The condition of the thoroughfares favouring the inclination of
many loose persons, they wandered at large, dealing mischief to
those whose duty took them abroad. From the year 1556, in the
reign of Queen Mary, "fit persons with suitable strength" had
been appointed to walk the streets and watch the city by night;
to protect those in danger, arrest suspected persons, warn
householders of danger by fire and candle, help the poor, pray
for the dead, and preserve the peace. These burly individuals
were known as watch or bell men; one was appointed for each ward,
whose duty it was to pass through the district he guarded ringing
his bell, "and when that ceaseth," says Stow, "he salutes his
masters and mistresses with his rhymes, suitable to the seasons
and festivals of the year, and bids them look to their lights."
In the third year of the reign of King Charles II., whilst Sir
John Robinson was mayor of London town, divers good orders were
made by him and his common council for the better service of
these watches. The principal of these set forth that each should
be accompanied by a constable and a beadle selected from the
inhabitants of their respective wards, who should be required in
turn to render voluntary service in guarding the city, from nine
of the clock at night till seven in the morning, from Michaelmas
to the 1st of April; and from that date until the 31st of March,
from ten at night till five in the morning.
These rules were not, however, vigorously carried out; the
volunteers were frequently unwilling to do duty, or when, fearful
of fine, they went abroad, they usually spent their time in
tippling in ale-houses, so that, as Delaune remarks, "a great
many wicked persons capable of the blackest villainies do creep
about, as daily and sad experience shows.
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