Folio cccxii.

Eleccio Vice comitum.

Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396], in the presence of William More, the Mayor, Roger Elys and William Shiryngham, the Sheriffs, John Cokayn, the Recorder, John Hadlee, John Walcote, John Fraunceys, Thomas Knolles, William Bramptone, William Evote, and John Wade, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs, Thomas Welford was elected Sheriff by the Mayor for the ensuing year, and William Parker by the Commonalty.

Afterwards, viz., on Thursday the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on Saturday the morrow of the said Feast were presented before the Barons of the lord the King at Westminster.

Eleccio auditor' compo' i Cam' ar' et Cus todum pont' London'.

Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.] aforesaid William Evote and William Askham, Aldermen, John Warner, William Hyde, William Frenyngham, and Robert Asshcombe, Commoners, appointed auditors of the accounts of the Chamberlain and Wardens of London Bridge.

Eleccio Maioris.

Friday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396], in the presence of William More, the Mayor, John Cokayn, the Recorder, John Hadlee, William Staundone, and Thomas Welford and William Parker, the Sheriffs, Thomas Knolles, John Fraunceys, John Walcote, Thomas Neutone, William Bramptone, William Shiryngham, Roger Elys, John Wade, William Evote, and William Askham, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing, Adam Bamme was elected.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], he was sworn in the Guildhall, and on the morrow was admitted and sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Pro coronac'oe Regine.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation for all persons claiming the right to perform any services, by reason of tenure or otherwise, at the coronation of Queens of England, to attend the coronation of Isabella, now Queen of England, (fn. 1) the King's Consort, at Westminster, on Sunday the morrow of the Epiphany [6 Jan.], and perform such services in manner accustomed Witness the King at Westminster, 4 Dec., 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396].

Br'e pro parliamento.

Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four citizens to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster on the Feast of St. Vincent [22 Jan.] next. (fn. 2) No Sheriff to be returned. Witness the King at Westminster, 30 Nov., 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396]. (fn. 3)

Exon'acio Joh' is Newent allutar'.

30 March, 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], John Newent, cordwainer, discharged by Adam Bamme, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Folio cccxii b.

Commissio pro Gaola de Newgate.

Letters patent appointing Walter Cloptone, Adam Bamme, the Mayor, William Thirnynge, John Cassy, and John Cokayn, or any four, three, or two (the Mayor being one), to be Commissioners for gaol-delivery of Newegate. Witness the King at Westminster, 4 Dec., 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396].

Exon acio Ed' i Crendone.

29 May, 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], Edmund Crendone, "malemaker," (fn. 4) discharged by Adam Bamme, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Exon' acio x marcar' solut' Cam'ario.

13 Feb., 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396-7], Richard Greystoke, who had married Constance, widow of Michael Herland, carpenter, paid to Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, 10 marks for the use of Alice, daughter of the said Michael, who bequeathed the same to her.

Afterwards, viz., on the 15th Jan., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], came John Ryngsone, tailor, who had married the above Alice, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and received the above money.

Folio cccxiii.

Statute passed in the Parliament held at Westminster on the Feast of St. Vincent [22 Jan.], 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1396-7]. (fn. 5)

Folio cccxiii b.

Ordinacio de lethersellers.

5 March, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], came good men of the mistery of "Lethersellers" into the Chamber of the Guildhall and delivered to Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen certain articles of their mistery for approval. (fn. 6)

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs notifying that previous writs in error touching a plaint brought by Margery, wife of Richard Godard, and Thomas Sybseye, tailor, against John Godard, goldsmith, were wrongly issued, and are to be returned into Chancery.Witness the King at Westminster, 16 Nov., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Folio cccxiv.

Admissio novi Maioris.

Letters patent appointing Richard Whityngtone to be Mayor and the King's Escheator in the City in the place of Adam Bamme, who had died during his Mayoralty. Witness the King at Westminster, 8 June, 20 Richard II. [A.D. 1397]. (fn. 7)

Writ of certiorari to the Mayor and Sheriffs touching the arrest and imprisonment of John Sewale, of Isildone, "cartere." Witness the King at Westminster, 28 April, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1398].

Return made to the above. (fn. 8)

Ordinacio et modus elecc' Aldermann' fact' per co'e consilium.

