Memorials: 1360

Inquisition as to access to the Thames through the Temple.

34 Edward III. A.D. 1360. Letter-Book G. fol. lxxxviii. (Latin.)

"Inquisition taken before John Wrothe, Mayor of the City of London, and Walter de Berneye and John Bernes, Sheriffs of the said city, on the Saturday next after the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 December], in the 34th year of the reign of King Edward the Third etc., to enquire as to divers nuisances in the Ward of Farndone Without the City of London aforesaid; on the oath of John de Hydyngham and eleven others.—

"Who say upon their oath, that time out of mind the commonalty of the city aforesaid have been wont to have free ingress and egress with horses and carts, from sunrise to sunset, for carrying and carting all manner of victuals and wares therefrom to the water of Thames, and from the said water of Thames to the city aforesaid, through the Great Gate of the Templars, situate within Temple Bar in the Ward aforesaid, in the suburb of London; and that the possessors of the Temple were wont, and by right ought, to maintain a bridge (fn. 1) at the water aforesaid, and a common latrine there, well covered, and with four apertures therein over the same water. And that the possessors of a certain structure (fn. 2) in Fletstret, in the suburb of London, ought to pave the road on either side of that structure.

"They say also, that the Prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England, (fn. 3) who is the possessor of the Temple aforesaid, molests the citizens of the said city, so that they cannot have their free ingress and egress through the gate aforesaid, as of old they were wont to have; and that the said Prior does not maintain the said latrine, as he ought to do; and that by default of the said Prior, who is possessor of the structure aforesaid, the pavement pertaining to such structure is worn out and broken, and dangerous to all persons passing or riding thereby. In witness whereof, etc."