Folios cclxi -cclxx: Dec 1370 -

Folio cclxi -cclxx.

Bre de faci endo Will'm Essex et al' inv nire manucapt' q'dipsi minas non inferrent nec impediment' Jur' in panell' pro Rege etc.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to make proclamation against threatening a jury sworn to try a case between the Crown and John de Colby, Knt., Roger de Bocham, Knt., Geoffrey de Wyche, Knt., Ralph Gerberge, Knt., John de Somertone, Simon Donemowe, William Dunynge, John, son of Nicholas Fastolf, William Borelle, Robert Stoggon, Roger de Woltertone, John Bacoun de Todyngtone, junior, and Adam Hare, who had put themselves on the country as to their conduct when acting as a jury in a case between the Crown and the Prior of Hykelynge, (fn. 1) and Richard, son of Simon Goscelyne de Ereswelle, touching a presentation to the church of Shipdene. (fn. 2) The said Mayor and Sheriffs are to take sureties from William Essex, Adam Staple, Elias de Thorpe, and Gilbert de Melchebourne, who had used threats against the jurors on the panel. Witness the King at Westminster, ...Dec., 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1370].

Folio cclxi b.

Returnum br'is predicti.

Return made to the above by John Bernes, the Mayor, and William Waleworth and Robert de "Caytone," the Sheriffs, to the effect that sureties had been found as directed, viz.:—

John Feraunt, Thomas Everard, Richard Chipenham, and William Wyllesdone for William Essex and Adam Staple; John Sely, John St. "Nede," Simon Grene, and Saloman Risby for Elias de Thorpe; and John Davy, John Olescompe, Roger Rudde, and Walter Southous for Gilbert de Melchebourne.

Acquietanc' exec' Thom' fil' Simonis Fraunceys per Thom' Travers militem facta.

A general release by Thomas Travers, Knt., to Peter de Wysebeche, chaplain, and Richard Garland, "peautrer," executors of Thomas, son of Simon Fraunceys, late mercer. Dated 17 Dec., 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1370].

Scriptum Alic' que fuit ux' Thom' Fraun ceys per Joh'em de Stodeye et alios.

Quitclaim by John de Stodeye, Nicholas Brembre, and John Birlyngham, merchants, to Alice, widow of Thomas Fraunceys, mercer, of a warranty she had given touching the manors of Northalle and Doune, co. Middlesex. Dated 20 Dec., 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1370].

Folio cclxii.

Scriptum Alic que fuit ux' Thom' Fraunceys per Joh'em de Stodeye et alios.

Quitclaim by the same, they being in possession of the above manors, of the warranty given by the above Alice. Dated Christmas Eve, 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1370].

Proclamacio de poletria.

Ordinance, on the King's behalf, that no poulterer sell his poultry dearer than the following prices, under pain of forfeiture, viz.:—

The best cygnet for 4s. [sic]; (fn. 4) the best goose for 6d.; the best "porcelle" (fn. 5) for 8d.; the best capon for 6d.; the best hen for 4d.; the best pullet for 2½d.; the best "poucyn" (fn. 6) for 2d.; the best rabbit for 4d.; the best teal for 2½d.; the best river mallard (malard de Rivere) for 5d.; four larks for 1d.; the best snipe (snyte) for 1d.; the best dunghill mallard (malard de fene) for 3d.; the best "wodecok" for 3d.; the best "pertriche" for 5d.; the best plover for 3d.; the best "fesaunt" for 16d.; the best curlew for 10d.; a dozen of the best thrushes for 6d.; and ten eggs for 1d.

Proclamacio de non eund' facie cooperta cum larva etc.

Also that no one go in the streets of the City or suburbs thereof with visor or mask (fauce visage), nor enter houses for the purpose of playing dice (pur juuer as dees), under penalty of imprisonment, and that no one receive such into their houses under penalty of paying 20s. to the Chamber.

Stenby Skynnere prisona delib'.

Wednesday before the Purification [2 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], Peter Stenby, "skynnere," committed to prison for false work discovered by the masters of the said mistery in seven furs "de pur'," (fn. 7) which furs were condemned to be forfeited.

Forisfactur' furrur'.

