The honour of London apprentices: exemplified, in a briefe historicall narration; containing many heroicall actions done by (some in particular, the rest in generall) prentices of the most renowned, and (in that regard) truly honourable City of London, both at home and abroad. In long, fore-past, present, and moderne times. / Collected and published, by a well-wisher to what himselfe once was that is to say, a prentice (and now a free citizen) of the famous City of London.

Author: A well-Wisher to What Himselfe Once Was.1647

THE HONOUR OF LONDON APPRENTICES: EXEMPLIFIED, In a briefe Historicall Narration; Containing many Heroicall actions done by (some in particular, the rest in generall) Prentices of the most renowned, and (in that regard) truly honourable City of London, both at home and abroad.

In long, fore-past, present, and moderne times.

Collected and published, by a Well-wisher to what himselfe once was that is to say, a Prentice (and now a free Citizen) of the famous City of London.

[printer's or publisher's device]

⟨June 3^d⟩ London, Printed by [...]. A. 1647▪

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The Honour of London Prentices.

TO give light to thi [...] intended narration I account it very pertinent (as an exord [...]um to the discourse) to set down an Exemplary practise (in generall) vs [...]d among London Prentices which might worthily bee wished that it weare in some record drawne into custome in all christian soc [...]eties, & that is the vnanimous correspo [...]dency that is among that innumerable company, For it is worth obseruation that whereas from all Shiers and Countries of the kingdome of England and dominion of Wales the sonns of Knights Esquires gentlmen ministers yeomen and trades m [...]n come up from their particular places of Nativity, and aboud, to be prentices in London, each one to a trade, occupation, mistery, or profession: sutable to their severall condition, quallity, or education, yet I say, though so [...] r [...]ote in bi [...] or habitation being once sealed in this famous City, (be [...]ides the commonty which obleigeth every one to his particular Master) there is (as one may say a kinde of a sup [...]rn [...]tural Sympathy & a generall Union, w [...]ich knits their h [...]rts in a bond of fraternall affection under the common [...]on of London Prent [...]ces or prentices of London: in so much that as I have taken notice many a time and often, that i [...] by (either reall or suposed wrong, or vyolence be offer [...]d to any one, the rest (though not otherwise) knowing him to be a prentice, doe imediatly (and commonly without examination of the quarell) ingage themselves in the rescue, afrighting the advarsary with this terrible sentence, Knock him down he wrongs a prentice. This generall denomination, hath begoten admirable effects [Page] in all ages, as may be seen in our English Chronicle, and in Master Strouds S [...]rvey of London, where the honour of London Prentices in generall (and of some in perticular) is conspicious to the eye of Christendome, (I & further too) the valiant exploits and notable feats of armes achieved and done by London Prentices is so remarkable that from time to time the condition hath alwaies been an inseperable adjunct to an Heriditary Honour, which drawn in a line to this pres [...]nt age, hath Ilustrated with its beames, the glory of that honourable City, as the Seminary (or seede plot) of martiall Spirits as the Isue of my mu [...]e in Heroricall verse sha [...]l though I confesse unworthyly declare to the reader or hearer of the following Naration.

