Folios clxi - cxci

Folio clxi.

Breve Regis missum Thes' et Baron' ad esoner and' cives.

Writ to the locum tenens of the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to allow the City's ferm, &c., to be retained as above. Dated at Westminster, 14 Dec., 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311].

Transcript of indenture of 1,000 marks which the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen of London are assigned to pay to divers servants of the King's household for expenses thereof in the months of November and December, anno 5 [Edward II.], for which money the said Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen have the King's bond under the Great Seal, and the names of the servants and the sums to be paid them appear below, viz.:-

To Edmund de Wyndesore, pantler (panetario) of the King's household, for his office of the King's pantry-£100.

To Walter de Waldeshef, the Chamberlain of the King's Wines, (fn. 1) for his office-230 marks.

To Stephen de Suthlee, clerk of the pantry and King's Butler (Butellar'), for providing beer-120 marks.

To Ralph Spray and Robert Tourk for providing flesh and fish-100 marks.

To William de Basyngstoke, poulterer, for providing poultry-100 marks.

To John de Pelham, clerk of the Stable (marescalcie), for his office-200 marks.

To Peter de Bolingtone and Hugh Matfrei for buying fish-200 marks.

Sum total to be paid by the aforesaid Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen-1,000 marks.

In testimony whereof the above indenture is made, one part thereof remaining in the Wardrobe and the other in the possession of the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen aforesaid.

Folio clxi b.

Acquiet' facta per Joh'em de Pelham clericum Marescaucre d'ni R'.

Be it remembered that on 18 Dec., 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311], John de Pelham, clerk of the King's Stable, received from the Mayor and Aldermen, viz., by the hands of Walter atte Castiel, 46s. 8d. for hay; by the hands of Andrew Brunne and Thomas de Campes, 40s. for horseshoes (ferris equorum) and nails; by the hands of John de Romeneye, £15 for oats; by the hands of Hugh de Hereford and William de Gyllyngham, 44s. for harness. Also by the hands of John de Romeneye and Walter atte Belhous, £30 for oats; and in money by their own hands, the same day, £30. Also other sums of money from John atte Sloo, Alan de Monte, John de Arderne, John de Mildenhale, John de Wymondham, Giles le Ferour, Andrew de Bronne, Ivo de Fulham, and John de Bedeforde for hay, oats, horseshoes, and litter (litera).

Acquiet' facta per Robertum Tourk.

Acquittance by Robert Tourk, the King's buyer, for the sum of £40 received from the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c., for victuals for the King's use, in part payment of 1,000 marks which they undertook to pay. Dated 17 Dec., 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311].

Acquiet' facta per Walterum Waldesshef.

Acquittance by Walter de "Waldeschef," the Chamberlain of the King's Wines, for various sums of money paid by the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c., by the hands of Peter de Castillon, Peter de Mas, Reymond Aiquem, and Alan Herman, for wine in December, 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311], allowance being made for defective measure (pro defectu gaugie).

Acquiet' per Petrum de Bolyngtone et Hug' Matfier.

Similar acquittance by Peter de Bolyngtone and Hugh Matfrei, fishmongers, for 20 marks for fish, in part payment of the above 200 marks.

Folio clxii.

Saturday the Feast of St. Martin [11 Nov.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], there were sealed with the seal of the Commonalty certain letters, as follows:-

Acquiet' fc'e vice b de denar' ab eis recept' ex assignacione d'm R'.

Acquittance by John de Gysors, the Mayor, Aldermen, and the rest of the citizens, to Richard de Welleford and Simon de Mereworth, the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex [sic], for £80 of the ferm and issues of the City, in part payment of 1,000 marks which the said Mayor, &c., undertook to pay on behalf of the King, and for repayment of which the King had assigned the said ferm, &c. Dated 12 Sept., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312].

A similar acquittance to the same for £100, and another for 100 marks.

Similar acquittances to John Lambyn and Richard de Welleford, Sheriffs; also to John Lambyn and Adam Ludekyn, and Hugh de Garton and Robert Burdeyn.

