were the words, little thinking, (God wot) that euer it should come to passe: but such was the great goodnesse of our God, who setteth vp the humble, and pulleth down the proud, to bring whom he pleaseth to the seat of honour. For as the scripture witnesseth, promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, but from him that is the giuer of all good things, the mighty Lord of heauen and earth. Wherefore wife, seeing God hath bestowed that vpon me that I neuer looked for; it is reason that I should perform my promise: and being able now, Ile pay that which then I was not able to do: for I would not haue men say that I am like the Ebontree, that neither beares leafes nor fruit. Wherefore wife, seemg that Shroue Tuesday is so neer at hand, I will vpon that day fulfill my promise, which vpon that day I made.

Truly (my lord) (quoth she) I will be right willing thereunto. Then answered my lord, as thou dost loue me, let them want neither pudding-pies nor pancakes, and look what other good chear is to be had, I will referre all to your discretion.

Hereupon great prouision was made for the prentises breakfast: and Shroue Tuesday being come, the Lord Maior send word to the aldermen, that in their seuerall wards they should signifie his mind to the citizens, to craue their fauours that their prentises might come to his house to breakfast, and that for his sake they might play all the day after. Hereupon it was ordered that at the ringing of a bell in euery parish, the prentises should leaue work and shut vp their shops for that day, which being euer since yeerly obserued, it is called the Pancake Bell.

The prentises being all assembled, my Lord Maiors house was not able to hold them, they were such a multitude, so that besides the great hall, all the gardens were set with tables, and in the backside tables were set, and euery other spare place was also furnish’d: so that at length they were al placed and while meat was bringing in, to delight their eares, as well as to feed their bodies, and to drown the noise of their pratlings, drums and trumpets were pleasantly sounded: that being ended, the waits of the city, with diuers other sorts of musick played also to beguile the time, and to put off all discontent.

After the first seruice, were all the tables plentifully furnished with pudding-pies and pancakes, in very plentifull manner; and the rest that remained was giuen to the poore. Wine and ale in very great measure they had giuen, insomuch that they had no lack, nor excesse to cause them to be disordered. And in the midst of this their merriment the Lord Maior, in his scarlet gown, and his lady in like manner went in amongst them; bidding them all most heartily welcome, saying vnto them, that his promise so long ago made, he hath at length performed. At what time they (in token of thankfulnesse) flung vp their caps, giuing a great shout, and incontinently they all quietly departed.

Then after this, Sir Simon Eyer builded Leaden Hall, appointing that in the midst thereof, there should be a market place kept euery Munday for leather, where the shoomakers of London, for their more ease, might buy of the tanners without seeking any further.

And in the end, this worthy man ended his life in London with great honour.