1 April 1365
An inquest was taken before the Mayor and Aldermen as
to the names of the evildoers who caused the doors and
windows of all the tawyers' shops to be closed, and afterwards
went in a body to Horssedone (fn. 1) in disturbance of the King's
peace. The jurors found that on the day mentioned John
Pervyle and John Goudherst, servants of John Creek; John
Beket and Nicholas Botyller, servants of William Goldre;
William Daly, servant of Robert Waleys; Robert, servant of
Andrew Wylly; John de Cornewaylle, John Harpere, John
Laurence and Maurice, servants of William Querdelyng; and
Thomas Thredere, Thomas Wormele and Salamon Garlek,
servants of Walter Garlek, by common assent closed their
masters' shops and refused to work, because their masters
had been committed to Newgate. They further said that the
servants were aided and abetted in their action by the abovementioned masters, but that the servants had no malicious
intention of disturbing the public when they went to Horssedoune.
John de Rothewell, John Creek, Walter Garlek, William
Querdelyng and William Goldere, tawyers, were bound over
in divers sums to observe the ordinances of their mistery.
3 April 1365
Richard de Merston, serjeant of the Chamber, sequestrated (fn. 2) the doors of the houses, in which the goods and
chattels of Roger Fynch were contained, at the suit of William
Sterre in an action of debt.
Membr. 11 b
8 Feb. 1365
Gilbert Cokcow of Pritelwelle complained to the Mayor and
Aldermen that John Bryt, bailiff of Queenhithe, had divers
measures called "maundes
(fn. 3) " some greater some smaller, by
which all mussels coming by ship or boat were measured,
and that when the greater measures were used, the owners of
the mussels suffered serious loss; on the other hand, when the
correct and smaller measures were used, the bailiff exacted a
payment beyond the amount due for custom, viz. 3d over and
above the 2d custom.
The bailiff, who had been summoned to court, declared
that when he was appointed he found divers measures, which
had been approved by Stephen Cavendyssh during his
mayoralty and had been sealed by the Chamber or the Alderman of the Ward. Certain old measures he had discarded and
he had had new ones approved and sealed at the Guildhall.
He denied having taken more than the custom.
John Cockow and John Seman, both of Pritelwelle, also
complained that the bailiff had taken 2d, of which one penny
was custom and the other penny an unjust exaction, and their
complaint was supported by the evidence of Walter Ruddok,
John de Pritelwelle and John Elys. On 11 Feb. John Dawe of
Melton brought a similar complaint. The bailiff was put into
the custody of the Sheriff and fifteen of his measures were
detained by the Chamberlain. Subsequently all the plaintiffs
withdrew from their prosecutions.
9 April 1365
Thomas de Irland, pelter, levied a plaint against John Perle,
mercer, for enticing away his servant Alice contrary to the
King's statute. The parties came to terms in court.
Membr. 12
Isabel de Chepsted complained that William Dyne,
taverner, had beaten and wounded her on 4 April, to her
damage 40s. The said William admitted the charge and paid
a fine of 20s to the Commonalty for drawing blood. He was
mainprised by John Chaucer (fn. 4) and William Shirbourne,
vintners, for his appearance in court etc.
4 April 1365
Mary Convers was committed to prison at the suit of the
Count de Harecourt (fn. 5) for parting with a jewel of the value of
50 marks, which he had pledged with her, and which she in
turn had pledged with John Lapy of Florence, who sold it to
Bartholomew Fotenaunt. She was mainprised by Richard
Bokeler, fourbour
(fn. 6) , and Stephen Bruyn, tailor, and the jewel
together with the sum of £10 was lodged with the Chamberlain until etc.
5 April 1365
Salamon Garlek, John Stap, Thomas Thredere, John
Laurence, John Moryce, Edmund de Vasconia, Thomas atte
Forde, Simon Credel, Thomas Archier, John Duwy, Richard
Hoggesdon, William Brounyng, Segelinus van Male, Robert
Lacy, John Wenlok, John de Swainlond, John Croos, Richard
Ammory, John Albon, Ralph Crouch, William George,
Richard Langele, Philip Scryveyn, John Piryfeld, Simon de
Assh, John Godherst, Geoffrey Creek, John Beket and Nicholas
Botyller, servants of divers tawyers above-mentioned (fn. 7) , were
bound over to observe the ordinances of their mistery and to
obey their masters.
Andrew Wylly and John de Podbury, tawyers, were also
bound over to observe the above ordinances.
Membr. 12 b
Thomas Ingelond of Newcastle and Walter de Shyrewode
were attached by the Mayor for joining in an affray, and not
being able to find mainprise were committed to prison until etc.
