Folios xciii - c

Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: D, 1309-1314. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1902.

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'Folios xciii - c', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: D, 1309-1314, (London, 1902) pp. 201-218. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/vold/pp201-218 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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Folio xciii - c.

"Yee shal swere that ye shal wel and trewly have yow in your offis and dewe execuciouns doo of all that yee shal be chargid be the Mayre Aldremen and the Chamberleyn and of jugementes yovyn in the Mayres coort execucion ye shal do: And no fynys ne mercementes gretter than be to yow delyveryd be the coort ye shall nat rere, extorcion be the colour of your offis shal ye non doon and good men and trewe in inquisicions ye shal retorne and no men suspect ne procurid as fer as ye knowe: And the profit of the Cite in that yow is ye shall increce and ayen the pepil wol and trewly ye shal have yow: (fn. 1) And the stretes and lanes wt in the Cite and the subarbis of this Cite ye shal oversee that they be wel and honestly clensid of filthis and dunghille: And the finis for suche causes made trewly ye shall rere sparyng no persone for favour: (fn. 2) And trewe counte ther of to the Chamburleyn make that shal be for the tyme whan ye be assignyd: And in alle oþr thynges that to your offis longith to do wel and lawfully ye shall have yow and do as god yow helpe and alle seyntes."

Oath of Ale Conners. (fn. 3)

Folio xciii b.

"Ye shal swere that ye shal wete no Brewer ne Brewster Hukster cook ne pibaker with in your Warde that sillith owt of here hows a galon of the beste ale a bove jd ob' a galon of the secund ale above jd: ne oþr wise þan be mesur enselyd and ful of cler ale: Ne þt brewith lasse þan þey were wont to don or þt withdrawith hem from usyng of þer mystere þe mor be cause of execucyon of þs ordinaunce but ye shal certefye þe namys of alle suche personys to þe alderman of your warde: And ye shall be redy to make your tast of ale anon whan ye be requirid be þe brewer or brewster [And if ye know eny brewer þt owtith (fn. 4) eny ale be fore hit be tastid in forme above seyd ye shall certefy all such to your aldermen (fn. 5) ]: And if hit be nat good and able to þe seid pris ye shall be þe avys of your alderman set þr on a resonable pris after your discrecion: And if eny persone after sille above þt pris ye shal him certefie to þe seid alderman: And for yefte promysse favour ne hate ne non oþr cause ye shal nat concele no brewer ne brewster hukster cook ne pibaker þt doþ ayens eny poynte above seyd ne hem spare ne wrongfully: greve ne whan ye be requirid to taste ye shall nat yow absente wt owte a trew cause and resonable: And in alle þyngis þt to your offis longith to do wel and trewly ye shal have yow also god yow helpe and alle seyntes."

Oath of Searchers of Wines.

"Ye shal swere þt ye shal wel and lawfully overe see alle þe wynys wt in þe fraunchise of þis Cite of London celerid to sille: And hem preve and assaie in presence and overe sight of the Sergeantes to yow be þe mayr and aldermen assignyd and deput þt they be hole and able for mannys body [and in no wise medled one wyne wt an oþr except Tires and White Rommeneis: (fn. 6) ] And hem þat ye fynde corrupt and nat hole [or medled except Tyres and White Rommeneis above rehersed (fn. 7) ] to the Mayr and Aldermen wt owte concelement ye shal presente there to be jugid after the olde custume of this Cite: And ye shal the Mayr and Aldermen certefie of the numbre of the vesselles of olde wyn conteynyd wt in the seid celers: sparyng no man for favour ne grevyng no man for hate: And alle the pottis of peuter that ye fynde in tavernys nat a selyd to the Chamberleyn of þs Cite with owte concelement yee shal presente; these thynges be fore seid wel and lawfully ye shal do as god yow helpe and alle seyntes."

Folio xciv

Notes of Rolls of Deeds and Wills enrolled in the Court of Husting and their respective regnal years, temp. Edward I. - Henry VI.

Folio xciv b.

Oath of Under-Sheriffs and Clerks of Sheriffs. (fn. 8)

