A report is mentioned and denied by Stow, as prevalent in his own time, that the most ancient building which stood on the site of this Hall, had been either a Temple, a Church, or a Jewish Synagogue. That it was not intended as an edifice for christian devotion, he argues from its position, which was north and south instead of the established arrangement of placing the altar-end in the east; and that it had not been erected for either of the other purposes, he maintains from the form not being circular, but that of a nobleman's house.[a]  Discrediting these reports, therefore, he refers the time of its foundation to a period since the Norman Invasion, because it was reared "upon vaults of stone, which stone was brought from Caen in Normandy; being like that of Paul's Church, builded by Mauritius and his successors Bishops of London." He adds that he considered the most probable supposition concerning it was, that it had been "of old time belonging to the family of the Bassings; which was in this realm a name of great antiquity and renown, and that it also bare the name of that family, and was therefore called Bassing's Haugh, or Hall. Whereunto I am the rather induced for that the arms of that family were of old time so abundantly placed in sundry parts of the house, even in the stonework; but more especially on the walls of the hall; which carried a continual painting of them on every side, so close together as escocheon could be placed by another: which I myself have often seen and noted before the old building was taken down. These arms were a gyrond of points, gold and azure. Of the Bassings, therefore, builders of this house, and owners of the ground near adjoining, the Ward taketh the name: as also Ward of Coleman, and Farringdon Ward of William and Nicholas Farringdon; men that were principal owners of these places."

So early as the century, however, the same authority states that the most noble persons inhabiting the City were appointed to be principal magistrates in this mansion; by which it appears to have been then an official residence,—probably on account of its vicinity to the ancient Aldermen's Bury, or court of meeting, in the present street called ,[b]  previously to the erection of a in , , in . The magistrates referred to, at this time bore the name of Portgraves, or Counts of the Gate;[c]  which perhaps furnishes another reason for the situation and use of the present edifice, being near to the Postern-gate of . The names of some of them preserved by Stow, are Godfrey De Magun, or Magnaville, Portgrave or Sheriff, in the reigns of William the Conqueror, and William Rufus; Hugh de Buche, or Boche, in that of Henry I.; Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford, slain in that of Stephen; Gilbert Becket, in the same; Godfrey Magnaville, the son of William, the son of Godfrey, Earls of Essex, by the gift of Maud the Empress; Peter Fitz Walter, and John Fitz Nigel, in the reign of John; Ernulphus Buchel; and William Fitz Isabel.[d]  In , the year of John, appear the names of Solomon and Hugh Bassing, as the Sheriffs, in the Mayoralty of Robert Serle; in , the of Henry III., the same Solomon Bassing was Mayor for part of the year; and in , the of that reign, Adam Bassing, "son to Solomon, as it seemeth," says Stow, was of the Sheriffs.[e] 

It is probable that the mansion at this time passed into the possession of that family, whose name and memory are

From this period Bakewell Hall became established as a weekly market-place for woollen-cloths, both broad and narrow, which were brought from all parts of the realm there to be sold. For its better protection an Ordinance was passed by the Corporation in -, the year of Richard II., under the Mayoralty of Richard Whittington, and another in the year following, under the Mayoralty of Drew Barringtine,—declaring that no foreigner or stranger should sell any woollen cloth but in the Bakewell Hall, upon the penalty of the forfeiture thereof.

These ordinances were confirmed by an Act of Common Council passed , the year of Henry VIII.; which also decreed that "no manner of person being Freeman of this City, after the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady next coming, should suffer any manner of person whatsoever, be he free or foreign, to buy or sell any manner of woollen cloths harboured or lodged contrary to the said ordinance: as Broad-Cloths, Carsies, Cottons, Bridgewater-Friezes, Dosseins, or any manner of cloth made of wool,—within his shop, chamber, or other place within his house, unless the said cloth were brought to Blackwell Hall aforesaid, and there bought and sold. Or else the said Freeman, the said clothes lawfully bought in the country, out of the said City,—upon pain to forfeit and to pay to the use of the Commonalty of this City,—for his offence, for every Broad-cloth so sold, harboured, or lodged contrary to the said ordinance, —for every Carsie, for every Dosseine, Bridgewater, and other pieces of cloth made of wool, And for the offence, the said pains to be doubled. And for the offence, the party so offending to be disfranchised, and deprived clearly of the Liberties of this City for ever."[d] 