John Poul of Pistoja, who was attached by his body at the
suit of Vannus Cambin, Lombard, in an action of debt, was
mainprised by William de Eynesham and Bartholomew Myne
for his appearance on Friday after Easter. On 15 July he was
committed to prison as his sureties wished to withdraw.
9 April 1365
William atte Ram, one of the masters of the tawyers, was
mainprised by Stephen Daubeneye and Thomas de Leuesham, pelters, to observe the ordinances of the mistery and to
report his servants, if recalcitrant.
John Hoppere, who was responsible for summoning the
servants of the tawyers to Horssedoune, and Richard Lorymere were bound over for their good behaviour.
Thomas de Athelby undertook to pay the Chamberlain
half-a-mark on behalf of William Querdelyng, tawyer, for the
latter's first offence against the recent statute (fn. 8) , the said
William having cut off the heads of beasts when carrying out
work for John Devenyssh.
John Beek, who was detained in prison for selling a chape
(chapam) (fn. 9) of tyn for 20d on a warranty that it was of silver, paid
back the 20d and was released on swearing not to offend again.
2 April 1365
Joan Gade came into court and charged William Beneyt,
fuller, with having killed their son, and with using threats to
her, though he had previously promised to marry her. The
said William, being summoned, produced the boy alive in
court. The woman then asked that the man should find
sureties for keeping the peace, which he did forthwith, viz.
Nicholas Potyn and Walter Parker. The man made a similar
demand as regards the woman, and as she was unable to find
mainpernors she was committed to prison, where she remained till 30 April, when Thomas de Claveryng, saddler,
and John Tiryngton, mason, mainprised her.
Membr. 13
15 May 1365
Matilda Polter, Sarra Corby, Isabel Cartere, Isabel Blontes,
Matilda Launder, Joan Stormy, Joan Shepstere and Idonia
Passemer were committed to Newgate for an affray in Hoiborn, and to answer a charge of trespass preferred by John
Hamond of Acton, Agnes his wife and Thomas his son. The
above women were mainprised on 19 May to keep the peace
and pay fines.
16 May 1365
Richard Bernard, taverner, was committed to Newgate for
drawing blood from Roger Cartere contrary to the statute.
Roger Cartere was mainprised by William de Essex,
draper, and Nicholas Ploket to hear the verdict of an inquest
on Friday the morrow of the Ascension.
Membr. 13 b
10 Jan. 1365
John de Wallyngford, carpenter, was attached to answer a
charge of having removed William Barbour of Hackney, an
apprentice, from the service of John de Hakeneye of Crokedelane in Candlewick Street together with certain goods and
chattels.
Both parties put themselves on the country, but afterwards,
on 15 Jan., prayed licence to concord. Thereupon the de
fendant and his wife Matilda, who was formerly the wife
of John de Tywe of Hackney, explained to the Mayor and
Aldermen that a negotiation (locucio) had taken place between
Matilda, when she was trading sole, and the said John de
Hakeneye as to putting Richard [sic], son of Bartholomew
Barbour, as apprentice to the said John for a term of ten
years from Christmas 1358, on the strength of which the said
John had prepared and sealed two indentures of apprenticeship and had had them enrolled at the Guildhall without the
knowledge of the said Matilda and in deception of the court.
The plaintiff admitted the truth of this. The defendants
therefore asked that the said Richard might be discharged
from his apprenticeship. The indentures were accordingly
ordered to be cancelled. John de Hakeneye paid damages to
the defendants and was mainprised by Robert atte Noke to
come up for judgment.
17 May 1365
Thomas Kynggeston, knight, brought a bill of complaint
to the effect that Peter Bouche, his vadlet
(fn. 10) , had in his absence
delivered his grey hunter (courcier gresel), value £40, to John
Wodebury at Calais, and when he, the complainant, asked the
said John in Cheap to restore the horse to him, the defendant
promised to do so on payment of 16 marks and reasonable
costs, but subsequently refused to give up the horse. [French]
The said John Wodebury, having heard the bill read and
being asked how he wished to acquit himself thereof, denied
that he had promised to give up the horse on the terms stated
and waged his law to that effect. He was mainprised by
Richard de Preston and Thomas Brakenberugh to make his
law on Monday the Feast of St Dunstan [19 May]. On the day
mentioned he made his law in the form in which he had
waged it. Judgment that the plaintiff take nothing by his
plaint and that the defendant go quit.
Nicholas Picket, merchant of London, recovered against
Outrum Cryke of Deft (fn. 11) , merchant of Brabant, and his
partners the sum of 30s for his expenses in travelling from
London to Wales (fn. 12) in accordance with agreements concerning
wool and cloth. The money being paid in court, the agreements were cancelled and remained in the file of Adam de
Bury, Mayor, for the 39th year of the present reign.