"Ye shal swere that ye shal wel and lawfully serve your mastris that ben chose Sheryvys of London and of Midd' for the yer' next comyng: And ye shall nat lette for favour ne for promisse ne for hate but þt evne lawe and Right ye shal do to all peple as well to pore as Riche deyndeseyns as straungeres þt be fore yow shal plete wt owte mayntenaunce of eny quarell: And ye shal nat suffre after your power othir peple to be sumnyd in enquestis ne juriis but that ben god and lawful and nat of affinite ne procuryd be party: And alle the pleis that be fore yow shall be pletid lawfully ye shall recorde and your diligence ye shall do to oversee þt the pleis be wel and lawfully entrid and enrollid at þe sute and preyere of þe party, takyng resonably for the entre: Ne Right shal ye noon desturble, ne extorcion to no persone be colour of your offis ne the offis of your mastris shal ye non don and jugement shal ye non tarye wt oute resonable cause: Also the fraunchise of this Cite ye shal kepe and mayntayne be your power: And obeshaunt ye shal be to the Mair and þe Jugis of of [sic] the Cite and good councell to hem aftir your power and wit in alle thyngis towchyng þe governaunce of þe Cite and comyn profit of the peple ye shal yeve and her' cowncell kepe: And no persone ye shall amerce hier than hit is ordeynyd be the comyn cowncell of the Cite: And the fynys of affrays and blodshed wt owte eny concelement wt the chamburleyn lawfully ye shall accownte in maner therof ordeynyd: And ye shal nat suffre your fermoures take non othir Custumys than ben dwe and resonable and of old tyme usid in this Cite: And the writtes that to yow come towchyng the stat and fraunchise of this Cite ye shal nat retorne till ye have shewd hem to the mayr for the tyme beyng and the councell of the Cite and of hem have avysement: And the issus fynys and mercementes þt to yow comyth under the grene wex or from the pipe lawfully ye shal rere and no parcell þr of encrece and hem þt have payd wel and lawfully ye shal discharge and oft hit nat aske: And that ye charge the serjantis men takyng kariage in the Cite þt they be here othe take ne more kariage than þey owe to take: And that they greve nat the peple comyng to the Cite wt vytaylis be wey of kariage to have of here: And þt no Jugement ayens eny ordinaunce made be the Mair and Comyn Cowncell of this Cite ye shal nat yeve but hit be be the same cowncell uttrid or amendid: And in alle othir poyntes towchyng your offis wel and lawfully ye shal have yow as god yow helpe and alle seyntes and be the book."

Oath of Bailiff of Southwark.

"Ye shall swere that ye shall well and lawfully behave yow in thoffice of þe baillifwik of the borough of Suthewerk and extorcioun under colour of your office shall ye non do: And all the liberties and Fraunches concernyng the same Borough graunted unto the Mair and Cominaltie of the Citee of London by the Kyng (fn. 9) our soveraign lord or his noble progenitours ye shall kepe and mayntene after your witte and powere. And this ye shall do as god you help and alle seintes, &c."

Folio xcv.

Oath of Serjeants of Mayors and Sheriffs. (fn. 10)

"Ye shal swere that ye shal wel and lawfully have yow in your offis and obesaunt ye shal be to the Mair and the Jugis of this Cite and here worshep in al that in yow is save: And no fynys ne mercementes gretter than suche as shal be conteynyd in the estraytes (fn. 11) that to yow be the coort be delyveryd of no persone pore ne riche ye shal nat take: Ne non extorcioun be colour of your offis to no personne ye shal doo: And dwe and diligent execucioun of all that ye shall be chargid of be your sovereynys of this Cite lawfully and wt owte delay ye shall performe: And in enquestis good pepil and lawfull ye shal retorne and nat suspect ne procurid wt your assent: And non execucion for your synguler profit ye shal nat tarye: And the ordynaunces wherof the comyn cowncell ben accordid for the pes of owr lord the Kyng and for the comyn profit of the peple be your wit and power ye shal mayntayne and kepe: And ayens the comyn peple feyre and pesibly ye shal have yow as god yow helpe and alle seyntes and be the b[ook]."

Oath of Aldermen. (fn. 12)

"Ye shal swere that ye shal wel and lawfully serve owr lord the Kyng in the Cite of London in the offis of Alderman in the Warde of N. wher of ye be alderman chosyn [and in every oþr warde þt ye shalbe chosen aldreman hereafter (fn. 13).] And lawfully ye shall trete and enforme the peple of the same warde of suche thyng as to hem perteynyth to doo for the warde (fn. 14) of the Cite and for maynteynyng of the pes in the Cite: and the lawis usagis and fraunchise of the same Cite ye shal kepe and maynteyne wt in the towne and wt owte after your wit and power: And tendaunt ye shal be to save and maynteyne the right of orphaneris aftir the lawis and usagis of the Cite: And redi ye shal be and redily come at the summaunces and warnynges of þe Mayr and minystris of the Cite that for the tyme shal be to spede the assises pleys and Jugementes of hustynges and othir nedis of the cite if ye be nat lett be the nedis of owr lord the Kyng or be sume resonable cause: And good and lawful cowncell ye shall yeve to suche thyngis as towche the comyn profit of the same Cite [And ye shal sille no maner vitayle in retaile þt is to wite bred, ale, wyn, fische ne flesche be yow your apprentiz allowes servauntes ne ben non oþr in no maner: Ne profit schal ye non take of no suche maner vitaile so sold duryng your offis (fn. 15) ] And wel and lawfully ye shal have yow in the same offis and in all other thyngis towchyng the seid Cite as god yow helpe and all seyntis."

