Memorials: 1418

Present of a Gown yearly to the Chaplain of the Chapel on the Bones of the Dead, in St. Paul's Churchyard.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccix. (Latin.)

At a General Court holden at the Guildhall, in the Parish of St. Laurence Jewry, in London, on the Monday next after the Feast of our Lord's Epiphany [6 January], in the 5th year etc., before Richard Merlawe, Mayor, John Bartone the Elder, Recorder, Richard Whityngtone, Robert Chichele, and other Aldermen, and John Gedney, Alderman, and Henry Rede, Sheriffs, and an immense number of the Commonalty;—among other things, it was agreed that John Briggewater, Chaplain of the Chapel (fn. 1) over the Bones of the Dead, in St. Paul's Churchyard, in London, who had exposed himself to manifold and constant anxieties for the good and honour of the Chapel aforesaid, which was in the patronage of the Mayor, and to the end that in future he might the more promptly and the more watchfully interest himself in maintaining the same, upon seeing that his comforts were in some way attended to, should have yearly, at the Feast of our Lord's Nativity [25 December], from the Commonalty of the City, by the hands of the Chamberlain for the time being, so long as he should remain in the benefice above mentioned, one gown of the same suit or livery which the serjeants of the Mayor and the Chamber should receive and have.

An Alderman dismissed for deafness.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 38. (Latin.)

Saturday, the of February, in the 5th year etc.; present, the Mayor, R. Chichily, Walderne, Crowmere, Fauconer, Wottone, Sevenoke, Nortone, Cauntbrigge, Pervys, Whityngham.—

On this day Alan Everard was dismissed (fn. 2) from the Aldermanry of the Ward of Bredstrete, by reason of his dulness (fn. 3) of hearing and other infirmities.

Mainprise of William Welyngtone, taken as being a Scot and a spy.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1 fol. 45. (Latin.)

On the 22nd day of April, in the 6th year etc., William Welyngtone, of London, glover, lately staying with John Carpenter of Holborne, taken for being a Scot and a spy, was mainprised.

Confession made by a common Cheat.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 46. (Latin.)

On Wednesday in the 6th year etc., (fn. 4) John Cornissh acknowledged that about five years before he bought, in the Parish of All Hallows, Bredstret, 12 pounds of pepper for 17 shillings, and shewed the owner 12 silver spoons, (fn. 5) as well as some broken silver and jewels, and put them into a glove; which he then suddenly changed, and delivered another glove in its place, filled with tin spoons, beans, stones etc.

And the said Cornisshe, in the time of Walderne [Mayor], (fn. 6) on the Feast of St. Leonard [6 November], bought of Richard Moore some boots of divers colours for 44 shillings, and shewed the owner three dozens (fn. 7) of silver spoons in a glove, besides a coral necklace and other jewels, and then suddenly put into another glove some tin spoons, peas, beans, stones etc.

And on the Eve of the said Feast of St. Leonard, in the Parish of St. Benedict Shorhogge, he bought of John Elmeham a coverlet for 52s. 4d., and shewed him likewise a similar spoon, besides a necklace and some jewels, and then changed them forthwith etc. (fn. 8)

Mainprise of John Cokkow, a Pedlar.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal I. fol. 16. (Latin.)

On Friday, the 17th day of June, in the 6th year etc., John Cokkow, of Estderam, (fn. 9) in Norfolk, pedeller, taken for divers offences, was mainprised by Simon Flour, clerk of the Rector of the Church of St. Nicholas Coldabbey, and John Astone, baker, until the next Sessions, under a penalty of 10l.

False charge of oppression, made against Richard Whityngton.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 56. (Latin.)

Tuesday, the 21st day of June, in the 6th year etc.: present, the Mayor, Recorder, Michelle, Cauntbrigge, Widingtone, (fn. 10) and the two Sheriffs.—

Whitingtone [and] Hert, jueller.—Came here Johanna Her[t], Margaret, the wife of Rothewell of Hendone, and Whitingtone.—On this day, Johanna Hert, on The Holy Evangelists [acknowledged] that for hatred and wantonness, and without his deserving it, she had oftentimes before defamed R. W. in divers of the King's Courts and other places; saying that the same R. owed her, the same Johanna, very many large sums of money, and that the same R. had goods and jewels of hers to the value of many thousand marks; whereas in real truth, and according to her oath beforementioned, she confessed that, the account being strictly balanced, and everything taken into consideration, she owed more to the same Richard than the said Richard owed to her, Johanna, etc. And she begged for mercy of the said Richard, for such defamation etc. (fn. 11)

Directions as to keeping watch in certain Wards, and as to the safe custody of William Fouchere.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 47. (Latin.)

