Folio lxx.
Eleccio vic' London.
Friday the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 30 Edward I.
[A.D. 1302]-by John le Blunt, Mayor of London, Elyas Russel,
Geoffrey de Nortone, William de Betoyne, William de Leyre,
Thomas Romeyn, Adam de Fulham, Richard de Gloucestre,
Richer de Refham, Nicholas de Farndone, Henry de Gloucestre,
John de Canterbury, Walter de Finchingfeld, Salamon le
Coteler, John de Dunstaple, Ralph de Honilane, [and] Nicholas
Pycot, Aldermen, and Peter de Bosenho and Robert le Callere,
then Sheriffs, in the presence of twelve men from each Ward
summoned to receive (ad recipiendum) their Sheriffs, &c. -Simon
de Paris and Hugh Pourte, Aldermen, were elected Sheriffs of
London, &c. And Simon came and was sworn, &c. And Hugh
came not He is therefore distrained, &c. And afterwards he
was mainprised by Adam de Fulham, Alderman, to come on
the morrow of St. Michael, and to do and receive what the
Mayor and Aldermen should impose upon him, &c. And the
said Hugh came on Sunday the morrow of St. Michael and
was sworn, &c. Therefore the said Adam is thereof quit.
Admissio vicecomitum.
And on Sunday the morrow of St. Michael the said Simon and
Hugh were presented by the said Mayor and Aldermen and
Commonalty of the said City to Sir Ralph de Sandwych, the
Constable of the Tower of London, who admitted and received
them without the outer gate of the aforesaid Tower according
to the terms of the charters of the liberties of the City, &c, and
by writ of the King which came to him thereon, &c.
Elecciosecunda dn't Joh'is le Blunt in Mawiem London' et admissio ejusdem.
Sunday the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], 30 Edward I. [A.D. 1302], John le Blunt was for the second time
elected Mayor of London by Thomas Romeyn, John de Canterbury, Geoffrey de Nortone, Richard de Gloucestre, William de
Leyre, Walter de Finchingfeld, Nicholas de Farndone, Nicholas
Pycot, Adam de Fulham, Hugh Pourte and Symon de Paris,
then Sheriffs, Henry de Gloucestre, William le Mazerer, John
Darmenters, Ralph de Honilane, John de Dunstaple, Richer de
Refham, Salamon le Coteler, Aldermen, and twelve men of
each Ward. And afterwards, viz., on the following Monday, he
was presented by the said Aldermen, and Elyas Russel and Adam
de Rokesle, Aldermen, and also by the Commonalty, to the lord
the King at Westminster, &c., and was admitted and sworn
before Sir John [Plantagenet or de Warren], Earl of Surrey
and Sussex, and Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, and the King's
whole Council in the chamber of the Archbishop of York by
precept of the King, &c.
Jur' pro scrutinio faciendo de vinis Vasconum, etc.
Tuesday before the Feast of St. Andrew, Ap. [30 Nov.],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1302], William de Beverlee, Alan de Suffolk,
Geoffrey Scot, Peter de Monkut, Peter Fraunzoun, and Bydan
Manent were sworn to make scrutiny of the wines of Gascons,
&c., and that they would justly condemn all such wines as they
found putrid, &c.
Jur' pro pavimento juste faciend'.
Saturday after the Feast of St. Edmund, K [20 Nov.],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1302], John de Brimmesgrave, Robert de
Harewe, Walter Stedeman, and Nicholas de Brackele, paviors
of London, were sworn to make the pavement throughout the
streets and places of the City only in the manner most commodious for the public, and according to the ordinance of old
approved, &c.
De attornato in Banco jur'.
Wednesday after the Feast of the Circumcision [1 Jan.],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1302-3], before Sirs John le Blund, Mayor,
Elyas Russel, Thomas Romeyn, William de Leyre, William
de Betoyne, Walter de Finchingfeld, Nicholas de Farndone,
John Darmenters, William le Mazerer, Salamon le Coteler,
John de Vintry, Simon de Paris, Nicholas Pycot, [and] Richer
de Refham, Thomas le Paumer de Cornhulle was sworn to be
the attorney of the Commonalty of London in the King's Bench,
and according to his ability well and truly to keep, maintain,
and challenge the liberties and free customs of the City of
London, and to instruct and inform the Serjeant of the City as
often as is necessary, &c., for 26s. 8d. per annum, &c.
