Roll A 21: 1375-76

ROLL A 21

Membr. 1

Roll of Pleas and Memoranda of the time of John Warde, Mayor, A ^o 49 Edw. III [1375-6]

14 Nov. 1375

Power of attorney from Matheu Matefelon, merchant of Lucca, to Fride de Ayvesano and Jacob Velpelli to recover debts due to him in England.

7 Nov. 1375

The following vintners were sworn for the scrutiny of wines and vinegar in taverns and cellars, and to pour out in the streets whatever they found corrupt and unhealthy: For the east side (of Walbrook): Thomas Cornwaleys, William More, Gilbert Bonet, Thomas Medelane, Richard Sprot and John Hedrop; for the west: John Clyvele, William Sharpyng, Thomas Neel, John Ponder, Nicholas Rote and William Stokesby. The same persons were likewise sworn to do the same with the sauces (salisamentum) of the chandlers.

8 Nov. 1375

John Durham, who confessed to having broken a sequestration and used threatening and abusive words to John Baldok, the Mayor's serjeant, was fined 13s 4d, payment. being respited during his good behaviour.

John Oursom complained by bill against Robert Plomer, to the effect that, whereas he had kept a skaldynghous for a long time in the parish of S^t Nicholas Shambles, the said Robert had recently set up another scalding-house there, whence he and his servants went out into the street and intercepted persons bringing piglings, geese, capons, pullets and other poultry to the complainants' premises to be scalded, prevailing on them to go to his own scalding-house.

An agreement was reached between the parties that neither of them should leave his stall for the purpose of gaining customers, under penalty of 40d for a first offence and at the rate of half-a-mark additional for each further offence, payable to the Chamberlain for the use of the Commonalty, if he were convicted on the testimony of two trustworthy neighbours.

26 Nov. 1375

Thomas Cosyn brought a bill complaining that John Kirketon and Henry Whitewell, executors of Elena, widow of Thomas atte Leghe, were detaining certain deeds relating to tenements at Leddrede (fn. 1), co. Surrey, which he claimed by inheritance. [French]

Membr. 1 b

The parties being summoned, the executors surrendered the deeds to the complainant, who was mainprised to save the Court harmless in case any other person should claim them. They comprised:

(1) A grant from John, son of Adam de Doune of Wauton (fn. 2), to John de Aperdele, chaplain, son and heir of John de Aperdele of Ledrede, of lands and tenements in the parishes of Ledrede, Mickelham, Hodlegh (fn. 3) and Niwdegate. Dated at Ledrede 10 July 1337.

(2) A quitclaim from John, son of John Aperdele, to John, son of John Mickelham, junior, son of Alice his sister, and Roger, brother of the said John, of lands tenements etc. in the parish of Niwdegate co. Surrey, saving to himself for life housebote and heybote for his tenements in Ledrede and Mikelham. Dated at Niwdegate 23 Sept. 1336.

(3) A grant in fee tail from John, son of Adam de Aperdele, to John de Hegham of Northampton, John, son of John de Mickelham, junior, and Alice de Skernyng of all his lands and tenements in Ledred, Mickelham, Hedleghe and Newedegate, excepting the rents of his tenants and the glebe and patronage of Mickelham Church, a messuage and curtilage on " la Bergh " and half an acre in the field of Leddrede, with remainder to Roger his brother and reversion to the donor. Dated at Ledrede 16 June 1335.

(4) A quitclaim from John, son of John de Aperdele, to John, son of John Mikelham, junior, and Roger his brother of lands and tenements in the parish of Niwdegate co. Surrey. Dated at Niwdegate 4 May 1338.

(5) A grant in fee tail by William Appelderle to Roger de Mikelham, son of Gilbert de Mikelham, in free marriage with Basilidd his daughter, of a virgate of land in Mikelham acquired by the donor from Sir John de Chereburg, son of Wigan de Chereburg, and 3½ acres in the same formerly held from John Ruspho. No date.

(6) A grant from John, son of John Mikelham, junior, to Roger, son of Adam de Aperdele of Leddrede, and Henry his son, of all his lands and tenements in Ledrede, Mikelham and Hodlegh acquired by gift from John de Aperdele, senior, excepting the lands and tenements held from William Husee. Dated at Ledred 20 April 1343.

(7) A quitclaim by the same of the same. Dated at Ledred 18 Jan. 1344.

(8) A grant by John, son of Adam de Aperdele, to Matilda, sister of William atte Burgh, of half an acre of land in Ledrede at "la Stoneshende." Dated at Ledrede 25 March 1326.

Membr. 2

(9) A grant by John de Toune of Ledrede to Roger de Aperdele. and John, son of John de Mickelham, junior, and the heirs and assigns of the said John, of all the lands and tenements in Ledrede, Mickelham and Hodlegh, which he had of the feoffment of the said Roger. Dated at Ledrede 22 Sept 1353.

(10) A grant by Roger de Aperdele to John Wyrkelot and Emma his wife of a cottage in Mikelham for their lives, to be held by service of 12d the year, heriot and relief, suit of court every three weeks at the Court of Aperdele and serving the office of beadle, with remainder to their heirs in tail, further remainder to Geoffrey, son of Hugh de Brompton, and his heirs in tail and reversion to the grantor. Dated at Ledrede 27 June 1346.

(11) Grant from John de Aperdele to William le Lepere and John, son of John de Mikelham, junior, of all his land at Loslee in Ledrede, which he acquired from John Payn. Dated at Ledrede 6 Jan. 1332.

