Folio 251.
Monday, 3 Aug., 28 Henry VI. [A.D. 1450], came the Master and Wardens and many other good men of the Mistery of
Armourers and presented a petition as follows:-
"Unto the full honourables lord the Maire Aldermen and
Cominalte of the Citee of London
Armorers.
"Besecheth unto youre grete wisdoms the Maister and the
Wardeins of the craft of Armorers of the said Citee tenderly
to considre that where it was ordeyned for the grete profitte
and wele of the Kyng and of his liege people and enrolled in
the Chaumbre of the Yeldhall of the forsaid Citee in the xxj
yeere of the reign of Kyng Edward the iijde as in the book of F
the cxlij [b] leef (fn. 1) more pleinly is contened that hewmerie and
other armure that is forged wyth the hamur brought from
beyonde the see or other place to be solde wythin the said
Citee shuld not from that tyme foreward in no maner wise be
putte to sale prevy or appert till they were covenably assayed
by the Wardeyns of the said craft and merked with here merke
on peyne to forfeit the hewmerie and armure so otherwise put
to sale, The contrarie of which article nowe dayly is laboured
and done unto the grete hurt of the Kyng and his liege people,
and grete disclaundre unto the said craft of armorers, That it
please youre grete wisdoms the premisses tenderly considered
to provide and ordeyne that the said Maister and Wardeins of
the said craft of armorers that nowe been and here after shall
be may have the serche and assaye of all manere hewmerie and
armure that is forged wyth the hamur accordyng to the article
aforesaid and as they bene sworne every yeere afore the Maire
for to doo."
On the 18th Feb., 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1450-1], the above
petition agreed to by the Mayor and Aldermen, with the
proviso that thenceforth the search of armour should be made
by the Master and Wardens of the Mistery of Armourers in
conjunction with two Wardens (or at least one) of any other
Mistery having a similar right of search, if they wished to join
in the search, and that they should make the search accompanied by a Serjeant-at-mace either of the Mayor or of the
Chamber of the Guildhall. (fn. 2)
Folio 251 b.
30 March, 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], came the Wardens
and other good men of the Misteries of "Lethersellers" and
Glovers into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of
the Guildhall, before Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen, and presented a petition setting forth that members
of the said Misteries often encroached upon each other's work,
and would not obey the search of the Wardens of the craft to
which they did not belong, and praying that certain ordinances
for better regulating the search of their respective crafts might
be approved. (fn. 3) Their petition granted.
Folio 252.
6 April, 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], came the Master and
Wardens and many other good men of the Mistery of Cordwainers into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of
the Guildhall, before Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen, and presented a petition as follows:-
"To the full Worshipful lord and Souverayns the Maire and
Aldremen of the Citee of London
Cordwaners.
"Besechene full mekely the Maister and Wardeins and alle
the persones enfraunchised in the craft or mistier of Cordewaners wythin this Citee that howe be it diverse and many of
the kynges lieges in sondry parties of this his Roialme borne
repairene unto this Citee and here bindene theim apprentices
unto diverse persones enfraunchised of the said craft, Trustyng
therby to have and enjoye the Fraunchise and libertees of this
Citee after the tyme of their said apprentisehode and to have
occupacion in the said mistier, Wherwyth they shuld mowe
trewely gete theire levyng yet what for the greet nombre
and multitude of aliauntes and straungiers of sondry nacions
repayring unto this Citee which beene comonly suffred and
resceived to occupie and werke in the said craft by the day,
the woke, or the moneth, as it pleaseth hem best And what
for that, that diverse persones aliauntes and estraungers borne
afore this tyme admitted unto the Fraunchise of this Citee in the
said craft of Cordewaners for the grete love and favour that
they naturelly have and bere unto aliauntes of such nacions as
they beene of will not in eny wise have occupie ne sette awerke
in the said craft eny maner Englisshman of the kynges lieges,
Wherthourgh that many of the said persones that have beene
apprentice in the said craft and therby admitted unto the
Frauncheise of this Citee not of power forthwyth to holde
houses or shoppes wtin this Citee ne canne gete ne have
occupacion ne werke werwyth to gete their levyng in the same
craft drawen them unto Blanchapultone (fn. 4) Westminstre and other
suspect places and there be comone vagrantes riotours Strumpetmongers and theves unto evell exaumple of alle the yonge
people of this Citee, and many for defaute of such werk and
occupacion withdrawe them in to other parties of the lond and
there leven in grete poverte unto the grete hurt of the kynges
