The corporation of Lincoln: Miscellaneous records

II.—MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.

Temp. Edw. II. ?—Regulations made by the City of Lincoln for the wool trade. Very clearly written on a parchment to which the seal of the city was once attached, but of which seal only long green silk cords with tassels now remain as the tokens.

"[P] urueu est, ordinéé (fn. 1) et establi par le Commun Cunsail de la Cite de Nicole pur lenprument nostre seigniour le Rey de Engleterre de sa custume de leynes et pur le profit de meismes la Cite, ke les leynes de Lyndeseye, de Kesteuen et du Clay soient ensemblemys ensem vendues. Et les leynes de autre paiis oueokes les leynes auandites ne soient medleez en nule maniere. Mes soient celes laynes vendues chescun par sey, ke point en ad pur tele que ele est. Et ky le face et soit atteynt, les Baylifs de la Cite prendrunt a chescun sack xx sol., la moyte a la féérme le Rey, et lautre moyte a les Cytezeines pur les fraunchises mayntenyr. Uncor est ordinéé des meismes ceous qe nul face trier ne ne horsprendre la bone leyne de la meene. Mes ausi come il la chat en le paiis, issi la mustre as marchaunds, et ensi soit vendue en cuche et en sack sur meismes la payne auandite. Uncor est ordinéé qe nul mar- chaund de la Cite de laynes de Lindeseye, de Ketsteuen (sic) et du Clay ne face mettre par luy ne par nul autre en cuche ne en sack coth ne garth ne vylain tuysun sur la payne auandite. Ne ke nul de la Cyte ne autre vende layne a forain marchand, si noun par la trone le Roy. Et ky le fet et soit atteynt, le Baylif prendre a chescune pierre douz deners en la furme auandite. Des forayns marchaunds venaunz en la Cyte, est ordinéé ke par la ou il achat laynes et enport la clef de la meisone ou la layne gist cum custume est des marchaunds, ke cele leyne soit la sowe cum son propre chatel sanz cuntredit del vendur ou del achatur. Et si nul destaunz ou conteck soit entre eous aul packer de la layne, soient les choses adrescez et les defautes amendez, si poynt en a, par la vewe de prohdesomes [prudhommes] ke a ceo sunt assignez ordine et iurez par la Communaute. De ceous ke achatent peaus de berbiz de la feste seinte Margarete [20 July] desques a la seint Michel, purveu est et ordinee as tiele leyne desor enauaunt soit vendue cum auncienement fust; ceo est a sauoyr cum leyne qe est apeléé Crakepullynge et Cobbyngwolle. Et ke nul de la Cyte tele layne oueock layne cullie de la seint Michel en auaunt ne face mettre ne medler en tuyson, en cuche ne en sack. Et ky le fet et soit atteynt, a la primere fiey la layne serra foringéé a la furme le Rey et a les Cytezeyns par ouwel porciun. Et al autre fiez, la layne serra ars a ses custages deuaunt sa meisone, cum chose atteynte de fausine. Purveu est ensement ke nul de la Cyte mustre ne vende laynes en les seysons del an a nul forayn marchaund, gesques ataunt ke les Cytezeyns éént ordinéé et purueu ke bon est a fere endroit de lur marchandises pur le pru le. Rey et la Cyte, ceo est a sauoir ke le iour des Innocens serra lassembléé afere la purueyaunce pur la marchaundie del hyuer, et la iour de seint Austyn [26 May] pur la esteé. Et si nul se absent et ne vient mye al assembléé a les iouz auant nomez, soit amercie a demymark cum est auandit, et sa le meyns la chose qe serra ordineé serra estable ausi bien pur les absenz cum pur les presenz. Et si nule face mustrer ou vendre encuntre la furme auandite, le Baylif prendra a chescon sack xx sol. cum est auantdit. Des abbrokeurs est purueu et ordinee ke ceus ke sunt de la Cyte soient jurez en tiele furme ke il serrunt feaus et liaus au Rey et a la Cyte, et ke il liaument celerunt le conseil et les priuetez de la Cyte, et nul marchaund forayn pur marchander hors de la Cyte ameurount, et ke nul abbrokeur achate nule manere de merz de nul forain marchand, fors al oes les Cytezens de la Cyte, sauue les choses tuicchaunz la feerme le Roy, et qe la ou il trouent leynes en cuche ou hors de cuche suspecinuse, encontre la furme auandite, facent a sauoir au Gardayn ou au Mair ou as Baylifs. Et purueu est ke tuz ces poinz auandiz soient leuz et puppliez apertement dous fiez par an, ceo est asauoir le iour des Innocenz et de seint Austyn, ke nul de la Cyte les articles auant nomeez purra desdire."

