Roll A 4: 1337-43

ROLL A4

Membr. 1

5 Nov. 1337

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday after the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.] A ^o 11 Edw. III [1337]

Ordinance (fn. 1) for the brewers and brewsters relating to the price of ale. (L)

8 Nov. 1337

Pleas held before Henry Dercy, Mayor, Nicholas Crane and Walter Neel, Sheriffs, on Saturday after the above Feast

Geoffrey Pecok was charged at the prosecution of the Commonalty and of Thomas le Porter with forestalling cattle by meeting cattle-merchants and buying their cattle before they reached the City, whereby he enhanced prices by a quarter or a third. He denied the charge and was mainprised by John de Neuport, "Bokbindere," Geoffrey Fairher and John de Lincoln to hear the verdict of a jury. But before the verdict was given, he admitted his offence, and threw himself on the mercy of the Mayor and Sheriffs, who fined him half a mark. (L)

William de Preston, Hugh le Blount and John de Grenewyche were attached to answer the King and William de Iford, the Common Serjeant, who prosecuted for the King and the Commonalty, on a charge of selling foreigners' goods as their own, viz. bales of ginger, pepper and other kinds of avoirdupois (fn. 2), whereby the King lost his custom and the citizens their trade. They put themselves on the verdict of a jury. (L)

17 Nov. 1337

Note that in full Husting of Pleas of Land on Monday after the Feast of S^t Martin [11 Nov.] A^o 11 Edw. III [1337], complaint was made by inhabitants of the City in the neighbourhood of the Conduit, that citizens were hindered from drawing water, because brewers were constantly removing water in vessels called "tynes" for trade purposes. Precept was given to John atte Barnet and William le Peautrer, keepers of the Conduit, to confiscate such vessels in future. (L)

Membr. 1b

22 Nov. 1337

Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on Saturday before the Feast of S ^t Katherine [25 Nov.] A ^o 11 Edw. III [1337]

Richard de Gaunt, late Keeper of the Conduit with Thomas le Peautrer deceased, was charged, on the prosecution of William de Iford, with embezzling lead and money, the property of the Conduit, to the value of £10. A jury found him guilty of retaining property of the Conduit value 10 marks. On the Wednesday following he brought to the Guildhall the lead in his custody, which after being valued at 49s 7d was handed over to the new keepers, together with the sum of 60s, the balance of money in hand. The sum of 23s 10d was allowed to him on consideration of his own moneys expended on the Conduit. (L)

29 Nov. 1337

Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on Saturday after the above Feast

John Walkelyn and Robert Boydyn, butchers, were convicted of forestalling meat, on a verdict of a jury that they bought forty-five pigs from John atte Crouche of Eyton on his way to the City. They were committed to prison until they paid a fine. (L)

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs, commanding them to see that those, whose duty it was, should forthwith repair and make good Fleet Bridge and its approaches. Dated at Thame, 8 Nov. A^o 11 Edw. III [1337].

Whereupon an inquest was held to discover whose duty it was to keep the Bridge in repair. The jury found that the duty belonged to the Warden of Fleet Prison for the time being, who had certain rents in the City and suburbs for the purpose. (L)

Four white-bakers and two tourte-bakers from each side of Walbrook were elected to keep the Assize of white and tourte bread. (L)

17 Dec. 1337

Pleas held before the Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday after the Feast of S ^t Lucia Virgin [13 Dec.]

Membr. 2

John Puddyng, John le Keu, John Tancard, John Beneyt, Robert de Portesmuthe, and Peter Taborer were charged with forestalling oysters, by entering boats and buying the oysters before the recognized hours of sale, and with keeping the unsold oysters, till they were stinking and putrid, and then mixing them with fresh oysters. A jury, found them not guilty.

Laurence Albyn, John Lombard, William Monamy and Thomas atte Grene were acquitted of a like charge. (L)

12 Dec. 1337.

Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on Friday before the above Feast

John de Writele was charged by John de Bokelond, who prosecuted by his guardian Henry de Trentham, with having taken away from him (fn. 3) a book written in English, called "Legends of the Saints," in the parish of All Hallows, Honilane, of the value of 40s, against the peace and to his damage 100s. He was found guilty by a jury—which valued the book at 30s and assessed damages at 6s 8d—and committed to prison until he paid the above sums and a fine to the King. The money was paid at the Husting of Common Pleas on Monday after the Feast of S^t Hilary and he was liberated. (L)

