INTRODUCTORY 11 
distant Bunhill Fields, have remained through the changes 
time has wrought. This space might have been like 
one of the other heaths or commons of London, a 
beautiful open space in the heart of the town, but the 
supposed exigencies of modern civilisation, with the usual 
want of foresight, have banished the life-giving fresh air, 
and the Corporation of London has had to go far afield, 
to Burnham Beeches and Epping Forest, to supply what 
once was at its door. Literally at its door, as the 
busy street of Moorgate recalls the Mayor, Thomas 
Falconer by name, who in 1415 “caused the wall of 
the citie to be broken neere unto Coleman Street, and 
there builded a posterne now called Moorgate, upon the 
Mooreside, where was never gate before. This gate he 
made for ease of the citizens, that way to passe upon 
cawseys into the Field for their recreation.” 1 The fields 
in question were at that time a marsh, and though some 
fifty years later “ dikes and bridges ” were made, it was 
many years before the whole moor was drained. The 
task at one time seemed so difficult that the chronicler 
Stowe, in 159B, feared that even if the earth was raised 
until it was level with the city walls it would be “ but 
little dryer,” such was the “ moorish ” nature of the 
ground. Moorfields was the scene of many curious 
dramas during its history It was the great place for 
displays, sham fights, and sports of the citizens. Pepys 
notes in his Diary, July 26, 1664, that there was much 
discourse about “the fray yesterday in Moorfields, how 
the butchers at first did beat the weavers (between whom 
there hath been ever an old competition for mastery), 
but at last the weavers rallied and beat them.” Such 
scenes were very frequent, and Moorfields for generations 
1 Stowe, “ Survey of London.” 