Tuesday, the Eve of the Apostles Peter and Paul [29 June], in the 6th year etc.: present, the Mayor, R. Chichily, T. Fauconere, Nicholas Wottone, H. Bartone, John Penne, Caumbrigge, Reinwell, R. Bartone, Pervys, the two Sheriffs, Louth, and Pike.—

It was ordered that the Alderman of every Ward that lies without the Gates should, immediately after the procession ended on that night, enter his Ward, and keep watch there until 3 of the clock; and that every Gate of the City should be shut at 10 of the clock, and opened at 6.

Also,—that William Fouchere, who offended Thomas Fauconer and the Court, should be kept by himself in the Compter, without speaking to any one, save only such as should be willing to give him counsel to amend, and to censure him for his past offences.

Punishment for insulting certain Aldermen.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 47. (Latin.)

Saturday, the 2nd day of July, in the 6th year etc.: present, R. Chichily, Crowmer, Fauconer, Wottone, H. Bartone, Gedeney, R. Bartone, Caumbrigge, Reinewell, Henry Rede, the Sheriffs, John Michell, Nortone, Pervys, Penne, Whityngham, Louthe.—

As to William Foucher, who called Nicholas Wottone, late Mayor, (fn. 12) —"Nicholas Wytteles," (fn. 13) and said to very many persons that if he then had possessed no more than he had when he came to the City, he could have made an end of him,—because that the words aforesaid, though they cannot be defined by any certain law, expressly redound to the disgrace of the judicial state in the said city,—at the instance of the said Nicholas, it was ordered that the same William Foucher should give surety in the sum of 500 marks for his good behaviour towards all officers etc., and that he would not defame them.

And also,—for that by his own confession he was convicted of being disobedient to the said Thomas Fauconer, contrary to his oath, he was to lose his freedom, (fn. 14) it being so adjudged by the Court, seeing that he had perjured himself.

Also,—because that the insult had been offered to such a person, one of the principal men, and a late Mayor, he was to have imprisonment for one year, unless etc.

Also,—because that the manner of doing so was conspicuous, (fn. 15) and the place in which it was done, a public place, it was awarded that he as conspicuously, (fn. 16) and with no favour shown, should be led, with his head uncovered, through the high street of Chepe, where— (fn. 17)

Proclamations for speeding men and supplies to the English Army in Normandy.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxii. (Norman French and Old English.)

"Let proclamation be made, (fn. 18) that all manner of soldiers, mariners, and other persons whatsoever, ordained and assigned at wages in any manner to do service in this present expedition, the which may God speed, betake themselves forthwith, without any delay or excuse, to the ships and vessels at present being in the water of Thames, for their passage and transit assigned and ordained, so as to set sail from the water aforesaid for the Port of Southamptone at the next tide, without waiting any longer in any way, on peril of their lives, and of forfeiture of all their goods and chattels whatsoever." Carpenter.

"Be ther a proclamacioun made, þat alle maner of men whiche wolle toward þe Cite of Roen (fn. 19) or eny oþer costes of Normandye, þere to be in service, sould, or wages, with þe Kyng, our soueraigne Lord, whom God saue and kepe, or with ony other persone of his hoost or retenu, make and apparaile hem redy in all haste betuene this and Sonday next comyng atte ferthest, for to be withine shipbord in here best and most defensable harneys and couenable array, to seyle toward þe costes aboueseyd; and in þe mene while come þey to þe Mair of þe Cite, and he shal ordeyne and dispose hem redy shippyng in þys Port, and vitaile fre toward þe costes of Normandy, wyn, ale, beer, fisshe, flesshe, or eny oþer maner vitaille, to refresshing of the kynges hoost or ony strenghe þat he hath take in thilke costes; let hem in halle haste be twen this and þe forseyd Sonday come to William Sevenok, and oþer certain Aldermen and Comuners, that are assigned for the same thing in especial, vnto þe Churche of Seynt Dunstanes in þe Est, in Tourstrete, and there declare vn to hem þe certaine quantite of ther vitaile, and þey shal assigne and dispose hem redy shippyng for her passage."

Letter from the King to the Mayor and Aldermen, requesting supplies of provisions for the Army besieging Rouen.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxvi. (Old English.)