Afterwards, viz., on Thursday after the Feast of St. Agatha [5 Feb.], the same year, the said Peter was released, inasmuch as on the 24th Jan. previously he had been committed to prison by the said masters for false work, and he paid on coming out 13s. 4d. to the Chamber and half a mark to the mistery, &c.

Folio cclxii b.

Br'e pro parliamento apud Westm'.

Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four citizens to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster on Monday in the first week of Lent, viz., on the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.]; those so elected to be at Westminster on Saturday the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.], and to remain there continuously so long as the Parliament shall continue. Witness the King at Westminster, 1 Jan., 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Names of those elected, viz., John Tornegold and Bartholomew Frestlynge, Aldermen; John Philipot and William Essex, Commoners.

Mag'ri Pellipar'.

Wednesday before the Feast of Purification [2 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], John Sely, Elias de Thorpe, Roger Cavendisshe, Walter Pykenham, Thomas Roolf, and John Rote, skinners, elected and sworn to rule the mistery of Skinners, &c.

Dimissio balli'e de Suthewerk.

Wednesday after the Feast of Purification [2 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], the bailiwick of Suthwerk let by John Bernes, the Mayor, William Haldene, Stephen Cavendisshe, William Welde, William Walworth, Aldermen, and John de Cauntebrigge, the Chamberlain, to William Maltone at an annual rent of £10. Sureties, viz., John Mokkynge, William Westone, and Robert de Byttone, of the vill of Suthwerk.

Mag'ri carnificum.

Walter atte Grene, Henry Assheham, Richard Stonham, and Elias de Westone elected and sworn to rule the mistery of Butchers, &c.

Ordinacio et concessio fact' pro exenn' d'no Principi et Principisse fac'.

Be it remembered that in a congregation of the Mayor, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned before them on the 27th Jan., 44 Edward III. [A.D. 1369-70], it was ordained and granted that in the several Wards of the City there should be levied on the men of the Wards a fifteenth and half a fifteenth for two presents to be made, viz., one to Edward, Prince of Wales, and the other to the Princess, his consort, at their coming to London after their return to England from Gascony.

Folio cclxiii.

Particulars of sums of money lent to the Lord the King, 1 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], by the following, viz.:—

John Bernes, £200; Adam Fraunceys, £300; Simon de Mordone, £333 6s. 8d.; William Walworth, £233 6s. 8d.; John Aubrey, £100; Stephen Cavendisshe, £86 13s. 4d.; William Welde, £80; John Chichestre, £100; John Warde, £66 13s. 4d.; John Mitford, £40; John Bures, £86 13s. 4d.; John Stodeye, £173 6s. 8d.; Nicholas Brembre and Thomas Albone, £300; John Pyell, £66 13s. 4d.; John Fyfhide, £100; John Wrothe, £100; James Andreu, £200; Hugh Holbeche, £40; John Hadele, £26 13s. 4d.; John Norhamptone, £76 13s. 4d.; John Philipot, £163 6s. 8d.; John Pecche, £66 13s. 4d.; John Tornegold, £30; William de Bury, "pessoner," £30; Thomas atte Leye, £60; Nicholas Wethiresfeld, £15; Edmund Oliver, £30; John Bartone, £20; Henry de Ware, £30; William Neuport, £30; John Blakeneye, £30; John Sely, £15; John Reyner, £20; John Olneye, £15; Richard Brunne, £15; Hervey Draper, £40; Richard Croydone, £60; Adam Chaungeour, £30; Thomas Mockyng, £20; John Coggeshale, £15; John Taylour, "cornmongere," £15; Robert Kyng, £15; William Bys, £20; John Pere, £30; Godfrey Sadeler, £15; John Not, £120; John Rothyng, £60; Adam Stable, £20; John Heylesdone, £30; John St. Albone, £30; William Tudenham, £30; William Baret, £30; Hugh de Caustone, £20; John Birlyngham, £30; Robert Parys, £40; John Cauntebrigge, £40; Thomas Mounteney, £30; John Chyvele, £40; John Somersham, £15; Richard Nortone, £20; William Wodehous, £30; Simon atte Gate, £15; William Baldewyne, £15; Geoffrey Puppe, £30; Ralph Blakeneye, £20; John Redyng, £26 13s. 4d.; Simon Wynchecombe, £20; Robert Gurdeler, £20; Richard de Claverynge, £20; John Hoo, £15; Robert Russe, £20; Thomas Irland, £30; William Stodeye, £30; Ralph Halsted, £20; John Bullok, £15; Geoffrey Neutone, £20; Reginald Love, £40; John Southame, stokfissh[mongere], £30; William Dykeman, £30; Nicholas Twyford, £30; John Dovy, £20; Bartholomew Myne, £30. Sum total, £4,621 13s. 4d.

