Folio xx.
Thursday before Christmas, 23 Edward I. [A. D. 1294], it was
ordained by the Warden, Sheriffs, and Aldermen that watch
should be kept throughout the City as follows :-
The first night by the Warden and Sheriffs and their clerks
and serjeants, &c., with horses and arms, &c.
The second night by John de Canterbury, the Prior of
H. Trinity, Adam de Rokesle, Adam de Foleham, Thomas
Cros, and Martin Box, &c.
The third night by William de Hereford, Elyas Russel,
Henry le Bole, Walter de Rokesle, John de Gisors, and John
de Dunstaple, &c.
The fourth night by Robert de Bassinges, John le Blunt,
William le Mazerer, Thomas Romeyn, Salamon le Cuteler,
and William de Betone, &c.
The fifth night by John de Banquelle, Stephen Asshewy,
Walter de Fynchingfeld, Nicholas de Farindone, Richard
Asshewy, and Ralph le Blunt, &c.
Nevertheless watch is to be kept by the Wards as usual.
Any of the above Aldermen making default in his watch to be
punished, &c.
Friday in the week of Pentecost, 23 Edward I. [A. D. 1295],
at the King's command, announced by J[ohn] le Bretun, it was
agreed that three ships should sail in the King's service, together with other ships from the Cinque Ports, at the charge
of the citizens of London, viz., the ship of New Castle (novo
castro), the ship of Richard de Chiggewelle and Adam de Fulham,
the ship of Alexander Pyk and Thomas de Bolonia.
For raising the money it was agreed that out of every 20s.
in chattels and merchandise 2 pence should be paid, and this
according to the taxation of the sixth penny, &c.
The same day John de Batquill, (William de Hereford, (fn. 1) )
Robert de Basinge, Stephen Asschewy, and John le Blunt
undertook to pay to Sir John le Bretun, the Warden, £40 on
Sunday in the octave of H. Trinity, which sum the said
Warden lent to them for the Commonalty of the City for the
costs of the above ships and men. Thereupon the rest of the
Aldermen and six men of each Ward, as appears in a panel,
bound themselves to acquit the aforesaid John, Robert, Stephen,
and John of the said sum on the day aforesaid; and unless, &c.
Monday the Feast of St. James, Ap. [25 July], 23 Edward I.
[A. D. 1295], it was agreed by the Warden, William de Hereford,
Stephen Aschewy, Adam de Fulham, Henry le Bole, Nicholas
de Farndone, William de Betoynne, and Walter de Finchingfeud,
that Martin de Aumbresbire, late Sheriff of London and Middlesex, should be delivered by mainprise of Walter de Finchingfeud,
Nicholas de Farndone, and Reginald de Frouwyk, who undertook
that he should acquit the Commonalty of the City, in respect of
what he owed the King touching the ferm and all other debts
incurred during his Shrievalty, before Sunday next, or else have
him recommitted to prison. (fn. 2)
Tuesday the morrow of St. Swithin [15 July], 24 Edward I.
[A. D. 1296], it was agreed by Stephen Aschewy, William de
Bettoyne, Richard Aschewy, John le Blunt, Richard de
Gloucester, Thomas Romeyn, and Walter de Finchingfeud that
Martin de Aumesbyry, late Sheriff, should be released by mainprise of Walter de Finchingfeud and Reginald de Frowyc that
he would pay his debts before Tuesday next, or be recommitted.
Folio xx b.
(Mainprise continued from time to time until the following
Feast of All Saints, the said Martin covenanting to pay the
citizens of London the sum of £20 in part payment of his debt.)
Folio xxi.
Touching drapers and other merchants of London staying at Westminster Faii, contrary to the grant made by the lord the King
to the Abbot of Westminster, to the prejudice of the liberty of
the City aforesaid, &c.
Day given to William de Leuwes, Stephen de Upton, and
Robert his brother, to answer before the Warden and Aldermen
such matters as are objected quo et quando, &c.
Folio xxi b.
Breve de eundo cum filio R'.
On Wednesday in Easter week the King sent his writ of
Privy Seal bidding the citizens of London assist the King's son
in guarding the South Coast with a convenient force, in such a
manner as if it were the King himself. Dated "Halielaunde," (fn. 3)
15 March, 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1295-6]. (fn. 4)
Be it remembered that on the same day, in the presence of
Ralph de Sandwych, (fn. 5) Sir John le Bretun, then Warden, and
the Aldermen and others, assembled at the King's command,
John de Douuegate, Nicholas Pycot, mercer, and Geoffrey de
Conduit, taverner, who had formerly opposed the sending of an
armed force with the King's son, withdrew their opposition, and
assented to join the force in person with horses and arms, (fn. 6) &c.
On Sunday before the Feast of St. Mark [25 April], 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296], the King sent his writ of Privy Seal, addressed
to the citizens of London, bidding them give credence to what
John de Metingham, Ralph de Sandwych, and John le Bretoun
might tell them on his behalf for the common weal, and to send
their answer by bearer. Dated Berewik on Tweed, 9 April,
24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296]/ (fn. 7)
Reply to the above writs. (fn. 8)
Folio xxii.