lieges That please it youre grete wisdoms in consideracion of
the premises, It may be ordeigned enact and enrolled in the
Chaumber of the Guyldhall of the Citee aforeseid for the wele
and grete prouffit of alle the personnes now being enfrauncheised in the said craft and which hereafter shall be, That
no manere persone so nowe being enfrauncheised in the seid
craft and which hereafter shall be except oonly the straungiers
aliens that nowe been enfrauncheised in the same putt nor sett
from hens forth eny persone being straungier alien born out of
this land not enfrauncheised in this Citee on werk in the seid
craft in eny manere wise, and in caas that eny persone
nowe being enfrauncheised in the said craft or which
hereafter shall be except oonly afore except be lawefully
convict of doing the contrarie of the forsaid ordenaunce in
eny manere wise, that he paye at every time so being convict
of doing the contrarie of the said ordenaunce xls. that one half
therof to the use of the Chaumber of the Guyldhall aforesaid
and that other half to the comone box of the said craft of
Cordewaners in sustentacion and relevyng of the povere
people of the same craft like as it is hadd & ordeigned for
grete wele in other diverse craftes of this Citee
"Also that it may be ordeigned enact and enrolled in the
forsaid Chaumber of Guyldhall that no manere persone nowe
beyng enfrauncheised in the said craft ne which hereafter shall
be from hens forthe resceive ne take eny maner persone to
teche and enfourme him in the same craft, but that he take him
as an apprentice by a peyre of endentures of apprentishode to
be made betwene the maister and every suche persone after the
rule (?) and ordinaunce of this Citee upon peyne of xls. to be
payed at every tyme by him that doth the contrarie That one
half therof to the use of the forsaid chaumber of Guyldhall and
that other half to the said comone box of the forsaid crafte of
cordewaners in sustentacion and relevyng of the povere people
of the same craft In asmoche as the contrarie of this article
hathe bene before this tyme and is dayly used in the said craft
to grete prejudice and hurt of the Fraunchise of this Citee."
Their petition granted, the Mayor and Aldermen reserving
the power of amendment.
Folio 252 b.
23 July, 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], came the Master and
Wardens of the Fraternity of Tailors and Linen Armourers of
St. John the Baptist into the Court of the lord the King in the
Chamber of the Guildhall, before Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor,
Henry Frowyk, Stephen Broune, John Hatherle, Simon Eyre,
John Olney, Thomas Chaltone, William Gregory, John Norman,
Robert Horne, John Derby, Geoffrey Feldyng, William
Abraham, William Hulyn, Christopher Warter, and William
Dere, Aldermen, and presented a petition, as follows:-
"To the full honourables lord and souveraignes the Maire
and Aldermen of the Citee of London
"Shewen to grete Wisdoms John Gille, Maister, Richard
Rook, John Hill, John Spenser and John Weche, Wardeins of
the Fraternite of Taillours and lynge armurers of Seint John
Baptiste in the Citee of London and other of the said mistier
howe that grete multitude of alientes and other Foreins of the
said mistier come and resorte to this Citee and daiely sitt and
werke openly in shoppes and upon Stalles wyth other men
Fraunchised in the said mistier, Where as many and diverse
other yonge men whych have served their termes of apprenticialite wythin the said Citee wolde be occupied and sett awerke
as servauntes wyth such other men frauncheised in the said
mistier for competent wages as the custume of this Citee will
require and they mowe not but as vacabundes or elles idel
people under no rule ne gouvernance gone aboute wythin this
Citee and often tymes falle on ryott and other misgouvernance
to the grete hurt and undoyng of diverse such yonge men and
disworship to this Citee that it please your grete wisdoms
tenderly the premisses to consider and therupone to ordeign
and graunte that what persone Fraunchised in the said mistier
occupie or else sett a werke eny such said alient or other
Forein persone in the said mistier wythin the Fraunchise of the
said Citee but yef speciall licence atte tymes of necessite by the
Maire or the Chaumberleyn of the same and the Maister and
Wardeins of the said mistier orell' their successours that for the
tyme shall be allway afore tymes be hadd pay to the Chaumberleyn of the Yeldhall for everich defaute doon to the
contrarie vs. as it hath be acoustumed and used of olde tyme,
that one half alway to remayn to the Chaumber of this Citee
and that other half to the sustinaunce of the almesmen of the
said Fraternitee
"And over that to ordeign and graunte that the maister and
wardeins of the said Fraternite and mistier and their successours yeerly be charged and sworne be fore the Maire of this
Citee well and trewely among other thinges to present unto the
said chaumberleyn all the persones doyng eny such defautes
in the said mistery contrarie to this ordinaunce as ferforth as
they shall movve therof to have knoweleche or wetyng atte
Reverence of god and in way of charite."
