ROLL A 23
Of the time of John Hadlee, Mayor
Membr. 1
15 Nov. 1379
Writ of King Richard II to the Mayor and Sheriffs
ordering them to release from Newgate a certain Ranulph de
Hole, since John de Artynstall, William de Hatton, Geoffrey
de Eccles and John de Hole of co. Chester had appeared in
Chancery and mainprised the said Ranulph to answer any
charges made against him. In answer to a previous writ of
certiorari a return had recently been made by the Mayor and
Sheriffs to the effect that the said Ranulph, under the name
of Hanekyn Howel, had been taken to the Sheriffs' office in
London by Thomas Beauchamp, knight, and others, who
believed that he was a spy (explorator), on the ground that he
had been seen in France carrying arms against his fellowsubjects, on account of which he had been kept in prison
until the King's Council might be consulted. Dated at
Westminster, 15 Nov. Ao 3 Ric. II [1379].
By virtue of this writ the said Ranulph was released on 17
Nov., and the writ delivered to William Baret, Sheriff, on
10 Jan. following.
19 Nov. 1379
Guillemyn de Ceres, general proctor for Charles de
Beaumont, nephew and lieutenant of the King of Navarre,
acknowledged as his own a letter of attorney to Master
Paschal Dilardie dated at London 18 Nov. 1379.
As the said Guillemyn was not personally known to the
Court, Richard Scutard, grocer, and Henry Neweman, tailor,
gave sworn evidence as to his identity.
21 Nov. 1379
Husting of Common Pleas held on Monday before the
Feast of S
t
Clement Pope [23 Nov.] A
o 3 Ric. II [1379]
William Waryn, executor of the will of Alice, widow of
William Spicer of Devizes, proved the said will by the oaths
of Thomas Usk and Thomas Farnham as follows: To be
buried at the Friars Preachers, London. Having made over
all her lands, tenements etc. to William Waryn, rector of the
church of St Margaret at Shaldebourne (fn. 1) , she charges him to
carry out her will, to pay her debts, and to cause 100 masses
to be said by the Friars Preachers within a month of her
decease, besides a trental of masses annually at the Friars
Preachers and another trental in the church of St John at
Devizes. He is further charged to give Alice her daughter
the sum of 10 marks for her marriage. To Thomas Farnham
she leaves a gown of medley furred with conies. To Matilda
M... a red tunic and sanguyn hood. To Joan Radeclyfe her
best veil and a gown of tauney. To the rector of St Margaret
Moisi, London, 6d, the head clerk, 4d, and the underclerk,
2d. To Alice Wiltshire of Crokedlane a gyte of sanguyn. To
Cristina Bocher a veil called " lampasduc
(fn. 2) ," to Joan Barnabe
a veil of Paris thread, to Thomas Farnham the residue of her
goods to pay her funeral expenses. Also to the aforesaid
William Waryn she leaves her forcer with deeds and other
contents, besides lands and tenements in Devizes and the
hundreds of Bysshopescanyng (fn. 3) and Melkesham.
Membr. 1 b
16 Nov. 1379
Gilbert Maunfeld, Bartholomew Beavys, John Willyngham, John Peyntour, Peter atte Pole, John Waleworth,
Thomas Hayward, John Cloworth, Geoffrey Grigge, William
Stokesby, Nicholas Rote, Gilbert Bonet and Thomas Medelane, vintners, and other good men, were sworn to make a
scrutiny of wine, vinegar, aysel
(fn. 4) and other sauces in the cellars
and shops of chaundlers and others and to pour out in the
streets what they found to be unsound.
8 Dec. 1379
Writ of protection in favour of Roger de Walden, clerk,
who was then about to set out for Jereseye (fn. 5) with Hugh Calvyle,
Warden of the islands of Gerneseye, Jerneseye (sic), Serk and
Aurnay, for the defence of the castle of Gurry in Jerneseye.
Dated at Westminster, 8 Dec. Ao 3 Ric. II [1379].
Letter of attorney from Hugelyn Gerard of Boloigne le
Crasse, merchant, to Stephen Alibert and Galdyn Rest, merchants of Milan. Dated 13 Dec. 1379.
15 Dec. 1379
Andreu Neuton who had been found guilty of maintenance
during the Mayoralty of John Philipot, when a number of
inquests were held for the discovery and punishment of such
offenders, was now brought up on a charge of defaming
Gilbert de Meldebourne, one of the jurors, by asserting that
he was a malicious perjurer. Having confessed to the charge,
he was fined half-a-mark to the use of the Commonalty and
mainprised in £20 not to repeat his offence.
