ROLL A6
Membr. 1
11 March 1349
Pleas held before John Lovekyn, Mayor, Simon
Dolsely and Henry Pykard, Sheriffs, on Wednesday
before the Feast of S
t
Gregory Pope [12 March] A
o 23
Edw. III [1348-9]
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to see justice done to John
Shonke of Lesnes co. Kent, who complained that he was
now confined in Newgate in connection with a bond to
Robert, son of the late John Cros, fishmonger, although he
had paid the money due under the bond. Dated at Westminster 7 March Ao 23 Edw. III [1348-9].
Thereupon precept was issued to summon the said Robert
Cros, who appeared in court and denied that payment had
been made to him. The plaintiff produced an acquittance,
which was found by a jury to be genuine. Judgment was
given for 100s damages taxed by the jury, and the defendant
Robert was sentenced to imprisonment. (L)
22 May 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor and Aldermen on Friday
the morrow of the Ascension [21 May]
Membr. 1 b
A scire facias was issued to William de Greyngham, serjeant, to summon John Anketel, woolman, to show cause
why a debt of 100 marks due on a recognizance, made before
Roger de Depham, Alderman, and Thomas de Maryns,
Chamberlain, should not be levied from his goods and
chattels, lands and tenements, and paid to the executors of
his creditor, John Oweyn, called de Pulteneye (fn. 1) , viz. to Henry
Grene, William Norton, William Oweyn, father of the
creditor, and Thomas and Robert his brothers. John Anketel
being dead, his heirs and the tenants of his property were
called upon to show cause etc. On their failing to appear,
execution of the debt was granted and an inquisition was
made of the property of John Anketel at the time of his
entering into the bond. The jurors found that he possessed
a quitrent, messuage, brewhouse and shops in the parish of
St Mildred in the Poultry, which came into the possession
of his kinsman and heir, John Anketel; and shops, a brewhouse, solars and warehouses in the parishes of All Hallows,
Bread Street, and St Mary Magdalene, Milk Street, in the
occupation of his widow Agnes. After the payment of quitrents to the Prioress of Kilburn, the Conversi
(fn. 2) of "Chancellerslane," and a chantry in the church of St Mary Magdalene, the above properties were of an annual net value of
£18. (L)
18 July 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Saturday
before the Feast of S
t
Margaret Virgin [20 July] A
o
23 Edw. III [1349]
William de Osprenge, Ralph atte Hoke, John Chaumpeneys, William de Bergeveny, John de la Maneys, Martin
le Mynour of Holborn and other bakers' servants were indicted for forming a conspiracy among themselves that they
would not work for their masters except at double or treble
the wages formerly given (fn. 3) . They pleaded not guilty and
demanded a jury. Meanwhile, at the request of the bakers,
it was resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen that no servant
should enter the service of a baker for a less period than a
quarter of a year, and that his wages should not be paid otherwise than at the end of each quarter, in accordance with the
custom in other misteries, except in case of illness or other
urgent necessity, when a baker's servant might be paid his
wages up to date, but not in advance. A fine of 40s, payable
to the City Chamberlain, was appointed for any infraction of
these rules. (L)
26 Aug. 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Wednesday
after the Feast of S
t
Bartholomew [24 Aug.] A
o 23
Edw. III [1349]
John de Cantebrigg, chaplain, was summoned to answer
William de Stokes and Margery his wife, who sued as next
friends of Margery and Juliana, daughters of John de Sellyng
draper deceased, on a charge of withholding from the children
moneys left to them by their father. These moneys, according
to the plaintiffs, came into the hands of John de Sellyng's
administrator, Henry de Asshebourn, and on the latter's
death, into the hands of his executor, the defendant, who
now detained them. The defendant pleaded that he duly
administered Henry de Asshebourn's estate and only 5
