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The flourishing state of Marchandise in the Citie of London in the dayes of
Willielmus Malmesburiensis, which died in the yeere 1142. in the reigne
of K. Stephen.

Haud longe a Rofa quasi viginti quinque milliarijs est Londonia Ciuitas
nobilis, opima ciuium diuitijs, constipata negociatorum ex omni terra, &
maxime ex Germania venientium, commercijs. Vnde fit vt cum vbique in Anglia
caritas victualium pro sterili prouentu messium sit, ibi necessaria
distrahantur & emantur minore, quam alibi, vel vendentium compendio, vel
ementium dispendio. Peregrinas inuehit merces Ciuitatis finibus Tamesis
fluuius famosus, qui citra vrbem ad 80. milliaria fonticulo fusus, vltra
plus 70. nomen profert. [Footnote: Guliel. Malmesb. de gestis pont.
Anglorum lib. 2.]

The same in English.

Not farre from Rochester, about the distance of fiue and twenty miles,
standeth the Noble Citie of London, abounding with the riches of the
inhabitants, [Sidenote: Germanie] and being frequented with the traffique
of Marchants resorting thither out of all nations, and especially out of
Germanie. Whereupon it commeth to passe, that when any generall dearth of
victuals falleth out in England, by reason of the scarcitie of corne,
things necessary may there be prouided and bought with lesse gaine vnto the
sellers, and with lesse hinderance and losse vnto the buyers, then in any
other place of the Realme. Outlandish wares are conueighed into the same
Citie by the famous riuer of Thames: which riuer springing out of a
fountaine 80. miles beyond the Citie, is called by one and the selfe same