Folio 61.
Br'e pro civib' London' contracustum' Baione.
Writ to the Mayor, jurats, and inhabitants of the King's city
of Bayonne in his duchy of Aquitaine forbidding them to exact
toll from merchants of London. Witness the King at Westminster, 18 February, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9].
Exon'acio Joh'is Bacun ab assisis.
3 March, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9], John Bacun, woolmonger,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Folio 61 b.
Les alliaunces perentre Engleterre Haynan' Hollan' Zeland'.
Letters patent confirming to merchants of Holland and
Zealand the right to traffic freely in England. Dated at Westminster, 1 July, 6 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428]. (fn. 1)
Br'e ad admittend' Thomam Haseley in officium Coronator' London'.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to admit Thomas Haseley
as deputy to Thomas Chaucer, the King's Butler, and ex officio
Coroner of the City. Witness the King at Westminster,
12 March, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9].
Folio 62.
Ordinacio q'd aliqui mittant' pro fr'o sub p'iclo co'itatis.
22 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], ordinance by the Common
Council that persons should be sent abroad to buy corn, at the
City's risk of any loss by sea or otherwise.
Lalliances entre Engleterre et Flaundres etc.
Letters patent confirming to merchants of Flanders the right
to traffic freely in England. Dated at Westminster, 1 July,
6 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428]. (fn. 2)
Folio 62 b.
Br'e d'ni Regis pro P'liamento.
Writ for the election of four citizens to attend a Parliament
to be held at Westminster on the quinzaine of St. Michael
[29 Sept.]. No Sheriff to be returned. Witness the King at
Westminster, 12 July, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429]. (fn. 3)
Exon'acio Simonis Spaldyng ab assisis.
3 Sept., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], Simon Spaldyng, tailor,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Quietanc' orphani.
20 Oct., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], came Henry Hemptone,
mercer, who married Margaret, daughter of Margaret, wife of
Elias Cliderowe, late mercer, before Henry Bartone, the
Mayor, and the Aldermen, and acknowledged satisfaction for
his wife's property. (fn. 4)
Folio 63.
Custodia pueror' Walteri Colrede nup' civis et zonar' London'.
2 March, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9], the guardianship of
John senior, John junior, and Thomas, sons of Walter
Colrede, late girdler, together with their property, committed
by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John
Bederendene, the Chamberlain, to William Wodeward,
haberdasher, for a term of five years. Sureties for William
Wodeward, viz., Richard Polhille, skinner, John Northey,
poulterer, John Spenser, taverner (pandoxator), and John
Worshope, painter. Surety for the said orphans not being
apprenticed or married without consent of the Mayor and
Aldermen, viz., John Lee, girdler.
Exon'acio custodie predicte.
Afterwards, viz., on the 13th Dec., 14 Henry VI. [A.D. 1435],
came the above William Wodeward and delivered to John
Chichele the orphans' patrimony. He and his sureties are
therefore discharged.
Judicium finis et inprisonament' sup' Joh'em "Hooke" cultellar' jam primo.
10 Dec., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428], came William Broun, John
Newenton, and Thomas Belgrave, Wardens of the Mistery of
Cutlers, before Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen,
and presented a baselard harnessed with silver of false alloy
found in the house of John "Hoke" of the said Mistery. The
said John Hoke acknowledged his guilt, and put himself on the
Court's favour. Thereupon it was adjudged, pursuant to
ordinance recorded in Letter-Book F, fo. xc [b], (fn. 5) that the said
John for this his first offence should pay to the Chamber
40 pence, and be committed to prison in default.
Judicium finis et inprisonamenti sup' Joh'em Hooke cullellar' jam secundo.
Afterwards, viz., on the 3rd Jan., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9],
the above John was presented the second time with two bars
(stipis) of silver of false alloy for harnessing a girdle, (fn. 6) and being
convicted was condemned to pay 6s. 8d to the Chamber, and
be committed to prison in default.
Judicium finis et inprisonamenti p'dci Joh'is jam tercio.
Afterwards, viz., on the 3rd Jan., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9],
the above John was presented with two lockets (lokettis), &c.,
of silver of false alloy for harnessing a baselard belonging to
John Howys, a cutler, and being convicted was condemned to
pay 10s. to the Chamber, and be committed to prison in default.
