Memorials: 1417

Loaves of certain qualities forbidden to be made in Lent.

4 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal 1 fol. 12. (Latin.)

On the 4th day of February, in the 4th year etc., it was ordered that, in time of Lent, simnel loaves (fn. 1) should not be made, nor yet any other white loaves, that are called "painman," (fn. 2) "maincherin," (fn. 3) etc.; but only three kinds of loaves, namely, tourte, (fn. 4) bis, (fn. 5) and white. (fn. 6)

Proclamation made on the 9th day of February.

4 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxci. (Old English.)

"Herry, by the grace of God, Kyng of Ingelond and of Fraunce, and Lord of Irlond, hoteth and comaundeth, that al maner of Knyghtes, which þat are of the Kynges retenue, and bene withinne þe Cite of Londone, drawe hem to the Frere Prechours; (fn. 7) that they be there redy be thus after none be fore pe Kynges Counseille."

Punishment of the Pillory, for fraudulently pretending to be one of the King's purveyors.

4 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxc. (Latin.)

A Court of our Lord the King, holden before Henry Bartone, Mayor, and the Aldermen, in the Guildhall of London, on Tuesday, the 16th day of February, in the 4th year etc.—

William Redhede, of Barnette, was taken and attached, for that, when one Hugh Morys, maltman, on Monday, the 15th day of February, in the 4th year etc., brought here to the City of London four bushels of wheat, and exposed them for sale in common and open market, at the Market of Graschirche, in the Parish of St. Benedict Graschirche, in the City aforesaid, the said William there falsely and fraudulently pretended that he was an officer of our Lord the King, saying and affirming that he was a taker and purveyor of such victuals, as well for the household of our said Lord the King, as for the victualling of his town of Harflewe; and so, under feigned colour of his alleged office, would have had the wheat aforesaid taken and carried away, had he not been warily prevented from so doing by the constables and reputable men of the Parish aforesaid, and other persons then in the market; in contempt of our Lord the King, and to the grievous loss, and in deceit, of the commonalty of the City aforesaid; and especially of the said market, and of other markets in the City, seeing that poor persons who bring wheat and other victuals to the City aforesaid, do not dare to come, by land or by water, through fear of the multitude of pretended purveyors and takers, who resort thither from every side.

And because that the same William Redhede, as well within the City aforesaid as without, under feigned colour of the office aforesaid, was found by inquisition to be a common deceiver and oppressor of the people of our Lord the King, he came before the said Mayor and Aldermen, being brought here by the Sheriffs. And being asked how he would acquit himself etc., he said that he was in no way guilty thereof, and put himself upon the country as to the same. Therefore a jury was ordered to be summoned thereon, on Wednesday, the 17th day of February then next ensuing; and in the meantime the said William was sent back to prison, in the custody of John Coventre and Robert Wydingtone, the Sheriffs.

Afterwards, on Wednesday, the 17th day (fn. 8) of February aforesaid, came here, before the said Mayor and Aldermen, the aforesaid William Redhede, being brought here by the Sheriffs. And likewise the Jury appeared, namely, John Jurdone, and eleven others. Who declared upon their oath, the said William Redhede to be guilty of the trespass, contempt, falsity, and deceit, to him imputed as aforesaid etc. And thereupon, by the said Mayor and Aldermen, to the end that others might in future have a dread of committing such crimes, it was adjudged that the same William Redhede should, upon the three market-days then next ensuing, be taken each day from the Prison of Newgate to the Market called "Le Cornmarket," opposite to the Friars Minors, and there the cause of the judgment aforesaid was to be proclaimed; and after that, he was to be taken through the middle of the high street of Chepe to the Pillory on Cornhille; and upon that he was to be placed on each of those three days, there to stand for one hour each day, the reason for such sentence being then and there publicly proclaimed. And after that, he was to be taken from thence, through the middle of the high street of Cornhille, to the Market of Graschurche aforesaid, where like proclamation was to be made; and from thence back again to prison. And precept was given to the Sheriffs, to do execution of the judgment aforesaid.

And after execution of such judgment on the three days aforesaid, the same William being sent back to prison, he gave 40 shillings for having his release therefrom.

Acknowledgment of receipt of certain articles by a Serjeant of the City.

4 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal 1 fol. 15. (Latin.)

