Folio 161.
Custod' Rob'ti Sympson fil' Rob'ti Symp son draper.
18 June, 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came John Hungerford,
William Capell, John Saunder, and John Beauchamp, drapers,
and entered into bond in the sum of £1,000 for payment into
the Chamber by the said John Hungerford of a like sum to the
use of Robert, son of Robert Sympson, late draper, when he
comes of age.
Custod' Kat'ine fil' Will'i Draiton Paisteler.
19 June, 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came Thomas Cole,
William Marteyn, and George Grenested, skinners, and entered
into bond in the sum of £40 for payment into the Chamber
by the said Thomas of a like sum to the use of Katherine,
daughter of William Draiton, late "pastiller," when she comes
of age or marries.
Folio 161 b.
Custod' pueror' Rob'ti "Middilton" cissor'.
19 June, 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came William White,
draper, Roger Barlowe, tailor, William Holme and [blank],
drapers, and entered into bond in the sum of £126 13s. 4d. for
payment into the Chamber by the said William White of divers
sums to the use of Johanna, Anne, Margaret, Katherine,
Thomas, and James, children of Robert Middelton, late tailor,
when they come of age or marry. (fn. 1)
Folio 162.
De portatorib' Torchiar' in Vigiliis Sc'i Joh'is Baptiste etc.
26 June, 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], ordinance by John
Broune, the Mayor, and the Aldermen that in future the
Chamberlain shall provide four torch-bearers on the eves of
St John Bapt [24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June] (fn. 2) at
the expense of the Chamber, the same to be clothed in
"jaketes" to match the torch-bearers provided by the Mayor
for the time being.
Custod' Joh'is Crosby filii Joh'is Crosby.
5 July, 21 Edward IV. [A D. 1481], came John Benyngton,
John Smert, John Broke, and Robert Halle, grocers, and
entered into bond in the sum of £1,000 for payment into the
Chamber by the said John Benyngton of a like sum to the use
of John, son of John Crosby, Knt. and Alderman, and late
grocer, on his coming of age.
Folio 162 b.
Custod' Ric'i Langley fil' Ric'i Langley draper.
The same day came William Cowper, Simon Hogan,
drapers, Everard Newchirch, "peautrer," and [blank], and
entered into bond in the sum of 10 marks for payment into
the Chamber by the said William of a like sum to the use of
Richard, son of Richard Langley, late draper, when he comes
of age.
Folio 163.
Custod' pueror' Joh'is Crosse.
10 July, same year came Thomas Bell, "wexchaundiller,"
John Wyngare, Thomas Crosse, grocers, and John Frere,
"bruer," and entered into bond in the sum of £23 6s. 10d. for
payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas Bell of a like
sum to the use of Peter, Johanna, and Margaret, children of
John Crosse, when they come of age or marry.
Concessio fo'a armurar' de quodam solo.
Friday, 27 July, 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], petition presented to the Common Council by Richard Ferne, John Bride
and Richard Michell, the Master and Wardens of the Mistery
of "Armurers," praying that they may be allowed to enlarge
their wharf in the parish of St. Peter near Paul's Wharf by the
space of 10 feet, so that it might be made even towards the
Thames with the other wharves next adjoining, inasmuch
as at every ebb of the river the soil was covered with entrails
of beasts and other filth, to the great annoyance of the
petitioners and of those using a common stair adjoining the said
wharf.
Petition granted.
Folio 163 b.
Ordinacio fc'a pro conservac' Pont' London'.
At the same Common Council a petition was presented by
the Wardens of London Bridge complaining of the damage
done to the great Tower at drawbridge and other arches and
piers of the bridge by the vibration caused by "shod carts"
passing over, as well as by frequent drawing of the drawbridge,
and praying that it may be ordained that in future "no shod
cart laden be suffred to passe over the said Brigge (fn. 3) nor the said
drawebrigge to be drawne but onely for grete necessite and
defence" of the City; and, further, reminding the Council of
"the grete and many inconvenientes that have come in tyme
passed and daily come to the stadelinges (fn. 4) and grounde werks
of the same brigge by Petir men (fn. 5) laiers of Wilchons (fn. 6) and
oþere Fisshers liyng almost daily and tidely in tyme of yere atte
said stadelinges to the grete hurt of the same," and praying
that an act of Common Council recorded in a book marked with
the letter I, fo. lvj, forbidding fishing within 20 fathoms of any
"stadelyng" of the bridge, may be renewed and ratified; (fn. 7) and,
lastly, praying that it may be enacted that no ship lying at
Fresh Wharf or elsewhere on the east side of the Bridge shall
cast any anchor in the "Goleis' and "Stadelynges" under the
Bridge nor within 20 fathoms of the same.
