In its main features this History may be described as a continuation of “The Customes of London,” by Richard Arnold, from which the earlier portion, i.e. as far as the 11th year of Henry VIII., is a mere plagiarism. After that date the Chronicle becomes original, and contains much valuable information. From internal evidence it would appear to be the work of a scholar, and to have been written contemporaneously, the events being jotted down from day to day as they occurred. The characteristic of City Chronicles is maintained throughout by the adoption of the civic year, marking the term of office of each Lord Mayor instead of the regnal year of the sovereign, thus causing an apparent confusion in the chronology. This form was probably adopted by our author as he found it already employed by Richard Arnold, whose reign of Henry VII.

This yeare was great death of the sicknesse called the sweatinge sicknesse; and the crosse in Cheepe new made; and a great taske and disme grawnted to the Kinge.

This yeare Prince Arthure was borne at Windsore.

This yeare the Queene was crowned. The Earle of Lincolne, the Lord Lovell, and one Martin Swarte, a straunger, slayne all in a feild that they made againste the Kinge.

This yeare the Kinge sent manye knightes with seaven thowsandb men into Brytane. Th' Earle of Northumberlande slayne in the Northe. A capp of mayntenance brought from Rome to the Kinge.