An assembly of Aldermen and other citizens of London for
the purpose of ordaining and executing the mandate of the lord
the King as appears at the head of the preceding folio, and for
executing the petition of Sir Edward, son of the lord the King,
to the effect that citizens of London might accompany the said
Sir Edward to guard the seaports in the parts of Kent against
the King of France and other of our enemies; to which assembly
came all the underwritten on Thursday in Easter week, anno
24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296], viz,: Sir John Bretun, then Warden
of the City, Sir Stephen Eswy, Robert de Basinge, William de
Hereford, John le Blund, Adam de Foleham, Thomas Cros,
John de Canterbury, Adam de Rokele, Walter de Rokele,
William de Bettoyne, Martin Box, Nicholas de Farndone,
Richard Eswy, Richard de Gloucester, Walter de Finchingfeud,
Henry le Bole-Aldermen.
Robert de Chalfhunte, Reginald de Frowick, Ralph Godchep,
William de Garthone, William de Helmetone, Richard de
Caumpes, Henry Hautein, Gilbert (?) Marechal, William Amys,
John le Benere, Hugh Porte, Stephen Pikenan [sic], Robert
Pikeman, Reginald le Barber, "Alnus" (Alan) de Suffolk,
William Jurdan, Matthew le Chaundeler, Henry de Belhus,
Thomas de Waledene, Robert de Paris, John de Abindone,
William de Paris, Gregory Lorimer, William atte Grove, Gilbert
de la Marche, Richard de Wimbisse, John Vigerous, Henry
Speroner, William Ediman, Richard Poterel, John Cole, Edmund
Trentemars, Alan le Potter, Thomas Broning, William le Cornour, William de Suffolk, Robert Laurens, Thomas de Suffolk,
William de Red, Robert Gange, Robert de Assindone, John le
Chaundeler, ...... de Cumtone, John de Storteford, Geoffrey
Hurel, Walter de Wanlock, John le Botoner, Yvo de Wytele,
Roger le Mareschal, Robert de Fingrie, Simon de Paris, Walter
de Herlested-Citizens.
These granted for themselves and the whole Commonalty
that twenty horses caparisoned with their belongings should go
with the above Sir Edward, son of the lord the King, to the seaports, there to remain with him in aid of the war for four weeks,
each horseman receiving 20 marks for his expenses, and that
the said money should be raised in each Ward, viz., the third
part of the seventh penny granted to the King. (fn. 9)
Folio xxii b.
Writ of Privy Seal, in reply to the above Dated Rokesburghe, 11 May, 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296]. (fn. 10)
Litera d n'i Regis ad facend' [sic] venire duos de discrecioribus ciuit' ad Parliam' apud Sc'm Edm'.
On Wednesday before the Feast of St. Michael, 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296], a writ was directed to the Warden and
Sheriffs of London enjoining the citizens to select two representatives to attend a Parliament (colloquium) to be held at Bury
St. Edmund on the morrow of All Souls next. Writ dated
Berewyk, 26 August, 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296].
Return to the above writ, and record of two several elections
of Stephen Aschewy (or Eswy) and William de Hereford, by
representatives of the Wards. (fn. 11)
Be it remembered that on Friday after the Feast of St. Edward, K. [13 Oct.], 24 Edward I. [A. D. 1296], in the presence
of Sir John Bretun, Warden, and Stephen Eswy, Sir Robert de
Basinges, William de Hereford, Walter de Finching [sic], John
le Blound, Nicholas de Farndone, Richard Eswy, John Wade,
Thomas Romein, William Bettoyne, and Henry le Bole, Aldermen, three charters and a writing of attorney were delivered by
order of Sir Hugh de Kersingham, to Henry Barri, his servant,
which charters had been deposited with William de Bettoyne,
the Chamberlain, viz., one charter under the seal of the lord
the King Henry, in which was contained a grant by the King
to Henry, son of the King of Almaine, of a certain house
formerly belonging to Thomas de Peulesdone, in the parish of
St. Mary de Bothawe; another charter, under the seal of Sir
Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, containing a grant by him to Sir
Thomas de Clare of the above house; a third charter, under
the seal of Sir Thomas de Clare, containing a grant of the same
house to Stephen de Cornhull, together with a power of attorney
granted by the said Stephen to Michael Pikard to give seisin of
the above messuage to Sir John de Ponte, clerk.
Folio xxiii.
Writ of Privy Seal requiring the assistance of a deputation of
four citizens skilled in establishing and setting out (arayer) a new
vill (fn. 12) to the best advantage of the King and of merchants; the
same to attend at [Bury] St. Edmund on the morrow of All
Souls next. Dated "Tuggehale," (fn. 13) 21 Sept., 24 Edward I.
[A. D. 1296].