Petition granted.
Folio 164.
Eleccio Vice com'.
Friday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 21 Edward IV.
[A. D. 1481], in the presence of John Broun, the Mayor,
Humphrey Starky the Recorder, William Taillour, Knt.,
William Hamptone, Knt., Robert Drope, Robert Basset,
Richard Gardyner, Thomas Stalbroke, William Heriot, Robert
Billesdone, Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hille, Hugh Brice, Richard
Rawson, John Warde, John Stokker, Robert Tate, William
Bacon, William Horn, and William Wikyng, Aldermen,
and very many Commoners summoned to the Guildhall
for the election of Sheriffs—Robert Tate, mercer, was
elected one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex by the
Mayor, and William Wikyng, skinner, was elected the other
Sheriff by the Commonalty.
The same day Milo Adys, goldsmith, was elected Chamberlain of the City for the year ensuing; William Galle, tailor, and
Henry Bumpstede, mercer, were elected Wardens of London
Bridge, Thomas Hille, Hugh Brice, Aldermen, William White
draper, John Swan, "taillour," William Martin, "skynner,"
and William Spark, draper, Commoners, were elected Auditors
of the accounts of the Chamberlain 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.
Q'd s'vientes nec valecti vic' vendant s'visiam ad Retall' etc.
Wednesday, 26 Sept., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], ordinance
by the Common Council that the Sheriffs for the time being, and
all future Sheriffs, shall not admit to office any serjeant-at-mace
or valet, unless such serjeant or valet find surety before admission not to sell ale by retail, the Sheriffs being fined £5 every
time they do to the contrary.
Custod' pueror' Joh'is Bodnam wex chaundeler.
28 Sept., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came Robert Fletcher,
"cowper," William Broun, draper, Richard Eryk, "upholder,"
and Robert Gowdby, draper, before the Mayor and Aldermen,
and entered into bond in the sum of £55 9s. 2d. for the delivery
into the Chamber by the said Robert Fletcher of the sum of
£40 and certain jewels to the use of John and Isabella, children
of John Bodnam, late "wexchaundiller," when they come of
age or marry.
Folio 164 b.
Custod' Thome fil' Ric'i Grene scrivener.
The same day came John Thornton, John Hunter, Thomas
Spence, and Thomas Welles, stockfishmongers, and entered
into bond in the sum of 20 marks for the payment into the
Chamber by the said John Thornton of a like sum to the use of
Thomas, son of Richard Grene, late scrivener, when he comes
of age.
Folio 165.
9 Oct., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], Sir [Thomas (fn. 8) ] Percy,
Prior of Christchurch, sworn before John Broun, the Mayor,
and the Aldermen as Alderman of the Ward of Portsokne,
and made oath such as other Aldermen are accustomed to
make, &c.
Eleccio Maioris.
Saturday the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.],
21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], in the presence of John Broun, the
Mayor, the Prior of Christchurch, Humphrey Starky the
Recorder, William Taillour, Knt., William Hamptone, Knt.,
Robert Drope, Richard Gardyner, Thomas Stalbroke,
Knt., William "Hariot," Robert Billesdone, William Stokker,
Knt., Edmund Shaa, Thomas Hille, Richard Rawson, Hugh
Brice, John Warde, John Stokker, William Horn, and Robert
Tate, Aldermen, and an immense Commonalty summoned to
the Guildhall for the election of a Mayor for the year ensuing—
William "Haryot" was elected.
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.
Folio 165-7.
Ordinacio Lathamorum.
15 Oct., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came good men of the
Art or Mistery of Masons of the City of London into the Court
of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before
the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for
the better regulation of the Mistery might be approved, which
articles were to the following effect:—
That freemen of the said craft, mistery, or science shall, on
the Feast of Holy Trinity or within ten days of the same,
assemble together in some suitable place within the City and
choose two of themselves, being householders, to be Wardens
of the Craft for the two years next ensuing, the said new
Wardens being presented by the old Wardens and 4 or 6
other honest persons of the Craft for approval and sworn in the
Chamber of the Guildhall.
