Accounts 1-23

The Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book, 1462-1511. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 2009.

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'Accounts 1-23', in The Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book, 1462-1511, (London, 2009) pp. 1-20. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol44/pp1-20 [accessed 25 April 2024]

THE PINNERS' AND WIRESELLERS' BOOK 1462–1511

[Calendar]

ff.1–6v. The calendar is written on six leaves and inserted as a separate leaflet into the front of the volume. It is written in black and red, and notes the feast days of the specifically London saints such as the translation of Erkenwald, bishop of London (14 November), who died in 693.

[The Pinners' Ordinances 1356] (fn. 1)

1. [f. 7] To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London. The poor men of the City called Pinners ask that since their craft is much slandered for false work wrought by members of the craft that they may be ruled in the same way as other crafts in the City. And that the points and ordinances underwritten may be granted for the salvation of the craft and the profit of the people. And that six or four of the best [men] of the same craft be chosen and sworn to keep and maintain the ordinances afore-named if they be acceptable and appropriate.

[1.] First, that no foreign should hold house or shop in the City or the suburbs thereof nor sell nor buy anything concerned with the craft before he be made a free man of the City after he has been examined by the masters to see that he be able and skilled in the craft.

[2.] Also if any foreign come into the aforesaid City to work and make profit by the same craft he shall do nothing at it before he has presented himself to the masters of the craft and they have examined him as to his deeds and doings. And upon that shall be decided what he may reasonably take weekly for his labour so that the master may maintain his profit and the servant make an honest living.

[3.] Also no man of the craft shall procure, nor cause to be procured, either secretly or openly, another man's servant or allowe (fn. 2) whereby the master is worse served, whether by day or night, on pain of paying 40 shillings to the Chamber of the Guildhall as soon as he is convicted.

[f. 7v.] [4.] And if any such servant be alienated (aloigned) from his master in such a way then the master may, without any offence to any man, take back his aforesaid servant or allowe.

[5.] Also if any servant of the craft who has well and truly served his master should fall ill, so that he cannot keep himself, that he should be looked after and supported by the good folk of the craft until such time as he may himself find help and maintenance.

[6.] Also if any servant of the craft be of evil disposition, accustomed to do evil and will not be corrected by the good men of the craft, once he is found guilty of falseness to the value of 12d., he shall foreswear the craft until he may have better grace.

[7.] Also that no man of the craft shall take an apprentice or allowe unless he is himself a freeman of the same City. And that no man take any allowe unless he be approved by the masters of the craft to be skilled in that craft. And if there is any allowe who is not so capable then he shall leave the craft altogether unless he will become an apprentice.

[8.] Also if any of the craft be found working in the City in secret or openly, or selling (chaffryng) the products of the craft against the form above written, on discovery, the work or merchandise shall be forfeit to the use of the Chamber [of the Guildhall].

[9.] Also if any false or poor work be found in the City after the deliberation of the mayor, aldermen and masters of the craft, that work shall be seized and taken [f. 8] before the aforesaid mayor and aldermen to be adjudged whether it is good or bad.

[10.] Also that no man of the same craft shall take an apprentice unless he is witnessed by the good men of the same craft sworn as beforesaid, to be a man suitable (convenable), sufficient and cunning to keep, inform and teach his apprentice, for a term of seven years, as is the custom in the city, and no lesser term, on pain of losing his franchise.

[11.] Also that no man of the same craft may set to work any woman except his own wedded wife or daughter, and that no one of the craft shall be so hardy as to work by night nor on a Saturday on the eve of a double feast, once noon has been rung in the parish where he lives.

[12.] Also that no man of the craft shall open his shop on Sunday. Should any stranger wish to buy any merchandise on the Sunday then they should lead him to their houses in order to make it easier for travellers.

[13.] Also if any man of the craft be found by its sworn men acting against the ordinances, or any points thereof, he shall on the first occasion pay 40d. And at the second offence 3s. 4d. And at the third offence 10s. And at the fourth offence 20s. And all the work that may be found by the sworn men to be made contrary to these ordinances, to be forfeited to the Chamber [of the Guildhall].

[14.] Also that no man of the craft is to be so hardy as to [f. 8v.] defy or reprove the sworn men of the craft when they come to his house on their lawful business.

These articles are entered in the book with the letter G folio 48. (fn. 3)

[f. 9] Let it be remembered that Geoffrey Wade, Umper, John Vicary and Edmund Legge, Wardens of the craft of Pinners in the City of London have laboured well and truly to get the Exemplification under the king's great seal and therefore paid only for the weal of the craft, whereof [this is a] copy. And the same Exemplification under the king's great seal is in the keeping of the wardens of the Cutlers and at all times it shall be ready to be shown and delivered to you. (fn. 4)

2. [f. 9v.] [The Pinners' 'Charter' 1463] (fn. 5)

Edward, by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to the sheriffs of London and Middlesex... And also furthermore that where the artificers handcraftsmen and women resident and inhabiting and dwelling in the King's most noble and famous city of London and in other cities, towns, boroughs and villages within his noble realm of England and lordship of Wales have piteously shown and complained in the said parliament that they all, in general and everyone of them, be greatly impoverished, grievously hurt and hindered of their daily increase and daily living by the great multitude of divers goods and wares pertaining to their crafts and occupations being full wrought and ready made for sale, as both by the hands of strangers being the king's enemies as others brought in to the said realm and Wales from beyond the sea and by merchant strangers as well as denizens and other persons whereof the most part in substance is deceptive and not wrought in regard for any man's occupation or profit; wherefore the said artificers may not live by their crafts and occupations as they did in days passed, but many of them, householders as well as journeymen, servants and apprentices in great number are at this time unoccupied and live in great idleness, poverty and ruin.