Monday before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.],
the same year, Thomas Box, Henry de Fingrie, Robert Lovet,
and Richard de Wendeleswrthe elected pursuant to above
writ. (fn. 14)
On Friday after the Feast of St. Edmund, K. [20 Nov.],
25 Edward I. [A. D. 1296], Silvester de Farnham, the Keeper of
the King's Balance, summoned to bring the said Balance and
weights to be tested, when certain deficiencies were found. (fn. 15)
The same day the King's Tron of St. Botolph's (Boston,
co. Lincoln) proved and sealed. (fn. 16)
Folio xxiii b.
Writ ordering the Sheriffs and Aldermen to elect a fit
and proper person to sell the King's wool and hides beyond
the seas. Dated 24 May, 25 Edward I. [A. D. 1297]. Election
thereon. (fn. 17)
Annus Vicesimus Sextus.
Folio xxiv.
Littera Episcopi Cestrie.
Letter from Sir Walter de Langetone, Bishop of Coventre
and Lychfeld, and Treasurer of the lord the King, to the
Mayor and "barouns" of London with news of the defeat of
the Scots at Falkirk. Dated "Acun," Sunday after the Feast
of St. James [25 July], 26 Edward I. [A. D. 1298]. (fn. 18)
Libertas Willelmi de Granham.
Sunday after the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula [1 Aug.], in the
presence of Henry le Galeys, then Mayor (fn. 19) of London, John le
Blunt, Walter de Fenchingfeud, Richard de Gloucester, William
de Leyre, Salomon le Cutteler, Nicholas Pykoc, William le
Masener, Adam de Halingbyry, John de Canterbury, and John
de Donestapil, Aldermen, the freedom of the City was granted
to William de "Granham," (fn. 20) attorney before the King, viz., Sir
Roger de Bracbasoun (fn. 21) and his fellows, so that, however, the said
William shall remain attorney before the Justices aforesaid on
behalf of the Commonalty of the City of London from year to
year to the end of his life, and at the will of the Aldermen
aforesaid, for 20s. yearly, payable by equal moieties at Michaelmas and Easter.
Manucapcio Martini de Aumesbyry.
Tuesday after the Feast of St. Laurence [10 Aug.], 26 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], it was agreed by Henry le Galeys, the
Mayor, and Thomas Romyn, William de Lyre, Walter de
"Finingfeud," John de Canterbury, Richard le Mercer, Nicholas
Pykoc, William de Bettoyne, Adam de Halingbyry, and John
de Donestapil, that Martin de Aumesbyry should be admitted
to the mainprise of Reginald de Frowyc for his appearance
before the aforesaid Mayor and Aldermen, quo et quando, &c.
Folio xxiv b.
Monday the morrow of St. Laurence [10 Aug.], 26 Edward I.
[A. D. 1298], Master Symon de Pabingham and Master Richard
de Wetham, masons (cimentarii), who had quarrelled, became
reconciled on terms. (fn. 22)
Restitucio libertatis civitatis London'.
Edward, &c., to his Treasurer and Barons of Exchequer, &c.
Whereas for the good service which our beloved citizens of
London have hitherto rendered we have by our letters patent
delivered and restored to them our City aforesaid together
with its Mayoralty and all its liberties; which City, Mayoralty,
and liberties for certain reasons we lately caused to be taken
into our hand; to have and to hold to the said citizens at our
will in as free and ample a manner as they had and held
them at the time they were taken, as in our said letters more
fully is contained; we command you that you suffer the said
citizens to use and enjoy before you in the Exchequer aforesaid such liberties as they reasonably used at the time of
the seizure aforesaid, according to the tenor of our letters
aforesaid. Witness myself at York, 28 May, 26 Edward I.
[A. D. 1298].
By virtue of which writ Henry le Galeys was elected Mayor,
and was admitted by the lord the King at Fulham the morrow
of the date of the writ. (fn. 23)
Be it remembered that on Wednesday before the Feast of
St. Luke [18 Oct.], the year aforesaid, before Henry le Galeys,
Mayor, Thomas Romeyn, Walter de Fingingfeud, Geoffrey de
Norton, Richard de Gloucester, Nicholas Pyckoc, Richer le
Mercer, Thomas Sely, and John de Donestapil, Aldermen, came
John le Blunt and Roger his brother, and undertook, on behalf
of Dame Matilda la Blunde, to pay the money which the said
Matilda had received and would receive of the sum of 8 marks
annual quitrent with which she had been dowered by Luke
de Batingcourt, from the Feast of St. John Bapt until such
time as the said Matilda should obtain a remedy from the
King's Court touching the keeping of the City indemnified. (fn. 24) In
case the said Matilda fails to obtain such remedy, the said John
and Roger will, in the meanwhile, satisfy the City out of the
receipts of the said Matilda
Per Maiorem ex precepto baronum de Scaccario.
We command you on behalf of the King that the King's
peace be well kept between denizens (prives) and strangers, and
forasmuch as certain folk of London refuse the current money
of the realm, that no denizen nor stranger be so bold or daring,
under penalty of forfeiture of all his goods and chattels, as to
refuse the current money until it be, by special commandment
of the King, forbidden.
