Folios lxi - lxx: May 1377 -

Folio lxi - lxx.

Commissio Maioris pro divers' portub' int' pontem London et Wolkaye mundand'.

Appointment by Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, of John Stokyngbury, John Bamptone, "waterbailly," Simon atte Bole, John Salpertone, and Ralph Evenynge to be collectors of certain prescribed tolls on merchandise entering any quay or port between London Bridge and the quay called "Wolkaye," and to render account of the same to the Chamberlain, the said tolls to be applied to keeping clean the pavement, &c., within that district. Dated 10 May, 51 Edward III. [A. D. 1377].

Janyn Frenss' acceptant' [sic] onus pistrine.

30 July, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], came Janyn Frensshe, baker, living with Johanna Burstalle, baker of France, and agreed to keep his bakehouse in proper order, under penalty, &c.

Botelmakers jur'.

The same day William Karlille and Thomas Tyrold elected and sworn Masters of Botelmakers.

Shethers jur'.

11 Aug., 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], John Kent, Richard Trumpetone, Nicholas Castelle, and Simon Wermetone elected and sworn Masters of Shethers.

Folio lxi b.

M ^d de xx marc' rec' de executorib' Joh'is Biernes.

Monday after the Feast of SS. Philip and James [1 May], 51 Edward III. [A. D. 1377], came John Dane and Richard Odyham, executors of John Bernes (or Biernes), sometime Mayor, (fn. 1) before Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and the Aldermen, and agreed to pay to William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, the sum of 20 marks at which the said John Bernes had been assessed towards a present to the King's illustrious son (fn. 2) and which he had failed to pay. The said executors were at the same time discharged from payment of the sum of £10 at which the said John Bernes had been assessed during his Mayoralty for divers City matters, and which he had not paid.

Ammocio Will'i Essex et alior'a communi consilio.

27 May, 51 Edward III. [A. D. 1377], at a Council attended by Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, William Cheyne, William Baret, William Neuport, Adam Carlille, William Wodehous, Edmund Olyver, Adam Lovekyn, Walter Sibyle, Robert Lucas, John Southam, Roger Elys, Elias de Thorpe, John Horn, Robert Boxford, Thomas Welford, John Mortone, Nicholas Godessone, Thomas Noket, John Bryan, and William Kyng, Aldermen, and good men from fifty-one misteries, evidence was given to the effect that William Essex, draper, John More and Richard Northbury, mercers, Robert Fraunceys, goldsmith, and John Willarby, "taillour," had been in the habit of betraying the secrets of the Council and been remiss in their duties, and they were thereupon removed from the Council as suspects. (fn. 3)

Folio lxii.

Commissio pro deliberacione de Neugate.

Letters patent appointing John de Cavendisshe, Robert Bealknappe, Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and William Cheyne, or any three or two of them (the Mayor being one), to be Commissioners for gaol-delivery of Neugate. Witness the King at Westminster, 15 April, 51 Edward III. [A. D. 1377].

Ordinacio de Chesemong'.

The eve of Corpus Christi [28 May], 51 Edward III. [A. D. 1377], certain ordinances of the "Chesemongers" of London approved by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty. (fn. 4)

Folio lxii b.

Afterwards, viz., on the 17th June, William Sparke and Robert Whyte sworn to see that the above ordinances are observed, &c.

Folio lxiii.

Ordinacio pro custodia civitat'.

Ordinances for safeguarding the City, (fn. 5) to the effect (inter alia) that the gates of the City be fortified with portcullises and chained, and have "barbykanes" in front; that the quays between the.

Folio lxiii b.

Tower and London Bridge be bretasched (bretassez), and the keys of the City gates kept by two persons of the neighbourhood; that the Aldermen keep the names of hostelers in their Wards, and cause each inhabitant to swear that he will be ready with his harness (hernoys) to maintain the peace, if affray arise; that all hostelers and those dwelling with them be taxed according to their estate, except servants and apprentices, at the discretion of the Aldermen; that special guard be kept at the gates in view of the forthcoming expedition; that no one carry any arms except a baselard by day, but a Knight to have his sword borne after him, his page having a baselard, but not a dagger; that each Alderman put his Ward into array under his pennon, bearing his arms in relief, and lead his men whithersoever commanded for the defence of the City; that the Alderman of Tower Ward take special precautions against an attack by way of the Thames; that the Alderman of Candelwykstret guard the "Wolkey" and all the wharves up to the wharf late belonging to Reynold Love; the Alderman of Billyngesgate guard the said wharf of Reynold Love up to Billingesgate; the Alderman of Walbroke keep guard between Billingesgate and the Bridge; the Alderman of Bridge keep guard of the Bridge and of the wharves as far as Ebbgate, and have good ordnance (ordinance) on the bridge with stone and "shot"; the Alderman of Douegate keep guard between Ebbgate and Douegate; the Alderman of Vintry between Douegate and Quenehithe; the Alderman of Quenehithe between Quenehithe and Pouleswharf; the Alderman of Baynard-castell guard Pouleswharf up to the water of the Flete and thence to Ludgate; that the Alderman of Farndone keep the gates of Ludgate and Neugate; the Alderman of Aldrichgate the gate and ditches between Neugate and Aldrichesgate and thence to the house of the lord Nevylle; that the Alderman of Crepelgate guard the house of the lord Nevylle as far as Crepelgate; the Aldermen of Bassynghawe and Colmanstrete the ditches between Crepulgate and Bisshopesgate; the Aldermen of Bisshopesgate and Bradestret the gate of Bisshopesgate and the walls as far as Algate; the Aldermen of Algate Lymstret, and Langebourne the gate of Algate and the walls up to the Postern; that the Aldermen of Chepe, Cordewanerstret, Bredestret, and Cornhulle, with their pennons and men in array, gather at the Standard in Chepe; and that the Sheriffs have six Serjeants, well mounted and armed, to report matters to the Mayor, &c.