20 Dec. 1375

Memorandum that on 20 Dec. 1375 John Haddelee, one of the Sheriffs, delivered to Thomas de Swafam, draper, a certain statute merchant (fn. 4), whereby Thomas de Burgh, residing in the Hospital of S^t Thomas the Martyr in Southwark, was bound to the said Thomas in the sum of £100, the said statute being dated at the Staple of Westminster 18 Oct. 1374.

4 Dec. 1375

Bond of Sir William Croyser, knight, to the Mayor in £100 that he, together with William Bukbrugge, clerk, John Malyn and John Josepe, chaplain, would enfeoff John, Lord Cobham, Master John Turk, clerk, and Sir Thomas Hungerford within a month of certain lands in the City formerly belonging to Sir Edward de Kendale.

Membr. 2 b

22 Dec. 1375

Albrand Gascoygn and John Seintemariemont were committed to prison for acting as brokers, not having been admitted and sworn before the Mayor and Aldermen according to the recent ordinance (fn. 5).

Grant and sale by John Warlok called "Eversword" of Zeeland to John Peterson of all his goods and chattels within the house in Candlewick Street in which he was living and elsewhere in London. Dated 10 Dec. Quitclaim of the same 12 Dec.

Membr. 3

20 Nov. 1375

Whereas it was recently ordained (fn. 6) that no one within the City should throw water or other substances out of the windows, but should carry them out into the street and deposit them in the gutters, under penalty of 2s if an offender refused to clear himself by his oath, and whereas by ancient ordinances twelve vintners were chosen by the Mayor annually about the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.] and sworn to see that no new wine should be placed in cellars where old wine was kept and that no unsound wine, vinegar, or other sauces (salsiamentum) in chandlers' shops should be offered for sale —William Bole, chandler, was committed to prison for offences contrary to the said ordinances. He was charged with having maliciously thrown oyster shells and other refuse upon John Cobbe, the Mayor's serjeant, when the latter was accompanying the scrutineers, and with having forbidden the said John to take a distress for the penalty of 2s thereby incurred, and further, when the scrutineers wished to enter his house to exercise their office, with having drawn his knife against the serjeant and called him a "bdbelberer (fn. 7) " and other opprobrious names. The accused put himself on the mercy of the Court. As he had been rebellious towards the officers of the City on two previous occasions, the Court ordered that he should be bound over in £40 for his good behaviour and find mainprise for the same.

The sum of 20 marks, paid into court by John Vyne, draper, on 4 Aug. as damages for waste (fn. 8) committed by him in a house in Cordwainer Street formerly held by James Andreu, Alderman, for life, which tenement having reverted to the King was granted by him to the Prioress and Sisters of the Order of S^t Augustine at Dartford, was paid over to Friar Walter Durant, attorney of the Prioress, in accordance with a writ under the Privy Seal dated at Westminster 26 Nov. 1375.

The writ recites that the property, which lay in the parishes of Our Lady of the Arches and Aldermanchirche, had been recovered by the King in Chancery against John Vyne, draper, that the King had recovered damages from the same for waste before the late Mayor, and had granted the property and the damages to the Prioress and Sisters above mentioned, whose house was under the rule and care of the Friars Preachers. [French]

24 Nov. 1375

Simon Macchyng, hostiler, who was committed to prison for telling the Mayor that neither he nor other brewers would or could observe the recent proclamation, was released on his taking an oath to obey and be respectful to the City officers.

17 Nov. 1375

Thomas Goudsyre, brewer, was committed to prison for saying that he would not sell the gallon of ale at the price laid down in the proclamation.

5 Dec. 1375

Stephen Lalleford, smith, was committed to prison on his indictment before the Alderman of Aldgate as a common gamester with dice and chequers and as having cheated William Brounyng out of £17. He was released on mainprise pending the verdict of a jury.

Membr. 3 b

23 Nov. 1375

William Ronyn, brewer, was committed to prison for declaring publicly in the market at Gracechurch that he would brew no more ale and for procuring other brewers to do the same, thus preventing the commonalty from being supplied with ale. He was further charged with having prevailed upon other leading (magnos) brewers to refuse to sell better ale at 1½d the gallon, in accordance with the recent ordinance of the Mayor and Aldermen. He put himself on the mercy of the Court and was allowed to find mainprise for his appearance quo et quando.

1 Dec. 1375

William Gedyngton, skinner, was brought before the Mayor and Aldermen on a charge that when David Bertevyll, the Sheriff's serjeant, requested him to speak with the Sheriff at his compter, he was so swelled up with pride (superbia cordis inflations repletus) that he refused to obey, and, on the serjeant repeating the request, he took him by the throat and tore his clothes, in contempt of the King and his ministers and against his oath of obedience to the City officers. He put himself on the mercy of the Court and was allowed to find bail. Afterwards judgment was given that he be imprisoned for forty days and pay a fine at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Membr. 4

20 Dec. 1375

An agreement was reached between Godfrey Clofhamer, John his brother, John Vlokenauer and Thomas Vlokenauer, executors of William de Flaundres, and John Bradlee—a debtor to the deceased in the sum of £15 3s—that the executors should attempt to recover the amount in the courts of Dyst (fn. 9) in Brabant by suing John Baker on a bond by which he and the said John Bradlee were jointly bound to William Wakman in the sum of £30 6s.

19 Jan. 1376

John Barewe, John Ennemeth and Robert Curson, mercers, brought a petition praying that the sum of £6 owing by Thomas Hilleston of Rochford to the estate of John Blakeney, deceased, might be delivered to them in satisfaction of a debt owed to them by the deceased for 10 pieces of bukeram, 7 pieces of keverchiefs relusaunz (fn. 10) and 3 pieces of linen weave (linge teille) supplied to him in Cheap. [French]

The said Thomas appeared on summons and admitted the debt. Judgment was given that he should pay the petitioners the amount named, and that they should acquit him of any claims from the executors.

