1244-5

A.D. 1244. Sheriffs.: Nicholas Bat,; Ralph de Bow, (fn. 1) Spicer,

These persons being elected and sworn on the third day before the Feast of Saint Michael, his lordship the King returned from Scotland to London on the Vigil of Saint Michael, and again took the City into his hand for the cause aforesaid, forbidding the Sheriffs to do any of their duties; and he entrusted the City to Ralph Eswy, the then Mayor, and to Michael Tovy; who held it until the Feast of Saint Luke [18 October]; upon which day, the citizens made fine to the King in the sum of one thousand pounds. On the morrow however, the Sheriffs before-mentioned were presented. This year, upon the Feast of Saint (fn. 2) Dionis [8 April] Fulk Basset was consecrated Bishop of London, in the Church of the Holy Trinity at (fn. 3) Alegate. In this year, Michael Tovy was made Mayor. In this year his lordship the King warred against David, son of Lewelin, in Wales with his host.

Upon the withdrawal of the Sheriffs from their bailiwick, the citizens meeting at the Guildhall, on the fourth day before the Feast of Saint Michael, for the election of Sheriffs, there arose a very great dissension in the City, through Simon Fitz-Mary; who, understanding that the Mayor was wishful to admit Nicholas Bat to the Shrievalty for the following year, declared that he would prove him to be a perjurer, if he should admit the said Nicholas to the Shrievalty for two successive years, in contravention of the oath which all the Aldermen had made, by assent of the whole City, fifteen years before, in manner already noticed. By reason whereof, out of respect for the Mayor, the said Symon surrendered his Aldermanry into the hands of the City, by way of (fn. 4) amercement. Upon the Vigil of Saint Michael, certain of the populace elected Nicholas Bat, with the Mayor's assent, and the principal men Adam de Benetleye, saying that the said Nicholas ought not to be chosen for two consecutive years; nearly all the Aldermen leaving the Guildhall; and so Nicholas Bat remained Sheriff.

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