1 Aug., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], ordinance by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, in order to avoid damages, dissensions, and perils which had oftentimes happened in divers Wards by reason of headstrong, partial, and imprudent elections of Aldermen, to the effect that in future at every such election of Aldermen at least two reputable and discreet men, either of whom (quorum alter) in morals (moribus) and worldly goods should be fit to be a judge and an Alderman of the City, shall be peacefully and quietly chosen by the men of the Ward that is destitute of an Alderman, and be presented to the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being, so that one of them (alter ipsorum virorum) whom the Mayor and Aldermen shall prefer may be admitted and sworn to execute the office. (fn. 9)

Folio cccxiv b.

Br'e ad exon'- and' Burgenses Oxon' de theolon' et custum'.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to allow burgesses of Oxford to pass with their merchandise without payment of toll, according to their chartered right. (fn. 10) Witness the King at Westminster, 1 Aug., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Returnum et respons' q'd exon' ari non debeant.

Return made to the above, to the effect that burgesses of Oxford coming to London cannot be discharged from payment of toll, which is part of the City's ferm due to the King for London and Middlesex.

Br'e pro parliamento.

Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four citizens to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster on Monday after the Feast of Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.]. (fn. 11) No Sheriff to be returned. Witness the King at Westminster, 18 July, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Pursuant to the above writ there were elected Drew Barentyn, Andrew Neuport, (fn. 12) [Aldermen]; and William Chichely and Robert Ascombe, Commoners.

Exon' acio Steph' i Hamme cissoris ab assisis etc.

1 Aug., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], Stephen Hamme, tailor, discharged by Richard Whytyngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Folio cccxv.

Br' e ne aliquis faciat aliqua conventicula seu congregaciones.

Writ to the Sheriffs notifying the arrest of Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, Richard, Earl of Arundel, and Thomas, Earl of Warwick, (fn. 13) and bidding them make proclamation against conventicles, &c., being held in the City. Witness the King at Westminster, 13 July, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Br'e de arestacione diver sor' d'nor' per consensum magnatum et aliorum.

Another writ to the same to make proclamation to the effect that the above had been arrested not only with the assent of Edward [Plantagenet], Earl of Rutland, Thomas [Holland], Earl of Kent, John [Holland], Earl of Huntyngdon, Thomas [Mowbray], Earl Marshal and Earl of Nottingham, John [Beautort], Earl of Somerset, John [de Montacute], Earl of Salisbury, Thomas, Lord le Despenser, and William Lescrop, the King's Under-Chamberlain, but also with the assent of the King's uncles, John, Duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster, Edmund, Duke of York, and his cousin Henry, Earl of Derby; and further, that they had been arrested not for their assemblies and ridings, but for extortions and oppressions against the King's majesty, such as would be declared more fully in the coming Parliament, (fn. 14) and that there was no intention to take proceedings against any person of the family or suite of the said Duke of Gloucester or the Earls of Arundel and Warwick. Witness the King at Wyndesore, 15 July, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Br' e de venire faciend' d' no Regi retinenciam suam etc.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation for all lords, knights, esquires, and others bearing the King's livery, as well as all valets of the Crown and others receiving the King's pay, to wait upon the King at Kyngestone-on-Thames, arrayed according to their estate, on Saturday the morrow of the Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.], and to ride with him to his Palace at Westminster. Witness the King at Wodestoke, 20 Aug., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Folio cccxv b.

L' ra d' m Regis miss' Maiori et Aldr' is.

Letter from the King to the Mayor and Aldermen thanking them for their pecuniary assistance and for the good government of the City, and referring them to the Chancellor, Treasurer, and Keeper of the Privy Seal as to what his wishes were touching the government of the City when Parliament should meet. Dated at his manor of Wodestoke, 21 Aug. [A.D. 1397].

L' re d' ni Regis de vitellariis.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation to the effect that victuallers were to be allowed free access to the City and to sell their goods without molestation by any of the King's purveyors or others, especially at the time of the approaching Parliament; that all such purveyors should promptly pay a reasonable price for what they took; and that no lord should have more than two purveyors, who should display their master's standards and coats of arms, so that it might better be known to whom they belonged Witness the King at Westminster, 27 Aug., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Exon' acio Ric' i Gille sadeler.

24 Oct., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], Richard Gille, "sadeler," discharged by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Exon' acio Joh' is Pope wexchaundel ler.

1 Dec., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], John Pope, "wexchaundeller," similarly discharged for like cause.

Folio cccxvi.

Admissio Joh' is Dekne in lib' tatem mister Grossar'.