The 16th day of March, in the 4th year etc.; present, the Mayor, the Recorder, Whityngtone, R. Chichele, Walderne, Crowmere, Fauconere, Nortone, Penne, Everard, Gedeney, Ralph Bartone, Perveys, Robert Widyngtone.—

(fn. 9) Thomas Derlyng acknowledged that he had received from Beatrix Blakamour (fn. 10) the goods underwritten;—one pair of rings called "gemewes," (fn. 11) one baselard harnessed with silver, one ring with engraved (fn. 12) thereon. Also, ten shillings in ready money. Also, one coverlet, and 3 pilowes. Also, he acknowledged that the same Beatrix had paid to him, the same Thomas, 6s. 8d., when he was presented to the office of Serjeant.

Ordinance made for the abolition of Stews within the City.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxciii. (Latin and Norman French.)

(fn. 13) A Common Council, holden on the 20th day of April, in the 5th year etc., in presence of Henry Bartone, Mayor, John Bartone, Recorder, Richard Merlawe, Robert Chichele, and other Aldermen, and John Coventre, one of the Sheriffs, and an immense multitude of Commoners of the said city.—

(fn. 14) "Whereas heretofore many grievances, abominations, damages, disturbances, murders, homicides, larcenies, and other common nuisances, have oftentimes ensued and befallen in the City of London, and the suburbs thereof, by reason and cause of the common resort, harbouring, and sojourning, which lewd men and women, of bad and evil life, have in the stews belonging to men and women in the City and suburbs aforesaid; insomuch that—a thing to be lamented—divers men and women have been of late slain, spoiled, and robbed, for the cause and reason aforesaid; and, what is even worse, from one day to another, the wives, sons, daughters, apprentices, and servants, of the reputable men of the City, are oftentimes subtly, by the false imagining, colouring, and covin, as well of those who keep the said stews, as of others for a little money, drawn and enticed thereto; and there they, as well as other persons, both regular and secular, are permitted to do and carry on the illicit works of their lewd flesh, to the great abomination and displeasure of God, and to the great dishonour and damage of all the City:—for ever to remove and oust the same, the honourable man, Robert Chichele, Alderman of the same city, made promise, of his free and charitable will, to give to the use and profit of the same city for ever, in fee simple, certain lands and tenements of his, with the appurtenances, in the County of Surrey, amounting to 40 marks yearly, for 20 marks sterling by the Commonalty of the same city yearly to be paid to the said Robert, and to, (fn. 15) his wife, during the lives of either of them. And hereupon, Henry Bartone, Mayor, and the Aldermen, of the City of London, with the assent of the Commons, to the pleasing of God, and to the salvation of their own souls, the removal of the evils aforesaid, and the purifying and decency of the said city, on the one hand, and to the great profit and common advantage, on the other, did ordain and establish, for ever to hold good, that no man or woman in the City of London, or in the suburbs thereof, should from thenceforth keep any stews within the City of London, or in the suburbs thereof, for lodging therein any men or women by day or by night, on pain of paying five pounds to the Chamber, every time that any one should be convicted of doing to the contrary thereof; and further, of being punished, and of making fine, at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen.

"Provided always, that every person of the City, for his own seemliness, (fn. 16) might lawfully have and make in his own house a stew, (fn. 17) or such other beseeming thing, to the use of him and his household."

Ordinance forbidding the exclusion of the common people from certain Wharves and Stairs on the banks of the Thames.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxciii. (Norman French.)

"Whereas heretofore, and now also, from day to day, many persons dwelling in the City and the suburbs of London, more consulting and attending to their private profit and advantage than to the common good and convenience, do hold certain wharves and stairs on the bank of the Thames, which are held by encroachment upon, and are situate on, the common soil and the course of the water, without having any licence, or paying any thing to the community for the same; and then, the same being by favour obtained and colourably appropriated, have mixed up their own and separate soil and land therewith; and, what is even worse, from day to day these persons do make new customs and imposts upon the poor common people, who time out of mind have there fetched and taken up their water, and washed their clothes, and done other things for their own needs, maliciously interfering with them in their said franchise; and demanding and taking from such as resort thereto, from some one halfpenny, and from others one penny, two, or more, by the quarter, to the great injury of all the commonalty, and expressly against the good usages and ancient customs of all the City:—therefore, Henry Bartone, Mayor, and the Aldermen, with the assent of the Commons, considering that the common good is and has been for a long time supplanted, and hardly any one applies himself to sustain or maintain it, for the singular affection and good will that he bears towards the doers of such grievance and common damage, have ordained and established, for all time to come, that no person who dwells on the bank of the Thames, or other person whatsoever, having or holding any wharf or stair, situate or encroaching upon the common soil, to which there has been, or been accustomed to be, common resort of the people heretofore for such needs as aforesaid, shall from henceforth disturb, hinder, or molest, any one in fetching, drawing, and taking water, or in beating and washing their clothes, or in "doing and executing other reasonable things and needs there; or "shall demand or take, privily or openly, from any person any manner of sum or piece of money, or other thing whatsoever, for custom; on pain of imprisonment, and of making fine, at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen, every time that he who has or holds any such wharf or stair shall be lawfully convicted of having done to the contrary hereof."