12 Jan. 1376

Memorandum of an agreement made between William Yakesle, parson of the Church of S^t Martin Oteswych, and John Neuby, William Tunnok, Walter Taunton, William Middelton and Nicholas Cook, parishioners, on matters in dispute between them. Whereas the said parson had been accused of having converted to his own use for the last thirteen years a rent-charge on the tenement of Richard Lyons, which ought to have been devoted to the support of a chaplain in the church, it was now agreed that all arrears and the rent itself should be paid to the churchwardens or other parishioners elected for the purpose, that all deeds relating thereto and all vestments, books and other necessaries of the church should be placed in a chest under the keys of three or four parishioners elected by their fellows, and that fees for burials both in the church and the churchyard should be received by the churchwardens for the support of the church alone.

Afterwards on 26 Nov. 1376 came Thomas. Appelby, chaplain, and paid an instalment of the rent-charge, which the Court delivered to the churchwardens.

Membr. 4 b

23 Jan. 1376

Precept to the Aldermen that, in view of the affrays and robberies committed by aliens and other unknown nightwalkers, sufficient watch and ward should be kept in the City by night for the preservation of the King's peace. [French]

Deed whereby Roger Dane, with the consent of his apprentice, John Dane, son of the late Roger Dane, butcher, transferred the said apprentice to serve the remainder of his term with John Brounesbury, butcher. Dated 16 Jan. 1376.

11 Jan. 1376

Ellen, widow of John Sage, haberdasher, was charged with having exposed her wares for sale on Feast Days contrary to the recent ordinance (fn. 11) relating to haberdashers, thereby incurring a penalty of 20s to the Chamberlain for the use of the Commonalty. As she said she did not know of the ordinance, and as she was sole, the penalty was respited on the understanding that she should pay 40s in case of another offence.

Membr. 5

14 Jan. 1376

John Cope, son of Adam Cope; late citizen and skinner, brought a bill of complaint against Robert Lukes and Agnes his wife, widow of the said Adam, setting forth that his father had received a 60 years lease of a messuage and three shops in Berebynderlane in the parish of S^t Mary Woolchurch from Elyne Gossham, late Prioress of Haliwell, at an annual rent of 20s. By his father's nuncupative will of 31 Jan. 1375, of which the plaintiff produced a copy under the seal of the Official, the father devised the above lease with all his goods and chattels to his wife Agnes, whom he made his executrix, and his children, John, William, Joan, Alice and Maud. On 18 June 1375 William, Alice and Maud died and the widow married Robert Lukes on the Thursday after. She and her husband then ousted the plaintiff from the messuage and shops, which were worth 12 marks a year above the rent, to his damage £40. [French]

The defendants were summoned to appear on the following Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and made default on each occasion. Judgment was given that the plaintiff recover his share of the property in accordance with the terms of his father's will and that the said Robert and Agnes be in mercy.

Membr. 5 b

29 Feb. 1376

Quitclaim by Eustace Bergh, merchant of Bruges, to Peter Bridport, one of the executors of Eustace de Hardyford, in respect of the latter's will.

3 March 1376

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall on Monday before the Feast of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas [7 March] A ^o 50 Edw. III [1375-6]

William Leke, tailor, demands an Assize of Mart d'Ancestor against Clement Lavender and Joan his wife, to inquire whether Thomas, son of Nicholas Leke, brother of the aforesaid William, died seised in his demesne as of fee of a messuage in'the parish of S^t Martin within Ludgate, if he died after the coronation of Henry III, and if the aforesaid William is his next heir. He also asks that the said Clement and Joan, who hold the said messuage, may be summoned to hear the result.

4 Feb. 1376

Richard Lyons petitioned the Mayor and Aldermen to be allowed to sue Henry Frowyk, mercer, a bastard, outside the City for debt, notwithstanding their both being freemen. Permission was granted.

Membr. 6

Ivo, son and heir of Ivo de Fulham, brought a bill of complaint against Robert Goudrich and Alice his wife, widow of the said Ivo the elder, for detaining a deed whereby Thomas de Flete had enfeoffed the said Ivo the elder in a messuage in the parish of S^t Bride. [French]

The defendants, while not admitting that the plaintiff was son and heir, pleaded that the father during his last infirmity had granted the messuage to Thomas Weston, chaplain, by livery of seisin but without a charter of feoffment, and that the latter granted it by deed to John Paxton, clerk, and Richard Mustell, who in turn had granted it to the defendant Alice during her widowhood, and that she had afterwards conveyed it to others by deed with a clause of warranty. They demanded judgment whether the plaintiff had any ground of action against them, because, since the father had granted the messuage without warranty and therefore no claim could be made against the son, there was no need for him to have the deed and he had no right to it.

To this the plaintiff answered that the deed of Thomas de Flete contained a warranty, that his father died seised of the property, and that he himself entered into it and was seised of it on his father's death, and that it was not true that his father made any feoffment, as pretended, to the said Thomas Weston.

The defendants repeated that the father made the said feoffment and did not die seised of the property.

On this issue the parties went to a jury, which found a verdict for the plaintiff. Judgment for recovery of the deed, which the defendants handed over in court, and that the defendants be in mercy.

31 March 1375

Letter of attorney from Adam Baas, citizen of Norwich, to his son Richard Baas.

21 April 1376

At a Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall on Monday before the Feast of S ^t George the Martyr [23 April] A ^o 50 Edw. III [1376]

Richard Frost demands an Assize of Mort d'Ancestor against Walter Dernelove, Ralph Alwey and John Clerk, haberdasher, to inquire whether John Heyward his uncle died seised in his demesne as of fee of two shops in the parish of S^t Giles without Cripplegate.