This proclamation was made on Sunday the eve of St. Edward
[13 Oct.], 26 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], by Henry le Galeys, Mayor,
Geoffrey de Norton, John le Blunt, William de Bettoyne, Richard
de Gloucestre, William de Leyre, Nicholas Pyckoc, Nicholas de
Farndone, Thomas de Sely, Richer de Refham, John de
Dunestapil, Aldermen.......
Memorandum of a letter supplicatory sent to the Justices of
the Bench on behalf of divers men summoned to attend inquests
before them; dispatched on Thursday before the Feast of
St. Luke [18 Oct.], 26 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], by Robert de
Celishill.
Sunday the eve of the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], before
the Aldermen and Commonalty of London, John de Canterbury,
Gilbert de la Marche, William de Brockesburne, and Ralph de
Storteforde, executors of John de "Steteforde," came and undertook to save the citizens of London against the King as well
touching the ferms of the City and Middlesex as other debts
affecting the bailiwick of the Sheriffs, &c.
Folio xxv.
Breve dn't R' per quod Richer' de Refham et T. Sely admissi fuerunt in vicecomit'.
Edward, &c., to Rauf de Sanwys, Warden of his Tower
of London, &c. Whereas the Mayor and Barons of London
are bound to present each year the Sheriffs of London before
our Exchequer at Westminster the day after Michaelmas and
likewise their Mayor on the morrow of SS. Simon and Jude, who
after being received by the Treasurer and Barons of the said
Exchequer ought to make oath to us as belongs to his office,
and forasmuch as the Exchequer is not at present at Westminster,
but elsewhere, for certain reasons as you are aware; we being
desirous that the franchise of the citizens should be observed,
and for the good service they have done us in the past, do of our
special favour command you to act on behalf of our Treasurer
and Barons of the Exchequer, &c. Given under our Privy Seal
at "Carleal," 13 Sept., 26 Edward I. [A. D. 1298]. (fn. 25)
By virtue of the above writ, Thomas Sely and Richer de
Reffham, mercer, were elected to the Shrievalty, and were
admitted at Westminster the morrow of the Feast of St. Michael
before the aforesaid Sir Ralph.
And afterwards on the morrow of the Feast of SS. Simon and
Jude, the same year, Henry le Galeys was admitted to the
Mayoralty at Westminster before the aforesaid Ralph.
The commandment of our lord the King, whom God protect,
and the Mayor of the City of London that no man, native or
stranger, be so daring as to make any manner of change of
money nor of aught else appertaining to the King's change,
except at the King's Exchange at the Tower of London, on
pain of forfeiture of his lands, tenements, and all his goods, and
his body to the King's will. (fn. 26)
Letter from Henry le Galeys, Mayor of London, under the
Mayoralty seal, to the Mayor, Echevins, &c., of Amyens, Nele,
and Corbye. Whereas the burgesses of those towns hesitated
to bring their merchandise to London on account of the ferm
due from them being in arrear, (fn. 27) as formerly they had been
accustomed, they are invited to come and traffic freely as of
old, saving only to the City a half year's ferm, viz., between
Easter and Michaelmas last. Dated the morrow of St. Katherine [25 Nov.], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298]
Folio xxv b.
Wednesday after the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec.], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], before Henry le Galys, Mayor; John le Blunt,
Geoffrey de Nortone, Thomas Romyn, John Wade, Adam
de Hallingbyry, Salomon le Cutteler, Nicholas Pyckoc, Ralph
de Hunylane, John de Donestaple, Aldermen; and Richer de
Refham and Thomas Sely, Sheriffs-Richard de Gloucestre,
William de Leyre, Nicholas Pyckoc, Aldermen; and John de
Duegate, Reginald de Frowyc, goldsmith, John Baunquer, Mark
le Drapper, Nicholas Broun, and William de Red were appointed
auditors of the account of William de Bettoyne during the time
that he was Chamberlain at the Guildhall.
Compot' camere.
Afterwards, viz., on Wednesday before the Feast of St. Thomas,
Ap. [21 Dec.], the said William de Bettoyne and the auditors
appeared, &c., and a day was given, viz., the morrow of
St. Hillary next, for rendering and auditing the account, &c.
Compotum Pontis.
Monday after the Feast of St. Lucia, V. [13 Dec.], 27 Edward I.
[A. D. 1298], before the Mayor and certain of the above Aldermen, Geoffrey de Nortone, John le Blunt, and Thomas Romeyn
were appointed auditors of the Bridge account touching the
executors of Richard Kotthe, Thomas Cros, senior, and Edmund
Horin; the executors to be summoned, viz., Aunsel Kotthe and
Juliana "Kotte," executors of Richard Kotthe; the executors of
Thomas Cros, viz., Thomas Cros, junior, William Lambyn, and
Edward de Vycumbe, Rector of the church of St. Botolph; (fn. 28) the
executors of Edmund Horin, viz., Adam de Fulham, Alderman,
and Hugh Purthe, the husband of Margery, widow of Edmund
Horin.
