Folio 71.
Inquisicio pro quodam ten' vocat' le Cage pertin' Thome filio Joh'is Coventre.
30 Aug., 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], inquisition held before
Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber
of the Guildhall, as to particulars of the property held by John
Coventre, (fn. 1) late Alderman, at the time of his death, who was
his heir, &c. The jurors-viz., William Hervy, John Coltone,
Richard Parkeman, Adam Boke, John Segeford, Thomas Baker,
William Lye, Thomas Frary, Robert Bette, John Coventre,
John Pecok, and John Chadde-find (inter alia) that John
Coventre died seised of a tenement called "le Cage" in the
parish of St. Mary le Bow, which he held of the King in free
burgage as the whole City is held; they further say that
he died on Tuesday after Easter [27 March], 7 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429], and that Thomas his son is his heir; also that
Richard, brother of the said John, is tenant of the said tenement, which is of the yearly value of 21 marks, but by what
title, &c., they do not know.
Exon' acio assaiator' corii ab assisis et iuratis.
1 June, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Baret, Thomas
Atte Fan, Richard Beaumond, Henry Bronde, Masters of the
Mistery of Cordwainers, discharged by William Estfeld, the
Mayor, and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing
to their being so much occupied in searching and assaying
leather, exposed for sale in the City, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Licencia edificandi concess' Rectori Sc'i Michael' ad blad'.
22 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], licence granted by
William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen and Commonalty to Sir John Craas, the Rector, and the parishioners of
the church of St. Michael le Quern to enlarge the said church
on a part of the common soil of the City as prescribed. (fn. 2)
Folio 71 b.
Com'issio pro duab' xv mis et duab' decimis integris.
Letters patent appointing Ralph Bartone, Robert Large,
John Bitterden, and Richard Osbarn to be Commissioners for
levying in the City the subsidy recently granted by Parliament. (fn. 3)
Witness the King at Westminster, 20 Dec., 8 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1429].
Consi'les bille misse cuil't Aldr'o pro una integra quintadescima [sic].
Precept to the several Aldermen to take steps for the making
of an assessment in their Wards for the purpose of levying the
above subsidy. Dated 26 Dec., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Folio 72.
L're principalium civitatum Prucie de faciendo barell' et al' vasa pro allec' imponend' justa et recta.
Letter from the authorities of the chief towns of Prussia,
assembled at "Mariemburg," to the Mayor and Aldermen, &c.,
of the City, complaining of the deficient measure of barrels
in which herrings are exported. Dated at "Mariemburg,"
14 Feb., A.D. 1409 [sic].
Com'issio de arrestand' Canonicos apostantes etc.
Writ to William Estfelde, the Mayor, bidding him to arrest,
if found in the City, Roger Bukke and Henry Ciprian, Canons
of the Augustinian Monastery of Waltham Holy Cross, who
were wandering at large to the discredit of their Order.
Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the Guardian of
England, at Westminster, 5 Sept., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].
Pursuant to the above, the said Mayor afterwards arrested
the aforesaid apostate Canons within the precinct of St.
Martin, in the house of John Belle, the Warden of the
precinct, where they were secretly living in the hope that the
place was privileged, (fn. 4) which it was not, as certified by the
Lords of the Council appointed to hear the matter, &c. The
said Canons were therefore handed over to the Abbot of the
said Monastery. (fn. 5)
Folio 72 b.
De dote signata.
30 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], judgment given by
William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen for Alice,
widow of John Coventre, late Alderman, to receive an annual
sum of 7 marks 4s. 5d. as her dower in respect of the tenement called "le Cage," in the parish of St. Mary le Bow. (fn. 6)
Acquitance fait p' le Maior as marchantz des villes DamieuxCorby et Neel.
Acquittance under the Mayoralty seal by William Estfeld,
the Mayor, for the sum of 50 marks paid by Henry Tasse,
attorney of John de Morviller of Amiens, in respect of the
"composition" made between the City of London and the
merchants of the towns of Amiens, Corby, and Neel. Dated
1 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429].