Oath of Attorneys. (fn. 16)

"Ye schal swere þt ye shal wel and lawfully do your offis of attorne and wel and lawfully examyn your cleauntes and here quarelles wt oute champartye and wt oute procuryng of eny Jorour' or eny enquestis enbracyng and þt ye chaunge no quarell owt of his nature after your understandyng: And þt ye plede nat ne alegge ne suffre be pledid ne aleyd be your assent no foreyn Reles acquitaunce payment arbitracion pleyn accounte ne non oþr mater' what so evere hit be to owte þe corte of his Jurisdicioun But hit be suche a mater' þt ye may fynde Rightful and trewe be þe informacion and othe of your cleauntes And ye shal nat enforme ne enforce no man to swe falsly aens eny persone be fals accion or forgid on peyne to be punyshid be þe discrecion of þe mayr and aldermen þt for þe tyme shul be And þt wel and lawfully ye shal do alle suche þyngis þt to thoffis of attorne perteyne to do as god yow helpe and alle seyntes and be þe book."

Folio xcv b.

Oath of Sheriffs. (fn. 17)

"Ye schal swere that yee shall be good and trewe to owr sovereyn lord kyng Henry (fn. 18) [VI.] kyng of yngland and his heiris kyngis And the fraunchese of the Cite of London ye shal save and maynteyn wt in the town (fn. 19) and wt owte aftir your power And ye shal wel and lawfully kepe the shiris of London and of Middelsex: And the offises that to the same shiris perteyne to be doo wel and lawfully ye shal doo aftir your wittis and power And Ryght ye shal do as wel to pore as Riche: And good custom shal ye noon breke ne evell costome arere: And the assis' of bred and ale and alle oþr assis' that to yow belongith wt in þe frawnchise of þe Cite and wt owte wel and lawfully ye shal kepe and do be kept: And the jugementes and execucions of your cort ye shal nat tary wt owt cause resonable: Ne Right shal ye non desturble: And the writtes þt to yow come towchyng the stat and fraunchise of this Cite ye shal nat retorne till ye have shewd hem to þe mayr for þe tyme beyng and to the cowncell of þe cite and of hem have avysement: And redy ye shal be at resonable warnyng of the Mayr for þe pes and maintaynyng of the stat of the cite:And alle othir thyngis that longe to your offis and to þe kepyng of þe seid shiris lawfully ye shall do wt yow and yowris: And the seyd Cite ye shall kepe from harm aftir yowr wit and power: And þe shire of Middilsex ne the gaol of Newegate ye shal nat lete to ferme: And alle þe ordenaunces be the Mair Aldermen and comyn cowncell made (nat repeled (fn. 20) ) wel and lawfully ye shall kepe and do to be kept (fn. 21) as god yow helpe and alle seyntes and by this book."

Oath of Under-Sheriffs of Middlesex.

"Ye shall swere that ye shall wel and lawfully serve youre maisters that ben chosen Shereffes of London and of Midd' for the yeere next comyng. Ne right ye shall noon disturble Ne extorcion to any persone by colour of youre office ye shall not doo. And ye shal not lette for favour ne for promisse ne for hatte but that evyn lawe and right ye shal doo as well to poore as riche. Also the frauncheis of the citee ye shal kepe and maynteyne by youre powier and obediant ye shalbe to the mair and the Juggis of the Citee And the writtis that to you come touchyng the state and Fraunchise of this Citee ye shal not retorne til ye have shewed hem to the maire for the tyme beyng and the Counsell of the Citee and of hem have avysement And the issues fynes and amerciamentis that to you comyth under the grenewexe or from the pipe laufully ye shall arere and noo parcell therof encrece nor conceille And theym that have paiede well and lawfully ye shal discharge and ofte hit not aske. And ye shal not suffre after youre power oþr people be summoned in enquestis ne Juris but that bene goode and lawfull and not of affinite ne procured by partie."

Folio xcvi.

Temp. N[icholas] de Farndone, Mayor, anno 3 Edward II.

Concordia inter Rich'm de Refham et Thomam Seli.

Writ to the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Coroner of the City of London to examine into a complaint made by Thomas Seely that he had been defrauded of certain sums of money amounting to 200 marks received by Richer le Botoner [otherwise Richer de Refham] out of the profits of their joint Shrievalty. (fn. 22) Dated Westminster, 13 Sept., 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309].

By virtue of the above writ the said Richer appeared before John de Wengrave, William de Leyre, Simon de Paris, William Trente, Nigel Drury, John de Wyndesore, William Cosyn, John de Gysors, and Simon Bolet, Aldermen, acting in the place of the Mayor, and James le Boteler, one of the Sheriffs, on Thursday before the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the year aforesaid; and the said Thomas being asked what complaint he had against the said Richer, acknowledged that he had no claim against the said Richer except as regards the moiety of a sum of £48, the proceeds of an attachment made by the said Richer on a certain Nicholas atte See, "estreys," (fn. 23) for which Adam de Rokesle became surety. In reply the said Richer acknowledged the attachment, but declared that he had received nothing as he was on the point of going out of office, and as to this he made oath with the assent of the said Thomas, and was by the Aldermen declared quit. Thereupon the said Richer brought several complaints against the said Thomas, and more especially touching the said Thomas's recent accusation of fraud Eventually it is agreed that both sides shall cease to bring charges in respect of their Shrievalty, and that the said Thomas shall give security in the sum of £10 for future behaviour, and further make a present of a cask of the best wine of the next vintage of the value of 5 marks to the said Richer.