marks were left. A jury found that he still had in his possession sufficient goods belonging to the testator to pay the £10
due to the children, and judgment was given that they recover
that amount. (L)
Membr. 2
1 Sept. 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Tuesday
after the Feast of the Decollation of S
t
John the Baptist
[29 Aug.] A
o 23 Edw. III [1349]
John de Romeseye and John Mark, white-bakers of St
Botolph's Lane, were summoned for having paid their men
part of their wages during the quarter, contrary to the recent
ordinance (fn. 4) . They pleaded guilty and threw themselves on
the mercy of the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)
17 June 1349
Pleas held before John Lovekyn, Mayor, on Wednesday
after the Feast of S
t
Barnabas [11 June]
Order was given to summon Nicholas Godwyn, skinner,
before the Mayor and Chamberlain to show cause why the
sum of £6 15s should, not be levied on his goods and chattels,
lands and tenements for payment to Godescalcus atte Brok,
merchant of Almaine, under a bond. The said Nicholas being
returned as dead, his heirs and tenants were called upon to
answer. Thereupon came Stephen Godwyn, heir of the
aforesaid Nicholas, and said that the money ought not to be
so levied inasmuch as his grandfather, Godewyn le Hodere,
who was seised in fee simple of the property, devised it to
the said Nicholas and his brother Thomas in tail (fn. 5) , and the
said Nicholas dying without an heir of his body, the property
came to the defendant as son of Thomas. The Court on
11 Sept. found that this was the case, and the plaintiff
Godescalcus prosecuted his plea no further. (L)
7 Sept. 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor on Monday before the
Feast of the Nativity B.M. [8 Sept.]
Robert de Wodham, executor of Robert de Haugham who
was executor of John le Parmenter of York, was summoned
to answer William Spershore and Joan his wife, the next
friend of the children of the said John, on a charge of withholding the property due to the children. The defendant
admitted that he had in charge £30, a signet ring and other
goods and chattels, which he was ready to pay as ordered
by the Court. The Court directed that the defendant pay to
Thomas de Walden, the City Chamberlain, the sum of £30
in gold nobles; which together with 27s 2d, being the value
of the goods and chattels, were paid over to the saild William
and Joan for the benefit of Ellen, the sole surviving child of
the testator. ( L)
2 Sept. 1349
A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday
after the Feast of the Decollation of S
t
John the Baptist
[29 Aug.]
Adam Reyner, "dighere," and Joan his wife bring a plaint
of Intrusion against Alice Corteys, touching their free tenement in the parish of St Michael, Queenhithe. (L)
Membr. 2b
Robert de Hyngeston and Simon de Chikesond were
attached to answer John de Pampesworth, chaplain, and Amy
de Rokesbourgh, executors of Henry de Aysshbourn, who
was executor of John de Sellyng, on a charge of carrying
away a sack of wool, 13 silver spoons, and silver rings,
buckles and cups, belonging to the children of the said John
de Sellyng. A jury of Milk Street, viz. Henry Sutbury,
William le Keu, Thomas de Wilchere, girdler, Robert Isemberd, Robert le Foundour, Richard le Weyte, William Cornhulle, founder, John Spryngold, brewer, John Balauncer,
Thomas Fruter, William Pye and John Barthelee, found a
verdict for the plaintiffs for 6 marks and 13s 4d damages.
Judgment for those amounts and that the defendants be
committed to prison. (L)
5 Oct. 1349
A Congregation of Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on
Monday after the Feast of S
t
Michael [29 Sept.]
The following butchers were sworn to see that meat was
sold at a proper price, as was formerly accustomed (fn. 6) . Butchers
dwelling in the parish of St Nicholas Shambles: Simon atte
Gate, Robert de Huntingdon, Richard Eyward, Edmund de
Ware; at the Stocks: Thomas atte Hoke, Thomas de Caxton,
William Fourner, Nicholas Longe; in East Cheap: John de
Farnham, John Lemman, Henry atte Beche, John Vannere.
