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 IN THE 
 
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 IN THE 
 
 ^rutmiro ; 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 THE TOPOGRAPHY 
 
 BY 
 
 w 
 
 tlltant ©ctgmsrtm 
 
 AND 
 
 THE LIFE OF 
 
 WiiUiam @angitgc& 
 
 BY 
 
 THE REV. JAxMES DALLAWAY. 
 
 13 vt0tol : 
 
 MIRROR OFFICE. 
 1834.
 
 6° 
 
 TO 
 
 GEORGE WEARE BRAIKENRIDGE, Esq., 
 
 F.S.A. and F.G.S., 
 Of Broomwell House, Brislington. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Added to claims of friendship, you have those of 
 my approbation, for your singular perseverance in perpe- 
 tuating the memorials of our native city. 
 
 Allow me, then, to offer this small volume under 
 your patronage j which contains chiefly the Itinerary, as 
 far as it relates to Bristol, made in the close of the 
 fifteenth century, by the venerable William Wyrcestre, 
 the earliest of our topographers. 
 
 The many localities now totally superseded, which 
 he has marked out in description, you have identified in
 
 IV. DEDICATION. 
 
 their several remains, with a liberal encouragement of 
 competent artists, by no less than 1544 accurate drawings. 
 
 Your highly embellished library is still more 
 distinguished by so rare and excellent a collection. It has 
 been my grateful task to endeavour to smooth the rugged- 
 ness of my very ancient author ; and to induce a perusal 
 of him, by a partial translation of his desultory memoranda, 
 as well as by explanatory notes. And it should be consi- 
 dered, that this singular M S. consisted of memoranda 
 only, and those preparatory to a perfect work. 
 
 The Essay on Canynges and his times, is the 
 result of more investigation of his personal history, than 
 was previously known. 
 
 I am, my dear Sir, 
 
 With truth and regard, 
 
 Your faithful Friend and Servant, 
 
 JAMES DALLAWAY. 
 
 Letherhead, Surrey, 
 
 February 20th, 1834.
 
 The Antiquaries of Bristol may be gratified by a more 
 detailed account of Mr. Braikenridge's Collection of 
 Drawings. 
 
 Of subjects in the Parish of St. Ewin's there are 44 
 
 All Saints 17 
 
 St. Werburgh's 34 
 
 St. John's 66 
 
 St. Stephen's 32 
 
 Christ Church 42 
 
 St. Peter's 69 
 
 St. Philip's 48 
 
 St. Nicholas 113 
 
 St. Mary Redcliff 126 
 
 Temple 70 
 
 St. Thomas 28 
 
 St. James 67 
 
 St. Michael 36 
 
 Castle Precincts 13 
 
 St. Leonard's 11 
 
 St. Paul's 7 
 
 St. Mary Le Port 17 
 
 St. Augustine 30 
 
 St. Mark's 69 
 
 Cathedral 160 
 
 Miscellaneous Drawings relating to Bristol 34 
 
 The Bridges and course of the River Froome 52 
 
 River Avon 74 
 
 Coloured Drawings of ditto 96 
 
 Vicinity of Bristol 54 
 
 Of Brislington only 135 
 
 Total number 1544
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 P. 27. The note is transferred from p. 120 of Nasmith's Edition of 
 the Itinerary. 
 
 P. 45. For Villa read Villae. 
 
 P. 62. For officium read offertum. 
 
 P. 106. For Lane read Loud, and dele the asterisk. 
 
 P. 134. For Jocobi read Jacobi. 
 
 P. 136. For Hartery read Harptree. 
 
 P. 152. For Johis read Johes— Johannse read Johanna.— quoram 
 read quorum. 
 
 P. 153. For demiferunt read demiserunt.
 
 AN ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE 
 
 THE 
 
 FIRST COMMON SEAL 
 
 USED BY THE 
 
 nUtQt&gtg Of UujStOU 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 ARCHAEOLOGIA, 
 VOL. XXI.
 
 AN ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE 
 
 THE FIRST COMMON SEAL 
 
 USED BY THE 
 
 BURGESSES OF BRISTOL. 
 
 The first municipal Seal now extant, which was 
 used by the commonalty of the burgh of Bristol, is 
 no less curious for the excellence of the engraving 
 as a work of art at the time of its execution, than 
 the historical design, concerning which, I submit 
 some Observations which have occurred upon a 
 careful examination of it. 
 
 I have referred the adaptation of this design 
 to a single event in the history of Bristol, of im- 
 portance enough, as I would suggest, to have 
 been thus commemorated ; when the privilege of 
 using a Seal was first conceded to the burgesses, 
 by King Edward the First, as lord of the castle, in 
 the early part of his reign. 
 
 Upon an inspection of the more ancient Borough 
 Seals, 1 believe that it will be found, that the
 
 device of a castle is peculiar in a great degree, to 
 those which were under the jurisdiction of a feudal 
 lord, from whom they derived all their municipal 
 privileges, and that the representation of a castle 
 was retained upon those seals as evidence of their 
 original dependance, long after their liberties 
 were confirmed. 
 
 The seal under consideration is circular, having 
 a diameter not exceeding three inches, cast in a 
 composed metal, the basis of which is brass, and 
 very skilfully intagliated or engraven. The Device 
 is a Castle, having a high portal, or gateway, 
 inserted between four towers rising from the banks 
 of a river, and surrounded by a wall. The tower 
 on the left hand is considerably larger than the 
 others, intended to represent the keep. It has 
 three tiers of circular arches ; that on the right 
 hand does not exceed half the dimensions of the 
 keep, upon the top of which is placed a warder 
 blowing a trumpet: the other two are low and 
 diminutive. Of the great gateway, the arch is 
 circular, and the door of timber frame has orna- 
 mented hinges of iron, but there is nothing to mark 
 a portcullis. I have given a more minute descrip- 
 tion, because I have good reason to think that a 
 representation of the castle of Bristol, as extant 
 when the seal was made, was purposely intended. 
 The earliest Seal of the city of Norwich bears a 
 similar resemblance to its contemporary castle. 
 The legend is engraven in the Lombardic character, 
 « SIG1LLVCP. COOXDVNe. BYRG6NSIVCD. 
 BRISTOLLie." But the obverse is the imme- 
 diate subject of this disquisition. This is doubt-
 
 less an equally exact representation of the other 
 great gate of the ancient castle, which rose, flanked 
 by towers, above the ditch into which the river 
 Avon was admitted, and by which means, upon 
 any disagreement with the burgesses, their mari- 
 time vessels might be seized and impounded. At 
 the end of a wall is a lofty circular arch, having a 
 high embattling or embrasure, upon which stands 
 a man with his arm held out, and as if beckoning 
 with his forefinger to a ship or large vessel rigged 
 with a single mast and sail, and a pilot steering it 
 with a rudder projected from the side, a rather 
 resembling a broad plank, than the rudder of later 
 usage. A similar form may be traced in the 
 earliest delineations of the Norman aera. 
 
 a The most ancient rudder by which the ship was guided, 
 in the time of the Romans is called by Virgil " claims," 
 (in distinction from " remits/') and was attached to the 
 side of the ship. 
 
 "Ipse sedens clavumque regit, velisque ministrat." 
 
 aEn. 1. x. 218. 
 
 And in the 9th plate of the Bayeaux tapestry (published in 
 theArchaeologia) the pilot holds the rudder in one hand,and 
 the sail in the other. Upon the Trajan column, the clavus 
 appears to have been likewise attached to the side of ships, 
 and it is probable, that this usage prevailed during the 
 whole period of the Roman empire, and that it was trans- 
 mitted by them to the conquered provinces. That the 
 Normans adopted the form and place of the rudder from 
 them, the Bayeaux tapestry affords us several instances, with 
 some variation, indeed, in its lower part. See plates i. ii. 
 vi. vii. viii. ix. And in illuminations of a M.S. of Henry 
 Knighton. C C. Coll. Oxon. D. 4. f. 5.
 
 Legend: X. SeCReTI. CLAVIS. SV. PORT'. 
 NAVITA. NAVIS 
 b PORTA\ C VSTODIT. PORT'.VILIL. 
 1NDIC6. PDIT. 
 
 " Secreti clavis sum portiis. Navita navis 
 Portam custodit. Portum vigil indice prodit." 
 
 " I am the key of the secret port. The pilot 
 steers the helm of the ship. The warder points 
 out the port, with his fore-finger." The arch-way 
 and tower are intended to represent the secret 
 port large enough to admit vessels of considerable 
 size, as an inlet or slip, immediately communicating 
 with the larger or common port of the town, and 
 occasionally serving the purposes of protection or 
 annoyance. 
 
 To whatever circumstance this device, evidently 
 historical, may indisputably owe its origin, it was 
 certainly the prototype of all the City Seals, how- 
 
 b " Portam navis" is translated (meo periculoj at the 
 steerage or helm of the ship, for I am unable to adduce 
 any instance of its having been so used either in classic or 
 monkish latinity. Such a pleonasm as " navita navis" can 
 scarcely have been intended, and it was not the fact that 
 the pilot kept the gate (of the castle.) The play upon the 
 words "porta and portus" was too delightful to have been 
 rejected by a rhyming monk ; and he therefore used the 
 former in a sense for which he had no authority. In the 
 14th century the clavus above mentioned appears to have 
 been superseded by a rudder affixed to the stern, more 
 resembling those of modern usage, and as may be seen in 
 one of the illuminations of the Froissart, in the British 
 Museum, like one half of folding gates, turning upon 
 a hinge.
 
 ever varied (as the building of the castle itself 
 varied) in their mode of describing- the circum- 
 stance : and likewise of the Arms of the City. 
 
 There are strong coincidences by which I am 
 confirmed in an opinion, that the following event, 
 which took place in 1275, gave occasion for this 
 representation. This seal was used jointly for 
 public acts, and for deeds issued by individual 
 burgesses. 
 
 The first mention I have seen of a common seal 
 of the burgesses, is in the charter granted them 
 by King Edward III. in the 47th year of his 
 reign, 1373, for the choice of a sheriff. "Sub 
 sigillo communi dictae ville Bristol ;" but this 
 circumstance does not prove that the common 
 seal was then first made, but rather, that it had 
 been previously extant. 
 
 I will now subjoin the historical fact, as related 
 by the chroniclers of that age. 
 
 A large ship, which, by stress of weather, had 
 been driven about in the British channel, was 
 discovered, when becalmed, (expansis veils) hover- 
 ing at the mouth of the Avon, by some pilots 
 (cives not nautce). Walsingham says only four, 
 who were in small boats. The ship excited the 
 greatest astonishment, both from its size and 
 furniture, and the certainty that persons of great 
 consequence were on board. The cives (pilots) 
 induced them, by promises of safety, to enter the 
 harbour of Bristol, for it was not possible that 
 they could have compelled them by actual force. 
 Wykes, it is true, says "puppim ipsam cum told 
 sarcind capienles, invitos perduxerunt, intrinsecus"
 
 <; 
 
 (into the creek and water-gate of the castle,) that 
 is, after they had perceived that they had fallen 
 into the hands of the enemy, and that all opposi- 
 tion would be useless. But Speed, from T. Wal- 
 singham, says only, that they were surprised. 
 
 Almeric de Mountfort had taken his sister, the 
 daughter of the great Simon Earl of Leicester, 
 (slain at the battle of Evesham,) accompanied by 
 certain ladies, knights, and priests, with an inten- 
 tion of landing her on the Welsh coasts, and giving 
 her in marriage to Leoline, or Llewellin, Prince 
 of North Wales, who was then at war with King 
 Edward the First. The treachery, or successful 
 manoeuvre, was the piloting of this ship, carrying, 
 possibly, the marriage portion of the bride, with 
 other splendid furniture, into the creek or secret 
 port of the castle, instead of the open port of the 
 town ; and there surrendering the prize into the 
 hands of the king himself, who, it may be inferred, 
 was at that time keeping his court within his castle 
 of Bristol. 
 
 The lady was treated with the courtesy, and the 
 men with the savage barbarity, peculiar to that 
 rera. Wykes relates that these " cives" of Bristol 
 gave " prcedam ipsam no?i ignobilem Domino Regi, 
 triumphali Icetitid ;" and it is borne out by these 
 circumstances, that the device or delineation of 
 this achievement was represented upon the com- 
 mon seal of this burgh and port, and a superscrip- 
 tion was added in monkish Leonine verse, obscure 
 in itself, excepting that it be allowed to allude to 
 this historical fact in particular ; and it was then, 
 first of all, confirmed by the royal authority.
 
 In Peter Langtoft's Chronicle, Almerike de 
 Montfort is said to have been condemned by the 
 parliament, held at Northampton. The whole 
 family of Simon de Montfort had effected their 
 escape into France. He gives an account of the 
 transaction above alluded to, with a certain varia- 
 tion of some of its circumstances ; but those are 
 not less applicable to the device of this seal. A 
 metaphrase may be more convenient for the 
 present purpose; the original being subjoined 
 in a note. d 
 
 " In the year after King Edward's coronation, 
 Llewellyn Prince of North Wales sent into France 
 to offer marriage to the daughter of Simon de 
 Montfort, to which proposal her friends consented. 
 And as they were now sailing or rowing towards 
 
 c " Almerike ov Montfort deprived was \>ere 
 And be tressure that he had in kepyns." 
 
 Edit. Heame, p. 222. 
 d " The next sere followand of Edward coronment ; 
 Leulyn of Walsland, into France he sent 
 De Montforts dough ter to wedde, her frenbes all consent, 
 Almirike her ledde to schyp, now ere hir went 
 Now they sail anb row to Wales to Lewellynes, 
 A burgeys of Bristowe chargyd was with wines 
 He overtoke )>ere schyp, widens hir were ? 
 Hii said wis Kins Philipp to Wales wold hir fare. 
 What bub Ms burseys ? disturbed his wenbins, 
 De may and hir hernesse did lede unto •Se king ; 
 De mayden Edwarde toke, als he was full courteis, 
 In safety did hir loke and thankid \>e burgeys. 
 Whan Lewlyne hard say to warrc sone he began, 
 For tene he wend to die, Kit taken was his leman." 
 
 Edit, ut sup. v. 
 B
 
 8 
 
 Wales, to Llewellyn, Almerick her brother having 
 her under his protection, a certain burgess of 
 Bristol, who was in a vessel laden with wines, 
 overtook the ship and demanded who they were ? 
 they answered that they were going with King 
 Philip into Wales. What did this burgess? He 
 misdirected their voyage by a stratagem, and took 
 the maid and all her wedding furniture to King 
 Edward. The maid the king took, and confined 
 her for security, treating her with courtesy, for he 
 was himself very courteous. The burgess he 
 thanked and rewarded. When Llewellyn was 
 informed of this event he prepared for war, for he 
 was vexed mortally at the detention of his bride." 
 
 Trivetus, in his account of the place where 
 Leoline's ship was first discovered and detained, is 
 evidently mistaken. It was near a small island 
 called Silley, on the Glamorganshire coast, and 
 not the rock, better known by the same name at 
 the land's-end, Cornwall. 
 
 Elenor de Montfort was born in England and 
 educated in France, married to Prince Leoline at 
 Worcester, upon his pacification with Edward I. 
 in 1278, " et anno sequenti mortua est." f 
 
 Such is the historical fact upon which I would 
 ground my opinion, that it supplied the subject of 
 
 e « 
 
 Comitissa de Leicester, vidua Simonis de Montfort, 
 filiam suam transmisit in Walliam Principi maritandam ; 
 qui suspectum iter habentes per Angliam imraenso multi 
 maris spatio, ad insulas Iduras (quae terminos Cornubias 
 respiciunt) devehuntur." p 248. Seyer's Mem. of Bristol, 
 vol. ii. p. 70. 
 f Ex registro Abbat. de Kainsham.
 
 9 
 
 the obverse of the Great Seal of the Burgh of 
 Bristol, which, from the circumstance of its castle 
 having been both a garrison and a royal palace, 
 was considered during the first Norman centuries 
 as Ihe metropolis of the West of England. The 
 usage of the Lombardic character in all inscrip- 
 tions for a great part of the thirteenth and the first 
 years of the fourteenth century, 5 will fix the true 
 aera of the seal under discussion, to 1275 ; when 
 Edward the First, being resident in his castle of 
 Bristow, and having there received so acceptable 
 a prize " triumphali laetitia," it was very probable 
 that he allowed an event, and the service so per- 
 formed by the men of Bristow, to be commemo- 
 rated upon their Common Seal as a royal boon or 
 indulgence. 
 
 It is expressly said by Langtoft, that " he 
 ■Sankede )?e burgeys ;" and it might have been by 
 this recognition. The royal, baronial, ecclesias- 
 tical, and municipal seals of this aera, are most of 
 them executed with extraordinary skill and care, 
 as to architectural representation, though those of 
 men are beyond proportion, in this, as well as in 
 other instances. 
 
 As I have been politely favoured with impres- 
 sions in wax, taken from the ancient Seals now 
 preserved in the archives of the city, by E. Lud- 
 low, Esq., Serjeant at Law, the present Town 
 
 b The last Great Seal of England, the legend of which is 
 inscribed in the Lombardic character, is that of Edward 
 the Third, first used upon his claim of the crown of France, 
 in 1338.
 
 10 
 
 Clerk, I am greatly obliged to him for the oppor- 
 tunity of attempting a description of them, as a 
 continuation of the former subject. h 
 
 II. This seal, which bears the full face and bust 
 of a king crowned, crossed by a lion passant at 
 the breast, and with a castellet on either side, is 
 known from the legend to have been first issued 
 by Edward I. It is likewise in the Lombardic 
 character ; " S. EDW. RSL. ANE. AD. R6- 
 COLN. DeBITOR' AP'D. BRISTOLL." That 
 the two castles are affixed, is an undoubted evi- 
 dence that the first Edward is meaned, because 
 they appear so placed upon his Great Seal, with 
 reference to his Queen Elinor of Castile, as also 
 upon several others. 
 
 III. This smaller seal, an impression from 
 which is affixed to a deed in 1352, is inscribed : 
 " SIEILLVM. MAIORITAT1S. VILLE. BRIS- 
 TOLLIE," and was confined to the use of the 
 Mayor and Sheriffs. It is a variation from the 
 original already described, retaining the design. 1 
 
 h These are engraved in Seyer's Memoirs of Bristol, 
 vol. 1. p. 378. 
 
 1 In Vincent's Collection of Drawings from Seals (MSS. 
 Coll. Arm. No. 88. p. 42.) there is a later variety, in which 
 the quarter for France has only the three fleurs-de-lys 
 adopted by King Henry the Fifth, and the beacon is 
 omitted. The legend is " Sigillum Majoritatis ville de 
 Bristoll." It is affixed to the following deed. " Ego Thomas 
 Halleway de Bristollia concessi tenementum, &c. Et quia 
 sigillum raeum quam plurimis est incognitum sigillum 
 majoritatis ville Bristoll apponi. Dat. 10 Henrici 6ti 
 1432." Thomas Halleway was Mayor 1434, and founded 
 a Chantry in the parish church of All Saints, with a com-
 
 11 
 
 The ship has so far entered into the water-gate of 
 the castle as to conceal its mast and sail. Upon 
 the prow is displayed a pennon, large in propor- 
 tion, bearing the arms of France and England 
 quarterly, as they were first borne by King Edward 
 III. and the Gothic letter 33 behind it. The water- 
 gate only of the castle, not the keep as in the for- 
 mer instance, is represented, and there are two 
 warders with trumpets instead of one. On the 
 highest turret there is a beacon, and near it a vane, 
 upon which is a fleur-de-lys. The castle is no 
 longer delineated as a Norman fortress ; but the 
 towers, which are lofty and slender, attached to 
 the angles, have deep machicolations as introduced 
 in the middle centuries after the Conquest. 
 
 IV. Is a Seal of small dimensions. Within 
 a circle, covered with fleur-de-lys, is a leopard's 
 face open-mouthed, with the tongue depending, 
 and very deeply engraven. Legend ; " S. 
 MAIOR. STAPVLE. BRIST." Bristol was 
 one of the seven staple towns in England, 
 confirmed by King Edward the Third, in 1354, 
 27th of his reign, by whom it was enacted, in 
 each of these towns, a seal should be kept by a 
 distinct officer, styled the Mayor of the Staple. 
 
 petent endowment, in 1450. This is one only of very 
 frequent instances of such an usage, for which the consent 
 of the Mayor was previously obtained, upon petition. In 
 a deed of Lucia Turteye 1350, " Et quia sigillum meuin 
 &c. ad rogatum meum specialcm et personalem, Sig. 
 Majoris villae Bristoll, presentibus est appensum. Many of 
 the curious deeds collected by the late Mr. Seyer and Mr. 
 G. Cumberland, exhibit impressions of these several seals.
 
 12 
 
 A question may arise, whether the architectural 
 delineations of churches or castles engraven upon 
 Seals are mere inventions, or in some instances 
 accurate representations of buildings at the time 
 they were made ? 1 submit my opinion, that an 
 analogy to the prevailing style was always in- 
 tended. Conventual seals, upon which a church 
 is the device, cannot perhaps be proved to repre- 
 sent accurately, that of the Convent to which they 
 belong, as in the instance of that of St. Augustine, 
 Bristol, yet the arches are circular, as were those 
 of Fitz-harding's edifice. Upon a minute examina- 
 tion of the series of Royal Seals, from the Con- 
 queror to King Henry VII. it will be seen that 
 the architecture or shrine work of the thrones 
 upon which each monarch is sitting, is at first 
 composed of simple round arches, and that they 
 then follow the style of the Gothic architecture, 
 even to its final exuberance, in niches and cano- 
 pies. It may be said, that they did not describe 
 the precise form of any contemporary building, 
 but that they sufficiently demonstrate the style. 
 
 We have still an opportunity of comparing the 
 Castle of Norwich with the representation of one 
 upon the Seal of that city, and shall find them 
 analogous, in all respects, if not exactly resem- 
 blant. This reasoning may be applied to the 
 more ancient Bristol Seal, as far as it relates to the 
 general form of its castle, and more particularly of 
 the water-gateway above the Avon. 
 
 As perspective or proportion were equally 
 beyond the powers or conception of the graphic 
 artists of that aera, we must be satisfied with a
 
 13 
 
 general idea only of all they intended to represent, 
 and conclude that they described to the extent of 
 their talents the transaction before mentioned, 
 omitting none of the chief circumstances which if 
 not of national were of local importance, as 
 belonging exclusively to the History of the City 
 of Bristol. 
 
 3*. 50.
 
 SIVE 
 
 LIBER RERUM MEMORABILIUM 
 
 WILLELMI BOTONER 
 
 DICT. de WORCESTRE. 
 
 E codicibus MSS. in bibliothecd C. C. C. Cantab, 
 asservath primus eruit cdiditque, 
 
 Jacobus Nasmith ejusd. Coll. nuper Socius. 
 
 Notulas addidit, cum indice, 
 
 Jac : Dallaway. 1822,
 
 Wfynt manncre ittan ijc foas — pert&aunce, 
 ¥e mag befjolt* tfje Oratsemblaume. 
 
 W. Botoner, ca//ec? Wyrcestre.
 
 17 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 William Wyrcestre was the son of a person of the same 
 name, who was a worthy burgess of Bristol, and engaged 
 in trade. He was born at a house in a street called 
 Saint James's Bee, in 1415. His mother was Elizabeth 
 Botoner, of an opulent family settled at Coventry ; by two 
 rich individuals of which, the sumptuous church of the 
 Holy Trinity in that city was erected, upon the authority of 
 Dugdale, who describes their arms, — " Argent on a cheveron 
 gules, three bezants, between three lions' heads erased 
 and crowned, or." After having passed four years as a student 
 of Hart-hall, in Oxford, he became a retainer to Sir John 
 Fastolf, of Caistre Castle, in Norfolk, and, in process of 
 time, his secretary, physician, and finally his executor. 
 In the Past on letters, published by Sir John Fe?i?i, in 
 1787, vols. 1, 3, and 4, there are several from him, respect- 
 ing his employments, and the affairs of his executorship, 
 and of the siege of Caistre Castle by John Mowbray, Duke 
 of Norfolk. He then assumed the designation of W. 
 Botoner, called Wyrcestre, preferring his mother's 
 name to that of his father. 
 
 In the decline of life he established himself in Bristol, 
 having a house and garden near St. Philip's church-yard 
 gate, and various other property, " tria gardina W. W." 
 There he cultivated medicinal herbs, and practised 
 physic. His chief amusement in his old age was most 
 minutely to survey his native town by paces and measure- 
 ment, and committing the result of such investigation, 
 daily, to his note-book. This circumstance will account 
 for the desultory manner in which the MS. we are now 
 examining is compiled and written. There is evidence 
 collected from his notes, that he died about the year 1484.
 
 18 
 
 He so frequently mentions the individuals of his family, 
 that the following sketch of his descent may be considered 
 to be proved : — 
 
 HSOtOlltt', otherwise Qj&VVtt&tVC. 
 
 Argent on a cheveron between 3 lions' heads 
 erased, gules, crowned or, 3 bezants. 
 
 BOTONER, == 
 
 of the city of Coven 
 try. 
 
 1 . William Botoner, 
 
 mayor of Coventry, mayor of Coven- 
 
 1359—1373. Dugdale.tTj, 1385. ob. 
 
 1386. Dugdale. 
 
 i i 
 
 2.AdamBotoner,== 3. Thomas Botoner,=Maud, 
 
 of Broad Mead, 
 Bristol. 
 
 Agnes Botoner=Thomas Randolph, 
 of Lawford's gate, 
 Bristol. 
 
 ob. 1402. 
 
 William Wyrcestre,= 
 will dated 
 1420. 
 
 William Botoner 
 of Withybrook, near 
 Coventry. 
 
 i i 
 
 Elizabeth Botoner.=William Wyrcestre, 
 of St. James's Bee, 
 Bristol. 
 
 William Botoner,== 
 called Wyrcestre. | 
 
 Joan = John Jay, 
 ob. 1480. 
 
 1. Richard Botoner 
 MS.Letter. C. C. C. 
 Camb. copied in Cole's 
 MSS. v. 43. Brit. 
 Mus. 
 
 Lewis. A daughter. 
 
 (Archceolog. v. xxi. p. 269). 
 
 John Jay, Jun.
 
 19 
 
 In order to fix local reference, the following Table is 
 given from Wyrcestre's Survey of Bristow, 1470 — 1480. 
 
 Points. 
 
 Streets. 
 
 Churches. 
 
 Convents,Chapels, and 
 Hospitals. 
 
 E. 
 
 Wynch-street (now 
 
 
 
 from 
 
 Wine-street). 
 
 
 
 the 
 
 Mary Port. 
 
 St. Mary in 
 
 
 High 
 
 
 Foro, or Le 
 
 
 Cross. 
 
 Peter (formeily Castle- 
 
 Port. 
 
 
 
 street). 
 
 St. Peter. 
 
 
 
 Defence-lane. 
 
 
 
 S.E. 
 
 Castle-street (on the site 
 of the Castle). 
 
 
 
 
 The old (or Castle) Mar- 
 
 
 Barsta pie's Hospital, 
 
 
 ket. 
 
 
 Lawford's Gate. 
 
 
 King's-street 
 
 
 
 N.E. 
 
 The Pithay 
 
 St. James the 
 
 The Franciscans. 
 
 
 
 Great. 
 
 
 
 Broad-mead 
 
 
 The Gray Friars. 
 
 
 Lewyn's-mead. 
 
 
 The Dominicans. 
 
 
 St. James's Back 
 
 
 
 
 (or Bee, on the banks of 
 
 
 
 
 the Froome). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 v^nuicn-yaru 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I >tU lull 
 
 The Castle (Suburban). 
 
 
 The Benedictine cell to 
 the abbey of Tewkes- 
 bury. 
 
 
 Parish of St. Philip, and 
 
 St. Philip and 
 
 
 
 James the Less. 
 
 James the 
 
 Less. 
 
 
 W. 
 
 The Tholshyll. 
 
 All Saints. 
 
 The Calendars. 
 
 
 Corn-street 
 
 St. Werburga. 
 
 
 
 St. Leonard's, with the 
 
 St. Leonard 
 
 
 
 Lanes. 
 
 (destructa). 
 
 
 
 St. Augustine the Less 
 
 St. Laurence 
 
 Abbey of Canons of St. 
 
 
 (Suburban). 
 
 (destructa). 
 
 Augustine (now the 
 Cathedral.) 
 
 
 St. Augustine's Bee (on 
 
 
 The Gaunt's Hospital. 
 
 
 the banks oftheCanal) 
 
 
 
 s.w. 
 
 High-street, or St. Ni- 
 
 
 
 
 cholas-street. 
 
 St. Nicholas. 
 
 
 
 Baldwyn-stieet. 
 
 
 
 
 Baft-street 
 
 
 
 
 March-street. 
 
 
 
 
 The Welsh Bee. 
 
 
 
 N.W. 
 
 Small-street 
 
 St. Giles (de- 
 structa). 
 
 
 
 St. Leonard's ) T 
 
 St. Stephen's \ S " 
 
 St. Stephen. 
 
 Carmelites. 
 
 N. 
 
 Broad-Street. 
 
 Holy Trinity, 
 or Christ- 
 church. 
 
 Chapel of St. George. 
 
 
 The Quay. 
 
 St. Audoen 
 (destructa). 

 
 20 
 
 Points. 
 
 Streets. 
 
 Churches. 
 
 Convents, Chapels, and 
 Hospitals. 
 
 
 
 St. John. 
 
 
 
 St. Michaclf Suburban). 
 
 St. Michael 
 
 Nunnery of St. Mary 
 Magdalene. 
 
 N.E. 
 
 Tower-lane. 
 
 
 
 N.W. 
 
 H ore-street (now Horse- 
 street). 
 
 
 
 
 
 Knifesmith-street (now 
 
 
 Hospital of St. Bartho- 
 
 
 Christmas-street. 
 
 
 lomew. 
 
 S. 
 
 High-street. 
 
 
 St. Mary's Chapel on 
 the bridge. 
 
 
 The Bridge. 
 
 
 Knap's Chapel of St. 
 John. 
 
 
 St. Thomas-street. 
 
 St. Thomas. 
 
 
 S.E. 
 
 Mary Port-street 
 
 Worscep-street and Bo- 
 cherew (now Bridge- 
 street.) 
 
 Defence-lane. 
 
 St. Mary in 
 Foro, or Le 
 Port. 
 
 
 
 Temple-street. 
 
 Temple, or 
 Holy Cross. 
 
 
 
 Tucker-street. 
 
 
 Augustine Friars. 
 
 S.W. 
 
 Redcliffe-street (Subur- 
 
 St. Mary Red- 
 
 
 
 ban). 
 
 cliffe. 
 
 
 The discrepancy complained of, which frequently occurs 
 in William Wyrcestre's measurements, may be best 
 examined by the collation of a single building ; and there- 
 fore I select the Avon bridge, which is described with the 
 greatest variation, and of which eight several mensurations 
 are given in different parts of his MS. 
 
 So great a difference as that between 184 steps and 
 94 steps (gracilis meos each exceeding 20 inches) may be 
 accounted for, by concluding that he measured from St. 
 Nicholas church to Redcliff-street. We know that he used 
 the half eight for the Arabic 4, which will reduce 184 to 
 144. The rise and fall on either side the bridge is included, 
 so that the 94 steps, 150 feet (which measure is twice 
 repeated) was exactly the length of the bridge, from the 
 extremities of the stone piers between the gates. Another 
 measure which he gives, of 72 yards (216 feet), may not be 
 in fact contradictory, but depend upon the precise point
 
 21 
 
 beyond the stone work from which Wyrcestre began 
 to measure. 
 
 The width between the houses upon the bridge is five 
 yards, as he states, (once as nine steps, which at 20 inches 
 make five yards), and ten yards, five on either side, to the 
 outside walls of the houses, which were extended upon 
 scantlings, placed upon the piers, and projected from 
 them. 
 
 In his measurement of the chapel on the bridge there 
 appears to be some contradiction. Forty steps is the 
 external measure, and thirty the internal. Twenty-five 
 yards is the length of the whole building, which rested 
 upon piers, in the river, and crossed the street on the 
 bridge. 
 
 Corrected readings are necessary to make any sense 
 of some of William Wyrcestre's sentences; " ponspontis" 
 should be " frons frontis," which Nasmith has mis- 
 taken. There were never two bridges over the Avon. 
 
 His own account of measures is satisfactory. 
 
 "26 gradus i.e. passus. 5 palmae, computando a pollice 
 ad extremum punctum medii digiti. 
 
 60 steppys meos quae sunt 84 virgae. 
 
 24 steppys sive gress&s mei, faciunt 12 virgas. 
 
 50 virgae faciunt 85 steppys. 
 
 5 virgae sive 8 gressus." 
 
 Here then is a positive statement. 
 
 It may be presumed that Barrett's measurements, actually 
 taken for his History of Bristol, have a claim to accuracy. 
 The subjoined is a fair comparison of the Collegiate church 
 of the Gaunts : — 
 
 William Wyrcestre. Barrett. 
 
 F. 1. F. 
 
 Total length of the nave /l 8 72 
 
 Nave only to the end~) -, , OQ a. • n i , oai 
 
 c *u c .t. • i y al-123 tt. in all, by 24* 
 
 of the South aisle J ., , W1 . , c««»i. 
 
 wide and .3/ high; South 
 
 aisle 72 ft. by 14£.
 
 22 
 
 and of the Holy Cross or Temple. 
 
 William Wyrcestre. Barrett. 
 
 YARDS. 
 
 Total internal length 57 Total length 156 ft. by 59 
 
 Square of the Tower 5 wide and 50 high. 
 
 — Nave 82\,^ 
 
 62 Chancel 74 J 
 
 Is the discrepancy in these measures so great as to dispa- 
 rage Wyrcestre's general authority ? 
 
 Upon an average, the "gressus" or pace will be found 
 to be two thirds of a yard. " Brachia, vethym or fathom," 
 six feet each. 
 
 In Nasmith 3 s " Prefatio " are collected certain notices of 
 William Botoner, called Wyrcestre. 
 
 " Itinerarium, sive liber memorabilium William Wyr- 
 cestre script, in viaggio de Bristol, usque ad montem S. 
 Mich, in anno M.C.C.C.C LXXVII1." 
 
 Notabilia Villa- Bristoliae. MSS. C. C. C. Cantab. 
 Miscell. M. " quod fere omnia continet, quae habentur in 
 autographo alio, in folio, forma oblonga, manu valde deformi, 
 exarato," which is the genuine note-book of William 
 Wyrcestre. 
 
 There is another MS. somewhat different, as including 
 more, in the Lambeth library. MSS. Wharton L. p. 107. 
 
 Archbishop Parker procured a copy to be made from the 
 original MS. in C. C. C. library, which Nasmith condemns, 
 as being inaccurate. 
 
 The late indefatigable Cambridge antiquary, W. Cole, 
 began to transcribe the original, but left it incomplete ; 
 it is to be found among the numerous volumes of 
 compilations, which he bequeathed to the British Museum. 
 MSS. Cole. vol. 42. 
 
 He observes, that however Mr. Nasmith may conceive 
 that he has done justice to his author by omitting many 
 curious particulars, by this caution in his preface " omnia 
 quidem in editione nostra retinuimus, quae ad historiam
 
 23 
 
 vel topographiam pertinent, sive majoris sive minoris 
 momenti, ceetera omittenda duximus." I do not well 
 know how he can escape censure, which he has thus 
 passed on the copy of this MS., which was taken by order 
 of Archbishop Parker. " Habetur in Mc bibliotheca 
 apographum hujus codicis, sed parum fidele." 
 
 Cole has extracted 
 
 Page 35. Additions. " Expensus a Bristoll a die mer- 
 curii usq. ad diem Nativ. B. M. Virginis 8 die Septemb. et 
 usq. Tynterne per ij dies. Item pro candelo cerse 2d — pro 
 9 billets de la Forest 8d. pro butyro ob. pro vino et 
 repastis 3d. — pro equorum prsebend. 9d. pro ferrua 
 9d. pro reparatione sellse 9d. pro medicina equi 2d. 
 Summa 3 sol. lid. Apud Welles caenandi, in toto, cum 
 praebend : equorum 8d. ob. Apud Glastonbury in pre- 
 bend : et repast : Item in pranditione per viam de Bristoll 
 usque ad Glastynbury, 2 sol. 2d." 
 
 This extract, it must be allowed, is curious merely upon 
 account of the prices he paid for the necessaries of his 
 journey. 
 
 The pretensions of W. W. to learning, as it was pro- 
 fessed among the few erudite ecclesiastics, may be subject 
 to several considerations of abatement. But his love of 
 learning was at all times superior to his acquirements, and 
 his industry in copying many MSS., is sufficiently proved 
 by those which are still extant. Nor can we say, concern- 
 ing those which treat of science only, that he did not, in 
 some degree, make them his own. As to his historical 
 collections, and the memoranda which he made of what 
 was passing in his own times, he must, in candour, be 
 allowed all the merit which, in such times, was due to any 
 lay-man, who dedicated his leisure to a literary pursuit. 
 Several historical anecdotes of the reigns of Henry 5 and 6 
 arc not to be found elsewhere, which came within his own 
 knowledge. 
 
 The following catalogue is, I have reason to believe, 
 more comprehensive and accurate than any already made. 
 
 D
 
 •24 
 
 From his habit of transcription, it is almost certain that he 
 must have left many more MSS. Those which remain 
 have been widely dispersed — yet it is certain that, as they 
 are now preserved in celebrated libraries, they must have 
 been held in considerable esteem. 
 
 Although these excerpts or selections do not entitle him 
 to be considered as a man of deep learning, they will 
 amply prove that he possessed an inquiring mind and great 
 industry, especially as he was employed by his patron, Sir 
 John Fastolfe, in the camp, in various negociations, and as 
 seneschal or steward of his estates. 
 
 Twelve distinct MSS., some of which are voluminous, 
 which may be still seen in different libraries, to which due 
 reference is made in the annexed list, will afford sufficient 
 proof that his diligence of transcription always seconded 
 his opportunities. If we consider the general dispersion 
 and frequent annihilation of such MSS. as are written 
 upon paper, it is a matter of no small wonder that so many 
 of them remain ; and we may conclude that his industry in 
 literary collections would have supplied many more, 
 which have been destroyed. 
 
 May it not be candidly inquired — have not so many been 
 preserved upon account of their intrinsic value ? 
 
 MSS. of William JBotoner, otherwise Wyrcestre, 
 which are preserved in different Libraries. 
 
 1. — In Bibliotheca Coll : Magdalen : Oxon. Gulielmi 
 Vigorniensis de sacramentis scriptum 1473. Librum hunc 
 Dno. Fundatori inscripsit Auctor. 
 
 2. — MSS. Cotton Julius F. vij, 5, W. Botoneri Registratio 
 seu excerptio versuum, proverbiarum de Libro Ovidij 
 de arte Amandi, de Fastis et de Epistolis A.D. 1462. 
 
 3. — MSS. Cotton, 504, p. 10. Catalogus illustrium 
 Virorum, prsecipue ecclesiasticorum scriptorum, a passione 
 Christi usque ad ann. xiv. Theodosij, ex Diodoro Hispali-
 
 •25 
 
 ensi, Gennadio Massiliensi &c. excerpt, per W. W. Lon- 
 dini 1469. 
 
 4. MSS. 364. 5. Benet Coll : Cantab : De civitatibus, 
 monasteriis, abatiis, &c. 
 
 5. Ejusdem. MS. 101. 221 pages. Codex chartaceus 
 Henrici Principis Angloruni, Aristoxenus Musicus Oxoni- 
 ensis doctissimus mense Maij 1474. Notse de famosis 
 actionibus illustrium virorum in quibusdam temporibus — 
 mense Maij anno Xti. 1«79 (1479.) 
 
 Ejusd. MS. p. 115. Excerpta de quodara libro Magistri 
 Willelmi Plombe Collegij Gonvile Cantab, anno 1471 per 
 me W. W. de Caistre. Vocalia Hebraica in latino expo- 
 sita, habita in quodam Psalterio Hebraico, &c. scripta 20 
 die Augusti A. Xti. 1471. per W.W. Explicit Alphabetum 
 in lingua Hebraica de antiquo Psalterio Colleg : Sti. 
 Petri Westmonasteriens : scripturn in lingua et Uteris 
 Hebraicis." 
 
 6. Mus : Catalog : Ayscough. N. 169. W.W. de ordinibus 
 religiosorum tain nomine quam regula per W.W. de Bris- 
 tollia in Diocesi Vigorniensi compilatis de diversis cbro- 
 nicis in civitate London, ad compilationem Dni. Nicholaj 
 Ancrane, Prioris Sti. Leonardi prope Civitatem Norvic : 
 1464. 
 
 7- No. 179 — Ejusd. De diversitate linguarum et gram- 
 matices secundum fratrem Ord. Francisi ad papam Cle- 
 mentem Quintum per W.W. Declaratio effectus vere 
 mathematica Rogeri Bacon. 
 
 8. MSS. Laud Bodleian Oxon. Tabulse Alphonsi regis 
 scripta, satis eleganter, per W.W. 
 
 9. Ejusd. MS. Stellae versificatae pro anno Xti. 1440, 
 ad instantiam J. Fastolfe militis. Aliae tabulse pro eodem. 
 
 10. MSS. Soc : Antiq. London, No. 44. A paper volume 
 in 4to., compiled by W. W., and addressed by his son 
 to K. Edward 4th. A Collection of State Papers, chiefly 
 relating to the regency of John Duke of Bedford, in France, 
 Sir J. Fastolfe, &c., 22 articles. It is supposed to have 
 been transcribed in the reign of Henry viij.
 
 26 
 
 11. Brit: Mus: Catalogue MSS. Ayscough 4. 22. 
 Receipts for catching fish. 
 
 Collection of divers receipts from several authors, both 
 English and Latin, with a treatise called Dietarium Sani- 
 tatis custodiendse, with several charms. 
 
 No. 17. Art. 26. Extracta Physical de libro Bertholi, de 
 Johanne Greene Bristollise die Octobris 12 : 1*70 (1470.) 
 
 MSS. Coll. Arm. London. Lamentatio Regis Edwardi 
 secundi (published by Hearne and Walpole.) 
 
 12. Biblioth. Lambeth MSS. De gestis Bedfordise Ebor. 
 et Somerset Ducum. D. 6. Excerpta de eodem D. 85. 
 pp. 91—107- 
 
 Dr. Chandler, in his life of Waynflete, relates Wyrces- 
 tre's conduct respecting the affairs of Sir J. Fastolfe, in his 
 dispute with John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, and con- 
 cerning the possession of the Castle of Caistre, as Sir J. 
 Fastolfe's executor, in 1464. 
 
 W.W. gave to the library of Magdalene College, Oxford, 
 a book intitled "De Sacramentis. Dedicationis sermo," 
 which had belonged to Sir J. F. This MS. in 8vo. is still 
 preserved there. Wyrcestre has inserted an account of his 
 present and a date, 16 Dec, 1473. He had translated 
 Cicero's treatises de Senectute et de amicitia, which he 
 presented to Bishop Waynflete, and he complains that " se 
 nullum regardum (reward) de Episcopo accepisse." Chan- 
 dler observes that he probably obtained from the Bishop as 
 much as it deserved. Yet, if his translation had been so 
 imperfect, Caxton would scarcely have thought it worthy 
 to be selected for his press. See Ames's History of Print- 
 ing. Edit. Herbert, v. 1. p. 42. 
 
 This translation was undertaken by W. Wyrcestre by 
 command of his patron Sir J. Fastolfe, not from the Latin 
 but from the French version of Laurence Primierfaict.
 
 THE 
 
 tropograpljtcal Account of iivtotoU) 
 
 Commences at Page 166 of Nasmith's Edition of 
 
 THE ITINERARY OF WILLIAM WYRCESTRE. 
 
 Longitudo pontis Bristolliae continet circa 72 
 
 virgas. 
 
 Latitude* ejus continet 5 virgas. 
 
 Sed tota latitudo cum mansionibus domorum 
 scituatarum super pontem edificatarum continet . . 
 
 Longitudo capellae Beatse Marise, in medio pon- 
 tis scituatae continet 25 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 7 virgas.* 
 
 Longitudo vici le Bakk proxime continuati ab 
 occidental dictae pontis, per longam keyam, coram 
 aqua de Frome currit, continet in longitudine 220 
 gressus, vel tres 60 et 40 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo marisci ex parte murorum villae pro- 
 piendo a meridie ab extrema banci aquae Avenae 
 prope le domura de rope-crafft vel latrinam officium, 
 extendendodirecte a perca/cetoi ad aquam de Frome 
 
 a " By the cause-way." 
 
 * Longitudo capcllae pontis Bristol continet 36 steppys. 
 Latitudo capcllae praedictac 12steppys. Itinerary.
 
 28 
 
 per b rubeum calcetitm juxta muros villae continet sic 
 in longitudine dicti marisci videlicet sepcies 60 
 gressus, id est 420 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae a porta Sancti Leonardi usque le 
 key, transeundo per le custom-hous usque per le 
 condyt, et directe per shyppard hous c velut via 
 trianguli continet 90 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae Baldewyne-strete tercies 60 et 30 
 gressus, 210 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo venellae a porta Sancti Leonardi tran- 
 seundo per cimiterium in Smalstrete 214 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae vocatae Seynt Laurens-lane a 
 Smal-strete per Sanctum Laurencium 120 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae de Smal-strete continet 240 
 gressus usque ad finem viae ad portam Sancti 
 Egidii ducentem ad unum vicum vocatum Seynt 
 Laurens-lane. 
 
