Folios cclxi - cclxxii: Dec 1420 -

Folio cclxi.

Custodia £xxx p'tin' Thome filio Rob'i Odyham commissa Joh'i Poley.

1 Dec., 8 Henry V. [A.D. 1420], the sum of £30 belonging to Thomas, son of Robert Odyham, late grocer, after the death of John, William, and James, his brothers, committed by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to John Poley, to whom the custody of the said orphan and the rest of his property had been committed, as appears supra, fo. ccxvii; to hold the same in trust for the said orphan until the 10th day of August, 1425. Sureties, viz., Hugh Harlewyn, sporier, Robert Cristemasse, "textwriter," and John Segor, "peautrer".

Br'e de venire fac' quatuor cives ad par liament' apud Westm' etc.

Writ to the Sheriffs to cause four persons to be elected in the next Husting to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster on Monday after the Feast of st. Andrew [30th Nov.]. (fn. 1) No Sheriff to be returned. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, at Westminster, 21 Oct, 8 Henry V. [A.D. 1420].

Thereupon Thomas Fauconer and John Michell, Aldermen, and John "Hiham" and Salamon Oxney, Commoners, were elected, (fn. 2) as appears by an indenture thereon made.

Exon'acio Nich'i Turle pisc' ab assisis et vigiliis.

16 April, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], Nicholas Turk, fishmonger, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

13 May, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], came Robert Cristemasse and Hugh Harlewyn, two sureties of John Poley, who had been appointed guardian of Thomas, son of Robert Odyham, and had become "insufficient," and paid into court certain sums of money of their own, and asked that such payments might be placed on record so as to be recovered against the said John Poley in the event of his becoming substantial again (in casu quo revalescat) or against John Segor, their co-surety.

Folio cclxi b.

Nota de £c delib'atis Cam'ar' per executores test'i d'ni Hugonis "Huls" militis ad custodiend' etc.

20 May, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], came David "Holes," executor of Sir Hugh "Holes," Knt, late Justice of the lord the King, before William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and delivered to John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, the sum of £100 to be delivered by him to John Godyn, who married Isabella, daughter of the said Sir Hugh, as soon as he shall have acquired lands, tenements, and rents of that value and shall have settled the same upon himself and wife in tail; the said John Godyn to have the money in the meanwhile, if desired, to trade withal, on his giving sufficient security. (fn. 3)

Afterwards, viz., on the 29th Jan., 1 Henry VI. [A.D. 1422-3], came the above John Godyn and asked for the above sum of £100 to be delivered to him, his wife having died before such property had been acquired and settled. His prayer granted.

Consi'les bille misse fuer' cuilibet Aldr'o etc.

Precept to the Aldermen to keep an armed watch in their several Wards during the two nights and eves of st. John Baptist [24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], and take the usual precautions against fire, &c. Dated 13 June, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421].

Proclamac' facta in vigilia Nativitat' S'ci Joh'is Bap'te a° ix Henr' v ti.

Proclamation to be made to the effect that no vintner, taverner, brewer, hosteler, cook, or pie-baker keep his house open after 10 o'clock P.M. on the eves of the above Feasts, or sell any victual before 6 A.M. on the morning following, on pain of imprisonment and fine.

Masters of Misteries sworn.

Folio cclxii.

Salters: Thomas Scotte, John Richer, sworn 12 June, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421]

Lethersellers: John Fysshe, John Hille, sworn 11 June, the same year.

Coupers: Robert Baker, John Caunterbury, sworn 12 June, the same year.

Cordwainers: John Grene, Thomas atte Van, Richard Baret, John Benworth, sworn 28 June, the same year.

Lorymers: John Parys, John Reynold, senior, John Milkedale, sworn 1 July, the same year.

Haberdasshers: Thomas Kyng, John Fulburne, Thomas Ostriche, Walter Holme, sworn 25 July, the same year.

Woollen:-Weavers John Boldesore, John Cherche, sworn 28 July, the same year.

Shermen: Robert Holand, William Holand, John Hoo, sworn 6 Aug., the same year.

Textwryters: John White, John Asshe, sworn 29 July, the same year.

Girdelers: Walter Domegode, John Milford, Thomas Hacche, James Froldebury, sworn 19 Aug., the same year, and Thomas Hacche likewise sworn for the assay of leather.

Folio cclxii b.

Cusodia Rob'ti et Elizabeth' pueror' Henrici Wodewey etc.

20 June, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the guardianship of Robert and Elizabeth, children of Henry Wodewey, late skinner, together with divers goods and chattels, comprising a "biker" of silver with inscription Benedictus deus in donis suis, and their patrimony, committed by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Nicholas Tunwell, grocer, and Emma his wife, widow and executrix of the said Henry Wodewey. Sureties, viz., John Wellys and Thomas Sellowe, grocers.

