Further at the Grey-Fryars in London he erected a Library as a testimony
of the great love he had to Learning, which he began in the year of our
Lord 1421 and finished it in the year following. Moreover that place
which is called the Stocks to this day, betwixt Cheapside and Cornhill,
a good house of stone, which for a flesh market and a fish market
greatly beneficial to the City.

Besides he enlarged Guild Hall and glazed most or all of the windows at
his own costs or charges, paving the Hall and contributing largely to
the Library, adding to those places a conduit which yieldeth store of
sweet and wholesome water to the general good and benefit of the City.

In the year 1497, when Sir Richard Whittington was first elected Lord
Mayor, that rebel Sir John Oldcastle was taken in the territories of the
Lord Powess, not without danger and hurt of some that took him, at which
time all the States of the realm were assembled at Parliament in
London, therein to provide the King of a subsidy and other aid of money
and ammunition, who took great pains beyond the seas in France. These
Lords and others when they heard that the publick enemy was taken they
agreed all not to dissolve the Parliament, until he were examined, and
heard to answer in the same. Whereupon the Lord Powess was sent for to
fetch him up with power and great aid, who brought him to London in a
lyter wounded very much having received seventeen wounds and also a
clerk which he called his Secretary with him that was of his counsel in
all his secrecy. As soon as the aforesaid Sir John Oldcastle was brought
into the Parliament before the Earl of Bedford who was then left Regent
and Governour of the Realm in the time of the King's absence being in
France and other Lords and States, his indictment being read before him
of his forcible insurrection against the King and State in St. Gyles's