Folio 231.
Monday, 26 Aug., 24 Henry VI. [A. D. 1446], grant by Simon
Eyre, the Mayor, and the Aldermen to Richard Power, Esquire
and Swordbearer of the Mayor, of a reward of 40s. for his
services in connexion with the Queen's Coronation. (fn. 1) It was
further granted that he should have a yearly allowance of 20s.
towards the rent of a house until a suitable house be provided
for him. The grant was not to be treated as a precedent.
Folio 231 b.
17 June, 24 Henry VI. [A. D. 1446], petition to the Common
Council by John Croxtone, a mason, as follows:-
"Besechetch full mekely youre continuell servaunt John
Croxtone, masone, that where he hath done hys true diligence
and laboure in attendaunce upone alle the werkes of thys Cytee
and specially upone the werkes of the Guyldhalle by xxx yere
and more and there in spended hys yonge age in wych service
there is yet due to him by yow of wages paide oute of hys purce
to divers werkmen in the tyme that Brykles and Blysworth weren
Clerkes of the same werkes viijli. ijs. and sythen that tyme
in attendaunce daily upone your werkes by vj yere and more
aboute the foundementez & reisyng of yor chapell at Guyldhalle
and purveying for the ordenaunce and Counseille of the mooldes
þ'e of and upone youre werkes at Padyngtone, Tybourne,
Trippeswelle, (fn. 2) Charyngcrosse, Crosse in Chepe, and other places
and had never ony wages fee or reward of yow for alle hys
longe service savyng onely a litell hous and xxs. by yere and
hys clothyng yerely That it please unto youre good graces in
considerac'on of the long service of youre seid besecher so done
And by the grace of god yf it like yow for the terme of hys lyf
shall doo, to graunte unto him youre paiment of the seid
viijli. ijs. and also for the terme of hys lyf xls. more yerely of
Fee to the seid xxs. to be takene yerely by the hands of youre
Chamb'leyn for the tyme beyng at the festes of Nativite of
Seint John Baptist Mighelmasse Cristmasse and Esterne be even
porc'ons & he shall pray to god for yow."
His prayer granted.
[Folios. 232 blank.]
Folio 232 b.
Wednesday, 21 Sept., 25 Henry VI. [A. D. 1446], in the
presence of Simon Eyre, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch,
Robert Danvers the Recorder, Henry Frowik, John Gedney,
Stephen Broun, William Coumbes, William Gregory, John
Olney, Nicholas Wifold, John Derby, Robert Horne, Thomas
Canynges, Geoffrey Feldyng, and Thomas Scot, Aldermen, and
very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the
election of Sheriffs for the year ensuing, Robert Horne, Alderman, was elected one of the Sheriffs by the Mayor, and Geoffrey
Boleyn was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.
The same day John Chichele, grocer, was elected Chamberlain for the year ensuing; Thomas Cook, senior, draper, and
John Herst, skinner, were elected Wardens of London Bridge;
and Stephen Forster and Thomas Canynges, Aldermen, and
Thomas Cook, junior, Thomas Haukyns, Alan Johnson, and
Richard Lee, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the
accounts of the Chamber and the said 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, &c., before the
Barons of the Exchequer.
Thursday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.],
the same year, in the presence of Simon Eyre, the Mayor,
Robert Danvers the Recorder, the Prior of Christchurch,
Henry Frowik, John Gedney, Stephen Broune, Robert Cloptone,
John Pattesle, John Hatherle, Thomas Chaltone, John Olney,
William Wetenhale, John Suttone, William Coumbes, John
Norman, Nicholas Wifold, and Robert Horne, Aldermen,
Geoffrey Boleyn, one of the Sheriffs, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor
for the year ensuing, John Olney, by aid of the Holy Spirit,
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, &c., before the
Barons of the Exchequer.
Folio 233.
