Folio ccxxxii.
6 April, 6 Henry V. [A.D. 1418], came Thomas Piriton,
executor of John Mullyng, late "bracyer," and delivered to
John Hille, the Chamberlain, the sum of £30, bequeathed by
the said John Mullyng to his son Thomas, apprenticed with
William Foorde, draper, to hold in trust for the said son.
Afterwards, viz., on the 20th April, the same year, the above
money was delivered by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons (?)
to Simon Eyr, draper, who married Katherine, the orphan's
sister, in trust for the said orphan. Sureties, viz., William
Foorde, draper, and Robert Coventre, grocer.
Indenture of lease by William Sevenok, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty to Henry Hornytoft, haberdasher, John
Basset, brewer, and Sir Walter Frost, chaplain, of a vacant
plot of land for building purposes in the parish of St. Sepulchre
without Neugate, near the common foss called Houndesdiche,
for a term of 60 years at an annual rent of 10s., possession of
the land to be resumed by the lessors, if necessary, in time of
war, &c. Dated the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419].
Folio ccxxxii b.
L'ra p'sentacionis Rob'ti Manyngtre per Recorda torem London' ad Cantar' in eccl'ia Sancte Elene pro anima Walt'i de Billyngham.
Letter of John Bartone, senior, Recorder of the City, to
the Prioress and Convent of St. Helen, London, presenting
Robert Manyngtre, chaplain, to the chantry founded in the
church of St. Helen by Walter de Byllyngham, and charging
the said Prioress to pay the said Robert an annual sum of
7 marks pursuant to the will of the founder. (fn. 1) Dated 20 June,
A.D. 1419.
Comissio d'ni Regis facta Will'o Sevenoke et al' ad audiend' et terminand' de omnimodis prodicionib' feloniis et transgr' etc.
Letters patent appointing William Sevenoke, the Mayor,
William Hankeford, Knt., William Cheyne, and John Cokayn,
or any three or two of them, to be Justices for hearing and
determining according to the law and custom of the realm all
treasons, felonies, &c., committed within the City and its
liberties Witness John, Duke of Bedford, Warden of England,
14 July, 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419].
Folio ccxxxiii.
Mandatum sup' commissione predicta.
Order by the above Justices to the Sheriffs to cause a jury
of 24 citizens to carry out the above commission. Dated 23 July,
7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419].
Folio ccxxxiii-ccxxxiv.
Pleas at Westminster before Richard Nortone and his
fellow-justices of the King's Bench, Trinity Term, 8 Henry V.
[A.D. 1420].
William Sevenoke, grocer, summoned to answer William
Haute, Esq., and Margaret his wife, touching the giving up to
them of William, son of John Bryan, the guardianship of whom
belongs to the said William and Margaret, inasmuch as the
said John held land of the said Margaret by homage, fealty, and
scutage of the lord the King, viz. a messuage and land in Tirefeld [co. Bucks], and died in the said homage, whereby the
guardianship aforesaid devolved upon them; but they had been
deprived of it by the said William Sevenoke.
