Purprestures and Measures: (nos 342-469)

The London Eyre of 1276. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 1976.

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'Purprestures and Measures: (nos 342-469)', in The London Eyre of 1276, (London, 1976) pp. 89-98. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol12/pp89-98 [accessed 24 April 2024]

(nos 342–469)

342. Of purprestures, (fn. 1) they say that the Friars Preachers have obstructed two lanes in the ward of Anketin de Auverne [Farringdon ward] to the nuisance. Afterwards the prior and friars come and proffer charters (fn. 2) of King Henry testifying that the king granted them the lanes for the enlargement of their courtyard; on condition that the well called Showell which is in the upper end of the one of the lanes should remain unobstructed, so that the neighbourhood of the City and suburb should have recourse to the well to draw water, when it is necessary.

343. They say that the prioress of St. Helen's obstructed a lane in the ward of Philip le Taillur [Bishopsgate ward] to the nuisance. The prioress proffers a charter (fn. 3) of King Henry testifying that the king granted to her and to the nuns of St. Helen's permission to enclose the lane in London which lies between their lands on either side and to hold it closed in perpetuity.

344. They say that the canons of St. Paul's London obstructed a lane in Dycereslane opposite [the convent] of the Friars Minor in the ward of Anketin de Auverne [Farringdon ward] to the nuisance. The canons proffer a charter (fn. 4) of King Henry testifying that the king granted to Master Robert de Barton formerly precentor (fn. 5) of St. Paul's permission to enclose the lane and keep it closed, provided that there should be a gate with locks at each end of the lane to allow free entrance and exit by the gates in case of fire and other mishaps which frequently occur in the City.

345. They say that the prior of Holy Trinity London obstructed a path (viam) between the priory and the City Wall which was formerly used by horsemen, pedestrians and carts. So the sheriff is ordered to cause the prior to appear. Afterwards the prior comes and proffers a charter (fn. 6) of King Henry [I], ancestor of the present king, granting to Norman, then prior, and the canons of Holy Trinity London permission to enclose by a wall the road between their church and conventual buildings and the City Wall, on either side up to the wall, and to hold it peacefully; the road which used to be there is now to run in front of the church on the other side; which grant was made for the souls of the king's mother and father, predecessors and successors, for his salvation and the state of the realm. Thereupon the mayor and aldermen testify that the road was obstructed as at present from the time of the said grant until the last disturbance which took place in the kingdom between King Henry and his barons, when certain enemies of the prior reopened it. The prior says that immediately after the disturbance King Henry ordered the wardens of the City, by a writ which is enrolled on the Chancery rolls (fn. 7) to permit the prior to obstruct the road and repair and restore the other features of the close as they used to be before the disturbance, and puts himself upon the record of the Chancery rolls. Afterwards the Chancery rolls are searched and the following enrolment is found: 'Henry [III] to John Walerand and John de la Linde, wardens of the City of London; since the beautiful house of the priory of Holy Trinity London and other features of the close of the priory near the City Wall, were ruined and overthrown at the time of the disturbance in our realm, to the grievous loss of the priory, we, being especially concerned for the well-being and protection of the place, as we are indebted to it, order the wardens to permit the prior to rebuild the tenement and houses of the priory and repair and restore the other features of the close as they used to be before the disturbance. To the barons of the Exchequer; since at the time of the disturbance in our realm the prior and convent of Holy Trinity London sustained many losses and grievances and the loss of liberties granted to them by us and our predecessors, we, wishing to provide for their protection, have granted that they be restored to all their liberties and henceforth have free enjoyment of them; therefore we command you to allow this to be done and to maintain those liberties; at Westminster 11 February 50 Henry III [1266].' So it is adjudged that the prior is without day.

346. They say that Gwiot the Clerk built a wall 38 feet long in the ward of Anketin de Auverne [Farringdon ward]. [cf. 726]

347. Reginald le Chaundeler built a step and two staples (stapella) to the nuisance of the king's highway in the same ward. [cf. 736]

348. The dean and chapter of St. Martin le Grand London built a pentice too low in the same ward.

349. The prioress of Cesterhunte built a solar overhanging more than it should have done.

350. Likewise Ellis de Hertford built two solars overhanging more than they should have done. [cf. 727]

351. Stephen le Cordwaner built a pentice too low to the nuisance of the king's highway, [cf. 728]

352. Michael de St. Edmunds, who has died, built a solar and a porch (porticum) which Master [m. 16d] Godewin now holds in the same state. [cf. 729]

353. Robert de Dorset built a palisade (palacium) over the king's highway to the nuisance. [cf. 730]

354. Thomas le Messager rebuilt a pentice to the nuisance in the same ward. [cf. 730]

355. William de Kent built a pentice in the ward of William de Durham [Bread Street ward] too low and extending over the king's highway.