12 Dec., 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1446], came good men of the
Mistery of Hostelers into the Chamber of the Guildhall, before
John Olney, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and presented a
petition as follows:-
"To the honourable lord' wyse & worchipfull sires the
Maire and Aldermen of the Cyte London
"Please it un to youre Wyse discrecions in considerac'on of
the grete mischief & hurt whych that oft tyme fallene &
happene þorugh riotours haserdours & other worse mysgoverned people whyche that bene luskyng a boute in thys
Cyte and dayly repayryng ther to that arne harboured wyth
diverse folk men & wemen not enfraunchised nor otherwise
charged with contribucions of thys Cyte & not havyng opene
signes & some in vicious howses called Stewes and some
harboured wyth alienes and straungers beyng such people so
harboured not knawyng whens they come not havyng eny
goodes to lyve by and bene gret Wastoures and Spenders to
grete disceit & hurt of owre soveraygne lord & of alle the
commen people of thys Realme and in especialle of thys Cite
To graunt there fore as for the remedie there of to the people
enfraunchised in the craft (fn. 3) of Hostillers of thys Cyte of Londone
the pointes after folwyng that is to sey
"First that the Wardeyns of the same Craft have liberte &
poware to serche alle maner persones holdyng co'e hostrie
havyng wyth hem eny maner gestes or straungiers comyng to
the Cite & suche gestes or people as they fynd wyth hem not
of good rule or good name or fame to enforme the Maier of
thys Cyte or Chamb'leyn for the tyme being for to do correcc'on aswell upon the harberers of hem as upon them that
bene suche gestes evell named
"Also that no persone of the said Cite take upone him to
hold eny comune hostry or to be a comune herberour of eny
people repayryng to thys Cyte but that he have a comon'
& an opene sygne wtoute & at his place & that he be knowen
of good name and good fame by the Wardeynes & other
persones of the same craft to occupie the said occupac'on and
they truly to present and truly to do ther in wtout eny favour or
malice
"Also that no persone dwellyng in the Cite holdyng comune
hostry & opene signe not herborwe nor resceyve eny mane
aliene or straunger borne out of thys realme comyng to thys
Cite in no wyse o lesse than the same persone present & bring
a fore the Maire for the tyme beyng every suche aliene or
straunger comyng un to thys Cite wtinne a day & a night after
that he be come to the entente that the Maire may have
knowleche of the cause of his comyng & of his abydyng upon
a competent peyne ther upon to be ordeyned & sett & duly to
be arreised of what persone that breketh the saied ordinaunce
or do the contrarie therof for the grete availe honeste & profite
of thys Cite & alle the realme upon peyne for to lese
vjs. viijd. atte first tyme, xiijs. iiijd. atte secund tyme and xxs. at
the iij tyme half to the Chaumbre of the Guyldhall & half to the
said craft of hostillers and so forth doweblyng the somme as oft
tyme as they schall be found doyng the contrarie
"Also that no maner man holdyng comone hostrie wtin the
said Cite resceive nor take eny servaunt hostiler which that
hath bene dwellyng afore tyme wt eny persone occupying the
said craft in cas the said servaunt hostiller have bene detecte or
found vicious or untrewe to his maister a fore tyme occupying
the said craft or to eny of his gestis
"Also that alle maner persones enfraunchised in the said
Craft be ruled & governed after the good ordinaunces & rules
in the same Craft by youre graunt & assent ordeyned & devised
for the comone wele of the kynges liege people & availle of the
said craft & that every man enfrauncheised of the same craft
be obedient to the Wardeyns of the same craft for the tyme
being & come at their sommons at alle tymes at place & tyme
limited under peyne to paie to the use of the said craft at every
tyme that they lakke or be absent the value of j pound wax
half to the Chaumbre of the Guyldhalle & half to the Fraternite
of Seint Julian saving the Frauncheise of the Cite."
Their petition granted.
Folio 233 b.
Precept for levying in each Ward a fourth part of a fifteenth
granted in a Common Council held on the 20th August, anno
23 Henry VI. [A.D. 1445], for the use of the common aqueduct.
[No date.]
Precept for holding an armed watch in the several Wards at
Christmas to continue until further orders. [No date.] (fn. 4)
18 Nov., 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1446], petition by John West,
"plummer," to the Common Council, that an indenture may be
made confirming to him a former grant to the effect that
he should "entend to the werkes of the newe condites and
of the chambre of thys Citee and do his trewe labour and
diligence ther inne and to leve ther fore all other occupac'ons"
at a wage prescribed; and further, that he should have two
gowns of the Mayor's livery for the time being, and that he
should not be put on inquests, &c.
