Folios 122-130: 1432-34

Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: K, Henry VI. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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'Folios 122-130: 1432-34', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: K, Henry VI, (London, 1911) pp. 157-172. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/volk/pp157-172 [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

Folio 122.

Also, on Monday the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June], 6 Edward III. [A.D. 1332], information having been given to John Mokkyng and Andrew Aubrey, the Sheriffs, and John Shirborne, the Coroner of the lord the King in the City, that a certain Robert de Dodmerton, "mason," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the high street near the gate of the church of St. Martin le Grand, in the Ward of Farndon Within, the said Sheriffs and Coroner went there, and after summoning good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz., Aldrichesgate, Castle Baynard, and Crepulgate, they diligently inquired on oath how it happened. The jurors say that on the aforesaid Monday, after dinner, a certain John Frowe, son of John Frowe of Lincoln, "sadeler," pursued the said Robert de Dodmerton secretly up a certain narrow lane near the church of St. Martin le Grand, and struck him on the neck with a long knife, on account of a quarrel that had arisen between them, inflicting a mortal wound, of which he died, and the said John Frowe forthwith fled into the said church, where he confessed his guilt before the said Coroner and Sheriffs. No one else was present, and no one was suspected except the said John Frowe. The corpse viewed, &c. The record of the above preserved in the City's Treasury, (fn. 1) and proffered by the Mayor and citizens.

Also, they say that the Mayor and Sheriffs are not bound, by the custom of the City, to make a return in writing of the record of any plaint made before them in the Husting to the lord the King or his Justices beyond the liberty of the City, but they record the same by word of mouth (oretenus) before such Justices sitting at the church of St. Martin le Grand, as being a place of, and in, the liberty of the City; and King Richard II., by writ dated 8 Nov., in the first year of his reign [A.D. 1377], ordered Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and Nicholas Twyford and Andrew Pykman, the Sheriffs, to return before Robert Belcnap and other of his Justices sitting at the said church, on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.] next ensuing, the record of a plaint that had formerly been in the Husting between Richard de Westone, goldsmith, and Roisia his wife, and Thomas de Farndon, touching certain shops and a garden in the suburb; that after a respite of 40 days the said Mayor and Sheriffs made return by word of mouth at the aforesaid church, as being a place within the liberty of the City. (fn. 2)

They acted in the same way, anno 9 Richard II., touching proceedings between Simon Wynchecombe and John Brenchold; (fn. 3) also anno 12 Richard II. touching proceedings between John Reynes (fn. 4) and John Botelesham, and on 500 other occasions, both before and since, as they are ready to prove if and when, &c.

They also say that, anno I Henry V., Thomas Sharesfeld and William White of Ireland were indicted for divers felonies committed within the said close, and were condemned to death at Newgate; and that, anno 4 Henry V., William Cratfeld, late parson of Wortham [co. Norf.], and Thomas Typertone, for divers felonies committed within the same, were indicted before Nicholas Wottone, the Mayor, and his fellow-justices of the King, and were outlawed, as appears from records (fn. 5) which the Mayor and citizens proffer.

Folio 122 b.

They likewise say that, in the same first year, the Sheriffs of the City, by the King's order, destroyed a passage of the said close wherein felonies used to be committed.

They further say that, anno 9 Henry VI., a certain Henry Ciprian, a Canon of Waltham, was arrested by William Estfeld, the Mayor, in the house of John Belle, which the said Dean claims to be parcel of the said close, and was delivered up to his Abbot, inasmuch as the King issued a writ to that effect to the said Mayor. (fn. 6)

Also, whereas among the liberties and free customs granted and confirmed to the citizens there is one to the effect that the King shall not assign Justices to sit in any part of the liberty of the City except Justices Itinerant and Justices for the gaol of Newgate, and for the correction of errors at St. Martin le Grand as of old accustomed; (fn. 7) if at any time Justices have been appointed to sit at the said church or precinct for other causes than those recited in the charters, the citizens have always had royal letters of indemnity to the effect that such session should not become a precedent, (fn. 8) as the Mayor and citizens are prepared to prove if, &c.

Thus it is clear that the said church and precinct are of, and in, the liberty of the City, otherwise if the said church were without the liberty and jurisdiction of the City all the aforesaid grants and indemnity would have been unnecessary.