 Longitudo voltae Sancti Johannis Baptistae conti- 
 net praeter le chauncelle 29 virgas et dimidium. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 7 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo a cruce alta eundo per vicum de 
 Wynch-strete ad le pilorye* faciunt 150 gressus. 
 Et alepyloire, continuando usque Newgate novies 
 60 id est 560 gressus. Et via de le Newgate ad 
 pontem de le Were continet . . gressus. 
 
 Via de aqua de Weere eundo d per fratres predi- 
 
 b " Cause-way of red earth." c The house of J. Shipward, Mayor in 1477. 
 d The Convent of the Dominicans or Friars Preachers. 
 
 * The Collistrigium, or Pillory, was a high circular 
 building of stone, upon the area of which this instrument 
 of punishment, constructed with wood, was placed, so as to 
 be always in public view.
 
 29 
 
 catores et pontem ad finem viae vocatse Brodemede 
 continet 224 gressus. 
 
 * Via a dicta fine viae de Brodemede eundo per 
 Marshalle-streetf ad le barresubi tenentes prisonei 
 morantur de fatuis mulieribus continet . . 
 
 Longitudo cimiterii Sancti Jacobi Bristoll con- 
 tinet 150 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 100 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo navis ecclesiae Sancti Nicholai inter 
 victim vocatum Sancti Nicholai ex parte boriali et 
 vicura subteriorem ultra *voltam vocatam introitus 
 ad le bakk, continet nisi 5 virgas. 
 
 Memorandum a porta turris vici Baldwyn-stret 
 usque cornerium magnum in principio de le key 
 per murum villae sunt tres vices 60 id est 180 virgae. 
 
 Item a porta Sancti Johannis eundo per Crist- 
 mas strete usque principium pontis portae de 
 Frome-yate sunt 124 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo pontis de Frome inter duas portas 
 continet 24 gressus. 
 
 Item via de principio ultra et prope Newgate ad 
 finem viae ultra le Weere et le wateryng-place 
 prope He graunt orchard continet occies 60 et 20 
 
 = Called the Entrance Vault. f The great Orchard within the Castle 
 walls. 
 
 * "Via a dicta fine viaede Brodemede ubi tenentes patris 
 mei morantur ad les Barres de fatuis mulieribus, continet," 
 &c. &c. Coles transcript. British Museum. A curious 
 distinction is afterwards made by W. W. between the 
 first-mentioned and " honestce mulieres." 
 
 f Mar shalle- Street — now corrupted to Merchant-Street, 
 was so named from being the great military way, leading 
 from the Castle, by which the garrison were marched
 
 30 
 
 gressus id est 500 gressus, et Sanctae Mariae de la 
 port* continet nonies 60 et 20 gressus, id est 560 
 
 arressus. 
 
 Via prope ecclesiam Sancti Petri ducente de 
 Wynch-strete ad principium cornerii viae orien- 
 talis partis incepcionis de He hochery continet ex 
 transverse- prope fontem de via prope ecclesiam 
 Sancti Petri etc, continet . . gressus. 
 
 Via incipiente ex parte orientali de le bochery 
 eundo per longitudinem vise AeHez shamlys conti- 
 nuando ad finem portae Sancti Nicholai continet in 
 longitudine quinquies 60 et 34 gressus, id est 334 
 
 gressus. 
 
 g The Butcher-row, called likewise Worship-street, because the King's 
 Custom-house was situate there, now Bridge-street. h " The Shambles." 
 
 towards the Mons acutus (Montacute) and King's down, 
 for warlike exercise and sports. 
 
 The ground plan of ancient Bristow formed an irregular 
 circle, and it is remarkable, that the four cross streets are 
 not built in a regular line ; every other circularly, one 
 behind another, still following the outline of the Town walls. 
 
 THE SEVEN HILLS OF BRISTOL. 
 
 1 The Castle, central point. 5 St. Brendan, W. 
 
 2 St. James, N.E. 6 St. Mary Redcliff, S. 
 
 3 St. Michael, N.W. 7 Mons acutus N w> 
 
 4 St. Augustine, S.W. King's down. 
 
 * Sanctce Maria in Foro, where was the market for the 
 city. The market for the garrison in the castle was the 
 " viel mercate " the Old Market. St. Mary de la Port. 
 Port anciently meant the burgrh or town. The common 
 meadow near Oxford, which is free to the townsmen, is still 
 called Port-meadow. And the lane under the town wall, 
 in Redcliff-Street, is still called Port-Lane.
 
 31 
 
 Longitudo tie 4 domibus magnis de le bochery 
 
 continet 25 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo 4 domorum magnarum de bochery* con- 
 tinet . . gressus. 
 
 Et subtus dictarum magnarum domorum sunt 
 grossae et magnae voltae. 
 
 Vicus qui incipit a prima parte pontis et fluminis 
 de Radclyff-strete usque cornerium via? incepcionis 
 de Temple-strete apud Stallage-crosse* continet 
 sexies 60 id est 360 gressus, et iiniens dicta via 
 apud le slepe de Avyn in angulo vise borealis tran- 
 seundo per magnum fontem. 
 
 Via incepcionis apud le Avyn in parte boriali de 
 Stallage-crosse, eundo per longam viam ad Temple- 
 yate continet 110 gressus usque crucem vocatum 
 Stallage-crosse ; et continuando dictam viam de 
 cruce prope ibidem vocata Stallage-crosse usque 
 ecclesiam l Crucis Sane t as Templi ecclesiae predictae 
 continet 300 gressus ; et sic continuando ad finem 
 porta? vocatae Temple-yate continet 320 gressus. 
 
 m Porticus Templi longitudo continet 9 virgas ; 
 latitudo portae templi continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo principii viae Temple-strete ex parte 
 boriali de Stallage-cros continet . . gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae in fine apud Temple-gate continet 
 20 gressus. 
 
 Temple-strete, vicus ultra portam templi versus 
 
 k The ancient Slaughter-houses and Flesh-market. I " Holy Cross, or 
 Temple." m The Porch of Temple Church. 
 
 * Stallage or Market Cross stood in the midst of the market 
 stalls, near Temple Church, belonging to the Knights Tem- 
 plars, for the supply of the tenants of their peculiar district. 
 
 E
 
 32 
 
 ecclesiam Sancte Marise de Radclyff continet 420 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo vise de le Temple-strete prope portas 
 
 ecclesiee "fratrum Sancti Augustini continet 20 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Domus altissimse et lata? regis cum voltis in vico 
 de Worshyp-strete, alias shamellys, sive bocherye. 
 
 In vico vocato le shamelys sunt 3 profundissimi 
 cellarii regis* sub tribus domibus magnse et altee 
 edificaturee, quae fuerunt ordinatse pro lanis etmer- 
 candisis custodiendis ad onerandas naves Bristol- 
 lice ad exteras partes ultra-marinas. Et similiter 
 sunt in dicto vico 4 alii cellarii. 
 
 Volta profundissima sive cellarium °fortissimum 
 subtus portam Newgate. 
 
 Super pontem Bristoll. est pulcra volta larga, 
 artificiose operata subtus capellam Beatee Maria? 
 v pro consulihus et juratis villa Bristolliw sedendis, 
 et ad conciliandum pro communi utilitate villae. 
 
 Super dictum pontem Bristolliae sunt 4 cellaria 
 in fine et principio pontis. 
 
 Spacium super He Tolsylle, ubi major et conci- 
 liarii villee obviant de die in diem, quando videtur 
 
 n " The Hermits of St. Augustine." » " A Dungeon arched with stone. 
 P " For the Common Council and jurats of the town." 1 " The Tolsey." 
 
 * These very numerous and spacious cellars for the safe 
 keeping of the heavier merchandise, as well for the King's 
 customs, as the cargoes belonging to individual merchants, 
 formed in fact the " subterranean Bristol." In some 
 instances, a floor was made by large transverse beams of 
 timber ; in more, the vaults were of stone, pointed arch j 
 rarely with ribs or other ornament.
 
 33 
 
 expediens, sub r coopertura de cyling turn plumbo, 
 coram s /wstinm occidentale ecclesiae Christi continet 
 5 virgas ; et ex alia parte coram Hygh-strete con- 
 tinet . . virgas. 
 
 Officium domus conciliarii tam majoris, vice- 
 comitis, ballivorum villae ac conciliariorum principa- 
 lium eorundem, tam de principalibus mercatoribus 
 cum expediens fuerit, est scitum propeleTolsylle- 
 court, est proxime sequens spacium apertum de 
 stacione super le Tolsylle ex opposito cancellae 
 ecclesiae Omnium Sanctorum,* cum cameris desu- 
 per honestissime preparatis pro conciliariis guber- 
 natorum dictse villa? annexis in parte meridionali 
 ecclesiae Sancti Adoeni. 
 
 Pyll-strete in parochia Sancti Stephani.f 
 Via a porta Sancti Leonardi, incipiente sub porta 
 Sancti Leonardi, videlicet a fine viae de Baldwyn- 
 strete, directe eundo per venellam conducentem ad 
 le key Bristoll., ubi le custom hows in principio 
 t tria?iguli super le key, qui quid em triangulus est in 
 parte meridionali de le key, in medio cujus trianguli 
 excellens domus conducti de frestone scita est et 
 
 r A ceiling covered with a fiat roof of lead." s " The west door." 
 1 The triangular open space on the Quay, where were the Custom-house, 
 and the Castellet of a Fountain, now covered with warehouses. The 
 fountain remains. 
 
 * The ancient site of the Tolsey had, like the present, 
 one front opposite the west-door of Christ-church, and the 
 other opposite the chancel of All Saints. 
 
 f There were two streets bearing nearly similar names ; 
 Pyll street in St. Stephen's parish, and Pile-street, which 
 branched from Redcliff-hill.
 
 34 
 
 construitur ; et dicta via modo est finis de la Pylle 
 strete, continet 100 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae venellae continet 5 virgas ad in- 
 cepcionem anguli dicti trianguli de le custom-hows, 
 et ibidem finiente. 
 
 a Ve?iella parvissima et stricla eundo de Hygh- 
 strete prope altam crucem inter ecclesiam omnium 
 sanctorum et "ojficium artis cocorum villce* exten- 
 dendo per cimeterium ejusdem ecclesiae et meridio- 
 nalem partem dictee ecclesiae juxta murum novae alae, 
 edificatum diebus juventutis meae per hostium meri- 
 dionale ecclesiae predictae ;| et juxta quern murum 
 dominus Thomas Botoner presbiter fait sepultus 
 in parte orientali x hostii meridionalis, sed credo ossa 
 dicti domini Thomas sunt remota tempore edifica- 
 tionis novae alae, et tumba de frestone ejus similiter 
 est remota ; et dicta stricta venella in longitudine 
 extendit ad parvam et curtam viam in occidentali 
 parte dictae ecclesiae ad Jinem hospitii alti y prioris 
 
 »"A very small and narrow lane." w " The shops of the art or 
 mystery of the Cooks of the Town." * " Door." / " The lofty dwelling- 
 house." 
 
 * It appears from this and similar passages, that the arti- 
 ficers were supplied from cooks' shops, and not from 
 domestic establishments. In King's street, there ^were 
 likewise such shops for the supply of the soldiers of the 
 Castle. There were many cook shops near the church and 
 gate of St. Nicholas. 
 
 t This south aisle of All Saints'-church was rebuilt in the 
 time of W. W.'s youth (about 1420) by the Calendaries, 
 whose college was adjacent, and served for their chapel. In 
 1451, John Gyllard Prior died. He had expended £217 
 upon the library over the north-aisle, with a curious ceiling 
 of carved oak, now taken down.
 
 35 
 
 collegii vocati Hez kalenders, ubi dictus dominus 
 Thomas Botoner fuit, ut supponitur, consocius, et 
 in domo prioratus hospicii obiit, ex certa scientia 
 Elizabet sororis suae, matris meae, michi relatae, 
 circa aetatem juventutis meae quasi sex annorum 
 ut suppono, quia quamvis fui presens secum die 
 mortis suae cum matre mea valefaciendo die ultimo 
 vitae suae, non *habui discrecionem ad noticiam per- 
 sona? suce ; et ut credo cartae et evidenciae tam 
 hereditatis sua? in tenemento suo prope Yelde-hall 
 in Bradslrete ex parte meridionali dictae Gyldhall, 
 necnon de hereditate ejus per Thomam Botoner 
 patrem ejus et matris meae in villa de Bokyngham, 
 in Westrete jacentem versus aquam in parte . . 
 scitam ac in villi's adjacentibus de racione 
 deberent remanere, quando queratur de priore 
 kalendarii* si remanent inter eorum evidencias 
 
 z The College of the Calendaries, or Public Registrars. a " I was too 
 young to remark her person." 
 
 * The Prior and Confraternity of the Kalendaries of 
 Bristol. " The Calendaries, otherwise caullid "the Gilde 
 or Fraternitie of the clergy and commonaltie of Bright- 
 stow," was first kept in the church of the Trinitie, sens at 
 All Hallows. The original of it, is time out of mynd." — 
 Leland Itin. v. 7. p. 94. 
 
 Leland has " a remembraunce of memorable acts done 
 in Brightstow, owt of a litle boke of the antiquities of the 
 howse of Calendaries in Brightstow." — Itin. v. 7- p« 94. 
 
 John Harlow, Prior of the Kalendaries, and his brethren 
 are mentioned in a charter dated Rot. Pat. 34 Ediv. '6tij. 
 p. 2. m. 13; and "Domus Calendariorum Bristol" was 
 valued at the dissolution at £10. 18s. 8d. a year. The last
 
 36 
 
 tie evidenciis domini Thomse Botoner consocii 
 eorum. 
 
 Lonaitudo dictae h venell& strictm continet 60 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictas venellse continet tres pedes sive 
 
 imam virgam. 
 
 Via brevis de Corn-strete returnando per occi- 
 dentalem partem hospicii prioris de kalenders 
 continet in longitudine 170 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo vise continet 5 virgas prope Corn-strete. 
 
 Cellarium unum, vel duo, "pro vinis vendendis, 
 est in dicta via parva. 
 
 circumgirata, quae quid em venella alciora et ulte- 
 riora trium dictarum venellarum, quarum una 
 incipit venella in medio vici vocato Horstrete ad 
 angulum muri gardini fratrum carmelitarum ad 
 ymaginem Beatco Maricc in muro predicto scitam* 
 continuat usque crucem de lapide et fontem remo- 
 
 b " Narrow lane." c " Used by Vintners for selling wine by retail." 
 
 Prior was Thomas Sylke. Their office was to record all 
 memorable matters, as they occurred in the Burgh. 
 
 Robert Ricart, a Calendar, who held the Town-clerkship, 
 compiled a register (18 Edw. 4) 1478, which is a singu- 
 larly curious M.S., now preserved among the City Ar- 
 chives. It is written upon vellum and paper, with several 
 coloured delineations, but extremely rude. 
 
 * It was customary to place statues of the Virgin Mary 
 at the angular parts of the streets, in great towns, in lofty 
 niches, for the adoration of the people.
 
 37 
 
 ciorem ad caput raontis vise de Stepe-strete; et 
 venella secunda incipit ad dictam fontem sive 
 crucem,* et vocatur Frog-lane, et continuat in 
 parte retro ortorum ecclesiae de Gauntes et sanc- 
 tuarium. 
 
 Venella in Horstrete juxta occidentalera partem 
 ecclesiae Sancti Bartholomei vocata Stype-strete, 
 Hiicipiendo et descendendo ad ecclesiam Sancti 
 Michaelis usque ad crucem et fontem de frestone 
 continet . 
 
 Venella secunda in Horstrete incipiendo ad 
 finem muri f rat rum Carmelitarum, e uOi ymago 
 Sanctce Maricc ponilur in tabernaculo muri fratrum, 
 et transeundo versus montem Sancti Michaelis 
 usque ad finem dictae venellse vocatae .... 
 continet . . gressus. 
 
 Via de inceptione dictae venellae in Horstrete ex 
 dextra, viam eundo per murutn fratrum ad introi- 
 tum ecclesiae fratrum continet coram le bak fra- 
 trum in opposito de le key Bristolliae 80 gressus. 
 
 Venella alia ex sequenti via de Horstrete ad 
 Sanctum Augustinum eundo, sed incipit ad por- 
 tam introitus ecclesiae fratrum Carmelitarum per 
 viam de He bakk, et sic eundo ad borialem plagam 
 
 d " Setting out and going down." e " Where the image of St. Mary is placed 
 within a niche in the wall of the friar's garden." f St. Augustine's Bee." 
 
 * Upon the summit of St. Michael's hill, called Stype 
 or Steep Street, there was a cross of stone, which sur- 
 mounted a covered well, for public accommodation. The 
 lower part was called Stoney hill, immediately above the 
 very spacious gardens which belonged to the Carmelite 
 Priory.
 
 38 
 
 per Froglane scindendo viam, et sic continuando 
 dictam venellam borialiter ad finem dictae venellse 
 continet 240 gressus versus montera Sancti Mi- 
 chaelis. 
 
 VenellcB super le key coram aqua de Frame cur rente 
 
 de le key. 
 
 Prima venella super le key eundo ad Mersh- 
 strete, incipiendo ad domum principalem lapideam* 
 inceptionis de le key versus le mersh ex opposite 
 . . . continet 80 gressus. 
 
 Secunda venella sequens versus ecclesiam Sancti 
 Stephani infra latitudinem viae 30 gressuum, conti- 
 net ejus longitudo 90 gressus. 
 
 Tertia venella de keya eundo ad ecclesiam 
 Sancti Stephani e per portam meridionalem novam 
 ecclesice usque ad finem ecclesiae orientalem con- 
 tinet 180 gressus. 
 
 Quarta venella de le key eundo per alteram 
 partem ecclesise Sancti Stephani per le north door 
 usque le Mersh-strete continet 84 gressus. 
 
 Quinta venella eundo abdomo, incipiente coram 
 portam meridionalem ex novo factam ecclesiae, 
 eundo novum campanile et h costeram parietis bori- 
 alis ecclesice continet 90 gressus. 
 
 Sexta venella a loco trianguli de le key de domo 
 
 g" Before the South porch of the Church, then newly erected." 1480. 
 h " The side of the North wall of the Church." 
 
 * Large houses, built of stone, were then rare in Bristol.
 
 39 
 
 magistri* Shyppard subtus celarium, sic eundo ad 
 ecclesiam Sancti Stephani ex parte boriali usque 
 ad ... . continet 90 gressus. 
 
 Triangulus vicus de le key in quo loco magni 
 spatii dicti trianguli, ubi pulchrum conductum 
 aquae scitum est de frestone erectum pro comraodo 
 villas, computando sive numerando ab angulo de 
 vico vocato le key coram aquam de Frome, et 
 eundo directa via ad oppositum loci, viz versus 
 
 *The connection by intermarriages, between the families 
 subsequently noticed, is remarkable. In several instances, 
 one family has become the heirs-general of another. 
 
 Descent o/ Shipward, as proved from Deeds and Wills. 
 
 Stiptoarfc. 
 
 Argent a cheveron between three anchors sable. 
 
 John Shipward=Katherine 
 Bailiff 1413. I 
 
 John Ship ward; 
 
 Mayor 1453, Will 
 provedl473,Foun- 
 der of St. Stephen's 
 Tower. 
 
 =Gwinett 
 
 John Shipward == 
 Mayor 1477. 
 Completed the I 
 
 same 
 
 John Shipward. 
 
 Agnes==Edmund Westcote. 
 Isahcl=John Norton, 
 of Bristol.
 
 40 
 
 cimeterium Sancti Leonard i, ubi incepcio l solarii 
 domorum edificatarum super trabes*, ita quod homo 
 potest sicco pede transire per keyam ad ecclesiam 
 Sancti Laurencii, continet 49 gressus. 
 
 De muro villce circa le mersh et le key. 
 
 Mums villas ; longitudo videlicet a prima porta 
 vocata le mersh-yate prope finem vise de le bakk, 
 ab aqua de Avyn sic transeundo per le mersh prope 
 dictum rniirum, usque portam secundam villse ad 
 finem viae de mersh-street continet in longitudine 
 440 gressus ; et continuacio dicti muri vocati le 
 towne-walle eundo de dicta porta secunda vocata 
 le Mersh-yate, transeundo per locum ubi naves de 
 novo sunt erectae et composite, ac arbores et mas- 
 tys de hyrre cum anchoris jacent et cellarii plures 
 et spacium magnum infra dictum murum usque 
 primum angulum de le key Bristolliae in occiden- 
 tali parte de le key, ubi naves magna? jacent in He 
 ivoose in parte occidental de le key, eundo versus 
 ecclesiam Sancti Stephani et ecclesiam Sancti 
 Laurentii, continet longitudo dicti muri 320 gres- 
 sus : et in toto dictus murus a prima porta de le 
 bak usque eundem primum locum inceptionis 
 pavimenti de le key, continet 760 gressus. 
 
 Chambers of houses built upou transverse beams, under which was a 
 cloister or covered way for the foot passengers, j" Fir timber." k " Mud 
 
 or slough." 
 
 * This cloister or covered way was made beneath the 
 upper floor of the houses, laid upon beamsj like those called 
 the " Rows," still remaining at Chester.
 
 41 
 
 Altitude dicti muri continet per estimationem 
 40 pedes. 
 
 Latitudo dicti muri continet 8 pedes. 
 
 Apud hygh-crosse 4 viae quadriviales, videlicet, 
 Hygh-strete, Bradstrete, Wynchstrete, et Seynt 
 l Collas-strete. 
 
 At Seynt Collas yate in the north syde of the 
 yate meten acrosse wyse mi weyes, whych ben 
 the shamelys and Seynt Nicholas strete, the waye 
 entryng to the m hogge-yB.te t and the seyd Hygh- 
 strete. 
 
 At the sout-side of Seynt Collas yate meten 
 twey chyff weyes, the chieffbryggeupon mi grete 
 arches of x vethym yn hyth, and the fayre chap- 
 pelle upon the v arch, and the second way havyng 
 the space of a tryangle goyng to bak by Seynt 
 Nicholas chyrch. 
 
 Item at the begynnyng of the bakk, there the 
 fyrst gryse called a slypp, ben twey weyes, the 
 fyrst wey ys the seyd slepe of . . . yerdes 
 long, goyng to the water called Avyn-water to 
 wesh clothes, and to entre ynto the vessels and 
 shyppes that comen to the seyd bak* and the 
 second way entryth yn Baldwyne-street. 
 
 1 Nicholas. m Pig-market. 
 
 * " The haven by Avon flowithe about a two miles above 
 Brightstow bridge. The ships of olde tyme cam only up 
 by Avon to a place caullyd the Beck, wher was and is 
 depthe enowghe of watar, but the bottom is very stony and 
 rughe ; sens by policye they trenched somewhat alofe by 
 north weste of the olde key on Avon, anno 1247, and in
 
 42 
 
 At the Crosse yn Baldwyne strete been mi 
 crosse wayes metyng, one waye goyng ys a grete 
 wyde way goyng to Bafft-strete, the second waye 
 goyng northward by a hygh grese called a steyr of 
 xxxn steppys ynto Seynt Collas strete 5 the other 
 tweyn metyng wayes at the seyd cros of Baldwyne 
 streete. 
 
 At the south syde of Seynt Johnys ys yate 
 meten also mi crosse weyes, whych one chief way 
 ys Bradstrete, the second ys Toure-strete bye 
 Seynt John ys chyrch goyng streyt too Wynch- 
 streete, and ys bnt a streyt way goyng by the old 
 towne walle and the old toune yate called blynd 
 yate, streyt by the auntient fyrst yate called 
 Pyttey-yate uppon the hylle entryng ynto Wynch- 
 strete, called Castel-streete. 
 
 The in d wey ys Seynt Laurens-strete goyng 
 from Seynt Johnys yate ynto Smalle-strete. 
 
 The im d way throw the seyd yate of Seynt 
 John goyng ynto Cristmas-strete, called Knyf- 
 smyth-strete. 
 
 In the north syde of Seynt Jonnys yate ys a in 
 triangle ways, one way goyng right to Cristmasse- 
 strete warde. 
 
 The second way goth n rygh est by the woult of 
 Seynt Johnys chyrch, °goynt ynto Gropecount- 
 
 n Right east. ° Immediately. 
 
 continuance bringing the course of Avon ryver that ways 
 hath made a softe and wosy (oozy) harborow for grete 
 shippes." — Leland Itin. v. vij. p. 89.
 
 43 
 
 fane* to Monken-brigge a pryson place some- 
 tyme. 
 
 The in way goyng a crosse way to the kay by 
 the lower way of Seynt Laurens, and by the old 
 temple yewys where be grete vowtes under the 
 hygest walle of Bristow, and the old chyrch of 
 Seynt Gylys was byldyd ovyr the vowtes yn the 
 way goynt to Seynt Laurens laane ynto Smal 
 strete. 
 
 At Seynt Leornard yate yn the east syde meten 
 wythynne the yate mi quadryvyalle weyes, as 
 Corn-strete in the est parte, the second way toward 
 the north ys Seynt Leonard way goyng from the 
 chyrch streyt into Small-strete ; the in way goth 
 esterly from Seynt Leonard chyrch ynto Seynt 
 Collas strete. 
 
 The yate of Seynt Leonard under the seyd 
 chyrch crosseth n weys, the south-east way ys 
 Baldwyne strete goyng to the bak ; the secund 
 way ys called Pylle strete, there of old dayes 
 renne the water called Frome by Baldwyne-strete 
 to the bakk, fallyng ynto Avyn-water,t and whych 
 Pylle strete gooth streyt north by the old custom- 
 house to the kay, where ys a grete space lyke to a 
 large tryangle, and yn the myddel of the seyd 
 triangle ys a fayre tour of frestone bylded. 
 
 * So mentioned in the description of the house of T. 
 Lawrence, in a lease dated 12 Edw. 3tij. There were 
 lanes so named in Oxford and Coventry. — Leland. So nar- 
 row that two persons could not pass through them ahreast. 
 
 f When the Harbour was made in 1247, and the river 
 Froome turned into it, the course behind the present 
 Baldwyn street was filled up.
 
 44 
 
 Item yn the myddys of Pyle-strete toward the 
 new cbyrch toure of Seynt Stevyns metyn mi 
 ways dyversly at the entree of Seynt Stevyns 
 chyrch yerd at the style or lytille yate ; the first 
 way westward ys a large and a long way called 
 Mersh-strete during to Mersh yate, there many 
 merchauntes and also maryners duellin.* 
 
 At the seyd chyrch style ys a laane goyng yn 
 the south syde of Seynt Stevyn chyrch, going by 
 the chyrch yerde to the kay by old Leycetyr dore 
 in the north syde of the toure of the chyrch by the 
 new doore to the seyd kay. 
 
 Item at the eende of the seyd Pylle-strete by the 
 seyd lane that retorned by the begynnyng of the 
 seyd fyrst lane ys another laane, that goth evyn 
 ryght by the este ende of Seynt Stevyn chyrch 
 under the hygh auter, and so contynewyth the 
 seyd laane to the seyd kay northly. 
 
 Item out of that laane that goolh by the est eende 
 of Seynt Stevyn chyrch returnyth another laane 
 from the north syde of Seynt Peter chyrch by the 
 west dore of the seyd church, turnying to aforeseyd 
 fyrst laane so entryng to the kay. 
 
 At New-yate, ubi quondam scola grammatica 
 permagistrum Robertum L.ane\ principalem gram- 
 
 * Marsh Street contained many very capacious and 
 curiously constructed houses of timber-frame ; in which, 
 from its contiguity to the Quay, the principal merchants 
 of that age were induced to reside. No street in the city 
 was, at that time, inhabited by more opulent merchants 
 and mariners. 
 
 f Loud. See inscription in St. Peter's church.
 
 45 
 
 maticum cum Leland* magistro 
 
 grammaticorum in Oxonia, dicebatur fuisse flos 
 grammaticorum et poetarum temporibus annis plu- 
 rimis revolutis, et tempore quo primum veni ad 
 Oxoniam universitatem scolatizandi, obiit in ter- 
 mino paschae anno Christi 143*2 circa mensem 
 junii, quando generalis eclipsis, dieSanctiBotulphi, 
 accidebat. 
 
 At the seyd New-yate yn the west part of yt 
 wythynne Bristow there meten II large weys ; and 
 the norther way is called Towr - strete aliter 
 Wynch-strete, and so goth by the old yate of the 
 toune about 120 steppys yn length to the hygh 
 crosse ward, where the olde towne walle stode. 
 
 Memorandum quod a principio franchesiee de 
 sanctuario Sancti Augustini abbathise, incipiendo 
 ad metam cimiterii antiquae ecclesiae isto anno 
 Christi I480noviter constructae, eundo, per medium 
 sanctuarii ad finem ejusdem, videlicet ad descen- 
 sum terrae ad finem sanctuarii vocatum le west 
 partye, per primum murum et viam domus lapideae 
 in eadem parte viae, eundo versus v ly moles ubi 
 ecclesia de Gauntes habet introitum in ecclesiam 
 predictam, continet 360 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae eundo ad lymotes sub Bran- 
 don-hille continet 42 gressus. 
 
 Et a dicto angulo domus muri in orientali parte 
 ecclesiae q de la gauntys continet 720 gressus, videli- 
 
 P Limites Villa. i The Gaunt's, or St. Mark's Chapel. 
 
 * Laylond. c 'Ut Rosa florum, sic Laylond grammati- 
 corum." His name was John. — See Tanner's Bibliothcca.
 
 40 
 
 cetsub monte BeatiBrandani* ecclesiae de Gauntes 
 ex parte boriali sanctuarii Sancti Augustini in 
 eundo ad mansionem versus villam Rownam et 
 Ghyston-clyff vocat Lymotes, ubi lapis altus de 
 freestone longitudinis unius virgse sive trium pedum 
 pro meta, limita five butta, quae est ultimus finis 
 libertatum et franchesiae de villa Bristollise super 
 aquas de Avyn et Severn currentes ad Rownam 
 directe sub pede montis Sancti Brendani, continet 
 a principio introitus sanctuarii usque dictam do- 
 mum de Lymotes, hoc est intelligendo dictum 
 introitum ad dictum sanctuarium Sancti Augustini 
 computando ad veins et primam ecclesiam dictae 
 abbathiae, quae modo est ecclesia parochialis noviter 
 edificata, continet in toto 980 gressus.f 
 
 * " Here beginneth die life of St. Brendane," over a 
 wooden cut of that saint, in full length, holding an open 
 book in his left hand, and a croisier in his right, with 
 Caxton's Cypher. It begins thus — " Seynte Brendane the 
 holie man was a monk and borne in Ireland. And then 
 he was Abbot of an hous, wherein were a thousand monks." 
 Emprynted by Wynkyn de Worde. Herbert's History of 
 Printing. V. 1., p. 220. 
 
 Upon the summit of Brandon-hill there stood anciently 
 a chapel, to which the Irish mariners resorted upon their 
 reaching the port of Bristol. Upon the same spot, during 
 the Civil Wars, a bastion was erected connecting the 
 Royal Fort with the river. No vestige now remains of either. 
 
 f Here Cole's transcript ends. The Itinerary was tran- 
 scribed before Nasrnith's publication, in part only, and not 
 completely, by the Rev. William Cole, the celebrated 
 Cambridge antiquary, who bequeathed many MS. volumes 
 to the British Museum. It occurs in the 42d volume at 
 the beginning. Upon collating it with the printed copy, 
 1 found very few variations, and those of no consideration.
 
 47 
 
 Apud rupem altissimam de Ghyston-clyff, quse 
 incipit prope villain passagii de Rownam usque 
 heremitagium et castellum in altera parte aqua- 
 rum de Avyn et Frome, quae rupis altissima incipit 
 per unius miliaris spacium de villa Bristolliae, et 
 eontinet dicta rupis in altitudine per longitudinem 
 unius miliaris et ulterius versus Rownam-rode pro 
 navibus reponendis, et dicta rupis eontinet in 
 altitudine ab aqua de Avyn et Frome 60 brachia, 
 videlicet de firma terra ad quoddam heremitagium, 
 cujus ecclesia fundatur et dedicatur in honore 
 Sancti Vincentii, sunt in altitudine 20 brachia, et a 
 dicto heremitagio ad profundum aquarum predic- 
 tarum sunt 40 brachia, et intellige quod brachium 
 eontinet 6 pedes longitudinis. 
 
 Castellum super altitudinem terras non distans 
 per quartam partem miliaris de Ghyston-cliff, ut 
 dicitur a vulgaribas plebeis, ibidem fore fundatum 
 ante tempus Wilelmi conquestoris per Saracenos 
 vel Judeos per quondam Ghyst gigantem in terra 
 
 et quod tale castellum* verisimile 
 
 erat antiquis temporibus fundatum remanet in 
 hodiernum diem in magno circuitu congeries mag- 
 norum lapidum et parvorum sparsim seminatorum, 
 valde mirabile visu dictos lapides ita globose 
 jacentes in ordine et circuitu maximo, quod ibi 
 videbatur fuisse castrum fortissimum, quod r cente~ 
 nariis annis pieteritis fuisse dirutum et ad terram 
 
 r " many hundred years ago." 
 
 * Castellum evidently means the Roman Camp. 
 
 F
 
 48 
 
 funditus prostratum, et ideo quod est decus et 
 honor patriae Bristoll. et comitatui Gloucestrise 
 habere vel audire fundaciones nobilium fortalicio- 
 rum et castrorum, hie inter alia scribo per modum 
 meinorandi de isto castro sive fortalicio. 
 
 Via trianguli a porta Sancti Nicholai usque le bak 
 per principium pontis Bristoll. 
 
 Trianguli latitudo de angulo domus conducti 
 aquae de frestone in prirao introitu ad le bak, 
 eundo ad portam Sancti Nicholai contra Hygh- 
 strete, et eundo *per et prope le croud e continet 
 40 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae ad dictum introitum de le bakk ad 
 angulum cornerii proximi continue dictam domum 
 de frestone* prope angulum strictum unius grocer 
 ibidem in parte dextra continet 5 gressus. 
 
 Pars lati trianguli predicti eundo de le boteras 
 in parte de le bocherew infra principium pontis 
 usque ad supradictum angulum prope principium 
 de le bakk prope dictam domum conducti aquarum 
 continet 40 gressus. 
 
 Caput trianguli predicti de inceptione prima? 
 partis pontis Bristollise ex parte sinistra usque 
 
 " by and near. 
 
 * Houses constructed with freestone were rare in the 
 ancient town. Many of timber frame were erected in the 
 principal streets, which contained spacious rooms, a few of 
 which still remain. They had projecting fronts upon large 
 brackets, richly and curiously carved, and bay windows, 
 with the intermediate space likewise filled with glass.
 
 49 
 
 directe eundo ad angulum oppositum viae latitu- 
 dinis pontis predicti continet 20 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae Touker-strete* ad finem pontis 
 Bristoll. eundo versus Stallage-cros continet J 4 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Seynt Thomas strete stricte ad 
 inceptionem et introitum viae strictae in longitudine 
 circa 66 gressus continuando per niurum longum, 
 eundo continue ad Seynt Thomas strete, continet 
 ilia latitudo 5 gressus; et sic continuando ad 
 vicum Seynt Thomas strete et per domum quadra- 
 tarn de frestone pro aqua gentibus illius parochiee 
 et circum manentium usque ad murum villae Bris- 
 tolliie retornando versus Radclyff-yate continet in 
 longitudine 305 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo de Seynt Leonardes yate usque ad 
 ecclesiam Sanctae Werburgae continet 120 gressus 
 ad medium introitus ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae; 
 et sic continuando per altam crucem continue 
 usque eundo per officium domus de le Pyllorye, 
 continuando ad antiquissimam portam de le Old- 
 gate muri villae ad viam sive venellam, eundo et 
 retornando ad portam ecclesiae Sancti Petri, vocat 
 Castell-strete ;f in qua via sive venella murusanti- 
 
 * Vicus Fullonum — The street of the cloth workers. 
 The whole manufacture of druggets, blankets, coarse cloth, 
 and felts, was carried on in the three parishes which lie 
 beyond the bridge over the Avon. "Fullo," "Towkere," and 
 " Webbe," all signified a clothworker. The first clothier 
 upon record is Thomas Blankett. — Rot. Pat. 7 Edw. 3tij. 
 
 f Peter- street, originally Castle-street, the modern 
 Ca.?//e-street having been built upon the site and with the 
 ruins of the Castle, 1654—1660.
 
 50 
 
 quus port* villae Bristoll. scituabatur citra tene- 
 menta patris mei, (quondam i\gnetae Randolf,) in 
 quibus unus aurifaber manet, modo, in anno Christi 
 1480, et de novo edificavit dicta duo tenementa in 
 sinistra manu eundo ad portam novam Newgate : 
 continet tota predicta via a porta Sancti Leonardi 
 directe eundo per Corne-strete ac per altam cru- 
 cera et per ecclesias Sanctae Werburgae et Sanctae 
 Trinitatis, ac directe eundo per Yinch-stret* ab 
 antiquo vocatum Tour-strete, dimittendo murum 
 anliquum villa 1 ac antiquissimam portam villae citra 
 Pyttey-yate aliter diet. Ayllevvardes t yate in 
 sinistra manu dicta antiquissima porta scita in vico 
 de Pyttey super montem de Pyttey, prope vicum 
 de Toure-strete, eundo ad portam antiquissimam 
 
 vocatam prope 
 
 cimiterium Sancti .Johannis Baptistae ; et sic longi- 
 tudo predictae longae viae a porta Sancti Leonardi, 
 directa linea eundo per officium domus justitiae de 
 le pyllorye usque ad illam venellam quae ducit in 
 eundo versus ecclesiam Sancti Petri, in loco prin- 
 cipii dictae viae sive loco erat antiquis temporibus 
 porta antiqua scita citra ^juniorem portam de 
 
 new. 
 
 * Finch-street, not JFine-stveet, which is a subsequent cor- 
 ruption. "Vicum vocatumWine-street." 1457. 1 conjecture 
 that Wynch, the first name given to this street, referred to 
 the Pillory or Collistrigium, commonly called "the Wynch," 
 which was erected near the east end of it, and was placed 
 on a turning beam. "Wynch" means a tourniquet or 
 windlass, as a " Wynch Well." 
 
 f Aylward's, or the " Old Gate," in distinction to " New 
 Gate."
 
 51 
 
 Newgate modo prostrata ac murum antiquissimum 
 Bristolliae, quae predicta via sic incipiendo a porta 
 Sancti Leonardi in occidente scita ad locum portae 
 antiquissimae "sic dirutcc in parte orientali prope 
 castrum villa continet in longitudine 580 gressus. 
 
 Via vocata * Irysh -mead e aliter Rush-lane scita 
 directe ad finem viae de Brode-mede in parte 
 boriali ecclesiae fratrum predicatorum vocat. 
 Castel-frerys, et via Mareshalle-strete veniente de 
 castro intersecat viam Brode-mede et dictam viam 
 de Jrys-mede super quandam pontem lapideam in 
 inceptione dictae viae ; et longitudo ejus a principio 
 viae de Brode-mede usque ad quandam antiquam 
 viam sive venellam scitam in orientali parte, et 
 boriali, ultra ecclesiam fratrum predicatorum veni- 
 ente ab antiquis temporibus per viam de Kyngys- 
 strete de campis borialibus villae Bristolliae ex 
 parte Horfelde et Rydyng-felde ad antiquum mer- 
 catum villee Bristolliae per orientalem partem chori 
 dictorum fratrum vocat. Castell-frerys aliter frere- 
 prechours, et in dicta via olim coci et venditores 
 victualium ibi manebantdiebus antiquis, f et longi- 
 tudo dictae viae continet 370 gressus vel circa ; 
 latitudo predictae viae continet 14 gressus. 
 
 u " thus dilapidated. 
 
 * Qy. Rush ? now Rosemary-lane. 
 
 f These were cooks and sellers of victuals, established 
 there when the garrison of the Castle was constantly full, 
 as it was in the reigns of K. John and Henry III. (1217) — 
 " olini " "et temporibus antiquis."
 
 52 
 
 De voltis, de archis et cellariis de petra factis cum 
 
 mearenno et arbore coopertis secundum informa- 
 
 tionem Willelmi Clerk de vico Seynt Mary the 
 
 Port-strete, die sabbato . . . septembris, 
 
 anno Christi 1480. 
 
 In Hygh-strete sunt 19 wolta archuata et 12 
 cellaria, de voltis vero in toto 31. 
 
 In Bradstrete ultra 20 volta et cellaria. 
 
 In Corn-strete sunt 20 volta et cellaria. 
 
 In Pyttey aliter Aylewarde-street, in orientali 
 parte viae altae ubi antiqua porta villae est edificata 
 prope vicum strictum de Toure-strete, eundo ver- 
 sus ecclesiam Sancti Johannis per Blynde-yate, 
 sunt 4 cellaria. 
 
 In Wynch-strete sunt 27 volta et cellaria, 3 in. . 
 
 In vico Shamelys, volta quam lata longa et pro- 
 funda 12, continet quaelibet volta longitudinis 12 
 virgas. 
 
 In Seynt Marye Port-strete in utraque parte 
 viae sunt 15 volta et cellaria. 
 
 In Radclyff-strete sunt plura volta et cellaria. 
 
 In Shamely quondam Worshyp-strete sunt 12 
 volta et cellaria in una parte kyngys-shamelys. 
 
 In Seynt Colas strete sunt ultra 12 volta et 
 cellaria. 
 
 In Smal strete sunt . . . volta et cellaria 
 circa 12 et ultra. 
 
 In * Hoor-strete aliter Horstrete sunt ultra 6 
 cellaria seu volta. 
 
 * William Hore or Hoor was Mayor in 1312, 5 Edw. 
 II., and probably resided in tins street. 12 Edw. 3tij. 1338, 
 John Le Hoor covenants to build a stone wall of sixty feet
 
 53 
 
 In vico Brode-mede una volta de petra con- 
 structa de propriis expensis Willelmi Botoner diet. 
 W. Worcestre in anno Christi 1428.* 
 
 The Halle of the chapell-j" of Seynt Vincent of 
 Gyston-clyfF ys ix yerdes long. 
 
 And the brede ys 3 yerdys. 
 
 The length of the kechyn ys . . . yerdes. 
 
 in length, in " Scapefulle strete," near the Town Marsh. 
 His seal, an "eagle displayed," is affixed to this deed. 
 
 Ue ?i}orr. 
 
 Argt-nt, an Eagle displayed within a bordure engrailed, sable. 
 
 Thomas Hore was Sheriff in 1449, 27 Henry VI. 
 
 * The number of the Vaults and Cellars in the principal 
 streets was \6\), besides those in the piers of the bridge 
 and the other side of the river. 
 
 f At present we should search in vain for any ledge or 
 station of the rock, upon which a hermitage of the size 
 specified could have been placed. There are some expres- 
 sions in Wyrcestre's account of it, which lead us to sup- 
 pose that the cave called Foxhole, was capacious enough 
 to have contained these apartments. The height as 
 described above the river, and the steps of descent from the 
 main land, authorise this opinion, as well as that it was not 
 less than forty feet deep and proportionably wide and high. 
 There was likewise a chapel dedicated to our Lady in the 
 rock at Dover, which was visited by Henry VII. — See 
 Household Book.
 
 54 
 
 And the brede of the kechyn ys 3 yerdes. 
 
 And from the chapelle of Seynt Vyncent ys to 
 the lower water 40 vethym. 
 
 And from the ovyr part of the mayn ground e 
 londe of the seyd hygh rok downe to the seyd cha- 
 pelle of Seynt Vyncent ben xx vethym rekened and 
 proved ; and so from the hygh mayne ferine londe 
 of the seyd rok downe to the lowest water ground 
 of the channel of Avyn and Frome is 60 vethym 
 and much more, proved by a yong man of smythys 
 occupacion yn Radclyff-strete, that seyd yt to me, 
 hath both descended from the hyghest of the rok 
 downe to the water syde. 
 
 Fons est ibidem circa lowshot apud le blak rok 
 in parte de Ghyston-clyff in fundo aquae, et est ita 
 calidus sicut lac vel aqua Badonis. v 
 
 Scarlet-welle est fons preclarissimus emanens de 
 alta rape in parte oppositaaquee in dominio deLye? 
 et est in altitudine in altiori parte de le rok de 
 parte villas de Lye altitudinis 12 pedum. 
 
 Rok Breke-faucet per unum jactum lapidis versus 
 Bristolliam in parte Ghyston-clyff. 
 
 Fox-hole est volta mirabiliter scita super in alto 
 de Ghyston-clyff super ripam de le rokk altiorem, 
 et valde periculosus locus ad intrandam voltam, ne 
 cadat in mari profunditatis 60 brachiorum et ultra. 
 
 De heremitagio et capella Sancti Vincentii in 
 qiiadam rupe altissima sive scopula durissima et pro- 
 funditatis usque ad x aquam venientem de Bristotlia, 
 viz. 
 
