ROLL A 11
Membr. 1
John Lovekyn, Mayor
3 Feb. 1366
Writ of certiorari, demanding the tenor of the indictment
made before Adam de Bury, late Mayor, and Simon de
Mordon and John de Mitford, late Sheriffs, against William
Stachisden, fishmonger, and others for a trespass against
Giles Pykeman, fishmonger. Dated at Westminster 3 Feb.
Ao 40 Edw. III [1365-6].
Note that a return was made.
4 Feb. 1366
Thomas atte Noket and Thomas Faunt, administrators of
the goods and chattels of William Credel, were summoned to
answer John Devenissh, Robert Corn, fellmonger, and Henry
Erode, skinner, in a plea of debt, wherein it was alleged that
the said William Credel had bound himself on 9 June 1355 to
the plaintiffs in the sum of £20, which had never been paid.
The administrators pleaded in defence that they had
already administered all the property of the deceased before
the levying of the plaint with the exception of £50 bequeathed
to two of the deceased's sons who were minors, for the payment of which they had found security in the Chamber. Each
party asked for judgment on the ground that the other had
not denied the truth of the pleadings. Afterwards on Friday
after the Feast of St Valentine the Mayor and Aldermen held
an inquest ex officio as to whether the administrators still held
any property not administered. The jury found that they had
no such property except the £50 abovementioned, for which
they had given security to satisfy the legatees, as appears in
Letter Book G, fo. clvii. As it seemed to the Court that common
justice (commune jus) demanded the payment of the testator's
debts before everything else, judgment was given for the
plaintiffs, and at the same time the defendants and their
sureties were exonerated, as regards the £20, from paying
that sum to the children when they came of age.
Membr. 1 b
John Bryd, draper, complained by bill that John Kirkeby,
draper, had enticed away his apprentice, John Robyn, two
years ago, at a time when the plaintiff was unfortunately
living within the precinct of St Martin le Grand (fn. 1) . He claimed
40 marks damages. [French]
The defendant appeared on summons and pleaded that the
apprentice had been exonerated from his indentures two
years before, as the result of an action of covenant which he
had brought against his master, and in proof of this allegation
he produced the record and process of the action before John
Nott, then Mayor. As the plaintiff had no answer to this
document, judgment was given for the defendant.
Membr. 2
12 Feb. 1366
John de Erdele, serjeant of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, brought a bill of complaint against Thomas de
Grantham, to the effect that the latter, who had leased to him
a messuage in Billingsgate from Michaelmas 1360 for a term
of 20 years, immediately afterwards ejected him. [French]
The defendant pleaded not guilty. A verdict in his favour
was given by a jury. Judgment that he go quit and that the
plaintiff be in mercy for a false plaint.
10 March 1366
Thomas de Norhampton, carpenter, complained by bill
that, whereas he had covenanted to serve John de Bukstede,
tymbermongere, for one whole year, and had been unable to
fulfil his covenant owing to an injury in his left hand, his
master retained 4s due to him as well as his clothes. He
prayed the Mayor to order the said John to give him satisfaction. [French]
Both parties having been summoned, the master agreed to
pay the money and restore the clothes, and the Court exonerated the complainant from further service.
26 Feb. 1366
Robert Worcester, skinner, and John Cook of Baldeswell
abjured the game of dicing and promised never to play in
future in deception of the people.
Membr. 2 b
19 March 1366
Godescalcus Sadeler, merchant of Almaine, brought a bill
of complaint to the effect that he had bought 13 barrels of
woad from John de Pikenham, which woad lay in the cellars
of Geoffrey de Ditton. As soon as the bargain was made and
Geoffrey had handed over the keys, the plaintiff had put his
mark on the woad. But afterwards; when he went to see his
woad, he found that the lock had been forced and that two of
the barrels had been removed by the said Geoffrey, to his
damage £100. [French]
The defendant Geoffrey, who appeared on summons next
day, pleaded that long before the alleged sale the vendor John
owed him and another person the sum of £71 and had deposited the woad in his premises as security for the debt, and
that the plaintiff had acquired the key by showing a false
token to his servant. As the plaintiff refused to return the key,
he had broken open the door, taken out two casks and placed
them in premises nearby as security for the debt. He demanded judgment whether any action lay against him
personally.
