Roll A 17: 1371-72

ROLL A 17

Pleas and Memoranda of the time of John de Bernes, Mayor, continued

Membr. 1

20 Oct. 1371

Monday after the Feast of S^t Luke [18 Oct.] A^o 45 Edw. III [1371], Thomas Parsour of Merlowe co. Bucks, apprentice to Walter Bacheler, draper, was committed to prison for refusing to be enrolled.

2 Dec. 1371

Tuesday after the Feast of S^t Andrew [30 Nov.], John atte Heyehous of Coleman Street was committed to prison for rebellious conduct towards the taxers and collectors of his Ward and for preventing them from doing their duty.

Robert de Marny, knight, and Alice his wife (fn. 1), daughter of Richard Lacer, late citizen of London, demanded from William More and Elizabeth his wife, executrix of Agnes, widow and executrix of John de Hardyngham, mercer, who was executor of Richard Lacer, four deeds, viz.: (1) A deed by which Thomas Burser obtained the fee simple of a messuage in the parish of S^t Michael Paternoster Church from Mark, the Abbot of Lesnes; (2) a deed whereby Philip le Taillour and Sabina his wife acquired from Robert de Rysberge, late Abbot of Lesnes, the same messuage; (3) a deed whereby the said Sabina, after the death of her husband, granted the messuage to Walter Waldeshef and Joan his wife and Walter's heirs; and (4) a deed whereby William de Wykilwode, late parson of the church of Bromleghe, Ralph de Sherleie and Thomas de Swanlond, executors of the above Walter's will, granted the messuage to Richard Lacer together with an acquittance for £40 from the Abbot Fulk of Lesnes.

The plaintiffs alleged that the said Richard died seised of the above messuage as well as of other messuages in the same parish, in Sopers Lane, Aldermanbury and elsewhere, that the property was divided between the plaintiffs and Katharine de la Pole (fn. 2), another daughter of the aforesaid Richard, that the messuage in question fell to the lot of the said Alice and that the title deeds passed through various hands into the possession of William More and Elizabeth his wife, who unlawfully detained them. Thereupon came Alianora Ryche and likewise demanded the documents from the same William and Elizabeth, who brought the deeds into court. In answer to questions she said she claimed as heiress of Philip le Taillour and thus she demanded the first two deeds only. A further claim was made by Katherine de la Pole to a deed which accompanied the above-mentioned deeds, namely one by which Walter Waldeshef acquired a messuage from Simon, son of Hugh de Donton. As the abovementioned William More and Elizabeth offered no objection, the Court granted it to her, and also gave to the plaintiffs the two deeds to which Alianora made no claim. As regards the remaining two deeds (1 and 2), the Court retained them until it should be adjudged to whom they would deliver them.

Membr. 1 b

26 Oct. 1371

Writ of protection in favour of Torel Gascoigne, merchant of Lucca, who was about to go abroad on the King's service in the company of Ralph de Ferrers, one of the King's Admirals (fn. 3). Dated at Westminster, 26 Oct. A^o 45 Edw. III [1371].

7 Nov. 1371

Writ under the Privy Seal to the Mayor and Sheriffs, ordering them to return to the Office of the Privy Seal the reason for distresses made upon John Stokflete, one of the King's carpenters, and Robert de Hull (fn. 4), one of the King's seamen. Dated at Westminster, 7 Nov. A^o 45 Edw. III [1371].

Return to the above, to the effect that distress had been made on the goods of John Stokflete for ros at which he was assessed by the men of his Ward for moneys to be raised for the Prince (fn. 5), and that Robert de Hull was likewise sequestrated for 20s assessed upon him, but broke the sequestration and paid nothing. Afterwards the collectors of the Ward demanded from the said John, 10s, and the said Robert, 20s, at which they were assessed towards the sum of £1000 recently granted to the King (fn. 6). No distress was made upon them on this occasion. The collectors also reported that John Stokflete possessed goods and chattels in the Ward to the value of £20 and more, and Robert de Hull to the value of £40 and more.

