Open City: London, 1500–1700 exhibition material

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This article offers a comprehensive list of each piece included in Open City: London, 1500–1700 one of the Exhibitions at the Folger.

London Observed (case 1)

According to old stories, England — or Albion — was settled by the Trojan prince Brutus, the great grandson of Aeneas, after many years of wandering. Troynovant, or New Troy, was the name of the capital. Such mythic tales were only beginning to be questioned in the England of Queen Elizabeth. New sources of evidence were sought in written records, archaeological finds, and systems of mapping. London came into focus as a subject of historical study as voyages of discovery and trade to new parts of the world awoke English interest in the origins of their own society.

The first written reference to London is thought to have been made by Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus. His Annales, written in the second century AD, told the story of Boadicea, a British warrior widow who led a native rebellion against the Roman governor, Suetonius, in 61 AD. In describing Suetonius’ decision not to defend London, Tacitus characterized the city as “not greatly famous by the name of a colonie, but for concourse of Merchants, and provision of all things necessary, of great fame and renow[n]e.”

Centuries later, headmaster of Westminster School (for boys) William Camden set out to write an account of Roman Britain. Intending to emphasize Britain’s place in the Roman Empire, Camden ended up surveying the history and topography of England, county by county. Adapting the Greek term for place, Camden’s “chorographical description” of the nation became a landmark in English history writing.

But perhaps best known is John Stow's Survey of London, which provides the one indispensible source of information about London at the turn of the seventeenth century. His Survey is organized as a systematic walk around the walls, through the gates, and into the wards of his native city. Stow’s sources included the memories of older contemporaries, the records of the city, and charters of the recently dissolved monasteries. He aimed to preserve the memory of the medieval city passing out of existence. His account was adapted over the years as London grew and changed.

For visual depictions of the city, we can turn first to the "Nuremberg Chronicle," a world history mixing a Christian view of providential history, from Creation to Last Judgment, with new humanist influences from Italy. The “Nuremberg Chronicle” combined some fairly realistic depictions of late fifteenth-century cities with purely fanciful, interchangeable views. London clearly was not of sufficient importance to the publisher Koberger to invest in a custom woodcut. Instead, the woodcut used to depict London in the Latin edition also depicted Troy, Pisa, Ravenna, and others.

Other visuals of London can be found in maps of the city. John Norden's small but user-friendly map of London offers a scale of distances and an alphabetical key to major streets, homes, and public buildings in London. Norden emphasized London’s civic governance by adding the coats of arms of the major trading companies. His was the first map of London to focus closely on the city apart from the seat of national government in Westminster. By contrast, Franz Hogenberg's map Londinum Feracissimi Angliae Regni Metropolis features the medieval city walls, but the view takes in the whole area extending from the seats of national government at Westminster and Whitehall Palace in the west to the broadening of the Thames for ocean-going traffic in the east. Several streets and intersections are labeled, but the most reliable points of orientation to the city are the river landings and other landmarks that can be seen best from the river. St. Paul’s Cathedral is centered in the view. This is a rare surviving depiction of the medieval St. Paul’s. The cathedral is shown complete with its spire, even though the spire had burnt in 1561.

Items included

Case 1

  • John Norden. Speculum Britanniae. The first parte. An Historicall and Chorographical II Description of Middlesex. London, 1593. Call number: MAP L85a no.7 (size S) and LUNA Digital Image.
  • Cornelius Tacitus. The Annales of Cornelius Tacitus. London: Arn. Hatfield, 1598. Call number: STC 23644 copy 3; displayed p. 210-211.
  • FACSIMILE from The British Library. Miniature of Charles, duke of Orléans in the Tower of London, from a Flemish manuscript of around 1500. Royal 16 F11, f73.
  • William Camden. Britannia sive Florentissimorum regnorum Angliæ, Scotiæ, Hiberniæ. London: Radulphum Newbery, 1586. Call number: STC 4503 copy 2; displayed title page.
  • John Stow. A Survey of London. London: John Windet, 1598. Call number: STC 23340.8; displayed title page.