16 Dec. 1379
Richard Estbrok, brewer, of Langbourn Ward was fined
20s for saying that, were he as young as he formerly was, he
would allow no aleconner to perform his duty in his own or
any other ward, as they were now doing. He was further
mainprised in £100 not to form any covin or congregation
whereby harm might befall the aleconners.
Richard Bengeho, Stephen Mardolf and Thomas Wircestre,
brewers, were bound over to the same effect.
Membr. 2
11 Jan. 1380
Richard Sibyle and John Appelby were presented to the
Mayor and Aldermen by Robert Lucas, John Coraunt,
Henry Bamme and Henry Malemayn, masters of the mistery
of Goldsmiths, for rebellious conduct, the said Richard being
further charged with having refused to come to the Church of
St Michael at Corn, when the masters summoned him there
to come to an agreement with John Broun, with whom he and
John Appelby were at variance. The said John pleaded guilty
and was bound over in £10 for his good behaviour. Richard
Sibyle pleaded that he was coming to the church when he saw
John Broun lying in wait for him, and so he dared not go
further. The masters replied that he refused to come out of
malice. A jury found for the plaintiffs, and the said Richard
was committed to prison for 10 days. He was then sworn to
keep the peace, but as he did not find mainprise, he was committed to the custody of the Sheriff, in whose court judgment
had also gone against him at the suit of a party.
14 Feb. 1380
William Whitewell of co. Derby acknowledged receipt from
John Harleston, knight, of the sum of 77½ francs due to him
as wages for garrison service in the castle of Chirburgh. The
money was paid, though the said William had lost the sealed
bill of debt.
28 Jan. 1380
Writ of protection in favour of John Costantyn, who was
then about to cross to Calais in the company of John Devereux,
knight, on the King's service. Dated at Westminster, 28 Jan.
Ao 3 Ric. II [1379-80].
Membr. 2 b
Richard Norbury was summoned to render an account to
Elias, orphan son of Elias Fraunceys, the said Richard being
executor of Richard Shirbourne, who was executor of the said
Elias Fraunceys, senior. The plaintiff alleged that his father
had left £100 to be divided between his children, and that
he was the only survivor, his brother Simon and his sister
Elizabeth having died before full age.
The defendant pleaded that the money never came into
his hands, and a jury found in his favour. Judgment that he
go thence without a day and that no amercement be put on
the plaintiff, since he was an orphan.
Thomas Hostiller of le Swerd on the hope in Fleet Street
was attached to answer John Sapy, knight, for the loss of
£18 6s 8d contained in two chests called " Trussyngcoffres"
in accordance with the common custom of the realm that the
keeper of a hostelry was responsible for the goods and chattels
brought by lodgers to his hostelry.
The defendant, while not admitting that so much money
had been brought, pleaded that the plaintiff took the room,
that the key was handed over to his servants in his presence and by his consent, and that the money was removed
by the servants, as he was prepared to verify. He demanded
judgment as to whether in this case the plaintiff could impute
any fault to him.
The plaintiff pleaded that the key was handed to his servant
John Birlyngham in the defendant's presence, that he and
John went to the City on business and on their return found
the door of the room broken and the goods carried away, and
immediately demanded that the innkeeper should make a
search for the goods, which he refused to do. Next day they
heard from the defendant's wife that the chests had been
found rifled in St Bride's Church.
The defendant would not admit that the servant John had
the key, or accompanied his master to the City, or that the
goods were taken in his absence, or that the door was locked.
He declared that during the plaintiff's absence in the City,
four of his servants remained behind near the room, and that
the money was stolen by them.
The plaintiff replied that though the defendant did not
admit the facts alleged by him, he did hot deny them, and
consequently he was bound by law to answer for the goods.
In order to verify the facts, the Mayor, Recorder and several
Aldermen visited the hostelry in accordance with City custom,
and saw the broken lock. They then examined the plaintiff on
oath as to whether the sum of money stated by him was correct
and whether he suspected any of his servants. On his answering yes to the first question and no to the second, they gave
judgment by the custom of the City for the amount claimed,
with 40s damages, and committed the defendant to prison
till he paid.
Membr. 3
21 Feb. 1380
Writ of certiorari concerning proceedings in the Husting
between John, son of Walter de Bedyngton, mercer, and
Leticia, widow of John Kiryel, knight, as to a messuage and
four shops in London. Dated at Westminster, 21 Feb. Ao 3
Ric. II [1379-80].