20 Oct. 1371

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to enquire into an alleged assault made on William de Hamenassh in Holborn and the escape of one of the culprits from the church of S^t Andrew, whence he was taken by a large crowd of evildoers and allowed to go free. Due punishment is to be visited on any persons indicted and found guilty as the result of the inquiry. Dated at Westminster, 20 Oct. A^o 45 Edw. III [1371].

11 Nov. 1371

Inquest held on Tuesday the Feast of S^t Martin [11 Nov.] pursuant to the above writ by oath of William Langrave and others, who find that on Thursday before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] John Underwode and William Taillour of Brugnorth assaulted the aforesaid William Hamenassh in the parish of S^t Andrew Holborn and so illtreated him that his life was despaired of. They further find that the culprits fled to the church of S^t Andrew, but as to the escape of one or both of them the jury have no knowledge. Dated, under the seals of the jurors, on the above Tuesday.

Membr. 2

7 Dec. 1371

John Pountfreyt, Thomas Glovere, Richard Nasyng, William Comberton, William Sallowe, junior, Robert Hereford, John Byford, Richard Clynton and John atte Tabard were committed to prison for resisting the collectors of the moneys to be raised for the King's need, and for making an affray outside the Mayor's hostel the same day. On the following Tuesday they were released on their own surety for each other to come up for judgment.

12 Dec. 1371

Simon Chikesond, John atte Hill, pynnere, and John Whyte, fourbour (fn. 7), were committed to prison for breaking a sequestration for the King's tallage in the above Ward. On the morrow they were released on mutual surety.

13 Dec. 1371

John Stacy, servant of William Talbot, tailor, was committed to prison for going through Walbrook, contemptuously crying "Mew," contrary to the ordinance (fn. 8).

Membr. 2 b

22 Dec. 1371

Thomas Clerk, butcher, was committed to prison for rebellious and contemptuous conduct towards the collectors of Portsoken Ward.

2 Feb. 1372

Richard Bakere, brewer, was fined 2s for casting dung into the street against the ordinance.

Edmund, son of Edmund de Lenham, sued Henry Herbury, his father's executor, for the sum of £25 which, he alleged, Walter the parson of S^t George's Church, Eastcheap, had delivered to him on 20 June 1368 to keep for the plaintiff, and which the said Henry unlawfully detained.

The defendant pleaded that he had not administered the goods of Edmund de Lenham, the plaintiff's father, nor had any of his goods as his executor, but he confessed to having borrowed from the aforesaid parson the sum of £10, which it was afterwards agreed between them should be kept for the use of Sibil, daughter of the testator. He offered to make his law that this was the only money he had received from the parson. He had, however, received a bill drawn by Henry de Walton to the deceased for a sum of money and a privy seal writ concerning payment of the same in a box, in order that he might recover the money, but he had been unable to do so. Thereupon the Court ordered the defendant to bring the box and the £10 before them on a certain date. This was done and the defendant obtained a release. Eventually on 11 June 1372 the Court paid out one moiety of the £10 to the plaintiff and the other to John de Wykes for the benefit of the aforesaid Sibil.

Membr. 3

23 Jan. 1372

John de Stodeye, vintner, and Stephen de Caresse, mariner and merchant of Bayonne, for whom he had stood as mainpernor, brought letters testimonial under the seal of the Prince called "Real" and the common seal of the town of Bayonne as follows:

The Mayor and Provost of Bayonne certify the Mayor, Sheriffs and Council of London that whereas Stephen de Caresse had been arrested in London in an action for debt at the suit of a certain Blaquenay and his attorney Johankyn and Adam Ydon, attorney of Robert Patrik, merchant of Yarmouth, the dispute concerning the debt had already come before the Mayor and Provost of Bayonne, who had adjudged that the said Stephen should pay the merchants certain sums, mentioned in covenants, in the presence of the Prince's Exchanger. These moneys had been duly paid and acquittances given for them, wherefore the writers pray that the said Stephen may be released. Dated at Bayonne under the seals of the Courts, 20 Oct. 1371. [French]

