Memorials: 1314

Transfer and valuation of pledges, taken for arrears of tallage.

7 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xviii. (Latin.)

"Indenture made between John Dode, Chamberlain of the Guildhall of London, delivering, and Laurence Aldyn and Juliana de Knaptone, his wife, receiving, the pledges of divers persons of the City, taken for arrears of divers tallages, and not redeemed; and which to the said Laurence and Juliana have been delivered in part payment of 25 marks which the whole commonalty owes to them, as seen in the Book of Writs and Memoranda. Which same pledges, as underwritten, were delivered to them on the Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Botolph [17 June], in the 7th year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward, by precept of Nicholas de Farndone, Mayor, John de Gysorz, John de Wengrave, and other Aldermen. And be it known that the said pledges are delivered to the aforesaid Laurence and Juliana, on the understanding that they are to retain them for a fortnight next ensuing from the Tuesday above-mentioned; and if any person shall wish to redeem his pledges, they are to deliver them up for the price at which they are now assessed as transferred to them, to await the expiration of the said fortnight."

In Douuegate.—From Katherine de Lincoln, one basin with one washing-vessel, (fn. 1) value 4s. From Thomas de Boys, tenant of Reynald de Thunderle, one piece of striped cloth, (fn. 2) value 9s. Also, from the same Thomas, one kettle, value 12d.

Cordewanerstrete.—From Hamon Godchep, one blanket of Winchester material, value 2s.

Bradestrate.—From Thomas Brangwayn, one pair of plates, (fn. 3) value 2s. 3d.

Bisshopisgate.—From William Poyntel, one old furred mantle of scarlet, 6d.

Chepe.—From Chuccone the Lombard, one brass mortar, value 2s. 3d. From Richard de Chigewelle cutler, three knives with ivory handles, and one knife with a handle of red stone, value 18d. From Salomon le Coffrer, two black budgets, (fn. 4) bound with iron, value 4s. 2d.

Candilwykstrete.—From Peter de Hatfeld, one coat of green cloth, value 2s. 4d. From Peter Coxi, one washing-vessel, (fn. 5) value 12d.

Langburne.—From John le Heaumer, one woman's surcoat, furred, value 3s.

Bridge.—From William de Welde, one small basin, and two brass plates, value in all, 2s. 6d. From Geoffrey de Conduit, three brass pots weighing 68 lb., value 11s. 4d. From the same, two brass plates, value 5s. 4d. From the same, one large brass plate with feet, weighing 64lb., value 13s. 4d.

Billinggesgate.—From Gilbert Lamb, one brass posnet, one kettle, one aundiron of iron, (fn. 6) and one kettle and one posnet, value in all, 5s. 9d.

Walbroke.—From John Goyes, one pan, (fn. 7) value 12d., and one plate, value 7d. From John Cotoun, one coverlet of grey-work, (fn. 8) value 40s.

Cordewanerstrete.—From Hugh de Gartone, one piece of worchestede, (fn. 9) value 4s. From Richard de Horsham, one serge (fn. 10) of green worchestede, value 5s.

Farndone.—From Thomas de Shoreham, saddler, one blanket, value 18d., and two embroidered saddle-bows, value 12d.

Bredstrate.—From Henry de Gildeford, one silver cup, in weight and value 11s. 3d. From John de Castelacre, one cup of mazer, value 40d.

Vintry.—From John de Notingham, one cup of mazer, value 2s. From William de Chesthonte, one brass pot weighing 10lb., value 20d.

Queenhithe.—From William de Wautham, one posnet, value 12d.

Cornhulle.—From Andrew de Stibenhuthe, (fn. 11) one tabard of bluet, (fn. 12) value 20d.

Bisshopisgate.—From Cristiana la Glasne, one brass plate, value 10d. From Peter le Gardiner, one plate and one small plate, value 6d.

Lymstrate.—From John de Hadham, one great plate of copper, value 4d.

Walbrok.—From Thomas Prat, one pair of shears, value 12d.

Delivery of a chest by Lady Cecily, widow of Sir John de Bacquelle, to Lady Johanna, widow of Sir Thomas de Lodelawe.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xxii. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on the Saturday next after the Feast of the Assumption [15 August], in the eighth year etc., came the Lady Johanna, the relict and executrix of Sir Thomas de Lodelawe, knight, before Nicholas de Farndone, the then Mayor, and the Aldermen, and acknowledged that she had received and had, by delivery from the Lady Cecily, who was the wife of the late Sir John de Bacquelle, knight, and citizen of London, and Thomas, son of the said John, a certain chest, bound with iron, with all the goods in the same chest contained; such chest having been formerly delivered by the said Sir Thomas de Lodelawe, to be kept as a deposit in the house aforesaid, with two locks securely and strongly closed; all suspicion of breaking the same, or of fraud, being removed. And the keys of these locks were always kept in his own possession by the said Sir Thomas de Lodelawe, to the day of his death: and after his death, the Lady Johanna aforesaid found them lying close at hand among the keys of the coffers of the said Sir Thomas; wherefore she acquitted the said Lady Cecily, and Thomas, son of Sir John, as to the same chest and all in it contained.

