Accounts 47-67

The Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book, 1462-1511. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 2009.

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'Accounts 47-67', in The Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book, 1462-1511, (London, 2009) pp. 34-51. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol44/pp34-51 [accessed 19 April 2024]

Accounts 47-67

47. [f. 48] The account of Robert Ettell, upper warden, Robert Cadman and Ralph Underwood, wardens of the craft of wiresellers, made their account before the craft in the Wiresellers Hall in 1499
First paid for a banner of the Assumption of Our Lady and St Clement with anchors (fn. 1) and scallop shells 10s.
Item paid for an image of St Clement 15s.
Item paid for wax and resin for the same image 1d.
Item paid for a cord (lasse) to fasten the anchor by 1d.
Item paid to the Whitefriars for fetching out our Bull 8d.
Item paid for 3 banner staves 3s. 4d.
Item paid to the scrivener for the indenture between Thomas Boyle and us 4d.
Item paid to John Ross for barge hire when going with the mayor to Westminster 3s. 4d.
[f. 48v.] Item paid to the same John Ross as a reward, by the will of the company 12d.
Item paid the following year for barge hire to bring the sheriffs to Westminster 6s. 8d.
Item for rushes to the same barge 2d.
Item paid for barge hire in the same year to bring the mayor to Westminster 6s. 8d.
Item for rushes to the same barge 2d.
Item paid to the rent gatherer for the Taylors for Midsummer and Michaelmas quarters 10s.
Item paid to the wardens of the Taylors, 21 June, for the farm of our hall, gathered from the company 10s.
Item paid to the wardens of the Taylors for Midsummer and Michaelmas quarter rent, collected from the company towards the 10s. required 5s. 8d.
Item Robert Ettell paid to make up the sum of 10s. 4s. 4d.
Item paid to the wardens of the Taylors for the quarters of Christmas and Our Lady day which was received from the kilderkin (fn. 2) of ale that [William] Frebrige gave towards the same rent 6s.
Item that Robert Ettell paid to make up the deficit of 10s. 10s.
[f. 49] Item paid to Robert Skydmore for 2 years' wages 13s. 4d.

48. Memorandum that I Robert Ettell, Ralph Underwood and Robert Cadman, wardens of the Wiresellers have in 13 Henry VII [1497–1498] paid to Mynton, the Mayor's sergeant, for a search at St Bartholomew's fair 12d.
Item paid a yeoman of the Chamber to send for John Wekys 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber to send for William Blanke 4d.
Item for fetching out a testimonial from the Official's court 12d.
Item paid to Master Rede for the plea between us and Thomas Hill 20d.
Item paid to Master Scheffeld (fn. 3) for the same plea for his advice 20d.
Item paid for a quarter of Rumsey which was sent to Master Commissary 4d.
Item paid for the wine for the scribe and the company 4d.
[f. 49v] Item paid to the scribe for the examination of Thomas Freman 18d.
Item paid for the examination of Thomas Rawlyn 9d.
Item paid for the examination of [John] Worsop 9d.
Item paid for the examination of John Alsop 9d.
Item paid for nails to nail the windows at the hall 3d.
Item paid to amend our writing 16d.
Item paid to Robert Skydmore for bearing the image of St Clement to the Whitefriars 2d.
Item to Joan Skydmore, servant, for helping at the hall 1d.
Item paid to the writer of our correspondence (thynges) 2d.
Item paid to a scribe for the copy of our plea 2s. 8d.
Item a reward to the scribe and the clerk for letting us have the copy of the plea quickly 8d.
Item paid to a clerk for writing a roll of the quarterages 2d.
Item paid to a doctor for our plea between us and Thomas Hill 3s. 4d.
Item Robert Cadman has paid Master Scheffeld for his counsel on the same plea 20d.
[f. 50] Item paid to the scribe for entering the copies of our plea when Master Doctor was there 2d.
Item paid to Master Rede for his counsel 20d.
Item paid to a summoner to send for Thomas Hill 4d.
Item paid for entering of the decree in the presence of Master Doctor, Master Scheffeld and Master Rede 4d.
Item paid to a summoner to summon Thomas Hill to [answer] the same decree 4d.
Item to a clerk to draw a bill of our costs between Thomas Hill and us 2d.
Item paid to a summoner to call Thomas Hill to his decree [before] the company at the instance of Master Scheffeld 4d.
Item paid to our Doctor 3s. 4d.
Item paid to Master Rede our man of counsel on the same day 3s. 4d.
Item paid for entering our proctor and for summoning Thomas Hill before the Commissary 4d.
Item paid to Master Scheffeld for his counsel 20d.
Item paid for the continuance of our plea when the two Doctors met before the Commissary 2d.
Item paid by the hand of Ralph Underwood upon St Bride's eve (fn. 4) for an act made when the eight Doctors were there 2d.

