Bridewell is situated on the west side of Fleet Ditch, a little to
the southward of Fleet Street, having two fronts, one to the east,
and the other to the north, with a handsome great gate in each of
them. It consists chiefly of two courts, the innermost being the
largest and best built, four or five storeys high, on the south side
whereof is a noble hall, adorned with the pictures of King Edward
VI. and his Privy Council, King Charles, and King James II., Sir
William Turner, Sir William Jeffreys, and other benefactors.

It was one of the palaces of the Kings of England till the reign of
King Edward VI., who gave it to the City of London for the use of
their poor, with lands of the value of 700 marks per annum, and
bedding and furniture out of the Hospital of the Savoy, then
suppressed.

Here are lodgings and several privileges for certain tradesmen, such
as flax-dressers, tailors, shoemakers, &c., called art masters, who
are allowed to take servants and apprentices to the number of about
140, who are clothed in blue vests at the charge of the house, their
masters having the profit of their labour. These boys having served
their times, have their freedom, and ten pound each given them
towards carrying on their trades; and some of them have arrived to
the honour of being governors of the house where they served.

This Hospital is at present under the direction of a president, and
some hundreds of the most eminent and substantial citizens, with
their inferior officers; and a court is held every Friday, where
such vagrants and lewd people are ordered to receive correction in
the sight of the Court, as are adjudged to deserve it.