Comp'.
Wednesday after the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec.], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], it was ordained and agreed by Sir Henry
le Galeys, the then Mayor, and John le Blund, Geoffrey de
Nortone, Adam de Folleham, Adam de Rokesle, John de
Canterbury, William de Leyre, Nicholas de Farndone, Walter
de Fynchingf[eud], Richard de Gloucestre, Ralph de Honylane, Nicholas Pycot, Elias Russel, Salomon le Coteler, Adam
de Hallingebyry, John de Norhamton, son of John de Nott',
Richer de Refham, Thomas Sely, William de Bettoygne, John Wade, John de Donestaple, and Martin Box, then Aldermen;
Richer de Refham and Thomas Sely being then Sheriffs; and
John de Donestaple and Simon de Parys being then Chamberlains of the Chamber of the Guildhall, and by the whole
Commonalty of the City-that the Chamberlains of the Chamber
of the Guildhall aforesaid, the Wardens of London Bridge, and
all others of the City who ought to render accounts to the City,
should for the future render such accounts twice a year, viz., in
the first week of Lent and at the beginning of autumn. (fn. 29)
Redd' stater'.
Wednesday before the Feast of St. Thomas [21 Dec.], the
same year, came William de Bettoyne before Henry le Galeys,
the Mayor, Geoffrey de Nortone, John le Blunt, William de
Lyre, Walter de Finginfeud. John Wade, John de Canterbury,
Nicholas de Farndone, Nicholas Pickoc, Salomon le Cutteler,
Richer de Refham, and John de Donestapil, Aldermen, and of
his own free will surrendered to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen,
and Commonalty the Small Beam which he formerly had by
grant of the Aldermen, as in an old paper is contained. (fn. 30) So
that neither he nor any one in his name shall be able to make
any claim in future by reason of the Beam aforesaid. (fn. 31)
Folio xxvi.
Dimissio stater'.
Friday before the Feast of St. Thomas [21 Dec.], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298], the Small Beam granted to William de Helvetone at a ferm of 10 marks by the year. (fn. 32)
Littera Archiepiscopi pro quinque portibus.
Letter from Robert [Winchelsey], Archbishop of Canterbury,
to Sir Henry le Galeys, Mayor of the City of London. Certain
Barons of the Port of "Wynchele" had complained to the
writer that whereas they had been of old accustomed to carry
their wine to London for sale to any one desirous of buying the
same, the said Mayor had, during his last Mayoralty, restricted
the sale to freemen of the City, disregarding the sentences of
excommunication promulgated with the King's sanction against
those who act contrary to certain articles of the Great Charter
of Liberties recently renewed by the lord the King, which
charter provided (inter alia) that the Barons of the Cinque Ports
and all ports should enjoy their liberties and free customs as they
were wont. (fn. 33) It was unbecoming the Mayor's dignity to injure
others in order to gain popular favour at the expense of his
soul's health; he is exhorted therefore to abstain from committing such an injustice in future Dated "Cherham," 11 Ides
December, A. D. 1298.
Letters on the same subject from the towns of Winchelsea,
Rye, and Romney.
Folio xxvi b.
Litera obligatoria communitatis facta Will'o de Wolcherchehawe
Recognizances of debts due by the Mayor, &c., of the City,
viz., for £50 to William de Wolcherchehawe, £50 to John Beauflour, and £100 to Reginald de Thunderle. Dated the morrow
of Ash Wednesday [4 March], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298-9].
Litera supplicator' pro Reginaldo de Thunderle..
The Mayor and Commune of the City of London to the
Echevins, Jurats, and Commonalty of the town of "Burges," (fn. 34)
desiring them to see that certain debts, viz., £40 due from John
Frunin (?), £11 from Sigeris called "Karole," and £11 from
Egidius Aymeric, were paid to Reginald de Thunderle.
Litera supplicator' pro eodem.
Similar letter to the Provost, Bailiffs, and Commonalty of the
town of Caen, (fn. 35) touching the recovery of debts due to the above
Reginald from Richard and Geoffrey de Bavent.
Litera supplicator' pro eodem.
Similar letter to the Provost, Echevins, and Commonalty of
the City of "Comerac'," (fn. 36) touching the recovery of a debt of
£66 due to the same from William Troussel.
Solucio faciend' pro Roberto Hardel
Be it remembered that on Thursday after the octave of
St. Matthias, Ap. [24 Feb.], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298-9], Robert
Hardel, in the presence of Henry le Galeys, the Mayor;
Geoffrey de Nortone, John le Blund, William de Leyre, Elyas
Russel, John de Canterbury, Thomas Romeyn, Nicholas Picot,
Walter de Fynchingfeld, Adam de Rokesle, Martin Box, Adam
de Hallingeberi, John de Donestaple, Aldermen; and Richer de
Refham and Thomas Sely, the Sheriffs, found sureties for the
payment of £10 into the Chamber on mid-Lent Sunday, viz,
Symon Bolet and John le Masiner.
