Folio 292.
Custodia Rogeri Skirwith filii Joh'is Skyrwith letherseller.
15 March, 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1491-2], came Richard
Hadley, grocer, Richard Bromale, "joynour," John Colet,
mercer, and John Clement, goldsmith, and entered into bond
in the sum of £125 8s. 8d. for payment into the Chamber by the
said Richard Hadley of a like sum to the use of Roger, son of
John Skirwith, late "letherseller," when he comes of age.
At a Common Council held on Thursday, 15 March,
7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1491-2], there being present the Mayor,
the Recorder, [John] Broun, [Hugh] Brice, [Henry] Colet,
[William] Horne, [William] White, [John] Mathewe, [William]
Martyn, John Tate, [John] Percyvale, [John] Swanne, [John]
Fenkell, [William] Capell, [Henry] Cote, [Hugh] Pemberton,
and both Sheriffs, it was agreed that the matter concerning
the profits of John Hert's office should be directed by the
Court of the Mayor and Aldermen.
Folio 292 b.
Also that thenceforth all those who entered into bond for
orphans' goods should be bound yearly in the Council Chamber
of the Guildhall on Monday next after Mid-Lent Sunday, (fn. 1) to
the intent that it may appear to the Mayor and Aldermen
whether the persons so bound were alive or dead and were
living within the City or not.
Custodia pueror' Joh'is Hervy carnificis.
29 March, 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came William More,
"bocher," William Hoppy, "bruer," William White, "foundour," and Thomas Rowlande, "tiler," and entered into bond
in the sum of £30 for payment into the Chamber by the above
William More of a like sum to the use of Thomas, Nicholas,
and Elena, children of John Hervy, late butcher, when they
come of age or marry. (fn. 2)
Folio 293.
Letter from Hugh Cloptone, the Mayor, (fn. 3) and Thomas
Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, to Richard [Hill], Bishop of
London, presenting Thomas Forman, chaplain, for admission
to a chantry in the Chapel of the Blessed Mary near the
Guildhall for the soul of Roger Depeham, vacant by the death
of Richard Spillesbury. Dated 18 May, 7 Henry VII.
[A. D. 1492].
Ordinacio dez Surgeons.
28 Feb., 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1491-2], came the Wardens and
other good folk of the Fellowship of Surgeons enfranchised in
the City, "not passyng in noumbre of viii persones," before the
Mayor and Aldermen, and presented a petition praying that,
in consideration of their small number, they might continue to
be discharged from serving as Constables and from any office
"beryng any armure," as well as from juries, &c., as they
had been accustomed time out of mind, and further, to
continue to have the search of all "foreyns" using the "feate
of Surgery in the City." (fn. 4)
Petition granted.
Folio 293 b.
De officio clerici camere.
17 April, 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], ordinance by Hugh
Cloptone, the Mayor, Sir Thomas Fitz William the Recorder, Sir
John Broun, Knt., Sir William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, John
Mathewe, Richard Chawry, William Martyn, John Tate, Sir
John Percivale, Knt., Sir William Capell, Knt., Sir John Fenkyll,
Knt., William Remyngton, Rauf Tilney, John Broke, Henry
Cote, and Hugh Pemberton, Aldermen, that John Hert,
the Clerk of the Chamber, should thenceforth receive for
his labour as follows, viz.: of every new freeman 12d.; for
every translation 2s.; for setting over of an apprentice 2s.; for
every judgment 8d.; for every copy taken out for any freeman
6d.; and the sum of 46s. 8d. bequeathed to the Clerk of the
Chamber for the time being, viz., by Master Reynwell 40s., by
Master Philpot 3s. 4d., and by Master Carpenter 3s. 4d.; and
his liveries. Furthermore, that the said John Hert should have
under him a clerk, who should have meat and drink with the
Mayor for the time being, and 26s. 8d. for wages out of the
Chamber, also his clothing and all profits for making searches
in the Chamber.
Custodia pueror' Will'i Crompe pisc'.
19 July, 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came James Smyth,
Thomas Lighton, Richard Bur, and Philip Seman, fishmongers,
and entered into bond in the sum of 50 marks for payment
into the Chamber by the above James of a like sum to the
use of Hugh, William, Margaret, and Margery, children of
William Crompe, when they come of age or marry.
Folio 294.
Presentacio dn'i Thome Addyngham capell'i ad secundam cantariam trium cantariar' in eccl'ia Sc'i Pauli London'.
Letter from Hugh Cloptone, the Mayor, to the Dean and
Chapter of St. Paul's, presenting Thomas Addyngham, chaplain, for admission to the second of the three chantries founded
in the said church for the souls of Sir John Pulteney and of
William Milford and John Plesseys, late Archdeacons of
Colchester, vacant by the resignation of Sir William Tande,
the last chaplain. Dated 26 July, A. D. 1492.
Folio 294 b.
