The French Chronicle of London: Edward I

Edward I

Edward the First.

The Names of the Mayors, and the Marvels in the time of King Edward, son of King Henry.

1 Edward I. [A.D. 1272, 3]. Walter Hervy, Mayor. John Horn and Walter le Porter, Sheriffs.

2 Edward I. [A.D. 1273, 4]. Henry (fn. 1) Waleis, Mayor. (fn. 2) Henry de Coventry and (fn. 3) Nicholas de Winchester, Sheriffs.

At this time Walter Hervi was deposed from his Aldermanry by Henry Waleis. This year came King Edward and his wife from the Holy Land; and were crowned at Westminster on the Sunday next after the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August], being the Feast of Saint Magnus [19 August]; and the Conduit in Chepe ran all the day with red wine and white wine to drink, for all such as wished.

3 Edward I. [A.D. 1274, 5]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. Luke de Batencourt and (fn. 4) Henry de Frowick, Sheriffs.

In the same year was Adam de Bekke, Canon of the Church of Saint Paul, slain just before the Vigil of Saint Andrew [30 November]: and in this year, on the Saturday next before the Feast of Saint Bartholomew [24 August], the prisoners escaped from Neugate. In the same year, upon the Octaves of Saint Martyn [11 November], the Justiciars in Eyre sat at the (fn. 5) Cross of Saint Peter, that is to say, Master Roger de Seton, John de Cobham, and Salamon de Rochester.

4 Edward I. [A.D. 1275, 6]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. (fn. 6) John Horn and (fn. 7) Ralph de Blount, Goldsmith, Sheriffs.

In the same year was Michael Thovi, the Younger, hanged; by reason of murders and robberies which the Aldermen imputed to him.

5 Edward I. [A.D. 1276, 7]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. Ralph d'Arras and Ralph le Fevre, Sheriffs.

This year, upon the Vigil of Saint (fn. 8) Vincent, Sir John Lovetot and Sir Roger Loveday sat at the house of John Fitz-John, for the acquittance of those who were indicted by twelve Wards upon articles of larceny, and of harbouring clippers of the coin; and only three persons were condemned, one man and two women. In this year, the King went into Wales with his forces, and the City of London sent him 100 (fn. 9) arbalesters.

6 Edward I. [A.D. 1277, 8]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. John Fitz-John Adrian and Walter le (fn. 10) Cornwaleis, Sheriffs.

In this year, the May or was presented at the Tower of London to Sir (fn. 11) Antony de Bek, and received on behalf of the King; and there he made the oath. And the Mayor received the Sheriffs in the Guildhall, by the King's command, to spare them having to go into Wales. In the same year, Lewlyn surrendered to the King, and gave him, for having his peace, fifty thousand marks sterling, and made oath upon the holy relics that he would come twice each year to the King's Parliament: and then Leulyn espoused the daughter of Sir Simon de Mountfort, and this year the said Leulyn did homage to the King.

7 Edward I. [A.D. 1278, 9]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. William le (fn. 12) Mazerier and (fn. 13) Robert de Basinge, Sheriffs.

In this year the three (fn. 14) engines were made at the Tower. At this time the King of Scotland came to London to the King's Parliament from year to year, and had his mansion, most befitting for his sojourn, between the abode of the (fn. 15) Bishop of Chichester and that of the Earl of (fn. 16) Lancaster, which is called (fn. 17) "Saveye," without the Bar of the New Temple.

In the same year, upon the Octaves of Saint Martin [11 November], which was a Friday, just before (fn. 18) tierce, all the Jews of England were seized by reason of the coin, which was vilely clipped and falsified, and, upon the Feast of Saint Lucy [13 December] after, all the goldsmiths of London, and all those of the Exchange, and many of the good folks in town were seized, by reason of the purchase of bullion and the exchange of large coin for (fn. 19) small, for which they had been indicted by the Wards. And on the Monday next after the (fn. 20) Tiffany, the Justiciars sat at the Guildhall for delivery thereon, namely, Sir Stephen de Pevencestre, Sir Walter de Helyon, and Sir John de Cobham, and such as they might think proper to associate with them; and by reason of such doings, three Christians and 293 Jews were drawn and hanged, for clipping the coin.

