Folios lxxxii - xc: Jan 1377-8 -

Folio lxxxii.

Proclamation made temp. Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, Thursday after the Feast of SS. Fabian and Sebastian [20 Jan.], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8], touching liberties recently (noviter) granted to the citizens by the King in his first Parliament, and also touching certain ancient liberties renewed by the King himself, and recently (noviter) confirmed to the said citizens by his charter. (fn. 1)

Folio lxxxii b.

Combustro recium quia nimis strict' juerunt.

Saturday before the Feast of St. Valentine [14 Feb.], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8], certain inspectors appointed by Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, brought to the Guildhall twelve nets belonging to men of Erhethe, viz., Thomas Dyghere, William Bryan, Thomas Grym, John Gardyner, William Dyghere, John Colyn, John London, John Phippe, John Baterell, and Simon Gardiner, which ought to be forfeited, as they said, because of their meshes or "mask" being too small, and destructive of small fish called "fry." The Court, desiring to be further informed, gave orders thereupon to John Baldok, a serjeant of the Mayor, to summon four good men of the mistery of Fishmongers to give evidence on Saturday before the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.], on which day William Strokelady, Hugh de Ware, Gilbert Beauchampe, and Nicholas Rameseye, fishmongers, appeared and declared on oath that all the said nets were false. The same were therefore ordered to be burnt in Chepe, and the aforesaid men of Erhethe were sworn not to cast a net, either in the Thames or Medway, the "mask" of which was not of the assize of two inches at least, measured transversely between the knots. (fn. 2)

Piscenar electi ad supervidend' ne minuti pisces in aquis Tamis' et Medeweye destruantui perrecia nimis stricta.

16 March, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8], Walter Sibille, William Kelshulle, William Bramptone, John Poignaunt, Clement Lavender, Nicholas Rameseye, John Ridere, and Richard Style, fishmongers, sworn before the Mayor to see that no machines stand in the Thames and Medway to the destruction of small fish, taking for their labour half of the forfeiture.

Combustio Recis.

Wednesday the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8], William Godefray and John Chapman, of Baterycheseye, co. Surrey, charged before the Mayor, the Recorder, Adam Karlille, John Haddele, John Norhamptone, and four fishmongers appointed for measuring nets, with having a net called "smeltnet" which was not of the assize, and fish, viz., smelts and flounders, which were too small. The nets ordered to be burnt, and sureties found for the offenders, viz., Walter Norman, John Buk' de Baterycheseye, John Buk' [sic], and Walter Vesecok "de les Stywes". (fn. 3)

Br'ia diversis com' directa quod cives amoveant kydell' in aquis predictis.

Writ to the Sheriff of Kent reciting former grants for the removal of kydels from the Thames and Medway, the confirmation of the City's liberties made by charter of the 4th Dec. last, and the King's grant that such liberties should not become void by non-user, and bidding him make public proclamation of the same Witness the King at Westminster, anno 1 Richard II.

Similar writs sent to the Sheriffs of Essex, Middlesex, and Surrey.

Folio lxxxiii.

Indenture de recepcione quinq' milium librar' d'no Regi mutuatar'prout patet folio lxxvi in isto libro.

Indenture of acquittance by Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and the Commonalty, for the sum of £2,500, received from the King's Customers in part repayment of a loan of £5,000 advanced by the City to the King. Dated 30 Jan., 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8].

A similar indenture of acquittance for another sum of £2,500 in full repayment of the above loan. Dated 1 March, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8].

The indentures [counterpart] remain in the possession of the Chamberlain.

L'ra d'ni Regis patens pro jocalib' et iasis deliberandis.

Writ to the Mayor and Commonalty for the return of the jewels, plate, &c., pledged by the King as security for the repayment of the above loan Witness the King at Westminster, 12 March, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8].

Scriptum Thome de Branncestre.

sol' ijs. vjd.

Grant by Henry de Cantebrige and Alice de Vinlan (Unilan ?) his wife to Thomas de "Branncestre," his heirs and assigns, of the right of entry through the middle of their shop in Westchepe, in the parish of St. Vedast, for the purpose of setting up and removing his tavern sign. Witnesses, viz., Ralph le Blunt, Thomas Trentemars, Richard de Aumberbury, Alan de "Brauncestre," Robert de Lesene, and Geoffrey de Parys. [No date.]

