ROLL A 27
[Nicholas Brembre, knight, mayor]
Membr. 1
18 May 1384
William Mayhew, grocer, was charged before the Mayor
and Aldermen with having said that their judgments were
unjust, that the city was badly governed and that John
Costantyn, cordwainer (fn. 1) , who was recently beheaded in Cheap
for the insurrection of 11 Feb., made by him and his accomplices to the terror of the city and the suburbs, was
falsely and iniquitously condemned to death by them. The
said William acknowledged having spoken these words and
put himself on the mercy of the court. He was committed
to prison until the Mayor and Aldermen should be advised
as to rendering judgment upon him.
Afterwards on 26 May he was brought into court. And
because the aforesaid words had been spoken falsely and
maliciously and expressly redounded to the shame and dishonour of the mayor and other governors of the city, and
in order that others might be prevented from speaking like
words, it was considered and adjudged, as had previously
been done in like cases according to the custom of the city
on many other occasions, that the said William should have
a year's imprisonment from 18 May and then pay a fine for
his contempt according to the discretion of the Mayor and
Aldermen for the time being, unless further indulgence
should be granted to him in the meantime. Afterwards on
the same day, by the mayor's favour and at the request of
several aldermen and other good men, he was mainprised
by Adam de St Ives and Henry Perot for his good behaviour
towards the king and his people and all the officers of the
city, and not to speak such words again under penalty of £40,
and he was sworn to fulfil the above undertakings and to
save his mainpernors harmless. Thereupon he was allowed
to make fine with half a mark to the chamberlain and was
released.
23 May 1384
Matilda, widow of Hugh Holbech and executrix of his
will, was summoned to answer William Croydon in a plea
of detinue of goods and chattels worth £10 5s 10d, viz.
2 vats of lead and one ledtrogh, £6; one mokestunne
(fn. 2) 13s 4d;
one yeltunne
(fn. 3) , 10s; 12 kemelyns
(fn. 4) , 13s 4d; 6 barrels, 4s; one
altunne, 2s; 2 algistes
(fn. 5) , 3s 4d; one clensyngtunne, 6s 8d;
2 watertunes, 3s 4d; one worttyne
(fn. 6) and one watertyne, 2s 8d;
one bucket with an iron chain and cord, 4s; one clensyngsyve,
3s; one clensyngtonge
(fn. 7) , 4d; one vanne
(fn. 8) , 12d; one half-bushel
and one peck measure, 8d; one pottle and one quart measure,
6d; 6 racks for a stable, 10s; two dressyngbordes
(fn. 9) and one
stok
(fn. 10) , 6s 8d; and three pairs of handmills, 20s; all of which
the plaintiff declared that he had placed in the custody of
the above Hugh on 23 Aug. 1367 in the parish of St Athelburga (fn. 11) within Bishopsgate. On the death of Hugh, they
came into the possession of the defendant, who refused to
restore them, to the plaintiff's damage £20.
The defendant appeared and denied having received the
goods as declared by the plaintiff and offered to defend herself by her law as a freewoman of the city, to which the
plaintiff assented. A day was given her on 26 May to make
her law with six other women according to the custom of
the city, and she was mainprised meanwhile by John Clee
and Stephen Spilleman. On the day aforesaid the parties
appeared and the defendant made her law with six other
women that she had not received the said goods. Therefore
it was considered that the said William take nothing by his
bill, but be in mercy for a false claim, and that the said
Matilda go thereof quit.
Membr. 1 b
Mainprises of divers persons for keeping the peace: 3 Nov.
1383, Richard Leukenore, carsour, by Henry King, corsour,
and John Staunton; Robert Brampton, corsour, by Richard
Forster and John Staunton; Richard Waltham by Robert
Austyn and Thomas Cotone; 26 Jan. 1384, Simon Frensshe,
baker, by Edmund Horton, Walter Parker and Thomas
Fraunkeleyn; John Hatfeld, squyer, by Gilbert Meldebourne,
John Kelsey and John Dyke towards John Creke, corsour;
3 Feb. 1384, John Abraham, chaplain, by John Abraham
and Ralph Abraham; 9 May 1384, Robert Goldryng, gardener,
and John Baroun, miller, by Thomas Horsman, Roger Parys,
Robert Torkeseye and John Seman, dyer, to answer David
Man, cordwainer, and Here Nichol, chaplain, and their companions for a trespass and to keep the peace; 10 May 1384,
William Mileward by John Walworth, vintner, and Richard
Merlawe, ironmonger, on the same conditions; 25 May 1384,
John Hillyng, paviour, by John Holbech, Nicholas Maynard,
John Seman, John Norfolke, Nicholas Yvyngho, Thomas
Hert, John Coventre and Roger Carpenter; 13 May 1384,
Richard Leukenore, corsour, by Henry King and John Salisbury.
25 March 1384, John Neweman of co. Kent by Peter
Persholt and William Neweman, weaver, towards John Scot,
ripiere
(fn. 12) .
20 April 1385, Robert Gandrey, esquire, by Adam Kirkham
and Walter Pek, tailors, William Whetele, cordwainer, and
William Osebarn, goldsmith, towards John Walworth, vintner;
5 May 1385, Walter Cole, bedemaker, by Thomas Clement,
brewer, William Fychet, goldsmith, William Swaynlond,
pewterer, and Robert Person, taverner, towards Thomas Rolf,
lumynour
(fn. 13) ; 9 May, Thomas Prentyz of Sudbury by Robert
Haule, draper, John Rouhed and John Portrose of Sudbury
and Edmund Heryng of Bury towards John Clenaunt of
London; David Morys, dauber, by John Pally and John
Goudman, weavers, to obey the officers of the city.
Membr. 2
11 June 1384
Memorandum that at a congregation of the mayor, aldermen, and commoners summoned from the wards of the city
as a Common Council on 11 June 1384 there were present
Sir Nicholas Brembre, mayor, Sir William Walworth, John
Hadle, Thomas Gornwaleys, John Hende, John Sely, Adam
Bamme, Hugh Fastolf, John Chircheman, John Organ,
Richard Preston, William Staundon, Adam de Seint Ive,
Geoffrey Cremelford, William More, Thomas Welford, John
Eston, William Ancroft and Roger Elys, aldermen, and the
following commoners from the wards:
Tour, William Tonge, Hugh Boys, Thomas Evesham.
Billyngesgate, John Beaufrount, John Wade, Thomas Girdlere.
Algate, Richard Morell.
Lymstret, John Clapshethe.
Langebourne, Thomas Bonaunter, John Dyke, William
FitzHugh, John Studley.
Bisshopesgate, Henry Herbury, Peter Torold, John Sibyle,
Adam Ratteseye.
Cornhull, Walter Pykenham, Thomas Irlond.
Bridge, Walter Sibyle, Robert Little, John Pountfreyt.
Douegate, William Wotton, Ralph Lubenham, John Wiltshyre.
Vinetrie, John Colshull, Thomas Medlane, John Tilneye,
William Sharpyng.
Walbroke, Reginald Aleyn, John Basse, William Sudbury.
Cordwanerstret, William Pountfreyt, Geoffrey Walderne.
Bradstret, William Wodehous, Adam Karlill.
Colmanstret, William Kyng, Robert Havelok.
Chepe, John Fraunkeleyn, Geoffrey Grigge, Thomas Mak
William.
Farndon, Elis Weston, Roger Excestre, Simon atte Nax.
Crepulgate, John Forster, Gilbert Prynce, John Higyn.
Aldrichesgate, Thomas Exton, John Dancastre, John Bathe,
John Bokkyng.
Bredstret, Thomas Rolf, John Ragenel, John Scorfeyn.
Quenehithe, John Trigge.
Chastel Baynard, John Redyng, John Vautort, John Asshurst.
Candelwykstret, James Snow, William Ivory.
Portsokne, William Burford.
