ROLL A 21
Membr. 1
Roll of Pleas and Memoranda of the time of John
Warde, Mayor, A
o 49 Edw. III [1375-6]
14 Nov. 1375
Power of attorney from Matheu Matefelon, merchant of
Lucca, to Fride de Ayvesano and Jacob Velpelli to recover
debts due to him in England.
7 Nov. 1375
The following vintners were sworn for the scrutiny of
wines and vinegar in taverns and cellars, and to pour out in
the streets whatever they found corrupt and unhealthy:
For the east side (of Walbrook): Thomas Cornwaleys,
William More, Gilbert Bonet, Thomas Medelane, Richard
Sprot and John Hedrop; for the west: John Clyvele, William
Sharpyng, Thomas Neel, John Ponder, Nicholas Rote and
William Stokesby. The same persons were likewise sworn to
do the same with the sauces (salisamentum) of the chandlers.
8 Nov. 1375
John Durham, who confessed to having broken a sequestration and used threatening and abusive words to John Baldok,
the Mayor's serjeant, was fined 13s 4d, payment. being
respited during his good behaviour.
John Oursom complained by bill against Robert Plomer,
to the effect that, whereas he had kept a skaldynghous for a
long time in the parish of St Nicholas Shambles, the said
Robert had recently set up another scalding-house there,
whence he and his servants went out into the street and intercepted persons bringing piglings, geese, capons, pullets and
other poultry to the complainants' premises to be scalded,
prevailing on them to go to his own scalding-house.
An agreement was reached between the parties that neither
of them should leave his stall for the purpose of gaining
customers, under penalty of 40d for a first offence and at the
rate of half-a-mark additional for each further offence, payable
to the Chamberlain for the use of the Commonalty, if he were
convicted on the testimony of two trustworthy neighbours.
26 Nov. 1375
Thomas Cosyn brought a bill complaining that John
Kirketon and Henry Whitewell, executors of Elena, widow
of Thomas atte Leghe, were detaining certain deeds relating
to tenements at Leddrede (fn. 1) , co. Surrey, which he claimed by
inheritance. [French]
Membr. 1 b
The parties being summoned, the executors surrendered
the deeds to the complainant, who was mainprised to save the
Court harmless in case any other person should claim them.
They comprised:
(1) A grant from John, son of Adam de Doune of Wauton (fn. 2) ,
to John de Aperdele, chaplain, son and heir of John de
Aperdele of Ledrede, of lands and tenements in the parishes
of Ledrede, Mickelham, Hodlegh (fn. 3) and Niwdegate. Dated
at Ledrede 10 July 1337.
(2) A quitclaim from John, son of John Aperdele, to John,
son of John Mickelham, junior, son of Alice his sister, and
Roger, brother of the said John, of lands tenements etc. in the
parish of Niwdegate co. Surrey, saving to himself for life
housebote and heybote for his tenements in Ledrede and
Mikelham. Dated at Niwdegate 23 Sept. 1336.
(3) A grant in fee tail from John, son of Adam de Aperdele,
to John de Hegham of Northampton, John, son of John
de Mickelham, junior, and Alice de Skernyng of all his lands
and tenements in Ledred, Mickelham, Hedleghe and Newedegate, excepting the rents of his tenants and the glebe and
patronage of Mickelham Church, a messuage and curtilage
on " la Bergh " and half an acre in the field of Leddrede, with
remainder to Roger his brother and reversion to the donor.
Dated at Ledrede 16 June 1335.
(4) A quitclaim from John, son of John de Aperdele, to
John, son of John Mikelham, junior, and Roger his brother of
lands and tenements in the parish of Niwdegate co. Surrey.
Dated at Niwdegate 4 May 1338.
(5) A grant in fee tail by William Appelderle to Roger de
Mikelham, son of Gilbert de Mikelham, in free marriage with
Basilidd his daughter, of a virgate of land in Mikelham acquired by the donor from Sir John de Chereburg, son of
Wigan de Chereburg, and 3½ acres in the same formerly held
from John Ruspho. No date.
(6) A grant from John, son of John Mikelham, junior, to
Roger, son of Adam de Aperdele of Leddrede, and Henry his
son, of all his lands and tenements in Ledrede, Mikelham
and Hodlegh acquired by gift from John de Aperdele, senior,
excepting the lands and tenements held from William Husee.
Dated at Ledred 20 April 1343.
(7) A quitclaim by the same of the same. Dated at Ledred
18 Jan. 1344.
(8) A grant by John, son of Adam de Aperdele, to Matilda,
sister of William atte Burgh, of half an acre of land in Ledrede
at "la Stoneshende." Dated at Ledrede 25 March 1326.
Membr. 2
(9) A grant by John de Toune of Ledrede to Roger de
Aperdele. and John, son of John de Mickelham, junior, and
the heirs and assigns of the said John, of all the lands and
tenements in Ledrede, Mickelham and Hodlegh, which he
had of the feoffment of the said Roger. Dated at Ledrede
22 Sept 1353.
(10) A grant by Roger de Aperdele to John Wyrkelot and
Emma his wife of a cottage in Mikelham for their lives, to be
held by service of 12d the year, heriot and relief, suit of court
every three weeks at the Court of Aperdele and serving the
office of beadle, with remainder to their heirs in tail, further
remainder to Geoffrey, son of Hugh de Brompton, and his
heirs in tail and reversion to the grantor. Dated at Ledrede
27 June 1346.
(11) Grant from John de Aperdele to William le Lepere and
John, son of John de Mikelham, junior, of all his land at
Loslee in Ledrede, which he acquired from John Payn.
Dated at Ledrede 6 Jan. 1332.
20 Dec. 1375
Memorandum that on 20 Dec. 1375 John Haddelee, one of
the Sheriffs, delivered to Thomas de Swafam, draper, a certain
statute merchant (fn. 4) , whereby Thomas de Burgh, residing in
the Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr in Southwark, was
bound to the said Thomas in the sum of £100, the said
statute being dated at the Staple of Westminster 18 Oct.
