Other charters and deeds: 1137-1445

OTHER CHARTERS AND DEEDS

Grant of the Benefice of St. Sepulchre's Church by Rahere to Hagno the Clerk, A.D. 1137.

[St. Bartholomew's Hospital Safe. Two seals attached. (fn. 1) ]

Notum sit universis fidelibus quod ego Raherus sancti bartholomei qui est in smethefeld prior totusque ecclesie nostre conventus ecclesiam sancti sepulchri hagnoni clerico si regulam alterius professionis non inierit usque ad finem dierum suorum in elemosina concessimus. Illud autem scitote quod idem predictus hagno singulis annis ad usus canonicorum simul et pauperum in hospitali degentium quinquaginta solidos nobis reddet. In festivitate Sancti michaelis xxv solidos xxv. in pascha. Anno incarnationis domini millesimo. c. xxxvii. Anno vero secundo imperii Stephani regis in anglia. His existentibus testibus, Haco decanus. hugo Sancti martini canonicus. Gwalterus frater Gwillelmi Archidiaconi. Tioldus canonicus. Radulfus magister. Gilebertus presbiter. Osbertus presbiter. Rodbertus de Sancta MARIA. Algarus presbiter. Godefridus filius baldewini sacerdos. Rogerus niger. Alexander, Odo, Gaufridus cunestable. Ricardus presbiter. Burdo clericus. Gaufridus de heli.

Charter of Thomas of Canterbury whereby he takes the Church and Canons under his Protection and confirms their Possessions, a. d. 1162–1170.

[Hospital Cartulary, f. 39d. (fn. 2) ]

Thomas dei gratia Cantuariensis Ecclesie humilis minister omnibus sancte matris ecclesie tam presentibus quam futuris Salutem. Noverit universitas vestra nos. ecclesiam Sancti Bartholomei Londoniarum et canonicos regulares ibidem deo servientes sub proteccione domini et nostra suscepisse eisdemque confirmasse carte nostre testimonio corroborasse locum illum de Smythfeilde in quo ecclesia eorum fabricata est et domum hospitalis eiusdem ecclesie cum terris et tenementis et libertatibus et omnibus rebus ita bene et libere et quiete sicut Rex Henricus primus in perpetuam et liberam elemosinam eundem locum eis donavit et carta sua confirmavit. Preterea confirmamus eis omnes ecclesias et possessiones quas iuste et canonice in presentiam possident aut in futurum iuste adipisci poterunt. Has ergo prescriptas possessiones et quas in posterum adipisci iuste poterunt prefatis canonicis sancti Bartholomei presentis scripti munimine et sigilli nostri apposicione confirmamus precipientes ut has prefatas possessiones et omnes libertates et dignitates quas tempore Regis Henrici primi habuerunt in summa pace et quiete possideant ita ut decetero nulli omnino homini liceat ecclesiam eorum temere perturbare aut dignitates eorum minuere aut possessiones auferre aut ablatas retinere aut eos quibuslibet vexacionibus fatigare. Omnes autem hanc confirmacionem nostram conservantes dei et nostram optineant benedictionem eam vero infirmantes dei et nostram incurrant maledictionem.

Charter of Prior Thomas whereby he appoints Adam the Mercer Master of the Hospital and makes Regulations for its future Government, a. d. 1147.

[From the Hospital Cartulary, f. 46. (fn. 3) ]