Mandatum Maioris pro ho' ib' armand' et de araio fac' in Ward' London'.

Precept to the several Aldermen that they make a return of all hostelers in their Ward, the number of men fully armed or otherwise, the number of those who can provide themselves with arms by the Feast of St. John Baptist [24 June]; also the number of those who can pay a certain sum a week for the City's protection and those who can give one day's labour in three weeks for the same purpose, &c. [No date].

Another precept for putting the Wards in array and for providing a sufficient number of shields (pavys) for those who act as shield-bearers (pavisours), not being able to incur the charge of other arms. The names of those capable of bearing arms to be returned to the Guildhall by Monday after the Feast of St. James [25 July].

[Folios lxiv blank].

Folio lxiv b.

Exon'acio custod' Thom' fil' Thom' Mockynge.

Account rendered by Thomas Moraunt, fishmonger, of the property of Thomas, son of Thomas Mockynge, whose guardian he had been appointed by John Pyel, late Mayor, and John de Cantebrugge, the Chamberlain, as appears in Letter-Book G, fo. ccci [b]. The said guardian and his sureties discharged.

Exon'acio custod' Agn' unius filiar' Edwardi Gosselyn.

22 Jan., 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377-8], came Peter atte Hethe, armourer, who married Agnes, daughter of Edward Gosselyn, who had been placed under the guardianship of Robert Bathele and Alice his wife, widow of the said Edward, as appears in Letter-Book G, fo. ccxciv, and in the presence of Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, prayed that the sum of £50, belonging to the said Agnes, might be delivered to him without any interest and without any account being rendered by her late guardian. The said guardian and his sureties discharged.

Exon'acio custod' Edwardi et Isabelle fil' Edwardi Gosselyn.

Afterwards, viz., on the 28th Jan aforesaid, came John Boseham, one of the sureties of the above Robert and Alice, who had also been made guardians of Edward and Isabella, other children of the above Edward Gosselyn, and prayed to be discharged of his liabilities in this respect, especially as the said children had died under age before being married or advanced, in which case it was provided by the will of their father that one moiety of their property should go to the aforesaid Alice and the other be devoted to pious uses.

Folio lxv.

Judicium pillorii Roos.

John Roos, "esquier," attached to answer James de Pekham on a plea of having conspired with a certain John Ormesby to forge a bond whereby Lora, wife of the said James, appeared to have acknowledged herself to have been in debt before her marriage to the said John Roos in the sum of £1,200, by virtue of which bond the said James had been arrested and sent to the Compter in Milkstret. Thereupon the said John Roos acknowledged the conspiracy before Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and the Aldermen in the Husting on the 19th Oct., 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], and was committed to Neugate pending the production of the bond. Afterwards, viz., on the 27th October, John Aubrey produced a bond, purporting to be the forged bond, but the said John Roos said he was illiterate and could not identify the document.

Thereupon a jury summoned, viz., Thomas Kyngesbrugge, John Rygeslee, John Kanynges, Thomas Rodelond, William Bumpsted, Nicholas Cosyn, John Gilemyn, William Randolf, John Austyn, Simon Overtone, John Stapeleye, and Thomas Botelestone, who find that the bond produced is the bond under which the said James de Pekham was arrested. Judgment to the effect that the said James recover damages, &c., and that the said John be placed in the pillory. (fn. 6)

Folio lxv b.

Judicium collistr' pro Joh'e Grey.

29 May, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1378], John Grey attached to answer John Tilneye, "Paltok maker," in a plea of deception, for that the said John Grey came to the house of the said John Tilneye in Bukeleresbury on the previous day and bought two "Paltockes" called "Jackes" of black "satyn" for 100s., and, wishing to show one of them to a friend for whom he alleged he had bought it, was allowed to take it away on his giving sufficient security for payment. Thereupon the said John Grey delivered to John Tilneye in part payment a gold "ferling," and by way of security showed him 15 other gold "ferlings" which he placed in a purse and deposited in a chest called "trussyngcoffre," and handed them to the said John Tilneye as he alleged and as the said John Tilneye firmly believed, not suspecting any fraud; but the said John Grey made away with the said purse with the "ferlings" and substituted a similar purse with 15 counters, which he placed in the chest under a private key which he took away with him. Later in the day, when the said John Grey went to the house of the said John Tilneye and was asked for further security for payment of the said "Jacke," the said John Grey pretended, as before, to place 14 more "ferlings" in the chest, but in reality placed only 14 counters. The said John Grey acknowledged his guilt. Condemned to be put on the pillory for an hour with the said purses and counters suspended from his neck. (fn. 7)

[Folios lxvi-lxvi b not recorded. Folios lxvii-lxvii b blank].