TRanslucent Muse with thy emphatick beames,
Quicken my genius that this Theame of Theames,
By me may be Ilustrated so full.
That all may know what none can disanull:
The honour of brave London Lads I treat,
Who have achieved many a worthy feate;
Done that which makes the world their deeds admire,
Making great London to more height aspire,
Rasing a generall Trophy to the stile,
Of London Prenti [...]es let falce Fortune smile,
Or frowne all's one, this Apolation hath,
Trod in all t [...]mes an honorable Path;
Peruse our Chronicles from age to age,
When Fell Bellona did in England rage;
And you shall finde (whoever Peace injoy'd
Bold London Prentices in warre employd,
And such successe attended on their worth,
That rarely any Army marched forth,
Wherein the London Prentices bore sway,
But still they had the fortune of the day,
Whose Part soever this Party sided with,
Were all most sure of victory for the pith,
Marrow and veines of war in them were found▪
And all their actions were with honour crown'd;
[Page]Were London Prentices in force combin'd,
The adverse party must go down the wind,
At home▪ abroad, in Europe, Asia, and
Hot Africa, and America by Land
Or Sea, no action worth regard
Was do [...]e, but London Prentice in it shar'd.
The rayse of London Prentices did shine
Among the Infide [...]s in Palestine,
When that renowned christian Champion nam'd,
Gedfrey of Bullo [...]gne (through the world so fam'd)
Went to the holy war (so called then)
The London Prentices prov'd men of men,
And in particular In Willi­am Conq. G [...]o. Ellis Haberdasher Fran. Lee, Grocer. Alex. Beale Cu [...]ler. Walt. Vin­cen. fishm. Godf. Haris Salter. C▪ Fitz williams. Gelds. W. Valintine Taylor. Guy vaux. sadler. N. Morgan, Bras [...]er. P. Or [...]tond, Taylor. Gre Finch, Skiner. Rosse Sly, Fish. Rich. Salter. Shoo. Rol. Ashley. Butch. Sir Walter Rau­lies History of the world,  [...]l [...] 229.
 fifteen of them
Before the walls of old Ierusalem,
Slew and took pris [...]n [...]rs eight and forty Turkes,
Boldly adventuring into their workes:
Two of these Infidel [...] were great Bashaws,
Who came to over-top the christian Lawes.
These fifteen London Prentices ▪stout blades)
Nam'd in the margent, with their severall trades
Were knighted in the field, and their bright fame
Shown on faire London City (whence they came)
What honour by these Heroes London got,
Time doth record and fame forgetteth not,
Were not these worthy Prent [...]ces indeed,
Whose p [...]owesse all the Army did exceed;
Also when our stout Cordelion went
Against those Miscreants with good intent
(And pious zeale) three Regiments of these
Bold prentices with him did crosse the Seas,
And at the Ile of Cipres did such things,
That of their fame learned Marinoe sings,
At stately Acon walls they were the first
Which did adventure; when no other durst;
This was a motive which French Philip mov'd,
To leave that cause which most he should have lov'd,
Meere emnlation of these brave young men
Made him march up the hill and down agen,
Leaving King Rich, and the holy warre,
B [...]cause our men out-stript the French so farre.
[Page]Thus London Prentices where ere they came,
Purchast their own, England and London same.
Likewise when Warlike Longshankes men did raise
For the same warfare in his Fathers dayes,
A number of these Youths (prickt forward by,
Example of the former History)
(Some with their masters leaves, and some with out)
went to fetch honour from the damned Rout
Of Turkish Infidels (in Palestine)
Doing brave service (in that great designe)
And chiefly ten, which their own Story grants,
Slew 22 of the wild Miscreants.
This deed procur'd them Knight-hood, though thus fam'd,
I cannot name them, cause to me unnam'd.
Thus much for Palestine (the holy Land)
Where London Prentices bravely did stand,
For God, their Prince, and Country, with good chance,
Now will I turn my style to Spain and France,
Where we shall view (as in a glorious glasse)
The fame of London Prentices, which was
So memorable in those wars, that time
Hath given pray [...]e to this my present rime.
When our third Edward (greatest of that name)
Unto the Realme of France (at th' first laid claime,
Among the thousands, which (with willing mind)
In that great enterprize were all combin'd,
Iohn Hall a Taylor neer to Leaden Hall
Apprentice (of a mind heroicall)
Having an itching humour to the wars,
He from his master ran to follow Mars,
And at the field of Crecy he did slay
With his own hand and sword 18 that day,
And prisoner took Count Saysons: for which thing
He instantly was knighted by the King,
His Colonel being sla [...]n, he did possesse
The charge, and govern'd it with rare successe,
And for his credit (who had done such deeds)