Folio xcvi b.

Litera d'm R' missa Maiori et Aldr'is pro Joh'e Albon.

Letter from the King to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs of London desiring that a certain office lately held by Thomas Juvenal, deceased, may be given to John Albon. Dated at Knaresburgh, anno 3 [Edward II., A. D. 1309].

Respons' lr'e sup'scripte.

Reply to the above, informing the King that the above office had already been conferred on Thomas de Kent. Dated 9 Nov., 3 [Edward II.0, A. D. 1309]. (fn. 24)

L'ra P. de Gavaston'.

Letter from Peter de Gavastone, Earl of Cornwall, to the Mayor, &c., in similar terms to that from the King. Dated at York, 21 Oct.

Respons' lr'e sup'scripte.

Reply to the above, expressing regret that the office had already been filled up. No date. (fn. 25)

Folio xcvii.

Ordinacio facta de modo ponderandi per balanciam a° R' E. fil' R' E. tercio.

Whereas frequently aforetime many and divers contentions used to arise between foreign merchants selling and free merchants (mercatores privatos) buying divers goods of weight (averia ponderis (fn. 26) ) and spices which used to be weighed as well by the great balance as by the small, inasmuch as there was uncertainty in the draft of weight (super tractu ponderacionis), for that the weigher gave to some more and to some less as was reported; for avoiding and removing which contentions in future it was agreed the day, &c., by Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and with the assent of Luke de Haverynge, William de Bydik, Ralph le Balauncer, Peter Adrian, William Fourneys, Roger de Arcubus, William le Boteler, William le Barber, John Godelmynge, Richard de Dorsete, Richard de Spain, citizens and merchants of London, and John le Lung, Hildebrand de Nova Curia, James Fisshe, John Pope, Richard Sware, Bertram de Coloigne, John de Sterneberwe, Henry de Colon', Lambekyn Heved, Roland de Colonia, Henekin atte Nwe, merchants of Almaine, and John de Pitleacre, Francis de Gene, Antonin de Gene, John de Cotesawe, Nicholas de la Spade, Bartholomew Lespicer, John de Perem, Ymbert de Luka, Peter le Rous, and Chonel de Luka, merchants of Lombardy and Provence, that all merchandise of weight (mercandise averii ponderis), as of wax, almonds, rices (riseis), copper, tin, and the like, which are weighed by the balance, shall for the future be weighed evenly; that the weigher remove his hands therefrom, so that the weigher when he weighs, in weighing place the balance even and remove his hands therefrom, so that neither to the seller nor to the buyer he shall appear to give or take anything but what is fair in any way; and that each hundred of such grosses (grossis) of aver de pois (averii ponderis) shall contain 112 pounds, and each hundred of small spices, viz., ginger, saffron, sugar, maces (mazis), and others of the kind which are sold by the pound (per libi am), shall contain 104 pounds. And the weigher was enjoined not to weigh otherwise under penalty of imprisonment, &c. And further it was forbidden that any merchant, stranger or free (privatus), should sell or buy otherwise than by the balance, and not by retail (ad detall'), under penalty, &c. Saving always the estate of the lord the King and of his Wardrobe when they wish to weigh that they weigh as before has been accustomed, if they please, until it be ordained otherwise by the King himself and his Council, &c. And this ordinance was made on Monday the eve of St. Martin [11 Nov.], the third year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward [A. D. 1309]. And the weigher shall take for the use of the Sheriff of every thousand weighed 1d., and the weigher shall have for his trouble of every hundred weighed a farthing. (fn. 27)

Dimissio More Nich'o Pikot.

Be it remembered that on Tuesday the Feast of St. Katherine [25 Nov.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309], Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, Nicholas de Farendone, John de Wengrave, William de Leyre, Simon de Paris, and Henry de Durham, Aldermen, demised to Nicholas Pikot, Alderman, the moor without Bisshopesgate (fn. 28) appertaining to the Chamber of the Guildhall, at an annual rent of 40s. so long as he should hold the same, &c.

Preceptum factum vic' pro vigiliis super vidend'.

The same day a precept was issued to Roger le Paumer and James Fitz Fulk, (fn. 29) Sheriffs, by Roger the Clerk and William de Wengrave, clerk, to cause watch and ward to be kept by night throughout the City for the avoiding of danger, so that they (the said Sheriffs) personally superintend such watches.

Querela Steph'i fil' Steph'i Asshewy.