In virtue of these letters John Stodeye prayed to be discharged from his mainprise and Stephen de Caresse to be exonerated from the debt. The said John Blakeney, on being summoned, objected that the terms of the mainprise had not been fulfilled, inasmuch as the letters did not bear the seals of the Prince and the town of Bayonne, but those of the Mayoralty and Provostship (prepositura). The said John and Stephen answered that the seal of the Provostship was the Prince's seal, and the seal of the Mayoralty was the common seal. A day was given to the parties on Monday after the Feast of the Conversion of S^t Paul [25 Jan.] A^o 46 Edw. III [1372] when in full Husting Dominus de Payan, late Warden of the Provostship of the castle in Bayonne, and the Recorder of Bayonne and other townsmen stated, in answer to questions, that the provostship seal was that of the Prince called "Real" and the Mayoralty seal was the common seal, and that the town possessed a great seal which was only used when writing to the King or the Prince on town affairs of importance. They said further that the said Stephen had fully paid the said John Blakeney. Judgment was given discharging the mainprise and exonerating the said Stephen.

Membr. 3 b

18 March 1372

Thomas de Kendale, rector of S^t Augustine's near S^t Paul's, and Richard Pykburn, clerk, complained to the Mayor and Aldermen that whereas John de Wirhale and Hugh Walssh, deceased, had agreed to refer a dispute about certain tenements in Watling Street to the arbitration of Nicholas de Twyford, goldsmith, which tenements the said Hugh had conveyed to the complainants, and whereas in accordance with the arbitrator's award the said Hugh paid to John de Wirhale the sum of £60 on condition that the latter should execute a release of all his claim to the property, nevertheless John de Wirhale's executor, William Pymme, had recovered the property by a writ de execucione testamenti and had refused to make a feoffment thereof to the complainants, because the testator's son John was making a claim to it. They prayed a remedy.

Thereupon came Margery, widow of the said Hugh Walssh; who alleged that by the award above mentioned John de Wirhale was bound to pay her late husband the sum of £40 if the agreement were broken, and she asked the Court to put on record that John de Wirhale the son was not prepared to carry out the terms of the agreement. Thereupon the Court asked the said John whether the property he claimed formed part of the agreement and he said that it did not, although the complainants and Margery said that it did. All parties now agreed to rest their case on an examination of the arbitrator and a day was given for him to appear. Nicholas de Twyford gave his version of the award, which agreed with the allegations of the complainants and of Margery the widow, and said that it was agreed that John de Wirhale should execute a release and quitclaim to the present complainants. Accordingly the Court ordered (ideo dictum est) (fn. 9) the executor William Pymme to make a feoffment to the complainants of the property, which he had recovered by the writ, in accordance with the agreement.

24 March 1372

Stephen Cavendissh, draper, sued John Blaunche, vintner, in a plea of debt upon demand of £28 17s 9d. The debtor was attached by foreign attachment, but made four defaults and refused to submit to trial. The creditor thereupon demanded that the attachment might be valued and delivered to him on security etc. The goods were accordingly valued by oath of William Stokesby, Nicholas Rote, Richard Sprot, John Croidon, Simon Danyel, John Willyngham, William Waller, Thomas Heyward and John Schirborn as follows: one cask of red wine and one cask of white wine, 25 marks; one pipe of red wine, £5; one half-cask of white wine, £4; a quantity of white wine for ullage (pro oliagio), 10s; total £26 3s 4d. The two casks of wine, valued at 25 marks, and the pipe of wine, value £5, were delivered to the plaintiff under pledge of William Croft and William Waryn. He acknowledged satisfaction of £10 of the debt, leaving a balance of £18 17s 9d due, and paid William Sewale, serjeant, who was present at the valuation, the sum of 55s 7d from the surplus, which was handed over to Margery, wife of John Koc, another creditor. He also undertook to answer for the attachment if the defendant submitted to justice within a year and a day.