Afterwards, viz., on the 12th Sept., A.D. 1422, came the above Nicholas and Emma and brought into Court, before Robert Chichele, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, divers jewels of gold and silver as security for their guardianship in place of the above sureties, which jewels were placed in a chest under seal and deposited in the City's Treasury, and the above sureties were discharged.

Afterwards, viz., on the 8th Aug, 10 Henry VI. [A.D. 1432], came Thomas Scotte, who married the above Elizabeth, before John Welles, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and acknowledged he had received the sum of £40 bequeathed to his wife by her father.

Folio cclxiii.

L'ra d'ni Regis missa Maiori et Aldr'is.

Letter from the King to the Mayor and Aldermen informing them of his movements in France, (fn. 4) how he had been forced to leave Picardy in order to succour the town of Chartres, which had been threatened by the Dauphin, and how he had heard of the siege being raised and of the departure of the Dauphin for Touraine on his way from Paris to Mantes. Dated at "Mante," 12 July [A.D. 1421].

Respons' l're precedentis.

Reply to the King under the Mayoralty seal acknowledging his gracious letter, and assuring him of the peaceful condition of the City. Dated 2 Aug. [A.D. 1421].

Folio cclxiii b.

Custodia Reginaldi filii Joh'is Prynce cum trib' ten' etc.

30 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the sum of £4 which had been deposited with John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, by Thomas Wright and John Squyry, tenants of certain tenements in the parishes of st. Giles without Crepilgate and st. Dionisius de Fanchirche, (fn. 6) in trust for Reginald, son of John Prynce, was delivered, by the advice of William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to Richard Bentone, tailor, who had married Agnes, the mother of the said Reginald, and to whom was committed the guardianship of the said Reginald, and of his share in the above tenements.

Custod' Dio nisie filie Joh'is Beaumond de £c comiss' Ph'o Malpas pannar'.

6 Aug., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the guardianship of Dionisia, daughter of John Beaumond, late "chaundeller," together with her patrimony, committed by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Philip Malpas, draper, who married Johanna, [late] wife of William Middeltone, executor of the said John Beaumond Surieties, viz., Richard Sutton and Robert Barburgh, drapers.

Afterwards, viz., on 8 Aug., 4 Henry VI. [A.D. 1426], came the above Philip, and was discharged of his guardianship.

Folio cclxiv.

Exon'acio Joh'is Grene Ric'i Baret Joh'is Ben worth et Thome atte Van ab assisis dum steterint in officio magistrat' allutar'.

21 Aug., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], John Grene, Richard Baret, John Benworth, and Thomas atte Van, Masters of the Mistery of Cordwainers for the time being, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on Juries, &c., owing to their being occupied with the scrutiny and assay of leather exposed for sale in the City, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in each week.

Custod' c marc' pertin' Joh'i filio Thome Wottone commiss' Joh'i Claveryng pannar'.

23 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the sum of 100 marks, which the executors of Thomas Wottone, draper, had delivered to John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, in trust for John, son of the said Thomas, was delivered by order of William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to John Claveryng, draper, on the same trust. Sureties, viz., John Somer, draper, and Guy Lawrens, grocer.

Folio cclxiv b.

Br'e ad scrutinium faciend' in aqua Thamisie.

Writ to the Mayor bidding him and his successors, Mayors or Wardens of the City for the time being, to make diligent search along the banks of the Thames, within the City's jurisdiction, four times a year, for stakes unlawfully placed in the river to the danger of vessels, and for nets called "Trynkes," (fn. 7) and others of too fine a mesh, destructive of the fry of fish, and to punish offenders, under penalty of paying 100 marks to the King, pursuant to a recent ordinance in Parliament. (fn. 8) Witness John, Duke of Bedford, Warden of England, at Westminster, 11 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421]. —By petition in Parliament.

Exon'acio Rob'ti Culmer civis et fuller London'.

27 Oct., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], Robert Culmer, fuller, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Folio cclxv.

Custodia Joh'e filie Thome de Bury cum £xxii etc.

10 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the guardianship of Johanna, daughter of Thomas de Bury, together with the sum of £22 bequeathed to her by Alice Langhorn, and delivered by Bartholomew Seman and John Boner, executors of the said Alice, to John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, was committed by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen to John Somer, draper. Sureties, viz., John Claveryng and John Benet, drapers.

Afterwards, viz., on 16 March, 6 Henry VI. [A.D. 1427-8], the above John Claveryng having died, and John Benet become "insufficient," came John Erhithe, "gentilman," John Lyng and John Spencer, drapers, and became sureties.

Br'e vic' Midd' direct' de pace conservand' in scrutinio Maioris etc pro aqua Thamis'.