The plaintiff protested that he did not admit that the casks
of woad had been deposited as security or that there was any
debt as alleged. The defendant, he asserted, had let the
premises to John de Pikenham, who had informed him of the
sale and asked that the key should be handed over to the
plaintiff, and the key had been duly handed over by the defendant's servant in the Ropery. He prayed that the matter
might be inquired into by the country; and the defendant did
the same. Thereupon the plaintiff claimed that as he was a
foreigner, a moiety of the jury should consist of merchants of
Almaine. Accordingly a jury drawn from the Ropery and
foreign merchants (fn. 2) was empanelled as follows: Richard Cras,
William Aumesbury, John Bradle, William, Chaundeler,
Andrew Yerdele, Hugh Skynnere, Henry Brok, Godescalcus
Cameshed, Aluin Wynter, John Benynghof, Gurrod Myneshaghen and John Pette. Their verdict was in accordance with
the plaintiff's pleadings and they valued the two casks at £28.
Judgment was given that the plaintiff recover the two casks
or their value and damages taxed at 6s 8d and that the de
fendant be in mercy. The plaintiff remitted the damages in
court.
23 March 1366
Pleas held before the Mayor and Aldermen in the
Chamber of the Guildhall on Monday before the Annunciation B.M. [25 March] A
o 40 Edw. III [1365–6]
Thomas Bunny brought a bill to the following effect: In
June 1362 he had bound himself by an indenture to serve a
certain Thomas Rose, sheder
(fn. 3) , for four years. During this
term his master sold his estate in the complainant (vendist
lestat qe il avoit en le dit Thomas) to one Joan Hunt, who kept
stews on the far side of London Bridge (fn. 4) . This woman set
the complainant to all manner of grievous work, such as
carrying water in tynes
(fn. 5) , and while thus employed he fell
down and received a permanent injury. Further, she incited
a certain Bernard, who was then her paramour, to beat and
ill-treat him, and when he fell sick from ill-usage she turned
him out of the establishment (myst hors de sa compaignye) to
his great damage. Later, when he was able to work a little,
his mistress wanted him to return and carry out his covenant,
but she was unwilling to make amends herself. He prayed a
remedy. [French]
The said Joan having been summoned and being unable to
deny the truth of the bill, the Court adjudged that the complainant should be exonerated from his service and that
neither Joan nor her executors should have any further claim
on him.
Membr. 3
15 April 1366
Membr. 3 b
William Beneyt, William de Berkhamsted, William Bedel,
John de Woubourne, John de Wykhale, William Moteshunt,
William Wermenstre, Nicholas de Tamworth, William Stoket,
Richard Hay, Gilbert Spencer, Nicholas de Morton, John
Broun and Elias atte Plotte, master-fullers, and Richard de
Cornewaill, Richard Fyssh and John Sheme, journeymenfullers, were attached to answer the King and the Commonalty
of the City of London in a plea of contempt and trespass.
John de Wentebrigg, Common Serjeant of the City, who sued
for the King and the Commonalty, declared that whereas
hitherto it had been many times ordained and publicly proclaimed that no one of whatsoever condition should presume
to make covins, congregations, leagues, confederacies or
affrays in the City or suburbs to the infringement of the King's
peace and the commotion of the common people, under
penalty of imprisonment of their bodies and a heavy fine to
the King, nevertheless the defendants on Sunday [12 April]
the morrow of the close of Easter (fn. 6) assembled a great general
congregation of the mistery of Fullers in St Paul's Church
and there made an assault (insultum fecerunt) on John de
Draycote, fuller; by malicious and contumelious words, causing
a great affray and disturbance of the King's peace, until they
were interrupted by John de Watlyngton, serjeant of John
Lovekyn, the Mayor. The next day, the defendants and other
evildoers assembled in Thames Street after sunset outside the
Mayor's door and there made an assault with force and arms
on John de Draycote and a certain John de Melleford, a
servant of Edmund, a monk of Bury, and would have killed
them if they had not been rescued by the keepers of the peace
and the King's servants. Afterwards the defendants congregated at St Lawrence's Church by Candlewick Street to carry
on their evil deeds. On Tuesday they and other evildoers
would not allow the journeymen of their mistery to work but
sent them wandering among their fellow-workmen, until they
might have vengeance on the said John de Draycote. And
further, the same day by common consent they all crossed
over to the Priory of St Mary Southwark and there made a
congregation and covin in order to carry out their malice, in
infraction of the King's peace and in contempt of him, to the
disturbance of the mistery and the detriment of the common
people and against the ordinances made to preserve the peace.