Acquittance by John de Pelham, clerk of the King's Stable, to John de Gysorz, the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, &c., for sums expended in December and January, 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311- 1312], on the King's horses. Dated 27 Nov., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312].

Acquittance under the Common Seal to Hugh de Garton, Sheriff, for the sum of 54s. received by N[icholas] de Farendone, the Mayor, and Aldermen, on Wednesday before the Feast of Nativity B. M. [8 Sept.], 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314], which money was delivered to William Lidverel for salt.

Folio clxii b.

The King's letters patent allowing a sum of £1,000 recently agreed to be advanced by the City to be deducted in the next aid levied in the City or the County of Middlesex, and covenanting not to levy any tallage upon the citizens by poll or in common before the next Parliament. Dated at Wyndesore, 13 Feb., 6 Edward II. [1312-13].

The King to the Mayor, Aldermen, &c., bidding them pay to Ingelard de Warle, the Keeper of his Wardrobe, the sum of £1,000 they had recently agreed to advance. Dated at Wyndesore, 15 Feb., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312-13].

Thursday after the Feast of Translation of St. Edward, K. [13 Oct.], acquittances sealed for the sum of £12 8s. 6d. received of John Lambyn and Adam Ludekyn, late Sheriffs, in part payment of the sum of £706 5s. ½d. And be it known that the said sum of £12 8s. 6d. was paid to Walter de Bardeneye for a debt owing to him by the King. Also for money received from Simon de Mereworth and the executor of Richard de Welleford, late Sheriffs.

Folio clxiii.

Acquittance under the Common Seal for the sum of £100 paid by Stephen de Abyndone and Hamo de Chigewelle, Sheriffs of London and Middlesex [sic], out of the ferm and issues of the City, in part repayment of the sum of £706 5s. ½d. which the City had undertaken to pay to the King's creditors. Dated 5 Feb., 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314-15].

A similar acquittance to the same for the sum of £100. Dated 12 Jan., 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314-15].

The above acquittances were sealed in the presence of the Mayor, and William de Leyre and Henry de Gloucestre, Aldermen, and delivered to Hugh de Waltham, clerk, for him to carry to the profer (fn. 2) (ita quod eas defer at ad profrum) at Westminster, on the morrow of Clausum Pasche, and if they be there allowed, to bring them back into the Chamber, there to remain until the said Sheriffs pay the above £200 into the Chamber.

Similar acquittances to Nigel Drury, late one of the Sheriffs, for the sum of £6 out of the ferm and issues of Queenhithe; to Hugh de Waltham and his co-executors of Nicholas Pycot; to James le Botiller and William de Basyngge, Sheriffs, for £6 of the ferm of Queenhithe; to Roger le Paumer and Agnes de Braghingge, executors of James de St. Edmund, Sheriff; to Simon de Mereworth, Sheriff, and Adam Ludekyn, executors of Richard de Welleford; to John Lambyn and Adam Ludekyn, Sheriffs; Robert Burdeyn and Hugh de Gartone, Sheriffs.

The above sealed in the presence of John de Gisors, the Mayor, William de Leyre, Stephen de Abyndone, Henry de Gloucestre, Elyas de Suffolk, and Anketyn [de] Gysors, and delivered to Hugh de Waltham, clerk, on the understanding that he should deliver the sums mentioned into the Chamber or return the acquittances, &c. Afterwards the said Hugh delivered to John Dode, the Chamberlain, divers sums as set out.

[folio clxiii b blank.]

Folio clxiv.

Memoranda of statements made by the Mayor and Citizens of London before the King's Council to show that they ought not to be tallaged on then rents and chattels like those who are of the King's demesnes.

