Folio xci.
M
d
de test'o Joh'is Croy done.
Extract from the will of John Croydone, fishmonger, (fn. 1) appointing (inter alia) his wife Elena to be guardian of Elena his
daughter, and devising to them property in the parish of
St Magnus and elsewhere in the City.
Concessio facta Will'o Wircestre et Ph'o Wale worth servientib' Cam'e dum steterint in officiis suis mansiones de sup' portam de Ludgate.
Wednesday the morrow of the Exaltation of H Cross
[14 Sept.], 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], a grant was made, with
the assent of the Mayor, Aldermen, and good men of divers
misteries of the City summoned as a Common Council, to
William Wircestre and Philip Waleworthe, Serjeants of the
Chamber, of all houses and buildings over the gate of Ludgate,
together with the custody of the said gate so long as they
remained in office, one condition of the grant being to the
effect that if the gate became a free prison (fn. 2) (liberam prisonam)
the Chamberlain for the time being should provide manacles,
chains, and other necessary implements at the City's expense.
Folio xci b.
Writ to the Sheriffs for the election of four citizens to attend
a Parliament to be held at Gloucester on Wednesday after the
Feast of St. Luke [18 Oct.]. (fn. 3) No Sheriff of London or any
other Sheriff of the realm to be returned. (fn. 4) Witness the King
at Westminster, 3 Sept., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].
Pursuant to the above writ there were elected John Hadlee and
Geoffrey Neuton, Aldermen, by the Aldermen, and by the Commonalty John Norhamptone and William Venour, Commoners.
Imprisonamentum quaaraginta dier'.
Saturday the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 Aug.], 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378], came good men of the mistery of Fishmongers and
others and informed Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, that no
small affray had arisen in the street within Ludgate, at the
hour of Mass, for that certain misdoers, viz., William Leyke,
"principal," Henry Lincoln, Henry Cleme, John Mendone,
William Sporle, Hugh Plomer, John Salesbury, "pelter," and
William Man, had broken into the house of a fishmonger
called Clement Lavender and forcibly expelled him, and would
not allow him nor his wife nor family to enter. Thereupon
the Mayor visited the scene and committed the offenders to
Neugate.
Afterwards it was adjudged by the said Mayor, and William
Walworth, Adam Stable, John Phelippot, John Hadlee, John
Organ, Andrew Pykeman, John Vyne, William Badby, Thomas
Reynham, John Kyrketone, and John Estone, Aldermen, that
the above William Leyke should be committed to Neugate.
The sentence was afterwards commuted to one of forty days,
the same sentence being passed on the rest of the offenders
At the end of the term they came and gave surety for good
behaviour, John Salesbury being mainprised by Thomas Sergeant
and Andrew Willy.
Folio xcii.
Br'e pro concordia proclamanda int' Regem Anglie et Lodewycum comitem Flandr'.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to make proclamation for the
due observance of an agreement made between the King and
Louis, Count of Flanders, to the effect that Flemish merchants
may traffic freely with England, provided they do not surreptitiously load their ships with French or Spanish merchandise
Witness the King at Westminster, 1 Aug., 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378].
Proclamation made accordingly, Tuesday the Feast of
St Laurence [10 Aug.].
De cessacione vicecomit' ab officio suocausa rebellionis erga Maiorem.
Record of proceedings againSt. Nicholas Twyford, one of the
Sheriffs, for rebelling againSt. Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor,
in a matter arising out of an affray between certain Goldsmiths
and Pepperers in Westchepe on Sunday the Feast of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas [7 March], 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8]. (fn. 5)
Folio xcii b.
John Chichestre, Robert Lucas, Robert Launde, John Coraunt,
Adam Bamme, and John Fraunceys become sureties for
Nicholas Twyford, who also entered into a bond in the sum of
500 marks with William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, for
future good behaviour in his office, &c.
Afterwards, viz., on the 5th March, 5 Richard II. [A.D. 1381-2],
in consequence of the good behaviour of the said Nicholas, it
was agreed by John de Norhamptone, the Mayor, William
Waleworth, Nicholas Brembre, and John Phelipot, Knts, William Cheyne, the Recorder, Thomas Cornwaleys, John Bosham,
and other Aldermen [not named], and divers Commoners of
the misteries summoned as a Common Council, that the above
recognizance should be annulled.