Return to the above, giving proceedings in the Husting of
Pleas of Land on Monday before the Feast of St Andrew
[30 Nov.] Ao 3 Ric. II [1379].
7 Feb. 1380
Writ to the Sheriffs that, whereas it had been reported that
William Norhampton, cordwainer, was about to leave the
country to prosecute divers pleas prejudicial to the laws and
statutes of the realm (fn. 6) , the said William should be summoned
to appear before the Sheriffs and find mainprise that he would
not cross the seas without the King's special permission; and
failing such mainprise, that he should be committed to prison.
Dated at Westminster, 7 Feb. Ao 3 Ric. II [1379-80].
Return to the effect that the said William had found mainprise.
28 March 1380
John Pecche was attached to answer William Randulf (fn. 7) ,
armourer, in a plea of trespass. The bill alleged that a certain
John Costantyn, father of John Costantyn, in 1355 made a
lease of a brewery and shops in Cordwainer Street in the
Parish of St Aldermary for life to William Sallowe with a
condition that, if he died within 40 years, his executors and
assigns should have the remainder of the term of 40 years. By
his will in 1361 the said William Sallowe left the unexpired
portion of the lease to his wife Alice for her life or until her
remarriage, with remainder to the Master of the House of
St Thomas of Acon together with the wardship of his children.
The widow married a certain John Wighale in 1372, but
meanwhile in 1365 the defendant had forcibly obtained the
indenture of lease from her and ejected her from the premises.
A further bill of the said William and Alice contained a
similar complaint with regard to two shops in Watling Street,
which John Costantyn, senior, had leased for 20 years to the
said William Sallowe.
Membr. 3 b
The defendant pleaded to the first bill that, after John
Costantyn's death, Adam de Bury, then Mayor, seized his
son John and the above-mentioned properties and entrusted
them to the defendant as guardian. As there was a rumour
that the indenture of lease was false and that the tenements
were entailed (talliata), he had sued the plaintiff Alice before
the Sheriff for detinue of the deed and wrongful occupation
of the properties mentioned in the first bill, and as the result
of a compromise, the said Alice had surrendered the deed to
him in his house in Lombard Street, together with all her
right to the property.
The plaintiffs denied these allegations and said that if he
made them the issue (fn. 8) of the action, they would produce proof.
As regards their own declaration they demanded a jury.
The defendant made a similar defence to the second bill,
and the plaintiffs again demanded a jury. On the defendant's
likewise demanding a jury, a jury from the two venues was
summoned.
While the jury were being sworn, the defendant confessed
to the truth of the plaintiffs' pleadings and submitted himself
to the judgment of the Court. Thereupon the jury was called
upon to tax the damages and a day was given them, so that
they might be more fully advised. They brought in a verdict
that the plaintiff Alice was entitled on the first bill to the sum
of £34 3s 4d for the period after her husband's death till her
remarriage, with 100s damages, and £23 12s 10d on the second
bill, with damages 100s. The Court, after an adjournment, gave
judgment for those amounts, which the defendant then paid
in court.
5 March 1380
Writ of protection in favour of John Cornewaille, knight,
who was then about to proceed to Brittany in the company of
John, Duke of Brittany. Dated at Westminster, 5 March
Ao 3 Ric. II [1379-80].
Membr. 4
12 March 1380
Writ of certiorari to the Mayor and Aldermen demanding
the record and process of a judgment against Robert Maunsell,
mercer, for the sum of £167 11s 8d due to Richard de Notyngham, mercer. Dated at Westminster, 12 March Ao 3 Ric. II
[1379-80].
Return to the above, forwarding an extract from the last
roll (fn. 9) of Pleas and Memoranda of the time of John Philipot,
late Mayor, adding that the proceedings were by law merchant according to the custom of the City, that judgment was
pending as to other moneys claimed, and that the acquittance
for the above sum had not yet been executed.
11 April 1380
John Edrop (fn. 10) , vintner, recovered a debt of £160 4s against
Jacob van Assell of Flanders, who was committed to prison
until etc.
11 Jan. 1380
Petition for relief by John Wright of Sabrichesworth, an
apprentice, whose master, John Broke, hurer, had fled for
debt to Westminster, leaving him destitute. [French]
On the master failing to appear after four summonses, the
petitioner was released from the remainder of his term of
service on finding sureties to return to his master, if the latter
should appear within a year and a day and prove that he had
made provision for his instruction and keep during his
absence.
