Folios 141 - 151: Feb 1478-9

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Folios 141 - 151: Feb 1478-9', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII, (London, 1912) pp. 162-170. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/voll/pp162-170 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Folio 141.

Form of proclamation thereon.

Folio 141 b.

Custod' pueror' Joh'is Fenne.

15 Feb., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came William Stoner, Knt., Roger Tygo, tailor, William Hole, skinner, and Thomas Harward, draper, before the Mayor and Chamberlain, and entered into bond in the sum of £758 19s. ½d. for payment into the Chamber by the said William Stoner of a like sum to the use of Hugh and Margaret, children of John Fenne, late stockfishmonger, when they come of age or marry.

Folio 142.

Custod' pueror' Regi nald' I ang don.

16 Feb., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came Milo "Adys," Edward Bowdone, John Polyngtone, goldsmiths, and John Hawkyns, draper, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £100 for payment into the Chamber by the said Milo 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 142 b.

Exon'acio tenencium Ep'i London' de Stortford in com' Hertf' de Theolonto.

9 March, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came divers tenants of the Bishop of London from Stortford, co. Herts, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and complained that Robert Byfeld and Robert Hardyng, the Sheriffs, had taken toll of their leather and other goods contrary to the King's writ, dated 7 Feb., 18 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], which they produced.

Thereupon precept was issued to the Sheriffs to restore the toll so taken, and to cease from taking any in future. (fn. 1)

Custod' Thome filii Rogeri Humfrey curriour.

10 March, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came Thomas Hobersty, Walter Milson, Thomas Mower, and John Cole, "curriours," before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £11 5s. 4d. for delivery into the Chamber by the said Thomas Hobersty of the sum of £10, a feather bed worth 13s. 4d. and three pairs of sheets worth 12s., to the use of Thomas, son of Roger Humfrey, late "curriour," when he comes of age.

Folio 143.

Custod' pueror' Thome Bledlowe Aldr'i.

10 March, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came John Clerk, John Stokes, Thomas Norlond, grocers, and Richard Golofer, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £675 8s.d. for payment into the Chamber by the said John Clerk of specific sums of money to the use of Thomas, John, Richard, and Henry, sons of Thomas Bledlowe, late grocer and Alderman, when they come of age.

Folio 143 b.

Custod' pueror' Thome Bledlowe Aldr'i.

The same day came John Clerk, William Sandes, Robert Bangill, grocers, and William Fynchamp, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £675 8s.d. for the same purpose as above.

Folio 144.

Custod' pueror' Ambrosn Prestone I alough chaundler.

16 March, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1478-9], came William Ilger, goldsmith, Thomas Lewes, vintner, John Snowe and Ralph Bulkley, goldsmiths, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £16 13s. 4d. for payment into the Chamber by the said William Ilger of a like sum to the use of William, Beatrix, Robert, Thomas, John, and Margaret, children of Ambrose Prestone, late "taloughchaundler," when they come of age or marry.

Folio 144 b.

Proclamacio fc'a ne quis ludatad Tenis' Cailyng Clossh yng pilam pedal' nec aa alios ludos illuit'.

Proclamation by the Mayor to the following effect: "That no labourer, servaunt nor apprentice of any artificer or vitiller or of any other man take uppon hym nor be so hardy to play at Tenys Caill' Clossh foteball or use disyng and Cardyng or other like games wtin this Citee of London or the lib'tie of the same uppon payne of Imprisonment by the space of vje daies but that thei use shotyng (fn. 2) or other semblable games which be not prohibet nor forboden by the Kynge our soveraign lordes lawes." [No date].

Proclamacio fc'a sup' ordinac' abrocarior'.

Proclamation made 28 March, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], forbidding any one to act as broker unless he be one of the 30 brokers admitted and sworn before the Mayor and Aldermen, pursuant to an ordinance of the Common Council lately made.

Ordinacio q'd ligna maremia ad Rep'aco'em seu earficac' ten't' etc hos pitentur apud Guyhald' et non alibi.

22 April, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen that the Chamberlain store all building material at the Guildhall, and no allowance be made to him in his account for any other storehouse; that all manner of payments be made in the Chamber, and not by the hands of rent-gatherers; and that the ale silver (fn. 3) be not put in the general account, but in an account by itself, and that the "grete accompte be not letted in no wise therefore as it hath in late daies."

