Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs: 1253-4

1253-4

A.D. 1253. Sheriffs.: Richard Pikard,; John de Norhampton,

In this year, on a Friday, after dinner, it being the tenth day of October, the water of Thames rose to a greater height than ever it had done in our times. In the same year, Nicholas Bat was made Mayor, and on the morrow was presented to the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster, and sworn and admitted, in manner granted to the citizens by Charter of his lordship the King, of which mention has been made above in this record. In this year, about the Feast of Saint Michael, it was enacted by the whole community, that the bailiwick of Bridge Street and of Queen-Hythe, which previously they used to let to ferm, should be held by the Sheriffs, whoever they might be, they paying therefor fifty pounds yearly to his lordship the King, and sixty shillings to the Hospital of Saint Giles, and to the commons of the City twenty-seven pounds.

In this year, it was enacted by the community, that no one of the franchise of the City should in future pay (fn. 1) scavage for his beasts sold on the field of (fn. 2) Smethefeld, as before they had been wont. In this year, about the season of Lent the Sheriffs of Middlesex, by precept of his lordship the King, caused all the wears to be destroyed that stood in the Thames towards the West; and at this time, many nets which were (fn. 3) injurious, were burnt in Westchep. Afterwards, and before Pentecost, the Sheriffs of London, seeing that the water of Thames pertains unto London, by precept of his lordship the King destroyed all the other wears from London to the sea. In the same year, on the 29th day of May, her ladyship the Queen put to sea, to cross over to her lord the King, in Gascoigne; and her son Edward with her, to espouse the sister of the King of Spain.