A database of several hundred historical descriptions and references to London's sounds. They're drawn mainly from primary sources such as autobiographies, diaries and statutes, as well as novels written around the times they depict.
Sound category: Ceremonial > Victory parades and celebrations
Title of work: Gesta Henrici Quinti (Acts of Henry V)
Type of publication: Chronicle
Author: Anonymous
Year of publication: 1417
Page/volume number: 60-8
Henry V’s victory parade after the Battle of Agincourt
And in a house near the tower was a great crowd of boys representing the angelic host clad in white robes, with faces gleaming with gilt paint [. . .] who sang on the king's approach with sweet voices to the accompaniment of an organ a song according to the programme in English.
[. . .]
Under a covering was a band of venerable white-hair prophets [. . .] who released, when the king came by, sparrows and other small birds in a great cloud as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for the victory He had given, some of the birds resting on the king's breast, some of them alighting on his shoulder, and some flying around his head, while the prophets sang in a sweet voice, according to the programme, this psalm of recognition: 'Sing to the Lord a new song, Hallelujah. For he hath done marvellous things, Hallelujah.'
[. . .]
When the king approached there came out on to the bridge a chorus of beautiful girls dressed in virgin white and playing on tambourines as a mark of rejoicing [. . .] and singing 'Welcome, Henry the Fifth, King of England and of France'.