The corporation of Bury St. Edmunds: Miscellaneous records

II.—MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.

1293. See under 1367, infra.

1295.—A long roll containing a list, made about the end of the fourteenth century, of all the lands and tenements belonging to the various officers in the abbey. It is headed, "Omnia terræ, tenementa, prata, pascua, pasturæ, molendina, grangia et columbaria subscripta, pertinent ad diversos officiarios infra monasterium Sancti Edmundi anno regni regis Edwardi primi vicesimo tercio, et sunt taxata et decimata ut patet, etc." They are arranged under the several wards, East, West, South, Rysbygate, and North, and then under the various streets in the several wards. The inventory of records printed in 1890 observes that "nearly all the streets mentioned bear the same names as at the present time; one exception is Angel-hill, which was then known as Mustowe." The names of the various tenants are given, but the rents are not specified. The possessions of the Hospitals of St. Peter and St. Nicholas are also enrolled. And then follows the "Taxatio domini Regis Edwardi primi" assessed upon the property of the various officers.

1299—1538.—Seven Sacrist rolls of the abbey:—

1299.—"Computus fratris Joh. de Snaylwell, sacr. Sancti Edmundi, a festo M[ichaelis] anno r. r. E. xxvii usque in crastino [sic] Palm. anno r. r. E. supradicto." Endorsed as being an account "in parte" for 27 Edw. The sum total of receipts is 184l. 14s. 10¼d., and of expenses 203l. 11s. 2¾d. The latter include 33s. 4d. given to the poor on three principal feasts and 30s. on Maundy Thursday. The last entry in the account is this: "Comp. lib. magistris Oxon. pro decima decime xl^s x^d qua. Item eisdem pro vestiar. xii^d. Item eisdem pro incepcione eorundem anno preterito omisso c^s."

1357.—Account of Simon de Langham, from Annunc. to Mich. 31 Edw. III. Amongst the "profectus ecclesiarum" are these entries, which occur also in the preceding roll, but are not there so fully expressed, "De oblacionibus ad nigram crucem, iiij^li xxi^d. De pixide sancte Sythe, xii^li xix^s vi^d ob. qua. De pixide sancte Petronille, ij^s iiij^d." Receipts are entered "de charnepeny" (in the preceding account, "scharnepeny") "de landmol" (afterwards "landmool") and from reliefs "cum hadgovel" (afterwards "hadgavel,"). The expenses include gifts to servants of the King and Prince, and to others. Sum of receipts, 212l. 3s. 4½d.; of expenses, 260l. 16s. 4d.

1369–70.—Account of John de Lavenham, Mich. 43 Edw. III. —Mich. 44. The names of the chapels are given separately under the "profectus ecclesiarum": St. John "ad fontem," St. John "ad montem," St. Laurence, St. Margaret, and St. Nicholas. The chest of St. Petronilla continues to be as little productive in com parison of that of St. Syth as in both the preceding accounts; elevenpence against 4l. 10s. In addition to offerings at the Black Cross there are now offerings "ad hostium cripti ad imaginem saucte Marie," "de nova cruce ad hostium Raketey," and "de magna cruce." The vineyard is returned as producing nothing, which is the case also in other years. To the shrine of St. Edmund 748 lbs. of wax were devoted, 220 lbs. to the candlesticks before the high altar, 98 lbs. "in les voutys" (the galleries or triforia), 36 lbs. in the refectory. The chapels lighted were those of St. Andrew, St. James, St. Botulph, and St. Mary; nothing was expended on lights in those of St. Giles and St. Mary Magd. Under the head of Feoda there is, "Item, forthdrove et Wasseil, ij^s." The names of all the officers, servants, and workmen, receiving gowns (many of them furred) are given. "In cerevisia empta pro le O vj^s. Item, solut. Henrico de Lakingheth pro le O vj^li." In 1299 there is an entry for the "Oo," and in the account for 1401–2 there are similar entries running thus, "pro cerevisia de le Oo sacriste: sol domino priori pro le Oo," while in that for 1418 it is "pro le Oo per adventum." It seems therefore that these entries refer to extra allowances or "pitantiæ," given on the seven days before Christmas, the days of the Advent antiphons. See infra under 1537–8. The expenses of the sacrist for two journeys to London are given, the first accompanied by twelve months, the second by six, "pro ordinibus," i.e., for ordinations. Among gifts to the poor are ten shillings "pro anima fratris Johannis de Grafton," and among general gifts, "tribus scolaribus Oxon. x^s." Allowances to scholars at Oxford, not at Cambridge, are also found in the subsequent accounts. The sum of receipts is 387l. 13s. 7d.; of expenditure, 402l. 7s. 2d.

1401–2, 3 Hen. IV.—Account of Robert de Ikelyngham. The "Raketey" of the last roll is now "Rakenteyn;" the great cross is said to be "in corpore ecclesie;" there is a chapel "de le Charnel" (the site of which is now marked in the centre of the present churchyard); a "nova imago" of St. Mary near the Black cross, and a chapel of St. Andrew in the infirmary. "In furthedrove et Wosshayle ad Nat. [Domini], ij^s." "In expensis domini episcopi Aladen. et al. pro ordin. fac. ix^s," i.e., for holding an ordination; there was also an additional payment of apparently ten shillings to the same bishop and his servants. This was one of the many Irish bishops who are perpetually met with as suffragans in England, Thomas, bishop of Killala.

1418, 5–6 Hen. V.—Account of William Barwe. Two additional alms-chests are mentioned, those of St. Katherine and of abbot Baldwin. The account of wine bought is entered more specifically than in the preceding accounts, as seven pipes of red wine, and four "de antiquo folio" which cost three pounds each. The red wine varies from 52s. the pipe to 3l. 8s. 8d. A bell called Clopton is repaired. For the soul of abbot William Cratfeld 12l. are laid out, and 10s. distributed to the poor for the soul of dom. Richard Tymworth. Twelve pence were given to the boy-bishop, "episcopo sancti Nicholai," and rewards to minstrels at Christmas and the feast of St. Edmund. Two of the brethren preached in the churchyard during Lent. There are expenses for a law-suit with the town in reference, in some way not specified, to the sacrist's account. Receipts, 358l. 6s. 7d.; expenses, 520l. 6s. 2½d.!

1429–30.—Account of John Cranewys, 8 Hen. VI. "pro parte." There is a remarkable diminution in the receipts from charitable offerings; the returns from the chapel of St. Nicholas, from oblations at Pentecost, at the image of St. Mary by the crypt-door, at the new cross in the body of the church, at the various alms-chests at the churches, and even at the high altar, are all "Nil"! Two shillings and eightpence were gained from the vineyard. Two mortuaries, amounting to 46s. 8d., were received for two strangers who died in the town. Rents in the town were reduced to the amount of 11l. 11s. 3d. Twenty shillings were given to the poor on the days of the burial of W. Tymworth and J. Dagworth. Under the head of Dona data we have the rewards to the boybishop of St. Nicholas and to minstrels on St. Edmund's day, and the following:—"Magistro Thome Mapyltone, lathomo domini Regis, veuienti de London ad supervidendum magnum campanile et ad dandum consilium super reparacione ejusdem hoc anno, xxvi^s viii^d. Item, dat. alio lathomi venienti cum eodem, causa predicta, vi^s viij^d. Item, dat. famulis eorundem, iij^s iiij^d. Item, dat. dompne Willelmo Boxfford equitanti versus London. ad ordinem sacerdotalem recipiendum hoc anno, vj^s viij^d. Item, dat. episcopi Imiliensi [Robert Windele, bishop of Emly (fn. 1) ] conferenti ordinem W. Derham et J. Harlowe in villa de Bury, xiii^s iiij^d. Item, dat. clero ejusdem, xx^d." For a horse taking one scholar to Oxford, 3s. 4d. Receipts, 338l. 3s. 1d.; expenses, 405l. 0s. 11¾d.

1537–8.—Account of Edward Rowgham, Mich. 29 Hen. VIII. —Mich. 29. On paper.

The chapel of St. Laurence is the only one from which anything is received, and the oblations at crosses and altars entirely disappear. Among expenses those for the Os cease; "Item, pro le O in Adventu, nil." "In supplementum trium scolasticorum [Oxon.] vi^s." "Expensæ in Quadragesima: Dat. diversis concionatoribus in Quadragesima et eorum famulis, xlii^s viii^d. Item, pro aliis expensis, ut in ficubus, amigdolis, raceniis, pomis, pane, et servicia, et aliis, xxvi^s x^d ob." Under the head of "Distribucio pauperum," besides usual 80 shillings, we have, "Item, dat. sororibus de banco in Circumcisione Domini, ii^s. Item, distribut. in pane pro animabus d. Rob. Poleye, d. Nicholai Hallesworth, et d. Willelmi Bury, xxx^s." The boy-bishop now appears thus, "Dat. in honorem sancti Nicholai, xii^d"; followed by, "Item, regiis mimis et aliis, diversis temporibus, vi^s." Receipts, 330l. 18s. 7d.; expenses, 332l. 16s. 1¼d.