1374.
4 Dec. 1375
Bond of Sir William Croyser, knight, to the Mayor in £100
that he, together with William Bukbrugge, clerk, John Malyn
and John Josepe, chaplain, would enfeoff John, Lord Cobham, Master John Turk, clerk, and Sir Thomas Hungerford
within a month of certain lands in the City formerly belonging to Sir Edward de Kendale.
Membr. 2 b
22 Dec. 1375
Albrand Gascoygn and John Seintemariemont were committed to prison for acting as brokers, not having been admitted and sworn before the Mayor and Aldermen according
to the recent ordinance (fn. 5) .
Grant and sale by John Warlok called "Eversword" of
Zeeland to John Peterson of all his goods and chattels within
the house in Candlewick Street in which he was living and
elsewhere in London. Dated 10 Dec. Quitclaim of the same
12 Dec.
Membr. 3
20 Nov. 1375
Whereas it was recently ordained (fn. 6) that no one within the
City should throw water or other substances out of the
windows, but should carry them out into the street and deposit
them in the gutters, under penalty of 2s if an offender refused
to clear himself by his oath, and whereas by ancient ordinances twelve vintners were chosen by the Mayor annually
about the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.] and sworn to see that
no new wine should be placed in cellars where old wine was
kept and that no unsound wine, vinegar, or other sauces
(salsiamentum) in chandlers' shops should be offered for sale
—William Bole, chandler, was committed to prison for
offences contrary to the said ordinances. He was charged
with having maliciously thrown oyster shells and other refuse
upon John Cobbe, the Mayor's serjeant, when the latter was
accompanying the scrutineers, and with having forbidden
the said John to take a distress for the penalty of 2s thereby
incurred, and further, when the scrutineers wished to enter
his house to exercise their office, with having drawn his knife
against the serjeant and called him a "bdbelberer
(fn. 7) " and other
opprobrious names. The accused put himself on the mercy
of the Court. As he had been rebellious towards the officers
of the City on two previous occasions, the Court ordered that
he should be bound over in £40 for his good behaviour and
find mainprise for the same.
The sum of 20 marks, paid into court by John Vyne,
draper, on 4 Aug. as damages for waste (fn. 8) committed by him
in a house in Cordwainer Street formerly held by James
Andreu, Alderman, for life, which tenement having reverted
to the King was granted by him to the Prioress and Sisters of
the Order of St Augustine at Dartford, was paid over to Friar
Walter Durant, attorney of the Prioress, in accordance with a
writ under the Privy Seal dated at Westminster 26 Nov. 1375.
The writ recites that the property, which lay in the parishes
of Our Lady of the Arches and Aldermanchirche, had been
recovered by the King in Chancery against John Vyne,
draper, that the King had recovered damages from the same
for waste before the late Mayor, and had granted the property
and the damages to the Prioress and Sisters above mentioned,
whose house was under the rule and care of the Friars
Preachers. [French]
24 Nov. 1375
Simon Macchyng, hostiler, who was committed to prison
for telling the Mayor that neither he nor other brewers would
or could observe the recent proclamation, was released on his
taking an oath to obey and be respectful to the City officers.
17 Nov. 1375
Thomas Goudsyre, brewer, was committed to prison for
saying that he would not sell the gallon of ale at the price
laid down in the proclamation.
5 Dec. 1375
Stephen Lalleford, smith, was committed to prison on his
indictment before the Alderman of Aldgate as a common
gamester with dice and chequers and as having cheated
William Brounyng out of £17. He was released on mainprise
pending the verdict of a jury.
Membr. 3 b
23 Nov. 1375
William Ronyn, brewer, was committed to prison for declaring publicly in the market at Gracechurch that he would
brew no more ale and for procuring other brewers to do the
same, thus preventing the commonalty from being supplied
with ale. He was further charged with having prevailed
upon other leading (magnos) brewers to refuse to sell better
ale at 1½d the gallon, in accordance with the recent ordinance of the Mayor and Aldermen. He put himself on the
mercy of the Court and was allowed to find mainprise for his
appearance quo et quando.
1 Dec. 1375
William Gedyngton, skinner, was brought before the
Mayor and Aldermen on a charge that when David Bertevyll,
the Sheriff's serjeant, requested him to speak with the Sheriff
at his compter, he was so swelled up with pride (superbia
cordis inflations repletus) that he refused to obey, and, on the
serjeant repeating the request, he took him by the throat and
tore his clothes, in contempt of the King and his ministers
and against his oath of obedience to the City officers. He put
himself on the mercy of the Court and was allowed to find
bail. Afterwards judgment was given that he be imprisoned
for forty days and pay a fine at the discretion of the Mayor and
Aldermen.
Membr. 4
20 Dec. 1375
An agreement was reached between Godfrey Clofhamer,
John his brother, John Vlokenauer and Thomas Vlokenauer,
executors of William de Flaundres, and John Bradlee—a
debtor to the deceased in the sum of £15 3s—that the executors should attempt to recover the amount in the courts of
Dyst (fn. 9) in Brabant by suing John Baker on a bond by which he
and the said John Bradlee were jointly bound to William
Wakman in the sum of £30 6s.
19 Jan. 1376
John Barewe, John Ennemeth and Robert Curson, mercers,
brought a petition praying that the sum of £6 owing by
Thomas Hilleston of Rochford to the estate of John Blakeney,
deceased, might be delivered to them in satisfaction of a debt
owed to them by the deceased for 10 pieces of bukeram,
7 pieces of keverchiefs relusaunz
(fn. 10) and 3 pieces of linen weave
(linge teille) supplied to him in Cheap. [French]
The said Thomas appeared on summons and admitted the
debt. Judgment was given that he should pay the petitioners
the amount named, and that they should acquit him of any
claims from the executors.
