Folios 301 - 310: March 1492-3 -

Folio 301.

Custodia Henrici Lymnour filii Thome Lymnour.

1 March, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492-3], came Richard Lilbourne, gentleman, John Hede, tailor, Richard Taillour, sherman, John Hyndson, gentleman, and entered into bond in the sum of £70 for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard Lilbourne of a like sum to the use of Henry, son of Thomas Lymnour, late mercer, when he comes of age.

Folio 301 b.

Custodia Ric'i Turnour filii Ric'i Turnour lynyndraper.

5 March, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492-3], came Robert "Hertisshorne," Edward Dronyke (Drouyke ?), Thomas Pole, tailors, and Robert Turnour, "peauterer," and entered into bond in the sum of £13 6s. 8d. for the delivery into the Chamber by the said Robert "Hertishorne" of a like sum, together with a ring, 12 silver spoons, a feather bed, and appurtenances, to the use of Richard, son of Richard Turnour, late "lynyndraper," when he comes of age.

Custodia Alic' Gyles filie Laur' Gyles.

12 March, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1492-3], came Marion Gyles, widow, John Pasmer, skinner, Thomas Eyre, grocer, and Richard Stutfold, "blaksmyth," and entered into bond in the sum of £73 5s. for payment into the Chamber by the said Marion of a like sum to the use of Alice, daughter of Laurence Gyles, late "berebruer," when she comes of age or marries.

Folio 302.

Forfait brede.

16 April, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen that all bread hawked about the City for sale should be forfeited to the Chamber and be disposed of at the discretion of the Chamberlain, and not by the Sheriffs.

Foreyn Bakers shalle not put to sale brede within the City after xij of the clock upon payn of forfaiture of the same.

Also it was ordained by the same Mayor and Aldermen that no foreign baker should thenceforth put to sale any bread within the City or liberties after the hour of 12 noon, under pain of forfeiting the said bread to the use of the Chamber if taken and presented by an officer of the Chamber, if taken and presented by freemen bakers, one half of the forfeiture shall go to the Craft of freemen bakers and the other to the Chamber; and, further, that all foreign bakers bringing bread to the City in carts shall remove their carts by noon, on penalty of imprisonment and fine. (fn. 1)

Folio 302 b.

Custodia pueror' Thome Bledlowe.

2 July, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came Richard Golofer, Richard Feldyng, mercers, George Bulstrode, William Nightyngale, drapers, and Thomas Shenton, grocer, and entered into bond in the sum of £506 11s. 5d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard Golofer of a like sum to the use of John, Richard, and Henry, sons of Thomas Bledlowe, late grocer and Alderman, (fn. 2) when they come of age or marry. (fn. 3)

Folio 303.

Ordinacio dez Skynners.

21 May, 8 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Skinners and presented a bill or supplication to the Mayor and Aldermen, complaining that journeymen, freemen of the Craft, were unable to obtain work owing to the great influx of strangers and foreign journeymen, and praying that it may be enacted as follows :—

"That no straunger nor foreyn herafter take upon hym thoccupacion of the said Craft of Skynners nor take nor occupye any house or chaumbre and therin dwelle or sojourne with any persone within the said Citee or liberties aforesaid upon payn of 6s. 8d., the one half therof to the Chamberleyn of London to thuse of the said Citee and that other half to the Felauship of Skynners," and, further, that they be not set on work by freemen.

Their prayer granted.

Folio 303b-304.

Ordinacio dez Berebruers.

24 Sept., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of "Berebruers," before the Mayor and Aldermen, and presented a petition to the following effect :—

That two persons submitted to them may be admitted as Wardens of the Fellowship for the ensuing year, and be sworn in the Court of the Guildhall, called the Mayor's Court, to rule the Craft and see that its ordinances are observed; and that henceforth the Rulers and Governors of the Fellowship before going out of office, calling unto them 6 or 8 honest members, shall choose Rulers and Governors for the following year; that any one so chosen and refusing to take office shall forfeit 40s., one half to go to the Chamber and the other to the use of the Fellowship.

That no one of the Craft send any wheat, malt, or other grain for brewing to the mill to be ground, nor put any hops in the brewing unless it be clean and sweet; under penalty of 20s.

That the said Rulers, with an officer of the Chamber appointed for the purpose, shall search all manner of hops and other grain four times a year or more, and taste (fn. 4) and assay all beer, as well as survey all vessels used for beer.

That no member take or "embesille" the vessels belonging to another member, under penalty.

That no member take into his service any one who had been proved by the Fellowship to be an "untrue or a deceyvable servaunt in myscoryng or mystailling" between his master and his customers.

"Also that every persone of the said Feaulisship herafter uppon a lefulle warnyng to hym geven appere at an houre and place to hym assigned by the Rulers and Governors of the same Craft for the tyme beyng to thentent to comon' [commune] of and in such causes and nedes as shalle concerne the gode Rule of the said Crafte and the comon' profite of this Citee and none other," under penalty.