The said William Sevenoke came and denied the truth of
the above statements, and claimed that the said William Haute
and Margaret his wife had no right of action against him,
inasmuch as it was one of the immemorial customs of the City,
which every Alderman on entering office was bound by oath to
maintain, that when any lands, tenements, or rents of a free
man or free woman within the said City and suburbs descended
to an heir under age, or were so left by will, the Provost
(Prepositus), Aldermen, Chamberlain, citizens, and commonalty
of the City before the creation of a Mayor, and after his creation
the Mayor, Aldermen, and the rest, or the Warden in place of
the Mayor, had been ever accustomed to have the marriage
and guardianship of such heir to their own use immediately
after the decease of his ancestor, although his father or mother
might still be living, as well as the lands, &c., of the same, to
hold in trust until the said heir should come to full age, unless
the said free man or free woman died seised of lands, tenements,
or rents held of the King or some one else in capite by knight
service; and further that the said Provost, Mayor, or Warden,
and the rest, had ever been accustomed to grant the guardianship of such persons and their property to their nearest friends
or others, as they thought fit, on the said guardians finding
suitable security for duly executing their duties, &c. He
further says that Johanna Fastolf, (fn. 2) a free woman of the City,
at the time of death was seised in demesne as of fee of three
messuages in London, viz.: one in the parish of St. Stephen, in the
Ward of "Colmonstrete," another in the parish of St. Laurence,
in Old Jewry, in the Ward of Chepe, and another in the parish
of St. Mary de Bothehawe, in the Ward of Walbroke; and was
not seised of any property held of the King in capite by knight
service. The aforesaid John Bryan having survived the said
Johanna, the said messuages descended to William his son, as
kinsman and heir of the said Johanna, viz., as son of Johanna,
a free woman at the time of her death, daughter of the aforesaid Johanna, also a free woman of the City.
Whereupon, on the 10th Jan., 5 Henry V. [A.D. 1417-18], in
the said parish of St. Laurence in Old Jewry, Richard Merlawe,
the Mayor, William Harwedone the Prior of the church of
Holy Trinity, Richard Whityngton, Thomas Knolles, Robert
Chichele, William Walderne, William Cromere, Thomas
Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, Henry Bartone, William Sevenok,
William Chichele, William Louthe, William Nortone, John
Reynwell, Thomas Pyke, John Penne, Thomas Aleyn, John
Michell, William Cauntbrigge, Ralph Bartone, John Perneys,
Alan Everard, and John Gedney, Aldermen, and John Hille,
the Chamberlain, seized the guardianship of the said heir and
his messuages as belonging to the Mayor, Aldermen, Chamberlain, citizens, and commonalty of the City, according to custom,
during the lifetime of the said John Bryan, as they were
allowed to do, and the same estate in the said guardianship was
then held by William Sevenok. All of which the said William
Sevenok was prepared to prove. Wherefore he prayed judgment as to whether the said William Haute and Margaret had
a right of action. Cur. ad. vult.
Folio ccxxxiv b.
Proclamacio de treugis.
Writ to the Sheriff to make proclamation of the truce with
the Duke of Brittany having been extended until the Feast of
All Saints [1 Nov.] next (fn. 3) Witness John, Duke of Bedford,
Warden of England, at Leycestre, 2 Sept., 6 Henry V.
[A.D. 1418].
Bille de duab' xv 18 cuil't Aldr'o misse.
Precept to the several Aldermen to cause a sum equal to two
fifteenths to be levied in their Wards—the said sum having
been granted to the King at a Common Council held at the
Guildhall on Saturday the 29th July last—and to bring the
money to the Guildhall by the 6th August next. Dated 31
July [A.D. 1419].
Ordinacio de Salters etc.
Saturday, 4 Feb., 6 Henry V. [A.D. 1418-19], the conflict
between the members of the respective misteries of Salters and
Talghchaundellers arising out of the claim by the Chandlers to
assay weights and measures used by Salters was composed
by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, on
the following terms, viz., that good men of the mistery of
Salters, annually elected by the Masters or Wardens, should
exercise thenceforth the right of assaying all weights and
measures used for buying and selling within the said mistery
of Salters whenever deemed necessary or useful, and also of
surveying all goods and merchandise exposed for sale within
the said mistery, in as good and peaceable a manner as men of
other mistenes perform the duty, &c.
Exon'acio Thome Clerk civis et Cissoris London'.
8 Aug., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], Thomas Clerk, tailor,
discharged by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, owing to increasing old age.
Folio ccxxxv.
Exoneracio Joh'is Wode civis et Hurer London'.
24 Aug., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], John Wode, "hurer,"
similarly discharged for like cause.
Ordinacio de Lynenwevers Anglic'.
