266 LONDON PARKS & GARDENS 
In 16io, just at the time James I. brought them into 
notice, a mulberry was “set in Fairfield’s Court.” In 
1605 seats were set “ about the trees in Hares Court”; 
thus all the courts were more or less little gardens. 
In 1510 a chamber is assigned to some one “in the 
garden called le Olyvaunte.” This was probably the 
Elephant, from a sign carved or painted to distinguish 
a particular house facing it. There was similarly “ le 
Talbott,” probably from a greyhound sign, in another 
court. The houses facing the Great Garden apparently 
had steps descending into it from the chief rooms, 
and it was a special privilege to have your staircase 
opening on to it. Thus, “May 1573, Mr. Wyott and 
Mr. Hall, licensed to have ‘a steeyrs’ (stairs) from 
their chamber into the garden.” The Great Garden 
was constantly being encroached on as new chambers 
were built. Entries in the records with regard to per¬ 
mission to build into the garden often occur; for 
instance— 
“ 1581. Thomas Compton ... to build . . . within 
the compass of the garden or little Court . . . from the 
south corner of the brick wall of the said garden . . . 
57 feet . . . and from the said wall into the garden 
22 feet.” 
On one occasion a license to build was exceeded, and 
the offence further aggravated by cutting down “ divers 
timber trees.” The offender was at first put out of 
commons, and fined ^20, which was afterwards mitigated 
to ^5, with the addition of a most wise proviso, that 
“he shall plant double the number of trees he caused 
to be cut down.” Would that the fault of felling 
timber always met with the same punishment! 
When houses were put on the site of the present 