1304, 14 Dec.—Long roll of pleadings (nine membranes) at Bury on the morrow of St. Lucy, 33 Edw. I., before the justices Will. de Berford, Will. Howard, and Will. de Carletone, in pursuance of letters patent from the King, dated at Morpat, 29 Aug., between the Abbot and Nich. Fuk, with sixty-one other townsmen of Bury, (all whose names are given,) with reference to alleged invasion of the rights of the abbot and his officers with regard to jurisdiction within the town. The townsmen resisted the collection by the abbot's bailiff's of fines and dues, "ac quasdam corruptelas et ordinaciones legi et consuetudini regni Regis ac libertatibus dicti abbatis sibi per cartas progenitorum Regis concessis contrarias in eadem villa proprio motu statuerunt observandas, ac diversa tallagia super pauperibus tenentibus ipsius abbatis de eadem villa pluries pro voluntate sua assiderunt, et tallagia illa per graves districtiones ab eisdem extorserunt." Also, on the Monday next after the Nativity of B. Mary in the 30th year of the King, Nich. Fuk with his fellow-conspirators "ordinaverunt et statuerunt quod nullus mancret inter eos in dicta villa habens catalla ad valenciam xx^s quin eis solveret duos solidos et unum denarium, quam quidam solucionem vocant inter se Hantsingsilver," and that any one having chattels to the value of ten marks should pay 46s. 8d.; and these sums they extorted from various persons whose names are given. Also that no one should remain beyond a year and a day in the town without being by oath to observe their conventicles and ordinances. Also at the same time they appointed bailiffs of their own, and summoned persons to appear before them for trial of causes; and usurped the wardship of minors and orphans; of which instances are given which occurred on the Tuesday after the f. of St. Dunstan in the 32nd year of the King. In the same year, on the morrow of the Assumption of B. Mary, they appointed gate-keepers for the several gates of the town. And at various other times in the years 30–32 of the King, they hindered the abbot's bailiffs from levying amercements and making distraints, resisting them "vi et armis, scilicet, gladiis, arcubus et sagittis" (sattitis, MS.!), and imposed tallages of their own on the abbot's tenants. They made also this ordinance, "quod si quis de confederacione predictorum Nicholai et aliorum vendiderit tenementum suum, si ille qui propinquior sit in sanguine venditoris venerit postmodum ad proximam Portmannotum, et velit restituere emptori quantum pro illo tenemento dederit, amovebitur ille emptor et tenementum liberetur petenti. Statuerunt eciam quod si quis accionem habuerit petendi tenementum in dicta villa, nisi illud infra annum et diem venerit et petierit, per non clamium ab accione exclusus erit; et similiter quod uxor de tenementis que sunt jus suum et hereditate[m] sua[m], per virum suum alienatis, post mortem viri sui excludatur petendo eadem tenementa seu recuperando imperpetuum." They imposed charges varying from 5s. yearly to a halfpenny per week upon thirtyfive persons, whose names are recited, who were the abbot's men. "Lapides et grossas petras super ecclesiam et domos dicte abbatie ad infringendum et onerandum tecturam et cooperturam ecclesie sue et domorum maliciose projecerunt, et homines supradictos domos cooperientes gratis lapidaverunt, et per sic eos ab opere suo sepius impediverunt, ac homines, monachos, servientes et nuntios ipsius abbatis in negotiis suis missos per dictam villam transeuntes verbera verunt, et male tractaverunt, per quod idem abbas servientium eorum ea racione pluries (sic) amisit." By all which things the abbot says that he is damnified to the value of 2,000l. And Nicholas Fuk and the remainder of the defendants deny in general all the charges of conspiracy and molestation and interference with the abbot's rights; but with regard to the tax levied on residents and the imposing an oath to observe the ordinances, they say "quod ipsi habent Aldermannum et Guildam mercatorum in villa predicta, et sunt liberi Burgenses, et reddunt judicia per Aldermannum de placitis in curia ipsius Abbatis, coram ballivis ejusdem in predicta villa placitarum, et quod ipsi absque aliquibus conventiculis illicitis convenerunt ad Grildaulam suam quotiens opus fuerit ad tractandum de communi proficuo et utilitate hominum et Burgensium predicte ville sicut eis bene licet. Et quod ipsi et antecessores eorum et predecessores Burgensium, etc., tali consuetudine usi sunt a tempore cujus non exstat memoria, scil. capiendi de quolibet homine manente in predicta villa, existente in decenna abbatis loci predicti, habente catalla ad valenciam xxii^s, i^d, per sic quod mercare possit inter eos et eorum consuetudinibus mercatorum gaudere in eadem villa; et similiter percipiendi xlvi^s viii^d de quolibet homine ville predicte habente catalla ad valenciam x marcarum ad suam mercatum tenendum, et quod talis est ipsorum super hoc consuetudo, scil. quod xii Burgenses de villa predicta eligere consueverunt quatuor homines ejusdem ville annuatim ad Gildam suam mercatoriam tenendum, quorum quilibet habeat catalla ad valenciam x marcarum, qui quidem quatuor homines sic electi premuniri consueverunt per duos Burgenses de Gilda predicta qui dicuntur les dies ad Gildam suam predictam tenendum, [et] iidem quatuor homines sic electi plegios invenire consueverunt coram Aldermanno et Burgensibus in Gilda aula predicta ad tenendum Gildam predictam, vel quod quilibet eorum solveret xl^s viii^d qui Gildam illam tenere recusaret. Et ad hoc faciendum consueverunt Aldermannus et Burgenses in villa predicta distringere singulos homines manentes in eadem villa habentes catalla ad valenciam x marc. inter eos mercari volentes et eorum consuetudinibus mercatoriis uti et gaudere." To the charge respecting wardships they say they are not bound to reply, because the abbot has varied the form of the complaint in the writ and in the narratio. As to their usurping the custody of the gates they say that for twenty years previous to the date alleged they have been seised of that custody. With regard to their refusing to pay toll ("theoloneum"), all persons born in the town and living there and holding tenements have been accustomed from time immemorial to be free from toll on paying two farthings, which rent is called Hadgovel. The corruptions and customs alleged to be contrary to the realm are their old customs always used by their ancestors in the court of the abbot, and they have not by any conspiracy made any new ones. Short rejoinders from the abbot follow. The jury consists of Thomas de Bavent, Robert de Barsham, Roger le Sturmyn, Peter de Mellis, Robert de Stanham, Knts., Thomas de Mikelfeld, William de Hoo, John de Dureftherd, Robert Martin, Nicholas de Glannvile, John de Preston, and John de Hotebovile; who say that Nicholes Fuk and the rest are not guilty of any conspiracy and have not usurped the cognizance of any pleas, or taken amercements, or appointed bailiffs; but that they have often hindered the abbot's bailiff in regard of the assize of bread and beer and forestallings, &c., and have levied tallages upon poor tenants against the will of the abbot and executed distraints, and by force and arms have made rescues from the abbot's distraints, and although they are ignorant of the names of the particular doers, these things were done by the maintenance of Nicholas Fuk and the rest; "et quod quidam de villa predictae, quorum nomina ignorant sibi, per assensum et manutenenciam predictorum Nicholai et omnium aliorum, tractaverunt cum arcubus ad lapides (sic) in operarios ipsius abbatis in cooperiendo domos et edificia ecclesie ipsius abbatis predicte, sicut idem abbas queritur, sed dicunt monachos ipsius abbatis non verberaverunt nec male tractaverunt; dicunt tamen quod predictus Robertus filius Nicholai Fuk verberavit vulneravit et male tractavit quendam nuncium ipsius abbatis in villa predicta de facto suo proprio, et non per manutenenciam vel assensum predictorum Nicholai et aliorum." And they assess the damages at 200l. The decision of the case was then carried up to Westminster before the King's Council, for hearing of the abbot's denial of the alleged customs; and again brought back to Bury for the ascertaining by a jury the names of those found guilty as above, who are specified to the number of forty-two. Further pleadings ensued as to questions of right, and the towns-people produce the record of an agreement made on the Thursday after Mid-Lent Sunday 21 Edw. I. [1293] before the judges, by which the right of choosing the alderman, on license from the abbot first obtained, was granted to the town, a right previously disclaimed together with the custody of the gates before William de Valence and John de Warrenne, Earl of Surrey, in the time of Henry III. Orders are issued for levying the damages by distraint, and for arrest of defaulters; and the roll ends with a writ from the King (without date) enjoining the alderman on election to be presented to the abbot for admission, and to swear upon the high altar of St. Edmund to preserve all the rights of the abbey from infringement, &c., and with the sentence of the judges against the claim of the town to wardships and the right of levying the merchanttax, and reserving the custody of the gates to the abbey.