Consimilis bill' miss' fuit cuilibet Aldermanno.
Precept to the Aldermen to assess and levy in their respective
Wards their quota towards the sum of 5,000 marks lately
granted by the Common Council to the King for his first
voyage, the same to be repaid out of the next fifteenth. Dated
14 April [A.D. 1429].
Folio 73.
Br'e collector' xv me in com' Surr' de non compellend' cives London' ad sol' xv ib' m pro merem' et petr'.
Writ to the collectors of fifteenths and tenths in the county
of Surrey and their sub-collectors in the town of Croydon that
they cease to exact payment from Robert Colbroke and
William Trymnell, Wardens of the fabric of London Bridge,
John Carpenter, executor of the will of Richard Whityngton,
and Thomas Moysaunt, William Coupere, and John Gylle,
citizens of London, who temporarily held divers small houses
and parcels of land in the said town wherein to store timber
and stone, inasmuch as the said timber and stone were intended
for buildings in the City, where they paid their share of every
tallage with their fellow-citizens. Witness the King at Westminster, 13 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].
Emancipacio filior' Isnardi Cataigne m'cator' Janue
Certificate by John Chesham, a public notary, that Isnard
Cataigne, merchant of Janua, had, in the presence of the
Mayor, manumitted his sons, Gregory, Lazarus, and Laurence,
on the 28th Nov., A.D. 1429.
Folio 73 b.
Presentacio d'ni Joh'is Leget ad unam Cantariam in Capella Guyhalde.
Letter from William Estfeld, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to William [Grey], Bishop of London,
presenting Sir John Leget, a chaplain of York diocese, for
admission to one of the five chantries founded in the chapel of
St. Mary the Virgin near the Guildhall by Adam Fraunceys
and Henry Frowyk, vacant by the death of Sir Robert Laghtone. Dated 20 Nov., A.D. 1429.
£x conc' Joh'i Carp' ad t' vite in recomp'.
Grant by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Commonalty
to John Carpenter, Common Clerk of the City, of an annual
rent of £10 for life. Dated in the Chamber of the Guildhall,
13 Feb., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].
Un haultpace graunte a W. Estfeld par le Rent dune verge et une rose pur le Mair au Pentecost.
Licence granted by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen,
and Commonalty to William Estfeld, mercer, to build a halpace
for a chapel outside his house up to the end of the Common
Hall, called the Guildhall, in manner prescribed, he rendering
annually therefor on the day of Pentecost, to the Mayor for the
time being, a rod suitably ornamented with a red rose on the
top, to be carried in manner accustomed before the Mayor
when proceeding from the church of St. Peter, Cornhill, to the
minster of St. Paul, and there to be offered according to ancient
custom of the City. (fn. 7)
Exon' acio Thome Walsingham ab omnib' officiis etc.
22 April, 7 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], Thomas Walsyngham,
vintner, lately elected Alderman of the Ward of Castle
Baynard, discharged from serving by Henry Bartone, the
Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, owing to his being so
much occupied in the King's service, and also in consideration
of his having undertaken to glaze, in the best manner, the
eastern gable or window of the Guildhall.
Folio 74.
Exon' acio Will'mi Kent ab assisis.
16 June, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], William Kent, "pewtrer,"
son of Richard Kent, draper, discharged by William Estfeld,
the Mayor, and Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing
to his infirmities.
Consi'lis billa missa fuit cuilibet Aldr'o.
Precept to the Aldermen that they keep an armed watch in
their several Wards on the nights and eves of St. John Bapt.
[24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], and that they
take precautions against fire. Dated 10 June, 8 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430].
Translacio Walt'i Lucy de Mistera Cultellar' in Mister' Haberdassherie.