Therefore the king our sovereign lord, in consideration of the above, to the pleasure of God and the eschewing of idleness, mother of all vices and mischiefs, and in amendment of the common weal of this his land hath, by the said advice and assent of his lords, spiritual and temporal, and commons in the said parliament assembled and by authority of the same ordained and [f. 10] established that no merchant, the king's born subject, denizen or stranger, nor any other person, after the next feast of St. Michael the Archangel, may bring, send or convey or cause to be brought, conveyed or sent, into this realm of England and lordship of Wales, that is any of the wares or things written below, that is to say: woollen bonnets, woollen cloth, laces, corses [bands?], ribbons, fringes of silk and of thread, threaded laces, thrown silk or silk in any wise embroidered, golden laces, tires [trimmings?] of silk or of gold, saddles, stirrups or any harness belonging to saddlers, spurs, bosses of bridles (moleyns), andirons, gridirons, any manner of locks, hammers, pincers, firetongs, dripping pans, dice, tennis balls, points, laces, purses, gloves, girdles, harness for girdles of iron, or latten or steel or tin or alloy (alkomay); nor anything wrought of any tawed leather, any manner of leatherware, tawed boots, shoes, galoshes or cockes (cork-soled sandals?), knives, daggers or woodknives, bodkins, shears for tailors, scissors, razors, sheaths, cards for playing, pins, pattens, packneedles; any manner of painted ware, forcers, caskets, rings of copper gilt, or latten, chafing dishes, candlesticks hanging or standing, washing bowls, chafing bowls, (fn. 6) sacring bells, rings for curtains, ladles, skimmers, counterfeit basins, ewers, hats, brushes, cards for wool or white wire, or anything to be offered or sold within this realm or Wales by way of merchandise upon pain of forfeiting everyone of them, at any time: and as often as they are found in the hands of any person or persons, to be sold: the one half thereof to our sovereign lord the king and the other half to him that seizeth it first for the king: the seizer's half to be delivered to him [through] the escheator of the shire or of the place where the seizer shall be, and by indenture between them to be made and the escheator to answer for the same in his account [f. 10v.].

Provided also that all wares and goods made and wrought in Ireland or Wales may be brought and sold in this realm of England, as they were wont before the making of this ordinance.

Provided always that if any of the aforesaid wares or goods made out of this land be taken over the sea without fraud or collusion or come into this realm or Wales by way of wreck, that they in no wise be included within this ordinance but that they may be sold within this realm or Wales, this ordinance notwithstanding.

And he also has ordained by the said authority that the masters or wardens for the time being of every craft and mystery in every city, borough, town and village where any such craft and mystery is used to have sufficient power and authority in every city, borough, town or village whereat they before the time being were master or wardens of any such craft or mystery; and the mayor of such city, town, borough or village for the time being, if there be any mayor thereof, or the bailiff or bailiffs of such city, borough or village for the time being, if any bailiffs or bailiff thereof be, and no mayor or sergeant or other officer to them assigned by the said mayor, bailiff or bailiffs; and in every city, borough, town or village where any such craft or mystery is used wherein be no masters or wardens of any such craft or mystery, that the masters or wardens of crafts or mysteries of the city, borough, town or village thereto next adjoining, and the constable of such city, town, borough or village have power and authority to search in their own crafts and mysteries offering for sale any of the said goods as well within the cities, boroughs, towns or villages of this realm and Wales and within the liberties and franchises of the same cities, towns, boroughs and villages, at all reasonable times, [f. 11] by day or night, in fairs, markets, open shops and warehouses and all manner such chaffer, wares and merchandise to each of their crafts and mysteries appertaining; as shall be made by any manner of alien craftsmen or women or any other person within this realm or Wales or shall, at any time, be occupied by any of the same crafts or mysteries in whose hands they may be found.

Provided always that the said masters or wardens and others named in this ordinance as searchers do not enter into any place exempt by privilege, franchise, grant or custom to make pins, any search as it is aforesaid [except by the oversight of] the officer of every such exempt place where any such search shall happen to be made.

And if the said searchers find by the same search that such chaffers, wares or merchandise, or any part thereof, be not clean, true and [sale]able chaffer, wares or merchandise, and truly made and wrought as it ought to be, and that duly proved, that then it will be lawful for such searchers to take and seize as things forfeited all such chaffer, wares or merchandise that so shall be found not good, clean, true and [sale]able, not truly wrought, the one half thereof to belong to the king our said sovereign lord and the other half to such masters or wardens that have searched and found it.

And that this ordinance shall stand and be in force as long as it shall please the king our said sovereign lord.

[Latin] Let it be publicly proclaimed for our part where it is most expedient within your bailiwick, both within the liberty and outside, from time to time as often as is necessary, and let it be held and observed in all and singular its articles according to the form noted above. Westminster 28 July 3 Edward IV [1463].

[In a later hand] This charter was granted to the pinmakers of London the 28 July in the third year of King Edward the fourth 1464 [recte 1463].

3. [f. 12] The account of Geoffrey Wade, umper, John Vicary and Edmund Legge, wardens of the craft of Pinners of the city of London who truly and diligently have made these accounts before the said craft in the Girdlers' Hall, (fn. 7) from 12 November, the 2nd year of our liege lord King Edward IV [1462] to 15 November the 4th year of the same King Edward IV [1464] for 2 complete years.

Receipts
First received for the coming of Thomas Tarte and his wife to be made brother and sister of the fraternity of the Pinners' craft 5s.
Item for Joan the wife of John Ronell to make her a sister 20d.
Item likewise for Isabel the wife of Robert Rumbold to make her a sister of the same craft 20d.
Item Robert Rumbold and John Sterne have given to the craft [the proceeds] of a wager between them 16d.
Item for a fine from Gervase Cotrell 6d.
Item of John Sterne and his wife to be made brother and sister 5s.
Item of William Michell for costs of his wife's burying 6s. 8d.
Item of John Pitte for his wife to be a sister 20d.
Item received of the craft in Lent for our place in Girdlers' Hall 7s. 9d.
Item for the wife of Thomas Manger for [past] quarterage (fn. 8) 3s. 4d.
[f. 12v.] Item for the incoming of Thomas Manger to be a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of Richard Hughis for Gervase Cotrell as a gift to the said craft 8d.
Item of [John] Pitte's wife for coming in again 2s.
Item of Robert Hill for a fine for employing a servant of Richard Beaumont 20d.
Item received for quarterage during the said 2 years £3 2s. 6d.
Item received of Robert Rumbold and John Bartlet for a gift of the young men of the craft as appears by their bill 21d.
Total £5 6s. 6d.