The case is noticed in Yates' Hist. of Bury, p. 128.

1316.—Copy made in the 17th cent. from f. 26 of the book entitled Nomina Villarum in the Exchequer, of the return made by the Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk to the writ dated at Clifton, 5 March, 9 Edw. II. for the names of the cities, towns and villages in each hundred, with their lords, so far as relates to the hundreds of Balberge, Corsford, Thinghowe, Risebrege, Thewardistre, Blakeburne, and Lackford.

1341, 12 March, 15 Edw. [III.], Angl. 2 Fran. At Westm.— Letters patent granting that, whereas the charters granted to the abbot and convent provide that no secular person or minister of the King shall enter the borough besides them and their ministers, by reason whereof no justices have ever held any pleas, but the King has now commissioned justices to try cases of oppression and extortion, &c., committed by his officers and others in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Herts, and these justices have held a session at Bury, nevertheless, out of the affection the King bears to the glorious martyr the blessed Edmund, whose body lies in the abbey, this session of the justices or any process by them there made shall not hereafter be any prejudice to the abbey, or be drawn into a precedent. Seal lost.

1349, 29 Sept., f. of St. Mich., 23 Edw. III.—Acknowledgment by William [de Bernham], abbot of Bury, of the receipt of fifty marks from Richard de Drayton, Ralph le Bochier, and others of the town of St. Edmund, in full payment of 2,000 marks agreed to be paid to Richard de Draughton, the late abbot, and his successors, in yearly payments of 100 marks for twenty years, as appears by a record in Chancery. Small fragment of green seal.

1353–1439.—Five rolls of accounts of St. Saviour's Hospital, largely of agricultural produce and expenses.

1353, Mich.—1354, Mich. Robert Cottone, "claviger." Total receipts, 39l. 9s. 11½d.; expenses, 39l. 19s. 6¾d. Mention occurs of a garden called "le Duffuszerd."

1374–5.—Nicholas de Banham, "claviger," in the time of brother Nicholas de Snytterton, hospitaler. Among the receipts are oblations "de pixide," 2s. 9d. Rents appear in this account. The stipend of the claviger is one mark. "In stipendio capellanorum nihil, quia in compoto domini." Mention occurs of "le vynezerd." A deficiency of 38l. 0s. 10d. was made up "de cofris domini, de quibus dominus habebit allocacionem in compoto suo proprio, quia ipse satisfecit omnibus tangentibus ipsum compotum."

1385–6.—Brother Walter de Totyngtone, hospitaler. Oblations, 2s. 5d. Receipts, 104l. 17s. 11d. Expenses, 185l. 5s. 10¾d. Nicholas Banham is still claviger. "In stipendio Willelmi Palfreyman xij^s x^d, et non plus, quia sibi donata pro amore hospitalarii eidem extendunt per tempus hujus compoti ad xii^s. In tunica sua cum linura v^s vi^d. In roba cum furrura hoc anno data Willelmo atte Lee, quia multa bona procurans, et semper excusans nimiam absenciam W. hospitalarii per moram factam London. pro negociis ecclesie, xvij^s viij^d, unde in furrura ij^s. Item in roba Willelmi Rys, quia amicus ecclesie etc., causa supra, xvij^s viij^d unde in furrura ij^s." John Kyrkestede is rewarded in the same way for the same reason. "In liberacione T. Hasteley nihil computatur quia pro singulari amore persone sue [sic]. Item in panno albo dato confessori domine die novi anni vij^s causa supra." "Stipendia sacerdotum; Item in salariis domini Johannis de Alcunby, domini Johannis Lomb, et domini Johannis Baroun, vi^li, cuilibet eorum xl^s." There follows a further account by Totyngton, "de hiis que non concernunt compotum officii sui, anno qua supra," in which while the receipts are 13s 4d. the expenses are 151l. 17s. 2¾d. Under the head of "Elemosina" are noted 25^s spent in necessaries for five clerks at the Hospital; 20^d to a poor man to buy seed for his land; 20^s to the fabric of the church at Melford; "in expensis factis London. circa Johannem Mykelwode addiscentem scribere cum Keteryngham, xl^s, viz. in mensa, in lecto, in necessariis pro corpore suo, et stipendio magistri sui, per compotum Johannis de Botlysham, attornati hospitalarii in hac parte." Under the head of "Dona," "Item in dono tribus clericis domine Norff. venientis illuc pro honore et solacio parochianorum apud Melford, in iii. paribus caligarum de sanguin, iij^s ix^d, prec. par. xv^d. Item, in dono Johanni Allertone, quando missus per dominam comitissam Norff. fuit presens in sessione pacis in theloneo per ministros domini abbatis, ne rebellio etc. xiij^s iiij^d. In dono famulo suo xx^d." At the visitation of the convent on St. Saviour's day each professed monk had 6^d and the prior 12^d.

1386–7.—The same hospitaler. Oblations, 2s. 9d. Receipts, 106l. 2s. 9½d; Expenses, 234l. 3s. 6¾d. The priests are John Alcunby, John Lomb, John Baroun, and William Chapman. Among ornaments for the chapel of St. Thomas are a "silverbox" placed beneath the feet of his image, 12^d, and a base bought of Simon, the abbey mason, for the image to stand on "ad dextrum cornu altaris," 5^s. "In iij libris rubiis cum servicio sancti Thome tam de passione quam de translacione, xiij^s iiij^d. Item in apparatu altaris in dicta capella, viz. in uno Reredeos, uno selure, i frontell, ij curtynes, ij auterclothes, ii corporasz, ij towayl, ij pilweres rebaned, l^s. In majori campana empta pro campanili x^s." "In expensis W. Heynes querentis unum portiforium apud Wrabbenase, valoris xl^s, quod defuit per triginta annos et amplius, eundo et redeundo, viij^d. In xij boulys emptis pro recreacione sacerdotum, x^d." Six pence were paid to John Homb for his expenses in going to Clare to get a doctor in theology to preach on St. Thomas' day, then to Sudbury for tiles for the pavement of St. Thomas' chapel, and then to Melford. The day of SS. Fabian and Sebastian was observed with feasting. A supplementary account (as before) shows further expenses to the amount of 155l. 17s. 10¾d. Among these is a horse bought of dom. Thomas Pope for 46s. 8d. which is noted as being "in perditione, per delusionem predicti Thome Pope." Among gifts are payments to the minstrels of the Countess of Norfolk and those of the Earl Marshal; to a suffragan bishop "pro labore suo," and his chaplain and valet; to a valet bringing 24 rabbits from Sir John Eyr; to a preaching friar who came from Oxford; and "magistro J. Bromptone pro labore suo circa rotulum villanorum, in panno de scarlet empto de Egidio atte Pyrie, vj^s viij^d."

1438–9.—Adam Babyngton, bailiff. Receipts, 23l. 16s. 9d.; Expenses, 21l. 14s. 8d. This is only the account of the farmbailiff, and not of the hospitaler.

1364, 2 Nov. 38 Edw. III. At Westm.—Letters patent, granted at the request of the burgesses, confirming the exemption from all tolls and customs at markets and fairs contained in the charter of Hen. [III.] to the abbey and convent and burgesses of St. Edmund. Great seal in white wax, perfect except in a portion of the legend.

1367, 24 Oct. 41 Edw. III. At Westm.—Exemplification, at the request of the burgesses, of process at Bury [in 1292–3] in pursuance of writs from Edw. I. dated at Westm., Friday after Exalt. of H. Cross an. 20, and at Wellebek 17 Feb. an. 21, for trial of dispute between the abbey and the town respecting the appointment of alderman and the keeping of four gates, together with other complaints with relation to the assize of bread and beer, interference with traders, opposition to the abbot's authority in cases of assault and violence, and to the burgesses' not permitting his bailiffs "amovere fimaria extra villam ad nocumentum plebis jacencia et corrupcionem corporum et impedimentum transeuncium," &c. The following were the jury: Stephen de Hauekedone, Robert le Fraunceys, Ralph de la Kersunere, Simon le Wilde, Walter de Clopton, Richard de Saxham, Sampson de Batesford, William de Rugham, Hervey Gorge, Robert le Engynur, John de Hunstertone, and William de Thelintham. It ends with an agreement with regard to the main point of dispute, that John de Orfeuere who had been elected alderman shall renounce his election; that the person elected shall be presented to the abbot who shall admit him, unless he can show reasonable and manifest cause to the contrary; on admission he shall be sworn at the high altar of St. Edmund to preserve the rights of the abbey; that keepers of four gates shall be chosen by the burgesses and admitted by the sacrist or his bailiffs at le Tolhus, and the custody of the fifth or east gate to remain with the abbey and convent. Hereupon, licence being first obtained from the abbot, John le Orfeuere was unanimously re-elected alderman, and was admitted by the abbot. A large portion of the great seal, in green wax, remains. This process is frequently referred to in the trial in 1304, supra.