Having probably stood for upwards of years, about the middle of the century this edifice became ruinous and in danger of falling, which induced Richard May, Merchant-Taylor, at his decease to give the sum of for re-edifying the outer part; upon condition that the repairs should be performed within years of that time. The old Bakewell Hall was then entirely taken down: and in the month of February next following, says Stow, who witnessed the demolition,—the foundation of a new, strong, and beautiful, store house being laid, the work thereof was so diligently applied that, within the space of months after, to the charges of , the same was finished in the year . If the old edifice upon this spot were at this time entirely removed, it is possible that an imperfect representation of it appears in the Plan of London, published by Radulphus Aggas, about the year , the building marked "Baysinges Hall," being therein delineated as a long structure, with arched windows and buttresses at the side, a high-pointed roof, and large circular embattled turrets at the eastern end; whilst about the middle of the south side appears a low square erection, also embattled, apparently a gate: all which characteristics belong to a period of architecture, earlier than the time referred to by Stow.—A slight notice of the importance and value of the goods deposited in Bakewell Hall, before the Great Fire of London, is preserved in a manuscript of various particulars relating to the metropolis, apparently the production of a citizen from his own recollections, about the commencement of the eighteenth century. In mentioning the markets and fairs of London he observes that "they be of several kinds; as in that of Blackwell Hall is twice a week to be seen a sight nowhere to be seen in all Europe, besides such quantity of cloth brought out of the west and north parts of England. And should a stranger but once see and have a relish of our staple of woollen cloth, he would stand in admiration; and I have wondered very much that it hath not been taken much notice of."[e]  —The Hall appears to have been considerably within the limits of the Great Fire; and when Lord Clarendon is estimating the loss then sustained by the Stationers Company at he adds "if so vast a damage befel that little Company in books, and paper, and the like, what shall we conceive we lost in cloth;—of which the country clothiers lost all they had brought up to Blackwell Hall against Michaelmas, which was also burned with that fair structure."[f] 

The late edifice of Blackwell Hall represented in the annexed Plate, appears to have been erected about the year , and it

The progressive alterations introduced into the manner of conducting the woollen trade during the last centuries, gradually reduced the commercial importance of Blackwell Hall; from the sales there having been diverted into other channels. Before the year the ground floor of the southern wing of the building was occupied by the Land Tax Office, which is indicated in the present View by modern glazed windows. In , was passed an Act of Parliament for "enabling the Mayor and Commonalty of the Citizens of London, to provide convenient Courts of Justice, in and for the said city."[c]  The preamble recited that "the Court of Requests was then held in Chapel, formerly called the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, or All Saints, situate on the east side of Yard, in the said City, and adjoining on the north-west corner thereof to the aforesaid; and that it was expedient that convenient buildings should be provided for the sitting of the said Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas, in and for the said City, and for a Court of Requests for the said City; and that part of the sites of Chapel and of Blackwell Hall on the east side of Yard aforesaid, would be a convenient situation for the erection of such buildings." The Act stated farther, that Chapel was much decayed, and that divine service had not been performed therein for many years: and of Blackwell Hall, that the market there had been many years discontinued, and that the warehouses and buildings belonging to it had fallen into decay. The Act then empowered the Corporation to buy such parts of the Hall and Chapel as did not belong to it: to take them down: to erect and provide convenient buildings for the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas, and Court of Requests, for the City, upon part of the sites of Chapel and Blackwell Hall: and to grant building-leases, and sell the reserved rents and fee-simple, of any part or parts of the sites which might not be required for the said purposes, freed from the annual payment charged upon Blackwell Hall to the Orphan's Fund, in common with the other City markets.—On , the Corporation referred the execution of this Act to the Improvement Committee; which, on , presented a Report to the Common Council on offering part of the site of this Hall, &c. for the Commissioners of Bankrupt. The Report stated that "it having been represented to them that a notice had been given in the Honourable of a motion intended to be made for the purpose of removing the Commissioners of Bankrupt from to , in ,—they proceeded to take the same into their serious consideration: and conceiving that it would be attended with great inconvenience if not injury, to the citizens, merchants, and traders, of the City, if the Commissioners of Bankrupt were removed to any distance from the , where the meetings of the Commissioners have hitherto been always held, they were of opinion that, if the cannot be rendered fit for the Commissioners—some plot of ground near to the should be procured: and as there is a large space, part of Blackwell Hall, and premises in belonging to this City, not wanted for the proposed new Courts of Justice, extending feet in front next to , and of an average depth of feet, which is authorised by Act of Parliament to be let for the purpose of being built upon and afterwards to be sold; they thought it would be advisable to offer the same to the Government for sale or otherwise as may be most expedient, in order to be appropriated to the Commissioners of Bankrupt; whereby the apprehended inconvenience, and injury to the citizens, merchants, and traders, of this City, may be avoided; and that they should be empowered to make the said offer and to treat with them accordingly. Read, agreed to, and referred back to the said Committee, to take such steps therein as they may be advised."[d]  Another Report from the same Committee presented to the Common Council, , states the disposal of the property to the Commissioners of Bankrupt for the sum of .; and requires the sealing of a bond to the Commissioners to indemnify them against a rent payable to the Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, chargeable upon Blackwell Hall. The deed of feoffment and bond of indemnity were accordingly ordered to be sealed with the City Seal.[e] 

