Calendar of Letter-Books of the City of London: D, 1309-1314. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1902.
Folio cli b.
Commissio facta tribus civibus ad eund' ad Parliamentum.
Letter from the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and whole Commonalty of the City to the King under the Common Seal, notifying the above election. Dated 19 Aug., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312]. (fn. 1)
Ordinances for watch and ward of the City's gates during the session of Parliament. (fn. 2)
Jake du Front, Piere Morelle, Jake de Spyne (struck out), Symon Guy, Sire Manent Franceys, Johan Bonadvincte, Janyn de Triple-sworn to testify a certain truth to the Echevins of Ipre for Pouch' Portenare.
Preceptum super statut pro Stephana et Ric o Darmenters.
12 Dec., 3 Edward II. [A.D. 1309]. Precept by Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, to James, son of Fulk de St. Edmund, one of the Sheriffs of London, to take the body of Robert Darmenters, if a layman, and safeguard the same until the said Robert shall have satisfied Stephen and Richard Darmenters of the sum of 200 marks due under a recognizance made before John le Blund, a late Mayor, and Henry de Leycestre, Clerk of King Edward I., deputed to take recognizances of debts in the City according to the statute; which sum ought to have been paid at the Feast of All Saints [1 Nov.], anno 35 Edward I. (fn. 3) [A.D. 1307].
Return, non inventus.
Precept sicut alias, &c., and also to cause an extent to be made of the property of the debtor within the Sheriff's bailiwick. Inquisition thereon made by oath of Adam le Scriveyn, Richard le Barber, Robert de Guldeford, William de Coumbe, William Edward, John de Langgele, Thomas de Boys, Thomas le Wodere, Simon de Mereword, Richard de Dorkinge, Laurence de Totenham, and Thomas le Ropere, who say that at the time when the recognizance was made the said Robert had no property within the bailiwick except a tenement in the parish of All Hallows super solar' (fn. 4) of the yearly value of 7 marks, and this was delivered to the creditors until debt and costs were satisfied.
Preceptum super statut' pro Joh'e Norman de Donstaple.
12 Feb., 3 Edward II. [A.D. 1309-10]. Precept to James, son of Fulk de St. Edmund, and Roger le "Paumere," Sheriffs, by Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, to take the body of Robert Darmenters and safeguard the same until he shall have satisfied John Norman de Donestaple of the sum of £12 10s., part of a sum of £105 due under a recognizance made before Nicholas de Farndone, late Mayor, and John le Blund, the Clerk, deputed to take recognizances in the City.
Return, non inventus.
Folio clii b.
Preceptum super statutum pro Barth'o de Bernewell.
Precept to James de St. Edmund and Roger le "Palmere," the Sheriffs of London, to take the body of Bartholomew de Bernewell, tailor, and safeguard the same until he shall have satisfied William Symond, fishmonger, of a sum of £8.
Return, non inventus.
Precept sicut alias, &c., and also to make an extent of the debtor's property within their bailiwick. Inquisition thereon made on Thursday after the Feast of St. James, Ap. [25 July], 4 Edward II. [A.D. 1310], by oath of Richard Wight, Stephen Horn, Andrew Horn, Thomas de Bury, butcher, John le Long, butcher, Thomas de Canefeld, butcher, Roger de Bury, Thomas de Fulham, Richard Swote, Thomas de Perndone, and William de Wynton', "laner," who find that at the date of his incurring the debt the said Bartholomew held shops in the parish of St. Margaret de Bruggestrate, inherited from Matilda his wife; a shop in the parish of St. Leonard de Estchepe, acquired from John le Barbier and Felicia his wife, subject to certain payments to St. Paul's and the nuns of St. Helen; also quitrents issuing from tenements of Thomas de Fulham and Richard Swote, &c.
Preceptum super statutum pro Thom' Beauflour.
Saturday the Feast of the Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.], 4 Edward II. [A.D. 1310]. Precept by Thomas Romayn, the Mayor, to the above Sheriffs to take the body of Roger le Graunt, citizen and barber, and safeguard the same until he shall have satisfied Thomas Beauflour of £22, due under a recognizance made before the Mayor and J[ohn] le Blund, deputed to take recognizances.