The same butchers declared on oath that the flesh of bulls
that had not been baited was more wholesome than that of
baited bulls (taurorum exagitatorum). (L)
Denys de Lyndesey, Adam Saunderson, Roger Brongore,
Nicholas de Langetoft, Geoffrey Baroun, Laurence de Cornwall, Thomas de Chestre, William de Evisham, David de la
Pole and Walter Bydowe, "wyndrawers," were charged with
taking, for the drawing and carrying of wine, double what
they were accustomed to take, contrary to a proclamation,
made in accordance with the King's writ, that no workman
should take more for his labour or merchandise than he was
wont to take during the last five or six years. They pleaded
guilty and were committed to Newgate. On Friday following
they were brought into court by the Keeper of Newgate,
and after taking an oath not to repeat the offence were
allowed to go free. (L)
Juries were summoned to give verdicts on similar charges
against Philip de Cornwall, winedrawer, and his servants,
and against Stephen le Baker and his servants John Bechewod, William Mommyng, John Packere, John Rolleboys and
William Bagard. (L)
16 Sept. 1349
A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Guildhall on Wednesday after the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross [14 Sept.] A
o 23 Edw. III [1349]
Agnes, relict of John Hamond, demands an Assize of
Nuisance against Nicholas Bullet and Elizabeth his wife
touching her free tenement in the parish of St Stephen Walbrook. (L)
Membr. 3
5 Oct. 1349
Further Pleas on Monday after the Feast of S
t
Michael
[29 Sept]
Robert de Stretford, Bennet Walkelyn, Henry de Turneye,
Roger de Botelston, Maurice de Devenisshire and other
cordwainers were attached to answer a charge of having
made a confederacy and agreed to sell shoes at 8d or 9d a
pair instead of the former price of 6d, in contempt of the
recent proclamation and the King's writ concerning prices
and workmen's wages. They pleaded not guilty, and order
was given to summon a jury. (L)
12 Oct. 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on
Monday before the Feast of S
t
Edward King
(fn. 7) [13 Oct.]
A
o 23 Edw. III [1349]
Robert de Stretford and other cordwainers, against whom
proceedings were taken as recorded supra, made a complaint
against Roger de Codyngton, John Phippe, William Aleger,
Thomas de Caldecote and other curriers (corigiatores) for
selling leather at a higher price than formerly, by charging
3s 6d for a side (fn. 8) (latus) of cowhide, as against the usual price
of 2s, and 8s 6d or 9s for an oxhide instead of the old price
of 4s 6d or 5s at most. The offenders appeared in court and
promised on oath not to repeat their offence. The Cordwainers were ordered to make a scrutiny and bring before
the Mayor and Aldermen any leather they found sold at an
enhanced price. (L)
14 Oct. 1349
Pleas held before John Lovekyn, Mayor, on Wednesday
after the above Feast
Roger de Codyngton, "coreour," was attached to answer
Robert de Ely, cordwainer, for having sold to the prosecutor,
through his servant John de Eynesford, one shoulder
(humerum) of cowhide for 3s and another at 3s 6d, instead of
at the proper price, viz. 2s each. The defendant denied any
responsibility for the said sale. A jury of persons living
round the warehouse, where the sale was alleged to have,
taken place, found that the above John de Eynesford was the
agent of the defendant, and sold the cowhide, by his orders,
at the price above stated. The defendant was committed to
prison, but was immediately afterwards mainprised, for the
payment of a fine, by Thomas le Purser, Hardebon Pouchemakere, Gilbert de Chelchehuth, tanner, and Godfrey de
Haveryng, brewer. (L)
Membr. 3b
Temp. Walter Turk, Mayor, A
o 23 Edw. III [1349-50]
9 Nov. 1349
On Monday before the Feast of St Martin [11 Nov.],
Robert Garson, cordwainer, was committed to prison for
selling two pairs of shoes for 18d to Sir Denys, the King's
Clerk, who lodged with Sir Thomas de Brembre—contrary
to the proclamation made on the King's behalf. (L)
12 Nov. 1349
On Thursday after the above Feast Thomas Derle, cordwainer, was committed to prison for selling a pair of shoes
for 8d to Isabella, widow of Richard de Rothyng, contrary
to the proclamation. (L)
13 Nov. 1349
On Friday after the above Feast William Amery, mason,
was committed to prison for refusing to do some work appertaining to his trade in the church of St Christopher for less
than 5s, which another mason then performed for 12d. (L)
13 Nov. 1349
Pleas held before the Mayor the same day
Agnes Wombe of Bedford and Joan de Sloghteford were
attached to answer a charge of having enticed away Joan la
Whycchere, a servant, from the service of Thomas de Shene
by flattering speeches (per sermones adulosos), during the
period for which she was contracted to her master—contrary
to the articles ordained by the King and his Council, which
were proclaimed in the City in obedience to the King's writ (fn. 9) .