The petition granted, the Mayor and Aldermen reserving
power of amendment, &c.
16 Aug., 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], John Frankeleyn, tailor,
discharged by Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Folio 253.
2 Aug., the same year, William Walton, goldsmith, similarly
discharged for like cause.
24 Dec., 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1450], came Robert Horne,
fishmonger, John Coggeshale, fishmonger, Stephen Grene,
draper, William Lightholders, mercer, and William Lightwode,
draper, into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber of
the Guildhall, before Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen, and entered into bond with John Sturgeon, the
Chamberlain, in the sum of 100 marks for the payment into
Court by the said John Coggeshale of a similar sum to the use
of John, son of William Kyrtone, late draper, and apprentice
to William Clyfford, fishmonger, when the said orphan shall
have come of age.
Folio 253 b.
20 Feb., 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1450-1], account rendered by
John Crosse in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before Stephen
Forster, Alderman, and John Nedeham, Common Serjeant-atlaw, auditors appointed by Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, and
the Aldermen, for the time when he was receiver of the issues
and profits of lands and tenements belonging to John, son of
John Tyce, late "Goldebeter." The auditors find that the said
John Crosse is indebted to the said orphan in the sum of £108.
Afterwards, viz., on the 30th March, 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451],
the said orphan came before the Mayor and Aldermen and
acknowledged satisfaction for the above sum, and also for
certain pieces of plate, &c., received from John Chichele, late
Chamberlain, and bequeathed to him by his father.
14 July, 29 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], four persons nominated
by the Commonalty of the Ward of "Douegate" to Nicholas
Wifold, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, for them to elect one
to be Alderman of the said Ward, viz., William Dere, Geoffrey
Boleyn, John Yong, and John Felde. Thereupon the said
William Dere was elected, and on the 16th July was sworn
and admitted. (fn. 5)
Folio 254.
Admissio Joh'is Bandy in officium servientis Cam'e.
Monday, 4 Sept., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], in the Court
of the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, it
was decreed by Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor, John Hatherle,
John Olney, Thomas Chaltone, William Coumbes, William
Gregory, John Norman, John Derby, Geoffrey Felding, William
Cantelowe, William Abraham, William Dere, and Richard
Alley, Aldermen, that John Bandy should be one of the
permanent Serjeants of the Chamber, receiving from the
Chamber the annual livery and fee accustomed.
Folio 254 b.
Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.], 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451],
in the presence of Nicholas Wifold, the Mayor, Thomas Billyng
the Recorder, Henry Frowik, John Hatherle, Simon Eyre, John
Olney, Thomas Chaltone, William Gregory, John Norman,
William Coumbes, John Derby, Geoffrey Feldyng, Thomas
Scot, William Abraham, William Cantlowe, William Marowe,
William Hulyn, Christopher Warter, William Dere, and Richard
Alley, Aldermen, and very many Commoners summoned to the
Guildhall for the election of Sheriffs for the year ensuing,
Matthew Philip was elected one of the Sheriffs by the Mayor,
and Christopher Warter was elected the other Sheriff by the
Commonalty.
The same day John Sturgeon was elected Chamberlain;
Thomas Cook, senior, draper, and Thomas Davy, tailor, were
elected Wardens of London Bridge; William Cantlowe,
William Marow, Aldermen, William Gregory, junior, William
Taillour, John Feld, and Thomas Gay, senior, Commoners,
were elected Auditors of the accounts of the said Chamberlain
and Wardens.
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, and accepted, &c.,
before the Barons of the Exchequer.
Eleccio Will'i Gregory Al' in Maiorem.
Wednesday the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.], 30 Henry VI.
[A.D. 1451], in the presence of Nicholas Wyfold, the Mayor,
Thomas Billyng the Recorder, the Prior of Christchurch,
Henry Frowyk, Stephen Broune, John Hatherle, Simon Eyre,
John Olney, Thomas Chaltone, William Gregory, William
Coumbes, John Norman, John Derby, Stephen Forster, Geoffrey
Feldyng, Thomas Canynges, William Cantelowe, William Hulyn,
William Marowe, Matthew Phelip, Thomas Scot, William Dere,
Christopher Warter, and Richard Alley, Aldermen, and an
immense Commonalty summoned to the Guildhall for the
election of a Mayor for the year ensuing, William Gregory, (fn. 6)
Alderman, was elected Mayor by the grace of the Holy
Spirit.