10 Nov., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], came John Dekne, of co. Somerset, late apprentice to Richard Spencer, senior, "peutrer," before Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen He had been admitted to the freedom of the City and sworn by William Staundone, Mayor, and Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, on 18 June, 16 Richard II. [A.D. 1393], and he now declared that both he and his master had always used the Mistery of Grocers and not the Mistery of "Peutrers," as the masters of the said Mistery of Grocers testified. He therefore prayed the Mayor and Aldermen to admit him to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Grocers. His prayer granted at the instance of good men of the Mistery of Grocers then present. He pays for admission 20s.

Consimilis admissio pro Will' o Seven oke.

20 Dec., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], came William Sevenok, son of William Rumschedde, of Sevenoke, co. Kent, late apprentice to Hugh de Boys, ironmonger, having been admitted to the freedom of the City and sworn by John Hadle, the Mayor, and Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, on 10 July, 18 Richard II. [A.D. 1394], and similarly prayed the Mayor and Aldermen to admit him to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Grocers, he and his master having always used the Mistery of Grocers and not that of Ironmongers. His prayer likewise granted. He pays for admission 40s.

Eleccio Vicecom'.

Friday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], in the presence of Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, Thomas Wilford and William Parker, the Sheriffs, John Hadlee, John Hende, William Staundone, William More, Thomas Knolles, John Shadworth, William Evote, John Wade, William Askham, John Warner, William Venour, Hugh Short, John Walcote, William Bramptone, and John Fraunceys, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs, William Askham was elected Sheriff for the ensuing year by the Mayor, and John Wodecok by the Commonalty.

Afterwards, viz., on Friday the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on the Monday following were presented before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Eleccio aud' comp' Cam'ar' et Custod' Pont' London'.

Friday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.] aforesaid, John Walcote and Hugh Short, Aldermen, and Geoffrey Brook, Richard Merlawe, John Lyenge (Lyeuge ?), and John Wakelee, Commoners, were elected auditors of the accounts of the Chamberlain and Wardens of London Bridge.

Eleccio Maioris.

Saturday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], in the presence of Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, John Cokayn, the Recorder, William Askham and John Wodecok, the Sheriffs, John Hadlee, John Hende, William Staundone, William More, Thomas Knolles, John Shadworth, William Evote, John Wade, Thomas Wilford, William Parker, John Warner, William Venour, Hugh Short, John Walcote, William Bramptone, and John Fraunceys, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned for the election of a Mayor for the ensuing year, Richard Whityngtone was elected by common assent.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], he was sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow was presented, admitted, and sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer, &c.

Folio cccxvi b.

Commissio pro gaola de Newgate delib' and'.

Letters patent appointing Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, Walter Cloptone, William Thyrnynge, John Cassy, William Rikhill, John Wadham, and John Cokayn, or any six, five, four, three, or two of them (the Mayor being one), to be Commissioners for gaol-delivery of Neugate. Witness the King at Westminster, 28 Oct., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Br'e pro Coronatore.

Writ to Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, to admit Robert Newentone to execute the office of Coroner in the absence of John Michel, the Deputy-Coroner appointed by Thomas Brounflete, the King's Chief Butler and Coroner of the City. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 Jan., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8].

25 Jan., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], came John Somer, junior, draper, who had married Katherine, daughter of Thomas Moraunt, and acknowledged that he had received from John Cornwaleys and other executors of Henry Vannere, by the hands of Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, the sum of £20 bequeathed to the said Katherine by the said Henry. (fn. 15)

Custod' unius ten' et unius placee in venell' Sancti Laurencii in Judaism'.

26 Jan., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], the guardianship of John, son of William Wolriche, late "foundour," together with a tenement and land in the lane of St. Laurence in the Jewry, committed by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, to Thomas Hertwell, "foundour," with whom the said orphan was bound apprentice. Sureties, viz., John atte Shoppe, "bocher," William Castre, "cotiller," and Thomas Suttone.

Folio cccxvii.

Custod' bonor' fil' Thome Frensshe.

22 Feb., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], the guardianship of John and Thomas, sons of Thomas Frennshe, and of their goods, comprising [inter alia] a silver girdle harnessed with a device (cum una racione) called "esperaunce," of the value of 13s. 4d.; divers mazers, and a baselard with black girdle, and a buckle and "pendaunt" of silver, committed by the above Mayor and Chamberlain to Thomas "Provse," who had married Johanna their mother. Sureties, viz., Thomas Duk, skinner, and Robert York, cordwainer.

Afterwards, viz., on the 24th Feb., came the executors of the said Thomas and delivered to the Chamberlain 12 marks in trust for the orphans.

Folio cccxviii.