Note that the above deed was enrolled with the assent of the Mayor and Aldermen, as well as of Robert Lucas and John Loveye, but not by those who executed the deed, because they had long since died and could not acknowledge it.

Folio lxxxiii b.

Acquietancia facta per d'um Regem Maiori et co'itati de jocalib' Camerarus de scaccario restitutis.

Letters patent acknowledging the receipt of the jewels, plate, &c., pledged with the Mayor, &c., of the City as security for the repayment of the sum of £5,000 lent by the City to the King. Dated at Westminster, 12 April, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].

Acquietancia facta d'no Regi per Maiorem et co'itatem de jocalib'.

Acquittance under the Common Seal of the City to Nicholas Brembre and John Philippot, the King's Customers in the Port of London, for the repayment of above loan of £5,000. Dated 19 March, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8].

Folio lxxxiv.

Election of Aldermen.

Bredstret Ward : Nicholas Brembre.

Castle Baynard : John Pyel.

Bridge : William Walworth.

Cornhulle : John Philippot.

Bisshopesgate : Adam Stable.

Billyngesgate : Andrew Pykeman.

Langebourne : Adam de St. Ive.

Bradstret : John Organ.

Chepe : William Knyghtcote.

Crepulgate Within and Without : Robert Warbulton.

Bassyeshawe : John Estone.

Tower : John Hadlee.

Candelwykstret : William Badby.

Dougate : Geoffrey Newentone.

Walbroke : John Rote.

Algate : John Kyrtone.

Cordewanerstret : Richard de Prestone.

Vintry : John Clyvelee.

Queen Hithe : John Vyne.

Colmanstret : John Hoo.

Lymstret : Robert Launde.

Farndone Within and Without : Nicholas Twyford.

Aldrichesgate : Thomas Reynham.

All the above, except William Walworth, John Philippot, Robert Launde, Nicholas Twyford, and Thomas Reynham, were sworn on the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March], &c. Afterwards, viz., on Friday the morrow of the Annunciation B. M. [25 March] following, were sworn Robert Launde, Nicholas Twyford, and Thomas Reynham; and on Saturday the eve of Palm Sunday [11 April] William Walworth and John Philippot.

De hostio eccl'ie Sancti Mich'is ad bladum cum muro lapideo obturato.

8 April, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], Ralph Strode, the Common Pleader, on behalf of the Commonalty, but especially on behalf of the Ward of Farendone Within, made a presentment to Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to the effect that Roger [Fryseby], Rector of the church of St. Michael le Quern, (fn. 4) Thomas Parker, Nicholas Jordan, John Streche, William Fychet, and Walter Brente, had recently (noviter) closed a gate of the said church with a stone wall, the said gate having been from time immemorial a common thoroughfare by day. Thereupon the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, having viewed the wall and examined the purpresture and nuisance to the Commonalty, caused the said parties to appear and show cause why they had so acted. On the day named they appeared and failed to show cause. They were therefore enjoined to abate the nuisance within two days.

Carta Maioris et co'itatis London' per Joh'em Cotlond civem et piscenar' dicte civitatis.

Grant by John Cotlond, fishmonger, to the Mayor and Commonalty of a tenement in the parish of St. Giles without Crepulgate, situate between the tenement of William atte Brom on the north side and Hundesdyche on the south, and extending from the loss called "le More" on the east to the King's highway on the west, the said tenement having been acquired by the said John and Alice his late wife from John Clyftone and John Grandone Witnesses, Gilbert Prynce, William Somer, William atte Brom, John Prychet, and others [not named] Dated 6 May, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].

Folio lxxxiv b.

Proclamacio de extraneis pro hospitiis suis tenendis.

Thursday before Palm Sunday [11 April], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], proclamation made to the effect that before Easter next every merchant stranger shall take steps to board and lodge with some free hosteler, and not keep hostel on his own account, under penalty.

Isti ordinati sunt ad ordinand' formam imposicionis supra victualib' infra civitatem vendend'.