Ordinance that no Landlord shall harbour as his Tenant any person of evil and vicious life.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxciv. (Norman French.)

"Also,—whereas a common report runs and prevails throughout the said city of London, that, when any men or women of bad and pernicious life are indicted in any Ward of the same city, at the time of the Wardmotes thereof, they do fly from the Ward where they are so indicted, and withdraw themselves to the neighbouring Wards, or others near thereto, and within the City, or in the suburbs, and do dwell there, in houses belonging as well to Aldermen and substantial Commoners, as to other persons; and there, through their maintenance, for the trifling gain that such owners have in letting their houses, and so getting their rents, these persons are permitted to do and carry on the illicit works of their carnal appetites; and there they do harbour oftentimes the wives, sons, and daughters, servants and apprentices, of free and honest persons of the City, together with the goods and chattels belonging to their parents and masters; and also, do suffer them there to waste the said goods and chattels upon the heinous sins aforesaid, and other the most abominable deeds that one may think of or devise, to the very great and abominating displeasure of God, and to the horrible damage and scandal of all the said city:—therefore, the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commoners, have ordained and established for ever, that from henceforth no Alderman, substantial Commoner, or other person whatsoever, shall receive as a tenant within the same city, or in the suburbs thereof, or shall suffer to remain among his tenantry, any man or woman who has been indicted or charged as of, or known to be of, evil and vicious life; on pain of paying to the Chamber, to the use of the Commonalty of the same city, the value of the rent that the said man or woman, so indicted or charged as of, or known to be of, evil and vicious life, shall have paid to him for such tenancy, according to the custom of the City, of the dwellings, tenements, or rents aforesaid; unless he shall know how to, or may, by his oath clear and acquit himself in some other lawful way, as having known nothing before, by information or in any other manner, of their being so indicted or charged as of, or living, such evil and vicious life."

Appointment of John Courteney as Common Hunt.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxciv. (Latin.)

On the 20th day of April, in the 5th year etc., John Courteney, of Aynesford, (fn. 18) in the County of Kent, Gentilman, was by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, (fn. 19) chosen, admitted, and accepted, to the office of Common Hunt of the City: and it was granted unto him by the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, that he, the same John Courteney, for executing the office aforesaid, should have and receive yearly, from the Commonalty of the said city, his vesture, fees, and rewards, together with all and singular the appurtenances and advantages in any way pertaining to the office aforesaid etc., as fully and wholly as Nicholas Brincheslee, Esquire, had had, who lately held and occupied that office.

Security given by a Surgeon, to ensure due care of his Patients.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal 1 fol. 19. (Latin.)

On the 8th day of May, in the 5th year, etc., came here John Severelle Love, (fn. 20) surgeon, and acknowledged that he owed to John Hille, Chamberlain of the City, 20 pounds sterling, to be paid at the Feast of Pentecost then next ensuing, by way of recognizance etc.: the condition being, that if he, the said John Severelle Love, should take any man under his care, as to whom risk of maiming, or of his life, might ensue, and within four days should not warn the Wardens of the craft of Surgery thereof, then such recognizance should hold good etc.; but if he should, then otherwise. Provided always, that so often as it might be lawfully proved that the said John Severelle Love had done against the condition aforesaid, then one half of such sum should remain unto the use of the said city, and the other half to the faculty or craft of Surgeons aforesaid.

The highest rank among the Rectors of the City, in the Procession on Whit Monday, conceded to the Rector of the Church of St. Peter, Cornhille.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. ccii. (Latin.)