His petition granted.
Wednesday, 1 March, 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1446-7], William
Andrewe, one of the Mayor's Serjeants-at-mace, admitted one
of the Mayor's Serjeants of the Chamber, loco William Stork,
deceased.
Folio 234.
Monday, 12 Nov., 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1446], came Henry
Dukmantone, John Broddesworth, John Lambard, and Thomas
Niche, mercers, and John Billesdone, draper, into the Court of
the lord the King, before John Olney, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen, and entered into bond with John Chichele, the
Chamberlain, in the sum of 500 marks for the payment of the
said sum by the said Henry Dukmantone to John, son of
Thomas Dukmantone, when he comes of age.
Proclamation.
Folio 234 b.
"Be it proclamed on oure soveraygn lord the Kynges
behalve in eschwyng of the Importable hurtes & gret parell of
Fyre that dayly is lykly to growe wyth in thys Cyte whych
god defend by the makyng repairyng & susteynyng of
treene (fn. 5) chymneys wyth in thys said Cite which be not sufficiant
nor able to eschwe the gret peryll of Fyre that what maner
of persone wyth in thys Cite enfrauncheised as masoun, carpenter, or other of what condic'on that he be, after the fest of
Seint Mighell tharchaungell next for to come be found or seene
to make repaire or susteygn eny such treene chymney wyth in
thys Cyte or the Frauncheise of the same that he forfaite & pay
unto the use of the cominalte of the same for a fyne xxs. wyth
out redempcion as oft tymes as he therof shall lawfully be
convict.
"And also that no maner persone wyth in thys Cite nor the
Frauncheise of the same dwellyng Fremane or foreyn after the
said fest of Seint Mighell do make nor susteyn eny maner
fyre in eny maner suche treene chymney upon peyne to pay un
to the use of the same cominalte vjs. viijd. wyth out redempc'on
as oft tymes as he shall ther of be convict.
"Be it purveyed alway that Goldsmythes, Copersmythes,
lorimers, bladsmithes, blaksmythes & Ferrours of thys Cite
may laufully have & occupie such treene chymneys well and
sufficiantly repaired to theire craftes nedfulle & belongyng
and them to make or do make & repaire when necessite
shalle require it wyth out eny interrupc'on enpechement or
fyne ther for to be made in eny wyse this present ordinaunce
not withstondyng."
12 Jan., 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1446-7], grant by John Olney,
the Mayor, and the Aldermen, that Richard Power, esquire
and sword-bearer to the Mayor, may have a suitable servant to
wait upon the Mayor, for the time being, and himself, like other
Serjeants-at-mace. The grant not to become a precedent.
Folio 235.
Monday, 3 April,. 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], Thomas Smyth,
"irmonger," discharged by John Olney, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing
old age.
Monday, 19 June, the same year, John Valentyne, "hurer,"
similarly discharged for like cause.
Folio 235 b.
Letter from Charles [VII.], King of France, to his very dear
and great friends [the Mayor, &c., of London], notifying the
dispatch of ambassadors to his nephew, the King of England,
for the purpose of effecting a perfect union between England
and France, and asking them to use their influence to that end.
Dated at Mehun sur "Eure," 2 May [A.D. 1447 ?]. (fn. 6)
18 Dec., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], came Thomas Shirwinde,
Thomas Onhand, Augustine Strattone, and Walter Durward,
mercers, into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of
the Guildhall, before John Gedney, the Mayor, (fn. 7) and the Aldermen, and entered into bond with John Chichele, the Chamberlain,
for the payment of a sum of £47 10s. to Johanna, daughter of
Robert Hulle, late grocer, by the said Thomas Shirwinde, who
had been appointed her guardian.
Folio 236.
22 Aug., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1448], came Thomas Bele, tailor,
John Pye, "stacioner," John Grove, "scrivener," Richard Tolle
and William Rogers, tailors, into the Court of the lord the King
in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before John Gedney, the
Mayor, and the Aldermen, and entered into bond with John
Chichele, the Chamberlain, in the sum of £6 13s. 4d.
