Folios 131 - 140: Nov 1477 -

Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.

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'Folios 131 - 140: Nov 1477 - ', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII, (London, 1912) pp. 153-162. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/voll/pp153-162 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Folio 131.

Exon'acio Abb'is de Waltham Sc'e Cruc' etc de Theolonio etc.

18 Nov., 17 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477], ordinance by Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, John Yonge, Knt., William Edward, Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Thomas Stalbroke, Robert Billesdone, Thomas Bledlowe, Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hille, Hugh Brice, Robert Colwiche, Richard Rawson, and Henry Colet, Aldermen, that the Abbot of Waltham Holy Cross and his men and tenants shall be quit of toll and all custom in the City, pursuant to a judgment given and entered on the Rolls of divers customs of the City allowed in an Iter, &c.

Custod' pueror' Joh'is Rooke junior Bocher.

10 Dec., 17 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477], came Andrew Tod, mercer, Thomas Dalston, glover, Robert Anore, "bocher," and Richard Stutford, blacksmith, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £33 for the delivery into the Chamber by the said Andrew of specific sums of money and certain chattels (comprising a nut and a "Parys cuppe," parcel-gilt) to the use of Marion, Thomas, and William, children of John Rooke, junior, late butcher, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 1)

Folio 131 b.

Ordinaco'es Zonarior'.

15 Dec., 17 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477], came good men of the Mistery of Girdlers into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, Ralph Josselyn, Knt., John Yonge, Knt., William Taillour, Knt., William Hamptone, Knt., Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., Richard Gardyner, Robert Billesdone, Thomas Bledlowe, Thomas Hille, Richard Rawsone, and Henry Colet, Aldermen, and presented a petition praying that certain articles for governing the mistery might be approved.

Among the articles (which, for the most part, are of the usual character for the regulation of Guilds) are the following :—

"Also that it shalbe lefull to every persone of the said Craft harnysyng girdils of Sik (silk) or of ledder excedyng not the brede of an half peny to naill all sowdres pendauntes of all suche Girdilles wt j naill any Acte or Ordenaunce to the contrary made not withstaundyng."

"Also that every persone of the said Crafte may hold oppene shop and shewe and sell his wares and m'chaundises in the Festes of Seint Barthilmowe Thappostill the Nativite of oure Lady and Seint Thomas Thappostill in the whiche alle other Craftes of this Citee use to uppene their shoppes and shewe and sell theire wares and m'chaundises."

Petition granted.

Folio 132.

Ordinaco'e de Cobelers.

The same day came good men of the Mistery of "Cobelers" to the Mayor and Aldermen complaining that "Foreyns dwellers wtoute the Fraunches and liberties of this Citee Cobelers and other not beryng any taxe lotte or scotte in the saide Citee daily brynge into the same Citee grete Nombre of Shoes and theym by the doseyne uttre and frely sell at their lib'tie and pleasure whereby the poore lyvyng of your saide Besechers is gretely mynisshed and appaired." They pray therefore that it may be ordained "that the draught of the saide utteraunce and sale of the said shoes so brought by the saide Cobelers and other into this noble Citee mowe be fordone uppon payn of Forfaiture of the same shoes," &c.

Petition granted.

Folio 132 b.

Presentacio Roberti Basy capell'i ad quandam can tariam .v. cantar' in capella b'te Me juxta Guyhaldam London'.

Letter from Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, and William Philippe, the Chamberlain, to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting Robert Basy, chaplain, for admission to one of the five chantries founded in the Guildhall by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowik, vacant by the resignation of Sir John Gregory. Dated 7 Feb., 17 Edward IV., A. D. 1477[-8].

Custod' Joh'is Nicholson filii Joh'is Nicholson.

6 Feb., 17 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477-8], came Giles Barbour, fuller, William Chaunte, "stacyoner," William Lucas, "taillour," and Thomas Spenser, fuller, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £18 for payment into the Chamber by the said Giles of a like sum to the use of John, son of John "Nicolson," late "stacioner," when he shall come of age.

Folio 133.

Custod' pueror' Ric i Marchall haberdassher.

10 Feb., the same year, came Richard Marchall, John Mark, William Geffrey, and John Colrede, haberdashers, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £15 for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard of the sum of £10 to the use of Roger, son of the said Richard Marchall, and £5 to Richard, son of the same, when they shall respectively come of age, the said sums having been bequeathed to them by Roger "Waryng," late tailor.

Folio 133 b.

Q'd lez Whit awiers non ex'ceant artem suam infra lib tatem et licet com'or entur ex a Civi tat' tamen debent gaudere lib tatem etc.