13 Aug., 14 Henry VI. [A.D. 1436], came John Colrede
senior, now of full age, before Henry Frowik, the Mayor, and
the Aldermen, and acknowledged he had received from John
Chichele, the Chamberlain, the money due to him from his
late father and John his brother.
Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen to the Duke of Bedford.
Folio 63 b.
L'ra missa per Maiorem et Aldr'os d'no duci Bedford.
"Right high and right myghty Prince We recomande us
to yor gracieux lordship in þe most humble maner we konne
or may Beseching mekely fro the deppest of our hertes that
it please you to be our good and gracieux lord at þis time in
tharticle of our grete necessite as ye have ben ever here to
fore in alle caases of your high grace only & not our merit
Of which necessite our wel be loved Concitein William Rider (fn. 7)
presenter of þese simple lettres yef it like yor high lordship
shal enforme you For after our sov'aign lord þer nys no
persone in erthe þt us ought or semeth so tristily to seke un
to for grace and socour in tyme of nede as unto you in your
gracieux lordship which god of his endlesse m'cy kepe &
preserve in all honure and joye to his plesanche and our
singler confort Writen &c." [No date.]
Exon'acio Will'mi Godewyne abassisis.
10 Aug., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], William Godwyne, draper,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from
serving on juries, &c., owing to deafness and increasing old age.
Un Ordenaunce entre les Bowiers et Flecchers.
12 Jan., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9], the articles passed temp.
John de Bernes, Mayor, anno 45 Edward III., and enrolled in
Letter-Book G, fo. cclxvi [b], forbidding men of the several
Misteries of Bowyers and Flecchers from intermeddling with
each other, now amended to the extent of allowing men of
either Mistery to buy or sell wholesale that which appertains
to the other Mistery, but not to intermeddle in retail dealings
or manufacture. Further, that such things as bows, arquebusses, &c., shall be subject to the survey of the Bowyers,
whilst feathers (pennes), flecches, settes, petils, (fn. 8) and wood for
making them, shall be subject to the survey of the Flecchers,
and not otherwise.
Folio 64
Securitas honeste custod' Estive in Secollane etc.
23 March, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9], came Henry Grene,
William Middelcote, and John de York, "bruers," and mainprised Peter Hope, "dauber," for properly conducting the
stew he held for men in Secollane, in the parish of St.
Sepulchre without Neugate, and not permitting any washerwoman to enter the stew, but keeping it for the stewing of
good and respectable men. The said mainpernors and Peter
Hope entered into bond with John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, in the sum of £20 to that effect.
Securitas pro honesta custodia Estive apud Venours wharf etc.
6 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], a similar bond entered
into by John Savy, "dier," Thomas Tirell, "sadiller," John
Hunt, cordwainer, and Simon Frank, fishmonger, for the proper
conduct of a stew held by Thomas Warwyk, "wodemonger,"
at "Venureswharf," (fn. 9) in the parish of St. Mary Somerset.
Judicium pillor' pro falsis saccis carbonum.
10 March, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9], John Twyner of
Croydon, "colier," charged before Henry Bartone, the Mayor,
John Simond, the Recorder, William Crowmere, William
Caumbrigge, John Michell, John Gedney, Robert Tatersale,
Thomas Wandesford, John Brokle, and Robert Otteley,
Aldermen, with selling coal in sacks of deficient capacity. He
confessed his guilt, and was condemned to stand on the pillory
for an hour whilst the sacks were burnt beneath him.
Precept to the Sheriffs to execute the above judgment on
the following day, and to make public proclamation of the
cause thereof.
Hokkyng defenduz.
Proclamation to be made forbidding the enforcing of
"hokkyng" on Monday and Tuesday next, called "lez hokkedayes," under penalty.
Consimilis billa missa fuit cuilibet Aldr'o.