Whereas divers rumours, covins, congregations and affrays
had taken place in the city since the time when Sir Nicholas
Brembre was chosen to the office of the mayoralty, for which
divers reasons had been given, some saying that the fault lay
in one person, and others in another, and in order that there
might be full knowledge and testimony of the truth, it was
demanded of each of the abovenamed persons, by the faith
which he owed to God and the king and by the oath which
he had taken to the city, to declare on his conscience by
whom and in default of whom these disturbances had been
made and who was the cause of them, sparing none, and the
abovenamed persons severally declared on their faith and
oath that the said disturbances had taken place by default
of John Norhampton, late mayor, of the city, and had been
made by him ever since he had been discharged from his
office and Sir Nicholas Brembre had been chosen to that
office, and that the said John Norhampton was the cause of
all the disturbances.[French]
22 March 1385
Memorandum that at a congregation of the mayor, aldermen and several good men chosen from the wisest and most
discreet men of the wards summoned and assembled in the
Chamber of the Guildhall on 22 March 1385 there were
present Sir Nicholas Brembre, mayor, William Cheyne,
recorder, John Hadle, John Boseham, Robert Warbultdn,
Henry Vannere, John Hende, Adam de Seint Ive, William
More, Nicholas Exston, John Fressh, John Rote, Roger Elys,
John Fraunceis, Thomas Welford, William Staundon and
Simon Wynchecombe, aldermen, and the following persons
from the wards:
Billyngesgate, John Wade,Thomas Girdelere, John Beaufront.
Douegate, William Wotton.
Langebourne, Thomas Bonaunter, John Dyke, William
FitzHugh, John Studeley.
Lymstret, Richard Clapschethe and Richard Gregori.
Bredestret, Thomas Rolf, John Scorfeyn.
Farndon, Thomas Panton, John Hille, John Dorsete,
William Pershore.
Crepulgate, John Furneux, John Loveye, Robert Asshcombe, John Forster, Gilbert Prynce, John Hugyn.
Bradstret, William Wodehous, Adam Karlill, Richard
Willesdon, Beneit Cornewaille.
Aldrichesgate, Thomas Reynham, John Bockyng.
Castel Baynardy John Vatoft, John Asshurst, William
Shrympelmerssh.
Cornhill, Walter Pykenham, Richard Manhale.
Walbrok, William Olyver, Reginald Aleyn, William Sudbury.
Vinetrie, John Colshill, Thomas Medelane, John Tilneye,
William Sharpyng.
Bisshopesgate, Henry Herburi, Peter Torold.
Candtlwykstret, William Horston, William Giles, Roger
Mordon, William Spaldyng.
Queenhithe, Robert Parys, John Trig.
Tour, William Tonge, Hugh Sprot, Hugh Boys, Thomas
Evesham.
Cordewanerstret, Robert Lyndeseye, William Pountfreit,
Geoffrey Walderne, Robert Dane, Richard Hatfeld, John Hoo.
Chepe, Geoffrey. Crymelford, Thomas Austyn, Thomas
Vynent, John Fraunkeleyn, Geoffrey Grigge, Thomas Mak
William.
Portsokne, William Wodeward.
Cokmanstret, John Eston.
Bridge, John Pountfreit, Robert Lytle, John Mockyng,
Richard Blomville.
Whereas there had long been dissension and division in
the city between divers men of the same, whereby great evil
and peril might arise, to the destruction and loss both of the
city and of the whole realm, unless remedy were found by
the aid of God, and the said mayor and aldermen and other
wise men desiring peace, tranquillity, accord, unity and quiet
among the people, and wishing to be informed and certified,
as far as possible, as to the cause and root of the said dissension
and division and how they might be ousted, and unity and
accord be made and kept among the people, demand was
made of every person, alderman and commoner, by the faith
which he owed to God and our lord the king and the oath
which he had made to the city, to declare and say openly
on his conscience and as he would answer before God,
sparing none, what was the cause and root of such dissension
and division, whereupon all said severally that it was the life
of John Norhampton, for so long as he remained alive all
those that were of his covin hoped that he would return to
the city and by this hope they comforted others, whereby
dissension arose and would always continue so long as he
lived. And further, each of them said on his conscience that
the thing which would most easily engender unity and accord, and would oust all dissensions and divisions and, in
their opinion, would bring the matter to a good end, would
be to require and pray our said lord the king in his high and
royal majesty that execution of the judgment of law given
on the said John Norhampton in the Tower of London should
be done, for so long as he lived the said people of his covin
and lovers of his opinions would hope for his return to the
city as aforesaid, which would be to the utter confusion and
destruction of the city, which God forbid. And upon this,
with one accord, it was agreed that it would be well for the
mayor to take with him certain aldermen and commoners,
such as seemed to him good, and to approach our lord the
king, petitioning him in the manner and form abovesaid.
And also because the mayor and commoners were advised
that for the safeguarding of the city and suburbs against any
peril that might arise, it would be necessary that a good ditch
and a pale above it should be made around all the suburbs
of the city for its defence in case need should arise, which
God forbid, and because it would take too long to settle the
question as to how and in what manner it should be done,
since many matters and arguments would be raised among
so many men and peradventure no conclusion would be
made, it was agreed by everyone that the mayor and aldermen
on the morrow should choose from among themselves twelve
aldermen and twelve commoners of the most sufficient and
discreet men in the city to ordain and treat by what means
and how the said matter should be brought into effect, and
in what manner the costs which would be needed might be
levied, and to do all other things which appertained to the
said matter. And all the aldermen and commoners agreed
to hold as firm and established whatever the said twentyfour thus elected should do in the matter, and on the morrow
the said mayor and aldermen chose the persons underwritten
to carry out and perform the said matter, to wit, Sir William
Walworth, John Hadle, John Boseham, John Orgon, John
Shadworth, Nicholas Exton, Henry Vannere, William Staundon, William More, Robert Warbulton, Thomas Welford
and John Fraunceys, aldermen, William Tonge, Adam Karlill,
Thomas Rolf, Thomas Girdelere, Henry Herbury, Richard
Hatfeld, Thomas Exton, John Loveye, Geoffrey Walderne,
John Kirketon, Thomas MakWilliam and Adam Bamme,
commoners. [French]
Membr. 3
22 Jan. 1384
In the presence of Nicholas Brembre, knight, mayor, in
the mayor's house in the parish of St Michael Paternosterchirche, John Norhampton, citizen and draper, was mainprised by John More and Simon Wynchecombe; sheriffs, and
John Toures, William Eriote, Thomas Lyncolln, Richard
Brendewode and William Rule, drapers, to bear himself
peaceably towards the king and his people and the officers
of the city, to preserve the king's peace within the liberty
of the city and without, to be obedient to the officers of the
city for the time being and to be, and not to make or cause
to be made any covin, conventicle, league or congregation
openly or secretly by himself or by means of others, or any
other thing by his means or speech, whereby rumour, disturbance, commotion or affray might in any way arise within
the liberty of the city to the disturbance of the peace, and if
he should discover any such covin, to reveal the same to the
mayor for the time being and to prevent it, and to be ready,
whenever warned, to appear before the said Mayor and
Aldermen, and this under penalty of £5000, which the said
John Norhampton and his mainpernors agreed, severally and
together, to pay to the king and his heirs immediately the
said John Norhampton should do anything contrary to any of
the above articles or should offend or default in any of them.
22 Feb. 1384
William Norton, saddler, was mainprised by Roger Excestre,
Walter Yonge, Thomas Kirewode and Thomas Soys, saddlers,
and Gilbert Meldebourne, as above, under penalty of £100.
23 Feb. 1384
William Bowyere, skinner, in the presence of the Mayor,
Recorder and Aldermen in the Chamber of the Guildhall, was
mainprised by Robert Haringeie, mercer, Robert Lyndesey
and John Maudeleyn, as above, under penalty of £100. He
was also sworn to keep the above articles and to save his
mainpernors harmless.
John Gest, skinner, was mainprised by John Bredestret,
armourer, Stephen Frith, armourer, John Brundyssh, tailor,
and Robert Vygerous, draper, and sworn as above, under
penalty of £100.
William Valdrean, saddler, was mainprised by Richard
Brok, Roger Excestre, Walter Yonge and Thomas Soys,
saddlers, as above, under penalty of £100.
Robert Riseby, draper, was mainprised by John Hende,
draper, Geoffrey Walderne, draper, Thomas Welford, fishmonger, Robert Somersete, draper, Richard Knouslee, draper,
John Bottesham, goldsmith, Andrew Vyne, draper, and
Robert Hunden, draper, as above, under penalty of £300.