8 Oct., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], came Walter Lucy, cutler,
before William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the
Chamber of the Guildhall, and showed how he had been
admitted into the freedom of the City in the art of Cutler, and
was sworn temp. John Fraunceys, Mayor, and Stephen Speleman,
Chamberlain, viz., on the 11th July, 2 Henry IV. [A.D. 1401],
and how for a long time past he had been using the Mistery or
Art of Haberdasher and not the Mistery of Cutler, as was
testified. He prayed, therefore, that he might be admitted
into the freedom of the City in the Mistery of Haberdasher.
His prayer granted at the instance of the Masters and good
men of the Mistery of Haberdasher.
Record' pro Edwardo Gisors.
Licence granted by the Mayor and Aldermen to Edward
Gisors to enclose a parcel of land, his private property, on the
bank of the Thames near the common soil at the end of
Grenewichlane (fn. 8) in Dougate Ward, which had been blocked up
by filth cast thereon, on consideration of his leaving a public
way on the common soil as broad as the said lane; and further,
that he may enjoy the solar that he built over the said public
way as compensation for the way granted by him on his own
ground towards the public latrine, provided he leaves sufficient
room for a cart to pass under it. [No date.]
Ordinacio pro novo conduct' rep'and' et emendand'.
The eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430],
ordinance by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen,
at the request of the Commonalty, to the effect that the new
conduit in Westchepe near the east end of the church of
St. Michael le Quern (fn. 9) should in future be repaired at the
City's expense, and that parishioners of the said church, or
those living around the said conduit, should not be forced to
contribute.
Folio 74 b.
26 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], came the executors of
Robert Mayheu, late of Shordich, in the county of Middlesex,
"bruer," executor of Thomas Pernell, girdler, and delivered to
John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, the sum of 50 marks to be
kept in trust for Robert, Richard, Martin, Cristina, and John,
children of the said Robert Mayheu.
11 Nov., 24 Henry VI. [A.D. 1445], came Richard and
Robert, sons of Robert Mayheu, and discharged the said
Chamberlain in respect of the above money.
Folio 74 b 75.
Letters patent assigning certain moneys payable into the
Exchequer to the Mayor and Commonalty, in repayment of
the sum of £6,666 12s. 16½d. [sic] advanced by the City to the
King, being a portion of the sum of £50,000 which the King's
Council had been authorized to raise by the late Parliament. (fn. 10)
Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden of England, (fn. 11)
at Westminster, 19 May, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].
Folio 75 b.
Custodia Ric'i filii Thome Gerard.
2 Aug., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the custody of Richard,
son of Thomas Gerard, late "pasteler," together with the sum
of £10 and divers chattels, committed by William Estfeld, the
Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain,
to Thomas Grenehille, who married Margaret, the orphan's
mother, to hold the same in trust for a term of five years.
Sureties, viz., John Kyllyk, William Scarburgh, and William
Abraham.
Prorogacio feodor' et finium antiquor' ad opus fabrice Guihalde.
Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430], ordinance by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the
Aldermen, and Commonalty, in Common Council assembled, to
the effect that all fines, fees, and amercements formerly granted
for the work of the Guildhall should be continued for the same
purpose for one year from Michaelmas next.
Exon'acio Ric'i Bures ab assisis.
1 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Bures, mercer,
discharged by William Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Exon'acio Ric'i Polhill ab assisis.
12 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], Richard Polhill, skinner,
similarly discharged for like cause.
Folio 76.
Presentacio d'ni Rogeri Gubbe ad unam cantariam in eccl'ia Sc'i Botulphi extra Algate London'.
Letter from William Estfeld, the Mayor, to the Rector and
Churchwardens of the Church of St. Botolph without Aldgate,
presenting Sir Roger Gubbe, chaplain, for admission to the
chantry founded in the said church by John Romeney, (fn. 12) potter,
vacant by the death of Sir John Tauntoft. Dated 23 Oct.,
A.D. 1430.
Br'e d'ni Regis missum collectorib' pro una quintadecima levand'.