12 Jan. 1376
Memorandum of an agreement made between William
Yakesle, parson of the Church of St Martin Oteswych, and
John Neuby, William Tunnok, Walter Taunton, William
Middelton and Nicholas Cook, parishioners, on matters in
dispute between them. Whereas the said parson had been
accused of having converted to his own use for the last
thirteen years a rent-charge on the tenement of Richard Lyons,
which ought to have been devoted to the support of a chaplain
in the church, it was now agreed that all arrears and the rent
itself should be paid to the churchwardens or other parishioners
elected for the purpose, that all deeds relating thereto and all
vestments, books and other necessaries of the church should
be placed in a chest under the keys of three or four parishioners
elected by their fellows, and that fees for burials both in the
church and the churchyard should be received by the churchwardens for the support of the church alone.
Afterwards on 26 Nov. 1376 came Thomas. Appelby,
chaplain, and paid an instalment of the rent-charge, which
the Court delivered to the churchwardens.
Membr. 4 b
23 Jan. 1376
Precept to the Aldermen that, in view of the affrays and
robberies committed by aliens and other unknown nightwalkers, sufficient watch and ward should be kept in the City
by night for the preservation of the King's peace. [French]
Deed whereby Roger Dane, with the consent of his
apprentice, John Dane, son of the late Roger Dane, butcher,
transferred the said apprentice to serve the remainder of his
term with John Brounesbury, butcher. Dated 16 Jan. 1376.
11 Jan. 1376
Ellen, widow of John Sage, haberdasher, was charged with
having exposed her wares for sale on Feast Days contrary to
the recent ordinance (fn. 11) relating to haberdashers, thereby incurring a penalty of 20s to the Chamberlain for the use of
the Commonalty. As she said she did not know of the ordinance,
and as she was sole, the penalty was respited on the understanding that she should pay 40s in case of another offence.
Membr. 5
14 Jan. 1376
John Cope, son of Adam Cope; late citizen and skinner,
brought a bill of complaint against Robert Lukes and Agnes
his wife, widow of the said Adam, setting forth that his father
had received a 60 years lease of a messuage and three shops
in Berebynderlane in the parish of St Mary Woolchurch from
Elyne Gossham, late Prioress of Haliwell, at an annual rent
of 20s. By his father's nuncupative will of 31 Jan. 1375, of
which the plaintiff produced a copy under the seal of the
Official, the father devised the above lease with all his goods
and chattels to his wife Agnes, whom he made his executrix,
and his children, John, William, Joan, Alice and Maud. On
18 June 1375 William, Alice and Maud died and the widow
married Robert Lukes on the Thursday after. She and her
husband then ousted the plaintiff from the messuage and
shops, which were worth 12 marks a year above the rent, to
his damage £40. [French]
The defendants were summoned to appear on the following
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and made default on each occasion. Judgment was given that the plaintiff
recover his share of the property in accordance with the
terms of his father's will and that the said Robert and Agnes
be in mercy.
Membr. 5 b
29 Feb. 1376
Quitclaim by Eustace Bergh, merchant of Bruges, to Peter
Bridport, one of the executors of Eustace de Hardyford, in
respect of the latter's will.
3 March 1376
A Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the Chamber
of the Guildhall on Monday before the Feast of SS.
Perpetua and Felicitas [7 March] A
o 50 Edw. III
[1375-6]
William Leke, tailor, demands an Assize of Mart d'Ancestor
against Clement Lavender and Joan his wife, to inquire
whether Thomas, son of Nicholas Leke, brother of the aforesaid William, died seised in his demesne as of fee of a messuage
in'the parish of St Martin within Ludgate, if he died after the
coronation of Henry III, and if the aforesaid William is his
next heir. He also asks that the said Clement and Joan, who
hold the said messuage, may be summoned to hear the result.
4 Feb. 1376
Richard Lyons petitioned the Mayor and Aldermen to be
allowed to sue Henry Frowyk, mercer, a bastard, outside the
City for debt, notwithstanding their both being freemen.
Permission was granted.
Membr. 6
Ivo, son and heir of Ivo de Fulham, brought a bill of complaint against Robert Goudrich and Alice his wife, widow of
the said Ivo the elder, for detaining a deed whereby Thomas
de Flete had enfeoffed the said Ivo the elder in a messuage in
the parish of St Bride. [French]
The defendants, while not admitting that the plaintiff was
son and heir, pleaded that the father during his last infirmity
had granted the messuage to Thomas Weston, chaplain, by
livery of seisin but without a charter of feoffment, and that
the latter granted it by deed to John Paxton, clerk, and Richard
Mustell, who in turn had granted it to the defendant Alice
during her widowhood, and that she had afterwards conveyed
it to others by deed with a clause of warranty. They demanded
judgment whether the plaintiff had any ground of action
against them, because, since the father had granted the
messuage without warranty and therefore no claim could be
made against the son, there was no need for him to have the
deed and he had no right to it.
To this the plaintiff answered that the deed of Thomas de
Flete contained a warranty, that his father died seised of the
property, and that he himself entered into it and was seised
of it on his father's death, and that it was not true that his
father made any feoffment, as pretended, to the said Thomas
Weston.
The defendants repeated that the father made the said
feoffment and did not die seised of the property.
On this issue the parties went to a jury, which found a
verdict for the plaintiff. Judgment for recovery of the deed,
which the defendants handed over in court, and that the
defendants be in mercy.
31 March 1375
Letter of attorney from Adam Baas, citizen of Norwich,
to his son Richard Baas.
21 April 1376
At a Congregation of Mayor and Aldermen in the
Chamber of the Guildhall on Monday before the Feast
of S
t
George the Martyr [23 April] A
o 50 Edw. III
[1376]
Richard Frost demands an Assize of Mort d'Ancestor
against Walter Dernelove, Ralph Alwey and John Clerk,
haberdasher, to inquire whether John Heyward his uncle died
seised in his demesne as of fee of two shops in the parish of
St Giles without Cripplegate.
