Folio 241.
Custodia pueror' Steph'i Gibson mer cer'.
21 Feb., 1 [sic] Henry VII. [A. D. 1485-6], came John Redy,
mercer, John Hille, draper, William Heton and William Redy,
mercers, and entered into bond in the sum of £500 for
payment into the Chamber by the said John Redy of a like
sum to the use of John, Thomas, William, Margaret, Juliana,
and Stephen, children of Stephen Gybson, late mercer, when
they come of age or marry. (fn. 1)
Folio 241 b.
Custodia pueror' Will'i Rowsemerceri.
12 Feb., 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1487-8], came Richard Hadley,
grocer, John Clement, goldsmith, William Campion, grocer,
and John Corbet, sherman, and entered into bond in the
sum of £200 for payment into the Chamber by the said
Richard of a like sum to the use of Robert, Elena, William,
John, Agnes, Alice, Margaret, Margery [sic], and Richard,
children of William Rowse, late mercer, when they come of
age or marry. (fn. 2)
Folio 242.
Custod' Johanne fi." Johannis Wheteley.
13 Feb., 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1487-8], came John Wheteley,
grocer, James Smyth, fishmonger, Thomas Masse, writer of
court-letter, and Thomas Dawne, tallow-chandler, and entered
into bond in the sum of £20 for payment into the Chamber by
the said John of a like sum to the use of Johanna, daughter of
John Wheteley, grocer, when she comes of age or marries. (fn. 3)
Folio 242b-244.
Ordinacio de "Grey tawiers."
5 March, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1487-8], came the Wardens
and good men of the Mistery of "Graytawiers" (fn. 4) of the City into
the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall,
before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain
ordinances for the better regulation of their Mistery (fn. 5) might be
approved.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 244.
Custodia Elisabeth' filie Rog'i Arnold.
12 March, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1487-8], came William
Weston, Hugh Cawode, mercers, John Gawsem, "vynter,"
and Walter Smert, skinner, and entered into bond in the
sum of £300 for payment into the Chamber by the said
William of a like sum to the use of Elizabeth, daughter of
Roger Arnold, late haberdasher, when she comes of age or
marries.
Folio 244 b.
A proclamacion for usury.
Proclamation by order of the Mayor and Aldermen for all
those who have suffered from "unlawful and ungodly contractes and unclene bargains" of usury and "fals chevesaunce,"
to lay their complaint before the Mayor and other Commissioners appointed to hear and determine such complaints, and
justice should be done. (fn. 6)
Folio 245.
Custodia pueror' Thome Hille milit'.
28 March, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came Dame Elizabeth
Hille, widow, Ralph Tilney, Alderman, William Hille, Richard
Hille, and John Hille, grocers, and entered into bond in the
sum of £1,885 12s. 4d. for payment into the Chamber by the
said Dame Elizabeth of a like sum to the use of Agnes,
Elizabeth, Johanna, Robert, Edward, and Alice, children of
Thomas Hille, Knt., late Alderman, when they come of age or
marry. (fn. 7)
Folio 245b-247.
Ordenaunce for kepyng of prisoner swith in Newgate.
Ordinances of the Common Council held on Friday, 19 April,
3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], touching the custody of prisoners in
Newgate, Ludgate, and the Compters, the same to be inscribed
on tables as follows (fn. 8) :—
Folios 247-8.
Ordinances and Rules concerning the keeping and demeaning
of the prisoners within Ludgate, the first ordinance being as
follows :—
"FORASMOCHE as the Gaole of Ludgate is called a free
prison, and so longe tyme hath been called and hath of olde
tyme been ordeyned for the ease of fremen and frewomen of
this Citee (fn. 9) It is ordeigned that all Fremen and frewomen
of this Citee for almaner accions and causes for the which
they owne to be imprisoned treson and Felony oonely
except shalbe committed unto the Gaole of Ludgate there
to abide unto they be lawfully delivered And that no
foreyns for any maner cause be committed to the same
gaole Provided alway that it shalbe lefull to the Maire or
the Maire and Aldermen for the tyme beyng to sende any
Freman or Frewoman to the prison of Newgate for their
chastisement."
