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Jupiter Urius. This has been engraved
and explained by the learned Mr. Chishul
in his Antiquitates Asiaticœ.
Alcock's rents, Barnaby street. †
Aldermanbury, Cateaton street. This
street was thus named from the Guild-
hall being anciently situated there, till
falling to decay, the present hall was built
at the end of King street, about the year
1420. The old hall must have been
very ancient, as this street had the name
of Aldermanbury so early as before the
year 1189; and Mr. Maitland supposes
that Edward the Confessor, who began
his reign in 1042, had a considerable
share in its first foundation.
Aldermanbury Postern, London wall.
Alderman Parsons's stairs, St. Catha-
rine's. †
Alderman's walk, Bishopsgate street.
Aldermen. These are twenty-six in
number, and each has his separate ward,
to the government of which he is more
immediately to attend. Those who
have served the office of Lord Mayor, are
said to be above the chair, and with three
of the eldest that are next it, are justices
of the peace by charter. All the Alder-
men keep their wardmote for chusing
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ward officers, and settling the affairs of
the ward; for redressing grievances, and
presenting all defaults found in the ward.
In the management of these affairs, every
Alderman has his deputy, chosen out of
the common council, and in some of the
wards, that are very large, the Alderman
has two deputies.
Aldersgate, which is situated 1265
feet south west of Cripplegate, is, in
Stow's opinion, one of the original
gates of the city; but this is disputed by
Maitland, who observes, that the epithet
of Alder does not necessarily imply its
antiquity, as some derive the name of
the gate from Aldrich, a Saxon; others
from the seniors or old men by whom it
was built; and others from the great
number of alder trees, which grew in
that neighbourhood; whence he ima-
gines that either of these opinions is
more probable, than that this name was
conferred upon it on account of its age,
particularly as it is no where found to be
mentioned before the conquest.
The present gate was built in the year
1616, and being much damaged by the
fire of London, was repaired in 1670.
In a large square over the arch is King
James I. on horseback, in the same pos-
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