Also, whereas by ancient custom the citizens were not bound to leave the City to serve on juries, &c., whenever, therefore, a jury became necessary in a cause tried outside the City touching a matter within the City, the Justices came to the said church and caused the citizens to try the case there, as being within the liberty of the City.

They say also that it has always been the custom, whenever the King's Justices sit at St. Martin le Grand, for the City's officers, and no others, to be in attendance as being a place of, and in, their liberty and jurisdiction.

Lastly, they say that all tenants and inhabitants of the precinct of the said church having shops or houses and following a trade or craft have always borne a share of the City's burdens like other inhabitants of the City, as the Mayor and citizens are prepared to prove. (fn. 9)

Folio 123.

In consideration of all the foregoing the Mayor and citizens pray the Commissioners to make an early report to the King of their judgment in the matter.

Precept to the Aldermen to elect men in their several Wards to assess a sum equal to one fourth of a fifteenth and to levy the same and bring the money to the Guildhall by the 10th Nov. next. Dated 30 Oct., 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1432].

12 June, 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], Henry Swetman, "peautrer," discharged by John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to deafness and increasing old age.

26 Oct., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], Thomas Pycard, "stokfisshmonger," similarly discharged owing to increasing old age.

Folio 123 b.

Precept to the Aldermen to hold their several Wardmotes and refer such matters as they cannot themselves remedy to the Mayor's General Court to be held at the Guildhall on Monday next after the Feast of Epiphany [6 Jan.]; and further to take steps for the preservation of the peace and cleansing the streets, and also cause to be elected a prescribed number of persons to be members of the Common Council, &c. Dated 10 Dec., 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1432].

[Folios. 124-124 b blank.]

Folio 125.

Be it remembered that on the 7th Feb., 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1432-3], before John Perneys, the Mayor, William Crowemere, Nicholas Wottone, John Reinwell, John Gedney, William Estfeld, John Welles, Ralph Barton, Henry Frowyk, Thomas Wandesford, Simon Seman, Robert Ottele, John Brokle, Robert Large, William Melreth, Stephen Broun, William Rus, Aldermen, John Patesle and John Olney, the Sheriffs, and a notable Commonalty of the City in Common Council assembled, the said Commonalty presented a bill or petition to the aforesaid Mayor and Aldermen in these words:-

Folio 125 b.

"To the Worshipfull and discrete Mair and Aldermen of the Citee of London Shewen alle þe Co'es of the said Cite that where our soverayn lord þe Kyng and his noble progenitours be here chartres have graunted to þe citezeins of London many and notable Fraunchises for þe welfare and amendement of this his Citee and þer [per?] as be a special point in oure Fraunchise It is wreten that þoo that shuld be admitted to the Fraunchise of this Cite shuld be contributorie to lott scott taxes talliages wacches and to alle other charges of þe Citee And tho þt so were nat to anulle her Fraunchise And as ye know wel so grete charges of lones yiftes and talliages fill nat in this Cite many yeres as han doon this xvj or xvij yeer and as ye knowe welle lasse geting was nat many yeres nor gretter scarcete among þe Co'es as is nowe God amende it and grete cause is for þe Resceiving in to Craftes of þs Cite of diverse and grete nombre of Foreines aswell strangiers as denizeins which come Inne bi Maires of þs Citee and bi Wardeines of Craftes some for lucre to þe Chambre and to Craftes and some for lucre sengell to þe Mair and for je vous pries And yit this people so Resceived bi Redempc'on admitted to o craft and use other In grete disceit and harme of thoo craftes So þat nowe þo peple come Inne by Redempc'on duelling in diverse placis of þis Reeme and some in þs Cite have þe grete cours of selling of merchandises to straungiers many of hem ofte to losse in grete abatement of þe prises of alle chaffare and merchandise and also to grete hindring to the King in his custumes ther [sic] as if thei were foreins many avauntages shuld falle to þe King and the Cite Wherethurgh þe said Co'es be foule and sore hindred in here goodes and be nowe of so litell power that þe mowe nat lene monoie to þe King as here will is and þei hadde good Wherfor as it is saide In Englissh proverbes better to amende late þan never (fn. 10) like to you worschipful Mair and Aldermen þt be chosen our hedes and governours bi your wise discrecions to considre that alle enfraunchised men continuelly duelling out of þis Citee þt are sworn to be perceners and intending to alle manere wacches wardes taxes tallages loones and alle oþer charges mowe not nor ought not be demed perceners to alle charges of þis Citee as þeire othe is for thei come neiþer to wacche ne warde as oþer do whan tyme axith, no þei come nat ne mowe nat be somoned for þeire absence in noon enquestes jures neither assises neither þei bere no manere of office as Induellers doo whiche are greate charges of þis Citee and how þe substance of houses in the Citee for lak of duellers stonde desolate and voide and be more likely fro day to day yif men may duelle where þaim list and reioise þe Fraunchise and to ordeine as it haþ ofte be desired that alle such as be comen ynne be disceit to þe Fraunchise under colour of oo craft and use a nother be utterly discharged And eke þat alle suche outeduellers þat are co'en biers and sellers of merchandises and be not fre bi birthe or apprenticialte be discharged of þair Fraunchises o lesse than be twene þis and Estern next comyng þei come to þis Cite and fro thennesforward continuelly dwelle þerinne and supporte þ e charges þer of and elles after þat day þei be and þe Shirefs and alle oþer men trete and demene hem as foreins and estraungiers for þe saide Fraunchise and þat fro þs day forward no man be admitted in to þe said Fraunchise but he be born or made apprentice or officer with ynne þe Citee o lesse þan be co'e counselle or but he finde sufficeant seurte to þe Chamberleyn for þe co'ialte of c li to be continuelly receaunt with ynne þis Citee and þat he come nat ynne bi disceit nor under colour of o craft to use eny other And if þe Chamberleyn þat shall be for þe while admitte eny man in þe contrarie that he paie to þe co'ialtie c marc' and be descharged of his owne Fraunchise and putte oute of that office for ever."

