LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, p. xi. PREFACE, pp. xiii to xv. INTRODUCTION, pp. xvii to xxiv. CHAPTER L-Antiquity and Early History of the Company. Fitzstephen's Description of the Guilds.-The " Saddlery of Westchepe."-The Conventual Church of St. Martin's-le-Grand.-Ancient Convention between the Saddlers and the Convent.-Antiquity of the Company.-Their earliest Charter and Liberties.-The City Letter Books and their Notices of the Company.-Curious Ordinances of the Saddlers and Joiners.-Dispute between the Saddlers and the Loriners.-Craft Jealousy.-A Faction Fight.-Wages of a Saddler fixed by Royal Decree.-The Saddlers and the Girdlers.-Ordinances of a.d. 1363.-The Company's Contribution to the French Wars of Edward HI.-Charter from Edward HI.-Representatives on the Common Council.-A Despotic Mayor, Nicholas Brembre.-The Company petition the Crown and Parliament.-Incorporation Charter from Richard II.-Interesting Dispute between Master and Yeomen Saddlers.-Charters from Henry VL ; from Edward IV. ; from Henry VII.-The Company in 1537.-Charter from Henry VIII.-Statute of Chantries Act, i Edward VI.-Charter from Elizabeth.-The Company's Ordinance of 1 56 1.-The First English Lottery.-Grant of Arms.-The Company's Mottoes, pp. 1-58. CHAPTER II.-Historical Notices of the Company, continued. Company's Order Books commence.-A Glance at the State of the Company in the beginning of the XVI Ith Century.-Cheapside in a.d. 1600.-Its Churches.-The Little Conduit.-The Cross.-The Standard.-The "Mermaid" Tavern.-The Compters or Counters.-Ludgate.-The Gunpowder Plot.-King of Denmark visits the City.-Charter from James I.-Frequent Plagues during XVIIth Century.-That of 1 607.-Ratification of Company's Ordinances.-The Cowrie Conspiracy.-"Ayde" Money.-^Colonization of Virginia.-Interference by Crown in domestic Concerns of Company.-Company's Scholars at the Universities.-Colonization of Ulster.-The Palatinate.-Introduction of Coaches.-Opposed by the Company.-Coronation of Charles I.-" Whifflers."-Plague of 1630.-The Incident of Dr. Lambe.-Restoration of St. Paul's Cathedral-St. George's, Southwark.-The Era of the Revolution.-Heavy vlli Contents. Exactions from the Companies.-Bury St. Edmunds Plague.-Shipmoney,-Loans to Charles I. and the Parliament.-Plate sold to raise Money.-Money borrowed by the Company.-Trouble in Ireland.-More Demands.-"Solemn League and Covenant."-The Company and the Saddles for the Army.-Gunpowder Stock.-Battle of Worcester.-"Ye States Armes."-Saddlers' Hall in 1653.-The Restoration.-Straitened Circumstances of the Company.-Their Contribution to Charles IL-More Exactions.-Coronation of Charles IL-The Company attend the King in his Entry into London.-War with Scotland.-The Ship " Loyall London."-The Great Plague of 1664.-The Great Fire.-The rebuilding of the Hall.-Lord Mayors' Shows.-Processions by Water.-Alderman Dashwood's Gift.-The Company's Barge Cloth.-The Company and the Water Pageant.-" Stands."-The King's Esquire Saddler.-The Company and the Coachmakers.-Quo Warranto.-Surrender of the Company's Charter.-New Ch...

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