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RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

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ANCIENT BRIDEWELL.[5]


The following curious facts, respecting the state of the metropolis
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, are extracted from the weekly
reports made by William Fletewood, Recorder of London, to Lord
Burghley:--

"My singuler good Lord, uppon Thursdaye, at even, her Majistie, in her
coache, nere Islyngton, taking of the air, her Highnes was environed
with a nosmber of roogs. One Mr. Stone, a foteman, cam in all hast to
my Lord Maior, and after to me, and told us of the same. I dyd the same
nyght send warrants owt into the seyd quarters, and into Westminster and
the Duchie; and in the morning I went abrood my selff, and I tooke that
daye lxxiiij. roogs, whereof some were blynde, and yet great usurers,
and very rich; and the same daye, towards nyght, I sent Mr. Harrys and
Mr. Smithe, the Governors of Bridwell, and tooke all the names of the
roogs; and then sent theym from the Sessions Hall into Bridwell, where
they remayned that nyght. Uppon Twelff daye, in the forenoone, the