Writ to the Sheriff of Middlesex bidding him make proclamation in the county of the ordinance passed in the last Parliament (fn. 9) touching the protection of fish in the Thames, and to see that the peace be not broken whilst the ordinance is being executed Witness John, Duke of Bedford, Warden of England, at Westminster, 22 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421].

Folio cclxv b.

Letter under the Mayoralty seal [addressed apparently to some town in Flanders] complaining of deceits practised in the length and breadth of various kinds of linen and woollen manufacture (toill blanc et cru et naperie), as well as of the use of inferior thread, also, of the dyeing and colouring of "boquerams," especially red "boquerams," and praying that steps may be taken to remedy the evil. Dated 2 Sept [A.D. 1421 ?].

Folio cclxvi.

15 Oct., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], came the Masters and good men of the Misteries of Mercers and Haberdashers before William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and complained that John Van Uden, a merchant stranger, from whom the King would derive large sums by way of custom if he were not a freeman of the City, had fraudulently obtained the freedom for a moderate payment through the Mistery of "Lynnenwevers," which was only an inferior mistery, the Court of Mayor and Aldermen being in ignorance of the fraud and collusion; that after obtaining the freedom of the City he never exercised the art of the Lynnenwevers, but always the art of Mercers and Haberdashers, notwithstanding that men of those Misteries. could only obtain the freedom after arduous work and long apprenticeship as well as heavy disbursements, thereby deceiving the Court of the lord the King and depriving the King of his custom dues, as well as prejudicing the men of those Misteries They pray, therefore, that the said John Van Uden may be removed from the freedom of the City, and that he and the Masters of the Lynnenwevers by whom he was presented and mainprised may be punished for their deception.

Thereupon all parties were warned to appear before the Court on Saturday the 21st Oct., when the said John Van Uden, being asked as to what faculty and craft he was of when he was admitted to the freedom of the City through the Mistery of Lynnenwevers, declared that he was then as now a merchant (mercator; (fn. 10) ), and being asked if after admission to the freedom he had used the mistery of Lynnenwevers he said that he had not, but that he had weaving implements and proposed to use them quando etc. Being asked what mistery he was accustomed to use after admission, he replied mercery, haberdashery, and trading of that kind. Also being asked if the Masters of the Lynnenwevers were aware of the facts of the case when they presented him for the freedom, he replied in the affirmative. The said Masters did not deny his statement, but put themselves on the favour of the Court. Thereupon it was adjudged that the said John Van Uden be removed from the freedom of the City, and that he thenceforth be subject to all payments and charges like any other stranger, and further, that he be imprisoned until he bring in his "bill" of freedom that he received The Masters of the Lynnenwevers were also adjudged to lose their freedom and to make fine to the Chamberlain, but they were afterwards pardoned and restored to the freedom, and the said John was bound over in the sum of £10 to bring in his "bill" aforesaid.

Folio cclxvi b.

Exon'acio Henrici Impyngham ab assisis.

6 Sept., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], Henry Impyngham, skinner, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Exon'acio Georgii [sic] Scarburgh armurar' ab ssisis.

7 Sept., the same year, Gregory Scarburgh, armourer, similarly discharged for like cause.

Presentacio d'ni Joh'is Newenham ad unam cant' in capella Guihalde.

Letter from William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's, presenting John Newenham for admission to one of the five chantries founded in the Chapel of B. V. Mary near Guildhall by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowyk, vacant by the death of Sir William Test. Dated 9 Sept., A.D. 1421.

Exon'acio David Gest ab assisis.

2 Oct, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], David Gest, cordwainer, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Concessio porte super pontem fact' Joh'i Hastyng ar migero etc.

Wednesday, 8 Oct., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the gate or stone mansion on London Bridge, formerly occupied by William Est, late one of the City's Serjeants, (fn. 11) granted by the above Mayor and the Aldermen to John Hastyng, the Mayor's Esquire, for his good services past and to come.

Folio cclxvii.

The same day the office of Bailiff of Southwerk was granted by the said Mayor and Aldermen to John Combe, Common Serjeant-at-arms of the City, (fn. 12) to hold the same during good behaviour, on condition that he keep the Governors and Commonalty of the said City indemnified in all things touching the said office, and pay yearly to the lord the King in his Exchequer the sum of £10 for the ferm of the said Borough and 2s. to certain officers of the lord the King for besants, (fn. 13) &c.

Exon'acio Joh'is Styper ang ab assisis.

10 Oct., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], John Styperang, chandler, discharged by William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.

Transmutacio Hugonis Neel a mistera pistor' ad misteram de Brewers.