All events that take place are the more firmly established, and the less likely to be disturbed by any future questioning thereof, if they derive their force from written testimony. Therefore, be it known unto all persons now living, and let those learn who shall come hereafter, that on past occasions of the Procession, which in the week of Pentecost (fn. 21) was wont yearly to take place, an Apostolic (fn. 22) contention oftentimes arose between the Rectors of the Churches of St. Peter Cornhille, St. Magnus the Martyr, and St. Nicholas Coldabbey, in London, which of them would seem to be the greater, and by reason of such dignity should occupy the last place in the Procession. And although the contention that ensued upon this discussion was not [inflamed] by the Rectors themselves, but rather by their parishioners, who would light the torch of discord on the one side and the other, more for the sake of worldly pride, than through any title to probity on their part, who so did their best to break the peace of the City, and satisfy a lurking malevolence; still, this accumulating fuel for strife was only added to with the revolution of every succeeding year; and this, notwithstanding that the Rectors of that Basilica (fn. 23) of the Chief of the Apostles, which was formerly the Metropolitan See, by reason of the everlasting reverence due to such a dignity, were wont to go in the last place in the procession, as being priors, (fn. 24) or rather abbots, over all the rectors in the said city, and of right ought to go in that place, by reason of such priority; in accordance with a certain sentence that had been pronounced thereon, on the 6th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, according to the course and computation of the English Church, 1399, by Thomas Stowe, of blessed memory, Doctor of Laws, and Official of London, and many others learned in the law, then assessors with him, in behalf of William Aghtone, the then Rector of the Church of St.Peter aforesaid, and solemnly decided upon; and which, before Henry Bartone, the present Mayor, and the Aldermen, in full Court read and shown, most manifestly has appeared, and does appear.—

Therefore, the said Mayor and Aldermen, on their part, not presuming themselves to define aught that had been settled by ecclesiastical judgment, but desiring more promptly to carry out, with filial obedience, that which such authority had rightly laid down, and wishing to promote that peace and tranquillity which by the bond of their oath they are especially bound to watch over in the City aforesaid, and with especial zeal to ensure; having first taken into diligent consideration the ancient ritual, and the solemn proofs, decrees, and sentences, that had transpired and had been passed in the case, on the one hand, as well as having deliberately thought upon the damages and perils, which, through such dissensions and commotions, every year manifestly and probably might happen and arise, on the other, unless some aid should be speedily brought thereunto; on the 27th day of May, in the 5th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Fifth, did decree, ordain, and, so far as unto them, for the nurturing of peace, did pertain, did award and enact, as a thing for all time to be observed, that Sir John Whitby, the then Rector of the Church of St. Peter aforesaid, and all his successors, Rectors of the same Church, successively, of right, and for the honour of that most sacred Basilica of St. Peter, (which was the first Church founded in London, namely, in the year of Our Lord 199, (fn. 25) by King Lucius, and in which was the Metropolitan See for four hundred years and more), shall go alone after all other the Rectors of the same city, in all and singular Processions within the City aforesaid, on the Monday in the week of Pentecost in each year, as being priors or abbots over them, and occupying the last and most dignified place; and that, without impediment, molestation, disquiet, or disturbance, on part of the Rectors of the Churches of St. Magnus and St. Nicholas aforesaid, now being, their successors and their parishioners, or of any other persons whatsoever; on pain of imprisonment of their bodies, and of making fine, at the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen, as to those who shall cause breach of the peace or disquiet of the people in this behalf.

Application made to the Mayor and Aldermen by the Fraternity of the Yeomen Tailors.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cci. (Latin.)

On the 5th day of August, in the 5th year etc., came William Devenisshe, John Elys, John Spencer, and John Cobbe, and other men of the trade of Tailors, "yomen taillours" (fn. 26) vulgarly called, and, by a certain petition of theirs, presented to Henry Bartone, the then Mayor, and the Aldermen, entreated that they would deign to grant that they and other their fellows of that fraternity of yomen, on the Feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist [29 August] then next ensuing, and so yearly from thenceforth, might assemble in the Church of St. John of Jerusalem, near to Smithefeld, and there make offering for the brethren and sisters of their fraternity deceased, and do other things which theretofore they had been wont to do.

Which Mayor and Aldermen having first inspected a certain record of and upon the government of the said trade, and of the serving-men and journeymen of the same, in the time of Thomas Fauconer, late Mayor, entered in folio (fn. 27) 151 of this Book (fn. 28) —

Letter from the King, announcing the surrender of the Castle of Touque.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxcix.(Old English and Norman French.)

