Petition of the Bishop of London as to enclosure of woods at
Stebenhethe; and rejection thereof.
20 Edward I. A.D. 1292. Letter-Book C. fol. ii. (Latin.)
On Thursday next before the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope
[12 March], in the 20th year of the reign of King Edward, in
presence of Ralph de Sandwich, the then Warden of the City of
London, of certain of the Aldermen of the same city, and of four
men from each Ward there summoned, there was shown to them
by the Warden a petition of the venerable father, Richard de
Graveshend, the then Bishop of London, to the effect that the
same Bishop might enclose two woods of his in the vill of Stebenhethe, (fn. 1) lying around his manor in that vill, and that he might place
beasts of chase therein.
Which four from each of the Wards by the commonalty elected,
after holding counsel thereon, make answer for themselves distinctly, that time out of mind they have been used to chase and to
hunt within the woods aforesaid, and without, hares, foxes, rabbits,
and other beasts, where and when they might please. And they
say that they do not believe that our Lord the King has made
him any grant in prejudice of the liberties of the City; wherefore
they say that they wish to enjoy their liberties which they have
hitherto enjoyed, and they beg that the same Bishop will keep his
woods in the same form that his antecessors and predecessors have
kept them; and they will not consent that he shall exclude them,
nor will they grant any warren to him, etc.
Killers of Swine elected.
20 Edward I. A.D. 1292. Letter-Book C. fol. ii. (Latin.)
On the same day in that year, Reynald de Danecastre, Vincent
de Lesme, Walter de Bekenesfeud, (fn. 2) and Walter de Staples, were
elected and sworn to take and kill such swine as should be found
wandering in the King's highway, to whomsoever they might belong, within the walls of the City, and the suburbs thereof. And
they were to have the swine so killed, or else four pence from
him to whom such swine belongs, as already ordained by common
cry in the City. And the persons so sworn were to do their duty
after the Saturday then next ensuing.
Proclamation as to treatment of the expected Envoys from the King
of France.
20 Edward I. A.D. 1292. Letter-Book C. fol. iii. (Norman French.)
On Tuesday next after Midlent, in the 20th year of the reign of
King Edward, this proclamation was made, by precept of our
Lord the King.—
"Whereas certain great lords of the Council of the King of
France are about to come with a message to our Lord the King
of England, in his city of London; we do command you on
the King's behalf, that no one be so daring as to injure the said
envoys by word or deed, or any of their people, whether rightfully or wrongfully; but well and peaceably they are to be
received, and courteously answered; on pain of loss of chattels
and of imprisonment forthwith, at the King's will. And if any
one of such envoys, or of their people, shall injure any of you, let
them come to the Warden, and complain, and he will do them
right."
Conviction for making false law in the City Courts.
20 Edward I. A.D. 1292. Letter-Book C. fol. iv. (Latin.)
On Thursday next before the Feast of St. John the Baptist
[24 June], in the 20th year of the reign of King Edward, Geoffrey le Warner, being convicted of taking bribes for making false (fn. 3)
law in the Sheriffs' Courts and other Courts and Sokes in the City
of London, forswore making such laws from thenceforth in the
city aforesaid, in any Courts there whatsoever, on pain of being
put in the pillory, if in future he should be convicted thereof.
Contract as to making a Chalice.
20 Edward I. A.D. 1292. Letter-Book A. fol. lxiii. (Latin.)
Alan de Corboyl, goldsmith, came on the Saturday next before
the Feast of St. Martin [11 November], in the 20th year [of King
Edward], and acknowledged that he had received from Constantine,
a Friar Preacher, (fn. 4) and John de la More, his fellow, thirty-four
shillings' weight of silver, (fn. 5) and 114 pennyweights of gold, the
pennyweight of gold being ten pence in value, and the value of
such gold being 4l. 15s.; the same to be made into a chalice,
which chalice he has promised to deliver to the said Constantine
and John, at the Feast of the Nativity next ensuing. And if he
shall not do so, etc.