Folio cxci.
Consimilis l'ra missa fuit cuil't Aldermanno.
Precept to the several Aldermen to hold their Wardmotes
and refer such matters as they found themselves unable to deal
with to the General Court to be held before the Mayor at the
Guildhall on Monday after the Feast of Epiphany [6 Jan]; and
further to elect Alekonners, "rakiers," constables, &c., and take
steps for lighting and safeguarding the streets and houses.
Dated 12 Dec, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416].
Consimilis l'ra missa fuit cuil't Aldr'o.
Precept to the several Aldermen to take steps to assess and
levy in their Wards a sum equal to a fifteenth and a half, and
to bring the money to the Guildhall by the 20th January next.
Dated 24 Dec, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416].
Proclam' fuit ix° die Februar' anno H' v
ti
iiii°.
Herry by the grace of god Kyng of Ingelond and of Fraunce and
Lord of Irlond hoteth and commaundeth that al maner of Knyghtes
whych þat are of the Kynges retenue and bene withinne þe Cite of
London drawe hem to the Frere Prechours that they be there redy be
thuo aftur none before þe Kynges counseille.
(fn. 1)
Folio cxci b.
De resolucione et securitate quinq' m
l
marcarum.
Letters patent granting to the Mayor and Commonalty a
moiety of the subsidy on wools, woolfells, &c., in repayment of
a loan of 5,000 marks made by the City to the King to
assist him against France. Witness the King at Westminster,
3 March, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416-17].
Exon'acio Henrici Wottone civis et Blaksmyth London'.
5 April, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Henry Wottone, "blaksmyth," discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing
old age.
Folio cxcii-cxcii b.
Ordinacio de Cappers et hurers.
16 March, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416-17], complaint made to
Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen by Robert
Warner, John Bokele, Adam Buk, and Roger Wodecok, the
Masters, and good men of the Mistery of Hatters, and by William
Sewale, John Chambre, John Corby, and John Langele, the
Masters, and good men of the Mistery of Haberdasshers, against
the Masters and Wardens of the Mistery of Cappers for having
seized 15 "longe cappes" belonging to James Bowyer, haberdasher They pray that the matter may be inquired into, so
that if the caps prove to be defective they may be burnt and
the said owner punished, and if they prove to be good they
may be restored to him.
Thereupon the Masters and Wardens appeared by summons
on the 18th March, and being questioned as to the cause of the
seizure said that the caps had been fulled under human feet,
and that fulling by feet or by mill was forbidden under penalty
of forfeiture, as appears by ordinance temp. William Askham,
Mayor, recorded supra, fo. xxix, and here recited, and they
prayed that the caps they had seized might be declared
forfeited, one half of the forfeiture to be to the use of the City's
Chamber, and the other to the use of the Mistery of Cappers.
On the other hand, the Masters and good men of the Misteries
of Hatters and Haberdashers, who were present, declared that
the above ordinance was not for the public good, inasmuch as
"cappes, hures and hattes," both in England and abroad, were
fulled both by mills and by foot at less cost, and equally as
well as those fulled by hand. They further said that this
ordinance was bad because the right of search touching false
"cappes, hures or hattes" was of old with men of the Mistery
of Hatters and Haberdashers as well as of the Mistery of
Cappers. They therefore prayed that this new ordinance
might be annulled and the old system observed.
After due consideration it was decreed that the ordinance
should be annulled, and that in future the examination of caps,
&c., should be made by men of both misteries.
Folio cxciii.
Exon'acio Johannis Swe tenham civis et Cissoris London'.
24 April, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], John Swetenham, tailor,
discharged from serving on juries, &c., by the Mayor and
Aldermen owing to increasing old age.
