Curiosities in the Tower of London.: [pt.2]

Table of contents

- [frontispiece]

- [titlepage]

- SUBSCRIBERS To the HISTORY of the TOWER. VOL. II.

- BOOK III.

- CHAP. I. Of the small Armoury.

- CHAP. II. Of the fine train of artil lery.

- CHAP. III. Of the Horse Armoury.

- CHAP. IV. Of the Regalia in the Jewel Office.

- THE WOLF in SHEEPS CLOATHING; or, the VILLAIN TRIUMPHANT.

- CHAP. V. Of the Line, Batteries, &c.

- CHAP. VI. Of the inside of the White tower.

- CHAP. VII. Of the ceremony of opening and shutting the gates of the Tower.

- Just Published, (Price Four-pence each Vo lume, finely bound)

CURIOSITIES In the Tower of London.

CURIOSITIES In the Tower of London.

VOLUME the SECOND.

The Second Edition.

London, Printed for Tho. Boreman, near the giants in Guildhall, and at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill. 1741. [Pr. 4 d.

SUBSCRIBERS To the HISTORY of the TOWER.
VOL. II.

A.

- MIss Nanny Abdy, of Golden-square.

- Master Tommy Allen.

- Miss Fanny Allen.

- Miss Anne Alavoine.

- Miss Jenny Ansel.

- Master Jemmy Pettit Andrews, of Bloomsbury-square.

B.

- Miss Penelope Brindley, 6 Sets.

- Miss Leny Brereton, 7 Sets.

- Master Dicky Boys, of Colchester, 7 Sets.

- Master Sammy Butler.

- Miss Jenny Bird.

C.

- Master Dicky Caldwell, 50 Sets.

- Master Bobby Cramar.

- Master Tommy Crofton.

- Miss Molly Churchil.

- Master Charly Churchil.

- Master Jacky Churchil.

- Miss Sally Cecil.

- Miss Esther Chassereau.

- Miss Jane Chassereau.

- Master Anthony Chappelle, 22 Sets.

D.

- Miss Sally Dearling.

- Master Jacky Dearling, of Chichester.

- Miss Betsy Durance.

- Miss Patty Dobbins.

- Master Billy Dubourdieu, of Low-Layton, 2 Sets.

- Master Jacky Dubourdieu, of Boxford, Suffolk, 2 Sets

- Master Daniel Danvers.

- Miss Peggy Drury.

- Master Jacky Duncombe.

- Miss Clara Duncombe.

- Miss Patty Duncombe.

E.

- Miss Kitty Elliston, for herself and brother, Master Johnny, both of Basinghall-street, 2 Sets.

F.

- Miss Betsy Farnworth.

- Master Jacky Farnworth.

G.

- Miss Nanny Louisa Goring.

- Miss Frances Goring.

- Master Franky Gray.

- Master Joe Girdler.

- Master Jeffy Gillingham, of Bridewell Hospital.

H.

- Master Tommy Hayward, of Friday-street.

- Miss Henny Hitchcock, of Oporto.

- Master Dicky Hutchinson,

- Miss Polly Hutchinson, both of Norwich.

- Master Jemmy Hall.

- Master Humphry Hall.

- Master Ammy Hall.

- Miss Molly Hall.

- Miss Mille Hall.

- Miss Betsy Hall, all of Great Ormond-street.

- Master Neddy Hastewell.

- Miss Nanny Hopwood, of Covent-Garden.

- Miss Sally Hewett.

- Miss Betsy Henworth.

- Master Tommy Harrison.

I.

- Miss Nancy Jones, of Laurence Pountney-lane.

- Miss Kitty James.

- Master Matthew Jefferys, 4 Sets.

L.

- Miss Betty Land, of Bread-street.

- Miss Polly Linzee.

- Miss Nanny Lawrence.

- Master Sammy Leman.

- Miss Molly Lewis.

- Miss Kitty Lowther, 7 Sets

- Master Charly Lacy.

- Miss Nanny Leeds.

- Master Boddy Lawly, of Cavendish-square.

M.

- Master Tommy Morton.

- Miss Martha Morton.

- Miss Betsy Moffatt.

- Miss Mathews, of Chancery-lane.

- Master Francis Maseres.

- Master Peter Maseres.

- Master Daniel Maseres.

- Miss Magdabene Maseres.

- Master Jacky Molesworth.

- Master Billy Molesworth.

N.

- Master Dicky Newton, Aldermanbury.

- Miss Betsy Norris, of Chelsea.