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, and accepted, &c., before the Barons of the
Exchequer.
Folio 255.
14 Nov., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], came William Redeknape,
mercer, John Maldone, grocer, John Shelley, grocer, Thomas
Brice, mercer, and William Hatter, mercer, into the Court of
the lord the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before
William Gregory, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and entered
into bond with John Sturgeon, the Chamberlain, in the sum of
40 marks, for the payment of a similar sum by the above
William Redeknape to Philip, son of Philip Spyre, late mercer,
when he comes of age, the said William having been appointed
guardian to the said orphan.
Exon'acio Rob'ti Arnewey.
8 Jan., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451-2], Robert Arnewey, mercer,
discharged by William Gregory, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
Folio 255 b.
9 Feb., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451-2], William Botersfeld,
"couper," similarly discharged for like cause.
Ordinac' Bakwelhall.
29 Nov., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], a petition to William
Gregory, the Mayor, Henry Frowyk, Stephen Broune, John
Hatherle, Simon Eyre, John Olney, Thomas Chalton, Nicholas
Wyfold, William Coumbes, John Norman, John Derby, Stephen
Forster, Geoffrey Feldyng, William Cantlowe, William Dere,
and Richard Alley, Aldermen, Matthew Philip and Christopher
Warter, the Sheriffs, and a notable Commonalty (insigni co'itate)
of the City in Common Council assembled, as follows:-
"To the Right honurable and worshipful souveraignes the
Maire and Aldremen of this Citee of London
"Please it unto yor Worthinesses & wise discrec'ons to have
knowledge and considerac'on of the grete hurtz and inconvenientz growyng and daily comyng unto þe co'ialte of this
cite & to the franchise of the same by many diverse meanes
and sp'ally by these forein Brocors makyng bargayns betwene
forein and forein in this Cite ofte tymes and many aswele by
color of fraunchised puple of this Cite & oþ'wise as by bringing
in of wollenclothes ledder and oþer chaffar' for to be sold which
arn' brought & delivred into many secrete places of this Cite
and not to the co'e & open marked places þ'fore specially
ordeyned & assigned And also by bringing hider of Blokkes
and peces of tynne sp'ally of Devenshire comyng daily to this
Cite on hors bak which ben brought and & [sic] delivred into
many prive places of this Cite and nat to the co'e weyhous lyke
as tynne of Cornewayle is wonte thidder to be brought. Which
wollen cloth leder Devenyshe tynne and moche othre chaffar' so
delyvered into secrete places by foreyns þe oweners þ'of oþ'while
by the saide forein Brocors and by oþer puple as well fraunchised as foreins bene bargayned bought and sold daily
betwene forein & forein in grete derogac'on & prejudice of the
franchise of this Cite & grete hurt & hinderinge of the trewe
fraunchised puple of the same Cite. The p'missis tendrely
considered ye like of yor grete wysdoms to graunte provide and
ordeign þat from hens forth none suche woollenclothe ledder
tynne nor oþer chaffar' of eny forein persone brought to þis
Cite for to be sold be ledd nor housed in no place but oonly in
such open forsaid places þat ben ordeyned for sale of such
chaffar' þat is to say as wollen clothe to be ledde brought and
deliv'ed unto þe co'e market place of "Blakwellhall" lether to þe
co'e selde (fn. 7) and Devenyssh tynne aswele as Cornyssh tynne
& all oþer tynne to þe co'e weihous places therfore sp'ally
ordeyned and assigned & suche oþer chafar' þat shall be solde
to be brought & deliv'ed in suche open places as be ordeyned
þerfore Upon peyne to forfaite alle suche cloth ledder tynne
& oþer chaffar' so brought & deliv'ed in any oþer places thanne
aforesaid And þat aswell þe saide alien brocors as oþer and
also alle fraunchised peple makyng any suche bargayns
betwene forein & forein or rescevyng into here houses or places
any suche chaffar' brought to be sold or coloryng or favoryng
any suche bargaynes & þerof duely convicte make & paie grete
fyne to þe Chambre of Guyldhall atte every tyme þei may be
found defectif þerin or brekyng any parte of þe saide ordenaunce
aftir þat it shal seme worthy by yor wise discrec'ons without
any pardon þerof to be graunted or had and þis in wey of
Right and for þe wele of all þe Co'altie of þis Cite." (fn. 8)
Folio 256.