The defendants severally denied the charges and put themselves on the country, several mainprising each other for their
appearance, and the remainder being committed to prison.
Next day a jury from the venues mentioned in the charges
found certain defendants guilty of forming a confederacy,
calling out the working fullers and committing assault by
contumelious words, and they were sent to prison to await
judgment. The others, who were found not guilty, were
nevertheless mainprised for their good behaviour and to keep
the peace. Subsequently on 20 April, by virtue of a writ
under the privy seal, William Beneyt was admitted to mainprise, and on 24 April the other prisoners were bound over
to come up for judgment when required, to pay a fine to the
King if the Court so ordered, and not to commit again any of
the offences mentioned in the charges.
Membr. 4
10 March 1366
Thomas Irland, skinner, brought a bill of complaint to the
effect that he had bought a vacant plot of ground in the parish
of St Peter, Cornhill, for 40 marks from Thomas atte Walle,
brewer, and had paid eight God's Pennies (oet deniers a dieu) (fn. 7) ,
and that it was then agreed between them in the presence of
John de Salesbury, serjeant, and Thomas Hynton, esquire,
that the defendant should enfeoff the plaintiff when required
and that he should not sell the plot to anyone else, whereupon
the plaintiff had bought timber and made an agreement with
a carpenter to erect a building; but afterwards the defendant
had refused to enfeoff him and had sold the plot to one
William Robynet, draper, against his covenant and to the
plaintiff's damage £100. He prays a remedy. [French]
The defendant denied any such covenant, and said the
agreement to sell was conditional on his wife's consenting
thereto, and she had refused her consent. The plaintiff replied that the covenant was a simple one and not conditional.
This issue being submitted to a jury, a verdict was given for
the plaintiff. The Court thereupon awarded £10 damages.
Membr. 4 b
19 Feb. 1366
John Wyot, clerk of St Alban's Church, Wood Street, was
attached to answer John de Wardon in a plea of trespass,
wherein the latter complained that the defendant went to the
smithy of Master John Mareschal in Wood Street and there
maliciously cut the tongue of a white horse, value 5 marks,
belonging to the plaintiff, with an instrument called a
"botour
(fn. 8) " The defendant denied having done so and put
himself on his country. On this the plaintiff said that if the
defendant was willing to take an oath with his own hand (fn. 9) only
that he was not guilty, he should go quit. The defendant
swore the oath, and judgment was given that the plaintiff take
nothing by his plaint and be in mercy for a false claim.
2 March 1366
John, son of John Blythe, saddler, complained by bill that
whereas he had been bound to Janyn Lubek, saddler, by
Richard Peutrer of London, for a term of seven years, to
learn the art of saddlery, the said Janyn had left London and
given up the trade of a saddler for that of a painter, to the
great damage of the complainant, who prayed to be discharged
from his apprenticeship. [French]
Both parties being summoned, the defendant made three
defaults. The Court discharged the apprentice from further
service and ordered the indentures to be cancelled.
Membr. 5
15 May 136
William Spicer, William Cook and William Bungaye were
attached to answer a charge of having broken at midnight
into a house belonging to William Southous, where Joan
Upholdestere was dwelling, and of having carried away the
doors and windows of a chamber there to the plaintiff's
damage 100s. The defendants pleaded that on the night
named they were watchmen in Broad Street Ward to keep the
King's peace according to the custom of the City, that the
said Joan was a woman of bad character (male condicionis),
and that accompanied by the beadle of the Ward they proceeded to the house to see if she was harbouring any men of
ill-fame and conversation, the woman herself opening the
door to them of her own free will. They prayed judgment
whether the plaintiff could impute any offence to them
personally. Both parties put themselves on the country,
which brought in a verdict of not guilty for the defendants.