The structure of Blackwell Hall was therefore taken down about ;[f]  and on Tuesday, , a commencement was made upon the site, of the present large piles of stone edifices, and the wide street between them called Buildings. The principal erection adjoins to , and contains the new Law and Bankruptcy Courts and offices; and consists of a plain and handsome structure, story in height, of Grecian architecture, surmounted by an entablature and pediment. It extends in depth to , and in width to about half the whole space formerly occupied by the Chapel and Blackwell Hall. The other edifice is of the same depth, but narrower frontage; and contains the office of the Irish Society, the Land Tax Office, &c. and adjoins to the projecting house represented on the right hand of the annexed Engraving.

Between the northern extremity of Blackwell Hall and the southern side of , stood the fine ancient CHAPEL OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE, GUILD- HALL, referred to in the above document, and exhibited in the anrexed ground-plan, as well as in Engravings contained in another part of this work. To those plates is also attached some account of the foundation and structure, to which a few additional notices may be properly inserted in this place.

The Chantry-Priests anciently belonging to it are stated to have been Sir Richard Cowper, whose Chantry was , in value, his goods , and his fine of tenths : Sir John Lawlys, Chantry , goods , fine : Sir Robert Tenet, Stipend , goods , fine At the time of the dissolution of the Chapel, the revenues belonging to it were returned at , yearly; or according to another statement, at The whole site of the Chapel, with other messuages, lands, and tenements, adjoining, valued at annually, were granted by Edward VI., , in the year of his reign, , to the Mayor and Commonalty of London; to be held in socage of the Manor of East Greenwich, in consideration of the sum of [a] 

