwriting. A fac simile of this cu rious document has been pubUshed by Sir Henry EUis, who remarks that " one part especiaUy indicates that Henry looked to something Uke supremacy in the Church of England at the very outset of his reign." Vide EUis's " Original Letters," Second Series, vol. i. p. 176.— KING HENRY VIII. PAGEANTS AT WESTMINSTER. 1510. 347 cotes of Kentishe Kendal, with hodes on their heddes, and hosen of the same, every one of them his bowe and arrowes, and a sworde and bucklar, hke out-lawes or Robyn Hodes men, whereof the Queue, the ladies, and aU other there, were abashed, as weU for the straunge sight, as also for their sodain commyng; and after certain daunces and pastime made thei departed. On Shrove Sunday the same yere, the Kyng prepared a goodly banket, in the Parliament Chambre at Westminster, for all the Ambassadours which then were here out of diuerse realmes and countries. The banket beyng ready, the Kyng, leadyng the Queue, entered into the Chambre ; then the ladies, the Ambassadours, and other noble menne folowed in ordre. The Kyng caused the Queue to kepe the estate, and then satte the Ambassadours and ladies, as they were marshalled by the Kyng, who would not sit, but walked frora place to place, making chere to the Queue and the straungers; sodainly the Kyng was gone. Shortly after, his Grace, with the Erie of Essex, came in appareled after Turkey fasshion, in long robes of bawdkin powdered with gold, hattes on their heddes of crimosyn veluet, with greate roUes of gold, girded with two swordes caUed cimiteries hangyng by great bawderikes of gold. Next came the lorde Henry, Erie of Wilshire, and the lorde Fitz- water, in twoo long gounes of yelowe satin trauersed with white satin, and in euery bend of white was a bend of crim- osen satin, after the fashio of Russia, or Ruslande, with furred hattes of greye on their hedes, either of them hauyng an hatchet in their handes and bootes with pykes turned vp. And after them came syr Edward Haward, then Admyral, and with him syr Thomas Parre, in doublettes of crimosin veluet, voyded lowe on the backe and before to the cannell bone, lased on the breastes with chaynes of siluer, and ouer that shorte clokes of crimosyn satyne, and on their heades 348 WESTMINSTER PALACE. hattes after the dauncers fashion, with fessauntes feathers in theim : they were appareyled after the fashion of Prusia or Spruce. The torchbearers were appareyled in crymosyn satyne and grene, lyke Moreskoes, their faces blacke. And the Kyng brought in a mommerye. After that the Queue, the lordes, and ladyes, such as would, had played, the sayd mommers departed, and put of the same apparel, and sone after entered into the chamber in their vsual appareU. And so the Kyng made great chere to the Queue, ladyes, and Ambassadours. The supper or banket ended, and the tables auoyded, the Kyng beeyng in communicacion with the Am- bassadores, the Quene with the ladies toke their places in their degrees. Then began the daiisyng, and every man toke muche hede to them that daused." Other rich changes of dresses and amusements foUowed, but in the end, " after that the Kynges grace and the ladies had daunsed a certayne tyme, they departed euery one to his lodgyng." * On new year's day, 1510-11, the Queen was delivered of a son, whose birth gave occasion for extraordinary rejoicings. After the usual public thanksgivings for the recovery of her Highness, the court removed from Richmond, the place of her confinement, to Westminster, where preparations were made for the celebration of solemn " justs" in honour of the Queen. Henry, himself, entered the lists, having three companions ("aides"), all distinguished by fanciful names derived from old stories of romance and chivalry. The King was caUedCwre loial, and his aides were William (Courtenay) Earl of Devonshire, styled Bon voloir ; Sir Thomas Knevet, Bon espoir ; and Sir Edward Nevil, Valiant desire ; " whose names were set vpon a goodhe table, and the table hanged in a tree curiouslie wrought: and they were caUed, Les quater Chevaliers de la Forest Salaigne : these foure to run at * HaU's " Chronicle," p. 513-14. KINO HENRY VIII.— PAGEANTS AT WESTMINSTER. 1511.349 the tilt against aU comers, with other certein articles com prised in the said table." The exhibition took place on the 13th of February. A part of the Palace was fitted up for the King and Queen, hung round on the inside with cloth of gold, and the exterior adorned with rich cloth of arras. The Queen and the ladies having taken their seats in this temporary theatre, a Pageant was brought in representing forest scenery, rocks, hUls, and dales, ornamented with trees, green turf, and flowers, artifi- ciaUy made of velvet, damask, silk, and satin ; and in the forest stood six foresters, appropriately habited, having be side them a great number of spears. In the midst " was a casteU standing, made of gold, and before the casteU gate sat a gentleman freshlie apparelled, making a garland of roses for the prise. This forrest was drawen, as it were, by strength of two great beasts, a lion and an antelop; the lion florished aU ouer with daraaske gold, the antelop was wrought all ouer with siluer of daraaske, his bearaes or homes and tuskes of gold." These beasts were harnessed to the pageant with great chains of gold ; and they were led by persons in dresses of green sUk, hke Sylvans, or wild men of the woods. When the pageant came before the Queen it stopped, the foresters sounded their horns, the machine opened on aU sides, and forth issued four knights on horse back, armed at all points, with nodding plumes on their helmets and magnificently accoutred. " On the other part, with great noise as weU of trumpets as of drums, entered into the field the erle of Essex and Lord Thomas Howard, with manie other cleane armed : " — " and so the iusts began and endured aU that dale." * * See EUis's " Original Letters," Second Series, vol. i.p. 180 — 183,foracopy of the chaUenge of the four Knights at the justs held in honour of the birth of a Prince, in 1510-11 ; appended to which are the names of the Knights defendants. 350 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The foUowing day these martial sports were renewed, and the King himself appeared on horse-back " vnder a pauUion of cloth of gold and purple veluet embrodered, and powdered with [the letters] H and K, of fine gold, the compasse of the pauihon aboue embroidered richlie and valansed with flat gold, beaten in wire, with an imperiall crowne in the top of fine gold ; his bases and trappers of cloth of gold, fretted with damaske gold, the trapper pendant to the taile."* The King was accompanied by his three aids, and attended by one hundred and sixty-eight gentlemen and yeomen on foot. Araong the opposing Knights (whose garniture and trap pings shone with correspondent splendour) was the Earl of Wiltshire, Sir Charles Brandon, Sir Thomas BuUeyn, the Marquess Dorset, Sir Giles Capet, and young Henry Guild ford, — " and thus began the justs, which was valiantlie atchieved by the King and his aids, among whom his grace atteined the prise." After " euensong," the ambassadors supped with the King, " and had a great banket;" at the conclusion of which, " his grace, with the Queen, lords, and ladies came into the White HaU, which was hanged richhe, and scaffolded and railed on all parts." Here, after an " enterlude" by the gentlemen of the chapel, and divers songs, the King conferred the honour of knighthood on the celebrated Irish chieftain, O'Neal. The dancing then began, and after a while another sumptuous pageant was brought in upon wheels, from which " out of an arbour of gold in a garden of pleasure," there alighted (in couples) six ladies most gorgeously appareUed, and six lords (one of whom was * For an account of a curious and valuable Roll in the archives of the Col lege of Arms, ornamented with illuminations representing the King going in procession to this tournament, see DaUaway's " Inquiries on Heraldry," p. 178. Mr. Dallaway appears to have been mistaken with regard to the scene of the tournament. Ibid. p. 180. KING HENRY VIII. FIRE AT THE PALACE. 1512. 351 the King. " in rich garments of purple satin, fuU of posies, &c," And then the minstrels, which were disguised, also daused, and the lords and ladies daused, that it was a plea sure to behold: — and so this triumph ended with mirth and gladnes."* During the sitting of Parhament in the early part of 1512, a judicial execution took place in the Palace ; of which Ho linshed has recorded the foUowing particulars. A person named Newbolt, a yeoman of the royal guard, " whom the King highly favoured, slewe wUfulty a servant of my lord WiUoughbies" within the palace, for which offence the King commanded that a new gaUows should be set up on the spot where the outrage had been comraitted; and the criminal was there hanged, the body remaining suspended two days ; " a notable example of iustice, whereby the King verified the report that was commonlie noised abroad of him ; name- lie, that he could not abide the shedding of man's bloud, much lesse wilfutl murther." Unfortunately for his sub jects and his own family, this disinchnation for bloodshed on the part of the King was succeeded by feehngs of an opposite nature ; and more persons suffered by the hand of the executioner during his reign than perhaps in any similar period of our history. Stow says, " a great part of this Palace at Westminster was once again burnt in the year 1512, the 4th of Henry the * HoUnshed's " Chronicle," vol. ui. pp. 558—561, edit. 1808. The people who were admitted as spectators at these costly exhibitions, behaved with strange indecorum ; and on this occasion, finding that the gold ornaments of the dresses and decorations were to be given away, they attacked the knights and ladies, tore their rich dresses, and appropriated the spoUs to their own advan tage ; so that the royal guards were obliged to interfere in defence of the com pany. The infant Prince, whose birth gave origin to aU this display, died within nine days after ithad taken place. 352 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Eighth ; since which time it has not been re-edified : only the Great HaU, with the offices near adjoining, are kept in good repairs, and it serveth, as before it did, for feasts at coronations, arraignments of great persons charged with treasons, keeping of the courts of justice, &c. ; but the Princes have been lodged in other places about the city, as at Baynard's Castle, at BrideweU, and WhitehaU (sometimes caUed York Place), and sometimes at St. James's."* From that period the Palace of Westminster, becoming less asso ciated than before with the personal and domestic history of our sovereigns, loses much of its interest ; although many important affairs have been since transacted within its precincts. The first of May, in 1517, has been distinguished in our annals by the name of Evil May day, in consequence of a serious commotion which then took place within the city, which the magistrates had found difficult to queU, and which arose from the discontent excited in the pubhc mind by the encouragement given to foreign traders. When the. tumult was suppressed, between four and five hundred persons were taken into custody, and " ten paire of gaUowes" were set up upon wheels in different parts of the city ; but this seems to have been done in terror em merely, for only one man suffered, a broker, named John Lincoln, who had been the original instigator of the attack on foreigners. Several of his associates who had been drawn at the same time to the place of execution, with ropes round their necks, were respited, and remanded to prison. It appears that mercy was extended to these misguided persons at the prayer of three Queens, Katherine the Queen of England, and her sisters-in-law Margaret and Mary the * Strype's Stow's " London," vol.ii. p. 628, edit. 1755. KING HENRY VIII. EVIL MAYDAY. — 1517. 353 Dowagers of Scotland and France, then at the Enghsh court ; which ladies, according to Stow, " long time on their knees before the King, had begged their pardon, which, by persuasion of the Cardinall Wolsey (without whose counsell he woulde doe nothing), the King granted vnto them." Whether the credit of procuring this act of royal clemency be due to the sohcitations of Henry's female relatives, or to the advice of his confidential minister, it may be presumed that the scene which foUowed was planned by the latter, who thought this a favourable opportunity for impressing on the citizens of London a deep sense of the King's goodness in pardoning their dehnquency. "On the thirteenth of Male the King came to Westminster-hall, and with him the Lorde CardinaU, the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolke, the Earles of Shrewsbury, Essex, Wiltshire, and Surrey, with raany lordes and other of the kings counsaiU; the Maior of London, Aldermen, and other cheife Citizens were there in their best hueries by nine of the clocke in the morning. Then came in the prisoners, bound in ropes in a ranke one after another in their shirtes, and euerie one had a halter about his necke, being in number 400 men and 1 1 women. When they were thus come before the kings presence, the Cardinall laid sore to the Maior and Aldermen their negli gence, and to the prisoners he declared how iustly they had desemed death. Then aU the prisoners togither cried to the Idng for mercie, and therewith the Lords besought his Grace of pardon, at whose request the King pardoned them all. The general pardon being pronounced, all the prisoners showted at once, and cast their halters towards the roofe of the hall. The prisoners dismissed, the gallowses were taken downej and the Citizens tooke more heede to their seruants." * « stow's " Chronicle," p. 851. 2 A 354 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Both a Parliament and a great Council of state were held at Westminster in 1529, to assist the King in his projects to obtain a divorce from his Queen, Katherine of Arragon, "The king continually studying on this matter, caUed a counsaiU of the chief of his nobles to begin at Westminster on the first dale of October next ensuing, and also somoned a Parhamet, to begin the third day of November then imme diately folowyng, & declared that the same counsaiU should deuise diuerse actes necessary and nedeful to be passed at the saied Parliament, for reformacion of certain exaccions done by the clergie to the lay people." Cardinal Wolsey, who had long been the King's favourite and prime minister, now began to feel the decline of his master's partiahty, and he embraced the opportunity afforded him by this assembly to endeavour to conciliate the feelings of those nobles whom his pride and insolence had formerly rendered enemies. But Wolsey's efforts failed : a writ of Premunire was issued against hira, his property was confiscated to the King's use, and, in the following year, the humbled favourite died in disgrace and penury. Prior to this, however, about the middle of October, Wol sey had been ordered to dehver up the Great Seal, and retire to Asher, (now Esher,) in Surrey ; which he had scarcely done, than the King took possession of York Place, (the ar chiepiscopal Palace of the see of York,) in which the Cardi nal had long dwelt, in almost more than princely splendour. Whilst he yet "lay at Asher," the imperious sovereign required from him a full and entire recognition of his own right, and that of his successors, to York Place. Wolsey was in no condition to dispute the mandate, and therefore gave the recognizance demanded ; * yet not without stating * In this singular instrument, which is printed in the ' ' Collections' ' appended by Fiddes to his" \J\U of Cardinal Wolsey,"and which was recorded in the King's KING HENltYVIII. HIS NEW PALACE. .1530. 355 that it was neither just nor conscientious to require from him the surrender of the patrimony of his See. HaU says, " the Chapiter of the Cathedral Church of Yorke, by their writing, confirmed the same feoffment, and then the King changed the name, and called it the Kinges manor of Westminster, and no more Yorke Place." Having thus secured the inheritance of this demesne to the crown, the King immediately began to enlarge and im prove it, by erecting additional buildings, and connecting them with the adjoining park of St. James ; where also, about the sarae tirae, he built a new Palace, on the site of the ancient Hospital dedicated to that Saint. Araong the im provements at York Place, were a new Gallery, (brought from Asher,) a spacious room for entertainments, an elegant gate way (designed by Holbein,) across the main street, and a sumptuous gallery which overlooked the Tilt-yard, and formed the hue of communication with St James's Park, He also formed a tennis court, cock-pit, and bowhng alleys ; for he was fond of those diversions, as weU as of tilts and tournaments, and the more athletic exercises. The time of the completion of King Henry's buUdings at York Place and St. Jaraes's, can be tolerably well ascertain ed by an Act of Parharaent which was passed in the summer of 1536, (28th Hen. Vlll.chap.xu.) for the annexation of those es tates to the ancient Palace of Westrainster. After reciting that the old Palace was then, and had been long time "in utter mine and decaye," the act states, that the King had lately obtained and purchased one great mansion place and house, sometime Bench and Chancery Courts, at Westminster, respectively, on the 7th aud 11th days of February 1530, York Place is stated to consist of one messuage, two gardens, and three acres of land, with appurtenances, in the Town of West minster. 2 A 2 356 WESTMINSTER PALACE. parcell of the inheritance of the Archbishopric of York, " not moche distaunt frora the sarae auncient Paleys," and that upon the soU and ground thereunto adjoining, his High ness " moste sumptuously and curiously hath buylded and edified many and distinct beautifuU, costely, and plesaunt Lodgynges, Buyldyngs, and Mansions," and also "made a Parke thereunto, walled and envyroned with brick and stone," and therein devised and ordained many and singular commodious things, pleasures, and other necessaries, most apt and convenient to appertain only to so noble a Prince, for his pastime and solace, " Be it therefore enacted,"8ic. — that aU the said soil, ground, mansion, and buildings, together with the said Park, &c. and also the soil of the said ancient Palace, shall be the King's whole Palace at Westminster, and henceforth, be reputed and caUed the King's Palace at Westminster, for ever ; and that the same Palace shaU include aU the stieet or way leading from Charing Cross to the Sanctu ary gate at Westminster^ and also aU the houses, buildings, lands, and tenements, on both sides of the said street, unto Westminster HaU, from the Thames on the east part to the Park wall on the west part, and enjoy all the like preroga tives, hberties, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, and privileges, as appertained to the King's Ancient Palace, which latter from henceforth shaU be deemed and reputed as a member and parcel only of the new Palace made by this Act.* At what time the new Palace obtained the name of White hall is uncertain ; but it does not appear that such appeUa- * Vide " Statutes of the Realm," vol. iu. p. 668. By a Schedule annexed to the Act, it was provided that WiUiam Babyngton, the Keeper of the old Palace, (his heirs and assigns,) should stiU enjoy the office of Keeper of the Palace a* Westminster, with aU its profits and advantages, in as large and ample man- ner as before. KING HENRY VIII. ANNE BOLEYN's CORONATION. 1533.3.57 tion was in general use until Queen Elizabeth's reign. When Sir Thomas More resigned the Great Seal to King Henry in May 1532, it stiU bore the name of "Yorke Place ; " * but that a building there was then caUed ' the White HaU,' (possi bly erected by Wolsey,) is evident from a memorandum in the Close RoUs, which records the delivery of the new Great Seal, on the 6th of September, in the same year, to Sir Tho mas Audley, which was done "prsefato Rege tunc apud Le Whitehall prope Palatium suum Westmonasteriense in Le Bankit Chamber ibidem existente." f On the 25th of January 1533, King Henry was privately mar ried to the Lady Anne Boleyn in his own closet, (as Stow caUs it,) in the new Palace ; and when she was crowned, on the 1st of June foUowing, she was " somewhat bigge with chylde." The ceremony was performed in the Abbey Church, at West minster, by Archbishop Cranmer. She alone, of the Queens of Henry the Eighth, was thus honoured by an independent inauguration, her predecessor Katherine of Arragon having gone through the cereraony at the same time with the King himself, whereas on the latter occasion he was necessarily only a spectator. Hall and Holinshed have described at great length the pageants and solemnities which were dis played ; and which were strikingly characteristic of the strong passion for gorgeous yet incongruous Pageantry which was then entertained both by the sovereign and the people. % The ceremonies in Westminster Abbey, and the subse quent entertainment in the HaU, were conducted on the most magnificent scale ; as if the King was determined to do all * " Foedera," tom. vi. parsu. p. 171. t Idem, p. 173. X HaU's " Chronicle, " pp. 798-805. HoUnshed's " Chronicles," vol. Ui. pp. 779-782. See also Stow's " Chronicle," pp. 947-957 ; but the accounts of both the latter annahsts, are little more than repetitions from HaU. 358 WESTMINSTER PALACE possible honour to one who was then the object of his pas sionate attachment, but whom he afterwards abandoned to contempt, infamy, and judicial punishment, on apparently inconclusive evidence of conjugal infidelity. During the banquet the King with divers ambassadors stood, to behold the service, in " a httle closet," made on the right hand "out of the Cloyster of St. Stephens.'.' * On the 9th of July, 1534, Lord Dacre, of the North, was arraigned of high treason, in Westminster HaU, before the Peers ; the Duke of Norfolk presiding as high steward of England. " Beyng brought to the barre with the axe of the Tower before hira, after his inditeraent red, he not only im- proued [disproved] the sayd inditeraent, as false and raahcious- ly deuised against hira, and answered euery part and matter therin contained, but also so manly, wittily, and directly confuted his accusers, whiche there were readie to auouch their accusacions, that to their great shames, & to his great honor, he was found that day by his peres not giltie, whiche vndoubtedly the commons excedyngly ioyed and reioysed of, insorauche as there was in the haU at those woordes, 'not gUtie,' the greatest shoute and crye of ioy that the hke no man liuyng may remembre that euer he heard." f In the Parliament which commenced its session at West minster, on the 3rd of November 1534, the important Sta tute was passed by which aU Papal authority in Ecclesiastical affairs, was, as it is stated by Hall, "vtterly abhohshed out of this realme, God be euerlastyngly praysed there- ='' HaU's " Chronicle," p. 804, 5. t Idem, p. 815. Dr. Lingard, remarking on " the faciUty with which during this reign, state prisoners were convicted, adds that Lord Dacre, or Dacres, was the only one within his recoUection who was acquitted." " Hist, of England," vol. iv. p. 487. KING HENRY VIII. DECEASE OF THE KING. — 1547. 359 fore."* The supremacy of the English Church was at the same time transferred to the King; — and for their conscien tious denial of that authority, those illustrious victims John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir Thomas More, the late Chancellor, were in the foUowing summer condemned at Westminster for high treason; — and being shortly after wards decapitated on Tower hill, their heads were fixed in terrorem upon London Bridge. A procession from Greenwich to Westminster, iraraedi. ately after the nuptials of Henry the Vlllth and Anne of Cleves is thus noticed by Hohnshed. "The fourth of Februarie (1540) the king and she remoued to Westrainster by water, on whom the Lord Maior & his brethren, with twelue of the cheefe companies of the citie, all in barges gorgeously gar nished with baners, penons, and targets, richhe couered, and furnished with instruments sweetly sounding, gaue their at tendance : and by the waie, all the ships shot off; and likewise from the tower, a great peal of ordnance went off lustihe." During the latter part of this reign, the King's will was the law. Hence the promoters of Reformation, and its op- posers, were adjudged to the same flames ; the blood of the Protestant and of the Catholic was shed upon the same block ; and Henry, whUst vehemently contending against the Pope's infaUibility, supported his own with vindictive bigotry. He died on the night of the 29th of January 1547, and was buried in the Royal Chapel at Windsor. * HaU's "Chronicle," p. 817 B. W. Billings del. S. Williams sc. CELL IN STAIE-CASE TUREET, S. E. COBNER, PAINTED CHAMBER. CHAPTER IV. HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE PALACE AT WESTMINSTER, FROM THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD THE SIXTH TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY FIRE ON THE 16tH OF OCTOBER, 1834. Edward the Vlth was crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster, by Archbishop Cranmer, on Shrove Sunday, KING EDWARD VI. ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 1548. 361 (February the 20th,*) 1547; but the solemnities were shortened on account of " the tender age " of the King, f Prior to the coronation, as appears by Edward's own 'Journal,' he went into Westminster HaU, " and it was asked the people, ' whether they would have him to be their King ? ' " and they " answered. Yea, yea." After the feast, the young sovereign dubbed fifty-five Knights of the Carpet ; % and on the morrow, there were holden " royall justes against all comers." An important change in the destination of St. Stephen's Chapel took place in the early part of this reign ; the whole of the coUegiate foundation attached to it having become vested in the crown, in pursuance of the statute for the sup pression of free Chapels, &c. in the year 1548. The site and other buUdings of the CoUege were mostly granted to Sir Ralph Fane, (as wiU be more particularly shewn hereafter,) but the Chapel itself was especiaUy reserved to be appropri ated for the accommodation of the Commons when assem bled in Parliament. Since that period it has been always * Holinshed says, (" Chronicles," vol. ui. p. 866.) the coronation was'solem- nized on " the 25th of February," but that he was in error is evinced by several documents printed in the " Foedera," tom. vi. pars iu. pp. 149, 150 ; as weU as by other authorities. A very curious representation of Edward's progress through the City on the day before the coronation, has been pubUshed by the Society of Antiquaries. It was engraved from an old picture formerly at Cow- dray House, in Sussex, but unfortunately destroyed by fire with that building, in 1793. t See "The Order for the Coronation" (ex Libro ConoiUi) in the Col lection of Records annexed to Burnet's " History of the Reformation." It is singularly expressed in one part of these directions, that the King, having made his prayer and ofi'ering, shall then " faU groveling before the altar," and the Archbishop say over him the coUect Deus humilium, &c. t Strype has given their names in his " Ecclesiastical Memorials," (pp. 327- 329) from a MS. in the CoUege of Arms. 36^ WESTMINSTER PALACE. used for the sittings of the Commons' House, when sum raoned to meet at Westminster. One of the principal events which took place at West minster in Edward's reign, was the trial in the Great Hall, of the Protector Somerset, in December 1552, He was arraigned both for treason and felony, yet " the peers did acquit him of the treason, but found him giltie of the felonie." " The people in the HaU," Stow says, " supposing he had beene cleerely quit when they sawe the axe of the Tower put downe, made such a shrike, casting up their caps, &c. that their crie was heard to the Long Acre, beyond Charing Crosse." The Duke was beheaded on the 22nd of February, in the foUowing year, Edward the Sixth died on the 6th of July, 1553, and was interred in the Abbey Church at West minster on the 18th of the ensuing month. He was suc ceeded by the iU-fated Lady Jane Grey ; — whom NoaiUes, the then ambassador from the French King, represents to have been crowned, yet that fact has not been ascertained by our own historians. She was the first female sovereign of this kingdom, but after a short-lived sway of thirteen days, was obhged to yield the throne to Mary, the eldest sister of the late king, whose more legitimate claims were supported by the general body of the people. Mary's coronation took place on the 1st of October, in the above year. On that day, she proceeded by water from WhitehaU, " to the olde Palace, and there remained till about eleven of the clocke, and then went on foote upon blue cloth, being raUed on either side, vnto Saint Peter's Church, where shee was solemnehe crowned and anointed by the Bishop of Winches ter [Gardiner] ; which coronation and other ceremonies and solemnities, then used according to the olde custome, was not fully ended tiU it was nigh foure of the clocke that she OUEEN MARY.— IIER IMAGINARY PREGNANCY.— 1554. 3(J3 returned frora the Church, before whom was then borne three swords sheathed, and one naked. The great service that day done in Westminster HaU, at dinner, by divers noble men, would aske long time to write. The Lord Maior of London and twelve citizens kept the high cupboard of plate as butlers, and the Queene gave to the Maior for his fee a cup of golde with a couer waying seventeene ounces."* The nuptials of Queen Mary with Philip of Spain were solemnized at Winchester in July 1554 ; and on the 12th of August the royal pair came through London to Whitehall, amidst an ostentatious display of foreign and domestic wealth. On the 12th of November following, they rode to gether to open the Parliament at Westminster, having two swords and two caps of maintenance borne before them. By that assembly, which held two or three of its latter meetings "in the Great Chamber at the White Hall, — for that the Queene by reason of sicknesse was not able to go abrode," the Enghsh Church was again subjected to Papal domination, f * Stow's " Chronicle," p. 1042. The account given by the same writer, of the Queen's gorgeous procession from the Tower to WhitehaU, on the preceding day, is deserving of perusal. t Holinshed's " Chronicles," vol. iv. p. 65. Strype in his " Ecclesiastical Memorials," (vol. iu. p. 204) under the date of Nov. 27th 1554, mentions the following singular exhibition as then taking place. — " This day did the King and Queen, and the Lords of Parliament, sit at the court at WhitehaU, in the cham ber of Presence : where the Queen [Mary] sat highest, richly appareUed, and her Belly laid out, that aU men might see that she was with chUd. At this Par Uament, it was said, labour was made to have the King crowned : and some thought that the Queen, for that cause, did lay out her belly the more. On the right hand of the Queen sat the King, and on the other hand of him the Cardi nal [Pole], with his cap on his head." Cardinal Pole harangued the Members of the Parliament, persuading them to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, and offering the Pope's benediction and absolution, which they accepted ; and re- assembUng the next day, they all kneeled down to receive it, except one 364 WESTMINSTER PALACE On the last day of September 1555, " by occasion of great winde and raine that had faUen, were such fluds that on that morning the Palace at Westminster, and Westminster HaU, was overflowen with water unto the stair foote going to the Chauncerie and King's Bench, so that when the Lord Mayor of London should come to present the Sherifes to the Barons of the Exchequer, all Westminster HaU was fuU of water : and by report there that morning, a wherrie-man rowed with his boat over Westminster Bridge into the Palace Court, and so through the Staple Gate, and all the WooU staple into the Kinges street.* After the decease of Queen Mary, on the I7th of Novem ber 1558, her half-sister, Elizabeth, was, by the concurrence of the Lords and Coramons, who were then sitting in Par liament at Westminster, raised to the vacant throne. The alterations which were almost immediately made in the ser vices of the Church, under her directions, were considered by the Catholic Bishops as so indicative of her hostility to their mode of worship, that they aU refused to assist in the solemnities of her Coronation. At length, Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, was prevailed on to officiate, and Eliza beth was crowned in the Abbey Church by that prelate, on the 15th of January 1559; the ceremonies being performed according to the ancient rites. " She dined," says Holin- individual. Sir Ralph Bagnal, who refused his consent to this submission, and said, " he was sworn to the contrary to King Henry VIII., which was a worthy Prince, and laboured twenty-five years before he could abolish him [the Pope] . And to say I wiU agree to it, I wiU not." Notwithstanding the display made by the Queen, and that pubUc thanksgivings were made on the occasion, it appears that her supposed pregnancy arose from dropsical affections. * Stow's " Chronicle," p. 1061. The Westminster ^Wrfjre mentioned in this extract, was an erection, or stage, of timber, supported on piles, and extend ing many yards from the shore into the river, for the conveniency of landing at the old Palace. QUEEN ELIZABETH. CONFERENCE ON RELIGION. 