Folios lxxxi - xc: April 1344 -

Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: F, 1337-1352. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Folios lxxxi - xc: April 1344 -', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: F, 1337-1352, (London, 1904) pp. 100-110. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/volf/pp100-110 [accessed 26 April 2024]

In this section

Folio lxxxi.

Br'e pro civi bus London mittend' ad Parliament'.

Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of two citizens to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster on Monday after the octave of H. Trinity [30 May]. (fn. 1) Witness the King at Westminster, 20 April, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Br'e ne quis transiat ad partes exteras.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation that no one capable of bearing arms quit the kingdom on pain of forfeiture of goods, &c., and to arrest those found making the attempt. Witness the King at Berkhamstede, 10 May, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Bre ad eli gend' quad ring' sagittar'.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs for providing 400 archers, fully equipped, to assist the King against Philip de Valois, his adversary of France, who had done many things contrary to the truce between them. Witness the King at Berkhamstede, 13 May, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxi b.

Proclamacio facta tempore Joh'is Hamond pro caristia bladi evitanda.

In a congregation of John Hamond, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, on Monday before the Feast of the Ascension [16 May], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], it was ordained and agreed by the said Mayor and Aldermen that the underwritten articles for avoiding dearness of corn should be proclaimed at Billynggesgate, Queenhithe, at the pavement at Neugate and the pavement at Graschirche, viz. :-

That no stranger coming to the City by land or by water sell his corn by sample, but bring and sell it in full market in the places aforesaid.

Item, that no one expose his corn for sale before the time of half Prime at Billynggesgate and Queenhithe, and at Prime on the pavement of Neugate and Graschirche, and that on three days of the week, viz., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Item, that no one go to meet corn coming to the City by land or by water to buy it for sale except in the market and at the time above prescribed.

Item, that no blader (bladarius) nor any one else buy corn and place it in the hands of the vendor to sell again for the purpose of enhancing the price.

Item, that no inhabitant (intrinsecus) nor any one else place their own corn or a sample in the hands of a stranger (forinseci) or any one else for the purpose of buying their own corn again from such stranger (de ipso extraneo) or other person.

Item, that no meter be a broker or go to any places of the City or suburbs of the same for the purpose of carrying a sample of corn to be sold. And that all persons, as well inhabitants as strangers, observe the articles aforesaid on pain of imprisonment at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Item, that no inhabitant nor stranger after the Feast of H. Trinity next ensuing sell at Graschirche or on the pavement at the Friars Minors, nor elsewhere within the liberty of the City, a quarter of malt except by 9 bushels, according to the ancient custom of the City, on pain of forfeiture of the same.

Item, that no beadle nor his servant, nor cleaner of the streets, nor any one else take any portion of the corn exposed for sale at Graschirche or on the pavement at the Grey Friars on pain of imprisonment.

And be it known that the prescribed articles were proclaimed in the prescribed places on the following Tuesday: and the underwritten men from the places aforesaid were sworn the same Tuesday before the aforesaid Mayor and Aldermen to see that the said articles were not infringed, viz. :-

Billynggesgate: Adam Canoun, John de Dunwych.

Queenhithe: Maurice le Ropere, John Reyner.

Graschirche: Nicholas atte Brodegate, Richard Patrik.

The pavement near the Friars Minors: John Burre, John de Enefeld.

Castle Baynard: William de Thorpe, Stephen de Stanford.

In the same congregation the following articles were ordained by the said Mayor and Aldermen, viz. :-

That no one go to meet those who bring victuals or other merchandise by land or by water to the City for sale, to buy and bargain of them before they come to certain places of old time appointed where such things ought to be sold, under penalty of forfeiture of the victuals and other merchandise and imprisonment at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

Item, that corn coming to the City by land or by water for sale shall come entire to the markets, and there be sold by the same persons that bring it to all folk for their living and sustenance of their hosts, and to bakers for the service of the people.

Item, that no blader nor retail dealer buy corn that has arrived in the City for sale within the markets or without to sell again under penalty aforesaid; but those who wish to be merchants of corn should go and buy it Opeland, (fn. 2) where they may find a profit, and bring it and sell it in the City as aforesaid, or put it in store (en Gerner) if they be free of the City.

Folio lxxxii.