Membr. 14
18 March 1365
William de Essex, draper, complained to the Mayor and
Aldermen of a certain cloth of Blankett, purchased from
Custance Juwel, which was so defective that he could not offer
it for sale, and he desired that the good men appointed to
survey defects of this kind might view the cloth and decide
with whom the fault lay. Accordingly the cloth was viewed
and the fault was adjudged to lie with Geoffrey de Wockyng,
the fuller, who was thereupon condemned to pay the complainant £7 and take over the cloth.
28 May 1365
A concord was made in full court between Thomas de
Notyngham, vallettus
(fn. 13) of Isabella (fn. 14) , daughter of the King, and
Thomas Trig, fishmonger, in an action of trespass.
26 May 1365
Simon de Lincoln, pelter, was committed to Newgate for
bribing John de Rothewell, tawyer, to hand over to him
divers pieces of greywerk
(fn. 15) , left with the said John for the
purpose of tawing, for which he substituted inferior goods
of no value, to the defrauding and impoverishment of the
Skinners. On 18 July he was released by the Mayor, at the
instance of the Skinners, on promising to conduct himself
better in future. Meanwhile the aforesaid John, who had been
attached for his share in the fraud, fled to sanctuary in the
church of St Martin le Grand.
30 May 1365
John, Count de Harcourt (fn. 16) , came into court to prove that
a certain gold nouche set with stones, found in the custody of
Gillemyh de Nerny, Lombard, who said he bought it from
John Lapy of Florence for 20 marks, was his own property.
He declared that the said jewel was eloigned by Mariota
Convers, who admitted in court that it belonged to the Count.
As the Count had originally pledged the jewel for £12, he
paid that sum to Gillemyn to have it back, and Mariota was
adjudged to pay Gillemyn 7 marks (for the loss of his bargain),
for which she gave pledges of equal value.
26 May 1365
Robert de Appelby, the King's Serjeant-at-arms, came into
court and certified that he had sold to Richard de Prestone (fn. 17)
of London a moiety of a ship called "le Thomas de Caleys"
Nicholas Bethewar, pelter, recovered against Bartholomew
Mestwhale, weaver, the sum of 4s 6d for faulty weaving of a
cloth, as certified in court by the four masters elected to
survey defects of cloth.
Membr. 14 b
9 May 1365
Writ, dated at Westminster 9 May 1365, to the Mayor and
Sheriffs as custodes pacis in the City of London, enjoining
them to take mainprise for the good behaviour of Giles
Pikeman, John Waldeshef and Robert Turk towards John, son
of Nicholas Horn, fishmonger, which John was plaintiff in
divers actions against the said Giles, John and Robert.
Return, giving the names of Andrew Pikeman and Thomas
Clench as mainpernors.
12 May 1365
Similar writ, dated 12 May, on behalf of Robert Turk
against John Horn, and return giving the names of John Rous
and Geoffrey Denny, fishmongers, as Horn's mainpernors.
11 June 1365
Thomas Sherman and John le Soutere, boteres
(fn. 18) , were committed to prison for casting mud and rushes into the Thames.
The same day they were released on mainprise of Robert
Treweman and Walter de Lodeneye to appear in court when
required and to make their contribution (ponere contribudonem), like other sellers of rushes (huxsteres cirporum),
towards cleansing the river from rubbish.
Alice de Perers (fn. 19) came in person and sued Richard de Kent,
stockfishmonger, for the return of 200 marks which she had
lent to him on Monday after the Feast of the Annunciation
B.M. [25 March] in the parish of St Mary Montenaut, to be
repaid at Pentecost. The defendant admitted the debt and
was committed to prison until etc. Afterwards on 10 July the
above Alice consented to his release.
21 June 1365
Adam Carlhill, draper, Harvey Lyndraper of Candlewick
Street, John Stoket, fuller, Richard Berkamsted, fuller, John
Gyle, weaver, and Richard Alsted, weaver, elected to present
defects in the fulling, weaving and measuring of cloths, came
before the Mayor and Aldermen and testified that three
cloths, viz. two plunkets and one blanket belonging to Dunstan Harcherigge, draper, had been damaged to the extent of
20s when fulled by William Motishunte, and also that the
cloths had shrunk four ells, at 4s 6d the ell, which loss they
put down to Robert Vynour from whom the cloths were
bought. Judgments for those amounts were given against
the said William and Robert.
Membr. 15
June 1365
John de Melbourne, spicer, was summoned to answer the
King and William de Wyndesore (fn. 20) , knight, for refusing to pay
a sum of money in which he and Robert le Parker had bound
themselves as sureties for Roger de Chestrefeld. The plaintiff
alleged that he, the plaintiff, had drawn money from the
King's Treasury to provide men-at-arms and archers for the
war against the rebels in Ireland and had retained the services
of the said Roger de Chestrefeld and three archers, whose
wages he had paid on condition of their finding sureties that
they would accompany the plaintiff to Ireland. Roger and
the archers had neither gone to Ireland nor sent substitutes,
and accordingly he claimed the penalties in the bond from the
said John, who was one of the sureties.