1559. 365 shed, " in Westminster HaU, which was richhe hoong, and euverie thing ordered in such roiaU manner as to .such a regall and most solemn feast appertained;" and, after the accus tomed services and chaUenge by Sir Edward Dimmock, the champion, the festal ceremonies " tooke end with great joy and contentation to aU beholders." * WhUst Elizabeth's first Parliament, which met on the 25th of January, in the same year, was engaged in promoting a reformation in ecclesiastical affairs, a Conference was ap pointed by the Queen to be held in Westminster Abbey, on three of the principal points in dispute between Catholics and Protestants, viz. "the performance of divine worship in an unknown tongue ; " — " the power of particular churches to alter rites and ceremonies ; " — and " the propitiatory sacri fice of the mass." On each side, the arguments were to have been managed by nine Doctors; but after the first proposition had been entered into, the Catholic divines refused to suffer their reasons to be committed to writing, although such a course of proceeding had been previously agreed to. The Conference therefore was broken up, and all the assembly dismissed, except the Bishops of Winchester and Lincoln (White and Watson), who were comraitted to the Tower for contempt, in giving such a pernicious ex ample of " disorders, stubbornesse, and self-wiU." Shortly afterwards, the Parliament finally abrogated the authority of * HoUnshed's " Chronicles," vol. iv. p. 176. The Queen's progress from the Tower, on the preceding day, is described with great minuteness in the same work, and at great length. A great variety of rich Pageantry, with numerous devices, and several poetical orations, spoken by children, greeted her passage through the city ; and at Temple Bar " were the two images of Gogmagog the Albion, and Corineus the Briton, two giants big in stature, furnished accord- ingUe, which held in their hands aboue the gate a table, wherein was written, in Latine verses, the effect of aU the pageants which the citie before Lad erected." Ibid. pp. 158— 176. 366 WESTMINSTKR PALACE. the See of Rome, and restored the Supremacy of the Church to the English Crown. In February 1579, such an abundance of snow feU in London that it covered the streets to the depth of between two and three feet; but after a few days a thaw ensued, " with continuall rain," Stow says, " a long time after, which caused such high floods that the marshes and low grounds being drowned for a time, the water rose so high in West minster Hall, that, after the faU thereof, some fishes were found there to remaine."* On the 6th of April, in the fol lowing year, according to the same annahst, a severe shock of an earthquake was experienced in the metropolis, and many churches and houses were much shattered by it, as well as several persons kUled and hurt. During its continuance, which did not exceed a minute, " the great clocke beU in the Palace at Westminster, stroke of itself against the ham mer with shaking, and divers clocks and beUs in the city and elsewhere did the hke." f Divers trials for high treason took place in Westminster Hall during the long-extended reign of Queen Elizabeth; the most memorable of which were those of the Earls of Essex and Southampton, on the 19th of February 1601. They were both condemned, but the former alone suffered the punishment of death ; he was beheaded in the Tower on the sixth day after his trial. Ehzabeth died at Richmond on the 24th of March 1603 ; and was buried in Henry the Vllth's Chapel, at Westminster, on the 28th of the month foUowing, near the same spot where Queen Mary had been inhumed. Her funeral was exceedingly magnificent; upwards of 1600 persons (exclu sive of surrounding crowds) attending the ceremony. J * Stow's " Chronicle," pp. 1160. f Ibid, p. 1163. t A sumptuous monument of the Corinthian order was afterwards raised to KING JAMES I. CROWNED AT WESTMINSTER. 1 C04. 367 By the artifices of Cecil, the state Secretary, the reversion to the throne had been secured to James the Vlth of Scot land, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley ; and he was proclaimed King of England on the day of Eli zabeth's decease.* His right to the crown was afterwards recognized by the Parhament which met at Westminster on the 19th of March, 1604. Prior to this, however, (on the 26th of the preceding July,) both King James and Anne of Denmark, his consort, had been crowned in the Abbey Church by Archbishop Whitgift; but that ceremony was hastUy perforraed, and without parade, the people having been forbidden to congregate, on account of the plague which was then raging in a dreadful manner.f Though but few persons had been sumraoned to attend, the Coronation feast was, as usual, held in the Great Hall, and the Lord Mayor, and principal citizens of London, executed their customary service as chief butlers. In 1605, the Parliament House became connected with one of the most extraordinary events in English history, — an event, indeed, hardly to be paraUeled, in atrocious design, in the annals of any country ancient or modern. This was her honour iu the north aisle of Henry's Chapel. It includes an altar tomb, on which is a recumbent statue of the Queen, finely executed in white marble. * King James made his public entry into London on the 7th of May, 1603 ; and it is remarkable that on the twelfth day afterwards, he granted a license under the Privy Seal, tested by himself at Westminster, to Laiarence Fletcher, William Shakespeare, and others, " Freely to use and exercise the art and faculty of playing Comedies, Tragedies, Histories, Enterludes, Morals, Pastor- alls, Stage-plaies, and such others, like as theie have alreadie studied or here after shall use or studie," either at the Globe Theatre, in Surrey, or elsewhere, " within anie Touu Halls or Moote HaUs, or other convenient places," through out his dominions. See " Foedera," tom. vii. pars u. p. 71. f Vide " Fcedera," tom. vu. pars ii. p. 79, for the King's proclamation to restrain the people from assembling at his coronation. 368 WESTMINSTER PALACE the conspiracy usually termed the Gunpowder Plot, a scheme for destroying the King, Lords, and Commons when assembled in Parliament, by blowing up the building with gunpowder laid in the vaults beneath the House of Lords. This most sanguinary project seems to have been the result of the desperation and despair to which the Catholics were reduced by the unrelenting severity of the government under Elizabeth, and the disappointment of their hopes of redress after the accession of James the 1st. These feelings were ge neral among the professors of the ancient faith ; yet the great body of that class of the King's subjects remained peace able, and seemed disposed to submit to oppression in silence, rather than incur the hazard of greater evils which might arise from resistance and rebeUion. But there were among the EngUsh Catholics a few hot-headed zealots, whom per secution had rendered furious, and with them originated this detestable conspiracy. According to the evidence adduced by the agents of Go vernment, the first contriver of this dark scheme of ven geance was Robert Catesby, Esq., of Ashby St. Legers, in Northamptonshire ; said to have been a lineal descendant of Sir Wm. Catesby, the favourite and minister of Richard the Third, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Bosworth field, and afterwards executed. Catesby, the conspirator, had for saken the faith of his ancestors, and led a profligate Ufe in his youth, so that he had seriously injured both his fortune and his character. He had been engaged in the rising of the Earl of Essex against Ehzabeth ; and narrowly escaped capi tal punishment, not without paying a heavy fine. Rel)enting of his religious apostasy, he exchanged the character of a reprobate for that of a zealot, and endeavoured to atone for his past errors by engaging in this most perilous under taking; conceiving that it would be serviceable to the Church KING JAMES I. ODNPOWDER-TREASON PLOT. 1604-5. 369 from which he had antecedently seceded. Horrible as the contrivance was by which he sought to attain his object, it was probably not an entirely original conception, since the idea might have been derived from similar schemes of secret revenge, which had not long before this period been attempted at Antwerp, to destroy the Duke of Parma, and at the Hague, to blow up the Council of Holland, Whether Catesby's project was thus suggested, or was the fruit of his own invention, he did not long confine it within his own bosom, but sought to obtain the confederates requisite for so daring an attempt, araong those who, like himself, had been persecuted for their adherence to the Cathohc faith, and whom he therefore expected to find imbued with the same fierce spirit of retributive vengeance as that by which he was himself animated, Thomas Winter is said to have been the first who shared his confidence. He was a gentleman by birth, and a soldier by profession, who had traveUed and served abroad, and obtained acquaintance in foreign courts. On the first mention of the design to him by Catesby, he instantly objected to the portentous hazard of the scheme, and the scandal in which its faUure would involve the pro fessors of their mutual faith ; yet it seems that his caution was readily overpowered by his personal friendship for the projector of the plot, and the specious arguments which he brought forward to recommend its adoption, John Wright, Thomas Percy, and Robert Keyes, were successively made associates in the undertaking. To quiet the scruples of some or aU of those persons, the arch-conspirator availed him self of the sanction of the Church, giving them to understand that Father Garnet, the chief of the Jesuits in England, had been consulted on the subject, and had declared the scheme to be justifiable, as producing good out of evil. How far Catesby imposed on his friends, or on his casuistical coun- 370 WESTMINSTER PALACE. seUor, will always remain a question of much uncertainty. Garnet, who was one of the victims of this horrible project, always declared that he had no knowledge whatever of the conspiracy, except the information he received under the seal of confession ; and that, instead of sanctioning the proceed ing by his authority, he employed his influence to defeat the project, most strongly recommending that it should be dropped : — but these assertions are of doubtful validity. With the persons above mentioned were now associated Guido Fawkes, a soldier of fortune, who had been in the service of the King of Spain ; and Thomas Bates, Catesby's servant, a Catholic and a sufferer for religion. All these men bound themselves by the strongest oaths, with the so lemnity of the Eucharist, to exert themselves to the utmost to carry their project into execution, to observe the most profound secrecy, and not to communicate the design to any one without the concurrence of the whole party. The grand outlines of the project having been developed by the contriver, and the objections of his companions satisfied or silenced, by the real or pretended concurrence of Garnet and other Jesuits, a consultation was held as to the arrangement of the details of the undertaking. Thomas Percy was a relative of the Earl of Northumber land, by whose means he had been admitted into the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, which circumstance afforded him a ready access to court. It was decided that Percy should hire a house as near as possible to the Parliament House, so that a mine might be constructed from one to the other ; and, in- pursuance of this resolution, a dweUing was procured that seemed well adapted for the purpose. It was taken in the name of Percy, and tenanted by Fawkes (who caUed himself John Johnson), under the character of his servant. Another house was obtained on the opposite side of the Thames, at KING JAMES I. GUNPOWDER-TREASON PLOT. 1604-5. 371 Lambeth, which was occupied by Keyes ; and there the con spirators gradually laid in a stock of gunpowder. After these prehminary arrangements the plotters separated for a few months. About the 11th of December, 1604, they met again and commenced their operations; all of them, except Keyes, who remained at Lambeth, having entered the house at Westminster late at night. They had provided themselves with the tools requisite for making an excavation, and had also brought with them supplies of hard eggs, baked meats and pasties, wine and beer, sufficient to last them twenty days, that they might not create suspicion by going abroad for food. By way of resource in the last extremity, they had likewise provided arras and ammunition, that they might be enabled to defend themselves against hostile attacks should the plot be discovered. In the garden attached to Percy's dweUing was an old buUding, raised against the waU of the Parliament House, and within that building the con spirators began to open the mine. They divided each day into two portions, devoting sixteen hours to labour and the remainder to repose; and arranging their several tasks in such a manner, that while one rested the other three con tinued to work, in the day-time at the mine, and in the night removing the rubbish and conceahng it under the soil of the garden. Fawkes meanwhile kept watch round the house, in which he alone was seen, giving notice, by some private sig nals, to his accomphces to abstain from working when any one approached the spot, lest the noise should betray them. They had continued their labour for a fortnight, when Fawkes informed them that the ParUament had been prorogued from the 7th of February to the 3rd of October foUowing, They then separated to spend the Christmas holidays at their own homes, warily engaging to suspend all intercourse with each other, either by letter or message. 2 B 2 3/ 2 WESTMINSTER PALACE. During the recess, Catesby had gained two new associates^ Christopher Wright and Robert Winter; and on the meeting of the whole party in town they renewed their undertaking. They had before found the work so much heavier than they anticipated, that they had been obliged to summon Robert Keyes from Lambeth to assist them ; but, notwithstanding his aid, the difficulties that opposed their progress seemed almost insurmountable. The influx of water from the Thames, at a certain depth, rendered it impossible to carry the mine beneath the foundation-waU of the Parhament House, and its thickness, amounting to nine feet, and its sohd construction of large stones, rendered its perforation a most toilsome task to persons unaccustomed to manual labour. Animated with zeal, still they persevered, until one day they were alarmed by a very unusual rushing- noise, which seemed to proceed from above the spot where they were working. Fawkes was despatched to make inquiries, and on his return he acquainted them that there was a vatUted ceUar under the House of Lords, which had been used as a repository for coals, which were then on sale, and the noise they had heard was caused by shovelhng and re moving the coals. He further ascertained that the ceUar would be to let as soon as it was empty. This circumstance at once determined the conspirators to abandon the mine, and make the ceUar the scene of their nefarious operations. Fawkes, therefore, hired the ceUar in the name of his master; and having purchased the remaining coal, as he aUeged for a supply of winter fuel, he was enabled to obtain immediate possession of the place. Into this vault were transferred about twenty barrels of gunpowder, which had been stored at Lambeth"; and into the barrels, or hampers rather, in which they had been packed, were thrown large stones, iron bars, and the working^.instruments that had been used in the mine. KINO JAMES I. GUNPOWDER-TREASON PLOT. 1604-5. 373 with intent, as Fawkes afterwards declared, " to make the breach the greater." The whole was covered with faggots and biUets of wood ; and to add to the deception, a quantity of old lumber and empty bottles was placed in the ceUar. These preparations was completed by May, 1605 ; and the conspirators then carefuUy closed the ceUar, having made such arrangements as would enable them, at any time, to ascertain whether it had been entered during their absence. They then quitted London, to meet again in September, a few days before the expected opening of Parhament. At the appointed time they came together, and shortly after it was announced that a fresh prorogation of Parliament would take place, from October to the ensuing 5th of November. — " This disappointment alarmed the conspirators; it was possible that their project had been discovered; and, tc ascertain the fact. Winter * was employed to attend in the Parhament House, and to watch the countenances and actions of the Commissioners during the ceremony of prorogation. He observed that they betrayed no sign of suspicion or uneasiness; that they walked and conversed in apparent security on the very surface of the volcano pre pared for their destruction. Hence it was inferred that they must be stiU ignorant of its existence." f These repeated delays, however, contributed greatly to the frustration of the plot, Catesby, the prime mover of the undertaking, and the only rich man amongst the conspirators, began to perceive the necessity of engaging fresh associates who would be able to fiamish pecuniary aid, or otherwise yield important assist- * Thomas Winter was a retainer of Lord Mounteagle, who was one of the Commissioners, and thus the former obtained admission to witness the proro gation without any difficulty.— See Jardine's " Criminal Trials," (Library of Entertaining Knowledge,) vol. U. p. 38 ; which contains the best account of the Gunpowder Plot ever published. t Lingard's " Hist, of England," 4to. vol. vi.p. 43. 374 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ance. With these views he prevailed on Ambrose Rookwoodj of Coldham Hall, in Suffolk, Sir Ever ard Digby, of Drystoke, in Rutlandshire, and Francis Tresham, of Rushton, in Northamptonshire, three Catholic gentlemen of considerable property, to join him. In addition to the funds promised by those persons, Percy, who was steward to the Duke of Northumberland, engaged to give up about 4,000/., (of rents,) which were in his hands belonging to that nobleman, Catesby had another task to perform previously to the execution of his project, in which he found greater difficulties than in securing pecuniary supplies. He was caUed upon to suggest proper means for giving warning to such Catholic Peers, or others, who might be expected to attend in Par hament, and whom it would be desirable to save from destruction. Each of the conspirators perhaps had some friend or relative for whose safety he was anxious to provide, Catesby himself, reckless of the waste of human life, would wilhngly have sacrificed aU who stood in his way to the success of his favourite scheme of vengeance and retribution; but he was obliged to hsten to the remonstrances of his comrades, who, not satisfied with his vague assurances that he would contrive means to ensure the safety of the Cathohc Lords, determined each one to adopt his own method of giving effectual warning to those for whom he felt parti cularly interested. Hence originated the famous Monitory letter to Lord Mounteagle, which led to the discovery and frustration of the plot. About ten days before the time appointed for the meeting of Parhament, Lord Mounteagle (the son of Lord Morley), a Catholic Peer, received a letter in an unknown and some what obscure hand, which in ambiguous yet forcible terms ad monished him to absent himself from Parhament " on account of a great, yet hidden, danger to which he would otherwise KING JAMES I.— GUNPOWDER-TREASON PLOT. 1604-5. 375 be exposed," " Think not slightly of this advertisement," said the writer, " but retire yourself into your country, where you may expect the event in safety ; for though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament, yet they shall not see who hurts ihem." * This letter came to hand while Lord Mounteagle was sitting at supper, and next morning he laid the myste rious paper before the Secretary of State (Cecil, Earl of SaUs bury), who, having previously received obscure intimations of a Cathohc plot, thought proper to comraunicate the circum stances to the Privy Council, No public measures, how ever, were adopted for further investigation until the King returned to London from Royston, where he had been taking the diversion of hunting, James arrived in London on the 31st of October, and according to a once accredited report, he immediately divined the nature of the plot from the passage in the warning letter, which threatened the Parliament with destruction from the blow of an invisible enemy; but it is more probable that the fact was suggested to him by Lord Sahsbury, It was determined forthwith, that " a very secret and exact search should be made in the Parhament House, and aU other rooms and lodgings near adjoining." Yet to prevent any needless alarm, as weU as to avoid " giving suspicion unto the workers of this mischievous mystery," it was thought advisable to postpone the investigation of the premises until the eve of the day on which the Parliament was to meet; and that it should then be made by the Lord Chamberlain (the Earl of Suffolk), whose duty it was to ascertain that the * See " Archseologia," vol. xii. p. 200, for an en^mei facsimile of the above letter, which is now preserved iu the Parliament Office, together with numerous other important documents relating to the discovery of the plot, and trials of the offenders. There is scarcely a doubt of the letter having been concerted by Tresham, but by whom written is unknown. Tresham died in the Tower. 376 WESTMINSTER PALACE. requisite preparations had been made for the opening of the session. Towards evening on Monday, the 4th of Novem ber, the Chamberlain visited the Parhament House, accom panied by Lord Mounteagle, at his own request. They first went into the Parhament Chamber, and after remaining there some time, they proceeded to examine the vaults and ceUars beneath, for the aUeged purpose of recovering some old hang ings that were said to be missing. Entering the ceUar under the Peers' Chamber, they remarked the great store of fag gots, biUets, and coals, there collected together; and on inquiring of Wynnyard, the keeper of the wardrobe, who was in attendance, to what use he had put those lower rooms, he informed them that the cellar had been let to Thomas Percy, and that the fuel which they saw there was probably for that gentleman's winter consumption. Fawkes was in the ceUar, and his appearance naturaUy attracted the atten tion of the Earl, who asked who he was, and was told, in reply, that he was " a servant of Percy's, and keeper of that place for him." The party then retired, without any further search, to report what had been observed to the King. The conduct of the conspirators at this juncture strik ingly exemplified the truth of the adage, " Quos Deus vult perdere prius dementat," Fawkes, " though he saw and heard aU that passed, was so fixed on his ruthless purpose that he resolved to remain to the last moment ; and having acquainted Percy with the circumstance of the visit to the ceUar, he returned to his "post, with a determination to fire the mine on the first appearance of danger, and perish in the company of his enemies." When the Lord Chamberlain had made his report to the Council, stating that the store of coals and wood which they had seen was beyond all proportion to the wants of a person who resided so littie in the house as Percy did, and that the KING JAMES I. OUNPOWDER-TRBASON PLOT. 1604-5. 377 man in the ceUar looked like " a very taU and desperate feUow," it was determined by the King, with the concur rence of several of the Privy Council, that the ceUar should that night be more closely and carefuUy examined. For that purpose, they employed Sir Thomas Knevet, a magistrate of Westminster (a gentleman of the Privy Charaber), who was authorised to make a complete search of aU the houses and ceUars in the vicinity, under colour of looking for " certaine robes and other furniture of the Kinges, lately stolen out of the wardrobe." Shortly before midnight,* or according to another account, about two in the morning,f of the 5th of November, the day for opening the session of Parliament, the magistrate, ac companied by a sufficient number of assistants, repaired secretly and suddenly to the house. As they reached the entrance Fawkes was stepping out from the door, having, as he afterwards admitted, just completed his preparations for firing the train ; he was seized at once, dressed and booted as for a journey ; and being searched, three matches were found in his pockets, with a tinder-box, a piece of touch wood, and a watch which Percy had bought the day before, " to try conclusions for the long or short burning of the touchwood, which he had prepared to give fier to the trayne of powder." In a corner, behind the door, was a dark Ian- thorn containing a hght. MeanwhUe, search was made by removing the biUets and coals, under which were discovered two hogsheads and thirty-two barrels of gunpowder. AU this afforded ample evidence of the existence of a most nefarious and sanguinary plot against the Government, and of the privity and consequent guUt of the prisoner, Fawkes. It is no wonder, therefore, that on being interrogated, he * Jardine's " Criminal Trials," vol. u. p. 76. + Lingard's " Hist." vol. vi. p. 63. 378 WESTMINSTER PALACE. avowed his purpose to " have destroyed the King and Lords," if he had not been thus detected and prevented ; but when he added that, if " he had been within the ceUar when they met with him, he would instantly have fired the train," and thus involved himseK with his captors in the common ruin, it shews that he 'was actuated by a species of daring fanaticism closely bordering on insanity. By four o'clock in the morning some of the CouncU assembled in the King's bed-chamber, where Fawkes, being brought before them, displayed the most undaunted firmness, freely admitting his own share in the dark project, but re fusing to give any clue to the discovery of his associates. He declared, that he only repented the deed was not done, and said that " God would have concealed it, but the devil was the discoverer," Repeated examinations, to which he was subjected in the course of the day, failed to extract from him the names of his accomplices. He was then committed to the Tower ; and there can be no doubt but he was exposed to the rack, which wrung from him a full confession of the conspiracy. His testimony, however, could only confirm the guUt of his chief confederates, who, as soon as they heard of his apprehension, fled from London into Warwick shire, where they appeared openly in arms, and excited the people to rebellion. They were joined by Sir Everard Dig- by, and a few other persons only with whom they had pre viously consulted on measures for an insurrection. It was a part of their scheme, if the plot had succeeded, to have seized the young Princess Elizabeth (afterwards titular Queen of Bohemia), who was residing at the seat of Lord Harington, near Coventry, and to have established a government in her name. But they were now in no condition to prosecute their designs, and were obliged to consult their own safety. They mustered no more than fourscore, including servants ; and KINO JAMES I. GUNPOWDER-TREASON PLOT. 1604-5. 379 after hastily traversing Warwickshire and Worcestershire, foUowed by the Sheriffs of those counties, they resolved to make a stand at Holbeach, on the borders of Staffordshire, the residence of Stephen Littleton, one of their associates. On the fourth morning after the discovery of the plot, while they were making preparations to resist the assault of the civil power, the accidental explosion of some damp powder which had been carelessly set before the fire to dry, disconcerted their measures. Catesby, and some of his prin cipal confederates, were severely burnt, and in the confusion that ensued the majority of their followers seized the oppor tunity to effect their escape. Within an hour after, the house was surrounded, and Sir Richard Walsh summoned them to surrender ; but they disdained to comply, determined to seek death at the hands of their pursuers rather than faU by the pubhc executioner. With this view Catesby, Percy, and the two Wrights, armed with their swords only, exposed themselves in the court, where Catesby was killed on the spot, and the others mortally wounded, by the fire of their oppo nents. Thomas Winter, John Grant, and Rookwood, who were also wounded, were then taken prisoners, with some other persons of meaner rank. Sir Everard Digby, Robert Winter, and Stephen Littleton, who had quitted the party previously, as weU as Robert Keyes, who had not joined the rest at Holbeach, were subsequently captured. Catesby and Percy, who might be looked upon as the chiefs of the conspiracy, having faUen in the assault, their heads were cut off, and set upon the ends of the Parharaent House. Their associates, who had been taken alive, were conveyed to London, and committed to the Tower. On the 27th of January, 1606, Sir Everard Digby, Thomas Winter, Robert Winter, Guido Fawkes, John Grant, Am brose ¦ Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Thomas Bates, were 380 WESTMINSTER PALACE. conveyed in a boat upon the Thames from the Tower to Westminster Hall, to be tried before a special Commission. AU of them, except Sir Everard Digby, were then indicted for high treason, and pleaded. Not Guilty. This plea was not designed by the culprits as an assertion of their innocence ; but they were opposed to some of the aUegations contained in the indictment, and on that score objected to it. The evi dence against them was therefore proceeded with, and being found conclusive, the jury, of course, returned a verdict of Guilty. Sir Everard Digby was then put on his trial, before the same Commissioners, but on a separate indictment, to which he pleaded Guilty ; contenting himself with making a faint attempt to extenuate his crime in an address to his judges. The Lord Chief Justice Popham, one of the Com missioners, pronounced the sentence of high treason on all the prisoners, and the court broke up. On the 30th of the same month Digby, R. Winter, Grant, and Bates, underwent the punishment of traitors, accom panied with aU its disgusting horrors, near the west end of St. Paul's Cathedral; and, on the day foUowing, Guido Fawkes, Thomas Winter, Ambrose Rookwood, and Robert Keyes, were in hke manner drawen, hanged, and quartered in the Old Palace Yard, at Westminster, Their mangled bodies were afterwards exposed on the gates of the city, and their heads were set on poles upon London Bridge, The fortitude which they, in general, exhibited, and especiaUy Fawkes, was worthy of a better cause. Garnet, the Provincial of the Jesuits, was tried in March, and being condemned for mis prision of treason, he was executed in St. Paul's church yard on the 3rd of May. Several others suffered the due punishment of their guilt about the same time, in different parts of the countiy; but Father Greenway, another Jesuit, who had been implicated, escaped from his confinement and KING JAMES I. MASQUli AT COURT. 1610. 381 reached the Continent in safety. A statute was afterwards passed by the Parhament, ordering that the Anniversary of the discovery should be kept in perpetual remembrance by a distinct service in aU the Churches of the Estabhshment. On the 4th of June, 1610, King James created his eldest .son, Henry, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, in fuU Parhament, in " the Great White Chamber" of the Old Palace at Westminster. On this occasion the King made twenty-five Knights of the Bath, and the whole attendant proceedings were conducted with great magnificence. A " most rich and glorious masque of ladies" was exhibited at WhitehaU ; a splendid tournament was held in the TUt-yard attached to that Palace ; and " noveU triumphs and pas times, with a sea-fight and radient fire- works," were dis played upon the river Thames, " over against the court." * In May, 1616, Carr, Earl of Somerset (the King's late favourite), and his infamous Countess, were separately tried in Westminster HaU, under a special commission directed to the Lord Chancellor EUesmere, for the murder (by poison) of Sir Thomas Overbury. Though condemned to die, after successive reprieves and several years' imprisonment, the King eventually pardoned them. He refused, however, to extend the hke mercy to the brave Sir Walter Raleigh ; who, to the everlasting dishonour of the " royal pedant," was be headed in Old Palace Yard, on the 29th of October 1618, for the presumed crime of high treason, of which he had been declared guilty, at Winchester, in 1603, on the unsupported testimony of the Lord Cobham. * For the patent of Prince Henry's creation, see " Foedera," tom. vu. parsii. p. 168. Henry died on the 6th of November, 1612. His younger brother, Charles, was not made Prince of Wales until four years afterwards, the patent of his creation (tested by the King at Westminister) bearing date on the 4th of November, 1616. Ibid. p. 216. 