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John Taylor, The Carriers Cosmography, 1637.

Being a description of where to find coaches and carriers in London to travel to various parts of the Kingdom.

Although relating to a period 20 years after Shakespeare's death, it probably describes a scene much like it would have been in his day. If you wished to travel anywhere in the country, or to send an item by carrier, this is the book you would have consulted for information. Useful information for all time travellers from the 21st century.

Note:

foot-post = one who carries letters, messages etc. on a fixed route on foot;

higgler = itinerant dealer;

hoy = a small coastal trading vessel;

ordinary = an inn;

tiltboat = a large rowing boat with an awning;

wain = a large open vehicle drawn by horses or oxen;

wherry = a light rowing boat used chiefly on rivers.

This is part of the web site of Shakespeare's sonnets

The Mail Coach in a flood. James Pollard, c. 1827.

Travel in a later period. Coaches by now had become more sophisticated. For enlargements see below

Riding in a tandem. A print of c. 1810.

THE

arriers osmography

A Brief Relation of The Inns, Ordinaries, Hostelries in London

where the Carriers, Wagons, Foot-posts and Higglers do come, etc.

To all whom it may concern ; with my kind remembrance to the Posts, Carriers, Waggoners and Higglers.   If any man or woman whatsoever hath either occasion or patience to read this following description, it is no doubt but that they shall find full satisfaction for as much as they laid out for the book : if not, it is against my will; and my good intentions are lost and frustrate.       I wrote it for three causes. First, for a general and necessary good use for the whole commonwealth. secondly, to express my grateful duty to all those who have honestly paid me my money which they owed me for my books of The collection of Taverns in London and Westminster, and ten shires or counties next round about London; and I do also thank all such as as do purpose to pay me hereafter. Thirdly, for the third sort, that can pay me and will not; I write this as a document : I am well pleased to leave them to the hangman's tuition, as being past any other man's mending, for I would have them to know, that I am sensible of the too much loss that I do suffer by their pride or cousenage; their number being so many and my charge so great, which I paid for paper and printing of these books, that the base dealing of those sharks is insupportable. But the tedious toil that I had in this collection, and the harsh and unsavoury answers that I was fain to take patiently, from Hostlers, Carriers, and Porters, may move any man that thinks himself mortal to pity me.      In some places, I was suspected for a projector; or one that had devised some trick to bring the Carriers under some new taxation; and sometimes I was held to have been a Man-taker, a Sergeant, or Bailiff to arrest or attach men's goods or beasts. Indeed I was scarce taken for an honest man amongst the most of them. All which suppositions I was enforced oftentimes to wash away with two or three jugs of beer, at most of the Inns I came to. In some Inns or Hostelries, I could get no certain intelligence, so that I did take instructions at the next Inn unto it; which I did oftentimes take upon trust though I doubted it was indirect and imperfect.      Had the Carriers, Hostlers, and others known my harmless and honest intendments, I do think this following relation had been more large and useful: but if there be anything left out in this first impression, it shall be with diligence inserted hereafter, when the Carriers and I shall be more familiarly acquainted; and they, with the Hostlers, shall be pleased in their generosity, to afford me more ample directions. In the mean space, I hope I shall give none of my readers cause to curse the Carrier that brought me to town.      Some may object that the Carriers do often change and shift from one Inn or Lodging to another, whereby this following direction may be hereafter untrue. To them I answer, that I am not bound to bind them or to stay them in one place; but if they do remove, they may be inquired for at the place which they have left or forsaken; and it is an easy matter to find them by the learned intelligence of some other Carriers, an Hostler, or an understanding Porter.      Others may object and say that I have not named all the towns and places that Carriers do go unto in England and Wales. To whom I yield; but yet I answer, that if a Carrier of York hath a letter or goods to deliver at any town in his way thither, he serves the turn well enough: and there are Carriers and Messengers from York to carry such goods and letters as are too be passed any ways north, broad and wide as far or farther than Berwick. So he that sends to Lancaster may from thence have what he sends conveyed to Kendal or Cockermouth; and what a man sends to Hereford may from thence be passed to St. Davids in Wales. The Worcester Carriers can convey anything as far as Caermarthen; and those that go to Chester may send to Caernarvon. The Carriers or Posts that go to Exeter may send daily to Plymouth, or to the Mount in Cornwall. Mixfiled, Chippenham, Hungerford, Newberry, and all those towns between London and Bristol; the Bristol Carriers do carry letters unto them: so likewise all the towns and places served, which are betwixt London and Lincoln, or Boston, Yarmouth, Oxford, Cambridge, Walsingham, Dover, Rye, or any place of the King's dominions, with safe and true carriage of goods and letters; as by this little book's directions may be perceived.      Besides, if a man at Constantinople or some other remote part or region shall chance to send a letter to his parents, master, or friends that dwell at Nottingham, Derby, Shrewsbury, Exeter, or any other town in England; then this book will give instructions where the Carriers do lodge that may convey the said letter, which could not easily be done without it; for there are not many that by heart or memory can tell suddenly where and when every Carrier is to be found.      I have (for the ease of the reader and the speedier finding out of every town's name, to which any one would send, or from whence they would receive ) set them down by way of Alphabet; and thus Reader if thou beest pleased, I am satisfied; if thou beest contented, I am paid; if thou beest angry, I care not for it.		Ancient Inn Yards

