01.
Bowmar Home
I moved my family to this home two years ago. It had a closet rendering the privy out back obsolete. Goodeyth, my wife, claimed it for her own. I traded our access to the closet for peace. As I walked to the privy in the rain, I realized I had gotten neither the convenience of the closet nor peace. I was ready for a change.
02.
I thanked God every day for the shelter He provided us in his church; the sanctuary He offered us. We were dry and warm. Fresh water was close by at the Cornhill Conduit on the east side of the Royal Exchange. The privy, around the corner and down the alley. Henry and Anne, our dove sentries, were good company. We took care of them and they took care of us. We were safe. Altogether, we couldn’t have asked for more.
03.
The barn wasn’t much, but it was his, for now. The owner was afraid of his gang and didn’t have the spine or the confidence in the new sheriffs to bring them round to take them up or scare them off. Lessel dreamt of finer things—a drier, warmer place to live. He readily admitted to anyone who asked; he just wasn’t willing to work for it.
04.
The Angel
King James mandated all the goldsmith shops move to Cheapside. Soon, The Angel, my shop would have more company. Rumor was he liked the pristine manner we kept our store fronts. I suspected he wanted us close to keep his eyes on us. Who would sell to make room and at what price to do their King’s bidding?
05.
The Red Fox Inn
Mistress Frake was a widow and a smart businesswoman. Her inn was the last one before leaving London and close to Newgate Prison. That meant she was just as likely to get soldiers, strangers, and drunkards as she was gentlemen. She offered ordinary fare for 4d for the poor and an eightpenny meal for the rich. But it was my skill as a cook that made the difference! My food kept them coming back.
06.
John Cardesse, newly appointed Sheriff of London, shook his head. The riots last year brought the poor conditions within Newgate Prison to the fore. The former keeper, the man charged with running Newgate, was pensioned off months ago. The two new sheriffs, and the new keeper, were all finding their feet. If there ever was a time for thieves and murders to wreak havoc across London, it was now.
07.
The Silver Cup
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08.
St. Katharine's
We haven’t met. My name is Guillaume Laudin. I am a cobbler’s son living in St.Katharine’s. My family fled France many years ago because we are protestant. We are strangers. That is how we are referred to here–strangers.
There is an odd notion amongst many that where you are born determines your loyalty. The belief is that you will be loyal to that King or Queen regardless of how they treat you. I can tell you, among those here in St. Katharine’s, that is not true. In my father’s case, it hardened his heart toward his King.
09.
Christ's Hospital
We haven’t met. I am Lewis, one of Hugh’s band of orphans. When Hugh brought home a tired, dirty, hungry two-year-old girl, I went to Christ’s Hospital to see if they might take her. The orphan boys and girls looked warm. They wore blue wool with yellow stockings. At first blush, they looked warm and cared for. You may think I envied them, but you would be wrong.
London and the Surrounding Area
More insights
For those of you interested in London during the Elizabeth Bowmar series….
01.
Bowmar Home
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Orphan's Home
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Lessell's Hideaway
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The Angel
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The Red Fox Inn
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Newgate Prison
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The Silver Cup
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St. Katharine's
My father, Pierre Laudin, tells a story about Queen Elizabeth. At the time of the Spanish Armada, she was concerned about the enemy within and ordered a census taken of St Katharine’s. Over 400 people, mostly French and Dutch, lived here then! That was thirty years ago! More than many cities outside of London. The tenements were little better than hovels. Alleys called Cat’s Hole and Shovel Alley and Pillory Lane were home to many. Most were shoemakers or hatmakers. Many more people live here now; live in the same squalor, off the same alleys, do the same work. Not much has changed in thirty years except since we have been here, my father’s heart has hardened towards us all.
Christ's Hospital
“There is no one to look after a two-year-old. We have 25 nurses to care for 300 children. We couldn’t take her,” the matron explained.
I felt sorry for those orphans. Who had time or cared to know their fears and troubles or joys and triumphs? I would gladly forgo the fine clothes, food, and shelter for the caring we showed each other. We may not have much, but we were a band – closer than brothers; we were family.
EXTRA
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