The defendant admitted that he had been a surety and put
himself on the mercy of the King and the plaintiff. He was
committed to prison until he reimbursed the plaintiff for his
outlay and paid a fine to the King.
16 June 1365
John Wynselowe, hostytter
(fn. 21) , and Alice his wife, executrix
of the will of Henry Sket, were committed to prison till they
paid the sum of £24 due to Joan and Anne, the testator's
daughters. Afterwards they were mainprised by William.
Whetele, cordwainer.
Margaret la Garnystere brought an action of trespass
against Agnes, widow of Thomas Bagge of Southampton, for
detaining Marion, the plaintiff's servant, who had been lent
to her at Midlent [23 March] this year to work at embroidery
until Easter day [13 April], the plaintiff at the same time
borrowing half-a-mark to be repaid at Easter.
The defendant pleaded that the servant was lent to her for
a whole year and was now at Southampton, but that she was
willing to produce her in court. A day was given her to do so,
and the girl was brought up. The defendant then declared
that she was prepared to give her up if the plaintiff would
make her law to the effect that she only lent her until Easter.
Thereupon the plaintiff made her law and recovered her
servant, after which she paid to the defendant the half-mark
owed to her.
Membr. 15 b
11 June 1365
Thomas Bastard of co. Essex was summoned to answer
John Gace, tiler, for detaining a horse, value 30s, which he
had hired from him for the purpose of riding to Canterbury
and back.
The defendant admitted having hired a horse, but not of
the value named, which horse had been warranted sound and
capable of work, but when it had been ridden as far as
Shyngledewelle (fn. 22) by a woman who was an invalid, it could go
no farther owing to divers diseases from which it suffered,
and being left in charge of a certain John Thoplech the animal
died of an accidental disease (morbo casuali) (fn. 23) . The defendant
had in consequence been forced to hire another horse to
Canterbury and further horses from Canterbury to London
at a cost of 10s, besides having to pay 4d for damage done to
a wall by the sick horse. He prayed judgment whether under
the circumstances the plaintiff could have any action against
him.
The plaintiff replied that the horse had died, not from any
accidental disease, but because it had been ridden too hard
and too fast, and he offered to verify his pleading in any way
the Court should direct. The defendant offered to do the
same.
Thereupon the Mayor, with the consent of the parties, sent
one of his serjeants to Sir Peter de Lacy, clerk of the Prince
of Wales and Aquitaine, who lived in the neighbourhood
where the horse died, to obtain a certificate under the seals
of the good men of the township of Shyngledewelle as to the
real cause of the animal's death. In course of time Sir Peter
sent a certificate (French) under the seals of twenty-four good
and lawful men of the township, viz. Richard de Ifeld, John
Walkelate, Henry Joskyn, John Sartre, John Grower, John
Toplych, John Wynnegold and others, to the effect that on
Whit Monday the defendant left a horse—a hackney redschetelhered and bauscyn
(fn. 24) —at the house of John Walkelate,
and afterwards delivered it to John Thoplich to keep until his
return from Canterbury, but that the horse died the same day
suddenly and without any external sign of an evil blow or
sickness upon him (saunz ascune playe mal ou maladie qe
homme poet veer de hors sur le dit hakeneye). The certificate
having been read in court, the defendant appeared by his
attorney Ralph de Tendryngg, but the plaintiff did not come
to prosecute his plaint. Judgment was given that the plaintiff
and his pledges be in mercy and that the defendant go thence
without a day. Note that the certificate remains among the
Memoranda of Adam de Bury, Mayor.
14 June 1365
William Baldewyne, tanner, entered into a bond of £100
to the Commonalty that he would not in future rear (nutriat)
pigs in the City (fn. 25) . He also paid a fine of 20s and was given a
week in which to remove his pigs from the City.
Membr. 16
22 July 1365
John Welued, clerk, was committed to Newgate for an
affray made against the clerks of the Bishop of London within
the boundaries (limistes) of St Paul's and the Bishop's Palace.
He was mainprised by John Whyte to keep the peace.
15 July 1365
Nicholas Sarduche, Lombard, John Donat, Bartholomew
Myne and Francis Barthelmeu undertook to produce Thomas
Serlandi, merchant of Lucca, in court within two months to
render account to Andrew Pentatore, merchant of Lucca,
for 30,000 scudi of Flanders, each surety being bound in £1000
to render account himself, in the event of the said Thomas
not appearing or dying in the meantime (vel ab hac luce
decedere). Afterwards on 10 Sept. Gelinus Moriconi, Lombard, took the place of the above Nicholas as surety.