They pleaded not guilty. A jury from the neighbourhood of
Queenhithe, where the plaintiff resided, was summoned. (L)
19 Nov. 1349
On Thursday before the Feast of St Edmund King [20
Nov.], Robert de Stratford, Thomas Jaye, William de Whatele,
William de Bristoll, John de Lodelowe, Peter de Kyngeston,
Richard de Carleton, John Capel, Walter Caus, Roger Coggere, William Spuk and Whatmann atte Brok, cordwainers,
were sworn to keep the articles of their trade. (L)
14 Nov. 1349
On Saturday after the Feast of St Martin [11 Nov.] the
above-mentioned and other cordwainers brought a bill of
complaint before the Mayor and Aldermen against a number
of their servants, whom they charged with entering into a
conspiracy not to serve them except by the day and on their
own terms—which was in contravention of the masters' right
to rule the trade. They prayed also that the curriers and
tanners might be summoned to court to give information as
to the sale of leather, and they promised that, if this were
done, the market for leather would not suffer thereby. (F)
The servants, being present in court, confessed to all that
was contained in the bill of complaint and threw themselves
on the mercy of the Mayor and Aldermen. In answer to
questions they gave the names of several others who had
joined their confederacy, and though they did not know the
names of all of them, they said the total number was over
sixty. They were committed to Newgate during the pleasure
of the Mayor and Aldermen, but on Thursday after the
Feast of St Katherine [25 Nov.] they were released on their
promise to work for the same wages as formerly, and their
masters entered into mainprise for their future good behaviour. (L)
Membr. 4
17 March 1350
Pleas held before Walter Turk, Mayor, and Adam de
Buri and Ralph de Lenne, Sheriffs, on Wednesday
after the Feast of S
t
Gregory [12 March] A
o 24 Edw.
III [1349-50]
Walter Martyn, John Aumbrey, Rose la Hokestere,
William Tythynglomb, William Pikebon, Roland de Colbrook and others were indicted for being forestallers of
poultry and other victuals. The above Roland was found not
guilty. The rest were convicted and sent to prison, with the
exception of William Tythynglomb, who, having been previously found guilty of a similar offence, was ordered to
stand on the pillory. (L)
30 April 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Friday the
eve of the Feast of SS. Philip and James [1 May]
John le Wheler, Margery Ossekyn and others were convicted of forestalling poultry and other victuals and were
committed to prison. (L)
11 May 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Tuesday
after the Feast of S
t
John ante Portam Latinam
[6 May]
Eleven persons were indicted for forestalling tannery, tiles
and poultry, of whom John atte Chapelle, Agnes, wife of
Osbert de Mundene, Hugh Gardiner, Henry le Kook of East
Cheap and John de Kyngesseye admitted their offence and
were committed to prison. John de Edmyngton, tanner,
William Forester, senior, William Forester, junior, John atte
Brom, John Blackwell and Joan, wife of Walter Taylour,
pleaded not guilty and put themselves on their country. (L)
Membr. 4b
14 May 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Friday
before Pentecost [16 May]
Thomas Clerk, William Cheseman, Alice Coppedok and
others were charged with forestalling poultry and other
victuals. The greater number were acquitted. Juliana de
Ware, Gilbert Lord, Alice de Ware and Thomas Poleter
were found guilty and committed to prison. (L)
Isabella de Toppesham, "hostelere," was attached to
answer a charge of detaining 80 florins called "nobles," entrusted to her by Nicholas de Trouhgbrugge at her hostel
near St Paul's Brew-house in Castle Baynard Ward. She
pleaded not guilty and said she gave the money to William,
the plaintiff's brother, at the plaintiff's request. A jury was
summoned; and because the defendant could not find surety
for her appearance, she was committed to prison. Eventually
the jury found her guilty of detaining the money, and she
was again committed to prison until she repaid the sum due
with 13s 4d damages. (L)
7 June 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Monday
before the Feast of S
t
Barnabas [11 June]
Thomas de Kyngestone, clerk, and Edmund, son of Thomas
de Ware, were attached to answer the King and the Common
Serjeant, William de Iford, on a charge of causing an affray
on London Bridge, and for assaulting, and using contemptuous and abusive words against John Lovekyn, the late
Mayor, when he intervened—to the terror of passers-by and
in contempt of the King £1000. They pleaded not guilty.