1455, 34 Hen. VI., 10 Sept.—A very long indenture of an agreement between the Abbot and convent of St. Mary at York and the Mayor and citizens of Lincoln, respecting lands claimed by the former as belonging to their cell of B. Mary Magd. Lands conveyed to the city (minutely described with their boundaries) are called Bagerholmwong, Seynthughcroft, Styntes, le Hempgarth, with all the lands, tenements, marshes, &c. extending from the south east corner of Calcroft to the south east corner of Berige close, and at le Blakedike, with rights of way, power to fell trees, enclose, wall, &c. Lands conveyed to the abbey are a meadow on the east side of Blakedike, a marsh and lands on the east side of Lincoln, and a lane and land below the walls on the site of the cell on the south side; paying for the lane 3s. 4d. annually. Among the boundaries mentioned are, Blakedikestone; the water of Wythom; Oldebagerholmegate; Grenepasture; Inland; Gretewelle; a stone cross near Gretewellegate called Stubcros; Seyntjohneswong; a stone newly fixed called le Monks' stone; a windmill called Wayermylne; a stone wall called Chiviot wall; Snyke- (and Sneke-) dyke wall; the land of the Master of the Hospital of H. Innocents; Sparowe lane; Fynkelstrete; a stone wall lately belonging to the friars lately called Sekfreris [i.e. Fratres de Sacco] called le Stamp; a causeway called Stampcause; a stone in Bagerholmwonge called Butstone. Blanks are left for some measurements of land which have not been filled in. The seal of the abbey is lost.

1536, 20 May.—Bond from "Tomas" earl of Rutland in 2000l. that he will abide by the arbitrament of Sir Thomas Audeley, knt. Lord Chancellor, and master Thomas Cromwell, Chief Secretary to the King, concerning the rent of 100l. which he claims from the city.

1554, 17 March.—Indenture of sale by John Broxolme, esq., of the Inner Temple, London, to the Mayor and Commonalty of Lincoln for the sum of 81l. of his moiety of a rent of 4l. 13s. 4d. from the lands and tenements of the late gild of St. Anne, which was granted to him and Thomas Burton, esq. by Sir John Thynne, knt., and Thomas Throgmorton, esq., who had it by grant from K. Edw. VI. dated 19 May, 1549.

1558, 4 July.—Release from Henry, earl of Rutland, to the Mayor, &c. of Lincoln, for the sum of 400 marks, and in exchange for the rectory and parsonage of Surflet with the advowson, of the annual rent of 100l. payable to him from the city.

1569–1577, 11–19 Eliz.—A parcel of eighteen deeds relating to the conveyance of property from Thomas Grantham to the city of Lincoln.

1574, 10 Dec.—Indenture of agreement between Robert Mounson, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas, and the Mayor and Commonalty of Lincoln, whereby the former—in consideration of the grant to him of the parsonage of Hanslope, Bucks, for divers years, and in order that the latter may ever hereafter the more quietly have and enjoy a conduit or watercourse lately in question, and also for the desire that the said Robert Mounson hath towards the maintenance of a free grammar school in perpetuity, if the said mayor, etc., shall so think it good, as they do well and charitably intend it hereafter if they may,—covenants to convey to feoffees the site and precinct of the Grey Friars in Lincoln, with all the houses, etc., to the same belonging; reserving the use to himself for his life or for twenty years.

1575, 23 Oct.—Deed of sale by Stephen Trymylby, esq., and Katherine his wife to William Goodknappe, Martin Mason, John Wylson, Edmund Knyght, and Thomas Hanson, of all the cottages lands and tenements lately belonging to the gild of St. Mary in Wigford.

1576, 18 Jan.—Conveyance of the same by the said William Goodknappe, etc. to the Mayor, etc. and commonalty of Lincoln.

1585, 22 Sept.—Indenture of articles of agreement, by arbitration, between the Mayor and citizens of Lincoln and Robert Smith of the Black Monks near the city, respecting a watercourse and conduit passing through the grounds of the said Robert Smith to the city, and the conduit-pipes, with various lands called the Monks' Leas, the Green Pasture, &c., belonging to the late cell of the Black Monks, parcel of the possessions of the dissolved monastery of St. Mary at York. Signed and sealed by Edward earl of Rutland as umpire and judge as well as by the parties.