In the same year, the Friars (fn. 21) Preachers of London began the foundation of their new church at Castle Baynard; and Brother Robert de (fn. 22) Kilwardby, Archbishop of Canterbury, was sent for by the Pope to be made a Cardinal. Also, Brother John de Pekham, who was a Friar Minor and a Cardinal, was sent to England to be Archbishop of Canterbury, having been consecrated at the Court of Rome. In the same year was held the Round Table at (fn. 23) Kylingworthe.

In this year took place the great fire at Saint (fn. 24) Botolph's. In this year the exchange was made at the Tower of London, of the new money, sterling, halfpenny, and farthing, and Gregory de Rokesle [was made] Master of the Exchange throughout all England. This year (fn. 25) Murage was levied on the 14th day of February in London, to continue for three years; but it was Mid-Lent before it was collected.

8 Edward I. [A.D. 1279, 80]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. (fn. 26) Thomas Box and Ralph de la More, Sheriffs.

In the same year, Master John de Chishull, Bishop of London, died.

9 Edward I. [A.D. 1280, 1]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. (fn. 27) William de Farendon and (fn. 28) Nicholas de Winchester, Sheriffs.

10 Edward I. [A.D. 1281, 2]. Henry Waleis, Mayor. William Mazerier and Richard de Chikewell, Sheriffs.

In the same year, London Bridge was broken by the great frost that befell. In this same year too, the Mayor first had the grain weighed when going to the mill, and after that the flour; and had the hurdle provided, for drawing the bakers thereon.

11 Edward I. [A.D. 1282, 3]. Henry Waleis, Mayor. Walter le Blount and (fn. 29) Angecelin de Betevile, Sheriffs.

In this year was Leulyn, Prince of Wales, taken and beheaded, and his (fn. 30) head sent to the Tower of London; and Sir Edward, son of King Edward, was (fn. 31) then born, upon Saint Mark's Day [25 April].

12 Edward I. [A.D. 1283, 4]. Henry Waleis, Mayor. Martyn Box and (fn. 32) Jordan Godchep, Sheriffs.

In this year was (fn. 33) Davy, the brother of Leulyn, drawn, hanged, and beheaded, and his head sent to the Tower of London. In the same year, for the death of Laurence Duket, who was hanged in the church of Our Lady at Arches, seven persons were drawn and hanged, that is to say, Reginald de Lanfar, Robert Pinnot, Paul de Stybbenheth, Thomas Corouner, John de Tholosane, Thomas Russel, and Robert Scot; a woman also, called Alice Atte Bowe, was burnt for the same deed; and Ralph Crepyn, Jordan Godchep, Gilbert le Clerk, and Geoffrey le Clerk, were attainted of the felony, and remained prisoners in the Tower. (fn. 34)

13 Edward I. [A.D. 1284, 5]. Gregory de Rokesle, Mayor. (fn. 35) Stephen de Cornhill and (fn. 36) Robert de Rokesle, Sheriffs.

In this year, upon the Day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the City of London was seized into the King's hand, because that Gregory de Rokesle surrendered the seal at (fn. 37) Berkingchirche, and delivered it to (fn. 38) Stephen Esshwy.

14 Edward I. [A.D. 1285, 6]. Sir Ralph de (fn. 39) Sandwyz, Warden. Walter le Blount, Fishmonger, and (fn. 40) John Wade, Sheriffs.

In this year the King passed over into France to a Parliament there, to make reconciliation between (fn. 41) three Kings.

15 Edward I. [A.D. 1286, 7]. Sir Ralph de Sandwyz, Warden. (fn. 42) Thomas Crosse and (fn. 43) Walter Hautein, Sheriffs.

In this year all the Jews of England were taken and imprisoned; and put to ransom on the morrow of Saint Philip and James [1 May].

16 Edward I. [A.D. 1287, 8]. The said Sir Ralph, Warden. (fn. 44) William de Hereford and (fn. 45) Thomas de Stanes, Sheriffs.