A.
The Carriers of St. Albans do come evry Friday to the sign of the Peacock in Aldersgate street: on which days also cometh a coach from Saint Albans, to the Bell in the same street. The like Coach is also there for the carriage of passengers every Tuesday.      The Carriers of Abingdon do lodge at the George in Bread street. They do come on Wednesdays, and go away on Thursdays.      The Carriers of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the George near Holborn Bridge, at the Swan in the Strand, at the Angel behind St. Clement's church, and at the Bell in Holborn. They are at one of these places every other day.      The Carriers of Ashbury do lodge at the castle in great Wood street. They are to be found there on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

B.
The Carriers of Blanville in Dorsetshire do lodge at the Chequer near Charing Cross. They do come thither every second Thursday. Also there cometh Carriers from Blandford, to the sign of the Rose near Holborn Bridge.      The Carriers of Braintree and Bocking in Essex do lodge at the sign of the Tabard in Gracious street, near the Conduit. They do come on Thursdays, and go away on Fridays.      The Carriers of Bath do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street. They come on Friday, and go on Saturdays.      The Carriers of Bristol do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street; and likewise from Bristol on Thursdays, a Carrier which lodgeth at the Swan near to Holborn Bridge.      The Carriers of Bruton in Dorsetshire do lodge at the Rose near Holborn Bridge. They come on Thursdays and go away on Fridays.      The Carriers from divers parts of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire are almost every day to be had at the sign of the Saracen's Head without Newgate.      The Carriers of Broomsbury do lodge at the sign of the Maidenhead in Cateaton street, near the Guildhall in London. They come on Thursdays and go away on Fridays.      The Carriers of Bingham in Nottinghamshire do lodge at the Black Bull in Smithfield. They come on Fridays.      The Carriers of Bramley in Staffordshire do lodge at the Castle near Smithfield-bars. They come on Thursdays and go away on Fridays.      The Carriers of Burford in Oxfordshire do lodge at the Bell in Friday street.   They come on Thursdays and go away on Fridays.      The Carriers of Buckingham do lodge at the King's Head in the Old Change. They come Wednesdays and Thursdays.           The Carriers of Buckingham do lodge at the Saracen's Head in the Carter lane. They come and go Fridays and Saturdays.      The Carriers of Bewdley in Worcestershire do lodge at the Castle in Wood street. They come and go Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.      The Carriers of Buckingham in Oxfordshire do lodge at the King's Head in the Old Change. They come Wednesdays and Thursdays.          The Carriers of Buckingham do lodge at the George near Holborn Bridge. They come and go on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.      The Carriers of Brackley in Northamptonshire do lodge at the George near Holborn Bridge. They come and go on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.      The Carriers of Banbury in Oxfordshire do lodge at the George near Holborn Bridge.   They go and come Wednesdays, thursdays and Fridays.          The Carriers of Bedford do lodge at the Three Horseshoes in Aldersgate street. They come on Thursdays.         The Carriers of Bridgnorth do lodge at the Maidenhead in Cateaton street, near the Guildhall.     The Carriers of Bury, or St. Edmund's Bury, in Suffolk, do lodge at the Dolphin without Bishopgate street. They come on Thursdays.     The Waggons of Bury, or Berry, in Suffolk, do come every Thursday to the sign of the Four Swans in Bishopgate street.     A Foot Post doth come from the said Bury every Wednesday to the Green Dragon in BishopGate street; by whom letters may be conveyed to and fro.      The Carriers of Barnstaple in Devonshire do lodge at the Star in Bread street. They come on Fridays, and return on Saturdays or Mondays.      The Carriers of Bampton [in Oxfordshire ?] do lodge at the Mermaid in Carter lane; and there also lodge the carriers of Buckland. They are there on Thursdays and Fridays.      The Carriers of Brill in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the sign of Saint Paul's Head in Carter lane. They come on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.      The Carriers of Bampton in Lancashire do lodge at the Bear at Bassishaw. They are there to be had on Thursdays and Fridays. Also thither cometh Carriers from other parts in the said county of Lancashire.      The Carriers of Batcombe in Somersetshire do lodge at the Crown or Jarret's Hall at the end of Basing lane, near Bread street. They come every Friday.      The Carriers of Broughton in Leicestershire do lodge at the sign of Axe in Aldermanbury. They are there every Friday.

