the Steel-yard and Dowgate, stood that magnificent mansion of the olden time, the Erber-so intimately associated with the stirring times of chivalry, and with more than one illustrious name. It was granted by Edward the Third to the gallant and learned Sir Geoffrey Le Scrope. Its next illustrious occupant was John Lord Neville of Raby, the heroic companion in arms of Edward the Third, from whom it descended to his son, Ralph Neville, first Earl of Westmoreland. This was that powerful lord, who was so instrumental in raising Henry Duke of Lancaster to the throne as Henry the Fourth, and who afterwards so distinguished himself in that Border warfare, and in those successful operations against the Percies, which led to the battle of Shrewsbury, and to the untimely end of the impetuous and heroic Harry Hotspur. From the Earl of Westmoreland, the Erber passed into the possession of another branch of the Nevilles, the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick. But the principal interest which attaches itself to the spot, is from its having been the residence of the great "King-maker," Richard, Earl of Warwick. Some idea may be formed of his princely hospitality, from the fact that, at his house in London, no fewer than six oxen were daily consumed by his retainers at breakfast; any person, moreover, who happened to have access to his establishment, being permitted to take away with him, "as much sodden and roast meat as he might carry upon a long dagger." After the death of the Earl, the ragged staff and white cross disappeared from over the portals of the Erber; and not long afterwards we find it occupied by the ill-fated George Duke of Clarence, "false, fleeting, perjured Clarence," who obtained a grant of it from Parliament in right of his wife, Isabel, daughter of the King-maker. After the death of Clarence, the Erber became the residence of his younger brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, on whose usurpation, as Richard the Third, we find it styled the King's Palace, and undergoing considerable repairs. During the brief reign of Richard, it was occupied for him by one Ralph Darnel, a yeoman of the crown; but, on the death of the usurper, was restored to Edward, son of the Duke of Clarence, in whose possession it remained till his attainder in August, 1500. It was rebuilt in 1584, by Sir Thomas Pullison, Lord Mayor of London, and not long afterwards became, according to Stow, the residence of the great navigator and hero, Sir Francis Drake. Pursuing our route in a westwardly direction along Thames Street, on the right hand is the street called Dowgate Hill, and immediately opposite it, on the left, is a small passage leading to the Thames. This passage leads us to the site of the ancient wharf, or port, of the Saxons, called Dowgate, to which we have already referred. But the ground is rendered still more interesting, from its being the site of the trajectus, or ferry—the identical spot on the banks of the Thames, from whence the ferry-boats of the Romans passed over to the opposite side of the river, in connection with the great military way to Dover. Here also centered, and branched off, the Roman military roads, which led to their different stations throughout England. Ben Jonson speaks Of Dowgate torrents falling into Thames ; and Strype, alluding to the descent from Dowgate Hill, informs us that, in his time, "in great and sudden rains, the water comes down from other streets with that swiftness, that it oftimes causeth a flood in the lower part." Close to Dowgate ran,—and probably still runs into the Thames, though converted into a filthy sewer, the once clear and rapid river of Walbrook. How changed from the days when it rippled and flowed from its source in the Moorfields, and when it was crossed by several bridges, which were kept in repair by different religious houses, who were only too grateful for the advantages which they derived from its pure and refreshing waters! On the occasion of the new buildings being erected at the Bank in 1803, Walbrook might be still seen among the foundations, pursuing its trickling course towards the Thames. A little beyond Dowgate is Three Cranes' Lane, leading to the ancient Three Cranes Wharf, so called from the cranes used in landing wine and heavy articles of merchandise. It was principally used by the vintners, or wine-merchants, who abounded in this locality, and who obtained for it the title of the Vintry. In Ben Jonson's comedy, "The Devil is an Ass," (act i. scene i.) we find Nay, boy, I will bring thee to the bawds and the roysterers, And see there the gimblets, how they make their entry. Close by, on the south side of Thames Street, is the hall of the Vintners' Company, which stands on the site of a large mansion once occupied by Sir John Stodie, Lord Mayor of London in 1357. This company was first incorporated in 1340, under the name of Wine-tunners. In the courtroom are portraits of Charles the Second, James the Second, Mary d'Este, and Prince George of Denmark. In the Vintry stood, at the commencement of the fourteenth century, the magnificent mansion of Sir John Gisors, Lord Mayor of London, and Constable of the Tower. Later in that century, we find it the residence of Sir Henry Picard, Vintner and Lord Mayor, who entertained here, with great splendour, no less distinguished personages than his sovereign, Edward the Third, John King of France, the King of Cyprus, David King of Scotland, Edward the Black Prince, and a large assemblage of the nobility. "And after," says Stow," the said Henry Picard kept his hall against all comers whosoever, that were willing to play at dice and hazard. In like manner the Lady Margaret, his wife, did also keep her chamber to the same effect.” We are told that, on this occasion, "the King of Cyprus, playing with Sir Henry Picard, in his hall, did win of him fifty marks; but Picard, being very skilful in that art, altering his hand, did after win of the same King the same fifty marks, and fifty marks more; which when the same King began to take in ill part, although he dissembled the same, Sir Henry said unto him, 'My Lord and King, be not aggrieved; I court not your gold, but your play, for I have not bid you hither that you might grieve:' and giving him his money again, plentifully bestowed of his own amongst the retinue. Besides, he gave many rich gifts to the King, and other nobles and knights, which dined with him, to the great glory of the citizens of London in those days." On the west side of the Vintry, Worcester Place points out the site of Worcester Inn, the residence of the learned and accomplished John de Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester, Chancellor and Lord Deputy of Ireland in the reign of Edward the Fourth. This remarkable man is said to have visited Rome for the express purpose of examining the library in the Vatican, on which occasion he addressed so eloquent an oration to Pope Pius the Second, as to draw tears from his Holiness. Being a staunch |