A jury was summoned. (L)
Membr. 5
2 Dec. 1349
On Wednesday after the Feast of St Andrew [30 Nov.] Ao
23 Edw. III [1349], John Baltrip and Geoffrey le Cordwaner
of Bassieshaw were committed to prison for selling shoes to
Adam de Leynthale and Margaret Condal at an unlawful
price—8d a pair. (L)
4 Dec. 1349
A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen on Friday
after the above Feast
A committee of Adam Brabazon, William atte Welde,
Henry Pykard, William de Todynham, Aldermen, Richard
de Wycombe, John Lytle, John Pele, Simon de Podyngton
and William de Iford, Commoners, was chosen to buy 5
casks of wine and 7 pieces of wax as presents for divers
magnates. (L)
16 Jan. 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs on
Saturday after the Feast of S
t
Hilary [13 Jan.] A
o 23
Edw. III [1349-50]
John Berunger, currier, was attached to answer a charge
brought by William de Whetelee, cordwainer, of having sold
a side and a remnant of cowhide for 5s 9d, instead of the
proper price 4s. The sale was alleged to have taken place in
the Seld of the Curriers at St Michael at Corn. The said
John pleaded guilty and was committed to prison during the
pleasure of the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)
20 Jan. 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Wednesday
the octave of S
t
Hilary [13 Jan.]
Alan de Pynchebek, tailor, was attached to answer a charge
of breaking into the house of Master Richard de Dovre,
cook to Sir David de Wlnore in Fleet Street, and assaulting
and beating his wife Cristina. He was found guilty by a jury
and a capias was issued against him. (L)
10 April 1350
10 April Ao 24 Edw. III a precept was sent to each Alderman to cause four men of his Ward to be elected, that they
might attend at the Guildhall on a certain day to discuss
matters touching the City. The names of those elected were
to be returned on Monday endorsed on the precepts. (F)
12 April 1350
Inquest taken before the Mayor and Sheriffs on 12 April,
as to forestallers of oxen, cows, pigs, sheep, poultry, grain,
malt and other victuals. The jury presented Thomas Austyn,
butcher, as a common forestaller, who had gone out to
Iseldon in Middlesex and had bought 80 sheep from John
le Rous, and to Highgate, where he bought from Walter de
Baldeswell 120 pigs on their way to market. Afterwards the
above Thomas appeared in court by attachment and pleaded
guilty. He was committed to prison, but next day was released on mainprise for his future good behaviour, and for
his appearance in court to pay a fine when required. (L)
9 June 1350
On Wednesday before the Feast of St Barnabas [11 June],
John de Drayton, Richard Carlel, William Passeware, Thomas
Same, John Walsshe and John de York were accepted as
mainprise for the appearance of Adam de Carlehull before
the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)
Membr. 5b
24 May 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor and Sheriffs on Monday
after the Feast of S
t
Dunstan [19 May] A
o 24 Edw.