To which bill answer was made on behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs by John Symond, the Recorder, that they would take time to consider it, and announce their decision at the next Common Council. And afterwards, viz.:-

[Blank.]

Folio 126.

De illis qui deberent esse in lottoet qui non.

"First that alle manere of Fremen sworn to be in lotte and scotte and perceners to alle the charges of þe citee which continuelly duellen with her wives childres servauntz and holde her houshaldes oute of þe Citee and for their absentes mowe not nor owe not be demed perceners to the saide charges after their othe For þei come noþer to sommons wacches ne wardes ne bere none officez as Induellers do Which are þe grete charges of the Cite IT IS ORDEYNED be þe Mair Aldermen and Co'es & that alle such outeduellers drawe þeim to þs Citee be twene this and þe Fest of Mighelmasse next comyng fro thens forward to duelle with her wives children servauntes and hold their houshold þerynne and supporte the charges ther of after þeir estate and degree as oþer men doon for her part And elles after þe said Fest þat þei lese and forfait alle þe benefice and avauntage of þair saide Fraunchise and liberte and paie alle manere custumes and charges to þe Kyng and þe Citee as oþer foreins and estraungiers doon OUTAKE alleway and except alle manere of lordes knyghtes Squyers men of lawe and oþer that been no co'en marchauntz or such as for þe good and worschip þat þei have or mowe doo to þe said Citee bi the grace and dispensac'on of this Court & be or shul be desported with of þair othe as touching comyng to sumonces or bering of offices and suche oþer charges with ynne þe Citee and outake eke þat it be leoful to eny man fre bi birth or apprenticialte þat hath or shal have in tyme comyng eny liflode oute of þe said Cite oþer while if him list or nede askith to desporte and abide on his saide liflode so allewey þat he duelle nat a yeer oute of þe Fraunchise and in the mene while leve or assigne some body in his absence to paie for him scotte and such oþer charges as shall falle and eke be redy to bere lotte if he be written or called þerto in þe mene tyme.