21 Aug., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], came good men of the
mistery of "Lennenwevers" of England, and presented to the
Mayor and Aldermen certain articles for the government of
their mistery, the Wardens of which had never been allowed to
search and correct defects as in other misteries. The articles
submitted for approval were to the following effect, viz.:—
1. That their Wardens might thenceforth have the right of
search.
2. That members of the mistery sell only good and serviceable "estuff," under penalty prescribed.
3. That members shall not send their work to any fair or
market outside the City before such work has been tested and
approved by the Wardens, under penalty of forfeiture.
4. That no member take any servant or journeyman from
the service of another before the term of service be ended.
5. That no servant or journeyman who has a difference with
his master be taken into the service of another until such
difference be settled.
6. That any who rebel against the Wardens be punished as
of old recorded.
Folio ccxxxv b.
The above articles approved.
Exoneracio Ric'i Herlawe civis et Hurer London'.
9 Sept., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], Richard Herlawe, hurer,
discharged by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, owing to his suffering from fistula (fn. 4) and
other infirmities.
Exoneracio Joh'is Martyn civis et Allutarii London'.
1 Oct., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], John Martyn, cordwainer,
similarly discharged, owing to increasing old age.
Concess' est per Maiorem et Aldr' q'd parcell' Th' Catworth et Joh'is Aylesham examinent' et debita fiat allocac' de eisdem.
Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], ordinance by William Sevenok, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty, in Common Council, to the effect that
particulars of expenses incurred by John Aylesham and Thomas
Catworth, grocers, in protecting the City's liberty touching the
yearly appointment of Wardens in Sterisbrigge Fair in the
same manner as in other fairs in England, &c., and of holding a
Court to survey weights and measures and settle disputes, &c.,
should be examined by the Auditors of the Chamber and the
Bridge, &c., in their next account, &c., and that the amount
found still due be paid to the said John Aylesham and Thomas
Catworth by the Chamberlain, viz., one moiety at Michaelmas,
1420, and the other at Michaelmas, 1421.
Folio ccxxxvi.
L'ra Regis missa Maiori et Aldermannis et co'ib'.
Letter from the King to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and
Commonalty of the City announcing the capture of Pontoise.
Dated at "Mant," 5 Aug. [A.D. 1419]. (fn. 5)
Reply to the above, under the Mayoralty Seal. Dated
6 Sept. [A.D. 1419]. (fn. 6)
Exon'acio Joh'is French civis et Copersmyth London'.
16 Sept., 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], John Frenche, "copersmyth," discharged by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old
age.
Folio ccxxxvi b.
A lettre fro þe Duk of Clarence to þe Mair and Aldremen.
Letter from the Duke of Clarence to the Mayor and Aldermen announcing the capture of Pontoise. Dated at "Maunt,"
5 Aug. [A.D. 1419]. (fn. 7)
Answer unto þe said lettre.
Reply to the above under the Mayoralty Seal. Dated
6 Sept. [A.D. 1419].
Custodia Will'i et Jacobi pueror' Rob'ti Odyham commissa Joh'i Maldone civi et Grocero London'.
23 June, 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], Richard Osbarn, one of the
executors of Robert Odyham, late grocer, delivered to John
Hille, the Chamberlain, the sum of £60 belonging to William
and James, sons of the said Robert, issuing from the sale of
lands and tenements belonging to their late father in the county
of Kent. (fn. 8) Afterwards the said money, together with a further
sum of £12 accruing to the said William and James by the
death of two other children [not named], was delivered by
William Sevenok, the Mayor, and John Hille, the Chamberlain,
with the assent of Johanna, widow of the said Robert, to John
Maldone, grocer. Sureties, viz., John Pitman, John Asshewelle,
John Olyve, Ralph Hoggeman, Thomas Lecche, and Richard
Bulwyk, grocers.
Folio ccxxxvii.
A l're fro þe Kyng to þe Mair, Aldremen and Comunes.