"By þe Kyng.—Right trusty and welbeloued. We grete you ofte tymes welle, and forasmoche as in þe name of Almighty God, and in oure right, wiþ Hys grace we haue leyd þe siege afore the Cite of Roan, which is the most notable place in Fraunce, saue Paris; atte which siege vs nedeþ gretly refresshing for vs and for our hoost; and we haue founde you our trewe lieges and subgitz, of good wille at al tymes to do al thing þat might do vs worshippe and ese, wherof we can you right hertely thank; and pray you effectuelly that, in al the haste that ye may, ye wille do ariue as manie smale vessels as ye may goodly, with vitaille, and namly (fn. 20) with drinke, for to come to Harfleu, and fro þennes as fer as they may, up þe riuer of Seyne to Roan ward wiþ þe said vitaille, for the refresshing of vs and our said hoost, as oure trust is to you; for the which vessels þer shal be ordeigned suffisant conduyt, with Goddes grace; wetying welle also þat ther inne ye may don vs right gret plesaunce and refresshing for al oure hoost aboue sayd, and yeue (fn. 21) vs cause to shewe þerfor to you euer the better lordshippe in tyme comynge, wyth the help of Oure Saueour, the which we praye þat He haue you in Hys sauf-warde. (fn. 22) Yeuen vnder our Signet, in our hoost afore the sayd cite of Roan, þe x day of August.—

"To oure right trusty and welbeloued þe Mair, Aldermen, and al the worthi Communers of our Cite of London."

Proclamation for speeding men to the English Army in Normandy.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxvii. (Old English.)

"Be ther a proclamacion made, þat alle maner men þat wil toward þe costes of Normadye, þere to be soulded or waged wiþ þe Kyng, our soueraigne Lord, or eny oþer lord of his hoost or retenu, let hem arraye and make hem redy in þe best wyse þat þey can or may, in alle hast, and come to Seint Dunstanes in þe Est, a Monday þat next comeþ, at eyghte of clok, to William Seuenok, Alderman, and hys felawes, þat arn assigned þerfor in especial, and þey shal be assigned redy shippyng and passage, and eche of hem shal haue a noble for to vitaile hym with toward þe costes abouesaid."
Carpenter.

Assessment of the prices to be paid for the ale and beer supplied to the English army besieging Rouen.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal I. fol. 48. (Latin.)

Thursday, the 15th day of September, in the 6th year; (fn. 23) present, the Mayor, Sevenok, Reinwell, Pervys, Arnold, Mirivale, (fn. 24) Beterenden.—

It was ordered that the brewers (fn. 25) of the ale that was presented to our Lord the King, at the siege of the City of Roan, should have for every tun of 200 tuns of ale, 30 shillings; and that the same brewers should pay for the vessels holding such ale, and for the hooping of such vessels;—making in all, 300l.

And that the turners should have 4s. for every hundred of 2500 cups—in all 100s. (fn. 26)

And that the rowers (fn. 27) should have for the 515 tuns, (fn. 28) at 4d. the tun—8l. 11s. 8d.

Also, that the wyndrawers (fn. 29) should have 3d. for every tun; and that the carters should have 4d. for every tun.

And that the brewers of ber (fn. 30) should have 13s. 4d. for every tun of 300 tuns—making 200l.

Mainprise of a Citizen imprisoned on suspicion of Lollardy.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 50. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that Thomas Jolyf, citizen and armourer of London, who by way of precept of Sir John, the Duke of Bedford, had been before arrested, in the 5th year of the King now reigning, namely, in the time of Richard Merlawe, then Mayor of the City of London, on suspicion of Lollardy, was now mainprised. (fn. 31)

Enactment as to the prices of mussels, oysters, salt, and whiting.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Journal 1. fol. 51. (Latin.)

Sevenoke, Mayor.—Thursday, the 3rd day of October, in the 6th year etc.; present, the Mayor, Recorder, Knolles, Merlawe, R. Chichele, Walderne, Crowmere, Fauconer, Wottone, H. Bartone, Nortone, Penne, Pike, Cauntbrigge,Wedingtone, the two Sheriffs.—

It was ordered, that oysters and mussels should be sold at 4d. the bushel, 2d. the half bushel, one penny the pec, and the half peck at one halfpenny; (fn. 32) the assize being in all measures observed.

It was also ordered, that the salt which had been bought by Bemonde and Edwarde, salters, within the City, should be sold at the price at which they bought it, for the common good of the people.

It was enjoined upon the Masters of the Fishmongers of the one Street and the other, (fn. 33) that they should diligently take measures among themselves for setting the lowest price they conveniently might, for the easement of the people; and that they should give orders that the whiting taken in the Thames, (fn. 34) and coming by water, should be sold (fn. 35) at the quay where the vessel is moored, and then be carried to Fish Street for sale.

Caps forfeited for being fulled at mills.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxxii. (Latin.)