27 Feb., 17 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477-8], ordinance by Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, Ralph Josselyn, Knt., Ralph Verney, Knt., John Yonge, Knt., William Edward, Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., Richard Gardyner, William Heriot, William Stokker, Knt., Robert Billesdone, Richard Rawson, Edmund Shaa, and Hugh Brice, Aldermen, that the Whitawiers within the liberty of the City shall not exercise their art there, but only outside the liberty, and that Whitawiers living in Suthwerk and Barmondesey strete shall enjoy the freedom of the City, although residing outside, inasmuch as they cannot exercise their art within the same without annoying their neighbours.

Custod' Rog'i Hyde orph'i Civitatis.

6 March, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477-8], came John Mynes, mercer, William Whitwey, mercer, Richard Cotys, grocer, and William Brownyng, tailor, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £10 for payment into the Chamber by the said John Mynes of a like sum to the use of Roger, son of Hyde (the said sum having been bequeathed to the orphan by Roger "Warenge," late tailor), on his coming of age.

Folio 134.

Custod' pueror' Joh'is Dagvile Surgion.

10 March, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1477-8], came William Witwange, surgeon, Peter Pekham, John Mathewe, mercers, and John Materdale, tailor, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £484 16s. 4d. for the delivery into the Chamber by the said William Witwange of the sum of £133 6s. 8d. and certain chattels to the use of John, Alice, and Thomas, children of John Dagvile, late surgeon, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 2)

Folio 134 b.

Custod' pueror' Roberti Tatersale.

29 March, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], came John Wyngar, John Stokes, Thomas Norlond, grocers, and Henry Wyngar, haberdasher, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of 200 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said John Wyngar of a like sum to the use of John and Elizabeth, children of Robert Tatersale, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 3)

Folio 135.

Proclamacio fc'a q'd forinsecus non vendat m'can dis' alt'i Forins' nec circumvaget in Civit'e cum rebus venalib'.

Proclamation to the effect "that no maner of Foreyn take uppon hym to sell to Rataile any maner of m'chaundises wtin the saide Citee or þe liberties thereof to any maner of Foreyn" contrary to the Act, nor "Þt any maner of Foreyn in any maner of wise bere to sell to any maner of persone any maner of m'chaundises in the oppen stretes lanes or waies of Þe Citee," under penalty prescribed. [No date.]

P'sentacio Mag'ri Joh'is West capell'i ad cantariam sup' ossamenta mortuor' in Cimiterio Sc'i Pauli.

Letter from Humphrey Hayford, Mayor, and William Philippe, the Chamberlain, to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting Master John West, a notary public [and] chaplain, for admission to the perpetual chantry founded by Roger Beyvyn in the chapel over the bones of the dead in St. Paul's churchyard, vacant by the resignation of Sir John Wright.

Custod' Joh'is Crosby filii Joh'is Crosby milit'.

6 July, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], came Robert Halle, John Smert, grocers, William Fuller, "irmonger," and Thomas Champney, "taloughchaundiller," and entered into bond in the sum of £250 for the payment into the Chamber by the said Robert of a like sum to the use of John, son of John Crosby, Knt. and Alderman, late grocer, on his coming of age.

Folio 135 b.

Restriccio cujusdam ordinac' brasiat' pro tempore etc.

At a Common Council held 23 July, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], in the presence of Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, John Yonge, Knt., William Taillour, Knt., Robert Drope, William Hamptone, Knt., Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., William Heryot, John Broune, Richard Gardyner, William Stokker, Knt., Thomas Hille, Hugh Brice, Richard Rawson, and Henry Colet, Aldermen, it was agreed that, inasmuch as brewers of the City enhance the price of beer against the common weal, foreign brewers should come into the City and there freely sell their beer until further orders. (fn. 4)

Exon'acio Will'mi Mynte ab assis'.

20 July, 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], William Mynte, "whelewright," discharged by Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., at the request of the Queen, on whose business, as well as that of the Prince, he was daily occupied.

Folio 136.

Eleccio Vice comit'.

Monday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], in the presence of Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, John Yonge, Knt., William Edward, William Hamptone, Knt., Robert Drope, Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., Richard Gardyner, Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., William Heriot, William Stokker, Knt., Robert Billesdone, John Broun, Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hille, Robert Colwyche, Hugh Brice, Richard Rawson, and Henry Colet, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—Robert Hardyng, goldsmith, was elected one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and Robert Byfeld, "irmonger," was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

The same day William Philippe, goldsmith, was elected Chamberlain of the City for the year ensuing; William Galle and Henry Bumpstede were elected Wardens of the City bridge; Robert Colwyche, Robert Billesdone, Aldermen, and Richard Chawry, salter, Richard Nailer, tailor, Henry "Davers" mercer, and William Bulstrode, draper, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the accounts of the Chamberlain and Wardens in arrear.