382 WESTMINSTER PALACE. In October 1617, the King, by his owm Ordinance under the Great Seal, appointed two " Reporters of the law," who, in accordance with " auncient custom," were to attend the Courts at Westminster, and compendiously, yet truly, re port " the judgments and resolutions which there shaU passe from time to time." The principal case was to be distinguished from the by-cases, and the point upon which any case was ruled, to be clearly stated.* King James, dying at Theobalds on the 27th of March, 1625, was buried in Henry the Seventh's Chapel on the 7th of May, His successor, Charles the First, was crowned in the Abbey Church, on the 2nd of February 1626, with the accustomed ceremonies, by Archbishop Abbot; on which occasion the King was clothed in white satin. The * Vide " Foedera," tom. vii. pars iu. p. 19. In the same volume, pars in. p. 85, is a very curious Patent (tested by the King, at Westminster, July 17th, 1618), from which it maybe reasonably inferred that attempts were then making to navigate by Steam, as weU as to apply its agency to other useful purposes. We know that the Marquess of Worcester, in the foUowing reign, was engaged in experiments on that element ; and although in the record before us there is no direct aUusion to its employment, yet, from the effects stated to be produced, we can hardly imagine that any other power could have successfuUy accom- pUshed the objects mentioned in the Patent. By that instrument David Ram sey, one of the Pages of the Bedchamber, and Thomas WUdgosse, gent, were licensed for thirty-one years, to have the sole making and using of certain engines, devices, instruments, and inventions, by them " devised, found out, and brought to perfection," for ploughing grounds without horse 'or oxen, and to enrich and make them more fertUe ; to raise water for weU-watering cities, towns, &c. at less charge than before ; and to make boats for the carriage of burthens and passengers, run upon the water as swift in calms, and more safe in storms, than boats full sailed in great winds ; " such engines, instruments, and devices not having heretofore been known," &c. — Could David Ramsey, the patentee, be any relation to his namesake, the " watchmaker and horologer to James I." whom Sir Walter Scott has introduced in that pleasant novel, " The Fortunes of Nigel ? " KINO CHARLES I. CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR. 1640, 383 festivals in the Great HaU were conducted in the usual manner.* The dissensions between the Monarch and the Parhament, which had commenced in the late reign, in consequence of the arbitrary attempts made to subject the laws and hberties of the nation to the illimitable extension of the prerogatives of the crown, became in the time of King Charles the me lancholy cause of a direful Civil war ; and for a long series of years, the " two Houses," but especiaUy the Commons, were occupied in the most important transactions in which it was possible for man to be engaged. For the details, however, of those proceedings, we must necessarUy refer the reader to the Parhamentary Journals, and to the historians of the age, as our limits wiU not admit of any thing more than a general notice. The spirited opposition to the despotic measures of Go vernment, shewn by the first three Parhaments held at Westminster in the new reign, had occasioned them aU to be dissolved, in anger, by the King; who, in April 1629, issued a Proclamation, declaring, " that he should caU it presumption in any to prescribe to him the time for calhng a Parliament." f After governing the state, however, fuU eleven years by his own authority (during which period almost every kind of arbitrary exaction had been inflicted on the people), the exigencies of the pubhc service compeUed him to have recourse to the measure he so greatly depre cated. Another Parliament was therefore assembled on the * A brief account of the solemnities of this Coronation is given in Rush- worth's " Historical CoUections," vol. i. pp. 199 — 201. + Lord Clarendon states, that this announcement was " commonly understood to inhibit aU men to speak of another Parliament ; " and Weldon observes, that " it was said the king made a vow never to caU any more." Vide " Hist. RebeUion," vol. i. p. 104, 8vo.; and " Court of King Charles," p. 194. 3841 WESTMINSTER PALACE. 13th of April, 1640; but the Commons requiring, as a con dition to the granting supphes, that the national grievances should be first redressed, the King again determined on a dissolution, which took place on the 5th of May, The emergencies of the times proving too powerful for all the sagacity that Charles and his counciUors could exercise, writs were issued for a new Parhament, which accordingly met at Westminster, on the 3d of November in the same year. To that assembly, since known by the appeUation of the Long Parliament, the nation is indebted for the determined stand which was then made against the encroachments of the crown, and which constitutes such a memorable epoch in the British annals. Among its early proceedings was the impeachment of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, one of the chief -mi nisters of the crown, for high treason. Clarendon says, " On Monday, the twenty-second of March (1640-1), he was brought to the bar of Westminster HaU, the Lords sitting in the middle of the HaU in their robes; and the Commoners, and some strangers of quahty, with] the Scot tish Commissioners, and the Committee of Ireland, on either side ; there being a close box made at one end, at a very convenient distance for hearing, in which the King and Queen sate untaken notice of; his Majesty, out of kind-. ness and curiosity, desiring to hear aU that could be al leged," * The trial lasted untU the I7th of April, when the Commons, being apprehensive that the Earl would escape through the influence of the King with the Peers, passed a BiU of attainder against Strafford, and sent it up to the Lords. This produced a conference between the two Houses, at which the King was present, and " he did pas- * " Hist. RebeUion," vol. i. p. 337 ; edit. 1807. KING CHARLES I. — CONTENTIONS WITH PARLIAMENT. 1642 385 sionately desire of them," says Whitelocke, " not to proceed severely against the Earl." * This interference proved use less ; the bill was passed by the Lords, and on the 12th of May, the Ul-fated Strafford was beheaded on Tower HiU."f The attempts to save the Earl had been accompanied with rumours of an intended dissolution of Parliament ; to prevent this, a bUl was brought into the Commons, and quickly hurried through both Houses, by which the King was prevented dissolving them without their own consent; and the royal assent was given to the biU by the same Comr mission that signed the attainder against Strafford. The Parliament immediately proceeded to assume the entire direction of the state. The obnoxious Star-Chamber and High-Commission Courts were abohshed; the patents for monopolies were abrogated ; the bill for triennial Parliaments was passed ; and divers other statutes were made for secur ing the rights and hberties of the people. New jealousies, however, soon arose, through the conduct of the ministers, and other causes ; and the prevaUing animosities were much aggravated by an intemperate 'Protestation ' which was pre sented by twelve Bishops to the Lords, and which the Commons described as containing "matters of dangerous consequence, extending to the deep intrenching upon the fundamental privileges and being of Parliament." During those contentions, the King, on the 4th of January, 1642, made his ill-advised and rash attempt to seize the Lord Kimbolton, with five other members of the Commons' House, viz. Sir Arthur Haselrigge, Pym, Hampden, Holies, and Stroud ; whom, by his Attorney-General, Sir Edward Herbert, he had accused, on the preceding day, of high treason. The King went to the House in person, " guarded," * " Memorials," p. 43. t After the Restoration the attainder against the Earl was reversed. 2 C 386 WESTMINSTER PALACE. says Whitelocke, " with his pensioners, and foUowed by about two hundred courtiers, and soldiers of fortune, most of them armed with swords and pistols."* Leaving his guard at the door, he entered .the House, and seating himself in the Speaker's chair, he looked around, but not seeing any of the accused Members, he asked the Speaker " whether he saw any of them, and where they were?" The Speaker (LenthaU), with admirable presence of mind, dropping on his knee, answered, " May it please your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here."f The King, being thus disappointed, quitted the House amidst the cry of "Privilege! Privilege!" Affairs were now fast advancing to a crisis ; and the King " on the evening of a stormy day" (August the 22d), set up his standard at Nottingham ; and there, after it was " on the same night, blown down by a very strong and unruly wind," it was again raised — the unhaUowed ensign of a direful civil war. The events which foUowed belong to general history : it must suffice here to say, that the regal power was over thrown ; that Charles was made a prisoner ; and that all the chief functions of the state were usurped by the same army which had achieved the triumph of the popular cause. It having been determined, by the General CouncU of the army, to bring the King to trial, the Commons, on the 6th of January, 1649, passed an Ordinance for that purpose, a special pro^-ision being inserted, " in case the King should refuse to plead to the charge against him." On the 8th, the High Court of Justice assembled in the Painted Chamber; and all the preliminary arrangements having been completed, the Court proceeded, on the 20th, to Westminster HaU, * Whitelocke's " Memorials," p. 50. f Idem. KING CHARLES I. HIS DECAPITATION AT WHITEHALL. 1649. 387 which had been properly fitted up for the trial. The King, who had been removed from Windsor Castle to St. James's, and thence to Sir Robert Cotton's house (within the pre cincts of the old Palace, and adjacent to the House of Lords), Avas now placed at the bar ; but on his refusing to acknowledge the legal jurisdiction of the Court during that and the two foUowing days, the Court adjourned to the Painted Chamber, and proceeded to hear witnesses against him on the charge of " traitorously levying war against the People." On the 27th the Court resumed its sittings in the Great Hall, and the King being again brought up, he was sentenced to be put to death by the severing of his head from his body, as " a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and pubhc enemy."* Three days after (on January the 30th), this sentence was fully executed on a scaffold erected in the open space fronting the Banquet- ting-house at Whitehall ; the King submitting to his fate with exemplary fortitude, f Measures were now taken to settle the kingdom in a Commonwealth; the House of Peers was declared dangerous and useless, the Kingly office was abohshed, and a Council of State, consisting of thirty-eight persons, was appointed to administer the laws. Still, however, the Long Parhament continued its sittings, untU, at length, on the 20th of April, 1653, the Captain-General of the Commonwealth, Oliver CromweU, by one of those daring acts which nothing but an imperious necessity can justify, dissolved it by mihtary * Howell's " State Trials," vol. i. p. 1037. + Much discussion had arisen, at various times, respecting the actual place of interment of this unfortunate sovereign ; hut eventually all doubts were removed, by the discovery of his remains in the vault of King Henry the Eighth, in St. George's Chapel, at Windsor, under the middle of the choir. See " Essays and Orations," &c. by Sir Hen»y 'Halford ; in his annexed " Account of the opening the Coffin of King Charles the First," April 13th, 1813. 2 C 2 388 WESTMINSTER PALACE. force.* In the December foUowing, CromweU was sworn into the office of Lord Protector, in the Chancery Court, at Westminster ; and (having been foiled in his subsequent endeavours to obtain the crown,) he was solemnly inaugu rated under the above title, in Westminster HaU, on the 26th of June, 1657, with a magnificence nearly equal to a coronation.f After a disturbed government of about a year and three quarters, CroraweU died at WhitehaU, on the 3rd of Septeraber, 1658 ; and was interred, with more than regal pomp, in Henry the Seventh's Chapel, at Westminster.^ * For a minute detail of this extraordinary act, see " Beauties of England," vol. vu. " Huntingdonshire," pp. 423* — 427*. There is a fine print of OUver Cromwell dissolving the Long ParUament, engraved by HaU, from a painting by the late Benjamin West. ¦\- On this occasion, upon au elevated platform, at the south end of the HaU, was placed for Cromwell, " under a prince-Uke canopy of state," the ancient Coronation chair, which had been brought for the purpose, from Westminster Abbey. Before it was a table " covered with pink-coloured velvet of Genoa, fringed with fringe of gold," and on it were the Bible, sword, and sceptre of the Commonwealth, with pens, ink, &c. At some distance, on each side, were seats buUt scaffold-wise, Vike & theatrum," for the Members of ParUament; whose Speaker, Sir Thomas Widdrington, had a chair beside the table; " the Aldermen of London, and the like," had places below. The procession into the Hall commenced from the " CouncU-room adjoining to the Lords' House ;" and his Highness, the Protector, was immediately preceded by the Lord Mayor (Tichborn,) of London, bearing the city sword. The ceremonies of the Instal lation, together with the oath taken by CromweU, are given in " Prestwich's RespubUca," pp. 3—23, 4to, 1787. X The funeral obsequies of the Protector were not solemnized untU the 23rd of November, but his remains had been privately interred on the previous 2Sth of September. His effigy, made of wood and covered with wax to resemble Ufe, was for several weeks exposed to pubUc view, lying on a bed of state, in Somerset House. Upwards of 60,000/. was expended in the solemnities of the funeral ; a particular account of which is inserted in " Prestwich's RespubUca," pp. 173—203. Although deposited in the mausoleum of royalty, CromweU's ashes were not permitted to mingle with the dust of sovereigns ; for after the Restoration, to the everlasting disgrace of aU concerned, his mouldering corse KING CHARLES II. PROCLAIMED AT WESTMINSTER. 1660. '389 On the abdication of Richard CromweU (who had suc ceeded his father in the Protectorate), a deep sense of the distractions which had so long and grievously afflicted the nation, excited a strong desire among many people for the restoration of monarchy ; but a very large class was stiU op posed to it, unless accompanied by those concessions which would ensure the rights of the subject frora future violation. At length, by the sinister intrigues of General Monck, and without obtaining those efficient guarantees for good govern ment which the circumstances required. Prince Charles, the eldest son of the decapitated sovereign, was recalled from his forced expatriation ; and, on the 8th of May, 1660, he was solemnly proclaimed King, at " Westminster HaU gate," by the title of Charles the Second ; " the Lords and Cora mons standing bare by the Heralds, whilst the proclamation was made." The new King, making his public entry into London on the 29th of May, was received with extraordinary triumph ; and on St. George's day (April the 23rd), in the foUowing year, he was crowned at Westminster with great was taken up, and being ignominiously dragged to Tyburn, was there exposed upon the gallows ; together with the bodies of Ireton and Bradshaw, whose graves had also been sacrilegiously violated. The dire malignancy of those who could thus descend to glut their resentment upon the dead, was coloured by a resolution of both Houses of ParUament, passed on the 8th of December, 1660 ; which ordered, " That the carcases of Oliver CromweU, Henry Ireton, John Bradshaw, and Thomas Pride, whether buried in Westminster Abbey or else where, be, with aU expedition, taken up, and drawn upon a hurdle to Tyburn, and there hanged up in their coffins for some time ; aud after that buried under the said gaUows." When the carcases of the Protector and his (wo friends had hung an entire day, they were taken down, and the heads having been cut off, were set upon poles on the south end of Westminster Hall, where that of Crom. well remained full twenty years ; the trunks were thrown into a hole dug be neath the gaUows. John Lewis, the mason who opened the vaults in the Abbey Church, and disinterred the bodies, received " fiveteen shiUings" for his noxious labour. Pride's remains do not appear to have been found. 390 WESTMINSTER PALACE. magnificence ; the consequent festivities being, as customary, celebrated in the Great HaU, The eighth of May 1661, be came noted from the meeting of Charles's "Pensionary Par liament," which, by its protracted duration (nearly eighteen years), was far more deserving of the appeUation of the Long Parliament than that of the Commonwealth had been. Under an order of this Assembly, the " Solemn League and Covenant," which had been devised to strengthen the popular cause in 1643, was burnt by the common hangman, in Cheap- side, on the 22d of May ; and six days afterwards, the acts for the trial of King Charles the First, the abohshing of the House of Peers, the establishing a Commonwealth, the re nunciation of the Stuarts, and the security of the Protector's person, were similarly destroyed in the middle of Westmins. ter Hall, whilst the Courts were there sitting. This Par hament (by which many enactments had been made, essen tially detrimental to popular freedom,) was dissolved by proclamation on the 25th of January, 1679, in consequence of its increasing opposition to the measures pursued by the King and his brother, the Duke of York, for re-introducing popery. Charles the Second died at Whitehall, on the 6th of Fel)- ruary, 1685, having previously received the sacrament of the mass and extreme unction. After embalmment, his body was privately conveyed, by water, to the " Prince's Lodgings," in the Old Palace, at Westminster, where it remained untU the 14th, when it was carried through the House of Lords into the Painted Chamber ; and thence, on the same night, into Henry the Seventh's Chapel, the place of its final interment. James the Second, with Mary D'Este (his second consort), was crowned by Archbishop Sancroft, on St. George's day, 1685. Sandford states, that the ceremonies were per formed with great solemnity ; and that " a most sumptuous and magnificent dinner was provided for their Majesties and KING JAMES II. — TRIAL OF THE SEVEN BISHOPS. 1688. 391 " the royal cavalcade," in Westminster Hall, against their return from the Abbey Church,* During the arbitrary attempts made by this monarch to reduce the country to an abject state of religious and pohtical bondage, Westminster HaU became the scene of the memor able trial of the Seven Bishops, viz. Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury ; Lloyd, Bishop of St. Asaph ; Turner, Bishop of Ely; Lake, Bishop of Chichester; Kenn, Bishop of Bath and WeUs ; White, Bishop of Peterborough ; and Tre- lawny. Bishop of Bristol ; who were indicted for a seditious libel, in consequence of having stated the cause, in a Peti tion to the King, of their refusal to promulgate, in their respective dioceses, the " Declaration for liberty of Con science," whichhad been issued by his command. The trial took place on the 29th of June, 1688 : the Judges were not unanimous in their charge to the Jury ; but the latter, after deliberating the whole night, pronounced the prelates, " Not Guilty ! " The acclamations of the crowd at this decision were loud and incessant; and the whole metropolis rever berated the deafening shouts of applause which were raised by the raultitude within and without the HaU. The disaffection which James's conduct had before ex cited was much increased by this prosecution, and within a few months afterwards the union against him became so strong, and the national cause, (aided by WiUiam, Prince of Orange, who, in November, 1677} had espoused the Princess Mary, * " Genealogical History," p. 658, fol. 1707. A splendid work, describing all the ceremonies of the above Coronation, " illustrated with sculptures," was also published by the same author, by command of King James, who had himself presided at the Council Board when the prior arrangements were made. The form and order then determined on, became the general precedent for succeed ing Coronations. Sandford's volume is intituled, " The History of the Coro nation of King James II. and Queen Mary," fol. 1687. Some of the plates are very curious. 392 WESTMINSTER PALACE. the King's eldest daughter,) so triumphant, that the Glorious Revolution of 1688 was effected; and towards the eod of December, in that year, the fear-struck sovereign abandoned his kingdom, never to return. The consequent proceedings were of the utmost import ance in setting the high and dignified example of a British legislature expelling a race of monarchs from the succession, for their daring infringements on the laws and liberties of the country. In the Convention Parliament, which assembled at Westminster on the 22nd of January, 1689, it was first resolved, that the abdication of James had rendered the throne vacant ; and, eventuaUy, that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be declared " King and Queen" of the British dominions. Accordingly, on the 13th of February, after the Lords and Commons had presented to them a " Declaration," in the Banquetting House, at WhitehaU, they were proclaimed with the accustomed ceremonies ; and, on the 1 1th of April, solemnly crowned in the Abbey Church at W t stminster, by the Bishop of London (Henry Comp- ton), under the titles of WUliam the Third and Mary the Second, " with all the circumstances of royalty ; each part of that glorious ceremony being performed with extra ordinary grandeur and magnificence." * In pursuance of the " Act of Settlement," the Princess Anne (second daughter, to King James, and si^fe to Prince George of Denmark), succeeded to the throne on the decease of King William, in March, 1702 ; and she was crowned, in * Sandford's " Genealogical History," p. 687, edit. 1707. Queen Mary died of the smaU-pox on the 28th of February, 1695 ; and was buried in Henry the Seventh's Chtpel, on the 5th of March, in the vault where Charies the Second had been deposited. King WiUiam survived until the 8th of March, 1702 ; and on the 12th of AprU ensuing, he was interred in the same vault with his late Queen. There, also, the remains of Queen Anne were subsequently "deposited. QUEEN ANNE.— UNION WITH SCOTLAND. 1706. 393 the Abbey Church, by Archbishop Tenison, on St. George's day, in that year. Most of the processional pre parations (as in the three prior coronations) were made in the Old Palace ; and the Painted Chamber, House of Peers, Court of Requests, Court of Wards, and Great HaU, are all mentioned by name in the account of the proceedings given in the " Genealogical History." At the dinner. Prince George, the Queen's consort, sat at her right hand, but under the same canopy. The champion on that occasion Was Charles Dymocke, Esq. Among the most memorable proceedings of Parhament in this reign, was the passing of the " Act of Union with Scot land ; " the terms of which had been finaUy settled in the year 17O6, by the English and Scotch Commissioners (thirty-two of each nation), in the CouncU Charaber at the Cockpit, WhitehaU. By that measure, Scotland was authorised to return sixteen representative Peers to the House of Lords, and forty-five members to the House of Commons; thus in creasing the total number of the latter to 513, — ^but its own Parhament was abohshed for ever. In consequence of this augmentation, the interior of the Lower House was newly fitted up, under the direction of Sir Christopher Wren, the Queen's Surveyor-General. * * The foUowing notice of the internal appearance of the House of Commons, almost immediately subsequent to the alterations made by Sir Christopher, occurs in Hatton's " New View of London," pubUshed in 1708. " The Commons' House is a Uttle to the northward from the Lords', somewhat nearer the Hall ; a commodious building, accommodated with several ranks of seats, covered with green [cloth, baize?] and matted under foot, for 513 gentlemen, of which number this honourable, learned, and judicious assembly consists, — the Uke in aU these respects perhaps no where to be paraUeled. On three sides of this House are beautiful wainscot gaUeries, sustained by canteleevers, enrich ed with fruit and other carved curiosities." 394l WESTMINSTER PALACE. In the year 1 710, the metropohs was greatly convulsed through the impeachment of Dr. Sacheverel for preaching two Sermons which the House of Commons voted to be "malicious, scandalous, and seditious libels." He was brought to trial before the Peers in Westminster HaU on the 27th of February; and on the 23rd of March, after much altercation, was declared guilty by a majority of seventeen voices : — but his sentence, being merely that ' he should not preach for three years,' was celebrated by the people as a victory. On the demise of Queen Anne, (August the 1st 17 14,) George Lewis, Electoral Prince of Brunswick-Lunenburgh, succeeded to the British Throne (in pursuance of the ' Act of Settlement ') and on the 20th of October foUowing, he was crowned with great magnificence at Westminster, by the title of George the First : no fewer than seventeen Arch bishops and Bishops, and about one hundred and fifty Peers, were present on this occasion. In his reign, the ministry, taking advantage of the unsettled state of the country conse quent on the Scottish RebeUion of 1715, caused one of the strongest bulwarks of popular freedom which the wisdom of the nation had ever dcAased, to be destroyed, by abrogating the Act for Triennial Parliaments, and substituting that for Septennial ones ; a measure which received the royal assent on the 7th of May I7l6. About three months before this, the Earls of Derwentwater, Nithisdale, and Camwath, with the Lords Widdrington, Kenmure, and Nairn, (who were im peached in the same Parhament which thus violated the con stitution by passing the Septennial Act,) received sentence of death in the Court that had been erected for their trial in Westminster Hall; and soon afterwards (February the 24th) the Earl of Derwentwater and Viscount Kenmure were be headed on Tower HiU. Another memorable trial was com menced in the same place in June 17 17, in presence of the KING GEORGE II. HIS CORONATION SOLEMNIZED. 1727. 395 King himself, viz. that of Robert, Earl of Oxford; but a dispute between the Lords and the Commons, on the very first day, respecting the manner of procedure, led to the liberation of the Earl, — the Commons refusing to act under the dictation of the Peers. The coronation of George the Second, together with that of his royal consort Caroline, was solemnized in the Abbey Church at Westminster on the 11th of October 1727; the principal officiating prelate was Archbishop Wake. The accompanying ceremonies, as weU as the festivities in the Great HaU, were conducted on the same principles of reh- gious formality, processional etiquette, and regal splendour as those which had distinguished preceding coronations. An intention of erecting a new buUding for " The Recep tion of Parliament," (the old Houses "being in a very ruinous condition,") was entertained by government in the year 1739; and the architects at the Office of Works at WhitehaU, (including the celebrated Kent,) were directed by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to prepare de signs and estimates for that purpose. These directions were executed, and a very excellent series of designs was pre pared, which received the approbation of the Lords Com missioners and Mr. Speaker Onslow ; yet it does not appear that any subsequent measures were taken to accomphsh the work : the estimated expense of the buUding amounted to £167,067*. * The whole of the designs are now in the possession of L. N. Cottingham, Esq. whose successful renovations at Rochester and Oxford, and at Armagh in Ireland, have conferred such distinguished celebrity on his professional talents, and correct knowledge of our ancient architecture. He describes the arrange ment of the plans as " truly admirable ;" every convenience for such an august establishment being provided. Old Palace Yard was intended to be greatly enlarged ; the new buildings to present a grand facade next the Thames, and the splendid Chapel of St. Stephen to be retained. 396 WESTMINSTER PALACE. On July the 28th 1746, the Earls of KUmamock and Cro- martie, and Lord Balmerino, were brought to trial in West minster Hall for high treason, in being engaged in the Scot tish RebeUion of the preceding year : on the third day after, they were sentenced to die ; and Kilmarnock and Bal merino were in consequence beheaded on Tower HiU on the 18th of August, but the Earl of Cromartie was pardoned. In March 1747, Simon Lord Lovat was also adjudged guUtyin Westminster HaU of the same crime, he having been imph cated with the former Lords ; he was decapitated on Tower HiU on the 7th of the month foUowing. Another tiial of great interest took place in the Great Hall in April 1760, namely, that of Lawrence Earl Ferrers ; who, after a trial of three days, was convicted of the murder of Mr. Johnson, his steward ; and he was hanged at Tyburn, pursuant to his sentence, on the ensuing 5th of May. George the Second died at Kensington on the 25th of October 1760; and his body, having been brought into the Prince's chamber in the Old Palace, was thence conveyed, in procession, to the place of its final deposition in Henry the Seventh's Chapel. His grandson and successor, George the Third, was crowned in the Abbey Church on the 22d of September 1761, together with his Queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz, to whom he had been married on the 8th instant. Both the nuptial ceremony, and that of the coronation, were solemnized by Archbishop Seeker; and great magnificence was displayed on the latter occasion, as weU in the Abbey Church as in the festive proceedings within the Great Hall *. * For fuU particulars of the Coronation arrangements and ceremonies, see "Annual Register" forl761, pp. 215-242. An amusing account of the same event is given in Lord Orford's "Works," vol. v. p.83.— The internal appearance of the House of Commons about the time of the accession of the hew King, has been KING GEORGE III. DEATH OF THE EARL OF CHATHAM. 1778. 397 An affecting event occurred in the House of Lords on the 7th of April 1778, when the Great Eari of Chatham (who had come down to the House in a state of considerable de- bUity from iU health), addressed the Peers in an energetic harangue against the measures in contemplation for granting independence to America. The Duke of Richmond opposed his arguments with some asperity in manner, though not in language; and the Earl, as if excited by indignation, attempt ing to rise to reply, feU back in a convulsive fit, and was carried into an adjoining chamber. Here medical assistance being obtained, he was so far recovered as to admit of removal to his viUa at Hayes, in Kent, where he died on the 11th of May following. On the 7th and 8th of June, his remains lay in state in the Painted Chamber; and on the next day they were interred with much solemnity in the north aisle of the Abbey Church, where a most splendid monument was afterwards erected for him at the expense of his admiring country*. Associations for the reform of Parliament, and obtaining thus described : " It is at present a spacious room, wainscotted up to the ceU- ing, accommodated with gaUeries, supported by slender iron pillars, adorned with Corinthian capitals and sconces. From the middle of the ceiling hangs a handsome branch or lustre. At the upper end, the Speaker is placed upon a raised seat, ornamented behind with Corinthian columns, and the King's arms carved and placed on a pediment. Before him is a table, at which the clerk and his assistants sit near him, on each hand, just below the chair ; and on each side, as weU below as in the galleries, the members are placed promiscuously. The Speaker and clerks always wear gowns in the House ; but no other members wear robes, except the four representatives of the City of London, who, the first day of every new ParUament, are dressed in scarlet gowns, and sit aU together on the right hand of the chair next the Speaker." Vide Entick's " London and its Environs described," vol. u. p. 166. * A large and well-composed picture of the faU of the Earl in the House of Lords (including portraits of many noblemen then present) was painted by Mr. Copley, the father of the ex-cbanceUor Lor.d Lyndhurst, 398 WESTMIVSTER PAL.ACE. " a moreequal representation of the people in the House of Commons," and rendering it independent of the aristocracy, began to be very general throughout the nation about the years 1779 and 1780; but, unfortunately, the efforts of the country were paralysed by the occurrence of the riots in London during the month of June in the latter year. The presenting of a Petition against the Catholics from the " Pro testant Association," as it was called ; and at the head of which was Lord George Gordon, (younger brother of the Duke of Gordon) gave rise, on the 2d of June, to the con- o-regation of an immense multitude of people, and all the avenues to both Houses of Parhament were entirely fiUed by the crowd. Many Peers (as well spiritual as temporal), and divers Merabers of the Commons, were insulted by the mob and obliged, to escape personal injury, to place blue cockades in their hats, and join in the then popular cry of " No Popery." The rabble attempted even to force open the doors of both Houses whilst the merabers were in debate, but they were happily foiled ; and further outrage was pre vented by the arrival of the Guards. Great devastations were coramitted by the mob during that and the three following days on the Romish chapels and private dweUings of the Cathohcs ; and on Tuesday, the 6th of June, which had been appointed for taking the Peti tion into consideration, every avenue to the Parliament Houses was again thronged by a riotous multitude, notwith standing that all the military in London were on duty. Amidst these alarming appearances the House of Commons displayed both firmness and decision. On the principle that ' no act of theirs could be legal whilst the House was under apprehensions from the daring spirit of the peo ple,' they Resolved " that to obstruct and insult the Mem bers, whilst coming to or going from the House, and to KING GEORGE III. — GREAT RIOTS IN LONDON. — 1780. 