- Miss Molly Norman,

- Miss Jemmy Norman, of Winchester-street.

O.

- Master Billy Oliver.

- Miss Patty Oliver.

P.

- Master Elias Perchard.

- Miss Molly Proctor.

- Master Jacky Prince.

- Miss Esther Perchard.

- Miss Jenny Parrot, of Nicholas-lane.

- Miss Nancy Phillips, and

- Miss Sally Phillips, of Bridewell Hospital.

- Miss Anne Payne, of East-Grimstead.

- Master Jacky Petit.

- Master Petter La Primidois.

- Master Jacky Warkman Pope, of Charter-house square, 4. Sets.

- Miss Polly Pomeroy.

- Master Billy Pomeroy.

R.

- Master George William Ridgway, 7 Sets.

- Miss Molly Ratcliff, of Bow-lane.

- Miss Fide Read, of the Strand.

- Miss Rebow, of Parsons-green, 4 Sets.

- Miss Betsy Raper.

- Miss Fanny Rodd.

S.

- Miss Sally Sellar, of Oxon

- Master Anthony Sawyer, of Golden-square.

- Miss Betty Stanton.

- Master Tommy Shadwell.

- Miss Nanny Smart.

- Miss Molly Stanley.

- Miss Patty Stanley.

- Master Billy Stanley.

- Master Harry Stanley.

- Master Franky Stanley.

- Miss Sally Sesel.

- Master Joe Stanfield.

- Master Joe Sharp for himself and play-fellow Johnny Standish, 2 Sets.

- Miss Polly Slater.

T.

- Miss Suky Thorisby, and

- Miss Betty Thorisby, both of St. Mary Ax.

- Master Massy Taylor, of Hackney.

- Miss Molly Taylor, of Greville-street.

- Miss Molly Tatnall.

- Miss Nanny Tatnall.

V.

- Master Nevil Umfreville, for himself and sister, 2 S.

W.

- Master Joe Woodgate.

- Miss Nancy Woodgate.

- Miss Nanny Wigget, of Norwich.

- Master Dixon Weldon.

- Miss Betsy Weldon.

- Miss Molly Willett, and

- Miss Babby Willett, of Lad-lane.

- Miss Judith Ware.

- Miss Kitty Ware.

- Miss Peggy Ware.

- Miss Sally Ware.

- Master Dicky Ware.

BOOK III.

CHAP. I. Of the small Armoury.

THE building itself, called the new Armoury, where these arms are laid up, is a most noble and magnificent structure. It stands north of the White Tower, and extends in length about a hundred and thirty yards, in depth about twenty. It was begun in the reign of king James the second, and finished in king William's.

You go in at the west end of this grand building, behind the chapel, and ascend a spacious and lofty stair-case, at the head of which you turn to your right hand, and entering the room before you, you will see one of the greatest, curiosities, in its kind, ever formed by the art of man: Here are arms, we are told, sufficient for a hundred thousand men at a minute's warning, laid up in a most surprizing artificial order and beauty, all bright and clean to admiration.

Just within the door, on the left hand, are, first, two lofty beatiful pyramids of pistols, standing upon the crown, globe and sceptre, in curious carved work.

The second is called a wilderness of arms; that is, pikes, carbines, muskets, bayonets, halberts, swords, pistols, &c. so laid up, that you have a prospect through all their ranges to the farther end of the room, which is three hundred and forty-five feet long; the sight of which is enough to strike one with wonder and amazement.

The third is a figure of arms taken at the Bath in the last rebellion in the year 1715.

Fourth, is the form of the waves of the sea, made with swords.

Fifth, represents half-moons and fans, made with pistols and bayonets; and the form of a target in the middle made with bayonet blades.

Sixth, two pillars of pikes, in imitation of fluted work, with fine carved capitals, of the Corinthian order.

Seventh, a pillar made of pikes and swords, for the sea service.

Eighth, are blunderbusses in the form of pillars, with capitals of pistols all the way up; and on both sides bayonets in the form of the waves of the sea.

Ninth, carbines for the horse service, and marine hangers set in checquer-work.

Tenth, carbines for the horse, lined with pikes.

Eleventh, are swords and bayonets in the form of half-moons and fans, set upon scollop-shells of fine carved work.

Twelfth, is the sun rising, represented in a square frame, guarded with marine hangers; and opposite to that, in the middle of the room, are four beautiful twisted pillars, made with pistols up to the top, which is about twenty two feet, the heighth of the room: and in the centre of these pillars, is the form of a dropping star, made of pistols; upon the left is the form of the sun setting, made answerable to that of its rising.