Be it remembered that in a congregation of the Common
Council of the City of London held on Thursday before the
Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], a
book of ordinances (liber de ordinacionibus) was read, and because
it appeared that certain articles required fuller explanation the
said Common Council elected John Hoo, John Estone, and Robert
Launde, Aldermen, Henry Herburi, William Culham, Matthew
Passelewe, John Dony, and William Houghtone, Commoners, to
confer about the same with the thirty-six persons previously
elected by the Common Council, whose names appear supra on
fo. lxxvii of this book, (fn. 6) and to amend the ordinances contained
in the book, and this was done so that they unanimously agreed
to the articles as written in the book.
Memor
d
de feodo Recorda toris.
The same day William Cheyne, the Recorder, complained
to the Common Council, as he had often done before, that
whereas on his appointment to the office of Recorder the
enrolments of deeds and wills were promised to be of the
yearly value of £10 at least, they scarcely amounted to
that sum; he therefore prayed that compensation might be
made to him from some other quarter, in order that he
might live as became his position, more especially as an
ordinance had been recently (noviter) made since he entered
office to the effect that no Recorder should receive any fee
or robes from any strange lord (forinseco domino) or otherwise, whereby the profits of the office had been diminished. (fn. 7)
The Common Council thereupon referred his petition to those
who had previously been elected to consider the above
ordinances, and they decreed that besides the fee of £40 per
annum and clothing, as mentioned in the book of ordinances,
the Recorder should receive yearly 40 marks from the Chamber
in lieu of fees for enrolments, and that fees for enrolments in
Hustings (in Hustengis) should thenceforth remain to the use
of the Commonalty.
Afterwards, viz., on the 3rd Nov. next ensuing, this decree
was confirmed by John Phelippot, the Mayor, the Aldermen,
and the whole Common Council, and was ordered to be entered
on record.
Folio xciii.
L'ra f'ris Voynrici de Amprode f'rm ord'is b'e marie domus Theutonicor' mag'ri gen'alis missa Maiori et Aldermannis Lond'.
Letter complaining of merchants of Almaine having been
deprived of their accustomed privileges in England and of being
molested by citizens of London, and desiring the City to use its
good offices with the King to secure better treatment, otherwise it will behove the said merchants to cease to visit England.
Dated at Dantzic, Saturday the Feast of Corpus Christi [17 June],
A.D. 1378.
L'ra responsiva civitatis.
Letter under the seal of the Mayoralty of the City in reply to
the above, setting forth (inter alia) that the privileges of the
merchants of Almaine had been suspended by order of the
Parliament at Westminster (fn. 8) on account of injuries inflicted by
them on the King's subjects at "Scone" and elsewhere in their
dominions Dated 13 Aug., A.D. 1378.
Folio xciii b.
Nobilib' viris et d' nisd no Maiori Consulib' et toti univ' sitati London' etc.
Another letter addressed "by the Consuls of the common
sea-board cities, your humble servants, assembled for pleas at
Stralessund on the date hereof," to the Mayor, "Consuls,"
and Commonalty of the City, complaining of ill-treatment of
merchants of Almaine, and praying their good offices with the
King. Dated at "Stralessund," Sunday before Pentecost
[6 June].
L'ra respon siva civitatis.
Letter under the seal of the Mayoralty of the City in reply
to the above to similar effect as the last. Dated 13 Aug.,
A.D. 1378.
Folio xciv.
Forisfactura ventrium de Bievere.
1 Sept., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], Richard Spink and Thomas
Halywell, skinners, and Thomas Lacford and William Horscroft, surveyors of the mistery of Skinners, made a presentment
before Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, to the
effect that they had discovered in the cellar of Henry Hydynghous, of the Company of Teutonics of the Hanse, certain bellies
of "Bievre" which were deceitfully mixed with false bellies,
for whereas according to custom such skins for sale should be
entire and not cut, and bellies without backs, the said Henry
had offered for sale in his cellar in "la Roperie" certain
bundles in which half-bellies (medii ventres) were mixed with
whole bellies, to the deceit of the purchasers The bundles
examined before the Mayor and Aldermen and the offender
questioned, with the result that the half-bellies (dimidii ventres)
were confiscated, and the rest were delivered up to the said
Henry, who was spared imprisonment, inasmuch as he had
confessed that the purchasers of the bellies knew as well as
he did that they consisted of half-bellies mixed with whole
bellies.
Eleccio Vicecomitum.