399 endeavour by force to compel them to declare themselves in favour of or against any proposition then depending, was a gross breach of the privileges of the House,"* — and then adjourned. From that tirae until the Thursday following, the Metropohs was in a state of the utmost consternation. Newgate was set on fire, and its inmates liberated to join the mob ; the other public prisons were partially destroyed, and the prisoners released. Many houses were gutted, as the phrase was, of aU their contents, which were burnt in large fires in the streets; and divers others (including that of Lord Mansfield, in Bloomsbury Square), together with the King's Bench and Fleet prisons, were set on fire and destroyed. Contributions, even in the day-time, were extorted from the fear-struck householders; uproar, confusion, and dismay reigned every where around, and on the Wednesday night six-and-thirty fires were to be seen blazing at one time in the Metropolis and Southwark. Orders were now issued, by the authority of the King in Council, that the " utmost force of the mihtary should be exerted to repress the pro ceedings of the rioters ;"f and these directions were so effectuaUy obeyed, that the disturbances were entirely queUed on the Thursday evening. Between three and four hundred persons were either kiUed, or mortally wounded, by the troops ; and about fifty others suffered by the hands of the common executioner. Lord George Gordon, who was ac cused as the author of the riots, and comraitted to the Tower, was arraigned of High treason in the Court of King's Bench on the 5 th of February 1781; but the Jury acquitted him on the ground that his conduct had not been such as to warrant the charge, "' Vide " Journals of the House of Commons," vol. xxxvii. p. 902. t Idem, p. 904. 400 WESTMINSTER PALACE. On the 12th of February I788, the long-protracted trial of Warren Hastings, Esq., who had been impeached by the House of Commons for high crimes and misdemeanours, aUeged to have been committed by him whilst Govemorr General of India, was commenced in a Court erected for the purpose in Westminster HaU, After a trial of seven years and two months' duration, (a circumstance unparaUeled in the annals of judicature) he was declared ' Not GuUty' on the 23d of AprU 1795, During the revolutionary war with repubhcan Francei which commenced in February 1794, and was terminated by the Treaty of Amiens in March 1802; and that against the power of Bonaparte, which was declared in May 1 803 ; many momentous transactions occurred in the British Par hament : but as the sources of information on these mea sures are so easily accessible, it is unnecessary for us parti cularly to advert to them. We must except, however, that great measure, the Union with Ireland; which, although carried in the Sister State by the grossest corruption and bribery, was fraught with the most beneficial consequences to both countries, as the course of pubhc events is now rapidly developing. By this important Act, (which had been agreed to in the respective Parhaments of England and Ireland, in the sum-. mer of 1800; and which, having received the royal assent on the 22d of July in that year, came into full operation on the 1st of January 1801,) one hundred representatives from Ire land were admitted into the English House of Commons (thus increasing its Members to 613), and twenty-eight representative Irish Peers (exclusive of four Bishops), into the House of Lords. It was declared, that in future the denomination of Parliament should be " The Parhament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland;" and KING GEORGE III. — NEW HOUSE OF LORDS. 1800. 401 that the style and titles of the Sovereign, when expressed in Latin, should thenceforth be as foUows : " Georgius Ter- Tius, Dei Gratia Britanniamm Rex, Fidei Defensor," In consequence of the intended augmentation of its Mem bers, it became necessary to enlarge the interior of the House of Commons, for the greater convenience of the assembly ; and the execution of the work was intrusted to the late James Wyatt, Esq, architect, who had been appointed " Sur veyor or ComptroUer of his Majesty's Office of Works" on the 16th of March 1796, with an annual salary of £500.* The operations M'ere commenced in August 1800; and on the removal of the wainscot paneUing, which is supposed to have been put up by Sir Christopher Wren, about the period of the Union with Scotland, in Queen Anne's reign, those unexpected discoveries were made of the original and splen did decorations of St. Stephen's Chapel, which excited such great admiration at the time, and gave origin to Mr. Smith's interesting work on the "Antiquities of Westminster." — As additional accommodation also was required for the Peers, it was arranged that the then House of Lords (which occu pied the site of the present Royal GaUery) should be aban doned, and a new House constructed within the old Court of Requests (or the White-Hall, as it had been previously termed), which was far more capacious than the former cham ber, as well as more convenient, from being nearly adjacent to the House of Comraons. The new work was executed under Mr. Wyatt's direction; and the Lords continued to * By an Act passed in 1782, the principal officers of the then ' Board of Works' were suppressed, and a new ' Office of Works ' constituted on the 10th of October in that year. The first Surveyor or Comptroller on that estahUsh- ment was Sir WilUam Chambers, with an annual salary of .£500, and ^'lO for stationery. Vide " Report from the Commissioners on the Office of Works," 1813. 2 D 402 WESTMINSTER PALACE. hold their sittings in the building so fitted up, until the late conflagration. A most extraordinary assassination was committed in the Lobby of the House of Commons on the 11th of May 1811 ; when the Right Hon. Spencer Percival, the ChanceUor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister, was shot by a person named John BeUingham, This unfortunate criminal had resided in Russia, as a merchant, where his prospects were bhghted by false accusations and a long imprisonmentj for which he could obtain no redress; a circumstance which he mainly attributed to the neglect of Lord Levi- son Gower, the Enghsh Ambassador at the Court of St, Petersburgh, On returning home, he appealed to various officers of government for compensation, but without success; and under the bitter feelings of disappointment, he encou raged the delusive conviction that he had a right to revenge his injuries on the person of Lord Gower, or of some other of the ministers by whom his memorials had been disre garded. With this view, about four o'clock on the above afternoon, he placed himself in the recess of the doorway within the lobby ; and on the entrance of Mr. Percival, a few minutes afterwards, he discharged a smaU pistol at that gentleman, who, after uttering a faint exclamation, staggered forwards a few paces, and feU, Being immediately carried into the room of the Speaker's Secretary, it was found that the wound, which had taken place in the lower part of the left breast, was mortal, and his hfe became extinct in about ten or twelve minutes afterwards. Great alarm was excited in both houses by this event, which was at first thought to be the out-break of a treasonable conspiracy, the nation having been for some time extremely discontented at the proceed ings of government. On the same night, BeUingham was conveyed to Newgate ; on the Friday following, he was tried KING GEORGE IV. TRIAL OF QUEEN CAROLINE. 1820. 403 and convicted for the murder at the Old Bailey, (the sessions being then in progress) ; and on the ensuing Monday, he was hanged before the prison door, pursuant to his sentence. — Mr. Percival was buried at Charlton, in Kent; but a fine monument of white marble by R. Westmacott, Esq. R.A. has been erected to his memory in the north aisle of West minster Abbey church. On account of the long-continued and hopeless insanity of the King, it was determined by Parhament that a Regent should be appointed in the person of his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, who accordingly entered into his high office on the 25th of October 1810. After the decease of his father, on the 29th of January 1820, the Prince Regent succeeded to the throne, but his coronation was delayed a considerable time by the events connected with the arrival from Italy of his consort, Caroline of Brunswick, from whom he had Uved separate many years, but who had recently re turned to England for the purpose of claiming her rights as Queen. Shortly after her arrival, proceedings were insti tuted against her in the House of Lords, for an aUeged adul terous intercourse with an Itahan, named Bergami (her chamberlain), whUst resident abroad; and on the 5th of July a " Bill of Pains and Penalties " was presented against her Majesty by the Ministers, for the purpose of dissolving her marriage with the King, and depriving her of all preroga tives and privileges as Queen Consort. During the inves tigation (or tiial) which ensued, and which coraraenced on the 17th of August, her Majesty, who protested her inno cence in the strongest terms, was frequently present ; and on every occasion, when going down to the House, was loudly cheered by the assembled multitude which thronged the streets and gave credit to her asseverations. At length, 2 d2 404 WESTMINSTER PALACE. on the 10th of November, this unparaUeled proceeding was terminated by the postponement of the BiU " for six months," which was tantamount to its rejection ; the third reading having been carried only by a majority of nine (the votes being 108 to 99) that being the exact number of the ministers of the crown who conducted the investigation. It had been originaUy settled that the coronation of George the Fourth should be solemnized on the first of August 1820, and a Court of Claims was appointed to assemble in the Painted Chamber on the preceding 18th of May, it being the royal intention that the proceedings should be conducted with unusual magnificence.* Whilst the Court was yet sitting, the proceedings against the Queen, as before stated, occasioned the coronation to be postponed, and it did not take place until the 19th of July 1821. The arrange ments, both in the Great HaU and in the Abbey Church, were on a scale of unprecedented grandeur. Before the day arrived, however, for the performance of the ceremony, a memorial was presented to his ' Majesty in Council' from the Queen Consort, claiming her right to be crowned, and praying that the ceremony might be celebrated on the day appointed for his Majesty's coronation. After hearing coun sel both for and against this claim, during several days, the Privy CouncU decided "that the Queens Consort of this realm are not entitled of right to be crowned at any time," * The claims made to particular services, generaUy speaking, were such as were customary, and were therefore aUowed ; but some few of a novel descrip tion, which seem to have been advanced for experiment sake, were dismissed. Among the claimants was the Rev. Thomas Dymoke, the lord of the manor of Scrivelsby, who, being in orders, was incapitated to perform the office of Cham pion ; and he, in consequence, petitioned that his son, a minor, but who had recently entered into his twentieth year, might become his deputy; this request, aftar some consideration, and with his Majesty's assent, was eventuaUy aUowed. KING GEORGE IV. — HIS SPLENDID CORONATION. 1821. 405 and therefore that her Majesty was not entitled to the pri vilege specified in her memorial.* On the night previous to the coronation, the King re posed on a couch in the tapestry-room of the Speaker's offi cial residence in the Old Palace ; and on the foUowing morn ing, about eleven o'clock, the royal cavalcade proceeded by a raised platform (covered by an awning) from Westminster HaU to the Abbey Church (which presented a most splendid andgorgeous scene), where the King was crowned by the Arch bishop of Canterbury, (C. M. Sutton) with the accustomed ceremonies. The ensuing festivities in the Great Hall were of the most costly description ; and the manner in which the buUding was fitted up for the reception and entertainment of the vast multitude assembled there, was unprecedented for its convenience and extent. At the south end immediately under the great window was his Majesty's throne and table, upon a raised platform of three grades. Double gaUeries for spectators were raised along the sides of the HaU, below which, in the area, were long ranges of dining tables ; and at the north entrance was a triumphal arch. The Champion was attended by the Duke of WeUington, as High Constable of England, and the Marquis of Anglesea, as Lord High Steward ; both those noblemen were mounted upon their own chargers. The expense to the country of this Corona tion, was about £l50,000.f * Some attempts were afterwards made by the Queen to secure a recognised seat in the Abbey Church, in order to be present at the Coronation, but she was disappointed in all ; aud unhappUy, on her last effort to obtain admission by de. manding entrance as Queen (at the door-way in Poet's Comef) being frustrated by general orders given to a common door-keeper, the disappointment had a fatal influence on her health ; which had already suffered from the pecuUar measures adopted against her. She died on the foUowing 7th of August. t As our limits wiU not admit of any additional particulars of this august ceremonial, we must refer our readers for other detaUs to Huish's " History of the Coronation of George the Fourth ; " and to Whitaker's splendid work on 40G WESTMINSTER PALACE. Under the auspices of the new King, during the years 1822-26, some very considerable and enriched additions were made to the parliamentary buildings on the south and south west sides, from the designs of Mr. (now Sir John) Soane, who also superintended the work. These were principally in the Grecian style of architecture, and consisted of a new royal entrance to the House of Lords, the ' Scala Regia,' or King's Staircase, the Royal Gallery, the Lords' Library, and various committee rooms, offices, &c. for the use of Parliament. During the progress of the new work, the Old Prince's Chamber, or Robing Room, the Old House of Lords, and some other remains of the ancient Palace, were puUed down.* Very different, in regard to splendour and festivity, was the Coronation of his present Majesty, William the Fourth, from that of his brother and predecessor, whom he suc ceeded on the throne on the 26th of June 1830; it was, however, the more gratifying to the nation, as it proved the desire of the King to avoid superfluous expenditure. On this occasion, Septeraber the 8th 1831, his Majesty and his consort Adelaide proceeded in carriages, attended by a grand cavalcade of the chief officers of state, nobihty, &c. from St. Jaraes's Palace to the Abbey Church at West minster, where they were both crowned, with the usual solemnities, by the Archbishop of Canterbury (Wilham the same gorgeous ceremony. A jocular, yet not uninteresting account of this coronation, has been given also by Gait, in his " Steam Boat." * Some account of the new buildings, iUustrated with prints, was pubhshed by Sir J. Soane, in his " Designs for Public and Private Buildings," 1828. The new entrance and Scala Regia is sa^d to have originated with his late Majesty, whose taste for shewy and expensive architectural works, led him to consider the old entrance to the House of Lords as mean and insignificant, altogether unworthy of forming the passage for a British monarch to his offi cial station at the head of a national legislature. KING WILLIAM IV. REFORM OF PARLIAMENT. 1832. 407 Howley), On this occasion the banquetting and the accus tomed chaUenge in the Great HaU were entirely dispensed with, the general proceedings having been arranged on a scale of great economy,* During the summer of 1832, after a pohtical contest of unexampled duration in Parhament, the friends of Constitu tional liberty achieved the most important victory over the iUegal influence of the Oligarchy that had ever been ob tained, by the passing of the three Acts for " the Amend ment of the Representation of the People of England and Wales," "Scotland," and " Ireland; " to which the royal assent was given respectively on the 7th of June, the l7th of July, and the 7th of August, These invaluable measures of Reform were accomphshed under the administration of Earl Grey, to whora, next to the King himself, (whose decisive conduct, in dissolving the Parharaent of 1831, at a most cri tical period, merits the lasting gratitude of the nation;) and to his patriotic coadjutors, the country is indebted for its preservation from the threatening dangers of a civil war. By the above Acts, the rights of election was placed on a more extended basis than before ; raany " rotten boroughs " were reraorselessly swept away, and others " shorn " of their dishonourable beams ; the privUege of a Parhamentary re presentation was conferred on many new places in proportion to the extent of their population and property ; and raany other changes were made, tending to iraprove the character and independence of the House of Coraraons, and to free it from aU exterior influence but that of the People, from whom it immediately emanates, * For a particular account of this Coronation (chiefly extracted from the " Observer" newspaper) see " Gentleman's Magazine," part u. 1831. In the same volume is also a circumstantial account of the coronation of Richard the Second, from a MS. in the British Museum. 408 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The first Parharaent of the United Kingdom that was summoned after the passing of the Reform Acts, assembled at Westminster on the 29th of January 1833 ;* and during the Session, which continued until the 29th of August, many important statutes were enacted, particularly those for the " Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies, " the " better Government of the East Indies," the " Regula tion of the Trade to China and India," and the " Renewal of the Bank Charter." The chief measures of the foUowing session, which commenced on the 4th of Febmary 1834, and was prorogued on the 15th of August, were the Acts "for Establishing a New Criminal Court in the Metropolis and its Environs," the " Amendment of the Poor Laws," and the "Alteration and Amendment of the Laws relating to the Church Temporalities of Ireland." We have now approached the time when both Houses of Parliament (except the bare waUs) together with many ad jacent offices, were wholly destroyed by an accidental fire, which broke out in. the House of Lords, near Black Rod's box, on the evening of the 16th of October 1834. The wind blew briskly from the south-west, but became more * At the present time, and through the enactments of the Reform Acts, the House of Commons consists of 658 members, who are retumed as fol lows;EngUsh County Members 143^ Scotch County Members 30 \ 1 53 ¦ Universities 4 > 471 Cities and Boroughs 23 — Cities and Boroughs 324 J Irish County Members 64 ~] County Members 15 .. . University - - 2 ¦ Cities and Boroughs 14 | 29 ^.^.^^ ^^^ Boroughs 39 J Welsh County Members 15 ^ . University - - 2 V 105 The House of Lords consisted in 1835, of 427 Peers, viz. Princes of the blood royal (aU Dukes) 3 Barons - - - 184 Other Dukes - - - 21 Peers of Scotland - - - 16 Marquesses 19 Peers of Ireland 28 Earis - . -109 EngUsh and Welsh Bishops 26 Viscounts 17 Irish Bishops - . . 4 KING WILLIAM IV. BURNING OF THE HOUSES. il834. 409 southerly as the night advanced ; the moon was near the full and shone with radiance; but occasionally vast masses of cumulus clouds floated high and bright across the skies, and as the fitful glare of the flames increased, were illumined in a remarkably impressive manner, which gave great interest to the busy scene that was passing below. From an examination of several days' continuance, which took place before the Lords of the Privy Council shortly after this event, it appears that the fire was first discovered by the wife of a door-keeper named MuUencarap, who, seeing the glittering of a light under one of the doors, suspected the cause, and immediately communicated it to Mrs. Wright, the deputy house-keeper, by the exclamation, " Oh, good God, the House of Lords is on fire!" This was at six o'clock ; but, although several persons employed about the building were quickly drawn together by this alarm, and from a chimney being observed to be " very much on fire," by Mr. Richard Weobley, Clerk of the Works in the De partment of Woods and Forests, no effectual resistance could be opposed to the progress of the flames for a consi derable time, in consequence of the rapidity with which they spread through the numerous passages, lobbies, stair cases, &c. which had been constructed at various periods, for the convenience of a ready communication between the two Houses, and their appertaining Committee Rooms and Offices.* * The insecure manner in which these multifarious adjuncts were constructed and fitted up, had been thus adverted to, in 1828, by Sir John Soane in his " Designs for PubUc BuUdings " (already cited), and the passage is remarkable from supplying a kind of prophetic intimation as to the actual consequence iu case of fire. — " In the year 1800, the Court of Requests was made into a House f Lords ; and the old buUdings of a slight character, several stories in height, surrounding that substantial structure, were converted into accommodations for 410 WESTMINSTER PALACE. The conflagration was heightened by the strength of the wind; and in a few hours, notwithstanding all the aid which could be furnished by fire-engines and firemen, by working parties of soldiers and labourers, and by the assistance of the pohce, as weU as from the voluntary services of many other persons, including both noblemen and gentlemen (Members of Parhament), the Houses of the Lords and Commons and the Painted Chamber were consumed to the bare walls; whilst the more fragile buildings immediately surrounding them were altogether destroyed.* That part of the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Com mons, which was connected with St. Stephen's Chapel, with some portion of the cloisters, was also considerably damaged; but happily, the magnificent Great HaU was preserved from the officers of the House of Lords, and for the necessary communications. The exterior of these old buUdings, forming the front of the House of Lords, as well as the interior, is constructed chiefly with timber covered with plaster. In such an extensive assemblage of combustible materials, should a fire hap pen, what would become of the Painted Chamber, the House of Commons, and Westminster Hall ? Where would the progress of the fire be arrested ? The want of security from fire, the narrow, gloomy, and unhealthy passages, and the insufficiency of the accommodations in this building, are important objects which call loudly for revision and speedy amendment." * By referring to the Ground Plan, plate II. a correct idea may be formed of the extent of the fire, a dotted line having been carried round the area of the buUd ings which were either wholly or partiaUy destroyed. The great mass of build ings erected by Mr. Soane, and which may be described as forming the southern side of the ParUamentary edifices, were, comparatively, but little injured ; the direction of the wind having been favourable to their safety. To the same cause we may attribute the preservation of the Law Courts and Augmentation Office on the western side of the Great Hall, and even of the Hall itself; for, had the immense volumes of flame and flakes of fire which proceeded from the interior of the two Houses, been wafted towards the vast timber roof of that immense pile, it must have been inevitably destroyed, with every buUding imme diately connected with it. KING WILLIAM IV. APPEARANCE OF THE FIRE. 1834. 411 the flames uninjured, although fearful apprehensions had been entertained for its safety during a considerable part of the night. An immense multitude of spectators assembled at West minster to witness the ravages of the fire, the lurid glare of which was distinctly visible for many mUes around the me tropolis. Even the river Thames, in the vicinity of the spot, was covered with boats and barges fuU of persons whom curiosity had attracted to the scene ; and the reflections of the wavering flames upon the water, on the neighbouring shores, and on the many thousands thus congregated, com posed a spectacle most strikingly picturesque and impressive. In Old Palace Yard the progress of the fire f-xhibited a Tableau Vivant of not inferior interest. There, and in the adjacent avenues, the three regiments of guards, and some troops of horse were on duty, as well as strong bodies of the police, yet the united authority of all these could hardly restrain the unthinking crowd from rushing into the imme diate vicinity of the fire, «,nd thus impeding the exertions of those who were eagerly striving to arrest its progress. Whilst the range of building fronting the House of Lords was burning, the strong ghttering of the flames on Henry the Seventh's Chapel and the Abbey Church, on the adjacent buildings, and on the working parties, fire-engines, and sol diers in the open space below, formed a scene of great ani mation and beauty; nor could any consideration as to its melancholy cause, detract from the interest thus excited. It was not until between two and three o'clock on the foUow ing morning, that the fire was sufficiently subdued to remove apprehensions of further danger. On the ensuing day, the foUowing Report was made from the Office of Woods as to the extent of tlie injury arising from this disaster : 412 WESTMINSTER PALACE. " House of Peers. The House, Robing-rooms, Com mittee-rooms in the west front, and the rooms of the resi dent officers, as far as the octagon tower at the south end of the buUding, totally destroyed. " The Painted Chamber, totaUy destroyed. " The north end of the Royal Gallery, abutting on the Painted Chamber, destroyed from the door leading into the Painted Chamber, as far as the first compartment of co lumns, " The Library and the adjoining rooms, which are now undergoing alterations, as weU as the Parliament offices, and the offices of the Lord Great Chamberlain, together with the Coraraittee-rooms, Housekeeper's apartments, &c, in this part of the building, are saved, " House of Commons. The House, Libraries, Committee- rooms, Housekeeper's apartments, &c, are totaUy destroyed (excepting the Comraittee rooms, Nos, 1 1, 12, 13, and 14, which are capable of being repaired). " The Official residence of Mr. Ley, Clerk of the House ; this building is totaUy destroyed. " The Official residence of the Speaker. — The State Din ing-room, under the House of Commons, is much damaged, but capable of restoration. — ^AU the rooms from the Oriel window to the south side of the House of Commons, are destroyed. — Tlie Levee-rooms, and other parts of the build ing, together with the pubhc gaUeries, and part of the clois ters, very much damaged, " The Courts of Law. These buildings wiU require some restoration. The furniture generaUy of these buildings has sustained considerable damage.* * During the fire, much furniture and other property, together with numerous records, books, &c. from the Augmentation and other Offices, was removed into St. Margaret's Church, on the opposite side of the street. Many KING WILLIAM IV. —ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. 1834. 413 " Westminster Hall. No damage has been done to this building. " Furniture. The furniture, fixtures, and fittings to both the Houses of Lords and Commons, with the Committee- rooms belonging thereto, are with few exceptions destroyed. " The strictest inquiry is in progress as to the cause of this calamity ; but there is not the slightest reason to sup • pose that it has arisen from any other than accidental causes, " Office of Woods, I7th October 1834." In the course of the lengthened inquiry which took place before the Privy Council, no positive evidence transpired which could by any means justify the presumption that the fire was owing to criminal design ; although, in the first in stance, many vague suspicions were entertained that it had been caused by political incendiaries. * But abundant proof was obtained of gross carelessness and inattention on the part of some of the labourers employed by the Board of Works, to which the unfortunate accident may with the utmost probability be ascribed. It appears that orders had records were hastily thrown from the windows, and, iu consequence, consider able loss and damage occurred ; but generally speaking, the destruction of records and other valuable state papers, was much less than might have been apprehended. * Among the strange and improbable stories circulated in support of such a notion, was that of Mr. Cooper, a London tradesman engaged iu the iron trade, who having gone down to Dudley in Worcestershire, on the day in the evening of which the fire happened, had heard, as he aUeged, a report of the circum stance at Dudley (119 mUes from London) about three hours after the fire broke out. But from an examination of that gentleman and several other persons before the Privy Council, the most probable conclusion that can be drawn is, that he laboured under some strange misconception with respect to the time when the news in question first reached Dudley ; and that it was not actuaUy known in that town untU the Friday morning, when the inteUigence was com municated by means of an entry on the way-bill of a mail-coach. 414 WESTMINSTER PALACE. been issued, by the proper authorities, for destroying a quan tity of wooden tallies * belonging to the Exchequer, in con sequence of which the Clerk of the Works (Mr. Weobley) directed two men to burn a parcel of those dry sticks, amounting to about two cart-loads, in the furnaces, or stoves, connected with the flues which passed beneath the flooring, and gave warmth to the House of Lords. These men com menced their work at half past six o'clock on Thursday morning, and continued it until nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, when, having consumed the quantity of wood stated above, they quitted the premises. Notwithstanding the aUegations of these persons relative to the precautions they took to avoid danger, there cannot be a doubt but that they fed the stoves with the dry tallies in too rapid a manner, and so as to make the iron pipes and flues red hot. By this imprudence the interior of the House, which frora the pre vious heating must have been rendered as combustible as touchwood, became rapidly ignited as soon as the fire had once penetrated through the floor. The most gross negli gence was also displayed by the deputy-housekeeper (as may * These Tallies were notched sticks, used untU the month of October 1826, in keeping the pubUc accounts of the Treasury, Formerly, when money was paid into the Exchequer, and untU the old method was aboUshed by Act of Par liament in the above year, it was the practice to mark the sum on one side of a hazel or ashen wand, by cutting notches in it ; which, according to their size, direction, &c. were understood to denote so many thousands, hundreds, or sin gle pounds, and smaller indentations denoted shilUngs and pence. When one side of the square tally had been thus marked it was spUt or divided longitu,- dinally by the proper officer, so that both divisions retained precisely the same number and kind of notches : one portion was called the/oj7, and the other,, the counterfoil, the two together constituting a tally ,- though that term seems also to have been applied to either part separately. The last persons who were Tel lers (' Talliers ') of the Exchequer, were Lord GuUdford and Mr. Burgoyne, who surrendered their patent under the provisions of the Act aUuded to, of the year 1826. KING WILLIAM IV. PRESUMED ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. 