Folios 282 - 291: Oct 1490 -

Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.

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'Folios 282 - 291: Oct 1490 - ', in Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: L, Edward IV-Henry VII, (London, 1912) pp. 276-285. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-letter-books/voll/pp276-285 [accessed 19 March 2024]

In this section

Folio 282.

Judicium Cristine Houghton co'is pronube et meretric'.

21 Oct. [A.D. 1490], "Crystyne" Houghton, alias Stone, having been convicted as a common "bawde" and common "strumpet," ordered to void the City, and, having been found again therein, is condemned to be set on the pillory for an hour on two several days, and then be committed to prison for a year and a day.

Folio 282 b.

Custodia pueror' Will'i Dolphynby letherseller.

9 Dec., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490], came Richard Barbour, Richard Harpham, John Parys, and William Pyerson, "lethersellers," and entered into bond in the sum of £220 for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard Barbour of a like sum to the use of Nicholas, Anne, Margaret, Johanna, and Alice, children of William Dolphynby, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 1)

Folio 283.

Custodia Katerine filie Joh'is Wode glover.

16 Dec., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490], came John Awode, felmonger, Robert Byfeld, "iremonger," John Hirst, tailor, and John Hille, glover, and entered into bond in the sum of £37, for payment into the Chamber by the said John Awode of a like sum to the use of Katherine, daughter of John Wode, late glover, when she comes of age or marries. (fn. 2)

Custodia pueror' Rob't Lulley iremonger.

12 Feb., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1], came Robert Adlyn, John Tate, mercers, Thomas Bullesdon, skinner, and Robert Bifeld, "iremonger," and entered into bond in the sum of £140 for payment into the Chamber by the said Robert Adlyn of a like sum to the use of Robert, Thomas, and Elizabeth, children of Robert Lulley, late "iremonger," when they come of age or marry. (fn. 3)

Folio 283 b.

Vicecom' mortuus et alter loco suo electus est.

Thursday, 24 Feb., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1], in the presence of John Mathewe, the Mayor, the Aldermen, the Common Council, the Wardens, and other good men of all the Misteries of the City summoned to the Great Hall of the Guildhall, Hugh Pemberton, tailor, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City loco Robert Ryvell, who had died the previous day. And the same Hugh was sworn the day of his election; and afterwards, viz., on the 2nd March next following, he was presented before the Lieutenant of the Tower pursuant to the King's writ thereon.

Cus odia pueror' Rogeri Gerveys Cissoris.

25 Feb., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1], came Thomas Rathbone, draper, Robert Okeborne mercer, William Rothwell, mercer, and Ralph Huet, skinner, before the Mayor and Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £100 for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas of a like sum to the use of John, Reginald, Matthew, Elizabeth, Peter, Arnold, and John [sic], children of Roger Gerveys, tailor, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 4)

"By the King.

"To our trusty and welbeloved the Maire and Shireffes of oure Citie of London.

Folio 284.

L'ra d'ni Regis pro les Galymen etc.

"Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele And where as we late directed unto you oure especialle l'res willyng and desiryng you by the same to suffre suche galeymen as with smalle merchaundises bene repaired from theire galey to oure Citie of London to make uttraunce and sale of the same in shoppes and other places as they have custumably done herebefore as they say It is so as ye knowe wele that at your late beyng with us for this matier we desired the Right reverend fadre in God the bisshop of Excestre Keper of our prive seelle to have communicacion with you and to take som Resonable endetherin not repugnaunt unto the fraunchises and liberties of our saide Citee Whereunto ye were confourmable Wherfore we wolle and desire you seyng that they be comen so ferre with theyr saide merchaundises and have as they sey paied theyr custumes for the same Ye wille for this season suffer theym to make sale of theyr said merchaundises as they have done of tyme passed yeving unto theym a certeyn tyme and season to make their said uttraunce and not to passe or excede the same And that ye wille thus do at this tyme in avoiding thexclamacion and daily pursuyt that they make unto us in this behalf as we trust you Yeven under our signet at our palois at Westm' the xiiijth day of Feverier" [A.D. 1490-1].

4 March [A.D. 1490-1], pursuant to the above letter, it was agreed by the Mayor and Aldermen that the "Galymen" who were then in the City should be permitted to sell their small wares, viz., glass and such like, in their accustomed shops, on condition their wares were exposed for sale before Pentecost next, under penalty of forfeiting the same if found in open shops after the eve of Pentecost (post illam vigiliam).

Folio 284 b.

Custodia Will'i Stalworth filii Walteri Stalworth Cissoris London'.

26 March, 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came John Kyrkeby, "taillour," William Maryner, salter, Henry Warfeld, dyer, and Richard Childe, dyer, and entered into bond in the sum of £220 for payment into the Chamber by the said John of a like sum to the use of William, son of Walter Stalworth, late tailor, when he comes of age or marries.