1370. See under 1401.

1385, 9 Apr., an. 8. At Westm.—General pardon from Richard II. to Thomas Halesworth, [alderman] of Bury for all insurrections, treasons and offences committed by him or anyone of the persons of the town before 22 Dec. an. 6 [1382]; as also release from all sums of money due from him or his predecessors for which he or they are bound in the Chancery; excepting that he and others are to contribute their due quota in payment of a fine of 2,000 marks. The introductory clause is as follows:—"Omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis ad quos presentes litere pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis quod cum omnes homines ville de Bury ab omni gracia perdonacionum et remissionum in parliamentis nostris annis regni nostri quinto et sexto aliis ligeis nostris dicti regni nostri per nos factarum, quampluribus enormibus delictis suis cansantibus, privati fuissent et excepti, ac postmodum ad supplicacionem quorundam Magnatum nobis assistencium, et pro co quod certi homines ejusdem ville tam pro seipsis quam pro singulis aliis personis predicte ville vicinis suis gratie nostre in omnibus se humiliter submiserunt, ipsique homines pro seipsis et singulis vicinis suis predictis ut ad graciam nostram admitti possent quendam finem duarum milium marcarum cum consilio nostro, . . . . pretextu finis predicti, ad instanciam predictorum Magnatum, de benignitate nostra regia ipsos ad hujusmodi graciam nostram duxerimus acceptandos; Nos ea consideracione perdonavimus et remisimus Thome Halesworthe de Bury sectam pacis nostre," &c.

The larger portion of the great seal remains in white wax. The town had incurred heavy penalties on account of the excesses committed there by the rioters under Jack Straw in 1381, when Chief Justice Cavendish was beheaded by them in the market-place, and the prior of the abbey was also murdered.

1387, 20 Apr. an. 10. At Westm.—Renewal by Rich. II. of the preceding pardon, at the supplication of the abbot and convent, adding the particulars that Thomas Halesworth of St. Edmund, otherwise called Thomas Halesworth, "Squier," was excepted from pardon by Parliament, among the persons of Bury, as one of the principal of those who were in insurrection in the county of Suffolk, and that twenty persons submitted themselves and were bound for themselves and others to a fine of 2,000 marks, and that pardon had been promised to each of these and to all others who should severally for themselves apply for it. Seal, in white wax, nearly perfect.

1390, 20 Feb., an. 13. At Westm.—"T[este] J. Cassy."—Letters patent of Richard II. exemplifying a process in the Exchequer in Nov. 1389, releasing the town from the balance due of the fine of 2,000 marks; reciting several writs; 1, of 5 Feb. an. 8, by which Roger Rose, alderman, Edmund FitzLucas, James Marham, John Osebern, Thomas Fornham, Adam Waterward, Thomas Ewelle, John Gollere, Thomas Godard, Geoffrey Wolleman, Henry Wrotham, Thomas Bernyngham, Richard White, Thomas Lacford, Alan de Denham, William Chevele, Thomas atte Perye, John Rery, John Calf, John Berard, Richard Rougham, Stephen Belman, William Thetford, and Walter Lucas, all of Bury, were appointed to assess and levy the fine, many persons having refused to pay the sums charged upon them; 2, of 16 Nov. an. 9, to the barons of the Exchequer to summon Robert de Kedyngton and John Overton, the bailiffs, Robert de Bekerton, serjeantat-arms, Thomas de Ikworth, and William Hore, who had been appointed to supply information as to the condition and means of the various persons assessed and to appear with the assessment rolls, and also John Broghton, tailor, John Hanle, William de Draghton, John Berard, Edward Honton and Thomas Halesworth, appointed deputy collectors, to appear before them to give account of the sums collected; reciting further that the said persons appeared at the Exchequer, and rendered their accounts, producing also at the same time a writ, dated 6 July an. 13, to the Exchequer, ordering discharge from further account on the ground that the proceedings were represented to be contrary to the charters of liberties granted to the abbey, directing that the assessment should be made by the officers of the abbey, and granting 500 marks of the balance to the prior (the abbacy being vacant) in relief of the abbey, which is greatly depressed by injuries on the part of the townsmen; reciting further that the persons summoned are discharged from all further process, the sum of 1,000l. having been paid to the King by three several tallages, and the balance of 500 marks being granted to the abbey. Fragment of the Exchequer seal.

. . . . .—Copy (early in the fifteenth century, on a long roll of eight membranes) of an Inspeximus charter [of Henry IV ?]; reciting and confirming the following charters:—

A. Richard II., 24 Nov. an. 7 [1383], at Westm., being Inspeximus of 1. Edw. I., at Fyndon, 19 June, an. 33 [1305], granting that the abbey may hold at Henhowe the pleas arising in the eight hundreds and half which are in its liberty.

And also Inspeximus of

2. Edw. III., confirming

3. Edw. II. of 22 July an. 4 [1310] at Wodestok, confirming the following series:

i. Canute, with the English version. Printed in Kemble's Codex Dipl. iv. 15. 17.

ii. Five charters of Edw. Conf. in English, as follows:—

a. Confirming charters of Canute and Hardicanute. Printed in Kemble's Codex Dipl. iv. 231.

b. Granting the half hundred. Ibid. iv. 222.

c. Granting exemption from taxes. Ibid. iv. 224.

d. Granting a mint to abbot Baldwin. Ibid. iv. 223.

e. Granting Mildenhale to the abbey. Ibid. iv. 194.

iii. Richard I., 21 Sept. an. 1 [1189]. At Westm.

iv. Edw. I., 16 Nov. an. 9 [1281]. At Westm. confirming—

a. Charter of Hen. I. n.d. At Westm.

b. Charter of John, 15 March an. 1 [1200]. At Silveston.

v. Edw. I., 10 Feb. an. 10 [1282]. At Claryndon.

4. Edw. III., 13 Sept. an. 4 [1330]. At Nottingham.

5. Edw. III. 4 May, an. 10 [1336]. At Westm.

6. Edw. III. 24 May, an. 26 [1352]. At Westm.

7. Edw. III. 4 June, an. 27 [1353]. At Westm.

B. Hen. [1. ?] at Falaise, n.d. witness Al. de Ver.

C. John, 20 July an. 17 [1215]. At Oxford.

D. Richard II., 12 Apr. an. ii. [1379]. At Westm.

The conclusion of the original confirmation charter is not given, and its date therefore does not appear, nor is the name of the King who grants it given at the beginning.

1408, 10 Jan., 9 Hen. IV.—Indenture by which Thomas Halysworthe, alderman of the town, agrees on behalf of the town to accept five shillings from John Wollebetere as the annual rent for a tenement in le Cornmarket for which ten shillings has been formerly paid. Twentythree seals are attached, bearing initials, merchants' marks, and other devices, of the following witnesses: Adam Watirward, Richard Rougham, John Osbern, Giles Pirye, Roger Framptone, and John Notyngham, formerly aldermen, Geoffrey Baret, William Methewold, John Launey, John Toft, John Drenkestone, Richard Baxstere, Walter Draweswerd, Roger Lystere, Geoffrey Salle, Edward Houtone, Richard Iremongere, Adam Baxstere, Thomas Ferour, William Ampe, chaundeler, Walter Cook, Michael Lalleford, John Regges, John Broughtone, and John Haule, burgesses. The two counter-parts of the indenture are preserved.

1424, 1 Dec. an. 4. At Westm.—Two skins of an Inspeximus charter granted by [Hen. VI.] to the abbey, wanting the first one or two skins. The portion remaining contains an exemplification of a charter of Hen. V. granted 1 Dec. 1414, in which are recitals of

i. Charter of Rich. II., 24 Nov. an. 7 [1383], reciting

a. Edw. III. 13 Sept. an. 4 [1330]. At Nottingham.

b. — 24 May, an. 26 [1352]. At Westm.

c. — 4 June, an. 27 [1353]. At Westm.

ii. John, 20 July, an. 17 [1215]. At Oxford.

iii. Rich. II. 6 Aug. an. 20 [1396]. At Dover.

1447, 13 Nov. an. 26. At Westm.—Letters of Hen. VI. ordering that the charter of privileges granted to the abbey by Henry I. be observed, namely that it should enjoy the privileges granted by Canute and Edward [the Confessor], that no secular officer should enter the borough except by consent of the abbot and convent, that they and the burgesses should be free from all tolls and customs at markets and fairs, and their domains free from all scots, gelds and aids. Fragment of great seal, in white wax.

1469.—See under 1556, infra.

1477, 8 June.—Ordinances for the reformation of abuses in the craft of the weavers; on two membranes.