1834. 415 be inferred from the examination before the Lords of the Council), in not acquainting the official authorities with the alarming manner in which the heat and fumes had pervaded the House during the whole day, and particularly when the thermometer kept there was noticed to be as high as sixty degrees.* * Vide " Report of the Lords of the CouncU respecting the Destruction by Fire of the Houses of ParUament."-- At about half past four o'clock, an almost suffocating heat near Black Rod's box,, where the flues came up, was noticed by two gentlemen who went to see the House of Lords, attended by Mrs. Wright ; and one of them gave evidence, that he felt the heat through his boots ; and that the smoke was so great he could neither see the throne from the bar, nor distinguish above a foot square of the tapestry, even when near to it. Idem. pp. 42, 43. Wm. Capon, del. N. Wliittoch, sc. ANCIENT CAPITAL. CHAPTER V. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OP THE ANCIENT PALACE, AND ITS APPENDANT BUILDINGS; INCLUDING ST. EDWARd's, OR THE PAINTED CHAMBER; ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL AND ITS CLOISTERS ; THE L-ATE HOUSES OF PARLIA MENT ; THE GREAT HALL; THE STAR CHAMBER, &C. &C. TOGETHER WITH ANNEXED EXPLANATORY RE FERENCES TO THE ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS. The Anglo-Saxon origin of the ancient Palace of West minster has been established by the facts recorded in the first Chapter of this Work ; and distinct notices also have GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE ANCIENT PALACE. 417 been given of the annexation of many new buildings to the original Palace by different monarchs, from the time of St. Edward the Confessor to that of King Richard the Second, From the lapse of ages, the devastations of fire, and still more, perhaps, from the numerous alterations made in suc ceeding reigns, to adapt those erections to the various pur poses of religion, business, and festivity, the style and cha racter of the original architecture has in most instances been defaced by subsequent works; and it has become very diffi cult to recognise the extent and primary features of the earlier buildings. An ample plot of ground was included in the immediate demesne of the Old Palace; this may be described as bounded on the east by the river Thames, on the north by the Woolstaple, now Bridge Street, on the west by the pre cincts of St. Margaret's Church and those of Westminster Ab bey, behind Abingdon Street, and on the south by the hne of the present College Street, where, in former times there ran a small stream, afterwards caUed the Great Ditch (now a sewer), on the outer side of the exterior waU of the Palace garden. Within this space there were anciently either two or three divisions, having distinct gateways and entrances. What appears to have been caUed, in old records, sometimes the Private Palace, and at others the Lesser Palace of the King, stood on the western side of the inclosed demesne, between the present Abingdon^ Street and the wall of the College Garden, but which, in Edward the Third's reign, formed the garden of the Abbey Infirmary.* It was proba- * Widmore states (" Hist, of Westminster Abbey," p. 231), from the ' Niger Quatemus,' preserved among the archives of the Dean and Chapter at West minster, that Edward the Third, in the 51st year of his reign, gave Ucence to the Abbot and Convent of Westminster to purchase lands, &c. to the yearly value of forty pounds, notwithstanding the statute of mortmain, " in consi 2 E- 418 WESTMINSTER PALACE. bly the destruction of the buildings of that Lesser Palace by fire, which occasioned the removal of Henry the Eighth to WhitehaU, as stated in the preceding chapter : of what de scription they were, or by whom erected, no particulars have been obtained. Not any doubt can be entertained but that aU the State Offices of the Old Palace, the Festive Halls, the Royal Chapel, and indeed all the principal apartments of our Sovereigns, were congregated on the eastern side of the Palace demesne, on the spot where we find so many and such important re mains ; * and which apparently is stiU destined to become the site of a Parliamentary Edifice of a far superior architec tural character to any that has ever yet been erected there. Reverting to the more ancient buildings, we may state that St. Edward's, or the Painted Ch-^vmber, was one of the apartments of the Old Palace which owed its origin to the pious Prince whose name it has borne for centuries ; but which, after it had been enlarged and newly adorned by Henry the Tliird, occasionally assumed another appeUation, de rived from the quality and profuseness of its embeUishments. Before the late fire, this apartment had two floors (one of which was tesselated and the other boarded) supported on vast joists of chesnut timber, which were propped up by middle walls, purposely erected to sustain them. Its deration of a great part of a certain Tower in the corner of the Private Palace towards the south," — et haec licentia concessa est pro magna parte cujusdam Thirris in angulo Palatii Privati versus austrum.' — This Tower is yet standing, and is now called the Parliament Office, from its appropriation to the keeping of State Records. It is of a square form, with an octagonal staircase turret annexed ; and is probably of the age of WilUam Rufus. After it came into the possession of King Edward III., it was designated The Jewel Houses in Henry the Eighth's reign it was used as a Royal Wardrobe. See MS. Bibl. HarL No. 1419. * Vide " Ground Plan," Plate ii. DESCRIPTION OF THE PAINTED CHAMBER. 419 length was eighty feet six inches, its width twenty-six feet, and its height from the upper floor thirty-one feet ; the ceil ing, which was curiously designed, was of Henry the Third's time, and embeUished with gilded and painted tracery, in cluding small wainscot paterae variously ornamented. Among the paintings on the walls and window jambs, and which had been entirely forgotten until the removal of some old tapes try in 1 800, were representations of the battles of the Mac cabees ; the Seven Brethren ; St. John, habited as a PU- grim, presenting a ring to King Edward the Confessor ; the canonization of King Edward, with seraphim, &c. ; and numerous black-letter inscriptions, chiefly of texts from Scripture.* * These paintings are noticed in the Manuscript Itinerary of Simon Simeon, and Hugo the lUuminator, in the year 1322 ; which is now preserved in the Li brary of Bene't CoUege, Cambridge. Those persons were Franciscan friars, who came from Ireland, and journeyed through London on their way to Jerusalem. After sUghtly noticing the Monastery at Westminster, they say, with some exaggeration (in Latin) — ' and to the same monastery is almost immediately joined that most famous Palace of the King, in which is that weU-known Cham ber, on whose walls all the Histories of the Wars of the whole Bible are painted beyond description, — ineffabiliter depictce — with most complete and perfect inscriptions iu French, to the admiration of the beholders, and with the greatest regal magnificence.' — Engraved representations of some particular remains of these embeUishments (the drawings for which were exhibited in the meeting-room of the Society of Antiquaries, in the beginning of 1835), coloured, &c. Uke the originals, wiU shortly be pubUshed. Among the records in the office of the King's Remembrancer of the Exche quer, is a RoU of the 20th year of Edward the First (anno 1292) headed, "p'ma op'ac'o picture," or first work of Painting, which contains an account of the disbursements made by Master Walter, the Painter, for the emendation of the pictures in the King's Great Chamber, as the Painted Chamber was then called. White lead at 2rf. per lb. is mentioned ; three quarts of oil at 9d. ; a measure of green ' viridi,' (verdegris) at l^d. ; another of vermUlion at 2id. ; sinople 2id. ; varnish, 1 lb. at id. ; ochre, plaster, thread, and skin '2d. ; and tools 3Jrf. ; the total expense for materials was 3*. — The wages of Master 2 E 2 MO WESTMINSTER PALACE. Formerly, the walls of this Chamber, to above half their height, were hung with some very curious old tapestry, chiefly representing the Siege of Troy, but this was taken down in the year 1 800 ; * it had been probably suspended here in the time of Charles the Second. Previously to the late conflagration, the Painted Chamber was used as the place of conference between the Lords and the Commons ; but since that event, it has been conveniently fitted up by Sir Robert Smirke as a temporary House of Lords, on which occasion it was found necessary to heighten the walls by about one third; the apartment was then covered by a boarded ceiling and a slated roof. Its internal appearance, during the first Sessions held here in 1835, is shewn in the accompanying view, Plate xxxviii. ; but considerable altera tions have since been made. In this room, in former times, the opening of new Parhaments took place ; and the War rant for the execution of Charles the First was signed in it by his judges. Extending nearly at a right angle from the east end of the above apartment was the Old House op Lords (the an cient Parliament Chamber), which there is reason to believe had been rebuilt by King Henry the Second, on the old Walter, for seven days at 12d. per day was 7s. ; of Alex, de Wyndsorand Rich. de Bridiz his assistants, for five days each, at 6d. a day, was 5s. ; and of Rich. de Stokwell, 6d. for one day. — In this record, therefore, which has never been previously cited, we have another proof of the very early practice of oU colour ing in this country. It is a curious fact, that the Roll itself commences with the same date as that which begins the account of the foundation of St. Ste- phen's Chapel, viz. April the 28th, 20th of Edw. I. * Sandford, in his " Coronation of James II." thus enumerates these tapestries, viz. " Five pieces of the Siege of Troy, and one piece of Gardens and Fountains." After their removal in 1800, these hangings were thrown into a low closet or cellar, where they remained some years. About 1820, they were sold to the late Charles Yarnold, Esq. of Great St. Helen's, for £\0. OLD HOUSE OF LORDS AND PRINCe's CHAMBER. 421 foundations of Edward the Confessor's reign. On the splay jambs of the windows numerous figures were painted, one of which was a representation of the first-named monarch in his robes.* The walls of this building were nearly seven feet in thickness ; and the vaults below, which bore the appellation of Guy Fatvkes's cellar, were of a very strong and massive character. Piers of brick-work (possibly of Charles the Second's time), had been raised to strengthen the ceiling, and sustain the weight of the Parliament floor above ; toge ther with strong rafters of oak, supported by twelve octa gonal posts of the same material, standing on stone plinths. This buUding, as abeady stated, was puUed down about the year 1823, prior to the erection of the Royal GaUery. It was then ascertained, that the Vaults had been the ancient Kitchen of the Old Palace ; and near the south end, the ori ginal buttery hatch was discovered, together with an adjoin ing ambry, or cupboard. The Prince's Chamber, or Old Robing Room, (which was demolished with the above) adjoined to the south side of the Old House of Lords. Its foundations appeared to have been of the Confessor's time ; but the superstructure, from the style of its lancet windows, &c. was generaUy assigned to the reign of Henry the Third. Single figures were painted on the jambs of the windows, and round the upper part of the Chamber had been oil paintings of angels, holding crowns. Several capitals (whence groinings sprung) were also found, which had been richly gilt and painted (blue and red) in oil colours; two of them, exhibiting the busts of * A curious drawing of this figure, taken by the late Mr. Capon on its re-discovery in 1823, (shortly before the building was pulled down) is now in the possession of John Bowyer Nichols, Esq. Two very careful drawings, by the same accurate topographical artist, of the vaults called Guy Fawkes's ceUar, (with other sketches, &c. of the old Palace) are also in the possession of Mr. Nichols. 4*^2 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Edward the First, and Eleanor his Queen, were carved in Riegate stone, and coloured to resemble life : the hair and crowns were gilt.* It was from the vaults under this apart ment that the Gunpowder conspirators obtained their easy access to those beneath the Old House of Lords, where they stored up their ammunition. Over the door-way between the vaults was a curiously-formed impost, carrying a segment arch, and at some height above that was a semi-circular arch, but the intervening space was filled up sohd. The Old Court of Requests, which was recently the House of Lords, and since the fire has been fitted up as a temporary House of Commons, is of majestic size : its entire length from north to south being 120 feet, its breadth 38 feet, and its height proportionate. It obtained the above appeUa tion in consequence of the sittings held there by the Masters of Requests ; officers who were authorized to receive Peti tions of the subjects for justice, or favour, from the King.f This building is of very ancient foundation, and if not the original Great HaU of the Confessor's Palace, as was sup posed by the late Mr. Capon,I it must have been erected in a very early period of the Norman dynasty. This may be decidedly inferred from the bold zigzag ornamental mouldings which surrounded the three windows at the south end, and are represented in Plate v., as they appeared immediately after the fire. The apartment in which the Lords assembled did not occupy the whole of the interior, some part of the "¦ The bust of Edward I., with its rich architectural accompaniments, is shewn in the vignette to Chapter II. (p. 77), which was executed from a drawing by the late Mr. Capon. t For an account of the constitution of the Court of Requests, see Strype's Stow, vol. U. p. 630, edit. 1755. X Vide his Plan of the Ancient Palace of Westminster in " Vetusta Monu- menta," vol. v. COURT OF REQUESTS AND ST. STEPHEn's CHAPEL. 423 northern portion having been formed into a lobby, commu nicating with that of the House of Commons. Independ ently of the new Throne which had been made for George the Fourth, and was a splendid ornament, this room was adorned with the very interesting Tapestry hangings which represented the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and had been inclosed in large frames of brown stained wood.* The interior of this buUding, as newly fitted up for the use of the House of Coramons, is represented in Plate xxxix. This edifice is supposed to have been the original White hall of the old Palace ; although Stow expressly applies that name to the "great Chamber" in which the Court of Wards and Liveries was formerly held, and the site of which was recently occupied by the Committee-rooms, &c. marked I. J. J. in the Ground plan, Plate ii. It immediately ad joined to the south end of Westminster HaU.f St. Stephen's Chapel, which is reputed to have been founded by King Stephen, was unquestionably rebuilt by Ed ward the First ; as the numerous RoUs relating to it, which are stiU extant in the office of the King's Remembrancer, abund antly prove. Divers particulars frora those records have been given in the second Chapter of the present volume ; but we shall here insert sorae additional information from another * This Tapestry, which was whoUy destroyed by the fire, was of Dutch work manship, it having been woven, according to Sandrart, by Francis Spiering, from the designs of Henry Cornelius Vroom, a painter of eminence at Haer- lem, in HoUand. It had been bespoken by Lord Howard of Effingham, the Lord High Admiral of the EngUsh Fleet which engaged the Armada, and was sold by him to James the First. It consisted, originaUy, of ten compartments, forming separate pictures, each of which was surrounded by a wrought border, including the portraits of the officers who held commands in the EngUsh Fleet. Fortunately, engravings from these hangings were made by Mr. John Pine, and pubUshed in 1739, with Ulustrations from charters, medals, &c. The White Chamber is mentioned in a record of the 41st of Edward III. t See Strype's Stow's " London," vol. ii p. 630, edit. 1755. 424 WESTMINSTER PALACE. RoU of the same reign, of which we have obtained a copy since that portion of our work was pubhshed. This RoU is of great interest, as it distinctly relates to the laying the foundation of the Chapel in 1292, and is the first RoU of a series relating to the work, which had been ori ginally numbered from 1 to 118, but many of which have been lost. It commences thus, " P'mus. In honore del fee Marie virg et fee Steph Incip." &c.* ' First, In honour of God, of St. Mary the Virgin, and of St. Stephen, commences the Roll of Expenses and Disbursements made relative to the foundation of the King's Chapel in the Palace at Westmins ter, by the hands of Master Michael, of Canterbury, mason ; namely, from Monday next after the feast of St. Mark the Evangehst, AprU 28, in the 20th year of the reign of King Edward, the son of King Henry.' The two first entries record the purchase of two ship loads of chalk, ' bought for the foundation of the said Chapel by the said Master Michael and John le Conuers,' at 2s, per load. The next items are, for 4 cwt. of burnt lime, at 3s. per cwt. ; two loads of ashes at Is. 3c?. ; one barge load of foreign stone 6s. 6d.; a barge load of sand at 6d.; and 100 cart loads at ^d. per load. Then follows a payment to John de Ercehng of £4. 6s. 8d. for a ship load of Boulogne stone; three loads of sand, 'bought for mortar,' at 6d. -per load; a ship load of Boulogne stone, bought of Bonectus de Bo nonia, at £4. 13s. 4d. ; and two cwt. of burnt hme at 6s. bought of Roger de Grenehuth [Green-hythe?]. Several of the ensuing items relate to the purchase of timber, &c. to make a lodge or shed ' for Master Michael and his masons ;' and 6s. was expended for iron and the mak ing of six pick-axes at 12d. each, ' to break stones for the * The indorsement is, " Primus Rotulus," &c. — The ' First RoU of Works first executed for the Chapel of St. Stephen in the Palace at Westminster.' FOUNDATION ROLL OF ST. STEPHEN S CHAPEL. 425 walls.' The total charge for articles purchased during the week, amounted to £13. 4s. bd.; and forty shiUings was paid for wages. Two carpenters, named Robert le Hackre and Alan de Clutisdale, were paid bd. a. day wages ; and forty-seven persons had from 2^d. to 3d. a-day (chiefly the lower sum) ' for working at the foundations of the Chapel, making mor tar, and various other operations.' It is evident from the above account, that this edifice was raised on a concrete basis, and how judiciously and substan tially that was made is demonstrated by the excellent state of preservation in which the Crypt, or under chapel, still remains; notwithstanding the ravages of the two disastrous fires which, at different times, have destroyed the superstructure. The bold simplicity of that chapel, as well as its general cor respondence with other buildings of the age, leave no doubt on the mind of the architectural antiquary, of its having been executed in the time of our first Edward.* Whether the rebuUding of the Upper Chapel (after its destruction in the "vehement fire" of 1298), was com menced by that monarch, or by his immediate successor, has not been ascertained; but that the work had been exten sively proceeded with in the reign of Edward the Second, is evident from the account Rolls of John de Norton and Wil- * The foUowing account RoU relating to the fabrication of a Banner of St. Edward, for the King's Chapel, in the21st year of Edward I., has been copied from the original. ' Rotulus de Emptionibus ad opera Capellse Regis apud Westminst. in Septimana in qua fuit festum S. Petri ad Vincula : An. R. xxi. ' Custus Binneru. ' Magistro Roberto Aur' [Goldsmith ?] et socio suo, ad fabricandum Bannerii S. Edwardi: a postremo die mensis Junii usque ad festum S. Petri ad Vincula, per 48 dies operabiles, cap. pro se et socio suo, per singulos dies 12d. — 48s. ' Eidem, pro Vino ad deaurandum, 6d. ' In 3 Florenis Aureis empt. 8s. - . 'In Argento vivo, ad id. 222(f. 426 WESTMINSTER PALACE. liam de ChayUowe, of which abstracts have been given in a preceding Chapter.* In another account RoU of the 19th of Edward II., (anno 1325 or 1326,) of payments made by Robert de PippeshuU, ComptroUer, are stated the weekly expenses for felling tim ber in the forest of Tonbridge, for the 'King's Chapel at Westminster, and the King's Chamber in the Tower of Lon don.' In the 1st week, commencing on Monday October the 21st, John Atte Lake, carpenter, was employed at the above labour at the wages of bid. a day ; and seven other carpenters at bd. a day; and Robert Rowe, mariner, was paid 6s. 8d. for the freight, in one barge, of forty pieces of timber, and carriage of the same from " Nwehuth " to Westminster. Additional carpenters were employed in the following week, at similar wages, and their work was conti nued for some time. After the deposition of Edward the Second, the operations appear to have been discontinued until the spring of 1330, at which time they were recommenced by Edward the Third ; and they were afterwards progressively carried on until the final completion of the internal decorations of the Chapel, about the year 1363 or 1364.f That the architec tural works, however, had been finished several years pre viously, is evident from the letters patent, or royal charter, by which St. Stephen's was constituted a Collegiate establish ment, and which bears date on the 6th of August in the 22d vear (anno 1348) of King Edward the Third. * Vide ante, pp. 120-127. + The letters patent of Edward III., addressed to the Sheriffs, Mayors, &c. stating, that ' he had assigned WiUiam de Walsyngham to impress as many Painters in the City of London as would be sufficient for the King's operations in St. Stephen's Chapel,' were dated at Westminster on June the 4th, 37th of Edw. III., (vide Patent RoU of that year, part i. m. 10), and is therefore cor respondent to 1363. For numerous interesting particulars relating to the pro gress of the building, from divers records, see before from p. 147 to 186. ENDOWMENTS MADE TO ST. STEPHEN S COLLEGE. 427 This instrument states, that the King, at his own ex pense, had caused to be perfected, " nostris sumptibus regiis fecimus consumraari," within the Palace of Westminster, an elegant Chapel which had been nobly commenced by his progenitors in honour of the blessed Stephen the Proto- martyr; and that for the honour of Almighty God, of the blessed Virgin, and of the said martyr, he ordained and con stituted it coUegiate, for an establishment of a Dean, twelve se cular Canons, and the same number of Vicars, with other requi site ministers, to celebrate rehgious services for the benefit of the King, and of his progenitors and successors for ever ; that he endowed the Dean and Canons with his great ' hospicium' — ^house, or hostel, in Lombard Street, within the City of Lon don ; with the patronage and advowsons of the Churches of Dewsbury and Wakefield, in the county of York ; and also with so much money out of his treasury, as, together with the profits frora the house and churches, would amount to the sum of £500 a year, until he should provide them with lands or revenue to that annual amount.* Repeated additions were made to the original endowments of this estabhshment by the sarae monarch, who has been generaUy regarded (from that cause possibly) as the royal founder of this Chapel; although, as his own charter testi fies, it had been 'nobly commenced' by his predecessors. The vast sums, however, which he must have lavished on the architectural and decorative works of this once pre-emi nently splendid edifice, as weU as the great value of his grants to the CoUege, would seem fuUy to justify the honour so attributed to this generous Prince. Among his other valuable gifts to the Dean and Canons, he granted to them on the 1st of January 1353, 'a plot of ground below his * Carta Reg. Edw. III. de Fundatione.— Dugdale's "Monasticon," vol. vi. p. 1350. 428 WESTMINSTER PALACE. Palace towards the north, extending in length between the waUs of St. Stephen's Chapel, and the ' Recepte,' or Cham ber of Receipts of his Exchequer ; and in breadth, from the waU of the Great HaU at Westminster to the Thames, wherein to buUd a Cloister and other houses necessary for the said Chapel, &c. he also exempted them from the pay ment of aU taxes, and gave them the right of free ingress and egress through the Great HaU all the day time,'* Divers other grants were made by Edward the Third to this Chapel ; and among them, in May 1358, was that of the King's Tower at ' Bokelesbury,' called Seutes-tour ; and in =* Carta R. Edw. III. de ampUore Dotatione Capellse.— Dugdale's " Monas ticon," vol. vi. p. 1351. — ^The munificence displayed by Edward the Third in his benefactions to the Dean and Brethren of the Royal Chapel of St. Stephen, appears to have excited strong feelings of displeasure in the minds of the Ab bots of Westminster ; and whUe Nicholas LitUngton held that office in the lat ter part of King Edward's reign, those feelings became manifested by an attempt on the part of the Abbot to assert his superiority over the collegiate estabUshment. In July 1377, WilUam de Colchester, afterwards Abbot of West minster, was appointed by the convent to prosecute their claim, which was founded on their asserted right of supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the entire parish of St. Margaret, in which St. Stephen's Chapel was considered to be situated. The cause was transferred to the Court of Rome, and a decision was obtained in favour of the Abbot, purporting that St. Stephen's was, equally with all other chapels within the parish of St. Margaret, subject to his jurisdic tion. Nicholas Slake was then connected with the Royal Chapel, and as he was in great favour with the King and the Courtiers generally, it may be readily supposed that he would be strongly supported in refusing to yield obedience to the Pope's determination of the cause against his brethren. Hence the suit was protracted, neither party choosing to give way ; and it was not until 1394 that a compromise was effected, through the interposition of the then King Richard the Second, and other persons of importance iu the State. By the composition thus entered into it was agreed, that the Chapel of St. Stephen, the Chapel of St. Mary under it, a Uttle Chapel on the south side, then used as a Chapter house, and the Chapel de la Pewe, should be exempt both from the parish and the abbey ; but the right to institute and install the Deans there was reserved to the Abbot. Vide Widmore's " History of Westminster Abbey," p. 103, 104. ESTABLISHMENT BELONGING TO ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 429 October 1369, of an Hospicium, or House, called Le Reole, in the City of London, together with their respective appur tenances. Phihppa, his Queen, was hkewise a benefactress to this foundation ; and Richard the Second completed the fuU endowment of the CoUege, by investing it with various manors in Kent, as directed by his grandfather in his wiU.* — In a record in the PeU Office of the 9th of Richard the Second, the foUowing curious entry occurs: 'To the Boy Bishop in the King's Free Chapel within the Palace at Westminster, of the King's alms, 20s.' From the Deed of Compromise mentioned in a previous note, effected between the members of St. Stephen's CoUege and the Abbot of Westminster in August 1394, we learn that the Collegiate buUdings were then occupied by thirty-eight persons, ' serving God in the Chapel of St. Stephen,' namely, a Dean, twelve Canons secular, thirteen Vicars, four Clerks, six Choristers, and two Servitors, a Verger, and a Keeper of the Chapel de la Pewe. It also notices a small Chapel, con tiguous to the Chapel of St. Stephen on the south, then being used as a Chapter House ; and states, that a Cloister and Chapter House were intended to be erected anew on a * stow says, (" London," Strype's edit. 1755, p. 632) that Edward the Third also built for the use of his Chapel, " at some distance west in the Little Sanctuary, a strong Clochard of stone covered with lead, and placed therein three great beUs, since usually rung at coronations, triumphs, funerals of princes, and their obits: " of those beUs he adds, "men fabled that their ringing sowred all the drink in the town." The clochard or tower, here men tioned, and which stood near the spot now occupied by the new Guildhall of Westminster, was, however, of much earlier date than the above reign, and was the belfry of the Abbey Church, as may be ascertained from Widmore's " Hist. of West. Abbey," p. 11 ; and Dr. Stukeley's communication to the " Archse- logia, vol. i. p. 39. — Edward's beU-tower was the massive building adjoining to the Great Hall, on the east side, in the Speaker's court, and the walls of which were heightened in the 18th year of Richard the Second, when the HaU itself 430 WESTJIINSTER PALACE. plot of ground lying between St, Stephen's Chapel and the Receipt Offices of the Exchequer, 280 feet IO5 inches in length, and 95^ feet and 2 inches in breadth. Prior to the suppression of this with other free Chapels, by a statute of the 1st Edward VI,, (anno 1547) the Cloisters had been rebuilt by Dr. John Chambers (Physician to Henry the Eighth), who had been promoted to the Deanery in 1526 ; and was the last person who held that office.* Stow in- was undergoing a similar elevation. See Smith's " Antiquities of Westminster," pp. 89-92 ; and 206. Numerous benefactions were made to the Dean and Canons of St. Stephen's CoUege in subsequent times, full particulars of which have been given by Mr. Hawkins in the same work, pp. 100-125. * The foUowing List of the Deans of St. Stephen's Chapel has been drawn up from the most vaUd authorities, but as our present Umits wiU not admit of the annexation of the latter, we insert the names only : Thomas Cross, the first Dean, was appointed August 20, 1348. Michael de Northburgh, or Northbrook, app. Feb. 25, 1351. Thomas de Keynes, or Kaynes, app. Nov. 26, 1355. Thomas Rowse, or Rous, app. June 20, 1367. WUliam de Sleford, app. May 17, 1369. Thomas Lyntou was Dean Aug. 4, 1377, as appears from a mandate (printed in the "Foedera)" from Rich. II., of that date. WUliam de Sleford appears to have been restored to his office, unless there was a second Dean so caUed, as that name is attached (as Dean of St. Stephen's) to two deeds respectively dated in 1383 and 1394. Nicholas Slake, or Selake, was Dean in 1399. Richard Prentys, appointed, probably, in 1403. Nicholas Slake was re-appointed, and held the office in 1410 and 1411. Edmund Lacy was Dean in 1414. John Prentys is mentioned as Dean in several deeds respectively bearing date from 1418 to 1443. WilUam Walesby was Dean iu 1452. Robert Kyrkeham was Dean about 1460. John Alcock app. Aug. 29, 1461, and made Bishop of Rochester in 1471. Peter Courtenay was Dean in 1473, and became Bishop of Exeter in 1478. Henry Sharp occurs as Dean in November 1478. WilUam Smyth was Dean before 1492, in which year he was promoted to the See of Lichfield and Coventry. CLOISTERS OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. 4^3 I forms us, that these Cloisters, of " curious workmanship," were erected at "the charges of 11,000 marks." From discoveries recently made, there can be little doubt but that a portion of the more ancient Cloisters of Richard the Second's time was adapted to, and incorporated in, the new work of Dr. Chambers. The Cloisters first built, about 1356, were on the south side of the Chapel, on the spot recently called Cotton Garden.* The annual revenues of St. Stephen's CoUege, at the time of its suppression, were valued at £1085. 10s. 5<^.f On the 22d of July, in the fourth of Edward the Sixth, (anno 1550) a charter was granted by that sovereign to Sir Ralph Fane, Knt. bestowing on him the site and buUdings of the dissolved CoUege of St. Stephen for his services at Musselburgh in the expedition against the Scots, and for the ransom of the Earl of Huntley, whom he had taken pri soner, and surrendered to the King. It recites, that with Edmund Martyne was Dean in 1498. John Forster held the office in 1509. John Chambre, or Chambers, the last Dean, was appointed iu 1526. In the list of Deans given by Mr. Hawkins (vide " Antiquities of West minster ") all the above names are inserted except that of Thomas Lynton > but he includes those of John Boor, Richard Kyngeston, Robert StiUington, (who was Keeper of the Privy Seal in 1461) , WilUam Dudley, WilUam At- water, Thomas Hobbes, and John Vecy, or Voysey. Those persons, however, although styled Deans of the King's Chapel, do not appear to have been Deans of St. Stephen's, but of some other Royal Chapel. * Sir Robert Cotton had a house (and garden) abutting against the Painted Chamber ; and it was there that his invaluable coUection of MSS., now in the British Museum, was originaUy stored. •f Dugdale's " Monasticon," vol. vi. p. 1349. According to Browne WUUs (vide " Hist of Abbies," vol. ii. p. 135) independently of annuity charges amounting to £39, there was paid in pensions in 1553, out of the revenues of the late CoUege of St. Stephen to its former prebendaries, canons, vicars, &c. divers sums forming an aggregate of jf201. Os. lOrf. yearly. 