Letters patent appointing Ralph Bartone, Alderman, Robert
Large, Alderman, John Bitterden and Richard Osebarne, to
be Commissioners for levying the subsidy granted in the last
Parliament. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Warden
of England, at Westminster, 28 Aug., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].
Consil'is billa missa fuit cuil't Aldr'o pro una quintadecima colligend'.
Precept to the Aldermen to cause an assessment to be made
in their several Wards for levying the above subsidy. Dated
27 Oct., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430].
Folio 76 b.
Eleccio Walteri Chartesey et Rob'ti Large in vicecomet'.
Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 9 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430], in the presence of William Estfeld, the Mayor,
John Simond the Recorder, Thomas Knollys, William
Crowmere, Henry Bartone, Thomas Fauconer, William
Caumbrigge, John Gedney, Ralph Bartone, John Welles,
Simon Seman, John Brokle, Robert Ottele, and William
Melreth, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned
to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs-Walter Chartesey
was elected one of the Sheriffs by the Mayor, and Robert
Large the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.
The same day John Bederenden, draper, was elected City
Chamberlain; Robert Colbrok, "irmonger," and William
Trymnell were elected Wardens of London Bridge; and
Henry Frowyk and Robert Otteley, Aldermen, John Olney,
mercer, William Gregory, skinner, Robert Bambourgh, and
Richard Nordon, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the
accounts of the said Chamberlain and Wardens.
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 and admitted before the
Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster.
Eleccio Nich'i Wottone in Maiorem London'.
Friday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 9 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430], in the presence of William Estfeld, the Mayor,
the Prior of Christchurch, John Simond the Recorder, Henry
Bartone, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, William
Caumbrigge, Ralph Bartone, Robert Whityngham, John
Welles, Thomas Wandesford, John Perneys, John Brokle,
Nicholas James, Simon Seman, Henry Frowyk, Robert Otteley,
John Pattesle, Stephen Broune, William Melreth, and Robert
Large, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to
the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor-Nicholas Wottone
was elected for the year ensuing.
Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude
[28 Oct.], he was sworn at the Guildhall, &c., and on the
morrow was presented, admitted, and accepted, &c., before
the Barons of the Exchequer.
Custodia pueror' Ric'i Aylmere.
8 April, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the guardianship of Robert,
Beatrix, and Johanna, children of Richard Aylmere, late
mercer, together with their patrimony and silver plate, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John
Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Johanna, widow of the said
Richard, for a term of five years. Sureties, viz., Robert Fitz
Robert, John Bostone, William Rustone, and Hugh Wyche.
Afterwards, viz., on the 18th Aug., 23 Henry VI. [A.D. 1445],
came the above Robert, being of full age, (fn. 13) into the Court of
the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, and
acknowledged satisfaction for his patrimony.
Folio 77.
Exoneracio Joh'is Tyse ab assisis juratis etc.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs bidding them to discharge
John Tyse from serving on juries, &c., inasmuch as he was a
Comptroller, a Moneyer (campsor), and Assayer of money
in the Tower. Witness Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester,
Warden of England, at Westminster, 12 Oct., 9 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430].
Custodia pueror' Thome Mersshe.
31 May, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430], the guardianship of
Thomas, Katherine, and Thomas [sic], children of Thomas
Mersshe, late taverner, together with their patrimony and
silver plate, committed by William Estfeld, the Mayor, the
Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain, to Agnes
their mother for a term of five years. Sureties, viz., Richard
Marbultone and Thomas Ive.
Br'e q'd o'es li'entes xl librat' t're vel reddit' ordinem suscipiant militar'.
Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation for all persons
within their bailiwick who had 40 librates of land or rent
yearly for three whole years, and were not already Knights,
to take up the order of Knighthood by the octave of
Michaelmas next, under penalty. Witness the King at Westminster, 26 Feb., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].
Return' ejusd'm br'is.
The above writ was delivered to Robert Large and Walter
Charteseye, Sheriffs, by Ralph Holand and William Rus, the
late Sheriffs, on their going out of office.