And it was granted to him that he should be quit of tallage,
&c., the whole time he was in the service of the City as
aforesaid, &c.
De attornato in Scaccario Regis.
"Harsculphus" (fn. 1) de Whytewelle is attorney of the Commonalty of the City of London in the King's Exchequer from
the Feast of St. Michael, 34 Edward I. [A. D. 1306], taking
yearly 40s.
[Folios lxx b blank.]
Folio lxxi.
Inventory of pledges sold A.D. 1303 by order of the Mayor
and Aldermen for arrears on the King's tallage. (fn. 2)
Folio lxxi b.
Breve R' pro coronatore admittend'.
Edward, by the grace of God, &c., to the Mayor and
Sheriffs of London greeting. Whereas our beloved servant
William Trente, our Chamberlain, to whose bailiwick the office
of Coroner in our City aforesaid appertains, (fn. 3) on account of our
business on which at present he is actively engaged, is unable
to spare time personally to execute that office, and has by his
letters patent deputed under him John le Clerk to do those
things which there appertain to that office; we bid you admit
the said John in the place of the aforesaid William to that
office, and be favourable and obedient to him in all things
appertaining thereto in the City aforesaid, as heretofore has
been accustomed to be done in like case. Witness ourself at
Odyham, 27 Dec., the thirty-first year of our reign [A.D. 1302].
Breve R' procoronatore admittend'.
Edward, &c., to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London greeting.
Whereas our beloved servant Walter de Waldeshef, our
Butler, to whose bailiwick the office of Coroner in our City
aforesaid appertains, (fn. 4) having not sufficient leisure to attend
personally to that office, has appointed Robert de Gunthorp
his deputy; we bid you, &c. Dated at Westminster, 9 Sept,
3 Edward II. [A.D. 1309].
Manucapcio executor' Anneatte Brigge pro Oseber to de Suff' etejusdem absolucio.
Richard de Welleford and Richard Wolmere came before
John le Blunt, Mayor of London, and the Aldermen in the
Husting of London for Common Pleas, held on Monday next
after the Feast of the Purification B. M. [2 Feb.], 31 Edward I.
[A.D. 1302-3], and became surety for the executors of the will
of Anne atte Brigge to answer and satisfy the Commonalty of
London of £21 sterling if it be found that Osebert de Suffolk,
late husband of the said Anne, was so indebted to the Commonalty aforesaid or to the King in respect of his Shrievalty
or any other cause whatsoever, (fn. 5) &c. And to keep the said
Commonalty harmless to that amount they extend themselves
(se extendunt
(fn. 6) ), &c.
(Afterwards, viz., on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Edward the King, the same year, the aforesaid mainpernors were
absolved of their mainprise, inasmuch as it was evident to the
Mayor and Aldermen that the said Osebert was in no way
indebted to the King or Commonalty, so far as they could
learn.)
Folio lxxii.
[Marginal note: Commissions of Elyas Russel, Richer de
Refham, Albric de Fecamp, and Matthew de la Tour; but the
text of the commissions is not recorded, a blank page being left.]
Folio lxxii b.
Breve Reg'.
Writ to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Commonalty of
the City of London, that they assist Richer de Refham and
Hugh Pourte, recently appointed collectors of the new and old
Custom (fn. 7) in the City for the King's use. Witness, W[alter de
Langton], Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, the King's Treasurer,
at York, 27 June, 32 Edward I. [A.D. 1304]. (fn. 8)
Breve Reg'.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, straitly charging
them to summon before them Richer de Refham and Hugh
Pourte, the Wardens of the King's ancient custom of wools,
wool-fels, and leather in the City, and in the presence of the
said Wardens to take sufficient security for Richard Cristesmesse, the King's Troner (tronatore nostro), that he will behave
himself well and faithfully in the said office, and suffer no loss
to happen to the King nor to the merchants coming to him
with their goods. Information touching the said security to be
sent to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer at York on
the morrow of St. Michael. Witness, W[alter de Langton],
Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, at York, 25 May, 32 Edward I. [A.D. 1304].
Returnum.