49. [f. 50v.] Item paid to our Doctor, by the hand of Ralph Underwood, on St Bride's day, for his counsel 3s. 4d.
Item paid to [John] Worsop scrivener, for making our word on St Blaise's day [3 February] 2s.
Item paid to Master Scheffeld, our man of counsel, by hand of Ralph Underwood on the same day 20d.
Item paid to the writer of our parcels 2d.
Item paid by the hand of Ralph Underwood to the scribe for writing out two acts in the court before Master Scheffeld 6d.
Item paid to a notary for making an award by instrument 4s. Robert Ettell has paid the one half and Ralph Underwood the other half
Item for Master Scheffeld and the Company to drink 5d.
Item paid for half a bushel of coal and to Robert Skynner for making a fire when the Company were together 1d.
Item paid for a key to the store house door 3d.
Item paid for a quarter of coals 5d.
[f. 51] Item paid to Giles, clerk of my Lord the Mayor's court, for an act of my Lord's court, brought before the Commissary 16d.
Item paid to the Whitefriars for a trental for Richard Quycke 2s. 6d.
Item paid for an instrument to bring before the Commissary 3s. 4d.
Item at the deposit of this instrument for the act 2d.
Item paid to John Worsop for making our supplication to Master Purchase, Mayor of London (fn. 5) 17d.
Item paid to Master Pagnam (fn. 6) our man of counsel 3s. 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber to send for Thomas Hill 4d.
Item paid for 2 pikes 9s.
Item paid for 2 gallons of wine 16d.
Item paid to John Worsop for amending our award by the instrument 14d.
Item paid for going over the water to Paris garden (fn. 7) for our pikes 1d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber to send for Thomas Hill 4d.
Item paid for setting in of our instrument in our award 14d.
Item paid to the yeoman for sending old [John] Blanche and his son to the Chamberlain and from there to the Counter 12d.

50. [f. 51v.] Item paid to Master Rede's clerk, for an act made to bring before the judge at Paul's Chain (fn. 8) 12d.
Item paid for a pottel of wine given to Master Scheffeld and his wife 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for sending twice for Thomas Kyngslond 8d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for sending for Robert Blowman 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for sending for William Boower, the clerk 4d.
Item to send the same yeoman for [John] Doly 4d.
Item paid to the same yeoman of the Chamber to bring the said John Doly to the Counter 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for sending for John Gryffyn the elder 4d.
Item paid to Master Scheffeld our man of counsel for his [advice] 2s.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for sending for Master Bullesdone (fn. 9) to the Chamberlain 4d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber on the morrow following sending for Master Passmore (fn. 10) and Master Bullesdone to Master Chamberlain 4d.
[f. 52] Item paid the same day to these gentlemen for the making of the obligation in which we are bound with Thomas Hill 4d.
Item paid the same day in expenses to these gentlemen 18d.
Item paid to John Worsop for making a bill of our charges to show to the arbitrators (dayesmen) 8d.
Item for expenses of bread and ale for Master Chamberlain and Master Passmore at the Guildhall 2d.
Item paid for a copy for our selves 2d.
Item paid for 2 obligations of an award between Thomas Hill and us 8d.
Item paid to Master Rede for his fee 20d.
Item paid for wine for our Doctor 4d.
Item paid for ale at Master Passmore's when Master Chamberlain and Master Bullesdone were there 4d.
Item for washing the cloths that belong to the hall 8d.
Item paid the sexton for preparing our lights 4d.
Item paid to the [White]friars upon Our Lady's night for the good cheer they gave us at the drinking 4d.
Item paid to the friars the day after Our Lady's day for a trental for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item paid to Master Grene, the Common Sergeant (fn. 11) 3s. 4d.
Item paid to John Worsop, scrivener, for entering our ordinary in our book 18d.
[f. 52v.] Item paid for paper to write more things at divers times 1d.
Item paid for washing the cloths that belong to the hall 8 pieces 4d.
Item paid for a bushel of coals when the Company was together 1d.
Paid to the Wardens of the Taylors for repairs to cellar in the hall, as shown by bill 3s.
Item paid to Robert Skydmore for cleaning the candlesticks 3d.
Item that Robert Ettell has paid for John Freman the [sum] which he granted for the rent of the hall 8d.
Item paid to Mynton, the sergeant of my Lord Mayor for a search in the 14th year of King Henry VII [1498–1499] 12d.
Item paid to the Whitefriars for a trental for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the [White]friars, for the singers by the will of the Company as a reward 16d.
Item paid for a limner to set in our [t]able John Blanche the elder and Thomas Hill's wife 1d.
Item Robert Cadman paid towards the 40s. that was awarded to the arbitrators 12d.
Sum for parcels up to date £5 18s. 4d.