Custod'.
9 Dec., 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], came Robert Okle,
"bruer," John Wottone, draper, Thomas Glover, "ferrour,"
Nicholas Toller, "skynner," Thomas Perkyns, "hostiller,"
William Simond, "hostiller," William Dodde, "haberdassher,"
and Thomas Riseby, "brasyere," into the Court of the lord
the King in the Chamber of the Guildhall, before William
Gregory, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and entered into
bond with John Sturgeon, the Chamberlain, in the sum of
£36 13s. 4d. for the payment of a like sum by the said Robert
Okle to William, son of William Bounde, late brewer, and of
Alice his wife, on his coming of age, the said Robert having
been appointed guardian of the said orphan.
22 March, 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1451-2], petition by Thomas
Downam, one of the Mayor's Serjeants-at-mace, to the Mayor
and Aldermen, to be appointed "one of the Sergeauntz attendyng upone the maire" in place of Rawlyn Vernon, late
serjeant, who is "past to God," such appointment having been
promised to him on the next avoidance.
His petition granted.
Folio 256 b.
29 March, 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452], came William Miller,
"dier," before William Gregory, the Mayor, and the Aldermen
in the Chamber of the Guildhall, and showed that whereas he
had been admitted into the freedom of the City in the Art of
"Dyers," temp. John Olney, Mayor, and John Chichele, Chamberlain, viz., on the 11th Aug., 25 Henry VI. [A.D. 1447], he
had long used, and was still using, the mistery of Drapers. He
prayed, therefore, to be admitted into the freedom of the City
in the said Mistery of Drapers. His prayer granted at the
instance of good men of the said Mistery.
Folio 257.
19 July, 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452], came Richard Nedeham,
mercer, into the Court of the lord the King, before William
Gregory, the Mayor, and the Aldermen, and entered into bond
for the payment of the sum of 20 marks to John, son of William
Stokdale, on his coming of age.
Pinners.
19 July, 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452], came William Michell,
Thomas Byset, and William Clerk, Wardens of the Mistery of
Pynners, into the Court of the lord the King in the Chamber
of the Guildhall, before William Gregory, the Mayor, and the
Aldermen, and presented a petition as follows:-
"Unto the full honourables lord the Maire and Aldremen of
the Citee of London
"Besechen mekely William Michell Thomas Biset and
William Clerk Wardeins of the crafte of Pynners that where it
hath alwayes been accustumed and used for to take and have
of every fyne brought in to the Chambre of the Yeldhall by
the presentment of the Wardeins of the same craft that one
half for their costes and laboure doone there in to nowe late
that your said besechers presented one John Bultell pynner of
a defaute that him ought to have paied þerfore a fyne of xls.
and paied wages to a sergeant for to fett the same John Bultell
into the chamber to answer and paie the same fyne and other
costes aboute the same besynesse diden, and the Chaumberleyn
toke of the same John Bultell a fyne of vjs. viijd. and lete him
passe and not wold reward the said Wardeins for all her said
labour and costes, Wherfor please it unto your wise discrecions
to considre the premisses, and howe yef the Wardeins of the
same crafte be thus put to cost for the approwyng and getyng
in of Fines to the availe of the Chamber alonely and have none
availe nor reward therfor as they have hadd before this tyme
it is to drede they from this tyme forward wol suffre inconvenience to rise and growe to the hurte of the people and of
the Chambre than at their grete cost and laboure so to presente,
And therupon to graunte and ordeign that the Wardeins of the
said crafte from this foreward may have that one half of all
such fynes as by their presentement shull be reised and take for
their laboure as Wardeins of other craftes of this Citee haven
and they shall pray to God for you."
Their petition granted.
Folio 257 b.