 Latitudo aula? heremitagii est 7 virgae. 
 
 v Bath, w Leigh. x "when the tide was out."
 
 55 
 
 Longitude capellae Sancti Vincentii 8 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo capellae Sancti Vincentii 3 virgae. 
 
 Longitudo domus coquina3 6 virgae. 
 
 Viae ascensus de capella in rape 20 brachiorum 
 circa medium rupis Ghyston-clyffascendendo ad 
 terram altam, eundo etascendendo per W. Botoner 
 diet. Worcestre, eundo et numerando die dominica 
 26 die mensis Septembris, in annoChristi 1480, con- 
 tinet dicta altitudo a capella heremitagii 124 gres- 
 sus ; et sic patet, quod quilibet ascensus in eundo 
 contra aliquem montem semper secundum racionem 
 altitudinis 20 brachiorum, anglice a vathym, compu- 
 tabitur inaltitudine ascensus 124 gressus vel circa. 
 
 Via de Horstrele* de porta Frome-yate, eundo 
 per ecclesiam Sancti Bartholomei, eundo per figu- 
 ram Beatae Mariae virginis in muro horti carmelita- 
 rum, sic eundo usque ad bakkam Sancti Augustini, 
 continetad ediheationemdictae viae in parte sinistra 
 versus aquam de Frome 420 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo trium domorum magnificarum et 
 magnae altitudinis vocat le Seynt Mary port\ cum 
 profunda volta de lapidibus archuata in profundi- 
 
 * //ore-street was at first corrupted into Horse-stveet ; 
 now, by a pretended correction, it is written and called 
 .#W-street, because, it is said, that the Host was carried 
 in procession through it. This was not done exclusively, 
 for whenever the ceremony was required for any person 
 "in articulo mortis," it was taken to him through any 
 street in the town. 
 
 f Called likewise in several old wills " Ecclesia B. M. 
 Virginis in Foro." The market for the town was originally 
 held there ; and for the Castle in the Old Market — " veyl 
 mercate." The ancient "Bocherew," now the site of 
 Bridge-street, stood in this parish.
 
 56 
 
 tate graduum quasi circa 40 gradus, id est steppys, 
 continens in longiiudine a vico de lez shambles 
 usque intrando in domibus tribus magnis predictis 
 18 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo rupis Ghyston-clyff est inceptio per 
 spacium duorum miliarium ab Hygh-strete cruce 
 Bristolliae, eundo per villulam Clyffton, cujus domi- 
 nusvillse est N . . . Broke, dominus Cobham.* 
 
 Breke-faucet est quaedam rupis in Ghyston-clyff, 
 locus periculosus pro obviatione navium tempore 
 introitus navium tarn magnorum quam parvorum. 
 
 * John Broke, Baron Cobham, summoned to Parliament 
 14/2, 12 Edw. IV. The manor of Clifton was afterwards 
 granted to Sir John Chokke, Chief Justice. 
 
 Gules on a cheveron, argent, three lions, rampant, sable. 
 
 In the chancel of Redcliff church is the following monu- 
 mental inscription : — 
 $)te jacet corpus beneraotlt'S btrt ^oljanntS Broolt quonfcam 
 serbientiS att legem tltuStrtSSimt prtnetpts feltris memoriae regis 
 fj^enriu ortabt et juStict'artt ejuStfem regis pro aSStSaS in partibuS 
 oeritientaUouS &ngltae et rapitaXt'S SeneSeijali illiuS IjonoralultS 
 bomus et monaSterit SSeatae ^lariae be (SlaSeonta m eomitatu 
 Somerset, qui quibem JJofjanneS oout 25 bte menSiS liecembriS 
 Unno J3omini mtllcstmo qutngenteSStino 25°, et jurta earn 
 requieSctt ^oijanna uror ejus una filtaruin et Jjerebum iitrfjarbt 
 & menftc, quorum animauuS propitietur JBeuS, Hmen,
 
 57 
 
 quorumcunque ponderum seu quantitatis fuerunt, 
 in fundo aquae de Frome et Avyn venientium de 
 Bristollia; et y morabitur navis supra dictum Breke- 
 Jaucet, quousque Jiuxus marinus flueudo ad portum 
 Bristolliw accrescet, et distat a rupe et capella 
 Sancti Vincentii versus Bristolliam per spaciura 
 jactus sagittae. 
 
 Ledes sunt rapes fractae profundissimae in infe- 
 riore parte aquarum de Avyn et Frome currente 
 de Bristollia, et dictae rupes fractae continent latitu- 
 dinem totius aquae de le chanelle a loco vocato le 
 Ghyston-clyff transmeando ad aliam partem rupis 
 alterius partis vocat. rupis in dominio villae de 
 Ashton-L?/e z de comitatu Somerset, directe in op- 
 posita parte Ghyston-clyff, ubi portus de Hung- 
 rode cum navibus magnis intrant. 
 
 Et dictae rupes fractae, quando non fluit mare, 
 faciunt naves ex carente aqua* subito descendere in 
 infimum locum anglice dictum aldere-fall. 
 
 Via longa de Kyngystrete apud Beggher-welle 
 continuata, quae via venit de Monken brygge, inci- 
 piendo dictam viam de Kyngstrete ad Beggher- 
 welle continet . . . gressus. 
 
 Et sic a dicta via de Beggher-welle continuando 
 viam directa via in sinistra manu de Erlesmede 
 usque ad finem occidentalem dicti prati, continet 
 longitudo a dicta fonte vocata Beggher-welle 840 
 gressus. 
 
 Via alia longa borialis, incipiendo a fine orientali 
 
 > " And a ship borne towards the port of Bristol, would be foundered 
 upon the rock of Brekefaucet, at the influx of the tide." 
 z Legh. a "for want of water."
 
 58 
 
 de Erlesmede,* et directe retornando ad pontem 
 le bryg citra molendinum quondam diebus meis 
 vocatum Bagpath-mylle, in quo loco lit aliqui 
 dicunt libertas et franchesia villae Bristolliee ex- 
 tendit usque dictum pontem, qui est pars orienta- 
 lissima et finis orientalis dicti b pulchri prati, per 
 quam pontem aqua de Frome transit per dic- 
 tum pontem, et sic continue transit per latus 
 meridionale dicti famosi prati et per castrum villae 
 par latus vici de la Weer. 
 
 Et sic longitudo retornacionis dicti prati ad 
 caput finis quadranguli per dictum pontem orien- 
 talem citra predictum molendinum, vocatum Bag- 
 path-mille, continet in latitudine dictiErles-medevv 
 .300 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia fratrum carmelitarum, viz., navis eccle- 
 siae, continet 4S gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 25 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo turris campanilis continet 5 gressus. 
 
 Chorus ecclesia? fratrum predicatorum continet 
 45 gressus. 
 
 Claustrum eorum ex omnibus 4 partibus continet 
 40 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia religiorum vocat. le Gauntes, videlicet 
 navis ecclesia;, continet 43 gressus in longitudine. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 26 gressus. 
 
 Sanctuarium locum Sancti Augustini ab oriente 
 ubi introitus sanctuarii est in occidentem ad por- 
 
 b " fair meadow. 
 
 * So called, as being part of the original demesne of the 
 Castle, when founded by Robert Consul, Earl of Gloucester.
 
 59 
 
 tam extremam c ad intrandam curiam abbatis de 
 ojficiis domorum, granariorum , pistorum , pandoxato- 
 rum, stablaorum, pro dominis, Sec. continet 360 
 gressus eundo juxta ecclesiam Sancti Augustini. 
 
 Latitude dicti Sanctuarii a porta predicta ad 
 venellam intrantem vocat. Froglane continet 240* 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo sive distantia loci ab occidental! parte 
 portae de Gauntes ad portam introitus ecclesiam 
 abbathia? Sancti Augustini continet ex transverso 
 180 gressus. 
 
 Frog-lane incipiendo ad borialem finem ecclesiae 
 de Gauntesf intrando per orta et gardinam de lez 
 Gauntes et per murum fratrum carmelitarum\ usque 
 
 " c entering into the Abbot's court of offices, granaries, bakehouse 
 and brevvhouse, and stables for his horses," or those of the superior 
 guests, — Dominorum. 
 
 * Wyrcestre in various of his MSS., which I have exa- 
 mined, always uses the half eight « for the 4, which has 
 rendered several of his measurements obscure or incorrect, 
 in the transcription. 
 
 f Annexed to the College of "Bonhommes " (commonly 
 called the Gaunts, from the name of the original founders) 
 were a large orchard and garden, upon which Orchard- 
 street now stands. Upon the lower part of Stony-hill, 
 adjoining, stood their columbarium, " Culver, or pidgeon 
 house," upon which Culver-street is now built with houses, 
 some of which are upon terraces, with gardens, "horti 
 pensiles." There were only two other Colleges of Bon- 
 hommes in England, at Ashridge in Buckinghamshire, and 
 at Edington in Wiltshire. 
 
 % Carmelite or White Friars.
 
 60 
 
 ad Styp-stiete altitudinem ubi fons est de frestone 
 versus ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis continet 660 
 gressus. 
 
 Venella magna vocat le pryour ys lane Sancti 
 Jacobi, quae apud le style in angulo cornerii de 
 Lewynesmede usque ad murum extremum direc- 
 tum super Montague-hill, eundo per murum fra- 
 trum Sancti Francisci* ex una parte et murum 
 monacorum ex orientali, continet usque returnum 
 ad montem Sancti Michaelis directa linea .360 
 gressus, scilicet sic retornando venellam ad eccle- 
 siam Sancti Michaelis per continuationem dictae 
 venellae versus occidentem. 
 
 Venella a capite anguli muri fratrum minorum^ 
 vocat le pryour lane monachorum in parte occi- 
 den tali, sic eundo ad montem Sancti Michaelis 
 versus ejus ecclesiam usque ad locum et montem 
 vocat Styp-strete prope fontem de frestone, conti- 
 net . . gressus. 
 
 Vicus de Shamelys ab antiquo vocatus Worshyp 
 strete,\ ubi portus navium et lenarum existebat, 
 continet in longitudine a porta Sancti Nicholai, 
 directe eundo ad quandam finem loci viae quad rata? , 
 300 gressus. 
 
 Vicus defensorius\ incipiente ad finem viae vocatae 
 
 * Franciscan Friars, Minorites, or Grey Friars. 
 
 f The Benedictine Monks of St. James, a cell to the 
 Abbey of Tewkesbury. 
 
 % In Worship-street, were the King's Storehouses for 
 his prisage of Wool and Wine, on the banks of the Avon, 
 above the bridge. 
 
 § The "Vicus defensorins" or Defence-lane, was built 
 against a very strong and lofty wall by the Burgesses, after
 
 61 
 
 le Shamelys, directe incipiendo ad locum rectum 
 quad rati per vicum de extransverso de Seynt 
 Peter-strete coram novo fonte facto c de bonis 
 Canyngs* de alta domo de frestone ab exteriore 
 parte via de Wynch-strete continet 135 gressus. 
 
 Via parva quamvis lata in occidentali parte 
 ecclesiae omnium sanctorum et collegii kalendarii 
 prope ibidem intrando versus meridiem in parte 
 juxta cimiterium dictae ecclesiae continet 60 gressus. 
 
 Collegium presbiterorum vocatum le kalenders 
 in occidentali parte ecclesiae omnium sanctorum, 
 in quo collegio Thomas Botoner avunculus meus 
 fait frater collegii, et sepelitur in meridionali novae 
 else ecclesiae omnium sanctorum, ab antiquo funda- 
 tum diu ante conquestum Willelmi Conquestoris. 
 
 Domus conducti aquae pulchra sub domo kalen- 
 darii est scituata. 
 
 De capella Sanctcc Annce per duo milliaria de 
 
 Bristollia.^ 
 
 Quidam dominus De le Warr fundavit primo 
 capellam Sanctae Annae. 
 
 c " out of Canynge's Estate." 
 
 the memorable siege of the Castle, in the reign of Edward 
 the Second. 
 
 * By virtue of the Will of W. Canynges, in 1474, his 
 residuary property in Bristol was given to W. Spenser, his 
 Executor, in trust to the Corporation, for public works, 
 provided, his grandchildren, William and Agnes, died 
 minors, which happened. Spenser built this fountain, 
 near St. Peter's, and a hospital. 
 
 f The Chapel of St. Anne was situated in the parish of
 
 <>2 
 
 Capella Sanctee Annee continet in longitudine 
 19 vireas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 5 virgas. 
 
 Et sunt tie boterasses circa capellam 19. 
 
 Item sunt duae cerese anglice quadratae,* una de 
 dono officii artis vvevers, de terra ad cooperturam 
 archuati volti continet altitudo 80 pedes. 
 
 Et densitudo unius cerse quadratae lez e officium 
 arlis corduanarii continet in latitudine 10 pollices 
 fere unius pedis. 
 
 Et in densitate 8 pollices. 
 
 Et cera quad rata data per f ojfficium artis textorum 
 
 e " Guild of Shoemakers." f " Guild of Weavers." 
 
 Brislington, near the batiks of the Avon. It was held in 
 high consideration, and was much frequented by the inha- 
 bitants of Bristol, by way of pilgrimage, on account of its 
 supposed superior sanctity. Elizabeth of York, wife of 
 K. Henry VII., when at Bristol in 1502, went to make an 
 offering there. — See he?- Privy Purse Accounts. Nicolas. 
 This Chapel of St. Anne was originally founded by one of 
 the Barons La Warr, probably by the same who founded 
 the Hospital of St. Bartholomew in Bristol. It was an 
 insulated building, supported by 19 buttresses. Length 
 57 feet (interior) by 15, which are the dimensions of a 
 considerable structure. 
 
 * Square wax lights for the Altar, given by guilds or 
 companies of artificers, established in Bristol. Such wax 
 lights were called " mortars." These contributions were 
 annually renewed, and are still made by artisans in the 
 Catholic countries.
 
 63 
 
 anglice wefers continet in longitudine ad voltam 
 capellae 80 pedes 
 
 Latitudo 8 pollices. 
 
 Densitudo 7 pollices. 
 
 Et quolibet anno dicta? cereae sunt renovatse 
 erga diem pentacost. 
 
 Et quaelibet cera quadrata ex ponderibus cerae 
 et fact lira constabat 5 libr. 
 
 Et sic duae predictse cereae constabant 10 libr. 
 
 Et sunt in dicta capella 32 naves et navicular* ac 
 de caracis navibus. 
 
 Et sunt de navibus de argento formatis et factis 
 5 naves, precium cujuslibet navis 20s. 
 
 Et coram ymagine Sanctae Anna? sunt 13 cereae 
 quadratae, appreciatae ad . . . 
 
 In orientali via de Radclyf chyrch, capellae 
 Beatae Mariae, est murus longus versus Pyle-hille 
 fontem, ad eundem ad Sanctam Annam ; continet 
 dictus murus in longitudine 50 virgas sive 70 
 gressus per s Jilium meum numeros virgarum numerat. 
 ad incepcionem muri prope orientalem partem 
 cimiterii dictae ecclesiae. 
 
 Et ab inceptione dicti b muri in orto claudati 
 
 8 Lewis. h "stone-wall inclosure." 
 
 * Small vessels made of silver to receive and contain 
 offerings, and sometimes to burn incense in. William 
 of Wykeham bequeaths to the Cathedral of Winchester 
 "one elemosynary dish in the form of a ship." Among 
 Cardinal Wolsey's plate was " oone lytell shippe for francin- 
 cense silvar and parcell-gilte — poiss. xoz." The quantity 
 of plate belonging to parish Altars, Chapels, and Chantries, 
 may be thus accounted for. 
 
 G
 
 64 
 
 juxta cimiterium orientalis partis muri predicti a 
 dicto merestone, in eadem parte eundo per cimi- 
 terium predictnm juxta collegium capellanorum 
 Willelmi Canyngys ad domum camerarum dictorum 
 capellanorum continet in latudine 150 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo vise de Radclyff-hill de cameris pres- 
 biterorum predictorum ad alteram partem domo- 
 riun l operariorum de frestone pro fundacione 
 ecdesicB de Radclyff, sunt 40 gressus. 
 
 Et a loco camerarum Willelmi Canyngys in fine 
 occidentali cimiterii predicti usque ad Radclyff 
 yate continet circa 180 gressus. 
 
 Columna principalis quatuor columpnarum, quae 
 portant turrim competentem ^coram hostiiim chori 
 occidentalis ecclesiae Radclyff continet 103 bow- 
 tells.* 
 
 Circumferentia principalium columpnarum, et 
 quselibet earum quatuor columpnarum continet 6 
 virgas. 
 
 Circumferentia aliarum columpnarum tocius 
 ecclesiae continet 4 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Radclyff-stret coram turrim 
 ecclesiae de Radclyff continet 14 gressus, et eadem 
 latitudo durat infra Radclyff-strete. 
 
 Via infra Radclyff-strete per murum vocatum le 
 toune-wall eundo versus Seynt Thomas strete, 
 cujus sinistra pars viae est bene edificata, et altera 
 
 1 Freestone masons, the builders of Redcliffe Church. k " before 
 the entrance into the Choir." 
 
 * Boltellae. Bowtells — perpendicular mouldings sur- 
 rounding the shaft of a pillar.
 
 65 
 
 pars, dextramanu, eslmurus vocatus le toune walle, 
 continet in longitudine 152 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo via3 de le toune walle ad Seynt 
 Thomas strete de angulo ex parte . . de 
 
 muro edificatorum eundo ad pontem Bristol conti- 
 net 660 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo de Brodemede* continet 28 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo brevis via? de Kyngys-strete a principio 
 dictae viae prope turrim de Monkyn-brygge in qua- 
 dam venella usque le style ad eundum ad cimite- 
 rium Sancti Jacobi in parte x anguli hospicii* 
 Willelmi Pownam apud crucem et pontem, eundo 
 
 l "corner of the dwelling-house." 
 
 * The " Broade mede " in the parish of St. James, was the 
 first inhabited part of it, as appendant to the town, and as 
 such, was granted to the priory by William Earl of Glou- 
 cester, by patent, t. Hen. 2di. Patent of Inspeximus 
 2do. Hen. 4ti. m. 7« "totum novum burgum de Prato apud 
 Bristolliam" — meaning that it was then first covered with 
 buildings. 
 
 t An ancient tenement or house, during the early cen- 
 turies, as inhabited by the Burgesses of Bristow, was thus 
 constructed. The souterrain was a very large cellar 
 (cellarium) with a groined and ribbed roof of stone, and 
 when extending under the street, divided by arches and 
 pillars. Such instances are not so frequent as those 
 covered by timber beams. In these were deposited the 
 heavier goods. The ground floor was divided into narrow 
 shops (shopae) three or four upon the same ground plan, 
 with stalls or bulk heads, and open to the street. They 
 were for daily traffic with the inhabitants, and numerous 
 frequenters of tbe town. In the houses of the chief mer- 
 chants there was built behind these shops, a ball (aula),
 
 Co- 
 in dicta via per lez barrys et usque Erlesmede 
 continet 100 gressus ; et a principio cimiterii 
 Sancti Jacobi eundo per lez barrys, eundo ad pra- 
 tura Erlysmede. 
 
 Latitudo vise in principio de Lewenysmede 
 prope ecclesiam Sancti Jacobi 8 gressus eundo 
 usque Frome-yate. 
 
 Crux decens de frestone erecta super arcum 
 voltae unius gradus viae intrantis ad aquam de 
 Frome, anglice a slypp, in vico Knyfesmyth-strete, 
 aliter Cristmas strete. 
 
 Venella brevis scita in angulo ultra crucem pre- 
 dictam ad quendam hostium usque aquam de 
 Frome per prope Frome-yate in boriali parte pre- 
 dictae crucis continet in longitudine circa 60 gressus 
 in fine Cristmasse strete. 
 
 Crucis latitudo de Hygh-strete, continet 2 virgas. 
 
 De Cellariis etc. 
 
 In alto vico, Hygh-strete, sunt in parte orientali 
 of the hygh-crosse de Seynt Cholas yate 17 cellarii. 
 
 Et in opposita parte occidentali dicti Hygh- 
 strete sunt 12 cellarii. 
 
 Item inCorn-strete, de cruce alta, in parte boriali 
 vici ad portum Sancti Leonardi per ecclesiam 
 Sanctae Werburgse sunt 18 cellarii computati. 
 
 with a high arched roof of timber frame. It served com- 
 monly to hold linen, woollen, and spices, and the more 
 valuable goods, and at set times for their feasts. The 
 first floor contained the habitable house (Camerae) bed- 
 rooms, parlour (parlatorium), kitchen (coquina), all of 
 which are mentioned in deeds and wills. And lastly (So- 
 laria) garrets, which had two projecting stories under the 
 roof.
 
 67 
 
 Item in parte meridionali vise de alta cruce 
 eundo per ecclesiam omnium sanctorum sunt 17 
 cellarii. 
 
 Venella parvissima de Hyghstrete juxta meridi- 
 onalem partem ecclesiae omnium sanctorum et 
 officium cocorum contiuet 60 gressus. 
 
 Item in vico Bradstrete eundo ab alta cruce ad 
 partem orientalem de Bradstrete per ecclesiam 
 Sanctae Trinitatis continet 15 cellaria. 
 
 Item eundo in parte occidentali dictae viae per 
 tenementum magistri Willelmi Botoner ac domum 
 Gyldhalle ac capellam Sancti Georgii, sunt 15 
 cellaria. 
 
 In Wynch-strete, aliter Castel-strete, ab alta 
 cruce in parte dextra sive meridionali dictae viae 
 per le pyllory eundo ad portam New-gate sunt 21 
 cellarii. 
 
 Et a dicta cruce eundo in Wynch-strete per 
 latus boriale dictae viae continue usque ad portam 
 Newgate 14 sunt cellarii, et alterius continuando 
 ad finem orientalis viae de le Weere per molendi- 
 num castri, sunt 10 cellaria.* 
 
 Domus justiciae et officii collistrigiit scita circa 
 medium de Wynch-strete coram finem viae de 
 Pittey-yate est rotundum, constructum de opere 
 frestone decenter, tarn amplitudinis quam altitu- 
 dinis, cum cameris ac fenestris cum barris de ferro 
 artificiose compactis, continet in spacio circuitus 
 
 * There were cellars or vaults, in all, 139, as above. 
 
 f It was a high frame of timber beams, and the punish- 
 ment was very severe. Mr. Douce, in his illustrations of 
 Shakspeare, has given a very curious account of "Collis- 
 trigia," from illuminations in ancient MSS.
 
 68 
 
 domus dicti officii . . gressus. Et de m super 
 domus collistrigii est instrumentum de arboribus 
 opere carpentarii constructum ad n collistrendum 
 infames homines deliquentes in pistura, quarum tor- 
 tarum etccet. 
 
 In Pyttey-strete infra Aylward-yate five Pyttey- 
 yate prope ibidem in magno spacio, veluti locus 
 trianguli est fons ampla et profunda cum frestone 
 bene circumdata et alta pro hominibus hauriendo 
 aquam fontanam, et dicta fons °bene tegulata 
 desuper ad custodiendum homines aquam hauri- 
 entes de pluvia seu procellis ; et sunt in boriali 
 parte vise Pittey 2 cellaria. 
 
 Officium domus latrinse anglice a privey tam pro 
 mulieribus quam hominibus in latitudine meridi- 
 onali spacii dicti trianguli. 
 
 Longitudo via? ab angulo principii pontis ad 
 portam Sancti Nicholai sunt 9 virgae. 
 
 Longitudo portae Sancti Johannis Baptistae 8 
 virgee. 
 
 In vico Sancti Nicholai sunt 12 cellarii de porta 
 Sancti Nicholai usque portam Sancti Leonardi. 
 
 In venella Sancti Leonardi prope cimiterium 
 eundo in Smalstrete sunt plures voltae sive cellarii 
 de sub terra, quia v tota venella est, et cimiterium est 
 magncc altitudinis respectu vice trianguli de le hay 
 quasi circa 10 pedum subtus via cimiterii eundo 
 ad Small-strete. 
 
 m "The house upon the platform of which the pillory was placed." 
 n " Collistrigia — Neckstretchers for infamous men, delinquents in 
 baking of bread, of which wrongs, &c." ° " with a tiled penthouse 
 above." P " The whole lane and churchyard are of great height, with 
 respect to the triangular space upon the Quay."
 
 69 
 
 In parochio Sancti Stephani. 
 
 Vicus Pylle-strete est via a Seynt Leonard ys 
 yate ad triangulum venellarum ad orientalem fene- 
 stram altaris ecclesiae Sancti Stephani, viz. venella 
 una retro orientalem fenestram Sancti Stephani, 
 q venella alia apud le style ecclesice Sancti Stephani 
 ad keyam dimittendo cimiterium in manu dexira, et 
 tercius vicus est longus incipiente a fine predicti 
 Pylle-strete, et eundo per Merstrete longa via ad 
 Merse yate. 
 
 Apud le kay in spacio trianguli largi est in 
 medio dicti trianguli pulcherrima domus de fres- 
 tone erecta T sumptuose operata, in qua est conduc- 
 tus aquarum de plumbo conduct, de fonte,* cujus 
 principium fontis est apud . . 
 
 Via alia de Pyll-stret extendendo ad domum 
 custumae regis, ubi vendunt salsas pisces ad prin- 
 cipium trianguli 64 gressus. 
 
 Cristmas-strete vel Knyf-smyth-strete continet 
 in latitudine 12 gressus, id est . . virgas. 
 
 1 " Another lane at the stile of St. Stephen's churchyard, leaving it 
 on the right hand." r " of rich architecture." 
 
 * A castellet was a stone inclosure to contain the reser- 
 voir of water brought by pipes from a distant head, for the 
 supply of the particular district. It was generally composed 
 of ornamental architecture, and the top crenellated or em- 
 battled, whence that name. Leland particularises the 
 several castellets in Bristol in his time. The last of them 
 rebuilt in the reign of Elizabeth, attached to St. John's 
 Church, was entirely removed in 1828. The castellet on the 
 key, " a most beautiful house and sumptuously wrought in 
 masonry," must have been the most remarkable, then, to
 
 70 
 
 Via? latitudo ad le key de Seynt Johnys yate 
 continet 6 gressus. 
 
 Triangulus, qui est magnum et amplum spacium 
 apud le key, ubi domus conducti aquae in medio 
 trianguli scituatur continet ex tribus partibusdele 
 custom-hous ad key am et de keya ad . . 
 
 Porta de Frome-yate, duae portae cum cathena 
 ferri, cum vacuo spacio longitudinis dictarum por- 
 tarum, continet 22 virgas super archus et duas 
 portas edificatas. 
 
 Cristmastrete. 
 
 Pons sive archus sub una cruce decenti de 
 frestone desuper erecta ad quendam angulum ad 
 modum trianguli super pontem archus erecta in 
 fine viae vocatae Cristmas-strete aliter knyfe-smyth- 
 strete prope Frome-yate continet . . gressus. 
 
 Gradus, anglice *a stepe, subtus archus et crucem 
 ad eundum ad aquam de Frome pro lotura vesti- 
 mentorum lineorum seu laneorum in fine de Crist- 
 mastrete continet circa . . gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Cristmastrete incipiendo apud 
 portam Sancti Johannis continet 12 gressus. 
 
 « " a slip.' 
 
 be seen. It was probably built by one of the Frampton's, 
 who had a large mansion near it, in 1480. 
 
 Castellets in Bristow. Cis pontem. St John's, hard by 
 St. John's gate. 
 
 The Key Pipe, with a very fair castellet. (near St. 
 Stephen's.) 
 
 St. Nicholas Pipe, with a castellet. 
 
 Ultra pontem. Redclive Pipe, with a castlet, harde by 
 Redclive Churche. Leland. v. 7. f. 71-
 
 71 
 
 Radcliff-hylle ultra ecclesiam. 
 
 Via de Radclyff-strete, incipiente in parte meri- 
 dionali villae Bristoll. ultra ecclesiam Radclyff apud 
 angulum viae ducentis ad Trillye-myllys* usque ad 
 ultimam portam prope conductum portae de Rad- 
 clyff, continet novies 60 gressus, quod est 540 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae majoris loci continet ex opposito 
 turris campanilis Radclyff 12 gressus. 
 
 Memorandum quod longitudo turris campanilis 
 in volta nova facta continet 24 pedes ab oriente in 
 occidentem, et 22 pedes a boria in meridiem. 
 
 * Item basis quadrati fabrications sperm de Rad- 
 clyff, quce est de octo panis, primus cursus super 
 locum quadrature sperce constat in densitudine 
 lapidibus duorum pedum ex duabus petris cementatis, 
 quia durum contrahere unum lapidem talis densitu- 
 dinis, et sic continuat ininuendo usque ad certam 
 altitudinem, ac quatuor sconci de lapidibus ab uno 
 quarterio anguli in proximum ad ligandam speram, 
 quae quidem spera stat modo ultra 100 pedes. t 
 
 t " The base of the square building of the spire of Radclyff 
 which consists of eight panes or pannels. The first course above 
 the square part of the spire has the thickness of blocks of two feet, 
 made by two stones cemented together, because it is difficult to con- 
 tract or narrow a single stone of such thickness — and thus it continues 
 to diminish to a certain height ; and the four pinnacles of stone issue 
 from each angle which tye or bind the spire." This is a curious 
 architectural notice. 
 
 * Trene mills. Fulling mills made of wood in distinc- 
 tion to the stone molendina, for grinding corn. 
 
 t Are we to conclude that the Spire, after having been 
 struck with lightning, was still 100 feet high ? Does modo
 
 72 
 
 Item domus longitudo presbiterorum Canyngis 
 in longitudine 20 virgarum vel 19 virgarum, cum 4 
 baywyndowes de frestone pro cameris 4 presbite- 
 rorum. 
 
 Dedicacio ecclesiae Sancti Johannis Baptistae 
 Bristoll. die 17 jullii. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Sancti Johannis Baptistae 21 
 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo ejus 8 virgae. 
 
 Via vocata Radclyff-strete incipiendo a porta de 
 Radclyff, continuando viam usque principium 
 pontis Bristoll. continet 710 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae continet 12 gressus. 
 
 Spacium tenementorum mansionum ex quolibet 
 latere pontis* Bristoll 10 virgas continet. 
 
 Item spacium interceptum in loco latrinarum 
 
 apply to W. W.'s time ? It has not such an elevation now. 
 "Stat modo" is certainly the present time. Perhaps it 
 was written " stetit modo," stood once, or not long since. 
 * Comparison of the ancient bridges of London and Bris- 
 tol. London bridge begun in 1176, completed in 1205, by 
 Isenbert de Xainctes, a Norman architect, who built the 
 bridge there. It was 926 feet long and 40 wide, having 
 19 broad pointed arches,and was covered with houses. The 
 chapel of St. Thomas a Becket was erected upon the 
 tenth pier; was 40 feet high, and had a plain gable only 
 surmounted by a cross, with four buttresses, with crocketed 
 finials, dividing the western end into three parts. In the 
 interior were two stories, both consecrated to sacred pur- 
 poses, and the roof of the lower was richly vaulted. The 
 street of houses was complete on either side, which were 
 of timber frame, and chiefly of large dimensions. One was 
 so remarkable as to have been called the "Nonsuch." 
 There were likewise two large towers with gateways.
 
 73 
 
 officii* super pontem ad inceptionem mansionum 
 primae partis pontis de Radclyff-strete verae incep- 
 cionis pontis continet 18 virgas. 
 
 Le Bakk Bristollice. 
 
 Via vocata le bak, ubi naves Walliee intrant, con- 
 tinet a principio domus conductae prope pontem 
 usque ad portam extremara vocatam Mersh-yate 
 in longitudine 3030 gressus per aquam Avon. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae vocatae le bak ad projicien- 
 dum bosca et alias mercandizas continet secundum 
 majus et majus 30 gressus. 
 
 Altitudo maris Avone, quando novus refluxus 
 maris est, "in prima die commutacionis lunce, ut 
 
 u " In the first day of the change of the moon, as I have seen and 
 heard, in the first lunation after the entrance of the sun into libra, 
 the rise of the spring tide at the Bak is 7 or 8 fathom, at least 40 feet." 
 
 Both the chapel and Nonsuch house were occupied as 
 warehouses for stationery goods, since the reformation, and 
 which remained till 1/58, when the whole was taken down, 
 and the platform and arches of the bridge were reconstructed. 
 
 Of Bristol Bridge there was a general coincidence, ex- 
 cepting that it was so much smaller. It was built between 
 the years 1240 and 1247- The breadth of the river is 200 
 feet. The bridge was built upon four arches, between very 
 large and wide piers and starlings. The street was con- 
 tinued on either side, having some spacious houses, the 
 road between them being no more than 19 feet. Of the 
 chapel dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, 
 built by Elyas Spelley, Mayor in the reign of Edw. III. 
 W. W. afterwards gives a particular account. The bridge 
 was rebuilt between 1761 and 1708; when the houses 
 which remained after the conflagration in 1644 were taken 
 down. 
 
 * Mentioned in Canning's Will as Avon's Privey. There 
 was another in the Pithay.
 
 74 
 
 vidi et andivi in lunacione proximo, ante introitum 
 solis in libram est 7 vel 8 brachia apud le bak, 
 anglice valhym, et brachium continet 6 pedes. 
 
 Viee longitudo vocatae Baft-strete incipiente ex 
 opposito crucis in Baldwyne-strete usque murum 
 villas in opposito de le Mersh, continet w a retro 
 capellcc de le bak in occidentali parte dictae capellae 
 240 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dicta; viae ad spacium 180 gressuum 
 continet 20 gressus, sed in prima incepcione vise 
 apud crucem in Baldwyne-strete per spacium lon- 
 gitudinis 60 gressuum ejus latitudo est stricta via 
 nisi latitudinis 3 virgarum. 
 
 Viae quatuor ex omni latere in occidentali parte 
 capellae de le bak in edificatione quadrata per A. 
 B. facta continet ex quolibet 4 lateribus . . 
 gressus. 
 
 Porta Sancti Nicholai continet a boria in meri- 
 diem in longitudine 7 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Hygh-strete finiente ad dictam 
 portam continet 20 gressus. 
 
 Porta Sancti Leonardi continet ex parte orientali 
 in longitudine 7 virgas. 
 
 Altitudo porta? cum campanile continet per esti- 
 macionem . . . 
 
 Latitudo viae vocatae Smalstrete ad finem portae 
 Sancti Leonardi continet 30 gressus. 
 
 Porta Sancti Johannis Baptistae continet in lon- 
 gitudine a boria in meridiem versus Bradstrete 7 
 virgas, et ab oriente in occidentem versus le kay 
 latitudo viae de Bradstrete ad finem dictae portae 
 
 continet 28 gressus. 
 
 w " behind the chapel on the Back."
 
 75 
 
 Latitudo viae vocatae Seynt Laurens lane conti- 
 net 6 gressus. 
 
 Porta3 duae super pontem de Frome-yate continet 
 in longitudine . . virgas vel 34 gressus. 
 
 Pons duorum archuum aquam de Frome tran- 
 seuntium continet in longitudine . . virgas . . 
 gressus. 
 
 Obiit Johannes Barstable burgensis villae Bristoll. 
 A.D. 141 1, quinto decimo kalend. Octobris, etha- 
 buit Nicholaum Barstable presbiterum magistrum 
 capellae Sanctae Trinitatis. 
 
 Ecclesia Sanctae Werbur^ae* continet in latitu- 
 
 dine 19 virgas vel 34 gressus. 
 
 Argent a cheveron engrailed between 3 garbs sable. 
 
 Deseent of Darby from Wills. 
 
 Walter Darby, =j=Joan 
 of the parish 
 of St. Wer- 
 burg. Will 
 dated 1385. 
 Mayo r T.367. 
 I 
 
 Walter Darby, =(Jhristina 
 Founderof St. 
 Werburgh's 
 Church. 
 
 William 
 
 Joan 
 
 John 
 
 Alice ux. W. 
 Warminster, 
 
 Isabel ux. John 
 Barstaple.
 
 76 
 
 Tunis quad ratus dictae ecclesiae continet ex omni 
 parte x quatuor costarum 5 virgas. 
 
 Tour-strete : longitudo viae de Wynch-strete 
 apud le pyllorye continuans per cimiterium Sancti 
 Johannis prope blynde-yate usque Brad-strete con- 
 tinet 370 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae continet ad minus 2 virgas, 
 sed a orientali parte ecclesiae Sancti Johannis 
 Baptistse continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Porta vocata Blynd-yate continet in latitudine 9 
 pedes, et in latitudine viae 3 virgas id est 9 pedes 
 desuper edificata. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae continet 
 21 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus L9 virgae. 
 
 Turris ecclesiae quadratae continet 5 virgas ex 
 omni latere. 
 
 Columpnae archus 6, fenestras 6 in una parte, et 
 in qualibet fenestra 5 panell, et totidem columpnae 
 et archus in alia parte. 
 
 Fenestra una in orientali et alia in occidentali . . 
 
 Venella viae a vico de Smalstrete per ecclesiam 
 Sanctae Werburgae ad introitum viae vocatae Seynt 
 Colastrete continet 145 gressus, ex opposito 
 venellae viae per spacium 32 graduum ad Baldwyne- 
 strete. 
 
 Venella viae ad Baldwyne-strete ex opposito 
 superscriptae, eundo per certos gradus inferiores 
 ad numerum 32, et . . gressuum ad vicum 
 Baldwyne-strete ex opposito crucis lapideae con- 
 tinet cum dictis 32 gradibus gressuum et . . 
 gressibus. 
 
 x " four sides."
 
 77 
 
 Via ab ecclesia Sancti Nicholai cum 5 gressibus 
 areae dictae ecclesiae ad introitum ecclesiae voltae 
 vocatae le r crowd, cum spacio latitudinis voltae de 
 dicta ecclesia arcus ac spacio latitudine 20 gressi- 
 busad descensum voltae de le croude ultra diet. 20 
 gressus praeter 2 virgas. 
 
 Tamen longitudo tocius voltae cum duobus alis 
 ex numero 5 z pyllerys archuatis continet 12 virgas. 
 
 Et 5 magnae columpnae ac 5 archus sunt in dicta 
 cripta five volta. 
 
 Item turris quadratus campanilis ecclesiae pre- 
 dictae continet 5 virgas ex omni parte. 
 
 Ad ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis. 
 
 Via in occidentali parte ecclesiae Sancti Bartho- 
 lomei Bristolliae eundo ad ecclesiam Sancti 
 Michaelis super altissimum montem, a via vocata 
 le Stype-strete, incipiendo a collegio Sancti Bar- 
 tholomei semper ascendendo ad quandam fontem 
 et crucem lapideam in monte Sancti Michaelis, sic 
 eundo ad *ecclesiam religiosarum Beatae Mariae 
 Magdalenae, pauperis religionis trium monacharum 
 continet 360 gressus. 
 
 Et a dicta ecclesia religiosa sive ecclesia paro- 
 chiali Sancti Michaelis usque ad lapidem altum 
 
 y Crypt. z " Pillars which support arches." 
 
 * This was the nunnery of St. Mary Magdalene, consist- 
 ing only of three professed nuns, but of many novices, by 
 whom the daughters of the principal inhabitants were 
 educated. At the reformation they were held in so great 
 estimation, that the visitors strongly recommended that 
 they should not be dissolved, but without effect.
 
 78 
 
 assignatum pro limite franchesiae villae Bristolliae, 
 prope crucem et locum furcarum pro justitia legis 
 pro traditoribus et latronibus suspendendis et 
 executione mortis, 420 gressus ascend endo semper 
 ad montem. Sed a dicta petra quae est a finis fran- 
 chesice Bristollice plages meridionalis ab alta cruce 
 ad locum justiciae exequend continet in toto, cum 
 120 gressis, 540 gressus. 
 
 Capella sanctae crucis super Thyrdam-doune 
 versus collegium de Westberye continet in longi- 
 tudine 9 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 5 virgas et habet mantel- 
 lum .... 
 
 Ecclesia collegii b diaco?iata de Westbery continet 
 in longitudine 42 virgas vel lx gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 24 virgas. 
 
 1447. Memorandum quod c navis Roberti Sturmey 
 in primo viagio suo de Jerusalem fuit submersus 
 prope Modon insulam* ex fortuna casu in nocte 
 fracturae, et 37 homines Bristolliae suae navis vocatae 
 le Cog\ Anne, et ipsi 37 homines sepulti apud 
 
 a " The end of the Bristol liberties from the High Cross towards the 
 South" b " having a Dean." c " ship belonging to." 
 
 * Modon is not an island, but a port on the continent of 
 the Morea, not many leagues below the island of Zante, 
 open to the Mediterranean. This vessel was conveying 
 pilgrims or votarists to the Holy Sepulchre, a circumstance 
 which caused the Bishop of Modon to consecrate an ora- 
 tory to their memory. Robert Sturmye was one of the 
 Merchants venturers. He was Sheriff in 1442, and Mayor 
 in 1452. 
 
 t A Cog was a ship used to convey merchandize, but of 
 the exact measure of its tonnage, we have no account.
 
 79 
 
 Modon, et episcopus patriae fecit capellam novam 
 ad orandum pro animabus eorum. 
 
 Touker-strete* 
 
 Venella prima inTouker-strete de ponte Bristoll. 
 continet 90 gressus ad aquam Avonpe. 
 
 Venella secunda versus Stallage-cros continet 
 100 gressus ad aquam de Avyn, et ista venella est 
 apud Stallage-cros ex opposito. 
 
 Latitudo dictae venellae est 4 gressus. 
 
 * The first establishment and residence of the family of 
 Canynge was in Tucker-street, which was entirely in- 
 habited by clothiers or drugget makers, one of the more 
 ancient manufactures in Bristol. W. Canynges made 
 his will in 1396, and was buried in the chapel of Our Lady, 
 in the church of St. Thomas, martyr. John, his son, in 
 1405, bequeaths his body to be buried in the same. " Item 
 Johannae ux. meae 4 shopas situat' in Touker-strete, et duas 
 aulas cum pertinentiis in vico predicto — unam aulam cum 
 una shopa adjacente in Touker-strete, &c, usque ad Law- 
 ditch posterius." The celebrated W. Canynge was their 
 third son. By his will, dated 1474, he gives " duo tene- 
 menta unum in suburbiis villse Bristol, in vico vocatoWest 
 Touker-strete in parochia Sti. Thomae Martyris inter tene- 
 menta Prioris Domus Carthusianae de Wytham, ex utraque 
 parte, et duo messuagia cum suis pertinentiis situat' super 
 pontem Abonae," &c. This property remained in the 
 Canynge's family until its extinction by the death of the 
 grand-children of W. Canynge, William and Isabel, during 
 their minority, and not long after his own demise. John, 
 their elder brother, is not mentioned in W. Canynge's will, 
 because he inherited his mother's very ample jointure. 
 
 The manufacture of cloth was brought from Normandy 
 to Bristol, and the West of England, early in the reign of 
 Edward 1. Cloth workers were called Toukers, from the 
 river Toque, near Abbeville. In deeds of that date, these 
 
 H
 
 80 
 
 Via in fine Toker-strete incipiendo a retro de 
 Temple-strete ultra magnum fontem prope mag- 
 num et profundum gradum, anglice a stepe, in fine 
 de Toker-strete, et eundo coram aquam de Avyn 
 per prata in boriali parte aquae continet ad retor- 
 nam venellse in Temple-strete ad le pyllorye 420 
 gressus; et dicta via est edificata in una parte 
 versus dexteram manum, et alia pars vise est cursus 
 aquae de Avyn. 
 
 Latitudo dictae vise est ultra circa 8 gressus, et 
 aliquando 20 gressus. 
 
 Venella secunda existens coram aquam Avyn in 
 dicta via versus ad Temple-strete continet 90 
 gressus. 
 
 Venella ^secunda in dicta via coram aquam de Avyn 
 continet circa 90 gressus, et transit in retorno de 
 quadam pervicina ponte arboris quod equus mm 
 transiet ad prata coram aquam Avyn, et sic retor- 
 nando ad Temple-strete ex opposito le pyllory 
 prope ecclesiam Templi, continet ut super 90 
 gradus. 
 
 Latitudo dictse venellae continet 4 virgas. 
 
 d " a second lane in the same direction on the banks of the river 
 Avon extends about 90 paces, and then turns off to a neighbouring 
 bridge of wood, not passable by a horse, leading to meadows on the 
 banks of the Avon." 
 
 several terms occur — Textor, Weaver; Fullo, Cloth worker ; 
 Tinctor, Dyer ; Feltere, Felt- maker ; John le Tannere ; 
 Webbe ; Chaucer calls his clothier, in the Canterbury Tales, 
 "a Webbe." In 1334, a complaint was made against 
 Thomas Blankett for having in his house foreigners, and 
 foreign instruments of manufacture.
 
 81 
 
 Ecclesia templi sanctce cruris. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae de templo sanctae cruris con- 
 tinet 57 virgas, et circa 1 00 gradus per estimacionem. 
 
 Latitude- ejus continet 42 gradus. 
 
 Turris novus* ecclesiae campanilis continet 5 
 virgas ex omni parte quadrates . 
 
 Via subtus le toune-wallys incipiendo a parte 
 Temple-strete, et eundo infra muram, juxta murum 
 intrando per viam vocatam Seynt Thomas strete 
 continet . . . gressus. 
 
