It appears again to have reverted to the crown, for in the reign of Richard II. it was called the queen's wardrobe; and that it was a place of some strength, is evident for when the rebels got possession of the Tower, the queen's mother took refuge here, where also it is supposed the king lodged, for this was the residence of Richard in 1386, when Leon III. king of Armenia, fled to England for protection. Richard III. granted this house to the first duke of Norfolk, named Howard, under the title of "Messuagium cum › Pertinenciis, voc. le Tower, infra paroch. Sancti Thomæ Lond."

Vintner's Hall is situated on the site of a mansion formerly called Stody-place, or, "the Manor of the Vintry;" which sir Johu Stody or Stodie, vintner, lord mayor in 1357, gave to the company, with tenements round about; there they built for themselves a "faire hall," and thirteen alms-houses for thirteen poor people. These were all destroyed in the great fire of 1666, after which the present handsome building was erected. It is of brick and compoed, forming three sides of a quadrangle, with an iron pallisade, and in front having wrought-iron gates. The hall occupying the south side of the quadrangle, is large and lofty, and was formerly paved with marble but is now floored; it is neatly wainscotted, and has a handsome screen adorned with various shields of the masters. names of many benefactors since the great fire, and of subscribers towards the rebuilding of the almshouses at Mile-end since 1809, are painted in golden letters on the walls.

The

The arms of the company, and those of Charles II., and a sun dial with a fly upon it curiously painted, were in painted glass in the different windows. In the hall is an embroidered pall, with the figures of Christ and the Virgiu, St. Martin, &c.

The court room is elegant, the wainscot richly carved, and the ceiling of stucco work. Over the fire place is a small old picture of St. Martin dividing his cloak with the beggar. There are also portraits of Charles II., William III. and queen Mary, prince George of Denmark; Sir Thomas Rawlinson, mayor in 1706, and heads of John Wright, a late master, by Opie, and Benjamin Kenton, master in 1776, who died in May 1800, aged 82 years. Mr. Kenton received his education at a charity school, and by per

severing industry realized above £100,000.; bequeathing nearly the amount of £65,000. to charitable purposes; £2,000. of which he gave to the general fund of this company, and £2.500. towards rebuilding the almshouses at Mile-end.

The shields of arms of various members who have filled the civic chair are disposed around the court rooin. In the ante-room adjoining is a curious painting on pannel, by Taverner.

Above is the elegant drawing room, where there is one painting. a landscape, in which appears St. Martin dividing his cloak with the beggar, over which is this inscription:“George Robertson, liveryman, painted and presented this picture to the company, anno 1775." A little west of the hall stood formerly Worcesterplace, the residence of John Tiptoft, the accomplished earl of Worcester, and lord high treasurer.

On the east side of Queen-street is the church yard of St. Thomas Apostle, some remains of which church were visible until lately painted over. In the lane adjoining the Three Cranes Wharf, was the famous painted tavern in the time of Richard H.

In Cloak-lane is Cutler's Hall, a plain brick building. In 1295, Richard de Wilehale, confirmed to Paul Butler this house, &c. in the parish of St. Michael Paternoster-church, and St. John upon Walbrook; which was before occupied by Lawrence Gisors, and his son Peter Gisors, and then by Hugo de Higham, paying annually one clove of gilliflowers at Easter, and 6s. to the priory and convent of St. Mary Overy. The hall is large, and has a music gallery at the north end. A portrait of a benefactress, Mrs. Margaret Craythorne, is placed over the chair of the master, and another portrait of the same lady is over the mantle-piece in the court-room, aud on a pannel in the lobby is another,a pparently the original.

This lady gave to the company the inn known by the name of the Belle Sauvage in Ludgate-hill.

The court-room is on the second floor, and is a handsome room; in the windows are twelve shields on stained glass. In the windows of the hall are shields of arms on stained glass, of several of the

masters of the company, from one of which it appears, that the foundation of this hall was laid in 1667.

Mercer's School. This is on the east side of College-hill. It had its origin from four benevolent clergymen, who petitioned parliament in the 25th of Henry VI. One of these, John Neel, or Neil, was master of the hospital of St. Thomas of Acres. This school was for many years kept in the Old Jewry, but afterwards removed to College-hill. There are 24 boys instructed in grammar, &c., and the master has a salary yearly, with a house to live in. Mr. William Baxter, nephew to the well known Mr. Richard Baxter, author of the "Dictionary of British Antiquities,” entitled "Glossarium Antiquitates Britannicarum," was one of the learned masters of this school; he died in May, 1723. A new building is at this time erecting and nearly roofed in. It is a neat stone fronted house, with four windows in front, two stories high, and appears to be well arranged in the interior.

[A List

3 0

No. 60.-VOL. II.

A List of the Aldermen of Vintry Ward, from the Year 1682 to the present time.

Sir Thomas Abney, knt., elected in 1682; served the office of sheriff in 1684; and that of lord mayor in 1704.

Sir John Eyles, bart., elected in 1716; served the office of sheriff in 1720; and that of lord mayor in 1725.

Edward Gibbon, esq., elected in 1743; resigned in 1745.

Sir Richard Gascoyne, knt., elected in 1745; served the office of sheriff in 1748; and that of lord mayor in 1752.

Richard Blunt, esq., elected in 1762; served the office of sheriff in 1763.

B. Trecothick, esq., elected in 1764; served the office of sheriff in 1766; and that of lord mayor in 1770; resigned in 1774.

Nathaniel Newnham, esq., elected in 1774; served the office of sheriff in 1775; and that of lord mayor in 1782.

Christopher Magnay, esq., elected in 1810; served the office of sheriff in 1813; and that of lord mayor in 1821.

Henry Winchester, esq., elected in 1829; served the office of sheriff in 1826; and is the present alderman of this Ward.

END OF VINTRY WARD.

Wallbrook Ward.

THIS Ward derives its name from the street which leads from the south-west corner of the Mansion House, south towards the Thames, and so named on account of a rivulet, which took its rise north of Moorfields, and entering the city through the wall between Bishopsgate and Moorgate, was called Wallbrook; which after several turnings came down this street, and discharged its waters into the Thames.

This stream was formerly open, and several bridges led across it, which were upheld in repairs by some of the religious houses, &c. It has long been entirely covered from public view, so that its course now is only known to the reader of history.

This Ward is bounded on the east by Langbourn and Candlewick Wards; on the north by Cheap Ward; on the west by Cordwainer's Ward; and on the south by the Ward of Dowgate. It is governed by an alderman, and eight common councilmen, &c.

It is divided into seven precincts; viz. two of St. Swithin, St. Mary Woolchurch, St. Stephen Wallbrook, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary Bothaw, and St. Mary Abchurch.

Before the fire of 1666, there were in this Ward five churches; viz. St. Stephen Wallbrook, St. Swithin, St. John upon Wallbrook, St. Mary Bothaw, and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, the two former of which only were rebuilt.

The church of St. Stephen Wallbrook, stands at the north-east corner of Walbrook, and derives its name from being dedicated to the first martyr Stephen, and the street where it is situated.

It appears, that before 1135, there was a church dedicated to the same saint, but situated on the other side of the stream or brook: this was given to the monastery of St. John in Colchester, by Eudo, steward of the household to Henry I., but it does not appear how long they enjoyed it, or how, or for what they parted with it.