51. [f. 53] The award of the arbiters, Master Chamberlain, Master Passmore and Master Bullesdone was for us to bring in 40s.
Memorandum the whole Company paid towards the 40s.
Item received of William Parker 5s.
Item received of Robert Ettell 3s. 4d.
Item received of Robert Cadman 3s. 4d.
Item received of Ralph Underwood 20d.
Item received of William Machon 20d.
Item received of John Alsop 3s.
Item received of John Wekys 20d.
Item received of John Blanche 4d.
Sum 20s.
Item received of William Machon 12d.
Item received of Robert Chenwyth 8d.
Item received of Robert Ettell 20d.
Item received of William Parker 20d.
Item received of John Wekys 12d.
Item received of Lewis Gryffyn 4d.
Item received of Thomas Rawlyn 4d.
[f. 53v.] Item received of Robert Cadman 12d.
Item received of Richard Brysbe 4d.
Item received of John Alsop 12d.
Item received of William Frebrige 20d.
Item received of Thomas Michell 12d.
Item received of Ralph Underwood 3s. 4d.
Item received of Thomas Michell 12d.
Item received of John Ross 16d.
Item received of Harry Onwyn 8d..
Item received of Nicholas Horner 4d.
Item received of John Strode 4d.
Item received of John Alsop 4d.
Sum 19s.
Item paid to Thomas Boyle waxchandler for making our light and for the burial of Richard Quycke 18d.
Item paid for the making and writing out of our accounts 20d.
Memorandum this is the sum of payments made by Robert Ettell, Robert
Cadman and Ralph Underwood [who] delivered the sum of £11 3s. 7d.

52. [f. 47] Memorandum that Robert Ettell has given a kilderkin of ale to the craft and those that gathered there, that is to say Thomas Rawlyn and Richard Glaston, raised 8s. 1 0d.
Memorandum that Master Parker gave a kilderkin of ale to the craft and the gatherers Lewis Gryffyn and Michael Wakelyn made thereof 9s.
Item John Alsop gave a dozen bread loaves to the same ale and Thomas Michell gave to the same ale 2 rounds of beef.
Memorandum that Robert Cadman gave a kilderkin of ale to the craft and the gatherers thereof were William Wyllys and John Wright who made of it 7s. 6d.
Memorandum that William Frebrige gave a kilderkin of ale to the craft and the gatherers thereof were John Ross and John Wright who made thereby 6s.
Item Ralph Underwood gave towards costs and charges 16d.
Item Robert Cadman has given towards costs and charges 12d.
Item received of Richard Burgeys in part payment of his quarterage 3d.
Item received of William Berell in part payment of his quarterage 3d.

53. Memorandum that this is the money gathered for the banner of St Clement and the image
First John Strode 2d.
[f. 54v.]
Item Ralph Wrytyll 4d.
Item Thomas Baten 2d.
Item William 2d.
Item William Wyllys 4d.
Item Nicholas Horner 4d.
Item Lewis Gryffyn 6d.
Item Walter Herst 1d.
Item David Wylliam 1d.
Item Bartholomew 1d.
Item John Barfote 1d.
Item Robert Canynge 1d.
Item Everard Newlyn 1d.
Item John Alyn 2d.
Item Richard Glaston 2d.
Item John Roo 2d.
Item William Elyot 2d.
Item Richard Page 2d.
Item John Wright 2d.
Item William Berell 2d.
Item Thomas Palmer 2d.
Item Richard Beaumont 2d.
Item for a sister 4d.
Item John Strode 4d.
Item Henry Dowbryche 2d. [f. 55]
Item John Waryn 2d.
Item John Twenar 2d.
Item John Arnold 2d.
Item John Wekys 6d.
Item received of William Parker for Midsummer quarterage 5s.
Item received of the box 7s. 7d.

54. Memorandum that the brethren and the fellowship have given for the making of an image of St Clement on St Clement's day [23 November] as shown by the names following:
Item William Machon 4d.
Item John Wekys 12d.
Item Robert Chenwyth 2d.
Item William Wyllys 2d.
Item Lewis Gryffyn 2d.
Item Nicholas Horner 2d.
Item Thomas Arnold 2d.
Item Michael Waklyn 2d.
Item John Alyn 2d.
Item Nicholas Sarnayll 1d.
Item John Wright 2d.
Item Thomas Rawlyn 2d.
Item John Rawlyn of Stanley 18d.
Item John Strode 2d.
Item John Sewall 8d.
Item Thomas Kyngslond 4d.