Folio xxvii.
Be it remembered that Symon Bolet and John le Masiner
have a day until the first Monday in Lent for an inquiry as to
whether they be tenants of the lands, tenements, and rents
formerly belonging to Luke de Batingcourt.
Bona et catall' legata fil' et fil' [sic] Joh'is de Steortheford
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday [4 March], 27 Edward I.
[A. D. 1298-9], by Henry le Galeys, the Mayor, and John le
Blund, Geoffrey de Northone, William de Leyre, Thomas
Romayn, Walter de Fynchingfeld, and John de Donestaple,
Aldermen, the guardianship of John, son of John de Stortford,
was granted to John de Canterbury, Alderman, by mainprise of
William de Wolcherchawe, Martin Box, Richard Cristemasse,
and Peter de Blakenee, together with all his lands, tenements,
goods, chattels, and rents, the same to be restored to him on
coming of full age as follows :-First, he (i. e., John de Stortford
the elder) devised to the said John his brewhouse with three
shops, &c., in the parish of St. Giles without Crepelgate, (fn. 37)
worth, when let, £4 17s. per annum; also 25s. annual quitrent
issuing from a tenement held by Baldric "le tannere" in the same
parish; also three shops in the parish of All Hallows de Berkingecherche, worth, when let, 24s. per annum; also two shops
in the parish of All Hallows de Staningecherche, worth, when
let, 14s. per annum; also 20 marks and a feather bed worth 2s.,
and half a dozen silver spoons worth 5s., a cup de mucio (?) (fn. 38) with
stand worth 20s., a brass pot worth 6s., and a ewer and basin
worth 3s.
Adhuc de eiisdem.
The same day the guardianship of Gilbert, son of John
de Stortford, Adam, another son, Cecilia, Margery, and
"Nargery," daughters of the same, was given to Gilbert
de la Marche, together with their tenements, chattels, &c.,
by mainprise of John le Botoner, junior, Clement le Seur,
Peter de Braton (?), and Richard de Wymbysh, the said tenements, chattels, &c., being appropriated as follows: To the
said Gilbert a house in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen,
near the church of H. Trinity the Great, worth, when let,
40s. per annum, and shops in "Grubstrate," parish of St. Giles
without Creplegate, worth, when let, 50s.; also 20 marks, a
feather bed worth 2s., half a dozen silver spoons worth 5s.,
a standing cup de mucro worth 18s., and a ewer and basin
worth 2s. To the said Adam, fifteen shops in "Grubbestrate" and
"la More," in the parish of St. Giles aforesaid, worth, when
let, £3 5s. 3d. per annum; an annual quitrent of 17s. issuing
from a tenement held by Walter de Borham in the aforesaid
parish of St. Giles; also 20 marks, a feather bed worth 2s., and
half a dozen silver spoons worth 5s. To the said Cecilia 20 marks,
a standing cup de mucro worth 6s., half a dozen silver spoons worth
5s., a gold fermail worth 2s., a chest worth 3s., a brass pot
worth 45d., and a feather bed worth 2s. To Margery, his elder
daughter, 20 marks, a standing cup de mucro worth 6s., half a
dozen silver spoons worth 5s., a gold fermail worth 16d., a chest
worth 3s., a brass pot worth 3s. 4d., and a feather bed worth
2s. To Margery, his younger daughter, 20 marks, a standing
cup de mucro worth 4s., half a dozen silver spoons worth 5s., a
gold fermail worth 20d., a chest worth 2s., a brass pot worth
2s. 9d., and a feather bed worth 2s.
Compotus istorum bonorum patet infra anno xxix. (fn. 39)
Folio xxvii b.
Computacio inter Robert' de Rockesle et Martin' de Aumesbyry.
Be it remembered that on Friday the morrow of St. Gregory
[12 March], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1298-9], by Henry le Galys,
Mayor, and Geoffrey de Norton, John de Canterbury, Thomas
Sely, and Richer de Refham, Aldermen-William de Leyre,
Thomas Romeyn, Walter de Fingefeud, and John de Donestapil
were appointed auditors of the account of Robert de Rockesle
and Martin de Aumesbyry, viz., for the ferm of the City, the
issues of the Exchequer, and all other issues appertaining to the
Shrievalty. And a day was given to the parties aforesaid for
Saturday next.
Placitum inter communitat' et Johannem le Mazeliner et Symonem Bolet..