24 July 1365
Katherine van Ordyngham, huxtere, was committed to
prison during the pleasure of the Mayor for drawing blood
from the constable of Dowgate Ward and beating the beadle
of the Ward.
26 July 1365
William Mas, dyer, was committed to Newgate at the suit
of Richard Vynter for damaging a cloth in the bleaching (in
uno panno blecchiato) to the extent of 26s.
Membr 16 b
4 Aug. 1365
A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber
of the Guildhall on Monday after the Feast of St
Peter
ad Vincula [1 Aug.]
Henry, son of Ralph de Cauntebrigge, brings a plaint of
Intrusion against Sibil, wife of the said Ralph, and Robert
Beauchamp as regards his free tenement in the parish of
St Christopher.
Memorandum that John de Seylyngham, who married the
widow of John le Chaundeler, was ordered to appear on
Monday after the octave of St Michael [29 Sept.] to account
for the sum of £300 formerly belonging to the deceased, and
to find security for the latter's children. He was mainprised
in the meantime by John de Barton, vintner, and Henry de
Sutton, coroner.
Henry Sturry, baker, bakes bread in the county of Middlesex, because he is unwilling to be of the Halimote (fn. 26) of the
Bakers in the City of London; and he makes false and underweight bread. He was therefore committed to Newgate until
etc. Afterwards, 26 Aug., Richard Andrew, brewer, Thomas
de Kent, fishmonger, William Aylmar, weaver, and Roger
atte More, brewer, entered into a bond to pay to the Commonalty the sum of £10, if the said Henry were in future discovered selling false bread or sending bread which was not
sealed (fn. 27) to the City for sale.
William Aunger of Iseldon was attached to answer the
King and John de Briklesworth, Common Serjeant of the
City, who prosecuted for the King and the Commonalty, on a
charge of having come to the common cornmarket held on the
pavement within Newgate, and there given 12d for a bushel
of corn when the price was commonly 10½d, for the purpose
of creating a shortage of corn. The defendant pleaded not
guilty and put himself on the verdict of a jury, which found
him not guilty. He was acquitted.
21 Aug. 1365
William Strete of Southall was charged with conspiring
with the above William Aunger to enhance the price of corn,
but as he was a man of good fame and well vouched by reputable men in the City and Middlesex, he was merely
examined. It was found as the result of questioning that
neither he nor William had any knowledge of each other.
Accordingly the defendant was mainprised by Simon de
Benyngton and Hugh de Horewode for his good behaviour
and was further sworn to give information of any dishonesty
or collusion to raise the price of corn, which he might discover.
10 Sept. 1365
John Bonmarche, William Houghton, Hugh atte Chirche,
William Essex and William Draycote, drapers, mainprised
John de Norhampton to keep the peace with William Morton.
21 Aug. 1365
Katherine Frowe was committed to Newgate for assaulting
the constable and beadle of Dowgate Ward.
Membr. 17
14 Sept. 1365
Pleas of the Chamber held before the Mayor and Aldermen on 14 Sept. A
o 39 Edw. III [1365]
Edmund Lord of Candlewickstreet Ward brought a bill of
complaint against John Fraunceys, cordwainer, of Clement's
Lane, whom he charged with having drawn a knife called a
"broche" against the plaintiff's wife, Joan, and with having
beaten her so. as to cause a miscarriage, the cause of the
quarrel being that Joan had demanded payment of 18½d from
Emma, the defendant's wife, who also had attempted to
assault her, and had used villainous language to her (despisa
& aresona la dite Johane vileynement). [French]
The defendant appeared by attachment and admitted the
assault and drawing the knife (for which he paid a fine of
half-a-mark to the Chamber) but denied having caused the
miscarriage, and on this charge he put himself on the country;
and the plaintiff did likewise. The jury found him guilty of
the matters which he had confessed, but not guilty of causing
the miscarriage, so far as they could ascertain among themselves. He was accordingly set free.
23 Sept. 1365
Thomas de Helles, squire of the Earl of Mar, was mainprised by Robert de Witton, draper, and John de Tilneye to
produce a certain book by the Feast of All Saints, on account
of which William Stole was claiming 20s.
24 Sept. 1365
Nicholas Cook of Bury, girdler, recovered in court his
servant, John de Reygate, who had left his service without
permission, as the bailiffs and good men of Bury testified by
certificate. And because the said John refused to serve him,
he was committed to Newgate, as well as for a debt of 60s due
on a bond. The bond was cancelled. Afterwards on 28 Jan.
1367 the plaintiff agreed that John de Reygate should be
liberated from Newgate.