432 WESTMINSTER PALACE. the advice of his Council, the King had given to Sir R. Fane aU the buildings and site of the recently-dissolved CoUege or Free Chapel of St. Stephen at Westminster, with aU the tenements, chambers, gardens, orchards, lands, heredita ments, &c. within the following limits : namely, aU that tract or parcel of land which was bounded by Westminster Bridge towards the north; the river Thames to the east, the Queen's Bridge to the south, the house called " the Lords' Parlia ment House " towards the south-west ; the WhitehaU and the buildings called the Court of Augmentation of the Re venues of the Crown, and Westminster HaU, towards the west; and the Receipt of the Exchequer to the north. And the grant also includes the whole entrance — " le entrd " to the said College, together with a bridge adjacent lying under the " gaUary " leading to the Star-chamber, together with all the houses, lands, hereditaments, &c. on either side of the said entrance, situated between the Palace of Westminster on the north, the Receipt of the Exchequer on the west, and the river Thames on the east, reserving only ' the upper part of the Church or Chapel of the said College (above the vault or Lower Chapel), which the King had already given and assigned for the House of Parliament, and in which Parliaments were to be held.' The premises were to be held in free soccage as of the royal manor of East Greenwich.* * See " Additional MSS." in the British Museum, No. 6176, fol. 22, copied from the original deed in the Augmentation Office. From a memorandum an nexed, it appears that the property thus granted, was valued at .£13. &s. Sd. per annum on the 10th of April 1552. It had been then re-granted to Sir John Gate, or Gates, K.G. and his heirs. In the reign of Elizabeth, it reverted to the Crown, and her Majesty appropriated the premises for the residence of the Auditor and Tellers of the Exchequer. In the Augmentation Office is an account Roll of ' the Collector of the Rents of aU Chantries, Free Chapels, &c. in the county of Middlesex, which had come into the possession of the crown by an Act passed in the first year of the PT. Stephen's chapel, interior. 433 All recollection of the original sumptuous decorations of this Chapel, had been lost from the era of its appropriation to the sittings of the House of Commons, until it became necessary to enlarge the interior in 1800, in consequence of the Union with Ireland. It was then discovered that all the internal walls had been gorgeously enriched with paint ing, gUding, and sculpture ; that the elegant tracery of the windows had been highly adorned with stained and painted glass; and, in fact, that every portion of the interior had been most splendidly embeUished, Among the paintings on the waUs were represented, in numerous compartments, the Histories of Jonah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Job, Tobit, Ju dith, Susanna, and of BeU and the Dragon ; the Ascension of Christ, and the Miracles and Martyrdom of the Apos- reign of Edward the Sixth. It contains a specification of the annual rents of a considerable number of tenements, or houses, gardens, &c. (together with the names of the tenants), which had belonged to ' the College of St. Stephen in the City of Westminster.' The highest rent which occurs for a single tene ment was £T. 3s. id. ; another was held at £S ; and two others at 100s. each. The others were let at various rents downward from that sum, to the smaU amounts of 16s. %d. and 3s. 4d. Altogether about ninety tenements are noticed, and the total rental is stated at the sum of i£72. 14s. \d. annuaUy. One tenement, caUed " the Cheker," was held by John TwaUowe at the rent of 100s. ; and divers tenements and rooms in " Cheker Aley " were held separately by eleven persons, at rents decreasing from 10s. to 3s. 4d. A tene ment in " Kyngesstreete," was rented at 54s. ; divers others in " saynte Ste vens Aley," were rented, separately, by nine persons, viz. one at 54s. 4d. and eight at 16s. 8d. each ; a tenement in " Longe Staple " was let at 56s. Sd. ; another caUed " the Bull " was held at 20s. ; a certain house caUed " a Dove- howse " was rented at 6s. Sd. ; a tenement opposite " the Palace of Westmins ter " at 33s. 4d. ; and a tenement caUed "the Clockehowse" in the tenure aud occupation of Minione Palmer, widow, was rented at £6. There was also a fee farm rent, paid from the City of London (by the Sheriffs) of 60s. lOd. per annum. — The above are aU the entries in the account which specify anything as to the situation or description of the houses. 2 F 434 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ties. In the illuminations of the windows were exhibited the stories of Adam and Eve, of Noah and his Family, of Abraham, Joseph, and the Israelites, and of the life of our Saviour from his baptism to his death and crucifixion. Many single figures of angels and of armed knights, to gether with the figures of Edward the Third and his family, and numerous heraldic shields of his nobility, were com prised also among the decorations of this superb and costly edifice,* The jewels, vestments, hangings, and other fur niture of the Chapel, all corresponded in richness to its other embellishments. Near St, Stephen's Chapel, and, most probably, on the south side, but the precise spot has not been ascertained, was the smaU Chapel of St. Mary de la Pewe, or Our Lady of the Pew, of which frequent mention is made in records relating to the Old Palace. It was in this Chapel that Richard the Second made his offerings to the Virgin, pre viously to meeting the insurgents under Wat Tyler in Smithfield, in 1381 ; and many rich gifts were accustomed * For more minute details of the architecture and decorations of this Chapel the reader wiU refer to the " Plans, Elevations, and Sections of St. Stephen's Chapel," pubUshed by the Society of Antiquaries in 1795, from the drawings and measurements of the late Mr. John Carter ; and the " Additional Plates," of the same Society, pubUshed in AprU 1807, from the delineations of Mr. Richard Smirke ; — to Smith's " Antiquities of Westminster," which particu larly relates to St. Stephen's Chapel, pubUshed in June 1807 ;— to Mr. Carter's " Ancient Architecture of England," vol. u. 1811 ; "—and to Mr.^Adam Lee's " Description" of his " Cosmoramic Views" of this Palace and Chapel, which were pubUcly exhibited about the year 1831. Of the pictures and statues within the Chapel, Mr. Smith gives the foUowing summary : " Forty- six painted figures of angels, five feet high ; twenty youths about three feet high, painted on the same level with the angels ; thirty-two knights painted also, exclusive of those at the west end ; twenty youths, similar to those by the angels, painted on the same level as the knights ; twelve statues of stone, at least six feet high, on brackets or piers round the Chapel." CHAPP.L DE LA PEWE WEST.MINSTER H.4LL. 43.5 to be made at the altar of Our Lady in this httle edifice. * In January 1411, the sum of five shiUings was appro priated by deed under a bequest of John Ware, late a canon of St. Stephen's, to maintain a daily hght in a sUver lamp, before the image of " St. Mary the Virgin in Pewa.' In another deed, dated in 1443, it is styled the Oratory, caUed Le Pewe, belonging to the CoUege or Chapel of St, Stephen. Stow says, that on the 14th of February 1452, " by negligence of a scholar appointed to put forth the lights of this Chapel, the Image of Our Lady, richly decked with jewels, precious stones, pearls, and rings, more than any jeweUer could judge the price (for so saith my author, John Pigot) was, with aU this apparel, ornaments, and Chapel itself, burnt ; but since again re-edified by Anthony, Earl Rivers."f That nobleman by his wiU, dated in June 1483, bequeathed his heart to be buried in this Chapel ; but his decapitation at Pontefract in the same year, and the conse quent troubles of his family, prevented his wishes being accomphshed. At what time the Chapel was finally de stroyed does not appear, Westminster Hall. — OriginaUy buUt by King WiUiam Rufus, strengthened and enlarged by Richard the Second, new fronted and repaired early in the reign of George the Fourth, and internally renovated, in respect to its stone work, within the last two years, this magnificent struc ture forms one of the most imposing objects in the British Metropohs; and whether considered in respect to its na tional associations, or to the skill and science displayed in * From the frequent attestation of miracles, reported to have been wrought here, the Chapel became a place of great devotion ; and many indulgences were granted to those worshipping our Lady at this altar. t Vide Strype's Stow's " London," vol. ii. p. 633, edit. 1755. 2f 2 436 WESTMINSTER PALACE. its construction, it is alike interesting to the historian, the architect, and the antiquary. From the time of its erection by Rufus, between the years 1097 and 1099, it does not appear that any extensive repara tions were made in the Great HaU prior to the reign of Richard the Second. That occasional repairs were effected there can be no doubt, as such are mentioned in the records already quoted of Edward the Second's time ; * — and in the introduction to the recently-published " Issue RoU " of Thomas de Brantingham, it is stated (p, xxxii), that among the ancient documents in the PeU Office, there are accounts of payments being made in the 1st year of Edward the First " To Stephen, the King's Painter, for ' whitewashing and decorating the King's Great Hall at Westminster; ' and to Rich, Wolward, Keeper of the King's House at West minster, 1 mark to repair the King's Vineyard there,' f * In a Wardrobe account of the 11th year (anno 1317) of Edward the Se cond, (extracts from which were read before the Society of Antiquaries in the spring of 1835), the following items occur, viz. ' To Gilbert de Wyustou, for a great wooden table bought by him for the King's table in the Great Hall of the Palace of Westminster, in the month of December in this year, £\. 13s. 4d. ' To Thomas de Stebenhith [Stepney] , mercer, of London, for a great hang ing — ¦ dorsorium ' — of wool, wrought with figures of the King and Earls upon it, bought of him for the King's service, in his Hall, on solemn festivals in December, £30. ' To Thomas de Berlay, for money paid by him for making and sewing of a border of green cloth round the said hanging, for saving the same from being damaged in fixing it up, Westminster, 5th of January, 6s. 3d.\ — and mem. that the said hanging was delivered to Dom' Ralph de Stok, to keep in his cus tody, on the same day.' t In his third year, Edward the First directed his treasurer to ' pay to Mas ter Robert de Beverley, Keeper of our Works at Westminster and the Tower, .£1100 for the works in our Church and Palace at Westminster, made therein ngainst the coronation, viz. for grey freestone, ;fi'24. 13s. 3J(?. ; for timber WESTMINSTER HALL, REBUILT BV RICHARD II. 437 The earliest authentic record known to be extant respecting the renovation of this edifice by Richard the Second, are the Letters Patent of that King, dated the 21st of January in the 17th of his reign (anno 1394), and addressed to John Godmerstone, clerk, appointing him 'to repair the Great HaU within the Palace of Westminster, to take masons, carpenters, and other workmen, and set them to the said repairs ; and also to take such stone as should be necessary for the work ; and to sell to the King's use the old materials of the HaU, together with a certain old bridge over the Thames, &c.* In the foUowing year, as appears from an indenture in old French (dated the 18th of March in the 18th of Richard II.) preserved in the PeU Office, Richard Wash- bourn and John Swalve (SwaUow), masons, were engaged to heighten the entire waUs of the HaU to the extent of two feet of assize, with Reigate ashlar, and Caen stones, ' Pere de Marre ' (sea-borne stone) where necessary, according to the purport of a form and model devised by Master Henry Zeneley, and deUvered to the said masons by Watkin Wal- boards, &c 108s, S^d. with stipends to the carpenters, pjunters, plasterers, stonemasons, and other workmen.' Vide " Issue RoU," of Thos. de Brant ingham, &c. Introduction, by Mr. Frederick Devon, p. xxxUi. * Vide " Rot. Patent. " in Turri, 17th Rich. II. part i. mem. 3. This record (which has been hitherto unquoted) proves the error of Stow in stating, that the Great HaU was "begun to be repaired in 1397," the work having been nearly three years in progress at that time. Richard the Second, he continues, " caused the waUs, windows, and roof to be taken down and new made, with a stately porch, and divers lodgings of a marveUous work, and with great costs, all which he levied on strangers banished or flying out of their countries, who obtained Ucense to remain in this land by the King's charters, which they pur chased with great sums of money — John BotereU being Clerk of the Works." Strype's Stow's " London," voL u. p. 627. Stow Tias mistaken also in saying, that ' the waUs were taken down,' which was not the fact, as they were cased over with new ashlar work. 438 WESTMINSTER PALACE don, his warden:* they were also properly to secure the upper course of the said work, " par lynel" (bats and cramp irons?); receiving payment foi^ their labour at the rate of I2d. per foot, hneal measure. They were hkewise to con struct, and securely fix inthe inner waUs, twenty-six 'souses' (under-props), or sustaining corbels, of Caen stone ; and to carve every corbel in conformity to a pattern shewn to them by the treasurer ; for each of these corbel supports, so wrought, and certain connecting facings of Reigate stone, they were to be paid 20s. Every necessary for the said works, namely, ' stone, hme, sand, scaffolding, engines,' &c. was to be suppUed at the King's expense (together with lodgings — herbergage' — fortheirfasons and their companions), except manual labour and ' the instruments [tools] used by the masons in their art.' A moiety of the work was to be completed by the ensuing feast of St. John the Baptist ; and the other moiety by Candlemas-day, (February the 2d) in the foUowing year.f There can be no doubt but that the twenty- six corbel '' souses ' (thirteen on each side) were intioduced for the better support of the immense timber-framed roof which surmounts and spans over the vast area of this building, and which forms one of the noblest examples of scientific construction in carpentry that exists in any part of the world, it having no pearing whatsoever, except at the extremities of the great ribs, which abut against the side waUs, and rest upon the above corbels. J It was requisite, however, that other con- * Henry Zeneley, or, as he is caUed in other records, Yeveley and Yevele, was one of the masons employed in 1395 to construct the tomb of Richard II. and Anne of Bohemia, his first consort, in the Abbey Church at Westminster. t See Rymer's " Foedera," tom. Ui. pars iv- p. 105, edit. 1740. t In a smaU tract descriptive of " Westminster HaU," pubUshed a few years ago by Mr. J. Rickman, that gentleman remarks, that " the difficulty of ex WESTMINSTER HALL, REBUILT BY RICHARD II, 4*89 trivances should be adopted to resist the weight and lateral thrust of the new roof; the original waUs of WiUiam Rufus, (which had been chiefly formed of rubble and grout-work) were therefore strengthened by an external casing of stone, one foot seven inches in thickness ; and divers arched or flying buttresses, viz. six on the western and three on the eastern side, of considerable height and sohdity, were also erected as abutments.* The northern front of the Great Hall, with its embattled flanking towers and magnificent porch, was an addition made to the original entrance by Richard the Second ; except, pos sibly, the upper part of the eastern tower, which appears not to have been finished until the succeeding reign. But the HaU itself was completed before Christmas 1398 ;f and that festival was kept within it, by the King, in a " most royal " manner, " with every day iustings and running at the tilt ; whereunto resorted such a number of people that there was every day spent xxvi or xxviii oxen, and three plaining in what manner such a span of roof could have been supported before the flying buttresses were erected, was done away [during the renovation of the north front about 1820] by the development of an ancient triple door-way at the northern entrance, indicating that the Hall was originally divided by piUars of wood or stone, so as to form a nave and side aisles in the manner of a large church." — We have no proof, however, of such piUars having ever stood there. * That no more than three arch buttresses were erected against the eastern wall, doubtless arose from there being previously, on that side, the massive belfry tower (already spoken of) and the old buUdings constituting the ' Re ceipt Offices ' of the Exchequer, which formed abutments sufficiently substan tial for the purpose of the Architect, whose profound and practical knowledge of geometry in the construction of the Hall roof is stiU the theme of such strong admiration among the professors of the art. t Stow says 1399; but it must he recollected that our annaUst, with some of the older chroniclers, commenced the year with the feast of the Nativity. King Richard was deposed in September 1399 ; and on the Christmas of that year he was a prisoner in Pontefract Castle. 4<40 WESTMINSTER PALACE. hundred sheep, besides fowle without number. Also the King caused a garmente for himself to be made of gold, siluer, and precious stones to the value of 3000 markes," Partial repairs of this edifice, accompanied by minor alter ations (as the opening a new door-way below the great win dow at the south end, in 1680,* &c.) were made in different reigns, prior to the restoration of the entrance front, (ex cept its regal statuary), with Bath stone in the years 1819-20. This work was very skilfully accomphshed under the direc tion of the late Mr, Thomas Gayfere, mason, who was like wise the chief artificer employed in the beautiful renovation of King Henry the Seventh's Chapel, between the years 1809 and 1822, When the new front was in progress, an additional tier of windows was inserted in the slope of the roof on each side of the HaU, and the lantern upon the roof was renewed and glazed.f * This door- way, which was originaUy made for the convenience of the Lords in proceeding into the HaU to attend the trial of Lord Viscount Stafford, was afterwards connected with the passage communicating vrith the staircase of the House of Commons. It is thus mentioned in the " State Trials," — " AU things being in readiness, and a large door-place broken through the upper end of Westminster HaU into that room which was heretofore the ' Court of Wards,' their Lordships passed from their ' House ' first into the Painted Chamber, then through that caUed the Court of Requests ; thence, turning on the left hand, into that caUed the Court of Wards, they entered at the door so broke down as aforesaid, into Westminster HaU, and passed through a long Gallery placed between the King's Bench and Chancery Courts into this new erected Court" for the trial of the Earl. — HoweU, vol. ui. p. 102. t The new lantern is of cast iron ; but the florid style in which it is designed does not accord with the simplicity of the highly-pitched roof of the building. By glazing it, also, every indication was destroyed of its original purpose, as an aperture for the emission of smoke^ when, iu the usual mode of our old Baro nial and Collegiate HaUs, a large wood fire was made on a circular stone- nearth beneath, with a hollow surrounding it for the reception of the embers. Such a hearth is stiU in use in the College dining-haU at Westminster. WESTMINSTER HALL, REPAIRED IN 1835-36. 44'1 Whilst the HaU continued closed during the year of sus pense, prior to the coronation of George the Fourth, the opportunity was judiciously seized for a thorough repair of the timber roof. At that time, forty loads of weU-seasoned oak, obtained from old ships broken up in Portsmouth dock yard, were used in renewing decayed parts, and in uniformly completing the roof at the north end, where it had been originaUy left imfinished : the entire roof is of oak. Shortly before the occurrence of the late fire, it had been determined to renovate the whole internal stone-work of the HaU ; and this has been most effectuaUy and skUfuUy executed under the direction of Sir Robert Smirke, The old facings of the waUs were cut away, and their place is supphed by a beautiful ashlaring of Huddlestone stone> six inches in thickness,* The surmounting cornice and corbels, with all the armorial devices and sculptures connected with them, have been renewed, in exact correspondence with the original work. The great south window, with the elegant niches to the right and left, f and aU the lower windows on the east and west sides, have hkewise been completely restored. The floor also, (the ground having been lowered about twelve inches) has been entirely new-paved with York landings, in uniform lines ; each stone being nearly two feet square. On the western side of the HaU are seven large door-ways * This stone has been obtained from a quarry on the estate of R. O. Gas- coyne, Esq. at ParUngton, near Leeds ; which appears to have been wrought two centuries ago, and was recently brought into fresh notice by the opening made on account of the Leeds and Selby RaUway. t " At y= upper end of Westminster HaU are y« figures of Edw. y' Confessor, W" y" conquerour, W" Rufus, Hen. y^ 1", &King Stephen, w"" crouns on their heads ; and on either side of y^ great gate of y' HaU are y'^ rest down to Rich'* y« Z™", who was y' founder as is evident by y= device, w"^"" is a hart round y" verge of y' waU & y= arms carved held by angels." Vide Harleian MS. No. 5900: written, probably, in the time of Charles II. 442 WESTMINSTER PALACE. communicating with the new Law Courts of Westminster; which were designed by Mr, Soane (now Sir John) and built under his direction between the years 1820 and 1825. These Courts were erected upon the site of the old Exche quer Court, and divers offices, &c, : their relative situations and comparative extent, may be ascertained from the Ground Plan, Plate ii. On the eastern side of New Palace Yard, near the bank of the Thames, stood various old buildings and offices for merly belonging to the Exchequer ; and adjoining to them, northward, was an arched Gateway, apparently of Henry the Third's time, which communicated with a boarded pas sage and stairs leading to the water. At different times, since 1807, the whole of this range of building has been puUed down ; the last remaining part, which included the offices where the trials of the pix, and the printing of Ex chequer biUs, were recently carried on, was destroyed early in the year 1836, There was also an apartment in the same edifice, in which that despotic tribunal the Star Chamber Court, held its sittings during the most obnoxious period of its career; namely, from the end of Queen Ehzabeth's reign, until the final abohtion of the Court by Parhament, in 1 64 1 , This, however, could n ot have been the " Chambre des Estoilles," or " Camera SteUata," in which the Court ori ginaUy sat, and from iphich it received its designation * ; for the building itself was evidently of the Elizabethan age, and * The star Chamber Court is supposed to have obtained its name from the roof or ceiling of the Chamber, in which its judges originally sat, having been decorated with gilded stars. Vide Arch^ologia, vol. viu. p. 404. In the same work, vol. xxv. pp. 342-393, is a very interesting Dissertation on the origin, functions, jurisdiction and practice, of the Court of Star Chamber, by John Bruce, Esq. F.S.A.— It may be inferred from various records, that the old Star Chamber Court occupied the same site, or nearly so, as the late buUd ings STAR CHAMBER, AND CLOCK TOWER. 443 the date 1602, with the initials E. R. separated by an open rose on a star, was carved over one of the doorways. An interior view of this latter Star Chamber, as it appeared shortly before its demohtion, is shewn in Plate xx. The ceiling was of oak, and had been very curiously devised in moulded compartments, ornamented with roses, pomegra nates, portculhses, and fleurs-des-lys : it had also been gUt and diversely coloured. On the northern side of New Palace Yard, directly fronting the entiance porch of the Great HaU, on a spot now hidden by the houses on the terrace, stood a once famous Clock Tower, which had been erected (and "furnished with a Clock,") in the reign of King Edward the First, with a fine of 800 marks that had been levied on Sir Ralph de Hengham, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, for altering a Record — although, as we learn from Coke's " Institutes," it was done out of mere compassion for a poor man. The keepers of this Clock Tower, Clock-house, or Great Clock, as it is variously termed, were appointed by the Sovereign ; and the wages, as appears from divers writs of appointment now extant, were 6d. a day,, payable at the Exchequer. Stow says, there was a Fountain. near the Tower, which at coronations and great triumphs was. " made to run with wine out of divers spouts." * The Tower was puUed down about the year 1707, by order of Queen. Anne; and its BeU, which had been called Great Tom of Westminster, was bought for St. Paul's Cathedral ; but it wa& afterwards re-cast (with additional metal,) in consequence erf * In HoUar's print of New Palace Yard, published in 1647, the Clock Tower aud the Fountain are both shewn : the situation of the former is also indicated by a dial in front of a house on the present terrace, having the motto from, Virgil, " Discite Justitiam moniti," which probably had been, inscribed oo. the old Tower, in aUusion to the cause of its origin. 444 WESTMINSTER PALACE. being cracked in passing through Temple Bar, where it was thrown from the carriage on which it had been placed. Of the several entrance Gates to the Old Palace, that erected by King Richard the Third is the only one of which we have any description ; and although it may be inferred from the records cited before, (vide pp. 337, 338) that other buUdings were either raised or repaired at Westminster by the above sovereign, no document has been found by which such an inference can be verified.* " On the west side," Stow says, of the Palace Court, '''is a very fair gate, begun by Richard III, in the year 1484, and was by him buUt a great height, and many fair lodgings in it, but left unfinished, and is called the High Tower, at Westminster."f Strype has given some particulars respecting the eight wards of St. Margaret's Parish, from which it appears that in Elizabeth's reign this stiucture was known as "the Queen's Majesty's Gate, in King Street."J Maitland describes it, as " a very beautiful and stately edifice, caUed High-Gate, situate at the east end of Union Street," — but " having occasioned," he remarks, " great obstructions to the Members of Parhament in their passage to and from their respective houses, it was taken down inthe year l706."§ In June 1807, when the taverns and other houses in Union Stieet were demohshed, in order to enlarge the thoroughfare, it was found that a remnant of the Gate had been left standing, and had been wrought into a partition waU between the Mitre and Horn Taverns. On the labourers proceeding to take it * John Rous, praising Richard the Third for his architectural works, men tions Westminster as one of the places where he raised or improved buildings : " Erat Iste Rex Ricardus in sdificus laudandus, ut Westmonasterii, &c. multisque aUis locis, ut ad oculum manifeste evidet." t Strype's Stow's " London," vol. ii. p. 634. X Idem, p. 635. § " History of London," vol. u. p. 1341 : edit. 1772. GATEWAY OF RICHARD III. ANCIENT CAPITAL. 445 down, the late Mr. Capon, who was always most sedulously at tentive to the preservation of whatever was curious in ancient art, observed that on one of the stones, which had been buUt up in the substance of the old waU, some remarkable sculpture was apparent. This stone he had carefully re moved, and on freeing it from dirt and rubbish, it proved to be the very extraordinary Capital which is represented in Plate XXXV., and in the three wood-cuts attached to the pre sent Chapter. Wm. Capon, del. N. Whiitock, se. ANCIENT CAPITAL. It is very evident that this Capital must have been exe cuted to commemorate the bestowal of some valuable grant or confirmation, by King William Rufus, on Gislebertus, Abbot of Westminster, In aU probability, therefore, it had formed part of a buUding within the Abbey, on which it had been deemed expedient thus to record the gift of Rufus ; but which having been afterwards destroyed, the materials 446 WESTMINSTER PALACE. were worked up into the gateway of King Richard the Third's time,* Wm. Capon, del. N. Whiitock, sc. ANCIENT CAPITAL. * The value of a confirmatory charter, from such a rapacious grasper of Church property as Rufus, must have been weU known to the monks of West minster ; and hence we may account for the origin of the sculptures and in- .scribed legend on this unique Capital. It appears from the Chartulary of West minster, now in the British Museum, that Rufus confirmed to the monks the Church of Niwekerke in London, which they possessed by the gift of Alward ; the lands which they possessed by the gift of King Edward, and those which he himself had bestowed, &c., also the lands, and privileges, which they held in Lon don ; and lastly, the privileges, of the Churches of ' Rotelande.' Vide MS. Cott. Faustina A. iii. f. 64, 65. — In the wood-cut, at the head of this Chapter, the King is represented sitting under a kind of trefoil-headed arch, (an approxima tion to the Pointed style) and holding with upraised arms a long roll, or charter ; on one side is the Abbot, distinguished by his crosier ; and on the other, an at tendant monk. — In the second wood-cut, the Abbot is seen bearing the charter in his left hand ; on each side is a monk, one of whom appears to be reading and considering the extended Roll. — In the third compartment, the Abbot is represented returning thanks ; before him is a reading-desk, on which are the open Scriptures, with the words Ego sum on the dexter page. Mr, Capon sold the Capital to Sir Gregory Page Turner, Bart, for one hundred guineas. ARRANGED LIST ENGRAVINGS, WITH DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF THE BHILDINGS THEV REPRESENT, AND REFERENCES TO PARTICULAR PARTS ; ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. The Palace and CoUegiate buildings are referred to in the following order: — 1, St, Stephen's Chapel, and its Crypt, Cloisters, and Appendages. 2. The Painted Cham ber, 3. The Old Court of Requests, lately the House of Lords, 4, The Great Hall, 5, The Star Cham ber. 6, Ancient Capital and Ceiling, 7, 8, The New Houses of Lords and Commons as fitted up in 1834-5. A general Ground Plan of the entire site of the Palace and Parhamentary buildings, forms the subject of Plate II. ; and shews the relative positions, arrangements, sizes, &c. of the numerous offices and apartments connected with the two Houses of Parhament and the Law Courts, as they appeared previous to the fire in October 1834. A brief notice of this plan, with references to its detaUs, wiU furnish the stranger with much useful information. The oldest parts, marked darker in colour than the rest, are, A,A, The Great Hall, 448 WESTMINSTER PALACE. B. The Old Court of Requests, afterwards the House Ox Lords, and made the House of Commons since the fire; (1. The King's Robing Room, 2, Lobby. 3, Stairs, 4. Lord Chancellor's Room,) C, The Painted Chamber, fitted up for the House of Lords in 1834-5. D, St. Stephen's Chapel, late the House of Commons. E.E. The Cloister, attached to the same. F.F.F, TOe /Speaker's flowse, with its official appendages, being part of the coUegiate buildings, G, Part of the offices of the Exchequer. H, Houses of John Rickman, Esq, Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons, and Wm, Godwin, Esq, Author of the " Life of Chaucer," &c, 1,1, Stairs to the House of Commons, J,J, Committee Rooms, K.K, The Judges' Entrances to the respective Law Courts, which are numbered on the Plan in the following order : 1 , Court of King's Bench, 2. Court of Equity. 3. Court of Exchequer, 4. Court of Common Pleas, 5. Vice Chancellor's Court, 6, High Court of Chancery. 7- Lord ChanceUor's retiring room. 8. Judges' retiring room, 9. Attendants' waiting room, 10. Barons' retiring room. 1 1 .BaU Court. 12. The Lord Chancel lor's entrance. 'L.Jj. Grand Inquest Jury Rooms. L,* Library of the Masters in Chancery. M.M. Committee Rooms to the House of Lords, N.N. Arcade to the House of Lords, O. The King's Entrance Porch. P. Entrance to the King's Stair case, which is at Q, R.R. The Royal Gallery. S, TAbrary of the House of Lords. T, T, T, Parliament Offices. U, Library of the House of Commons. V, House of the Clerk of the House of Commons. W, Long Gallery. * * Open Courts, 1st, St. Stephen's CaAPiiL,, and its Cloisters, The form, proportions, and architectural features of these once splendid buUdings are illustrated and characterised in the accompanying engravings, or at least so much of them as CRYPT OP ST. Stephen's chapel. 