Membr. 6 b

15 March 1376

Joan, widow of William Cook, was summoned to answer Emma, widow of William Messager, in a plea of detinue of chattels, wherein the latter complained that, whereas according to the custom of the City (fn. 12), when a man died leaving a wife and children unadvanced (non promoti), the wife took a third of the goods and chattels, and if the children were advanced the wife took a half, and whereas the said William Messager at the time of his death left a son named Robert and a daughter named Cecilia, since married to William atte Piry, and the said William left property of the value of £60 after payment of all debts, and the said property came into the hands of the said Joan at his decease—the said Joan refused to give the plaintiff her reasonable part (rationdbilem portem) to her loss of £20; and therein the plaintiff produced suit.

The defendant appeared in person and said that the deceased left nothing beyond a box, a silver girdle and his clothes, the last mentioned being bequeathed to John his son, and that the girdle was to be sold to pay his funeral expenses and the sum of 6s to priests for the good of his soul, the defendant being executor. She further said that she delivered the clothes, that she paid 10s for arrears of rent of the house in which he lived, this sum being produced by the sale of the box, and that the girdle was sold and the proceeds were expended on the funeral and the priests, and beyond this she received nothing. She prayed judgment whether the plaintiff had any action against her.

The plaintiff traversed these statements and said that in addition to the box etc. there were other goods, the whole being worth £60. The defendant denied that there were other goods, and repeated her defence. On these issues the action went to a jury, which brought in a verdict in accordance with the defendant's pleading. Judgment was given that the plaintiff take nothing by her bill and be in mercy, and that the defendant go thence without a day.

Mayoral precept ordering the Aldermen to see that no one in their Wards took more than 2d for good and sufficient hay for a horse for a day and night and more than 6d for a bushel of oats. [French]

Membr. 7

13 March 1376

Robert Brabasson brought a bill demanding against Alice, widow and executrix of Richard Wardroper, the sum of 7 marks arrears of 20 marks due on a sale to the deceased of a messuage and a carucate of land in Grenford, of which the deceased had seisin, promising to pay the arrears in a fortnight.

The defendant denied the debt, alleging that the deceased had paid the whole amount in the presence of Sir William atte Cros, parson of the Church of S^t Clement outside Templebarre, and she offered to put herself on the evidence of the said parson, if the plaintiff would agree. The plaintiff denied full payment and likewise put himself on the parson's evidence. The latter was summoned and being sworn and examined said that the deceased paid a certain sum of money, how much the witness did not know, and after paying said to the plaintiff that he had fully paid him. The plaintiff said yes, except that he ought to give his wife a present of clothes or 20s. The deceased said that he would do so, as soon as the plaintiff and his wife kept their agreement to execute a fine of the lands in the King's court in favour of the deceased and at his expense, which fine was never levied.

Judgment was given that the plaintiff take nothing by his bill and that he and his pledges be in mercy.

28 March 1376

Robert de Marny (fn. 13), knight, on behalf of himself and his wife Alice, daughter and one of the heiresses of Richard Lacer, late citizen of London, demanded delivery of nine deeds relating to her inheritance which had been deposited in court by William de la More and others at the suit of the applicant. But since Eleanour Riche had previously claimed these deeds as affecting her inheritance of tenements belonging to the late Philip le Tayllour, precept was given to John Dyne, serjeant of the Chamber, to summon the said Eleanour to show cause etc. She appeared and raised no objection to the delivery of a quitclaim from Henry, son of Philip le Tayllour, to his mother Sabina of certain tenements in the parish of Paternosterchirche, of which a certain portion was now held by the said Robert and Alice. Thereupon the Court ordered the delivery of the quitclaim to them, on the ground that as holders of the tenements they were entitled to the deed.

Membr. 7 b

7 May 1376

Memorandum that William Sharpe, cornmeter, and Joan his wife, heiress of Robert de Waryngton, came before the Mayor and Aldermen and prayed delivery of two deeds.

(1) Grant from Richard de la Pole and William de la Pole, brothers, burgesses of Kyngeston on Hull, to Robert de Weryngton of a plot of land bounded on the east by Hull Street and extending from the land of William de Kelm on the south to the north gate of the town, and of a larger plot to the west, bounded on the south by Pole Street. Dated at Kyngeston on Hull, 22 June 1332.

(2) An indenture witnessing a lease of a messuage on the first-mentioned plot for ten years to Daniel de Greyngham, burgess of Kyngeston on Hull, with a proviso that the lessor should recompense the lessee for any buildings which the latter erected with the lessor's approval, and a further proviso that the lessee should have the first offer, if it proved necessary to sell the property during his term. Dated at Kyngeston on Hull, 12 March 1334(-5).

Memorandum to the effect that a complaint having been made that Alice, widow and executrix of John Potenhale, woodmonger, and now wife of Thomas atte Crouche, was about to sell the reversion of certain properties devised to her for life by her late husband, the said Alice and Thomas came before the Mayor and Aldermen and renounced all but a life interest in the property.

Membr. 8

3 May 1376

Cristina, widow of John Patyn, fleccher, brought a bill of complaint against John Durneford, bowyer, for not fulfilling a covenant between them under the following circumstances. On 8 Dec. 1374 in the parish of S^t Magnus, London Bridge, John Hethy and John Poley had bought from her late husband 1600 sheaves of arrows (garbes de setes (fn. 14) ) for £94 8d, the payment of which was undertaken by the said John Durneford. On his failing to pay the complainant, her son John Shordyche and Laurence Glovere, being executors of John Fleccher, had sued him for debt in the Sheriffs' Court. But on 31 March last, while the action was pending, an agreement had been arrived at in the presence of the parson of the above church, William Bys and Gilbert de Meldebourne, that the said John Derneford (sic) should seal an obligation of £94 8d for payment at midsummer, which he had failed to do. The complainant prays for a remedy because the above sum was devised by her late husband to his orphan children. [French]

The said John Derneford was summoned to answer. He admitted the debt and entered into a recognizance to pay at certain terms extending over two years. Afterwards on 5 Feb. next year Thomas de Gaunt, fishmonger, who had married the complainant, came into court with her and acknowledged satisfaction, and the recognizance was cancelled.