The above Nicholas charged Ralph Fyffede, girdler, with
taking away his servant, John de Reygate, contrary to the
statute. The defendant denied the charge and put himself
on his country, whereupon the plaintiff declared that if the
plaintiff was willing to swear, he would allow him to clear
himself with the third hand (fn. 28) . Accordingly on 25 Sept. the
defendant made his law that he did not entice the said John
from his master's service. He was acquitted and the plaintiff
was in mercy for a false plaint.
23 Sept. 1365
Nicholas Tounman, Thomas de Cantebrigge, Robert
Cardemakere and John de Wermenstre were committed to
Newgate for breaking the pavement of the King's highway
without Newgate. Thereupon came the Friars Minors, who
said that these persons were their servants and that they took
up the pavement to mend the channel of their conduit, in
accordance with a royal charter empowering them to examine
the course of their water whenever necessary. The Friars
asked that their servants might be released on mainprise; and
David Husk, William Joye, plomer, Robert Cardemakere and
Peter Colbrond were accepted by the court as sureties for
their appearance. The Friars were also ordered to submit their
charter to the court.
Membr. 17 b
12 Sep. 15 Oct. 1365
Names of those who were put in the Tun (fn. 29) between 12 Sept.
and 15 Oct., for being nightwalkers and persons of bad
character, and were released next day on mainprise, among
whom were Hankyn Taverner; William Cornewaille, tailor
(mainprised by John Chauucer and Philip Herlawe); John,
servant of Ralph Gubbe, stockfishmonger; John Wygeton,
tailor; John Sewale and Robert Ivet, corsours
(fn. 30) ; John Roche
and James atte Leghe, tailors; Nicholas Colon (mainprised by
Nicholas Pays, joygnour, and John Roket, cooper); Hanekyn
Yongehere; Herman van Soust; Hankyn van Akene, tailor;
John Wylkyn, schoutman
(fn. 31) ; Alexander Whappelode and Alice
Middeherst; John de York, cordwainer, and Matilda Say.
3 Oct. 1365
Richard de Berdefeld, rector of the Church of Wolchirchehawe, was mainprised by William Russell and William
Develyn to keep the peace with John Coursi, chaplain.
Membr. 18
26 Aug. 1365
Memorandum that on 26 Aug. Thomas le Northerne,
vintner, certified before the Mayor and Aldermen that he had
sold to Richard de Preston and John Maykyn a ship formerly
called "la Marye de Boloygne," but at the time of the sale
known as "Notre Dame de Londres," and that he had received
the purchase money.
19 July 1365
Richard Aleyn, pinner, brought a bill complaining that,
whereas he held a shop and other tenements in the parish of
St. Bride in Fleet Street on a lease from John Hauberger for
the lifetime of Edward Borward, the lessor undertaking to
keep the premises in repair, a portion of the premises had
been allowed to fall down since the death of the lessor, and
the executors had refused to make it good. [French]
The Court thereupon ordered Thomas de St Albans,
serjeant of the Chamber, to summon Thomas Wynter and
Eustachia his wife, executrix of John Hauberger, to answer
the plaintiff in a plea of covenant. The defendants appeared
and pleaded that they had fully administered the goods of the
testator and that at the time of the levying of the plaint they
had no goods and chattels of the deceased in their hands,
which they offered to verify etc. The plaintiff answered that
they had enough at that time to carry out the repairs and
offered to verify it by a jury. On this issue, a jury found for
the defendants, and judgment was given that they go quit.
Membr. 18 b
15 Sept. 1365
Pleas held before Adam de Bury, Mayor, William de
Halden, Recorder, and the Justices for Gaol Delivery
of Newgate, 15 Sept. Ao 39 Edw. III [1365]
Robert Leddrede was attached to answer the King in a
plea of contempt etc. wherein John Chamberleyn, who sued
for the King, complained that the defendant received 26s 8d
from John de Wodele, a prisoner indicted of divers felonies,
by the hands of Adam Farnham, which sum was in part payment of 40s promised by the prisoner to the defendant for
embracing (fn. 32) a jury of the venue of Holborn to acquit him—
contrary to the Statute against embracers (embraciatores). The
defendant pleaded that he received the money from the said
Adam as a loan, which he was ready to verify. A jury of the
venue of Newgate was summoned and the defendant was
mainprised by Richard Clerk and Richard de Wytton. The
jury found that the money was received for the purpose of
embracery and not as a loan. [Breaks off.]