18 April 1380
A similar petition by John Spaldyng, an orphan, who had
been apprenticed to the above John Broke for eleven years.
Similar relief granted.
Membr. 4 b
28 Feb. 1380
Petition to the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen by William
de Kyrkeby of Westmoreland, an apprentice, against his
master John Carbonel, haberdasher, for refusing to teach him
how to buy and sell, for concealing his purchases and failing
to provide for him as he ought. [French]
There being other matters of difference between the two,
they were allowed to submit themselves to arbitrators chosen
from among the overseers of the Haberdashers and neighbours. On 13 March the arbitrators, viz., Geoffrey Walpole,
John Grafton, Roger Crane, John Reynold, John Silbourne
and Thomas Colman, reported that there were faults on both
sides and awarded that the apprentice should declare on oath
the debts due to his master and the names of the debtors, and
help him to collect the same, and further, that he should
humbly ask his pardon for divers trespasses, after which a
general acquittance should be made by each of the parties.
Inasmuch as, however, the said John Carbonel refused to
stand to the award, the Court exonerated the apprentice from
service and from all personal actions against him.
12 April 1380
The King's licence to Robert Cadeham, clerk, and John
Mundde of London to act as attorneys of Torold Gascoigne,
Lombard, who was too ill to attend personally to his business,
with power to appoint other attorneys if necessary. Dated at
Westminster, 12 April Ao 3 Ric. II [1380].
11 April 1380
The Mayor, having learnt that a large number of journeymen saddlers were congregated in the Church of St Mary atte
Bowe without the consent or order of the masters of the
Saddlers, sent for Richard Neweson, Coyus Fuystour,
Thomas Giselyngham, Walter Lucas and Thomas Perne, who
were said to have summoned the assembly. On their arrival
in court they were bound over, under mainprise of Richard
Broke and Thomas Depham, saddlers, and under mutual
security, in a penalty of £40, payable to the Chamberlain, to
keep the peace and not to engage in further assemblies with
out the permission and presence of their masters.
Memorandum that whereas the Mayor and Commonalty
had ordained a tax on carts and horses, to raise money for
cleansing the streets, and had assigned collectors at the gates,
who should account weekly with the Chamberlain for their
receipts, a certain Simon Driffeld declared that the tax was
unjust, and insulted the Mayor's serjeant, John Botkesham,
when the latter was summoning the collectors at Aldersgate
to account at Guildhall. The offender was arrested with the
help of the neighbours and taken to the Compter of John
Heylesdon, Sheriff. After five days in Newgate he was brought
into court on 26 April, when he put himself on the mercy etc.
Judgment that he be bound over in the sum of £40 to keep
the peace.
4 May 1380
John Laurence, squyer, of co. Bucks. appointed John Reve
and William Talbot, tailors, his attorneys to receive a debt
of 100 marks due to him from the Duke of Brittany, Earl of
Mountfort and Richemond.
Membr. 5
4 May 1380
Thomas Wircestre, baker, was summoned to answer the
Mayor and Aldermen as well as Henry, son of Robert...,
an orphan, in a plea of account. Ralph Strode, who sued for
the above orphan, said that the orphan's father left to him
100s in silver, and goods and chattels valued at £4 8s 10d.
This money came into the hands of his executor John
Brenatour, and on his death into the hands of his widow
Cristiana, and on her death into the hands of her second
husband Thomas Wircestre.
On the appearance of the parties the Mayor appointed
John Bryan and Richard Aylesbury as auditors to hear the
account in Guildhall on 15 May. Before them the defendant
demanded judgment as to whether he was liable, inasmuch as
the above-mentioned property had not come into his hands.
The plaintiff pleaded that the property had in fact come into
the hands of the defendant. On this issue both parties demanded a jury. The auditors having reported the proceedings
to the Court, the Mayor and Aldermen ordered a jury to be
summoned, which found a verdict for the defendant. Judgment accordingly. The plaintiff was not amerced because he
was an orphan.
14 June 1380
Memorandum that on 14 June 1380 certain deeds relating
to the inheritance of John Humbercolt, which had been
found in the custody of Thomas Mordon in London, were
delivered to Robert Tirwhit his attorney, together with an
umbrer for a bassynet
(fn. 11) . Three other documents were retained
in court, viz. A deed of gift of seven shops in Southwark from
Robert. Vynour to William Offyngton, barber, and Juliana
his wife; a grant for life from the same to William Barbour
and Juliana his wife of a shop in Southwark; and an instrument of divorce between William Uffyngton and Juliana
Haunsard under the seals of the Official of the Archdeacon
of London and Denis Lopham, notary.