55. [f. 55v.] Item received of the company for the plea between Thomas Hill and us 5s.
Item received of Anabel Page for past quarterage 12d.
Item received of William Machon 8d.
Item Robert Ettell 12d.
Item Robert Cadman 12d.
Item Ralph Underwood 12d.
Item William Parker 12d.
Item John Alsop 12d.
Item John Wekys 12d.
Item William Blank 6d.
Item Thomas Michell 8d.
Item William Frebrige 8d.
Item John Freman 4d.
Item William Wyllys 2d.
Item Lewis Gryffyn 2d.
Item received on 19 February for Richard Quycke's quarterage 4s.
Item received of John Ross 19 February to be a brother 3s.
Item received 20 June from the fellowship to pay the rent 10s.
Item received of John Mason for his quarterage 12d.
[f. 56] Item received of John Ross 8d.
Item received of John Berell for his quarterage 3d.
Item received of John Blanche the older for quarterage 3d.
Item received of Thomas Hill for his quarterage 3d.
Item received of Thomas Baten for the last payment for his freedom on Midsummer Day 20d.
Item received in quarterage 13 Henry VII [1497–1498] as appears by bill 40s. 6d.
Item received from Robert Thomlynson for his quarterage 2d.
Item received of Thomas Vynsent in part payment of this quarterage 4d.

56. These are the foreigns that have paid their fines in Robert Ettell's days, umper, Robert Cadman and Ralph Underwood, wardens of the Wiresellers
Item received of William Ingram for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of David Wylliam for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Richard Hasyllhurst for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of John Waryn for admission as a workman 20d.
[f. 56v.] Item received of Richard Wallwyn for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Thomas Brodwall for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Thomas Clarke for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of George Constantyn for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of William Etun, cardmaker, for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of John Robynson for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Averey Constantyn for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Margaret Exnyng for admission as a work[wo]man 20d.
Item received of John Myryell in part payment for his freedom 6s. 8d.
Item received of John Petercam (P'cam) from Bristol for admission as a workman 20d.
Item received of Richard Gowe for admission as a workman 20d.
[f. 57] Item received of Margaret Golde for admission as a workwoman 20d.
Item received of Margaret Crayford for admission as a workwoman 20d.
Item to admit Joan Fuller, [John] Alsop's servant, as a workwoman 20d.
Item John Bellingham for admission as a workman 20d.
Item Katherine Smyth for admission as a workwoman 20d.
Item received of Robert Stoke in part payment of his fine for admission as a workman 2s.
Item John Robynson for admission as a workman 20d.
Item Gehon Danyell for admission as a workwoman 20d.
Item received of William Kynge for admission as a workman 20d.
These are the foreigns who have paid their fines in the days of Robert
Ettell, Ralph Underwood and Robert Cadman
[f. 57v.] Item received in quarterage 14 Henry VII [1498–1499] 50s.
Memorandum that these receipts of Robert Ettell, Robert Cadman and Ralph Underwood came to the sum of £11 10s. 11d.

57. This is the account of John Blanche, the umper, John Alsop and William Frebrige, wardens of the craft of Wiresellers in the year 1501.
[No further entries]

58. [f. 58] The account of John Wekys, umper warden, Thomas Michell and Thomas Rawlyn, wardens of the craft, made in the Wiresellers' Hall in 1504 in the 20th year of King Henry VII [1504–1505].
First paid for our hall in the Greyfriars for a half year 20d.
Item paid to the friars for all in the great masses 2d.
Item paid for barge hire at Michaelmas, bringing the sheriffs to Westminster 6s. 10d.
Item paid for barge hire to bring the mayor to Westminster in the same year 6s. 10d.
Item paid to Mynton, the sergeant, for going with us on our search for 2 days, 18 October 2s.
Item paid on these 2 days for meat and drink 3s. 6d
Item paid to the beadle at night, as appears by bill 2d.
[f. 58v.] Item paid to Thomas a Wod, carpenter, for making our scaffold when the prince came in (fn. 12) 5s. 1d.
And for the labourer for making the holes for the timber and for the stopping 2s. 2d.
Item paid to the carter for bringing our stuff from John Alsop, once 4d. and the second time 3d.
Item paid for the hanging up of our cloths and the stowing of our stuff 1d.
Item paid for a quarter of coals 5d.
Item paid for a stapull to the hall door 1d.
Item paid 3 times for coals 3d.
Item paid the beadle for his wages 10s.
Item paid the Whitefriars in the first year for a dirge and mass at night upon Our Lady day [25 March] and on the morrow the mass and for erbyes [herbs?] and the sexton 3s. 2d.
Item paid on the morrow after the session day for our breakfast at the Belle Sauvage (fn. 13) (bell savage) 2s.
Item paid to the beadle for his wages 5s.
Item paid to the waxchandler for 2 years 14s. 5d.
Item paid the second year at the Whitefriars for dirge and mass on the morrow 2s. 11d.