1592.—Fragment, consisting of eight small quarto leaves, of a book of orders made in 1591 and 1592 respecting a knitting school established by the city, as follows:—

1591, 11 June.—Alderman Morley appointed overseer.

— 8 Oct.—Seven persons who had been appointed to confer with John Cheseman, the Knitter, draw up certain rules, which are confirmed. Cheseman, in consideration of 6l. being given him to discharge his debts, undertakes to set on work in his science all such as are willing to come to him or are sent by the aldermen, and to hide nothing from them that belongeth to the knowledge of the said science. A competent number of discreet women or men to be found for the purpose of learning. Forty stone of wool to be provided; Cheseman weekly to take two stone, paying for the previous week's supply. As many wheels as are needful to be provided. Scholars offending by absence or otherwise to be punished as the offence requireth, at the discretion of such as shall be appointed. Four aldermen to be overseers. Cheseman's stipend to continue according to the agreement made at his first coming to the city.

1592, 28 July.—Forty stone of wool to be provided.

— 4 Aug.—Articles of agreement made at the Knitters' house in St. Saviourgate between John Cheseman and Francis Newby. 1. The said Newby and Jane his wife shall daily repair to Cheseman's house to learn his trade of knitting, spinning, dressing of wool, and keeping his mill, until well instructed, and shall not absent themseves without leave. 2. Cheseman to instruct them after the best manner he can. 3. The said Francis and Jane to have the oversight and teaching of thirty scholars for this first year, to see that they do make their work, and work according to their pattern. 4. Cheseman to pay the said Francis and Jane for the first year 40s. 5. The said Francis to have twopence paid him by Cheseman for every pair of stockings made by the said scholars; and for every pair which the said Jane or any servant that she shall hire shall work, being well fashioned, as much as Cheseman doth give to any other. 6. The said Francis and Jane shall have the benefit and commodity of amending and footing all stockings which shall be brought unto them to be amended or footed.

— The same day it is agreed to pay the Knitter 16s. 8d. for ten wheels which he hath provided, and which he is to maintain; and the overseers arrange to visit by turns, two every three weeks.

Temp. Eliz.—Inventory of furniture in Metcalf's house called the "Sarzin's Head," assigned over to Stephen Mason as security for a debt due to Mr. Robert Chapman of Hull and Mr. Thomas Enderbie. There are fifteen rooms, with a gallery, and outhouses.

— — Petition to Sir Peter Warburton, knt., and Sir Thomas Foster, knt., justices of assize in the county of Lincoln, from the bakers serving the prisoners with bread in the gaol of Lincoln, craving order to be taken for their payment or else to be released from baking. The allowance is 40l. a year, at one penny a day for each prisoner, but the deliverance comes to 60l., the town of Louth refuses to pay any thing, the petitioners are put to great charge in gathering it in the parts of Lindsey, and one Mr. Rossiter who hath a great town in his possession refuseth to give any allowance.

[The two preceding papers were taken out of a roll of paper enveloping the seal of one of the royal charters.]

1632, 2 May.—Deed of gift by Sir William Ellis, knt., of an annuity of 10l. 8s. from lands in Swinthorp in the parish of Snelland; for the payment of twelve pence weekly to four poor widows, one to be the widow of a vicar or singing-man of the cathedral, and the others widows of freemen, who frequent divine service and sermons on the sabbath days, and can distinctly say without book in the English tongue the Lord's Prayer, the articles of the Belief and the Ten Commandments; no one of them to be a brewer of ale or beer to sell, or au alehouse keeper, or a tippler of beer, or to usually beg, or to keep in her house any servant, child, or other person that shall usually go on begging.

Cent. xvii.—"A booke of the precinctes and privileges to his Majesties castle and baile of Lincolne." Nine leaves, containing translations of an inquisition made 36 Edw. III. (1362); a plea in the time of Rich. II. (year omitted) on the part of John of Gaunt v. the Mayor, bailiffs, &c.; a writ from Edw. III. for exemption of all the lands and men of Henry [Plantagenet] earl of Lancaster from tolls, etc.; with the bounds and privileges of the bailey.