Be it remembered that on Saturday before the Feast of the Circumcision [1 Jan.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312-13], John de Gisors, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Sheriffs were called before the Council of the lord the King, viz., Walter [Reynolds], Bishop of Worcester, the King's Chancellor, Sir Aylmer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, Sir John de Sendale, the King's Treasurer, and others assembled at the Carmelite Friars, and intimation was given to them on the King's behalf that it had been decided by the Council that the King should tallage his demesne cities and boroughs throughout England, as by right of his crown he was allowed to do. (fn. 3) They were thereupon asked if they would make fine for their tallage or be assessed by poll on their rents and chattels. The Mayor and Aldermen asked to be allowed to consult the Commonalty of the City, and it was granted, &c. After consultation, the Mayor, Aldermen, &c., came and said that although the King could tallage his demesne cities and boroughs at will, they of the City of London, as they understood, were not subject to tallage, inasmuch as they enjoyed by charter all franchises, &c., which their ancestors enjoyed in the time of King Henry I., and since that day they had been quit of all tallages. Moreover, the great charter of liberties of England allowed the citizens all their ancient franchises and free customs, and inasmuch as they were of old so free as not to have been customarily tallaged in manner aforesaid, they ask that they may not be now so tallaged, if it please the King. They further say that inasmuch as prelates, barons, and other nobles of the realm, as well as the citizens, own property in the City, the citizens could not themselves allow a tallage without consulting them, because it would be to their disherison and burdening of their property, &c. Likewise they say that the citizens hold the City by grant of the King's predecessors at a certain fee ferm paid to the King's Exchequer yearly for all services, whereby it appears to them that they ought not thus to be tallaged, &c., and they ask that the tallage be postponed until the next Parliament. (fn. 4)

These and many other arguments having been brought forward, it was at length granted to the citizens by the Council that they should not be assessed for the tallage until the next Parliament if they would make the King an immediate loan of 2,000 marks; and because the citizens refused, there forthwith came Sir William Ingge, Gilbert de Rouberi, Master John de Everdone, and John Abel, the Justices assigned to assess the tallage at the Guildhall, and caused their commission to be read, &c., and by reason of the shortness of the day, they appointed the following Friday to begin the assessment, &c.

Afterwards, viz., on Wednesday after the Epiphany [6 Jan.], the Mayor and Citizens came before the King's Council and agreed to lend him 1,000 marks, asking him at the same time to issue letters to the effect that they should not be tallaged before the next Parliament.

[Here follow letters patent to this effect,. Dated at Wyndesore, 13 Feb., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312-13], and a writ,. Dated 15 Feb., for the money to be paid to Ingelard de Warle, the Keeper of the King's Wardrobe, without delay. (fn. 5) ]

Afterwards, notwithstanding the King's concession, inasmuch as the King had held a certain Parliament at York on Sunday after the Feast of Nativity B. M. [8 Sept.], in the eighth year of his reign [A.D. 1314], (fn. 6) and as the Mayor and citizens were unable-owing to the distance and also to the time of Parliament being taken up with affairs of the Crown by reason of the war in Scotland-to have the question settled whether they were tallageable or not, the King sent his Justices, viz., Sir Hervy de Stauntone, Henry de Scrop, John de Markingfeld, and Ralph de Stokes, to tallage the City, and issued two writs to the Sheriffs of London-dated respectively from Spaldyng, 24 Oct., and Westminster, 6 Nov.-bidding them render to the said Justices every assistance by summoning representatives from each of the Wards to appear, &c.

And the said Justices came to the Guildhall to begin the said taxation, &c. Thereupon the Mayor and Citizens went to the King's Council and asked for a respite until the next Parliament as before, &c., and offered a loan of 600 marks for such respite. And the King granted a respite by letters patent,. Dated Langele, 16 Dec., 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314].

Folio clxv.

Provisio facta qualit' dicte £iiij c levarentur, etc.

Item, be it remembered that on Friday, the eve of St. Thomas, Ap. [21 Dec.], the year aforesaid, it was agreed by the Mayor, Aldermen, and good men of the Commonalty assembled in the Guildhall, that as well for the aforesaid sum of 600 marks as for other costs and expenses to be incurred on the business of the City at the next Parliament, there should be levied in the City 1,000 marks, viz., that every one assessed for the last fifteenth granted to the King should pay 1 mark in every pound assessed, and so more or less according as each was taxed in the said fifteenth.