Return made that Richard Cristesmesse was unable to find
security according to the above writ. Accordingly nothing
was done.
[cedula.]
Writ to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and the whole
Commonalty of the City of London, notifying the appointment
of Richer de Refham and Hugh Pourte as collectors of the
King's new and old Custom in the City, and bidding the said
Mayor, &c., to assist the said collectors in the exercise of their
duty whenever required. Witness, W[alter de Langton],
Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, the King's Treasurer, at
York, 27 June, 32 Edward I. [A.D. 1304].
Folio. lxxiii.
Cogn' pro executor Thome de Oxonia.
Thursday before the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March], 30 Edward I. [A.D. 1301-2], came Thomas, son of Thomas de Oxford,
and Thomas de Farndone, goldsmith, before John le Blunt,
Mayor, Walter de Finchingfeld and Nicholas Pycot, the Chamberlain, and jointly and severally bound themselves to indemnify
William de Rede, Thomas de Suffolk, and Peter the rector
of the church of St. Stephen de Walebroke, executors of Thomas
de Oxford, deceased, touching the dower of Johanna, daughter
of the aforesaid Thomas, or her patrimony, and legacies to
Peter, John, and Agnes, children of the aforesaid Thomas, who
are now dead.
Breve Reg' ad pro[ro]gand' Tieugas inter Regem Francie et Regem Angie.
The King's writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London notifying the prorogation of the truce between France and England.
Dated at Huntingdon, 22 March, 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1301-2]. (fn. 9)
Proclamacio facta per predictum breve.
Proclamation thereon made Monday the morrow of Palm
Sunday [15 April], 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1302].
Veredictum Alderm' super testamentum Oseberti de Suff'.
Wednesday the eve of the Ascension [16 May], 31 Edward I.
[A.D. 1303], it was adjudged by John le Blund, the Mayor, Elyas
Russel, Adam de Rokesle, Richard de Gloucestre, William de
Beton', Thomas Romeyn, John de Wangrave, John de Vintry,
Richer de Refham, Ralph de Honilane, Nicholas Pycot,
John Darmenters, John de Dunstaple, Nicholas de Farndone,
Henry de Gloucestre, Walter de Finchingfeld, and Hugh
Pourte, Aldermen, that the heirs of the blood of Osebert de
Suffolk should be excluded from hereditary rights in the
houses which belonged to the said Osebert in Cordwanerstrete, in the parishes of St. Mary le Bow and St. Mary de
Aldermarichirche, by testament of the said Osebert, proved and
enrolled in the Husting of London held on Monday after the
Feast of Invention of H. Cross [3 May], 12 Edward I. [A.D. 1284].
Except Walter de Finchingfeld and Henry de Gloucestre, who
did not altogether agree, but said that all that was enrolled in
the said testament was the will of the testator, and is good and
acceptable, &c.
Afterwards, viz., on Friday after the Feast of St. Valentine
[14 February], 33 Edward I. [A.D. 1304-5], it was ordered by
John le Blound, the Mayor, John de Wangrave, William de
Leyre, Walter de Finchingfeld, Richer de Refham, John de
Dunstaple, Hugh Pourte, Adam de Fulham, Adam de Rokesle,
John de Vintry, Salamon le Cotiller, Aldermen, and Roger de
Paris, Sheriff, that Ralph Godchep, John de Wrytele, Stephen
Uptone, and William le Barber, spicer, parishioners of the
church of St. Mary le Bow, being sworn on the Holy Gospels,
shall, by view, ordinance, and consent of the said Mayor, sell
the aforesaid houses at the best price possible, and that a
chantry be provided out of the proceeds for the good of his
soul and the soul of "Anne" his wife, and the residue devoted
to the fabric of London Bridge. (fn. 10)
Folio lxxiii b.
Custodia Johannis filii Henr' de Waldegrave tradita Rogero de Evere.