John de Thame, barber, of Friday Street was attached to answer John, son of Richard de Ichil, on a charge of having assaulted the latter in the Church of S^t Matthew, Friday Street, to his damage 100s. A jury was summoned and the defendant was mainprised to hear the verdict. He was subsequently acquitted, because the plaintiff withdrew from his charge, and the latter was fined. (L)

Membr. 2b

3 Jan. 1338

On Saturday after the Feast of the Circumcision [1 Jan.] A^o 11 Edw. III [1337-8], Simon le Keu and Robert de Codhain were presented to the Mayor by the men of the mistery of Weavers to be their bailiffs, and were sworn to that office. (L)

6 Jan. 1338

The King's Writ to the Mayor, Sheriffs and collectors of the customs, commanding them to take security from Antony Bache, merchant of Lombardy, that he would not send a consignment of 130 sacks of wool from Southampton and 120 sacks of wool from London to Flanders or any other country hostile to the King, but only to Lombardy (fn. 4). The ordinary custom is to be taken, together with the additional tax of 20s a sack granted by the merchants at Northampton, but the further charge of 20s a sack, as a loan to the King, is not to be exacted in this case. Dated at the Tower of London, 6 Jan. A^o 11 Edw. III [1337-8]. (L)

Note that the above-mentioned Antony entered into security as required.

31 Dec. 1337

Inquest held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Wednesday before the Feast of the Circumcision [1 Jan.] A^o 11 Edw. III [1337] as to the assaults committed about midnight the preceding day on the mariners of the ships called "le Galeys" in the parish of S^t Dunstan in Tower Ward. The jury found that Thomas de la Folye, Henry de Braye, Thomas de Braye, John Strogoyle, porter, John Dorree, Nicholas de Braye, Robert Alspa, Adam de la Marche, John le Skynnere, William le Cobelere called "le Malemakere (fn. 5)," and John le Barbour had assaulted Antoninus de la Castayn, Gudiarus Godyare, Cros Danevyl, Thomas Nasel, Antoninus de la Caste, Gillelmus Venire, Roger de Mars, Manaldus Faraon, John Drapreyns, Andrew Rokelet, Antoninus de Nacyn, Eularius Dambros, Aubretynus Ouraz and Philip de Donele. Two of the persons indicted were captured and committed to Newgate, being subsequently released on mainprise. (L)

Membr. 3

10 Jan. 1338

Note that on Saturday after the Epiphany [6 Jan.] A^o 11 Edw. III [1337-8] a verbal order was issued from the King's Council (fn. 6), then sitting at Whitefriars, to the Mayor and Sheriffs, directing them to arrest the goods belonging to certain Spanish merchants, which had been taken at sea and carried into the City and suburbs. They were to safeguard these goods on behalf of the Spanish merchants until further orders.

Accordingly the Mayor and Sheriffs, with Peter Cisers, attorney of the Spanish merchants, and on the information of Peter Lopiz, broker, proceeded to the house of Arnald Garcy, who said he had attached 29 bales of cloth at Sandwich on board the ship "La Naude" by the King's orders, and on instructions from Sir John de Molyns had delivered them up to William de Northwell, the King's clerk.

At the house of John Roberd, shearman, they found 4 pieces of cloth, whereof 3 were of ray (fn. 7) and 1 coloured, which he declared had been given to him by William de Northwell to shear. He was ordered to keep the cloth until further orders.

At the house of Laurence Dardage of Bayonne, rented from John de Oxford in the Vintry, they found 27 bundles of cloth, but these were not interfered with, as being the property of the said Laurence imported from Bayonne on board "La Naude."

On Tuesday before the Feast of S^t Hilary [13 Jan.] they seized 87 cloths (fn. 8) from Robert de Eynesham, skinner, at the suit of Peter Cesairs and Benedict Ferandes, which had been taken at sea on the ship "La Careccer (fn. 9)," and these cloths were delivered to the above Peter and Benedict in obedience to the King's writ. (L)

Cedula recto

3 Feb. 1338

Peter Cisers, attorney of the merchants of Aragon and Majorca, John de Casteyne, attorney of the merchants of the city of Piacenza, and John Veel, attorney for the merchants of Spain, proved that 11 cloths arrested in the possession of Hugh le Marberer belonged to the above merchants. Tuesday the morrow of the Purification B.M. [2 Feb.] A^o 12 Edw. III [1337-8]. (L)

6 Feb. 1338

On Friday after the above Feast, Albert Ferre of Barcelona in Aragon, John Moles "de Maiorisis" in the kingdom of Majorca and William de Mountagu of Barcelona gave evidence on oath before the Mayor and Sheriffs that Peter Sesaires was a merchant of Aragon and Benedict Ferandes a merchant of Spain, and that both were robbed at sea of 87 cloths afterwards found and arrested in the hands of divers persons in the City.