"This indenture made the viii^th day of June in the xvii^th yeere of the reigne of Kyng Edward the iiii^th between Thomas Heigham and William Helperby, bayliffes of the right reverent fader in God thabbot of Bury Seynt Edmund of the toune of Bury Seynt Edmund, on the one partie, and John Ivy, Edmund Baker, Regnold Chardro, John Dyllewyne, John Mey, Thomas Langham, Thomas Page, Richard Stokes, Thomas Carletone, John Mace, Robert Langham, Robert Spark, John Mey the yongger, Robert Parmenter, Richard Syward, John Fystone, Edmund Goodale, Edmund Oklie, John Langham, Richard Grene, William Cole, John Lombe, Thomas Drawswerd, Thomas Senowe, John Honell, Clement Glokke, Huc Ravyshy, Henry Longge, and John Parmenter, of Bury aforsayd, wulvene and lynene veweres, on the othere partie, wythnesseth. Forasmoche as many persones and greate multytude of people as weell of menne as womenne and childrenne withinne the toune of Bury Seynt Edmund bee dayly gretly occupyed be the mene of the crafte of wevers, wewyng all manor of wulvene and lynene cloethe, to the greate avayle and profyth as weell of the sayd toune as the contre adyoynyng and the inhabitants of the same, and most specyally to the syngler increse profyth and avauntage of the ocupiers of the seyd crafte of pleyne wewyng bothe wulvene and lynene, wiche, be the deceyvable and untrewe werkyng and wewyng of some persones vsyng the seyd crafte, ys greateley discresyd, apeyred and decayed, and dayly discreseth apeyreth and decayeth, to the greate displesure of Almyghty God, and greate hurte henderyng and losse of alle the inhabitants of the seyd toune and cuntre, and be lyklynesse to the vtter distruccione of the occupiers of the seyd crafte lesse thanne convenyent ordinaunces and bylawez be made ordeyned and prowyded for reformacione of such subtylytes untrewthes and deceytes as be some persones be vsyd in the seyd crafte; Wherfore alle the ocupiers of the seyd crafte withinne the seyd toune of Bury, by one assent prayin and in the weye of charyte hertely besechen the Secristene of the monastery of Bury aforesayd, lord of the seyd toune, that certeyne provysyouns bylawes and ordinaunces may be maad, to the plasiere of God, increse and profyte of the seyd crafte toune and cuntre, be the sadde and discrete advyse of his officers and councell, made inactyd and auctorysed in maner and forme as hiere after foleweeth:—

Furst, yt ys be alle the persones ocupying the seyd crafte provyded, agreed, and be the consent of the Secristene afornseyd, be the advyse of his officers and counceyll, inactyd, and for a byghlawe, to the plesure of Allmyghty God and profyte increse and avauntage of the seyd crafte, toune and cuntre, made and auctorysed, that every mane as weell maisters, howsholders, apprentyses, servauntes hierid be the yeere ore be the iourney, as all other men ocupyeng or excersysyng the seyd crafte of alle maner of wullene or lynene wewyng in the seyd toune of Bury xall dewly assemble and mete togedere yeerly in the feste of Translacione of seynt Edward Kyng and Confessor in the Guyldehalle of the seyd toune of Bury, and thanne and theire chose iiii. discrete persones [underlined for deletion] and able mene of the seyd crafte hauyng free holde within the seyd toune of Bury to be wardeyns, guyders and rewlers of the seyd crafte and alle persones ocupying the same for the yere folwyng, wiche iiii persones so chosen xall be presentyd within the space of xii dayes thanne immedyate folwyng by the olde wardeyns ore odere substancyall menne of the seyd crafte to the Balyffez of the seyd toune of Bury in the Tollehous of the seyd toune, and thanne and there xall take their charge of the seyd Baliffes, and be sworene upone a boke dewly trewly dylygently and indeferently to ocupye excersyse fulfille and execute every poynt to them belonggyng their seyd office, and truly to correcte and presente alle maner defautes deceytes misprysiouns doone be ony persone ocupying the seyd crafte.

Also yt ys be alle the persones aforne rehersyd, provyded inactyd and auctorysyd that the sey[d] iiii wardeyns in the maner and forme above rehersyd chosene and swore xall have full auctoryte and power yeerly in the place and tyme above rehersyd, and fro tyme to tyme as often be their discrecione xall thoughte behofull neccessary or expedyent to swere every persone occupying or excersy[s]ing the seyd crafte within the seyd toune of Bury dewly and treuly to kepe performe obeye fulfille and execute every poynt conteynyd and comprysid in this articule and every articule folwyng. The seyd wardeyns xall have also fro tyme to tyme, as oftene be their discrecione they thynkke convenyent or metely [power to ?] make dwe serche in the seyd crafte, and have full auctoryte and power to entre in every mannys hous occupying the seyd crafte dewly and trewly to serche if ony thyug be usyd occupyed or excersysyd be ony persone in the seyd crafte contrarye to these ordinaunces and bylawes as hereafter be rehersyd. And if ony persone dewly chosene to be wardeyne refuse and wyll not take his charge dewly and treuly to ocupye and excersyse the seyd office in maner and forme afornrebersyd, thanne that persone so refusyng xall lose and forfete xiii^s iiii^d, whereof the Secristene of Bury afornseyd for the tyme beyng xall have the one half, and the othere half to go to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the payent of the Assencione of oure Lord God and of the yiftys of the Holy Gost, as yt hath be customed of olde tyme owte of mynde yeerly to be had to the wurschepe of God, amongge other payenttes in the processione in the feste of Corpus Xr[ist]i. And yf ony wardeyne of the seyd crafte be after the charge as ys afornrehersyd be hym take neclygent remisse or in ony maner of wyse defectyff in executyng or in excersysyng of his seyd office, that wardeyne so devly founde defectyff xall loose and forfete for euery poynt that he is founde fauty or defectyff in iij^s. iiij^d., wherof the seyd Secristene xall haue the one half, and the other halfe to go to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the seyd pagent.

Also yt ys be alle the occupierez of the seyd crafte, with the assent and agreement of the Secristene afornseyd in maner and forme aboue rehersyd, provydyd, agreed, inactyd and auctorysyd, that euery persone vsyng the seyd crafte xall in maner and forme abouerehersyd dewly assemble and mete togedere the tyme and place afornrehersyd, and thanne and there aforne the wardeyns or other substancyall menne of the seyd crafte take their charge and be swore dewly and treuly to kepe, performe, obeye, fulfille, and execute euery poynte conteynyd and comprysyd in these provysiouns ordinaunces and bylawes. And yf ony persone occupying the seyd crafte of necligence wylfulnesse or frowardnesse, or ony other cause, withoute licence of the wardeyns of such cause as the seyd wardeyns xall thynkke resonable, be absent, and mete not with the wardeyns occupiers of the seyd crafte at the place and tyme afornelymytyd and assignyd, or diligently geve not his attendaunce abowte suche thyngges as there and thanne xall be do and executyd, or be disobedyent vnto the seyd wardeyns in takyng of their othe or charge, or ony other thyng that the wardeyns with the more part of the substancyall householders of the seyd crafte xall be put to hym or resonably assignyd hym to do, or if ony persone occupying the seyd crafte be rebell to the seyd wardey[n]s and wyll not suffir them pesibly without grutchyng to entir into his hous and to euery place convenyent to make their serche dewly in maner and forme afornrehersyd, that persone so dewly fownde defectyff in ony of these poyntes afornseyd xall forfete and loose for euery poynt that is so found defectyff in xiij^s. iiij^d., wherof the Secristene afornseyd xall haue the one halfe, and the seyd wardeyns the other halfe to the sustentacyone and mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and profythe of the seyd crafte.

Also yt ys in maner and forme and be the auctoryte afornrehersyd ordeynyd and provydyd that no persone fro this day forward take upon hym to sette vp ony loomes or to occupie the seyd crafte within the sey[d] toune of Bury but suche persones as haue be apprentyses to the seyd crafte and haue sufficient kunnyng and understondyng in the same, and so be examynyd and admyttyd be the seyd wardeyns as able menne to sette vp and occupie the seyd crafte, and that no persone of the seyd crafte within the toune of Bury xall not [sic] occupie at oonys moo thanne iiij loomes, and that no persone haue [having ?] sufficient kunnyng and understondyng in the occupacione and excersyse of the seyd crafte and not beyng of pouere and hauour to sette up loomes and occupie the seyd crafte to his owyne propir vse increse and avauntage, occupie excersyse or werke in the seyd crafte be yeer be day or be the iourney with ony persone or persones within the seyd toune of Bury but suche persones or persone as be the seyd wardeyns be admytted to occupie the seyd crafte, and haue beforne the seyd wardeyns take their charge and be sworne trewly to obserue and kepe alle these bylawes provysyonys and ordenaunces. And that no persone occupying [and] excersysyng the seyd crafte witholde or here ony persone to labour with hym in the seyd crafte be the yeer, the moneth, the wyk, the day, or be the iourney, but suche as he wull answere for as weell for his good demenyng and beryng ageyne the seyd wardeyns and euery other persone of the seyd crafte as for the good and sufficient werkemanshepe of wiche [suche] werke as xalbe wroughte be hym, and that euery persone so wythhold heryd or wagyd be the yeer or lesse tyme contynue in the seyd toune occupyid in the seyd crafte be the space of a yeere xall paye to the mayntenaunce and sustentacione of the seyd payent iiij^d And that no persone presume [any person presuming] to do contrarye to ony poynt conteynyd in these articules and poyntes afornrehersyd, xall forfete and loose for euery poynt that is so founde defectyff in xiij^s iiij^d, wherof the Secristene afornseyd xall haue the one halfe and the seyd wardeyns to [sic] the othere halfe to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and profyth of the seyd crafte.