Membr. 4

21 Feb. 1372

Certificate of the Mayor and Recorder, sitting as a tribunal on the bench in Guildhall, that Lodovicus Andree, merchant of Florence, had presented a petition complaining that whereas he and other merchants had freighted a ship at Southampton called "Panzana"—of which Jufredus Panzano of Genoa was master and patron—with more than 500 sacks of wool destined for Pisa, on a distinct understanding that of the sum of 150 livres grosses of Flanders, which the master was bound to pay the Count of Flanders if he carried more than 500 sacks of wool, 100 livres should be paid out of the surplus cargo, whilst the master would pay the balance out of his freightage—an attempt was now being made by the ship's writer (scriba), or some other, to substitute a different agreement, whereby it was alleged that 300 livres grosses were due to the aforesaid Count, to the great hurt of the petitioner and his fellow-merchants.

Membr. 4 b

At the request of the petitioner the following witnesses were separately sworn on the Gospels and examined: Jacobus Jacomi (or Jacobini), Nicholas Russell (or Rosselli), Peter domini Jacobi Marchi, Tassinus Manerii, Ventura Sire Allexandri, Michael Delicio and Leonard Blancini, all of Florence and aged 30 years and over. They deposed that they were present at the agreement between the petitioner and Jufredus Panzano and that the conversation and the terms arrived at were as alleged by the former.

13 April 1372

Juliana, daughter of John Sellyng, acknowledged a loan of £3 2s 4d from John Lytlyngton, to be repaid out of 100s rents assigned to her by William de Stoke, tailor, that amount being in the latter's keeping as her guardian, as appears in the book marked F, fo. 165 (fn. 10).

28 April 1372

William ....... acknowledged that he had forestalled 3000 eggs, which he had bought from John Waterton, in order to raise the price. The eggs were forfeited and afterwards sold for 25s 10d by William Sewall the serjeant, who also delivered to the Chamberlain the sum of 2s 6d for 424 eggs forfeited from Juliana Tanner:

14 May 1372

John atte Wode of the parish of Christchurch was committed to prison for trying to cheat Richard Chilton out of some mazer cups, which he pretended to buy from him, by substituting some wooden plates wrapt up in a cloth similar to that in which the cups were folded.

Membr. 5

21 Dec. 1371

John Cheddele was indicted in Billingsgate Ward in the Wardmote of John Wroth, Alderman, held on Sunday the Feast of S^t Thomas the Apostle A^o 45 Edw. III [1371] by oath of twelve men, as being a common player of dice by night and a constant nightwalker to the nuisance of the neighbours, and also for having entered the house of James Skynnere, in John Wroth's Rents, against the will of the same John and James, and for having there eloigned and hidden both the goods and the wife of the said James.

The accused denied the charges and put himself on the country. He was mainprised by William Swayn, tailor, and William Toukesbury and a jury was summoned. The jurors brought in a verdict that the said John used to stand in the street at night and accost the daughters, wives and servingmaids of citizens, against the latter's will, and take them off to lie with him; further that he entered the house of James Skynnere by night and there lay with James' wife Mary, but he was not guilty of taking away any of his goods. As regards dicing by night, he did not play more than was seemly, but his general behaviour against the peace was a nuisance to the neighbours and he was not fit to reside in the Ward. The Court acquitted him as regards the dice and the goods, and committed him to prison on the other matters of which he was convicted.

20 March 1372

Friar Walter Neuport, one of the Friars Preachers, in the presence of the Mayor and Aldermen delivered up a box which he had undertaken to keep for John Pope, waxchandler, and William Temple, bladesmith.

Membr. 5 b

3 Feb. 1372

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs, drawing attention to the accumulation of refuse, filth and other fetid matter on Tower Hill, whereby the air was foully corrupted and vitiated and the lives of those dwelling or passing there were endangered. The King is unwilling that these intolerable conditions shall continue, and insists that the place shall be cleansed and kept clean under penalty of 100 marks. Dated at Westminster, 3 Feb. A^o 46 Edw. III [1371-2] (fn. 11).