Ordinacio des "Cowpers."

22 March, 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or occupation of "Coupers" and presented a petition praying that the penalty of 40s. imposed on "Coupers" during the Mayoralty of Sir William Horne for using unmarked and unlawful barrels (fn. 5) may be reduced to 20d., and that the Wardens may have right of search, &c.

Their prayer granted.

Folio 285.

Exon'acio Thome Hara ab assisis etc.

24 March 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1], Thomas Hardy, grocer, discharged from serving on juries, &c., owing to his infirmities.

Folio 285 b.

At a Common Council held on Friday, 15 April, 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], there being present John Mathewe, the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Broun, Knt., Hugh Brice, Knt., Henry Colet, Knt., William Horne, Knt., William White, William Martyn, Ralph Astry, John Swan, Hugh Cloptone, William Remyngtone, William Isaac, Henry Coot, and Hugh Pemberton, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty, it was ordained:—

That if William Purches, the Chamberlain, will advance a sum of money out of his own property for the benefit of the conduit, it shall be repaid him out of the revenues of the Chamber by yearly instalments.

Modus eligend' Camerarium.

Also that thenceforth, at the election of a Chamberlain of the City, two good men shall be nominated by the Mayor and Aldermen to the Commonalty, for them to elect one of them as Chamberlain for the year ensuing and none other. (fn. 6)

Modus eligend' custodum Pontis London'.

Also that at the election of Wardens of London Bridge four discreet men shall be nominated by the Mayor and Aldermen to the Commonalty, for them to elect two and no others.

Nota pro novo conductu apud "Grasse chirchestrete'.

Also that licence be given to Dame Elizabeth Hille, widow of Thomas Hille, Knt. and Alderman, to turn up the soil on the public way of "Graschurchstrete" for the purpose of a conduit. (fn. 7)

Consuetudo certificata q'd terie et tencmenta infra London' existenc' sunt legabilia tamper cives etc. quam per alios quoscun que etc.

Writ to the Mayor and Aldermen touching a plea of debt at Westminster between John Ernley, plaintiff, and Thomas Garth, late of Boxtede, co. Essex, Esquire, and commanding the said Mayor and Aldermen to make a return as to the custom of lands and tenements in the City being capable of being devised by others than citizens and freemen of the City. Witness T. Bryan at Westminster, 31 Jan., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1490-1].

Folio 286.

Consuet' certificata per Thomam Fitz William militem Recordatorem ejusdem Civitat' de terris et ten'tis per testament' legat' in eadem Civit'.

The custom of the City thereon certified by the mouth of Thomas Fitz William the Recorder, to the effect that in the said City a custom had never existed for lands and tenements to be capable of being devised only by citizens and freemen of the City, but a custom had always existed for lands and tenements in the City to be capable of being devised by others holding them, as well as by citizens and freemen of the City, by their testaments. (fn. 8)

At a Common Council held on Saturday, 30 July, 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1492], there being present the Mayor, the Recorder, [John] Broun, [Hugh] Brice, [John] Warde, [William] Horne, R[obert] Tate, [William] White, [William] Martyn, [John] Swan, J[ohn] Tate, [John] Percyvale, [William] Remyngton, [John] Fenkell, [Ralph] Tilney, [William] Isaac, [William] Capell, [Henry] Cote, [Hugh] Pemberton, Sheriffs (fn. 9) —Thomas Marwe, "gentilman," was admitted to the office of Common Pleader of the City loco Thomas Frowyke.

Folio 286 b.

Custodia pueror' Thome Bledlowe Civis et groceri.

20 Aug., 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Thomas Bledlowe, "gentilman," Thomas Galle, "taillour," John Lee, "taillour," and John Harop, "tallughchaundeler," and entered into bond in the sum of £60 12s. 6d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bledlowe of a like sum to the use of Richard, Henry, and John, sons of Thomas Bledlowe, late grocer, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 10)

Eleccio Vicecom'.

Wednesday the Feast of St Matthew [21 Sept.], 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], in the presence of John Mathewe, the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Broun, Knt., John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, William Martyn, John Swanne, John Tate, Hugh Cloptone, John Percivale, Knt., William Remyngton, Ralph Tilney, William Isaac, Henry Cote, and Hugh Pemberton, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—Thomas Wood, goldsmith, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and William Broun, mercer, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

Simon Harrys, grocer, and Christopher Eliot, goldsmith, were elected Wardens of London Bridge.

The same day William Purches, mercer, was elected Chamberlain of the City; John Swanne and John Tate, Aldermen, Richard Hawkyns, draper, John Pasmer, skinner, Bartholomew Rede, goldsmith, and Richard Wither, haberdasher, Commoners, were elected Auditors of accounts of the Chamber and Wardens in arrear.