Folio cclxiii b.

Br'e Reg' patens pro iiij m ^l vj^c xxjli. xiijs. iiijd. d'no Regi per cives London' nutuat' levand' de cus tuma et subsidio lanar' et pellium lanutar' a portu London' educend'.

Letters patent under the Great Seal authorizing the repayment of the above loan out of certain customs on wool, leather, &c., exported from the Port of London, the same to be taken and received by John Bernes, the Mayor, Adam Fraunceys, William Walworth, and John Piel, Aldermen, John de Cantebrigge, the Chamberlain, and Hugh Holbeche, John Philippot, and John Fifhide, citizens of London, or their deputies. Dated at Westminster, 3 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Folio cclxiv.

Proclamacio de pace int' d'um Regem et Ducem et co'itatem Januen' etc.

Writ to the Sheriffs to proclaim that a peace had been made with the Duke of Genoa, the commonalty and subjects (districtuales) of the same, and to forbid any molestation of the merchants of Genoa so long as they paid the King's customs and dues (deveria) and did not aid the King's enemies. Witness the King at Westminster, 6 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1]. (fn. 9)

Indenture witnessing that John Cantebrigge had received the sum of £4,621 13s. 4d. from John Bernes and Robert de la More, the King's Customers. Dated 6 Feb. [45 Edward III.]. (fn. 10)

Folio cclxiv b.

Br'e de li'endo coram Rege corp' Joh'is Anne appellat' de morte hominis et appellum predictum etc. et retorn' quod non debent mitti se cundum cons' civitatis etc.

Writ pluries to the Sheriffs to produce John Anne de Mareschals[e], a prisoner in Neugate, who had been appealed before the said Sheriffs and the Coroner of the City by Johanna, relict of Thomas Serlee, of the county of Kent, for causing the death of her husband, before the King's Justices on Friday next. Witness J[ohn] Knyvet at Westminster, 12 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Return made by William Walworth and Robert de "Gaytone," Sheriffs, to the effect that on Thursday after Christmas Day last past the above Johanna appealed the said John of the death of her husband before them and before Thomas de St. Alban, the Coroner of the City; that they named a day for the said Johanna to prosecute her appeal before John Bernes, the Mayor, and his fellow-justices assigned for gaol-delivery of Neugate; that such appeal ought, according to the custom of the City, to be decided at Neugate and not elsewhere, and that the said appeal rests still with the Coroner, and that therefore they could not produce the said John Anne nor the appeal without prejudice to the City's liberty.

Proclamacio de vinis et oleo non vendend nec alibi quam ad kayas et wharvas ubi gaugeari con sueverunt ponend' antequam gaugeant' etc. sub forisfactura.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to make proclamation against wine being sold elsewhere than at quays or wharves where it ought to be gauged by John Dony, mercer, who had been appointed gauger of wine and oil in the Port of London, or by his deputy. Witness the King at Westminster, 30 Jan., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Proclamation made accordingly on Saturday the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.].

Folio cclxv.

Proclamacio de vinis gaugeand' antequam exponantur vendicioni sub forisfactura etc.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to make proclamation for the due observance of the statute made at Westminster anno 27 Edward III., (fn. 11) touching wine being gauged before being exposed for sale. Witness the King at Westminster, 6 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Proclamation made accordingly on Saturday the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.].

Folio cclxv b.

Proclamacio de Hostillar'.

Proclamation made on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.] against enhancing the price of victuals, &c., during the session of the coming Parliament. (fn. 12)

Custodia bonor Will'i et Thome pueror' Nich'i Peuterer.

The last day of February, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], certain sums of money due to William and Thomas, sons of Nicholas "Peuterer," and of Johanna his wife, committed to Walter Potenhale, "wodemongere," by John Bernes, the Mayor, and John de Cauntebrigge, the Chamberlain, in trust for the said William and Thomas. Surety, viz., William Diblyn, "sporiere."

Folio cclxvi.

