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| [Musters] The MILITARY GOVERNMENT. [of Citizens.] | 451 |
[Musters] The MILITARY GOVERNMENT. [of Citizens.]
CHAP. XXXII.
The Military Government of the City of London.
Musters of the Citizens in former Times.
The City raised Men to defend themselves on Occasion.
A Book drawn for Marshalling the City.
The Military Government now established in the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries.
The Artillery Company.
A Description of London, the Houses, Gardens, Streets, Rivers, in ancient Times, by Sir Thomas More and Sir Thomas Chaloner.
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HAVING thus treated of the Ecclesiastical and Temporal, or Civil Government of this City, there is yet a third State of Government distinct from the former, viz. the Military State, serving for the Defence thereof, in case of any hostile Invasion, or Oppression. And the City is able to furnish out considerable Forces for its own Defence, and the Service of the Prince upon Occasion; and hath her Members carefully disciplined in Martial Arts, and Feasts of War for that Purpose.
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Military State of the City.
J. S.
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In a time of War, under K. Stephen, the City mustered 20000 Horse, and 60000 Foot, of their own Men.
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Fitz-Stephen
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In the Year of our Lord 1532, (not to look further backward) being the 23d of K Henry VIII. there was a General Muster in London; wherein were taken the Names of all Men within the City and Liberties, from the Age of 16, unto 60, the Harnesses, and all sorts of Weapons for War being also taken Accout of. They then drew out only such able Men as had white Harnesses; and caused them all to appear in white Coats and Breeches, and white Caps and Feathers. And because Notice was given that the King would see them Mustered, they all prepared to appear as splendid as they could. And to that end, the Lord Maior, Aldermen, Recorder, Sheriffs, and all that had been Sheriffs, had white Harness; and over that, Coats of black Velvet, with the Arms of the City embroidered thereon: each one a great Gold Chain, and well mounted on Horses with rich Trappings: on their Heads Velvet Caps, and in their Hands Battle-Axes gilt. Each Alderman and the Recorder had four Halbertiers in white Silk, or Buff-Coats, waiting on them, with their Halberts gilt. And the Lord Maior had sixteen tall Men apparelled in white Sattin Doublets, Caps and Feathers, Chains of Gold, and other gorgeous Attire, with long gilt Halberts, following his Lordship at a distance. But next to him he had four Footmen attired in white Sattin. Then two Pages clothed in crimson Velvet, and Cloth of Gold, riding on fine Horses richly furnished; one of them carrying the Lord Maior's Helmet, and the other his Pole-Axe, both richly gilt. Most of the Citizens of any Quality or Office, were clad in white Sattin, or white Silk Coats, with Chains of Gold; and some had rich Jewels.
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A General Muster in London 1532.
R. B.
The Citizens muster before King Henry in great State.
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What was the Number of Men then in Arms is not recorded; but that may be guessed at by what follows. They mustered in Mile-end Fields. And before Nine of the Clock in the Morning they began to March, entring at Algate in great Order; and some marched up to Westminster; where the King and most of the Courtiers were placed to view them, as they passed by Thence they marched about St. James's Park; so through Holborn, and thence to Leaden-Hall, where thy disbanded and went Home. And this was not done till Five of the Clock in the Afternoon; which was eight Hours March]
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Mustered in Mile-end.
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In the Year 1585, were great Musters in London, that so the City might be in a readiness upon any Invasion of the Spaniard, who now threatned terribly, by the Preparations they were making; and upon any Insurrections at Home, by reason of the Queen of Scots: And large Contributions were raised upon the Citizens for this Charge. But they in Blackfriers, St. Martin's, Whitefriers, and other exempt Places, refused to be taxed, and would not yield to pay any thing, unless they received Direction from the Lord Treasurer, and other the Lords of the Privy Council for the doing thereof. So that Sir Tho Pullyson, Lord Maior, desired the said Lord Treasurer to give his Orders to those Places.
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A great Muster in London.
J. S.
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And in April and May this Year, the Queen being at Greenwich, the City Militia, compleatly armed, mustered before six or eight Days, laying intrenched about Blackheath, to the number of 4000 or 5000 Men. Then all the Companies and Mysteries of London sent out their Numbers. And here follows a Scheme of what Numbers of Men each Company set forth, and the Charge of Arms, Wages and Victuals.
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They Muster before the Queen at Greenwich.
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| Companies. | Men. | Charges. | } |
| | | l. s. d. | } |
| Mercers. | 294 | 392 10 00 | } |
| Drapers. | 347 | 567 16 07 | } |
| Grocers. | 395 | 467 10 00 | } |
| Fishmongers. | 200 | 194 19 00 | } |
| Goldsmiths. | 280 | 229 10 02 | } |
| Skinners. | 174 | 163 05 00 | } |
| Haberdashers. | 395 | 350 03 10 | } |
| Salters. | 160 | 215 12 08 | } |
| Ironmongers. | 147 | 202 01 01 | } |
| Vintners. | 107 | 160 03 11 | } |
| Merchant Taylers. | 395 | 273 05 04 | } |
| Clothworkers. | 214 | 177 02 02 | } |
| Girdlers. | 048 | 057 19 00 | } Beside Armour. |
| Carpenters. | 032 | 047 06 04 | } |
| Butchers. | 020 | 037 04 04ob. | } |
| Tallowchandlers. | 040 | 071 05 10 | } |
| Dyers. | 040 | 061 14 05 | } |
| Cutlers. | 027 | 047 10 00 | } |
| Sadlers. | 054 | 086 00 02 | } |
| Barbers and Surgeons. | 024 | 046 10 06 | } |
| Innholders. | 037 | 031 07 08 | } |
| Cordweyners. | 054 | 083 07 04 | } |
| Brewers. | 100 | 128 02 07 | } |
| Coopers. | 051 | 044 11 11 | } |
| Leathersellers. | 100 | 114 00 00 | } |
| Stationers. | 027 | 051 15 02 | } |
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And so of all the rest of the Companies and Fellowships, too large to be set down: This Specimen is enough to shew the Matter. This Account was sent to Sir Tho. Pullyson, Lord Maior. Many of these Men put themselves voluntarily to Charges, in making new Coats, and providing
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