BHO

Memorials: 1281

Page 20

Memorials of London and London Life in the 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries. Originally published by Longmans, Green, London, 1868.

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Citation:

Regulation as to wearing Furs, and clearing the Streets.

9 Edward I. A.D. 1281. (fn. 1) Letter-Book A. fol. cxxx. (Norman French.)

It is provided and commanded, that no woman of the City shall from henceforth go to market, or in the King's highway, out of her house, with a hood (fn. 2) furred with other than lambskin or rabbitskin, on pain of losing her hood to the use of the Sheriffs; save only those ladies who wear furred capes, (fn. 3) the hoods of which may have such furs as they may think proper. And this, because that regratresses, (fn. 4) nurses and other servants, and women of loose life, bedizen themselves, and wear hoods furred with gros vair and with minever, (fn. 5) in guise of good ladies.

And further, that no swine, and no stands, (fn. 6) or timber lying, shall from henceforth be found in the streets, after Monday next. [And as to swine so found,] let them be killed, and redeemed of him who shall so kill them, for four pence each; and let the stands and timber be forfeited to the use of the Sheriffs; hay also, and fodder, belonging to persons, found in West Chepe.

Footnotes

  • 1. This is the apparent date, but the number of the year has been accidentally omitted in the Manuscript.
  • 2. chaperon.
  • 3. chapes.
  • 4. Females who sold articles by retail.
  • 5. Or "great vair" and "little vair;" costly furs, by some considered to have been identical with ermine of different kinds. See the Glossary to the Liber Custumarum (printed ed.), p. 834.
  • 6. Boxes, placed in the streets, for the sale of wares.