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.

[N. B. The whole of folio 287 torn out and missing.]

Folio 288.

Custodia pueror'...... Bufford Civis et merceri.

24 Nov., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Thomas Rede, "paynter," Thomas Pays, skinner, William Dryclough, grocer, and Robert Penson, skinner, and entered into bond in the sum of £22 6s. 8d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Rede of a like sum to the use of Elizabeth, daughter of [William (fn. 11) ?] Bufford, late mercer, when she comes of age or marries.

Folio 288 b.

Custodia pueror' Roberti Ryngbell groceri.

16 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Giles Grevell, Peter Joy, William Sparke, George Bulstrode, and Richard Close, drapers, and entered into bond in the sum of £520 for payment into the Chamber by the above Giles of a like sum to the use of Margaret, Alice, Thomasina, and Leticia, children (pueri) of Robert Ryngbell, late grocer. (fn. 12)

Folio 289.

Custodia pueror' Will'i Chalke.

16 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Thomas Nutson, draper, John Lynley, fishmonger, Richard Hayman, "barbour," William Campe, scrivener, and entered into bond in the sum of 20 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Nutson of a like sum to the use of Ralph and William, sons of William Chalke, late "peauterer," when they come of age.

Custodia pueror' Johannis Gregory.

16 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Robert Pauntley, goldsmith, Robert Fabian, draper, Richard Telyff and Thomas Prayers, goldsmiths, and entered into bond in the sum of £40 for payment into the Chamber by the above Robert Pauntley of a like sum to the use of Bartholomew and Elizabeth, children of John Gregory, when they come of age.

Folio 289 b.

Carta Joh'is Fortescue milit' facta Civitati etc. pro Conductu.

A deed whereby Sir John Fortescue, (fn. 13) Knt., grants licence to Hugh Cloptone, the Mayor, the Commonalty, and their successors, at their will and pleasure, to dig and break ground, where and as oft as need shall require, in a close called the "Mewes close," (fn. 14) and in all other of his closes, lands, and tenements, as well arable as "unarable," in the county of Middlesex, as may be necessary for the conveyance of water by conduit-pipes or otherwise to the City; and also in a close called the "Covent Gardyn," held by the grantor for a term of years under the Abbot of Westminster; the said licence to continue as to the "Mewes close," &c., for a term of 180 years; and as to the close called the "Covent Gardyn" so long as the grantor, his heirs and successors, shall continue to have interest therein, without the grantees paying anything, and without making any compensation to tenants, fermors, or occupiers, other than they have been accustomed to do or make in time past. Dated 4 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491].

Folio 290.

Indentura inter Joh'em Fortescue militem et Civitat' pro conduct' ducend' ad Civitat' predictam etc.

Indenture of lease by Sir John Fortescue, Knt., to Sir John Broune, Knt. and Alderman, Sir Robert Billesdone, Knt. and Alderman, John Warde, Alderman, Sir Hugh Brice, Knt. and Alderman, Sir William Horne, Knt. and Alderman, William White, Alderman, William Purches, mercer, John Smart, grocer, William Bracebrigge, draper, Richard Swan, skinner, Richard Knight, fishmonger, and Richard Graunte, salter, their executors and assigns, of "a medowe called the Conducte mede with a particion in the middes of the same, whiche medowe lieth beside the newe house of the Conducte of Tybourne in the countie of Middelsex abuttyng in brede towardes the North uppon the Kynges highwey ledyng to Londonward viij Roddes and a half of assise every Rodde conteynyng in lenght xvj fote and a half, and uppon the Westside next therto is a grete broke of watyr Rennyng called Aybroke and uppon the Estside next thereto lieth ij closes of the same Sir John Fortescue whiche John Hardy and John Butteler occupie, also an angle of the said medowe called the Conducte Mede abutteth upon a lane called Suglane uppon thest and in brede there twenty Roddes and a yerde after the mesure aforewriten Also the Conducte mede abutteth uppon the close of the said Sir John Fortescue that John Hardy aforewriten occupieth and uppon the lande belongyng to Seynt James in the Feld upon (fn. 15) the Southside and in brede there fivescore Roddes and two after the measure aforsaid, and the said Conduct mede is in leynght fro the North to the South with the particion aforsaid sevenscore Roddes and three after the measure aforesaid Alle which Conducte mede as is nowe hedged diched and closed one Miles Clifton cordwaner late occupied and nowe Thomas Duffe Inholder occupieth and holdeth of the same Sir John Fortescue."

All of which meadow called the Conduit Mead, together with another close with a well therein adjoining, the said Sir John Fortescue lets to the said Sir John Broune and others aforesaid for a term of 180 years from Michaelmas last, at an annual rent of £4, reserving power of distress and re-entry in case of default, and saving always to the Mayor and Commonalty such interest as they have in the said lands for the conveyance of water to the City. Dated 21 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491].

