NEXT to Cheape Ward, on the North side thereof, is Colemanstreet Ward; and beginneth also in the East, on the Course of Walbrook, in Lothbury, and runneth West (on the South side) to the end of Ironmongers lane; and on the North side, to the West corner of Basings Hall street. On the South side of Lothbury, is the Street called the Old Jewry; the one half, and better, on both sides towards Cheape, is of this Ward.

On the North side lieth Coleman street, whereof the Ward taketh Name, wholly on both sides North to London-wall; and from that North end along by the Wall, and Moorgate, East, to the Course of Walbrook. And again from Coleman street, West, to the Iron Grates; and these be the Bounds in this Ward.

Anitiquities therein to be noted, are these; First, the Street of Lothbery, Lathbery, or Loadbery, (for by all these Names have I read it) took the Name (as it seemeth) of a Bery, or Court of old time there kept; but by whom, is grown out of memory. This Street is possessed (for the most part) by Founders, that cast Candlesticks, Chasingdishes, Spice Morters, and such like Copper or Laten Works, and do afterward turn them with the Foot and not with the Wheel, to make them smooth and bright; with turning and scratting, (as some do term it) making a loathsome Noise to the By-passers, that have not been used to the like; and therefore by them disdainfully called Lothbury. On the South side of this Street, amongst the Founders, be some fair Houses and large, for Merchants; namely, one that of old time was the Jews Synagogue. Which was defaced by the Citizens of London, after they had slain 700 Jews, and spoiled the residue of their Goods, in the Year 1262. the 47 of Hen. the IIId. And not long after, in the Year 1291. King Edward the first banished the remnant of the Jews out of England, as is afore shewed.

The said Synagogue being so suppressed, certain Friers got possession thereof. For in the Year 1257. (saith Mathew Paris) there were seen in London, a new Order of Friers, called, De Pœnitentia Jesu, or Fratres de Sacca, because they were apparelled in Sackcloth; who had their House in London, near unto Aldersgate, without the Gate; and had Licence of Henry III, in the 54th of his Reign, to remove from thence to any other Place: And in the 56th, he gave unto them this Jews Synagogue. After which time, Eleanor the Queen, Wife to Edward Ist, took into her protection, and warranted unto the Prior and Brethren De pœnitentia Jesu Christi of London, the said Land and Building in Colechurch street, in the Parish of St. Olave in the Jury, and St. Margaret in Lothbury; by her granted, with consent of Stephen de Fulborn, Under-warden of the Bridge-house, and other Brethren of that House; for Threescore Marks of

Silver, which they had received of the said Prior and Brethren of Repentance, toward the building of the said Bridge.

Queen Eleanors Charter will not be unacceptable to repeat, as it stands ia the Records of the Chamber of London.

"Alianora, Dei gra. &c. Alianor, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, Lady of Ireland, Dutches of Aquitain, and by our Lord King Henry; To al that shal se or hear this Writing, Greeting in the Lord. Know yee that we are bound and held for Us and our Heirs, to defend and warrant against al Men for ever, to the Priors and Friers of the Repentance of Jesus Christ, abiding in London, al their Tenements, with al their Appurtinences, which the Prior and Friers have in the Street called Colecherchstrate, in the Parish of St. Olaves in the Jewry, and in the Parish of S. Margaret de Lothbury, in the City of London; by the Grant and Confirmation which we have made to the said Prior and Brethren by this present Writing; with the Assent and Wil of Frier Steven de Fulburn, under Custos of the Bridge-house, and the rest of the Friers of the said House; for Sixty Marks of Silver, which we have received of the said Prior and Brethren of Repentance of Jesus Christ, towards the building of the said Bridge; and for the finding of one Chaplain, which the same Prior and Brethren perpetually find at their own Costs; celebrating Service for the Soul of Richard le Ken. Which Richard bequeathed and assigned al the foresaid Tenements, with al the Appurtinences, to the Brethren of the said House of the Bridg, for the sustentation of one Chaplain, to celebrate Service for his Soul for ever at their Charges. In witness whereof, &c.]"

This Order of Friers gathered many good Scholars, an multiplied in number exceedingly; until the Council at Lyons, by the which it was decreed, that (from that time forth) there should be no more Orders of Begging Friers permitted, but only the four Orders; to wit, the Dominickes, or Preachers, the Minorites, or Grey Friers, the Carmelites, or White Friers, and the Augustines: And so from that time, the Begging Friers decreased and fell to nothing.

Now it followed, that in the Year 1305. Robert Fitzwalter requested and obtained of the said King Edward the Ist, that the same Friers of the Sacke, might assign to the said Robert, their Chappel or Church, of old time called The Synagogue of the Jews, near adjoyning to the then Mansion Place of the same Robert, where now standeth the Grocers Hall: And the said Synagogue was at the North corner of the Old Jewry. Robert Large, Mercer, Maior in the Year 1439. kept his Maioralty in this House, and dwelled there until his dying day.