1 May 1380
Robert Whyte, draper, brought a bill of complaint against
John de Mordon, late undersheriff of Richard Lyons, Sheriff,
to the following effect: The plaintiff had sued Peter Beek,
Lombard, in the Sheriffs' Court for a debt of 400 marks due
on an obligation, and, on the plaint being entered, the said
Peter had been arrested and committed to Newgate. He had
first denied the obligation and a jury had been summoned on
that issue, but afterwards he had acknowledged the deed,
whereupon the plaintiff had demanded judgment. After
dinner that day in Lombard Street the plaintiff had begged
the undersheriff to render judgment and enter it, and on the
undersheriff's suggestion he had given him a pair of scarlet
hose. The undersheriff had then endorsed the obligation to
the effect that Peter had acknowledged it and had been remanded to prison. Next day he falsely told the plaintiff he
had enrolled the judgment, whereas he had not done so. As
a result the debtor had been allowed to go at large to the
damage of the plaintiff £500. [French]
The undersheriff appeared on summons and while not
admitting that the debtor had acknowledged the obligation,
denied receiving the hose or making any agreement to enrol
judgment. As a freeman of the City he offered to acquit himself by making his law. As regards the allegation that the
debtor was allowed to go at large for default of enrolment,
he pleaded that, while the action was still pending and no
judgment had been given, the plea was adjourned sine die
because the debtor produced a writ of protection from the
King, as appears by the record produced in court. He demanded judgment as to whether the plaintiff had any action
against him.
The plaintiff replied that the debtor had acknowledged the
obligation six weeks and more before the letters of protection.
The making of a law was not permissible in an action of deceit
which affected the King as well as the party plaintiff. As regards his other allegation (concerning the acknowledgment),
the defendant had not denied it, arid accordingly he demanded
judgment and damages.
Process being continued between the parties until Tuesday
before the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist [18 Oct.] Ao 4
Ric. II [1380], the proceedings were recited in full Husting
before the Mayor and Aldermen. As it appeared to the Court
that a law was permissible by the custom of the City in such
a case, as evidenced by previous judgments, and as the plaintiff
refused to accept the plaintiff's law, judgment was given that
as regards that part of the bill of complaint, the plaintiff should
take nothing. Afterwards on 2 Oct. Ao 5 Ric. II [1381] the
plaintiff quitclaimed all actions against the defendant.
Membr. 5 b
2 June 1380
Dame Mary Syward, Prioress of the House of St Leonard
of Stratford, offered herself by Richard Forster her attorney
against William Bartilmeu, goldsmith, in a plea of debt upon
demand. The debtor, who was summoned by foreign attachment, made four defaults, whereupon at the plaintiff's request
the attachment was valued by oath of Peter Sprot, William
Phelip, Robert Gildeford and John Hacton as follows: A cage
and a bird called "thrusshe," 2s; a lance, 12d; a counter, 20d;
an ambry, 20d; a fenestrall
(fn. 12) , 20d; a kemelyng
(fn. 13) , a verinysshbarell
and a bench (scannum), 8d; a standyngbassin and four leaden
weights each of one lb, 4d; a brass pot, 3d; 2 cups, 2d; a
candelabrum, 1d; a tub, 2d; a banker and a dosser, 12d; a chair
(sedile), 2d; a bultyngtubbe
(fn. 14) , 12d; a reele, 4d; 2 belyes
(fn. 15) , 4d; a
worchyngstol, 8d; 3 chairs (sedilia), 4d; one sper
(fn. 16) , 12d; a
mortar and pestle, 4d; a pair of tonges, 1d; 12 pairs of pigeons,
3s; fagettes, 10d; a fother of coal, 4s; also pots daberam (?) (fn. 17)
touching the craft of goldsmytherye, 6d; a stondyngbed, 2s; a
sword, a bolle, 2 trestles and a paner
(fn. 18) , 6d; a tye
(fn. 19) , 4d; a bord,
2d; 2 trebulettes
(fn. 20) , 2d; a sarcebox, 1d; a form and a banker and
dosser, 6d; 3 stokkes
(fn. 21) , 2d; 8 lbs of lead, 8d; 3 tables and one
pair of trestles, 2s 6d; a chest and long stool, 20d; a chair, 4d;
2 longestoles, 12d; 2 stools and a cheker, 12d; a candelabrum
and a corndyssh, a yard-stick (virga) of iron and a brass pan,
6d; a herthe, 4d; a stool and a dressyngburd
(fn. 22) , 2d; a marbilston,
1d; total 35s 5d. The above goods were handed to the
Prioress under mainprise to restore them if the debtor should
appear within a year and a day and disprove the debt.