59. [f. 59] The receipts from quarterage:
Received John Wekys 3s.
Received Thomas Michell 3s.
Received Thomas Rawlyn 3s.
Received Robert Ettell 3s.
Received John Blanche 3s.
Received Robert Cadman 2s.
Received of William Frebrige 3s.
Received of John Alsop 1s.
Received of Ralph Underwood 3s.
Received of John Freman 6d.
Received of Robert Chenwyth 3s.
Received of John Mason 4d.
Received of John Ross 2d.
Received of William Blank 3d.
Received of Lewis Gryffyn 3s.
Received of William Wyllys 2s.
Received of Richard Brysbe 2s.
Received of new brothers to the company:
First of John Strode 40d.
Received for Joan, his wife 20d.
[f. 59v.] Received of Robert Blowman 40d.
Received of Thomas Baten 40d.
Received of John Attwattyre 40d.
Received of William Rogerrys, waxchandler 40d.
Received of John Adane and Alice his wife 5s.
The foreigns that paid their fines in the days of John Wekys, umper, Thomas Michell and Thomas Rawlyn, wardens:
Received of Edward Vahan to be a freeman among us 10s.
Received of John Green for admission as a workman 20d.
Received of Thomas Wadell for admission as a workman 20d.
Received of Ralph Morgon admitted [as a workman] 20d.
Received of Robert Stede for admission as a workman 20d.
Received of Laurence Smyth for admission as a workman 20d.
[f. 60] Received of the brethren for making the scaffold when the princess came (fn. 14)
Received of John Wekys 20d.
Received of Thomas Michell 20d.
Received of Thomas Rawlyn 20d.
Received of Robert Ettell 16d.
Received of John Blanche 12d.
Received of Robert Cadman 16d.
Received of John Alsop 16d.
Received of William Blank 16d.
Received of William Frebrige [no sum given]
Received of John Freman [no sum given]
Received of Richard Brysbe [deleted]
Received of Christian (Krystion) Luscher for this 3 year 3s.
Received of John Leke 12d.
Received of William Robarttys, boardmaker, for the 2 past years 12d.
Received of northern [sic] John's wife in part payment of a fine of 6s. 8d. paid 8d.
Received of Geoffrey Morton for this year 6d.
[f. 60v.] Memorandum received of the brothers towards the charge of the barge going with the sheriffs to Westminster for a covered boat the 18th year of the king [Henry VII 1502–1503]
Robert Ettell 12d.
John Alsop 8d.
John Blanche 4d.
William Blank 4d.
Received of John Bowman for a fine following the judgement of Master Chamberlain 6s. 8d.
Received of John Wekys for a fine for tarrying after his hour at the Greyfriars 8d.
Received of John Alsop for the same reason 8d.
Received of Thomas Michell for the same reason 8d.
Received of David Greffythe for the bequest of his master on his death bed 8d.
Received of Thomas Michell for sending to the Chamber 4d.
Received in quarterage of the yeomanry (fn. 15) 35s.
Received of John Ross for his woman 20d.

60. [f. 61] The account of Robert Ettell, umper, John Alsop and William Blank, umpers and wardens of the craft of wiresellers who gave their account in the Wiresellers' Hall in the twenty-third year of King Henry VII [August 1507- August 1508]
First received at the last account 2s.
Received of Robert Cadman 12d.
Received of John Alsop 2s.
Received of John Ross 12d.
Received of William Kell for 2 years 12d.
Received of John Thorp in part payment of his quarterage 4d.
Received of Nicholas Horner for quarterage for which he was in arrears 4s.
Received of William Frebrige for his 2 servants for John Heggy and John Smyth 3s. 4d.
Received of John Bowman as a fine for his servant Richard Belyngle 20d.
Received of Thomas Vynsent for his quarterage 6d.
[f. 61v.] Received of John Strode for his servant William Brathwate to be admitted as a workman 20d.
Received of Robert Ettell for his servant, Thomas Adurtton to be admitted as a workman 20d.
Received 15 June 21 Henry VII [1506] for 4 worn torches 13s.
Received of William Blawull, by full agreement of the company in the hall 40s.
Received for Elizabeth Ettell to become a sister 20d.
Received of John Wright to be admitted as a whole brother 40d.
Received of Richard Beaumont to become a brother 40d.
Received of William Ettys to be admitted a brother 40d.
Received of John Awston to be admitted a whole brother 40d.
Received for quarterage for 3 years from the whole company £3 4s. 2d.
Item received of Thomas Poterell for his fine to be admitted as a journeyman with occupation 20d.

61. The payments of Robert Ettell, John Alsop and William Blank as appears by bills:
To William Rogerrys, waxchandler 7s. 4d.
Item paid to the waxchandler for burying [Robert] Chenwyth's wife and for John Freman 11s. 9d.
Item paid to the waxchandler for our light at the Whitefriars as appears by his bill 12s. 8d.
[f. 62] Item paid to the Whitefriars for 3 trentals of masses over the last 3 years 7s. 6d.
Item paid to the sexton of the Whitefriars for trimming our light of the brotherhood 4d.
Item paid to the friars for a trental of masses for Robert Chenwyth's wife 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the parson of St Alban in Wood Street (fn. 16) in the first payment for the whole of the past year 3s. 6d.
Item paid to the same parson our offerings on two occasions 3s. 6d.
Item paid to the wardens of the Taylors for our Hall the past 3 years £3
Item paid for our Hall to the king's fyllnyrr (fn. 17) for 3 years 6s.
Item paid for darning and washing our table cloths at various times 4d.
Item to a clerk to write our bills at various times 4d.
Item paid for a burden of rushes and for coals at various times 5d.
Item paid to the beadle, Robert [Skydmore], for 3 years 18s. 8d.
Item paid to the writer for the birt with the bills 12d.
Delivered at the account in the Wiresellers' Hall to the new umpers and wardens 18s. 6d.