Precept to the Aldermen to provide an armed watch in their
several Wards on the two nights and vigils of St. John the
Baptist [24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], according
to ancient custom, and further to order that a vessel of water
be set before every house as a precaution against fire. Dated
6 June, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Folio 64 b.
Br'e d' ni Regis pro op'ariis pannor' de partib' extran' etc. sustent' et manutenend'.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs that they allow clothworkers (operarii pannorum) from foreign parts to enjoy the
divers liberties and acquittances they have been accustomed to
enjoy under their charters, which are now confirmed. Witness
the King at Westminster, 18 ...... (fn. 10) , 7 Henry VI.
R'no [sic] Maioris et Vic'.
Return to the above by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and
John Abbot and Thomas Duffehous, the Sheriffs, to the effect
that before the receipt of the writ foreign clothworkers had
hitherto been permitted, and would in future still be permitted,
to enjoy their liberties and acquittances in the City and suburbs.
Br'e de h'end' coram d'no R' in Canc' Ric' fil' et her' W. Waldern'.
Writ to the Mayor, the King's Escheator, to bring up
Richard, son and heir of Margaret, late wife of William
Walderne, before the King's Chancery by the octave of Holy
Trinity [22 May] next. Witness the King at Westminster,
10 May, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Returnum etc.
Return made by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, to the above,
setting out the custom of the City relating to orphans, (fn. 11) and
stating that inasmuch as the above William Walderne was
a freeman of the City at the time of his death, leaving a
widow and his son Richard under age, the property coming to
the said son was immediately taken into the custody of the
City; and on the marriage of the widow to John Roys the
same was transferred to his custody until the said Richard
should come of age, according to the custom of the City. The
present Mayor had never had the custody of the said orphan,
and on that account could not execute the writ.
Folio 65.
Br'e de errore etc. corrigend etc.
Writ of error to the Mayor and Sheriffs touching an action
for trespass brought by John Priour of Sandwich, "chapman,"
against John Whelere of Sandwich, "peutrer." The matter
must be reconsidered at the next Husting and justice done.
Witness the King at Westminster, 12 April, 7 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429].
Return' q'd pars delib' ari non potest ex a prison' etc. absq' deposicione den' vel vad' ad valorem condempn'.
Return made to the above writ by Henry Bartone, the
Mayor, John Abbot and Thomas Duffehous, the Sheriffs,
setting forth the custom of the City in proceedings on writs in
error, and stating that they are unable to discharge John
Wheler from custody owing to his not having given security to
the amount in which he was condemned.
Folio 65 b.
Names of Masters of divers Misteries sworn anno 7 Henry VI.
Barbers: Simon Poule, John Daltone, John Purchas, Simon
Rolf, Richard Welles, sworn 9 Sept., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428],
to survey the mistery and all those practising the said mistery
as well as the faculty of Surgery in the same.
Tapicers: John Banantre, John Bregges, Richard Pope,
John Notyngham, sworn 5 Oct., the same year.
Hurers: John Smyth, John Valentyne, Simon Wayte, sworn
7 Oct., the same year.
Steynoures: William Edward, Roger Aleyn, sworn 8 Oct.,
the same year.
Horners: John Corby, William Seman, sworn 20 Oct., the
same year.
Flecchers: William Crane, John Turnour, sworn 22 Oct., the
same year.
Nicholas Flemyg elected corn-meter, sworn 23 Oct., the
same year.
Coriours: John West, Thomas Colman, sworn 25 Oct., the
same year.
Foundours: Walter Adam, William Bryd, sworn 26 Oct., the
same year.
Masons (lathomi): Edmund Symond, John Wymmyg, sworn
3 Nov., the same year.
Pulters: Thomas Rede, James Mogon, John Etone, sworn
3 Nov., the same year.
Wexchaundelers: Thomas Galiot, John Mayho, sworn 4 Nov.,
the same year.
Folio 66.
Blaksmethis: John Nicholl, William Towcet, William Ferrour,
sworn 4 Nov., the same year.
Pouchemakers and Galechemakers: William Pepyr, William
More, Thomas Cok, John Taillour, sworn 4 Nov., the same
year.
Surgeons: Thomas Moorstede, John Hatfeld, sworn 13 Nov.,
the same year.
Botelmakers: Thomas Assheborne, Thomas Langle, sworn
13 Nov., the same year.
Brewers: John Frost, John Spenser, William Grote, William
Parys, sworn 18 Nov., the same year.