Friday the eve of All Saints [1 Nov.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309], came Stephen, son of Stephen Asshewy, being under age, before Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, Nicholas de Farndone, John de Wengrave, William de Leyre, John de Wyndesore, Simon de Paris, Nicholas Pikot, Henry de Durham, Aldermen, and complained that whereas, after the decease of his father, his mother Isabella, whilst a widow, and also her second husband Sir Roger de Hegham, (fn. 30) had the custody of the complainant's property, without rendering any account, as they ought to have done according to the custom of the City, the executors of the said Roger now threatened to remove the property, and he demanded a remedy.

attach'm'.

Thereupon precept to the Sheriff to attach the goods of the said Roger, if any, &c. Afterwards the Sheriff comes and declares that he has found no goods except a closed chest, the contents of which he knows not, which chest he has sequestrated.

Verificacio Lucie fil' d'm R. de Hegham.

Afterwards, viz., on Tuesday the Feast of St. Katherine [25 Nov.], came Lucy, daughter of the above Roger de Hegham, and identified certain moneys in the said chest as hers, viz., the sum of £20 and 5d. in one canvas bag, and 4½ marks in another This she did on her own oath and the oaths of John de St. Alban and John Blondel, and the money was given up to her, the residue of the contents of the chest remaining in sequestration.

Afterwards, viz., on Thursday before the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May], 3 Edward II. [A. D.1310], came the aforesaid Isabella before the said Mayor and Aldermen, and agreed that the residue of the contents of the chest, viz., ten silver dishes, six saucers, and two silver cups of the value of £20, should be given up to the executors of the above Roger. She also agreed to keep the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs harmless against all claimants.

Folio xcvii b.

Ordinacio facta pro custod' portar' civitatis et aque Thamisie.

Monday in the octave of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309], there assembled at the Guildhall Nicholas de Farndone, the Mayor, John de Wengrave, John de Wyndesore, William de Leyre, Richard de Gloucestre, Nigel Drury, Simon de Paris, and Simon Bolet, Aldermen.

The same day the custody of the City was ordained as follows:-

The custody of the water of the Thames, [committed to] Billynggesgate, Bridge, Douegate, Vintry, Queenhithe, Castle Baynard.

The custody of Bisshopesgate-Bisshopesgate, Cornhulle, Bradestrete, Colmanstrete.

The custody of Creplegate-Chepe, Creplegate, and Bassieshawe.

The custody of Aldresgate-Aldresgate, Bredestrete, Cordewanerestrete.

The custody of Neugate-Candelwykstrete, Walebrok.

The custody of Ludegate-Farndone within.

The custody of the gate of Alegate Ward-Tower, Alegate, Portsokne, Langbourne, Lymstrete.

Dimissio parve balancie Edm' o le Lorymer.

The same day the small balance whereby silk and divers other spiceries (speciarie) are weighed was demised to Edmund le Lorimer for £10 sterling yearly. Sureties, viz., William Lefchild, "seeler," and Simon le "Botener," mercer. (fn. 31)

Breve de App'llo sup' Rich'm de [sic] et Retorn'.

Writ to the Sheriffs to take Richer le Botoner, who had been appealed by Richard "Seyntcler," a prisoner in Berkhamstede gaol, of divers robberies and larcenies, and to commit him to the said gaol. Witness, H[enry] Spigurnel, London, 6 Sept., 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309].

Return to the effect that Richer le Botoner is a freeman of the City of London, and the freedom of the said City does not allow that any freeman of the same should be taken out of it to answer any matter. Accordingly we cannot carry him before you.

Preceptum factum de custod' portar' civitat'.

Tuesday the morrow of the Purification B. M. [2 Feb.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10], injunctions were given by the Mayor and Aldermen to Simon Bolet, Alderman of the Ward of Candelwikstrete, and William Servat, Alderman of the Ward of Walebrok, and other good men of the said Wards, that every night during the existing Parliament (fn. 32) they should cause the gate of Neugate to be guarded by six armed men from each of the said Wards. In the same manner injunctions were given to every Alderman to safeguard the gates to which they had been assigned under penalty of forfeiture, &c.

Folio xcviii.

Scriptum Joh'is "Nel," aurimalliator.

Agreement made at Michaelmas [29 Sept.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309], between John "Neel," goldbeater (aurimalliator), Matilda his wife, and Elias le Toundour and Agnes his wife of the one part, and William de Welle, hosier (caligarius), of the other, whereby the said John, Matilda, Elias, and Agnes grant certain rents issuing from tenements formerly belonging to Robert de Kedemenstre, father of the aforesaid Matilda and Agnes, in the parish of St. Mary le Bow, and to Gilbert de Lesnes, goldbeater, to the said William de Welle for a term of eight years Witnesses, Richard de Welleford, John Hayroun, Robert de Uptone, Clement le Settere, Thomas le Brok, Elias le Chaucer, Ralph the Clerk, and others [not named]. Paid for enrolment 2s. 6d.

Ordinacio facta circa custod' civitatis.