III [1350]
Adam le Brewere, servant of John de Oxonia, skinner,
was attached to answer the King and Thomas Spray on a
charge of reviling the said Thomas and others, who had
served on a jury of inquiry, and of saying that the Mayor and
Aldermen ought not to regulate the brewers, and that he
himself would gather together the brewers, and they would
agree not to take service except by the day only and at a wage
of 12d a day—all this being in contempt of the King and to
the damage of the people. The defendant denied the offence,
but being found guilty by a jury, was committed to prison
during the pleasure of the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)
Roger Torold, taverner, and Bartholomew, the taverner of
Nicholas le Blake, were attached to answer a charge of having
refused to let a customer, John Cortoys, see his wine drawn,
contrary to the proclamation (fn. 10) thereon made and in contempt
of the King. They admitted the offence and were committed
to prison until each should pay to the Chamberlain a fine of
half-a-mark. (L)
3 June 1350
On Thursday after the Feast of St Petronilla [31 May],
William Albon, Robert Lyghtfote, Roger atte Brok, John de
Haukeshalle, Richard de Stortford and Thomas Wylcher
were accepted as sureties that Richard, son of William de
Hakeney, would keep the peace with William le Barber,
beadle of Lime Street, and Roger le Caller. (L)
The same day Richard Lacer, Alderman, reported that
William de Oxford, skinner, had caused an affray in his
presence and had wounded Thomas Wylcher in St Hilary's
Lane (fn. 11) . The said William admitted his offence and was committed to Newgate. On the Monday following he was brought
into court by the Keeper and begged to be allowed to find
sureties for his future good behaviour. This was granted,
and Simon de Bytlesdon, John de Stafford, Richard de
Pollesworth, Adam Cope, John de Aysshebourn and Henry
de York, skinners, were accepted as mainprise. (L)
12 June 1350
On Saturday after the Feast of St Barnabas [11 June], John
de Navarre, taverner, was fined 40s for having bought two
cart loads of gravel for 10d, contrary to the proclamation (fn. 12) of
the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, which fixed the
price of sand and gravel at 3d a cartload. (L)
The same day Thomas le Coupere was committed to
Newgate for having called a jury false and perjured, in the
presence of the Mayor and Aldermen in open court. (L)
18 June 1350
On Friday after the Feast of St Botolph [17 June], Henry
de Bradele, "correour," sold to John de Brampton, a foreigner
living near Huntingdon, 8 skins of leather in Cheap contrary
to the proclamation. The skins were seized by Robert de
York, cordwainer, and brought before the Mayor and Aldermen. The said Henry confessed his fault. (L)
14 June 1350
On Monday after the Feast of St Barnabas [11 June], John
Natus (fn. 13) , Walter de Lyncoln, Thomas Shrousbury, John de
Holne, Stephen de Cobham and William Combe, belonging
to the mistery of Shearmen, were committed to prison for
refusing to work except at double wages. Surety was accepted for their future good behaviour. (L)
The same day John Adam, spicer, paid to Thomas de
Walden, the Chamberlain, a fine because his servant John
Coumbe sold a gallon of wine by his orders at a price contrary to the proclamation. (L)
Membr. 6
13 July 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen
on Tuesday after the Feast of the Translation of S
t
Thomas the Martyr [7 July]
Two bills of complaint were brought against John Wodegate; the one by John de Wyndesore, tapicer, who charged
him with failing to enrol the plaintiff's indentures of apprenticeship and to present him for the freedom when he had
served his term; and the other from Thomas Andrew on
behalf of the mistery of Tapicers, who complained that the
said John Wodegate had several apprentices and had not
enrolled their indentures during the first year of their terms
or enfranchised them at the end of their terms, and that he
was maintaining one Richard atte Brugge of Essex, who was
a "pikere" and a "pulfrour (fn. 14) ," and not fit to belong to the
mistery. (F)
The defendant pleaded not guilty and denied that John
Wodegate was ever his apprentice, and said that he served
him for two years under a special arrangement. A jury found
that John Wodegate was an apprentice and had served faithfully for ten years, that his master broke the indentures, and
that the defendant maintained the said Richard atte Brigge
(sic), who was a nightwalker and an evildoer and had since
fled from the City. (L)
Membr. 7
28 June 1350
Pleas held before the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs
on Monday the eve of SS. Peter and Paul [29 June]
A bill of complaint was read in which the Commonalty of
the land (la Comune de la terre) (fn. 15) charged the Fusters of the
City, viz. Geoffrey Owyt, John Dunmowe, Thomas Payn,
Robert Payn, John de Enfeld, Walter Brok, John Payn and
Peter Dunmowe, with forming a confederacy and agreeing
not to sell a saddle-tree (arson), which used to cost 6d or 7d,
for less than 2s or 30d, although the wood of which it was
made cost only 3d. They complained further that the Fusters
had agreed not to take any apprentices, with the intention of
restricting the number of their mistery, so that they could
control prices. They also agreed to sell their saddle-bows to
foreigners, if they could not obtain their price among citizens,
and they were about to buy a charter from the King restricting the trade to those persons who were now confederated, which would result in the decrease of the mistery.