"EKE for as mochell as ofte sithes many grete marchauntz and oþer notable parsonnes of diverses occupac'ons with ynne þs lond bi whom þe Kyng and þe Cite shulde reporte gret avauntage in paieng of due custumes and oþer thinges if þei stode foreins aquente hem with þe Wardeins of such craftes as þei never used a fore ne wille after and be disceit under colour of þaim and be þaim for a thing of nought be presented to þe Chamberlain and there admitted to þe fraunchise after which admission þei never used þe said craft where of þei were made fre but alle suche oþer mennes occupac'ons as theim lust in defrauding the Kyng and þe Citee of þeir verey custumes and duites and grevoux and co'en hurt to alle oþer men of such occupac'ons and a likly districc'on of all þe craftes and occupac'ons wtynne þs Citee as god forbede if such foreins and straungiers shulde þus by disceit under colour of a craft þat þei never used a fore nor after be admitted to þe Fraunchise of þe Cite in hurt of alle suche other occupac'ons ther of WHERFORE It is accorded and ordeined be þe said Mair Aldermen and Co'es as a þing of good raison and equite that alle thoo þt are continuell duellers in þe cuntre and oute of þs Citee which be such disceit are commen to þe said Fraunchise be Redempc'on if it be duely proved that thei be utterly discharged of þis saide Fraunchise and moreover that fro this daye forward no man save officers and such oþer as be no co'en merchauntz shall be presented nor admitted to þe saide Fraunchise o lesse þanne it be bi þe Wardeins and men of such occupac'ons as he haþ used afore or will use after And if þer be doo þe contrarie so it may be preved in due manere that þanne alle suche so presented and admitted shull lese and forfete alle þe benefice and avauntage of þair saide Fraunchise and liberte þus hadde be disceit in defrauding the King and þe Cite and co'en hurtyng of oþer occupac'ons as is said afore SAVYNG alleway & reserved to alle þaim þt be atte þis daye Fremen of þis Citee be Redempc'on & are duelling w tynne þe liberte and parceners to þe charges þerof reioise þair Fraunchise in alle þinges as hool as oþer men doo þat be free by birthe or apprenticialte And savynk eke þat it be leofull to every man þt be Redempc on here after truly with oute disceit shall be made free in eny Felship of such craft as he hath verrily used to use furth þe saide craft after and suche oþer occupac ons as god & fortune for þe tyme wille avaunce & able him too So allwey that he be continuelly duelling with ynne þe Fraunchise & supporte þe charges ther of to his kunnyng and power as other doo

Folio 126 b

"ALSO it is ordeined þat noon alien fro þis daye forward be admitted into þ Fraunchise of the Cite of London but in plein hustenge according to þ chartre (fn. 11) and þat bi assent of the co e counseill and þat on condic on he duelle continuelly in the Citee supporting lotte and scotte and other charges after his power and use noon oþer craft þan such as he is made free of on peine to lese and forfete the saide Fraunchise To the which þinges he shall find sufficeant seurete or he be admitted

"FURTHERMORE it is ordeined and establisshed be þe said Mair Aldermen and Co es that fro þis day forward the Chamberlein of this Citee for the tyme being Resceive nor admitte noon oþer man to þe Fraunchise of the saide Cite bi redempc on o lesse þanne the maistres and such of every Felship as presente him swere or make fulfeith that it be not doo in disceit or hurt of eny oþer craft or felship and eke that sufficeant seurte be made apart to þe Chamberlein be reconissance of a resonable or a convenient some to be paied to þ use of þ Co ialte in cas the contrarie be duely founde and proved after Or that he so presented and admitted claime and reioisse the benefice of the saide Fraunchise but he duelle continuelly in þe Citee and be in lotte and scotte and parcener to alle oþer charges after his power and as his oth askith And if þe Chamberlein for the tyme being resceive or admitte eny man in contrarie o lesse than it be with consent of the Co e counseill that he paie to the Co ialtie a c marc and be descharged of his owne Fraunchise and put oute of that office for ever

Custodia bonor' pertin Cristine filie Rad'i Blake lowe

3 Feb, 11 Henry VI [A D 1432-3], the custody of certain chattels bequeathed by Cristina Mallyng, (fn. 12) late wife of Thomas Cake, alias Mallyng, to Cristina her god-daughter (filiola) daughter of Ralph Blakelowe, committed to the said Ralph by John Perneys, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, inasmuch as Matthew Fowcher, who had been appointed trustee by the mother, had renounced the trust Sureties, viz, the aforesaid Ralph, John Alman, tailor, and William Norton, saddler

Afterwards, viz, on the 29th Jan 15 Henry VI [A D 1436-7], came Henry Sewale, who married the above Christina, and acknowledged satisfaction for his wife s property