449 could be ascertained immediately after the fire. References to, with brief descriptive remarks on the diflTerent parts and detaUs of the prints, wUl enable the reader to understand the whole design of the Chapel, its sub-divisions, and its appen dages. To render this account clear, it wiU be proper to point out, first, the basement story, or Crypt ; next, the Chapel; and afterwards, the Cloisters. The Crypt, Sub-Chapel, or Basement Story, is shewn in the foUowing Engravings. Pl. xxvi., a Ground Plan of the northern haK; Pl. xxv., a Section, shewing the northern side of the same internally ; Pl. v., half of one severy,or compartment, internally, and extemaUy, with its Sec tion ; Pl. xviii.. Elevation, Section, Plans, &c. of the half of a window, shewing its muUions and tracery, both in plan and elevation, also the ribs of the vaulting, with measurements : — (these details are chiefly given on the authority of the late Mr. J. Carter), Pl, iii. is a view of the western end, looking S. West, The measurements and details of this once noble Crypt, or sub-chapel, are defined by the scales on Plates XXIV., XXV., and xxvi. Its original height has been much reduced by the accumulation of rubbish &c. as intimated in Plate xxv., at b.b. where the ground is shewn to reach nearly to the capitals of the clustered columns. The base, as weU as the footing of the wall, is from four to six feet lower than shewn in this section. The clustered columns, east of B, with bases and capitals running much above those to the west, were probably executed when the superincumbent part was fittedup as a dining room for the Speaker, and wherein he gave his state dinners. The three compartments A.A.A. were occupied by this room. Its original height was about 15 feet, length 52 feet, and breadth 32 feet. As indicated in Pl. XXVI, the Crypt had side windows atg.g.g.g; on the opposite side, were most probably others, with two or three at the east 2 G 450 WESTMINSTER PALACE. end: there were door-ways in the north, south, and west waUs. The Buttresses at J. K. are of modem erection: those attached to the north and south waUs are of great projection, shewing that they were intended to support lofty thin walls, and a weighty roof. The north-western entrance is very curious, as shewn in Pl. xix., where the ribs with their boldly-relieved bosses, the panneUing over the door-way, and a distant part of the Crypt are all displayed. Another passage from the Crypt, communicating with the vestibule of the upper Chapel, of very singular design and adaptation, is shewn in Pl. xvi. The architectural antiquary wiU not fail to notice the manner of supporting two archivolts, and the bold and enriched rib- work and bosses between the unequally-pointed arches, which spring from brackets in the side waUs. This view is frora the landing of the stairs at C, looking towards e in Pl. XXVI. Strength, solidity, fine proportions, and skilful exe cution, are the characteristics of this basement chapel. As shewn in the Ground Plan of the HaU and its surround ing buUdings, (Pl. ii.) St. Stephen's Chapel is connected with, and cuts into the south-eastern angle waU of the HaU, from which the architect has taken away a large mass of the old work, in order to obtain room for his stairs and vestibule to the Chapel. This Chapel, as appears from many documents in this volume, was a most splendid edifice. Preceding, in re spect to time, the other royal chapels of St. George, Windsor ; King's CoUege, Cambridge; Eton; and Henry the Seventh, at Westminster, it was smaUer in dimensions than either of those structures; but, as immediately attached to the regal Palace, it was particularly gorgeous in its paintings, gilding, and ornamental furniture, and also extremely beautiful in its architectural design. Its original interior dimensions are not easily ascertained ; but it is presumed to have been 86 feet in length ; 38 feet in width, and 44 feet in ST. STEPHENS CHAPEL, INTERIOR. 451 height.* As shewn in the engravings, every part of the waUs was adorned with architectural ornaments, insulated and attached columns, with enriched capitals and bases,— tracery with panels, niches, friezes, and string-courses. Its windows were hkewise adorned with the finest stained glass that could be procured ; and it may be fairly inferred that the flooring and ceihng were finished in corresponding styles of richness. Nor can we doubt that the staUs, altar, screens, and other furniture were equaUy elaborate and sumptuous. It wUl not require much exertion of imagination to fancy the effect of such a gorgeous Chapel in its finished state, devoted to the shewy and ostentatious ceremonies of the Roman Cathohc * These measurements are given on the authority of the late Mr. John Carter, who made an elaborate set of drawings of the Chapel, about the year 1791, for the Society of Antiquaries of London, from which fourteen plates were engraved for, and pubUshed by that Society in 1795. In 1811, fourteen other en gravings were pubUshed from drawings by Richard Smirke and Dixon. Mr. Carter furnished descriptive accounts of the building, whilst Captain Topham, and Sir Henry Englefield wrote historical particulars of the same. At the time of making those drawings, many parts of the Chapel were perfect, or traceable which were then and soon afterwards destroyed, to adapt the apartment for the business of ParUament. In other delineations of the architecture of the chapel, published by Mr. Carter, iu his work on "The Ancient Architecture of England," he indicated his opinion of the original design and details of the win dows, the inner roof, and of some other parts. These are shewn in Plates i., and VI., in which the tracery in the spandrels of the windows, and that of the cor nice and frieze, both internally and externaUy, and the pinnacle on the buttress, arefromMr. Carter's drawings. Respectingthegenuineness of those restorations, adifi^erence of opinion prevails, and particularly as to thetracery of the windows and the form, construction, and detaUs of the roof. It does not appear that Mr. Carter had any clear authority for those restorations, and therefore represented them according to his knowledge of the architecture of that age. Few persons were better qualified by extensive study and acquaintance with the details of our ecclesiastical antiquities, to suggest such alterations than Mr Carter ; but his enthusiasm and theories often misled his judgment. He thus apologizes for in troducing into his engravings " many restorations, that some idea may be enter tained of its original finishings. If the attempt is found bordering on presump. 2 G 2 452 WESTMINSTER PALACE. worship. Either under the influence of a mid-day sun, pour ing many coloured rays across the choir, — or when illumined at night by numerous large waxen hghts about the altar, the scene must have been superlatively impressive and fasci nating. Of the form, position, and ornaments of the ori ginal inner roof, or vaulted ceiling, there is much difiierence of opinion amongst architectural antiquaries : some contend that it was of stone, adorned with tracery ; whilst others assert that it was formed of timber arranged in many panels, and enriched with colouring, painting and gilding. One or two architects insist that it had a clerestory, above the pre- tion, let it, at the same time, be considered, that no one decoration of this sort is set forth as positive evidence, but displayed with an humble wish to do honour to our antiquities, while others are so ardent in their zeal to violate and destroy them." In another place, he shews that he had just cause to complain of being denied access to measure parts of the chapel and make sketches, in the year 1800, when Mr. James Wyatt was making many alterations in the Houses of Parliament. " From the great difficulty attending the making sketches of the lines of the chapel during the year 1791, they being in general covered with modern wainscotting, benches, and conveniences the most indecorous, it will not be wondered at if some inaccuracies are discernible by those who, in 1800, having found favour with men in office, had the good fortune (the waUs being at that time cleared of every disfigurement) to obtain permission to view and study from them ; I, being held unworthy of benefiting by such short-Uved op. portunity, was denied aU access." * In the Gentleman's Magazine for August 1800, he gives full scope to his feelings, both in reprobation of the heedless and wanton mutUations of the Chapel, and other parts of the palace, and in panegy ric of the wondrous beauties of the former. " I solemnly declare," he says, "cor recting my opinion by years of experience in the study of our ancient architec ture, that this Chapel, before the sacrilegious days of the 1 6th century, must have been the first of aU the architectural works of the land, where subUmity of de sign, grandeur of arrangement, richness of ornaments — where sculpture, paint ing, aud gUding, dazzled the eyes of vision, to receive an emanation of those realms of Ught which await the blessed. No common praise is now my theme ; had I the eternal-catching comprehension of the inspired MUton, I could but faintly tell the wonders of this place." ' The Ancient Architecture of England," part u. p. 10. ST. Stephen's chapel, interior. 453 sent finishing cornice, and that, consequently, it must have been very lofty. On these conflicting opinions, it would be useless to occupy much space or time by argument ; but we may venture to express our own conviction, resulting from a careful examination of this Chapel at different times within the last thirty years, and of many other royal and monastic chapels in England ;— from aU which, as weU as from the height, length, and width of that of St. Stephen, we cannot but infer that it never had a clerestory ; nor is it probable that it was vaulted with stone. As intimated by the Ground plan in Pl, xxvi., this Chapel consisted of five divisions, or compartments, having a large and lofty window, between two piers, in each. Beneath these windows, and extending around the Chapel, was a series of arcades, or niches with canopies. These rested on an orna mented plinth, part of which formed a stone seat. In the spandrels of the niches were numerous shields containing armorial bearings, and the waU of the niches was decorated with paintings, representing drapery, figures of saints, knights, and scriptural subjects. Between the arcade and the sUls of the windows, was an enriched frieze ; whilst another of nearly similar design extended along the upper part of the Chapel. The continuity of this frieze, from one end to the other of the buUding, without any appearance of bracket, or support for the springers of a groined roof, is the chief reason for the opinions of those who think that there was a clerestory to the Chapel. The style of decoration, both inter- naUy and externaUy, of one half of a compartment, is shewn in Pl.vi ., on which plate is also displayed a section of the waU of the Crypt, and of the Chapel, with a lateral elevation of a buttress. Of the eastern and western ends of the Chapel, it is difficult to speak with certainty. The former had a large and lofty window, but its tracery and muUions 454 WESTMINSTER PALACE. have been so greatly mutilated by the various alterations made to the buUding, as to excite much doubt in regard to its original details. The western end is stiU more an ob ject of ambiguity : in almost every large chapel and monastic church, this was the prominent, and most attractive external object, and from being made the principal entrance to the sacred fane, it was usually adorned with a profusion of archi tectural and sculptural detail. But the design of St, Stephen's Chapel, in this respect, is dissimilar to any other monastic Enghsh building. Having its floor much above the level of the ground, and raised upon an arched apartment beneath, it was approached by a flight of steps from the west, arranged in a sort of vestibule between the south end of the Great HaU, and the north end of the White-HaU, lately the House of Lords. Part of this vestibule is shewn in Pl, XXIX., on the right hand of which, on the platform of the steps, is the double door- way to the Chapel ; whUst the other beautiful door-way coraraunicated by stairs with the cloister. Facing this, at the southern side of the vestibule was a cor responding door-way, shewing that there were communi cations to the Chapel from the Lesser HaU (as it was some times caUed) ; from the cloister ; and from the ground floor, (see Pl, xxvi. a.) The screen at the top of the stairs was very beautiful, as may be inferred from the plan, eleva tion, and section of one compartment represented in Pl. xi. The exterior features of the Chapel, but in a ruinous condition, are displayed in Plates vi. xii. xxv. xxviii. and XXX. Plate vi. shews the form and projection of one of the buttresses, with half of its face; also the spandrel to the window, the corbel table, and a very beautiful parapet. There is an omamental band under the window, ranging ¦with the set-off in the buttress. Beneath this band is paneUing, with ogee crocketed archivolt mouldings spring- ng from the exterior moulding of the crypt window, Pl. CLOISTERS AND ORATORIES DESECRATED. 455 XII. is a view of the Chapel after the fire, frora the S. E., in which are shewn four divisions of the south side, the turrets at the east end, and part of what is supposed to have been a cloister on this side, Pl, xxv. is a view of the Cloister court, taken immediately after the fire, when the area was fiUed with water, and when the mins were occasionaUy en veloped in clouds of smoke. This view represents the south and western sides of the Cloister, with its two stories of windows, the double Oratory on the western side, one of the buttresses, with part of the roof of the HaU, and fragments of the northern wall of the Chapel. However melancholy and deplorable the scene of ruin after the late destructive fire, it is scarcely less to be regretted than the wanton and reckless alterations formerly made by an Architect, and by officers of Government, in the Chapel and Cloister now under review. Whilst the latter was partly fitted up for the appendages of a kitchen, for servants' offices, and the raost menial purposes, the area was occupied by a large shed-like kitchen ; part of the exquisite lower Oratory was converted into a scuUery; and chimneys, sinks, and closets were cut into, or patched up against its florid windows and tracery. The upper Cloister was divided into numerous smaU apartments and offices, and even the vast abutments of the Great HaU, were cut into, or hacked away, without the least regard either to the stabUity of the edifice, or to its architectural character. The beauti ful ornaments, paintings, and minute sculpturings of the Chapel itseU were ruthlessly defaced, or broken to pieces to give place to modem wainscotting, ceUings, windows, pas sages, stairs, &c. ; whilst chimneys and fire-places were worked into, or affixed to the buttresses and walls. To shew the total disregard of all style and architectural character, we need only refer to the view of the East Front (Pl, xxviii.) which serves to exemply the taste that was displayed about. 456 WESTMINSTiBR PALACE. the year 1800, when numerous and very expensive alterations and additions were made to these once splendid and sacred buildings. An interior view of this end, shewing its miserable style of patch-work, is given in Pl. xxvii., which also exhibits the ruinous state of the waUs and windows after the fire. As intimated in this Plate, the great east window was partly fiUed up with brick-work, three smaU semi-circular headed windows were inserted, a doorway was cut through the waU, at the place of the altar, holes or passages were cut through the angular octagonal turrets, and instead of the collegiate apart ments, with their appropriate door-ways, windows, fire-places, &c., the insipid plastered walls, with squared holes for windows, were made for the Speaker's official residence. At the time of the fire, this house was spacious and replete with conveniences ; and it is but justice to the late occupant, to adrait that he manifested great anxiety to preserve all the fine and beautiful parts of the cloister, crypt, &c. which were left when he obtained possession, frora further injury and defacement. The Cloister, that unique and once splendid part of the coUege, is very amply illustrated in the accompanying en gravings, of which no fewer than fifteen are appropriated to display its raany beauties. The Ground plan, Pl. xxiii.,and the Ground plan of the whole of the buUdings, serve to point out the position and arrangement of this Cloister. It consisf> ed of two stories, and had two Oratories, or private chapels, connected with the lower and upper waUs of the western cloister. The ground plan of the former is given in Pl. xvii., and also to a larger scale in Pl. xxxi. ; whUstits architectural features are she^vn in Pls. xxiii. and xxxii. The westem end, or entiance, from the cloister, is engraved in Pl. xxii., A. which also shews an elevation of the exterior of the east end. No. 3, a section of the side waUs and vaulted roof, C, D,; the screen ORATORIES, CLOISTERS, AND SEAL OP ST. STEPHEN'S. 457 betweien the upper Oratory and Cloister, B. and an elevation of the window and paneUing of that Cloister. A longitudi nal section of these chapels is shewn in Pl. xxxii., with their junction with the two stories of the Cloisters. Two of the beautiful niches in the upper Oratory, with their ele gant brackets and canopies, are dehneated in the engraved Title page, Pl, i. The two Statues in the same plate, are from niches in Westminster HaU, As indicated in the Plan, Pl. xvii, — in the Views of the lower Cloister, Pls. xxxiv. and xxxvi — and in those of Pls. xxi. xxxii, and xxxiii., the whole vaulted roof is covered with fan-hke tracery, at the in tersections of which are several very finely-sculptured bosses. This tracery and some of those bosses are engraven in Pls. xxii. XXXI, and xxxii,, and their appearance, in perspec^ tive, is shewn in Pls. xxxiv., and xxxvi. A view of the upper Cloister, in its deplorable state of ruin, immediately after the fire, occupies Pl. xxx., in which part of a flying but tress to the Hall is displayed, blackened by the fire. This part was occupied by several small chambers, divided by lath and plaster partitions, and rising to the roof of the HaU. The other engravings of details of the Cloister, need only to be examined by the architectural antiquary to be under stood and applied to their respective situations. The wood-cut Vignette on the Title-page, includes a re presentation of one of the CoUegiate Seal of St. Stephen's, which is ornamented with niches and statues. The figures in the upper compartments are those of the Madonna, crowned, with her Infant; and St Katharine : those beneath, were evi dently intended for St. Stephen, bearing in his right hand a church, and in his left, a basket of stones, as indicative of his martyrdom; and the members of the CoUege, who kneehng to him in prayer. At the bottom are the royal arms of France and England, as quartered by King Edward 458 WESTMINSTER PALACE, the Third; and round the verge is this inscription: — S. com'e Decani &Collegii Capelle S'c'i Steph'i West monasterii, — The back ground indicates a portion of one of the ornamental curtains originally painted on the interior walls of the Chapel. The Painted Chamber, in plan, and in connection with the other buildings, is pointed out in Pl. ii., and its mined condition internaUy is dehneated in Pls. xiv. and xv., (which latter should be marked looking west), whilst part of its exterior character is marked in Pl. xii. Its remarkable newel stair-case, at the south-east angle, is shewn IuPl. xiii. ; and a smaU ceU, or closet, which is at the bottom of that stair-case, wiU be seen represented in page 360. The Vault, or ceUar, beneath this chamber, is represented by the wood cut inserted on page 247. Attached to the western end of the Painted Chamber, and branching from it to the north, is the ancient apartment, which has successively been caUed the Lesser Hall, the White Hall, the Court of Requests, the House of Lords, and now (1836) theHouse of Commons. Thatitconstituted a partof the Norman Palace may be inferred from the forms, sizes, and dressings of the three windows which are represented in Pl. v., and were fuUy displayed after the fire. These perforated the southern waU, and it is probable that there were other windows in the other walls ; but so many alterations have been made in the whole building at difierent times, that most of its ancient character has been destioyed. Its western waU, with a bold (modern) block-cornice, and several apertures for windows, door-ways, &c, is shewn in Pl. xxxvii, ParaUel to this wall, and projecting into Old Palace-yard, a series of apart ments was erected about the year 1800, and which being raised in a hasty manner, and according to the irresponsible system of the time, was so badly executed, that many alter- WESTMINSTER HALL DESCRIBED. 459 ations and repairs were afterwards required to be made. Nothing can more clearly shew the slight nature of these buUdings than is exhibited by the above print, from which it appears that nearly the whole walls were laid prostrate by the fire, whilst those of the adjoining substantial edifice, defied the raging flames, — as aheady they had twice or thrice done in former ages. So also the thinner waUs of St. Stephen's Chapel have not only resisted the flames, but have braved the storms of two winters, after being pronounced by some architects ' unsafe and dangerous ! ' The Great Hall of Westminster justly ranks amongst the superior examples of old English Architecture, and in its present state of restoration and improvement, it forms one of the raost noble apartments in Europe. Its length, (inter nally) from north to south, is nearly 240 feet, and its breadth, from east to west, 68 feet ; the extreme height to the cen tral apex is about 92 feet. Of the geometric skiU displayed in the construction of the timber-framed roof of this edifice, Ave have already spoken. It is a master-piece in the art of carpentry, and well deserves the attentive consideration of every scientific buUder.* By referring to the Ground Plan, Pl. II., and to the three other engravings numbered VIII., IX., and x., a correct idea may be obtained of the posi- * In a recent Lecture on the subject of Roofs, deUvered at the Society of Arts by Mr. Rofe, jun. a scientific engineer of London, that gentleman made the following remarks : — " The principle of the construction of these roofs is founded on that property of the triangle, that whilst the lengths of the sides remain the same, the angles are unchangeable, and in this case aU the pieces (of timber) are arranged to form the sides of triangles, and thus aU the joints are rendered fixed and unmoveable. Thus, what would at first sight have the appearance of being a weight upon the roof, is, in fact, its strength and safety. Our ancestors did not attempt to conceal these roofs with a ceUing ; but, justly proud of their ingenuity in construction, exposed the whole to view, carved and ornamented on all the more prominent parts." 460 WESTMINSTER PALACE. tion and extent of this vast pile, — ^of its relative connexion with the Parhamentary and Legal Offices, — and of its prin cipal features when considered architecturaUy. In the Ground Plan is shewn the general form of the two northern towers, the recessed portal and chief entrance, the doorways to the diff'erent Law Courts, &c. and the situations of the several buttresses which support the roof. In Plate viii,, a compartment of the interior, on the east side, is delineated as it appeared during the late repairs, and after one of the original Norman semi-circular arches, of the time of Rufus, had been uncovered. Divers others, of corresponding form and character, and on the same plane, were also discovered whilst the work was in progress ; and divers fragments of Norman capitals, &c. were found to have been wrought up into the waUs when heightened by King Richard the Second. These discoveries are of the greater interest, as almost every vestige of the Norman architecture had been obhte- rated, or hidden, by the alterations made here by the last- mentioned sovereign. The enriched string-course, or rather cornice, that goes round the interior, with its corbel brackets, from which spring the great timbers of the roof, is partly shewn in the same Plate, together with two of the pointed Avindows of Richard's age. The sculptured arms on the corbels are those of France and England, quarterly, and of St. Edward the Confessor, as borne by Richard the Second ; whose favourite badge, viz. the White Hart, lodged, du- caUy gorged and chained, and his crest of a Lion guardant crowned, standing on a chapeau and helmet, are also sculp tured, in alternate succession, on the cornice. Indica tions of Norman windows were also observable at the south end, on each side the great window ; as may be perceived from the novel dehneation forming Plate x,, which was sketched from a window near the south-east angle. This WESTMINSTER HALL DESCRIBED. 46 1 view exhibits the general design and detaUs of the massive roof, — the tracery of the southern window, (with the enrich ed niches on the west side,) and the door- way beneath it, as they appeared in 1835, — two of the windows on the western side, — and a modern door-way, leading to the corridor con nected with the Law Courts.* Plate IX. represents a portion of the north-eastern exterior of the Great HaU, with some adjoining buildings formerly belonging to the Receipt of the Exchequer, as taken from the opposite side of St. Stephen's Court, or enclosed area, in front of the late official residence of the Speaker.f In this view is seen one of the great buttresses of King Richard the Second's time, and hkcAvise one of the flat Norman but tresses of the Rufus age, together \rith indications of a Nor man string-course extending along the wall, nearly in a hne * In February 1836, Mr. Sidney Smirke communicated to the Society of Antiquaries some information respecting the walls, flooring, &c. of the HaU, as ascertained during the late repairs. In the course of his observations it was stated, in reference to the opinion entertained by some architects, of there having been two rows of columns in the Norman time, extending through the entire length of the original Hall, that there are two apartments in Italy, with out columns, of rather larger dimensions than this at Westminster. f We must refer for more particular detaUs of the Great HaU to Britton aud Pugin's " lUustrations of the PubUc BuUdings of London :" which includes a ground-plan, and section of this edifice ; an interior view ; and an elevation and plan of the northern front and entrance porch ; together with a copious essay, by Mr. Britton, historical and descriptive. Three large and elaborate Prints, comprehending an elevation, section, and detaUs of the HaU have like wise been pubUshed by Mr. L. N. Cottingham. The " Plans, Elevations, Sec tions, DetaUs, and Views " of Henry the Seventh's Chapel, with " the History of its Foundation," &c. in two volumes, foUo, by the same skilful architect, rank with the best pubUcations of the kind in this country. Since the late fire, Mr. Cottingham has executed a very beautiful Model of the exterior of St_ Stephen's Chapel, as in a perfect state ; and he is now employed on a sinular restoration of the interior of that most interesting and unique specimen of EngUsh Architecture . 462 WESTMINSTER PALACE. with the present window siUs. Three of Richard's windows, and several of those inserted in the slope of the roof in George the Fourth's reign, with the upper part of the north-eastern tower, are also coraprehended in the same engraving. Before the erection of the present Law Courts, the Courts of King's Bench and Chancery occupied a considerable space at the upper or south end of the Great Hall ; but they were separated from each other by a flight of steps and a passage communicating with a landing-place leading to the House of Commons. During the first fifty years of the last century, there was also a range of counters, book-cases, &c, on each side of the Hall, for the use of Book and Print- seUers, Mathematical Instrument Makers, Sempstresses, Haberdashers, and other trades-people, who were permitted to carry on their respective occupations Avithin its spacious area.* The ancient Court of Exchequer, which had probably been founded as early as Henry the Third's reign, but was greatly altered in the time of Queen Elizabeth, (and the site of which is now occupied by the Bail Court, &c.) was 74 feet in length and 45 feet in width. Adjoining to it, southwards, was the Little Exchequer Court ; which had, also, the tradi tional narae of Queen Ehzabeth's Chamber. The lower apartments, beneath each of those Courts, had been for a long time appropriated to the storing of records ; and seve ral smaller offices, westward, (all which have been destroyed,) were used for similar purposes. * For an account and copy of a curious Print, (after a deUneation by Grave- lot,) of the interior of the Hall, as it appeared in the year 1730, whilst fitted up for the above purposes, see Brayley's " Londiniana," vol. i. pp. 209-211. The Print has the title of " Westminster HaU iu Term Time." It exhibits, on the western side, the Side Bar, at which certain formal motions were accus tomed to be made ; and, although the practice is now diff'erent, the phrase ' Side Bar Motions,' is stiU used professionaUy. STAR CHAMBER, AND ANCIENT CAPITAL. 463 In additional reference to the Court of Star Chamber, of which some particulars have been detailed in connexion with Plate XX., it may be remarked, that the appeUation ' Starre Chamber ' is givfen to a long range of building near the banks of the Thames, at Westminster, in the curious Bird's-eye Plan of London, attributed to Ralph Aggas, and supposed to have been dehneated about the year 1570.* The site marked is evidently the same as was occupied by the build ings recently destroyed. In the same Plan, the Clock Tower and Fountain in New Palace Yard are shewn, and also seve ral of the Palace Gates. The ancient Capital representing the grant of King WiUiam Rufus to Abbot Gislebertus, of which the three existing sculptures are delineated in Plate xxxv., is 13§ inches in height, 12 inches square at the top, and (decreasing coni- caUy) about 9 inches in diameter at the bottom. All its faces were originally sculptured, and the inscription was doubtless continued round the abacus, but when found it was evident that one side had been partly cut away to make the stone he flush in the waU; some human feet, however, and the lower parts of the including pillars, were stiU left. On the same Plate Avith the Capital is shewn one of the compartments of an oaken Ceihng, which was delineated by the late Mr, Capon from a room in the ancient Palace, adjacent to the Prince's Chamber, For the temporary accommodation of the Members of the Two Houses of Parliament, after the fire, directions were given by Government that the late " House of Lords'' (or old Court of Requests) should be new roofed, and pro perly repaired and fitted up for the Commons to assem- * In the reign of Henry the Sixth, the King's CouncU frequently assembled in the Star Chamber. — Vide " Proceedings," &c. " of the Privy CouncU," vol. ui. preface, by Sir H. Nicolas. 464 WESTMINSTER PALACE. ble in, and that the old "Painted Chamber" should be simi larly treated for the use of the Lords, For this work, as weU as to provide the necessary apartments and conve niences for the business of both Houses, Sir Robert Smirke was employed as architect, and Messrs, S, Baker and Son as builders. With that extraordinary qelerity which a few buUders in the metropohs only can command, the works were coraraenced early in November 1834, and fuUy adapted for the opening of the Parhament on the 19th of the foUowdng February. The accompanying views of the two Houses thus internaUy rebuilt and adapted to their respec tive purposes, viz. Plates xxxviii., and xxxix., wUl render description unnecessary; and the more particularly so, as further alterations were made in both interiors immediately after the close of the Session. Additional lobbies, and other temporary buUdings were also constructed for the better accomraodation of both Houses during the course of the year 1835. The sura expended in these various works has been stated to be upwards of £40,000, C^VT-cVTA^ fl?^ ingravpd'bv' ti Glnibmi. Ih.e part -within tJat' QoUed Jiqp shews tlie extent of tlie tiLv,0':tf ir.,ll?.,)4 Tide Descnptia] BHITTON it qasZCE-rt WCSTMmSTEB. ST STKF.IIILTEK'S CHAPEIL. ™mj\wcf: TROM rLoisTF.n to ckvpt Imilurb.l'iiHishi'J Dir'l /.'.Vi.-: h .riV.nl,' ¦•" Ifi.ih IfnUjorn.. Gtid. & C^J^ntirers KRITTON & BHAZLLTS WESTMIN STEH. J£^.<7gn^ !tf}niiln-C J,n~d .y* StepJieris iViMfi el '.tL I I 'I I-H-1-1-+- =^ J^ 7^ ¦ l&iria, del.. PI...S5r OF CIOISTEES S^ STUPHEjSr.S CHAPEL , WBSTMIHSTFJl . T. I'. Bec/ter, sc To JPi-ands Mo3jm,J:sif, ArcA': This Jlate- is- TespecOulta i.ru-crii'i^ J,s ,z u-.s'tu/uviy for Tds Itber-al. c^nlrCtutum. iTi.