That the Rulers and Governors duly report to the Chamberlain the result of every search within 14 days.

That they render their accounts to the new Rulers within a month of going out of office.

Their petition granted.

Folio 304 b.

Eleccio Vicecom'.

Saturday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], in the presence of William Martyn, the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Broun, Knt., John Warde, William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, Ralph Astry, John Tate, William Remyngton, John Percivale, Knt., Ralph Tilney, William Capell, Knt., John Broke, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemberton, William Welbeke, and William Purches, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—Robert Fabian, draper, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and John Wynger, grocer, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

The same day William Milbourne, painter, was elected Chamberlain of the City; Christopher Eliot, goldsmith, and Simon Harrys, grocer, were elected Wardens of London Bridge; William Remyngton and John Percivale, Aldermen, William Sparke, draper, William Hert, tailor, Laurence Ailmer, draper, and Richard Nonneley, grocer, 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.

Exon'acio Nicholai Bacheler ab assisis.

10 Oct., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], Nicholas Bacheler, draper, discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to deafness and other infirmities.

Eleccio Maioris.

Sunday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], in the presence of William Martyn, the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William the Recorder, John Broun, Knt., John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horne, Knt., Robert "Horne" [Tate ?], William White, John Mathewe, Richard Chawry, Ralph Astry, John Tate, William Remyngton, John Percivale, Knt., William Capell, Knt., John Broke, Hugh Pemberton, William "Purche," and William Welbeke, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing—Ralph Astry was elected.

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

Folio 305-6.

Ordinacio dez Curriours.

3 Oct., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Curriours before the Mayor and Aldermen, and presented a petition, showing that it had been ordained temp. Robert Drope, Mayor [A. D. 1474-5], that all tanned leather brought to the City should be brought to the Leadenhall, there to be searched and marked by seven honest persons of the Crafts of "Cordwaners," "Curriours," and "Girdilers," or by three persons of the said Crafts, viz., one of each, which ordinance is enrolled in the Guildhall, (fn. 5) and hitherto has been duly observed, but that now foreign "Curriours" dwelling without the City daily buy leather of country tanners insufficiently tanned, "which causeth the same Tanners to embesille and absent theym self from the said Citee and make their marketts without, and for thentent they wille not be serched accordyng to the said acte and ordenaunce they selle there for 20d. or 2s. better chepe in a dyker of lether than other welle serched and marked is solde and bought within this Citee." They prayed, therefore, that it might be ordained that any one buying or occupying any leather not marked and searched at Leadenhall shall forfeit the same and incur a fine.

Also that no leather that has been searched and marked be given to one dwelling out of the City to "cory" or dress, but only to freemen curriers living within the City and willing to work it at a reasonable price.

That the number of apprentices taken by members of the Craft be limited as prescribed, viz., that no one who had been Master or Warden should take more than three apprentices, that no one of the Clothing who had not been Warden should take more than two, and no one out of the livery should take more than one.

That no servant of the Craft leave the City to work in the country so long as he can find work in the City, without licence of the Wardens and of his master.

That the articles ordained temp. Sir William Horne, Knt., be amended so far as to impose a penalty upon those guilty of producing bad work, towards defraying the expenses of the Wardens in every search made.

That all members attend upon summons by the Beadle, under penalty of forfeiting a pound of wax or 6 pence for the pound.

Their petition granted.

Folio 306.

Custodia Rogeri Skyr with filii Joh'is Skyr with letherseller.

21 Nov., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came Richard Bromale, "joynour," William Rothewelle, Robert Purches, mercers, and John Axe, dyer, and entered into bond in the sum of £125 for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard Bromale of a like sum to the use of Roger, son of John Skyrwith, late leatherseller, when he comes of age.

Folio 306 b.

Presentacio Thome Carver capellani ad secundam cantariam trium cantariarum in eccl'ia Sc'i Pauli London' per Joh'em Pulteneymilit' nuper fundat'.

Letter from William Martyn, Mayor, to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, presenting Thomas Carver, chaplain, for admission to the second of the three chantries founded for the souls of Sir John Pulteney and Sirs William Milforde and John Plessys, Archdeacons of Colchester, vacant by the resignation of Sir Thomas Addyngham. Dated 2 Oct., A. D. 1493.

Custodia pueror' Thome Story pelli-parii.

13 Dec., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493], came John Griffith, "wyredrawer," Thomas Davy, tailor, Thomas Eyre, grocer, and William Calberd, grocer, and entered into bond in the sum of £60 for payment into the Chamber by the said John Griffith of a like sum to the use of Robert, Mary, and Johanna, children of Thomas Story, late skinner, when they come of age or marry.

Folio 307.

Custodia Joh'is Suthworth fil' Rad'i Suthworth.

28 Jan., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493-4], came William Suthworth, Richard Kyng, John Draiton, and Geoffrey Cobbe, grocers, and entered into bond in the sum of £60 for payment into the Chamber by the said William Suthworth of a like sum to the use of John, son of Ralph Suthworth, late grocer, when he comes of age.

