English Economic History: Select Documents. Various

for sale, 1½d., on 5 bacons for sale ½d., on each salmon, fresh or salt, for sale,¼d., on each 100 mackerel for sale ½d., on each lamprey for sale ½d., on 10 sheep, goats or swine for sale 1d., on 10 fleeces for sale ½d., on each 100 woolfells of sheep, goats, stags, hinds, bucks and does for sale 1d., on each 100 fells of lambs, kids, hares, rabbits, foxes, cats and squirrels ½d., on each cart-load of sea-fish for sale 2d., on each horse-load of sea-fish for sale ½d., on each truss of cloths brought by cart 3d., on each horse-load of cloth for sale or other diverse and minute things for sale coming to the same town ½d., on each cart-load of iron for sale 1d., on each 100 of steel for sale ¼d., on each cart-load of tin for sale ½d., on each quarter of woad 2d., on each tun of wine for sale 2d., on each sack of wool for sale 2d., on each horse-load of wool 1d., on each horse-load of apples, pears or nuts for sale ¼d., on each 100 of linen web and canvas for sale ½d., on each 100 of linen for sale ¼d., on each new cart for sale ¼d., on each cart laden with timber for sale ½d., on each 1000 laths 1½d., on each 100 stockfish and Aberdeen fish ½d., on each cart laden with hay or grass for sale ¼d., on each cart carrying rushes for sale 1d., on each cart-load of heath for sale ½d., on each truss of chalons[186] for sale ½d., on each horse-load of glass (verro) ½d., on each horse-load of garlic for sale ½d., on each 1000 herrings for sale ¼d., on each 100 boards for sale 1d., on each cart-load of faggots for sale ¼d., on each quarter of salt for sale ¼d., on each dozen horse-loads of coals for sale ½d., on each cart-load of coals for sale ½d., on each cart-load of brushwood for sale ½d., on each horse-load of brushwood for sale by the week ¼d., on each 1000 nails for house gables (ad cumilum domus) for sale ¼d., on each 100 horse shoes for horses and clout-nails for carts ½d., on 2000 of all manner of nails for sale except nails for carts and house gables ¼d., on each truss of every kind of ware for sale coming to the same town and exceeding the value of 2s.,¼d. And therefore we command you that you take the customs aforesaid until the end of the said three years in the form aforesaid, and that after the term of the said three years be complete the said customs wholly cease and be annulled. In witness whereof, etc., to endure for the aforesaid three years. Witness the King at Northampton, 8 May.

      By the King himself.

[186] Coverlets made at Chalons-sur-Marne.

      14. Misappropriation of the Tolls Levied for Pavage [Fine Roll, 10 Edward III, m. 22], 1336.

      The King to his beloved and faithful John de Mounteny, Nicholas de Beaulu, Robert Scuffyn, and William de Merston, greeting. Know ye that whereas on the 8th day of May in the second year of our reign by our letters patent we granted unto the venerable father Henry, bishop of Lincoln, that he should have in the town of Newark pavage for the term of three years next following, and afterwards, wishing to do further grace to the same bishop in this behalf, we granted unto him that from the end of the term aforesaid he should take in the town aforesaid such pavage until the end of four years then next following, the collection of which pavage amounts to no small sum, as it is said; and we have received a petition shown before us and our council, containing that the collectors of the pavage aforesaid in the time aforesaid have detained by them the money which they have collected from that pavage by virtue of the grants aforesaid, and still detain the same, converting it to other uses than to the repair and amendment of that town, as would be fitting, to the deception of us and contrary to the form of the grants aforesaid: We, wishing to apply a remedy in this behalf, as well for us as for the safety of the town aforesaid in times to come, as we are bound, have appointed you, three and two of you, to survey all works, if any have been done by the collectors aforesaid from such money levied and collected during the time of the grants aforesaid in the same town, and to enquire, if need be, of the names of the collectors aforesaid, and to cause those collectors to come before you, three or two of you, and to hear and determine finally the account of all the same collectors of all their receipts from the time aforesaid for such cause, and to distrain the same collectors to apply without delay in such repair all money levied on account of the premises and not applied in the repair aforesaid, and to appoint and depute certain fit collectors of the pavage aforesaid in the town aforesaid of the same town, to collect and levy the money there and to apply the same in the repair and amendment of the pavage aforesaid in times to come, as you shall deem best to be done according to your discretions for our advantage and the safety of the town aforesaid. And therefore we command you that at certain days which you, three or two of you, shall provide herefor, you hear and determine the account aforesaid, and do and accomplish all and singular the premises in the form aforesaid; for we have commanded our sheriff of Nottingham that at certain days which you, three or two of you, shall cause him to know, he cause to come before you, three or two of you, the collectors aforesaid, and as many and such good and lawful men of his bailiwick by whom the truth of the matter in the premises may the better be known and enquired of. In witness whereof, etc. Witness the King at Walsingham, 15 February. By petition of the Council.

      15. Ordinances of the White Tawyers of London [Guildhall Letter-Book F, f. 126], 1346.

      In honour of God, of Our Lady, and of all Saints, and for the nurture of tranquillity and peace among the good folks the Megucers, called "Whittawyers," the folks of the same trade have, by assent of Richard Lacer, Mayor, and of the Aldermen, ordained the points underwritten.

      In the first place, they have ordained that they will find a wax candle, to burn before Our Lady in the Church of All Hallows near London Wall. Also, that each person of the said trade shall put in the box such sum as he shall think fit, in aid of maintaining the said candle.

      Also, if by chance any one of the said trade shall fall into poverty, whether through old age, or because he cannot labour or work, and have nothing with which to help himself; he shall have every week from the said box 7d. for his support if he be a man of good repute. And after his decease, if he have a wife, a woman of good repute, she shall have weekly for her support 7d. from the said box, so long as she shall behave herself well, and keep single.

      And that no stranger shall work in the said trade, or keep house [for the same] in the city, if he be not an apprentice, or a man admitted to the franchise of the said city.

      And that no one shall take the serving man of another to work with him, during his term, unless it be with the permission of his master.

      And if any one of the said trade shall have work in his house that he cannot complete, or if for want of assistance such work shall be in danger of being lost, those of the said trade shall aid him, that so the said work be not lost.

      And if any one of the said trade shall depart this life, and have not wherewithal to be buried, he shall be buried at the expense of their common box; and when any one of the said trade shall die, all those of the said trade shall go to the Vigil, and make offering on the morrow.

      And if any serving-man shall conduct himself in any other manner than properly towards his master, and act rebelliously towards him, no one of the said trade shall set him to work, until he shall have made amends before the Mayor and Aldermen; and before them such misprision shall be redressed.

      And that no one of the said trade shall behave himself the more thoughtlessly, in the way of speaking or acting amiss, by reason of the points aforesaid; and if any one shall do to the contrary thereof, he shall not follow the said trade until he shall have reasonably made amends.

      And if any one of the said trade shall do to the contrary of any point of the Ordinances aforesaid, and be convicted thereof by good men of the said trade, he shall pay to the Chamber of the Guildhall of London, the first time 2s., the second time 40d., the third time half a mark, and the fourth time 10s., and shall forswear the trade.

      Also, that the good folks of the same trade shall once in the year be assembled in a certain place, convenient thereto, there to choose two men of the most loyal and befitting of the said trade, to be overseers of work