Tuesday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378], in the presence of Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor,
William Cheyne, the Recorder, William Walworth, John
Haddele, Robert Launde, Adam St. Yve, Geoffrey Neutone,
William Badby, John Hoo, Andrew Pykeman, Nicholas Twyford,
John Organ, John Estone, John Kyrketone, Thomas Reynham,
John Vyne, William (John ?) Clyvele, William Knyghtcote, Robert
Warbultone, and John Rote, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs,
John Boseham and Thomas Cornewaleys were elected Sheriffs
for the year ensuing, viz., John Boseham by the Mayor, and
Thomas Cornewaleys by the Commonalty.
Afterwards, viz., on the 28th Sept., they were sworn, and on
the morrow of St. Michael [29 Sept.] they were admitted
before the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster.
Aud' comp' Cam'ar' et custod' pontis London'.
The same day [viz., 21 Sept.] Robert Warbultone and Adam
"de" St. Ive, Aldermen, and William Baret, William Kyng,
Thomas Welford, and William More, "vynter," Commoners,
were elected auditors of the Chamber and of the Wardens of
London Bridge.
S'vient' Vic' jur'.
The same day John Salesbury, John Cherche, Richard Waldene, Thomas Stowe, and Walter Godard, Serjeants of the
Sheriffs, sworn into office; and on Saturday after the Feast of
SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] Henry Traynell and Thomas
Purlee, Serjeants of the Sheriffs, likewise sworn.
Folio xciv b.
M
d
de diversis pecuniar' summis recept' per
Be it remembered that on the 24th May, 50 Edward II.I.
[A.D. 1376], William Eynesham, the Chamberlain, received from
the executors of William Aubrey the sum of 40s. in trust for
Will'm Eynesham Cam'ar' et per eum lib' ate Joh' i Ussher successori' suo.
John, son of the said William Aubrey, which sum he afterwards,
viz., on the 12th Oct., delivered to John Ussher, his successor as
Chamberlain.
On the 20th Jan., 1 Richard II. [A.D. 1377-8], the said
William, the late Chamberlain, received from the executors
of Peter Whappelode, "taillour" and "draper," the sum of
40 marks in trust for Peter, son of the aforesaid Peter, which
sum he likewise delivered to his successor.
On the 31st July, 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the said William,
the late Chamberlain, received from the executors of William
Stodeye the sum of £58 and 15 pence in trust for Agnes,
daughter of the said William Stodeye, which sum he likewise
delivered to his successor.
On the 12th Oct., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], William, the late
Chamberlain, delivered to his successor a sum of money and
certain jewels belonging to Alice, daughter of John Reyner, as
appears supra, fo. xxi [b]; also a sum of money in trust for the
children of Thomas Skynnere, as appears supra, fo. xviii; also
a sum of money which William Hubert bequeathed for the
fabric of a "barbican" without Aldersgate, as appears supra,
fo. xxxiii [b]. Touching the sum of 10 marks received by the
said William Eynesham belonging to the children of Robert
Berewyk, it is delivered to the aforesaid John Ussher, the
present Chamberlain, as appears supra, fo. lmo.
Eleccio Joh'is Ussher in Cam'ar' civitatis London'.
Be it remembered that on Thursday before the Feast of
St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], in a congregation of the Mayor and Aldermen, John Usshere was elected
Chamberlain of the City loco William Eynesham, late Chamberlain, and on the eve of St. Michael [29 Sept.] was sworn
into office.
Exon'acio bonor' Mich'is filii Ric'i fil' Ric'i [sic] de Weston' [sic] marescalli.
20 Oct., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], came Michael, one of the
sons of Richard de Westm[inster ?], marshal (marescallus), before
the Mayor and Aldermen, and, being of full age, claimed a
moiety of his father's property, the other moiety having been
left to John his brother The said brother being now dead,
and the father's property having been apportioned by Richard
Knouseleghe, John le Fourbour, John Walsam, Richard Walwayn, and Robert de York, the said Michael further claimed a
moiety of his deceased brother's property in accordance with
the terms of the said father's will. The property delivered by
Edmund [Wymondeswolde], Rector of the church of St. John
the Evangelist, and one of the executors of Richard [de]
Westm[inster].
Judicium contra Joh'em Maynard.
Saturday after the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.],
2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], it was ordained by John Phelipot, the
Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Common Council, that John
Maynard, "wexchaundeler," and others, who had offended the
Earl of Buk[enham] and his servants, for which offence Nicholas
Brembre, then Mayor, had been impeached before the Parliament at Gloucester, and had paid the said Earl a large sum of
money, (fn. 9) should be arrested and detained until compensation be
made. (fn. 10)
Folio xcv.
Eleccio Maioris.