 Venella in Temple-strete ultra ecclesiam templi 
 ex parte meridionali de Temple-strete, id est in 
 parte opposita ecclesiae versus portam templi, quae 
 est secunda venella a cruce de Stallage-cross versus 
 et ad Radclyffe-strete eundo . . . gressus. 
 
 Longitudo muri viltee Bristoll. transeundo per 
 ortosTemple-yate, sed incipiendo ultra orientalem 
 partem^ cancellae fratrum August. *super borduram 
 aquce de Avyji, continuando usque Temple-yate 
 continet 600 gressus. Et sic continuando a porta 
 
 e " Upon the bank of Avon-water.'' 
 
 * It is most singular that William Wyrcestre does not 
 mention the very extraordinary fact of the great declination 
 of the original tower, adverting only to the addition made 
 to it in his time. Indeed his own architectural notices are 
 totally deficient; as he contented himself with mensuration 
 only : but will the Itinerary of Leland always give satisfacto- 
 ry information, either by critical observation or comparison ? 
 
 f This fixes the site of the small convent of the Hermits 
 of the rule of St. Augustine, near to the Temple gate, but 
 bordering on the banks of the river Avon. Founded in 
 1310 by Sir Simon, or Sir William, Montacute j to which
 
 82 
 
 Temple-yate per muros villae* ad primam portam 
 de Radclyflf-strete, qui est finis dictae viae de Rad- 
 clyflT-strete, continet 435 gressus. 
 
 Et sic in toto ab aqua Avonae predictus murus 
 continet usque ad portam primam de Radclyff-yate 
 1035 gressus. 
 
 Muri densitudo super viam quam homines ambu- 
 lant 2 virgae-t 
 
 Spissitudo tocius muri continet 2 virgas et duas 
 
 pedes. 
 
 A^enella in Radclyff-strete a prima porta Rad- 
 
 clyff, vocata Hounden-lane, continet a via Radclyff 
 
 usque Seynt Thomas strete in longitudine 170 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae venellae continet 2 virgas. 
 
 Venella ex parte meridionali ecclesiae Sancti 
 Thomae eundo juxta ecclesiam continet in longitu- 
 dine 170 gressus. 
 
 last mentioned, a patent "de manso elargando" was granted 
 in 1317. Sold in 1543 to Maurice Dennis. 
 
 * This is now the only remaining part of the town wall, 
 and is partly perfect for several hundred yards to Redcliflf- 
 street ; where the gate originally stood. It was built, or 
 rather rebuilt, at the expense of the Butchers' Company. 
 It now forms the boundary of gardens. In one of the 
 earliest deeds now extant, dated in the year 1220, relating 
 to tenements in RedclifF-street, the purchaser is T. Kull- 
 bullock. In another a butcher is styled "Carnifex," a 
 flesh-monger. "Port Waulle is the fairest part of the 
 Towne waul. The sayinge is, that certein bochers made a 
 fair peace of this waulle ; and it is the highest and strongest 
 peace of all the towne waulls." — Leland v. 7, f. 71. 
 
 f The space of six feet was sufficient for a publick walk 
 or passage, or to man the walls during a siege. Such still 
 remain at Chester and York.
 
 83 
 
 Venella in parte boriali ecclesiae Sancti Thomae 
 transeundo per cimiterium continet 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Thomae cum chore- continet in 
 longitudine 80 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 35 gressus. 
 
 Muri longitudo ex parte orientali villae prope 
 Pyttey-yate, incipiente in meridionali de Pyttey- 
 yate, usque ad viam ducentem ad portam vocatam 
 le Blynde-yate continet 170 gressus versus Monk- 
 enbrygge, et continuando usque Frome-yate sic 
 continet ulterius 
 
 Muri villas Bristoll. videlicet a principio de 
 Frome-yate, et sic retornando usque per Lewlyns- 
 mede, et retornando per Seynt Jamys bak et 
 Brode-mede ac le f bak parvum usque Pyttey-yate, 
 continet dictus murus per aquam de Frome gyran- 
 do 1000 gressus. 
 
 Via de fine Seynt Thomas-strete incipiente apud 
 le toune-walle continuando sub le toune-walle ad 
 portam primam de Radclyff-yate, qui est finis 
 longae vise de RadclyfT-strete, continet 170 gressus, 
 edificata in parte orientali de le toune-walle. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae continet 8 gressus. 
 
 Via incipiente apud occidentalem finem de cimi- 
 terio Radclyff-chyrch, sic transeundo per viam 
 ducentem ad Trene-myllys, et continuando usque 
 domum hospitalis Beatae Mariae Magdalenae* in 
 
 f " the little Bee." 
 
 * The Matrix of the Seal of the Hospital of St. Mary 
 Magdalene of Brightbow is still extant. It was founded 
 for the reception of paupers afflicted with leprosy.
 
 84 
 
 dextra manu, eundo versus pontem de Bryghtbow 
 ad crucem et capellam dicti hospitalis, continet 300 
 gressus ; et a dicta domo hospitalis usque pontem 
 de Bryghtbow continet 230 gressus, ubi libertas 
 villa? Bristoll. extendit, sic in toto 530 gressus. 
 
 Pons aquae de Bryghtbow* versus ecclesiam 
 hospitalis Sanctae Katerinae continet 24 gressus in 
 longitudine. 
 
 Via predicta continuando a ponte de Bryghtbow 
 versus Bedmynster ad capellam liberam hospitalis 
 Sanctae Katerinae continet 170 gressus. 
 
 Via de hospitali ecclesiae Sanctae Katerinae usque 
 pontem vocat. Bryghtbow, eundo versus ecclesiam 
 de Radclyff continet in longitudine 240 gressus. 
 
 Pons vocat Bryghtbow, ubi extrema pars liber- 
 tatis villa? Bristoll. existens versus occidentem, 
 eundo usque Wellys per Bedmynster continet 17 
 virgas longitudinis, sive 3b* gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dicti pontis continet 5 virgas. 
 
 Viae longitudo de porta vocata Radclyff-yate ver- 
 sus Bedmyster, et transeundo per ecclesiam Rad- 
 clyff etdomum mansionis presbiterorum Canyngysf 
 usque ad pontem vocatum Bryghtbow, ubi ad dic- 
 tum pontem libertas et franchesia villa? Bristollia? 
 extendit in occidentali parte villa? Bristoll. continet 
 1200 gressus. 
 
 * Bow is always applied to the single arch of a bridge ; 
 as at Stratford-le-Bow, near London, which Chaucer calls 
 <e Stratford-at-the-Bow." 
 
 f There were originally two Chantry priests in the 
 church of St. Mary Redcliff, to which W. Canynges added 
 three, and made them collegiate. He built a mansion for 
 their residence in the churchyard, like those then newly- 
 erected atWells, byBishop Beckington, for theVicars-choral.
 
 85 
 
 Portarum duarum predictarum in fine Radclyff- 
 strete continet spacium longitudinis inter dictas 
 duas portas 36 gressus. 
 
 Capella Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae ab antiquo 
 fundata cum hospitali gentium leprosarum scita 
 est in parte boriali versus pontem de Bryghtbow 
 ultra domum capellanorum Willelmi Canyngys, 
 quae capella scita est ultra viam ducentem ad mo. 
 lendinum vocatum Tremyllys, in altera parte cimi- 
 terii de Bedmynster. 
 De vicofratrumpredicatorumvocato Marchall-strete. 
 
 Memorandum quod vicus vocatus Iryshmede in 
 orientali parte de Marshall-strete continet in longi- 
 tudine prope pontem lapidis juxta murum fratrum 
 predicatorum . . . gressus. 
 
 Via vocata le Marchall-strete incipit ab angulo 
 principii viae De le Weer, eundo directe per fratres 
 predicatores ad le barres, per tenementa patris mei 
 VV. Worcestre, et eundo continue per horrea prio- 
 ratus Sancti Jacobi ad quandam metam de exteriori 
 lapide libertatis villae Bristoll. eundo ex parte bori- 
 ali ad Rydyng-feld* et Westbury versus Glouces- 
 triam, continet 1020 gressus. 
 
 * The field where Jousts and Tournaments were held. 
 A military establishment, consisting of armed men, and 
 always at the requisition of the King, was supported at the 
 expense of the commonalty at large. After the removal of 
 the garrison, they exercised and trained upon Kingsdown. 
 It is evident from Wills, that the chief merchants were 
 furnished with armour for their own use. In 1454, John 
 Burton bequeaths to his brother Nicholas, two suits of 
 plated armour, sufficient for two men ; and Henry Gilde- 
 ney, in 1430, two suits of armour, with a pole-axe and a 
 lance, cuirasses and war-shoes, for each. Many more 
 instances might be cited. Previously shirts of mail, with
 
 86 
 
 Ecclesia fratrum predicatorum in Marshall- 
 strete. 
 
 Via predicta vocata Marshall-strete, incipiendo 
 directa linea de muro principii via? vocatae le Were 
 prope angulum domus Bagpath, ex opposito duo- 
 rum molendinorum villae prope castrum villae, et 
 eundo per fratres predicatores, et transeundo per 
 lez barres directe s per horrea prioris Sancti Jacobi, 
 eundo per Redelond usque collegium Westbury, 
 et per villamTokynton versus Aust-clyffad Severn- 
 water et Gloucestriam, continet 1020 gressus, una. 
 vice probatus per meos gressus ; et dicta via de 
 Marchall-strete habet finem ultra horrea prioratus 
 Sancti Jacobi ad quendam freestone longitudinis 
 unius virgae stantem. 
 
 Longitudo portarum vocat. Newyate continet 
 20 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesise Sancti Petri continet 54 
 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo edificacionis a retro ecclesiae predicts 
 a via Sancti Petri ex orientali parte retornando ver- 
 sus aquam de Avyn continet 72 gressus, et con- 
 simili modo in retorno per dictum cimiterium ab 
 orientali ecclesise Sancti Petri ad occidentalem 
 partem dictae ecclesiae de edificatione h magnifici 
 hospicii et tenementorum . . . Nortons con- 
 tinet 75 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo de Wynch-strete ex opposito Pyllery, 
 eundo per caput viae de Pyttey directe ad portam 
 
 g " through St. James's Barton." h " The spacious and handsome house." 
 
 hoods and gorgets, were in use, during the reign of Edward 
 3rd, when Bristol supplied to his great army, which invaded 
 France, 222 soldiers. M.SS. Smythe.
 
 87 
 
 Sancti Johannis, per cimiterium Sancti Johannis 
 Baptistae, continet 410 gressus ad portam Sancti 
 Johannis Baptistae transeundo. 
 
 Latitudo dictae venellae et viae continet duas vir- 
 gas, id est 6 pedes. 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Mariae de Port, continet cum 
 campanile ejus longitudo 60 gressus. 
 
 Porta Sancti Johannis Baptistae, super quam 
 edificatur tam turris quadratus quam una spera de 
 super de frestone cum duobus * batillementis super 
 turrim, continet in longitudine 17 gressus, et de 
 novo edificata fait cum ecclesia Sancti Johannis per 
 Walterum Frampton nobilem mercatorem villae 
 Bristoll.* 
 
 i" Pinnacles." 
 
 * ^Frampton. 
 
 Argent a cheveron between three Lions' jambs erased, within a bordure en- 
 grailed, gules. 
 
 Descent of Fromton or Frampton, from Wills and Deeds. 
 
 Walter Frampton, ~ 
 the Founder of 
 St. John Baptist's 
 Church, buried 
 there 1357, 30. 
 Edw. tij. 
 
 Walter Frampton. ==Isabel, Robert== 
 Will dated 1388, I daughter of , ■ 
 
 bur. in S t. John's. | Walter, a priest 
 
 i 
 
 Walter Frampton. ==Joan, 
 Will dated 1394, daughter of 
 
 Walter Frampton. =Alice, Richard, 
 
 Wil l riatt'd 142.'), | daughter of noticed in the Will, 
 
 i 
 John Frampton.
 
 88 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Bartholomei, quondam prioratus 
 canonicorum regularium per antecessores domini 
 de le Warre fundata, et modo hospitale pauperum 
 
 annui valoris est scita prope et extra 
 
 portas vocatas Frome-yate, in boriali parte villa? 
 Bristoll. 
 
 Via a porta introitus ad castellum Bristollia? 
 prope ecclesiam orientalem Sancti Petri, et sic 
 eundo et gradiendo per murum fossi murorum 
 castri per portam Newgate, et per vicum vocatum 
 le Weere, et per pontem de le Weere, k dimittendo 
 le wateryng-place in manu sinistra, et x girando per 
 dictum murum fossi versus meridiem prope crucem . 
 de le market, sic continuando usque magnam pe- 
 tram de frestone unius virga? erectam ad extremam 
 libertatis franchesia? villse Bristolliae in altera parte 
 gardinorum Willelmi Worcestre ad portam primi 
 introitus castri ex parte occidentali ecclesia? Sancti 
 Philippi,quae est ad finem m venellce retro vies rnercati, 
 continet in circuitu unius partis turris et murorum 
 castri 420 gressus. 
 
 Via quasi trianguli ab origine anguli pontis Bris- 
 toll. in opposita parte porti Sancti Nicholai ad prin- 
 cipium de le bak, ubi unica domusaqua? conductus 
 D pedum longitudinis scituatur, continet 30 gressus ; 
 et a predicto angulo pontis Bristolliae ad princi- 
 pium porta? Sancti Nicholai, qua? est pars dicta? 
 via? triangularis continet 14 gressus ; et a domo 
 conducti de frestone, qui est conductus aquarum 
 in principio de le bakk, eundo per ecclesiam a dele 
 crowd Sancti Nicholai ad portam Sancti Nicholai. 
 
 k passing by, or leaving behind, i turning round. m " A lane at the 
 back of the Old Market." n " The Crypt under the Church."
 
 89 
 
 Via a dicta domo aquae conductus eundo per le 
 bak coram aqua de Avyn usque ad portam de 
 Mersh-yate, par le crane et per orientalem partem 
 capellae T. Knappe* continet 270 gressus. 
 
 Porta3 duae cum archu desuper super extremam 
 occidentalem capellae Sanctse Maria3 pontis,| con- 
 tinet longitudo inter primum murum archuatus, 
 dicto muro archus computato cum vacua placea 
 coram hostium capellae, ad alteram portam °peti 
 archuati cum muro dicti archuati computato con- 
 tinet 9 virgas sive 16 gressus. 
 
 " Petrae archuatae," of arched stone. 
 
 * llinappe. 
 
 Argent, a cross formee between lour roses, gules. 
 
 f There were few very large bridges which had not a 
 chapel erected upon them, as at London and York. This 
 was of beautiful architecture and proportions, and had, 
 independently of Elias Spelley's foundation of it, several 
 legacies for the support of a Chantry, dedicated to the 
 Assumption of the Virgin Mary. After the dissolution, this 
 chapel was used as a warehouse, and was greatly damaged 
 by a fire, February 7? 1646, when 24 houses towards St. 
 Nicholas Church were burned down. The chapel had 
 been previously desecrated by Walter Stephens, a leader 
 of the Parliament party, after the surrender of the city in 
 1645. M.S. Calendar.
 
 90 
 
 JLatitudo tocius pontis, ut potest probari per 
 spacium vise pontis latitudinis inter dictas duas 
 portas continet 5 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo viae ad finem meridionalem pontis ad 
 primmn introitura longse viae de Radclyff-strete 
 continet 5 virgas sive 8 gressus. 
 
 Market-place. 
 
 Via longa in posteriore parte p a retro vice de old 
 Market usque Lafford-yate : via posterior ex parte 
 meridionali a retro de antiquo market, incipiendo 
 a porta prima eastri Bristoll. et transeundo per tria 
 gardina Willelmi Worcestre in meridionali de le 
 crosse in mercato predicto, sic transiens per longam 
 viam juxta cimiteriumetecclesiam Sancti Philippi, 
 ubi quondam ecclesia religiosorum et prioratus in 
 orientali parte ecclesiae Sancti Philippi scituatur,. 
 et sic continue eundo a retro gardina tenemen- 
 torum in mercato antiquo usque ad murum ecclesia? 
 occidentalem ecclesiae hospitalis Sanctae Trinitatis 
 per venerabilissimum mercatorem quondam villa? 
 Bristoll. ad dictam ecclesiam Sanctae Trinitatis per 
 Johannem Barstaple* fundatum et edificatum pro 
 xiii hominibus pauperibus, continet in longitudine 
 660 gressus. 
 
 Hospitale domus cum capella in veteri mercato 
 prope Laffords yate cum capella condecenti per 
 dictum Barstaple est fundata et erecta. 
 
 P " behind the road of the Old Market." 
 
 * In the floor of the Hospital Chapel, are inserted two 
 large and well wrought Brasses, representing a man in the 
 dress of a burgess, with a belt and basilard, or short dagger, 
 and his wife in the female dress of the times. Inscriptions : —
 
 91 
 
 Porta Laffordys-yate per dictum Waltcrum Bar- 
 staple de novo fundata et composita tempore regis 
 Edwardi tertii, vel Ricardi regis secundi, ubi finis 
 libertas et franchesiae villae Bristolliae in hoc ter- 
 mino occidentali extendit ad quandam petram alti- 
 tudinis unius virgaa extra LafTordys-yate erectam 
 in parte boriali dictag portae, per me visam et pal- 
 patam . 
 
 Altitudo dictae portaa super pule ram mansionem 
 desuper edificatam .... 
 
 Vise longitudo ab exteriori parte Laffordys-yate, 
 
 " feit facet ^ofianncS 33an>tapte, iuro;cn<it<S inllae Bristol, fun* 
 Bator tSttuS loci, qui obtjt 15 fcalen. &ttob. Ittrra JBomtnualte, 23. 
 £.23. #{<g<g<gC£IL., cuju$ ammae pvoptttctur J3tu£. &mcn." 
 
 " y$U iattt Babella quontJ. uror. Bebtmnte 3San>tapIe, quae 
 obtj't. 9.D. D<!?$<£<£.,ni}u$ammacpvopm'ctuv?3ntS. Smeii." 
 
 tfarstaplr. 
 
 Descent of Barstaple, from Wills 
 John Barstaple,=Isabel, daughter 
 
 ob. 1410, 
 Founder of the 
 Hospital at 
 
 Law-ford's Gate 
 
 of Walter Darby, 
 ob. 1400. 
 
 Thomas .folio Nicholas, Joan— Robert Shipwanl, 
 
 first Master of Wil j iam shipwanl. 
 the Hospital, « alite rdictu8B»r8taple. 
 founded by Ins W ill dated 14G7. 
 father.
 
 92 
 
 continuando usque ad ecclesiam et domum ac hos- 
 pitale pertinent! dictae ecclesiae, continet in longi- 
 tudine in comitatu Gloucestriae incipiente, et versus 
 viaffium ad civitatem Londoniarum transeuncium 
 per forestam de Kyngyswod, incipiente apud 
 Laffordys-yate continet usque dictum hospitalem 
 Sancti Laurencii* per ...... fundatam, 
 
 quamvis mode- pertinet tempore Edwardi regis 
 quarti collegio et ecclesise de Westbery, 1200 
 gressus per W. Worcestre mensuratis. 
 
 Via magna prope Laffordys-yate in parte boriali 
 dictae portae juxta le meerestone finis libertatis 
 Bristolliae ; ac via magna in parte boriali similiter 
 non multum longae, qua itur et revertitur in parte 
 et clima boriali extra Laffordys-yate, eundo et 
 
 equitando per ad villam 
 
 Gloucetyr per villas Wynterborn, Tyderynton, 
 
 Newport usque Gloucestre per 
 
 spacium 30 miliariorum distans a Bristollia. 
 Le Market-iveyes usque Lafford-yate. 
 
 Via non edificata in altera parte boriali de le mar- 
 ket-place in parochia Sancti Philippi. 
 
 Via longa incipiente ad finera viae de le weere ex 
 altera parte viae, ubi equi Bristolliae consueverunt 
 bibere in angulo cornerii meridionali dicti wateryng- 
 place, et sic continuando viam usque domum hos- 
 pitalis Sanctae Trinitatis fundatam per Walterum 
 Barstaple prope Laffordys-yate, et ex transverso 
 viae veniente de le *veyle market usque T milliam 
 
 q Old Market. r " Molendinum." 
 
 * Hospital of St. Laurence belonging to the College of 
 Westbury, t. Edw. 4ti.; built by Walter Barstaple, the 
 father of John, who founded the Hospital.
 
 93 
 
 quondam Walteri Carillton, continet in longitudine 
 cum viae retornae versus et prope hospitalem Sanctae 
 Trinitatis ad viam de market prope Laffordys-yate 
 569 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae per majorem partem continet 
 
 per estimacionem, seel non est 
 
 edificata nisi per longitudinem .... gres- 
 suum citra le wateryng-place de le Weer, sed in 
 latitudine circa .... gressus. 
 
 Venella prope ecclesiam Sancti Philippi, ducens 
 de le style cimeterii dictae ecclesiae directe per le 
 travers de dicto market, continet 77 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejusdem venellae de petranon edificata, 
 continet 7 virgas. 
 
 Venella alia ducens directe de ilia priori venella 
 ex transverso de le market, transiens ad borialem 
 viam sive partem per le magnum gardinum et or- 
 chard Markyswilliam* majoris quondam villae 
 Bristolliae ad aquam de Frome, ultra le wateryng- 
 place de le Weere, versus Erlysmede, continet 
 136 gressus. 
 
 % Via lapidea longa et lata, vocata le veile market, 
 
 s " A highway pitched or paved with stones." 
 
 * The true name of this person was Mac William, of whom 
 Leland has given the following account : — Ttin. v. 8. p. 97. 
 li One Mac Williams being the younger son of a gentilman 
 in Ireland, came to Bristowe, and ther so increased in 
 riches, that he bought landes to the sum of three or four 
 hundred markes by the yere, and so the land contynued a 
 certein while, in the heirs male of Mac Williams, and after 
 cam to a dawter of theirs, that was married to one of the 
 Seymours." Sir John Seymour, in 1 430, possessed several 
 houses and messuages in RedclifF-street, (see Deeds) pro- 
 bably so inherited.
 
 94 
 
 a principio altae crucis prope fossam castro Bristoll. 
 direete eundo per quatuor tenementa Willelmi 
 Worcestre ad Laffordes-yate scita, ut media et 
 principalis via duarum aliarum longarum viarum, 
 una ex parte meridionali et alia via ex parte boriali, 
 continet 660 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dicta? via? continet 54 gressus. 
 
 Via eundo ad prioratum montis acuti* Sancti 
 Jacobi per le justyng-place ab antiquis diebus. 
 
 Via inparochia Sancti Jacobi in occidentali parte 
 ecclesia? Sancti Jacobi prope portam principalem 
 introitus ad prioratum Sancti Jacobi, et partem 
 muri orientalem fratrum Sancti Francisci. 
 
 Via longa, sive venella, de fine viae Lewenysmede 
 ex opposito cimiterii Sancti Jacobi, eundo per hos- 
 tium prions religionum dictse ecclesiee, et sic con- 
 tinuando ad extremam partem dictse viae sive venella? 
 per muros gardinorum fratrum Sancti Francisci ad 
 quendam montem acutum in boriali parte dictee 
 vise extrema, et retornando peraliud retornum via? 
 ducentis versus montem ecclesia? Sancti Michaelis, 
 
 * The King's down was so called, as having been part 
 of die demesne lands connected with the Castle, and fre- 
 quented for exercise, both by the soldiers and inhabitants. 
 This part of the King's down, still retaining the name of 
 Montacute or Montagu, was from the time of the establish- 
 ment of martial exercises for the soldiers of the garrison, 
 continued till a late period, for such purposes. Marshal- 
 street (now corrupted to Merchant-street) was the military 
 way leading to it from the Castle. In the accounts of T. 
 Lord Berkeley is an entry — "for spere-play at Bristow;" 
 and the expense of these joustings or hastiludes was borne 
 by a contribution of the inhabitants, at certain periods, 
 after the garrison had been withdrawn.
 
 95 
 
 continet dicta via sive venella erecta 300 gressus. 
 Et ^retornum dictae viae ad partem orientalem per 
 murum dictorum fratrum minorum usque ad venel- 
 lam eundo ad ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis, et sic 
 continuando directe orientaliter usque ad altam 
 crucem petiae erectse de frestone cum fonte clausa 
 de frestone ad altiorem finem via? veniente de 
 ecclesia Sancti Bartholomei vocatum Stype-strete, 
 continet 600 gressus. 
 
 Memorandum quod ad dictam crucem obviant 3 
 viae, quarum una vocatur Stanley ducens ad villam 
 Clyfton, vel ad viam ducentem usque Ghyston-clyff. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 4 virgas prope u co?iducto- 
 
 rium de frestone in meridionali parte 
 
 dictae portae scituat. 
 
 Via vocata Marchalle strete in parochia Sancti 
 Jacobi, videlicet a fine viae Brodemede prope pon- 
 tem muri fratrum predicatorum, eundo versus cimi- 
 terium Sancti Jacobi per lez barrys ubi mulieres 
 fatuae morantur* usque ad angulum cornerii intran- 
 
 do ad prioratum Sancti Jacobi 
 
 per unum mulbery-tree, continet 191 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae per tenementa mea Willelmi 
 Worcestre 
 
 Via proxima sequens, videlicet ab angulo cor- 
 nerii, eundo versus Redelyngtonf per le mulbery- 
 tree superius nominatum, et sic eundo versus cimi- 
 terium Sancti Jacobi usque ad introitum primum 
 ecclesiae predictae, continet 155 gressus; et sic 
 
 1 " the return." u " the Conduit. 
 
 * The public stews. f Now Redland.
 
 96 
 
 continuando '"per costeram cimiterii Sancti Jacobi 
 usque crucem et pontem occidentalem dictae vise 
 ad returnum via? vocatae le Bak ad finem occiden- 
 talem cimiterii predicti, ubi una porta cum x wio 
 stilo petrce scituatur, continet 240 gressus ; et sic 
 in toto longitudo dictae vise continet 395 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae ex una parte edificatae conti- 
 net . . . gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de le bak in parochia Sancti Nicho- 
 lai continet 34 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo secundae vise gradus, voc. anglice J le 
 step, qui est proximior ad introitum Baldwyn-strete 
 continet 4 virgas. 
 
 Volta archns sanctae crucis* et ecclesiae Sancti 
 Johannis continet in longitudine circa b'O gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae voltae sive archus 13 gressus. 
 
 Key: longitudo a prima incepcione coram muro 
 templi Juder| prope portam petram introitus Smal- 
 strete usque angulum domus de petra muro fortis- 
 simo edificato ex opposito abbathiae Sancti Augus- 
 tini continet per aquam de Frome et calcetum de 
 le key 480 gressus bene computatos. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Seynt Ewen, id est Sancti 
 Adoen, continet 22 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo diclae ecclesiae, cujus orientalis pars 
 altaris est directe ex opposito ecclesiae sanctae tri 
 
 w " by the side of." x " a stone stile." Y " the Slip." 
 
 * The Crypt, dedicated to the Holy Cross, under St. John 
 Baptist's Church : as that under St. Nicholas to the Virgin 
 Mary.— " B. M. Virgini" 
 
 f Templi Judaeorum, the ancient Synagogue.
 
 97 
 
 nitatis prope crucem Bristolliae, continet 15 virgas 
 per mensuratas vel 30 gressus. 
 
 Et habet imam navem ecclesiae ex parte boriali 
 alae, et unam z alam vel elam, quae est capella Sancti 
 Johannis Baptistae, et fraternitatis. 
 
 Ecclesiae longitudo omnium sanctorum directe ex 
 
 opposito ecclesiae continet . . . 
 
 gressus, vel tot. 23 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo dictae ecclesiae continet 20 virgas sive 
 34 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae predictae Sanctae Trinitatis 
 22 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ecclesiae Sanctae Trinitatis 35 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae Hygh-strete ad altam crucem 24 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Wynch-strete ad altam viam 16 
 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae vocatae Bradstrete continet 328 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Bradstrete ad altam crucem 14 
 gressus. 
 
 Sed ejus latitudo in medio viae Bradstrete 24 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Corne-strete ad altam crucem 
 14 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo domus Willelmi Botoner 15 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo domus *Gylhalde cum capella Sancti 
 Georgii 40 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo voltae b Sancti Johannis constat ex sex 
 archuatis, cum Qfenestris in una costera versus bo- 
 
 1 " The Aisle." a " Guildhall." b « St. John's church has six bays 
 or arches, with six windows on the North side, and two only on the 
 South." " Frette — vowted," with recessed arches, richly pannelled."
 
 98 
 
 riam, et duabus fenestris versus meridiem frette 
 
 vow ted. 
 
 Volta Sancti Johannis Baptists est in alto 10 
 steppys sive gradus,* et quilibet gradus continet 8 
 pollices. 
 
 Via vocata le through-hows in meridional! viae 
 de Wynch-strete per Haddon-tanerie| ad vicum 
 Seynt Mary port-strete continet in longitudine 
 90 gressus, 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 4 gressus in medio viae. 
 
 Venella apud signum le swan| in Wynch-strete 
 transiens ad vicum vocatum Seynt Mary port con- 
 tinet circa 90 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae Wvnch-strete in medio continet 22 
 gressus. 
 
 Vicus transiens de Wynch-strete ad vicum voca- 
 tum Seynt Peter strete ex opposito fontis de fre- 
 stone prope ecclesiam Sancti Petri continet 80 
 gressus. 
 
 Via de Newgate ad pontem de le Weere prope 
 
 * The step or gradus, when applied to height, is eight 
 inches each — when to distance is twenty inches : gradus 
 and gressus are used distinctly. 
 
 f Inscription in All Saints' church — "Hie requiescunt 
 corpora bonae memorise Johannis Haddon, vyntner et 
 Christinas uxoris sue. Qui obijt. 11 die martij, A.D. 1434. 
 Quorum animabus propicietur Deus ! Amen." 
 
 % The Swan ducally gorged and chained, as always ex- 
 hibited on signs for hostels or inns, was the cognizance of 
 the Bohuns, Earls of Hereford, and from them of King 
 Henry 4th, and Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. The 
 nobility had their hostels in their provincial towns, and this 
 probably belonged to the Duke of Buckingham.
 
 99 
 
 le wateryng place ad quendam petram magnam 
 prope murum de dyke continet 360 gressus. 
 
 c Via proximo, contermina de predicta ponie in fine 
 de Weere, et petrae magnae ad altam crucern de le 
 market, transeundo ex opposito tenementorum 
 Willelmi Worcestre continet 300 gressus. 
 
 Via longa a sancta cruce ad portas Laffordys- 
 yate continet 600 gressus, vocata le market, per 
 ecclesiam hospitalis Barstaple fundatam in honore 
 Sanctae Trinitatis. 
 
 Castri orientalis partis muri profundi fossi a 
 porta et angulo orientali, a porta prope finem occi- 
 dentalem cimiterii ecclesise Sancti Philippi, conti- 
 nuando per fossam muri usque ad angulum orien- 
 talem pontis de Were, d et sic girando per potitem 
 molendinorum prope Neivgate* et transeundo per 
 primam portam Newgate usque ad introitum portee 
 fossi profundi e ad valvas introitus castri, continet 
 sepcies 360 gressus, qui faciunt circa 2100 gressus. 
 
 Avyn-mersh. 
 
 Circumferentia marisci xn brachia, ut relatum 
 mihi per unum rope-maker. 
 
 Longitudo de le slip, anglice f a steyre, de lapi- 
 dibus ad fundum aquae de le bak, id est a summi- 
 
 c "The next road which terminates at the bridge aforesaid, at the 
 end of the Wear." d " And so turning over the bridge of the Mills 
 near Newgate.'' c " The great Gates of entrance into the Castle," 
 which nearly fronted the East end of St. Peter's church. f " A stair" 
 or flight of steps. 
 
 * These were the great Corn-Mills upon the river Froom, 
 which severally belonged to the Castle and the Town.
 
 100 
 
 tate viae desuper le bak usque ad ultimum gradum 
 continencium descensu 920 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae gradus ad fundum aquas continet 
 10 virgas, id est 40 pedes. 
 
 Altitudo de fundo aquae Avonae ad finem dictae 
 gradus, anglice a steyr, continet circa 7 brachia vel 
 6 brachia. 
 
 Latitudo viae vocatae Corne-strete* ad finem 
 portae Sancti Leonardi 24 gressus. 
 
 Edificacio quadrata, vocata le rakhyth in occi- 
 dentali parte capellae Thomae Knap super le bak 
 scitae, unum quadratum a B boria in meridiem 50 
 gressus, et ab oriente in occidentem 40 gressus. 
 
 Via sive venella, quae ducit ab hostio de rakhyth 
 ad le bak per meridionalem partem cimiterii capellae 
 Thomae Knapp, continet circa 80 gressus. 
 
 Via sive venella, quae incipit in parte boriali 
 ecclesiae Sancti Nicholai de le porta ejus sive de 
 fine Hygh-strete ducens ad viam sive venellam 
 descensus gradus 30 ad Baldwyne-strete ex oppo- 
 site crucis, continet de principio dicti gradus 124 
 gressus. 
 
 Et sic continuando dictam viam usque portam 
 Sancti Leonardi continet circa 300 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo navis ecclesiae Sancti Leonardif con- 
 tinet 12 virgas, cum choro 7 virgae, 19 virgae circa 
 30 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 10 virgas. 
 
 s " From North to South." 
 
 * Called in Deeds Old Corne-Street. 
 f Taken down with the gate-way under the Tower in 
 1771 > when Clare-Street was built.
 
 101 
 
 Viae latitudo a fine venellae ducentis de porta 
 Sancti Leonardi, viz., a principio domus de le cus- 
 tom-hows usque venellam ab hospicio . . . 
 . . . . Shyppard* ad introitum venellae eundo 
 ad occidental em partem campanilis Sancti Stephani 
 continet 70 gressus. 
 
 Venella parva supra-nominata, eundo ad eccle- 
 siam Sancti Stephani per orientalem partem eccle- 
 siae Sancti Stephani et altaris principalis ecclesiae 
 predictse, continet 80 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo via? de le key ex parte de le custom- 
 hows usque directe eundo ad quandam venellam, 
 incipiendo h a retro domus Shyppard, eundo ad por- 
 tam occidentalem ecclesiae Sancti Stephani 34 
 gressus, versus locum apertum partis de le key, 
 ubi in medio conductus aquae de petra frestone 
 scituatur. 
 
 Venella proximaadjuncta, eundo per le stile per 
 
 h " The back of Shyppard's house. 
 
 * In Wyrcestre's time there were several very large and 
 handsome houses belonging to the more opulent inhabi- 
 tants, which he has particularised : — 
 
 1. Shipward's; near St. Stephen's Church. 
 
 2. Canynges ; in Redcliffe Street. 
 
 3. Norton's ; behind St. Peter's Church. 
 
 4. Olyver's ; in Wynch Street. 
 
 5. Bagod's ; upon the Town Wall, and in a tower rebuilt 
 by Clement Bagod, near the Grey Friars' Church. 
 
 6. Pavye's ; near St. Giles's Church, Small Street. 
 
 7. Pownham's ; Lewin's Mead. 
 
 8. Vyell's place ; on the Quay beyond the Marsh-gate. 
 
 9. Newton (the Recorder's); in Castle Street, opposite to 
 
 St. Peter's porch. 
 10. Sturmye's; upon the Welsh Bee.
 
 102 
 
 cimiterium, incipiendo ab orientali parte ecclesiae 
 SanctiStephani, et sic directe eundo per meridiona- 
 lem partem cimiterii dictae ecclesiae usque le key, 
 continet cum 30 gressibus per cimiterium predic- 
 tum, et tunc directe transeundo per occidentalem 
 partem ecclesiae predicts ad locum vocatum le 
 key continet 90 gressus, sed i equi havers non 
 transeunt per dictam venellam. 
 
 De operacione artificiosa porticus borialis* ecclesiae 
 Sancti Stephani de opere manuali JBenet le free- 
 mason.^ 
 
 A cors wythout.(l)! 
 A casement.(2) 
 A bowtelle.(3) 
 A felet.(4) 
 
 i "• Equi halliers," horses drawing sledges. 
 
 * There is no porch on the North side of the Church. 
 " Portam meridionalem ecclesiae de novo factam." See 
 page 38. The South is evidently described. It has been 
 lately restored, but imperfectly, for the modern battle- 
 ments have been retained. This very minute and work- 
 manlike account was doubtless communicated to William 
 Wyrcestre, by Norton, the master mason of Redcliff, 
 subsequently mentioned. 
 
 f The French term Frere Macon has been anglicized 
 into Free-Mason ; and refers not to their immunities, but 
 to their Gild or Fraternity. 
 
 \ Masonic terms in the 15th Century : — 
 
 1. A basement or plinth immediately above ground. 
 
 2. A moulding deeply hollowed. 
 
 3. Boltellus. Boutel. A perpendicular shaft attached to 
 
 a pillar. 
 
 4. A narrow flat moulding.
 
 J 03 
 
 A double ressaunt. (5) 
 
 A boutel. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A ressaunt. 
 
 A felde. 
 
 A casement wyth levys. (6) 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A boutel. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A ressant. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A casement wyth trayles f.(7) 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A boutel. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A casement. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 A casement. 
 
 A felet. 
 
 In the myddes of the dore a battelle. (8) 
 Ecclesia de Radclyjf. 
 
 * Longitudo tocius ecclesiaeBeatae Maris de Rad- 
 clyff continet 6'3 virgas piaster capellam Beatae 
 Maris. 
 
 5. Now called an ogee moulding, either double or single. 
 
 6. A moulding formed of curved foils, rosettes, or leaves, 
 
 sometimes with crockets. 
 
 7. A casement with Trefoils, exactly resembling a window 
 
 closed, in the solid wall. 
 
 8. This term sometimes means battlement, but it does not 
 
 apply in this instance. Perhaps it may mean here the 
 arch formed by three quarter open circles conjoined, 
 after the Burgundian manner. 
 ' From page 82 of Nasmith's Edition.
 
 104 
 
 Longitudo capellae Beatae Mariae 13 virgae 1 pes 
 et dimidium. 
 
 Latitudo capellae 7 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo ecclesiae tocius 18 virgae. 
 
 Summa tocius longitudinis continet 77 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo secundaria? porta? ex parte boriali 7 
 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo dicta? porchae 4 virgae et quarta pars. 
 
 Longitudo de crosse-isles 38 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo trium elarum voltarum cum lapidibus 
 14 virgas continet. 
 
 Latitudo cujuslibet arcus infra columpnas, con- 
 tinet 10 pedes. 
 
 Longitudo de le crosse-isle continet 8 arcus a 
 boria in meridiem. 
 
 Et quaelibet fenestra in le ovyrstorye continet 5 
 panellas. 
 
 Et quaelibet fenestra in latitudine continet 10 
 pedes. 
 
 Et quaelibet fenestra finis cujuslibet elae continet 
 3 panellas vitreatasJ 
 
 * 
 
 Turris ecclesiae RadclyfFin longitudine continet 
 23 pedes dimid. et in latitudine 24 pedes. 
 
 Altitudo turris continet 120 pedes, et altitudo 
 de le spere sicut modo fracta continet 200 pedes.f 
 
 Et diameter in superiori fracturae continet 16 
 pedes. 
 
 * " Panellcs vitreatce," divisions of a window composed 
 of stained glass, in distinction to common glass. The word 
 is so used by William Wyrcestre, and elsewhere, " Panella 
 glasatta," are merely glased windows. 
 
 f Meaning 200 feet of total elevation.
 
 105 
 
 Et habet 8 pannas.* 
 
 Et quilibet lapis in incepcione sperae continet 
 in densitate duos pedes; et apud He topp in altiori 
 parte ubi crux scituatur, continet densitudo 4 pol- 
 lices ; et quilibet lapis in fabricacione est 8 pedes 
 latitudinis .... in densitudine ; et latitudo 
 de le garlondf continet xi pedes. 
 
 Densitudo murorum turris de Radclyffinfunda- 
 mento 7 pedes. 
 
 Et in altitudine 120 pedum continet murus 5 
 pedes. 
 
 Longitudo prima? portae porticus ecclesiae Beatae 
 Mariae continet 7 virgas, et capella continuata ad 
 portam introitus porta? ecclesiae principalis continet 
 G virgas. 
 
 Latitudo dictre capellae continet 5 virgas.| 
 
 Turris campanarum ecclesiae Sancti Jacobi ab 
 boria. in meridiem continet 6 virgas. 
 
 Et ab oriente in occidentem 5 virgas. 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Audoeni in latitudine 14 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ecclesiae Sancta? Trinitatis continet 32 
 gressus. 
 
 j " At the summit. 
 
 * Panes or segments of the Spire inclosed within ribs. 
 
 f The ballustrade which surrounds the broken spire. 
 
 X Dimensions of Redeliff Church according to Barrett's 
 History of Bristol, p. 573. Total length 239 feet ; Tran- 
 sept 117=44; Breadth of Transept and side isles, 59; 
 Height of ailes, 25 feet ; Nave, 54 ; and the transept of 
 equal height ; Nave from the West end to the high Altar, 197 : 
 Our Lady's Chapel 42=24, and 26 feet high.
 
 100 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Sanctae Trinitatis continet 
 22 virgas. 
 
 Latitude) ecclesiae Sanctae Werburgae continet 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Petri continet in longitudine 
 preter chorum 54 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 30 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia Sanctae Marias de la port continet pre- 
 ter chorum in longitudine 27 gressus. 
 
 1469 Mr. Robertus Lane* obiit, grammaticus 
 villse Bristoll- die 23 febr. 
 
 Longitudo navis ecclesiae de Radclyff continet 
 13 archus altos cum 3 fenestris desuper le ovyrsto- 
 rye, et quaelibet fenestra habet 5 panes altitudinis 
 12 pedum, et latitudinis 4 virgarum vitreatarum sic 
 in toto. Et quaelibet fenestra continet 4 virgas 
 latitudinis, et habet 5 panys vitreatas quaelibet 
 fenestra: sed in duabus alis ecclesiae quaelibet 
 fenestra non habet nisi quatuor panellas vitreatas. 
 
 Ghyston-clyff. 
 
 Breke faucet est subtus Ghyston-clyff apud Ly- 
 motes sub valle Brandon-hille. 
 
 Fons calidus emanet de profundo aquae Avyn, 
 sicut est Bathoniae, in le rok de Gyston-clyff, in 
 eadem parte in le shole-place. 
 
 Scarlet-welle est directe in parte opposita, in 
 alta parte de Hungrode, emanente de rupe. 
 
 *Ledes est unus rokk under Gynston-clyffi, a dan- 
 
 k " Ledes is a rock under Ghystone-Cliff, and there is danger if a 
 ship comes to enter Bristol, that is, too hastily over these stones ; or if 
 it delays too long, the tide makes it dangerous to hoist a sail, on 
 account of the rocks, which lie at the bottom of the course of the river, 
 under Ghystone-Cliff."
 
 107 
 
 ger si venit et intrat JBrislollice, id est nimis tempes- 
 tive ovyr stone, et si diu tardat Jiuxum maris est peri- 
 culosus ad velandum pro rupibus jacentibus in f undo 
 maris cursus de Gyston-clyjf. 
 
 Brand on-hylle* in Hibernia scita est; altissimus 
 raons tocius Hiberniae ultra Blasquey in occiden- 
 talissirna parte tocius Hiberniae ; et ibi sunt lapides 
 vocat cristalle-stonys. 
 
 A porta Sancti Leonard i vise de Baldwin-stret 
 usque le custom-hons. 
 
 Latitudo viae ibidem 5 virgqe ad angulum trian- 
 guli de le custom-hous incipiente. 
 
 Corne-strete continet 17 cellaria in parte omni- 
 um sanctorum. 
 
 Via de Hygh-strete in parte posteriori ecclesiae 
 omnium sanctorum continet 00 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae continet imam virgam. 
 
 Latitudo parvae viae omnium sanctorum a retro 
 occidentals ecclesiae 5 virgae. 
 
 In via predicta parva est unura cellarium pro 
 vino. 
 Naves Uris toll ice pertinentes in anno Christi 1480. 
 
 Mary Grace 300 doliata. 
 
 Le . . 360 doliata.f 
 
 * See the Legend of St. Brendane, an Irish saint, who 
 was likewise said to have been a giant, printed by W. de 
 Worde. 
 
 f That ships of so great a burthen could, at that time, 
 have been received into the Port of Bristol, may admit of 
 doubt. I have been informed by an intelligent friend, that 
 it is probable that ships, here said to have been 360 tons, 
 did not, as to their actual burthen, exceed one-half of that 
 tonnage at present, (1480 — 1830.) Ships as now con-
 
 108 
 
 George 200 doliata. 
 Katervn 180 dol. 
 Mary Bryd 100 dol. 
 Cristofer 90 dol. 
 Mary Shernman 54 doliat. 
 Leonard 50 Tontyghe. 
 Mary of Bristowe . . lex. 
 Le George qui quer . . Johannes 511 tonne. 
 . . . navis, qui dispositus est ad mare. 
 Johannes Godeman* habet navium . . 
 Thomas'!" Straunge circiter xn. 
 
 Potis Uristoll. 
 