Membr. 5 b
13 July 1366
John Baldok, tailor, and Walter Hardyng, cutler, were
committed to prison for playing dice.
1 July 1366
Nicholas Salman brought a bill of complaint to the effect
that his master Robert Leddered, instead of teaching him the
trade of a draper, had turned him into a house-boy (fist destre
son hostiller) (fn. 10) and set him to mean tasks both within and outside his house (hostiel), thus wasting his time, wherefore he
prayed to be discharged from his apprenticeship. [French]
The defendant pleaded that he had taught him as well as
he could and denied putting him to mean tasks. A jury found
a verdict for the plaintiff. Judgment for 30s damages and that
the indentures be cancelled.
24 July 1366
William Toucestre was committed to prison for preparing
to fight a duel outside the City (vadiavit bellum faciendum),
and was liberated on 31 July on mainprise of Thomas
Hynxton and Robert Boxford to keep the peace.
William Carlile and Richard Noryby, committed for the
same reason, were liberated on 3 Aug. and 13 Aug. respectively on mainprise of Baldewyn Sadeler, Robert Boxford,
Robert Cayton and Adam Farnham.
14 Aug. 1366
At the instance of the masters and others of the mistery of
Grocers, the following persons were forbidden by the Mayor
and Aldermen to intermeddle with the office of brokers
(curetariorum) of that mistery: Geoffrey de Ditton, Nicholas
Negrebon, Peter Bon, Venture Sirealisaundre, Hanekyn le
Birle, Passerell de Luk, Lowys Malbek, Dyno Perussyn,
Matthew de Chouygo, John Lape, Zenabi de Martino
Chillato, Angel de Pystoye and Gerard Bek.
Membr. 6
12 Aug. 1366
John Doncastre, coppersmith, came into court and delivered to John Fyman and John Skot, attorneys of Mary de
Seint Leir, a red bed embroidered with leopard's heads, which
Thomas Brouderer had pledged to him for 34s. He made his law
to prove the pledging and was paid the money by the attorneys.
Membr. 6 b
24 July 1366
A bill was preferred by John Sely and Sibil his wife setting
forth that Ralph de Cauntebrugg (fn. 11) , in his will enrolled in the
Husting, had devised to his son Henry and heirs in tail a
tenement then in the occupation of John Gylle, on condition
that he paid to the Prior of Christ Church an annual quitrent
of 16s, which the testator had been accustomed to pay out of
other lands and tenements. Owing to the said Henry having
fallen into arrears of 28s the Prior had taken distresses from
the complainants, as tenants of the lands and tenements
which had originally been, and still legally were, charged with
the quitrent. Though they had asked the said Henry to pay
his arrears, he had not done so, to their damage 100s. They
pray a remedy. [French]
The said Henry appeared on summons and after saying
that he did not admit the fact of the legacy pleaded that he
entered into possession of the tenement by inheritance as son
and heir. Further the complainants had not shown any cause
(materiam) why they had come into possession of the lands
and tenements thus charged. Accordingly he prayed judgment
(whether he need answer).
The complainants replied that the said Henry had not denied
the legacy nor his possession of the tenement devised to him,
which he could not have acquired except by legacy, nor had
he denied that he was bound to pay the 16s quitrent. As regards
their showing cause how they came into possession of their
tenements, the fact was that the said Henry was bound, by
the terms of his father's will, to pay the 16s, and inasmuch as
he did not deny that they were in possession of the tenements,
which had been distrained owing to his default, it was immaterial for them (non est de substancia materie) to show how
they came into possession or to answer him at all on this
point. They prayed judgment and damages.
The Court accepted this as matter for judgment and adjourned the case that they might be advised. Afterwards the
said Henry twice made default, and after consultation with
the Aldermen, judgment was given that the plaintiffs recover
damages taxed at 34s 8d and that the said Henry be in mercy.