Wall between cases 1 and 2

Changing Cityscape, Vanishing Monasteries (case 2)

  • FACSIMILE. John Foxe. First volume of the ecclesiasticall history contaynyng the actes and monuments of thynges past. London: John Daye, 1570. STC 11223 vol. 2; displayed p.1201 (image).
  • England and Wales. Anno tricesimo primo Henrici octavi. London: Thomas Berthelet, 1539. STC 9397; displayed p. XVII (image).
  • Thomas Norton. Contemporary copy of letter from Thomas Norton, Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire, to Francis Mylles. August 31, 1581. X.c.62; displayed Fol 1 (image).
  • William Dugdale. Monasticon Anglicanum. London: Aliciæ Warren, 1661. D2486; displayed p. 504 (image).
  • St. Margaret’s Parish, Southwark. Lease from St. Margaret’s Parish, Southwark to Thomas Glover, waterman. January 21, 1537. Z.c.34 (60) (image).

Pilaster before case 3

  • Henry Walker. Bargain and sale from Henry Walker, citizen and minstrel of London, to William Shakespeare. March 10, 1612/13. Z.c.22 (45) (image).

Blackfriars: Changing Hands, Changing Functions (case 3)

  • FACSIMILE. Great Britain. Office of the Revels. Anno primo Edwardi vj. Revelles At the Coronacion of Edward the Sixt ... Together with the Charges of the mounte with thappertenaunces. 1547. L.b.8; displayed 2r (image).
  • Great Britain. Office of the Revels. Memorandum of costumes lent to the city of London for the coronation of Edward VI. February 10, 1546/47. L.b.268; displayed recto (image).
  • Sir Thomas Cawarden. Moneye payd for stuf at ye blakfriers. Manuscript ca. 1545. L.b.383; displayed recto (image).
  • Francis Beaumont. The Knight of the Burning Pestle. London: Nicholas Okes, 1613. STC 1674; displayed title page (image).
  • William Shakespeare. The tragedy of Othello, the Moore of Venice. London: Nicholas Okes, 1622. STC 22305 copy 1; displayed title page (image).

Wall above case 3

  • Wall panel on the coronation of King Edward V

Pilaster before case 4

  • Benjamin Wright. The armes of all the cheife corporations of England wt the Companees of London. London, 1596. STC 26018 Flat (image).

Cheapside (case 4)

  • Hugh Alley. A Caveatt for the citty of London. Manuscript, 1598. V.a.318; displayed p. 15 (image).
  • John Turke. Apprenticeship indenture from John Turke to Edward Fisher. April 24, 1594. Z.c.22 (38); displayed recto (image).
  • Othe of every free man. London: R. Jugge, ca. 1575. STC 16762 (image).
  • Thomas Middleton. A chast mayd in Cheape-Side. London: Francis Constable, 1630. STC 17877; displayed title page (image).
  • The Assize of Bread. London: William Stansby, 1632. STC 882; displayed D2v (image).
  • London. Livery Companies. Vintners. The petition of the retailing vintners. London, 1641. 265- 620b (image).

Pilaster before case 5

  • FACSIMILE from the British Museum. Tittle-Tattle; Or, the several Branches of Gossipping. Woodcut, ca. 1560–1600. 18th impression. Reg. #1973, U.216.

Parish Life and Alternatives To It (case 5)

  • FACSIMILE. Thomas Trevelyon. Trevelyon miscellany. Manuscript, 1608. V.b.232; displayed fol. 33v-34r (image 1, image 2).
  • Bill of Mortality for August 24–August 31, 1609. London, 1609. STC 16743.8 (image).
  • Church of England. Book of Common Prayer. London: Richard Grafton, 1549. STC 16274; displayed sig Oviii recto (image).
  • Church of England. Articles to be enquired of in the generall visitation of Edmonde Bishoppe of London. London: John Cawood, 1554. STC 10248; displayed cii-ciii (image).
  • John Véron. Notes of two sermons preached by Mr. Véron. March 8, 1559/60. X.d.501; displayed fol. 3 (image).
  • Alessandro Magno. Account of Alessandro Magno’s journeys to Cyprus, Egypt, Spain, England, Flanders, Germany and Brescia. Manuscript, 1557–65. V.a.259; displayed 167v-168r (image).

Wall above case 5

  • Plan of pews and the names of their holders. Manuscript, ca. 1600. X.d.395 (image).

Pilaster after case 5

  • FACSIMILE from The Society of Antiquaries, London. John Gipkyn. Diptych of Old St Paul’s. Oil on panel, 1616. SOA 235452, SOA 235453, SOA 235454.