25 Feb. 1384
William Watesham, cutler, was mainprised by Robert Eye,
Richard Ledyate, John Wodhall and Martin Godard, cutlers,
as above, under penalty of £40.
8 March 1384
John Muntham, joiner, was mainprised by Henry Goudchep, John Squyer, John Curson, Robert Norton of the Earl
of Warwick's retinue (fn. 14) , William Shirebourne, cutler, William
Stanes, cutler, John Bussh, tallowchandler, and Hugh Avenell,
as above, under penalty of £200.
14 March 1384
John Bussh, goldsmith, was mainprised by Henry Bamme
and John Coraunt, goldsmiths, as above, under penalty of £40.
Membr. 3 b
26 April 1384
Gilbert Malenay, saddler, was delivered under bail to his
master, John de Excestre, to bring him up before the Mayor
and Aldermen when required, and the same John main
prised him to observe the articles in the mainprise of John
Norhampton under penalty of £100.
28 June 1384
John Bere, haberdasher, was similarly delivered under bail
to John Maymond, mercer, William Denton, tailor, William
Talbot, tailor, John Kent, tailor, Roger Stapulhurst, mercer,
and Thomas Soys, saddler. He was also mainprised as above
under penalty of £100 and imprisonment, and was further
sworn to obey the said articles, to save his mainpernors
harmless and to keep his tongue from speaking evil or scandal
of any of the officers of the city for the time being and to be
hereafter.
30 June 1384
John Der, cordwainer, was similarly mainprised by John
Long, senior, Robert Sutton, Walter Gyngyvere and William
Hare, cordwainers, under penalty of £100, and sworn to obey
the articles and save his mainpernors harmless.
13 Aug. 1384
John More, mercer, in the presence of Sir Nicholas
Brembre, knight, Mayor, and the Aldermen was mainprised
by John Boseham, Robert Warbulton, John Shadeworth and
William Shiryngham, mercers, until 1 Nov. to keep the peace
towards the king and his people and the officers of the city,
to obey the latter, not to make or cause to be made any
congregation etc., either openly or secretly, whereby any disturbance of the peace might take place, to warn die mayor
of any such congregation etc., to do his best to allay any
disturbance and to appear on summons before the Mayor and
Aldermen, under penalty of £4000, of which each of his
mainpernors should be liable for £1000, if he failed to observe
any of the above conditions.
10 Sept. 1384
Richard Yoman was mainprised by John Groos, baker,
Andrew Sywardby, tailor, William Arundel, cordwainer, and
William Placidas, currier, to fulfil all the conditions in the
mainprise of John More, under penalty of £40.
14 Sept. 1384
William atte Hulle, cordwainer, was delivered under bail
to Clement Kirketon, tailor, William Cosyn, hostiller, Ralph
Elleswyk, tailor, and Roger Lilye, tailor, body for body, to
bring him up when required. He was further mainprised to
observe the conditions of the mainprise of John Norhampton,
under penalty of £400.
John Picot, cordwainer, was delivered under bail to William
Cosyn, hostiller, John atte Hull and Edmund Romeseye,
cordwainers, and Nicholas Walton, saddler, under penalty
of £400.
1 Oct. 1384
John Bacon, tailor, was mainprised by Thomas Sibsay,
Thomas Bridlyngton, John Byfeld and John Grosmond,
tailors, and Dunstan Harcherigge, draper, as above, under
penalty of £100. He was also sworn not to speak scandalously
of the mayor, aldermen, or other officers of the city or of
their government, and further to save his mainpernors harmless.
Membr. 4
10 Oct. 1384
William Bradestret, saddler, was mainprised by John Pountfret, Roger Excestre, Walter Yonge and Richard Peterburgh.
Further concerning the names of those who were mainprised or delivered under bail for the rumour and affray
made in the Guildhall on the day of the mayor's election
in the eighth year of Richard the Second
2 March 1385
John Remes, cordwainer, who acknowledged that at the
last parliament held at Westminster he had publicly said that
there would never be any quiet or rest in the city until an
end had been made of Nicholas Brembre, now mayor, was
nevertheless by the mayor's favour delivered under bail to
Nicholas Bosebury, John Fery, Robert York, William Robyn,
Robert Button and Walter Gyngyvere, cordwainers, body for
body, to fulfil in their entirety the points and conditions in
the mainprise of William Bradestret, under penalty of £100,
and he was sworn to the same.
6 March 1385
Michael Hakeneye was mainprised by John Swanton,
Adam Bridbroke, John Welles, fellmonger, and John Hakeneye, as above, under penalty of £40, and was further sworn
to the same.
8 March 1385
John Lyncolle, goldsmith, who acknowledged before the
Mayor and Aldermen that he had often been disobedient and
had borne himself improperly towards the mayor and other
officers of the city and, together with other evildoers, had
made divers prosecutions, as well in parliament and before
the magnates as before many others, against the mayor in
particular and other governors of the city, and had reprobated
and retarded their government to the utmost of his power,
in disturbance of the king's peace and against his oath,
prayed that the favour of the Mayor and Aldermen be granted
to him. By the favour of the mayor he was delivered under
bail to Henry Bamme, John Botisham, William de Louthe,
Thomas Polle and William Stamynden, goldsmiths, as above,
under penalty of £200, and was sworn to the same.
20 March 1385
Robert Fraunceys, goldsmith, who made the same confession as John Lyncolle, was delivered under bail to John
Luton, William Stamelden, William de Louthe, Henry Rokhawe, Roger Ryot and Richard Weston, as above, under
penalty of £200, and was sworn to the same.
1 Aug. 1385
John Remes, cordwainer, who on the suggestion of the
masters of his mistery was committed to prison for rebellion
against them and for having spoken indecent words against
the government of the city and for other evildoing, was
mainprised by John Longe, senior, Robert York and Thomas
Pountfreyt, cordwainers, as above, under penalty of £200, and
sworn to the same.
17 Aug. 1385
Nicholas Pound, tailor, was delivered under bail to Thomas
Barton, goldsmith, William Skendelby, brewer, Richard Tutford, horner, John Newby, smith, John Gace, tiler, John
Flemyng, horner, and Richard Bene, tailor, as above, under
penalty of £100, and sworn to the same.
Thomas Knape, tailor, was delivered in bail to the same
under penalty of £100.
27 Sept. 1385
William Frere, barber, who was taken and committed to
prison for having lied falsely and maliciously, saying that
John Norhampton had arrived in London and that he had
seen him, which words might have resulted in an affray, was
liberated by the mayor's favour without mainprise, since he
could not find mainpernors. He was sworn as above.
11 Oct. 1385
Richard Molle, grocer, was mainprised by John Hokkele,
grocer, John Curson, John Bussh, Nicholas Wyght, Alexander
Pulter and Robert Hubert, plomer, for his good behaviour,
as above, under penalty of £100, and sworn to the same.
30 March 1386
William Costantyn—concerning whom David, keeper of
the gaol of Newgate, gave evidence that he was so ill that his
life was despaired of—was delivered under bail to John
Doget, currier, Walter Trote, cordwainer, William Spaldyng,
tailor, and John Botkisham, serjeant, body for body, and was
also mainprised to fulfil all the conditions of the mainprise
of William de Bredstret under penalty of £100.
For the same reason Thomas Wakfeld was delivered under
bail to Michael de Lenne, chandler, John Witby, weaver,
John Slougter, armourer, and John Colney, glover, under
penalty of £100.
Membr. 4 b
13 Oct. 1384
Whereas on the eve of the Translation of St Edward King
(13 Oct.) Ao 8 Ric. II (1384) proclamation was made throughout the liberty of the city of London, as well on behalf of the
king by virtue of his writ, as on behalf of the mayor and
aldermen, that no one of whatsoever rank or condition should
go armed or wearing breastplate or jack, or should lead an
armed force against the king's peace, nor that any one should
go to the election of the mayor and sheriffs, except the mayor,
aldermen, sheriffs and good men of the wards summoned
thereto, under penalty of imprisonment and forfeiture of all
that he might forfeit to the king, and under penalty of losing
the freedom of the city, as is more fully contained in Letter
Book H, fo. [182]; and whereas the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs
and good men of the wards being summoned were present
on the above feast in the Guildhall for the election of the
mayor, and there were present Lord de Nevyll, Lord Fitz
Wauter and Thomas Moreux, knights, who were sent by
order of the king and his council, there came also certain
persons of the middle sort belonging to divers misteries, who,
forgetting themselves and having no respect for or fear of
the proclamation, and being banded together in a great congregation and assembled in Guildhall, made a great clamour
and outcry to the great affray of the mayor, aldermen and
commonalty and against the proclamation made in the city.