King Edward still to honour him proceeds;
Not only him, but all the Taylors which,
I [...] London liv'd, his valour did inrich.
[Page]King Edward for Halls sake, and exaltation,
Did make the Taylors first a Corpor [...]tion:
Who linnen armours were call'd till then,
Esteemed as poor and despicable men:
But now that they more honoured might be,
The King himself o'th Company was free,
And after him 7 more were Free-men made,
Of this most honourable Kingly Trade.
Then let malicious fooles this story scan,
And blush to say, a Taylor is no man;
The Author of these lines, himself is free
O'th Merchant-taylors Company: yet he,
Did not for that respect advance them so,
Here's nothing but what Chronicles do shoe:
Now leaving France, I will return my stile,
And think I see the B [...]ack Prince in Castile,
Ayding Don Pedro Right there o'th same,
Against the bastard Henries Harl [...]t claime,
The London Prentices so lavish were
Of Manhood as by stories doth appeare)
That all the Christian world did them admire
For from the field they never wou [...]d retire,
And in particular, one William Man
On Fish-street-hill, a Vintner at the Swan,
Did shew h [...]mself a perfect man (though young)
For with a matchlesse force he laid along
Five of the Rebels (bleed [...]ng) on the ground,
Four sla [...]n (out-right) the fift with many a wound,
Was carryed from the field: all men of might
And eminence, for which he was dub'd Knight
By the Black Prince, and Baron made of Denbigh;
Thus you may see that Prentices brave men be.
But on particulars staying to long,
I shall the generall honour too much wrong.
Therefore returning to my proper streame,
Ile prosecute my first intended theame:
Observe old stories, more especially
Of the 4th Edward, and sixth Henry:
Let Warwick or his for [...]une smile or frown.
The scale of victory turn'd up or down,
[Page]Just as the Prentices did ayd or fight
Against: was sure to be, wer't wrong or right,
Which side they took prevail'd: the other part
(Wanting the help ot'h Prentices) felt smart.
Now leaving fore-past actions which have beene,
Lets now draw neere to what our eyes have seen,
In th [...]s unhappy difference, which of late
Hath prov'd both happy, and unfortunate;
This an Aenigmae may be thought to be,
Yet tis most plain to prove: for don't we see
The Cavaliers bewayling their hard fate,
The Round-heads boasting themselves fortunate;
What would their businesse have been brought unto,
Had not the Prentices been prompt to goe,
Though to'th Commanders Victory will ascribe;
Yet known experience shewes, that if the tribe
Of London Prentices had not stood out,
The other part, had prevail'd no doubt.
I will not say they fought against the King
(For that I lest uphold of any thing)
But to continue as I did beg [...]n,
Proving which part the Prentice takes must win.
A reason for't, is what I said at'h first,
A perfect union force can never burst,
And they are so united that what part
They took, is serv'd (as 'twere) but with one heart▪
Good Lads, they took Religion for their cause,
Their liberties and fundamentall lawes,
The priviledge of Parliament (what not)
But certainly by that auspitiously Lot,
Which followes London Prentices (in war)
The difference 'twards a perids run thus far,
And probable conjectures we may reap,
That from this seed of sorrow halcyon dayes
Shall spring in England; and we shall ere long
Enjoy King, Peace, Truth, Liberty, our Song,
Shall then be gratefull Locans to our God,
Our King, our Parliament, when every odde
Shall be made even; and we English-men
Restor'd unto our Pristine State agen;
[Page]And London Prentices shall honoured be
With what belongs to them (in each degree)
I'th intrim as an earnest that with love,
The Parliament doth of their zeale approve,
Their just Petitions granted, not by chance,
But even confirmed by an Ordinance,
That as their valour hath oblieg'd our Nation,
Once in a Moneth for honest recreation
A day's allow'd; thus service is rewarded,
And London Prentices are well regarded:
For so they ought (if things we rightly scan)
Sith no Lord Mayor, no Sheriffe, nor Alderman,
But was a London Prentice, ere he came
To be a Citizen free of the same,
And from that first did by degrees ascend
Unto that state which Prentices defend;
Now a short dore to shu [...] in this small Story,
Is this, Let London still th [...]nk on the glory,
Which She hath by her Prentices accrew'd,
Let Whores and Bawds leave off their courses lewd,
Least a Shrove-tuesday visit (or some houre
Wherein the London Prentices have power)
Chastise their sordities: brave Prentices,
Do utterly abhor such things as these.
Adieu my noble hearts, judge not amisse
Of him who to your honour publish'd this.

FINIS.

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