Watch and ward

Watch and Ward.

I. 90. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer. In obedience to the command issued by the Council, he had appointed certain of the most discreet citizens of the best Companies, to attend at the Gates for reformation of the disorders mentioned in Her Majesty's Proclamation. (fn. 1) Among others the Company of Haber- dashers and Leathersellers attended at Aldersgate, the 8th of March, when the Lord William Haward (Howard), brother of the Earl of Surrey, passing through the gate, wearing ruffles much out of order, and one of his men a sword of forbidden length and carrying it with the point upward, the citizens attending there in respect of his quality only reminded his lordship that his ruffles were against Her Majesty's order, and they directed his servant to carry his sword otherwise, and also to deliver it to be cut shorter; whereupon the servant offered to draw his weapon and to strike the citizens; and his lordship reviled them with very odious names of culines, rascals, and such like, which might have bred disorder of the citizens had they not been discreet men. This being the third time his lordship had put the orders to contempt, to the peril of the citizens, the Lord Mayor requested the Lord Treasurer to take such steps to redress the same that the citizens might not be discouraged in their duty.
8th March, 1579.

VI. 83. Similar Letter to No. 45, Vol. VIII. "Riots."
Whitehall, 16th February, 1625.

VI. 84. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor. They had received information of certain libels dispersed about the Venetian Ambassador's (fn. 2) house, implying some threatening towards him and his household, and they required watches and guards to be specially directed to the securing of their safety. The Letter also contains the usual directions for the keeping of strong watches, &c., for the preservation of the peace on the ensuing May-day.
Whitehall, 29th April, 1626.

IX. 34. Letter from Mr. Secretary Nicholas to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, complaining of the want of care and vigilance in setting the night watches in the City; that the number of men was too small, and the men too feeble, to suppress any disorder which might arise, and also that they departed from their watch before daybreak, thereby giving thieves and robbers an opportunity of committing their villainies without control or discovery; and directing that immediate steps should be taken to remedy the same, that the number of the men should be increased, and only fit and able men employed.
24th October, 1661.