dorso

Hugh le Marberer swore that he bought from Peter Lopiz 11 ray cloths at 2 marks the cloth; Robert de Aynesham swore that he lent Peter Lopiz £70 on security of 87 cloths; John Pecche swore that his partner, Thomas de Holbeche, bought from Simon de Pulham a piece of "morre (fn. 10) " cloth of 30 ells for 28s 4d; John le Keu, hosier, swore that he bought from John atte Grene dwelling at the Leadenhall 2 cloths of bluet (fn. 11), a cloth of ray, 2 half-cloths of ray and a cloth of "morre" at £8; Thomas de Cornwall, tailor, who bought 20 cloths, claims nothing because the cloths were in the ship "La Naude"; John de Berkyng and John de Houle, partners, bought from Thomas de Ware a cloth of bluet for 22s; John le Keu, hosier, bought from Thomas de Ware half a cloth of ray for 14s 6d.

In the house of Gilbert Payn four cloths were seen. (L)

Membr. 3 (contd)

28 March 1338

Writ to the Mayor enjoining him to levy on the goods of certain merchants of Lucca a sum of 2000 marks, which they, together with James Busdrak, had promised to lend the King at the time when they were taken and detained in the Tower. Dated at Newcastle-on-Tyne, 28 March A^o 12 Edw. III [1338]. (L)

Return to the effect that the Mayor had been to the houses of the merchants and had found nothing therein on which the money could be levied, except robes and beds, 51 pieces of tin and 10 bales and pack-loads (summagia) of worsted serge, and that Torre Oddy and Nicholas Guylliam, citizens of London, claimed the tin as their own property. (L)

5 June 1352

Certificate under the Mayoralty Seal that in the City Rolls of the 11th year of Edw. III there was an entry to the effect that on 14 Jan. A^o 11 Edw. III [1337-8] Peter Sauches, Martin Fermandes, Martin de Rete, John Dayale and Melaudus de Castre, Spanish merchants, appeared before the Mayor, Sheriffs and others, in accordance with a writ of 8 Jan. directed to Nicholas Pyk, and proved that certain goods received by the said Nicholas for the King's use were the property of themselves and other Spanish merchants, viz. 1054 rods of long iron, 42 pieces of pointed (punctuati) iron, 60 pieces of iron plate, 4 bales of cat and fox skins, 2 bales of thread, 4 bales of cummin, 5 bales of cordwain of which 3 were spoilt, and 18 bales of pork-fat, received from John Loveryk, master of the King's ship "le Esmon de la Tour" by indenture; 1 cask and 3 bales of pork-fat, 1 pipe of "seym (fn. 12)," 5 pipes of olive oil of "Civile (fn. 13)," each deficient three inches depth, 8 bales of cummin, of which one was spoilt, 2 bales of Spanish wool, 3 pieces of tin, 786 bars of iron at 100 for the hundred (centena) (fn. 14), 62 pieces of cut (picati) (fn. 15) iron at 120 for the hundred, 52 pieces of iron plate and 220 pieces of welded (juncti ferri) iron in gobbets at 100 for the hundred, received from William Loveryk, master of the King's ship "la Trinitee de la Tour" by indenture; and 500 bars of long iron received from Geoffrey Pany, master of the ship "la James" of Sarre. Dated 5 June A^o 26 Edw. III [1353] (fn. 16). (L)

Cedula, sewn to the membrane, containing the above list of goods.

Membr. 3b

16 Dec. 1337

Writ to Henry Darcy, Mayor and King's Escheator, commanding him to hold an Inquisition ad quod Dampnum respecting certain lands and tenements in the City which John de Pulteneye wished to devise to his chapel of Corpus Christi lately erected (fn. 17); viz. a messuage in the parish of All Hallows on the Cellar purchased of John Swanlond; a messuage in the parish of S^t Martin Orgar purchased of Stephen de Abyndon; a messuage in the parish of S^t Laurence, "Candelwykestrete," purchased of John de Aulton and Katherine his wife; a rent of 10s in Fleet Street in the parish of S^t Bride's purchased of Isabel, relict of Matthew de Arras; a rent of 2s 8d in the parish of S^t Margaret, "Breggestrete," purchased of the executors of Stephen de Abyndon; a rent of 5s 10d in the parish of S^t Nicholas "Hakon"; another rent of 5s 10d in the same parish, and a rent of 2s in the parish of S^t Faith purchased from the same; a messuage in the parish of S^t Michael Paternoster purchased of William de Langeford; a messuage in the parish of S^t Vedast; and a messuage and shop in the parish of S^t Christopher, Broad Street Ward, purchased of Richard de Gloucestre; a messuage called "le Briggehous" in the parish of S^t Botolph without Bishopsgate, purchased of Peter de Hackney; a rent of 8s issuing out of William Pekok's tenement in "Redecrouchestrete" without Cripplegate; and a rent of 17s issuing out of Henry de Cufford's tenement at Broken Wharf. These properties John de Pulteneye desired to assign to the Master and Chaplains of the Chapel of Corpus Christi for the souls of himself and his wife Margaret, their ancestors and heirs. Dated 16 Dec. A^o 11 Edw. III [1337]. (L)