Inquest taken before John de Bernes, Mayor, Adam Stable and Robert Hathefeld, Sheriffs, pursuant to the above writ, by oath of Thomas Coventre and others, who said that John Gardiner, dwelling in the King's garden on Tower Hill, had caused over a hundred cartloads of refuse to be carried there and all the gardeners before that time had done the same. Among others who had carted their rubbish to Tower Hill were all the tenants of Sir Robert Denton by Berkyngchirche, John Garlek, carter, Richard Lenechild, carter, John Percival, mariner, Robert Hull, mariner, John Maykyn, mariner, Gilbert Gauger, carter, John Hatfeld, Thomas Waterledere, Sir John de Humbuldon, Sir Walter Paule, John Bloklee, Thomas Spigurnel, Walter Pope, Sir John de Thorp, Sir William de Curri, late rector of the S^t Olave's Church, the Abbot of Colchester, Sir John de Cobham, Ralph Halstede, John Curteys, Thomas Albon, woolmonger, Thomas de Cressyngham, Roger Coteler, William atte Keye, Eustace Glastone, Richard Turk, senior, Henry Broslee, Richard Langhare, Nicholas Wittelee, John Charyngge, Lady de Cokfeld, William Reve, Robert Haukyn, Master Richard de Armes, William Ayford, Roger Sprot, Michel Skynner, Robert Kesteyn, John Abyndon, Sir Robert Knollus, Sir John de Bisshopestone, Seman Nedham, John Wiseman, Matthew Brown, William Whetelee, Lambekyn Taburrer, John atte Walle, all the cappers of Marclane, Alice atte Brodegate, Roger Hynton, the rector of the Church of S^t Dunstan and all his parishioners, the rector of the Church of All Hallows Berkyngchirche, Richard Fulham, John Brewere of Marclane, Richard atte Rundehope, Sir Robert de Newile, Sir Richard de Grene, William atte Vyne in Tower Street, Roger Northfolk, John Wynchestre, John Hay, pibakere, John Barton, Gilbert Pulter, Hugh Alryht, Adam Canoun and all the commoners of Tower Ward; from Aldgate Ward: Sir Ralph Spigurnel and all the tenants in "petijure" (fn. 12) next to the Friars of the Cross, the wife of. William Hale, John Harleston, Isabella living in the Rent of Nicholas Donmowe, Lady de Langeforde living in the Rent of the Prior of the Cross, William Wythim, Katherine Cornewayle and all the commoners and tenants of the Ward; from Langeborne Ward: John Burstalle, baker, Adam Chaungeour, John Pere, Nicholas Andevere, John le Southe, Elmyn Leget, Stephen Taillour, a certain brewster at the Gerland atte Hop, dwelling at the end of Minchinglane, John de Somersham, Roger atte Basket, William Catesby and all the commoners and tenants of that Ward; from Bishopsgate Ward: John Wroth, Richard Croydon, William Stoket, Walter Doget, John de Brilesworth and many others, whose names the jurors did not know.

Similar inquest by oath of Peter atte Ferye and others, who presented the same persons.

Membr. 6

20 March 1372

Deeds acknowledged before the Mayor and Aldermen 20 March 1372:

Release and quitclaim from Friar John Letour, monk and Prior of Frompton (fn. 13), to Henry de Wakefeld, of all his right in the same Priory—which had recently been taken into the King's hands as an alien priory on the renewal of the war between France and England and committed to the custody of the said John and Henry—for a term of 20 years or for the term of his life. Dated London, 10 March 1372.

Bond of the above Prior in favour of the above Henry in the sum of £500, payable at S^t Paul's Church at the Feast of S^t John the Baptist next. Dated 11 March 1372.

Indenture of defeasance of the above bond conditional on the said Henry being allowed full enjoyment of the Priory for the said term of 20 years etc. Sealed by the parties, 12 March 1372.

Indenture of defeasance of another bond in £500 from the said Henry to the Prior, conditional on the said Henry paying the Prior an annuity of £20 and finding him in clothing and the customary fees if he lived outside the Priory, or an annuity of £10 if he lived at the said Henry's table for half the year. The bond also was defeasible if the said Henry were disturbed in his possession by the Prior or any member of the Priory, or if an agreement between the said Henry and a certain Philip Osbery, monk and proctor of the Abbot of S^t Stephen's at Caen of the Benedictine Order, was made of no effect. Dated 12 March 1372.