 Altitudo turris quadratae campanilse in sinistra 
 capellse edificatse de petra ab area continet ad 
 cameram campanarum 15 brachia et per cordas 
 campanarum mensuratas, et altissima camera con- 
 tinet in altitudine circa tria brachia, sic in tota alti- 
 tudine circa 18 brachia. 
 
 structed, measuring 500 tons, will in fact convey 800 or 
 900 tons. Whereas, it is strictly probable, that those 
 mentioned in this list, or those belonging to W. Canynges, 
 would not have borne a burthen equal to their measurement. 
 
 " Although the greater ships had English names, there is 
 a doubt whether we had ships of that size of our own 
 building. Canynges might have taken or purchased them 
 from the Venetians, Hanseatics, or Genoese, all of whom 
 had ships of even a larger burthen at that time." — Ander- 
 son's Hist, of Commerce, V. 1., p. 271. 
 
 * John Godeman does not occur as holding any muni- 
 cipal office. 
 
 f Quaere Robert ? The family of Strange was one of 
 the most opulent of the merchants. Robert Strange was 
 Mayor 1483, and Burgess in Parliament 1484.
 
 109 
 
 Longitudo pontis predicts continet. 94 gressus.* 
 
 Memorandum quod Helyas Spelly burgensis 
 
 villae Bristoll. est, et fuit cum 
 
 majores benefactores capellae predicts, ut patet in 
 fenestris vitreatis cum figura eorum et uxorum sua- 
 rum in dictis fenestris, videlicet Helyas Spelly. | 
 
 1446. Memorandum quod mense julii ante fes- 
 tum Sancti Jacobi, Robertus Sturmyn mercator 
 villae Bristolliee incepit viagium suum de porta 
 Bristoll. a Kyngrode ad Jerusalem cum circa 160 
 peregrinis, et navigando per Cyville, eundo ad por- 
 tam Joppa et Jerusalem ; et in redeundo versus 
 Angliam per Modon insulamf ex subita procella et 
 forti vento orto in atra. et obscura nocte 23 diei 
 Decembris incaute ex improviso navis ejus vocata 
 le Cogg-Anne ad rupem et terram prostrata fuit, 
 et 37 homines et marinarii submersi fuerunt in max- 
 imum dolorem amicorum eorum Bristollise et eorum 
 uxorum. Sed quidam devotus episcopus de Mo- 
 don in Grecia fecit corpora mortuorum 37 predic- 
 torum honorifice sepeliri, et fundavit sanctam 
 
 * The height of the tower of the chapel of St. Mary on 
 the Bridge : — From the area of the bridge to the summit 
 of the belfry, 90 feet ; to the top of the tower, 18 feet ; 
 total, 108 feet. 
 
 f This very slight notice of stained glass windows, with 
 portraits of benefactors, is the only one which occurs in 
 the whole of Wyrcestre's survey. Such must, in his day, 
 have abounded in the churches of Bristol, but he was too 
 intent upon measuring floors, to raise his vision to the 
 gorgeous windows, or they were too frequent to attract his 
 minute observation. 
 
 \ Modon lies on the Continent.
 
 110 
 
 capellam de nova ibidem ad orandum pro animabus 
 eorum et omnium lidelium defunctorum. 
 
 Longitudo sive spacium viaeapud le bak in paro- 
 chia Sancti Nicholai erga capellam de le bakk con- 
 tinet 50 gressus apud Crane. 
 
 Gradus primus, anglice a slypp, super le bak de 
 aqua Avyn, proxima vico vocato Baldewyne-strete 
 continet in longitudine ad fundum aquae Avenge 
 ascendendo ad altum vicum de le bak 80 gradus, 
 anglice steyres. 
 
 Gradus secundus, anglice a slypp, proxime se- 
 quens in dicto vico de le bak, propinqua capellae 
 Sancti Johannis Evangelistae, continet in longitu- 
 dine circa 80 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo duorum longorum graduum de le bak 
 usque fundum aquae de Avyn, ubi mulieres lavant 
 pannas lineos, aliquando 12 mulieres simul ad pe- 
 dem aquae de Avyn lavantes pannos lineos et alia 
 necessaria vidi ; ut mulieres honestae* sic ibidem 
 
 * In distinction from mulieres fatuae before mentioned — 
 "Honestae et fatuae mulieres," are discriminated by William 
 Wyrcestre, but in the ancient ordinances of the Camps, 
 their female followers were called u Lotrices and Mere- 
 trices," with the same meaning. 
 
 This publick " Lavanderie " is still practised at Paris, in 
 the Seine. These slips or stone-stairs from the Bee to the 
 river, were of infinite accommodation to the female inha- 
 bitants of this most closely compacted town, with so dense 
 a population, as it then inclosed, within its walls. The 
 river, even in the reflux of the tide, must have been never 
 " clara et pura," but fit only for certain domestic uses. 
 Bristol was not deficient in public wells and fountains, 
 brought by leaden pipes into castellets or receptacles of 
 stone, as mentioned by Leland distinctly.
 
 Ill 
 
 quando fluxus maris returnat versus mare, et quod 
 aqua Avyn veniente a porta Bristolliae sit clara et 
 pura, sic lavant certis temporibus diei. 
 
 Naves navicular et cimbse, ac navicular vocatae 
 anglice wodbryshys cachecys pycardes, venientes 
 de portubus villarum Walliae ; sunt de villis et 
 havyns de Tynby, Myllford-havyn, West Her- 
 ford, Lawgher-havyn, Lanstefan-havyn, Kedwelly- 
 havyn, Swansley-havyn, Neth-havyn, KerdyrT- 
 havyn, Newport-havyn, Wsque-havyn, Kerlyon- 
 havyn, Tyntern monasterium super flumen de Wye, 
 Chepstow-havyn, Betysley-water super aquam de 
 Wy, et aliae portus sive hamones de comitatibus et 
 portubus Cornwalliae, oneratis cum stangno pisci- 
 bus etcset, ac de portubus de Devynshyre, Somer- 
 setshyre, applicant cum eorum navibus ad le bak 
 ad exonerandas et discarcandas eorum naves de 
 eorum mercandisis. 
 
 Capella decens, longitudinis . . virgarum 
 
 super le bak Bristolliae prope Mersh- 
 
 yate est edificatum per venerabilem mercatorem 
 cognominatum Knapp, pro duobus capellanis susti- 
 nendis in terris et tenementis, ita quod semper 
 omni die, hora v in mane, illi, vel unus dictorum 
 suorum capellanorum, dicent missam pro mercato- 
 ribus marinariis et artincis ac servientibus, possunt 
 adire ad audiendas missas tempore matutinali.* 
 
 * This chapel stood on the Welch Back, near the Marsh 
 gate. The Irish and Spanish sailors were bound to hear 
 mass and present offerings, at the Chapels of St. Vincent 
 and St. Brendane, when they came into the harbour. Those 
 who sailed in the Bristol Channel, at the Chapel of St. 
 Blaise, upon a hill in the parish of Henbury. 
 
 K
 
 J12 
 
 Le crane, officium instrumenti, super le bak est 
 scitum, prope portam vocatam le mersh-yate, bene 
 fund at um et fortiter in terra fixum. 
 
 Domus et hospicium pro communi utilitate villae 
 vocatum a cloth-hall e est super le bak ordinatum, 
 quondam Roberti Sturmyn* venerabilis mercatoris 
 villae Bristoll. manentis et hospicium amplum cus- 
 todientis tam pro externis mercatoribus quam aliis 
 generosis. 
 
 * jrturmgf. 
 
 Argent — 3 Gryphen's heads erased gules. 
 
 The cloth hall upon the Welch Back was part of the 
 mansion house of Robert Sturmye, Mayor in 1450, and 
 the most hospitable of merchants, who kept there an open 
 table, daily, for foreign merchants and the gentlemen of 
 Bristol, to the great benefit of commerce, then first assu- 
 ming its present system. Sturmye's hospitable reception 
 of the foreign merchants who frequented or resided in 
 Bristol, affords proof that the commercial intercourse with 
 other nations was then considerable. 
 
 36 Hen. 6. (1458). " In this year, after some auctors, a 
 merchant of Bristowe, named Sturmye, which with his ship 
 had travailed in divers parts of the Levaunt and other parts 
 of the Est, for so much as the fame ranne upon him, that 
 he had gotten some green pepper and other spyces to have 
 sette and sown in Englande as the fame went, therefore 
 the Janawayes (Genoese) wayted him upon the sea and 
 spoiled his ship and another. But this is full like to be
 
 113 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Audoeni cum capella 
 fraternitatis in honore Sancti Johannis Baptistae* 
 scita directa linea inter ecclesiam Sanctae Wer- 
 burgee ex parte occidentali et vicum vocatum 
 Bradstrete ex parte orientali ; et magna fenestra 
 orientalis altaris dicta? ecclesia? scita super stratum 
 Bradstrete. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sanctae Trinitatis scita in 
 directa linea ecclesiae Audoeni ex parte occidentali 
 dictae ecclesiae; ac x buttat super orientali parte vici 
 Bradstrete ; et meridionalis pars dicta? ecclesiae 
 est scita cum porta ejusdem apud crucem altam in 
 quadrivio de Bradstrete, Hygh-strete, Corn-strete, 
 et Wynch-strete quondam Castel-stret ; et dicta 
 ecclesia habet turrim quadratam cum campanis ac 
 speram altam cum lapidibus de frestone conde- 
 center operatam. 
 
 1 abuts 
 
 untrue that the Januwayes should spoil him for any such 
 cause ; for there is no nacion in Europe that dealeth so 
 little in spyces. But were it for this cause or other, 
 the trouthe is, that by that nacion an offence was done for 
 the which all the merchants Janawayes in London were 
 arrested and sent to the Flete till they had found sufficient 
 security to answer the premises. And finally for the 
 harmys that theyr nacion had done to this Sturmye vi M. 
 markes was sette to their payne to paye, but how it was 
 paid, no mention I finde." Fabyan's Chronicle. Qto. 
 (reprint), p. 663. 
 
 * This was a fraternity of Merchant Tailors, and was the 
 largest and most opulent, composed of the tradesmen, in 
 Bristol. St. John was the patron Saint.
 
 114 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis omnium sanctorum scita 
 super vicum Corn-strete in parte boriali, et prope 
 crucem altam de Hygh-strete ex parte orientali, et 
 habet turrim quadratam pro campanis pulsantibus. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Beatee Marias de Radclyff 
 in altera parte pontis Bristoll. super altum montem 
 scituata, etedificata velut ecclesia cathedralis cum 
 turri quadrata larga occupata cum . . campa- 
 nis largae quantitatis et ponderis. 
 
 Memorandum de navibus ad expensas Domini Wil- 
 
 elmi Canynghys* de novo fabricatis in villa 
 
 Bristollite.^ 
 
 Dominus Wilhelmus Canyngis qui fuit major, 5 
 vicibus, per octo annos exhibuit 800 homines in 
 navibus occupatos, et habuit operarios et carpen- 
 tarios, masons, &c. omni die C. homines. 
 
 De navibus habuit le Mary Canyngys de 400 
 doliatis. 
 
 Argent— 3 Moors heads erased proper boudest azure and argent. 
 
 t Inserted in page 99 of Nasmith's Edition. The ships 
 supplied by Bristol to the armament in 1372, from the M.S. 
 of W. de Ayrmine, Comptroller of Accounts, is published in 
 Seyer's Memoirs, v. 2., p. 151. There were not more than 
 two or three of 100 tons ; and mostly of 40 or 50 tons.
 
 115 
 
 Le Mary Radclyf pondere 500 doliatarum. 
 
 Le Mary et John pondere 900 doliatarum, 
 constabat sibi in toto 4000 marcas. 
 
 Le Galyot navis pondere 50 doliatarum. 
 
 Le Cateryn pondere 140 doliatarum. 
 
 Le Marybat pondere 220 doliatarum. 
 
 Le Margyt de Tynly pondere 200 doliatarum. 
 
 Le lytylle Nicholas pondere 140 doliatarum. 
 
 Le Kateryn de Boston pondere 220 doliatarum. 
 
 Le navis in Iselond perdita, circa 
 
 pondus 160 doliatarum. 
 
 Item, ultra ista, Edwardus Rex quartus habuit 
 de dicto Wilhelmo in millia marcarum pro pace 
 sua habenda.* 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis de sancta cruce, quondam 
 ordinis templariorum in templo Jerusalem, modo 
 de Sancto Johanne Baptista ordine in Jerosolimi- 
 tana civitate primo orta et fundata, ac diebus 
 modernis, ecclesia religiosorum ordinis praefatae Jo- 
 hannis Baptistse apud insulam de Rodes rlorente. 
 
 Et dicta ecclesia parochialis Bristolliae in diocesi 
 Bathoniensi et Wellensi super aquam de Avyn 
 scituata in altera parte de Avyn. 
 
 Altitudo tnrris quadratae de novo fabricatae circa 
 annum Christi 1460. per parochianos villas pro 
 campanis magnificis pulsandis et sonandis. 
 
 Capella Sancti Johannis Evangelistse super le 
 Bakk fundata per magnificum virum mercatorem 
 et burgensemt Bristoll. scita super le . . 
 
 * For his acquittal in the Exchequer. Canynges was 
 Mayor and King's Seneschal, and Chief Commissioner for 
 the subsidy then levied. 
 
 f Thomas Knappe Mayor, 1403.
 
 116 
 
 Capella pulcherrima cum volta larga et alta 
 archuata cum lapidibus, subtus capellam Beatae 
 Marise Virginis super medium locum pontis Bris- 
 tollia3, ac super pontem fortissimum archuatum 
 cum magnis boteraces, cujus frons extendit ab 
 occidentali pontis Bristolliae contigue cum longo 
 ponte Bristolliae, et archus dictae frontis, m brevis 
 respectu alterius pontis ad partem orientalem super 
 aquam Avyn. 
 
 Turris quadratus pro campanis pulsandis super 
 fundum capellam predictae continet in altitudine 
 18 (brachia.) 
 
 Capella hospitalis Sanctae Trinitatis in veteri 
 mercato anglice old market. 
 
 Capella Sancti Spiritus antiquissima juxta eccle- 
 siam Beatae Mariae de Radclyff. 
 
 Porta prima de Frome-yate ex parte viae versus 
 ecclesiam Sancti Johannis continet longitudine 20 
 gressus. 
 
 Spacium longitudinis viae a dicta prima porta 
 edificata, et cum archu, sive longitudo pontis de 
 Frome inter dictas duas portas continet . . 
 gressus. 
 
 Porta secunda edificata desuper versus eccle- 
 siam canonicorum quondam Sancti Bartholomei 
 continet in longitudine 12 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Augustini, noviter 
 isto anno 1480 constructa et erecta in longitudine 
 cum duabus alis excepto choro, continet in longi- 
 tudine 24 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo dictae ecclesiae, videlicet navis ecclesiae 
 Sancti Augustini, continet 6 virgas, id est 18 pedes ; 
 
 m "shorter than the other." Butterasses and arches were attached to 
 the old bridge, upon which the chapel was founded.
 
 117 
 
 et quaelibet ela continet in latitudine 4 virgas sive 
 12 pedes ; in toto ejus latitudo continet 42 pedes, 
 mihi relatas per parochianum. 
 
 Longitudo cancellae continebit, quando con- 
 structum fuerit, 10 virgas. 
 
 Australis pars marisci sexies 60 usque oppositum 
 ecclesiae Radclyff. 
 
 Secunda pars boria ex opposito ecclesiae de 
 
 Radclyff usque ultra sepcies 60 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Tercia pars ab extremitate viae coram .... 
 sunt sexies 60 gressus ad portam de Baldwyne- 
 strete. *... 
 
 Incepcio prims partis de le key Bristoll. incipi- 
 endo a porta Baldwyne-strete usque m cornerium 
 capitale incepcionis de le key, sunt 90 gressus. 
 
 Memorandum quod tota longitudo de le key, id 
 est a le graunt corner-place prope incepcionem de 
 le key ex opposito introitus ecclesiae parochialis 
 Sancti Augustini, sunt quinquies 60 gressus et 46 
 gressus. 
 
 Item a cornerio incipiente transire ad Smalstrete, 
 eundo per templum ecclesiam Sancti Egidii et 
 Sancti Laurencii* ad portam Sancti Johannis, sunt 
 110 gressus. 
 
 Item longitudo ecclesiae Sancti Joannis cum 
 cripta voltae continet 50 gressus. 
 
 Item a porta Sancti Joannis per Cristmas-strete 
 usque principium portae et pontis de Frome-yate 
 sunt 124 gressus. 
 
 m " the chief corner entrance into the key. 
 
 * Now both destroyed.
 
 118 
 
 Et pons de Frome-yate eontinet 24 gressus. 
 
 Item a porta Frome-yate per Lewenysmede 
 usque murum cimiterii Sancti Jacobi, qui est finis 
 ejusdem vici, eontinet *octies 60 gressus. 
 
 Item vicus vocatus le bak incipit a fine predicti 
 Lewenysmede, eundo de Frome-water ad dictam 
 portam introitus cimiterii Sancti Jacobi, ubi scita 
 est °curta porta, usque portam de Pyttey-yate, eon- 
 tinet 290 gressus. 
 
 Et pons ad Pyttey-yate eontinet 9 virgas. 
 
 Item a porta vocata Pyttey-yate usque le pylory 
 ascendendo, vocat. vicus Pyttey, ubi profundus 
 fons scituatur, eontinet . . gressus. 
 
 Item via de le hygh-crosse ad portam Sancti 
 Joannis eontinet 290 gressus. 
 
 Item via de le hygh-cros ad portam Sancti Ni- 
 cholai eontinet 200 gressus. 
 
 Memorandum latitudo vici vocati Brodemede 
 eontinet 30 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo de le Brodemede eontinet usque 
 Kyngystrete ad murum v fratrum predicatorum 300 
 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo chori ecclesiae fratrum predicatorum 
 eontinet 26 virgas vel 44 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo chori eontinet 8 virgas vel 14 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo navis ecclesiae eontinet 31 virgas vel 
 58 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejusdem eontinet 21 virgas vel 34 
 gressus. 
 
 Mauricius Berkley chevalier, dominus castri de 
 Beverstone, obiit 5 die Maii post annum Christi 
 1466. 
 
 n " eight times." ° " a wicket." p Dominicans.
 
 119 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae navis fratrum Augustini con- 
 tinet 30 virgas vel 54 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo chori ecclesiae fratrum* Augustini, 
 viz. chorus continet 30 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 9 virgas vel 16 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo chapter-hous 24 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo ejus 8 virgae. 
 
 Longitudo claustri continet 30 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 3 virgas. 
 
 1320. Pridie idus Jullii consecratus est locus 
 fratrum heremitarum ordinis Sancti Augustini. 
 
 Longitudo navis ecclesiae fratrum heremitarum 
 Sancti Augustini continet 30 virgas vel 60 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 5 virgas. 
 
 Est in ecclesia parva navis, et una tantum ala. 
 
 In martirologio kalendarii fratrum predicatorum 
 
 Bristollicc. 
 
 Johannes Vielle armiger, primus vicecomes Bris- 
 tolliae, obiit 29 die marcii. 
 
 Walterus Frampton obiit die 2 januarii. 
 
 Willelmus Curteys, qui fecit fieri magnam crucem 
 in cimiterio, die 2 aprilis. 
 
 Ricardus Spicer mercator obiit primo die junii. 
 
 xMattheus de Gurnay obiit 28 die augusti, unus 
 fundatorum fratrum predicatorum. 
 
 Domina Matilda Denys, quae obiit die . . octo- 
 bris anno Christi 1422. 
 
 * It is evident that these measurements could not apply 
 to the house of Augustine friars or hermits, but to 
 the Church of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, 
 now the Cathedral. " Fratrum" was written by mistake 
 for " Sancti." The next article rectifies the error.
 
 120 
 
 Dominus Mauricius de Berkle, et domina Jo- 
 hanna uxor ejus, q jacet in choro in sinistra alta- 
 ris, die primo octobris. 
 
 Dominus Wilelmus Dawbeny miles, qui jacet in 
 choro. 
 
 Cor domini Roberti de Gornay jacet in ista 
 ecclesia, qui obiit die 20 novembris. 
 
 Dominus Ancelinus de Gurnay, qui jacet in 
 choro, die 15 novembris. 
 
 Dominus Mauricius Berkley miles obiit 26 die 
 novembris 
 
 1429. Frater Wilelmus Botoner obiit die 15 de- 
 cembris. 
 
 1361. Dedicacio capellae pontis Bristoll die 4 
 febr. 
 
 Longitudo capellae 25 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo capellae 7 virgge. 
 
 Altitudo capellae 50 gradus, computatur super 
 q quatuor stages. 
 
 Et est volta in inferiori loco pro aldermannis 
 villae, continet tautam longitudinem sicut ecclesiae 
 cum navi. 
 
 Et 4 fenestrae magnae quolibet latere, et quaelibet 
 fenestra habet 3 luces. 
 
 Et alta fenestra in orientali parte altaris con- 
 tinet . . 
 
 1 Et aliud parvum altare cum parva capella in ori- 
 entaliori principalis altaris circa longitudinem 3 
 virgarum. 
 
 Et capella continet voltam, capellam, ac aulam 
 
 i stages or stories. r "And another small altar in a little chapel 
 more eastward of the High Altar.*'
 
 121 
 
 cum officiis, altam cameram ac altiorem cameram 
 de lapidibus.* 
 
 Via Seynt Nicholas strete de porta Sancti 
 Nicholai usque ad principium portse Sancti Nicho- 
 lai continet *sexies 60 et 30 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Stephani continet in longitudine 
 30 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 19 virgas. 
 
 Altitudo ejus continet 44 pedes ; et continet 7 
 archus in quolibet latere, et continet 7 fenestras ; 
 et in quolibet latere et qualibet fenestra 4 t dayes. 
 
 Longitudo partis occidentals turris Sancti Ste- 
 phani exterius cum lez boterasses triangulariter 
 continet 9 virgas. 
 
 Memorandum quod Kyngystrete a Monkyn- 
 brygge et Erles-medew continet in meridionali 
 parte ecclesiae cimiterii Sancti Jacobi 1000 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo vise a Monkyn-bryge ex parte occi- 
 dentali, eundo versus orientem meridionalis cimi- 
 terii Sancti Jacobi, dimittendo per Kyngystrete de 
 cruce pontis cimiterii Sancti Jacobi inter angulum 
 u domus pandoxalorii Pownam, et continuando ad 
 valvam orientalem versus lez barres, ad angulum 
 tenementi patris mei ubi mulieres meretrices mane- 
 bant vocat. lez barres, continet 200. 
 
 » six times. l The space of glass between the mullions. u " The 
 house of Pownham, the Brewer." 
 
 * From this description, it is evident that this Chapel of 
 St. Mary was an elegant Gothic structure. The Chapel on 
 London bridge was likewise so ; and that still remaining 
 on the bridge at Beverley is of admirable workmanship.
 
 122 
 
 Et sic continuando viam de Kyngystrete ad 
 pratum vocatum Erlesmedew ad imam altam pe- 
 tram de frestone scitam apud fontem clausum 
 quadratum vocatum Baggewelle 
 
 Via coram aquam Frome, ubi domus elemosi- 
 narii scita est, retornando de angulo Brodemede 
 ad principium viae returnandi de Chedder tene- 
 ment* ad principium de le slepe ex opposito hostii 
 de le sopemaker continet 50 gressus. 
 
 Via returnacionis ad le Pyttey-yatef alias De- 
 rych-yate per pontem continet 50 gressus. 
 
 Via de Pyttey-yate per le welle usque ad anti- 
 quam portam Tourstrete-walle altiori in parte 
 montis de Pyttey continet 130 gressus, intrando 
 viam de Toure-strete versus cimiterium Sancti 
 Johannis Baptistse coram portam antiquissimam. 
 
 Via vocata Seynt Thomas strete usque murum 
 de le toune-walle versus portam de Temple strete 
 seu Radclyff-strete continet 424 gressus a domo 
 sororis meae, sed a ponte .... 
 
 Latitudo de Erlesmede de Begghers-well usque 
 aquam de Frome, eundo versus castrum Bristolliae 
 
 * The family of Chedder had large possessions both 
 within and without the town. John de Cheddre was 
 burgess in Parliament in 1298, 26 Edw. 1. 
 
 " Inquisit. post mortem Tho. Chedder^ Arm. 21 Hen. 
 6th. 1443. Bristol. 84 messuagia, 5 gardin : et 2 clans : 
 et redditus £14. 8s. per ann. Other estates and rent 
 charges in the several Counties of Gloucester 6. Devon 9. 
 Cornwall 2. Somerset 50. Dorset3." His coheirs were 
 Joan, wife of Richard Stafford, and Isabel, wife of Richard 
 Newton, the Recorder. 
 
 f Pithay or Pittey — from the Norman Puit, a well, and 
 Hai or Hey, a hedge, or inclosure of stone. — Well close.
 
 123 
 
 et le wateryng-place vocat le weer continet 224 
 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo viae de Erlysmede eundo per Frome- 
 water ad angulum muri castri vocati le were conti- 
 net 666 gressus in parte meridionali. 
 
 In Cartel-street alias Seynt Petyr-strete. 
 
 Via defensiva Defenstrete* videlicet a Castel- 
 strete veniente de JNewyate usque secundam venel- 
 lam directe intrantem in dictam viam a vico vocato 
 Seynt Fetyr-strete coram fonte novo de frestone 
 noviter erecto et fundato de bonis Willelmi Ca- 
 nyngysj" ex transverso dictam viam intrantem et 
 defendentem magnum murum inter cast mm villa? 
 Bristol, qui quidem murus adherebat murum dej'en- 
 sorem villae predictee. 
 
 \ Dominus Wilelmus Canynges ditissimus et 
 sapientissimus mercator villae Bristolliae, decanus 
 ecclesiae Westbury, obiit 17 die Novembris anno 
 Christi 1474 ; et exaltatus fuit in ordine presbi- 
 
 * Nicholas Exeestre, Burgensis et Mercator, by Will 
 1434. " Item lego Johannse uxori meae totam aulam meam 
 cum 14 Shopis, situat' ex opposito placeae St. Petri, inter 
 shopas Dnae. Reginae quas Simon Olyver de novo edeficari 
 fecit ex parte unius venellae vocatae Strete-Defence." 
 Book of Wills. M.S. Archiv. Corporal. 
 
 f By the will of W. Canynge, Jun., 1474, after the 
 demise of his grand children, William and Isabel, a large 
 residuary sum was left to be disposed of by W. Spenser, 
 Mayor, his Executor, who built this conduit, and a hospi- 
 tal for men in Le win's Mead, opposite to the convent of 
 Franciscans. 
 
 % Transferred from p. 83 in Nasmith's Edition.
 
 124 
 
 teratus 7 annis ; et quinquies Major dictse villae, 
 fuit electus pro republica dictse villae.* 
 
 Venella prima proxima scituata post introitura 
 de Newgate per viam de Castel-strete alias dictam 
 Seynt Peter strete ex parte boriali, opposita eccle- 
 
 siae parochialis Sancti Petri, ubi 
 
 Olyver juris-peritus w rectidator Bristoll. manet, 
 continet 60 gressus. 
 
 Yia vocata Worshyp-strete, aliter voeata Sha- 
 mells, alias dicta le Bochery, antiquo vocabatur 
 Worshyp-strete, eo quod fuit vicus honoris propter 
 mercandisaslanarum veniencium et portum navium 
 oneratarum. 
 
 Et sic continuando dictam viam de Kyngstrete 
 a Monkyn-brygge per cimiterium Sancti Jacobi ad 
 angulum Carfoxf per tenementa anguli patris mei, 
 eundo continue ad pratum vocatum Erlesmedew 
 ad usque principium dicti prati, ad imam altain 
 petram unius virgae altam ad Beggherswelle scitu- 
 atam, quae est ultima libertas franchesiae villae 
 
 w recordator. 
 
 * He was burgess in Parliament in 1451. 
 
 f I entertain some doubt as to the meaning of this word. 
 Carfax at Oxford evidently means Quarter-voys, Quadri- 
 vium, and this angle is one of four. Colfox is an ancient 
 term for the animal, and it has been likewise either the 
 name of the owner of a corner house, or that it was an 
 hostel or inn having that sign. Col-Foxe occurs in 
 Chaucer, and is explained in Skinner's Etymologicon to 
 mean a fox of a blackish colour, as coal.
 
 125 
 
 Bristolliae ex parte orientali, continet in longitudine 
 a dicta via anguli de Barrys 120 gressus ; sic via 
 Kyngystret continet a Monken-brygge usque prin- 
 cipium Erlesmede 1000 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesiafratrum yn Leivelynsmede. x 
 
 Ecclesia et conventus f rat rum Sancti Francisci 
 Bristoll. in parochia Sancti Jacobi in vico Lewenys- 
 mede, videlicet chorus ecclesiae continet in longi- 
 tiidine 28 virgas sive 50 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo chori continet 9 virgas sive 18 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo navis dictse ecclesiae cum duabus 
 magnis alis continet 28 virgas sive 50 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae navis cum duabus alis continet 
 27 virgas sive 52 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo campanilis turris quadratae continet 4 
 virgas sive 7 gressus. 
 
 Archus 4 sunt in boriali navis ecclesiae, et tot in 
 meridionali. 
 
 Frome-yate. 
 
 Longitudo duarum portarum apud Frome-yate 
 continet cum distancia duarum poncium ibi arched 
 ut ... flumen de Frome cum naviculis 
 
 pro bosco oneratis ad manentes super Seynt Jamys 
 bak ac LewynsmedeBrodemede et apud Marchal- 
 stret ad fratres predicatores per aquam de Frome 
 possunt cariare boscum mearennium et alia neces- 
 saria, continet via de Frome-yate 33 gressus. 
 
 Venella brevis et parva prope extra portas de 
 dicta Frome-yate in parte meridionali de Horstrete 
 ex opposita ecclesiae religionis Sancti Bartholomei 
 ad aquam de Frome continet 20 gressus. 
 
 Locus vacuus ad projiciendum sive custodien- 
 dum boscum pro igne domiciliorum et alia neces- 
 
 x " Leojrpinej-mebe."
 
 126 
 
 saria, vocatus anglice a bakk, coram aquam de 
 Frome continet in longitudine 33 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo died vacui spacii continet circa 20 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo portae Sancti Johannis Baptistae conti- 
 net 3 virgas cum duobus pedibus. 
 
 Domus de frestone in meridional! ecclesiae pro 
 conducto aquae per canales plumbi continet in 
 longitudine .... 
 
 In vico Sancli Nicholai. 
 
 In vico Sancti Nicholai sunt duae venellae qua- 
 rum una transit ad portam orientalem ecclesiae 
 Sanctae Werburgae prope le graunt steyr et continet 
 120 gressus. 
 
 Venella alia in eodem vico Sancti Nicholai prope 
 ibidem in dicta parte alterius venellae, transit ex 
 opposito directe hostii meridionalis ecclesiae Sanctae 
 Werburgae, 135 gressus. 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Laurencii continet in longitudine 
 28 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 9 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo Gylhalde Bristolliae in vico Bradstrete 
 continet cum capella Sancti Georgii et cellariis 23 
 virgas. 
 
 Ecclesia Templi* 
 
 Cimiterii amplitudo ex omni parte continet 570 
 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo Templi ecclesiae continet 53 virgas 
 bis per me mensuratas. 
 
 Venella incipiente prope conductum aquae de 
 Seynt Thomas strete ad Temple-strete continet 
 100 gressus. 
 
 * Holy Rood, Sanctae Crucis.
 
 127 
 
 Latitudo venellae continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Ecclesia Sancti Thomae continet in longitudine 
 43 virgas. 
 
 Venella secunda de porta boriali Temple-strete 
 eundo ad Seynt Thomas strete continet 160 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo venellae continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Vicus Sancti Thomae intersecans venellam pre- 
 dictam continet in latitudine 14 gressus. 
 
 Venella alia de Seynt Thomas strete adjacens 
 ad Ratclyff-strete, continet longitudo 120 gressus. 
 
 Vicus Radclyf-strete continet in latitudine con- 
 tra dictam venellam 14 gressus. 
 
 Venella directe trium venellarum predict deRad- 
 clyff-strete in parte boriali ad aquam de Avyn cum 
 le slepe continet 100 gressus. 
 
 In parochia Sancti Nicholai. 
 
 Venella de vico Sancti Nicholai ad Smal-strete 
 eundo 132 gressus. 
 
 Pontis longitudo 184 gressus a principio ad finem 
 anguli viae le bak. 
 
 Longitudo viae inter duas portas* pontium conti- 
 net 34 gressus. 
 
 Spacium viae sub qua edificantur duo pontesf 
 
 Muri viilae longitudo a fine key, incipiendo apud 
 lez via) de le key, ubi mums 
 
 * A gate at either end. 
 
 f By " duo pontes" W. W. means the scantlings of 
 timber frame which were thrown out beyond the stone- 
 bridge, and were supported from one pier to another, for 
 the enlargement of the houses. The same was done on the 
 contemporary bridges of London and York. 
 
 L
 
 128 
 
 altus incipit edificii tenementorum abbatis de 
 Bathe, transeundo ad portam Smalstrete, continet 
 40 gressus ; et a dicta porta Smalstrete usque por- 
 tam Sancti Johannis per y altum murum templi et 
 ecclesiae Sancti Egidii continet 1 10 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo venellse viae vocatae Myghell-hylle, 
 incipiendo ad ymaginem Sanctae Marias de Hor- 
 strete, ducendo ad ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis in 
 occidentali parte de Stepe-strete, z eundo per orien- 
 talem ortum fralrum carmelilarum,^ sic continu- 
 
 y The high wall of the Jews* tabernacle, between St. John's gate and 
 St. Giles' church. z "going by the east side of the garden of the 
 Carmelites." 
 
 f Now the Red Lodge, and the premises extending to 
 Colston's Hospital. The Carmelite's convent and garden 
 were the best and largest in Bristol. Excepting the 
 Gaunts, the three other friaries were mean buildings. Sir 
 John Young, a wealthy merchant, rebuilt the house near 
 St. Augustine's bee ; and there received Queen Elizabeth. 
 The Red Lodge was at first a prospect house, belonging to 
 the Prior's garden. The family of Young had obtained the 
 grant of it at the suppression. 
 
 It appears that in Broadmead and Lewin's-mead there 
 were many gardens behind the streets. Two of the Men- 
 dicant Orders, the Carmelites and Franciscans (White and 
 Grey Friars) possessed large tracts of garden ground near 
 their convents, which were cultivated by their own labour 
 and skill, as they were partly maintained by the sale of their 
 produce. They taught the art of horticulture, then rarely 
 known to, or practised by others. We have in England but 
 few indigenous vegetables : those now so plentifully culti- 
 vated have been imported to us, but very few of them before 
 the reign of Henry the Eighth.
 
 129 
 
 ando ad crucem lapideam cum fonte lapidis de 
 frestone continet 170 gressus, versus ecclesiam 
 Saucti Michaelis non multum a cimiterio Sancti 
 Michaelis. 
 
 Longitudo venellae vocatae Frogstrete prope 
 finem venellae vocatae Myghel-hille, incipiendo ad 
 crucem et fontem in alciori parte de Stepstrete, et 
 eundo versus et a retro ecclesiam abbathise Sancti 
 Augustini et le Gauntes, continuando ad finem 
 sanctuarii Sancti Augustini, eundo ad locum voca- 
 tum Lymotes, continet 840 gressus ad principium 
 montis Sancti Brendani. 
 
 Mons Sancti Brandani ecclesiae ejusdem altitu- 
 dinis, incipiendo a principio finis de Froglane 
 prope quendam murum in parte dextra, sic eundo 
 per dictum murum, et prope ibidem ascendendo 
 semper usque capellam Sancti Brandani in summi- 
 tate montis predictae, continet in altitudine et lon- 
 gitudine viae circa 840 gressus ; et dicitur ab 
 heremita custode dictae capellae quod altitudo 
 suprema dictae montis . .* 
 
 Capellae longitudo Sancti Brandani continet 8 
 virgas cum dimidio. 
 
 Latitudo ejus 5 virgas continet. 
 
 Circuitus muri capellae Sancti Brandani continet 
 180 gressus. 
 
 Altitudo montis capellae Sancti Brandani dicitur, 
 ut heremita ibidem michi retulit, quod nautae et 
 discreti homines dicunt esse alciorem alicujus pina- 
 culi sive ecclesiae de RadclyfT quam aliarum eccle- 
 
 * Brandan Hill rises 250 feet above the lowest level of 
 the present city.
 
 J 30 
 
 siarum per spacium altitudinis 18 brachiorum 
 (anglice a vathym), etquodlibet brachium continet 
 6 pedes; et nota quod turns et spera sive pinacu- 
 lum cum turri quadrata ecclesia? Beatre Maria? de 
 Radclyff continet in altitudine, videlicet turris 
 . . . . pedes et spera pinaculi integri conti- 
 nebat . . . pedes, sic summa tocius altitudi- 
 nis tarn turris quam spera? continet in toto . . . 
 pedes. 
 
 Venella tercia super Myghell-hylle citra eccle- 
 siam Sancti Michaelis crucem lapideam et fontem 
 de Stepe-strete videlicet occidentaliorem fontem 
 duarum foncium de petra circumgirata. 
 
 Ecclesia canonicorum Sancti Augustini. 
 
 Dominus Ricardus Newton Craddok miles, jus- 
 ticiarius de communi banco, obiit A. C. 1444, die 
 Sancta? Lucia?, 13 die Decembris. 
 
 Capella Sancta? Maria? in longitudine continet 
 13 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 9 virgas et dimidium. 
 
 Spacium sive via processionum a retro altaris 
 principalis coram capellam Sancta? Maria? continet 
 5 virgas. 
 
 Chori longitudo de le *rercdes principalis altaris 
 usque ad finera chori continet 29 virgas, incipiendo 
 a fine predicti spacii. 
 
 Latitudo tarn navis chori quam duarum elarum 
 chori continet 24 virgas. 
 
 Capella decens* edificata in boriali parte else 
 
 a " reredoss. 
 
 * Bradstone's Chantry.
 
 131 
 
 chori* continet in longitudine .... 
 virgas. 
 
 Via vocata Froglane, cujus prmcipium est in 
 parte boriali ecclesia? religionum de Gauntes ad 
 finem de le seyntuary, in parte occidentali et bori- 
 ali dicti sanctuarii Sancti Augustini ordinis, et sic 
 continuando dictam viam per posteriorem viam 
 gardinorum de Gauntes et per murum occidentalem 
 fratrum carmelitarum, sic continuando usque ad 
 crucem et fontem de superiori vico vocato Pyle- 
 strete, ex opposito ecclesiae Sancti Michaelis 
 super montem, ubi tres viae concurrunt et obviant 
 videlicet via Stepstrete eundo ad Horstrete, alia 
 via in parte occidentali eundo ad Giston-clyff, 
 tercia via eundo ad ecclesiam collegii de Westbery, 
 et alia via versus orientem ad venellam longam 
 
 Sancti Jacobi 
 
 continet in longitudine 720 gressus. 
 
 Via vorata Stanley incipienteex opposito crucis 
 et fonte h alcioris monticulcc de Stepe-strete, transe- 
 undo usque ad Gyston-clyff per villam de Clyfton 
 continet in longitudine, eundo per montem altissi- 
 m um capellse de Brandon-hille dimittendo capel- 
 lam in dextra manu, . . . gressus. 
 
 Via vocata Seynt Myghelle-hylle versus eccle- 
 siam "religionum nonitarum de Sancta Maria Mag- 
 dalena, ac etiam ad ecclesiam et turrim Sancti 
 
 b " the summit or highest elevation." c religiosarum novitarum — 
 
 " novices." 
 
 * " Elae Chori," which affords another proof, if any 
 were wanting, that the Nave of the present Cathedral was 
 
 the Choir of St. Augustine's.
 
 132 
 
 Michaelis, et similiter ad petram de frestone prope 
 locum justitiae vocat anglice lez fourches sive 
 galowes, et sic transeundo A cathedralem ecclesiam 
 de Westbery, continet in longitudine ad montem 
 ecclesias Michaelis et ecclesiam religiosarum muli- 
 erum Sanctse Magdalene . . gressus. 
 
 "Venella sive via de le Stipestrete ad crucem et 
 fontem Stype-strete, retornando ad Horstrete ad 
 ymaginem Beatse Mariee, continet 120 gressus. 
 
 Crux magnifica* apud Hygh-strete, vel vocata 
 
 Hygh-cros in continet 2 virgas 
 
 vel 6 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo domus officii justitiae vocata Gylhalda 
 Bristolliae continet per viam deBradstrete 33 gressus 
 sive 23 virgas. 
 
 Vicus latitudo de Radclyff-strete incipiente ad 
 pontem Bristolliae continet in principio dictae vise 
 4 virgas sive 7 gressus ; sed ampliat versus eccle- 
 siam de Radclyff ita quod ante venellam proximam 
 in boriali parte ecclesiae Sancti Thomae latitudo 
 dictae viae continet 12 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo venellae predictae ex parte boriali eccle- 
 siae Sancti Thomae continet 2 virgas. 
 
 d conventualem. e " The Lane. 
 
 * This description of the High Cross is general only ; it 
 is " magnifica" only by comparison. William Wyrcestre 
 has never spoken of it more minutely, although it was most 
 perfect in his time, and was remarkable for the excellence 
 of its ornamental architecture, and sculptured regal effigies. 
 The remains of it were removed and re-adapted by Mr. 
 Hoare, and are now placed in the gardens at Stour-head, 
 Wilts.
 
 133 
 
 Turris quadratus ecclesiae de Radclyff continet 
 in altitudine 148 pedes, et spera .... 
 
 Maxima campana de Radclyff continet in pon- 
 dere de lyggeyng wyght septem milia 24 lib. 
 
 Secunda campana fere v milia lib. id est mi 
 milia et . . . 
 
 Tercia campana continet mmmccclvii lib. 
 
 Quarta campana ponderat mmcc lib. 
 
 Quinta campana minor continet mdlxx lib. 
 
 Sexta minima campana continet mccc lib.* 
 
 Turris Sancti Elphegi continet in altitudine 120 
 pedes. 
 
 Et habet 163 gradus, id est anglice steppys, et 
 quilibet gradus continet 8 pedes [pollices ?] 
 
 Turris altitudo ecclesiae de Radclyff continet . . 
 
 Sperae altitudo, ut isto die stat quamvis defal- 
 catur ex fortuna procellae et fulminis, 200 pedes, 
 per relacionem Norton ^agistri ecclesiae de Rad- 
 clyff. 
 
 Memorandum de le severee duarum fenestrarum 
 unius ex opposito alterius inter duas columpnas 
 continet apud ecclesiam Radclyff 22 pedes, et in 
 longitudine 16 pedes. 
 
 Turris et spera sive le broche ecclesiae carmeli- 
 tarum de fratribus carmelitarum Bristoll. continet 
 altitudo 200 pedes. 
 
 f " master mason." 
 
 * This was a singularly heavy ring of Bells, and such, it 
 is probable, that no other parish church in England pos- 
 sessed. The whole peal has been recast, and enlarged in 
 number. The great Bell at Gloucester is 7000 lbs. weight, 
 less than was that at Redcliff by 24 lbs.
 
 134 
 
 Latitudo dictae turris continebat nisi 9 pedes ex 
 omni parte.* 
 
 Densitudo murorum turris continet nisi duas 
 pedes. 
 
 Longitudo duarum portarum de Frome-yate cum 
 spacio longitudinis pontis duarum archuum subtus 
 aquam de Frome fluentium cum spacio intercepto 
 dictarum duarum portarum continet 22 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo muri primae portae desuper edificatae 
 continet 8 virgas cum volta lapidibus desuper edi- 
 ficata. 
 
 Latitudo secundae portae desuper edificatae con- 
 tinet . . . gressus sive 6 virgas cum domo 
 desuper edificato. 
 
 Spatium s interceptum inter duas portas continet 
 8 virgas. 
 
 Memorandum quod in cimiterio Sancti Jocobi, 
 quasi versus fratres Sancti Francisci, h capella pul- 
 cra quadrangula totum de frestone fundata tarn, in 
 coopertura\ tecti quam fenestris, et continet ex 
 
 s " contained within the two gates." h " a fair chapel, quadrangular, 
 all composed of freestone, as well in the roofing of the building as in 
 the windows. 
 
 * Meaning that the internal square of the tower was 
 only nine feet, which must be an erroneous transcript of 
 the MS. Such a diametre could not carry 200 feet, but 
 1 know not what number to substitute — perhaps 14, the 9 
 mistaken for ft, and the decimal omitted. The measure- 
 ment at p. 58 is 5 gressus, which at 20 inches each, is 8 feet 
 4 inches. 
 
 f This kind of roofing is singular, and very few instances 
 occur to my recollection. There is one still extant in the 
 chancel of Withingham in Cambridgeshire, and another in 
 the Treasury of Merton College, Oxford.
 
 135 
 
 quolibet latere capellae 18 pedes quadratas cum 8 
 boterasses. 
 
 Capella vocata Knapp* per ipsum fundata pro n 
 presbiteris continet in longitudine 13 virgas, et in 
 latitudine sex virgas. 
 
 Latitudo portae Sancti Nicholai continet 7 virgas. 
 