62. [f. 63] The account of Robert Ettell, John Wright and Richard Beaumont, the umpers and wardens of the craft, presented in the Wiresellers' Hall
16 September 2 Henry VIII [1510].
In primis received of the old wardens 10s. 8d.
Item received for a kilderkin of ale given by John Strode 9s.
Item received of John Powell to be admitted a workman 20d.
Item received of Edward Flede to be admitted as a workman 20d.
Item received of John Jarret for old quarterage 2d.
Item received of Robert Cowll for old quarterage 6d.
Item received of Richard Hasyllhurst to make him a freeman 6s. 8d.
Item received of John Strode the younger to make him a freeman 6s. 8d.
Item received of Richard Beaumont to make his wife a sister 20d.
Item received of John Wright's wife to make her a sister 20d.
Item received of John Trowlre in part payment of his fine to make him a freeman 20d.
Item received of John Pawllmerr to make him a whole brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of Agnes Cadman to make her a sister 20d.
Item received of John Torner for old debts 20d.
Item received of all brothers in the company 25s. 9d.

63. [f. 64] The payments
Memo[randum]: Paid by the umpers and wardens first for bringing the mayor to Westminster and back 8s.
Paid to Michael Waklyn for washing and darning our cloths 3d.
Paid for papers and writing of the quarter roll 2½d.
Paid to Sir John Rogers curate of St Alban church [Wood Street] 3s. 6d.
Paid to the wardens of the Taylors for our hall for a whole year 20s.
Paid for the light at the burying of John Bowman 8d.
Paid for a breakfast in our hall when the mayor went to Westminster 2s.
Paid to the waxchandler for a whole year 14s. 9d.
Paid to the beadle for a whole year's wages 6s. 8d.
Paid for setting in [to the tables] of the brothers and sisters 2d.
Paid for the writing of the account 6d.
So remaining, all charges paid and delivered into the box to the new wardens 20s. 10d.

64. [f. 64v.] The account of Robert Cadman, John Wright and John Strode the elder, umper and wardens of the craft of Wiresellers, presented to the company on 23 September 3 Henry VIII [1511] who delivered into the box 34s.
Remaining to the craft and company in quarterage 30s.
[There are no further entries]
[There follows the petition and ordinances of the Pinners and Wiresellers as granted by the City on 2 March 1497] (fn. 18)

65. [f. 65v.] [Latin] Memorandum that, on 2 March, 12 Henry VII [1497], the wardens of the mystery of the Pinners and of the craft of Wiresellers of the City of London and other good men of the said mysteries, came to the King's court in the hall of the Guildhall of the city of London, to the court of John Tate, the mayor, and aldermen and presented the mayor and aldermen with a bill or supplication in the following words:

[English] To the right honourable the Mayor and his worshipful brethren the Aldermen of the City of London, the poor fellowships of the crafts of Pinners and Wiremongers enfranchised in this City humbly [appeal] to your honourable lordship and wisdoms:

that whereas the said fellowships heretofore often and diverse times have vied, vexed and sued each other for certain points concerning both the said fellowships to the great and insupportable charge of the same, both now being of very small numbers and in such great poverty and decay that they can no longer maintain their fellowships, nor to bear scot and lot, nor other charges as they have done heretofore, they now show here they are so poor that they cannot any longer continue to maintain or keep up their said fellowships [for fear of] their utter destruction and to the hurt and hindrance of divers other fellowships in the city.

[f. 66] Considering the foregoing, [may] it please your good lordship and masters to grant to your said supplicants that both the said fellowships may be made one, to be named the craft of Wiresellers, and utterly to dismiss and anull the names of Pinners and Wiremongers. And that it may be lawful for the brethren of the Wiresellers annually to elect, on the day following the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August], an Umpire and two Wardens, to see that all the good rules and ordinances made and enacted by the fellowship of the Wiresellers may be duly kept and executed, as in every craft within the city.

And also that you will grant to your said supplicants that all the articles hereafter ensuing, which were granted by your court to the crafts of Wiremongers and Pinners, as is a matter of record, may remain firm and stable, to be enacted and granted to the said craft of Wiresellers. This in [due] reverence to God and charity and your said supplicants shall daily pray to God for your lordship and masterships.