10 May, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the following good men were ordered by the Common Council to set the amount of impost to be laid on victuals sold within the liberty of the City as to them might seem best for the benefit and defence of the City, viz., John Pyel, William Walworth, John Philippot, John Hadlee, John Organ, Geoffrey Newentone, Robert Launde, John Norhamptone, Walter Sibille, John Boseham, Thomas Welford, William More, William Culham, Simon Aylesham, John Dovy, John Hothum, William Kelshulle, and John Fraunceys, goldsmith.

Folio lxxxv.

Billes maundez ad diverses mistiers pur retourner les nouns des serchours de mesmes les mistiers.

Precept sent to the misteries of Grocers, Mercers, "Drapers," Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Skinners, Ironmongers, and "Vynters," to elect men to search for merchants, alien and foreign, bringing merchandise connected with their misteries into the City, and to send the names of those so elected to the Guildhall by Friday before Palm Sunday (la Pasqe Florye).

Serchours de Mercers.

Thereupon the good folk of the mistery of Mercers returned the following names, viz., John Stoke and John Somerford, and on the 10th April, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], they took the following oath :—

[Translation.]

Le serement de mesmes les serchours.

You shall swear that you will make due search that no merchant who is not of the franchise of the City of London sell by retail any wines or other merchandise within the said City or suburbs thereof; and that all merchants coming to England sell their merchandise within forty days after their arrival, and that they board at the tables of a freeman hosteler of the City and not keep hostel or company by themselves; and that no merchant stranger of the franchise of the City (nul marchaunt estraunge de la fraunchise de la Citee) sell his merchandise within the franchise thereof to another merchant stranger, and that no such merchant stranger buy such merchandise of another merchant stranger, under penalty of forfeiture of the same merchandise.

Serchours de Pelters.

1 July, William Horscroft and Thomas Lacford, skinners, sworn searchers of the mistery.

Abrocours de Pelters.

The same day John Hardy and John Reve sworn brokers of the mistery of Skinners.

Serchours de Grocers.

6 Oct., Mark Ernele and John Cosyn, grocers, sworn searchers of the mistery.

Folio lxxxv b.

Billa Pannarior'.

Petition to the Mayor and Aldermen by good men of the Drapers of the City that foreign drapers may be compelled to bring their cloth to one of the three recognized warehouses, and not be allowed to house it secretly; that they sell the same at certain times, viz., from Thursday at midday until the same hour on the following Saturday; and that thenceforth they bring no drapery except cloths and half-cloths, entire and listed at both ends, on pain of forfeiture.

The petition granted.

Custod' Thom' fil' Simonis Dannger et Ric'i fil' ejusd' Simonis.

20 May, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the guardianship of Thomas, son of Simon Dannger, "curreiour," aged fourteen years, and Richard, son of the same, aged five years, together with property left to them and Emma their sister by the said Simon, committed by Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, to Juliana, late wife of the said Simon Sureties, viz., Edmund Haryngeye, "cureiour," and Walter "Cuppere," "cureiour."

23 June, 8 Richard II. [A.D. 1384], came the above sureties (the said Juliana having died) and undertook to render account.

2 March, 14 Richard II. [A.D. 1390-1], came the above Walter "Couper" and delivered to the Chamberlain a sum of money in trust for the above Richard, son of Simon.

15 Feb., 18 Richard II. [A.D. 1394-5], the said money was delivered to the above Richard, he being of full age.

Custod' Enme [sic] fil' Simonis Danng'.

2 June, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the guardianship of Emma, daughter of Simon Dannger, together with property accrued to her from her said father and from Thomas and Richard her brothers, committed by the above Mayor and Chamberlain to Edmund Haryngeye Sureties, viz., Richard Serle and Walter Daper.

Exoneracio ejusd'.

Afterwards, viz., on Friday after the Purification B. M. [2 Feb.], 8 Richard II. [A.D. 1384-5], came the above Emma, then of full age, and John Cornvile, "brasier," her husband, before the above Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and demanded her property. Thereupon the above Edmund rendered account before John Estone and Roger Elys, Aldermen, and John Reche, Common Pleader.

Folio lxxxvi.

Proclamacio qe nul voise wakerant apres x de la clocke qe tavernernebraceour tiegne huis overt apres le dit temps. It' qe chescun eit ewe esteante en vessel devant son huys. It' ne nul face congregacion ne covyne.