15 Jan. 1338

Inquisition ad quod Dampnum held by the Mayor pursuant to the above writ. The jurors find that the above properties are charged with certain quitrents to the Prior of S^t Mary Southwark, Edmund de Flete, the Hospital of S^t Giles, Margaret de Wyrhal a nun of Clerkenwell, the nuns of Haliwell, a chaplain in the church of S^t Nicholas Shambles, the Prioress of Haliwell and the Bishop of London. Dated Thursday after the Feast of S^t Hilary [13 Jan.] A^o 11 Edw. III [1337-8]. (L)

No date

Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen to Adam le Keu, Richard le Keu, John Gerney, junior, John Page, junior, and John Strongale, bailiffs of Gravesend, complaining that they had not restored to John de Martyncroft, citizen of London, £12 1s 10d, and two pairs of knives, which they arrested on the person of his apprentice, Richard de Say, though they had several times been requested to make restitution. (F)

Membr. 4

13 Nov. 1342

A Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs and a great number of Commoners on Wednesday after the Feast of S ^t Martin [11 Nov.] A ^o 16 Edw. III [1342]

A writ under the Privy Seal was read, dated at Sandwyz, 13 Oct., in the sixteenth year of Edward's reign as King of England, and his third year as King of France [1342], bidding the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty to allow the merchants of Almaine to enjoy their ancient franchise to sell wine and other merchandise. (F)

Petition of the merchants of the Hanse of Almaine to the same, pointing out that they were charged with the repair and defence of Bishopsgate, that they paid an annual sum to the Sheriff, had their judge who was Alderman of the City of London (lour juge qest Alderman de la dite Cite de Loundres), and they ought not to be treated as strangers but as resiants and denizens (privez), and praying that they might be allowed to sell their wine wholesale and retail as of old time accustomed, and according to the terms of a composition (fn. 18) formerly made between them and the City. (F)

The matter was adjourned till Friday because the Mayor etc. wished to examine the terms of the composition. On that day the merchants attended and being asked if they had any special proof of being allowed to sell wine by retail, could not produce any; and inasmuch as no such permission appeared in the composition aforesaid, they were forbidden in future to sell their wine otherwise than wholesale. (L)

Names of the merchants who presented the petition: Bartholomew de Lon, Bertram de Wypperford, Tydemann Lymbergh, John de Wolde, Henry de Braken, Richard Sutherlond, Engelbert de Colon, Gerard de Ecof, John Couken, Rudeker Lymbergh, Sifrid Mayembergh and others.

Precept to the Sheriffs, John Lovekyn and Richard de Keslyngbury, to visit taverns and to order the taverners, ex parte regis, not to sell the gallon of Gascony wine dearer than 3d, and the gallon of "Renys" dearer than 6d, and that the said wines should be kept in different cellars, where purchasers should have view of the wines they bought. (L)

Membr. 4b

2 Dec. 1342

Questions sent by the Mayor and burgesses of Oxford touching points of procedure, and the answers made thereto by the City of London on Monday after the Feast of S ^t Katherine [25 Nov.] A ^o 16 Edw. III [1342]

Q. What course ought to be taken with those who, being free of the City, prosecute freemen or residents in other courts than before the Mayor and Sheriffs, to the prejudice of the City's liberties ?

A. They ought to be attached to appear before the Mayor on a certain day for arraignment and if convicted, deprived of the freedom, and not be allowed to recover the same except under heavy payment.

Q. What course ought to be taken with a man who resists or makes a rescue from an officer engaged in levying a distress upon him?

A. He ought to be attached to appear before the Mayor, and if convicted, be committed to prison, to be released only on fine at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Q. What ought to be done with a tenant who resists his landlord when levying a distress for arrears of rent, more particularly where the tenant is a tenant-at-will?