Wednesday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.],
2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], in the presence of Nicholas Brembre,
the Mayor, William Cheyne, the Recorder, William Walworth,
John Haddele, Andrew Pykeman, Adam de St. Ive, John Organ,
William Knyghtcote, Robert Warbultone, John Estone, William
Badby, Geoffrey Neutone, John Rote, John "Kyrtone," John
Clyvelee, John Vyne, John Hoo, Robert Launde, and Thomas
Reynham, Aldermen, John Boseham and Thomas Cornewaleys, the Sheriffs, and an immense Commonalty summoned
for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing, John Phelippot
was elected Mayor, and on the morrow of SS. Simon and Jude
[28 Oct.] was presented, admitted, and sworn before the
Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer.
Carta Joh'is de Dallyngge senioris per Gilbertum de Lesnes auri malliatorem et Joh'em de Dallyngge juniorem.
Grant by Gilbert de Lesnes, goldbeater, and John de Dallyngge, junior, mercer, executors of Agnes, widow of Alan
de Brauncestre, late mercer (her will being proved and
enrolled in the Husting on Monday the morrow of St Martin,
anno 7 Edward II. (fn. 11) ), to John de Dallyngge, senior, mercer, of
a certain messuage in Chepe, in the parish of St. Vedast, which
the said Alan and Agnes had acquired from the executors of
Thomas de Brauncestre, goldbeater, the said tenement being
situate near tenements belonging to Richard de Annesbery,
Hugh atte More, Nicholas le Convers, Robert le Convers, and
Reginald de Cauntebrigge. Witnesses, Stephen de Abindone,
Mayor, Ralph le Balauncer and William de Caustone, Sheriffs,
Nicholas de Farendone, Alderman of the Ward, Henry de
Gloucestre, William de Bodelee, Robert de Pipehurst, Simon
de Parys, Hugh de Gartone, Roger de Lintone, Henry de
Seccheford, Richard de Shordiche, Ralph de Blythe, Roger
the Clerk, and others [not named]. Dated Tuesday after the
Feast of St. Luke [18 Oct.], 10 Edward II. [A.D. 1316].
The above deed was produced in evidence on the 15th Oct.,
2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], in a suit before Nicholas Brembre,
the Mayor, and the Aldermen, between John Loveye, mercer,
and Robert Lucas, goldsmith, in the presence of the said Mayor,
William Cheyne, the Recorder, William Walworth, Adam
Stable, John Haddele, John Organ, Adam de St. Ive, Robert
Warbultone, Thomas Reynham, Nicholas Twyford, William
Knyghtcote, John Rote, John "Kyrtone," John Hoo, William
Badby, John Estone, John Clyvele, Aldermen, and was here
recorded by request.
Folio xcv b.
Acquietanc' Will'i Eynesham.
Acquittance by Nicholas Brembre, the Mayor, the Aldermen,
and the rest of the citizens, to William Eynesham, the late
Chamberlain, on his account rendered for one year from
Michaelmas, 1 Richard II. Dated in the Chamber of the
Guildhall, 16 Oct., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].
Custodie Joh'is et Johanne pueror' Ric'i atte Boure.
26 Oct., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], the guardianship of John,
son of Richard atte Boure, late draper, aged eight years, and
of Johanna, daughter of the same, aged seven years, together
with a portion of their property, committed by John Phelipot,
the Mayor, and John Ussher, the Chamberlain, to John Shalyngford, draper. Sureties, viz., Geoffrey Walderne, draper, and
Robert de Louthe, "joynour".
Afterwards, viz., on the 22nd Oct., 4 Richard II. [A.D. 1380],
the sum of £9 of the residue of the goods of Johanna, mother
of the above children, was delivered to their guardian by John
Hadle, the Mayor, and Richard Odyham, the Chamberlain.
Sureties, viz., Robert Lyndeseye and Thomas Bridlyngtone.
Billa missa cuil't Aldr'no equitandi cum Maiorein cras tino Ap'lor' S. et Jude.
Precept to the Aldermen that they ride to Westminster in
parti-coloured clothing with the Mayor on the morrow of
SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], on which day he is to take his
charge there, under penalty.
Folio xcvi.
Consuetudo approbata q'd licet aliquis lib' legav'it t'ras ten' vel' redd' ad aliqua pietatis opera faciend' licet non sit persona capax tempore legati t'n legat' capiat effectum.