C.
The Carriers of Colchester do lodge at the Cross Keys in Gracious street. They come on the Thursdays and go away on the Fridays.      The Carrier of Chesham in Buckinghamshire doth come twice every week to the sign of the the White Hart in High Holborn, at the end of Drury Lane.      The Carrier of Coggeshall in Suffolk doth lodge at the Spread Eagle in Gracious street. He comes and goes on Thursdays and Fridays.      The Waggons from Chippenganger in Essex do come every Wednesday to the Crown without Aldgate.      The Waggons from Chelmsford in Essex come on Wednesdays to the sign of the Blue Boar without Aldgate.      The Carriers of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street. They do come on Fridays and go away on Saturdays.      The Carriers of Camden in Gloucestershire, and of Chipping Norton, do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street. They come and go Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.      The Carriers of Chester do lodge at the Castle in Wood street. They are there to be had on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.      The Carriers of Chard in Dorsetshire do lodge at the Queen's Arms near Holborn Bridge. They are there to be had on Fridays.      The Carriers of Chard do lodge at the George in Bread street.      The Carriers of Chester do lodge at Blossom's or Bosom's Inn in St. Laurance lane, near Cheapside : every Thursday.      The Carriers of Coleashby in Northamptonshire do lodge at the sign of the Ball in Smithfield. also there do lodge Carriers of divers parts of that count(r)y at the Bell in Smithfield. They do come on the Thursdays.      The Carriers of Crawley in Bedfordshire do lodge at the Bear and Ragged Staff in Smithfield. They come on the Thursdays.      The Carriers of Coventry in Warwickshire do lodge at the Ram in Smithfield. They come on Wednesdays and Thursdays.      There are other Carriers from Coventry that do, on Thursdays and Fridays, come to the Rose in Smithfield.      The Carrier of Creete in Leicestershire doth lodge at the Rose in Smithfield.      The Waggons or Coaches from Cambridge do come every Thursday and Friday to the Black Bull in Bishopsgate street.      The Carriers of Coventry do lodge at the sign of the Axe in St. Mary Axe in Aldermanbury. They are there Thursdays and Fridays.      The Carriers of Cambridge do lodge at the Bell in Coleman street. They come every Thursday.      The Foot Post of Canterbury doth come every Wednesday and Saturday to the sign of the Two-necked Swan at Sommers Key, near Billingsgate.      The Carriers of Crookethorne in Devonshire do lodge at the Queen's Arms near Holborn Bridge. They come on Thursdays.

F.
The Carriers of Feckingham-forest in Worcestershire do lodge at the Crown in High Holborn, and at the Queen's Head at Saint Giles in the fields. There is also another Carrier from the same place.     The Carriers of Farringdon in Berkshire do lodge at the Saint Paul's Head in Carter lane. They come on Tuesdays, and go away on Wednesdays.