Tuesday the morrow of the Annunciation B. M. [25 March],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], the wardship of John, son of Henry de
Waldegrave, and of his rents and tenements, was delivered by
Sir John le Blount, the Mayor, William de Leyre, Thomas
Romeyn, William de Beton', Walter de Finchingfeld, Richer de
Refham, and Nicholas Pycot, the Chamberlain, Aldermen, to
Roger de Evere, ironmonger, at the request of Walter de
Waldegrave, uncle and former guardian of the said John. The
tenements, of the value of £9, are situate in the parish of
St. Nicholas Olof, near the tenements of William de Arderne,
tailor, and John de Spayne, and between Bredstrete and
Sporoneslane The guardian is to provide reasonable maintenance for his ward and for Margaret his ward's mother;
and if the said Margaret be dissatisfied with the maintenance
found her, she is to receive an annuity of 26s. 8d. in lieu
thereof and for her dower, &c. Various sums are to be paid
to the Abbot and Convent of Certesseye, the Hospital of
St. John de Clerkenewelle, St. Paul's Church, the Prior of
H Trinity, the churches of St. Nicholas Olof and St. Michael
atte Quenehithe, and to Thomas de Peulesdone and John de
Wylehall. Sureties for the said guardian, viz., Henry de
Merlawe, "cotiller," and Adam de Boctone, coffrer.
[Folios lxxiv blank.]
Folio. lxxii b.
Compot' Joh' is de Sheperede clerici Will'i de Leyre.
Thursday after the octave of Easter [7 April], 31 Edward I.
[A.D. 1303], Walter de Finchingfeld and John de Wyndesore-
auditors of the account of John de Sheperede, clerk of William
de Leyre, rendered in the Court of Simon de Paris, Sheriff of
London, touching rents of the said William received between
Michaelmas, anno 30 Edward I., and the following Easter-
find that the said John de Sheperede still owes the said William
the sum of 46s. 2d., and he is committe d to the custody of the
Sheriff until the money be paid.
Litera Baldewyni le Flemeng' de attorn'.
Tuesday before the Feast of Ascension [16 May] came
Baldewyn, son of Richard le Fleming de Hirlaunde, before
John le Blunt, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and acknowledged
as his a letter appointing Nicholas Pycot his attorney to receive
rents of the heirs of Sir Nicholas de Wyncestre in the parish of
St. Christopher in London, &c.
Proclamacio de pace inter Regem Anglie et Regem Francie.
Order under seal of Aymer de Valence for proclamation of
peace between England and France to be made by the Mayor
and Sheriffs of London on Trinity Sunday [2 June]. (fn. 12)
Folio lxxv.
Breve Reg' pro pace proclamanda inter Reges Angl' et Francie.
The King's writ to the Sheriffs of London for proclamation
of terms of the peace. Dated at the vill of St. John "de pert," (fn. 13)
10 July, 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303].
Concordia inter Richerum de Refham et Joh'em de Lincolnia. Et pena super eam.
Agreement and settlement of disputes made on Monday the
eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 32 Edward I. [A.D. 1304], between
Richer de Refham, Alderman, and John de Lincoln, in the
presence of Sirs John le Blound, Mayor, John de Wangrave,
Walter de Finchingfeld, William de Leyre, Hugh Pourte,
William le Mazerer, Simon de Paris, Henry de Gloucestre,
Salamon le Cotiller, John de Armenters, Thomas Sely, and
Nicholas Pycot, Aldermen, and John de Burreforth, Sheriff, and
Sir John de Banquelle, Knt. The said John de Lincoln pledges
himself and his property to pay the sum of £40 to the fabric of
London Bridge in case of his being convicted of offering an
injury to the aforesaid Richer.
Cognicio Rog'ile Viroler de muro dn'i Joh'is de Banquelle.
Roger le Viroler summoned to answer Sir John de Banquelle, Knt., on a charge of having broken down a party wall
between their respective tenements near the Guildhall at
a time when the said Sir John was engaged in the King's
service beyond the seas and was under royal protection. The
said Roger duly came and declared before the aforesaid
Mayor and Aldermen that he understood from Henry
le Waleys his feoffor that the wall was his property. He
now acknowledged the wall to be the property of Sir John
de Banquelle, and he himself laid no claim to it, but made
amends to the said Sir John and submitted to the judgment
of the Mayor and Aldermen.
Folio lxxv b.
Breve Regis.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London to cause two or
three citizens to attend at the Exchequer at York on the
morrow of St. John the Baptist to consult upon the new
payments and customs (fn. 14) which divers merchants had agreed
to pay in order to be quit of prisage. Dated at Newcastle-on-Tyne, 7 May, 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303].