Friday before the Purification B. M. [2 Feb.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10], it was ordained by T[homas] Romayn, the Mayor, John de Wengrave, Nicholas de Farndone, W[illiam] Servad, William Trente, Richard de Gloucestre, Henry de Durham, Nicholas Pikot, John de Wyndesore, William Cosyn, Simon de Paris, Thomas Seely, Simon Bolet, Geoffrey de Conduit, and Richard de Wirhale, Aldermen, that on Wednesday next after the above Feast each Alderman should cause to be assembled either in his parish church or in his own house the more trusty and discreet men of his Ward and warn them not to harbour any strangers unless they were prepared to be answerable for them.

It was likewise ordained that during the sitting of the Parliament which was to meet after the Purification six strong and well-armed men should guard each gate of the City by night for the preservation of the peace, and each Alderman should levy the sum of one penny or one halfpenny upon every house in his Ward according to the wealth of its owner; and that the citizens should hold their arms in readiness for the defence of the City, &c.

Folio xcviii b.

Scriptum Hugon' de Oxon', cissoiis.

Demise by Hugh de Oxford, tailor, and Matilda his wife to Dame Matilda Fullette, a nun of Aumbresbure, (fn. 33) of an annual quitrent charged on a tenement formerly belonging to Walter de Harwe in the parish of St. Michael le Quern, to hold the same for life. In the event of her decease within twelve years, the rent is to remain to the Abbess of the Sisters of the Order of St. Clare (fn. 34) without Alegate, to be used by her at the discretion of Brother Thomas de St. Dunstan, if alive, or the Warden of the Friars Minors of London for the time being. Witnesses, Thomas Romain, the Mayor, Roger le Palmere and James Fulk, the Sheriffs, Nicholas de Farendone, Alderman of the Ward, Martin de Aumbr[esbure], Robert de Pipeherst, Roger de Lyntone, Roger Hosebonde, Richard de Shorediche, William de Caustone, Robert le Convers, Richard Jordan, Roger "le graunt barbier," William de Herlawe, &c. Dated London, Monday after the Feast of St. Hillary [13 Jan.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10]. For enrolment 2s. 6d.

Breve Regismissum Thom' Romain Maiori London' ad castigand' malefactores.

The King's writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, enjoining them to make diligent search for armed vagrants who disturb the peace of the City by day and night, and to inflict upon them adequate and speedy punishment. Dated at "la Grove," 14 Jan., 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10].

Folio xcix.

Scriptum Thome de Boloigne.

Deed of covenant by Thomas de Boloigne to save harmless Ralph de Billinggesgate, taverner, for giving up a certain deed of feoffment of a cellar in Grenewicheslane, in the parish of All Hallows at the Hay, made to him (the said Thomas) and to John his brother by Fromund de Dunstaple and Margery de Depe his wife. Witnesses, Geoffrey Hurel, Alexander Pik', Walter le Mouner, Peter de Coumbe, Adam Ludekin, and others [not named]. Dated Tuesday after the Feast of Decollation of St. John Bapt [29 Aug.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309]. For enrolment 2s. 6d.

Scriptum Rob'i Sely fil Thom' Sely.

Deed of grant by John de Wendlingburgh and Alice de Thelvetone his wife, widow of John de Wandlesworth, (fn. 35) to Robert, son of Thomas Sely, of a certain tenement in the parish of St. Andrew de Holebourne built beyond (ultra) Holeburne bridge, opposite the house of the Earl of Lincoln, (fn. 36) and situate between the lane leading to the house of the Abbot of Messendene (fn. 37) and the tenement of Robert Hardyng; to hold the same for a term of ten years from Christmas, anno 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309]. For enrolment 2s. 6d.

Folio xcix b.

Comp' exec' test'i Joh'is le Cuver de bonis Elene fil' predicti Joh'is.

Be it remembered that on Thursday before the Purification B. M. [2 Feb.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10], came Robert le Cuver, Alice, wife of Walter le Cuver, and Ivo his son, executors of John le Cuver, (fn. 38) before Thomas Romain the Mayor, John de Wengrave, John de Windesore, William de Leire, Henry de Durham, and Simon de Paris, Aldermen, and rendered a final account of the goods, chattels, &c., of Elena, daughter of the aforesaid John, for the time of their guardianship. It was found that they owed £7 to the said Elena.

Afterwards, viz., on Monday after the Feast of St. Valentine [14 Feb.], the said Elena came and asked for an execution against the said executors for the money, and precept was issued to Philip de Merdele, Serjeant of the Chamber, to attach. Thereupon goods were attached upon Alice, relict of Walter le Cuver, viz., 200 hoops of old casks and other goods, which were appraised by oath of Peter le Cuver, Adam Snowe, "coupere," and Roger le Joignur. Other goods (fn. 38) were attached upon Robert le Cuver, and were delivered to the said Elena.

Scriptum Petri le Barbier.