G.
Carriers from Grindon Under Wood in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the Crown in High Holborn. They are to be found there on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.     The Carriers of Gloucester do come to the Saracen's Head without Newgate, on Fridays.     The Carriers of Gloucester do lodge at the Saracen's Head in Carter Lane. They come on Fridays.     Clothiers do come every week out of divers parts of Gloucestershire to the Saracen's Head in Friday street.     The Wains or Waggons do come every week from sundry places in Cloucestershire, and are to be had at the Swan near Holborn Bridge.     There are Carriers of some places in Gloucestershire that do lodge at the Mernaid in Carter Lane.		The New Inn at Gloucester. See below

H.
Carriers from Hadley in Suffolk do lodge at the George in Lombard street. They come on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Huntingdon do lodge at the White Hind without Cripplegate. They come upon Thursdays, and go away on Fridays.     The Carriers of Hereford do lodge at the King's Head in the Old Change. They do come on Fridays, and go on Saturdays.     The Carriers of Halifax in Yorkshire do lodge at the Greyhound in Smithfield. They do come but once every month.     The Carriers of Halifax are every Wednesday to be had at the Bear at Bassishaw.     The Carriers of Halifax do likewise lodge at the Axe in Saint Mary Axe, Aldermanbury.     The Carriers of Halifax do likewise lodge at the White Hart in Coleman street.     The Carriers of Hatfield in Hertfordshire do lodge at the Bell in Saint John's street. They come on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Harding in Hertfordshire do lodge at the Cock in Aldersgate street. They come on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.     The Carrier or Waggon of Hadham in Hertfordshire do lodge at the Bull in Bishopsgate street. They do come and go on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.     The Waggon or Coach from Hertford town doth come every Friday to the Four Swans without Bishopsgate street.     The Waggon or Coach of Hatfield doth come every Friday to the Bell in Aldersgate street.

I.
The Carriers of Ipswich in Suffolk do lodge at the sign of the George in Lombard street. They do come on Thursdays.     The Post of Ipswich doth lodge at the Cross Keys in Gracious street. He comes on Thursdays and goes on Fridays.     The Wains of Ingarstone in Essex do come every Wednesday to the King's Arms in Leadenhall street.     The Carriers of Ivell in Dorsetshire do lodge at Jarret's Hall or the Crown in Basing Lane, near Bread Street.

K.
The Carriers of Keinton in Oxfordshire do lodge at the Bell in Friday street. They are there to be had on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Post of the town of Kingston upon Hull, commonly called Hull, doth lodge at the sign of the Bull over against Leadenhall.

L.
The Carrier of Lincoln do lodge at the White Horse without Cripplegate. He cometh every second Friday.     The Carriers of Leighton Beudesart, corruptly called Leighton Buzzard, in Bedordshire; do lodge at the Hart's Horns in Smithfield. They come on Mondays and Tuesdays.     The Carriers of Leicester do lodge at the Saracen's Head without Newgate. They come on Tuesdays.     There be Carriers that do pass to and through sundry parts of Leicestershire; which do lodge at the Ram in Smithfield.     The like Carriers are weekly to be had at the Rose in Smithfield, that come and go through other parts of Leicestershire.     The Carriers of Lewton in Hertfordshire do lodge at the Cock in Aldersgate street. They are there Tuesdays and Wednesdays.     The Carriers of Leeds in Yorkshire do lodge at the Bear in Bassishaw. They come every Wednesday.     The Carriers of Leeds do also lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury.     The Carriers of Leicester do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury.     The Carriers of Loughborough in Leicestershire do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury. Also other Carriers do lodge there which do pass through Leicestershire, and through divers places of Lancashire.

M.
The Carriers of Malden in Essex do lodge at the Cross Keys in Gracious street. They come on Thursdays, and go on Fridays.     The Carriers of Monmouth in Wales, and some parts of Monmouthshire; do lodge at the Saint Paul's Head in Carter Lane. They do come to London on Fridays.     The Carriers of Malborough do lodge at the sign of the Swan near Holborn Bridge. They do come on Thursdays.     There doth come from Great Marlow in Buckinghamshire some higglers or demi-carriers. They do lodge at the Swan in the Strand, and they come every Tuesday.     The Carriers of Manchester do lodge at the Bear in Bassishaw. They do come on Thursdays or Fridays.     The Carriers of Manchester do likewise lodge at the sign of the Axe in Aldermanbury.     The Carriers of Manchester do also lodge at the Two-necked Swan in Lad lane; between Great Wood street and Milk-street end. They come every second Thursday. Also there do lodge Carriers that do pass through divers other parts of Lancashire.     The Carriers of Melford in Suffolk do lodge at the Spread Eagle in Gracious street. They come and go on Thursdays and Fridays.