Folio 145.

Adjurnament' omnium Cur' London' pro tempore causa pestilencie.

27 April, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, and the Aldermen adjourning the sessions of all Courts in the City before the Mayor or Sheriffs until after Trinity [on account of pestilence. (fn. 4) ]

Ordinacio de Whitawiers etc.

20 July, 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came good men of the Mistery of Whitawyers before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that they might thenceforth be of the Fellowship of Lethersellers, and that all those who then were of the Craft of Whitawyers should "chaunge their copies" (fn. 5) into the Craft of Lethersellers. (fn. 6)

Their petition granted.

Confirmacio ordinac' conc'nen' lez Lethersellers.

The same day it was agreed by the said Mayor and Aldermen that a certain ordinance made in the time of the Mayoralty of Thomas Oulegreve, touching the Art or Mistery of Lethersellers, (fn. 7) should be observed, notwithstanding any ordinance afterwards made on petition of the Pursers during the Mayoralty of Robert Basset. (fn. 8)

Folio 145 b.

Custod' pueror' Will'i Neleson aur'.

30 Aug., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came Edmund Worsley, Robert Cobold, mercers, William Pynde, draper, and Giles Dokkyng, "wexchaundiller," before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £200 for payment into the Chamber by the said Edmund of a like sum of money to the use of Thomas, Elizabeth, and Alice, children of William Neleson, late goldsmith, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 9)

Presentacio Thome Howghton capell'i ad eccl'iam pochial' Sc'e Margarete Patens.

Letter from Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting Sir Thomas Howghton, chaplain, for admission as Rector of the church of St. Margaret Patens, vacant by the resignation of Sir Thomas Bateman by reason of exchange. (fn. 10) Dated 6 Sept., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479].

Folio 146.

Ordinac' conc'nen' Ballivun de Southwerk.

20 Sept., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen that in future the Bailiff of the Borough of Suthewerk should reside within the borough, and find surety for preserving all the City's liberties within the same.

Eleccio Vice com'.

Tuesday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], in the presence of Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, Humphrey Starky the Recorder, William Taillour, Knt., William Edward, Robert Drope, Robert Basset, Bartholomew James, Knt., Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., William Stokker, Knt., John Broun, Robert Billesdone, William Heryot, Thomas Hille, Hugh Brice, Richard Rawson, Henry Colet, Thomas Ilame, (fn. 11) and John Stokker, (fn. 12) Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs-Thomas Ilame, mercer, was elected one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and John Warde, grocer, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

The same day Milo "Adys," goldsmith, was elected Chamberlain of the City for the year ensuing; William Galle and Henry Bumpstede were elected Wardens of the City Bridge; Edmund Shaa, Robert Billesdone, Aldermen, William White, draper, Thomas Cole, skinner, Henry Davers, mercer, and William Bracebrigge, draper, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the account 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.

Admissio Thome Actone in officium ball'i de Suthewerk.

Tuesday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], the same year, Thomas Actone, gentleman, admitted by the Mayor and Aldermen to the office of Bailiff of Suthewerk loco Thomas Baker, deceased; to hold the said office during good behaviour.

Recogn' fc'a per Ballivum de Suthwerk.

23 Sept., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came the above Thomas Actone, William Bolley, haberdasher, and John Merik, "stacioner," and entered into bond in the sum of £100 for the due observance by the said Thomas Actone of the ordinance recently made touching the office of Bailiff of Suthewerk.

Folio 146 b.

Ordinacio pro nocument' Bigar et carect' apud Billyngesgate et Pety Wales removend'.

23 Sept., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], a petition presented to the Common Council by the inhabitants of Thames Street and Petiwales, (fn. 13) complaining of the common carters of the City blocking the streets in the neighbourhood of Billingsgate with their carts in such a way that neither the King nor Queen with their retinues, nor the Mayor or Aldermen, nor merchants could without great difficulty make their way in the streets between the church of St. Magnus and the watergate next the Tower of London, and praying that certain regulations for abating the nuisance might be approved.

Petition granted.