Proclamation that no one carry arms within the City except the "valets " of great lords of the land carrying their masters' swords in their presence, the serjeants-at-arms of the King and the Prince and the King's children, and the officers of the City and their companies. Also that no one wander through the City after curfew sounded at the churches of S^t Mary le Bow, Berkyngcherche (fn. 15), S^t Bride and S^t Giles without Cripplegate, except men of good fame or workmen going about their business, carrying lights. Further that each lodging-house keeper warn his guests to return to their lodgings at a seemly hour and not to carry arms out of doors against the present ordinances, lest such guests should suffer harm for lack of warning. [French]

Memorandum that whereas Agnes Cok was bound apprentice for seven years to William Kaly and Joan his wife to learn the latter's trade, in accordance with indentures duly enrolled at Guildhall, the said William and Joan appeared before the Mayor and Aldermen and granted for themselves, their executors and assigns that if the said Joan wished to take a husband during her term, she might choose either to serve the rest of her term or to pay the sum of 4 marks, and that in either case she should be exonerated from her apprenticeship.

Membr. 8 b

25 June 1376

Robert Whalton, who sued Joan, widow of John Mitford, draper, for detinue of a statute staple and a defeasance entrusted by him to her late husband, obtained delivery of the same. The statute was executed by John Salman of Bruges to the plaintiff in £600 and was defeasible on payment of £300 by half-yearly instalments of £25, the debt having been incurred for merchandise supplied.

23 June 1376

Thomas, son of Roger Berkele of Watton co. Hertford, who had been apprenticed to Stephen atte Wode, pepperer, for seven years, was released from his apprenticeship because his master had left the City and gone to reside in Cornwall, but the condition was made that if the master returned within a year and a day and could prove that the apprentice was bound to serve him, the latter should give him satisfaction.

Membr. 9

Henry Bosele, corsour, was summoned to answer Adam Houtonj Bishop of S^t David's, who sued by his attorney Robert Mauncel, mercer, in a plea of breach of covenant. His bill of complaint alleged that the Bishop, by Henry Ferrour, his servant, bought a horse from the defendant in the parish of S^t Bride for 9½ marks, on condition that if the horse was as good in his limbs when he was cold as when he was warm, according to the defendant's warranty, then the Bishop would keep him, but otherwise the bargain was at an end. The Bishop now sued for the return of his money, since the horse was unsatisfactory.

The defendant denied giving a warranty, but agreed that if the Bishop could produce three squires, who were present at the sale, to corroborate his story on oath, he would repay the money. The Bishop's attorney accepted this proof, and after an adjournment to allow for the production of the witnesses, brought into court Henry Mauncel, esquire, who made the bargain, John Hereward and John James, esquires, and the above-mentioned Henry Ferrour. The said squires gave evidence on oath that the defendant warranted the horse in their presence. Judgment was given that the defendant repay the money, and, if he wished, go to the Bishop's house to recover his horse. The money was deposited in court and afterwards delivered to the plaintiff's attorney.

5 June 1376

John Boys, junior, who was apprenticed to John Pygeon, piebaker, for 10 years, was committed to prison for having run away from his master and for refusing to serve him. Afterwards on 11 July the said John Pygeon applied for his release, which was granted.

11 July 1376

William Benteleye granted a two years' lease of a house in the parish of S^t Bride to Cristina, widow of William de Bathe, at an annual rent of a red rose.

Membr. 9 b

John Myte, poulterer, who admitted having bought 18 geese from a foreign poulterer before prime sounded, contrary to the ordinances of the City, was adjudged to forfeit the geese to the Sheriffs, who prosecuted him.

John Mangell, mercer, Richard Notyngham, John Walton, Henry atte More and William Bateman were summoned to answer John Bere, haberdasher, who prosecuted by Thomas Usk, his attorney, in a plea of trespass, wherein he alleged that they had made a premeditated assault upon him in his house in Milk Street, to his damage £200. A jury found all the defendants, except Richard Notyngham, guilty, and taxed damages at £23. Judgment accordingly.

Membr. 10

A similar verdict was given in an action for assault brought by Richard Romeneye, haberdasher, against the same, with damages 6s 8d.

28 July 1376

Letter of attorney from Thomas Hemnale, burgess of Huntingdon, to Richard Odyham, pepperer, to collect his quitrents in "le Brodeseld" in West Cheap.

2 Aug. 1376

A statute merchant of 100 marks made by Henry del Strother of co. Northumberland in favour of John de Montacute, knight, was deposited in court, on condition that it should be returned to him if his son John Strother, knight, gave a general quitclaim to the said Sir John, and another to Richard Eskyn, who had arrested a quantity of corn and cattle at Werkk (fn. 16) in Northumberland.

12 Aug. 1376

John Waleman, maltmonger, admitted having sold 7 quarters of malt several times over to divers purchasers, on the pavement at Gracechurch, contrary to the ancient ordinance that no one should sell corn or malt by sample. The malt was forfeited to the Sheriffs, who prosecuted.

