Volume 2

The history and antiquities of London / [Thomas Pennant].

  • Pennant, Thomas, 1726-1798
Date:
1813
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history and antiquities of London / [Thomas Pennant]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    6: -- - RIGID PUNISHMENTS. Near Aldgate’ lived and died the able histo- rian John Stow. He relates a cruel execution on a gibbet, erected on the pavement before. hishouse, on the bailiff of Rumford, im the time of Edward VI. In that age there were most barbarous and tyrannous punishments, by martial law, against all spreaders of rumors, The times were turbulent, but slighter penal- ties than death might have sufficed. The un- happy man, on the ladder, declared, in the presence of our historian, ‘That he knew not ‘ for what offence he was brought to. die, ‘© except for words by me spoken yesternight ‘ to sir Stephen, curate and preacher of this parish; which were these: He asked me, What news in the-countrey? I answered, ‘ Heavy newes. Why, quoth he? It is sayd, quoth I, that many men bee up in Essex ; but, thanks be to God, all is in good quiet ‘< about us. And this was all, as God be my «© judge.’’ Upon these words of the prisoner, sir Stephen, to ‘avoide the reproach. of the * peopie, left the cifie, and never was heard of * since among them to my knowledge.’—I shall have farther occasion to speak of sir Stephen; who.was a fanatical firebrand of those days. On the outside of the gate, begins the long street and suburbs of Whitechapel. The be] €¢ €€