Wollenwevers, foreign: John Grove, Henry Nettelsep, sworn
20 Nov., the same year.
Wollenwevers, native: John Cok, Hugh Sharpe, sworn 20 Jan.,
7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428-9].
Latoners: Thomas Morder, William Marchall, sworn the
same day.
Cordwainers: Richard Panter, John Hamond, Simon Burnam,
John Bernycham, sworn 1 July, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429]. The
same were also sworn for the assay of leather.
Lethersellers: Nicholas Chirch, John Gawge, sworn 18 July,
the same year.
Lynynwevers: William Cokenage, John Rikhill, sworn 27 July,
the same year.
Dyers: Robert Brambull, Thomas Couper, sworn 9 Aug.,
the same year.
Joyners: Peter Attehoke, John Derke, sworn 27 Aug., the
same year.
Tapicers: Ralph Spayne, Richard Wrastilton, John Flessh,
Henry Letot, sworn 3 Oct., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Shermen: William Norton, William Spaldyng, William
Akynshawe, sworn 5 Oct., the same year.
Scrutineers of Ale, Malt, &c.: John Chapman, Roger Blysset,
William Parys, William Payne, sworn 15 Dec., the same year.
Cokys: John Beke, Robert Vyns, John Stokwell, John
Rychemond, sworn 16 Dec., the same year.
Folio 66 b.
De resoluco'e et securitate v m (fn. 12) marcar' d'no Regi apprestit'.
Writ to the Collectors of the subsidy on wool, leather, and
woolfells in the Port of the City of London, bidding them to
hand over one part of the seal called "coket" (fn. 12) to the Mayor
and Commonalty, to be held by them until the sum of 5,000
marks lent by the City to the King shall have been repaid out
of the customs. Witness the King at Westminster, 6 July,
7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Proclamacio.
"The Mair chargeth and commaundeth on þe Kynges behalf
þt all maner of men of what degre or estate þt þey ben þt are
withholde with the worshipfull and worthi Fader in god þe
Cardinal of Engelond (fn. 13) or ony oþr lord knyght or skwier in his
name apparealle and make theym redy in al hast for to be
with hym in þeir best aray at þeir Mouster on Berham Downe (fn. 14)
on Monday þt next cometh at nono [sic] at the ferthest on
peyne of enprisonment of þeir bodies þt after þt tyme be founde
here in eny wise." [No date.]
Folio 67.
Br'e d'm Reg q'd ligei sui volentes ad p'tes Dacie accedere pro m'candisis veniant ad villam de Norban' et non ad Fynmark.
Writ to the Sheriffs of London to make proclamation to the
effect that all persons wishing to traffic or fish in the land of
Denmark should go to the town of "Norbarn" and no longer
to "Fynmark" or elsewhere in that country, the Staple having
been established by the King of Denmark at the said town.
Witness the King at Westminster, 13 May, 7 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429]. (fn. 15)
Aquitanc' fact' per Henricum Bartone Maiorem m'cator' de Amyas Corby et Neel.
Acquittance under the Mayoralty seal by Henry Bartone, the
Mayor, for the sum of 50 marks paid by Simonet Quinert, on
behalf of John Doucet, merchant of Amiens, in respect of the
"composition" made between the City of London and the towns
of Amiens, Corby, and Neel. Dated 6 Sept., A.D. 1429.
Exon'acio Will'i Rider ab assisis.
6 Sept., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], William Rider, fishmonger,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., for the assistance he lately rendered
in obtaining corn from Normandy in a time of scarceness. (fn. 16)
Exon'acio Will'i Russell ab assisis.
19 Oct., the same year, William Russell, fishmonger, similarly
discharged owing to increasing old age.
Folio 67 b.
Custodia Agnetis filie Thome Attewode.
28 June, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], the guardianship of Agnes,
daughter of Thomas atte Wode, late hurer, (fn. 17) together with her
patrimony, committed by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to John Wyvirtone, fishmonger, who married Johanna, the orphan's mother.
Sureties, viz., Richard Danyel, Robert Marcheford, John Ropley
and John Garlond.
