Folios 221 - 231: Sept 1486 -

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 221 - 231: Sept 1486 - ', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII, (London, 1912) pp. 234-241. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/voll/pp234-241 [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

Folio 221.

Custodia Rob'ti filii Thome Hille Aldr'i.

20 Sept., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], came Thomas Wynnam, John Hille, John Jak', drapers, and John Smyth, stockfishmonger, and entered into bond in the sum of £380 for the payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Wynnam of a sum of £330 6s. 8d. to the use of Robert, son of Thomas Hille, Knt. and Alderman, deceased, (fn. 1) when he comes of age.

Folio 221 b.

Eleccio Vice comit'.

Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], in the presence of Hugh Brice, the Mayor, Thomas Fitzwilliam the Recorder, John Broun, John Warde, Henry Colet, John Mathew, Robert Tate, William Martyn, William White, Robert Hardyng, Ralph Astry, John Percyvall, William Remyngton, John Fenkell, Ralph Tilney, Hugh Cloptone, John Swan, and John Tate, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—John Percyvall, tailor, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and Hugh Cloptone, mercer, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

The same day William Purches, mercer, was elected Chamberlain of the City for the year ensuing; William Galle, tailor, and Simon Harrys, grocer, were elected Wardens of the City bridge; Robert Tate, Richard Chawry, Aldermen, John Pykeryng, mercer, William Sparke and Robert Fabian, drapers, and Thomas Fabian, mercer, were elected Auditors of the accounts of the Chamberlain and Wardens in arrear.

Afterwards, viz., on the eve of St. Michael, 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.

For Clerkes of the Countour'.

Monday, 25 Sept., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], petition by the Common Council to the Mayor and Aldermen praying that an Act of Common Council made temp. William Gregory, Mayor, touching the number of Clerks, &c., in the service of the Sheriffs, (fn. 2) may be varied, and that thenceforth each Sheriff should employ no more than a Secondary with his clerk, a clerk of the paper, and four other clerk-sitters; that these should be freemen of the City, except the Secondary's clerk; that they should be appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen, and not be removed except by authority of the same. Any Sheriff acting to the contrary to incur a penalty of £100.

The same enacted accordingly.

Folio 222.

Presentacio Ric'i Toteriche capellam ad quandam can tar' .v. cantar in capell' b'te Marie juxta Guyhald' London'.

Letter from the Mayor and the Chamberlain to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting Richard Toteriche, chaplain, for admission to one of the five chantries founded in the Guildhall Chapel by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowyk, vacant by the resignation of Master Thomas Aleyn. Dated Sept., A.D. 1481 [sic], anno 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486].

Tuesday, 3 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], ordinance by the Common Council that the following Secondaries and Clerks in the Compters of the Poultry and Bread Street, who were late "sitters" in the same, shall continue in office during good behaviour, notwithstanding the Act of the 25th Sept. last limiting their numbers, viz.:—

In the Poultry Compter, Henry Wodecok, Secondary, Edmund Taseburgh, Clerk of the paper, Thomas Squyer, Robert Colson, John Love, Thomas Bradshaagh, Humphrey Burley, Hugh Plesyngton.

In the Bread Street Compter, Henry Assheborne, Secondary, William Horwell, Clerk of the paper, William Carewe, Antony Normavyle, John Rothewell, Robert Erham, Thomas Toly, Richard Massam.

Provided always that vacancies be not filled up until there be but four clerks sitting in the said Compters, and after that the ordinance of the 25th Sept. last to be observed for evermore.

Folio 222 b.

For amerciament' to be levied of Straungiers for noun apparance in Enquestes.

3 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], the amount of fines imposed on strangers for failing to attend inquests in causes between strangers and denizens pursuant to Stat. 28 Edward III., cap. xiii. (De medietate linguæ), ordered by the Common Council to be enhanced in proportion to the number of defaults, the original amount of fine payable, being limited to 3 pence, proving insufficient to compel appearance, new fines are imposed extending from 3 pence to 20 shillings, with power of distress.

Folio 223.

Custodia pueror' Joh'is Benet nuper Civis et pann'.

5 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], came Richard Geffrey, tailor, John Carlyll, grocer, Thomas Bonde, fishmonger, and Richard Hille, tailor, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £154 for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard Geffrey of a like sum to the use of John, Edward, and William, sons of John Benet, late draper, when they shall come of age, the said money being, in part, their patrimony, and, in part, legacies by Agnes Brewes their grandmother and Richard Swalowe their uncle.

Folio 223 b.

Custoaia pueror' Roberti Cartleage.

11 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], came Henry Coote, Thomas Wode, Gilbert Belamy, and John Swerder, goldsmiths, and entered into bond in the sum of £700 for payment into the Chamber by the said Henry Coote of a like sum to the use of Thomas, Robert, Richard, John, Emmota, William, and Antony, children of Robert Cartleage, late goldsmith, when they reach the age of 24 or marry. (fn. 3)

Folio 224.

Eleccio Maioris.