Recogn £c pueris Ric i Gosselyn pertin

31 July, 11 Henry VI [A D 1433], came John Bedham, Thomas Badby William Childe, William Beaufitz, fishmongers, and Thomas Belgrave, "cotiller, into the Court of the lord the King, in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before John Perneys the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and acknowledged themselves bound to John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, in the sum of £100 to the use of John, Thomas, Richard, Nicholas, Johanna, Katherine, and Robert, children of Richard Gosselyn, late "irmonger (fn. 13)

Folio 127

Writ to the Coroner that he summon the following to appear before the King a fortnight after Easter next-viz, John Perneys, Fishmonger, the Mayor, Thomas Knolles, Grocer and Alderman, William Crowmere, Draper and Alderman, Thomas Fauconer, Mercer and Alderman, Henry Barton, Skinner and Alderman, John Gedney, Draper and Alderman, John Reynwell, "Iremonger' and Alderman, Nicholas Wottone, Draper and Alderman, John Michell, Fishmonger (fn. 14) and Alderman, William Estfeld, Mercer and Alderman, John Welles, Grocer and Alderman, John Brokle, Draper and Alderman, Stephen Broun, Grocer and Alderman, Nicholas James, Fishmonger and Alderman, John [sic] (fn. 15) Whityngham, Draper and Alderman, Thomas Wandesford, Mercer and Alderman, Henry Frow[ik], [Mercer] and Alderman, William Melreth, Mercer and Alderman, Robert Large, Mercer and Alderman, Ralph Bartone, Skinner and Alderman, Robert Oteleye, Grocer and Alderman, William Clerk, Prior of Christchurch and Alderman, Simon Seman, "Vynter" and Alderman, William Rus, Goldsmith and Alderman, John Pattesle, Goldsmith and Alderman, and one of the Sheriffs, and John Olney, Mercer, the other Sheriff-to show cause why, notwithstanding the statutes of 11 and 26 Edward III., confirmed by that King's successors, granting to foreign weavers the right to exercise their craft without becoming members of a Guild, and notwithstanding former writs and the return made thereto, (fn. 16) they persist in refusing to allow Henry Nedilship, John Grove, John Way, and Henry Appere, foreign clothworkers, to live in the City and there to exercise their mistery. Witness the King at Westminster, 1 March, 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1432-3].

Folio 127 b.

Letter of Privy Seal to the Mayor, &c., for the restoration of merchandise belonging to Italian merchants which had been seized for non-payment of "scuage" (fn. 17) [ends abruptly].

14 April, 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1434], the seal of Henry Jolypas, chaplain, late Chamberlain of St. Paul's Church, which had been stolen from him by William Bisshop, his kinsman, three days before his death, which took place on the 18th Aug., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1431], was restored by the thief to Master William Shapelford and Philip Lovecok, chaplains, executors of the said Chamberlain, in the presence of John Brokle, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, the said thief declaring on oath that to his knowledge the seal had never been applied to any document whilst in his possession. Thereupon the executors, not knowing whether his statement was true or not, asked that his confession might be placed on record, and this was done. The seal was in circumference as depicted, (fn. 18) and was made of two separate pieces of silver, united by alternate twistings (ad invicem quodam ingentivo torculari mediante combinatis), and bearing an image of the Crucifixion, with Mary and John standing on either side, and circumscribed with a legend for the most part obliterated.

Folio 128.

Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four persons to represent the City in a Parliament to be held at Westminster on the 8th July next. No Sheriff to be returned. Witness the King at Westminster, 24 May, 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433]. (fn. 19)

Translacio.

22 Aug., 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], came William, son of Simon Cumbys of Fyncheham, co. Norf., and apprentice to Stephen Bartelot, glover, before John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and showed that whereas he had been admitted into the freedom of the City in the Art of Glovers temp. Drew Barantyn, Mayor, and John Proffyt, the Chamberlain, viz., on the 28th Feb., 10 Henry IV. [A.D. 1408-9], he had long used, and was now using, the mistery or art of Fishmongers, and not the art of Glovers. He prayed therefore that he might be admitted into the liberty of the City in the Art or Mistery of Fishmongers. His prayer granted at the urgent request of the Masters and good men of the said Mistery, viz., Thomas Badby, William Childe, Thomas Lincoln, Thomas Dursley, William Mitron, and William Beaufitz.

25 Sept., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], John Folbery, haberdasher, discharged by John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Folio 128 b.