Thomas Prior Ecclesie Sancti Bartholomei de Lundon et Conventus eiusdem ecclesie universis matris ecclesie filiis salutem. Universitati vestre notum facimus quod nos Adam mercarium in fraternitatem nostram recepimus ad participandum beneficiis corporalibus et spirituabilibus que in ecclesia nostra fiunt. Qui quoniam laicus est et scimus eum non posse in conventu fratrum clericorum supplere vicem curam domus hospitalis eius fraterne prudencie commisimus. Hac dispensacione: ut quaecunque ille vel alius in terris vel redditibus: vel in quibuscumque domus illius utilitatibus perquisierit omnia integra et illibata domui hospitali finabiliter permaneant. In externis agentem vel fervenciori desiderio volentem habitum ex integro canonicum suscipere parati erimus ex animo eius satisfacere desiderio. Et quia Adam solemniter fecit fidelitatem Ecclesie Sancti Bartholomei iuramento astrictus et promisit obedienciam Thome priori et successoribus suis salva convencione de custodia domus ho spitalis sicut ista carta testatur. Ideo quo adiuxerit in habitu conversionis exteriori: prefate domus curam ad salutem anime sue presentis scripti attestacione firmamus. Ut sit ei libera potestas in pauperes orphanos pueros proiectos vicinos pauperes. Infirmos quoslibet et sine hospicio vagantes quantum eis deus inspiraverit: misericordie visceribus habundare. Gratum eciam erit nobis si quempiam de familiaribus suis vel de benefactoribus domus ad congregandum secum quandoque susceperit et humanitatis studio eis honeste obsecutus fuerit. Nostre autem reservamus auctoritati ne ad victum aut vestitum concinnum et perpetuum absque nostro consensu nullum admittat nec extra domum prebendam alicui assidue prebeat. Capellam que fere cum prefata domo fundari cepit damus assensum ut proficiat obstruso tamen hostio versus mercatum equorum. In qua vero scrinnium truncum collocabitur ad collectam faciendam. Capellam autem que in medio domus ex religionis dispensacione et caritatis intuitu hactenus fuit: complanabit. Ut domus pulcrior appareat et adventantibus capacior fiat. Cum autem vite modo fecerit convocatis fratribus ad capitulum ecclesie si quis per suam industriam in domum prefatam attraxerit communi assensu auctoritate nostra unus ex illis dignus et honestus et utilis prefate domui preferetur. Et alii custodes qui per successionem post eum venient eandem curam quam predictus Adam habuit perpetue habuerint. Et quicunque Ade successerit in predictam domus hospitalis custodiam: simili iuramento fidelitatis et obediencia solempniter astringetur. Et preterea concedimus Ade et fratribus suis hospitalis ut habeant capellanum alium quam Canonicum virum honestum consilio nostro et fratrum suorum qui assiduum divinum officium in hospitali predicto ministret. Et fratres domus hospitalis eant in aquisicionem ea que sunt necessaria domui hospitalis sicut hactenus consuetudo fuit. Beneficium quod hactenus de ecclesia scilicet totam panis nostri decimacionem et fratrum reliquias tam panis quam carnium et piscis et potus maiori si potest fieri hilaritate quam hactenus et uberius dabimus. Et si, quod absit, domus illa aliquibus eguerit que nobis exuberent vel si predicta domus aliquibus habundaverit quibus ecclesia nostra indiguerit: vicissim sibi absque utrinoque gravamine subvenient. Et quicunque capellanus in ecclesia ierit ecclesie nostre et hospitali propositis sacris fidelitatem faciet. Ut igitur cunctis appareat quo studio quam insolubili caritatis vinculo voluimus ut illa domus cum ecclesia nostra societur: et in unitate consistat. Et quod nostra ecclesia et domus predicta unum in Deo simus: Ego Thomas prior et conventus ecclesie anathematizamus et excommunicamus omnes qui divisionem et separacionem facere attemptaverint. Hiis testibus Stephano priore de Ecclesia Sancte trinitatis. Roberto canonico suo Priore de Ecclesia Sancte marie de ultra pontem. Adam Canonico suo. Ricardo presbytero de Sancta Mildreda. Ismaele presbytero de Sancto Thoma. Magistro Clemente nepote Willelmi Grand. Willelmo de Coveham. Radulpho Buctel. Roberto de Cornhull. David fratre suo. Petro filio Walteri. Willelmo Magno. Edwardo Albo. Willelmo de Blemunt. Goce Vinitore. Audrea Bukerell. Bentinaro de Haverhull. Willelmo filio suo. Galfrido filio Sabelline. Willelmo fratre suo. Radulpho Brand. Laurencio fratre suo. Remerdo mercerio. Theobaldo mercerio. Willelmo Faceto. Bartholomeo mercerio. Malgero mercerio. Hugone de Clovilla. Ricardo filio Rameri. Ricardo de Haverhull. Adamo filio Lisurni. Beremunde Iohanne Filia Stephane Brande. Gaufrido filio Stephani. Waltero de Clovilla. Rogero de Wittebie.

Bond of Prior Peter and the Convent to give Seisin to Alexander de Swereford for his Life of the Land of Tywings with the Advowson of the Church. Cir. 1240.