Folio 307 b.

Custodia pueror' Johannis Pace tallugh chaundler.

The same day came William Wymonde, dyer, Thomas Wymonde, fuller, William Proude, draper, and William Skydmore, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £15 for payment into the Chamber by the said William Wymonde of a like sum to the use of Peter, Katherine, and Margaret, children of John Pace, late "tallughchaundeler," when they come of age or marry.

Folio 308.

Custodia Will'i filii Henrici Nevile iremonger.

20 Feb., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493-4], came John Nicholas, tailor, William Huntyngfeld, fuller, John Welforde, cordwainer, and Roland Byrde, "iremonger," and entered into bond in the sum of £5 for payment into the Chamber by the said John Nicholas of a like sum to the use of William, son of Henry Nevile, late "iremonger," when he comes of age.

Folio 308 b.

Confirmacio Thome Butside et Henrici Wodcol Secundar' in [sic].

18 Feb., 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493-4], ordinance by Ralph Astry, Knt., the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Broun, John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, John Mathewe, William Martyn, Knt., John Tate, John Percyvale, Knt., John Fenkell, Knt., William Remyngton, William Isaac, Ralph Tilney, William Capell, Knt., John Broke, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemperton, William Welbeke, and William Purches, Aldermen, sitting in full Court in the Inner Chamber of the Guildhall, that Thomas Butside (fn. 6) and Henry Wodecok, the Secondaries in the two Compters (fn. 7) of the City, shall thenceforth remain in office under the authority of the Court of Mayor and Aldermen during good behaviour, and shall not be removed therefrom except by authority of the said Court, and then only for reasonable cause. (fn. 8)

Folio 309.

Custodia pueror' Joh'is Hertyngton sellar' London'.

6 March, 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1493-4], came William "Wystowe," John Auncell, Richard Aubrey, John Haryngton, haberdashers, and William Lilly, "brouderer," and entered into bond in the sum of £40 for payment into the Chamber by the said William "Wistowe" of a like sum to the use of John, Robert, and Johanna, children of John Hertyngton, late saddler, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 9)

Folio 309 b.

Presentacio Nich'i Willys ad secundam cantar' trium cantar' in eicl'ia Sc'i Pauli London'.

Letter from Ralph Astry, the Mayor, to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, presenting Nicholas Wyllys, chaplain, for admission to the second of the three chantries founded in that church for the souls of Sir John Pulteney, Knt., and Sirs William Milford and John Plesseys, Archdeacons of Colchester, vacant by the death of Thomas Carver. Dated 23 June, A. D. 1494.

Ordinacio dez Whitebal ers.

25 June, 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Whitebakers, and prayed that a certain penalty might be imposed on foreign bakers who failed to remove their carts by a certain hour as prescribed temp. Sir William Martyn, Mayor, "as there is none other payn assessed nor lymyted but only the forfaiture" (of the bread). (fn. 10) They further prayed that their Wardens might have the search and oversight, under the Mayor for the time being, of the assize of all foreign bread brought into the City for sale, inasmuch as foreign bakers brought and sold bread made of evil and unwholesome paste, and passed it off as bread made by the petitioners.

Their prayer granted.

Folio 310.

Custodia pueror' Joh'is Austeyn civis dum vixit et piscenar'.

15 July, 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], came Agnes Austeyn, widow, Henry Somer, haberdasher, John Austeyn, fishmonger, and Thomas Turke, fishmonger, and entered into bond in the sum of £80 for payment into the Chamber by the said Agnes of a like sum to the use of Johanna and Katherine, daughters of John Austeyn, late fishmonger, when they come of age or marry.

Folio 310 b.

Ordinacio Cissorum etc.

20 July, 9 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], came the Wardens and good men of the Art or Mistery of Tailors before the Mayor and Aldermen, and complained that freemen journeymen of the Craft were unable to obtain work owing to the influx of "persones aswelle aliaunt' straungiers as Foreyns journeymen"; and further, that a great number of strangers "botchers" infested the City, each keeping daily in his house three or four strangers occupying the same handicraft, to the great prejudice of the King's liege subjects, who would gladly undertake the work if the strangers were not there; and this contrary to the statute of Richard III. passed in restraint of strangers. (fn. 11)

They pray therefore "that it may be enacted and entred of Recorde as is entred for the Crafte of Skynners (fn. 12) that no straunger nor foreyn herafter takyng upon hym the said occupacion of Taillours take nor occupie any house shop or Chamber and therin dwell or sojourne w^t any persone within the said Citee or libertie of the same upon payn to forfait at every default 6s. 8d. the one half therof to the Chamberleyn of London to thuse of the said Citee and the other half therof to the said Feaulisship of taillours."

Also that no one occupying the Craft employ any journeyman unless he be a freeman of the City.

Their prayer granted.