The same day the guardianship of John, son of John Mundeford, late tailor, together with his patrimony of £6 13s. 4d., was
committed by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Chamberlain to the
above Thomas Bele on his finding the above security.
5 April, 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1448], in the presence of John
Gedney, the Mayor, Robert Danvers the Recorder, Simon
Eyre, John Olney, Thomas Chaltone, William Gregory, John
Suttone, William Wetenhale, John Norman, Robert Horne,
John Derby, Geoffrey Feldyng, Thomas Scott, William
Abraham, and Philip "Malepas," Aldermen, and an immense
Commonalty, John Tyler, "gentilman," was elected Common
Hunt of the City, vice John Russell, he receiving yearly the sum
of £10 and his clothing.
Folio 236 b.
25 Oct., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], John Colion, "girdeler,"
discharged by John Olney, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from
serving on juries owing to increasing old age.
The same day Richard Coyfote, "peintour," similarly discharged for like cause.
24 Oct., the same year, Richard Lumley, "peautrer," similarly
discharged for like cause.
25 Oct., the same year, John Glyse, "hatter," similarly discharged for like cause.
[The upper part of this folio has been cut off. Delpit (op. cit.,
p. 264) suggests that the reply of the City to the letter from
Charles of France (supra, fo. 235 b) may have been entered
on the folio and removed par un motif quelconque, mais À une
époque déjÀ ancienne. That the French antiquary was wrong in
his surmise is shown by the next entry.]
Folio 237.
Whereas a certain ordinance made by John Olney, the Mayor,
and the Aldermen on the petition of the Master and Wardens of
the Mistery of Drapers touching the scrutiny of linen cloths and
yards called "metierdes" or "metyerdes" had been recorded
on fo. ccxxxvii of this Letter-Book K, but had been surreptitiously cut and taken away; the Master and Wardens of
the said Mistery on the 15th Oct., anno 2 Henry VIII. [A.D. 1510],
came before William Capell, Knt. and Mayor, John Tate, Knt.,
Thomas Kneseworth, Richard Haddone, Knt., Laurence Aylmer,
Knt., Stephen Jenyns, Knt., William Copynger, John Warner,
William Butler, Thomas Exmewe, Thomas Mirfyne, James
Yarford, John Bruges, John Rest, and John Mylbourne, Aldermen, and brought a certain black book belonging to the said
Mistery in which the said ordinance was entered, and they
prayed that the said ordinance might be again inscribed in
Letter-Book K.
Their prayer granted, and the said ordinance made on
Friday, 6 Oct., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], in the presence of
John Olney, the Mayor, Robert Danvers the Recorder, Simon
Eyre, William Coumbes, John Norman, John Suttone, William
Gregory, Nicholas Wyfolde, Stephen Forster, Geoffrey Feldyng,
John Derby, William Cantlowe, Thomas Scott, and William
Abraham, Aldermen, was again inscribed. (fn. 8)
Folio 237 b.
5 Oct., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], grant by the Mayor and
Aldermen to William Coumbes, Alderman, of lands and tenements formerly belonging to John Reynwelle, late Alderman, in
the town of Calais, in recognition of his services in the execution
of the will of the said John Reynwelle, who devised property in
the City of London and the said town of Calais to the use of the
Commonalty of the said City; to hold the same for a term of
thirty years at an annual rent of 6 marks.
[Folios. 238 blank.]
Folio 238 b.
12 Jan., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447-8], Richard Ponten', citizen
and "septer," (fn. 9) discharged by John Gedney, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries owing to increasing old age.
24 Feb., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447-8], John Levgor, tailor,
similarly discharged for like cause.
Eleccio Vicecomit'.