23 Sept. 1365
Pleas held before the Mayor, Recorder and Justices for
Gaol Delivery of Newgate on 23 Sept. Ao 39 Edw. III
[1365]
Henry Dymnel was attached to answer the King and Robert
Raven in a plea of contempt and trespass, wherein the said
Robert, who sued for the King and himself, charged the defendant with three acts of embracery, contrary to what was
ordained by the common council (commune consilium) of the
Realm: firstly, that in the 37th year of King Edward III in
the parish of St Sepulchre without Newgate he took £10 from
John Ismongere by the hands of William Colyn to procure
and maintain an Assize of Freshforce against the King;
secondly, that in the same year he took 4 marks from Thomas
Whitechirche, cordwainer, to embrace and procure a jury to
give a verdict for the said Thomas against Gilbert le Clerk in
a plea begun by a writ de mahemio
(fn. 33) ; and thirdly, that he took
20s from Alice de Stanton by the hands of William de Harewedon to embrace and maintain a jury to give a verdict for
the said Alice against Robert de Combe in a plea of dower in
the Husting. Both parties submitted the matter to a jury,
which found, as regards the first charge, that the accused did
not receive the money as alleged. He was acquitted thereof.
As regards the second charge, the jury found that he received
the money for the purpose named, but that no inquest was
held, the parties having come to terms meanwhile, and that
moreover he received the money before the Statute. As regards the third charge, it was true that he received the money
after the Statute, but it was in a plea moved before the
Statute. The case was adjourned that the Court might consult
as to judgment, and the defendant was mainprised by John
de Worstede, mercer, and Elyas de Thorpe, skinner, to come
up etc. Afterwards on Monday in the quindene of Easter the
said Henry Dymenel paid John de Cauntbrigge 50s in court
for the aforesaid contempt by judgment of the Court.
13 Sept. 1365
Nicholas Bethewar, skinner, was committed to prison for
opprobrious words spoken to the Mayor in court; and John
Brugge, his servant, was fined 40d payable to the Commonalty
and 40d payable to the mistery of Skinners for beating skins
in the highway contrary to the ordinance of the said mistery.
Both persons were also sentenced to four days imprisonment,
as more fully appears in the said ordinance.
Membr. 19
25 Sept. 1365
Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on
25 Sept. Ao 39 Edw. III [1365]
William de Whetele, cordwainer, was summoned to answer
John de Wynselowe and Alice his wife, executrix of Henry
Sket, cordwainer, in a plea that he render them an account
of 70 dozens of white prepared leather (sexaginta & decem
duodena de albo aluto) (fn. 34) , value £40, and thirteen quaternions
of black prepared leather (undecim & duo quaterna de nigro
aluto), value 30s, and other hides of black oxhide and cowhide fully prepared for making boots and shoes, value £30,
all of which he had received from her, when she was sole, to
trade therewith on her behalf, and to render account to her,
which he now refused to do.
The defendant pleaded that he never received any hides on
such terms, but that immediately after the death of the abovementioned Henry Sket, he purchased from the widow, the
plaintiff Alice, oxhide and cowhide to the value of £29, which
sum he paid in cash except £9 8s 11d, for which he gave a
tally. Subsequently he paid that sum, by the plaintiffs' instructions, to a certain John Canoun, who was a creditor of
the late Henry Sket, and the tally was thereupon cancelled.
Both parties put themselves on the country, but the plaintiffs
afterwards withdrew from their action. Judgment that they
and their pledges be in mercy and that the defendant go
thence without a day.
John de Storteford, baker, was attached to answer a charge
of trespass, to wit, that he had broken the doors and entered
by force and arms into the house of Nicholas Mate, messager
(fn. 35)
of the Earl of Warwick, against the King's peace, and carried
away two quarters of wheat, value 14s 4d (fn. 36) . Both parties put
themselves on the verdict of a jury, which found the defendant guilty and assessed damages at 30s. The defendant
was committed to prison till he paid that amount. On 25 Nov.
John de Donmowe, baker, undertook to pay part of the
damages, and the prisoner was released.
Membr. 19 b
8 Oct. 1365
John atte Ree and Robert de Berkyng, beadle, entered into
a bond with the Commonalty in £40 that the said John would
cease to play with false dice and that he would inform the
Mayor and officers of the City if he found others using them.
3 Oct. 1365
Gosselin Coyere of Brussels was attached to answer John
Cook in a plea of debt, wherein the latter complained that the
defendant had refused to pay him £40, being the balance of
£80 due for wool bought by him in London. The defendant
acknowledged non-payment, but pleaded that owing to bad
packing (paccura) the wool was found by the brokers and
merchants to be defective when it arrived in Brussels, and
accordingly he had retained the money until the judges and
merchants of Brussels should decide whether the plaintiff
ought to make good the wool or not. He declared further
that the plaintiff had come to him and agreed that he should
retain the £40 if the judges at Brussels decided in his favour,
and that the judges had so decided. He prayed judgment
whether, under the circumstances, the plaintiff ought to have
any action against him.