Folios 248-9.
Ordinances and Rules concerning the keeping and demeaning
of the prisoners within the Compters.
Folios 249-251b.
Ordinacio de Cowpers.
16 April, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came the Wardens and
good men of the Mistery of "Cowpers" before the Mayor and
Aldermen, and prayed that certain ordinances for the better
government of the Mistery might be approved. (fn. 10)
Their prayer granted.
Folio 251 b.
An orde naunce for tanned Lether to be brought to the selde at Ledenhall.
28 April, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], ordinance by the Common
Council that tanned leather brought to the City for sale shall be
brought "wholly" to the seld at the Ledenhall, (fn. 11) so that it may
be viewed and assayed by seven persons specially appointed,
viz., 3 Cordwainers, 2 Girdlers, and 2 Curriers, or by (at
least) three, viz., one from each of the said Crafts; and,
further, that well tanned leather and falsely tanned leather be
distinguished by "markes and signes of iron." (fn. 12)
Folios 252-253 b.
Ordinacio de Plommers.
20 April, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came the Wardens and
good men of the Art or occupation of "Plommers" before the
Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for the
better rule of the Craft might be approved. (fn. 13)
Their prayer granted.
Folio 254.
Ordinacio de Powche makers.
26 April, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came good folk of the
Crafts of "Powchemakers," "Galeggemakers," (fn. 14) and "Patynmakers," enfranchised by the name of "Powchemakers,"
before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain
ordinances (fn. 15) for the good rule of the said Craft might be
approved, to the following effect :—
That no work be done on Sundays or Double Festival days.
That no member go to any Fair outside the City with any
ware belonging to the Craft unless it be first examined by the
Wardens to see if it be well made.
That the Wardens be authorized to oversee all work made
by members of the Craft, to wit "Belows," Lanterns, Sconces,
Bags, and "Powches," wheresoever found.
That one-half of all fines go to the Chamberlain and the other
half to the use of the Craft.
Their prayer granted.
Folios 254b-255 b.
Ordinacio de Purcers.
The same day came the Wardens of the Craft of "Purcers"
complaining to the Mayor and Aldermen that whereas the
search of all manner of purses had formerly been made by the
said Wardens, such search had recently been undertaken by
the Wardens of the Craft of "Powchemakers," who searched all
manner of bags and "powches" with the "purces" belonging
thereto, although they exercised only the "Fete of makyng of
Sconces, Bowgettes, Patens, Males, and Belows," and thus great
dissension and debate had arisen. They therefore pray that
certain articles (fn. 16) for the better regulation of the Craft may be
approved, to the following effect :—
That no purses of leather put to sale be lined thenceforth
with "lynnen clothe as [sic] roten clothe, paper," or other kind
of cloth, but only with leather, under penalty.
That the Wardens may elect every two years four able
persons of the Craft to have a view and oversight of all things
concerning the honour and profit of the same Craft.
That no one be presented to the Chamberlain by a member
of the Craft for admission to the Freedom of the City without
being sworn by the Wardens immediately after admission to
obey the rules and ordinances of the Craft.
That no member admit any one into the Craft by way of
redemption until he be approved by the Wardens and the
aforesaid four persons.
That a solemn Mass be yearly kept at the Grey Friars
within Newgate on Trinity Sunday, and that every brother
shall offer a penny and every sister a halfpenny.
That on the decease of any brother or sister "all suche
Torches as be belongyng to the same Crafte be at buryall to
brynge the body honestly to therthe."