Friday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], in the presence of Hugh Brice, Knt., Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, Thomas Fitzwilliam the Recorder, John Broun, Robert Billesdone, John Warde, Henry Colet, Robert Tate, Richard Chawry, William White, John Martyn, Robert Hardyng, John Tate, Ralph Astry, William Remyngton, John Fenkell, Ralph Tylney, John Percyvale, and Hugh Cloptone, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing— Henry Colet 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 Joh'is Crichefeld ab assisis.

23 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], John Crichefeld, goldsmith, discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from serving on juries owing to ill-health.

Exon'acio Rog'i Dorsyngton ciss'ab assisis.

26 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], Roger Dorsyngton, tailor, similarly discharged owing to divers infirmities affecting his head.

Exon'acio Will'i Dockyng allutar'ab assisis.

27 Oct., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], William Dockyng, cordwainer, similarly discharged owing to deafness.

Folio 224 b.

Exon'acio Joh'is Scull ab assisis.

The same day John Scull, goldsmith, was similarly discharged owing to divers infirmities.

Custodia pueror' Thome Hille milit'.

1 Nov., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], came Thomas Grafton, mercer, Richard Nonneley, grocer, Thomas Lute, "gentilman," and Reginald Asshe, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £140 for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Grafton of a like sum to the use of Agnes, Elizabeth, Robert, Edward, Johanna, and Alice, children of Thomas Hille, Knt., late Alderman, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 4)

Folio 225.

Custodia Joh'is Austeyn filii Laurencii "Austyn".

9 Nov., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], came Randolph Austeyn, Richard Hawk, Stephen Russell, and John Wayte, "Foundours," and entered into bond in the sum of £13 3s. 10d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Randolph of a like sum to the use of John, son of Laurence "Austeyn," late barber, when he comes of age.

7 Dec., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486], ordinance by Henry Colet, Knt., Mayor, Thomas Fitz William the Recorder, John Warde, Hugh Brice, Robert Tate, Richard Chawrye, William White, William Martyn, John Swan, John Tate, William Capell, Hugh Cloptone, John Percyvale, John Mathew, Aldermen, that every Alderman in his Ward receive and take the verdicts and indentures of their Wardmote inquests before coming to the Guildhall "uppon Munday next after the xii day," (fn. 5) bringing with them the said indentures and verdicts on the said Monday, but leaving at home the said inquests, in order to avoid the danger arising from the presence of large numbers attending the Hall in connexion with the inquests.

Folio 225 b.

Tharticles for Bakers to be kept in their Halymote.

"ALSO forasmoche as in the Halymote of Bakers holden the Sonday before the Fest of Seint Thomas thappostle (fn. 6) before the Maire and Shireffes of the saide Citee at Seint Thomas of Acres divers articles and charges have been leyde unto the saide bakers the which in tymes passed have not be observed and kept nor as yet be ne may be conveniently kept and observed Wherethurgh the saide bakers yeerely have ronne in perjurie to the grete jeoperdie of their Soules Therefore the saide vij day of Decembre and yeer abovesaid it is aggreed by the saide Mair and Aldermen that the saide articles shalbe voide and in noe wyse leyde unto the charge of the saide bakers at the day and place aforesaid and that in stede and place of the same articles thise articles underwreten shalbe leyd unto their charge at the day and place abovesaid.

"First, that the saide Bakers shall by their saide othes truely enquere and present if any Baker bake any Brede to be solde except Horsebrede otherwise than ij or iiij lofes for jd. or oon lofe for jd. of wheten brede at all tymes of the yeere except ayenst and in the tyme of Cristemas that every Baker shall mowe bake peny lofes or ij peny lofes or above of gretter pryce of white brede; and if any Baker doo the contrary that they shall by their said othes present it".

That they shall inquire and truly present any baker found forestalling or regrating wheat.

That they shall present any baker found baking any bread to be sold that was not wheaten bread "not medled with other cornes," and any brown baker baking white bread to be sold.

Nota iiij or marc' solut' Rectori b'te Marie Wolchurche pro les Stockes per Custod' Pont' London'.

Thursday, 1 Feb., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], ordinance by the Common Council—there being present Henry Colet, Knt., Mayor, Robert Billesdone, John Warde, Hugh Brice, William Horn, Richard Chawry, John Mathewe, William White, Ralph Astry, William Martyn, William Remyngton, Ralph Tilney, William Capell, John Percyvall, and Hugh Cloptone, Aldermen—that Master John Archer, Rector of the church of St Mary de Wolchirch, and his successors shall receive yearly the sum of 4 marks from the Wardens of London Bridge for offerings due for the lower part of the Stocks, where fishmongers and butchers sell their victuals. An agreement to be drawn up to that effect, Master William Chaunte acting on behalf of the City.

Folio 226.

For dilatory plees no more to be used.

The same day ordinance by the Common Council that no Attorney or Pleader in the Courts of the Mayor or Sheriffs shall thenceforth plead any false plea or any untrue dilatory plea, or allege any matter other than that which they have good reason to believe to be true, under pain of losing their office; and further, that it shall be lawful for every Attorney and Pleader, on the first day of appearance in the said Courts, to have an "imparlans" (fn. 7) unto the next Court day and no longer, in order to communicate with their clients, and to learn the truth of the matter with which they are dealing, as of old accustomed. Provided always that the ministers of the said Courts take nothing for recording the said "imparlans".