28 June 1380
Quitclaim (fn. 23) by Richard Goodchild, cutler, and John Grove,
armourer, to Geoffrey Chaucer, esquire, of all actions, demands etc. Dated at London, 28 June Ao 4 Ric. II [1380].
The same date. Similar quitclaim from Cecilia Chaumpaigne, daughter of the late William Chaumpaigne and Agnes
his wife, to Richard Goodchild and John Grove. Dated at
London, 28 June.
2 July 1380
2 July Ao 4 Ric. II [1380]. Recognizance from John Grove,
armourer, of a debt of £10 to Cecilia Chaumpaigne, payable
at Michaelmas.
[Marginal note: cancell' quia solut'.]
18 June 1380
Writ of protection in favour of John Chapel, son of William
Chapel of London, who was then about to proceed to
Brittany. Dated at Westminster, 18 June Ao 3 Ric. II [1380].
Membr. 6
3 July 1380
Quitclaim by Robert Lucas, goldsmith, and Margaret his
wife, widow and executrix of John Northwich, goldsmith, to
William de Tongge, vintner. Dated 3 July Ao 4 Ric. II
[1380].
Schedule of goods belonging to David Lacy seized by order
of the Mayor and appraised by oath of Stephen Maynard,
William Godehewe and Roger Bernard, and delivered to
John Stalham, parson of the Church of Rysyngg, and Richard
Fitznicholl in part satisfaction of a debt due to them, viz. a
tapit of black and white sarge, 2s; a pair of botailles, 12d;
2 pairs, of botz, 18d; a hopeland
(fn. 24) , 12d; 2 doublettes, 3s 8d;
a cote of fusteyn, 2s 6d; a jakke, 5s; a doublet, 3s 4d; another
doublet, 3s; 2 pairs of sheets, 12d; a joupe
(fn. 25) of camaca
(fn. 26) ,
6s 8d; a hood, 3s 4d; a capelyne
(fn. 27) , 5s; 5 pairs of hose (caligarum) and a veil, 7s; 2 pairs of solar'
(fn. 28) , 8d; a silver girdle,
24s; linen cloth, 18d; half-a-yard of velvet and two remnants
of camaca, 6s; one pair of trussyngcoffres
(fn. 29) , 4s; and a clothsak,
2s; total, £4 4s 2d.
30 June 1380
A letter from the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of
the City of London under the Common Seal to the Burgomasters, Echevins and Counsellors of Bruges, complaining
that, in spite of a guarantee given by the towns of Bruges,
Ypres and Ghent in favour of English merchants during the
dissensions between the Count and the men of Flanders,
certain men of Sluys had on 2 June boarded a hakebot
(fn. 30) lying
in the Cogrode outside the piles (estaches) at Sluys, driven out
the sailors and carried off the vessel and cargo. This hakebot,
of which Giles Gosson of Coksiche (fn. 31) was master, had been
freighted by John Drewe, apprentice and attorney of Matthew
Passelewe, citizen of London, with merchandise valued at
£220 gross of Flanders for the voyage to London. The Burgomasters etc. are urged to do all in their power to effect a resti
tution of the merchandise or its value, in like manner as they
would wish the citizens of London to do in a similar case.
Dated 30 June 1380. [French]
Note that similar letters were sent to Ghent and Ypres.
9 July 1380
A letter to the Burgomasters, Echevins and Counsellors of
Ghent with reference to a complaint by Joan, wife of John
Pound, citizen of London, that her husband had freighted a
ship to Sluys with goods of the value of £50, which he had
bought at the Fair of Antwerp, and that on the voyage the
ship had been captured by Arnold Jonesson, captain of the
castle of Savetynge (fn. 32) , who had carried the said John and the
goods to the castle, where he still detained them. Dated at
London under the Common Seal, 9 July 1380. [French]
Note that similar letters were sent to Bruges and Ypres.