66. [f. 66v.] [The ordinances of the Wiresellers]

No man to work on Saturdays or vigils after 3 o'clock

No person of the craft shall work on Saturday nor on the vigil of a double feast after 3 o'clock in the afternoon on pain of paying two pounds of wax, or 8d for the pound; one half of the fine to the Chamber and the other half to the use of the craft.

Every man to answer all summons

Also that every freeman of the craft shall obey all the summons which the umper and wardens shall think necessary for the weal of the fellowship and the profit of the city. And [if] any person absent himself from such summons without lawful cause he shall forfeit two pounds of wax or else 16d. of which one half to the Chapel of the Guildhall of London and the other half to the use of the craft.

All to be obedient to the umper and wardens and no man to rebuke another

[f. 67] Also that every freeman of the said craft shall, from henceforth, obey the umper and wardens and no brother thereof shall rebuke or revile any other brother by any dishonest language in the presence of the umper and wardens or among the fellowship of the craft upon pain of paying 3s. 4d. for each offence: one half of which to go to the Chamber and the other half to the fellowship.

No man shall be hired out of his house, shop or standing place in market or fair.

No man of the craft shall hire another of the same craft out of his dwelling house, or shop or standing place at any market or fair upon pain of forfeiting or paying at every default 5 marks to be applied to the use of the Chamber and craft as aforesaid.

To desire no man's servant out of his master's service

Also that no man of the craft shall procure or entice into his service any servant in covenant with this craft out of the service of his master, within the time of his said service; upon pain of paying 13s. 4 d. for each such default: the money to be divided as before.

No freeman of the craft to work with any person who is not enfranchised in the same craft

[f. 67v.] No freeman of the craft to work with anyone within the franchise of the city, nor take any work that belongs to the craft, but only with and of such persons as have been made free of the craft, without licence of the umper and wardens for the time being, so that he may have competent work and wages within the said fellowship, on pain of a fine of 20 shillings to be divided as before.

That no man set any person to work openly in his shop

No freeman to work, or set to work, any person openly in his shop in the wyndyng of buckles, cutting of stones for moulds, scoring of the same, graving the molds, casting of metal or colouring of the same, whereby anyone not a member of the fellowship, might learn the said occupations and skills; nor is the freeman to show or teach these skills to anyone outside the fellowship except to his wife, children, apprentices and covenanted servants who have been apprentices in the craft, without the agreement and licence of the umper and wardens, on pain of a fine of 6s. 8d. to be divided as before.

No foreigners to keep house or shop until admitted as a freeman

Also no foreign may hold house or shop in the city or its suburbs, nor buy nor sell anything connected [f. 68] with the craft until such time as he has been examined by the umper and wardens of the time as to whether he is able to work and occupy the craft and to become a freeman of the city: upon pain of forfeit for each such default 6s. 8d. to be divided as before.

No foreigner to be set to work until presented before the umper and wardens

Also no foreign may work in the craft within the franchise of the city until he is presented by a freeman of the craft to the umper and wardens and there be examined of his doings: thereupon they will ordain reasonable wages, weekly or annual, such that the master may maintain his estate and the said servant live decently (honestly). And that no such foreign may take or set to work any apprentice or other servant on the work of the craft until he himself be admitted to the freedom of the city: upon pain of a fine of five marks. And no freeman of the craft may set such a foreign to work until he has been duly presented: upon pain of a fine of another five marks, to be applied to the uses already described.

Every foreigner to pay 3s. 4d. at his presentation and to swear to observe the good rules of the craft

[f. 68v.] Also that every such foreign, at his presentation, shall pay to the umper and wardens 3s. 4d., to be applied as aforesaid: and anyone sworn before the umpers and wardens is to obey and fulfil all the good rules and ordinances of the craft, here approved by the court, and shall pay all such fines and penalties as are laid down and contained in these ordinances as often as he shall break or disobey the same rules and ordinances, or any of them.

No man to entice or receive another man's servant

Also that none of the fellowship may procure or cause to be procured, secretly or openly, or receive, any servant, apprentice or allowe of any other person in the fellowship by which the master shall be the worse served, either by night or by day: upon pain of a fine for such default of 40s., to be divided as above described. And if any servant be eloigned or taken away then it shall be lawful for his master, without any offence, to take him back again.

Anyone who misbehaves and will not be corrected to be dismissed

Also if any of the craft be of evil disposition and guiding and accustomed to do ill and will not be reformed by the good people of the craft, and if he be convicted of falsehood to the value of 12d., he is to be utterly forsaken and put out of the fellowship until such time as he may have the grace to amend himself: and if any person of the fellowship [f. 69] take on any such misadvised person into his service without the licence of the umper and wardens, he shall forfeit each time 6s. 8d., the money to be applied as described.