And the same Lady Johanna gave the said chest to Thomas before-mentioned, to do therewith as he might think fit.

Writ and Letters Patent in favour of the Friars Preachers of London.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xxv. (Norman French and Latin.)

"Edward, (fn. 13) by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to the Mayor and to the Sheriffs of London, greeting. Forasmuch as we have an especial affection (fn. 14) for the Order of our dearly-beloved in God, the Friars Preachers; by reason whereof we do especially and heartily desire the honour and the well-being of the same Order; and whereas we have heard that great despite and slander has been committed against the said Order by some fools of that Order, who have apostatized therefrom, exciting, to the utmost of their power, slander and vilification of the said Order, against God and against right; at the which we are much annoyed:— We do command you, by letters under our Great Seal, that you cause the said apostates, if they may be found anywhere in our said city, to be attached and delivered to the Prior of the Convent of the said Friars, or to his substitute, in London, in order to chastise and punish such persons, according to the rule of their Order, and according to the measure of their offence: [and] we do further command, that of our said mandate you cause speedy and so good execution to be made as you may, according to the purport of the same our mandate; that so it may tend to the exaltation of the Order aforesaid. And let this in no manner be omitted. Given under our Privy Seal, at York, the 22nd day of September, in the 8th year of our reign."

"Edward, (fn. 15) by the grace of God, King of England, etc., to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, greeting. Whereas from trustworthy relation we have heard that certain Friars of the Order of Preachers, who have made profession in that Order, despising such their profession, and throwing away the religious garb, are wandering and running to and fro, arrayed in secular habit, in the city aforesaid; and that certain others, still wearing the [religious] garb aforesaid, but deserting their due obedience, are dwelling in the same city without the close of the same Friars, (fn. 16) and do not fear to take part in various matters that are not beseeming to them, to the peril of their souls, the scandal of the said Order, and the injury of ecclesiastical propriety:—We, for the especial affection which for the said Order we do entertain, and have long entertained, wishing to restrain the malevolence of such insolent persons, and to provide for the repose and honour of the Friars of the said Order, so far as in good manner we may, do command you, that all vagabond Friars of the said Order found within the city aforesaid, so often as and when in future you shall be requested by the Prior of the same Order in the city aforesaid, or other the Friars by him thereunto deputed, you will cause to be arrested without delay, and to the house of the same Friars securely to be conducted, unto the brethren of the same house there to be delivered, by them, according to the discipline of their Order, to be chastised. And forasmuch as we have understood that the apostates aforesaid, contriving to the utmost of their power how to palliate the heinousness of their errors, and by false suggestions to vilify the Order aforesaid, have published defamatory writings, and have caused the same in public places within the city aforesaid to be read and recited, and have left copies of the same in those places fixed upon the walls, that so they might the more widely defame the same Order, and withhold the devotion of the faithful from the same; and still from day to day do not desist to do the like, and even worse, against the same Order; as also, that many men are assisting the same apostates in the premises, giving them aid and favour therein:—We do command you, strongly enjoining, that on out behalf you will cause in the city aforesaid strict prohibition to be made that any person shall, on pain of heavy forfeiture to us write any such manner of writings containing defamation of the said Order, or publish the same, or give aid to those writing or publishing the same, either secretly or openly; or shall presume to inflict loss, injury, or grievance, upon the Friars of the said Order, whom we have taken under our own especial protection and defence. And if you shall find any persons transgressors of such our prohibition, you are to cause them in such manner to be punished, that through their example others may be duly restrained from the commission of such offences. Witness myself, at York, this 18th day of September, in the 8th year of our reign."

In virtue of the aforesaid writ and of the letters patent, publication was made in the Church of St. Paul, by precept of Sir Nicholas de Farndone, Mayor, Stephen de Abyndone and Hamon de Chigewelle, Sheriffs, John de Wengrave, William Trente, and other Aldermen, on the Friday next after the Feast of St. Michael [29 September] in the year aforesaid, in presence of certain Canons and ministers of the same church, and of many persons then writing (fn. 17) there, by Hugh de Waltham, Clerk of the City, and Philip de Merdele.

Injunctions by King Edward II. as to the ransom of Thomas de Wight, Wight a prisoner.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xxvi. (Norman French.)

Our Lord the King sent his writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, in these words.—

"Edward, by the grace of God, King of England etc., to the Mayor and to the Sheriffs of London, greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard for certain that our dear serjeant Thomas de Wight, who is taken and detained by our enemies of Scotland, is in full life, and is put to a certain ransom; we do command and charge you that the debt which Robert de Wight owes unto the said Thomas,—according as the same Robert shall acknowledge the same before you,—you will cause to be levied without delay from the goods of the same Robert, and delivered by indenture to the bearer hereof, in aid of the said ransom: and further, you are to cause the said Robert to appear before us, upon our coming to London, to make answer unto us as to the goods of ours which were in the keeping of the said Thomas, and which he has made away with, as we have heard. And this in no manner you are to omit. Given under our Privy Seal, at Spaldyng, the 24th day of October, in the 8th year of our reign."