Presentacio Edwardi Champflour capell'i ad cantariam sanctar' Katherine et Margarete in cccl'ia Sc'i Suthini [sic].
Letter from the same to Richard [Hill], Bishop of London,
presenting Edward Champflour for admission to a chantry
founded at the altar of SS. Katherine and Margaret in the
church of St. "Swithun" for the soul of Roger Depeham, vacant
by the removal of Sir Robert Simond, the last chaplain. Dated ......
7 Henry VII.
Ordinance by a Common Council held on Thursday, 6 Sept.,
8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], that every freeman brewing beer or
ale without the franchise of the City may sell the same to
retailers or otherwise, any ordinance to the contrary (fn. 5) notwithstanding.
Eleccio Vice com' Civitatis London'.
Friday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 8 Henry VII.
[A. D. 1492], in the presence of Hugh Cloptone, the Mayor,
Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Broun, Knt.,
Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, William
White, William Martyn, John Tate, John Percyvalle, Knt.,
William Remyngtone, William Isaac, Ralph Tilney, John
Broke, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemberton, and William Purches,
Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the
Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—William Purches, Alderman and mercer, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of
London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and William Welbeke
(or Welbeck), Alderman (fn. 6) and haberdasher, was elected the
other Sheriff by the Commonalty.
The same day William Melborne, "peyntour," was elected
Chamberlain of the City; Thomas Bullesdone, skinner, and
Robert Weston, mercer, were elected Wardens of London
Bridge; John Tate and William Remyngtone, Aldermen,
Bartholomew Rede, goldsmith, Richard Wither, haberdasher,
William Sparke, draper, and William Hert, tailor, Commoners,
were elected Auditors of the accounts of the Chamber and
Wardens in arrear.
Afterwards, viz., on the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], the
said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow
of the said Feast were presented, admitted, &c., before the
Barons of the Exchequer.
Folio 295-296 b.
Ordinacio dez Englisshe Wevers.
24 July, 7 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came the Wardens and
other good men of the Mistery of English "Wevers" before the
Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles might
be approved and placed on record, to the following effect :—
That no member revile or rebuke any of the Bailiffs of the
Craft, under penalty of fine and imprisonment.
That every member of the Craft attend on summons at a
place prescribed on certain quarter-days and bring in and
deliver to the Bailiffs their "lome fermes" for the King's duty, (fn. 7)
or otherwise agree with the Bailiff for the same, under penalty
of forfeiting 3s. 4d. every quarter, one half to the Chamber
and the other to the Craft; and, further, pay quarterage of
2d., or make agreement, under penalty of 12d.
That on the decease of a brother every person in the livery
being warned to come to his burial, Dirige, and Mass and comes
not, without reasonable excuse, shall forfeit 8d.
That every person of the livery who disobeys a summons
to attend general processions shall forfeit 12d.
That the Bailiffs of the Craft and the Wardens of the
Guild make search, every six weeks, of all manner of
workmanship appertaining to the Craft, as of the "heldes" (fn. 8)
and "slaies" or "slayes" (fn. 9) occupied in the same, and notify
any default they find to the workers and owners of the same,
so that it be rectified by the time of the next search;
and if not rectified, that then the said Bailiffs, by the advice of
the said Wardens and of six or eight of the Fellowship who
have been Bailiffs, shall impose a fine upon such workers and
owners at their discretion.
That the Bailiffs be experienced in the craft, and that one be
a woollen weaver and the other a linen weaver, according to
ancient ordinance, and that the Wardens of the Craft be elected
by the Bailiffs for the time being, with the advice of former
Bailiffs.
That every three years the Fellowship shall have a new
livery or clothing; that the Bailiffs for the time being, together
with six or eight of the Fellowship who have served as Bailiffs,
shall buy a whole cloth or more for the livery; and that every
one of the livery shall go and fetch of the same a gown cloth at
a reasonable price, and, if he like not the cloth, that he take a
"scantlon" (fn. 10) thereof and pay a fine of 12d., and buy his gown
at his pleasure.
That if a Bailiff cause a freeman to be made "of the
Chamber" or "of the Charter" for love or favour, he shall pay
for the same freeman 6s. 8d. to the use of the Craft, and a silver
spoon of the value of 4s., after the old custom and usage of the
Craft. (fn. 11)
That if any householder of the Craft set on work or "colour
any foreyn" as a free journeyman, and present him not within
14 days to the Bailiffs, nor pay the duties for him of old
accustomed, viz., a penny a week, the same to lose 6s. 8d.
That any of the Craft convicted of purloining any manner of
yarn, woollen or linen, or other goods, shall forfeit for the first
time 13s. 4d., and for a second offence forfeit his looms to the
behoof of the King's ferm.
That no householder of linen weavers take any woollen yarn
to weave unless he can work it himself and have "gere"
wherewith to work it, under penalty prescribed.
That no man of the Craft take any "chayne" (fn. 12) of another
man's warping without leave of the Bailiffs.