Breve ae batistar' eligendis.

Writs to the Mayor and Sheriffs to provide arbalesters for the defence of Berwick. Dated respectively at Northampton, 21 Nov., 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314], and Berkhampstede, 4 Dec. (fn. 7)

Folio clxv b.

Indenture made between John de Gisors, Mayor, Stephen de Abyndone and Hamo de Chigwelle, Sheriffs of London, on the one part, and John de Luka, the King's Esquire, on the other part, touching 'aketons," "colerettes," arbalests, quarels, "quyvres," and money provided for the arbalesters by the King's writ to carry them as far as the vill of Berwick on Tweed for the defence of the same, viz.:-

Imprimis, there are delivered to the said John de Luka 120 "aketons," each worth 6s. 9½d., besides (preter) 2s. 4d. Total, £40 17s. 4d.

Item, 120 bacinets with "colerettes" of iron, each worth 5s. 1d., besides (preter) 2s. Total, £30 12s.

Item, 120 arbalests, each worth 3s. 5d.-£20 10s.

Item, 120 baldrics, each worth 12d.-£6.

Item, 120 "quyvres," each ... 30s.

Item, 4,000 quarels, at 20s. the thousand, £4.

Total, £103 9s. 4d.

Item, delivered to the same for the pay of the underwritten 120 arbalesters for twenty-eight days, at 4d. a head per day, and 6d. to the "vintenars," (fn. 8) £57 8s.

Item, for "sarplars" and casks for packing the arms, 24s.

Item, for the carriage of three carts and pay of six carters carrying the said arms from London to Berewick, for eighteen days' travelling, each cart with two carters, receiving for pay and for provender and shoeing of four horses 2s. 2d. Total, 117s.

Total, £64 9s.

Sum total, £167 18s. 4d.

Names of the Arbalesters.

John le Vaux, vintainer-Oliver de Multone, Simon de Enefeud, John de Multone, John de Wolverton, Stephen atte Grene, John Byfolt, Robert le Bowiere, Robert de Glastyngberie, William le Shereman, John de Lyndeby, William de Shrobesberi, John de Willehale Adam de Smalecoumbe, Walter de Cornewaille, William de Fourneis, Henry Picard, John de Bikeleswade, William le Barbour de Flete, John le Cotiller.

William le Tableter, vintainer-Simon Canel, John de Ware, John de Kendale, Robert le Gaunter, John de Kent, Walter de Bertone, Robert le Marchal, William de Assebourn, Philip de Warewik, Richard le Turnour, Richard le Tableter, Jakemyn le Hatter, Robert de Derlingtone, Alan de Bardeneye, Henry de Aumbr[esbury ?], Walter de Cornewaille, William de Fourneys, Henry Pikard, John de Bikkleswade, William le Barbour de Flete, John le Cotiller. (fn. 9)

Robert de Flete, vintainer-Robert Cook, William Hardel, William Hamond, John de Stokbrig, William le Callere, Simon Cokre, Adam de Hereford, Nicholas Horn, "zeynturer," John Billard, Adam de Rocheford, Robert de Chestrefeld, William le Boqueler, Walter le Bokeler, Nicholas Horn, Geoffrey Tasse, Robert de Vescy, Andrew Shadewe, John atte Herne, Ralph Litelpage.

Adam Lughtburgh, vintainer-Nicholas Picard, Alan de Codham, John de Lincoln, John Bat, baker, William le Coureour, Henry Baret, William le Dyere, William le Pestour, Thomas de Braynford, Philip atte Brok, Nicholas de Horewelle, Nicholas Marchiot, Richard de Cornewaille, John le Taillour, John le Forester, John Cape, Hugh 'de la Marche, John de Stanyngtone, Roger de Grenestede.