[St. Paul's Library, A. Box 40. No. 1452. (fn. 4) ]

Omnibus ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit Petrus Prior Canonicorum Sancti Bartholomei Londonie et eiusdem loci Conventus salutem in Domino sempiternam. Noverit universitas vestra quod cum Alexander de Swereford Thesaurarius Sancti Pauli Londonie divine caritatis intuitu nobis dederit et concesserit totam terram suam de Tywing' cum advocacione ecclesie eiusdem ville et cum omnibus aliis pertinentiis suis perpetuo possidendam ad sustentacionem quatuor Canonicorum inperpetuum divina celebrancium pro eo in ecclesia nostra conventuali et de eadem terra cum pertinentiis et advocacione predicta in plenam nos posuerit seisinam: nos ob amorem specialem quem erga predictum Alexandrum gerimus concessimus eidem Thesaurario totam predictam terram cum pertinentiis possidendam quoad vixerit et de eadem terra cum pertinentiis cum ab eodem fuerimus requisiti in plenam ponemus seisinam sub pena centum marcarum Ita tamen quod per instrumentum dicti Thesaurarii vel alio modo nobis caveatur quod predicta terra cum advocacione ecclesie et aliis pertinentiis suis revertetur ad nos et ad successores nostros post mortem dicti Thesaurarii ad sustentacionem predictorum quatuor Canonicorum et in huius rei testimonium presenti scripto sigillum nostrum apposuimus. Hiis testibus Willelmo Capellano. Radulpho Capellano. Ricardo Clerico. Willelmo de Alneto. Willelmo de Pres. Waltero de Felebrug' et aliis.

Endorsed] Carta Prioris et Conventus Sancti Bartholomei Londonie de concesso Alexandri de Swereford ad sustentacionem quatuor Canonicorum.

In later hand] Alexander de Swerford Thesaurarius. Tywing' cum advocatione ecclesiae ibidem concessa Priori &c. Sancti Bartholomei.

A Receipt of a Psalter and Gloss; an Acknowledgement by the Prior and Convent of the Receipt of a Psalter and Gloss and other things, a.d. 1250.

[St. Paul's Library, Box 70, No. 1759. (fn. 5) ]

Omnibus Christi fidelibus Prior de Sancto Bartholomei et eiusdem loci conventus salutem in Domino. Noveritis nos recepisse de dono Magistri Ricardi de Wendouere pie caritatis intuitu vnum psalterium glosatum in duobus voluminibus et epistolas beati Pauli et unam mensam et unum mensale ad honorem Dei et omnium Sanctorum et domus nostre melioracionem. Et nos pie et plene caritatis intuitu eum recepimus in fratrem de consensu et voluntate tocius conventus Et concedimus et donamus ei participacionem omnium bonorum in domo nostra factorum et fiendorum inperpetuum quod nomen eius cum fratribus Christi . . . . nostro inscribatur. Actum anno gratie Millesimo ducentesimo quinquagesimo die Sancti Johannis Apostoli et Evangeliste. In cuius rei testimonium huic scripto sigillum nostrum apposuimus.

Endorsed] Wendovere.

Confirmation of the Election of Prior Collier, 7–10 Feb., 1435–6.

[St. Paul's Library, Register of the Dean and Chapter, W.D. 13, f. 156d and 157. (fn. 6) ]

Septimo die dicti mensis Februarii anno Domini Millesimo quadringentesimo tricesimo quinto coram venerabili viro Magistro David Pryce officiario Londoniensis et Custode Spiritualitatum Episcopatus Londoniensis sede Episcopali Londoniensis vacante in dicta domo capitulari iudicialiter sedente comparuit personaliter Frater Iohannes Elys canonicus Prioratus Sancti Bartholomei in Smythfeld in suburbiis Londonie Procurator Conventus eiusdem Prioratus et presentavit et cetera ibidem dicto domino Officiario—decretum electionis de Fratre Reginaldo Colyer Canonico eiusdem Prioratus factum et celebratum instrumento publico quo quidem instrumento per ipsum recepto et inspecto prefatus dominus Officiarius ad peticionem dicti Procuratoris decrevit omnes et singulos qui contra huiusmodi decretum electionis elective personam aut personas eligentium dicere vel opponere voluerint vocandos fore erga diem Veneris tunc proximam futuram ad opponendum et dicendum quidquid dicere vel opponere voluerint cum intimacione quod sive dictis die et loco comparuerint sive non ipse ad confirmacionem electionis huiusmodi procederet ipsorum contumacia non obstante Dicto vero die Veneris adveniente coram eodem domino Officiario in eadem domo capitulari iudicialiter sedente prefatus Frater Iohannes Elys Procurator antedictus et ibidem in presencia dicti Fratris Reginaldi electi predicti peciit instanter dictam electionem confirmari et proposuit quendam articulum pro confirmacione huiusmodi habendo et in subsidium probacionis contentorum in eodem articulo exhibuit huiusmodi decretum electionis et duas litteras sigillatas Et tunc ibidem post altercaciones et allegaciones in eadem parte habitas dictus dominus officiarius negocium confirmacionis huiusmodi usque in crastinum in eodem statu continuavit Quo quidem crastino videlicet undecimo die eiusdem mensis Februarii adveniente prefatus dominus officiarius in eadem domo Capitulari ut prius iudicialiter sedens in presencia dicti Fratris Reginaldi electi predicti ad petitionem dicti Procuratoris et electi predicti in scriptis confirmavit prout in quadam cedula in hac parte conceptis continetur.

