Chronicles of the Mayors and Sheriffs: 1240-1

1240-1

A.D. 1240. Sheriffs.: John de Geseorz,; Mychael Thovy,

In this year was (fn. 1) dedicated the church of St. Paul, at London. In this year, Gerard Bat was again chosen Mayor, with whom certain of the citizens proceeded to Wodestok, for the purpose of presenting him; and his lordship the King declined to admit him [to the Mayoralty] there, or before he had come to London. And on the third day after, upon the King's arrival there, he admitted him; and after the oath had been administered to him, that he would restore every thing that had before been taken and received, and would not receive the forty pounds which the Mayors had previously been wont to receive from the City, the Mayor said, when taking his departure;—"Alas! my Lord, out of all this I might have found a marriage portion to give my daughter." For this reason the King was moved to anger, and forthwith swore upon the altar of Saint Stephen, by Saint Edward and by the oath which he that day took upon that altar, and said;—"Thou shalt not be Mayor this year, and for a very little I would say, Never. Go, now." The said Gerard, hereupon, not 'caring to have the King's ill-will, resigned the Mayoralty, and Reginald de Bunge was appointed Mayor of London.