Thirteenth, represents the form of a pair of gates, made with serjeants halberts.

Fourteenth, are carbines hanging in surbelows and flounces.

Fifteenth, is the form of a whale's backbone, made with carbines.

Sixteenth, represents the grand witch of Endor, called likewise Envy, or Medusa's head; with the figures of snakes stinging her to death, made with three rows of pistols, set with curious art; the features are of fine carved work.

Seventeenth, at the farther end of the room, on the left hand, is the armour of king Henry the fifth, who conquered France, with his flaming sword in his hand: he took more men prisoners than he had in his army.

Next is the figure of a fiery serpent, the head and tail of carved work, the body of pistols.

Facing the window, at the east end, is the form of a large and beautiful organ, made with six thousand pistols, ten story, or ranges high.

Between the windows, at the same end, is the representation of the Hydra, or seven-headed monster; three of which heads are above, and four below, and not one like the other, all of carved work.

Next, is king Henry the sixth's armour; he was crowned king of France: his father conquered the country, and this prince lost it.

The first curiosity on the other side, coming back again, is the figure of Jupiter in his fiery chariot, drawn by eagles, in the clouds, with a thunderbolt in his hand, in carved work, guarded round with bayonets.

Second, is the star and garter made of pistols and bayonets; with the thistle, rose and crown over head, in carved work; and below, are birds, and other curious creatures, in fine carved work.

All the way down, on this side, are the same figures of arms, &c. answerable to those we described in going up on the other.

Lastly, you are shewn a great parcel of arms taken in the assassination plot against king William, particularly a blunderbus, with which the conspirators designed to have shot that prince as he rid in his coach to Hampton-court; this hangs up over head: below, near the bottom, is a carbine, with which Charnock designed to have shot him as he rode a hunting.

Hence are likewise several arms taken in Scotland, in the last rebellion: particularly a curious piece of the late lord Mar's; and a large broad sword with which a highlander struck general Evans, and cut him through his hat, wig, and skull-cap.

There are in this small Armoury, besides these principal curiosities which I have mentioned, many fine things, which my young readers will be highly delighted to see. Here you pay Three-pence.

The next curiousity is the train of artillery.

CHAP. II. Of the fine train of artillery.

THE grand storehouse where this curious train of artillery is kept, is directly under the small Armoury, upon the ground floor; where there are a great number of curious brass cannon, of various sizes, all mounted upon carriages.

First, you are shewn a parcel of new battering cannon, each carrying a ball of twenty four pound weight.

Second, a train of ordnance, which carry balls of twelve pounds weight.

Third, fine field-pieces which carry cartridges of small shot made up in bags.

Fourth, a couple of smith's forges upon carriages, for conveniency of travelling, compleatly furnished for repairing any kind of iron-work, that may be wanting upon the road, or in the camp.

Fifth, mortar-pieces, which throw bomb-shells of thirteen inches diameter.

Sixth, a great number of mortar-pieces for the same uses, of various sizes, cast in the reign of king George the first.

Seventh, the drum-major's fine chair upon a carriage, in which he sits, with two kettle-drums fixed before him, and is drawn by six horses in great state.

Eight, a curious brass cannon, made for Henry, prince of Wales, eldest son of king James the first; of which the carving alone cost two hundred pounds. It hath this inscription upon it, Thomas and Richard Pit made this piece, Anno 1608.

Ninth, two French pieces of ordnance, taken with count Tallard at the battle of Blenheim, in the year 1704.

Tenth, one of the first iron guns in England, invented about 360 years ago: it is twelve feet long.

Eleventh, the first invented brass cannon, of about fifteen feet in length.

Twelfth, a large mortar-piece which carries a bomb-shell of eighteen inches diameter, and 500 weitht, and throws it two miles.

Thirteenth, a fire twisted brass cannon, twelve feet long; called Queen Elizabeth's pocket pistol: which they merrily tell you was designed for her horse's furniture when she rode a hunting.

Fourteeth, two curious brass field-pieces, of three-bore barrels, taken from the French at the memorable battle of Hocstedt, on the second of August, 1704.

Fifteenth, a mortar which throws nine shells at a time.

Sixteenth, an engine of small mortars, which throws thirty hand-granados at a time.

Besides those already mentioned, there are a great number of other brass field-pieces, of various sizes; and on the walls, &c. a multitude of instruments made use of in war; such as crows, ladles, wedges, screws, handspikes and spunges; and harness for the horses which draw the train, &c.

