London Before the Conquest

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mbrensis tells us under 1191 how a multitude of the citizens met in Aula Publica, which takes its name from the custom of drinking there. This burgmote at the Guildhall in 1191 was probably the greatest event in London's history, resulting in the removal of Longchamp and the establishment of the mayor and commune.[193] "Aldermanesbury" may be traced back to early in the twelfth century, and the name carries the Guildhall with it. Mr. Round points out that the Terra Gialle mentioned in the St. Paul's document, c. 1130, refers to the Guildh

ce a month at an ale-drinking in their Gildhall.[196] Similar "Gild ale-drinkings" are spoken of in the Heimskringla, and we are there told in regard to the establishment of a "Great Gild," that before it there were "turn-about drinkings." All thi

north of St. Swithin's Church, which was attached to the property. It was bequeathed to Tortington Priory by Robert Aquillon, son of the first mayor's grand-daughter. In Dr. Sharpe's Calendar of Wills it appears that Sir Robert Aguylun left his "mansione" in St. Swithin's parish, together with the patronage of the church, to Tortington Priory in 1285. At the Dissolution it was granted to the Earl of Oxford. Stow says that Tortington Inn, Oxford Place, by London Stone, was on the north side of St. Swithin's Church and churchyard, with a fair garden to the west running down to Walbrook. It was "a fair and large builded house somet

erved a few yards away from its original site, has probably borne its present name f

r Jack Cade and the rest, and s

ndon Stone I charge, ... and now henceforward it shall be treaso

rding, who tells us that it marked the eastern boundary of London as built by King Lud, whose palace was at Ludgate. About

nd St. Paul's. Of the Stone itself Stow says: "The same has long continued there, namely since (or rather before) the Conquest, for in the end of a Gospel book give

ance originated in its association with the house of the first mayor. According to Stow, "some have said this stone to be set as a mark in the middle of the city-some others have said the same to be set for the making of payment by debtors to their creditors, till of later times payments were more usually made at the font in Paul's Church and now most commonly at the Royal Exchange." Mr. Gomme, citing Brandon, says that London Stone entered into municipal proce

itched upright a great stone called London Stone, fixed in the ground very deep, fastened with bars of iron, and otherwise so strongly set that if carts do run against it through negligence the wheels be broken and the stone itself unshaken." The lines from Fabyan which head this chapter refer to this same idea of stability, and evidently imply that the stone was looked on as a talisman. Strype says that before the

the south side, upon digging for cellars after the great fire, were discovered some pavements and other extensive remains of Roman workmanship and buildings."[202] Wren was an expert observer with a perfect knowledge of the Roman level in the city, and Dr. Woodward says he had made a special observation of the Roman remains in the city and promised an account of them. His evidence must be held sufficient to prove that the stone was of Roman origin, but was no recognisable part of a building such as a co

e election of a sovereign, when the Commons, who should have free access, are asked for their assent. Stephen was elected at the ordinary Folkmote of London, and the charter of Henry I. recognises the as

erefridam), which contained the great town bell. Such a Beffroi is an acknowledged mark of communal liberties, and we can understand the traditional feeling which was stirred when under Edward VI. it was destroyed. Even at this day it is the Lord Mayor who orders the Great Bell of St. Paul's to be rung on such an occasion as the death of the late Queen. Probably the "mote-bell" summoned the citizens in Saxon times, as we know it did in the thirteenth century. Dugdale says the first me

oyce and many others in the cheaping towns, but formerly there were turn-about drinkings. Then was Town-boon[203] the great bell of the turn-about drinkings in Nidoyce. The Drinking Brothers

London. We might set it