At a Common Council of the City held on Thursday before
the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378],
the following custom was formally approved, viz., that when a
freeman devises lands, tenements, and rents for the purpose of
a chantry or other pious uses, the devise is good although at
the time of the devise or at the testator's death there might be
difficulties in carrying out its object owing to vagueness, &c.,
and although there be no clause of distress in case of nonexecution, &c.; but the intention of the testator is to be
carried out according to sound reason. (fn. 12)
Br'e pro gaola de Neugate deliberand'.
Letters patent appointing John de Cavendisshe, Robert Belknap, John Philipot, the Mayor, William Haldene, and William
Cheyne, or any four, three, or two of them (the Mayor being
one), to be Justices for gaol-delivery of Neugate. Witness the
King at Westminster, 25 Nov., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378].
Folio xcvi b.
Articuli Pistor' ordinati quarto die November' anno r' r' Ric'i sc'di sc'do.
Articules given in charge to White-bakers (Pestours blanks) and "Tourtes"
(fn. 13)
which they are bound on oath to keep, viz. :—
First that every baker swear to charge his servants to boult
their meal twice, that is to say (with) a large boulter and a
smaller one, and that he will use his diligence to make his
servants work well in "knedyng" as well as to keep the proper
time for so doing (garder lour seisoun de la fesure).
Also that if any one be found to be ignorant or unwilling to
make bread in manner aforesaid, let him be put out of the mistery.
Also that they make four loaves for a penny of the flour that
is boulted with the smaller boulter.
Also that they bake not with water from the fountains, (fn. 14) under
penalty ordained.
Also that they buy not bad meal to mix with good, under
penalty ordained.
Also that no baker sell to Hucksters more than thirteen
loaves for twelve, without gift or other "curtesye". (fn. 15)
Also that no Tourte-baker (Pestour Tourte) handle a boulter
nor make white bread.
Also that bread of the poorer leaven (la pire leveyne) be made
sieved (soit fait crybre).
Also that no horse bread be made except of pure beans and
peas, without mixture of other grain or bran, under heavy
penalty (sur peine vylein). (fn. 16)
Billa missa cuil' Aldr'o ad inquirend' de pistoribus, braciatoribus, carpentar', massons, tylers et daubers.
Precept to the several Aldermen to inquire into the misdoings
of bakers, brewers, hostelers, masons, carpenters, tilers, daubers,
and other labourers in their Wards contrary to statute and
ordinances, and to make a return of the same to the Chamberlain within eight days Dated 31 Jan., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378-9].
Delib' acio Thome Knapet a prisona qui commissus fuit ibidem proverbis dictis de Duce Lancastr'.
Be it remembered that on the 8th Nov., 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378], Thomas Knapet, Clerk of the Church of St. Peter
the Less near Pouleswharf, was arrested by the Mayor and
John Boseham, one of the Sheriffs, for having used abusive
words touching the Duke of Lancaster in the house of John
Shepeye and in the presence of Thomas Hiltone and other
servants of the said John, and was thereupon committed to
Neugate until he could purchase the Duke's favour and that
of the City. He was afterwards released on surety. (fn. 17)
Folio xcvii.
Proclamacio panis vinor' agnor' carbon' et de Bochers.
Proclamation made on Friday, the 19th Nov., 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378], regulating the making of bread under the superintendence of John Groos, fixing the price of divers kinds of
wine, of lambs, charcoal, &c., and ordering the closing of
butchers' shops at dusk. (fn. 18)
Diversi probi hor' es electi pro conduc' muris et fossat' custod' Tamis' cursu de Wal brok reparand' et de v
c
marc' dat' per exec' Ade Fraunceys ad conduct' etc.
24 Nov., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], at a Common Council held
in the Upper Chamber of the Guildhall touching certain matters
moved in the last Parliament held at Gloucester, (fn. 19) there were
elected John Phelipot, the Mayor, William Walworth, Adam
Stable, Nicholas Brembre, John Hadlee, John Boseham, Adam
de St. Ive, John Hoo, Richard Prestone, Robert Launde, John
Organ, Nicholas Twyford, Robert Warbultone [Aldermen],
Simon Aylesham, mercer, Richard Ayllesbury, grocer, John
Norhampton, draper, Thomas Welford, fishmonger, Thomas
Rolf, skinner, Thomas Medlane, vintner, Adam Bamme, goldsmith, John Furneux, "taillour," John Longe, senior, cordwainer, Reginald Colman, "ismonger," John Walsyngham,
armourer, Thomas Mordone, chandler, and John Pountfreyt,
saddler [Commoners]-for the purpose of considering the best
means of carrying out the following measures, viz.: (1) the repair
of the conduit in Chepe and carrying it up to the cross-ways on
the top of Cornhulle, for which purpose the executors of Adam
Fraunceys had promised to contribute the sum of 500 marks;
(2) the repair of the City's walls, ditches, and gates, (3) the
cleansing of the Thames; (4) the repair of the water-course
from the Moor by Walbroke; (5) the providing of places
where Rakyers and carters may deposit rubbish and filth;
and (6) to consider the expenses of those elected to the Parliament at Gloucester and the discharge of other debts of the
Commonalty. (fn. 20)
Folio xcvii b.