Over head you see a trophy of standards, colours, &c. as in Guildhall, taken in the last war with France.

And, lastly, in going out there are two very curious brass cannon, twenty four pounders, taken at Vigo, anno 1702. by the present lord Cobham. The breeches of these guns represent couching lions.

Here you pay Two pence each person.

Next you proceed to the Horse Armoury.

CHAP. III. Of the Horse Armoury.

HERE you are first presented with a view of the sigures of the horse guards that attend the kings, whom you will see presently all on horseback in bright armour of polished steel, and ranged in beautiful order on the other side of the house; as also of a great number of foot-guards, standing between the horse, &c.

Second, over head is the famous lance of Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, king Henry the eighth's general in France.

Third, a suit of tilting armour, with which the nobility and gentry used to exercise, before guns were invented.

Fourth, a curious suit of armour made for king Henry the eighth, rough from the hammer, and never filed.

Fifth, a little suit of armour for king Charles the second, when he was prince of Wales; with a piece for his horse's head, of curious workmanship.

Sixth, my lord Courcy's suit of armour, great champion of Ireland; and the large two-handed sword he took from the champion of France: for which gallant action he and his successors have the privilege of wearing their hats in the presence of the kings of England; which is continued to this day. The lord Kinsale is now head of that noble family.

Seventh, a suit of Indian armour; sent as a present to king Charles the second, from the great Mogul, which is said to be a defence against arrows, darts, and poisoned lances, made use of in that country.

Eighth, a little suit of armour made in remembrance of Richard, duke of York, who, with his brother Edward the fifth, was smothered in the Tower between two feather-beds, about two hundred and fifty seven years ago; the former being about eleven years old, and the latter thirteen.

Ninth, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster's armour; he was both son and father of a king, but never king himself. It is said he was seven feet four inches high.

Tenth, is the comical figure of Will. Somers, jester to king Henry the eighth.— He is called an honest man of woman's making—wears his horns upon his head to prevent the making holes in his pocket; and because he was dim-sighted, he would believe neither the king, queen, nor any of the court, that he was a cuckold, till he had put his spectacles on; with which he is represented by way of ridicule to this day.

Eleventh, is an ill favoured old instrument, called the collar of torment, which we are told was formerly put about the necks of such women as either proved false to their husbands beds, or took too great a freedom with their tongues.

But long this collar has aside been cast.

Sure! they are now less noisy, and more chaste.

Now we come to the kings on horse-back, who are placed in the following order: First, a curious figure of king William the third.

Second, another of king Charles the second.

Third, of king Charles the first.

This suit of armour, which is steel, richly gilt with gold, cost, as we are informed, fifteen hundred pounds; and was a present from the city of London, when he was prince of Wales.

Fourth, of king James I.

Fisth of king Edward the sixth, the first protestant prince that ever reigned in England: He was the royal founder of three hospitals, all which he gave to the city of London; viz. that of St. Thomas's for the relief of the sick and the lame; Christ's Church for the support of freemens children, who are orphans; and Bridewell, for training up of youth, and the encouragement of several useful branches of our English manufactures, &c.

Sixth, a curious figure of king Henry the eighth.

Seventh, of Henry the seventh, who killed crookbacked Richard the third, in Bosworth-field, Leicestershire; some short time after he had smothered his two young nephews in the Tower.

Eighth, of Edward the fifth, who was proclaimed king, but was never crowned; the crown hanging over his head. He was smothered with his brother, as mentioned above.

Ninth, of Edward the fourth, father of the two last named princes. This king was remarkable for his gallantries with the citizens wives, particularly with the famous Jane Shore.

Tenth, of king Henry the sixth, crowned also king of France, at Paris.

Eleventh, of Henry the fifth, who conquered France; the same prince whom we mentioned in our chapter Of the small Armoury, to have taken more men prisoners than he had in his army.

Twelfth, of Henry the fourth, son of John of Gaunt,

Thirteenth, of Edward the third, who was remarkable in having the kings of France and Scotland prisoners in England at one time; for which reason he wears two crowns upon his sword.

Fourteenth, of Edward the first, who fought several battles against the Turks and Infidedls in the holy land.

Fifteenth, a noble figure of William the conqueror, duke of Normandy.

Lastly, the walls and cieling of this fine Armoury, where all the abovementioned curiosities are deposited, are every where ornamented with ancient breast-plates, swords, &c. For the sight of the whole each person pays Two-pence.

I have now told my young readers all the fine things that I know of in this pompous place, excepting one,

And that's a secret

Which king Harry has to show;

And so it must remains,

Till they to men and women grow.