Folio 147.

Concessio cujusdam soli p'tinen' Pont' fc a Rob to Tate.

The same day Robert Tate, mercer, presented a petition to the Common Council touching a tenement with appurtenances in Tower Street, in the parish of All Hallows Barking, held by him under a lease from the Wardens of London Bridge, and a disputed claim of a quit-rent, and suggesting a mode of settlement.

Petition granted.

Folio 147 b.

Eleccio Maioris.

Wednesday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], in the presence of Richard Gardyner, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, William Taillour, Knt., William Edward, William Hampton, Knt., Robert Drope, Robert Basset, Humphrey Hayford, Bartholomew James, Knt., Thomas Stalbroke, Knt., William Heriot, John Broun, William Stokker, Knt., Robert Billesdone, Thomas Hille, Richard Rawson, Henry Colet, John Warde, Thomas Ilame, and John Stokker, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing—Bartholomew James was elected.

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

Custod' Thome Kemp fil' Radi Kemp.

13 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came Henry Bumpstede, William Purchas, Thomas Niche, and William Pratte, mercers, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £80 for payment into the Chamber by the said Henry of a like sum to the use of Thomas, son of Ralph Kemp, late mercer, when he attains the age of 27 years, £50 of the said sum having been bequeathed to the said orphan by John Burton, late mercer.

Folio 148.

Custod' pueror' Will'i Roseii monger.

15 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came German Manfeld, hatter, Henry Crane, "fletcher," John Umfrey, "bowier," and Peter Caldecote, draper, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £40 for payment into the Chamber by the said German of a like sum to the use of Thomas and Clemence, children of William Rose, late "irmonger," when they come of age or marry.

Folio 148 b.

Ordinacio scrutiniis faciend' in mister' de lethersellers et Cirothecarior'.

15 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen, that in order to put an end to strife, in future the Leathersellers shall make search in their mistery without the Glovers, and the Glovers in their mistery without the Leathersellers; and further, that the Leathersellers and Glovers make search of things appertaining to their respective misteries in the mistery of the other, accompanied by a Serjeant-at-Mace, notwithstanding any ordinance to the contrary. (fn. 14)

Ordinac de Wiredrawers et Chapemakers.

15 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came good men of the several Misteries of Wiredrawers and Chapemakers, (fn. 15) and presented a petition to the Mayor and Aldermen to the effect that "for asmoche as there is noon sufficiaunt noumbre of iche of the said crafts to chese Wardeyns of theym self to kepe their Rules and Ordenaunces," and each meddled with the other's work, it might be ordained that the two crafts might be made one Fellowship under the name of Wyremongers, and that yearly two Wardens might be chosen who should exercise the right of search, and that apprentices should be bound to the new Fraternity and thereof be made free of the City.

Petition granted.

Nota de firma cujusdam domus juxta Ludgate etc.

8 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen that Thomas Cotton, Keeper of the gaol of Ludgate, shall pay the sum of £6 for the lease of his house near the said gaol for the past five years and no more, inasmuch as he has executed many repairs. Other Keepers to pay 40s. a year for the same and to keep it in repair.

Folio 149-50.

Ordinacio de lez Turnours.

22 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came good men of the Mistery of Turnours into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and presented a petition that certain articles for regulating the Craft might be approved, to the following effect:—

First, that freemen of the Craft, about Whitsuntide, should meet together and choose two Wardens for the two years next ensuing.

That the outgoing Wardens render their account to the new Wardens within a month of their election.

That the Wardens have full power to search and oversee "all maner of Busshell trees, half busshell trees and pekkes, and all other ware and stuf belonging to the Craft."

That a Common Beadle be appointed, to have quarterly for his salary of every freeman of the Craft 4d. more or less, at the discretion of the Wardens and Commonalty.

That fines be imposed for rebuking and chiding members.

That every member taking an apprentice pay to the Common Box 20d.

That no member receive into his service a "foreyn" or one enfranchised in another Craft.

That no member send his wares to be hawked or sold in the streets.

That Wardens failing in their duty be fined 5 marks, one half to go to the Chamber and the other to the Common Box of the Craft.

Petition granted.

Folio 150.

Exon acio Johannis Curate ab assis' etc.