Demise by William "le Spicer," skinner, son of Matthew "Lespicer," to Peter le Barber, ropemaker (cordelarius) in Bredestrete, of a hall, &c., in the parish of St. Michael upon Cornhulle, situate near property belonging to John his brother and Elena his sister, and the tenement of Nicholas Pikot; to hold the same for a term of ten years from Christmas, anno 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309]. Witnesses, William le Wole, Henry de Notingham, John Mayn, "coffrer," Thomas Coffrer, and others [not named].

Folio c.

Breve Regis pro Jacobo Fisshe.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, reciting that whereas a previous writ had been sent enjoining them to arrest Herman Steyding and his accomplices-who had carried off a ship belonging to James Fisshe when lying in the "Elve" off the coast of Friesland and taken her to Scotland-whenever the said Herman and his fellows were found in their bailiwick; and whereas the said Mayor and Sheriffs had succeeded in arresting the culprits and their goods, but had failed to give satisfaction for damages to the said James Fisshe, they are again enjoined to carry out the orders directed to them. Dated Westminster, 10 Feb., 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10].

Return, to the effect that the existing Mayor and Sheriffs had never arrested the above Herman or his fellows, for the reason that they had received no such writ as alleged; the writ had arrived when Nicholas de Farndone was Mayor and William de Basynge and James le Boteler were Sheriffs, and what they (their predecessors) had done in the matter they knew not. Therefore nothing could be done.

Scriptum Rad'i fil' Walteri Fox.

Deed of covenant by Ralph, son of Walter Fox de Malteby, co. Lincoln, late apprentice to Hugh de Gartone, mercer, of London, from whose service he had withdrawn himself before the expiration of his term, not to appropriate any property or debts, &c., of his late master, nor to practise the trade of mercery in London, &c. Dated London, 23 Feb., 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309-10]. For enrolment 2s. 6d.

Afterwards, viz., on Monday before the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt. [24 June], the year aforesaid, the above Hugh permitted the above Ralph to practise the trade of mercery in the City aforesaid, notwithstanding the above covenant, &c.

Folio c b.

Placitum inter Henr' Nasard et Will'm de Basyng nuper vic' London'.

Friday the eve of St. Thomas, Ap. [21 Dec.], 3 Edward II. [A. D. 1309], came Henry Nasard before Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, Nicholas de Farendone, John de Wengrave, John de Wyndesore, William de Leire, Henry de Durham, Richer de Refham, William Trente, Richard de Gloucestre, Simon Bolet, Geoffrey de Conduit, and Thomas Sely, Aldermen, and complained that William de Basingges, Sheriff of London, had come to his house with John le Mire, William de Hallingbery, John de Roqesle, and Richard de "Wandlesword," collectors of the twentieth in the Ward of Douegate, and had seized and carried away a silver cup of the value of 10 marks. The said Sheriff came and declared that he had been charged to raise a sum of money due by the Mayor and Commonalty to William Trente, and that the cup had been delivered to him by the said collectors for 100s., the amount in which the said Henry Nasard stood assessed for the tallage aforesaid. And the said Henry Nasard declared that he was not liable to pay the said tallage, inasmuch as at the time it was granted to the King, viz., at Pentecost, anno 34 Edward I. [A. D. 1306], he was not a freeman of the City. He therefore prays judgment thereon. This being found to be true after examination of the paper in the Chamber of the Guildhall touching redemption of freedom, &c., it was adjudged that the said Henry might recover the cup delivered to William Trente for the sum of 100s., and that the aforesaid John le Mire, William de Hallingberi, John de Roqesle, and the executors of Richard de "Wandlesworth" should distrain in order to satisfy the said William Trente of the above sum, &c.

Afterwards, viz., on 10 Feb., anno 4 Edward II. [A. D. 1310- 1311], precept was issued to Luke de Haverynge, the Chamberlain, by Richer de Refham, the Mayor, Thomas Romayn, Nicholas de Farndone, J[ohn] de Wengrave, William de Leire, W[illiam] Combemartin, Richard de Gloucestre, John de Lincoln, and Nicholas Picot, Aldermen, to forthwith pay to William Trente the sum of 100s. aforesaid, and the said William was told to deliver the aforesaid cup to Henry Nasard without taking any payment from him.

Scriptum Thom' Cros de £xl factum per Rob'm Cros.

Indenture whereby Robert Cros, fishmonger, acknowledged the receipt of the sum of £40 from Thomas Cross, wherewith to trade for a term of two years, and binds himself to restore the money at the end of the term together with one moiety of the profit made, keeping the other moiety for his pains. Witnesses, Walter Cross, Henry Sterre, fishmonger, Walter Diri, Thomas de Waledene, Ralph de Beverley, clerk, and others [not named]. Dated London, 12 March, A. D. 1309[-10], 3 Edward II.