4. [f. 13] Costs and expenses are as follows:
These are the parcels of the costs and expenses that the umper and wardens of the said craft [incurred] during their time
First paid for 13 skins of parchment for this new book 2s. 5d.
Item paid for a calendar for the same book 10d.
Item paid for binding, making and clasps of the same book 12d.
Item to making of 2 bills of divers articles for the said craft 5d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for taking a distress [i.e. distraint] of one Agnes Smyth a foreign (fn. 9) 6d.
Item for a little new chest for our craft 2s.
Item paid to Richard Quycke our beadle 1 April 4 Edward IV [1464] towards his wages 3s.
Item paid the same day to Barette Cutler (fn. 10) and his fellowship for the weal of our craft and the suit at Westminster 6s. 8d.
Item to Richard Quycke on St Katherine's day [25 November] 3 Edward IV [1463] towards his wages 3s. 8d.
Item 7 May in the same year for hire of a barge for our fellowship 6d.
Item paid for a breakfast for our fellowship the same time 3d.
Item with expenses with William Overy at the same time 3d.
Item on 15 May for costs of the same William Overy (fn. 11) 2d.
[In a later hand] 3 Edward IV in May [1463] paid for the hire of a barge for our craft 6d.; paid for a breakfast 7d.
[f. 13v.] Item paid on 11 May for barge hire 6d.
Item paid for a writ for William Taylour and his fellowship who are foreigns 4s. 7d.
Item for making 2 obligations (fn. 12) for William Taylour and a Fleming 6d.
Item for barge hire on 13 May 6d.
Item to the beadle of the Pointmakers' craft 2d.
Item to the sexton of Elsyng Spital (fn. 13) for the first year 8d.
Item for the scouring of the candlestick at Elsyng Spital 2d.
Item in expenses for William Overy two more times 14d.
Item paid at the same time for boat hire twice for William Overy 5d.
Item to the waxchandler's man for setting up our lights at St James (fn. 14) and at Elsyng Spital 3d.
Item for making of our table for the fraternity of St James 8d.
Item for a trental for the fraternity of our craft for the first year 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for Thomas Manger's wife 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for the wife of Geoffrey Prany 2s. 6d.
Item for boat hire going with the sheriff to Westminster 13d.
Item for boat hire going with the mayor to Westminster 13d.
Item paid to our brethren that did not dine at the mayor's dinner, to their breakfast at the same time 16d.
[f. 14]
Item paid in alms to bury Gamlyn's wife 12d.
Item to the yeoman of the Chamber to fetch Richard Sponelay, foreign, to the Chamberlain 4d.
Item to Barette Cutler and his fellowship 3 December 3 Edward IV [1463], for the weal of our craft and the suit at Westminster 24s. 8d.
Item paid to the Clerk of the Parliament 12d.
Item paid to a sergeant of the mayor's for his labour and his dinner for [going] with us to a common search with Girdlers and Pointmakers 2s.
Item to [Thomas] Barette, when he came from Northampton 3s. 4d.
Item for costs of sending to the king at Northampton 20d.
Item in costs at Salisbury for the searching for and burning of pins 2s. 4d.
Item for expenses with William Overy at a dinner 12d.
Item delivered to Thomas Barette for the suit of the proclamation 20d.
Item delivered to Thomas Barette at another time for William Overy 8s.
Item delivered to the escheator at the Exchequer 14d.
Item for costs of burning of certain pins and other ware at the standard at Cheap 12d.
Item for 2 trentals, one for the wife of [William] Michell and another for the wife of [John] Pitte 5s.
Item to William Michell for pins for the sisters at St James (fn. 15) 8d.
[f. 14v.] Item to the sexton of Elsyng Spital 8d.
Item for a trental for all the fraternity 2s. 6d.
Item for 5 dozen trenchers 15d.
Item for a kitchen cloth 8d.
Item for boat hire the second year with the sheriffs to Westminster 12d.
Item paid for the Exemplification for our craft which lies with the craft of Cutlers 10s.
Item for costs at Stourbridge (Sturbrigge) (fn. 16) for searching and burning certain ware and pins 2s. 6d.
Item for Richard Quycke's wages for the second year 6s. 8d.
Item for a hood for the same Richard Quycke 5s.
Item for the master of St James, master Malmesbury, for a hood of a yard and three-quarter price (fn. 17) 6s. 2d.
Item to the waxchandlers as per bill 52s. 4d.
Item to John Smale for costs as per bill 6s. 8d.
Item for hire of Girdlers' Hall for 2 years 4s.
Item for scouring the vessels and washing the cloths there 12d.
Sum of payments £10 5s. 4d.

5. [f. 15] Be it remembered that Geoffrey Wade, umper, John Vicary and Edmund Legge, wardens of the craft of Pinners of the city of London on 15 November 4 Edward IV [1464] reckoned and accounted for all things before the brethren of the said craft in the tavern at the sign of the Mermaid in Bread Street. After their dinner held there, the aforesaid umper and wardens, by the assent of all the brethren, delivered into the hands of William Machon, umper, Henry Somer and Robert Rumbold, wardens of the same craft, newly chosen for the next 2 years after the aforesaid date, the sum of £18 0s. 6d.
Item delivered into the hands of the new umper and wardens, pertaining to the said sum, a ring of gold laid in the box as a pledge by William Clerk 5s. 10d.