In the time of Stow, this Chapel contained sepulchral monuments of marble, though even then they were all defaced; having been probably wilfully mutilated at the general destruction of superstitious reliques about ; and to these Strype adds several sepulchral memorials of a latter time, an account of which is given in the former notices of Chapel. About , in taking down Chapel under the Act of Parliament already mentioned, an ancient sepulchre was discovered in digging near the north-west angle of the edifice, between and inches below the surface of the floor. It contained a stone coffin, almost entire, measuring feet inch in the extreme length, feet inches in width at the head, and foot inches in width at the feet. On the lid was sculptured in relievo a tall cross standing on steps, the head terminating in a lozenge bottonnée at the extremities; and on the sides were engraven high tapers in cand esticks. On the cavetto of the sloping edge was inscribed "GODEFREY: LETROVM- POVR: GIST: CI: DEV: DEL: EALME: EIT MERCI: or, Godfrey Letroumpour lies here; God have mercy on his soul! the letters of which were of the later unornamented Longobardic form, re-introduced into England about the reign of Edward III. Both the lid and coffin were of a kind of Purbeck stone; the former being of the usual grey colour, and the latter somewhat red and partially mutilated, which was attributed to its long exposure in the earth. In the wer part the coffin was a perforation for the passage of the moisture, and the interior shape was straight at the sides, with an extension for the shoulders and a circular cavity for the head. Wherever it was originally placed in the Chapel, there can be little doubt that the lid once formed a ledgerstone level with the floor; and there is reason to believe that, if the sepulchre were not coeval with the coffin, it was of considerable antiquity: each of its sides was decorated with a red cross inscribed within a circle inches in diameter.[b]  The Act of Parliament which licensed the removal of Chapel, directed that the grave-stones and vaults below the pavement should not be opened nor disturbed; and Section provides "that the monuments or tombs, erected or placed on or against the walls in Chapel aforesaid; shall be removed from the said Chapel into, and be fixed and placed in, the Parish Church of St. Lawrence Jewry, in the said City of London, at the expense of the said Mayor and Commonalty, and Citizens, in such manner as the Lord Bishop of London for the time being, or such persons as he shall appoint for that purpose, shall direct: and that the sum of shall be paid by the said Mayor and Commonalty, and Citizens, to, and be accepted by, the Churchwardens of the said Parish of St. Lawrence Jewry, as for the fees or dues for putting up the said monuments or tombs in the said Church."[c] 

On the south side of the edifice Stow relates, that there was sometime a fair and large Library, furnished with books, pertaining to , and the London College of Priests established in Chapel. These books, he observes, were, in the reign of Edward VI., sent for by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, the Lord Protector, with promise that they should be returned shortly. Men laded from thence carriers with them: but they were never returned. This library was builded by the executors of Richard Whittington and William Bury. The arms of Whittington are placed on side in the stone-work; and letters, to wit W. and B., for William Bury, on the other side. It is now (), lofted through and made a store-house for cloths.[d]  It isevident that the Library here noticed was neither an extensive nor public establishment, but only of those small collections of books frequently to be found connected with the religious establishments in the Churches of London;[e]  and it is most probable that the books were not removed until after the suppression of the Chapel, whilst the property pertained to the Crown. In the immediate vicinity of this very spot, the Corporation of London has established and erected "a Library of all matters relating to this City, the Borough of , and the County of Middlesex." The design was brought forward in the Court of Common-Council, on , when it was referred to a Special Committee to consider of the best method of effecting it. A Report on stated, that the room then occupied by the Irish Society was the best adapted for the New Library; and that until such time as it could be procured, the front room by Court might be used: that the sum required for the outfit would be , with yearly for the support of the Library: and that there was reason to believe that when the establishment should become known, many public bodies and spirited individuals would be induced to assist it by presents. On , a Report stated that the Library was arranged and ready for opening, but that a Librarian had not been nominated: and recommended Mr. William Herbert to be placed in that office, to which he was subsequently appointed. The Library opened in , and the Catalogue appeared in the same year; at which time the collection contained different works, and about volumes. In a Report of the Library Committee, dated , it is stated that the books were in number, exclusive of duplicates; of which total nearly volumes were duplicates also:[f]  the books now () amount to nearly . The most considerable donor to this establishment, was Mr. Thomas Whitby, Deputy of Queenhythe Ward, who gave nearly volumes, all relating to London; but Mr. Town-Clerk Woodthorpe, the late City-Solicitor, W. L. Newman, Esq., and several other members of the Corporation, and literary persons, were also considerable benefactors. The chief subject of the collection, is the general, ecclesiastical, and civil history of the Metropolis; with its institutions, inns of court, colleges, companies, hospitals, charities, laws, charters, customs, manners, biography, public buildings, topography, antiquities, improvements, population, prisons, riots, plagues, the great fire, Parliamentary and commercial history, &c. both in printed works an manuscripts. The Library also includes a large and increasing number of Maps, Plans, Prints, and Drawings, connected with the same subject, arranged in Wards and Parishes: and a Museum of civic antiquities and works of art is also gradually accumulating. The apartment originally appropriated to this Library was the Irish Chamber above Gate, with the room beyond it; but in a new building was commenced for its reception, from the designs of Mr. Frederick Mountague, upon the site of the cloisters between and the adjoining Chapel. This building is entered by a staircase in the porch of , and consists of an apartment about feet long, broad, and high, with an ornamented arched ceiling, lighted by a lanthorn, small flat skylights, and a large window at the eastern end, with the City Arms in stained glass, in a semi-circle above it. On each side are galleries about feet from the floor, supported by piers, and ascended by bronzed iron stairs at the eastern end of the room: the whole of which walls, piers, and galleries, are lined with bookcases, with brass latticed-doors in front. The new Library is now complete, though the whole collection of books has not yet been transferred to it; and the original apartment will probably continue to be used for members of the Corporation, the great room being appropriated to visitors. By the regulation of the Library, every member of the Corporation may introduce a visitor either personally or by letter; and it is open daily from o'clock until , excepting during the month of August, and from the until the , when it is entirely closed.

