Memorials: 1368

Enactment as to the sale of Charcoal within the City.

41 Edward III. A.D. 1368. Letter-Book G. fol. cxcix. (Latin and Norman French.)

(fn. 1) At a congregation of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in the Guildhall of London, on Thursday, the Feast of St. Hilary [13 January], in the 41st year etc., a certain Statute was enacted as to selling charcoal in the city aforesaid, for the profit of the common people there, in form as follows.—

(fn. 2) "Whereas the common people of the City of London have suffered great loss for a long time past, for that foreign folks, of divers Counties, have brought charcoal in carts and upon horses for sale in the said city, and given the common people to understand that every sack, into which such charcoal was put, contained fully one quarter.—Therefore, on Thursday, the Feast of St. Hilary, in the 41st year etc., James Andreu, Mayor of the said city, caused divers sacks, brought as well by cart as by horse, into which charcoal had been put for sale, to be assayed by the standard of the said city. Of which sacks, one was found to be two bushels short, and another sack was deficient by one bushel and a half; and in all the other sacks fully one bushel was wanting. And for avoiding such damages and falsities, committed against the common people, it is ordained, by assent of the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen, and good folks of the Commonalty, to the Guildhall summoned on the Thursday aforesaid, that all those who shall be convicted of such deceit and falsity, shall be put upon the pillory, and the sacks burnt beneath them."

John Smythe, of Hatfeld Brodhoke, (fn. 3) the day and year aforesaid, brought to the City by horse two sacks of charcoal for sale, which sacks were wanting by two bushels.

John Goffe, of Chesthunte, brought 12 sacks of charcoal, by cart, deficient by two quarters.

Walter Potyn, of Croydone, brought two sacks of charcoal, by horse, wanting by three bushels.

William Packe, of Croydone, brought three sacks of charcoal, one of which was short by one bushel and a half.

William Hastere, of Croydone, brought five sacks of charcoal, of which one sack was short by one bushel and a half.

Hugh le Coupere, of Croydone, brought five sacks of charcoal, each of which was short by one bushel.

And the same John, John, Walter, William, William, and Hugh, for the falsities so found in their sacks, were put upon the pillory, and the same sacks were burnt beneath the pillory aforesaid. And for their charcoal they were duly paid.

Election of William Walworthe as Alderman of Bridge Ward.

42 Edward III. A.D. 1368. Letter-Book G. fol. ccxvii. (Latin.)

On Monday next after the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop [11 November], in the 42nd year etc., (fn. 4) William Walworthe was chosen by the reputable and lawful men of Bridge Ward in London, and presented to the Mayor, to stand in the office of Alderman of the Ward aforesaid. And the said William was admitted, and sworn to stand in the said office.