Return made to the above writ. (fn. 14)
Folio 77 b.
Exon'acio Rob'ti Warn' ab omnimodis officiis etc.
The eve of St. Andrew, Ap. [30 Nov.], 9 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1430], Robert Warner discharged by Nicholas Wottone,
the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, in Common Council
assembled, from serving as Taxer, Assessor, Collector, Constable, Scavager (Scawageator
(fn. 15) ), or in any other capacity for the
City, in recognition of his having served the City in divers
offices for thirty-six years and of his infirmities.
Ordinacio sup' abjudicat' trium Abrocar' ne quis cum eis intromittat sub pena.
The said day and year [sic] it was ordained by the said
Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty that Francus Vanelly de
Lucha, Gerard Galgenetti de Lucha, and Frederic Nairsreo,
foreign brokers, should cease to act as brokers, inasmuch as
they had often been fined and imprisoned for falsifying wine
and committing other frauds.
Afterwards, viz., on the 29th Nov., 9 Henry VI. [A.D. 1430],
the ordinance forbidding the above foreigners to act as brokers
was confirmed in the Common Council, with the addition that if
any of them was convicted in future of acting as a broker he
should be imprisoned for a year; and further, that he, and any
one dealing with him, should be fined 100s.
Folio 78.
La ordeignaunce des Cordewaners et Ceinturers.
13 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], ordinance by William
Estfeld, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to the effect that thenceforth all hides and leather should be assayed by four Cordwainers and three Girdlers, or by two Cordwainers and one
Girdler, who should mark such as were found properly tanned
with their respective marks, and present such as were wrongly
tanned to the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being.
Provided always that the knife (cotew) used for cutting and
putting into the hides and leather for the purpose of assay be
put into them by the Cordwainers only, according to ancient
custom, and this in the presence of the said Girdlers; and
thenceforth neither of the said Misteries is to act without the
other, under penalty.
Custodia Thome filii Joh'is Coventre nup' civis et merceri London'.
12 Sept., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429], the custody of the sum of
£400 in respect of a certain tenement called "le Cage," in the
parish of St. Mary le Bow, appraised by a jury at 21 marks by
the year, as appears supra, fo. lxxi, the property of Thomas,
son of John Coventre, late mercer, committed by Henry
Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the
Chamberlain, to Richard Coventre, mercer, brother of the said
John. Sureties, viz., William Melreth, John Olney, John
Estmond, mercer, and John Brokour, skinner.
Afterwards, viz., on the 28th Aug., 12 Henry VI. [A.D. 1434],
came the above orphan, being of full age, and acknowledged
satisfaction for the money.
Folio 78 b.
Licencia Regia concessa Joh'i Carpent' ad fundand' cant' sup' le Charnell.
Letters patent permitting John Carpenter, executor of
Richard Whityngtone, late mercer, to found a chantry in the
poor chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the charnel house
(super ossamenta mortuorum) in St. Paul's Churchyard, and to
endow the same to the extent of 8 marks per annum; (fn. 16) and
further, to assign the advowson of the chantry to William
Estfeld, the Mayor, and John Bederenden, the Chamberlain,
for the time being, and their successors. Witness the King at
Westminster, 12 Jan., 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30].
Custodia tam corp'is Will'i Reynwell quam cc marc' et alior' bonor' eid'm Will'o legator'.
12 March, 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429-30], the guardianship of
William, son of Thomas Reynwell, late fishmonger, together
with his patrimony, plate, and chattels, committed by William
Estfeld, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Bederenden, the
Chamberlain, to John Reynwell, Alderman. Sureties, viz.,
John Higham, draper, William Combes, Thomas Badby, and
William Sampsone, fishmongers.
Fos. 79-83 b.
A statute passed in the Parliament which commenced to sit
at Westminster on the morrow after the Feast of St. Matthew
[21 Sept.], 8 Henry VI. [A.D. 1429]. (fn. 17)