Folios 71-83: 1429-30

Folio 71.

Inquisicio pro quodam ten' vocat' le Cage pertin' Thome filio Joh'is Coventre.

30 Aug., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], inquisition held before Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber of the Guildhall, as to particulars of the property held by John Coventre, (fn. 1) late Alderman, at the time of his death, who was his heir, &c. The jurors-viz., William Hervy, John Coltone, Richard Parkeman, Adam Boke, John Segeford, Thomas Baker, William Lye, Thomas Frary, Robert Bette, John Coventre, John Pecok, and John Chadde-find (inter alia) that John Coventre died seised of a tenement called "le Cage" in the parish of St. Mary le Bow, which he held of the King in free burgage as the whole City is held; they further say that he died on Tuesday after Easter [27 March], 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], and that Thomas his son is his heir; also that Richard, brother of the said John, is tenant of the said tenement, which is of the yearly value of 21 marks, but by what title, &c., they do not know.

Exon' acio assaiator' corii ab assisis et iuratis.

1 June, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Baret, Thomas Atte Fan, Richard Beaumond, Henry Bronde, Masters of the Mistery of Cordwainers, discharged by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to their being so much occupied in searching and assaying leather, exposed for sale in the City, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Licencia edificandi concess' Rectori Sc'i Michael' ad blad'.

22 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], licence granted by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen and Commonalty to Sir John Craas, the Rector, and the parishioners of the church of St. Michael le Quern to enlarge the said church on a part of the common soil of the City as prescribed. (fn. 2)

Folio 71 b.

Com'issio pro duab' xv mis et duab' decimis integris.

Letters patent appointing Ralph Bartone, Robert Large, John Bitterden, and Richard Osbarn to be Commissioners for levying in the City the subsidy recently granted by Parliament. (fn. 3) Witness the King at Westminster, 20 Dec., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].

Consi'les bille misse cuil't Aldr'o pro una integra quintadescima [sic].

Precept to the several Aldermen to take steps for the making of an assessment in their Wards for the purpose of levying the above subsidy. Dated 26 Dec., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].

Folio 72.

L're principalium civitatum Prucie de faciendo barell' et al' vasa pro allec' imponend' justa et recta.

Letter from the authorities of the chief towns of Prussia, assembled at "Mariemburg," to the Mayor and Aldermen, &c., of the City, complaining of the deficient measure of barrels in which herrings are exported. Dated at "Mariemburg," 14 Feb., A.D. 1409 [sic].

Com'issio de arrestand' Canonicos apostantes etc.

Writ to William Estfelde, the Mayor, bidding him to arrest, if found in the City, Roger Bukke and Henry Ciprian, Canons of the Augustinian Monastery of Waltham Holy Cross, who were wandering at large to the discredit of their Order. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the Guardian of England, at Westminster, 5 Sept., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Pursuant to the above, the said Mayor afterwards arrested the aforesaid apostate Canons within the precinct of St. Martin, in the house of John Belle, the Warden of the precinct, where they were secretly living in the hope that the place was privileged, (fn. 4) which it was not, as certified by the Lords of the Council appointed to hear the matter, &c. The said Canons were therefore handed over to the Abbot of the said Monastery. (fn. 5)

Folio 72 b.

De dote signata.

30 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], judgment given by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen for Alice, widow of John Coventre, late Alderman, to receive an annual sum of 7 marks 4s. 5d. as her dower in respect of the tenement called "le Cage," in the parish of St. Mary le Bow. (fn. 6)

Acquitance fait p' le Maior as marchantz des villes DamieuxCorby et Neel.

Acquittance under the Mayoralty seal by William Estfeld, the Mayor, for the sum of 50 marks paid by Henry Tasse, attorney of John de Morviller of Amiens, in respect of the "composition" made between the City of London and the merchants of the towns of Amiens, Corby, and Neel. Dated 1 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].

Consimilis bill' miss' fuit cuilibet Aldermanno.

Precept to the Aldermen to assess and levy in their respective Wards their quota towards the sum of 5,000 marks lately granted by the Common Council to the King for his first voyage, the same to be repaid out of the next fifteenth. Dated 14 April [A.D. 1429].

Folio 73.

Br'e collector' xv me in com' Surr' de non compellend' cives London' ad sol' xv ib' m pro merem' et petr'.

