Memorials: 1414

Inquisition as to the boundaries and limits of Oldefisshestret.

1 Henry V. A.D. 1414. Letter-Book I. fol. cxxxiii. (Latin.)

"Inquisition taken before William Crowmer, Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber of the Guildhall of London, on the 7th day of March etc., to enquire as to the boundaries and limits within which fish from of old was sold, and was wont to be sold, in the street called 'Oldefisshestrete'; on the oath of William Coggeshale, Richard Trogonold, Robert Nyppe, and nine others. Who say upon their oath, that fish was sold from of old, and was wont to be sold, in the street of Oldefisshestret, in London, "on the North side, lengthwise, straight from the West corner of the shop projecting into the same street, which John Trygge, (fn. 1) late citizen and fishmonger of London, held and occupied, as far as the tenement which Walter Ludney, late draper, held and occupied, and annexed to the shop which Richard Dykes, stokfisshmonger, now holds, towards the East; and on the South side of the same street, straight from the West corner of the shop projecting into the same street, which William Gubbe, and Isabel, his wife, formerly held and occupied, to the tenement late of John Gaytone, called 'The Swanne on the Hoope,' to the East; and in breadth, only within the said street, throughout the whole length thereof, as before stated; and in no other places neighbouring or adjoining thereunto. Save and except that all and all manner of fish called 'shotfisshe,' (fn. 2) taken in the Thames, were sold, and were wont to be sold, between London Bridge, on the East, (fn. 3) and the East corner of the wall of the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, (fn. 4) on the West."

Inquisition as to the boundaries and limits of the Butchers' Market in Estchepe.

1 Henry V. A.D. 1414. Letter-Book I. fol. cxxxiii. (Latin.)

"Inquisition taken before William Crowmer, Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Chamber of the Guildhall of London, on the 14th day of March, in the first year etc., to enquire as to the boundaries and limits where flesh-meat was sold from of old, and ought to be sold, in the street called 'Estchepe'; on the oath of John Flawner, Edward Bolfynch, John Caustone, and eight others. Who say upon their oath, that such meat was sold, and was wont to be sold, from of old, in the street of Estchepe, from North to South, in breadth, on both sides of the street, from the house called 'The Pye on the Hope,' straight to the tenement called 'The Saresinshed,' (fn. 5) which John Pycot lately held and occupied; and in length, on both sides of the street, from the East corner of the Lane of Crokedlane to the tenement which William Ivor, (fn. 6) turnour, now inhabits, on the West."

Punishment of the Pillory, for fraud.

2 Henry V. A.D. 1414. Letter-Book I. fol. cxxxv. (Latin.)

On Monday, the morrow of St. Mary Magdalen [22 July], in the 2nd year etc., John Bereford, of Salop,soudyour, (fn. 7) was brought here, before the Mayor and Aldermen, for that he, falsely and fraudulently imagining to deceive the people of our Lord the King, came to a certain pelterer in Suthwerk, and shewed him a box containing 16 gold nobles and a necklace; saying and affirming that he should have the box aforesaid, together with the said property, of him, John, in the way of pledge, for one hundred furs, 100 shillings in value. Whereupon, the said pelterer, giving credit to the words of John aforesaid, delivered to him furs, amounting, it is asserted, to 100 shillings in value; upon which, during their conversation, and while they were making the arrangement afore said, the said John, to carry out his falsity and deceit, secretly drew from beneath his mantle another box, filled with sand and stones only, but sealed in resemblance of the first box, and delivered it to the said pelterer; telling him, and asserting, that it was the same box that had the jewel and property aforesaid enclosed therein.

Being questioned as to the which falsity and deceit, he could not deny the same, but expressly acknowledged and confessed it, and put himself upon the favour of the Court. And in order that others might in future beware of perpetrating such falsity and deceit, it was awarded by the Mayor and Aldermen, that the same John should be put upon the pillory on three market-days, for one hour each day. And precept was given to the Sheriffs of London, to have the reason for the same publicly proclaimed.

Royal order for the removal of certain Halpaces at St. Martin's le Grand.

2 Henry V. A.D. 1414. Letter-Book I. fol. cxxxv. (Latin.)

"Henry, by the grace of God etc., to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, greeting. Whereas we are of a certainty informed that many traitors and other felons are harboured in two halpaces (fn. 8) situate near unto our highway, in a certain lane, called 'Seint'martynslane', near to our free Chapel of St. Martin's le Grand, in London, for perpetrating divers felonies; and then, after such treasons and felonies by them perpetrated, do oftentimes conceal themselves, and privily and by night have ingress to and egress from the Sanctuary of the Chapel aforesaid, by means of such halpaces; and do nightly do and practise the same. And although this before you, as well as before other Mayors of late, and Sheriffs, and Aldermen, of the City aforesaid, has been by divers inquests oftentimes presented, you however have not hitherto cared that such halpaces should be removed;—We, wishing to provide a remedy in this behalf, do command you, enjoining, so strictly as we may, that you cause the halpaces aforesaid to be levelled without delay, and wholly removed. And this, on the peril that awaits, you are in no manner to omit. Witness myself, at Westminster, the 28th day of July, in the 2nd year of our reign." (fn. 9)

In virtue of which writ, on Tuesday, the 7th day of August then next ensuing, the halpaces above-mentioned were removed, as by the writ aforesaid was enjoined.

Punishment of the Pillory, for counterfeiting genuine cuppebondes.

2 Henry V. A.D. 1414. Letter-Book I. fol. cxxxv. (Latin.)

On the 16th day of the month of October, in the 2nd year etc., John Herward, of Rouchestre, upon whom had been taken, by the Masters of the trade of Goldsmiths of the said city, two bonds (fn. 10) for mazers, made of copper and brass (fn. 11) plated over with silver, was brought here, before William Crowmer, Mayor, and the Aldermen; because that they were given to understand by the Masters of the trade aforesaid, that the same John at different times within the City had falsely, fraudulently, and deceitfully, fabricated and counterfeited divers bonds for mazers, and other things, in copper and brass, and other metals, plated over with silver, or gilded over, and had sold them to various persons, lieges of our Lord the King, for no small sums, asserting that the same bonds were made of fine silver and well gilded, and were truthfully and lawfully made; as well to the disgrace and shame of the trade aforesaid, as to the impoverishment and manifest deterioration of the people of our said Lord the King.

To which same John Rouchestre (fn. 12) then and there were shown the two bonds so taken upon him, and found, and he was asked whether he acknowledged them or not; to which he made answer that he did, and there openly and expressly acknowledged and confessed that he had so falsely and fraudulently counterfeited those and other things; and he put himself upon the favour of the Court as to the same. And to the end that others might beware of committing such falsity in future, it was then and there awarded by the said Mayor and Aldermen, that the said John Rouchestre should be put upon the pillory on three market-days, for one hour each day, together with the bonds aforesaid in the meantime hung from his neck. And precept was given to the Sheriffs, to have the reason thereof publicly proclaimed.