Also yt ys in maner and forme and be the auctoryte afornrehersyd ordeynyd and provydyd that euery foreyne weuer that fettyth of the seyd toune of Bury mennys yerne for to webbe xall be contributorie vnto the sustentacione of the seyd payent lyke as a deyzin weuer oweeth to bee. And that no persone of the seyd crafte in Bury shalle receywe any apprentycez for shortere terme thanne he be lykly to haue sufficient kunnyng withinne space of vii yere, nor to reseyue apprentys under colour of a journymanne for short tyme for to entre hym in the crafte for a lucre. And that no persone of the seyd crafte shalle werke his crafte of weuyng wuluene or lynene in the seyd toune of Bury with ony other manne thanne with a manne of the same crafte. And that no persone presume to do contrarie to ony poynt conteynyd in these articules vpon peyne of forfeture of xx^s as oftyne tymys as ony persone of the seyd crafte is founde defectyff, wherof the Secristene afornseyd xall haue the one halfe, and the seyd wardeyns the othere halfe to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and profyth of the seyd crafts.

Also yt ys in maner and forme and be the auctoryte afornrehersyd ordeynyd, inactyd and provydyd that no persone of the seyd crafte within the toune of Bury xall not [sic] receyve non apprentice into the seyd crafte fore shorter ore lesse tyme thanne vii yere. And that no persone of the seyd crafte in Bury xall not make no debate amongges the seyd felashippe, and wull not be rewlyd or be rebell and [marked for deletion] ayens the wardeyns, and will not be gouerned, xall forfete and loose for euery poynt that he is founde fauty or defectyf in xiii^s iiij^d, wherof the Secristene afornrehersyd xall haue the oone halfe, and the seyd wardeyns the othere halfe to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and profyth of the seyd crafte.

Also yt ys in maner and forme and be the auctoryte afornrehersyd ordeynyd, inactyd and provydyd that what persone of the seyd crafte withholde a jurnymanne for a terme withinne wiche terme the jurnymanne be vacant for the defaute of werke the maister shalle satysfye vnto his jurnymanne for his losse be warde of the wardeyns, but yf the maister and the seyd journymanne may accorde be them selfe, and what journymanne witheholde with the maister of the seyd crafte begynne a werke in his maisteris loome and then leve of that werke and ocupie hym in other place, or be idell, wher thourghte his maisteris werke be not sped but is henderyd azens his custemers, xall satisfie to his maister of his damage by the consyderacione of the wardeyns but if the parties acorde be them selfe. And if ony persone manne or womanne dwellyng in Bury or in ony other toune compleyne hem vp[on] ony weuer in Bury that heire yeerne is not put in theire webbe, or that the webbe is ony [marked for deletion] onesufficiently wroughte, or ony other deseythe or defaute done to them in there webbe, and shewe the webbe or thanne it be fullyd, the werkemanne xall make aseethe and amendez vnto the ovener of the webbe for his harmes after the consyderacione of the wardeyns and agreement of the pleyntyff. Also yf ony persone of the seyd crafte be malyce or fals coueytyse procure or aloyne ony apprentycez seruauntez or journymenne from the servyse of his maister that vsythe the same crafte in Bury, he xall make amendes vnto the maister after the awarde of the wardeyns and agrement of the maister. And no persone presume to do contrarye to ony poynt conteynyd in these articules vpone peyne of forfeture xiij^s iiij^d, wherof the Secristene aforneseyd xall haue the one halfe, and the seyd wardeyns the othere halfe to the sustentacione and mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and profythe of the seyd crafte.

Also yt ys be alle the occupiers of the seyd crafte withe the assent and agrement of the Secristene aforneseyd provydyd, agreed, inactyd and auctorysed that no maner persone nor persones foreners comyng to the seyd toune of Bury xall not (sic) take vpone hym nor of them to sette vp ony loomes to occupye the seyd crafte of wuluene and lynene wewying withs in the seyd toune of Bury but suche as haue be apprentyses to the seyd crafte withinne the seyd toune of Bury, and have sufficyent kunnyng and vnderstondyng in the same, and so to be examynyd and admyttyd be the seyd wardeyns as able menne to sette vp or to occupie the seyd crafte. And alle suche persones or persone foreners or forener beforne the wardeyns and mo of the most substancyalle menne of the seyd crafte take their charge and be sworne dewly and trewly to kepe, performe, obeye, fulfille and execute euery poynt conteynyd and comprysed in the provysyouns ordenaunces and bylawes abowe rehersyd and after rehersyd, and that persone or persones foreners that xall so be admyttyd to sette vp the seyd crafte xall pay at the begynnyng in settyng vp of his or their crafte of alle maner of wuluene and lynene wewyng xiii^s iiij^d, whereof the Secristene afornseyd xall haue the one half and the wardeyns [underlined for deletion] other halfe to go to the sustentacione and the mayntenaunce of the seyd payent and crafte. And that no persone presume to do contrarye to ony poynt conteynyd in this articule vpone peyne of forfeture as oftyne tymys as ony persone is founde defectyff in xx^s, wherof the Secristene afornseyd xall haue the one halfe, and the wardeyns to the sustentacion vse and profyte of the seyd payent and crafte the other halfe.

Also yt ys be the agrement and assent afornrehersyd ordeynyd provydyd agreed inacted and auctorysed of alle the persones occupying the seyd crafte ordeynyd that one day with inne Lentene duryng the lete of the seyd toune of Bury to be assignyd be the discrecione of the Balyffez of the seyd toune xall appiere beforne the seyd Baliffez, be the retourn and warnyng of the subbaylleffez of the seyd toune and the wardeyns, xii or xiiii honeste and discrete persones of the seyd crafte thanne and there to be sworne and streytely chargyd be the seyd Baliffez trewly and indeferently to inquere and to present alle the persones that in ony poynt mysbehave them or do ayene or contrarye to ony of these bylawes provysiouns and ordenaunces aforrehersyd, and them dewly to punyshe accordyng to the same bylawes provysionnys and ordenaunces. And if ony persone warnyd be the wardeyns and subbaylleffez in maner and forme rehersyd to appere beforne the seyd Baylleffez make defaute and appere not, that persone so makyng defaute xall forfete iii^s iiij^d, wherof the Secristene afornseyd xall hawe the one halfe, and the wardeyns to the sustentacione vse and profythe of the seyd payent and crafte [the other half omitted].

Also yt ys assentyd, agreed, ordeynyd and provydyd that alle the forfetures, fynes, peynes ore amercymentez that xall growe be reasone of the ordenaunces, provysyonnys and bylawes as weell to the seyd Secristene as to the seyd wardeyns xall be lenyed and gadered be the wardeyns and seruauntes and officers of the seyd Secristene, that is to say be the subbaylleffez accordyng to the stretes to them be the clere of the Tollehous deleuered of alle such presenttementes wiche xall be presentyd and amercyd; wiche seyd wardeyns and subbaylleffez xall yeerly make a trewe accounpte to the seyd Secristene of suche duetes as to hym xall be longgyng in that behalf, and to the sustentacione of the seyd payent and crafte of that parte thereto xall be longgyng and perteyne, takyng for their labour as weell for the gaderyng of the seyd duetes as for their attendaunce in the tyme of the makyng of theire accounpte of euery xii^d ii^d be them gaderyd as weell of the seyd Secristene ys part as for the other of the seyd crafte. Prouydyng alwey that the seyd wardens and subbaylleffez bee their othes hawe alwey alowaunce and be dischargyd of alle suche parcellez as they may not gadere nore make leuy of. In wythenesse whereof the parties aboue named to these present indentures interchaungeably haue put their sealys. Youene the day and yeer above wretene."

The seal of the bailiffs is attached, in red wax, and is perfect: a shield bearing three crowns, surmounted by a helmet. "S' officii ballivor' ville de Buri S[anct]i Edm[und]i." The indenture is marked with lateral indentation.

1490–1, 1493–4.—Two rolls of accounts of the bailiff of the manor of Great Bartone.

i. "Compotus Willelmi Cok collectoris redditus et firme manerii." Mich. 6 Hen. VII—Mich. 7 Hen. VII.

ii. Account of the same collector, Mich. 9 Hen. VII.—Mich. 10 Hen. VII.