Writ to the collectors of fifteenths and tenths in the county of Surrey and their sub-collectors in the town of Croydon that they cease to exact payment from Robert Colbroke and William Trymnell, Wardens of the fabric of London Bridge, John Carpenter, executor of the will of Richard Whityngton, and Thomas Moysaunt, William Coupere, and John Gylle, citizens of London, who temporarily held divers small houses and parcels of land in the said town wherein to store timber and stone, inasmuch as the said timber and stone were intended for buildings in the City, where they paid their share of every tallage with their fellow-citizens. Witness the King at Westminster, 13 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].

Emancipacio filior' Isnardi Cataigne m'cator' Janue

Certificate by John Chesham, a public notary, that Isnard Cataigne, merchant of Janua, had, in the presence of the Mayor, manumitted his sons, Gregory, Lazarus, and Laurence, on the 28th Nov., A.D. 1429.

Folio 73 b.

Presentacio d'ni Joh'is Leget ad unam Cantariam in Capella Guyhalde.

Letter from William Estfeld, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to William [Grey], Bishop of London, presenting Sir John Leget, a chaplain of York diocese, for admission to one of the five chantries founded in the chapel of St. Mary the Virgin near the Guildhall by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowyk, vacant by the death of Sir Robert Laghtone. Dated 20 Nov., A.D. 1429.

£x conc' Joh'i Carp' ad t' vite in recomp'.

Grant by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Commonalty to John Carpenter, Common Clerk of the City, of an annual rent of £10 for life. Dated in the Chamber of the Guildhall, 13 Feb., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].

Un haultpace graunte a W. Estfeld par le Rent dune verge et une rose pur le Mair au Pentecost.

Licence granted by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty to William Estfeld, mercer, to build a halpace for a chapel outside his house up to the end of the Common Hall, called the Guildhall, in manner prescribed, he rendering annually therefor on the day of Pentecost, to the Mayor for the time being, a rod suitably ornamented with a red rose on the top, to be carried in manner accustomed before the Mayor when proceeding from the church of St. Peter, Cornhill, to the minster of St. Paul, and there to be offered according to ancient custom of the City. (fn. 7)

Exon' acio Thome Walsingham ab omnib' officiis etc.

22 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], Thomas Walsyngham, vintner, lately elected Alderman of the Ward of Castle Baynard, discharged from serving by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, owing to his being so much occupied in the King's service, and also in consideration of his having undertaken to glaze, in the best manner, the eastern gable or window of the Guildhall.

Folio 74.

Exon' acio Will'mi Kent ab assisis.

16 June, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], William Kent, "pewtrer," son of Richard Kent, draper, discharged by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to his infirmities.

Consi'lis billa missa fuit cuilibet Aldr'o.

Precept to the Aldermen that they keep an armed watch in their several Wards on the nights and eves of St. John Bapt. [24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], and that they take precautions against fire. Dated 10 June, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Translacio Walt'i Lucy de Mistera Cultellar' in Mister' Haberdassherie.

8 Oct., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], came Walter Lucy, cutler, before William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber of the Guildhall, and showed how he had been admitted into the freedom of the City in the art of Cutler, and was sworn temp. John Fraunceys, Mayor, and Stephen Speleman, Chamberlain, viz., on the 11th July, 2 Henry IV. [A.D. 1401], and how for a long time past he had been using the Mistery or Art of Haberdasher and not the Mistery of Cutler, as was testified. He prayed, therefore, that he might be admitted into the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Haberdasher. His prayer granted at the instance of the Masters and good men of the Mistery of Haberdasher.

Record' pro Edwardo Gisors.

Licence granted by the Mayor and Aldermen to Edward Gisors to enclose a parcel of land, his private property, on the bank of the Thames near the common soil at the end of Grenewichlane (fn. 8) in Dougate Ward, which had been blocked up by filth cast thereon, on consideration of his leaving a public way on the common soil as broad as the said lane; and further, that he may enjoy the solar that he built over the said public way as compensation for the way granted by him on his own ground towards the public latrine, provided he leaves sufficient room for a cart to pass under it. [No date.]

Ordinacio pro novo conduct' rep'and' et emendand'.

The eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], ordinance by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, at the request of the Commonalty, to the effect that the new conduit in Westchepe near the east end of the church of St. Michael le Quern (fn. 9) should in future be repaired at the City's expense, and that parishioners of the said church, or those living around the said conduit, should not be forced to contribute.

Folio 74 b.

26 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], came the executors of Robert Mayheu, late of Shordich, in the county of Middlesex, "bruer," executor of Thomas Pernell, girdler, and delivered to John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, the sum of 50 marks to be kept in trust for Robert, Richard, Martin, Cristina, and John, children of the said Robert Mayheu.