356. William Buntyng, who has died, made two steps of a cellar, too much to the nuisance of the king's highway in the same ward.

357. Gilbert de Clare earl of Gloucester and Hertford made a gutter (gutteram) through the middle of his kitchen, so that many people were offended by the stench (putredinem). So it is adjudged that the gutter should be closed in at the earl's expense, insofar as it is a nuisance.

358. Reginald de Fridaistrete made a step to a solar which extends too far over the king's highway. [cf. 732]

359. Stephen de Harewe holds a step which John de Wyndes', who has died, made to the nuisance. [cf. 732]

360. Bartholomew le Espicer, who has died, made a pentice which extends too far over the king's highway. [cf. ?733]

361. Floria Viel holds a pentice built by her former husband William which is to the nuisance. [cf. 734]

362. Roger Hervi made a pentice to the nuisance of pedestrians and horsemen. [cf. 735]

363. The master of the hospital of St. Bartholomew and John le Paumer, who has died, made two pentices in the ward of William de Durham [Bread Street ward]. [cf. 737]

364. Edmund le Heymonger, who has died, made three solars to the nuisance, which Richard de Havering holds and rents from year to year.

365. They say that in the ward of Billinggesgate William Samuel, who has died, made a pentice to the nuisance, which Walter le Chaloner holds in the same state. [cf. 738]

366. Ralph Sperling, who has died, made a wall of [blank] length on the king's highway and Simon the Baker now holds it in the same state. [cf. 738]

367. John Sperling, who has died, made a wall in the same way which his son John now holds in the same state. [cf. 738]

368. Richard de Derbey built a solar to the nuisance which Robert de Storteford now holds. [cf. 739]

369. William de Arraz made a solar to the nuisance. [cf. 739]

370. John de Honilane, who has died, made a solar too low which Robert de Linton now holds in the same state. [cf. 739]

371. Robert Albin holds a solar and a pentice which are to the nuisance and which Ingolph le Pestour constructed. [cf. 740]

372. Richard de Watford placed a beam (fecit trabem) and a pentice on the king's highway to the nuisance. [cf. 741]

373. The prioress of Haliwell constructed a solar to the nuisance.

374. Robert le Burser constructed a solar which Robert Sevehod holds to the nuisance. [cf. 742]

375. Reginald the Goldsmith built a shop to the nuisance. [cf. 743]

376. Robert de Coringham caused his beams (trabes) to be placed on the highway to the nuisance. [cf. 743]

377. William de Laufare made two solars much too low to the nuisance. [cf. 744]

378. Peter the Fisherman holds a pentice which the prioress of Haliwell constructed to the nuisance.

379. Roger le Taillur, who has died, made a pentice which Laurence le Poter holds in the same state to the nuisance. [cf. 745]

380. Peter de Gysors made (? a solar) which Robert the Tailor now holds. [cf. 746]

381. John le Brevetour made a solar to the nuisance.

382. Master Leodegar made a solar to the nuisance.

383. Germain le Pessoner holds a solar in fee which the prior of Holy Trinity constructed to the nuisance. [cf. 746]

384. Likewise Michael de Kemefingg constructed a solar which John Wyttefiz now holds to the nuisance.

385. Nicholas de Bysshopesgate, who has died, made a pentice which Isabel de Wodeford holds.

386. William de Mesendene, who has died, made a solar to the nuisance, which is now in the hand of the prior of the New Hospital. [cf. 748]

387. Laurence de Maneli, who has died, made a pentice which the abbot of Shrewsbury (Salop) now holds. [cf. 749]

388. Roger de Leukenor made two pentices which are to the nuisance. [cf. 750]

389. Roger de Grey likewise made a pentice.

390. The prioress of St. Helen's made a pentice.

391. John de Bysshopesgate, John Walemyn and John son of Alan made their beams (trabes) to the nuisance. [cf. 751]

392. Peter le Lymbernere, Hamund the Tiler (Tegulator), Walter Daniel, Ellis le Furmager and John de Cruce made purprestures before the doors of their houses by the appropriation of earth which had been carried away from a dike (fossato).