The total of receipts in the former year is 97l. 8s. 2¾d. and half a farthing; of disbursements, including payments, &c. to the abbot, 97l. 6s. 6d. half-farthing. In the latter year, receipts 81l. 9s. 10¾d.; disbursements 87l. 0s. 0½d.

1516, 20 Nov. an 8. At Westm.—Inspeximus charter of Hen. VIII., reciting the charters to the abbey from that of Canute, and commencing with the inspeximus of Hen. VII. of 1 Dec. an. 3. Three sheets; 194 lines, numbered in the margin. Great seal, broken. In a brown paper parcel, with other documents, marked "1" on a metal label.

1520, 13 Dec. 12 Hen. VIII. At Hampton.—Copy, on paper, about the beginning of the 17th cent. (certified by John Kitson) of a grant from the King to the abbey of the goods of outlaws, of waifs, &c., superseding, for the removal of doubts and ambiguities, a previous grant dated at Croydon 12 Apr. an. 5 (1514), which the abbot has surrendered.

Copy of another grant of the same date, of deodands and treasure trove.

1526.—A quarto book in a parchment cover, containing on 39 leaves of vellum, well written and well preserved, a rental of the property in Bury belonging to the Sacristan. The following title is prefixed:— "Rentale reddit. assic. (sic) ville de Bury S[anct]i Edmundi pertinen. offic. Sacr[a]e monasterii Sancti Edmundi annuatim percipiend. ad festa S[anct]i Mich[ael]is arc[hangel]i et Pasch. equis porcionibus, renovat. pei domp. Thomam Gnatsale Sacram antedict. mon. a^o r. r. Henrici octavi decimo octavo."

1540, 25 March. 31 Hen. VIII. At Walden.—Copy, on paper, in the 17th cent. of the grant to Thomas Kitson, of London, knt., and Margaret his wife, for the sum of £3710 and 20^d, of the manors of Rysbie, Sextens otherwise called Westley, Chevington, Hargrave, Downdham, Fornham All Saints, Fornham St. Genevieve, and Fornham St. Martin, and the park of Chevington, lately belonging to the dissolved monastery of Bury.

1541.—Two receipts from John Acres for 24l. paid by John Holt, gentleman, in two payments, for the tenth and fifteenth due 4 Feb. 1541 from the town of Bury. There is a receipt for another payment of tax in 1542, and ten receipts in the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth.

1546, 28 Jan. 37 Hen. VIII.—Contemporary copy on a paper roll of a decree in the Court of Augmentation in a suit respecting tithes between William Clyfton, citizen and merchant tailor of London and farmer of all the tithes formerly held by the almoner of the abbey, and Thomas Saxsey, clerk, master of St. Nicholas Chapel in Bury and parson of Fornham All Saints.

1556, 12 Feb. 2–3 Phil. and Mary.—Exemplification of a process in 9 Edw. IV. (1469) in which the Abbot of Bury established his right by production of charters to exclusive jurisdiction in the town of Bury, against all secular officers, whereupon sessions were adjourned from Bury to Henhowe. On three skins. Small fragment of seal.

1560.—Three receipts for payments for the supply of clothes and arms for soldiers sent forth from Bury.

1564.—A quarto paper book containing a rental of the town of Bury. This is wrapped in two folio leaves of a MS. breviary, containing portions of the offices for the days of St. Paul and St. John Bapt.

1569.—Account of money laid out by Bartholomew Brokesby in the assurance of lands to Sir Nicholas Bacon for the use of the town of Bury.

1570–1.—Three receipts for payment for clothes and arms for soldiers.

1571, 6 June. 13 Eliz.—Contemporary copy of a grant by the Queen to Nicholas Bacon, esq., of the office of bailiff of Bury as fully as formerly held by Robert Drury, knt., and Clement Heigham, knt., with the annual fee of 7l.

1571–1575.—A folio paper book of forty leaves, in parchment cover, containing orders made respecting servants and workmen in Bury, licenses to dwell in the town and orders to depart, punishments by placing in the stocks in the market-place and whipping at the bullring, etc.; beginning on Sunday 14 Jan. 1570(–1) and ending 11 Dec. 1575.

On the first page the following "articles" are written:—"Articles to be enquired of and put in execucion at the meting of the towneship of Burye the xiiii^th daie of Januarye 1570.

1. First, that every person do repaire to churche every Sondaie and holydaie, and there continewe according to the Q. Majesties lawes, upon peyne in the late statute provided.

2. Item, that every artifycer and labourer suspected of loytring do weekely declare to one of the cunstables of the warde every Sondaie in the morning where he wrought every daie in the said weeke, and the said cunstable to enquire immediatlie the truth thereof.

3. Item, that every journeyman do serve according to the Q. Majesties statutes.

4. Item, if any labourer shall not be provided of worke on the Sondaie for the weeke following, then the curate or cunstable to move the parishe for worke.

5. Item, every spynster to have (if it may be) vi^lb of wolle everye weeke, and to bringe the same home every Saterdaie at night, and if any faile so to doe, the clothier to advertise the cunstable thereof for the examynacion of the cause, and to punyshe it according to the qualitye of the falte.

6. Item, serch to be made every moneth ones in every warde for the resorte of vagaboundes and newe comers into the warde.

7. Item, that no pore person to be suffered to kepe their childrene at home able to serve, but put them to service, without their be speciall cause to the contrarye. [An illustration of this order is given on 28 Jan. following, when Agnes Servall, daughter of Joan Johnson, is enjoined to go to service before Easter, on pain of whiphing both mother and daughter, and in the mean time to be of good behaviour, and to keep her church on the sabbath days.]

8. Item, that there be no person that set up any allehowse unles he shuld have licence under the justices' hands."

At the end of the volume is a list of "the names of the inhabitants for comen conference" in 1570, and on other pages, i. names of poor people to whom gowns were given in Nov. 1572 at the charge of the town house; ii. winter liveries given 30 Oct. 1574; iii. cards and spinning-wheels also given in Oct. 1574.

1604, 14 June. 2 Jas. I.—Grant from the Crown to Robert Drury, knt., of the tithes &c. formerly belonging to the almoner of the monastery, on a lease for forty years. Great seal, in white wax, partly broken.

1607.—A folio paper book, containing 22 written leaves, in a parchment cover, bearing the following title; "Constitucions, lawes, statuts, decrees and ordinaunces" made 18 July 5 Jas I. "by the alderman, assistants and burgesses of the burghe of Bury St. Edmunde, for the good government of the said burghe and of the people and inhabitants of the same," by virtue of letters patent granted 3 Apr. 1606 to the alderman and burgesses; examined and approved by Sir Edw. Coke, knt., and Sir Will. Danyell, knt., justices of assize for Suffolk, in their circuit, 21 July, 1607. The signatures of Coke and Danyell are attached at the end of the orders. The orders, in number 132, are arranged under the following heads: i. To avoid idleness and relieve the poor. ii. To avoid the misdemeanours daily done in inns, taverns, alehouses and tippling houses. iii. To avoid common nuisances within the streets and lanes. iv. For apprentices and the making them free for service done, and how freemen shall order themselves. v. For the good government of the corporation and to avoid abuses to the alderman and burgesses. vi. For process and fees of the court of record. vii. For the true working of cloth. The orders for the regulation of this trade amount to 38. viii. For the sale of victuals. ix. A prohibition to tailors, saddlers, &c. for the buying of cloth, silk, &c. to sell again. x. For usage of the fairs and markets by strangers. xi. Against freemen colouring foreign goods. xii. To avoid swearing and using unseemly songs, ballads, libels and rhymes. Fourpence for every oath, and for every such song twelve pence; in default, the house of correction. xiii. To prevent the infecting of youth in Popery by schoolmasters. No one, except the master and usher of the free grammar school, to teach children to read, write, or understand the English, Latin, French, Italian or Spanish tongues, without license of the alderman and burgesses, upon pain of forfeiting for every default 6s. 8d. xiv. That lanterns and candles may be shewed in winter, as well to give light to such as for just causes go abroad in the night as to find out such as commit misdemeanours in the dark. xv. To prevent the excessive dearth of wood, coals, and other fuel. No brewers, dyers, or others using much fuel in their trades to burn any wood or charcoal, but only sea-coal, sedge, straw, or other such things; and no innkeepers to brew except for their own families. xvi. To prevent deceits by such as buy and sell by unsealed weights and measures. xvii. To prevent the excessive turning of barley into malt and the unnecessary number of maltsters, and the making of malt at unseasonable times. xviii. For the better ordering of the market. xix. For the ordering of linen weavers in their trade. Nine orders. xx. For the ordering of bakers in their trade and the keeping the assize of bread. Twenty-seven orders. xxi. For the relief of the cutlers dwelling in this borough, and to prevent the resort of cutlers that are straugers.