Membr. 6 b
15 March 1376
Joan, widow of William Cook, was summoned to answer
Emma, widow of William Messager, in a plea of detinue of
chattels, wherein the latter complained that, whereas according to the custom of the City (fn. 12) , when a man died leaving
a wife and children unadvanced (non promoti), the wife took
a third of the goods and chattels, and if the children were
advanced the wife took a half, and whereas the said William
Messager at the time of his death left a son named Robert
and a daughter named Cecilia, since married to William atte
Piry, and the said William left property of the value of £60
after payment of all debts, and the said property came into
the hands of the said Joan at his decease—the said Joan refused to give the plaintiff her reasonable part (rationdbilem
portem) to her loss of £20; and therein the plaintiff produced
suit.
The defendant appeared in person and said that the deceased left nothing beyond a box, a silver girdle and his
clothes, the last mentioned being bequeathed to John his son,
and that the girdle was to be sold to pay his funeral expenses
and the sum of 6s to priests for the good of his soul, the
defendant being executor. She further said that she delivered
the clothes, that she paid 10s for arrears of rent of the house
in which he lived, this sum being produced by the sale of
the box, and that the girdle was sold and the proceeds were
expended on the funeral and the priests, and beyond this
she received nothing. She prayed judgment whether the
plaintiff had any action against her.
The plaintiff traversed these statements and said that in
addition to the box etc. there were other goods, the whole
being worth £60. The defendant denied that there were
other goods, and repeated her defence. On these issues the
action went to a jury, which brought in a verdict in accordance
with the defendant's pleading. Judgment was given that the
plaintiff take nothing by her bill and be in mercy, and that
the defendant go thence without a day.
Mayoral precept ordering the Aldermen to see that no one
in their Wards took more than 2d for good and sufficient hay
for a horse for a day and night and more than 6d for a bushel
of oats. [French]
Membr. 7
13 March 1376
Robert Brabasson brought a bill demanding against Alice,
widow and executrix of Richard Wardroper, the sum of
7 marks arrears of 20 marks due on a sale to the deceased of a
messuage and a carucate of land in Grenford, of which the
deceased had seisin, promising to pay the arrears in a fortnight.
The defendant denied the debt, alleging that the deceased
had paid the whole amount in the presence of Sir William
atte Cros, parson of the Church of St Clement outside Templebarre, and she offered to put herself on the evidence of the
said parson, if the plaintiff would agree. The plaintiff denied
full payment and likewise put himself on the parson's evidence. The latter was summoned and being sworn and examined said that the deceased paid a certain sum of money,
how much the witness did not know, and after paying said to
the plaintiff that he had fully paid him. The plaintiff said yes,
except that he ought to give his wife a present of clothes or
20s. The deceased said that he would do so, as soon as the
plaintiff and his wife kept their agreement to execute a fine
of the lands in the King's court in favour of the deceased and
at his expense, which fine was never levied.
Judgment was given that the plaintiff take nothing by his
bill and that he and his pledges be in mercy.
28 March 1376
Robert de Marny (fn. 13) , knight, on behalf of himself and his
wife Alice, daughter and one of the heiresses of Richard
Lacer, late citizen of London, demanded delivery of nine
deeds relating to her inheritance which had been deposited in
court by William de la More and others at the suit of the
applicant. But since Eleanour Riche had previously claimed
these deeds as affecting her inheritance of tenements belonging to the late Philip le Tayllour, precept was given to
John Dyne, serjeant of the Chamber, to summon the said
Eleanour to show cause etc. She appeared and raised no
objection to the delivery of a quitclaim from Henry, son of
Philip le Tayllour, to his mother Sabina of certain tenements
in the parish of Paternosterchirche, of which a certain portion
was now held by the said Robert and Alice. Thereupon the
Court ordered the delivery of the quitclaim to them, on the
ground that as holders of the tenements they were entitled
to the deed.
Membr. 7 b
7 May 1376
Memorandum that William Sharpe, cornmeter, and Joan
his wife, heiress of Robert de Waryngton, came before the
Mayor and Aldermen and prayed delivery of two deeds.
(1) Grant from Richard de la Pole and William de la Pole,
brothers, burgesses of Kyngeston on Hull, to Robert de
Weryngton of a plot of land bounded on the east by Hull
Street and extending from the land of William de Kelm on
the south to the north gate of the town, and of a larger plot
to the west, bounded on the south by Pole Street. Dated at
Kyngeston on Hull, 22 June 1332.
(2) An indenture witnessing a lease of a messuage on the
first-mentioned plot for ten years to Daniel de Greyngham, burgess of Kyngeston on Hull, with a proviso that the
lessor should recompense the lessee for any buildings which
the latter erected with the lessor's approval, and a further
proviso that the lessee should have the first offer, if it proved
necessary to sell the property during his term. Dated at
Kyngeston on Hull, 12 March 1334(-5).
Memorandum to the effect that a complaint having been
made that Alice, widow and executrix of John Potenhale,
woodmonger, and now wife of Thomas atte Crouche, was
about to sell the reversion of certain properties devised to her
for life by her late husband, the said Alice and Thomas came
before the Mayor and Aldermen and renounced all but a life
interest in the property.
Membr. 8
3 May 1376
Cristina, widow of John Patyn, fleccher, brought a bill of
complaint against John Durneford, bowyer, for not fulfilling
a covenant between them under the following circumstances.