Membr. 10 b

14 Aug. 1376

Simon Colyere, servant of Richard Weker of Croydon, was brought before the Mayor and Aldermen and questioned why, when he was accustomed to supply coal to the City and each sack ought to contain a quarter, he had brought in three horses loaded with coal, three sacks of which were found to be deficient of six bushels. The said Simon did not deny the facts and put himself on the mercy of the Court. In answer to questions, he said the deficiency was not due to his master. Being asked if the sacks would hold a quarter, he said they would, but some were frayed and torn in the journey, so that the coal fell out, which was the cause of the deficiency. As it seemed to the Court that the sacks could not hold a quarter, William Sewale, the serjeant of the Chamber, was ordered to take a sack, which was new and untorn, and have it measured. He reported on oath that it only held 7 bushels. Thus it appeared to the Court that the master was an accomplice in the deception. Accordingly judgment was given that the said Richard be put in the stocks at Cornhill for an hour and that the three sacks should be burnt near him. John Asshewell, the beadle of Cornhill, was ordered to carry out the sentence and to proclaim the reason for it. He was also ordered to arrest the three horses and keep them in safe custody until the master should come to answer for his deception.

9 June 1376

Memorandum that at the Husting of Pleas of Land held on Monday before the Feast of S^t Barnabas [11 June] A^o 50 Edw. III [1376] John Costantyn demanded against John Caumbrigge two messuages and two shops in London. The defendant, by Gilbert de Meldebourne, his attorney, offered to yield up the property if a lease which he had made to Henry Wotton, tailor, and Alice his wife for their lives at an annual rent of 4 marks were confirmed. The plaintiff agreed to let them continue in the lease, the rent thenceforth being paid to himself.

Membr. 11

18 Aug. 1376

Henry le White, fishmonger, was committed to prison because he had been reported to the Mayor and Aldermen as having said publicly that the Mayor had knowledge of a cloak embroidered with pearls, which had been stolen from the house of Sir William de Wyndesore in Southwark the preceding Saturday, and could say into whose hands it had come. Next day he was mainprised by Andrew Pykeman, Thomas Clenche, Thomas Palmere, John Rydere and Hugh Denny for his appearance to answer the charge quo et quando.

24 Aug. 1376

The Mayor sent a messenger to summon Peter Thorndon, beadle of Tower Ward, to speak with him about divers charges made against the said beadle. The messenger returned, saying that the beadle refused to come and had declared that Sunday was not a suitable day, because after dinner the senses were overcome by ale (fn. 17), in contempt and derision of the Mayor. Thereupon the beadle was attached and committed to Newgate. Next day he was mainprised by the Alderman of his Ward for his good behaviour and to come when summoned.

23 Aug. 1376

Nicholas Rote and Gilbert Chaundeler, executors of William Stodeye, paid to Richard de Brikelesworth, by the hands of John Beaufrount and John Ive, parson of S^t Michael Wood Street, the sum of 200 marks due on a bond for the marriage of Katherine, daughter of the said William, to the said Richard, which marriage took place.

26 Aug. 1376

John Spicer of Surcestre (fn. 18) brought a complaint against Thomas Botston of London, to the effect that on the previous Saturday at Smithfield Fair he had sold to the said Thomas two fardels (fn. 19) of Coteswold wool at 4s a stone and carried it to the latter's house in Crooked Lane, where the said Thomas weighed it by his scales and declared that it amounted only to 38 stones. To this he had replied that the real weight was 40 stones 2 lbs by the King's beam at the Staple. After a long altercation they had agreed that on Monday they would have the wool weighed at the Staple of Westminster. But next day the said Thomas refused to do so and declared that he had already sold 12 stones to a certain matron.

The defendant under examination did not deny the complainant's story. Accordingly it was adjudged that he pay £8 12d for the 40 stones 2 lbs of wool and be in mercy for his unjust detinue of the same.

Membr. 11 b

20 Sept. 1376

Certificate under the Mayoralty Seal that the Mayor and Commonalty of Amiens, by the hands of John Panchet, Fremyn Andeluye and Hugh le Bocher, merchants of Amiens, had paid to the Mayor of London the sum of 16½ marks 2s 4d, due from the city of Amiens and the towns of Corbie and Nesle for the period 24 June to the end of the present Mayoralty on the eve of the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], being the last instalment of the total sum of 50 marks annually due (fn. 20). Dated 20 Sept. 1376. [French]

Memorandum that on 26 Aug. John Norwich, citizen of London, on behalf of Fremyn Andeluye and John Panchet, paid to the Sheriffs the sum of 36s custom dues on 18 tuns of woad, with certificate of the Mayor to the same effect.

13 Aug. 1376

Pleas held in the Chamber of the Guildhall before the Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday before the Feast of the Assumption BM. [15 Aug.] A ^o 50 Edw. III [1376]

Ralph Atteswych was attached to answer the King, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City, as well as William Neuport, Sheriff, for having used insulting and opprobrious words to the said Sheriff when he was holding his court at Guildhall, to wit, by calling him a false man, who had for a long time unjustly occupied tenements belonging to himself, the said Ralph, and his wife, Cecilia.

The accused denied the charge, and both parties put themselves on the verdict of a jury of the venue of Guildhall. Order was given to summon the jury, and meanwhile, as the defendant had not treated the Sheriff with the respect to which he was entitled in these proceedings, and moreover had disputed a record of a judgment given in the Husting of Common Pleas in an action of dower brought by Isabella, widow of John Podenhale, against the said Sheriff and Alice, widow of John Tamworth, the Court committed him to Newgate till Saturday. On that day the Sheriff granted that if the accused would swear that he had not used insulting words, he would exonerate him and withdraw the action from the jury. Thereupon the accused denied on oath that he had used the words alleged, but confessed having said that the Sheriff had done him an injury. He prayed the Sheriff to intercede with the Court for him, which he did. The Court released him on his swearing to find mainprise that he would sue the Sheriff at law, if he felt aggrieved, instead of using unseemly words against him.