Folio 290 b- 291 b.

Ordinacio dez Payntours.

16 Dec., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or occupation of "Payntours" before the Mayor and Aldermen, complaining of the members of the Craft becoming impoverished by the influx of "foreyns," who bear neither scot nor lot nor other charge, and prayed that certain articles might be approved, to the following effect:—

That no freeman of the Craft henceforth employ a foreigner when he can get a freeman equally capable and "as gode chepe."

That every one using the Craft pay a quarterage of 8 pence towards the great charges of the Craft, and that every person so paying quarterage shall pay nothing for his supper at the Common Hall on quarter-days, nor for barge hire when the Craft shall wait upon the Mayor or Sheriffs when they go to Westminster to take their oath, or for "fechyng in" of the King or Queen or of the Prince when it shall happen by water or by land.

That the ordinance lately authorizing the Wardens to make search for badly wrought work (fn. 16) may be amended so as to authorize the Wardens to present to the Chamberlain for the time being the names of those who obstruct the said Wardens in carrying out their search.

That a workman not finishing a work according to contract, without reasonable excuse, lose 6s. 8d., one half to the use of the Chamber and the other to the use of the Craft.

Brothers of the Craft to help one another in time of need.

Petition granted.

Folio 291 b.

Custodia Will'i Kelet filii Ric'i Kelet civisdum vixit et pulter London'.

19 Jan., 7 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491-2], came John Hille, Simon Stephenson, and John Bettes, drapers, and William Redy, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £16 8s. 11d. for payment into the Chamber by the said John Hille of a like sum to the use of William, son of Richard Kelet, late "pulter," when he comes of age.

Footnotes

  • 1. Margin. 12 March, 8 Henry VII. [A.D. 1492 3], came John Brampton, who married the above Johanna, and acknowledged satisfaction for his wife's patrimony; and on the 21st May, 15 Henry VII. [A.D. 1500], came Ralph Broun, leatherseller, who married the above Alice, and did likewise.
  • 2. Margin. 7 June, 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491], came Richard Wilde, salter, who married the above Kathe rine, and acknowledged satisfaction for his wife's patrimony.
  • 3. Margin. 19 Nov., 16 Henry VII. [A.D. 1500], came the above Robert, the orphan, and acknowledged satis faction for his patrimony, and also for money accruing to him by the death of the above Thomas and Elizabeth.
  • 4. Margin. 11 Feb., 17 Henry VII. [A.D. 1501-2], the above Reginald acknowledged satisfaction for his patrimony and for money accruing to him by the decease of John and John [sic] his brothers and Elizabeth his sister; and on 23rd Nov., 24 Henry VII. [A.D. 1508], the above Peter acknowledged satisfaction for his patrimony and money accruing by the decease of the above John, Matthew, Arnold, John [sic], and Elizabeth.
  • 5. Vide supra, p. 250 n.
  • 6. There is nothing recorded in subsequent elections to show that this or the next ordinance was carried into execution.
  • 7. "Thomas Hill, grocer, maior 1485, caused of his goods the Con duit of Grasse Streete to be builded." Stow, 'Survey' (ed. Kingsford), i. 110.
  • 8. On the other hand, only freemen could devise in mortmain. Calthrop's 'Ancient Customs and Usages of the City,' 1670, pp. 103-4; Bohun's 'Privilegia Londini,' 1723, p. 210. Cf. supra, p. 192.
  • 9. There is some mistake here Neither Cote nor Pemberton was Sheriff at this time. Probably the date of the Common Council should be 30 July, 6 Henry VII. [A.D. 1491].
  • 10. Margin. 22 Dec., 11 Henry VII. [A.D. 1495], the above Richard, one of the orphans, recorded as being dead.
  • 11. The name is not filled in. There is recorded, however, a William Bufford, mercer, who had a wife named Elizabeth in the year 1482 Hust. Roll 212 (29).
  • 12. Margin. 1 July, 16 Henry VII. [A.D. 1501], came Edward Lymryk, who married the above Thomasina, and William Hynde, mercer, who married the above Alice, and acknowledged satisfaction for the patrimony of their respective wives; 26 Feb., 21 Henry VII. [A.D. 1505 6], came William Nevile, "taillour," who married the above Leticia, and did likewise.
  • 13. Known as Sir John Fortescue, junior, of Punsborne (or Ponnys bourne, a manor near Hatfield). His wife was Alice, a daughter of Sir Geoffrey Boleyn, Alderman of the City, and Mayor in 1457-8.
  • 14. Near Charing Cross, so called from the King's falcons having at one time been kept and "mewed" there.
  • 15. St. James, Piccadilly.
  • 16. See articles of 1488. Supra, pp. 256-7.