A similar confederacy had formerly existed among the
lorimers in copper, of whom there were now only two left
to serve the whole people. (F)
The Fusters were attached to appear on Wednesday, when
they pleaded not guilty, and one of them, Robert Payn, said
he had taken an apprentice, Nicholas de Eston, and enrolled
him within the last half year. On Friday a jury found that
the Fusters were selling saddle-trees for 40d, though wood
cost no more than formerly, that they had agreed in words,
though not on oath, to raise the price of their work and to
sell to foreigners if citizens would not buy, but that they
were not guilty of refusing apprentices or seeking a charter.
Judgment was given that they be committed to prison during
the pleasure of the Mayor and Aldermen. (L)
On Monday after the Feast of the Translation of St Thomas
the Martyr [7 July] the above-mentioned Fusters came into
court, when William Pykerel on behalf of the Saddlers of the
City produced a bill purporting to be an agreement by the
good men of the Commonalty of the land, who had prosecuted
the Fusters. They suggested that owing to the mischief
caused by the Pestilence during the last two years, a new
scale of charges for goods supplied by the Fusters to the
Saddlers should be adopted for a half year, one year or two
years, and that prices should revert to the former level or even
lower as times (le seclee) improved. They demanded further
that all saddle-trees should be of good material, that the Fusters
should take apprentices, and that they should not sell to
foreigners so long as there was a sale among citizens. (F)
After deliberating on these proposals of the Saddlers, the
Fusters handed in a bill, in which they said that owing to a
life of labour they were now feeble in strength, that they
could not find apprentices or serving men to help them, and
that at a time when they needed more comfort in the matter
of food and clothing, conditions were so evil that the gallon
of beer cost 2d instead of 1d, and other necessaries had also
risen in like proportion. Consequently they could not sell
at the prices suggested by the Saddlers, since they would be
spending more in a year than they could earn in three. As
regards selling to foreigners and citizens, they possessed the
same rights as other freemen, and the proposals of the
Saddlers were in prejudice of their liberties. They prayed
the Mayor and Aldermen to accept a schedule of prices for
certain kinds of saddle-trees. (F)
After consideration, and putting aside the arguments of
both the Saddlers and the Fusters, the Mayor and Aldermen
ordained certain prices for three kinds of saddle-trees, which
were to be paid until affairs improved. These prices were
accepted both by the Saddlers and the Fusters, and the latter
swore to observe them. (L)
[Prices mentioned in the above dispute.]
|
|
Usual Price |
Saddlers' |
Fosters' |
Price fixed |
| A saddle-tree (fn. 16) " de cours "with seat complete |
8d |
10d |
2s |
12d |
| A saddle-tree called "liggere" with seat complete |
10d |
12d |
26d |
15d |
| A saddle-tree called "arson de poile (poille)" |
14d |
|
30d |
|
| A saddle-tree called "maletree" |
10d |
12d |
30d |
16d |
| A saddle-tree called " heukstree " or " for a heukstre" |
10d |
12d |
| A saddle-tree with an open seat |
6d |
12d |
| A saddle-tree for a "courser" |
16d |
18d |
| A saddle-tree for "destrers" |
20d |
2s |
| A saddle-tree for tournaments |
20d |
2s |
| A saddle-tree for jousts |
6s 8d |
8s |