GERARD SILUEL, OR GISONS HALAL PISDON, MILDLESEX. Of this remiant of the ance d Gisors, Pennant, in his acco ut following particulars. i "To the east of Kright-r side of Easing Lane, stood ti sors, mayor of London, and 1311. In the turbulent o charged with several harsh ar being summoned to appear beters almos ondon answer to the accusation, leana otherius, than a maypole, wor the staff of fe to be to more to anerent enstom, thy be the door. used to be decked and from this fable, the the 1 te of Ge GERARD'S HALL, OR GISORS HALL, LONDON, MIDDLESEX. Or this remnant of the ancient mansion of sir John Gisors, Pennant, in his account of London, gives the following particulars : "To the east of Knight-rider Street, on the south side of Basing Lane, stood the mansion of sir John Gisors, mayor of London, and constable of the Tower, in 1311. In the turbulent times of Edward II. he was charged with several harsh and unjust proceedings, and being summoned to appear before the king's justices, to answer to the accusation, he and other principal citizens fled, and put themselves under the protection of the rebellious barons. This house was built upon arched vaults, and had arched gates, made of the stone brought from Caen. In the lofty roofed Hall (says Stow, in his Survaie, p. 665) stood a large fir-pole, near forty feet high, which was feigned to have been the staff of Gerardus, a mighty giant, which proved to be no more than a maypole, which, according to ancient custom, used to be decked and placed annually before the door: from this fable, the house long bore the name of GeGERARD'S HALL, OR GISORS HALL, LONDON. -It remained in the family till the year 1386, when it was alienated by Thomas Gisors. The house was divided into several parts, and in the time of Stow was a common hosterie, or inn. At present, nothing remains but the vault, supported by pillars, which serves as cellars to the houses built on the site of the old mansion." This vault is now nearly perfect: the capitals of the pillars and the groining of the roof are sharp and fresh. The shafts are nearly half embedded in dirt and filth, which has been accumulating for centuries. |