22 May, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], came Thomas Knolles,
junior, and delivered to John Hille, the Chamberlain, the
money he had received in trust for William, son of John
Drewe. (fn. 2)
23 March, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1416-17], came John Sudbury,
grocer, and Richard Osbarn, executors of Robert Odyham, (fn. 3)
late grocer, and delivered to John Hille, the Chamberlain,
the sum of £30 arising out of the sale of certain lands and
tenements in the county of Kent, to the use of Elizabeth,
daughter of the said Robert, who was married to John Poley,
grocer.
The same day came the above executors and delivered
a similar sum to the Chamberlain for John, a son of the
above Robert; and on the 29th March the sum of £60 to
the use of Robert and Thomas, other sons of the same.
Presentac' d'ni Joh'is Newendene ad unam v. cantar' in Capell' Guihald'.
Letter from Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and John Hille,
the Chamberlain, to Richard [Clifford], Bishop of London,
presenting John Newendene, chaplain, for admission to one of
the chantries founded by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowyk
in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary near the Guildhall,
rendered vacant by the death of Sir John Mounfort alias
Burbrigge. Dated 28 July, A.D. 1417.
11 July, 6 Henry V. [A.D. 1418], came John Poley, and
received from John Hille, the Chamberlain, the sum of £30
belonging to Elizabeth his wife.
Folio cxciii b.
A Common Council held on the 20th April, 5 Henry V.
[A.D. 1417], in the presence of Henry Bartone, the Mayor, John
Bartone, the Recorder, Richard Merlawe, Robert Chichele,
William Crowmer, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone,
William Louthe, William Nortone, William Chichele, John
Penne, William Sevenok, John Michel, Thomas Pyke, Thomas
Aleyn, Alan Everard, William Cambrigge, John Reinwell,
Ralph Bartone, and John Perneys, Aldermen, John Coventre,
one of the Sheriffs, and an immense multitude of Commoners
of the City:—
Ordenaunce pur remover les estuies.
An ordinance passed that thenceforth no man nor woman
should keep any stews in the City or suburbs for lodging therein
any men or women by day or night, under penalty of paying £20
to the Chamber and a fine at the discretion of the Mayor and
Aldermen. Provided always that every one in the City for his
own cleanliness (pur soun honeste de mesne) may make a stew (fn. 4)
for the use of himself and his household.
Ordenaunce derien prendre pur wharfage.
A further ordinance forbidding those who have acquired
possession of wharves and stairs on the bank of the Thames to
extort money from those who desire to draw water, wash
clothes, &c.
Folio cxciv.
Also an ordinance to the effect that no Alderman, Commoner,
or other person whatsoever shall thenceforth receive as a
tenant any man or woman known to be living a vicious life,
under penalty prescribed.
Joh'es Courtnay elect' in comunem venatorem.
The same day John Courteney, of Aynesford, co. Kent,
gentleman, was elected and admitted to the office of Common
Hunt of the City by the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Common
Council in place of Nicholas Brincheslee, Esquire. (fn. 5)
Folio cxciv b.
Feodum decem libr' concess' Joh'i Marchaunt ad terminum vite.
The same day it was granted by the said Mayor, Aldermen,
and Common Council, at the cordial and diligent instance of
John Carpenter, (fn. 6) that John Marchaunt, for the good and
laudable service which hitherto and of long time in the office of
Common Clerk (fn. 7) of the said City he hath faithfully exercised
and occupied, shall have and hold for the term of his life to
him and his assigns a mansion which he inhabits, situate above
the middle gate at the entrance to the Guildhall of the said
City, between the tenement of Thomas Wottone on the east
part and the churchyard of the church of St. Lawrence on the
west part, without rendering anything for the same. And
further, at the instance and by consent of the said John
Carpenter, (fn. 8) it was then and there granted by the said Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, that the said John Marchaunt
shall have and receive yearly during his life, at the four principal
terms of the year and customary in the City of London, from
the Commonalty of the said City, by the hands of the Chamberlain for the time being, £10 sterling appertaining to the office
and ancient fee of Common Clerk of the said City. And that
John Carpenter, his clerk, who was then and there elected and
admitted to the said office, shall have and receive yearly from
the aforesaid Commonalty the rewards and robes as well as
other fees, commodities, and profits whatsoever to the said office
in any way belonging and appertaining, together with the fee of
£10 aforesaid after the death, whenever it shall happen, of the
said John Marchaunt, &c. And the said John Carpenter then
and there, in the full Council aforesaid, granted that during the
lifetime of the said John Marchaunt he would not demand or
cause to be demanded any of the said fee of £10 to the said
office appertaining.