A. The Mayor and Sheriffs should send an officer to preserve the peace at the time of making a distraint, and if resistance be offered in the presence of the officer, the offender should be attached and arraigned before the Mayor, and if convicted, be committed to prison, not to be released until he has paid the damages adjudged to the plaintiff, and a fine to the King. (L)

Membr. 5

26 June 1342

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday after the Nativity of S ^t John the Baptist [24 June] A ^o 16 Edw. III [1342]

Wardens were sworn to see that the ordinances (fn. 20) with regard to the fulling and dyeing of cloth were observed. Afterwards, on Thursday after the Feast of S^t Bartholomew [24 Aug.] A^o 17 Edw. III [1343], Gilbert le Pipere was chosen by the mistery of Dyers to act as a broker of woad. (L)

1 Aug. I342

A Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen and an immense Commonalty on Thursday the Feast of S ^t Peter ad Vincula [1 Aug.] A ^o 16 Edw. III [1342]

It was agreed to send a wedding-present of ten tuns of wine and ten pieces of wax to the Tower on behalf of the citizens for the marriage of Lionel (fn. 21), the King's son, on the Feast of the Assumption [15 Aug.]. The Mayor, Simon Fraunceys, advanced the money. (L)

Ordinance (fn. 22) against mixing bad wine with good, and for allowing customers to enter cellars to see their wine drawn. (L)

27 Aug. 1342

A Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen and an immense Commonalty on Tuesday after the Feast of S ^t Bartholomew [24 Aug.] the above year

Proclamation for keeping the King's Peace in the City: The carrying of arms in the City except by the officers of the King and the City is forbidden, and innkeepers shall warn their guests of this on their arrival. Any one raising a disturbance close to the doors and windows of houses and shops or resisting arrest shall be taken before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs and have judgment of life and limb. No one shall be a maintainer of persons of evil character or conspirators, under pain of forfeiture. Keepers of taverns, to which evil characters usually resort, shall not keep their doors open after curfew sounded at S^t Martin-le-Grand, under pain of imprisonment. Taverners shall not mix bad wine with good etc. ut supra. (F)

Membr. 5b

3 Sept. 1342

A Congregation of the Mayor, Aldermen and an immense Commonalty was held on Tuesday after the Feast of the Decollation of S^t John the Baptist [29 Aug.] to consider an affray which had taken place the preceding day in Friday Street with some of the retinue of the Earl of Derby (fn. 23), in which Gilbert de Stayndrop, goldsmith, had been seriously wounded. The Mayor and several of the Aldermen and commoners had waited upon the Earl immediately after wards at his Inn, where he demanded amends from them, and swore that neither he, his knights, squires, nor contingent would cross the Thames for the war abroad until he had received satisfaction. He demanded further that the City should send messengers next day to Haringeye, and threatened that if this were not done, he would visit his enmity upon all citizens of London wherever he found them. Though the Congregation was of opinion that the Earl had no cause of complaint, they considered that his absence from the war abroad would be a calamity to the King and country, and moreover that their only choice lay between offering him a gift and incurring his lasting displeasure. Accordingly several aldermen and commoners were chosen to go to the Earl next day to placate him. On their arrival, they begged the Earl not to hold the City blameworthy because some of his retinue had been assaulted by unknown persons, and then with a cheerful demeanour (vultu hillari) they offered him as a gift one thousand casks of wine. The Earl, highly delighted (letus et jocundus), accepted the gift and insisted on their dining with him, though they begged to be excused. After dinner he announced that he would meet the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty at Clerkenwell that evening to talk with them. This he did, and after thanking them and releasing them from their gift, he immediately started for the Continent escorted by the citizens. (L)

Membr. 6

18 Dec. 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Thursday after the Feast of S ^t Lucia Virgin [13 Dec.] A ^o 17 Edw. III [1343]

Robert de S^t John, skinner, was attached to answer a charge of having taken back by force a fur-robe out of the hands of Walter Lumbard, the Mayor's Serjeant, who had seized it by way of distress for arrears due to a loan of £5000 made to the King. The defendant pleaded that the fur belonged to a woman of the Queen's household, and that he had offered another article in its place as a distress. He was convicted on this confession and committed to prison, but was afterwards released on mainprise. (L)

Richard de Farnberghwe, brother of William de Farnberghwe, armourer, was attached on a similar charge and convicted, being subsequently released from prison on mainprise. (L)