St. Paul’s Cathedral (case 6)

  • James Pilkington. The burnynge of Paules Church in London. London: William Seres, 1563. STC 19931 copy 1; displayed title page (image).
  • Henry Farley. St Paules-Church her bill for the Parliament. London: George Eld, 1620. STC 10690; displayed title page (image).
  • Charles I, king of England. His Majesties commission, and further declaration: concerning the reparation of Saint Paul’s Church. London: Robert Barker, 1633. STC 9256; displayed title page (image).
  • William Dugdale. The History of St. Pauls Cathedral in London. London: Thomas Warren, 1658. D2482; displayed plate 164 (image).
  • Edward Benlowes. On St. Paul’s Cathedral. London: Dan. King, 1658. K487 copy 1 (image).
  • FACSIMILE. Detail from Robert Morden and Philip Lea. This Actuale Survey of London, Westminster, & Southwark. London, ca. 1725. MAP L85c no. 18 (image).

Wall between cases 6 and 7

  • Wall panel featuring a floorplan of St. Paul’s Cathedral and callouts describing the varied activities that took place there.

Royal Exchange (case 7)

  • Wenceslaus Hollar. Byrsa Londinensis. Etching. London, 1644? ART Vol. d86 no. 1 (image).
  • John Chapman. Sir Thomas Gresham. Stipple engraving. London: John Wilkes, 1806. ART File G831 no.2 (size XS) (image).
  • FACSIMILE. Stephen Harrison. The arch’s of triumph erected in honor of the high and mighty prince. London: John Sudbury and George Humble, ca. 1613. STC 12863a Copy 1; displayed p. 4 (image).
  • A Larum for London. London: Edward Allde, 1602. STC 16754 copy 1; displayed title page (image).
  • Thomas Heywood. If you know not me, you know no bodie. London: Nathaniell Butter, 1606. STC 13336.2; displayed title page (image).
  • Georg von Schwartzstät, Freiher von Offenbach. Diary of Georg von Schwartzstät, Freiher von Offenbach’s travels in the Netherlands, England, France and Germany. Manuscript, 1609. V.a.316; displayed after opening after fold-out engraving of St. Paul's (image).
  • Wenceslaus Hollar. Winter. Etching. London, 1643. ART 252- 175.4 (size M) (image).

Southwest Corner

  • Wenceslaus Hollar. Ad Londinum Epitomen & Ocellum. London & Antwerp, 1647 [central panel in facsimile, courtesy of The British Museum]. MAP L85c no.29 parts 1-2 (image 1) (image 2).

Northwest Corner

  • Wall panel on playhouses, featuring images illustrating the Globe, visitor impressions, and theater as empire.

Playhouses (case 8)

  • James I, king of England. A Proclamation for the due and speedy execution of the statute against rogues, vagabonds, idle and dissolute persons. London: Robert Barker, 1603. STC 8333; displayed sheet 2 (image).
  • Ben Jonson. The workes of Benjamin Jonson. London: William Stansby, 1616. STC 14751 copy 1; displayed p. 72 (image).
  • Thomas Middleton. A game at chesse. London: 1625? STC 17882.2; displayed title page (image).
  • William Shakespeare. The late and much admired play, called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. London: William White and Thomas Creede, 1609. STC 22335 copy 2; displayed title page (image).
  • Ben Jonson. The new inne, or, The light heart. London: Thomas Harper, 1631. STC 14780; displayed title page (image).
  • Henry Marsh. Wits, or, Sport upon Sport. London: for Henry Marsh, 1662. W3218; displayed title page (image).
  • England and Wales. An Order of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for suppressing of publique play-houses, dancing on ropes, and bear-baitings. London: Edward Husband, 1647. E1709A (image).
  • Thomas Dekker. Receipt from Thomas Dekker to Philip Hynchlow. January 18, 1598/99. X.d.319; displayed verso (image).

Bartholomew Fair and Smithfield (case 9)

  • Richard Grafton. Brief treatise conteyning many proper tables and rules. London: John Charlewood, 1576. STC 12156 copy 1; displayed F6v-F7r (image).
  • Anne Askew. First examinacyon of Anne Askewe. Wesel: Dirik van der Straten, 1546. STC 848; displayed title page (image).
  • Robert Crowley. The confutation of thirteen articles. London: Steven Mierdman?, 1548. STC 6083; displayed plate after A8 (image).
  • Ben Jonson. The workes of Benjamin Jonson. London: John Beale, John Dawson, Bernard Alsop and Thomas. Fawcet, 1640. STC 14754 Copy 4 pt. 1; displayed A5 (image).
  • FACSIMILE from Houghton Library, Harvard University. The solemn mock procession of the Pope, cardinals, Jesuits, fryers etc. through the city of London. November 17, 1679. London: Jonathan Wilkins, 1680. p EB65.A100.680s4.
  • FACSIMILE. J. Bluck. Bartholomew Fair. London: R. Ackerman’s Repository of Arts, 1808. ART vol. b3 no.193 (image).
  • Charles I, king of England. A proclamation prohibiting the keeping of Bartholomew Faire and Sturbridge Faire. London: John Lichfield and William Turner, 1625. STC 8793 (image).