[a] Stow's "Survey of London." Edit. by the Rev. J. Strype, Lond. 1720, fol. Vol. I. book iii. chap. v. p. 65. It is not improbable that the tradition originated in the numerous adjacent dwellings appropriated to the Jews in the Old Jewry and Lothbury, in both of which there were also synagogues. That in the former was at the north corner of the street; and that in the latter was on the south side, in the part occupied by the founders. In Dr. D'Blossiers Tovey's "Anglia Judaica," Oxf. 1738, 4to. pp. 279, 392, it is stated that originally the Jews had a synagogue in every house; which, however, probably signified only a chamber for prayer, partly ruinated in memory of the Temple of Jerusalem. Stow mentions "the house of Benoyme Mittun, the Jew, in the parish of St. Michael Bassinghaughe in which the said Benomye dwelt," with land belonging to him in that Parish and in Coleman Street.

[b] It is stated by Stow that this court-hall stood on the eastern side of the street of Aldermanbury, not far from the western end of the present Guildhall; and that he had seen the ruins of it, "which of late hath been employed as a carpenter's yard, &c." meaning, perhaps, about the year 1568. It is very possible that the site of this edifice was long indicated by a place almost opposite the eastern end of the Church of St. Mary Aldermanbury, called Carpenter's Court. Strype calls it "a very handsome fine place, with a free-stone pavement, well inhabited." Strype's Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. I. book iii. chap. vi. pp. 71, 90.

[c] On the authority of the City Records called the "Liber Albus" and the "Liber Custumarum," fol. clxxxvij. preserved in the Chamber of London, Strype explains the word Portgrave to be Saxon: Port signifying a City; and Grave in the same Teutonic, or Almain, tongue, Comes, a Count or Earl, sounding the Earl of the City; whence the honour due to a Count, as well in the Kings presence as elsewhere in London, was due to this chief officer, while he was in his office; and thence is the reason of the sword being carried before him. Strype's Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. II. book v. chap. v. p. 73. The word Port is used for a City by Aelfred, but it more commonly signifies a gate or entrance, as Pforte does in the modern German.

[d] Strype's Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. I. book iii. chap. v. p. 65. Vol. II. book v. chap. vi. p. 100.

[e] There is the following different pedigree of this family contained in vol. v. of the collections of Gervase Holles in the Lansdowne MSS. in the British Museum, No. cevii. (e) The name of this family is connected with those of several places in different parts of England; as Bassingbourne, Basingstoke, &c. and in two other instances within the metropolis; namely, in Basing-lane, Bread Street, and the inn called the Basing-House, at Shoreditch. Of the former Stow observes that in 1396-97, the 20th year of Richard II., it was called the Bakehouse; but, he adds, "sure I am that I have not yet read of any Basing to have anything there to do." Survey of London, by Strype, Vol. I. book iii. chap. ix. p. 204.