19 Dec. 1343

On Friday before the Feast of S^t Thomas the Apostle [21 Dec.] A^o 17 Edw. III [1343] a bill was sent to each Alderman enjoining him to make careful inquiry of all the Articles of the Wardmoot, and to see that no hostiller or lodging-house keeper remained in the Ward who was not of good fame, and that all hostillers were under surety not to receive evildoers. All suspicious characters arriving in hostelries were to be reported to the officers of the City. All guests in hostelries were to be warned against going armed in the City. The Aldermen were to see that the streets were properly kept and that rubbish and dung were removed, under pain of imprisonment for the serjeants of the wards. A report was to be made, after inquiry in the Wardmoot, as to whether the proposed enclosing of S^t Paul's was to the prejudice of any in the City. The names of all persons indicted of felony or other trespass were to be certified under the seals of twelve Ward jurors. (F)

2 Dec. 1343

A Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen and an immense Commonalty on Tuesday after the Feast of S ^t Andrew [30 Nov.] A ^o 17 Edw. III [1343]

It was agreed that 80 marks, due from the City for Queen's Gold (fn. 24), should be charged on the moneys in the hands of the collectors, who were engaged in collecting 5s in the £ towards the £5000 lent to the King. (L)

Judgment was given in favour of Henry Darcy and Margery his wife against John Rokel in a plea de execucione testamenti (fn. 25). (L)

Membr. 6b

12 Feb. 1344

Memorandum that on Thursday after the octave of the Purification B.M. [2 Feb.] A^o 18 Edw. III [1343-4], Richard de Basyngstoke, goldsmith, who had bought from Thomas de Porkele a messuage with a quay abutting on Bretask Lane, came before the Mayor and Aldermen and asked that certain posts standing on Commonalty land and supporting the building should be allowed to remain, on the understanding that he gave the City an equal portion of land close to London Bridge in compensation. The site was visited by the Mayor, Aldermen and a body of good men of the Ward of Dowgate, and the exchange was sanctioned. (L)

2 June 1344

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday before the Feast of Corpus Christi [3 June] A ^o 18 Edw. III [1344]

Giles Raven was summoned to answer a charge of having refused to pay 6d a cask, wine dues, to William de Spaldyng, wine-broker, who had arranged the sale of 20 casks of his wine to John Osekyn in Vintry. Judgment was given for the broker. (L)

24 April 1344

On Saturday after the Feast of S^t Alphege [19 April] A^o 18 Edw. III [1344], Nicholas de Bokhirst brought a bill of complaint to the Mayor setting forth that he had been a juror in the recent inquest, held before the Mayor at S^t Martin's on behalf of the King, and that Andrew Turk and others had threatened to kill him with a dagger, if he dared to indict any one, in consequence of which the jury was intimidated. Both parties put themselves on their country. The jury found a verdict for the defendant, who nevertheless entered into security to keep the peace. (F and L)

Membr. 7

30 Nov. 1344

Pleas held before John Hamond, Mayor, and Geoffrey de Wychingham, one of the Sheriffs, on Tuesday after the Feast of S ^t Katherine Virgin [25 Nov.] A ^o 18 Edw. III [1344]

William Simond, "bocher," was attached to answer a charge of having driven away and slaughtered a pregnant sow belonging to Idonea le Hukestere. A jury found him guilty. He was committed to prison until he paid the plaintiff 7s, and a fine to the King. (L)

William Lemman was also committed to prison for driving away and slaughtering a white pig, value 3s, belonging to Robert de Derkeshale. (L)

7 Jan. 1345

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall on Friday the morrow of the Epiphany [6 Jan] A ^o 18 Edw. III [1344-5]

Mention was made by John Hamond, the Mayor, of the dispute between Henry Darcy and John Rokel, aldermen, in which the said Henry and his wife Margery, who had sued out a writ for the execution of the will of Stephen Abyndon (fn. 26), had recovered a tenement against the said John by judgment of court. The latter had obtained a writ of error ordering the action to be reviewed before the King's Justices at S^t Martin's. In view of the damage which might be done to the City's liberties if the action came to a hearing, the parties were persuaded to put themselves on the arbitration of eight aldermen, four chosen by either party. Afterwards on Friday after the octave of Easter the arbitrators announced to a Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen and Commoners in the Guildhall that the above John Rokel refused to abide by their award. Thereupon the two Sheriffs and a deputation of aldermen and commoners were sent to him, warning him at his peril not to pursue his writ of error, which was in prejudice of the City's liberties. (L)

Membr. 7b

18 Nov. 1344

Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Thursday before the Feast of S ^t Katherine [25 Nov.] A ^o 18 Edw. III [1344]