Peter de Norhampton, vintainer-Henry de Thorp, "peleter," Nicholas de la Marche, Richard de Tanstoke, Roger de Abyndone, Richard de Karletone, William de Pikering, Thomas de Werdale, Walter de Exon', Henry de Ponfreit, William de Ely, William le Brewere, John de Sarum, John de Warewik, Roger de Hatfeud, Henry le Convers, John le Smyth, John Saunfaille, Ralph de Wales, Richard le Flecchere.

John de Cornewaille, vintainer-William Pope, John Kyng, John de Arderne, Roger de Arderne, William de Stowe, Walter de Asshe, John le Bel (?), Thomas le Bowiere, John le Archer, Thomas Matkok, John de Doncastel, William de Benytone, Thomas de Shirebourne, William de Bromptone, Bartholomew de Gildeford, Roger Broun, Adam de Bowyth, Robert de Inggelwode, William de Wilingtone.

[folio clxvi-clxvii b blank.]

Folio clxviii.

Letter from Queen Isabella to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of London, announcing the birth of a son [afterwards King Edward III.] on 13 Nov., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], with an account of the rejoicings in the City consequent thereon. (fn. 10)

Folio clxviii b.

Letter from Johanna, Princess of Wales, to the Mayor and Aldermen, announcing the birth of a son [Prince Edward of Angoulême, eldest son of the Black Prince] on 27 Jan., 39 Edward III. [A.D. 1365]. Dated at the Castle of "Engolesme," 4 Feb. (fn. 11)

[folio clxix blank.]

Folio clxix b.

Inquiry held on Monday after the Feast of the Circumcision [1 Jan.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312-13], before J[ohn] de Gisors, Mayor, Nicholas de Farendone, John de Wengrave, Roger de Frowik, Henry de Durham, Nigel Druri, Simon Bolet, William de Leire, William Servat, John de Wyndesore, Roger de Paris, and Anketyn de Gisors, Aldermen, at the suit of David de Cotesbroke, touching an injury inflicted upon him in parts of Norway:-

John de Denby de Lenne, Goscelyn de Snattesham, and Walter de Yxeworth, being examined on oath, say that when Nicholas Lescot, servant of the said David, was in Norway, in the town of "Northburgh," with his master's goods, on Saturday the Feast of Nativity of St. John Baptist [24 June], 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], for the purpose of commerce, he and other merchants were arrested by King Haco, together with their merchandise. After being condemned, they were reprieved and released from prison, with the exception of twenty-six English merchants, who were detained as hostages. The rest escaped with difficulty out of the country with their lives, leaving their goods behind them. The jurors say that they believe their arrest and imprisonment to have been in consequence of certain Norwegian merchants having been arrested at Lenne through the malice of Tydman Lipp', merchant of Estland. The said David therefore asks for a letter testimonial of the Commonalty of London to the King's Chancellor, in order that he may get a remedy. Thereupon a letter was given to him addressed to Walter [Reynolds], Bishop of Worcester, the Chancellor, setting forth the above particulars.

[folio clxx-cxc b. Record of assize of bread for the years 3-10 Edward II., together with the names of bakers convicted of contravening the assize. A similar record for the years 1 and 2 Edward II. is entered in the Liber de Assisa Pariis (folio xvii-xxiii), and continued (folio 37 b et seq.) for 10 Edward II. and following years, the intervening folios having been apparently left blank for the insertion of what is recorded in the Letter-Book].

[folio cxci. Here follows (in a hand of the fifteenth century) a copy of a petition made by the Masters, Wardens, and members of various guilds throughout the country to King Henry VI. in 1437 praying him to take steps for the stricter regulation of such guilds. As a result of this petition the statute 15 Henry VI. c. 6 was passed. The petition is set out in 'Rolls of Parliament' (vol. iv. p. 507), a translation of it being given by Herbert in his 'History of the Twelve Great Livery Companies,' i. 106-7.]