N.
Carriers from New-Elme in Berkshire do lodge at the George in Bread street. They come on Wednesdays and Thursdays.     The Carriers of Netherley in Staffordshire do lodge at the Bear and Ragged Staff in Smithfield. They do come on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Northampton, and from other parts of that country there about; are almost every day in the week to be had in the Ram in Smithfield.     There doth come also Carriers to the Rose in Smithfield, daily; which do pass to or through many parts of Northamptonshire.     The Carrier of Nottingham doth lodge at the Cross Keys in Saint John's street. He cometh every second Saturday.     There is also a Foot Post that doth come every second Thursday from Nottingham. He lodgeth at the Swan in St. John's street.     The Carriers of Norwich do lodge at the Dolphin without Bishopsgate. They are to be found there on Mondays and Tuesdays.     The Carriers of Newport Pannel in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the Peacock in Aldersgate street. They do come on Mondays and Tuesdays.     The Carriers at Nantwich do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury. They are there on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Nuneaton in Warwickshire do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury. They come on Fridays.

O.
The Carriers of Oxford do lodge at the Saracen's Head without Newgate, near Saint Sepulchre's Church. They are there on Wednesdays, or almost any day.     The Carriers of Olney in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the Cock in Aldersgate street, at the Long lane end. They do come on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

P.
The Carriers of Preston in Lancashire do lodge at the Bell in Newgate street. They are there on Fridays.

R.
The Carriers of Reading in Berkshire do lodge at the George in Bread street. They are there on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers from Rutland and Rutlandshire, and other parts of Yorkshire, do lodge at the Ram in Smithfield. They come weekly; but their days of coming are not certain.

S.
The Carriers of Sudbury in Suffolk do lodge at the Saracen's Head in Gracious street. They do come and go on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire do lodge at the Prince's Arms in Leadenhall street. They come on Thursdays.     The Wains from Stock in Essex do come every Wednesday to the King's Arms in Leadenhall street.     The Carriers from Stroodwater in Gloucestershire do lodge at the Bell in Friday street. They do come on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Sisham in Northamptonshire do lodge at the Saracen's Head in Carter lane. They com on Friday and return on Saturday.     The Carriers from Sheffield in Yorkshire do lodge at the Castle in Wood street. They are there to be found on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers from Salisbury do lodge at the Queen's Arms near Holborn Bridge. They come on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Shrewsbury do lodge at the Maidenhead in Cateaton street, near Guildhall. They come on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Shrewsbury do also lodge at Bosom's Inn. They do come on Thursdays. And there do lodge Carriers that do travel divers parts of the county of Shropshire and places adjoining.     The Carrier from Stony Stratford doth lodge at the Rose and Crown in Saint John street. He cometh every Tuesday.     There doth come from Saffron Market in Norfolk a Foot Post who lodgeth at the Chequer in Holborn.     The Carriers of Stamford do lodge at the Bell in Aldersgate street. They do come on Wednesdays and Thursdays.     The Waggon from Saffron Walden in Essex doth come to the Bull in Bishopsgate street. It is to be had there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.     The Carriers of Shaftesbury, and from Sherborne in Dorsetshire do lodge at the Crown or Jarret's Hall in Basing Lane near Bread street. They come on Fridays.     The Carriers from Stopford in Cheshire do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury. Also there are Carriers to other parts of Cheshire.     The Carriers of Stafford and other parts of that county, do lodge at the Swan with Two Necks in Lad lane. They come on Thursdays.		High Street, Shrewsbury. See below.

T.
Carriers from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street. They come and go on Fridays and Saturdays.     The Carriers of Tiverton in Devonshire do lodge at the Star in Bread street. They come on Fridays, and return on Saturdays or Mondays.     The Carriers of Thame in Oxfordshire do lodge at the Saracen's Head in Carter lane. They come and go on Fridays and Saturdays.     The Carriers of Torcester in Northamptonshire do lodge at the Castle near Smithfield-bars. They come on Thursdays.

V.
Carriers from Vies or the De-vises in Wiltshire do lodge at the sign of the Swan near Holborn Bridge. They come on Thursdays, and go away on Fridays.