Billa pro reparacione vici de Holebourne viz. extra pon tem ibidem.

In the Husting of London for Pleas of Land held on Monday before the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], a bill was sent by the Mayor to John de Holebourne, John Tavy, (fn. 3) Henry de Hadham, Peter atte Gate, Robert de Cliderhou, and William de Chelchehethe, charging them to take one penny per week from every cart laden with mer chandise, victuals, &c., entering or departing from the City by Holebourne bridge, and a farthing from every horse so laden, for the repair and maintenance of the highway between the said bridge and the tenement of the Bishop of Ely. (fn. 4) Dated at the Guildhall, 7 June, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Script' Simonis Faun stok fisshmongere per Steph'm fil' Steph'i de Craye.

sol ij s vj d.

Lease by Stephen, son of Stephen de Craye, to Simon Faun, "stokfisshmongere," of a tenement called "le Welhous" in the parish of St. Michael in Crokedelane, situate near the tenements of John Lovekyn and John Gubbe; to hold the same for a term of seven years at an annual rent of 24s., Witnesses, John Lovekyn, Adam atte Pole, Henry de Braghyngge, John Gubbe, Hugh de Craye, and others [not named]. Dated Thursday after the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [22 Feb.], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1343-4].

De sotular' vendit' etc.

m'ia xl d.

Be it remembered that on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], eighteen shoes of bazen (corn basene) were taken upon Thomas de Chestre, "cordewaner," and because he sold them for cordwain (pro corio alluti) contrary to the ordinance thereon made, he is fined, this first time, 40 pence to the use of the Commonalty.

Fo lxxxii b.

A bill preferred before John Hamond, the Mayor, on Wednesday after the Feast of the Invention of H. Cross [3 May], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], by Sir John, the parson of the church of Wylinghale, and William atte Corner, executors of Richard atte Corner their brother, late dyer of London, complaining that whereas the said Richard had devised a portion of his property to Avice his wife and Richard his son, and the said Avice and aforesaid executors had agreed that the property should be valued and divided at the discretion of Master John de Malmesbury, John Tornegold, Richard Pynnore, Thomas May, Reymond de Nichole, Walter de Cherteseye, John Bole, and others [not named], who found that the amount due to the aforesaid Richard the son was £23 9s.; the said money remained in the hands of the said Avice without her having given security for the same. They pray therefore that she may be made to do as reason demands.

Securitas facta pro denar' Ric'i fil' Ric'i atte Corner in custodia matris sue existent'.

The said Avice was thereupon summoned to appear before the Mayor, Aldermen, and the Chamberlain, and acknowledged that she was in possession of the money, and found sureties, viz., John de Kiselyngbery, draper, and Stephen de Staneford, "diegher".

De custodia filiar' Joh'is Greyland.

Wednesday after the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], the will of John Greyland proved in the Chamber before John Hamond, the Mayor, Roger de Depham, the Recorder, and the rest of the Aldermen and the Chamberlain, whereby the testator bequeathed money to Agnes, Avice, Matilda, and Johanna his daughters, and appointed Johanna his wife to be their guardian. In case of the death of his wife before his daughters marry, she is to be succeeded in the guardianship by Richard de Evere, ironmonger, and on the death of the said Richard the guardianship to pass to William Chaumberlayn, his late apprentice.

Folio lxxxiii.

Pursuant to the said will the aforesaid wife came and acknowledged herself guardian of the said children.

Scripta Ade de Kynggestone biscenar' per Ansellum de Quabrigge etc.

sol ijs. vjd.

Lease by Ansell de Qua brigge and Johanna his wife, widow of Thomas de Berdefeld, to Adam de Kynghestone, fishmonger, of one-third of a certain messuage tenanted by the said Adam in the parish of St. Andrew Huberd near Estchepe, the said third being the dower of the said Johanna in right of her first husband; to hold the same for a term of sixty years or the lifetime of the said Johanna, at an annual rent of 5s. John Hamond, Mayor, John Syward and John de Aylesham, Sheriffs, John de Caustone, Alderman of the Ward. (fn. 5) Witnesses, Richard de Lamhythe, John Youn, Robert Pykeman, Richard Double, John Leche, Thomas de Merewode, clerk, and others [not named]. Dated Friday after the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Acknowledged before Richard de Berkynge, Alderman, and Thomas de Maryns, the Chamberlain.

