Memorials: 1315

Dorsers for fish, of unlawful measure, ordered to be burnt in Chepe.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1315. Letter-Book E. fol. xxxii. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on Friday the Feast of St. Ambrose, namely, the 4th day of April, in the eighth year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward, Stephen de Abyndone and Hamo de Chiggewelle, Sheriffs of London, caused to be brought here to the Guildhall the fish of divers fishmongers of the City, namely, conger, plaice, and gurnard, trussed in dorsers; (fn. 1) because that the same Sheriffs, upon the assertion of certain persons, had heard that the aforesaid dorsers were not of the rightful measure for holding such kind of fish, in the said city from of old appointed: each such dorser rightfully holding within it one bushel of oats. And the said dorsers were measured in presence of John de Gysorz, Mayor Nicholas de Farendone, and other Aldermen.

[A list of sixteen names is then given, whose dorsers were found wanting, to the extent of a quarter of a bushel or more. The name of Andrew Horn, afterwards City Chamberlain, (the most learned lawyer of his day, and writer of the Liber Horn and the Mirror of Justices, and who then kept a fishmonger's shop in Bridge Street) appears among them, but his "two dorsers of plaice" are given as "good, and of certain measure." One other person only "John Saleman" by name, receives the same acquittal.]

And because the aforesaid dorsers were not of rightful measure it was adjudged that the fish therein contained should be forfeite to the use of the Sheriffs, and that the said dorsers should be burnt in the King's highway of Chepe.

Lease of a Hermitage near the King's garden, on London Wall.

8 Edward II. A.D. 1315. Letter-Book E. fol. xxxv. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on the Friday next before the Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle [11 June] in the eighth year of King Edward, son of King Edward, by John de Gisorz, Mayor, John de Wengrave, William Trente, and other Aldermen there was granted to Sir Gilbert de Hardyngham, a certain hermitage (fn. 2) near the King's garden, on London Wall, with all the appurtenances, to have and to hold to the same Sir Gilbert for the whole of his life, provided always that he shall properly behave himself; he rendering to the commonalty one half mark per annum, at the four terms of the year, for the same.

And the same Gilbert binds himself to lay out 40 shillings of costs upon the repair of the said hermitage now upon his first entry, on view of the Chamberlain of Guildhall; and also, he will maintain the rooms of the same hermitage the whole time aforesaid against wind and rain, and will put them in proper repair; nor shall it be lawful for the said Gilbert to let or assign the said hermitage to any other person, without the special leave of the Mayor and Aldermen for the time being, etc. And the said Gilbert doth will and grant that if he shall not make the said outlay, it shall then be lawful for the Chamberlain to eject him therefrom.

The Wardship of the Son of William le Fullere granted to Andrew Horn Fishmonger.

9 Edward II. A.D. 1315. Letter-Book E. fol. xxxix. (Latin.)

The wardship of William, son of William le Fullere the elder, aged one year, was delivered and granted to Andrew Horn, (fn. 3) fishmonger of London, by assent of the next friends of the said child, and of the Mayor and Aldermen, on the Tuesday next before the Feast of St. Laurence [10 August], in the 9th year, together with ten pounds sterling to the same child by the before-named William le Fullere left. On the understanding, namely, that the aforesaid Andrew should maintain the said child properly and sufficiently in food and clothing, and all things necessary for it, until it should attain lawful age, out of the profit of the said moneys in the mean time arising. And when the child should become of age, he was to make full satisfaction as to the same ten pounds.

And he found a surety for the same, namely, Reginald de Herbyzon; who, with the said Andrew, that is, each of them severally, bound all his goods thereto, moveable and immoveable, into whose hands soever they might have come.