Return made that the said Roger had already been taken and committed to Newgate; and because it appeared that the said Roger had stood in prison a quarter of a year and more for the above debt, precept was issued for an extent to be made of all his property, into whosesoever hands it may have come, &c., except an heir under age to whom it may have come by hereditary descent. Inquisition accordingly held on Tuesday the Feast of Nativity B. M. [8 Sept.], by oath of Luke de Ware and others [not named], who say that at the date of the recognizance the said Roger held shops in the parish of St. Nicholas Shambles, subject to certain charges to the parish church, to St. Paul's, &c.; also that he owned certain rents payable by Simon le Keu, and shops which were afterwards acquired by Nicholas Crane from the debtor and Cecilia his wife, &c.
Folio cliii b.
Precept to Simon Corp and Peter de Blakeneye, Sheriffs of London, to take the body of Michael de la Rose, son of Adam de la Rose, "potter," and safeguard the same until he shall have satisfied John de Cotome, skinner, of the sum of £80, due under a recognizance made before Thomas Romayn, late Mayor, and John le Blund, the King's Clerk, on Saturday the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula [1 Aug.], 4 Edward II. [A.D. 1310].
Return, non inventus.
Precept sicut alias, &c., and also for an extent to be made of the debtor's property in their bailiwick at the above date, into whosesoever hands, &c., except an heir, &c. Inquisition thereon made by oath of Robert de Gloucestre, Thomas le Mareschal, Gilbert le Heymongere, William de Norhamptone, cordwainer, John de Castelacre, Thomas de Chiggewelle, junior, Hugh de Asshebourne, William de Ebor', goldsmith, Osbert de Bredestrete, cordwainer, Ranulf de Luda, taverner, and William atte Welde, armourer, who say that the debtor owned a messuage, &c., in the parish of St. Mildred de Bredestrete of the yearly value of 106s., subject to certain charges to the Hospital of St. Giles without London, &c., which messuage they delivered to the creditor quousque, &c.
Precept to the same Sheriffs to take the bodies of Ralph de "Boctone" and Adam de "Boktone," and safeguard the same until they shall have satisfied Roger de Arcubus, apothecary, of money due under a recognizance made before T[homas] Romayn, the Mayor, and J[ohn] le Blund, the King's Clerk, &c.
Return, non inventi, &c.
Precept sicut alias, &c., and for an extent, &c.
Inquisition thereon taken by oath of Simon de Banstede, William le Pottere, Thomas de Nottele, Jordan de Langgeleye, William atte More, John le Clerk, baker, John de Westwode, "coteler," Robert de Asshe, "cordewaner," Robert le Barber, Richard Doge, Martin le Megucer, and Henry de Merlawe, "coteler"-who say that the said debtors owned property in the parishes of Little St. Bartholomew and St. Botolph without Bisshopesgate of the net yearly value of £12 5s. 8d. The property was delivered to the creditor quousque, &c.
Breve R' ne conventicula aut congregaciones fiant in regno sine speciali precepto R'.
Writ to the Sheriffs of London to make proclamation forbidding, without special licence, the holding of conventicles (conventicula (fn. 5) ) and the making of federations and bonds to live and die together (obligationes de insimul vivendo et moriendo), whereby the people may be terrified and the King's peace disturbed Dated at Westminster, 24 July, 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312]. (fn. 6)
Folio cliv b.
Writ of exigent directed to the Sheriffs of London to demand Ralph Bagot and "Villanus Rauvesman bagot" (fn. 7) from Husting to Husting until, according to the custom of the City, they become outlawed, unless they appeared; if they appeared, then the Sheriffs were to arrest them and keep them safe in prison, so that they (the Sheriffs) may have their bodies before the King in the octave of H Trinity, wherever he may happen to be in England, to answer a charge of having violently assaulted John de Vienne, clerk, &c.; as to which, return had been made in the octave of St. Michael that the said Ralph and "Villanus" were not in the Sheriffs' bailiwick, and had nothing whereby they could be attached. Witness, R[oger] le Brabazoun, at Westminster, 18 Oct., 4 Edward II. [A.D. 1310].