Ordinance by Robert (Fitzhugh) Bishop of London for the better Management of the Church and Priory, a.d. 1433

[St. Paul's Library, Box 25, No. 645. (fn. 7) ]

Universis et singulis sancte matris ecclesie filiis presentes litteras inspectur' liqueat manifeste quod pro bono et utilitate ecclesie Sancte Bartholomei in Smethfeld London. necnon pro redintegracione status prioratus predicti ac reformacione defectuum plurimorum quasi Importabilium per venerabilem in Christo patrem ac dominum Dominum Robertum Dei gratia Londoniensis Episcopum in visitacione sua ordinaria dictorum ecclesie et prioratus nouiter compertorum et presertim de bonis temporalibus et spiritualibus ad eosdem ecclesiam et prioratum spectantibus sumptuose et Inordinate Dispositis et gubernatis. Idem venerabilis in Christo pater et Dominus ex consensu pariter et assensu Religiosorum virorum Willielmi Coventrie Prioris et conventus prioratus predicti necnon ad specialem requisicionem et Instanciam eorundem fecit ordinavit et pro tempore hic inferius limitato stabilivit ordinaciones subsequentes.

Primo videlicet quod omnia et singula redditus et proficua tam spiritualia quam temporalia prioratus predicti per providum et circumspectum virum Magistrum Iohannem Druett prefati Domini episcopi Commissarium durante tempore supradicto recipientur et colligentur et per eundem Magistrum Iohannem per assensum deliberacionem et supervisum Walteri Shiryngton Cancellarii Domini Regis de Ducatu suo Lancastrie secundum formam et effectum hic subsequenter declaratum erunt pro bono et utilitate prioratus predicti disposita administrata soluta et gubernata.

Et quoniam verus valor exituum reuencionum reddituum et proficuorum predictorum summam quingentarum librarum per annum hiis diebus ut asseritur non excedit unde onera pensionum feodorum annuitatum et corodiorum usque ad summam Centum et septem librarum Resoluciones vero reddituum usque ad summam quinquaginta et octo librarum annuatim se extendunt. Ordinatum est igitur et appunctuatum quod predicta onera de exitibus revencionibus redditibus et proficuis supradictis persolvantur.

Item pro eo quod debita dictorum prioris et Conventus diversis creditoribus debita et a retro existencia verum valorem annuum supradictum in multo excedunt Appunctuatum est igitur et ordinatum quod prefati Prior et Conventus pro sustentacione sua et servientum suorum certa rationabili summa exituum revencionum redituum et proficuorum predictorum per annum Inter predictum dominum Episcopum et ipsos communicata [qy.] et finaliter concordata durante tempore supradicto debeant contentari videlicet quod prefatus Prior percipiet quolibet anno ad iiij anni terminos usuales per equales porciones pro sua capellani sui concanonici et servientium suorum sustentacione omnimoda viginti libras sterlingorum tantum Quilibet vero Canonicus predicti prioratus preter Canonicum capellanum prioris predicti pro sua et suorum sustentacione omnimoda Centum solidos tantum. Et uterque Clericorum in ecclesia predicta serviencium pro sua sustentacione lxviijs. iiijd. tantum. Et quidam Dominus Ricardus Sutton Capellanus pro sustentacione sua pro qua contentavit predictos priorem et Conventum ante hec tempora ut asserint xliijs. iiijd. per annum tantum. Et quod prefatus Conventus habeat xxxiijs. iiijd. quolibet anno pro pictancia. Et quod redditus infirmarie videlicet xliiijs. solvatur quolibet anno et expendatur super Canonicis infirmis et debilibus.