"By the Kyng.—Trusty and well-beloued. We grete yow often tymes, wel doyng yow to understande for youre confort, that by the grace of God we ben sauely arryued into oure lond of Normandie, with alle oure subgitz ordeyned to goo with vs for the ferst passage; and this day, the Euen of Seint Laurence [10 August], aboute mydday was yoldene (fn. 29) un to vs the Castell of Touque, (fn. 30) a boute the whiche our well beloued cosyn, therle of Huntyngdone, (fn. 31) lay, and the keyes of the sayd castelle deliuered vn to vs with oute shedyng of Cristen blood, or deffense mad by oure enemys; the wheche castel is an Honneur, and alle the Viscountie and Lordshippes of Auge holden ther of, as we ben enfourmed by such men as were ther yn. Wherof we thanke God lowely, that Hym lust (fn. 32) of high grace to shewe unto vs so faire begynnyng in our present voiage; desiryng also, that ye thanke God therof in the most best wyse that ye can; and that, ye sende vs fro tyme to tyme suche tydyng be komerys be thwene, (fn. 33) as ye haue in that syde the see. Yeuen vnder our Signet, (fn. 34) at our sayd Castel of Touque, the ix day of Aost.—

(fn. 35) "Unto our very dear and trusty, the Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and good folks, of our City of London." (fn. 36)

Royal Mandate, enjoining that the Aldermen shall reside within the City.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cxcviii. (Norman French.)

"Henry, by the grace of God etc., to our very dear and wellbeloved the Mayor of our City of London, greeting. Although that by our Letters, under our Signet of late directed unto you and the Aldermen of the same city, we had written unto you to use all your pains and diligence, the best that you might know and be able, for the preservation of the peace in our said city;—nevertheless, according as we have been informed, divers Aldermen of our City aforesaid are at present away from the same, the counsels and assistance of whom might much avail and pro fit in the preservation of such peace. We do therefore will, and do command and charge you, that you cause your letters to be addressed unto each one of the said Aldermen, so absent from our said city, charging them strictly thereby, on our behalf, that they return unto our said city, and do tarry and remain there, to support you, and to administer counsel and assistance, in all that may touch the preservation of the said peace, and the good governance of our said city; according to the effect and purport of our Letters aforesaid. Given under our Privy Seal, at Westminster, the 12th day of August." (fn. 37)

Inquest held on the bank of the Thames at Lymhostes, as to the death of Thomas Frank.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cc. (Latin.)

"Inquest held near to the water or banks of the water of Thames, namely, before the Lymehostes, (fn. 38) within the liberty and franchise of the City of London, on Tuesday, the 17th day of August, in the 5th year etc., before Henry Bartone, Mayor of the City of London, and Escheator of our Lord the King; there to enquire for our Lord the King, of office, how and in what way one Thomas Franke, of Herewich, (fn. 39) lately steersman, (fn. 40) or lodysman, of a certain ship called 'The Mary Knyght,' (fn. 41) of Danzsk in Pruce, (fn. 42) lately drowned by misadventure in the water aforesaid, as it was said, came by his death; on the oath of John Baille and eleven others.

"Who said upon their oath, that on Thursday, the 5th day of August last past, between the second and third hour of the afternoon in that day, the ship aforesaid, by the negligence and undue steering of the steersman and mariners therein, was sent and lodged upon a certain shelp, (fn. 43) called 'Rantesbourne Shelpe,' near to West Grenewiche, within the liberty and franchise of the City of London; and that they had let go one of their anchors, the more speedily to get the said ship off of such shelp at the next flow of the tide, when then and there the said Thomas Frank went outside of the ship, and stood upon another anchor that was hanging from the bow of the ship, and, taking in his hands a certain staff commonly called a 'spek,' (fn. 44) he thrust the staff into the knot of the rope by which the other anchor, which had been before let down, was fastened; and while with such staff he was exerting himself with all his might to loosen and let out the rope aforesaid, the anchor, upon which he was standing, swayed so greatly to and fro, that it turned over; upon which, the said Thomas fell into the water, striking his head, in so falling, against the iron peak and sharp end of that anchor, which penetrated through his forehead to the brain; the ship aforesaid in the meantime, and for long both before and after, standing fast, without any motion or change of position, upon such shelp. And therefore the jurors said, that it was the anchor aforesaid upon which he was standing, and nought else, that was the cause of the death of the said Thomas Frank. And they further said that the value of the anchor, (fn. 45) on their oath, was 3 pounds, and that it then was in the hands and custody of one John Fox, of Est Grenewiche. In witness of all and singular whereof, the persons aforesaid to this Inquisition did set their seals, on Wednesday, the 18th day of August, in the 5th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Fifth."