Returnum.
Walter de Finchingfeld, John de Lincoln, and Henry de
Durham are assigned by the Commonalty of the City of London
to come before the Barons of the Exchequer at the time and
place named in the writ, and to them commission has been
granted by the Commonalty of the City aforesaid to treat on
behalf of the same, &c.
Commissio communi sigillo signata.
Commission under the seal of the Commonalty appointing
the above to represent the City at York. Dated Wednesday
after the Feast of St. Botolph [17 June], 31 Edward I.
[A.D. 1303], which commission was returned into the Chamber
by the said representatives on Tuesday after the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [7 July] next ensuing.
Names of the representatives of forty-two other towns who
came on the 25th day of June before the Council of the lord the
King at York by summons of the writ aforesaid, and with one
consent and will declared, as well for themselves as for the
commonalties of the cities and boroughs aforesaid, that they
would in no wise consent to the increase of maletote (maltollie
(fn. 16) ),
nor to the customs mentioned in the aforesaid writ [and] granted
to the lord the King by foreign and strange merchants, save
only to the customs due and accustomed of old.
Folio lxxv.
Quieta clamacio Alicie Martin facta Warino Fattingde maemio.
cognicio iiijd.
Wednesday after the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt.
[24 June], 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], Alice Martin, "Gildestere,"
came before Sir John le Blund, Mayor, Hugh Pourte, Sheriff,
and Thomas Romeyn, Nicholas de Farndone, Richard de
Gloucestre, and Nicholas Pycot, the Chamberlain, Aldermen,
and quitclaimed and pardoned Warm Fatting, an apprentice
of Matilda Fatting, touching a maiming she had recently
suffered on the index finger of her right hand; the said
Matilda in return giving a recognizance for 35s., of which she
paid 20s., and promised to pay the remainder at Michaelmas
next, &c., and unless, &c.
(Afterwards, viz., on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Michael,
the said Alice came and acknowledged satisfaction.)
Breve R' pro executore Roberti de Bree.
Writ to the Mayor of London for the attachment of Peter
de Bosenho, late Sheriff, and Simon de Paris, one of the
present Sheriffs of London, to answer a charge of negligence
in permitting James le Reve, who had been called upon to
furnish an account of money to Nigel le Brun, executor of
Robert de Bree, to abscond Dated at "Linlyscu," 6 June,
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303].
Returnum.
Return to the effect that Peter de Bosenho had been attached
by William Reyner and Thomas de Lentone, and Simon de
Paris by John Scarlet and Peter de Grenewyche; that the plea
mentioned in the writ had been, and still was, before the Sheriffs
of London, who had cognizance of it, and in whose possession
the record and proceedings remained; and that whenever that
plea or any other plea pleaded in the City had to be recorded,
it ought and was accustomed to be recorded within the
liberty of the said City and not without the same, viz., at
St. Martin le Grand, London, and this according to the custom
of the aforesaid City.
The above return was made and ordained on Thursday after
the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], the year aforesaid,
by the Mayor and Aldermen.
Folio lxxvi b.
Breve Reg' pro civibus Januens'.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London for the arrest of
goods found in the City belonging to Flemish merchants to the
value of 522 marks and more, by way of retaliation for the
seizure of Guy and "Johanot" Spinul, merchants of Genoa,
and their ship, merchandise, servants, &c., near Sandwich by
men of Flanders, who carried them away to Ipre as was understood, and there kept them in prison. Dated at Edenburg,
4 June, 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303].
Returnum.
Return made to the effect that the Mayor and Sheriffs had
arrested some cloth of the value of 300 marks and more in the
possession of Walter le Clerk de Brabant and John de Brusseles,
and other cloth of the value of 120 marks in the possession of
Henry Scof de Malins. They had also arrested some wine
of the value of 100 marks found in the possession of Lambert
de Selande, a partner with Ingelram le Fauconer, a burgess of
Bruges, which wine is claimed as the property of William
Julian, merchant of Burdeus. And the aforesaid Walter, John,
and Henry, in the presence of Sirs John de Drokenesford, John
de Berewyc, and Henry Spigornel, claimed the aforesaid cloth
as their own property at the time of the arrest and offered to
prove the same. But as they (the Mayor and Sheriffs) were
given to understand that this offer was made in bad faith,
they had postponed further proceedings until they had received
the King's further orders.