Item circa reparaciones necessarias eisdem ecclesie et prioratui Incumbentes summa xl. librarum expendatur et non amplius absque causa rationabili et necessaria prefatis priori et Conventui prius cognita et declarata.

Item de residuo exituum revencionum reddituum et proficuorum supradictorum prelibata debita persolvantur et contententur.

Item quod Prior et Conventus predicti de recepcione gubernacione disposicione seu administracione bonorum spiritualium aut temporalium prenominati prioratus seu alicuius parcelle eorundem durante termino supradicto absque assensu prefatorum Cancellarii et Commissarii se nullatenus Intromittant nec eorum aliquis Intromittat nec prefati Cancellarius et Commissarius aut alter eorum de observancia Religionis absque assensu prefatorum prioris et conventus se Intromittant aut eorum alter se aliquatenus Intromittant.

Item ad effectum quod amodo per tempus predictum non fiat alienacio Impugneracio aut alia quevis disposicio preiudiciale prioratui supradicto de exitibus revencionibus redditibus aut proficuis supradictis neque de bonis aut Iocalibus eidem prioratui pertinentibus Ordinatum est et provisum quod sigillum commune unacum omnibus et singulis Iocalibus ecclesie et prioratus predictorum preter ea que quotidiano habentur in usu in quadam Cista ponantur sub tribus diversis clavibus obserata quarum unam habeat Prior alteram Supprior et terciam Cancellarius vel Comissarius antedictus.

Item quod dictus magister Iohannes Druell dictis priori et Conventui seu ipsorum deputatis in presentia prefati Walteri Shiryngton de dicti prioratus quibuscumque receptis solutis et qualitercumque administratis per eundem Magistrum Iohannem Druell bis in anno videlicet in festo Michaelis Archangeli et in festo Annunciacionis beate Marie compotum et plenam reddat rationem.

In cuius rei testimonium sepedictus Reverendus in Christo pater de assensu et consensu prenominatorum prioris et Conventus et ad ipsorum requisicionem et Rogatum speciales has ordinaciones predictas tam suo quam predictorum prioris et Conventus communi sigillo sigillatas fecit fieri tripartitas unas videlicet penes eundem Reverendum patrem alias penes dictos priorem et Conventum et tercias penes prefatos Cancellarium et Commissarium remansuras hinc ad triennium Duraturas. Datum in Domo nostra Capitulari Mensis Maii die prima Anno regni Regis Henrici sexti post Conquestum undecimo.

Endorsed] Ordinatio super Prioratu Sancti Bartholomoei.

B. vij^o.

Ordinaciones prioratus sancti Bartholomei in Smythfelde.

B. vij^o.

RECORDS IN THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

A Plea of Warrant of Charter, 1201.

[Curia Regis Roll, No. 25, Michaelmas [3], John, m. 1. (fn. 8) ]

Ricardus Prior Sancti Bartholomei ponit loco suo Andream Canonicum suum versus Henricum del More de placito warrantie carte etcetera.

Concerning a Plea of Land, 1199–1216.

[Curia Regis Roll, No. 61, m. 2, time of John.]

Andreas Canonicus attornatus Prioris de Sancto Bartholomeo de Londonia versus Rogerum de Argent de placito terre per Trustram Pollard In Octavis Sancti Hillarii affertur coram Rege. (fn. 9)

A Writ of Summons. John de Shelford and Robert de Amuevill against the Priors of St. Bartholomew's and Holy Trinity and the Dean of St. Paul's, a.d. 1219.

[Curia Regis Roll, No. 70 B, m. 7d, and duplicate entry on Roll No. 71, m. 9d,the latter dated Michaelmas, 3 and 4 Henry III. (fn. 10) ]

Iohannes de Sheford et Robertus de Amuevill optulerunt se quarto die versus Priores Sancti Bartholomei et Sancte Trinitatis Londonie et Decanum Sancti Pauli Londonie de placito quare tenuerunt placitum in curia christianitatis etcetera de laico feodo ipsorum Roberti et Iohannis Crokesle etcetera. Et ipsi non venerunt etcetera. Et Vicecomes mandavit quod non fuerunt inventi et ideo sicut alias preceptum est quod attachientur eos quod sint in Crastino Sancti Martini etcetera. Unde Vicecomes mandavit quod non fuerunt inventi etcetera.