We next proceed to the Regalia.

CHAP. IV. Of the Regalia in the Jewel Office.

THE inestimable treasures which we are now to give our young readers a particular account of, are deposited or laid up in a dark, strong stone room, about twenty yards distant from the east end of the new Armoury.

First, the imperial crown, with which all the kings of England have been crowned since the time of Edward the confessor. It is a very rich crown of gold, embellished with pearls and precious stones of divers kinds; namely, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and saphires, with a mound of gold on the top of it, encircled with a band or fillet of gold; adorned also with precious stones, and three very large oval pearls; one on the top of the cross, and two others hanging at the end.

This crown is composed of four crosses, and as many flower de lis of gold, upon a rim or circlet of gold, all embellished with precious stones.

The cap within is of purple velvet, lined with white taffety, and turned up with ermine, thick powdered in three rows.

Second, the orb, or globe, which is put into the king's right hand immediately the king's right hand immediately before he is crowned, and borne in his left upon his return into Westminster-hall.

It is a ball of gold, of six inches diameter, encompassed with a band or fillet of gold; embellished with roses of diamonds encircling other precious stones, and edged about with pearl: on the top of it is a very large amethyst, of a violet or purple colour, about and inch and an half in heighth, of an oval form; which being encompassed with four silver wires, makes the pedestal of a very rich cross of gold, of three inches and a quarter in heighth and three in breadth, set very thich with diamonds; having in the middle thereof a fair saphire on one side, and a fair emerald on the other, embellished with four large pearls in the corners of the cross, near its centre, and three large pearls at the end of the said cross.

The whole heighth of the ball and cross together is eleven inches.

Third, the royal sceptre with the cross, which has another jewel of great value under it.

It is of fine gold; the handle plain, and the upper part wreathed: It is in length two foot nine inches and a quarter, and in compass three inches at the handle, and two and a quarter about the top. The pommel at the bottom enriched with rubies, emeralds, and small diamonds. The top rises into a flower de lis of six leaves; three whereof are upright, and three hanging down, all enriched with precious stones. Out of the same flower de lis iffueth a mound or ball, made of an amethyst, garnished with table diamonds: and upon the mound or cross quite covered with precious stones, with a large table diamond in the centre.

Fourth, the sceptre with the dove, of fine gold, in length three feet seven inches, and three inches about at the handle, and two and a quarter at the top. The pommel garnished with a circle or fillet let of table diamonds, and in several places with precious stones of all sorts. The mound or ball at the top, embellished with rose diamonds; and on the top of all a small Jerusalem cross, whereon is fixed a dove with wings expanded, as the emblem of peace and mercy.

Fifth, Saint Edward's staff, all beaten gold, in length four feet seven inches and a half, and about three inches and three quarters in circumference. This staff, which is garnished also with gold, is carried before the king at his coronation.

Sixth, a rich saltcellar or state, made in the form of the square whire Tower; which is wrought with such exquisite art, that words cannot well express it. This inimitable piece of gold plate is used at all coronations.

Seventh, the curtann, or pointless sword of mercy. This is a broad bright sword, the blade thirty two inches in length, and almost two broad: the handle is covered with a fine gold wire four inches, besides the pommel an inch and three quarters, which with the cross is plain stell gilt: the length of the cross being almost eight inches. This sword of mercy is borne naked before the king at his coronation, between the spiritual and temporal swords of justices, of which it is the cheif.

Eighth, a noble silver font, double gilt, in which the royal family are christned. This is likewise a great curiosity with respect to its workmanship, antiquity, and solemn use, and is highly worthy of our young readers observation.

Ninth, a large silver fountain double gilt, which was a magnificent present from the town of Plymouth to their royal master king Charles the second; the workmanship whereof is very curious, and the value very great.

Tenth, the rich crown of state which his majesty wears on his throne in parliament. It is embellished with divers large rose and table diamonds, and other precious stones; but most remarkable for a wonderful large ruby set in the middle of one of the crosses, vauled at ten thousand pounds and upwards: as also for the large emerald which is seven inches round; a pearl, the finest in the world; and a ruby of inestimable value.

Eleventh, his royal highness the prince of Wales's rich crown.

This and the crown of state last mentioned, whenever his majesty goes to the parliament-house, are carried by the keeper of the jewel-office, attended by one or two of the warders of the Tower, privately in a hackney coach to White-hall; where they are delivered to the proper officers, who with some yeomen of the guard carry them to the robing rooms, where his majesty and the prince dress themselves. His majesty wears his crown on his head whilst on the throne, and that belonging to the prince is placed before him, to shew that he is heir apparent to the crown. After the king has lest the house, and is disrobed, both the said crowns are conveyed back to the Tower in the same privated manner.