Proclamation made on the eve of Pentecost [6 June], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], to the effect that no one wander abroad after ten of the clock, unless he be of good character or on his master's service, and then only with a light; that no taverner or brewer keep open house after that hour; that every one of estate (chescun homme destat) keep a barrel (keue) or "tyne" of water before his house by day and night on account of the dryness of the season in case of sudden fire; and that no one conspire by day or night to break the peace, under penalty of fine and imprisonment.

Pleas before the Lord the King at Westminster, Michaelmas Term, anno 46 Edward III. [A.D. 1372].

Placitum int' d'um Regem et civitatem pro una shopa et d'i in fine pont' Lond' quas burg' de Suthwerk clam'.

A jury of divers hundreds in the County of Surrey make presentment before the King at Suthwerk, to the effect that the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Commonalty of the City have recently (de novo) appropriated certain shops near "le Stolpes" (fn. 5) in Suthwerk, tenanted by Robert Solace and John de Foxtone, "spicer," as being in lot and scot of the City, whereas they have always been parcel of the Borough of Suthwerk, and assessed for lot and scot on the burgesses of the said Borough. (fn. 6)

Afterwards, viz., in the quinzaine of Easter [22 April anno 49 Edward III [A.D. 1375], the said Mayor, Sheriffs, and Commonalty appeared before the King at Westminster, by Simon de Kegworth and Stephen del Fall their attorneys, and declared, in defence, that the property in question had always been within the liberty of the City and parcel of the Ward of Briggestrete, which extends as far as the gutter near "le Stulpes" at the end of London Bridge, and had always been liable to lot and scot of the City; except for this (absque hoc) the property had always been parcel of the Borough of Suthwerk, as they were ready to prove And Thomas de Shardelowe, who prosecutes for the King; says that the property has always been parcel of the Borough of Suthwerk and always assessed for lot and scot of the said Borough, and that the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Commonalty had appropriated it to the lot and scot of the City for the last ten years and more; and this he offers to prove, &c.

[Folio lxxxvi b blank.]

Folio lxxxvii-lxxxviii.

Writ for proclaiming the Statute of Westminster, 1 Richard II. (fn. 7) Dated 1 Feb., 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8].

Folio lxxxviii.

Corea foris facta ad opus co'itatis.

Friday after the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], certain hides condemned by a jury composed of Saddlers, Pouchmakers, Girdlers, "Botelmakeres," Tanners, "Curreiours," and Cordwainers, as being badly tanned The same to be forfeited. (fn. 8)

Folio lxxxviii b.

Forisfactura pannor' ad opus co'itatis.

1 July, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], Robert Somerset and other Surveyors of the mistery of Drapers make presentment to the Mayor and Aldermen to the effect that John Olyver, draper, of Cornhulle, had bought from William Eyot, of the County of Surrey, in Cornhulle on the last day of June, two fardels of cloth then lying in Suthwerk and on its way to market, contrary to the ordinance against forestalling. The said John acknowledged his guilt, and order was made for the cloth to be forfeited. Afterwards, by the favour of the Court, a fine was paid in place of forfeiture.

Judicium pillor'.

16 July, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], Ralph atte Sele, baker, condemned to the pillory with a whetstone hung from his neck for slandering the Mayor and Aldermen. (fn. 9)

The following were elected by the Mayor and Commonalty to supervise the City's liberties, and to act therein as to them may seem most expedient, viz., John Pyel, William Walworth, John Phelippot, Bartholomew Frestlyng, John Hadlee, John Norhamptone, John Orgon, Robert Warbultone, John Boseham, John Heylesdone, William Baret, John Southam, Adam Karlille, Walter Sibille, John Horne, William Tonge, Thomas Welford, John Hoo, John Rote, Henry Vannere, William More, Henry Herbury, William Bramptone, William Kelshulle, William Stachesdene, Thomas Roolf, William Culham, John Hothum, John Shaddeworthe, John Dony, Simon Aylesham, John Coraunt, John Fraunceys, Thomas Carletone, John Furneux, John Gille, John Bathe, William Whetelee.

Folio lxxxix.

Billa textor'.

