Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ...e can only conjecture. It was probably due to a native vigour and resolu- tion of character, which won attention at a critical moment, when the services of such a man. ere specially needed hy the Yorkist faction. Among the descendants of this eminent citizen we find not only such illustrious men as Prancis Bacon and Robert Cecil, hut the names also of a multitude of departed worthies who have won a notable position in our national annals. Amongst living men some of these descendants occupy the highest rank in the Peerage; others have made their mark in the House of Commons. I have printed some letters of Lord Bacon that I found among the correspondence at Guildhall. Two of these letters refer to a claim of King James the Eirst to nominate the Bailiff of Ossulston hundred. I pointed out the existence of these letters to the learned Town Clerk of London, who iuformed me that no such officer was now appointed hy the Corporation, nor had any such appointment been made in his memory. I called the attention of my learned friend Mr. W. H. Black, F. S. A., late Assistant-Keeper of the Public Records, to Lord Bacons letters on the subject, and he was good enough to favour me with a reply as follows: The county of Middlesex was granted to the citizens of London by King Johns third Charter, dated 5 July, in his first year, PREFACE. Vll by the name of the Sheriflfwick of London and Middlesex, with all the customs and things to the Sheriffwick belonging, within the city and without, by land and by water, for the annual fee-- farm rent of 300Z. payable half-yearly. This was not a new grant, but a confirmation of what had been enjoyed in antient times, and it was made to the citizens and their heirs. Hence the bailiewick of the hundred, and especially...