"Also it is ordeigned the day and yeere abovesaid by the
Maire and Aldermen to pacifie the stryfe and debate the which
was late moved betwix the Fealishippe of the Purcers and
Powchemakers for the Serche of bagges and powches that the
Wardeyns of the said Fealiship of Purcers for the tyme beyng
shall have the serche of alman' purces not joyned nor annexed
to any bagge or pouche And the Wardeyns of the said Crafte of
Powchemakers for the tyme beyng shall have the Serche of
alman' bagges and powches with purces joyned and annexed
unto the same."
Their prayer granted.
Folios 255b-256b.
Ordinacio de Wexchaundelers.
13 June, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came the Master,
Wardens, and good men of the Craft of "Wexchaundelers"
before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain
articles for the good order of the Craft might be approved, to
the following effect :—
That due obedience be paid to the Master and Wardens.
That no member of the Craft make, or cause to be made,
"any torches, quarerrers, (fn. 17) prykettes, (fn. 18) Sises, (fn. 19) Chambre morters, (fn. 20)
Tapers, Candelles, nor Imagery but of good and hable wexe
and sufficient wyke, that is to say not puttyng thereto any
Rosen, Code, (fn. 21) Turpentyne ne Talowe whereby the Kynges
liege people may be deceyved," under penalty prescribed.
That no member "occupie any prynte mark or seale to marke
their ware with but oonely suche as the Maister and Wardeyns
of the saide Crafte have imprynted in wexe before theym and
put both it and the name of the owners in the Indenture
therefore ordeigned and made." Default in marking wax put
to sale to be punished by fine.
No "foreyn" or alien to be set on work in the Craft.
Young men who refuse to work for reasonable hire or
wages to be brought by the Wardens before the Mayor or
Aldermen to be punished as vagabonds.
Their prayer granted.
Folios 256b-257 b.
Ordinacio de Netmakers.
The same day came good men of the Craft of Netmakers
of the City before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that
certain articles for the better government of the Craft might
be approved, to the following effect :—
That once a year two Wardens be elected who shall have
power to search and oversee all manner of work belonging to
the Craft.
No member to take any apprentice that has not been
presented to and approved by the Wardens.
No member to put any foreigner to work without licence of
the Wardens.
One-half of fines, forfeitures, and penalties to be applied to
the use of the Chamber and the other to the use of the Craft.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 257 b.
Ordinacio de Lez Pynners.
3 July, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came good men of the
Mistery of "Pynners" before the Mayor and Aldermen, and
complained that the Fellowship of the Craft. enfranchised within
the City had become greatly impoverished by the presence of
"foreyns," who not only took away the living and sustenance
of themselves, their apprentices and servants, but paid nothing
towards the relief of the poor members of the Craft They
prayed, therefore, that such "foreyns,' when presented to the
Masters of the Craft for the purpose of being allowed to work,
should be made to pay a sum of 3s. 4d., one-half to be applied
to the use of the Chamber and the other to the use of the
Craft. They further prayed that an ordinance forbidding all
work by night and on certain days might be amended so far
as to allow every freeman of the Craft, their servants and
apprentices, to work at all times from 5 A. M. from Michaelmas
until 8 P. M. until Lady Day [sic], excepting Saturdays and the
Vigils of Double Feasts "after none rongen," (fn. 22) as formerly
excepted.
[Result not recorded].
Folios 258-259 b.
Ordinacio de Hatt' merchauntes.
5 July, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came the Wardens and
other good men of the Art or Mistery of "Hatt' merchauntes"
before the Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain
articles for the better government of the Craft might be
approved, to the following effect :—
That a Common Beadle for summoning the Commonalty be
appointed.
That no member thenceforth keep open house or shop "to
make an open shewe of any maner wares concernyng the said
Crafte or Mistere nor hange outeward in to the stretes any
maner of the said Wares to selle any Sonday in the yeere nor
any Fest whereof the vigill is commaunded by the chirche to
be fasted nor uppon Cristmas day nor the two days next
followyng nor the two dayes next folowyng the Festes of Ester
and Whitsontyde," (fn. 23) under penalty prescribed.