Membr. 7
28 Aug. 1366 Nota de attachiamento
John de Mordon, stockfishmonger, sued John de Morewode, citizen of London, by bill for a debt of £52 due on a
bond. [French]
John Brown, serjeant of the Chamber, was ordered to
summon the defendant to answer the plaintiff on the bill on
the following Saturday. On that day the plaintiff appeared by
Robert de Cressewyk, his attorney, but the defendant made
default. Evidence of summons having been given by the
serjeant, the latter was ordered to make a sequestration on the
defendant by all the rents belonging to him in the City until
etc. A day was given to the parties on Thursday before the
Feast of the Nativity B.M. [8 Sept.], when the defendant
again made default. The serjeant testified that he had been
sequestrated by all the annual rents in the hands of his
tenants, viz. Nigel de Haukynton, 10 marks; Margaret de
Redecoue, 40s; Elizabeth de Dyghton, 10s; John Shethere,
36s 8d; Richard Skot, 36s 8d; William Trere, 30s; John de
Gloucestre, 100s; John Dauncy, 100s; William de Estby,
5 marks; John Pountfreyt, 2 marks quitrent; total of all the
rent thus arrested in the hands of the tenants, £29 6s 8d. He
was ordered to retain the rents and to take a further distress
against Wednesday after the octave of St Michael, which day
was appointed for the parties.
20 Aug. 1366
John Pyrie of Gloucester complained by bill that Gilbert
Godchild, vintner, to whom he was apprenticed for seven
years, had failed to instruct him in his trade or to provide him
with food, clothing and necessaries, and had taken refuge at
St Martin le Grand twelve weeks ago, leaving the complainant without occupation. He prayed either that he might
be discharged from his apprenticeship or else that his master
should keep the covenants between them. [French]
The said master having made three defaults, the complainant was discharged from his apprenticeship.
Membr. 7 b
4 Oct. 1366
Writ de minis, dated at Westminster 4 Oct., ordering the
mayor, as custos pacis of the City, to put Robert Raven to
mainprise for keeping the peace with John Chiert, pouchmaker.
Return to the above, certifying to Chancery the names of
the two mainpernors, Gilbert Meldebourne and Robert
Wodhill, who became sureties in £20 each for the said
Robert.
23 Sept. 1366
Bennet Walkoleyn [Wakelyn], cordwainer, brought a bill
setting forth that he had taken an eight year's lease of
premises in the parish of St Mary Aldermanbury from
Richard Lacer, goldsmith. The latter had subsequently conveyed the property to Gilbert de Notyngham, tailor, saving
to the lessee his rights. There was a rent-charge of 36s on the
property payable to a certain Stephen Asshwy, and this money
having fallen into arrears, the said Stephen had distrained the
plaintiff, and though the plaintiff had often prayed the new
owner Gilbert to pay the money, so that the plaintiff could
have the distresses back, the said Gilbert was unwilling to pay,
to the plaintiff's damage 100s. [French]
The defendant appeared on summons and, after denying
that the plaintiff had been distrained on his account and by
his default, put himself on the verdict of a jury. The jury
found for the plaintiff with 54s damages, which the defendant
paid in court.
Membr. 8
9 Oct. 1366
Henry Maynburgh, burler
(fn. 12) , brought a bill of complaint to
the effect that he had taken a lease for life of premises in St
Lawrence Lane by Candlewick Street, at 40s annual rent, the
lessee to carry out all repairs against wind and rain, from
Thomas Dellerker, parson of St Swithin's Church, Candlewick Street, Roger Depham, Nicholas Hotot, Robert Hatfeld,
William Fossade and John Clerk, on behalf of the other
parishioners. In the great storm (fn. 13) which took place just after
Christmas 1362 the roofs were blown off. The plaintiff repaired the roofs, except that of one pentice eight feet long and
six feet wide for which he had brought tiling, but he could
not finish the work, because John Walsh and Walter
Ismongere had disturbed him and had taken his rents, value
40s, to his damage 20 marks. [French]
The defendants appeared on summons and pleaded that
the plaintiff had covenanted to pay his rent quarterly and that
there was a condition that if the rent were in arrears it should
be in the power of the lessors to re-enter. As the rent was in
arrears at the Feast of All Saints the preceding year, they had
re-entered on behalf of the parson and parishioners. They
demanded judgment whether any injury could be charged
against them personally. The plaintiff replied that no rent was
in arrears on the above Feast, and on this issue the action went
to a jury. The jury found that no rent was in arrears at
Michaelmas the preceding year, because the plaintiff proffered the rent within six weeks following, and according to
the custom of London (fn. 14) rent due at Michaelmas need not be
paid except within the six weeks following. They assessed
damages at 20s. After an adjournment that the Court might
be advised, judgment was given for the plaintiff for that
amount.
