The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 19, No. 540, March 31, 1832 by Various
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page 2 of 47 (04%)
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preservation of fresh-water fish, which were said to be kept for the
supply of the royal table, under the inspection of an officer, called the king's purveyor of pike, who had here a house for his residence."[1] On the Bankside, prior to the above date, were also the ancient Bordello, or Stews, which, according to Pennant, were distinguished by their respective signs painted against the walls, one of which, in particular, was the Cardinal's Hat; and a small court, now or till lately called _Cardinal's Hat Court_, still exists on the Bankside, and probably shows the precise site of the mansion of depravity. In like manner we find on Bankside, _Pike Garden_, _Globe Alley_, and in the vicinity a public-house with the sign of the _Globe_. On Bankside also stood an ancient Hall and Palace of the Bishops of Winchester, stated to have been built by William Gifford, Bishop of Winchester, about the year 1107, on a piece of ground belonging to the Prior of Bermondsey, to whom was paid a yearly acknowledgment. The great court, at one time belonging to this palace, is still known by the name of _Winchester Square_, and in the adjacent street was, some time since, an abutment of one of the gates. Near this Palace, on the south, at one time stood the Episcopal Palace of the Bishops of Rochester; which is supposed to have bequeathed its name to _Rochester Street_. The whole of the _Bank_ shown in the Cut is now densely populated, and scarcely a pole of green sward is left to denote its ancient state. On the opposite or Middlesex bank may be distinguished the celebrated Castle Baynard. The second Cut represents the BULL and BEAR-BAITING THEATRES, as they appeared in their first state, A.D. 1560. This spot was called Paris Garden, and the two theatres are said to have been the first that were formed near London. In these, according to Stow, were scaffolds for the spectators to stand upon, an indulgence for which they paid in the following manner: "Those who go to Paris Garden, the Bell Savage, or Theatre, to behold bear-baiting, enterludes, or fence-play, must not |
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