For goyng to Feyres etc.

The same day ordinance by the Common Council forbidding freemen of the City thenceforth to send their wares to any Fair or Market within the realm for the next seven years, under penalty of £100, inasmuch as such a course tended to the impoverishment of the City, and was injurious to those living in the country owing to the bad quality of the wares sent for sale. (fn. 8)

Folio 226 b.

Custodia Joh'is Rawson filii Thome Rawson.

1 Feb., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], came Richard Lacon, Edmund Worsley, William Westone, and William Redy, mercers, and entered into bond in the sum of 500 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard of a like sum to the use of John, son of Thomas Rawson, late mercer, when he comes of age.

Folio 227.

Custodia Katerine Higson filie Rogeri Higson sadler.

8 Feb., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], came John Payntour, Thomas Eyre, Thomas Goldsmyth, grocers, and John Eryk, upholder, and entered into bond in the sum of 100 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said John Payntour of a like sum to the use of Katherine, daughter of Roger Higson, late saddler, when she comes of age. (fn. 9)

Folio 227 b.

8 Feb., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], the charter of the Mistery of Bakers of the City allowed by Henry Colet, Knt., Mayor, and the Aldermen, and ordered to be recorded, provided the aforesaid Bakers do nothing, by virtue of the charter, contrary to the liberty of the City.

Carta Pistorum.

The aforesaid charter of incorporation granted to the Bakers, dated 22 July, 1 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486]. (fn. 10)

Folio 228-31.

Ordiracio de Carpenters.

21 Feb., 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], came the Wardens and other good men of the Mistery of Carpenters into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before Henry Colet, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and presented a petition praying that certain ordinances (fn. 11) as set out for the regulation of the Craft might be approved.

Their prayer granted.

Folio 231 b.

7 March, 2 Henry VII. [A.D. 1486-7], came John a More, fishmonger, John Morley and Richard Morley, "talughchaundelers," and Thomas Tabilion, "bruer," and entered into bond in the sum of £53 2s. 6d. for payment into the Chamber of a like sum [ends abruptly].

Footnotes

  • 1. Alderman successively of Cordwainer and Cheap Wards. Ob. 23 Sept., 1485 (Beaven).
  • 2. See 'Cal. Letter-Book K,' pp. 345-7.
  • 3. Margin 26 Sept., 5 Henry VII. [A.D. 1489], the above Emmota recorded as dead, and on 11 Feb., 16 Henry VII. [A.D. 1500-1], the above John recorded as having entered a Religious House.
  • 4. Margin. 12 July, 12 Henry VII. [A.D. 1497], the above Alice recorded as dead. 27 Nov., 14 Henry VII. [A.D. 1498], came Ralph Lathom, goldsmith, who married the above Elizabeth, and acknowledged satis faction for his wifes property.
  • 5. Monday after the Feast of Epiphany [6 Jan.], otherwise "Plow Monday." See 'Cal Letter-Book H,' p. 276 n.
  • 6. As to the dates on which the four principal Halimotes in a twelve month had been customarily held, vide supra, p. 100, note. In 1382 the Bakers complained of having to attend Halimotes twice a vear before the Mayor and Sheriffs at the church of St. Thomas de Acres, under penalty of a fine; and it was then agreed by the Common Council that those who attended one of the Halimotes should not be fined, but those who attended neither should be fined 42 pence. See 'Cal. Letter-Book H,' p. 207.
  • 7. Imparlarce; time given by a Court to imparle or consult with one's client as to mode of action.
  • 8. On the 14th March the Common Council ordered that the execution of the ordinance should be postponed until Michaelmas. Infra, pp. 242, 245. It was eventually annulled by the Parliament which met 9 Nov., 1487. Stat. 3 Henry VII., ca p. ix.
  • 9. Margin. 11 March, 14 Henry VII. [A.D. 1498-9], came John Halle, grocer, who married the above Katherine, and acknowledged satisfaction for his wife's patrimony.
  • 10. In the return made by the Company to the Livery Companies Com mission of 1884 (iii. 28) this charter is wrongly ascribed to Henry VIII.
  • 11. The articles, which are of con siderable length, will be found set out in an "Historical Account" of the Company of Carpenters by Edward Basil Jupp and William M. Pocock, F.R.I.B.A. (ed. 1887), pp. 344-53. They have been tran scribed from the Letter-Book, but the transcript is sadly deficient in literal accuracy. One of the article is distinctly noticeable as revealing the formation of a temporary Court of Assistants. It is to the effect that on Friday of every week the Master and Wardens should thenceforth call such of the Fellowship as they might think fit "to assemble at their saide Common Halle there for to have communicacion aswell for the supportacion and continuance of the good Rules and ordenaunces of the said Crafte as for the reformacion repressyng and punysshement of Rebellious or mysdoers ayenst the same Rules and ordenaunces or any of theym."