 Via longitudo incipiendo ad pedem pontis Sancti 
 Johannis infra Bradstrete, et continuando per 
 altam crucem de Hygh-strete, eundo directe ad 
 portam Sancti Nicholai per Hygh-strete, continet 
 dicta Integra longitudo ad interius partis dictae 
 portae Sancti Nicholai undecies 60, quae faciunt 
 660 gressus. 
 
 Via longitudo ab oriente in occidens, videlicet a 
 loco longitudinis antiquae portae villae citra portam 
 
 novam vocatam ex opposito venellae 
 
 in Wynch-strete alias Castell-strete, directe qua 
 itur ad portam sive hostium ecclesice Sancti Petri 
 
 * The Arms of Knapp are inserted in p. 89. 
 
 Knapp=p 
 
 Thomas Knapp, 
 
 =Avice. Walter Knapp. 
 
 Mayor 1391 and 1396 
 ob. 1404. 
 
 i 
 
 Margery Daughter and heir==John Droyes, 
 
 Mayor 1406 and 1414. 
 
 The Chapel on the Welsh Bee, dedicated to St. John 
 Baptist, was founded by Thomas Knapp, for an early Mass 
 to be celebrated by two priests for the sailors leaving the 
 Port of Bristol. He endowed, likewise, two Chantries in 
 the church of St. Nicholas. Vide p. 111.
 
 136 
 
 perdomumubi Ricardus Newton* justiciarius regis 
 manebat quando fuit recordator villae Bristolliae, 
 est proxima venella citra Newyate, continet . . . 
 gressus, quae via est altera medietas tocius integrse 
 viae ab oriente in occidens. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Jacobi prope eccle- 
 
 Argent on a cheveron azure 3 garbs or. 
 
 Sir Richard Cradoc, : 
 firtstcalledNevvton, 
 Recorder, ob. 1444, 
 buried in the Abbey 
 of St. Augustine. 
 Justice of the Com- 
 mon Pleas. 
 
 Emma, daughter of 
 Sir Thomas Perrott, 
 
 John Newton,=Isabel, daughter and coheir 
 
 ofBarrsCourt 
 in Bitton 
 
 of Richard Cheddre, of Bristol. 
 
 Richard Newton==Daughter and heir of Richard Hampton. 
 
 John Newton==Margaret, daughter of Sir Anthony Poyntz. 
 
 Sir Henry Newton,=Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas 
 of East Hartery, Paston, of Norfolk. 
 
 Co. of Somerset, 
 ob. 1599. 
 
 In a sepulchral chapel adjoining the South transept of 
 the Cathedral, were brasses, now removed, of Judge 
 Newton, 1444. 
 
 A monument, with an effigy of Sir Henry Newton, of 
 Barrs Court, ob. 1599. 
 
 Theodore Newton and his son, Sir John Newton, Bart., 
 and Grace his wife, ob. 1661.
 
 137 
 
 siam prioratus in parte orientali villae Bristoll. 
 continet . . 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis prope abbathiam canonico- 
 rum regularium Sancti Augustini, in honore Sancti 
 Augustini dedicata. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis in sanctuario Sancti Augus- 
 tini ex parte boriali villlae Bristoll. vocata le 
 Gauntes, ubi ecclesia religiosa in honore Sancti 
 Marci dedicata. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Philippi in meridi- 
 onali parte villae Bristoll. in loco quondam priora- 
 tus l religionum ordinis Sancti Benedicti. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Stephani prope le 
 key Bristoll. in loco scituata ubi quondam ab 
 antiquo tempore, ut audivi, fuit ecclesia prioratus 
 religiosorum monachorum ordinis Sancti Benedicti, 
 et fuit cella pertinens monasterio de Glastynbery. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Egidii scituata in 
 alto loco ad finem vici de Smalstrete, super por- 
 tam ad finem viae dictae Smalstrete, ad introitum 
 principii de le key k pro navibus applicandis cum 
 mercandisis; sed dicta ecclesia estunita ad ecclesiam 
 Sancti Laurencii parochialem vel ad ecclesiam 
 parochialem Sancti Leonard i circa tempus regis 
 Edward i tercii. 
 
 Templum judeorum* quondam scituatum sub 
 antiquas voltas directe subtus ecclesiam quondam 
 
 * religiosorum. k "for the harbour of ships with merchandise." 
 
 * Jews' Temple or Synagogue. This room was in a 
 vault beneath St. Giles's Church, where the Jews assembled 
 to worship previously to the reign of King John, who per- 
 secuted, and then expelled them.
 
 138 
 
 parochialem Sancti Egidii super principium de le 
 key scituatam, nomine certae deae Apollinis vel 
 hnic simile honorificatum, ut quam plures gentes 
 michi retulerunt ; et modo sunt cellarii pro mer- 
 candisis custodiendis in dicto templo prophanato. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Laurencii scita di- 
 recta linea exparte orientali ecclesiae parochialis 
 Sancti Egidii. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Johannis Baptistae 
 cum volta inferius archuata cum capella Sanctae 
 Crucis, in qua ecclesia famosus mercator burgensis 
 villae predictae in tumulo jacet desuper sepultus, 
 et fecit de novo fundari et construi Ham ecclesiam 
 quam portam pulcram cum turri cum alta spera de 
 frestone cum campanis desuper pulsantibus ; et 
 dicta porta est scita contigue ecclesiae Laurencii 
 ex parte occidentali. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Beatae Mariae vocata Seynt 
 Marye-a-port, et jacet in vico Seynt Mary at Port, 
 directa linea ex parte occidentali ecclesiae Sancti 
 Petri et turris Bristoll.* 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Nicholai scita supra 
 portam pulchram vocatam Seynt Colas yate, id est 
 porta Sancti Nicholai, cum turri quad rata et m mag- 
 num pinaculum sive spera de mearenno elevalo cam 
 plumbo coopcrlo, et cum pulcherrima volta de arcu 
 lapidum ac fenestris, cum capella in honore sanctse 
 crucis. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sancti Leonardi scita supra 
 
 1 "a church with a fair gate under a tower with a high spire of 
 freestone.'' m a spire of beams of timber framed together (me- 
 rennum), and covered with lead. 
 
 * The Keep of the Castle.
 
 139 
 
 portam Sancti Leonardi, cum turri desuper porta in 
 pro campanis pulsantibus, sed parva ecclesia, sic 
 scita inter viciun Baldwyne-strete, in quo vico aqua 
 de Frome currebat ab antiquis temporibus ex parte 
 meridionali, ac viam eundo ad keyam et vicuna 
 \ocntum a Mers Ire te, et ad ecclesiam Sancti Stephani 
 ex parte boriali ecclesiae Sancti Leonardi. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis Sanctse Werburgaa cum turri 
 condecenti, operate artificiose, pro campanis pulsan- 
 tibus, scituata in vico principali vocata Corn-strete 
 inter ecclesiam Sancti Leonardi directa linea ex 
 parte orientali et ecclesiam Sancti Audoeni ex 
 parte orientali directe. 
 
 Temple-strete ; latitudo ejus est 30 gressus in 
 
 principio per totum vicum 22 gres- 
 
 sus, 144 gressus. 
 
 Venella, via ex opposito ecclesiae Sancti Thomae. 
 
 Latitudo dictae vise continet 10 pedes eundo 
 versus Temple-strete. 
 
 Et a fine dicta? venellae, continuando ad Temple- 
 strete, et retornando versns Stallage-crosse usque 
 ad cornerium vici vocati Toker-strete, retornando 
 ad pontem ex opposito Stallage-crosse in boriali 
 parte de Stallage-crosse versus Touker-strete, 
 continet ilia pars viae de Temple-strete 100 gressus 
 in longitudine. 
 
 Via dextrae partis de Toker-strete ultra Stallage- 
 crosse versus magnum fontem ad le slep in angulo 
 finis de Touker-strete, continet 140 gressus a 
 Stallage-crosse. 
 
 Via vocata Seynt Thomas strete incipiendo ad 
 pontem usque mansionem sororis meae in longitu- 
 
 n Marsh-street.
 
 140 
 
 dine continet, continuando versus muros Bristollia? 
 par le condyt in Seynt Thomas strete, retornando 
 versus Radclyflf chyrch, sic de dicta ponte usque 
 mansionem predictam sororis mea?* continet 160 
 gressus, et ab hide continuando ad le toune-wall 
 continet longitudo dicta? viae usque le tonys wallys 
 305 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo vise Seynt Thomas strete continet 22 
 
 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo pontis Bristolliae continet 9 gressus. t 
 
 Via de Hygh-strete, longitudo ejus est ad altam 
 crucem per cokery de Seynt Nicholas yatej sunt 
 176 gressus. 
 
 Via vocata Corne-strete ab alta cruce ad portam 
 Sancti TNicholai continet 300 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dicta? viae ad finem porta? Sancti Leo- 
 nard i continet 22 gressus. 
 
 Via de Mersh-strete ad portam de Mersh-yate 
 continet 360 gressus versus le Mers-yate. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 9 gressus ad portam de 
 Mersh-yate. 
 
 Via qua? incipit a porta de Mersh-yate ad prin- 
 cipium de le key, a turri rotunda ubi Burton shyp^j 
 fnit edificata usque ad mansionem cornerii de lapi- 
 dibus magnis vocatam Viell-place continet 220 
 
 * The wife of John Jay. 
 
 f Fifteen feet from one house to its opposite. 
 
 X Public cooks' shops and taverns. Many of these were 
 placed together in different parts of the town. The lower 
 orders were generally supplied by them. 
 
 % At that period the largest and most remarkable ship 
 built in Bristol by John Burton, a principal merchant.
 
 141 
 
 gressus; et sic continuando a dicto cornerio domo 
 Henrici Wielle* per longitudinem de le key usque 
 finem ejus erga domum Johannis Pavyef prope 
 templum ecclesiae Sancti Egiclii prope vicum 
 vocatum Smalstrete continet 480 gressus ; et sic 
 continet longitudo tocius key coram aquam de 
 Frome 700 gressus. 
 
 Via de exteriori parte de Frome-yate vocata 
 Horstrete usque ultiorem domum prope introitum 
 sanctuarii abbathke Sancti Augustini, videlicet 
 usque fratres carmelitas ad cornerium in sinistra 
 
 * 179*11. 
 
 Argent a tiss nebule between 3 annulet*, gules. 
 
 Henry Vielle== 
 
 I 
 John Vyell= 
 
 1398._ | 
 
 l i 
 
 Jdlin Vyell ^Elizabeth Henry Vyell=EHz. 
 
 Extract testamento Johannis Vyell Burgensis, Bristol. 
 Dat. 1398. " Item, lego procuratoribusEcclesiee Sti. Ste- 
 phani unura annulum ferentem unum lapidem de Colump- 
 nae ad quam Domlnus noster Jesu Christus fuit ligatus ; 
 item quod reponatur cum reliquiis in dicta ecclesia." 
 
 John Blikker, Burgess of Bristol, dates a deed in 1473, 
 
 Et quiasigillum meum est incognitum, sigillum, Johannis 
 Vyell, Junioris, Generosi, apposui." 
 
 f William Pavye, Sheriff in 1448, was the father of John 
 Pavye, whose daughter and heir was the wife of Sir John 
 Choke. 
 
 u
 
 142 
 
 manu edificatum coram aquam de Frome continet 
 360 gressus ; et continuando a dicto cornerio prope 
 fratres carmelitas ad introitum sauctuarii Sancti 
 Augustini continet alias 360 gressus, in toto 720 
 gressus. 
 
 Via de Pyttey a Pyttey-yate, porta vocata 
 Nether Pyttey, usque antiquam portam Pyttey* 
 usque viam ducentem ad Wynch-strete continet 
 140 gressus. 
 
 Pons, longitudo apud Frome de Pyttey-yate 
 continet 10 virgas. 
 
 Porta Pyttey-yate continet 4 virgas. 
 
 Via a fine Pyttey usque Wynch-street, inci- 
 piendo ab angulo de Wynch-strete ex oppo- 
 sito de le pyllorye, continuando ab illo loco ad 
 cimiterium Sancti Johannis ad locum vocatum le 
 blynd-yate, continet 240 gressus, et a dicta porta 
 vocata le blynd-yate usque vicum de Bradstrete 
 per ecclesiam Sancti Johannis Baptistse continet 
 . . . gressus. 
 
 Et dicta via continet in longitudine 140 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo dictae viae venellre continet 6 pedes. 
 
 Via a porta vocata le blynd-yate veniente de 
 Pyttey-yate per vicum vocatum le Grope-lane, et 
 de Gaste vocatum le Monken brygge continet 180 
 gressus. 
 
 Porta Blynde-yate continet in longitudine et 
 latitudine quadrate 4 virgas. 
 
 Via a porta Pyttey usque per Grope-lane usque 
 ad portam vocatam le Blynde-yate supra nomina- 
 
 * There were two gates in the Pit-hay, which was 
 anciently inclosed.
 
 143 
 
 tam cum uno retorno continet ut supra 180 gressus 
 usque murura in angulo vocatum le touu-walle. 
 
 Via de Pyttey-yate vocata Grope-lane ad viam 
 incidentem usque BIynde-yate continet l'20gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae predicts; continet 10 pedes. 
 
 Via a Monken-brygge usque cimiterium Sancti 
 Jacobi continet 60 gressus ad crucem super pon- 
 tem coram cimiterium portus Sancti Jacobi. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Bradstrete prope portam Sancti 
 Johannis continet 20 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae de Smalstrete ad finera portae 
 Sancti Egidii continet 15 gressus. 
 
 Porta latitudo nova prope ibidem continet 10 
 pedes. 
 
 Longitudo portae de edificacione prioris de Bathe 
 continet . 
 
 Latitudo viae vocatae Corn strete ad portam 
 Sancti Nicholai continet 31 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae cimiterii Sancti Leonardi est 10 
 pedes. 
 
 Hospitalis domus pro pauperibus in ecclesia 
 quondam canonicorum regularium Sancti Augus- 
 tini, et modo domus hospitalis pro pauperibus sus- 
 tinendis in ecclesia Sancti Bertholomei. 
 
 Capella decens ab antique fundata per se scita, 
 in merdionali parte ecclesiae de Radclyff, in honore 
 Sancti Spiritus dedicata. 
 
 Capella ampla in honore Sancti Georgii fundata 
 par Ricardum Spicer* famosum mercatorem et 
 burgensem dictae villae, circa tempus regis Edward i 
 tercii seu Ricardi regis secundi, et est frateruitas 
 
 * Richard Le Spicer, Mayor, 1371. 
 M
 
 144 
 
 dignissima mercatorum et marinariorum Bristollise 
 dicta? capellse pertinencia. 
 
 Capella in parte meridionali ecclesiee parochialis 
 Sancti Audoeni, quae capella est in honore Sancti 
 Johannis Baptistae, et fraternitas magnifica* perti- 
 net dictre capellae. 
 
 Capella pulcra scita in amplo cimiterio ecclesiae 
 parochialis Sancti Jacobi, totum de frestone fun- 
 data, et continet 10 pedes longitudinis et 10 pedes 
 latitudinis. 
 
 Ecclesia parochialis de kalenders collegii sive 
 fraternitatis vocatae et fundatae in honore festi cor- 
 poris Christi, et ab antiquissimis temporibus fun- 
 data ante tempus Willelmi Conquestoris Angliae 
 circa annum Christi 700, ut per literas certificato- 
 rias tempore Sancti Wolstani episcopi sub antiqua 
 manu vidi et legi ; quae ecclesia scita est in meri- 
 dionali parte ecclesiae parochialis omnium sancto- 
 rum, et ante tempus Edwardi regis tercii fuit scita 
 in ecclesia parochiali sanctae trinitatis, ut per rela- 
 
 cionem prions dicti prio- 
 
 ratus certificatum fuit. 
 
 Voltae et cellarii 10 in numero, id est 5 voltae in 
 orientali parte vies de Bristow-brygge, et 5 aliae 
 voltae in occidentali parte de Bristow-brygge cum 
 fortissimis archubus petri clausis et fundatis. 
 
 Voltae duae in parte orientali viae eundo ad Bris- 
 
 * This gild or fraternity of Merchant Taylors was by far 
 the most wealthy and respectable in Bristol. The term 
 "fraternitas magnifica" in William Wyrcestre's latinity, 
 means only a very rich Brotherhood, in comparison with 
 other Gilds in the town.
 
 145 
 
 tow-brygge, unde una pulcra volta prope portam 
 Sancti Nicholai, unde una est . . 
 
 Volta principalyssima et amplissima, sub capella 
 Beatse Marias fundata.* 
 
 Turris rotundus 24 gressus, tunc sunt 100 gres- 
 sus, et 
 
 Turris quadratus 12 gressus, tunc mariscus inter 
 duas turres. 
 
 Murus spacium continet 120 gressus. 
 
 Turris tercius quadratus continet 9 virgas. 
 
 °Murus vacuus proxime sequens continet 110 
 gressus. 
 
 Turris quartus quadratus continet 10 virgas. 
 
 Murus vacuus sequens continet 94 gressus. 
 
 Turris quintus rotundus continet 8 virgas. 
 
 Murus vacuus sequitur usque portam Temple- 
 yate continet 100 gressus. 
 
 Porta cum turri quadrata, vocata Temple-yate. 
 
 Turris alius citra portam Temple-yate latitudinis 
 sex vigarum. 
 
 Turris alia ex opposito Seynt Thomas strete 
 latitudinis sex virgarum. 
 
 Turris alius inter finem Seynt Thomas strete et 
 portas duas vocatas Radclyff-yates continet 6 vir- 
 gas latitudinis. 
 
 Porta? duaB vocata? Radclyff-yates desuper edifi- 
 catae continet in longitudine . . 
 
 Memorandum in mansione pulcherrima de le bak 
 ex posteriore parte de Radclyf-strete super aquam 
 
 ° the wall void of towers. 
 
 * On the Bridge.
 
 146 
 
 de Avyn est pulcher turris per Willelmum Canyn- 
 gis edificata,* continet 4 fenestras vocatas Bay- 
 wyndowes, ornatissimo modo cum cameris, conti- 
 net circa 20 virgas, in longitudine 16 virgas. 
 
 Una porta apud primam portam Mersh-yate per 
 le bakk continet in latitudine muri portarum, in 
 quolibet latere portae non desuper edificatae, 2 
 virgas. 
 
 Turres duse sunt apud le mersh-walle, et quaeli- 
 bet turris continet 16 virgas in rotunditate exterius. 
 
 Porta alia in altera parte Mersh-yate, qua? con- 
 tinet 16 virgas in rotunditate, non desuper edificata. 
 
 Turris alia incipiente ubi navis Johannis Burton 
 edificata fuit, in circumferentia 16 virgarum. 
 
 Turris alia in muro incipiente le graunt key con- 
 tinet ut supra. 
 
 Turris prenobilist per Johannem Vielle armige- 
 rum edificata continet in circuitu ultra 30 virgas 
 super primum angulum de le key. 
 
 Porta Sancti Johannis Baptistae. 
 
 Turris alius magnus quadratus| non multum a 
 
 * The house towards the street remains in part, with the 
 Hall and Oratory, the roof of ornamented timber frame 
 still perfect ; but this tower with its bay-windows towards 
 the river has not the smallest vestige left. 1833. This 
 must have been a very considerable mansion, as the front 
 extended 60 feet towards the river, and the depth to 
 RedclifF street was 48 feet, according to this account. The 
 ornamented bay-windows were probably in the best style, 
 common in the reign of Henry 6th, of which many 
 specimens may be still seen. 
 
 f This Tower was of dimensions to include the whole 
 dwelling-house. 
 
 X A similar instance.
 
 147 
 
 cimiterio Sancti Joannis mercator 
 
 manet. 
 
 Porta prima in altiori loco de Pyttey-yate prope 
 Wynch-strete non super edificata cum domibus. 
 
 Turris quadratus v cum mansionibus desuper pro 
 honesto viro ad murum villas per 60 gressus ultra 
 Pyttey-yate, vocat Aldrych-yate, super pontem de 
 Frome. 
 
 Porta vocata Pyttey-yate supra pontem aquae de 
 Frome. 
 
 Turris rotundus ex opposito Brode mede. 
 
 Turris rotundus ex opposito le Seynt Jamys bak. 
 
 Turris alius principalissimus quadratus cum 
 multis mansionibus ad pontem vocatum Monken- 
 brygge, ubi quondam fuit locus fortissimus pro 
 prisonariis custodiendis. 
 
 Turris rotundus. 
 
 Turris rotundus. 
 
 Turris alius quadratus citra Frome-yate edifica- 
 tus in fine de Cristmasse-strete prope cimiterium 
 Sancti Laurencii, in quo turri honestus vir manet. 
 
 Portae duae apud Frome-yate fundatae, et ambo 
 desuper bene edificatae. 
 
 Turris quadratus prope portas Frome-yate di- 
 recte in angulo finis Cristmas strete, super parvum 
 pontem sive archus coopertus subtus viam anglice 
 vocatam unum slepe, sive gradus circa 30 nutnero 
 ad aquam de Frome, et una crux de frestone 
 desuper edificata super archum anglice unum 
 vowt. 
 
 Turris Hongus et largus quadratus versus turrim 
 
 P " with chambers built above it." 1 " lofty and large."
 
 148 
 
 de Monken-bryge ex opposito ecclesiae conventus 
 Sancti Francisci, in quo turri Bagod* manet. 
 
 Turn's rotund us, non amplus, proximus de turri 
 de le Monken-brygge ex opposito chori.f 
 
 The quantite of the dongeon of the castell of Bristol 
 
 after the information of porter 
 
 of the castell. 
 
 The tour called the dongeonj ys in thykness at 
 fote 25 pedes, and at the ledyng place under the 
 leede cuveryng 9 feet and dimid. 
 
 And yn length este and west 60 pedes, and north 
 and south 45 pedes, with mi toures standyng 
 upon the fowre corners. 
 
 And the hyest tonre called the mayn, id est 
 myghtyest toure aboue all the mi towres, ys v 
 fethym hygh abofeall the nil toures, and the wallys 
 be yn thykness there vi fote. 
 
 Item the length of the castelle wythynne the 
 
 wallys est and west ys 180 virgee. 
 
 Item the brede of the castell from the north to the 
 south wyth the grete gardyn, that ys from the water- 
 
 yate to the mayng rounde of the castell to the walle 
 
 northward toward the blak-frerys 100 yerdes. 
 
 * Clement Baggod Mayor in 1442. 
 
 f It should appear from this description of the Towers, 
 which were connected with the Town walls, that when 
 licence was obtained to repair them, several of the more 
 opulent merchants frequently enlarged them, and made 
 them into dwelling-houses. The most ancient towers were 
 of very coarse architecture. 
 
 % The largest tower of every Castle is, in modern lan- 
 guage, styled " the Keep."
 
 14!) 
 
 Item a bastyle* lyeth southward beyond the 
 water-gate, conteynyth yn length 60 virgae. 
 
 Item the length from the bullwork at the utter- 
 yate by Seynt Phelippes chyrch yerde conteynyth 
 60 yerdes large. 
 
 Item the yerdys called sparres of the halleryalle 
 contenyth yn length about 45 fete of hole pece. 
 
 Item the brede of every sparre at fore contey- 
 nyth 12 onch and viii onch. 
 
 Ecclesia hospitalis domus Sanctae Trinitatis apud 
 LafTordys-yate in mercato. 
 
 Ecclesia hospitalis domus Sanctae Marias Magda- 
 lenae leprosorum in occidentali parte de Radclyffe- 
 hylle in boriali parte viae ad pontem Bryghtbow.f 
 
 Hospitalis in ecclesia religionum prioris et con- 
 ventus Sancti Johannis Baptistae scitum super 
 aquam Avyn in altera parte ecclesiae de Radclyff. 
 
 Hospitalis domus in ecclesia Sanctae Katerinae, 
 ubi magister Henricus Abyndon musicus de capella 
 regis est magister. 
 
 Hospitalis domus in vico vocato Lewelynys 
 mede ex opposito ecclesiae fratrum et conventus 
 Sancti Francisci, fundata per . . . Spencer 
 mercatorem et burgensem villae de bonis domini 
 Willelmi CanyngysJ decani collegii Westbery circa 
 annum Christi 1478. 
 
 * A Bastyle was a very high embattled wall, not sur- 
 mounted with towers, as the Bastille at Paris, now erased, 
 was originally built. 
 
 f The official seal of this Hospital or Lazar-house of 
 St. Mary Magdalene, at Brigbtbow, is still extant. It is 
 a very well engraved matrix of bell-metal. 
 
 J From the contingent bequest of W. Canynges.
 
 150 
 
 Hospitalis domus cum pulcra ecclesia in honore 
 Sancti Laurencii in occidentali parte villse per 
 dimidium miliare de Laffordys-yate sicut itur 
 Londoniis, pertinenti modo ut dicitur collegio 
 canonicorum ecclesiee de Westbery. 
 
 Ecclesia heremitagii super montem altissimum 
 Sancti Brendani, pertinenti prioratus religionum* 
 Sancti Jacobi, et ut dicitur dictus mons est similis 
 monti CalvariaB prope Jerusalem. 
 
 Ecclesia pulcherrima domus templi in honore 
 sanctae crucis fundatae in dominio et vico vocato 
 Temple strete, et ei est de magnis libertatibus et 
 frachesiis. 
 
 1 lleremitagium cum ecclesia in rape periculossimcv\ 
 scita vocata Ghystonclyff, in projundo loco rupis 
 viginti brachiorum prqfunditatis in dicta rupe super 
 aquam de Avyn, in honore Sancti Viucentii. 
 
 Blake-stonys scita in aqua de Severn apud Ho- 
 lowbakkes, distans a Bristollia ultra Hungrode per 
 4 miliaria, ubi naves et naviculae morantur pro 
 
 r " The Hermitage, with an oratory or chapel in the most dangerous 
 part of the rock, called Ghyston Cliffe, situated in a cave of the rock, 
 twenty yards in depth in the said rock, above the River Avon, in 
 honour of St. Vincent." 
 
 * religiosorum. 
 
 f By the expression " in rupe periculosissima," it may be 
 concluded that the Hermitage was built within the great 
 cave, as observed of that in the rock of Dover, p. 53. 
 
 Nov. 13, 1532. "It'm paied to the Kiuge's own hands 
 for his offeringe to o'r Lady in the Rocke, at Dover, 
 iiijs. viijrf. — Henry $th's Privy purse Expenses, 8vo. p. 273.
 
 151 
 
 novo refluxu maris, et dictae rupes parvae quando 
 mare de Severne incipit refluere versus Bristolliam 
 per Kyngrode et Hungrode et per Ghyston-clyff, 
 ac . . . . cooperinntur cum mare quam cito, 
 sic per refluxum incepcionis maris omnes naves 
 apud le holow-bakkys de Hispania, Portugallia, 
 Bardegalia, Bayona, Vasconia, Aquitania, Britannia 
 Islandia, Irlandia, Wallia, et ceteris patriis trahunt 
 eorum anchora et disponunt ea velare versus Bris- 
 tolliam. 
 
 Kyngrode . 
 
 Hungrode in parte altera Ghyston-clyffsed multo 
 inferius versus Kyng-rode in dominio villae de Lye 
 in comitatu Somersetiae. 
 
 Ecclesia hospitalis Sancti Bartholomei, longi- 
 tudo ejus continet 18 virgas vel 32 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo a pede viae ducentis ad ecclesiam 
 religionum trium Mariae Magdalenae usque ad 
 separationem vise vocatae Hez hurras versus West- 
 bery prope ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis, continet 
 420 gressus, ascend endo ad ecclesiam Sancti 
 Michaelis. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae religionum S. Mariae Mag- 
 dalenae continet 27 gressus cum rancella. 
 
 Latitudo constat ex navi et tribus elis ac 4 arches. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Sancti Michaelis continet 
 46 gressus vel 26 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 10 virgas 20 gressus. 
 
 Turns quadratus campanilae novae continet qua- 
 drate ex quatuor partibus, quaelibet costera conti- 
 net extra murum 5 virgas. 
 
 • "The Bars.''
 
 152 
 
 Porta borialis ecclesige continet xi pedes, et lati- 
 tudo 10 pedes 
 
 Via vocata Grope-lane incipiens ad portam 
 Sancti Johannis Baptistse, ducens per voltam Sancti 
 Johannis ad prisonam de Monken-brygge ad angu- 
 lum finis dictae viae continet 300 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo viae continet 8 gressus. 
 
 Via parva ab Monken-brygge ad venellam veni- 
 entem et obviantem viam Gropelane dacente ad 
 Blynde-yate continet 100 gressus. 
 
 Porta Sancti Johannis continet in longitudine 
 versus Brode-strete 7 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo altae viae de Hygh-stretede alta cruce 
 usque portam Sancti ISicholai continet 152 gressus. 
 
 Johannes Jay secundus maritus Johannae sororis 
 meae obiit die 15mensis Maii anno Christi . . . 
 
 Alius Roberti Ash, quasi aeta- 
 
 tis . annorum obiit 19 die septembris, et 
 
 sepelitur in ecclesia Sancti Thomae. 
 
 1480 die 15 julii, navis .... et . . . 
 Jay junioris* ponderis 80 doliorum inceperunt 
 viagiumapudportum Bristolliaede Kyngrode usque 
 ad insulam de Brasylle in occidentali parte Hi- 
 berniae, fulcando maria per 
 
 * John Jay, Senior, was Bailiff in 1456. John Jay, 
 Junior, Sheriff in 1472. 
 
 On the floor of the Chancel of Redcliff Church is a slab, 
 inlaid with the portraits of a man and woman in the burgess 
 dress, with smaller, representing six sons and eight 
 daughters. 
 
 tyit jacent Join's Ja» quontfam btcetomesS t£ttu$ irillff, et 
 Johanna: uy. et q. qut. quftrem Jofrfe Jag obiit . . Hie . . meng . . 
 &°23 m £M££€ , quoiam am'mafoug proptttetuv l@eu$, &nun.
 
 153 
 
 et t Thlyde est magister navis scientificus marinarius 
 tocius Anglice;* et novae venerunt Bristollise die 
 lunae 18 die septembris, quod dictse naves velave- 
 runt maria per circa 9 menses, nee invenerunt 
 insulam, sed per-tempestates maris reversi sunt 
 
 usque portum in Hibernia pro 
 
 reposicione navis et marinariorum. 
 
 Memorandum quod quidem Dynt artifici unius 
 plump-maker villas Bristollise dixit diversishomini- 
 bus ab auditu senium etantiquornm gencium, quod 
 retulerunt sibi videre unum arborem vocatum 
 anglice " a haw -tree" crescentem in loco Hygh- 
 strete, ubi crux magnifica scita est. 
 
 Item apud viam vocatam le Pylle, eundo inter 
 portam Sancti Lenoardi et introitum cimiterii 
 ecclessiae Sancti Stephani fuerat domus edificatae, 
 et pro fundamento fuit ita debile fundamentum 
 quod foderunt 47 pedes "beismurerre facere funda- 
 mentum, et ibi invenerunt in profundo fundamento 
 imam cimbam cum una togh de raycloth, ac etiam 
 invenerunt imam magnam arborem longitudinis 10 
 pedum squaratum, et demiferunt in fundo nee 
 corruptum sed integre sanum, et . 
 
 t " Llyde was master of the ship, the most scientific mariner of 
 all England." u Ooze, or slimy mud. 
 
 * One less skilful would not have been entrusted by Jay, 
 the merchant, upon so hazardous an expedition. He had 
 several successors beside Sebastian Cabot. Robert Thome, 
 Mayor in 1514, planned a voyage of discovery of a North 
 West Passage, and sailed in 1527, with two of the King's 
 ships, one of which was lost. — Hackluit's Voyages. — Hail's 
 Chronicle.
 
 154 
 
 Radclyjf- church. 
 
 Dimencio sive proporcio artificiossime de fre- 
 masonwork operata in porta hostii occidentalis 
 ecclesiae Radclyff.* 
 
 The west dore fretted yn the hede with grete 
 gentese and smallf and fylled wyth entaylej wyth 
 a double moolde costely don and wrought. 
 
 Latitudo porta? 7 pedes. 
 
 Altitudo porta? 9 pedes. 
 
 The square yn the dore : 
 §A champ. A fylet. 
 
 A bowtelle. A bowtelle. 
 
 A casement. A fylet. 
 
 A fylet. A casement, 
 
 A double ressant wyth a filet. A fylet. 
 A casement. A grete bowtelle. 
 
 A fylet. A fylet. 
 
 A bowtelle. A casement. 
 
 A fylet. A filet. 
 
 A grete bowtelle. A lowryng casement. 
 
 * Ex informatione Norton, Magistri Operum Ecclesiae 
 de Radclyff. Vide p. 133. 
 
 f Carved open work in stone. The term " gentyse" 
 is not found in any architectural glossary which J have 
 seen. " Gentil entaile" occurs in Chaucer's Romaunt of 
 the Rose, as applied to goldsmith's work, like lace. May 
 not the term have been transferred to stone ? 
 
 \ Entail, " lacework," sometimes used for lace in the 
 poetic description of female dress. 1 have no doubt but 
 that this term originally confined to Orfevrie or goldsmith's 
 work, was adopted by the free-masons for their more 
 delicate and elaborate open-carving in stone. " A worke 
 of rich entayle, and curious molde." Spenser. F. Q. 
 
 § See explanation of these terms, p. 102.
 
 155 
 
 A casement. A fylet. 
 
 A fylet. A resaunt. 
 
 A bowtelle. A fylet. 
 
 A fylet. A resaunt lory mer,* 
 
 A casement. A casement. 
 
 A cors wythoute. 
 Isti 4 proporciones in ambabus : 
 A champ ashler, j" 
 A cors wyth an arch buttant.| 
 A boterasse. 
 A body boterasse^ and a corner boterasse. 
 
 De castro et le dong-eon de Brisloive. 
 
 Porticus introitus aulae 10 virgae longitudinis 
 cum volta archuata de super ad introitum magnae 
 aulae. 
 
 The inner entre ad porticum aulae 140 gressus, 
 hoc est intelligere spacium et longiludo inter 
 portam muri de fortificacione murorum de area de 
 le utterward. 
 
 Longitudo aulae 36 virgae, in gressibus 54 vel 52. 
 
 Latitudo aulae 18 virgae, vel 26 gressus continet. 
 
 Altitudo murorum 14 pedes extra aulam mensu- 
 ravi. 
 
 Aula quondam magnifica in longitudine latitu- 
 dine, altitudine, est, totum ad ruinam. 
 
 Fenestrae in aula duplatae, altitudo de 11 days 
 continet 14 pedes altitudinis. 
 
 * An Ogee, with an edge so deeply carved, as to form a 
 drip or " larmier" to conduct water, 
 f A water-table of ashler work. 
 X Open or flying arch. 
 § A buttress against a plain wall.
 
 156 
 
 Longitudo tignorum aulae, anglice rafters, con- 
 tinet 32 pedes. 
 
 Camera principis, longitudo 17 virgse, in sinistra 
 parte aula? regis. 
 
 Latitudo ejus camera? 9 virgse continet, et per 
 duas columpnas de magnis trabibus paratas* sed 
 valde veteres. 
 
 Longitudo de le front coram aula cum . . . 
 18 virgse. 
 
 Longitudo tabula? de marble-stone 15 pedes, 
 scita in alia parte aula? pro mensa regum ibi 
 sedencium. 
 
 Turris longitudo in orientali parte turris 36 
 virgas continet. 
 
 Latitudo ejus ex parte occidentali et meridionali 
 30 virgas continet. 
 
 Longitudo de le utter ward castri a media porta, 
 et nuper separata ab interiori warda capellse prin- 
 cipal aulse camera, continet 160 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo primi introitus ad castrum perportum 
 40 gressus, hoc est intelligendum de vico Castel- 
 strete intrando ad primam portam castri sive vocat. 
 le uttervvard. 
 
 Capella in le uttervvard, id est prima warda, in 
 honore Sancti Martini est dedicata, tamen in devo- 
 cione Sancti Johannis Baptistse, et monachus prio- 
 ratus Sancti Jacobi omni die deberet [celebrare] in 
 dicta capella, tamen non celebrat nisi per domini- 
 cam mercurium et venerem, in septimana. 
 
 f The great halls of the more ancient Castles were 
 divided by a row of beams of oak, which were placed 
 upright in the centre to sustain the roof. The old Boothall, 
 at Gloucester, was so constructed, and several others.
 
 157 
 
 Capella alia magnifica pro rege et dominis et 
 dominabus scita in principalissima warda ex parte 
 boriali aulae, ubi earners pulcherrimae sunt eclin- 
 catae, sed discoopertae nudae et ™ vacua; de planckers 
 et coperlura, 
 
 Domus officiariornm coquinae et hag pertinentes 
 sunt in interiori warda juxta aulam in parte sinistra, 
 id est in meridionali parte aula?. 
 
 Domus officii constabularii est scita in exte- 
 riori warda prima in parte meridionali turris 
 magnificae,* sed totum ad terram prostratae et di- 
 rutae x unde magna pietas surgit."\ 
 
 Radclyffe. 
 
 Hostium occidentale ecclesiae [RadclyfF?] con- 
 tinet 9 virgasj et 6 pollices. 
 
 Cimiterinm ecclesiae de RadclyfF continet 500 
 gressus. 
 
 Crux pulcherrimaartificiose operata est in medio 
 dicti cimiterii. 
 
 Latitudo capellae Beatae Mariae de Radclyff* in 
 occidentali parte ecclesiae continet 10 virgas. 
 
 Longitudo volta? frettae archuatae usque . . . 
 
 Altitudo volta? frettae archuatae usque coopertu- 
 ram plumbi . . 
 
 Altitudo voltae archuatae tocius ecclesiae, tam 
 navis ecclesiae quam duarum alarum, nee non qua- 
 
 w " void both of floors and roof. x " which is a great pity." 
 
 * The Keep. 
 
 f When Leland saw the Castle it was still farther 
 dilapidated. 
 X pedes.
 
 158 
 
 tuor alarum voltarum et archuatarum, a parte 
 boriali in meridiem continet, computando per nu- 
 nierura graduum 89 anglice steppys, Y de terra ad 
 supcriorem partem cooperturce tignorum et plumbi 
 cooperancium totam ecclesiam, secundum relacionem 
 plumbatoris dictae ecclesiae mihi dicta3 7 die sep- 
 tembris anno 1480 in dicta ecclesia operante de 
 steppys superius recitatis ; et quilibet gradus sive 
 stepp anglice dictns continet 8 pollices ad minus, 
 sic in toto altitudo operis cooperturae dictae ecclesia; 
 continet 53 pedes et 4 pollices. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae navis cum choro de Rad- 
 clyff preter capellam orientalem Beatae Mariae 
 continet 113 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo z brachiorum ecclesiae ante chorum a 
 meridie in boriam continet 67 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo capellae Beatae Mariae in orientalissima 
 parte ecclessiae prediclae continet 16 virgas. 
 
 Et omnes boterasse in meridionali parte tocius 
 ecclesiae cum boterass campanilae continet 25 in 
 numero praeter lez boterasses campanilis quae con- 
 tinet in numero .... boterasses. 
 
 Latitudo a trium alarum in meridionali parte 
 ecclesiae continet 26 gressus, et 26 gressus in parte 
 boriali ecclesiae. 
 
 In boriali parte ecclesiae Beatae Mariae de Rad- 
 clyffsunt 16 boterasses, ab orientali capellae Beatae 
 Mariae usque ad principalem capellam sunt ^bote- 
 rasses magnee, quorum aliquae sunt in latitudine 
 
 y " From the ground to the highest part of the roof, of timber frame 
 and lead, which covers the whole church." 
 2 The Transept. 
 a three aisles.
 
 159 
 
 inferius apud le table versus et prope terrain 2 
 virgarum, et aliquse boterasses minus. 
 
 Qu&ntilas b rotunditatis principalis capellae Sanclae 
 Mariae c cum ymaginibus regum operatis subtiliter in 
 opere de frestone continet in circuitu, cum hostio 
 introitus subtiliter operato 44 virgas. 
 
 In via de Radclyffin parte sunt 
 
 venellas. 
 
 Prima venella est prope murum de le toune-wall 
 vocata .... 
 
 Longitudo trium alarum in parte boriali ecclesiae 
 de Radclyff continet 15 virgas, et tot virgae latitude* 
 in parte boriali ecclesiae. 
 
 Secunda venella sequens est Howndon-lane et 
 continet .... gressus. 
 
 Tercia venella est in meridionali parte ecclesiae 
 Sancti Thomae et continet . . . gressus. 
 
 Quarta venella in meridionali parte ecclesiae 
 Sancti Thomae prope ibidem ecclesiam continet 
 
 . gressus. 
 
 Quinta venella est ex altera parte cimiterii Sancti 
 Thomae, ubi tumba David Ruddok* est facta in 
 quodam muro, et continet 180 gressus. 
 
 In alia parte viae deRadclyff-strete proximaaquaj 
 de Avyn, in boriali parte viae de Radclyff, est prima 
 venella a porta de Radclyff-yate, usque aquam 
 Avyn, et continet 150 gressus, ubi dominus Moysi 
 Lombardus manebat 
 
 Portae duae in fine de Radclyff-strete cum spacio 
 
 b " circular space." c " with statues of Kings, curiously wrought 
 in free-stone." 
 
 * Sheriff, 1419. 
 
 N
 
 160 
 
 de le wateryng-place ac conducto parvo in le 
 wateryng-place continet 32 gressus, sed spacium 
 inter duas portas continet 20 gressus. 
 
 Memorandum quod venella in parte boriali de 
 Radclyff-strete transiens usque Avyn-water. 
 
 Venella secunda alia versus pontem Bristolliae 
 non multum distat a prima venella, quasi [per] 
 spacium 60 gressuum, et continet in longitudine 
 circa 110 gressus. 
 
 Venella tercia in eadem forma coram aquam de 
 Avyn, transiens cum una via ad aquam de Avyn 
 anglice a slepe, aliter ..... et continet 
 in longitudine ad aquam de Avyn* . . . . et 
 est ex opposito venellae in altera parte venellae 
 eundo ad ecclesiam Sancti Thomae. 
 
 Longitudo viae in parte occidental! ecclesiae reli- 
 gionum et hospitalitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae 
 ex altera parte turris ecclesiae de Radclyff continet 
 154 gressus usque aquam Avonse. 
 
 Latitudo dictae vise continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Heremitagium est scitnm in occidentali parte 
 ecclesiae Sancti Johannis super aquam Avonae, in 
 rubeo clivo super aquam Avonae anglice Avyn.f 
 
 Longitudo viae in parte boriali super Radclyf- 
 hill, ultra ecclesiam de Radclyff in parte dextra 
 versus calcetum de JBrightbow, et citra domum 
 hospitalis Beatae Mariae Magdalenae, conducens 
 ad molendina super aquam Avyn scita de lapidibus 
 murata, continet 400 gressus, et vocatur J. . . 
 myllys. 
 
 * a repetition. 
 
 f Hermitage of St. John on the opposite Bank of RedclifF. 
 
 % Trene.
 
 161 
 
 Latitudo viae molendinorum continet 3 virgas. 
 
 Ecclesia hospitalis Sancti Johannis Baptistae ex 
 opposito ecclesias Beatae Marias de Radclyff. 
 
 Longitudo aulas continet 21 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo aulas continet 13 gressus. 
 
 Longitudo claustri continet 32 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo claustri continet 30 gressus. 
 
 Stagnum aquas conductus quadratus est in medio 
 claustri. 
 
 Porta ad venellam sive viam in parte occidentali 
 ecclesias quam prope murum ecclesias predictas 
 usque ad aquam de Frome continet 150 gressus. 
 
 Latitudo portas et viae 4 virgae. 
 
 Longitudo ecclesiae Sancti Thomas continet 73 
 gressus sive 48 virgae. 
 
 Latitudo ejus continet 21 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo portas Sancti Nicholai 4 virgas : longi- 
 tudo portas 9 virgae 14 gressus.* 
 
 Latitudo portas Sancti Leonardi 4 virgas : longi- 
 tudo portas 9 virgas in parte orientali. 
 
 Latitudo portas Sancti Johannis 4 virgas : longi- 
 tudo portas 7 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo portas Newgate 4 virgae : longitudo 
 dictae portae 9 virgas. 
 
 Latitudo viae Sancti Thomas incipientis apud 
 pontem Bristollias 4 virgas. 
 
 Jovis ultimo die augusti applicui Bristoll. 
 
 Dominica 10 die septembris equitavi ad colle- 
 
 * Near St. Nicholas gate was an establishment of 
 Cooks' shops. Walter Frampton, by will in 1388, leaves 
 a tenement in " Coking-rew." Others were in the passage 
 behind All Saints Church.
 
 162 
 
 giumWestbery, etlocutus fui cum JohanneGryftyth 
 de Bristoll. merchant ibi morante. 
 
 Item equitavi usque Shyrehampton, loquendo 
 cum Thoma Yong armigero, pro 1 1 libris meis 
 recuperandum, unum de libro magno ethicorum, 
 alium de libro vocato le myrrour de dames* 
 cooperto rubeo coreo, et d jantavi secum, dedit 
 michi letum vultum pro amore patris sui, cum 
 uxore ejus sui favore. 
 
 Dominica predicta applicui Bristoll. 
 