23 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], John Curate, 'fletcher," discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to his infirmities.

Exon acio Willi Serle ab assis etc.

25 Oct., the same year, William Serle, tailor, similarly discharged for like cause.

Custod pueror Will'i Palmer auri fabri.

22 Oct., the same year, came Elizabeth Palmer, widow, John Pake, draper, William Milbourne, "payntour," and Robert Stokker, draper, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £300 for payment into the Chamber by the said Elizabeth of a like sum to the use of Matilda and Margaret, daughters of William Palmer, late goldsmith, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 16)

Q d Bedelli sint Collector de la Ale sil er etc.

26 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen that the Beadle of each Ward should receive for his trouble in receiving the money called "alesilver" (fn. 17) 2s. in the pound.

Folio 150 b-151 b.

Ordinacio de lez Pavyours.

26 Oct., 19 Edward IV. [A. D. 1479], came good men of the Mistery of Pavyours of the City and prayed the Mayor and Aldermen to approve certain ordinances for the regulation of the Craft as set out. (fn. 18)

Petition granted.

Footnotes

  • 1. Reference made to a precept which was issued in a similar case in 1375. See 'Cal. Letter-Book H,' p. 5.
  • 2. In order to encourage the prac tice of archery such games as are here mentioned were forbidden in 1477 by Parliament, under the heavy penalty of two years' imprisonment and a fine of £10 for each offence. 'Rot. Parl.,' vi. 188. Reference has already been made (supra, p. 22, note 3) to a statute passed in 1472 for enforcing the importation of bow staves by foreign merchants trading with England. Another statute, passed in 1484, enacted that for every butt (or tun) of Malmsey or Tyre imported, ten good bowstaves should also be imported, under penalty of a fine. (Stat. 1 Ric. III., cap. xi.)
  • 3. A rent or tribute paid yearly to the Mayor by those who sell ale within the City (Halliwell).
  • 4. Cf. Cotton MS., Vitellius A xvi., fo 136: 'In this yere [Gaidyner, Mayor] was a gieate deth, which continued all the yere" (Kingsfords 'Chionicles of London,' p. 188).
  • 5. See 'Cal. Letter-Book K,' In trod, p. xxxvi.
  • 6. Petition set out in Black's 'Hist. of the Company of Leathersellers,' p. 38.
  • 7. Supra, pp. 74-5.
  • 8. Supra, pp. 138-40.
  • 9. Margin. 11 Dec., 14 Henry VII. A. D. 1498], came the above Eliza beth and acknowledged satisfaction for her patrimony, as well as for money accruing to her by the death of Alice her sister.
  • 10. Bateman became Vicar of Blean, co. Kent, by exchange with Hough ton. Hennessy's 'Novum Reper torium,' p. cxxv.
  • 11. Home, supra, p. 160.
  • 12. Not to be confounded with John Stokker, Alderman of Langbourn Ward, who died in 1464.
  • 13. A part of Thames Street some times known as Galley Row, but more commonly as Petty Wales Stow's 'Survey' (ed Kingsford), i. 136.
  • 14. Printed in Black's 'Hist. of the Leathersellers,' p. 39. In 1451 it had been ordained that two Wardens should be respectively chosen by the Leathersellers and the Glovers, and that they should search together for defects in either of their crafts, ac companied by a Serjeant at-Mace. This procedure, however, appears to have satisfied neither party. See 'Cal. Letter-Book K' pp. 334-5; Black, op. cit., p. 30.
  • 15. Makers of that part of a buckle by which it is fastened to a strap or belt, usually made of metal. The word appears also as a verb trans. Cf. "to chape bokels," i. e., to fit buckles with chapes. 'Cal. Letter-Book K,' p. 199.
  • 16. Margin. 13 June, 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], came Robert Wymonde, mercer, who had married the above Matilda, and acknowledged satisfac tion for the sum of £150.
  • 17. Vide supra, p. 164, note 2.
  • 18. The articles are printed in a 'History of the Paviors' Company,' by Charles Welch, F. S. A., from a book of ordinances originally in the possession of the Company, and now in the Guildhall Library, into which they appeal to have been transcribed from the record in the Letter-Book.