- aid, ^ -ffizs Tt,7rlc^: "fiRITTON" fc BkA.ZrJl'T'S WE.ST"A1TN.'^TF,R , RWHAlmss daL Oct. 21 1834 TJPTEE. CLOISTER, PART OF ST STEPHEIT'S CHAPEL, .tc W.E S TMHH S TEm . I.nnJm Pub/i.ibal Jmi :'J.. JS5-; by ../ l-i'm/e. . .V> Bi^h ICilliern . rh.. Cldik £ tffl.^ A CjyiMrr.i BRITTON" & BTTAYT.TW'S -WESTMnTSTER. Ih.0 UiiKkiV CLOISTER. ST SXEHEIEIT'S CHAPEL. SOTJTH "WALEr.LOOKlKG E . tStld Jb C^Jiinxerj LowU-n.JlJ'U.h.J Jf-ril IJS-^d. byJWai/A'. 'if^Biah IL^lho BEITTOW i- BItATCEY'S ¦WESTMIHSTIIIL. JUV£inJn.js diUfa^lSSS. CLOIS TEK .-JTW ANGLE . ST §nSF]EnE:?3''§ (CfflAIPJEJL . Oa^ S: CF^Pi-inivj Mi^nA'n.Fid'/^'hal Jafyl2(i35, byjmal^-..09JIif}hJIollm * IS 83 £ -F Ki 5 Si Pi 5 BRITTON fcBRAYLEYS, WESTMINSTER. I'artofWindovC. I I i-i I ri i i^4-ri _i^!Xi T-'^ 4 Cap a^idf ba^e of QjJiunns D. Fare of eie)^ ^^^M-Mi^^^i^Mi^mB fver.,'>:'!J.-7: JUb 5 5^5. ?. en the. hjn& a. c DETAILS OF IKE CLOISTER OF S'" STEPHEiT'S CKAPEL. Sad A: CFnj^/jirs BKITIOB" Jt BEJIYEETS 1V[ESTMIN"STE"H. C L u J Tin J: J ' -l * ^ _ Scale tTf £ngb^7i,/i/-/: TRITu/mp.eorvdeLMay 2835 SamfSi^liTiJb. GB.OTIBD PLAN" CajAWTE-Y- CHAPEL fcc.ST STEPHEliTS CHAPEL ¦W3E § TMOSrs TEM, = Zondoiv.Iidili.AML July U835.by J.maU, SS Mq7i,MbIiorn.. /^ad & CejivUers 'A.ii a t C5 I.. w fe© «1 ERITTON X. DRiSZLEY'S "WESTMIKSTEE.. CHANTEX CHAPEL IN CLOISTERS. oad X- CFTnntcrs Loiuioii FnNi.^-i,,d Scptn.lSS^.hv J:^eal£.69 UialiBbLkorru BRITIOH" i-BILAYLET'S "WE "^ TMIN s TZP ].()\(: (;A1.1.K.KV, I,OOK!7^0 TnIO-UTPT. ^•nAan.TuUisheJ^JipTil JJBU. by XM-'calc. 59 lTiJ)/vJIolhorrv. Sad & C^lYlntei: BKJTTOir ii BRAJEErs "WESTMIH"STER R."W:Binmss dii Oct' 25 IBM PAINTED CH.'UMBER. LOOKTETG EAST Zanlmv.FuUishcd Jhn-'l.lS3i, by JWralt.jSl Jlwh Solhorn 3RITT0]sr fc BRATLEy's WESTilIHST£_B-. Dra-nai Oct.lBS*. & EnprEtvedty Ih.of aari:. PAINTKD CKAIMBEa/LOOVvllNG lv\ST. GacL & (^J^ucmrs .londim,,F,i]?lishjAMirchlJ83b,by J.malc.m.rfi^hmiboriv. BJlI'ra'ON- Sc ¦RkA'YT.E-VS WESTMlTT.t^ TK R STAIR CASE AT S. E. AN-CjLE, PADSTTED CBA3fflEIL. fad * C'l^intrr.'! XondoTL. Tuhlish.i!d March 1. IG^r; by J.^^de. 59 JJi^hUblbom STER TBI AILIL. COMEARTMEin:. E SIDE. IJIEAR S.END. London., ruj'lishc.i J,w? 1.1S35. M' IWenlf.bg JTwhUoUiorn.- 3Jr«wrLA:Ett^aT d trvR ¦WEnkags M"(jir^6 18M UiiJ, A C Fr-aUerV n^. Pis HRITTON it BRSZLEY's "WESTMINSTER. J^Wbodjyeuifi CAPITM. CAH7ED IN STONE OF THE TIME OF WILLIAM KUFUS. PART OF THE CIELING OF THE .4NCIENT PALACE OF "WESTMDTSTEIl . I'.jJ.S- C'J'rvita-s Imdim HiMishal OcfUSSS. by J.Winlji. A" 5wA EtiUom, BKCiToar Sc EE. zrir-s -WESTwiprsrETt, R-WBiOin^s AA />* 7«?j5 AS riTlTSD UP LN IK?..'.. !j-"(7j! £ (7''3-£?Ma'i ZonJaiv. Thiilishcd Uuv llBSb. by .T H',viU Ki^liHolbom. BTaiTCa? A- -RTJA-YTT-y''S "WESIMINSrER . IfH'BUhiuis del FO, 1635 H iL^L, JL SUSIE V)y vo^r>i'^^n^ AS JITTED rP IN 183&. tffljf £¦ C'Trutta-.< ,nA,i.JiM.~iMl MaylJUX' by JWc«te.69Mu,hJh!Uw,;v LIST FORTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS, CLASSED AND ARRANGED UNDER THE NAMES OF THE BUILDINGS REPRE SENTED WHICH ARE FULLY DESCRIBED, AND THE PRINTS MORE PAR TICULARLY NOTICED IN SUBSEftUENT PAGES, FROM 416 TO 464. No. Plate. Page. 1. Ground Plan of the Parliamentary Build ings, Ancient Palace, and adjoining Law Courts ii 447 St. Stephen's Chapel. 2. Plants oi half of the Crypt, and half of the Chapel xxvi 449 3. Cbypt.— View of the West End . . iii 424,449 4. Entrance to, from the Cloister . xix 450 5. Half of one Window, Elevation, Section, Plan, &c xviii 449 6, Section of, and of Chapel, xxv 449 7. Chapel. — Exterior. — View of East End xxviii 455 8. Ditto South Side xii 454 9. Ditto Elevation of half of one compartment, with Section, and - buttress- vi 435 2 H 466 WESTMINSTER PALACE. No. Plate. Page. 10. Chapel. — Interior. — View of Vestibule, or Western Entrance .... xxix 454 1 1. Elevation, Section and plan of part of Screen . . , . . xi 454 12. View of, looking East — ^in ruins xxvii 456 13. Stairs from, to Cloister . . xVi 454 14. Elevation of part of the interior, in the engraved Title page . . . i 433 1 5. Capital and Mouldings of interior. Wood-cut, 17 16. Seal of St. Stephen's CoUege, and painting on the walls — Wood-cut, Title page 433,457 17. Cloister. — Plan of, with buttresses of Chapel and Hall ..... xvii 456 18. Exterior View of, after fire . xxv 457 19. Interior View of part of the Upper Cloister, after fire . . . xxx 457 20. South Walk, looking East . xxxvi 457 21. at N. W. angle . xxxvi 457 22. Elevations, Sections, &c. Compartment of Ceiling, N. and S. sides xxii 456 23. Two compartments at S. E. angle, &c. . . . . . . xxxiii 456 , 24. Plan of half of one window — Spandrel, &c xxv 456 25. Spandrel, capital, base, panel ing, &c xxi 456 26. Panelling — Section of wall, under window, &c xxiii 456 27. Oratory, — Ground P an of, with part of Cloister xxxi 456 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 467 No. Plate. Page. 28. Oratory. — Longitudinal Section of the two Oratories, and two stories of Cloister xxxii 457 29. Elevation of the West end, of East end, &c xxii 457 30. View of the Lower, . . . xxiii 456 Niches in the Upper — See engraved Title. .... i 457 Court of Requests, late House of Lorus. 31. View of three windows in S. end . . v 422 32. the Westem WaU, in ruins . xxxvii 458 33. Eastern WaU — ^part of the Long GaUery, in ruins xxxiii 456 Painted Chamber. 34. View of the interior, looking West . . xv 418,458 35. Ditto Ditto East . . xiv 418,458 36. Stair case .... xiii 458 37. Yanlt— Wood-cut, p. 247- • "^^S 38. ¦ — a CeU at the bottom of Stair case. — Wood-cut, p. 360. Westminster Hall. 39. View of part of the Interior, at S. W. 1 . X 435 angle ....¦•• 441, 457 40. --compartment on E. side near S.end ^^ ^^^ 41. Buttress, &c. E. side . • ix 439,460 2 H 2 458 4bS WESTMINSTER PALACE. No Plate. Page. Ancient Capital and Ceiling. 42. Views of three sides of a Capital, and part of a CeiUng .... xxxv 444, 446, 463 43.^ 44. > Wood-cuts oi CaT^itsl .... 445,445-6 45.) Star Chamber, and Houses of Lords and Commons. 46. View of Interior of a Room caUed the Star Chamber . . . . xx 443,462 47. of the House of Lords, as fitted up 1835 . . . . xxxviii 464 48. of the House of Com mons, as fitted up 1835. . . xxxix 433 INDEX. Abbey Church, Westminster, foundation of, first monastery there, 8 ; recon structed by Edward the Confessor, 11 ; consecrated, 1065, 12 ; rebuilt by Henry III. 52 ; re-opened for divine service, 1269, 73 ; additions by Ed ward I. 85 ; its right of sanctuary violated by murder, 257. Abbot of Westminster, his privileges, 57, 86, 93. Almonry of the King and Queen, re paired, 115. Anne of Bohemia married to Richard II. at Westminster, 267 ; her death and burial at Westminster, 279. Anne, (Queen of Richard III.), her co ronation, 332 ; her suspected murder, 336. Anne, Queen, her coronation, 392 ; and burial, 393. Antioch Chamber, in the palace, 1251, 59. Architects' Institute, dedication to, iii. Architectural Society, notice of, vi. Arthur, Prince, (son of Henry VII.) his marriage at Westminster, 343. Baynard's Castle, a royal residence, 352. BeU Tower, works at, 9th Edward III. 160 ; some account of, 429, note. BeUingham, John, shoots the right hon. Spencer Perceval in the lobby of the House of Commons, 402 ; exe cuted, 403. Berkeley, Thomas de, acquitted of the murder of Edward II. 202. Beverley, Robert de, keeper of works, 436, note. Bishops, protestation of twelve, to the House of Lords, 385 ; trial of seven, 391. Boleyn, Anne, married to Henry VIII., and crowned at Westminster, 357. Books deUvered to their owners by writ, 1424, 311. Bosworth Field, Battle of, 339. Boy Bishop, one at St. Stephen's, 429. BrideweU, used as a royal residence, 352. Bridge, the King's, Westminster, pay ments relating to, 29, 124, 199. Bruce, John, Esq. his account of the Star Chamber Court, 442, note. Cade's insurrection, 318. Cage Chamber, the, at the Palace, Privy Seal deUvered in, 208. Capital, ancient, a very curious one dis covered by the late Mr. Capon, 445 ; described, 446, 463. Carter, Mr. John, liis drawings of St. Stephen's Chapel, 451, note. CarUsle, Thomas Merkes, Bishop of, imprisoned, 295. CarUsle, " statute of," enacted by Ed ward I. 99. CaroUne, George IV. 's Queen, her trial, 403 ; refusal to crown her as Queen, 404 ; her decease, 405, note. Chamber, Painted, (see Painted Cham ber.) ¦ , Star, (see Star Chamber.) , Exchequer, (see Exchequer Chamber.) , of the Holy Cross, buUt by Henry III. 50. , Marculf s, (see Marculf's Chamber.) Chambers, Sir WilUam, made surveyor of works, 401. Champion, the King's, at the corona tion of Richard II. 255. , at that of Henry IV. 293. , Richard III. 335. . Henry VIII. 345, note. ChanceUor, Lord, his rank in 1327, 146. Chantry Chapels, in St. Stephen's Cloister, described, represented in Plates xxii. xxiu. xxv. xxxi. xxxu. Chapel, the King's Little, Westminster Palace, temp. Henry III. 45, 47. , thCjQueen's, Westminster Pa lace, temp. Henry III. 48. 470 INDEX Chapel, St John's, Westminster Palace, temp. Henry III. 49. , de la Pewe, 434. , St. Stephen's, vide St. Ste phen's Chapel. Chapter House, Westminster, Queen Maude buried in, 19 ; used as the House of Commons, 241. Charles I., his coronation at Westmins ter, 382: he differs with the Par liament, 383 ; his attempt to ar rest six members of the House of Commons, 385 ; his standard erected at Nottingham, 386; his trial, ib.; execution, 387 ; disinterment of his remains, ib. note. II. his restoration, 389 ; his death and funeral, 390. Chatham, Earl of, his mortal seizure, in the House of Lords, 397. Chaucer, Geoffrey, .appointed clerk of the works, 275. ChayUowe, W. de, surveyor of works, 125. Church of St. Martin's, London, Henry , III.'s gift to, 67. Claims, court of, at the coronation of Richard II. 248. , Henry IV. 290. , George IV. 404. Clock Tower, in the Palace, 187 ; ditto and Fountain, in New Palace Yard, 443,463. Cloister, St. Stephen's, payments for materials, 18 ; Edward II. 126 ; de scribed, 455, 457 ; represented in Plates xvi. xvii. xix. xxi. xxU. xxUi. xxv. xxx. xxxiii. xxxiv. xxxv. xxxvi. Close RoUs described, 25. Closet, the King's, Whitehall, Anne Boleyn married in, 357. Commons, House of, St. Stephen's Cha pel occupied as, 361 ; its appearance in 1708 described, 393 ; its appear ance in 1761, 397, note ; its destruc tion by fire in October, 1834, 410 ; as fitted up in 1835, 433 ; noticed, 464 ; represented Plate xxxix. Commonwealth, settled under Cromwell, as Captain-general, 387 ; as Lord Protector, 388. Conduit of water, for Palace, 51, 113, . 337. Conference on reUgion, in Westminster Abbey, 365. Coronations celebrated at Westminster, with the ceremonies: — of Harold, 15; William the Conqueror, ib. ; WiUiam II. 16; Henry I. 18; Stephen, 19; Henry II. ib. ; the son of Henry II. 21 ; Richard I. 22 ; John, 24 ; Henry III. 27 ; Eleanor, his Queen, 39 ; Ed ward I. and Eleanor, his Queen, 79 ; Edward II. 104; IsabeUa, his Queen, 106 ; Edward III. 141 ; PhUippa, his Queen, 147 ; Richard II. 250 ; Henry IV. 291 ; Henry V. 305 ; Katherine, his Queen, 307; Henry VI. 313 ; Margaret of Anjou, his Queen, 315 ; Edward IV. 326 ; Richard III. 332 ; Anne, his Queen, ib. ; Henry VII. 339 ; EUzabeth, his Queen, 340 ; Henry VIII. 345 ; Ka therine of Arragon, ib. ; Anne Boleyn 357 ; Edward VI. 360 ; Mary, 362 ; EUzabeth, 364; James I. 367; Charles I. 382; Charles II. 389; James II. 390 ; WiUiam and Mary, 392 ; Queen Anne, 393 ; George I. 394 ; George II. 395 ; George III. 396 ; George IV. 404 ; WiUiam IV. 406. Coronation of Edward I. expenses of, 436, note. Coronation Oath of Edward II. 105. of Richard II. 252. of Henry VIII. 346. " CounsaUl House, Queen Margrette's," in the Palace, 337. Cromwell, (Oliver,) his inauguration, 388, note ; his death and funeral, ib. desecration of his remains, 389, note. Crown Jewels, redeemed from pledge, for the coronation of Henry Vth's Queen, 307, note. Cryptof St. Stephen's Chapel, described, 449 ; represented in Plates iu. xviu. xix. xxv. xxvi. Dacre, Lord, acquittal of, 358. Deans of St. Stephen's, 430, note. Earthquake, at Westminster, 366. Edward the Confessor, Abbey Church built by, 11; burial of, 12; visions of, and legends relating to, 13 ; a mi racle at his tomb, 13 ; his remains translated by Henry III. 73. Edward I. his birth at Westminster, 48 ; crowned in the Abbey Church, 79; resides at the Archbishop of York's Palace, WhitehaU, 91 ; his treasury robbed,. 95 ; joins his army at Car- lisle, 99; his death and funeral at Westminster, 100 ; his tomb opened in 1774, 101 ; rebuilds St. Stephen's Chapel, 423, 425. Edward II. knighted at Westminster, 97 ; favours Gaveston, 102, 107, 129, 133 ; his marriage and coronation, 103, 104, 118; words of the oath, 105 ; is petitioned against Gaveston, INDEX. 471 107; commences the restoration of St. Stephen's Chapel, 120; his house hold committee, 130 ; reproved by a woman in the Great HaU, 136 ; takes the Spencers into favour, 137 ; impri soned, and abdicates, 139 ; murdered at Berkeley Castle, 140 ; his low di versions, ib. Parhaments at West minster, in his reign, 141. Edward III., his coronation, 141, 142, 146 ; is married to PhiUppa, 147 ; completes the restoration of St. Ste phen's Chapel, ib.; prohibits the bearing of arms in ParUament, 203 ; receives the Pope's agents at West minster, 207 ; pardons criminals, 312; expences and officers of his house hold, 221 ; receives the captive King of France in the HaU, 224 ; makes a treaty with France, 226 ; jubUee on attaining his 50th year, 227 ; resists the exactions of the Pope, 225 ; his last hours and death, 235, 240 ; his burial at Westminster, 241 ; Parlia ments held at Westminster in his reign, 242 ; particulars of his founda- tion of St. Stephen's CoUege, 423. Edward, the Black Prince, created Duke of Cornwall, and Prince of Wales, 205, 206. note ; captures the King of France, 223 ; created Prince of Aqui tain, 227 ; dies at Westminster, 237. Edward, Prince, son of Henry VI. born at Westminster, 315 ; killed after the battle of Tewkesbury, 328. Edward IV. takes Henry VI. prisoner, 322 ; is accepted by the people as king, 325 ; married to Lady Elizabeth Grey, 327 ; his death at Westminster, 330 ; Parhaments at Westminster during his reign, 330. Edward V. created Prince of Wales, 329 ; superseded by his uncle, Rich ard III. 330 ; imprisoned in the Tower, 335 ; his fate doubtful, 336. Edward VI. ; bis coronation, 360 ; his . death, and burial at Westminster, 362. Eleanor, Queen of Henry III. crowned 39. ¦ of Edward I. crowned, 79. EUzabeth, Queen, crowned, 364 ; her death and burial, 366. EUzabeth, Queen of Henry VII., her marriage and coronation, 340 ; burial at Westminster, 344. Elms, the, three places of execution so caUed, 202. Essex, Eari of, triedforhigh treason, 366. Exchequer Chamber, the Great, painted iu 1228, 45. Exchequer Buildings, 442, and Courts, 462. Execution at the Palace, Westminster, for murder, 351. Fair, granted to the Abbot of West minster, 57 ; dispute arising there from, 92. Famine, its eflFects, 1314, 135. Floods at Westminster, 43, 364, 366. Fool, the King's, and his servant, clothed, 1416, 306. GaUery in the Great HaU, at the coro nation of Henry VII. 's Queen, 341, used at the coronation of Anne Bo leyn, 358. Gaol, of the Palace, repaired, 114.' Gaveston, Piers de, favourite of Ed ward II. quits England, but returns, 107; his rapacity, 130,131 ; a com mittee of nobles against him , 130 ; surrenders, and is beheaded, 134. Gates of the old Palace, 444. Gayfere, Mr. Thomas, a skUful mason, 440. George I. his accession and coronation, 394. George II. his coronation, 395 ; his death and interment, 396. George III. his coronation, 396. George IV. his coronation, 404, 405. Gibbet, the King's, removed from West minster, by Henry III. 32. Gislebertus, Abbot of Westminster, grant made to him by King WiUiam Rufus, 445. Glass for St. Stephen's Chapel, pay ments for, 154. Gloucester, Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of, banished for necromancy, 314. Gloucester, Duke of, murdered at St. Edmunds-bury, 316. " Gneyth," the Cross, some account of, 205. Gordon, Lord George, heads the Pro testant association, 398 ; his trial at Westminster, in 1781, 399. Great Tom of Westminster, a beU so called, 443. Gunpowder Treason Plot, account of, and execution of the conspirators, 368—381. Hall, Great, of Westminster, bmlt by Rufus, about 1099, 17 ; coronation feast of Henry Il.'ssonin, 22 ;^inua- dated by the Thames, 43, 364, 366 ; Jeasts given by Henry III. 49, 53,55, 74 ; Sir Alan la Zouche wounded in, 75 ; Edward I. proclaimed in, 77 ; 472 INDEX. breach of privilege in, 88 ; repaired, painted, &c. 116; Edward II. reproved by a woman in, 136 ; the King of France received by Edward III. in, 224 ; Richard II. meets the barons in, 270 ; Parliaments held in, 288, 294 ; gallery erected at the coronation of Henry Vllth's Queen, 341 ; described, 435 — 441, 459—462; re presented in Plates i. ii. viii. ix. x. HaU, the Little, occupied by Richard I. 23'; consumed by fire, 68 ; repaired in consequence, 113. , the Queen's, repaired after the fire, 113. , the White, at Westminster, fes tivities in, 350. Harold, King, crowned at Westminster, 15. Hearths, baronial and collegiate, noticed, 440. Hengham, Sir Ralph de, fined for alter ing a record, 443. Henry I. crowned, aud held courts at Westminster, 18. Henry II. crowned at Westminster, 19, held councUs at Westminster, 22. Henry, son of Henry II. crowned at Westminster, 21. Henry III. buUds a chapel at West minster, 27 ; his great seal, 28, note ; crowned, 27 ; Magna Charta con firmed by him at Westminster, 33 ; holds councils there, 33 — 36, 37, 46 ; married in Westminster Abbey, 39 ; rebuUds the Abbey Church, 52 ; pre sents the pretended blood of Christ to the Monastery, 54; oppresses the citizens of London, 57, 61 ; makes concessions to them, 44, 58 ; his con tentions with the barons, 36, 70, 72 ; his burial in the Abbey Church, 76 ; his heart sent to Normandy, 88. Henry IV. created Duke of Hereford, 285 ; his dispute with Mowbray, 286; his banishment and return to Eng land, 287 ; his claim to the throne aUowed, 289 ; his coronation, 291 ; his death at Westminster, 303 ; list of Parhaments at Westminster during his reign, 303. Henry V. created Prince of Wales, 294 ; his interviews with his father at the Pa lace, dramatized by Shakspeare, 300, 302 ; crowned, 305 ; his return from the battle of Agincourt, 305 ; visited by the German Emperor, 306 ; his death and burial at Westminster, 309; Parhaments at Westminster during his reign, 310 ; his helmet preserved in the Abbey Church, 305, note. Henry VI. crowned, 313, 314 ; married to Margaret of Anjou, 315 ; his men tal imbecility, 318, note ; made pri soner at St. Alban's, 318 ; grants to his physicians, 318, note; again made captive, 322 ; compromises with the Duke of York, 325 ; deposed by the Earl of March, 326 ; Parhaments at Westminster during his reign, 327; his imprisonment and death in the Tower, 328, 329. Henry VII. gains the battle of Bosworth Field, and is crowned, 339 ; married, . 340 ; his death and burial at West minster, 344 ; his chapel renovated, 440. Henry VIII. created Prince of Wales, 344; married at Greenwich, and crowned at Westminster, 345; takes possession of Whitehall, 354 ; mar riage with Anne Boleyn, 357 ; aboU- tion of Papal authority, 358 ; his ar bitrary proceedings, and death, 359. Holy OU, used at coronations, legend connected with, 292. Hugh de St. Alban's, "master of the Painters," at St. Stephen's Ch. 170. Hunt, Thos. Clerk of Works, 337. IsabeUa, Queen of Edward II. crowned at Westminster, 106. Isabella, sister of Henry III. betrothed at Westminster, 38. James I. crowned, 367 ; his death, and burial in Henry Vllth's Chapel, 382. James II. his coronation, 390; his abdi-. cation, 392. Jewry, or Judaismum, an office at the Palace, erected by Henry III. 59, note. Jews executed at the coronation of Richard I. 23 ; oppressed and per secuted by Henry III. 37, 63, 64. John, King, his coronation and resi dence at Westminster, 24, 26. John, King of France, brought prisoner to Westminster, 223 ; anecdote of, when in the Savoy, 224, note ; set at liberty, 226 ; returns and dies at the Savoy, 229. Judges of the Law Courts, their relative rank estabUshed, 146 ; convicted of misdemeanours, 85 ; arrested and ex ecuted, 273. Katherine, Queen of Henry V. corona tion of, 307. Katherine of Arragon, married to Prince Arthur, 343 ; married to Henry VIII. and crowned at Westminster, 345; divorced by the king, 354. INDEX. 47a King's Table, (Edward II.) at West- minster, 436, note. Law Courts, first notice of,' at West minster, 16 ; King's Courts, at West minster, first mentioned, 24 ; held be fore Henry III. in person, 38 ; Henry III. sits iu the Exchequer, 1256, 64 ; Courts of King's Bench and Exche quer, removed to Shrewsbury, 1277, 84 ; judges convicted aud punished for misdemeanours, 85 ; privileges of the judges, 95 ; held in the Abbey Church during the Works at the Pa lace, 117 ; rank of judges determined, 146 ; proceedings to be conducted in EngUsh, 228 ; reporters appointed by James I. 382 ; noticed, 442. , plans of, Plate u. Liveries, worn by the retainers of the nobles, 296 ; abolition of such prac tice, ib. London, citizens of, oppressed by Henry III. 57, 61 ; by Richard III. 275. Lords, House of, destroyed by fire, 1834, 409 ; account of, 420 ; fitted up in 1835, 464; views of. Plates v. xxxvU. xxxviii. Lucius, fabulous history of, 3. Marche, Thos. de la, defeats de Vis conti, at Westminster, 217. Marculf's Chamber, at the Palace, re paired, 124, a singular scene in, 274. Margaret of Anjou, Queen of Henry VI. her coronation at Westminster, 315 ; defends the rights of her son, 322, 325, 326 ; taken prisoner at Tewkesbury, 328. " Margaret of Westminster," a ship, so caUed, repaired by Edward II. 116. Mary, Queen, her coronation, _ 362 ; married to PhiUp of Spain, 363 ; her imaginary pregnancy, 363, note ; her death, 364. Materials, for the works at Westminster, prices of, 81, 90, 124, 150, 424; warrants to procure, 338. May-day, EvU, the 1st of May, 1517, so called on account of a commotion in the city, 352; the prisoners par doned, 353. MaydenhaUe, at the Palace, rebuilt after its destruction by fire, 114. "Merton," Provisions of, enacted by Henry III. 42. Mews, the King's, Westminster, works at, 81. Montfort, Simon de, his marriage, 47 ; heads the barons against the king, fafa, 70 ; slain at Leicester, 71. Mortimer, Roger de, joins the Queen Dowager, against Edward II. 138 ; his execution at " the Elms," 201. Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, his dispute with BoUngbroke, 286 ; his banish ment, 287. Offa, grant of Thorney Island, by, 7. Officers, Surveyors, &c. of the works at Westminster, 31, 51,60,66, 108, 120, 148, 244, 337, 401, 406. 424, 431, 437. of the royal household, pay ments and grants to, 29, 221. Oil Painting, practised in England be fore the time of Jan. Van Eyck, 47, 170 ; at St. Stephen's Chapel, temp. Edward III. 170, 185, 419, 433. Oratory, the King's, works at, 159 ; in the cloisters, account of, 455 ; views of. Plates, xvu. xxii. xxiu. xxv. xxx. xxxi. xxxii. Ordinances of the barons, temp. Ed- Ward II. 131. Overbury, Sir Thomas, the Earl and Countess of Somerset condemned for his murder, but pardoned, 381. Our Lady, rich image of, burned, 435. Pageants, temp. Henry VIII. 346. Painted Chamber, the, Edward the Con fessor said to have died in, 13 ; re pairs of its waUs, 120 ; described, 418, 420, 458, 463 ; views of. Plates, ii. xii. xiii. xiv. xv. Painters, wages of, at St. Stephen's Chapel, 89,171. Palace at Westminster, first mentioned 1017, 9 ; erected by Edward the Con fessor, 11 ; works at, and additions to, and payments for same : — by Henry II. 19 ; by Richard I. 24 ; by King John, 25 ; by Henry III. 28, 31, 45, 56, 59, 68 ; by Edward L 80; by Edward II. 108, 112, 117, 120, 125; by Edward IIL 187, 201; by Henry VI. 316; grants to the keepers of, 29, 45, 83, 273, 356 ; partly de stroyed by fire, 1263, 68, 91 ; da maged by the insurgents, 73 ; privilege from arrest within the, 86, 128 ; trials by battle, in the Usts, 217, 260, 269 ; expenses and officers of Edward III.'s household, 221 ; household ex penses, temp. Henry VI. 312; inter views between Henry IV. and the Prince of Wales, 300 ; officers of the works, 1484, 337 ; pageants in the reign of Henry VIII. 346 ; judicial ex ecution at, 351 ; its destruction by 474 INDEX. fire, and abandonment as a royal re sidence, 352, 353 ; remains of de scribed, 416—464. Palace, Lesser, at Westminster, 407. Park, St. James's, connected with WhitehaU by Henry VIII. 355. ParUaments,in Westminster HaU, temp. Henry III. 55, 65, 70; Commons joined with the barons, 1258, 65 ; began to assume their present form, 1265, 71 ; right of the Commons to grant suppUes, 98 ; to be held twice a year, 131 ; authority, in 1311, resides in the baronage, 132 ; allow ance to knights of the shires, 140 ; bearing of arms in, prohibited, 203 ; Speaker of the House of Commons firstnoticed, 1377, 240 ; women sum moned to ParUament, 243 ; a packed House of Commons procured by Richard II. 282; its proceedings, 284 ; holden at WhitehaU, 99 ; at Shrewsbury, 286 ; in the Great HaU, Westminster, 65, 288, 294; in the Painted Chamber, 241 ; the Commons meet in the White Chamber, 220 ; in the Painted Chamber, 241 ; in the Abbey Chapter House, ib. ; in St. Stephen's Chapel, 361; the Peers meet in the White Chamber, 220 ; list of those held at Westminster during the reigns of Edward II. 141 ; Edward III. 242 ; Richard II. 290 ; Henry IV. 303 ; Henry V. 310 ; Henry VI. 327 ; Edward IV. 330 ; uniformly held at Westminster since 1483, 330 ; Charles I. opposition to, 383 ; the long Par Uament meets at Westminster, 384 ; its proceedings, ib. ; Parhaments made triennial, 385 ; septennial, 394 ; designs for a new House of, ParUa ment, anno 1739, 395 ; Houses of, en larged, &c. 401, 406; destroyed by fire, anno 1834, 409, 415 ; tempo rary Houses, 463. ParUament, Houses of, how constituted, and number of members, 408. , Reform of, 407. Perceval, Right Hon. Spencer, assassi nated by BeUingham, 402. Pariiamentary Buildings, &c. Ground Plan of, described, 447. Perrers, AUce, mistress of Edward III. memoir of, 233, note; proceedings against her, 235, 257. PhiUppa, Queen of Edward HI. crown ed at Westminster, 147 ; buried at Westminster, 230. Plague, London and Westminster de vastated by, 215. Poll Tax, imposed by Parliament, 265 ; insurrection in consequence, 266. Popes, exactions of, 34, 207, 225, 228. Privileges of the Palace, 87 ; breaches of, 86, 88, 128. Protestant Association, in 1780, 398. " Pycherhouse," in the Palace, 337. Raleigh, Sir Walter, beheaded in Old Palace Yard, 381. RegaUa, Scottish, presented to the Abbey Church at Westminster, 101. Reporters of the law, appointed by James I. 382. Requests, Court of, plan of, plate u. described, 401,458, 463 ; represented in Plates v. xxxvii. xxxviii. Richard I. crowned at Westminster, 22. Richard II. crowned, 250 ; interview with Wat Tyler, 266 ; married at Westminster, 267 ; meets the barons in the great HaU, 270 ; assumes the government, 274 ; his second mar riage celebrated, 279 ; his profligacy, and exactions, 280, 282,284; pro cures a packed House of Commons, 282 ; enlarges Westminster Hall, and keeps his Christmas there, in 1398, 437 — 439 ; imprisoned iu the Tower and deposed, 288 ; Parhaments at Westminster during his reign, 290 ; his death in Pontefract Castle, and burial, 297- Richard III. married to the Lady Anne Mowbray, 329 ; usurps his nephew's throne, 330 : his coronation at West minster, 333 ; gateway erected at Westminster by him, 339, 444 ; his death in Bosworth Field, 339. Riot in London, in June, 1780, 398. Roofs, timber-frkmed, Mr. Rofe's opi nion on, 459, note. Rufus, King WiUiam, his grants to the Abbot of Westminster, 446, note. Sacheverel, Dr. his trial, 394. Seal, Great, beauty of Henry III.'s, 28, note ; a new one made, 67 ; several transfers of, in 1340, 209. Seal of St. Stephen's CoUege, engraved in title page ; noticed 457. Shakspeare, Theatrical License granted by James I. to, 367. Simnel's conspiracy, defeated, 342. Smirke, sir Robert, repairs Westminster HaU, &c. 441. Soane, Sir John, erects the Royal en trance to the House of Lords, &c. 406 ; his remarks on the insecurity of the buildings, 409 ; erects the Law courts, 442. Somerset, the Protector, tried in the Great HaU, 363. Southampton, Earl of, tried in the Great Hall,and beheaded inthe Tower, 366 INDEX. 475 Speaker of the House of Commons, first mentioned, 1337, 240. Speaker's House, 449 ; 456. Spencers, the, favourites of Edward II. 137 ; executed by the barons, 139. St. Alban's, Battle at, Henry VI. made prisoner, 318. Stafford,Lord Viscount, his trial noticed, 440, note. Star Chamber, mentioned in 1372, 231 ; in 1550, 433 ; account of, 442; view of, Plate XX. Star Chamber, and High Commission Courts aboUshed, 385. Steam, presumed early attempts to na vigate by, 382, note. Stephen, King, crowned and held courts at Westminster, 19 ; the reputed founder of St. Stephen's Chapel, ib. St. Stephen's Chapel :— King Stephen, its reputed founder. 19 ; payment to chaplain of, 13 Henry III. 45 ; works at, 23 Henry III. 48 ; rebuilt by Ed ward I. 58, 88, 424 ; its restoration commenced by Edward II. 120 ; com pleted by Edward III. 147 ; parti culars of works at, 150, — 186 ; pay ments for same, 161 ; used for the Commons House after the dissolution, 361 ; its general history, and curious particulars concerning, 423 — 434 ; its BoyBishop, 429; described, 449 — 458; represented with its appendages, in plates i. ii. ui. vi. xi. xu. xvi. xvu. xviii. xix. xxi. xxii. xxU. xxui. xxui. xxv. xxv. xxvi. xxvii. xxviu. xxix. xxx. xxxi. xxxii. xxxUi. xxxiv. xxxv. xxxvi. Stephen, the King's Painter, (Edward I.) 436. St. StepbeB^-GoUege, establishment of, 429 ; its revenues, &c. 432, 433 ; its seal described, 457. Stew-ponds, of the Palace 115, 119. Strafford, Earl of, tried for high treason by the Long ParUament, 384 ; exe cuted on Tower HiU, 385. Stratford, John de. Archbishop of Can terbury, accused of treason by Ed ward III. 211 ; pardoned, 212. Street Pavement, between Temple Bar and Westminster, ordered to be re paired, 129, 222. Surrey, John de Warenne, Earl of, fined for a riot in the Great HaU, 76. TaUeyrand, Prince, his ancestor an am bassador from the Pope, 225, note. TaUies, described, 414, note. Tapestry of the Spanish Armada burned, 423 ; described, ib. note. Tournaments, at Westminster, 315, 267, 341, 343, 345 note, 349, 361, 38L Tower of London, the, repaired by Wil liam II. 18 ; temp. Henry II. 211; besieged by the barons, 1265, 73 ; works, temp. Edward I. 80 ; Edward II. 108, 135 ; Edward III. 161. Trials, by battle, 317. 260, 269. Trials at Westminster, of the Seven Bi shops, 391 ; of the Earl of Derwent water, 394; of the Scottish Jacobite Peers, 396 ; of Earl Ferrers, ib. ; of Lord George Gordon, 399 ; of War ren Hastings, 400. TykehuU, Nicholas de. Clerk of Works, 108-9. Tyler, Wat, his insurrection, 265 ; his assassination in Smithfield, 266. Visconti, John de; defeated in the Usts at Westminster, 217. Vineries, of the Palace, 115. Vineyard, the King's, (Edward I.) 436. Union, Scottish, 393 ; Irish, 400. Wages of artizans, and prices of mate rials, 13th and 14th centuries, 89, 110, 131, 150, 301 424; of Painters at St. Stephen's Chapel, 171 ; of Carpenters, &c. 424. Walworth, Lord Mayor, assassinates Wat Tyler, 266. Warbeck, Perkin, his conspiracy and execution, 342, 343. Wardrobe, the King's, at Westminster, painted, temp. Henry III. 46, 56, 60. Wardrobe Account, of Edward II. 1311, 132. Weigh House, at the Palace, repaired, 189. Westminster, caUed Thorney Island, 7 ; origin of present name, ib. ; founda tion of first monastery at, 8 ; Law Court at, first notice of, 16 ; courts held there by Henry I. 18 ; a chapel builtatby Henry III. 27 ; a fair grant ed by Henry III. to the Abbot, 57 ; works at the King's Mews, 81 ; plan of the buildings at, Plate ii. described, 447. Westminster Hall, see Hall, Great. "White Chamber, the Great," addi- tions to, by Edward II. 116 ; Henry, son of James I. created Prince of Wales in, 381. Whitehall, Archbishop of York's Palace at, repaired for the reception of Ed ward I. 91, 92; a councU held in, 92 ; possessed and enlarged by Henry VIII. 354, 355 ; estabUshed as the. royal Palace, 356. William the Conqueror, crowned at Westminster, 15. 476 INDEX WUUam Rufus, crowned at WeStmister, 16 ; buUds the Great HaU, 17. WilUam and Mary ; their election and coronation, 392 ; deaths, ib. note. WilUam IV. his economical coronation, 408 ; and patriotic conduct in the re form crisis, 407. Windows, of St. Stephen's Chapel, co loured glass for, 177. Wolsey, Cardinal, his influence vfith the King, 353, 354 ; his disgrace and death, 354. Women, summoned to Parliament, 243. Wool Staple, of the Palace repaired, 192, 364. Workmen, impressed into the Kiiig's service, 170, 186, 227, 338. Wyatt, Sir James, made surveyor of works, 401. Yeomen of the Guard, instituted by Henry VII. 339. York, Archbishop of, empowered to bear a Crosier in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 219. York, Richard, Duke of, his claim to the Crown, 318 ; takes Henry VI. prisoner at St. Alban's, 319 ; made Protector of the realm, 320; lays claim to the throne in Westminster Palace, 323 ; Slain at Wakefield, 335. FINIS, J. B. Nichols and Son, 25, Parliament-stkeet,