 Martis 12 septembris fui apud Ghyston-clyffet 
 mensuravi rupem profundum usque heremitagium 
 ad profunditatem 20 brachiorum, et unus juvenis 
 officii fabri dixit mensuram residui rupis dicta die 
 michi ad aquam anglice ebbyng-water, et dixit 
 mensurare a capella dicti heremitagii 44 brachia, 
 sic in toto continet 64 brachia profunditatis.f 
 
 Martis 20 die Septembris, fui apud heremitagium 
 ultra aquam de Avyn, quando mare exiit id est 
 ebbyng-water, per villam Rownam in batilla con- 
 ductus, directe in monte opposita seu contraria 
 Ghyston-clyfF in dominio Ashton, cujus dominus 
 est Johannes Chokj chevalier. 
 
 d "breakfasted." 
 
 * Translated into French by Lawrence Premierfaict. 
 
 t In English, p. 54. 
 
 % There is a Tomb erected for Sir Richard Choke in 
 Ashton Church. The arms are upon the Tomb, and in the 
 window above it. 
 
 "Thehowse oftheChoks was first greatly avaunsed by 
 Choke. Chefe Juge of England, that attayned lands to the 
 some of 600 marks by the ycre, and kepte his chefe house at 
 Longe Aschton, by Bristow, having great furniture of 
 sylvar." Leland. Itinerary, v. 7-P> 84.
 
 163 
 
 Memorandum quod isto anno Christi, 1465, die 
 epiphaniae Brisloll, relatum fuit mihi per Elizabet 
 Nicholl, quod Elizabet Nicholle, e commater mea 
 obiit per 35 annos preteritos, viz. quando Leycestre 
 fuit major London. 
 
 e " my Godmother. 
 
 <fff)ocfee. 
 
 Argent, three cinquefoils pierced, gules. 
 
 Pedigree of Choke, of Long Ashton. 
 
 G. 19, Visit. Somerset, Cooke. 
 
 John Choke, 
 of Long Ashton 
 
 Sir Richard Choke, = 
 Chief Justice of the Common 
 Pleas, 1462. 
 
 John Choke, 
 of Long Ashton 
 
 Sir John Choke, 
 
 Lord of the Manor of Long 
 
 Ashton, 1488. 
 
 Richard Choke, 
 of Long Ashton. 
 
 Jane, daughter of Richard 
 Pavve, of Bristol. 
 
 ===== Elizabeth, daughter of Sir 
 Thomas Wroughton. 
 
 - - Daughter of Sir John St. Loe. 
 
 Elizabeth, daughter of W. 
 Belpage, of Sutton. 
 
 Alexander Choke, 
 of Long Ashton, son and heir, 1595.
 
 164 
 
 £t dicto anno, scilicet in anno. Christi 14 . . 
 viz. die commemoracionis animarum, Willelmus 
 
 Nicholl et maritus f Elizabet con- 
 
 sortis suae velaverunt in duobus navibus, unus in 
 navi Phish vocata le Cog- Anne,* et alter vir mari- 
 tus Elizabet in navi Thomae Erie, extra le kyng- 
 rode, et ambo periernnt in vigilia Sanctae Katerinae 
 proxima post, s cogita de die transitus ejus, viz. le 
 Cog-Anne submersus, et alius navis captus per 
 Hispanos. 
 
 Memorandum quod die Sanctee Trinitatis prox- 
 ima ante captionem dictarum navium, Elizabet 
 Nicholl filia Isabellas Nicholle erat sponsata cuidam 
 mercatori. 
 
 Memorandum quod die Sanctse Margaretae anno 
 Christi, 1402, Matilda Botoner h avia mea obiit, et 
 executores ejus fuerunt Thomas Botoner filius ejus 
 
 ' " Elizabethse." s " The Cog." >> " my Grandmother. 
 
 * The term " Cog" as applied to a particular kind of 
 vessel, is of very early application. Matthew Paris has 
 " Cogones." 1066. venit Gul' Conq. in Angliam cum 300 
 cogonibus. Spellman, in his Glossary quotes Chaucer: — 
 " He found Jason and Eracles also 
 Shutte in a Cog to land were y go." 
 In the more ancient poem of Richard Cceur de Lion, 
 different vessels are particularised — 
 
 " Cogges and Dromounds, many galeye, 
 Berges, Schontes, Trayeres fele, 
 That were charged with al wele/' 
 to accompany that heroic king in his expedition to the 
 Holy Land. 
 A barge or lighter was called a " Balenger."
 
 165 
 
 et Willelraus Wyrcestre K jiliaster ejus, et habuit 
 exitus dictum Wilelmum Botoner, Elizabet spon- 
 satam Willelmo Wyrcetyr, et Aliciam sponsatam 
 Thomae Benysham. 
 
 Memorandum quod mense Jullii, anno quinto 
 regis Henrici quinti Willelmus Wyrcetyr primo 
 inhabitavit in tenemento Colyns in Bermodsey- 
 strete. 
 
 Anno 48 regis Edwardi tercii, tenementum patris 
 mei in Brodemede fuit venditum Thomae Botoner 
 k avo meo et T. Botoner filio suo primo genito. 
 
 Anno secundo regis Henrici quarti,W. Wyrcestre 
 pater meus primo cepit in firmam tenementum 
 Johannis Sutton super le bak in parochia Sancti 
 Jacobi, in quo tenemento W. Wyrcetre natus fuit.* 
 
 Anno Ohristi 1412, Johannes Randolf obiit, et 
 fecit executores, Agnetam consortem suam et Wil- 
 lelmum Knolyn. 
 
 Memorandum quod Adam Botoner de Coventre 
 fuit frater Thomae Botoner avi mei, per relacionem 
 A gnetae Randolf x amicice mece et „ . . 
 
 Bracey filiae ejus ; et dictus Adam m habuit exitum 
 Agnetam Botoner de Laffordes-yate Bristolliae, et 
 obiit apud Coventre tempore magnae pestilenciae, 
 
 » " her Son-in-law." k " my Grandfather." ' " my Aunt.' 
 
 m "had issue." 
 
 * Deed dated 41 Edw. 3 tij. 1368. Walter Staunton, 
 Bursrensis, &c. confirmasse dedissc and concessisse W. 
 Wyrcestre, Glover, totum illnd tenementum quod nunc 
 inhabitat, quod extendit se a vico (St. James's Bee) ante- 
 rius usque ad aquam Froome posterius, &c.
 
 J 66 
 
 anno Christi 1386, et misit filiam suam prefatam 
 Bristolliae ad Thomam Botoner fratrem suum 
 custodiendam, et quidam Johannes Randolf de 
 Laffordes-yate duxit dictam Agnetam de Coventre 
 ad Bristoll. 
 
 Memorandum de nominibus Tychemersh prope 
 villam Wyrcestre, vel prope villam de Ekyngton 
 prope Pershore, quod ipsi sunt de consanguinitate 
 Willelmi Botoner et Agnetas Randolf secundum 
 suam relacionem. 
 
 ** a titaner latin corrupt, toa* lite apecl)*, 
 ISut algate t&erfcp toajj $e DttUeratontre." 
 
 Chaucer. Man of Lowes tale. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 AN ESSAY 
 
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 H
 
 ESSAY ON 
 
 Utttllnim <r.init»tt0rs t 
 
 (Read at the Bristol Institution, in April, 1831.) 
 
 Biography belongs to the peculiar country of 
 the individual whose life is narrated ; or to the 
 local situation in which it has been beneficially 
 passed, and to these circumstances it owes its 
 chief interest. Public services command the most 
 lasting fame, but private worth the most grateful 
 memory. But how is a private man to be remem- 
 bered at all after a lapse of four centuries, since 
 he existed ? No satisfactory memorials can now 
 be found, but in some munificent establishment 
 of charity or sumptuous and beautiful buildings, 
 and of the " man as he was," we can glean, at so 
 distant an interval of time, no intelligence, ex- 
 cepting from documentary evidence. Such has 
 been afforded in an authentic, although, of course, 
 in a limited degree. We must acknowledge the 
 penury of private history, in which so little can be
 
 170 
 
 distinctly seen, through the veil of time or the 
 mist of panegyric. This will be the simple record 
 of a private life. Of William Canyngesand his 
 family, as among the superior merchants of Bristol, 
 considerable facts may be collected from their 
 wills (copies of which are preserved in the archives 
 of the Corporation), and numerous deeds* and 
 transfers of property now in the possession of Mr. 
 Cumberland, who has obligingly allowed them to 
 be consulted, for the purposes of this Essay. 
 From these, extracts will be made to corroborate 
 various assertions, with respect to their large pos- 
 sessions within the limits of this ancient town and 
 its immediate environs. A confusion in the first 
 pedigree given of Canynges, may be thus corrected ; 
 as far as the mistaking the individuals, of dates and 
 their respective position, which I have been 
 enabled to authenticate, by these means. 
 
 Although the genealogy of this estimable man 
 will, by a diligent investigation, be placed in a 
 clearer point of view than has been hitherto done, 
 his were the simple transactions of private life, 
 which will find an interest with those only who 
 care about our own local history. I must there- 
 fore excurse not a little, and endeavour to make 
 frequent digressions not uninteresting accessories 
 to my present attempt of offering a panoramic view 
 of his times, and this will be best effected by 
 adverting to the state of maritime discovery, and 
 
 * A large collection was likewise in the possession of the 
 late Reverend S. Seyer, the Historian of Bristol, who 
 presented them to the City Library.
 
 171 
 
 the principles of commerce as then practised, the 
 habits and domestic manners of his contemporary 
 merchants, and more than all, the perfection of 
 church architecture, to which he so magnificently 
 contributed. 
 
 These are the general outlines of this essay. 
 Fully aware that antiquarian researches, when 
 pursued with minuteness, are considered by many 
 is dry and unimportant, yet, as in the establish- 
 ment of truth, the advancing proofs of undeniable 
 facts is much more to be valued than the most 
 ingenious conjectures, I shall hazard the imputation 
 of tediousness, which they may occasion. 
 
 Of the family of William Canynges, previously 
 to their settlement in Bristol, nothing can be related 
 with certainty ; and more than sufficient latitude 
 of conjecture might be required to connect them 
 with others of the same name. The industry of 
 the genealogical antiquary must not pretend to 
 command more than a peculiar interest, or that in 
 which individuals are concerned. 
 
 Two ecclesiastics rose to eminence. Simon de 
 Canynges was the 24th Abbot of Hyde, near Win- 
 chester, in 1292; and John de Canynges, the 
 thirty-fifth Abbot of Abingdon, in 1322.* A village 
 is called Bishop's-Canynges in Wiltshire, where a 
 family of the same denomination appear to have 
 resided in the 14th and successive centuries, seve- 
 ral of whom were tenants of the manor of Minety, 
 not far distant, under the Abbot of Cirencester,)" 
 
 * Willis. Mitred Abbeys. 
 
 f Inquisitio post mortem 9 Edw. 3tij ; 46 Edw. .'3tij.
 
 17'2 
 
 about the period, when we have the earliest evi- 
 dence of them, as "burgesses of Bristow." In 
 the municipal rolls of Mayors and Bailiffs, the 
 name of Canynges does not occur before the year 
 1369, when William Canynges was in so high an 
 estimation, both as to wealth and probity, that he 
 was elected as chief magistrate for no less than six 
 times, between the years 1372 and 1389. He 
 was likewise their representative in parliament. 
 His will, preserved in the city archives, bears date 
 in 1396.* He bequeathes houses and premises of 
 extent and value in Touker-street, and desires to 
 be buried in our lady's chapel in the church of St. 
 Thomas. John his son, who was likewise Mayor 
 in 1391, ordains his sepulture in the same place ;f 
 and Simon, another son mentioned in that will, 
 was, in pursuance of his own will, buried in the 
 church of St. Stephen. 
 
 From their establishment in Touker-street, it is 
 evident that they were first occupied in the manu- 
 facture of cloth, as confined to druggets and blan- 
 kets ; for it is known, that all cloth of a finer tex- 
 ture and quality was then imported to us, either 
 from France or the Low Countries. The Toukers 
 or Clothiers (so called from the great manufactories 
 on the river Toque, near Abbeville, in Normandy) 
 are said to have been first brought to this country 
 under the patronage of the Knights Templars, in 
 whose church here, they established their chief 
 
 * Wills. Corporation Archives. Barrett's list. — Hist, of 
 Bristol. 
 
 t Will dated May 13, 1405.
 
 173 
 
 gild or fraternity, which remained as one of the 
 more considerable, to the time of the dissolution ; 
 and their chapel is still extant. They had obtained 
 from the Templars a grant of a very extensive held 
 near the river, called in old surveys " the ' Hack 
 hythe,' in which the tenters for stretching and 
 drying cloth were erected. They had likewise the 
 treen or wooden mills for fulling, below Redcliff, 
 near Bedminster. In fact, during the long reign 
 of Edward the Third, and that of his successor, 
 the geatest encouragement was held out ; and the 
 division of the town beyond the Avon was princi- 
 pally inhabited and occupied by such manufac- 
 turers, in its several branches. It is curious to 
 observe, how minutely these are discriminated in 
 the several wills, in Mr. Cumberland's collection 
 of that date, as Fullo, Clothier — Textor, Weaver — 
 Tinctor, Dyer, &c; the general name for a clothier 
 was "a webbe," which Chaucer has introduced as 
 a personage in his Canterbury Tales ; and in 1351, 
 we have the will of Peter Herte " Webbe.'* 
 
 This digression is, perhaps, necessary to an 
 accurate statement of the exact position in which 
 the Canynges were placed, when they were at first 
 ranked among the more eminent burgesses of the 
 town, and as it points out the source of their great 
 subsequent wealth before they became merchants, 
 and exported the cloth of their own manufacture. 
 
 In the wills of both William and John Canynges, 
 a small tenement only in the parish of St. Mary 
 Redcliff is recited. From this circumstance, a 
 
 * Proved by several Wills. See p. 80.
 
 174 
 
 doubt suggests itself, whether the first William 
 Canynges were actually the first rebuild er of Red- 
 cliff church, as he was not an inhabitant of the 
 parish, but of that of St. Thomas, where his estate 
 lay, and where both himself and his son had 
 directed their sepulture. The fact in question 
 rests, at present, upon a tradition only, uncon- 
 firmed by any evidence, that has hitherto been 
 brought to light, and which will, in due course of 
 this inquiry, lead me into farther discussion. 
 
 William Canynges (for thus, in every document 
 I have seen, he designates himself), the grandson 
 of the first noticed, was born in Bristow, in the 
 year 1400, as far as can be ascertained by the 
 statement of his age, at the time of his decease, 
 November 12th, 1474. His will was proved Sept. 
 26, 1475. 
 
 He was the third son of John, son of the first 
 mentioned William, and that fact is authenticated 
 by the pedigree, which accompanies this memoir, 
 for the satisfaction of the genealogical inquirer. 
 His father died in 1405, and as it appears, made 
 his will during his last sickness, for it bears date 
 in the same year. He largely portions his wife, 
 and identifies six children, to whom he bequeaths 
 legacies and remainders. Thomas and William 
 were his surviving sons, but of his daughters 
 nothing is known with certainty. Of John, the 
 first mentioned in the will, it may be presumed 
 that he died an infant. Thomas, the second son, 
 was established in London, where he attained to 
 great wealth and civic honours. He was enrolled 
 in the Grocer's company, and was probably a
 
 175 
 
 merchant, trading to the Levant. In 1450 he was 
 Sheriff, and in 1456 Lord Mayor of London.* 
 From him descend a very respectable family of 
 the Roman Catholic persuasion, which have held 
 the manor of Foxcote, in Warwickshire, for more 
 than three centuries. The late George Canning, 
 who had reached to so high a degree of political 
 superiority, had a legitimate claim of lineal alliance 
 to that branch. After the death of John Canynges, 
 Joan, his widow, remarried with Thomas Young, 
 a merchant of the first rank, and an inhabitant 
 of the parish of St. Mary Redcliff, by whom she 
 had Thomas Young, who was bred to the law, and 
 subsequently advanced to be one of the Puisne 
 Justices of the King's Bench, in 1476. 
 
 William, the subject of our present investiga- 
 tion, was only five years old, at the early death 
 of his father, but the fostering care of his mother's 
 second husband, amply supplied that loss. His 
 genius and education were directed by him to 
 mercantile pursuits ; and he had experience of 
 whatever might insure to him the good fortune of 
 his future life, in the opportunities of learning the 
 modes of commerce, in one of the most extensive 
 and opulent establishments, in Bristol, subsisting 
 at that period. That he soon discovered most 
 valuable talents in such pursuits, can not be 
 doubted. The effects in such regular movements 
 usually follow the cause ; and there was an early 
 promise of his great success. 
 
 No document ascertains his progress before the 
 
 * Stowe's Survey of London, and MSS. Coll. Ann. 
 
 o
 
 176 
 
 years 1432 when he was Bailiff, 1438 Sheriff, and 
 1441 when he was elected Mayor. Few anecdotes 
 concerning him have descended to posterity ; and 
 nearer to our own times, a great difficulty presents 
 itself in tracing the simple transactions of the pri- 
 vate life of those, who are known to fame. It w ill 
 be allowed, that William Canynges had the singu- 
 larly good fortune to have concentrated all the 
 commercial habits of his predecessors, and the 
 merit of improving them. 
 
 All that can be advanced with certainty must be 
 from irrefragable documents, as far as he was con- 
 cerned with his fellow burgesses, as their municipal 
 magistrate, and their representative in parliament. 
 The first noticed honour he enjoyed five times ; 
 one less than his grandfather had done. These 
 facts admit of a certain explanation. During the 
 lapse of several centuries before the reign of 
 Charles the first, the fee farm of the Town and 
 Port had been always held, in lease, by burgesses ; 
 and the Mayor was officially the Seneschal of the 
 King. The castle was then a royal demesne with 
 a distinct jurisdiction. This circumstance made it 
 absolutely expedient in turbulent or warlike times, 
 that the Mayor should be connected with the 
 existing government, because levies both of ships 
 and money were frequently recurring, the writs for 
 which were directed to be executed by him ; and 
 the royal influence was exerted to continue the 
 same officer, longer than the ancient constitution 
 of the Burgh, would seem to warrant. He was 
 first returned to parliament in 1451, and subse- 
 quently in 1455.
 
 177 
 
 Highly as this distinction is now valued, it was 
 then considered as an onus, not only by the 
 borough, but by the individual elected, in those 
 simple times. The representatives of Bristol had 
 daily wages, and an allowance given for their 
 journeys. 
 
 Canynges having arrived at his fortieth year, 
 there is satisfactory evidence, that he had exceeded 
 his contemporary merchants in influence and 
 wealth. Chaucer, in his prologue to the Can- 
 terbury Pilgrimage, had preconceived his exact 
 portrait : — 
 
 " Z\)\$ foortfrg man ful fod f)t<3 foft bcscttc ; 
 W$w fotete no foigljt t&at \)t foag in Dette, 
 jSo steUcfastlg btoto Jk J)tg governance, 
 WLit\) i)te bargeines, anl) fottj) i)t0 cftcbteaunu. 
 — JPorsotfje I)e foass a toortf)g man fotti)alle." * 
 
 The word " chevisaunce" means any contract for 
 money. 
 
 And here we must pause, to take a general view 
 of the causes of this extraordinary opulence ; of 
 the nature and conduct of the trade of England 
 as carried on with other European nations ; and 
 lastly of the principal merchants then resident in 
 Bristol, who lived and thrived with him, and who 
 traded from the same port, with comparative suc- 
 cess. If such an investigation should be satisfac- 
 tory, we shall agree with the honest narrator Wil- 
 liam of Wyrcestre, that he was " ditissimus et 
 
 * In modern English. — "This worthy man applied his 
 talents beneficially, so that no man could say that he was 
 indebted to him, so honourably did he conduct his mercan- 
 tile affairs, in all his bargains and transactions of money."
 
 t78 
 
 sapientissimus mercator,"* and that this was the 
 meed and the effect of his singular prudence, and 
 of his sagacity in mercantile adventure. But pre- 
 viously to confining the present inquiry to these 
 individuals, a concise sketch of the state of navi- 
 gation and commerce, as they subsisted between 
 this, and other European nations, in the fourteenth 
 and fifteenth centuries, may not be considered as 
 irrelevant. The chief commodity, and the most 
 valuable medium of commercial intercourse, was 
 wool. Our numerous flocks fed on downs of 
 scarcely measureable extent, supplied an abun- 
 dance equalled by the superior quality ; and which 
 was very partially manufactured in England, before 
 the period now mentioned. It was sent to Flan- 
 ders and the north of France, where were manu- 
 factories of fine cloth, which was exported into 
 England . 
 
 King Edward the 3d has been justly designated, 
 by all the writers on the subject, as the father of 
 English commerce. The impost upon wool formed 
 a great part of his revenue, and, as it was received 
 in kind, by the chief landed proprietors from their 
 tenants, as by him, it had gained the value and 
 currency of money. For these receipts he esta- 
 blished the ten staple towns, of which Bristol was 
 one ; and the official seal is still preserved among 
 the city archives. About the middle of his reign, 
 he endeavoured to transfer the making of fine 
 cloth to England, and for that purpose had invited 
 several Flemish clothiers to settle here. We have 
 the evidence of Flemish and French names as 
 
 * William Wyrcestre, p. 83.
 
 179 
 
 Fraunceys,Beaupigne,Blanket,*and others, to prove 
 that some of them were established in Bristol. 
 Blanchett or Blanket was the first who obtained 
 a licence for setting up looms in his house ; and 
 he there manufactured the kind of cloth, which is 
 in general domestic use, under that name. Wors- 
 ted had its denomination likewise from a town in 
 Norfolk, whither the Flemings had brought the 
 art of making it. 
 
 The far greater number of the statutes of Edward 
 3d were passed to protect and encourage naviga- 
 tion and commerce, by prohibitions which were 
 not always beneficial in their results. Trade was 
 opened to the Baltic, to Denmark, Iceland, and 
 the North Seas. There was a considerable traffic 
 to Normandy, Flanders, and Spain for wines, but 
 the Mediterranean, at this period, was only partially 
 navigated by English vessels, on account of the 
 frequent piracies to which they were exposed from 
 the active jealousy of the Italian merchants. t 
 Notwithstanding, reprisals were made, and several 
 Genoese were resident in Bristol, as Giovanni 
 Gaboto, the father of the discoverer of Newfound- 
 land, whom we recognise as Sebastian Cabot, | and 
 
 * These names occur in many deeds and wills of that 
 date, as well as in the roll of Civil officers. 
 
 f Anderson's Hist, of Commerce v. i. p. 375. Macpher- 
 son's Annals of Commerce, and Campbell's Political Survey. 
 
 | Sebastian Cabot (Gaboto). "His history has been 
 enveloped in obscurity. What has been most commonly 
 alleged respecting him is false; and numerous writers, in 
 speaking of the voyages which they did not doubt he per- 
 formed, have made them a ground work of misconception, 
 pretension and falsehood. Now since the labours of Sebas-
 
 180 
 
 who was a native, of no common celebrity. About 
 that time the ships of Pisa, Genoa and Venice had 
 arrived in many of the English ports, and Bristol had 
 its full share of that intercourse. They imported silk, 
 spices, and other produce of Italy and the Levant. 
 Still the Italians strenuously opposed the admis- 
 sion of English vessels into their ports, but having 
 
 tian Cabot are the starting point of English discovery, the 
 obscurity and the ignorance prevailing on the subject, have 
 involved the subsequent stages of his history, in error and 
 confusion. He was an Englishman, and sailed from the 
 port of Bristol, in search of a Northwest passage ; was the 
 first discoverer of North America, and touched upon the 
 terra firma of the Western world, even before the great 
 Columbus, and though others have the fame of it, was the 
 first commander who ever steered his bark into the Straits 
 which have been since named after Hudson. These are 
 remarkable truths, but not more remarkable than the vul- 
 gar errours, which vanish in the demonstration of them. 
 The Venetians claim him as their countryman. But the 
 most authentic evidence is that given by Richard Eden, the 
 author of a very scarce and valuable repertory of voyages 
 and travels entitled " Decades of the New World," as it was 
 derived from Cabot himself. Eden asserts — "Sebastian 
 Cabot tould me that he was born in Brystow, and that 
 at iiij yeare olde he was carried with his father to Venice, 
 and soe returned againe into England, with his father, 
 after certain yeares, whereby he was thought to have been 
 borne in Venice." See " ^/ Memoir of Sebastian Cabot, 
 with a review of the history of Maritime Discovery." 
 Svo. 1831. 
 
 The point thus established, is, that Cabot was not only 
 an inhabitant, but a native of Bristol. His portrait, when 
 an old man, was painted by Holbein, and in the possession 
 of C. J. Harford, Esq. It is engraved in Seyer's Memoirs.
 
 181 
 
 discharged their cargoes here, they took back 
 stock fish and wool. Frequent conflicts took 
 place between the mariners of the two countries, 
 and the damage done, was upon application to the 
 government, always levied upon the Italian mer- 
 chants, especially Genoese, who were settled in 
 any of the ports to which the pirated ship belonged, 
 and whose grand object was the exclusion of all 
 others from the Mediterranean, and the monopoly 
 of the stores of the East. Fabyan, in his chroni- 
 cle, mentions such a spoliation of a large vessel, 
 belonging to Robert Sturmye, a merchant of Bris- 
 tol, for which, the Genoese merchants of London 
 were lined and committed to the Flete prison.* 
 
 The various obstacles which originated in these 
 several causes — the barbarous state of society and 
 manners, national antipathies — or fraudulent and 
 arbitrary measures of governments and princes, did 
 not prevent the merchants of our own, as well as 
 different countries, from acquiring an excessive 
 opulence, which equalled the rentals of the ancient 
 nobility of the realm ; and such can be ascribed 
 only to the advantage of monopoly and the great- 
 ness of their profits. The merchants of London 
 had acquired immense wealth as early as the reign 
 of Edw. 3d, and not long after, Bristol could assert 
 the riches of certain merchants, in no inferior 
 
 competition. 
 
 Nor were these predatory acts confined to the 
 merchants of the Mediterranean Sea. Piracy pre- 
 vailed in the Baltic and the Icelandic Ocean, and 
 
 * Fahyan's Chronicle (reprint), p.663. 36th Henry 6th.
 
 J 82 
 
 even in the British Channel. Even the British 
 ports, as Hull and Yarmouth, sent out marauders 
 against London and Bristol.* In 1379 the King- 
 directed a writ for the punishment and fine before 
 the Courts of Westminster, against certain mer- 
 chants who had forcibly taken a ship belonging to 
 William and John Canynges (the grandfather and 
 father of our William) into Hartlepool, when on 
 her voyage to Calais and Flanders. *f 
 
 It will be readily surmised, that this constant 
 risque to which navigation, in general, had become 
 liable, rendered all the methods of defence, at that 
 time practicable at sea, absolutely necessary. 
 
 In 1347, twenty two ships (naves guerrinae) and 
 480 seamen were furnished by the trade of Bristol ; 
 and in the previous year twenty four ships and 608 
 men. These were impressed or hired, as they 
 were eventually paid for, both for their use and 
 wages. A few exceeded 200 tons burthen; but 
 they were mostly from forty to one hundred. The 
 larger, transported the treasures of the East to 
 Italy, and sometimes to England. Some of them 
 were purchased at Bristol for voyages to the Baltic, 
 but the smaller were called Cogs, as the Marie- 
 Cog; the Cog James and John, &c; which deno- 
 mination appears from a MS., in the possession of 
 the late Charles Joseph Harford, Esq., and copied 
 by my late highly esteemed friend Mr. Seyer, in 
 his elaborate and valuable history of this City. 
 
 1 have collected these facts from Anderson and 
 
 * Rymer's Fcedera, 1315. 
 f Surties' Hist, of Durham.
 
 183 
 
 Macpherson, the two most able writers on the sub- 
 ject of British navigation and commerce. 
 
 The trade of Bristol continued to advance in 
 extent and prosperity, until the reign of Henry 6th, 
 the proper aera of William Canynges, who appears 
 to have engrossed the traffic with the Genoese for 
 stock-fish and the other merchandise of the Baltic, 
 and with English woollens, in exchange for the 
 produce of Italy and the Levant. There is a patent 
 dated 1450, granted exclusively to him, in contra- 
 vention to an existing act of parliament, to "load 
 certain vessels of any burthen, with lawful mer- 
 chandise to Iceland and Finland, for fish, during 
 two years, excepting the merchandise of the staple 
 of Calais," and in the preamble, it specifically states, 
 that the King (Henry 6th) was under obligation to 
 him, for great personal service.* This circum- 
 stance makes it evident, that he was not then a 
 partisan of the Duke of York. 
 
 In 1461, when Edward 4th had taken possession 
 of the Crown, he made a progress through the 
 western parts of the kingdom for the purpose of 
 levying a forced loan upon the mercantile cities, 
 and remained, for some time, at Bristol.-)" Canynges 
 was then Mayor, and as the King's escheator, had 
 the management of it. The assessment was made 
 according to the value and number of the vessels 
 belonging to each merchant, individually. William 
 Wyrcestre has preserved a list of Canynges' ships 
 which requires some examination. That the 
 
 * Itymer's Fcedera. V. ii. 2/7 • 1450. 
 t Stowes Chron. 1461.
 
 184 
 
 inscription with verses, and this list,werenot placed 
 over the tomb in Redcliff church, at that period, 
 but in the reign of Elizabeth, no one, the least 
 conversant, can doubt.* 
 
 This list enumerates nine ships — one of 900 tons 
 — one of five, and two of four hundred tons, and 
 likewise a vessel which was lost in Iceland of 160 
 tons. In 1480, Thomas Strange is stated to have 
 possessed twelve ships, of which no farther parti- 
 culars are given, but it is a proof, that Canynges' 
 opulence was not singular. » 
 
 That any ship of so large a burthen could have 
 been received, at that time, into the Port of Bris- 
 tol, may admit of doubt. I have been informed by 
 an intelligent friend, that ships, in this account, 
 
 * This tomb, when erected by Canynges, was composed 
 of plain carved freestone, and had no escocheon of his arms. 
 Such being the three blackmoor's heads do not appear as 
 attached to the architecture of any part of the church. It 
 is presumed from satisfactory evidence, that W. Canynges 
 never used these armorial bearings. In an ancient MS. of 
 the arms borne by the several Lord Mayors of London, 
 they are first attributed to his brother, Thomas Canynges. 
 In the capital of a pillar we see W. Canynges' device, or 
 merchant's mark, being a heart and the letters W. C. on 
 either side, which are repeated once in a fragmented win- 
 dow of stained glass. In the reign of Elizabeth a fashion 
 more generally prevailed of painting such monuments with 
 various colours, when this was so deformed, and the arms 
 thereon first emblazoned. The verses are much in the 
 style of Thomas Churchyard, a very popular poet in that 
 age, who was a known composer of Epitaphs. Canynges' 
 seal has the rude figure of a Blackmoor's head only. He 
 commonlv used his merchant's mark. 

 
 185 
 
 said to have been of 360 tons, did not as to their 
 actual burthen, exceed one half of their tonnage, 
 at present. Ships, as now constructed, measuring 
 500 tons will, in fact, convey eight or nine hundred 
 tons ; whereas it is strictly probable, that, those 
 belonging to Canynges would not have borne a 
 burthen equal to that measurement. It is observed 
 by Anderson, that " although the larger ships had 
 English names, there is a doubt, whether we had 
 ships of that size, of our own building. Canynges 
 might have taken or purchased them from the 
 Hanseatics, the Venetians, or Genoese, all of whom 
 had ships of even a larger burthen, at that time." 
 Stowe, in his history, calls these " great carriques 
 of Jene" (Genoa.) 
 
 Not only the ships which were intended to con- 
 vey armies into France, were differently con- 
 structed, but they afterward served to carry pilgrims 
 to the shrine of St. James, at Compostella in Gal- 
 licia, the resort to which place was decided by the 
 Pope, to be of equal virtue, with a voyage to Jeru- 
 salem itself. Some of those which were fitted out 
 from Bristol, were capable of taking 200 persons 
 in a single voyage, which to the merchants, was 
 no unprofitable adventure. Persons of both sexes, 
 and of all ranks, were urged to perform this holy 
 duty, the fervour of which devotion prevailed 
 chiefly during the reign of Henry 0th. We learn 
 from W. Wyrcestre, that " Robert Sturmye, a 
 merchant of Bristol, began his voyage to Jerusalem, 
 in 1446, with 160 pilgrims, and that on his return 
 he was shipwrecked at Modon, on the Greek coast, 
 near Navarino, (which has been lately brought to
 
 186 
 
 our notice.) His ship, called the Cog- Anne, was 
 dashed against a rock, and thirty-seven men were 
 drowned ; who were buried by the Bishop of 
 Modon, who piously erected an oratory over 
 them." As the art of navigation was progressively 
 advancing, the ardour for discoveries in new and 
 hitherto unknown regions, prevailed in every mari- 
 time nation of Europe ; and these were directed to 
 the vast Atlantic Ocean. This spirit animated the 
 merchants of Bristol, but the earliest account we 
 have of undertaking similar expeditions, has a date 
 later, by six years, than Canynge's death. Wyrcestre 
 informs us, " that in 1480, July 15th, the ship of 
 John Jay, the younger, of 800 tons, and another, 
 began their voyage from Kingroad to the island 
 (the continent of Brasile) to the west of Ireland, 
 ploughing their way through the sea. . . .and Llyde 
 was the pilot of the ships, the most scientific mari- 
 ner in all England, {scientificus marinarius totius 
 AnglicB); and news came to Bristol, on Monday, 
 September 18 (1481), that the said ships sailed 
 about the sea, during nine months, and did not find 
 the island, but driven by tempests they returned 
 to a port on the coast of Ireland for the repose of 
 themselves and mariners." 
 
 This adventure from Bristol may claim prece- 
 dence in point of date, before all others, as far as 
 navigating the North Atlantic, and thus identifying 
 the coast of Brasil. Columbus certainly had not 
 seen it, in his voyage of 1474, when he discovered 
 Hispaniola, &c. The real discovery which was 
 confirmed by landing, was made by Martin Behem, 
 of Nuremberg, then in the service of the King of
 
 187 
 
 Portugal, in the year 1484. But in 1501, Colum- 
 bus who made another voyage of discovery, and 
 sailed round the whole coast of Brasil, was yet 
 obliged to return to Portugal without having 
 effected his purpose. Our own Sebastian Cabot 
 after having discovered Newfoundland, made like- 
 wise an unsuccessful voyage to Brasil. 
 
 After, what may perhaps be considered as too 
 long a digression, I will revert to the personal 
 history of the subject of this memoir, and of his 
 family and contemporaries. At the accession of 
 Edward 4th, 1461, William Canynges was Mayor. 
 That he was reconciled to the new government 
 may be attributed to the influence of his half bro- 
 ther Thomas Young, who was burgess in parlia- 
 ment, and who was a zealous Yorkist.* The con- 
 nection already mentioned with his family, was the 
 primary cause of his subsequent prosperity. Wyr- 
 cestre says, that he paid the new King 3000 marks 
 "pro pace sua. habenda." This expression may 
 admit of two meanings — either that it was an 
 acquitance in the Exchequer for the merchants' 
 general contribution, which as Mayor he was 
 
 * Thomas Young, Sergeant at law, Recorder, and after- 
 wards a puisne Judge of the King's Bench. He proposed 
 the regency of the Duke of York in Parliament. William 
 Wyrcestre in his Annales Rerum Anglicarum printed in 
 Hearne's Lih. Niger, p. 475.—" 1449. Hoc anno, in codcm 
 parliamento, T. Yonge, Bristol' apprentices in lege, movit 
 quod quia Rex adhuc non habere prolem, quod esset secu- 
 ritas regno, ut aperte constaret quis esset haercs apparens ? 
 Et nominavit Ducern Eboraci. Qua dc causa, idem Thomas 
 fuit postea commissus turri Londoniae."
 
 188 
 
 bound to receive ; or, that it was a fine imposed 
 upon himself for his former attachment to the 
 House of Lancaster.* He was included in the 
 commission which condemned the brave Sir Bald- 
 win Fulford (the SirCharles JBawdinoi Chatterton), 
 which must have been to him a most painful duty. 
 Bristol owes to him, the procuring from the King, 
 a confirmation of former charters, and grants of 
 farther liberties, which may have been partly pur- 
 chased by the 3000 marks above mentioned. His 
 prudent and beneficial conduct in the execution of 
 his municipal offices appears on record.')" 
 
 Of the merchants who nearly equalled him in 
 wealth and influence, who bore the same part in 
 the government of the town, and who, from the 
 practice of monopolies, then prevalent, were en- 
 gaged in most lucrative commerce, much genuine 
 information is afforded by an examination of their 
 wills. From these we learn satisfactorily, if not 
 the extent of their wealth, the progress of domestic 
 convenience by the introduction of many articles, 
 at an earlier period than we had assigned to them ; 
 numerous utensils of silver, embossed plates and 
 bowls, embroidered beds, apparel of rich materials 
 with the most costly furs, are severally described as 
 subjects of testamentary bequests. We must not 
 then suppose, that such refinements were totally 
 
 * Stoive, p. 416. The Commissioners appointed for this 
 trial were Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex, Sir William 
 Hastyngs, Knt., Richard Choke, a judge, and William 
 Canynges, Mayor. 
 
 f Bristol Charters, 1 Edw. 4. 1461, No. 21, Seyer's 
 Edition.
 
 189 
 
 strange to the rich man of the middle centuries ; 
 or that we now possess luxury unknown before. 
 We have varied the mode only, not the effect. 
 
 If Canynges possessed the highest rank, in point 
 of wealth and civil importance, at the zenith of his 
 prosperity ; others there were, whose opulence and 
 mercantile concerns, were scarcely inferior to his 
 own.* The names of Young, Frampton, Derby, 
 Spelly, Shipward and Strange, and especially 
 Sturmye, not unfrequently occur in the magisterial 
 lists of that time. Of the last mentioned, Wyrces- 
 tre reports his remarkable hospitality. " He built 
 the cloth hall, and a large dwelling-house near it, 
 in which this venerable merchant kept an ample 
 and open table, as well for foreigners, as other 
 gentlemen." 
 
 In the wills of these persons, which are still to 
 be inspected, we perceive the nature and descrip- 
 tion of their wealth, with the apparel, armour, 
 plate and furniture, then most valued, and the par- 
 ticular employment of their ships. In these too, 
 are described certain domestic customs, and the 
 internal arrangement of their dwelling houses ; and 
 moreover, injunctions are recited against second 
 marriages,! avowed or secret, which are to be 
 punished with a degree of severity, accordant with 
 the ri°id maxims of those times. 
 
 * The wills of several individuals of these families are 
 preserved in the Corporation Archives, all of which give 
 evidence of their ample wealth. 
 
 f Wills of Walter Derby 1385, and of Walter Frampton 
 
 1388.
 
 190 
 
 Their costly bequests of vestments and missals* 
 to churches and chantries, with the multitudinous 
 attendants of priests and servants at their funeral 
 obsequies, were provided for, by a very large 
 expenditure, and an ample distribution to the poor. 
 As being aware that several sumptuary laws were 
 then in effect, we are surprised to find such hoards 
 of magnificent apparel, specially divided among 
 children and friends. Although Canynges' church 
 of Redcliff so far exceeded any other in Bristol, 
 yet it had not the priority, for Derby and Framp- 
 ton, in their lifetime also, had erected the churches 
 of St. Werburgand St. John. 
 
 The trade of importing wine from Gasconv and 
 Spain, was conducted in a peculiar manner ; and 
 was then engrossed by one or two of the merchants 
 above mentioned. Their ships were furnished 
 with casks of very great measure and guarded with 
 vast hoops of iron, and were indeed a part of the 
 ship itself. These are distinctly enumerated in 
 their wills, in barbarous latin, "Item, lego viginti 
 pipas-gardae," meaning pipes bound with iron. 
 There was likewise a fraternity of wine-halliers 
 and porters, to whom large sums were given at their 
 masters' funeral dole. 
 
 About this period, and indeed earlier, the mer- 
 
 * The bequests of vestments and missals are most remark- 
 able and extensive in the wills of John Shipward 1473, to 
 St. Stephen's church, and of W. Canynges 1474, to Redcliff. 
 In the same year " William Coder " lego omnes meos 
 libros Latinales Johanni Coder, consanguineo meo in cus- 
 todia sua, necnon omnes meos libros latinales existentes in 
 cista infra domum meam, cum dicta cista."
 
 191 
 
 chants were spaciously, it* not splendidly lodged. 
 Wyrcestre speaks of several of these large man- 
 sions. Olyver, the Recorder, had built one, oppo- 
 site to St. Peter's church, and Norton another 
 behind it. Vyel and Bagod had rebuilt and 
 enlarged towers in the Town-wall, and added 
 dwelling-houses to them. In Small-street, there 
 still remains a front of handsome architecture 
 towards a court. We may well imagine, that the 
 subject of this memoir would feel a similar ambi- 
 tion of exhibiting his wealth. Accordingly, we 
 are informed, that one of superior dimensions and 
 certain architectural beauty, was erected by him, 
 above the river Avon, and fronting the street, to 
 which it extended. It presented the form of a 
 tower. Our topographer describes it as " mansio 
 pulcherrima," having four bay windows with cham- 
 bers built " ornatissimo modo" — in the best style 
 of architecture. The dimensions were twenty 
 yards by sixteen. This part of the edifice can be 
 marked out no longer, with any satisfaction ; but 
 the hall with its finely carved roof still remains, 
 though its interior has been materially changed by 
 subsequent alterations ; as it appears to have been 
 used as an oratory or chapel, probably for the 
 Catholic service. Of this mansion-house Canynges 
 himself bears testimony. In his will he bequeaths 
 it, with other tenements, to Elizabeth, the widow 
 of his son William.* Upon her second marriage 
 with John Depeden, Esq., J. Twinyhow, the 
 Recorder, was her trustee, who released to them 
 
 * From Deeds in Mr. Cumberland's possession. 
 
 p
 
 192 
 
 fifty-five messuages, sixteen gardens, &c, in Bristol 
 for her life, with remainder to Thomas her son, one 
 of which was the house " in quo W. C. Mercator 
 dudum inhabitavit.* In 1484, Thomas Canynges 
 sold it ; and in 1500 it was the residence of Tho- 
 mas Brooke, the father of John Brooke, whose 
 tomb, inlaid with brass figures, is seen in RedclifT 
 church. It was then called " Canynge's place." 
 These notices, if of any other house, might not be 
 required here. 
 
 JNo other of his contemporary merchants pos- 
 sessed so large a rental of messuages, gardens and 
 orchards, within the walls, as William Canynges. 
 In point of number, if those which he inherited 
 from his ancestors or had himself acquired were 
 accurately reckoned up, from the several deeds 
 and wills they would amount to scarcely less than 
 one hundred. This great property is the more 
 remarkable, because many others were possessed 
 by ecclesiastics, as chantry priests. There were 
 fifteen convents, who were possessed severally of 
 houses in Bristol, and some were part of the Royal 
 demesnes. In order to communicate some idea of 
 the nature of the great property above recited, I 
 will venture upon a description. 
 
 An ancient tenement or house, during the mid- 
 dle centuries as inhabited by the " Burgesses of 
 Bristow" was thus constructed. The souterrain 
 was a very large cellar {cellarium) , for the reception 
 of large and heavy articles of merchandise, with a 
 groined and ribbed roof of stone, or else covered 
 
 * From Deeds in Mr. Cumberland's possession.
 
 J 93 
 
 with beams of timber extending under the street, 
 and divided by arches and pillars ; but these were 
 less frequent. They are said to have amounted to 
 169 within the walls. 
 
 The ground floor was partitioned into narrow 
 shops {sliopce), three or four under the same roof, 
 with stalls or bulk heads, and open to the street. 
 They served for the daily traffic ; and in the mer- 
 chants' houses, a hall {Aula) was built behind them, 
 having a high-arched roof of timber-frame. The 
 first floor contained the habitable house {Camera), 
 bedroom, parlour (Parlatorium), and the kitchen 
 (Coqui?m), all of which are recited in deeds and 
 wills. And lastly garrets {Solaria), which had two 
 projecting stories under the roof. 
 
 Uniformity of plan pervaded the more spacious 
 mansions. They were, in general, constructed of 
 oak or chesnut timber frame, with projecting 
 brackets grotesquely carved at the ends, as were 
 the door-cases. Bay windows were attached to 
 each story, and even the intermediate wall was 
 filled with glass. So essential was the comfort of 
 light and air to this dense habitation to those 
 
 " Long in populous cities pent." 
 Modern improvement has laid most of these low, 
 and without remains. 
 
 The unconscious simplicity by which in these 
 personal documents the manners and opinions of 
 contemporary individuals are discovered, present to 
 us a natural picture, which conjectural delineation 
 cannot imitate. Imagination from the stores of 
 information already accumulated in the mind, and 
 the impulse of a feeling congenial with antiquarian
 
 194 
 
 pursuits may describe, happily, scenes and manners 
 as they appeared to have subsisted, during any of 
 the periods, which are called the " Middle Ages." 
 But let us not undervalue genuine notices of men 
 and things, transmitted to us by those who were 
 witnesses conversant with minute transactions pe- 
 culiar to their age, as they were really seen with 
 their own eyes, and which when they noted them 
 down, they were heedless should ever have reached 
 the present day. Shall we not prefer the rude, and 
 sometimes confused, sketches of William Wyrces- 
 tre, as lovers of genuine topography, to the vague 
 traditions which are perpetuated by indiscrimi- 
 nating antiquaries ? Shall we allow his occasional 
 discrepancies to invalidate his whole authority? 
 