Pilaster before case 10

  • FACSIMILE. Detail from Franz Hogenberg. Londinum Feracissimi Angliae Regni Metropolis. Engraving. London, 1574. MAP L85c no.27 (image).
  • Wenceslaus Hollar. Bird’s-eye plan of the west central district of London. Etching. London, ca. 1660. ART 264- 511 (Size L) (image).

Westward, Ho: The Development of Covent Garden (case 10)

  • Richard Brome. Five new plays. London: Andrew Crook and Henry Brome, 1659. B4872 copy 2; displayed p. 1 of “The Weeding of Covent Garden” (image).
  • James Howell. Londinopolis. London: John Streater, 1657. H3091; displayed p. 350 (multiple images).
  • Orders formerly conceived and agreed to be published…concerning the infection of the plague. London: Richard Cotes, 1646. O401; displayed title page (image).
  • Henry Herbert. Letter signed from Henry Herbert, London, to Mr. Michaell Mohan. October 13, 1660. X.c.96 (image).
  • William D’Avenant. The cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru. London: Henry Herringman, 1658. D321; displayed title page (image).
  • FACSIMILE from The British Museum. Wenceslaus Hollar. Piazza in Covent Garden. London, 1645–50. G,6.10.
  • John Ferrers. Letter from John Ferrers, Preston, to Thomas Parker. April 15, 1682. X.c.118 (image).

Wall between cases 10 and 11

  • The mournfull Cryes of many thousand Poore Tradesmen, who are ready to famish through decay of Trade. London, 1648. 265657 (image).

Church Against Church (case 11)

  • The Ambiguous Confessor. Engraving. London?, ca. 1650. 249539 ART (size M) (image).
  • Thomas Edwards. Gangræna. London: Ralph Smith, 1646. E237 Bd.w. E228; displayed Section 3 p. 113 (multiple images).
  • Francis Howgill. Some of the misteries of Gods kingdome declared. London: for Thomas Simmons, 1658. Collected and bound together with numerous Quaker pamphlets. H3179; displayed closed (image).
  • Jasper Crosse. The dolefull lamentation of Cheap-side Crosse. London: F.C. and T.B., 1641. D1837; displayed title page (image).
  • Samuel Loveday. An answer to the lamentation of Cheap-side Crosse. London: T.A., 1642. 150- 407q; displayed title page (image).
  • Anna Trapnel. The Cry of a Stone. London, 1654. 157- 082q; displayed title page (image).
  • Isaac Penington. Some considerations propounded to the Jewes. London, 1660. P1192; displayed title page (image).

Pilaster after case 11

  • Charles II, king of England. A proclamation concerning building, in, and about London and Westminster. London: John Bill and Christopher Barker, 1661. C3250 (image 1) (image 2) (image 3).

Fire and Plague (case 12)

  • London’s Dreadful Visitation, or a collection of all the Bills of Mortality for this present year. London: Edward Cotes, 1665. L2926.2; displayed recto of folded leaf following sig. O4 (image) with title page shown in facsimile (image).
  • Penelope Patrick. Receipt Book of Penelope Jephson. Manuscript, 1671, 1674–75. V.a.396; displayed fol. 12v-13r (image 1) (image 2).
  • Samuel Wiseman. On the dreadfull fire of London the 2 of Sep 1665 [i.e. 1666]. Manuscript, 1681. X.d.423; displayed leaf 3 (image).
  • William Sancroft. Lex ignea, or the school of righteousness. London: Timothy Garthwait, 1666. 134- 119q; displayed title page (image).
  • Fire Office (London, England). A Table of the Insurance Office at the Back-side of the Royal Exchange. London: Thomas Milbourne, 1682. 219411; displayed broadsheet (image).

Pilaster after case 12

  • Wenceslaus Hollar. A Generall Map of the Whole Citty . . . by which may bee computed the proportion which is burnt. London, 1666. Art Vol. d71 no.13.