Twelfth, the rich crown of state, with the globe, sceptre, and diadem, which queen Mary, the consort of his late majesy king William the third, wore in proceeding to her coronation.

Thirteenth, an ivory sceptre with a dove on the top, made for the late king James's queen. This is in length three feet one inch and a half, the pommel whereof and garnature is gold, as is also the mound which crosses the top. The dove is gold enamelled white; at the bottom it is about two inches round, at the top an inch and an half, or thereabouts.

Fourteenth, the golden spurs, which are very large and massy, and curiously wrought, of great antiquity, and are worn at coronations; as are the armilla's, which are golden bracelets for wrists.

Lastly, the ampulla, or eagle, of pur gold finely engraved, which holds the holy oil the kings and queens of England are anointed with. It stands on a pedestal with its wings expanded. The head screws off at the middle of the neck, for the conveniency of pouring in the oil; the neck being hollow to the beak; the holy oil is poured out into the large golden spoon set apart for that purpose, thro' the point of the beak; the heighth of this golden eagle from bottom to top, including the pedestal of foot, is about nine inches; the wings whereof expand about seven inches. The weight of the whole is about ten ounces. This and the spoon are curiosities of great antiquity.

There are, besides the inestimable treasures above particularly mentioned, several cuirous and valuable pieces of plate and other rich furniture, not usually exposed to publick view; a particular description of which would be too redious to be here inserted.

However, for the further information and amusement of our little readers, we shall close this chapter with a poetical account of the bold and unparalleled attempt of a desperate villain, with others of his associates, to strip the jewel-office of the royal crown, globe, sceptre, &c. with the happy prevention of their wicked design; in which had they succeeded, the loss could never have been repaired.

THE WOLF in SHEEPS CLOATHING; or, the VILLAIN TRIUMPHANT.

Now, my young readers, lend an ear,

And you a matchless Tale shall hear,

How one in a canonick gown,

Pilfer'd away old England's crown;

And how (which aggrandiz'd the matter)

The globe and sceeptre sollowed after:

But watchful providence decreed

To bring to light so dark a deed.

In gay king Charles the second's days.

(So, readers, my historian says)

One Blood [a], one Parrot [b], and another [c]

Notorious rogue, their friend and brother,

Laid a bold scheme, in one half hour

To seize the treasures of the Tower.

The better to secure success,

Blood strait put on a parson's dress,

And took his wife, an artful jade,

Well yers'd in the Mercurial-trade [d],

To see the jewels in the Tower,

And stay'd, at least, full half an hour.

Madam [e] at length sunk gently down

Into an artificial swoon.

Blood, saint-like, lifted up his eyes,

And feign'd a husband's fond surprize:

One Edwards [f] who ther kept the house,

With great indulgence treats his spouse;

Calls for assistance, holds her head,

And leads her gently up to bed.

With eyes half clos'd th' imposton fell,

Slunber'd an hour, and all was well.

The parson, at departure, said,

How shall this goodness be repaid?

Hence a firm friendship was profest,

And gifts his gratitude exprest.

In short—to ripen the design

Of this arch-villain, sham divine,

He made an offer quickly after

To wed his [g] nephew with her daughter. —

Her husband lik'd the proposition:

Writings were drawn with expedition:

Fix'd in an instant was the day,

The memorable ninth of May.

On which the bold attempt was made;

The crown was stoln, the villains fled,

And [h] Edwards left at home for dead.

Treason and murder soon was cry'd;

The crown beneath Blood's gown was 'spy'd;

And Parrot, being before suspected,

Was, with the globe conceal'd, detected.

Thus the Regalia were recover'd;

And thousands round the villains hover'd.—

Both were in irons quickly laid,

And to the Tower, White Tower, convey'd.

Soon they were summon'd to Whitehall,

Where to the king Blood own'd it all.

Fearless, he added to't a lye.

Told him of a conspiracy,

If He or Parrot once should dye;

Of men who would in ambush lay,

And take his precious life away:

But if they met with his compassion,

They'd prove of service to the nation.

The king, sore frightened at that time,

Not only pardon'd the bold crime,

But, what is monstrous to declare,

Gave Blood five hundred pounds a year.

CHAP. V. Of the Line, Batteries, &c.