That all money, jewels, goods and necessaries belonging to
the Fellowship be delivered to the new Wardens, and an
account rendered.
That a freeman who has been duly elected Warden and
refuses to take office be brought before the Mayor or the
Chamberlain as a rebel against his fellowship and forfeit the
sum of 40s. for his disobedience.
That once in every three years the members be clad in a
livery at the discretion of 6 honest persons or more of the
said Craft, such as the Wardens and Fellowship shall appoint
thereto, and that every one admitted to the livery, and able
to bear the charge thereof, refusing to take it or wear it, be
liable to forfeit the sum of 6s. 8d.
That once in every two years they attend Mass at Christchurch within Aldgate, clad in their livery, and each make
offering of one penny; and afterwards go to their dinner
or recreation at a place appointed, accompanied by their
wives if they will. Each member to pay 12 pence for his own
dinner, and 8 pence for his wife's dinner if present. Any one
absenting himself from the said Mass, offering, or dinner,
without reasonable cause, to forfeit 3s. 4d.
Provided always that the dinner be kept the year of the
election of the new Wardens, and the "clothyng" given the
following year.
That every freeman of the Craft shall attend at Christchurch
on the Feast of Quatuor Coronati
(fn. 9) [8 Nov.] to hear Mass, under
penalty of 12 pence.
That certain days be kept for payment of quarterages, viz.,
3 pence a quarter, an extra payment of 2 pence being made
towards any recreation provided on those days by the
Wardens. Those absenting themselves without reasonable
excuse to be liable to a forfeiture of 12 pence.
No one to be admitted into the freedom of the Craft by the
Wardens until examined and proved "connyng" therein, under
penalty of 40s. Servants and apprentices not to be enticed
away from their masters. Brothers of the Craft not to rebuke
or revile the Wardens or each other. Lastly, the Wardens to
have a right of search, and the oversight and correction of all
manner of work appertaining to the science of Masons within
the City and suburbs, in conjunction with an officer of the
Mayor assigned to them for the purpose.
Petition granted.
Folio 167.
Ordinacio de Brounbakers.
15 Oct., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came likewise good men
of the Mistery of Brounbakers before the Mayor and Aldermen,
complaining that persons of divers other crafts use the Craft of
Brounbakers to a greater extent than freemen of the Craft, and
refuse to obey the Wardens of the Craft in assize and "past."
pay no quarterage, neither bear lot nor scot. They therefore
prayed that certain articles for the regulation of the Craft might
be approved and recorded to the following effect:—
That every one occupying the Craft of Brounbakers in the
City shall obey the Wardens in their search and observe the
rules touching the assize and paste, under penalty of paying
6s. 8d.
That every brother or occupier of the Craft pay every
quarter day 6d., besides 13d. to the Beadle, and every journeyman 2d.
That bakers of horsbrede (fn. 10) shall not entice customers by giving
any advantage to them, but only "xviii caste of horsbrede for
the doseyn" whilst keeping the assize and paste, under penalty
of 20s.
And that no one of the Craft sell thenceforth any "horsbrede" to hucksters to retail, but only to innholders and such
as desire it for their own use, under penalty of 6s. 8d.
Petition granted.
Folios 167b-8b.
Ordinacio de Wyremongers.
The same day came the Wardens and Fellowship of the
Mistery of Wyremongers (fn. 11) and prayed that certain articles for
the regulation of the Craft might be approved and enrolled, (fn. 12) to
the following effect (inter alia) :—
That no one of the Craft work anything pertaining to the
same upon Saturday nor on the vigil of any double Feast after
the last "pele" of evensong rung in the parish church, under
penalty of forfeiting 2 pounds of wax or 8 pence for the
pound.
That none work on the Feast of St. Clement the Pope
[23 Nov.], "but that it be kept and halowed as it is kept and
halowed among oþere craftes of the same citee that in their
werk occupie fire and water in eschewyng the hurtes that myght
come thereby," (fn. 13) under penalty of 3s. 4d.