Afterwards, viz., on the 1st July, 5 Henry IV. [A.D. 1404], came the above John, one of the orphans, and claimed his property, and notified his intention of assuming the religious habit in the house at Merton. (fn. 16) His request granted.

Afterwards, viz., on Monday the 24th Jan., 8 Henry IV. [A.D. 1406-7], the above Thomas, the other orphan, having died under age, his property was delivered to his brother John.

Folio cccxvii.

Acquietancia Steph'i Speleman Cam'arii.

Acquittance under the Common Seal by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the rest of the citizens to Stephen Speleman, mercer and Chamberlain, on his accounts for three years from Michaelmas, 18 Richard II. [A.D. 1394]. Dated in the Chamber of the Guildhall the morrow of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397].

Exon' acio W. Stanes.

6 Feb., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], William Stanes, "leche," discharged by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Exon' acio Salamonis Forster taillour.

18 March, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8], Salamon Forster, tailor, similarly discharged, inasmuch as the state of his legs prevented him from walking without great pain.

Exon' acio xls.

27 March, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], the executors of Thomas Frensshe came and paid to John Halle, otherwise called "Botkysham," fishmonger, with whom John, son of the said Thomas, an orphan, had been placed as apprentice, the sum of 40s. bequeathed to the said orphan by his father.

Exon' acio Will' Rule civis et cissoris London'.

13 July, 22 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], William Rule, tailor, discharged by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing age.

Folio cccxvii b.

1 Dec., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], came John Hygyn and John Wolfay, executors of Gilbert Prince, late painter, and delivered to Stephen Speleman, the Chamberlain, the sum of £100 in trust for Robert, son of the said Gilbert.

Custodia Rob' ti filii Gilb' ti Prynce.

Afterwards, viz., on the 1st May, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], the guardianship of the said Robert and of the said £100 was committed by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the said Chamberlain to Master Thomas Sy, the King's Herberger (fn. 17) (herbergeator). Sureties, viz., John Oteley, mercer, John Mockyng, vintner, Edmund Bys, and William Bryan, fishmonger.

Exon' acio.

Afterwards, viz., on the 13th April, 6 Henry IV. [A.D. 1405], came the above orphan before John Hende, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, being of full age, and claimed his property, which was delivered to him by John Profyt, the Chamberlain.

10 May, 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], came William Levegood, who in the time of the mayoralty of John Hende, and when Stephen Speleman was Chamberlain, viz., on the 21st Feb., 15 Richard II. [A.D. 1391-2], had been admitted to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of "Chaundellers," whilst he was only using the Mistery of Vintners and was yearly clad with the livery of that mistery and never had any communication with the Mistery of "Chaundellers," and prayed the Mayor and Aldermen that he might be admitted to the freedom of the City as a Vintner. His prayer granted at the instance of good men of the Mistery of Vintners then present. He pays for admission 40s.

Officium custodie posterne concess' Joh' i Credy.

Grant by Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, to John Credy, the Mayor's esquire, of houses appertaining to "la Posterne," near the Tower, for life, reserving to themselves the right of resuming possession in time of war. Dated 27 Feb., 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397-8].

Folio cccxviii.

Ordinaciones des Hurers.

20 Aug., 22 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], certain ordinances submitted to Richard Whityngtone, the Mayor, and Aldermen, for approval by good men of the Mistery of Hurers. (fn. 18)

Exon' acio Henr' Rede allutar'.

21 Aug., 22 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], Henry Rede de Draytone Beauchamp [co. Bucks], cordwainer, discharged by the said Mayor and Aldermen from serving on juries owing to increasing age.

Admissio Thome Blosse in lib' tatem artis de Stokfisshmongers.

21 Aug., 22 Richard II. [A.D. 1398], came Thomas, son of William Blosse, who had been an apprentice of John Pountfreyt, cornmonger (bladarius), and had been admitted to the freedom of the City [in the Mistery of Cornmongers] before Stephen Cavendisshe, Alderman, when John de "Chicestre" was Mayor and John de Cauntebrigge was Chamberlain, on the 9th Nov., 43 Edward III. [A.D. 1369], whilst he had always used the Mistery of Stokfisshmongers and never that of Cornmongers, and prayed that he might be admitted to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Stockfisshmongers. His prayer granted at the instance of good men of that mistery.

Folios cccxviii b-cccxxiii.

Statute made at the Parliament which commenced to sit at Westminster on Monday next after the Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.], 21 Richard II. [A.D. 1397], and afterwards adjourned to Shrewsbury. (fn. 19)

Footnotes