Petition of the free Weavers of the City to the Mayor and those deputed by the Common Council to hear grievances presented by divers misteries of the City to the effect that no foreigner (alien) or stranger may be allowed to meddle with the mistery of Weavers in the City, such foreigners and strangers being for the most part exiled from their own country as notorious malefactors, and unwilling to place themselves under the rule of free Weavers; that no foreign nor strange weaver keep a hostel in the City unless he find sufficient frankpledge for good behaviour and place himself under the rule of free Weavers; that foreign servants in the mistery also place themselves under the rule of the free Weavers for the regulation of their wages; and that no such foreigner harbour a fellowcountryman contrary to the ordinance made in the last Parliament. (fn. 10)

Indorsamentum ejusdem.

Thereupon, after due consideration, the petition was endorsed to the effect that as to the rule and survey of foreigners by freemen, the tenancy of houses, and servants, no change should be made until a foreigner be convicted of some default or deceit in the trade, and that then all foreigners should thenceforth be placed under the rule of freemen of the mistery; that as to traffic between strangers, they should be restricted according to the City's franchise; and that as to the harbouring of foreigners by foreigners, it should be forbidden according to the statute. (fn. 11)

Br'e protreugis int' Angl' et Scociam proclamand'.

Writ to the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Collectors of Customs in the Port of London to make proclamation of an agreement having been made between John [Gilbert], Bishop of Hereford, and other Commissioners on behalf of the King, and certain Commissioners on behalf of Robert, his dear cousin of Scotland, to the effect that the ships of England and Scotland shall abstain from molesting each other until the first day of December next. Witness the King at Westminster, 30 July, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].

Folio lxxxix b.

Br'e miss' collectorib' quintar' decimar' ne clerici assi deantur ad contribucionem illarum.

Writ to Adam Lovekyn, William Tonge, Thomas Welforde, Robert Lucas, John Haddele, John Norhamptone, John Organ, and John Sely, Collectors of the two fifteenths in the City granted to the King by the Commons of the realm, (fn. 12) that they cease to distrain clerics for contribution to the grant otherwise than according to custom Witness the King at Westminster, 5 April, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].

Br'e sicut alias miss' coll' predictis.

Writ alias to the same Witness the King at Westminster, 26 May, 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].

Folio xc.

Returnum br'is predicti.

Return made to the above by the aforesaid collectors of the two fifteenths to the effect that no distraints had been made on any clerics in the City, as alleged in the writ.

Custod' pue ror' Nich'i Harpesfeld.

11 Aug, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the guardianship of Simon, John, and Robert, sons of Nicholas Harpesfeld, late skinner, together with their property, committed by Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and William Eynsham, the Chamberlain, to Johanna their mother Sureties, viz., John Rote, skinner, and John Cavendysshe, draper.

Exon'acio custod' Simonis unius pueror' predicti Nich'i.

Afterwards, viz., on the 23rd Jan., 6 Richard II. [A.D. 1382-3], came the above Simon and claimed his property, as being of full age Thereupon it was given up to him by John Manytone, who had married the above Johanna.

Folio xc b.

Masters of divers Misteries sworn.

Chaloners 12 Aug, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], Robert Chaloner, Robert Stanley.

Girdlers 23 Sept, the same year, William Bonyohan, (fn. 13) Alexander Sayvelle, Stephen Wasthuys, John Segood.

Tapicers 1 Oct., the same year, Thomas Clerk, John de Dyke, William Tannere, Robert Hake.

Barbers 15 Oct., the same year, John Pacone, Richard Morys.

Hurers John Broke, Ralph Bristowe, Richard Albon, Philip atte Vyne.

Shethers 4 Nov, the same year, John Andrew, Thomas Kendale.

Botelmakers 5 Nov, the same year, Philip Waleys, John Goldfynche.

Cordwainers 13 Nov, the same year, William Robyn, Robert Suttone, Richard Durhille, Robert de York, Simon Koc, Walter atte Were.

Butchers of the Shambles 18 Nov, the same year, Elias de Westone, John Dorset, John atte Shoppe, Hugh Masone.

Weavers of England 22 Nov, the same year, William Bradeford, Thomas Pynnok.

Butchers of Estchepe 7 Dec, the same year, John Sampsone, Elias Broun, John Caunterbury, John Curteys.

Pynners 14 Jan., the same year [A.D. 1378-9], William Coventre, John Daventre.

Fullers 9 March, the same year [A.D. 1378-9], John Holbeche, Richard Cornewaille.