Verdict of the Aldermen of London.
[cedula.]
They say on their oath that Adam de Warfeld, sacristan of
Westminster, Alexander de Persore and Thomas de Dene,
monks of the said church, were ordainers and contrivers of the
burglary (burgerie) of the Treasury of the lord the King. And
John Albon, "mazoun," and a certain John, servant of the
aforesaid John, and Richard de "Podelescote" broke into the
Treasury aforesaid and entered it, and carried away the treasure
and jewels found therein. (fn. 18) They say also that Roger de
Perstoke, the drawer of beer (tractator cervisie) in the cellar
for the use of the convent, Robert de Cherringe, John de
Nottele, John de Prescote, Thomas de Lichefeld, Walter,
valet of Sir Arnold de Campan', William, valet of John
Shenche, Keeper of the King's Palace, Roger and Adam, valets
of the aforesaid sacristan of Westminster, were aiders and
abettors of the said robbery. They say, moreover, that the
aforesaid Richard de "Podelicote" was found seized of part of
the jewels aforesaid, comprising coronets, fermails of gold,
girdles, cups, and scuttles (scutellis) of silver to the value of
£2,200. And that the aforesaid sacristan was seized of a bowl
and cup of silver the value of which they knew not. They
say also that John de Neumarche, a goldsmith residing at
Billingesgate, was found seized of gold weighing 6s. and three
precious stones, and they hold him suspect. And they say that
Walter de Walepol bought in good faith and unsuspectingly
of the aforesaid Richard de Podelicote three gold rings,
and William Torel in like manner two gold rings. And
Geoffrey de Bradele, girdler, in like manner bought of the
said Richard a plate of silver weighing £14 15s. And that
John de Brigeford, goldsmith, likewise bought a fermail of
gold and Oriental "perles" of the value of 70s. And that
Thomas de Frowyk, goldsmith, in like manner bought of
Imayna la Berestere precious stones of the value of 42s.,
and likewise Nicholas de St. Botulph, goldsmith, stones of the
value of 20s., which stones the said Imayna had received from
John de Neumarche They say also that about the Feast of the
Invention of H. Cross [3 May] last past John de Uggele,
William de Kinebautone and John his brother, and Chastanea
la Barbere and Alice her sister met in a certain house within the
close of Flete Prison, together with a horseman (homine equestro)
and four other ribalds unknown, for two nights, and there spent
the time until midnight eating and drinking, and then withdrew
with arms towards Westminster, and in the morning returned;
and this they did for two nights, and afterwards never returned
again. And because about the same time the Treasury was
broken into, they hold these suspect of the robbery and felony
aforesaid.
This verdict was given on Saturday after the Feast of SS. Peter
and Paul [29 June], 31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], by oath of
William de Leyre, William de Betoyne, Thomas Romeyn, John
de Wangrave, John de Armenters, John de Canterbury, Adam
de Fulham, Hugh Pourte and Simon de Paris, the Sheriffs,
Richer de Reffham, John de Vintry, Coroner, William le
Mazerer, John de Dunstaple, Nicholas Picot, Salamon le Cotiller, Nicholas de Farndone, Henry de Gloucestre, Aldermen, &c.
[cedula dors.]
Friday after the Feast of St. Martin in Yeme [11 Nov.],
32 Edward I. [A.D. 1304], Joce Botedieu was sworn Serjeant of
the Chamber before John le Blound, Mayor, John de Wangrave,
William de Leyre, Walter de Finchingfeld, Nicholas de Farndone, Nicholas Pycot, John de Dunstaple, Henry de Gloucestre,
John de Vintry, Ralph de Honilane, Adam de Rokesle, Salamon
le Cotiller, Aldermen, and John de Lincoln and Roger de Paris,
Sheriffs, &c. And the aforesaid Mayor and John de Wangrave
mainprised for the said Joce that he would well and faithfully
conduct himself in all matters touching the said Chamber, &c.
Saturday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], John Juvenal was sworn Serjeant of
the Chamber before John le Blund, Mayor, William de Leyre,
Ralph de Homlane, and Nicholas Pycot, the Chamberlain, &c.