 Of Canynge's own family I shall now subjoin 
 a brief account, with respect to his immediate 
 descendants. It appears that he married early in 
 life ; but the surname of his wife is not known. 
 There is a curious tradition concerning her, which 
 I shall notice. She died about 1460, when the 
 monument with effigies was placed in Redcliff 
 church by her husband, as a memorial of her, and 
 of himself. Their children were William and John, 
 both of whom deceased before their father. No 
 mention occurs of any daughter, William married 
 Isabel or Elizabeth,* daughter and heir of John 
 Vowel, Esquire, of Wells. She had a large join- 
 ture from her inherited property and from the set- 
 tlement and bequest of her father-in-law, having 
 remarried John Depeden, Esquire, of Bristol, by 
 
 * From Deeds in Mr. Cumberland's possession.
 
 195 
 
 whom she left no issue. By her first husband she 
 had two sons, Thomas and William, and one 
 daughter Agnes. Of Thomas I have discovered 
 no farther than that he was of age in 1484, if not 
 earlier, when he sold " Canynge's Place." This 
 alienation was disputed in Chancery, by William 
 Spenser, the Executor, and the Chantry priests of 
 Redcliff, but confirmed. No mention is made 
 of this elder son in William Canynge's will, and 
 most probably because he inherited the estate of 
 his mother, at Wells. The other son William and 
 the daughter Agnes both died minors ; a fact cer- 
 tainly Known, by the lapse of the Bristol property, 
 which had been devised to them and their heirs, 
 into the hands of William Spenser the Mayor, the 
 Corporation, and the Chantry priests of Red- 
 cliff. John, the other son of W. Canynges, left a 
 widow, but no children. Both these widows were 
 endowed in his will. 
 
 Thus, we may attribute to a probable and 
 rational cause, the resolution which he took of 
 abandoning the cares of a busy mercantile life, of 
 which the chief consolation and support had failed 
 him, by the premature death of his two sons. 
 
 From his earliest youth, he was deeply imbued 
 with religious feeling, and was a faithful and zeal- 
 ous follower of the church of Rome, which was 
 then prevalent in this country. His friend and 
 confessor from his earliest youth was John Car- 
 penter, born at Westbury upon Trim, and who 
 eventually became bishop of Worcester ; and these 
 impressions were fostered by him. He, it was, 
 who probably suggested the rebuilding of Redcliff
 
 196 
 
 church, upon so grand a scale, for he was a known 
 patron of ecclesiastical architecture. He greatly 
 contributed, if he were not the designer of St. 
 Mary's church at Oxford ; where his statue is seen 
 in one of the niches of the tower; and he rebuilt 
 the College at Westbury upon Trim. 
 
 Canynges gave certain demonstration of his 
 piety. In 1465, he became a benefactor to the 
 Franciscan Friars, for his name with that of others 
 to be inserted in a yearly mass, paying them " a 
 quarter of an ox value forty pence— of a sheep 
 value sixteen pence, and forty pence in parva 
 pecunia, in small change, to be distributed among 
 the poor, in bread and beer."* 
 
 In 1467, he gave to repair the tenements, then 
 dilapidated, which belonged to two chantries in 
 RedclirT church, heretofore founded by Everard 
 Le Franceys ; and to found another to be called 
 " W. Canynges' priest," the sum of £340 by a deed 
 in Mr. Cumberland's collection ;t and not £500 
 as misstated. In the next year, he obtained from 
 King Edward 4th a patent to establish two priests, 
 for a daily mass before the altar of St. George, 
 with a salary of nine marks, and a chamber for 
 each. He had previously erected a building to 
 receive all these, near the churchyard.| Wyrcestre 
 speaks of this edifice, as having bay windows, 
 probably on the plan of those built for the Vicar's 
 choral of Wells, by Bishop Beckington, about the 
 same time. 
 
 * Original deeds, 
 f Original deeds. 
 J Itin. W. Wyrcestre, p. 84.
 
 197 
 
 But Canynges' munificent mind, under holy 
 influences, meditated the consummation of a work, 
 which should ensure the respect of ages. The 
 most ostensible piety at that period was the 
 enhancing the grandeur and beauty of the House 
 of God. 
 
 The parochial church of St. Mary Redcliff has 
 been justly considered as the wonder of western 
 England. Its great space, its accurate dimensions, 
 and its elaborate architecture, have, upon fair com- 
 parison, intitled it to that singular praise. A cir- 
 cumstance, which has much enhanced this admi- 
 ration has been the report that it sprang from the 
 munificence and perseverance of one benefactor. 
 Let this fact be examined by adducing the best 
 evidence, and that claim may be made subject to 
 certain abatement. If to investigate truth be, in 
 some instances, to lessen traditional fame which 
 has descended to our times, without examination, 
 the present age is become more interested in dis- 
 covering realities ; and in detaching such errours 
 from seeming authorities, which have never been 
 submitted to the test of historic proof. 
 
 It has not been recollected by all, that there 
 have been three distinct structures dedicated to 
 St. Mary, erected in successive centuries, upon 
 the sacred spot, from its elevation above the Avon, 
 and the colour of the soil, denominated "The 
 Red Cliff." The first chapel was not built before 
 the reign of Henry 3d. It was founded by contri- 
 bution, oblations for indulgences, and legacies of 
 those who had newly inhabited HedclifT-street, as 
 the feudal tenants of the Lords Berkeley, in right
 
 198 
 
 of their great manor of Bedminster. " The men 
 of Red Clive" as they were then called, were of 
 considerable opulence, for they contributed 1000 
 marks to King John in 1210, a sum equal to that 
 paid by the whole town of Bristol. Robert, the 
 second Baron Berkeley of that name, gave by deed 
 a spring for the supply of a fountain, to the church, 
 in 1232; and of the same date, is an indulgence 
 for thirty days from John Bishop of Limerick, to 
 all who should give to the carrying on of that 
 building.* Several similar documents occur among 
 those in Mr. Cumberland's possession. Other 
 Bishops in Ireland had made like concessions of 
 pardon, for that purpose. About the same period, 
 a very considerable trade and intercourse subsisted 
 between Bristol and Dublin, with other ports upon 
 that coast, the seigniory of which had been con- 
 ferred upon the first mentioned town, by a charter 
 of Henry the Second. No proof is known, that 
 this first structure was more than a small chapel, 
 and it has been asserted in errour, that it was iden- 
 tified with the chapel dedicated to the Holy Ghost, 
 called, in vernacular language, " St. Sprites." 
 
 As wealth increased, and piety became more 
 influential over property, the merchants of Redcliff 
 determined to re-edify their church, or at least to 
 extend it, upon a large scale. A very opulent 
 family, called probably from their origin Le Franshe 
 and Fraunceys, and those of De Burton and De la 
 Riviere were the chief merchants who inhabited 
 
 * Licence from David Kelly, Archbishop of Cashel, 1238, 
 and from John Bishop of Limerick, 1232. Cumberland 
 MSS.
 
 199 
 
 Redcliff-street, at the commencement of the four- 
 teenth century. These families collectively, were 
 the early benefactors ; who were enumerated in 
 the bede -rolls of three several chantries, founded 
 by them in this second church. Nothing that I 
 have hitherto seen tends to evidence that Simon 
 de Burton was the sole founder of the original, 
 church, if he then lived ; for the date of his may- 
 oralty is at least sixty years subsequently to it. 
 But the building of the second has been attributed 
 in some scattered MSS. to William Canynges, the 
 elder. Now, I have proved by his will and like- 
 wise that of his son John, that they were both, at 
 that period, manufacturers and cloth-merchants in 
 Touker-street ; and that they then possessed a 
 small tenement only in RedclirT; whilst Fraunceys, 
 Burton, De la Riviere, and Young possessed it 
 almost entirely. They had founded chantries in 
 the new edifice, and the tomb of Everard le 
 Franshe is still seen there ; but William Canynges 
 leaves only twenty shillings as a customary dole to 
 the vicar. Is it probable that if lie had built the 
 church, he would have so poorly remunerated its 
 minister? 
 
 According to this view, which is confirmed by 
 several existing documents, the following is the 
 true arrangement of the dates of the erection of 
 the two first churches. 
 
 The earliest notice that the first church was in 
 progress of building has been already specified. 
 It is more probable, that it had been found too 
 small, from the great increase of inhabitants in that 
 quarter, than that it should have required a recon-
 
 200 
 
 struction from decay. I consider that the square 
 or interior of the great north porch is a part, and 
 perhaps the only remaining part of it. Decisive 
 evidence fixes the commencement of the second 
 church to the last ten years of the fourteenth 
 century. Its progress was necessarily slow, not 
 only from the magnitude of the work, especially 
 of the tower and spire, but also from the gradual 
 supply of funds sufficiently ample to conduct such 
 an undertaking to its final close. That event had 
 certainly taken place in 1446, when by a tremen- 
 dous tempest the spire was precipitated upon the 
 nave and south aisle, and entirely overwhelmed 
 them. The Choir and Transepts received only a 
 partial and reparable injury. Nor can it be sup- 
 posed that the roofs of parts distant from the 
 Tower at the west end, could have suffered demo- 
 lition. Armorial bearings of Stafford, Berkeley, 
 Beauchamp, and Montacute, still carved in the 
 groined roof of stone, in the north transept, afford 
 no inconsiderable proof of the contrary. But the 
 style of architecture leaves no reasonable doubt, 
 if compared with that of the nave, after it had 
 been rebuilt. 
 
 The exangular Porch has equal singularity and 
 beauty of construction, and I do not recollect its 
 parallel in England, if the west door of Litchfield 
 cathedral be not one ; but the style prevailed in 
 Normandy, at Rouen, in the porches of the Cathe- 
 dral and that of St. Maclou, with strong analogy 
 at least ; and about the period of its erection. 
 This remark applies no less to the porch of the 
 western front. Of these, the remarkable feature
 
 201 
 
 is the ogee arch, and mouldings richly filled with 
 matted foliage, consisting of leaves and flowers ; 
 the middle one having a tracery of conjoined 
 lozenges, which inclose small sculptures. The 
 tall external niches, now mostly vacant, contained 
 effigies, said to have been of royal personages. 
 
 The ornament of sunk quaterfoils in the frames 
 of the windows of the Choir or Chancel, exactly 
 resemble those of Litchfield cathedral, which are 
 there placed upon the jambs only, in the four- 
 teenth century. It is of rare occurrence ; while 
 the sharp angular heads of those in the chapel 
 beyoiid, are not earlier than 1450. The Oratories 
 in RedclifF church were built to receive perpetual 
 chantries. There were likewise four altars, two 
 dedicated to St. Blase and St. Nicholas, and two 
 more to St. Katherine and St. George, with their 
 attendant priests, whose office was to offer orisons 
 for the dead and the living by name. To mention 
 these in detail, may appear to be irrelevant, be- 
 cause the public have long since forgotten to 
 respect them; and the property by which they 
 were sustained, has passed to more beneficial pur- 
 poses. But in a philosophical view, such motives 
 and opinions are not deprived of their just value, 
 because they were in fact created and indelibly 
 fixed in the mind, by the predominant circum- 
 stances of those early times. Historical accuracy 
 will now give to them a certain degree of impor- 
 tance. From its very favourable site, the tower 
 acquires a commanding elevation, greater than 
 might have been expected from its massiveness — 
 the internal diameter being 24 feet by 22, and the
 
 202 
 
 walls seven feet thick — the height, independently 
 of the fractured spire, 120 feet. All its parts and 
 ornamental details are large and majestic. For 
 the present singular termination of the spire, 
 modern improvers are not accountable, for it was 
 certainly the work of Canynges' architect, and pro- 
 bably the last ; for it appears to have been only an 
 expedient.* It was then called the " corona" or 
 " garlond," a termination not unusual on the conti- 
 nent. To those who are interested in the history 
 of bells, it may be curious information, to know 
 that no tower in England contained a peal so 
 heavy and sonorous, neither at that time, nor 
 since. Wyrcestre has particularised them.f They 
 were six only, of which the heaviest was seven 
 thousand and twenty-four pounds avoirdupoise, 
 and the least, thirteen hundred. The great bell at 
 Gloucester, which is still heard, is twenty-four 
 pounds lighter, and comparison affords a sure test. 
 I may presume to hazard the patience of the 
 audience by condensing the minute statement, 
 which respects the subordinate parts of this mag- 
 nificent pile, as it is given by William Wyrcestre, 
 not upon his own authority, but specifically from 
 the information of Norton, the master mason,| 
 perhaps the architect, employed in these great 
 works ; and such an authority must plead for its 
 introduction with the amateurs of what has been 
 called Gothic architecture now present. Certain 
 
 * W. W. p. 105. "et latitudo de la garlond xi. pedes." 
 f W. W. p. 133. 
 
 X W. W. p. 133, " per relationem — Norton Magister 
 (Master Mason), ecclesiae de RedclifF."
 
 203 
 
 it is, that the few extracts hitherto made from it 
 have been garbled and partially misunderstood. 
 
 With respect to the exterior, he has the follow- 
 ing observations : — * " The parish church of St. 
 Mary Redcliff is situate upon a high hill, built like 
 a cathedral, with a large square tower containing 
 bells of very great weight. The diameter of the 
 bell-tower, with its vaulted ceiling, newly made, 
 is twenty-four feet from east to west, and twenty- 
 three from north to south. The base of the square 
 upon which the spire was placed, consists of eight 
 pannels ; and the first part of it is composed of 
 cemented stones of two feet in thickness, and is so 
 continued lessening to a certain height, and from 
 thence there are four sconces issuing from the 
 angles as a bond of the spire. This spire, not long 
 since, stood one hundred feet high. The eleva- 
 tion of the tower is one hundred and twenty feet, 
 to the springing of the spire, and with it, now 
 broken, reaches to two hundred feet, the whole 
 being three hundred from the lowest foundation, 
 and the platform of the fragmented part is sixteen 
 feet across, and eleven within the ' garlond ' or 
 balustrade. Every stone at the base of the spire, 
 is two feet in thickness ; but on its present summit 
 only eight inches. The walls immediately above 
 the foundation are seven feet thick. There are 
 sixteen large buttresses, beside those of the tower, 
 on the north ; and twenty-five on the south ; some 
 of which are two yards lower than the parapet. 
 The whole external length is two hundred and 
 thirty-one feet. 
 
 * W. W., 157, 158.
 
 204 
 
 " The circumference of the chapel of St. Mary, in 
 the great porch, with the images of kings, curiously 
 sculptured in freestone, together with the door- 
 case, skilfully wrought, is forty-four yards. The 
 dimension of the western door, which is most 
 artificially finished in freemason's work, is seven 
 feet and nine to the centre." Norton's description 
 of every particle which composes it, is then 
 minutely given, in terms of masonry, then in com- 
 mon usage, and still to be explained. A more 
 scientific detail of any other church is not found. 
 He is not less circumstantial as to the interior 
 elevation of the fabrick.* 
 
 "The length of the South porch is seven yards, 
 and the breadth four and a half. That of the 
 three aisles (meaning the nave and aisles) is four- 
 teen yards, and the intercolumniation of each ten 
 feet. In the transept, there are eight arches from 
 north to south. In every window of the Cleres- 
 tory, each of which is five feet broad, there are 
 five glazed divisions, and in the windows at each 
 end three. The principal pillar of the four, which 
 support the tower, at the west end of the nave, 
 has one hundred and three " bowtels ' : (that is, 
 perpendicular mouldings), which surround the 
 shafts, and the circumference of each pillar is six 
 yards, whilst that of the others is four only. The 
 height of the arched vault which covers the whole 
 fabrick, the nave, two aisles, and transept, is eighty 
 steps, computing the number of those which go to 
 the roof of timber frame and lead ; as a plumber 
 told me on the eighth of September, 1480, each 
 
 * Norton's statement condensed and translated, pp. 158, &c.
 
 205 
 
 step containing eight inches at least, so that the 
 whole height of the vault to its centre, is fifty-three 
 feet four inches, and the length of I he nave with 
 the choir, one hundred and thirteen paces (about 
 twenty inches each); of the transept sixty-seven 
 paces ; and of our Lady's chapel sixteen yards. 
 The width of the transept, including the space 
 between the nave and choir, is thirty-six yards, 
 and the total length is sixty-seven." 
 
 Will any professional architect, or amateur of 
 architecture, take these measurements in his hand, 
 and compare them with an edifice, which remains 
 the baiue from Wyrcestre's time, and will he dis- 
 cover discrepancies, which ought fairly speaking, 
 to invalidate the whole scale ? I assert, with diffi- 
 dence, that such will not be the result. Because 
 my old and venerated topographer had amused 
 himself after the turmoils of a busy life, in which 
 he was engaged, and which was spent in many 
 important transactions, during the reigns both of 
 the fifth and sixth Henry, and has left a mass of 
 notices respecting his native and beloved town, 
 with repetition and uncertainty, indeed, in some 
 instances, when correction was interrupted by the 
 lassitude of age, or the hand of death. Shall we 
 repudiate with the fastidiousness of modern ad- 
 vancement in knowledge, as useless and unworthy 
 of acceptation, simple descriptions; and prefer 
 unauthorised tradition or conjecture merely for 
 that they have been reiterated ? 
 
 The prevailing style is that which lias been 
 denominated by !VIr.Rickman,with geometrical pro- 
 priety, the " Perpendicular," because the mould-
 
 206 
 
 ings, and the panelling by which the additions or 
 restorations made by Canynges are pervaded, 
 have universally an upright direction. 
 
 It has been allowed, by those who are most 
 extensively informed on the subject of the archi- 
 tecture of the middle ages, that this church 
 displays one of the most spacious and complete 
 examples of the later style. Other large parochial 
 churches of the same sera, as at Coventry and St. 
 Edmundsbury, offer not an equal competition. 
 Had these been strictly copied by the architects 
 of the numerous churches, lately erected at the 
 national expense, instead of their having adopted 
 parts, perfect in themselves, but capriciously 
 assorted and combined, we should not so often 
 see " Gothic in masquerade." 
 
 Two circumstances of privation have contributed 
 to an extent almost destructive of the original and 
 nearly supernatural effect of a Gothic church. 
 They are the total occupation of the floor by 
 pews, which present unconquerable obstructions ; 
 and the substitution of raw glass in the windows, 
 for the holy glow of prismatical colours. What is 
 now left to exalt the imagination, and to feed the 
 fervour of religious feeling, heightened, as it then 
 was, by perceptible objects ? It is the admirable 
 skill of the architect— the commanding symmetry 
 or the vast mass of a structure raised by human 
 labour, and perfected by the ingenuity of man. 
 That surely remains to astonish modern eyes, 
 although the illusion be departed, never to return 
 by any imitation of those stupendous efforts of 
 labour and of skill.
 
 207 
 
 All who entertain a genuine love of investigation, 
 will regret tliat any sufficient evidence of the expense 
 incurred in this building, or to whom the archi- 
 tecture of so remarkable a church is decidedly 
 due, has eluded no careless research. The re- 
 storer himself, in the time spent of pious humility, 
 never alludes to this sumptuous work in his will, 
 or in any document that I have seen, that only 
 excepted respecting the monument which he 
 erected for himself and wife, soon after her death, 
 " in loco quam construi et feci in parte australi 
 ejusdem ecclesiae," meaning the southern transept. 
 
 Nc ton, whose Christian name is not specified, 
 was the master mason, and in most instances that 
 term was synonimous with architect. If anywhere, 
 the "computus," or roll of expenses, for the current 
 year, was deposited in that mysterious chest, 
 " Cista Wilhelmi Canynges," so recognised and pre- 
 served in the muniment room of Redcliff church, 
 but which, with several others, has been utterly 
 despoiled.* Wyrcestre seems to fix the time 
 occupied in building to eight years ; and states 
 that one hundred artificers were employed daily, 
 which is extremely probable.f Analogy is the 
 only scale by which any judgment can be formed 
 as to the actual cost. In the same century, King 
 Henry 6th had allotted rents of £1000 a year to 
 
 * Such strong chests did not contain deeds and writings 
 only, but a stock of money, several of which still remain 
 in the more ancient Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge. 
 
 t W. W. p. 114. " Exhibuit per octo annos, 800 homines 
 in navibus occupatos; et habuit operarios et carpentarios, 
 masons, &c, omni die, 100 homines." 
 
 Q
 
 208 
 
 build King's College Chapel at Cambridge. Ed- 
 ward 4th allowed more for Windsor Chapel, and 
 Henry 7th at Westminster expended £14,000. We 
 cannot estimate Redcliff church at less than these ; 
 and if this computation be just, £40,000 of the 
 present value of money would scarcely complete it. 
 
 In 1468, having completed his original intention, 
 urged, as I have before suggested, by Bishop Car- 
 penter the loss of both his sons, and the conside- 
 ration that minors only would inherit his wealth 
 at a distant period, he resolved to dedicate the 
 remnant of his days to the service of God and the 
 church. He was ordained Accolyte Sept. 19, 
 1467; Deacon and Priest April 16, 1468; and 
 was then appointed the first Dean of the Benedic- 
 tine College of Westbury, then newly modelled by 
 his friend. In this retreat he passed the last six 
 years of his life. He had procured, according to 
 a practice then not unusual, his effigy as a priest, 
 to be carved and placed as a monument in the 
 chapel there, and with a remarkable figure at his 
 feet of an old man, apparently in an agony, em- 
 bodying a metaphysical idea of putting off the old 
 man, from his having abandoned his lay character. 
 This was intended as a daily incitement of his 
 piety. When Westbury college was burned down 
 by Prince Rupert's army in 1643, to prevent the 
 Parliament's army from taking possession of it, 
 upon their surrender of Bristol, this monument 
 was saved, and is now in Redcliff church. 
 
 Canynges' will* bears date Nov. 12, 1474, at 
 
 * Canynges's will, dated Nov. 12, 1474, is extant in the 
 Register Office, Doctors Commons, London. " Regist. 
 Wattis quatern." 18, Fol. 125.
 
 it 
 
 - 
 j 
 
 g 
 
 
 5» 
 
 if & 
 
 5 
 
 1
 
 209 
 
 Westbury, and he died early in the next year, aged 
 conjecturally 74 years. His funeral was conducted 
 to his place of sepulture in Redcliff church, accom- 
 panied by a large concourse of ecclesiastics, parti- 
 cularly of the mendicant orders, within the town, 
 to whom he had bequeathed legacies of an amount 
 very unusual in those days. 
 
 Useless as the endeavour might be to discover the 
 origin of two silly traditions respecting Canynges, it 
 may gratify our love of truth to controvert them. 
 One is, that he was commanded by Edward 4th to 
 marry some lady of the court, and that he became 
 a priest in order to avoid so incongruous a con- 
 nection at his advanced period of life.* The 
 other, which seems more worthy notice, is, that 
 his wife had unfairly possessed herself of the 
 grand secret of the Elixir of life, and that such was 
 the real source of her husband's wonderful wealth. 
 Some amusement may result from examining the 
 latter of these extraordinary assertions, at least by 
 allowable conjecture. 
 
 Whilst the mind of man remained in willing 
 slavery to superstition, as to what regards a future 
 state, it was prepared for the reception of such a 
 fallacy as the philosopher's stone, or the transmu- 
 tation of metals, which had been assumed by 
 certain alchymists as the means of procuring in 
 this life longevity without decay of health, and 
 
 * This lady might have been Katherine, the natural 
 daughter of Anthony Wydeville, Earl Rivers, brother of the 
 Queen, then so young as to render this tradition improbable. 
 She was afterwards married to Sir Robert Poyntz, Knt.
 
 210 
 
 riches without limit or exhaustion. So fascina- 
 ting' was this expectation, that even the wise and 
 potent King Edward 3d became a memorable 
 dupe to the specious promises of Raymond Lully ; 
 and the weak Henry 6th granted patents to alchy- 
 mists, who were to supply him with money to pay 
 his army.* 
 
 Thomas Norton,! a native priest of Bristol, pre- 
 tended to possess this invaluable secret, and be- 
 came renowned for his skill in the occult science. 
 But Pitts, his biographer, says, that having deceived 
 many, he became at last a dupe himself, and died 
 neglected and poor. After Canynges' death he com- 
 piled (1477) a didactic poem, called "The Ordi- 
 nal," which was first printed in Ashmole's " Thea- 
 trum Chymicum," published in 1652. He thus 
 speaks of himself — 
 
 " Thomas Norton, of Brisetowe, 
 
 A perfect master ye may him trowe." 
 
 * Rymer's Foed. v. 4, p. 384. The King (Edward 3d), 
 understanding that John Rous and master W. of Dalby, 
 made silver, &c., ordered them to bring their instruments 
 before him. Rymer's Foed. Rot Pat. 42. Hen. 6th. 
 "Johanni Coble quod per artem Philosophiae posset 
 metalla imperfecta de proprio suo genere transferre et ea 
 in aurum sive argentum transubstantiare." Similar patents 
 had been granted 34 and 35 of his reign. 
 
 f Norton is styled by Bale " Alchymista sui temporis 
 peritissimus." He finished his MS. in 1477? and says at the 
 conclusion that he began to compile it when 28 years 
 old— 
 
 " To the intent that men may beware thereby, 
 And for no other cause truly." 
 
 The title was " Crede mihi, seu-Ordinale."
 
 211 
 
 " I made the elixir of lyfe, 
 
 Which me berefte a merchant's wyfe j 
 The Quintessence I made also, 
 With other secrets, many moe, 
 Which sinful people took me fro." 
 
 Ashmole, in a note, asserts that this merchant 
 was Canynges, but offers not even the authority of 
 tradition, much less of proof.* 
 
 It was necessary to quote these wretched rhymes, 
 to shew what is the description of poets who 
 flourished in this place, at the very same time with 
 the imaginary Rowley. Who can discover any simi- 
 larity in these effusions to the sublime " Song to 
 .Ella?" 
 
 Norton was a charlatan, who, according to his 
 own account, did not keep his secret like others, 
 but was imprudently communicative, if indeed he 
 had anything to discover. 
 
 The names of Canynges and Rowley have been 
 of late so nearly associated in a popular fiction, 
 that even in this slight essay, that circumstance 
 cannot be entirely omitted without animadversion. 
 
 Thomas Chatterton, the real author of it, was a 
 meteor in the Bristol hemisphere, which flitted, for 
 a short moment, among its fixed stars. The pro- 
 digious precocity of his genius will not cease to 
 excite surprise and admiration, from the extreme 
 rarity of the occurrence — " ostendunt tantum fata" 
 — whilst the sad event of his life will awaken a 
 melancholy reflection of great talents, given indeed, 
 but applied to no purposes of utility to mankind. 
 
 * Sec likewise Fuller's Worthies, who ha? the same 
 story, with others as extraordinary.
 
 212 
 
 After this endeavour to offer a true portrait of 
 William Canynges, let us examine the travestied 
 character of him, as exhibited by Chatterton.* 
 
 He is described as a poet and an epigrammatist, 
 but the specimens given are certainly not happy. 
 He is not only a writer of prologues, but an actor 
 in a drama. Such freakish avocations but ill assort 
 with the position which Canynges held in society. 
 But these were the puerile inventions of this in- 
 considerate boy, who, even in the fabrication, 
 betrayed his intention by a total contempt of 
 verisimilitude, either in point of character or 
 circumstance. 
 
 The late T. Warton, whose opinion has been 
 now generally adopted, makes this observation, 
 which is consonant to his known talent of discri- 
 mination. " Criticism, the companion and the 
 assistant of truth, has endeavoured to replace those 
 laurels on his head which he tore from his brow 
 with his own hand."t 
 
 I now close these discussions, not without an 
 apprehension that they may have been carried to 
 too great a length — but, from old times, prolixity 
 has been the privilege of an antiquary. 
 
 ^♦Si- 
 April, 1831. 
 
 * Chatterton's Works, 3 vols. 8vo. Edited by Southey. 
 f Warton's Enquiry into the authenticity of the Poems 
 attributed to Thomas Rowley. 8vo. p. 109.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Abingdon, Henry, Musicas Regis, 149. 
 
 All Saints' Church, Chancel of, 39, and note, 114. 
 
 Anne's, St., Chapel, two miles from Bristol, 61, 62; 
 
 Wax Lights contributed to, 62 n., 63. 
 Augustine, Hermits of, 32, 81, and n. 
 Augustine's Church, 116, 137. 
 
 Bee, 37- 
 
 Abbey of, 130; Church, 131. 
 
 Measurement of, 119. 
 
 Sanctuary of, 45. 
 
 Avon River, Tides of, 73. 
 
 B 
 
 Baft-Street, 74. 
 
 Bagpath Mill, 58. 
 
 Bakke le, Bristolliae, 27; Chapel upon, 73, 96, 115; 
 
 upon Froome, 126. 
 Baldwyn-Street, 28, 29, 100. 
 Barres, Les, 95, 121, 122, 151. 
 Barstaple, John, 75, 76. 
 
 Arms and Pedigree of, 91. 
 
 Epitaph, 91. 
 
 Blind Gate, 76, 142. 
 
 Bartholomew, St., Hospital of, 74, 88; Chapel of, 151. 
 Bochery and Les Shambles, 30, 31, 124.
 
 Botoner, William, called Wyrcestre, Memoirs of, YJ ; Pedi- 
 gree and Arms of, 18 ; Family of, 164, 165, 156 ; Survey 
 of Bristol, 19 ; Topographical points from his Survey, 19, 
 20; Discrepancy of his Measurements explained, 21,22; 
 Catalogue of his MSS., 23 ; his Literary Character, 23 ; 
 of his various other Works, still extant, 25 ; his Itinerary 
 of Bristol, from Nasmith's Edition, elucidated by notes 
 and observations, 27 et sequent. 
 
 Brasyll, Coast of, discovered, 186. 
 
 Brooke, Lord Cobham, Arms of, 56 n. ; Sir John, Epitaph 
 on, 56 n. 
 
 Brekefauset Rock under Ghyston Cliff, 57- 
 
 Beggher's Well, 57, 122. 
 
 Bradstrete, 67, 97, 113. 
 
 Bridge, Avon, 32, 72, and n. 108; Chapel upon, St. Mary, 
 27,44,108, 109, 116, 120. 
 
 Brendane St. Hill, 46, and n. 107, 129; in Ireland, 107; 
 Chapel of, 129, 150. 
 
 Bridge, Bristowe, 27, 72 and n., 73 and n. 
 
 Bristow, Ancient Site of, 30 n. ; Castle of, 88. 
 
 Broad Mede, 29, 51, 53, 65, and n. 118. 
 
 Bristow le Key, triangular space upon, 38, 39, 46, 48, 96. 
 
 Boats or small Ships, called Cogs, 164. 
 
 Cabot Sebastian, Account of, 179, 180 and n. 
 
 Calendaries, College of, 34, and n., 35, and n., 64. ; Regis- 
 ters of, 119, 141. 
 
 Canynges' Family, Origin of and first Settlement in Bristol, 
 79, and n. 175, 194, 195. 
 
 Canynges, William, Ships of, 114, 115, 123; his Mansion 
 House, 145, 146; Arms and Merchant's Mark of, 114, 
 184; College of his Chaplains at Redcliffe, 64, 72, 84, 
 andn.; Personal History of, 175, 176, 177; his Opu- 
 lence, Causes of, 177 ; Commerce and Navigation, State 
 of in the Reign of Edward 3rd, 178 ; Statutes concerning, 
 179; one of the Commissioners for the Trial of Sir
 
 Baldwyn Fulford, 188 ; Patent to him for exclusive 
 Trade 1450, 183 ; List of his Ships, 184; his first Tomb 
 and Merchant's Mark, 184 ; Tonnage of his Ships and 
 Observations on, 185 ; his Fine to Edward 4th, nature of, 
 explained, 187 ; Names of Bristol Merchants contempo- 
 rary with Canynges, 189 ; Churches built by them before 
 St. Mary Redcliffe, 190 ; Chantries in the Church 196. 
 
 Canynges-Place, Account of, 192 ; his large Rental of 
 Houses in Bristol, 192; his own Family, 194, 195; his 
 Executor W. Spenser, 195. 
 
 Canynges' Chest in Redcliff Church, 20/ ; his Ordination 
 and Appointment as Dean of Westbury College, 208 ; 
 his second Monument brought from Westbury, 208 ; his 
 Death, Age, and Will, 208 ; Traditions concerning him, 
 refutation of, 209. 
 
 Chatterton, Thomas, Observation on his Talents and Cha- 
 racter, 211, 212. 
 
 Carfox, 124, and n. 
 
 Carmelites, Convent of, 36, 37; Spire of, 133, and n.; 
 Garden of, now the Red Lodge, 128. 
 
 Castle, Dungeon of, 148, and n. ; other parts, dimensions 
 of, 156, and n. ; Castle Street, now St. Peter's, 49, and n. 
 
 Castalett or Conduit house on the Quay, 33, 43, 48, 68, 
 and n. ; Leland's Account of, 69, 70, and n. 
 
 Castellum, Roman, upon Ghyston Cliff, 47. 
 
 Carpenter, Bishop, 195, 196. 
 
 Christchurch or Holy Trinity, 112. 
 
 Cooks' Shops, 34, and n., 51, and n. 
 
 Coking-rew, 161 n. 
 
 Cloth, Woollen, manufacture of, 79 n. 
 
 Convents, fifteen held property in Bristol, 192. 
 
 Chedder Family, Possessions of, in Bristol, 122, and n. 
 
 Churches of St. Giles and St. Lawrence destroyed, 117- 
 
 Corne Street, 36, 140. 
 
 Cole's MS. of William of Wyrcestre, 46, and n. 
 
 Crosses, Stallage, 31, and n. 49,79 ; in Baldwin Street, 42 ; 
 in the Old Market, 99; the High Cross, 34,50, 132,andn.;
 
 in the Castle Ditch, 94 ; on the Bridge near St. James's 
 
 Churchyard, 143. 
 Chokke, Arms and Pedigree of, 163 n. 
 Cumberland, Mr., his valuable Collection of Bristol 
 
 Deeds, 196. 
 
 D 
 
 Darby, Arms and Pedigree of, 75 n. 
 Defence lane, 60, and n.; Via Defensiva, 125. 
 Discovery, Voyage of, antecedent to Columbus, 186, 187. 
 Dominicans or Castle Friars, 51 ; Friars Minors, 80. 
 Durdam-down, Chapel upon, 78. 
 
 E 
 
 Erles Mede, 17, 58, 66, 128. 
 
 St. Ewen's Church, 96, 97, 113; Merchant Taylors' Gild, 
 in the Chapel of St. John Baptist, 141, and n. 
 
 Foro, St. Maria in, the City Mercate, 30, and n. 
 
 French Merchants established in Bristol, 178. 
 
 Frame- work Houses, 48 n. 
 
 Freestone, House of, rare, 48, and n. 49. 
 
 Frampton Arms and Pedigree of, 87, and n. 
 
 Francis, St., Friars of, or Grey Friars, 60; in Lewyn's 
 
 Mede, 125 ; Church of, 125, 195. 
 Frog lane, 39, 59, 131. 
 Froome River and Bridge, 29, 118; Gate, 70, 75; First 
 
 and Second, 116, 125. 
 Fountain or Conduit, built fromCanynges' Estate, 64, and n. 
 Fullonum Vicus, Touker's Street, 49, and note. 
 Fraunceys, Everard Le, 195. 
 
 G 
 
 Gate, Aylward's or Pithay, 50. 
 
 Gaunt's, the Church of, 45, 58. College of Bonhommes, 
 59 n. Garden of, 131.
 
 Genoese, Quarrels with, for Piracy, 181 ; punished by the 
 
 English Government, 182. 
 Giles, St., Church of, 137- 
 Giovanni and Sebastiano Gaboto, 179. 
 Ghyston Cliffe Hermitage, 150, 162; Roman Camp, 47 n. 
 
 54, 55, 56, 106, 107. 
 Guildhall, Chapel of St. George in, 126. 
 
 H 
 
 Haddon Tannery, 98 ; Epitaph, 98 n. 
 
 High Street, 74, 107 ; Hawthorn growing in, 153. 
 
 Hore Street, 37, 55 and n. 
 
 Hore, Le, Arms and Pedigree of, 53, 55. 
 
 Houses, large, in Wyrcestre's time, and their sites, 101, 
 
 and n. 
 House of Pownham, 65. 
 Houses, general plan of, 65, and n., 192, 193. 
 Houses, Mansion, 191. 
 
 I J 
 
 James, St., Church of, 29, 121. 
 
 Barton, Horrea, 86. 
 
 Bee, 186 ; Chapel in the Churchyard, 134, and n. 
 
 Jay, John, 152, and n. ; Epitaph, 152 n. 
 
 John, St., Baptist, Church of, 28 ; Dedication of 72 ; Gate 
 
 and Steeple, 74, 87 ; Crypt, 96, 98; Conduit, 126, 138. 
 Jews' Synagogue, Judaeorum Templum, 96, 137, and n. 
 
 K 
 
 King's Street, 65. 
 
 Knappe, Thomas, Arms, 89, and n. ; Chapel of, on Avon's 
 
 Bee, 89, 100,111, and n. ; Chaplains, 135, and n. j 
 
 Pedigree of, 135. 
 
 L 
 
 Llafford's Gate, 91 ; Hospital, 92. 
 
 Laylond, John, his Grammar School, 45. 
 
 Lane or Loude, Robert, 44, and n. 
 
 Leonard's, St., Church and Gate, 33, 40, 49, 50, 74, 139.
 
 Lawrence, St., Church, 138. 
 
 Leland, John, Itinerary of, quotation from., 41. 
 
 Llewellynsmede, 60. 
 
 Lye-Ashton 57- 
 
 Lymotes, Liberties of the Town, 129. 
 
 M 
 
 Maritime Discovery, 185, and n. 
 
 Market, Old, or viele, 92. 
 
 Mary, St., Magdalene, Nunnery of, 77, and n., 131, 151 ; 
 
 Hospital of, called Brightbow, 83, 84. 
 Marsh, The, 27; Avon Marsh, 99, 117 ; Marsh Street, 44, 
 
 and n. 
 Markyswilliam, Mac Williams, 93, and n. 
 Measurement of Streets and Lanes, 143. 
 Merchants of London and Bristol, Wealth of, 181 ; their 
 
 valuable Plate and Furniture bequeathed by their 
 
 Wills, 188. 
 Michael, St., Hill, 60, 129. 
 
 Church, 77, 151. 
 
 Mills for Corn, 99. 
 
 Mons, acutus, Justing place, 94, and n. 
 
 Moysi Lombardus, his House, 159. 
 
 Monken Bridge, 57- 
 
 Mulieres Fatuae,95. 
 
 Mulieres Honestae, 110, and n. 
 
 N 
 Newgate, 51. 
 
 Newton, Richard, a Judge and Recorder of Bristol, Arms 
 
 and Pedigree of, 136. 
 Nicholas, St., Church and Vault, 29 ; Gate 74, 77, 88 ; St. 
 
 Colas Yate, 44; Crypt or Crowd, with the Chapel, 
 
 17, 138. 
 Norton, Master Mason of Redcliff Church, 202, 207. 
 Norton, Thomas, Alchymist, Account of, 210. 
 
 O 
 
 Oliver, Simon, Recorder, his large Mansion House, 124.
 
 Orchard, Le Graunt, the Castle Orchard, called likewise the 
 
 King's Orchard, 29. 
 Orchard of Les Gaunts, now Orchard Street, 131 . 
 
 P 
 
 Pavye, John, 141. 
 
 Philip's, St., Church, 99, 137. 
 
 Port, La, via de, 30, and n. 
 
 Pillory, Collistrigium, 28, and n., 67- 
 
 Peter's, St., Church, 30. 
 
 Pilgrimages to St. James of Compostella, from Bristol, 185 
 
 — to Jerusalem, 37 Persons drowned, 185, 186. 
 Pylle Street, 43, 44, 69, 153. 
 Pile Hill on Redcliff, 63. 
 
 Pithay, or Aylward's Gate, and the Well, 68 ; Bridge, 142. 
 Priveys public, 68 ; on Bristol Bridge, 73. 
 Port, St., Mary, Church of, 55, and n., 82, 138. 
 Pownham's House, 121. 
 
 Q 
 Quay, length of, 117. 
 
 R 
 
 Redcliff, Church of St. Mary, 197; Mensurations of, 64; 
 the Tower of, 71, and n., 114, 201, 202; Mensuration of 
 the entire Building, 104, 105, and n., 130 ; the Tower, 
 height of, and weight of Bells, 133, and n. ; the Western 
 Door, dimensions of, 154, and n. ; Exangular Porch, 209 ; 
 Oratories and Altars, 201 ; Dimensions at large, 157, 
 158, 159, 202, 203 ; three distinct Churches, Account of, 
 with their Founders, 197 ; Destruction of the Spire by 
 tempest, 144, 200; Building of, 111. 
 
 Redelond, 86 ; Redelington, 96. 
 
 Ruddock David's Tomb, 159. 
 
 Rydingfield, 85, and n. 
 
 S 
 Seal, First Common, Observations upon, 1 ; Description, 2, 
 3,4; Delineation of a Castle upon this and others, 4; His-
 
 torical fact concerning, 5, 6; Taking of the Ship of 
 Alaric de Montfort, 7 ; Peter Langtoft's Chronicle, 7, and 
 n. ; K. Edward 1st at Bristol Castle, and his Grant of the 
 Device respecting the first Seal, 9 ; Account of the other 
 three Seals, 10, 1 1, and n.; excellence of Engraving upon 
 a Matrix of mixed metal, 12, 13. 
 
 Scarlet Well, 54. 
 
 Small Street, 28, 68, 74. 
 
 Signum Le Swan, 9S, and n. 
 
 Ships of Bristol contributed to Edward 3rd, 182. 
 
 Shypward's House, 39, 101 ; Pedigree and Arms of, 39. 
 
 Spelley, Elias, Founder of the Chapel on the Bridge, 119, 
 and n. 
 
 Spicer, Richard, Founder of the Chapel of St. George, 143. 
 
 Spirit, St., Chapel of, in Redcliff Churchyard, 116. 
 
 Stained Glass, 109, and n. 
 
 Strange, Family of, 118, and n. 
 
 Slyppes or Steyres, Passages from the Quay to the Avon, 
 41 ; to the Froome, 70, 99, 100. 
 
 Stephen, St., Church Porch of, 49 ; Architectural terms, 
 102, 103, and n., 121, 137. 
 
 Streets, various, length and breadth of, 96, 97, 107, 160, 161 . 
 
 Sturmey, Robert, 78, and n., 108, and n. ; Voyage from 
 Kingroad to Jerusalem, 109 ; his Arms, 112 ; his House 
 and great hospitality, 112. 
 
 Stype strete, 37, and n., 60, 95, 131. 
 
 Temple or Holy Cross, Church of, 31, 32, 81, and n., 126. 
 
 Triangular space on the Bee, 48, 70, 83. 
 
 Trilley or Trene Mills, for Cloth, 71, and n., 85. 
 
 Thourough House, 96. 
 
 Thyrdham Down, 78. 
 
 Tower Street, or Vinch, 45 ; Wall, 122. 
 
 Tolsylle, Le, 32, 33. 
 
 Touker Street, 49, and n., 79, 80. 
 
 Thomas, St., Street and Church, 49, 83, 127, HO.
 
 Thlyde, a famous Navigator, 153, 181. 
 
 Towers in the Town Walls, 145, 146, 147, 148, and n. 
 
 Tower in the Castle, called the Dungeon, 148, 153, 156. 
 
 Trinity Hospital, 116, 149. 
 
 Trinity Church, 106, 113. 
 
 Twinihow, J., Recorder, 191. 
 
 U V 
 
 Vaults for Merchandise, 31, 32 ; three for^ the King's 
 Wool and Prisage, 32, and n. ; under the Chapel on 
 Bristol Bridge, 32 ; under the Gate of Newgate, 32 ; 
 Enumeration of, under the Streets and Houses, 52,66, 67, 
 and n. 
 Vynch or Wynch, now Wine Street, 30, and n., 53, and 
 
 n., m. 
 
 Venellae, plures, 38. 
 
 Vincent, St., Hermitage of, 53, and n.j Rock, 54. 
 
 Voyages of smaller Vessels to Wales and the Coasts, 111. 
 
 Vyal Place, 140. 
 
 Vyell, Arms and Pedigree of, 141, and n. 
 
 W 
 Weere, Le, or Watering Place, 28, 29, 92. 
 Walls round the Marsh and Quay, 40; Redcliffe,82, & n., 83. 
 Way, covered, near the Quay, 40. 
 We'rburg, St., Church of, 106, 139. 
 Welsh Bee, Chapel, 135. 
 
 Westbury, College of, dimensions, 78, 1 13, 195. 
 Worship Street, or Les Shambles, 60, 124. 
 Wyrcestre, W., numerals in his measurements, 59 ; his 
 Tenements, 99. 
 
 Y 
 Young, Thomas, 176, 187 n. 
 
 PRINTED AT THE BRISTOL MIRROR OFFICE BY JOHN TAYLOR.
 
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