At a Court of our Lord the King, holden before the Mayor and Aldermen, in the Guildhall of the City of London, on the next after the Feast of St. Leonard (fn. 36) the Abbot [6 November], in the 6th year etc.;—Thomas Taillour, citizen and hurer of London, was attached to make answer to the Commonalty of the said city in a plea that, whereas by authority of the same Court it had been ordained from of old, at the prayer and by assent of the whole of the commonalty of the trade of Hurers in the said city, and till then continually approved and accustomed, that no one of the said trade shall full, or cause to be fulled, at any mill any caps or hures, on pain of forfeiting all work found so fulled, the first time, and paying 6s. 8d. sterling to the use of the Commonalty of the city aforesaid etc.; he, the said Thomas, caused 6 double round caps, 18 long caps, 6 children's long caps, and 24 single, or simple, caps, upon him taken by John Randolf, John Batte, and Richard Flete, now Masters of the trade aforesaid, and here to this Court presented, to be fulled at the mill etc., against the force and form of the Ordinance aforeszid.

And the said Thomas Taillour now came here, (fn. 37) and the whole Ordinance being read to him of which mention is made above, as entered in Book H fol. xlix., (fn. 38) he acknowledged and expressly confessed that all the caps aforesaid had been fulled at the mill etc. Wherefore, it was then and there adjudged by the Court that the same Thomas, who was then for the first time convicted of this offence against the said Ordinance, should forfeit all the caps afore said, and should pay to the use of the Commonalty 6s. 8d. sterling. And the said caps were then delivered to the Chamberlain as forfeited; and the same Thomas was committed in custody, until he should have satisfied the Commonalty as to the sum of 6s. 8d. aforesaid.

Proclamation made at the Pillory, upon punishment for forgery.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxxiii. (Old English.)

"For as myche as Nichol Wighe, (fn. 39) oþherwise callyd 'Nicholas Ket'ringham,' oþerwise callyd 'Johan Segrave,' otherwise callyd 'Nicholl Pecche,' þat here stont up on þe pillory, is opynly conuict and atteynt afor þe Meir and Aldremen for a comune mysdoer and disceyour of peple, and a fals contrefetour of lettres and mennys sealx; and especiali for a lettre which he broght late in þe name of Sir Nichol Pecche, Knyght, to Herry Somer, for to have borwyd x li. (fn. 40) with an obligacioun of xx li. for seurete of repayement þerof, vndir þe same Knyghtes sele, as he seyde; whiche lettre, obligacioun, and sele, were neuere made ne selyd by þe same Knyght, but falsly contrefetid and forged by þis same man þat here stant, as it is opynly and lawfully knowyn and provid afor þe Meir and Althermen. And for as myche also as þis same man þat here stant on þe pillori on lik wyse disceyvid and begilyd Nicholl Carrewe, Squyer, with such another lettre and obligacion, falsly contrefetid and forgyd undur þe name and seel of þe same Sir Nichol Pecche, Knyght, as it is euidently knowyn to þe forseyd Meir and Aldermen:—therfor þe seyd Mair and Aldirmen, considering how such worthy persones as þe same Knyght is, thurgh such falsnes in tyme comyng myght lightly and causeles renne in sclaundre, and oþir men in grete harme ana losse, yef such falsnes and disceyt shold passe unponysshid, han awardid, aftir þe custume of þe Citee, in exaumple þat al oþer shul þe rather eschewe al such falsnes and disceyt, þat he shal stonde here on þe pillorie thre market dayes, eche day an hool hour, with on of his fals lettres be hym falsly and disseiuably contrefetid and forgid hangyng about his nek etc; and aftir þe execucioun of þis iewesse the thrid market day, (fn. 41) to be led from þis pilory to Newgate, þerein to abyde unto he have found seurte of his trewe gouernaunce and good beryng in tyme comyng."

Proclamation at Christmas, against Mumming, Plays, Interludes, and Visors; and that a Lantern shall be kept burning before each house.

6 Henry V. A.D. 1418. Letter-Book I. fol. ccxxiii. (Old English.)

"The Mair and Aldermen chargen on þe Kynges byhalf, and þis Cite, þat no manere persone, of what astate, degre, or condicioun þat euere he be, duryng þis holy tyme of Cristemes be so hardy in eny wyse to walk by nyght in eny manere mommyng, pleyes, enterludes, or eny oþer disgisynges with eny feynyd berdis, (fn. 42) peyntid visers, diffourmyd or colourid visages in eny wyse, up peyne of enprisonement of her bodyes, and macyng fyne aftir þe discrecioun of þe Mair and Aldremen; outake (fn. 43) þat hit be leful to eche persone for to be honestly mery as he can, with in his owne hous dwellyng. And more ouere þei charge on þe Kynges byhalf, and þe Cite, þat eche honest persone, dwellyng in eny hye strete or lane of þis Citee, hang out of her hous eche night, duryng þis solempne Feste, a lanterne with a candell þer in, to brenne (fn. 44) as long as hit may endure, up peyne to pay ivd. (fn. 45) to þe Chaumbre at eche tyme þat hit faillith."