[Folios lxxvii blank.]
Folio lxxvii b.
Ordinacio renovata pro cordwanar'.
(Here follow the Ordinances of the Cordwainers as renewed
on Monday after the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 Aug.],
31 Edward I. [A.D. 1303], by the Mayor and Aldermen, commencing Purceo qe plusurs bone gent Cordwaners......and ending
sur peyne denprisonement. Cf. 'Liber Horn,' folio 309 b. Printed
in 'Liber Cust.,' i. 83, 84; translation, id., ii. 540-1.)
Afterwards, on Monday the morrow of the Nativity B. M.
[8 Sept.], 8 Edward II. [A.D. 1314], forasmuch as it was given
to understand to Nicholas de Farndone, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen that Daniel de Chiltre, (fn. 19) one of the wardens (custodum)
of the said craft (officii), was dead, and that Peter de Sevecompe, cordwainer, was no longer a resident in the City, the
said Mayor summoned Richard le Cordewaner de Grascherche,
and Simon de Burghwelle, residing at Grascherche, cordwainer,
and they were sworn to safeguard the said craft as above
expressed.
Abrocar' altut' jur'.
Friday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 8 Edward II.
[A.D. 1314], John de Lincoln, junior, and Henry Bonquer were
presented to be brokers of leather and of the cordwainers by
John Poyntel, Roger Poyntel, Ralph Pikot, William Smyngham, Walter Pecok, and other good men of the craft of
leathersellers (mercatorum alluti) and cordwainers, &c., and
were sworn, &c.
Also Peter de Evendene was admitted and sworn to the
office of broker of leather and other merchandise coming from
parts of Spain, on Wednesday next before the Feast of
St. Ambrose [4 April], 11 Edward II. [A.D. 1318].
[Folios lxxviii-lxxix blank.]
Folio lxxix b.
Breve Reg' quod statera remancat in iqualr.
Edward, by the grace of God, &c., to the Mayor and Sheriffs
of London. Whereas, among certain articles which we by our
charter for us and our heirs have granted to merchant strangers
and foreigners (fn. 20) coming with their goods and merchandise within
our realm and power, we have ordained that in every merchant
vill and fair within our said realm and power our weights should
be kept in a fixed place, and that, before weighing, the balance
(statera) should, in the presence of the buyer and seller, be seen
to be empty and the arms of the said balance be equal, and
that thenceforth the weigher should weigh equally, and that
when he had placed the balance evenly he should remove his
hands so that it remained even; we command you, as we have
already commanded you, that you cause our aforesaid ordinance
in all things to be straitly observed with the same merchants
according to the terms of our charter aforesaid; or, otherwise,
that you signify to us the reason why this our command already
laid upon you you have failed to obey. Witness ourself at
Westminster, the 14th day of October, the thirty-third year
of our reign [A.D. 1305].
Returnum.
Return. The manner of weighing heavy goods (averia ponderis
(fn. 21) ) coming to the City of London from time immemorial was, and
still is, that the balance should always draw towards the better,
that is to say, towards the thing bought, (fn. 22) and in that way the
said goods are sold to archbishops, bishops, earls, barons, and
others soever buying goods of that kind in the said City; and
this custom and manner of weighing our ancestors have used,
and we hitherto have used, and our lord the King has confirmed
to us by his charter our liberties and free customs which we
have hitherto used by grant of his predecessors, kings of
England. Wherefore we cannot nor ought to change the customs
of his City used and approved by reason of the grant now
made to merchant strangers to the injury and prejudice of his
citizens, and also of the magnates and Commonalty of his realm,
especially since in the charter granted to them it is contained
that weighing should be done in the manner in the said charter
contained when it is not against the lord of the place, or
contrary to the liberty granted by the lord the King himself
or his ancestors, or contrary to the custom of the vills and
fairs hitherto observed. (fn. 23)
Aliud breve Reg' pro eodem.
Another writ insisting upon the Mayor and Sheriffs executing
the King's former command, otherwise they are to appear
before him at Westminster on Monday after the Feast of
Edmund, K. [20 Nov.], next to answer for their contempt.
Dated at Stanes, 16 Nov., 33 Edward I. [A.D. 1305].
Returnum.
Return to the effect that they would appear on the day named.