By virtue of the above writ the aforesaid "Villanus' was called for the first time in the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday before the Feast of SS Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], 4 Edward II., and did not appear, &c.; for the second time at the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday after the Feast of St. Edmund the King [20 Nov.], the same year, and did not appear; for the third time at the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday after the Feast of St. Valentine [14 Feb.], the same year [A.D. 1310-11], and did not appear; for the fourth time at the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday after the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.], the same year, and did not appear, but was mainprised by Richard de Honewyk to appear at the next Husting; and for the fifth time at the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday after the Feast of St. John ante portam Latinam [6 May], the same year, and did not appear, &c. Therefore according to the custom of the City he was outlawed, &c. (fn. 8)
De ponderacione magne balancie.
Nota de custuma ponderator' magne balancie.
Be it remembered that on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], there came good men of the Commonalty, viz., of the trades of pepperers, corders, ironmongers, apothecaries, and divers others who busy themselves with heavy merchandise (se intromittunt de averio ponderis (fn. 9) ), and in the presence of Nicholas de Farendone-acting as locum tenens for the Mayor on that day, inasmuch as the Mayor was attending the King's Council at Westminster on the business of the City-Richard de Gloucestre, William de Coumbemartyn, William Cosyn, Nicholas Picot, and John de Lincoln, Aldermen, and Richard de Welleford, one of the Sheriffs, presented Andrew Godard to the office of weigher at the Great Beam (magne statere), whom they had chosen as a good and trusty man to execute that office, and they asked that the Sheriffs should admit him to that office, and not let it to any one to ferm, for that would be to the great hurt of the trades aforesaid. And the aforesaid Richard, the Sheriff, admitted the aforesaid Andrew, &c. And the aforesaid Andrew was sworn to well and honestly weigh as well for the buyer as seller, as well for poor as rich, and all others who should come to the balance; and at the end of each week to deliver to the Sheriffs all the profits of the said office, &c. And be it known that the weigher takes for every thousand weighed one penny for the Sheriffs towards the ferm of the City, and for his trouble for every hundred a farthing.
Breve d'm R' ne com' Hereford et alii nuncii ex parte com' et Baronum ingrediantur civitatem.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs explaining that although the King had given a safe-conduct and protection to Humphrey de Bhoun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, Robert de Clifford, John Butecourte and John de Heselarton, Knts., and to Adam de Herewynton and Michael de Meeldone to confer with A[rnold], Cardinal of St. Prisca, Count Louis of Evreux, and R[ ], Bishop of Poitiers, (fn. 10) on matters recently discussed at "Markyate" (fn. 11) -he did not intend that they should be allowed on that account to take up their abode in the City, although they might be supplied with victuals and other necessaries (excepting arms and horses) through their servants. Dated at Wyndesore, 5 Oct., 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312]. (fn. 12)
Scriptum fratris Thom'de Ware Canonici de Waltham.
Recognizance by John le Lung, butcher, of debt of £16 due to Friar Thomas de Ware, Canon and Kitchener (coquinario) of Waltham Holy Cross, for oxen purchased of him in London and elsewhere. Dated Monday after the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312]. (fn. 13)
The fee is pardoned at the instance of H[ugh] de Waltham, clerk.
Afterwards he paid and is quit.
Decomp' Joh'is li Mazelyn' Camerar' reddito.
Afterwards he rendered account before John Lambyn, Simon de Corp, Roger de Paris, and Nigel Drury, Aldermen, Roger le Paumer, William de Bodele, Richard de Dorkyng, [and] John Priour, auditors of receipts and expenses, from Saturday after the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], up to Wednesday the Feast of St. Martin in Yeme [11 Nov.] next ensuing.
[On folio clv b-clix b are entered a series of ordinances which appear in the 'Liber Custumarum' (folio 201-206 b) under the heading "Ceux sount les articles des auncienes usages de assise de pain et de cervoise et dautre vitaille et de plusurs mestiers de la Cite de Loundres qe deivent chescun an apres le Sein Michele estre cries par mi la dite Cite." The ordinances (with the exception of those touching the several offices of Attorneys, Essoiners, and Countors, which are printed in 'Liber Cust.,' Rolls Series, i. 280-282; see also 'Cal. Letter-Book A,' p. 204) are again recorded in the 'Liber Albus,' folio 198-202 (See 'Liber Albus,' Rolls Series, i. 260-280.)]
De custodibus conductus.