Whereupon, these offences having been committed as well
against the king as the mayor, aldermen and sheriffs, divers
good men of several misteries made inquiries as to the same
evildoers, and afterwards brought the names of certain men
of their misteries who were suspected, while others of the
guilty persons were taken and others again surrendered themselves, of whom some were mainprised and others delivered
under bail, as follows:
19 Oct. 1384
The good men of the mistery of Armourers brought before
Sir Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and the Aldermen and
Sheriffs, the names and bodies of the following persons:
John Hood, William Randulf, Robert Wormewell, William
Pountfreyt, Richard Pecok and John Shirewode, who were
all delivered under bail to Simon Wynchecoumbe, John
Scorfeyn, John Grove and Peter atte Hethe, armourers, who
entered into mainprise for their appearance when summoned,
their good behaviour and obedience to the officers of the city,
and that they would take no part in covins, conventicles,
plots or congregations against the peace, under penalty of
£1000. They were further sworn to save harmless those to
whom they were delivered under bail.
Robert Betoyne, goldsmith, was mainprised by Richard
Betoyne his father and John Clerke, poulterer, as above, under
penalty of £100.
21 Oct. 1384
John Daventre, pinner, was mainprised by John Lorymer,
bukelsmyth, Walter Berkeswell, bladesmith, and William
Coventre, pinner, as above, under penalty of £100.
Marginal note: divers tailors imprisoned and mainprised because they made an uproar at the election of
the mayor
21 Oct. 1384
William Rule, tailor, and his companions, masters of the
mistery of Tailors, showed to the Mayor and Aldermen the
names of divers men of their mistery who, as they understood, took part in an assembly of men of several misteries
in St Paul's Church on the day of the mayor's election and
went thence to the Guildhall to make an uproar, in disturbance of the peace and against the proclamation.
John Hastynge, tailor, who confessed, was delivered under
bail to John Heydon, barber, and John Middleton, tailor,
under the above conditions and under penalty of £100.
Membr. 5
22 Oct. 1384
John Heyward, tailor, similarly bailed by Robert Holm,
steynour, Adam Millyng, tailor, and Nicholas Symond, spurrier ; Roger Lilye, tailor, by Adam Millyng, tailor, and Roger
March, tailor; Richard atte Wode, tailor, by John Creke,
tailor, and Adam Lady, tailor; Richard Chilterne, tailor, by
Adam Bury, cordwainer, John Davy, peyntour, John Phelip,
fuster, and Roger Laurens; Thomas Grisele, tailor, by Thomas
Pope, shearman, and John Marchal, brewer; Henry Henle,
tailor, by Thomas Pope and John Marchal; Roger Mordon,
tailor, by Clement Kirketon and John Creke, tailors; Robert
Ascow, tailor, who did not confess, by John Dymmoke and
Clement Kirketon, tailors; William Hill, tailor, by John
Grigge, William Holyn and Richard Cornewaill, tailors;
Peter Fykelden, tailor, by John Sewale, mercer, Robert
Paunton, girdler, William Shirewode, saddler, and Henry
Payn, fuster; Robert Crokehorn, tailor, who did not confess,
by John Wilby, William Spaldyng, Thomas Bridlyngton,
John Burwell, John Donyngton and John Sheldon, tailors;
Thomas Mynde, who did not confess, by the same; all under
penalty of £100.
John Boseham and others, masters of the mistery of
Mercers, brought before the Mayor and Aldermen the following mercers: John Feraunt, John Chedder, Richard Guy,
John Vyne, Thomas Everard, William Willesdon and John
Toke, as men accustomed to speak maliciously of the Mayor
and Aldermen and their government. They were delivered
under bail to the said John Boseham, Robert Warbulton,
John Organ, John Eston and John Shadeworth, on the above
conditions and under penalty of £40 each.
Reymund Standulf, goldsmith, who admitted being at
Guildhall, was delivered under bail to John Botisham, Thomas
Davy and John Frensshe, goldsmiths, and Gilbert Meldebourne, under penalty of £200.
Edmund Wodhull, cutler, for divers malicious words
spoken against the mayor, was mainprised by Richard Goudchyld, John Salle, Walter Kynton and Martin Godard,
cutlers, and Richard Betoygne, goldsmith, under penalty
of £100.
Edmund Clay, cordwainer, who admitted being at Guildhall against the proclamation, was delivered under bail to
Thomas Pope, shearman, Nicholas Bosbury, cordwainer, and
William Morys and Walter Peryndon, armourers, under
penalty of £100.
John Coraunt and John Somervyll, masters of the mistery
of Goldsmiths, brought before the Mayor and Aldermen
the following goldsmiths, Hugh Wetherby, Roger Broun,
William Lucas, Andrew Stamelden, Stephen Walpol, John
Walyngford, Robert Willy, John Welford, William Stamelden,
Henry atte Grene and William Lyncoll, as suspected persons,
who were accustomed to speak ill of the mayor and aldermen
and their government, and as being of perverse and evil
condition. Nevertheless by favour of the mayor all of them
were delivered under bail to the said John Coraunt, John
Somervyll, John Forster and John Botisham, goldsmiths,
under penalty of £100.
Membr. 5 b
24 Oct. 1384
John Smyth, armourer, bailed by Roger atte Hacche,
girdler, John Whyte, goldsmith, Robert Knyght, armourer,
and John Halyngbury, under penalty of £100.
John Couewell, bailed by William Sallowe, junior, John
Glosse, skinner, William atte Halle, hostillef, and Simon
Berthorpe, saddler, under penalty of £100.
25 Oct. 1384
Stephen atte Frithe, armourer, bailed by Simon Wynchecoumbe, John Scorfeyn and John Grove, armourers, and
Robert Asshcoumbe, brodurer, under penalty of £1000.
Robert Arderne, brodurer, bailed by Robert Asshcoumbe,
William Sauston and Elias Mympe, brodurers, and John
Creek, tailor, under penalty of £1000.
William Hotte, tailor, bailed by William Spaldyng, draper,
John Scorfeyn, armourer, and John Creek and John Kynne,
tailors, under penalty of £1000.
Thomas Mynton, tailor, bailed by Robert Asshcoumbe,
brodurer, Henry Payn, fuster, Nicholas Whitlock, lorymer,
and Robert de Holdernesse, cutler, under penalty of £1000.
5 Nov. 1384
John Grene, servant of Edmund Wodhull, cutler, bailed
by Walter Kynton, John Essex, Robert de Eye and Martin
Godard, cutlers, under penalty of £100.
John Raulyn, John Wylde, Richard Kenyngton, Gerard
Furbour, John Albon and Nicholas Doby, armourers, were
mainprised by William Thornhull, William Trippelowe, John
Shirewode, John Whyte, John Henham, John Herman,
Michael Dundalk and John Grove, armourers, under penalty
of £200, to fulfil the condition set forth in the bail of Roger
Mordon.
William Brandon, servant of William de Thorpe, tailor,
mainprised by Roger Elys as above.
William Salkyn, fuller, mainprised by Peter Persolte,
Thomas Heed and Thomas Yonge, fullers, and John Maryner,
brewer, as above, under penalty of £40.
18 Nov. 1384
Thomas Hogecot, Philip Chipstowe and John Parfay,
armourers, were delivered under bail to John Scorfeyn, Peter
atte Hethe, Richard Yernemouthe, John Grove, Robert
Wormell and William Pountfreyt, as above, under penalty
of £100.
24 Nov. 1384
William Kirkeby, tailor, who came to the Guildhall at the
mayor's election contrary to the proclamation, was delivered
under bail to Robert Ashcoumbe, brodurer, William Spaldyng,
John Wilby, Thomas Multon, John Wyght and Clement
Kirton, tailors, as above, under penalty of £200.