W.
The Carrier from Wendover in Buckinghamshire doth lodge at the Black Swan in Holborn, and is there every Tuesday and Wednesday.     The Carrier of Witham in Essex doth lodge at the Cross Keys in Gracious street every Thursday and Friday.     The Carriers of Wallingfield in Suffolk do lodge at the Spread Eagle in Gracious street. They come and go on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers from Wallingford in Berkshire do lodge at the George in Bread street. Their days are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire do lodge at the Three Cups in Bread street. They come and go on Fridays and Saturdays.     The clothiers of sundry parts of Wiltshire do weekly come and lodge at the Saracen's Head in Friday street.     The Carriers of Warwick do lodge at the Bell in Friday street. They are there on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Woodstock in Oxfordshire do lodge at the Mermaid in Carter lane on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Wantage in Berkshire do lodge at the Mermaid in Carter lane. Their days are Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers of Worcester do lodge at the Castle in Wood street. Their days are Fridays and Saturdays.     The Carriers of Winslow in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the George near Holborn Bridge; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.     The Waggon from Watford in Middlesex doth come to the Swan near Holborn bridge on Thursdays.     The Carriers from Wells in Somersetshire do lodge at the Rose in near Holborn Bridge. Their come on Thursdays and Fridays.     The Carriers from Witney in Oxfordshire do lodge at the sign of the Saracen's Head without Newgate. They come on Wednesdays.     There cometh a Waggon from Winchester every Thursday to the Swan in the Strand: and some Carriers come thither from divers parts of Buckinghamshire; but the days of their coming are not certain.     The Carriers of Worcester do lodge at the Maidenhead in Cateaton street, near Guildhall. They come on Thursdays.     The Carriers from many parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire do lodge at the Rose and Crown in High Holborn; but they keep no certain days.     The Carrier of Warwick doth come to the Queen's Head near Saint Giles in the Fields, on Thursdays.     The Carrier of Walsingham in Norfolk doth lodge at the Chequer in Holborn. He cometh every second Thursday.     The Carriers of Wendover in Buckinghamshire do lodge at the Bell in Holborn.     There doth a Post come every second Thursday from Walsingham to the Bell in Holborn.     The Carrier of Ware in Hertfordshire doth lodge at the Dolphin without Bishopsgate : and is there on Mondays and Tuesdays.     There is a Foot Post from Walsingham that doth come to the Cross Keys in Holborn every second Thursday     There are Carriers from divers parts of Warwickshire that do come weekly to the Castle near Smithfield-bars: but their days of coming are variable.     There is a Waggon from ware at the Vine in Bishopsgate street every Friday and saturday.     The Carriers of Wakefield in Yorkshire do lodge at the Bear in Bassishaw. They do come on Wednesdays.     The Carriers of Wells in Somersetshire do lodge at the Crown in Basing lane near Bread street. They come and go on Fridays and Saturdays.     The Carriers of Wakefield, and some other parts of Yorkshire do lodge at the Axe in Aldermanbury. They are to be had there on Thursdays.     The Carriers of Wakefield, and some other parts of Yorkshire do also lodge at the White Hart in Coleman street. They come every second Thursday.		Friar's Street, Worcester. See below.

Y.
The Carriers of York, with some other parts near York within that county, do lodge at the sign of the Bell or Bell Sauvage without Ludgate. They come every Friday and go away on Saturday or Monday.     A Foot Post from York doth come every second Thursday to the Rose and Crown in St. John's street.

FOR    SCOTLAND.
Those that will send any letter to Edinburgh, that so they may be conveyed to and fro to any parts of the kingdom of Scotland, the Post doth lodge at the sign of the King's Arms (or the Cradle) at the upper end of Cheapside : from whence, every Monday, any that have occasion may send.