17 Edward I. [A.D. 1288, 9]. Sir John de Bretton, Warden. (fn. 46) William de Betaigne and (fn. 47) John de Caunterbury, Sheriffs.

In the same year, the said Sir John de Bretton was removed, and the said Sir Ralph made Warden as before, and then the King returned from abroad.

18 Edward I. [A.D. 1289, 90]. Sir Ralph de Sandwyz, Warden. Fulk de Saint Edmund and (fn. 48) Salamon Coteller, Sheriffs.

In the same year, all the Justiciars were taken and put to ransom for their treason. Immediately after the last Sunday in April, the (fn. 49) Earl of Gloucester espoused the Lady Joanna of (fn. 50) Acre, the King's daughter, at Westminster. In the same year, John, son of the Duke of Brabant, married Margaret, his (fn. 51) other daughter. And after this, it was provided by the King and his Council, upon prayer of the Pope, that all the Jews in England were sent into exile between the Gule [1st] of August and the Feast of All Saints [1 November], under pain of decapitation, if after such Feast any one of them should be found in England.

The same year, one Sir Thomas de Weyland, a Justiciar, forswore the land for his (fn. 52) knavery.

19 Edward I. [A.D. 1290, 1]. Sir Ralph de Sandwyz, Warden. Thomas Rumeyn and (fn. 53) William de Leyre, Sheriffs.

In this year, upon the Vigil of Saint Andrew [30 November] died (fn. 54) Alianore, the wife of King Edward, and lies buried at Westminster. Also, in this year died the (fn. 55) Queen, the mother of Sir Edward, and lies buried at Aumesbury; and on the Monday next before Saint Nicholas [6 December] her heart was buried at the (fn. 56) Friars Minors at London.

20 Edward I. [A.D. 1291, 2]. Sir John de Bretton, Warden. (fn. 57) Ralph le Blount and Hamond Box, Sheriffs.

In the same year, at Easter, the King moved towards Scotland.

At this time the Normans came, like robbers by night, with a great fleet, and landed just above the Hermitage at Dovere, and plundered and burnt a great part of the town.

21 Edward I. [A.D. 1292, 3]. Sir Ralph de Sandwiz, Warden. (fn. 58) Henry le Bole and Elias Russel, Sheriffs.

In this year, the discord began between the King of England and Sir John le Baillol, who was then made King of Scotland. In this year, the right hands of three men were cut off for theft. In this year, Sir Ralph de Sandwyz was removed, and Sir John de Brettone was made Warden. In the same year began the dissension between the (fn. 59) Ports and the Normans, and the Ports conquered a large fleet.

22 Edward I. [A.D. 1293, 4]. Sir John le Breton, Warden. Robert de Rokesle and Martyn de Aumesbury, Sheriffs.

In this year the King came from Scotland to London, to the Parliament there. The same year, the Justiciars Itinerant sat at the (fn. 60) Stone Cross.

23 Edward I. [A.D. 1294, 5]. Sir John le Breton, Warden. Richard de Gloucester and Henry Box, Sheriffs.

The same year, the Ports conquered a great fleet of Spain. In this year there arose so great a flood in the Thames, that it drowned a great part of the lands of Bermundeseye and of all the country round about, which is still called (fn. 61) 'the Breach.'

24 Edward I. [A.D. 1295, 6]. Sir John le Breton, Warden. (fn. 62) John de Dunstaple and Adam de Hallingbury, Sheriffs.

The same year died Sir Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester. And at this time a war began between Sir John Baillol, King of Scotland, and the King of England. In the same year the King conquered the land of Wales and the land of Scotland; and there were taken Sir John Baillol, King of Scotland, and John Cornyn the Younger, and other barons and knights of Scotland, who were all sent to the Tower of London.

In the same year (fn. 63) Thomas de Turbeville, knight, was drawn and hanged for letters containing treason. At this time was fought the Battle of Dunbarre, and there were slain of the Scots 26,300 men, and on the side of the English no man of renown, Sir Patrick de Graham excepted; and there were also taken at the same time, on the side of the Scots, three Earls, seven Barons, eight-and-twenty knights, eleven clerks, and (fn. 64) thirteen (fn. 65) pillards; and these were scourged and sent to the Tower of London.

