Memorials: 1282

(fn. 1)Provisions for the Safe-keeping of the City, the City Gates, and the River Thames.

10 Edward I. A.D. 1282. Letter-Book C. fol. lii. (Latin.)

On Wednesday next before the Feast of Pentecost, in the 10th year of the reign of King Edward, by Henry le Galeys, Mayor, the Aldermen, and the then Chamberlain of Guildhall, the following provisions were subscribed.—

"As to the trades:—that every trade shall present the names of all persons in that trade, and of all who have been serving therein; where they dwell, and in what Ward.

"First, (fn. 2) as to enquiry about suspected persons.—

"Also, each Alderman, with two of the best men of his Ward, shall make inquisition as to persons keeping hostreys, (fn. 3) and the persons lodging in the same, making enquiry one by one, and from house to house; that so he may know how many, and who, and of what kind or condition they are, clerks or laymen, who are residing in his Ward, of the age of twelve years and upwards.

"To be remembered: (fn. 4) —as to provision made how suspected persons, when found, ought to be removed, or under what security to remain.

"Secondly, as to the safe-keeping of the City.—All the Gates of the City are to be open by day; and at each Gate there are to be two serjeants to open the same, skilful men, and fluent of speech, who are to keep a good watch upon persons coming in and going out; that so no evil may befall the City.

"At every Parish Church, curfew is to be rung at the same hour as at St. Martin's le Grand; so that they begin together, and end together; and then all the Gates are to be shut, as well as all taverns for wine or for ale; and no one is then to go about the streets or ways. Six persons are to watch in each Ward by night, of the most competent men of the Ward thereto; and the two serjeants who guard the Gates by day, are to lie at night either within the Gates, or near thereto.

"The serjeants of Billingesgate and Queen Hythe are to see that all boats are moored on the City side at night, and are to have the names of all boats; and no one is to cross the Thames at night. And each serjeant must have his own boat with four men, to guard the water by night, on either side of the bridge.

"The serjeants at the Gates are to receive four pence each per day, and the boatmen at night, one penny each."

Sureties for a suspected Welchman.

10 Edward I. A.D. 1282. Letter-Book A. fol. v. (Latin.)

Names of sureties for David de Dissard, taken and attached on suspicion that he is a Welchman, in the time of the Mayoralty of Henry le Waleys; he finding such pledges on Saturday, the Eve of the Holy Trinity, in the 10th year of King Edward.—

Hugh de Stonecrouche in the Ward of Chepe, (fn. 5) Richard de Balsham, saddler, John de Hereford, saddler, Bartholomew le Camisur, (fn. 6) John de Hideburham, hatter, Nicholas the Saddler, serjeant of the Ward,—all these of the Ward of William de Farndone. (fn. 7)