That apprentices be presented to the Wardens on entering
service and on becoming freemen.
That every member of the Craft attend a Mass, &c., on the
eve of St. James, Ap. [25 July], and the Sunday after Lammas
Day [1 Aug.] for the souls of the "Brethern" and "Sistern"
of the Craft deceased, under penalty prescribed.
That the Wardens be elected every two years on the Feast
of St. James aforesaid.
That any one being duly called to be of the clothing or
livery and refusing pay 20s.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 259 b.
Ordinacio Cultellarior'.
18 July, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came the Master and
Wardens of the Craft and Mistery of Cutlers of the City
before the Mayor and Aldermen, bringing with them their book
of ordinances pursuant to a recent order, the said ordinances
not having yet been duly authorized by the Court, (fn. 24) and prayed
that they might have and enjoy the same by authority of the
Court like as they had used and enjoyed them by their own
authority and common assent. The ordinances are to the
following effect :—
That every freeman of the Mistery, being in the clothing,
shall pay quarterly four pence to the Master and Wardens
for their search, and every freeman not being of the
clothing, and occupying a shop, two pence.
That every "allowe" or "covenant servant" of any of the
Fellowship who withdraws himself from his master's service,
by night or day, or lies out of his Master's house without
licence, shall pay to the Master and Wardens for the time
being the value of a week's wages towards the maintenance of
the poor men of the Craft; and every master who permits a
servant to leave his house and fails to report the matter shall
pay 3s. 4d., one-half to the use of the Chamber and the other
for the maintenance of poor craftsmen.
That every freeman of the Craft pay yearly to the Clerk of
the Craft 20d., if he has served as Master, and 12d. if he has
been Warden; and that those of the Clothing shall pay 8d.,
and those not of the Clothing 4d.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 260-1.
Ordinacio de Paynters.
The same day came good men of the Mistery of
"Paynters" before the Mayor and Aldermen, complaining
that they had become so impoverished by the influx of
foreigners that they could not bear the charges of the
City as heretofore, and prayed that certain articles for the
better rule of the Craft might be approved, to the following
effect :—
That no member of the Craft "take any assay of any persone
that shalbe his apprentice above a moneth day at the fermest,"
but that the same apprentice shall be bound and presented to
the Wardens by his master, who shall pay for the apprentice
20d. to the common box.
Unruly apprentices to be reported to the Wardens.
An apprentice to appear before the Wardens and four honest
men of the Craft at the end of his term, in order to be
examined as to his qualifications. "And if it so be [that he
be found not qualified] that the said Wardeyns, and the iiij men
assigne the same persone as a Covenaunt man to an honest man
of the same crafte not by the day woke moneth nor quarter
but by the space of an hoole yeere And that the same
persone shall chose his maister hym self whether he wilbe
with his old Maister orelles with a newe And that the
Wardeyns shall make his covenaunt so as the Maister may
live And the said servaunt may have his lernyng."
The above Wardens and four men to them assigned to search
and oversee all manner of work belonging to the Craft.
Every one of the Clothing or Livery to pay yearly 4d.
towards "Barge hyre" to wait upon the Mayor and Sheriffs
when they go to Westminster, &c., and those not of the
Clothing, 2d.
The Wardens to cause these ordinances to be read twice a
year, and to incur a penalty of 13s. 4d. for neglect of their
duties.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 261 b.
Ordinacio de Curriours.
18 July, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came good men of the Art
or Mistery of "Curriours" of the City before the Mayor and
Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for the better rule
of the Craft might be approved, to the following effect :—
Any one refusing to undertake the duties of Warden to incur
a penalty of 40s.
The Wardens to have the right of search, and any work
they find defective by default of the worker they are to help and
amend, when possible, at the cost of the worker; if impossible
of amendment, the work is to be forfeited, and brought into the
Chamber of the Guildhall, there to be judged according to the
laws of the City.
