Memorials: 1305

Memorials of London and London Life in the 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries. Originally published by Longmans, Green, London, 1868.

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'Memorials: 1305', in Memorials of London and London Life in the 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries, (London, 1868) pp. 55-59. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/memorials-london-life/pp55-59 [accessed 19 April 2024]

In this section

Main prise for a tun of wine, due to Sir Ralph de Hengham, Justiciar.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book B. fol. 65. (Latin.)

Adam de Saint Alban's, ironmonger, formerly apprentice of Richard de Caumpes, came before Sir John le Blond, Mayor of London, William de Leyre, Thomas Sely, Aldermen, and Richard Poterel, Chamberlain, and acknowledged that he was indebted to Sir Ralph de Hengham, Justiciar of our Lord the King, in one tun of wine, to be paid to the same Sir Ralph, at his pleasure etc. And Richard le Baluere, ironmonger, came and made mainprise that the said tun of wine should be paid as before-mentioned. And if they should not do so, they agreed etc.

This acknowledgment was made on the Thursday next after the Octave of the Purification of St. Mary [2 February], in the 33rd year of King Edward.

Lease of a Tourelle near Bisshopesgate.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxvi. (Latin.)

In the Husting of London of Common Pleas, holden on the Monday next after the Feast of St. John Port Latin [6 May], in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London granted and let to Nicholas de Cokfeld, serjeant of our Lord the King, a certain tourelle, (fn. 1) with the place adjoining, and its appurtenances, near the Gate of Bisshopesgate, situate to the left thereof, which William Querdelion, (fn. 2) chaplain, formerly held; to have and to hold to the same Nicholas for the whole of his life; provided that he shall keep the same well and befittingly, and repair it within the first year next ensuing from this day forward, and maintain and protect the same from wind and rain, for the whole of his life. And if the aforesaid Nicholas shall not repair or restore the said tourelle within the year next ensuing, and shall not maintain and keep it protected from wind and rain, then it shall be fully lawful for the said Mayor, Aldermen, and the Chamberlain, for the time being, altogether to eject and remove the same Nicholas, the grant aforesaid notwithstanding.

Proclamation made for the protection of strangers coming to the Parliament.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxvi. (Norman French.)

On Saturday next after the Feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist [29 August], in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, proclamation was made to the following effect.—

"Forasmuch as Scots and strange folks are coming to the Parliament of our Lord the King, now next ensuing, we do forbid on the King's behalf, that any one shall be so daring as to do injury by deed or word to either natives or strangers, on pain of imprisonment at the King's pleasure.

And that no person shall be so daring as to enhance the price of victuals by reason of the said Parliament; or to sell wine, or bread, or ale, against the assize; that is to say,—one gallon of wine for 3 pence; four loaves, or two, for one penny; one gallon of ale for one penny; and one of the other kind of ale for three farthings; (fn. 3) on pain of heavy forfeiture."

Nets burnt in Chepe.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxvi. (Latin.)

Nets were burnt in Chepe at London, just opposite to Fridaystrete, (fn. 4) on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Michael [29 September], in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, the same having been taken by (fn. 5)

Exemption of the Hanse Merchants at Bisshopesgate.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxviii. (Latin.)

On Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Michael [29 September], in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, it was awarded and agreed that the Almaines (fn. 6) belonging to the Hanse of the merchants of Almaine shall be free from paying two shillings on going in or out of the Gate of Bisshopesgate with their goods; seeing that they are charged with the safe-keeping and repair of the gate aforesaid.

And they paid 2s. 6d. for the enrolment.

Writ for the replevin of John de Uggele; and Return thereto.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxvii. (Latin.)

"Edward, by the grace of God etc., to the Sheriffs of London, greeting. We do command you, as we have already commanded, that you will justly and without delay cause to be replevished John de Uggele, whom Philip de Merdele and David le Clerk have taken, and so taken you detain; unless he shall have been taken by our special precept, or that of our Chief Justiciar, either for the death of a man, or for offences against our forestlaws, or for breach of some other right, by reason whereof, according to the custom of England, he is not replevishable: that so we may no further hear any demand as to the same, by reason of default of justice. Or else you are to signify unto us the cause for which you have been unwilling to obey our mandate which has been already directed to you thereupon; or why you could not so do. Witness myself, at Westminster, the 20th day of October, in the 33rd year of our reign."

Return thereto.—
John de Uggele has been taken, because he was indicted upon inquisition before the Mayor of London, for being present at a certain robbery committed upon one Ivo de Finchingfeld in London; the goods of which he was robbed amounting to 20 marks: he was indicted also for being present at a certain other robbery, committed at Berkingecherche; and because he, together with others, was wont to come to the houses of divers persons in London, at twilight, and plunder them, against the peace. Wherefore, we cannot replevish him, without assent of the Mayor thereto."

As to Countors, Attorneys, and Essoiners, sworn.

33 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxvii. (Latin.)

It was ordered by the Mayor and Aldermen, on Wednesday the morrow of All Souls [2 November] in the 33rd year of the reign of King Edward, that all countors, attorneys, and essoiners, (fn. 7) who should wish to plead at, and attend, the Courts of Guildhall, should be sworn according to the form contained in the old paper, in the time of the Mayoralty of Gregory (fn. 8) de Rokesle ordained and approved.

Robert de Kellesseye, Robert de Suttone, Reginald de Oundle, Walter de Grastone, Richard de Honewyke, were sworn countors, according to the ordinance aforesaid. (fn. 9)

Loss of the freedom, from being born (fn. 10) bondmen of the Bishop of of London.

34 Edward I. A.D. 1305. Letter-Book C. fol. lxxxviii. (Latin.)

On Thursday next after the Feast of St. Andrew [30 November] in the 34th year of the reign of King Edward, Thomas le Bedel but her, Robert le Bedel butcher, Alan Underwode butcher, Edmund May butcher, came before John le Blound, Mayor of Lon don, John de Wengrave, and other Aldermen; and it was found, upon their own acknowledgment, that they were holding land in villenage of the Bishop of London in Stebenhethe, (fn. 11) and were dwelling without the liberties of the City of London. Therefore, it was awarded that they should lose the freedom of the City.

Footnotes

  • 1. See page 50 ante, Note 3.
  • 2. There was a family of this curious name, Cordelyon, "Heart of Lion," long settled at Ilchester in Somerset. It became extinct in the last century.
  • 3. ferlinges in fol. lxxxvii., where it is repeated.
  • 4. The above deserves notice, as a very early mention of this street.
  • 5. This entry is left unfinished.
  • 6. Or Germans, known as the "Hanse Merchants."
  • 7. An Essoiner was an inferior rank of counsel, who made excuses for nonattendance; thereby gaining additional time for his client to plead.
  • 8. Mayor in 1274–80, and 1284.
  • 9. Vacant places are left in the page for the names of the Attorneys and Essoiners, which are not filled up. In the margin of the leaf there are small caricatures with the pen, of, apparently, the five Countors, or Pleaders, with mouths open, and heads covered, to all appearance, with the coif.
  • 10. nativi. This could hardly be the case, if they held their lands in villenage. See page 23 ante, Note 7.
  • 11. Stepney.