6. [f. 15v.] The account of William Machon, umper, Henry Somer and Robert Rumbold, wardens of the craft [who] rendered their account before the craft in the Girdlers' Hall of London from 15 November 4 Edward IV [1464] to 3 November 6 Edward IV [1466].
Receipts
First received of John Couper for not coming to the Girdlers' Hall when summoned 4d.
Item of Thomas Tarte at the same time for the the same cause 4d.
Item of Thomas Newlyn for like cause 4d.
Item of Richard Hughis for like cause 6d.
Item of Richard Beaumont for like cause 6d.
Item of John Plays for like cause 2d.
Item received of William Vyan for setting a child to work before he was bound apprentice, for setting to work a servant of Richard Hughis and for working after 7 o'clock in winter nights 4s. whereof the Chamber has had 2s. and so to us 2s.
Item received of Robert Hill 20d., in part payment of 3s. 4d. for taking an apprentice illicitly (under colour) and giving him wages, and for making unclean wares 20d. sum 3s. 4d.
Item received of Richard Burgeys for taking in John Herte to work in our fellowship part payment of 5s. 4s.
[f. 16] Item received of Richard Sponeley, in part [payment of] 5s. for his entry 20d.
Item of John Jenkyn for working out of the franchise, in part payment of 20d. 12d.
Item of Richard Beaumont for working on Saturday after 12 o'clock 10d.
Item received of John Symmes for making unclean ware 12d.
Item received of William Parker by the hand of Edmund Legge for taking on the same [William] Parker to work in the fellowship 3s. 4d.
Item of Thomas Wakelyn for working late after 7 o'clock in winter 12d.
Item received of Richard Beaumont for disobeying the wardens contrary to good reason and rules 3s.
Item of Thomas Lovesome for his incoming 4s.
Item of William Savage for working at St Katherine's 3s. 4d.
Item of John Shore for deceiving and defying the wardens 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Michell for entering his wife Agnes to be a sister 20d.
Item likewise of Geoffrey Prany for entering Joan, his wife 20d.
Item of John Gerveys for defying (missaid) the Wardens 8d.
Item the said umper and wardens have received in quarterage from the brothers and sisters during their time £3 16s. 0d.
Item received of Geoffrey Prany for John Smyth to become a workman in the craft 3s. 4d.
Sum of all receipts £5 17s. 4d.

7. [f. 16v.] Item received of William Parker of London, pinner, in part payment of 40s. which he is bound to pay at 8d. on Saturday every week, by an obligation of 100s. to William Machon, Henry Somer and Robert Rumbold to the intent that, when the said sum is paid off, the umper and wardens at that time shall, upon due and reasonable warning, present the said [William] Parker to the Chamberlain of London and do necessary [things] for the same [William] Parker, at his cost, to be admitted and made freeman of the said craft without paying any other fine. 32s. 8d.
Item likewise received of Thomas Lovesome of London, pinner, in part payment of 40s. for which he is bound under obligation to the said William Machon, Henry Somer and Robert Rumbold to pay 8d. a week each Saturday with the intention of making him a freeman in the same way as the said [William] Parker 19s. 4d.
Sum of these receipts £2 12s. 0d.
Sum total of all receipts £8 9s. 4d.

8. [f. 17] The parcels of costs and expenses incurred by the umper and wardens during their time:
First paid for woollen cloth for the craft for the queen's coronation [1465] (fn. 18) 15s.
Item for a trental of masses for Geoffrey Wade's wife 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental of masses for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item for setting up the light before St James 2d.
Item for expenses at the same time 3d.
Item for lighting the light at Elsyng Spital at that time 16d.
Item expenses on the day of the search 9d.
Item to the sisters of St James 600 pins price 11d.
Item for boat hire with the sheriffs to Westminster, the first year 9d. and the second year 11d. total 20d.
Item for boat hire with the mayor 8d.
Item for 1500 pins given to the wife of William Overy 18d.
Item paid to the beadle for his wages for 2 years 13s. 4d.
Item given to 6 people at the time of the mayor's dinner 12d.
Item spent the day of our search 3s. 0½d.
Item for an obligation with condition 4d.
[f. 17v.] Item for searching at the Waterside 12d.
Item for searching at Stourbridge 16d.
Item to both Edmund Legge and Robert Rumbold 20d. each to ride with the queen at her coronation 3s. 4d.
Item for a trental of masses at Whitefriars for Katherine Pitte 2s. 6d.
Item for an obligation with condition 4d.
Item for bearing the light to St James 2d.
Item for a trental of masses at Whitefriars for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental of masses for Geoffrey Wade 2s. 6d.
Item for the Girdlers' Hall for 2 years 4s.
Item for washing and keeping of the cloths and vessels 12d.
Item to [Thomas] Boyle, waxchandler, throughout the time, as appears by divers bills 20s. 9d.
Item for making and writing this account 16d.
Item paid for a trental of masses at Whitefriars for Geoffrey Prany 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental of masses there for John Legge 2s. 6d.
Item for boat hire with the mayor in both years 11½d.
Item for entering 2 sisters into the table of our brotherhood and removing [those] of them passed to God and set among the dead 2d.
Item paid to Richard Quycke our beadle for his half hood 2s. 6d.
Sum total of all costs and payments £4 11s. 7d.

9. [f. 18] Total clear of increases in their time £3 17s. 9d.
The which sum of £3 17s. 9d. and £18 0s. 6d. was delivered to William Machon, umper, Henry Somer and Robert Rumbold, wardens, by Geoffrey Wade, John Vicary and Edmund Legge, their predecessors, their account being made in the Girdlers' Hall before all the brethren 3 November 6 Edward IV [1466] to John Couper, umper, Edmund Legge and Thomas Tarte, wardens, now chosen for the next 2 years.
Sum total clear to the craft £21 18s. 3d.