John Coraunt, goldsmith, who was held in great suspicion
concerning the assembly of his mistery and other misteries
at St Paul's Church on election day, which came to Guildhall
to make an uproar, and who afterwards in the presence of
the mayor, John Fraunceys, alderman, and others said that
Robert Somersete and John Maudeleyn, tailors, had told him
on the day before the election that Lord de Nevyll, Lord
Fitzwauter and other lords ought to be present at the election,
and that it was their wish as well as the wish of the Mayor
and Aldermen that the men of the misteries ought to come
there in their liveries for the election of the mayor, which
words both he and Robert Somersete denied having spoken,
was nevertheless by, the favour of the mayor delivered under
bail to Thomas Exton, John Forster, Bartholomew Castre
and Thomas Hay, goldsmiths, as above, under penalty of
£500.
6 Feb. 1385
William Wodecok, tailor, who came to the Guildhall on
election day contrary to the proclamation, and went thence
to his shop and fetched a sword, buckler and poleaxe,
hoping that a riot would arise, was nevertheless by favour
of the mayor delivered under bail to John Tilneye, Thomas
Brakkele and Matthew Angelseye, tailors, and Thomas
Beneyt, smith, as above, under penalty of £100.
Henry Walsale, tailor, was also delivered under bail to
Robert Shirwode, saddler, Henry Pye, William Goudman
and William atte Halle, tailors, Thomas Rakeswell, bokelermaker, and Robert Horham, blacksmith, under the above
conditions.
Membr. 6
3 June 1385
William Mauncell was mainprised by Henry Goudchepe,
Robert Malteby, Richard Biernes, cordwainer, and John
Haringeye, saddler, to keep the peace, obey the officers of
the city, not to engage in any covin etc. and to warn the
Mayor and Aldermen thereof, under penalty of £100.
10 Nov. 1385
William Fyssh, tailor, was similarly mainprised by William
Russell, John Grigge and John Cornewaille, tailors, Walter
Rous, mercer, and Robert Button, brodurer, under penalty
of £100.
11 Feb. 1386
John Whyte was mainprised by Geoffrey Walderne, John
Rede, Richard Clophull, William Longisdon and William
Doncastre, smiths, Thomas Curch and Robert Thorseby,
marchall
(fn. 15) , as above.
4 April 1386
William Belhomme was delivered under bail to Robert
Buxton, Richard Storteford, John de Swanton, Peter atte
Hethe, John Lake and Roger atte Hacche, body for body,
to fulfil all the conditions in the mainprise of William Mauncel,
under penalty of £500, and to be ready and prepared to
appear before the Mayor and Aldermen or before the king's
justices when summoned. And further the above mainpernors
undertook that the said William Belhomme would neither do
nor cause to be done any injury to Agnes Caly in her person
or her goods by act or word, under the said penalty.
Afterwards on 26 Jan. 1390 the Mayor and Aldermen
granted that the above recognisance should be obliterated
and held to be null and void, and that William Belhomme
and his mainpernors should be exonerated, and so by precept
of William Venour, mayor, the record was obliterated.
19 July 1386
William Stanes, cutler, was mainprised by Richard Goodchyld, Richard Waltham, Richard Shirebourne, John Salle,
John Twyford and Robert Austyn, cutlers, to fulfil the conditions as in the mainprise of William Mauncell, under
penalty of £200.
Thomas Kynggesbrugge, cordwainer, was mainprised by
John Waleworth, vintner, Nicholas Bosbury, William Randolf, Robert Button, Robert Norton, cordwainers, and John
Curson, as above.
John Lyndeseye, cutler, was mainprised by William
Barnabe, John Curson, Robert Norton, William Trymenell,
John Deux and Robert Hanslap, as above.
Richard Gibbes, cordwainer, was mainprised by John
Walworth, Robert Bryan, Robert Mauncel, Thomas Duke,
Thomas Pountfreyt, William Hare, Nicholas Bosebury and
Nicholas Loseye, as above.
Richard Little, haberdasher, was mainprised by Robert
Norton, John Curson, John Haryngeye, John Barbour,
William Randolf and Nicholas Whitele, as above.
29 Aug. 1386
Richard Sturdy, skinner, was sworn before the Mayor and
Aldermen to be good and faithful to the king and his heirs,
to behave peaceably towards the king and his people, to be
obedient to the mayor, sheriffs and other officers, to be
tractable and justiciable to the king's peace and to preserve
it faithfully to the best of his power, to be ready to appear
before the Mayor and Aldermen when warned, to engage
in no congregation, covin etc., which might lead to insurrection, the harm of the people, or injury to the government of
the city, but to hinder such congregations and to warn the
mayor and other officers of the city of them, and further to
bear himself peaceably to the masters of his mistery for the
time being and to be, and not to do or cause to be done any
harm or injury to them, under penalty of £200.
Membr. 7
5 Nov. 1383
John Penreth brought a bill of complaint to the effect that
he had been apprenticed to William Paston, alias Reynald,
mercer, who was bound by the terms of the covenant to
provide him with food, clothing and instruction, and that now
his master had been imprisoned in Calais for debt more than
eight weeks and his shop in London had been sealed up,
with the result that the petitioner was wasting his time
treading the streets (batant les ruwes). He prayed to be discharged of his apprenticeship and to be allowed to seek a
livelihood where he could. [French]
Testimony was given by Robert Warbelton, John Shadeworth, John Eston and John Loveye, masters of the mistery
of Mercers, that the said William was in prison in Calais,
that his shop in London was sequestrated and that his wife
had no means of providing for the apprentice. Thereupon,
according to the custom, the said John was exonerated from
his apprenticeship, on condition that he made no claim on
his master for the unexpired portion.
19 Nov. 1383
John Bohoun, knight, demanded by bill against John Davy,
goldsmith; divers charters, fines, writings and muniments
touching his inheritance of manors, lands and tenements in
Essex, Bucks and Sussex, which deeds came into Davy's
hands on 11 Aug. 1382.
The latter produced them in court in a sealed forcer, which
was opened and by judgment of the court delivered to the
plaintiff, who gave an acquittance for the same.
6 Dec. 1383
Nicholas Rote, John Waleworth, John Wakele, William
Wallere, Thomas Say and John Andreu, vintners of the east
part (of Walbrook), John Goldryng, chandler, and Geoffrey
Haket, John Heyward, John Grantam, William Succh,
William Cornhull and Paul Gisors, vintners of the west part,
and Richard Manhale, chandler, were sworn for the scrutiny
of wines in cellars and other places where wines were sold
and to pour out into the kennel all such as were found unhealthy and corrupt, to prevent old wines from being stored
with new, and, together with the chandlers, to survey vinegar
and sauces kept in the shops and cellars of chandlers and
to pour out etc.
Membr. 7 b
26 Nov. 1383
Writ to the mayor and sheriffs that, whereas John Yorke
of London, brewer, had prayed the king that he was in danger
of life and mutilation of his limbs by John Norhampton,
draper, and John Bleton, they were to summon the said John
and John and put them to mainprise under reasonable
penalty not to do or cause to be done any harm or evil to
the said John Yorke, and if the said John and John refused,
they were to commit them to gaol until they were willing
to find such mainprise. Dated at Westminster 26 Nov. 1383.
21 Dec. 1383
Quitclaim from John Culham, armourer, to John Freman
of Foulmere (fn. 16) co. Cambridge. Witnesses, Simon Wynchecombe, sheriff, William Wyrcestre, keeper of Ludgate, Walter
Chyld and Robert Foulmere, clerks, and Thomas de Lincoln.
11 Jan. 1384
Peter de Dalby, servant of John, lord of Welles (fn. 17) , came into
the Mayor's Court and proffered 40 marks owed by his lord
to Hugh Fastolf and prayed that the matter be put on record.
15 Jan. 1384
Quitclaim from Hugelin Gerrard, merchant of Bologna
(Boloigne de Crace), to Roger Excestre, saddler, and John
Bradeley, tailor.