20 Oct., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], came Hugh Neel, baker, before the above Mayor and the Aldermen, and declared that whereas he had been admitted to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Bakers during the Mayoralty of Drew Barantyn, he had long used and was still using the mistery or art of "Bruers," and not the mistery of Bakers. He prayed, therefore, to be admitted in the art of "Bruers" and to be recorded to that effect. His prayer granted.

Folio cclxvii b.

Writ to the Mayor and Aldermen to make a return into Chancery of the proceedings taken by certain merchants of the Hanse of Almaine to be declared quit of toll on their merchandise as recorded supra, fo. ccxiii. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, at Westminster, 10 Nov., 8 Henry V. [A.D. 1420].

Folio cclxviii.

Returnum br'is predicti.

Return to the above writ to the effect that the record asked for was of no authority, inasmuch as the plaint of the merchants had been irregularly presented and the proceedings thereon had never been ratified by the Common Council (as they should have been according to the immemorial custom of the City); nevertheless, the Mayor and Aldermen send the record as entered on fo. ccxiii, in accordance with the writ.

Admissio d'ni Will'i Cheyne militis in lib' tatem civitatis London'.

5 Henry VI. [A.D. 1426 ? (fn. 14) ] Sir William Cheyne, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, admitted to the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Mercery with the assent of John Reynwell, the Mayor, the Aldermen and Commonalty of the City.

[Fos cclxviii b, cclxix, blank].

Folio cclxix b.

Custodia Joh'e Valence cum viii marc' commiss' Joh'i Ashton piscenar'.

12 Nov, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the guardianship of Johanna Valence, together with the sum of 8 marks bequeathed to her by Robert Garthorpe, committed by Robert Chichele, Mayor, and the Aldermen to John Asshtone, fishmonger. [Sureties not recorded].

1 Dec., 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], the guardianship of Margaret, daughter of Simon Herward, together with a sum of £20, and a piece of plate of the value of 39s. 4½d., committed by the same to William Maltby, mercer Sureties, John Olney, John Bostone, and John Hertwell, mercers.

Folio cclxx.

Eleccio vicecomitum civitatis London'.

Sunday the Feast of st. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], in the presence of William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, John Bartone, the Recorder, Richard Whityngtone, Robert Chichele, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, William Sevenoke, Henry Bartone, John Penne, John Reinwell, John Gedney, Robert Widyngtone, John Coventre, Robert Whityngham, John Botiller, Robert Tatersall, Thomas Aleyn, and John Welles, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs, John Westone, draper, was elected one of the Sheriffs by the said Mayor, and Richard Gosselyn, "irmonger," was elected the other Sheriff to the Commonalty for the year ensuing.

The same day, John Bederenden, draper, was elected Chamberlain; Robert Colbrook, "irmonger," and John Trymnel, mercer, were elected Wardens of London Bridge; and John Botiller and John Welles, Aldermen, Thomas Duffhous, Henry Frowyk, John Brokle, and John Melbourne, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the account of the Chamberlain and Wardens of London Bridge.

Afterwards, viz., on the eve of st. Michael, the said Sheriffs were sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow of the said Feast were presented, admitted, and accepted before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Eleccio Maioris.

Sunday the Feast of Translation of st. Edward [13 Oct.], 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421], in the presence of William Cauntbrigge, the Mayor, John Bartone, the Recorder, Richard Whityngtone, Thomas Knolles, Robert Chichele, William Walderne, William Crowmer, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, Henry Bartone, William Sevenoke, John Penne, John Gedney, John Perneys, Robert Widyngtone, Thomas Aleyn, Robert Tatersalle, John Botiller, Robert Whityngham, John Coventre, John Mychell, John Reinwell, Ralph Barton, and John Wellys, Aldermen, John Westone and Richard Gosselyn, the Sheriffs, and an immense Commonalty, summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing, Robert Chichele 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, and accepted (fn. 15) before the Barons of the Exchequer.

De custodib' prisonum.

Ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen forbidding Sheriffs taking money from porters of the Compters, and the gaolers of Newgate, and Ludgate, for exercising their several offices, inasmuch as it induced these officers to practise extortion on their poor prisoners. [No date].

Folio cclxx b-cclxxii.

Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation of the Statute (fn. 16) passed by the Parliament of May, 1421, and forwarded with the writ. Witness John, Duke of Bedford, Warden of England, (fn. 17) at Westminster, 16 July, 9 Henry V. [A.D. 1421].

Folio cclxxii cclxxii b.

Similar writ touching a Statute (fn. 18) passed in the Parliament of December, 1420, and forwarded with the writ. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 March, 8 Henry V. [A.D. 1420-1].

Folio cclxxii b.

Exoneracio.

2 April, 10 Henry V. [A.D. 1422], Thomas Hatfeld, draper, discharged by Robert Chichely, Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.