Memorials: 1318

Lease of the Gate of Bisshopesgate Without, with a Tourelle and a Garden thereto adjoining.

11 Edward II. A.D. 1318. Letter-Book E. fol. lxx. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on the 6th day of April in the 11 th year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward, John de Wengrave, Mayor, Stephen de Abyndone, John de Gisorz, and other Aldermen, with unanimous assent granted the Gate of Bisshopesgate above, (fn. 1) with a certain tourelle on the Eastern side of the same gate, together with a certain garden against the wall of the said city, between the said gate and the tourelle aforesaid, with the appurtenances; the same being so granted and let to John le Long, the Easterling, (fn. 2) to have and to hold the same for the term of his life; on the understanding however, that in times of disturbance, the Almaines (fn. 3) of the Hanse for the time being should have the safe-keeping of the said Gate above, according to the from of composition between the Mayor and Commonalty thereon from of old made. Nor by reason of the said grant should any Easterling or Easterlings in future, after the decease of the said John, be able to claim or challenge any right or estate in the said gate, tourelle, or garden; save only that the Easterlings aforesaid should have the safe-keeping of the said gate above, according to the form of the composition aforesaid. And the said John le Long was to maintain the said gate and tourelle at his own proper charges against wind and rain, and to keep the same in good repair.

Afterwards, (fn. 4) the said John le Lunge, on Monday the Eve of our Lord's Nativity, in the 18th year (fn. 5) of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward, came before Sir Hamon de Chiggewelle, Mayor, and renounced unto the said Mayor and Commonalty all the right which he had in the custody of the gate aforesaid, together with all the appurtenances thereof, for ever. And also, he remitted, released, and quit-claimed, unto Conrad de Brok, and all his fellows of the Hanse of Almaine, all actions, plaints, and all claims of debt, which he had against them from the beginning of the world unto that day.

Acknowledgment by the King of aid sent by the City for his war with Scotland and Answere of the City thereto.

12 Edward II. A.D. 1318. Letter-Book E. fol. lxxxiv. (Norman French.)

On the 4th day of December, in the 12th year, our Lord the King sent his letter to the Mayor, and Aldermen, and good men, of the City of London, in these words.—

"Edward, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to the Mayor, Aldermen, and good folks of the Commonalty of our city of London, greeting. We do thank you dearly for the great aid in foot-soldiers which you have lately sent us for our expedition to Scotland, and we do give you to understand that Roger de la Water and Manekyn le Heaumer, who came to us as leaders and chieftains of the said troops, together with the same soldiers themselves, have served us well and painfully, in all matters with which they have been charged on our behalf, like good and loyal folks; for the which we do commend you very strongly, and we do pray you that in matters of business which shall concern them, or either of them, in the said city, they may find in the same, as regards you, the greatest of grace and favour, for your love of ourselves. Given under our Privy Seal, at York, the 24th day of November, in the 12th year of our reign."

Answer given thereto, on the 9th day of December, (fn. 6) in these words.—

"To the most noble Prince, and their most dear liege Lord, Sir Edward, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, his liege people, John de Wengrave, Mayor, the Aldermen, and all the Commonalty, of his city of London, all reverence and honour, as unto their most dear liege Lord. We do much thank your great Highness, for that it has pleased your royal dignity so benignly to receive and maintain our foot-soldiers whom we sent unto you in aid of your war against Scotland; for the which thing, and for all other benefits unto us done, may our Lord Jesus, King of heaven, recompense you, and maintain you in all your needs. And know, most dear Lord, that the said foot-soldiers came to London on the 12th day of December last past, in good condition, in company with William de Kyngestone, your clerk; and they acknowledged that they had been well paid by the same clerk for all the time from their departure from York down to the day aforesaid, when in London they were fully paid off. Most dear liege Lord, may our Lord protect you, body and soul."

Lease of a Bakehouse, opposite to the Pillory, upon Cornhulle.

12 Edward II. A.D. 1318. Letter-Book E. fol. lxxxii. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that on the Monday next after the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude [28 October], in the 12th year of the reign of King Edward, the following writing was read and acknowledged, in these words.—

"This is a covenant made between Hugh de Waltham, clerk, of the one part, and Stephen atte Stouples, fishmonger, of the other part; namely, that the aforesaid Hugh has granted and to ferm let unto the said Stephen, a certain house which was formerly the bakehouse, (fn. 7) situate upon Cornhulle, and opposite to the Pillory there, together with an oven and a certain furnace with new lead, (fn. 8) therein being; and also, a certain shop with the sollars facing the King's highway, together with a certain place of vacant ground to the said house pertaining; to have and to hold to the same Stephen and his assigns, of the aforesaid Hugh and his assigns, from the Feast of St. Michael in the year of our Lord 1318, and the 12th year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward, to the end of six years next ensuing fully completed; he rendering yearly therefor to the said Hugh or his assigns 60 shillings sterling at the four principal terms of the year, and in the City of London customary, in equal parts. And the same Stephen and his assigns will well and faithfully keep all the rooms aforesaid, and from wind and rain and other mischances whatsoever will defend the same, during the time aforesaid. Nor shall it be lawful to the said Stephen or his assigns to remove the said oven or furnace, or other the easements of the same house or shop, or of the said sollars, without the assent and will of Hugh aforesaid, or of his assigns, within the said term. And further, the same Stephen or his assigns shall not incumber, or allow to be incumbered, the place (fn. 9) unto the said house pertaining, with fire-wood, timber, or any other things whatsoever, whereby the light of the windows of the cellar which Thomas le Coteler now holds, nor yet the light of the windows above the same cellar, may in any way be impeded. In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Hugh as the said Stephen to these presents have respectively set their seals. Given at London, the 24th day O September, in the year aforesaid."

And he gives nothing, (fn. 10) because he is the Common Clerk.