At the Court of the lord the King held in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, on the 10th Sept., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], John Boseworth, late of Boseworth, co. Leices., butcher, a freeman of the City, attached to answer a charge of having "coloured" merchandise belonging to John Bray of Northampton, mercer, and sold it as the property of a freeman (fn. 20) to Amphrion Spinula, a merchant of Janua, a foreigner and stranger to the freedom of the City. Alexander Anne, the Serjeant of the Commonalty, for the prosecution. The accused found guilty and condemned to lose the freedom of the City.

Folio 129.

Br'e de judicio reddendo.

Writ to the Mayor and Aldermen for speedy judgment to be given in a plaint between William Maltby, mercer, and John Abbot, late Sheriff, touching a sum of money which the said William claims from the Sheriff, and has been unable to recover owing to dilatory proceedings. Witness the King at Westminster, 4 July, 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433].

Return made to the above to the effect that judgment had not been delivered owing to certain difficulties, but that it should be delivered as soon as possible after the Mayor and Aldermen were fully advised.

Aliud Br'e de judicio reddendo.

Another writ to the same effect as above. Witness the King at Westminster, 6 July, 11 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433].

Similar return.

1 Sept., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], John Boteller of co. Leices., "tawyer," discharged by John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Folio 129 b.

Be it remembered that on the 27th Sept., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], came the Masters or Wardens of the Mistery of Skinners, and presented eight furs of black budge and lambskins (fn. 21) falsely and fraudulently intermixed, as they said, which were found in the possession of Victor de Fyn, one of the merchants coming in "Galeys" (fn. 22) into the Port of the City, and they tended a petition to John Perneys, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, in these words:-

"To the right gracioux lordes þe Mair and Aldermen of the Cite of London Sheweth right mekely the Maistre and Wardeins of the Craft of Skynners of the said Cite in þe name of alle þe craft þt where it is graunted aswell by Kyng Edward þe þirde progenitour of our lord the Kyng þt now is be his chartre entred in þe Chambre of þe yeldhalle of London in þe book of E in þe ciiii xx iij leef (fn. 23) as be certein ordenaunce made and entred in þe seid Chambre in þe book of G in the clxij leef (fn. 24) of þe seid Skynners and here successours for evermore for to have the serche and oversight of alle maner furrures brought by eny merchaunt straunger or oþer to sell in þe said Cite There now divers merchauntes of þe Galeys have broght in to þe said Cite to selle mony and diverse furres of Bogee (fn. 25) wroght untrewely þt is to seie where þe said furres of Bogee shul be wroght of hole Skynnes þey ben kutte in foure and medled some with legges some with lambfurres and some with Skewyd (fn. 26) and Russet and also evel sowed and untrewe lether and þus þe said furres are untrewly wroght ant [sic] put to sale to gret disceit and co'e harme of all þe Kynges peple Wherfore lyke it un to yow right Worschipfull sires for to ordeign and deme after youre wyse discrec'ons þt alle the said furres be forfaited as right will and þt no such manere furres as is aforesaid falsely wrought be suffred to be solde Withynne þe seid Cite nor þe Fraunchise þerof fro þis tyme forth for goddes love and in wey of charyte."

The petition having been read and both parties heard, the Court finds that the aforesaid charter and ordinances do not warrant the petition; but inasmuch as the Court was satisfied that the packing of the furs (pakkatura furrurarum) (fn. 27) was deceitful and not good, it decrees that this time the said Victor shall remove them out of the kingdom, and he and the rest of the merchants are warned not to bring defective goods into the country in future, under penalty.

Folio 130.

Custodia.

18 Sept., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], the guardianship of John, son of William Lynne, late grocer, together with his patrimony, committed by John Perneys, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Alice his mother. Sureties, viz., Richard Cawdre, clerk, Thomas Wandesford, mercer, and Godewin Cattesby, grocer.

Custodia.

17 Nov., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], the custody of divers pieces of plate, &c., belonging to Henry, one of the sons of Alexander Miles, late taverner (pandoxator), committed by John Brokle, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to John Bolle, grocer, with whom the said orphan was placed as apprentice. Sureties, viz., Alan Johnson and Giles West, grocers, John Cok and Peter Pope, drapers.

31 July, 21 Henry VI. [A.D. 1443], came the above John Bolle before John Hatherle, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and delivered the above articles to John Chichele, the Chamberlain, who gave a discharge for the same.