Membr. 6 b
13 July 1380
William Stamelden, goldsmith, was mainprised by Adam
Bamme, John Walden and John Fayrher, goldsmiths, to keep
the peace with William, Bishop of London, and his servants.
8 July 1380
Writs of protection in favour of John Saunson and John
Waryn, butchers, who were then about to go abroad in the
company of Thomas, Earl of Buckingham. Dated at Westminster, 8 July Ao 4 Ric. II [1380].
12 July 1380
Writ of certiorari demanding the tenor of a deed enrolled
in the Husting on Monday after the Feast of St Barnabas
[11 June] Ao 47 Edw. III [1373], whereby John Malweyn
granted to Peter Tebaud of Sleford co. Lincs., John de Crull
and Peter Wappelode, draper, certain tenements in London
and the manors of Lesenesmersh (fn. 33) and Borden co. Kent.
Dated at Westminster, 12 July Ao 4 Ric. II [1380].
Return to the above.
Memorandum that Dunstan Harcherugge, draper, executor
of Richard atte Boure, complained that John Bosham, Thomas
Welford, Richard Norbury, Thomas Lakford, Robert de
Louthe and William Pountfreit, who had been assigned to
audit his accounts, refused to allow him a debt of £15 owed
to him on an obligation by the testator, and charged him with
£16 is 8d as due to the orphans. It was now agreed in court
that he should have £7 is 6d in settlement of his claim, and
that he should sue Alan de Twitham for £4 due to the estate,
at the expense of and on behalf of the orphans. On those
terms he consented to the cancelling of the obligation, and
his accounts were discharged.
Membr. 7
26 July 1380
Peter Gracyan, merchant of Lucca, paid to the wife of
William Whetely, woolman, the sum of £8 due on an obligation from Guy de Port, himself and Robert Rayson, grocer.
On his informing the Court that the said Guy was principal
debtor and that he and Robert were merely sureties, the
cancelled obligation was delivered to him in order that he
might recover the amount from the said Guy.
13 July 1380
Robert Culham, armourer, and Isabella, wife of Ralph
Whithors, attended before John Haddele, Mayor, and William
Cheyne, Recorder, at the Mayor's house in the parish of St
Pancras, for the settlement of a debt of 80 marks due to the
said Robert from Ralph Barry, knight, the said Isabella having
been surety of the bonds. She claimed to have paid the whole
amount excepting 5 marks, while the said Robert alleged that
25 marks were in arrears. He now agreed that if she would
swear that she had paid over 50 marks he would exonerate her
of all but the 5 marks. She took the oath and paid the 5 marks,
and the said Robert was mainprised to return to her the bonds.
At the same time he acknowledged satisfaction for the sum of
25 marks out of a debt of £21 owed by Ralph Barry.
28 July 1380
Writ de minis ordering the Mayor and Sheriffs to summon
and put to mainprise Richard Sutton, Master of the Hospital
of St Bartholomew, Smithfield, Walter de Parys, skinner, and
John Luton, somonour
(fn. 34) , to keep the peace with Robert Yorke,
cordwainer. Dated at Westminster, 28 July Ao 4 Ric. II
[1380].
8 Aug. 1380
Writ of supersedeas, the above-mentioned Richard, Walter
and John having been mainprised in Chancery by Richard
Marberer, Walter Parker, Alan Orewell and Richard Fraunceys
of London. Dated 8 Aug.
Similar writ de minis on behalf of Adam Boneton, cordwainer. Dated 28 July.
Note that on 4 Aug. the above-mentioned Master was
arrested in the Compter of William Baret and detained there
until he was mainprised by Adam Verney, draper, William
Menden, serjeant, Richard Noke, goldsmith, and Richard
Ardern, skinner, under penalty of £40.
Membr. 7 b
Aldebrand Gascoyne was summoned to answer Torellus
Gascoyne, Lombard, in a plea that he render him a reasonable
account for the time when he was receiver of his moneys,
namely of £157 8s received between 7 Aug. 1374 and Easter
following by the hands of John Janyn and Peter Taverner,
servants of the plaintiff, being issues of the sale of Gascon,
Romeneye (fn. 35) , Malvesye (fn. 36) and Provynce wines, which money
was entrusted to the defendant to trade therewith for the
benefit of the plaintiff.
The defendant denied being receiver of the said moneys
as alleged in the declaration, which he was prepared to verify.