Membr. 8 b
26 Sept. 1366
Roger de Staunford, chaplain, and John Davy, fishmonger,
and Agatha (fn. 15) his wife appeared before the Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall and announced that
they had come to an agreement as regards a chantry in the
Church of All Hallows on the Wall for celebrating masses for
the soul of Nicholas Rumbald during the lifetime of the said
Agatha. Thereupon the said Roger executed a quitclaim to
John and Agatha, and both parties requested that the agreement might be enrolled on the rolls of the said Mayor.
27 June 1366
Nicholas de Clifton, who had delivered a bill against Simon
atte Naxe, John Rote and William Bathe, churchwardens of
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, in connection with which a
jury was summoned for this day, appeared in court and acknowledged that a messuage, demised to him by Robert York,
rightfully belonged to the churchwardens and that he withdrew from his action. Judgment was given that he take
nothing by his bill and be in mercy.
Membr. 9
14 Oct. 1366
Robert Sherman was attached to answer a charge of having
assaulted Peter de Kent, tailor, in Wood Street with swords
and bucklers and of having torn his clothes, against the peace
and to his damage £20. The defendant denied the force and
arms and put himself on the country as regards this charge.
He pleaded further that if the plaintiff received any harm, it
was due to his having assaulted the defendant first, and
thereon he prayed judgment. The plaintiff repeated that the
defendant had assaulted him by his own malice. A jury found
for the plaintiff with 100s damages. Judgment accordingly.
The money was paid in court.
28 July 1366
John Wentbrigge, Common Serjeant of the City, brought
a bill in the names of Thomas, Guy and Juliana, orphan
children of the late William Laurence, setting forth that their
father by his will had bequeathed to them certain moneys,
goods and chattels to the value of £61 9s 8d, which came into
the hands of Robert Beauchamp, Henry de Cauntebrugg,
Robert Ereth and Sibil, wife of John Sely, executors of the
will of Ralph de Cauntebrugg. Of the above amount John
and Sibil had handed over to John de Cauntebrugge, City
Chamberlain, the sum of £51 7s 6d, to the use of the orphans.
The Court is prayed to summon the executors to answer for
the balance and also for a legacy of £20 which the abovementioned Ralph de Cauntebrugg had devised to the orphans.
[French]
Membr. 9 b
The executors having appeared on summons, both parties
demanded an inquest of office to ascertain into whose hands
the goods had come and their present custody. The jury found
that all the goods and chattels of the late William Laurence
came into the hands of his widow and executrix Sibil, who
subsequently married Ralph de Cauntebrugg. On the latter's
death, his executors delivered the above-mentioned goods to
the widow, who married as her third husband, John Sely,
skinner. In addition to the above goods, Sibil also held the
sum of 100s bequeathed to one of the children, who had died.
A further sum of £20, which Ralph de Cauntebrugg had left
to his stepchildren, was in the hands of his executors.
Following on this verdict, John and Sibil pleaded that they
had received no further goods than £51 7s 6d from Ralph's
executors and that Sibil herself was not an executrix. Later
they reported that the executors had paid them a further 46s
8d, which they now deposited in court, and offered to make
their law that they had received no more. Robert Beauchamp,
one of the executors, alleged that his co-executors had handed
over everything to John and Sibil, and prayed judgment.
In the upshot the Common Serjeant was granted execution
of £7 1s against the executors on the ground that they had
admitted receipt of William Laurence's goods and chattels.