Quitclaim by the same to the same of the rent reserved in the above lease. Witnesses and date as above.

Folio lxxxiii b.

Br'e pro militibus faciend'.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation that all persons holding £40 a year in land or rents for three whole years who had not become knights, take up the order before the Feast of St. Laurence [10 Aug.] next, or on that Feast at the latest, and after due inquiry to make a return of the names of such persons to the Chancery. Witness the King at Westminster, 30 June, 18 EdwardIII. [A.D. 1344].

Returnum.

Return to the above to the effect that inquiry had been made on the oath of good men of the Sheriffs' bailiwick as to those liable to knighthood, and it had been found that all tenements and rents in the City are held of the lord the King (in capite) as free burgage at a fee ferm, nor was there any one who had £40 a year in land or rents for certain, inasmuch as tenements in the City were let sometimes for more and sometimes for less, and frequently stood empty, and were not let, and were often in want of repair. For these reasons and because of fires and other dangers arising to houses no certain value of them could be ascertained. As to lands and rents owned by citizens elsewhere without their bailiwick the jurors say they can obtain no information as to their yearly value. (fn. 6)

Br e de errore corrigendo.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to bring up the record of proceedings in the Husting between Henry Darcy and Margery his wife and John Rokel touching a certain messuage before Richard de Wylughby, (fn. 7) Roger Hillary, and William de Shareshull, (fn. 8) Justices appointed by the King to hear the matter in error. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 May, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxiv.

L'ra d'ni Ric'i de Wylughby et Soc' suor' Justic' directa Maiori et vic' pro recordo et processu int' Henr' Darciet Margeriam ux'm eius et Joh'em Rokel h'end' apud Sc'm Marti num magnum h'end'.

Precept of the above Justices to the Mayor and Sheriffs reciting the King's letters patent appointing them to hear the above matter in error at the church of St. Martin le Grand, and summoning the said Mayor and Sheriffs to appear before them on Sunday before the Feast of St. Kenelm [17 July] next ensuing. Dated at Westminster, Wednesday the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [7 July], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Another precept to the same for their appearance on Tuesday after the octave of St. Michael.

Return made to the same effect as supra, p. 90.

Return by the Sheriffs that they had notified Henry Darci and Margery his wife, by Robert de Cauntebregge and Henry atte Boure, to appear on the day named.

Folio lxxxiv b.

Br'e pro homi mbus ad arma et hobelar' habend'.

The King's writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to furnish 100 men-at-arms and 200 hoblers equipped according to the manner prescribed by the Statute of Winchester, and to send them to Portesmuthe by the quinzaine of the Nativity B. M. [8 Sept.] next ensuing. Witness the King at Westminster, 28 June, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Writ to the Sheriffs to hasten the levy of 400 archers, previously ordered, and send them to Portesmuthe as the King was about to cross the sea. Witness the King at Westminster, 28 June, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxv.

Br'e ad dis tring' Mai orem et communitatem.

Writ pluries to the Sheriffs to distrain the lands and chattels of the Mayor and Commonalty and have their bodies before the King's Justices at Westminster in the quinzaine of St. Michael to answer William Scot and Robert de Elnestede, executors of Robert de Bardelby, clerk, in a plea for the restoration of a sum of £30 unjustly detained. Witness J[ohn] de Stonore (fn. 9) at Westminster, 6 July, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Peticio civitat quod mensura [sic] et pondera standardo R non concor danc' conbu rentur . (fn. 10)

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation of the abolition of Commissions appointed to assay weights and measures, inasmuch as complaint had been made of extortions committed by the Commissioners. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 July, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Proclamation for those indicted before Sir Robert Pernyng [sic] and his fellows for having unlawfully exported wool and woolfels to appear before the Chancellor and Treasurer for judgment at St. Martin le Grand on the eve of St. James [25 July], and notifying the extension of the King's favour to those outlawed for the same cause. [No date.].

Folio lxxxv b.

Br'e R' quod omnes mercat quiscunque [sic] lanas emere potest [sic].

Writ to the Sheriffs to proclaim the abolition of ordinances prescribing limits to the price of wool, (fn. 11) which in future might be freely bought and sold at any price agreed upon between vendor and purchaser. Witness the King at Westminster, 15 July, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

sol ij s vj d.