25 Edward I. [A.D. 1296, 7]. Sir John le Breton, Warden. (fn. 66) Adam de Fulham and Thomas de Suffolk, Sheriffs.

26 Edward I. [A.D. 1297, 8]. Henry Waleis, Mayor. John de Storteford and William de Storteford, Sheriffs. (fn. 67)

The same year, King Edward received the oath of the Scots, at Westminster, to the effect that they would never again arise against England, or bear arms against him; that is to say, Sir John le Comyn, the Earl of Stratherne, the Earl of Carryk, four Bishops and two Abbots, for all the clergy of Scotland; and so they returned free to their own country.

But nevertheless, in the same year the Scots entered England and plundered in Northumberland, and made a knight, William (fn. 68) Waleis by name, their chieftain. And then the Earl of (fn. 69) Warenne, Sir (fn. 70) Henry Percy, Sir William Latimer, and Sir Hugh de Cressingham, the then Treasurer, pursued William Waleis, and took the Castle of (fn. 71) Strivelyn, and the next morning our people, close upon 6000 in number, issued forth to give battle to the said William Waleis; and the said William Waleis, with his forces, pursued our people back as far as the bridge of Strivelyn, and there was Sir (fn. 72) Hugh de Cressingham, the Treasurer, slain, and a great part of our people as well.

27 Edward I. [A.D. 1298, 9]. Henry Waleis, Mayor. (fn. 73) Richer de Refham and (fn. 74) Thomas Saly, Sheriffs.

In this year, on the Vigil of the Tiffany [6 January] there was an earthquake. At this time, the King espoused Margaret, the sister of the King of France.

28 Edward I. [A.D. 1299, 1300]. Elias Russel, Mayor. (fn. 75) John d'Armentiers and Henry de Fingry, Sheriffs.

At this time, upon Christmas Eve, pollards were assessed at the value of one halfpenny, and at the following Easter were wholly forbidden. At this time, a great part of the Holy Land was gained by the King of Tars, in the month of January and in March, it being the year of Grace 1299; and on the Day of the Magdalen [22 July] next ensuing the battle was fought at (fn. 76) Foukirke, and there were killed of the Scots 57317 men; and a valiant English knight, an Hospitaller, Bryan (fn. 77) Jay by name, while pursuing William Waleis, who had taken to flight, put spurs to his horse; whereupon his horse leaped into a deep slough, and when William Waleis saw this, he turned back and slew him.

29 Edward I. [A.D. 1300, 1]. Elias Russel, Mayor. Lucas de Haveringe and Richard de Chaumps, Sheriffs.

In this year, at Candlemas, was the Parliament at (fn. 78) Nicole, and there Sir Edward, the King's son, was made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. At this time, the Count of Artois and four other Counts, and people without number, were slain by (fn. 79) Peter Conow of Flanders. And in the same year King Edward returned into Scotland, and came to the Castle of Strivelyn, which was well furnished with men and with provisions for seven years; and the King could do nothing, so strong was the castle, and so well defended. And then the King commanded two gibbets, sixty feet in height, to be erected before the gates of the castle, and swore a great oath that every person in the castle, whether earl, baron, or knight, high or low, in case they should not immediately surrender the castle, should be drawn and hanged upon the gibbets, without any mercy being shown him. And when those within heard this, they soon opened the gates, and surrendered to the King, and the King pardoned them. And then all the great men of Scotland made oath that they would each year come to Westminster, to his Parliament, and be at his bidding.

30 Edward I. [A.D. 1301, 2]. John le Blount, Mayor. Peter de Bosenho and (fn. 80) Robert le Callere, Sheriffs.

In this year, the Earl Marshal and the Earl of (fn. 81) Hereforde enfeoffed the King with their lands and tenements, and the King was in seisin forty days. The King re-enfeoffed the two Earls, to them and to their heirs of their bodies begotten, and, in case they should have no heir, with reversion to the King and to his heirs. In this year the Exchequer was removed from (fn. 82) Euerwyk. And in the same year, when the war had ceased and come to an end in Wales, Scotland, and Gascoigne, in order to replace his great expenses that had been incurred in the twenty years before, the King had justice done upon malefactors; and this was called (fn. 83) "Traylebastoun," and by it the King gained great treasure, and by reason of this judicial process the commons of the land were [ruled] in greater equity throughout all England for two whole years.

