Folios 311 - 320: Sept 1494 -

Folio 311.

Eleccio Vic'.

Sunday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], in the presence of Ralph Astry, Knt., 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, Knt., Richard Chawry, John Tate, John Percyvale, Knt., William Remyngton, John [sic] Isaac, John Broke, Hugh Pemberton, William Purches, William Welbeke [Aldermen], and both Sheriffs, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs— Nicholas Alwyn, mercer, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and John Warner, senior, armourer, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.

William Milbourne, citizen and painter, was elected City Chamberlain for the year ensuing; Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Simon Harrys, grocer, were elected Wardens of London Bridge; John Percivale, Knt., and John Fenkell, Aldermen, Laurence Ailmer, draper, Richard Noneley, grocer, Nicholas Mattok, fishmonger, and Nicholas Nynnys, tailor, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the 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.

Folio 311 b.

Presentacio Ric i Upton cler'ci ad Cantar' in eccl'ia Sc'i Swithuni London'.

Letter from Ralph Astry, Knt., the Mayor, and Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, to Richard [Hill], the Bishop of London, presenting Richard Upton, chaplain, for admission to the chantry founded at the altar of SS. Katherine and Margaret in the church of St. Swithun for the soul of Roger Depeham, vacant by the resignation of Sir Edward Champflour, the last chaplain. Dated under the seals of the Mayoralty and of the Recorder Henry VII.

Custodia pueror' Henrici Cantlowe merceri.

9 Oct., 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494], came Nicholas Alwyn, John Picton, mercers, William Heryot, draper, and John Mille, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £590 and 7¼d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Nicholas of a like sum to the use of Richard and Johanna, children of Henry "Cantlow," late mercer, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 1)

Folio 312.

Eleccio Maioris.

Monday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494] in the presence of Ralph Astry, Knt., the Mayor, Thomas Fitz William, Knt., the Recorder, John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horn, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, John Mathewe, Hugh Cloptone, William Martyn, Knt., Richard Chawry, William Remyngton, John Percyvale, Knt., William Isaac, John Fenkell, Knt., Ralph Tilney, William Capell, Knt., John Broke, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemberton, William Purchas, William Welbeke [Aldermen], and both Sheriffs, and also an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor—Richard Chawry was elected for the year ensuing.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], he was sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow was presented, admitted, &c., before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Custodia Elisabeth' Eryle filie Ric'i Eryle upholder.

22 Jan., 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494-5], came Robert Cryket, William Copynger, Nicholas Mattoke, and William Barde, fishmongers, and entered into bond in the sum of £105 6s. 8d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Robert Cryket of a like sum to the use of Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Eryke, late upholder, when she comes of age or marries. (fn. 2)

Folio 312 b.

Exon'acio Thome Barnard pellip' ab assisis etc.

Mandamus to the Mayor and Sheriffs for the discharge of Thomas Barnard, skinner, from serving on juries, &c., if he be over 70 years of age. Witness the King at Westminster, 16 Feb., 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494-5].

Folio 313.

Exon'acio Joh'is Jenyns Whitebaker.

Similar mandamus for the discharge of John Jenyns, whitebaker. Witness the King at Westminster, 14 Feb., 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494-5].

Custodia pueror' Thome Bodley Cis soris.

19 March, 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1494-5], came Thomas Bradbury, George Bradbury, mercers, Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, and Richard Thornell, mercer, and entered into bond in the sum of £362 14s. 5d. for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bradbury of a like sum to the use of John, James, Elizabeth, and Dionisia, children of Thomas Bodley, late tailor, when they come of age or marry.

Folio 313 b.

Custodia pueror' Ric'i Morley.

The same day came Edward Waren, "tallughchaundler," Richard Dean, skinner, Thomas Piers and John Brown, tallow-chandlers, and entered into bond in the sum of £40 for payment into the Chamber by the said Edward Waren of a like sum to the use of Thomas and Margaret, children of Richard Morley, late tallow-chandler, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 3)

Folio 314.

Custodia pueror' Joh'is Reynolde merceri.

16 July, 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], came Margaret Reynolde, widow, John Broun and Christopher Hawe, mercers, and Bartholomew Rede, goldsmith, and entered into bond in the sum of 500 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said Margaret of a like sum to the use of Elena, Johanna, Richard, Margaret, Ralph, and Mary, children of John Reynolde, late mercer, when they come of age or marry. (fn. 4)

Folio 314 b.

Ordinacio dez White Bakers.