Afterwards, viz., on the 11th August, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430],
the said Agnes having died under age, came Robert Holand
and William Aunger, executors of the above Thomas, and
asked that the orphan's money might be delivered to them to
be disposed of according to the will of the said Thomas.
Br'e de venire fac' quatuor cives ad Parliamentum apud Westm' a° r' r' H. vi ti octavo.
Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four citizens to attend
a Parliament to be held at Westminster on the morrow of the
Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.]. (fn. 18) No Sheriff to be returned.
Witness the King at Westminster, 3 Aug., 7 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429].
Nicholas Wotton and Nicholas James, Aldermen, Walter
Gautroun and William Melreth, Commoners, elected pursuant
to the above writ.
Folio 68.
Letter from John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, to
Charles de Valois, formerly called Dauphin de Viennois, and now
wrongfully called King, in opposition to the writer's sovereign
lord Henry, the true, natural, and legitimate King of France
and of England, complaining of his having occupied with his
forces towns and castles rightly belonging to the said Henry,
and of his deceiving superstitious people by the aid of a dissolute
woman disguised as a man, (fn. 19) and also of an apostate mendicant
friar. (fn. 20) He bids Charles to make peace with him, or meet
him in battle, as becomes a Prince. Dated at "Mortereau ou
soure Dyonne," (fn. 21) 7 Aug., A.D. 1429.
Folio 68 b.
De vestura civium in parliamento.
12 Aug., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], ordinance by Henry
Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to put a stop to
the City's representatives in Parliament appropriating more
cloth and fur at the City's expense than they ought. The same
confirmed on the 29th Aug. by the Common Council. (fn. 22)
27 May [A.D. 1430], ordinance by William Estfeld, the
Mayor, and the Aldermen, that thenceforth from the beginning
of May until the beginning of October butter should be sold at
eight ounces for a halfpenny, and from the beginning of
October until the beginning of May at six ounces for a halfpenny, and not otherwise, on pain of forfeiture of the said
butter for the use of poor prisoners of the City, and of fine and
imprisonment at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.
[English.]
Presentacio d'ni Thone Marchaunt Presbiteri ad eccl' iam S'ci Petri sup' Cornhull London'.
Letter under the seal of the Mayoralty from Henry Bartone,
the Mayor, and John Abbot and Thomas Dufhouse, the Sheriffs,
to William [Grey], Bishop of London, presenting Master
Thomas Marchaunt, a student in the University of Cambridge,
for admission as Rector of the Church of St. Peter upon
Cornhill, in place of Sir John Whitby, deceased. Dated
12 Sept., A.D. 1429.
Folio 69.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs and Collectors of custom
and subsidies in the Port of the City, prescribing the manner
in which they are thenceforth to carry out their duties. Witness
the King at Westminster, 16 Nov., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1428].
Exon'acio Joh'is Ketyll ab assisis.
12 Sept., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], John Ketyll, "copersmythe," discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to deafness and
increasing old age.
Folio 69 b.
Eleccio Will'mi Russe et Rad'i Holand in vic'.
Wednesday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 8 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429], in the presence of Henry Bartone, the Mayor,
John Symond the Recorder, John Gedney, William Caumbrige,
Thomas Fauconer, John Welles, Simon Seman, William
Estfeld, Henry Frowyk, John Brokle, Ralph Bartone, Robert
Otteley, Stephen Broun, and Robert Large, Aldermen, and
very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the
election of Sheriffs, William Russe, goldsmith, was elected one
of the Sheriffs by the Mayor, and Ralph Holand was elected
the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.
The same day, John Bederenden was elected Chamberlain;
Robert Colbroke, "irmonger," and William Trymnell, were
elected Wardens of London Bridge; John Brokle and Henry
Frowyk, Aldermen, Walter Chartesey, John Pake, John Olney,
and William Gregory, Commoners, were elected Auditors of
the accounts of the said Chamberlain and Wardens.
Afterwards, 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, accepted, &c., before the
Barons of the Exchequer.
Proclamacio.
Royal proclamation for all those who ought to do service at
the King's coronation on Sunday next after the Feast of All
Saints [1 Nov.] to repair to the Duke of Gloucester, the King's
uncle, and Steward of England assigned for the time of the
said coronation, in the Painted Chamber at Westminster, on the
Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], and make their claim.