Letter from the King to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons,
thanking them for their promised aid, and bidding them to
follow the advice of his "brother of Bedford," the Chancellor.
Dated at Pontoise, 17 Aug. [A.D. 1419].
The above letter having fallen into the hands of the enemy,
as it was rumoured, the King sends another letter to the same
effect from Trie le Chastel, the 12th Sept. (fn. 9)
Folio ccxxxvii b.
Salvus Conductus Venecianor'.
Letters patent of safe-conduct for merchants of Venice
trading with England for the term of one year. Witness John,
Duke of Bedford, Warden of England, at Westminster, 3 April,
7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419].
Folio ccxxxviii.
Q
d
valetti Maioris vic' aut Cam'e de cetero non circumvagent ad mendicand' sicut hactenus facere consue verunt etc.
Wednesday, the last day of April, (fn. 10) 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419],
ordinance by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
forbidding any valet or other servant of the Mayor, Sheriffs, or
the City thenceforth to beg for money from tradespeople at
Christmastime under colour of an "oblation," as heretofore
they had been accustomed to do with threats or promises.
Eleccio Johannis Botiller et Rob'i Whitingham Vicecom' London'.
Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], in the presence of William Sevenok, Mayor, John
Bartone, the Recorder, Richard Whitingtone, Richard Merlawe,
William Walderne, William Crowmere, Robert Chichele,
Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas Wottone, Henry Bartone, William
Nortone, John Penne, John Reinwelle, Thomas Aleyn, William
Chichele, John Gedney, Robert Whitingham, Aldermen, John
Perneys and Ralph Bartone, the Sheriffs, and very many
Commoners summoned to the Guildhall for the election of
Sheriffs, John "Boteler," mercer and Commoner, was elected one
of the Sheriffs by the Mayor, and Robert Whitingham, draper
and Alderman, was elected the other Sheriff by the Commonalty.
Cam'ar' et Mag'ri Pont' electi.
Auditores electi' ad audiendum Compot' Cam'e et Pontis.
The same day John Hille, fishmonger, was elected Chamberlain; John Westone and Nicholas James were elected Wardens
of London Bridge; and John Reinwelle, John Gedney, Aldermen,
and John Beterenden, Thomas Dufhous, John Tredewy, and
John Sadeller, Commoners, were elected Auditors of the
account of the Chamberlain and the Wardens of London
Bridge.
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 admitted before the Barons of the
Exchequer.
Folio ccxxxviii b.
Feodum con cessum Joh'i Credy ad terminum vite.
Thursday the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], a grant by William Sevenok, the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Commonalty in Common Council assembled to John
Credy, Esquire to the Mayor, of an annuity of 40s., together
with the clothing or livery of the City, as often as Serjeants of
the Chamber receive it, in recognition of his long service.
Eleccio Ricardi Whityngtone in Maiorem London'.
Friday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], after celebration of Mass in the Guildhall Chapel,
pursuant to the ordinance made during the Mayoralty of John
Wodecote, in the presence of William Sevenok, the Mayor,
John [Barton], the Recorder, Richard Whitingtone, Thomas
Knolles, Richard Merlawe, Robert Chichele, William
Walderne, William Crowmer, Thomas Fauconer, Nicholas
Wottone, Henry Bartone, Thomas Aleyn, John Michel, John
Gedney, Thomas Pyke, William Chichele, John Penne, William
Nortone, John Reynewelle, John Perneys, Ralph Bartone,
Robert Wydyngton, John Standelf, Aldermen, Robert
Whitingham and John Boteler, Sheriffs, and an immense
Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the election of a
Mayor—Richard Whitingtone was elected Mayor for the year
ensuing.
Afterwards, viz., on the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude
[28 Oct.], he was sworn at the Guildhall, and on the morrow of
the said Feast was presented, admitted, and accepted, &c. (fn. 11) [sic],
before the Barons of the Exchequer.