Quitclaim from Thomas, son of Robert Elsyng, late mercer, to Adam Fraunceys, mercer, of certain land and tenements formerly belonging to Roger de Depham in the villa and parish of Edelmeton (fn. 14) co. Middlesex. Dated 1 Sept. A^o 43 Edw. III [1369].

Membr. 6 b

30 April 1372

Friday the eve of the Feast of SS. Philip and James [1 May] A^o 46 Edw. III [1372] came William Kyng and prayed that a certain deed might be enrolled whereby John Guassyas, burgess of Brugirac, and Foucaud Remey, burgess of Bordeaux, were bound to repay him a loan of 38 marks on 15 Nov. 1369. Dated at London, 23 Sept. 1366. [French]

2 May 1372

Writ of certiorari demanding the tenor of an enrolment concerning the guardianship of Thomas, son of John de Iselham, entrusted to Robert de Assh by the Mayor and Alderman together with a messuage in the parish of S^t Bride, and further as regards the will of the said Thomas de Iselham enrolled in the Husting. Dated at Westminster, 2 May A^o 46 Edw. III [1372].

Return giving the tenor of (1) A memorandum of wardship found in the memoranda of Thomas de Walden, late Chamberlain, to the effect that the wardship of the above Thomas, aged 8, was granted to Robert de Assh together with the abovementioned messuage, of an annual value of 43s 4d, on condition that he answered to the said Thomas when the latter came of age for the profits of the messuage less reasonable expenses for his keep, and that he would not give him in marriage without the consent of the Mayor and Aldermen. Sureties, Nicholas Lyghtfot, Nicholas de Horwode, John de Horewode, junior, and William Bever. Monday after the Feast of S^t Valentine [14 Feb.]. A^o 24 Edw. III [1350]. (2) The will of Thomas Isylham proved by William Bever, executor, in the Pleas of Land in the Husting of London on Monday before the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] A^o 35 Edw. III [1361] (fn. 15).

6 June 1372

Writ of certiorari enquiring whether the age of orphans at the time their tenements are entrusted to their nearest friends are so recorded that no evidence to the contrary as to age can be admitted in a plea concerning those tenements. Dated at Westminster, 6 June A^o 46 Edw. III [1372].

Return to the effect that the entry of age does not preclude a subsequent verification of the orphan's age.

Membr. 7

10 June 1372

Divers hucksters of Dowgate and Farringdon Without Wards were fined for selling ale against the proclamation.

12 June 1372

Henry de Padyngton delivered to Robert Marny, knight, the following deeds, viz. (1) A conveyance by Robert Rysberge, Abbot of Lesnes, to Philip le Taillour and Sabina his wife of land and houses in the parish of S^t Michael Paternosterchurch. (2) A conveyance by the said Sabina to Walter Waldeshef and Joan his wife of tenements in the same parish. (3) A conveyance by the executors of Walter Waldeshef to Richard Lacer. (4) An indenture for term of years between Richard Lacer and Domyngo de Spayne.

Membr. 7 b

9 June 1372

Writ of certiorari demanding the tenor of the record and process of an action of debt between Thomas Gardiner, paviour, and William de Northawe, parson of the Church of S^t Bartholomew the Little. Dated at Westminster, 9 June A^o 46 Edw. III [1372].

Copy of proceedings in Pleas held before John Bernes, Mayor, and the Aldermen on Friday before the Feast of S^t Alphege [19 April] A^o 45 Edw. III [1371]. William Northawe, rector of S^t Bartholomew the Little, was summoned to answer Thomas Gardiner, paviour, in an action of debt, wherein the latter complained that the pavement opposite the said William's house in Broad Street being ruinous and William unwilling to repair it, the Mayor had ordered the plaintiff to do the work at the expense of the defendant, who nevertheless refused to pay him the sum of 18s 4d due. The defendant pleaded that he was not bound to repair the pavement, because his house was in the churchyard, and though it had one wall abutting on Broad Street, it had no entrance or exit on the street, and further that the rectors of churches having similar tenements were not bound to repair the pavements. The plaintiff replied that according to immemorial custom the rectors had to repair the pavements like the citizens of London, if their tenements extended to the highway. A jury found that this was the custom, that the rector's predecessors had always repaired the pavement and that the rector was bound to do so at his own cost. Judgment was given for payment of 18s 4d to the plaintiff.

