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and largest of these conduits was erected
in West-cheap, in the year 1285, and af-
terwards the number of these conduits
were increased to about twenty. Mr. Stow
informs us, that it was customary for the
Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Alder-
men, and principal citizens on horseback,
to visit the heads from whence the con-
duits were supplied, on the 18th of Septem-
ber, when they hunted a hare before din-
ner, and a fox after it, in the fields beyond
St. Giles's.
About this time the city was divided
into twenty four wards, under the govern-
ment of the Aldermen; and each ward
chose some of the inhabitants as Common
Council men, who were sworn into their
office; these were to be consulted by the
Aldermen, and their advice followed, in
all public affairs relating to the city.
The above regulation was made in the
reign of King Edward I. who also granted
the citizens a charter, by which he con-
firmed all their ancient privileges. Some
years before their receiving this favour,
the Lord Treasurer summoned the Mayor,
Aldermen, and citizens, to attend him in
the Tower, to give an account how the
peace of the city had been kept; but
Gregory Rockesley, the Mayor, resolving
not to attend in that quality, laid aside the
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ensigns of his office at Barking church,
and repaired to the Tower as a private
gentleman; which was so highly resented
by the Treasurer, that he committed him
and several of the principal citizens to
prison. This proceeding the King so far
approved, that though he discharged the
Mayor, he seized the city liberties, and
having appointed a Custos of the city, there
was no Mayor of London for twelve years
after.
In 1306, sea-coal beginning to be much
used in the suburbs of London, by brew-
ers, dyers, and others requiring great fires;
the nobility and gentry complained to
King Edward II. that the air was infected
by the noisome smell, and the thick clouds
of smoke it occasioned, to the endangering
of the health of the inhabitants; upon
which a proclamation was issued, forbid-
ding it to be used: but little regard being
paid to it, the King appointed a commis-
sion of oyer and terminer, to enquire after
those who had acted in open defiance of
this injunction.
In the beginning of the next reign, the
city obtained a very great addition to its
privileges; for in the year 1327, King Ed-
ward III. granted the citizens two char-
ters; the first of which contained not only
a confirmation of the ancient and valuable
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