On 8 Dec. 1374 in the parish of St Magnus, London Bridge,
John Hethy and John Poley had bought from her late husband 1600 sheaves of arrows (garbes de setes
(fn. 14) ) for £94 8d, the
payment of which was undertaken by the said John Durneford. On his failing to pay the complainant, her son John
Shordyche and Laurence Glovere, being executors of John
Fleccher, had sued him for debt in the Sheriffs' Court. But
on 31 March last, while the action was pending, an agreement
had been arrived at in the presence of the parson of the above
church, William Bys and Gilbert de Meldebourne, that the
said John Derneford (sic) should seal an obligation of £94 8d
for payment at midsummer, which he had failed to do. The
complainant prays for a remedy because the above sum was
devised by her late husband to his orphan children. [French]
The said John Derneford was summoned to answer. He
admitted the debt and entered into a recognizance to pay at
certain terms extending over two years. Afterwards on 5 Feb.
next year Thomas de Gaunt, fishmonger, who had married
the complainant, came into court with her and acknowledged
satisfaction, and the recognizance was cancelled.
Proclamation that no one carry arms within the City except
the "valets " of great lords of the land carrying their masters'
swords in their presence, the serjeants-at-arms of the King
and the Prince and the King's children, and the officers of the
City and their companies. Also that no one wander through
the City after curfew sounded at the churches of St Mary le
Bow, Berkyngcherche (fn. 15) , St Bride and St Giles without Cripplegate, except men of good fame or workmen going about their
business, carrying lights. Further that each lodging-house
keeper warn his guests to return to their lodgings at a seemly
hour and not to carry arms out of doors against the present
ordinances, lest such guests should suffer harm for lack of
warning. [French]
Memorandum that whereas Agnes Cok was bound apprentice for seven years to William Kaly and Joan his wife to
learn the latter's trade, in accordance with indentures duly
enrolled at Guildhall, the said William and Joan appeared
before the Mayor and Aldermen and granted for themselves,
their executors and assigns that if the said Joan wished to
take a husband during her term, she might choose either to
serve the rest of her term or to pay the sum of 4 marks, and
that in either case she should be exonerated from her apprenticeship.
Membr. 8 b
25 June 1376
Robert Whalton, who sued Joan, widow of John Mitford,
draper, for detinue of a statute staple and a defeasance entrusted by him to her late husband, obtained delivery of the
same. The statute was executed by John Salman of Bruges to
the plaintiff in £600 and was defeasible on payment of £300
by half-yearly instalments of £25, the debt having been incurred for merchandise supplied.
23 June 1376
Thomas, son of Roger Berkele of Watton co. Hertford, who
had been apprenticed to Stephen atte Wode, pepperer, for
seven years, was released from his apprenticeship because his
master had left the City and gone to reside in Cornwall, but
the condition was made that if the master returned within a
year and a day and could prove that the apprentice was bound
to serve him, the latter should give him satisfaction.
Membr. 9
Henry Bosele, corsour, was summoned to answer Adam
Houtonj Bishop of St David's, who sued by his attorney
Robert Mauncel, mercer, in a plea of breach of covenant.
His bill of complaint alleged that the Bishop, by Henry
Ferrour, his servant, bought a horse from the defendant in
the parish of St Bride for 9½ marks, on condition that if the
horse was as good in his limbs when he was cold as when he
was warm, according to the defendant's warranty, then the
Bishop would keep him, but otherwise the bargain was at an
end. The Bishop now sued for the return of his money, since
the horse was unsatisfactory.
The defendant denied giving a warranty, but agreed that
if the Bishop could produce three squires, who were present
at the sale, to corroborate his story on oath, he would repay
the money. The Bishop's attorney accepted this proof, and
after an adjournment to allow for the production of the
witnesses, brought into court Henry Mauncel, esquire, who
made the bargain, John Hereward and John James, esquires,
and the above-mentioned Henry Ferrour. The said squires
gave evidence on oath that the defendant warranted the horse
in their presence. Judgment was given that the defendant
repay the money, and, if he wished, go to the Bishop's house
to recover his horse. The money was deposited in court and
afterwards delivered to the plaintiff's attorney.
5 June 1376
John Boys, junior, who was apprenticed to John Pygeon,
piebaker, for 10 years, was committed to prison for having
run away from his master and for refusing to serve him.
Afterwards on 11 July the said John Pygeon applied for his
release, which was granted.
11 July 1376
William Benteleye granted a two years' lease of a house in
the parish of St Bride to Cristina, widow of William de
Bathe, at an annual rent of a red rose.
Membr. 9 b
John Myte, poulterer, who admitted having bought 18
geese from a foreign poulterer before prime sounded, contrary
to the ordinances of the City, was adjudged to forfeit the geese
to the Sheriffs, who prosecuted him.
John Mangell, mercer, Richard Notyngham, John Walton,
Henry atte More and William Bateman were summoned to
answer John Bere, haberdasher, who prosecuted by Thomas
Usk, his attorney, in a plea of trespass, wherein he alleged
that they had made a premeditated assault upon him in his
house in Milk Street, to his damage £200. A jury found all
the defendants, except Richard Notyngham, guilty, and
taxed damages at £23. Judgment accordingly.
Membr. 10
A similar verdict was given in an action for assault brought
by Richard Romeneye, haberdasher, against the same, with
damages 6s 8d.
28 July 1376
Letter of attorney from Thomas Hemnale, burgess of
Huntingdon, to Richard Odyham, pepperer, to collect his
quitrents in "le Brodeseld" in West Cheap.
2 Aug. 1376
A statute merchant of 100 marks made by Henry del
Strother of co. Northumberland in favour of John de Montacute, knight, was deposited in court, on condition that it
should be returned to him if his son John Strother, knight,
gave a general quitclaim to the said Sir John, and another to
Richard Eskyn, who had arrested a quantity of corn and
cattle at Werkk (fn. 16) in Northumberland.
12 Aug. 1376
John Waleman, maltmonger, admitted having sold 7
quarters of malt several times over to divers purchasers, on
the pavement at Gracechurch, contrary to the ancient ordinance that no one should sell corn or malt by sample. The
malt was forfeited to the Sheriffs, who prosecuted.
