aid to be in agitation for converting it into a Stamp Office, that
business being at present carried on in chambers in Lincoln's Inn." So
much for the history and ownership of a place which played a
considerable part in London history. The fabric itself must have been
very magnificent. There was a venerable hall 74 feet long, with six
Gothic windows. At Ely House were held magnificent feasts by the
Serjeants-at-Law, one of which continued for five days, and was honoured
on the first day by the presence of Henry VIII. and Katherine of Aragon.
Stow's account of this festival is perhaps worth quoting:

"It were tedious to set down the preparation of fish, flesh, and
other victuals spent in this feast, and would seem almost
incredible, and, as to me it seemeth, wanted little of a feast at a
coronation; nevertheless, a little I will touch, for declaration of
the charge of prices. There were brought to the slaughter-house
twenty-four great beefs at twenty-six shillings and eightpence the
piece from the shambles, one carcass of an ox at twenty-four
shillings, one hundred fat muttons two shillings and tenpence the
piece, fifty-two great veals at four shillings and eightpence the
piece, thirty-four porks three shillings and eightpence the piece,
ninety-one pigs sixpence the piece, capons of geese, of one
poulterer (for they had three), ten dozens at twenty-pence the
piece, capons of Kent nine dozens and six at twelvepence the piece,
capons coarse nineteen dozen at sixpence the piece, cocks of grose
seven dozen and nine at eightpence the piece, cocks coarse fourteen
dozen and eight at threepence the piece, pullets, the best,
twopence halfpenny, other pullets twopence, pigeons thirty-seven
dozen at tenpence the dozen, swans fourteen dozen, larks three
hundred and forty dozen at fivepence the dozen, &c. Edward Nevill
was seneschal or steward, Thomas Ratcliffe, comptroller, Thomas
Wildon, clerk of the Kitchen" (Thomas's edit. Stow, pp. 144, 145).

During the Civil War the house was used both as a hospital and a prison.
Great part of it was demolished during the imprisonment of Bishop Wren
by the Commonwealth, and some of the surrounding streets were built on
the site of the garden. Vine Street, Hatton Garden, Saffron Hill, of
which the lower end was once Field Lane, carry their origin in their
names. Evelyn, writing June 7, 1659, says that he came to