8 July, 30 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452], a petition by the Commonalty to the Mayor and Aldermen in Common Council
assembled, there being present William Gregory, the Mayor,
Henry Frowyk, Stephen Broune, John Hatherle, Simon Eyre,
John Olney, Nicholas Wyfold, Thomas Chaltone, John Norman,
Geoffrey Feldyng, Robert Horne, John Derby, William Cantelowe, Stephen Forster, William Abraham, William Marowe,
William Hulyn, William Dere, Matthew Philip, and Richard
Alley, Aldermen, in the following terms:-
"Unto the right Worshipful and discrete soveraines Maire
and Aldermen of this noble Citee of London
"Complaynen and ful tendrely shewen unto yor sadde
Wisdoms the Co'ens of this honorable Citee that where of
auncien tyme for the grete wele and notable worship of this
Cite it was ordeyned and used of commendable Custume that
there shuld be none other Officers Sergeauntes aboute the
Sherrefs of this Cite for the tyme beyng but men of good
name and fame and freemen of the saide Cite and likly of
their personnes such as myght and coude do their Maistres
good service and grete worship at tyme of nede and had
wherwith to lyve upon yf they had not ben in office And no
moo of them in noumbre with one Sherref but viij personnes
atte moste (fn. 9) And no moo Clerkes in aither of the Counters
then the Secundarye, the Clerk of the papir. and other two
Clerkes to theym and with theym syttyng in the Courte the
Undreshirrefz Clerkes In whiche daies the saide sergeauntz
and Clerkes diden their maistres good service grete worship
profite & availle and lyved them self upon their offices & services
wele honestly and manerely withoute any extorc'on doyng to
the co'en people or fraude or collusion doyng to any partye
whiche turned this Cite in tho daies to right grete Worship
and notable fame in al this Reaume And in thise daies and
fewe daies passed it is and hath ben used that contrarie the
saide good and auncienne ordenaunce and commendable
Custume the Sherrefz of London for the tyme beyng have
receyved into their services for sergeauntes by diverse meanes
made unto theym in sundry wises suche personnes as have not
hadde any goodes wherwith to susteyne theymself oute of service
And no thing likly of their persones nor hable to do theire
maistre covenable service for his honeste And of them many
in noumbre as experience at this daye and in fewe daies passed
hath shewed ful pleynly And moreover of Clerkes in the
Comptours contrary to the saide ordenaunce in aither Comptour
v or vj personnes moo then have ben used of old tyme Whiche
persones of sergeantes and clerkes beyng so many in nombre
coude ner con not alle gete their lyvyng but if they do extorc'on
& oppression to the co'en people. And otherwhile for
encroching everiche of theym of his singuler availe do
fraude and collusion to theire cleauntes. Whiche manere
doyng in late daies hath turned this Citee to grete defame
disclaundre & dishoneste. Whiche is like to contynue so forth
as god defende of lesse then convenable remedye therfore the
sonner be provided by yor sadde discrec'ons Thise premisses
tendrely considered It please yor good graces bi yor noble
wisdams & by assent of the right discrete Co'ens assembled in
this present co'en counseille and by auctorite of the same for
to ordeyne enacte & establissh perpetuely to endure that the
Shirrefs of this honorable Citee þat herafter for the tyme shull
be from this tyme forthward receyve no persones into their
services for sergeauntes but men of good name & fame and
likly of their persones & men beyng enfraunchised of this
Citee and no mo in noumbre then aftre thold ordenaunce
aforesaide therof made or atte moost iiij moo in alle So that
no Sherref have moo of them in noumbre than oonly xij
persones atte moost if he so many have. Ner that ther be no
moo Clerkes in aither Countre than þe Secundarye the Clerk of
the paper and other two Clerkes unto theym beside the Undersherrefz Clerk sittyng with theym in playne Court in the
Yeldehall. And that what Shirref of this Cite þat herafter do
the contrarye of this ordenaunce renne in peyne of Cli sterling
to be levyed of his goodes where so evere they mowe be found
as often as he so doo to the Chambrelayn of London for the
tyme beyng to the use of the co'ialte of London And this to
be graunted for the grete wele & worship of this honorable
Citee therby to be recovered ageyn as the same hath ben in
daies passed."
The same enacted accordingly.
[Folios. 258 blank.]
Folio 258 b.
Exon'acio Rog'i Champney ab assis' etc.
5 Dec., 30 [sic] Henry VI. [A.D. 1451], Roger Champney,
"talowchaundler," discharged by William Gregory, the Mayor,
and the Aldermen from serving on juries as he was afflicted
with colic (colica passione) and old age.
[Folios. 259 blank.]
Folio 259 b.
Exon'acio Ric'i Hille ab assisis.
27 Feb., 31 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452-3], Richard Hille, "brewer,"
discharged by William Gregory, the Mayor [sic], and the Aldermen from serving on juries, &c., owing to increasing old age.
[Folios. 260 blank.]
Folio 260 b.
Exon' Will'i Horne civis et pannar' London.
11 Oct., 31 Henry VI. [A.D. 1452], William Horne, draper,
similarly discharged by William Gregory, the Mayor [sic], &c.,
for like cause.
Exon'acio Joh'is Russell ab assis'.
The same day John Russell, "Founder," similarly discharged for like cause.