Memorials: 1291

Inquisition as to the Bridge of Walbroke, near Bokerelesberi.

19 Edward I. A.D. 1291. Letter-Book A. fol. lxxxiv. (Latin.)

On Friday the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin [20 July], in the 19th year of the reign of King Edward, in presence of Ralph de Sandwich, Warden of the City of London, Thomas Romeyn and William de Leyre, Sheriffs of the same city, and William de Betoyne and Walter Hauteyn, Aldermen, inquisition was made by certain men of the Wards of Walbroke and Cornhulle, what person or persons were bound of right to repair the bridge of Walbroke near Bokerelesberi, (fn. 1) and what person or persons have been wont to make the same, how, and in what manner, etc.

Who say upon oath that a certain tenement, formerly belonging to Richard de Walebroke, and which Thomas (fn. 2) Box now holds; a tenement formerly belonging to John de Tulesan the Elder, and which John de Tulesan the Younger now holds, in the same street; a tenement formerly belonging to Laurence Fitz-Michael, which the Society of Lucca and John le Mazerer now hold; and the tenement (fn. 3) of Bokerelesberi, which the heirs of Roger Beynyn now hold, in the same street;—are bound to repair the said bridge, and of right ought to make the same, and have been wont in common so to do. And they say that in ancient times, as a mark who ought to make the said bridge, four stones were fixed before the tenements aforesaid, that is to say, before each tenement one stone; which were afterwards removed by Walter Hervy, the then improver of the City; and at that time he caused the said bridge to be repaired at the cost of the tenants of the tenements aforesaid. Therefore, precept was given to the Sheriffs, that they should compel the tenants of the said tenements to repair the bridge aforesaid.

Grant of the Small Beam.

19 Edward I. A.D. 1291. Letter-Book A. fol. xcv. (Latin.)

On Monday next before the Feast of St. Dunstan [7 September], in the 19th year of the reign of King Edward, in the presence of Sir Ralph de Sandwich, the then Warden of the City of London, William de Leyre, Thomas Romeyn, then Sheriffs of the same city, Stephen Aswy, Gregory de Rokesle, Ralph le Blound, Robert de Rokesle, Nicholas de Wintone, William de Farndone, Richard Aswy, John de Canterbury, Martin Box, Wolmar de Essex, Thomas Box, [and] Walter Hauteyn, [Aldermen], the Small (fn. 4) Beam of London was given and granted to William de Bettoyne for the term of his life, by award of the aforesaid Warden, Sheriffs, and Aldermen, and of all the commonalty. After which, Henry le Waleys, John de Banquelle, Adam de Fulham, Thomas de Estanes, and John le Blunt, ratified the grant aforesaid, and held it as so ratified.

After this, our Lord the King sent his writ, in these words.—

"Edward etc., to his well-beloved and trusty Ralph de Sandwich, Warden of the City of London, and the Aldermen of the same city, greeting. At the instance of certain friends of Jacobina la Lumbard, citizen of the aforesaid city, who by us are greatly beloved, we do earnestly ask you that the Small Beam, with which silk is weighed in the same city, and which Imgram de Betoynne, late citizen of the same city, now deceased, of your grant and commission, at the requisition of Alianor of illustrious memory, late Queen of England, our consort, held for his life, you will be ready to grant and commit unto the said Jacobina, in consideration of our request, for the whole of her life, in the same manner that the said Imgram held the same in his keeping. And this, as we do put trust in you, do not omit, that so we may be bound to owe you thanks for the same. Witness myself, at Berewyk upon Twede, the 28th day of June, in the 19th year of our reign."

To which letter answer was made by the Warden and Aldermen, to the effect that before such letter had reached them, the said Beam had been granted to William de Betoynne, for the term of his life, by assent and consent of the Warden, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and commonalty of the City aforesaid; which grant they could not and would not infringe, seeing that all had first agreed to the said grant, and had given their assent and consent thereto.

Insult offered in the Sheriff's Court.

19 Edward I. A.D. 1291. Letter-Book A. fol. xcvi. (Latin.)

Roger de Portlaunde, clerk of the Sheriff of London, made plaint to Ralph de Sandwich, Warden of the City of London, and Henry le Waleys, and others, Aldermen of the City aforesaid, that Robert de Suttone, in the full Court of Thomas Romeyn, Sheriff of the same city, which the said Roger was then holding in the name of his master aforesaid, on Thursday the morrow of St. James the Apostle [25 July], in the 19th year of the reign of King Edward, cast vile contempt upon him, the said Roger, in contempt of our Lord the King, by saying these words in English,—"Tprhurt, Tprhurt;" (fn. 5) because he would not allow him, the said Robert, to plead in his Court, before he had reformed his conduct towards the Warden of the city aforesaid, by whom he had been before suspended for certain trespasses alleged against him; and because he would not submit to being forbidden by the said Roger; and thereupon uttered the aforesaid words,—"Tprhurt, "Tprhurt, Tphurt," (fn. 6) to his damnifying, and in manifest contempt of our Lord the King.

And the said Robert, who is present, appears and denies whatever [is alleged against him], and says that he did nothing at all, nor did he say the aforesaid words in contempt of our Lord the King; nor did he proffer to do so to the Court aforesaid, as the said Roger imputes to him; and he places himself upon the record of the four benches of the Court aforesaid, and the said Roger does the same.

And the assessors of the four benches of the said Court appeared, by William Savage armourer, German de St. Giles, Henry son of William de Durham, Robert le Marescalle surgeon, William de Blithe goldsmith, Henry atte Belhous, Nicholas de Neuport, Robert de Chalfonte, Robert de Waldegrave, William de Blithe baker, Christian le Taverner, John de Standone tailor, Thomas de Frowyk, Richard de Wynborne, Walter Woleward, John de Herwe clerk, Simon Godard attorney, and Richard Gladewyne, upon whose verdict the parties aforesaid had put themselves; who say that the said Robert did say in full Court that he would care nothing, for all the forbidding of the said Roger; also, still further speaking in manifest contempt, he uttered these words in English,—"Tphurpt, Tphurt," (fn. 6) at the same time raising his thumb, in contempt for his suspension aforesaid. Therefore, he was to be committed to prison for the contempt aforesaid, until etc.