Claim of an Advowson. William de Rennes claims the Ad-vowson of the Church of Bradefeld [Essex] againstthe Prior of St. Bartholomew's, London (M'mas, 8 and 9 Hen. III., a. d. 1224).

[Curia Regis Roll, No. 87, m. 13d, and duplicate entry on Roll No. 85, m. 19d. (fn. 11) ]

Assisa venit recognitura Quis advocatio etcetera ad Ecclesiam de Bradefeld etcetera cuius advocatio Willelmus de Rennes clamat versus Priorem Sancti Bartholomei Londonie Qui venit et dicit quod assisa non debet inde fieri quia idem Willelmus alias tulit assisam ultime presentationis coram Iusticiariis ultimis itinerantibus apud Chelmereford et tandem ibidem coram eis adiudicata fuit eidem Priori presentatio sua. et inde ponit se super recordum curie.

Et Willelmus dicit quod hoc non debet ei nocere quia idem Prior nullam recuperavit presentationem immo Episcopo loci auctoritate concilii contulit cuidam clerico ecclesiam illam et inde ponit se super iuratam.

Et Prior dicit quod Walterus qui ultimo obiit persona presentatus fuit ab eodem Priore eandem Ecclesiam. Et inde ponit se super Assisam. Et Willelmus similiter et ideo procedat assisa. Iuratores dicunt quod Walterus qui ultimo obiit persona etcetera habuit Ecclesiam illam ex dono Episcopi Londoniensis auctoritate concilli et non ad presentationem Prioris Et quesiti quis presentavit Adam qui prius obiit persona ante Walterum dicunt quod Willelmus de Rennes avus Willelmi. Et ideo consideratum est quod Willelmus recuperavit presentationem suam. Et Prior in misericordia mandetur Episcopo Londoniensi quod admittat clericum suum.

A Claim of Land in Clerkenwell. The Prior claims against Germain the Gorgerer and Denis his Wife land in Clerkenwell, A.D. 1266.

[Curia Regis Roll 176, m. 22d. (fn. 12) ]

Middlesex.

Prior Sancti Bartholomei de Smethefeld per attornatum suum petit versus Gerinum le Gorgerer et Dyonisiam uxorem eius decem et octo perticatas terre et dimidiam in longitudine et quinque pedes terre in latitudine cum pertinentiis in Clerkenewelle strete ut ius ecclesie sue etcetera in quas iidem Gerinus et Dionisia non habent ingressum nisi per Robertum filium Ricardi le Fevere qui Petrum quondam Priorem Sancti Bartholomei de Smethefeld predecessorem predicti Prioris inde iniuste et sine iudicio disseisivit post primam etcetera. Et Gerinus et Dyonisia veniunt et defendunt ius suum etcetera et bene cognoscuntur quod habent ingressum in predictam terram per predictum Robertum set bene defendunt quod predictus Robertus nunquam disseisivit predictum Petrum quondam Priorem Sancti Bartholomei de Smethefeld. Set dicunt quod quidam Ricardus le Fevere pater predicti Roberti obiit seisitus de predictis tenementis ut de libero tenemento suo et quod idem Robertus post mortem predicti Ricardi intravit in predicta tenementa ut filius et heres predicti Ricardi. Et de hoc ponunt se super patriam. Et Prior similiter. Ideo preceptum est Vicecomiti quod venire faciat hic in Octabis Sancti Hillarii duodecim etcetera per quos etcetera. Et qui nec etcetera ad recognitum in forma predicta. Quia tam etcetera.

Adam de Stratton against the Prior of St. Bartholomew's, A.D. 1268.

[Curia Regis Roll 184 B, m. 1d. (fn. 13) ]

Adam de Stratton optulit se quarto die versus Priorem Sancti Bartholomei Londonie et Margeriam ve . . . ad hunc diem ad cognoscendum per que servicia tenent tenementum suum in parochia de Sene . . . Sacri que servicia idem Iohannes in curia Regis hic concessit predicto Ade et heredibus suis per finem . . . factam. Et ipse non venit et preceptum fuit Vicecomiti quod faceret eum venire ad hunc diem . . . quod Robertus de Horemad et Alexander Crubbe manucapti predictum Priorem Et quod Robertus de Ponte . . . David manucapti predictam Margeriam. Ideo ipsi in misericordia. Et preceptum est Vicecomiti quod distringat eos per omn . . . etcetera. Ita quod de exitibus etcetera. Et quod habeat corpora eorum in Octabis Sancte Trinitatis etcetera.