6 Aug., 10 Henry VII. [AD 1495], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of White Bakers before the Mayor and Aldermen, and complained that whereas certain places had been assigned to foreign bakers for the sale of bread anno 15 Henry VI., as recorded in the "boke of K," (fn. 5) and it had been ordained that bread of Stratford should not be hawked in the streets, and that the carts of foreign bakers should be removed from their standing by noon, under penalty (fn. 6) —it was now the custom for foreign bakers of Stratford to bring with them certain spare horses besides their cart horses to carry and hawk their bread in every part of the City, to the great prejudice of the Fellowship of White Bakers of the City. It had been proved, moreover, that such bread was lacking in weight and "unsesonable of past," to the great deceit of the King's people. They pray therefore that it may be decreed that thenceforth no foreign baker of Stratford shall bring any spare horse into the City for the purpose aforesaid.

Their prayer granted.

Folio 315.

Ordinacio Barbitonsor'.

6 Aug., 10 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Barber-Surgeons (Barbitonsorum Sirurgic') before the Mayor, and prayed that the following article might be approved and recorded :—

"Also if any persone of the said Crafte be duely warned and somoned to come to the burying of any other persone of the same Crafte and cometh not to the place to hym appoynted within thour lymyted at his said Somons, every suche persone without a lawfull and a reasonable [excuse] shalle pay at every tyme that he so failleth iijs. iiijd. the one half therof to thuse of the Chaumber of the said Citee and the other half to thalmes of the said Craft &c."

Their prayer granted.

Folio 315 b.

Ordinacio dez Brouderers.

2 Sept., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], came good men of the Art or Mistery of "Brouderers" before the Mayor and Aldermen, and presented a petition to the following effect :—

That in order to avoid certain "inconveniences" that had arisen in the Craft, "and to thentent also that the ornamentes of Goddes Churche and all other thynges made in the said Crafte myght be truely wrought, and the Crafte duely ordred and so contynued," they would ordain that thenceforth all persons using the Craft within the City and suburbs who shall "wyrke any maner of broudered werke as floures ymages or orfrays to be sette uppon velwet satyne and damaske shall make the same floures ymages or orfraies of fyne gold fyne silver and right silke and of none other stuff countrefeit and the same wirke shall sette with right silke upon payn of xls. for every pece of werke so made to the contrary."

"Also that almaner persones usyng the said Crafte as is aforseid shall sette no maner coper Golde lukes (fn. 7) golde or other countrefeit gold or stuff but only upon satyn of bruges (fn. 8) Sarcenet (fn. 9) tarteron (fn. 10) Worsted tewke (fn. 11) Fustian, taffata (fn. 12) bustean (fn. 13) and Chamlet (fn. 14) and not uppon Right velwet right satyne nor damaske upon peyne of all suche werk to be putt to fyre and brent or elles to be yeven to poure Churches or Chapelles after your discrecion And over this it wolde please you for execucion of the premisses to graunt unto the Wardeyns of the saide Crafte of Brouderers and to their successors associat jointly to gider with theym ij mercers expert in the said Crafte the same mercers to be assigned by the Wardeyns of the Crafte of the mercery for the tyme beyng and with a Serjaunt of the Chambre power and auctorite at all convenient seasons when they shalle thynke expedient for to serche and oversee all maner broudred werke aswell within the Citee as the Suberbes of the same and alle suche werke as they shall finde unsufficient and made of deceyvable stuff or wrought contrary to the ordenaunce above expressed to take and present to your said Chambre there to be discussed as the value therof requireth and accordyng the Importaunce of this your Acte Also to ordeigne enacte and establisshe that all Copes vestmentes and tunecles made within this Citee kepe their fulle Shappe in leynth and brede after a lawfull assise of olde accustumed upon peyne of xxs. for every Cope Vestment and tunecle made to the Contrary" —one half thereof to be to the use of the Chamber, and the other half to go equally to the boxes of the Crafts of Mercers and "Brouderers."

"A Cope to holde in leyngth vij quarters of a yerde kepyng his compas rounde about."

"A cheseble to holde in leingth a yerde and half and in brede a yerde and a quarter."

"A tunecle to holde in leyngth a yerde and a quarter and in brede a quarter."

Also that no freeman of the City occupying "broudery" set any foreign "brouderer" to work except with the approval of the Wardens of "Brouderers" for the time being, under penalty.

Their petition granted.

Folio 316.

Ordinacio dez Bal ers London'.

16 Sept., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Bakers before the Mayor, and presented a petition praying :—

That no foreign cart of Stratford bringing bread to the City for sale be allowed to stand elsewhere than in the places accustomed, (fn. 15) nor bread be sold after noon, under penalty.