14 Jan. 1384
Richard Mayllour, rakyere
(fn. 18) of Chepe ward, entered into a
bond of 20s to the chamberlain not to cast or cause to be
cast any dung or other ordure belonging to his own ward
into the ward of Colmanstrete, or to throw such ordure into
the kennels during rainy weather in order that the force of
the water might carry it into Colmanstrete ward, and further
to lead away and remove all ordure belonging to Chepe ward
which was then in Colmanstrete ward.
John Marchaunt, rakyere of Bassyeshawe ward, entered
into a similar bond.
Membr. 8
15 Jan. 1384
Whereas many men of divers places around London use
nets of which the mesh is too close and take and destroy
every kind of minute fishes called "fry" in the Thames, so
that fish of any size or value can hardly arise or be found
therein, to the grave damage of the whole city and other
places adjacent to the river and against the ancient custom
of the city, according to which the mesh of small nets used
for fishing should be two inches wide at least, so that little
fishes can easily pass through them, and in order to put an
end to this loss, Nicholas Brembre, knight, mayor (fn. 19) , summoned before him the good men of the following places, viz.,
from the vill of Chesewyk (fn. 20) , William Grene and John Wille;
the vill of Fulham, John Hamond and John Broun; the vill
of Wandesworth, John Coche; the vill of Batrycheseye (fn. 21) ,
Thomas Fynch and John Bukke; and the vill of Stebbenhithe (fn. 22) , Roger Sket and John Pynnok.
The above persons were sworn not to fish or cause any
other person to fish with nets of which the mesh was closer
than two inches, and if they found anyone else so doing,
to take his net and bring it before the mayor, and in case
they were forcibly prevented from performing their office,
they should certify to the mayor the names of those who
resisted them.
25 Jan. 1384
Memorandum that Katherine, widow of Adam Stable,
mercer, appeared by her attorney before the Mayor and
Aldermen and informed them that her late husband had
bought a house near Sopereslane from Robert Marny,
knight, and Alice his wife, and had bound himself by a
statute before William Waleworth, then mayor of the Staple
of Westminster, to pay 500 marks for it at certain terms, the
last payment of 25 marks being due on 8 Jan. 1376 in the
church of St Mary le Bow. Since no one appeared to receive
it, he had brought it to Guildhall next day, but as the chamberlain was not there, he had taken it home again. On many
occasions since then he had offered the money to Robert,
who refused to accept it. Her husband having died, she now
hands it over to Richard Odyham, chamberlain, for payment
to Robert and Alice in return for an acquittance. The chamberlain received the money and then returned it to Katherine's
attorney, John Chircheman, grocer, taking a bond from him
on 3 Feb. that he would be prepared to pay it whenever
Robert and Alice should appear to claim it.
Memorandum that in 1372 the wardship of Walter, son
of Adam Glendon, together with £80, was committed to
John Blakeney, mercer, as appears in Letter Book G, fo. 286,
which John died leaving no goods or chattels to satisfy the
orphan's claim, as was testified in court on 12 Jan. 1384,
when the orphan, being of age, sued for his money. Thereupon, the sureties becoming liable, Walter Blankeney, mercer,
and John Blakeney, fishmonger, appeared together with
Robert de Louthe, tenant of the lands and tenements formerlybelonging to the third surety John Mitford, and paid £41 4s.
The fourth surety, John Stoke, did not appear and had no
goods in the city whereby he might be distrained to come,
but on 27 Jan., when he arrived in London, the said Walter,
John and Robert de Louthe claimed against him the sum of
£10 6s, his share of the above £41 4s. Judgment was given
against him for that amount and he was committed to prison,
being released on 15 Feb., when payment was made. The
balance of the inheritance, viz. £38 14s, which had been
deposited in the hands of Adam Stable, was repaid by the
latter's executors.
Membr. 8 b
11 March 1384
At a court held in the Chamber of the Guildhall according
to the custom of the city before the Mayor and Aldermen,
Walter Morton, fishmonger, offered himself against William
Hert, baker, who had a day by foreign attachment in a plea
of debt of 1250 marks. As the defendant made four defaults,
the said Walter prayed that the attachment be valued according to the custom and delivered to him. The attachment
was appraised by oath of John Calthorp, Robert Charwell
and John Leyton as follows:
2 troghes for paste and one moldyngburd
(fn. 23) , 8s; 2 bultyngechestes
(fn. 24) , 3s; one brake
(fn. 25) and one tubbe, 2s; 10 quarters of meal
(farina) and 2 quarters of flour, £3. 12s; 2 pairs of boltingsieves (bulteu), 12d; 3 quartrons
(fn. 26) of wood, 45; one scaldyngpanne, 3s; 3 tubbes, one tyne
(fn. 27) and 2 treyes
(fn. 28) , 18d; one tankard
bound with iron, 12d; one dosser
(fn. 29) , 3 bankers
(fn. 30) and 3 quissyns,
18d; 5 fates
(fn. 31) and 2 quarts, 10s; 2 quarters of bren, 18d; one
chest, 12d; 6 quarters of grain, 36s; one table, 12d; one chair,
8d; one table and one bench, 6d; sum total, £7 7s 8d. Delivery was made to the plaintiff on security of John Mordon,
fuller, and Robert Morton, fishmonger, to answer for the
attachment if the defendant should appear within a year and
a day. As the defendant had no other goods and chattels,
his rents and tenements in the parish of Holy Trinity the
Less in Vintry ward, valued at 6 marks per annum, were
delivered to the plaintiff until he should be satisfied of his
debt, under the above security.
Membr. 9
12 May 1384
William atte March, cordwainer, was charged at the suit
of the surveyors of the mistery of Cordwainers with having
made shoes of oxhide and calfhide mixed, against the ordinance of his mistery (fn. 32) , and also with having refused to allow
them to survey his work and with resisting them rebelliously,
against the common ordinance of the city. The defendant put
himself on the favour of the court. It was considered that
he be committed to prison for 10 days and pay 10s on his
release, in accordance with the ordinance.
26 March 1384
Peter de Alemayne of Iscelworth (fn. 33) , Robert Grey of Kyngeston (fn. 34) and John Walsshe of Shene, each having a pannier of
small fish called "fry," and Hugh Daye of Shene with a
trogh
(fn. 35) of the same, were brought before the Mayor and
Aldermen and charged with having caught the fish with nets
and other engines of too narrow a mesh, to the destruction
of the fish in the Thames and against the ordinance thereon
made and enrolled. All of them admitted the charge and put
themselves on the favour of the court. Thereupon, because
this was their first offence and conviction, and because they
confessed and bore themselves humbly, and in order to encourage them to come to the city with victuals, the panniers,
trogh and fish were restored to them. They were forbidden,
under penalty of the pillory, to use such nets or engines in
future, and they promised not to do so.
Membr. 9 b
29 Feb. 1384
Memorandum that on 29 Feb. 1384 in the presence of the
Mayor and Aldermen the following good men: John Wilton,
John Fraunkeleyn, John Barry and John Pyion were sworn
to oversee that all the foreigners bringing fresh fish from the
sea to the city for sale, and taking their stand at or near the
Stocks or in Chepe, should neither sell nor expose for sale
any fish, which was putrid, stinking or unhealthy for man's
body, and if they found any such fish to arrest it and carry
it before the Mayor and Aldermen to do therewith as reason
demands; and also that no birlestere
(fn. 36) buy any sea fish or
freshwater fish before 10 o'clock nor stand in any certain
place at the Stocks or elsewhere but that they go from place
to place within the liberty to serve the commonalty, and that
they sell the same day all fresh fish which they buy after
10 o'clock and do not keep it for sale thereafter; and if the
said surveyors found any birlster acting against any of the
points abovesaid that they arrest him together with his fish
and take them before the Mayor and Aldermen to receive
such judgment as seems to them reasonable in such case; and
also that all the peteres
(fn. 37) who take fresh fish in the Thames
east of the Bridge and bring it to the city for sale stand in
Cornhill and nowhere else under pain of forfeiting their fish;
and those who take fish west of the Bridge stand in Chepe
and nowhere else. [French]
12 July 1384
Memorandum that Peter Gracyan and Barthelmeu Seint,
Lombards, chose Gautron de Bardes and Baltasar Obryache (fn. 38)
to be arbitrators in all plaints and actions between them, and
that the latter, with their consent, chose Amflion Pynel,
Daniel de la Mer and Nicholas de Luk to be umpires to
settle all points on which the said Peter and Barthelmeu
could not agree, for the faithful performance of which the
said Amfilon (sic), Daniel and Nicholas were sworn before
the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen. [French]
4 July 1384
Adam Brikedon, mercer, who was summoned in a plea of
account to answer Thomas Cornewaill, tailor, for the sum
of £35 entrusted to him to trade therewith, pleaded that the
plaintiff had no action against him because he had rendered
account at Makynes wharf (fn. 39) in the parish of All Hallows
Berkyng in the presence of Peter Oxenford and Roger Fuller,
auditors. This the plaintiff denied. A jury of the venue found
for the defendant.
