Memorials: 1411

Sentence of the Pillory, for slandering an Alderman.

12 Henry IV. A.D. 1411. Letter-Book I. fol. cvi. (Latin.)

On the 12th day of February, in the 12th year etc., Geoffrey Loveye, citizen and mercer of London, was brought here, before the Mayor and Aldermen, for that he, at divers times, in the Parishes of St. Martin Pomeroy, St. Mary Colchirche, St. Mary le Bow, and elsewhere in London, had raised the hue (fn. 1) against Thomas (fn. 2) Fauconer, Alderman, late his master, calling him a false man, and cursing him, saying and alleging that he, Thomas, had falsely distrained upon him; and had publicly uttered other opprobrious and scandalous words against the same Thomas; to the scandal of the said Thomas, and the manifest disgrace of the estate of Aldermanry.

Which Geoffrey, being interrogated as to the matters aforesaid, could not deny the same, but expressly acknowledged that he had so done. Therefore, to the end that others might beware of doing such things in future, it was adjudged by the Court that the said Geoffrey, for his offences and baseless lies aforesaid, should be put upon the pillory, there to remain for one hour of the day; unless he should find increased favour as to the same.

Upon which, the same Thomas Fauconer entreated the Mayor and Aldermen, that they would deign to respite execution of the judgment aforesaid, upon the good behaviour of the said Geoffrey towards him, the same Thomas, in future; which was granted unto him. And thereupon, it was enjoined upon the said Geoffrey then and there by the Court, that he must not in future slander Thomas Fauconer aforesaid, or utter against him any opprobrious or scandalous words whatsoever; on pain of execution of the judgment aforesaid, in case he should in future be lawfully convicted of the same, or anything like thereto. (fn. 3)

Presentation to a Chantry in the Chapel of St. Mary, near the Guildhall.

12 Henry IV. A.D. 1411. Letter-Book I. fol. ciii. (Latin.)

"To the Reverend Father in Christ, and Lord, the Lord Richard, by Divine permission, Bishop of London, (fn. 4) Thomas Knolles, Mayor of the City of London, and John Proffyt, Chamberlain of the same city, all manner of reverence and of honour. We do present unto your said fatherly Reverence, in regard of charity, our dearly-beloved in Christ William Test, Chaplain, of the Diocese of Lincoln, to fill one Chantry of the five Chantries founded in the Chapel of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, (fn. 5) near to the Guildhall in the City of London aforesaid, through the death of Sir William Marche, late Chaplain there, now vacant, and unto our gift belonging; entreating the same your fatherly Reverence, that you will graciously deign to admit the same William Test to the Chantry aforesaid, and to institute him in the same; and to do all and singular other the things which upon your pastoral office are incumbent. May the Most Highest preserve your fatherly Reverence, for the healthful rule and protection of His Holy Church for length of time happily to survive. In witness whereof, the Seals as well of our Mayoralty, as of the office of the Chamber of the said city, are to these presents appended. Given at London aforesaid, the 28th day of the month of March, in the year of Our Lord 1411, and the 12th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Fourth." (fn. 6)

Grant by Richard Whityngton of Land, for the re-building of the Church of St. Michael Paternosterchirche in the Riole.

12 Henry IV. A.D. 1411. Letter-Book I. fol. lxxxvi. (Latin.)

"Know all persons present and to come, that I, Richard Whityngtone, citizen and mercer of London, by virtue of Letters Patent of our Lord the King now reigning, the date of which is etc., (fn. 7) have given, granted, and by this my present writing have confirmed and assigned, unto Sir John White, Parson of the Church of St. Michael, called 'Paternosterchirche,' in the street called 'La Riole,' (fn. 8) in London, a certain parcel of that my vacant piece of land, with the appurtenances, which I hold, situate in the Parish of St. Michael aforesaid; and which vacant piece of land, with the appurtenances, jointly with Henry Londone, my serjeant, and John Chamberlein, Chaplain, now both deceased, I lately purchased and had of the gift and feoffment of William Westone, citizen and draper of London, and Johanna, his wife; as by a certain writing of theirs unto us made thereupon, read and enrolled in the Husting of London of Pleas of Land, holden on Monday the Feast of St. John Port Latin [6 May], in the 10th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Fourth, fully appears; to the end that upon the same parcel, and upon the parcel of land or soil on which the said Church stands, which is now too small, frail, and ruinous, a larger Church may be built and constructed anew, to the honour of God and of St. Michael the Archangel, together with a graveyard adjoining thereto: which parcels of land do also lie and are situate between the Lane called 'Paternosterlane,' (fn. 9) on the South side thereof, and the tenement called 'the Tabard,' which lately belonged to Richard Broun, baker, but which now belongs to me and others, on the North side; as also, the King's high street of the Riole on the West, and another parcel of the said vacant land to me belonging, on the East; containing in length, from East to West, 113 feet, and in breadth, at the West end 53 feet, and at the East end 53 feet.—To have and to hold the said parcel of land, with the appurtenances, as aforesaid, unto him, the aforesaid Rector, and his successors, of the lords in chief of the fee, by the services for the same due and of right accustomed, for ever. In witness whereof, to this present writing I have set my seal, Thomas Knolles being then Mayor of the City of London, John Penne and Thomas Pike then Sheriffs of the same city. These being witnesses,Robert Chichele, (fn. 10) the then Alderman of that Ward, Richard Merivale, William Reynold, Robert Louthe, William Symmes, John Pycard, and Thomas Broune, and many others. Given at London, the 13th day of April, in the 12th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Fourth."

Enactment re-enabling William Kyngescote to hold office in the City.

12 Henry IV. A.D. 1411. Letter-Book I. fol. cvi. (Latin.)

On the 16th day of July, in the 12th year etc., at a congregation of Thomas Knolles, Mayor, and the Aldermen and Common Council, in the Upper Chamber of the Guildhall summoned, forasmuch as it appeared to the same Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, that William Kyngescote, (fn. 11) to whom the charge of the Gate of Ludgate, and of the prisoners there being, had been conditionally granted by John Shadworthe, late Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Common Council, by the aid of his friends had been at divers charges and expenses laid out upon the Gate aforesaid, and the rooms over the same built, both in repair of the said Gate and for the benefit of the prisoners therein; to the impoverishment and detriment of the same William, unless he should be relieved as to the same; and although the same William had committed a certain act of rebellion against William Chichele and John Lane, late Sheriffs, upon the Eve of St. Michael etc., as they recollected;—but as to the which the same William had humbly submitted himself to the favour of the Court, and had been removed from his office, and wholly disabled for holding any office in the said city:—all the matters aforesaid being seriously taken into consideration, it was ordered by the aforesaid Thomas Knolles, Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Common Council, that the said William Kyngescote should be re-instated, and enabled to hold any office in the said city, as fully and precisely as he was and had been before the judgment so given.

Proclamation against Wrestling within the Sanctuary of St. Paul's.

12 Henry IV A.D. 1411. Letter-Book I. fol. civ. (Latin and Old English.)

(fn. 12) Proclamation made on the Friday next before the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 August], in the 12th year.—

"That no manere man ne child, of what estate or condicioun that he be, be so hardy to wrestell, or make ony wrestlyng, within the Seintuary ne the boundes of Poules, ne in non other open place within the Citee of Londone,up peyne (fn. 13) of emprisonement of fourty dayes, and makyng fyn unto the Chaumbre, after the discrecioun of the Mair and Aldermen."