Folio lxviii.

L'ra d'ni Reg' Ric'i pronavib' et batell' arrest and' ne excant Thamis'.

Be it remembered that Edward III, King of England, died at Shene on Sunday before the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt. [24 June], viz., 21 June, A. D. 1377, in the 51st year of his reign, after whose death Richard, son of Edward Prince of Wales, the King's first born, as kinsman and heir, ascended the throne in the 11th year of his age and forthwith undertook the government of the realm. And the said Richard sent letters patent under his seal to the Mayor and Sheriffs to the effect that they allow no individual or ship to leave the port of London without permission of the King or his Council. Dated at Kyngestone on Thames, 22 June, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

L'ra ejusd' Reg' de pace proclamand'.

The King sent also another letter to the same bidding them make proclamation for keeping the peace. Dated at Kyngestone on Thames, 23 June, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

Br'e pro Coronatore.

Writ to the same that they assist Henry de Mortone in the office of Coroner, he having been deputed to exercise the office in place of the King's Butler, to whom the office of Coroner in the City of London appertains. Dated at the King's Manor of Kenyngtone, 25 June, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

L'ra quod moneta currat sicut solebat.

Writ to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex to make proclamation for the present coinage to continue currency. Dated at the King's Manor of Kenyngtone, 24 June, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

Folio lxviii b.

Proclam'.

Proclamation for preserving the peace published on Sunday before the Feast of St. John [24 June], 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

Bill' missa mag'ris Arm urar' quod vend' mercandisa sua ad r'onabil' precium.

Precept sent to Simon Wynchecombe, John Scorfeyn, John Game, and other Masters of the mistery of Armourers, bidding them cause the men of their mistery to sell harness and armour at a reasonable price to all liege men who desire to purchase the same.

Proclamacio pro coro nacione.

Friday after the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt. [24 June], 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], proclamation made to the effect that the King's coronation would take place on the morrow of the Feast of the Translation of St. "Swythoun" [15 July], being Thursday fortnight.

Mag'ri Cellar' jur'.

9 July, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], Richard Stacy, Thomas Soysse, Robert Forster, and William Sherewode elected and sworn Masters of the Saddlers.

Folio lxix.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation of the day fixed for the King's coronation, and to see that those who had a claim to take part in the ceremony were invited. (fn. 8) Witness the King at Kenyngton, 26 June, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377].

Proclamation made accordingly on Tuesday the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [7 July].

Proclamacio ne quis portat aliqua tempore coronacionis arma.

Order for proclamation to be made forbidding the carrying of arms on the day of the coronation, the day before, and the day after; and enjoining courteous treatment of all strangers, except the King's enemies, attending the ceremony, &c.

Folio lxix b.

De orphanis Ric'i Scut.

25 Nov., 18 Richard II. [A. D. 1394], came Thomas, son of Richard "Scutt," and prayed the Mayor and Aldermen that whereas the said Richard had bequeathed to Gregory his son £100, to the said Thomas £50, and to Johanna his daughter £50, with cross-remainders, and in case of the death of all three children, a further remainder as to one moiety to Cassandra his wife and the other to pious uses; and whereas the said Gregory had died; and whereas the guardianship of the said Thomas and Johanna and of their property had been committed by Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, to John Walcote, at the request of William Somerwell, who married the aforesaid Cassandra, on the 18th July, 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377]; (fn. 9) and whereas the said Johanna was married to James Cokkes and had died under age, so that the sum of £200 aforesaid had accrued to the said Thomas—may they be pleased to cause the said money to be delivered to him, as he was now of full age. Thereupon the said John Walcote and James Cokkes summoned to appear on various days. The former appears, the latter makes default. The money delivered up to petitioner by John Walcote.

Folio lxx.

De custumis ferie de Smythfeld.

Precept to John de Watlyngtone, the Common Serjeant, to cause the Prior of St. Bartholomew de Smythfeld to attend in the Chamber of the Guildhall on Thursday before the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 Aug.], 1 Richard II. [A. D. 1377], to show by what authority he takes divers customs at Smythefeld on the City's soil on the day of his Fair held on the eve of the Feast of St. Bartholomew, on the Feast itself, and following day. Thereupon the Prior appeared and proffered a charter granted by King Henry I. to the Prior of St. Bartholomew touching the Fair aforesaid, but the charter made no mention of pickage (pykagium), nor did he produce any other evidence in favour of his claim to take pickage anywhere. Precept was therefore issued to the said John de Watlyngtone for him to levy pickage on all who opened the City's ground at Smythfeld at the time of the Fair and to answer for the same to the Commonalty. As to other customs levied on merchants trading at the Fair, it was agreed between the Mayor and Commonalty and the said Prior that they should be collected by the aforesaid John de Watlyngtone and the Prior's bailiff, and a return made of the amount received.

[Folios lxx b blank.]