26 June 1372

John Rudham, John Bedford, Vincent Cornewaill, John Martyn, Richard Walsby, John Mot, Alan Roche, William Sare, William Norris, John Rotyng, John Altham and John Yong were committed to prison on Saturday after the Feast of S^t John the Baptist [24 June] A^o 46 Edw. III [1372] because it was found, on a separate examination of each of them, that they had sworn falsely when acting as a jury in the Sheriffs' Court in an action of false imprisonment between John Bransbury, plaintiff, and William Panely, defendant.

Membr. 8

24 May 1372

Monday the morrow of Trinity [23 May] came Ralph Salman and Alice his wife, daughter of Richard de Betoigne, and delivered a bill of complaint against Robert de Thame for non-fulfilment of an agreement made between them on 22 July 1362 in the presence of Thomas de Luddelowe, Simon de Grene, Henry Makesey and others, whereby he bound himself to pay her an annual quitrent of 40s for certain tenements. He had paid the first year, given a noble on the second, and since then had refused to pay anything. [French]

The parties being summoned, the defendant twice made default, and as Thomas Depham, serjeant of the Chamber, reported that he had nothing on which to distrain, a capias was issued against him. Both parties then appeared and put themselves on the evidence of Simon atte Grene and Henry Makesey. The latter, being examined, denied that any such agreement had been made in his presence. Judgment was given that the plaintiffs take nothing by their bill, and be in mercy, and that the defendant go quit.

25 June 1372

Emma atte Grene brought a bill complaining that she was servant to Robert Bryan from Michaelmas to Easter last, her duty being to sell ale at 5s the barrel, each barrel containing 30 gallons, and that he was distraining her to pay 6d the barrel extra and had detained 8s due to her for wages and was intending to sue her for the remainder. [French]

Both parties having been summoned, the defendant pleaded that after striking an account between them in the presence of Reginald Hostiller and John Basse, brewer, the said Emma was allowed 8s wages and remained indebted to him in 16s, for which she gave him a tally. The dispute was submitted to the evidence of the said Reginald and John, who supported the defendant's story. Judgment was given that the plaintiff take nothing by her bill etc.

Membr. 8 b

10 July 1372

Adam Grymmesby was committed to prison for not warning his lodger to leave his knife indoors (fn. 16), for which neglect the knife was confiscated, and when the said Adam was asked to redeem it, he refused, and showed contempt for the Mayor's summons to appear, saying he would come next day.

12 July 1372

A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall on Monday after the Feast of the Translation of S ^t Thomas the Martyr [7 July] A ^o 46 Edw. III [1372]

William Albon of Croydon, colier, was fined 40d for defective coal measures.

31 July 1372

Henry Whitewell sued Robert Fissher in the plea of debt upon demand of £4. The latter produced a writ of protection, dated 23 June, setting forth that the said Robert was about to cross the sea on the King's service in the company of John de Nevill (fn. 17).

Membr. 9

14 Aug. 1372

Thomas Godard, parson of the Church of S^t Michael Bassyeshaw, delivered to Alexander Bydyk certain muniments, charters and other memoranda relating to his inheritance in six baskets and a box, which Joan Bydyk had lately placed in his custody.

The same day, four barrels of beere (fn. 18), which Henry Vandale bought in the Pool of London (en la Pole) from John Westle, in order to forestall it, were adjudged forfeited to the Sheriffs.

The same day James Seland appointed his wife Margaret and Peter Bridport his general and special attorneys by his letters patent dated 6 Aug.

Membr. 9 b

18 Aug. 1372

John Asshwell brought a writ of protection, dated 15 Aug., in favour of Henry Cantebrig, who was then about to go oversea with the King in the company of William de Latymer, the King's Chamberlain (fn. 19).