10. [f. 18v.] The account of John Couper, umper, Edmund Legge and Thomas Tarte, wardens of the craft in the Girdlers' Hall of London, 19 December 8 Edward IV [1468].
Receipts
First received of [?John] Cadman's son 12d.
Item of [Thomas] Newlyn for a fine 8d.
Item received of [William] Vyan 12d.
Item received of Robert Hill 20d.
Item received of [John] Bartlet's wife to be a sister 20d.
Item received of William Savage by a tally (tayle) 16d.
Item received for pins 5s. 4d.
Item received of John Bartlet for a fine 4d.
Item received of William Parker as it appears in the book of account 7s. 4d.
Item received of Thomas Lovesome 20s. 8d.
Item received for old nobles that were in our box 2s. 6d.
Sum of the receipts 42s. 3d.
[f. 19] Thomas Tampe owes the craft 13s. 4d. which Thomas Tarte has borrowed therefore to pay at the day of our account 13s. 4d.
The sum of the quarterage £3 2s. 4d.
Sum total of the receipts and quarterage £5 17s. 11d.

11. Costs [incurred by] the umpers and wardens in their term
First paid to the beadle for his wages 13s. 4d.
Item for a hood cloth to the beadle 5s. 2d.
Item for a hood cloth to the Master of St James, a yard and a quarter, price 6s. 10d.
Item for a trental for Joan Legge 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for the wife of John Ronell 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for John Legge 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item for taking a copy of the ordinances of the craft out of the mayor's court 3s.
Item for the scouring of the vessels and for the washing of the cloths of the craft for 2 years 2s.
Item delivered to the beadle for 200 pins of Flanders ware for a press for [William] Vyan 3d. (fn. 19)
[f. 19v.] Item paid to the sexton of Elsyng Spital and to the clerk of the said place 20d.
Item for boat hire with the sheriffs to Westminster 12d.
Item for boat hire with the mayor to Westminster 12d.
Item paid to [Thomas] Boyle, waxchandler, at various times, as appears by bill for the whole time 45s. 6d.
Item paid to the beadle and the waxchandler's men for setting up the light at St James 3d.
Item for boat hire with the sheriffs to Westminster 12d.
Item for a covered boat with the mayor to Westminster 2s. 10d.
Item for a trental for Richard Hughis 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental of masses at Whitefriars for the brethren and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item for a covered boat 2s. 10d.
Item for a trental of masses for Richard Andrew 2s. 6d.
Item for a yeoman of the Chamber 3 times 18d.
Item to the fellowship when the mayor went to Westminster 20d.
Item for an obligation for William Savage 2d.
Item for pins for the sisters 6d.
Item paid to the sexton of Elsyng Spital 12d.
Item for 2 torch bearers for Richard Andrew 8d.
Item for Girdlers' Hall for 2 years 4s.
Item for the scrivener's wages 16d.
Item for John Vicary for a sergeant to make him take his charge 20d.
Sum total of costs £5 16s. 8d.
[f. 20.] Sum total clear to the craft £22 0s. 9d.

12. [f. 20v.] The account of William Michell, umper, John Vicary and John Bartlet, wardens of the craft, made before the craft in the Girdlers' Hall of London, from 19 December 8 Edward IV [1468] to 24 November 49th year from the beginning of the reign of King Henry VI and from the taking again of his royal power, the first year [1470].
Receipts
First received of John Ronell for his wife to be a sister 20d.
Item received of John Roch for his admission to work 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Vyan as fine for setting a foreign on to work 3s. 4d..
Item received of Robert Rumbold for the burying of Thomas Cavell 2s.
Item received of William Hill a forfeit of pins for default of tally 14d.
Item received of Robert Hill for his entry as a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of Richard Burgeys for an old debt 12d.
Item received of quarterage for the space of 2 years £3 0s. 6d.
Item received of Edward Lymsey for a licence to work in the craft 3s. 4d.
Sum total of all receipts £3 19s. 8d.

13. [f. 21] The parcel of costs and expenses of the umper and wardens during their term
First for a trental for Alice Vicary 2s. 6d.
Item for a trental for Margaret Ronell 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the sexton of Elsyng Spital for the space of 2 years 2s.
Item paid to the Whitefriars for the trental for the brothers and sisters for 2 years 5s.
Item delivered to the sisters of St James 1000 pins 16d.
Item paid to William Clerk for his wages for 2 years 13s. 4d.
Item for a trental for Amy Dadyngton 2s. 6d.
Item for boat hire for 2 years 10s. 8d.
Item for a trental for Margaret Cadman 2s. 6d.
Item for the Masons' Hall (fn. 20) 2s. 6d.
Item for drinking at St Katherine's when the king came up by water 3½d.
Item for boat hire to Westminster when the wardens were sent for by the king 4d.
Item paid for a trental for William Hill 2s. 6d.
Item paid for 5 yards of brown blue for the return of King Edward [IV] out the North 15s.
Item because William Hill did not have the full light Katherine his wife is rewarded 2s.
Item paid to [Thomas] Boyle, waxchandler, for wax as appears by a bill in various parcels 42s. 3d.
Item for the beadle's hood 5s.
Item for the writing of this account 12d.
Item for keeping the chest, washing the napery and cleaning the vessels 2s.
[f. 21v.] Item paid for the Girdlers' Hall for 2 years 4s.
Sum of all costs and payments £5 16s. 10½d

Be it remembered that William Michell, umper, John Vicary and John Bartlet, wardens of the craft, on 26 November the 49th year from the beginning of the reign of King Henry VI and from the taking again of his royal power, the first year [1470] made their account before all the brethren after dinner in the brewhouse at the sign of the Rose in the Old Jewry and delivered, on behalf of the craft into the hands of Henry Somer, umper, Robert Rumbold and John Plays, wardens, now chosen for the next 2 years £20 3s. 6½d.