Afterwards, viz., on the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow of the said Feast were presented, admitted, &c., before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Concessio fc'a Inh'itant' de Fletestrete pro conduct' ib'm h'end' etc.

Petition to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, on Friday, 25 Sept., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], by the inhabitants of Fleet Street, for permission to erect two cisterns on the common soil of the City—one to be at the Standard in Fleet Street and the other at Fleet Bridge—pursuant to the will of John Middeltone, late Alderman and executor of Sir William Estfeld, at whose expense water had been brought from Paddington to the aforesaid Standard; and, further, that the petitioners may be allowed to enjoy the said cisterns and water coming to them for evermore, according to the terms of the will of the said John Middeltone, without interruption. (fn. 5)

Petition granted.

Folio 136 b.

Eleccio Maioris.

Tuesday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], in the presence of Humphrey Hayford, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, John Yonge, Knt., William Taillour, Knt., William Edward, William Hamptone, Knt., John Tate, Robert Drope, Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., Richard Gardyner, Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., John Broun, Robert Billesdone, William Heriot, Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hill, Hugh Brice, Thomas Rawson, Henry Colet, and John Warde, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing—Richard Gardyner was elected.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], the said Mayor was sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow was presented, admitted, &c. before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Exon'acio Rob'ti Went worth ab assis'.

26 Oct. 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], Robert Wentworth, grocer, discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from serving on juries owing to deafness, &c.

Folio 137.

Exon'acio Johannis Caldebek ab assis'.

The same day John Caldebek, grocer, similarly discharged for like cause.

Exon'acio Will mi Wode warde ab assis'.

27 Oct. the same year, William Wodewarde, goldsmith, discharged from serving on juries, &c. he being over 70 years of age and suffering from divers infirmities.

Custod' pueror' Andr' Mason.

14 Nov., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], came John Breteyn, salter, John Gybbes, sherman, Richard Burton, goldsmith, and Thomas Curteys, salter, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £26 13s. 4d. for payment into the Chamber by the said John Breteyn of a like sum to the use of John and William, sons of Andrew Mason, late salter, when they come of age.

Folio 137 b.

Q'd ad eccl'iam Sc'e Margarete Patens Rector eodem modo eligatur et p'sentet' sicut ad eccl'iam Sc'i Petri sup' Cornhull.

12 Nov., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], ordinance by Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, and the Aldermen that in future, when the church of St. Margaret Patens should become void in law (infra juris terminum), (fn. 6) four secular clerks of repute within the City or circuit of one mile of the same, approved for their morality and learning, shall be assigned by the Mayor and Aldermen to nominate four persons who should seem most fit for the cure of the church, each nominee being a Professor and Doctor of Sacred Theology or a Bachelor in Theology or Master of Arts, and a secular without other benefice, so that the said Mayor and Aldermen may elect one of the four to reside continuously in the church and faithfully serve it, and thereto be instituted by the Bishop of London. (fn. 7)

Judicium cujusdam qui perjoravit pipas conduct' et furat' fuit aquam etc.

12 Nov., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], sentence passed by the Mayor and Aldermen upon William Campion for unlawfully tapping a conduit pipe and bringing water into his house in Fleet Street and elsewhere, viz., that he should be taken out of the Bread Street Compter, where he was confined, and set upon a horse "wt a vessell like unto a conduyt full of water uppon his hede, the same water Rennyng by smale pipes oute of the same vessell, and that when the water is wasted newe water to be put in the saide vessell ayein"; and further, that he should be conveyed to divers parts of the City and proclamation made in each place of his misdoing, and finally be brought back to the Compter, there to remain at the will of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Folio 138.

De officio clerici Camere.

23 Nov., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], ordinance by Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, and the Aldermen to the effect that in future John Hert, Clerk of the Chamber, and all other Clerks of the Chamber, should be elected by the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being, and should remain in office during good behaviour, and further, that no other Clerk in the Chamber of the Guildhall should be keeper of the books, nor record anything therein, nor make the account of the Chamberlain except the Clerk of the Chamber so elected, and that the said John Hert should be Comptroller of the Chamberlain and Clerk of the Chamber as Robert Langford had been.

Eleccio Magr'i Joh'is Breteyne in Rectorem Eccl'ie paro chial' Sci Petri sup' Cornhull.