Membr. 10 b
14 Aug. 1376
Simon Colyere, servant of Richard Weker of Croydon,
was brought before the Mayor and Aldermen and questioned
why, when he was accustomed to supply coal to the City and
each sack ought to contain a quarter, he had brought in three
horses loaded with coal, three sacks of which were found to
be deficient of six bushels. The said Simon did not deny the
facts and put himself on the mercy of the Court. In answer
to questions, he said the deficiency was not due to his master.
Being asked if the sacks would hold a quarter, he said they
would, but some were frayed and torn in the journey, so that
the coal fell out, which was the cause of the deficiency. As it
seemed to the Court that the sacks could not hold a quarter,
William Sewale, the serjeant of the Chamber, was ordered to
take a sack, which was new and untorn, and have it measured.
He reported on oath that it only held 7 bushels. Thus it
appeared to the Court that the master was an accomplice in
the deception. Accordingly judgment was given that the said
Richard be put in the stocks at Cornhill for an hour and that
the three sacks should be burnt near him. John Asshewell,
the beadle of Cornhill, was ordered to carry out the sentence
and to proclaim the reason for it. He was also ordered to
arrest the three horses and keep them in safe custody until
the master should come to answer for his deception.
9 June 1376
Memorandum that at the Husting of Pleas of Land held
on Monday before the Feast of St Barnabas [11 June] Ao 50
Edw. III [1376] John Costantyn demanded against John
Caumbrigge two messuages and two shops in London. The
defendant, by Gilbert de Meldebourne, his attorney, offered
to yield up the property if a lease which he had made to
Henry Wotton, tailor, and Alice his wife for their lives at an
annual rent of 4 marks were confirmed. The plaintiff agreed
to let them continue in the lease, the rent thenceforth being
paid to himself.
Membr. 11
18 Aug. 1376
Henry le White, fishmonger, was committed to prison because he had been reported to the Mayor and Aldermen as
having said publicly that the Mayor had knowledge of a cloak
embroidered with pearls, which had been stolen from the
house of Sir William de Wyndesore in Southwark the preceding Saturday, and could say into whose hands it had come.
Next day he was mainprised by Andrew Pykeman, Thomas
Clenche, Thomas Palmere, John Rydere and Hugh Denny
for his appearance to answer the charge quo et quando.
24 Aug. 1376
The Mayor sent a messenger to summon Peter Thorndon,
beadle of Tower Ward, to speak with him about divers
charges made against the said beadle. The messenger
returned, saying that the beadle refused to come and had
declared that Sunday was not a suitable day, because after
dinner the senses were overcome by ale (fn. 17) , in contempt and
derision of the Mayor. Thereupon the beadle was attached
and committed to Newgate. Next day he was mainprised by
the Alderman of his Ward for his good behaviour and to come
when summoned.
23 Aug. 1376
Nicholas Rote and Gilbert Chaundeler, executors of
William Stodeye, paid to Richard de Brikelesworth, by the
hands of John Beaufrount and John Ive, parson of St Michael
Wood Street, the sum of 200 marks due on a bond for the
marriage of Katherine, daughter of the said William, to the
said Richard, which marriage took place.
26 Aug. 1376
John Spicer of Surcestre (fn. 18) brought a complaint against
Thomas Botston of London, to the effect that on the previous
Saturday at Smithfield Fair he had sold to the said Thomas
two fardels (fn. 19) of Coteswold wool at 4s a stone and carried it to
the latter's house in Crooked Lane, where the said Thomas
weighed it by his scales and declared that it amounted only to
38 stones. To this he had replied that the real weight was
40 stones 2 lbs by the King's beam at the Staple. After a long
altercation they had agreed that on Monday they would have
the wool weighed at the Staple of Westminster. But next day
the said Thomas refused to do so and declared that he had
already sold 12 stones to a certain matron.
The defendant under examination did not deny the complainant's story. Accordingly it was adjudged that he pay
£8 12d for the 40 stones 2 lbs of wool and be in mercy for his
unjust detinue of the same.
Membr. 11 b
20 Sept. 1376
Certificate under the Mayoralty Seal that the Mayor and
Commonalty of Amiens, by the hands of John Panchet,
Fremyn Andeluye and Hugh le Bocher, merchants of Amiens,
had paid to the Mayor of London the sum of 16½ marks
2s 4d, due from the city of Amiens and the towns of Corbie
and Nesle for the period 24 June to the end of the present
Mayoralty on the eve of the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude
[28 Oct.], being the last instalment of the total sum of 50
marks annually due (fn. 20) . Dated 20 Sept. 1376. [French]
Memorandum that on 26 Aug. John Norwich, citizen of
London, on behalf of Fremyn Andeluye and John Panchet,
paid to the Sheriffs the sum of 36s custom dues on 18 tuns of
woad, with certificate of the Mayor to the same effect.
13 Aug. 1376
Pleas held in the Chamber of the Guildhall before the
Mayor and Aldermen on Wednesday before the Feast of
the Assumption BM. [15 Aug.] A
o 50 Edw. III [1376]
Ralph Atteswych was attached to answer the King, the
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City, as well as
William Neuport, Sheriff, for having used insulting and
opprobrious words to the said Sheriff when he was holding
his court at Guildhall, to wit, by calling him a false man, who
had for a long time unjustly occupied tenements belonging
to himself, the said Ralph, and his wife, Cecilia.
The accused denied the charge, and both parties put themselves on the verdict of a jury of the venue of Guildhall.
Order was given to summon the jury, and meanwhile, as the
defendant had not treated the Sheriff with the respect to
which he was entitled in these proceedings, and moreover
had disputed a record of a judgment given in the Husting of
Common Pleas in an action of dower brought by Isabella,
widow of John Podenhale, against the said Sheriff and Alice,
widow of John Tamworth, the Court committed him to Newgate till Saturday. On that day the Sheriff granted that if the
accused would swear that he had not used insulting words,
he would exonerate him and withdraw the action from the
jury. Thereupon the accused denied on oath that he had used
the words alleged, but confessed having said that the Sheriff
had done him an injury. He prayed the Sheriff to intercede
with the Court for him, which he did. The Court released
him on his swearing to find mainprise that he would sue the
Sheriff at law, if he felt aggrieved, instead of using unseemly
words against him.