Folio cxciv b-cxcv b.
Record and process taken according to the custom of
the City between Thomas Fauconer, Alderman, and late Mayor
of the City, and John Russell, "wolpakker," for divers scandals
affecting the personal and judicial character of the said Alderman, for that the said John Russell had spread a report in July,
4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416], that the said Thomas Fauconer had
caused Richard Gurinyn, (fn. 9) a baker, to be burnt as a heretic
together with letters patent of pardon which the King had
granted him, with the result that the said Thomas Fauconer
had been committed to the Tower and fined £1,000. Thereupon the said Thomas sought redress The 30th July being
appointed for all parties to appear, and the said John Russell
having made default, he was found guilty by a jury, viz., William
Olyver, William Burtone, William Michell, John Waltham, John
Shawe, John Wellys, John Cosham, John "of Water," William
Foucher, Bartholomew Deknen, John Esgastone, and William
Grantham—and condemned to stand in the pillory.
Afterwards the said John Russell took sanctuary at St. Peter's,
Westminster, and remained there until the 26th April, 5 Henry V.
[A.D. 1417], when he surrendered himself and made humble
confession in the English tongue as set forth. (fn. 10)
Folio cxcvi.
Exon'acio Martim Godard civis et cultellar' London'.
18 June, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Martin Godard, cutler,
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Judicium de falsis cappis comburendis.
23 March, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1415-16], James Bowyer, haberdasher, charged before the Mayor and Aldermen by Thomas
atte Wode and his fellow Masters and Surveyors of the mistery
of Cappers with selling 15 false caps. Thereupon precept to
John Charleton, one of the Serjeants-at-mace (unum servientum
ad clavam) of the Chamber, to summon the said James to appear
before the Mayor and Aldermen on the 5th April to answer
the charge. Both parties demand a jury, and, after consulting
both the old and the new ordinances as to procedure, the Mayor
and Aldermen order the aforesaid Serjeant to summon twelve
good men as well of the mistery of Cappers as of the Haberdashers, and of other merchants who sell caps, to examine the
caps in question. The jurors find two of the caps to be false
and the rest good. Thereupon the said false caps were condemned to be burnt in Chepe, and the said James was fined
20s, pursuant to an ordinance enrolled in the Husting for Pleas of
Land held on Monday after the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March],
36 Edward III. [A.D. 1361-2]. (fn. 11)
Folio cxcvi b.
Consi'les bille pro tax' [sic] misse fuerunt cuilibet Aldr'o.
Precept to the several Aldermen to keep an armed watch in
their Wards during the two nights and eves of St. John Baptist
[24 June] and SS. Peter and Paul [29 June], according to
ancient custom; and further to take the usual precautions
against fire. Dated 17 June, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417].
Exon'acio Ric'i Chapman civis et Upholder Lon don'.
25 July, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Richard Chapman,
"upholder," discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old
age.
Exon'acio Henrici Ewell civiset Allutar London'.
31 July, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Henry Ewell, cordwainer,
similarly discharged on account of deafness and other infirmities.
Exon'acio Thome Grace civis et Copersmyth London.
16 Oct, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Thomas Grace, "copersmyth," similarly discharged for like cause.
Folio cxcvii.
De custod' Joh'is fil' Rob'ti Odyham.