An Inquisition as to the Custody of the Hospital and theright of the King to the Advowson of the Same, A.D. 1285.

[Chancery Inquisitio Post Mortem, 13 Edw. I, n. 125. (fn. 14) ]

A translation:

'The king assigned Master Henry de Bray, his escheator on this side the Trent, to enquire concerning the right of the king to the advowson of the Hospital of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, and also to enquire by the oath of good and lawful men as well of the city of London and the suburbs of the same as by others of those parts whether the custody of the said hospital belongs to the king or to the prior of St. Bartholomew's Priory there, whereupon an inquisition was taken thereof before the said H. at St. Martin's the Great, London, on Wednesday in the feast of St. James the Apostle 13 Edward I (1285) by Richard de la Grene, William le Flamang, Andrew le Blader, John le Proud Barber, William Pikart le Tayllur, William de Haversham, Ioceus atte Welle, Reginald de Wymbildon, Robert de Wyke, Adam le Pestur, Iohn le Barber, Iohn Dachet and Walter de Hengham, who say that the said priory of St. Bartholomew is of the foundation of the progenitors of the new king as a free chapel of the king, to the which priory the said hospital is annexed as a member of the same and immediately subject to it, so that from time immemorial, the hospital being vacant, the priors of the said priory always had the custody of the said hospital, taking nothing of the temporalities or spiritualities thereof, but all the issues and profits thereof were converted to the use of the poor and the ministers of the said hospital. The brethren of the said hospital have their election, and choose whom they think fit to be master, and present whom they have chosen to the prior, who presents him to the bishop of London to be confirmed, whereupon the custody of the hospital when vacant belongs to the said prior. Neither the king nor his ministers have hitherto intermeddled in the custody of the said hospital when vacant, unless it should happen that while the priory was vacant the said hospital should also happen to be vacant, in which case the custody ought to belong to the king.'

A Petition to the King for the Recovery of the 'Christ's Dole' of Fish at Yarmouth, about a.d. 1323.

[Ancient petitions, R.O. 272/13570. (fn. 15) ]

A nostre seign^r le Roi mustre le Priour et le Couent de seint Berthelemeu de Londres q com il teignent leglise de petyt Jernemuth en ppres vs du doun des auncestres n[ot]re seign^r le Roi a quele eglise apent un pfit qest apele Cristesdale cest asauer q la dite eglise de chescun nef de la paroche qest peschaunt en la Meer deit auer sa porcion del gayn de la pescherie tant com affert a un de pesch[eurs ?] ou mariners de mesme la nef le quel q les ditz mariners seijent de mesme la vile ou dautre pays de quel pfit la dite eglise ad este seisie du temps dont nule memoire ne court com de dreit de leglise com esteit plus pleynement troue [en] la dreyne visitacion Larceuesq de Caunterbyrs, ci la q a vynt aunz de cy, un John fiz Aleyn de Kessinglond ensemblement oue autres de autres poches unt cele porcion detenu iesqes ensa au damage de ditz Priour e couent e desheritesun de leglise auantdite prie au n[otr]e seign^r le Roi le dit Priour qil voille pur dieu tel remedie ordener en ces cas q la dite eglise ne seit desherite.

[Endorsed] Heant bre formatum in Cancellaria sup contentis in ista peticōe versus inuriantes, &c.

A Disputed Acquittance for Beer, a.d. 1445.

[Early Chancery proceedings, R.O. 23 Henry VI, Bundle 13, No. 38. (fn. 16) ]

John Spenser, brewer of London ver. Reynold, prior of St. Bartholomew's, West Smithfield.

Alleged acquittance: (Examinations of John Venys, sub-prior and others). 23 Henry VI.