393. Bennet de Agency (fn. 8) rebuilt a step and a pentice. [cf. 752]

394. William le Rus made two dikes and planted trees upon them to the nuisance in the Porsoke of Holy Trinity. [cf. 753]

395. John le Poter rebuilt a porch. [cf. 754]

396. William de Boxford holds a solar which Hugh de Ive, who has died, made to the nuisance. [cf. 754]

397. Aylbred le Tornur has a pentice. [cf. 755]

398. Loveyn (fn. 9) le Turnur likewise has a window. [cf. 755]

399. One Hugh [? de Clopham] likewise constructed one. [cf. ?767]

400. Avice de Hundesdych has two solars which her husband Richard made to the nuisance. [cf. 756]

401. Edmund earl of Cornwall has a solar which Roger de Suffolk built to the nuisance. [cf. 757]

402. Richard Poterel has a solar made by Hubert de Dakenes, who has died. [cf. 758]

403. Edward le Blund made a pentice which William his son now holds to the nuisance.

404. William le Chaundeler made a solar. [cf. 759]

405. Philip de Norhamton 'poleter' made a pentice to the nuisance. [cf. 759]

406. Roger de Bliburg made a pentice which Ralph le Mazon holds to the nuisance. [cf. 760]

407. Richard de Abindon made a pentice. [cf. 760]

408. Richard Dygon made a solar. [cf. 761]

409. Robert the Clerk obstructed a lane of St. Martin Orgar to the greatest nuisance.

410. Adam Moiling for a tenement built to the nuisance. [cf. 762]

411. Arnald Bogays made a pentice. [cf. 673]

412. William Skileman holds a pentice which Roger Hardel holds [sic] to the nuisance. [cf. 764]

413. Henry de Grenford likewise holds a pentice constructed by Roger Wilekin who has died.

414. William Page constructed a pentice. [cf. 764]

415. Master Adam de Cant' a pentice.

416. Ralph de Cestre made a pentice. [cf. 765]

417. Robert de Assendene occupied a plot on the king's highway and built a house which Gilbert Sperling holds.

418. Jordan Pigo' made a solar. [cf. 766]

419. Adam le Chapeler made a pentice which Michael Poter holds. [cf. 766]

420. Ellis le Mariner made a pentice. [cf. 766]

421. Edmund Pentecost, who has died, made a solar which Edmund Horn holds to the nuisance.

422. William Carpenter, who has died, made a solar which Gunnilde Beaumond holds. [cf. 767]

423. Ralph de Beaumond, who has died, made a solar which Richard Sharp holds to the nuisance. [cf. 767]

424. Robert de Waunton (fn. 10) made a solar. [cf. 768]

425. Nicholas Horn a solar. [cf. 769]

426. Henry de Carpenton one.

427. Alice de Exemie holds a gutter (stillicidium) which Robert de Graschirche made. [cf. 770]

428. Geoffrey de Basingge made a gutter near his privy (cloacam) which the heir of Hugh de Eston holds to the nuisance.

429. Herman le Estreis made a gutter to the nuisance.

430. John Saher a step.

431. The abbot of St. Albans for a pentice.

432. Master Ralph Crapsy made a pentice. [cf. 772]

433. And Hugh de Wyndes'. [cf. 773]

434. And likewise the commonalty of London built a house in the ward of Henry de Frouwyk [Cripplegate ward] to the greatest nuisance.

435. John Derkin made three steps which Thomas de Clare holds to the nuisance.

436. Aaron de la Rye, a Jew, made four steps. [cf. 775]

437. Ascelina de la Boche planted a vine near her house to the nuisance.

438. Hugh Gratefyg obstructed a well to the nuisance. (fn. 11)

439. Robert le Wodemanger made a pentice. [cf. 776]

440. William son of Richard, who has died, two pentices which his wife Amice now holds in the same state. [cf. 776]

441. Roger de Bradele made a pentice.

442. Philip de Eye obstructed a path (viam) in Hoggenelane running through the middle of his courtyard which used to be public (communis).

443. They say that a lane has been obstructed with dung between the old Fish Market and Castle Baynard.

444. William Yeregesse made a solar which Robert de Paris holds.

445. Richard le Taillur, who has died, made a solar which William de Assendene holds.

446. Aaron Crispin, a Jew, made a step on the king's highway. [cf. 777]

447. Copin Troye holds a solar made by Osbert Presbyter, who has died. [cf. 778]

448. The abbot of St. Albans made two solars and one solar which Walter Bending holds to the nuisance.

449. Walter de Merdene a solar. [cf. 779]

450. Hugh le Lou a solar. [cf. 780]

451. William de Middelton a pentice.

452. Robert Gratefyge a solar which Athelard the Clerk holds.

453. Thomas the Chaplain, who has died, made a solar which Walter de Foleham holds.

454. Emma la Rus made a solar which the prior of Wenloke now holds to the nuisance. [cf. 781]

455. William le Mareschall built his beams (trabes) to the nuisance.

456. Likewise the Earl Marshal made four privies (cloacas) next to his house to the nuisance.

457. Robert Blaket, who has died, built a house on the king's highway next to the church of St. Michael Queenhithe (de Ripa) to the nuisance.