William de Bury, "bourcer," Robert le Red, John de Borham, junior, Robert Neel and William de Godemondchestre, bursers (fn. 27), were attached to answer a charge of having taken away certain purses garnished with silk and pearls from Maud de Pykenham in Cheap opposite Soper Lane on Christmas Eve, A^o 12 Edw. III [1338]. A jury found William de Bury guilty and assessed the damages at 5s, and the rest not guilty. The said William was committed to prison till he should pay the plaintiff the sum named, and a fine to the King. (L)

The same day Joan la Caller and Joan Counseil recovered 10s and 5s respectively in similar actions against him. (L)

22 Nov. 1344

Memorandum that a bill was delivered to the Mayor by Robert de Storteford on Monday before the above Feast, complaining that William de Borham, Robert Neel, Robert le Rede and John de Borham, "bourcers," had bound him by an oath (fn. 28) against his will to observe their ordinance and to sell his goods, purses and lainers (leyners) (fn. 29) at a certain price, which was fixed so high that he could get no sale; and when they found him at the bottom of Soper Lane selling his goods at a less price, they summoned him to a Court Christian in the Church of S^t Bennet Fynk, and kept him in a plea there from day to day, so that he lost business to the extent of 100s. The defendants pleaded not guilty. A jury gave a verdict that the defendants had bound the plaintiff by an oath not to sell the dozen of sheepskin lainers (ligolarum) for less than 2½d, the usual price being 1½d, and the dozen of lainers of roe-leather (de rou) for 9d, 8d or 7d, the usual price being 5d or 5½d, and that they had cited him as alleged, to his damage 13s 4d. As regards the administration of an oath to the plaintiff, contrary to the ordinances of the City, judgment was deferred. (F and L)

Membr. 8

10 April 1344

Note, in reference to a writ, that on Saturday after Easter [4 April] A^o 18 Edw. III [1344] Thomas atte Wych and Thomas atte Leye loaded 82 quarters of corn on board a ship called "le Skynkeweyn" of Hulst in Flanders, of which Iderus FitzBernard was master, to be carried to Sluys (Lesclus) in Flanders, and promised before the Mayor and Sheriffs to bring back a certificate of its discharge there. (L)

On Wednesday 14 April Roger Berners of London loaded in a ship called "la Gondeselles" of Sluys, of which John Palmer was master, [breaks off]. (L)

5 May 1344

On Wednesday (fn. 30) the morrow of the Invention of the Holy Cross [3 May] Richard Walran, Godfrey atte Swan, William atte Hurst, Walter le Barber, Robert le Bedel of Lime Street and Richard le Bedel of Alegate were sworn to superintend the repair of the pavement within Aldgate. (L)

8 May 1344

Inquest taken before the Mayor and others on Saturday after the above Feast as to whether malt ought to be sold at Gracechurch and on the pavement of the Friars Minors (fn. 31) by the quarter of eight bushels or nine bushels, and also touching forestallers. The jury found that, except for the last four years, a quarter of malt had always contained nine and not eight bushels; they also named certain persons as forestallers and guilty of selling grain by samples (per exempla), making a market in their houses and measuring by their own measures, allowing foreigners to sell in their houses, and going down to Billingsgate and Queenhithe to find out when grain was scarce, and then conspiring together to raise prices; they further found that the beadles and their servants and the scavengers were guilty of taking a certain quantity of grain from each sack and pocket (fn. 32) in the market, contrary to the custom of the City. (L)

21 June 1344

Inquest taken before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Monday before the Feast of the Nativity of S^t John the Baptist [24 June] as to the cause of an affray which took place on Friday after the Feast of S^t Barnabas [11 June] about curfew in Queenhithe Ward, in which affray Master John de Brynkele and his servant were beaten and wounded. The jury found Simon Page, Richard de Abyndon, "longe Watte" and John le Taillour guilty. (L)

3 July 1344

On Saturday after the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], John de Flaunden, John Myles and William de Bolyngbrok were appointed assessors of rents and tenements between Holborn Bridge and Smithfield for the repair of the pavements. (L)

Membr. 8b

14 July 1344

Inquest taken before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Wednesday after the Feast of the Translation of S^t Thomas [7 July] as to the cause of an affray which had taken place on the previous Monday in which Sir Robert de Bilkemore, knight, and Robert his son, and some of his servants were beaten and wounded. The jury found that Thomas de la Ryver and Robert Seymor, esquires, and other unknown persons of their company were guilty. (L)