Eleccio Will'mi Estfeld ad officium Maioratus.
Thursday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.],
8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], after Mass in the Guildhall Chapel,
in the presence of Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Prior of
Christchurch, John Symond the Recorder, Thomas Knolles,
William Crowmere, Thomas Fauconer, William Cauntbrige,
John Michel, John Gedney, John Welles, Ralph Bartone, Simon
Seman, William Estfeld, Henry Frowyk, Thomas Wandisford,
Robert Ottele, John Brokle, John Pattesle, Stephen Broun,
Robert Large, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year
ensuing-William Estfeld was elected.
Afterwards, on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.],
he was sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow he was
presented, admitted, and accepted, &c., before the Barons of the
Exchequer.
Exon'acio Joh'is Bullok ab assisis.
21 Oct., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], John Bullok, skinner,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Nicholas Martyn of London, "brocour," and Richard Janyn
of "Cicestre," merchant, charged before Henry Bartone, the
Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber of the Guildhall,
with having, in July, 1429, forged a bond whereby William
Bramptone and Robert Bramptone of "Shesterfield," (fn. 23) co. Derby,
merchants, purported to be bound to the King and to Master
Robert Dixson, clerk, and Andrew Towtyng, stockfishmonger,
Collectors of the King's customs in the port of Boston, (fn. 24) in the
sum of £63 15s. 9d., and with having negotiated the same with
John Hatherley, "irmonger," of London, for goods. They say
that they are not guilty, and put themselves on the country.
The jury find Nicholas Martyn to be guilty, and he is condemned
to stand on the pillory. The jury find Richard Janyn not guilty,
and he is acquitted.
Folio 70.
Qualit' maior clamat servire d'no Regi in die sue coronacionis.
Be it remembered that now, to wit on the Feast of the
Apostles Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], in the eighth year of the
reign of King Henry the Sixth after the conquest [A.D. 1429],
there came to Westminster before the illustrious Prince Sir
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, &c., Steward of England, the
Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and citizens of London, claiming by
word of mouth through the Recorder of the said City, according
to the liberties and customs of the City aforesaid, that the said
Mayor, by virtue of his office of the Mayoralty, may serve in
his own person the lord the King, on the day of his coronation,
as well in the hall at his dinner as after dinner in the Chamber
for spices (ad species), (fn. 25) for a reward of a royal cup of gold, (fn. 26)
and when he retires from the feast of the said lord the
King may have and carry away with him the said cup
together with a ewer (aquarium) of gold for his fee; and
that other citizens who should be elected for the purpose
by the City aforesaid may serve on that day magnates
and others in the office of butler, in aid of the Chief
Butler, (fn. 27) as well at table in the hall during dinner as after dinner
in the Chamber, and that the said Aldermen, Sheriffs, and
Recorder may sit on the said day of coronation during dinner
at the principal table on the left side of the hall of the said lord
the King. They pray to be allowed to render the said services
and to obtain their seats, and also to carry away the fee in
manner aforesaid, as the Mayors, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and
citizens of the said City their predecessors hitherto have been
accustomed from time, &c.
Folio 70 b.
In parliamento. Peticio Civitatis pro apprenticiis juxta antiquum modum capiendis.
Petition by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons to the King
that every free person (persone) of the City may put his son or
daughter as apprentice with any free man (homme) of the same;
also that every free man of the City may take as apprentice
the son or daughter of any such person, notwithstanding an
article of a statute made at Westminster, anno 7 Henry IV., to
the effect that no man nor woman shall place their son or
daughter as apprentice in any city or town unless they [i.e., the
parents] have land or rent to the value of 20s. by the year, and
that no apprentice be received otherwise. (fn. 28)
Consimile mandatum miss' fuit cuilibet Aldermanno.
Precept to the Aldermen to hold their Wardmotes and to
refer such matters as they were themselves unable to remedy
to the General Court, to be held on Monday after the Epiphany;
further, to take precautions against disturbances, to levy fines
on defaulters for the use of the Guildhall, and to cause a certain number of each Ward to be elected to the Common Council,
&c. Dated 3 Dec., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].