Attestation by the Mayor and Aldermen as to the good harnessing of Girdles.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cc. (Latin.)

Be it remembered, that whereas John Nasyng, Walter Colred, William Penne, and Richard Michelle, Wardens of the trade of Girdlers, had before presented here, before Henry Bartone, Mayor, and the Aldermen, of the City of London, three leather girdles, harnessed with tin and other false and worthless metals, as they asserted, which had been taken from William Stikeneye, dwelling on London Bridge; afterwards, namely, on the 8th day of September, in the 5th year etc., because that it was found by the said Mayor and Aldermen that the girdles aforesaid were made of good leather, and durable, and that the harnessing of the same was of good and hard metal, and very advantageous for the common people, namely of tyngbasse, (fn. 46) with but little tin intermixed; it was awarded by the same Mayor and Aldermen, and assented and agreed to by the Wardens of the said trade, that the same William might in future make all such kinds of girdles, and harness them with such hard and useful metal, without any impediment on part of the Wardens now or [in future to be]. (fn. 47)

Letter from the King, announcing the capture of the Town and Castle of Caen.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. cc. (Old English.)

"By the Kyng.—Right trusty and welbeloued. We grete you often tymes wel, doyng you to undirstonde that on Seint Cuthbertes Day, the Translacioun [4 September], Almighty God, (fn. 48) of His high grace, send un to oure handes oure towne of Caen, by assault, and with righte litell dethe of oure peple; whereof we thanke Our Saviour so loweliche as we can or may, praying you that ye do the same, and as devoutely as ye can; certefying you also, that we and our host been in good prosperite and helth, thankyd be God of Hys mercy, who haue you in Hys kepyng. Yeuen (fn. 49) under our Signet, in our sayd towne of Caen, the vte day of Septembre.

"Ferthermore, aftir the date of this letres, our Castell of Caen ys yoldene to vs, and hostages leyd, upon this condicioun, but (fn. 50) yif they be rescowed bi bataille to be youen (fn. 49) vn to vs by oure adversaire of France, other his son, (fn. 51) called the 'Dolphin,' (fn. 52) other (fn. 51) therle of Ermenak, (fn. 53) be the xix day of the sayd moneth of Septembre." (fn. 54)

Agreement as to the redemption of articles pledged for a sum of money.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal 1 fol. 39. (Latin.)

Friday, the 5th day of November, in the 5th year etc.; present, the Mayor, Recorder, Knolles, R. Chichily, Crowmer, Wottone,

H. Bartone, Fauconer, Aleyn, Cambrige, Reinwell, Pervys.—

On this day came William Freeman, tanner, and agreed to deliver unto Ada, the wife of Henry Moreland, at the Feast of Our Lord's Nativity then next ensuing, one table-cloth (fn. 55) and one kerchief, (fn. 56) which the said Ada had sent in pledge to the aforesaid William for 2 shillings borrowed of him; or else, 8s. 8d. which the same Ada made oath that the said table-cloth and kerchief were worth: on the understanding that she, the said Ada, should pay to the said William the aforesaid sum of 2 shillings, upon delivery to her of such table-cloth and kerchief.

Confession of a false accusation of Lollardy.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal I. fol. 37. (Latin.)

The 28th day of November in the 5th year etc.; present, the Mayor, Recorder, Penne, H. Bartone, Rede, the Sheriffs, Whityngtone, R. Chichily, Nortone, Wottone, Aleyn, Gedeney, R. Bartone.—

On this day came here William Cokeram, painter, and made oath that he had never known any cause, by reason of preaching or Lollardy, (fn. 57) for which Richard Richer, painter, should in any way be molested or aggrieved; although the same Richard was at that time detained in prison by reason of words uttered by himself, which were untrue.

Regulations made for the ensuing Feast of Christmas.