THE line is a narrow, neat, paved way, just within the battlements of the wall which surrounds the Tower; upon this line, which is about half a mile in compass, are four batteries, which by means thereof have an easy communication one with another.

The first entrance upon the line is just beyond Traitor's bridge, where is a clean paved walk about seventy yards long, called the ladies walk, because 'tis much frequented by the fair sex in summer evenings. On the left hand is a pleasant row of shady trees, extending from the one end to the other; and on the right, the wall which encompasseth the Tower; over which is a delightful prospect of the river Thames, with the ships, boats, &c. passing up and down, as also of the wharf belonging to the Tower, on which are planted sixty one large iron cannon.

At the farther end of the ladies walk you descend the steps, and going on a little way you ascend the line again, where presently you come to the first six gun battery, which commands the river to the fouth: here stands a centinel, as there does likewise at each of the other batteries.

A few yards from this battery, at the east end of the Tower, you come to the second six gun battery, which has likewise a
DEVIL upon DUTY.

command of the river. This is called the divil's battery; the origin of which story is as follows.

Of the Devil's Battery.

HEAR now, young readers, how it came,

To bear that hideous, frightful name:

The tale is merry, tho' 'tis old:

Then take it, as to me 'twas told.

As once a centinel was put.

To guard this little eastern spot;

Soon as 'twas dark, before his eyes

A shocking spectre did arise,

Of bulk enormous, full as tall

As either giant in Guildhall:

And what still made him look the bolder,

He bore a cannon on his shoulder.

The soldier frighten'd quits his post,

And looks as pale as any ghost;

Flies to his corporal, who was near,

And tells the ground-work of his fear.

Bless me! he cry'd, what shall. I do?

I've seen old Satan— 'faith! 'tis true.

Return, for shame, the corporal said,

Let's go and shoot old Satan dead.

Onwards they march— the corporal spies

The devil with his saweer eyes.

Fearles at once Don Quixote fir'd;

Down dropt the devil, or retir'd.

Hence, let the fact be how it will,

'Tis call'd the devil's bettery still.

From this battery, at about two hundred yards distance, you come to a spacious, strong, stone battery, where there are eight large iron cannon mounted. This battery is at the north corner of the east end of the Tower.— From thence you pass on to the fourth battery, where there are six guns, which point towards the north. The guns are fired from all these batteries, and from those also of the wharf, on some particular rejoicing days, such as the king's birthday, being the 30th of October, and his return from abroad; and from the wharf alone, on all other royal holidays, and likewise as often as his majesty goes to the parliament house, and on the 29th of May, 5th of November, &c.

From the last battery we proceed to the royal mint, where all the gold, silver, and copper coins and medals are struch; belonging to the management of which there are several officers, of whom the warden is chief.

I could very willingly give my young readers a particular account of the art of making of money, but I am afraid it might tempt some naughty persons to counterfeit, the current coin, for which I should be justly blamed, and become in some measure accessary to the fatal consenquences that might attend it.

CHAP. VI. Of the inside of the White tower.

I Must first inform my young readers, that the inside of this grand Tower is not publickly shewn, but as they, in proceeding from one place to the other, in order to see the rarities, pass by it two or three times, and will very likely be inquisitive to know what is with inside, I shall therefore endeavour to satisfy their curiousity.

This Tower is a large magazine, or vast storehouse, filled with prodigious numbers of various kinds of instruments. of war: The vaults, which perhaps are the largest and finest in all the world, are filled with bags of salt petre, for the making of gunpowder. Upon the first sloor are several spacious rooms; one of which is a small armoury for the sea service, for ten thousand men. Which arms are of various sorts, very curious, and laid up in beautiful order.

In another room are a multitude of fine closets, presses and lockers, all filled with an almost incredible number of tools for the war service. As to gunpowder, there is but little kept in this place, only so much as will serve for the use of the garrison. This Tower has three very high stories, and, upon the top of all, fine leads; and, what is surprizing, water from the Thames is forced by an engine to the top of this lofty Tower; where it fills a cistern of about seven feet deep, nine broad, and about sixty feet in length: being the biggest that I ever saw or heard of.

The walls of this strong Tower, are, at the groundfloor, one and twenty feet thick; at the second, about sixteen feet, and at the third about seven feet thick. At the south side of this White Tower is a room, formerly a chapel, where are kept the ancient records of this nation.

I shall next tell my readers the time and ceremony of opening and shutting the gates of the Tower, and so conclude this history.

CHAP. VII. Of the ceremony of opening and shutting the gates of the Tower.