[a] The cavetto of a frieze remaining upon the south side of St. Stephen's Chapel, Westminster, discovered in August 1800, was decorated in the manner mentioned by Stow, with a number of Shields painted with royal and noble armorial-ensigns, probably belonging to benefactors to the foundation. The shields were placed almost in contact with each other; every single escutcheon being attended by two chimerical and grotesque figures, such as are continually to be found in the borders of the illuminated manuscripts of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries: and these paintings were considered to have been executed in the reign of Edward III. "Antiquities of Westminster," by J. T. Smith and J. S. Hawkins, Esq. Lond. 1807. 4to. pages 153, 234-241. The armorial ensigns of the contributors to the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey, were also delineated in the aisles of that church; the shields consisting originally of twenty in each aisle, placed two in every compartment in the spandrils of the arches beneath the great windows. Several of these escutcheons have been destroyed, and others are hidden by the monuments. "History and Antiquities of Westminster Abbey," by J. P. Neale and E. W. Brayley, Sen. Lond. 1823. 4to. vol. ii. Plate xxvii. pp. 26, 27.

[b] "Of whom," adds Strype, "I read this passage: that the citizens paying a fine to King Henry of 2,000 marks, (considering his great wealth perhaps) taxed this their fellow-citizen above his proportion. Whereupon King Edward I. in the second of his reign, 1273-74, commanded William De Merton, his Chancellor, and others his Justices, to moderate the taillages assessed upon him." Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. I. book iii. chap. v. p. 66.

[c] The ancient name of the house, however, appears to have been at least popularly retained until the seventeenth century, since about that time was published a ballad called "The Dead Man's Song; whose dwelling was neare unto Bassing's Hall in London. To the tune of Flying Fame." "Old Ballads Historical and Narrative, collected by Thomas Evans. Lond. 1810, 8vo. vol. i. p. 297.

[d] Strype's Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. I. book iii. chap. v. p. 66: the act above cited was first printed in the "Remaines" added to Anthony Munday's edition of Stow's Survey, published in 1633, fol. Another regulation to the same effect is entitled "An Act of Common-Council for Regulation of Blackwell Hall, Leaden-Hall, and the Welsh Hall, for prevention of foreign buying and selling. Lond. 1678, 8vo. Beside the above civic ordinances, the preamble to the Local Act of Parliament of the 55th year of George III. 1815, cap. xciii. for providing Courts of Justice for the City,—mentions the following statutes for the regulation of Blackwell Hall. 4th and 5th Philip and Mary, 1557, cap v. An Act touching the making of woollen cloths: 39th Elizabeth, 1597, cap. cxx. An Act against the deceitful stretching and tentering of northern cloths: 8th and 9th William and Mary, 1697, cap. ix. An Act to restore Blackwell Hall and for regulating the factors there: 1st George I., 1714, cap. xv. An Act to make an Act of the 10th year of her late Majesty, entitled an Act for regulating, improving, and encouraging, of the woollen manufacture of mixed or medley broad cloth, and for the better payment of the poor employed therein, more effectual, for the benefit of the trade in general; and also to render effectual an Act of the 7th of her said Majesty's reign, intituled an Act for the better ascertaining the lengths and breadth of woollen cloths made in the county of York. So far as these Acts related to Blackwell Hall, they were all repealed in 1815 —It is probable that there was once a kind of resident-governor, or Mayor of the Wool-Staple, attached to Blackwell Hall; since in the epitaph of Sir John Ayliffe, Knt. 1548, in the old Church of St. Michael Bassishaw, it is stated that Right worshipful in name and charge, In London lived he then; In Blackwell-Hall, the Merchant chiefe, First Shrieve, then Alderman. A marginal note adds "Blackwell Hall was his dwelling house." The officers attached to this place consisted of Governors, Hall-Keepers, Clerks, and Master-Porters.

[e] Harleian MSS. No. 5900, described in the Catalogue as "a book in folio, being a catalogue of books relating to the City of London: with many other illustratious of its history and antiquities." The passage referred to will be found at the end of the volume, in a part entitled "seueral thinges omitted relating to the Elustration of the famous Citey of London: as of ther Marketts and fayres."

