THE next Ward is called of Cripplesgate, and consisteth of divers Streets and Lanes, lying as well without the the Gate and Wall of the City, as within. For first, within the Wall, on the East part thereof, towards the North, it runneth to the West side of Bassings Hall Ward; and towards the South, it joineth to the Ward of Cheap. It beginneth at the West end of St. Laurence Church in the Jewry, on the North side, and runneth West to a Pump, where sometime was a Well with two Buckets, at the South corner of Aldermanbury street. Which Street runneth down North, to Gayspur lane, and so to London Wall. Which Street and Lane, are wholly (on both sides) of this Ward; and so be some few Houses (on both the sides) from Gayspur lane, by and against the Wall of the City, East to the Grates, made for the Water-course of the Channels, and West to Criplesgate.

Now on the South side, from over against the West end of St. Laurence Church, to the Pump, and then up Milkstreet, South unto Cheape. Which Milkstreet is wholly (on both the sides) of Criplesgate Ward; as also, without the South end of Milkstreet, a part of West Cheape; to wit, from the Standard to the Cross, is all of Cripplegate Ward. Then down great Woodstreet, which is wholly of this Ward on both the sides thereof; so is little Woodstreet, which runneth down to Cripplegate.

Out of this Woodstreet be divers Lanes; namely, on the East side is Lad lane, which runneth East to Milkstreet corner. Down lower in Woodstreet, is Love lane, which lyeth by the South side of St. Albans Church in Woodstreet, and runneth down to the Conduit in Aldermanbury street. Lower down in Woodstreet, is Addle street; out of the which runneth Philip lane down to London Wall. These be the Lanes on the East side.

On the West side of Woodstreet, is Hugen lane, by the South side of St. Michaels Church, and goeth through to Gutherons lane. Then lower is Maiden lane, which runneth West to the North end of Gutherons lane; and up to the said Lane, on the East side thereof, till against Kerry lane, and back again. Then the said Maiden lane, on the North side, goeth up to Staining lane; and up a part thereof on the East side, to the farthest North part of Haberdashers Hall, and back again to Woodstreet. And there lower down is Silver street, which is of this Ward, till ye come to the East end of St. Olaves Church on the South side, and to Monkeswell street on the North side. Then down the said Monkeswel street, on the East side thereof, and so to Cripplegate, do make the Bound of this Ward within the Walls.

Without Cripplegate, Forestreet runneth thwart before the Gate, from against the North side of St. Giles Church, along to Moor lane end; and to a Postern lane end, that runneth betwixt the Town Ditch on the South, and certain Gardens on the North, almost to Moorgate. At the East end of which Lane, is a Pot-makers House: Which House, with all other the Gardens, Houses, and Allies on that side the Moorfields, till ye come unto a Bridge and Cow-house near unto Finsbury Court, is all of Cripplegate Ward.

Of these Moorfields you have formerly read what a moorish rotten Ground they were; unpassable, but for Cawsways purposely made to that intent. What they were also in our own nearer times of memory, even till Sir Leonard Hallyday was Lord Maior of London, I am very well assured many do perfectly remember. And what they are now at this instant, by the honourable Cost and Care of this City, and the industrious Pains and Diligence of that worthy Citizen, Mr. Leate, we all (to our continual comfort) do evidently behold. Mr. John Speed, my especial kind Friend, acquainted me with the draught of a Map, done after that true Shape and Model, as at the first (by the forenamed Gentleman) they were intended; and laboured with the then Lord Maior, and Court of Aldermen, that the same might have been accordingly effected. But how it was prevented, I know not; only I purposed to have been at so much Charge, as to have had that Map (in some apt and convenient form) printed in this Book: But that I could not attain thereto; being promised, that at the next Impression I shall have it.

For the Walks themselves, and continual Care of the City, to have them in that comely and worthy manner maintained, I am certainly persuaded, that (our thankfulness to God being first truly perfomed) they are no mean cause of preserving Health, and wholesome Air to the City; and such an eternal Honour thereto, as no Iniquity of Time shall be able to deface.]

Here, in Moorfields, is the new Artillery Ground; so called, in distinction from another Artillery Garden, near St. Mary Spittal, where formerly the Artillery Company exercised. Who about the latter end of King James I. his Reign, were determined to remove thence; and to hold their Trainings and Practice of Arms here; being the third great Field from Moorgate, next to the six Windmills. Which Field, Mr. Leat, one of the Twenty Captains, with great pains, was divers Years a preparing to that purpose. The Reason of this their Remove, was, because now their Meetings and Number, consisted of many more Soldiers, than the old Ground could well contain; being sometimes 6000. Though, sometimes, notwithstanding, they went to the old Artillery, and continued so to do in my memory.]