No man to hold open shop on Sunday

Also no person of the craft is to open shop on a Sunday, but if any stranger wishes to buy his merchandise on that day he shall cause him to come to his house and there show him his wares, in order to accommodate travellers. And if he goes against this [rule] he will pay 3s. 4d. each time, to be divided as before.

No man to entice or call away merchants or chapmen from others

Also that no man of the craft shall call away or entice any merchant or chapman from the house, shop, stall or booth of any other member of the fellowship within this city or in any other place, fair or market, upon pain of a fine of 6s. 8d., to be divided as aforesaid.

No man to employ a woman unless she is his wife or daughter

Also that no member of the craft set any woman to work other than his wife or daughter, upon pain of a fine of 6s. 8d. to be divided as before.

Every foreign woman to pay 3s. 4d.

[f. 69v.] Also that no woman, being a foreign, may work at anything pertaining to the craft until such time as she pay 3s. 4d. to be divided as before.

No-one to work at noisy work except as specified hours

Also no man to work in the said craft [involving] knocking, filing or any other disruptive (noyfull) work whereby his neighbours and other king's subjects may be annoyed or disturbed (diseased) during the [period] from the feast of Michael the Archangel [29 September] to that of the Annunciation of Our Lady [25 March] but only from the hours of 5 o'clock in the morning until 8 o' clock in the night, upon pain of a fine of 3s. 4d. to be divided as before.

The umper and wardens may make due search of any man's wares

Also it shall be lawful for the umper and wardens of the said craft, and successors, to make due search in all necessary and convenient places in the city and the suburbs of all kinds of wire goods: English pins, clasps, eyelets (auletts), pack needles, buckles, chains, fish hooks, stock cards, hand cards and everything pertaining to the craft of wiresellers, in the hands of whoever has them and wherever found. And every parcel of the said wares the umpers and wardens find to be insufficient or unworkmanlike shall be forfeited and presented by the umpers and wardens to the chamberlain of the city.

No man to hawk his wares

[f. 70] Also it shall not be lawful for any person of the craft, nor anyone on their behalf, to go hawking, or to proffer their wares for sale at any inn or other place within the franchise of the city, upon pain of a fine of 6s. 8 d. for each offence, to be divided as before.

A light and mass to be kept at the White Friars, and the umper and wardens to be chosen on the day following the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August]

Also the said umper and wardens and the fellowship may have, and keep, their light in the Whitefriars in Fleet Street, in the suburbs of London, to burn in honour of God, Our Lady St Mary, St James and St Clement: and every year, on the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August] to attend the Mass there and on the morrow to elect and choose the umper and wardens for the next year. And at no time hereafter will it be lawful for the said umpers and wardens, their successors nor any of the rest of the craft to keep the light or attend the mass in any place but in Whitefriars, without the agreement of the mayor and aldermen of the city. And he that disobeys will forfeit £10 sterling each time he does so.

[f. 70v.] [Latin] And when the mayor and aldermen had read and more fully understood the bill or supplication, and as it seemed to the same mayor and aldermen that the articles in the said bill or supplication were good and honourable and consonant with reason, by the assent and will of all, they ordained and decreed that the aforesaid articles should be entered here as of record in the manner and form by which they are to be strictly observed in future times.

Footnotes

  • 1. St Clement I, Pope, was martyred by drowning with an anchor and chains attached to him. He became the patron saint of metal workers.
  • 2. 18 gallon cask
  • 3. [Sir] Robert Sheffield, recorder of London 1496–1508.
  • 4. St Bride was a synonym for St Bridget whose feast day was 1 February. A number of pinners appear to have lived in Fleet Street, in the parish of St Bride.
  • 5. William Purchase, mercer, mayor of London 1497–8.
  • 6. Probably Nicholas Packenham, common clerk.
  • 7. In Southwark, see M. Carlin, Medieval Southwark (London, 1996) pp. 31–2.
  • 8. Paul's Chain was the name of the street leading south out of the Cathedral precinct.
  • 9. Thomas Bullesdone, skinner, who was elected as a warden of London Bridge in 1492.
  • 10. John Pasmer, citizen and skinner, who was elected as a city auditor in 1491.
  • 11. John Grene, common sergeant 1495–1521.
  • 12. This probably refers to the civic reception for Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon in November 1502, see A.H. Thomas and I.D. Thornley, eds., The Great Chronicle of London (London, 1937), pp. 297–316, 447–8.
  • 13. Probably the inn on the north side of Fleet Street, between Fleet Bridge and Ludgate.
  • 14. Probably Catherine of Aragon, see footnote 111.
  • 15. See introduction, p. xix.
  • 16. Richard Skipwith, parson 1505–1519.
  • 17. Probably filacer: officer of the superior courts at Westminster in charge of filing and processing original writs.
  • 18. See LBL, pp. 319–321; London Metropolitan Archives, Corporation of London Letter Book L folios 329–331 where the wording is slightly different, but the substance of the articles is the same.