Libertas Hug' Hosyere confirmat' per co'e concilium.
15 Sept., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], a motion made in the
Common Council held in the accustomed Chamber of the Guildhall, to the effect that whereas Hugh Hosyere, otherwise called
"Curteys," had been fraudulently admitted to the freedom of
the City in the mistery of Fishmongers, contrary to the ordinance made by the Common Council itself forbidding any
stranger known to be rich and powerful (cognitus pro viro divite
et potente) to be admitted to the freedom of the City without the
assent of the said Council; (fn. 21) and whereas the said Hugh had
obtained the freedom by changing his name from "Hosyer" to
"Curteys"—he be removed from the freedom. Thereupon
Nicholas Brembre, then Mayor, declared that the said Hugh and
another named John Sybile had come before him and the
Aldermen in the Chamber, with six good men, Aldermen and
Commoners, of the mistery of Fishmongers, who certified as to
their character, (fn. 22) and asked that they might be admitted to the
freedom on a reasonable fine, that he (the Mayor) was altogether ignorant of their wealth, and they were admitted on
payment of a fine such as seemed reasonable to the Mayor,
Aldermen, and Chamberlain; (fn. 23) that as to the alleged ordinance
by the Common Council he knew nothing of it, but he recollected that some such matter was once introduced, but was
allowed to drop (permansit indiscussa), although he (the Mayor)
of his own accord publicly promised that during his term of
office no stranger known to him to be powerful and wealthy
should be admitted by him to the freedom without the assent
of the Common Council. He asked whether a personal promise
thus made and not reduced to writing was to be treated as an
ordinance. After debate the question was put by the Common
Serjeant to each of the Aldermen, who said that it ought not to
be regarded as an ordinance, and with them thirty-one misteries
who were present agreed, whilst ten misteries dissented. Thereupon it was adjudged that the said Hugh Hosyere should
continue to enjoy the freedom.
Judicium colli strig' pro uno perdice olente vendito.
8 Oct. [Nov ?], 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], John Bakere de
Ryslep attached to answer a charge of having sold to John,
son of William Burle, "massoun,' a putrid partridge, near the
church of St. Nicholas Shambles, on Sunday after the Feast of
All Saints [1 Nov.], the year aforesaid. The said John Bakere
being brought before John Phelipot, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, denied having sold the bird, but upon a jury being summoned confessed the sale. Adjudged to stand half an hour in
the pillory, the bird to be burnt under him.
Vyne wolmongere exon' at' de inquis' etc.
16 Dec., 2 Richard II. [A.D. 1378], order by the Mayor and
Aldermen that William atte Vyne, "wolmongere," be discharged from serving on assizes, juries, &c., owing to old age.
Folio xcviii-xcix.
Proclamacio de pave vino cervisia venell' hostilar' corectar' marescall' blad' bras' puletar'.
A proclamation of various ordinances for the government of
the City and the regulation of divers trades and crafts. Ablebodied persons are not to counterfeit poor beggars. Lepers
are forbidden the City, &c. At the end there is a schedule of
prices to be paid for all kinds of poultry. (fn. 24)
Folio xcix.
Dez pastlers.
Ordinance by the Mayor and Aldermen as to prices to be
charged by Cooks for divers meat and poultry as well roasted
as in pasties. (fn. 25)
Folio xcix b.
Proclamacio quantum operarii capere debent.
Proclamation of the amount of wages fixed by the Mayor
and Aldermen to be paid to divers labourers who continued to
make excessive charges for their work, notwithstanding the
price of victuals and other necessaries of life having for a long
time remained the same.
Acquietancia Edmundi Halstede.
Acquittance by John, son of Ralph Halstede, (fn. 26) late woolmonger,
and executor of the same, to Edmund Halstede, merchant, for
the sum of £140 left by the said Ralph for providing chantries
in the new chapel he had built in the Sanctuary of the Hospital
of St. Thomas de Suthwerk. Dated 12 Feb., 2 Richard II.
[A.D. 1378-9].