At the end of the volume are added three subsequent orders. One of 27 July 1608, that whereas on 11 Apr. by a fire commencing in a malt-house covered with thatch 160 dwelling-houses and 400 outhouses and houses of necessary use, or thereabouts, were utterly consumed, the loss being esteemed not so little as 60,000l., to the utter undoing of many of the inhabitants, the thatched houses being the principal occasion of the fire being carried by the wind, it is ordered that no person building or repairing any house with overway and spars cover it with thatch but wholly with tile, slate, lead, or board. (fn. 2) Another on 1 Sept. 1609 that whereas the streets are greatly impaired by the multitude of brewers' carts having wheels shod with iron, to the general annoyance of the inhabitants and of all such as resort hither, no brewer shall carry beer through the streets in any cart having such wheels. A third of 6 Jan. 162¾ that no one be elected for burgess in parliament but such as shall have been admitted a free burgess of the council of the borough, and shall have taken oath to defend its franchises.

1609, 1 Apr. 7 Jas. I.—Copy, on a paper roll, of a charter of incorporation for the clothiers, clothworkers, woollen weavers, and tailors of Bury.

Copy, on a paper roll, of constitutions and orders for the regulation of the corporation, submitted by George Boldero, clothier, and George Fisson, tailor, masters of the art of clothiers, &c., and Edmund Heinard, clothier, and Edward White, weaver, to Lord Chancellor Ellesmere, and approved by him.

Copy of a subsequent petition from clothiers and tailors, &c., praying that the charter may be withdrawn and the corporation suppressed, on the ground that it was obtained by only a few persons against the will of the majority, and is made only a means for extorting money.

1613, 10 July.—Agreement signed by 40 burgesses that whereas the common carrier of the town has usually travelled towards London on Wednesday morning in every week, he shall henceforth for the better observation of the sabbath day, set forth upon Monday and make his return upon Saturday, and the letter carrier so to travel that he may make his return upon Saturday.

1614, 20 Oct.—List of all the inhabitants of St. Mary's parish owing service at the court leet, and of all the brewers, innholders, alehousekeepers, butchers, millers, and "deasners" in the same parish.

1616–17.—Papers relating to a dispute between the brewers and the inn-holders:—

1. Copy of a petition from the common brewers of the town to the Privy Council, setting forth that whereas they are from time to time, according to the statute, restrained to sell their beer at set prices, the innholders and alehouse keepers, as not being within the letter of the statute, and not selling out of their houses, take liberty to brew beer of such excessive strength, priced at the rate of 8d. per gallon, as that the beer made by the common brewers is not vendible; such strong beer being also an extraordinary waste of malt and wheat, and a bewitching means to draw the people to drunkenness, idleness, and other vices displeasing to God. And although many of the said innkeepers have been imprisoned and otherwise punished so far as by law they might be, yet they persist and increase in their disorder. The Council therefore are prayed to interpose their authority.

2. Original letter from the Privy Council to the Justices of Assize for Suffolk, directing them at the next assizes to take notice of this complaint, and to order some effectual course for the reformation of so foul an abuse; Greenwich, 23 June, 1616. Signed by G. [Abbot] Cant., T. Ellesmere, Canc., T. Suffolke, E. Worcester, Lenox, Pembroke, Fenton, E. Zouche, W. Knollys, E. Wotton, Raphe Winwood, and Tho. Lake.

3. Copy of a petition to the justices of assize from "a great number of poor people," whose names are subscribed, setting forth that "we have many years been relieved by those innkeepers which had the liberty to brew their beer in their own houses, not only with money and food, but also at the several times of their brewing, (being moved with pity and compassion, knowing our great extremities and necessities) with such quantities of their small beer as has been a continual help and comfort to us with our poor wives and children; yet of late the common brewers, whose number is small and their benefits to us the poor as little, notwithstanding in their estate they are wealthy and occupy great offices of malting, under pretence of doing good to the commonwealth, have for their own lucre and gain privately combined themselves, and procured orders from the Privy Council that none shall brew in this town but they and their adherents, and by that means seek further to enrich themselves by prohibiting of our said continual benefactors from brewing; so that we your poor suppliants with our families shall be utterly undone and impoverished." They pray therefore that the brewers may not be allowed to debar so many charitable persons from brewing, and thereby to undo a great number of poor men with their wives, children, widows, fatherless, and orphans. The names of fifteen innholders are subjoined, with those of twentyeight petitioners, mentioning their wives and children.

4. Order of the judges of assize referring the matter to the Recorder, Alderman, and others for examination; 4 July, 1616.

5. Reasons against brewing in inns and alehouses; 25 March, 1617.

6. Account of the hearing of both parties before Robert Brown, the alderman, Sir John Heigham, knt., Thomas Richardson, serj.-atlaw and recorder, and John Gooderich, coroner, by virtue of letters from the Privy Council, with their order thereupon that all common innkeepers and alehouse keepers shall from henceforth be wholly suppressed from brewing in any of their houses or in any place to serve their houses, except such as shall be licensed to brew ale only. Of this paper there is a fair copy, and also a rough draft with corrections, signed by Sir T. Heigham. To the latter is subjoined a draft of a letter from one J. M. to one of the burgesses in Parliament, asking for advice respecting the carrying out of the order.

161⁷/8, 22 Feb.—Citation from the Court of Arches to the alderman and burgesses of Bury to appear for the acceptance of a legacy from Stephen Peers, M.D., of Goville and Caius College, Cambridge, of 1,000l. on trust to pay 50l. yearly to the said college, and to lend the principal to honest young tradesmen in sums of 30l., or 40l. at most, with good security, at 5 per cent. interest. Legacies of 2,000l. to Norwich and 1,000l. to Cambridge and King's Lynn are also bequeathed upon similar conditions.

1620.—Petition in Chancery from Sir Nicholas Bacon, bart., of Redgrave, dated 23 June 1620, complaining that since the incorporation of the borough ten years since, the alderman and burgesses do not only maintain not so few as 300 alehouses besides the common inns, but levy for the town the amerciaments, recognizances, &c. which belong to him by virtue of the grant to his father of the rights formerly possessed by the Abbey.

1620–1628.—Sheriffs' indentures with the alderman and burgesses, and writs, for parliamentary elections:—

1. 1620, 2 Jan.—Election of Thomas Jermyn, knt., and John Woodford, esq. Signed by William Springe, sheriff. On parchment.

2. 1623, 15 Jan.—Writ from Nat. Barnardiston, sheriff, for an election. On paper.

3. 1625, 11 Jan.—Election of Thomas Jermyn, knt., and Emmanuel Gifford. Signed by Samuel Ailemer, sheriff. On parchment.

4. 162⁷/8, 14 Feb.—Writ from Maurice Burrowe, sheriff, signed by Robert Aldhouse, deputy sheriff. On paper.

1632, 28 Sept.—Grant from the governors of the Free School to the feoffees of the town lands, in pursuance of an indenture dated 21 Jan. in the same year, of all the tithes formerly belonging to the chapel or hospital of St. Peter, which were sold and conveyed to the said governors by Charles Somerset, esq., son and heir of Sir George Somerset, knt., by deed dated 20 March 24 Eliz. [1582]; and the said governors release the said feoffees from payment of 100l., part of a sum of 200l. lent to them towards the purchase of the churches in the town of Bury, &c. A broken impression of the school seal is attached, which may possibly be amongst the earliest in existence, representing our Lord, with five heads of persons around Him, and His words beneath, "Sinite puerulos venire ad Me." [This is contained in a parcel wrapped up in brown paper, with the number "1" attached on a tin label.]

1635.—Papers relating to a muster of the trained bands:—

1. Copy, certified by Theo., earl of Suffolk, lord lieut. of the county, of a letter to him from the Privy Council, enjoining him, in consequence of daily advertisements from parts abroad of great preparations by neighbouring princes and states, both by sea and land, to have immediate and careful musters made of all the trained forces, and to see that their arms be complete according to the modern fashion, to the providing of which arms clergy and recusants are to contribute; 27 April, 1635.

2. Letter from the earl of Suffolk, to the Alderman, recorder, and deputy-lieutenants of Bury, in accordance with the preceding; Suffolk House, 8 May.

3. Muster-rolls for the High, East, West, North and South Wards of all the able men from 16 to 60; taken 29 May. These rolls are of much local interest as giving the names of probably almost all the families then resident in Bury. An endorsement gives the total number as 1335.

1662. Resolution, signed and sealed by 12 commissioners for carrying out the Act for the well governing of Corporations, that Oliver Hovell's place as one of the 24 burgesses be void, he having refused to sign the declaration required by the Act, and admitting William Browne in his place; 24 Oct. 1662. To this is attached the declaration referred to, against the Solemn League and Covenant, with the signatures of all the members and officers of the Corporation. On parchment. A copy of this is entered in the Corporation Minute-book.

1667.—Rental-book of the houses in Bury belonging to the town.