That no foreign baker of Stratford carry bread on horse or man's back to houses unless the bread has been sold at the markets and in market time. (fn. 16)

Petition granted.

Folio 316 b.

Eleccio Vic'.

Monday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], in the presence of Richard Chawry, Mayor, Robert Sheffelde the Recorder, (fn. 17) John Broune, Knt., John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., Henry Colet, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, William Martyn, Knt., John Tate, William Remyngton, John Percyvale, Knt., John Fenkell, Knt., William Isaac, Ralph Tilney, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemberton, William Purches, William Welbecke [Aldermen], and both Sheriffs, and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs—Thomas Kneseworth, fishmonger, was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex by the Mayor, and Henry Somer, haberdasher, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty; William Milborne, painter, was elected City Chamberlain for the year ensuing, Simon Harrys, grocer, and Christopher Elyot, goldsmith, were elected Wardens of London Bridge; John Fenkell, Knt., William Capell, Aldermen, Nicholas Mattok, fishmonger, Nicholas Ninnys, tailor, William Stede, grocer, and Thomas Creme, draper, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the accounts of the Chamber and of the 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.

Folio 317.

Eleccio Maioris London'.

Tuesday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], in the presence of Richard Chawry, Mayor, Robert Sheffeld the Recorder, John Broun, Knt., John Warde, Hugh Brice, Knt., Henry Colet, Knt., William Horn, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, John Mathewe, Hugh Cloptone, William Martyn, Knt., William Remyngton, John Percyvale, Knt., John Tate, William Isaac, Ralph Tilney, John Fenkell, Knt., John Broke, Henry Cote, Hugh Pemberton, William Purches, and William Welbeke, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor—Henry Colet, Knt., was elected.

Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], he was sworn and admitted at the Guildhall, and on the morrow was presented, admitted, &c., before the Barons of the Exchequer.

Carta tenenc' Archi'pi Cantuar' etc.

Writ to all Justices, Sheriffs, Escheators, Bailiffs, &c., forbidding the exaction of toll from tenants, &c, of lands and fiefs belonging to the Prior and Convent of Christchurch, Canterbury. Witness the King at Westminster, 8 Nov., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495].

Folio 317 b.

Agraunt made to Robert Gode yere mercer of the offic' of Pal ker shipe and Gawger shippe of the Citee of London.

Grant by a Court of Aldermen held 21 Nov., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495]—there being present Sir Henry Colet, Knt., the Mayor, Hugh Brice, Knt., William Horne, Knt., Robert Tate, William White, Hugh Cloptone, William Martyn, Knt., John Percivale, Knt., William Isaac, Ralph Tilney, John Broke, Hugh Pemberton, William Purches, William Welbeke, and Robert Fabian. Aldermen, in the Inner Chamber of the Guildhall—to Robert Godeyere, mercer, of the reversion of the offices of "Pakkership" and "Gawger Shippe" (fn. 18) for a term of 21 years after the expiration of a similar term for which the said offices had formerly been granted to Robert Fitz Herbert, draper, and John Fitz Herbert, gentleman.

Folio 318-319 b.

Ordinacio dez Pastelers etc.

15 Dec., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495], came the Wardens and other good men of the Art or Mistery of Pastelers of the City before the Mayor and Aldermen, and complained that whereas in time past they had been "of power to have a company of theym self in one clothing" and been able to bear the City's charges, they had now fallen into such poverty, owing to their being deprived of their living by vintners, brewers, innholders, and tipplers, that they could no longer appear in one clothing, nor were able to bear the City's charges, unless speedy remedy be applied. They prayed therefore that certain articles might be approved and enrolled, to the following effect :—

That every brother of the Fellowship attend an appointed church on the Feast of Exaltation of Holy Cross [14 Sept.] to hear Mass, and make offering of one penny, a brother's attendance being excused for reasonable cause, but not the offering of a penny. That he also attend on the following morning to hear a Requiem for the souls of all deceased members.

That every brother, on due warning, attend funerals, obits, &c., of Brethren and "Sistern" of the Fellowship.

That disputes be submitted to the Wardens before action be taken at law.

That the Wardens have authority to search and oversee all manner of dressed victuals in open shops, to see if they be wholesome and also "whether the penyworthes therof be reasonable for the comon wele of the Kynges liege people or not."

That all persons that seethe, roast, or bake victuals for sale in the City pay henceforth such quarterage to the Wardens as freemen had been accustomed to pay in support of the Craft.