AT half an hour after nine o'clock at night the bell on the top of the governor's house rings, to warn the inhabitants or others to go out, or come into the garrison, as their affairs may require: At the same time the drum beats over the spur guard, at the entrance into the Tower, to give notice to the soldiers who are absent from duty, to come in; likewise at ten a-clock the tattoo beats, Go to bed, Tom, from the main guard, which is at the west side of the white Tower, quite round the Tower, to the place from whence they set out.

At eleven o'clock (which is the hour they lock up the gates, both in winter and summer) the yeoman porter calls a serjeant and a file fo men to attend the keys to lock up the royal Tower; who proceed with him to the spur guard, or outer gates, which being secured, they go back to the main guard; where the yeoman porter cries, God bless the king; the guard, who are drawn. up in order, answer Amen: From thence they go to the governor's house, where they lodge the keys; after which no person, upon any account whatsoever, can either go out or come into the Tower, till next morning; when the same ceremony is again observed at opening the gates; in the summer at half an hour after five, and in the winter at seven.

About half and hour after nine, before they look up the Tower, one of the warders, with a guard of soldiers upon duty, locks up the gates upon the wharf, and, drawing up the draw-bridge, locks the gate which leads to it, and so retires into the Tower, after which no person can go out, or come in.

Having now shut the gates of the Tower, I have nothing more to add concerning the curiosities of this place — but I beg leave to inform my young readers, that the History of Westminster Abbey is now in hand, and will be got ready for the press with all convenient speed: Subscribers are desired to bring or send their names to Thomas Boreman Bookseller in Guildhall, or at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill, London; and they shall be carefully inserted with due order and distinction; each paying down Six-pence a Set in part at subscribing, it being a large and expensive undertaking.

Notes

a
Blood was the son of a blacksmith in Ireland; a fellow that thought small villanies below him. — He once rescued a comrade of his out of the hands of the sheriff's officers, as they were leading him to the gallows. — At another time be laid a design in Ireland to surprize the castle of Dublin, &c. and to usurp the government., But being discovered by the duke of Ormond, he vowed revenge. — Accodingly, one night he, with some of his associates, went boldly up to the coach, took him out of it, and tied him fust behind one of his comrades, who role away with him; but the duke throwing him off his horse, and procuring assistance, got released. — Blood losing his repulation among his fellow rogues through this miscarriage, resolved to make amends by a more daring villany, that of stealing the Regalia.
↵

b
Parrot was a silk-dyer in Southwark; and in the Rebellion had been majorgeneral Harrison's lieutenant.
↵

c
The other was named Hunt, a son in law of Blood's, and trained up under him.
↵

d
The art of thieving.
↵

e
Blood's wife.
↵

f
The jewel-keeper' wife.
↵

g
One who he pretended had three hundred a year in land, which was at his disposal.
↵

h
He was keeper of the jewel-office.
↵

Just Published, (Price Four-pence each Volume, finely bound)

Dedicated to all the little Masters and Misses in town and country, the Third Edition beautifully printed, of

- 1. THE History of the two famous Giants and other Curiosities in Guildhall London.

- 2. The second Gigantick Volume, which compleats the History of Guildhall: To which is added, a particular Account of the whole Procession of my Lord Mayor's Shew. The Second Edition.

- 3. Curiosities in the Tower of London. The Second Edition.

- 4. The History of the Cathedral St. Paul, Vol. I.

- 5. The Second Volume of the History of St. Paul's; to which is added, an Account of the Monument.

The above Gigantick Histories are printed for and sold by Tho. Boreman, near the Giants in Guildhall, and at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill, London.

N. B. All wholesale Dealers in Toys, Haberdashery Goods, &c. may be furnish'd with these entertaining Books to dispose of, with good Allowance.

Information about this book

Title statement

Curiosities in the Tower of London.: [pt.2]

Boreman, Thomas, fl. 1730-1743.

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ID [ota]

http://ota.ox.ac.uk/id/5027

ID [isbn10]

110602026X

ID [isbn13]

9781106020260

ID [TCP]

K094902.002

ID [BIBNO]

cw3305223935

ID [ECSS]

0845700102

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Source

— Curiosities in the Tower of London., Boreman, Thomas, fl. 1730-1743.. The second edition.. 2v. : ill. ; 64⁰. London :: printed for Tho. Boreman, London,. 1741.. [Anonymous. By Thomas Boreman.] [With a list of subscribers in each volume.] [Reproduction of original from the British Library.] [English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT118393.] [Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).]

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