31 Aug. 1344

Inquest taken before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Tuesday after the Feast of S^t Bartholomew [24 Aug.] as to the cause of a disturbance in the parish of S^t Martin Oteswych on Monday the week before, in which Bartholomew le Renter, brewer, was beaten and wounded. The jury found that Robert de Tatenhale, armourer, Hugh, William and Roger his brothers, and Richard Henaud, "lorymer," broke into his house by night and assaulted him, leaving him half dead, and that these persons were common evildoers. (L)

Membr. 9

10 July 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Thursday after the Feast of the Translation of S ^t Thomas the Martyr [7 July] A ^o 17 Edw. III [1343]

John de Glaston, clerk, brings a plaint of Intrusion against William, son of Peter de Huntyngdon, Roger Cros, William de Lyncoln and John le Northern, touching his free tenement in the parish of S^t Giles without Cripplegate. (L)

15 July 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday before the Feast of S ^t Margaret [20 July]

Similar plaint by Richard de Rothynge against John de Cressyngham and Alice his wife, Gilbert atte Lee, joiner, and Philip de Shobyndene, touching his free tenement in the parish of S^t James Garlickhithe. (L)

18 July 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Friday before the above Feast

Simon de Warfeld, "dieghere," was attached to answer a charge of throwing stinking trade-refuse into the street near "Fanchirche," notwithstanding frequent warnings, and also of calling John Causton, Alderman, opprobrious names (shredulum falsumque), to the said alderman's damage £100. The defendant pleaded guilty and was committed to prison, but was afterwards released on mainprise for his appearance to hear judgment. (L)

In the same congregation William atte Noke, John Froyl, Roger de Wodhull and William Cherich, chandlers and waxcandle makers (cirgiarii), were sworn to make a scrutiny and prevent men of their trade from mixing fat with the wax in wax-candles and torches, and to bring offenders before the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)

21 July 1343

On Monday before the Feast of S^t James the Apostle [25 July] A^o 17 Edw. III [1343] the Common Serjeant, William de Iford, acting on behalf of John le Botoner, an orphan, delivered to the Mayor and Aldermen a bill (F) claiming an estate tail in a brewery devised to the orphan by his father in Bassishaw. The boy's mother, Joan, had married a second husband, Roger Buntyng, and now claimed that the estate was in fee simple and that her first husband had devised to her the brewery for life, with remainder to the orphan. She pleaded that originally the brewery belonged with other tenements to a certain William le Callere, and descended to his three daughters as co-heiresses, and that by a subsequent arrangement the estate had been divided, the brewhouse coming to his daughter Lucy, who had married the orphan's grandfather, Laurence le Botoner; After the latter's death his son John, who was her first husband and the orphan's father, had the brewhouse in fee simple and was entitled to devise it to her for life. This the Common Serjeant denied, on the ground that the brewhouse was an estate in tail. Judgment was deferred. (L)

30 July 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday before the Feast of S ^t Peter ad Vincula [1 Aug.] A ^o 17 Edw. III [1343]

Richard de Arderne, saddler, brings a plaint of Intrusion against Henry Myre, saddler, and Robert Chaumpayne, saddler, touching his free tenement in the parish of S^t Vedast.

5 Aug. 1343

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday after the above Feast

John de Glaston, clerk, brings a plaint of Intrusion against William de Huntyngdon, Simon Daubeney and Emma his wife, Roger Cros, William de Lincoln and John de Derlyngton, clerk, touching his free tenement in the parish of S^t Giles without Cripplegate, and appoints William de Meinby his attorney.

Membr. 9b

10 Aug. 1343

Proclamation for keeping the King's peace published throughout the City on Sunday after the above Feast, by resolution of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty.

None to wander through the City after curfew, except citizens of good fame or their servants bearing a light and for a good reason.

Taverners to close their doors at curfew, and not to mix corrupt wine with good.

None to go armed in the City except the servants of great lords, carrying their lords' swords in their presence, the King's and Queen's serjeants-at-arms and the officers of the City.

Taverners to warn their guests to leave their arms in their inns before going into the streets.

Taverners not to receive strangers for more than a day and a night unless they are willing to vouch for them.

All men in the King's peace have power to arrest felons and evildoers in the absence of the City officers.

No citizen to harbour or assist outlawed persons and men indicted of felony, who are accustomed to flock to the City.

Sturdy vagrants are ordered to undertake work with citizens at a daily wage of 3d.

All men of the misteries, as well as victuallers, journeymen, labourers and servants, shall work as they used to do before the pestilence (fn. 33), under pain of imprisonment and fine. (F)