Footnotes

  • 1. Here the following clause is in serted in the version recorded in the 'Booke of Othes': "And diligentlye ye shall oversee that the price of vic tualles sett by the Maior for the tyme beinge in the Markettes accustomed well and truelye be observed and kept."
  • 2. "Neyther areringe any person for hate." 'Booke of Othes.
  • 3. The same oath in French (with slight variations) recorded in 'Liber Albus,' i. 316. Cf. supra, p. 10.
  • 4. "Delyvereth" in 'Booke of Othes.'
  • 5. Added at foot of folio by a different hand.
  • 6. An interlineation. "And Mal nesees" (Malvezie or Malmsey) added in 'Booke of Othes.'
  • 7. An interlineation "Except Tyies, Whyte wyne and Malnesees." -'Booke of Othes.'
  • 8. Cf. 'Liber Albus,' i. 317; ii. 129. It will be seen that (with the excep tion of the penultimate clause) the oath is almost identical with the Oath of the Secondary, &c., recorded supra, pp. 4-6.
  • 9. Probably Edward IV., who by charter dated 9 Nov., in the second year of his reign, confirmed to the City the grant of the vill of South wark, &c., made to the citizens by King Edward III.
  • 10. Cf. the Oath of the Sheriffs' Serjeants, 'Liber Albus,' i. 318; ii. 130.
  • 11. "Extractes," a gloss.
  • 12. The same oath in French is recorded in 'Liber Albus,' i. 307, 308.
  • 13. Inserted in the margin. It does not appear in the oath as recorded in the 'Liber Albus,' i. 307.
  • 14. "Kepyng," a gloss.
  • 15. Inserted at bottom of the folio, this additional clause having been authorized (as already seen, supra, p. 12) in 1389, during the Mayoralty of Nicholas Twyford.
  • 16. The same oath in French re corded on fly leaf B. Cf. supra, p. 6.
  • 17. The same oath in French recorded in 'Liber Albus,' i. 306. Cf. supra, p. 11.
  • 18. The name of the King, succes sively altered to Edward [IV.] and Richard [III.].
  • 19. Altered to "citee."
  • 20. An inseition.
  • 21. This last clause does not appear in the oath as recorded on fly leaf D dors, or in the 'Liber Albus,' i. 306; ii. 118.
  • 22. Thomas Sely and Richer de Ref ham served as Sheriffs together in 1298-9.
  • 23. Or "the Easterling," a name then commonly applied to Germans.
  • 24. The King's letter and reply (trans lations) are printed in Riley's 'Memo rials,' pp. 69, 70.
  • 25. The letter and reply are printed in 'Memorials,' pp. 70, 71.
  • 26. Fr. avers de pois.
  • 27. A translation of this ordinance is printed in Stow's 'Survey' (Strype's ed., 1720), book v. p. 257, from Letter Book D, referred to there as the "Red Book." The ordinance is also recorded in 'Liber Horn,' fo. 316. An ordinance to similar effect is recorded in Letter Book C under date 1305. 'Cal. Letter-Book C,' pp. 127-8.
  • 28. Finsbury Moor or Moorfields, touching which Stow remarks (' Sur vey,' Thoms's ed., 1876, p. 159): "This fen or moor field stretching from the wall of the City betwixt Bishopsgate and the postern called Cripplesgate to Fensbery and to Holy Well continued a waste and unprofitable ground a long time, so that the same was all letten for four marks the year, in the reign of Edward II."
  • 29. Or James de St. Edmund. See 'Cal. Letter-book C,' p. 181, n.
  • 30. Her will as that of Isabella de Hegham was enrolled in the Husting in 1315. See 'Cal. of Wills,' i. 255.
  • 31. Printed in 'Memorials,' p. 69.
  • 32. The Parliament which sat in Lon don from 27 Feb. to 12 April, 1310, when the barons presented to the King a petition for redress of griev ances, which led to the appointment of Ordainers. 'Chron Edward I. and II.' (Rolls Series), i. 167 et seq.
  • 33. Amesbury, co Wilts, where there was a convent of nuns of the Bene dictine Order.
  • 34. An abbey recently founded by Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, for sisters of the Order of St. Clare, or Minoresses, whose memory survives at the pre sent day in what is known as "the Minories," Aldgate.
  • 35. His will enrolled in the Husting in 1295. 'Cal. of Wills,' i. 120.
  • 36. The old house of the Black Friars before they removed to the riverside, and sold by them in 1285 to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. Supposed to be identical with "Lincoln's Inn." See 'Cal. of Wills, Court of Husting,' i. 218, note.
  • 37. Missenden, co. Bucks.
  • 38. The will of John le Cuver is en rolled in the Husting under the year 1298 ('Cal. of Wills,' i. 135), the executors there named being Walter le Cuver, of St. Nicholas Lane; Alice, widow of John, the testator; and Robert le cuver de Somersete. The name of Iov does appear. It is not clear whether Ivo was a son of Alice or of Walter (her second husband) or Robert. If he had been a son of John he would probably have been mentioned in his will.
  • 39. Particulars of these goods are set out in Riley's Memorials,' pp. 74-5.