1684–1718.—A parcel of documents relating to the Jersey School for the employment of the poor in knitting and spinning, as follows:—

1684, 4 Sept.—Agreement with Joseph Newton to come to Lincoln to be the master, at a yearly salary of 30l. for the first three years and 20l. afterwards, with house rent-free, and 100l. for stock.

1687, 1 May.—Agreement with John Ashley at 20l. a year.

1688, 6 July.—Copy of the will of Henry Stone, esq., of Skellingthorpe, bequeathing 700l.

1705, 12 Nov.—Agreement with Joseph Doughty to come to Lincoln, at a salary of 35l. a year.

1718, 26 June.—Agreement with John Hooton at a salary of 30l.

[1704.]—Copy of the case of the Dean and Chapter against the city, with regard to arrests within the Close and the licensing of alehouses; and of the opinion of counsel thereon.

1714–1737.—A folio volume contains the accounts of the Foss-dyke tolls. This is interesting as affording evidence of the amount of trade by water during this period; a large proportion being for coals and ale from the Trent. The volume forms part of a parcel of documents relating to the Foss-dyke, of which the earliest are, an agreement for a table of tolls in pursuance of an Act of Parliament for improving the navigation between Boston and the river Trent, dated 10 Oct. 1671; and an agreement with Samuel Fortrey, esq. of St. Martin's in the Fields, Middlesex, "a person well versed and expert in affairs of that nature," that he and his heirs shall have one third part of the profits of the tolls in return for his assistance in carrying out the improvements, and the maintenance of a bridge in the town of Saxilby, and his bearing one third part of charges and losses, dated 24 Apr. 1672.

1736, 4 Feb.—License from Richard [Smalbroke] bishop of Lincoln for the taking in of a small part of the churchyard of St. Peter at Arches, "wherein no corpse hath been known to be interred," for the enlargement of the new intended market-house, paying an annual quitrent of 2s. to the parish; with a ground-plan, and a letter from the bishop to the mayor.

1736, 29 Dec.—Agreement by Daniel Coppin of Boston to make a complete set of chimes for eight bells, with twenty hammers for two tunes, to be set up in the steeple of St. Peter's church at the expense of the Corporation, for 80l. (Enclosed with the preceding license.)

[c. 1740.]—Case of the city with regard to the claim of persons residing within the Close to the freedom of the city; with questions for counsel.

[c. 1740.]—Draft of a similar case of the city with regard to persons within the bailiwick of the castle; by Wm. Gylby, of Grays' Inn, [Recorder of the city].

1785.—A very excellent abstract of the royal charters with notes, and a list of all the existing books of record and papers, was drawn up by Samuel Lyon, Town-clerk, in 1785. This exists in his original MS., and also in a very neatly written transcript. The original, together with the account of the charities described in the following article, was presented to the Corporation by Mr. Lyon in 1797, with a letter dated at Canwick on Oct. 23, which is entered at p. 863 of vol. VIII. of the Registers. Mr. Lyon had resigned his office in 1790, and thanks were given him on Sept. 14 in that year for his indefatigable attention to the duties of his office which he had long held with honour to himself and satisfaction to the Corporation; and one hundred guineas were voted for presenting him with a gold cup, but this he declined as being already sufficiently gratified.

1786.—"A particular account of all the charitys and charity estates in which the Corporation of Lincoln, or any members thereof in their corporate capacitys, have any interest or concern; with the annual income arising from each, and the present mode of distributing the same; as also, with a schedule annexed of all the wills, deeds, and writings in the possession of the Corporation relating thereto; made out from original records or other evidences, in the month of August, 1786, by Sam. Lyon, Town-Clerk of the city of Lincoln."

This very carefully drawn-up account occupies 51 pages in a folio book; it specifies where the several records are to be found, and subjoins to a list of the documents relating to Christ's Hospital in Lincoln this note, "All the above particulars under this title were delivered to Mr. Bell in order to be deposited in the Hospital chest in the Hospital house, in which there are already some other writings."

1798.—"A particular survey book of the old inclosures and field lands in the parish of Belton in the county of Lincoln." A quarto volume containing minute particulars of every portion of land in the parish arranged under the owners' names alphabetically. This is an interesting local record, and gives all the old field-names. It was prepared by a surveyor named Teale, in accordance with an order of Common Council of Feb. 14, 1798. There are, of course, many documents, such as leases and conveyances, relating to this parish among the records, as also with regard to the other parishes of which the Corporation possesses the advowsons.