Lease by Henry de Purlee, Master of the Hospital of St. James at Cherrynge, near Westminster, and brethren and sisters of the same, to Walter atte Conduyt, vintner, of a certain tenement in Bredstrete, parish of All Hallows, for a term of forty years at an annual rent of 4 pence of silver. Witnesses, John de Tiffeld, John de Hyntone, John Fichet, John Lightfote, Thomas de Oxonia, John de Estchepe, and many others [not named]. Dated Saturday the eve of Easter [4 April], A.D. 1344.

Acknowledged before John de Northhalle, Alderman, and Thomas de Maryns, the Chamberlain, on Friday after the Feast of St. James [25 July], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxvi.

Br'e d'm Regis pro moneta auri currenda in regno.

Writ to the Sheriffs to proclaim the new currency, viz., a gold piece of the value of 6s. 8d. sterling to be called the gold noble, a gold piece of the value of 40 pence sterling to be called the "Maille noble," (fn. 12) and a third piece of the value of 20 pence sterling to be called the "Ferlinge noble." (fn. 13) Dated at Westminster, 9 July, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344]. (fn. 14)

Folio lxxxvi b.

Statute passed in the Parliament held at Westminster on Monday next after the octave of H. Trinity [30 May], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], (fn. 15) granting to the King two fifteenths by the commonalty, and two tenths by cities and boroughs, to be paid in two years in aid of the wars with France and Scotland, &c. (fn. 16)

Folio lxxxvii.

Br'e quod aque in quibus sal mones capiun tur sint in defenso [sic].

Letters patent appointing Walter de Chesthunte, William de Langeford, Simon de Swanlond, John de Cherletone, and Henry de Frowyk, to be commissioners for the protection of salmon and salmon-fry in the Thames in the counties of Middlesex and Surrey. Witness the King at Westminster, 18 June, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxvii b.

Br'e ad inqui rend' de cleyis et pilis in aqua Thamisie fixis.

Letters patent appointing Roger Hillary, Walter de Chesthunte, William de Langeford, John de Bray, and Roger de Louthe, to be commissioners for the removal of piles, hurdles (cleyas), and other engines from the waters of the Thames, so as to afford a free passage to vessels carrying victuals and other merchandise between the vill of Westminster and the bridge of Stanes. Witness the King at Westminster, 24 June, 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Folio lxxxviii.

Articuli Zona rior' London'.

Saturday after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [7 July], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], Richard Wayte, Gilbert Broune, John Styward, Walter Waleys, and John Colewell, sworn before John Hamond, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to keep the articles underwritten touching the craft (officium) of Girdlers. (fn. 17)

Folio lxxxviii b.

Carta Zona riorum.

Letters patent confirming certain ordinances touching the craft (mestier) of Girdlers of London. Dated at Westminster, 10 March, 1 Edward III. [A.D. 1326-7].

[Folios lxxxix blank].

Folio lxxxix b.

Script' Thome Leggy per Magistrum Hospital' Sc'i Jacobi.

Grant by Henry de Purlee, Master and Warden of the Hospital of St. James at Cherrynge, near Westminster, and brethren and sisters of the same, to Thomas Leggy, Alderman, of an annual quitrent of 20s. charged on the tenements of.

Roger de Horsham in the parish of St. Christopher, formerly belonging to Walter de Evere; to hold the same for a term of fifty years for a pound of cummin at Martinmas. Dated Wednesday the eve of the Nativity St. John Bapt. [24 June], A.D. 1344.

Obligacio facta eidem Thome per eundem magr'm.

Acknowledgment by the same of the receipt of the sum of £10 of silver for their common use from the above Thomas Leggy, and covenant to repay the same at Christmas next. Dated Monday after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury [7 July], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344].

Adnullaciodc'e obligacionis.

Deed of covenant by the above Thomas Leggy that the above covenant to repay the said sum of £10 shall be void if the said Thomas be allowed peaceable enjoyment of a yearly quitrent of 20s. charged on tenements belonging to Roger de Horsham in the parish of St. Christopher for a term of fifty years. Dated Thursday after the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury [7 July], A.D. 1344.

Folio xc.