21 Sept., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], in the presence of John
Olney, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, Robert Danvers
the Recorder, Henry Frowik, Stephen Broune, William
Coumbes, John Gedney, Simon Eyre, Thomas Chaltone,
William Gregory, John Sutton, John Norman, Nicholas Wifold,
Robert Horne, Stephen Forster, John Derby, Geoffrey Feldyng,
Thomas Scot, and William Abraham, Aldermen, and very many
Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of
Sheriffs for the year ensuing, William Abraham, Alderman,
was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City by the Mayor, and
Thomas Scot, Alderman, was elected the other Sheriff by the
Commonalty.
The same day John Chichele, grocer, was elected Chamberlain; Thomas Cook, senior, draper, and John Herst, skinner,
were elected Wardens of London Bridge; and John Norman,
Thomas Canynges, Aldermen, Alan Johnson, Richard Lee,
John Stokker, and John Harowe, 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, admitted, &c., before the Barons
of the Exchequer.
Folio 239-41.
Monday, 18 Sept., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], John Olney,
Mayor, Robert Danvers the Recorder, Stephen Broun, John
Hatherle, Simon Eyre, William Gregory, Thomas Chaltone,
John Sutton, John Norman, Nicholas Wyfold, John Derby,
Robert Horne, Stephen Forster, Geoffrey Feldyng, Thomas
Scot, and William Abraham, Aldermen:-
On the above day, and in the presence of the above Mayor,
two bonds were entered into, each in the sum of £200, one by
John Balle and John Lambe, Wardens of the Mistery of
Brouderers, and the other by John Sewale, sometime Warden
of the said Mistery, binding themselves to abide by the award
to be given by Nicholas Wifold and John Derby, Aldermen,
who had been accepted as arbitrators in all matters of dispute
existing between the said John Balle and John Lambe, John
Mounsell, John Cursone, Walter Whitebrede, William Whitebrede, Elys London, William Kyrkeby, John Vyaunt, Henry
Wyche, Thomas Halle, John Bourgh, William Skynner, Thomas
Howell, William Acton, Robert Page, John Colence, Thomas
Newe, William Outkampe, and all others of the same craft of
Brouderers on the one part, and the said John Sewale on the
other part. (fn. 10)
Folio 241.
Friday, 13 Oct., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], in the presence of
John Olney, the Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, Robert
Danvers the Recorder, Henry Frowik, John Gedney, Stephen
Broun, John Hatherle, Simon Eyre, Thomas Chaltone, William
Gregory, William Coumbes, John Suttone, John Norman,
William Wetenhale, Nicholas Wifold, Stephen Forster, Robert
Horne, John Derby, Geoffrey Feldyng, Thomas Canynges,
William Cantlowe, Thomas Scot, and William Abraham,
Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the
Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing,
John Gedney 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, &c., before the Barons
of the Exchequer.
3 Nov., 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], came John Waryn, goldsmith, and Nicholas Preest, grocer, into the Court of the lord
the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before John Olney,
the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and entered into bond with John
Chichele, the Chamberlain, in the sum of £17, for the due
payment of such sum to William Dyst, son of Gyse van Dyst,
late goldsmith, on his coming of age.
Folio 241 b.
5 April, 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1448], Richard Aleyn, cook, discharged by John Gedney, the Mayor, and the Aldermen from
serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
27 July, the same year, Thomas Redyng, "powchemaker,"
similarly discharged for like cause.
7 Aug., the same year, came Thomas Grenehille, "pasteler,"
executor of John Fysshe, late "pasteler," John Stockwell
and Richard Tykerych, "pastelers," Roger Estone and Walter
Taillour, "cowpers," into the Court of the lord the King in the
Chamber of the Guildhall, before John Gedney, the Mayor, and
the Aldermen, and acknowledged themselves bound to John
Chichele, the Chamberlain, in the sum of 20 marks.
The same day the guardianship of Alice and Elizabeth,
daughters of the above John Fysshe, together with their patrimony of 20 marks, was committed by the said Mayor, Aldermen,
and Chamberlain to the above Thomas Grenehille, on his
finding the above security.
Officium co'is venat'.
Friday, 5 April, 26 Henry VI. [A.D. 1448], John Tyler
appointed by John Gedney, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and
Common Council to the office of Common Hunt of the City,
receiving a yearly fee of £10 and the clothing or livery of the
City in the same manner as Serjeants of the Chamber receive it.