Membr. 12
12 Aug. 1376
Rouland van Alyst of Almaine and Master John Blake
prayed judgment against William Dale, clerk, then a prisoner
in Newgate, for a debt of £16 13s 4d due on a bond. The
defendant pleaded that he entered into the bond in the
Sheriff's Compter in Milk Street under the coercion and
duress of imprisonment, and he prayed judgment as to
whether the plaintiffs had any action against him. The latter
answered that he entered into the bond of his own free will.
On this issue the parties went to a jury, which found for the
plaintiffs. Thereupon the plaintiffs demanded execution of
divers goods and chattels of the debtor in the hands of Walter
de Taunton. The goods, which were valued by Richard
Hervy, John Neuby, Nicholas Cook and Ralph Hunt, comprised vessels of brass, tubs, baskets, 10s 6d; a dozen of
peautrevessell and 2 chargeours, 6s 8d; 2 pelewes, 4d; a coverlet
of foyneskynnes
(fn. 21) , three skins long and five broad, 2s; a coverlet
called "porpoynt
(fn. 22) " 5s; a steyned
(fn. 23) bed, 5s; a pair of hose, 2d;
a gown of red cloth, 4s; a mantell, 2s; a doublet, 12d; a slop
(fn. 24)
of blu furred with otres, 2s; a tunic of russet furred with
black wool, 2s; a towel (mappa), 4s; a hand-towel, 2s; 3 hoods
(capucia) of sangwyn, one of blue and one green, 18d; one
overcoat (superpocilium) (fn. 25) , 2s; 2 pairs of drawers (ii bracce) and
one poket, 6d; one savenape, one towaill, 2d; one tabler (fn. 26)
(tabular'), 4d; one white coverlet powdered with red roses,
20d; one male, 6d; one coverlet with a tester powdered
with ermyn, 40d; one materaz, 6d; one kanevas, 20d; 2 sheets,
16d; one iron bill, 2d; 2 hurtles
(fn. 27) of iron, 2d; one spadyrne
(fn. 28) and
2 shovelyrnes, 8d; one shar of iron, 1d; 8 gaddes
(fn. 29) of steel and
one lylpyn
(fn. 30) , 3d; one pair of shoes, 2d; one feterlok
(fn. 31) , 6d; one
basket, 2d; one flesshok, 1d; 2 cords with one swevel, 4d;
2 sykeles, 3d; one sieve, 4d; part of a portehors, 2d; 3 lbs of
wax, 18d; 3 wooden cups, 1d; one chest, 8d; another chest,
4d; one saddle, a pair of top-boots (1 par ocrearum) with spurs,
5s; whereof the total sum was £3 11s 1d.
The debtor being asked whether the goods had been placed
in the hands of the said Walter for safe custody or as a pledge
for a debt, said that they were merely entrusted to him and
that he owed Walter nothing. Judgment that the creditor
have execution of the goods in part payment of his debt.
Richard Harold, bowyer, who was committed to prison on
17 Sept. for calling John Baldok, the Mayor's serjeant, a
"babelmonger" was released on mainprise next day.
Membr. 12 b
2 Oct. 1376
Mayoral Precept ordering the Aldermen to collect in their
Wards a sum agreed upon by the Mayor and Aldermen, and
to bring the same to Guildhall on Thursday before the Feast
of the Translation of St Edward [13 Oct.]. No one is to pay
who is assessed at less than 40d for a whole fifteenth. [French]
Memorandum that the above precept was sent to the
Aldermen on 2 Oct. for collecting a half fifteenth for expenses
incurred at the funeral of Edward, Prince of Wales.
11 Sept. 1376
William de la Forest and Thomas Wilton, servants of John
Harwode, farrier, were attached to answer the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty at the prosecution of Ralph Strode,
on a charge of having shot at pigeons on houses with bolts and
arrows (cum petuleis et sagittis), one bolt falling on an unknown
person, and some of the arrows sticking in the houses or
falling to the ground, whereby, but for God's abundant grace,
men, women and children might have been killed or seriously
wounded. They were committed to prison by the Mayor's
orders on the day of the offence, i.e. on Thursday 11 Sept.,
and on the Wednesday following they confessed to the charge
and put themselves on the mercy of the Court. They were
mainprised for their good behaviour and to come up for
judgment in case of a further offence.
1 Oct. 1376
Robert Multon, cook, was committed to prison on 1 Oct.
for selling to a servant of Master John Treyenant, clerk, a
goose in which parsley, (petrocillum) mixed with many feathers
had been put, as was evident when the stuffing (obstupacio)
was examined in court. The said Robert pleaded that this was
done by a boy in his employment, and the latter when brought
into court by John Cobbe, the serjeant of the Chamber, confessed that he had done it in ignorance, without the knowledge
and consent of his master. On the ground that the boy was
too young to be punished, and that a master was responsible
for his servants and his goods, even if wrong was done without his consent, the. Court sentenced the master to Newgate
for eight days and to pay a fine to the use of the Commonalty
when released.
4 Oct. 1376
John Bedeforth, Thomas Hore and Walter Cadeworth,
skinners, who had been committed to prison on the complaint
of Thomas Irland and other masters of the mistery of Skinners,
as being nightwalkers, disturbers of the peace and rebels
against their masters, were released on finding mainprise for
their good behaviour and obedience. Roger Leswey, who
could not find mainprise, was released on his taking an oath
to the same intent.
Membr. 13
20 Oct. 1376
Six cheeses bought at Leadenhall by Thomas Blome, a
foreigner, for resale against the liberty of the City and the
ordinances of the Cooks, were forfeited to the use of the
Commonalty and the Sheriffs.