Membr. 12

12 Aug. 1376

Rouland van Alyst of Almaine and Master John Blake prayed judgment against William Dale, clerk, then a prisoner in Newgate, for a debt of £16 13s 4d due on a bond. The defendant pleaded that he entered into the bond in the Sheriff's Compter in Milk Street under the coercion and duress of imprisonment, and he prayed judgment as to whether the plaintiffs had any action against him. The latter answered that he entered into the bond of his own free will. On this issue the parties went to a jury, which found for the plaintiffs. Thereupon the plaintiffs demanded execution of divers goods and chattels of the debtor in the hands of Walter de Taunton. The goods, which were valued by Richard Hervy, John Neuby, Nicholas Cook and Ralph Hunt, comprised vessels of brass, tubs, baskets, 10s 6d; a dozen of peautrevessell and 2 chargeours, 6s 8d; 2 pelewes, 4d; a coverlet of foyneskynnes (fn. 21), three skins long and five broad, 2s; a coverlet called "porpoynt (fn. 22) " 5s; a steyned (fn. 23) bed, 5s; a pair of hose, 2d; a gown of red cloth, 4s; a mantell, 2s; a doublet, 12d; a slop (fn. 24) of blu furred with otres, 2s; a tunic of russet furred with black wool, 2s; a towel (mappa), 4s; a hand-towel, 2s; 3 hoods (capucia) of sangwyn, one of blue and one green, 18d; one overcoat (superpocilium) (fn. 25), 2s; 2 pairs of drawers (ii bracce) and one poket, 6d; one savenape, one towaill, 2d; one tabler (fn. 26) (tabular'), 4d; one white coverlet powdered with red roses, 20d; one male, 6d; one coverlet with a tester powdered with ermyn, 40d; one materaz, 6d; one kanevas, 20d; 2 sheets, 16d; one iron bill, 2d; 2 hurtles (fn. 27) of iron, 2d; one spadyrne (fn. 28) and 2 shovelyrnes, 8d; one shar of iron, 1d; 8 gaddes (fn. 29) of steel and one lylpyn (fn. 30), 3d; one pair of shoes, 2d; one feterlok (fn. 31), 6d; one basket, 2d; one flesshok, 1d; 2 cords with one swevel, 4d; 2 sykeles, 3d; one sieve, 4d; part of a portehors, 2d; 3 lbs of wax, 18d; 3 wooden cups, 1d; one chest, 8d; another chest, 4d; one saddle, a pair of top-boots (1 par ocrearum) with spurs, 5s; whereof the total sum was £3 11s 1d.

The debtor being asked whether the goods had been placed in the hands of the said Walter for safe custody or as a pledge for a debt, said that they were merely entrusted to him and that he owed Walter nothing. Judgment that the creditor have execution of the goods in part payment of his debt.

Richard Harold, bowyer, who was committed to prison on 17 Sept. for calling John Baldok, the Mayor's serjeant, a "babelmonger" was released on mainprise next day.

Membr. 12 b

2 Oct. 1376

Mayoral Precept ordering the Aldermen to collect in their Wards a sum agreed upon by the Mayor and Aldermen, and to bring the same to Guildhall on Thursday before the Feast of the Translation of S^t Edward [13 Oct.]. No one is to pay who is assessed at less than 40d for a whole fifteenth. [French]

Memorandum that the above precept was sent to the Aldermen on 2 Oct. for collecting a half fifteenth for expenses incurred at the funeral of Edward, Prince of Wales.

11 Sept. 1376

William de la Forest and Thomas Wilton, servants of John Harwode, farrier, were attached to answer the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty at the prosecution of Ralph Strode, on a charge of having shot at pigeons on houses with bolts and arrows (cum petuleis et sagittis), one bolt falling on an unknown person, and some of the arrows sticking in the houses or falling to the ground, whereby, but for God's abundant grace, men, women and children might have been killed or seriously wounded. They were committed to prison by the Mayor's orders on the day of the offence, i.e. on Thursday 11 Sept., and on the Wednesday following they confessed to the charge and put themselves on the mercy of the Court. They were mainprised for their good behaviour and to come up for judgment in case of a further offence.

1 Oct. 1376

Robert Multon, cook, was committed to prison on 1 Oct. for selling to a servant of Master John Treyenant, clerk, a goose in which parsley, (petrocillum) mixed with many feathers had been put, as was evident when the stuffing (obstupacio) was examined in court. The said Robert pleaded that this was done by a boy in his employment, and the latter when brought into court by John Cobbe, the serjeant of the Chamber, confessed that he had done it in ignorance, without the knowledge and consent of his master. On the ground that the boy was too young to be punished, and that a master was responsible for his servants and his goods, even if wrong was done without his consent, the. Court sentenced the master to Newgate for eight days and to pay a fine to the use of the Commonalty when released.

4 Oct. 1376

John Bedeforth, Thomas Hore and Walter Cadeworth, skinners, who had been committed to prison on the complaint of Thomas Irland and other masters of the mistery of Skinners, as being nightwalkers, disturbers of the peace and rebels against their masters, were released on finding mainprise for their good behaviour and obedience. Roger Leswey, who could not find mainprise, was released on his taking an oath to the same intent.

Membr. 13

20 Oct. 1376

Six cheeses bought at Leadenhall by Thomas Blome, a foreigner, for resale against the liberty of the City and the ordinances of the Cooks, were forfeited to the use of the Commonalty and the Sheriffs.