The plaintiff replied that he had made no such agreement
with the defendant and that he had never submitted himself
to the discretion of the judges of Brussels. He offered to make
his law on this point, which was allowed him (fn. 37) . Thereupon he
made his law immediately. Judgment was given that he
recover the sum claimed and that the defendant be committed
to Newgate until etc.
14 Oct. 1365
Richard de Berdefeld, parson of the Church of St Mary
Wollecherchehawe, was committed to prison for refusing to
find sureties that he would not prosecute plaints overseas at
Avignon in matters affecting the King's power and dignity.
Membr. 20
6 Oct. 1365
John de Oxenford, piebaker, was attached to answer
William de Dewesbury, tailor, in a plea of trespass wherein
the latter complained that the defendant had unlawfully
ejected (fn. 38) him from a shop in the parish of St Michael atte
Corne, which shop the plaintiff held by sublease from Elias
Devenysshe, who held it for a term of ten years from John de
Kenyngton, clerk.
The defendant pleaded that the shop had been sublet without the consent of the landlord, and that the first lease falling
in, owing to the rent being in arrears, the landlord had reentered and had then granted the property in fee to the defendant and his assigns.
The plaintiff answered that the sublease had been granted
with the consent of the landlord and that no rent was in
arrears when the latter resumed possession.
The issue as to arrears was submitted to a jury, which found
that no rent was in arrears and that the plaintiff suffered
damage by ejection to the value of 6s 8d. Judgment was given
that the plaintiff should have his term in the shop and recover his damages. The defendant paid in court.
Richard de Berdefeld, parson of the Church of St Mary
Wolcherchehawe, was attached to answer John Coursy of
Newenton, chaplain, in a plea of trespass, wherein the latter
complained that on 12 June the defendant assaulted him in
the Rectory with a sword.
The defendant pleaded that the plaintiff was. his servant,
occupying a room in the Rectory, and had assaulted him in
the hall in the middle of the night, whereupon he had ordered
the plaintiff either to go to his room or to leave the hall, and
on the latter refusing and assaulting him again he had drawn
his sword to defend himself. Both parties put themselves on
the country, which found the defendant guilty and assessed
the damages at 12d. Judgment was given for that amount,
which was paid in court. In addition, the defendant was committed to Newgate till he paid the Commonalty a fine of halfa-mark for drawing his sword.
Membr. 21
4 Oct. 1365
Membr. 21 b
John de Cauntebrigg, the City Chamberlain, showed to the
Mayor and Aldermen that whereas for a long time there had
been a bitter feeling between Richard de Berdefeld, parson of
St Mary Wollecherchehawe, and John de Ikelyngham, John
Lovekyn, junior, and other parishioners of the same church,
they had agreed on 17 March 1363 to submit to the arbitration of the Mayor and Aldermen assembled in the church, as
a result of which they had consented to forget all their differences against each other up to that day, and each party had
bound itself to pay the sum of £10 to the Chamber of Guildhall and a like sum to the parish, if it were convicted of
raising an unreasonable quarrel in the future; the said agreement being placed on record. The Chamberlain, who was
told to offer some specific reason why the aforesaid parson
should incur the penalty of £10 to the City, proceeded to
show that on the Feast of the Assumption [15 Aug.] the aforesaid John de Ikelyngham, John Lovekyn and other parishioners
were in the belfry seeing what repairs were necessary, when
the said Richard entered the belfry by force and arms and
assaulted them, thus rendering himself liable to the penalty.
Accordingly the parson was summoned to show cause against
paying the fine. After some delay he made his defence to the
effect that, as to his going vi et armis and against the King's
peace on the occasion mentioned, he was not guilty, and
thereon he put himself on the country. He added that John
de Ikelyngham and the others had taken four of his torches
and carried them lighted into the top of the belfry and were
wasting the wax when he appeared on the scene and politely
(corde benignissimo) asked them to extinguish the torches,
whereupon the said John and the others set upon him with
knives and took him by the throat, and in self-defence he
shook them off his neck, so that if they received any hurt it
was due to their own assault. He prayed judgment as to
whether there was any wrong (aliqua injuria) in that. Both
parties put themselves on the country, which found the
parson guilty of committing a trespass by his own malice, and
the Court gave judgment that the Chamberlain recover from
him the sum of £10 to the use of the Commonalty and that
he be committed to prison until he pay.
Membr. 22
A record of similar proceedings taken at the instance of
William Avenant and William de Chipstede, Churchwardens
of St Mary Wollecherchehawe, whereby they recovered the
penalty payable to the parish.
Membr. 22 b
14 Oct. 1365
John Wynselowe was committed to prison for the sum of
£10—part of £24 bequeathed by Henry Sket to his daughters
Amice and Joan, which money had come into the hands of
the said John. For the balance of £14 he deposited pledges in
the Chamber of the Guildhall until etc.