= It was once the hall of the
King's palace at Westminster,
originally
built by William Rufus.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
' Cf. also Dekker, (_Non-dram. Wks._ 8. 77).
=1. 1. 72 the Strand.= This famous street was formerly the road between
the cities of Westminster and London. That many lawyers lived in this
vicinity we learn from Middleton (_Father Hubburd's Tales_, _Wks._ 8.
77).
=1. 1. 73 Westminster-hall.
= It was once the hall of the
King's palace at Westminster,
originally
built by William Rufus.
The present hall was formed 1397-99. Here the early parliaments
were held. 'This great hall hath been the usual place of
pleadings, and ministration of justice.'--Stow, ed. Thoms,
p. 174.
=1. 1. 75 so Veluet to Leather.= Velvet seems to have
been much worn by lawyers. Cf. Overbury, _Characters_, p. 72:
'He loves his friend as a counsellor at law loves the velvet
breeches he was first made barrister in.'