22 July [A.D. 1417], the guardianship of John, son of Robert
Odyham, together with the sum of £30, committed by Henry
Bartone, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Hille, the Chamberlain—with the assent of John Sudbury and Richard Osbarn,
executors, and of Johanna, mother of the said orphan (fn. 12) —pto
Henry Purchace, grocer, with whom the said orphan had been
placed as an apprentice. Sureties, viz., William Sevenoke and
John Maldone, grocers, and Richard Stowell, "wodemonger."
Custodia Joh'is filii Will'i Wirhale nup' civis et Wiredrawer London'.
3 July, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], the guardianship of John, son
of William de Wirhale, late "wiredrawer," together with his
patrimony and household goods, committed by Henry Bartone,
the Mayor, the Aldermen, and John Hille, the Chamberlain,
to Johanna his mother. Sureties, viz., William Walderne and
Thomas Clenhand, mercers.
Folio cxcvii b.
Consimilis l'ra missa fuit cuilibet Aldermanno.
Precept to the several Aldermen to keep an armed watch by
night in their Wards until the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.] next
ensuing, ready at all times to oppose the King's enemies and
preserve the peace of the City; and further to take the usual
precautions against fire. Dated 24 July [A.D. 1417].
Bille misse divers' mister' pro conservacione pacis.
Precept by the Mayor and Aldermen on the King's behalf
to the Masters and Wardens of the several Misteries that they
take measures to prevent riot and disturbance among their
servants and apprentices, and make return of the names of
those they may find disobedient. [No date].
L'ra missa d'no Regi.
Letter from the Mayor, &c, to the King desiring to hear
news of his welfare, and assuring him of the peaceful state of
the City. Dated 4 July [A.D. 1417].
Folio cxcviii.
L'ra missa d'no Regi.
Another letter to the same effect and almost in identical
terms. Dated as above.
L're d'ni Regis de faciendo Aldr'os convenire inf
a
civitatem.
Letter of Privy Seal from the King to the Mayor, charging
him to cause absent Aldermen to return to the City and assist
the Mayor in the government of the City and preservation of
the peace. Dated at Westminster, 12 August [A.D. 1415 ?]. (fn. 13)
L'ra missa Aldr'o ut veniat London'.
Letter from the Mayor to the absent Aldermen, charging
them on the King's behalf to return to the City and take their
part in its government. Dated 19 August [A.D. 1415 ?].
Folio cxcviii b.
L'ra missa Aldr'o ut sit residens in London'.
Another letter from the same to absent Aldermen, bidding
them to return to the City and there reside. Dated as above.
De custodia terrar' et ten' Joh'is fil' et her' Joh'is Clophille.
20 Feb, 4 Henry V. [A.D. 1416-17], came Johanna, widow of
William Triggelowe, of Cornwall, and John, son of the said
William, to whom had been committed the custody of lands and
tenements belonging to John, son of John Clophille, in the
parish of St. Botolph without Aldersgate, and rendered account
before John Penne and Ralph Bartone, Aldermen, John Middeltone and William Turnell, Commoners, auditors appointed by
Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen.
Folio cxcix.
L'ra d'ni Regis Maiori et Aldr'is missa.
Letter from the King to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, &c.,
of the City announcing the surrender of the castle of Touque, (fn. 14) and
desiring them to send him news from time to time by "komerys
bethwene." (fn. 15) Dated at the said castle, 9 August [A.D. 1417].
Responsio eiusdem.
Reply to the above under the Mayoralty Seal, testifying to the
joy with which the news conveyed therein had been received in
the City, and assuring the King that it had remained in a state
of tranquillity. Dated 28 August [A.D. 1417].
Exon'acio David Litle civis et Cis soris London'.
6 Sept, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], David Litle, tailor, discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, owing to increasing old age.
Folio cxcix b.
Exon'acio Will'i Godes ball civis et Pynnere London'.
The same day William Godesball, "pynnere," similarly discharged for like cause.