Articuli Cissor'.

Wednesday after the Feast of St. Valentine [14 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], came good men of the mistery of the Tailors of London and presented a petition (quandam billam) to the Mayor and Aldermen, complaining that many exercising the said craft in the City and suburbs who were not free of the City kept tables and shops contrary to the terms of the letters patent enrolled in Letter-Book F, fo. xxxviii, (fn. 13) and prayed a remedy. They further prayed that certain ordinances made for the good government of the mistery might be approved and enrolled. (fn. 14)

Afterwards, viz., on Thursday after the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], the articles of the petition were approved and ordered to be enrolled.

Folio cclxvi b.

Articuli de Bowyers et Flecchers.

Friday the Feast of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas [7 March], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], petitions presented to the Mayor and Aldermen by good men of the several misteries of Bowyers and "Flecchers," for the separate government of their respective crafts. (fn. 15)

Folio cclxvii.

Ordinacio quod mag'ri carpentar' et cementar' jur' ad civitatem pro assisis exonerentur de taxac' dum officio illi intenderint etc.

Monday after the Feast of St. Valentine [14 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1], petition to the Mayor and Aldermen by Richard Shropshire and Thomas Fant, carpenters, and Thomas atte Barnet and Richard atte Chirche, masons, the four masters elected and sworn to make assizes and partitions in the City, to be discharged from payment of taxes and subsidies for the King, as their predecessors in office had been for the last hundred years. Their petition granted, so long as they remained in office.

Custodia Alicie, Margerie et Mariote filiai' Joh'is de Rameseye.

26 March, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371], the guardianship of Alice, Margery, and Mariota, daughters of John de Rameseye, (fn. 16) committed by John Bernes, the Mayor, and John Cauntebrigge, the Chamberlain, to Felicia, late wife of the said John de Rameseye. Sureties, viz., Hugh de Waltham and John de Thorntone.

Folio cclxvii b.

Indentura int' Maiorem Alder'os et co'itatem et Joh'm Weymouth Marescall'.

Nil sol' pro ingressu quia tang' co'itatem-Commissio ad levand' de qualibet p'och' in civitate et suburbio ejusdem quoddam sub sidium xxijs. iijd. d'no Regi concessum.

Lease by John Bernes, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the rest of the citizens to John Weymouth, Marshal, (fn. 17) of a plot of land lving outside Neugate adjacent to Houndesdiche towards Ludegate, opposite the tenements sometime belonging to Richard de Willoughby and William de Langeford; to hold the same for a term of eighty years, at an annual rent of 20s. Dated Monday the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.], 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1].

Folio cclxviii.

Letters patent appointing the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen to be commissioners for levying an aid of 22s. 3d. recently granted by Parliament on the various parishes of the City and suburbs. (fn. 18) Witness the King at Westminster, 28 March, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371].

Folio cclxviii b.

L'ra de privato sigillo R' pro eodem.

Writ of Privy Seal to the same bidding them execute the orders given in the above letters patent without delay. Dated at Westminster, 3 April.

Br'e de premumendo Barth'm Fristlyng et Joh'em Philipot quod sint apud Wynton' in octab' Sce Trinitat' informand' d'um Regem et cons' suum superceleri levacione subsidit predicti quod ad summamquin quaginta milium librar' attingere debet etc. et de inquirendo de numero eccl'iar' p'ochial' capellar' et prebendar' in civitate London' etc.

Writ to the Sheriffs of London to the effect that inasmuch as it appeared to the King's Council, after due consideration, that the sum of £50,000 granted by the last Parliament could not be raised in manner prescribed, and the summoning of Parliament to meet again would be burdensome, a Council would be held at Winchester in the octave of Holy Trinity next to consider the matter, and the said Sheriffs are to cause Bartholomew Fristlyng and John Philipot, who attended the last Parliament on behalf of the Commonalty of the City, if still alive, to attend the said Council and advise in what manner the money could best be raised, and further to cause a return to be made of the number of parish churches, chapels, and prebends in the City, whether in the hands of secular or religious bodies. Witness the King at Westminster, 26 April, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371].

Folio cclxix.

L'ra d'ni Reg' de venire faciend' coram ipso apud Gildeford Maiorem et Aldr'os et de singulis misteris iiij ho'ies mag' suffic' etc.