The same day Isabella atte Hawe sued Nicholas Mate and Ellen his wife in a plea of debt. The said Nicholas did not appear, but his wife produced a writ of protection dated 12 Aug., issued on his going abroad in the King's service in the company of Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.

Payments made to Robert de Parys, ironmonger, by precept of the Mayor, out of moneys received on account of the fines imposed on brewers, in order that he might buy therewith horses and carts for clearing the refuse from the City: 6 Sept., £9; 11 Sept., £18; 18 Sept., £11; 25 Sept., 46s 8d; and 23 Oct., £8 out of £10 received by the Mayor.

Afterwards, 8 Aug. A^o 6 Ric. II [1382], the above Robert gave evidence that he had bought 12 carts and 24 horses with harness for the purpose at a cost of £48 6s 8d, and that he had handed them over to the Aldermen of the following Wards: Farringdon, Broad Street, Cheap, Coleman Street, Tower, Vintry, Bridge, Bishopsgate, Candlewick and Queenhithe. He was thereupon exonerated.

22 Sept. 1372

Richard Everesdon, chaplain, Roger Aylesham, cordwainer, John Halsted, Robert Boxford, chaplain, Robert de Cornewaill—"Serjant de Paules," and others were mainprised on suspicion of having taken part in an affray on the eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross [14 Sept.].

Membr. 10

14 Oct. 1372

William de Clare, brewer, was committed to prison on his confession that he served brewers at 4d a day and his keep, and refused to be paid quarterly. Thomas Loxham, Simon Underman and William Wake, brewers, were likewise committed for receiving 10s quarterly and refusing to take less, and William Manekyn for receiving 32s yearly and refusing to take less, contrary to the ordinance concerning servants (fn. 20). Hugh atte Noke, John Barkere, underman, William Hicchen, Nicholas Stonlee, underman, and Edmund Brewer, brewers, were committed for similar offences.

The same day, Robert Guldford, goldsmith, delivered up the following documents, viz. (1) An indenture whereby William, son of John le Forester of Barnet, demised to John Platoun, cordwainer, a quitrent of 11s ¼d. Dated Monday the eve of the Feast of S^t Nicholas [6 Dec.] A^o 2 Edw. III [1328]. (2) A deed whereby John Platoun sold to the above William a shop in the parish of S^t Michael le Quern. Dated Thursday after the Feast of the Commemoration of Souls [2 Nov.] A^o 2 Edw. III [1328]. (3) A deed whereby John de Radspray, cornmonger, quitclaimed to John le Forester, and John Platoun two shops in the same parish. Dated Wednesday after Michaelmas [29 Sept.] 1328. (4) An indenture between Thomas de Neueton, parson of the Church of S^t Michael le Quern, and the parishioners of the one part and John de Wylhale and Beatrice his wife of the other part, relating to a shop and houses in the above parish for a term of six years. Dated 1 March A^o 36 Edw. III [1362-3]. (5) A deed whereby the same rector and parishioners, by virtue of the will of William de Barnet, cordwainer, sold to Sir John de Ockebrok, chaplain, the testator's tenement in the same parish. Dated Monday after the Feast of S^t Thomas [29 Dec.] A^o 25 Edw. III [1351]. (6) The will of William de Barnet aforesaid, A^o 23 Edw. III [1349]. (7) The will of John de Ockebrok, A^o 28 Edw. III [1354]. All which documents were on the following Saturday delivered by the Mayor and Aldermen to Thomas de S^t Albans in the presence of Thomas de Birmyngham for exhibition before the King's Chancellor.

14 Oct. 1372

Richard Dohmowe, poulterer, was committed to prison for opprobrious words spoken openly in contempt of the Earl of Arundel.

Membr. 10 b

8 Sept. 1372

Quitclaim by Margery, widow of Richard atte Wattere, goldsmith, to John de Wentbrigge and Thomas atte Wode, of her dower and other rights in the lands and tenements belonging to her late husband in the vills and fields of Westminster and Eye. Dated Wednesday the Feast of the Nativity B.M.. [8 Sept.] A^o 46 Edw. III [1372].