The same day, four piglings, which were not brought into the market according to the ordinances, but secretly sold in his lodgings by John de York, were likewise forfeited.

21 Oct. 1376

John Amyas, cornmonger, was brought up in the Husting for selling by sample 6 bushels of green peas outside the market to a foreigner. The peas were forfeited.

Two quarters of malt sold secretly out of market by Simon atte Nassh were likewise forfeited.

William Everard, goldsmith, was attached to answer the Mayor and Commonalty, at the prosecution of Ralph Strode, on certain charges, viz. (1) that he refused to show his work to the masters of the mistery of Goldsmiths when they visited his house in the parish of S^t Matthew in Cheap, thereby incurring the penalty of ten days' imprisonment and a fine of 10s; (2) that he used one weight called " Troye" for buying and another less weight called "goldsmith's weight" when selling, against the statute of the realm (fn. 32); (3) that he sold bad work, made in secret, as good, against the ordinances of the mistery of Goldsmiths.

The defendant on 4 Aug. denied the last two charges, saying that he used alloy as good as sterling, and thereon he put himself on the country. A jury was accordingly summoned and the defendant committed to prison. As regards the charge of refusing to allow the masters to see his work, he put himself on the mercy of the Court. The jury on 5 Sept. found him guilty on both charges and said that he made silver crosses of alloy worse than sterling by 4d the pound. Next day the Court sentenced him to ten days' imprisonment, to begin the same, day, and 10s fine, for his rebellion, and to a year's imprisonment on the other two charges. Afterwards on 17 Sept. he was released and mainprised for his good behaviour, but on 11 Dec. the same year he was again brought up on his own confession for defaming Robert Fraunceys, John Forster, Thomas atte Hay and Thomas Exton, masters of the Goldsmiths, by saying that they had maliciously imprisoned him, whereas his imprisonment was awarded by the Court. Accordingly he was committed to prison for having broken his mainprise, to serve his year's sentence, to begin on 17 Sept. On 21 Feb. next year, at the request of an immense Commonalty in Guildhall, with the assent of the Mayor and Aldermen and with the consent of the mistery of Goldsmiths, he was released from prison.

Membr. 13 b

30 June 1376

Precept for the appearance of John Gravesende to show cause.why the sum of £60 should not be levied on his property for payment to Nicholas Kyng and Margery his wife; widow and executrix of Walter Somersham, draper, to whom he had bound himself in that sum by a recognizance before the Mayor four years previously. The said John failing to appear, a jury of free and lawful men of the venue found that at the time of executing the above recognizance, the said John was in possession of a tenement in the parish of S^t Nicholas Coldabbey of the annual net value of 60s. Judgment was given that half (fn. 33) the said tenement should be delivered to the plaintiffs, their heirs and assigns, to hold as a free tenement until the debt of £60 should be levied therefrom. An order was given to John Baldok, serjeant of the Chamber, to make a partition of the tenement by view of the sworn Masters of the Masons and Carpenters of the City, and to deliver one moiety by metes and bounds to the said Nicholas and Margery.

Membr. 14

2 Sept. 1376

The surveyors of the mistery of Hurers brought a bill complaining that John Larke had taken service with Isabella Gerland in Abbechirchelane in order to teach his trade to her and certain Lombards, contrary to the liberty of the City, and further that he had coloured his evil conduct by. entering into a bond to Martin Southe, cooper, under penalty of £10, to serve him as well as Isabella, thus deceiving his mistery.

The defendant under examination could not deny the charge. Judgment was given that he be ousted from the liberty of the City and of his mistery until etc. He was swbrn not to teach his trade to any foreigner in future and exonerated from his service to the said Isabella. The Court also adjudged that his bond, being founded on a contract which was unlawful and prejudicial to the liberty of the City, was null and void. The next day at his request he was restored to the freedom of the City on payment of 6s 8d to the Chamberlain, William Eynesham.

28 Oct. 1376

John Kesteven, mercer, brought a bill praying that the sum of 18s might be paid to him, in discharge of a debt, out of 29s in the hands of the Chamberlain belonging to the late John Blakeney, mercer—being part of a loan repayed by the King. [French]

The Court consented upon his finding security to answer any claim made by the executors and to repay the money if the debt were disproved, and also to save the Chamberlain and the Court harmless against any demands on that account.

The same day Adam Stable, Alderman, claimed the balance of the above sum of 29s towards satisfaction of a debt of £20.

The same day William Foxton, under-rakyer in the parish of S^t Sepulchre without Newgate, was brought up on a charge of forestalling six piglings before they reached the market of S^t Nicholas Shambles, paying 7d or 8d each for them and selling them at 9d, to the damage of the whole commonalty. The said William took an oath that the piglings were the issue of his master's sow, and the Court ordered him to be released from prison.

Membr. 14 b

24 Oct. 1376

On Friday, 24 Oct. Roger Bynge, fuller, was charged on the prosecution of the Hurers with having hidden caps and hures within rolls of cloth, so as to escape the examination of the masters of the Hurers, and thus sent them to the mills to be fulled, contrary to a recent ordinance of the Hurers (fn. 34), which directed that such fulling should be done, not in mills, but by hand and by expert men in their own trade.

The defendant admitted sending the caps to the mills, but denied hiding them and said he knew nothing about the ordinance.

As he made this statement on oath, the Court ordered him to swear that in future he would not send any caps or hures to the mills under penalty etc.

20 Sept. 1376

John Dixi, who had been committed to prison for resisting an arrest and for maintaining Richard Merssham, against whom the Thames boatmen had brought a bill concerning injuries done to them by the burgesses of Gravesende, was released on mainprise to come up etc.