'Be it had in mynde that the X day of Juyll (July) ye xxiii yere of King Henry the sixth (fn. 17) per John Venys suppriour of ye priorie of seynt Bartholomew in Westsmythfeld London John Elys and Thomas Banbery, chanons of ye sayd priorie appearyng in their proper persones before the king in his channcorie by speciall comaundement of ye same court thereof had. And there streytly at the request of Reynold priour of ye sayd priorie sworn every man above sayd be hymself upon a boke to sey the playn trowthe whether that they had any knowleche or noo of ye making and selyng (sealing) of a quitance that was made by one John Spenser of London brewer in the vigill of Seynt John Baptiste the yere of the regne of Kyng Henri ye sixte after ye Conquest ye xvii to ye seyd priour & conent (convent) of the same place by the which acquitance it apperith that ye seyd John hath resceyved of ye seyd priour & conent LX. li in full payment of all manner of arrerages to the seyd John by the seyd priory & convent before the date of the seyde acquitance in any wyse dewe or owyng. The seyd John Venys John Elys and Thomas Banbery playnly and openly seyd by the othe that they had made and be ther prestehode as they wode answere to God that eon Symkyn Braban a clerk sumtyme of the Eschekey (Exchequer) and now of new Salesbery Gentelman wrote the seyd acquitance with his owne hand and that the seyd acquittance was redde in Englissh tonge accordyng to the Latyn and in noon other covine (fn. 18) afore ye selyng thereof to the seyd John Spenser in the chamber of ye seyd priour withyn ys seyd priorie. In presence of ye seyd priour John Venys suppriour John Elys Thomas Thornton Thom Banbery chanons of the seyd hous Robt. Bayley a clerk of the Eschekey Willm. West citezen & Founder (fn. 19) of London Reynold Newton of London yoman and other and so thereupon the same John Spenser thanne and there with good deliberacion and avisement thereof selid ye seyd acquittance with his owne handis and to ye seyd Reynold priour there delivered and with ye same sele selid that the seyd John Spenser had selid y acquitance to prior Willm. Coventre predecessor of the seyd priour that now is the which matier is trewe as God knowith and all his seyntis.'

Bundle 19, No. 348.

Margaret, late the wife and executrix of John Spenser, brewer of London ver. John Ball, late servant of Reginald Collyer, prior of S. Bartholomew's, West Smithfield.

Forgery of an acquittance of debt by the said Prior, one Elys his co-canon, and John Parker, Sanctuary monger.

'To the most reverent Father in God the Archbisshop and Cardinal of York and Chanceller of England Mekeley besecheth Margaret (fn. 20) late the wife of John Spencer late citizen & brewer of London the executrix of the testament of the same John that where one Reynold Colyer priour of the chyrche of seynt Bartilmew's in West Smythfeld in the subarbis of London was indetted unto the said John Spencer testator of your said besecher cciiij xiii li xiiii & xvii^d ob. (fn. 21) for ale of the same hadde to the use of his said priorie as hit appered be diverse wrytynges and tailles therof made for the whiche the said John Spencer toke an accion of dette ageynst the said priour reteanable before the justice of the comyn place (Common Pleas) process thereof contynned unto the tyme the said priour appered and (blank) leted (pleaded) in barr of the said accion of dette an acquitannce supposed to be made to the said priour in the name of the same John Spenser the whiche acquittance was totally fourged and of grete untrouth ymagyned made and sealled in the name of the said John Spenser by the said priour and one Elys his cochanon and one John Parker late Goldsmyth and of Seynt Marteyne the grete of London Seynt Warymongar(sic) the which was never the dede of the said John Spencer and for the said priour durst not abide the triell therof in London where the said accion of dette was sued he laid the same Reles (release) to be made in the Shire of Surrey because of which acquitannce so ymagyned and fourged and foreyn ple so pleted the testator of youre said besecher was putte to greyte delays and the said matter to take such conclusion the whiche was to the irreparable hurte of hym and of your said besecher with oute your gracious lordeship to youre said besecher shewed in this behalf and of the whyche acquitannce so fourged and made with all the circumstance therof one Jhn. Bell thenne beyng servaunt of the said priour knowes the truth of the matter in that particular the which were to youre said besecher a mene of a spedy remedy. Wherfore please hit youre said gode lordship the premisses considere if to grante a writte of subpena to be directe to the said Jhn. Bell to apere afore youe atte a certeyn day to be examyned thereupon the premisses and doo and prescribe in that particular by your grete wysdom and gud faith and conscience requireth and that for the luf of God and in the waye of charite.' (fn. 22)