458. Stephen de Cornhull made windows for his cellar facing the king's highway. [cf. 782]

459. Godfrey de Norhamton, who has died, obstructed a public path in the ward of Simon of Hadestok [Queenhithe ward].

460. John de Norhamton made a step to the nuisance. [cf. 783]

461. John de Stypenhethe made a step before the door of his tavern to the nuisance. [cf. 784]

462. John le Taillur made a step. [cf. 784]

463. Joan widow of Martin le Arbeleter made a gutter (gutteram).

464. Thomas le Mareschal 'vineter' built four shops near the Conduit. [cf. 785]

465. William de Chavente made a pentice.

466. Robert Hautein a step to the nuisance. [cf. 774]

467. So they are all in mercy. The sheriff is ordered to remove the purprestures and restore them to their former state at the expense etc.

[Nota, ? unnumbered]. . . purpresturis . . . mendis . . . et. . . ad custum etc. [much faded].

468. Of measures, they say that Walter Hervi, when alderman of this City, sealed two false quart measures which are here before the justices; they were found in the possession of Robert Sevenhode and his wife Emma and seized by Henry le Waleis then mayor and Henry de Coventre sheriff. So the sheriff was ordered to cause Walter, Robert and Emma to appear. Afterwards Walter comes and admits that the measures were sealed with his seal, but says that his seal was in the keeping of Ralph the Serjeant and Henry le Wympler, custodians of the ward of Cheap; so he says that the measures were sealed by the custodians and not by him and he is prepared to verify this as the court shall adjudge. It is testified that the measures had formerly been presented as false before the treasurer and barons of the exchequer and Walter there admitted that they were sealed with his seal, so that on his admission the barons put the measures in safe keeping to produce them here under Walter's seal. Walter says that he never made this admission before the barons and puts himself upon the record of the exchequer. So he is given a day to appear before the king at the next parliament. Nevertheless Ralph de Touvy parmenter, Alan de Castello, Peter de Winton', Ralph de Bromle, Robert Otes, Thomas de Mimmes, Godfrey le Formager, Henry le Bole, Robert de Linton, Richard le Paumer, John Wade and Roger Herevy undertook to have him here at the said term. Meanwhile the measures are to be given up to Adam de Stratton under the seal of the justices. Afterwards Henry le Wimpler and Robert Sevenehode appeared and found pledges to appear before the king at the said term; Henry's pledges, Robert Hauteyn, William de Paris, Edward Sevenhode, William de Kent, John Richemund, Henry de Farnham, Robert le Lung 'mercer', John de Hakeborn 'mercer', Roger de Amyas, William Blundel 'braeler', Walter Blundel 'braeler' and John de Berkyng 'correor'; Robert's pledges, Guillot de Paris, John le Coffrer, Robert Sevenhode the younger, Stephen le Chapeler, Thomas le Paternoster, Edward de Cerne 'mercer', Walter Sevenhod, Richard de Mimmes 'bukeler', William le Paternoster, Theywyn de Wynchelse, William de Paris, Robert le Wyt [blank]. [cf. 724]

469. Of cloths sold contrary to the assize, they say that John Adrian the elder [blank]. [cf. 294]

Footnotes

  • 1. No attempt has been made to identify the wards in which purprestures (342–467) occurred unless the name of the alderman of the ward is given. However, with the obvious exception of 342–5, it would appear that purprestures for a particular ward were grouped together, e.g. Farringdon (346–54), Bread Street (355–64), Bishopsgate (?385–7391), Cripplegate (434–42), Queenhithe (457–9). There is no evidence that the justices perambulated the City as they had in 1246 (London Eyre, 1244, nos. 349–486; C. N. L. Brooke and G. Keir, London, 800–1216 (1975), 163–6).
  • 2. C.P.R. 1258–66, 225, 23 June 1262.
  • 3. C.P.R. 1247–58, 38, 24 Mar. 1249.
  • 4. C.P.R. 1247–58, 166, 25 Nov. 1252; cf. Historical MSS. Commission, 9th Report, Appendix (1883), 10, nos. 486, 507.
  • 5. 1245 x 6– 1257; subsequently dean (J. Le Neve, Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 1066– 1300, i. St. Paul's, ed. D. E. Greenway (1968), 24).
  • 6. Cartulary of Holy Trinity Aldgate, ed. G. A. J. Hodgett (London Record Society, vii, 1971), no. 12 and n for further references.
  • 7. C.R. 1264–8, 235–6.
  • 8. ? Recte Hackney.
  • 9. Recte Lovekyn.
  • 10. Recte Waltham.
  • 11. In a Cripplegate presentment of 1279 renewed complaint was made that Hugh Gratefige had obstructed 'Everardeswelle' (M. Weinbaum, London unter Eduard I. und II., ii (Stuttgart, 1933), 154).