GRIFFIN.

Map of London (Vol. ii., p. 56.).—­The map of London, temp.  Edw.  VI., in the Sutherland collection, has been recently engraved.  It is of singular curiosity.  I do not know the name of the publisher.

R.

Wood-carving, Snow Hill (Vol. ii., p. 134.).—­The carving alluded to by A.C. is, I believe, of artificial stone, and represents AEsop attended by a child, to whom he appears to be narrating his fables.  It is or rather was, a work of some merit, and is, as A.C. observes, “worth preserving;” but, alas! of this there is but little chance.  The house in question (No. 41.  Skinner Street), and also the one adjoining, have been tenantless for many years; they belong to two old ladies, who also own the two deserted houses at the corner of Stamford Street, Blackfriars Road.  It is scarcely necessary to speak of the now somewhat picturesque condition of the houses alluded to in either locality, for the pitiably dilapidated condition of them all must have been matter of remark for many years past to any one at all acquainted with London. {221} The house, 41.  Skinner Street, is also worthy of remark from another circumstance.  It was formerly occupied by William Godwin, the well-known author of Caleb Williams, Political Justice, &c.  It was here he opened a bookseller’s shop, and published his numerous juvenile works, under the assumed name of Edward Baldwin.

E.B.  PRICE.

Waltheof (Vol. ii, p. 167.).—­I believe that Waltheof (or Wallef, as he is always styled in Doomsday Book) never appeared at the court of William the Conqueror in the character of an envoy; but in 1067, little better than six months after the first landing of the Normans, we find him, in conjunction with Edgar Atheling and others, accompanying the Conqueror in his triumphal return to Normandy, as a hostage and guarantee for the quiescence of his countrymen.  At this period, it is probable he might have first become acquainted with Judith; but this must rest on conjecture.  At all events, we have the authority of William of Malmsbury for saying that Waltheof’s marriage did not take place until the year 1070, soon after his reconciliation with the king on the banks of the Tees.  Your correspondent errs in ascribing 1070 as the date of Waltheof’s execution; the Saxon Chronicle distinctly states May 31st, 1076, as the date of his death; while the chronicle of Mailros, and Florence of Worcester, assign it to the preceding year:  in which they are followed by Augustin Thierry.  T.E.L.L. has also fallen into an error as to the cause of Waltheof’s execution, which he states arose from his participation in a conspiracy at York.  Now the crime for which he was accused, and condemned (on the evidence of his wife), was his inviting over the Danes to the invasion of England.  This was the primary cause; although his being present at the celebrated marriage-feast at Norwich was doubtless a secondary one.  According to Thierry, he left two children by Judith.