The History of Sir Richard Whittington | Page 7

arms of Whittington are placed on the one side in the stone work, and two letters, to wit W and B, for William Burie, on the other side; it is now lofted through, and made a storehouse for clothes."[7]
Whittington appears to have died childless, and in the interesting picture of his deathbed, copied by Mr. Lysons from an illumination in the ordinances of his college, his executors are seen around his bed. His will was proved in 1423 by John Coventry, John White, William Grove and John Carpenter. The College of St. Spirit and St. Mary consisted of a master, four fellows (masters of arts), clerks, conducts, chorists, &c. It was dissolved by Edward VI.; but the memory of it remains in the name College Hill, Upper Thames Street. God's House or Hospital for thirteen poor men was moved to Highgate in 1808.
By his will Whittington directed that the inmates of his college should pray for the souls of himself and his wife Alice, of Sir William Whittington, and his wife Dame Joan, of Hugh Fitzwarren and his wife Dame Malde, as well as for the souls of Richard II. and Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, "special lords and promoters of the said Whittington."
Whittington's epitaph is preserved by Stow and is in Latin; yet the author of a Life of Whittington (1811) makes the following misstatement:--
"Record, however, has handed down to us the original epitaph, as it was cut on the monument of Sir Richard, by order of his executors; and, exclusive of its connection with the subject of these pages, it may be subjoined as a curious specimen of the poetry of an age which was comparatively with the present so entirely involved in the darkness of superstition and ignorance."
"Beneath this stone lies Whittington,?Sir Richard rightly named;?Who three times Lord Mayor served in London,?In which he ne'er was blamed.
He rose from indigence to wealth?By industry and that;?For lo! he scorned to gain by stealth?What he got by a cat.
Let none who reads this verse despair?Of providences ways;?Who trust in him he'll make his care,?And prosper all their days.
Then sing a requiem to departed merit,?And rest in peace till death demands his spirit."--
Life of Sir R. Whittington_, by the author of Memoirs of George Barnwell_, 1811, p. 106.

LIST OF VERSIONS, EDITIONS, &c.
1604-5, Feb. 8. Play licensed, see ante, p. vii.
1605, July 16. Ballad licensed, see ante, p. vii.
1612. Johnson's Ballad published in _Crowne Garland of Goulden Roses_, see ante, p. ix.
1641? Roxburghe Ballad ("London's Glory"), see ante, p. xiv.
1670? Famous and Remarkable History by T. H., reprinted in this volume (see p. 1).
1678. Another edition with the same title as the above (see p. 1), but with the following imprint:
"London: Printed by A. P. and T. H. for T. Vere and J. Wright, and are to be sold at their shops at the Angel without Newgate and at the Crown on Ludgate Hill. 1678."
There are a few alterations in spelling, &c. but otherwise it is the same as the earlier edition.
1730. The History of Sir Richard Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London. Durham: Printed and sold by I. Lane.
This is the earliest version of the common chap-book tale in the British Museum. It is divided into chapters, and the headings of these chapters are given at p. xxx. of the present preface. All the other chap-books that I have seen are more or less versions of this story, but one of the most complete is that printed in this Introduction (p. xxxii.) The book was printed in most of the chief towns, as Newcastle, Edinburgh, &c. but one of the most interesting editions is that printed at York and illustrated by Bewick:--
The History of Whittington and his Cat; how from a poor country boy destitute of parents or relatives he attained great riches and was promoted to the high and honorable dignity of Lord Mayor of London. York: Printed by J. Kendrew, Colliergate.
The frontispiece represents the stiff figure of a man in wig and gown of the time of Charles II., underneath which is printed--
"Sir Richard Whittington behold?In mayor's robes and chain of gold."
1808. In the Antiquarian Repertory (vol. ii. pp. 343-346) there is a good account of Whittington.
1811. The Life of Sir Richard Whittington, Knight, and four times Lord Mayor of London, in the reigns of Edward III. Richard II. and Henry V. Compiled from authentic documents; and containing many important particulars respecting that illustrious man never before published: intended to amuse, instruct, and stimulate the rising generation. By the Author of "Memoirs of George Barnwell." Harlow: Printed by B. Flower for M. Jones, No. 5, Newgate Street, London. 1811. Small 8vo.
1828. The Life of Sir Richard Whittington, Knight, four times Lord Mayor of London. London: Published by Thomas North, 64, Paternoster Row. 1828. (Lysons.)
1841. The Life and