[f] "The Life of the Right. Hon. Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon. Written by Himself." Oxf. 1817. 4to. vol. ii. It is probable that Blackwell Hall was burned on Monday Sept. 3d, 1666; when Vincent states that the Fire proceeded from Cheapside along the lanes on the north, and thence into Lothbury, Cateaton-street, &c. The Church of St. Michael Bassishaw was also destroyed. The value of the Hall itself was estimated at £ 3,000. Strype's Stow's Survey of London, Vol. I. book i. chap. xxxviii. p. 227.

[a] Blackwell Hall was charged with the payment of about three farthings upon every piece of cloth brought there, to the support of Christ's Hospital; which were collected by Clerks belonging to the Hospital, kept at the Hall for that particular purpose. This endowment was made by acts of the Common Council. Strype's Stow's "Survey of London," Vol. I. book i. chap. xxvi. pp. 181, 183. The Arms of Christ's Hospital are those of the City of London, with a chief Azure, charged with an heraldical rose between two fleurs-de-lis, Or.

[b] "European Magazine," for April 1812, vol. lxi. p. 255. In this place will also be found an engraving of Blackwell Hall, illustrated by a curious paper from Mr. Joseph Moser, forming No. IX. of his "Vestiges Revived."

[c] Local Acts declared Public, 55th George III. 1815, chap. xciii. Royal Assent June 22nd 1815.

[d] "Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Common Council," 1819, fol. p. 36.

[e] Ibid. 1820, p. 55.

[f] On December 20th, 1820, a petition was presented to the Court of Common Council from Elizabeth, wife of John Poole, Keeper of Blackwell Hall, then in a deranged state of mind, praying for relief on account of having been deprived of her house, &c. by the pulling down of Blackwell Hall. Read and referred to the City Lands Committee to examine and report upon; and subsequently it was resolved and ordered that the salary or allowance of the Keeper of Blackwell Hall be continued, until the Report of the Committee should be made to the Court, notwithstanding the said Hall be pulled down. "Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Common. Council," 1820, p. 177. On January 25th, 1821, an annuity of £ 50 was ordered to the parties, with the benefit of survivorship.

[a] Strype's Stow's Survey of London. Vol. I. book iii. chap. iii. p. 43. History of the Diocess of London; by Richard Newcourt, Lond. 1708. fol. vol. 1. pp. 361, 362.

[b] Gentleman's Magazine, July 1821, vol. xcii. part ii. p. 3; in which will be also found a wood-engraving of the coffin and lid. A summary of the history and a description of Guildhall Chapel, are contained in the same repository for August, 1820, vol. xc. part ii. pp. 116-118: and another account by Joseph Moser, with a view, are given in the European Magazine for July, 1812, vol. lxii. pp. 25-28.

[c] In the Act for providing Courts of Justice for London, Sect. 13, also directs "that the stone pavement or floor extending all over the internal part of Guildhall Chapel atoresaid, and the gravestones contained therein, or forming part thereof; and also such parts of the walls of the said Chapel or of the foundations thereof as lie below the level of the said pavement; shall not, nor shall any of them or any part respectively, be taken away or removed for the purpose of digging foundations, or making drains or sewers, or any other cause or thing whatsoever: it being hereby expressly declared that the grave-stones and vaults under the pavement of the said Chapel shall not be opened or disturbed, and that all the works by this Act authorised to be done upon the site of the said Chapel, shall be executed upon, over, or above, the said pavement."

[d] Strype's Stow's Survey of London, Vol. I. book iii. chap. iii. p. 43. The arms attributed to Whittington are Gules, a fesse componée or and Azure, in the dexter chief an annulet of the second

[e] See the account of the Library belonging to the Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill, contained in the present work. A collection of books and MSS. is still attached to the Dutch Church in Austin Friars, which was commenced in 1659.

[f] Minutes of the Proceeding of the Court of Common Council, 1824, fol. p.p. 74, 124. Ibid. 1828, p. 12. Ibid. 1829, p. 105. Mr. Herbert is the well-known author of An Historical Account of Lumbeth Palace; The Antiquities of the Inns of Courts; The History of the Chartered Companies of London; of numerous antiquarian topographical articles which have appeared in the Morning Herald, and other meritorious productions of a similar character. He was also one of the original projectors, authors, and publishers, of the present work, in conjunction with Mr. Wilkinson.