That no freeman of the Craft "sett any persone awerk
nor werk opynly in his shop in the occupacion of wyndyng of
Bokils, cuttyng of stones for muldes, (fn. 14) scoryng of the same,
gravyng of muldes, castyng of metall, or colowryng of the
same metall, by the which any persone not enfraunchesed in the
same Craft straungier or other not connyng in the same Craft
myght lerne it, but if the same persone not connyng aggree
wt the Wardeyns of the same Craft for the tyme being
Except onely the wiffe son doughter or covenaunt servaunte
that hath been apprentice in the same Craft," under penalty.
Also that henceforth no person work in the Craft after
9 P. M., to the annoyance of his neighbours with knocking or
filing, under penalty of paying one pound of wax to the Guildhall Chapel and one pound to the use of the Craft, or 8 pence
for the pound.
Petition granted.
Folio 168 b.
Vicecom' mortuus et alter loco ejus electus etc.
Be it remembered that on Saturday, 20 Oct., 21 Edward IV.
[A. D. 1481], in the presence of John Broun, the Mayor, the
Aldermen, the Common Council, the Wardens, and other good
men of all the Misteries of the City summoned to the Great
Hall of the Guildhall, Richard Chawry, salter, was elected one
of the Sheriffs of the City [sic] loco William Wykyng, who died
the previous day. The same day the said Richard Chawry
received the oath according to custom. On the following
Monday, viz., 22 Oct., he was presented at Westminster with
the pageant of all the barges (cum apparatu omnium Bargiarum),
according to ancient custom in presentations of the City's
Sheriffs on the morrow of St. Michael.
Folio 169.
Disgysyng et pageons prohibit qn' Maior recepit suum sacr'm etc.
"Be it Remembred that the xxiijth day of October the xxjth
yere of the Reign of Kyng Edward the iiijth [A. D. 1481] It is
accordet by John Broun Maire and the Aldremen of the Citee
of London that from hensfurth in the Goyng and Commyng
of the Maire to or from Westmynster when he shall take his
Othe there shall no disguysyng nor pageoun be used or hadde
from the Maires house to the water nor from the water to
the Maires house like as it hath been used nowe of late afore
this tyme uppon payn of xx li to be lost by the Feolashippe that
shall hapne to do the contrary hereunto to thuse of the
Chambre etc."
P'sentacio Mag'ri Thoe Aleyn ad quandam Can tar' v cantar' in Capella b'te Marie juxta Guyhald' London'.
Letter from John Broun, the Mayor, and Milo Adys, the Chamberlain, to Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, presenting
Master Thomas Aleyn for admission to one of the five chantries
founded in the Guildhall Chapel by Adam Fraunceys and
Henry Frowyk. vacant by the resignation of Sir Thomas
Praty, the last chaplain. Dated 15 Oct., 1481.
Exon'acio Thome Lud bury ab assis'.
27 Oct., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], Thomas Ludbury,
"lorymer," discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from
serving on juries, owing to his infirmities.
Exon'acio Joh'is Pierson ab assis'.
The same day John Pierson, mercer, similarly discharged
for like cause.
Exon'acio Will i Dolfynby ab assisis etc.
The same day William Dolfynby, "letherseller," similarly
discharged for like cause.
Folio 169 b.
L'ra Reg' Edwardi iiij ti q'd Maior et Aldr'i lib'am li'erent elecc'suor' officiariorum.
Letter from the King to the Mayor and Aldermen thanking
them for having acceded to his request to appoint Nicholas
Suthworth to the office of "Garbelershipe' (fn. 15) within the City,
and, further, for having made him a freeman without charge.
The King promises that this appointment to the office of
Garbler shall not be drawn into precedent Dated at Windsor
Castle, 16 Nov. [A. D. 1481].
Custod' Mar garete fil' Will i Gardyner draper.
13 Nov., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came Robert Fletcher,
"cowper," William White, Thomas Risby, drapers, and John
Plonket, "sherman," before William "Hariot," the Mayor, and
the Aldermen, and entered into bond in the sum of £60 16s. 2a
for the delivery into the Chamber by the said Robert Fletcher
of a sum of money [amount not recorded] and certain goods in
trust for Margaret, daughter of William Gardyner, late draper,
when she comes of age or marries. (fn. 16)
Folio 170.
Proclamacio cont a Provisores victualium pro hospicio Regis.
Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation for all persons
who have suffered at the hands of the King's Takers and
Purveyors in taking wheat, wood, &c., to lay their complaint
before the Lords of the Council or the Steward of the King's
Household, the King's will being that none should be prevented bringing wheat and wood to the City, and that any
wheat or other grain taken by the said Purveyors should be
paid for. No Purveyor to be accepted as such unless he produce his commission under the Great Seal. (fn. 17) Witness the King
at Westminster, 16 Nov., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481].
Exon'acio Joh'is Oterto i ab assis'.
27 Nov., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], John Oterton, "bowyer,"
discharged by the Mayor and Aldermen from serving on
juries, &c., owing to old age.
Custod' pueror' Ric'i Sturges piscenar'.
1 Dec., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came Richard Suthewell,
esquire, fishmonger, William Purchas, mercer, and Robert
Darlyngton, fishmonger, and entered into bond in the sum of
400 marks for payment into the Chamber by the said Richard
of 250 marks to the use of John, son of Richard Sturges,
late fishmonger, and £100 to the use of Richard, son of the
same, when they respectively come of age.
Folio 170 b.
Recogn' pro exon'acione xv me in Ward' de "Bassieshawe'.
11 Dec., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481], came John Olston,
Rector of the church of St. Michael in "Bassyngeshawe," John
Materdale, Thomas Shelley, and Ralph Urmestone, churchwardens, Richard Haynes, Henry Davers, Robert Yarome,
William Rollesley, William Estone, John Benname, John
Martyn, Hervey Stephens, Nicholas Duraunt, and John Baker,
parishioners of the same, and entered into bond in the sum of
£18 for the payment of a sum of £3 out of every whole
fifteenth granted by Parliament to the King, towards the relief
of the poorest parishioners, until such sum of £18 be expended.
Folios 171-2.
Ordinacio de lez lether sellers etc.
5 Feb., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481-2], came good men of the
Art or Mistery of Lethersellers into the Court of the lord the
King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before the Mayor and
Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for the regulation
of the Mistery (fn. 18) might be approved, to the following effect
(inter alia) :—
That no member "tawe" any leather for any one not a freeman of the City and "reciaunt" within the City and suburbs,
under penalty prescribed, except that if "any gentilman or
any other honest man willyng to have a skynne or ij or iij or
half a doseyn tawed for his owne use no man say nay as the
Tawier and he may aggree and accorde takyng for the werkmanship Þ'eof."
Also that no "foreyn" shall be put to "tawyng of leder,"
nor to "diyng of leder," nor to "flotyng of brasill," nor to
'drawyng out of leder," nor "kepyng stewe to dry lether in
when it is died," nor to "wtthyng," "paryng," "pollyng," nor
"cuttyng of poyntes," under penalty.
Also that no one of the Craft thenceforth "sett on, put on,
wynde on, nor perse no maner throwes otherwise called
aglettes upon any poyntes or laces, that is to say of leder
thredde or silk of what colour soever it be, by no candelight."
Petition granted.
Br'e protenentib' ville de Southwold et Returnum ejusdem.
Writ alias to the Mayor and Sheriffs forbidding the exaction
of toll from the men of the vill of Southwold, co. Suff., the
said vill having been formerly held by Gilbert de Clare, late
Earl of Gloucester and Hereford, as part of the Earldom of
Gloucester, and its tenants free of toll Witness the King at
Westminster, 11 May, 20 Edward IV. [A. D. 1480].
Folio 172 b.
Return made to the above writ to the effect that the Mayor
and Sheriffs had always taken toll of men of Southwold coming
to the City with merchandise, and that they could not cease
from so doing without prejudice to the City's liberties and
customs.
Exon'acio Joh'is Seman ab assisis.
14 Feb., 21 Edward IV. [A. D. 1481-2], John Seman, "taloughchaundler," discharged from serving on juries, &c., owing to
his infirmities.
Custod' Thome fil' Walteri Milson curriour.
16 Feb. the same year came Thomas Hobersty, Thomas
Mower, John Cole, curriers, and entered into bond in the sum
of £10 for payment into the Chamber by the said Thomas
Hobersty of a like sum to the use of Thomas, son of Walter
Milson, late currier, when he comes of age. (fn. 19)