Reformacioun et Renovell acioun de la Prisoun de Ludgate.
Saturday the 2nd Nov. (fn. 12) [A.D. 1419], ordinance by Richard
Whityngtone, the Mayor, and the Aldermen for the re-establishment of Ludgate as a prison for freemen and all others
whom the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs or Chamberlain think
fit to send there. (fn. 13)
Folio ccxxxix.
Ordinacio quantum dabi tur pro mesu ragio Waye salis.
Doubts having arisen as to the quantity comprised in a wey
of salt and the amount to be paid for measuring the same, as
well as by whom it should be paid, it was ordained on Friday
the Feast of Translation of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 7 Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], by William Sevenok, the Mayor, and the Aldermen,
after examination of the records of the City, that a wey of salt
should contain 5 full quarters according to the King's standard,
and that for the future the measurer of salt within the City for
the time being should take for measuring a wey of salt 4 pence
and no more, the same to be paid by the seller and not by the
buyer.
Folio ccxxxix-ccxl b.
Inquisition taken (fn. 14) at the Gaol of Neugate before the Mayor
and William Hankeford, Justices, on Tuesday the Feast of St
James [25 July], 7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], by oath of Thomas
Lecche, William Attewode, Richard Hatfield, John de Bury,
John Burford, John Hiltone, Henry Lymbergh, John Southmede,
Richard Rowdone, Hugh Glene, John Salter, Thomas Webulle,
John Quyntyn, James Bowyer, and John Baldok, who say that
during the King's absence abroad Roger Olyver, son of John
Olyver, late draper, John Russell, of "Ceston," co. Leices,
"Groceresman,' otherwise known as John Russell, "sumtyme
clerk convyct," and other accomplices, to the number of twenty
and more, had been contriving the King's overthrow and death
for the space of a quarter of a year, at Ludgate, in the parish
of St. Martin, in the Ward of Farringdon Within, and that on
Monday after the Feast of St. Cuthbert [20 March], anno
7 Henry V. [A.D. 1419], they forged an indictment before John
Haukeswelle, one of the King's Coroners in the County of York,
upon view of the bodies of John Tollerton, Thomas Whithill,
John Payn, Robert Galtres, and Nicholas Potte, alleging that
the indictment had been taken before the aforesaid Coroner at
"Gisburgh," in Clyveland, co. York, by oath of Thomas Levertone,
Philip Burgh, Roger Biland, Adam Litstere, William Frank,
William Pounde, Nicholas Lyndesey, Hugh Creyke, Walter
Holme, Alexander Hotone, John Yaron, and Gilbert Ripon, who
ought to have said (dixisse debuissent) that on the last day of
January, anno 9 Henry IV. [A.D. 1407-8], certain robbers (who
declared that Richard, the late King, was alive and well, and
would enter England within three days, and would join Henry
Percy, late Earl of Northumberland), (fn. 15) viz. : Lewis Byford,
formerly Bishop of Bangor, (fn. 16) John Brodynge, draper, Richard
Thame, Robert Payn of "Wemendham," Benedict Wylman,
John Salter, senior, draper, of Hadley, co. Suffolk, John Sergeaunte, armourer, Michael Turke, "osteler," Thomas Deth,
"boteman," Simon Bartelot, Alexander Heed, "wexchaundeler,"
William Fox, William Wevertone of "Okham," baker, Thomas
Johansone, Thomas Burgh, clerk, Richard Jepe, clerk, Peter
Gevyn, clerk, Thomas Rome of "Northwythom," John Dekene,
"bochier," Thomas Power, Thomas Palmere, "hostiller,"
Thomas Langeford, Laurence Sely, John Sturmyn, Adam
Waryn, "skynner," William White, John Plouman, Hugh
Kynder, "taillour," Robert Sazacrely, Robert Faman, draper,
Henry Gowe, "wexchaundeler," Thomas Burton, Thomas Lynford, John Orlandyn, Philip Sacy, Philip de Albertis, William
Burtone, merchants, John Gamelyn, Bertram Cleyhorst, "ducheman," Roger Batte, "Fraciscus Lodewys" John Hildy,