He prayed judgment. The plaintiff said that the defendant
was receiver in the form aforesaid, and put himself on the
country. The defendant did likewise. A jury of Englishmen
and Lombards was summoned from the parish of St Edmund,
Lombard Street, and meanwhile the defendant was mainprised by Fredus Genysane and Francis Cristofre. On 20 Oct.
the jury, viz., John Leycestre, Thomas Weston, Walter
Tebaud, Richard Albon, Henry Syward and John Fraunkeleyn, Englishmen, and Cosmas Daurea, Daniel de la Mare,
Barnabas de Balde, Jakettus Dyne, Wlstan Pynel and James
Wlpel, Lombards, brought in a verdict that the defendant
was not receiver of the moneys as alleged in the declaration.
Judgment that the plaintiff take nothing by his bill and be in
mercy, and that the defendant go thereof without a day.
17 March 1381
Quitclaim from Robert White (fn. 37) , draper, to John de Morton,
late undersheriff to Richard Lyons, late Sheriff, of all actions
etc. Dated 17 March Ao 4 Ric. II [1380-1]. [French]
Note that upon this, judgment was given that the said
Robert take nothing by his bill and be in mercy and that the
said John go thereof quit.
Membr. 8
3 Sept. 1380
Letter of attorney from James Castelyn, merchant of
Flanders, to Francis Vyncheguerre, merchant of Lucca,
Walter Sporiere and John de Gynes.
24 Sept. 1380
John Litle, tailor, was attached to answer John Rote,
skinner, John Cassy and John Kestevene, mercer, who, owing
to the default of Thomas Moye, clerk, were admitted to sue
alone, in a certain plea on a certain bill wherein they complained that they had acquired by feoffment from Roger
Payn a messuage in the parish of St Augustine by the Gate
of St Paul's and that the defendant, who was the said Roger's
tenant-at-will, refused to accept notice to quit at Michaelmas
or to evacuate the premises. They pray the Court to order the
defendant to find mainprise to quit the tenement.
The defendant pleaded that he was not bound by law to
quit, because at Christmas Ao 1 Ric. II [1377] in the Kyngeshede in Cheap the said Roger granted him a 60 years' lease
of the tenement and promised to have indentures made for
the same.
The plaintiffs admitted that there had been a discourse
(locucio) concerning such a lease, but said that it had been
agreed that the defendant should construct a new jetty in
front of the tenement and that there were other conditions,
and that the defendant made a draft which did not tally with
the agreements, whereupon discord arose between the parties.
Afterwards the said Roger sent another draft to the defendant
by the hands of Simon Wynchecombe and William Horston,
and it was agreed that if they could not come to terms within
three days the negotiations should be at an end, in spite of any
lease suggested or made. No agreement was made, as the
plaintiffs were ready to verify, wherefore they prayed judgment.
The defendant repeated that an agreement was made at the
Kingeshede in the manner and form alleged by him, and not
otherwise, and thereon he put himself upon the country. The
plaintiffs did likewise.
On 14 Nov. the parties appeared and renounced inquiry
therein and willingly put themselves on the oath of Roger
Payn, John Hedyngham and John Willughby, who were
ordered to appear on 15 Nov. The said Roger, John and John
then swore that there was no discourse for breaking the first
agreement as alleged by the plaintiffs. Judgment was given
that defendant have his term of 60 years and that the plaintiffs
be in mercy.
26 April 1380
Thomas Farndon was summoned to answer John Seman
in a plea that he repay him 20s expended on the making of a
pavement within the gate of a brewhouse in the parish of St
Peter Wood Street. This house, the plaintiff declared, had
been leased by the defendant for 20 years to John Doxenford,
who left the lease by will to his widow Matilda, who married
the plaintiff. The lease provided that all repairs should be
carried out by the lessor. As the pavement was ruinous and
there was a public right of way, the plaintiff had caused it to
be repaired, but the defendant had refused to reimburse him.
The defendant pleaded that the site was his own private
property, that no one had a right of way but the tenant and
his servants and that the plaintiff had repaired the pavement
without his consent. He prayed judgment as to whether the
plaintiff ought to have any action against him.
The plaintiff pleaded that there was from time immemorial
a public right of way from sunrise to sunset, and thus the
defendant was bound to keep the place in repair.
On this issue the parties put themselves on the country.
The jury found that the piece of ground within the gate was
private property and that there was no right of way to anyone
except the tenants and their servants. Judgment that the
plaintiff take nothing by his bill, but be in mercy etc.
Cedula
A schedule of certain members of each of the misteries,
apparently drawn up for the purpose of raising money.