That the whole Fellowship attend church on the Feast of
the Assumption [15 Aug.] to hear Mass and make offering,
and that those in the clothing shall attend a Requiem on the
morrow for the Brethren and Sisters of the Craft who had
"past to godde," under penalty in case of default.
That all of the livery, and householders out of the livery,
shall come to the dinner at the place and hour assigned; and
every Bailiff shall pay 16d., those in the clothing 12d., and every
householder out of the clothing 8d.
That no Bailiff thenceforth "take no suyte ayenst any persone
in the Guildhall of this Citie nor in any other Court of the Kyng
with the godes of the said Crafte for myspendyng of the same"
without the advice of 12 or 8 persons who have served as Bailiffs,
under penalty of £10.
That the Bailiffs bring in their accounts at the time and in
the manner prescribed, and that when in office they faithfully
levy all fines and penalties, and distrain for the same when
necessary.
Petition granted.
Folio 296 b.
At a Common Council held on Tuesday, 25 Sept.,
8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], Robert Harryson admitted by the
Mayor and Aldermen to be General Attorney of the Commonalty of the City to answer for the citizens drawn into a plea
in the county of Lancaster, he receiving yearly 26s. 8d. out of
the Chamber, and a ray gown (togam stragulatam) at Christmas of the rank of a gentleman (ad sect' gen'os').
Folio 297.
Custodia pueror' Henr' Faryngdon.
2 Oct., 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came William Bailly,
Henry Chalender, Robert Levendale, and John Stokes, draper,
and entered into bond in the sum of £15 for payment into the
Chamber by the said William Bailly of a like sum to the use
of John, Hugh, and Cristiana, children of Henry Faryngdon,
late fuller, when they come of age or marry.
Folio 297 b-298 b.
Carta clericor' paroch' London'.
Letters of Privy Seal of King Edward IV. reciting letters
patent dated 8 Feb., 27 Henry VI. [A. D. 1448-9], incorporating
the Fraternity of Parish Clerks of the City, on condition that
they maintained two chantry priests to pray for the good of
his soul and others in the Chapel of St Mary near the Guildhall, a condition which the Fraternity, through poverty, being
now unable to fulfil, it is hereby discharged from the maintenance of one of the two priests. Dated at Westminster,
10 July, 15 Edward IV. [A. D. 1475]. (fn. 13)
Folio 298 b.
Eleccio Maioris.
Saturday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.],
8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], in the presence of Hugh Cloptone,
the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John
Broun, Knt., John Warde, William Horne, Knt., William
White, John Mathewe, William Martyn, John Tate, William
Remyngton, John Percyvale, Knt., William Isaac, John
Fenkell, Knt., Henry Cote, John Broke, Hugh Pemberton [Aldermen], William Purches, and William Welbeke, the
Sheriffs, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing—William
Martyn was elected.
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, &c., before the Barons of the
Exchequer.
Folio 299.
Custodia pueror' David Johnson cissoris.
23 Oct., 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came John Clerke, tailor,
John Draiton, grocer, John Wright, tailor, "Cutbert" Richardson, fuller, and Richard Hogekyns, fuller, and entered into bond
in the sum of £30 for payment into the Chamber by the said
John Clerke of a like sum to the use of John and Elizabeth,
children of David Johnson, late tailor, when they come of age
or marry.
Folio 299 b.
Custod' pueror' [sic] Joh'is Hardy cissoris.
20 Nov., 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came William Fitz William,
tailor, John Spryng, fuller, Richard Warham, tailor, and
William Fouler, dyer, and entered into bond in the sum of
£64 for payment into the Chamber by the said William Fitz
William of a like sum to the use of John, son of John Hardy,
late tailor, when he comes of age.
Folio 300.
Custodia Roberti Hille filii Thome Hille militis.
11 Dec., 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492], came Dame Elizabeth
Hille, widow, Richard Hille, gentleman, John Storke and John
Hille, grocers, and entered into bond in the sum of 500 marks
for payment into the Chamber by the said Elizabeth of a like
sum to the use of Robert, son of Thomas Hille, Knt., late
grocer and Alderman of the City, (fn. 14) when he comes of age.
Folio 300 b.
Ordinacio de lez lether sellers.
20 Feb., 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492-3], came the Wardens and
other good men of the Art or Mistery of "Lethersellers" before
the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that it might be ordained
that thenceforth every man and woman of the Craft keeping a
"mansion" should be assessed by the Wardens at 12 pence
a year for their quarterage, and every member not of the livery
at 8 pence, for the relief of the poor and other charges of the
Craft, under penalty in case of default.
Also that no freeman of the Craft or "occupiyng the ware
perteynyng to the same Craft" place such ware in any inns,
taverns, alehouses, or other place for sale, but sell it in open
shop or in his house or in open standing in a convenient place,
under penalty of forfeiture of all such ware. (fn. 15)
Their prayer granted.