Qe les surveyours des lazars soyent dischargez des enquestes et somonces.
A writing under the seal of the Mayoralty discharging Robert
Mildenhale, "pelter," and John Wassborn, mercer, Guardians
and Surveyors of the lepers at St. Giles's, "les Lokes," and
Hakeney, from serving on inquests so long as they remain in
office. Dated 1 Sept., 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417].
Presentacio Will'i Spaldyng in unam Cantar' Guyhald'.
Letter from Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and John Hille, the
Chamberlain, to Richard [Clifford], Bishop of London, presenting William Spaldyng, chaplain, for admission to one of the
chantries founded by Adam Fraunceys and Henry Frowyk in
the chapel of B. V. Mary near the Guildhall, vacant by the
death of John Depham. Dated 8 Sept., A.D. 1417.
Folio cc.
De zonis restauratis quiabone sunt.
8 Sept., 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], certain girdles belonging to
William Stikeneye, of London Bridge, which had been
presented by John Nasyng, Walter Colred, William Penne,
and Richard Michell, Wardens of the Mistery of Girdlers,
to the Mayor and Aldermen as being harnessed with tin and
other false and worthless metal, declared to be lawful as being
harnessed with good and serviceable metal, viz., latten
"tynglasse," (fn. 16) and with but little tin intermixed.
Exon'acio Thome Radclyf civis et Pastler London'.
10 Sept., 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], Thomas Radclyf, "pastler,"
discharged by Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Inquisicio capta sup' litus Thomisie apud Lymhosteys pro morte Thome Frank.
17 Aug, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417], inquest held before "les
Lymehostes" within the liberty and franchise of the City, before
Henry Bartone, the Mayor, and the King's Escheator, as to the
cause of the death of Thomas Franke, of Herewich, late steersman (conductor) or "lodysman" of a ship called "la Mary
Knyght" of Danzsk in Prussia A jury sworn, viz., John
Baille, Matthew Holme, Robert Marle, Henry Mark, Alexander
Bryan, John Goby, Richard Hervy, Walter Steel, Peter West,
Richard Stowell, John Dyse, and Walter Broun. They find that
the said Thomas Franke was killed by falling on the sharp end
of an anchor. (fn. 17)
Folio cc b.
L'ra d'ni Regis Maiori et Aldr'is miss'.
Letter from the King to the Mayor, &c., announcing the
capture of the town of Caen and of the conditional surrender
of its castle on the Feast of the Translation of St. Cuthbert
[4 Sept.], "with right litell deth of oure peple." Dated at
Caen, 5 Sept. [A.D. 1417]. (fn. 18)
L'ra ducis Clarencie miss' eisdem.
Letter from the Duke of Clarence to the same, notifying the
capture of the town of Caen and that the castle of Caen was to
be surrendered by the 19th Sept. unless succoured by the King
of France or his eldest son or the Count "Darmaignak," (fn. 19) the
Constable of France. John Risby, the bearer, would further
inform them of the names of other towns, castles, and fortresses
which had surrendered. From so favourable a beginning it
appeared to the writer that the King would soon gain his end
and victory over his enemies and rebels. Nothing was wanting
but people to inhabit and safeguard the towns and fortresses that
had been taken. Dated at Caen, 11 Sept. [A.D. 1417]. French.
(fn. 20)
Proclamacio pro br'e de custum' etc.
Writ to the Sheriffs to make proclamation to the effect that
whereas in the last Parliament held at Westminster (fn. 21) it was
ordained that all merchant strangers should pay for subsidy 60s.
on every sack of wool, 60s. on every 240 woolfells, and 106s. 8d.
on every last of skins during the King's life, the King, perceiving
that such a measure would prove detrimental to his subjects,
now declared that all merchants in England might, for the next
four years, pay such subsidy and custom on wool and other
merchandise as they had been accustomed to pay before the
passing of the above statute. Witness the King at Southampton,
17 July, 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417].