The same day John le Mazener and Symon Bolet were
summoned to answer the Mayor and Commonalty in a plea that
they should acquit the said Mayor, &c., of debts due to the
lord the King by Luke de Batencourt. -John de la Chambre, on
behalf of the Commonalty, pleads that the said John and Symon
hold lands and tenements, the property of the said Luke, who still
owed money to the lord the King by reason of his Shrievalty,
and they had not acquitted the Commonalty, whereby the latter
were damaged to the extent of £300, &c. And if the said John
and Symon, &c. And the said John and Symon come and
defend the words, &c., and say that they hold, in part, lands and
tenements, the property of the said Luke, but say that the
tenements were given in free marriage to the said Luke and to
Roysia, daughter of John de Gisors, by the said John, and that,
however the said Luke may have become the King's debtor, he
had no power of alienation, &c., over the said tenements,
inasmuch as they were entailed, and that such is the case they
demand an inquiry. The prosecutor denies the inability of the
aforesaid Luke to alienate, and also demands an inquiry. A
jury accordingly summoned for the following Wednesday. The
jurors, viz., Alan de Suffolk, Alan Mulgas, Robert Hod, Richard
Hardel, Laurence de Totenham, William Bernard, Adam (?)
Apselon, Stephen Bernard, Symon Godard, Roger atte Vyne,
and Walter le Coner (?), say on oath that the said Luke owned
(inpetravit) a tenement, formerly the property of Robert de
Basingcourt, in the parish of St. Martin Bermancherche, (fn. 40) together with an adjoining house called "Parys," and also a tenement in a little lane called "Le Arche" upon Walebrok, in the
parish of Paternostercherche, (fn. 41) in common [with the said Roysia],
so that the survivor of them has power of alienation. Accordingly
it is ordered that the aforesaid tenements be taken into the hand
of the City until, &c.
Inquisicio facta pro tenementis Johannis Horn.
Richard Horn summoned to acquit the Commonalty of the
City of 300 marks due to the lord the King on account of
the receipts during the Shrievalty of John Horn, his father.
The said Richard came and said that he held nothing by
inheritance from his late father, nor was he his executor, and
demanded an inquiry. The jurors (drawn from the Wards of
Bridge and Billingsgate), viz., John le Benere, Stephen Pikeman,
Gilbert Cros, Yvo de Wittele, Robert le Treyour, Hugh Purte,
John Lucas, William Lambyn, Robert Sotel, and William Hardel,
find on oath that the said Richard held a moiety of a messuage
formerly the property of his father in the parish of St. Magnus,
and another tenement and shop formerly the property of his
father in the parish of St. Botolph. They say, moreover, that
the aforesaid John had goods when he died of the value of
20 marks, which goods devolved to Avice his wife. It is
adjudged, therefore, that the aforesaid tenements be taken into
the hand of the City until, &c.; and the aforesaid Avice, if found
within the City, to be attached to answer for the said goods or
their value, and if not so found her dower to be taken into the
hand of the City until, &c.
Folio xxviii.
Record of proceedings against Thomas Sely and Richer
de Refham, Sheriffs of London, before the King's Council,
anno 27 Edward I., for having attached Alan de Cupildiche, of
co. Lincoln, who had been appealed by William de Odyham
for having caused the death of Walter de Odyham, his uncle,
at St. Botolph's Fair (fn. 42)
Be it remembered that on Wednesday the Feast of Annunciation B. M. [25 March], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299], William
de Leyre, William de Bettoyne, Adam de Rokesleye, and
Walter de Finchingff[eud] were elected by the Mayor and
Aldermen to prosecute the business of the City before the
King and Council in the Parliament begun at Westminster the
first Monday in Lent. (fn. 43)
Charter of Henry III. to the widows of London. (fn. 44)
Carta Regis H' viduis London' concessa.
Henry, by the grace of God King of England, &c., to the
Warden and bailiffs of his City of London greeting. Whereas
in the time of our predecessors, and also in our own times, widow
women of our aforesaid City have been freely absolved from
payment of all kinds of tallages, redemptions, and all kinds of
contributions; we being unwilling to infringe their liberties
and free customs, but rather being willing to protect them and
their liberties, as we are bound, command you, if so it be, that
you do not molest them in the premisses nor aggrieve them,
but peaceably protect them in their liberties and free customs
hitherto obtained, and if anything of the premisses shall have
become lost to them you make amends without delay, so
that we hear no more clamour thereon. And if in the time
of the disturbance now prevalent in our realm they shall
have been aggrieved to make unaccustomed payments by
force or compulsion, we are unwilling that on that account
any prejudice should in the future be caused to them in their
free customs obtained. In witness whereof we have caused
these our letters patent to be made. Witness myself at Wodestock, 19 June, the fifty-second year of our reign [A. D. 1268].
Litera Ottoboni Cardinal' pro viduis.
Letter from Cardinal Ottobon to Master Godfrey de St.
Dunstan, (fn. 45) Canon of London, bidding him see that widows in
London were allowed to enjoy their customary privileges.
Dated London, II. Kal. July [30 June], the fourth year of the
Pontificate of Pope Clement [A. D. 1268].
Folio xxviii b.