14. [f. 22v.] The account of Henry Somer, umper, Robert Rumbold and John Plays, wardens of the craft, made before the craft in the Armourers' Hall (fn. 21) of London from 26 November the 49th year from the beginning of the reign of King Henry VI and from the taking again of his royal power, the first year [1470] to 17 November 12 Edward IV [1472].
Receipts
First received of John Wekys for entry as a brother of the craft 13s. 4d.
Item received of John Stoneham for keeping open shop before he was made a freeman 2s. 1d.
Item received of William Castell in part payment of a larger sum for his being received as a workman into the craft 16d.
Item received of Thomas Tarte for not coming to the Girdlers' Hall when summoned 4d.
Item received of Richard Beaumont for like cause 6d.
Item received of John Newlyn for disobeying the wardens 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Parker for entry into the craft as a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Haket to be received as a workman into the craft 3s. 4d.
[f. 23] Item received of John Synet for a trespass against the rules of the craft
3s. 4d.
Item received of [?Thomas] Arnold for selling Flemish pins as English ones 20d.
Item received of John Kyrkeby in part payment of a larger sum 6d.
Item received from the brothers and sisters in quarterage for 2 years £3 3s. 10d.
Sum of receipts £4 16s. 11d.

15. The parcels of costs and expenses incurred by the umper and wardens during their term of office.
First paid at the Armourers' Hall on St Paul's day (fn. 22) as a reward to the beadle 2d.
Item paid to the mayor's clerk for making a bill 1d.
Item paid to an officer of the Chamber to fetch Thomas Sutton, [William] Michell's apprentice 4d.
Item paid to Richard Quycke as his salary was behindhand 3s. 4d.
Item paid to the sexton at Elsyng Spital 8d.
Item paid to the waxchandlers' man for setting the wax at St James 2d.
Item paid to the Whitefriars for the dirge on St James's day [25 July] 2s. 6d.
[f. 23v.] Item paid for a trental of masses for John Sterne 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental of masses for Margaret Boges 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the wardens of the Armourers for quarter day 20d.
Item paid for boat hire for the sheriffs 12d.
Item paid for boat hire for the mayor 2s. 8d.
Item paid for rushes 2d.
Item paid for a trental of masses for John Cadman 2s. 6d.
Item paid for an obligation on John Kirkeby 4d.
Item paid for a trental of masses for Thomas Newlyn 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the sexton of Elsyng Spital 8d.
Item paid for the setting up of the light at St James 2d.
Item paid for a breakfast and boat hire at the same time 3d.
Item paid for entering the names of the brothers and sisters in the table 2d.
Item paid for a trental for all the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental for John Ronell 2s. 6d.
Item paid for boat hire with the sheriffs 12d.
Item paid for boat hire with the mayor 12d.
Item paid to the wardens of the Armourers for hire of their hall 3s. 4d.
Item paid to Robert Rumbold for keeping and washing the cloths 16d.
Item paid to William Clerk for his salary 13s. 4d.
Item paid to William Clerk for his hood cloth 4s. 10d.
Item paid to the waxchandler, as appears by his bill 49s. 6d.
Item paid to John Plays for 900 pins 12d.
Item paid for writing the account 12d.
Sum of all payments £5 5s. 8d.
[f. 24] Be it remembered that Henry Somer, Robert Rumbold and John Plays, wardens of the craft on 19 November 1472, accounted to the craft after dinner in the Armourers' Hall. The aforesaid umper and wardens have, on behalf of the said craft, delivered into the hands of William Machon, umper, Edmund Legge and John Bartlet, the newly chosen wardens for the next 2 years £19 14s. 9½d.

16. [f. 24v.] The account of William Machon, Robert Rumbold and John Bartlet, wardens of the craft, who gave their account before the said craft in the Armourers' Hall of London on 14 November 15 Edward IV [1475].
Receipts
First received of John Newlyn to be a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Vyan to be a brother 3s.b4d.
Item received of John Wekys for late working 20d.
Item received of John Proude for coming late to [Edmund] Legge's mass 2d.
Item received of William Mynte to be a brother 6s. 8d.
Item received of all the brethren and the fellowship as appears by a bill 28s.
Item received in quarterage for 3 years £4 0s. 8d.
Item received by Thomas Tarte 2s.
Sum of receipts £6 13s. 2d.

17. [f. 25] The parcels of costs and expenses of the said umper and wardens during their time in office:
First paid for the Armourers' Hall for three years 10s.
Item paid to the [White]friars for a trental for [John] Sterne 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental for Edmund Legge 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental for William Michell 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental for [John] Wekys's wife 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the friars for 3 trentals for 3 years 7s. 6d.
Item paid to the sexton of Elsyng Spital 8d.
Item paid for setting up the light of St James 4d.
Item paid for 800 pins for the sisters 12d.
Item paid for 3 years going to Westminster with the mayor and sheriffs 6s. 3d.
Item paid for setting up the light of St James at [White]friars for 2 years 6d.
Item paid to the [White]friars for singing the mass for 2 years 3s. 4d.
Item paid to John Plays when the king came out of the north 3s. 4d
Item paid to Richard Quycke for his hood 4s. 4d.
Item paid to the said Richard for his wages for 3 years 20s.
[f. 25v.] Item paid for keeping the vessels and cloths of the craft for 3 years 3s.
Item paid for divers costs of St James £3 5s. 8d.
Item paid for the waxchandler for 3 years 38s.
Item paid for mending the table of the brothers and sisters 4d.
Item for the making of this account 8d.
Item paid for 2 gown cloths of murrey (fn. 23) 13s. 4d.
Sum of payments [crossed out £8 15s. 7d.] £9 8s. 9d.

18. [f. 26] Be it remembered that John Vicary, umper, Thomas Tarte and Robert Hill, wardens of the craft, chosen on 16 November 15 Edward IV [1475], the accounts having been given after the dinner, before the brethren in the Armourers' Hall in Coleman Street, received on behalf of the craft from William Machon, late umper, Robert Rumbold and John Bartlet, late wardens of the craft £14 in ready money.
Item an obligation of £3 in which the late Edmund Legge stood bound.

