The Traitors Gate
Once upon a time there existed upon that venerable fabric, Old London Bridge, a street of houses, from the window of one of which the apprentice lad Osbourne jumped to save his master's daughter from drowning. For this and other commendable services he subsequently married this very daughter, succeeded to his master's business, and left (through his great grandson) to his descendant of (1869) the proud title of Duke of Leeds. Upon that same bridge, among those houses, existed a very remarkable building, called "Nonesuch House," which, constructed in Holland, was entirely of wood, brought over in pieces, and erected here without a nail - only with pegs. And upon that bridge likewise existed "from time out of mind" a notable tower, which, if not so pleasing to the eye, was neverless one of London sights. It was called "Traitors' Gate," and upon its summit were long erected the bodiless remains of many a once proud warrior. Originally existing as a building at the north or city end of the bridge, it received, in 1305, the head of the Scottish hero, Sir William Wallace; but in 1577 the "Gate" was removed to the Southwark end, and those who crossed the bridge - then the only bridge across the Tames - were destined to see more heads, erected upon long poles, looking grim and horribly suggestive of a country's justice, where a century before had been "set up" the heads of "Necromancer" Bolingbroke, the confederate of the "Witch" Duchess of Cobham; the notorious Jack Cade, who had "struck his staff on London stone," but who was slain by Alexander Iden, "the man of Kent," after the siege in 1450; as also the heads of Bishop Fisher of Rochester, the good and learned Sir Thomas More, the Earl of Desmond, Father Garnet of the "Gunpowder Plot," and a host of others "too numerous to mention." Probably the last of the victims exhibited on the bridge was William Stayley, who had been executed for high treason, drawn and quarted, but whose penitence and his friends' petition caused the King to relax from having his remains exhibited on the city gates; so thay were given to those for burial. The funeral took place 29th November, 1678, from his father's house to St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden; masses were sung and much pomp displayed, which coming to the King's ears, he ordered the grave to be opened, the coffin to be taken out, and the remains delivered to the sheriff, the quarters being set up on the city gates, and the head upon London Bridge.
But the bridge was not the only "Traitors' Gate" of those early times, for so long ago as 1316 one Sir Robert of Middleton having robbed "upon the Moor of Wygllysdon," the two cardinals who came over to make peace between us and Scotland, was jugged to be drawn and hanged at London, and his head set up at Newgate, and his quarters were sent to iiij. principal cites of England; while in 1556, Machyn (Chronicles of London) records three heads exhibited on the bridge, on Ludgate and Aldersgate after of the culprits at Tyburn.
Printable
Last updated:
18 January, 2008