11 Nov., 24 Henry VI. [A.D. 1445], came Richard and Robert, sons of Robert Mayheu, and discharged the said Chamberlain in respect of the above money.

Folio 74 b 75.

Letters patent assigning certain moneys payable into the Exchequer to the Mayor and Commonalty, in repayment of the sum of £6,666 12s. 16½d. [sic] advanced by the City to the King, being a portion of the sum of £50,000 which the King's Council had been authorized to raise by the late Parliament. (fn. 10) Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, (fn. 11) at Westminster, 19 May, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Folio 75 b.

Custodia Ric'i filii Thome Gerard.

2 Aug., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the custody of Richard, son of Thomas Gerard, late "pasteler," together with the sum of £10 and divers chattels, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Thomas Grenehille, who married Margaret, the orphan's mother, to hold the same in trust for a term of five years. Sureties, viz., John Kyllyk, William Scarburgh, and William Abraham.

Prorogacio feodor' et finium antiquor' ad opus fabrice Guihalde.

Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], ordinance by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, in Common Council assembled, to the effect that all fines, fees, and amercements formerly granted for the work of the Guildhall should be continued for the same purpose for one year from Michaelmas next.

Exon'acio Ric'i Bures ab assisis.

1 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Bures, mercer, discharged by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Exon'acio Ric'i Polhill ab assisis.

12 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Polhill, skinner, similarly discharged for like cause.

Folio 76.

Presentacio d'ni Rogeri Gubbe ad unam cantariam in eccl'ia Sc'i Botulphi extra Algate London'.

Letter from William Estfeld, the Mayor, to the Rector and Churchwardens of the Church of St. Botolph without Aldgate, presenting Sir Roger Gubbe, chaplain, for admission to the chantry founded in the said church by John Romeney, (fn. 12) potter, vacant by the death of Sir John Tauntoft. Dated 23 Oct., A.D. 1430.

Br'e d'ni Regis missum collectorib' pro una quintadecima levand'.

Letters patent appointing Ralph Bartone, Alderman, Robert Large, Alderman, John Bitterden and Richard Osebarne, to be Commissioners for levying the subsidy granted in the last Parliament. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, at Westminster, 28 Aug., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Consil'is billa missa fuit cuil't Aldr'o pro una quintadecima colligend'.

Precept to the Aldermen to cause an assessment to be made in their several Wards for levying the above subsidy. Dated 27 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Folio 76 b.

Eleccio Walteri Chartesey et Rob'ti Large in vicecomet'.

Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], in the presence of William Estfeld, the Mayor, John Simond the Recorder, Thomas Knollys, William Crowmere, Henry Bartone, Thomas Fauconer, William Caumbrigge, John Gedney, Ralph Bartone, John Welles, Simon Seman, John Brokle, Robert Ottele, and William Melreth, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs-Walter Chartesey was elected one of the Sheriffs by the Mayor, and Robert Large the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

The same day John Bederenden, draper, was elected City Chamberlain; Robert Colbrok, "irmonger," and William Trymnell were elected Wardens of London Bridge; and Henry Frowyk and Robert Otteley, Aldermen, John Olney, mercer, William Gregory, skinner, Robert Bambourgh, and Richard Nordon, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the accounts of the said Chamberlain and Wardens.

Afterwards, viz., on the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow of the said Feast were presented and admitted before the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster.

Eleccio Nich'i Wottone in Maiorem London'.

Friday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], in the presence of William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, John Simond the Recorder, Henry Bartone, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, William Caumbrigge, Ralph Bartone, Robert Whityngham, John Welles, Thomas Wandesford, John Perneys, John Brokle, Nicholas James, Simon Seman, Henry Frowyk, Robert Otteley, John Pattesle, Stephen Broune, William Melreth, and Robert Large, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor-Nicholas Wottone was elected for the year ensuing.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], he was sworn at the Guildhall, &c., and on the morrow was presented, admitted, and accepted, &c., before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Custodia pueror' Ric'i Aylmere.

8 April, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the guardianship of Robert, Beatrix, and Johanna, children of Richard Aylmere, late mercer, together with their patrimony and silver plate, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Johanna, widow of the said Richard, for a term of five years. Sureties, viz., Robert Fitz Robert, John Bostone, William Rustone, and Hugh Wyche.

Afterwards, viz., on the 18th Aug., 23 Henry VI. [A.D. 1445], came the above Robert, being of full age, (fn. 13) into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, and acknowledged satisfaction for his patrimony.