The same day, four piglings, which were not brought into
the market according to the ordinances, but secretly sold in
his lodgings by John de York, were likewise forfeited.
21 Oct. 1376
John Amyas, cornmonger, was brought up in the Husting
for selling by sample 6 bushels of green peas outside the
market to a foreigner. The peas were forfeited.
Two quarters of malt sold secretly out of market by Simon
atte Nassh were likewise forfeited.
William Everard, goldsmith, was attached to answer the
Mayor and Commonalty, at the prosecution of Ralph Strode,
on certain charges, viz. (1) that he refused to show his work
to the masters of the mistery of Goldsmiths when they visited
his house in the parish of St Matthew in Cheap, thereby incurring the penalty of ten days' imprisonment and a fine of
10s; (2) that he used one weight called " Troye" for buying
and another less weight called "goldsmith's weight" when
selling, against the statute of the realm (fn. 32) ; (3) that he sold bad
work, made in secret, as good, against the ordinances of the
mistery of Goldsmiths.
The defendant on 4 Aug. denied the last two charges, saying
that he used alloy as good as sterling, and thereon he put himself on the country. A jury was accordingly summoned and
the defendant committed to prison. As regards the charge of
refusing to allow the masters to see his work, he put himself
on the mercy of the Court. The jury on 5 Sept. found him
guilty on both charges and said that he made silver crosses of
alloy worse than sterling by 4d the pound. Next day the
Court sentenced him to ten days' imprisonment, to begin
the same, day, and 10s fine, for his rebellion, and to a year's
imprisonment on the other two charges. Afterwards on 17
Sept. he was released and mainprised for his good behaviour,
but on 11 Dec. the same year he was again brought up on
his own confession for defaming Robert Fraunceys, John
Forster, Thomas atte Hay and Thomas Exton, masters of the
Goldsmiths, by saying that they had maliciously imprisoned
him, whereas his imprisonment was awarded by the Court.
Accordingly he was committed to prison for having broken
his mainprise, to serve his year's sentence, to begin on 17 Sept.
On 21 Feb. next year, at the request of an immense
Commonalty in Guildhall, with the assent of the Mayor and
Aldermen and with the consent of the mistery of Goldsmiths, he was released from prison.
Membr. 13 b
30 June 1376
Precept for the appearance of John Gravesende to show
cause.why the sum of £60 should not be levied on his property
for payment to Nicholas Kyng and Margery his wife; widow
and executrix of Walter Somersham, draper, to whom he had
bound himself in that sum by a recognizance before the
Mayor four years previously. The said John failing to appear,
a jury of free and lawful men of the venue found that at the
time of executing the above recognizance, the said John was
in possession of a tenement in the parish of St Nicholas
Coldabbey of the annual net value of 60s. Judgment was
given that half (fn. 33) the said tenement should be delivered to the
plaintiffs, their heirs and assigns, to hold as a free tenement
until the debt of £60 should be levied therefrom. An order
was given to John Baldok, serjeant of the Chamber, to make
a partition of the tenement by view of the sworn Masters of the
Masons and Carpenters of the City, and to deliver one moiety
by metes and bounds to the said Nicholas and Margery.
Membr. 14
2 Sept. 1376
The surveyors of the mistery of Hurers brought a bill complaining that John Larke had taken service with Isabella
Gerland in Abbechirchelane in order to teach his trade to her
and certain Lombards, contrary to the liberty of the City, and
further that he had coloured his evil conduct by. entering into
a bond to Martin Southe, cooper, under penalty of £10, to
serve him as well as Isabella, thus deceiving his mistery.
The defendant under examination could not deny the
charge. Judgment was given that he be ousted from the
liberty of the City and of his mistery until etc. He was swbrn
not to teach his trade to any foreigner in future and exonerated
from his service to the said Isabella. The Court also adjudged
that his bond, being founded on a contract which was unlawful and prejudicial to the liberty of the City, was null and
void. The next day at his request he was restored to the
freedom of the City on payment of 6s 8d to the Chamberlain,
William Eynesham.
28 Oct. 1376
John Kesteven, mercer, brought a bill praying that the sum
of 18s might be paid to him, in discharge of a debt, out of 29s
in the hands of the Chamberlain belonging to the late John
Blakeney, mercer—being part of a loan repayed by the King.
[French]
The Court consented upon his finding security to answer
any claim made by the executors and to repay the money if
the debt were disproved, and also to save the Chamberlain
and the Court harmless against any demands on that account.
The same day Adam Stable, Alderman, claimed the balance
of the above sum of 29s towards satisfaction of a debt of £20.
The same day William Foxton, under-rakyer in the parish
of St Sepulchre without Newgate, was brought up on a charge
of forestalling six piglings before they reached the market of
St Nicholas Shambles, paying 7d or 8d each for them and
selling them at 9d, to the damage of the whole commonalty.
The said William took an oath that the piglings were the issue
of his master's sow, and the Court ordered him to be released
from prison.
Membr. 14 b
24 Oct. 1376
On Friday, 24 Oct. Roger Bynge, fuller, was charged on the
prosecution of the Hurers with having hidden caps and hures
within rolls of cloth, so as to escape the examination of the
masters of the Hurers, and thus sent them to the mills to be
fulled, contrary to a recent ordinance of the Hurers (fn. 34) , which
directed that such fulling should be done, not in mills, but by
hand and by expert men in their own trade.
The defendant admitted sending the caps to the mills, but
denied hiding them and said he knew nothing about the
ordinance.
As he made this statement on oath, the Court ordered him
to swear that in future he would not send any caps or hures
to the mills under penalty etc.
20 Sept. 1376
John Dixi, who had been committed to prison for resisting
an arrest and for maintaining Richard Merssham, against
whom the Thames boatmen had brought a bill concerning
injuries done to them by the burgesses of Gravesende, was
released on mainprise to come up etc.