Membr. 10
20 March 1383
Matthew Passelewe was summoned to answer John Hende
and John Rote, late sheriffs of London, in a plea of debt
of £64 due on a bond of 1 Oct. 1381, wherein the plaintiffs
by the custom of London produced suit (fn. 40) by their bill exhibited
before the Mayor and Aldermen.
The defendant pleaded that the bond [French], which was
in the names of John Chircheman, himself and Stephen
Brown, was security for the payment by the said Stephen of
£64 by quarterly portions, that being the amount for which
he purchased the bailiwick of the Thames at Billingsgate for
the year Michaelmas 1381 to Michaelmas 1382, and that
Stephen had paid £32 for the first two quarters. The holders
of the bailiwick had always been entitled to such wines and
merchandise coming by water to Billingsgate as were forfeited by reason of their having been sold without payment
of custom or toll. During Stephen's tenure of the bailiwick
a quantity of Rhenish wine and other goods to the value
of £100 were forfeited for this reason, but the sheriffs had
wrongfully taken the forfeiture, so that the said Stephen was
unable to pay the £32 due for the other two quarters. The
defendant prayed judgment whether under these circumstances the plaintiffs could maintain their action against him.
The plaintiffs protested that they did not acknowledge any
such custom as regards forfeitures, and moreover certain
forfeitures were reserved to themselves in the agreement.
During the time mentioned the only forfeiture was that of
certain wines found in the possession of William Sharpyng,
vintner, the quantity and value of which they did not know.
These wines they had claimed as forfeit on the bailiff's
suggestion, and with the latter's consent the question of their
value had been settled in the house of John Hende in
St Nicholas Lane near Candelwykstrete, where William
Sharpyng agreed to pay £10. They were willing to account
for this sum to the bailiff.
The defendant pleaded that the settlement was made without the bailiff's consent and prevented the bailiff from claiming
anything against the said William on account of the forfeiture.
On this question of consent a jury was summoned between
the parties for the Wednesday following, on which day the
defendant offered that if the sheriffs would swear that the
agreement was made by consent and in the presence of the
bailiff he would admit the debt. The plaintiff John Hende
agreed but as the co-plaintiff John Rote was absent from illhealth, a day was given on Saturday. In the meantime, by
consent of the parties, William Cheyne, recorder, with Roger
Elys, alderman, went on Friday to John Rote's house, where
both plaintiffs took the oath. Next day it was considered that
the plaintiffs recover £32 against the defendant and 40s damages
taxed by the court, and that the said Matthew be in mercy.
Membr. 10 b
16 Dec. 1383
John Aunger, boteller, was summoned to answer William
Wyndesore, knight, in a plea of debt. The plaintiff's attorney,
Richard Forster, declared that on 18 June 1380 in the parish
of St Martin Ludgate the defendant had sold to the plaintiff
bottles for carrying his wine on the king's service in France
and Brittany in the company of the earl of Buckingham,
which bottles, though guaranteed as sound, proved to be
defective, so that 180 gallons of wine were lost, and afterwards on 14 Sept. 1383 in the church of the Friars Preachers,
the parties had put themselves on the arbitration of William
Carlil and Thomas Torold, masters of the mistery of Botellers,
on the advice of the whole mistery, and the arbitrators found
that the bottles were false and awarded that the said John
Aunger should repay the cost of the bottles, viz. £18 6s 8d,
together with £10 damages to the said William Wyndesore,
both of which sums the defendant had refused to pay.
The defendant, after protesting that he did not acknowledge any warranty or that the bottles were defective, pleaded
that there had been a quarrel between himself and William
Carlill, Thomas Torold and John Shadwell, who envied him
and wanted to drive him out of the liberty of the city,
because he exercised the same trade as themselves. These
persons had instigated the plaintiff to bring an action against
him in the Sheriffs' Court and afterwards he and the plaintiff
had put themselves on the arbitration of Robert Ikford,
William Poule, John Goldfynch and Philip de Wodestrete,
on condition that none of the three above-mentioned persons
should intermeddle therein. As regards the alleged award by
William Carlil and Thomas Torold, he maintained that it was
contrary to this condition and therefore he prayed judgment
as to whether any action lay against him.
The plaintiff repeated that the defendant put himself on
the award of the above William and Thomas.
Process being continued, a jury on 6 July 1384 found that
the parties put themselves, as the defendant alleged, on the
arbitration of Robert Ikford, William Poule, John Goldfynch
and Philip de Wodestrete, who said they could not make an
end of the matter unless they had the advice of William
Carlill and Thomas Torold, masters of the mistery, and
thereupon, by consent of the parties, they were chosen to
be in the arbitration, and the whole six of them then made
the award in the terms declared by the plaintiff; and the jury
assessed the damages, additional to the award, at 40d.
The action was adjourned till 21 July that the court might
consult as to their judgment, and the defendant was committed to Ludgate for lack of mainprise. As the court wished
further inquiry to be made, the jury were summoned again
and after being sworn were asked whether William Carlill
and Thomas Torold were afterwards elected as arbitrators
or merely to advise and inform the arbitrators. The answer
was, as arbitrators. Being asked further if the arbitration
was made by assent of the mistery of Botellers, the jury
replied that it was by assent of six men of the mistery and
that there was only one other person belonging to the mistery
and he was present when the arbitration was made. Accordingly it was considered, on the whole verdict, that
William Wyndesore recover £28 6s 8d, as awarded by the
arbitrators, and the damages taxed by the jury at 40d, and
that the defendant be in mercy. And for default of payment
the defendant was committed to Ludgate until he paid.
Membr. 11-11 b
10 June 1384
Whereas larcenies and divers evil deeds are commonly
perpetrated more openly, notoriously and frequently in this
present than in past times in the city of London, its suburbs
and neighbourhood, which would not have been possible,
if the thieves and evildoers had not been maintained and
harboured by persons dwelling in the city and suburbs and
residing with innkeepers, who cared little what kind of men
they received, to the great damage of the citizens of the city
and those repairing there and to the great disgrace and scandal
of the same, and in order to prevent such damage and scandal,
it was agreed by Sir Nicholas Brembre, Mayor, and the
Aldermen (fn. 41) that all innkeepers within the liberty should be
sworn to harbour no one longer than a day and night, unless
they were willing to answer for them and their acts, nor to
receive to their tables any strangers called "travaillyngmen
(fn. 42) "
or others, unless they had good and sufficient surety from
them for their good and loyal behaviour, under penalty of
answering for their actions and paying £100 to the Chamber
for the use of the commonalty, if they were convicted of
offending in either of the two above-mentioned points, and
further that the said innkeepers should be sworn to inform
the mayor if they had knowledge of any innkeeper or others
harbouring men of ill fame or persons suspected of larceny.
[French]
[List of innkeepers of the several wards, with the names
of their mainpernors: Langebourne, 13; Tower, 3; Bradstret, 2; Queenhithe, 3; Vinetrie, 2; Algate, 6; Bredstret,
22; Douegate, 5; Chepe, 4; Candelwykstret, 1; Lymstret, 1;
Aldrichesgate, 6; Cordwanerstret, 1; Crepulgate Within, 7,
including Richard Stom at the "Saresineshed"; Crepulgate
Without, 7; Castle Baynard, 9; Billingesgate, 4; Farndon
Without, under the following subdivisions: Holbourne, 25;
Smythfeld, 20; Fletstret, 50, including the innkeepers of the
"Lyon," the "Sadel," the "Tabard" and the "Boor," total,
95; Farndon Within, 6; Bassyeshaw, Colmanstret and Cornhull, none; grand total, excluding Walbrook, Bishopsgate,
Bridge and Portsoken, for which no figures are given, 197.]