That no one thenceforth send any victuals ready dressed about the streets or lanes to be sold, under penalty of forfeiture of the same to the use of poor prisoners in Ludgate and Newgate and fine.

"That no persone nor persones enfraunchised in the said Crafte of Pastelers from hensforth shalle take uppon hym or theym to make any grete Festes as the Serjauntes Fest the Maires Fest the Shireffes Fest and the Taillours Fest without thadvice of the Wardeyns to thentent that the Fests of everiche of theym shalbe welle and worshipfully dressed for thonoure of this Citee and also for thonour and proffite of the persones that shalle bere the charges therof," under penalty prescribed.

"That whate persone or persones of the same Crafte that hereafter shall serve the Maire for the tyme beyng or any of the Shireffes for the yere of Mairaltie or Shervalte as their householde Coke or Cokes shalle neither in his own propre persone nor by any his servaunt or servauntes by Colour Crafte or otherwise that yere dresse or do to be dressed any Festes brekfastes dyners or Sopers for any Weddynges obites Craftes or otherwise out of the Maire or Sherriffes houses without suche Fest brekefast dyner or Souper be made at the cost and charge of the said Maire and Sherreffes for the tyme beyng to thentent that every man of the same Feaulisshippe may have a competent livyng," under penalty prescribed.

"That from hensforth there shalbe but one snoppe occupied on the Sonday of the said Crafte in Bredestrete and one in Briggestrete to hentent that your Suppliauntes the gode Folkes of the same Craft may serve Godde the better on the Sonday as trew Cristen men shuld do; and the ij shoppes to be opened by thadvice of the Wardeyns for the tyme beyng that is for to sey one shoppe to be occupied on the Sonday in the one strete and an other shoppe in the other strete and an other persone to occupie and open a shoppe on the next Sonday in the one strete and an other in Þe other strete and so alwey one to occupie after an other," under penalty prescribed.

That "if any persone or persones enfraunchised in the said Crafte hereafter make any bill or billes of fare and proporcion for any Fest dyner or Souper by the desire of any persone or persones or elles make covenaunt with any to dresse such Fest dyner or Souper that then none other of the same Craft shall put any suche persone or persones from the makyng and dressyng of the said Fest dyner or Souper," under penalty of 20s.

That every one enfraunchised in the Craft "that herafter shalbe commaunded by the Wardeyns to bere the Corce of any brother or sister of the same Crafte to burying shall bere the same Corce or Corces to the Churche and to burying without any resistence grudge or geyneseyng of any persone or persones so commaunded upon peyn of iijs. iiijd."

That "if any foreyn or straunger take upon hym to make or dresse any Fest dyner or Souper within the same Citee or liberties therof that thanne it shalbe lefull to the Wardeyns for the tyme beyng with a Serjaunt of the Maires to theym assigned to attache take and arrest any such Foreyn or straunger so makyng any Fest dyner or Souper and to bryng the same Foreyn or straunger to prison and to bide the punysshement of the Maire and Aldermen for the tyme beyng and over that to forfeite at every tyme so doyng 10s. to be divided in maner and forme abovesaid."

That every brother of ability and power shall pay for his quarterage yearly for the priest and clerks and his dinner 4s.

That no freeman of the Craft slander or revile another, under penalty.

That any brother making unreasonable complaint to the Wardens shall forfeit 20 pence.

That no one of the Craft shall from henceforth "make or do to be made upon one day more than ij dyners and one Souper," under penalty of 6s. 8d.

Petition granted.

Folio 320.

Exon'acio Rogeri Grove ab assisis.

Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to discharge Roger Grove, netmaker, from serving on juries, &c., if he be proved to be over 70 years of age. Witness the King at Westminster, 4 Feb., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495-6].

6 Feb., same year, the above Roger Grove discharged accordingly.

Exon acio Joh'is Gyva ab assisis.

Similar writ to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs for the discharge of John Gyva, "iremonger," on account of infirmity Witness the King at Westminster, 28 Jan., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495-6].

Exoneracio Joh'is Taillour ab assisis.

Similar writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs for the discharge of John Taillour if he be found to be over 70 years of age. Witness the King at Westminster, 12 Jan., 11 Henry VII. [A. D. 1495-6].

5 Feb., same year, the above John Taillour discharged accordingly.

Folio 320 b.

Carta Cocor' London'.

Charter of incorporation of the Cooks of the City. Dated 11 July, 22 Edward IV. [A. D. 1482]. (fn. 19)