Tuesday after the Annunciation B. M. [25 March], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299], it was agreed by Henry le Galeys, Geoffrey
de Norton, Elias Russel, William de Leyre, Adam de Rokesleye,
Richard de Gloucestre, Thomas Romeyn, John de Donestapil,
Nicholas Pyckot, John Wade, Adam de Fulham, John de Norhamton, John de Canterbury, William de Bettoyne, Salaman
le Cuteler, Adam de Hallingbyri, Thomas Sely, Martin Box,
and Richard de Reffham, Aldermen, and by Gilbert Cros, John
le Benere, Simon le Cuteler, Peter Bus, Walter le Fullour, Gilbert le Mareschal, Edmund le Taylour, Richard de Chingeford,
William de Laufare, Robert de Assindone, William de Red,
Thomas de Suffolk, Alan de Suffolk, Thomas le Barber, Edmund Trentemars, Peter Berneval, Gilbert "de la Marche," Henry
le Keyles, Peter de Hungrie, Gilbert "de Marche," Clement
le Settere, William Jordan, Robert le Mire, John de Armenteris,
Richard de Wandlesworth, Symon Bolymer, Richard Poterel,
Symon Godhard, Mankyn le Heumer, Richard de Chigewell,
Henry de Fingrie, Robert le Pessonner, William le Lou, Roger
le Porser, Walter Gratefyge, Richard le Ceinturer, Thomas
Brounyng, Richard de Campes, John Bode, Walter de Fynchingfeud, senior, Gregory Lorimer, John Bauncquer, and Stephen de
Harwe of the Commonalty-that the sum of 1,000 marks, or
£1,000, should be offered to the lord the King in return for his
confirmation of Royal Charters, (fn. 46) the remission of 20,000 marks
and £1,048 due for the King's pardon for the breaking of a
certain cask, and the remission of £100, a fine imposed by
W[illiam] de Marche, (fn. 47) the King's Treasurer of the Exchequer,
in a suit between him and Osbert le Lanere.
In order to prosecute these matters before the King and his
Council, the aforesaid Commonalty in conjunction with the
Mayor and Aldermen elected Richard de Chegwell, Henry de
Fingrie, Richard Poterel, Geoffrey de Conduit, Thomas de
Farindone, John atte Gate, Gilbert de la Marche, John Darmentere, John Bannkquer, Gregory le Lorimer, Robert de Woristede, Roger Husbond, and Mankyn le Heumere.
Manucapcio Elye Russel.
Monday the morrow of Palm Sunday [12 April], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299], came Elias Russel before Henry le Galys,
then Mayor, and John de Donestapil and Symon de Parys,
Chamberlains, and acknowledged himself bound on behalf of
Henry le Bole to acquit the Commonalty of a demand made
against the said Henry by the lord the King, the said Henry
giving the said Elyas a bond of indemnity.
Manuc' Martini de Ambr' vic'..
Wednesday before the Feast of SS. Philip and James [1 May]. 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299], it was agreed by Sir Henry le Galys,
then Mayor, William de Bettoyne, William de Leyre, Richard
de Gloucestre, John Wade, William le Masener, and John de
Donestapil, that Martin de Aumesbyry, late Sheriff of London
and Middlesex, should be set free by mainprise of Reginald de
Frowyc and Walter de Finingfeud, who undertook to acquit the
Commonalty of all money due by him to the King before Whitsunday, or return him into custody.
Folio xxix.
Writ of Edward I. forbidding merchants of Almaine under
colour of the liberties granted to them to avow the goods of
strangers for the purpose of defrauding the Revenue. Dated
Canterbury, 26 May, 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299]. (fn. 48)
Breve pro pecunia deferend' usque ad certum tempus.
Edward, &c., to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, &c.
Whereas we have lately ordained that no one shall bring into
our realm nor elsewhere within our dominion any bad money
such as pollars and crocars, nor other like money called by
various names, under penalty of forfeiture of life and goods; (fn. 49)
and whereas we have newly ordained, by reason of the
grievance that strangers from a strange country, knowing
nothing of the above ordinance, should be so grievously
punished, that the forfeiture of life should be respited until
the Feast of St. John the Baptist next coming; and that
after that date all merchants importing bad money into our
realm should undergo the established penalty; and that
messengers and pilgrims who carry no more than their expenses be put in our Exchange (seient mys en nostre eschaunge)
without incurring the forfeiture; and that sterlings be not
imported nor any other money, but that they be brought to
our Exchange to be changed; and that whoever be found
with such money contrary to the ordinance shall forfeit his
goods, and his body shall be disposed of according to our will;
we therefore command you to see this ordinance kept throughout your bailiwick. Dated Canterbury, 28 May, 27 Edward I.
[A. D. 1299].
Be it remembered that Robert Fitz Henry and John de
Lungewile, burgesses of Norhamton, came on Friday before
Pentecost [7 June], 27 Edward I. [A. D. 1299], and proffered a
certain charter touching the liberties of the said town, and
demanded to be free of all demands of tolls and customs; and
because the Aldermen were not consulted thereon, a day was
given until the morrow of St. John the Baptist next, and the
sum of 42d. was placed by way of surety in the hand of Richard
de Gloucestre and John le Dednegrace (?), who mainprised
against the Sheriffs.
Folio xxix b.
Certified transcript of charter of the foundation and endowment of the Abbey of Waltham Holy Cross by King Henry II.
No date. (fn. 50)