Be it remembered that on Monday before the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], in the Husting for Common Pleas, Roger de Paris, Ranulf Balle, and William Hardi were sworn before the Mayor and Aldermen to faithfully collect the money assessed upon brewers, cooks, and fishmongers at their discretion for the easement they enjoy of the water of the conduit in Chepe, and to expend the same upon the repairs and maintenance of the said conduit, and render true account of the same when required. (fn. 14)
Be it remembered that J[ohn] de Gysors, the Mayor, in the presence of the Aldermen and certain auditors of the account of John le Mazelyner, the Chamberlain, agreed to pay to the Commonalty the sum of 20 marks which the said Chamberlain paid to Peter de Bolyntone and Hugh Matfrei, fishmongers, and that it should be allowed on the account of the said John, &c.
Carta de "Andevre."
Be it remembered that on Thursday after the Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.] there came honest men of the town of Andovre, viz., Henry de Mortone, senior, John Wollefel, bailiff of the said town, and Robert de Wodyngtone, burgess of the same, before J[ohn] de Gysors, the Mayor, N[icholas] de Farndone, John de Wengrave, John de Wyndesore, William Servat, John de Lincoln, Nicholas Pycot, and Anketin de Gysors, Aldermen, and complained that whereas they and their fellow-burgesses of the said town had this liberty, viz., that they be quit of toll, passage, and custom throughout the whole of England, as in the charter of the lord the King thereupon to them made, which they here produce, more fully is contained-Simon de Mereworth, one of the Sheriffs, grievously distrained the said Robert for payment of custom on six bales of cummin belonging to him contrary to their liberty, and they ask the Mayor and Aldermen, after examining the terms of the charter, to apply a suitable remedy. The terms of the charter are as follows: Henry [III.] by the grace, &c., to Archbishops, &c.
Know ve that we have granted and by this our charter have confirmed to the men of Andovre that they have a guild of merchants in "Aundevre," and that they be quit of toll, and passage, and custom throughout our land, as the citizens of Wynchester who are of the guild of merchants are quit. And further, let none unjustly disturb them under forfeiture of £10, as the charters of Henry the King our grandfather, and Richard the King our uncle, and the lord John the King our father, (fn. 15) which they produce here, reasonably testify. Witnesses, Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, our Justiciar, William Mar[shal], Earl of Pembroke, Walter de Lacy, Henry de Alditheleghe, Ralph Fitz Nicholas, Godfrey de Craucombe, our stewards, Godfrey Despenser, and others [not named]. Dated by the hand of the venerable father Ralph [Nevill], Bishop of Chichester, our Chancellor, at Westminster, 15 Feb., the twelfth year of our reign [A.D. 1227-28].
Thereupon came John of the Chamber (de Camera), clerk, who prosecutes by the Sheriffs, and says that whatever may be the character of the aforesaid charter, the Sheriffs of London had always hitherto been seized of the receipt of custom from men of the town of Andevre for their goods and merchandise, and he asked that the aforesaid charter might be disallowed them, &c. And because the Mayor and Aldermen are without advice (inconsulti) touching the judgment to be given in the said case at present, a day is given to the parties until the quinzaine of St. Michael next, &c.
Afterwards the aforesaid honest men came to the Husting for Pleas of Land held on Monday before the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] and demanded delivery of their pledges, &c. And precept was given to the Sheriffs to give up the distress made on the said burgesses, and not to distrain in future for payment of custom on their goods, &c.
Custoa Will'i fil' Ric'i Deveneys.
Monday before the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec.], 6 Edward II. [A.D. 1312], the guardianship of William, son of Richard Deveneys, aged eight years, given to Roger de Evre, ironmonger, by John de Gysors, the Mayor, John de Wengrave, Henry de Durham, Henry de Gloucester, and other Aldermen [not named], together with two shops in the parish of St. Mildred in the Poultry, tenanted by Stephen le Pessoner and Reginald le Seler.
Folio clx b.
Letters patent assigning to the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and citizens of London the whole ferm of the City and all payments due to the Exchequer until they shall have recovered the several sums of £706 5s. 0½d. and 1,000 marks advanced by them on the King's behalf. Dated at Westminster, 28 Nov., 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311].
Breve R' ad retinend' firmam civitatis.
Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to retain the ferm of the City and other sums due to the Exchequer until the above advances are recovered. Dated at Westminster, 14 Dec., 5 Edward II. [A.D. 1311].