Folio 130 b.

Custodia.

17 Nov., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], the guardianship of Alexander, another son of the above Alexander Miles, together with divers pieces of plate, committed by John Brokle, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to John Fekenham, "brewer."

Custodia.

19 Dec., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1433], the guardianship of Idonea, daughter of Johanna Wolaxcon, widow, committed by the same to John Brekles, draper. Sureties, viz., Robert Cristendom, draper, and William Russon, attorney.

Footnotes

  • 1. Not preserved at the Guildhall.
  • 2. See 'Cal. Letter-Book H,' pp. 85-6.
  • 3. Or "Brenchele." Id., p. 294.
  • 4. Or "Reymes." Id., pp. 343-4.
  • 5. 'Cal. Letter-Book I,' pp. 165, 166.
  • 6. The writ which follows is dated 5 [September], 9 Hen. VI. [A.D. 1430], and is the same as that recorded supra, p. 106, where also the execution of the writ is recorded. Cf. Kempe, op. cit., pp. 113-14.
  • 7. See Charter, 8 June, 12 Edw. II. 'Liber Cust.,' i. 267.
  • 8. It may be noted that when the King, in 1366, appointed Justices for gaol-delivery of Newgate to sit at the Guildhall he issued letters patent to the effect that such a procedure was not to become a precedent. 'Cal. Letter-Book G,' p. 213.
  • 9. The greater part of the evidences here adduced by the Mayor and citizens in support of their claim to exercise jurisdiction within the precinct of St. Martin le Grand appears to have been again adduced in the Star Chamber in 1440, when the Dean and Chapter renewed their claim of exemption from the City's jurisdiction. Kempe, pp. 116-131; cf. Fleetwood, fos. 153-160.
  • 10. "Never too late to mend." For divers variations of this proverb see Notes and Queries, 10 S. xii. 25 Dec., 1909.
  • 11. Articles granted to the City by Edward II in 1319 among them being the following Et quod nullus alienigena in libertatem civitatis pre dicte admittatur nisi in Hustengo Liber Cust 1 269 Liber Albus 1 142
  • 12. Her will dated 4 May 1430 proved and enrolled in the Husting in Nov 1431 Cal of Wills 11 455
  • 13. Cf supra p 129
  • 14. In Letter-Book I, fo. cv b, he is described as a grocer (he being at that time a Commoner), but the record is probably incorrect. See 'Cal. Letter-Book I,' Introd., p. xv n. Cf. Notes and Queries, 10 S. xii., 6 Nov., 1909.
  • 15. A clerical error for Robert.
  • 16. Cf. writ and return recorded supra, pp. 150-1.
  • 17. More usually spelt "scawage" or "scavage"-a toll or duty paid by foreign merchants on "shewing" their goods to official examiners. Further proceedings in this matter appear to be recorded infra, fos. 134-5, 193.
  • 18. A pen-and-ink sketch of the seal is given, representing a crucifix with figures on either side, surrounded by a tressure of four curves and four angles extending outwards, and an outer circle or rim.
  • 19. The return to the writ is not recorded in the Letter-Book. The City members were John Reynwell and John Welles, Aldermen; John Hatherle and Thomas Catworth, Commoners. (See Beaven's 'Aldermen of London,' p. 271.) The Parliament was remarkable for the public reconciliation of the two brothers Bedford and Gloucester. 'Rot. Parl., iv. 421.
  • 20. Sub umbra et colore libertatis in civitatis.
  • 21. Budge and lambskin generally supposed to be identical.
  • 22. Stow relates how of old time there dwelt in Mincing Lane "divers strangers borne of Genoa and those parts, these were commonly called Galley men, as men that came uppe in the Gallies, brought up wines and other merchandises which they landed in Thames Street, at a place called Galley Key." 'Survey' (ed. Kingsford), i. 132.
  • 23. 'Cal. Letter-Book E,' p. 226. Cf. 'Memorials,' p. 153.
  • 24. 'Cal. Letter-Book G,' p. 197. Cf. 'Memorials,' pp. 328-30.
  • 25. Budge.
  • 26. Probably some mixed colour. Cf. a skew-bald horse.
  • 27. I.e., the make-up of the furs. Cf. "pakkure" ('Cal. Letter-Book G,' p. 197), which Riley interprets "padding or stuffing."