This writ remains in the hands of Stephen de Abyndone, Sheriff.

Requisition for the supply of Arbalesters and arms at Berwick upon Tweed.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book D. fol. clxv. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that our Lord the King sent a certain writ of his, as to choosing arbalesters for defence of the town of Berwick and as to buying armour for their use; as also, for payment of their wages: as to which, allowance was to be made to the said Mayor and citizens on repayment of a sum of 400 pounds lent to our Lord the King. Of which writ the tenor is as follows.—

"Edward, by the grace of God etc., to the Mayor and Sheriff of London, greeting. Whereas for the defence of our town of Berwick upon Tweed we have need just now of arbalesters, men powerful for defence, we do command you, and strictly enjoin that in our city aforesaid you will cause to be chosen 300 arbalesters, men powerful for defence, if so many you can find, and if so many you cannot find, then as many as you may find; and that you cause each one of them to be provided with haketons, bacinets, colerettes, (fn. 18) arbalests, and quarels, (fn. 19) at our charges; and cause carriage to be found for the arms of the men aforesaid to the said town of Berwick, that so they may be ready and prepared with such arms on the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 December next ensuing, at the very latest, to set out herefrom, at our own charges, for the town of Berwick aforesaid, there in defence of that town to abide. And as to the number of the said arbalesters, and the cost of the said arms, and the carriage thereof you are by your letters distinctly and openly to inform us: for as to the same, by the Treasurer and Chamberlain of our Exchequer we will cause you to be satisfied, without delay. Witness myself, at Northampton, the 21st day of November, in the eighth year of our reign."

Also, another writ as to the same.—

"Edward, etc., to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, greeting Whereas [after reciting verbatim the preceding Writ],—you by your letters would distinctly and openly inform us. And where you have now signified unto us that, by virtue of our mandate aforesaid, you have caused 120 men to be chosen for arbalester in the city aforesaid, and each of such men to be provided with haketons, bacinets, colerettes, arbalests, and quarels; and that the said arms, and the carriage thereof, amount to 178l. 3s. 4d; we do command you, that you deliver unto John de Luka, whom we have appointed to escort the said arbalesters and their arms to the town of Berwick aforesaid, the same arbalesters, together with their arms, by indenture thereon between you and the said John to be made. And this you are in no way to omit. Witness myself, at Berkhampstede, the 4th day of December, in the eighth year of our reign."

By reason of which writ, and by precept of Sir John de Sandale, Chancellor, and Walter de Norwich, the King's Treasurer, there were delivered to the aforesaid John de Luka as well the equipment as the wages of the arbalesters aforesaid, by indenture made thereon.

[The Indenture is added in fol. clxv. b. containing the prices of the various articles supplied, the rate of wages of the arbalesters, and the names of the 120 men so sent. It is a very lengthy document, and from it we gain the following particulars.—The price of each haketon was 6s. 9¼d.; of each bacinet, with colerette of iron, 5s. 1d.; of each arbalest, 3s. 5d.; of each baldric, (fn. 20) 12d.; of each quiver, 3d.; of the quarels, 20s. per thousand. The wages of the men were 4d. per day, and of the vintainers, or commanders of twenty, 6d. Sarplars (fn. 21) and tuns were used for packing the arms; three carts with four horses each, and two carters to each cart, were seventeen days in carrying them to Berwick; the expenses of each cart, with its two carters and horses, being 2s. 2d. per day.]

Lease of a Tourelle on London Wall, near Bisshopesgate.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xxvii. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on the Monday next before the Feast of our Lord's Nativity [25 December], in the 8th year of the reign of Edward, son of King Edward, a certain tourelle (fn. 22) on London Wall near Bisshopesgate was granted to Sir John de Elyngham, Chaplain, for him to inhabit the same, by John de Gisorz, Mayor, John de Wengrave, and other Aldermen, for charity's sake, and at the instance of Sir Walter de Norwich: on condition that he should maintain the said tourelle, and keep it protected against wind and rain: and this, so long as it should please the Mayor and citizens, and the said John de Elyngham should properly behave himself. And he found one surety, namely, Richard de Dorkyng.

Removal of an Elm near Bisshopesgate, and purchase of a cord for a Ward-book with the proceeds of the sale thereof.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1314. Letter-Book E. fol. xxvii. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that the same day and year came the good men of the Ward of Bradestrete, (fn. 23) and asked that a certain tree, called an "elm," growing by London Wall near Bisshopesgate, and which, by reason of its old age and its dryness, was threatening the shops of Roger Poyntel, which were opposite to the tree, [might be sold]; that so from the sale thereof they might be aided in buying a great cord for the said Ward, to be used for a certain hook called the "Wardehoke," (fn. 24) seeing that the Ward was in want of such cord. And the same, by favour of the Mayor and Aldermen, was granted to them forthwith.