5 Henry V. A.D. 1417. Journal 1. fol. 41. (Latin.)

Wednesday, the day (fn. 58) of December, in the 5th year etc.; present, the Mayor, Recorder, Whitingtone, Knolles, Walderne, Crowmere, Fauconer, Sevenok, Nortone, Th. Aleyn, Cambrigge, Reinwelle, Pervys, Penne—

On this day Robert Whitingham was presented by the Ward of Bisshopesgate, and admitted.

It was ordered that proclamation shall be made on the morrow that no one shall go at night with a visor or false face. Also, that there shall be no mummyng during this Feast of Our Lord's Nativity.

Also, it was ordered that every Alderman shall have sufficient guard in his Ward during the same Feast. Also, that all the Gates of the City shall be closed every night at 9 of the clock, and be opened at 5 of the clock in the morning.

Letter sent to the King by the Mayor and Aldermen.

5 Henry, V. A.D. 1417. Letter-Book I. fol. ccix. (Old English.)

"Of alle erthely princes our most dred souereigne liege Lord and noblest Kyng, we, youre simple officers, Mair and Aldermen of youre trewe Citee of London, with exhibicion of alle maner subiectif reuerence and seruisable lowenesse, that may be hadde in dede, or in mynde conceyued, recommende vs vnto your most noble and hye magnificence, and excellent power, bisechyng the Heuenly Kyng, of His noble grace and pitee, that He so wold illumine and extende upon the trone of your kyngly Mageste the radyouse bemys of Hys bounteuous grace, that the begunnen spede (fn. 59) by Hys benigne suffraunce and help yn your chiualrouse personne fixed and affermed, mowe so be continued for the, and determined, so to His plesaunce, your worship, and alle your reumys proffyt, that we and alle your other lieges to the desered presence of your most noble and graciouse persone, fro which grete distance of place long tyme hath priued us, the sonner myght approche and visuelly perceyue, to singuler confort and special joye of us alle: makyng protestacioun, our most dred soueraigne liege Lord, and noblest Kyng, that be this feruent desire wiche we han to the bodyly sight of your most excellent and noble persone, our entente is noght to move you fro no thing of your hye worship, ne to no thyng that myght be perille to your lond that ye haue put in obbeissaunce. Our most dred soueraign liege Lord, and noblest Kynge, for as moche as we trust verryly that the kyngly desyre of your inspired excellence deliteth to here of the welfare of your forsayd cite, which your noble and soueraign Grace with innumerable prerogatifs and liberalle fraunchises hath euer visited and endowed, like it vnto your kyngly Mageste to understonde, that euer syn the tyme of your last departyng, (fn. 60) it hath stonde, yit doth, and euer shal, by the help of oure Lord Almyghty, in as gret pees and tranquillite as euer ded cite in absence of his most soueraigne and excellent lord. And for as moch, most dred souerein liege Lord, and noblest Kyng, as the hertly desire of your forsayd cite ys, as who seith, (fn. 61) with an heuenly drynk and infusion so oftetymes gladed and refresshid, as it hereth the soueraign helth and prosperite of your most graciouse and noble personne; therfor we, mekely bowyng our hertes to for the clernesse of your kyngly Mageste, biseche your highe Excellence and excellent Highnesse, that it lyke, of the roted gentillesse and gronded grace in your nobley, (fn. 62) so to visyte vs in assertenyng of your souueragn helth and prosperite, as "rite of your most graciouse and noble personne; therfor we, mekely it is seyd before, that we in defaute of such visitacioun languisse not as men from so hie a grace sequestred and exiled. Our most dred soueraigne liege Lord, and noblest Kyng, we your symple officers specially beseche vnto alle the holy company of heuenly knyghthode, assembled in the hie blisse, wher as is eternal ioye and non euynesse, (fn. 63) so be shyne the noble knyghthode in your cronicable excellence aporeued, (fn. 64) that ye mowe in this world upon vs and alle your other lieges with report of worldly victory longe regne (fn. 65) and endure; and after, whan your graciouse erthely personne from your inward spirit ys dessolued, that ye mowe be brought tofor the throne of the hye Kynge, and ther with heueuly ierarchies in eternal glorie perpetuelly duelle and abyde. Wryten at your forsaid Cite of Londone, the xxie day of December. Your humble lieges and simple officers, Richard Merlawe, Mair, and Aldermen of your Cite of London.

(fn. 66) "To our most sovereign and most dread Lord the King."