Letter of the lord the King to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Recorder, and Aldermen for them to wait upon the King at Gyldeforde on Thursday next at the hour of Prime at the latest, and to bring with them four of the more sufficient commoners of each mistery in the City. Dated at the King's manor of Henle, 5 May, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371].

Pursuant to the above, the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Commonalty sent William Haldene, the Recorder, and William Waleworth to the King at Guldeford, on Tuesday the Feast of St. John ante portam Latinam [6 May], to pray the King that certain persons, and not the full number mentioned in his letter, might appear before him on Thursday next, as the civic authorities feared for the government of the City and the preservation of the peace. Their request not being acceded to, the Mayor appointed Simon de Mordone to act as his locum tenens until his return, and proceeded to wait upon the King at Gyldford on the Thursday named, together with William Walworth and Robert de "Caytone," the Sheriffs, William Haldene, the Recorder, Adam Fraunceys, John Stodeye, Stephen Cavendisshe, James Andreu, John Chichestre, John Litle, William Welde, John de St. Alban, Bartholomew Frystlynge, John Mitford, John Warde, John Tornegold, John Piel, and John Aubrey, Aldermen, and four men of each mistery whose names appear in a Roll attached to the above letter. Whereupon the King in the presence of his Council straitly enjoined them, under the heaviest penalties, to keep the peace in the City to the utmost of their power, and this they swore, each of them, to do. He further bade them to cause the Aldermen who were not then present and the rest of the Commoners to take a similar oath. Accordingly Simon de Mordone and Walter Forster, Aldermen, and the rest of the Commoners were afterwards so sworn.

Folio cclxix b.

On the following Monday, John Hadele, Nicholas Holbourne, Robert Somersete, Richard Palmer, William Essex, John Norhamptone, John More, Robert Norwold, William Horstone, Robert Oxenford, John Bottesham, and William Nortone were by the King's orders arrested and delivered into the custody of the Constable of the Tower, there to be kept during the King's pleasure.

Lrade attorn' facta Joh'i de Cauntehr' Cam'ar' per Joh'em Bernes et al' ad recipiend' ipsorum nomine m ^l m ^l m ^l m ^l dc xxjli. xiijs. iiijd.

Letter of attorney by John Bernes, Adam Fraunceys, William Walleworth, and John "Pel," Aldermen, and Hugh Holbeche, John Philippot, and John Fifhyde, appointing John de Cantebrigge receiver of the sum of £4,621 13s. 4d. from the King's Customers in repayment of a loan of that amount made to the King. Dated 4 Feb., 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1370-1]. (fn. 19)

Folio cclxx.

L'ra acquietanc' facta de recepcione predictarum m ^l m ^l m ^l m ^l dc xxjli. xiijs. iiijd.

Acquittance for the above sum as received from the King's Customers by the above John Bernes and the rest Dated in the Port of London, 10 May, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371].

De numero eccl'iar' parochialium London'.

Pursuant to the King's writ [supra, p. 280], Bartholomew Fristlyng and John Phelipot were summoned to attend at the place and time named, by John Salysbury and Richard de Redyng, and an inquiry was made on oath as to the number of parish churches, chapels, and prebends existing within the liberty of the City. It was found that the number of parish churches was 106; that in St. Paul's Church there were thirty prebendaries who held thirty prebends, whereof two were within the liberty of the City and all the others without; that in the free chapel of the Lord the King of St. Martin le Grand there were eleven prebendaries who held prebends outside the City, and that there were two other chapels within the liberty of the City. Beside the above no other parish churches, chapels, or prebends existed within the liberty of the City so far as could be ascertained. (fn. 20)

Folio cclxx b.

Br'e de proclamand' concordiam int' d'um Regem et Com' Flandi'.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs notifying that an agreement had been made between the King of England and Louis, Count of Flanders, for merchants of either country to freely come and go as of old, on payment of the Kings customs and dues, provided that no Fleming avow goods belonging to the King's enemies in France and Spain, and bidding them make proclamation against offering molestation to the Flemish merchants Witness the King at Henle, 8 May, 45 Edward III. [A.D. 1371].

Assessio pro m'li d'no Regi concess'.

Be it remembered that an assessment by Wards was made for raising the sum of £1,000 granted to the King by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty for safeguarding their ships at sea.