19. [f. 26v.] The account of John Vicary, umper, John Plays and Robert Hill, wardens of the craft of pinners of the City of London which they gave, truly and diligently to the craft in the Armourers' Hall of London, [for the period] from 15 November 17 (recte 15) Edward IV [1475] to the 22 November [1477].
Receipts
First from quarterage of the bretheren and sisters for 2 years 51s.
Item received of Robert Hill for his wife to be a sister 20d.
Item received from the sale of Thomas Tarte's goods in money 18s. 3d.
Item received of Robert Hill for Joan his wife to be a sister 20d.
Item received of Richard Quycke for his wife's light 2s. 6d.
Item received of [?John] Newlyn for failure to appear 4d.
Item received of William Parker for failure to appear 4d.
Sum £3 15s. 9d.

20. [f. 27.] The parcels of the costs and expenses had by the said umper and wardens during their term of office
Costs
First a trental for Robert Rumbold's wife 2s. 6d.
Item a trental paid for Thomas Tarte 2s. 6d.
Item a trental for [Robert] Hill's wife 2s. 6d.
Item 2 trentals at the [White]friars for 2 years 5s.
Item a reward for the [White]friars for singing for 2 years 3s. 4d.
Item for the beadle's wages for 2 years 13s. 4d.
Item the Armourers' Hall for 2 years 6s. 8d.
Item for arrears of our supper 5s. 2d.
Item the costs of the plea of Thomas Tarte 8s.
Item for charity 18d.
Item for setting up the light at the [White]friars before St James for 2 years 8d.
Item for Snow the sergeant for searching the foreigns 12d.
Item for keeping the vessels for 2 years 2s.
Item for searching at Guildhall for the wiredrawers 4d.
Item to [Gervase] Cotrell for bringing [Thomas] Arnolde and [Robert] Cadman to the Chamber 4d.
Item boat hire to Westminster for 2 years 4s.
Item to the waxchandler as appears by bill 30s.
Sum £4 9s. 5d.

21. [f. 27v.] Be it remembered that Robert Rumbold, umper, John Bartlet and William Parker, wardens of the craft, newly chosen on 25 November 17 Edward IV [1477], the accounts having been given after dinner in the Armourers' Hall, received from John Vicary, umper, John Plays and Robert Hill [their predecessors] on behalf of the said craft £10 6s. 4d. in ready money.
Item there remains in the hands of Katherine Hill from the goods of Thomas Tarte as appears by bill 18s. 5d.
Item an obligation for £3 owed by Edmund Legge, deceased.
Item an obligation for £3 owed by Thomas Tarte, deceased, of which was paid 25s. 11d.

22. [f. 28] The account of Robert Rumbold, umper, John Bartlet and William Parker, wardens of the craft, made before the craft in Pinners' Hall (fn. 24) [for the period] 25 November 17 Edward IV [1477] to 26 November 21 Edward IV [1481]
Receipts
First received of Katherine Hill for [Thomas] Tarte's goods 15s. 3d.
Item received of John Newlyn for a supper 8d.
Item received of Robert Archer for failing to appear 2d.
Item received of Richard Coke for like cause 2d.
Item received of William Knotte for like offence 2d.
Item received of Richard Beaumont the younger for like cause 2d.
Item received of William Leche to be admitted to the craft as a brother 4s.
Item received of Robert Rumbold for 12,000 pins forfeited to the craft 8s.
Item received of John Stoneham for admission to the craft as a brother 3s. 4d.
[f. 28v.] Item received of Robert Cokkes, sergeant 6s. 8d.
Item received of Geoffrey Moreton, sergeant 6s. 8d.
Item received of Robert Danyell, sergeant 6s. 8d.
Item received of Thomas Alwyn, sergeant 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Parker for his wife to be admitted a sister 20d.
Item received of Robert Rumbold for his wife to be admitted a sister 20d.
Item received of Margaret Hall to be admitted as a freewoman of the craft 10s.
Item received for drinking 24s. 8½d.
Item received of John Bradley to be admitted into the craft as a freeman 13s. 4d.
Item received of Roger Florence for rent for the Christmas quarter 2s.
Item received of Robert Howton to be admitted a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received of William Tytlay 13s. 4d.
Item received of John Randolf for rent 2s. 4d.
Item received of Isabell Goor for Easter quarter 10d.
Item received of [Richard] Quycke for Michaelmas quarterage 20d.
Item received of Robert Ettell to become a brother 3s. 4d.
Item received for quarterage for 4 years £4 5s. 4d.
Item received of Edward Morys for a fine 16d.
Item received of Thomas Parys for his fine 6d.
[f. 29.] Item received of John Burford for a fine 14d.
Item received of Richard Burgeys for a fine 4d.
Item received of an obligation of Edmund Legge 30s.
Total receipts £12 12s. 1½d.