Bona legata pueris Thome Bonet.

Friday after the Feast of St. James, Ap [25 July], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], came John Bonet and Walter his brother, woodmongers, before John de Northhalle, Alderman, and Thomas de Maryns, the Chamberlain, and acknowledged the receipt of 100s. from William Brian and Thomas, son of Cristina Telmestere, (fn. 18) executors of the said Cristina, bequeathed by her to Thomas, son of Thomas Bonet; also a like sum bequeathed to William, brother of the said Thomas, son of Thomas; also 40s. bequeathed to John their brother.

De moneta auri vocata la Noble.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation that no one need accept coins representing respectively in value 6s., 3s., and 1s. 6d. against his will, now that new coins representing respectively 6s. 8d., 40d., and 20d. were current. Dated at Westminster, 20 Aug., 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344]. (fn. 19)

Folio xc b.

Articuli Cultellar'.

Be it remembered that on Friday after the Feast of the Decollation of St. John Bapt [29 Aug.], 18 Edward III. [A.D. 1344], the underwritten articles [of the Cutlers] were read before John Hamond, the Mayor, Roger de Depham, John de Caustone, and other Aldermen [not named], and being found suitable were accepted and entered in these words. (fn. 20)

Thereupon Geoffrey de Gedelestone, Richard Baldewyn, John de Trillowe, John de Lauvare, Richard de Toppesfeld, John de Flete, John de Gaunt, John atte Watre, and John atte Watre, junior, were elected to supervise and keep the articles aforesaid.

Inasmuch as all the aforesaid wardens of the articles aforesaid were dead, (fn. 21) there were elected on Friday before the Feast of St. Martin [11 Nov.], 23 Edward III. [A.D. 1349], in their place, by men of the said mistery, John de Hertelpol, Robert Godwyn, William de Spaldyng, John de Haukeshale, John Porre, and Simon atte Nax, to keep the said articles.

Footnotes

  • 1. The Parliament sat from 7th-28th June. Stubbs, 'Const. Hist.,' ii. 395, note.
  • 2. A common expression for "in the country" See 'Liber Custumarum,' Glossary, s. v "Uplaund."
  • 3. Probably John Tavy, armourer, who owned a hostel occupied by apprentices (ubi apprenticii habitare solebant) in the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, the apprentices probably being apprentices of law, and the hostel the same as that subsequently known as "Thavies Inn." See his will proved in the Husting of London in 1349. 'Cal. of Wills,' i. 619 (where the editor misread the testator's name as "Tany").
  • 4. On the site of Ely Place.
  • 5. Billingsgate.
  • 6. This return is recorded as having been made to a different writ from the above, and appears to have served as a return to both writs. A similar return was made in 1356. Letter- Book G, fos. li, li b.
  • 7. He had been deposed from the judicial bench with others on the King's sudden return to England in November, 1340 Murimuth, 'Cont. Chron.' (Rolls Series, No. 93), p. 117.
  • 8. Had suffered the same punish ment as Wylughby in 1340. Id. ibid.
  • 9. Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Removed from office on the King's sudden return to England in November, 1340.
  • 10. This note is misleading.
  • 11. By stat. 18 Edw. III. Stat. 2, cap. 3.
  • 12. Or half-noble.
  • 13. Or quarter-noble.
  • 14. Rymer, 'Fœdera, vol. iii. pt. i. p. 16.
  • 15. Sat from the 7th to the 28th June.
  • 16. Printed in 'Statutes at Large' (ed. 1758), vol. i. pp. 253 5.
  • 17. The articles set out in 'Memorials,' pp. 216, 217.
  • 18. The will of Cristina "la" Telme stere was proved and enrolled in the Husting in November, 1343 ('Cal. of Wills,' i. 469). She is there de scribed as late wife of Walter de Heston, and as having four sons, viz., Nicholas, John, Simon, and Thomas, and a daughter named Katherine The daughter became the wife of Richard atte More de Wyndesore, called "de Staneford." Vide infra, fo. cxlii.
  • 19. Rymer, 'Fœdera,' vol. iii. pt. i. p. 21.
  • 20. The articles are set out in 'Memorials,' pp. 217-219.
  • 21. Having fallen victims, probably, to the Black Death of 1349, as suggested by the editor of the 'Memorials.'