At a Common Council held on Tuesday, 1 Dec., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], there being present Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, John Yonge, Knt., William Taillour, Knt., William Hamptone, Knt., Robert Drope, Robert Basset, Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., William Heriot, William Stokker, Knt., John Broun, Robert Billesdone, Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hille, Robert Colwiche, Hugh Brice, Richard Rawson, Henry Colet, and Thomas "Ilome," Aldermen, the following were nominated by four of the most approved Doctors of the City for one of them to be elected Rector of the church of St. Peter upon Cornhulle loco Thomas Asshby, deceased, viz., Masters John Breteyn, John Barley, Robert Wrangewishe, Doctors of Theology, and Master Edward Lupton, Bachelor of Theology. Thereupon John Breteyn of Cambridge was elected on condition he renounced before presentation the benefice he then had.

Folio 138 b.

P'sentacio Johannis Cheswright capell'i ad quandam cantar' in Eccl' ia Sc'i Pauli Lond' fundat' pro ai'a Henr' Guleford.

Letter from Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, and William Philippe, the Chamberlain, to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, presenting Sir John Cheswright, chaplain, for admission to the chantry founded in the said church by Henry "Guleford," vacant by the death of William Wyswale. Dated 2 Dec., 1478.

L're patent' pro Joh'e Yonge essena' Alderman' Theutonicor' ap d Slile yerd.

Letters patent appointing John Yonge, Knt and Alderman, to be Justice for the merchants of Almaine in their house in the City, commonly called Gildehalla Theutomcorum. Witness the King at Westminster, 17 Nov., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478].

Folio 139.

P sentacio Mag'ri Joh'is Breteyn ad Eccl'iam p'ochialem Sc'i Petri super Cornhull.

Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting John Breteyn, Professor of Sacred Theology, for institution as Rector of St. Peter's, Cornhill, vacant by the death of Master Thomas Asshby. Dated 9 Dec., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478].

Custod' pueror' Regi naldi Langdon.

10 Dec., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], came John Hawkyns, draper, Milo Ades, Edward Bowdon, and John Polyngton, goldsmiths, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £100 for payment into the Chamber by the said John Hawkyns of a like sum to the use of John and Anne, children of Reginald Langdon, late girdler, when they come of age or marry.

Folio 139 b.

Br'e et Return' ubi dicitur q'd quidam pro palavit verba obprobriosa in dedecus Aldr'i.

Writ of habeas corpus cum causa, addressed to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, touching the detention of William Capell. Witness the King at Wyndesore, 10 Dec., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478].

Return made to the above by Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Robert Hardyng and Robert Byfeld, the Sheriffs, to the effect that the above William Capell was in custody for vilifying Robert Drope; an Alderman.

Afterwards, viz., on the 22 Dec., the Chancellor remitted the said William Capell to be punished at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Folio 140.

Custod' Joh'is Elys fil' Thome Elys pannar'.

28 Jan., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came Thomas Wollesby, Henry Skeltone, Richard Fote, and William Edward, drapers, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £20 for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas of a like sum to the use of John, son of Thomas Elys, late draper, when he comes of age.

Folio 140-1.

Ordinacio Abrocar' in div'sis arti culis.

28 Jan., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], articles ordained by the Common Council for regulating Brokers within the City; the first of them restricting their number to 30, of whom at least 18 must be Englishmen born.

Footnotes

  • 1. Margin. 11 Sept., 1478, came Thomas Waren, who married the above Marion, and acknowledged satisfaction.
  • 2. Margin. 6 Aug., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478], came Thomas Call, who married the above Alice, and acknow ledged satisfaction for his wife's property.
  • 3. Margin. 21 Jan., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495 6], came the above John, the orphan, and acknowledged satis faction for his patrimony and for money accruing to him by the death of Elizabeth his sister.
  • 4. Cf. infra, fo. 160 b.
  • 5. Cf. Stow s 'Survey' (ed. Kings ford), ii. 41: "The inhabitantes of Fleetestreete in the yeare 1478 ob tained licence of the Mayor, Alder men and comminaltie to make at theire owne charges two cesteines, the one to be set at the said standarde [erected in 1471], the other at Fleete bridge for the receit of the wast water; this cesterne at the standard they builded." See also 'Cal. Letter-Book K,' Intiod., pp. I-li.
  • 6. Within the term of the jus patro natus, or right of presentation.
  • 7. Compare a similar ordinance made by the Common Council in 1445 respecting presentation to the church of St. Peter, Cornhill 'Cal. Letter-Book K,' pp. 310-11.