Folio 77.

Exoneracio Joh'is Tyse ab assisis juratis etc.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs bidding them to discharge John Tyse from serving on juries, &c., inasmuch as he was a Comptroller, a Moneyer (campsor), and Assayer of money in the Tower. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, at Westminster, 12 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].

Custodia pueror' Thome Mersshe.

31 May, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the guardianship of Thomas, Katherine, and Thomas [sic], children of Thomas Mersshe, late taverner, together with their patrimony and silver plate, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Agnes their mother for a term of five years. Sureties, viz., Richard Marbultone and Thomas Ive.

Br'e q'd o'es li'entes xl librat' t're vel reddit' ordinem suscipiant militar'.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation for all persons within their bailiwick who had 40 librates of land or rent yearly for three whole years, and were not already Knights, to take up the order of Knighthood by the octave of Michaelmas next, under penalty. Witness the King at Westminster, 26 Feb., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].

Return' ejusd'm br'is.

The above writ was delivered to Robert Large and Walter Charteseye, Sheriffs, by Ralph Holand and William Rus, the late Sheriffs, on their going out of office.

Return made to the above writ. (fn. 14)

Folio 77 b.

Exon'acio Rob'ti Warn' ab omnimodis officiis etc.

The eve of St. Andrew, Ap. [30 Nov.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Robert Warner discharged by Nicholas Wottone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, in Common Council assembled, from serving as Taxer, Assessor, Collector, Constable, Scavager (Scawageator (fn. 15) ), or in any other capacity for the City, in recognition of his having served the City in divers offices for thirty-six years and of his infirmities.

Ordinacio sup' abjudicat' trium Abrocar' ne quis cum eis intromittat sub pena.

The said day and year [sic] it was ordained by the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty that Francus Vanelly de Lucha, Gerard Galgenetti de Lucha, and Frederic Nairsreo, foreign brokers, should cease to act as brokers, inasmuch as they had often been fined and imprisoned for falsifying wine and committing other frauds.

Afterwards, viz., on the 29th Nov., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the ordinance forbidding the above foreigners to act as brokers was confirmed in the Common Council, with the addition that if any of them was convicted in future of acting as a broker he should be imprisoned for a year; and further, that he, and any one dealing with him, should be fined 100s.

Folio 78.

La ordeignaunce des Cordewaners et Ceinturers.

13 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], ordinance by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to the effect that thenceforth all hides and leather should be assayed by four Cordwainers and three Girdlers, or by two Cordwainers and one Girdler, who should mark such as were found properly tanned with their respective marks, and present such as were wrongly tanned to the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being. Provided always that the knife (cotew) used for cutting and putting into the hides and leather for the purpose of assay be put into them by the Cordwainers only, according to ancient custom, and this in the presence of the said Girdlers; and thenceforth neither of the said Misteries is to act without the other, under penalty.

Custodia Thome filii Joh'is Coventre nup' civis et merceri London'.

12 Sept., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], the custody of the sum of £400 in respect of a certain tenement called "le Cage," in the parish of St. Mary le Bow, appraised by a jury at 21 marks by the year, as appears supra, fo. lxxi, the property of Thomas, son of John Coventre, late mercer, committed by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Richard Coventre, mercer, brother of the said John. Sureties, viz., William Melreth, John Olney, John Estmond, mercer, and John Brokour, skinner.

Afterwards, viz., on the 28th Aug., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1434], came the above orphan, being of full age, and acknowledged satisfaction for the money.

Folio 78 b.

Licencia Regia concessa Joh'i Carpent' ad fundand' cant' sup' le Charnell.

Letters patent permitting John Carpenter, executor of Richard Whityngtone, late mercer, to found a chantry in the poor chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the charnel house (super ossamenta mortuorum) in St. Paul's Churchyard, and to endow the same to the extent of 8 marks per annum; (fn. 16) and further, to assign the advowson of the chantry to William Estfeld, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, for the time being, and their successors. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].

Custodia tam corp'is Will'i Reynwell quam cc marc' et alior' bonor' eid'm Will'o legator'.

12 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], the guardianship of William, son of Thomas Reynwell, late fishmonger, together with his patrimony, plate, and chattels, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to John Reynwell, Alderman. Sureties, viz., John Higham, draper, William Combes, Thomas Badby, and William Sampsone, fishmongers.

Fos. 79-83 b.

A statute passed in the Parliament which commenced to sit at Westminster on the morrow after the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429]. (fn. 17)