Membr. 12
John Bacon, dean, and the chapter of St Martin le Grand
brought a bill that, whereas St Martin le Grand was a free
chapel of the king and possessed, by right of its first foundation, of a messuage in the parish of St Nicholas Flesshameles
adjoining a little lane called "the Rydye (fn. 43) ," which had been
a common lane and used by his predecessor, Walter Skirlowe,
and the chapter, and their predecessors and tenants time out
of mind for the carriage of their baggage from the highway
to the house, nevertheless, when John de Norhampton was
mayor, Edmund Yernemouthe and John Muntham, joiners,
and William Essex, draper, had falsely given the mayor and
Common Council to understand that the said lane was the
private ground of the mayor and commonalty, so that by
their agency the lane was closed and the dean and chapter
and their tenants were not allowed to use it, whereby they
had lost the greater part of their profit from the messuage—in
consideration of which the Mayor and Aldermen were prayed
to view the premises and grant a remedy. [French]
The said Edmund, John and William were summoned to
appear in the Chamber on 27 June and made default. They
were distrained by the closing and sealing of certain of their
doors. On a second default other doors were closed, and on
a third, all their doors. On a fourth default the mayor,
recorder and aldermen viewed the lane and examined the
good men of the neighbourhood, and as it seemed to them
that the dean and chapter had always had free entrance and
exit to and from the lane, as testified by the neighbours, until
in the time of John Norhampton a gate had been built and
kept closed at the entrance of the lane, it was considered
that the dean and chapter and their tenants should have free
entrance and exit at all fit times, on condition that the gate
be kept closed at night. Thereupon the custody of the gate
was committed to John Pyion, tenant of the messuage, saving
to the mayor and commonalty the ownership of the lane.
30 July 1384
William Baret, merchant, offered himself against Sir Florimund de la Sparre, knight, in a plea of debt of 100 marks.
As the defendant made four defaults, the plaintiff prayed that
the foreign attachment be valued and delivered to him. The
valuation was made by oath of John Coraunt, John Forster,
Conerode Shillyng and Roland atte Bushe, goldsmiths, as
follows: one large silver cup called "Rose" £7; one other
cup with a base (fn. 44) of treyfoyles, 73s 4d; one gobelet byker of
silvergilt, 66s; one ewer of silvergilt, 36s; one girdle of
silvergilt with fifteen bars, £7; one gold nouche
(fn. 45) with a
stone called "saphir" 6 little sapphires, 6 stones called
"baleys
(fn. 46) ," 6 troches, each troche
(fn. 47) with 4 pearls and a stone
called dyamaund in the middle, 40 marks; sum total, £48 15s 4d,
which attachment was delivered to the plaintiff in part payment of his debt under security to answer etc.
Membr. 12 b
20 Aug. 1384
Memorandum that John Calam, brewer, and John Person,
cordwainer, appeared before John Bosham, locum tenens of
the mayor, and divers good men, locum tenentes of the
aldermen, and mainprised Thomas Cook, that he would,
with the aid of God, carry 120 quarters of malt from the port
of London in a creyer
(fn. 48) called "Seintemariebot," of which
John Lincoll was master, to the town of Calais and there
discharge it, bringing back letters of discharge under the
seal of the town-officials there between the present date and
Christmas, under penalty of £40 payable to the chamberlain
of London. [French]
17 Aug. 1384
Writ of protection in favour of Richard Pecok, esquire,
then about to set out for Portugal on the king's service in
the company of the master of St James (fn. 49) of Portugal. Dated
at Reading 17 Aug. 1384.
4 Oct. 1384
Memorandum that a release and quitclaim, dated 12 Nov.
1371, from Margery, widow of John de Wycombe, mason,
and daughter of William Coumbe, shearman, to John Turk,
fishmonger, and Isabella his wife, of two tenements, with
houses erected thereon, and two vacant plots in Haywharflane
in the parish of All Hallows the Great, formerly belonging
to John de la Rokele, son of Simon de la Rokele of Braugheng (fn. 50) ,
had been handed in for enrolment about seven years previously, but had not been enrolled because no one appeared
to sue for enrolment. Since the quitclaim could not now be
enrolled owing to the deaths of the said Margery and John,
it was given back to the said Isabella in the presence of
Richard Preston, alderman of Dowgate, who testified that she
was the widow of John Turk.
3 Nov. 1384
Paul Gisors, Robert Harry, John Walworth, Richard Sprot,
John Mockyng and Thomas Say, vintners, and John Goldryng, chandler, for the east part (of Walbrook), and John
Edrop, John Andrew, Thomas Nel, Nicholas Rote, Geoffrey
Haket and John Grantham, vintners, and Richard Manhale,
chandler, for the west part, were sworn to the scrutiny of
wines in cellars and other places, where they, were sold, to
pour out into the kennel all such as they found corrupt and
unhealthy for man's body, and to certify to the Mayor and
Aldermen how much old red and white wine there was in
each place and to whom it belonged, and further to see that
the vinegar and other sauces of the chandlers were sound.
Membr. 13
18 Nov. 1384
Bond of Baltazar Umbryak (fn. 51) , James Fane, Andrew Michel
and Francis de Mas before the mayor, recorder, aldermen
and sheriffs in the Chamber of the Guildhall in 1000 marks
to pay to Nicholas Brembre whatever sum should be charged
against Sanctus Bartholomeo (fn. 52) , Lombard, by the arbitrators
appointed to settle disputes between the said Sanctus and
Peter Gracian.
16 Dec. 1384
Thomas Wilyngham, lethersellere, acknowledged a debt of
£17 5s 11d due to Matthew Passelewe, grocer, and payable
on the feast of St Hilary next.
18 Jan. 1385
Mandamus, dated at Westminster 18 Jan. 1385, to the
mayor and sheriffs, that they deliver John Nobelson (fn. 53) , who
had been taken and detained under arrest in the city on
account of certain of the king's lieges having lately been taken
on the Thames and carried to the town of Lescluse in
Flanders, who had afterwards been liberated, as the governor,
constables and commonalty of the merchants of the Staple at
Midelburgh had certified to the mayor by letter, if the said
John Nobelson were detained under arrest for no other reason.
In accordance with the above the said John was delivered.
Membr. 13 b
26 Jan. 1385
Robert Forster, senior, of Ancroft, acknowledged a deed
whereby he granted, of his own pure and spontaneous wish,
without fraud or guile, all his goods and chattels, alive and
dead, to William Ancroft, citizen of London. Dated at
London 1 Feb. 1384.
Quitclaim from Peter Gracyan, merchant of Lucca, to
Francis dil Masse of Siena and Sanctus, son of the late
Bartholomew de Sancto, merchants of Bononia Crassa in
Lombardy, and companions and attorneys of the society of
leronimus Arigy of Bologna, of all actions arising from any
debt, contract etc. between 8 March 1382 and the present
day. Dated in London 25 Jan. 1384 according to the computation of the English Church [25 Jan. 1385].
Quitclaim from Nicholas Brembre, knight, to Francis dil
Masse of Siena, Sanctus, son of Bartholomew de Sancto, and
Ierolimus (sic) de Arregis, merchants of Bologna in Lombardy. Dated as above.
Quitclaim from Jakettus Dyne of Florence and Luke
Bragadyn of Venice to leronimus Arigy of Bologna, Sanctus
de Bartholomeo Sanctum, partner and attorney of the society
of leronimus Arigy, and all their partners, of all actions against
them for the sum of £75, which had been awarded to the
said Jakettus by Galterus de Bardes, Andrew Michel and
Galdinus Rest, arbitrators between him and Sanctus, on the
ground that the said Sanctus had promised to pay that sum.
Dated as above.
Bond from William Tedys, merchant of Florence, to
Guilliam Miro, merchant of Cateloigne (fn. 54) , for the payment of
£47 2s 6½d in two portions at Christmas and Easter. Dated
at London 8 Oct. 1384. [French]