23. [f. 29v.] Payments
First paid for the carriage of [Thomas] Tarte's goods 8d.
Item paid as a reward to a yeoman of the Chamber for his office 4d.
Item paid to the man who worked for [Thomas] Tarte's goods 3s. 4d.
Item paid for a trental at the Whitefriars for Margaret Stodell 2s. 6d.
Item for making a bill 2d.
Item paid for Robert Cartleage (fn. 25) for a bill 12d.
Item paid for the same bill 3s. 4d.
Item paid for the summons of Thornell twice 8d.
Item paid for Thomas Hayns before the Chamberlain 4d.
Item paid for a new judas (fn. 26) 2s. 4d.
Item paid for a trental for all the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item paid for the mass on St James's day [25 July] 20d.
Item paid for boat hire to Westminster with the sheriffs 8d.
Item paid for [William] Parker at the mayor's commandment for imprisonment 16d.
Item paid to a yeoman of the Chamber for the search that was made for foreigns 8d.
[f. 30] Item paid for a trental for John Vicary 2s. 6d.
Item paid for a trental for the brothers and sisters 2s. 6d.
Item paid for the mass at the [White]friars 20d.
Item paid to the chandler 2d.
Item paid for the scouring of the candlesticks 3d.
Item paid to Richard Quycke for his wages 25s.
Item paid to the same Richard for a yard of cloth 3s. 6d.
Item paid for boat hire with the mayor 11d.
Item paid for the Armourers' Hall for 2 years 6s. 8d.
Item paid to the chandler's man 2d.
Item paid for a trental of masses 2s. 6d.
Item paid to the singers of the mass 12d.
Item paid for the writing of names into the table 4d.
Item paid for John Plays to a yeoman of the Chamber 4d.
Item paid for boat hire with the sheriffs 11d.
Item paid for a trental for Robert Page 2s. 6d.
Item paid for an obligation with condition for Roger Florence 4d.
Item paid for boat hire with the mayor 9½d.
Item paid to a sergeant for Peter Colyns 12d.
Item paid to the chandler for lights 2d.
Item paid to the [White]friars at mass 12d.
Item paid for a trental of masses 2s. 6d.
[f. 30v.] Item paid for 2 dozen trenchers 2d.
Item paid for the plea of John Robson 8s. 2d.
Item paid for boat hire with the mayor and sheriffs 20d.
Item paid for keeping the vessels for 4 years 4s.
Item paid to the waxchandler, as appears by bill 46s. 7d.
Item paid for the indentures of the hall 2s. 4d.
Item paid for 15,000 of laths 5s.
Item paid for quarters and board 11s. 2d.
Item paid to the carpenter for his wages 15s.
Item paid for loam, sand and gravel 9s.
Item paid to the dauber and his man 25s.
Item paid for brick, lime and masons' work 11s. 8d.
Item paid for sprigg nails and ironwork 15s. 6d.
Item paid for carrying rubbish 3s. 4d.
Item paid for staining of the halling (fn. 27) 31s. 1d.
Item paid for lyre (fn. 28) and sewing of the same 22d.
Item paid for 12 pounds of red lead 18d.
Item paid for pigment (moty) 7½d.
Item paid for coal 7d.
Item paid for a table and 2 trestles 4s.
Item paid for 4 forms 16d.
Item paid to the raker and to the clerk 8d.
Item paid for mats in the hall and parlour 2s. 2d.
Item paid for rent for a whole year 20s.
Item paid for a lock 7d.
Item paid for divers repairs 3s. 2½d.
Item paid for a half year's rent of the hall 10s.
Item paid for writing this account 16d.
Sum total £10 16s. 9½d.

Footnotes

  • 1. The original ordinances copied into the City of London's Letter Book G were written in Anglo-Norman, see LBG, pp. 63–4. The Cardmakers (makers of implements used for carding wool) presented almost identical articles to those of the Pinners at the same time. In the Pinners' and Wiresellers' Book the fourteenth-century ordinances have been translated by the fifteenth century scribe into English.
  • 2. A hired worker, see Lisa Jefferson ed., Wardens' Accounts and Court Minute Books of the Goldsmiths' Mystery of London, 1334–1446 (Woodbridge, 2003), pp. xxxiv-xxxv.
  • 3. London Metropolitan Archives, Corporation of London Letter Book G, f. 48
  • 4. See 4. This is the only instance in the book when the wardens presenting the accounts address the other pinners directly.
  • 5. 3 Edward IV c.4, SR, vol. ii, pp. 396–98; see Rosemary Horrox, ed., Parliament Rolls of Medieval England 1275–1504 (London, 2005) vol. xiii, pp. 113–115.
  • 6. A vessel to hold burning charcoal, i.e. a portable grate or brazier.
  • 7. The Girdlers' Hall was off Bassishaw Street
  • 8. Quarterage: the members' regular payment or subscription.
  • 9. Foreign/forin: someone who was not free of the City, i.e. not a citizen.
  • 10. Probably Thomas Barette, cutler, who died in 1466.
  • 11. William Overy was a stockfishmonger and Merchant Adventurer. For his career, see Anne F. Sutton, 'Caxton was a Mercer: his Social Milieu and Friends' in Nicholas Rogers ed., England in the Fifteenth Century: Proceedings of the 1992 Harlaxton Symposium (Stamford, 1994), pp. 118–148, esp. pp. 127–132.
  • 12. An obligation: a legal term for a bond or covenant
  • 13. Elsyng Spital was founded in 1331 by the will of William Elsyng as a hospital for blind priests, but became a priory hospital for canons regular by 1353, see Barron and Davies, Religious Houses, pp. 165–168.
  • 14. Probably the Hospital of St James, Westminster, see ibid. pp. 177–181.
  • 15. Four alms-sisters lived in the Hospital of St James, see G. Rosser, Medieval Westminster (Oxford, 1989), pp. 307–310.
  • 16. Stourbridge Fair: one of the great regional fairs of the period, held in Cambridge.
  • 17. Roger Malmesbury occurs as Master of the Hospital of St James, 1463–7, Barron and Davies, Religious Houses, p. 181.
  • 18. Elizabeth Woodville, queen of Edward IV. They were married in secret in May 1464, in defiance of Richard Neville, earl of Warwick, who had planned a marriage for the king, to a foreign princess. Elizabeth came to London for her coronation in May 1465.
  • 19. It is not clear what this refers to.
  • 20. The Masons' Hall was off Coleman Street.
  • 21. The Armourers' Hall stood at the corner of Coleman Street and London Wall.
  • 22. Probably the Conversion of St Paul, 25 January.
  • 23. Murrey cloth: a dark red cloth named from morum, Latin for mulberry.
  • 24. The Pinners' Hall was in Adel Street, off Wood Street, in Cripplegate Ward.
  • 25. Robert Cartleage was a clerk of the mayor's court, see Barron, London in the Later Middle Ages, p. 194.
  • 26. A judas was a seven-branch Paschal candlestick in churches.
  • 27. Word used to describe leather or cloth hangings in a hall.
  • 28. A kind of binding or tape.