31 Edward I. [A.D. 1302, 3]. John le Blount, Mayor. (fn. 84) Symon de Paris and (fn. 85) Hugh Pourte, Sheriffs.

At this time the King's (fn. 86) Treasury was broken open at Westminster.

32 Edward I. [A.D. 1303, 4]. John le Blount, Mayor. John de Boreford and (fn. 87) William Coumbemartin, Sheriffs.

At this time, Sir Roger Brabason and Sir William de Bereford sat as Justiciars to make inquisition who had broken open the King's Treasury at Westminster.

33 Edward I. [A.D. 1304, 5]. John le Blount, Mayor. John de (fn. 88) Nicole and (fn. 89) Roger de Paris, Sheriffs.

At this time William Waleis was taken in Scotland and brought to London, on the (fn. 90) Day of Saint Dominic [4 August]; and judgment was given against him to be drawn, hanged, and beheaded, his entrails burnt, and his body divided into four quarters, and his head fixed upon London Bridge, on the Vigil of Saint Bartholomew [24 August].

34 Edward I. [A.D. 1305, 6]. John le Blount, Mayor. Reginald de Tunderle and (fn. 91) William Cosyn, Sheriffs.

In this year, upon the Day of Pentecost, Sir Edward, son of King Edward, was made a knight, and other ninety-two knights were also made, as a mark of respect for him; and on the (fn. 92) same day, the said John le Blount, the Mayor, was made a knight. At this time, Simon (fn. 93) Frisel was drawn, hanged, beheaded, his entrails burnt, and the headless body hung up again and watched by night; and on the same day, (fn. 94) two knights of Scotland were beheaded at the Tower of London.

In the same year also, the Bishop of St. Andrew's, Sir Robert le Brus, the Earl of Carrik, and all the other Barons of Scotland, were bound by oath and by other affiance at Westminster, that they would never commit offence against England, under pain of disherison and loss of life and limb; and after making such affiance, they returned safe into their own country.

At this time, in one night and one day, Holy Church, throughout all England, was robbed by King Edward of all the treasure that was found therein.

And soon after, the Scots by election made Robert le Brus their king; but Sir John le Comyn would in no manner consent to his being crowned, wherefore Robert le Brus slew him in the Church of the Friars Minors at (fn. 95) Dounfrys; and then, after that, at the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August], King Edward made an incursion into Scotland, and took the town of (fn. 96) Saint John, and encountered Sir Robert le Brus and his company, of whom there were slain 24217 men of Scotland, and Sir Robert Brus escaped by flight. At this battle were taken prisoners the (fn. 97) Bishop of Glasgou, the (fn. 98) Bishop of Saint Andrew's, the Abbot of Skone, and others, well armed in steel, like traitors against their oath, and were presented to King Edward; still he would not put them to death by judicial process, seeing that they were prelates, but had them all kept in their arms in safe custody, until such time as the King should have commands from the Pope what to do with them.

35 Edward I. [A.D. 1306, 7]. Sir John le Blount, Knight, Mayor. (fn. 99) Edmund Bolet and (fn. 100) Geoffrey del Conduit, Sheriffs.

At this time the Earl of (fn. 101) Atheles was hanged and beheaded in London. At this time, the two brothers of Robert Brus were taken in Scotland, and hanged. In this year, upon the 16th day of April, Sir John Waleis, brother of William Waleis, was hanged and beheaded. At this time died the Lady Joanna of Acres, Countess of Gloucester; and then died King Edward, in the parts of Scotland, on the Friday of the Feast of the Translation of Saint Thomas of Canterbury [7 July], and upon the Vigil of the Assumption of Our Lady [15 August], his body was brought to Westminster.