First Floor. On the upper landing are an oaken cradle from Chepstow Castle (15th century), and a royal cradle (17th century). In the passage leading to Room I are early books printed in London. ROOM I (Mediï¾µval; 1100-1500). Arms and armour, spurs, and pottery; one of the three extant copies of Wynkyn de Worde's ' Chronycle of Englonde' (1497); carving from Crosby Hall. ROOM IA. Pilgrim's signs and badges and ecclesiastical objects; a fine collection of pottery, including grotesque jugs and water-vessels; bosses from Greyfriars monastery; in a case on the right, bronze Christ with traces of enamel. ROOM II (Tudor Period; 1500-1600). The London of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare is here illustrated by a great variety of exhibits. The pottery includes many 'bellarmines' or 'greybeards,' i.e. earthenware flasks named after Cardinal Bellarmine (died 1621). On the left wall, fine collection of spoons (continued in the following rooms); the earliest known sampler; Venetian glass bowls. End wall, Apprentices' flat caps, shoes, and a skull probably used by a necromancer. On the next wall, fragments of chain mail, combs, etc.; Sir Thomas Gresham's Steelyard (1572); knives and scissors. By one of the windows, pedlar's pack and pack-stick; small placard ('Lord have mercy upon us'), a relic of the plague of 1592. ROOM III (Early 17th Century; the period of James I., Charles I., and the Civil War). The pottery here includes numerous 'tygs' (loving cups with two or more handles), etc. The leather articles (including 'black jacks' or jugs), mirrors, needlework, clothes, clay-pipes, and pipe-stoppers should be noticed. In one case are eight James I. farthings found hidden in an old shoe. Various documents here refer to the civil commotions of the period. Passing a death-mask of Cromwell, beneath which is a letter from Carlyle, we enter ROOM IV (Commonwealth). Here are the Tangye Collection of Cromwellian documents, books, and prints; Cromwell's family Bible and pocket-Bible (with his autograph); the reputed skull of Charles I.'s executioner; bellarmines and puzzle-jugs; a dressing and writing case in beadwork (1665). [Cromwell's watch was stolen in 1926.] The Puritan texts and mottoes on the sad-coloured pottery should be noticed. In the table-case nearest the entrance is a bundle of hair and nails used as a malicious 'charm' (found in the small bellarmine beside it); near the window, relics of the Great Plague (1665). ROOMS V and VI (17-18th Centuries). In ROOM V are specimens of Lambeth delft and stoneware by John Dwight of Fulham; sets of 'merryman' plates; domestic objects, etc. ROOM VI contains Chelsea ware, Battersea enamels, etc., lent by Mrs. Salting and others. Of the Chelsea ware (1745-69) the finest example is the famous Dancing Lesson or Group within a Boscage, designed by Roubiliac. Here are also objects of domestic use; wooden and horn cups; porcelain of City Companies; glass; pewter; tygs with several handles. ROOM VII, the Joicey Room, belongs to the same period. The contents, presented by Mr. J. G. Joicey (died 1919), include Chelsea and Battersea ware, Bow china (1744-76); watches, snuff-boxes, and trinkets; objects made in London in the 18-19th centuries.