The Inns and Lodgings of the Carriers which come into the Borough of South- wark out of the countries of Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
A Carrier from Reigate in Surrey doth come every Thursday (or oftener) to the Falcon in Southwark. The Carriers of Tunbridge, of Sevenoaks, of Faut and Staplehurst in Kent do lodge at the Katherine Wheel. They do come on Thursdays and go away on Fridays. Also on the same days, do come hither the Carriers of Marden and Penbree, and from Warbleton in Sussex. On Thursdays the Carriers of Hanckhurst and Blenchley in Kent, and from Dorking and Leatherhead in Surrey; do come the the Greyhound in Southwark. The Carriers of Tenterden and Penshurst in Kent , and the Carriers from Battle in Sussex, do lodge at the sign of the Spur in Southwark. They come onThursdays, and go away on Fridays. To the Queen's Head in Southwark do come, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Carriers from Portsmouth in Hampshire; and from Chichester, Havant, Arundel, Billingshurst, Rye, Lamberhurst, and Wadhurst, in Sussex : also from Godstone and Linville in Surrey. They are there to be had Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Carriers from Cranbroke, and Bevenden in Kent ; and from Lewes, Petworth, Uckfield and Cuckfield in Sussex : do lodge at the Tabard or Talbot in Southwark. They are there onWednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. To the George in Southwark, come every Thursday the Carriers from Guildford, Wonersh, Goudhurst and Chiddington in Surrey. Also thither come out of Sussex, on the same days weekly, the Carriers of Battle, Sindrich and Hastings. The Carriers from these places undernamed out of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, are every week to be had on Thursdays at the White Hart in the Borough of Southwark; namely, Dover, Sandwich, Canterbury, Biddenden, Mayfield, Eden (oe Eaten Bridge), Hebsome, Wimbledon, Godaliman, (corruptly called Godly Man) Witherham, Shoreham, Enfield, Horsham, Haslemere. And from many other places far and wide in the said counties; Carriers are to be had almost daily at the said inn, but especially on Thursdays and Fridays. The Carrier from Chiltington, Westrum, Penborough, Slenge, Wrotham, and other parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, do lodge at the King's Head in Southwark. They do come on Thursdays, and they go on Fridays. Every week there cometh and goeth from Tunbridge in Kent a Carrier that lodgeth at the Green Dragon in Fowl lane in Southwark, near the Meal Market.

Here followeth certain directions for to find out Ships, Barks, Hoys, and Passage Boats that do come to London, from the most parts and places by sea, within the King's dominions ; either of England, Scotland or Ireland.
A Hoy doth come from Colchester in Essex to Smart's Key near Billingsgate; by which goods may be carried from London to Colchester weekly.    He that will send to Ipswich in Suffolk, or Lunn in Norfolk; let him go to Dice Key, and there his turn may be served.    The ships from Kingston upon Hull (or Hull) in Yorkshire do come to Ralph's Key, and to Porter's Key.    At Galley Key, passage for men and carriage for goods may be had from London to Berwick.    At Chester's Key, shipping may be had from Ireland, from Poole, from Plymouth, from Dartmouth and Weymouth.    At Sabb's Docks, a Hoy or Bark is to be had from Sandwich or Dover in Kent.    A Hoy from Rochester, Margate in Kent or Feversham and Maidstone doth come to Saint Katherine's Dock.    Shipping from Scotland is to be found at the Armitage or Hermitage below Saint Katherine's.    From Dunkirk, at the Custom House Key.    From most parts of Holland or Zeeland, pinks or shipping may be had at the brewhouses in Saint Katherine's.    At Lion Key, twice almost in every twenty four hours, or continually, are Tide boats or Wherries ; that pass to and fro betwixt London and the towns of Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich, Erith, and Greenhithe in Kent ; and also boats are to be had that every tide do carry goods and passengers betwixt London and Rainham, Purfleet, and Grayes in Essex.    At Billingsgate are, every tide, to be had Barges, Light horsemen, Tiltboats and Wherries, from London to the towns of Gravesend and Milton in Kent, or to any other place within the said bounds ; and as weather and occasions may serve, beyond or further.

Passage Boats and Wherries that do carry passengers and goods from London, and back again thither East or West above London Bridge.
To Bull Wharf, near Queenhithe, there doth come and go great boats twice or thrice every week, which boats do carry goods betwixt London and Kingston upon Thames. Also thither doth often come a boat from Colebrooke ; which serveth those parts for such purposes.     Great Boats that do carry and recarry passengers and goods to and fro betwixt London and the towns of Maidenhead, Windsor, Staines, Chertsey, with other parts in the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Middlesex and Buckinghamshire ; do come every Monday and Thursday to Queenhithe ; and they do go away upon Tuesdays and Thursdays.     The Reading Boat is to be had at Queenhithe weekly.     All those that will send letters to the most parts of the habitable world, or to any parts of our King of Great Britain's Dominions ; let them repair to the General Post Master THOMAS WITHERING at his house in Sherburne lane, near Abchurch.

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File created 2 January 2001. Completed 5 January 2001.