No member to set on work any person of the Fellowship
who had wilfully refused to obey the ordinances of the Craft,
under penalty.
No member to attempt to sell any work untruly wrought.
Any member having a grievance against another to lay the
matter before the Wardens before going to law. (fn. 25)
The Wardens and Fellowship to meet at the four quarter
days to see that the ordinances have been observed.
One-half of all fines, forfeitures, and penalties to go to the
Chamber of the City, and the other half to the use of the
Fellowship.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 262-263 b.
Ordinacio de "Bowyers."
The same day came the Wardens and good men of the
Art or Mistery of "Bowiers" of the City before the Mayor and
Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for the better rule
of the Craft might be approved, to the following effect :—
That penalties as prescribed might be imposed on those not
appearing when summoned by the "Bidell" of the Craft.
Fines to be imposed for working on Saturday or the Vigil of
any "double" Feast after "none" rung.
That servants and "allowes" be not enticed away from their
masters.
That Wardens be elected every two years about the Feast
of Michaelmas.
That every householder of the City using the Craft pay
quarterly 3d to the common box for the maintenance of a
light before "the Rode and Seint George" in the Chapel
of St. Thomas on London Bridge.
No member of the Craft to deliver to any enfranchised
Fletcher any bows to sell in the country, but a Fletcher may
have 3 or 4 bows for his own use and disport.
No freeman of the Craft to open a shop without licence of
the Wardens.
No freeman to work beyond the franchise of the City except
by the King's authority, but in cases where any "Chaffer" has
become soiled on its way to fair or market, the owner of the
"Stuf" may clean it again.
A penalty of 6s. 8d. to be paid by any one refusing the
office of Warden.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 263b-264b.
Ordinacio de Wolmen et Wollepaclers.
29 July, 3 Henry VII. [A. D. 1488], came good men of the
Craft of "Wolmen" and "Wollepackers" of the City before the
Mayor and Aldermen, and prayed that certain articles for the
better rule of the Craft might be approved, to the following
effect :—
That on the 3rd May, yearly [sic], there shall be elected a
Master and two Wardens to be Rulers of the Craft for the
space of two years [sic].
No foreigner to be set on work so long as a freeman or
freeman's apprentice can be obtained, and no apprentice to be
set on work when a freeman can be obtained, under penalty
of 20s.
No member of the Craft to have more than two apprentices
at a time, except it be a child of 14 years of age at the most.
Wardens neglecting their duties to pay 40s.
Their prayer granted.
Folio 264 b.
Proclamacio proretib' et sordibus non projviendis in Thamisia.
Proclamation by the Mayor and Aldermen forbidding the
casting of refuse into the Thames, and commanding "that no
maner persone Fyssher nor other drawe any Nette betwene
Ratclyff Mille or Wapping Mille westward toward London
brigge nor from London brigge unto the Nasshe (fn. 26) ayenst the
Bysshop of Derehams place (fn. 27) uppon the payne that may falle
thereof. Also that no maner persone fysshe in the said water
of Thamyse with any maner Nette from the temple brigge (fn. 28)
unto the toure of London nygh any wharf on bothe sydes of
the same Thamyse by the space of xx fadom' (fn. 29) Also that no
maner persone fysshe in the said water with any Castyng
Nettes or Angles or with any maner Nettes but yf they holde
thassise uppon payne of Imprisonament of their bodies and
losyng of the said Nettes and Angles and the Fysshes taken
with the same and also the same Nettes and Angles to be brent
in Chepe."
The proclamation, further, notifies the appointment of John
Petite, grocer, as overseer of the Thames from London
Bridge westward, and Robert Lilly as overseer from London
Bridge eastward. Moreover, butchers are forbidden to cast
any "inwardes of Bestes" into the river, "but if they be cutte
in to small pecys." (fn. 30) [No date.]