"pulter," John Taseburgh, stockfishmonger, John Sadeler,
"vynter," Richard Gebon of "Brandonferye," Thomas Wandisford, mercer, William Olyver, grocer, Ralph Stoke, Thomas
Broun, merchant, William Bronnyng, Walter Cursaunt, Ralph
Silkestone, "vynter," William Sellerer, "wyredrawer," Walter
Love, John Sherman, senior, of "Hornden," John Silkestone,
"tapisere," Robert Arnold, felmonger, William Kent, cordwainer, John Hyde, late apprentice to the drapers' craft, John
Lane, and William Jonessone, with many other associates—
offered resistance to Ralph Bulmer, Knt., and a hundred
other lawful Bailiffs of the King, and killed the aforesaid
John Tollerton, Thomas Whithull, John Payn, Robert
Galtrees, and Nicholas Potte, and afterwards fled the
country; whereas in real truth nothing of the kind had
taken place, no such jurors existed within the county of
York, and nobody had been killed; that subsequently the said
Roger Olyver and John Russell, with the view of raising an
insurrection within the City of London, had sued out a writ
from the King's Chancery for the Coroners of the County of
York to send the indictment before the King at Westminster,
which writ they falsely endorsed without the knowledge of
John Haukeswelle, the Coroner, and fastened to the indictment,
and delivered them into the King's Bench by the hand of a
certain John Aysshe, whereby all those who were indicted had
been put in exigent for outlawry, and their goods and chattels
would have become forfeited to the King, had not the treachery
been discovered, and that William, son of John Andre, of
London, "Thecchere," was an aider and abettor. They further
say that the said Roger Olyver and John Russell oftentimes
between the 5 Sept., 2 Henry V. [A.D. 1414], and the 8 Oct.,
6 Henry V. [A.D. 1418], clipped the King's coin, and put it in
circulation in the City. They further say that Thomas Broun,
of London, "Breueresman," on the 25 July, 7 [sic] Henry V.
[A.D. 1419], forcibly entered the house of Richard Elyot, "bladsmith," in the parish of St. Sepulchre, and feloniously robbed him
of goods. Precept was therefore issued to the Sheriffs to take the
said Roger Olyver, John Russell, John [sic] Andre, and Thomas
Broun, and bring them before the aforesaid Justices at Neugate,
on Wednesday after the Feast of St. James [25 July], on
which day the said Roger Olyver and John Russell appeared
before the Mayor and William Hankeford, the Justices; but
John Andre and Thomas Broun failed to appear, not having
been taken by the Sheriffs. Upon being questioned as to their
defence, the said Roger Olyver pleaded that the indictment
against him was not sufficient, as it did not specify the manner
in which he was said to have compassed the King's death,
whether by poison, magic, or other spiritual machination, and
as to clipping coin he said he was not guilty. As to his having
conspired to forge an indictment, he confesses that whilst
suffering imprisonment in the King's prison of Ludgate, and
loaded with fetters on the charge of his having betrayed the
town of Harfleu, there came to him the aforesaid John Russell,
who promised to assist in obtaining his release. Thereupon
the said Roger and John conspired to forge an indictment
against certain persons named by the said John, who promised
the said Roger the sum of four marks for his assistance. The
said Roger further confessed to forging a document at the
instigation of Roger Lawsele, parson of the Church of St. John
the Evangelist in Frydaistrete. For all of which the said
Roger acknowledged his penitence, and asked mercy.
And the said John Russell declared himself guiltless of the
charges of treason and put himself on the country, but as to the
forgery, he could not deny it. Judgment deferred, the prisoners
being re-committed to gaol, in the custody of Ralph Bartone
and John Perneys, the Sheriffs, &c.