4. Newgate, So Called From Its Being Built Later Than The Other
Principal Gates, Is Situated On The North-West
Corner of the city,
said to be erected in the reign of Henry I. or King Stephen, when
the way
Through Ludgate was interrupted by enlarging the cathedral
of St. Paul's and the churchyard about it. This gate hath been the
county jail for Middlesex at least five hundred years. The west, or
outside of the gate is adorned with three ranges of pilasters and
their entablements of the Tuscan order. Over the lowest is a
circular pediment, and above it the King's arms. The inter columns
are four niches, and as many figures in them, well carved, and large
as the life. The east, or inside of the gate, is adorned with a
range of pilasters with entablements as the other, and in three
niches are the figures of justice, mercy, and truth, with this
inscription, viz., "This part of Newgate was begun to be repaired in
the mayoralty of Sir James Campel, Knight, anno 1630, and finished
in the mayoralty of Sir Robert Ducie, Bart., anno 1631; and being
damnified by the fire in 1666, it was repaired in the mayoralty of
Sir George Waterman, anno 1672."
5. Ludgate, the ancient western gate of the city, stands between
Newgate and the Thames, built by King Lud about threescore years
before the birth of our Saviour. It was repaired in the reign of
King John, anno 1215, and afterwards in the year 1260, when it was
adorned with the figures of King Lud and his two sons, Androgeus and
Theomantius; but at the Reformation, in the reign of Edward VI.,
some zealous people struck off all their heads, looking upon images
of all kinds to be Popish and idolatrous. In the reign of Queen
Mary, new heads were placed on the bodies of these kings, and so
remained till the 28th of Queen Elizabeth, anno 1586, when the gate,
being very ruinous, was pulled down, and beautifully rebuilt: the
east or inside whereof was adorned with four pilasters and
entablature of the Doric order, and in the intercolumns were placed
the figures of King Lud and his two sons (who are supposed to have
succeeded him) in their British habits again; and above them the
queen's arms, viz., those of France and England quarterly, the
supporters a lion and a dragon. It was afterwards repaired and
beautified, anno 1699, Sir Francis Child lord mayor. The west or
outside of the gate is adorned with two pilasters and entablature of
the Ionic order; also two columns and a pediment adorning a niche,
wherein is placed a good statue of Queen Elizabeth in her robes and
the regalia; and over it the queen's arms between the city
supporters, placed at some distance. This gate was made a prison
for debtors who were free of the city, anno 1 Richard II., 1378,
Nicholas Brember then mayor, and confirmed such by the mayor and
common council, anno 1382, John Northampton mayor.
The Tower of London is situated at the south-east end of the city,
on the river Thames, and consists in reality of a great number of
towers or forts, built at several times, which still retain their
several names, though at present most of them, together with a
little town and church, are enclosed within one wall and ditch, and
compose but one entire fortress.
It was the vulgar opinion that the Tower was built by Julius Caesar;
but, as I have before shown, history informs us that Caesar made no
stay in England, that he erected no town or fortress, unless that
with which he enclosed his ships on the coast of Kent, nor left a
single garrison or soldier in the island on his departure.
This Tower, as now encompassed, stands upon twelve acres of ground,
and something more, being of an irregular form, but approaching near
to that of an oblong, one of the longest sides lying next the river,
from whence it rises gradually towards the north, by a pretty deep
ascent, to the armoury, which stands upon the highest ground in the
Tower, overlooking the White Tower built by William the Conqueror,
and the remains of the castle below it on the Thames side, said to
be built by William Rufus.
As to the strength of the place, the works being all antique, would
not be able to hold out four-and-twenty hours against an army
prepared for a siege: the ditch indeed is of a great depth, and
upwards of a hundred feet broad, into which the water of the Thames
may be introduced at pleasure; but I question whether the walls on
the inside would bear the firing of their own guns: certain it is,
two or three battering-pieces would soon lay them even with the
ground, though, after all, the ditch alone is sufficient to defend
it against a sudden assault. There are several small towers upon
the walls; those of the largest dimensions, and which appear the
most formidable, are the Divelin Tower, on the north-west; and the
Martin Tower on the north-east; and St. Thomas's Tower on the river
by Traitor's Bridge; which I take to be part of the castle said to
be built by William Rufus. There is also a large tower on the
outside the ditch, called the Lions' Tower, on the south-west
corner, near which is the principal gate and bridge by which coaches
and carriages enter the Tower; and there are two posterns with
bridges over the ditch to the wharf on the Thames side, one whereof
is called Traitor's Bridge, under which state prisoners used to
enter the Tower.
The principal places and buildings within the Tower, are (1) The
parochial church of St. Peter (for the Tower is a parish of itself,
in which are fifty houses and upwards, inhabited by the governor,
deputy-governor, warders, and other officers belonging to the
fortress).
(2) To the eastward of the church stands a noble pile of building,
usually called the armoury, begun by King James II.
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